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What I’m Reading…

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Last American World War I Vet Dies – The Marines and Navy turned him down as underage and underweight so Frank Buckles served in the Army, as an ambulance driver, during World War I. During the WWII he was in Manila when the Japanese occupied it and was held as a prisoner of war for 4 years. The New York Times writes, “In April 2007, Mr. Buckles was identified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as one of the four known survivors among the more than 4.7 million Americans who had served in the armed forces of the Allied nations between April 6, 1917, when the United States entered World War I, and the Armistice of Nov. 11, 1918.” (2/28/2011)

In Other News…

Oral Sex Main Cause of Oral Cancer – It turns out the same virus that causes cervical cancer also causes oral cancers. Scientists now say that 64% of  cancers of the oral cavity, head and neck are caused by human papillomaviruss (HPV). The Oral Cancer Foundation predicts that 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year and 8,000 will die. But there is hope, the same vaccine that protects women against cervical cancer protects everyone against HPV, said one doctor, “The vaccine will protect them against genital warts and anal cancer and also as a potential byproduct of that it may protect them against oral cancer caused by HPV.”  (2/28/2011)

Wisconsin’s Walker Gives Missing Senators 24-hours - Just so we’re all on the same page: state workers have agreed to cuts in their pensions and to pay more for health insurance, which is what Wisconsin’s Republican governor wants. What, then, is the point of his move to strip their right to collective bargaining? Still that’s what he wants, and that’s what sent the Democratic caucus of the state legislature into hiding in Indiana thereby denying the necessary quorum to vote on the union-busting measure. Now, according to Reuters, Governor Walkers says if the missing Democrats don’t return to Madison within 24-hours the state will miss an opportunity to refinance its debt and will therefore have to layoff state workers. (2/28/2011)

And Finally…

Gas – REALLY? $4 a gallon? Visit www.gasbuddy.com for the cheapest gas near where you live!

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Gas Prices Rising RAPIDLY – You read it here first on Monday, gas prices will continue to rise as the price of a barrel of oil rises with Moammar Qaddafi’s rage in Libya. So where is OPEC? You’ve heard of them, the group of oil producing nations whose aim is to keep the market well balanced. OPEC  pledged today to boost output and make-up for any oil lost while the unrest continues in Libya. Bloomberg paraphrased one OPEC official, “There is no reason for oil prices to rise because Saudi Arabia and OPEC won’t allow shortages to exist.” Just to refresh your memory, in 2008 when gas prices hit record highs in the US the price of a barrel of oil hit $147 before falling to $40 by the end of the year. Some predict $5/gallon gas this summer. (2/24/2011)

In Other News

Republican Governors Going After Unions, Unions Fighting Back - He told a prank caller that he was elected to do big things, it seems newly-elected, Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s goal is to bust unions across the country. The Washington Post goes on to report that Walker has called other Republican governor’s – including Nevada’s new Republican Governor Brian Sandoval – urging them to break-up state employee unions also. The unions are taking this threat serious, the AFL-CIO has called for rallies in every state capital this Saturday as a national debate on the issue takes shape. By the way, studies show public sector workers are paid less then private sector workers. (2/24/2011)

Discovery’s Last Stand – She’s spent more time in space then most anyone, today the space shuttle Discovery’s set to make her last flight into space. The launch manager told MSNBC that they’re about 90% certain it will take off this afternoon. “This will be the 39th flight for Discovery, set to become the first of the three surviving space shuttles to be retired this year and sent to a museum. It has since logged 143 million miles since its first flight in 1984,” MSNBC reported. But maybe it’s not all over, there’s a push to keep the shuttle fleet working until NASA/Congress/The President decide/develop what’s next… in other words, there’s a lot of uncertainty. (2/24/2011)

And Finally…

New MacBook Pro Faster in Every Way – Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Pro and it’s faster in every way. The company says the computer is twice as fast as the previous generation (which this reporter is working on) and includes new technology developed by Intel that will significantly speed up file transfers. The Wall Street Journal reports the “superfast PC connection technology allows users to transfer files at 10 gigabits per second. At that speed, Intel says a user could transfer a typical Blu-ray movie in less than 30 seconds.” It’s designed to replace Firewire and is called Thunderbolt, ummm how does thunder create a bolt? (2/24/2011)

What I’m Reading…

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Protests In Middle East Mean Continued Rise in Gas Prices - Protesters continue to take to the streets in Libya and Bahrain after attacks by military/security forces left several of their ranks dead in recent days. More than 100,000 protesters filed in Bahrain’s Pearl Square Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, in Libya Muammar Gaddafi stood in front of his home that was bombed by the U.S. in the early 1990s to say he will not leave the country, “I will die as a martyr.” This unrest is having a major impact on consumers around the world as oil prices spike. Tuesday, the price a barrel of crude oil increased nearly $5-a-barrel or 5%. And CNN Money reports, normally Saudi Arabia would lend some stability to the oil market but the monarchy there also, “faces an uncertain future.” (2/22/2011)

In Other News

4 Americans Killed by Somali Pirates – They were sailing around the world and now they are the victims of what one US Naval commander called the deadliest incident he could remember involving US citizens and pirates. The yacht was overrun by pirates last Friday. Shortly thereafter a flotilla of American vessels began shadowing the pirates and negotiating for the hostages release. When shots could be heard fired Tuesday morning a U.S. Special Operations team boarded the yacht and found all four hostages shot. Fifteen pirates were taken into custody and another two were killed. (2/22/2011)

Wisconsin’s Political Drama – First, the Republican governor says he wants to cut most state worker’s benefits and end their collective bargaining rights (read: drastically reduce the power of the unions). Then protesters converge on the state capital saying they can’t cut the benefits or kill the unions. Meanwhile, the state senate’s Democratic caucus flees Wisconsin for Indiana so as to prevent a quorum denying the Republican controlled senate the ability to bring the matter to a vote.  Now the Republicans have decided to vote on other bills (mostly ones Democrats oppose) that don’t require as large a quorum. (2/22/2011)

And Finally…

Adele’s Plays Letterman with New Album

What I’m Reading…

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You Are What You Eat – A new study finds an association between what kids eat in early childhood and their IQ. According to researchers in Britain and Canada, there is “an association between foods high in fat and sugar and slightly reduced IQ,” reports ABC News. One of the study’s authors points out what a kid eats isn’t the end of the story, “Do the parents interact with the children, do they eat dinner together — these are things that can also influence IQ.” (2/8/2011)

In Other News

More High-Speed Rail – President Obama announced another $53-billion to fund high-speed rail construction in the U.S. Apparently the President sees the model Eisenhower set (building a national highway system post-WWII) as a good way to keep the nation and economy moving. The AP reports the POTUS said during last month’s State of the Union that he wanted to give 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years. Already the stimulus package gave away some $10-billion for bullet trains including one that will connect Sacramento and San Francisco with Los Angeles and San Diego. (2/8/2011)

Beware the Water – Apparently nature is fighting back. According to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File there were 79 shark attacks worldwide in 2010 up from 63 in 2009. MSNBC reports the File points the blame to man: high water temperatures due to global warming, sheep dumped into the water by cargo ships after they die in transit and divers feeding reef fish and sharks. The good news: only 6 of the 79 attacks were fatal. Happy swimming! (2/8/2011)

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Egypt Protests Enter 14th Day – In an interesting change of events, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has reversed its position that President Hosni Mubarak resign immediately. They have agreed with Egypt’s newly appointed vice president that he should remain in power temporarily. The Christian Science Monitor reports this was the one unifying force among the disparate groups of protesters and it left many in the streets angry. But it gets even more complicated, after announcing the change in tactics one of the Brothers appeared on Al Jazeera an said, “The Muslim Brotherhood went with a key condition that cannot be abandoned … [Mubarak] needs to step down in order to usher in a democratic phase.” So not only a split among the varied groups of protesters but also within the Muslim Brotherhood itself? (2/7/2011)

In Other News…

Arianna Huffington: Queen of Media – So Arianna Huffington decides to start a website where she’ll allow others to blog and report. The little website grows and becomes a daily read for many. Meanwhile, the once mighty AOL goes into a decline as people no longer use dial-up to get online. The smaller – but still big – AOL starts buying media properties. Arianna cashes in with AOL and gets paid $315-million for the site and becomes president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, which will include all Huffington Post and AOL content. (2/7/2011)

Jane Harman Might Leave Congress – I like her because she’s smart and seems to want to reach across the aisle to get stuff done, and it seems Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) thinks her consensus building might be better served away from the House of Representatives. Politico reports that this morning she told Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi she’s considering leaving her Torrance, Calif. seat to succeed Lee Hamilton as President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Politco quotes an unnamed friend, ““It’s not that she wants to leave Congress. It’s more about seeing the Woodrow Wilson Center as the preeminent place for seeking bipartisan solutions. It’s a classy, well-funded operation. She just sees is as a great challenge and a great opportunity. She kept getting more and more excited about it.” (2/7/2011)

And Finally…

The BBC Schools Mexico on Humour – Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.K. shot off a letter to the executive producer at the BBC bitching about the hosts of a show called “Top Gear.” On an episode of the show the hosts said about a Mexican made car, “Cars reflect national characteristics don’t they? Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.” Well the BBC did apologize with a “but.” According to Reuters, “The BBC said it was sorry if the presenters’ comments had offended some people, but defended the comic use of a stereotype as a “robust part” of British humor.” Continuing, “When we do it, we are being rude, yes, and mischievous, but there is no vindictiveness behind the comments.” (2/7/2011)

What I’m Reading…

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Unrest Spreads Across Middle East -The government in Egypt has apologized for the pro-regime protesters who wielded whips and Molotov cocktails as they rode on camel back through the anti-government protesters Wednesday. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his son Gamal will not run in elections later this year. And as the unrest continues in Egypt it spreads across the Middle East. In Yemen, President Abdullah Saleh – who’s been in office for more than 30 years – announced he will step down in 2013 but that wasn’t enough for protesters who want him out now. The New York Times reports governments in Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia are all making the rumblings of change. (2/3/2011)

In Other News…

HPV Vaccine Good for Men Too – “A clinical trial in more than 4,000 boys and men demonstrated that the vaccine was more than 90% successful in preventing genital lesions caused by the four strains of HPV that the vaccine is active against, about the same level of protection demonstrated for women,” reports the LA Times. By blocking the lesions, or genital and anal warts, the vaccine is also thought to be effective against related cancers. My doctor told me months ago it’s a good idea for gay men to be vaccinated, so I’m half-way through the treatment. (2/3/2011)

And Finally…

Rebirth of ‘Wonder Woman’ – NBC has ordered a pilot of ‘Wonder Woman’ from writer/producer David E. Kelley. Anyone who knows me knows I spend a lot of time with my dad watching ‘Boston Legal’ – David’s legal dramedy starring William Shatner as Denny Crane and James Spader as Allan Shore, perhaps one of the best duos in TV history. Well, David E. Kelley pitched and NBC ordered a pilot of “Wonder Woman.” The Daily Beast obtained a copy of the script and doesn’t review it too well, but I’m ready to give it a chance. Deadline.com reports, ‘Wonder Woman — aka Diana Prince — is a vigilante crime fighter in L.A. but also a successful corporate executive and a modern woman trying to balance all of the elements of her extraordinary life. “I had a lot of fun writing it,’ Kelley said.” (2/3/2011)

What I’m Reading…

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Not 1-Million, 2-Million March in Cairo  – The army in Egypt has pledged not to use force so long as the protesters don’t, and so far things seem peaceful. Protests to oust President Hosni Mubarak have now entered their 8th day, and most news outlets are reporting today’s to be the biggest demonstrations so far. Opposition leaders had called for a Million Man Protest Tuesday; including the protests in Suez and Alexandria the numbers have far exceeded that. USA Today reports that US Ambassador Margaret Scobey spoke with opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei who says, “President Hosni Mubarak ‘must leave to avoid bloodshed.’” (2/1/2011)

In Other News

Jordan’s King Acts to End Protests There – Maybe he’ll let them vote! The protest bug has spread throughout much of the Middle East after first Tunisian and now it seems Egyptian protesters brought change to their respective governments. In Jordan protesters have been marching against rising food prices and poor living conditions. Now King Abdullah has appointed a new prime minister, a former premiere with a military background, according to Reuters. CNN reports the king tasked the government with, among other things, strengthening democracy, obviously hoping to quell the reformers and stave off an overthrow of the government. But one of their biggest demands has yet to be met, an elected government. “The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, is also asking for an “elected government.” Currently, the king appoints the prime minister and the Cabinet,” reports CNN. (1/31/2011)

There’s No Politics in the Courtroom, Right? – An interesting trend has emerged in the courts regarding what’s affectionately known as “Obamacare.” First the background, more than half of the states in the Union have filed suit against the legislation. Specifically, most of them claim that the individual mandate – the part of the law that requires everyone to carry some sort of health insurance by 2014. Two judges ruled in favor of the law, and on Monday a second judge ruled against the law. What’s intersting? The Washington Post points out this morning, the two judges who ruled in favor were appointed by Democrat presidents and the two who ruled against were appointed by Republican presidents. No politics or bias there! Looking forward, if/when this goes to the Supreme Court there are 5 Republican appointees and 4 Democrat appointees; but that majority includes Justice Kennedy who’s been known to break ranks and has a varied record on similar issues. (2/1/2011)

The Other Barbara Bush For Marriage Equality – The trend of next generation conservatives coming out in favor of gay & lesbian marriage continues as the daughter of George W. Bush announces her support. The HRC posted a youtube video Monday of Barbara Bush saying, “I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality.” Other prominent children of W’s administration have also announced their support for equality, Meghan McCain (daughter of John) & Liz Cheney (daughter of Dick). Watch the video.

And Finally…

Keep Grandma/pa Moving to Maintain Memory – Important for us to remember and to remind those who’ve come before us, exercise will improve your memory NO MATTER YOUR AGE. According to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, just one year of moderate exercise in late adulthood can reverse shrinkage of the hippocampus – part of the brain responsible for memory. The study found that a group of old people who walked around a track for 40-minutes three times per week actually increased the size of their hippocampus, thereby improving brain function. One doctor involved in the study says, “We’ve shown that even moderate exercise for one year can increase the size of that structure. The brain at that stage remains modifiable.” (2/1/2011)

What I’m Reading…

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Democracy Push Continues in Egypt – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak replaced his government firing only two ministers; Protesters continue dancing and writing pro-democracy slogans on Egyptian military tanks; The Obama Administration says it’s prepared for an “orderly transition” of power. All signs seem to point to continued protests and an inevitable change in Egypt. The most interesting thing I’ve read so far is a The Daily Beast/Newsweek article about the person who’s largely credited with firing up the protesters through an anonymous Facebook page. The person says the reason s/he has been able to attract more than 375,000 followers is by steering clear of religious and political language “wanting to bring together groups that had otherwise often competed.” When the protests began last week, “Protesters hadn’t brought political banners to the demonstrations but instead carried the Egyptian flag; men and women, rich and poor, Christians and Muslims, were suddenly marching together.” (1/31/11)

In Other News…

‘Things Are Better, but…’ Skeptical Optimism from Davos – Every year the Earth’s movers and shakers, some 2,000 of the rich and powerful, meet in Davos to talk. As the conference just wrapped, it appears this year’s message was: 2010 saw a big turn around and we expect the same in 2011, but no promises. The BBC quoted one banker who “claimed ‘boom times’ were back again.”  But for the most part, the article goes on, “Every admission of corporate success tempered with an aside that 2011 might not be quite as good, every forecast of economic growth came with a footnote that the recovery could be derailed by inflation, exchange rate fluctuations or trade wars.” (1/31/2011)

Palin Talks Guns and 2012 in Reno – Sarah Palin spoke to the Safari Club International’s annual convention in Reno Saturday night. To me, the most interesting comments she made involve her hints at running for president in 2012 and her positions on gun control. First, gun control. She told this confab of rich hunters (the type who hunt pachyderms not mallards, which I’ve covered as a reporter several times) that she’s worried about the effects of the Tucson shooting, saying it’s important that “we do not allow the evil acts of one mentally deranged murderer [to] change America’s way of life. We must not allow this tragedy to stifle our constitutionally protected rights, including our Second Amendment rights. Beware of what’s coming.” Second, she spoke about how the resume of a president should read, “I think every president should have a run at gaining experience by being a councilmember, a mayor, a governor, a VP candidate, a commercial fisherman, a hockey mom.” Palin, btw has done all of that! (1/31/2011)

NKOTB’s Knight Has Been Out – Backstory: 80s pop star Tiffany said a couple weeks ago that Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block is gay so of course the blogosphere lit up that Tiffany outed Jonathan. But here’s the deal, Jonathan posted on NKOTB’s website this weekend that he’s lived his life openly and has never hidden the fact that he’s gay, “Apparently the pre requiste to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption ‘I am gay’. I apologize for not doing so if this is what was expected! My belief is that you live your life by example, and not by a caption on a magazine! If there ever has been any confusion about my sexuality, then you are someone that doesn’t even know me!” Just live your life and be who you are, what an enlightened concept! (1/31/2011)

And Finally…

Betty White Feels Up The Actor – Maybe the headline should read that she won The Actor… akin to an Oscar only handed out by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Either way, Betty White continues her reign as the “It” girl of the new decade. Last night a very surprised – but never speechless -Betty won the SAG Award for Best Female Actor in a comedy for her role on “Hot in Cleveland.” She called winning the award, “the biggest surprise in this business.” In addition to cracking a joke when she noticed The Actor was naked she felt him up. You gotta love her. (BTW, SAG rules prevent the entire speech being posted online, here’s Good Morning America’s shortened version.” (1/31/2011)

What I’m Reading…

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Change in The Middle East? – President Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt for 30 years, but there are some in the country who would like to see that come to an end, and their numbers are growing. Clashes between protesters – calling for an end to Mubarak’s rule – and police have now entered their third day in Egypt. Reuters reports, “The clashes erupted in Egypt Tuesday inspired by a popular revolt in Tunisia, which also fueled anti-government protests Thursday in the Arabian Peninsula state of Yemen and Gabon in West Africa.” If the protesters in Egypt have their way, another Nobel Peace Prize winner may join him among the heads of state. Mohamed ElBaradei led the United Nations nuclear watchdog group and for his efforts was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. ElBaradei returns to Egypt today vocally calling for the end to Mubarak’s rule and throwing his hat in the ring as a potential successor. (1/27/11)

In Other News…

No Path to Citizenship, Says Republicans – President Obama calls for a path to citizenship. The Republican leadership in the House of Representatives calls for more deportations. According to the LA Times Republicans in the House have called on the Obama administration to increase the number of workplace raids. “Arrests from worksite raids for immigration-related offenses, such as using a forged driver’s license or a fake Social Security number, have dropped by 70% since the end of the Bush administration, when a series of large raids of factories and meatpacking plants received national media attention.” Obama called on Congress during his State of the Union this week to address illegal immigration, “once and for all.” (1/27/11)

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W. Bush Administration Broke the Law, But Nothing to Happen – A report by the Office of Special Counsel released today finds several members of the Bush Administration broke the law by conducting and coordinating campaign activities on the government’s dime. The New York Times reports that the Bush Administration set up an Office of Political Affairs, referred to in the findings as a “political boiler room,” inside the White House. The office was overseen by Karl Rove and “served almost as an extension of the Republican National Committee, developing a “target list” of Congressional races.” created an environment aimed at assisting Republican candidates, constituting political activity within the meaning of the Hatch Act,”  The activities, the Office of Special Counsel found, “created an environment aimed at assisting Republican candidates” in violation of the Hatch Act. But don’t look for any prosecutions the Office of Special Counsel only has jurisdiction to prosecute while people are in office. BTW, the Obama Administration has since disbanded the Office of Political Affairs saying the Democratic National Committee should take up its functions.(1/25/11)

In Other News

An HIV Smart Bomb – A doctor at City of Hope, near Pasadena, Calif., has developed an HIV treatment “that attaches itself to the disease like a magnet and then stops it from spreading.” So far the treatment has worked in mice whose immune systems have been genetically engineered to mirror human immune systems. The doctor behind the study, John Rossi, told The Pasadena Star-News,  “We found that this [molecular sequence] not only binds to (the cell) and blocks it but also if the cell is infected… the [molecular sequence] will recognize that and get dragged into the cell. We found we could use this to deliver a second therapeutic molecule.” (1/25/11)

Speaking Outweighs Facebook in Oscar Nominations – “The Kings Speech” rules the Oscar nominations this year with 12 nominations announced early this morning in Beverly Hills. Along with a Best Picture nomination acting nods went to Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush. “True Grit” surprised some coming in second with 10 nominations. The darling of the early awards, “Social Network,” scored 8 nominations. My favorite story of the morning is the “Toy Story 3″ nomination for Best Animated Film, according to the AP if it wins that will make the fourth win in a row for Disney’s Pixar. The lovely Monique (who I wrote about before she won last year’s Best Supporting Actress award) announced the nominations this morning. The show airs Sunday, February, 27th at 5pm on ABC. Full List of nominees here. (1/25/11)

And Finally…

What Do They Put In That Stuff – If you’re looking to cut your beef intake, eat at Taco Bell. Gizmodo reports today that Taco Bell meat is only 36% beef. A law firm in Alabama discovered this small point and has filed suit claiming false advertising and they may have a case. “According to the USDA, you can’t call the mixture they are using “beef” at all. Beef is defined by the USDA as ‘flesh of cattle,’ and ground beef is defined as: ‘Chopped fresh and/or frozen beef with or without seasoning and without the addition of beef fat as such, shall not contain more than 30 percent fat, and shall not contain added water, phosphates, binders, or extenders.’” (1/25/11)

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