The Daily Drift

 

Nice paint job!

Today's readers have been in:

Baghdad, Iraq

Naples, Italy

Groningen, Netherlands

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Dublin, Ireland

Zurich, Switzerland

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Warsaw, Poland

Nassau, Bahamas

Durban, South Africa

Makati, Philippines

Arnhem, Netherlands

Cape Town, South Africa

Accra, Ghana

Sanitago, Chile

Vantaa, Finland

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As, Norway

Saint Petersburg, Russia

as well as across the US in cities like, Ocala, Lufkin, Puyallup and Honolulu.

Today in History

1246		Henry Raspe is elected anti-king by the Rhenish prelates in France.
1455		King Henry VI is taken prisoner by the Yorkists at the Battle of St. Albans, during the War of the Roses.
1804		The Lewis and Clark Expedition officially begins as the Corps of Discovery departs from St. Charles, Missouri.
1856		Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina strikes Senator Charles Sumner with a cane for Sumner's earlier condemnation of slavery.
1863		Union General Ulysses S. Grant's second attack on Vicksburg fails and a siege begins.
1868		The "Great Train Robbery" takes place as seven members of the Reno Gang make off with $98,000 in cash from a train's safe in Indiana.
1872		The Amnesty Act restores civil rights to Southerners.
1882		The United States formally recognizes Korea.
1908		The Wright brothers register their flying machine for a U.S. patent.
1939		Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini sign a "Pact of Steel" forming the Axis powers.
1947		The Truman Doctrine brings aid to Turkey and Greece.
1967		The children's program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood premiers.
1972		Ceylon becomes the Republic of Sri Lanka as its constitution is ratified.
1985		Baseball player Pete Rose passes Hank Aaron as National League run scoring leader with 2,108.
1987		An Iraqi missile hits the American frigate USS Stark in the Persian Gulf.
1990		In the Middle East, North and South Yemen merge to become a single state.

Who were the Hittites?

They were a dynasty that, 3,500 years ago, vanquished armies, toppled empires, and fought off plagues - yet somehow often gets forgotten in the annals of history.

 

Above All, Warriors [From The Hittites]

Marching hundreds of miles and perfecting the use of battle chariots, the Hittites were warriors, first and foremost.

The truth be told

German Pirate Party grows into political force

 

Going from nothing to 11% is pretty amazing for a political party that didn't even exist a few years ago. Is it the message? Is it disgust with the same old, same old that never goes anywhere? Whatever it is, it's taking off quickly.

More on the fast-growing Pirate Party via The Guardian:

It's a fairytale success: two years ago, hardly anyone knew that the Pirate Party even existed; now, all of a sudden, it has won seats in state parliaments in four successive elections, and a new poll puts them at 11% of Germany's national vote. And that's despite still not having any clear stand on important issues such as Afghanistan or the euro crisis. The German press is bewildered and horrified by turns. The Pirates are a chaotic bunch, they say, a protest party without a real political agenda. A group of internet addicts, nerds who primarily want to download music and films for free.

Anyone who wants to understand the potential of the Pirate Party must first realise that the internet is more than a technical means to an end and more than a playground for file sharers. The internet is the birthplace and living space of a communication society and therefore the key to the transformation of an era; its far-reaching effects will one day be ranked alongside those of trains, planes and automobiles.

Overcoming barriers is about freedom. This is the point that is clearly so difficult to convey. The Pirates are not an internet party but a party interested in freedom. The internet can be seen as a metaphor for what that means today: freedom through equal rights, freedom through the expression of opinion, freedom through open access to education and knowledge. Freedom through the erosion of hierarchy and authority. And freedom through participation and pluralism.

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Reality Bites

The latest move by the catholic bishops to help the repugicans win the election

Don't think for a minute that this isn't about the election.

From EJ Dionne:

The federal lawsuits filed Monday by catholic institutions against the contraception mandate under the health care law are not surprising, but they are unfortunate. The Bishops’ Conference and many — though not all — catholic organizations are acting as if the Obama Administration had never backed down from its original, broad mandate and had never offered to negotiate.

But the administration, responding to a broadly united catholic community, did offer a compromise and has since shown a willingness to try to accommodate many of the concerns of catholic and other religious institutions. Now the catholic community is split because many of us who initially backed the bishops cannot understand why they did not respond to the administration’s olive branch. Many bishops seem to want this fight.

Keep in mind that a majority of catholic voters side with President Obama in this battle, so it's not entirely clear whose religious freedom the catholic bishops are defending. As usual, it's also not clear who the catholic bishops represent, other than the repugican party.

Proposed US law makes domestic propaganda legal

Buzzfeed's Michael Hastings reports on a revision to the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 and Foreign Relations Authorization Act in 1987, which prohibit the use of government disinformation and propaganda campaigns within the USA. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mac Thornberry from Texas and Rep. Adam Smith from Washington State, would allow the US government to knowingly tell lies to its people in order to promote the government's own policies.

The new law would give sweeping powers to the State Department and Pentagon to push television, radio, newspaper, and social media onto the U.S. public. “It removes the protection for Americans,” says a Pentagon official who is concerned about the law. “It removes oversight from the people who want to put out this information. There are no checks and balances. No one knows if the information is accurate, partially accurate, or entirely false.”
According to this official, “senior public affairs” officers within the Department of Defense want to “get rid” of Smith-Mundt and other restrictions because it prevents information activities designed to prop up unpopular policies—like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Critics of the bill point out that there was rigorous debate when Smith Mundt passed, and the fact that this is so “under the radar,” as the Pentagon official puts it, is troubling.
The Pentagon spends some $4 billion a year to sway public opinion already, and it was recently revealed by USA Today the DoD spent $202 million on information operations in Iraq and Afghanistan last year.

Congressmen Seek To Lift Propaganda Ban

In another bad economic sign, China rejecting raw materials

The demand for raw materials in China has been slowing, but this takes matters to a new level. Defaulting is an extreme measure in a healthy economy so this does suggest problems ahead for China.

Chinese consumers of thermal coal and iron ore are asking traders to defer cargos and — in some cases — defaulting on their contracts, in the clearest sign yet of the impact of the country’s economic slowdown on the global raw materials markets.

The deferrals and defaults have only emerged in the last few days, traders said, and have contributed to a drop in iron ore and coal prices.

“We have some clients in China asking us this week to defer volumes,” said a senior executive with a global commodities trading house, who warned that consumers were cautious. “China is hand to mouth at the moment.”

Did you know ...

... that the Chicago police have been accused of planting evidence on NATO protesters.

JPMorgan risk overseer was fired in 2007 for failed gambles

For the smartest guys ever who know risk better than any other bank, they look like the Keystone Kops. Even more disturbing is that there still are plenty of people who continue to think that the JPMorgan team is run by brilliant people.
I mean sure, besides losing badly elsewhere and launching a regulatory probe, what part didn't sound like a great hire? Add to that the label of "trader at heart" for the senior director in charge of risk and you have a real winner. Bloomberg:

Irvin Goldman, who oversaw risks in the JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) unit that suffered more than $2 billion in trading losses, was fired by another Wall Street firm in 2007 for money-losing bets that prompted a regulatory probe, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

JPMorgan appointed Goldman in February this year as the top risk official in its chief investment office while the unit was managing trades that later spiraled into what Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon called “egregious,” self-inflicted mistakes. The bank knew when it picked Goldman that his earlier work at Cantor Fitzgerald LP led to regulatory sanctions against Cantor, according to a person briefed on the situation.

JPMorgan’s oversight of risk in its chief investment office has become a key issue as U.S. authorities examine the incident and lawmakers debate how to prevent banks from making wagers that might endanger depositors. Goldman was given the risk- oversight job after his brother-in-law, Barry Zubrow, 59, stepped down in January as JPMorgan’s top risk official, according to a person briefed on the matter. Less than a week after the loss became public, the bank stripped Goldman of those duties, appointing Chetan Bhargiri to succeed him.

By the way, why is Jamie Dimon still on the board of the NY Federal Reserve? Why is Elizabeth Warren the only person calling for his resignation?

Random Celebrity Photo

Aromatherapy to Lower Stress, Curb Appetite

More than just a pretty scent.When the massage therapist asks if you'd like to throw aromatherapy into the mix, should you spring for it? Science says it's worth it-aromatherapy isn't just New Age hype. These potent oils derived from plants and herbs can move your mood, or even quell pain in a matter of minutes.

For example, lavender and orange oils contain linalool, a compound that may lower stress by altering gene expression and blood chemistry. If your priority is reducing pain, thyme oil's been shown to hinder an inflammatory enzyme in the body by up to 65 percent.

Why so powerful? Just a whiff of the oils can impact your limbic system, which connects to parts of your brain controlling breath, heart rate, blood pressure, hormone balance and yes, stress.
The limbic system is a brain structure deep-seated in emotion and memory. "Because of the proximity of the nose to the limbic system, you can immediately shift your mood," says Adora Winquist, aromatherapist and Opus Gaia formulator.

And here's the great news: you can summon aromatherapy at anytime

Edible Serving Size Markers Act As Subconscious Sign to Stop Eating

Photo: Robin Wishna

"Once you pop, you can't stop" is Pringles' motto and Brian Wansink of Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab is doing something about it: edible serving size markers can help act as subconscious sign to stop eating.

As part of an experiment carried out on two groups of college students (98 students total) while they were watching video clips in class, researchers from Cornell's Food and Brand Lab served tubes of Lays Stackables, some of which contained chips dyed red.
In the first study of the research, which is published online this month in Health Psychology, a journal of the American Psychological Association, the red chips were interspersed at intervals designating one suggested serving size (seven chips) or two serving sizes (14 chips); in the second study, this was changed to five and 10 chips.
Unaware of why some of the chips were red, the students who were served those tubes of chips nonetheless consumed about 50 percent less than their peers: 20 and 24 chips on average for the seven-chip and 14-chip segmented tubes, respectively, compared with 45 chips in the control group; 14 and 16 chips for the five-chip and 10-chip segmented tubes, compared with 35 chips in the control group.

More

Five Healthy Foods for Instant Energy

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen

Girl drinking water. What kids eat can mean the difference between being hyperactive and being happily alert. Here are five foods every kid needs.


WATER
It doesn't come with any slick advertisements or cutesy cartoon characters to sell it, but plain old H2O is one of the quickest energy boosters out there. When kids become dehydrated, their energy plummets and their brain gets foggy, which makes it hard to concentrate.

How to get them to drink it: Kids often don't realize when they're dehydrated, so keep water handy and offer it often, especially if they've been playing a lot or have been out in the sun. Skip flavoring packets, which are often full of artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors. You can try adding a squeeze of lemon for flavor, but I've found that most kids don't like any "floaties" in their water. The trick is in the packaging-let your child pick out a fun water bottle (they can even decorate it themselves with permanent markers) or stock up on twisty straws and funny ice cubes. You'll be amazed at how much water they'll drink.

OATMEAL

Grains have been getting a bad rap lately, but whole grains are still one of the best sources of energy we have-especially for little bodies that are still growing. The fiber and carbohydrates in oatmeal provide a long-lasting, consistent source of energy that can be dressed up in a million different ways.

How to get them to eat it: Skip the pre-fab packets and cook your own. Microwaving a serving of rolled oats won't take you any longer than the packaged stuff, and you'll save on all the added sugars, flavors and colors. Add some real butter (yes, it's okay now!) for satiating fat, then cool it down by adding frozen berries (another great food for energy). To make it fun for little ones, let them add a few sprinkles or chocolate chips on top.

EGGS Everyone knows that protein builds strong muscles and helps keep you full, but I've yet to meet a young child who wants to sit down with a big steak and a bottle of horseradish. Thankfully, eggs are a clean and easy source of protein, and with as many different ways to cook them as there are kids, it's easy to keep them interesting.

How to get them to eat it: Scrambled eggs with cheese is classic kid comfort food, but a boiled egg can be a fun addition to a sack lunch (draw a funny face on it with a pen or marker!). German pancakes (or egg pancakes) are a tasty option for tots who prefer sweet to savory.

BANANAS Many kids are surprisingly potassium deficient-a problem that can manifest in a variety of ways, including lethargy and memory problems. This necessary nutrient, which is also found in dried apricots, figs, and plums, helps regulate the body's nervous and muscular systems.

How to get them to eat it: Thankfully, most kids already love bananas but if your little one has an issue with the texture or taste, try blending frozen banana chunks with yogurt and fruit for a creamy smoothie.

FISH Research shows a link between memory, test-taking skills and, gulp, eating fish for breakfast. While that's not typically pleasing to little palates, the benefits are huge. The omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like wild salmon have been proven to reduce depression and hyperactivity and increase focus and concentration. In addition, all that high quality protein keeps kids' blood sugar (and therefore their moods) steady while keeping them full for hours.

How to get them to eat it: Studies have shown that pregnant women who eat fish have kids that are more likely to enjoy the taste. Since the womb is a one-way ticket; however, the next best thing is repetition. Try starting with something familiar like tuna melts, then adding some canned salmon to scrambled eggs. You can also try a milder-tasting fish like cod. Encourage kids to eat whole foods over supplements. Sadly, goldfish crackers don't count (although they are yummy!).

Ten Superfoods To Make You Look Younger

Superfoods are full of antioxidants, fiber and essential fatty acids which have fantastic health benefits. When consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, superfoods improve immune system function, prevent or help treat illnesses and reduce the physical signs of aging.

Not Just Sugar

By Perri O. Blumberg

More Foods that Make You Dumb

 News flash: It's not just sugar that makes you dumb, as new research proves. We found the science to back up more foods that drain your brain.

Sugar
In case you missed it: It's no secret excess sugar isn't exactly sweet where your health is concerned, but now new research indicates it may take a toll on your brain as well as your waistline. In a recent animal study, UCLA researchers found that rats fed a solution of fructose had a harder time navigating a maze, a sign of slowed learning and memory loss, compared to a second group of rats who were given the fructose solution as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to have a brain-boosting effect. The researchers suspect that the fructose-only diet decreased brain activity because it affected insulin's ability to help brain cells use sugar to process thoughts and emotions. Certain omega-3 fatty acids may buffer the brain from the harmful effects of fructose.
Use the news: While this research is preliminary, it's just general good health advice to minimize your intake of added sugar (see some shockingly sneaky sources here) and up your consumption of foods rich in omega-3s, including walnuts, salmon, flax seeds and soybeans to your meals. You've probably heard of smart foods that boost your IQ, but did you know that some less-healthy options can actually drain your brain?

Red Meat and Butter
A diet high in "bad" saturated fat may hurt brain function, according to new Harvard research published in the Annals of Neurology. When researchers studied the eating habits and tested the brain function of 6,000 women for an average of four years, they found the women who ate the most saturated fat scored lower on tests of brain function and memory. On the other hand, women who ate the most monounsaturated fats (found in foods like olive oil and avocado) had higher scores.
Use the news: You don't need to shun saturated fat sources entirely, but choose low or non-fat versions of animal products, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk. Avoid processed meat, like bacon, and stick to lean cuts. Get more protein from vegetable sources, like soy and legumes.

Chips, pizza, and other junk food
Will junk food rot kids' brains? A 2011 British study of nearly 4,000 children found that those who ate primarily junk food (lots of processed and fast food) at age three had a small drop in IQ five years later compared with children who ate healthier diets. (And the link remained after researchers accounted for confounding variables, such as socioeconomic status and parents' education.) Early diet choices especially seemed to affect kids' verbal abilities, according to Time.com. The study suggests that smart diet choices may be particularly crucial during early years of rapid brain development.
Use the news: It can be tricky to get young picky eaters to eat healthy foods, but remember that kids need repeated exposure (sometimes a dozen or more times) to "like" a new food. So don't give up so easily! And many classic kid favorites, like string cheese and yogurt, make for healthy snacks instead of processed cookies and chips.

Low-Carb Diets
Ditching carbs can sap brainpower (along with energy and mood). A small Tufts University study of 19 women between the ages of 22 and 55 found that when dieters eliminated carbohydrates, they showed a gradual dip in cognitive skills (particularly on memory-related tests) compared to a group who stayed on a low-calorie diet that included carbs.
Use the news: Carbs aren't evil-your body needs them for many important functions, including fueling your brain. So avoid diets that eliminate or severely restrict them, and choose healthy options, like whole grain pastas and breads, brown rice, and quinoa.

Gum
Does blowing that bubble boost or bust your brainpower? Here, the research is mixed. A recent British study published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology found that chewing gum during a memorization exercise impaired participants' short-term memories. The researchers believe the act of chewing may get in the way of concentrating on memory tasks (In this case, participants were asked to learn the order of items in a list) The finding contradicts previous research, which found a positive association between chewing gum and mental tasks.
Use the news: Because of mixed study results, you might not want to spit just yet. But be sure to include other brain-boosting habits in your daily routine, such as drinking water (dehydration can affect focus and acuity), getting plenty of sleep, and playing brain games.

What to Buy - and What Not to Buy - at a Garage Sale

By Raechel Conover

Check your local yard sales for great deals on books, toys and more. With spring in the air, garage sales are popping up like daffodils. And with the economy still struggling, many people are trying to stretch their dollars by buying things used. Before you head out to tour the neighborhood, take heed: While some garage sale finds are perfectly fine to pick up secondhand, some things are better bought new, regardless of cost.
Let's take a look.

Buy Used. Experts generally agree that the following can be excellent purchases at garage sales: small furniture, home decor, books, DVDs, toys, board games, hand tools, sports and exercise equipment, lawn furniture, and gardening tools.


With other garage sale finds such as musical instruments, be sure to test any moving parts to make sure they work properly. If they do, you can put off investing in a new instrument until it seems more likely that a stint in the school band will turn into a lasting hobby. Editors at Popular Mechanics say certain used electronics and power tools may be bargains but should be tested before purchase. Their advice: Ask the seller to turn on the device so you can see that it still works. Any refusal should raise a red flag. Of course, if you're mechanically inclined, even a nonworking item could be a good buy. One of Popular Mechanics' experts tells of a $10 Toro snow blower that simply needed a new spark plug and fuel. It's run for 10 more years and counting.

Buy New. What not to buy at a garage sale generally comes down to two questions: Is it safe? And is it sanitary? The answers put potential garage sale finds including child car seats, cribs, shoes, tires, mattresses, swimsuits, hats, and helmets on a Reader's Digest list of items to avoid. An old crib may not be up to today's safety standards, for example, and a used car seat could have been in an accident without your knowledge, rendering it useless. Shoes, mattresses, and hats may not be too clean -- or worse, carry lice, bedbugs, etc. Helmets fail on both fronts.

It Depends. There are a few categories where experts have differing opinions. Take clothes, for instance. First of all, no one will tell you it's smart to buy used undergarments of any type (see above). Most research we found indicates that clothes just aren't the best value -- with the exception of formal wear, maternity clothes, and kids clothes, according to US News & World Report. Formal wear is generally taken care of and worn sparingly; maternity wear is worn for only a few months; and children outgrow clothes so fast that often an outfit is worn only a handful of times. Carefully inspect any garage sale finds for stains and signs of wear and tear.

Another debated category is kitchenware. While some say buying used dishes and glasses isn't sanitary, kitchenware should be fine as long as you wash it well (check to see if your dishwasher has a hot/sanitize cycle).

The bottom line here is to follow your instincts and use some common sense. If you buy things like secondhand clothes and dishes, simply examine them with an eye toward whether you can get them sufficiently clean. Likewise, with electronics and other machinery, if you have a hunch something will work with only a minor repair that you're capable of doing, negotiate a good price and go for it.
That brings us to one final point: When you buy used, especially at a garage sale, don't be afraid to negotiate. In general, such sales are set up so that people can get rid of what they don't want. They're not trying to make back what they spent on the item; they're just trying to see if they can earn a little money before dumping the lot at the Salvation Army. So, ask before you shell out for a garage sale find -- you could save even more.

The Top 20 Things We Throw Away that We Shouldn't

By Tina McCarthy

How often do you have to empty the trash cans around your home? If you take a trip outside to the dumpster every couple days, it's time to examine why your garbage bins fill up so quickly. To cut down the amount of waste you send off to the landfill, here's a list of things you shouldn't be throwing away.

Water Bottles

Yes, they can be recycled but, with a water filter on your faucet and a reusable thermos, there's no need for disposable water bottles. Stopping the bottle habit is one of the best things you can personally do for the environment.

Tissue Boxes

When you go to the store to restock your supply, buy refills for the boxes you already have instead. Better yet, switch to a handkerchief.

Paper Napkins

Cloth napkins are a much better choice in all regards. They're reusable and much more stylish.

Paper Towels

Bar towels are just as effective as their disposable counterparts. Though washing cloth towels year after year may seem counter-intuitive to eco-friendly folks, in the long run it's much better for the environment than disposables.

Razor Blades

Buy a razor sharpener to make dull blades like new again. (Whoever invented the idea of throwaway shaving razors has a special place in a melting ice cap.)

Counter Wipes

Your counters will gleam all the same when you clean them with a sponge or rag.

Paper Coffee Cups

When you swing by your favorite café for a steaming cup of joe, bring your own reusable cup. Consider purchasing personalized photo mugs for yourself and your loved ones, and spread the eco-friendly inspiration.

Cotton Balls

There's nothing a disposable cotton ball can do that a washcloth or reusable make-up applicators can't.

Plastic Utensils

If you're going on a picnic, bring along a reusable flatware set.

Paper Plates

Laziness is not a sufficient excuse for using paper plates. So, when you throw a big party, suck it up and wash a massive load of dishes instead. Or, our favorite, put the kids to work!

Plastic Shopping Bags

When you go shopping, bring along a reusable tote to carry your purchases. You'll look more stylish than you would lugging around flimsy old plastic bags, and you'll make a non-confrontational eco statement, too.

Dryer Sheets

You can easily make your own reusable dryer sheets and kiss the disposable alternative goodbye.

Printer Cartridges

When you run out of ink, refill your printer cartridges at places like Walgreen's or CVS instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

Coffee Filters

Replacing disposable coffee filters with one that's reusable will cut down your amount of daily waste.

Ziploc Bags

To keep food fresh, rinse out empty containers of cottage cheese or yogurt to store leftovers time and time again.

Swiffer Pads

Convenient? Yes. Eco-friendly? Not by a long shot. So, stick to your old-fashioned mop.

Baby Wipes

Considering how many times you have to wipe your baby's butt every day, the environment would be better off if you used washcloths instead.

Paper Lunch Bags

Pack your lunch in a reusable bag instead of the more traditional paper alternative.

Plastic Hand Soap Dispensers

Invest in a reusable hand soap dispenser. In addition to giving your bathroom a decorative touch, it's less expensive to refill them with bulk quantities of liquid hand soap.

Disposable Contact Lenses

As long as you take proper care of your contact lenses and clean them in solution every night, substitute disposables with non-disposables. Instead of tossing a pair after a couple weeks, they can last up to a year.

Waterall