Science > Physics > WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 5 Dec 03 Washington, DC
| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Sam Wormley" |
| Date: |
05 Dec 2003 02:52:46 PM |
| Object: |
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 5 Dec 03 Washington, DC |
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 5 Dec 03 Washington, DC
1. PUBLIC TELEVISION FUND RAISING: OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY.
To raise the money it takes to bring us intelligent, commercial-
free programs, PBS stations resort to Pledge Week. It works like
this: the quality programs we normally enjoy are replaced with
sleazy infomercials delivered by unscrupulous "operators" like
health guru Deepak Chopra, M.D. (WN 9 Oct 98). Chopra promotes a
brand of spiritual healing that he says is confirmed by modern
quantum theory. His 1993 book, "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind: The
Quantum Alternative to Growing Old" topped the best-seller lists
for weeks. His medical advice, however, comes straight out of
ayurveda, ancient Hindu medicine that is 3,000 years older than
quantum mechanics. On Monday, Chopra had a two-hour PBS special,
"The Soul of Healing," in which he explained how you can "invoke
your inner pharmacy." Does it work? Trust me, after just a few
minutes of Chopra, your inner pharmacy will deliver a massive
dose of road-rage hormones. It's really a cunning Pledge Week
message: See how bad television would be if there was no PBS?
2. SPACED OUT: IS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION MOONING THE CHINESE?
There has been a rumor circulating for several weeks that a White
House directive is being prepared that will launch NASA back to
the Moon. Why now? Does the world's dominant space power feel
it must keep up with China? (WN 17 Oct 03) According to a front-
page story in today's Washington Post, a return of astronauts to
the Moon is just one of the "big ideas" being considered by the
Bush administration to capture public imagination in 2004. You
recall that in 1989, on the 20th anniversary of the Moon landing,
another Bush stood on the steps of the Air and Space Museum and
called for a return to the Moon as part of a mission to Mars. But
while scientists eagerly await results from two robots on their
way to Mars, the Moon arouses little scientific interest.
3. ECHINACEA: IT FLUNKS AMID INDICATIONS OF A BAD FLU SEASON.
The most important of all medical discoveries is not antibiotics,
or immunization; it is the randomized double-blind test, by means
of which we find out what works and what doesn't. Among the many
alternative therapies, herbal medications would seem to be the
most promising. Until about 50 years ago, pharmacology depended
almost entirely on the empiricism of the herbalist. Angiosperms
in particular, contain bio-active chemicals in their leaves, bark
and flowers. The task has been to identify the active substance,
purify it, synthesize it, and then test it. Herbal therapists,
however, believe this process weakens the effect. Echinacea is
the most popular herbal for colds and flu, with annual sales of
more than $300M. But in a study at the University of Washington,
funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, Echinacea extract was no more effective than a placebo.
Some scientists regard herbs as simply dilute drugs, but so far,
controlled studies of herbal therapies have been disappointing.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
Opinions are the author's and not necessarily shared by the
University of Maryland, but they should be.
---
.
|
|
| User: "Uncle Al" |
|
| Title: Re: WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 5 Dec 03 Washington, DC |
05 Dec 2003 04:31:37 PM |
|
|
Sam Wormley wrote:
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 5 Dec 03 Washington, DC
1. PUBLIC TELEVISION FUND RAISING: OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY.
To raise the money it takes to bring us intelligent, commercial-
free programs, PBS stations resort to Pledge Week.
[snip]
Lovely young thing standing on stage. The Blue Operators are taking
calls. Send in the money and she takes off her clothes one piece at a
time; bigger contribution for a more interesting removal. The Gold
Operators are taking calls. Send in the money and she puts on her
clothes one piece at a time; bigger contribution for a more
interesting replacement. (If you have a curious sense of humor, make
it Diana Rigg - but you had best hurry.)
Will it be pornography or morality that wins the day? Either way, PBS
will be swimming in cash and Uncle Al will not be screaming at the TV
screen to get boring begging idiots off camera. (Uncle Al's money is
on full frontal PBS.)
On Monday, Chopra had a two-hour PBS special,
"The Soul of Healing," in which he explained how you can "invoke
your inner pharmacy." Does it work? Trust me, after just a few
minutes of Chopra, your inner pharmacy will deliver a massive
dose of road-rage hormones. It's really a cunning Pledge Week
message: See how bad television would be if there was no PBS?
Chopra has defended against at least one civil lawsuit prominently
featuring the words "wrongful death." Uncle Al's Linda brushed by
it. Chopra sings a much different song when personal liability and
punitive damages are in context.
2. SPACED OUT: IS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION MOONING THE CHINESE?
There has been a rumor circulating for several weeks that a White
House directive is being prepared that will launch NASA back to
the Moon.
Are we going to send an educator, an African American, and an Asian
American along for the ride? Save 300+ lbs of meat and contingent
consumables by substituting a really big and excellent corner cube
array. Ping the moon big time!
Why now? Does the world's dominant space power feel
it must keep up with China? (WN 17 Oct 03)
On how the mighty have fallen.
According to a front-
page story in today's Washington Post, a return of astronauts to
the Moon is just one of the "big ideas" being considered by the
Bush administration to capture public imagination in 2004.
One presumes a non-ludicrous Space Scuttle is not within technological
conceptualization.
You
recall that in 1989, on the 20th anniversary of the Moon landing,
another Bush stood on the steps of the Air and Space Museum and
called for a return to the Moon as part of a mission to Mars. But
while scientists eagerly await results from two robots on their
way to Mars, the Moon arouses little scientific interest.
Dump the holding tanks before leaving. Enviro-whiners will go
ballistic.
[snip]
--
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
(Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" The Net!
.
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 12 Dec 03 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 19 Dec 03 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 16 Dec 05 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 23 Dec 05 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 26 Dec 03 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 31 Dec 04 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 2 Dec 05 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 9 Dec 05 Washington, DC
| WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 17 Dec 04 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 3 Dec 04 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 1 Dec 06 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 14 Dec 05 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 10 Dec 04 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 30 Dec 05 Washington, DC
WHAT'S NEW Robert L. Park Friday, 24 Dec 04
|
|
|
