Monthly Archives: June 2012

Spoof of BP Ads

BP has been running a series of ads aimed at convincing everyone that the Gulf is all cleaned up and that no damage was done to the environment after the huge oil spill of two years ago caused by their negligence. This is a satirical take on the tone and content of those ads that is probably closer to the truth.

Americans Angry About Supreme Court Ruling On Healthcare Threaten To ‘Move To Canada’

Reading the above headline more than once may result in blood gushing out of your eyes, so it’s a good thing you no longer have to remain at a job you hate just to keep your health insurance in order to receive medical treatment for bloody eye syndrome.

But just in case you missed it, five out of the nine Supreme Court Justices, including John Roberts sided with Obamacare. Now, millions of Americans will have the right to not die. Well, all those freedom loving tea baggers and miserably uninformed and misinformed followers of Sarah Palin took their righteous rage to the only place where spelling and coherence aren’t necessary: Twitter.

In what can only be described as a phenomenon of epic proportions, hordes of dyspeptic right-wingers took to Twitter to express their utter outrage at the Supreme Court decision and threatened to ’move to Canada’ to escape socialized medicine. I sorely wish that was a typo, but it is much too much true. Perhaps these individuals will encourage citizens of Bahrain to move to Syria to escape despotism, or maybe pour gasoline on a fire to put it out. On the bright side, at least tea baggers are completely misrepresenting the history and public policies of a country other than their own for a change.

“I’m moving to Canada, the United States is entirely too socialist,” tweets @WallyWeldon

“The supreme court upheld Obama Care. That’s it. I’m moving to Canada!,” tweets @lucasdargis.

“#SCOTUS holds up free healthcare for everyone?! Screw this commie country, I’m moving to #Canada!, ” tweets @Vansummers (Huffington Post)

This stunning display of willful ignorance, although it is hilarious, is almost as classic as when a bunch of angry old white people demand that the government not get involved in their Medicare, which was the equivalent of boycotting the highway system and then going on a cross-country road trip. So, please, nobody inform these people of the universally known fact that Canada not only has had socialized health care since the 1950s, but universal health care. I want them be to be surprised.

Nine Reasons to Eat Strawberries

1. They’re antioxidant powerhouses. Actually, as fruits go, strawberries have the fourth highest level of antioxidants of foods recently tested. Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals linked to aging and
disease.

2. They’re excellent sources of vitamin C which boosts the strength of arteries, prevents bruising, and strengthens your body’s stress glands—the adrenals—which require the highest levels of vitamin C of all organs or glands in your body. Eight strawberries have more vitamin C than an orange.

3. Strawberries have been shown in studies to regulate blood sugar levels. Eating one cup of fresh strawberries caused a significant reduction in blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes are linked with weightgain, mood swings, diabetes, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). That’s because the spikes are followed by plummeting blood sugar levels soon afterward.

4. Strawberries have anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. Studies show that they lower levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). One study showed that they need to been consumed at least 3 times per week to capitalize on their anti-inflammatory nature. But, since they taste so good, that’s not likely to be a problem for most people.

5. They’ve been proven helpful in the management of heart disease and arthritis.

6. Strawberries contain anthocyanins which stimulate the burning of stored fat in the body to use as fuel. Research published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed reduces weight gain in animals fed a high fat diet. Research also shows anthocyanins boost short-term memory by 100 percent in eight weeks.

7. They have anti-cancer properties. Their flavonoid content causes the body to interfere with the stages of development of cancer cells, preventing their ability to multiply.

8. Strawberries’ phenolic acids demonstrate anti-allergenic properties, meaning they help reduce the biochemical processes that are linked to allergic reactions. Of course, as with any food, some people are allergic to strawberries, so if you suspect an allergy you should avoid them.

9. They’re delicious and versatile. Add fresh or frozen strawberries to smoothies, shakes, or blender “juices.” Top whole grain waffles or pancakes with fresh strawberries, blend them with avocado to create a delicious pudding, or just enjoy them on their own.

Top Ten CDs for the First Half of 2012

Well the year is nearly half over, and I already have more than enough CDs to make a best of list for all of 2012. But, being the eternal optimist, and knowing that several artists whose work I really like have releases coming out in the second half of the year, I can’t quite wrap it up all nice and neat this early.

I can, however, make up a list of my top ten CDs of the first half of the year, and that’s exactly what I’m ready and willing to do. I’m sure some (all) of these will make my year-end list, but here they are in order at this day and time:

1. Patti Smith Banga
2. Hurray for the Riff Raff My Dearest Darkest Neighbor
3. Lindsay Fuller You, Anniversary
4. Leonard Cohen Old Times
5. Barna Howard Barna Howard
6. Sun Kil Moon Among the Leaves
7. Cold Specks I Predict a Graceful Expulsion
8. First Aid Kit The Lion’s Roar
9. Kelly Richie Finding My Way Back Home
10. Hurray for the Riff Raff Lookout Mama

Agree? Disagree? Do you have your own list, or just some favorites of the year so far? Let me know in the comments and I’ll share them with the rest of the readership of this blog.