Random Musings of Today

Here is a list of some of the most ridiculous things I read today.

1. If the the Shiv Sena - BJP is voted to power in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, voters can expect staple Maharashtrian food including Vada-Pav, Misal, Poha, puran poli and thalipeeth, tax free.
Link obtained from Smoking Signals
2. A reputed university in the United States has released a new policy: No Sex in the dorm room when the room-mate is around.
3. A conservative blogger has proposed a military coup to resolve the Obama Problem. According to the blogger, "There is a remote, although gaining, possibility America's military will intervene as a last resort to resolve the "Obama problem." Don't dismiss it as unrealistic."
4. People in Arizona can now carry guns to bars starting from today. A state law approved earlier this year took effect today. Guns and Alcohol seems like a good combination, at-least to the NRA

Distance Between Two Golden Arches - McFarthest Spot

When you think of McDonalds, you think of hamburgers, fries, fast food, and of course the Golden Arches. Where ever you go, you can be sure to find a McDonald's.

Ever wondered what is the farthest you need to travel without seeing a McDonald's. Well its farther then I thought: 107 Miles if you fly.

Blogger Stephen Von Worley has mapped out all the McDonald's in the lower 48 states of the United States.



Picture courtesy Stephen Von Worley

Dude Perfect!!!!

This video has some of the most amazing basket ball shots I have ever seen. The group calls themselves Dude Perfect. Are these guys for real; it doesn't matter. Because they are promoting a worthy cause in a very unique way.

According to their website, their cause is "We, as a Dude Perfect Team, have decided to sponsor children overseas though Compassion International. For every 100,000 views their Summer Camp Edition video receives, they will sponsor one child.




When we are at some amazing sports shots, lets watch the most amazing shot in tennis and the amazing shot in golf

Why Health Care Reform is Needed Now

According to a recent report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation, insurance costs have increased 131 percent since 1999, when a year of family coverage cost about $5,791. Compare that to 38 percent increase in wages and 28 percent growth of inflation over the same period

This just underscores why health-care reform which can provide affordable healthcare to everybody and at the same time control health care costs is needed urgently.

Yearly Health Care Premiums:

Image source Kaiser Family Foundation 2009 survey of Employer Health Benefits

Yearly Inflation Rate:

Inflation rate data obtained from Inflationdata.com

When you have deep pockets........

When your pockets run deep enough and you live in one of the wealthiest suburbs in the US, a $170,000 stone wall is pocket change worth fighting for.

Ah!!! the power of capitalism......

Also read Think Before You Spend

Whats Wrong with Having Children Listen to the President Speak?

Even a simple event such as the President of the United States speaking to the children about the importance of staying in school can turn partisan and political. The argument against the speech:"the president is trying to indoctrinate children with socialist ideas".

NY Times in its editorial hits the nail on the head arguing:

There is, of course, nothing socialist in any of Mr. Obama’s policies, as anyone with a passing knowledge of socialism and its evil history knows. But in this country, unlike actual socialist countries, nobody can be compelled to listen to the president. What is most disturbing about all this is what it says about the parents — and the fact that they have such little regard for their children’s intelligence and ability to think.

In this era of global competition having a well educated population which can understand things in a global perspective is going to be the key to distinguish one's country. That, children and education are being used as a means by a section of the media and the masses to promote their narrow short term partisan political objectives is a tragedy. If this does not epitomize stupidity, then I don't know what does.

Health Care Reform - Why Bipartisanship Does not Exist

When it comes to Health care reform trying to find a common ground between Democrats and Republicans is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. It still exists but there is no hope of finding it.

Christoper Beam in a recent article for Slate Magazine summarizes why there is very little hope, if at all, to find bipartisan support:

The first problem is that Republicans and Democrats can't even agree there's a problem. McCain and McConnell say we're No. 1 in health care, while Democrats agree with the World Health Organization that we're more like No. 37. Democrats say there are 47 million uninsured Americans. McCain and McConnell, meanwhile, are skeptical. "I don't question that number in summary," McCain said, "but I think when you break it down it gets more interesting." For example, he said, 5 million are college students, 9 million are people making $75,000 a year or more, 10 million are non citizens, 11 million are eligible for Medicaid or S-CHIP but haven't enrolled. "So really, we're talking about 12 to 15 million who are uninsured today."