Quote Of The Day

"One man with courage makes a majority." -Andrew Jackson

How Would You Like To Have Two Of Him...?

A new and easier method of cloning has been discovered. Scientists have used a new cloning technique to create a baby mouse from the skin cells of adult animals. This was done so simply and easily, scientists fear the ramifications of this new cloning method. The new cutting-edge procedure proves that technology now exists that allows for the cloning of children. Many feel that this effortless form of cloning may encourage people to start to engineer their babies. This threat is very real.

According to Dr. Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer of American biotechnology company- Advanced Cell Technology, "Cloning isn't here now, but with this new technique we have the technology that can actually produce a child. If this was applied to humans it would be enormously important and troublesome...It's unethical and unsafe, but someone may be doing it today."

Ironically, according to "The Independent," this perilous cloning technique has been endorsed by President George Bush and the Catholic Church, "as a morally acceptable way of producing embryonic stem cells." Dr. Lanza weighs in on this shocking endorsement by stating: "At this point there are no laws or regulations for this kind of thing and the bizarre thing is that the Catholic Church and other traditional stem-cell opponents think this technology is great when in reality, it could in the end become one of their biggest nightmares...It is quite possible that the real legacy of this whole new programming technology is that it will be introducing the era of designer babies."

[Source: The Independent]

Quote Of The Day

"A man without decision of character can never be said to belong to himself...He belongs to whatever can make captive of him." -John Foster; Author

BOOK EXCERPT OF THE WEEK: From, "Acts Of Faith" By: Iyanla Vanzant

"There is a natural, universal force called the law of correspondence. According to this law, you will attract to you that which you are. The law is activated by your dominant thought patterns. The purpose of this law is to show where you are in your consciousness and to give you an opportunity to lift yourself to where you want to be. You can do any good thing you want to do with the right adjustment of your thoughts and actions. If you want prosperity and success, you must change your thoughts to reflect the things you want. Many people live and die never experiencing anything greater than what is handed down to them. If you are born amidst lack, failure, struggle and limitation, you do not have to stay there. Do not claim inherited limitations. The law of correspondence can and will move you to the heights of your consciousness. You cannot attract better, however, until you can better lift your thoughts. Lift your expectations. Lift yourself. Train yourself to mentally look for the good things you want and the good will respond."

Quote Of The Day

"I know this now. Every man gives his life to what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, and so they give their lives to little or nothing." - Joan of Arc

Quote Of The Day

"Is your cucumber bitter? Throw it away. Are there briars in your path? Turn aside. That is enough. Do not go on and ay, 'Why were things of this sort ever brought into the world?'" -Marcus Aurelius

Yes, All The New Technology Is Cool, But...Isn't This How The Matrix Started?

Facebook, the second leading internet social interaction network, is currently launching a new feature. The website, which reportedly trails Myspace in user popularity, is now offering its users an instant messaging feature. This feature is already offered by Myspace; and other companies, like AOL and Google. America Online's instant messenger, AIM, is currently the industry leader. Facebook hopes to solidify its position among the IM giants, with its newly introduced Facebook Chat.

With so many online networks providing "virtual friendships," is face-to-face social interaction becoming passe? While these tools of communication offer people easy access to each other, these IM interfaces may also become the catalyst for a "social dumbing down." Important parts of a conversation are lost when it comes to this type of online communication. Words aren't as emotionally impactful when voice inflection and body language is subtracted. For future generations who are born into a world where E-mail, IM, and text messages are the standard of social outreach, the effects could be dulled intuition and a lack of command for even basic verbiage.

I personally love technology, and new gadgets. However, I think that new technological devices: should be secondary to human interaction, shouldn't dull the senses, and should be a tool- not an all-encompassing distraction.

If Henry David Thoreau was correct in stating, "Lo! Men have become the tools of their tools!"; then, we only have to watch The Matrix and The Terminator trilogies to get a glimpse of our future. We've been forewarned- dependency on machines can not lead to a good outcome.

Quote Of The Day

"Where there is no vision the people perish." -Proverbs 29:18

Quote Of The Day

"He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality, and will never, therefore, make any progress." -Anwar El-Sadat

NYC's Proposed Congestion Tax Is Dead!

According To NY1, Mayor Bloomberg's proposed congestion tax is dead in the water. This is reportedly due to him not gaining timely support for the tax in the State Assembly. NY1 is stating that NY's mayor needed to garner support by midnight tonight, in order to get millions in federal funding for his idea. Failing to do so, the plan for the tax has been currently nixed.

However, the shadow that this proposed tax casted, should be a lesson to us all. Look how quickly a maneuver can be made to implement a tax that would be a great economic strain on average citizens. We have to be better prepared for the next go around. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. [SIDEBAR: This might have just been a dry run for that oxygen tax (see the title for the post below)...but for tonight (and maybe just tonight), thanks NYC for letting me breathe in your polluted liters of oxygen for free...SMH].

What's Next, An Oxygen Tax For Breathing?

New York City is in the throes of implementing an European-like congestion tax. New York is looking to charge commuters who drive into the city during peak hours- $14. According to www.TheNewspaper.com, this is the same price as the congestion tax in London. Using London as a frame of reference, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, released a report stating that NYC's economy would be severely injured if they decided to implement the congestion tax.

According to The Queens Chamber of Commerce, a congestion tax would result in 28% of New York's drivers being deterred from coming into the city. The commerce group is predicting that this would result in an annual reduced spending of $1.89 billion. When the lost of jobs, and other economic spending is factored in, New York's economic loss could reach up to $2.7 Billion.

The question that I ask is: Why do New York City's officials seem so insistent on making NYC too expensive for working class citizens to have a residency there? After all, they are planning to implement a tax that has proven to be a money loser for other localities. Between the sharp increases in housing costs, costs for basic living, and taxes; many middle class and working class citizens are being economically pressured to move out of New York.

In my opinion, the congestion tax seems to be another case of New York's strategy to destroy and rebuild. This seems to be a tactic to make New York into the living quarters, and playground for the wealthy. What do you think?

Quote Of The Day

"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." — Niccolo Machiavelli

Quote Of The Day

"It is not enough to have great qualities; we should also have the management of them." -La Rochefoucauld

BOOK EXCERPT OF THE WEEK: From, "Acts Of Faith" By: Iyanla Vanzant

"We come together in relationships to grow, not to live in misery. Our relationships should be sustaining, energizing, and growth-supporting. When they are not, our growth is stunted, our energy is depleted, and our personality is distorted. A solid, loving, supportive relationship is like a shot of life. It is a source of inspiration, it provides a spark of motivation to encourage you onto the highest evolution of your selfhood."

Quote Of The Day

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." — Abraham Lincoln

Gentrification In New York = Marion Jones, Rebuilding In New Orleans = A 3-Legged Horse

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the breaking of New Orleans' levees, has yet to be rectified. Three years after one of America's most tragic disasters in history, thousands upon thousands of families are still displaced. Reuters' reports that the U.S. top disaster official has stated: "nearly 40,000 families are still living in vulnerable mobile homes and trailers across the U.S. Gulf Coast- with another hurricane season just two months away." [Please note that this statistic does not account for the numerous other families, scattered across the U.S. landscape. The statistics are even more stirring when we consider the total number of people who still have not regained their economic, social, and psychological footing after experiencing the wrath of Katrina and the broken levees].

A Katrina survivor and New Orleans resident, poignantly tells of the ineffective way in which officials have been handling New Orleans' reconstruction. In a New York Times article, Mrs. White states: "They come up with these plans that look great and sound great. They give people hope. Then, they fall into the background. Promises are made, and they are not kept."

I find the delays in rebuilding New Orleans appalling. American citizens who have endured such enormous adversities due to trauma and displacement should be treated with urgency, kindness, and consideration. There is no excuse for delays in construction when you consider the recent rapidity in which expensive real estate has been popping up in major cities. If the American economy and real estate industry can bear building swanky residential properties by the millions of square-footage, in New York alone; surely New Orleans' residents can be expeditiously relived of their squalid-to-nonexistent living conditions.

Maybe we should send the cast of "Extreme Home Makeover" down to The Big Easy. I bet you Ty and the crew would have this mess cleaned up in no time. SMH.

Quote Of The Day

"Never go to the second thing first." - German Saying

Castro Might Want To Re-Think This Whole Cellphone Thing

Raul Castro, Fidel Castro's brother and successor, has recently decided to lift the ban on cellphones for civilians on the island.

Ironically, this comes in the wake of an unrelated study recently done to determine the danger of cellphone use. The study was done by Dr. Vini Khurana, a noteworthy award-winning neurosurgeon.

According to the doctor, using cellphone handsets consistently for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer. Countries like Germany and France have already reportedly advised their citizens to minimize cellphone use.

According to the news source, "The Independent", Dr. Khurana has concluded from his study that in the future, " Mobile phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos." He also says that, "people should avoid using [cellphones] wherever possible...governments and the mobile phone industry must take 'immediate steps' to reduce exposure to their radiation." If this does not occur, doctors like cancer-expert, Dr. Vini Khurana are predicting a sharp rise in cancer deaths in the near future.

Personally, between all of the portable electronic devices that I use on a daily basis; I'll probably be able to glow in the dark by the year 2020. I'm no medical expert; however, I agree that people should try to abide by the minimal cellphone use theory as much as possible. I also recommend using a non-bluetooth, wired earplug when talking on a cellphone. I addition to this, I think that cellphones should be distanced from the body while it is on and/or in use...maybe this can help minimize the radiation exposure??? I would love for a study to be done on this as well.

New Yorkers (And Everybody Else) Be Prepared To Tighten Your Belts

Given New York City's status as an international financial center, the current credit crisis could have an especially deleterious impact on the New York State economy. Though the Division of the Budget is not forecasting a recession at this time, the risk of a recession is substantial.

THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

* The national economic slowdown is expected to continue through the first half of 2008. Real U.S. GDP is projected to grow 2.2 percent for 2008, following growth of about the same magnitude for 2007. This forecast is consistent with major professional forecast vendors.

* The subprime mortgage debacle is still unfolding and the housing market is still searching for a bottom. Corporate profits are soft; financial sector profits are falling. Growth in U.S. corporate profits is projected to slow further to 3.1 percent in 2008, following growth of 3.7 percent in 2007. These growth rates represent a significant decline from average growth of more than 15 percent over the five preceding years. Equity markets have responded accordingly: the S&P 500 has experienced a correction of more than ten percent since its most recent October peak.

* The national labor market has continued to lose momentum, underscored by the December increase in the unemployment rate to 5.0 percent. The Division of the Budget projects nonfarm job growth to slow to 1.0 percent for 2008, following growth of 1.3 percent for 2007. The unemployment rate is projected to rise from 4.6 percent in 2007 to 5.0 percent in 2008.

* Although there has been some improvement in credit market liquidity in recent weeks, markets remain tight, generating a significant drag on both household and business spending. Real household spending is projected to grow only 1.5 percent in the current quarter and 1.9 percent for all of 2008, well below its long-term trend of about 3.0 percent.

* The Division of the Budget projects inflation of 2.7 percent for 2008, roughly equal to its 2007 level of 2.8 percent; however, excessive energy price volatility could push overall price growth still higher, putting downward pressure on household spending and tying the Federal Reserve's hand as it tries to stimulate the economy with lower interest rates.

* Cushioning the current slowdown are solid growth in the global economy and an activist stance on the part of the Federal Reserve, which has already cut its policy target rate by 100 basis points with a further reduction likely, and is taking other action to inject liquidity into credit markets. The Federal government is also likely to take stimulative action.


THE NEW YORK STATE ECONOMY

* Consistent with the slowing of both the national and New York economies, the Division of the Budget projects a decline in State employment growth from 1.1 percent for 2007 to 0.6 percent for 2008.

* As a result of the mortgage-backed security debacle, the Division of the Budget projects a 5.5 percent decline in financial services and insurance sector bonuses for the first quarter of 2008, representing a loss of about $2.1 billion in wages relative to the same period in 2007.

* Wage growth is similarly projected to fall from 7.6 percent in 2007 to 3.3 percent in 2008. Slower growth in both the wage and nonwage components of income will result in total personal income growth of 4.3 percent for 2008, following 7.4 percent growth for 2007.

* The State's housing and commercial real estate markets are in better shape than the nation's but significant risks exist. The dollar volume of New York City commercial real estate transactions appears to have peaked in the first quarter of 2007.

[Source: The New York State Budget website (Click Here For New York State Budget's Website's Home Page). Italics added.

Quote Of The Day

"A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her." -David Brinkley; Newscaster