Babble-On 13

Musings ahead of the weekend ...

Coffee Renaissance

If you love coffee, there's reason to celebrate.  Or, I should say, if coffee is your favorite caffeine delivery system, there is.  Researchers have discovered that caffeine can prevent skin cancer.  It does so by messing with a protein that is critical for genetically-damaged cells to proliferate and form cancers.  Thus, in the presence of caffeine, fewer cells damaged by the ultraviolet rays from too much unprotected sunbathing - or too many visits to the tanning salon, will progress to skin cancer.  Better still, the researchers believe that topical applications of caffeine will be even more effective than ingestion.  Coffee baths, anyone? Coffee enemas?  I foresee a new business model for Starbucks ...

Mr. Jindal's Neighborhood

In covering Louisiana Republican Governor Bobby Jindal's rebuttal to President Obama's speech to the joint session of Congress, John Stewart (The Daily Show) invoked the image of Mr. Rogers.  It was a perfect analogy and send-up of the condescending, faux-folksy approach Jindal (or his handlers) chose to take.  At least the Governor didn't wear a sweater, or he would have made it too easy for Stewart, who needs challenging now that his career-making sitting duck, G.W. Bush, has departed for the sticks.

Startling Action

I don't know about you, but I've been stunned by the activity on show from the Obama administration, especially in the lead up to his recent speech to the joint session of Congress, and the announcement of his proposed budget.  A lot of work has been going on, apparently.  Can anyone remember where Bush's team was a month into his first term?  Having tea with Enron, I seem to recall.  After just returning from a post-inaugural rest at the ranch, clearing brush.  Someone should have a quiet talk with the President and ask him to take it easy.  He and his team are setting the bar way too high for future Chief Executive aspirants and their teams to manage. Plus, it makes the rest of us nervous.  We just aren't used to this level of hard work coming out of Washington.  It puts us on gullibility alert, and makes us question our core beliefs about the worthiness of politicians. At least at the national level.  Local and state politicos, at least here in California, are in no danger of exceeding our expectations...