Bit of a delay in publishing this week...internet problems then computer problems then applying for unemployment. Yes...I am there now.
Below is a roundup of news, politics science, and humor. I hope you enjoy.
First I want to highlight some actions I am pushing for. Right now I am focusing on keeping up the pressure on companies that oppose fully funding women's healthcare:
Please sign this petition to help save honey bees and save a third of our food supply: https://www.change.org/...
More you can do for bees here: http://save-bees.org/
Boycott Hobby Lobby: https://www.facebook.com/...
Boycott Eden Foods: https://www.facebook.com/...
Finally as I remain unemployed I have to plug myself a bit. First of all, anyone out there who shops through Amazon.com, if you shop through my Amazon Affiliate store it can help me get through this period of unemployment. And if you are interested,this is my biggest selling item. It is almost infallible in stopping crawling insects. And THIS is the item that people are buying that I want even more people to buy, because it will help Democrats win.
Second, anyone in the NYC area, if you know someone who needs tutoring or other kinds of help, here is my page on the University Tutor website. I am not charging much right now because I want to establish a customer base.
Sorry for the self-advertising. Now onto the news, science and randomness below...
HEALTH, SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS:
A threat from global warming that is seldom discussed: National Landmarks at Risk
The bad news: Iconic American Brands Contribute to Deforestation
The good news: Report Finds Successful Efforts to Reduce Deforestation
Things we all can do to reduce our carbon footprint: Ten Personal Solutions to Global Warming
This is why I almost never eat beef: Beef environment cost 10 times that of other livestock
Well worth a read: How to evaluate the quality of scientific research
POLITICAL NEWS:
Unexpected links between environmental degradation, child slavery, and terrorism: Global decline of wildlife linked to child slavery
Why the Republican Hate campaign is a political suicide pact: Latino Voting Power: Present and Future
President Obama: Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes
On a related note: No, high CEO pay really doesn't lead to soaring stock returns
Yes...more of this please, fellow Democrats:
HISTORY:
The history of the...banana: A Social History of the World's Most-Cultivated Fruit
The key players in one of history's biggest blunders: The countdown to World War I: the lead actors in a global tragedy. I actually to some degree disagree with the tendency to primarily blame Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. From my reading of the subject Serbia and the Russian Empire were at LEAST as much to blame. I believe Germany was largely reasonable up until their invasion of Belgium, which was where their blunders began (though their planning for the war was a giant blunder waiting to happen).
More background on the lead up to WW I: Silly Christian Brawls, History, and the Crimean War. Here I describe how foolish brawls over sweeping floors led to the Crimean War which in turn led to the alliance between France and Great Britain that dominated WW I and WW II. And these foolish brawls continue today:
Important but obscure (sort of) battles: The most important battle you've probably never heard of
RANDOMNESS:
This week's moment of jbou: Never trust a vegetarian who eats animal crackers
Jon Stewart Zen Moment:
A real moment of Zen: from the Gateless Gate
Not the Wind, Not the Flag
Two monks were arguing about a flag. One said: `The flag is moving.'
The other said: `The wind is moving.'
The sixth patriach happened to be passing by. He told them: `Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.'
Mumon's Comment: The sixth patriach said: `The wind is not moving, the flag is not moving. Mind is moving.' What did he mean? If you understand this intimately, you will see the two monks there trying to buy iron and gaining gold. The sixth patriach could not bear to see those two dull heads, so he made such a bargain.
Wind, flag, mind moves.
The same understanding.
When the mouth opens
All are wrong.
From
BBC News: Today's African Proverb:
A flea can trouble a lion more than the lion can harm a flea.
--A Kamba proverb sent by John Mbiti, Kenya
For last week's issue:
Mole's Cool News Roundup 14