Ahhh, no need to pass the corn. Look around you. It’s everywhere. “King Corn“, is a new documentary that shows just how full of corn our society really is.
I found it pretty ironic that mid-film I got a craving for some popcorn. I paused the doco, popped some little kernels, filled my “popcorn” bowl and sat back down. After about 20 minutes, I realized what I had done. Stupid corn.
Anyway, the film is entertaining and informative. Pair it with Michael Pollan’s book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and you’ll be up to your ears in corn.
Purchase the DVD or rent it (I found it at my local Blockbuster) and gather up some friends to watch it.
And of course, the Corn Refiners Association wants everyone to keep eating and guzzling more corn products. Check out their ad:
Thanks corn industry. But I much prefer this ad from King Corn:
“Playing for Change” is a movement created to “inspire, connect and bring peace to the world through music.” The project started out as a documentary and has blossomed into an international community passionate for the healing that music can offer to our world.
I’ve always been a little hesitant with music. My croaking voice and emotionally traumatic piano recitals made it difficult for me to enjoy music. Goodness, even my piano practices were traumatic; frequent tears and the hurling of piano books across the room was just a bit of my created drama. I’ve since learned that It doesn’t matter if you have zero musical abilities. Music brings healing to everyone. The sound and vibrations created through music can bring spiritual, emotional and physical healing. Visit Playing for Change to learn more and to join the movement.
Last night, I gathered with a group of about 30 to discuss our current healthcare crisis (it’s a crisis in my opinion).
Change.gov initiated discussions like ours to encourage communities to gather and talk about healthcare. The discussions started on January 15th and must be completed by today (January 31). Summaries of the discussions must be submitted to Change.gov (i.e. Tom Daschle, Secretary-designate of Health and Human Services) by January 4th, so that a report can be created for the President-elect.
It was truly empowering to gather and share ideas to benefit the health of all Americans. I was inspired by the realization that no matter your political/party preference, we can all work together to create positive change (Democracy IN action versus Democracy inaction). We all have an integral voice and a vital role to create a country that survives (preferably flourishes) and supports its people.
Here were the questions (provided by Change.gov) that we discussed:
1. Briefly, from your own experience, what do you perceive is the biggest problem in the health system?
2. How do you choose a doctor or hospital? What are your sources for information? How should public policy promote quality health care providers?
3. Have you or your family members ever experienced difficulty paying medical bills? What do you think policy makers can do to address this problem?
4. In addition to employer-based coverage, would you like the option to purchase a private plan through an insurance-exchange or a public plan like Medicare?
5. Do you know how much you or your employer pays for health insurance? What should an employer’s role be in a reformed health care system?
6. Examples of preventative services Americans should receive: mammogram, flu shot, cholesterol screening. Have you gotten the prevention you should have? If not, how can public policy help? (I know there are debates on these specific screenings. However, the question is more about ACCESS to prevention services not the efficacy of specific screenings.)
7. How can public policy promote healthier lifestyles?
We still have a bit of time, so let’s discuss here. I’ll include this blog discussion in with our summary from last night. Just comment on this post to share your thoughts on any of the questions above…
There has been a lot of support for ”clean coal technology”… but from this view, it doesn’t look like coal is quite so clean:
The coal ash spill that happened in Tennessee last week is beyond dirty. More than 500 million gallons of coal ash sludge is now flowing down the Emory river. Mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals can be found in high concentrations in coal ash. Increased media attention has been given to the spill after experts revealed this to be the largest environmental disaster of its kind in the United States.
Talk about a “Clean Coal” PR nightmare. I’m curious how the coal enthusiasts will respond.
Read more about “clean coal” and the spill from the Sierra Club and Greenpeace (who is calling for a criminal investigation of the spill).
If weight loss is high on your New Year’s resolution list, you may be tempted to use a diet pill. Unfortunately, most diet pills (also called weight-loss supplements) are money down the toilet. However, the FDA has a list of 25 pills that aren’t just a waste of money, but that also have some serious side-effects. And these aren’t measly “anal leakage” side effects.
Some of these supplements have carcinogens in them (cancer causing substances). Others contain banned pharmaceuticals. Some contain active pharmaceutical ingredients at levels that far exceed FDA recommendations.
Unfortunately, you won’t see these dangerous ingredients on the label; they are often undeclared in these supplements.
Here’s the FDA’s list of the tainted 25 supplements:
14 out of 1,000 McCullom Lake Village residents have brain cancer (the national average is 7.3 out of 100,000). The fact that a “coincidence” is even being considered by Rohm and Haas is disgusting. This is exactly how chemical companies have gotten away with causing injury and death to innocent people.
It’s as simple as this: Are innocent people showing negative side effects? Is it possible that a chemical is causing this? Is the chance greater than 50 percent? If so, these companies should take responsibility and pull the chemical out of use.
Share your thoughts on this. Let’s get some discussion going on these ethical issues…
So happy that CBS is celebrating a bit of diversity; not only is there a Chanukkah Prostate exam to choose from, there’s also a Christmas one to wrap up and give to that special man in your life. Just remember, along with the milk and cookies you leave for santa, place a latex glove (size large) near the fireplace mantel.
I’ll put my money on Sickneglect. It’s obvious, our current healthcare system is not working.
We’re just now starting to see the stats of how truly unfair, inefficient and greedy our system has become. People are dying everyday because they don’t have enough insurance. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 18,000 unnecessary deaths occured in the U.S. because of lack of insurance. It seems, that adequate healthcare in this country is not a right, it is a luxury. And amidst the economic crisis, it’s certain that the numbers of uninsured will only increase (beyond the 50 million who are currently without insurance).
Good choice on the ring finger… But pretty disgusting that Rick even had to make that choice.
Thankfully, there’s hope. We CAN make a difference. Start by hosting a discussion:
