Neighborhood Beer Summit

We now have proof that all misunderstandings, differences, disagreements, wrongdoings, and other serious injustices can be mitigated, assuaged, diluted, reconciled and/or resolved by facing your opponent over a beer. Or not.

To Clone or Not to Clone . . .

AP News Release: By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein, Ap Science Writer – Thu Jul 23, 4:47 pm ET

"Two teams of Chinese scientists have made a major advance in mice in the development of a new kind of stem cell that doesn't involve destroying embryos.

"Those cells are derived from ordinary skin cells, and when they were created two years ago from human skin and genetically reprogrammed, it was hailed as a breakthrough. But questions remained whether they could act as chameleon-like as embryonic stem cells and morph into any cell type in the body.

"One way to show that versatility is if the new reprogrammed stem cells could be used to produce an entire new life.

"And now researchers have shown they can in mice.

"For the first time, they were able to produce live mice from stem cells that were coaxed from skin tissue of adult mice and then reprogrammed. And while there were abnormalities and unusual deaths with some of the first generation of mice, one team produced enough normal mice this way to create hundreds of second and third generation mice." Full story here

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"Don't mind Joey there. He's got a little twitch and can't pronounce his 'W's, but remember, he's a third-gen-test kid."

Point and Shoot the Moon

Today's anniversary of one of the greatest events in history (humanly speaking) will soon fade from memory --- again. Former space nerds are going goo-ga over all things moon-landing-ish this week. Ken Rockwell, camera reviewer and space exploration/technology nerd, has given real life to the events, writing details of the chronology of the landing that you most likely don't know. Makes for pretty exciting reading --- for us nerds, anyway.

The pictures are amazing when enlarged, thanks to the Hasselblad camera Neil Armstrong used.

Wish I had been there to take them - Neil was a test pilot, not a snapshooter.

The Rest of Occum's Story

Abbreviating history is the common practice of our day. The following introduction to Dartmouth College's antiquity mentions Samson Occom, the Mohegan Indian who was largely responsible for donating a substantial sum necessary to ensure the school's survival. It doesn't mention the story of how the money came into his hands.

-- from Dartmouth College's website:

"The Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, a Congregational minister from Connecticut, founded Dartmouth College in 1769. He had earlier established Moor's Charity School in Lebanon, Connecticut, principally for the education of Native Americans. In seeking to expand his school into a college, Wheelock relocated his educational enterprise to Hanover, in the Royal Province of New Hampshire. The move from Connecticut followed a lengthy and sometimes frustrating effort to find resources and secure a charter. Samson Occom, a Mohegan Indian and one of Wheelock's first students, was instrumental in raising substantial funds for the College. The Royal Governor of New Hampshire, John Wentworth, provided the land upon which Dartmouth would be built and on December 13, 1769, conveyed the charter from King George III establishing the College. That charter created a college "for the education and instruction of Youth of the Indian Tribes in this Land ... and also of English Youth and any others." Named for William Legge, the Second Earl of Dartmouth — an important supporter of Eleazar Wheelock's efforts — Dartmouth is the nation's ninth oldest college and the last institution of higher learning established under Colonial rule."

The following is from the book The Prince of Pulpit Orators, A Portraiture of Rev. George Whitefield, M.A., by J.B. Wakeley, 1871.

"Whitefield once visited the Indian school at Lebanon, which was under the care of Doctor Whelock. He was delighted with the school, which he looked upon as a 'promising nursery for future missionaries.' Here he had an interview with an Indian preacher by the name of Sampson Occum [sic], whom he much admired, whom he invited to go to England for the purpose of raising funds for the Indian seminary. Sampson Occum was a remarkable man for a son of the forest. He was a descendant of Uncas, the celebrated chief of the Mohegans. At the age of seventeen Occum was converted under the labors of Whitefield and Gilbert Tennant. He was for four years a scholar in Dr. Wheelock's school for the benefit of the Indians, and afterward a teacher there for eleven years. In 1759 he was ordained; and in 1766, in company with Rev. Mr. Whitecar, he went to England to raise funds for the school.

"Whitefield welcomed them there, and threw his whole soul into the enterprise. Whitefield was delighted with Occum's spirit and with his preaching, and introduced him into his pulpits and to his friends who were wealthy. He was very successful in raising funds, and as no American Indian had ever before preached in England, curiosity led thousands to hear him. He preached to crowded audiences several hundred times. Dr. Dwight, among other notable persons, heard him, and pronounced him eloquent. At Kidderminster the people were so moved and melted under his appeals that, not satisfied with contributing once, they passed the plate around and took up a second collection.

"Occum and his colleague brought back from England more than forty-five thousand dollars for the school. [An equivalent of over $1 million in today's dollars using the Consumer Price Index, but over $22 million based on an unskilled worker's wage - for the year 1774, but this was in 1767] It was through Whitefield's influence that Lord Dartmouth became its friend and patron, and so influenced the King [of England] that he contributed his thousands. The Indian school was merged in Dartmouth College, of which institution Mr. Wheelock was the first president. We here find Whitefield's name connected with Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, as well as with that of Nassan Hall, Princeton. Americans hardly know how deeply they are indebted to Whitefield, and what gratitude they owe him.

"Occum was a wit, but he used his powers for the furtherance of the truth. It is said that once, while holding a controversy with a Universalist [who believes there is no hell and all will be redeemed and go to heaven], he concluded by saying, 'Well, well, remember, if you are correct, I am safe; if you are not correct, I am safe. I have two strings to my bow, you have but one.'

"He died in July, 1792, at New Stockbridge, N.Y., and over three hundred weeping Indians followed this distinguished preacher to the grave. His name is interwoven with the history of his country, and the history of Dartmouth College. How few, alas! of his race have a history like his!"

1500 more tax/rotten government protests are now history - all held today throughout the nation.

Our local turnout was pretty low - people would rather be with family, and I don't blame them. But those who showed up expressed their ire and irate concern for the state of the states with enthusiasm, nonetheless.

The groundswell has started. The fear of being branded "terrorists" isn't deterring the moms and pops of America from speaking out. In fact, that's the only way the press is going to cover this story. Speaking of which, the local newspaper, even after repeated efforts to post this get together, wasn't at the event. They reported on the April 15 placarding, but cared less about this one. Mine is most likely the only report you'll read. Guess everyone had the day off except one lone motorcycle officer who parked across the street for about 10 minutes to see if there would be any trouble.
No trouble - just a lot of cars honking in favor of smaller government.

True Liberty

We just finished watching the John Adams 7-part movie series on 3 DVDs. It's an excellent portrayal of everything 'revolutionary' in America's break with England and endeavor to govern through the chaos of the early years. Pretty factual from what I've read, except they don't emphasize the fact that Adams (and many others) believed the truth that, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Great acting, location shooting, character depth, family/personal perspectives, and history.

In spite of the Brave New Worlders who want to throw God out of the American equation and deny the historical fact that these United States were first and fundamentally born and nurtured in the family of Christian beliefs, the truth remains: True liberty demands true religion.

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand." John Adams, letter to Zabdiel Adams, June 21, 1776

"Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free governments [alone], but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society." John Adams, letter to Benjamin Rush, August 28, 1811

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion, avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the stongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams, Address to the Military, October 11, 1798

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness - these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens . . . And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796


"The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments." Benjamin Rush, On the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic, 1806

Dirty Dealing

Family matters. So does doing your job well. A state governor shouldn't be spending 80% of her time dealing with over a dozen empty ethics violations and non-stop family hate speech.

The political left has proven itself so very afraid and hateful of Governor Palin, it will stop at nothing to discredit her, even if it means making the taxpayers of Alaska fork over millions unnecessarily.

It's time for the pundits to start their punditing.

The Certain Demise Of America as We Knew It

According to this article, 80% of parents aren't monitoring their kids' Internet surfing, even though they have the software to do it. The negative moral and social implications are incalculable, in spite of 'if-it-feels-good-do-it' naysayers.

Wake up, America!

On The Beach

Many of the San Luis Obispo Skinner guests lived in Templeton or the San Joaquin Valley. Hot summer road trips to the big city on the other side of Cuesta Grade were rewarded with fresh air and cool marine breezes. And no trip was complete without a jalopy jaunt to the beach. Avila, Morro Bay, Cuyucos --- it didn't matter where. Just bring a camera and a coat!

Templeton Quilt Show

Well, what was more exciting --- a 4.4 earthquake 15 miles west of Paso Robles, or a quilt fair in Templeton on Saturday? I'll pick the Quilt Show.

Handmade quilts were found hanging along Main Street from various businesses, homes, fences and porches to reflect the down home feel of this enduringly sleepy city, where my great-grandparents raised a houseful of rowdy kids (south of the park).

Templeton will someday (barring the 2nd Advent) have enough money to restore Main Street to its primal glory, add a huge tourist attraction like a railroad museum and secure the blessings of liberty to its posterity.

My sister, Ginnie, is a quilter. She is the artist in the family, having inherited the gift from a forgotten ancestor or two or three. These are her pictures of the event. She didn't say if she'd entered one of hers to show off, but I don't blame her if she didn't --- too much direct sunlight isn't good for a quilt.

Today is Father's Day. Be sure to show your love in some big or small way. And fathers: Get over the guilt thing, ask for forgiveness and enjoy the rest of your life.

Leak Freak

An overdue fix took life's center stage today as we made an all-out assault on the drain leak behind the kitchen sink. After two trips to Lowe's, two to Home Depot and one to OSH (for some replacement 10-3 Romex that had been destroyed), this one hour job turned into a 6 hour fiasco.

But all is well now --- until the next event is tackled.

Flag Day 2009

June 14th is Flag Day in America. This once highly celebrated event has disintegrated and disappeared over the years, thanks to an anti-U.S.A. culture that began in the 60's. That crowd is now running the country. Or should we say ruining the country?

This photo I took yesterday at the University of the Pacific campus portrays a colorless sky behind a still vibrant red, white and blue. The sun dog halo represents the 60's religion --- the Church of Situation Ethics, where the doctrine of chameleonification is practiced faithfully.

Pray the color of Old Glory doesn't fade along with the sky.

Drooling in the Corner

"Just because you're an old guy, you don't have to sit around drooling in the corner," says George H.W. Bush, our former president and all around good guy who just celebrated his 85th birthday with another jump out of an airplane.

"Bush's first parachute jump came when his plane was shot down over the Pacific in 1944 during World War II. He bailed out at 1,500 feet after a bombing mission over ChiChi Jima. His two crewmates didn't make it.

"In 1997, Bush fulfilled a wartime promise he made to himself that someday he'd jump from a plane for fun by hopping out over Yuma, Ariz., and he jumped again on his 75th birthday at his library in Texas." AP story

Happy Birthday, Mr. President. You're a real inspiration to all of us droolers!

The Paso Robles Leader - 1898

One of the wonders of the Internet is that of treasure hunting --- finding those little unexpected items that just popped up on your screen after a little browsing.

This Paso Robles Leader newspaper from 1898 caught my eye while looking at eBay offerings. I thought it would be fun to read the local gossip from 111 years ago. My biggest surprise was seeing the dearth of news about the old homestead. There was the obligatory "who is visiting from Fresno" and "Mrs. So-and-So visits the beach for a week" fare, but the only important story I read was a short blurb about the big drought of that year, which was buried way down on the page.




The quality of the printing (or lack thereof) and the fact that my copy had never been cut in half after the sheet was printed, leads me to believe this was a make-ready sheet. It is an 8-page piece, but all in one big sheet. Much of it was difficult to read because of poor impression, wrinkled paper and lack of ink in certain areas.

The multitude of ads were a treat to peruse. The philosophical blocks on both sides of the banner prove the independent spirit of the publisher, H.G. Wright.



99% of the names mentioned eluded my memory. D.D. Blackburn and C.S. Smith are two that I recognized. But, hey, my history doesn't go back that far.

The moral of the story: Who will remember the least thing about you 111 years from now?

Most Secure Job Areas

Are you still working, or has the EASY MONEY RECESSION (what got us into this mess) rewarded you with an unemployment check? Thankfully, many of us still are holding on, but too many industries/companies are dead or dying.

Here's a Wall Street Journal look at how U.S. cities rank in the jobless rates.

Get ready to move to Iowa or Texas!