Below is a roundup of news, politics science, and humor. I hope you enjoy.
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Sorry for the self-advertising. Now onto the news, science and randomness below...
HEALTH, SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS:
I hope this is real. There have been too many cases of scientific fraud in the stem cell field for me to be sure I trust it until it has been confirmed by other labs:'Stem cells used in stroke therapy'
Too often people assume we are powerless as individuals and we depend on governments to do everything. Now I am NOT in favor of small government. I think government plays a strong, positive part of our lives. But local action and small donations by folks like us can go a LONG way as well. When faced with the decline of pollinators and with climate change, we need to take responsibility and act as well as pressure government to act. From the New Scientist: Local people preserve the environment better than governments
Before You Panic: A Few Facts About Ebola
On the other hand, it may be time to panic about the decline of pollinators. This year may be record low populations for pollinators. About a third of our food supply depends on these pollinators, so some of these crops might hit some levels of scarcity which will drive up food prices. Here is a list of crops that depend, to varying degrees, on pollinators that are in decline. Now is the time we need to act. Pesticides are one aspect of this decline, so purchasing organic foods helps. Habitat loss is another cause of decline for species like the monarch butterfly. Restoring the Monarch Forest in Mexico helps combat climate change, soil erosion, AND helps the recovery of the monarch butterflies. Finally, you can sponsor a hive to help responsible bee keepers who are trying to restore honeybee populations. You can get a share of the honey produced in return for your help. Your help goes to establishing community apiaries.
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
POLITICAL NEWS:
An analysis of how President Obama has changed our foreign policy strategy from that of Bush's: US 'war on terror' is now a local fight
Perhaps not quite as good an analysis, but still interesting: Iraq and the Obama Doctrine
The Democrats CAN and almost certainly WILL hold the Senate...as long as we don't fumble it: Can the Republicans Take the Senate? Not according to them!
Remember, you can choose to bank with companies that reflect your values: How much does your bank spend on politics?
I have seen many casualty figures from Gaza going back and forth but not much analysis of them. This is one of the more analytical discussions and suggests that when the media reports figures from either Hamas or the IDF without skepticism may well be misleading the public: Caution needed with Gaza casualty figures
Republicans Hate the Pope: House Republicans Refuse to Honor Pope Francis Because He is "Too Liberal"
It amazes me what conservative extremists believe: Mocking and Debunking 10 of the Most Popular Conservative Talking Points
It amazes me what conservatives get upset about:
YES, Democrats ARE better for the economy: Parties, presidents, and economic power
Life isn't simple...even in Israel/Palestine. So let's not act as if it was simple: Caring Is Not a Zero-Sum Game
HISTORY:
Zoroastrian/Nestorian Christian/Islamic syncretism: Who are the Yazidis?
A precursor to WWI: The Crimean War and the French-British Alliance
Born August 4, 1912 - Raoul Wallenberg
A book about Raoul Wallenberg by a much missed friend: A Conspiracy of Indifference: The Raoul Wallenberg Story by Alan Gersten
Born August 7, 1903 - Louis Leakey
Born August 7, 1904 - Ralph Bunche
Born on August 8, 1879 - Emiliano Zapata
RANDOMNESS:
Quote of the week:
If I was mayor I'd make New York City less of an oligarchy and more of a democracy.
--my son, Jacob Michaelson, age 9
Jon Stewart Zen Moment:
A real moment of Zen: (From Deoxy Koans)
A Cup of Tea
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
From
BBC News: Today's African Proverb:
“A poor man shames us all”
--A Gabbra/Borana proverb from northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia sent by Saied Usman Abdi in Winnipeg, Canada
For last week's issue:
Mole's Cool News Roundup 16