“Quote Investigator” — A Reason to like the Internet

Recently, Phil Isenberg, chair of the Delta Stewardship Council,  made California’s Capitol aware of Quote Investigator and it’s eponymous efforts.

Isenberg, a former lawmaker and lobbyist, forwards the outcome of Quote Investigator’s investigation of a statement routinely attributed to Mark Twain. Isenberg begins his email by saying:

“Another Urban Legend put to rest.”    Read more »

More

More Acceptance Speeches Like This

I thank you kindly for this mark of your confidence. I hope I shall be able to meet your expectations but I fear that I will not for I bring with me to this position but little experience. To err I believe is the common lot; I cannot hope to escape it.    Read more »

More

Resolve not to Revise, Redux

Apparently the message is not sinking in. Once again:

On Tuesday May 14, 2013 Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown will present a revised budget plan. That means the document he shares with California and its 38 million residents is a REVISION of the spending plan he presented in January.

It is not a revise of the spending plan he offered four months ago, although it could be a revising thereof.    Read more »

More

Be Kind to Koreans Today

Gov. Jerry Brown met with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Los Angeles May 9, issuing a “Korea-California Friendship Day” proclamation to commemorate the event. The press release from the Demoratic governor commemorating the commemorative proclamation is silent as to the South Korean president’s reaction.

The proclamation in full:

WHEREAS, California is home to over 450,000 Korean-Americans, many of whom are among our most prominent and accomplished citizens; and

WHEREAS, among the 50 states California is the Republic of Korea’s foremost trading partner and Korea is California’s fifth largest export market; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea and California exchange billions of dollars in goods and services each year, including nearly $1 billion spent by Korean visitors to the Golden State; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea and California share great strengths in technological innovation and strong ties among our research institutions and high-tech firms; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Korea and California share a creative and entrepreneurial spirit reflected in our world-renowned motion picture and animation industries; and

WHEREAS, Korean language, food, arts and customs have secured a distinct and permanent place in California’s rich tapestry of cultures; and

WHEREAS, the bonds of cooperation and loyalty between our peoples grow each day and with them the promise of a more dynamic and sustainable future; 

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G.    Read more »

More

From a Subscriber: The Modern Church Service

PASTOR: “Praise the Lord!” 

CONGREGATION: “Hallelujah!” 

PASTOR: “Can we please turn on our tablet, PC, iPad, smart phone and Kindle Bibles to 1 Corinthians 13:13. And please switch on your Bluetooth to download the sermon.” 

P-a-u-s-e… 

PASTOR: “Now, Let us pray committing this week into God’s hands. Open your apps, BBM, Twitter and Facebook — and chat with God.”     Read more »

More

Margaret Thatcher Remembered

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

*****

“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.”

*****

“If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a  woman.”    Read more »

More

Not Sleeping Enough Can Make You Fat

Maintaining a normal metabolism requires a certain amount of sleep. Less sleep affects metabolism, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. In one study, those sleeping five hours instead of eight had higher levels of ghrelin, a hormone the stomach releases to signal hunger.

(See “Childhood Obesity from Lack of Sleep?”    Read more »

More

Of Small and Large…

“If you let yourself be undisciplined on the small things, you will probably be undisciplined on the large things as well.”

–Warren Buffett    Read more »

More

Of Missives and Misogyny

The following letter was sent to Hawk Koch, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. It says the Academy’s choice of Master of Ceremonies Seth MacFarlane “struck a new low in its treatment of women.”  MacFarlane “crossed the line from humor to misogyny” by “singing about ‘boobs’ during a film’s rape scene,” says the letter.      Read more »

More

He’s Not Called Mahatma For Nothing

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.

“Keep you words positive because your words become your behavior.

“Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.

“Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”

— Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

(Editor’s Note: “Mahatma” is a combination of the Hindu words “Maha,” meaning “great” and “atma,” which is “soul.”    Read more »

More