‘Just Noticing’: Observations Of A Blogger
Posted by Michelle Moquin on April 4th, 2010
‘Just noticing’…
- …that there is so much upset over Obama’s decision to consider offshore drilling.
I woke up around 3:00 am this morning with lots on my mind. And one thing that kept coming up was Obama’s decision to do what he said he wouldn’t do during his campaigning: Offshore drilling. When I was first informed of this the other day, I asked, “Hmm…is that a bad thing?” From the answer I received it was evident that it was upsetting to the person who informed me.
And as I began to listen to others, I discovered that many more were upset over his decision too. One person even said Obama’s palm was being greased. I found it interesting that people reacted in the same same knee-jerk jump-to-conclusion reactions that they would with any past president that switched his views on a particular issue. That people assumed that he was like other politicians who say one thing during their campaigning, and then do the opposite once they get elected.
But I thought differently. I was not so quick to judge. Obama is not like any past president or typical of any politician. And I have no doubt that he is doing what he feels is best for our country and the American people.
Announcing his reversal, Obama said: “This is not a decision that I’ve made lightly.” (In regards to offshore drilling)
So I began to ask myself questions, as I believe the quality of my life is directed by the quality of the questions that I ask. And I ask lots of questions :)
- Why would Obama switch positions on such a delicate issue?”
- Could he perhaps be privy to information that we have yet to discover?
- If Obama is now taking a different stance than he did while he was campaigning, could there be a very good and valid reason for this decision?
- Does Obama seem like the type of man who would accept graft?
- Is Obama an indecisive man…wishy washy so to speak?
As I lay awake this early morning, I thought about Obama. I thought about the type of person that Obama is…his values, his integrity, his caring for the well-being of all Americans; his country. I don’t think his hand is out to be greased, his actions different from his words, nor do I think he is wishy washy.
I trust Obama. I trust him more than I have trusted any past president. I trust he is sincere – So many politicians are liars and hypocrites. Obama isn’t. I trust that he truly is a president of the people…
Based on his past actions, and we all know that actions speak louder than words, I trust he will do the right thing and make the right decisions. I trust that if he was once against offshore drilling and now he has changed his view on the issue, that there must be good reason.
Not judging, ‘Just noticing‘…
Readers: Thoughts? Comments? You know what to do – blog me.
And in the spirit of Easter, I will echo Obama’s words: “While we worship in different ways,” the president said, “we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all — Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike.”
“As Easter begins and Passover comes to a close,” he said, “let us remain ever mindful of the unity of purpose, the common bond, the love of you and of me, for which they sacrificed all they had; and for which so many others have sacrificed so much.”
Happy Easter!
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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April 4th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”
I also believe Obama has integrity. Though we know not what lies behind closed doors.
Also, the question must arise that if any other President were to, and previously has said, they would begin to drill off the coasts it has come to criticism from the environmentalists and the left. This statement must be weighed just as though any other President were in office.
There are numerous signs along Obama’s path that have some questions that follow him and some of his previous actions. I do agree that he seems to hold the most integrity of any President I have ever known, we must all remember to keep our eyes, ears and mind open in order to see truths that may lie hidden in the dark. He is not alone, and he cannot do what he is doing alone. Therefore, there are many others that may not have the same integrity as he.
Question Authority. Always try to find the truth.
April 4th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you’d better have a big willy or huge boobs.
April 4th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Peter
Did you see this. Guam is going big big time.
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Guam – Guam News
Guam – Guam Visitors Bureau showcased Guam at the 17th Annual Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) in China on March 25-27, 2010, stepping up Guam’s presence before the world’s largest country and potential tourism market.
GITF is recognized as one of the most influential travel exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific Region, attracting more than 460 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions each year.
“As an emerging giant visitor source market, we hope the United States will eventually adopt a visa-waiver program with China. GTIF is a great place for us to increase Guam’s exposure,” said GVB General Manager Gerald S.A. Perez. “Nearly half of all exhibitors at GITF are from international markets, which not only allows us contact with people planning vacations, but also travel agents, airlines, and other trade in international countries.”
During the event, GVB participated in a Destination Seminar promoting Guam that attracted more than 50 media representatives and Guangzhou travel agencies. The U.S. Commercial Service in Guangzhou and Thomas Leiby, consular officer of the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, collaborated with GVB by presenting current visa policies for Chinese visitors traveling to Guam.
GITF also gave GVB a forum to announce Continental Airlines’ resumption of direct flights between Hong Kong and Guam on April 2. The expansive air service by Continental will make flights to Guam more convenient for visitors from Asia, Perez said.
GVB Marketing Manager Pilar Laguana and Marketing Officer Gina Kono attended the three-day event in Guangzhou, China.
Your browser may not support display of this image.
GVB Marketing Manager Pilar Laguana with Guangzhou University student booth volunteers at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2010 held March 25 – 27, 2010 in China.
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What’s the deal? We need more tourist like we need more grass.
Josh
April 4th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
How Restaurants Lure You Into Spending More
Gregg Rapp
You can save on restaurant meals by knowing these menu tricks…
MENU LAYOUT
The human eye tends to go first to the upper right-hand corner of a page. So, that’s where you can expect to find a menu’s “stars” — restaurant industry lingo for popular entrées with the highest gross profit margins. The upper right-hand corner won’t necessarily display the most expensive things on the menu, only the most profitable. That’s because highlighting a costly porterhouse steak or lobster might scare customers away.
This doesn’t mean that you should avoid these items if they appeal to you, but study the price — there may not be as much value for the dollar as with dishes listed elsewhere.
Commonly overpriced: Filet mignon in a steakhouse… salmon in a seafood restaurant… a margarita at a Mexican restaurant. Hint: You’ll get better value with Mexican beer.
Slick: Shrewd restaurateurs leave out the dots between an item’s description and its price, making it harder to connect dishes to their prices. When you see this sort of layout, you are being distracted from watching your wallet.
In contrast, a menu that lists its items down a left-hand column on a page and uses a series of dots to guide your eye to their prices practically invites comparison shopping.
Extra slick: The menu at Norma’s at the Parker Meridien Hotel in New York City lists a $1,000 frittata with caviar and, right above it, a $28 asparagus omelette that seems like a bargain in comparison. It is not.
MENU STYLE
A menu’s details can make you spend more, too. When a trendy restaurant rounds its prices ($15 instead of $14.95, for instance), it sends a flattering message that you, the customer, don’t need to feel as if you’re getting a bargain when you dine out.
You’re getting the same signal when the dollar signs are missing. Even the choice of typeface can put you in a spending mood — if it seems elegant or hip, it can make you feel elegant or hip. That may induce freer spending.
A block of type printed in all capital letters is hard to read, so some restaurants use that for less profitable meals, such as hamburgers or soup and salad, to “downsell” them.
Extra information can divert your attention from how much an entrée costs. When you see calorie counts listed or a long description of how a dish is prepared, make sure that you’re not throwing budgetary caution to the wind just because an item is touted as healthful or organic.
SELF-DEFENSE
The best way to get good value when dining out is to ask your server not just what’s good but also what regular customers tend to order. Regulars know where the value is.
Bottom Line/Wealth interviewed Gregg Rapp, a menu “engineering” consultant based in Palm Springs, California. He has helped design menus for establishments ranging from Taco Bell to the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. http://www.menutechnologies.net.
April 4th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Howie
I doubt if this will register with you. But if no one has told you, let me be the first. You are a pompous ass.
I could less if I never hear from you again on this blog. You give new meaning to the concept of self-centered. I have watched you pretend to be friendly to Michelle while never missing an opportunity to dis her.
You pretend to care for others as long as it has some benefit for you. I doubt of you are even sick. You are probably some lying sack of shit pretending to be ill to garner sympathy from readers.
If you are ill, I wish you the best, but it is my suspicion that you are sucking this blog for all the attention you can get any way you can.
Good day sir.
Peter
April 4th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Hafa adai
Sorry to allow that guy to get under my skin. My apologies Howie. Michelle has set the proper example on how to deal with a hypocrite. I will in the future ignore you.
Here is what I meant to discuss namely the injustice Guam has suffered at the hands of white america.
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The indigenous people of Guam are loyal Americans. In my family alone, my brother and I combined, served proudly and faithfully more than 50 years in the defense of our country. Other siblings have also served shorter terms, and several of our children are presently in the armed services.
My oldest son just received orders to go to Afghanistan. Our father, Antonio C. Artero, another loyal American, was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Harry S. Truman for harboring Navy Radioman George Tweed during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. Had the Japanese caught our father, he would have been beheaded.
Our land kept our family and Tweed alive during the brutal havoc of Japan’s two-and-a-half year occupation. The Artero family used to own almost the entire northern tip of Guam. The lands were productive for cattle grazing, timber production and sawmilling, among other things.
None of these enterprises were allowed after World War II. Instead, during the land taking by the American military in 1944 and after World War II, our family lost nearly all its property to what became a Naval communication Installation and Andersen Air Force Base.
The military took our land by force, extinguishing our livelihood without just compensation. All these years, we have been paying property taxes on the small remainder not taken, but access has always been denied by the Andersen Air Force Base commanders, most of whom have served on Guam only two years at a time.
In addition, the military has dumped toxic and hazardous debris on our land, without permission, denying its economic use and refusing to pay any compensation.
Before President Obama comes to Guam in June, I hope he will look into this unfair situation. Justice is long overdue.
The people of Guam are hungry for honesty, starved for justice and eager to be treated fairly.
I’m sure Blaine Harden’s front-page article in The Washington Post on March 22 has helped bring Guam’s plight to the attention of members of Congress who can do something about it, and we are very grateful to him for telling the truth like it is.
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When will Guam’s veterans get the respect white america gives to its white solders?
Peter
Peter.
April 4th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Will the stupid humans take heed of the simultaneous earthquakes we gave them worldwide.
Or will a clearer demonstration be necessary?
April 4th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Fuck you Ori. We experienced this on Guam this weekend.
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Guam – The island experienced a couple of minor earthquakes over the weekend. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first took place at 10:24 Friday night.
That event, which registered 5.2 on the Richter Scale, was located 300 miles northeast of Guam. The second one occurred at 7:15am this morning. It measured at 4.9 on the scale and was located 530 miles northwest of the island.
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If I believed that you caused this, I would pray to God that He destroy your evil, in kind.
Norman
April 4th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Michelle
I find this to be interesting. I hope you will see some value in it.
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Beating back the sugar shock
We’ve gotten pretty backward when it comes to sugar–it’s practically being treated like health food these days.
Shoppers are sick of the high-fructose corn syrup that’s been added to everything from drinks to salad dressings. So the food manufacturers have responded… they’re taking the HFCS out of many products.
So far so good.
But they’re replacing it with… plain old sugar.
Then they’re touting that on the label, “now with real sugar!” as if that makes their junk food any better for you. A recent report in USA Today shows companies such as Kraft, ConAgra and PepsiCo making the switch in many of their foods and drinks, with more on the way.
Some of the more enterprising manufacturers call it “pure cane sugar” or “organic sugar,” but at the end of the day, it’s just sugar. You can only get so fancy with this stuff, but those names do sound a lot nicer than “high fructose corn syrup,” and many people think they’re getting the lesser of two evils.
But if HFCS is Hannibal Lecter, sugar is Norman Bates. Is one of them a lesser evil? Not on your life.
And make no mistake about it, your life is on the line here, and these everyday choices can either save you… or kill you.
We all know how bad sweeteners are, especially sugar. Sugar has been linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more… and the other sweeteners, such as HFCS, are right there with it.
A new study presented at the Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention in San Francisco blames sugar-sweetened drinks, including sports beverages, for 130,000 new cases of diabetes and 14,000 new cases of coronary heart disease in the United States alone between 1990 and 2000.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco say sugar-sweetened beverages added between $300 million and $550 million to our health costs over that time.
Another new study found that two or more sweetened soft drinks a week increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers looked at data on more than 60,000 people in Singapore who were followed for 14 years, and found that the soda drinkers had an 87 percent higher risk of developing this rare disease, according to the study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease–the five-year survival rate is 5 percent. In a typical year, 37,680 Americans are diagnosed with it… and 34,290 die from it.
If swearing off soda can help ensure you’re not one of them, do it. And even if it can’t–still do it, because soda is one of the worst things you can put in your body. It’s like a sugar mainline, with between 16 and 18 teaspoons in each 20-ounce plastic bottle.
Compare that to what the American Heart Association says we should allow ourselves: 6.5 teaspoons a day for women, and 9.5 teaspoons a day for men. In other words, that one bottle of soda is nearly double the daily limit for men, and nearly triple for women.
But the reality is, that number should be closer to zero– because there’s simply no role for sugar in a healthy life.
It might make some things taste better, but it’s completely unnecessary and comes with no nutritional value–just empty calories, rotten teeth and a lifetime of sickness and disease.
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
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I now avoid processed sugar at all costs.
Shelia
April 4th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Howie
I wish you well and Happy Easter for the whole blog. Don’t pay any attention to those that are jealous of your knowledge and kindness.
Linda
April 5th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Sure Howie can only see things from his point of view. And he is one of those jews that loves to tell everyone that he is suffering, but you gotta admit that he gives us something to think about.
Michelle
I will admit that he has a special thing about you. It seems that he can’t get over that this is your blog. He seems to want to be the only star. But again you should acknowledge his need for attention every now and then to ensure that he continues to contribute those pearls only he seems to have access to.
I know it will be hard kissing up to a me, me, me, me needy person, but for the sake of the readers you can do it. You will have our gratitude.
Thomas
April 5th, 2010 at 6:56 am
Since I travel a lot, this caught my eye. Hope it helps some of you.
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Happier trails: Avoiding illness when you travel
Jet lag isn’t the only threat you face when you travel. As anyone who spends time on the road and in the air can tell you, it’s also an easy way to get sick.
That by itself is no stunner… new environments, new foods and unfamiliar viruses and bacteria can ruin anyone’s trip. But what’s surprising is that men and women tend to get different illnesses on their journeys, according to a new study of travelers published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
University of Zurich researchers studied data on 58,908 patients who sought treatment between 1997 and 2007. They found that women are more likely to suffer tummy troubles as they travel, whereas men are more likely to come down with fevers and infections.
Women are also more likely to suffer from colds, urinary tract infections, adverse reactions to medications, and gastrointestinal problems.
Men, on the other hand, are twice as likely to come down with malaria and dengue. The researchers believe that mosquitoes may simply find male travelers to be more delicious since the insects are lured by sweat, and men sweat more. All that male sweat could also wash away insect repellent, opening up the opportunity for a quick blood meal and viral deposit.
Men are also more likely to suffer from fevers, frostbite and mountain sickness. And to the surprise of absolutely no one, men are also more likely to pick up STDs when they travel.
Maybe women are right to be suspicious of all those business trips…
So what’s the point?
Although the researchers believe this study can help travelers to bring the right meds, the real lesson here is to pack a two-piece combo of common sense and strong immunity when you’re planning your trip.
Start loading up on key nutrients days before you leave and keep taking them throughout your travels. Vitamins C, D and E will all work to boost your immune system, along with Echinacea, zinc and fish oil.
If you’re on a long flight, take an extra dose of C mid- air.
Then, drink more green tea and eat more apples. Green tea contains the amino acid theanine, which is a known immune- system booster. And fruits high in soluble fiber–like apples–can strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Of course, common sense also means taking simple precautions. Most people realize they shouldn’t drink the water in many places, especially in the developing world. But far fewer people realize that means using bottled water even when you brush your teeth (and especially for rinsing your toothbrush).
The CDC has a Web site that lists health risks by nation– and while it’s heavy on vaccine advice (this is the CDC, after all), there’s also loads of useful information there.
No one can save you from overpaying for a chintzy souvenir… but a little extra effort can spare you from having to spend your vacation time in illness-induced misery.
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
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I must say that extra dose of C mid air really works.
Evelyn
April 5th, 2010 at 7:01 am
It looks like the Catholic church and its “rump rustlers” are at it again.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
According to reports from the Vatican, Pope Benedict’s personal priest made comments about recent outrage against the Vatican over sexual abuse allegations. This was tantamount to a Three Stooges slapathon. In a Good Friday (no less) sermon Father Raniero Cantalamessa basically compared the attacks on the Catholic Church recently to the collective violence the Jews have undergone for Centuries. You read that correctly. Of course Jewish leaders are up in arms now, and who could blame them.
Comparing universal outrage because Catholic priests are buggering little boys behind pews around the world to mass genocide is pretty far out there. Next Christians should erect a monument in every major town on the globe lest the Pope’s tender insecurities be forgotten decades from now. Come on people, the world is on it’s way to hell in a hand basket and Moses is nowhere in sight. Let’s do a short recap of events of the not so distant past shall we.
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This is one ex-catholic that has seen the light.
Helen
April 5th, 2010 at 7:36 am
CAN BALDNESS BE CURED?
Since both my husband and I have plenty of hair, I have to acknowledge that I don’t have much personal experience on the subject of baldness — but even so, it seems to me that there’s never been a better time for a man to be bald.
A shaved head is considered a cool look, so much so that plenty of men who have hair are choosing to go without. That said, going bald doesn’t work for everyone… some scalps are more attractive than others and some men (women too) experience thinning hair as a blow to their self-esteem.
This is exactly the kind of vulnerability that marketers love to exploit. So when I read that the FDA had approved a laser device (the HairMax LaserComb) that can be used by men at home to help hair grow, my built-in consumer protection alarm started buzzing. It got even louder when I saw the price — $495.
The laser encourages hair growth by stimulating circulation in the capillary bed and hair follicle. All the user has to do is sweep the device over the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three times a week. In the FDA application, the study authors admit they’re unclear exactly how their device works, but they say that there is a possibility that it improves hair tensile strength and rate of growth (and even reduces graying) due to “improvement in micro-circulation.”
I called Amy McMichael, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of the Hair Disorders Clinic at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, who told me that she — and many other doctors — are skeptical.
While there is research that shows that the device helps stimulate hair growth, the results are “modest,” says Dr. McMichael, and in her opinion, the hair growth isn’t significant enough to justify the price of the device.
SO NOW WHAT?
Acknowledging that “hair loss can be very devastating,” Dr. McMichael urges people who are upset about it to see a dermatologist, as there are some drugs that can safely be used off-label that may be effective. Also, Rogaine (a trace dose of the antihypertensive drug Minoxidil in a solution or foam base) is now available over the counter.
Dr. McMichael stressed that if your hair is thinning and you are upset about it, it is important to act quickly. “Most hair loss is progressive. It can get worse over time,” she notes. “Early intervention is important. It’s much easier to keep what you’ve got than to replace it.”
Source(s):
Amy J. McMichael, MD, associate professor of dermatology/director, Hair Disorders Clinic, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.