Monday, May 24, 2010

Louisianans take oil cleanup in own hands as frustration mounts

What Louisiana is doing to control the damage of this oil spill to wildlife is so great, that I'd like to focus on it.

"Frustrated Louisianans took the oil cleanup into their own hands Sunday, heading out in boats to lay protective booms around a bird sanctuary threatened by a black tide.

"We're going out to Cat Island right now where a thousand pelicans are breeding," Billy Nungesser, president of the coastal Plaquemines Parish told AFP.

Some of the birds at the island sanctuary have already been coated in oil and have carried it back to the nests, he said.

While they're not trying to rescue the oiled birds for fear of doing more harm than good, Nungesser said local residents refused to stand idly by as more oil lapped up into the fragile wetland.

"Our crews are out there laying the absorbent boom," he said, adding that he couldn't understand why BP and the Coast Guard weren't doing more to protect his coastal parish.

In neighboring Jefferson Parish an emergency manager commandeered all 40 boom-laying boats hired by BP which were sitting idly at Grand Isle as oil sloshed onto beaches.

Bloggers and callers to a radio talk show cheered the dramatic action late Saturday night, promising the official their votes if he sought elective office.

Even after (hurricane) Katrina, we knew things would eventually get back to normal," Roy said. "With the spill, we're just unsure." Louisianans take oil cleanup in own hands as frustration mounts

139 comments:

Anonymous said...

Louisiana's brown pelicans under siege as oil laps ashore
Many of Louisiana's state birds are likely doomed, and fears about the ecological impact from the oil spill are mounting. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/23/1644731/louisianas-brown-pelicans-under.html

Anonymous said...

Despite Moratorium, Drilling Projects Move Ahead
"In the days since President Obama announced a moratorium on permits for drilling new offshore oil wells and a halt to a controversial type of environmental waiver that was given to the Deepwater Horizon rig, at least seven new permits for various types of drilling and five environmental waivers have been granted, according to records.

The records also indicate that since the April 20 explosion on the rig, federal regulators have granted at least 19 environmental waivers for gulf drilling projects and at least 17 drilling permits, most of which were for types of work like that on the Deepwater Horizon shortly before it exploded, pouring a ceaseless current of oil into the Gulf of Mexico." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/us/24moratorium.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Anonymous said...

Glad to see Tony was here yesterday!

Solar, I liked your jokes... they were funneeeee.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I'm trying to throw away lots of things now too - want to simplify my life, concentrate on the things that are important.


A long time ago, Jamie Lee Curtis was talking about doing the same to her life, but she called 'divest'. She wanted everything to be very basic, to get by on as little as possible (even though she's rich). She's said lately though, that if we fix the income in America, then we'll fix America.

What I want is to rid myself of clutter, materialistic clutter, but also the clutter in my mind. I think the two are related.

(.. just don't try to take away my electronics. :)

Anonymous said...

Carol, I think this oil mess is going to do a bad number on Texas and Louisiana's economy (and beyond)- and it's not going to be good. The devastation is just beginning, and I'm not sure how far reaching it's going to be, but I'm sure it's going to be a lot worse than we think.

Just be glad you're in the right business (medicine), and working there at the prison is probably the best place to be. I'm sure we'll never run out of prisoners, unfortunately.

At my house, we're trying to do as well financially as possible this year, in case things get bad. Texas made a big point of diversifying after the crash it had here in the 80's, but still, all this is going to have to come down hard on the state.

Changes are going to have to take place in the oil business, after this horrific happening, because if they don't, we're doomed.

Carol said...

Hi guys. Thanks for the post Chloe. Haven't caught up yet, just landed.

Liked what Spitzer just said on the Dylan Show. "We have socialized the risk and privitized the gain!" Talking about this crisis. I really like that guy, Spitzer, and don't care if he wants to pork prosties as long as it it on his dollar and his time.

Carol said...

Just heard that half the sun screens don't protect the skin from the sun but actually acelerate the sun's damage to the skin. Something about having Vit A in them makes them worse. We need to look up that study.

Carol said...

http://www.aolnews.com/health/article/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/19488158

Carol said...

Coreen, I guess it is not so bad that we keep forgetting to put it on. Maybe intuitively we knew.

Carol said...

Find best sunscreens:

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

Carol said...

Now Chloe, you need to find us a cheap good one we can get at Wally World. The baby needs one.

Carol said...

Thanks for the info on Rand Solar, you stay on it buddy. I trust you.

Coreen said...

I heard Spitzer too Carol, he always had a way of cutting to the chase so to speak....but his own arrogance brought him down...again I marvel at men's ego that they think they won't get caught...

Spitzer was taking on the wall street guys before it was fashionable...he should have known that someone would catch him, if there was anything, just one little thing to find...& he gave them all they needed...bright guy, but dumb!!!

As far as the oil catastrophe....did you hear
the expert on dylan mention dropping a bomb
to shut the leak down...it is real scary to think that the leak is not stoppable....he mentioned something like either 9,000 or 900,000 days if it is really worst case scenario, (sorry the phone connection they were
using made it difficult to understand all that Mr. Simmons was saying)...

Also did you catch the pain in the Louisiana
captain's voice when he was talking about the destruction of the marshlands...

and yet it seems that the powers that should
be stopping this are simply making it up as they go....

And what's this about sunscreen not working...

By the way, I did pick up 3 beautiful rose bushes today...pink, red, yellow/orange....the pink is sooo fragrant....they are on the porch
for now....

Carol said...

I have Dylan recorded and haven't listened to all of it yet.

Coreen, check out ag sites for your area on growing those roses in containers. One of the Universities in your area should have something on it.

Carol said...

Coreen, everytime I think about that oil spill, I have an anxiety attack.

Carol said...

Chris Matthews, on the oil spill problem, sounded better than I've ever heard him sound. I wonder if his man is still making his leg tingle?

Coreen said...

I read some 'rose lovers' blogs for some info on growing in containers...we'll see how it goes...right now my back is in agony from
carrying the 3 pots from the car to the front porch into the house & onto the porch!!! & I
will still have to re-pot them in larger pots
this week, I dread the thought of having to lift them from one to another, but needs to be done....

by the way, the sun came out & it is pretty warm again...they say tomorrow well into the 80s+....(AC is running again) summer is inching its way north!!!

Carol said...

Summer has stepped on our heads down here.

Carol said...

It was 93 on my truck therm at 3p, after it cooled down from sitting in the sun.

Coreen said...

Pool party at Carol's place!!!

Carol said...

Problems I have with my containers is that they need lots of water, especially the cucs. I water before I leave, I water when I come home for lunch and by the time I got home today, just after 3, my cuc plant leaves were wilting. I had to hose water resuscitate them. If I even miss that mid day watering, it's all over.

Carol said...

I'm getting ready to head to the pool. Waiting for the sun to go past the big trees so it's off the pool. We're catching a little sprinkle right now. It won't last long. Can't even see anything on the radar. We are still in a bad drought.

Carol said...

Coreen, are you watching?

Carol said...

I didn't care for Nicoles dance.

Coreen said...

Carol, I'm here...trying to watch Dancing & the
final '24'...remember I love those 'heavy body count' movies...action heroes & all that...the good guy always wins...

Back to the dancers...I thought Nicole & Derek's rumba was hot, hot, hot...from the split to that horizontal bit with her leg
around his & her behind him...how did they manage that?

I am impressed with all of them, they are really excellent dancers, but Nicole & Derek
are in a class by themselves...I have not changed my mind about them...if they should not
win...its fixed....

Coreen said...

Did you get your swim in?

Sorry but I was not crazy about the Erin/Max
routine...

Carol said...

For the first dance Coreen, Erin got the highest scores. I didn't like the second one.

Actually, I missed Erins first dance because I was still doing chores. I was doing them at aerobic speed and still couldn't get them all done before the dancing started. I had to call Mary to find out how it went. I did see the scores.

Carol said...

To a certain extent, this is a popularity contest. It's all in how you connect with the audience.

Carol said...

Yes, I did Coreen and that is what got me behind with all my afternoon chores. Not enough time in the day.

Carol said...

I didn't like that bed dance either.

Coreen said...

I thought Evin/Anna was fun...but what do I know...

Carol said...

I liked that footloose freestyle but what do I know.

Coreen said...

Did you just see Nicole & Derek in the wings...any chance Nicole's slacks stay on during the routine?!....

Carol said...

Hey, we were on the same wave length there.

Coreen said...

I saw that...thought I double clicked....

Carol said...

That was nice but I think he almost dropped her at the end.

Carol said...

I bet Nicole will cry about that.

Coreen said...

They danced up a storm....lots of action...that
one flub at the end...but probably not enough to doom them...

Derek is so creative...still the best....

And the slacks had to come off!!!

Coreen said...

Wow, glad to see that workout left her panting...maybe there's hope for us???.....

Carol said...

What ya talkin bout Coreen? I was panting just watching and eating.

Carol said...

I still have a little light so I'm gonna mow the yard.

Coreen said...

Carol, you have infinitely more energy than
I have...

I tried to vote, the website was not functioning, freezing....hope I remember to go back later....

And what was that about more dances tomorrow,
I thought tonight was the final danceoff....

Carol said...

It's a riding mower Coreen and a small yard here. I was going to do it earlier but ran outta time before Dancing started. Since there was a little daylight left, I thought I would knock off what I do with the mower. The rest has to be done with the weedwacker.

I heard that they had some more dances tomorrow also. Tonight is the last night we can vote.

Carol said...

It was dark for the last several circles of mowing so it may look funny when I can see what I have done in the morning.

Carol said...

I set myself up a little pool exercise program to work my upper and lower body. I have a clock hanging up so I can try to sustain the rapid arm and leg movement for a period of time. I'm starting with 15-20 minutes. I thought for awhile that the clock was broken because it didn't seem to be moving.

Coreen said...

Not sure what the routine is you are describing... are you swimming or just moving in place for a period of time...

Wouldn't swimming laps work all your various
body parts so that in the end all would be
toned...

again I have no consistency with exercises....
I too need to get rid of that waistline fat...I can squeeze more than an inch too....

waiting to see how '24' ends...

Carol said...

I get in the deep end and move my arms different ways to work different muscle groups and do the same with my legs. I sustain the rapid movement. I'm combining aerobic with resistant exercises. I'm using the water as the resistance. I'm huffing and puffing so it's aerobic.

Carol said...

I'm not crazy about just swimming laps. It's boring and I have to get my face and ears in the water.

Coreen said...

Hope the plan gives you some good results...I think when we see results we are motivated to
keep trying...unfortunately with exercise it is a slow process to see those results...

Do you take Maggie with you to the pool? I think I asked, did she ever try to get in the
pool too?

Well '24' is fini....Jack Bauer lives to fight another day, after again saving the world (sure to be at least one movie to be made)...but as with most series finales...they end with a wimper....but at least he didn't die...bloodied
& on the run...but alive....

The Soprano's finale comes to mind with an
ending that left you wondering...Just like Sex & the City TV series...I was a big fan of both
those series...saw the SATC1 movie & will
likely go to see SATC2 next week....

Carol said...

I bring Maggie with me Coreen but she doesn't go outside while I'm in the pool. I can't let her run because she can get out. The fence is not dog tight. I think I did let her get on a floaty once. I read that a dog in the pool has the same effect on pool chemicals as 50 swimmers. Also, she not crazy about water.

Coreen said...

Better safe than sorry...letting animals run loose scares me...there are just too many harmful things that coud happen....that is why
my cats don't go out at all...believe me I think they would love to get out & investigate but dangers all around...2 of them were out there, they wandered into my yard & that's how
they became my fur family, my other was at the Easton pound, left by someone who moved away & she was never outside....I have to be careful
with doors opening because they are pretty fast....

I checked C2C & someone is going to be on talking about some of the conspiracy theories...the bildenbergers...a supposed secret society of well-known, influential people that rule the world...but as usual, by 1 am I will probably not make it....

Carol said...

29 bucks Coreen and your speakers fixed is all it takes. Yep, it took me several years to make the decision but I'm so glad I did now. It takes me several nights just to get thru one, three hour program but I don't like all the programs he does so that works.

Coreen said...

Ok, I went back & was able to vote for Nicole/Derek...& yes all 5 votes went to them...

See you in the a.m.

Carol said...

Mine all went to Erin. So there!

Carol said...

Jan hasn't told us what she thought yet.

Carol said...

Ivy, when do you bring Ms.C to the big P?

Carol said...

"again I marvel at men's ego that they think they won't get caught..."

Coreen I guess two heads aren't better than one and the one that doesn't think gets better blood flow. If it doesn't then there's always that little pill.

Carol said...

Nite.

jan said...

Hi folks, I have been getting ready for the bookshelves to be delivered tomorrow. Have adjustments to make. We watched DWTS. I thought they all did well. I loved the Vienese waltz by Evan & Anna - I think that was my favorite dance tonight. I think the judges should have given them all 10's for it. I think Nicole and Derek are amazing. They just surpass all my expectations. They did flub up on the last part of their free style. I vote for Nicole and Derek for 1st place, Evan and Anna for 2nd and Erin and her partner for 3rd. Thats my vote and I'm sticking to it.

jan said...

I swim laps but don't put my face in the water. I used to wear goggles and do free style and my ears started giving me trouble so now I just do a side stroke and a back stroke and use the kick board for about 40 minutes. Its a good workout.

I did water aerobics at one time and the instructor said it is more aerobic than swimming. I still prefer swimming by myself. It is like meditation for me. It really calms and relaxes me - just the back and forth in the pool by myself. I think I like it b/c I am an introvert.

jan said...

The 3 pairs have 2 more dances each tomorrow night - it is 3 hours tomorrow night. I guess they just use the judges scores for tomorrow night's dances.

jan said...

I didn't like the bed dance either.

jan said...

I have read some articles about Spitzer and have liked what I read despite his sex scandel.

jan said...

Carol, Lobie didn't like water either. She loved sitting on the front porch. We have a planter on the edge of the porch and when I would water the plants in the planter she would beg to go in the house. She didn't trust me with a hose.

jan said...

I am off to bed too.

Carol said...

"Federal regulators responsible for oversight of drilling in the Gulf of Mexico allowed industry officials several years ago to fill in their own inspection reports in pencil — and then turned them over to the regulators, who traced over them in pen before submitting the reports to the agency, according to an inspector general’s report to be released this week."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/us/25mms.html?hp

I wonder if they were downloading porn also? We've been paying alot of Federal people to do nada! This is criminal! The person in charge should go to jail! I bet ya can trace it back to old Dick. I bet there's a Dick in there somewhere.

Carol said...

"Hi folks, I have been getting ready for the bookshelves to be delivered tomorrow"

You allowed yourself 10 books Jan? Did ya slip up on that one? Oh, I know how it is and I'm not even a big reader. I would like to be. I have one of my bedrooms at the house, I call the library. I can just bet you have some empathy from this crowd here. A book is a hard thing to part with. I keep saving these free magazines I get that I don't read, and don't even want to read.

Carol said...

Ya know when they had that secret energy committee meeting where the oil and gas people where writing their own energy policies, that's probably one of the policies they wrote, we police ourselves. Someone needs to get the minutes of those meetings.

Carol said...

Oh crap, they were from the home front here. Yikes!

Carol said...

I just finished reading that entire article I linked. I choked on the first paragraph, linked it, and then went to finish it. That corrupt group was right here in town.

Carol said...

Where did you go yesterday Chloe? You dropped off a load and skidaddled, however you spell that. This time of year does get busy. Having more sun time, just makes more work time. It's like someone has to turn the lights off outside for us to take a break. Weird.

And one good thing is, that I'm so busy I don't have as much time to eat. And with the heat, I don't have as much of an appetite and want lighter foods. Is it the same with you guys?

Carol said...

I was so good yesterday with my nutritional program. Last night I had a fancy salad, steamed squash, and a sliced up fresh, homegrown cuc with vinegar and salt and pepper.

There were no cantaloupes in town this weekend except for some at Market Basket. I didn't like the last one I got there and they were asking $3.39 for one. I did finally go back and cough that up and it turned out to be nasty. Had this musty, mildew taste so I wasted that money.

Anonymous said...

A lot of the melons haven't been good this year Carol. I have to be very picky where I buy them, and I've noticed the more expensive they are, the worse the are. When they less expensive and more plentiful, they're better. I've almost given up on cantaloupe, but have been eating watermelon every day.

The things on your menu are 'perfect' examples of delicious foods off the high anti-inflammatory (high anti-oxidants) food pyramid - and a plus that you're eating so many raw foods. I'm trying to do something very similar, and have lost 4 lbs. Turns out I'd like to lose 5 more, so my new goal is similar to the one you had. It's going slow for me, but that's OK. I think the best way to lose weight is about a pound or 2 a week. The slower you take it off, the more likely it is to stay off. A pound a week is probably ideal.

Anonymous said...

"I don't have as much of an appetite and want lighter foods. Is it the same with you guys?"

I still have an appetite, but for different foods. I don't burn as many calories when it's warm, so have to eat even less than when you diet in the winter.

I think you're just on a roll now. Your body is in the 'lose weight' mode. Mine isn't there yet, but I'm working on it (programming it?). It's a good place to be. I usually am a lot more energetic when I'm in that mode.

Anonymous said...

Carol, 'Usually' I'm a lot more talkative in the mornings than the evenings. That's why I think I tend to read more once Emma goes to bed. I'm usually drained by then (although not always).

Anonymous said...

"I just do a side stroke and a back stroke and use the kick board for about 40 minutes. Its a good workout."

Wow Jan, that is a good work out - a good aerobic one when you go into that kind of time length. You must feel great afterward. I don't last that long at any exercise anymore.

Coreen said...

Couldn't help but share this, though I can say
I am skeptical of the conclusion....

Only 4% of shoppers at high end Whole Foods were obese, compared with nearly 40% of shoppers at Albertsons, a low price food chain,
says University of Washington professor who was given a $1.2 million grant to study obesity trends...

He concludes that 'deep down obesity is really an economic issue'....It's not a matter of availability...all stores in his study stocked a wide range of nutritious food, but he contends it's because healthy, low calorie foods cost more money & take more effort to prepare than processed, high calorie foods, that wealthier people are thinner...

Can't help but wonder if the professor doing the study had an pre-determined agenda, in light of the fact that the National Institute for Health funded his study & intends to spend $400 million to bring supermarkets to low-income areas & he 'studies' obesity & its relationship to social class.

Could just be that processed foods are
easier, that people are not willing to take the
time to prepare the meals in this fast food
culture, not simply that wealth is the deteminative factor....

Price grocery stores attract skinniest shoppers

Solar said...

Carol,

I made a post over at tm, blaming the regulatory agencies, and both party's for playing ball with bp...should have heard the silence......they were blaming it all on the other party, pointing that ol finger at each other....they often, almost always never answer my post about the blame game....but they sure can gang up on palin, Ronn paul, and others not in the in group....Im very proud of Tony, he has become an indie, cos he could see the blame, and the team sport mentality going on......And hell yes Dick Cheney will be invlolved in anything big that is going on...all over the world....he is the Bush Family's point man,....Baker is the top right hand man, they are part of the group that will take over the world with world banks.....this is why we are in all of these wars....energy ( oil) is one of the keys to it all.....and why China, Russia, Venezueala and a cpl of others are one the opposing team....they also want the Iran energy fields....natural gas, oil etc...........this is also why Isreal want us to do thier dirty work and go to war against Iran.....but they are making a huge mistake about the Palastinian problem.....they are seen as the oppressors, arpartied.....etc....

Chloe, u said a mouthful.....raw vegies are the best....watermelon every day is great.....I try to, and I do put it in the blender, rind ( can't taste it) and all, and it tastes great....I bunch up some kale, or spinach and juice that also..can't taste that when mixed with a sweet apple......

Coreen,

I can tell u from what i have seen: It is both.! the lack of having the money to buy the right type of nutricious foods, I would say about 80-90%,and making poor choices,,,the lack of quality stores....they mostly don't have transportation to the better hoods, or the $ to buy the organic foods....gas, the bus etc cost $ to get there and back...later

Coreen said...

Solar, not being a big food shopper...for the
most part, everyone I know shops at local stores & are conscious of the cost...most don't shop at the 'whole food' type stores, primarily because they feel the cost is much
to high, for what you get in return...

Today most people, regardless of social class
status are too busy, & yes too lazy to take
the efforts to eat properly...& the food companies have made it easy to just pop it in
the ole microwave, etc, all ready to go...

As for the premise that the rich are thinner,
probably yes, beyond food products, they have
the resources too get thin, keep thin & are
super conscious of their 'image'...but income
is not in my estimation the prime reason that
obesity regins supreme....

Solar said...

Coreen, tend to agree with u that is is not the overbearing factor that some make it out to be...yes laziness has a lot to do with it.!

While I was getting some gas at a gas station that had way over priced milk, bread, etc...they did have large chocolate doughnuts the were two for a dollar...I bough two of them....nothing but junk, sugar and lots of salt...asked if many were sold...I was told there is a women that buy him out sometimes...she buy 20 of them...waters down the milk, and that is what she gives to her kids...for breakfast, and the second meal...along with a little beef, or hamburger that they eat....It is a very hard thing to pinpoint sometimes....

I do think that she can make better choices tho...there is beans, and rice, that go a long way, with a daily multi- vitamin (been taking one for as long as I can remember)and they can also get into a family exercise routine to battle the obesity....but I still see it as both a problem of economics..and laziness......

Carol said...

I agree. Laziness, number one and
intelligence second. I can shop cheap
and healthy.

Anonymous said...

Solar, You are 'so' right, beans are such a nutritious (and delicious ), inexpensive food - and serving them with rice is such a good idea (and it's inexpensive too). Those donuts are pretty much useless, for anything except filler, in a kids diet (I use the word 'diet' not to describe losing weight, but in describing what people eat).

I think that what people eat has a lot to do with awareness (and even values), more than money. Educating ones self on nutrition is the only way to really understand the importance of the choices we make when eating. It takes a lot more thought and more work to eat healthy - I know I have to work on it all the time.
Even if you eat raw foods, they're perishable, and require you to visit the grocery more often - so there's still extra work involved.

Anonymous said...

I see these mothers with 5, 6 kids (or more) at WM - you know, the ones that you can tell that they homeschool their kids, because they're shopping with them all during normal school hours - and they manage to take their time shopping and seem to be selecting very healthy foods and are very thoughtful about it. Another thing is they don't mind cooking, so they don't pay extra to find things where the work is already done for them. I guess I'd have to say, they seem to eat like they did in the old days - like people on farms would eat. I really admire those women, and they manage to do it on very little money.

They also make all the clothes they're wearing, and that their kids are wearing. Now that's some family values there. Wow.

Anonymous said...

... I'm not sure how well that life prepares them for life in our society though. School is about socialization too - I know that.

jan said...

Chloe, I agree that school is about socialization too, but some of the socialization is not healthy. I have had several nursing students who were home schooled and they were some of the best prepared students. There was one I had about 2 years ago -JoAnn - she was one of 14 children. She rode the communter train from a small town about 40 miles from here. She rode the city bus to all of her assignments. I will never forget her. She was a great student academically but she was also very good in working with the families we serve in Early Head Start. She knew how to find resources in the community for the families that students who had cars and computers and all the luxuries didn't want to take the time to find. Yet she got along with all her fellow students. She worked well in group activities with students who went to both public and private schools. Her goals were to do nursing in poorer countries as soon as she improved her skills in a hospital job. I wish we could "bottle" the parenting skills her parents had.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I am so glad to hear that story. I knew these women were doing a good job, and I've seen similar young people who seemed to be doing well out in the world after being home schooled too.

I'm aware there are a lot of problems with public schooling (at least for some kids), and that is why we're hoping to keep Emma in a private school (the public schools here aren't that great). I know I'm not one of those women that could do it all myself, but I do have great respect for them.

It's always good to hear about those type of success stories.

jan said...

Chloe, I think you are doing the right thing by putting Emma in a private school. It is sad that public education has so many problems. My 2 oldest sons went to public school for the full 12 years and did just fine. My youngest was another story. He tested very well but was floundering in the public school system. He was bored and uninterested. We put him in a private school in the 9th grade and he blossomed. It was a small school - not the best one as his grades were not good. Still, because of the student-teacher ratio he began to enjoy school and take pride in his school work. He graduated with honors and is now working on his PhD. He and his wife live in a small college town and their 2 daughters go to public school but this town has great public schools. They are both at the top of their classes and both like school. It often depends on where you live.

Solar said...

Chloe,

Maybe I have been saying it wrong.! I don't have any excuse for lazy people at all. City workers that do a two man job with 14 of them...welfare checks to those that can work....put them out cleaning the highways, the streets etc..but don't give them free money..teach them a trade or something before they get those checks...maybe they can land a job when things get better....when I don't know...looks like a long time to me...meanwhile we are going to spend an awful lot of money for social benefits....the right will scream welfare queens again..

What I want to say is that there are an awful lot of people that are not lazy, and not fat, or even over weight...they just don't have the $ to purchase the right foods...if they have not jobs...most of their money goes for heat in the winter, and gas for cooking what little they have, I my self have cut down on the foods that I used to eat...organic food is out for a little while, I think about the utilities before i do food...a mother in very poor hoods has to make choices, not all of them are lazy or uninformed...most that I found don't have the opportunity to find a good job.

History is also a very good teacher...it might take over a hundred years to change habits, traits, etc:

in Japan there is a very poor class called "The Burakumin" they are the same in every way that the rich, or the middle class is.!

These people have the same social and economic status that the blks have here in the states, they live in shantytowns secluded in Japanese cities.

Under the Tokugawa shogunate ( 1600-1860's) Japan had this social structure, they oppressed them, in theory the Burakumin were emancipated in 1871 with the Meiji revolution. but the distinction between the two has stayed the sam for m or than a century, despite efforts by they government and some leaders of and sympathizers with the B's to erase it.

The Japanese evidence doe suggest that living in a penalized caste ( such as a slave, and untouchable, or a peon) has a more drastic and lasting effect on an individuals development than most of the usual variants in an environs (hope im saying this all right..trying to take my time...it works some times, with my spanglish)these have been passed on for a century..maybe several...like traits.....so I keep saying that education is the way out for us humans...we might not like it, but that is the only way that the rich can be equalized.....for centuries it was against the law for people to know how to read and write......I just learning :-))

Solar said...

Chloe,

About home schooling: Can't get better than that.!! I bet that Emma will excell in all things b/c she will get schooled from U-U smart.! School can be a very bad way to get an education...unless U can afford private schools......socializing.....that comes natural..although I get your point....some kids only see a blk person on tv, they are so Isolated....and that is what Religions (some do to kids that are home schooled for anti social goals of separating the in group from the out group...

Anonymous said...

Solar, I hear ya.... and you too Jan!

It is so nice to have you guys around here today. I really 'love' reading your ideas and opinions. Keeps me thinking.

Anonymous said...

The thing with schools is that the kids learn a lot of bad things there too.

Solar said...

It's hard to argue with Coreens intuition, cos she is right...how much I don't know...even if it 40-50% it is way too many people that can't have the cash to eat right.....

Solar said...

I finally broke down and bought an recorder that can transfer all of my vhs tapes into dvds...I have 100 or so...x's 6-8 hrs, that is a lot of taping that Im going to do before I lose my info on them...took me years to gather.!

So far this thing is proving to be not so user friendly.......later

jan said...

Chloe, despite all my exercise I have gained some weight in the past couple of months. I had not been weighing myself for some time and I got quite a shock when I got on the scales this am. I just cleaned out my fridge and freezer and everywhere else and threw out all the hi cal low nutrient foods. I have been eating healthy foods in this time - but I have also been eating unhealthy desserts. I am not going to diet - I am merely going to eat foods hi in nutrition. For a while I will not be able to allow myself the cake, cookies, ice cream, pies etc as I need to retrain my eating habits. It will be easier now as I can spend most of my day being active instead of sitting.

jan said...

John just got his old e-mail ID back. Comcast did finally come through. I have been hoping cause I do not want to change servers.

jan said...

I have to work on a new ID - I can only keep the one I am using from work for a little while longer.
Solar, I am going to take your advice and get one from Yahoo - not our server.

jan said...

"The thing with schools is that the kids learn a lot of bad things there too."

Chloe, I agree. I am very concerned about the bullying and then that puts all the kids in danger when those that get bullied retaliate. Also, all the emphasis on what people wear and the drugs and the sexual activity that seems to be blatant in the schools. If I had children now, I would either home-school or put them in private schools. My 17 y/o granddaughter that lives in a small town and goes to a decent school says the drugs are so easy to get.

Carol said...

Gees there is a lot to worry about with those kids and grandkids and great grandkids. It never stops. It wears me out just thinking about all of it.

And I'm gonna back up on that lazy comment I made earlier about why people don't buy better quality foods. I don't have the right to comment about that. Heck I have a hard time working, eating healthy myself, fixing Maggie food several times a week, feeding the ducks, birds, and hummers. Trying to feed a bunch of kids and do it in a healthy way would be almost impossible. I might be the one who would throw some potato chips on their plates and say bon appetit.

I cut the swimming out today. I'm still worn out from all I tried to do yesterday. I need a little more down time.

Carol said...

Maybe it's more how much time it takes to do things right. Junk food is easier. And it would take two parents, who each contribute, to do it right. What is the precentage of that these days?

And maybe it would be a good idea to start teaching good nutrition to kids in kindergarten and continue it thru all the school years. Kids are so smart and they love to tell their parents what to do. Kids have been successful in getting some of their parents to stop smoking.

jan said...

I brought my books home - and I wimped out and kept more than 10 books. I think the total comes to more like 40. All of them are my favorites.

jan said...

"I might be the one who would throw some potato chips on their plates and say bon appetit"

Carol, thanks for giving the moms a break. I know when I had 3 kids at home, I tried to feed them healthy foods, and then Bob would go out for donuts on Sat morns. I don't think it hurts once in a while.

Carol said...

I seem to remember your kids ate healthy Jan. You were also fortunate to have a participating partner around. I don't know how single parents do it.

Carol said...

I would hate to have to rank these dance performances tonight.

Carol said...

Are you watching Coreen?

Carol said...

The judges are biased, IMO.

Coreen said...

ok, did you see all 3 danced the argentine tango...and all did well, but still say nicole & derek are masterful....

Carol said...

I think Erin started way behind and caught up in the final stretch.

Carol said...

Nicole also has the best pro!

Solar said...

Coreen, did u say the Argentine tango? wanna dance?

Carol said...

And Jan, kids do need some occasional donuts. Everyone does. When we were kids we used to get these sour dough crusty rolls from the bakery, called frog rolls, for breakfast. I liked them better than donuts. I have never found any rolls that taste as good as they did. I'm still looking.

I was weird in that I didn't care that much for cookies and cakes when I was a kid. I do now. I have a hankering for something right now but there is nada.

Coreen said...

Yes, Erin came the longest way as a dancer, but in the end, from the beginning Evan & Nicole, were the best contestants...

And if the contest is for the 'best' dancer, then regardless of how much one improves...the best should still
win....

Didn't we have the same discussion last time out...& you know what, I don't remember who won that one....

Coreen said...

And Solar I only wish I could do an
argentine tango....

Carol said...

It was Donnie Osmond.

Carol said...

I didn't like him the best either.

Solar said...

I'll teach U, hold on, u ready, stand straight up...stomach in, chest out......anyway when u have ur feet together let me know...the next step is easy, oops I only know the mens steps, and only a few of them....as u were :-))

Carol said...

Seems it always ends with someone, who is already a performer winning. Big deal.

Carol said...

I guess I'm looking for that My Fair Lady ending but all I get is someone who was good from the get go.

Coreen said...

Yes, they were good from the start, but they still had to master the various complex
dance steps, routines...

Carol said...

What's the point?

Coreen said...

Not sure what you mean....what's the point of
the show or what's the point of my comment...

Either way...it's entertainment!!! I like watching the dances, though I think the routines have gone way beyond traditonal ball room dancing, which was the initial premise of the show...but I still enjoy it....

Carol said...

Just read that Kate made $500,000 to be on DWTS.

Carol said...

No Coreen, what's the point of the show? I really think they shouldn't include people who are already performers.

Carol said...

Of course, I don't have to watch the show and I think this will be my last season for doing that but I did enjoy watching those caterpillars turn into butterflies.

Coreen said...

No comment about Kate Gosselin other than...now there's an example of an absolutely
poor role model for anyone...she has lots of kids...what a shame....

Coreen said...

Carol, they are all performers/celebs in some manner...

Coreen said...

Now wasn't it worth it to see Pammy & Niecy
strut their stuff...they certainly came a long way.....

Carol said...

I purposely withheld my comments on Kate.

Carol said...

It's the Niecys, Chads, Pams etc, that I watch the show for. I just need to realize that the outcome is pretty much predetermined.

Coreen said...

Whoa, Nicole had Tina's moves down pretty good...right down to the short shimmery dress
& the long legs...

Just a pleasure to watch this pair...

Coreen said...

And its sad that Evan & Nicole are so very close to each other in this...any other season, Evan would probably win...but I still
think the way they all sound, it is Nicole & Derek...

Carol said...

Everyone act surprised now.

Coreen said...

ok, over & out....

Carol said...

And I could have been ironing! Drats.

jan said...

OK, I have moved most everything out of my office - finished about 8 pm tonight. It is good to be at this point.

I watched Crystal and Lee first (I had taped it). I hope Crystal wins. She was amazing tonight. I voted 10 times for her.

I just tuned in to see who won DWTS. No surprises. I will watch the dances tomorrow night. I only watched the last 15 minutes and I guess Erin and her pro had already been booted. I thought Evan and Anna's last dance was great and deserved all 10's.

Carol, I hope you change your mind next season and watch it again. Its a fun show.

jan said...

I agree that in any other season Evan would have won. I think Derek should lay off a season b/c he is such a good teacher and choreographer.

jan said...

Carol, I thank my lucky stars everyday that I had such a good guy helping me raise the boys. He was an amazing father - still is. He raised another boy after we divorced. His wife had a 5 year old when they married. That kid is now 27.

Carol said...

Yes, I know it came out as it should on DWTS. I still only watch it to see the metamorphosis of those individuals who didn't start out as good dancers. It kinda makes us feel like maybe we could all do something like that.

And I really don't think it's fair. Hey Coreen, what if they put them all out on a football field and made them compete with Chad of who could be the best football player. Yeah, that would be about the same. Now that's a show I would watch, Football with the stars. Hint, hint. Kate might have done better with that one. Chasing 8 kids would have to give her an edge there.

Carol said...

Yep Jan, knowing Bob kinda spoiled me. If I couldn't have someone like him, I didn't want nada. I do know he wasn't perfect but he did excell in the kid rearing area.

Coreen said...

No Carol, no 'football with the stars' for me....but maybe I could go for 'baseball with the stars'.....surprise!......

And there is no circumstance that I would want to see Kate Gosselin again....& for the record...nobody made her or anyone else for that matter have 8 kids.....

which brings me back to the obesity problem....it all starts & remains with the parents....no excuses, not
passing the buck....there is no excuse for
the trend but for the fact that the parent/parents find it easier to just go the fast food route....(& yes laziness is at the core of the responsibility to not provide a
proper diet for your kids)....sorry I don't buy that lower socio-economic class struggle
as the cause for the upsurge in child/young adult obesity.....another cop-out courtesy of
the paid 'researchers'.....