I Love The West Wing

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Watching this obama ad, made me remember the my favorite show (tied with the Wire) the West Wing. I distinctly remember the matt santos ad where matt santos says “This is matt santos and you better believe that I approve this ad”. I was almost half expecting barack obama to say those very words.
This left me wanting to rewatch my favorite scenes from the west wing. thanks to youtube, Desire To watch Favorite Scenes + youtube means a half day spent on watching West Wing scenes. Damn you west wing. I love that show soooooo much!

rePost: Findings – As External Barriers Disappear, Internal Gender Gaps Widen – NYTimes.com

Interesting , if most of the changes are due to men then maybe, (humor me) just maybe the feminist movement has got it all wrong, its the men who have been forced to assume a not so normal role in more traditional hierarchical societies, it means that traditional societies in a way enslaved men more than women. And if this is true then is this the reason that men suffer higher rates of mental diseases? because we are not in a more natural state of existence.

It looks as if personality differences between men and women are smaller in traditional cultures like India’s or Zimbabwe’s than in the Netherlands or the United States. A husband and a stay-at-home wife in a patriarchal Botswanan clan seem to be more alike than a working couple in Denmark or France. The more Venus and Mars have equal rights and similar jobs, the more their personalities seem to diverge.
…..
The biggest changes recorded by the researchers involve the personalities of men, not women. Men in traditional agricultural societies and poorer countries seem more cautious and anxious, less assertive and less competitive than men in the most progressive and rich countries of Europe and North America.
…..
Findings – As External Barriers Disappear, Internal Gender Gaps Widen – NYTimes.com.

School Feeding Programs

I was telling my sister how hard it is to teach hungry children anything, how useless one feels when children can’t concentratee because they did not have breakfast. Makes you feel good that there are still people who find the time to volunteer in School Feeding Programs such as:

I don’t know why the massacre post from freakonomics lead to a post on school feeding programs, but the thing is It is hard to think with an empty stomach so if we really want to make an impact we must think of the whole problem of poverty not as separate things like education, hunger, lack of social mobility but as an interconnected net of conditions that create a somewhat insurmountable barrier, for probably everyone save for people with extraordinary luck and maybe skill.
old research in impact of School Feeding Program in the Philippines
PS I’d gladly add other companies to this list just email me.

rePost: Democracy and accountability: The perverse effects of term limits | vox – Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists

Some thoughts:
+ This is good and bad dependig as usual on the person in power.
+ Good people would mean better or at least mroe vigorous implementation of needed but unpopular or important but hard to enforce regulations or laws.
+ Not so good people throw caution to the wind and exercise extreme corruption etc. Reminds me of how Governor Generals of the Philippines were described (see Noli Me Tangere) during thier last months in their commission.
+ This is important because this means we need a way of contra-balancing the effects. Maximizing the effects of good people and minimizing the effects of not so good people.
+ Makes me think that countries with no strong term limits but great independent institutions (independent non partisan military, proper separation/balance of power among institutions) are would be better governed but have leaders locked eternally into a public relations campaign. (If I am not mistaken Tony Blair’s and England is an example of this, Japan too I think)
+ This makes me think that among real democracies the Philippines systems is ill-designed. You have a fix term limit where you have no re-elections, and weak institutions. You get a recipe where most people who become president are corrupt, and they throw caution to the wind because they do not have to revalidate their power from the people because they are not re-elected.
thanks to Mark Thoma here:
from here:
Conclusions
Our analysis of the impact of term limits on inter-state conflicts confirms that domestic political institutions can have a crucial impact on economic and political outcomes. In democracies without term limits, periodic elections provide the means to hold opportunistic political leaders accountable for their foreign policy decisions. In autocracies and democracies with term limits, in which there is no need for “contract renewal”, politicians can adopt unpopular policies with no repercussion on whether or not they are able to stay in power. Some caution is clearly warranted in interpreting these results. Though our analysis shows that political systems in which the leaders are subject to re-election are good for peace, this should not be taken to imply that democratisation of dictatorships will necessarily lead to peace. The take-home message, as pointed out by Daron Acemoglu, Davide Ticchi and Andrea Vindigni recently on Vox, is that policymakers should carefully consider the complexity of the political environment when trying to shape or guide the transition to democracy.
Democracy and accountability: The perverse effects of term limits | vox – Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists.

repost: Angry Bear: Dueling Mooses

Reading this made me WANT TO WORK HARDER!

— He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Harvard (in Law)
— age 24, he wrote the definitive book ‘The Naval War of 1812’, standard history for two generations.
— age 24 the president appointed him to the United States Civil Service Commission, where he served for 13 years. In his term, he vigorously fought the spoilsmen and demanded the enforcement of civil service laws.
Angry Bear: Dueling Mooses.

WordCamp Philippines Posts lists

Don’t know if this is exhaustive!
(I’f by chance jehzlau is reading this and would not ant me to post the list please just leave me a comment and I’d gladly delete the list and just link to the post.)
from jehzlau-concepts.com here:
The New Media Coverage:
0. The Best and Most Memorable Blogger Event in the Phils by Jehzeel Laurente
1. I Got Wordcamped! by Tess Termulo
2. The First WordCamp in Southeast Asia by Adrian Jeric Peña
3. My WordCamp Experience by Master Betong
4. WordCamp Philippines by Hannah Rika Villasis
5. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Nina Fuentes
6. Matt at WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Binary Silver
7. Matt Mullenweg Highlights from WordCamp Phils by The Bachelor Girl
8. WordCamp Philippines Report by Fear the Spork
9. WordCamp Philippines Shirt Please by Evenly Piece
10. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Alrenz Cabasa
11. WordCamp Philippines 2008: A Success!
12. WordCamp Phils, 1st Southeast Asia WordCamp by Ana Katharina Pena
13. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Aftermath by Zero Blade
14. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Mae Paulino
15. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Green Bucks
16. Matt Mullenweg by Charmed Mom
17. WordCamp PH 2008 and Afterparty by Carlo Reid
18. WordCamp Philippines After-Party by The WordCamp Philippines Blog
19. WordCamp Philippines 08 by Project 365 Days
20. WordCamp 2008 Philippines by Karla Redor
21. Live Blogging from WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Spilled Lustre
22. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Aja Lapus
23. Experiencing WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Here’s to Life!
24. WordCamp Manila Blow-by-blow by Jonel Uy
25. Just got home from WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Jayvee Fernandez
26. Bloggers’ Event: WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Ada Lajara
27. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Winners and Bloopers by Funny Sexy
28. WordCamping 2008 by Billycoy
29. Ernie Meets Matt Mullenweg by AJ Matela
30. Matt Mullenweg, Volunteers, and WordCamp Phils by Misteryosa
31. The WordCamp in Philippines by Mark Aethen Agana
32. Matt Mullenweg by Animo Hosting
33. WordCamp Manila 2008, I was there! by Sha Ang
34. On WordCamp 2008 and Meeting Mr. WordPress by Diventare.org
35. My WordCamp Philippines 2008 Experience by Regnard Raquedan
36. WordCamp Philippines Status Report by AWB Holdings
37. Live from De La Salle CSB, Marocharim is at WordCamp! by Marocharim
38. For the Love of WordPress by Kristina Ana Matanguihan
39. WordCamp Pilipinas Success by Ikabon
40. WordCamp 2008: For Healthy and Wealthy Blogging by Hitokiri Hoshi
41. WordCamp 2008 Philippines Success by Arvin’s Thoughts
42. WordCamp, Meeting Matt Mullenweg by Miss Wicked
43. Meeting Matt at WordCamp 2008 by Urriza.net
44. Finally, WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Estan
45. Toothache Vs. WordCamp Philippines by George Putong
46. Notes and Photos, WordCamp Philippines a Success by Tonyo Cruz
47. Some WordCamp Philippines Afterthoughts by Undercover
48. Live Blogging in WordCamp by Pageman
49. My WordCamp Experience by Junele Malaga Caravana
50. WordCamp Philippines A Success! by WordPress Philippines
51. Bakla Goes to WordCamp Philippines by Bakla Ako
52. My WordCamp 2008 Experience by Micaela Rodriiguez
53. WordCamp 2008 Philippines: It’s a success! by Joyceish
54. My WordCamp 2008 Experience by Fitz Villafuerte
55. A Personal Evaluation of WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Danny Arao
56. An Event Which I Failed To Attend by Dexter Panganiban
57. The WordPress WordCamp Fever by Pinoy Web Listing
58. WordCamp Philippines by Batang Yagit
59. Philippine WordCampers 2008 by Sabrina Lajara
60. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Roanna Roro
61. On Meeting with Mr. WordPress, Web Standards and Other Stuff by Shari
62. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Highlights by Sophia Lucero
63. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Mong Palatino
64. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Rowjielogy
65. I was WordCamped by The Industrious Time-Waster
66. HURAH! for WordCamp Philippines by Migs Hipolito
67. WordCamp is on today at De La Salle – CSB by AIM CSB
68. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Updates by Teacher Julie
69. My WordCamp Philippines 2008 Experience by Icezorg
70. I was at WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Gail Villanueva
71. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Ramblings by Sarah Cada
72. Weekend Snapshots #6 WordCamp Philippines by Joni Ang
73. My WordCamp 2008 Experience by Paul Villacorta
74. Success! by WordCamp Philippines Blog
75. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Tina Elaine
76. On Being a Remarkable Responsible Blogger by Scrumptious Anime Blog
77. Word-F’N-Camp! by The Deranged Writer
78. WordCamp Philippines 2008 – a success! by The Mindanao Bloggers
79. WordCamp Philippines, below expectations by Kevin Georg Paquet
80. My WordCamp Experience by The Grape Bunch
81. WordCamp Philippines 2008: Wicked! by Andrew Dela Serna
82. WordCamp Philippines 2008 Video Highlights by Buddy Gancenia
83. WordCamped by La Dolce Vita
84. The WordCamp that was by Oliver Robillo
85. WordCamp Philippines 2008: A Blast! Rein Winds
86. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by On the 8 Spot
87. WordCamp Philippines 2008: Awesome! by i.PH News and Updates
88. WordCamp: Developing WordPress Plugins by Markku Seguerra
89. A Day of Firsts! by Sablay.Org
90. WordCamp Made Me Sick by Charmed Mom
91. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Aileen Apolo
92. I was at WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Sun Choke
93. My Wordcamp 2008 Experience by Chiq Montes
94. My WordCamp Philippines 2008 Story by Ria Jose
95. WordCamp Philippines = WIN by Dean Lozarie
96. WordCamp 2008 Memories by Petixe
The Old Media Coverage:
1. WordPress developer previews new version in RP by Inquirer.net
2. WordPress enthusiasts meet for WordCamp by GMANews.tv
3. WordPress Developer lauds RP blogging community by Alexander Villafania
4. WordPress Creator on the future of RP Blogging Community by Inquirer.net
Some WordCamp Photos from WordCampers:
0. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Jehzeel Laurente
1. WordCamp 2008 Photos by Jayvee Fernandez
2. First WordCamp in Southeast Asia by Hannah Rika Villasis
3. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Tess Termulo
4. WordCamp Philippines by Ada Lajara
5. WordCamp 2008 by Regnard Raquedan
6. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by AJ Matela
7. WordCamp at Benilde by Normz
8. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Micaela Rodriguez
9. WordPress Philippines 2008 by Shari
10. WordCamp Philippines by Sofimi
11. WordCamp Philippines 2008 by Andrew Dela Serna
12. WordCamp Candy by Flair Candy

Repost : Making Light: McCain's Health Care Plan

This hit home, health care is not simply getting medication and getting hospital care. Health care must be reframed to Care for Well Being, and people who do not get the whole package, quarterly physicals, psychological, nutritional, and of course the traditional care for sickness that people must demand from government to be a right that. We must not let people who do not have anything to die from us doing nothing.
from Making Light Blog here:

Here’s a fact: People who don’t have health insurance don’t get health care. Sure, if they’re unconscious or spurting blood they can come to the Emergency Room, but that’s a cruddy way of getting basic health screening that keeps things from getting to catastrophic conditions.
I’ve seen this myself. I’ve seen a man in his mid-forties die, choked on his own vomit, unconscious from undiagnosed diabetes. Why undiagnosed? He didn’t have health insurance to cover physicals. He was working three jobs—but they were all part-time jobs with no benefits.
Making Light: McCain’s Health Care Plan.

Oh No Another Excuse For Being Fat!

I Don’t Like This Because This Will Affect How I View My and Other People’s obesity, It just feels dirty blaiming genetics for everything , but nonetheless facts are facts!

Somehow I Think I Knew This Already…
from Grasping Reality with Both Hands: Brad DeLong’s Semi-Daily Journal by Brad DeLong
From Gordon’s Notes:
Exercise cannot control obesity gene associated weight gain: The title on this SciAm summary is silly…
Do I look fat in these genes? Exercise can cancel out effects of ‘heavy-weight’ DNA: Scientific American Blog: … Physically active people who carry gene mutations linked to obesity are no more likely to be overweight than those without the variants — as long as they exercise at least three hours a day…
Exercising 3+ hours a day is not compatible with life in a post-industrial world. If these results turned out be generalizable to a reasonable portion of the obese population (big if), then we’d know that exercise won’t control our expanding (sorry) obesity problem. We already know diet doesn’t work, so here’s hoping for great drugs …
Either that, or we get rid of our cars …

Repost: Anime Wine Mover

I confess that I had a pixar marathon this weekend (Incredibles, Ratatouille two times each), and It really helped me rediscover cooking again. I was planning a hackaton last saturday but it became a cookfest!
Thanks to j for the pointer: from here:

Anime Sommelier
Interesting piece from the Times Online on the biggest trend shaping the Japanese wine market:
Entire 20,000-bottle shipments of burgundy sell out within hours in Tokyo if he so much as looks at a glass, South Korea’s biggest film star is lined-up to play him in a TV drama and he has converted thousands of Asian women into the most discerning oenophiles.
In the rarefied world of superstar sommeliers, there may be none greater than Shizuku Kanzaki. The only snag is that he is a cartoon.
Despite his two-dimensional limitations, the hero of Kami no Shizuku (The drops of the gods) has emerged as an extraordinarily potent mover of Asian wine markets — far more so, say some in the industry, than flesh-and-blood wine critics.
The sales records of Japan’s largest wine merchants have been smashed because, in a single frame of comic, the hero has uttered a dreamy sigh over a 2006 New Zealand Riesling or closed his eyes in appreciation of a Saint-Aubin Premier Cru.
…….Shizuku’s adventures are read by about 500,000 Japanese each week and book collections of the comics have sold millions of copies. Wines that feature in his weekly manga activities regularly become overnight hits, particularly for Japan’s frenetic online wine markets.
In Taiwan a single reference to a relatively obscure French terroir shifted dozens of cases of the stuff within a few days.
…..
Watch your back Parker.
Posted by J at 8:43 PM
Labels: Miscellany
The Meaningfulness of Little Things: Anime Sommelier.