Is the Cure for Cancer Inside You? - NYTimes.com

<base href="data:">Claudia Steinman saw her husband's BlackBerry blinking in the dark. It had gone untouched for several days, in a bowl beside his keys, the last thing on anybody's mind. But about an hour before sunrise, she got up to get a glass of water and, while padding toward the kitchen, found an e-mail time-stamped early that morning — "Sent: Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, 5:23 a.m. Subject: Nobel Prize. Message: Dear Dr. Steinman, I have good news for you. The Nobel Assembly has today decided to award you the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2011." Before she finished reading, Claudia was hollering at her daughter to wake up. "Dad got the Nobel!" she cried. Alexis, still half-asleep, told her she was crazy. Her father had been dead for three days.<br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFF7cI1LXyNhFuj0Rr3BQ0i8Ck86EbwlIRQn4qqQneXiiaKdeqguNc0HAcrE7v-jKfUWsIjZEFg5zUvyptD7efVE2d5PIkvWi901uvtUHgoDhxeY5rREsnXx2ood_NY_DZkjQGgnkNE8/s1600/23cancer2-articleInline-v2-788059.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5824761581479189378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFF7cI1LXyNhFuj0Rr3BQ0i8Ck86EbwlIRQn4qqQneXiiaKdeqguNc0HAcrE7v-jKfUWsIjZEFg5zUvyptD7efVE2d5PIkvWi901uvtUHgoDhxeY5rREsnXx2ood_NY_DZkjQGgnkNE8/s320/23cancer2-articleInline-v2-788059.jpg" /></a><br><br>The Nobel Foundation doesn't allow posthumous awards, so when news of Ralph Steinman's death reached Stockholm a few hours later, a minor intrigue ensued over whether the committee would have to rescind the prize. It would not, in fact; but while newspapers stressed the medal mishap ("Nobel jury left red-faced by death of laureate"), they spent less time on the strange story behind the gaffe. That Steinman's eligibility was even in question, that he'd been dead for just three days instead of, say, three years, was itself a minor miracle.<div><br>In the spring of 2007, Steinman, a 64-year-old senior physician and research immunologist at Rockefeller University in New York, had come home from a ski trip with a bad case of diarrhea, and a few days later he showed up for work with yellow eyes and yellow skin — symptoms of a cancerous mass the size of a kiwi that was growing on the head of his pancreas. Soon he learned that the disease had made its way into nearby lymph nodes. Among patients with his condition, 80 percent are dead within the first year; another 90 percent die the year after that. When he told his children about the tumor over Skype, he said, "Don't Google it."<br><br>But for a man who had spent his life in the laboratory, who brought copies of The New England Journal of Medicine on hiking trips to Vermont and always made sure that family vacations overlapped with scientific symposia, there was only one way to react to such an awful diagnosis — as a scientist. The outlook for pancreatic cancer is so poor, and the established treatments so useless, that any patient who has the disease might as well shoot the moon with new, untested therapies. For Steinman, the prognosis offered the opportunity to run one last experiment.<br><br>In the long struggle that was to come, Steinman would try anything and everything that might extend his life, but he placed his greatest hope in a field he helped create, one based on discoveries for which he would earn his Nobel Prize. He hoped to reprogram his immune cells to defeat his cancer — to concoct a set of treatments from his body's own ingredients, which could take over from his chemotherapy and form a customized, dynamic treatment for his disease. These would be as far from off-the-shelf as medicines can get: vaccines designed for the tumor in his gut, made from the products of his plasma, that could only ever work for him.<br><br>Steinman would be the only patient in this makeshift trial, but the personalized approach for which he would serve as both visionary and guinea pig has implications for the rest of us. It is known as cancer immunotherapy, and its offshoots have just now begun to make their way into the clinic, and treatments have been approved for tumors of the skin and of the prostate. For his last experiment, conducted with no control group, Steinman would try to make his life into a useful anecdote — a test of how the treatments he assembled might be put to work. "Once he got diagnosed with cancer, he really started talking about changing the paradigm of cancer treatment," his daughter Alexis says. "That's all he knew how to do. He knew how to be a scientist."<br><br>First, Steinman needed to see his tumor. Not an M.R.I. or CT scan, but the material itself. The trouble was that most people with his cancer never have surgery. If there's cause to think the tumor has spread — and there usually is — it may not be worth the risk of having it removed, along with the bile duct, the gallbladder, large portions of the stomach and the duodenum. Luckily for Steinman, early scans showed that his tumor was a candidate for resection. On the morning of April 3, 2007, less than two weeks after his diagnosis, he went in for the four-hour procedure at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, just across the avenue from his office at Rockefeller University.<br><br>After two hours on the operating table, his surgeon, Dan Coit, lifted the tumor from his abdomen. It was about two and a half inches long. Coit stitched a short thread across its top and a longer one on the side — an embroidered code to help the pathologists get oriented — and sent the specimen upstairs, wrapped in a towel and nestled in a tray of ice.<br><br>Claudia and Alexis were waiting in the lobby, along with Sarah Schlesinger, a longtime friend and member of Steinman's lab, who is also a board-certified pathologist. It would be her job to manage the disbursement of the tumor to Steinman's colleagues around the world, so its every nuance could be tested and its fragments incorporated into the drugs that would compose his treatment. When she arrived at the lab upstairs and held the tumor, it was still so warm that she could feel the heat through her latex gloves.<br><br>She chopped and sliced the tumor into samples, based on a list that Steinman helped draw up beforehand. A few grams would be placed in screw-top vials filled with a preservative for their RNA. Steinman's administrative assistant would take another piece to Boston on an afternoon train, and some would go to a former student, Kang Liu, so she could sew confetti-sized squares of the tumor into living mice. If there was any left, they would send it to a researcher in Baltimore named Elizabeth Jaffee, who had mastered the art of culturing pancreatic cancer in a dish.<br><br>The mass was big enough that Schlesinger could get through all the items on the list. In the days, weeks and months that followed, Steinman's cancer was sent to labs in Boston and Baltimore, Toronto and Tübingen, Germany, Dallas and Durham, N.C. With help from friends and former students, he would squeeze every bit of data from his cancer that he could.<br><br>Steinman's last experiment would be, in many ways, the culmination of a new trend in cancer research: designing custom treatments for each patient. When he got sick, Steinman knew that the five-year survival rate for his kind of tumor was, at most, 1 in 10, even at Sloan-Kettering, one of the best oncology centers in the world. Typically, patients live six months. But he also knew that his chances might not be as bad as they looked. The means and medians of his disease were drawn from populations and so did not reflect the fact that every tumor is unique. Even tumors that look the same — cancers starting from a common organ, or a common kind of cell — may behave in different ways: some shrink and some expand; some succumb to chemotherapy. Now doctors can scan each tumor for clues about its DNA and use those clues to determine its strengths and weaknesses. Steinman could have his case described right down to the letters of its genome, in hopes of figuring out which therapies might work best for him.<br><br>This "personalized" approach to treating cancer, which subdivides the classic types according to distortions in their genes, has been growing at a rapid pace. In the past few years, laboratories financed by the government have set out to build a comprehensive atlas of the cancer genome — to collect 500 tumors from each of 25 kinds of the disease and then to analyze their DNA and RNA at a cost of more than $100 million a year. The advent of inexpensive genome sequencing has produced a gold rush in the commercial sector, too, with the promise that anyone's tumor can be sliced and processed and analyzed, until its genetic fingerprint is decoded.<br><br></div><div>More ...<br><br><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/magazine/is-the-cure-for-cancer-inside-you.html?hpw&pagewanted=all">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/magazine/is-the-cure-for-cancer-inside-you.html?hpw&pagewanted=all</a><br><br></div>

Is the Cure for Cancer Inside You? - NYTimes.com

Claudia Steinman saw her husband's BlackBerry blinking in the dark. It had gone untouched for several days, in a bowl beside his keys, t...

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Elf

<p>Check out this elf that hangs at the top of my tree. I love him, he is so weird looking. He has a little ruler, scissors and hammer tucked in to his belt.</p><p>Ciaran is freaked out by him, he can't stand to look at him!</p><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KiMii0SszAz1hO6E5GgDqNEido4n0ZMTIBD9rgkm7LJzOfTc7t5em527P1gxZVn-AoWGsBdDBIbPqXYO_pTqhJrtsgt7LyEhBC1YASztGjBDgD6SjKtyRWtGROgdMtbvw5y3pFvrPVhe/s1600/20121220_125104.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KiMii0SszAz1hO6E5GgDqNEido4n0ZMTIBD9rgkm7LJzOfTc7t5em527P1gxZVn-AoWGsBdDBIbPqXYO_pTqhJrtsgt7LyEhBC1YASztGjBDgD6SjKtyRWtGROgdMtbvw5y3pFvrPVhe/s400/20121220_125104.jpg" /> </a> </div>

Elf

Check out this elf that hangs at the top of my tree. I love him, he is so weird looking. He has a little ruler, scissors and hammer tucked i...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/22/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://blog.jamietie.com/lets-kill-technology-journalism">Let’s kill technology journalism | Jamie Kelly</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Jamie Kelly does a nice job of dissecting much of what is wrong with technology journalism - going for the trending topic instead of saying "this topic is trending because of misinformation" (i.e. Instagram terms of service changes). I think these points are excellent and can also apply to much of what happens in the education circles as well -- if everybody is talking about ___, then everyone is searching about ____, then everyone is writing about ____ so they will be found. Sometimes it is good not to be everybody but to be somebody who is different and more importantly, who goes through the hype to be as accurate as possible.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/technology">technology</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/journalism">journalism</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/writing">writing</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/blogging">blogging</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5970345/remains-of-the-day-facebook-may-let-strangers-message-you-for-1?popular=true">Remains of the Day: Facebook May Let Strangers Message You For $1</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">With 7.5 million kids under 13 on Facebook, the idea that they are testing allowing strangers to message you for $1 is a problem. The whole COPPA/ Lie about your age to get on Facebook coupled with location based services on smartphones that don't require disclosure to parents is going to come to a head and if companies continue to pretend that lying on a checkbox absolves them of the responsbility to protect children, they are wrong. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/facebook">facebook</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/privacy">privacy</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5964285/whats-all-the-fuss-about-evernote-why-do-people-use-it">What's All the Fuss About Evernote? Should I Be Using It?</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This article from Lifehacker discusses "what's the deal about evernote" so that people can decide if it is for them. I've left and come back to evernote after I had a bad patch upgrade from Evernote that took a while for me to resolve. I think one of the most useful things I use it for is those procedures in PowerSchool that I do infrequently - like what the exact procedures are for how handle Academic Banquet records in Powerschool or checklists for starting the new year in Powerschool - I have quite a few of these checklists and instructions because I never could find my notes and always had to start over. ;-)</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/evernote">evernote</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/productivity">productivity</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5969365/everbot-connects-gmail-and-google-calendar-to-evernote-for-quick-notes">Everbot Connects Gmail and Google Calendar to Evernote for Quick Note Sharing</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Evernote is one of my favorite apps and I'm constantly looking around the web for great ideas. Everbot is my next tool that I'll use to link evernote with gmail. It also has some google calendaring features, but I'm most excited about the ability to add to and retrieve from evernote into email without a lot of hassle. Evernote, in my opinion, exceeds the ability of other services and notebooks because of its: ubiquity, functionality and the fact is has so many apps for the service including vJournal which I use to take notes daily, and also because of how it can search every kind of text imaginable, including handwritten text. While some use evernote and dropbox interchangeably - there is a dramatic difference. I don't need or want to reference every document but may want to open them up on multiple computers -- thus Dropbox - but I do need my notes on running my life to move with me from computer to computer -- thus Evernote.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/productivity">productivity</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/evernote">evernote</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/gmail">gmail</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/22/2012

Let’s kill technology journalism | Jamie Kelly Jamie Kelly does a nice job of dissecting much of wha...

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Matt Said...Jay Said 8 (Maids A Milking)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnOJYrTUD_RzIDWQ5fJtITmJstmQyow_AFlk8Tk__s9f53xHYhQcqhLh6_nfuCHx10bc2dKfLApg3-57SxGV_zlwripgXlXAmSebpEKNNzPMV9oGRKmlrS49UjVRQlksetbgFUQM_QY8/s1600/Sexy+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnOJYrTUD_RzIDWQ5fJtITmJstmQyow_AFlk8Tk__s9f53xHYhQcqhLh6_nfuCHx10bc2dKfLApg3-57SxGV_zlwripgXlXAmSebpEKNNzPMV9oGRKmlrS49UjVRQlksetbgFUQM_QY8/s400/Sexy+Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a>Matt-Man jingles…Jayman jingles…You rock around the Christmas tree.<br /><br />Jayman:  Jingle Bells.  Jingle Bells.  Jingle all the way…<br />Matt:  That was very heartfelt and seasonally happiness-invoking.<br /><br />Jayman:  Just wanted to cheer you up, what with Schmoop in the hospital and what not.<br />Matt:  You are too kind.<br /><br />Jayman:  I have a great idea…I was thinking that this Saturday, we could do a Christmas Show.<br />Matt:  Excellent idea…No one would see that coming.<br />Jayman:  I know, right?<br />Matt:  You are on clever one mutha-fuc--<br />Jayman:  Shut your mouth!!<br /><br />Matt:  Hey dig it…I asked my son Ryno if he had gotten a present for his Mom.<br />Jayman:  Did he for once?<br />Matt:  Yes!!<br />Jayman:  Wow…At the tender age of 18 he is really maturing.<br />Matt:  I know, and then I asked him if he got a present for me…<br />Jayman:  Oh boy, how did he respond?<br />Matt:  He said, <i>“Of course I did; I bought you a big box of heartache.”</i><br /><br />Jayman:  You know…his attitude is your doing.<br />Matt:  I know, but the road map of his life is set, and I envision me becoming nothing more than but a mere rest stop on his highway of life.<br />Jayman:  What does that even <i>mean</i>?<br />Matt:  I have no idea.<br /><br />Jayman:  So I guess we should talk about Christmas on the show Saturday.<br />Matt:  Yeah I guess.<br />Jayman:  What?  What’s wrong?  Sounds like you don’t want to.<br />Matt:  I do, but…well…<br />Jayman:  Oh the Schmoop thing and she might not be home?<br />Matt:  Yeah, I was hoping to have Pizza Rolls with her on Christmas Day, but well…Probably not gonna happen.<br /><br />Jayman:  You do realize that Christmas goes beyond you and your self-absorption?<br />Matt:  So you say, but okay, a Christmas Show sounds pretty good and I’ll try to be happy.<br /><br />Jayman:  We can talk about the do’s and don’ts, and the fun food to serve.<br />Matt:  What to give…What not to give.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dwW6Wu7gdh1dmytCx0H5XVvEBAxq4aGPDeTBB4YvHVa-lFh8jaaswJsOUTVQDbYdO755xeAh-BSxkCTgpJ_N-XGLgLiVG6hTK2bxFEJmK6G2DBnWY95gUdWYNlAxCFrUGkfR5Lo42jI/s1600/Sexy+Women+at+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dwW6Wu7gdh1dmytCx0H5XVvEBAxq4aGPDeTBB4YvHVa-lFh8jaaswJsOUTVQDbYdO755xeAh-BSxkCTgpJ_N-XGLgLiVG6hTK2bxFEJmK6G2DBnWY95gUdWYNlAxCFrUGkfR5Lo42jI/s400/Sexy+Women+at+Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a>Jayman:  We can discuss how TIME magazine got their Person of the Year way wrong.<br />Matt:  It should have been us.<br /><br />Jayman:  Sounds good, and I hope a lot of people call in as well.<br />Matt:  Me too, because as good as we are, we like fresh voices.<br />Jayman:  Well okie dokie and Happy Solstice to you.<br />Matt:  And a Merry Sol Invictus to you and yours.<br />Matt and Jay: Let’s Do Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.<br /><br />And you catch our Christmas show LIVE Saturday night at 11 PM EST on Blog Talk Radio by clicking right <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2012/12/23/christmas-party-2012" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></i></a>. </div>

Matt Said...Jay Said 8 (Maids A Milking)

Matt-Man jingles…Jayman jingles…You rock around the Christmas tree. Jayman:  Jingle Bells.  Jingle Bells.  Jingle all the way… Matt:  That w...

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Time to Sweat it Out!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTESbWuVJKo/UNUpTzjuwQI/AAAAAAAAEBU/OfxNd4PMYLo/s1600/rockin+it+old+navy+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTESbWuVJKo/UNUpTzjuwQI/AAAAAAAAEBU/OfxNd4PMYLo/s320/rockin+it+old+navy+style.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time to Sweat it out in Style with my new active wear jacket from Old Navy thanks to Crowdtap!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So excited to have received this coupon for some free active wear for a friend and I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feels so comfortable and love the color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Losing weight feels great, especially when I can buy great clothing that looks nice and is affordable!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9viXqMfHKLc/UN2FSNkkD9I/AAAAAAAAEHI/nk_hp6aJjtQ/s1600/so+comfortable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9viXqMfHKLc/UN2FSNkkD9I/AAAAAAAAEHI/nk_hp6aJjtQ/s320/so+comfortable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know it stated Active Wear but when I saw this hooded sweatshirt I couldn't pass it up. Not for only $8!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the color and how comfortable it is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Upon being over weight I was limited to clothing sizes and they just didn't feel right or look right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most importantly that has changed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Never did I ever think I would be down to a size that I am in now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still have more to go but it takes time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whoa anyways, trying on clothes now is great and I've found clothing that I look fabulous in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-godwG-PznMs/UN2GZFspdXI/AAAAAAAAEHo/uJGLCUIaEwI/s1600/old+navy+wear+in+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-godwG-PznMs/UN2GZFspdXI/AAAAAAAAEHo/uJGLCUIaEwI/s320/old+navy+wear+in+blue.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />

Time to Sweat it Out!

Time to Sweat it out in Style with my new active wear jacket from Old Navy thanks to Crowdtap! So excited to have received this coupon for s...

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Winter Adventures to Come

<em><span style="font-size: large;">Another blog entry by our Outdoor Education Intern, Hannah George, about the many winter activities available across Ohio.  Enjoy! </span></em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">                Well, it is officially the first day of winter and, since the world hasn’t come to an end, it is time to start thinking about what fun things you can do now that the weather has turned a bit cooler. While the normal happenings of winter consist of mostly indoor activities, there are still many opportunities to enjoy nature and all it has to offer. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><span style="font-size: large;"></span><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU0h3BkWNt6bJKq6uDR7TuRi3TCdlKZZitkmHzZP2BdZOOJQFWwLuuXhRJQfSiDo6YkWR_OnAYKbcomBks0puydFVGhH56fAqODH5RNXNQDbVto1H3kjU6DMTixshfPK1aF3ZPhdlo2kV/s1600/images1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU0h3BkWNt6bJKq6uDR7TuRi3TCdlKZZitkmHzZP2BdZOOJQFWwLuuXhRJQfSiDo6YkWR_OnAYKbcomBks0puydFVGhH56fAqODH5RNXNQDbVto1H3kjU6DMTixshfPK1aF3ZPhdlo2kV/s320/images1.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr><span style="font-size: large;"></span><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bobcat</span></td></tr><span style="font-size: large;"></span></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things to do during the winter is to go for a hike at one of Ohio’s many wonderful state parks. There are so many great things to see during the winter, especially when there is snow on the ground. Animal tracks are much easier to spot, as is wildlife in general… well, the ones that aren’t hibernating anyway. I  think the snow-covered trees and shrubs are some of the prettiest sights to see, and they photograph very well. Waterfalls, which are great places to visit during the summer months, can also be amazing destinations during the winter. Some will even freeze solid, which is an impressive sight! Just make sure you dress for the weather with plenty of layers and wear a warm coat, hat, boots and gloves. You can always take off layers if you get too warm.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><span style="font-size: large;"></span><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oye9mHN1FBJTsQwYbRm6kMWQLAgPgjmL3GC0W43aC7rse0BXpxlDpwsfMRk3WfaqXTvnBXfzHthYGB2cWiVjN2Ul0lmWMfQqw1s7smtugT9GCneTvYMeii094Jvw8m_dC_WUkxSntLg2/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Oye9mHN1FBJTsQwYbRm6kMWQLAgPgjmL3GC0W43aC7rse0BXpxlDpwsfMRk3WfaqXTvnBXfzHthYGB2cWiVjN2Ul0lmWMfQqw1s7smtugT9GCneTvYMeii094Jvw8m_dC_WUkxSntLg2/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><span style="font-size: large;"></span><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Northern cardinal</span></td></tr><span style="font-size: large;"></span></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If wildlife is what you’re interested in, I would suggest visiting a park with a water source, like a lake or large river, that is not frozen over. These locations are magnets for birds, including waterfowl, as well as mammals. During the winter, water is often harder to find then food, especially for birds. (This is also a helpful hint for attracting birds to your own backyard during the winter. Try a heated bird bath this year and see the difference it makes.)</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">            If you are looking for some fun, free events for your kids, I would strongly suggest the <u>Kids Christmas Bird Count</u> on January 12^th at Magee Marsh in Northwest Ohio. This is a great opportunity for kids aged 8-12 to get outside and look for birds with an experienced birder. A lunch is provided, but make sure you </span><a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/StatewideCalendar/tabid/18565/ModuleID/20758/ItemID/1424/mctl/EventDetails/Default.aspx?selecteddate=1/12/2013" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">pre-register</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">           Another fun activity just for kids is the <u><a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/StatewideCalendar/tabid/18565/ModuleID/20758/ItemID/1569/mctl/EventDetails/Default.aspx?selecteddate=1/13/2013" target="_blank">Kids in the Snow</a></u> event at the Great Blue Heron Lodge in Northeast Ohio on January 13^th. This is a free event for kids where they will build Wood duck nest boxes to be placed in the preserved wetland areas. After building the nest boxes, the kids go on a hike to learn how to track different animals in the woods. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided at the end to wrap up a very fun day.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">          For additional information about the above listed events and for a full list of outdoor-related events, visit the </span><a href="http://www.wildohio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ODNR Division of Wildlife web page</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and click on the “Calendar of Events” link at the bottom of the page.  </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">To see a list of additional events at specific parks in Ohio, visit the </span><a href="http://ohiodnr.com/parks/tabid/80/Default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ODNR Parks web page</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and click on the “What’s Going On” link on the right-hand side of the page. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">         Hopefully you have a few fun ideas for outdoor winter activities this year and, if you don’t find something that interests you here, there are plenty of other activities to be found on either the Parks or Wildlife web pages. Lastly, I just want to wish you all safe, Happy Holidays this year! Have a great time with family and friends and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Best Wishes!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hannah<o:p></o:p></span></span>

Winter Adventures to Come

Another blog entry by our Outdoor Education Intern, Hannah George, about the many winter activities available across Ohio.  Enjoy!          ...

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Bean Fields Chips

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRaN9PNcXlI/UNSpzZevbvI/AAAAAAAAD9o/1LyNmDYj0-4/s1600/Beanfields.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRaN9PNcXlI/UNSpzZevbvI/AAAAAAAAD9o/1LyNmDYj0-4/s1600/Beanfields.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chips made with navy and black beans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are chips you don't have to feel bad about eating!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are all natural, vegan free and gluten free as well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are made from beans and taste oh so delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They taste just like any other chips.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't miss real chips at all!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They come in many flavors from Nacho Cheese to Sea Salt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nacho Cheese-</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The flavor was phenomenal and tasted just like nachos!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheese taste was so delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not too salty at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the crunchiness of the chips. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pico De Gallo-</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved the taste.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little sweet and spicy just the way I like it!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unsalted-</span></u></b><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>Great flavor and crunch.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needed a little extra flavor like salsa or some cheese though.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sea Salt</span></u></b><br /><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Liked the flavor.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not too salty.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crispy and great for nachos!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Salt and Pepper</u></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great taste, a little too peppery but works great with a little bit of melted cheese on top!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So yummy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Bean Fields Chips

Chips made with navy and black beans. These are chips you don't have to feel bad about eating! They are all natural, vegan free and glut...

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Where Have All the Primary Care Doctors Gone? - NYTimes.com

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div id="well" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div align="left"><div class="entry-content"><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">More and more, my family and friends are asking for my help in finding a primary care doctor. That they would be having trouble finding one doesn't surprise me. We've all been reading <a href="https://www.aamc.org/download/100598/data/recentworkforcestudies.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">warnings about an impending doctor shortage</a> for several years now.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">What is alarming to me is that there are no sure-fire solutions in place that will bail us all out in time.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">In the United States, <a href="https://www.aamc.org/download/158076/data/updated_projections_through_2025.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">we are now short</a> approximately 9,000 primary care doctors. These are the general internists, family doctors, geriatricians and general pediatricians, the doctors responsible for diagnosing new illnesses, managing chronic ones, advocating preventive care and protecting wellness. And health care leaders predict that that deficit will <a href="https://www.aamc.org/download/158076/data/updated_projections_through_2025.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">worsen dramatically in the next 15 years</a>. Specialties like general surgery, neurosurgery and emergency medicine will also become <a href="https://www.aamc.org/download/100598/data/recentworkforcestudies.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">critically understaffed</a>; but primary care will be hardest hit, with a <a href="https://www.aamc.org/download/158076/data/updated_projections_through_2025.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">shortfall of more than 65,000 doctors</a>.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">While the demands from a growing and aging population and an influx of 40 million patients newly covered by insurance are considered the main drivers of this crisis, there is no shortage of issues on the physician supply side.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">For starters, only 2 percent of all medical students <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=227186" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">in a recent study</a> expressed interest in practicing primary care as a general internist. Most continue to <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp068155" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">flock to subspecialty fields</a> like dermatology, anesthesiology, radiology and ophthalmology.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">And once trained, primary care practitioners are <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1351351" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">particularly vulnerable to burnout</a> and more likely to leave clinical practice than doctors in <a href="http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=719225" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">subspecialties like cardiology or gastroenterology</a>.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">It's like the patient is bleeding faster than we can transfuse.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">Experts have proposed several solutions to the doctor shortage. But for many worried patients and doctors, the best answer is seemingly the most obvious one: churn out more young doctors and funnel them into <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/08/07/158370069/the-prognosis-for-the-shortage-in-primary-care" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">residency programs that train for primary care</a>.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">Unfortunately, according to a <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1475191" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association</a>, it's not that obvious.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">Researchers asked more than 50,000 doctors training in internal medicine about their career plans. As expected, the majority of these young doctors planned on becoming subspecialists.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">What the researchers discovered, however, was that over the course of their training, almost half the young doctors who began wanting to become primary care doctors changed their minds, most deciding to pursue a subspecialty career instead. And by the time the three-year residency was finished, those numbers dwindled even further, with only one out of five indicating that they wanted to become primary care physicians.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">Some of the young doctors surveyed were enrolled in a traditional training "track," which centers on inpatient and subspecialty care. But even a majority of those who pursued a primary care track, developed in the 1970s to encourage more doctors to choose primary care and which concentrates on medical work done in outpatient clinics, doctors' offices and other ambulatory settings, were planning to become subspecialists by the end of their training.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">"The environment is such that even the primary care track training programs don't have a fighting chance," said lead author Dr. Colin P. West, an associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and associate program director of the internal medicine residency training program.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">Much of the problem lies in what general practitioners have to look forward to. General practitioners <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1105820" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">work as many hours as, or more</a>, than their subspecialty colleagues. Yet they have among the<a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0903460" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">lowest reimbursement rates</a>. They also shoulder <a href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/28/4/w533.full" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">disproportionate responsibility</a> for the <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMon0910793" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; ">bureaucratic aspects</a> of patient care, spending more time and money obtaining treatment authorization from insurance companies, navigating insurers' ever changing drug formularies and filling out health and disability forms. "All the paperwork," Dr. West said, "interferes with the patient-doctor relationship that drew them to general medicine in the first place and pushes trainees away from primary care unless they are remarkably committed to its goals."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">But it is this subset of committed young doctors -- the one in five who still planned on a career in general medicine at the completion of their training -- that may help to provide the answer to the current primary care shortage. In this study, most were female, enrolled in primary care track programs and graduates of American.medical schools. Dr. West believes that understanding more about what attracted them to primary care, and why they remained committed, could help "make the entire field more attractive to more young doctors," he said.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">"If we go with the simplistic view that opening more medical schools and more training slots will give us more primary care doctors, we may get a few more, but we're mostly going to end up with more subspecialists," Dr. West said. "And even the few additional primary care internal medicine doctors will not do much to address the shortage."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; ">"The residents are voting with their feet," he added. "And they are telling us something really important."</div></div></div></div></div><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/where-have-all-the-primary-care-doctors-gone/?pagewanted=print">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/where-have-all-the-primary-care-doctors-gone/?pagewanted=print</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Where Have All the Primary Care Doctors Gone? - NYTimes.com

More and more, my family and friends are asking for my help in finding a primary care doctor. That they would be having trouble finding one ...

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USA POLICY IS MAKING SYRIA INTO AN ANTI WESTERN, ANTISEMITIC ISLAMIST STATE

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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydys1fHBVaW73XIOfnNmZOtGS2p_W0Mgr3cF9-mrOodkmLSxlLEcIucw1B-abMa2DfBuO6qKec4rE-GQoMW5gtV2N9eoO9ikKbVrmsYIKlvXVIMqupUT1Ar7Fi6aznkrOiuxKytNWPYDt/s1600/SyrianNationalCoalitionOfficialLogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydys1fHBVaW73XIOfnNmZOtGS2p_W0Mgr3cF9-mrOodkmLSxlLEcIucw1B-abMa2DfBuO6qKec4rE-GQoMW5gtV2N9eoO9ikKbVrmsYIKlvXVIMqupUT1Ar7Fi6aznkrOiuxKytNWPYDt/s320/SyrianNationalCoalitionOfficialLogo.png" width="320" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces’, commonly named the Syrian National   Coalition, is a coalition of opposition groups in the Syrian civil war that was founded in Doha, Qatar in November 2012. (source: etilaf.org)</span></span></i> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW WESTERN-BACKED LEADERSHIP IN SYRIA.</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The bottom line: If this is SYRIA’S new government (The National Coalition for SYRIAN Revolutionary and Opposition Force</span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">s)’</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">then SYRIA now has an Islamist regime. This is happening with the knowledge and collaboration of the Obama Administration and a number of EUROPEAN governments. It is a catastrophe and one that’s taking place due to the deliberate decisions of President Barack Obama and other Western leaders. Even if one rationalizes the Islamist takeover in EGYPT as due to internal events, this one is U.S.-made.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">U.S. and EUROPEAN policy can be summarized as follows:</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“To align with and strengthen Muslim Brotherhood-associated elements, while painting Salafi forces as the sole real Islamist danger. At the same time, secular forces are ignored or brushed aside.”</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The new regime, recognized by the UNITED STATES and most EUROPEAN countries, as the legitimate leadership of the SYRIAN people, is the SYRIAN National Coalition, which has also established a military council.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">MODERATE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, WISHFUL THINKING </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Evidence for these arguments — much of which comes from raw wire service reports, praise is due to Reuters in this case — is undeniable. And if we know about these things there’s no doubt that the highest level of the U.S. government does so as well.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Why is this happening? Because Obama and others believe that they can moderate the Muslim Brotherhood and it will tame the Salafists, despite massive evidence to the contrary. This is the biggest foreign policy blunder of the last century and the cost for it will be high. It should be stressed that such a strategy is totally unnecessary and the alternatives have been ignored, the real moderates are being betrayed.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Here is some of the proof for these assertions:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “The founder of the Free SYRIAN Army, former Syrian Air Force Colonel Riad Asaad, is notably absent [from the leadership]. General Mustafa al-Sheikh, the first of his rank to defect to the rebels, is also not there. Sheikh is known for his fierce opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood. Hussein Haj Ali, the highest ranking officer to defect so far, was similarly absent.” These men are all anti-Islamists.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “A Reuters report on the new joint military council calculated that the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies account for about two-thirds of the 263 men who met in Antalya and formed the new body. Salafi commanders are also there.” In other words, the Islamists will get the overwhelming share of weapons provided under U.S. sponsorship, TURKISH oversight, and QATARI and SAUDI financing. And the UNITED STATES has not objected to the arming of Salafist super-extremists as long as they aren’t affiliated to al-Qaida.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “The new council is headed by Brigadier Selim Idriss, who is described as a non-ideological military man. But his deputies, Abdel-basset Tawil of Idleb and Abdel-Qader Saleh of Aleppo governate are associated with the Salafi trend.” In other words, there’s a non-Islamist front man for what will be an Islamist-controlled army.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “The domination by the Muslim Brotherhood of the new military council mirrors the movement’s leading position in the new civilian leadership body — the Syrian National Coalition. The leader of this coalition is Ahmed Mouaz al-Khatib, former Imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “Khatib is closely associated with the Damascus Branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The leader of the new coalition has a long history of antisemitic, anti-Western and anti-Shia remarks. (He praised Saddam Hussein, for example, for “terrifying the Jews” and wrote an article asking if Facebook was an “AMERICAN-ISRAELI intelligence website.”) He is also an admirer of the QATAR-based Muslim Brotherhood preacher Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– “Within the body headed by Khatib, the Muslim Brotherhood dominated SYRIAN National Council controls around 27 of the 65 seats on the executive body of the new coalition. There are also Islamists and fellow travelers among the non-SNC delegates. The Brotherhood is by far the best organized single body within the coalition. One secular delegate at the first full meeting of the coalition accused the MB of ‘pushing more of its hawks into the coalition, although it already has half of the seats.’”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">FURTHERMORE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">:</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– The U.S. government backed the previous opposition “leadership,” the SYRIAN National Council, which was formed as a result of AMERICAN initiative operating through Islamist TURKEY. The fact that this council had a Muslim Brotherhood majority in the leadership did not deter the Obama Administration from proclaiming it to be the address for support. Only when the council had clearly failed — and despite the fact that months earlier several moderates had resigned complaining about Brotherhood domination — did the U.S. government change strategy to organizing a new, also Muslim Brotherhood dominated group.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– American intelligence agents in southern TURKEY supervise the handover of weapons to the rebels. They make no attempt to stop arms from going to the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists while they make no attempt to funnel the guns to moderates. The only restriction is that they not go to al-Qaida affiliated Salafists. One day those guns will be used to commit unspeakable atrocities against Christians and other minority groups just as they will be used to install an Islamist regime and kill or intimidate its opponents.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How has the UNITED STATES handled this threat? Well, it declared one Salafi group off-limits because it is linked to al-Qaida. That’s it.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There has been and still is an alternative: for the West to back non-Islamist leaders including liberals, Arab nationalists, and KURDISH nationalist forces. Such a strategy was not pursued either in EGYPT or in TUNISIA.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So when SYRIA gets an anti-Western, antisemitic, and anti-democratic (aside from holding elections) regime don’t be surprised. You can read it in the surprised and grudging admissions of the Western mass media a year or two after this regime takes power or you can know about it right now.<br />This outcome might have been inevitable any way but not necessarily true. A vigorous policy of supplying non- and anti-Islamist forces while doing nothing to help the Brotherhood and Salafist militias plus the formation of a non-Islamist dominated political grouping that would receive Western aid could have produced a very different result.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But Western, and especiallyUS, policy is now putting into power yet another anti-Western regime that will oppress its own people and put a high priority on trying to wipe out ISRAEL.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Barry Rubin</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> via <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Global Research in International Affairs </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>

USA POLICY IS MAKING SYRIA INTO AN ANTI WESTERN, ANTISEMITIC ISLAMIST STATE

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces’, commonly named the Syrian National   Coalition, is a coalition of ...

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Amazing shades of Color

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" height="195" src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/blastflipstick.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=8685210688&Campaign=1937617816&Uid=1264101&token=cc5309d2355d9e9b2d76825488da898f" width="320" /></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a Bzzagent and got to try this cool new product from Cover girl for free for testing purposes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am not really a lip stick wearer but </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">some of the shades looked great on me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even surprised myself at how amazing a little lip color can do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boldest or richest color can make your sexy lips really stand out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love how they are blend able shades, meaning 2 shades in one lip stick! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to get technical it's called a Flip stick!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can switch between the colors depending on your mood or outfit of the day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How awesome is that?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So if you want a color that's not too dark then Vixen (light pink) is the way to go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If your looking for a more darker pigment then go with the deep red or mocha looking colors!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each flip stick is sure to please!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Amazing shades of Color

I'm a Bzzagent and got to try this cool new product from Cover girl for free for testing purposes. I am not really a lip stick wearer bu...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/21/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ShareYourVoice">Add your voice to a growing group of experts and advocates influencing our work.  Please help us with answers to 4 questions below and receive a cool infographic of what everyone shares! Survey</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The Ignite show is taking a survey about the #1 issue in education to help direct their planning for future shows and interviews. Will you fill out the survey with your opinion?</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://candlesforconnecticut.wikispaces.com">CandlesforConnecticut - home</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Donna Roman sent this to me. I know a lot of you are out, but could you pass this along? This wiki has more information. "Let's all show our support for them by placing 26 (or however many you can find) electric or battery operated candles in the window of our schools through the holiday season, and possibly beyond. This will be a painful holiday season for some, so together, let's shine light into the darkness. Feel free to add your school and photo here. You can also add your city and school information here Check back for updates!"</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tumblr">tumblr</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/connecticut">connecticut</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/newtown">newtown</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 12/21/2012

Add your voice to a growing group of experts and advocates influencing our work.  Please help us with answers to...

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18000 visitors! Yay!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNTYwNzQyOTY*MTgmcHQ9MTM1NjA3NDM5OTE3MyZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvPTJiYTgzYTQ2MWFiZjRiNThhMzk*/OTJiZDA*NzE5MTg1.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a href="http://www.sparklee.com/"><img alt="Sparklee.com - http://www.sparklee.com" border="0" src="http://img-s3-01.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2012/12/21/33e5d2954a5f5bc189239ff3b36a0c60.gif" /></a><br /><br /></div>

Inspiration 18000 visitors! Yay!

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Hanging Out with Santa Claus

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />Hola y’all! Santa came over tonight and hung out with me and agreed to do a Jay Said, Santa Said for the blog cause he’s cool like that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12ASIpW9CEw47HkpReAJIwa8k4_ud-tQSDq1p25m-24c2AUDQGmhPgxtZYJcd8PiCV8Vt5Vt9Dyg3V3UShTKoaAZOqxy2YRpY4ba1s95JBmuQp1jnuC1oHzWhPowJYPq5phs_ehKyr90/s1600/Santa+Clause+Chillin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12ASIpW9CEw47HkpReAJIwa8k4_ud-tQSDq1p25m-24c2AUDQGmhPgxtZYJcd8PiCV8Vt5Vt9Dyg3V3UShTKoaAZOqxy2YRpY4ba1s95JBmuQp1jnuC1oHzWhPowJYPq5phs_ehKyr90/s320/Santa+Clause+Chillin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b>Jay:</b> Hola Santa!<br /><b>Santa: </b>Beer please. And some chips. I’m hungry.<br /><b>Jay: </b>I’ve already got them for you; uh please don’t smoke in here.<br /><b>Santa: </b> I’m Santa Claus I can smoke anywhere I fucking please.<br /><b>Jay: </b>It’s bad for you though.<br /><b>Santa:</b> So is sliding down everyone’s filthy chimney but nobody tells me not to do that!<br /><b>Jay: </b>Good point.<br /><b>Santa:</b> Nobody cares about my wellbeing.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Now, that’s just not true.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Really? Everyone leaves cookies, fudge and cake for me.<br /><b>Jay: </b>I’m sure some people in Cali leave granola and soy milk.<br /><b>Santa:</b> Yes and that shit is disgusting!<br /><b>Jay: </b>I know being Santa isn’t easy, but not THAT bad.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Nobody ever asks what I want for Christmas.<br /><b>Jay: </b>That’s only because you can have whatever you want.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Yeah, but having someone else get it for me would be nice every once in a while.<br /><br /><b>Jay: </b>But, you’re Santa Claus. You do this out of the goodness of your heart.<br /><b>Santa: </b>I should sell ads.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Really? Sell out like that?<br /><b>Santa: </b>Nothing big. Maybe just some small ads on the wrapping paper?<br /><b>Jay:</b> Maybe on the tag?<br /><b>Santa: </b>That’s brilliant! “To Timmy … From Santa brought to you by Tostitos” or something.<br /><b>Jay:</b> I’m thinking Johnsonville Brats.<br /><b>Santa: </b>I like the way you think.<br /><b>Jay: </b>With your sophisticated marketing operations, you should be able to target ads.<br /><b>Santa:</b> I’m thinking of asking Google to help me with that.<br /><b>Jay: </b>You’ll get some criticism for this.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Only from the pink-o, panty-waste, atheist, baby-killing liberals who hate me already.<br /><b>Jay: </b>That’s true.<br /><b>Santa: </b>So fuck them<br /><b>Jay:</b> Hell yeah! You go Santa!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-Rq-1e5l6BeCiBDQWoW8hpaP5WR6GSmW21q5PZf1QJsDF-5ooAlIdch6Evm59JNcCENch_iLgLtzKdZ-WYft92lXCKj8HM5mCGB0CaFo-BYmf5ITVS2IqjCPvy1j4Ias_6bPrOdtkDA/s1600/Courtney+Stodden+Nude+Santa+Claus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-Rq-1e5l6BeCiBDQWoW8hpaP5WR6GSmW21q5PZf1QJsDF-5ooAlIdch6Evm59JNcCENch_iLgLtzKdZ-WYft92lXCKj8HM5mCGB0CaFo-BYmf5ITVS2IqjCPvy1j4Ias_6bPrOdtkDA/s320/Courtney+Stodden+Nude+Santa+Claus.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>Jay:</b> So how’s the Christmas season been this year?<br /><b>Santa: </b>Same as always. Greedy, spoiled kids demanding expensive toys.<br /><b>Jay:</b> Gets worse every year.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Damn right it does. And I get pissed on at least four times a day.<br /><b>Jay:</b> Is your suit water proof?<br /><b>Santa: </b>I spray it down with a special formula so I don’t smell like piss all day.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Well if you did, you could just take the bus and fit right in.<br /><b>Santa:</b> Hey-OOOOOOOOO!<br /><b>Jay:</b> Is there anything good about being Santa?<br /><b>Santa: </b>Well there are a few things.<br /><b>Jay:</b> The joy of the season? Happy children smiling and laughing?<br /><b>Santa: </b>Well that and a few “fringe benefits.”<br /><b>Jay: </b>Oh really? Like groupies?<br /><b>Santa:</b> Dude. Every hot chick in the world wants to sit on Santa’s lap.<br /><b>Jay: </b>That’s awesome.<br /><b>Santa:</b> It’s crazy. Hell, I can go to any strip club and get a free lap dance for every single girl there.<br /><b>Jay: </b>I’m so jealous.<br /><b>Santa: </b>You should be. In some of the dodgier places I can get a free handy too.<br /><b>Jay:</b> Santa! I’m so disappointed in you!<br /><b>Santa: </b>Oh please! Spare me your fake indignation. I never claimed to be a role model.<br /><b>Jay:</b> Well, that’s true. I guess anyone would take advantage of being Santa a little bit.<br /><b>Santa:</b> I’m only human dude.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Good point.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Well, I better be off.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Got big plans?<br /><b>Santa: </b>Getting pissed on by kids and free lap dances from strippers.<br /><b>Jay: </b>Typical weekend then.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Yup.<br /><b>Jay:</b> Well, Merry Christmas and safe travels Santa.<br /><b>Santa: </b>Thanks my friend.<br /><br />There you go. As you can see, Santa is a very complicated, yet fun and thoughtful guy.<br /><br />Jayman<br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a><br /><br /></div>

Hanging Out with Santa Claus

Hola y’all! Santa came over tonight and hung out with me and agreed to do a Jay Said, Santa Said for the blog cause he’s cool like that. Jay...

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Looking Back On A 10 Year Long Conversion Experience: Was It Mine Or Ours?

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Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reading N. T. Wright’s Jesus and The Victory of God has sparked some reflection on how my religion has changed during the past decade. It’s a fundamental shift in what I believe and what I do – a change in how I find meaning and value in life. Oddly, it tracks a shift in our scholarly understanding of Jesus that I was not aware of at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I came back to Christianity about 1980 from several years of pretty serious Buddhism. I still value my Buddhist experience and could not have found my way back to Christianity except by that path. But for reasons that will become clear, I now find the historical focus, the narrative structure, and the hope for change in this world offered by Christianity is more helpful -- at least in our cultural context. I am quite content to let Buddhist be Buddhists. I just hope Christians will be Christians. It has taken me a lot of years, step by step, to actually engage the distinctly Christian hope in this world and for this world – in fact, I’m pretty sure I am not there yet. It’s a process.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the 1980’s and 90’s, the in vogue view of Jesus was “wisdom teacher.” Most of what Jesus taught was about “the Kingdom of God.” But what does that mean? It definitely isn’t where we go when we die. The Jesus Seminar folks and others who gave us Jesus the Wisdom Teacher interpreted the Kingdom as a spiritual state already available to anyone who got their mind right. That’s what I believed and that’s what I taught. The Kingdom Jesus proclaimed did not have any implications for the existing power structures of the world, like the Roman Empire, the Temple theocracy, local authorities like Herod, etc. The crucifixion of Jesus either did not happen at all or it was a big mistake. Jesus was a wise teacher like Lao Tzu. He was no threat to either Pilate or Herod. If they killed him, it was because they didn’t understand that he was harmless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">My religion in the 80s and 90s was about getting my mind right and helping others to get their minds right too. What about crime, economic injustice, poverty, disease, etc.? I thought Christians should do kind acts here and there as evidence of our right-mindedness. But for the most part, I saw secular society as hopelessly corrupt and believed the Church should stand apart from it. I wanted to prophesy against society from a removed position of purity. I talked about living by the Church Calendar instead of the Hallmark Calendar. My religion in those days was “spiritual but not political.” Wright’s word is “escapist.” I had washed my hands of humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">9/11 was the turning point. The religion I had on September 10 was not up to what happened on September 11.  That day brought home to me that religion can be a horribly destructive force in this dusty flesh and blood world where we live. We can go to work one morning and be killed by someone’s religion. Or religion can do good in this world. It can feed the hungry, teach the illiterate, heal the sick, even liberate the captive. The meaning and value of our lives turns on which kind of religion we practice – but only if we actually practice it with our feet on the ground here, now -- in this time and this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">It wasn’t just watching the Twin Towers fall. A lot of things went into my conversion process – a sabbatical semester at Harvard Divinity regrooving my theology, hitting the age for a “generativity crisis,” reengaging racial reconciliation work in Georgia, and the ONE Campaign for the Millennium Development Goals. I changed what I did before I changed what I thought. Praxis first. Theory later. I know that sounds like some other philosophies, but it’s also Anglican.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">So now I am learning that Jesus was not a “Wisdom Teacher” in the mode of Lao Tzu et al. – not that it’s bad to be a Wisdom Teacher – that just isn’t who Jesus was. Jesus was doing two things: (1) he was offering hope that <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">God will intervene in the socio-economic-political world we live in and turn the apple cart upside down – like in the Magnificat. (2) He was already bringing that new reality into being. He was already turning the apple cart upside down with his teaching, his way of life, and his healing miracles. When God happens in the world it looks like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Getting our minds right is part of joining the Kingdom movement. It takes prayer, meditation, and study. Without spiritual practice, our service to others isn’t grounded in God but in our own egos, so it goes awry. But the Kingdom Movement is also practice. It takes rolling up our sleeves and engaging in Kingdom work in our time and in our place. We don’t build the Kingdom with our own hands. We can’t fulfill it in its wholeness, but we can live the Kingdom in a world dominated by the ungodly forces Paul called “the powers and the principalities of this present age.” We can get on the right side and widen the fissures so grace can break in. We can enact the Kingdom in the midst of a world that has gone so dreadfully wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I knew as I watched the Twin Towers fall that my religion would have to grow or die. It grew. I wrote God Of Our Silent Tears (my book on how God responds to evil and suffering), worked with racial issues in Georgia, raised money for the ONE Campaign, and now am working to organize communities in Nevada to restore the quality of our common life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">So here’s what I am wondering: N T Wright portrays a Jesus who is making a real difference now; that difference is more important than it looks because it also opens the door to a whole new reality dawning in God’s time. Reading Wright makes me ask whether this change in my religion is just a personal thing, just the natural adjustment of religion to another stage of life – or is the Church waking up to an earthier pragmatic faith that can change the world? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I don’t know the answer to that. I have a hope but it is not “sure and certain.” I am not hoping for a nice political correctness that calls itself religion. I am hoping for a spiritual movement that has boots on the ground, a movement to challenge the status quo from a strong theological stance of faith, a conviction that we are following God’s call, making straight the way for the Savior. Are we ready to do that? Are we ready to lay aside our nets – even if those nets look like the pastoral maintenance religion that has defined the Church for centuries – in order to follow Jesus and change the world into the Kingdom?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->

Looking Back On A 10 Year Long Conversion Experience: Was It Mine Or Ours?

Reading N. T. Wright’s Jesus and The Victory of God has sparked some reflection on how my religion has changed during the past ...

Read more »