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Optimism in the News
Author: BobR    Date: 2011-02-09 11:19:09

Since the election debacle of 2010, it's been hard to find those little golden nuggets of good news for liberals. Some among us have become "glass half empty" types, looking for the dark cloud for every silver lining. I guess I am more of the "glass half full" type. So here are a few otherwise unrelated stories that help reinforce hopes for Democrats and liberals.

First up: The news came yesterday the Keith Olbermann has found his next mission - making Current TV relevant again:
Keith Olbermann, the former MSNBC anchor, will host a prime time program for Current TV, the low-rated cable channel co-founded by Al Gore. The one-hour program will begin sometime in the spring.

Mr. Olbermann will also become the chief news officer for Current, the company said in a news release Tuesday.

“We are delighted to provide Keith with the independent platform and freedom that Current can, and does uniquely offer,” Mr. Gore said in a statement.

"Chief News Officer" - that has a nice ring, doesn't it? Of course - the FAUX News types will probably snicker and make comments about the obscurity of the channel, but they don't seem to realize that for those who seek out Mr. Olbermann, it's all about the integrity and accuracy.

Next up is the news that the House failed to pass the extension of the Patriot Act:
The House on Tuesday night failed to approve legislation to extend surveillance authorities in the Patriot Act.

In a 277-148 vote, the House fell just seven votes short of the two-thirds majority of voting members necessary to move the bill under suspension of the rules.

More than two dozen Republicans bucked their leadership in the vote, by far the biggest defection for the House GOP since it took over the lower chamber. Until tonight's vote, Republicans voted together in all but two votes this year, and in those two votes, only one Republican voted with Democrats.

I will dutifully provide the dark cloud to this silver lining - this 2/3 required vote was to bypass some procedures. It can still pass with a 50%+1 vote, and probably will. For now, though, some of the luster has fallen from it, showing us the possibility that at some point in the near future, it won't even muster the simple majority.

Third - First Lady Michelle Obama has taken a lot of heat for her efforts to get kids to eat right and exercise. A new study, however, shows that eating junk food at a young age reduces IQs several points, which can make a big difference in handling classwork, and - later - the real world:
Of the 4,000 children for which there were complete data, there was a significant difference in IQ among those who had had [processed] as opposed to [health-conscious] diets in early childhood.

The 20 percent of children who ate the most processed food had an average IQ of 101 points, compared with 106 for the 20 percent of children who ate the most "health-conscious" food.

"It's a very small difference, it's not a vast difference," said one of the authors, Pauline Emmett of the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol.

"But it does make them less able to cope with education, less able to cope with some of the things in life."

Healthy food results in healthy smarter kids - it's a fact.

Finally - the cracks are beginning to show in the Middle East. In male-dominated societies where women live under many restrictions, the protesters in various countries are increasingly including women among their numbers. When the women are feeling bold enough to protest the government, then can real change be far behind?

We can only hope - if you're a "glass half full" kind of person.

 

49 comments (Latest Comment: 02/10/2011 02:34:45 by TriSec)
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Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 14:02:13
Morning

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 14:15:03
Good Morning!

This was a refreshing blog this morning, indeed.

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 14:19:08
Read an interesting piece about the Patriot Act in WaPo.
In particular this:

"The Patriot Act represents the undermining of civil liberties," Kucinich said after the vote. Republicans "brought [the bill] forward not knowing the votes."

House leaders rejected that analysis. "Democrats in Congress voted to deny their own administration's request for key weapons in the war on terror," said Erica Elliott, spokeswoman for Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).


This is what the Whip is supposed to do, and know before a vote is held. Instead, the GOP is trying to blame the minority party for the failure to extend. It says to me they are in somewhat of disarray.

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 14:29:54
72 times? Oh lawd, I am so glad I didn't watch that interview.

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 14:31:02
Morning all!

Similar to KO's situation is that of Dan Rather. Direct TV carries HDNet so I've managed to catch his news show a few times and it's quality as expected,

Oh yeh and here's a nugget from the intarwebs..
http://images.bluegartr.com/bucket/gallery/f63fd02e3cd741b2b52fa3d7b8c505a9.jpg


Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 14:33:14
okay that's just beyond creepy

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 14:33:45
SCOOP! Don;t scare me like that! If I wanted to see a deranged lunatic (and Jared Loughner, for that matter) I'd look it up myself!



Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 14:41:52
I think the Move to Current will indeed help put it on the map. I remember when MSNBC was a little rinky dink outfit.

Comment by BobR on 02/09/2011 14:47:34
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all!

Similar to KO's situation is that of Dan Rather. Direct TV carries HDNet so I've managed to catch his news show a few times and it's quality as expected,

Oh yeh and here's a nugget from the intarwebs..
http://images.bluegartr.com/bucket/gallery/f63fd02e3cd741b2b52fa3d7b8c505a9.jpg

It looks like a little photoshop work on the eyes to me

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 14:51:13
Quote by Raine:
I think the Move to Current will indeed help put it on the map. I remember when MSNBC was a little rinky dink outfit.



I looked for Current last night just to see what they had on - it something called Kill it, Cook it, Eat it

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 14:58:03
join us now for the new game show sweeping the nation - Missing the Point Entirely

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 15:00:08
Quote by wickedpam:
join us now for the new game show sweeping the nation - Missing the Point Entirely



Amazing, huh?

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 15:10:01
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
join us now for the new game show sweeping the nation - Missing the Point Entirely



Amazing, huh?



yep - I'm really getting tired of hearing something that's straightforward and factual and people not getting it. I never though people were really this stupid

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 15:38:29
Speaking of funny names: This always cracks me up....

Dick Kaye's Back on the Beat is a radio show.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 15:41:09
I love the train too - high speed cross country would be awesome

Comment by TriSec on 02/09/2011 15:44:05
Hi folks. Visit my FB and help me with a Reagan-worshipper, mmmkay?

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 15:51:37
Quote by TriSec:
Hi folks. Visit my FB and help me with a Reagan-worshipper, mmmkay?

oh dear.....

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 15:56:26
Done.

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 16:02:35
Quote by TriSec:
Hi folks. Visit my FB and help me with a Reagan-worshipper, mmmkay?

That should keep him busy for a while.

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:03:22
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by TriSec:
Hi folks. Visit my FB and help me with a Reagan-worshipper, mmmkay?

That should keep him busy for a while.



Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 16:10:30
try serving your neighbors around here - ya get called names, people tell lies about you and you get constantly threated - yes, I've very cynical and jaded right now

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:12:58
Quote by wickedpam:
try serving your neighbors around here - ya get called names, people tell lies about you and you get constantly threated - yes, I've very cynical and jaded right now

I know it's a big leap, but remember this, Mala-- MLK was a very hated man by people who didn't understand him. There are ALWAYS going to be people that resist help. It's a sad part about human nature, the key is to strive and rise above the fray.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 16:15:41
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
try serving your neighbors around here - ya get called names, people tell lies about you and you get constantly threated - yes, I've very cynical and jaded right now

I know it's a big leap, but remember this, Mala-- MLK was a very hated man by people who didn't understand him. There are ALWAYS going to be people that resist help. It's a sad part about human nature, the key is to strive and rise above the fray.



Yeah, that's a huge leap (civil rigts vs community revitaliztion) but I love that you made it, thank you

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:20:05
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
try serving your neighbors around here - ya get called names, people tell lies about you and you get constantly threated - yes, I've very cynical and jaded right now

I know it's a big leap, but remember this, Mala-- MLK was a very hated man by people who didn't understand him. There are ALWAYS going to be people that resist help. It's a sad part about human nature, the key is to strive and rise above the fray.



Yeah, that's a huge leap (civil rigts vs community revitaliztion) but I love that you made it, thank you
Service is service. MLK was a community organizer as well, you know.


Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 16:23:46
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
try serving your neighbors around here - ya get called names, people tell lies about you and you get constantly threated - yes, I've very cynical and jaded right now

I know it's a big leap, but remember this, Mala-- MLK was a very hated man by people who didn't understand him. There are ALWAYS going to be people that resist help. It's a sad part about human nature, the key is to strive and rise above the fray.



Yeah, that's a huge leap (civil rigts vs community revitaliztion) but I love that you made it, thank you
Service is service. MLK was a community organizer as well, you know.



that he was and yes it is - I'm just trying to "let it go" like everyone keeps telling me, its hard though I'm the most sensative of the group

Comment by BobR on 02/09/2011 16:27:14

Can you imagine if the new Speaker of the House was skulking near the building?

"Boehner seen hanging out next to Harry Baals Center"

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 16:49:14
Egypt Update - reports now show that the country's labor unions have joined the protest and called for Mubarak's immediate resignation.

Bets are now open on how long it takes Fux Gnus to use this as another reason to call this a socia-nazi-commie-muslim-terrorist-bad-guy boogaloo!

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:50:35
Scoop, Tri: I think we have a collective WIN!

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 16:50:42
Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:52:48
Source: Senator Webb isn't running again

Gawd, please don't give me Senator Macaque!!!

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:53:06
Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 16:56:46
Tim Kaine, maybe?

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 17:05:01
Alright, this one is a pip.

Comment by livingonli on 02/09/2011 17:18:42
Good day. Now Current TV joins BBC America on my Cablevision must add list.

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 17:23:57
Comment by livingonli on 02/09/2011 17:45:11
Another caller who thinks that taxes will be resolved by cutting wages on working people because they are public employees. Thom is rebutting by showing that what they really want is to put them at the same level of serfdom as those who work at 7-Eleven or Wal-Mart.

Comment by livingonli on 02/09/2011 17:49:11
According to MSNBC, Atlanta is one of the fastest rising areas of homes with negative equity.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 17:56:18
Thom hung up on someone? what did I miss?

Comment by livingonli on 02/09/2011 18:03:39
Quote by wickedpam:
Thom hung up on someone? what did I miss?

Some caller from New Jersey who wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise who was doing the usual right-wing rant about the evil teacher's union making it un-affordable to live in New Jersey.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 18:07:24
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by wickedpam:
Thom hung up on someone? what did I miss?

Some caller from New Jersey who wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise who was doing the usual right-wing rant about the evil teacher's union making it un-affordable to live in New Jersey.


oh jeez, I would blame the jersey shore kids for not being able to live in the state due to shame then I would teacher's

Ya know there was a time I thought about going back to school and getting a teaching certificate but now with who schools and teachers are being treated I couldn't deal with it

Comment by Raine on 02/09/2011 18:51:46
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by wickedpam:
Thom hung up on someone? what did I miss?

Some caller from New Jersey who wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise who was doing the usual right-wing rant about the evil teacher's union making it un-affordable to live in New Jersey.


oh jeez, I would blame the jersey shore kids for not being able to live in the state due to shame then I would teacher's

Ya know there was a time I thought about going back to school and getting a teaching certificate but now with who schools and teachers are being treated I couldn't deal with it
the caller was Blaming Unions for the high price of her property taxes.

She was a paid shill.

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 19:03:33
Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 19:21:33
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by wickedpam:
Thom hung up on someone? what did I miss?

Some caller from New Jersey who wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise who was doing the usual right-wing rant about the evil teacher's union making it un-affordable to live in New Jersey.


oh jeez, I would blame the jersey shore kids for not being able to live in the state due to shame then I would teacher's

Ya know there was a time I thought about going back to school and getting a teaching certificate but now with who schools and teachers are being treated I couldn't deal with it
the caller was Blaming Unions for the high price of her property taxes.

She was a paid shill.



ahhhh

Comment by Scoopster on 02/09/2011 19:58:28
Comment by wickedpam on 02/09/2011 19:58:32
oh btw - thanks Webb

Comment by livingonli on 02/09/2011 19:59:03
Thom Hartmann will be at CPAC Thursday and Friday. I may need to tune out the stupid that comes with it.

Comment by TriSec on 02/10/2011 02:34:45
Hey guys. Thanks for helping out!