Speaking of speech writing...
Feds Say the Darnedest Things
Bush's quasi-bold pronouncements on oil prompt criticism, backpedaling
In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Bush declared that "America is addicted to oil" and that he would "make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past." Within 24 hours, fiasco ensued. Saudi Arabia's ambassador said he would ask Bush, ahem, "what he exactly meant by that." Oil industry lobbyists squealed; libertarians nigh fainted. Energy experts (read: the literate) pointed out that most of the R&D programs mentioned in the speech -- "clean coal," nuclear, wind, solar, etc. -- are designed to generate electricity and wouldn't have any effect on oil consumption. And to cap off the furor with appropriate absurdity, administration officials said Bush's declaration that the U.S. would cut its Middle East oil imports 75 percent by 2025 was not meant to be taken literally. It was meant to dramatize the issue in a way "every American sitting out there listening to the speech understands." So ... lies lead to understanding. We're starting to get the whole WMD thing!
From the Daily Grist, Thursday, Feb. 2
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help
My office is having a weight competition. Our weight would be recorded. At the end of the 50 days, April 7, 2006, we would again weigh in and the person who loses the most would win. I think it will be based on percentage weight loss. Any advice? Or just what you've been advising already?
Is this wise? Are the folks
Is this wise? Are the folks medically overweight or is it just on a social basis? Will the competition lead someone to lose wt. inappropriately?
it's all about motivation
some are definitely in need of losing weight and the rest of us won't be hurt by losing 10 pounds for summer in my opinion. so we are providing social support to the others. food is always prevalent here so swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction is probably good
Weight loss
All you need to do to lose weight, is really just to decide to do it. And count your calories. Find out how many the average person your weight and size would need to consume to maintain their weight and try to eat less than that (resting metabolic rate). Don't eat too much bread. Don't go for seconds. Drink lots and lots of water. Don't use salt. If you're filling up a plate, split it into quaters. 1/2 = vegetables. 1/4 = protein (no more than a deck of cards). and 1/4 = starch.
Thank you Caring Kara
That was good advice! I will go to weight watchers website soon and get the amount of calories for my weight and maybe buy a book for calorie counting if we don't have one. I just want to support my work buddies and lose 10 for the summer. Then we can all continue to support each other and have fun too.
This sounds great.
This sounds great and realistic. It really seems like common sense and you just have to have the frame of mind to do it. Exercising is helpful and healthy and makes you feel good too.
UNC question?
Hi Kara,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. To answer your question, yes, a men's small. I will call or write your parents and find out where to send money. Thanks for your help.
Nancy
Hopes
Hi Kara,
SOTU speaches traditionally lists of past accomplishments and hopes for the future.
Two bad the two parties can't occasionally try for grand compromises. A deal to increase drilling in sensitive spots while increasing taxes on energy and offering subsidies for fuel economy and alternative energy might get us to that 75%.
I agree that compromise and
I agree that compromise and greater understanding between the political interests would ameliorate the situation. In addition, I believe that political actors need to be more actively conscious of long-term (or longer than four years) impacts of certain policies, instead of just accepting weak short term goals.
Energy will be immensely important in the coming years. That fact needs to be dealt with now, despite politcal obstacles.