Archive for September, 2006
The power of denial
Parts of the National Intelligence Estimate report are declassified and making the rounds over the internet. Here is the file; Here are a few gems:
The Iraq conflict has become the “cause celebre” for jihadists, breeding a deep
resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for
the global jihadist movement.
Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: (1)
Entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western
domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; (2) the
Iraq jihad (3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic, social, and
political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and (4) pervasive anti-US
sentiment among most Muslims
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Sep 28th, 2006
Night and Day
Now I remember what it was like to have a president who was articulate, educated, and honest. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9026120716999978732&q=clinton+fox+news&hl=en
Compare that video to any interview with Bush and you’ll see that the difference is night and day.
. . .
Will our children ever forgive us?
Should they?
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Sep 26th, 2006
Amazing
I didn’t know it was possible: a cable news journalist actually delivered something researched and respectable. Watch the video : http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3932719463459133063&q=clinton+fox+news&hl=en
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Sep 26th, 2006
The other half of retirement planning
Retirement planning and saving is a popular topic in the U.S. A quick sample of investment magazines yields at least a dozen titles that feature leading articles about retirement planning. This makes sense, as fewer retirees will have a dependable defined-benefit pension or adequate Social Security payments. No matter where you look, the advice is usually the same (and fairly simple): save a lot, keep spending low, and diversify your investments. There is one part of the equation that always seems to be missing, however: investing in your health.
By this I don’t mean buying healthcare-focused funds. I mean investing in your health. Exercise, eat well, and take the steps necessary to ensure that your retirement is healthy as well as wealthy.
It’s easy to put off worrying about your health when you’re young and generally in good shape. But study after study shows that people who actively manage their health when they’re 30 are far more likely to stay healthy into their 60s (and beyond). Good habits now–eating well, exercising, moderate alcohol intake–are much easier to maintain than mid-life-crisis change.
A healthy retirement means you’ll enjoy your post-work decades more. It also helps to preserve your hard-earned savings by avoiding health care costs. You’ll also live longer, allowing you to spoil your grandchildren, travel the world, or accomplish all those goals that were incompatible with a working lifestyle.
If you have a 401(k) or a Roth IRA, you’re half way there. Now you need to invest a little time, a little money, and a little willpower in your health. Keep that hearth healthy, eat right, and do a little preventative maintenance on your body. Your future self will thank you.
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Sep 23rd, 2006
It’s easy and painless
You’ve heard of them, and you’ve probably thought of buying a few. Well, stop thinking, go to the store, and buy some compact fluorescent light bulbs. Seriously.
“Buy why?” you ask.
They’re not very expensive.
They use about 75% less electricity than an incandescent bulb.
The bulbs last for years and years.
You will reduce your electric bill.
The bulbs will pay for themselves in energy savings.
You will reduce the amount of coal/gas/uranium/oil burned at the local power plant.
Your friends and family will be impressed.
You will feel good about yourself.
Go. Now. Buy 10. Buy 20. Buy 200! (They make great gifts too.)
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Sep 17th, 2006
