Sunday, June 4, 2017
Concierge Medicine
An excerpt from the NY Times -
The Doctor Is In. Co-Pay? $40,000.
By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ
Money has always made a big difference in the medical world: fancier rooms at hospitals, better food and access to the latest treatments and technology. Concierge practices, where patients pay several thousand dollars a year so they can quickly reach their primary care doctor, with guaranteed same-day appointments, have been around for decades.
But these aren’t the concierge doctors you’ve heard about — and that’s intentional.
Dr. Shlain’s Private Medical group does not advertise and has virtually no presence on the web, and new patients come strictly by word of mouth. But with annual fees that range from $40,000 to $80,000 (more than 10 times what conventional concierge practices charge), the suite of services goes far beyond 24-hour access or a Nespresso machine in the waiting room.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/business/economy/high-end-medical-care.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed
The Doctor Is In. Co-Pay? $40,000.
By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ
Money has always made a big difference in the medical world: fancier rooms at hospitals, better food and access to the latest treatments and technology. Concierge practices, where patients pay several thousand dollars a year so they can quickly reach their primary care doctor, with guaranteed same-day appointments, have been around for decades.
But these aren’t the concierge doctors you’ve heard about — and that’s intentional.
Dr. Shlain’s Private Medical group does not advertise and has virtually no presence on the web, and new patients come strictly by word of mouth. But with annual fees that range from $40,000 to $80,000 (more than 10 times what conventional concierge practices charge), the suite of services goes far beyond 24-hour access or a Nespresso machine in the waiting room.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/03/business/economy/high-end-medical-care.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed
The Wire vs. Breaking Bad
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-wire-vs-breaking-bad-which-show-reigns-supreme_us_5931d254e4b02478cb9b91f9?6pr
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Funky Bridge
From Sactown Magazine -
http://www.sactownmag.com/June-July-2017/Spanning-the-Future/
 |
| The Lucky Knot bridge in Changsha, China, which opened in 2016, was the result of an international design competition. It has a 78-foot clearance for boats. |
http://www.sactownmag.com/June-July-2017/Spanning-the-Future/
Friday, June 2, 2017
Out
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/paris-climate-agreement-withdrawal/?hpid=hp_no-name_graphic-story-b%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.cd7a3e9bc81a
The Police Only Saw Black
An excerpt from the Undefeated -
TIGER WOODS SAYS HE’S ‘CABLINASIAN,’ BUT THE POLICE ONLY SAW BLACK
The golfer’s DUI arrest highlights the country’s ‘one-drop’ rule and his complex relationship with black America
BY MICHAEL A. FLETCHER
Woods’ decision to embrace his full multiracial identity was respected by many African-Americans as his right. But others who celebrated his many breakthroughs and saw his success as their own, treated it as a rejection — not to mention a sign of naiveté, cowardice or even betrayal.
There were jokes that Woods would know he was black if he tried to catch a cab at night. Even Colin Powell, the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when asked about Woods, was quoted as saying, “In America, which I love from the depths of my heart and soul, when you look like me, you are still considered black.”
The criticism only intensified when Woods got caught up in the sex scandal that presaged his golfing decline and ended his marriage. Like his ex-wife, each of Woods’ many mistresses was white. The fallout weakened Woods’ already shaky standing among many African-Americans.
https://theundefeated.com/features/tiger-woods-dui-arrest-police-only-saw-black/
TIGER WOODS SAYS HE’S ‘CABLINASIAN,’ BUT THE POLICE ONLY SAW BLACK
The golfer’s DUI arrest highlights the country’s ‘one-drop’ rule and his complex relationship with black America
BY MICHAEL A. FLETCHER
Woods’ decision to embrace his full multiracial identity was respected by many African-Americans as his right. But others who celebrated his many breakthroughs and saw his success as their own, treated it as a rejection — not to mention a sign of naiveté, cowardice or even betrayal.
There were jokes that Woods would know he was black if he tried to catch a cab at night. Even Colin Powell, the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when asked about Woods, was quoted as saying, “In America, which I love from the depths of my heart and soul, when you look like me, you are still considered black.”
The criticism only intensified when Woods got caught up in the sex scandal that presaged his golfing decline and ended his marriage. Like his ex-wife, each of Woods’ many mistresses was white. The fallout weakened Woods’ already shaky standing among many African-Americans.
https://theundefeated.com/features/tiger-woods-dui-arrest-police-only-saw-black/
Quote 2
From the LA Times -
“Mr. President, your presidency is in a world of trouble, for you operate in the shadow of treason."
— John Dean
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-john-dean-trump-counsel-20170531-story.html
“Mr. President, your presidency is in a world of trouble, for you operate in the shadow of treason."
— John Dean
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-john-dean-trump-counsel-20170531-story.html
Quote
Donald asks "At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us?"
Literally, the moment you were elected. - George Takei
Literally, the moment you were elected. - George Takei
Middle Finger to the World
An excerpt from Politico -
Why Trump Actually Pulled Out Of Paris
It wasn't because of the climate, or to help American business. He needed to troll the world—and this was his best shot so far.
By MICHAEL GRUNWALD
Trump’s abrupt withdrawal from this carefully crafted multilateral compromise was a diplomatic and political slap: it was about extending a middle finger to the world, while reminding his base that he shares its resentments of fancy-pants elites and smarty-pants scientists and tree-hugging squishes who look down on real Americans who drill for oil and dig for coal. He was thrusting the United States into the role of global renegade, rejecting not only the scientific consensus about climate but the international consensus for action, joining only Syria and Nicaragua (which wanted an even greener deal) in refusing to help the community of nations address a planetary problem. Congress doesn’t seem willing to pay for Trump’s border wall—and Mexico certainly isn’t—so rejecting the Paris deal was an easier way to express his Fortress America themes without having to pass legislation.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/01/why-trump-actually-pulled-out-of-paris-215218?cid=apn
Why Trump Actually Pulled Out Of Paris
It wasn't because of the climate, or to help American business. He needed to troll the world—and this was his best shot so far.
By MICHAEL GRUNWALD
Trump’s abrupt withdrawal from this carefully crafted multilateral compromise was a diplomatic and political slap: it was about extending a middle finger to the world, while reminding his base that he shares its resentments of fancy-pants elites and smarty-pants scientists and tree-hugging squishes who look down on real Americans who drill for oil and dig for coal. He was thrusting the United States into the role of global renegade, rejecting not only the scientific consensus about climate but the international consensus for action, joining only Syria and Nicaragua (which wanted an even greener deal) in refusing to help the community of nations address a planetary problem. Congress doesn’t seem willing to pay for Trump’s border wall—and Mexico certainly isn’t—so rejecting the Paris deal was an easier way to express his Fortress America themes without having to pass legislation.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/01/why-trump-actually-pulled-out-of-paris-215218?cid=apn
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
UAE = United American Emirate
An excerpt from the NY Times -
Trump’s United American Emirate
By Thomas L. Friedman
No U.S. president before had ever put a crack in the Atlantic alliance on his inaugural tour. Historic.
Merkel is just the first major leader to say out loud what every American ally is now realizing: America is under new management. “Who is America today?” is the first question I’ve been asked on each stop through New Zealand, Australia and South Korea. My answer: We’re not the U.S.A. anymore. We’re the new U.A.E.: the United American Emirate.
We have an emir. His name is Donald. We have a crown prince. His name is Jared. We have a crown princess. Her name is Ivanka. We have a consultative council (Congress) that rubber-stamps whatever the emir wants. And like any good monarchy, our ruling family sees no conflict of interest between its personal businesses and those of the state.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/opinion/trumps-united-american-emirate.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0
Trump’s United American Emirate
By Thomas L. Friedman
No U.S. president before had ever put a crack in the Atlantic alliance on his inaugural tour. Historic.
Merkel is just the first major leader to say out loud what every American ally is now realizing: America is under new management. “Who is America today?” is the first question I’ve been asked on each stop through New Zealand, Australia and South Korea. My answer: We’re not the U.S.A. anymore. We’re the new U.A.E.: the United American Emirate.
We have an emir. His name is Donald. We have a crown prince. His name is Jared. We have a crown princess. Her name is Ivanka. We have a consultative council (Congress) that rubber-stamps whatever the emir wants. And like any good monarchy, our ruling family sees no conflict of interest between its personal businesses and those of the state.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/opinion/trumps-united-american-emirate.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0
Trevor Noah Remembers
http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/31/trevor-noah-stepfather-shot-mother/?xid=email-email-ewtv-20170531PM-tout5
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
MONOPRIX - Label of Love
https://www.fastcompany.com/40422833/this-is-the-cutest-love-story-youll-see-from-a-grocery-store-all-day
Speaking Out
An excerpt from the LA Times -
They dismissed her as a lightweight. But California's top judge has found her voice — and uses it to call out Trump policies
By Maura Dolan
Settled in as California’s top judge, she is speaking her mind, calling on the Trump administration to keep its immigration agents away from state courthouses and giving a highly publicized address that reflected California’s jitters about the new president.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-chief-justice-20170528-story.html
They dismissed her as a lightweight. But California's top judge has found her voice — and uses it to call out Trump policies
By Maura Dolan
Settled in as California’s top judge, she is speaking her mind, calling on the Trump administration to keep its immigration agents away from state courthouses and giving a highly publicized address that reflected California’s jitters about the new president.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-chief-justice-20170528-story.html
Sweden on Airbnb
https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/sweden-lists-whole-country-on-airbnb-freedom-to-roam
Monday, May 29, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Quote
From the NY Times -
Trump’s Hand-to-Hand Combat
By Maureen Dowd
“We’re beyond grief and into disbelief,” David Axelrod, Obama’s old guru, told me. “I feel like a 6-year-old has gotten controls of the 747 and we’re all strapped in our seats hoping either he’ll land the plane or somebody else will co-pilot. But meanwhile, we’re just getting jerked around in turbulence on a constant basis here. It is just debilitating.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/opinion/sunday/trumps-hand-to-hand-combat.html?ribbon-ad-idx=6&rref=opinion&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&pgtype=article
Trump’s Hand-to-Hand Combat
By Maureen Dowd
“We’re beyond grief and into disbelief,” David Axelrod, Obama’s old guru, told me. “I feel like a 6-year-old has gotten controls of the 747 and we’re all strapped in our seats hoping either he’ll land the plane or somebody else will co-pilot. But meanwhile, we’re just getting jerked around in turbulence on a constant basis here. It is just debilitating.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/opinion/sunday/trumps-hand-to-hand-combat.html?ribbon-ad-idx=6&rref=opinion&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&pgtype=article
Saturday, May 27, 2017
WATCH Black Farmer Calls Out Liberal Racism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-farmer-calls-out-liberal-racism-in-powerful-facebook-message_us_5925a027e4b0650cc020eb4d
A Great Book!
If you're in the mood for a funny, thought-provoking, "too good to put down" kind of book, then grab The Transformation of a Lost Soul by Forrest J. Beverly.
You'll share the experiences with the author as he moves from his life in rural China, Texas to the halls of Florida A & M University, to life as an undercover Drug Enforcement Agent.
Full disclosure.
The author is my brother and these are stories I was familiar with. However, I was enthralled from cover to cover. I think you will be, too.
https://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Lost-Soul-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1478770759/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470835162&sr=1-2&keywords=The+transformation+of+a+lost+soul
You'll share the experiences with the author as he moves from his life in rural China, Texas to the halls of Florida A & M University, to life as an undercover Drug Enforcement Agent.
Full disclosure.
The author is my brother and these are stories I was familiar with. However, I was enthralled from cover to cover. I think you will be, too.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
An Insult to 4-Year-Olds
An excerpt from the NY Times -
4-Year-Olds Don’t Act Like Trump
By ALISON GOPNIK
The analogy is pervasive among his critics: Donald Trump is like a child. Making him the president was like making a 4-year-old the leader of the free world.
But the analogy is profoundly wrong, and it’s unfair to children. The scientific developmental research of the past 30 years shows that Mr. Trump is utterly unlike a 4-year-old.
Four-year-olds care deeply about the truth. They constantly try to seek out information and to figure out how the world works. Of course, 4-year-olds, as well as adults, occasionally lie. But Mr. Trump doesn’t just lie; he seems not even to care whether his statements are true.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/20/opinion/sunday/4-year-olds-children-trump-gopnik.html?_r=0
4-Year-Olds Don’t Act Like Trump
By ALISON GOPNIK
The analogy is pervasive among his critics: Donald Trump is like a child. Making him the president was like making a 4-year-old the leader of the free world.
But the analogy is profoundly wrong, and it’s unfair to children. The scientific developmental research of the past 30 years shows that Mr. Trump is utterly unlike a 4-year-old.
Four-year-olds care deeply about the truth. They constantly try to seek out information and to figure out how the world works. Of course, 4-year-olds, as well as adults, occasionally lie. But Mr. Trump doesn’t just lie; he seems not even to care whether his statements are true.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/20/opinion/sunday/4-year-olds-children-trump-gopnik.html?_r=0
Friday, May 19, 2017
Turning the Tables
Look closely at the pictures below.
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
These Profound Photos Masterfully Turn Racial Stereotypes On Their Head
A powerful new photo essay reexamines our relationship with race.
By Lilly Workneh
The pictures are indeed eye-opening, and force us to reexamine damaging stereotypes and explore how race, class and power can intersect.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/these-profound-photos-masterfully-turn-racial-stereotypes-on-their-head_us_591dceece4b03b485caf8c6d?h1&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
These Profound Photos Masterfully Turn Racial Stereotypes On Their Head
A powerful new photo essay reexamines our relationship with race.
By Lilly Workneh
The pictures are indeed eye-opening, and force us to reexamine damaging stereotypes and explore how race, class and power can intersect.
 |
| CHRIS BUCK/O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE |
 |
| CHRIS BUCK/O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE |
Thursday, May 18, 2017
This Cat Needs a Home
From the Huffington Post -
Animal Shelter Writes Badass Adoption Memo For ‘Utter Bastard Of A Cat’
“Mr. Biggles is a despot and dictator.”
By Rebecca Shapiro
Pet adoption agency Cats of Melbourne, located in Melbourne, Australia, posted a darkly hilarious memo about Mr. Biggles (also known as Lord Bigglesworth) on its website this week, practically daring a future owner to take him in.
Founder and group co-ordinator Gina Brett wrote the ad, describing the shiny black cat as “an utter utter utter bastard” who throws tantrums and does not like to be thwarted.
“Mr. Biggles is a despot and dictator, he will let you know he is not happy, which is often because things are often just not up to his high standards,” the memo reads. “Mr Biggles likes his cuddles on his terms, and will sit in your lap when he decides it’s time. If the stroking is not up to his standards, he will nip you.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/animal-shelter-writes-badass-adoption-memo-about-utter-bastard-of-a-cat_us_591d0240e4b034684b095160?3af&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Animal Shelter Writes Badass Adoption Memo For ‘Utter Bastard Of A Cat’
“Mr. Biggles is a despot and dictator.”
By Rebecca Shapiro
 |
| Mr. Biggles |
Founder and group co-ordinator Gina Brett wrote the ad, describing the shiny black cat as “an utter utter utter bastard” who throws tantrums and does not like to be thwarted.
“Mr. Biggles is a despot and dictator, he will let you know he is not happy, which is often because things are often just not up to his high standards,” the memo reads. “Mr Biggles likes his cuddles on his terms, and will sit in your lap when he decides it’s time. If the stroking is not up to his standards, he will nip you.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/animal-shelter-writes-badass-adoption-memo-about-utter-bastard-of-a-cat_us_591d0240e4b034684b095160?3af&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Pretty Please!
An excerpt from the New Yorker -
OBAMA WILLING TO SERVE AS TEMP PRESIDENT WHILE TRUMP RECEIVES PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION
By Andy Borowitz
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Amid concerns about Donald Trump’s fitness to be President, former President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that he was willing to serve as “temp President” while Trump undergoes psychiatric evaluation.
“It would just be a temp thing,” Obama told reporters. “As soon as psychiatrists determine that Donald Trump is mentally stable and fit to serve as the most powerful officeholder in the world, I’d step aside.”
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/obama-willing-to-serve-as-temp-president-while-trump-receives-psychiatric-evaluation
OBAMA WILLING TO SERVE AS TEMP PRESIDENT WHILE TRUMP RECEIVES PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION
By Andy Borowitz
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Amid concerns about Donald Trump’s fitness to be President, former President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that he was willing to serve as “temp President” while Trump undergoes psychiatric evaluation.
“It would just be a temp thing,” Obama told reporters. “As soon as psychiatrists determine that Donald Trump is mentally stable and fit to serve as the most powerful officeholder in the world, I’d step aside.”
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/obama-willing-to-serve-as-temp-president-while-trump-receives-psychiatric-evaluation
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
IT Hero
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2017/may/16/marcus-hutchins-man-who-halted-global-cyber-attack-im-no-hero-video
Monday, May 15, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
An Exhaustive List That Will Keep Growing
From the NY Times -
The Republican’s Guide to Presidential Behavior
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
It wasn’t so long ago that Republicans in Congress cared about how a president comported himself in office. They cared a lot! The president is, after all, commander in chief of the armed forces, steward of the most powerful nation on earth, role model for America’s children — and he should act at all times with the dignity his station demands. It’s not O.K. to behave in a manner that demeans the office and embarrasses the country. Shirt sleeves in the Oval Office? Disrespectful. Shoes on the Resolute desk? Even worse. Lying? Despicable, if not impeachable.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/opinion/sunday/the-republicans-guide-to-presidential-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0
The Republican’s Guide to Presidential Behavior
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
It wasn’t so long ago that Republicans in Congress cared about how a president comported himself in office. They cared a lot! The president is, after all, commander in chief of the armed forces, steward of the most powerful nation on earth, role model for America’s children — and he should act at all times with the dignity his station demands. It’s not O.K. to behave in a manner that demeans the office and embarrasses the country. Shirt sleeves in the Oval Office? Disrespectful. Shoes on the Resolute desk? Even worse. Lying? Despicable, if not impeachable.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/opinion/sunday/the-republicans-guide-to-presidential-behavior.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0
Not Smart
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
In Arizona, teachers can now be hired with absolutely no training in how to teach
By Valerie Strauss
New legislation signed into law in Arizona by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey (R) will allow teachers to be hired with no formal teaching training, as long as they have five years of experience in fields “relevant” to the subject they are teaching. What’s “relevant” isn’t clear.
The Arizona law is part of a disturbing trend nationwide to allow teachers without certification or even any teacher preparation to be hired and put immediately to work in the classroom in large part to help close persistent teacher shortages. It plays into a misconception that anyone can teach if they know a particular subject and that it is not really necessary to first learn about curriculum, classroom management and instruction.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/05/14/in-arizona-teachers-can-now-be-hired-with-absolutely-no-training-in-how-to-teach/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_as-arizona-955am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.44c3524d23bd
In Arizona, teachers can now be hired with absolutely no training in how to teach
By Valerie Strauss
New legislation signed into law in Arizona by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey (R) will allow teachers to be hired with no formal teaching training, as long as they have five years of experience in fields “relevant” to the subject they are teaching. What’s “relevant” isn’t clear.
The Arizona law is part of a disturbing trend nationwide to allow teachers without certification or even any teacher preparation to be hired and put immediately to work in the classroom in large part to help close persistent teacher shortages. It plays into a misconception that anyone can teach if they know a particular subject and that it is not really necessary to first learn about curriculum, classroom management and instruction.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/05/14/in-arizona-teachers-can-now-be-hired-with-absolutely-no-training-in-how-to-teach/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_as-arizona-955am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.44c3524d23bd
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)