Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
October 25, 2009
Drivers in Dallas were improperly given tickets for not speaking English (i.e., for being a "non-English-speaking driver"). This has happened 38 times in the past three years. At least six officers wrote the citations, including one officer who wrote five of them [someone seems a little overzealous]. The chief of the police department said there is a law requiring drivers of commercial vehicles to speak English, and the law had been misapplied to local drivers of public vehicles. (Full Story)
How did these officers even think this was a legitimate law (well, it is Texas...)? Or at least a law worthy enough of giving someone a citation? If that was a law, you think you wouldn't even bother enforcing it. I would be embarrassed to issue someone a citation like that.
Interesting article about the reluctance of Hollywood to make movies about strong women. (Full Story)
Some highlights:
"If 'Amelia' earns respectable receipts, chances are it will be dismissed as a lucky break. If it fails, it will be cited as yet more proof that strong female protagonists are box office poison."
"Two years ago, when the Jodie Foster vigilante thriller 'The Brave One' failed at the box office, industry blogger Nikki Finke reported that a Warner Brothers production executive announced to staffers that the studio would no longer produce movies featuring female leads."
"Of the top 10 movies of 2009 so far, only one features a woman in a leading role: the romantic comedy "The Proposal," starring Sandra Bullock (ouch!). 'Julie & Julia', which is close to breaking the $100 million barrier, is the only hit film that features a 'serious' female protagonist."
"More than ever, the movie business is geared toward the young men who go to movies most frequently. And by and large that's a comedy audience and an action audience."
"Dramas are dead. Some of the greatest parts for women -- the Academy Awards parts for women -- are often in dramas, and this is the worst time for dramas since I've been in the business for the last 10,000 years...Dramas are still alive in television, which is why we see some of our greatest actresses emigrating to TV, everyone from Mary-Louise Parker to Glenn Close to Holly Hunter."
"One reason why we see fewer strong female leads these days is a changing business model. In the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s -- years when stars like Jane Fonda, Barbara Streisand, Sally Field, and Goldie Hawn were making movies in a diverse number of genres -- studios were not, as they are now, subsidiaries of multi-corporations, responsible for contributing to quarterly bottom lines. With economic pressures greater than ever, studios are looking for movies that are guaranteed to make $100 million their first weekend out. The result: More Paul Blarts, fewer Erin Brockoviches. "
The Reproductive Health and Population Development Act, the bill going before the Philippine Congress, would require governments down to the local level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services, including birth control pills, condoms, tubal ligation, and vasectomy. It would also mandate sex education in all schools, both public and private, from fifth grade through high school.
This legislation seems badly needed. Research has found that between 2000 and 2006, only half of Filipino women of reproductive age used any form of birth control. In addition, 54% of the 3.4 million pregnancies in the Philippines in 2008 were unintended -- with 92% of those pregnancies resulting from not using birth control. These unintended pregnancies contributed to an estimated half-million abortions that year. As abortion is illegal in the country, most of these abortions are done in crude, unsanitary ways. The article gave the story of a woman trying to terminate unwanted pregnancies by jumping down the stairs; drinking an herbal concoction that was supposed to induce an abortion; taking Cyotec, which is a drug used to treat gastric ulcers and is referred to widely in the Philippines as "abortion pill". Furthermore, maternal deaths in the Philippines is one of the highest in the region. Proponents also say the bill will help control "unbridled population growth". One congressional Representative said the Philippines population is growing more than 2% annually, which is one of the highest rates in Asia, and this fast growth can stunt socioeconomic development and aggravate poverty.
No surprise, the main opposition is from the Roman Catholic Church (the country is very Catholic). They say the law will promote abortion by promoting abortion-inducing drugs. However, proponents of the bill say that the legislation says birth control pills should be available, but these are not abortion-inducing drugs. Proponents of the bill are optimistic, the bill has already won the support of the House health committee. Also, opinion surveys show support for the bill. (Full Story)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October 24, 2009
Oklahoma recently passed controversial laws regarding abortion, and now, no surprise, these laws are being legally challenged in court by abortion rights supporters to stop them from taking effect. One of the laws would require women seeking an abortion to fill out a lengthy survey that asks them, among other things, their race, education, information about their relationships, and their reason for seeking an abortion (e.g., having relationships problems, can't afford the child, the baby would dramatically change their lives). This information will then be compiled into a statistical report and posted on the Health Department's website (they say the identities of the women will be kept private). Proponents say the information will be valuable in understanding why women seek abortions, and that this information could help them to reduce the number of abortions in Oklahoma. Another law requires doctors to provide detailed information about complications that arise as a result of getting an abortion. Opponents who are legally challenging these laws say they are meant to be intimidating, restrictive, and to scare people out of getting an abortion. One plaintiff complained about the reporting requirements, "Those are totally intimidating, totally personal questions, and it's nobody's business."
A district court judge has already overturned the other law, which would require women that are seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound and the doctor talks them through what they're seeing. Proponents say it helps to inform women how developed the fetus is (in an attempt to scare them out of getting an abortion). However it was ruled that the method was too invasive. The procedure would require doctors to use a vaginal transducer in the earliest stages of pregnancy because the fetus is so small that an abdominal ultrasound (which most pregnant women undergo) wouldn't provide a clear enough image. The state loves that law so much that they have appealed the decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. "Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi require ultrasounds in all abortion cases, and Arizona and Florida require them after the first trimester; but no other state requires doctors to describe the image to women and mandate that a vaginal ultrasound by used in certain cases." (Full Story)
I think this survey is definitely an invasion of privacy. Women shouldn't have to disclose irrelevant personal information in order to receive a medical procedure. The state can't use these women as guinea pigs in an attempt to reduce abortions. I also don't understand why this information has to be put on a website. Why do the people of Oklahoma have to know that x% of abortions were performed on African-American women? That x% of abortions were performed on people with a high school education or less? And how detailed is the information going to be? They say they won't release personal information, but how specific and identifiable is this information going to be? Are they going to give raw numbers or percentages? Are they going to do break-downs by county or city? Are they going to say there were 15 abortions in X county. Six were African American. Seven were Caucasian. 2 were Asian. What if that county only has 10 Asian people? It might not give the names of the people, but this information can be used to target people or single people out.
Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, has set a financial record. He has now spent more of his own money than any other individual in U.S. history in the pursuit of public office. As of Friday, he spent $85 million on his latest re-election campaign. He's expected to spend between $110 million and $140 million by the election on November 3rd. (Full Story)
Meanwhile, the picture included in the article is Bloomberg "treating" Colin Powell to a $2 street vendor hot dog. You can drop $140 million for a mayoral campaign, but you can't even drop like $20 to take Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, to at least an indoors restaurant?
"No Einstein in Your Crib? Get a Refund" - I immediately thought the article was something along the lines of your kid isn't as smart as you were hoping and you want to return that thing asap. Turns out it's really about Disney offering refunds for its "Baby Einstein" videos because, gasp, they made false claims that the videos could actually turn your child into a genius. (Full Story)
"The Loin in Winter: Hefner Reflects, and Grins" - The first thing that came to mind was Hugh Hefner looking at his genitals and grinning at what he sees. And I shiver at what I thought. (P.S. Nice word play, New York Times. What are you ten?). I also love all the old age references throughout the article: "A visitor had asked -- more like shouted, since [Hefner] has trouble hearing", "His three live-in girlfriends -- each young enough to be his great-granddaughter", "Playboy Enterprises, hobbled by a shifting media landscape, is in need of heart paddles", "Working from his home office or bed", "His girlfriends recently educated him about Twitter ('I'll be playing gin rummy tonight', was a recent tweet)." (Full Story)
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23, 2009
U.S. communications regulators (FCC commissioners) voted unanimously to support an open internet rule ("net neutrality") that would prevent telecom network operators from blocking content based on the revenue it generates. The proposed rule now goes to public comment until January 14 and then the FCC will review the feedback. A final rule is not expected until spring of next year. "The rule would prevent operators from discriminating against any legal content a third party want to deliver to consumers on their networks, though it allows for 'reasonable' network management to unclog congestion, clear viruses and spam, and block unlawful content." (Full Story)
In other words, internet service providers wouldn't be able to block or slow traffic without warning based on the content (and simply because the content is in competition with the ISPs). Like Comcast limiting bandwidth for certain sites that would broadcast TV shows or blocking/slowing internet connections for people downloading peer-to-peer files, because they want people to use their pay-television services. Or ISPs blocking or limiting Skype or other Voice Over Internet protocol (VoIP) systems because it's competition for Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon. Your ISP shouldn't control or inhibit the content you can access on the internet. And since so many Americans get their internet from these few large companies, this is a big deal.
To conclude, here are some interesting tidbits from the article: "AT&T President of Operations John Stankey said he is anticipating the rule with as much dread as if he were going to the funeral of a dear friend." Wow, dramatic much?
And "Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, said he introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at prohibiting the FCC from enacting rules to regulate the internet." Hold the phone, John McCain knows what the internet is?
A group of wealthy Germans have launched a petition saying the government should make wealthy people pay higher taxes. Yes, you read that right. The group says they make more than they need and the extra revenue could be used to fund economic and social programs -- which is especially needed during the economic recovery. They said that simply donating money is not enough, they want a change in the whole approach. They say, "The path out of the crisis must be paved with massive investment in ecology, education, and social justice." They held a demonstration demanding higher taxes (in direct contrast to the Tea Party protests here in the United States) and they threw fake money into the air. (Full Story)
Wow. A whole group of wealthy people with a sense of justice and duty to society? Well I never!
Republican senators David Vitter (Louisiana) and Bob Bennett (Utah) proposed that next year's Census needs to include a question about the status of a person's citizenship -- and if the citizenship question is not added, the Census Bureau's funds would be frozen. Critics say this is a ploy to discourage immigrants from participating. Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said, "Every census since 1790 has included citizens and noncitizens alike, and presidential administrations of both parties have repeatedly upheld counting all persons residing in the United States." The Census Bureau also criticized this proposal saying that adding a last-minute change and printing new forms will be very costly, both financially and time-wise. It would set the census collection schedule back. (Full Story)
Maybe we should just count immigrants as three-fifths of a person. That's gone over so well before. Regardless of whether they are citizens here or not, they are in fact here. They increase the population of an area, they still drive on roads, their children still go to schools, etc. And the Census helps to allocate funding. Communities benefit from this state and federal funding given for programs and services. Why should an area be given funding for a population of 150,000 when it really has 200,000? Areas will be hurt by having an inaccurate count. In addition, there are many mixed households in which some occupants of the house are legal citizens while others are not (e.g., multiple-family dwellings, extended family members living together, children are native-born while the parents are not citizens). If this proposal is passed, families in these situations probably won't participate (i.e., won't be counted) out of fear because at least one occupant of the house is not a citizen. So it's not just non-citizens that will be left out. And, finally, as a social science researcher, having the most accurate count of the people that reside in this country and their demographics is really important information.
As for the very sensitive, contentious political issue with the Census -- reappropriation -- if all people were counted (both citizens and non-citizens) it seems there will be a pretty equal balance between red and blue states getting and losing congressional seats. So it's not like Republicans should be upset because they think blue states will gain a lot of seats at the loss of red states. It's suspected that California will probably gain some seats, but so will Texas, Arizona, and Florida (a purple state). And New York, Illinois, and Ohio will probably lose a seat or two. If anything, red states seem to be getting a better deal.
Sweden has also created new dietary guidelines taking into account both health and climate. Some of the new guidelines include recommending Swedes to choose carrots more over cucumbers or tomatoes because the latter two have to be grown in heated greenhouses in Sweden, which uses a lot of energy; eating fish less because Europe's stocks are depleting; and eating more chicken and rice instead of red meat due to the emissions associated with raising cattle. If the food guidelines are religiously followed, some experts say that Sweden could cuts its emissions by 20-50%.
Furthermore, next year Sweden's main organic certification program will start requiring farmers to convert to low-emissions techniques in order receive the certified organic seal on their products. For example, stopping the plowing of peat soil because plowing it releases a large amount of CO2, requiring hothouses to use biofuels for heating, and requiring dairy farmers to mostly feed their herds with locally grown food (at least 70% has to be locally grown). (Full Story)
Congress passed a measure that expands the definition of a federal hate crime. It is now expanded to include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Previously it centered on race, color, religion, and national origin. It is expected that Barack Obama will sign it into law. This expansion has been on the congressional agenda for a decade (and was a priority for Sen. Ted Kennedy). In order to ensure its passage, Democrats attached the measure to a critical $680 billion defense policy bill. The measure was named in honor of Matthew Shepard, the Wyoming college student who was beaten to death 1998 because he was gay. (Full Story)
I remember hearing about the Matthew Shepard case, and I was really affected by the story. I can't believe it's been eleven years. And I can't believe that it's taken all this time for this measure to pass; but thankfully it did pass.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 22, 2009
To complement the article we already posted on the British National Party: Today hundreds of protesters gathered outside the BBC Television Center where the leader of the BNP will appear as a panelist on the program "Question Time". Many condemn the invitation to the racist party leader, but the BBC said that as a publicly-funded broadcaster, it must cover all political parties that have a national presence [6% of British votes in the European elections resulting in two seats, and no seats in the British parliament, is not too much of a national presence, if you ask me.] This has sparked a debate between free-speech advocates and those that believe the BNP shouldn't be given a public, national platform (on primetime) to express their racist beliefs (and some says it gives legitimacy to their views and could spark racist violence). While others say the BNP appearance will expose how bigoted the party is (for example, only white people can join the BNP, they're anti-immigration, they have denied the holocaust). (Full Story)
I don't think free speech covers hate speech intended to intimidate. I also don't think free speech has anything to do with the right to be on television. I respect people's right to self-publish but I don't expect them to have the right to have their hate broadcasted on television.
A Pew Research Center poll found that only 57% believe there is strong evidence that the Earth is warming. This is in contrast to 2006 and 2007 when 77% believed there was strong evidence of global warming (and in 2008 it was 71%). That 57% is made up of 36% that believe it's because of human activity, 16% that believe it's because of natural patterns, and 3% that don't know. So only 36% believe there is strong evidence of global warming and that it's caused by human activity. In addition, in 2007 45% thought global warming was a very serious problem. That number is now 35%. (Full Story) (Full Story)
Interesting article on the British National Party (BNP). This far-right fringe party, which many say is racist, is getting more and more votes. The BNP got nearly a million votes in the European elections and got two seats in the European parliament. There are white working class voters who are feeling ignored by the Labour Party, and are starting to cast their votes for BNP mostly for its anti-immigration stance. The reporter found that many of the people he interviewed, that said they were going to vote for the BNP, knew very little about the party. They didn't know much about its history or its party leaders. They only knew the party was anti-immigration, and that was enough for them. "They did not particularly like the party. Theirs was a protest vote, a cry to be heard...Many of the people I met knew that the BNP was regarded as a racist party but it did not deter them from voting for the party. They did not care because they felt ignored and sidelined." (Full Story)
In these tough economic times, the shortage of jobs and housing will probably only increase the number of white working class people who feel like their needs are not being met and they will look to blame someone (often immigrants). This will only help the BNP. The reporter argued that there is a "need for the mainstream parties to re-connect with white working families."
It is sad that many working class people don't realize that the things hurting them are the same problems pushing people to immigrate in the first place. And that immigrants in their country often deal with the same problems that white working class people are -- cuts in wages, lack of affordable housing, feelings of being ignored and isolated. If these two groups combined their struggles, they would be in much better shape. Unfortunately, groups like the BNP take that resentment and then play these groups against each other.
Hispanic farmers are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture for discrimination. They say the USDA discriminated against Hispanics by delaying or denying them loans that could have saved their farms. They say these loans were readily extended to white farmers in similar situations. In addition, they say the USDA neglected to investigate their complaints.
This lawsuit by Hispanic farmers from Texas to California was filed nine years ago and they're still waiting. While they wait, some of the farmers have lost their livelihood and homes. These farmers are having to turn to other jobs. Many of these farm owners are now working as farm workers on other people's farms. The article mentions a former farmer that applied for disaster relief assistance after water pipes broke and ruined her land. She now works at Wal-Mart.
What is frustrating for these Hispanic farmer plaintiffs is that they have been denied by the government a class action lawsuit, which would result in a group settlement. Instead, farmers have to present their cases one by one and claims will be decided on an individual case basis. Stephen Hill, the lead council who is representing these Hispanic plaintiffs pro bono, said that forcing the farmers to fight their case on an individual basis instead of as a group is "really a cynical ploy on the part of the government, and it denies these farmers justice." He added that the farmers alone don't have the means to to take on the agency's bottomless resources. He has appealed the farmers' case to the Supreme Court, hoping to get certification as a class action.
Also frustrating for the Hispanic farmers is that a similar lawsuit filed by black farmers led to a billion dollar settlement (heard by a different judge). It was certified as class action and and was settled in 1999. In addition to the billion dollar settlement, Congress last year gave black farmers a second chance to claim the money. Obama also set aside another $1.25 billion as part of the 2010 budget to settle their additional claims. These Hispanic farmer aren't against the black farmers' settlement, they just want the same standards to be applied to their case. (Full Story)
Several musicians have endorsed a Freedom of Information Act request which would declassify documents related to using music in interrogation practices at Guantanamo and other detention camps. They want to know all the songs that have been used as a method of torture (blasting the same song over and over for several hours at excruciating decibels), in an attempt to coerce or punish detainees.
Musicians that are supporting this cause include Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Roots, Rosanne Cash, Trent Reznor, Tom Morello, David Byrne, Billy Bragg, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and T-Bone Burnett. These musicians are against the idea of their music, or any music in general, being used for the purposes of torture. They said once the song information is released, they may explore legal options.
Based on interviews with former detainees, it is believed that at least this music was used: the theme from Sesame Street, Don McLean's "American Pie", Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run", Queen's "We Are the Champions", Nine Inch Nails's "March of the Pigs", Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady", Rage Against the Machine, the Bee Gees, Christina Aguilera, Metallica, and "The Star Spangled Banner". I'll skip the obvious, inappropriate joke about how some of this music could break me, even at regular decibels.
A White House spokesman said that music is no longer used as an instrument of torture, and that Obama changed that policy on his second day in office. He signed an executive order that interrogations must be consistent with the Geneva Conventions. (Full Story)
The Treasury Department is expected in the next few day to order cuts in pay for top executives at bailed-out firms. The cuts apply to the 25 highest paid executives at the seven companies that received the most bail-out funding (excluding those companies that have already repaid the bailout money). It's expected that, on average, the top executives' base salary will be cut 90% and their total compensation will be cut in half. (Full Story)
It just shows how ludicrously high these executive salaries are if they can easily shoulder a 90% salary cut. How many people could feasibly do that? It's got to be hard going from $7 million to a paltry $700,000. Hopefully they can still put food on the table. And of course, it doesn't hurt that they have all these perks on top of a salary (like stock options, retirement savings, performance-based incentives, and other special benefits). Even if all those things were cut in half, that still would be a lot of money. And they've made so much money throughout the years, they could probably go quite a while without pay. Most Americans have no idea what that is like.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 21, 2009
Another example of egregious behavior by insurance companies: After a woman in Florida was raped, her doctor prescribed to her a month's worth of anti-AIDS medicine as a proper precaution. She didn't end up developing an HIV infection. Then, months later when she lost her insurance and was looking for new coverage, she was denied a policy because the HIV medication raised too many health questions. She even explained to the insurance company what the scenario was and why she took the medication. They still denied her the coverage and said they might reconsider in three or more years if she could prove that she still was HIV-free. (Full Story)
"The Founding of a Republic" has set the record for the highest-grossing Chinese film in China's box office history. The movie, which was released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's rise to power, is about the Chinese civil war and the establishment of the People's Republic of China. But it's no surprise it did so well -- this pro-China film (or propaganda film, as some say) was released on the largest number of movie screens in Chinese history, it had no competition from Hollywood films (well isn't that convenient), it was played during an extended national holiday period, there was massive promotion of the movie (including running a trailer of the film before every movie playing in the country), and they had just about every famous Chinese star in the film (including Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Ziyi Zhang; hey, where's Chow Yun Fat!). (Full story)
Now women in Kuwait can obtain a passport without their husband's permission. The highest court in Kuwait overturned a 1962 law requiring a husband's signature to obtain a passport. (Full Story)
Yet another example of the terror and control Al-Shabab is inflicting on the people of Somalia: They ordered two radio stations to stop broadcasts indefinitely. Not that long ago, they told the stations to stop playing music. (Full Story)
Al-Shabab is an Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, and they currently control most of southern Somalia. They are attempting to overthrow the fragile U.N.-backed government in the capital of Mogadishu. In addition to terrorist attacks, this group also has been carrying out physical punishment on suspected criminals (e.g., amputating robbers) and whipping women in public for wearing bras (which they claim violates Islamic standards).
A joint report by the World Health Organization, the U.N., and the World Bank said that global immunizations have reached a record high. Thanks to the efforts of the GAVI Alliance (a financing partnership among WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and some drugmaker corporations), 106 million million babies under the age of one were vaccinated in 2008. And a record 120 vaccines against a host of diseases became available. Now vaccines reach more than 200 million children in developing countries. Though, there's still more that needs to be done. They reported that 24 million infants (about 20% of the children born each year) did not receive first-year-of-life vaccinations that are common in the wealthiest countries. "The children who missed out typically live in poorly served remote rural areas, deprived urban settings, fragile states and strife-torn regions, mostly in Africa and Asia."
The article also mentioned the problem of how "middle-income countries" are often not eligible for financial assistance from the GAVI Alliance. These countries make too much for assistance, but they don't make enough to readily afford new vaccines. Many people in these countries live on less than $2 a day. More should be done to address this gap. (Full Story)
No wonder Karzai agreed to a run-off election, John Kerry was sent out to talk to him. "After nearly 20 hours of tense, exhausting talks over four days, Sen. John F. Kerry was convinced by midday Tuesday that Afghan President Hamid Karzai had accepted the need for a run off." And then when Karzai was still hesitant, Kerry took a long walk (about 3.5 hours) with him and re-stated his case. That's truly how you break someone. At that point I'm sure Karzai was willing to do anything to get Kerry to stop talking. (Full Story)
Obama's response to those crazy conservatives that were glad the U.S. (Chicago) didn't win the bid for the 2016 Olympics, simply because he was promoting it: "Who's against the Olympics? What's up with that?" (Full Story)
A study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that the children of Hispanic immigrants tend to be born healthy and intellectually on-par with other American children, but by the age of two they begin to lag in linguistic and cognitive skills and the gap tends to widen as they get older. They also found that black children and poor white children also lagged behind, suggesting that poverty is a factor in predicting how well a young child's mind develops. Though Hispanic toddlers, especially those from a Mexican background, had the largest drop-off in cognitive scores-- and this couldn't be explained by economic status alone.
One possible explanation for this finding is that a high percentage of Latin American immigrant mothers have less formal schooling than the average native-born, American mother. These mothers also tend to have more children than the average middle-class American family, which means the toddlers get less one-on-one attention from their parents.
The researchers suggest more money should be put into programs that coach parents to stimulate their children with books, drills, and games earlier in the their lives. Fortunately, the Obama administration has been pushing for more money to help prepare infants and toddlers for school; the House recently passed an initiative that would give $8 billion over eight years to states with plans to improve programs serving young children; and the economic stimulus package included $3 billion for Head Start preschools and for the Early Head Start Program (which helps parents to stimulate their child's development). (Full Story)
Interestingly, in the past it used to be common for reporters to cover executions; there were numerous journalists in attendance. But when Texas started increasing the number of executions (executions used to be much less common), less news organizations were able to make the recurring, long drives due to costs. He usually is the only reporter in attendance, and papers usually rely on his stories instead of sending their own reporters. (Full Story)
What an incredibly difficult job. But it seems like he tries to distance himself from the emotional aspect. He seems very matter-of-fact about it, if not sometimes a little cold. He said that he usually chooses the viewing room that the victim's family is in, instead of the viewing room with the inmate's family, partly "because I can get out faster and file the story faster." And "The act is very clinical, almost anticlimactic. When we get into the chamber here in Texas, the inmate already has been strapped to the gurney and the needled is already in his arm."
Though it does seem to have its effects on him. He's had to witness people stare, weep, faint, turn their backs, and even exchange high-fives (in one case) as the inmate is executed. He's particularly haunted by one incident in which an inmate sang "Silent Night" for his last words, and it wasn't even near Christmas. He said he can't hear that song anymore without thinking of that incident.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October 20, 2009
This just in: Berlusconi is still an asshole. Rosy Bindi, of the opposition Democratic party, was on a late-night TV discussion program and she attacked Berlusconi (who is Italy's Prime Minister). Berlusconi then phoned in to the show and said to Bindi, who the BBC article describes as 'bespectacled' and 'matronly' (ouch), "You are more beautiful than intelligent." After his sarcastic, cutting remarks about her intelligence and looks, Bindi replied, "I am not a woman at your disposal," referring to Berlusconi's tendency to cavort with young women. In the aftermath, nearly 100,000 Italian women have signed a petition against Berlusconi's comments. (Full Story)
And this isn't the first time Berlusconi insulted Rosy Bindi's looks. Berlusconi had been criticized by his wife for fielding a bunch of pretty women for the European elections this year; to which he replied, "What's wrong if they're pretty? We can't field all Rosy Bindis."
Yet another case of a child being denied health coverage in Colorado. This time a two year old girl was denied coverage by United Healthcare Golden Rule because she's too small. Her height and weight don't meet their standards. A few weeks ago a four-month-old infant in Colorado was denied coverage by Rocky Mountain Health Plans because he weighed too much (17 pounds). But due to the media coverage the story got, Rocky Mountain Health Plans reversed their decision. They said the initial rejection of coverage was a "flaw in our underwriting system." The family of the two year old girl is hoping media coverage of their case will produce the same result. (Full Story)
And this kind of stuff isn't just happening in Colorado. How can anyone deny that health care reform is badly needed? It's terrible that health insurance companies can deny coverage to children, or anyone, because of "pre-existing conditions". What kind of country do we live in when parents desperately hope the media will pick up their story so that their child can have health coverage because the insurance companies are publicly embarrassed and change their minds?
Oh isn't that cute, Delaware might finally get a national park like all the other 49 states. (Full Story)
Looks like someone is going to be eating at the big kids' table soon!
The Vatican announced that they will make it easier for disaffected Anglicans to convert to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church will allow them to join while letting them maintain their own spiritual and liturgical traditions (like allowing married priests). (Full Story)
God loves an opportunist. But, seriously, if I were the Anglican church I would say, "Sure, take 'em. Get them off our hands." These disaffected Anglicans are unhappy about women being bishops, gay people being bishops, and the blessing of same-sex unions.
The Yes Men pulled off another prank. The Yes Men are a group of activists that often pretend to be powerful people/spokespeople representing an organization and they call attention to issues and often make fun of the ridiculousness of these people through satire. One of their members recently pretended to be an official for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and held a press conference. He announced that the chamber was dropping their opposition to climate change legislation that is currently in Congress. He said that companies leaving the chamber over its stance on environmental legislation was an inspiration to change their stance. And in response to chamber members that continue to not support the legislation, he said, "There will always be people behind the times."
Then the real official for the chamber showed up (he had heard about the hoax press conference by a reporter who mistakenly showed up at the real chamber's headquarters). Then a spectacle broke out in which the two men were shouting at each other, calling the other an impostor, and demanding to see business cards. Hilarious! [It's like those Hollywood movies. "I'm the real Jake. Give me the gun" -- "No, he's lying! Can't you see, I'm the real Jake! Shoot him!"]. The real spokesman then had to say that the chamber is NOT actually changing their stance and they still don't support the climate change bill. So, in other words, he looked like an asshole. 'No kids, despite what you heard, you won't actually be getting a pony this Christmas.' (Full Story)
I also loved this subtle dig in the article: "Before the real chamber official burst in, he told reporters that the chamber had decided to give up its aggressive opposition to climate legislation -- which has included a not-a-hoax call for a new 'Scopes Monkey Trial' to prove the science of climate change." That this idea is SO ridiculous that the writer had to specify it's not a hoax. 'I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true!!!'
The College Board reported that the average cost for tuition and fees for public four-year colleges is now $7,020 and $26,273 for private colleges. They also reported that prices are rising faster in the public sector. Compared with the 2008-2009 school year, public four-year colleges saw a 6.5% increase in tuition and fees; while private four-year colleges saw a 4.4% increase. This increase is much higher than in previous years. Over the past decade, the average increase has been 4.9% for public schools and 2.6% at private schools.
In addition, a College Board report found that public four-year colleges awarded two-thirds of their own grant funds for academic merit, rather than financial need. This suggests that schools are focusing more on increasing their academic pedigree than providing access to low-income families. And in these tough times, financial aid scholarships for those who can't afford school is needed more than ever. (Full Story)
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that there is growing support for a public option in the health care debate. When asked, "Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?", 57% of respondents said they support a public option (which is a five point increase since August, and a two point increase since September), while 40% oppose it. Another question asked, "Do you think the health-care plan creates too much government involvement in the nation's health care system, not enough government involvement, or about the right amount?" The percentage of people that said too much involvement decreased from 45% in September to 42% now. And the percentage that said there's not enough involvement rose from 12% in September to 21% now (this was the largest gain).
The poll also found that only 20% identify as Republicans, which is the lowest number in Post-ABC polls since 1983 (Independents constitute the largest group at 42%; Democrats at 33%). In addition, "Poll respondents are evenly divided when asked whether they have confidence in Obama to make the right decisions for the country's future, but just 19% express confidence in the Republicans in Congress to do so. Even among Republicans, only 40% express confidence in the GOP congressional leadership to make good choices." Oh snap! (Full story)
In the UK, scientists at Leeds University's Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering are spending 50 million pounds over five years on innovative solutions to "regenerate" older bodies. Because we have higher living standards, people are living to an older age. The article says half of the babies now born in the UK will reach 100 years old. We're living longer, but our bodies are still wearing out at the same rate. The scientist are trying to achieve "50 active years after 50" by giving centenarians the bodies of 50-year-olds. "They plan to provide pensioners with old-grown tissues and durable implants. New hips, knees and heart valves are the starting points, but eventually they envisage most of the body part that flounder with age could be upgraded...The concept is to make transplantable tissues, and eventually organs, that the body can make on its own, getting round the problem of rejection." The article finally concludes with, "Prof Doyle said experts elsewhere were also working on similar regenerative therapies, but grown entirely out of the body, to ensure that people can continue being as active during their second half-century as they were in their first. " (Full Story)
I find it interesting how obsessed our society is with not growing old; how people take such measures to turn back the hands of time, so to speak. Also, how ethical is it for the wealthy to have access to all these upgrades, while the majority of the world is lucky to even make it to 50 years old?
Afghanistan will in fact hold a run-off election between Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah on November 7th. "Mr. Karzai told a news conference that he accepted the findings, adding they were a "step forward" for democracy." (Full Story)
Prosecutors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial are worried that Blagojevich's upcoming appearance on the NBC reality program, "The Celebrity Apprentice", will prejudice the jurors. The judge agreed with prosecutors that this will complicate the trial, but he did not bar Blagojevich from the show. The judge said the prosecutors and defense lawyers should reach an agreement regarding his conduct on the show. (Full Story)
I don't know why the prosecutors are worried. The TV is their best friend in the case. The more Blagojevich is given a public venue, the more he makes a fool out of himself. And nothing makes people look like assholes more than being on The Celebrity Apprentice. Nothing will turn the people of the jury off like seeing Blagojevich get catty with the likes of Bret Michaels, Sharon Osbourne, and Sinbad -- and all for the purposes of kissing up to the biggest asshole of them all, Donald Trump. And who knows, maybe Blagojevich will incorporate a pay-to-play scheme into his strategy to win The Celebrity Apprentice! Prosecution, embrace this. Just play the episodes and then the prosecution rests.
The costs estimate does not include damages from global warming; damages from burning oil for trains, ships, and planes; damages from coal mining; or damages from the pollution of rivers with chemicals filtered from coal plant smokestacks. It also did not calculate the costs of protecting fuel imports by the military. If all of this was taken into account, the hidden costs not incorporated into the price of fossil fuels would be even higher. "The study lends support to arguments that society should pay extra for energy from sources like the wind and the sun, because their indirect costs are extremely small." (Full Story)
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009
Balloon Boy's parents said they will voluntarily surrender to authorities as soon as charges are filed, most likely on Wednesday. (Full Story)
Just kidding! It's just a hoax. They're really going to flee via a white Ford Bronco and then run off to France where they're going to live for the next 30 years and make an Oscar-winning movie (and avoid Switzerland at all costs). Then they will drive off into the Grand Canyon as Harvey Keitel tries to stop them. And they will have picked that fateful date carefully so that it falls on the same week of other celebrity deaths. So everyone will talk about how tragic it is that all these people died in the same month. They will not go gently into that good night.
Great story on a community garden in Flint, Michigan that was planted on the lots of demolished houses. The article also touches on other efforts to rebuild the community. (Full Story)
This just in: U.K. diplomats are like catty 14 year old girls. Until 2006, when British diplomats were retiring or leaving their post to go to some other country, they would write a letter to Britain's Foreign Office giving their personal assessment of the country in which they had served. Under Freedom of Information laws, the BBC got access to these letters. The letters detailed the boredom of tedious cocktail parties with the host country and offered frank, "oh snap!" assessments:
In 1967, the ambassador to Nicaragua wrote: "There is, I fear, no question that the average Nicaraguan is one of the most dishonest, unreliable, violent and alcoholic of the Latin Americans."
In 1969, the high commissioner to Nigeria assessed the country's leaders: "[They have] a maddening habit of always choosing the course of action which will do the maximum damage to their own interests...Africans as a whole are not only not averse to cutting off their nose despite their face; they regard such an operation as a triumph of cosmetic surgery."
The high commissioner to Canada between 1981 and 1984 claimed that Canadians had limited talents and wrote: "Anyone who is even moderately good at what they do - in literature, the theatre, skiing or whatever - tends to become a national figure. And anyone who stands out at all from the crowd tends to be praised to the skies and given the Order of Canada at once."
The ambassador to Thailand from 1965 to 1967 wrote: "They have no literature, no painting and only a very old kind of music; their sculpture, ceramics and dancing are borrowed from others, and their architecture is monotonous and interior decoration hideous." He added, "Nobody can deny that gambling and golf are the chief pleasures of the rich, and that licentiousness is the main pleasure of them all."
One British diplomat to India actually (kind of) insulted the British: "One of the great failures of the [British] diplomatic service has been its inability to cast off its image as bowler-hatted, pinstriped and chinless with a fondness for Champagne."
The British Foreign Office discontinued this practice of letters in 2006, after one was leaked to the press. (Full Story)
Interesting article on the problems of phone stalking in Egypt. A growing number of women in Egypt complain that they are being relentlessly harassed and sexually harassed on the phone by people they don't often know. Most of the harassment is from young men who call the numbers at random; once they find a woman that answers "in a soft way", they continuously call her. In a survey last year by the Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights, 83% of respondents said they experienced some form of sexual harassment; 23% said they were receiving obscene phone calls. A sociologist at the American University of Cairo, Said Sadek, feels this phone stalking is part of a larger issue: "The only outlet for legitimate sex in Arab society is marriage, which is very difficult to afford these days. Repressed sex in in Egyptian society manifests itself in many forms: crank calls, Arabic porn channels, harassing women in the street, secret marriages - it is a real problem." (Full Story)
The European Union is giving financial aid to dairy farmers after weeks of protests by thousands of farmers. They have been demanding aid after the global economic downtown has reduced demand and decreased the price of milk. Milk is more expensive to produce than they can sell it for. The farmers also wanted the EU to halt planned increases in milk production quotas, because boosting the supply on the market can result in even lower prices. The EU now plans to phase out milk quotas by 2015. In addition, the commission plans to extend EU special purchases of milk products to help farmers. (Full Story)
It's refreshing to see an organized effort for change and the results that follow. Thousands of farmers protested. Farmers in Belgium, France, and Germany dumped milk. Farmers have blocked deliveries of milk products. Europe definitely has a different culture of protest than the U.S. does. But things used to be so different here, we used to have that culture. It's unfortunate how things have changed and how apathetic people can be.
It's being reported that in Afghanistan Hamid Karzai's vote share has fallen below the 50% plus one vote threshold, as result of votes being thrown out due to fraud. This should then result in a run-off election with Karzai's rival Abdullah Abullah. The U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission ordered ballots from 210 polling stations be discontinued due to clear evidence of fraud. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of votes for Karzai being thrown out -- resulting in Karzai's share falling from over 54% to around 48%. It's unclear however whether the Afghan-led Independent Election Commission (which is widely regarded as pro-Karzai) will accept the findings from the U.N. commission and announce a run-off. Undoubtedly, sources say Karzai is furious, and he is allegedly threatening to block attempts for a run-off.
There is also concern that a run-off election won't happen because winter is approaching. With snow falling in these high mountain passes, it would be too difficult to conduct and organize an election. It would have to be postponed until spring. There's also fear of Taliban attacks on voters, just like those that occurred with the first vote. As a result of these concerns, Western diplomats are urging the two sides to reach a power-sharing agreement. Though, at this point, they seem far away from any sort of agreement. (Full Story) (Full Story)
Iran's Revolutionary Guard is now blaming Britain and the U.S. for a suicide bombing that killed six of its commanders and 37 people. The attack happened in the unstable area of Sistan-Baluchistan. A Sunni group, Jundallah, claimed responsibility. They say the Sunni population in the area suffer discrimination from Iran's Shia rulers. The Revolutionary Guards said the bomb was the work of terrorists who are supported by "the great Satan American and its ally Britain." State television said Britain was to blame by "organizing, supplying equipment, and employing professional terrorists." But this is nothing new: "Over the last five years it has become a standard Iranian position that the US-British alliance is a source of unrest in Sistan-Baluchistan and other provinces." (Full Story)
Iranian officials have previously linked Jundallah to al-Qaeda, though other sources say they are linked to the Pakistani Taliban. So does that make any sense then that the U.S. and Britain would employ, organize, and give equipment to these people? U.S. and Britain aren't that dumb. And I don't know how a bomb belt that could easily by made is somehow an indicator of U.S-British involvement. As if they needed U.S. and British help to make that. I think Britain and the U.S. have more effective weapons, last I checked.
Update: And now Iran is blaming Pakistan, too. (Full Story)
This weekend was the annual meeting for the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society. In attendance were high-powered women from across the globe that came to discuss gender equality, the economic crisis, and other global women issues. So then how exactly did this make it into the article: "The 880 or so high-powered women gathered for the fifth year in this chic beach resort -- 'The Davos for Women' -- spurned talk of taking over the world (although, impatient with the eternal queues for the female facilities, they did appropriate the men's toilets)." (Full Story)
Seriously?! Of all the things that happened at the forum, that seemed like something that needed to be mentioned in the article (and in a cheesy way)? 'Because you know how women are in those bathrooms!!!' I doubt the person covering the World Economic Forum mentions the line-up outside the men's bathroom, or anything other than the meetings for that matter.
I don't want this blog to come off as Pot News Central, but...the Obama administration has said they will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they follow state laws. This is a departure from the Bush administration which was committed to enforcing federal anti-marijuana laws regardless of state laws. (Full Story)
I love how conservatives conveniently forget how encroaching Bush made the federal government during his administration. Where were their homemade posters with comparisons to Hitler or Stalin then? Where were Glenn Beck's tears then?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 18, 2009
An increasing number of children in Africa are being accused of witchcraft by pastors and then are harmed or killed, often by family members. "Around 15,000 children have been accused in two of Nigeria's 36 states over the past decade and about 1,000 have been murdered. In the past month alone, three Nigerian children accused of witchcraft were killed and another three were set on fire." This isn't happening just in Nigeria; it's estimated that tens of thousands of children have been targeted throughout Africa. A spokesman for the U.N.'s Children's Fund says that poverty, conflict, and poor education lay the foundation for accusations. Some suspect that with the rapid growth in evangelical Christianity, there are so many churches that making witchcraft accusations has helped churches to remain competitive. Pastors are seen as more spiritually powerful because they can detect witches. (Full Story)
Interesting article on civil marriages in the middle east. Because of strict religious rules, interfaith couples are not able to get married in their country. "In the middle east, civil marriage doesn't exist and no religious authority will perform an interfaith marriage. Lebanon and Israel are different in that they recognize civil marriages as long as they're performed abroad." The closest country that performs these marriages is the island of Cyprus. Last year, Cyprus married 523 couples from Lebanon and 1,533 from Israel. (Full story)
Rush Limbaugh wanted to become part-owner of the St. Louis Rams. A lot of people were against this, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who thought Rush's divisive comments would not be acceptable for an NFL owner. Once again, Rush Limbaugh shows the NFL they made the correct decision...Rush wrote an op-ed that blames Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson for making comments that helped to play a role in him being kicked out of the group that was trying to buy the team [yeah, Rush, it's their fault..]. Rush went on to say that Rev. Al Sharpton played "a leading role" in two riots. Sharpton says these allegations are false, and that he wasn't present for or involved in the rioting. Unless Limbaugh apologizes and clarifies his statement, Sharpton will file a lawsuit. Sharpton's spokeswoman said, "He has the right to criticize Rev. Sharpton, but he does not have the right to accuse him of criminal activity, and riots and murders are criminal." (Full Story)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
October 17, 2009
Article on the many dangers migrants face on their journey north, as they cross through Mexico to get to the U.S. "A study by Mexico's National Human Rights Commission released this year found 9,758 migrants who had been kidnapped as they tried to cross the border into the United States between September 2008 and February 2009." And they estimate the number of victims is probably much higher, as people are often too afraid to report it. (Full Story)
Interesting and sad article about end-of-life programs in correctional facilities. Some facilities have started using programs where inmates volunteer to spend time with a fellow inmate in the last six months of their life. "More than 3,000 prisoners a year die of natural causes in correctional facilities...American prisons are home to a growing geriatric population, with one-third of all inmates expected to be over 50 by next year. As courts have handed down longer sentences and tightened parole, about 75 prisons have started hospice programs, half of them using inmate volunteers." (Full Story)
In Germany a crazy conflict occurred between a kebab salesman and a customer. The customer wanted a napkin and the salesman, for some reason, refused to give him one. So the customer wiped his soiled hands on the kebab stand. The salesman then flung a ladle of chili sauce in the man's face. The police are investigating the chili sauce to see if it's spicy enough to cause grievous bodily harm. I bet they are...'Yeah, we're going to need to keep "testing" the kebabs and its sauce...for investigative purposes, of course.' (Full Story)
Producers of The Simpsons announced this week that they will be holding a contest in which people are asked to submit a new character for the show. Contestants need to come up with a name, a catchphrase, and a brief description for the character. The winner will get to fly out to L.A. and work with the show's creative team for an episode scheduled January 31st. The creative team behind the show said, jokingly, that they need some inspiration from the public because after 20 years of working on the show they are "tired and frankly too rich to care anymore." (Full Story)
An interesting article on how solar-powered cellphones are helping people in Africa and Asia that have little or no connection to electricity grids. "With proper positioning and pricing, solar-powered cellphones could reach about two billion people across the globe who have no access to electricity." These phones can be a very helpful resource in providing timely information. Farmers can check market prices before deciding which crop seeds to sow, doctors can be reached for health advice, they can get weather information. An economics professor from Bangladesh says these mobile phones can have a positive impact on developing economies. He estimates that GDP increases one or two percent for every ten percent increase in mobile phone access. (Full Story)
Interesting case study on Hawaii's health care system. Since 1974, Hawaii has required all employers to provide health insurance to any employee that works 20 hours a week or more. (Full Story)
Target is selling an "Illegal Alien" Halloween costume on their website. The costume consists of a space alien mask, an orange jumpsuit with the words "Illegal Alien" scrawled across the chest, and a green card. A Southern California immigrant rights group has asked Target to stop selling the offensive costume. A Target spokesman says they have received several complaints and they will remove the costume. He also says the store never intended to sell the costume but it was offered online by mistake. (Full Story)
By mistake? How do you accidentally purchase a costume, assign it a price, create a webpage for it, take a picture of it, and type out its features? And, as a side note, if the costume comes with a green card, then the "alien" is no longer "illegal".
Update: The website has been taken down. But here's a picture of the costume.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October 16, 2009
For the first time ever, Hampton University, a historically black school, has chosen a homecoming queen who is not black. Controversy ensues. (Fully Story)
I just love how pissed the girl in the white dress looks in the picture.
A new poll conducted in Russia has found that only 57% of respondents think that Russia needs democracy; 26% believe that democratic governing is not suitable for Russia; 60% said it would be better for Russia if the president controlled both the courts and the parliament; and 95% of respondents said they have little or no influence on what was happening in the country. (Full Story)
In terms of that last statistic, I imagine President Medvedev was one of the 95%. And the other 5% was just Putin answering the question over and over again.
Government ministers in Maldives, the lowest-lying nation on earth, will hold a Cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming. The ministers will wear scuba gear and they will meet around a table that will be on the sea floor, 20 feet below the surface. Ministers will communicate using hand signals and white boards. (Full Story)
"None of the ministers have ever been diving before, except the defense minister, and all of them are very enthusiastic." ...So enthusiastic, in fact, that they have now reversed their stance on global warming.
A Florida manatee got stuck near an oil refinery in New Jersey as the temperatures dropped, and a rescue attempt is being planned (Full Story)
A fate worse than death...being stuck in NEW JERSEY!!!
What the hell are the photoshop editors doing at Ralph Lauren? (Full Story)
Saving the environment, one brothel at a time. A brothel in Berlin is offering discounts to customers who bike or take public transportation to the brothel. It's also an incentive to get more customers during the economic downturn. (Full Story)
The article also mentioned how other brothels are trying out different incentive programs during these hard economic times. "One Berlin bordello offered a flat-rate for an unlimited time before officials' concerns over prostitutes' rights and cleanliness in the club forced them to rescind the offer." Eww.
Today is World Food Day. (Full Story) (Full Story)
"Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, where man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life? There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Looks like Sweden has a dark side after all! Some Swedish homes are being heated by the fuel of dead rabbits. (Full Story)
But I still love you, Sweden
And suddenly it became clear to Obama as to who left the box of dictionaries on his desk with the "comeuppance" entry circled in every one. (Fully Story)
I never realized the magazine sales industry was so corrupt and dangerous. Sometimes sketchy, yes. But workers being beaten with baseball bats and golf clubs when they tell their boss they want to quit? No. (Full Story)
The 80s pop group A-Ha have announced that they are calling it quits. (Full Story)
You mean to tell me that they were still a band?! Hearing that they were still around was an aha moment for me (OH!!)
Fifty-three Republicans in the House are asking for Kevin Jennings to be fired. Kevin Jennings is the Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the U.S. Department of Education. He's responsible for promoting school safety (conservatives often refer to him as the "safe school czar"...because they're so obsessed with the czar thing). What's the Republicans' hang-up? He advocates teaching tolerance of homosexuality. Which obviously means he's brainwashing young children to become homosexuals. (Full Story)
A high school student in Mississippi, who is a lesbian, wanted to wear a tuxedo in her high school yearbook picture. The school was unhappy about this and said she couldn't appear in the yearbook in a tuxedo, saying guys are supposed to wear tuxedos, girls are supposed to wear "drapes" (that's the word they used in the article. I think that perfectly describes those things. I also think "smock" is fitting. I can't believe high schools are still doing that. At my high school, the smock had blue glittery zebra-esque stripes. *Shivers*). Now the ACLU is getting involved. (Full Story)
Honduras qualifies for the World Cup on Wednesday and then Thursday was declared a national holiday. The U.S. qualified for the World Cup this past Saturday and on Sunday people say, "We have a soccer team?"
A high school student in Mississippi, who is a lesbian, wanted to wear a tuxedo in her high school yearbook picture. The school was unhappy about this and said she couldn't appear in the yearbook in a tuxedo, saying guys are supposed to wear tuxedos, girls are supposed to wear "drapes" (that's the word they used in the article. I think that perfectly describes those things. I also think "smock" is fitting. I can't believe high schools are still doing that. At my high school, the smock had blue glittery zebra-esque stripes. *Shivers*). Now the ACLU is getting involved. (Full Story)
Side note: The article has a picture along with the story, but with no caption. My first thought was that it was the aforementioned student that wanted to a wear a tuxedo. And I was thinking, Getting your picture in the yearbook is the least of your troubles if you're 40-something (or at least appear to be) and in high school. I checked on another news site and it turns out the picture is the student's mother.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
A United Nation's report found that both Israeli and Palestinian actions in the Gaza war last winter amounted to war crimes, but it was more critical of Israel's actions. The report recommended that both sides conduct credible investigations into accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and that the UN Security Council should monitor their compliance. And that the International Criminal Court should consider prosecution if they do not comply. The Palestinians endorse the report. Israel is calling on members of UN's Human Rights Council to reject the resolution endorsing the report. Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said, "Israel's only real crime is that it does not have an automatic majority in the UN." Yikes. (Full Story) (Full Story)
I've been following the Lisbon Treaty's progress, and I came across this article where Sarkozy (France's president) is criticizing the Czech president for not signing the treaty, even though the Czech parliament approved it. The Czech Republic is the only EU country that has not ratified the treaty. I sent the article to Eagan with the subject line "You better Czech yourself before you wreck yourself!"
His response: "Regarding your subject line...the divorce papers are in the mail."
An article on Utah's crazy, not quirky, liquor laws. (Full Story)
In Louisiana, an interracial couple was denied a marriage license by a justice of the peace. This justice of the peace said it was done out of concern for any children they might have, because, in his experience, most interracial marriages do not last long. He also said the children suffer because black society does not accept bi-racial children and neither does white society. "I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves. In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer." Yeah, because of bigoted people like you! But he tried to recover with "but I'm not racist..." by pointing out that he does ceremonies for black people...even in his very own house! See, look at that, progressive. A progressive person would definitely feel the need to point out that they allow black people in their homes. (Full Story)
Some are skeptical about Obama being really involved in things and having a strong presence. "Ever the multitasker, armed with his trademark charisma and eloquence, Barack Obama was everywhere, pitching his plans...As he sells his administration's solutions to the country's problems, is his do-everything, be-everywhere leadership style in tune with the times? ... In doing so, he has created a quandary. Put aside for the moment the question of whether government is actually intruding into people's lives more than before. The point is that many people feel like it is -- in part because Obama doesn't stop talking about his goals. If President George W. Bush got slapped around for being inarticulate, is Obama obnoxiously articulate?" (Full Story)
Wow, that is the worst thing ever: A president that is articulate, talks to the American people about his goals, is publicly visible (unlike Cheney who was in an undisclosed location for eight years, while he pulled the strings in the background), and tries to achieve a lot of things. Too articulate?! That's like saying, "waiter, my water is too wet."
Two unmarried same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the passing of Proposition 8 in California. They say Proposition 8 is discriminatory under the U.S. Constitution. The lawyer (Charles Cooper) for the group that sponsored Proposition 8 asked the judge to throw out the lawsuit or make it more difficult for these civil rights claims to prevail. The federal judge, Vaughan Walker, refused Cooper's request. And then the smackdown begun. It's so awesome, I have to highlight a bunch of things.
The judge said that when the case goes to trial in January he is expecting Cooper and his legal team to present evidence that shows male-female marriages would be undermined if same-sex marriages were legal. The judge asked Cooper, "What is the harm to the procreation purpose you outlined of allowing same-sex couples to get married?" To which Cooper replied, "My answer is, I don't know. I don't know." Realizing how harmful that was to his case, Cooper tried to backtrack and say that the relevant question is not whether there is proof that same-sex marriage jeopardizes heterosexual marriage [which is what they have in fact been saying all this time], but whether "the state is entitled, when dealing with radical proposals to make changes to bedrock institutions [with a 50% divorce rate!] such as this, to take a wait and see attitude...There are things we can't know, that's my point. The people of California are entitled to step back and let the experiment unfold in Massachusetts and other places, to see whether our concerns about the health of marital unions have either been confirmed or perhaps they have been completely assuaged." [Let the experiment unfold in Massachusetts?! He's acting as if they're trying to decide whether to use a new type of road pavement that may or may not cause health problems. 'Well let's see if the Massachusetts babies are born with two heads first'.]
The judge pressed Cooper for specific adverse consequences. Cooper then cited a study in the Netherlands, where gay marriage is legal, that found straight couples are more often becoming domestic partners instead of getting married. [Wow, that's his evidence!? How does that help his case at all? That's not CAUSED by the legalization of same-sex marriage. That's a common European cultural choice. Many European countries don't have the same beneficial pull to get married. In these countries, material benefits are not usually tied to marriage. People don't need to get married to achieve stability in these countries because they're already provided with these social benefits simply for being an individual. And, besides, these partnerships are not harmful. These partnerships are often long-term and many of these couples still produce children.]
The judge pressed further and asked, "Has that been harmful to children in Netherlands? What is the adverse effect?" Cooper said he did not have the facts on hand [I can tell you right now, it does not have adverse effects on children]. But he did say, "But it is not self-evident that there is no chance of any harm, and the people of California are entitled not to take that risk." To which the judge replied, "Since when do Constitutional rights rest on the proof of no harm?" OH SNAP! (Full Story)
According to the results from the latest nationwide math test (the National Assessment of Educational Progress), only 39% of fourth graders and 34% of eighth graders scored at or above the proficient level. In addition, score gaps between white and minority students did not diminish since the last time the test was administered in 2007. "The gap of 32 points separating average black and white eighth graders represents about three years' worth of math learning." Another interesting finding is that student achievement grew faster during the years before No Child Left Behind, which was instituted by George W. Bush. (Full Story)
More libraries across the country are offering e-books and digitally downloadable audio books. The collections are still pretty small, but they're growing. This year the number of checkouts has grown to more than one million. "As young people become used to reading virtually everything online," said Paul LeClerc, president of the New York Public Library, "that is going to propel a change in terms of readership of e-books rather than readership of physical books." (Full Story)
I think it's good to increase access to books, but I don't want to see the death of the physical book. Or newspaper. I like to touch what I read. I like the smell. (And contrary to what you might think by the abundance of online articles on this blog, I still subscribe to print versions of news.)
Interesting story on how the Taliban is destroying and attempting to shut down schools for girls in the Swat Valley. (Full Story)
If you haven't yet, we recommend you read Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
The International Criminal Court is now investigating the human rights abuses that went on in Guinea last month. (Full Story)
A polar specialist predicts that the Arctic Ocean could possibly be largely ice-free during the summer in as little as ten years. This would mean the Arctic Ocean could be open to shipping. (Full Story)
"According to Professor Wadhams, faster shipping and easier access to oil and gas reserves were among short-term benefits of the melting." And it comes full circle. The ultimate irony. If ice in the Arctic Ocean starts melting enough that it's open to shipping (!), that should be telling us something. And it's not "Yay! More oil!"Best job ever: Locating radioactive rabbit poop in the desert.
The Hanford Site in Washington is where plutonium used to be produced. Rabbits burrowed in this contaminated area, and then carried these gamma ray emitting contaminants out of the area in their digestive tracts. Now a pilot has to fly over the desert with detectors mounted on the helicopter and record the location of these radioactive feces out in the desert near the site. Then workers come out to scoop up the located droppings. Definitely best job ever. (Full Story)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
Remember that Ralph Lauren ad that got a lot of criticism for going crazy on the photoshopping? The ad resulted in the model looking unbelievably thin (her head is bigger than her pelvis). Well, now the model has been fired. She says they fired her because she was supposedly too fat. (Full Story)
I wonder if Ralph Lauren's logic was 'If she wasn't so ridiculously fat at 120 pounds, we wouldn't have had to photoshop the picture so much. This is obviously her fault.' No word as to whether the photoshop editor was fired.
Nothing creepier than 1,250 garden gnomes giving the Hitler salute. I don't care if it's satire. (Full Story)
Foreign Policy had an article on how the Obama administration should be careful that their strategy in Afghanistan doesn't result in a situation like Somalia. The (hopefully) unintentionally insensitive title of the article: A Recipe for Somalia.
The Albanian government wants Mother Teresa's remains to be dug up in Calcutta and moved to Albania for burial. India rejects the demand. (Full Story)
Her parents are from Albania. She lived in Macedonia the first 18 years of her life. She arrived in India at age 19, she was an Indian citizen, and she lived and worked most of her life in India. I can't imagine too many people will be wearing "Team Albania" t-shirts. And does Albania realize that Mother Teresa died way back in 1997?
An interesting and heartbreaking story on how people, especially children, with HIV/AIDS are treated by their community in Vietnam. (Full Story)
The annual report of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 1.02 billion people are undernourished. That is one-sixth of the world's population. "This represents more hungry people than at any time since 1970 and a worsening of the unsatisfactory trends that were present even before the economic crisis." (Full Story)
This is one of the many dangers of relying on charity/donor aid to feed the hungry. In a downturn, the poor are the last thing on people's mind. A more sustainable and humane way of approaching world hunger is clearly necessary.
The Saudis' absurd stance on the global climate summit scheduled for December: If countries reduce their oil consumption to combat global warming, these countries should compensate oil producers for their losses. I think this quote from the article sums it up best: "It is like the tobacco industry asking for compensation for lost revenues as a part of a settlement to address the health risks of smoking." (Full Story)
"Thanks for the great idea," says the tobacco industry.
Hybrid cars are too quiet and pose a threat to pedestrians as they can't hear the car approaching. Some hybrid car makers are working with Hollywood special-effects technicians to come up with an artificial "vroom" that would be pumped out of speakers in the bumpers. Another possible idea is that car owners could choose their own noise, like a cellphone ring tone. (Full Story)
Yeah, that's exactly what we need -- some jerk's car playing Sweet Child O' Mine or Disco Stick through the bumpers. I'd rather get hit by a silent car.
Barack Obama is unknowingly teaching Japanese people how to speak English. CDs of his speeches are widely being used as a language resource. It helps that he speaks at a relatively slow pace. Some of these Obama-language programs include "Speech Training: Learning to Deliver English Speech, Obama Style", "Learn English Grammar From Obama", and "Yes, I Can With Obama: 40 Magical English Phrases From Presidential E-mails." (Full Story)
I'm really curious what these 40 magical phrases are...
Luckily the George W. Bush language program didn't ever catch on in Japan. It would take a lot of re-training to break Japanese people of pronouncing "nuclear" as nu-cu-lar or using words like "misunderestimate" and "subliminable" (or the Will Ferrell classic "strategery").
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