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Wednesday, April 6. 2016

My Kids Don’t Eat Organic. Here’s Why

Stanford Students Fight Campus Groupthink

Lofty beings:

Creatives, we are multi-dimensional creatures. Let’s not let our abilities be defined, limited and constrained. Let them flourish like the enlightening work we do… The work we do is important and it is empowering, particularly when it is bringing awareness to social justice issues. Much of creative work does exactly this while other sectors of society refuse to acknowledge the social ills we endure and even erases them.

LA Times Goes Full-Racist: “Does A White Doctor Understand A Black Patient’s Pain?”…

Watch Idiot Fast Food Worker Defend $15 an Hour Minimum Wage

Yes, raising the theft threshold reduces crime rates

Sen. Cotton responds to latest HUD overreach

White House: Climate will Wreck Your Health

So why do older folks move to where it's warmer?

Climate change threat to public health worse than polio, White House warns

"... does anybody care what the temperature in Nome, Alaska was in 1910?"

California Gov. Signs Minimum Wage Hike: Admits It "Doesn’t Make Economic Sense" As Locals Flee For Texas

Do Reporters Know They’re Giving Money to Sanders and Clinton?

A wall on the Vermont border? Hillary’s bizarre gun worries

A Trump Loss at Wisconsin Would Signal Campaign Is Rapidly Decelerating

Trumps Misplaced Oreo Rage—-Uncle Sugar Made Them Do It

Why Trump’s Antiwar Message Resonates with White America

Iceland’s Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Panama Papers Scandal

Italian Vacation Island Taken ‘Hostage’ by Illegal Immigrants

What price NATO? If member states aren’t willing to spend on their own defense, why should we?

Good question. The US taxpayer is being used.

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 06:40 | Comments (38) | Trackbacks (0)

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Trump Decelerating
I really thought Trump's candidacy was a stunt, so I have been on hold until he actually releases his tax returns. In the event that he was serious, I do think he persisted in his “Bull in the China Shop “ shtick past the tipping point, even though I get why he used it. I don't know how much of his campaign was planned or calculated, but, by some fluke, he found himself riding the Tiger of Middle Class Angst (not anger). I'm not sure he is in control, or who is using who. By Middle Class, I am talking about the working people who want to contribute to the economic pie and be productive, not only for themselves but for their children. Their future looks at best static and even bleak. This election cycle has made clear that neither party represents their interests, ergo Trump.
From my perspective, Trump has badly damaged the political class (including any one for whom politics is a revenue stream: the consultants, media, lobbyists....aka Liars for Hire), or as I remark to my friends, "He sure pulled the mask off the Ole Lone Ranger." Even Mitt Romney seemed unhinged.

#1 Exasperated on 2016-04-06 07:54 (Reply)

Wisconsin was never a Trump state except maybe very very early in the polling. I knew that WI would be Cruz's last chance to win a state...so did pretty much everyone else. This is not Trump decelerating. It is an expected outcome that many were looking at weeks ago.

I wish Trump had done better, but oh well. Cruz has NO chance to win the nomination with the remaining states. For him and Kasich it is all about being spoilers and wanting a contested convention. They are the ones destroying the GOP with this idea. Not Trump.

Sad to see. So manipulative that both are willing to undermine the voters. Look at the delegate math. Trump is the only one who has a path to the nomination. Cruz is done by the end of April.

So sad to see candidates frothing at the mouth to steal delegates and hope for a 2nd or 3rd vote at the convention.

#1.1 MissT on 2016-04-06 11:04 (Reply)

Those who are aware of the nasty game being played by the professional politicians and lobbyists in D.C. look forward to Mr. Trump's continuing campaign, which is now enlightening the public to the evil Uniparty cabal that has overtaken our leadership and the corporate media who support them.

They fear Trump will upset their apple cart, exposing the rotten fruit that runs deep and has for decades, paid for by taxpayers who are now getting nothing in return -- no jobs, rock 'n roll recessions manipulated by the banksters, higher prices for the necessities such as food and healthcare, lower (if any) return on their investments for the future, ever increasing taxes and regulations that control more of their daily lives…thanks to GOP professional politicians such as Paul Ryan, Reince Priebus and, now, Scott Walker who were elected on change and smaller government, but have only joined the ranks of the play-for-pay politicos.

We the People will have our say and it won't be for a Canadian-born Globalist fake-Constitutionalist such as Cruz, who is not eligible for the office anyway. Folks, you are getting played, and it ain't by Donald J. Trump.

#1.1.1 jma on 2016-04-06 16:56 (Reply)

QUOTE:

LA Times Goes Full-Racist: “Does A White Doctor Understand A Black Patient’s Pain?”…

It's not racist to point out that whites tend to underestimate pain in blacks compared to whites. While there are known racial differences in physiology, there are also a number of false opinions about these differences.

#2 Zachriel on 2016-04-06 08:30 (Reply)

I thought race was a social construct.

#2.1 mudbug on 2016-04-06 08:37 (Reply)

I'd be more impressed with the headline if the study wasn't so poorly designed. Holes all through it. Lots of speculation in the text about why a small number of medical trainees thought it was at least possible that there was less nerve sensitivity. Other studies showing that black pain is treated less aggressively were referred to.

But the discussion is already well along (and angry) in those other studies, whether the less-aggressive treatment stems from a belief that black patients are more likely to be seeking drugs. While that is statistically so, doctors must train themselves to perceive each patient independently in response to such requests. That is difficult, because there are physiological differences in races that they are also being trained to keep in mind. Difficult, but that's their job, and we have the right to expect it from them.

Adding in this new possible racist explanation requires a great deal more data than a questionnaire that includes a number of racial differences that are true along with one that is false, asking students if they think it might possibly be true. They clearly wanted a particular result and set up their experiment to maximise their chances of getting something they liked.

#2.2 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2016-04-06 10:15 (Reply)

You just CAN'T think for yourself, can you? Just recite the catechisms of your ideological religion.

What are you basing the claim that "whites tend to underestimate pain in blacks compared to whites"?

Such silliness.

#2.3 Dale on 2016-04-06 10:23 (Reply)

Dale: What are you basing the claim that "whites tend to underestimate pain in blacks compared to whites"?

A number of studies have found the effect. See Wandner et al., The Perception of Pain in Others: How Gender, Race, and Age Influence Pain Expectations, The Journal of Pain 2012.

#2.3.1 Zachriel on 2016-04-06 15:05 (Reply)

So certain basic characteristics are racially and genetically passed down. So Charles Murray is right about his measurements of intelligence of different racial groups?

#2.3.1.1 Jim on 2016-04-06 20:06 (Reply)

so you're saying that blacks are delicate snowflakes.

that's raaaaaacist.

#2.4 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2016-04-06 12:07 (Reply)

Does this also mean black doctors do not understand white patients, so white patients should only have white doctors?

#2.5 Jim on 2016-04-06 13:57 (Reply)

Jim: Does this also mean black doctors do not understand white patients, so white patients should only have white doctors?

Actually, both blacks and white tend to underestimate pain in blacks. Some studies indicate this has to do with status rather than race per se. In other words, blacks are thought to be more inured by experience to pain. See Trawalter et al., Racial Bias in Perceptions of Others’ Pain, PLoS one 2012.

#2.5.1 Zachriel on 2016-04-06 15:11 (Reply)

QUOTE:

Because this study was not an experiment, however, it is not clear whether this bias was the result of patient race, physician characteristics, and/or characteristics of the patient-physician interaction.

what part of "it is not clear" is not clear?

more proof that you don't read the shi'ite you cite.

one time, try reading before you post.

#2.5.1.1 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2016-04-06 17:02 (Reply)

Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz: what part of "it is not clear" is not clear?

You do realize that they are referring to Staton et al? In any case, there was a bias found by Staton et al., but they didn't determine the reason for the bias.

#2.5.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-04-06 18:43 (Reply)

So tired of the reverse racism that has been allowed. Get the black doctors away from the white patients as well and do what the LA Times is advocating: segregation of all peoples. Geo. Wallace would be proud.

#3 Joe Luke on 2016-04-06 08:48 (Reply)

That's what I always think of when I see all those articles saying that white teachers can't possibly teach black students effectively. Um, okay?

#3.1 JM01 on 2016-04-06 10:31 (Reply)

when I did a lot of criminal defense, I could never understand my black clients.

why they couldn't pay the promised fee. that's why it was cash only, all upfront.

#3.1.1 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2016-04-06 12:01 (Reply)

NATO is necessary to stop the spread of international socialism by revolutionary means, i.e., communism. NATO was not organized to stop the spread of interventionist socialism by peaceful political means.

Communism has collapsed, Europe has almost wholly adopted interventionist socialism through political creep.

So NATO no longer has a purpose, except to spend a portion of American income, i.e., taxes, so European military/nationalists socialists can pretend they are still relevant.

#4 JK Brown on 2016-04-06 08:58 (Reply)

Seems to me a little bit tone-deaf for the White House to be comparing climate change to polio given that the vaccine for polio was developed by funding through voluntary contributions to a private charity and not through a big government program. Do they really mean to remind the public that once upon a time not every problem demanded a federal response because people are actually capable of taking care of themselves, aren't as helpless and dependent as the government would like them to be?

#5 Jerryskids on 2016-04-06 09:00 (Reply)

The Oreo situation has been going on since NAFTA and it is getting worse. The trade deals we sign benefit the elite but gut our middle class. We need to improve the economic conditions for business and workers in this country while at the same time reverse the trend of offshoring jobs and production. End corporate/business income taxes at the federal level. Put the tax on foreign products. If a car or an Oreo is completely manufactured overseas than tax it at 20% of retail value at the border. If a product is partly made overseas but partly made in the U.S. tax only that part made overseas at 20%. This will bring back jobs and the other benefits associated with keeping manufacturing in the U.S.

#6 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-04-06 09:46 (Reply)

Nothing today is "completely manufactured" anywhere.

Nothing.

Everything is put together with parts and pieces from everywhere.

#6.1 Bird Dog on 2016-04-06 12:22 (Reply)

"Everything is put together with parts and pieces from everywhere."

For no particularly good reason, I'm reminded of a great trip down into Vermont many years back. My wife saw some small glass bottles of maple syrup in one of those folksy "general stores" at one idyllic hamlet. They had the name of the village and Vermont prominently and neatly lettered on them. She bought a half dozen with a view to giving them to family and friends in Canada as little souvenirs.

Some time after we returned to Ontario, I happened to be tidying up a cupboard and there they were. As I rearranged them, I noted a small label on the back of each bottle:

Contents 100% Maple Syrup. Product of Canada.,

#6.1.1 JJM on 2016-04-06 13:05 (Reply)

Same thing on bottles labeled "Wisconsin Pure Maple Syrup".

#6.1.1.1 rocdoctom on 2016-04-06 13:40 (Reply)

I can get you some authentic here in NH, but you are right, you have to look for it.

Vermonters have that Country Store thing down to a fine art. Not much is actually from VT.

#6.1.1.2 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2016-04-06 14:23 (Reply)

True and I happily embrace that. Companies would still be free to make their products wholly or partially outside the U.S. and they would simply pay the 20% tax on any part made outside the U.S. Apple could continue to make the $500 Iphones in China but the good news is that the federal government would receive $100 in revenue every time they sold one. This revenue would replace the lost revenue resulting from the elimination of federal income taxes on corporations. The 0% income tax would encourage companies to stay in the U.S. and to even move to the U.S. It would be a win/win for everyone.

#6.1.2 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-04-06 15:14 (Reply)

Check in your closet, cupboard, pantry, garage, shop, everywhere...you will find you have things from all over the world. It is a difficult task to buy only made in the USA and few would take the time. Convenience and price matter.

#6.2 rocdoctom on 2016-04-06 13:45 (Reply)

It isn't about buying only made in the USA. It is simply using tax policy to encourage companies to stay in the U.S. as opposed to using tax policy to encourage them to leave the U.S. Which policy makes more sense?

#6.2.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-04-06 15:17 (Reply)

As long as other countries are allowed to "steal" U.S. technology and innovations, then underwrite production with government finances and low wages, the U.S. faces such economic destruction. As GWTW says, fair trade, not free trade, is the issue and can be leveled partially with tax policy, partially with tariffs.

Professional politicians who enter the field with a modest bank account, but retire as billionaires collecting endless benefits on the taxpayers' dime should give us a clue that the system isn't working for We the People -- and I'm far from a totalitarian politically.

#6.2.1.1 jma on 2016-04-06 22:18 (Reply)

One of the highest corporate tax rates in the world is very discouraging to those willing to do business in the US when they could do the same in some other country.

Then the corporation can ship back to the US market while markings its profits overseas.

Allowing repatriation of profits back to the US would do wonders for our economy.

#6.2.1.2 Whitehall on 2016-04-07 03:38 (Reply)

The fast food worker wanting a $15.00 minimum wage is going to get a lesson in elementary economics. She will be replaced with a burger making machine.
http://www.gizmag.com/hamburger-machine/25159/

#7 Ray on 2016-04-06 13:43 (Reply)

And many customers will prefer a burger that was not touched by numerous hands in the back somewhere. Talk to Chipotle, they know what dirty hands can do to a company's reputation. Automation would eliminate a lot of foodbourne illnesses!

#7.1 MissT on 2016-04-06 14:20 (Reply)

Re: Building a wall on the Vermont border:

GOOD! New York money and all the trappings that go with it have been damaging to the state in so many ways. Measures have been passed which restrict hunting and fishing rights, over-regulate everything down to building a doghouse in your own backyard and in general sticking the state's nose in everyone's business.

It's the same situation time and again - people decide to move to a new state because of economics, better weather, etc., and then proceed to introduce all those ills they had sought to escape by moving. Not to mention the disdain they seem to hold for the locals and their long standing traditions, whatever they may be. With all the stories of California companies and Silicon Valley types relocating to Texas for tax reasons (among others) the same thing is going to happen there.

#8 kellym on 2016-04-06 14:07 (Reply)

re Panama Papers

From Zero Hedge:

Earlier today, for the first time we got a glimpse into some of the American names allegedly contained in the "Panama Papers", largest ever leak. "Some", not all, and "allegedly" because as we said yesterday, "one can't help but wonder: why not do a Wikileaks type data dump, one which reveals if not all the 2.6 terabytes of data due to security concerns, then at least the identities of these 441 US-based clients. After all, with the rest of the world has already been extensively shamed, it's only fair to open US books as well."

The exact same question appeared in an interview conducted between Wired magazine and the director of the organization that released the Panama Papers, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, or ICIJ, Gerard Ryle.

This is what Ryle said:

Ryle says that the media organizations have no plans to release the full dataset, WikiLeaks-style, which he argues would expose the sensitive information of innocent private individuals along with the public figures on which the group’s reporting has focused. “We’re not WikiLeaks. We’re trying to show that journalism can be done responsibly,” Ryle says. He says he advised the reporters from all the participating media outlets to “go crazy, but tell us what’s in the public interest for your country.”

Question aside about who it is that gets to decide which "innocent private individuals" are to be left alone, Wikileaks clearly did not like being characterized as conducting "irresponsible" journalism - and to the contrary, many in the public arena have called for another massive, distributed effort to get to the bottom of a 2.4TB treasure trove of data which a handful of journalists will simply be unable to dig through - and moments ago, on Twitter, accused the ICIJ of being a "Washington DC based Ford, Soros funded soft-power tax-dodge" which "has a WikiLeaks problem."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-04-05/shots-fired-wikileaks-accuses-panama-papers-leaker-being-soros-funded-soft-power-tax

Which Americans do you suppose they are trying to protect?

feeb.

#9 feeblemind on 2016-04-06 14:36 (Reply)

Re NATO

One of the most infuriating things I've read was a line in Tony Judt's "Post War" - a history of Europe from the end of WWII.

He claimed that the Western European countries "subcontracted out" their defense to the US.

Having long paid taxes for the defense of Europe and having family and friends serve in the US military in Europe, "subcontracted" is a completely backassward word.

#10 Whitehall on 2016-04-06 20:07 (Reply)

Nothing to do with NATO yet THE United States is responsible for defending Costa Rica should it be attacked. Indeed the US is the laughing stock all over the world.

#10.1 annieoakley on 2016-04-06 21:59 (Reply)

I think NATO was/is a good idea. It has morphed somewhat into something different than it's original intent but still worth holding onto. A free and Democratic Europe is in our best interest and is worth the commitment. The military bases in Europe are also in our best interests. They allow us to maintain forward based military assets and they allow us to disperse our assets around the world making us a more problematic target for an aggressor nation. While there are costs associated with this there would be little savings if we stopped. We would simply spend the same dollars somewhere else trying to accomplish what we are doing today with bases in Europe.

#10.2 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-04-06 23:09 (Reply)

Go visit bases in NATO,see what is really going on.A lot of unbelievable waste of time and our money..As any military base, is always good for local.It could B condensed and updated to currant conditions,for a tenth cost or less and be focused on what really is going on.Have a good one!

#11 RL on 2016-04-07 00:16 (Reply)

This is what governments do and the bigger the government the more wasteful it is. I have no doubt that if I had the power and free reign I could cut the federal budget in half and still improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

#11.1 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-04-07 10:13 (Reply)

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Wednesday, April 6. 2016

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