Calling Obamacare ‘Fascism’ Was ‘Poor Choice Of Words,’ Whole Foods CEO Says : The Two-Way : NPR

On CBS This Morning today, Mackey said that was "a bad choice of words on my part" because fascism "has an association with dictatorships." But, he added, in his opinion "we no longer have free enterprise capitalism in health care." Mackey sees too much government involvement and "not a system … where people are able to innovate."

Calling Obamacare ‘Fascism’ Was ‘Poor Choice Of Words,’ Whole Foods CEO Says : The Two-Way : NPR

Well, there’s no denying that fascism has a strong association with dictatorships. So strong, one wonders how anyone could use the word and only later remember that association.

Whole Foods CEO: Obamacare Is ‘Like Fascism’ | ThinkProgress

“Technically speaking, it’s more like fascism. Socialism is where the government owns the means of production. In fascism, the government doesn’t own the means of production, but they do control it, and that’s what’s happening with our healthcare programs and these reforms.” — Whole Foods CEO and self-professed libertarian John Mackey

Whole Foods CEO: Obamacare Is ‘Like Fascism’ | ThinkProgress

After a 2nd Obama administration, maybe evolution will be acceptable to a majority.

They’re smug. They’re a minority with a disproportionate sense of self-importance. They deceive themselves and others (“It simply works.” — yeah, right). And just today a guy lambastes a Windows 8 app he is running on his Mac in a virtual machine — they’re unhinged and unfair.

Before long, there won’t be anyone alive who has left earth orbit, let alone reached or set foot on the moon, our closest neighbor. That is, unless the Chinese get their act together. We reached for the stars and decided it cost too much. We deserve to be stuck on this rock with each other.

This is anti-competitive corporate thuggery and bad for consumers. mjh

Apple wins lawsuit against Samsung, as jury awards $1B for patent infringement | Fox News

After a year of scorched-earth litigation, a jury decided Friday that Samsung ripped off the innovative technology used by Apple to create its revolutionary iPhone and iPad.

The jury ordered Samsung to pay Apple $1.05 billion. An appeal is expected.

Apple Inc. filed its patent infringement lawsuit in April 2011 and engaged legions of the country’s highest-paid patent lawyers to demand $2.5 billion from its top smartphone competitor. Samsung Electronics Co. fired back with its own lawsuit seeking $399 million.

But verdict, however, belonged to Apple, as the jury rejected all Samsung’s claim against Apple. Jurors also decided against some of Apple’s claims involving the two dozen Samsung devices at issue, declining to award the full $2.5 billion Apple demanded.

Apple wins lawsuit against Samsung, as jury awards $1B for patent infringement | Fox News

I wasn’t sure what to say when I heard about Andy Griffith’s death (first from Fred Reiner). Like my cohort, I grew up with Andy of Mayberry. I’m sure my family watched it religiously (an ironic word for my family). I don’t think one can really understand or appreciate those days merely by watching YouTube or reading Wikipedia. Simple, naïve, innocent, unsophisticated times. I much preferred Green Acres, the post-modern Mayberry.

I wonder if I’m the only person Mayberry made uncomfortable. What happened to Mrs Taylor? (Don’t refer me to IMDB or a Wiki page.) Why were so many families incomplete in those days between Father Knows Best and Father is a Bigot (All in the Family)? Did Andy and Helen ever sleep together? Was Otis ever sober? (I have a vague recollection he was once.) Did we ever see any black people? (Am I imagining migrant workers in an episode?)

I hated Barney Fife, the self-important bumbling fool suffered so gladly by Andy. I hated the very odd barber, Floyd — especially his voice. I hated Earnest T Stubbs, the belligerent hillbilly moonshiner. Above all, I loathed Gomer Pyle and shake my fist at the idea that he — of all people — earned a spin-off (a military one, at that). I just threw up a little. _mjh

Laura’s Birding Blog: Andy Griffith

[L]earning of Andy Griffith’s death, a flood of memories came back to me about one particular program. Opie got a new slingshot and killed a bird—I think a robin—and it turned out that it was a female with hungry nestlings. Andy gave Opie a talking to, and Opie felt sad and guilty and tried to do something to save the baby birds. Beyond that, my memories are murky, but I do remember that it reinforced my belief that Andy Taylor was a perfect role model, and I remember sensing a great truth about how even small things we do can have horrible repercussions we hadn’t anticipated. And even the most well meaning, adorable little boy bears an obligation as a human being to repair damage caused by his actions. [mjh: Keep reading at the link.]

Laura’s Birding Blog: Andy Griffith