Florida Abolishes Planning for Sea Level Rise!!!

Thanks again, Diane Rehm
The program in the second hour was about the certainty of sea level rise and what can or is being done about it. Many states already have planning processes under way to meet the challenge of from 3 to 5 feet of rise by 2100.
Governor Crist empaneled a commission during his last term to begin the planning for the rise of sea level and to recommend actions to respond to it. Florida is particularly vulnerable due to the long coastline, the degree of building on the coast, and the low elevation of the land. So planning for the certainty of ocean rise was a good and wise move.
Along comes Governor (moron of the decade) Scott and one of the first things he does is abolish the commission and stop the planning process. Why? The conservative line: It is a HOAX!!!
Well Ricky Baby, Science, which you think sucks except when you need antibiotics or safe food, is right on this one, and you are dooming all of Florida, not just your conservative asshole friends, to misery.
Thanks again, Diane, for the timely reminder of just what a PUTZ our governor is.

Image: http://kaystreet.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rick-scott.jpg
Program:http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-03/environmental-outlook-rising-sea-levels

Mermaid: Half fish half woman.

Mermaid As I Would Like Them

I just read a disclaimer from NOAA (1) that mermaids do not exist. I immediately googled “mermaid images” to see what was out there. Interesting. From mummified hoaxes to Walt Disney. Mermaids abound in art, literature, folk lore and many other places.

As a biologist I have had to deal with students questions about mermaids from time to time. Questions about reproduction usually top the list. “How do they DO that if the bottom half is a fish?” Simple answer is “THEY DON”T BECAUSE THEY DON”T EXIST!!!” The lesson is really one of asking the right question. If you ask the right question you can expect to eventually get an answer that is reasonable. For example, if you ask “Why does the sun come up in the morning?” eventually you will be told the real reason. There may be alternative explanations to begin with, but sooner or later the correct one will surface.

But if you ask “Why is the moon made of green cheese?” you will NEVER get an answer that is correct, because it isn’t. The correct question should be “IS the moon made of green cheese?”

"Real" Mermaid Mummy

Back to mermaids. I have a question: “Why are nearly 100% of the images of mermaids shown with bras? Or some kind of breast covering? And where do they get the cloth? There is an answer to these questions. First, they aren’t covered with anything because they do not exist in reality. They exist in mythology. Folk lore. Imagination. The covering? Probably Judeo-Islamic-Christian abhorrence of the female anatomy. I bet if you find really old images of mermaids they are bare breasted. As nature intended. Gotta love nature.

Image: http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/74500/Sea-Mermaid-74883.jpg
Image: http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/23800000/mumified-real-mermaid-random-23800061-500-400.jpg
Image: http://www.alliphonewallpapers.com/images/wallpapers/ckdb446em.jpg

1. http://news.discovery.com/animals/noaa-mermaids-120629.html

You Can Not Even Imagine How Spoiled American Kids Are.



Not Nica, but the same.

A day's load.

He got up with the sun, had some leftover rice and beans, took his wheelbarrow and his little brother and went into the scrub to gather firewood. Several hours later he returned with a load of wood in his barrow, his brother carrying all he could too. It was nearly 100 degrees and very dry. The boy was 7. His little brother was 4 He had his own tiny barrow. They were both smiling. They returned to a clean house, swept by their 6 year old sister. The floor was clean. The floor was packed dirt. Mother had washed clothes in the river, swept the yard clean, and prepared food for supper. She had no running water, no bathroom, no door on the house, no windows on the openings in the wall, no stove except a clay and rebar fireplace, and no chimney. The smoke went up through the thatch. The kitchen was the living room and the bedroom. She smiled when we walked up. She was pregnant. Her daughter was shy, but smiled too. There were no toys, no electricity, little furniture, few clothes. She and the kids were clean.

This is Nicaragua in the boonies. I am not saying that they couldn’t use more or want more. I am saying that they were happy to have what they had. We took Polaroid pictures of the kids and mom and she was filled with wonder as the picture developed before her eyes. She had no photos of herself or children that we could see.

Not wheelbarrows, but the same idea.

How do I know this? I was there. It was an oft repeated scene. No tears. No complaints. Smiles. It breaks your heart.

Now read the article (1) published today in Yahoo News about American children. Draw your own conclusions.

1. http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/easy-answer-why-american-kids-34-spoiled-rotten-192300981.html
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/34855388.jpg
http://plopsymd.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/blogwood.jpg?w=720&h=1082
http://www.nextbillion.net/pubs/images/22ee65ce6102c74c952ef1fcb39650ce.jpg

Nobody has tried to take my guns away. Except Republicans of course.

All Moderate Republicans should be ashamed of their party

The moron that wrote this is typical of the conservative liars. One, the program he is talking about was started by the Bush administration and continued by the Obama administration. Two. Show me where in 4 years the Democrats have ever tried to take away anybody’s guns. I can still buy them by the bushel in Florida if I want to. Ammo too. And gun shows too. And I can carry concealed. This kind of conservative lying is just to whip up ignorant rednecks who already hate Obama because he is black. Get real asshole. Here is what the asshole said:
(1)"The Obama administration has almost certainly engaged in the most shockingly vile corruption scandal in the history of the country, not counting the results of Season Eight on "American Idol."
Administration officials intentionally put guns into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, so that when the guns taken from Mexican crime scenes turned out to be American guns, Democrats would have a reason to crack down on gun sellers in the United States.
Democrats will never stop trying to take our guns away. They see something more lethal than a salad shooter and wet themselves."

You think that all the Democrats who carry guns professionally or privately go around with wet pants? I don’t. If anything should be banned it is Salad Shooters. And lies.

Here is the TRUTH!!!

1969, journalist William Safire asked Richard Nixon what he thought about gun control. "Guns are an abomination," Nixon replied. According to Safire, Nixon went on to confess that, "Free from fear of gun owners' retaliation at the polls, he favored making handguns illegal and requiring licenses for hunting rifles."

It was President George Bush, Sr. who banned the import of "assault weapons" in 1989, and promoted the view that Americans should only be allowed to own weapons suitable for "sporting purposes."

It was Governor Ronald Reagan of California who signed the Mulford Act in 1967, "prohibiting the carrying of firearms on one's person or in a vehicle, in any public place or on any public street." The law was aimed at stopping the Black Panthers, but affected all gun owners.

Twenty-four years later, Reagan was still pushing gun control. "I support the Brady Bill," he said in a March 28, 1991 speech, "and I urge the Congress to enact it without further delay."

One of the most aggressive gun control advocates today is Republican mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York City, whose administration sued 26 gun manufacturers in June 2000, and whose police commissioner, Howard Safir, proposed a nationwide plan for gun licensing, complete with yearly "safety" inspections.

Another Republican, New York State Governor George Pataki, on August 10, 2000, signed into law what The New York Times called "the nation’s strictest gun controls," a radical program mandating trigger locks, background checks at gun shows and "ballistic fingerprinting" of guns sold in the state. It also raised the legal age to buy a handgun to 21 and banned "assault weapons," the sale or possession of which would now be punishable by seven years in prison.

And Romney (2): We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them. I won't chip away at them. I believe that they help protect us and provide for our safety.

Nuff Said.

Image: http://leftcall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/46239454_d4193d63a8_b.jpg
1. http://news.yahoo.com/biggest-scandal-u-history-233202888.html

2.http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Governor/Massachusetts/Mitt_Romney/Views/The_Second_Amendment/

Seǹor Wences – What a Treat!!

A little while ago I saw a FB posting that reminded me of a childhood ventriloquist. He was featured on many of the 1950s and 60s family variety shows that once were the centerpieces of TV networks. His act was simple and funny. At a time when we, the children, were practicing hiding under our school desks to avoid being killed in an atom bomb attack, Seǹor Wences came to us and made us laugh. Here are a few links to his wonderful comedy. You really should take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJiYZ6QIAtY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEio4rQDU5A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfgj0YtVfdg&feature=related

Take the time to smell the roses and treat yourself to a great few minutes.

Image: http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4399/1872/320/SenorWences60.jpg

TGIF – Let’s have some good news.

Well, what a week! So let’s have some good news. Not the world. No, but consider these items: “friends” on Facebook having babies, taking trips, having fun, buying guns, eating great meals, seeing movies, playing games. This is all good news.

Sal and I had a good time in D.C. with good company, food and beer.

Debbie has cleared the mainland and left a great deal of water behind. Some flooding but much needed water in all of Florida. Good news imbedded with the bad.

Some good interactions with various people on various topics indicate that real differences of opinion need not wedge people apart. Thanks to Malcolm and Janet especially. A few others have gotten a little ‘testy” as Sal would say.

And vacation plans going very well. Almost through the “to do” and “to buy” lists, then off to Newfoundland.

It can’t really get much better than this. So ya’ll have a great weekend.

Image: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2358334132_82a67582f4.jpg

Republicans Are Sore Losers

First they said the Affordable Health Care Act would hurt people. Truth: It has helped millions including students, seniors and everybody with a pre-existing condition who was not insurable.

Next they said the insurance industry would raise prices and oppose it. Truth: The insurance industry supported it, didn’t raise premiums and pledged to keep some provisions if it was struck down.

Next they said it was unconstitutional. Truth: The Supreme Court with the vote of the  conservative Chief Justice found it constitutional.

Now they pledge to repeal it because - - because - - uhhh - - Obama passed it. Truth: Congress passed it and it is the now the law of the land.

Romney pledged to repeal it “The first day I am President” and replace it with something else. Truth: The President cannot repeal anything. Congress repeals laws. Romney is wrong. Another Truth: Romney has never said what he would replace it with. Maybe a law like the one he pushed for and signed into law in Massachusetts? Ooops. Just like the Affordable Health Care Act.

This is a pitiful string of stupid attempts of a small minority of conservatives to get things “their way or the highway”. Romney is right about one thing though. If you vote for him and put the Republicans in charge of the Senate, things will change. The AHCA will go, along with many protections we currently enjoy like clean air, water, safe food, National Parks owned by the people, protected fish stocks and many more. And, if you have ever had cancer or diabetes or migraines or heart disease you will not be able to get insurance. And, your children between 18 and 26 will no longer be on your health policy. And, the donut hole won't close. And, 30 milliion plus Americans won't have health insurance and YOU will pay their health care costs. Good ideas, huh?

Oh yeah, the country will lose any chance at all to get control of the global climate mess.

Image: http://grandrants.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/gop-sore-loser.jpg

My Darlin' Companion? You Know.

"Darlin' Companions"

I just finished a little essay (http://searchesworld.blogspot.com/2012/06/damn-that-was-really-good-ride.html) and mentioned companions. Got me to thinking about my darling companion and naturally San Quentin came to mind: Johnny and June at San Quentin. So I looked up the video, listened to the song for the 100^th (at least) time and thought I should write about it.

Here is the opening:

Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
And let me be your champion: a hand to hold your pretty hand in.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin': I can depend on you

And later these lines:

Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
As long as we keep laughin', bear in mind just what could happen.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.

Just about says it all. Of course my “Darlin’ Companion” is Sally. So this and everything else I do is dedicated to her.
’ll close with these lines, and don’t get smart about it either:

Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.

YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7aXTvJunAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PtTByHGE8I&feature=related
http://www.metrolyrics.com/darlin-companion-lyrics-johnny-cash.html
Image: “On the Course”

If this doesn't piss you off, IT SHOULD!

“Mother-of-two Joanne Jackson, 40, had a photo session to commemorate winning her battle with the killer disease after having a mastectomy - and posted them on the social networking site.

But Facebook removed some of the images, which revealed her operation scar, for being offensive."

This really pisses me off. First we are told that we can’t see the female breast because the pictures might offend someone. Then we are told that the word “vagina” is offensive to some. Now we are told that the scar on the chest of a cancer survivor is offensive. No, none of these things are offensive. The tiny, warped and closed minds of the people (TWC) who Think they are offensive are really OFFENSIVE.

So here is a question to ponder: If the female breast is offensive, and we see a picture of a chest without the offending breast, how can that be offensive? The answer is that the morons who think almost everything about women is offensive are just that: morons. But somehow they seem to rule. That is offensive too.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2148029/Cancer-survivors-mastectomy-photos-BANNED-Facebook-pornographic.html#ixzz1yzymXRsP

Image: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/22/article-2148029-13399CB1000005DC-879_634x885.jpg

“Damn, that was a really good ride!!!”

Nora Ephron – What a Woman. Heard the news this morning: Nora Ephron has died. A very bright light gone. During an interview taped some time ago she talked about getting older. She has written extensively about this over her life, and I think she had no illusions about aging. I did though. Anyway, she said that most if not all of us believe that “it” won’t happen to us. Others might need glasses to read, or new teeth to eat, or get sick, but we won’t. In fact, she said, most of us think we might, just might be the first not to die. That’s me. I have had all of those fantasies.  But as I sit here with my reading glasses on, my own teeth with many crowns, a survivor of CAD and with a current water works issue, I guess I can’t maintain that final illusion. As she was talking the words to an old country song, witten by of all people Shel Silverstein of Playboy fame, started playing in my mental i-whatever:

Stop drinkin' booze, you're still gonna die.
Stay away from cooze, you're still gonna die.
You can cut out coffee and never get high,
But you're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die.

Yeah, you can do what ever-the-hell you want, but you’re still gonna die. Damn. Nora told of a friend who was dying of throat cancer and couldn’t eat the last meal of favorites she always loved. Nora’s advice? Eat that meal NOW! Eat it OFTEN! And don’t wait, because like her friend you may be unable to do it.
Good advice. Mine too. But more generally it is this: As you can, do those things you want to do. Save up and do them. Do them on the cheap. Do them and charge it. But for heaven’s sake, Do Them!!! WWWD? Drink the good wine, eat the favorite food, love the companion with intensity, see the world and then die. So far I have done all of those and with any luck will carry on doing them for a bit longer. But, if death comes sooner rather than later, at least I can say “Damn, that was a really good ride!!!”
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdEoputkE98
Earlier Essay in Woody's World: http://searchesworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/still-gonna-die.html
Image: http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/7c4404ac763511e1b9f1123138140926_7.jpg