November 16, 2009 by vortmax.

It’s that time of year again.  The time of year when the airwaves bombard us with commercialized carols and red and green ad displays.  It’s also that time again for the “War on Christmas” emails to begin circulating.

I have not received any such email, but I hear the gist of one of them is this:

President Obama is going to call the National Christmas Tree the “National Holiday Tree,” and that the Obamas are going to have a “White House Holiday Tree” instead of a White House Christmas tree.

Let me say that is complete and utterly false.

First, per the National Parks Service, the nation will still have the traditional National Christmas Tree.  So consider part 1 of the above email debunked.

Second, per the Washington Post, Michelle Obama has specified the type of “Official White House Christmas tree” she wants.  Thus part 2 of the purported e-mail is also proven false.

Finally, my favorite fact-check site, Politifact, has also debunked this false claim, labeling it a “Pants on Fire” lie, complete with sources that refute the email’s claims (including a reference to a similar e-mail about President Bush doing the same thing, which is equally ridiculous).

For those of us in the Christian faith, we understand what the true meaning of Christmas is.  The blessing of the birth of Jesus Christ will never be forgotten, no matter how many jingles, ads, or hyperbolic chain e-mails we receive.

Posted in Computers, News, Politics | 1 Comment »

October 31, 2009 by vortmax.

Once again, Jon Stewart nails it:

Posted in News, Politics | No Comments »

October 1, 2009 by vortmax.

I have an iPhone.  It’s the 3G iPhone, because I’m not one of those “first adopters.”  I used to be one of those people that thought a basic cell phone was all I would need, but now I realize I cannot live without my iPhone and it’s connectivity.

Case in point:

Today I was on my way into work.  I had to take a little side trip, and while I was there I decided to check my checking account.  Fortunately, there’s an app for that.

I use my bank’s iPhone application to log in, check my balance, review my history, then pay a few  bills.  This took all of five minutes.

Afterwards, I wiped my butt, pulled up my pants, washed my hands, and walked to my office.

Isn’t technology grand?

Posted in Computers, Home | No Comments »

September 29, 2009 by vortmax.

This weekend, the largest free clinic ever in the US was held in Houston’s Reliant Center:

It’s an epidemic here in Texas and Harris County — people without health insurance. On Saturday, the uninsured lined up to get their needs met.

More than 2,000 people came to Reliant Center to see doctors for free. Many of the people we talked to can’t afford health insurance, especially in the rough economy. Some say it shows the need for health care reform.

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn advocates using charity as the final option for health care.  So does  Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor, as seen in a previous post.

Coburn and Cantor are obviously not people who have had the indignity of having to beg for something (other than more donations to their campaigns), yet they expect the uninsured to rely on just that.  Become indigent, become poor, even sign up for a government-run health care system (Medicaid).  And, if all those fail, “hope” that the goodness of others will keep them well enough to stay healthy and become productive members of society.

In my opinion, begging is not an option.  It’s humiliating and no guarantee of getting health care.  If someone can convince me that it is, I’ll be happy to hear them.

Posted in Health, News, Politics | No Comments »

September 25, 2009 by vortmax.

Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA) participated in a town hall meeting hosted by the Richmond Times Dispatch.  Democratic Representative Bobby Scott also attended.  Together, they took questions from the audience regarding their position on health care reform.  The discussions were quite civil.

However, one of Rep. Cantor’s responses has me shaking my head.  Here’s the video:

Paraphrasing:
Attendee: “A relative lost her job.  She later finds out she has cancer.  She has no health insurance. What is your proposed solution?”

Cantor: “Sell everything to pay expenses.  Once a certain poverty level is reached, apply for Medicaid (government-run health care for the poor).  After that, look to charity or indigent services for assistance.”

Is this the Republican “solution?”

Posted in News, Politics | No Comments »

September 20, 2009 by vortmax.

If you remember your social studies and civics courses, you most probably are.

From Oklahoma’s News 9:

A thousand students were given 10 questions drawn from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services item bank. Candidates for U.S. citizenship must answer six questions correctly in order to become citizens.

About 92 percent of the people who take the citizenship test pass on their first try, according to immigration service data. However, Oklahoma students did not fare as well. Only about 3 percent of the students surveyed would have passed the citizenship test.

The news story has the 10 questions, and I was able to answer all 10 off the top of my head.  Can you pass the test?

Posted in News, Politics | No Comments »

September 10, 2009 by vortmax.

It’s the day after a big speech (along with a story that goes beyond the speech), but I have found something that has moved me more than any politician ever could.

NPR:  He’ll help you find your flight, and God.’

Chester Cook knows he can always find a lost soul at the re-ticketing counter in Terminal A at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. So he goes there each day, plants himself near the line and scans faces.

“I’m normally looking for someone who’s having a meltdown,” Cook says.

Soon enough, he spots a woman. She’s near tears, looks to be in her 60s and is lugging a heavy bag. Cook approaches her.

“I’ve been changed again to [gate] C57,” she says, gasping for breath. “I can’t walk any farther.”

“OK, I’m going to go check it out with you,” he says as he hails down a motorized cart and helps her on. “I’m going to ride with you back here, OK?”

“I thank you for your help,” she says. “Who are you?”

“I’m Chaplain Cook,” he says. “I’m your little angel today.”

This Methodist Minister is a perfect example of what a Christian should be:  caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental.

Posted in Religion | No Comments »

September 5, 2009 by vortmax.

OK, I don’t get it.

President Ronald Reagan addressed the classrooms of America in 1988, even taking questions from students and promoting his idea of lower taxes for all.

President George H. W. Bush had a televised address to students in October 1991, asking kids to write him to “tell him how to achieve his goals.”

President George W. Bush was reading to kids on Sept. 11, 2001.

Now President Barack Obama wants to do a televised address to the nation’s schools to promote staying in school and working hard… and the far right is outraged, OUTRAGED, that President Obama may be “indoctrinating” their kids into “socialism.”

Where was the outrage then?  Where were the angry parents threatening to pull their kids out of school instead of being “indoctrinated” into some political cause?  Where?

Nietzsche said, “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher
regard those who think alike than those who think differently.”  These people are afraid to open their minds, so they close their kids’ minds as well.

Here’s what I want to say to those people:  Instead of plugging your ears, how about listening as well, then engaging your child about what was said.  Discuss what the President said with your child.  Talk about the parts you disagree with, as well as the parts you agree with.

But that would assume these people want to engage their brains and participate in their child’s education.  All indications are currently otherwise.

Posted in Politics | No Comments »

September 4, 2009 by vortmax.

I’ve been on corticosteroids (Prednisone and an inaler-based steroid) for about a year.  I have noticed my weight varying wildly since then, even ballooning up 25 lbs. from what I was when this all started.  I have since lost 12 of those lbs. by using the “Lose it!” iPhone application to keep track of my calorie intake.  I’ve leveled off of late, but that’s my own darn fault for not strictly adhering to my “Lose 2 pounds a week” calorie limit.

One behavior I tried to change long ago was eating late.  I told my wife (who is also trying to lose weight) that we shouldn’t eat after 9:00 p.m.   I find it easier to adhere to this because I can just have a glass of ice water and crunch on the ice to fool my body into thinking I’m “eating” something.  My wife, the sweet-tooth, has found this more difficult.

Now I have ammunition that backs up my point:

At the end of the six week study period, mice in both groups had consumed about the same amount of calories and performed the same amount of exercise. However, the mice who ate when they normally would have been sleeping hours posted an average 48 percent increase in body weight. The mice who ate on a regular schedule had an average increase of 20 percent of body weight. 

So, want that extra handful of M&M’s just before bed?  Wake up late and want a small scoop of ice cream?  Don’t do it!  Your waistline may thank you later.

Posted in Health, Home | No Comments »

September 2, 2009 by vortmax.

Brian Donohue of the New Jersey Star Ledger attended a town hall meeting with Rep. Frank Pallone (D) of New Jersey’s 6th district.  He filed this report:

Speaks for itself.

Posted in News, Politics | No Comments »