Category Archives: Down To Earth

Madam Secretary? Seriously?

by MichaelPn Posted on September 15, 2014

Mother Jones

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I may be off my rocker for wondering about this, but here goes. You’ve seen the ads for Madam Secretary, right? (Aside from those of you who shun TV as unworthy of your attention, of course.) Téa Leone stars as a smart, tough, engaged, down-to-earth, problem-solving secretary of state who gets results by doing the right thing.

Now, sure, her husband is not a former US president. So she isn’t quite just a gauzy, fictionalized depiction of Hillary Clinton. But she’s close! And considering that secretary of state is surely one of the least glamorous positions in the federal government—another grueling day working the phones with fellow foreign ministers, hooray!—it’s pretty hard not to see this as a fairly transparent attempt to make Hillary look like presidential timber. At least, that’s what I’d think if I were either a Republican or any Democrat thinking of running against her.

On the other hand, shows like this usually flop, so maybe it won’t work out. Or maybe Hillary will look wan and fainthearted compared to the hard charging, damn-the-politics Elizabeth McCord. I dunno. But it sure seems like a helluva coincidence, doesn’t it?

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Madam Secretary? Seriously?

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Barnraiser.com Crowd-Funding for Eatwell Farm: Pioneering the Next Generation of Humane, Sustainable Poultry (video)

by AntwanTjalkabot Posted on September 4, 2014

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Codex: Grey Knights (Enhanced Edition) – Games Workshop

The Grey Knights were forged in the dark days of the Horus Heresy – their sacred duty to act as the Emperor’s ultimate sanction against the armies of the Immaterium. Peerless psykers and fearsome warriors, the Grey Knights Space Marine Chapter are master Daemon hunters and often Humanities final line of defence against the powers […]

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Whip Up Mini Quilts – Kathreen Ricketson

Kathreen Ricketson, founder of the internationally popular Web site WhipUp.net, presents 20 contemporary quilts from across the globe in this charming, easy-to-follow guide. From the lovely English Garden Quilt to the playful Road Transport Pillow, the projects collected in Whip Up Mini Quilts cover all sorts of themes and looks. With plenty of step-by-step instructions […]

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White Dwarf Issue 31: 30 August 2014 – White Dwarf

Following in the wake of Nagash are his Mortarchs – three incredibly powerful Undead lords set to wreak ruin on the Old World. You can witness their terrible splendour in issue 31 of White Dwarf, along with a history of the Undead, a look at how the Lore of Undeath will affect your games of […]

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The Hidden Life of Dogs – Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Long before the Dog Whisperer, anthropologist Elizabeth Marshall Thomas revealed to readers the nature of pack dynamics, leading to a completely new understanding of dogs and their desires.  In this fascinating account, based on thirty years of living with and observing dogs, we meet Misha, a friend’s husky, whom Thomas followed on his daily rounds […]

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Dataslate – Officio Assassinorum – Games Workshop

Assassins are the deadly agents of the High Lords of Terra and among the most feared of the Imperium’s weapons. Each one is created for a single purpose: to kill their target, no matter the odds or obstacles in their way. Utterly dedicated to their cause, an Assassin will not quit once they have been […]

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How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend – Monks of New Skete

For nearly a quarter century, How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend has been the standard against which all other dog-training books have been measured. This new, expanded edition, with a fresh new design and new photographs throughout, preserves the best features of the original classic while bringing the book fully up-to-date. The result: the […]

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Warhammer: Nagash – Games Workshop

The End Times have begun – dark forces long dormant stir once more to bring about the unmaking of the world. In the frozen north Archaon musters his chaotic hosts to sweep south and crush the lands of men, while in the west the Elves turn upon themselves in bloody civil war. From beneath the […]

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The Possibility Dogs – Susannah Charleson

“Reading The Possibility Dogs is like taking an amazing literary journey with a dear friend by your side. The characters you meet will enchant you, but the storyteller will capture your heart. If you love dogs, this is a can’t-miss book written by a kindred spirit.” —Jennifer Arnold, author of Through a Dog’s Eyes and […]

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Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow – Dr. Jan Pol & David Fisher

The star of The Incredible Dr. Pol shares his amusing, and often poignant, tales from his four decades as a vet in rural Michigan. Dr. Jan Pol is not your typical veterinarian. Born and raised the in Netherlands on a dairy farm, he is the star of Nat Geo Wild’s hit show The Incredible Dr. […]

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Champions of Fenris – a Codex: Space Wolves Supplement (Enhanced Edition) – Games Workshop

Logan Grimnar’s Great Company stands tall among his fellow wolf brothers, its ranks filled with some of the bravest and deadly warriors ever to walk the frozen shores of Asaheim. At their head is Logan Grimnar, the Great Wolf, and Chapter Master of the Space Wolves. He is an ancient grizzled veteran of countless wars […]

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Barnraiser.com Crowd-Funding for Eatwell Farm: Pioneering the Next Generation of Humane, Sustainable Poultry (video)

Posted in alo, aquaponics, Down To Earth, eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, LAI, Monterey, ONA, organic, PUR, solar, solar power, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Barnraiser.com Crowd-Funding for Eatwell Farm: Pioneering the Next Generation of Humane, Sustainable Poultry (video)

BREAKING: Economy Continues to Stagnate

by Dominic58J Posted on August 29, 2014

Mother Jones

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If, despite my warnings, you allowed yesterday’s upward GDP revision to kindle a tiny spark of excitement about the economy, today’s news should bring you right back down to earth:

Household spending fell in July, a sign that cautious consumers could hold back economic growth in the second half of the year….Personal income, reflecting income from wages, investment, and government aid, rose 0.2% in July—the smallest monthly increase of the year….Meanwhile, the report showed a key measure of inflation—the personal consumption expenditures price index—rose 1.6% in July from a year earlier. That matched the prior month’s annual gain, and is below the Federal Reserve’s 2% long-run target for the 27th straight month.

Spending is down, which is no surprise since personal income is pretty much flat. This suggests that perhaps we could tolerate a wee bit higher inflation as a way of getting the economy moving, but of course we can’t do that. Sure, inflation has been below its target for 27 months, but you never know. The 28th month might be different! And even the prospect of a single month of moderate inflation runs the risk of turning us into Zimbabwe.

So instead we just sit and stagnate.

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BREAKING: Economy Continues to Stagnate

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The Seven Decisions – Andy Andrews

by Myrna Posted on August 14, 2014

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The Seven Decisions

Understanding the Keys to Personal Success

Andy Andrews

Genre: Self-Improvement

Price: $12.99

Publish Date: May 6, 2014

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Seller: HarperCollins


Just one of these decisions can alter the course of a person’s life.  What if you decided to master all seven? In this revised and repackaged version of Mastering the Seven Decisions, master storyteller and life coach Andy Andrews has fast-forwarded the concept of success and what it takes to make it stick.  Seeking out what separates the ordinary life from the extraordinary, Andrews has spent much of his life dissecting countless biographies and spending time with some of the most successful people on the planet in an effort to understand the principles that propel them toward greatness.  The result: seven simple principles that – when applied consistently- render extraordinary lives. Through his entertaining, down-to-earth style, Andrews introduces these principles and offers all the tools necessary to make lasting changes in your life. The consistent application of   the Seven Decisions brings about what can only be called miracles: What was once labeled “impossible” actualizes.  Opportunities that once eluded you are now attracted to you.  Dysfunctional relationships transform into harmonious ones.  Life, which was once a struggle, now becomes an exciting adventure! Praise for Andy Andrews “I read everything he writes again and again. Andy Andrews is, quite simply, my favorite author.” —Margaret Kelly, CEO, RE/MAX “Andy Andrews’s words—both written and spoken—are a significant and enduring presence in the lives of our Squadron Commanders around the world.” —Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, USAF Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command “If Andy Andrews lived in England, the queen would have knighted him by now. Andy’s books— all of his books—are just that good!” —Louie Anderson, comedian and actor “Andy Andrews’s encouragement and motivation have inspired AdvoCare leaders to take the next step forward in their businesses. His insight and wisdom are appreciated, and The Seven Decisions is a must-read book!” —Richard Wright, president and CEO, AdvoCare “Andy Andrews has done it again. This book will inspire you, touch your heart and soul, and change you in every way you desire!” —Don Hobbs, chairman and cofounder, Hobbs &amp; Herder Advertising

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The Seven Decisions – Andy Andrews

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Here’s a Great Argument for Easing Up on Professional Licensing Restrictions

by LanoraKitamura Posted on April 24, 2014

Mother Jones

Adrianna McIntyre has a fascinating little tidbit up today about how Medicaid expansion affects access to health care. Here’s the question: By increasing demand for doctors, is it likely to result in longer wait times for everyone?

A trio of researchers took a look at dental care to get an idea. Some states cover it for adults, some don’t. So what happens in states where adult Medicaid is expanded to cover dental care? The first-order answer is surprising: more dentists participate; their incomes go up; and wait times barely budge. But how is that possible? The second-order answer is even more interesting:

Dentists accomplish this mainly by making greater use of hygienists: following the expansion of public coverage, dentists employ a greater number of hygienists and hygienists provide about 5 additional visits per week. As a result, dentists’ income increases following the adoption of Medicaid adult dental benefits by approximately 7 percent. These effects are largest among dentists who practice in poor areas where Medicaid coverage is most prevalent.

We also find that these coverage expansions cause wait times to increase modestly less than a day, on average. However, this effect varies significantly across states with different policies towards the provision of dental services by hygienists. The increased wait times are concentrated in states with relatively restrictive scope of practice laws. We find no significant increase in wait times in states that allow hygienists greater autonomy.

Licensing and “scope of authority” restrictions are sort of a hot topic these days, and this is a pretty good example of why. I haven’t yet dived into the whole thing enough to have a settled opinion, but it’s becoming fairly common to believe that licensing restrictions are far too strict in some professions, acting more as a way of propping up salaries than as genuine public safety measures. Nurses and hygienists could be given more autonomy, for example, but this is often resisted by doctors and dentists who don’t want to give up a lucrative monopoly on the services they provide.

The arguments are sometimes arcane, but this example brings it down to earth. Ease up on the restrictions placed on hygienists, and dental practices can provide more and better service to the poor—and, in the end, do it without sacrificing income. That’s worth knowing.

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Here’s a Great Argument for Easing Up on Professional Licensing Restrictions

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Awaken the Spirit Within – Rebecca Rosen & Samantha Rose

by Myrna Posted on April 5, 2014

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Awaken the Spirit Within

10 Steps to Ignite Your Life and Fulfill Your Divine Purpose

Rebecca Rosen & Samantha Rose

Genre: Spirituality

Price: $10.99

Publish Date: August 20, 2013

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

Seller: Random House, LLC


With a unique and refreshing blend of self-help, wisdom, and spiritual insight, Rebecca Rosen helps us “wake up” and start living our lives with divine intention and purpose. We all want to be happy and fulfilled. We want to understand the very point of our lives—why we’re here and what we’re meant to do. Yet, when we think about how to get from here to there and answer life’s “Big” questions, so many of us don't know where to begin. The advice from so many different people and sources can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In Awaken the Spirit Within , acclaimed author and spiritual medium Rebecca Rosen offers us an inspired and invigorating prescriptive program to give our lives clarity and deeper meaning. With Rebecca’s down-to-earth and conversational style, this book will help you learn how to: • Create more peace and fulfillment in your personal relationships • Gain confidence in your natural talents and abilities • Succeed in greater degrees at your job • Develop financial abundance and prosperity • Conquer addictions and negative thinking • Find freedom from weight struggles and poor body image • Gain the clarity to make the “right” choices and decisions for your life Bold claims? Yes. But when it comes to Rebecca Rosen, you’ll understand just after a few pages, why Time.com has told its readers to “Take her advice seriously.”

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Awaken the Spirit Within – Rebecca Rosen & Samantha Rose

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Deadly Landslide in Washington State

by Myrna Posted on March 24, 2014

At least 18 people were missing and 8 were confirmed dead as of late Sunday in Washington State after a huge landslide destroyed homes and buried a state highway. Link:  Deadly Landslide in Washington State ; ;Related ArticlesDanger Lingers After Landslide Kills 8 in Washington StateCrews Work to Contain Oil Barge’s LeakOpinion: Lessons From the Little Ice Age ;

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Deadly Landslide in Washington State

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Exxon Valdez oil spill – in pictures

by SimonStreeten Posted on March 24, 2014

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All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition – Mel Bartholomew

Rapidly increasing in popularity, square foot gardening is the most practical, foolproof way to grow a home garden. That explains why author and gardening innovator Mel Bartholomew has sold more than two million books describing how to become a successful DIY square foot gardener. Now, with the publication of All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition , t […]

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Dataslate: Helbrutes (Interactive Edition) – Games Workshop

Helbrutes are the vicious Daemon bound war machines of the Chaos Space Marines. Driven insane by the sorcerous wards and chains that bind them to their armoured shells, Helbrutes are barely controlled berserkers that endlessly thirst for battle. The servants of the Dark Gods use Helbrutes as shock troops, unleashing them into enemy lines where they can vent […]

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White Dwarf Issue 8: 22 March 2014 – White Dwarf

Issue 8 of White Dwarf sports new releases for both Warhammer 40,000 and The Hobbit: An unexpected Journey. and features battle reports, how to fight Imperial Knights, drybrushing tutorials and more bears than you might reasonably expect. About this series: White Dwarf is Games Workshop’s weekly magazine, and boasts a wealth of great content, from the l […]

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Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team (Interactive Edition) – Games Workshop

Not all battles in the 41st Millennium are massed engagements between lumbering armies and towering war machines. In the shadows of these epic conflicts, squads of elite soldiers clash – their missions no less vital, their foes no less deadly. Designated as Kill Teams by the Imperium, or by a myriad of different names for their alien and daemonic counterpart […]

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Dataslate: Helbrutes (eBook Edition) – Games Workshop

Helbrutes are the vicious Daemon bound war machines of the Chaos Space Marines. Driven insane by the sorcerous wards and chains that bind them to their armoured shells, Helbrutes are barely controlled berserkers that endlessly thirst for battle. The servants of the Dark Gods use Helbrutes as shock troops, unleashing them into enemy lines where they can vent […]

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The Honest Life – Jessica Alba

As a new mom, Jessica Alba wanted to create the safest, healthiest environment for her family. But she was frustrated by the lack of trustworthy information on how to live healthier and cleaner—delivered in a way that a busy mom could act on without going to extremes. In 2012, with serial entrepreneur Brian Lee and environmental advocate Christopher Gavigan, […]

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Dataslate: Tyranid Onslaught – Rising Leviathan III – Games Workshop

The Satys System has been all but overrun by the tendrils of Hive Fleet Leviathan. From beneath the impenetrable Shadow in the Warp, scattered pockets of Imperial resistance still fight on, even as their doom becomes ever clearer. Now the third and final stage of the Tyranids consumption of the system begins, and the largest most terrifying bio-horrors walk […]

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Be the Pack Leader – Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

Bestselling author Cesar Millan takes his principles of dog psychology a step further, showing you how to develop the calm-assertive energy of a successful pack leader and use it to improve your dog’s life–and your own. Filled with practical tips and techniques as well as real-life success stories from his clients (including the Grogan family, owners of Marl […]

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How to Raise the Perfect Dog – Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

From the bestselling author and star of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer , the only resource you’ll need for raising a happy, healthy dog. For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives–as well as those who have already brought a dog home–Cesar Millan, the preeminent dog behavior expert, says, “Yes, […]

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Dataslate: Tyranid Onslaught – Rising Leviathan III (eBook Edition) – Games Workshop

The Satys System has been all but overrun by the tendrils of Hive Fleet Leviathan. From beneath the impenetrable Shadow in the Warp, scattered pockets of Imperial resistance still fight on, even as their doom becomes ever clearer. Now the third and final stage of the Tyranids consumption of the system begins, and the largest most terrifying bio-horrors walk […]

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Exxon Valdez oil spill – in pictures

Posted in alo, Anker, Down To Earth, eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, LAI, Monterey, ONA, OXO, solar, solar panels, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Exxon Valdez oil spill – in pictures

Flood Zone Foolishness

by Stephaniauxu Posted on March 24, 2014

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Politicians from disaster-prone states lead the fight against real disaster reforms. Wang Chengyun/Xinhua/ZUMA The billion-dollar storm is the new normal. Eight of the 10 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history have occurred in the past decade, adjusting for inflation, at a staggering toll of more than $200 billion in losses. Sea level rise along the eastern seaboard is happening at the fastest rate in the world. Disaster experts have plenty of good ideas for ways to prepare for the unfolding crisis, but it’s hard to find legislators willing to think long-term. Welcome to disaster politics in the 21st century. Lawmakers continually prepare for the previous disaster. Witness the overhaul of nuclear power regulation after Three Mile Island or overwhelming reforms to counterterrorism after Sept. 11, 2001. Similarly, it was only in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that lawmakers began to discuss serious reforms to the bankrupt National Flood Insurance Program, a government-backed system created in 1968 for homeowners living in flood-prone areas. It took until the summer of 2012 for Congress to pass the bipartisan Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, a bill aimed at restoring the NFIP to solid financial health. Just a few months later Hurricane Sandy, with its tens of thousands of under-insured victims, made Biggert-Waters look like visionary legislation. Read more at Climate Desk partner, Slate.

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Flood Zone Foolishness

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Flood Zone Foolishness

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Crews Work to Contain Oil Barge’s Leak

by Myrna Posted on March 23, 2014

About 168,000 gallons of oil leaked into Galveston Bay on Saturday from a barge that had collided with a ship. More here:  Crews Work to Contain Oil Barge’s Leak ; ;Related ArticlesOpinion: Lessons From the Little Ice AgeAs Listener and Saleswoman, E.P.A. Chief Takes to the Road for Climate RulesE.P.A. Agrees to Join North Carolina in Reviewing Spill ;

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Crews Work to Contain Oil Barge’s Leak

Posted in alo, Down To Earth, eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, LAI, Monterey, ONA, solar, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Crews Work to Contain Oil Barge’s Leak