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Past issues
Mindconnection eNL, 2002-03-03
In this issue:
- New courses at Mindconnection
- Facts about the U.S.
- Global warming
- Energy shortage?
- Finance tip
- Health tip
- Fitness tip
- Personal security tip
- Thought for the day
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1. New courses at Mindconnection
We've added quite a few courses since last announcing new courses in this eNL.
If you work for anybody, you have projects to do, right? Why not be better at
doing your projects, in these days of what seem like "drive by
layoffs?" Click here to start protecting your future today:
https://www.mindconnection.com/category/005PROJECTMANAGEMENT.html
2. Facts about the U.S.
I am always amazed at the misinformation that circulates. Just
because television, newspapers, and most other media outlets are
"fact-challenged" doesn't mean you need to be. Here are some facts
about the United States of America (subscribers from outside the U.S. will also
appreciate this):
The USA has 4.6% of the world's population, yet...
The GDP of the USA equals half the GDP of the rest of the
world combined. The defense budget of the USA is larger the the defense
budgets of the next 9 countries combined The USA has more aircraft carriers than all other nations combined. Private American citizens have more personal power to stop
violent crime in their homes than the citizens of all other nations combined. More patents have been awarded to U.S. inventors than to
inventors in all other countries combined. The USA has flown more space missions than all other
countries combined. The USA has the highest income per capita of any nation. The USA has the highest energy consumption per capita of any
nation (this is not bad thing, because of what the USA does with the
energy). The USA has the highest GDP to energy ratio of any nation;
in other words, the USA is the most efficient user of energy in the world. The USA has the most advanced healthcare system in the
world. The USA has the most advanced technology of any nation in
the world. In an era where "environmentalists" blame
hydrocarbon emissions for impending world disaster, the USA is a net absorber
of carbon, largely because of reforestation efforts real environmentalists
put into action years ago. Meanwhile, the "liberal" nations that
demand the USA cut its energy consumption are net producers of carbon. While folks in "Islamic nations" are decrying the
USA as "the great Satan," the USA has sent more troops to protect
Islamic populations from "ethnic cleansing" than have all
"Islamic nations" combined. Over the last 100 years, the USA has provided more hunger
relief to foreign populations than all other nations combined.
If you fly an American flag, fly it proudly. You have reason to.
3. Global warming
Remember how Al "let me ship your jobs overseas, empower
violent criminals, confiscate your property and reduce access to quality
healthcare" Gore was going to "save" us from global warming and
how the Kyoto Treaty was going to save mankind from melting the ice caps? Let's
see just how bad "global warming" is, in light of the facts.
As I write this, it is below zero outside in a
"temperate" zone of the USA. The so-called "warming data" consist of
measurements taken in cities. What is a city? It is a collection of concrete
structures loaded with energy-intensive activity. Sure, those will be
warmer. What would you expect? Measure the temperature in your home next
time you bake cookies.... Real temperature data from the NOAA (National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration,
weather balloons show a global cooling trend--of 0.07 DegrC per
decade. Get those electric socks out! We are undergoing a global climate change, due to many
shocks to the environment--several major volcanic eruptions, changes in
solar flare activity, and so on. Keep in mind that one solar flare contains
more energy than mankind has used in all of history. To keep things in
perspective, set a paper clip on your bathroom scale. This is the effect
mankind has on the global temperature. Now, step on that scale yourself.
This is the effect solar flares have on the global temperature. Any
questions? We did have a period of global warming at the end of the
last ice age (about 17 DegrC). So far, scientists have been unable to locate
the remains of the SUV-driving prehistoric humans who caused it. Maybe you
have your own theories about their failure to find those remains. I won't
venture my opinion, as this eNL is about fact, not opinion. We did have a period of massive weather change around 1000
AD. Greenland was about as warm as Kentucky. Scientists have mapped this
against evidence of solar flare activity, and guess what? No SUV-driving
Vikings were the cause! Solar flares, however, look like the guilty party.
4. Energy shortage?
Is the world facing an energy shortage? The answer is a
resounding YES! According to experts, the world will run out of oil somewhere
around 1920. Oops--I was reading old information there. My point is we have been
hearing "you have six months to live" for over 100 years now. Let's
once again do the unthinkable and look at facts:
Looking at projected oil consumption rates (55 million
barrels by 2020) and the known recoverable supply, we will not run out of
oil for at least 300 years. Crunching the same kinds of numbers for natural gas gives us
even more time. Coal? We have more than we know what to do with. The hydrocarbon economy (burning fossil fuels) is
sustainable longer than any human today will live. The next phase is a hydrogen economy--it is viable, and we
have a long time to effect a transition. Renewable sources (wind, solar) make up less than 1% of the
energy mix today because they simply do not work. Windmills, for example,
require massive deforestation. If we covered the entire USA with windmills
(removing the farms, forests, and cities to do so), the amount of energy
produced would not be enough to sustain even 10% of what the USA needs
today. Yet, this decidedly ungreen technology is getting a big push from
"environmentalists." Fuel cells, using natural gas as their hydrogen source, will
see large deployment by 2005. But, they will be limited by many factors
(such as the gas distribution system and sheer cost).
5. Finance tip
Do you have a car payment? If you're a
homeowner, you can pay that off with a home equity line of credit. This will
make a big difference on your tax return. Just be careful your total debt on
your home doesn't exceed 90%. Why? Because reverse equity can occur when market
conditions sour. With the world economy the way it is, you should allow for
this.
6. Health tip
Eat bok choy. It's high in many essential nutrients, such as calcium and
vitamin C.
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7. Fitness tip
Do you want single digit body fat and the "ripped abs" that come with
it? Then eat smaller portions. Way smaller. If you eat six small meals a day,
where half or less of your 10" dinner plate is covered in food, you will
lose that fat. Consider the math (here we go with facts again!):
A pound of human fat holds 3500 calories. A sit-up uses roughly one calorie. Running on a treadmill at "medium" for an hour might
burn 60 calories. If you take in just 500 less calories a day, you'll lose a
pound of fat a week. You would have to do 500 situps a day--at least two hours
after a meal--to lose a pound of fat a week. You would have to run 8 hours and 20 minutes a day on your
treadmill to lose a pound of fat a week.
8. Personal security tip
Have you ever noticed how rude other drivers are? Sure you have! The truth
is, all of us have distractions and all of us do things that offend other
drivers. So, conflicts will happen. Why do people end up engaging in violent
behavior as a result? Because of escalation. To avoid escalation, follow these
tips:
- Don't give the other driver the middle finger or dirty looks.
- Don't shake your head like the other person is stupid. Chances are that's
true, but pointing it out won't help you.
- Take an apologetic approach. If someone gestures angrily at you, smile
meekly and mouth the words, "I'm sorry."
- Break eye contact, rather than play the eye contact game.
- If the other person follows you, rides your bumper, or in some other way
indicates your are in his/her "laser sights," change lanes and
wave the person past.
- If the other person persists in following you, stop only at a safe
place--like a fire station or police station. Use your cell phone to call
for help, and give the person's license number--while you are still moving.
I have my phone programmed with the number of my local sheriff's office.
They patched me through once to a different police department when I was out
of town and another motorist wanted to fight me over the flags displayed in
my car windows.
9. Thought for the Day
If you don't have goals, you won't go anywhere. What do you do with the time
you are not slaving away at the office? Are you improving yourself, helping
others, learning, or just "hanging out." You have only so much time in
this life, and then it's over. Don't waste it.
Wishing you the best,
Mark Lamendola
Mindconnection.com
Authorship
The views expressed in this e-newsletter are generally not shared by criminals, zombies, or brainwashed individuals.
Except where noted, this e-newsletter is entirely the work of Mark Lamendola. Anything presented as fact can be independently verified. Often, sources are given; but where not given, they are readily available to anyone who makes the effort.
Mark provides information from either research or his own areas of established expertise. Sometimes, what appears to be a personal opinion is the only possibility when applying sound logic--reason it out before judging! (That said, some personal opinions do appear on occasion).
The purpose of this publication is to inform and empower its readers (and save you money!).
Personal note from Mark: I value each and every one of you, and I hope that shows in the diligent effort I put into writing this e-newsletter. Thank you for being a faithful reader.
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