'The US military has developed an "indestructible sandwich" that stays fresh for three years. They are designed to remain tasty after months or even years in the sweaty pockets of a soldier’s combat fatigues.' [ More ]
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Welfare reform, new and improved
A new welfare proposal in the House of Representatives encourages work and marriage.
On reparations for slavery (an update)
Many of my friends have asked me what my position is concerning reparations and I often take the middle of the road position as I have done in this previous post. I realize that I can only hold my stance for so long. At some point, I have to cross the road but not just yet.
Meanwhile, Anthony J Sebok offers two excellent reasons in his article on why It would be a mistake to dismiss the reparation lawsuits as an exercise in political grandstanding. Well worth the read.
B.E.T. pulls out of harlem
Harlem's economic development plans hit a snag recently when Black Entertainment Television (BET) announced not only would it not relocate to newly planned Harlem, New York, studios but also that it would move out of the temporary studios in the "black cultural Mecca," which it has called home for two years.
Study reveals link to crime
"A new study provides some of the best evidence to date that low wages and unemployment make less-educated men more likely to turn to crime. Researchers examined national crime rates between 1979 and 1997 and found much of the increase in crime during that period can be explained by falling wages and rising unemployment among men without college educations. While politicians have focused on crime-fighting initiatives as central to controlling crime, this study shows that the impact of labor markets should not be overlooked..."
I would have thought that this type of cause and effect was already self-evident, but I suppose I better leave it up to the "experts" to make it official. Is this going to have any effect on policy? I doubt it.
Not that I'm a big believer in polls, but this is an interesting USAToday/CNN/GALLUP Poll asking Americans their opinions on Congress. The results show that democrtats are preferred by voters by 7%. This could simply be an indication that at this juncture, the political waters are simply standing still. But, it could also mean that people's thoughts on the issues are broader and not simply focused on just major current events.
I'm in favor of this trend because I support issues relating to the environment, personal rights, small, well managed government, attention to social issues, a strong economy, a strong but tightly managed defense, and progressive energy policies.
Women, careers, and babies Maureen Dowd notes that though things seemed to have changed in the gender competition, things remain pretty much the same in some respects.
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Nice swim suits ... Ladies.
Caught in the Crossfire
Monday night James Carville and Paul Begala made their debut on CNN's Crossfire, and made the more experienced Bob Novak and Tucker Carlson look like amateur bullies masquerading as political analysts.
The color-blind Web is a nice, comfy charade to assuage liberal guilt. The truth is that everybody is assumed to be white in cyberspace... Unless of course you make your race known up front. [more]
Dangerfield gets some 'respect'
Rodney Dangerfield finally got some respect with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 80-year-old comic and star of the movies "Caddyshack" and "Back to School" was honored at a ceremony that attracted scores of fans.
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Cherries rich in melatonin 
You've probably heard the saying "life is like a bowl of cherries." Well, now some researchers wonder if cherries can give new life to cells.
