BlueAsh's Comments (207)

“This article does help raise awareness about Celiac disease which can be indeed life threatening, but it glosses over a very important issue: With the drastic rise in Celiac cases and the the finger pointing straight at the modified wheat strains, why isn't anyone looking at perhaps the root cause of it all: What is wrong with the "super-gluten" strains of wheat produced in this country?

We've raised hell with the tobacco industry, screamed and yelled at the soda/soft drink industry, shamed the fast food industry, yet we are promoting whole wheat food as the healthy alternative. This is analogous to banning fat but promoting high sugar intake. Are we, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, unwittingly harming our families by promoting what essentially is bad for us? Should we take on those responsible for modifying the wheat strains in the first place? Then how?

Is Dr. Hyman willing to take one step further and clarify these points for us?”

“Amen!”

“The way things are going, the Obama admin. doesn't have to do a thing--just let the likes of Condi and Cheney dig their own graves! What struck me with Condi's remarks, aside from her Nixonian claim, was how unaware, how totally oblivious, and how belligerent she was to what's going on. Sure she pointed her finger at Bush, but she didn't feel threatened enough to want to keep silent on the issue of torture.

Some are impatient with the Obama admin. for not moving fast enough, but I heard a comment by a federal judge interviewed on MSNBC, that setting up a grand jury would work to the advantage of Bush and Cheney--many would use the grand jury investigation as an excuse not to speak out, and that would allow the story be buried (under something really important, like Michelle Obama's veggie garden). To allow the "story" stay in the public discourse, the interviewee stated, would make it possible for people to speak out and for more details to come out.

Condi seemed to have just validated that. So I say, keep off the grand jury investigation and let them neocons talk!”

“That's a good one--you just know that Merkel was thoroughly enjoying it! :-)”

“I agree whole heartedly!”

“As I am writing this, my dog, a German Shepard/Husky mix, is getting prepped for surgery to remove a bladder stone. She is two and a half. We got her since she was a puppy. We all are convinced she understands English. She tries so hard to please and to do the right thing that muddy paw prints, half-chewed carrots, or a fresh bone on the carpet seem to be a minor price to pay.

I try not to worry, but why are good vets so hard to find? I got the distinct feeling that, to the vets, I might have dropped off a lawn mower. They were not going to operate on her till afternoon--by which time Coco would have had no food for 12 hours!

Do the veterinarian schools teach ethics? Do they evaluate students' psychological fitness to be vets? Or is this all about money?

We once had a wonderful house vet. Dr. Brown helped put down our 17-year old dog in such a thoughtful, gentle manner that I can only wish I'd be so lucky as the dog when my time comes.

Years ago, a vet strongly recommended surgery to remove a ball-shaped object from the stomach of our cat. We should have known better -- the vet also mentioned, casually, that sometimes they'd open up a cat and find nothing in the stomach. He said, "We call this 'airing the gut'."

It pains me to remember that!”

“I agree with much of you say in the article except when you say that "we really have no formal training in parenting."

Is there such a thing as "formal training for parenting"?

Perhaps you were being sarcastic. But "formal training" conjures up the idea of the "correct" way of parenting, and it puts the emphasis on the method, not the substance.

Perhaps it is us, the parents, who are not good role models, not what we consciously teach our children.”

“Right on and well done! I already know you were ahead of the curve when you stood up for Obama, but what a big heart you have!”

“His CPA does the math, but Daschle himself must submit all the relevant information for his CPA to do the job. In that sense, it is Daschle who must take responsibility. And we are assuming he did not evade paying taxes on purpose, as a lot of these super rich do find loopholes to avoid paying taxes.

That said, it is about time for this country to acknowledge the stupendous complexity of our tax codes. Anyone with a modest income, a house and a small amount invested in stocks knows what a headache it is to deal with taxes, even with the help of an accountant--one must have all the appropriate paperwork together after all. Multimillionaires certainly can afford to hire CPA's, but that does not make it easy.”

“I am sure you know it is very difficult to defeat a sitting senator or congressman. Just look at Jean Schmidt of Ohio--with her attack on John Mertha and her the blantant lies about her educational credentials on her resume, she keeps getting re-elected.

Good luck hoping to replace her in two years.”

“She is "the only one who has the support of the woman she is replacing." Hmmm, that says it all, doesn't it?”

“For every picture you posted, I am sure someone could dig up a similar one with a German soldier in WWII doing some "good" deed. For exactly the same reason, your pictures of individual act of kindness cannot obscure the harsh reality between the conqueror and the conquered, or the villain and the victim.

What's your point? It's not like the mainstream media didn't have enough material to support Israel's case for war.”

“Excellent post. I wish I'd read this one first before posting elsewhere. I believe Obama's move was brilliant, a stroke of genius. By giving a prominent position to the progressive wing of the religious right (if there were enough people to make up a "wing"), Obama essentially is emasculate the religious right, forcing them to shift away from the absolutist nasty rhetoric of the extreme right and toning down their own rhetoric. I believe we will all be better off with a little more civility in our social discourse.”

“Obama's name gets dragged in again. So what else is new? Blagojevich adds little to someone who's been called a secret Muslim who palled around with terrorists.

Along this line of thinking, we ought to get started with a list of things Obama *will be* responsible for--that he surely *will have to* account for in the name of transparency. He is in his late 40s, with at least 40 more years to go and countless number of inexcusable transgressions and slights. Let's pile it on and hope he never gets to deal with the economy, or the war.”

“Hey, great idea! I hope they go for it!”

“A great way to lose weight: Take a look at Sarah every morning and puke!”

“Is the book printed on soft paper--my cats could use some shredded paper at the bottom of the litter boxes.”

“Too close for comfort...”

“Hillary is a smart and well-educated woman, but her main achievement, it seems to me, is that she married a man whose career eventually led her to prominent positions as well. To say that she embodies the best of women or that she is a champion of women's causes as a result of her marital advantages is to belittle those women who make it on their own.”

“Politics, esp. when it comes to governing, is far more complicated than parenting, don't you think?”

“This assessment seems to fit Obama's image as a poker player, an astute student of Chicago politics, and a shrewd politician.

I only hope he continues his winning streak and not the likes of Clinton, or Eric Holder for that matter, to sink his ship.”

“Beyond the heart-warming sentiment, some Americans -- and pundits and politicians -- may not realize (or do not wish to acknowledge) that the goodwill from other countries has everything to do with our national security (in addition to the economic health of our country). I really don't think it is an exaggeration to say that Obama's election has enabled us to "win" before battles even start.”

“Couldn't have been said better!”

“All I can say is that not all Jews are neurotic and Israel-centered like this author.”

“Michelle looked great (and always does), but this essay seems to attempt to extrapolate too much out of nothing.”