July 28, 2007

Dennis Kucinich Deserves a Primary Challenge, and Now He Has One

Filed under: Taxes & Government — TBlumer @ 11:01 am

After his ridiculous history re-write of Iranian loon Ahmadinejad’s remarks about Israel, I was hoping for this, and Rosemary Palmer has delivered (Her blog is here; HT Pho):

I don’t agree with what she says towards the end of her bio, or most of what she says elsewhere. There’s little doubt that she is on the far, far left in most of her positions. But a little coherence attention to the needs of a deteriorating area would be a big improvement.

If you’re betting on an upset, double down if Ms. Palmer is prolife, and emphasizes it. Kucinich voted strongly prolife until he threw those positions overboard (a la the early 1990s Al Gore) when he made his first presidential “run” in 2004, and he “represents” what should still be a strongly prolife district.

Positivity: Teen Uses Bubble Wrap to Aid Amputees

Filed under: Positivity — TBlumer @ 8:35 am

From Nashville, TN, a six month-old story that shouldn’t be missed (HT Daily Good e-mail):

01-30-07 at 7:12AM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Grayson Rosenberger often marveled at his parents’ work with prosthetic patients in Africa and wondered how he could contribute to their effort. The 15-year-old from Nashville finally found a way, and it was recognized Monday as the grand prize winner in Sealed Air Corp.’s inaugural Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.

Rosenberger used Bubble Wrap brand packing material to develop a cost-effective cosmetic skin covering for prosthetic limbs. Later this year, he plans to visit Ghana with his parents to fit some patients with his low-cost invention.

“I’m very honored and excited,” Rosenberger said by telephone Monday a few minutes before taping the “The Today Show.” “It gives me an opportunity to do something with my invention.”

Rosenberger was one of about 800 students who entered the contest challenging students in grades 5 through 8 to develop inventions that incorporate Bubble Wrap. Officials said judging was based on originality, creativity, usefulness, benefit to society, marketability and feasibility, as well as overall presentation.

Rosenberger was able to turn a basic artificial leg into a more realistic one using a heat gun to mold Bubble Wrap cushioning around the steel rod of a prosthetic limb to give it muscle-like tone and shape. He said his invention should benefit amputees in Africa who are viewed strangely because they have to “walk around with an open metal rod” as a leg.

“They’re looked at freakishly,” Rosenberger said. “I hope this will let them walk out their door and feel normal.”

Rosenberger’s invention costs a fraction of the $1,000 patients must pay for other prosthetic covers…..

Go here for the rest of the story.