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Monday, December 31, 2012

Good Night

Enjoy your New Year's Eve and stay safe. I will see you bright and early on Tuesday morning. See you next year.
Swiss Chard leaves are an excellent source of anti-oxidant vitamin, vitamin-C. Its fresh leaves provide about 33% of recommended levels per 100 g. As an anti-oxidant, vitamin C helps to quench free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its reduction potential properties. Research studies suggests that regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps maintain normal connective tissue, prevent iron deficiency, and also helps body develop resistance against infectious agents by boosting immunity. source

DOW Closes Higher

The DOW closed at 13,104.14 gaining 166.03 points.

CNN: Europe's top stock market in 2012? Greece

Cliff Notes

HuffPo: 'Fiscal cliff' deal emerging

Trash For Food

Good positive story

Raw Story: Mexico City launches trash-for-food program

DOW Flat At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 12,934.92 down 3.19 points.

CNN: Stocks: Investors brace for the cliff

Have A Good Morning

Leonardo

The Onion - Year In Review: 2012

The Onion: Year In Review: 2012

Al Jazeera - To Infinity And Beyond In 2013

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

GOP House

AlterNet: The Secret of How the GOP Has a Lock on the House for the Foreseeable Future.

Eliot Spitzer On Politics 2012

AlterNet: The Four Most Important Political Lessons of 2012

The Market On Monday

  Good morning. It is 23 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. It's the last day of 2012, and we are happy to see this year go and bring on the promise of a better year to come. Hey, it could happen. Let's do at least one major thing, let's celebrate our lives along with the fact that we are here, alive, and capable of all sorts and types of great things. Last time we looked we saw that the world needs lots of help and we can dig in. There comes a point where one of the most important things we can do is provide help for somebody or something else, something other than ourselves. It's hard because we live in a decidedly materialistic world that is always reflecting back to us the skewered notion that the more stuff we can get for ourselves, the happier we will be. Hopefully we figure that on out because it just doesn't work like that, and we have moved beyond that constant resonating point of our society into something more realistic and human.

  At 7:30 a.m. DOW futures are slightly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to sputter itself open.

  Will the Senate, Congress, and President wrangle out a fiscal cliff deal today or not. There's not much else to say about the most salient and important investment point of the day, the last day of 2012. I'll throw in my two cents and I'll go with - they do not get a deal done today and over we go.

CNN: Stocks: Investors brace for the cliff
... "still significant distance between the two sides."

... strong manufacturing data boosted stocks in China.

'Hungaria'

Angelo Debarre

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Good Night

...arugula is classified as a cruciferous vegetable along with broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Along with the general health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables, cruciferous vegetables seem to be especially useful in protecting against certain cancers. This benefit may be do to a class of compounds called glucosinolates. In our bodies, glucosinolates are converted to isothiocyanates, which are thought to regulate immune function and play a role in cancer prevention. source

MTP - Fiscal Cliff, Brooks, Brokaw, Todd

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Bernie Sanders On House Republicans

Last Cliff

Guardian UK: Fiscal cliff deadline hangs heavy as Obama makes final plea to Congress

Have A Good Morning

Keith Herring

The Onion - Cactus Scientists Recommend Drinking 8 Cups Of Water Per Year

The Onion: Cactus Scientists Recommend Drinking 8 Cups Of Water Per Year

Al Jazeera - Understanding The 'Fiscal Cliff'

Morning

I spent the morning cross country skiing at the municipal golf course. I had a blast. I wish I were in better physical shape because one really needed some endurance out there. We had a second snow storm in three days on Saturday, so the snow was very deep and soft plus it's very cold. The new dog had a good time of it too. She was bounding through the snow, and rolling around on it on her back. Good dog. Right now I'm ready for some breakfast and to relax for a bit. It's good to try to do something exhilarating first thing in the morning, it gets the body and mind cooking, in a good way.

Fight It

Live In The Now: 10 Cancer Fighting Supplements Your Doctor May Not Tell You About

'Smooth Operator'

Sade

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Good Night

Daikon radish:
They have antioxidants, which help protect against free radical damage and help protect the immune system. And like other members of the cruciferous family, they deliver isothiocyanates, compounds that may help the liver to detoxify. source

Snowing

Lazy Saturday afternoon here as the snow falls.

I knew It Was Paul All Along

Yahoo: Yoko Ono Talks About Other Beatles’ Resentment Of Becoming ‘Paul’s Band’

A Sea Of Dots

Gothamist.com: Westchester Newspaper Sparks Outrage By Printing Gun-Owners' Names And Addresses

NYT: Outcry Over Newspaper’s Map of Handgun Permit Holders

Have A Good Morning

Jean Arp

The Onion - Year In Review - After Obama Victory, Shrieking White-Hot Sphere Of Pure Rage Early GOP Front-Runner For 2016

The Onion: After Obama Victory, Shrieking White-Hot Sphere Of Pure Rage Early GOP Front-Runner For 2016

Al Jazeera - Drones Could Save Rhinos From Extinction

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Morning

At 8:50 a.m. Saturday morning it is 26 degrees and overcast here in Upstate NY. The logo is indicating snow, right now it's quiet out there. The snow from Thursday's storm is everywhere, the banks of snow on the edge of everybody's lawn near the street is high from the plow trucks, but the streets are clear and snow and ice free. This town does a good job of keeping it clear, not all towns around here do.

We've got just a few days left in 2012. The best news of the year in my opinion is that we don't have Romney for president. What a disaster that monstrosity would have been. This is not a ringing endorsement of Obama by any means, it's clearly a lesser of two evils type of acknowledgement. Call me naive but I do believe in the lesser of two evils political theory.

Otherwise, 2012 was a harsh year. We all know that. The brutality we witnessed was gut wrenching and ongoing - Sandy Hook was the worst and a most egregious assault on all our psyches. The family's of those children are aching. It's a hard wrong to make upright and somehow bring our humanity back into a place of more awareness and compassion. We have compassion, we really do, it just gets buried by our lifestyle, a lifestyle that many of us find less and less desirable and necessary.

I was speaking with a friend the other day who told me that they spend a lot of time during this holiday season crying. They've had many hard experiences that they had gone through during this part of year. It's the memories that weight us down. Lots of people get through the holiday season in a state of grieving or sadness. I know that a little of that is physical but a good deal of it is in the mind. The holiday season is double edged, isn't it. I think the best advice here is to use this time to be a little more sensitive and understanding and basically and most importantly try to be kinder and little less self involved. This is advice to myself too. We're in this together, that becomes clearer and clearer to me each year and like everybody else I have been dumb to this point many times in the past.

I did not set out to write something with a less than optimistic tone, but I have. The best thing I recently heard is this. There's really only one mark that we want to set our sights on. That would be learning to be content - content with whatever place or status or amount of wealth or ability that we have, even if it's at the bottom of the totem pole, a place we've all hung out at anyhow or may be at now. So this is my resolution for you and me, let's figure out how to be truly content, because if we were truly content, what else would we need, what would be lacking. We'd be happy.

'Cucurrucucu Paloma'

Caetano Veloso

This is a repost of one of my favorite versions of one of my most favorite songs.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Do Prayers For Her

Yahoo: Indian rape victim dies in hospital

Eye To Eye

Good Night

Broccoli is a good source of minerals like calcium, potassium and selenium. It's an excellent source of vitamin C and has B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, and a phytochemical antioxidant called lutein. source

Light-Powered Magnetic Levitation

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 12,938.11 dropping 158.20 points.

CNN: Forget the rich, fiscal cliff would hit everyone else too

New Robot

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,032.84 down 63.47 points.

CNN: Stocks pressured by fiscal cliff uncertainty

Have A Good Morning

Frida Kahlo photo - Frida was involved in a very serious accident which left her with many broken bones. The pain from the injuries reoccurred throughout her life. In the photo she is in a plaster corset which helped with her broken spinal column.

The Onion - Toddler Leaders Call For Increased Duck Visibility

The Onion: Toddler Leaders Call For Increased Duck Visibility

Al Jazeera - Nigeria Hit By Mass Unemployment

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Global Warming - 350's Divestment Campaign

GreenBiz.com: Why 350.org’s divestment campaign is on the money

Tea

AlterNet: The Tea Party Mindset Still Dominates the GOP - Don't be fooled by those who say it's dying: The fiscal cliff impasse proves the Tea Party way of looking at the world is alive and well among Republicans.

The Market On Friday

  Good morning. It is 26 degrees and overcast here in Upstate NY. We are waiting for that beautiful clear sunny day that often occurs after a strong snowstorm. The logo indicates sun but it's not out yet. We are reading about a massive breakdown within the GOP as the fiscal cliff deal talks stall and are allegedly resuming in a last ditch effort to make something happen before the first of the year. According to Tweety last night, a coalition of a group of less radical Republicans could form a majority with a group of moderate Democrats to pass some fiscal cliff deal in Congress. We shall see. Meanwhile the market tanks on.

  At 8:00 a.m. futures are moderately down and the price of oil is slightly higher. The market is poised to open lower.

  The most fundamental mover in the stock market right now is the fiscal cliff deal or no deal. I think at this point we expect to see another day of losses. Many of us are wondering how low the market will go if deal is not struck and it's not a cozy feeling.

CNN: Stocks set to drop as fiscal cliff looms
Stocks have sold off for four straight sessions as hopes for a substantial budget agreement have diminished, and all three indexes are on track to end December in the red.

'Yo Soy Mexicano'

Jorge Negrete

Thursday, December 27, 2012

No Comment

2012 Favorite

This photo may very well be several years old but I just recently saw it and it's my favorite photo for 2012.

Good Night

Kale
Kale's risk-lowering benefits for cancer have recently been extended to at least five different types of cancer. These types include cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from glucosinolates in kale play a primary role in achieving these risk-lowering benefits. source

Your Own Private Security Drone

Not sure if this makes the future more inviting or much less inviting.



The Japan Daily Press: Japanese security company announces first private drone rentals

Cliff Time

Yahoo: Reid says fiscal cliff dive likely; blasts Boehner for lacking leadership

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 13,096.31 dropping 18.28 points.

CNN: Stocks bounce back

Tweety On The Tea Party

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Dawkins Talk

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,006.17 down 108.42 points.

CNN: Investors yank $150 billion from stocks for 3rd year

Have A Good Morning

Jackson Pollack

The Onion - Man Finally Put In Charge Of Struggling Feminist Movement

The Onion: Man Finally Put In Charge Of Struggling Feminist Movement

Al Jazeera - Politico Reporter Discusses Fiscal Cliff

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Global Warming - Divest

350.org: Seattle Mayor Orders City to Divest from Fossil Fuels

Those Wacky NRA Types

Hey, let's solve everything and get the National Guard out everywhere.

AlterNet: Barbara Boxer Triggers Outrage Over Proposal to Deploy National Guard in Public Schools

The Market On Thursday

  Good morning. It is 28 degrees and snowing here in Upstate NY. We woke up to a lot of snow on the ground, in short we got clobbered. Last night I was out cross country skiing on the streets and it was great fun. I had a blast. When you get snow you either have to endure it or have fun with it. I will probably do both this winter but right now it's fun. on the other hand, we just shoveled the damn driveway, that's the enduring part. One of these years a snow blower is coming except I keep thinking any minute now I will be living on some tropical island in the Caribbean. Wishful thinking, maybe, maybe not.

  At 8 a.m. futures are flat and the price of oil is flat. The market is poised to open flat.

  Fundamentally who the hell knows what is going on in the market right now. The fiscal cliff is approaching and it appears to be nothing more than a Trojan Horse, at least that is what I read. It's a phony, a boogie man of smoke and mirrors designed to scare the children. Otherwise, lots of reports will be parsed today on labor, housing, employment, and my favorite all time metric - consumer confidence. We may not be confident but we are consumer confident.

CNN: Stocks becalmed on fiscal cliff standoff
Several economic reports on labor and housing markets, consumer confidence and manufacturing are due throughout the morning.

'Cucurucucu Paloma'

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Philly Mayor - NRA's Armed School Plan 'Dumbass Idea From The Start'

You gotta like it. He doesn't mince words.

Good Night

Pecans -
Pecans May Protect the Mind

  Eating about a handful of pecans each day may play a role in protecting the nervous system, according to a new animal study published in Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research. The study, conducted at the Center for Cellular Neurobiology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, suggests adding pecans to your diet may delay the progression of age-related motor neuron degeneration. This may include diseases like amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

  Researchers suggest vitamin E – a natural antioxidant found in pecans – may provide a key element to neurological protection shown in the study. Antioxidants are nutrients found in foods that help protect against cell damage, and studies have shown, can help fight diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and heart disease. Lead researcher Dr. Thomas Shea, Ph.D and his research team carried out a number of laboratory studies on three groups of mice specifically bred to demonstrate severe decline in motor neuron function that are commonly used in studies of ALS. Each of the three groups was fed a control diet or one of two diets containing differing amounts of pecans ground into their food. Standard testing methods were used to determine how well the mice scored relative to motor neuron functions, both before and after they were provided with one of the three diets.

  Mice provided a diet supplemented with pecans displayed a significant delay in decline in motor function compared to mice receiving no pecans. Mice eating the diet with the most pecans (0.05%) fared best. Both pecan groups fared significantly better than those whose diets contained no pecans. The result was based on how the mice performed in highly specific tests, each of which compared mice on the control diet with mice consuming pecan-enriched diets. source

Snow Coming

LA Times: Northeast U.S. braces for huge storm; death toll rises to 6

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 13,114.59 dropping 24.49 points.

CNN: Geithner: U.S. to hit debt ceiling on Monday

Sam Donaldson - Tea Partiers

Advice From Julia Cameron



Expand

Expand your thinking with new experiences.

Each month for 30 days in a row, commit to doing something new that you have thought about doing, but have not done, and notice how it affects your life. Some possibilities: do aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, listen to only positive music, don't read the newspaper, stop watching television, eat only vegetarian or raw food, verbally appreciate at least 10 people a day, get eight hours of sleep, meditate for 20 minutes, visualize your goals as already complete, do 20 minutes of yoga, read a self-help book every morning for 30 minutes, plan your next day's schedule and prioritized to-do list before you leave work, do five things every day that forward your No. 1 goal, spend an hour with your spouse, call one of your children on the phone, write a handwritten thank-you note to someone, drink 10 glasses of water, take a nap, listen to a motivational CD on the way to work. Start this month and do one activity for the next 30 days in a row and then assess how it has impacted your life. I started doing this in July of 2009 and it has created the most magical year of my life.

Jack Canfield, co-founder of the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' series and co-author of 'The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,105.40 down 33.68 points.

CNN: Home prices post biggest annual jump in two years

Random

Good pictures -

Random acts of kindness

Have A Good Morning

Banksy

The Onion - Newborn Loses Faith In Humanity After Record 6 Days

The Onion: Newborn Loses Faith In Humanity After Record 6 Days

Al Jazeera - S Korea Hosts Mass Holiday Speed Dating

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Global Warming - Sea Levels

Live Science: Sea Levels Rising Faster Than Projected
...0.12 inches (3.2 millimeters) — 60 percent faster than the best estimate of 0.08 inches (2 millimeters) per year, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calculated in 2007.

Robert Parry On The NRA

AlterNet: Armed Guards in Schools? The NRA Wants a Police State

The Market On Wednesday

  Good morning. It is a blistery 18 degrees with snow expected here in Upstate NY. The streets are quiet with little traffic, many people are extending their holiday. It's gone to Winter really fast around here, the last few days are clearly taking on that wintery feel. One wonders if this Winter will be mild and almost non existent like last year's or if we get really cold with lots of snow. One of the topics of yesterday's dinner conversation was a discussion of the various blizzards that have hit the area. It's on people's minds. Either way, the days are getting longer little by little and the Sun is slowly returning to a higher position in the sky. The next stop is June 21st.

  At 8:00 a.m. futures are slightly higher and the price of oil is slightly higher. The market is poised to open slightly higher.

  There's not much to say here. We are in the middle of a holiday week and trading will be low with the accompanying possible high volatility as many investors are out and on vacation. The basic point remains the same, investors are waiting for fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington to begin again today and tomorrow and ideally solve the question that has baffled Americans for months and solve it before the year ends.

CNN: Stock subdued as wait for Washington continues
...concerned that Congress and the administration will be unable to break the deadlock in talks to resolve the looming fiscal cliff crisis.

...Wednesday could turn out to be another day of low trading volume, which can lead to volatility in the markets.

Weak Tea

The worst political movement in recent US history continues its headstrong trajectory into non-relevancy and regressive policy, weakened and more extreme than ever.

NYT: Clout Diminished, Tea Party Turns to Narrower Issues

'Con Te Partiro'

Andrea Bocelli

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Good Night

I hope you had an excellent peaceful day. We enjoyed a lovely gathering with some good friends, the food was outstanding, and yet my beloved Knicks lost against the Lakers. Oh well, can't have everything.

As usual the holidays are clicking by as we are into the last week of 2012. Can you believe it. How time flies. It's a good time to reflect on the good things that we have like all of the people that come into our lives and help us to live and learn.

See you bright and early Wednesday morning. Jim

Ketosis

What Is Ketosis? What Causes Ketosis?

Merry Christmas

The Onion - Activist Judge Cancels Christmas

The Onion: Activist Judge Cancels Christmas

Al Jazeera - Bethlehem Celebrates Christmas

Christmas

Good morning and Merry Christmas! Well apparently enough people were dreaming of a White Christmas around here because I woke up to about an inch of snow covering on the ground. The street is perfectly clear because it's been too warm for stuff to stick. Still, the ground looks nice.

I hope everyone got special presents if this is your holiday for giving presents. I hope everyone was good, and I also hope everyone was bad, in a good way. Bad is so much more fun than good.

Heading out to go for a run, that is how I celebrate Christmas morning. I am steering away from the news today because let's face it, the news has been freaking miserable and at least I need a break from it. Of course there's no telling what incredulous misery mankind can generate on a day like today. Let's try to stay away from that and have a full positive loving type of day. I'll try if you try. We'll make a pack. Deal?

'Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus'

Handel's salient work

Monday, December 24, 2012

Read It

Phenomenal article, read it.

NY Magazine: Blues Cruise - Steaming past Guantánamo, en route to the Cayman Islands, a boatload of Republicans ponder the plight of a party at sea.

Good Night

See you bright and early on Christmas morning, have an excellent Christmas Eve.

From Reuters - 2012 in 60 seconds, it aint pretty.

Mapped

Gun Deaths

I could care less about Ron Paul, but the article does bring out some very interesting data which I have excerpted below.

Raw Story: Ron Paul blasts NRA plan for ‘Orwellian surveillance state’
  However, according to an extensive study released by researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health in October of this year, states like Maryland that restrict access to guns by high-risk populations like drug and alcohol abusers and residents under 21 do enjoy lower rates of gun deaths per year.
  A map compiled to show annual gun deaths by state, including “accidental shootings, suicides, even acts of self-defense, as well as crimes” indicated that, contrary to the NRA’s assertions, rates of mental illness are not at all associated with the prevalence of gun deaths. Regions with high poverty, citizens who largely lack higher education and, most importantly, permissive concealed carry laws that enable minors to carry guns undetected actually feature the highest numbers of gun deaths.

To Sell, Buy, Or Hold

The answer was buy or hold...

Bloomberg: Americans Miss $200 Billion Abandoning Stocks

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 13,139.08 dropping 51.76 points.

CNN: Stocks tumble as fiscal cliff deadline nears

Obama's Response To Gun Violence White House Petitions

Moranbong

North Korea's band celebrates the launch of a satellite.

Hey, gainful employment in North Korea for female rock musicians...

Shot While Responding To A Fire

Webster NY is a suburb of Rochester.

CNN: 2 firefighters shot, killed while battling New York blaze

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,140.67 down 50.17 points.

Reuters: U.S. budget uncertainty weighs on stocks, oil

Krugman's Latest

NYT: When Prophecy Fails

Have A Good Morning

Mondrian

The Onion - 'Zero Dark Thirty' Reveals Navy SEALs Killed Bin Laden By Frantically Throwing Whatever They Could Find At Him

The Onion: 'Zero Dark Thirty' Reveals Navy SEALs Killed Bin Laden By Frantically Throwing Whatever They Could Find At Him

Al Jazeera - NRA Defends Response To Newtown Massacre

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

New Cancer Treatment

NY Times: Drugs Aim to Make Several Types of Cancer Self-Destruct

No Surprise

AlterNet: Big Holes Exposed in NRA's Mental Health Plan

The Market On Monday

  Good morning. It is 31 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. I hope you had a good restful and enjoyable weekend. I spent a lot of time outdoors on Saturday and Sunday walking on various trails and getting fresh air and circulation. I recommend it. Lightly listening to the news this weekend I am sorry to hear that the NRA is in my opinion pushing the wrong policy. I believe that nothing is occurring that will stem the tide of these horrible massacres. When I read that the sale of assault weapons is increasing, that to me is proof enough that if anything we can expect more of the same and by more I mean an increase in frequency. Turning America into the Wild West where people walk around with guns in holsters is beyond absurd, but this appears to be what the NRA segment of the country wants.

  At 8:10 a.m. futures are moderately down and the price of oil is down per barrel. The market is poised to open lower.

  With the GOP literally segmenting before our eyes into bizarre factions that oppose each other over cumulatively disastrous policies, nothing is occurring that will address the fiscal cliff, so over we go.

  Since most investors are on vacation, since most government offices are closed, and since the stock market itself will close at 1 p.m., expect possible high volatility while hoping that the market can at least close in the flat area.

CNN: Stocks: Little to cheer as holiday begins
...a broad decline in stocks Friday due to the gridlock in Washington talks aimed at avoiding the fiscal cliff.

'And We Danced'

The Hooters

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Good Night

The banana -
Although bananas do not contain high amounts of calcium, they do supply the body with an abundance of fructooligosaccharide, a prebiotic substance (one which encourages probiotics, the friendly bacteria in the digestive system). As fructooligosaccharides ferment in the digestive tract, they enhance the body's ability to absorb calcium. source

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, with one large banana containing 602 mg and 140 calories. Potassium is an important mineral for the correct function of tissues, cells and organs in the body, especially normal digestion and muscular function. Too much sodium in the diet, common in the Western diet, can increase the requirement of potassium. Deficiency can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition, Crohn's Disease and excessive sweating. The potassium from bananas can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and reduce blood pressure. source

Here's Our Future

There is an old saying, to see your future look at your present and your past. The saying is more about inaction and how nothing is going to change if you simply move along with time as it were. We need to actively put energy into the system to make the future look different from the past. More positive energy yields a more positive result. In this respect, America is buying assault rifles like they were going out of style. One must presume that our future will look quite a bit like our past with massacres probably picking up in frequency and I think we all know that.

Raw Story: Gun enthusiasts pack shows to buy assault weapons

The Onion - New Study Finds Americans Need 6 Hours Of Sleep At Work

The Onion: New Study Finds Americans Need 6 Hours Of Sleep At Work

Make It Green

AlterNet: Embracing Green Living During the Season of Giving

Good Noon

Greetings, I've had a busy morning with lots of activity and less time to post my normal stuff on this blog.

I discovered a new land preserve in the area called 'Schiffendecker Farm Preserve' and spent some time out there.

Here's some pictures from Schiffendecker taken this morning. In late December it's pretty barren but I do like the image of the log covered in moss. It's startling to see that phosphorescent green in the middle of all that gray and brown. As always click on the image to see a larger version of it.

Al Jazeera - Hollywood Responds To Gun Violence Allegations

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

'Time After Time'

Cyndi Lauper

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Teach

Good Night

The portabella mushroom
...low in Sodium, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium.

Lawrence O'Donnell On NRA Chief Wayne LaPierre

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Paleo Diet Treat 1

The link takes you to the recipe -

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Cake

Maddow On LaPierre Press Conference

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Have A Good Morning

Mondrian

The Onion - Study Finds Millennial Generation Stays On Phone With Parents Throughout Entire Day

The Onion: Study Finds Millennial Generation Stays On Phone With Parents Throughout Entire Day

Al Jazeera - Apocalypse Revellers Flock To Mayan Temples

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Robert Parry On The Second Amendment

AlterNet: The Real Rationale for the 2nd Amendment, That Right-Wingers Are Totally Ignorant About

'Time After Time'

Bireli Lagrene and Sylvain Luc

Friday, December 21, 2012

Naked

The New Republic: The NRA's Emperor Has No Clothes

Good Night

This food is very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Potassium and Manganese.

LaPierre Heckled

In my opinion LaPierre is a nut for suggesting we get armed guards at all schools as a reasonable answer to the shootings. Oh yeah, that's going to really help. Apparently we just need to go back to the Wild West. He should go a step further and call for an armed bodyguard for every single individual. We can become a nation of bodyguards and worker ants and solve the unemployment problem in one fell swoop.

The first salvo starts at around 4:00, followed by Medea Benjamin of Code Pink. The security people at D.C. news conferences must know Medea very well by now. She's relentless and quite committed. I always liked her protesting of Rumsfeld, it takes guts to do that.

The Future Of Mankind

Please, give me a break.

According to the Pope, the future of mankind is literally at stake over gay marriage. What do you say to that? Gay marriage is the thing that's going to destroy mankind. Even on a good day I would never have guessed that one. I would've gone with oh I don't know, nuclear war, or some new ominous man made virus, or maybe even scorching heat so intense that people can't exist in it. Nope, wrong, it's gay marriage. Well now that we've got that settled, we can just relax and watch mankind's demise unfold.

Raw Story: Pope says future of mankind at stake over same sex marriage

Today's School Disaster

Raw Story: Penn. teenager arrested for threatening to ‘kill random students’
...(the 14 year old) student at Council Rock High School South, was taken into custody after police found two working 9-millimeter guns in his bedroom, along with machetes, swords and a fake AK-47 rifle.

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 13,190.84 dropping 120.88 points.

CNN: What will happen to stocks if we go over the cliff

Tyson Versus Jimmy

NY Knicks fans like me love this stuff.

'A Group Of Individuals Who Promote Racism, Misogyny, Homophobia, Anti-Immigrant Animus, Religious Bigotry, Anti-Environmentalism, And Insurrectionism'

Who Is the NRA Leadership?

Maddow - Conservative Movement In Shambles

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Republican Garbage

No surprise for any of us.

WaPo: Boehner Plan B: House Republicans humiliate their leader
This sort of display suggests Republicans are not capable of governing. What was an argument by Democrats (They are unreasonable! They only care for the rich!) is now a political reality.

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,164.81 down 146.91 points.

CNN: Stocks fall more than 1% on fiscal cliff fears

Have A Good Morning

Mondrian

The Onion - Mayan Word For 'Apocalypse' Actually Translates More Accurately As 'Time Of Pale Obese Gun Monsters'

The Onion: Mayan Word For 'Apocalypse' Actually Translates More Accurately As 'Time Of Pale Obese Gun Monsters'

Al Jazeera - US House Puts Off Vote On 'Plan B' Budget

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Comments

Unfortunately I had to put the word verification request back on comments for this blog. Without it I have been deluged with spam, really ugly stuff too. I'm sorry but that's life on the web, as we know.

Global Warming - Getting Used To It

Scientific American: Get Used to Climate Change

Reject It

AlterNet: Bill Moyers: Remember The Victims of Sandy Hook, and Reject the Violence

The Market On Friday

  Good morning, welcome to the weekend, and welcome to Winter - officially. It is 43 degrees and raining here in Upstate NY. I put on my LL Bean rain gear and went for my morning walk earlier in spite of the rain. My feet got soaked, but there is something comforting about taking off wet shoes and socks and putting on dry ones. So that is where I am at emotionally as it were, basking in the comfort of dry socks. I look forward to sleeping in on Saturday.

  As far as the market goes, we can make this very simple. Boehner's plan B went nowhere with the crazed Tea Party Congress, therefor we are going to go off the cliff. Investors do not like this one bit and so today the market is going to tank. DOW futures are presently down 160 points, so this could be messy.

CNN: Stocks set to fall as fiscal cliff looms
Lawmakers in the House failed to support the so-called "Plan B", a proposal backed by House Speaker John Boehner, late Thursday.

At 8:30 a.m. ET, the government will release data on personal income and spending, followed by a report on consumer sentiment at 10 a.m.

'Glad Rag Doll'

Diana Krall

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Coming Up On Friday

Repeat

Good Night

From healthdiaries.com
Yellow squash is a brilliant source of vitamin C and a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A (particularly in its concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene), fiber, folate, copper, riboflavin and phosphorus.

It is also abundant in potassium, providing 345.60 milligrams per serving. Potassium is a key electrolyte in the balance of fluids and also provides muscle energy.

In addition, it is high in manganese, a mineral which helps the body process fats, carbohydrates, and glucose.

Cat Food Christmas

Raw Story: Kucinich: Obama’s Social Security cuts mean a ‘Cat Food Christmas’ for seniors

DOW Closes Higher

The DOW closed at 13,311.72 gaining 59.75 points.

Reuters: Wall Street rebounds on some "cliff' progress

Entomophagy 2

Yahoo: Mealworms an Earth-Friendly Meal

'Happy'

trailer

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Mayo Clinic: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Maddow - Robert Bork

This is important. Bork was nuts.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Maddow - Gun Legislation

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The MakerBot Replicator 2 - Desktop 3D Printer

It's a 3D printer designed for the home user AKA you and me. It's pricey at $2,195. The technology is moving along rapidly and one suspects the price will come down in the future.

Grand Old Extremists


The majority of people in this poll believe the GOP is too extreme - 53% to 41%. The GOP is legislating itself out of existence.

CNN: CNN Poll: Are GOP policies too extreme?

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,243.62 down 8.35 points.

CNN: Stocks: Still all about the fiscal cliff

Have A Good Morning

Mondrian

The Onion - Ho, Ho, Ho! 9/11 Was An Inside Job!

The Onion: Ho, Ho, Ho! 9/11 Was An Inside Job!

Al Jazeera - Life Goes On Despite 'Mayan Apocalypse'

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Global Warming - The Melting Poles

Article is from November 30, 2012 -

Slate: New Study Shows Global Warming Is Rapidly Melting Ice at Both Poles

Leave SSI Alone

AlterNet: Stories of the Elderly Remind Us of the Pain of Cutting Social Security Payments

The Market On Thursday

  Good morning. It is 26 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. I'm not sure but either today or tomorrow is the shortest day of the year from the point of view of sunlight. Make sure you get outside and get some sun in your face, beat the low light blues. Last night I went out Christmas caroling with some neighbors. We went up to a few unsuspecting houses and sang "dashing through the snow..." - AKA Jingle Bells. Then we sang - "We wish you a Merry Christmas..."- fully knowing that probably several neighbors are not into Christmas as it were. It was fun and afterwards we got together and talked. Couldn't have asked for a better night in the hood.

  At 8:18 a.m. futures are ever so slightly higher, the price of oil per barrel is higher, and the dollar is down against most major world currencies. The market is poised to open slightly higher.

  As you know fiscal cliff talks have stalled. The cliff remains as the prime mover on Wall Street until it is resolved.

CNN: Stocks: Investors on edge over the cliff
...the government will release its final estimate of third-quarter GDP growth, as well as its weekly report on initial jobless claims.

...monthly report on existing home sales...

'Instant Karma'

John Lennon

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Good Night

The friendly and humble onion - from 'How Stuff Works'
Onions also contain phytochemicals called flavonoids, which help vitamin C in its function, improving the integrity of blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. All this spells help for your cardiovascular system. One particular flavonoid, quercetin, may inhibit tumor growth and help keep colon cancer at bay.
In addition, a newly identified compound appears to rival the prescription drug Fosamax in inhibiting bone loss in menopausal women.
Onions also contain vitamin C and chromium. Chromium is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, ultimately assisting with blood glucose control. Green onions, because of their bright green tops, provide a wealth of vitamin A.

Liking Anonymous

Raw Story: Anonymous member: We aim to take Westboro Baptist Church offline permanently

DOW Closes Lower

The DOW closed at 13,251.97 dropping 98.99 points.

CNN: TARP bailout close to breaking even

Guns Gone

Raw Story: Camden gun owners turn in record 1,100 guns after Connecticut shootings

DOW Lower At Noon

In the noon hour the DOW is at 13,338.78 down 12.18 points.

CNN: What happens if the payroll tax cut expires

Your Brain On Christmas

Raw Story: What Christmas does to your brain

Therapy Dogs In Newtown

View more videos at: http://nbcconnecticut.com.

Ban It

ABC News: The Assault Weapons Ban: What Was It and Did It Work?

New Yorkers Respond To Jones

Have A Good Morning

Mondrian

The Onion - The Onion's Person Of The Year Is…

The Onion: The Onion's Person Of The Year Is…

Al Jazeera - Obama Backs Assault Weapons Ban

Al Jazeera - The Main Headlines

Global Warming - 350

This is the site to look at.

350.org

It's Young Men

AlterNet: What Is it About Men That They're Committing These Horrible Massacres?

The Market On Wednesday

  Good morning. It is 39 degrees and sunny-ish here in Upstate NY. It seems like rather mild temperatures for this time of year, but that's the way it is. No snow yet, but we are getting rainy days. I'm looking forward to getting past the solstice so our days start getting longer with more light. It's so weird to see it getting dark around 4, we will welcome back the light. Light, where are you man. Happy to see that Obama is making some proposals to change the gun laws.

  At 8:20 futures are moderately higher, the price of oil is up per barrel, and the dollar is mostly up against major world currencies. The market is poised to open higher.

  The market has been booming lately and it's mostly about the optimistic belief that a fiscal cliff deal is about to be announced. That seems to be what is driving the market and today so far seems like more of the same. Of course a lot can happen between now and the closing bell

CNN: Stocks: Budget deal hopes prevail
U.S. stocks rose Tuesday amid signs that a deal is taking shape...

...update on the nascent housing market recovery...