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Sunday, February 7, 2010

97 Posts Roundup From All Dennys Blogs



*** Your reading choices from news, politics, poetry, spiritual, health and weight loss tips, party food and chocolate recipes, science and lots of humor from funny videos to political cartoons. Catch up on your fav blogs or get a new fav! :)
Photo by d u y q u @ flickr


From Denny: This post is number 601 for The Social Poets blog, my first! Woo! Hoo! :) Who knew where blogging would take me - and you - this past year?

I'm finally getting back into regular blog writing. I took a couple of weeks off early in January to slow down the daily writing on 12 blogs for a well deserved rest. Just when I was ready to resume writing the Haiti earthquake hit. Then the three week saga started with trying to find my cousin who had been visiting Haiti at the time of the earthquake disaster - to donate her time as a music teacher. After three weeks she was given a cell phone and talked to her mother and sister.

Of course, as usual, worried family is not so good on details, not thinking like a journalist, and I still don't know her exact location. Sounds like she's in some tent city on some soccer field, recovered from vague details of bad bruising and a not described concussion from falling debris as she ran out of the music school where she was giving a concert. Apparently, one of her students died, though again, no details or name given. She has gathered several of her other students with her - again no names or updates on their status - since they are separated from their parents or may not know the status of their parents.

Well, one detail I know for sure is that my cousin Jeanne will do all she can to help the children around her to keep up their attitudes and play some music for everyone to cheer them as well.

I just wanted to take the time to thank all of you, my subscribers and blogging friends, for checking back on all these blogs for updates on Jeanne and new posts too. Some of the blogs have languished for daily posts. The past week I've worked at getting caught up and created this post for a roundup of posts on all the blogs so you can get caught up easily too. Again, thanks so much for showing up to check out each blog as it's much appreciated!




Photo by Ahmed Rabea @ flickr


From The Social Poets:


Libations Friday Poetry

*** Blog Carnival for Poets - create a poem about orphans and your poem linked here: Angels Left Behind: Orphans of the World poem - Libations Friday 29 Jan 2010 - promote your blog!

Three Endings and One Beginning Poem - Libations Friday 5 Feb 2010 - *** 4 life stories of people I have known: 3 committed suicide, 1 reclaimed their life.

I Wait, poem for Haiti - Libations Friday 22 Jan 2010 - *** Told from the point of view of an earthquake survivor buried underneath the rubble awaiting rescue. Dedicated to the people of the Haiti earthquake disaster of 12 Jan 2010.

Humor:


*** Cheeky Quotes Wednesdays ***

Funny Reincarnation and Religion Quotes - Cheeky Quote Day 3 Feb 2010

Inspiring Quotes About Disaster - Cheeky Quote Day 20 Jan 2010


*** Roundup of Late Night Shows *** Mondays

Roundup of Late Night Funnies 1 Feb 2010

Roundup of Late Night Funnies 25 Jan 2010



*** Political Cartoons Saturdays ***

Editorial Cartoons This Week 30 Jan 2010

Editorial Cartoons This Week - 23 Jan 2010



Social Issues News:

Good News: Child Abuse Drops Dramatically

67 Charities to Donate: Helping Haiti Heal

Mission of Hope Run by American in Haiti

This Weeks Posts @ The Social Poets 19 Jan 2010

Popular Posts 2010 at The Social Poets and Thank You!

Popular Posts 2009 and Thank You: The Social Poets





Dennys Global Politics where I pull together several days of clips of ongoing stories into one post:


Haiti News:


What Structural Engineers See For Haitis Recovery

Summary: Surviviors Process as They Rebuild Lives

Lucky Haiti Orphans Found Open Arms, New Homes



Politics in America:


How Wall Street Killed the Middle Class in America

Obamas Political Showdown with Republicans: Full Length Video and Text

Political Showdown: Obama in Face-Off with House Republicans

Prez Obamas 1st State of the Union Speech Text and Video

American Public Angry at Prez Obamas 1st Year in Office




From Beautiful Illustrated Quotations for thought-provoking quotes and commentary:

Let Your Silent Voice Sing

How Do Dreamers Create Our World?

How Are Our Lives Like An Open Book?

Beautiful Quotes

Popular Posts 2009 at the BIQ Quotes Blog




Photo by Tambako the Jaguar @ flickr


The Healing Waters:

Popular Posts 2009 at The Healing Waters

Famous Nutritionist Joy Bauer Offers 5 Dieting Tips for Success

Clean Hidden Areas of Your Home, Avoid Allergy Causing Mold and Mildew

Weight Loss: Not So Secret Secrets Anyone Can Do

How Many Poisons in Our Food Supply?

Healing Remedies: Food in Your Fridge

Healing Power of Plants and Herbs

6 Good Friends You Need to Live a Long Life

Reclaim Your Life, Reclaim Your Joy Now

Updating Your Home: Decorating Dilemmas Solved

Bobbi Browns Makeup Tips, Great Beauty Buys for 2010

Skinny Foods to Help Us Slim Those Excess Pounds

Good News: Successful Potato Peeler Salesman Joe Ades

Trim Off Obesity: 3 Inspiring Stories, Nutritionist Answers Diet Questions




Photo by Image Editor @ flickr


The Soul Calendar for science:


Last Resort Climate Fix: Geo-Engineering

Videos: Explain Rare Haiti Earthquake

Rare Annular Solar Eclipse





Romancing The Chocolate for more than chocolate and party recipes:


4 Fun Marti Gras and Super Bowl Recipes

Sweet Tooth Alert: Sandra Lees Chocolate Truffles

Chef Sandra Lees Easy Frozen Chocolate Cookie Cake

Chocolate Cake Recipes at Romancing The Chocolate

How to Cook Perfect Al Dente Pasta, Giadas Simple Recipe

Funny Quotes About Chocolate

Oozing with 3 Cheeses and Cheap: White Lasagna

Winter Brain Food: Parmigiano Pasta with Mushrooms

Swapping Food Choices for Less Fat and Calories to Trim off holiday pounds

Valentines Day: Impressive Four Chocolates Cake

Kid Pleasing Easy Brownie Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Popular Posts 2009 at Romancing The Chocolate and Thank You!




Photo of New Orleans in French Quarter on Bourbon Street by Lyndi&Jason @ flickr

GEAUX SAINTS!!! The Saints win the Super Bowl by 31 to 17 over the Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their first Super Bowl win!!!!! It's going to be the first time Marti Gras becomes a nine day celebration down in New Orleans! :)

Comfort Food From Louisiana for more party ideas for a crowd:

Popular Posts 2009 at Comfort Food From Louisiana, Thank YOU!

6 Super Bowl Junk Food Recipes

9 Easy Marti Gras and Super Bowl Eats

Chef Sandra Lees Quick Baby Back Ribs

Super Bowl Food: Jumbo Shrimp and Gouda Grits

5 Tasty and Weird Bacon Recipes

Secrets to the Tastiest Tailgating Party

Newest Fish Trend: Silverfin Asian Carp, 2 Recipes

New Orleans Saints Celebration Menu: Jambalaya and Crawfish Gold

Paula Deens Shrimp Gumbo Casserole

Easy Winter Comfort Food: Beef Burgundy

Cajun Comfort Food Chases Away Winter Cold, 3 Recipes

5 Recipes: Lemon Chicken, Portobello Fries and Sides

8 Easy Yummy New Years Recipes to Warm Your Guests




Photo by Kjunstorms @ flickr

From Visual Insights, a photo blog:

14 Soothing Tranquil Water Photos

11 Great Quotes and Sayings Photos

14 Photos: Our Love Affair with Weird Hair

12 Funny Things You Can Do Outside With Shrubs

Artist Inspires With HOPE Sculpture

Spectacular Photos of Eyes




Photo by Tambako the Jaguar @ flickr

From Dennys Funny Quotes get a laugh:

Funny Quotes From Curmudgeons: These Guys Need to Lighten Up!

15 Wild Cartoons on Prez Obamas 1st Year in Office

Political Cartoons: Obamas State of the Union

Its Official: Folks Bring Back Thiefing Republicans, Hand Senate Seat to Them

Popular Posts 2009 of Dennys Funny Quotes and Thank YOU!

5 Funny Quotes About Time

Funny Music Video of How Americans Sound to Foreigners

Funny New Years Resolutions Cartoons

Funny Quotes About Coffee

Funny Quotes About Jobs and Work

How Funny! 10 Banned Overused Buzzwords of 2009

Jimmy Kimmels Dumbest 911 Calls of the Decade

Funny Quotes: Hollywood Actress Mae West

New Austrian Zoo Photographer is Fruit Happy Orangutan




Habenero pepper water splash photo by Tambako the Jaguar @ flickr


From Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd humor blog:

Popular Posts 2009 at OOOO Humor Blog, Thank You!

Funny Video: The Daily Show Declares Scott Brown the 45th President of The United States

Funny Video: Colbert Says Obama Is Doing Nothing and Destroying Everything

Funny Video: Mocking Rush, Robertson, Maddow Who Mock Haiti

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Lampoons Massachusetts Senate Election

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Lampoons Wall Street Bonuses


*** Get a good laugh, watch a funny video, catch up on politics and ongoing news stories, read a good poem, consider some deep thoughts, check out the science and health news, get tips for weight loss and collect some fabulous ideas for great food so you have a good reason to diet! Enjoy life, not war. Works for me! :) Thanks for visiting the blogs this year!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

26 Funny Editorial Cartoons - 6 Feb 2010

From Denny: The big Super Bowl weekend match up of the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts is in full swing party wise in both cities! The cartoonists predicted the Saints would lose against the Vikings in the NFL Championship and were wrong. Everyone in Louisiana is totally convinced the cartoonists are wrong again about the Saints' hope of winning the Super Bowl. People are practically "wired for sound" around here they are so excited about this team. The Saints had a 44 year drought of misery and to see them win this much is like catnip candy.

The rest of this week's visual opinions were devoted mainly to the President's budget spending and cutbacks, especially NASA. Where the cartoonists really went off on was their anger against Toyota's arrogance in this million plus car recall. Toyota has been declaring customer satisfaction for decades - only now America is finding out they have been hiding the truth about their cars.

Now we find out recently that Toyota hasn't been properly reporting to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation as required by law. Then they continue to insist these same dangerous cars are safe. Toyota car owners need to demand a buy back from the manufacturer as these cars are dangerous to everyone on the road driving near them. Short of that the President better do something serious and fast before this spirals out of control. Can you hear the Toyota used car value falling like a rock? Drive those cars until the wheels fall off or get the parent company to take it back. It's called The Lemon Laws in America.

Just when Toyota thought they would get to surge ahead in the American market to capture a larger share and capitalize on General Motors' and Ford's share of bad karma repercussion slap-back - they now experience their very butt kick.

Check out this week's cartoons lampooning everyone in the news!



Politics of the national budget wars and public frustration over both parties doing so little to alleviate suffering across America:






































Finally repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell mandate which never made much sense anyway since just about everyone but the clueless knew who was or wasn't gay:








Toyota recall debacle that just keeps on giving to the politicians, comedians and the cartoonists as fodder to keep the public stirred up:









Prez Obama cutting back and downsizing NASA since these guys tend to be wasteful and have been for 40 years, treating the national wallet like it's a money tree. Choose your projects wisely and plan a lot more carefully, then stick to it and quit with the budget overruns. Obama's next stop needs to be the guys who build military aircraft:







*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel free to leave comments, a big shout out to current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Good News: Child Abuse Drops Dramatically

From Denny: This is good news! A 38% drop in sexually abused children occurred from a high of 217,700 in 1993 - dropping down to 135,300 in 2006. What about physical abuse during this period? Dropped by 15%. What about emotional abuse during this period? Dropped by 27%.

Experts in the area of child abuse are heralding this finding as proof that public awareness campaigns have made great headway along with judicial crackdowns.

When you combine all the areas of abuse - physical, emotional and sexual - it averages out to being down by 26% since 1993. In this study there were 553,000 children studied as opposed to 743,200 children studied in 1993.

This is a 455-page government mandated study called the National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect is conducted periodically by the Department of Health and Human Services.

What is so encouraging is that this is the first time there has been such a dramatic decrease over a long period of study since we began collecting data. "It does suggest that the mobilization around this issue is helping and it's a problem that is amenable to solutions," said professor David Finkelhor of the University of New Hampshire, a leading researcher in the field of child abuse. "It does suggest that the mobilization around this issue is helping and it's a problem that is amenable to solutions."

Where did they collect this much information? The detailed data was produced by 10,700 "sentinels" - child welfare workers, police officers, teachers, health care professionals and day care workers - that helped create national estimates.

"There's much more public awareness and public intolerance around child abuse now," said Linda Spears who is the Child Welfare League of America's Vice President for public policy. "It was a hidden concern before — people were afraid to talk about it if it was in their family." Spears also commented there is now an abundance of programs to help abusers overcome their destructive behavior.

Professor Finkelhor, who has also conducted similar research and found a drop in abuse rates, believes the study depicts "real, substantial declines." Nor can this decrease be attributed to changing the definition of abuse.

Finkelhor speculated there may be several reasons such as in the 1990s more people were deployed in child protection services and the criminal justice system strongly focused its efforts on more arrests and prison sentences for abusers. Since then more child abusers had available to them medications to help them cope, therefore preventing molesting or mistreating a child.

"There's also been a general change in perceptions and norms about what one can get away with, so much more publicity about these things," he said.




Socio-economic factors were considered. As expected from previous studies, poverty played a starring role as three times more likely for children to be abused than other children. The rates in African-American households were also much higher than in Hispanic and Caucasian homes.

They even took a look at the family structure. It's a bit chilling about what was found here: a single parent, with a live-in partner, might abuse children at 10 times the rate of a two parent household.

The main author of the study is Andrea Sedlak, Westat, Inc. in Maryland. She was concerned over their finding that more than half of the child maltreatment incidents are not actually investigated by a child-protection agency. "Is the system still so strapped?" she asked. "There's still a lot of material here saying the system has a long way to go."

Of course, this study is now almost four years old upon its release this week. Since 2006, this country has sunk down into a deep recession or a depression with over 20% of America out of work like in the 1930s. With all the job loss and family financial pressures and home foreclosures there have been reports of domestic violence on the rise.

*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel free to leave a comment, a big shout out to current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!