The Ravens - Old Man River

Heard this on "American Roots" yesterday. I love "Old Man River" but, I'm ashamed to say, have never heard of the Ravens. My next cd will be by the Ravens. Jimmy Ricks is amazing.

Susie and God

Is there any truth to be found in this amusing video?

Why Aren't Scientists Republican?

The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press have released the findings of an extensive poll concerning the attitudes of scientists compared with the general public.

First, the public holds scientists in high regard (70%), just under members of the military (84%) and teachers (77%) and slightly above medical doctors (69%). Clergy (40%), lawyers (23%) and business executives (21%)are lower on the regard scale. Unfortunately, the regard for scientific achievement in the USA has declined from 47% in 1999 to 27% in 2009. Why would that be?

As far as partisan and ideological differences, 35% of the public are Democrats, 55% of scientists are Democrats. On the Republican side, 23% of the public are Republican and only 6% of scientists are Republican. Almost equal numbers of the public and scientists consider themselves independent (34 vs 32%). 87% of scientists consider themselves liberal or moderate and 9% consider themselves conservative.

The public may hold scientists in regard, but they still differ with scientists. 87% of scientist accept the theory of evolution while only 32% of the public accept the theory. When it comes to climate change due to human activity, 49% of the public accept this theory vs. 84% of scientists. But even those members of the public that disagree with scientists still hold scientists in relatively high regard (~64%).

So why do Republicans appear to hold science in low regard. To a small degree, I believe religious beliefs influence disregard for science. Stem cell research is obviously a huge issue as is evolution for many religious individuals. Obviously, those who hold to a literal interpretation of the bible are not going to accept that species evolved over billions of years. Scientists (33%) as a group are less likely to believe in God than the general public (84%).

But politics plays a much larger role in Republican disregard for science. In 2001, almost equal numbers of Republicans (37%) and Democrats (38%)supported increased funding for scientific research. In 2009 those figures dropped to 25% for Republicans and increased to 51% for Democrats with no change in the percentage of independents supporting science funding between those years. Who was in political power between those years? Was there any suppression of government science reports that the Republicans didn't like?

Climate change due to human activity is accepted by 30% of Republicans (only 21% of conservative Republicans) and 64% of Democrats (74% of liberal Democrats) and 49% of independents.

Why is there such a disconnect between science and Republicanism? It's not difficult to argue that the current Republican party is anti-intellectual. Look at the level of curiosity shown by G.W. Bush and Sarah Palin. They justify this lack of curiosity as being a characteristic of "just plain people" or the "little guy". These people are praised as "mavericks".

Most scientists are academics. Republicans distrust so-called left-wing academics. Republicans also rely on conservative "think tanks" to get their "scientific facts" which are almost always "alternative facts" based on a political position.

But to be really honest, I have no idea why few scientists are Republican - could it be genetic?

CAM - Health Care Reform - Save Money

Treatments as shown in this video will definitely result in lower health care costs. As the fools that seek cheap CAM treatments die, there will be fewer people seeking health care. I sure hope that someone doesn't market a homeopathic beer however.

The Answer to Our Healthcare Problems

We don't need government sponsored healthcare, just go to work for the Federal Government. Wait.....???

By Quitting Palin Proves She is a Fighter

Please, please.....someone explain what this woman is saying. At least she has made one person very happy....Gov. Mark Sanford. He sounds reasonable by comparison.

You can read the speech here (and we thought John McCain was erratic).

Here is my favorite quote: If I have learned one thing: life is about choices! That's right, choices. As long as they are the correct choices. Choices only conservatives that have the ear of god can proclaim are the proper choices. Good riddance Sarah Palin, I can only wish this is the last we will hear of you.

One World Order and Lizard People

There is a commentary in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise with suggestions on what "we" are looking for in future political candidates. Suggestion #7 hit a chord with me.

7. If you are interested in bringing America into a one-world-order government, stay home. You do not have the best interests of the United States of America in mind. However, as mentioned previously, there are many Third World countries where you would be temporarily welcome.

Suggestion #7 immediately reminded me of David Icke, a major "One World Order - Jews are Reptilian Shape Shifters" conspiracy monger. Icke was mentioned in an article, "Toxic to Democracy" by Chip Berlet (you can also listen to an interview of Berlet).

I never really appreciated how seriously conservatives take the "One World Order" conspiracy until I read Berlet's article and listened to the likes of David Icke. The inability of large numbers of people to think critically is what should concern the likes of David Icke and his followers whether they be politically "left" or "right".

But just to be sure....has anyone out there actually seen a person shape shift into a humanoid-reptile?

Stihl Gas Trimmer - Great Product

Last summer my Sears Craftsman trimmer wouldn't start. I had it checked out and it was dead. I replaced it with a Stihl FS45 which I obtained at Sturdy Equipment and Supply in Saranac Lake, NY. This is my second summer of using this great trimmer. It was only a few dollars more than a Craftsman, has a 2 year warranty and Sturdy is licensed repair center for Stihl equipment. I use this trimmer for trimming everything from grass to very heavy weedy plants. It starts with three or four pulls and my trimmer has the "fix-cut" head that uses pre-cut pieces of string. Nice thing is, you do not have to turn the trimmer off to replace the strings.

If I had it to do over again, I would chuck out the extra cash to purchase the FS80. The FS80 has a straight shaft and is more versatile in the types of cutting blades you can use. Unfortunately, I think my FS45 is going to last until I'm no longer fit to use it.

Grand Ole Party Hypocrisy

Here is a nice chart that ranks the "family values" states with regard to divorce rates, teenage pregnancy rates and subscription to pornographic magazines. Red is for states that voted for "family values" candidate John McCain and blue is for states that voted for Barack Obama. Notice the hypocrisy.

Guess who said this during the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal:

I think it would be much better for the country and for him personally” to resign. “I come from the business side. ... If you had a chairman or president in the business world facing these allegations, he’d be gone.

It Came from Wasilla

Todd Purdum has written a piece about Sarah Palin for Vanity Fair magazine. Most of the material in the story comes from John McCain's campaign officials.

Here is a sample:

Palin is unlike any other national figure in modern American life—neither Anna Nicole Smith nor Margaret Chase Smith but a phenomenon all her own. The clouds of tabloid conflict and controversy that swirl around her and her extended clan—the surprise pregnancies, the two-bit blood feuds, the tawdry in-laws and common-law kin caught selling drugs or poaching game—give her family a singular status in the rogues’ gallery of political relatives. By comparison, Billy Carter, Donald Nixon, and Roger Clinton seem like avatars of circumspection. Palin’s life has sometimes played out like an unholy amalgam of Desperate Housewives and Northern Exposure.

Patriotism - Right Wing Version

"The only chance we have as a country right now is for Osama Bin Laden to deploy and detonate a major weapon in the United States --- because it's gonna take a grassroots, bottom up pressure -- because these politicians prize their offices, prize the praise of the media, and the Europeans. It's an absurd situation again, only Osama can execute an attack which will force Americans to demand that their government protect them effectively, consistently and with as much violence as necessary."

Be afraid, be very afraid. Being afraid is patriotic. Hoping for a terrorist attack on the USA is now patriotic.

Al Franken is Finally a US Senator

Norm Coleman (R-MN)has finally conceded the Senate race in Minnesota because the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of Franken. It only took eight months to determine who won the seat, the third longest vacancy for a senate seat ever. This is good news for health care and energy in the USA.

The Senate isn't in session this week so it looks like Al Franken will have to wait to be seated. Democrats own the Senate now, let's see what they do with the advantage.

Healthy Americans Against Reforming Medicine

Hokey, but true.

He's Gone

Truth in Labeling - Clean Water & Safe Drugs

You've got to love the legal system in the USA. If you want to market an unsafe, over-the-counter drug, such as Zicam, you need only label it a "homeopathic" drug.

If you want to allow a mining company to dump mining waste into an Alaskan lake (and now probably any body of water in the USA), all you need do is to label the waste "fill".

Sen. Betty Little - Be a Leader

As the fiasco in the New York State Senate continues, I have a suggestion for resolving the "leadership" conflict. Our State senator, Betty Little, claims to be a leader in the NY State senate. She could easily prove her leadership capabilities by temporarily ending the impasse in the State Senate.

Sen. Little could temporarily "go over" to the Democratic side resolving the "leadership" question and allowing the Senate to vote on the many bills before that body. In my view, this would not hurt Sen. Little's chances of getting re-elected in her district which is primarily conservative (rather than Republican). What it would do, is show that she is more concerned about the people of her district and the state of NY than she is about her party. At the same time, this action would likely win her many Democratic votes next time she runs for re-election.

So, Sen. Little, why don't you take it upon yourself to end the "leadership impasse" in the NY State Senate by proving that you are a leader and proving that you care about your constituents more than party politics.

Another Typical Local Politican - Paul Maroun

This guy, Paul Maroun (R) wants to represent the 23rd NY district. Todays Adirondack Daily Enterprise has a story that may be telling of Mr. Maroun's governing style. Secret meetings that make secret agreements. Again, you elect this guy and we will get exactly what we deserve.

Joyce Morency - You Pay, Not Me

Typical Republican Politician: "If you think I'm going to voluntarily go down without a battle, you're wrong. I have been told I would be grandfathered in because of my years of devotion to Essex County. I'm not about to give it up."

Ms. Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand)of the Essex County Board of Supervisor believes she should not have to contribute towards the cost of her health insurance like all the other supervisors.

The amount of money Morency would have been required to pay toward her insurance so far is between $300 and $400. The deductions were not made because she would not sign the necessary form last year.

This is the kind of politician (Republican or Democrat) that we continue to re-elect in New York State. Then we go on to complain about what a poor job politicans do in NY, except of course, the politician that directly repsents me.

Ms. Morency should step off her high horse and do the right thing. Put your money where your mouth is and start saving taxpayers some money.

APA/DEC Lawn Alternatives?

How about considering something like this? It would cost a little bit up front, would take a couple of years but it sure would look good in front of your buildings. As an added benefit, maybe it would shut up the "ridiculous-crowd".

Who Invented Rock and Roll

Was it Jackie Brenston with "Rocket 88" (#2 in 1951)



or was it Roy Brown with "Good Rockin' Tonight" in 1947?



I've got to go with Brenston. Elvis does his own version of "Good Rockin' Tonight here.