The editor of an American College of Surgeon's publication has been forced to resign for remarks considered sexist. He wrote, from his post atop a bastion of male privilege, on Valentine's Day, that semen is good for women, bodily and emotionally, better even than chocolate. The argument focused on semen's physical powers; as evidence, he citedContinue reading “Surgeon resigns post for encouraging semen for women”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Still destroying the climate, but having less fun
Because Americans are driving less, mostly due to the recession (total greenhouse gas emissions are down a pretty stunning 6%, the Energy Information recently reported) the federal government doesn't have the money it needs to fully fund its highway program. But still, all the politicians agree that raising the gas tax is off the table,Continue reading “Still destroying the climate, but having less fun”
A Streetcar Named Desire, by Thomas Hart Benton
The Notebooks of Tennessee Williams, as compiled, databased, and published by Margaret Bradham Thornton, are one of the most astonishing acts of scholarship I have seen (and I have seen plenty). One example: Here's a painting called Poker Night, by Thomas Hart Benton, based on what we know of as A Streetcar Named Desire, givenContinue reading “A Streetcar Named Desire, by Thomas Hart Benton”
Diablo Canyon for Dummies (by Steve Brodner)
Though I'm not crazy about web videos, this is a real charmer, and a good primer about Diablo Canyon, which supplies much of central CA with power. http://www.slatev.com/media/swfs/SlateGroupPlayer.swf < Because both a local Republican and a Democratic Congressperson have made an issue of PG&E's amazing lack of competence regarding this plant, PG&E has put offContinue reading “Diablo Canyon for Dummies (by Steve Brodner)”
A tiny handwritten note, via Post Secret
When Post Secret is good, it is very very good. I want the drama of these secrets to be this enthralling every week. It's not possible.
The top 400 pay less, so you can get their trickle-down
According to the ever-factual Think Progress, back in the halcyon days of my youth, the top 400 taxpayers in this country paid nearly half the taxes in his country. And yet lived well, I imagine: Now ordinary folk pay more, they pay much less, and yet despite all the alleged increased trickle-down we're still miredContinue reading “The top 400 pay less, so you can get their trickle-down”
Rachel Carson on how to introduce children to nature
At a lecture attended recently by a thousand or so people at UC Santa Barbara, the great E.O. Wilson was asked an open-ended question about introducing children to nature. Wilson took it as a "how to" question. He mentioned that he was "one of two living persons who worked with Rachel Carson," and made aContinue reading “Rachel Carson on how to introduce children to nature”
What does the GOP really want in the budget showdown?
According to TPM, the sticking point in the budget stalemate is not a number of billions cut from the overall budget, but funding for family planning, not to mention preventing the EPA and other agencies from protecting the nation's natural health. According to OMB Watch, the GOP has attached riders restricting everything from funding of WhiteContinue reading “What does the GOP really want in the budget showdown?”
Youth and likability: Tennessee Williams
As you get to know people, if you come to like them, they begin to seem younger to you. To me Tennessee Williams will always be about twenty-seven, on the cusp. [from his great, great story Two on a Party]
GOP backs “skeptic” scientist who mirrors Hansen’s data
Look familiar? The blue line in the above graph represents the global temperature dataset gathered by James Hansen and his team at GISS/NASA over the last twenty years. Hansen has presented this chard and this data countless times at countless talks on countless occasions around the world. The black line represents a "skeptical" scientist's interpretationContinue reading “GOP backs “skeptic” scientist who mirrors Hansen’s data”
Kit Stolz 