One of the issues both candidates for US president had been campaigning for was about lower gas prices. It has also hurt US and abroad manufacturers of cars, tourism, and the airline industry, as well as a myriad of others.
Recently, gas prices have declined, 35 cents in two weeks. This is after all the layoffs in the auto industry, the closing down of many auto plants, and the stopped production, of hummers, and full size trucks. Now, these companies are wondering if they changed to early, and likely airlines are wondering about if their shifts were correct as well.
Another issue that the presidential candidates will have to deal with is global warming. There are still many people who doubt, it saying that a vast majority of greenhouse gases are water vapor, and the CO2 fluctuates, barely based on people at all, mainly volcanoes. Hardly going to stop doubters, and probably create more is an article also from daily tech stating that Alaskan glaciers have grew for the first time since almost when they have started collecting data on them, although they are still down about 15% since the 1700s.
The third and final issue for today is the recession. This is a major issue, including the trillions of US dollars the G-7 and other countries have poured into major banks, and the securing of loans for the banks. Everywhere is worried about a U.S. recession, including New Zealand which talked about how all sectors of the U.S. economy is down this year, and consumer spending was down 1.2 percent from one year ago.
It will be interesting to see if the two first events affect the candidates at all, and how they will deal with the economy in the future, as we have already seen McCain try to skip a debate to help work out our economy, and Obama's plans to how it can be better.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Palin and decency
A Recent article about Palin today made me think. Although this is probably true, I feel that the author is a little to biased in the editorial against Palin. He talked about how just because something legal doesn't make it right. That is true, as we have seen over the centuries, with slavery and persecution, but the author is not the one to judge if something is right. If it should be made illegal, let legislation in the future be brought up to make it.
Although this was pretty bad, it was at least trying to talk about the issues, whereas the spoof. I realize the article is made to make fun of her, but really is the
"In addition, President Palin also signed an executive order banning abortions and legalizing rape and incest 'So we can populate our country and have our babies the good old fashioned Alaskan way'." really necessary? Even staunch Obama supporters in my opinion would not want this comment posted, its demeaning to anyone, let alone a governor who could be our vice president. The entire article could be more of a joke and less of spite:
President Palin said this of Mr. Putin. "I looked in his eyes and saw a kindred soul. You betcha we had some very useful discussions about how to deal with the liberal elitist press and with annoyin' legislatures. He gave me some great pointers, and now that darned state trooper who we've been out to punish is layin' in a hospital with his hair and teeth fallin' out. And in the next bed is that feller who headed that darned 'troopergate' investigation."
Really? Disagree with her on issues, don't insult the integrity of her and husband with the insinuation that her husband would put people in body bags. I might not support the Republican party in this election, but I feel that the least the media can do is show all 4 of the candidates the basic respect all humans deserve. Much of the criticism directed at their campaign has been their avoidance of the issues, and the fact Palin had offered only one interview into late September, maybe if the media showed them respect then it could be an actual debate of the issues, the promise both parties made at the start.
Although this was pretty bad, it was at least trying to talk about the issues, whereas the spoof. I realize the article is made to make fun of her, but really is the
"In addition, President Palin also signed an executive order banning abortions and legalizing rape and incest 'So we can populate our country and have our babies the good old fashioned Alaskan way'." really necessary? Even staunch Obama supporters in my opinion would not want this comment posted, its demeaning to anyone, let alone a governor who could be our vice president. The entire article could be more of a joke and less of spite:
President Palin said this of Mr. Putin. "I looked in his eyes and saw a kindred soul. You betcha we had some very useful discussions about how to deal with the liberal elitist press and with annoyin' legislatures. He gave me some great pointers, and now that darned state trooper who we've been out to punish is layin' in a hospital with his hair and teeth fallin' out. And in the next bed is that feller who headed that darned 'troopergate' investigation."
Really? Disagree with her on issues, don't insult the integrity of her and husband with the insinuation that her husband would put people in body bags. I might not support the Republican party in this election, but I feel that the least the media can do is show all 4 of the candidates the basic respect all humans deserve. Much of the criticism directed at their campaign has been their avoidance of the issues, and the fact Palin had offered only one interview into late September, maybe if the media showed them respect then it could be an actual debate of the issues, the promise both parties made at the start.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Week 4
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2008/10/sharks-actually.html
The article talked about the virgin birth of the new shark, and gave insight into what the author thinks might have occured, an idea that is very unscientific in the concrete, but in the abstract i could agree with. The idea is female sharks gave virgin births due to the fact that sex was very violent, and could kill them. It seems to me it is one of the two most likely reasons why sharks would have the asexual reproduction. The other is in a species with a lack of male specimens, probably long ago due to shark pack wars, or disease, the females needed to kick off the start of their species again.
If we examine the concept though, they are the same principle. The principle being the sharks reproduced to fill a need. The sharks hated the sex for it being to violent, so therefore evolved to not need to have sex. Or, the sharks didn't even have the mates, so evolved to a point where they had minimalistic need for them.
The shark also mentioned interesting facts, like the sharks invented internal insemination, that the species is over 400 million years old, and as far as scientists know, only one pup can be made with virgin births.
The article talked about the virgin birth of the new shark, and gave insight into what the author thinks might have occured, an idea that is very unscientific in the concrete, but in the abstract i could agree with. The idea is female sharks gave virgin births due to the fact that sex was very violent, and could kill them. It seems to me it is one of the two most likely reasons why sharks would have the asexual reproduction. The other is in a species with a lack of male specimens, probably long ago due to shark pack wars, or disease, the females needed to kick off the start of their species again.
If we examine the concept though, they are the same principle. The principle being the sharks reproduced to fill a need. The sharks hated the sex for it being to violent, so therefore evolved to not need to have sex. Or, the sharks didn't even have the mates, so evolved to a point where they had minimalistic need for them.
The shark also mentioned interesting facts, like the sharks invented internal insemination, that the species is over 400 million years old, and as far as scientists know, only one pup can be made with virgin births.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Week 3
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/health/research/07conv.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
Was a very interesting read. It talked about how we can now find out what viruses are very fast, which will cut down on epidemics and pandemics like AIDS and SARS. It could also help with MERSA, and help us find new viruses and what they mutated from. There is much that can be done in the field of biology with AI, including try to model life itself, and starting with viruses is starting with the basics indeed.
Was a very interesting read. It talked about how we can now find out what viruses are very fast, which will cut down on epidemics and pandemics like AIDS and SARS. It could also help with MERSA, and help us find new viruses and what they mutated from. There is much that can be done in the field of biology with AI, including try to model life itself, and starting with viruses is starting with the basics indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)