Some foodies want the best for their potential food.
Thus the craze for "vegetarian fed hens."
Except that might not be a good idea.
Yet for the chickens, who are natural omnivores that readily devour bugs and small animals when they’re available, the forced vegetarianism can be a disaster.
Chickens on an unsupplemented vegetarian diet typically fall short of an essential protein-based amino acid known as methionine, and without it, they fall ill. Worse, the birds will also turn on each other, pecking at each other in search of nutrients, and these incidents can escalate into a henhouse bloodbath, farmers say.
“They’re really like little raptors - they want meat,” said Blake Alexandre, the owner of a 30,000 chicken operation in far northern California that keeps its birds on pasture. “The idea that they ought to be vegetarians is ridiculous.”
Just keep making them delicious.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Not blue because of her
Don Surber tells the tale of Helen Taussig, who did pioneering work in pediatric cardiology.
"In 1944 doctors at Johns Hopkins performed the surgery that opened the door to today's heart surgery.Working together, The Johns Hopkins Hospital's chief surgeon, Dr. Alfred Blalock, his technician Vivien Thomas, and pediatric cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig devised a means for improving the flow of oxygen into the blood by connecting one of the heart's major arteries with another feeding into the lungs. Known as the Blue Baby Operation, it brought relief to a young girl plagued with a combination of heart defects that kept her blood so starved for oxygen that her skin was literally blue. In time the procedure not only helped save the lives of thousands of similarly afflicted children around the world, but also opened the door to now-familiar procedures like coronary bypass surgery," according to the university's official history.
Many lived because of her work.
"In 1944 doctors at Johns Hopkins performed the surgery that opened the door to today's heart surgery.Working together, The Johns Hopkins Hospital's chief surgeon, Dr. Alfred Blalock, his technician Vivien Thomas, and pediatric cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig devised a means for improving the flow of oxygen into the blood by connecting one of the heart's major arteries with another feeding into the lungs. Known as the Blue Baby Operation, it brought relief to a young girl plagued with a combination of heart defects that kept her blood so starved for oxygen that her skin was literally blue. In time the procedure not only helped save the lives of thousands of similarly afflicted children around the world, but also opened the door to now-familiar procedures like coronary bypass surgery," according to the university's official history.
Many lived because of her work.
Pushback leak
We've reached the point in the Baltimore riots where a well-timed news leak throws the reason for the problem into a new light.
The Washington Post received word from another person arrested that day that Freddie Gray was trying to hurt himself while heading to the police station.
It's hard to believe that he would try to hurt himself that day.
But it's also hard to believe police officers would intentionally injure a prisoner in their care.
This leak offers a chance to pushback against the police brutality theme.
Like the leak of Michael Brown robbing the store, it puts the victim in a different light.
Not a completely innocent victim.
If you believe police are brutal, the current Gray story works for you.
If you believe police are trying to do a tough job the best they can, this leak provides a partial answer.
The Washington Post received word from another person arrested that day that Freddie Gray was trying to hurt himself while heading to the police station.
It's hard to believe that he would try to hurt himself that day.
But it's also hard to believe police officers would intentionally injure a prisoner in their care.
This leak offers a chance to pushback against the police brutality theme.
Like the leak of Michael Brown robbing the store, it puts the victim in a different light.
Not a completely innocent victim.
If you believe police are brutal, the current Gray story works for you.
If you believe police are trying to do a tough job the best they can, this leak provides a partial answer.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Sometimes when we touch
Via Instapundit, a list of new rules for hugging at the University of Virginia.
If you link arms during the "Good ole Song" at football games, do you need a group consent prior to the game?
Or each score?
If you link arms during the "Good ole Song" at football games, do you need a group consent prior to the game?
Or each score?
Why they call it snail mail
Being a good citizen, I finished my Virginia state taxes and sent the check last week.
I checked this week and it hadn't been cashed.
With the May 1 deadline looming, I decided to call the county.
They processed the check yesterday.
I sent it on the 20th.
It was received on the 28th.
Eight days to go eight miles.
I checked this week and it hadn't been cashed.
With the May 1 deadline looming, I decided to call the county.
They processed the check yesterday.
I sent it on the 20th.
It was received on the 28th.
Eight days to go eight miles.
Don't just stand there, do something
PJMedia's resident police expert - Jack Dunphy - explains what he learned in L.A. in 1992.
And wishes Baltimore learned the same lesson.
If there was a lesson the LAPD learned in 1992, it is that if you do not respond decisively to lawlessness, you will quickly have much more of it. That lesson was learned the hard way, when timid police supervisors (one of them in particular most egregiously) failed to act when violence first flared near the intersection of Florence and Normandie Avenues. I would argue that had the LAPD responded as it should have in those first hours of the riot, much of the devastation and loss of life that followed could have been averted. Proof of this came in the following months when a number of incidents in South Los Angeles threatened to break out into rioting but were quelled with a swift and sure response by police.
And wishes Baltimore learned the same lesson.
If there was a lesson the LAPD learned in 1992, it is that if you do not respond decisively to lawlessness, you will quickly have much more of it. That lesson was learned the hard way, when timid police supervisors (one of them in particular most egregiously) failed to act when violence first flared near the intersection of Florence and Normandie Avenues. I would argue that had the LAPD responded as it should have in those first hours of the riot, much of the devastation and loss of life that followed could have been averted. Proof of this came in the following months when a number of incidents in South Los Angeles threatened to break out into rioting but were quelled with a swift and sure response by police.
Driven the wrong way
The unrest in Baltimore gives commentators a chance to do what they do best - blame the other side.
Daily Kos features someone blaming the white reaction.
After sitting on the sidelines, silent at the lynching of Freddie Gray, you'd think that some property damage and non-lethal violence would fail to shake the conscience of the average white viewer. You'd be wrong.
The National Review looks at which party has led Baltimore since I was in kindergarten.
Daily Kos features someone blaming the white reaction.
After sitting on the sidelines, silent at the lynching of Freddie Gray, you'd think that some property damage and non-lethal violence would fail to shake the conscience of the average white viewer. You'd be wrong.
The National Review looks at which party has led Baltimore since I was in kindergarten.
Black urban communities face institutional failure across the board every day. There are people who should be made to answer for that: What has Martin O’Malley to say for himself?
The Daily Kos piece seems to excuse the rioting as the last chance to get attention. A choice they were driven to make.
The Daily Kos piece seems to excuse the rioting as the last chance to get attention. A choice they were driven to make.
As a white male, I don't particularly care for looting and rioting. I wouldn't like to be one of the store or property owners who will have to replace or rebuild. But I'm forced to recognize this destruction as the final option for a group of people so systematically disenfranchised that their voices have not been heard.
I don't think that's going to work.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Exceptional book
Don Surber has a book out on Exceptional Americans.
There's stories of 50 Americans who made a difference.
Good reading for bad days.
There's stories of 50 Americans who made a difference.
Good reading for bad days.
Don't take me out to the ballgame
The Orioles and White Sox will play Wednesday before an empty house.
Maybe some of the police and firefighters can stop by between their shifts on the street.
They need to relax and enjoy themselves sometime this week.
Maybe some of the police and firefighters can stop by between their shifts on the street.
They need to relax and enjoy themselves sometime this week.
No hockey night in America
I'm bummed.
The NHL first round series out west all ended early.
There will be no playoff ice hockey tonight.
What will I watch?
The NHL first round series out west all ended early.
There will be no playoff ice hockey tonight.
What will I watch?
When can we play ball?
Another Orioles-White Sox game has been postponed.
The White Sox need to be in Minnesota Thursday, so the Orioles need to know when it's safe to play at home again - or play somewhere soon.
Shutting down Baltimore gives us plenty of time to think - how does this make lives better?
The White Sox need to be in Minnesota Thursday, so the Orioles need to know when it's safe to play at home again - or play somewhere soon.
Shutting down Baltimore gives us plenty of time to think - how does this make lives better?
What you're seeing
The TV critic from the Baltimore Sun reviews Monday's coverage of the Baltimore riots.
I'm glad the folks at CNN finally realized the tremendous importance of what's been happening here and sent in several crews and show hosts Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo Monday.
But I have to note the irony of Lemon pressing Gov. Larry Hogan on why the National Guard and State Police were only coming in Monday night "when there was so much chaos Saturday."
Hogan might have asked Lemon: Why wasn't CNN covering Baltimore at all Saturday night "when there was so much chaos" here? Really, why not? I'd like to hear one the CNN executives answer me that.
I'm glad the folks at CNN finally realized the tremendous importance of what's been happening here and sent in several crews and show hosts Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo Monday.
But I have to note the irony of Lemon pressing Gov. Larry Hogan on why the National Guard and State Police were only coming in Monday night "when there was so much chaos Saturday."
Hogan might have asked Lemon: Why wasn't CNN covering Baltimore at all Saturday night "when there was so much chaos" here? Really, why not? I'd like to hear one the CNN executives answer me that.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Rubio's troubles
Pat from Shreveport tried to say how Marco Rubio could do well in the Republican primaries.
The reaction wasn't nice.
Rubio has been warned.
Republicans have long memories.
The reaction wasn't nice.
Rubio has been warned.
Republicans have long memories.
Happy now?
Police officers injured.
Looting.
Orioles game postponed.
Curfew at 10 p.m. starting Tuesday.
Those who encouraged the protests, are you happy now?
Do you think the people of Baltimore and Maryland are more inclined to support you?
Or just disgusted.
Looting.
Orioles game postponed.
Curfew at 10 p.m. starting Tuesday.
Those who encouraged the protests, are you happy now?
Do you think the people of Baltimore and Maryland are more inclined to support you?
Or just disgusted.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Capitals fans don't need the reminder
The Capitals and Islanders will play a seventh and deciding game of their series Monday.
In 1987, their seventh game went into four overtimes before the Islanders won in Washington.
My brother was there.
He and Capitals fans don't need a reminder of that game.
But there will be plenty of them before the opening puck drops.
In 1987, their seventh game went into four overtimes before the Islanders won in Washington.
My brother was there.
He and Capitals fans don't need a reminder of that game.
But there will be plenty of them before the opening puck drops.
Who needs proof?
Liberals want to crow that there's no proof of pro quid pro by the author of Clinton Cash.
How convenient to forget Harry Reid accused Mitt Romney of not paying taxes without proof.
I'm sure they lamented those unproven allegations.
How convenient to forget Harry Reid accused Mitt Romney of not paying taxes without proof.
I'm sure they lamented those unproven allegations.
Signs of spring
A mama robin set up her nest in our backyard this spring.
This morning, the first baby hatched.
This morning, the first baby hatched.
Thousands detained
Baltimore's protests of a death in police custody spilled into the streets around Camden Yards Saturday night.
For their safety, fans were kept inside the stadium for a time.
Does that help the cause?
For their safety, fans were kept inside the stadium for a time.
Does that help the cause?
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Facebook quote of the week
I am quite confident that my recent string of bad luck is because i didn't copy and paste that facebook post asking if I loved any family member ever in my entire history.
Friday, April 24, 2015
The worth of children
Via Instapundit, an interesting look at how Christianity changed the viewpoint toward children.
Various pagan authors describe children as being more like plants than human beings. And this had concrete consequences.
Well-to-do parents typically did not interact with their children, leaving them up to the care of slaves. Children were rudely brought up, and very strong beatings were a normal part of education. In Rome, a child's father had the right to kill him for whatever reason until he came of age.
Various pagan authors describe children as being more like plants than human beings. And this had concrete consequences.
Well-to-do parents typically did not interact with their children, leaving them up to the care of slaves. Children were rudely brought up, and very strong beatings were a normal part of education. In Rome, a child's father had the right to kill him for whatever reason until he came of age.
Hungry for good news
Don Surber tells the good news about Twinkies after the rebirth.
The government protected the very things that brought down GM: Unions, lack of innovation, inefficiency, and not knowing the market. GM is just another Amtrak.
Have a Twinkie. Those we will make because the politicians have no interest in them. Now if you don't mind, my red Mustang GT convertible awaits me.
The government protected the very things that brought down GM: Unions, lack of innovation, inefficiency, and not knowing the market. GM is just another Amtrak.
Have a Twinkie. Those we will make because the politicians have no interest in them. Now if you don't mind, my red Mustang GT convertible awaits me.
Weekend watchdog
Richmond gets to host a pair of NASCAR races under the lights - one before the 16 driver playoff begins and this weekend.
Fox has coverage Saturday at 7 p.m., and racers hope the flag drops shortly thereafter - not after a long rain delay like last week at Bristol.
Kevin Harvick leads the Sprint Cup field with two wins in the first eight races. When the drivers return to Richmond in September, the final 16 driver Sprint for the Cup lineup will be finalized.
The Xfinity Series racers hit the track Friday at 7:30 p.m. on FoxSports1.
NBC Sports network offers the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama Sunday at 3 p.m.
The NBA postseason heads into its second weekend, starting Friday at 7 p.m. when ESPN offers the Mavericks and Rockets Friday, followed by Spurs-Clippers. The Wizards host Toronto at 8 p.m. on ESPN2 and Comcast.
There's a pair of games on TNT Saturday afternoon - Hawks against Nets at 3 p.m. before the Bulls battle the Bucks. New Orleans hosts the Warriors at 8 p.m. on ESPN, then it's Grizzlies-TrailBlazers.
ABC has the Sunday afternoon action - Game 4 of Cavaliers-Celtics at 1 p.m. and Clippers against Spurs at 3:30 p.m. the Wizards host Toronto on TNT and Comcast at 7 p.m., then it's Rockets facing the Mavericks.
Anaheim has moved on in the NHL postseason, and Friday's action starts at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network with the Penguins meeting the Rangers. Ottawa tries to stay alive in Game 5 at Montreal on CNBC, and the Wild and Blues meet on NBC Sports network at 9:30 p.m.
The Capitals can boot the Islanders from contention in their Game 6 Saturday at 3 p.m. on NBC. The Red Wings visit Tampa Bay at 6 p.m. on NBC Sports network, with Predators-Blackhawks on NBC Saturday at 8 p.m. Calgary clashes with Vancouver at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Sunday's slate will be determined after Friday's contests.
The Orioles host the Red Sox for the weekend (Friday and Sunday on MASN, Saturday on MASN2). The Nationals head to Miami for the weekend (Friday and Sunday on MASN2 and Saturday at 4 p.m. on MASN).
FoxSports1 offers the Indians' trip to Detroit Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by Mets-Yankees at 4 p.m. That series concludes on ESPN Sunday at 8 p.m.
On the college diamond, Georgia Tech faces Clemson at 1 p.m. Saturday on Comcast. LSU and Texas A&M tangle on ESPN Saturday at 2 p.m. and Alabama meets Mississippi Sunday at 1 p.m. FoxSports1 has Kansas State-Baylor Sunday at 3 p.m.
The PGA tour visits New Orleans Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
Manchester City meets Aston Villa on NBC Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Southampton faces Tottenham Hotspur on NBC Sports network Saturday at 7:45 a.m., followed by Burnley battling Leicester City. Arsenal and Chelsea bring the battle of London Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
The Red Bulls meet the Galaxy on ESPN2 Sunday at 5 p.m. FoxSports1 has a pair of games Sunday, with Toronto at Orlando City at 7 p.m. followed by Portland visiting Seattle at 9:30 p.m.
Comcast carries the ACC women's lacrosse tournament, with semifinals Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. and the final Sunday at 1 p.m.
In college softball, Texas takes on Texas Tech Saturday at 3 p.m. on MASN2.
Fox has coverage Saturday at 7 p.m., and racers hope the flag drops shortly thereafter - not after a long rain delay like last week at Bristol.
Kevin Harvick leads the Sprint Cup field with two wins in the first eight races. When the drivers return to Richmond in September, the final 16 driver Sprint for the Cup lineup will be finalized.
The Xfinity Series racers hit the track Friday at 7:30 p.m. on FoxSports1.
NBC Sports network offers the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama Sunday at 3 p.m.
The NBA postseason heads into its second weekend, starting Friday at 7 p.m. when ESPN offers the Mavericks and Rockets Friday, followed by Spurs-Clippers. The Wizards host Toronto at 8 p.m. on ESPN2 and Comcast.
There's a pair of games on TNT Saturday afternoon - Hawks against Nets at 3 p.m. before the Bulls battle the Bucks. New Orleans hosts the Warriors at 8 p.m. on ESPN, then it's Grizzlies-TrailBlazers.
ABC has the Sunday afternoon action - Game 4 of Cavaliers-Celtics at 1 p.m. and Clippers against Spurs at 3:30 p.m. the Wizards host Toronto on TNT and Comcast at 7 p.m., then it's Rockets facing the Mavericks.
Anaheim has moved on in the NHL postseason, and Friday's action starts at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network with the Penguins meeting the Rangers. Ottawa tries to stay alive in Game 5 at Montreal on CNBC, and the Wild and Blues meet on NBC Sports network at 9:30 p.m.
The Capitals can boot the Islanders from contention in their Game 6 Saturday at 3 p.m. on NBC. The Red Wings visit Tampa Bay at 6 p.m. on NBC Sports network, with Predators-Blackhawks on NBC Saturday at 8 p.m. Calgary clashes with Vancouver at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
Sunday's slate will be determined after Friday's contests.
The Orioles host the Red Sox for the weekend (Friday and Sunday on MASN, Saturday on MASN2). The Nationals head to Miami for the weekend (Friday and Sunday on MASN2 and Saturday at 4 p.m. on MASN).
FoxSports1 offers the Indians' trip to Detroit Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by Mets-Yankees at 4 p.m. That series concludes on ESPN Sunday at 8 p.m.
On the college diamond, Georgia Tech faces Clemson at 1 p.m. Saturday on Comcast. LSU and Texas A&M tangle on ESPN Saturday at 2 p.m. and Alabama meets Mississippi Sunday at 1 p.m. FoxSports1 has Kansas State-Baylor Sunday at 3 p.m.
The PGA tour visits New Orleans Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
Manchester City meets Aston Villa on NBC Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Southampton faces Tottenham Hotspur on NBC Sports network Saturday at 7:45 a.m., followed by Burnley battling Leicester City. Arsenal and Chelsea bring the battle of London Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
The Red Bulls meet the Galaxy on ESPN2 Sunday at 5 p.m. FoxSports1 has a pair of games Sunday, with Toronto at Orlando City at 7 p.m. followed by Portland visiting Seattle at 9:30 p.m.
Comcast carries the ACC women's lacrosse tournament, with semifinals Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. and the final Sunday at 1 p.m.
In college softball, Texas takes on Texas Tech Saturday at 3 p.m. on MASN2.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Welcome to the party, pal
Politico gathers the mainstream media's interest in "Clinton Cash."
Can they protect both Clinton and the Obama team?
If not, who goes down?
"[T]he best-case scenario is bad enough: The Clintons have been disorganized and greedy," Chait writes. "The news today about the Clintons all fleshes out, in one way or another, their lack of interest in policing serious conflict-of-interest problems that arise in their overlapping roles."
Chait also places the "Clinton Cash" revelations in the context of larger Clintonian secrecy: "The Obama administration wanted Hillary Clinton to use official government email. She didn’t. The Obama administration also demanded that the Clinton Foundation disclose all its donors while she served as Secretary of State. It didn’t comply with that request, either."
Obama may be on his way out of office.
But the next few months should remain quite interesting.
Can they protect both Clinton and the Obama team?
If not, who goes down?
"[T]he best-case scenario is bad enough: The Clintons have been disorganized and greedy," Chait writes. "The news today about the Clintons all fleshes out, in one way or another, their lack of interest in policing serious conflict-of-interest problems that arise in their overlapping roles."
Chait also places the "Clinton Cash" revelations in the context of larger Clintonian secrecy: "The Obama administration wanted Hillary Clinton to use official government email. She didn’t. The Obama administration also demanded that the Clinton Foundation disclose all its donors while she served as Secretary of State. It didn’t comply with that request, either."
Obama may be on his way out of office.
But the next few months should remain quite interesting.
Dis-enchanted
Growing up in Howard County, Maryland, I made a few trips to the Enchanted Forest.
The site is now a shopping center, and the remaining structures from the theme park are being moved to a farm away from the busy highway.
But we'll always have our memories.
The site is now a shopping center, and the remaining structures from the theme park are being moved to a farm away from the busy highway.
But we'll always have our memories.
Clinton indulgences
If you remember your history, you know the story of indulgences in the late Middle Ages.
Indulgences were considered ways to help penitents deal with their sins. As time went on, the powerful used them to extract money from the people and build their power.
Sounds like the Clinton Foundation. They like to talk about the good they want to do. But are donors giving from the good of their hearts or to gain something for themselves?
And the Clintons are getting very rich on the way.
Indulgences were considered ways to help penitents deal with their sins. As time went on, the powerful used them to extract money from the people and build their power.
Sounds like the Clinton Foundation. They like to talk about the good they want to do. But are donors giving from the good of their hearts or to gain something for themselves?
And the Clintons are getting very rich on the way.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Do you feel safe to comment?
Over at Volokh Conspiracy, they try to get to the bottom of the "feeling unsafe."
While feeling the First Amendment's future may be unsafe.
Today’s college students are going to be tomorrow’s judges, and if they truly believe that “safety” means “never having to deal with opinions that disagree with one’s cherished beliefs,” then censorship has a good chance of gaining the upper hand over freedom of speech. After all, public safety can be a justification for suppressing speech, as with the “fighting words” doctrine.
While feeling the First Amendment's future may be unsafe.
Today’s college students are going to be tomorrow’s judges, and if they truly believe that “safety” means “never having to deal with opinions that disagree with one’s cherished beliefs,” then censorship has a good chance of gaining the upper hand over freedom of speech. After all, public safety can be a justification for suppressing speech, as with the “fighting words” doctrine.
Not so hot
Sales numbers aren't looking so good for Chipotle.
Ricochet has some ideas to help.
Despite being advertised as “healthy,” a Chipotle burrito clocks in at about 1,000 calories — 1,600 if you get all the fixings. That latter number is all the calories you need in a day, and you wasted it on a horrible fast-food burrito.
Ricochet has some ideas to help.
Despite being advertised as “healthy,” a Chipotle burrito clocks in at about 1,000 calories — 1,600 if you get all the fixings. That latter number is all the calories you need in a day, and you wasted it on a horrible fast-food burrito.
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