Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Y! Alert: The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com

Yahoo! Blog Alert
Yahoo! Alerts
My Alerts

The latest from The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com

John Brown: A Modest Proposal: Make the Pentagon Our Very Own Ministry of Culture! Top
During the U.S. presidential campaign, the Obama-Biden team announced it would would "expand cultural and arts exchanges throughout the world." And Michelle Obama recently stated that the "spouses of world leaders forge bonds by sharing the arts ... It is a form of diplomacy in which we can all take part.'" But these words, despite their honorable intentions, have not resulted in much noticeable action. The White House and the State Department seem -- understandably -- too busy with problems ranging from Iran nukes to global warming to worry about the government supporting concerts, exhibits, or poetry readings overseas. (The position of Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, part of the Department's public diplomacy operation, is still vacant ). Given this dire situation, at least according to some culture vultures, something urgent must be done support US cultural diplomacy -- narrowly defined, U.S. government support for the presentation and promotion of American culture overseas. This urgent need, arguably, is vital to the national interest because culture, no matter how you define it, counts more than ever in international relations. "Globalization, it turns out, has only intensified, not diminished, cultural differences among nations," says the New York Times . And the U.S., even if we Americans think people from elsewhere should like us --- or should be like us -- still has a lot of cultural "explaining" to do to citizens of other countries, many of whom are concerned about American cultural imperialism . Even Hollywood and McDonald's haven't succeeded in meeting this challenge. Some would say they've made it even worse. As for non-business organizations picking up the cultural ball, listen to the words (true, not universally shared by all in the US arts community) of Michael Kaiser , President of the Kennedy Center: [W]hile some American embassies abroad have been active in bringing American artists and arts groups to 'their' countries in recent years, this is still a very minor activity of the Department of State. But does traditional cultural diplomacy work? ... Does sending a symphony orchestra to play for a thousand of the most powerful people in the capital of another nation truly affect the way our nation is viewed? As the Obama administration tries to rebuild America's image abroad, do we need to send dance companies and theater companies abroad? My response ... is no. Given this rampant lack of support for cultural diplomacy, both inside and outside of government, what is to be done, as Lenin asked? Thinking "outside the box," may I suggest that we make the Pentagon our very own Ministry of Culture. Yes, the Pentagon. After all, it's not an urban legend that there are more members of military bands than diplomats serving overseas ! But let me get serious and give my reasons for this modest proposal: 1. In the past, the military has successfully disseminated American culture -- granted, perhaps uintentionally. Take, as an example, Berlin during the Cold War : In creating its own broadcast presence in Berlin, the American Military Government set on course a radio operation that would do much more than intended-simply announcing information from the military authorities to the German residents of Berlin. The unintended consequences were that the radio station would become a leading source of culture, education, political enlightenment for those in West Berlin and a political instrument in dealing with the Communists-both Soviet and German-in the what was to become the German Democratic Republic (GDR). And let's not forget US military paraphernalia and uniforms, which for many years enjoyed popularity among youth overseas as they represented, to some of them, a form of American culture, at times of a "camp" quality. In a way (if you'll allow a historical speculation), the U.S. military followed the tradition of Romans centurions and their troops, spreading their culture -- often involuntarily -- through its sheer presence, symbols and equipment. Pax Romana = Pax Americana. Pax, that is, while both lasted. 2. In recent years, Department of Defense (DoD) brass has shown an increasing interest in culture -- perhaps not high culture, at least for now, but culture in a more anthropological sense , as a way human beings define themselves in their daily lives. This perspective is the not unhappy consequence of two tragic wars -- in Iraq and Afghanistan -- which the military realized could not be won by bombs alone. The troops, now say the generals, have to be able to connect with the local population in far off countries by being familiar with their language and mores. Give GI Joe "cultural sensitivity" training ! And, as has been widely reported, Secretary Gates himself underscores the importance of "soft power," of which a nation's culture is an an essential part, according to Professor Joseph Nye (a former Defense Department official), the coiner of the term. 3. The Pentagon has at its immediate disposal the resources, both material and human, to support American cultural presentations overseas. No need for extra funding. At a moment's notice, its huge transport planes and aircraft carriers can start carrying American performers and cultural materials (e.g., exhibits) overseas (after all, if the military can have hospital ships to assist foreign populations in need, why can't it have "culture carriers" to bring U.S. artists and their creations to other lands?). Announcements about cultural events can be publicized by leaflets dropped from helicopters and other aircraft, as well as by Pentagon media/cyberspace outlets. 4. The hundreds of US military bases throughout the world are turned into cultural centers similar to those run by the United States Information Agency during the Cold War (but of course these new centers would be bigger, more user friendly, and equipped with far more advanced technology). Security is not a problem, of course, given the presence of US armed personnel trained in "cultural sensitivity." 5. Using only a few billion dollars (pennies in its huge budget), the Pentagon makes grants available to foreign artists on topics pertaining to American culture, and also provides honoraria (and transportation) to U.S. lecturers to speak about U.S. art, literature, music and other subjects to overseas audiences. With DoD funding, seminars with the participation of intellectuals from the U.S. and other countries discuss issues such as "Why Art can Bring an End to Wars"; "Resolved: Culture, not Weapons, Provides Hope for Avoiding Global Conflict." Officers formerly involved in psyops take part in these meetings, to discuss "creativity and the individual artist" in the United States. Eventually, as the Pentagon fully assumes its new role, it has its own Symphony Orchestra and Theater Company, made up of the crème de la crème of American performers, that travel abroad on a regular basis. 6. The Pentagon, with an medium-sized office for Minister of Culture Gates reserved in small corner of its basement, itself is turned into a huge international cultural center, as it is conveniently reachable by metro and close to heart of the nation's capital, visited by many tourists from other lands. It becomes an open and welcoming place where foreigners meet Americans eager to expand their knowledge of the world on a people-to-people basis. Like the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, the revamped Pentagon is surrounded by a sculpture garden. Formely top-secret briefing rooms are turned into cinemas for screening classic American films; poets recite their verses in the halls, for all to hear; musicians enliven the once all-too-silent space with songs and the sound of instruments; ballet performances are held in auditoriums; advanced computer systems are used to access cultural material on the web; the cafeteria is converted into a restaurant offering the best of American cuisine at reasonable prices; colorfully costumed clowns roam in the building to amuse children. 7. With the Pentagon our first ever Ministry of Culture, no one will ever say again, as did the painter John Sloan , that "he would welcome a ministry of culture because then he would know where the enemy was." ...
 
Jamie Frevele: Eric Millegan on Living (and Acting) with Bipolar Disorder: Part 1 Top
Mental illness is one of the most frightening things that can happen to a human being. It's like fighting an invisible war. Not imaginary -- invisible. It's there, but no one can see it, but the person fighting it feels every inch of it. And hopefully, others will believe it exists. When our organs have something wrong with them, like our hearts, livers or bones, there is a pretty tangible effect for those around us to witness. But we can, for the most part, still function. When the organ afflicted is the brain, however, the organ running the show, deciding how we act, react, communicate, socialize, etc., it's just...different. There are no open wounds, bruises, swelling, anything other people can see. How do they know it's not fake? And what if you're an actor for a living? I've been a fan of Eric Millegan since early 2008 , when I started watching the Fox show "Bones." He played my favorite character, the unintentionally hilarious Asperger's case Zack Addy. Ironically, while he was shooting the seasons that made me a fan of the show, Eric Millegan, while playing a wholly unemotional character, was going through emotional hell. Recently, he posted on his YouTube channel that he had been living with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and was ready to talk about it. Creative types are, by nature, excellent storytellers, so here, in his own words, is Eric Millegan's story: There were times when I was going through hell inside, but people on the outside didn't necessarily notice. [So], I was able to press forward. I remember at the up-fronts for "Bones" the very first season, I was going through a nasty episode. With me, everything gets very, very quick in my chest, everything really hurts, and everything's really fast, and I was on the verge of tears, and I even had to excuse myself so I could leave and cry my eyes out. And I remember Emily [Deschanel] and I were in a limo together and I said, "I'm really going through a tough time right now," and she was like, "I can't tell at all." And in a way, it was a nice breakthrough for me, like "I can just keep trying to do things even though I feel a certain way." On performing at New York's Cast Party: I wanted to sing a song at Cast Party, but I was really a mess inside. My emotions were all over the place. I [thought], "I don't think I can do it," but I kinda wanted to get up and sing a song. So, I got up - Chita Rivera was in the audience, of all people - and I sang "Leaving's Not the Only Way to Go" from "Big River," and I got a standing ovation and cheers from Chita Rivera, and I remember that being so exciting. I remember I walked up onto the stage, like I didn't take my coat off or anything, and I sat there in the stool and sang, and I really connected with people. I connected with Chita Rivera, even though I was going through a [bipolar] episode. On support from "Bones": A lot of times I feel I probably would have ended up in a mental hospital if it weren't for the structure that "Bones" gave me. But [showrunner] Hart Hanson came to me at the end of the first season and said "You're valuable to the show, so if you need to [leave] and get better, you'll still have your job when you come back." And that meant a lot. And I did not end ended up going to the mental hospital because I've worked my whole life to get a job like "Bones." To get a job that's that high-paying, that high-profile, and it was my big break, and I didn't want to miss one second of my big break... But very specifically, Emily and Hart were the ones who knew about it early on, and they were very, very supportive. Hart Hanson, who has experience with loved ones who were mentally ill, says he "had a little warning of what was coming with Eric." "On the pilot, he seemed lost and slightly awkward and slightly timid - none of this was true, by the way. But what I noticed first was that he would tie his shoes many, many, many times until they were balanced...There's any number of things [that the] symptoms I recognized could be. Depression was one, although I did recognize mania. I was hoping that he was obsessive-compulsive." On his breakthrough: The big breakthrough day was when I woke up really, really depressed one morning - very, very, very depressed - then I got really happy and decided I would go to Disneyland. And then I got to Disneyland and I started crying. And I was like, "Something's wrong with me," and I called Charles, my partner, and said, "Something is wrong with me. I was crying and crying and crying and I have no idea what's wrong." And that's when I knew something was wrong. I had just gone from really depressed, to really happy, to crying, and something was just not right. After Disneyland, Hanson became a crucial figure in Millegan's support system. "I felt I had no choice. It was odd, because it was just somebody I hired, and I saw he was in trouble, and the next thing you knew, we were in there, in the midst of this thing, and there was just no hope of turning your back on him. It's like sticking your foot in a river and getting pulled in, and I was just in it. And I'd just shrug and say, 'I'm in it. I'm in it with him, and he will be okay, he will take his medication, and he will get better,' and it all turned out to be true, but it was very stressful at the time. It was very stressful being around someone who was having such a hard time. Such a terrible time, and terrified of making a misstep. Terrified to say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. It was really quite something." When he got the part on "Bones," Millegan moved from New York to Los Angeles, which he says "definitely" triggered symptoms of bipolar disorder. "The combination of the move to LA and getting the television show." On denial: I thought, "Oh, this is just moving to LA. I moved to LA and they're going to give me a bunch of drugs and make me eat sushi and stuff." On being diagnosed and telling the cast and crew: Hart knew when I knew. When I was diagnosed, he was the first person I told. Emily I probably told not long after that. The others didn't know for a while. Eventually they found out. Hart was slowly telling crew, producers and actors on the set. I don't think I told Michaela [Conlin] directly. I think she found out. Tamara [Taylor], didn't come in till second season, but early in the second season, I pulled Tamara aside and said "Hey, this is what I'm going through." Hanson recalls, "He had a very tough time. It was a very tough time with mood swings and mania. Essentially, he and I had a talk and I said it was up to him and I wanted him to talk to his shrink, but I thought it would be better if the people he was working with knew what he was wrestling with." On working: For whatever reason, I was able to still do what I had to do. From "Action" to "Cut," I could hold it together. Then in my trailer, I would be a mess. But when we actually shot the scenes, I just did it. I just did it because I didn't want to lose it. Hanson says, "He'd recover from just about being a puddle on the floor and then do his scenes. And it was very impressive. Not everyone could have done that." In Part 2: Going on medication, suicidal thoughts, and going public. Eric also recommends the book "Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D" by Lizzie Simon , a gift from Emily Deschanel, which recounts stories of several people living with bipolar disorder. For more information on bipolar disorder and mental illness, visit the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance .
 
Malou Innocent: Matthew Hoh: A Great American Patriot Top
Former Marine captain Matthew Hoh became the first U.S. official known to resign in protest over the Afghan war. His letter of resignation echoes some arguments I have made earlier this year, namely, that what we are witnessing is a local and regional ethnic Pashtun population fighting against what they perceive to be a foreign occupation of their region ; that our current strategy does not answer why and to what end we are pursuing  this war ; and that Afghanistan holds little intrinsic strategic value to the security of the United States. In his own words: The Pashtun insurgency, which is composed of multiple, seemingly infinite, local groups, is fed by what is perceived by the Pashtun people as a continued and sustained assault, going back centuries, on Pashtun land, culture, traditions and religion by internal and external enemies. The U.S. and NATO presence and operations in Pashtun valleys and villages, as well as Afghan army and police units that are led and composed of non-Pashtun soldiers and police, provide an occupation force against which the insurgency is justified. ... I have observed that the bulk of the insurgency fights not for the white banner of the Taliban, but rather against the presence of foreign soldiers and taxes imposed by an unrepresentative government in Kabul. The United States military presence in Afghanistan greatly contributes to the legitimacy and strategy message of the Pashtun insurgency. Click here to read the entire letter. So, what's the situations like now? Afghanistan's second-round presidential elections scheduled for early November will do little to change realities on the ground. Counterinsurgency--the U.S. military's present strategy--requires a legitimate host nation government, which we will not see for the foreseeable future regardless of who's president. What's the political strategy? President Obama has painted himself into a rhetorical corner. He's called Afghanistan the "necessary war," even though stabilizing Afghanistan is not a precondition for keeping America safe. We must remember that al Qaeda is a global network, so in the unlikely event that America did bring security to Afghanistan, al Qaeda could reposition its presence into other regions of the world. Should we stay or should we go? The United States must begin to narrow its objectives. If we begin to broaden the number of enemies to include indigenous insurgent groups, we could see U.S. troops fighting in perpetuity. The president has surged once into the region this year. He does not need to do so again. This is the deadliest month so far; thoughts? Eight years after the fall of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan still struggles to survive under the most brutal circumstances: corrupt and ineffective state institutions; thousands of miles of unguarded borders; pervasive illiteracy among a largely rural and decentralized population; a weak president; and a dysfunctional international alliance. As if that weren't enough, some of Afghanistan's neighbors have incentives to foment instability there. An infusion of 40,000 more troops, as advocated by General Stanley McChrystal, may lead to a reduction in violence in the medium-term. But the elephant in the Pentagon is that the intractable cross-border insurgency will likely outlive the presence of international troops. Honestly, Afghanistan is not a winnable war by any stretch of the imagination. More on Afghanistan
 
Karzai's Brother On C.I.A. Payroll: NYT Top
WASHINGTON — Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of the president of Afghanistan, gets regular payments from the CIA and has for much of the past eight years, The New York Times reported Tuesday. The newspaper said that according to current and former American officials, the CIA pays Karzai for a variety of services, including helping to recruit an Afghan paramilitary force that operates at the CIA's direction in and around Kandahar. The CIA's ties to Karzai, who is a suspected player in the country's illegal opium trade, have created deep divisions within the Obama administration, the Times said. Allegations that Karzai is involved in the drug trade have circulated in Kabul for months. He denies them. Critics say the ties with Karzai complicate the United States' increasingly tense relationship with his older brother, President Hamid Karzai. The CIA's practices also suggest that the United States is not doing everything in its power to stamp out the lucrative Afghan drug trade, a major source of revenue for the Taliban. Some American officials argue that the reliance on Ahmed Wali Karzai, a central figure in the south of the country where the Taliban is dominant, undermines the U.S. push to develop an effective central government that can maintain law and order and eventually allow the United States to withdraw. "If we are going to conduct a population-centric strategy in Afghanistan, and we are perceived as backing thugs, then we are just undermining ourselves," Maj. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, the senior American military intelligence official in Afghanistan, was quoted by the Times in an article published on its Web site. Ahmed Wali Karzai told the Times that he cooperates with American civilian and military officials but does not engage in the drug trade and does not receive payments from the CIA. Karzai helps the CIA operate a paramilitary group, the Kandahar Strike Force, that is used for raids against suspected insurgents and terrorists, according to several American officials. Karzai also is paid for allowing the CIA and American Special Operations troops to rent a large compound outside the city, which also is the base of the Kandahar Strike Force, the Times said. Karzai also helps the CIA communicate with and sometimes meet with Afghans loyal to the Taliban, the newspaper reported. CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano told the Times: "No intelligence organization worth the name would ever entertain these kind of allegations." More on Afghanistan
 
Janice Taylor: Dish The Dirt: Denise Austin On Saddlebag Slimmers & Fit Bottoms Top
This past week, this 50 pound big-time-loser met up with Denise Austin , America's #1 fitness guru at the Skecher's New York stop on the " Shape Up America " tour. Denise Austin ventured into fitness - big time - at the age of 12, playing the gymnast. As opposed to myself, who at the age of 12 ventured into obesity, playing the 'fattest!' Polar opposites in childhood, finding middle ground as adults, I met up with Denise Austin, fitness guru, to discuss saddlebag slimmers and fit bottoms. JT: Hi Denise. I'm so excited to be walking and talking with my favorite fitness guru! As I understand it, you ventured into fitness big time at the age of 12, as a gymnast and that your philosophy is to make fitness fun and fit it in wherever!!! To that end ... I need to know... Do you REALLY do leg lifts while brushing your teeth every night? DA: I do whenever I remember to do it. I always lean forward which gives you a little stretch and then I sometimes bend my knee to do a leg curl. JT: And how exactly do you work your thighs while on the phone? DA: I'm on the phone so much with work and my personal life, so I try to make the most of every minute. Walking lunges are great for thighs. Leg squats are also great to do while you are on the phone. Just all you do bend your kness like you're going to sit in a chair making sure to keep your knees aligned over your ankle and then stand up straight squeezing your butt on the way up. I also like to do leg lifts out to the side. All you do is stand with your feet together and extend your leg to the side... I call this one the saddlebag slimmer as it's really great to slim those hips which is a trouble spot for lots of women. JT: What is your soul goal? DA: To be happy healthy... and to share my life with my family and good friends and spend more time with them; not just 'quality' time, but more time. I enjoy all my relationships with my husband, my kids, my sisters and my girlfriends and maintaining a healthy relationships across the board nurtures my soul. JT: How does exercising feed your soul goal? DA: Exercise is a great way to get rid of stress and anxiety. It clears the head and gets rid of all that stuff that is annoying you and really isn't all that important. It filters out any grouchie-ness - it's a great mental filter. I also love to go for a good walk - it makes me feel good. Seeing nature, breathing fresh air makes me grateful and feels good. JT: What's your greatest personal challenge? DA: Finding the right balance I think is a challenge for everyone and to be able to be able to balance husband, kids and career and maintain a harmony in all that I love to do. It's challenging because I love all that I do and I want to do so much, but I can't do it all. JT: What is the most interesting thing that is happening your life right now? DA: Wow, there is so much happening right now... There is the SKECHERS Shape up America Tour which has been a great experience traveling around the country and meeting people. We've literally seen thousands of people as we travel from city to city who are not getting out to walk in their SKECHERS Shape-ups. I also have two new DVDs coming out for the holidays; a new book due in January and am also developing a new TV show for 2010. JT: What takes you off course? DA: Food! I love to eat and go out to dinner with friends and family and order all kinds of things. I love dessert. JT: How do you get back on course? DA: I wake up the next day and do a more challenging workout or add on a few extra minutes. But I don't let things get me down. I approach each day as a fresh start. JT: If you were to fill yourself with words, what would they be? DA: It's the same words and phrases I tell people all the time, 'You're worth it; take the time for yourself to be healthy; and I deserve my own time.' JT: What is the most important thing you know? DA: That life is so short and I realized that when my mother passed away. You really need to live with no regrets. Life is very precious. This is the real thing! Spread the word ... NOT the icing, Janice For platterfuls of daily weight loss wisdom, creativity and humor, visit: Janice's Beliefnet blog Our Lady of Weight Loss Janice Taylor Living More on The Balanced Life
 
Jay Carciero, Psych Patient, Is Killed After Attack On A Doctor Top
BOSTON — A man stabbed a doctor while being treated at a psychiatric office at a Boston medical building Tuesday and was fatally shot by an off-duty security guard who saw the attack, police said. The attack took place in the afternoon at a high-rise affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. The female doctor, identified by hospital officials as Dr. Astrid Desrosiers, was in serious, but stable condition. Police said the suspect died of the gunshot wounds. He was identified as Jay Carciero, 37, of Reading. "During the course of the stabbing incident an off-duty security officer who was armed interceded. He produced a weapon and ordered the suspect to drop the knife. And when the suspect did not comply, he shot the suspect," said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. The security guard was not affiliated with the hospital and just happened to be on the fifth-floor of the building where the attack occurred, according to Bonnie Michelman, the hospital's security director. "Certainly heroic, we are happy he was here," said Michelman. The victim also works as an instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and is affiliated with the Haitian Mental Health Program. Public records show the 49-year-old Desrosiers was licensed to practice in the Massachusetts 16 years ago. Desrosiers is a graduate of the State University of Haiti's School of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Harvard University School of Public Health. Her major research interests include the role of psychosocial factors in the treatment of mood disorders, health disparities and the impact of multicultural issues on patient care. "A caring and dedicated professional, Dr. Desrosiers has spent her career providing extraordinary care and treatment to patients who are among the most vulnerable and those with the most severe psychiatric disorders," Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement. "Her commitment, compassion and courage are an inspiration to all of us. The entire MGH family is pulling together for her speedy recovery." Carciero's sister-in-law, Lisa Carciero, said the family was devastated by the news and would not make public comments. Carciero and his brother, John, did not have home phones listed. Police temporarily locked down the Staniford Street building, telling employees and patients they could not leave. Nearby streets were shut down for about an hour. They were let back in when authorities determined the danger had passed. David Schoenfeld, a biostatistician who works in another suite of offices on the fifth floor, where the attack took place, said he heard a commotion and found the suspect lying on the floor. "Two nurses rushed in and administered as much first aid as they could until the ambulances arrived a couple of minutes later," Schoenfeld said. Schoenfeld said he did not see the doctor who had been stabbed. The attack took place at the Massachusetts General Hospital Bipolar Clinic & Research Program, in a building near the main hospital. The program provides clinical care, conducts research and educates the community about bipolar disorder, according to its Web site. The building is in a largely commercial area that includes businesses with treatment specialties and several medical groups associated with Massachusetts General. "There wasn't too much panic or confusion in the building," said Arthur Frigault of Waltham, who was with his wife for an ophthalmology appointment on the sixth floor. Frigault, who did not hear the shots, went to the lobby but was not allowed to leave as police entered the building. He later saw a man and a woman taken, on stretchers, from the building. He said the woman was "all bloodied up." David Wert, who lives near the medical building, was home with his infant daughter when he saw the commotion outside and became worried about his wife, Alicia, who works on the second floor. "We came out to see if Mommy was OK," said Wert, who was carrying his child. Police did not allow him in the building, but his wife called him about five minutes later to say she was all right. "It was pretty nerve racking," Wert said.
 
Meredith Lopez: Super Mom: Melissa Lopata Top
My third and final interview for my "Super Moms" series wraps up with mom-terpreneur, Melissa Lopata. Along with her business partner Ellen Bari, Melissa created a website called the Momasphere , a site that encourages mothers to become "whole women." While the Momasphere is currently local to Brooklyn, New York, Melissa and Ellen are taking it national very soon. A lot of the advice she gave in her interview can be applied anywhere, not just in New York. Past and future events by Momasphere include book readings and signings, workshops, spa nights, dinner parties, film screenings, and "Mommy Needs a Cocktail" evenings at local bars and restaurants. And oh, look at that! What a coincidence! The very next Momasphere event is a reading and panel discussion this Thursday, 10/29, on the book, " Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat? " by Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei, and guess who is on the panel? Moi! How about that! For more info, click here . After interviewing three "Super Moms" for my series I've found two common threads among those women I am inspired by and consider truly "super:" first, they all have fulfilling lives outside of their roles as mothers. And second, they have amazing support systems at home, especially from their husbands. In the year that I've been a mom I've found it incredibly helpful to me as a woman, and to my role as wife and mother, to have activities and things that I do without my husband and son. I go to yoga on Sunday mornings. The Princeling goes to daycare twice a week so I can do freelance writing for money. I'm able to do these things because my husband understands that I did not quit being Meredith when I became Mommy. If I don't cook dinner every night, he'll live. If I leave him alone with the Princeling for two hours every Sunday morning, they'll both live - and thrive, because that helps nurture their father-son bond that has nothing to do with me. The mantra of Momasphere is "Whole Women Make Whole Mothers." When a woman is happy with herself, when she feels creatively, spiritually, and emotionally fulfilled, then she has the mental and physical energy to be the best mom she can be: a Super Mom. That's something that all three of my interview subjects have made clear, and something I hope will inspire everyone , not just moms or moms-to-be. One Friday afternoon she brought her two-year-old son over to play, and my husband kept the boys busy while Melissa and I chatted about juggling work, life, and kids, Momasphere, and what, exactly, makes a Whole Woman or a Super Mom. Photo of Melissa Lopata by Hilary McHone What inspired you to start Momasphere? I had left corporate America and a very high-pressured position as a VP of marketing. I had made a decision, before I went on maternity leave, to just leave corporate America for at least a little while and stay home with Baby Sphere. It was definitely an economic sacrifice for my family, to lose one very good household income. [Laughs] But we made the decision together. I think in the back of my mind I always had the DNA of an entrepreneur simmering in me. So I also decided to use that time away to do a bit of soul-searching and figure out what my calling was. I think in the course of that time period when I was with Baby Sphere and doing all this soul-searching...you know, motherhood just becomes so all-encompassing in your life! It really does! I don't think moms, or moms-to-be realize how completely all-encompassing it is, what an incredible change of lifestyle it is. It's a different way of thinking about your whole life. It was interesting to me, and I felt like my transition into the world of motherhood was kind of daunting. I felt like I had to reinvent myself. It became a little overwhelming. For me, I couldn't quite find my niche. [At this point our two boys decide to have a screaming match.] I [didn't really feel like a] stay-at-home mom. Especially, a lot of moms in the city have their babies a little later in life. I had my child when I was almost 40, so I feel like I had developed this character, this personality and way of living that was so embedded in me, so deep, so well-formed, that I didn't really know what to do with myself. I didn't really feel like I fit into the whole "mommy meet-up" environment. [Laughs] I felt like there really wasn't an environment that dealt with the mother in her whole spectrum of being. It seemed like the mommy blogs that were out there, and the mommy meet-up groups, and playgroups, all focused around the child. Very baby-centric. In a different generation there really was that village, and it really did take a village to raise a child. And it was really good to have that proximity to family. You hung out with people of different generations who were mothers, but not new mothers like you. [With the modern mommy groups] it was the blind leading the blind for me, where we all have this panicked look on our faces. Especially for urban moms and women we live in an environment where we are more transient. You're in the city but you're away from your family. You're not connected to a real support system, necessarily. Sometimes it feels a little contrived, like your access to support is through the same preschool that your child goes to and finding moms in that same environment. I thought, why not create an environment that transcends all that? Have a wide spectrum of moms, even trans-generational. Everyone [in the Momasphere] is experiencing motherhood at different levels. We all have the same thing, whether it's going to PTA meetings because our kids are older, or talking about diaper changes. I really felt like there was a need to meld ALL moms together and create a place that's not such a baby-centric environment for moms to create themselves as women, beyond just being moms. So do you see Momasphere, or the Internet in general, as the modern take on "It Takes a Village" for new parents? Yeah. Actually, my community grew out of my blog, Hip Slope Mama. It was a really interesting way for me to network, while being at home. It's fast, it's quick, and it's incredibly practical. Yeah, I think it's great. I'm all for the community that moms have built online. But I also feel like there's something to be said for face-to-face contact, and that will never replace the Internet. Especially women, we're drawn to be communicators and have that rapport with one another face to face. So I felt it was important to create something that would blossom off of Hip Slope Mama. The whole mommy-blogger thing IS fantastic, but I feel like it could also be detrimental, because you can isolate yourself, live online. As my child got bigger I didn't want to create this reality of constantly being online. But it served it's purpose, and for the two years that I've had it I've built up a network of subscribers that are now the base membership for the Momasphere, which is great. What kind of events is Momaspere having in the near future? Where does the inspiration for these events come from? Actually, our mantra is "Whole women make whole moms," so at the base of it I really believe that we're all about strong families. We definitely believe that happy moms make happy families! [Laughs] [I laugh and look knowingly at my husband] I think everyone would agree that when Mom's happy, everyone is happy! I think my husband would agree also! At the very foundation, our philosophy for Momasphere and as we put together our programs and events or classes, it's something where we feel like it will enlighten and inspire moms to really dig deep and understand who they are as women AND as moms. I felt like [last night's reading of the new novel, "Prospect Park West" by Amy Sohn] was definitely...I mean, the whole topic of "Park Slope Moms" and everything we're going through and why the book is so controversial, definitely strikes a chord with people. And that's because a lot of the things she says in the book are, I think, true. Park Slope definitely has a certain reputation for being militantly family and the moms here are a certain way. Right, and I feel like if you can't laugh at yourself about being a mom... [Laughs] I think that not every mom is that complete character, which is an overcharacterization. But there are certainly certain aspects of the characterizations that I think I can laugh at myself about. Where do you see Momasphere a year from now? Five years from now? A year from now I think we're striving for creating a real grassroots community out of this. We'd like to start focusing in on community. We've had incredibly responses, especially from local businesses, so we're striving to partner with them to bring really amazing services and businesses to moms. We're looking to expand nationwide, but we want to get it right locally first, get the market right. We've also gotten great support from corporations and national businesses wanting to sponsor us. It's beyond our wildest dreams, really. I feel like the message we send out - whole women make whole mothers - is a way that we approach motherhood, where it's not like we're trying to throw products down mommies' throats, which a lot of moms are already sick of. Like, if you don't have this , you're a bad mom. Right! We really are very open to sponsorship, but we are firm on creating an environment for moms where it's all about their development and not so much selling them things like a lot of businesses that target mommies tend to be. Can you elaborate a little on taking Momasphere nationwide? I know you've also mentioned to me that you're creating mom-friendly programs for the workplace. Tell me a little about that. Both my partner, Ellen Bari, and I have spent time in the trenches ourselves, living firsthand the lives of hard-working, corporate women and moms, with experience on both sides of the client/vendor relationship. We deeply understand what it's like to be a working mom, whether it's full-time in an office, part-time as a consultant, or any creative variations in between. We've often seen how working mothers tend to be judged with a different kind of scrutiny, eventually rendering them less viable because of the prevailing view that suggests that additional family responsibilities, naturally cut into their loyalty and dedication to the corporation. And while everyone is talking about how moms are leaving the workforce in droves, the reality is that the majority of mothers don't have the financial luxury to simply opt out and stop working altogether. But in the current economy, even businesses with the best intentions are not able to offer the kinds of family policies, benefits and flexibility that would encourage talented mothers not the leave their companies. So what happens is, these same corporations are actually creating a competitive situation where jumping ship to freelance or work part-time for another company is becoming more attractive than staying in one's current job, because if nothing else, it allows for more flexibility. In both cases, retention of talented mommy workers has become a corporate issue. This is where Momasphere helps bridge the gap. We are stepping in to offer corporations dynamic programs for their mom employees, to help equip them with valuable information, resources and solutions to navigate this new and challenging landscape. Our programs are innovative, thoughtful and engaging, led by hand-picked experts, who understand the predicament working moms find themselves in. While many of the issues facing corporations today, particularly with respect to the fraying relationships with their mom employees, requires broad changes in family policy, gender equity and flexibility, Momasphere can step in, in the meantime, to help companies navigate a successful, beneficial retention strategy relationship with their valuable mommy employees. In addition to our creative grassroots events, this is another way Momasphere is committed to building strong families, one mom at a time. As these issues are faced by mothers throughout the country, we hope to create prototype programs that can be replicated nationally. How important is it for moms nowadays to have a life and an identity outside of their families beyond "mommy" or even "wife?" It's incredibly important. I feel like a lot of motherhood in the last few years has become over-glamorized. All those celebrity moms make it look so easy! It seems like everyone now aspires to be the coolest mother. I don't think anyone wants to admit that behind the scenes it could get messy! [Laughs] Life's a moving target when you have a child. There's no such thing as a Super Mom. Actually, I shouldn't say that. I think what's happening is that before you're a mom you have all this time and energy and so you take it a little easier on yourself. And then when you have a child and you HAVE to multi-task it sort of forces you to rise to the occasion. I think every mom is a Super Mom! Ultimately, if you're a working mom then you have to be a multi-tasker at work and at home and it's exhausting. There's no getting away from it. So much of your life, so much of your identity, so much of your character, and everything that you've put into your goals and your creation of yourself was pre-motherhood. So why would more than half of your life suddenly disappear when you become a mom? I feel like a lot of companies and businesses, speaking of exploiting mothers, really are very one-dimensional about how they approach mothers and motherhood. At the core of it we're women, and I think that's an important aspect of Momaspere. How do you juggle Momasphere and being a mom? [Laughs] That's a great question! It's really, really difficult. It's not an easy thing. I have to say, it's two years into being a mom and working on being an entrepreneur, and creating and managing timelines and schedules. My husband and I have had really intense talks about negotiating boundaries related to staring a new business and dedicating time to family. Priorities are always changing, so we're always working on how to transition these boundaries in constructive ways so everyone wins, and it's not easy! Life could be stressful, so it takes commitment and amazing communication skills to create limits and structure around our family life. It's an ongoing process, but I'm lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband. I remember I was at the Brooklyn Blogfest, on the panel talking about what it's like to be a mom who blogs, and I was one of the only people up there who was like, "It's incredibly difficult and I have had fights about 'How are you going to post tonight when we have to cook?' or I have to do this or do that tonight." It takes an incredibly supportive husband. It's a team effort. Just walking here with the stroller I was walking uphill, on the phone, talking to a potential sponsor- Ah yes, the slope in Park Slope! It's just hilarious! I'm always on the phone when I push the stroller, that's my talk time. It's amazing the amount of naptime that becomes phone time. We viewed as an investment sending him three days a week to preschool from 9 to 12:30. But that's time for me to work at home. And of course, my mom is incredibly helpful, too. So I think it's a combination of creating a support network around yourself, and you have to put yourself first. Because ultimately I'm looking for Momasphere to grow,
 
Kathleen Reardon: Are We in a National Emergency Hoax? Top
This time labels won't cut it. My three children and perhaps yours are smack-dab in the middle of the high-risk group, and we keep watching people on television lined up to get the H1N1 flu shot wondering where those fortunate people live. Where most of us live you know that H1N1 is a national emergency , but there's nothing you can do about it. The vaccine is always coming next week. You know that they don't want to close the schools until so many people are sick that education is nearly impossible. Okay, I guess. But, what they don't know is where you can get your kids, and yourselves, into a line that actually leads to prevention. Now, if this doesn't remind you of the government's inept Hurricane Katrina response where people desperate for water and help waited, waited and waited, then you must have been born in the last few years. The head of the CDC, Thomas Frieden, has apologized. He says he "shares" our frustration. Is that what he was doing in August when he downplayed flu fears? And why was the White House not on that problem right away given that its own report contradicted this view? The apology is disingenuous and doesn't mean beans to parents wondering if their child is going to be one of the unfortunate who, for some as yet unknown reason, has a violent reaction to H1N1. And why are we in the dark ? And why is that acceptable? Have members of Congress gotten H1N1 shots or sprays yet? Have their families? Well, what about yours and mine? If it's a national emergency and an informed hospital health care worker I overhead talking today is right, that most of the flu we're now seeing is H1N1 and the severity of the threat is being understated, then what is going on? Is this the same government that wants us to believe that we need to send thousands of troops to Afghanistan? If they can't even get flu shots to kids in danger at home, then what makes us think these geniuses know what they're doing there either? Once again are their kids being protected and ours not? We're in a national emergency and most of us are seeing squat when it comes to a national response. There is no excuse for this. No apology makes it acceptable. If we don't see action now, then we need new people in government, a new party to run against the two bought and sold ones. As we can see this time, and there will be other times, they don't protect our children until they're good and ready to get around to it. But they don't mind sending them half way around the world to make some generals happy, our president a "wartime" one, and some masters of the universe even more deliriously wealthy. If they want our trust, they can earn it. Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove . More on Afghanistan
 
Dan Solin: Is the Morality Gene Missing? Top
The daily news reinforces my belief that there is something rotten at the core of the financial services industry. I am not discussing old news like Bernie Madoff. Here are some of the items that crossed my desk this week: 1. The SEC charged two brokers in a Smithtown, New York, firm, and a real estate promoter, with fraud. The brokers allegedly sold risky, unregistered stock in real estate ventures to elderly investors who attended "free lunch" seminars. The defendants collected over $12 million from 90 senior citizens by promising them returns of 50%. According to the complaint, the promoter charged excessive fees of over $1 million and helped himself to an interest free loan to buy a personal residence. 2. The New York Times reports that an Intel employee had a ten year history of passing on insider information to the Galleon hedge fund. The founder of the fund, billionaire Raj Rajaratnam, has been indicted for insider trading. Galleon suffered massive redemptions and has an uncertain future. 3. The SEC charged a Merrick, New York, stock broker with fraud for creating and distributing phony press releases to manipulate the prices of public companies. The motive: The broker and his clients purchased the stock of these companies prior to the issuance of the releases and no doubt sold before the companies issued corrections. 4. In a lawsuit filed in Federal Court in Boston, famed mystery writer Patricia Cornwell claimed her investment advisors decimated her personal fortune and abused the trust she gave them by misusing a Power of Attorney to write unauthorized checks. Whether you are rich or poor, brilliant or in your declining years, a segment of the securities industry sees you as having a bull's-eye painted on your back. The size of that segment is growing. Dan Solin is the author of The Smartest Retirement Book You'll Ever Read. The views set forth in this blog are the opinions of the author alone and may not represent the views of any firm or entity with whom he is affiliated. The data, information, and content on this blog are for information, education, and non-commercial purposes only. Returns from index funds do not represent the performance of any investment advisory firm. The information on this blog does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice and is limited to the dissemination of opinions on investing. No reader should construe these opinions as an offer of advisory services. Readers who require investment advice should retain the services of a competent investment professional. The information on this blog is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any securities or class of securities mentioned herein. Furthermore, the information on this blog should not be construed as an offer of advisory services. Please note that the author does not recommend specific securities nor is he responsible for comments made by persons posting on this blog.
 
Brigitte Mars: Seven Herbal Teas to Enhance Your Life Top
  Nothing warms the body and soul like holding a steaming mug, inhaling its subtle scents as you slowly sip. Why be limited to caffeinated beverages when the herb world can bring flavor, nutrients and health benefits? Herb tea offers an opportunity during busy days for time out, reflection and even affirmation. One might think, “I’m nourishing my immune (or digestive, nervous, etc.) system, ” while drinking. The brain, being in  close proximity to the nose and tongue  responds to the message of the aromas. Teas are available in tea bags and provide convenience for an on-the-go lifestyle. Herbs available in loose bulk form  (from health food and herbal stores) make a wider world of herbs available, and minimize packaging. Bulk herbs are a good value and offer the opportunity to select exactly what you desire. You may even have a few wild things in your backyard  (providing pesticides haven’t been used in at least a couple of years) that can be used as tea! Store dried herbs in a glass jar or a non-plastic airtight container and label. Storing herbs near light and heat (such as in windowsills and above the stove) can deteriorate the herb quality quickly. Keep teas in a cupboard where they can be protected to better conserve their flavors and therapeutic properties. Nature will provide more herbs the next year, purchase no more than you are likely to use within the year. When making tea, use fresh cold water. Avoid aluminum cookware, which is a soft metal and can come out in the tea. Best choices are glass, cast iron, stainless steel or unchipped enamel. For those that can't be bothered with tea strainers, you may find tea balls or infusers in shops where herbs are sold. These are perforated utensils that can be filled with herbs, and placed in a teapot or pot of water for about ten minutes. This work best for leaves and flowers. Tea can be enhanced with a touch of honey or a squeeze of fresh lemon.   Expand your herbal repertoire. Herbs can have potent effects and just because something is natural, it is still wise to learn about their properties. A few user-friendly herbs might include: Anise seed  ( Pimpinella anisum ) is a member of the Apiaceae (Parsley) Family. It has a lovely licorice- like flavor for those who enjoy sweets and don’t want the calories. Anise seed aids digestion and freshens the breath. Chamomile flowers ( Matricaria recutita ) are members of the Asteraceae (Daisy) Family and have been used to calm anxiety way before Peter Rabbit’s mother gave him some chamomile after his stressful day at Mr. McGregor’s garden.   The flavor is pleasantly bitter with an aroma reminiscent of apples. Chamomile calms the nerves and stomach.  Ginger root ( Zingiber officinale ) is a member of the Zingiberaceae (Ginger) Family. This relative of cardamom and turmeric is zippy and warming. It improves poor circulation that results in cold hands and feet. It is one of the best herbs for improving digestion and nausea (including motion sickness). Consider this an ally after a large holiday meal. Lemon balm leaf ( Melissa officinalis ), a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family has a lemony flavor loved by most everyone.  Lemon Balm has long been said to lift the spirits yet calm overactive children and improve focus. Raspberry leaf ( Rubus species ), a member of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family, and relative of apples, strawberries and peaches has a flavor similar to black tea, though without the caffeine. It is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Rose hips ( Rosa species ) another Rose Family member have a tart taste and are natural sources of vitamin C and flavonoids that help strengthen the body’s capillaries.  Peppermint ( Mentha piperita ) is one of the many delectable members of the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family and fresh tasting. It has been used for thousands of years as a gentle stimulant, and to calm upset stomachs. Invite some of your favorite friends over for a tea party and have a toast to a great fall. You don’t have to be a tease to enjoy a variety of teas! What are some of your favorite herbal teas?   For more ideas, check out the many recipes in my book, Healing Herbal Teas .   Brigitte Mars, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, is a nutritional consultant who has been working with Natural Medicine for over forty years. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Omega, Boulder College of Massage, and Bauman Holistic College of Nutrition. She has a weekly local radio show called "Naturally" on KGNU and a private practice. Brigitte is the author of twelve books, including The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine , Beauty by Nature , Addiction Free Naturally , Healing Herbal Teas , and Rawsome! . Click here for more healthy living articles, raw food recipes, videos, workshops, books, and more at brigittemars.com.       More on Food
 
Paul David Walker: CEO Secrets Part Two: A Meditation Practice Top
The best leaders are able to be totally present at will. In a board meeting or when closing an important deal, the best leaders can be in the present while integrating their knowledge and all the events that are happening around them simultaneously.

 The truth is anything can cause your conscious mind to let go of comparative thought and find "Integrative Presence." It would be impossible to catalog all experiences people have had. What is important is to know the difference between the two states of mind. Meditation is a practice that will help you find your personal road map into this powerful state. 
 When I have asked people to describe how they feel when they experience "Integrative Presence" they say things like: confident, at peace, exhilarated, powerful, graceful, focused and present. Some report a slow-motion effect. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told how the five seconds he had to win the NBA championship with one shot seemed like five minutes. He felt relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world, yet he appeared to move like lightning to the rest of the world -- the very definition of "Integrative Presence." His creativity, within these few precious seconds, was nothing less than pure genius. He was integrating the skills he had learned over the years, his desire to make the shot, and the flow of the moment, without interruption from his thoughts.
 There Is No Substitute For Practice 
 Most people have experienced this state of mind ; the question is what percent of your life is spent in this state. The art of getting into this state of mind is letting go of thoughts and connecting with the flow of events in the moment. Meditation is practice for your mind and body. An athlete must practice their sport, a leader must practice disciplining their mind. Meditation is a time-tested form of practice. 

There is no Substitute for Practice. 
As in sports, there is no substitute for practice. Knowing how to move from "normal thinking" into Integrative Presence comes from practice. Take time to connect with your peak experiences and observe how you transitioned yourself. Find ways to still your mental chatter and connect with the present, and you will become a much more effective leader and a happier person. 

Meditation Technique 
 The following is a simple meditation technique that can help you clear your mind. It will help establish an inner road map to stillness, which allows you to flow with present reality. The Right Environment: Find a quiet place and arrange to have no distractions or interruptions. A special place in your home or a place out in nature. It is especially important in the first stages of meditation to find a special place. It helps you move towards stillness naturally. Over time you will be able to meditate anywhere, at any time, even as you walk through hallways. Sit Comfortably: You want your body to be at ease. Find a chair that is comfortable and sit up straight; be sure not to cross you arms or legs. Sitting up straight in a way that you will not have to move should one of your limbs fall asleep is important. Three Deep Breaths: Take three deep breaths and hold the oxygen in as long as you can on each breath, and let the oxygen out suddenly once you can no longer hold the air. Breathe Normally: Return to your normal breathing pattern. Close your eyes and put your attention on your breathing process. Follow your breath in and then out. Notice the rhythm and depth of each of your breaths. Spend 2-3 minutes just following your breath with your attention. Imagine a Beautiful Place: Imagine yourself in a beautiful place in nature. Choose a favorite spot or create a spot that would be ideal for you. Each time you begin meditating come back to this place. It will serve as an anchor for peace and help you to relax each time. Once you have felt the peace of this place, use it as a background and return your attention to your breathing. Let Go of Thoughts: As thoughts arise in your mind, do not resist them. Practice observing without processing, and then letting go of them. You can imagine them floating up into the sky or being absorbed by nature. As you let go return your attention to your breathing. Deepen Your Breathing: Once you have found your natural rhythm increase the depth of your breathing. Inhale 10-15 percent deeper and exhale 10-15 percent deeper. Play with this deeper rhythm until it becomes natural. Continue to let go of thoughts as they arise. Notice Stillness: Notice that at the moment you fully inhale, just before you exhale, there is a still point. Likewise, after you have fully exhaled, there is the same still point. One, the inhale, is full and the second, the exhale, is empty. Notice the difference. Fall into Stillness: At times when your total focus is on this deeper breathing process, you will notice the stillness inside you. Let your consciousness fall into this stillness. Let go and don't be afraid; it is your destination. Stay there as long as your ego will allow. It might take a number of sessions before you achieve this, but it is worth the practice and discipline. Open Your Eyes: In about 20-25 minutes gently open your eyes without moving and notice the world around you. Notice your state of mind and journal your experience. Take This State of Mind With You: Practice staying with this state of mind as you get up from your chair and walk, focusing on your breathing as before. Find a rhythm between your steps and your breath. Count how many breaths per step until you find a comfortable pace that is a little deeper than normal. This will help you begin to integrate this state of mind into your daily life. Do Short Meditations: Once you have mastered this practice you will be able to take a few minutes to clear your mind between meetings or even with short pauses during meetings. Meditation creates the same state of being that Florence Joyner and other athletes achieve when they are in "The Zone." Your consciousness will deepen and widen and you will be able to perform more effectively. Remember, there is no substitute for practice. 

As you continue to meditate, you will find the quality of your thought improving. You will have great ideas and find it easy to solve problems. Creating this space of stillness within you leads to Integrative Presence. Meditation is a powerful tool for those who are creating the future. It helps with idea generation and stress reduction. If you are a leader, you need both to be successful. More on Yoga
 
Michele Bachmann Was Gretchen Carlson's Nanny (VIDEO) Top
Tonight Keith Olbermann awarded conservative columnist George Will the medal for "World's Best Person" for his revelation that controversial Minnesota Congresswoman (R) Michele Bachmann was once the nanny of Fox & Friends host Gretchen Carlson. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs also made the list. WATCH: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy Send us tips! Write us at tv@huffingtonpost.com if you see any newsworthy or notable TV moments. Read more about our media monitoring project here and click here to join the Media Monitors team. More on Michele Bachmann
 
Esther Wojcicki: Sesame Workshop-Google Education Forum Live -- How Can We Change the System? Top
Watch the education forum LIVE . Right now we have a powerhouse panel including the Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter, Stanford Professor Linda Darling Hammond, NYC Chancellor Joel Klein and many others. Coming later tonight Geoff Canada, CEO Harlem Children's Zone
 
Ellen Whitehurst: Five Feng Shui Ways To Make Your Halloween A Real Treat Top
Goblins and ghouls, ghosts and.....Feng Shui? Uh huh. Sure as, well, Shui, Halloween is a day where nothing is as it seems, what with all that masquerading, tricking and treating going on. And let's not forget that along with the costumes and the candy there is that ages old belief that so many traditions and cultures ascribe to -- the one that says this single day represents the only one on the yearly calendar when the veils between the worlds of the living and that of the dearly and departed dead are at their thinnest. Since the advent of the Celtic calendar well over 2,000 years ago, it has been held that October 31st is the one single and special day when spirits are said to be free to wander and roam our world and even try to cause of bit of mid-fall mischief in their wake. And with all this potential for misbegotten magic hanging heavily in the autumn air, Halloween is simply THE perfect time to offer a big amount of protection to our littlest Hershey's hustlers. Here's some Feng Shui advice that's heavy on that same aforementioned protection and light on both the pocketbook and the worry! Some of this takes a bit of pre-panning so be sure to give yourself a little extra time and then you won't be scared to run out of it. Nope, not scared at all! 1. Have your little fairy or action hero don their favorite tee shirt or pajama top UNDERNEATH their costume. This inner layer of safety will keep your wee ones feeling much more secure as they face outer demons carousing out and about in the big, wide world. Take it from me, this little 'trick' of your own will bring you a big treat when those kids aren't wandering your halls at 3 am asking Mom and Dad to check under the bed for the thousandth time! 2. Remember, costumes are notorious for being "too scratchy" or just plain uncomfortable. So, if you go ahead and pair that favorite t-shirt with comfy and favorite jeans or the matching pj bottom then you will not only help to prevent a flood of tears from an overflowing psyche but will create a truly subtle sense of security. Almost like they are wearing their favorite blankie or carrying their favorite stuffie. Keep in mind that the lighter the color of clothing UNDER the costume, the more balance they bring to offset the symbolic dark of this holiday. 3. Make sure that your house is well lit and peaceful so that when these tired trick-or-treaters return home, they are walking into a beacon of familiarity and comfort. Soft music playing in the background helps to soften the sugary vibe and create an atmosphere of safety and security. For all their fun and frolic, little ones need to know that there'll be no more foolish and ghoulish ghosting going on once they're through their own door and it's time to head to bed. They are home and safe and not Spidey (as in Spiderman, not Spencer Pratt...now that would be REALLY scary!) anymore. 4. Now, as we know, Feng Shui is really big on "clearing the clutter," and candy counts here, too! This is a wonderful opportunity to teach our kids the lesson of sharing -- potentially clearing any candy clutter both inside and out. We always put aside some sweet booty to bring to those who may have remained costumeless due to situation and circumstance. Local homes for the aged as well as soup kitchens, orphanages, institutions of incarceration and shelters, among others, are always happy to receive any excess and, BONUS, the kids see that their actions have consequences. In this case, those consequences are of the sweetest kind! 5. Lastly, if there is one night to go ahead and use lavender and chamomile essential oils in kid's bath along with sprinkling or spritzing a few drops on their pillows and/or sheets, well, this is IT! Their little nerves, as well as your bigger ones, might be a bit frayed by the end of this spooky day, so using three to six drops of each oil in their bathwater or adding same amount to a spray bottle of distilled water will calm and curb those last efforts at getting "just one more Reese's cup....please?" Some other helpful suggestions include being sure to contract on the curfew beforehand while also agreeing at same time exactly how much candy can be eaten that night. (You can go ahead and throw in two extra pieces for good measure, it IS Halloween after all!) And, then, be sure to allow the little ones to watch you lock the house for the evening. You simply won't believe how far that action goes towards creating calm! Like I said, none of this advice is too very tricky, but, conversely, will bring you a night of peace and trust and, yes, even treat! Almost better than the full size Snickers. Hey, I said "almost" better. Happy Halloween to all and to all a BOO night! More on Halloween
 
Lloyd Chapman: Obama's Plan to Help Small Businesses Evaporates Top
Last week, President Obama announced his administration's plan for a, "New Small Business Lending Initiative." The new initiative is the next installment in a series of speeches by President Obama, which have yet to yield any results for the small business community. In his speech President Obama stated, "This administration is going to stand behind small businesses. You are our highest priority because we are confident that when you are succeeding, America succeeds." (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-small-business-initiatives-landover-md) Over the past year, President Obama promised to restore the Small Business Administration's (SBA) budget, restore the SBA Administrator to a cabinet level position, implement the 5 percent set-aside goal for women owned firms, and stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants. To date, none of these promises have been honored. ( http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php ) Since the recession began, the government has spent roughly $2.8 trillion to stimulate our nation's economy. (http://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/economy/bailouttracker/) President Obama stated that stimulus spending has led to small businesses receiving $13 billion in new loans and $4.3 billion in federal contracts, for a total of $17.3 billion. That means small businesses have received only 0.6 percent out of the $2.8 trillion in stimulus funds invested by the government. In comparison, AIG received $180 billion in taxpayer money, while America's 27 million small businesses have received $17.3 billion. Regarding the new initiative, Keith Girard in Allbusiness.com stated, "whether they [Obama Administration] will get desperately needed capital to small businesses in a meaningful way is problematic at best." ( http://www.allbusiness.com/economy-economic-indicators/economic-conditions-depression/13271042-1.html ) On the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington stated, "if this were really a high-priority for the administration, it could, you know, actually do something about it. Right now. The executive branch has plenty of weapons at its disposal to force banks still dependent on billions of dollars in taxpayer funds and guarantees to change behavior." ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/barack-obama-is-doing-my_b_334631.html ) Last year President Obama stated that for every billion dollars spent, 40,000 new jobs would be created. ( http://bit.ly/2eiyas ) Based on the Obama Administration's estimates regarding job creation, stimulus spending to date should have created 640,000 jobs, however, a recent report has revealed that only 30,383 jobs have been created. ( http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx ) On August 18, President Obama announced a government-wide plan led by SBA Administrator Karen Mills and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to increase contracting opportunities for small businesses. The plan included over 200 events nationwide within 90 days; over 70 days after the announcement no schedule of these events has been released. ( http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/news_release_09-58.pdf ) More on Economy
 
Lisa Bennett: Five Reasons Why We Don't Care About Climate Change Top
For the past five years, ever since my second child was born, I've been asking why we don't take climate change more seriously. The easy answer, of course, is that it's just too much to think about, especially with more immediate economic concerns. This week's poll from the Pew Research Center on the People & the Press made that abundantly clear: Only 57 percent of Americans now believe the Earth is warming , down from 77 percent in 2006. Given growing reports that the effects of climate change are actually occurring faster than predicted, it's not surprising that Andrew Kohut, director of the research center, called the results "implausible." So what is the bigger answer to why we're ignoring the biggest threat in human history--or, as a future generation might put it, fiddling while Rome burns? Through my interviews with ordinary Americans and dozens of experts in a wide range of fields, I have found that there are five key reasons: First, from an evolutionary perspective, we are not programmed to take future threats as seriously as immediate ones; and though ice caps are melting and storms worldwide are intensifying, for most of us, this is still going on somewhere out there. It's not yet happening where we can feel it and see it. And that can't compare to worrying about paying this month's bills. Second, it costs money to do some of the right green things. Much to my children's embarrassment, for example, I still drive an SUV. I bought it 130,000 miles ago when we lived where snow could fall four feet in a weekend, and I thought an SUV was the safest way to get around. Now that I live in a place where it never snows (to my children's chagrin) I have no reason to drive it, except the fact that I can't afford a hybrid. Third, we have become so distanced from nature, after centuries of trying to wield our power over it and generations of relegating our children to spending more time indoors, we have lost some of our innate ability to care about the natural world. Fourth, many of us no longer believe we can make a difference in the world. During the past 50 years, America's population has doubled and industries from banking to cat food have been supersized. In comparison, we feel increasingly small and powerless and imagining that we could actually do something about a problem as momentous as global warming seems Quixotic at best. Finally, we think we never have enough time--and, in some ways, we're right. In recent decades, the rise of families composed of two working parents (or a single working parent) has created a lifestyle that ill-equips us to address issues outside our own personal, immediate concerns. Given the increasingly frantic pace of life, we are moreover encouraged to do the things we can do quickly and postpone (or simply ignore) the rest. And thanks to our shortened attention span, we even cast aside the knowledge that big things have a way of catching up with us. So is it hopeless? Nine out of ten experts I interviewed about this ultimately admitted to being pessimistic about whether we will rise to the global warming challenge in time to avert the predicted disasters. There has been progress, they acknowledge, but incremental progress in the face of exponential change simply won't cut it. Then again, most somewhat quietly add, one never truly knows. Surprising, unexpected things do happen. And sometimes people suddenly wake up and focus on that which once seemed dismissible. I believe this. In fact, I've experienced it. So I'm putting my money on parents. After all, we know (or should know) that by the middle of the century--when our young children are the age many of us are now--low-lying cities, such as New York, Boston, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, are predicted to experience the greatest rise in sea levels on the planet. Millions of people worldwide are expected be displaced or worse; and storms, droughts, famine, disease, and warfare are all projected to intensify. Reflect on that with a parent's heart and it becomes near impossible to look into your children's eyes and not take this threat to their future more seriously. More on Climate Change
 
CBO Analysis: Both House Plans Would Cover At Least 35 Million Uninsured Top
Two competing House health care reform proposals would extend coverage to at least 35 million Americans within ten years, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis that has yet to be made public. One plan includes a government-run insurance option tied to Medicare rates; the second would require the government plan to negotiate with providers. An outline of the analysis was provided to HuffPost by a senior House leadership aide, who emphasized that the plan requiring the public option to negotiate would cover 36 million people. However, that number includes coverage that is extended by also increasing Medicaid eligibility from 133 percent of the federal poverty line to 150 percent. Under the plan that includes the "robust public option" favored by progressives, which would tie reimbursement to Medicare rates plus five percent, 35 million additional people would be covered within ten years. The focus on the roughly equal coverage rates telegraphs a coming leadership strategy. With Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) uncertain that he can muster the votes for the progressives' favored option, the case will be made that the negotiated-rate version really isn't all that bad after all. Clyburn met with Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders Tuesday and, aides say, the meeting became tense as he told them he had yet to whip enough support for the Medicare-plus-five plan. Clyburn spokeswoman Kristie Greco told HuffPost that the count is ongoing but leadership is currently short the votes needed. Liberals favor tying reimbursement rates to Medicare because it would keep costs down and would help get the public option up and running. Yale Professor Jacob Hacker, the intellectual father of the public option, insists that the public plan would have a very hard time succeeding if it was required to negotiate rates with providers. The public option tied to Medicare rates saves $110 billion over ten years. Requiring it to negotiate rates only saves $25 billion. If leadership goes with the negotiated-rate plan, that $85 billion difference will have to come from somewhere to meet President Obama's ten-year, $900 billion price ceiling. The fattest target is the subsidies to help people afford insurance. More on Health Care
 
Shep Smith Apologizes For "Lack Of Balance" In Fox News Report (VIDEO) Top
Shepard Smith apologized for a "lack of balance" on a story aired during his Fox News show today. Reporter Shannon Bream was covering the campaign for governor in New Jersey when she snagged an interview with the Republican candidate Chris Christie, but when Smith asked her when she would interview the the Democratic candidate, and current Governor, Jon Corzine, Bream replied, "We have in multiple requests, and when it comes in, we'll let you know." Smith was not happy to hear that: "Wow. I didn't know that was about to happen. My apologies for the lack of balance there. If I'd had control it wouldn't have happened." WATCH: More on Video
 
Chamber Of Commerce To Begin Ads Against Health Care Reform Top
WASHINGTON — Looking to build pressure on moderate Democrats, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it will begin airing new TV ads in seven states and on national cable television attacking the emerging legislation, including a government-run insurance option. The chamber, the country's largest business organization, says such a public plan would force tax increases, raise peoples' health care costs and threaten employer-provided coverage that most Americans already have. The ad is slated to start Wednesday. Chamber spokeswoman Blair Latoff said the ads would run in states including Maine, Louisiana and Arkansas – home to some pivotal moderate senators of both parties. More on Advertising
 
Reid: Republicans Are Like The Girls Who Wouldn't Dance With Me In High School (VIDEO) Top
When it comes to health care reform, hurt feelings and escalating tension among members of Congress have become par for the course. Much like the pain and humiliation experienced at a high school dance -- at least according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. At a press conference today on the Hill: "When I came here we had -- Republicans and Democrats worked together," Reid said. "But we can't dance if your partner is unwilling to get off the chair. It's like when I was in high school. Um, I wanted to dance but she wouldn't get up, okay?" House Minority Leader John Boehner concurred with the metaphor, if not with the assignment of blame. "I can understand why she didn't want to get up," he told Fox News host Neil Cavuto Tuesday afternoon. He went on: "They've not invited us to any discussion about health care. They're going off in their own direction. They think they have the votes to ram this down the American people's throats. And so we've not been invited." As TPM's Ben Frumin put it : "The message seems clear: John Boehner would like a Democrat to ask him to dance." Watch it: More on Health Care
 
RJ Eskow: Health Reform: Look How Far We've Come. Now Where the Heck Are We? Top
The public option is dead: Long live the public option. Wait. Maybe it is dead. The rocky road to health reform is likely to induce severe mood swings, considering the elation after Harry Reid's announcement yesterday and the gloom after Joe Lieberman's threatened defection today. Maybe the health reform process needs a sign like the ones carnivals put up over the Tilt-a-Wheel: "Must be this tall to ride this attraction." The public policy option presented by Harry Reid may not meet the consensual definition of "robust," but it isn't the opposite of robust either. We'll need another adjective to describe it if it passes: Hale? Stout? "Ruggedly mild with a hint of oak in the aftertaste?" But while they're working on terminology, Democrats should be mapping their course of action should Sen. Reid succeed. Much of the work will begin, not end, when and if this bill passes. Putting Sen. Lieberman aside for a moment (and who wouldn't want to?), what can we expect to see if the final health reform bill conforms to Sen. Reid's outline? The crystal ball is somewhat murky, since some of the most critical features of the bill aren't fleshed out yet. But we know that progressives are counting on the public option to be a check on insurance industry abuses, and to slow down the health care cost spiral. Maybe, maybe not. The public option will only impact the system globally if it has clout (which comes from volume), cost savings, and an attractive package of benefits. How likely is that under the proposed Senate bill? Here's what we can surmise so far: The opt-out : I was surprised at the anger my last post on opt-outs provoked in some progressives. "Ideological rigidity," said some. I still think the opt-out weakens an already-compromised public option, and that it clashes with some of the moral rhetoric from Democrats. But, as I wrote at the time, "Is a 60-vote, non-reconciliation outcome in the Senate worth (it)? Maybe in the end the answer will be 'yes,' but that question should only be posed after all other options have failed." Well, apparently they've failed. Now the opt-out is looking like a shrewd tactical move, and let's hope it succeeds. But every such tactical reduction reduces the public option's ability to effect system-wide change. That's not ideology, it's common sense. A number of people expressed great skepticism when I said that a number of states would exercise the opt-out provision if it were enacted. Now, two short weeks later, even the Democratic candidate in the Virginia governor's race is suggesting he'll opt out if elected. So a public plan that was forecast to win 5% of the expanded insurance market is now likely to gain something less than that. What will the final number be - 4%? 3%? We don't know. But those progressives who are waxing euphoric need to come back down to earth. Their mission, should this bill pass, will be to keep the number of state defections as low as possible. They can't do that by repeating the old mantra, "People would never be so foolish ..." After all, they said that during the 2004 election, too. Campaigning against opt-outs will be Job #1 if this bill passes. If that happens, then, to paraphrase Joe Hill: "Don't celebrate, organize." Medicare rates : The Reid plan isn't technically "robust," because it doesn't tie public option doctor/hospital reimbursements to Medicare rates. Again, that may be smart politics - but it weakens the PO's cost-competitiveness. This is a complex issue, but the bottom line is this: If the public option has to negotiate its own rates with health providers, and it's only likely to get an average of 5% in any given market, it's not going to have a lot of clout to get favorable pricing. Sure, it will save on marketing costs, but so will any other insurance plan in the exchange. So how much of a cost-check is it going to be? To make matters more complicated: If a public option is tied to Medicare rates, that might cause more doctors to drop out (or "opt out") of Medicare. That could create an access problem. But that issue could be managed by giving the public option the flexibility to make exceptions in its rate structure by region and/or type of provider. Mandates again : There's talk of easing the employer mandate, while keeping the individual mandate. That could get tricky, because it could shift a greater portion of the cost back onto working families. And mandating the purchase of private insurance in states without the public option could be unpopular. Paul Krugman may be overly sanguine about the likelihood that health reform will be well-received after (or if) it's implemented. Those polls showing that the Massachusetts reform is popular among doctors are not surprising, since they benefit when more people have insurance. The fact that only 2.6% of that state's residents remain uninsured sounds good, but that figure was 5.7% before reform. So they've cut their uninsured problem by slightly more than half (55%). Similar results nationwide would leave more than 20 million Americans uninsured (assuming 47 million now), which could be politically unpopular. And while one poll shows that only 11% of Massachusetts residents polled would repeal reform, that's in a state that lacks the rampant right-wing extremism we see nationally. Other polls there have shown that most people personally affected by the state's reforms are unhappy with them. On the national level, these disaffected people may well turn out to be swing voters, especially after the Media Noise Machine has worked on them. Benefits Design, Insurance Exchanges, and Cherry-Picking : As Professor Krugman points out, Massachusetts has been proactive in mandating benefits design, showing a level of political will that may be absent on the national stage. If the insurance exchanges do not mandate a decent level of coverage, families who pay those large insurance premiums may still face financial disaster should a major injury or illness take place. In states where the public option provides more generous benefits than private carriers do, the end result may well be what the insurance industry calls "cherry-picking." That's what health plans do when they design their benefits and administer their plans in ways that make life especially difficult for those who need more care, or who are more likely to need it in the near future. If insurance exchanges aren't given the tools to manage the cherry-picking problem, the public option could become a toxic waste site where for-profit carriers dump the sick and needy. The end result would be a public option that actually costs more than private insurance. The Keyword is 'Evolution' : So, do I dislike the Reid bill? Not at all. I suspect it's the best we're going to get, and we'll be lucky if we do get it. As I've confessed before, I've consulted for health insurers in the past (as well as employers, unions, foundations, tech companies, and others - which I do more often). Part of that job is to point out all the bad things that could happen, so that people can plan accordingly. Each of the above problems can be addressed, but only with awareness and forethought. The keyword in this planning process is 'evolution.' If a watered-down plan is all we can get - and it looks like it is - it's wise to design it so that it can evolve toward a better system in the future. The public option is one way to do that, by forcing insurers to lower costs or lose market share. Lawmakers are right when they point out that, as it's now designed, it's not the most significant part of the program. But if it's there, and we don't eviscerate its cost-saving potential, it can be a powerful lever for future change. We're likely to see continued voter dissatisfaction after this bill is passed. That can be a good thing, if mechanisms have been put in place that permit quick response to those dissatisfactions when they arise. That's a good reason to support the Wyden Amendment, which would allow anyone to elect the public option. It's also an argument for improved regulation of insurance company benefits, and for retaining the option of using Medicare rates at some point in the future. As for how to handle Sen. Lieberman - hey, I wish I knew. RJ Eskow blogs when he can at: A Night Light The Sentinel Effect: Healthcare Blog Website: Eskow and Associates More on Joe Lieberman
 
Huff TV: HuffPost Reporter Sam Stein: Lot Of People 'Kicking Themselves' For Being Nice To Lieberman (VIDEO) Top
HuffPost reporter Sam Stein was a guest on The Ed Show tonight to discuss the latest news about health care reform, including Senator Joe Lieberman's announcement that he would join a GOP filibuster to torpedo a reform bill that includes a public option. Host Ed Schultz asked Stein what Lieberman wants out of all this. Stein replied, Relevancy? I mean that would be the first start. You know this was sort of bound to happen; you could sense it coming up. Once Harry Reid went with the opt-out provision we knew that there were 57 senators roughly who would support it, and we were waiting to see who the other three were. Lieberman was the first out of the gate and I think what he's done is essentially put himself in a position where he can make demands. It's what you do when you're someone who sits on the fence. You're gonna move the legislation in a direction that he wants. Schultz noted that since Lieberman has been on the record for awhile now against any kind of government run plan, why is he just not a Republican. Stein said there is an argument to be made that when Lieberman was welcomed back into the party it was understood that he would be a more reliable vote than he has been, but that has not been the case: "I think a lot of people are sort of kicking themselves when they look back at the rationale for letting him retain his committee chairmanship. It doesn't really make much sense now." WATCH: (Skip to 10:43 in the video for Stein's segment) Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy More on Video
 

CREATE MORE ALERTS:

Auctions - Find out when new auctions are posted

Horoscopes - Receive your daily horoscope

Music - Get the newest Album Releases, Playlists and more

News - Only the news you want, delivered!

Stocks - Stay connected to the market with price quotes and more

Weather - Get today's weather conditions




You received this email because you subscribed to Yahoo! Alerts. Use this link to unsubscribe from this alert. To change your communications preferences for other Yahoo! business lines, please visit your Marketing Preferences. To learn more about Yahoo!'s use of personal information, including the use of web beacons in HTML-based email, please read our Privacy Policy. Yahoo! is located at 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)