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Sunday, January 24, 2016

Why Not Smile More As We Grow Older?

What is it about growing older that seems to unite those of us in the middle-age group? 

I think it's that "sense" we all seem to get somewhere near the age of 40-50; some get it earlier, some later; largely dependent on prior habits, choices and lifestyles, of course! 

Funny, too, how that "middle-age group" definition changes its range as we get older. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I was sure middle-age didn't begin until at least the middle 50s. 





Now, at mid 60s, I think I'm still in 'middle-age', since I've stretched the range out to about 75-80...or so. 

So, what's all this have to do with smiling more?





Saturday, January 23, 2016

Is The Flint Michigan Water Crisis Another Sign Of Capitalist Greed Gone Wrong?

According to news reports, the folks in charge of providing water to the Flint, MI area decided it was necessary to get potable water from a less costly source than what was being used previously.

In and of itself, that is not entirely a bad thing, and it behooves any municipality to constantly seek and implement cost saving measures for the products and services they provide.

However, with a commodity as important as household water, it is certainly the kind of decision which needs to be made with transparency, and, more importantly, with unbiased testing; in order to ensure the safety and health of those using it.  

So, as the story goes, the decision to "cut costs" ultimately ruled the day...seemingly, without much regard to some of the dialogue or discussion or meetings that might have been part of it, and regardless how many people might have had questions or doubts about the decision.



Is this kind of thing another sign of Capitalist greed gone awry?










Friday, January 15, 2016

So, What's Up With All The "Shocking News" Headline Hype, Anyway?





I spend a fair amount of time online, as I surf about in search of new information and knowledge, current news, trending topics, technological advances, and numerous other things which I find interesting, exciting, educational, and otherwise good for filling my seemingly insatiable 'sponge-like' penchant for information, entertainment, and just plain "BRAIN FODDER".

OK, that said, it's clear that I see many and varied websites with many and varied strategies and approaches at work, which, I assume, are designed to get visitors to "stick around and click around", so the site will benefit from whatever is behind those clicks (i.e., ad revenue, etc.?).

What's UP with all the "shocking news" hype being used in some article headlines/titles? Is it solely to lure visitors?











Thursday, January 7, 2016

Will President Obama's Gun Control Plan Help?

After watching President Obama's announcement of his "Executive Order" plans, I have to admit I, for one, agree that some 'tightening' of the rules about guns is needed, and what he described sounds necessary, 'fair', and not too heavy-handed (IMhO).

The President's plan for several measures to be implemented is, of course, going 'around Congress', because Congress allegedly has not and will not do enough about what the President deems is an 'urgency' to fix at least some of the glaring flaws in current rules about procuring, owning, and using guns.

I won't go into the details, but President Obama essentially outlined the plan as no threat that the government was out to strip everyone of their guns. He also gave his assurance that he respects and defends the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

As the President spoke of some of the tragic mass shootings America has experienced over the past (recent) years, he shed tears. As he wiped them away, he alluded that he became mad every time he thinks of all the lives taken so senselessly, and knows he must do something to help reduce, or end, if at all possible, such things; however he can, within his authority to do so.

Will his plan help?






Monday, January 4, 2016

Is "Hate Speech" Out Of Control?

Sometimes, when I visit various websites for news stories and other articles relating to some of the 'current events' going on around us all, I am really "taken aback" by some of the blatantly 'hateful-sounding' comments that are posted at many of them.

It seems there are some who feel a need to promote hatred of certain kinds of individuals, or groups of individuals, or certain kinds of behaviors, practices, or beliefs.

Recently, Twitter™ and other popular social media (etc.) sites have committed to doing something more to curb and ultimately end 'hate-speech' in their online venues. 

Is that even possible?