Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Genetically modified organisms or GMO do not seem to be making
much noise in the mainstream media. Some may find it boring or
inconsequential. At least one point raised by environmental types
is not knowing the ultimate consequence to the biosphere if we are
to modify organisms without benefit of understanding the results.

So much flack was generated not long ago on cloning or stem cell
research methods that you might expect more controversy in the
press over similar activities with other living things. The ethics of
it may not be at issue but certainly food safety and the effects of the
modifications should at least provoke questions. You could make the
case that if the WTO is involved it is worth a look. When has the
WTO not caused controversy in most of what they do?

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EU set to decide on compulsory tests for GMO rice
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Oct 16
EU regulators will decide this week whether to force testing of
all U.S. long-grain rice imports to prove the absence of a
genetically modified (GMO) strain not allowed in Europe, an
official said on Monday.

USDA verifies 2nd test for unapproved GMO rice
Reuters - Sep 15, 2006
Dr. Manfred Schneider is a former Chairman of the Management Board,
Bayer AG. Full Bio. WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The US Agriculture …

Consumer group urges USDA not to approve GMO rice
Truth about Trade & Technology, IA - Sep 18, 2006
Washington (Reuters) - A controversial genetically modified rice strain found
in commercial supplies last month should not be approved by the US Agriculture …

WTO Sides With US in GMO Dispute With EU
AgWeb - Sep 29, 2006
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favor of the United States,
Argentina, and Canada in their WTO case against the European Union (EU) over its …

EuropaBio welcomes ’science-based’ hearing on GM food
FoodNavigator.com, France - Oct 10, 2006
… Furthermore, the WTO ruled earlier this year that the EU and six member … United
States, Argentina and Canada that an effective moratorium on GMO imports between …

Safety, Prosperity Return to Afghan Village

by Renée Montagne

View Gallery

Jim Wildman, NPR

Istalif’s hillside homes have stunning views of both the
Hindu Kush Mountains and the Shomali Plain, north of
Kabul. For tourists, it has become a popular destination
for weekend picnics. For residents, it has become a safe
place to prosper.
Morning Edition, October 20, 2006 · Five years after the
invasion of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, the Taliban
has been making a comeback in the country’s south. But
in the north, at least one village known for its colorful
pottery has found peace and prosperity.

For those who malign mainstream media and specifically
public television and radio, the links above are offered for
you. While an argument can be made for bias in the media,
this is one case of some long overdue good news from the
country of Afghanistan. And rather than argue the relative
merits or lack of them in the media, only this. Just for the
moment, read the piece, perhaps continue reading with the
links, and just feel good for some people in Afghanistan who
are currently experiencing some deserved good fortune. And
think of the troops who have reason to enjoy this story too.

House Speaker Hastert continues to be the focus of one of several scandals within Washington, or more accurately, the Congress. Although the accusations have far reaching implications, campaign politics of a mid term election where the minority party sees a renewed chance to become the majority in the House evokes a curiosity of why now. If the allegations involve events as far back as 2003 the coincidence of timing indicts more than Hastert why this story took so long to break. It is as if everyone in Washington turns away from less than acceptable behavior rather than do the right thing unless a political advantage is available.

Much the same could be said of other developing scandals if the timing is right. Senator Reid seems to think buying staff presents with campaign funds is ok and so is not reporting real estate profits on required disclosure statements. Correction: he said it was a clerical error. Even for a Senator, that’s a lame excuse.

It seems Congressman Curt Weldon has improperly acquired lobbying and consulting contracts for family members and friends. The list keeps getting bigger and we still have the reluctance of voters to throw the bums out.

But why should this be a surprise. Maybe some indictment should be placed upon the public for allowing politicians to become this perverse. How many people vote “their pocketbooks” or in some way vote for what is in their own best interest. That is quite understandable unless voting that way allows this insanity to continue. It is not a matter of conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican. It is simply allowing enough members of Congress to stay long enough for the corruption of politics to be maintained.

While randomly selecting subjects for a search of the lobby disclosure data at the Senate’s website I found a connection to the name of Daschle. A little more searching and sure enough. Former Senator Tom Daschle and most everyone in his family is in the lobby game. After seeing a politician who often sported the gee I’m a good guy persona, I found it not surprising when the lobby data appeared.

If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. If you only vote based on what is good for you alone, you are not serving your country. Please consider voting against incumbents, this year and every year. It is the only way the average citizen can break the corruption in Washington. If you don’t do this, then you like the way it is. That would be unforturnate for everyone.

This ends the current rant of Stanford Matthews, thanks for reading.

Along with the natural reaction to fight back, it would be nice if we
would attempt to improve the culture in the schools. Years ago, some
time after the rocks cooled, parents had a grand impression of school
and how their children were to respond to it. Children were aware of
what was expected of them. Strict rules were in place and if not for the
parents making it clear that trouble in school would be met with severe
consequences, no doubt there would have been more problems than
were ultimately experienced.

Were there problem students? Did students get picked on at school? Gee,
Wally, were there bullies then? Did kids fight in schools years ago? Yes,
all of that and more. The question should be what happened between
then and now to cause the new level of violence?

Fighting an armed intruder in a school is a choice to be made by those
involved. Whether it is a good idea or not will probably not be decided
until there is some evidence of the effectiveness in the real world. Some
may lose their interest in this with a few bad outcomes. As with many
problems, having more than one proposed solution might be useful. It
seems reasonable just as in school related financial matters, that all the
players have a hand in the solution. The administrators, the teachers,
the parents and the students. If more of that was happening on a regular
basis we may not even be discussing school violence now.
Friday, October 13, 2006 · Last updated 11:42 a.m. PT

Texas school tells classes to fight back

By JEFF CARLTON ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER BURLESON,

Texas — Youngsters in a suburban Fort Worth school district are being taught not to sit there like good boys and girls with their hands folded if a gunman invades the classroom, but to rush him and hit him with everything they got - books, pencils, legs and arms.

Jamal Simmons: Why do Republicans Think Don King’s Endorsement Matters to African Americans?

Jamal SimmonsTue Oct 17, 11:49 AM ET

I have been wondering about this since 2004. Who are the black people that look to Don King for political advice? This is not my joke but this was too funny not to let others know about it. This morning, my favorite morning comedian, Huggy Lowdown ripped Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Michael Steele apart for his recent endorsements by Boxing Promoter Don King and (very) former Heavyweight Boxing Champ Mike Tyson. “The Republicans know black people hate George W. Bush so much that Michael Steele would rather (be endorsed by) a convicted murderer and a convicted rapist than President Bush.” Huggy Lowdown appears on the Donny Simpson show on WPGC-FM in Washington DC.

Scandals affect 2 Ohio House races, leave others in doubt

Contra Costa Times - Oct 17, 2006 AP.

Gov. Bob Taft had pleaded no contest to failing to claim gifts, fundraiser Tom Noe was convicted of funneling illegal contributions to President Bush and Rep. Bob Ney admitted that he accepted trips, meals …

Outstanding clinical teacher

July 2001

Dr. Thomas J. Walsh, senior investigator, pediatric oncology
branch, NCI, was awarded this year’s Clinical Teacher Award.
The award recognizes excellence in clinical training involving
the direct care of patients by any senior clinical investigator
at NIH. Clinical associates nominate individuals who, in their
judgment, have contributed significantly to the professional
development of clinical trainees. A panel of NIH fellows makes
the final selection. Pictured (l to r), Dr. Thomas J. Walsh, Dr.
James Gully, Dr. John Gallin and Rob McClure.

more recently……

NIH Audit Criticizes Scientist’s Dealings
A researcher received more than $100,000 from drug firms.
The agency calls it ’serious misconduct’ but has issued no penalty.

By David Willman, Times Staff Writer
September 10, 2006
WASHINGTON — A senior researcher at the National Institutes
of Health engaged in “serious misconduct” by entering into dozens
of unauthorized private arrangements with drug companies and
failing to report annually the outside income, totaling more than
$100,000, a confidential internal review by the agency has found.

Transparency needed in drug researchers’ finances
Boston Globe, United States - Oct 6, 2006
… of NIH rules at the time. Selected quotation, anyone? Those rules
are now even stronger than they were before December 2003, when
David Willman exposed rampant …

Drug Companies’ Consulting Fees at Issue
Los Angeles Times, CA - Oct 6, 2006
By David Willman, Times Staff Writer. … NIH ethics rules, tightened
last year, prohibit employees from accepting any form of
pharmaceutical company stock and most …

Panel Challenges NIH Handling of Rules Violations
Los Angeles Times, CA - Sep 14, 2006
By David Willman, Times Staff Writer. … of Health agreed on at least
one point Wednesday: Private financial deals between drug companies
and NIH scientists that …

House subcomittee hearing focuses on disciplinary measures for NIH …
News-Medical.net, Australia - Sep 18, 2006
… He added that NIH currently is “clarifying its policies regarding the
presentation of scientific information” to FDA advisory committees
(Willman, Los Angeles …

There is no editorial comment or other information provided here other
than the pieces of information displayed above. We believe they speak
for themselves but if any clarification is required, please leave a comment
and we’ll get back to ya.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com staff

We could certainly use more of this. When so much of the news is focused on death and the endless stream of tragedy throughout the planet, it would reassure the world that there is a chance to make things right, if only we would listen.

For the skeptics, providing there is no follow up story to blemish this flawless effort by an individual, this could be the best story of the year.

Stanford Matthews

Richly deserved prize for banker to the poor
Chicago Tribune, United States - 13 hours ago
LONDON — It would have been more charitable–and certainly a lot
easier–just to give the poor woman the money. But instead, Muhammad
Yunus lent her $27. …

Banker wins Nobel Peace Prize
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 14 hours ago
By staff writers and wires. A BANGLADESHI banker and the institution
he founded have been jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for …

Banker changed a nation by lending a hand
Toronto Star, Canada - 15 hours ago
Being a poor woman in Bangladesh stood for nothing before the Grameen
Bank came along. “They had no status in society. Traditionally …

Nobel Prize Winner Yunus Revered by Poor
Houston Chronicle, United States - 15 hours ago
By BETH DUFF-BROWN AP Writer. © 2006 AP. — Walking alongside rice
paddies and water buffalo on the outskirts of Dhaka with Bangladeshi …

Yunus brings cheer to Bangladesh
Times of India, India - 15 hours ago
DHAKA: The news of economist Mohammad Yunus winning the Nobel Peace
prize has brought cheer and joy in Bangladesh with President Iajuddin Ahmed
leading the …

Brace Yourselves post at Shakespeare’s Sister
If it quacks like a duck…… or a PC term by any other name….. I’m sorry
was that supposed to be a rose? My apologies to Shakespeare’s Sister but
I take offense at a post that characterizes anyone who is not diversity
happy with a term like anti-multiculturalism. If it was not intended to be a
polite turn of phrase to substitute anti-multiculturalism for racist, then again
I apologize. Being opposed to unrestrained immigration, uncontrolled
borders and lax national security should not earn one the title racist. Which
is the feeling one gets whenever expressing their preference for anything
other than let everyone come, let everyone do what they want, don’t worry
about a thing.

There is a cost associated with every social change. There is a way to lessen the unpleasant outcomes that can occur. If people would approach diversity as a result rather than the objective it would likely happen naturally and not be met with much opposition. Gradual change for any reason is less disruptive than an expeditious campaign touted to be the right thing to do.

As for Mr. Putnam’s research, who knows? It may make sense, it may not.
How often are results of learned authors’ works refuted by later data or the
competing paper of another equally qualified individual? Your are probably
right about Putnam’s premature announcement and wanting to see the data.
But please, enough with the insults already. Those not fond of unrestrained
immigration are tired of the slams. We have a valid point or points also. Any
one merely wanting immigration control to deny people of any particular
ethnic or racial heritage the ability to come to America is simply wrong. But
it is also wrong ignore the need for controlled immigration. That’s what gives
diversity a bad name, not those of us urging sensible control.

You might notice the following links are from Belgium, Ireland, Australia and
elsewhere. Is the U.S. the only country where such stories are popular?

Stanford Matthews & C. Harris
Tribes in Europe and the Disappearance of Trust
Brussels Journal, Belgium - Oct 12, 2006
… This week Robert Putnam, Harvard professor and author of … told The
Financial Times (“Harvard study paints bleak picture of ethnic diversity”)
that “the …

Harvard study paints bleak picture of ethnic diversity
Financial Times, UK - Oct 8, 2006
A bleak picture of the corrosive effects of ethnic diversity has been revealed
in research by Harvard University’s Robert Putnam, one of the world’s most …

Harvard University’s renowned political scientist Robert Putnam …
FinFacts Ireland, Ireland - Oct 9, 2006
Harvard University’s political scientist Professor Robert Putnam, author of … a
bleak picture of the corrosive effects of ethnic diversity, revealed in …

Harvard prof says diversity not an unqualified good
Hot Air, MD - Oct 10, 2006
Not just any Harvard prof … Robert Putnam, who argued famously in “Bowling
Alone” that Americans … preparing to tie that phenomenon somehow to ethnic
diversity? …

Ethnic diversity ‘breeds mistrust’
Daily Telegraph, Australia - Oct 9, 2006
… The worrying findings about the effects of ethnic diversity were developed by
Robert Putnam, a Harvard University political scientist whose previous research …

More Diversity, Less Civility [John Derbyshire]
National Review Online Blogs, NY - Oct 10, 2006
… Curiously, Harvard University political scientist Robert Putnam has recently
published bleak findings of his research showing how the ethnic diversity passions …

Diverse communities trust less
Washington Times, DC - Oct 9, 2006
A Harvard University political scientist said people in ethnically … Robert Putnam
said his research shows that the … “In the presence of diversity, we hunker down …

Research shows disturbing picture of modern life
MSNBC - Oct 8, 2006
… The Harvard Professor was making a point about “social … The second kind, says
Putnam, can “lead to Bosnia … His diversity research reveals not just that bonding …

Below is an example of just one more initiative simply created to
further the goals of one of the players on the international scene.
Day after day representatives of each country, regime, group,
organization or whatever make a statement in opposition to or in
favor of some grand plan or idea they claim is an effort to solve a
problem in the world. While this plays out and any one interested
weighs in on the idea’s relative merits or lack of same, people keep
dying or have their lives ruined or merely continue to suffer the
consequences of everyone else’s selfishness. No one is really trying
to find the right solution. They are simply working on a solution
that works for them. As long as that remains the strategy, no amount
of PR is going to change anything.

The major countries of the world have the tools necessary to solve
most of the world’s problems if they so desire. The problem is that
runs contrary to what they, the leaders of these countries, want. No
leaders have the courage to confront the other powers in their own
countries. The power behind the money in every country is not in
favor of what most of us would like; a peaceful world where every
person can pursue their dreams. Makes for a nice story but does not
work for the big money guys. It’s a bizarre global version of the old
joke, he who dies with the most toys wins.

This rant provided by C. Harris, with assistance from Stanford Matthews.

EXCLUSIVE- US starts plan to help Hamas opponents
Reuters AlertNet - Oct 13, 2006
By Adam Entous. JERUSALEM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The United States
has quietly started a campaign projected to cost up to $42 million to
bolster Hamas’s political opponents ahead of possible early Palestinian
elections, say officials linked to the programme.

It just stinks that a group of idiots like the ones at HP could damage the stature of a champion competitor. Another example of the type of behavior in the U.S. that should make it easier to understand why this country’s reputation is viewed differently than our self-image might suggest.

Oct. 11, 2006, 9:53PM

HP Execs Cashed Options Before Scandal

By JORDAN ROBERTSON AP Business Writer © 2006 The Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd made nearly $1.4 million by cashing out a slew of stock options just one week before the company’s boardroom spying scandal broke, and several other company insiders also walked away with millions, according to regulatory filings.

Google Weds Writely And Spreadsheets

Say good-bye to the Writely brand. Google plans to integrate the online word processor with Google Spreadsheets. The application suite will be called Google Docs & Spreadsheets.

By Thomas Claburn InformationWeek Oct 11, 2006 12:01 AM

At the Office 2.0 Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, Google plans to announce the marriage of its online word processing application, Writely, with Google Spreadsheets.

Ya, and I’m gonna send my whole office online to Google. I like this idea about as much as the store your backups online. Well, maybe after no one got really mad about Choicepoint and other businesses who “accidentally” let hackers gain access and/or steal private data, no one cares about this either. After all, it’s just sharing and collaborating online right? Ya, just like Google Analytics is free. They just keep a copy of the data.

C. Harris

Web ad exec: Video ads not yet appealing

“And 30-second commercials tacked on to a video aren’t going to cut it. “People today are walking TiVos,” Kingdon said, referring to the digital video recorders that makes it easy for viewers to skip advertising spots. “If they see something that looks like an ad, they mentally look beyond it.”

The excerpt above is from further down in the article. It was used here to point out the important message which is the pervasive nature of video ware like Flash is very annoying. With the advent and popularity some years ago of pop-up ad blocking and other anti-ad features in browsers you might think that advertisers would get the drift. In your face ads suck. Why so many websites use it other than the obvious revenue stream incentive is beyond comprehension. Runs counter to the flavor of the internet. On the other hand, text advertising is none of that. I read it.

But all advertising could gain if they would simply make the case for their product or service. Ya, crazy huh? How about telling me something useful about your product. Oh it’s useless eh? So is the advertising. If huckster marketing devised by greedy bastards in boardrooms is all American business has to offer then we really are in trouble. Here comes China.

Stanford Matthews

Scorsese crime drama “Departed” leads box office

Reuters - Oct 8, 2006

By Dean Goodman. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Martin Scorsese’s first contemporary crime drama in 11 years blew away its rivals at the weekend box office in North America and scored the best opening in the director’s career.

from MoreWhat.com staff:
Good for you Mr. Scorsese! Alice doesn’t live here anymore and the number of things you can count on in your lifetime seem to dwindle as the years pass. But Martin Scorsese is a constant.

The best opening in the director’s career, with a list of more than forty films. It is a tribute to a fine career and a loyal public who appreciates good work.

Lettuce grower says tests come back negative for E. coli

San Francisco Chronicle - (10-10) 17:37 PDT SALINAS — Samples of tainted irrigation water that prompted a Salinas grower to recall more than 8,500 cartons of green leaf lettuce Sunday tested negative for a feared strain of E. coli, the produce company said today.

from MoreWhat.com staff:
So that’s it? Funny how all the recent E.coli problems are originating in Salinas County California and not reported as anywhere else. If the problem truly is just in Salinas County, why not concentrate efforts there and solve the problem? Oh no! Economic disaster for the county would be unacceptable. But for a problem that resulted in death, it seems criminal. Where are the blame game players now? Everyday you can read about blame in politics. Where is the blame game in agriculture?

C. Harris