July 24th
For the past two mornings I have walked out the back door straight into a huge spider web in the face. Sticky. Why this little spider keeps putting her web there is beyond me.
It is hot and humid outside. We had more thunderstorms during the evening hours. It will be near the 90s today.
First thing this morning I hear Dearest enter my office saying ”We need to take my computer to the doctor.” Oh goodie.
Another few rows done on the Sampler Shawl.
Sally Ride, the first US woman in space, dies aged 61 - sad
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18963939
NASA bio:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/ride-sk.html
The hummingbirds were having a fit outside the office window yesterday. This is why.
It was in the tree and dropped onto the roof and then down to the ground.
Here another one for you to sign:
Two years ago the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are people and there is no limit to how much money they can pump into sketchy outside groups (like super PACs) that fund our elections.
This will be the 30th Olympics in history, but the first where divisive super PAC commercials are being aired. Brace yourself-you and 300 million other Americans watching the Olympics will have to suffer through $7.2 million worth of super PAC ads, too. The Olympics are about national unity and fair competition, while super PAC commercials are about division, half-truths, and unfair play. They have no place during the Olympics.
With big super PACs ramping up their ad buys, we have an opportunity to send a message to the people behind them. In the past, networks have set up special “no advocacy ads” policies during events like the Super Bowl. If enough of us raise our voice, we can pressure NBC to do the same and to not ruin our Olympics.
Join me in asking NBC’s CEO, Stephen Burke, not to air ads from super PACs and other special interest groups during the Olympics. unPAC will deliver the petition on Friday morning-so sign today!
http://www.unpac.org/olympics/
A bit of political humor for the day:
Pinocchio, Snow White, and Superman are out for a stroll in town one day.
As they walk, they come across a sign: "Beauty contest for the most beautiful woman in the world."
"I am entering" says Snow White.
After half an hour she comes out and they ask her, "Well, how'd ya do?
"First Place!" shouts Snow White.
They continue walking and they see a sign: "Contest for the strongest man in the world."
"I'm entering," says Superman.
After half an hour he returns and they ask him, "How did you make out?"
"First Place," answers Superman. "Did you ever doubt?"
They continue walking, when they see a sign: "Contest! Who is the greatest liar in the world?"
Pinocchio says, "This baby's mine."
But half an hour later, he returns with tears in his eyes.
"What happened?" ask Snow White and Superman.
Pinocchio wipes at his cheeks as he cries, "Who the hell is Mitt Romney?"
Have a wonderful day all!
Recommended Reading/Viewing - *
The real question about Romney’s Bain career
http://www.cjr.org/swing_states_project/real_question_romney_bain_capital.php?page=all
Bacteria Outbreak in Northern Europe Due to Ocean Warming
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=bacteria-outbreak-in-northern-europe
Officers Offered to “Buy” Cell Phone Footage of Anaheim Police Brutality
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/07/22/officers-offered-to-buy-cell-phone-footage-of-anaheim-police-brutality/
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/07/anaheim_cops_pepper_spray_and_unleash_dogs_at_women_kids_and_babies_in_strollers_video.html
Which CEO made $5 million stealing your kid's lunch money?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFTNQ1PAMiY&feature=youtu.be
Union Decries Marines' Sponsorship of Sport Marked by Sexism, Homophobia
http://truth-out.org/news/item/10478-casino-workers-target-marine-corps-and-ufc-in-unionization-battle
Loading the Climate Dice
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/23/opinion/krugman-loading-the-climate-dice.html?_r=2&wpisrc=nl_wonk
Amazon.com's Latest Attempt to Fix Its Image: "We'll Help You Pay For School! (If You Go Into Programs We Deem Worthy)"
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/1046513/amazon.com%27s_latest_attempt_to_fix_its_image%3A_%22we%27ll_help_you_pay_for_school%21_%28if_you_go_into_programs_we_deem_worthy%29%22/
Finally, Fact-Checking Romney’s Lie - his nose should be longer than Pinocchio’s by now
http://consortiumnews.com/2012/07/23/finally-fact-checking-romneys-lie/
7 Ultra-Rich Companies Rake in Profits While Paying Workers Peanuts
http://www.alternet.org/story/156390/7_ultra-rich_companies_rake_in_profits_while_paying_workers_peanuts?akid=9106.308485.jBwJV_&rd=1&t=8
*
Sarah Palin's Three-Year-Old Grandson Already Spewing Gay Slurs
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/1045657/sarah_palin%27s_three-year-old_grandson_already_spewing_gay_slurs/
MYSTERIOUS, COLORFUL LOBSTERS BEING CAUGHT
http://news.discovery.com/animals/lobsters-colorful-maine-120723.html
World's last undersea lab could be shut down for good
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/17/world-last-undersea-lab-could-shutdown-for-good/#ixzz21V0GU7Ig
Gunther Holtorf's 23-year road trip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560
The non-existent tags
weather, knitting, gardening, global warming, environment, politics, Repugs, scumbags, health, art, places, travel, oceanography, lobsters, computers
Change the world one loan at a time - visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how
Petitions to sign
The Senate version of CISPA looks like it'll be voted on next week. But let's start with the good news: Our efforts to secure Internet freedom and privacy protections have largely worked -- and frankly, far better than we'd expected. Provisions have been added to:
Keep the data in the hands of civilian agencies (as opposed to the National Security Agency); Restrict the government's use of the information to cyber security issues and the prevention of immediate physical harm; Require annual reporting on the data's use; and Let Americans sue the government for abuse; A clandestine attack on Net Neutrality has been removed. Our allies -- like Senators Al Franken and Ron Wyden -- deserve credit for pushing for these improvements. And you, our members, deserve credit for bringing pressure to bear on the powers-that-be.
Please add your name to help us protect privacy rights as this bill moves forward. Just click here:
http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/cispa_senate?referring_akid=a6803646.655732.NwcyzJ&source=auto-taf
There's still work ahead of us: Surveillance advocates are likely to attack these new privacy provisions, while our allies are going to offer further amendments to make the bill better. We'll update you on details as they become available, but for now, please send an email to your senators urging them to vote in ways that protect our privacy rights and Internet freedom.
Just click here to email the Senate -- the vote is next week:
http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/cispa_senate?referring_akid=a6803646.655732.NwcyzJ&source=auto-taf
Amazingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently does not regulate the use of nanotechnology in food, despite its widespread use, and serious public health concerns. But a comment period is now open through July 24th on FDA’s draft guidance to industry on the use of nanotechnology in food.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8085
The chemical industry has already incorporated nanomaterials into foods like dietary supplements and “food contact substances” (like cutting boards, plastic containers and sandwich bags used to store leftovers or pack lunches). Industry claims their products will make food safer and already have a wide variety of nanoscale applications in food packaging and processing on the market, with many others in development. For example, some want to spray nano-pesticides onto the plastics that foods are wrapped in, but the companies have not been required to submit health and safety data. We know very little about the health effects of exposure to engineered nanomaterials, and what we do know, is cause for alarm.
Scientific research indicates that engineered nanomaterials may pose significant health risks if inhaled, ingested or spread on the skin. A 2012 National Research Council study notes that “there is little progress” on research about the human health effects of oral consumption of nanomaterials.
The FDA is under pressure from the White House Office of Management and Budget to ensure that the health and safety regulations related to nanomaterials do not slow economic growth and that they protect investor interests. We need to tell FDA their job is to protect consumers and the environment, not corporate investors.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8085
A so-called "Monsanto rider," quietly slipped into the multi-billion dollar FY 2013 Agricultural Appropriations bill, would require-not just allow, but require-the Secretary of Agriculture to grant a temporary permit for the planting or cultivation of a genetically engineered crop, even if a federal court has ordered the planting be halted until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed.
Sign the petition:
http://signon.org/sign/stop%2Dthe%2Dmonsanto%2Drider?source=mo&id=46338-5668846-MYBFfcx
It is hot and humid outside. We had more thunderstorms during the evening hours. It will be near the 90s today.
First thing this morning I hear Dearest enter my office saying ”We need to take my computer to the doctor.” Oh goodie.
Another few rows done on the Sampler Shawl.
Sally Ride, the first US woman in space, dies aged 61 - sad
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18963939
NASA bio:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/ride-sk.html
The hummingbirds were having a fit outside the office window yesterday. This is why.
It was in the tree and dropped onto the roof and then down to the ground.
Here another one for you to sign:
Two years ago the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are people and there is no limit to how much money they can pump into sketchy outside groups (like super PACs) that fund our elections.
This will be the 30th Olympics in history, but the first where divisive super PAC commercials are being aired. Brace yourself-you and 300 million other Americans watching the Olympics will have to suffer through $7.2 million worth of super PAC ads, too. The Olympics are about national unity and fair competition, while super PAC commercials are about division, half-truths, and unfair play. They have no place during the Olympics.
With big super PACs ramping up their ad buys, we have an opportunity to send a message to the people behind them. In the past, networks have set up special “no advocacy ads” policies during events like the Super Bowl. If enough of us raise our voice, we can pressure NBC to do the same and to not ruin our Olympics.
Join me in asking NBC’s CEO, Stephen Burke, not to air ads from super PACs and other special interest groups during the Olympics. unPAC will deliver the petition on Friday morning-so sign today!
http://www.unpac.org/olympics/
A bit of political humor for the day:
Pinocchio, Snow White, and Superman are out for a stroll in town one day.
As they walk, they come across a sign: "Beauty contest for the most beautiful woman in the world."
"I am entering" says Snow White.
After half an hour she comes out and they ask her, "Well, how'd ya do?
"First Place!" shouts Snow White.
They continue walking and they see a sign: "Contest for the strongest man in the world."
"I'm entering," says Superman.
After half an hour he returns and they ask him, "How did you make out?"
"First Place," answers Superman. "Did you ever doubt?"
They continue walking, when they see a sign: "Contest! Who is the greatest liar in the world?"
Pinocchio says, "This baby's mine."
But half an hour later, he returns with tears in his eyes.
"What happened?" ask Snow White and Superman.
Pinocchio wipes at his cheeks as he cries, "Who the hell is Mitt Romney?"
Have a wonderful day all!
Recommended Reading/Viewing - *
The real question about Romney’s Bain career
http://www.cjr.org/swing_states_project/real_question_romney_bain_capital.php?page=all
Bacteria Outbreak in Northern Europe Due to Ocean Warming
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=bacteria-outbreak-in-northern-europe
Officers Offered to “Buy” Cell Phone Footage of Anaheim Police Brutality
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/07/22/officers-offered-to-buy-cell-phone-footage-of-anaheim-police-brutality/
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/07/anaheim_cops_pepper_spray_and_unleash_dogs_at_women_kids_and_babies_in_strollers_video.html
Which CEO made $5 million stealing your kid's lunch money?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFTNQ1PAMiY&feature=youtu.be
Union Decries Marines' Sponsorship of Sport Marked by Sexism, Homophobia
http://truth-out.org/news/item/10478-casino-workers-target-marine-corps-and-ufc-in-unionization-battle
Loading the Climate Dice
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/23/opinion/krugman-loading-the-climate-dice.html?_r=2&wpisrc=nl_wonk
Amazon.com's Latest Attempt to Fix Its Image: "We'll Help You Pay For School! (If You Go Into Programs We Deem Worthy)"
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/1046513/amazon.com%27s_latest_attempt_to_fix_its_image%3A_%22we%27ll_help_you_pay_for_school%21_%28if_you_go_into_programs_we_deem_worthy%29%22/
Finally, Fact-Checking Romney’s Lie - his nose should be longer than Pinocchio’s by now
http://consortiumnews.com/2012/07/23/finally-fact-checking-romneys-lie/
7 Ultra-Rich Companies Rake in Profits While Paying Workers Peanuts
http://www.alternet.org/story/156390/7_ultra-rich_companies_rake_in_profits_while_paying_workers_peanuts?akid=9106.308485.jBwJV_&rd=1&t=8
*
Sarah Palin's Three-Year-Old Grandson Already Spewing Gay Slurs
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/1045657/sarah_palin%27s_three-year-old_grandson_already_spewing_gay_slurs/
MYSTERIOUS, COLORFUL LOBSTERS BEING CAUGHT
http://news.discovery.com/animals/lobsters-colorful-maine-120723.html
World's last undersea lab could be shut down for good
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/17/world-last-undersea-lab-could-shutdown-for-good/#ixzz21V0GU7Ig
Gunther Holtorf's 23-year road trip
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560
The non-existent tags
weather, knitting, gardening, global warming, environment, politics, Repugs, scumbags, health, art, places, travel, oceanography, lobsters, computers
Change the world one loan at a time - visit http://www.Kiva.org to find out how
Petitions to sign
The Senate version of CISPA looks like it'll be voted on next week. But let's start with the good news: Our efforts to secure Internet freedom and privacy protections have largely worked -- and frankly, far better than we'd expected. Provisions have been added to:
Keep the data in the hands of civilian agencies (as opposed to the National Security Agency); Restrict the government's use of the information to cyber security issues and the prevention of immediate physical harm; Require annual reporting on the data's use; and Let Americans sue the government for abuse; A clandestine attack on Net Neutrality has been removed. Our allies -- like Senators Al Franken and Ron Wyden -- deserve credit for pushing for these improvements. And you, our members, deserve credit for bringing pressure to bear on the powers-that-be.
Please add your name to help us protect privacy rights as this bill moves forward. Just click here:
http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/cispa_senate?referring_akid=a6803646.655732.NwcyzJ&source=auto-taf
There's still work ahead of us: Surveillance advocates are likely to attack these new privacy provisions, while our allies are going to offer further amendments to make the bill better. We'll update you on details as they become available, but for now, please send an email to your senators urging them to vote in ways that protect our privacy rights and Internet freedom.
Just click here to email the Senate -- the vote is next week:
http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/cispa_senate?referring_akid=a6803646.655732.NwcyzJ&source=auto-taf
Amazingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently does not regulate the use of nanotechnology in food, despite its widespread use, and serious public health concerns. But a comment period is now open through July 24th on FDA’s draft guidance to industry on the use of nanotechnology in food.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8085
The chemical industry has already incorporated nanomaterials into foods like dietary supplements and “food contact substances” (like cutting boards, plastic containers and sandwich bags used to store leftovers or pack lunches). Industry claims their products will make food safer and already have a wide variety of nanoscale applications in food packaging and processing on the market, with many others in development. For example, some want to spray nano-pesticides onto the plastics that foods are wrapped in, but the companies have not been required to submit health and safety data. We know very little about the health effects of exposure to engineered nanomaterials, and what we do know, is cause for alarm.
Scientific research indicates that engineered nanomaterials may pose significant health risks if inhaled, ingested or spread on the skin. A 2012 National Research Council study notes that “there is little progress” on research about the human health effects of oral consumption of nanomaterials.
The FDA is under pressure from the White House Office of Management and Budget to ensure that the health and safety regulations related to nanomaterials do not slow economic growth and that they protect investor interests. We need to tell FDA their job is to protect consumers and the environment, not corporate investors.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8085
A so-called "Monsanto rider," quietly slipped into the multi-billion dollar FY 2013 Agricultural Appropriations bill, would require-not just allow, but require-the Secretary of Agriculture to grant a temporary permit for the planting or cultivation of a genetically engineered crop, even if a federal court has ordered the planting be halted until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed.
Sign the petition:
http://signon.org/sign/stop%2Dthe%2Dmonsanto%2Drider?source=mo&id=46338-5668846-MYBFfcx