What I Learned About Dieting from Daytime TV … and Snooki?

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daytime TV, diet advice, diets, Dr. Oz, reality tv, Snooki, Snooki diet

When I’m in between consulting jobs, one of my most beloved indulgences is daytime TV. Even bad daytime TV.  And that’s where I found Snooki. And I was reminded of one of the most basic of diet truths, something I had forgotten amid a flurry of fad diet advice and sure-fire diet tricks.

Now as much as I love bad TV, daytime or anytime, I have never watched Snooki or anyone on Jersey Shore. Wasn’t even tempted. And I stoop as low as watching and totally enjoying The Bachelor!

So when I was channel surfing and saw that Snooki was going to be a guest on the Dr. Oz show (his show has good info, but one revelatory THIS is the answer moment after another can really grate on you after a while), I decided it was time to get myself out for a nice walk instead. But something – perhaps the fact that it was April Fool’s day – made me tune in. Or maybe it was just a thought that it’s cool sometimes to get past preconceived notions. Anyway, for whatever reason, I prepared to give her and my curiosity a few minutes.

Snooki on Dr. Oz

And there she was, being interviewed by Dr. Oz, who in a charmingly-annoying way seems to find the best in almost everyone. As for Snooki, she was natural; she was engaging; and she was coherent. All things I didn’t expect.

Sleeping Girl Dreams of Barack!

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"Hillary Clinton" "Barack Obama"

So it turns out the girl who was in Hillary’s infamous 3 am phone call ad is all grown up (the commercial used stock footage) and she supports Barack Obama. And she’s letting everyone know. Not only that…but she wasn’t really asleep. (-;

Casey Knowles, now 18, absolutely hates that her image is being used for what she calls “fear mongering.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m not sure I want the same person (who thinks it’s ok to use the very same tactics Republican do) answering that phone AT ANY TIME and making decisions for us.

Will her decisions really be the best for US or will they be made to enhance her own political viability? And considering what we’ve seen so far, can we really expect anything new and different from a Hillary Clinton administration? We only have her willingness to follow the same old methods of campaigning as our answer. But for me, it’s troubling.

Chris Dodd Backs Barack Obama – Running Mates??

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"Barack Obama", "Chris Dodd"

Our friend Lena has been talking about this for months. A picture is worth a thousand words:

Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut just announced he is endorsing Barack Obama. Dodd is a well-respected senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

They look strong together, don’t they? Chris Dodd has oodles of wisdom and experience, foreign relations and military policy expertise – and he thinks Obama is the guy!

Sure would make a nice running mate for the Obama ticket.

Thanks, Lena!

Oh Ellen…You Could Find Another Way!

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"Ellen Degeneres", "Writers Guild", strike, union

From the headline on AOL, I can see I’m not the only blogger saying “Tsk tsk tsk!” to Ellen DeGeneres. Seems, after showing initial one-day solidarity with her writers and the current writers’ strike by not taping on Monday, she went back to doing the show sans writers, with her sole concession being no monologue.

According to the article Bloggers Blast Strike-Breaking ‘Ellen‘:

“I want to say I love my writers,” DeGeneres said on Tuesday’s show. “I love them. In honor of them today, I’m not going to do a monologue. I support them and hope that they get everything they’re asking for.” DeGeneres goes on to say that she’s continuing her show because “people have traveled across the country” to attend and be guests on her show, and she wants to “do everything I can to make your trip enjoyable and give you a show.”

Now I’m a huge fan of Ellen and know she is not the only one crossing the picket line.

Rudy Giuliani’s New BFF?

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"Pat Robertson", religion

Now that Bernie Kerik, the man Rudy assured us would make a great head of Homeland Security, is about to be indicted for tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy counts, Rudy is in need of a new best friend (cross out that last “f” in bff). And who rides to the rescue? None other than Pat Robertson!

Pat Robertson? Mr. God Speaks Directly To Me? Backing Rudy? In today’s New York Times, Pat Loves Rudy, Gail Collins echoes my incredulity:

Jon Stewart Talks to Alan Greenspan about Financial Markets and Human Nature

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Alan Greenspan, Daily Show, Jon Stewart

This video is one of the shortest and best lessons on what really drives our financial markets. It also explains something about human nature that bums out Jon Stewart.

Greenspan can be a little dry, but worth listening to what he says. And really worth listening to Stewart’s great questions.

Toxic Waste = Hope for Cancer Cure?

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Cancer, Cancer research, Chemistry

Don and Andrea Stierle are researchers in Butte, Montana who are looking at a toxic waste dump to find hope for a cancer cure.

What was once a copper mine for Atlantic Richfield is now a toxic soup that would be lethal to most living things – and yet is yielding some interesting apparently yet-unknown organisms:

Gonzales Resigns, Bush Blames Everyone Else

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Alberto Gonzales, Gonzales

Oh pulleaze! I just heard that President Bush in accepting the resignation of Alberto Gonzales said that his friend’s name was dragged through the mud for political reasons. Yes…that’s exactly right. But Mr. President…the political reasons started with the politically-motivated shenanigans in your very own office.

When will you stop passing the buck? When will you stop placing the blame for your own administration’s considerable mistakes on others?

It would be so refreshing to see you stand up and say:

“Boy did we screw up! Let’s see what we can do to make this right. Hey…I have an idea. Let’s try working together for a change, with each person, no matter what party, rolling up his or her sleeves and accepting responsibility not only for what s/he did, but for finding lasting non-political solutions. I don’t care who started it, let’s end all this non-productive bullshit NOW.”

Just a momentary fantasy. Sadly, right now the miasma of blame on all sides is so thick it feels like no one can get beyond it. But oh how I like to imagine they can.

Remember President Harry S. Truman? He had a sign on his desk that said “The buck stops here!” If only President Bush would just start to give a buck about the rest of us.

Rudy Giuliani: A Myth and a Smile

Rudy Giuliani’s myth is out of control. I’ve read some of the comments from Giuliani supporters who view any opinions from New Yorkers like me as knee-jerk liberal propaganda. But let me tell you…we were here. We know many things that are not part of his well-polished media hype.

Now let me also tell you that I have voted for Republicans and would do so again. I vote for the person, not the party. Although I lean toward Democrats and really wish they’d get their act together, if there were a Republican candidate I thought would be good for our country, I’d vote for him or her without hesitation.

But Giuliani is not that person.

He’s just great at manipulating the media to project his mythological “strong leader” persona and is not afraid to play with the facts to do so.

First Paris and Now Scooter – Some People Get All the Breaks!

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Scooter Libby

We wouldn’t want to be known for cruel and unusual punishment, now would we? Gitmo excluded, of course.

Calling Scooter Libby’s sentence “excessive”, George W. Bush, the man who allowed countless questionable executions when he served as Governor of Texas, has just decided to commute Libby’s sentence for perjury, obstruction of justice, and lying to investigators. Way to go George! You’re probably hoping someone will return the favor one day, if needed.

During his days as Governor, Bush, aided by none other than Alberto Gonzales, found no reason to stop over 150 executions, including the execution of people like Terry Washington “a mentally retarded man of thirty-three with the communication skills of a seven-year-old. Washington’s plea for clemency came before Governor Bush on the morning of May 6, 1997. After a thirty-minute briefing by Gonzales, Bush checked “Deny”— just as he had denied twenty-nine other pleas for clemency in his first twenty-eight months as governor.”

Well…that’s justified. Clearly it’s who you know, not what you know – or understand. (Paris Hilton being a case in point.)

Paris Learns Prison is NOT the Hilton – But She Could Learn So Much More!

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Paris Hilton

She’s the talk of the airwaves and blogosphere. The girl-woman known mainly for her celebrity came up against a harsh reality all too many of our young people (and people of any age) have had to face: prison is terrifying. The thought of being locked up behind bars and unable to get out unless someone lets you out is enough to transform anyone’s legs to jelly.

I’m not here to chastise her or make fun of her. Lord knows there’s enough of that going around. Driving under the influence and speeding again and again as if the law doesn’t apply to her is no joke for sure. But all that’s between Paris and the law right now. And prison is far more effective wake-up call than anything a blogger like me could say.

So why am I writing about something that’s being blogged to death? Because I hope the irony of this will hit home with her. Paris Hilton is a woman who lives a life most people can only dream of – a lifestyle funded by real estate and the Hilton Hotel chain. So it is painfully ironic that her actions (and at times admittedly blatant disregard for authority) have caused her to wind up in a cell with only the barest of essentials. We can talk forever about the role society and her upbringing has played in all this, but in the end, she learns that she is being held responsible. As have so many before her.

And so, as she is subjected to the horrid conditions of prison and the realization of what it’s like to be without control over one’s freedom, I pray that she starts to think not only of her own suffering, but of the countless others who have had to go through what she’s going through – some even younger than she – many without hope in their lives – innocent and guilty alike left to beg for mercy and maybe a bit of understanding from the unyielding walls. And I also pray that she decides to do something to help young people stay out of prison in the first place and/or help them get a real chance in life after they get out. I pray that her compassion is touched by this potentially life-changing experience. And I pray that some good comes from something that at the moment is being treated as the joke of the minute.

Paris…with all your money and influence, you can actually save lives. I hope this experience helps you see that. Good luck turning your own life around – and maybe finding the compassion to help others too.

My Nomination for Stupid Educator of the Year

Five students were denied their diplomas because friends and family cheered too enthusiastically when they graduated from the high school in Galesburg, Illinois. No…seriously.

Here’s the story: CBSnews.com.

It’s not uncommon for high schools to ask the audience to hold applause until the end so the ceremony doesn’t go on too long. And often family is advised of this ahead of time to help things along. Galesburg actually sent notices saying students could be denied their diplomas if this policy was violated. And in the case of five students – four of whom happen to be black and one Hispanic – the school followed through with its threat.

It is strange that only people of color were singled out even though others received applause too. But administrators swear race had nothing to do with it and add that these were simply the most disruptive outbursts. Hmmm…why do I have trouble believing that? Funny how it had to be five and not six or ten or all students with disruptive family. Wonder how they drew the precise line?

But ok…I’ll leave it at that and let other blogs dig further into that particular issue. What I want to talk about is EDUCATION.

After all their hard work and at a time of celebration, these students are being publicly chastised for something their friends and family did – namely showing how proud they are and letting their feelings be known. Those who cheered and applauded were merely exercising their right of free speech in a display of family pride. But if you need to single out anyone, then send those “shameful” parents to community service and let the kids graduate. Why should these students be punished?

What message is the school leaving the kids with? Are they sending them off to face the world with the full backing of their educational institution behind them and a message of hope and encouragement? No. They’re leaving them with this ridiculous bad taste in their mouths at a time when they should be dreaming about all that the future holds.

What the heck kind of lesson is the school imparting? That people shouldn’t be free to express their joy and if they do someone ELSE deserves to be punished? That is so topsy-turvy and against everything a good educator should stand for I can’t believe Galesburg admin isn’t hiding in shame. Instead they say it’s about discipline. At a celebratory ceremony marking the beginning of an exciting new phase in a young person’s life? That’s one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.

A school is responsible until the last moment for building up a student’s skills, knowledge, curiosity, resourcefulness, and most of all confidence in who they are as people. Denying five students their diplomas for the sinful act of parental enthusiasm is totally out of proportion with rational behavior and an egregious failure of responsibility toward all the students.

Tell them you are proud of them. Tell them you support them. Tell them you honor them. And tell them that the best policies are those that are carefully crafted to serve their purpose – but also flexible enough to serve the good of all. A tree that does not bend in the wind will break.

The only thing Galesburg High administrators proved is that they don’t understand the basics of what good education is all about. And they sure don’t understand that there are times when bending – even just a little – can be a show of wisdom and strength.

A Father’s Loss to a War He Hates

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Bacevich

Andrew J. Bacevich lost his son earlier this month to a suicide bomber in Iraq, a country and war he has written much about. Bacevich, a Vietnam veteran and writer, thinks we’re dead wrong to be there. And he’s been openly vocal about his position. In Sunday’s Washington Post he shares his thoughts and feelings: I Lost My Son to a War I Oppose. We Were Both Doing Our Duty.

Many people have accused him of undermining our country’s efforts by playing into the hands of the enemy by opposing the war. And now that his son has been killed, there are actually people pointing fingers and saying his anti-war writings contributed directly to his son’s death. Shame on them.

Bacevich’s son joined the army to do his duty – following in his dad’s footsteps. His son fought bravely to protect our democracy, including the right of each of us to exercise our rights as citizens. And now he’s dead and Bacevich feels he failed him. Not by speaking up, but by being ineffective in his efforts to change our course in Iraq. Those of us looking to change the course aren’t suggesting we desert the Iraqis or our country’s best interests – far from it – but rather to find a better way to protect and further those interests which sadly are being undermined by a failed policy.

We messed up badly and are assuming we can fix it with more of the same. That makes no sense. It’s our very presence that’s hurting and even fueling the insurgency. For the sake of Bacevich’s son and all our brave military, we need to work with others to find a way that in the end leaves Iraq and the Middle East in a stronger position, because that will be in our best interests too. Our present course isn’t the answer. It’s time we were brave enough and far-sighted enough to admit it.

Bacevich’s son, just like so many of our sons and daughters, loved his country and did what he believed in by joining the military. And Bacevich also loves his country and is doing what he can to help us rethink a badly planned and executed war – and to hopefully help keep more of our country’s young men and women from losing their lives for a reason that no longer makes sense – if it ever did. Protecting our country’s interests is one thing – but let’s do it in a way that really leaves us all in a better position.

As far as I’m concerned, Bacevich and his son both served our country well, each doing what he believed to be the right thing. Hopefully neither of their efforts will have been in vain.

—–

About Andrew Bacevich

From: The Huffington Post

Andrew J. Bacevich is professor of international relations at Boston University. A graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, he received his Ph. D. in American diplomatic history from Princeton. In 2004 Dr. Bacevich was a Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin. Before joining the faculty of Boston University, he taught at West Point and at Johns Hopkins.

“Andrew J. Bacevich is professor of international relations at Boston University. A graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, he received his Ph. D. in American diplomatic history from Princeton. In 2004 Dr. Bacevich was a Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin. Before joining the faculty of Boston University, he taught at West Point and at Johns Hopkins.”

 

Edwards-Richardson: Bush-Cheney for the Thinking Person

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Bill Richardson, Candidates, John Edwards

I know the title alone just angered people left and right of the great political divide. But here’s the way I see it.

John Edwards was born in South Carolina and grew up in North Carolina. His dad worked in the textile mills and his mother ran a shop and worked at the post office.

Not the elitist childhood young George W. Bush had (despite his “just one of the guys” persona.) Bush was born in New Haven, CT. The family moved to Texas when W was 2, so his dad could get into the oil business. Which he did big time.

And while young W. was avoiding his military service and building a less than stellar big business career on his daddy’s money and influence, John Edwards was making a name for himself fighting for the rights of the average family against big business – mainly insurance companies.

And then when he became a senator, he worked on serious issues like “quality health care, better schools, protecting civil liberties, preserving the environment, saving Social Security and Medicare, and reforming the ways campaigns are financed.

As a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Edwards worked tirelessly for a strong national defense and to strengthen the security of our homeland. He authored key pieces of legislation on cyber, bio, and port security.”

This is a man who cares deeply about the people of this country and not just about pushing through an agenda that benefits big business and a religious right that holds his IOUs. This is a man with passion and dedication to making this country better for everyone – not just big business and special interests.

Edwards is particularly focused on poverty, probably because of the way he grew up. In contrast, our President, who never knew the fear and hopelessness that comes with poverty, has helped drain our coffers with an ill-conceived and shamefully executed war and unnecessary tax cuts. He’s leading us into a fiscal nightmare that needs serious attention now. But what we get instead are half-hearted proposals and his “I’m one of you” smile that comforts an uneasy citizenry less and less. As Bush senior probably would say about the way his son has handled our future: “Wasn’t prudent.”

So now to my basic premise. Like George W. Bush, John Edwards is affable and has a way that wins people over. And like W, Edwards conveys a simple nature that sometimes belies a more complex under-core. But the comparison stops there, since Edwards’s under-core is about truly making a difference for the average person and Bush the Younger is all about big business (especially the oil industry), encroaching on personal rights and liberties, and unraveling the safety net we’ve worked so hard to create.

But what about the issue of gravitas? Does Edwards have it? We know Bush didn’t (he also didn’t have much experience), so they gave him Cheney. And that’s why we add Bill Richardson to the ticket.

Why Layoffs Hurt Companies

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Downsizing

How many times have we heard about a company laying off masses of workers in the name of profitability?

“But what about the poor workers?” so many of us ask.

“We’re doing it for our stockholders,” they respond unflinchingly, looking us straight in the eye.

Oh really??? Well, the case is not so clear according to a wonderfully written article in the April 30, 2007 issue of The New Yorker. It seems James Surowiecki has a very different version of the story to tell. I highly recommend reading Surowiecki’s piece It’s the Workforce, Stupid!, but in a nutshell, here’s what he says:

• The old “seven-percent rule” about a stock price jumping 7% when major layoffs are announced does not hold up in reality.
• There may be a temporary spike in productivity, but gains are often short-lived as the impact on morale (along with other often unforeseen effects) takes its toll.
• The few examples where downsizing did boost the stock price and help reshape the company were more about an extraordinary CEO like Jack Welch of GE; the layoffs there were only a tiny part of the organizational redevelopment that took place. Unfortunately, too many people assume they can replicate what Jack Welch did. They can’t.
• We don’t hear about all the countless other places where downsizing failed to make a difference to the bottom line or even hurt it.
• Valuable resources are sacrificed for a quick blip in the bottom line. In fact, sometimes because of their higher salaries, experienced employees are purposefully included in a layoff. The company thinks it’s being so clever, but what was thought to be a smart move turns out to be more costly as the company learns these employees were not as fungible as they thought.
• R&D may be lost and this does not bode well for the company’s ability to be competitive in the long run. And, iff this trend continues here, it will also impact our country’s ability to compete internationally.
• The stock market is now taking all these factors into account, so the 7% rule (which wasn’t true anyway) is basically dead

Surowiecki sums it up nicely:

“There’s nothing wrong with cost-cutting, and in any dynamic economy layoffs will be necessary. The problem is that too many companies today define workers solely in terms of how much they cost, rather than how much value they create. This is understandable: after downsizing, it’s easier to measure a lower wage bill than it is to see the business the company isn’t getting because it has too few salesmen, or the new products it isn’t inventing because its R. & D. staff is too small.

These lost opportunities may be hard to measure, but over time they can have a huge impact on corporate performance. Judging from its reaction to layoff announcements, the stock market understands this. It’s time executives did, too.”

Amen!