May 11, 2016 · 0:00

Scientific studies

A good part of my job is to look at scientific studies and figure out if they represent good science.  You’d think they’d hire an actual scientist to do that, but, really it’s not necessary.  There are a handful of rules good science follows, and then there is a lot of common sense involved.  I can follow rules, and I am bogged down with common sense, so I am fairly good at analyzing a fair percentage of them.  If the studies look at science that is over my head, or if it involves statistics, I give it to somebody else.

It turns out, I’m not the only non-scientist who looks at scientific studies!  I’m not even the only funny non-scientist who does.

On Sunday, John Oliver took a look on Last Week Tonight.

For the entire version, which Word Press won’t let me post because it’s too long, click on this link.

And don’t believe everything you read.  Or hear.

 

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Filed under 'Merica, All The News You Need, Cancer, Drugs, Health, Health and Medicine, Huh?, Humor, Science

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May 9, 2016 · 0:00

When your life is going to the dogs

This morning I woke to a wonderful, life renewing news story.  Since that sort of story seems to be happening less frequently, I thought I’d share.

When I am at my lowest points in life, one of the things that has always gotten me through has been my dog.  From the time I was a kid and I brought my problems to Okie, to when I was so sick in the 80s and Goliath kept my mind off of me and on whatever crazy thing he was doing.  Or the time he literally saved my life.  Charlie, Cooper and now Duncan have all played a big part in helping me through rough times.

In turn, my dogs have always had great care and lots of love. That’s my part of the bargain.  Most people with pets feel more or less the same way.

So every time I read about a natural disaster, I worry about the pets.  They can’t be replaced.  And imagine if you lose a beloved pet because rescuers won’t let you bring him.

The story I read warmed my heart.

You’ve heard about the devastating fires in Canada.  Well two Canadian airlines West Jet and Canadian North have allowed folks to bring their pets along when they’re evacuated.

Canadian North

Two airlines with hearts — WestJet and Canadian North.  Image from Huffington Post

For more heartwarming pictures and ways to help the folks who have lost so much, here’s the link to the Huffington Post article.

Happy Monday.

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Filed under Humor

May 6, 2016 · 0:00

Let’s talk…

Sometimes paying attention to the world makes me want to scream. But then something really good happens out of the blue. Like the girls in this post.

Vickie Lester's avatarBEGUILING HOLLYWOOD

pillowtalkpremiere6 Rock Hudson, Gloria Swanson, and Tallulah Bankhead at the premiere of “Pillow Talk” (1959)

I often wonder about the lost art of conversation.

In a way social media binds us together, but I can’t help thinking the Internet might be leading to the automation of humanity. Walk down any street and see heads bent to devices, ignoring the world for a digital sampling. And while I get what chasms are bridged by a leap through cyberspace — yes — I get it. I correspond now with people across the world who I have never met, yet we are virtually close. That’s right just a byte away from close, because for us organic souls what clinches the deal in friendship and intimacy is contact. So while overtures can be made online, there’s nothing like face time, and by that I mean in close proximity with no electrical intermediary, IRL.

It concerns…

View original post 556 more words

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May 5, 2016 · 0:00

Why Didn’t I Think Of That?

Do you ever feel that the stars are lined up against you?  That you can’t win in your own life?  That God has it in for you?

I have to say, that I have felt that way on more than one occasion.  On more than one occasion a day on bad days.

God strikes

I often feel like I’m between a rock and an electric place

Photo Credit:  comandoxtreme.xtgem.com

Some days I know that God is out to get me.  But I never really thought there was anything I could do about it.  I mean, I’m me, and God, well, God is God.  He rules.

Right?

Well maybe not.  Because you see, an Israeli man has filed a restraining order against God.  True story!  Because sometimes, God is abusive.  And if God can’t be nice, He needs to keep His distance.  At least 300 feet away — that’s the usual distance abusive men must respect.

Restraining order

Photo Caption:  Huffington Post

Sigh. I’m going straight to hell for this one.

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Filed under ; Don't Make Me Feel Perky Tonigh, Abortion, Adult Traumas, Advice from an Expert Patient, Blasphemy, Conspicuous consumption, Criminal Activity, Curses!, Disgustology, Health, Health and Medicine, Huh?, Humiliation, Humor

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May 3, 2016 · 0:00

Clap

According to the DailyKos, today Ted Cruz reached a new low in trying to get the GOP nomination.

Perhaps it is only fair, since Donald Trump recently brought up the fact that news* articles have stated that Ted’s seriously crazy dad, Rafael Cruz, was involved in the Kennedy assassination.

So Ted hit back, as Daily Kos says:

Candidate Ted Cruz, making his final appeal to Indiana voters (before his campaign officially goes down in flames), said of Donald Trump:

“… he’s proud to be a serial philanderer. He talks about his battles with venereal disease as his personal Vietnam.”

To his credit, Ted Cruz’s facts are more reliable than Trumps, as Trump did make the comment in a 1997 Ted Stern interview.  But still.

I keep thinking there will be a point in the quest for the GOP nomination where I won’t be left speechless by the crassness by the politicians involved.

 

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Filed under 'Merica, 2016, ; Don't Make Me Feel Perky Tonigh, All The News You Need, Awards, Bat-shit crazy, Beating that Dead Horse, Being an asshole, Campaigning, Cancer on Society, Conspicuous consumption, Crazy Folks Running, Daily Kos, Disgustology, Do GOP Voters Actually THINK?, Don't Make Me Puke, Donald Trump, Donald Trump is a Pussy Too, Fuckin' Donald Trump, GOP, How the Hell Did We GET HERE?, Huh?, Humiliation, Humor, I Can't Get No, Oh shit, Shit Your Pants Scary, Stupidity, Ted Cruz, What a Maroon, What must folks in other countries be thinking?, Where does the GOP get these guys?, Wild Beasts, WTF?

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