Monday, October 26, 2009

Another Reason To Love Chickens In The Back Yard Coup

If you didn't need another reason not to get a dog (or cat for that matter) have a look at this:
The eco-pawprint of a pet dog is twice that of a 4.6-litre Land Cruiser driven 10,000 kilometres a year, researchers have found.

Victoria University professors Brenda and Robert Vale, architects who specialise in sustainable living, say pet owners should swap cats and dogs for creatures they can eat, such as chickens or rabbits, in their provocative new book Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living.

The couple have assessed the carbon emissions created by popular pets, taking into account the ingredients of pet food and the land needed to create them.

"If you have a German shepherd or similar-sized dog, for example, its impact every year is exactly the same as driving a large car around," Brenda Vale said.
If I had a favorable back yard, I'd have chickens - fresh eggs daily? What's not to love.

Blog on friends. Blog on all.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Fantastic Video

This is the reason why the traditional mainstream media "news" outlets are toast. Any one with a Canon 5D Mark II has got their number:

Egypt / Lebanon Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.



Watch this in full screen HD mode. It should blow you socks off.

Blog on friends. Blog on all.

P.S. try this one for fun as well:

Ilulissat icebergs from icescapes on Vimeo.

Friday, October 16, 2009

The People Want It. The Doctors Want It. Why Don't The Republicans Want It?

In a recent survey sponsored by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, 65 percent of physicians indicated approval of the concept of a “public option” to expand health care in America.
Well, 65% is a pretty big number. Read the remainder of the article. It's very good and the author is no slouch, political hack.

But, what about ordinary people:
A clear majority of Americans -- 72 percent -- support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds.


But of course, America and the popular media is fixated by some prankster kid and a balloon:
The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Intro - Balloon Boy Is Safe
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political HumorRon Paul Interview

Friday, October 09, 2009

Definately the Anti-Bush

Earlier this spring, I hypothesized and asked if perhaps Barak Obama was the Anti-Bush. Today, the answer to this question is Q.E.D:
President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to build momentum behind his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim worldand stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.
Clearly, Mr. Bush would not have even been on the consideration list for such an award. Let's hope this award cements Obama's determination to take us and the world in the opposite direction that Mr. Bush was leading us toward. And may we not be in a position to consider carpet bombing an entire nation ever again.

Blog on friends. Blog on all.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Caveat Emptor or Should There Be A Law Against Preditors Like This

If you ask me, it's buyer beware, but really, these companies have lost their moral compass - if they ever had one:
For many people who do not have bank accounts, or cannot get a credit card, the appeal is irresistible, making the reloadable cards among the consumer banking industry’s fastest-growing products. But their convenience comes with a catch: fees, often hidden in the fine print.

The MiCash Prepaid MasterCard docks cardholders a $9.95 activation fee. Like many competitors, it then charges numerous recurring fees, including $1.75 for each A.T.M. withdrawal, $1 for each A.T.M. balance inquiry, 50 cents for each purchase, $4 for monthly maintenance, $2 for inactivity after 60 days and $1 for a call to customer service.
Caveat Emptor, indeed! Banks are looking more and more like loan sharks, but they are not likely to break your knee caps before the bankrupt you.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Why Can't Politicians Come Clean Like Letterman?

I have no idea what kind of field day the right wingers are having with the revelation that Letterman - of all people - had sex with people who worked for him. What I do know is that his confession was very classy, and well, funny. The Politicians muck around in their mire. Dave swooshed right through it to a higher plane. Of course, the French must love Letterman more, but I don't have to condone his action to appreciate his classy approach to this confessions.

Me, I don't approve. But I can forgive him. What makes him different from some of the others is a lack of hypocrisy? Don't know....will have to chew on it.

Moreover, you have to give it up to a man who begins such proceedings thusly: "Do you fell like a story?"