INSPIRATIONAL: Another group like the White Rose; where would today’s youths be?

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/dispatches/1216.html#article4

The German Teens Who Rebelled Against Hitler  

These adolescents, aged between 12 and 17, hang around late in the evening with musical instruments and young females. Since this riff raff is in large part outside the Hitler Youth and adopts a hostile attitude towards the organization, they represent a danger to other young people. – Nazi Party Report, Dusseldorf, Germany, July 1943

*** begin quote ***

The Pirates and the groups affiliated with them were labeled criminals by the courts of the era. In 2005, German officials officially relabeled them as resistance fighters and honored the surviving five members still in Cologne. The Edelweiss Pirates had fulfilled Hitler’s desire for German youths to be fearless and unwavering in the face of adversity. He just hadn’t anticipated it would be pointed in his direction.

*** end quote ***

I suspect retreating to their “safe spaces”.

We have lost so much of our “national character” by soft living. I think of what my paternal grandmother did and I doubt that I could do it. I’m sure that 99% of today’s youth surely couldn’t. She was married at 12 on the docks in Germany, traveled the Oregon trail to a better life, fighting off indians and outlaws along the way, bore 13 children—many of who didn’t survive, and had her young husband die in his late twenties leaving her penniless when she was pregnant with my father. That was a courageous woman.

I’m hard pressed to see that spirit anywhere around today.

The Hollywood, Sports, and Rap “stars” play at being a bad ass. They are just cheap imitations of the real American spirit.

Sadly.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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INSPIRATIONAL: Jimmy Stewart’s agony

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3825552/Jimmy-Stewart-suffered-extreme-PTSD-lost-130-men-fighter-pilot-WW-II-acted-anguish-filming-s-Wonderful-Life.html

EXCLUSIVE: How Jimmy Stewart’s agony in It’s a Wonderful Life came from extreme PTSD he suffered after he lost 130 of his men as fighter pilot in WWII

  • Actor Jimmy Stewart was haunted by his memories from his time in the Air Force and suffered from PTSD when he returned from World War II
  • Stewart wrestled with the guilt of killing civilians in bomb raids over France and Germany and felt responsible for the death of his comrades
  • Stewart never talked about his struggles and bottled up his emotions
  • But they came out when acting parts he chose when he returned to Hollywood
  • He tapped into his emotional distress during filming of  It’s a Wonderful Life, where his character George Bailey unravels in front of his family
  • Stewart’s anguish is laid bare for the first time in Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the fight for Europe by author Robert Matzen

By DAN BATES FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 14:18 EST, 6 October 2016 | UPDATED: 02:46 EST, 7 October 2016

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It’s hard to imagine a better kept secret. Maybe a better kept secret was that all the romantic leads in 50’s Hollywood were gay or sex creeps.

Argh!

Bombing civilians is crushing burden. We see something similar from today’s drone pilots. 

Argh!

What can we do? Stop killing civilians? Stop get involved in other people’s business? MYOB as a foreign policy. 

Maybe some day we will learn. 

Dona Nobis Pacem

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INSPIRATIONAL: Mother Teresa, the voiceless unborn child was truly the “poorest of the poor”

Thursday, September 8, 2016

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/09/03/why-the-left-hates-mother-teresa-of-calcutta/

Why the Left Hates Mother Teresa of Calcutta
by THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, PH.D.
03 Sep 20162

*** begin quote ***

As the world awaits Mother Teresa’s canonization Sunday, one mystery remains: why the international Left still harbors such hatred for a diminutive religious sister who spent her entire life serving the poorest of the poor.

After all, with her inexhaustible dedication to alleviating poverty and assisting the needy, Mother Teresa should be an icon of liberals the world over. Instead, we find that the Left showers her not with affection and praise, but with scorn and disdain.

*** and ***

For Mother Teresa, the voiceless unborn child was truly the “poorest of the poor,” who deserves our undying respect and protection.

In her acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, for instance, she dared to say, “I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing – direct murder by the mother herself.”

At the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994, the politically incorrect sister told then-President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary that abortion is a “war against the child.”

“And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?” the nun continued.

*** and ***

“I see Jesus in every human being,” she said. “I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.”

Despite her spiritual motivations, however, Mother Teresa was an avowed enemy of proselytism in her work with the poor. She offered love and assistance to all, without ever making conversion a condition or even an aim of her care.

“We never try to convert those whom we receive to Christianity,” she said, “but in our work we bear witness to the love of God’s presence, and if Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics become for this better men—simply better—we will be satisfied.”

*** end quote ***

As a little L libertarian, the “issue” of abortion is probably the hardest to deal with.

From a survival of the species, abortion is the suicide of the species. I can’t think of a bigger signal flashing “danger will rogers” to us all. How can we plow through that big STOP sign. Look at Japan and Europe that are not replacing their populations.

From a moral perspective, if there is a right to life, then how can we ignore these babies in the womb.

Of course, it’s not just enough to wring one’s hand about abortion and forget about children the minute they are born into terrible poverty. Unfortunately, the current system stinks.

Hopefully, we can all have a little Mother Teresa in our daily lives.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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INSPIRATIONAL: Children are undervalued

Thursday, May 12, 2016

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/teen-makes-stellar-discovery-previously-unknown-maya-city-005856?nopaging=1

9 MAY, 2016 – 22:03 MARILO
Teen Makes Stellar Discovery of Previously Unknown Maya City

*** begin quote ***

William Gadoury, a 15 year-old Canadian from Quebec, has revolutionized the academic world by using ingenious reasoning to discover a previously unknown Maya city. Based on his own theory – that the Maya chose the location of their cities following constellations, he realized that there must be another undiscovered city in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Satellite images of the area have confirmed his hypothesis.

*** end quote ***

“Children will no longer waste the first 25 years of their lives. Adults will no longer be tossed on the rubbish pile for the last 50 years of their life.”  — CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 2 Page 370

Here’s an excellent example of the waste of human resources.

Sorry, that it’s a sad fact. We went from “child labor” to complete insanity. At least, “child labor” made economic sense in a subsistence economy. (That’s why the USA imposing its social mores on Third World countries with sub-subsistence economies is not understandable!)

There has to be a better compromise!

Like Sheldon on #TBBT, we have to figure out a way to “exploit” the talent that is going to waste.

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Ev’s cardiologist wrote a book

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Alone in the World: Stories of Complex Human Relationships

“My world crumbled, a stable, happy and peaceful life disintegrated in to millions of pieces- from a man I became a patient”. These were the words of one of my patients who suffered an unexpected heart attack.

The pain and sadness hidden in these words permeated into the core of my consciousness and my professional evolution- from a physician to a healer began. The Hippocratic Oath is taken by all physicians. In the original form, it requires a new physician to swear by a number of healing gods. The concept of healing is deeply embedded in the Hippocratic Oath.

This book reflects my journey to help patients heal from the ravages of disease.

About the Author

Ashok Kumar, M.D., is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and a clinical cardiologist at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He lives with his wife and is in private practice with his daughter who is also a cardiologist.

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He’s a great guy. He told me that he’s donating all the profits.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Climate Scientists don’t really understand the mechanics of what happens

Saturday, March 19, 2016

http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-613-climate-change-what-does-science-really-say/

Ep. 613 Climate Change: What Does Science Really Say?
9th March 2016
Tom Woods

To call any aspect of the climate change orthodoxy into question is to risk being condemned as “anti-science.” But are the arguments and computer models of the so-called mainstream really so rock solid?

About the GuestChip Knappenberger is assistant director of the Center for the Study of Science at the Cato Institute. He has over 20 years of experience in climate research and public outreach, and has published numerous papers in the major atmospheric science journals on global warming, hurricanes, precipitation changes, weather and mortality, and Greenland ice melt, among many other areas.

Articles Mentioned
“The Case against a Carbon Tax,” by Chip Knappenberger, Robert Murphy, and Patrick J. Michaels
“Climate Models and Climate Reality: A Closer Look at a Lukewarming World,” by Patrick J. Michaels and Chip Knappenberger

Guest’s Links
Center for the Study of Science, Cato Institute
Chip’s Cato page (with his writings)

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What I found interesting was the following points:

  • Politicians and bureaucrats want a crisis; even if it’s not understood.
  • Media hypes the outrageous “solutions” aka “it bleeds, it leads”.
  • It’s a good possibility that the activities of man influences local weather. Maybe even global climate.
  • Warming maybe a good thing for humanity (i.e., wine grapes in England; farms in Greenland; a thriving Roman Empire).
  • It may be a 100 years before the sea level rises 18 inches. Humanity adapts to all sorts of “stuff”.
  • Can’t do much to deprive poor people of electricity which is carbon based.
  • Maybe radical “solutions” aren’t needed.
  • Climate Scientists don’t really understand the mechanics of what happens.

What I found inspirational was the quiet reasoned discourse about a controversial subject without rancor. I found that I could accept this. Probably because it was reasonable and reasoned. 

YMMV.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Peyton Manning — hero or villain

Saturday, February 27, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/02/william-l-anderson/media-driven-character-assassination/

Narratives, Nonsense, and Media-Driven Character Assassination: The Manning Saga Continues
By William L. Anderson
February 22, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Let us step back and look at the big picture. Two weeks ago, Peyton Manning achieved what no one believed was possible just a few months ago. He was badly injured and was benched for backup Brock Osweiler, and most observers had concluded that Manning was finished.

When Manning’s injuries had healed enough for him to return to practice, he took snaps with the scout team, which also is known as a “practice squad” or the “taxi squad.” (These are players who are not on the roster and do not play in games. Their purpose is to help the players on the regular team get ready for games.

Many quarterbacks, and especially future hall-of-famers, would have refused such duty and would have wreaked havoc with the coaching staff. Manning quietly did what was needed, even though such a demotion would have been truly humiliating. However, in the last regular-season game against the San Diego Chargers, Osweiler faltered and Manning came in and led his team to victory.

He then played all the snaps for the two playoff games and the Super Bowl. Manning, who at 39 is the oldest quarterback ever to have won a Super Bowl, was not spectacular and he certainly was not the Peyton Manning of even two years ago, but the Denver Broncos won and that was all that mattered. At least then.

*** end quote ***

I’m not sure I’ve seen or heard enough to convict the man of anything other than some bad commercials.

The “media” certainly doesn’t have as much credibility as he does.

So, until there’s some “evidence”, it’s innocent until PROVEN guilty. 

And, not by some witch hunt in the media.

Although, the National Enquirer did unmask John Edwards and TMZ did the same for Ray Rice and some other woman beaters.

So there is an investigative media out there; it’s just not in the mainstream newspapers or TV.

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Alabama / Clemson game last night was stunning

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Alabama’s Nick Saban makes his case as greatest coach in college football history

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14553660/alabama-nick-saban-makes-case-greatest-coach-college-football-history

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I watched that game and it was a great one.

Unlike the Cincinnati Begals game, BOTH teams showed great discipline. Especially in the late Fourth Quarter.

The issue was settled when Alabama had an 11 point lead, but they couldn’t sit on it. Clemson was competitive.

Bottom line: Alabama’s onside kick worked and Clemson’s didn’t.

The difference? Alabama did it when it was not expected.

I thought the Alabama use of the Tight End was devastating. The game plan must have been thought up by a trickster. 

Great game by both teams. Shame someone had to lose. Made you see why they were #1 and #2.

Well done. Great TV.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Ebenezer Scrooge — an architect of capitalism

Friday, December 25, 2015

2015-Dec-24

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/12/gary-north/dining-with-scrooge/

Dining With Scrooge
By Gary North
December 25, 2014

*** begin quote ***

Specialization of production in 1843 was slowly extending its reign through voluntary exchange, releasing mankind from the tyranny of the weather. Excepting only the famine of the 1840s in Ireland, which began while Dickens was writing his story, the West would not again experience a famine. That long-dreaded horse of the apocalypse was put out to pasture.

The driving force of this revolution was specialization — specialization funded by capital, itself the product of thrift, by double-entry bookkeeping, and by attention to detail. In short, it was men like Ebenezer Scrooge who were the architects of capitalism.

In a heartless environment marked by scarcity, there must be careful attention to details, to ledgers, to costs of production. There must be alertness to profit opportunities, which are found where consumers demand to be served — demand through competitive bidding, one against the other. In short, there must be attention to business.

*** end quote ***

Another reason why Scrooge should be an positive icon and someone to be admired!

Argh!

— 30 — 


INSPIRATIONAL: “Work hard; enjoy yourself and your life.”

Thursday, December 24, 2015

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/12/23/walpole-woman-celebrates-110th-birthday/

Walpole Woman Celebrates 110th Birthday
December 23, 2015 8:39 PM By Lana Jones

*** begin quote ***

WALPOLE (CBS) – Alice Fischer, who is believed to be the oldest living resident of Massachusetts, turned 110 Wednesday. She was born in New Hampshire, but spent most of her adult life in Fall River.

*** and ***

“Work hard; enjoy yourself and your life.”

Alice Fischer, 110 and still going strong.

*** end quote ***

My heroine!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Casablanca clip to offset the Bataclan Theatre terrorism

Friday, December 11, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTsg9i6lvqU

As I think back to the terrorist attack in Paris, reminded by San Bernadino, I don’t know why I didn’t post this clip from the movie Casablanca?

Yes, we are all French … fellow HUMAN beings … at this point. 

Requiescat In Pacem and Dona Nobis Pacem!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Education Disaster is diagnosis

Saturday, November 21, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/11/walter-e-williams/government-schools-catastrophe/

Education Disaster
By Walter E. Williams
November 17, 2015

*** begin quote ***

While educational achievement among whites is nothing to write home about, that for blacks is no less than a disaster. Only 13 percent of black eighth-graders score proficient or above in math, and only 16 percent do in reading. In 2013, only 7 percent of black 12th-graders scored proficient in math, and only 16 percent did in reading. The full magnitude of the black education tragedy is seen by the statistics on the other end of the achievement continuum. “Below basic” is the score given when a student is unable to demonstrate even partial mastery of knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work at his grade level. In 2013, 62 percent of black 12th-graders scored below basic in math, and 44 percent scored below basic in reading.

*** end quote ***

Now you might ask what is “inspirational” about a “disaster”.

“When in a hole, stop digging!” — old Wall Street maxim

Gooferment Skrules are a disaster; no argument is possible based on the results.

The first step in solving a problem is to admit you have one.

And, it’s not racial — everyone is performing worse. And, it’s not about money — the schools are bankrupting the taxpayers. And, it’s not about “caring” — everyone knows we need more than “cannon fodder for the Army, willing morons for the factories, and useful idiots to vote for and be led by the elite”.

It is about the “Separation of Gooferment and Education”!

The Gooferment is immoral, ineffective, and inefficient. So why would you expect it to be any different when it comes to education.

I’ve driven around a lot of America and in many communities the ONLY new construction is for Gooferment Skrules, Boards of Education, and Teacher’s Union Buildings.

Recognize the problem yet?

So how do we fix it.

Simple! 

Put parents back in charge. Make them pay for it. (Like so many Gooferment programs, when you disconnect cost from results, you eliminate a critical feedback loop.)

Now it took decades to make this particular “hole”, it’ll take decades to fix it.

Let’s take the next twenty years and “free” 5% each yearof the students to have “school choice”. Then, let’s take the next 20 years and reduce the amount paid to the parent for education by 5% each year.

Voilà! In 40 years, no more Gooferment Skrules!

If I could have sold my plan to Hands Across New Jersey (the anti-florid tax revolt group) in the 1980’s, then we’d almost have the problem solved by now. Argh! (My bad. I should have been a better salesman!)

It’s a shame that no one will ever fix this problem because there are too many getting rich off the current system!

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INSPIRATIONAL: On “leadership”; sometimes you have to follow

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

http://news.yahoo.com/ny-mets-manager-takes-blame-end-world-series-072944364–mlb.html

NY Mets manager takes blame for end of World Series title dream
AFP By Jim Slater
7 hours ago

*** begin quote ***

New York (AFP) – New York Mets manager Terry Collins blamed himself for his team squandering a late lead for the second time in as many nights Sunday in losing the World Series to Kansas City.

Collins took the blame for leaving starting pitcher Matt Harvey on the mound into the ninth inning after he kept the Royals scoreless for eight innings and scattered only four hits as the Mets led 2-0.

*** end quote ***

First, congrats to KC they were clearly the better team. 

That being said, the Mets coach, as the “leader” of the underdog team, has to figure out a way to “steal” it.

Better “leadership” might have enabled the Mets to do just that.

In Game 5, inept “leadership” by BOTH the “leaders” and the “followers”. Obviously, the pitcher didn’t trust the coach’s judgment on his capabilities at that moment.

Were the seeds of this sown in the loss the night before in game 4?

I saw some key turning points:

  •  Matt, making just his ninth career MLB start, was great over five innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits was allowed to bat in the seventh inning — the coach should have pinch hit for him and possible get something out of that inning like an insurance run. (I was shocked when he didn’t. Thought that was obvious from the pitch count and the situation.)
  • Mets reliever Tyler Clipart walked Ben Zobrist and Lorenzo Cain with one out in the top of the eighth — the coach should have pulled him after the first (I think) six pitch walk!
  • Daniel Murphy’s attempt to make a play on that slow rolling ground ball was all ego. Give the hitter his due, it was a “seeing eye single”. Make the routine stop and “eat the ball”. It’d have been men on first and second two out. Instead of the hero; he become the

Based on the first two coaching “mistakes”, I understand the lack of confidence.

What do you think Billy Martin, Joe Torre, John Wooden, Bobbie Knight would have said? Maybe “shit down and shut up” with some profanity. Laugh!

Bottom line: But the Mets’ coaching, team trust in the coach, and certain player’s play wasn’t up to “stealing” the Series.

I think this is an “teaching moment” for all “leaders” and “followers”. Part of being a great “leader” is the ability to put aside your own memes and paradigms and “play your position”. Sometimes you have to “follow”.

Argh!

Remember the adages: “Lessons will be repeated until the student learns” and “You don’t have to pay tuition at every school; you’re allowed to learn from the mistakes of others”.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Rewire your brain to avoid decline

Thursday, August 20, 2015

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11803682/Sian-Williams-how-to-rewire-your-brain-to-avoid-decline.html

HOME»NEWS»HEALTH»HEALTH NEWS
Sian Williams: how to rewire your brain to avoid decline
The former BBC News presenter Sian Williams explores new research showing that simple lifestyle changes can help reverse mental decline

By Sian Williams
3:00PM BST 15 Aug 2015

*** begin quote ***

I learn a lot from being with Scilla and meeting all these other brilliant minds, coming up with ways to protect ours. Dementia will affect one in three of us over 65. That’s frightening, but being acutely stressed about it will only make our cognitive function worse.

Scilla takes time to relax, sleep well, walk and see friends – as good a way as any of, not just protecting our brains, but getting on with life.

*** end quote ***

⅓!

Wow, that’s not “good news”.

The good news is that there are some evidenced-based tactics to avoid it.

Hope so. 

I’ve seen the “nursing homes” and that’s not living.

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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

*** begin quote ***

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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INSPIRATIONAL: Our gut microbes are the key to the obesity epidemic

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3077507/Everything-think-know-diets-wrong.html

Everything you think you know about diets is WRONG: Counting calories is a total waste of time, it’s bacteria in your gut that make you fat and finally, cheese, alcohol and chocolate can all help

  • Professor Tim Spector, a leading genetics expert, finds compelling evidence as to why calorie-controlled diets don’t work
  • He believes with the right regimen of diet and exercise, we can be happy, healthy – and lean – and keep the pounds off for life
  • Author of new book The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat

By JOHN NAISH FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 18:46 EST, 11 May 2015 | UPDATED: 07:30 EST, 12 May 2015

*** begin quote ***

Calorie-controlled diets don’t work.

Many of us may have suspected as much for years — but now there’s compelling evidence in a new book by Professor Tim Spector, a leading genetics expert at King’s College London.

What’s more, he’s offering a tantalising new theory about what really makes us fat — which could revolutionise our approach to weight loss.

As one of the scientists leading worldwide research into the trillions of bacteria living in our stomachs, Professor Spector believes they hold an amazing power over our health and moods — and that our modern diet may be having a negative effect on them.

*** end quote ***

I agree about calorie counting. I watched my Aunt struggle with weight. Calorie counting all the way. Yet, her sisters were all “normal”; one was down right thin.

There has to be more to regulating weight than a simplistic input = output equation.

The body is a complex interrelated system that’s evolved over a gazillion years.

Sigh!

No hope for me. Since I’m the one in the family most like her. Some said we looked alike or that I was her kid.

Argh!

Doomed, I say. Doomed.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Putin carried a photograph of his father

Monday, May 18, 2015

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/05/anne-williamson/a-bright-sunny-day-in-moscow/

A Bright, Sunny Day
By Anne Williamson
May 12, 2015

*** begin quote ***

But there are still living veterans, who, like me, saw the Russian president leave the post-parade luncheon for visiting heads of state to plunge into a stream of three hundred thousand Russians marching in memory of “The Immortal Brigade.”  Each participant carried a picture of a family member, who had served in the struggle to defeat the mighty Huns.

A relaxed and upbeat Putin carried a photograph of his father, a submariner. (A U.S. president in similar circumstances would have been accompanied down the stairs and into the square by a crowd of 40 Secret Service thugs, a motorcycle police escort and several detachments of armed marines.)

Maybe it was a publicity stunt, but I don’t think so. Only two body guards were visible, and each kept a close but discreet distance while Putin mingled freely with crowds of ordinary Muscovites.

*** end quote ***

This certain puts a different spin on the evil Putin. (And, I have no doubt the KGB officer in him has much to atone for.)

“The Immortal Brigade”!

“27 million dead” fighting the Nazis.

That’s huge.

And, they should have a parade.

For peace.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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INSPIRATIONAL: Separation of Gooferment and Education!

Friday, March 20, 2015

http://zenpencils.com/comic/kenrobinson/

162. SIR KEN ROBINSON: Full body education
By Gav on October 10, 2014

*** begin quote ***

Sir Ken Robinson is a leading authority on education and creativity. A former professor of education, he now advises governments and businesses around the world and is one of the most sought-after speakers on education. The quotes used in the comic are taken from Robinson’s now-famous 2006 TED talk How schools kill creativity. It is the most viewed TED talk ever, and also one of the funniest in my opinion (gotta love that dry British humour). If you haven’t seen it, then stop what you’re doing and go watch it.

Robinson explains that the school system was invented in the 19th century to meet the needs of rapid industrialisation and is extremely outdated, focusing way too much on left-brain academic learning. “If you think of it, the whole system of public education around the world is a protracted process of university entrance. And the consequence is that many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they’re not, because the thing they were good at at school wasn’t valued, or was actually stigmatised.”

He gives the example of Gillian Lynne, a world-renowned dancer and choreographer, who as a student was terrible at school and most likely would have been diagnosed with ADHD today. Luckily, a specialist noticed that Lynne wouldn’t sit still and was naturally dancing to the music playing in the office and suggested to Lynne’s mother that she send the child to dance school. (Robinson explains it a lot better than I just typed it).

*** end quote ***

Gooferment Skrules are for a time that has past. 

We need to separate Gooferment and Education!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Bishop Egan reminded me of Bishop Sheen

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Cardinal Egan, Former Catholic Archbishop of New York, Dead at 82
Edward Michael Egan, the ninth archbishop of New York, died Thursday afternoon of cardiac arrest, according to the Archdiocese of New York.

He was 82 years old. From 1985 to 1988, he served as auxiliary bishop and vicar for education of the Archdiocese of New York. He served as bishop of Bridgeport, Conn., for 12 years before becoming Archbishop of New York in May 2000.

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I’m not a big Church guy.

I literally ran into him by Saint Pat’s as we were crossing the street by Saint Pat’s.

I immediately recognized him with the simple gold chain.

I sputtered “I’m most sorry Your Eminence”.

He smiled and said: No problem, my child, I am sure we were both absorbed in our Rosaries.” 

To which, I replied: “Fraid not; although do I get partial credit for having mine.” As I whipped mine out of my suit jacket. 

His response: “Well, I think it;s like car keys, you have to use it.”

He touched my forehead with the Bishop’s cross as was on his way.

He was the second Bishop I’d ever met that did that. Do they learn that in “bishop school”?

Funny the things one remembers.

Requiescat In Pacem

With sadness.

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INSPIRATIONAL: “Dif-tor heh smusma”

Friday, February 27, 2015

2015-Feb-27

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/arts/television/leonard-nimoy-spock-of-star-trek-dies-at-83.html?_r=1

“Live long and prosper” (from the Vulcan “Dif-tor heh smusma”).

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He inspired my generation.

LLAP, Mister Spock.

Requiescat In Pacem

:-(

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INSPIRATIONAL: The Art of Intelligent Waiting

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/patience-the-art-of-intelligent-waiting.html

Patience, The Art of Intelligent Waiting
Sara, from Institute of HeartMath
February 15, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Impatience, it is clear, is not an emotion that befalls only an unfortunate few. It may be true that there is a lot of impatience in some people, but there is a little impatience in all people.

Institute of HeartMath Founder Doc Childre characterizes patience as “the art of intelligent waiting” – waiting with purpose, positive intention and a sincere belief that waiting is an important element in the unfolding of all things.

“Patience is the practice of maintaining a state of inner ease and resilience when you are tempted to be impatient,” Doc says, “especially when the mind wants to force results, rather than remain in flow.

“Impatience is an invitation to frustration, shallow discernment, and faulty choices. With a little heart-focused intention and practice, we can effect a makeover by replacing impatience with patience – the secret sauce in the recipe for flow. When our hearts truly commit to becoming patient, then our minds will cooperate, surrender their resistance and take purposeful steps to manifest it.”

*** end quote ***

What an excellent inspirational meme.

I’ve been told that I am a good “wait-er”.

Probably my Mom’s training — “we” go “shopping” it seemed like all the time — I used to call it “inventorying” cause she rarely bought anything — and I always had a sci fi pocket book to pass the time. Maybe she was just making sure I read a lot? What do nerds do otherwise?

In any event, that was not what this describes.

I have to think about this more since it seems I’m waiting a lot more.

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Weihnachtsfrieden versus Trêve de Noël

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce

Christmas truce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Christmas truce (German: Weihnachtsfrieden; French: Trêve de Noël) was a series of widespread but unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front around Christmas 1914. In the week leading up to the holiday, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In areas, men from both sides ventured into no man’s land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carol-singing. Men played games of football with one another, giving one of the most enduring images of the truce. However, the peaceful behaviour was not ubiquitous; fighting continued in some sectors, while in others the sides settled on little more than arrangements to recover bodies. The following year, a few units arranged ceasefires, but the truces were not nearly as widespread as in 1914; this was, in part, due to strongly worded orders from the high commands of both sides prohibiting fraternisation. Soldiers were no longer amenable to truce by 1916. The war had become increasingly bitter after devastating human losses suffered during the battles of the Somme and Verdun, and the incorporation of poison gas.

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Can’t have peace break out when a very profitable war was being waged.

Time to bring all our girls and boys home NOW!

It the Gooferment’s politicians and bureaucrats want to fight a war, let them lead from the front. 

Any volunteers.

Only military veterans should be able to vote!

Robert Heinlein’s idea from Starship Troopers that only those who have served have the right to vote, because only those who have served have put the greater good ahead of their own personal safety and thus only those who have served could be seen to be responsible enough to understand what voting means … …

The Vet knows what voting for a war means … grunts are going to die.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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INSPIRATIONAL: Preparing to get Alzheimer’s?

Sunday, December 21, 2014

http://www.ted.com/talks/alanna_shaikh_how_i_m_preparing_to_get_alzheimer_s

Alanna Shaikh: How I’m preparing to get Alzheimer’s

When faced with a parent suffering from Alzheimer’s, most of us respond with denial (“It won’t happen to me”) or extreme efforts at prevention. But global health expert and TED Fellow Alanna Shaikh sees it differently. She’s taking three concrete steps to prepare for the moment — should it arrive — when she herself gets Alzheimer’s disease.

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Here’s something that I fear.

While it would not be a financial disaster because of Long Term Care insurance, it has to be a terrible way to “exit stage left”.

Any of these diseases that rob you of your mind or your physical abilities are tragic.

If we had “scientific research” done without Gooferment involvement, then I believe we would be curing these diseases. Instead, the money is wasted. And, worse, than the wasted money, is the waste in human capital.

Argh!

Separation of Scientific Research and State!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Want your own country?

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/14/experience-i-founded-my-own-country?CMP=fb_gu

Life and style Experience
Experience: I founded my own country

Renato Barros
Friday 14 November 2014 09.00 EST

As told to Jennifer Lucy Allan

*** begin quote ***

In 1903, the Portuguese government didn’t have enough money to build a harbour port, so the king sold the land to a wealthy British family, the Blandys, who make Madeira wine. Fourteen years ago the family decided to sell it for just €25,000 (£19,500). It was of no use to them. But nobody else wanted to buy it either. I met Blandy at a party, and he told me about Pontinha. He asked if I’d like to buy the island. Of course I said yes, but I have no money – I am just an art teacher.

*** end quote ***

I love this. 

Why can’t we all have our “own countries”?

Laugh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: I think I am a Savvy Donor

Sunday, December 7, 2014

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=419#.VIC216TF-5J

Top 10 Best Practices of Savvy Donors

*** begin quote ***

7. Review Executive CompensationSophisticated donors realize that charities need to pay their top leaders a competitive salary in order to attract and retain the kind of talent needed to run a multi-million dollar organization and produce results. But they also don’t just take the CEO’s compensation at face value; they benchmark it against similar-sized organizations engaged in similar work and located in the same region of the country. To help you make your own decision, Charity Navigator’s analysis reveals that the average CEO’s compensation of the charities we evaluate is almost $150,000. In general, salaries tend to be higher in the northeast and at arts and education charities. Sophisticated donors also put the CEO’s salary into context by examining the overall performance of the organization. They know it is better to contribute to a charity with a well-paid CEO that is meeting its goals than to support a charity with an underpaid CEO that fails to deliver on its promises. (Check out our CEO Compensation Study for more benchmarking data.)

*** end quote ***

That’s one thing that stops me from donating — “Big Charity”.

When the CEO makes more than I do, I’m not needed. Neither is my money.

When the “Charity” spends more on “administration” than “services”, then I’m done.

When the “Charity” shifts it mission to something “eternal”, I’m “mortal”. Example, Mach of Dimes cures polio and shifts to “birth defects”.

When the “Charity” uses funds for things I morally oppose, I’m outraged. Example, Susan B. Koleman funds Planned Parenthood which in turn funds abortions. 

Sigh.

I like the Salvation Army. The General makes peanuts! That’s charity.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Complicated politics, irrational decisions, and legions of people

Saturday, October 18, 2014

http://buff.ly/1vRZ2nM

“Healthcare is an industry involving complicated politics, irrational decisions, and legions of people looking for their next paycheck. However, the sheer volume of money in the system is making it a prime target of entrepreneurs all over the world.

But for those thinking that emerging tech will enable them to circumvent the entire healthcare system completely, it may, but only for a very tiny subset of the population.

We are on the verge of crossing over from science hype to science reality, with the prospects of creating a tremendous upside. Yes, there will be more than a few battles fought along the way between doctors and health industry executives, insurance administrators, and government officials but in the end, it doesn’t have to be a win-lose situation.” 

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Hopefully, this sanity will come sooner rather than later!

Wonder if Watson could have saved Our Girl?

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