Decrease of Breastfeeding in China Exacerbated Tainted Milk Scandal

As a big supporter of breastfeeding, it horrifies me that the tainted milk problem in China is exacerbated by the decline in breastfeeding among Chinese women. In September, at least 54,000 Chinese children became sick from formula and other milk products that 22 dairy companies deliberately contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine. Can you imagine the outcry in the United States if that many children became sick from anything? That’s an incredible number. According to the Washington Post, one of the main reasons Chinese women are not breastfeeding as much is because they are working more and workplaces do not accommodate breastfeeding. Moreover, formula companies have aggressively marketed formula. The marketing has successfully convinced many women that formula is actually better for their babies than breastmilk. Of course, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

China Infant Formula Scandal Highlights Decline in Breastfeeding
by Julie Bhatia, Sept. 24, 2008

Behind Milk Scandal, a Decline in Breastfeeding, Maureen Fan, Washington Post, October 25, 2008

Behind the Tainted Formula Pomfret's China, Washington Post blog, Sept. 17, 2008

TV Addict or Not?

Your result for The TV Addict Test...

THE ABOVE-AVERAGE WATCHER

TV is pretty darn sweet!

You scored 38 TV Obsession points out of 75!

You are more than an occasional watcher, but you wouldn't necessarily call yourself an addict of any sort. You likely watch great shows like House or Heroes every week, but it's really unlikely you'd ever go to a convention.

I recommend for you: The Office, Supernatural, and Burn Notice.

If you're curious about the pictures, send me a message!

Take The TV Addict Test at HelloQuizzy

Well, I'm totally addicted to Torchwood, so I guess that's an exception, and I'd probably go to a convention for it, too.

Counting Your Eggs Before They Hatch: Poll

poll by twiigs.com

Quote of the Day, Part Deux

"One thing everybody can agree on is that Gov. Sarah Palin is qualified - to someday host her own television show."  New York Times, "On 'SNL' the Real Sarah Palin's a Real Entertainer," Oct. 20, 2008.

Quote of the Day

Frank: How's your mother?

Man: Ahh, she's on her way out.

Frank: We all are.  Act accordingly.

Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello in "The Departed".

When Worlds Collide (John Barrowman's Obama shirt)

I'm a big Obama fan.  I'm also a huge fan of the TV show Torchwood (on BBCAmerica - see sidebar for links).  So I was thrilled when I saw this picture today.   John Barrowman, actor/singer and star of  Torchwood, baring his Obama T-shirt Superman-style.



Photo taken by jhava on LiveJournal

What To Do When Your Obama Yard Sign is Stolen

And here's the proper response to having your yard sign stolen. I approve!

I live in a swing state for the first time!

I can't believe it. I live in a swing state for the first time in my life. I live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Amazingly, Virginia is actually a swing state in this election. I've lived in Massachusetts, Chicago, New York City, (all liberal), and Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta votes Democratic, whereas Georgia as a whole is obviously extremely Republican). So my vote in presidential elections was always relatively pointless - it wasn't going to change the outcome. It feels kind of weird to have my vote actually make a difference. Perhaps that explains why my Obama yard sign was stolen the other night, at the same time that several McCain yard signs appeared on the other side of the road. Not a coincidence, I'm thinking.

McCain Forced to Fight for Virginia, Washington Post article, Oct. 17, 2008.

Connecticut Legalizes Gay Marriage

I’m not personally all that interested in marriage. However, the legal protections for spouses and children are unparalleled. Civil unions can never replicate all the protections and legal rights that marriage guarantees. This is especially true when federal law doesn’t recognize any civil unions or marriages between same sex couples. Federal law provides many marital benefits that state law cannot (e.g. Social Security). In addition, the right to marry is important symbolically, as it acknowledges that same-sex relationships deserve the same legal protections as traditional straight couples.

So it’s a big deal whenever a state recognizes the right of same-sex couples to marry. And Connecticut has just done that.

Gay Marriage is Ruled Legal in CT (NYTimes)

Text of CT Supreme Court decision

Pretty soon New England is going to be a gay mecca. Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, gay civil unions are legal in Vermont and New Hampshire, and Maine has legal domestic partnerships that provide many of the same rights as civil unions. (see NYTimes article link above)

"Nicke and Norah's Infinite Playlist" and Indie Films

This is an interesting article about independent films and how they're becoming increasingly derivative. After seeing "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" last night, my partner and I were remarking on its similarity to "Juno". We really liked both movies, but it's impossible to ignore the similarities. Both feature animated opening credits that imitate doodles in a notebook, both star Michael Cera, both have indie music soundtracks and "quirky" teenage characters who fall in love. At first I was excited that Michael Cera's character in "Nick and Norah" plays in an all-gay (except for him) band, and that the gay male characters weren't stereotyped. I ultimately felt, however, that the gay characters were being used solely as another quirk, another "eccentricity," just another way to make a joke. Cera's character, Nick, keeps getting mistaken for gay - smirk, smirk; one of the gay characters hits someone after being taunted - wow, isn't he brave, just like a "normal" guy - but then - cue the stereotype - he cries because his hand hurts.

This article also describes the development of indie films, which is pretty interesting.

From Indie Chic to indie, Sheesh

And, just because I can, here's the trailer for "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist":

What Breed of Liberal Are You? Quiz

My Liberal Identity:

You are a Social Justice Crusader, also known as a rights activist. You believe in equality, fairness, and preventing neo-Confederate conservative troglodytes from rolling back fifty years of civil rights gains.

Take the quiz at www.FightConservatives.com

Perception Personality Image Test

I'm a total sucker for personality tests. This is a cool one. Surprisingly accurate about me.

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPC - The Daydreamer

Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy