If I Can’t Have You
Posted by Michelle Moquin on April 22nd, 2009
Between where America’s day begins in Guam and where America’s days end in the west, I guess we’ve covered the topic about ‘weed’. I’m not cutting it off….so feel free to chime in, in case you have something else to say. But today, I’m going to leave it open to you to do what you’ve been doing anyway; discussing what ever the heck is on your mind. Go at it.
Here’s what’s on my mind. I know I’ll probably get some flack for this but hey, I can take it. I am a big A.I. fan….that’s American Idol. And I’m particularly enthralled with Adam Lambert. Before you give me shit for watching the show, watch the video. This guy is amazing. Last night was ‘disco’ night’ and Adam took a disco song dance tune, ‘If I Can’t Have You’, and turned it into a beautiful, slow, sensual ballad, full of longing….it brought me to tears.
Well?
Any comments on anything….blog me.
3:40 PM: The video rights have been removed. :( So sorry if you missed it. Try clicking here to watch it on the ‘Idol’ website.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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April 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 am
CLONED FOOD IS FRANKENSTEIN FOOD
I was shocked when I read, in January of this year, that an FDA report says that food products from cloned cows, goats and pigs are as safe as those from traditionally bred animals, basically paving the way for their milk and meat to enter our food supply. Not only did the FDA say products from cloned animals or their offspring are as safe as others, they also stated that, because the products are “virtually” the same, cloned-animal products wouldn’t require special labels to identify them as such. Weird, right? It’s exactly how I felt. But I thought perhaps I was missing something so I decided to learn more about the cloning process. It didn’t make me feel reassured at all. Here’s what I found out…
CLONING BASICS
The cloning process sounds straightforward: You remove the nucleus from an egg cell, replace it with a nucleus with DNA from the animal to be cloned, give this new cell a tiny electric shock to kick-start it into dividing, and then implant it into a surrogate mother who will carry the clone embryo. The end result is supposed to be a genetic replica of the original DNA donor animal — beneficial for farmers or ranchers who want to reproduce a particularly high-yield milk cow or beef steer. The process seems like an easy way to ensure product quality, right?
Not even close. While easy to describe, cloning is hard to do successfully. At present, 90% or more of cloning attempts fail. And then at least 50% of those that do survive suffer from what’s called “large-offspring syndrome,” which is exactly what it sounds like — the babies are unusually large, and may also have bigger-than-normal organs. These newborns can suffer from a host of ailments, from enlarged tongues and brain abnormalities to immune diseases and diabetes. Though some cloned animals can lead “normal” lives, the gestation and birth process is extremely stressful (occasionally even fatal) for the mother as well as the clone. “This isn’t just a food safety issue,” says Rebecca Spector, west coast director of The Center for Food Safety. “It’s an animal welfare issue.”
RISKS WE DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT…
However, the biggest concern, by far, lies in what we don’t know about the safety of foods from cloned animals — mostly because we don’t know what we don’t know.
Michael Hansen, PhD, a senior scientist with Consumers Union, has publicly voiced concern that it’s possible that food from cloned offspring will have safety problems that haven’t yet been considered. With the implantation of a cell nucleus into another cell, for example, it is conceivable that cells in clones contain mitochondria from two different animals — a condition known as heteroplasmy. This doesn’t occur in traditionally bred animals. Also, given that cloning costs $15,000 or so per animal, it’s actually the offspring of the clones that are likely to make it to market as meat. Dr. Hansen has noted that little study has been done on these next generation clones. Who knows whether they are safe for human consumption?
There are definitely reasons to be concerned about cloned foods for the simple fact that they haven’t been studied enough to be deemed safe. The long-term implications are unknown. And, really, who’s asking for clones? Not consumers — we’re not facing a meat or milk shortage. A Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology survey found that 64% of people are uncomfortable with animal cloning. Not likely many ranchers either — why would they be eager to pay large sums for genetically questionable animals? I suspect that biotech firms are pushing to advance this technology — which is not who I want in control of my food.
WE NEED LABELS, AT LEAST
So, the question becomes: What do we do about it? First off, let’s push for labeling. Though the FDA’s report has essentially stated that it’s unnecessary, at least nine states have introduced bills that would require some sort of labeling for foods from clones. I urge everyone who reads Daily Health News to contact their state representatives about this issue — ask what they’re doing about the labeling of cloned food. E-mail this story to make them aware of the potential problems. Granted, it’s a long shot — the labeling issue seems to be on the back burner in even the states looking at the issue — but it’s a start.
Beyond that, one good thing to know is that foods labeled as “organic” aren’t allowed to contain any products from cloned animals. Small, local farmers are unlikely to use clones — by supporting them, you’re eating healthier while supporting a local business.
Source(s): ?
Rebecca Spector, West Coast Director, The Center for Food Safety, San Francisco.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Hi Michelle, it’s Howie. I am very against the use of cloned animals or even fruits and vegetables as a food source.
We can barely accomplish the task of cloning and are not aware of what is going on genetically. For instance, genes for certain diseases in Humans may be turned on by consuming these products. We have an FDA to make sure that our food supply is safe to eat. They have many restrictions in effect at the moment, but to allow a scientific procedure that we really know very little about can cause horrible consequences.
Nature has a way of combining certain strains of flora which is tested by many years of evolution to see if it will work out. We are just learniing about the genetic code and should not be screwing with Mother Nature.
Hasn’t anyone in the FDA read the book Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly? The results can be unforseen. I personally am against Cloned food getting into our food supply.
HOWIE
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I agree with you Howie. I hope the FDA forces all the companies who are cloning food to label them so that us consumers can make our own decisions as to whether we should eat cloned food.
Mary
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 am
I loved the song. Brings back memories of the lost love of my life. I hope he remembers me. After 19 years, I still love you darling. I have been so sorry that I gave you up for a better financial situation.
I know that you are happily married. This is not a play for play. It is simply the truth.
Always on my mind.
Claire
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
I don’t watch “Idol.” The song brought back memories for me too. Helen how different our lives could have been had we met today rather than 22 years ago. Me 16, you 14, I fell in love with you the first day of class.
Integration has always brought that day to mind. You looked so scared to be in class with us. I wanted to go up to you and say, “i’ll be alright.” It took me two weeks to get up the courage to approach you. How gracious you were.
You never held the mean things we whites did to you and your friends against us. You made it so easy for me to fall in love with you. You were then and still are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
Those six years we spent as lovers will always remain the most beautiful period in my life. Why I allowed my family to convince me that marrying a black woman would destroy my future is unforgivable.
I have paid the price. As you know I am both rich and famous now. But I have always wanted to tell you how much I still love you. I wrangled an invitation to your tenure party last year. I didn’t have the courage to say hello.
I did get your card acknowledging my presence. Contrary to the rumors, I have not made any commitment to anyone. I understand you reluctance to see me again. I know that you are married and I met your adorable little girl. Your mother was kind enough to introduce us. She is still my favorite “mom.”
It has been difficult living life without you. I do not wish to make your life any more difficult. But I am my own man now. If there is any doubt about your marriage? If you still love me and could find it in your heart to have me. Know that I told your mother I would marry you tomorrow if you would have me.
Mom asked me to wait. She said that if you felt the same way you did you would find a way for us to be together. I told her I have no choice but to wait. You are now and will always be the only girl for me.
I know that I don’t deserve a second chance. I would never approach or call you, but I told your brother that I haven’t forgotten our “Star Trek” days. He mentioned Michelle’s blog. He said that it was big in Boston. I said that it was read in Dansville, NY, too.
He said that you too read Michelle. I wonder if you may have recognized my comments. This is the first time I am using the name we used when we were in college together to fool my parents. God, I miss you.
How did I ever walk away? Will you could you ever forgive me? My sisters and brothers still think I did the right thing. You were so right about them not liking you because of your race. Why didn’t I see that then? They were so clever at pretending that it was not about your race.
Mother and father are still the same. Hypocrites by day bigots by night. They say all the right words in public, but in private they are the worst bigots imaginable.
I tell you this so that if you decide to give us another chance you do so under no illusions that my family has changed. I have. I no longer require their approval for my happiness.
LOVE
Doug
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I don’t know what affected me most, the song or Doug’s comment. I too have a story of a missed opportunity for happiness. I have been married to a wonderful man for 31 years. We have 4 children. I am so proud of them.
They are 24, 26, 28 and 30 years old. And they have made us very proud with their accomplishments. I love my husband very much, yet, hearing that song and reading Doug’s comment brought back my high school years with a girl that I thought I had forgotten.
She was my first and probably only true love. Our orgasms were made in heaven. What and where she is now, I will never know. But from now on, she will always be one dream away from reality.
Pearle
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Sorry Michelle, I don’t know how that happened. I only entered it once.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
hey libs, Colin Powell was one of the strongest voices for going into war, but the libs pick and choose facts while making stuff up as they go along.
Why do liberals want to ruin this country? Why are you anti-American?
Yeah, the returning soldiers are a big threat to this country. That wreck Napolitano is in charge of protecting this country. Boy are we in trouble.
Liberals are nothing more than partisan hacks that put their agenda before the country. You libs are crying that GW Bush’s team was too aggressive. All he cared about was protecting the country. He is not some radical liberal looking to weaken the country by jammimg thru his radical agenda.
Who did Obama the clown apologize to today???
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
One more thing; if torture worked so well, why is Bin laden still at large? And is it true, or will we ever know the truth that George W. Bush “was sarcastic” stating words to the affect of “so, you’ve notified me” and went about his business when he received the report that an attack on America was “in the making” by Bin laden. He screwed up and thought torture would make up for it. The reason we have not had another major attack is not because of torture; it is because George W. Bush finally started paying attention to the intelligence reports, in my opinion. America should never, ever, attack another country unless we are attacked first. Iraq did not attack America. No spin, no excuse, no “mission accomplished”.
Off Topic:
Why aren’t you “liberals” talking about Ronald Regan and his Iran Contra scandal. Perhaps you are too young. This republican president sold guns to Iran. Did you hear me; IRAN. You should be fighting back as the GOP attempts to slander President Obama. I am a democrat, but am not nearly as computer saavy and versed in policy as you all. YouTube is waiting.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Hafa adai
Thank you Michelle for acknowledging that Guam is a part of the U.S.A. It is Indeed where America’s day begins. Guam is between 15 and 18 hours ahead of the continental United States.
An article was recently published about the relationship between Guam and the US mainland.
____________________________________________
U.S., Guam must respect each other
APRIL 23, 2009
I suppose any snapshot of history will have concerns of that time period noted. After all, people are people. And America is America. The concerns tend to reflect the technology, relationships, current events and leadership of the era.
Always with people come the concerns of safety and security, of belonging and of identity. With America come the right to choose and the responsibilities of various civic duties — locally, nationally and globally.
Today on Guam, our island faces critical social issues. Our suicide rate has a person killing himself or herself once every two weeks. Our homeless rate has increased. Our teen pregnancy rate and substance abuse rates are high. Our diabetes and heart decease rates are at the top of the nation.
Our stress is heightened by payment issues over our trash issues. If the bond solution doesn’t work, whose paychecks will be cut to pay for the mess? We have read headlines about our visitor numbers dropping by 3.6 percent. The volume of real estate sales is at a record low.
Those who have military base privileges share that there is a growing discrepancy of the way our island looks behind the fence and in front of the fence. The discrepancy is not only physical — manicured land and retail outlets — but in social attitude, as well.
This is very dangerous.
Great effort must be asserted at every level to ensure that respect is accorded to the visitors. That same respect must be genuine from the visitors to us.
Families need to have discussions with their children about what this respect looks like and feels like. From outside the fence, this respect means we acknowledge that the military community has a job to do. They have orders to report to Guam, whether they like it or not, to do this job.
We need to remember that most people do not know us. As many of us don’t have first-hand information about their home communities, they have little knowledge about us.
We need to remember that when most people get to know us, they appreciate us.
We need to remember that when most people get to know us, their impressions shift from us solely being a strategic point of defense to a believer in America, to the point of being among the highest recruited per capita. Certainly, they feel Guam’s loyalty when they reflect upon the fact that island blood is spilled at extremely high rates in the armed forces.
________________________________________________
Peter
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
http://www.capitolenews.com/mailings/pelosi/pelosi_banner_8th.jpg
Celebrating Earth Day
April 22, 2009
Today I join millions of people around the globe in celebrating the 39th annual Earth Day. Preserving our planet is critical to ensuring a safe and bright future for future generations, and proper environmental stewardship is a fundamental moral issue. I am committed to working with the Congress, along with President Obama, to pass legislation that will reverse the failed policies of the last eight years so that we protect our natural heritage, combat global warming, and preserve our planet for future generations.
When I first became Speaker of the House in 2007, I made energy independence and global warming my flagship issue. President Obama has also signaled his commitment to promoting this issue. In his Inaugural Address, he called on us to “harness the sun, and the wind, and soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.” Congress is responding to that call with swift action on comprehensive energy and climate change legislation.
In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Congress included more than $30 billion for clean energy, including investments in renewable energy production and efficient energy transmission through a smarter and greener power grid. These initiatives are vital so that we can prevent any future damage to our environment and world by developing new energy technologies and replacing fossil fuels with clean and renewable energy sources.
On March 30th, I was proud to join President Obama when he signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, the most significant conservation measure to be enacted by Congress in the last 15 years. This bill creates more than 2 million new acres of wilderness, including more than 700,000 acres in our home state of California. The law protects 1,000 miles of rivers—a 50 percent increase in the wild and scenic river system—and establishes new national trails, national parks, national conservation areas, and a new national monument.
Yesterday, I was pleased to meet with climate coalition leaders, including representatives from agriculture, business, faith, and the environment, as we discussed the importance of clean energy legislation. The Congress is working on a comprehensive solution to global warming, and I am committed to moving clean energy legislation this year that will create jobs, improve our national security, and reduce global warming.
Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Representative Edward Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, have released a draft of a carbon “Cap and Trade” bill for reducing carbon emissions. This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding hearings with more than 50 witnesses, including former Vice President Al Gore, to discuss this drafted American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
With the future of our country—and indeed our entire planet—possibly at stake, now is the time to turn our collective concerns about global warming into concerted action. We must be sure to protect our planet and preserve our nation’s natural treasures for our children and grandchildren.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my Web site.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Forget going GREEN for a bit.
Mr Cheney is now sending a dangerous message to the world
ATTACK US- WE ARE WEAK !
No Obama is NOT weak – but many will still believe it and act accordingly.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Living in West Virginia,mountaintop destruction is a daily reminder that my state is still living in a feudal system controlled by big utilities with no concern for the environment or the people. The worst offender is Massey Energy, that spends a lot on commercials to fool people into believing that they care for anything except their corporate income. The collusion between big coal and the state government if obvious to anyone living here . Unfortunately the state legislature is more concerned with ATV legislation and finding ways to generate revenue through casino gambling instead of finding ways to end the state’s dependence on coal
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I have one unrelated post for today.
Dick Cheney is now A SECURITY RISK.
HE IS TRYING TO TAKE DOWN THE PRESIDENCY AND THE USA WITH IT.
In trying to cover his own ass- he is putting us at huge risk..
He is saying to the world: ATTACK US we are weak.
what a piece of…
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
How come none of the Greenies and Tree Huggers have EVER noticed (nor made an issue of) the open pit phosphate mines in Florida ??? Destroying wetlands; eliminating native plants and animals; endangering central west coast drinking water supplies; and leaving some of the ugliest and most toxic “waste” anyone has ever seen – - along with “restoration” that’s a bad joke! (AND – all the damned phosphate goes to China!)
One of these gigantic toxic waste (impermeable clay, chemical sludge, acidified water, and radioactive materials) piles of sludge and water failed a couple of years ago – and the gook was pumped into Tampa Bay and a bunch shipped out into the Gulf and dumped – and not a peep out of the national environmentalists and conservationists(???) And – much of this mining takes place just a very short drive from tourist paradises on the west coast – and within shouting distance of significant watercourses that provide drinking water to several highly-populated coastal counties. And – NOT A PEEP from the Earth Day crowd.
And – the state, affected counties and the Army Corps of Engineers keep OKaying these hellish activities on the basis of “job creation” (very few and low-paying jobs) and as “necessary for agriculture” (except its not for Florida or American agriculture – it’s for Chinese agriculture!).
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Some, like my wife who likes to describe herself as a TR republican, have noticed. Unfortunately, it is the news media that fails to grasp this story.
Florida, as it now is, is fast on its way to becoming one of the arid states like Arizona or California. Water is already an issue, and is most assuredly going to become the one great story in the state. My wife likes to say “Florida is no place for humans”; but humans have made it that way.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
This is the same Florida legislature that in honor of Earth Day has introduced a bill (HB 1219) that will allow drilling for oil in the eastern Gulf of Mexico from the water’s edge to 10 miles. That’s right. They cannot drill past 10 miles because that is Federal Waters, so they are passing a bill that will allow them to drill right along the shoreline. AND this bill says that if an energy company applies for a permit to drill it is the burden of the State of Florida to proove that it woudl have negative consequenses in order to deny the permit. All other States have laws that say it is the burden of the oil company seeking the permit to prove that their drilling would not have a negative impact. It passed the panel along party lines 17 R yes and 7 D no.
The GOP won’t be happy till they ruin every coastal town, and beach and waterway in this country. True patriots!
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Michelle
This blog is driving me crazy. I tune in to read about and hear from aliens. You recently asked Wnobr some questions. I am waiting to hear from him/her.
What’s up?
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Oh, yeah, I also tune in to find out what is happening between Zen Lill and Anonz. Come-on Zen Lill spill the beans. We don’t for a moment believe that you are away on some clothes job.
You are with Anonz. Me and my friends are pulling our hair out. Gives us something. How good is he in bed? Is he as sexy in person as he is on this blog? We think so!!
Sarah
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Send this e-mail to all those that you can. Our President needs our
help. His 100 day mark is approaching fast.
Family, Friends, and Colleagues
Take a look. Please vote if you are so inclined.
MSNBC has a poll up about the President’s job so far for the first 100
days. Republicans are flooding it with “F” votes. Pass this address
on and go to it to vote: Paste it on your browser!!!!!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493093/
=
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Now let me say when you go to the site to vote you will get the total vote totals here’s what I got.
Give President Obama a grade
LIVE VOTE
If you were grading Barack Obama on his performance as president, what would he get? * 2632043 responses
He gets an A
33%
He gets a B
6.7%
He gets a C
5.2%
He gets a D
14%
He gets an F
41%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.
msnbc.com
CLICK FOR RELATED CONTENT
Interactive: 100 days timeline
Promises made — The First 100 days
Interactive: White House cabinet
Notice the repugs have stuffed the box with No votes. They are doing with this vote what they couldn’t do at the real election. Rig it.
Robert
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I gave the nigger a F because that’s what he deserves. Does that make me a bigot? You coons are always playing the race card. We live in a democracy. White men built and maintain that democracy.
You and the rest of the Other Than Whites(OTWs) are guests in our country. You and your Godless bunch are welfare cheats and ungrateful that we kindly allowed you to become a part of this great nation.
White women who would f**k you OTWs are traitors to their race. Bringing mud people into this world should be punishable by sterilization. White men are buying guns in record numbers. When the race war comes we will be ready to take our country back.
George
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Credit cards need to be regulated. I look forward to the “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights in the Senate.
The banks are lobbying the repugnants to stop the bill. It may work in the Senate. The repugs know that their constituents vote on how they protect white issues not on their performance in the Senate for the benefit for all.
Hence, repugnants cant take bribes from lobbyists, deregulate any and every thing designed to protect the people and fear not. They continue to get reelected term after term.
I am from Tennessee. My family vote repugnant as gospel. Anything done to prevent OTWs (I like that ) from winning an election is considered dong God’s work.
We are suffering in this state because of our crooked politicians. But as long as they continue to keep the status quo for white America, they will continue to get reelected.
Our young people are being brainwashed into behaving the same way as we were brainwashed into behaving. We raise our children on Guns, Greed and God. in that order.
We are in the process of re-instituting segregation of schools. Most of our neighborhoods have been re segregated by forcing out OTWs. We use police power to enforce our racism.
Stop in at any traffic court session and you will find that the court is 90% OTW offenders. Juxtapose this against the statistical fact that 80% plus is white.
The same is true for criminal sentences in terms of time given and numbers of OTWs charged. My family has been politically connected the 1920s. I am fed up with this but I am powerless to do anything but complain in secret.
Linda
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hey guys you can now get a Guam station. If you have a short wave radio.
————————————
Maria Cenzon of the Guam Bar Association on the Patti on the Radio Show
Written by Paul Charfauros
Thursday, 23 April 2009 11:11
K57 Interviews
Maria Cenzon of the Guam Bar Association on the Patti on the Radio Show talking about their upcoming week-long event to celebrate Law Day, May, 1st. Various events are planned including a 5K run, mock trials, and an Abe Lincoln impersonator. Listen to the Patti Arroyo Show every day 10 am to 12pm on Newstalk K-57.
——————————————–
Hafa adai
Anna
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Howie
You got my “Earth Day” off to a good start. I would never eat cloned food.
Rocsanne
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 am
Q: Why do vitamins and other supplements come in different dosage units — international units, milligrams and micrograms?
A: International units (IU), which were developed before it was possible to accurately measure drugs chemically, measure the effectiveness of a product in a biological system. IU is used for vitamins, hormones, vaccines and blood products. IU often can be converted to milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg). A microgram is one-one-thousandth of a milligram (most of us would have trouble understanding a dosage of “0.001 mg”).
Example of IU conversion: One IU of vitamin A is the biological equivalent of 0.3 mcg of retinol or 0.6 mcg of beta-carotene. But these conversions can create confusion — as in this example, where one IU has different meanings for different forms of the same vitamin — so IU continues to be used even when conversions to common measurements are available.