Voxes approved by irishphili's blocs

Loading... This user hasn't identified with any blocs yet.
Loading...

as of just now 16 blocs
  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Sunday, February 16, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Plant milkweed; save the monarch.

    Plant milkweed; save the monarch. Monarch butterflies have one food source: milkweed. American farmers are destroying milkweed in their rush to plant genetically modified corn and soybeans. First through the use of herbicides that kill all plant life (save the modified corn and soybeans) and second by increased planting of corn and soybeans on acreage that historically grew milkweed. The winter migrations of monarch butterflies used to blanket over 16 acres of forests in western Mexico. This year they were recorded on only 1.7 acres; a 90% decrease. Our elected officials must take the lead in restoring milkweed. One easy to implement recommendation is to plant milkweed on the sides and medians of US roads along the butterflies’ migratory route. In the meantime each of us can act by planting milkweed around our homes and neighborhoods. Seeds are available for the cost of postage (copy/paste URL in your browser) https://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds... The disappearance of the monarch would be an ecological tragedy and we can prevent it. Act now.

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Saturday, February 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    "We are, after all, connected."

    "We are, after all, connected."

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Thursday, February 13, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We stand behind LA’s Republique restaurant and

    We stand behind LA’s Republique restaurant and their decision to add health care for their 85 full-time employees. The money to do so comes from a three percent surcharge added to each customer’s bill. Very reasonable; especially when you consider how many restaurants treat their employees, especially the wait staff. Republique’s method surprised some patrons and actually offended others (notably whining Yelpers). Sure they could have simply raised their prices by 3% but we agree with the statement they are making and the trust they are seeking from their customers

  • By mike for the
    Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    NBC, keep The Michael J Fox Show on the air!

    NBC, keep The Michael J Fox Show on the air! It has a great mix of comedy, from the smart and subtle to the wacky and offbeat, while also managing to endear. It's worth taking a chance on and is so much better than that spastic caricature-driven melo-comedy on other networks.

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We never knew, but The Black Panther Party had a funk band called 'The Lumpen'... now that's some new history for >African-Americans

    We never knew, but The Black Panther Party had a funk band called 'The Lumpen'... now that's some new history for >African-Americans

  • By mike for the
    Monday, February 10, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    It was an impressively beautiful opening ceremony,

    It was an impressively beautiful opening ceremony, projecting the high culture and artistry of Russia more than their international power (risked life of 11-year-old notwithstanding). On a stage like this, it's understandable that they presented Soviet-era brutality in very abstract terms. But even in those terms, some of the scenes were very utilitarian, cold and almost unhuman, making them some of the darkest in recent Olympics opening ceremony performances. Overall, fine job, >Russians.

  • By g-wiz for the
    Friday, February 07, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We find the treatment of gays in Russia horrifying

    We find the treatment of gays in Russia horrifying. (See attached video.) This is not a civil society. This is a backward-looking society that refuses to accept reality of any kind. It doesn't look like this will change anytime soon. The struggle for equality continues in America, and the gains currently achieved were hard-won. But with proactive government opposition, it seems the struggle will be much harder in Russia. The only recourse may unfortunately be to wait for the culture of the >Russians that champions conformity and nationalism to reach some self-destructive extreme, after which the pendulum of civility can swing back the other way.

  • By lunalot for the
    Friday, February 07, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    It was great having the rain around!

...The associated traffic, not so much. But what's new?

    It was great having the rain around! ...The associated traffic, not so much. But what's new?

  • By mike for the
    Friday, February 07, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Farewell (again) to Jay Leno! We'll remember him fondly as somewhat conniving and somewhat funny.

Until next time (we say farewell) Jay!

    Farewell (again) to Jay Leno! We'll remember him fondly as somewhat conniving and somewhat funny. Until next time (we say farewell) Jay!

  • By liladmin for the
    Wednesday, February 05, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Wowzers! Way to go, CVS!

    Wowzers! Way to go, CVS!

  • By liladmin for the
    Wednesday, February 05, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    This is going to be one *interesting* Olympics.

    This is going to be one *interesting* Olympics.

  • By liladmin for the
    Tuesday, February 04, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    We call for Coca-Cola, General Electric, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and Visa, all sponsors of the International Olympic Committee, to take a stand against Russian anti-LGBT law that bans “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” We praise AT&T for acknowledging that "Russia’s law is harmful to LGBT individuals and families, and it’s harmful to a diverse society."

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Tuesday, February 04, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Passion dictates action.

    Passion dictates action. We work hard for what we want, but we shouldn't work ourselves to death. We believe that one can work hard and be healthy! Measure your own success and keep your body, and mind, in mind.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, February 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. "I think you should be serious about what you do because this is it. This is the only life you've got."

    RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. "I think you should be serious about what you do because this is it. This is the only life you've got."

  • By mike for the
    Monday, February 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Start of the 3rd and the only interesting, exciting thing so far has been Bruno Mars and RHCP defibrillating the heck out of the place!

    Start of the 3rd and the only interesting, exciting thing so far has been Bruno Mars and RHCP defibrillating the heck out of the place!

  • By liladmin for the
    Saturday, February 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    We agree with this pediatrician, childhood vaccinations are "one of the most unambiguously helpful interventions in the history of modern medicine."

  • By mike for the
    Saturday, February 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    And those who don't vaccinate are freeloaders! They selfishly benefit from the effort of others while giving nothing in return. Moreover, they unnecessarily increase the risk of illness for those whose health is too weak to permit being vaccinated. Lastly, they put their own children at unnecessary risk. While it's arguable that parents have the right not to vaccinate their children, because this involves the health of the greater public, we think it's an area that should be addressed more directly by public policy.

  • By mike for the
    Friday, January 31, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

    We wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! Whether or not you're one of the 1.3 billion >Chinese in the world, may your year be filled with good luck all the same! 恭喜发财!

  • By g-wiz for the
    Friday, January 31, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    The Keystone XL impact report is a farce!

    The Keystone XL impact report is a farce! Anything that keeps us hooked on fossil fuels will have a significant, negative impact on the environment in the long term. The government is the only entity capable of impeding this project for the public good, since corporations can be relied on to fight tirelessly and solely for their own profit. Further, the main corporate beneficiary (TransCanada) is not even an American entity! >Americans are selling out their kids for Canada's sake?! (No offense, >Canadians.)

  • By liladmin for the
    Thursday, January 30, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Wishing the Hermès botanical threads and Stella McCartney sunglasses could immediately whisk us away from the cold and straight into Spring!

    Wishing the Hermès botanical threads and Stella McCartney sunglasses could immediately whisk us away from the cold and straight into Spring!

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    >new-yorkers prove once again why they rule the culinary world.

    >new-yorkers prove once again why they rule the culinary world.

  • By liladmin for the
    Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    We're ready for the SOTU!

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    "Flipped learning" is an interesting teaching idea

    "Flipped learning" is an interesting teaching idea that warrants more attention. Making videos available for home study will help in situations where the textbook is too dry or doesn't provide the broader context the teacher desires. This can also justify the tablet investment that administrators seem obsessed with making (mentioned recently by the >parents). While we don't think it can replace in-person lessons, we applaud creative experimentation like this.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're happy and hopeful about the peace accord

    We're happy and hopeful about the peace accord reached between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Violence has claimed too many lives and wasted too much of our collective potential, and we look forward to a safer, more prosperous future. However, we must not rush to celebrate, as other violent movements remain which need to be addressed.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    CBS, we thank you for cutting out almost all mention of dance, electronica, metal, rock and alternative music at the Grammys. Because those are dead or dying genres and all we really want is to have an indistinct medley of bland mid-tempo pop performances with overamplified audience cheering (to make it exciting, the same way a laugh track makes a sitcom funny!) crammed down our indiscriminate barnyard gullets.

  • By mike for the
    Monday, January 27, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're disturbed by the weekend's violence in Egypt

    We're disturbed by the weekend's violence in Egypt, as documented by many reports of military and mob violence targeted at >egyptians protesting the government, as well as at foreign reporters. It seems to us like the pro-military camp prefers absolute social order to a democratic republic, and we can't help but feel that's a short-term solution with severe long-term costs. We hope trust can be rebuilt so a new democratic attempt can be undertaken.

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Drought emergency in California

    Drought emergency in California - declared by Governor Brown. This is the driest year on record and we support the conservation efforts proposed by Brown; not only in California but in all areas that face water shortages. Conservation will be easy once we recognize the condition and take responsibility for minimizing waste in our households. Examples include: - Take “navy showers:” get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water and rinse. - The same method applies for washing your hands: wet your hands, turn off the water, soap up then rinse. - Do not let water run down the drain as you rinse your dishes - rinse over a sink basin then transfer the water to a bucket where it can be used to flush toilets or water plants. - Replace grass lawns with drought tolerant native plants. The single most important thing we can do is to decide to do something about water waste. Once that is done the solutions will follow.

  • By liladmin for the
    Friday, January 17, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    We're absolutely disgusted by Ohio's execution experiment that led to what can only be described as cruel and unusual punishment. "According to a pool report from journalists who witnessed the execution at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, McGuire took more than 15 minutes to die and made 'several loud snorting or snoring sounds.”

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    We >americans all must be tired of hearing revelations about the N.S.A. spying tactics. But, what will it take for us as americans to deny these shadow powers unfettered access with virtual impunity from the public, and the world at large? "The technology, which the agency has used since at least 2008, relies on a covert channel of radio waves that can be transmitted from tiny circuit boards and USB cards inserted surreptitiously into the computers. In some cases, they are sent to a briefcase-size relay station that intelligence agencies can set up miles away from the target."

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    How many more senseless shootings must occur before we come together to bring responsible measures to gun ownership?

http://nyti.ms/1almPEt

    How many more senseless shootings must occur before we come together to bring responsible measures to gun ownership? http://nyti.ms/1almPEt

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Senators, you need-a calm down.

    Senators, you need-a calm down. We all remain skeptical of Iran, particularly because it's not clear why, after 30 years of provocation and sanctions, they suddenly want to negotiate. (We'd love from the >iranians about this.) How could things have changed so significantly in the last six months? Their election of a new president would not seem to account for this, since he's still subject to the same Supreme Leader who's been in power for the last 25 years. That said, the diplomatic path is far better than the military path. The threat by most Senators right now to increase sanctions portends violent repercussions. It amounts to spanking a child right after he cleaned up his room. We do not want to see what a nuclear-armed temper tantrum looks like. So, Senators, we appreciate the skepticism but cool your jets. And, President, you must convince us (during your State of the Union?) that you and Kerry understand our deep skepticism and are negotiating with vigilance.

  • By sunkensound for the
    Sunday, January 12, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    A lot of great posts and discussion points in here! I wanted to give some new user feedback while it is fresh. Super easy sign up process, use of kittens is brilliant, "Front Page" is engaging, and very clear on how to endorse or deny a post. As a new user my first inclination was to look at what groups currently exists and find ones I identify with. I thought the link showing the existing blocs could be more prominent on the Front Page. I also found that I was hesitant to join a group without reading everything the group had endorsed, which can be time consuming if it has many posts, so I wondered if there was a summary/short description of each group's endorsements/collective beliefs. Overall, I see blocvox as a great platform to share information with like-minded people keeping up on a certain topic. One last thing - go blocvox!

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, January 09, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    Classroom iPads will do more harm than good. While we think that it's important to keep pace with technology and to provide a "test bed" for educational software developers, large-scale iPad rollouts are bound to carry impossible expectations and create headaches for educators and students. As a "magical" piece of technology, it would seem the iPad could be the panacea that cures all educational ills. This naive impression can justify enormous capital outlay. But the fact is, they are simply electrified books and pencils. It's on teachers to creatively weave them into lessons, which seems problematic since many teachers barely understand tablets or computers themselves. Students, on the other hand, will never cease to devise ways to break any restrictions on the devices. This will lead to lackluster results and mobs of taxpayers with pitchforks roaming the streets.  Physical books and pencils will likely be displaced by electronic devices in the future, so it's important that we consider them in education today. But the magic is in careful, even restrained, integration of their capabilities into the classroom. And much more research into this needs to be done before much can be expected from them. Small experimental classroom rollouts, overseen very closely by teams of educational technology specialists, seem to us to be the appropriate next step.

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 08, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Gov Christie's seflishness shocks and angers us!

    Gov Christie's seflishness shocks and angers us! It's unbelievable that he would resort to retaliatory behavior that is so childish, unprofessional, and disrespectful (to say the least!) to the public. And we think anyone who thinks this hyper-controlling figure was not privy to the actions of his staff is fooling themselves. Along with the NSA and the recent federal shutdown, this is yet another sign of a political class that believes it's above public service, and that is consumed with promoting and protecting itself above all else. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/nyregion/chri...

  • By tom-jjbt for the
    Sunday, January 05, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Patient dumping is disgusting.

    Patient dumping is disgusting. We believe few actions are more despicable than a hospital discharging indigent and/or mentally ill patients by dumping them on city streets; usually skid row. If this is how hospitals treat the helpless what can we expect from Wall Street, banks and other institutions? History shows that corporate corruption goes on for years before the justice system takes action. And what are the penalties? A financial fine, i.e. a slap on the wrist. We want these criminals brought to trial, the way the rest of us are. And the guilty should be imprisoned, the way the rest of us are. Financial fines are no deterrent for the wealthy, perhaps the prospect of ten years hard-time would nudge them towards decency.

  • By liladmin for the
    Friday, January 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Corporations are not people.

    Corporations are not people.

  • By mike for the
    Friday, January 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    We're surprised the >british accept net censorship. It's certainly necessary to take action to reduce child sex abuse and pornography, but the mandatory internet obscenity filter they're implementing seems to vastly overreach. First, it is managed by private corporations without clear transparency controls. Corporate partnerships with government are ominous to begin with, but are much more so when they're charged with enforcing "acceptable behavior standards" (as Commons Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz put it). Second, the content filter is installed at ISPs and enabled by default, requiring customers to opt-out of it to access content that is legal but deemed "obscene and tasteless". In a post-Snowden world, divulging anything to government should spark skepticism, but having to identify yourself as interested in obscene material in order to remove a corporate-managed filter seems to ask for trouble. Third, although supporters have referred to a slippery slope from consuming tasteless material to consuming illegal material, there is also concern for the slippery slope from filtration to protect children to filtration to protect against dissenting views of politicians or the government. In light of recent surveillance abuses, how can one expect anything less than a voracious appropriation of authority from government agencies. The filter's technical infrastructure expands the nanny state, but can be repurposed for a police state. It is easy enough for parents to install (or have installed) content filtering software on their computing devices. And the UK already has the Cleanfeed system for filtering child pornography. So this new content filter, originally sprung from the government's desire to address rising "commercialization and sexualization of childhood" and then expanded in the response to two highly-publicized child murders, is an overreaction that will have harmful consequences. We'd be content to silently observe all of this from a distance. But the American and British governments seem to be of the same mind lately when it comes to digital privacy. And, while more can and should be done to address child sex abuse, we are scared by the basic notion of empowering corporate and political entities to judge for us what information is and is not "acceptable".

  • By liladmin for the
    Friday, January 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We hold that the key to healthy living is *balance

    We hold that the key to healthy living is *balance*, as illustrated in this piece about the unexpected negative effects of rigid adherence to what is stereotypically considered "healthy".

  • By bboyatwork for the
    Friday, January 03, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    Juicing for health or enjoy a Soothing Smoothie. I never thought I would jump on any of the health fads. I consider myself health concious. I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I watch what I eat and read lables to stay away from processed foods. Still after I recently started making my own smoothies and juice with my blender, I have to say this is the best way to consume them all at once. Right now I'm making my own recepies with fruits and veggies, but they are delicious and I feel so much energy renewed right away. I keep the stalks and some skin on so I can consume the whole produce. Do it how you want, but start now!

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, January 02, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    Short workouts can be great! We're excited by studies showing that short but intense workouts can provide substantial health benefits. This is welcome news for those of us whose schedules are very impacted, and since this addresses one of the largest psychological barriers to exercise, we hope this can help turn the tide on the obesity epidemic afflicting so many. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/25/for-fi...

  • By mike for the
    Wednesday, January 01, 2014 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Happy New Year, world!

    Happy New Year, world! May tolerance and understanding of others allow us to leverage our differences to make the most of 2014 and the challenges it holds!

  • By lovejoy for the
    Monday, December 30, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    "The ideal citizen of a politically corrupt state, such as the one we now have, is a gullible dolt unable to tell truth from bullshit." I came across this 2012 article today and thought still apropos to the state that we are in. We need to educate ourselves past what politicians and popular news media are telling us to believe.

  • By liladmin for the
    Monday, December 30, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
  • By mike for the
    Monday, December 23, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    We're glad the Pussy Riot members were released,

    We're glad the Pussy Riot members were released, despite the political circumstances leading up to the Sochi Olympics. But we continue to remain baffled about why the >russians don't do more to demand greater democratic controls. Is it pride? Fear? Skepticism of democracy? American democracy is admitedly imperfect, but that doesn't mean they should not strive for something better than the stifling, dehumanizing, de facto authoritarianism of Putin.

  • By mike for the
    Friday, December 20, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Beyoncé, sometimes we hate to love you, but damn! This last week, you got us, pure and simple.  We'll humbly bow down now.

    Beyoncé, sometimes we hate to love you, but damn! This last week, you got us, pure and simple. We'll humbly bow down now.

  • By mike for the
    Friday, December 20, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Ban e-cigarettes in public everywhere!

    Ban e-cigarettes in public everywhere! NYC has the right idea. And business owners should also ban their use in offices! More research is needed before permitting their general use. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/12/19/...

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, December 19, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Without wasting too much time on this idiot, we give kudos to A&E for removing Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty, even if only temporarily.

    Without wasting too much time on this idiot, we give kudos to A&E for removing Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty, even if only temporarily.

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, December 19, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.

    Now's the time to reform gun laws. This text message exchange between a father and his son during the Arapahoe High shooting is terrifying and heart-rending. There must be a better way forward, because the status quo is needlessly endangering our children. Regardless of what our politicians would have us believe, we believe it's possible both to respect the 2nd Ammendment and to bring sensible controls to gun ownership. (Even 69% of NRA members believe that gun show sales should be subject to criminal background checks.) We have to press our elected leaders about this, because our children should never have to text us about how well they're hiding from a school shooter.

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, December 19, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Related image

    So Target disclosed that criminals somehow accessed credit/debit card information for as many as 40 million of its Black Friday retail customers. Alright, it's settled. We gotta go back to a cash-only society. But seriously, if you shopped in a brick-and-mortar Target store in between November 27 and December 1, double-check your transaction history. This is the the kind of thing that justifies having a positive brand image. The press coverage of it has been relatively light, but we wonder how such a breach would be reported if it were to happen to more divisive brands like Walmart.

  • By mike for the
    Thursday, December 19, 2013 Login to agree. Login to disagree.
    Congratulations to everyone involved with P4A

    Congratulations to everyone involved with P4A (Project for Awesome) the annual YouTube tradition in which individuals upload fundraising videos to raise awareness of their favorite charities. It's supported by ProjectForAwesome.com, which hosts a voting contest to determine the 10 best videos. The winners get to split the proceeds from donations collected by the site, which has already surpassed its fundraising goal by 200% with $750,000 and counting! This kind of grassroots activism is what makes the Internet great!