Let's Get It On

My vacation this week has really been not what I expected it to be. My plans began unravelling last Friday afternoon before the last working day before my scheduled week off of work. All and all, I've made the best, tastiest lemonade I could. Apparently, the whole world continued to spin while I was temporarily away from the interweb.

Romney vs Obama - until November all we'll hear from the left will be how "pro rich white guys" Romney is. The right will talk about how bad the economy is and how Obamacare will doom us all. Each side have declared the other side is wagin a war against women. To me, it all seems like an exercise in futility. A "well, he's better than the other guy" situation. Yet I read more poeple vote in the "American Idol" contests than vote in out elections. More people buy PS3/Xbox games than vote in elections. Amazing...

Of course, most will shrug their shoulders, get into their little groups and discuss all the bad there is in the world while doign nothing to effect change.

Trayvon madness continues- they've arrested and charged Zimmerman. 2nd degree murder, I believe. This whole case is so mired in controversy, non facts and emotions that this case will NEVER have a consensus verdict or decision. Meanwhile, vile racism continues followed by meager, insincere psuedo apologies from those on the PRO kill Zimmerman side. Interpretations form both sides flow and seem rational.
I like conversations with people about things that are controversial and disagreed upon. Regrettably most of those close to me don't care or do not like ot have conversations with me about things in dispute, for whatever reason. I'm not so closed minded as to not have my thoughts or beliefs challeneged and in ultra rare occasions, perhaps changed.. So much converation on talk radio or TV is sinlge-minded, "preaching to the choir" type of thing. Every now and then a token caller or writer with a seemingly opposing view will be allowed onto these shows; usually by the same person or handful of people. Nowadays, conversations end with someone saying "whatever" and waving their hand or finger in the air. Thye walk away mumbling something condescending. Or one side will become desperate and diversionary tactics are used usually resorting to personal attacks or questions answered with questions that has nothing to do with the subject. I see the latter used in news conferences daily. A reporter ro someone will ask someone a simple yes or no question. And instead of answering the question "yes or no" and then qualifying their answer, they resort to smoething that hardly resembles the intended answer. If that makes any sense. Am I the only one seeing this?

Easter, Left Media, $24 Muffins, and Ross Perot

I feel kinda weird writing " Happy Good Friday", however, knwoing the end of the story I believe, it's OK. I hope you guys have a great Easter weekend. Check out THIS video that is a very humorous look at Easter - unfortunately by an admitted atheist and one of my favorite comedians. - http://youtu.be/_XJfRzNOJNE

When I get a chance, I listen to as much left leaning rhetoric as possible. The Stepahnie Miller Show is TV's newest entry-  http://www.stephaniemiller.com/. Stephanie Miller, billed as a sexy liberal, at least is easy to look at while she and the fawning, seemingly well educated and even sometimes humorous males shake their heads in agreement sputing their terse anti-right quips. I sometimes watch the "Free Speech" network - https://www.freespeech.org/. Basically TV friendly NPR rejects attempting to be a left leaning version of Fox News. I do not believe Keith Olberman's departure from Current TV will be the end of the network as many think. Though Al Gore's broadcast company was in trouble before the Olberman incident. Real Time w/ Bill Maher does make me think a little. Though I probably disagree with his anti-religion, anti right/Republican rants, he brings some interesting points to the table and isn't afraid t0 bash the left at times.. Like me, he seems to be an equal opportunity offender when twisting his view of the world.

The right's latest lament is the recent finding's concerning a General Services Administration training conference in October 2010 at the M Resort Spa Casino outside Las Vegas that was precluded with $100k exploratory trips to see if they (the GSA) can have their lavish meeting. Folk's, I can recall these types of lavish government waste since I became aware of things in the 70's by BOTH parties. These types of stories are plentiful within both the Democratic and Republican parties.

The right's "holier-than-thou" outcries and too numerous blogs, editorial opinions, news stories, and countless hours speaking their anti-Obama rhetoric are laughable. Laughable because that's all those on the right do. They launch really good ideas- The Reform Party (Ross Perot)-  the Contract with America in the mid 90's, and the Tea Party a few years ago. These great ideas inspire many before eventually losing steam or becoming corrupt or not exactly what they seem to be. Usually in the end, they disenfranchise those who supported them and leave their remnants disillusioned. Yet we hear each and every Presidential election how important and critical the upcoming election is. Isn't each one critical regardless of who's running? I'm not looking forward to Obama vs Romney.

Trayvon madness continues. Dick Durbin is chairing a hearing on racial profiling in America to be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 10:00am ET. Stories of anti white attacks are emerging much like they tend to do.

The world, once again is doomed. Click HERE.
As bad as things are for us economically and seemingly socially, I do not believe all is lost. I believe we will recover. Perhaps not as quickly or as much as I'd like, but I believe what I love and like about the USA will prevail. Not in a faux, hokey, if anything has 'USA" or "God" in it it MUST be 'good and right' kind of way.. Know what I mean?

What say you?

Not REALLY About Trayvon, But....

Whatever happened down there in Florida resulting in Trayvon Martin dying is very tragic. Tragic for Mr Martin and tragic even for Mr Zimmerman, Obviously preventable regardless of which side you're on.  To me it's sad that there are even sides to begin with in this case- and any other case. Obvious and devastating things about how  the lies and embellished facts and pictures from both sides in the case are now coming to light. My opinion is that we may never know what actually happened down there other than this teen dying from a gunshot wound. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and being lied about and Mr. Martin and Mr. Zimmerman are being tried and convicted in the media by well meaning people who will resort to lying and enhancing facts so much that they become the opposite of that they intend them to be, thus discrediting any validity they have.

Why are we as a nation so eager to label each other or put each other in a certain group? Why does either side of an argument go to extremes by lying or distorting half truths to make their point or support their point of view? Be it Trayvon Martin or infighting within the Republican Party and Democratic Party. minority races and Caucasians, US citizens and non US citizens, Churches and non churches, religions and non religions, guns and non-guns, heterosexuals and homosexuals, rich and poor, Team Jacob and Team Edward.

OK, I HAD to insert some absurdity into the absurd. Or at least what I believe is absurdity. It seems that thanks to the instantaneous atmosphere that is the 24/7 internet and smartphone Twitter and facebook thingees- news and it's inaccuracies and accuracies can flow to millions at the tough of a button. Sting sings in "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You"

" I never saw no miracle of science
That didn't go from a blessing to a curse.."

I'm not that pessimistic, however, I can see the point. I personally believe we have to anticipate "the negative' or bad in anything we do and learn to overcome or endure it. What have we become as a nation - as a society to succumb to this knee jerk type of reactions or to lie embellish facts to support our views?

There are a few other bloggers or opinion writers out there who are beginning to write about this -in regards to the Trayvon Martin case. The media for the most part gets a bad wrap as being either too "left" or too "right". Both sides argue their points and have very valid points and evidence to support their claims. There's an inherent problem with info being so readily sent and consumed. I heard an old man at a cafe put it best.,,

"You can't get the crap back into the horse."

A very interesting observation is that when these so called embellished facts or truths come out as such- or worse yet lies and untruths- their either ignored or dismissed as something the "other side" has presented or released to counter their truth or facts. It's an endless circle.

Worse yet, you have people who cling to how "middle" or "neutral" they are on everything from God to Trayvon Martin to politics to religion. I see these people as just as bad as those purveyors or false info or false truth as they seem to play both sides to me. They're too afraid to substantiate their belief in something or anyone, so they run to some intellectual middle ground to avoid unpleasantness or perception they believe as they do- just to hedge their bets I suppose.

So what do we do? What can we do? What should we do, if anything? I suppose it's just one of those things that we personally can do as we can only control things in our little world or our littel world's collectively.

What say you?

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?