INTERESTING: Everything We Know Has an Expiration Date

Monday, June 8, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/06/walter-e-williams/white-privilege-2/

Intellectual Dishonesty
By Walter E. Williams
June 2, 2015

*** begin quote ***

President Barack Obama’s stance, expressed in his 2014 State of the Union address, is that the debate is settled and climate change is a fact. Obama is by no means unique in that view. Former Vice President Al Gore declared that “the science is settled.” This “settled science” vision about climate is held by many, including those in academia. To call any science settled is sheer idiocy. Had mankind acted as though any science could possibly be settled, we’d be living in caves, as opposed to having the standard of living we enjoy today. That higher standard of living stems from challenges to what might have been seen as “scientific fact.”

According to mathematician Samuel Arbesman’s book, “The Half-Life of Facts: Why Everything We Know Has an Expiration Date,” many ideas taken as facts today will be shown to be wrong as early as five years from now. Arbesman argues that a study published in a physics journal will lose half its value in 10 years.

Many academics know that to call any science settled is nonsense. But their leftist political sentiments and lack of academic integrity prevent them from criticizing public officials and the media for misleading a gullible public about global warming.

*** end quote ***

I can always count on Professor Wilaims educating me.

I never had heard about the “Half-Life of Facts”.

As a fat old white guy injineer, “facts” were always “facts”.

There are certain absolutes in this world: π, ℊ, 𝑒, and lying politicians.

There are certain moral principles: The Golden Rule (i.e., do unto others), the Zero Aggression Principle (i.e., don’t hurt people or steal their stuff), and Karma (i.e., what you do, comes around back to you).

There are a lot of “theories”. For example, Evolution, Conspiracy, and Global Warming / Global Cooling / Climate Change,

Personally, I have always used the DIKW (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) paradigm to understand the world and structure my memes accordingly.

Note that “facts” don’t appear in my paradigm because, for the most part, when people tell me “facts”, they are not very absolute.

In my mind, “facts” are “information” subject to verification and testing.

Thanks for Professor Williams educating me that there is no such thing as “settled science”.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Peanut Butter Smell Test for Alzheimer’s

Sunday, June 7, 2015

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/peanut-butter-smell-test-for-alzheimers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=peanut-butter-smell-test-for-alzheimers&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=b9e06a6077-RSS_VIDEO_WEEKLY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-b9e06a6077-23479309

Peanut Butter Smell Test for Alzheimer’s

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An ingenious group of researchers at the University of Florida discovered all we may need is some peanut butter and a ruler.

Considering that the left side of the brain primarily processes what we smell through our left nostril and the right side of our brain covers the right nostril and Alzheimer’s strikes the left side more than the right, what if you performed the following experiment?

Close your eyes and mouth and breathe normally through the nose. Then close one nostril and hold a foot-long ruler out from the open nostril. After their eyes, mouth, and one nostril were closed, the container of peanut butter was opened at the bottom of the ruler and moved closer 1 cm upon each exhale until the person indicated that they detected the odor. Then they repeated the whole procedure again using the other nostril.

In the normal elderly controls, they smelled the peanut butter as soon as it came within an average of 18 centimeters, which is about 7 inches from either nostril. And in the right nostril of Alzheimer’s patients was about the same, 7 inches. No difference, but in their left nostril, only 2 inches. The peanut butter had to get all the way up to 2 inches before they could detect it through their left nostril. And this happened every single time, left nostril impairment of odor detection was present in all the patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease.

*** end quote ***

You can bet I’ll be testing myself with peanut butter.

Amazing that these folks came up with a cheap and easy way to dispositively test for the disease.

Truly inspirational.

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HISTORICAL: 71st Anniversary of D-Day

Saturday, June 6, 2015

http://nw2m.convio.net/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=118841&__utma=146201003.1369108149.1433080299.1433080299.1433080299.1&__utmb=146201003.2.10.1433080299&__utmc=146201003&__utmx=-&__utmz=146201003.1433080299.1.1.utmgclid=Cj0KEQjw4qqrBRDE2K_z7Pbvjo8BEiQA39AImXYHlrHVoq8HFoO-v5Km_Lxyw57u1MFstvOEm3zRkD4aAk2n8P8HAQ?referrer=http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l|utmccn=(not%20set)|utmcmd=(not%20set)&__utmv=-&__utmk=234226846

Commemorating the 71st Anniversary of D-Day and the Museum’s 15th Anniversary

In fact, the institution we now know as The National WWII Museum was once dedicated entirely to the story of D-Day in Normandy. With founder (and noted author) Stephen E. Ambrose at the helm, it opened in June 2000 in New Orleans—home of shipbuilder Andrew Higgins, whose production of the amphibious Higgins Boats led Eisenhower to describe him as “the man who won the war for us.” Now 15 years later, The National WWII Museum is one of the most popular museums in the world, and home to historical collections and scholarship that span the entire scope of America’s WWII story. The Museum is also a center for ongoing research and outreach, innovating every day to reach students, teachers, veterans, and visitors like never before.

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I wonder how many people will remember the slaughter on the beaches.

And this was against a weakened Germany that was bled by their Russian disaster.

How was history changed by this blood letting?

And blame it all on Wilson and FDR.

Argh!

Also “We, The Sheeple” have learned nothing from all these wars.

Seems like a good anniversary to bring all the girls and boys home now.

Requiescat In Pacem

Dona Nobis Pacem

Let’s not forget!

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GUNS: Columbia trains future journalists in the “party line”

Friday, June 5, 2015

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/05/29/covering-guns-columbia-universitys-workshop-for-journalists-far-from-objective.html?intcmp=ob_homepage_opinion&intcmp=obnetwork

SECOND AMENDMENT
‘Covering Guns’: Columbia University’s ‘workshop’ for journalists far from objective
By Dr. John R. Lott Jr. Published May 29, 2015 FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

Columbia University would never sponsor an event funded by the National Rifle Association. What’s more, the idea would seem especially outlandish if most of the speakers at the event were NRA supporters.

Yet, gun control advocate and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his gun control group Everytown are now funding a two-day workshop in Phoenix on Friday and Saturday sponsored by Columbia University’s Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. The event will bring together journalists from around the country to learn about “covering guns and gun violence.”

Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center, claims that there is “no party line” and calls the workshop “very balanced.”

But gun control advocates make up 15 of the panel’s 17 experts. Aren’t journalism schools supposed to teach journalists to present both sides of a story? Why doesn’t Columbia feature other speakers who argue that people should be able to defend themselves with guns?

*** and ***

But you would think that Columbia would have the gumption to at least use basic journalistic practices of fact checking and teaching journalists to see both sides of an issue when they offer a workshop.

*** end quote ***

Seriously, have you ever seen the state of “Journalism” today?

Columbia is partially responsible for that state.

Common sense demonstrates that “good guys with guns” stop “bad guys with guns”.

And, when there is a defensive use of gun, it rarely gets any media attention. If no shots are fired, there will be NO coverage at all.

The Dead Old White Guys must be rolling over about this issue, as well as some others (i.e., fiat currency; Gooferment Skrules; FED; Federal “special militias” that is the various Federal “police” agencies; federal asset forfeiture; “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs”).

The RIGHT to Keep and Bear Arms is the platinum standard for Liberty.

All you have to do is ask candidates one question. “Where do you stand on guns?”

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INTERESTING: AAA has a contest, but the missed an opportunity

Thursday, June 4, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/AAAMidAtlantic?sk=app_234658916574732

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LIFE IS JOYOUS. IT’S MESSY. IT’S SURPRISING. MOSTLY, IT’S YOURS.
THROUGHOUT IT ALL, THERE’S ONE NAME YOU CAN COUNT ON, AND IT’S PRONOUNCED TRIPLE-A. SHARE YOUR AAAHH! MOMENT AND YOU COULD BE A WINNER. IT’S EASY.

Just click ‘Enter Now!’ below to get started. Upload a photo depicting your favorite AAAHH! Moment – good, bad, funny – it’s up to you! Next, add a clever caption, fill in the remaining fields, click ‘Submit’ and you could win cool prizes like free gas, theme park passes or free movie tickets!

*** end quote ***

SO I did.

BUT, (and there is always a BIG butt), they never gave me a chance to capture my creation.

I was going to send to my “usual suspects”.

IT would have had their logo on it.

SOOoo they missed a chance to expand their “mind share” and possibly their market share.

Dumb!

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INTERESTING: Don’t “roll your own will”

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

I heard a sad tale of woe.

Fellow did his “own” will with Legal Zoom.

When I was told that the son had the original will, I just KNEW there would be trouble. Most attorneys INSIST that you leave the original will in their vault for safekeeping. 

All was fine and dandy until he “corrected” it.

Note that if he had NOT had the original, he couldn’t have spoiled it. 

Now the fun begins.

It may be that the fellow that died will be declared “intestate” (i.e., no will). 

And the state law will divide his assets.

Probably not the way he planned.

AND, for sure, there will be extra costs (i.e., legal fees, court fees, insurance bond, extra lawyer, billable hours).

ALSO, if he had NOT screwed it up, his son could have been the executor and “saved” the 15% fee. Now that’s up for grabs.

Getting your will done by a good lawyer is NOT that expensive and certainly not as expensive as a mistake.

Argh!

No one to blame but the fellow who thought he knew what he was doing.

Argh! I hate when “amateurs” try and do “brain surgery”. It’s a common thing on Wall Street, but didn’t expect it of this individual. 

[Note to self: Remember this blog post.]

http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/2010/05/24/legalzoom-vs-lawyer-what-you-dont-know-can-hurt-you/

“Yes, the advice of an attorney costs more. But eighty percent of people who fill in blank forms to create legal documents do so incorrectly. Are you going to beat the odds? Are you willing to take the risk?”

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RANT: The “rules” are “heavily redacted in publicly available documents”

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/06/02/fbi-flying-surveillance-aircraft-over-us-cities-planes-traced-to-fake-companies/

HOMELAND SECURITY
FBI flying surveillance aircraft over US cities; planes traced to fake companies
Published June 02, 2015
Associated Press

*** begin quote ***

The surveillance flights comply with agency rules, an FBI spokesman said. Those rules, which are heavily redacted in publicly available documents, limit the types of equipment the agency can use, as well as the justifications and duration of the surveillance. 

Details about the flights come as the Justice Department seeks to navigate privacy concerns arising from aerial surveillance by unmanned aircrafts, or drones. President Obama has said he welcomes a debate on government surveillance, and has called for more transparency about spying in the wake of disclosures about classified programs. 

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but every American should be hoping mad about this.

No one knew about it or admitted it until Drudge broke the story about “mysterious planes”.

And why hide the FBI affiliation?

Everything else has logos on it, except for unmarked police cars which is another topic.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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POLITICAL: First Amendment and Washington Metro

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/05/29/we-know-what-happens-when-you-criticize-muhammad-we-know-how-some-people-react-to-that/

The Volokh Conspiracy
‘[W]e know what happens when you criticize Muhammad, we know how some people react to that’

By Eugene Volokh May 29 at 9:45 AM

*** begin quote ***

U.S. News (Steven Nelson) reports:

“The mass transit authority that oversees commuter buses and trains in the nation’s capital is banning issue-oriented ads for the remainder of the year after receiving an ad proposal featuring a cartoon of Muhammad, Islam’s central figure.”

The cartoon that prompted the decision was apparently this one, a combination of an earlier cartoon by artist Bosch Fawstin with the addition of the caption “Support Free Speech,” and the American Freedom Defense Initiative logo:

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but that’s not good enough.

They were taking ads up until they got one that was a “hot grounder”.

As part of the Gooferment, they don’t get to censor speech. 

This issue was tried up in NYC and the First Amendment won.

As a pro-life pro-choice little L libertarian, I get “offended” all the time.

Politician corruption offends me, but I have to “tolerate” it.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: How Americans perceive “war”

Monday, June 1, 2015

http://www.unz.com/article/nazis-on-the-backlot/

Nazis on the Backlot
How Hollywood has changed our perception of war
BY PHILIP GIRALDI • MAY 26, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Memorial Day used to be a somber occasion, dedicated to reflection and remembrance of those killed in America’s wars. Today it is instead a celebration of ongoing wars, a long shopping weekend and the unofficial start of summer. Part of the problem with America’s shifting perception of the price to be paid when one goes to war is that it has been shaped by Hollywood and video games, so much so that it has become divorced from the horrible reality of what happens when countries and peoples do their best to kill each other.

*** and ***

My point is that when Americans think of war they think of something heroic and relatively painless unless you are somehow electrocuted by your PlayStation. There are no bad consequences arising from stomping on Afghans from a control center in Nevada. And if you screw up and kill a wedding party, so what? I am not advocating a salutary invasion of the United States to create an awareness of just how terrible war is, but a little more creative candor from the media, Hollywood and the political class might just help make the public think twice before it goes into that voting booth to pull the handle for Ted Cruz or Jeb Bush. Or Hillary.

*** end quote ***

“WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.” –Major General Smedley Butler

Gooferment needs war to keep the Crony Capitalists pouring “campaign contributions” into the politicians and bureaucrats.

I have often blamed “giving women the right to vote” for the rise of “organized crime” because they pushed Prohibition and other “Progressive” causes. I add to that they have failed to stop us from going to war so many time. 

“Yes, when we get out of here. We’re going to have to fix that. You know we control something that can get it done. Not the ballot box, but the other box. (A giant sucking sound as pure Miss Marie used that very rude idiom.) We can end war.” — character “Marie” being anti-war in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 262

As I’ve aged, I’d like to think I’ve gotten wiser. 

And, one topic of growth is about the wars.

I don’t understand why “We, The Sheeple” can NOT wake up and see the rows of graves and ask “Why?”

You can trace it back to brainwashing, propaganda, and Gooferment Skrules.

It’s rooted in the FED printing press money that allows the Welfare / Warfare state to spend without restraint. (One reason for the FED was so that Gooferment could spend money without having to forcibly extract it from the people.)

SO how do we roll this back and put Gooferment back in avery small cage?

Have to end the FED. Have to end Gooferment Skrules. Have to bring all the girls and boys home now.

Be more like Switzerland.

Secession is the key. Just like the USSR imploded, so to will the USA. 

Argh! Not going to happen in my lifetime.

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