Daddy, Papa and Me

There is an email going around (aren’t there always) propounding a list of ‘facts’ about the health care bill. The email is filled with lies, errors and half-truths (aren’t all of these email forwards?). Well, FactCheck (non-partisan) does a good job of giving it a fine tooth comb treatment: Twenty-six Lies About H.R. 3200 | FactCheck.org and finds that there are 26 outright falsehoods, 18 misleading and a grand whopping total of 4, that’d be four, that were accurate.

I served this meal at Guy’s parents home the other day. I’ve made it a few times at home. Everyone likes it (well, Emma isn’t a big fan because it isn’t refried beans, cheese or noodles). Apparently, Guy’s family loved it because walking in the neighborhood the last couple days I’ve been asked for the recipe 3 different time from 3 different people. Also a few family members have asked for it. Word gets around I guess. The recipe is a modified version of this recipe at Relish Magazine. My basic changes were to use a whole chicken (cheaper, more), double the spices, fruits and vegetables, add cinnamon and more honey for a sweeter note and add fresh pepper for a spicier kick. I also add the spices to the pan first, it seems to give a fuller taste. This uses a crockpot, but I think it could be done just as well slow-cooked in a lidded dutch oven for a couple hours in the oven at 325 or so.

It’s very healthy, low fat, high in fruit and vegetables. Low in calories. Served with whole grain couscous (or brown rice would be appropriate), it’s quite a full meal.

The first two (Germany) we have direct experience with: Five myths about health care around the world – OregonLive.com.

The show, Sunday at 7pm, could be interesting. The site is.

The Human Family Tree- National Geographic Channel.

Every time we go grocery shopping, Emma insists we buy “kid’s cereal” and every time we go grocery shopping I say no. She thinks I’m being “a meany.” Ok, so sometimes I relent, and sometimes when we are on a trip, it’s the only choice. But 90% of the time, I hold firm. There are several reasons, so let me give you a comparison of a Fruitloops breakfast with the breakfast she often eats (because it’s her favorite aside from ‘kid’s cereal): 1/2 cup Oatmeal w/ 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/2 banana & 1tbsp brown sugar. But I’m going to give FruitLoops the benefit of the doubt, I’m going to use the Smart Choice-marked Fruit Loops with 1/2 cup nonfat milk, the one that Marion Nestle writes about here: Food Politics » Smart Choices: 44% sugar calories! and I’ll give our breakfast the disadvantage of going organic. So when Emma gets older and can read this blog and is lamenting why we were so mean, at least she can read my rationalizations for that meanness:

This is pretty clear, pretty balanced and quite true. A simple explanation of a complex topic:

American health care on (4) napkins. Now all together!.

Media Matters is definitely left of center, so most conservatives will probably dismiss this, but I have found most of the debunking to be factually strong. I don’t think the ‘public option’ is a necessity for reform IF (and it’s a big if) the other reforms are strong enough to make sure that insurance is affordable, sustainable and universally accessible. So, I disagree with that point. The others are pretty strong. I’d like to see a factually based rebuttal to these debunks instead of the fear-mongering the Republican party leaders and conservative pundits seem to enjoy.

Myths and falsehoods about health care reform | Media Matters for America.

This is hilarious. Especially after seeing “28 Weeks Later” (I am NOT a zombie movie fan, it’s just what was available on a long plane flight… really, really): Now why can’t I get papers like this published? : Respectful Insolence.

It’s a paper (pdf) about a Zombie infection and it’s spread. Short version as mentioned in the Respectful Insolence post: If it ever happened, run for the hills!! Actually, the paper had a serious purpose, to test the validity of an infection spread model even if the virus had, shall we say, exotic features. The conclusion is that yes, the model works.

After the DOMA file brief, this reply is a good restart: DOJ Reply Brief in Smelt Filed.

The List: The World’s Worst Healthcare Reforms | Foreign Policy.

Ouch.