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https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/lets-face-facts-this-isnt-going-well-iran-war-edition
Wednesday, March 04, 2026
Josh Marshall: [H]e’s escalating abroad in general because escalation, vast expression of power and violence, amount to a kind of psychological compensation for loss of power and popularity at home. It’s a kind of presidential self-care making use of the prerogative powers of the American presidency. I see little evidence Trump is ready for this level of chaos or economic shocks with a war few Americans thought there was any reason to commit to in the first place.
The Truth about Medical Scams Dr. So Pyay (13 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n9I7Y-aewQ
The Truth about Medical Scams | So Pyay | TEDxInternationalSchoolofMyanmar TEDx Talks 44.1M subscribers 1,560 views
May 23, 2025 Dr. So Pyay’s TEDx talk exposes the growing threat of medical scammers—individuals who prey on desperation and misinformation by selling false cures, miracle treatments, and fraudulent health solutions. Drawing from personal experiences and real-life cases, he breaks down why people fall for these scams, from cultural beliefs and marketing tricks to fear-driven decisions. With humor and expertise, he shares actionable methods for identifying scams, protecting one's health, and fostering awareness. His message is clear: trust science, question miracle promises, and safeguard your well-being. Dr. So Pyay is a general practitioner and content creator dedicated to improving health education in Myanmar. With 1.6 million followers on Facebook and 493,000 on TikTok, he shares insightful and accessible medical content. A graduate of the University of Medicine 2, Yangon in 2020, Dr. Pyay uses humor, simple explanations, and visuals to make complicated medical topics easier to understand. His mission is to raise awareness, clear up misconceptions, and provide practical health tips that people can trust. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Janet and Louisa
"Vagina Facials!" She said, at top volume. Other people in the restaurant looked over at us. It was embarrassing.
"I make money selling the kits," she said.
I couldn't believe this was my friend Louisa from childhood spouting these pseudo-science placebo gimmicks. She now lives in Hinsdale Illinois. Her clients are wealthy housewives with horses and whose children attend private schools.
She wore pale pink cashmere and a string of pearls. Her manicured nails were also pink. I studied her diamond engagement ring as she waved her other hand gesturing to the waiter that she'd like a refill on her goblet of organic rosé. Her tiny earlobes had diamond studs. I drank seltzer with an orange slice.
"But wouldn't 'facial' imply a face?" I asked.
Ah never mind. You're kidding me. She drank the Kool-Aid, she was now a saleswoman chasing the big bucks. But the startling thing was she wanted my approval. I am a research scientist with 20 years in the medical field. I have a master's and a PhD. So what is this really about?
"Did you know coffins used to be sold at my great-grandfather's Hinsdale hardware store back in the day?" she continued. "In those days, embalming was not practiced, the family would just come in and select a coffin and bury the body themselves." Louisa stabbed the thin slice of ham on her plate. "Entrepreneurs run in the family," she said, as if trying on a new identity.
"Hey, Do you remember how our mothers acted like they could be fired by their husbands at any moment?"
"I totally do!" I said.
"I didn't want to grow up and live like that." Louisa sipped her wine, leaving a red print on the glass edge. She checked her watch. "Oh, it's been great to see you. Come over for dinner some Sunday afternoon. My husband Alec loves to smoke a whole pig and have a cocktail party on the porch. We're doing another one in a few weeks."
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal," comes from his 1967 " Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" speech. It highlights that staying quiet in the face of injustice is a form of complicity, emphasizing that moral courage requires speaking out against wrong, even if it is uncomfortable or difficult.
William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Pat Conroy, Harper Lee, and Jesmyn Ward
The AMAZING legacy of SOUTHERN WRITERS.
Bacon Greased Cast Iron for baking INDIAN HEAD Cornbreads
I am baking two number 5 cast iron frying pans of INDIAN HEAD cornbread using cornmeal, whole wheat flour and buttermilk and light brown sugar. The basic recipe is on the bag. It's marvelous with black coffee and stays moist when it's a loaf rather than muffins.
The smell is divine! My dogs are napping and the storm is coming. I teach adult swimmers tonight. One of my students born in Germany, travels down from her job as a research scientist in New Hampshire!
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