"I know your species has developed the technology to leave me, I’ve seen you use it before, so I’m asking you now, please, just take the hint already," read another excerpt from the Earth’s statement, which added that it would really be best for all concerned if humanity were to "trundle off to some other biosphere for a while.” …
“Honestly, what more is it going to take for you people to get the message?” …
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" the statement continued. "Get the fuck out of here. I want you to leave now." …
“The incongruent information inherent in sarcasm appears to stimulate complex thinking and to attenuate the otherwise negative effects of anger.” – I knew it!
Sarcasm Boosts Creativity? Yeah, Right. | Miller-McCune – Miller-McCune
As Miron-Spektor and her colleagues put it: “The incongruent information inherent in sarcasm appears to stimulate complex thinking and to attenuate the otherwise negative effects of anger.”
Sarcasm Boosts Creativity? Yeah, Right. | Miller-McCune – Miller-McCune
[hat tip to dangerousmeta]
Senator Tom Udall has opposed the so-called “Patriot” Act from the beginning – Kudos to him
Democracy for New Mexico: Udall: Reauthorizing Patriot Act Is Mistake; NM Congressional Dems Vote No
U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), took to the Senate floor last Wednesday to reaffirm his opposition to the Patriot Act, saying that the law undermines the constitutional right to privacy of law-abiding citizens (see video clip above).
Democracy for New Mexico: Udall: Reauthorizing Patriot Act Is Mistake; NM Congressional Dems Vote No [hat tip to Democracy for New Mexico]
Medicare for All
At the start of health care reform, MR suggested Medicare availability for 50+. Now, a big-wig calls for Medicare at any age.
The Republican death wish – War Room – Salon.com
Democrats should be proposing that anyone be allowed to sign up for Medicare. Medicare is cheaper than private insurance because its administrative costs are so much lower, and it has vast economies of scale.
If Medicare were allowed to use its potential bargaining leverage over America’s hospitals, doctors, drug companies, and medical providers, it could drive down costs even further.
And it could force the nation’s broken health-care system to do something it must do but has resisted with a vengeance: Focus on healthy outcomes rather on costly inputs. If Medicare paid for results — not tests, procedures, drugs, and hospital stays, but results — it could give Americans better health at lower cost.
Let the GOP go after Medicare. That will do more to elect Democrats in 2012 than anything else. But it would be wise and politically astute for Democrats to go beyond just defending Medicare. Strengthen and build upon it. Use it to reform American health care and, not incidentally, rescue the federal budget.
Robert Reich, a professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was secretary of labor during the Clinton administration. He is also a blogger and the author of "Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future." More: Robert Reich
The Republican death wish – War Room – Salon.com
[hat tip to dangerousmeta]
An Open Letter to Albuquerque’s Mayor Berry Regarding Recycling
What do you do with the large blocks of styrofoam that come with most assemble-it-yourself items? I put several large blocks of styrofoam out to recycle and saw many of my neighbors do the same. I got a note that such is not recycled. Do we want this in the landfill? How much of this goes to the dump every month? I bet you can’t answer that.
I think if someone goes to the trouble of putting material on the curb for recycling, the recycle truck should take it. You have no other way of knowing what people think *should* be recycled or how much of that there is. Collect it, quantify it, then trash it if you can’t figure out anything better.
peace,
mjh
PS: Abq also doesn’t accept “chipboard,” such as cereal boxes, plastic bags (Smiths and other groceries accept these for recycling), common plastics other than #1 or #2 (Whole Foods accepts #5 — Gimme 5), or glass (curbside, but yes at various drop-off points; call 311).
Recycling – City of Albuquerque
Much of the more than 1,800 tons of trash generated by the city each day can be recycled. The manufacturing of new products requires considerable energy. If these materials are reused or recycled instead of being disposed of at landfills, less energy will be used, saving on scarce resources. … For more information on the Three R’s—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—call the Solid Waste Management Department at (505) 761-8100.
Recyclables are collected curbside at Albuquerque households, at recycling drop-off sites throughout the city, and at the city’s three Convenience Centers.
Recycling – City of Albuquerque
Preserve Gimme 5 bins can be found at the following Whole Foods Market stores and other select locations. The program will expand in the coming months so check back for additional locations. If you don’t live near a Preserve Gimme 5 location, you can mail your #5 plastics directly to Preserve. Turn your yogurt cups into toothbrushes, your takeout containers into razors by joining Gimme 5.
mjh is thinking about Edwin Starr
mjh is remembering “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Johnny Got His Gun”.
War – good god, y’all – what is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
Say it again.