Can You Spot the Hidden Heart Dangers

 Can You Spot the Hidden Heart Dangers?

 

Ok, the day is late, or early, depending on your perspective, but I want to get this article noted. Once we get past how we need to watch our mouth health, the author notes several heart factors that include considerable geography.

The Fourth (4) Hidden Danger deals with race. Many minority groups have an increased risk of heart disease. Even within race, minority women within certain ethnic groups might have a higher risk than others.

Where you live can have a part in heart disease. Women who live in low-income neighborhoods tend to have a higher incidence of heart disease. People that do not have access to sidewalks, walking trails, or parks tend to have a higher incidence of heart disease. Neighborhoods that do not have amenities to support or encourage active lifestyles tend to have residence that have higher levels of heart disease. Neighborhoods with a cluster of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores also have higher rates of heart disease.

The gender of your doctor may make a difference in whether your risk for heart disease is assessed. Women doctors tend not to consider age.

Finally, what we eat can indicate a risk for heart disease. Fish is a common protein high in omega-3s that help remove blood fat. Tuna, salmon, and mackeral are good sources of protein, have important and sensitive habitats, and in the case of salmon, are potentially being over-fished.

Technorati Tags: heart disease,location,race,gender,age,fish,neighborhoods.

The Cove

Ric O’Barry caught the first dolphin used in the 1960’s television show, “Flipper.” He subsequently caught four more to help with the television series. The show was filmed in his front yard essentially, with using dolphins he was responsible for training. The first dolphin died, committed suicide according to Ric. The stress of being held captive was too great. The dolphins were much smarter than we humans give them credit for being. As a result of his years of interaction with dolphins, Ric believed that dolphins were being systematically abused by everyone from the spectators at aquariums, to the institutionalized abuse at the hands of the Japanese.

A very controversial film, as the Japanese fisherman are not portrayed as anything other than abusive murderers, and people that wrangle dolphins for aquariums are nothing more than criminals. In one small town, Taiji, hundreds of dolphins are rounded up for sale abroad, for use in shows like Sea World; are killed as an aquatic pest and a direct competitor to human consumption of sea food; and are also killed for food in Japan.

Whether you agree or not, the film raises some interesting points. The IWC (international whaling commission) controls whaling activities. Since 1986, the IWC has banned whaling and the killing of dolphins. Japan refuses to acknowledge this ban. World fishing stocks are being depleted, and the Japanese argue that this is not due to increased human consumption, but due to increased consumption by dolphins and whales. The Japanese government sanctions the dolphin harvest, which is guarded by local police. Dolphin meat itself has a high amount of mercury, which is incredibly toxic, and is being introduced in the school systems without parent’s knowledge. Japan is also using economic incentives to encourage other countries to support Japan’s efforts to repeal the ban on whaling.

This is a documentary so be prepared for slow moments, disturbing imagery of dead dolphins, dolphins dying, dolphins being cut-up, etc. The movie is not graphic throughout but does have its moments, and has some adult language occasionally. Otherwise, the film is pretty interesting and emotionally evocative.

Technorati Tags: dolphins,whales,Taiji,Cove,IWC,slaughter,Japan

Made in America no longer - MSN Money

Made in America no longer - MSN Money

 

Nestle is responsible for many, many, many things that people eat around the world. We tend to think of chocolate, or at least I think of chocolate when I think of Nestle. Candy is just a small fraction of the products produced by Nestle.

Rawlings baseballs and Fender guitars are just of few of the items no longer produced in the United States. The Japanese, the Swiss, or other partnerships have bought many U.S. companies and keep them going. The manufacturing facilities do not appear to have remained in the U.S. it seems, with the except of Miller Beer.

Technorati Tags: Nestle,Gerber,Fender,Levis,Ben & Jerry's,Firestone

Did Britain Wreck the World? | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

 

Did Britain Wreck the World? | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

Of course they did! What an inane question! Let’s examine why, first.

Take India as our first case. In 1857, Great Britain, after years of frustration at not getting what they want from the Indians, basically take control of the entire subcontinent. The British Raj is then formed. Britain would remain in control for about 90 years, indelibly marking Indian culture. How do you think Indians ended up in Suriname and the northern coast of South America? After the British ceded control of India to the native population, they further exacerbated religions divisions by separating Muslims and Hindis. The Brits actions also set the stage for the Civil War that eventually created Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Our second case involves the Middle East, specifically the creation of Israel, the division of Palestine, and drawing of political boundaries. After World War I and the subsequent demise of the Ottoman Empire, Britain and France divided the spoils. They didn’t really pay that much attention, drawing lines that separated people, families, and grouped enemies together. In fact, in one notable story, in separating Greeks from Turks, what the Brits thought were groups of people noted on a map were actually the difference between forested land and grassland.

Finally, we have Africa. Outside of Ethiopia, most of the countries of Africa had little say in how their political boundaries were laid. The Berlin Conference of 1883-1884 essentially divided African continent among the more powerful European states, Britain, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Spain. From this, Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria would become the British offspring.

But the British had help. The French help establish the slave trade, and they were also the first to stop. The French were complicit in the division of the Middle East and Africa. The French were also responsible for the division of Southeast Asia. Remember French Indochina?

And we cannot forget the contribution of the Spanish throughout Latin America. Without Spanish Conquistadors rampaging throughout North America unabated, who would have decimated the native populations or Christianized them? Yeesh!

In closing, the adages of “to the victors go the spoils,” and “the victors write the history,” are proven true by the weight of evidence behind Great Britain. Supporting characters, France, Germany, and Spain, provide ample substance to further substantiate these phrases.

Technorati Tags: newsweek,Great Britain,colonies,globalization,conflicts,nation-building,state building,India,Iraq,Israel,Palestine

Haass: What Golf Teaches Us About Geopolitics | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

 

Haass: What Golf Teaches Us About Geopolitics | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

 

 

I hate golf. I cannot think of a sport I hate worse than golf. I would rather watch curling than golf. If I had to choose between a colonoscopy and 9-holes of golf, I would pick the colonoscopy.

Haass made an impression on me regarding golf courses, though. As much as I hate golf, I like geography. Looking for evidence of how peace manifests itself in the world, looking for examples of what brings nations together and unifies people rather than divides people is important to me.

While I loathe golf and much as I loathe mosquitoes, the presence of a golf course, or golf courses, can suggest that countries are more similar in some ways than we would normally believe.

The image above is of a golf course in Kumgang, North Korea. Yes, they do play golf in North Korea. Just who plays golf in North Korea is another story, which I have no idea who is writing. A South Korean company built the golf course in North Korea. Who says those two sides do not talk?

Golf courses can be found around the world, in odd and disparate places. Like Kashmir. And Cuba. And, yes, for a little while any way, Venezuela.

The thing with golf courses is that they are associated with wealth, power, and privilege. Not all countries have them, some want them, and countries that have them or want them tend not to fight each other – The Fairway Theory of Conflict Management.

Haass also addresses another peace-encouraging circumstance, the presence of McDonald’s. He cites one of my favorite authors, Thomas Friedman, who postulates that countries with McDonalds tend not to be aggressive towards other countries that also are blessed with McDonalds – The Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Management.

So, next time you are chasing your dimpled adversary around the links, take a look around you. What country are you in? Who are you competing against? Is flogging for business or pleasure? The answers may give you some insight in just how well the world is progressing.

Technorati Tags: golf,Haass,North Korea,South Korea,Kashmir,Hugo Chavez,Fidel Castro,McDonald's,Thomas Friedman

Dubai, U.A.E

This video comes across to me as a promotional video, illustrating the benefits of locating in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The video highlights many of the attractions, current projects, and potential for growth within the U.A.E.

The presentation is pretty slick, covering many of the finer points of Dubai in the brief 4 minute runtime. We get to see the Palm Jumeirah, the palm-tree like island built by a private investor. The Burj Al-Arab Hotel also features prominently.

A nice, short, attractive video worth watching.

The video has been taken down, unfortunately. In its place, I have posted a link to the the Burj Khalifa web site. From the web site, you should be able to get a sense of the scope, wealth, and extravagance of Dubai. A simple search on YouTube should allow you find suitable videos on Dubai, the construction of the Burj Khalifa, and a sister building, the Burj Al-Arab.

Technorati Tags: Dubai,investors,UAE,entrepreneu,burj dubai,palm jumeirah

Athletes and Ramadan

Challenges and Choices During Ramadan

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan (right) is a Muslim, and obviously a tennis player. Being Muslim, and trying to be faithful during the Islamic holy month can be extremely taxing if one is an athlete.

Sports, even for the novice or the weekend warrior, can be very stressful, straining, and draining. Now, imagine having to fast from dawn until dusk, from sunup until sundown. Think you could handle that?

Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Repetition of a daily creed, daily prayers, tithing, and Hajj (the pilgrimage) are the other four pillars.

The subtitle links to the New York Times article that better describes Qureshi’s observance of Ramadan. Also included are a few quotes from other athletes, most notable perhaps is Hakeem Olajuwan discussion of his experiences while playing in the NBA.

Technorati Tags: ramadan,muslim,islam,NBA,qureshi,hakeem olajuwan,five pillars,fasting,religion