Usually when Cleveland comes up in the national news it’s because something bad happened there. Here’s a prime example:
“After authorities used thermal-imaging equipment and ground-penetrating radar to search outside murder suspect Anthony Sowell's home and a property next door in Cleveland, Ohio, FBI agents marked areas outside the home with spray paint, CNN has learned.”
Go to CNN for the whole story.
Gary Sinise is the voice of David. If Joseph sounds familiar it’s because Seinfeld star Jason Alexander is playing the part.
Luke Perry gets to play the villain, Judas. Louis Gosette Jr.’s deep baritone will represent John. Marisa Tomei plays Mary Magdalene.
I don’t think any of these are bad picks. But why did the producers have to get a British guy – Martin Jarvis, a voice-over actor, to play God?
Doesn’t He deserve a better known star portraying his omnipotent remarks? I think Bill Cosby would have been better. Now there’s someone who can do voices. But that’s just me. Who do you think would have made a better candidate for being God’s voice?
Go to the LA Times to read this article.
Graphic via Google Images
ONE OF THE FEW- Out of 21 wineries in the Temecula area, Bella Vista Winery is the only one to serve vegetarian wine.
By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard
Posted: 11/15/2009 01:27:15 AM PST
There appears to be a conspiracy of silence on the part of winemakers when it comes to the subject of vegetarian wine. That's right. Did you know there was such a thing as vegetarian or vegan wine?
I've visited wineries throughout California and never heard of vegetarian or vegan wine until very recently. While on a visit to relatives in Southern California, my sister told me and my wife that she had discovered them.
My sister has been a vegetarian most of her life and the idea that animal parts are used in the wine-making process literally sickened her. She had been drinking wine for about 10 years, blissfully unaware of this fact. Go to the Times-Standard to read the rest.
The lack of facts in Palin’s new book should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed her career. She’s tried to project a public image of this housewife turned political crusader, but has come up short on the “believe-ability” scale everytime. Reality has trumped her too many times for anyone – short of rabid gun-carrying fans – to take her seriously. Here’s what the Chicago Tribune had to say about her new book:
Ignoring substantial parts of her record if not the facts, she depicts herself as a frugal traveler on the taxpayer's dime, a reformer without ties to powerful interests and a politician roguishly indifferent to high ambition.
Palin goes adrift, at times, on more contemporary issues, too. She criticizes President Barack Obama for pushing through a bailout package that actually was achieved by his Republican predecessor George W. Bush — a package she seemed to support at the time.
A look at some of her statements in "Going Rogue," obtained by The Associated Press in advance of its release Tuesday:”
Go to the Chicago Tribune for a look at some of her statements in her new book. Photo via Photo Bucket
The structure that you are viewing was designed and developed by organic architect Javier Senosiain.
To see inside this unusual house click here and visit Desi Colours
I’ve always been a fan of the Guinness Book of Records. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do to get in it.
In my dreams, I pretend I am an entry for writing and publishing the most Books sold worldwide!
“Manjit Singh, a 59-year-old security consultant from Leicester, England known as the "Ironman," on Thursday pulled a double-decker bus weighing more than eight metric tons over a distance of 21.2 meters with his hair.
The new record was set in central London to coincide with the fifth annual Guinness World Records Day, which organizers said prompted thousands of people around the world to set some bizarre benchmarks of their own.”
Click here to read the rest.
Photo via Reuters – People in swimsuits dance during an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people wearing swimwear.
I’m vaguely uneasy about comparing rats with people when it comes to PTSD. A lot of questions come to mind. Read the whole article (follow link) and see what you think.
"The results of our research should encourage psychiatric investigation into using cannabinoids." - Dr. Irit Akirav of the psychology department learning and memory lab.
By Judy Siegel-Itzkovich
“A University of Haifa study on rats has found that giving medical marijuana to those with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can provide significant relief.
In addition, a pilot study on 20 Israel Defense Forces veterans and others with PTSD that was recently launched in various psychiatric hospitals is promising, but a full clinical trial has not yet been approved by the Health Ministry, The Jerusalem Post has learned.”
With the new movie "2012" imagining the end of the world as we know it, MSN reflects on pop culture's obsession with the apocalypse.
“Out of time? The Mayan calendar has a 5,126-year cycle that began in 3114 B.C. and ends Dec. 21, 2012. This end-of-days idea inspired the flick "2012." See the trailer.
Be prepared: "2012" star John Cusack suggests this survival plan.
Earth's ruin is classic Hollywood fodder, via meteor ("Deep Impact" trailer), primates ("Planet of the Apes"), aliens ("Independence Day") and other causes.
Nostradamus was a 16th-century seer (his day job?) who some say predicted the French Revolution, President Obama's election and other historic events.
Don't panic: Remember worries over the Y2K bug? Take comfort in these other dubious doomsday prophecies:
* 1997: Heaven's Gate cult prepares for Earth's "recycling."
* 1982: Televangelist Pat Robertson alerts his flock.
* 1806: English chicken lays warning eggs. Huh?
But seriously, our planet can't last forever. In "The Life and Death of Planet Earth," two astrobiologists write that, in human terms, Earth is this old.
Apocalypse next: Later this month "The Road" will show moviegoers Cormac McCarthy's post-doomsday vision. Enjoy the trailer -- while you still can.”
FROM MSN POPULAR SEARCHES
While drinking my first cup of coffee this morning, I ran across this story.
The Swine Flu has been in the news throughout the year, but this is the first time I’ve seen holy water to combat it!
“ROME (Reuters) – An Italian inventor has combined faith and ingenuity to come up with a way to keep church traditions alive for the faithful without the fear of contracting swine flu -- an electronic holy water dispenser.”
Click here to read the rest.
Photo from Reuters – Inventor Luciano Marabese displays a prototype of his holy water dispenser at his office in Capriano …
This picture was taken in February of 1970, when I was stationed in Vietnam. I was 19 years-old. (I turned 20 while in-country) I was a Combat Engineer (31st Eng Battalion).
My specialty was Enemy Ordinance Disposal (EOD), but I also drove heavy equipment - like bucket loaders, as shown in the photo below.
Looking at these photos today, I looked impossibly young and thin. Was I really that young once? I left Vietnam an old man in a young man’s body.
This Veteran’s Day I find myself thinking of my buddies who didn’t survive that hell in Vietnam. Some came home, like me, only to fall prey to PTSD. The casualty rate still continues today.
I recently read about how the military is basically blackmailing people who are locked up for going AWOL. The soldiers end up staying in jail for long periods of time (some for over a year) before their cases even go to trial.
Some of these AWOLs have already served combat tours and don’t want to go back. The authorities offer soldiers a way out of jail if they will agree to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Blatant blackmail by a military that is running short of bodies to sacrifice.
I look at the record numbers of soldiers coming back from these wars with PTSD. Their numbers are overwhelming. The VA’s in need of a major overhaul to help them.
On this day to honor veterans I’m torn between remembering those who gave their all to this country, and the challengers our veterans face today. My heart is with each and every one of America’s veterans every day.
Don’t expect jingoism from me. I think war is wrong. I’m unhappy with the president, and the punks in the Pentagon who don’t want our protracted wars to end. Their reasons are dark, and colored with greed and mindless imperialism.
Instead of martial rhetoric for this day, I hope to see a Veteran’s Day when we are not at war with other countries. John Lennon’s song comes clearly to me this morning. Join me, if you will, in singing “Imagine.”
--Dave Stancliff
I’ve been following the health care debate (with millions of other Americans) and the passing of H.R. 3962 was a sell-out to the current insurance system. I like the fact that Kucinich voted against his fellow Democrats - setting ideology and party politics aside.
The Dems celebrated a hollow victory because this version of the health-care bill is unacceptable, and will get shot down if not heavily revised in the Senate.
After voting against H.R. 3962 - Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) made the following statement:
Kucinich: Why I Voted NO
“We have been led to believe that we must make our health care choices only within the current structure of a predatory, for-profit insurance system which makes money not providing health care. We cannot fault the insurance companies for being what they are. But we can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit. That is our system.”
Read the rest at Congressman Kucinich’s website.
One of my favorite Lakers is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I was surprised to see that he has a rare form of cancer this morning.
Apparently, it’s not the worst kind of cancer you can get, and chances of survival are good.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, and the basketball great said his prognosis is encouraging.
Read the story at Yahoo Sports
AP File Photo
With Thanksgiving coming up the smarter turkeys are already practicing their imitations of other animals….
cartoon via Marbella text by Dave Stancliff
Coroner John White is presiding over a sad tally in this northern Indiana county, tracking rising numbers of suicides he believes are linked to the lingering recession.
Read the whole story at msnbc
Data on every U.S. county
You can see the suicide rate for U.S. counties for 1979-2006 in these PDF files:
Photo by Jennifer Shephard / The Elkhart Truth
I’m back…it’s time to start posting stuff again. I wonder if you missed me as much as I missed blogging?
Here’s today’s offering:
By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard
Posted: 11/08/2009 01:27:25 AM PST
Remember comedian George Carlin's 1972 “7 Dirty Words” monologue? It's still controversial, but every one of those words can now be heard on cable TV. I wondered what words would cause such a controversy today?
Then it came to me. Not words; subjects. The following subjects are guaranteed to cause controversy. If you don't want to start a heated argument, don't mention any one of them. Of course, if you're bored with a dull conservation and looking for a stick to throw in the fire, then toss in one of these subjects to warm things up. Click here to read the seven subjects.
I’m going to recharge the batteries that tickle my brain with ideas.
I’m doubling my walks and I’m going to read a book (fiction).
Shirley has taken the week off and we’re going to explore the nooks and crannies of this beautiful area we live in.
Just because.
Hopefully my meandering will motivate my muse and sharpen my views. Don’t let that stop you from exploring the archives listed on the left of this page.
Feel free to leave comments about things you like or dislike, or things you’d like to see. I’ll make answering you my duty.
Peace be with you. May the wind be behind you - and the truth always before you!
Dave
Here’s an interesting read about the health care debate. Dingell (I should say his researchers and staff) has made some good points regarding a public option in this Op-Ed piece today.
I do believe our current health care system is in shambles and something has to be done about it. The research in this article is accurate (I did take the time to check quoted stats).
I’m not suggesting you read this Op-Ed piece because a Democrat wrote it. If a Republican would have brought up the same stats and logic I would have run it. I’m not interested in promoting either party. I am interested in trying to get out as much accurate information on this subject as possible.
What do you think about this Op-Ed piece? For or against?
By Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)
“We have the best medical professionals in the world, but fewer and fewer Americans can afford to pay for the care they can provide. The trends indicate that problem will get much worse.
About 17 percent of our $14 trillion dollar economy is dedicated to health care. We pay more for health care than we do for food. Too much of what we spend on our care does nothing to improve our health. We pay for our highly bureaucratic and unwieldy health care system not just with dollars, but with the lives and well-being of millions of Americans. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will reform our health insurance industry so companies prioritize policyholders’ health instead of investors’ profits.
The insurance industry has done everything possible to make you think otherwise. This summer’s massive disinformation campaign – exposed by Tim Dickinson in Rolling Stone magazine last month – has distracted millions of honest, engaged citizens during this debate. During two town halls in my District this summer, I witnessed first hand how fear hijacked a much-needed serious conversation.
But the facts scream louder than even the angriest protester – and the data tells us the current system could literally destroy our way of life.
Consider these statistics:
• The top ten health insurance companies made $8.2755 billion last year and they stand to make more when medical costs go up.
• The average annual premium for employer-sponsored health insurance is $13,375 for family coverage.
• Approximately 45,000 people die each year because they lack health insurance.”
Go to News.Yahoo.com to read the rest of this Op-Ed piece.
AP Photo of Rep. John Dingell (Mich.)
“Two years ago, the Tennessee legislature put into statute what most people assumed should go without saying — it is illegal to have sex with an animal in this state.
But prosecutors across Middle Tennessee have cause to be glad that someone spelled that felony out. No less than three bestiality cases have come up in separate counties in recent months.
Three people stand accused of engaging in sex acts with farm animals in Maury County. In Humphreys County, a youth football coach was already under investigation for child rape when police reportedly found images of bestiality on his cell phone.” Read the rest at USA Today
Sometimes good guys wear a mask. Think Batman or Spiderman. Or the Flash and Zorro. Don't forget about Captain America or The Green Arr...
