Internet site with best dressed faculty!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Here's another example of "Technology" that cannot help!
Scientists tout success with drought-resistant plants: study Mon Nov 26, 5:34 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - With arid zones expanding worldwide, scientists have created transgenic plants able to survive extreme drought and thrive on far less water in an encouraging potential boon to food production, new research shows Monday.
The discovery could have important implications for food production and maintaining yields amid adverse conditions.
"We hypothesized that it is possible to enhance the tolerance of plants of drought stress by delaying the drought-induced senescence of leaves during the drought episode," wrote Rosa Rivero, one of the co-authors of the study.
Senescence is the growth phase of a plant or its parts from maturity to death.
The study by Rivero, of the University of California, Davis , and Mikiko Kojima, of the RIKEN Plant Science Center in Yokohama, appears in the December 4 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Our hypothesis is that senescence is due to a type of cell death program that could be inappropriately activated in different plants during drought," they wrote.
"Suppressing it could therefore enable plants to mount a vigorous acclimation response that would result in enhanced drought tolerance with reduced yield losses," they explained.
The scientists carried out their studies by engineering transgenic tobacco plants.
"Production of drought-tolerant crops able to grow under restricted-water regimes without dimunition of yield would minimize drought-related losses and ensure food production in water-limited lands," they said.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: They said "trans-genic" which of course means genetically modified (GM). This is a "nano-technology" in the truest sense. It is also untested, and will have unpredictable results if spread throughout the biosphere. Sure, some of the very few plants we find commercially useful can then thrive with less water, and, guess what, they'll all be suseptible to some virus or other too, or, they'll crowd out the "native" species so the ground won't recover after an infrequent rain, or they'll not find the insects around they need to reproduce (since insects still need water), etc.
Why do "scientists" insist on "enhancing" nature, instead of finding ways to limit population?
Why do reporters seem to "promote" technologies that will continue our profligate waste and overpopulated ways?
Economics is the answer in both cases. It doesn't pay to be a scientist who isn't working on a commercially viable solution. It doesn't pay to be a reporter who writes bad news...our economic structures all assume, assure, and demand GROWTH of population.
--
Cheers,
Frish
Cheers,
Frish
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wedgies and Atomic Wedgies - now obsolete!
Whomsoever claims
Kids don't have things on their minds...
"Generation Ought"
I remember camp's
Wedgies...Atomic Wedgies...
Oh, those were the days!
One's Cotton-STUFFED crack
Was no way comfortable.
(Gave as good as got)
Twins, 8, invent 'wedgie-proof' underpants
Ohio boys gain fame for anti-bully design that just rips away
updated 11:33 a.m. PT, Fri., Nov. 2, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Bully-proof underwear earned 8-year-old twin Ohio boys a spot Friday on daytime TV talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
Using rigged boxers and fabric fasteners to hold together some seams, Jared and Justin Serovich came up with the "Rip Away 1000," a pair of underwear that cannot be jerked up to give its wearer a painful "wedgie."
"When the person tries to grab you — like the bully or the person tries to give you a wedgie — they just rip away," Justin explained Thursday by phone from Los Angeles, where the TV segment was taped Wednesday.
The brothers began brainstorming one day after they were playing around, giving each other the treatment. Their mother's partner sarcastically said someone ought to invent wedgie-proof underwear, the family said.
The project got the boys to the finals of a central Ohio invention competition earlier this year, followed by the television appearance.
--
Cheers,
Frish
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Nature of Right and Wrong - we're hardwired to recognize "goodness from badness"
There is a lot of talk these days about how can people be moral actors without religious leanings?
My contention is that conscience, morality, and our personalities (how about "tolerance for embarrassment" as a governor on behavior) EVOLVED to take on the roles they play.
We must consider how they helped the GROUP survive, since evolution doesn't act on individuals, it acts on populations...
See the article below and draw your own conclusions, however, they found no difference between sexes, ability to distinguish not only the end points (good and bad) but they also placed the neutral objects into the correct order as well, pre-verbal children, to me points to a "natural" and "congenital" ability to distinguish right from wrong...regardless of the dissenting viewpoint presented. (ALL OF THE KIDS RESPONDED IN A SIMILAR FASHION, WHAT OTHER MEASURES HAVE SUCH A UNIVERSAL OUTCOME AT THIS AGE?)
I claim we're hardwired with the "Golden Rule". That's why all religions claim the golden rule as their basic teaching, since they can point to something that already exists! (Sleeves from Vest negotiation stance!) Without that genetic predilection, to expect good treatment by giving good treatment, humans couldn't live in groups to evolve in the first place...
Babies can tell helpers from hurters
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Even infants can tell the difference between naughty and nice playmates, and know which to choose, a new study finds.
Babies as young as 6 to 10 months old showed crucial social judging skills before they could talk, according to a study by researchers at Yale University's Infant Cognition Center published in Thursday's journal Nature.
The infants watched a googly-eyed wooden toy trying to climb roller-coaster hills and then another googly-eyed toy come by and either help it over the mountain or push it backward. They then were presented with the toys to see which they would play with.
Nearly every baby picked the helpful toy over the bad one.
The babies also chose neutral toys — ones that didn't help or hinder — over the naughty ones. And the babies chose the helping toys over the neutral ones.
"It's incredibly impressive that babies can do this," said study lead author Kiley Hamlin, a Yale psychology researcher. "It shows that we have these essential social skills occurring without much explicit teaching."
There was no difference in reaction between the boys and girls, but when the researchers took away the large eyes that made the toys somewhat lifelike, the babies didn't show the same social judging skills, Hamlin said.
The choice of nice over naughty follows a school of thought that humans have some innate social abilities, not just those learned from their parents.
"We know that they're very, very social beings from very, very early on," Hamlin said.
A study last year out of Germany showed that babies as young as 18 months old overwhelmingly helped out when they could, such as by picking up toys that researchers dropped.
David Lewkowicz, a psychology professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton who wasn't part of the study, said the Yale research was intriguing. But he doesn't buy into the natural ability part. He said the behavior was learned, and that the new research doesn't prove otherwise.
"Infants acquire a great deal of social experience between birth and 6 months of age and thus the assumption that this kind of capacity does not require experience is simply unwarranted," Lewkowicz told The Associated Press in an e-mail.
But the Yale team has other preliminary research that shows similar responses even in 3-month-olds, Hamlin said.
Researchers also want to know if the behavior is limited to human infants. The Yale team is starting tests with monkeys, but has no results yet, Hamlin said.
--
Cheers,
Frish
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Why chipmunks won't cross roads, and how to solve that problem!
Don't ask how I came across this article.
Regardless, it has the following line in it...
"This is a strong signal that aside from ripping out roads completely, we do not yet have a single solution that is going to work for all species," says Fahrig.
We know the solution! VHEMT!!! It will work its magic, for all species!
Frish
Why GOOGLE ads may not be the future of advertising...
I receive VHEMT missives on my GMAIL account, which also shows google ads (being free and all).
I ignore these "religiously" (being a Bright, not sure that's literally true, but you "get it").
However, today I was more than mildly amused by the list of ads alongside my VHEMT email digest...
Sponsored Links
Baby Cord Blood Banking
Learn the Benefits of Banking Your Baby's Cord Blood
www.Viacord.com/Cord-Blood-Banking
The Tucker Sling
Could your baby have acid reflux? Find relief with the Tucker Sling.
2007 CuteKid Contest
Submit Your Kids Photos & Win Cash! Judged by Professional Agents
Amby Baby Motion Bed
Baby will sleep peaceful all night Endorsed by Dr. Sears
GumDrop Pacifiers
soothe and comfort your baby the safe and favorite pacifier
BubSnug baby slings
Baby slings for newborns & toddlers Simple to use - Comfortable - Safe
Cheap Baby Clothes
Name Brand Children's Clothing Up To 70% Since 1966! Order Online Now
www.TheChildrensWearOutlet.com
Fix baby's sleep patterns
Step-by-step program teaches any infant to sleep through the night!
More about...
Baby »
Baby Bites Me »
Baby Biting Others »
Babies Bite »
About these links
It appears to me, the only one that was contexturally correct may be the final topic:
"Babies Bite!" (Perhaps, "Babies Suck!" is the bumper sticker moment?)
--
Cheers,
Frish
Cheers,
Frish
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Pranks By Boys: “Howard and John Play Squash”
John and Howard decided to play squash. This happened in the UK, where John was a native and Howard was an American ex-pat on corporate assignment in England.
Howard was an A-rated racquetball player from the U.S. Low to the ground, extremely good lateral speed and a command of the court were his keys to success. He had heard that John was a competitive player, and was curious, due to John's appearance of slovenly slothfulness.
For example, John looked like a lot like "Father Christmas", a jolly fat man, his face, livid from years of drink, was framed with pure white unkempt whiskers and eyebrows.
Howard had been a minor league baseball shortstop for a summer during college.
John huffed even when he was sitting, due to his wicked cigarette habit and his preference for great quantities of Indian food washed down in beer.
Howard was type-A competitive, regardless of the playing field, he needed to be number one in everything he did.
John, with his forehead and thinning hair showing off a perpetual sweat sheen, always had his eyes at half mast. His mouth could have been opened or closed while John breathed, but his moustache and beard hid his teeth and lips. Yet, John's mouth was not well camouflaged due to the tobacco and curry stains.
Howard, fastidious about his body, showered at least twice a day.
John soaked in the bath once a week, for a long long time, same as most Brits his age.
A note about squash: The court is very similar to a racquetball court, but a little smaller. The squash racket is longer than a racket ball racket. The racket is very light and can be swung quite readily even from the wrist. The ball gets faster during play, as heating from compression expands the gas within the ball, making it hit racket and wall with greater force. So, the longer the rally the more difficult the task.
Howard lost the first game 9-1, got his one point because John slipped. But, after adjusting the wing tip shoes he was wearing, John proceeded to win the next two games 9-0 and 9-0 which decided the best of 5 match.
John spotted Howard 6 points and then beat him 9-6, 9-7, 9-6 to decide the best of 3 matches.
Afterwards, at the squash club's pub, I'd never seen Howard quite so upset.
"Howard", I asked, "How did you like John's play?"
"I've never been so out-matched in my entire life. He didn't even change his office work clothes, and beat me in dress shoes. He just stood in the middle of the court, reached everything I sent his way, and put it where I couldn't reach it. It was amazing and awesome but I'm not happy having been beaten this badly", shared Howard.
"John, how did you enjoy playing with Howard?", I prompted.
Never one to utter an extra syllable, "Fine", was all John said, wiping the beer foam from his moustache on the sleeve of his button down white oxford cloth shirt, with the distinct ring around the collar, and sweat stained pits.
"Howard was impressed with your play, do you have anything to say about his game?"
John hesitated for quite some time, gathering his thoughts. Soft spoken, but always diplomatic, John was obviously considering his answer with great care. Finally, his generous cheeks grinning even more fully now, he made the longest speech he ever uttered in the 8 years I worked closely with him:
"Howard hits the ball very hard."
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Notes we've loved to see...
I have deleted the references to any particular company herein, but this is in the spirit of Cliffside Software! (See www.cliffsidesoftware.com)
Obviously this was written in a more northern clime than my present location...
The moral of the story is: If you can't exercise your plan, at least educate plan participants!
(((If only there were a Global Health and Safety Coordinator! I mean...for the globe!)))
Subject: Autumn Safety Reminder
From: Global Health and Safety Coordinator
Autumn is here and presents new challenges to us on the campus. The shorter days and inclement weather present a visibility hazard as we arrive and depart from work. As a driver, please be cautious while driving and obey maximum speed limit of 25 mph on all roads. Use extra caution in and around parking lots by adhering to the 10 mph maximum speed limit and look out for walking coworkers. As a walker, be proactive and assume drivers cannot see you. Wear reflective or light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight to increase your visibility.
Slipping and tripping hazards have also returned in the form of fallen leaves, mossy walkways, ice, and the ubiquitous Canadian geese calling cards. In the last two weeks there have been two serious falls on campus. Please watch where you are walking and avoid areas that look especially slippery. Finally, be patient with the geese as they cross the roads. They will eventually get to the other side.
(Having lived with the many THOUSANDS of Canadian Geese that OVERWINTER near a power plant in Rochester, Minnesota (lake remains ice free, thanks to the effluent from the power plant, and there are official zones where they can forage and eat corn planted for them, but if they stray over the fence they are picked off by hunters during the season!), I can assure you that their "calling cards" are slippery.
When it is warm enough, geese occupy every puddle that ever aspired to be a pond in Rochester, including near the IBM Lab (low spots with a little standing water in the spring or fall all have geese!)
Here's a quick Canadian Goose Story:
We picked up our friend Gina's mom at the airport. She had immigrated from Hong Kong to Boise, ID and never learnt English, since she was a cook in her own restaurant. At the time (1983) she must have been close to 70 years old...wirey and a little twitchy...
So, it was the middle of winter in Rochester. Snow and COLD. As we passed the lake by the power plant, Gina's mom started getting REALLY excited and was shouting in Chinese...she wanted Brian to stop the car so she could catch a goose for dinner...she even tried to climb over Gina to get out while the car was moving...
Gina had to explain, after locking the door, that those were for looking, not for eating...)
(Everyone in my department in Rochester was a hunter. There was a terrific amount of folklore about geese, for example, whether or not they sometimes flipped upsidedown when they were landing, to shed speed...I saw the photos, and believe they actually do this!)
(Here's another Corporate Safety Message I recall...When IBM first opened Somer's NY (a headquarters building for several lines of business (divisions)) there were dozens of deer that seemed to jump in front of cars...so there were a series of notes about looking out for the deer. I believe the cars have won, subsequent, but perhaps a few deer remain!)
Re: Responding to Fred's weekly newletter
I was surprised. I was surprised it wasn't 99.99 percent! I am more surprised at your response. How can you defend Republicans after what they are doing to our liberties?
It is too funny that the NRA ridiculous gun stance (that won't hold up in court, once a case is finally brought) is what has your attention Fred, while domestic spying and a new bill that will allow the military and police to work together in a common command structure during "times of extreme emergency" is going through Congress.
Isn't that what you are REALLY worried about? If it isn't it ought to be.
That should be the topic for you next newsletter, the REAL erosion of our liberties, not the hypothetical loss of a 2nd amendment "right" to which no one actually has priviledge.
Either you don't deny the NRA is a corporate driven scheme to keep guns from being controlled, or you actually believe they are looking out for your (supposed) 2nd amendment rights (which don't include not having guns controlled by the way!).
Who wants to ban guns? I want them controlled, just like cars. Registered licensed INSURED owners just like a car...keep track of them, just like a car. They are dangerous, just like a car.
They ought to be under control. And TAXED more than cigarettes. And when used in a crime the registered owner ought to be brought up on charges too. Bullets too. Traceable after they are shot.
Guns kept at community shooting ranges makes a lot of sense.
Guns in people's houses...not so much.
I am also surprised that something so anti-human as a gun would be something you, a supposed pro-life proponent, would want anywhere near his neighborhood.
On 11/13/07, Fred wrote:
You sound surprised that 83% of NRA money for politicians goes to Republicans. Why would they wish to support Democrats who are determined to ban guns? Does it make sense to give money to one's enemies?
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Different Shade of Bright!
(From a review of her new book...not to be mentioned here!)
Vonette Bright is the widow of Dr. Bill Bright.
The Brights are the co-founders of Campus Crusade for Christ ministries.
Responding to Fred's weekly newletter
The pointing out of hypocrisy is a familiar and time honored tradition Fred, thanks for sharing a half-hearted attempt at it by the NRA. I'll simply continue that tradition by pointing out just a few more hypocrisies in the lead article you sent.
Let's consider the following paragraph from your lead article this week...
"HSUS has long benefited from the use of the term 'humane society." Many erroneously believe HSUS operates animal shelters, rescue groups and other animal welfare operations. Well-meaning people give money, thinking they are assisting the operation of these local and regional organizations that do so much to help animals. However, the truth is HSUS has never operated an animal shelter of any kind. Ever."
REREAD THOSE SENTENCES AGAIN. Just because their donors are confused is no reason to fault the Humane Society! The author doesn't fault the actions of the HSUS, only their donors! Whose fault is it that the donors are not cognizant of the real work of the HSUS? Donor Beware is certainly a siren's call regarding charities...
The National Rifle Association benefits from the mistaken belief that it is protecting member's constitutional rights, when actually the NRA is the commercial gun lobby posing as constitutionalists.
Here's the corporate sponsor page of the NRA.
It is to laugh Fred. Everyone of them a gun and/or bullet manufacturer or retailer. Do you support the NRA's position that the second amendment applies to armor piercing bullets or assault or automatic weapons which therefore to be legally available without restriction?
On a tangential note Fred:
18% of human caused global warming is due to raising domesticated animals and our appetite for meat. Maybe PETA's onto something with their vegan attitude! (Except, I forgot, you deny human caused global warming is real...)
BY THE WAY FRED, SINCE YOU BELIEVE IN FREEDOM...YOU SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING ABOUT THE NRA. SEE WHERE THEIR MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON CONGRESS: 83% REPUBLICAN.
NOW, SEE WHAT THAT REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO PREVENT, SPEAKING OF FREEDOM AND BY THE PEOPLE ETC.
That is OUR EMAIL Fred, We The People's! That's what the "Freedom loving" NRA supports.
Funny line: "PETA's PR Machine is Relentless", but not the NRA's PR Machine?
Frish's Funnier line: "PETA doesn't kill people, bullets kill people"
(Fred, I'm a carnivore and don't get PETA at all, but I think the promotion of guns by the NRA is far and away the "anti-human" stance!)
Milking Animals
"Perhaps more than any other public interest group in America, the radical animal 'rights' organizations have two faces. There's the one they present to the public and (more importantly) to potential donors. Then there's the other face, the true one, which encompasses a philosophy that is more anti-human than pro-animal.
"The two largest and best-funded animal 'rights' groups, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), both rely on financial support that often comes from people who have no idea what their real agendas are. In many cases, that support is based on misunderstanding, or even deception.
"HSUS has long benefited from the use of the term 'humane society." Many erroneously believe HSUS operates animal shelters, rescue groups and other animal welfare operations. Well-meaning people give money, thinking they are assisting the operation of these local and regional organizations that do so much to help animals. However, the truth is HSUS has never operated an animal shelter of any kind. Ever. And PETA employees have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted for illegally disposing of animals killed in its 'shelter' operations. [. . .]
"PETA has gone to great lengths to indoctrinate kids and young adults by creating materials, including comic books and videos, that teach its radical agenda, and then [by] getting sympathetic teachers to use those materials in the classroom. One of PETA's comic books proclaims on the cover, 'Your Daddy Kills Animals!' and warns kids to keep the family dog away from him. Why? Because dad is a fisherman.
"PETA's PR machine is relentless. PETA selects a 'vegetarian of the year' from among notable celebrities and presents that person as a rule model for children. Each year it attacks restaurant chains that serve meat, circuses that have animal acts and, of course, any pharmaceutical company that uses animals to develop life-saving medicines."
-- "Two Faces," by Chris W. Cox, America's First Freedom, November 2007, pages 41-42. Address: National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-9400. Phone: 703-267-1000.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Human Cloning. Oh Baby Oh Baby!
UN report: Human cloning ban needed Sat Nov 10, 2:52 PM ET
LONDON - The international community faces a stark choice: outlaw human cloning or prepare for the creation of cloned humans, U.N. researchers said Saturday.
Previous attempts to reach a binding worldwide treaty foundered over divisions on whether to outlaw all cloning or permit cloning of cells for research.
The best solution may be to ban human cloning, but to allow countries to conduct strictly controlled therapeutic research, including stem cell research, according to the report from the Japan-based United Nations University Institute for Advanced Studies.
Almost all countries oppose human cloning and more than 50 nations have introduced laws banning it. But lack of binding global legislation gives scientists an opening to create human clones in countries where bans do not exist.
"Failure to outlaw reproductive cloning means it is just a matter of time until cloned individuals share the planet," said Brendan Tobin, a human rights lawyer who co-authored the report.
"If failure to compromise continues, the world community must accept responsibility and ensure that any cloned individual receives full human rights protection," he said.
Cloning research proponents argue it offers great hope for producing replacement tissue and the potential for a cure for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.
The report recommends permitting cloning cells for research — but not cloning aimed at duplicating a person or animal . It also calls for strict controls to prevent the uncontrolled production and destruction of embryos.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Alien Species Secretes "Yellow Stuff"
These UK "Ladybirds" (aka Ladybugs - a colorful flying beetle) are another example of what our inadvertent geographic re-distribution of creatures (ballast mussels, killer bees) and plants (how about kudzu or water hyacinth) go beyond the natural system's capability of quickly or easily containing the invaders.
The human "experiment" on the biosphere has been undertaken without understanding of base conditions and variables.
The human "experiment" on the biosphere injects new chemistry into the food chain (pharma drugs in the water supply, worldwide, estrogen-like insecticides, etc.).
The human "experiment" on the biosphere increases the surface temperature of the planet (via greenhouse gases and paving over the ground for example).
The human "experiment" on the biosphere provides more plastic than plankton in many thousands (millions?) of square miles of ocean water. Just the shadow and reflection of light caused by that plastic has unknown (and not good) affects on plants and animals.
The human "experiment" continues, unabated by any social or legal construct, as humans overpopulate, deforest, overfish, pollute, introduce new chemicals, etc. etc. etc.
So, the "yellow stuff" flies...
--
Cheers,
Cheers,
Frish
Per Brian A's post...
"Human civilization is so much built on the idea of growth and expansion."
Human "culture" has always been growth oriented.
Culture does everything to "foster life" (human life) and to thwart any natural governors on our behavior.
Human nature cannot trump mother nature, in the long run.
A few twitches of Gaia's tail and we'll be dusted right off the planet.
The irony is that our meddling (thanks to our culture, gotta have light and heat and cars and . . .) with the chemistry of the planet's climate is the impetus for our demise.
Frish
Thursday, November 8, 2007
"you have to have good skin and be blond"
Beauty pageant titleholder and sometime "Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood" reporter Maria Menounos can sum up sexy in three words: "Victoria's Secret lingerie."
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Missing the Kids!
"We feel joy for what's happening, but we're crying and missing the kids."
We're crying and missing the kids, and we're crying FOR the next round of kids.
Poor couple, they will be blamed...
WE MUST BE INFORMED (or, what a great stocking stuffer!)
Dear LA Brights and others copied:
Two topics tonight:
First...I was interviewed by an LA Times reporter today discussing what it means to me to identify as a Jew and a Bright, why I "joined" The Brights, why I believe or don't believe what I believe, etc., so I shared loads of fun stuff (including that I, Fearless Leader of the LA Brights, was speaking as an individual...hope she heard that part!).
For example:
There is NO REASON for god or anything supernatural to explain life, the universe or anything else.
I don't know how life started, no one does, but once it did only natural laws controlled it.
I don't understand how the universe could start from nothing, but I maintain that some scientists either did already or would someday.
We're nothing more than mobile minerals, a natural result of the conditions that were local to our part of the universe, and cannot affect the universe via thought alone.
What the "intelligent design" crowd have exactly backwards is they see everything seemingly purpose built for our existence! However, we evolved in this milieu, that's why we're fit to survive altogether, evolution allowed us to survive in whatever environment presented itself.
Everything we are is contained within our chemistry, there is nothing else. There is no "soul".
Grandma doesn't come back to us in a dream to share stories of the afterlife.
Faith and belief are fine, as long as those in positions of power aren't basing their decisions on Revelations, that would be a clear and present danger.
Brights ought to organize for social (fun) and political (protecting our freedom of thought) reasons.
"Atheists have NOTHING in common" (Copyright Frish!)
Why answering to a "higher power" is due to evolution, not existence of god.
Why morality is built into our primate behavior, and is necessarily built in or we'd kill each
other and eat the children.
From a logical perspective the whole concept of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient being is fascinating. God's thoughts have to travel far faster than the speed of light. So, on what particle reside the thoughts of god?
How Nazi concentration camp films shown to us interminably during Jewish weekend religious school, had a lot to do with me being god free. If people could treat each other like that, not only is there no "just" or other kind of god, but I promised myself to never have kids, so that wouldn't/couldn't happen to them.
Not bad...on the road between sales calls!
Some article will be published sometime (next three weeks?) so we shall see.
SECONDLY:
On another note - GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS ONE!
Looks like a great way to spend 12/25/07, for the matinee!
This was from some Christian Group's email intercepted by a friendly.
Subject: WE MUST BE INFORMED
PLEASE FORWARD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN!
THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children,
will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the
first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book
a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please.
Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a
2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."
The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is
designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents
will take their children to see the movie and that the children
will want the books for Christmas.
The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman,
Kevin Bacon, and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised
extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn
parents to avoid this movie.
You can research this for yourself:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."
The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is
designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents
will take their children to see the movie and that the children
will want the books for Christmas.
The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman,
Kevin Bacon, and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised
extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn
parents to avoid this movie.
You can research this for yourself:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
(FRISH SEZ: YES, GET THE WORD OUT - BUY THE BOOKS AND SEE THE MOVIE!)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
A JDate Pick Up Haiku Line
Funny? Yes, I am.
Charismatic Pheromones
And I write haiku
Charismatic Pheromones
And I write haiku
(Only Copied YOU...What do you think of the above? )
(Pick your stanza and let me know since YOU know who YOU are...this is a multi-purpose note and blog entry! Being an environMENTAList (and more than a bit mental as well YOU know) I think it is time to conserve bits and have multi-purpose emails and other electronic delivery mechanisms.))
Only Copied YOU
Homer is where the heart is!
Just getting warmed up...
Only Copied YOU
Tell me about job prospects ---
Dying of suspense!
Only Copied YOU
Since JDate is your hobby
And, you do get it.
Only Copied YOU
There is a brand new comet
It mean anything?
Only Copied YOU
Real nice website, sticky!
Kept simple stupid!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
New day, new date, better result.
Last night's experiences with JDate got even uglier, but that's another story.
Today, getting back on the horse that threw me, I again visited JDate to attempt to find a friend.
Read an interesting profile, and she happened to be online. We chatted amicably, and even decided to meet, but she suddenly remembered she had a hair cut appointment at 4PM.
Not "brushed off" easily, I suddenly remembered I wanted to watch her get her hair cut.
She said (to my utter astonishment) "Sure!"
I mean, how many women will let you see their "Sunday Morning Face" BEFORE their "Saturday Night Face"? Wow, what confidence eh?!
So we met at a Starbucks, went to her salon (her first time with this hair dresser, so she was on a double first date) then went out to dinner, picked up my dad at the nursing home, came back to our condo to meet mom, and then I drove her back to her car.
Even after all that, she wrote:
"Thank you again for dinner and an amazing first date. Loved every moment."
Phew, I haven't lost "the touch" after all! And, she saw my living arrangements and is still talking to me. That's definitely points ahead...
(P.S. She actually liked the duct tape wallet, now I'm getting nervous...)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael (Frish) Frishberg <
Date: Nov 3, 2007 8:37 PM
Subject: What she said after our JDate...
To:
From: Michael (Frish) Frishberg <
Date: Nov 3, 2007 8:37 PM
Subject: What she said after our JDate...
To:
We had a nice breakfast together.
She asked if I owned the print shop, or if I held any patents. And, wanted to know if my father held any patents.
Then she had to run to the gym (so to speak).
I sent her a thank you note.
I received this response.
"I'm really too shallow and mean to date you. Even though you will probably think this is the kiss of death, I would want to be friends with you. You're a cute guy, but I have issues. I'm sure I'm already dissappointing you. Gotta run now. Late for dinner."
I gotta admit - I'm dissappointed (sic) with her subtlety but impressed with her honesty!
(P.S. She did comment about my duct tape wallet...the true litmus test of potential compatibility (or, the outer boundary of tolerance!))
--
Cheers,
Frish
Saturday, November 3, 2007
What she said after our JDate...
We had a nice breakfast together.
She asked if I owned the print shop, or if I held any patents. And, wanted to know if my father held any patents.
Then she had to run to the gym (so to speak).
I sent her a thank you note.
I received this response.
"I'm really too shallow and mean to date you. Even though you will probably think this is the kiss of death, I would want to be friends with you. You're a cute guy, but I have issues. I'm sure I'm already dissappointing you. Gotta run now. Late for dinner."
I gotta admit - I'm dissappointed (sic) with her subtlety but impressed with her honesty!
(P.S. She did comment about my duct tape wallet...the true litmus test of potential compatibility (or, the outer boundary of tolerance!))
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Psycho Songs: Look out, There's a Monster Coming
Scientists have bred "super mice" with some amazing amount of some chemical that allows them to breed longer and run forever basically. They eat a lot more than normal mice, but they don't gain weight.
Reminds me of a warning, in the form of a song from 1968 or so...
LOOK OUT THERE'S A MONSTER COMING
Vivian Stanshall
Lonely, unmarried, looking for love,
Life was passing me by.
So I sent off my photo, hobbies and age;
Magazine marriage I tried.
They say for centuries lovely Japanese girls
Have been trained in the art of pleasing men.
Be lonely no more, open destiny's door.
For one dollar they arrange a meeting.
My image was wrong, I didn't like me,
So I changed my personality.
I bought a delux Merseybeat wig
But it was a size too big.
What confidence in my new built-up shoes,
So smart for winter or summer.
Undetectable in normal everyday use.
Look out there's a monster coming!
Bye-bye binoculars and macintosh,
Everything is just great.
I take elocution, learn to speak posh
But still I can't find a mate.
Be popular, learn to play the guitar,
In seven days you could be strumming.
Be sociable, learn kissing technique.
Look out there's a monster coming!
Carnaby clothes, I reshaped my nose,
Plastic surgery's best.
To cut down my weight off comes my left leg.
I pass a swimming costume test.
Are my sideboards too long,
Don't my aftershave pong?
I know my new nose ain't runnin'.
What's wrong with my tie?
Am I getting too high?
Look out there's a monster coming!
Disfiguring and ugly, my facial hair
I had removed electrically.
I rejuvenated my energy cells
And regained my virility (grunt grunt).
(He put my hand on my heart?),
(I am changing the part?).
He had a machine for a mummy.
Please be gentle with me:
I come to pieces literally.
Look out there's a monster coming!
Look out there's a monster coming!
Look out there's a monster coming!
(...fade)
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