New Superman Logo Unveiled

 From the upcoming movie "Man of Steel"- scheduled to come out NEXT YEAR!! (June 2013)
Picture from : http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2012/03/29/man-of-steel-logo-unveiled/
There are SO many famous actors/actresses starring in this -- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770828/

SC Ranks As One Of the Most Corrupt States in America

To borrow a phrase from my buddy Keith- “NO! REALLY?!?!?!- SHOCKING!!”
It appears our fine state of South Carolina is one of America’s most corrupt states - #6 according to the 247wallst.com website. Here’s a little of what they wrote from http://247wallst.com/2012/03/22/americas-most-corrupt-states/#ixzz1qLamexnl

6. South Carolina

• Overall grade: F (57%)
• Public access to information: F
• Legislative accountability: F
• Political financing: D-
• Ethics enforcement agencies: F

South Carolina received nine failing grades in areas including executive, judicial and legislative accountability. State Integrity Investigation notes that the budget of South Carolina’s State Ethics Commission has been cut a total of six times in the past three years. In September 2010, all regulations on limiting contributions to political parties were eliminated. Additionally, many contributors to individual candidates abuse loopholes to avoid limitations on donations. There is also an antagonistic relationship between office-holding politicians and the press. Specifically, the report says, Governor Nikki Haley’s administration has used a policy of deleting important emails.

They ranked Georgia as being the MOST corrupt state in the nation.

The actual report is from “The Center for Public Integrity” – a George Soros non-profit, non partisan “watchdog” group of investigative reporters founded by a former 60 Minutes producer and most recently headed by cast-offs of PBS affiliates. Editors from the New York Times and LA Times refer to the organization as a “liberal group”. You can check out the report HERE

 

Are you really surprised at this report?

It seems this report just rehashes the same ol same ol year after year. Our system of a representative republic is still the best in the world in my humble opinion, but it seems for the last 70 years, those who are elected to go to Washington are choking the breathable document that is the US Constitution. I wonder what can we do to fix this? Electing well meaning people isn't doing the job. Not the one or two here and there who get so frustrated when they get up to Washington at the boondoggle and decide they're helpless and can't do anything beyond symbolism. What can we do, indeed? A revolution or uprising will be seen as a "domestic terror threat" and open up a whole NEW can of worms. The revolution of 1763 cannot happen today the way it did oh so long ago.

Medical Quackery or Innovative New Studies?

I kind of lump these in with the "a beer/ glass of wine/ shot of liquor a day" cures 'x' stories...

Chocolate 'may help keep people slim'


By Michelle Roberts
Health reporter, BBC News

Chocolate contains antioxidants but is also high in fat and sugar. People who eat chocolate regularly tend to be thinner, new research suggests.

The findings come from a study of nearly 1,000 US people that looked at diet, calorie intake and body mass index (BMI) - a measure of obesity.

It found those who ate chocolate a few times a week were, on average, slimmer than those who ate it occasionally.

Even though chocolate is loaded with calories, it contains ingredients that may favor weight loss rather than fat synthesis, scientists believe.

Despite boosting calorie intake, regular chocolate consumption was related to lower BMI in the study, which is published in Archives of Internal Medicine.

The link remained even when other factors, like how much exercise individuals did, were taken into account.

And it appears it is how often you eat chocolate that is important, rather than how much of it you eat. The study found no link with quantity consumed.

According to the researchers, there is only one chance in a hundred that their findings could be explained by chance alone.

Lead author Dr Beatrice Golomb, from the University of California at San Diego, said: "Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight."

This is not the first time scientists have suggested that chocolate may be healthy for us.

Other studies have claimed chocolate may be good for the heart.

Consumption of certain types of chocolate has been linked to some favorable changes in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol level.

And chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, does contain antioxidants which can help to mop up harmful free radicals - unstable chemicals that can damage our cells.

Dr Golomb and her team believe that antioxidant compounds, called catechins, can improve lean muscle mass and reduce weight - at least studies in rodents would suggest this might be so.

Mice fed for 15 days with epicatechin (present in dark chocolate) had improved exercise performance and observable changes to their muscle composition.

They say clinical trials are now needed in humans to see if this is the case.

But before you reach for a chocolate bar, there are still lots of unanswered questions. And in the absence of conclusive evidence, experts advise caution.

While there's no harm in allowing yourself a treat like chocolate now and again, eating too much might be harmful because it often contains a lot of sugar and fat too.

And if you are looking to change your diet, you are likely to benefit most from eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Popcorn is healthier than fruits: Study

Kounteya SinhaKounteya Sinha, TNN
Mar 27, 2012, 03.20AM IST

NEW DELHI: Popcorn - your regular partner every time you hit a movie theatre - seems to be the latest "nutritional gold nugget".

Scientists report that popcorn, which is a 100% unprocessed whole grain, contains more of the highly healthy antioxidant substances called polyphenols than fruits and vegetables, if it isn't dipped in butter, oil or salt.

The hulls of popcorn - the part that everyone hates for its tendency to get caught in the teeth - has been found to have the highest concentration of polyphenols and fibre. The levels of polyphenols rivaled those in nuts and were up to 15 times greater than whole-grain tortilla chips.

Joe Vinson from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, who has been a pioneer in analyzing healthful components in chocolate, nuts and other common food items, presented these findings at the American Chemical Society's (ACS) scientific society on Sunday.

Vinson said one serving of popcorn will provide more than 70% of the daily intake of whole grain needed by an adult.

"Popcorn may be the perfect snack food. It is 100% unprocessed whole grain as against all other grains which are actually processed and diluted with other ingredients - meaning only 51% of the weight of the product is whole grain. The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn could fill that gap in a very pleasant way," Vinson added.

Jyoti Arora, head of nutrition at Artemis Health Institute, said popcorn's high content of fibre makes it nutritious and healthy.

"Whole grains like popcorn are high in fibre that helps in relieving constipation and leads to weight loss, better blood sugar control besides keeping cholesterol levels under check," Arora said.

Vinson, however, cautioned that the finding should not make people give up fruits and vegetables.

"Popcorn cannot replace fresh fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and other nutrients that are critical for good health, but are missing from popcorn," he added.

Vinson explained that the same concentration principle applies to dried fruit, which holds a polyphenol edge over regular fruit.

Previous studies found low concentrations of free polyphenols in popcorn, but Vinson's team conducted the first study to calculate total polyphenols in popcorn. "The amounts of these antioxidants were much higher than previously believed," he said.

Vinson cautioned that the way people prepare and serve popcorn can quickly put a dent in its healthful image. If cooked in a pot full of oil, slathered on butter or the fake butter used in many movie theaters and poured on salt and eaten as kettle corn, the end result could become a nutritional nightmare - popcorn suffused with fat and calories.

"Air-popped popcorn has the lowest number of calories. Microwave popcorn has twice as many calories as air-popped, and if you pop your own with oil, this has twice as many calories as air-popped popcorn. About 43% of microwave popcorn is fat, compared to 28% if you pop the corn in oil yourself," Vinson added.

The new study found that the amount of polyphenols found in popcorn was up to 300 mg a serving compared to 114 mg for a serving of sweet corn and 160 mg for all fruits per serving. Besides, one serving of popcorn would provide 13% of an average intake of polyphenols a day per person in the US.

Fruits provide 255 mg per day of polyphenols and vegetables provide 218 mg per day to the average US diet. Polyphenols are more concentrated in popcorn, which averages only about 4% water, while polyphenols are diluted in the 90% water that makes up many fruits and vegetables

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What say you?

My Review: The Movie 'The Hunger Games'



The Hunger Games.  I never read the book or the series of books this movie is based on, so I cannot say how faithful the movie is to the book. I’m sure the book went into the characters we only saw on the screen for a few moments during the movie in much deeper depth and explanation. It’s been my experience these movies always do.

A future apocalypse has destroyed much of the US around 73 years before the events in this story and the territory in which this takes place in has been divided into 12 districts. I assume it’s the US because as I remember the movie never really states whether this is a global thing or a specific continent or area. This is brilliant for marketing and selling the story as a “this could be my country” thing. Every year, children from each area have to enter themselves into a lottery drawing to see which male and which female will represent their district in “The Hunger Games”. A televised reality show where contestants are released into a heavily “camera-ed” forest and forced to kill each other using their wits and anything they pick up or are given along the way. There can be only one “winner” of the gruesome annual event. And of course, the “games” are somewhat rigged, or at least things are steered a certain way as the director seems fit.

Good points about the movie to me.

·         The movie flows very well. I felt the story moved along well.  

·         The inevitable comparisons to movies and stories like “The Running Man” and “The Truman Show” are valid to a certain extent. But this movie stands on its own.

·          Though I prefer Richard Dawson’s “game show host” over Stanley Tucci’s, Tucci does a good job. There really isn’t a bad apple in the whole movie acting wise. Wes Bentley (American Beauty and other movies I can’t recall at this moment) is good as the show’s producer or director. His detailed facial hair nearly steals every scene he’s in though- hahaha!!

·          Jennifer Lawrence’s character (Catniss or Katniss) is believable. Her character in this movie is NOT a bad ass- which is refreshing to me- but just good enough to survive. She’s not overly clever or lucky like so many of these characters are or can be.  

·         The rest of the ensemble is good. Elisabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson do a very good job.

·         There is a very sweet, toughing death scene in the movie that came very close to being successful to me.

·         A very interesting exhibit of how people will look and dress in the future. Like a colorful “Wizard of Oz” like style to me.

Problems I had with the movie?

·         I never felt the main character was in any danger. To me, it was more or less “how will “they” get her out of these predicaments so she can make it towards the end. I can think of only once where this predictable premise was tossed on its ass (Game of Thrones).

·         VERY Twilight-y – Which isn't really a bad thing to the millions of others who will see this film.  I assume the series targets the same age/ people as the Twilight series does. I think the Asheville, NC area scenery to do with it (which I like). The teen love aspect/ triangle the story presents is very familiar very Twilight-ish, if you will. This will be a positive for many goers

·         With all the strict food rationing (you get your name entered more times in the “death lottery” the more food you get) and the poverty all around, the starving people seem to be able to have cable TV.

·         The “bad guys” or “evil side” evidently won the conflict that resulted in the post-apocalyptic events that occurred 74 years or so before the time frame of this movie/story. Why would they do this - have an annual televised child killing as ‘tribute” to the victors of the conflict?

·         I know WHY Lawrence’s character did what she did at the end of the “game”. I just feel it was inconsistent with how I felt the character was developing and she could have dealt the people who conduct “the games” a fatal blow and possibly continue and fuel anti games sentiment.  She didn’t choose this route and to me, didn’t make sense to her state of mind at the “end” of the game.

All in all, I recommend this movie. While I wouldn’t want to see it again in a theater, I would like to see a sequel. I feel they could take the story in a couple of directions and deal with a lot of loose ends and things set up in this movie. The theater at the midnight showing I attended was nearly full. And obviously fans of the book or series.

I give it 8 out of 10 if ya care.

What say you?

Late March 2k12 Rant

I swear I’m going to try to do this more often. Just some observations this late March, 2012

The previous winter will be known as the winter that never was here in SC. Of course, I believe we'll have at least another freeeze- posisbly in April. JUST enough to make the peaach farmers freak out and increase peach prices. WOW- I'm writing about "Big Peach" instead of 'big oil'...

Where Tim Tebow is going to go has become a spinoff of the Peyton Manning soap opera. Some stories state he wants to play in Florida. His destination will probably be known before you even read this. Jets possibly? There's no telling where he'll end up - like one of his passes. (Thanks Mr. Leno!!)

Hines Ward has officially retired and he did so as a Steeler. Hines may not have many Lynn Swann-esque catches, but his contribution to the Steelers is just as important in my opinion. Definitely a future hall o’ famer.

How’s your NCAA Basketball Tournament bracket going? I’ve lost 2 or my predicted Final Four. Wanna see my bracket?? Click HERE.

President Obama’s 13 year old daughter is spring breaking in Mexico. Something like 25 secret service agents are accompanying her down there. Complete with private plane, funds, agents, etc… The White House says the leak of the story is an invasion of privacy for the 1^st family. Look out, this COULD be a future Disney move...

The Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for President is closer to becoming mathematically official. Is it me, or has this whole exercise in debates and caucuses and primaries and such just that; an exercise? I mean, Mitt’s been the nominee whether we the majority like it or not. A common story I’m sick of reading or hearing about is that the electorate doesn’t like ANY of the candidates running against and including Mitt.

Bristol Palin says she feels either she or her mom deserves a phone call from the President because of all of the names she and her mom were called that was much worse than the term Rush Limbaugh used referencing Sandra Fluke. Tongue in cheek, of course..

Datsun automobiles are coming back, but not in the USA. Nissan will be manufacturing.  Click HERE

What’s up with the drone spy planes in 2015? Many conspiracy minded people believe this is an obvious intrusion into our privacy.  Click HERE.

Yet, another KISS summer tour has been announced. Motley Crue is touring with them. I may wanna go see this.

Looks like the movie “The Hunger Games” will be the latest book series to drive all the kids mad and crazy with box office records and such. I am more interested in seeing this than the stupid ‘Twilight’ movies.

In a kind of related story, Anne Rice has released a new novel - post religious epiphany.  The Wolf Gift tackles werewolves.  I’ve always wanted her to approach werewolves.

Epic movie John Carter has now been officially considered a FLOP.  Disney released a “forward looking” financial statement yesterday warning its shareholders/investors to expect a 1^st quarter 2012 loss due to the film’s bust.  It mentions forward looking hope in the upcoming “The Avengers” movie. Click HERE to see it.

I really liked the season ender of “The Walking Dead”. Season 2 was lackluster in my opinion, but the last 5 minutes REALLY set Season 3 up to possibly be the best season yet.  Can’t wait for “Game of Thrones to begin.

"The Riches" alum Eddie Izzard will be a producer and play Grandpa on "Mockingbird Lane," NBC's drama revamp of "The Munsters. Sigh…

Looking forward to your comments- email- johncthomasii@yahoo.com

John

Winter is OVER!!

Hello Spring!!

Sad News To My Friends and Former Co-Workers

I got this from CBSnews.com at their CBS Moneywatch website concerning jobs that are or will soon be disappearing..

http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-505143_162-57343788/will-these-10-jobs-disappear-in-2012/?pageNum=5&tag=next

Will these 10 jobs disappear in 2012?

By Louise Tutelian

Newspaper reporter

Read it and weep: According to the BLS, a whopping 4,400 jobs will disappear by 2018 (out of 69,400 total in 2008). That's more than three times the number of newsroom employees at The New York Times. The bad news for print can be summed up in one word: Internet. "Some of the print people are finding jobs online," says Lauren Csorny, an economist at the BLS. But there aren't enough to make up for the losses. No wonder that newspaper reporters ranked No. 184 out of 200 jobs, one slot above stevedore, in CareerCast.com's annual JobsRated survey.


Broadcast announcer

The play-by-play for this occupation isn't pretty. Consolidation has eliminated many jobs already, and technology is hijacking off-air tasks, such as editing, once performed by announcers (and future announcers paying their dues). Add the increased use of syndication and the growth of satellite radio and the picture is even bleaker. By 2018, broadcasting is expected to lose 2,400 radio and TV announcer jobs.


of course, this really isn't news to most of us who work or used to work in the industry -- John