The Progressive Outlook

CNN Webcast on Quest for Longer Lives

2009-11-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

CNN.com hosted a live webcast today about the search for longer lives, and perhaps immortality. Aging experts like Dr. Aubrey De Grey and Dan Buettner discussed practical steps to living longer and cutting-edge research that could dramatically extend human lives. Some people in remote parts of the world can live to over 100 because of healthy diet practices and reducing stress. Eating less meat and lots of fruits and vegetables can lead to longer lives. Regenerative medicine, the emerging field of stem cell therapy and gene therapy, could dramatically extend human lives in the coming decades. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta moderated the discussion. Dr. Gupta is also the author of the book "Chasing Life."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/30/live.longer.webcast/index.html

Ralph Nader: Obama Will Be Like Bush

2009-07-27T16:47:00.001-07:00

President Barack Obama has been US President for over six months now. It's interesting to look back at what third-party candidate Ralph Nader warned about Obama back before the November 2008 election. Nader warned that people will be very disappointed if they expect Obama to be different than Bush. In another speech at a similar time, Nader warns that Obama caters to the power structures and has taken a lot of corpoate money for his campaign.

I find all these warning prescient. Since becoming US President, Obama has not really challenged the status quo. With a few exceptions, things appear to be moving the same direction as before. There is still a large war in the Middle East with a long-term US military committment, the US military budget is actually climbing much higher than the Bush years, and Obama has pushed through trillion dollar bailouts to save Wall Street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8H92fcSOdY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE7PFbK5L88

CNN Interviews Sen. Al Franken

2009-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

Al Franken is a person I admire. After a successful career as a comedian, he went into politics and worked to expose right-wing lies and corruption. He has written great books such as "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" and "Lying Liars." And in 2008 he ran against Norm Coleman for the Minnesota Senate seat and won, after a lengthy recount. Here CNN interviews him before the election. The interview introduces Franken and his challenge in overcoming right-wing attacks and finally Fraken concludes by discussing some of his ideas and politics.

Sen. Fraken was just recently sworn into the US Senate. I am highly interested in seeing how he does and how he works to further his causes.

Jon Stewart Named Most Trusted Newscaster in America, according to Time.com poll

2009-07-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

According to a Time.com unscientific poll, comedian Jon Stewart is the most trusted newscaster in America. Stewart has been the host of the hit Comedy Central program "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" for the last decade.

I have been watching the Daily Show since I was 16. And the last few years I have been watching it much more regularly, meaning like every day. If I don't watch it on TV, I catch the repeats online at the official website. I think Stewart's show is excellent with sharp writing and satire that target the ironies and humor in current events. It's one of my favorite all-time shows. Stewart's Daily Show had a spin-off called "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert. That's also a great show too.

Video - Author Douglas Rushkoff Explains Anti-Corporatism Book "Life Inc."

2009-07-21T19:21:00.001-07:00

Rushkoff is the author of a new book explaining how corporations have transformed human society for the worse, in his opinion. He goes back to the Renaissance as the origins for the corporation and say that now every aspect of human society is influenced by coporations. Rushkoff says this is for the worse and proposes an alternative in his new book "Life Inc."

Video - Rep. Dennis Kucinich Comments on Health Care Crisis

2009-07-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

Rep. Dennis Kucinich speaks to the floor of the House for one minute to speak in favor of a universal single-payer not-for profit health care system. Kucinich, who ran for President in 2008, says the current health care bill being pushed by President Obama is not good enough and still leaves 17 million uninsured and leaves in place a for-profit health care system.

Burmese Junta Persecutes Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-07-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

When I was a freshman in high school I did a presentation on Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). I focused on the democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her prosecution by the military dictatorship in Burma. Last year there was a uprising of the Burmese monks and civilans against the corrupt military junt in control of the country. It's a disgrace that a pro-democracy leader such as Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for decades and is being prosecuted for simply allowing an American to visit her house. I believe sometimes military action is necessary, and having a coalition of world forces enter Myanmar and set up a democratic government is in my view a good thing. The population wants it and it is the right thing to do. But right now the the US and Britain are focused on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are wars of choice against a population that generally does not want to be occupied by foreign forces.

http://www.progressive.org/mag/pal071609.html

Stem cell-gene modification could provide cures to genetic diseases

2009-06-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Stem cell research is an emerging scientific research field with enormous potential. Pair that with gene therapy and you have an amazing combination. Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, have cure a cell of a devastating genetic disease using a genetically modified induced pluripotent stem cell. This news is a big step forward in the field of regenerative medicine, a field which has enormous potential to cure disease and prolong human life.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/si-csc052609.php

Hunger Group Wants Al Gore To Make Movie About Global Hunger

2009-03-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

The campaign, which was launched in fall 2008 in Madrid and will be rolled out in Paris, London, New York City and Montreal in the next few weeks, features both posters and a trailer for the as-yet-nonexistent film. But its main component is the signature drive. Thus far, more than 37,000 people have signed on to “Ask Al Gore,” including several well-known Spanish actors and writers. “Gore is one of the most famous and media-savvy people on the planet,” says Juan Nonzioli, creative director of the Shackleton Group, the advertising firm that designed the campaign for Action Against Hunger. “Just as he has used that power to raise awareness about climate change, we’re asking that he use it for our campaign against hunger.”

Maybe there is not enough money for Al Gore to raise awareness of Global Hunger! Which kills 5 million children every year. Basic supplies and aid could prevent millions of deaths.

http://www.askalgoretomakethismovie.org/index_en.php#/campana

Foster Teens "Aging" Out of System Most At Risk

2009-03-02T18:13:00.001-08:00

Foster teens who age out of the foster care system by age 18, when they achieve legal emancipation and have to face adulthood head-on, face dire statistics. 25 percent of aged out foster teens become homeless, only 46 percent received their high school diploma, 42 percent end up becoming parents themselves, and fewer than 20 percent are able to support themselves. Aged out foster teens are at high risk for substance abuse, domestic violence, being sent to jail, and poverty.

Foster teens who age out of the system are unprepared for adult life and the responsibilities that come with it. Most are without family support and the government no longer provides assistance. It is highly unlikely these kids end up going to college or receiving a college degree.

This is unacceptable. Foster teens are people who need the most support, and that support should continue in their quest to complete higher education and find rewarding careers. It is a sad state of affairs that foster children, the most vulnerable and needy segment of our society, are left in the cold when it comes to building their own future and life. I believe that foster teens should receive more support during their college years so that more can be able to attend college and pursue their dreams. The foster care system needs to be overhauled to provide better counseling and support services.

Report grim on teens after foster care
Aging Out of Foster Care a Disaster For Children
Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Transition From Foster Care To Adulthood Studied, UC-Riverside

Stem Cell Breakthorough Potentially Ends Ethical Dilemna

2009-03-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

Mount Sinai Hospital's Dr. Andras Nagy discovered a new method of creating stem cells that could lead to possible cures for devastating diseases including spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The study, published by Nature, accelerates stem cell technology and provides a road map for new clinical approaches to regenerative medicine.

"We hope that these stem cells will form the basis for treatment for many diseases and conditions that are currently considered incurable," said Dr. Nagy, Senior Investigator at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Investigator at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and Canada Research Chair in Stem Cells and Regeneration. "This new method of generating stem cells does not require embryos as starting points and could be used to generate cells from many adult tissues such as a patient's own skin cells."

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Obama Has Reason To Reconsider Military Surge in Afghanistan

2009-02-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

The Obama administration has already made clear that military means alone will not solve the problems in Afghanistan. Yet, President Obama has made plans to dramatically increase the military presence of U.S soldiers in that unstable country. Perhaps there are alternatives and better methods to bring about change.

http://www.progressive.org/mag/pal021909.html

"Slumdog Millionaire" Set to Win Best Picture Oscar

2009-02-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

The hit film "Slumdog Millionaire" is set to win the best picture Oscar. This film is about a poor Indian boy named Jamal who gets on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and wins big. It is about destiny and the human spirit. I found the film interesting and feel it will educate many Westerners about the reality of poverty in India. I recommend the film to anyone.

CNN Article Examines Plight of Women, Children in Third World

2008-10-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/28/what.matters.dust/index.html

Article from "What Matters" by David Elliot Cohen looks at child labor in Bangladesh. It is a book of photo essays looks at 18 environmental, economic and other issues

Large Hadron Collidor (LHC) To Begin Operation - Discussion with String Theorist Brian Greene

2008-09-14T22:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.examiner.com/x-354-SF-Science-Examiner~y2008m9d11-Large-Intellect-Collider--a-discussion-with-Brian-Greene

The Large Hadron Collidor (LHC) located in Switzerland is a billion dollar project that is the world'st most powerful particle collidor. Physicists hope to learn more about quantum mechanics and also to find experimental evidence for leading theories such as string theory. Brian Greene answers questions.

Running Slows The Effects of Aging

2008-09-14T18:18:00.001-07:00

Regular running has been demonstrated to slow the effects of biological aging on the human body, says a new study published by the Stanford University School of Medicine. Over the course of the study regular runners had much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in addition to many other disease, and were half as likely to die an early death compared to non-runners.

All the more reason to lace up and hit the pavement. Exercise has been shown in many studies to benefit greatly both mind and body.
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20080808/running-slows-the-effects-of-aging

10 million children die annually worldwide from lack of basic health care

2008-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

Link- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24482102/
A total of 200 million children under age 5 do not get access to basic health care, and 10 million children die annually because of a lack of availability of treatment for treatable ailments like diarrhea and pneuomonia. Nearly all of the children come from the developing world, according to save the children's global report. Poor children face twice the risk of richer children.
Eight-out of ten of the lowest ranked countries in the survey were from Sub-saharan Africa.
Laos, Yemen, Chad, Somalia and Ethiopia were found doing the worst among developing countries, the report said
The top three among the 55 developing countries ranked in the survey are the Philippines, Peru and South Africa

The simplest of therapies would save millions. 30 percent of children in developing countries do no receive prenatal care, skilled assistance during birth, immunizations, and treatment for diarrhea and pneumonia. Oral rehydration therapy- a simple combination of salt, sugar, and potassium - would cure diarrhea, and antiobiotics which cost $0.30 would cure pneumonia.

US Intelligence Concludes Iran Stopped Work on Nuke Program in 2003

2007-12-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/03/iran-white-house/

The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) declassified a report that concluded that Iran stopped work on its nuclear bomb program in 2003, and did not have the capacity to actually make a nuclear bomb until 2013 or 2015, and there is no sign they are doing it.

This startling report conflicts with the fear-mongering of Republican leaders like George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and others who were raising the spector of a nuclear-armed Iran. In 2005, reports were released that said Pentagon planners had formed a contigency plan to attack Iran's military facilities with bunker-busters.

Many commentators are now comparing the Bush administration ramping of rhetoric against Iran, and its economic sanctions, as similar to the lead-up to the war in Iraq in 2003. It now appears, in light of the military struggles in Iraq, and the increasing public dissatisaction with the war and President Bush, that it will be hard to convince the American public to go to war with Iran over its nuclear program.

USA "War on Drugs" A Big Failure

2007-12-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17438347/how_america_lost_the_war_on_drugs
The United States has spent $500 billion on the War on Drugs the last 35 years, along with an aggresive ad campaign and school awareness programs, and it evidently has been for naught. Drug trafficking has not been stopped, drug trade has not been slowed, and drug use in the United States has not been curbed.

As a grade school student, I remember attending "D.A.R.E" programs. However, programs like these evidently have little to no effect. Basically, $50 billion a year is wasted on the drug trade and prisons are filled up with drug offenders, and it is failed policy.

Surely the solution, as adovated by Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, is to end the War on Drugs and legalize narcotics, enabling communities and families to best handle the situation. This would lower the prices of drugs, curb the drug trade cartels, ease imports, and save a lot of money. Many other countries have put this policy to good use.

Iraq War's Enormous Damage To a Generation of Children

2007-11-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Iraqi Red Crescent reports that over 1.2 million Iraqi children are homeless within their own country. Many parents are forced to abandon their children to relatives or to the street, as the ethnic strife and overall war in Iraq leaves them unable to care for their children. In Iraq, most of the country is unstable, without water and electricity, and without any jobs.

The greatest concern is the ripple effect the Iraqi youth will have in the long term -- an entire generation lacking basic life skills, surviving with no education, no income and no families, and coping with the psychological trauma of a long and bloody war. Earlier UN reports concluded that 70% of Iraqi children suffered from serious mental health issues.
"The trauma of what's happening to those children is enormous," said an Iraqi spokesman.

Many parents and Iraqi officials feel helpless, as there are low funds and a lack of medical care available to treat the many injured and sick. Some analysis predict a whole new generation of terrorists and anti-American radicalism is being born out of the hell of Iraq.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/09/iraq.children/index.html

California Wildfires Another Ominous Warning of Global Climate Catastrophe?

2007-10-23T19:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21431682/

Firefighters had to admit publicly that the massive wildfires is out of control, and cannot be stopped. Over 250,000 acres have been burned, and about 1 million people evacuated from their homes. The US Government declared a federal emergency. Many climate experts including the IPCC concluded that global warming would lead to more serious wildfires. This may be a preview of more to come in the future, unless the world unites in taking action to combat global warming.

Brain "Remote Control" for Fat Metabolism Can Be Adjusted

2007-09-21T02:51:00.000-07:00

Adding to a lot of previous research, Matthias Tschup from the University of Cincinnati led a team that concluded that the brain contains an area that regulated appetite, satiety, and fat store and metabolism. The melanocortin system is located in the a central nervous system (CNS) is known as a control loop that receives hormones from the stomach like leptin.

The research group were able to alter the signaling pathway so that calories were burned, not stored in fat cells, regardless of the amount of food intake. “We were able, in essence, to change traffic signals in so-called nutrient highways in the body so that calories were metabolized, and not dumped into fat cells,” says Tschцp. “And we did this without changing the rate of food intake. “These findings are relevant for human obesity, since mutations in the system we studied here are the most common known reason for genetically caused obesity in humans,” Tschцp added.

They anticipate that the rodent studies can be replicated in humans. The obesity epidemic in industrialized countries is a serious health risk. Individuals would benefit enormously if a safe and effective treatment allows the average person to maintain a lean body despite a high calorie diet. There currently is no safe cure for obesity, yet a huge industry of fat buster pills exists without government oversight and with potential negative side-effects. The efficacy of these pills are in question.

Link

Hurricane humberto slams South Texas, ominous sign or fluke disaster?

2007-09-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

Last week Hurricane Humberto hit landfall in south Texas and devastated small towns such as High Island. Sadly, High Island the sleepy beach town of only a couple hundred is where my cousin Ketan Gandhi has a gas station and food mart. His home and store were seriously damaged in the flash hurricane. It was fun to see him on the online news clips though. High Island was without power for a week, and volunteers and National Guard and Red Cross people have arrived to help. It is wonderful to hear about that.
Hurricane Humberto was a flash hurricane, meaning it his land without warning and with winds speeds of great strength in less than 16 hours. Experts are concerned that there is a trend in recent years of hurricanes with greater frequency and magnitude. Many scientists and observers are putting climate change and hurricanes together now. Perhaps the coming years will continue to see the problem get worse, as warmer waters in the Gulf of Mexico fuel stronger and more common hurricanes and storms.
"Everyone is scratching their heads and thinking, 'Wow, that's weird,' ''says Jeff Masters, a hurricane expert with the Weather Underground Web site. "There have been 27 Category 5 hurricanes since 1944, with eight of those coming in the last five years," says Masters. "That's a lot of Cat 5's in a short time."
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Excercise Benefits Mind and Body, research confirms

2007-09-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's not a new idea, but good news for health nuts, and bad news for couch potatoes. Columbia Univesity professors have found that exercise promotes neurogeneis, the creation of new brain cells. Lack of exercise, and a diet consiting of fat and sugar, actually promotes brain cell loss.

So if you want to be physically and mentally healthy, keep your body moving and eat healthy and don't smoke!
Link

Iraq War Dissaproval High, US Intelligence Pessimistic

2007-09-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

An AP-Ipsos survey found that only 36 percent of those questioned believe the troop increase which President Bush initiated in early 2007 has helped stabilize Iraq. 60 percent of Americans feel troop withdrawal is a good option.
The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) has found that Iraq is still strained by deep sectarian differences and rampant violence. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that Iraq has met only four of 18 agreed political and military objectives.
Gen. David Petraeus testified to Congress that some progress has been made in defeating the Al-qaida and militia groups, but that he was dissapointed with the overal results.

Popular networking sites fail to win close friends, study

2007-09-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University published a study that questioned whether those who use popular networking sites like Facbook and MySpace actually develop close friendships as a result. The study showed that face-to-face interaction is the effective way of developing trusting and healthy relationships. While the average user will have hundreds of friends in the online network, only a few would be considered close.
“Our data suggests weak ties are (more common) but there is no difference in the number of close friends people have,” said Will Reader, an evolutionary psychologist at Sheffield Hallam University.

Scientists: "Fat" Gene Identified, potential obesity cure

2007-09-10T01:25:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest problems facing modern industrialized society is human obesity. Heck even dog and cat obesity is a problem. Basically the modern developed-society lifestyle features a sedentary lifestyle, and unlimited and easy access to food, especially food that is high-fat and sugar content. The health blow is obesity, and the incidental high-blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and many other various physical and mental ailments that accompany it. Obesity rates have skyrocketed in the last 50 years for developed countries. Rising powers like China and India, now that they are adapting to a similar Western lifestyle with imported fast food giants as well, are also experiencing rising obesity among all sectors of the population.
Many experts have warned strongly against the idea of any quick fixes to the problem, pointing to the lifestyle choices that one has to make, like eating healthy and exercising regularly. But despite years of government programs designed to teach proper nutritional guidelines (Food Pyramid), the obesity rates continue to escalate. Some scientist even speculate that obesity is like a virus, and it is spreading uncontrollably. There does exist data that obesity may indeed act like a virus.
Popular diet pills and so-called fat burner supplements are a big industry, but nearly all physicians warn that they are not only ineffective but are dangerous.
However, the last few years research scientists have peered into the processes by which the human body stores and processes fat from the food we eat. Now many scientists are studying way to safely alter the mechanism by which the human body stores fat. Since people living in modern society no longer have the need at all to store fat beyond what is necessary to keep the body going, it would be a major health benefit to decrease the amount of fat that the body stores. In recent years scientists have targeted various avenues for fat reduction:
1) increase the amount of brown fat
2) develop a neuropeptide-Y receptor blocker (Y2R) to prevent fat cells from forming
3) target the Gene that controls fat storage
4) develop a laser or X-ray with a frequency that kills fat cells

Since credible scientists involved in cutting-edge research into fat cells have identified so many numerous ways to get rid of the excess body fat countless people struggle with, I am confident a safe and effective method will be derived soon. While nothing will be more important than a healthy lifestyle, time and energy is better spent on other things than constantly worrying about that pesky 10 pounds of fat. And eating salad is a miserable alternative. One day we can have our cake and eat it too!

Fat Cures:
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Study: Depression Worse for Health than Major Physical Ills

2007-09-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization has published a study that demonstrates depression poses a far greater health threat than previously believed, and can be more damaging in itself than asthma, diabetes, or angina.
Previous studies have demonstrate the depression link to poor health, but the true connection between mind and body is probably far more complex and little understood.
Studies have shown that treatment for depression should include talk therapy and community outreach programs, and that long-term positive outcomes usually always include some form of re-adjustment into a social setting.
Mental health treatment around the world is staggeringly inadequate, reports the World Health Organization. Individuals from Third World countries stand the least chance of receiving any kind of treatment. Depression is a major worldwide problem, with the poor receiving the least treatment. Yet, even the United States, only 18 percent received minimally adequate mental health services, lower than Japan, Germany, and France. The rich poor gap is also seen in the general population lifespan statistic. Mental health is correlated with lower lifespans.

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Faster Wireless Connection Seen in Works

2007-09-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

The online download business is an emerging field. Many top analysts predict that by 2011 it will be a billion dollar a year business. Apple and Amazon are among the few companies offering online downloads. But market hindrances to increased consumer demand are the current speed limits of the internet, and the lack of widely available PC-to-TV connections to view videos.
Researchers at Georgia Tech see in the near future the wide use of wireless networks capable of sending large amounts of data in super-fast speeds. This would enable a user to download a full-length DVD-quality video in a span of a few seconds. Currently it would take about a day for most connections.
The new technology to enable these fast speeds would utilize very high radio frequencies, currently untapped except for special military applications. In the coming years, circuit boards and computers in general will be evolved and adapted to deal with the increased speed requirements.
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Food additives tied to "hyperactivity," study

2007-09-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Artifician sweeteners in drinks have caused a lot of controversy as of late, and now scientists reporting in the Lancelot medical journal state that common food additives, chemicals added for coloring and preservation, are tied to hyperactivity and other behavioral side-effects.
This is a significant report that should be studied further, and it casts real doubt on the safety of many common drinks, possibly putting the muli-billion dollar industry in a negative light. It also should bolster the appeal of "organic" products, that offer 100% natural ingredients.
Link

Mind-Controlled Robotic Arm: One Step Closer To Intelligent Robots?

2007-09-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

Scientists at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have devised a prosthetic arm called the Proto 2 that can play the piano and do other complex motions through pure thought control. This development increased expectations that one day a robot like seen in popular science fiction movies like "Terminator" and "Robocop" and "Star Trek" could be a reality. That day is far off, but the Proto 2 could be in the market in a matter of years. This is a great sign of hope for those who have have lost limbs to one day fully function again.
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Report: CIA Was Negligent Prior to 9/11

2007-08-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

A newly declassified report slams senior CIA officials for not taking threats seriously, not cooperating, and not following up on sensitive information indicating an al-qaida terrorist threat. This information confirms my own strong belief that the September 11, 2001 attacks could have been prevented by American intelligence agencies. I remembering being stunned to learn that President Bush and other top US officials received strong warnings in the summer of 2001. Former vice president Al Gore, in a October 2004 speech, also included a strong critique of the handling of pre-9/11 warnings.
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Arctic Sea At Lowest Recorded Level Ever

2007-08-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

The National Center Snow and Ice Data Center shows that Arctic Ice levels have dropped dramatically, surprising many observers. It is my opinion that this one of the many signs that global warming is showing up much more dramatically than scientists have anticipated. I don't expect us all to drown any time soon, but I believe the effects of global warming will continue be demonstrated strongly in the years to come. Most of the scientific community also believes that there will be increased heat waves, droughts, record high temp, flooding, airborne diseases, and water shortages among many other effects.
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Scientists Hope To Create Artificial Life in 10 years

2007-08-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

A 21st century breakthrough in bioengineering will be the creation of artificial cells, according to scientists. The creation will perhaps allow new ways to fight diseases, deal with climate change, and ultimately find out more about the creation of life in the universie. These are not all the functions it could have. Scientsits at Harvard Medical School plan in the next year to create the first articial cell membrames. This would be an important step to eventually create whole DNA structures from scratch.
CNN-Link

U.N. Report: 2007 was Record Year for Weather Extremes

2007-08-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Global warming is a serious issue, and I have considered it one for years now, and the latest U.N. report states that 2007 was likely the warmest year on record and the record floods, notably the England flood of the summer, are merely a sign of more devastation to come. I agree with these conclusions.
I feel the time to act is now, and the United States must take the lead of all industrialized countries and enact immediate greenhouse gase emissions caps and research heavily in renewable energy and new forms of energy. So far, not enough action has been taken. And the latest President George W. Bush summit on climate change a few months back only committed to reducing greenhouse gase emissions in more than a decade. I feel global warming is a man-induced problem that should be stopped now before it gets out of control, and the solution will require innovation and dedication. There is according to some estimates by top scientists, less than a decade remaining to enact changes.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20159606/

Global Warming Causes More Storms

2007-07-30T00:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a matter of scientific dispute for years, but new research from the National Center for Atmospheric Research provides evidence that global warming in the last century has steadily increased the average number of hurricanes and tropical storms. This is important information since Hurricane Katrina in 2004 was blamed in part on global warming. The study concluded that tropical storms have doubled in intensity in the last century. This new study should be studied to understand how the future climate change will cause changes to the world.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aAUXceyBLp5I&refer=europe

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/07/29/tropical.storms.ap/index.html

New "X-Files" Movie On the Way?

2007-07-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

David Duchovny, for several years now, has been promising another X-Files big screen movie. Now it appears closer to reality. Mr. Duchovny is reportedly to review a script next week, and production may start as soon as this fall. Both Duchovny and co-star Gillian Anderson of the long-running hit TV series "The X-Files" have signed on for the new movie. The first "X-Files" movie in 1998 grossed nearly $200 million worldwide. The show, about FBI agents Mulder and Scully solving paranormal cases and chasing conspiracies, remains popular and a sequel has been rumored even since.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19794062/
Comment: I grew up watching this show! During its first few years the show was immensely popular, and the series had focused on horror and monster-of-the-week type cases in addition to the alien conspiracy mythology. As I recall, when the show delved deep into the conspiracy mythology the ratings went downhill, and when David Duchovny left the full-time work on the show after the 7th season, the show really crashed. I stopped watching regularly after the 3rd season. But the new movie sounds good because it seems to be going back to its roots of scary stories.

War With Iran?

2007-07-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have been anticipating that US policymakers will step up tensions with Iran. And I am right so far. Sen. Lieberman again on CNN today called for military strikes against Iran for their support of insurgents in Iraq. And today, a third aircraft carrier was sent to the Persian Gulf.

It is hard for me to imagine the US military leaving Iraq with its tail between its legs. My calculation is that Iran will be blamed for the problems in Iraq and soon a justification for a air strike on Iran will be made. The strike would possible begin this fall, noted analyst and historian Seymour Hersh has also made this conclusion. The Pentagon has had detailed plans for years now for a missile strike using bunker busters to eliminate Iran's nuclear energy sites. The Israeli military has engaged in war games exercised for a potential war with Iran. Add that to to the recent strongly worded comments about Iran made by Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and many other Washington insiders, and you have some strong indications that trouble with Iran is on the way. The United States government has been very committed to preserving its national interest in the Middle East. It is not easy to imagine that US allowing military defeat in Iraq, and then allowing Iran to freely develop its nuclear energy program.

Bush Officials Censored Surgeon General

Both the Bush and Clinton administrations did not give their surgeon generals freedom to explore the medical and social issues that were important. "The reality is that the 'nation's doctor' has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas," Dr. Richard H. Carmona told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried.

Major current policy issues like stem cell research, teen health, smoking, drunk driving, and mental health were molded and censored to fit the dominant right-wing agenda. Considering the previous Congressional finding that the Bush administration censored scientific reports about the threat of global warming, I would have to say that there is a serious threat to democratic processes going on in the current White House.

Michael Moore Returns, Top General Sizes up Iraq, and New Hope for Fat Buster

2007-07-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

Michael Moore dished the cold hard truth to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about the state of media coverage and the distortions surrounding the facts of the new docu-movie "SICKO."
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/09/michael-moore-demands-apology-from-wolf-blitzer/

-Gen. Petraeus, the head of US forces in Iraq, has compared the War in Iraq to the long-struggle in Northern Ireland and said the war may be "decades long". This follows a White House push to liken the Iraq War to long-term military affairs. President Bush compared the 50-year military presence after the Korean War to what may happen with the Iraq War. This information comes at the same time that a government report on Iraq progress reveals that none of goals set by the Iran government have been met. Iraq is not making any progress. So the original fear of WMDs and the al-Qaeda/Iran link have been proven to be false. The prospect of bringing democracy and freedom to Iraq is not happening and will happen under current conditions. The belief that "we must fight them there so we don't have to fight them here" is a Orwellian twist of reality. And finally the Bush White House proclamation that the Iraq War is a fight to defend the Iraqi people and give them a chance to build a free society also holds no water. The Iraqi people overwhelmingly support US troop withdrawal, and what is the US military occupation achieving when the Iraqi government is basically not making any impact?
It is my impression that US strategists are in a bind. To pull out of Iraq means to see the US lose control of the Middle East. To stay would witness continued violence and fatalities. Political negotiation would have to involve Iran, and its uranium enrichment program would be a strong card. US policymakers really do not seem to have any good choices. Of course, my solution would be implement a one-year troop withdrawal plan, a comprehensive settlement with Iran regarding Iraq and the Israel/Palestinian conflict, and at the same time invest heavily in renewable energy.

-In a health breakthrough, new serious hope for obesity and overweight people! Georgetown University scientists have identified a natural chemical, Y2P blocker, that melts away fat, at least in mice. Putting in a chemical that promotes the neuropeptide transmitter builds fat.
ABC News Link

2007-07-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

A negative assessment of the health gap between rich and poor in America: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570119/
Sign of Global Warming? Record heat in Las Vegas and Southern California this week. Firefighters warn about a long and hard fire season as well. There have been serious wildfires in Santa Barbara, Catalina, and Lake Tahoe so far.

2007-07-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

This Fourth of July 2007 I would like to reflect on what makes America a great country. In this United States, the greatest strength is the people and the opportunities for a good life. I am not happy with a lot about America, but I do have to point out that there is a lot of creativity and beauty in America. There is no shortage of people in America that are motivated and passionate in their life. The best thing about America is that you will always see people striving to do better.

Yet, I have to point out that I am very unhappy with this "War on Terror" and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City were an awful event and I can't see the justification in acts of violence, yet I am proud to see so many people stand up and speak out against that act of terror and violence. Yet I can't help feel that people should speak out against acts of violence everywhere it occurs. In this campaign to defeat terror, countless innocent civilians have been killed in the Middle East. I feel it makes no sense. This link illustrates the unequal weight some people give to human life.
http://www.prosebeforehos.com/government_employee/06/22/civilian-death-statistics-in-iraq-afghanistan-compared/

The daily reporting of the Iraq War is not truthful. One excellent piece of evidence is the way many military attacks can be assumed to be against "Al-qaida." However, as this link reveals many times the Al-qaida victims are actually innocent civilians.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/06/30/war_reporting/index.html

Bush Vetoes Embryonic Stem Cell Bill

2007-06-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

US President George W. Bush vetoed the embryonic stem cell research bill passed by the Congress. What a terrible decision. To appease his Christian right-wing base, Bush for the second time vetoed a bill that would give hope to millions suffering from devastating disease ranging from Parkinson's to arthritis.
However, breakthroughs in stem cell science continue every day, and today it was announced that human therapeutic cloning is one big step close after successful results with cloned rhesus monkeys.

-Is war with Iran on the way? Many indications are that it is. Today, President Bush met with Israeli PM Emud Ohmert and they discussed plans to attack the nuclear facilities of Iran.

2007-06-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

I downloaded a DVD quality copy of "SICKO" and I think it is a good film. Very important topics.

Michael Moore came out to the media and raised questions about the official story of 9/11. I also have a gut feeling that that the truth about 9/11 is being kept from the public.

I trust scientists a lot and top onces came out today with a strong warning about the threat of global warming. Six scientists published an article in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society and warned that mankind is underestimating the threat of global warming.

US, and Iraqi troops launched a major offensive in northern Baghdad today. About 10,000 combat troops are involved in addition to air support. My feeling is that they will kill a lot of people, but will no control any area for very long. As soon as the troops leave, the insurgents will again regain control of the area. That's been the story so far. I feel the whole operation is a waste of lives, money, and effort.

2007-06-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

This week I went to my cousin's middle school graduation. It was great to see the family happy and celebrating a good event. My cousins will start high school this fall and soon will be so grown up I probably won't recognize her!

I came across an article that discusses topics here in the USA that the mainstream media does not cover much if at all. In fact, they probably don't cover it all. Sometimes covering events like Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, or the latest missing young blond woman is too great a ratings grabber to cover more serious issues that are more important if not less sensational. I don't believe in rapid conspiracy thinking, but I believe it cannot be denied that decisions and events that affect everyday life are made behind closed doors.

Read this article which details the devastating statistics regarding the state of Iraqi children today, over 4 years since the March 2002 US-led military invasion and occupation. I believe this one story is enough to convince anyone that what has happened is a true travesty and crime against humanity. President George W. Bush is personally responsible for it. And I support his impeachment. The situation for US combat troops also is terrible, as they are burdened with the load of a military conflict with no plan and no strategy. It was reported that more troops are suffering mental health problems and are not getting help, and not to mention that increasing numbers of Army troops are questioning the whole point of being in Iraq now.

2007-06-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Senator Joe Lieberman commented on a television interview that military strikes against Iran is something that he thinks should be seriously considered. There are indications that this is the Bush adminstration view as well. I totally disagree that anything will be solved that way. I think the situation in the Middle East cannot be resolved militarily. But I do believe that further conflict in the Middle East is ahead, and that more conflict with Iran may be likely. The fact that Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Pace was dropped in favor of a Admiral Mallon is also an indication that something is being planned. Pace was against military strikes in Iran.

The mainstream media of course, is only obsessed with Paris Hilton and other trivial matters. The following video is incredibly sad. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/06/08/msnbc-cuts-away-from-pent_n_51315.html

2007-06-11T17:04:00.001-07:00

Today I learned about the record heat wave in North India. Temperatures there have gone over 115 degree F and is not getting any better soon. Droughts, water shortages, and dozens of deaths are reported. Back here in the United States there are record droughts all over the country.
Is all this a sign of global warming? You bet. Time to do something about it. But nothing really is changing. The G8 summit meeting with world leaders failed to reach an agreement that would begin to deal with climate change within this generation. Al Gore correctly called the Bush plan "smokes and mirrors."

In others news, the war in Iraq takes it latest sick and ironic turn. As reported on CNN, the US military is now providing arms and ammunition to Sunni groups. Yes, the same Sunni group in Iraq that supported President Saddam Hussein and that has been fighting the Shiite Maliki government since the war began. The same Sunni group that has killed many American soldiers. I guess the US military finally realized that the Shiites were very close to Iran, so they will not back the Sunnis, which is an ethnic group comprising also the Saudi Arabian lands. The Iraqi government was not consulted about this and they are not happy about it.

The hypocrisy of this is astounding. Previously, the Bush administration had strongly denounced the arming and violence of any groups outside of the government and police force. It seems that by funding and providing arms to Sunni groups in Iraq, in addition to the recent reports that the CIA is giving aid to Al-Qaeda terror groups within Iran, it makes you wonder what this "war on terror" really is all about.

Meanwhile most Americans are obsessing over the "Sopranos" finale.

I went to a neighborhood high school graduation party on the weekend, it was great to be part of a happy event.

2007-06-07T14:57:00.001-07:00

"Wireless power" could eventually mean end of the age of power cables and batteries
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19098305/