I have only one Salman Rushdie story, so I’ll tell it quick then point you to something you’ve GOT to see.
Continue reading I had no idea Salman Rushdie was a pseudonym
Monthly Archives: November 2011
Oscar the Grouch Was My Landlord…Until He Died
From April 1915 and over the next year, Turkey carried out a genocide of some 1 to 1.5 million Armenians living in Turkey. This was the latest and most significant of a series of smaller scale events that led Armenians to flee Turkey, and eventually, many arrived in the United States. This is considered in many history books (quite incorrectly) to be the first genocide of the modern era.
Continue reading Oscar the Grouch Was My Landlord…Until He Died
Chinese spacecraft to ‘kiss’ in space
I guess you don’t want the Big Red X when you are kissing in space!
Holiday Shopping Suggestion
A friend of mine who is an excellent writer and critic, fellow blogger and social scientist, is trying to make ends meet by enhancing sales at the family business. Distracted by other things, I didn’t know about this until this morning.
Welcome to Howling Pig, the uncommon soap company for uncommon people.
Our soaps (and stuff) are for those who know that life is not just about getting by, soap is not just about getting clean, and smelling good is the best revenge.
Each of our scents is unique, evocative, and memorable, created with passion to engage your senses and inspire your soul.
We promise you simplicity, quality, and a celebration of the senses.
Because Howling Pig is more than just a funny name – and you are the adventure you’ve been waiting to have.
Go here and buy soap. NAO!!!
Why should a scientist participate in social media?
Bug Girl’s Talk fresh off the conference circuit:
Context, comments, more, here.
NASA fakes another video
This is obviously a fake. Can’t be real:
Continue reading NASA fakes another video
Michele Bachmann Finally Saiz Something Smart!
In the old days, during Biblical Times, when we invaded a country we did it for a reason. To take their stuff and, when available, their women. This is God’s way. For instance:
Continue reading Michele Bachmann Finally Saiz Something Smart!
Occupy: Possible Showdowns in Minneapolis
Minneapolis has a very cool mayor who would probably be sleeping in a tent with the occupy movement if that wouldn’t have various ethical and legal implications. But Minneapolis is also in Hennepin County and the County has a lot to do with what happens in the city. The County owns property and provided a significant amount of police service in Minneapolis. For instance, if you go Downtown on Friday Night you’ll see a lot of cops in the bar districts, and a large percentage of them are wearing County Sheriff Brown.
The Occupy Minnesota protest has been happening in Government Plaza which apparently is under control of the County. County officials have told the Occupiers that there will be no more overnight camping in the Plaza, and they’ve thrown in a few other rules about posting signs, etc.
Continue reading Occupy: Possible Showdowns in Minneapolis
A new island is about to be borned!
There are thirteen canary islands. But there are about to be fourteen. Well, actually, there’s probably more than 13 as these island chains usually have a few extra rocks sticking up that people aren’t sure about including in the final count. The point is, there is a volcano erupting under the sea in the Canary Island chain and the top of the volcano is about 70 meters from the surface of the sea according to some reports.
There has been concern about the volcanic activity, and the associated earthquakes in the region, and there is even a threat of tsunami. A small volcanic disaster cult has even emerged with concern over a tsunami from the Canary Islands wiping out the East Coast of the US.
Film at 11:
The line between life and not-life
Improve Everwhere
Charlie Todd causes bizarre, hilarious, and unexpected public scenes: Seventy synchronized dancers in storefront windows, “ghostbusters” running through the New York Public Library, and the annual no-pants subway ride. At TEDxBloomington he shows how his group, Improv Everywhere, uses these scenes to bring people together.
Institutional research misconduct: Call for MMR scare inquiry
The British Medical Journal has published an editorial calling for a Parliamentary investigation realted to Andrew Wakefield’s dishonesty:
Continue reading Institutional research misconduct: Call for MMR scare inquiry
American Academy of Pediatrics on the Delta Airline Video (and a petition for you to sign)
Below is a letter from the Amerian Academy of Pediatrics to the President of Delta Airlines. Apparently, Delta Airlines has decided to continue to show the video in question.
Dear Mr. Anderson,
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) objects to the paid advertisement/public service message from the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) being shown throughout the month of November on Delta’s in-flight programming. The ad urges viewers to become informed about influenza and how to stay well during the flu season without resorting to the influenza vaccine.
While hand washing and covering sneezes are parts of a larger strategy to prevent the spread of influenza, influenza vaccine continues to be the best way to protect against the disease. It is especially important in enclosed settings where disease droplets can easily spread to passengers sitting in close quarters, especially infants and children and those with special health care needs.
The AAP and many other child health organizations have worked hard to protect children and their families from unfounded and unscientific misinformation regarding vaccine safety. The influenza vaccine is safe and effective.
By providing advertising space to an organization like the NVIC, which opposes the nation’s recommended childhood immunization schedule and promotes the unscientific practice of delaying or skipping vaccines altogether, you are putting the lives of children at risk, leaving them unprotected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Diseases like influenza can have serious consequences. From September 2010 to August 2011, 115 children died from influenza disease, most of whom were unvaccinated.
The AAP’s 60,000 member pediatricians urge you to remove these harmful messages, which fail to inform the public about the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccine. Please do your part to help reassure parents that vaccinating their children is the best way to protect them from influenza disease, particularly during this busy travel season.
Great Moments in Debates: 2008
The future leader of the free world?
American Academy of Pediatrics Condemns Delta Airline Video
Apparently Delta Airlines plans to continue showing this video.
Here is a letter from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the President of Delta Airlines:
Dear Mr. Anderson,
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) objects to the paid advertisement/public service message from the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) being shown throughout the month of November on Delta’s in-flight programming. The ad urges viewers to become informed about influenza and how to stay well during the flu season without resorting to the influenza vaccine.
While hand washing and covering sneezes are parts of a larger strategy to prevent the spread of influenza, influenza vaccine continues to be the best way to protect against the disease. It is especially important in enclosed settings where disease droplets can easily spread to passengers sitting in close quarters, especially infants and children and those with special health care needs.
The AAP and many other child health organizations have worked hard to protect children and their families from unfounded and unscientific misinformation regarding vaccine safety. The influenza vaccine is safe and effective.
By providing advertising space to an organization like the NVIC, which opposes the nation’s recommended childhood immunization schedule and promotes the unscientific practice of delaying or skipping vaccines altogether, you are putting the lives of children at risk, leaving them unprotected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Diseases like influenza can have serious consequences. From September 2010 to August 2011, 115 children died from influenza disease, most of whom were unvaccinated.
The AAP’s 60,000 member pediatricians urge you to remove these harmful messages, which fail to inform the public about the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccine. Please do your part to help reassure parents that vaccinating their children is the best way to protect them from influenza disease, particularly during this busy travel season.