In this time of climate change, McCain understands that US must take action. He knows that we cannot jump into a green house gas free world right away. He believes in green advances only in scientifically safe areas of advancing technology. He also says that these advances for the environment should not cost too much, but be effective. He believes climate policy must spur the development and deployment of advanced technology. These efforts must be international. That is his basic policy on climate change. John McCain strongly believes in Nuclear Energy. He thinks that it is “part of the equation” for a strong and environmental country. France is 80% run by nuclear power. While some may cringe at the thought of a nation with nuclear energy, the US already has many and they are now safer than ever before. Nuclear power may be the key to a green country.
Archive for the ‘Science and Technology’ Category
McCain: On Nuclear Energy
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008Obesity: Too Little Sleep May Pose Obesity Risk
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
Article Link: nytimes.com
Can not enough sleep cause obesity?
Recent studies have just shown that not enough sleep can cause obesity. Children who lose sleep over three years are 40% more likely to become overweight. Other factors are obviously a cause of obesity but not enough sleep is definitely proven to be a contributing factor.
Dr. Lumeng, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan, suggested three other possibilities:
- Grumpy children are likely to ask for food.
- Children who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be tired the next day and less likely to exercise.
- Disruption in the sleep cycle can also cause obesity.
Health Issues: Obesity
Monday, October 29th, 2007 
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic over the past 10 years. Actions are being taken every day to prevent this issue. A lot of the action is being done in schools. Schools, along with the government are trying to give kids healthier lunches and more exercise during the day.
Here is an article that talks about schools improving in fitness and nutrition: Schools Found Improving on Fitness and Nutrition.
This article talks about how schools, over the past six years, have improved their lunches and physical education. They now offer pregnancy courses. Also they offer more nutritious food in the cafeterias and less fried or junk foods.
Do you think schools are handling the issue of childhood obesity well?
the versitility of Lego
Friday, October 26th, 2007After browsing the internet for a while, I have seen many a good idea and customizations. but placing brick upon brick just doesn’t count sometimes. you got to make something most likely never seen before. you could make something out of a movie you saw…
Or a video game…
Or a comic book!
basicly anything can be made with these small things. to give you something to think about, here’s one more picture and a video.
Can anyone say world’s largest Lego train layout?
The KFC Chicken Conspiracy Theory
Friday, October 26th, 2007It is relatively well-established that Kentucky Fried Chicken (perhaps more commonly referred to as KFC) is one of the most popular fast-food restaurant chains in the country, and to a lesser extent, the world. After all, very few (if any) American citizens are unfamiliar with the over-commercialized image of an animated Colonel Sanders placed right next to the KFC logo written in large red letters. Indeed, busloads of people will agree that KFC’s infamous fried chicken is not something one should miss out on. Despite this, in 1999 a rumor began to circulate on the internet, stating that the U.S. government no longer allows KFC to officially refer its products as “chicken,” due to the fact that to reduce cost, KFC has begun to use genetically engineered creatures instead of natural chicken as its prime meat source.
The author of this unusual theory begins by stating that the University of New Hampshire has conducted a recent study, the results of which were supposedly much unexpected and rather unnerving. The author first states how the change from “Kentucky Fried Chicken” to “KFC” is very inexplicable, and thus somewhat suspicious. Then the article goes on to claim that the reason behind this is in fact because the “chicken” part of “Kentucky Fried Chicken” is no longer applicable. Apparently, KFC has begun using the meat of genetically engineered organisms, for the sake of cost reduction. Allegedly, these organisms vaguely resembled chickens, yet with no legs, no feathers, a miniscule skeleton, and not to mention numerous tubes attached to feed this bizarre organism blood and nutrients. The writing also goes on to state that the word “chicken” is in fact never used in either KFC commercials or on their menus. Finally, the author announces his/her concern for this matter, declaring that people should rise up and protest against this outrage for the sake of KFC using “real” chicken in its products.
An interesting theory, is it not? The story almost sounds exciting, as if taken directly out of a work of fiction. Unfortunately, though, it has long been proven to be nothing but just that—mere fiction. First sighted in 1999, this chain-mail rumor began to spread like wildfire across the Web. Faculty at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), were downright puzzled at the notion of such an absurd, fictitious study having been conducted on their grounds, according to one of the 1999 editions of USA Today. Hundreds of internet users, however, were more naïve upon viewing the hoax. According to the USA Today article, telephones at the University of New Hampshire were “lighting up like Christmas trees with people calling to find out more about this ‘horrible story.’”
The message, of course, contains many logical inconsistencies. Aside from the University of New Hampshire lie, may it also be clarified that (1) KFC changed its name for purely commercial reasons, and was not influenced by the U.S. government in any way. (2) The word “chicken” is actually used numerous times on commercials and menus, as well as KFC’s website. (3) KFC, like most (if not all) restaurants, never has and probably never will raise its own chicken, regardless as to whether they are genetically engineered or not. This is the job farms, not fast-food chains. (4) The notion of this genetic manufacturing is obviously implausible—in fact, even today’s most advanced biological laboratories are not capable of such outstanding feats of genetic engineering.
So, what was the source of this story, and what was the motive? Well, all fast-food chains are frequently portrayed in a bad light by many members of the general public. This letter, of course, is a quintessential example of this. At the same time, the person behind this scheme is yet undiscovered. To this day, nobody knows who the original author is, though many people who have received the chain email at its earliest stages have been identified.
In conclusion, although the theory is highly enticing, it was—and remains—nothing more than a well-orchestrated prank.
Some links: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/food/kfc.asp
http://www.kfc.com/global/
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/cceli008.htm
The History Of LEGO: 1932-1979
Thursday, October 25th, 2007In it’s early days, the Lego company was a small family owned buisness run by at very little 10 employees at 1939. some of their major products included step ladders, ironing boards, and their infamous “wooden duck”, pictured below.
By the end of the 40′s, the company has 50 employees, and has reccently purchased a plastic injection-moulding machine.
The foreruner of the Lego brick, the automatic binding brick is released in 1950. this early version of the brick did not feature the stud-and-tube system, as featured in all other bricks.
In 1955, the Lego “system of play” is released, including 1:48 scale houses mad of bricks and plastic cars are released. Lego is also exported to Sweden
Town Plan, as show with it’s 2008 counterpart whic is yet to be released (The boy in the first picture is actually the man in the picture of the new set)
The improved brick design is released, with the stud-and-tube system is released, and is patened in 1958
by the end of the 50′s, the company has grown to 140, and naow exports to France, England, and Belgium. at 1960, wooden products are discontinued, and the company focuses on the plastic brick. In 1966, one of Lego’s best selling themes, Trains, is introduced(These are actual facts guys, I’m not making this up). By 1969 Duplo, a larger form of the bricks designed for younger children is released. Also, The first Legoland is opened to the public, gathering 3000 people on opening day. Lego is now exported to America, Canada, Japan, Signapore, and other countries totaling up to 42 countries.
In 1970, the company gains it 1000th employee. Lego of America is in it’s present location of Enfield, Connecticut. Town, Boats, and Technic themes are released in 1977, with Space and castle next year. Also that year, Mini-figures, or Mini-figs, are released in sets, eventually becoming the companies second most important design, after the brick itself. Lego now exports to Signapore, Spain, and Portugal.
More to come next week or so!
Links:
http://www.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx <- the actual website
http://www.peeron.com/ <- a website that provides inventories and instructions of sets from the beginning up to about 3 or 4 years and lists what parts come in each set.
Console Wars
Thursday, October 25th, 2007Nintnedo…
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Sony…
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Microsoft(Not Apple LOL)…
The three pilars of the gaming industry winter is right around the corner. How will the three companies stand up to Chrismahaunaquansica. I said it Chrismahaunaquansica (Just to be politically correct). This tends to be the make or break season for the video-gaming industry. Who is the front runner? Who is hoping to try and make a comeback and where in in the world can you get a Wii? I got one and so can you!1!1!
Lets start off with Nintendo. Judging by the information that I had gathered from 2007′s E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), Nintendo seems to be the front-runner in this race. Their state of the art and still hard to find Wii has been very successful to those that own one and those who have used it. The Nintendo DS is the slightly overlooked brother of the Wii. It is a very solid handheld. It comes from a long line of quite successful handheld systems. I predict that they will “pwn” the competition.
Sony…umm yeah they are losing in the console war sorry(;_;). Their PS3 has been doing not as well as expected. There were not many good games out for it in the first place. The hardware has been hacked several times. There are several bugs in it. Did I mention that it is overpriced. Seriously, $600 for a not so decent video-gaming system COME ON!!
Microsoft and its well not exactly rectangular box. It seems to be the most stable video gaming system out there. Keep supporting their good effort as the new comer in the gaming industry.
For some video game help I recommend http://www.cheatcc.com/index.html. The best Pokemon website ever is http://www.serebii.net/. Hey I also play Pokemon Diamond and Megaman Starforce. Send me your friend codes maybe I could help you out a little. Put it in your comments on my blog.
Alright gamerz, that concludes my first post. Keep watching for updates.
Pick A Blog Topic
Thursday, October 18th, 2007One of the hardest aspects of creating a blog is picking a topic. Many articles have been written on this subject and it is something that every blogger should think about before ever writing one post. You should clearly define your topic in order to successfully be able to write about it on a continuing basis. You also need to narrow your topic enough so that you have cohesive posts. Below are some tips that might help you along the way.
Consider your own interests
You need to be interested in whatever you blog about. If you don’t care about what you are writing about, your blog is domed before it even started.
Is the topic time sensitive, or likely to change in the near future?
If you are writing about a specific event or TV show that only happens during part of the year, you might reconsider your topic, or broaden the topic to include other events. A topic can change quickly and you have to assess whether you will be able to continually write about it.
Quantity and Quality
With a blog, you don’t want to write too much at first, as you could run out of subtopics too quickly if you write all about the topic in the first couple of posts. Make sure you have enough information to cover a broad spectrum of subtopics over many posts. Although don’t neglect the quality. Nobody likes to read with a lack of punctuation, or a poorly conceived post.
Once you’ve picked a topic you are off an running. Good luck blogging!
Sources:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/
http://www.novovo.net/a-z-lesson-1-picking-a-topic/