what if?

"Luxury is Artificial Poverty"

Let me tell you; that Socrates was one wise dude.

Don't ask me how I ever found the Financial Philosopher.  I am only glad that I did; now I can share it with you!

All of the posts seem excellent; here is one particularly fine one.

 "Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty." ~ Socrates

And so forth.

$104,655,60

What a conservative is willing to spend to set the record straight.

XX

Another article I happened upon while surfing this morning.  If you need more evidence that the disparity between men and women is more than mere reproductive organs and muscle mass, then here it would be.

Females have two X chromosomes and males only have one--and this simple fact, along with the occurrence of what geneticists call mosaicism, may not only explain why women are less susceptible than men to certain genetic diseases, but also may account for the female prevalence in the incidence of other conditions and even sex differences in behavior, according to a special communication in the March 22/29 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on women's health.

According to this study, our genetic differences can even account for variance in humor!

These differences in the expression of X-linked genes have the capability to affect many other processes in the body as well. "It is likely that the contribution of cellular mosaicism to sex differences is not limited to disease," Dr. Migeon writes. "Recent studies have shown that sex affects the way a person's brain responds to humor. It does not seem far-fetched to think that cellular mosaicism may have a role in some of these sex differences in behavior."

Perhaps this is why some men I know find this hysterically funny - and I find it hysterically funny that they actually like to watch it!

Cutting Edge

No, I haven't decided to post about fashion today.  Rather, I am going to discuss "the edge" - the fringes of society on the right and the left. 

A few years ago, I visited Stormfront, a White Nationalist community.  Never had I been exposed to the blatant anti-semitism, racism and bigotry that was spewed there.  I would link to it, but their URL no longer can be viewed.  A few people at the site told me that it was being monitored by the FBI!  Perhaps there was some truth to it.

On the left, I give you sites like the Daily Kos.  Here you can still "enjoy" their version of hate, lies and rampantly vicious imagination.  I think my favorite comment from the article about Sarah Palin's so-called fake pregnancy to cover up her daughter's real unplanned pregancy would be this:

“Maybe it’s a set-up to get rid of McCain. The story(ies) about Palin come out, he looks like a doofus and withdraws from the race, the Rethugs nominate Romney. Sounds implausible, I know, but I wouldn’t write off anything in Roveland.”

Of course, there are many contenders for ludicrous and outrageous.  Feel free to visit and select your own!

And Now - For Something Truly Important

Marv is blogging again.

Suze wants to know: "Marv - do you sometimes wish you had more colorful feathers, like, say, a macaw?"

Suze:

That is an excellent question. Frankly, I believe grey is the most distinguished color. My daily garb is basically a bird business suit. Which is one of the reasons I command mad respect.

Mr. Mollo, except for his bright orange cheeks and yellow tuft, is all creamy white.  Please do not ask him, however, if he likes looking like a bride all the time!  His masculine sensibilities might well be offended.

Nothing Like a Reformed Liberal

Or - is it in part that liberalism changed (from classical liberalism to....???)

At least on the topic of Sarah Palin, many of reformed liberal Harry Stein's thoughts echo my own.

Equal Opportunity

My favorite sort of political satire pokes fun at virtually everyone.  After all; virtually everyone is well deserving in some respects!

Here's JibJab on the latest election antics.  Hard to find anyone who is as "on the mark" and amusing at the same time.

The Truth Comes Out

In the long run, it usually does.  Oh - it does get hidden enough to give hope to liars, crooks, philanderers, plagerists and sophists.  But, for most all of us, sooner or later, that which we hoped to hide sees the cruel light of day.

I have zero idea if Senator Obama - or Senator McCain -  or either of their running mates have anything they wish to remain buried within a deep, dark hole.  But - just as Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton and John Edwards - and countless others have grimly learned - "I've Got a Secret" is best left to antiquated game shows, and not to political hardball.

John Fund has more about the lack of transparency in Obama's campaign.  It may mean nothing.  And, then again, it may be a sign that one more individual hasn't learned the lesson that many before him eventually learned too well.

Night Runner

For me, figuring out how to walk for several hours a week is a tough assignment.

To say that I cannot hold a candle to the efforts of Governor Palin is an understatement of marathon proportions!  "Discipline" seems to be her middle name.

"Conventional running is my sanity," Gov. Palin says. Having recently given birth to her fifth child, the governor is trying to get back to her old workout routine. She was running 7 to 10 miles almost every day but switched to aerobics classes at her gym when she became pregnant. She has worked her way back up to running three miles every other day.

In the summer, when it's always light, she'll sometimes run as late as midnight. In the dead of winter, when it's dark, she sneaks in an afternoon run, or else grudgingly runs on the treadmill at home or at the gym in the evening. Gov. Palin keeps dumbbells at home, but she says most of her upper body strength comes from snowmobiling with her family. "It's the best upper body workout you could ever have," she says. "You're maneuvering through hundreds of pounds of powder."

 

Women Scorned

What happens when women feel scorned?

This.

Star Light; Star Bright

Is Barack Obama a bright, shining star?

You bet.  Obama delivers a speech as few are able.  He's handsome.  His wife is lovely; his children could not be more adorable.  The candidate is clearly quite intelligent - and, don't forget; bright, clean and articulate.  (Sorry; I couldn't help it.)  Seriously, though; Obama is an attractive candidate in many respects.

For some of us, however, Obama has one glaring disability.  His vision of government, his opinions as to where our country should head - and how - are not the vision we share.

Senator Obama tries to couch what he would do as President in a gauze of misty, rah-rah middle American apple pie.  When your fork works its way under the crust, however, what you see on the surface is not what you get.

A Fairy Tale Event

From another blogging friend, Duane of The Black Informant - his thoughts about the Obama nomination.

Periwinkle

Some of my liberal friends are astounded.  "How can you write about what a watershed moment it is to nominate Barack Obama for the Presidency," they ask - "and then not plan to vote for him?!"

Easy.  This is why.

Well, it's no wonder that Democrats didn't want former President Bill Clinton to speak on the economy; some delegates might have had the temerity to ask: Hey, why did we experience all that prosperity in the '90s?

It certainly wasn't because of populism or isolationism or more government dependency or any of the hard-left economic policies being preached nightly by speakers at the Democratic National Convention.

No, it was capitalism -- more of it, not less of it.

Bill Clinton once told us that the era of big government is over. This Democratic Party wants to make sure that era has its day once more.

I will be delighted when one more "first" for black folks is behind us.  But, I do not vote for politicians because they are black or white.  Obama could be my favorite color - periwinkle - and I still would not be voting for him.  Strong free markets and as little government intervention as possible is what I believe is best for our nation as a whole.  The candidates that espouse such views get my vote - irrespective of their shade.

A Historic Candidacy

My friend Shay at Booker Rising says it best.

Regardless of whether one is leftist, liberal, moderate-liberal, moderate, libertarian, moderate-conservative, conservative, or rightist, we as black Americans can be proud of today's historic achievement and what will transpire tomorrow when Sen. Obama takes the podium. Just a few decades ago, black folks were marching, facing police batons and fire hoses, and dying while seeking the right to vote. Today a person of sub-Saharan African descent is officially vying for the White House. This represents progress for America. Whether he wins or loses, that ceiling has been shattered and will make it easier for the next black politician who seeks the presidency. Congratulations to Sen. Obama on this achievement.

And I will not attempt to elaborate.  My fellow black Americans know in a way that I never can just how meaningful this event is.

Still, each of us has our own views, feelings an opinions.  Here are just a couple more - and each columnist below has thoughts that echo some of my own.

Viva La Difference!

John McCain on John Kerry.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday he did not believe Democratic candidate John Kerry, a friend and Senate colleague, was weak on defense or would compromise national security if elected president.

“This kind of rhetoric, I think, is not helpful in educating and helping the American people make a choice,” McCain said on “The Early Show” on CBS. “You know, it’s the most bitter and partisan campaign that I’ve ever observed. I think it’s because both parties are going to their bases rather than going to the middle. I regret it.”

John Kerry on John McCain.

Kerry describes McCain as "insulting" and "desperate' for questioning Obama's patriotism, and "pathetic" for continuing to support President Bush's war policy; he digs at McCain's age, saying voters should elect a president based on judgment and character, not "years on this earth".

No Matter What Your Political Beliefs

A great moment in history to see a black man and his family reaching for the highest job in the world.

Progress can happen.  Hate can lessen.  People can learn.

No matter how you are planning to vote in November, you should be happy that we are at a time when these events can occur.

Warning!

Peanut butter contains peanuts!

Yes, I am serious.  A bridge buddy tonight told me that his favorite peanut butter, Wegmans, has a warning that it contains peanuts!

Check it out yourself if you do not believe me.

Warnings:

Allergens: Contains peanuts. Made in a plant that processes tree nuts.

What would people think peanut butter contains?  Corned beef and cabbage?

Some state of affairs when a company believes that it needs to put this sort of warning on its product....

Idiocy R Us

Megan is correct.  Can you imagine anything more ridiculous than discussing a candidate's hair plugs at a supposedly political site?

Hmmm.  Perhaps extensive discussion of how unattractive another candidate's teeth happen to be is a strong contender?

The Grass is Always Greener

If you are like I am, then you are convinced that much of the way we handle medical insurance and delivery in our nation can be improved.

On the other hand, do not be fooled.  "There is no free lunch" is not merely another old saw like "the grass is always greener."  Plenty of truth lies within those old sayings.

If you're not convinced, then please read this.

Living in the Past

My friend, Professor Burgess-Jackson, worries that he "lives in the past" because the music he most prefers is a few decades old.

Well, Professor.  I'm afraid that the music I most adore did not even get created in the last century!

Nothing on the planet can ever possibly compare to the exquisite beauty created by Frederic Chopin early in the 19th century.  Listen to this incredible Fantasie-Impromptu.  Has anything before or since been able to match this master romantic?

Of course, I must admit that Rachmaninoff is not chopped liver, nor is Schumann nor Brahms.

Moving ahead a few weeks, the Beatles were so marvelous, my dad always appreciated their songs.

Of course, in between we had Gershwin - lots and lots of Gershwin.

On the other hand, Professor - do not let people fool you.  This is not music.