Diet and cancer

Prevention is better than therapy!  Dr. Li is excited about foods you can eat to starve cancer and keep it from growing in you.   

Debt: Stop digging

In case you haven't seen it: this is the popular video about America's debt and the folly of spending our kids' future resources.  If a family went into debt to the same scale as our government has, and tried to get even more credit from the bank, it might look like this:

"Reckless" green policy

Germany's Spiegel Online International has only criticism for their government's green energy policies:

"Germany's aggressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power has come with a hefty price tag for consumers, and the costs often fall disproportionately on the poor. Government advisors are calling for a completely new start."

Consumers already pay more for electricity in Germany than in any other European nation, and the cost is going to go up another 20%.  More carbon was released into the atmosphere in 2012 than in 2011.  A steel mill may be asked to shut down to protect the grid when there is a shortage of electricity.  These unintended consequences please nobody.

photo:  www.spiegel.de

"When Stefan Becker . . of the Catholic charity Caritas makes a house call, he likes to bring along a few energy-saving bulbs. Many residents still use old light bulbs, which consume a lot of electricity but are cheaper than newer bulbs. 'People here have to decide between spending money on an expensive energy-saving bulb or a hot meal,' says Becker. In other words, saving energy is well and good -- but only if people can afford it."

from:  Spiegel Online International 09.04.2013, "Germany's Energy Poverty: How Electricity Became a Luxury Good"

Green energy problems

Germany has invested hugely in green energy in the hope that wind or solar energy will eventually be produced efficiently enough to replace nuclear or fossil-based fuels like oil and gas.

So far, the they have little to show for their efforts.  Solar energy companies have gone under, and now wind farms are producing bad news.

photo:  www.spiegel.de

Riffgat is Germany's first wind farm in the North Sea.  Der Spiegel calls it "a masterpiece of German engineering," and says that its 492-foot wind turbines "work perfectly".  

But consumer prices for electricity are going up and the "market is collapsing."  Those turbines are turning at this time, but they're being fueled by onshore fossil fuel!  Chancellor Angela Merkel has changed her mind about showing up for the dedication.

"Instead of being a showcase project, the Riffgat offshore wind farm has become a symbol of the government's failed offshore wind policy."

A lot of money was spent (which ultimately comes from taxpayers) for such a disappointing outcome.

Papuans: engaged & capable

(cont'd)

"Strong, free, brave, capable" (see yesterday's post) people of Papua New Guinea talk about why they initiated their new school, motivations they share with all parents everywhere.  Watch the parents and leaders explain that they want their children educated in character, prepared to prosper and to be comfortable with globalization.  These Christian parents and leaders, associated with their local church, seemingly out in the outback of Papua New Guinea, have chosen a strategy to educate their children:  they are demonstrably not "hopeless and helpless."

Papuans: not helpless

From the blog of Darrow Miller, who served with Food for the Hungry International from 1981 to 2007, from 1994 to 2007 as its vice president:

"Papuans were totally self-sufficient for thousands of years so it is a difficult task to convince them that they are hopeless and helpless. 

"But in the last decade well-intentioned outsiders have made significant headway. The Papuans, who viewed themselves as “the people”–strong, free, brave and capable–are becoming dependent on government, mission, and aid organizations."

Incomes in the recovery

The recession ended in 2009 - they told us.  But according to CNN Money and Sentier Research, incomes across America took a hit from which they have not come back.

American incomes in general have declined since that, ahem, end of recession in 2009 by at least 4%.  But some incomes have declined by much more than that.

Demographic groups whose income has dropped the most are:

• Non-Hispanic Black - 10.9%
• Under age 25 - 9.6%
• Men living alone - 9.1%
• Single mothers - 7.5%

Africa's resources

Africa has been called "one of the most resource-rich destinations on earth" but its people have not historically been among the among the most prosperous on earth.  Thanks to a period of relative peace and stability (see yesterday's post), however, African nations have seen good economic growth in the last decade.

Oil and gas have fueled economic boom on the east coast.  About three quarters of the world's rhodium and platinum come from Africa and are essential to the catalytic converter in our cars.  Cobalt is used in electronic devices and in batteries, and Africa provides 58% of the world's needs.

Africa has always been rich in natural resources.  But until they are developed, retrieved from the ground, refined into something people can use, the natural resources might as well not be there.   Businesses must be started or imported which can develop this abundance.

African growth

When the economy grows, people have better lives.  They spend a smaller share of their resources (time, labor, money) getting the material essentials of life, and more on the non-material blessings of life like leisure time, education, etc.

Economic growth is a blessing that can and should spread to some extent throughout the community/nation, partly because those who have more income spend it with others who have something to sell.

What does it take for an economy to grow, that is, for wealth to be created?  There are several factors that will help anywhere, and have set the stage for Africa's accelerated growth in the last decade.

One important factor in Africa's growth has been increasing stability.   Africa appeared in the 1990's to be "uniquely prone to nasty political violence," but since those days wars have been on the decline.

Warlords and dictators make turmoil not only socially but also economically.  Business owners, small or big, must be able to anticipate conditions like taxes, whether employees can get to work, and whether their property will remain secure.

Fear and uncertainty caused by wars or unpredictable government can make building and maintaining a business terminally risky.

"Work" is honorable

Work is a good thing in the Western worldview.  Christianity has made a distinct contribution to this view, as articulated by Chuck Colson in 2003:

"We are made in the image of God and as such we are made to work—to create, to shape, to bring order out of disorder."  This is what you do (as we all do) in your business or job.

"Christians have a special reason to celebrate Labor Day, which honors the fundamental dignity of workers, because we worship a God Who labored to make the world—and Who created human beings in His image  . . When God made Adam and Eve, He gave them work to do: cultivating and caring for the earth."

"In the ancient world, the Greeks and Romans looked upon manual work as a curse, something for lower classes and slaves. But Christianity changed all of that. Christians viewed work as a high calling—a calling to be co-workers with God in unfolding the rich potential of His creation."

We create - we shape - we organize our world to unfold its rich potential.  Inspiring!

African economies growing

It's good to hear that sub-Saharan African countries are growing economically at a healthy pace.  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts growth of well over five percent for the region, with individual nations reaching growth rates of 6-8%.

The IMF projects economic growth in the next year for Nigeria at about 7%.  By way of comparison, America's economy is growing ~2% at this time (during the past century it grew by around 3% annually).

photo: coons.senate.gov

The best praise

Advice for parents:  train your children in goodness with this simple suggestion.

First generation faith

(cont'd)

Author Rod Dreher (The Little Way of Ruthie Leming) as a teenager
rejected his parents' Christianity along with their small town point of view, but he chose genuine faith later - on his own, starting with an experience in the cathedral of Chartres, France.  

photo:  destination360.com

He sensed there that God was challenging his view of reality, the one overwhelming impression that stayed with him after that first trip to Europe.  It's not a common track to faith, but God doesn't shrink from using whatever you give Him to work with.   Rod eventually became Catholic.

So where does he stand today?  From his blog last week:  

"I pray that the choice is never put to me, but if I am ever forced to make that choice [between serving the state or God], I will always and everywhere choose God, without apology. I am a Christian first, and an American second."

He is a first generation Christian.

Small town, good life

(cont'd:  The Little Way of Ruthie Leming)

Author Rod Dreher contrasted his life with that of his sister Ruthie and saw, from the position of adulthood, things of value that he didn't notice as an awkward teenager.  Her friends, teaching colleagues, children she'd taught, all came to honor her life when she died.  News spread, and there was food, a cleaned house, her daughter's car fixed, all there when the family came home drained from the hospital.

He had to take note that Ruthie's family had a "deep bench" of meaningful connections.  In their big city life, his own family had friends but not deep roots.

That's where stories like this usually end.  Roots are better, the rebellious boy comes back home.  But it's not the end of this story.

Some of that discontentedness he felt as a boy was due to genuine failures among the hometown people, including Ruthie, and he doesn't flinch from telling that part of the story.

Home in small town USA

It sounded like a sentimental, mushy story line.  But Erik Metaxas strongly recommends the book.  That carries some weight for me, so I read The Little Way of Ruthie Leming and I'm glad I did.

Conflicted feelings abound because the author left his small Southern hometown young  - he rejected everything about it and couldn't wait to get away. He gladly left his family and the town, went to the Big City, and built a career.

His sister Ruthie loved the little hometown and its people, and they loved her.  She stayed and raised her own family close to them.   When cancer took her life at the age of 42, it drew her brother Rod (the author) back into the environment he abandoned and he saw goodness in the community that he'd never appreciated.  

He brought his family back to the small town.  He says:  "The familiar used to feel oppressive; now it feels comforting.

Travel + $100k

Jauntaroo.com is a two-year-old travel website that matches your interests and budget to travel destinations.  Travel websites, it seems, is a crowded field so Jauntaroo has come up with something to catch your attention:  "Best Job Around the World" as Chief World Explorer.

They're partnering with organizations to include some altruistic features.

The job starts next January and will pay $100k/year.  Jauntaroo will share expenses of your travel with the localities, who will of course also benefit from the resulting publicity.  If you get this job, you will write stories about your adventures for the website.

It may be the best job opportunity ever - for someone.  Hopefully I'll remember to check in to the website and follow the unfolding of this job.

ACT perfect score

Three of Eden Prairie MN high school seniors earned a perfect ACT college placement test score of 36 points.   One of these students, Ella Johnson, was interviewed.  She was excited and blessed, she said, to get the perfect score, and she shared some tips with future test-takers.

When asked if she had anything else to add to her interview, she said, " Colossians 3:17."  It's from the Bible:  "and whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and [in dependence] upon His person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

She's a great student who knows that there are greater things than being a great student.

Jobs / Kutcher

First there was the biography, now there's the biopic of Steve Jobs that came out last week.  A legend in his own time, Jobs came up with many technology break-throughs and co-started that icon of Silicon Valley, Apple Inc.

Steve Wozniak was his partner in the starting of Apple Computer.  He hasn't been shy about his opinion of the film:  he thinks it was too easy on Jobs.  

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Ashton Kutcher delivered a "compelling performance" as Steve Jobs but the movie didn't do too well on its opening weekend and the critics haven't been especially kind.

Kutcher / Jobs

photo:  digitalspy.com

Christian Egyptian girl killed

One of the many victims of Egypt's current violence was this Christian Copt girl.  Nervous about walking home from her Bible study, she asked her teacher to go with her.  Making their way through the market, her teacher turned around to make a purchase and turned back to find her student Jessica Boulous on the ground in a pool of blood.

photo:  morningstarnews.org

"Nasr Allah Zakaria, Jessica’s uncle, said the killing has devastated the girl’s family.

“I just can’t believe she is gone,” Zakaria said. “She was such a sweet little girl. She was like a daughter to me. I can’t believe she is gone.”

"No one has claimed responsibility for the killing. Zakaria, pastor of an evangelical  church in Egypt, said he didn’t know for sure if the shooting was religiously motivated but quickly added that violence against Christians “seems to be normal” in Egypt now."

Christians a target

Christianity has had a significant presence in Egypt since the first century A.D.  Today, 10% of the population is Christian, around 8 million people.  Violence toward their homes, churches, and shops has escalated during the current conflict.

photo: Catholic World Report

Something like sixty churches have either been burned or attacked, "and the people are scared," says Father Rafic Greische, Catholic spokesman.  Many believe that the organization Muslim Brotherhood is behind the attacks.

“First they stole the valuable things, and then they torched the place,” says Sami Awad, a church member who lives across the narrow dirt alley from the church. “Whatever they couldn't carry, they burned.”

They need our prayers, and they deserve that we speak up.

Must see TV

About three minutes of beauty and truth show up completely unexpectedly on reality tv.  Audiences have been surprised on reality talent shows before, so this isn't the first time for a surprise. But a group that is performing for the first time in front of an audience is not so common.

The group "Forte" performs an Andrew Lloyd Webber arrangement of a Latin prayer from the Requiem Mass, and celebrity judges join with the audience in sheer joy.

John Stonestreet has comments about it at breakpoint.org.

Breaktime

This second week of August, I'll be taking a break - and will be back posting on Monday, August 19.  Enjoy the last month of summer!

Atheist students

Interviewed by a Christian group doing research, atheist students answered the question:  "What led you to become an atheist?"  

Their answers were often the rational/scientific objections you might expect.  But there was more. 

Many had a church background.  But it sounds, in this article from The Atlantic, like many were disappointed in their church by a lack of belief, commitment, and serious engagement with the important questions of life.  Some actually said that they would not respect any Christian who didn't try to recruit them to faith.  

Dawkins tweets

Militant atheist and Oxford professor Richard Dawkins has fans, and one of them is begging him to be quiet.

A self-described worshipper of Dawkins wants him to stop tweeting about Muslims.

Why not to arm the rebels

Paul Johnson, famous British historian and author, has a case to make for America not arming the Syrian rebels.

While researching a new book on America's post-WWII President Dwight Eisenhower, he's found that the former general was very reluctant to intervene in global crises during his presidency. Johnson thinks this was wise because intervention usually fails to produce positive results, in his opinion, though there's often pressure from human rights activists to do something.

There's pressure to provide arms in the Syrian civil war now. But:   a) which group, if any, is democratic? b) any U.S.-backed group may fall to terrorist penetration, c) there's every chance that any weapons we provide will end up in terrorist hands.

Middle East common ground

Finding points of common interest between Israelis and Palestinians must be challenging, but they do have a “common language: tech management.” Commerce passes the borders regularly, startups are beginning to transform the Palestinian economy, and business partnerships grow among parties of both sides.

John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, and other American tech executives also “push their Israel subsidiaries to outsource research and development projects to Palestinian startups or to hire local Arabs.”

Creating inter-connected prosperity could be a big part of the lasting peace that is in everyone's best interest.

Cris Carter gives credit

Former Vikings Football receiver Cris Carter was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, last Friday evening.  His "Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech" was full of gratitude for the people in his life who helped him.

First mentioned was his mom who raised him and let him know that she believed in him. “Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her"  (say psychologists and people of common sense) and she seems to have been that adult for him.

Other credit went to his brothers, sisters, coaches.  Hear his heartfelt speech here.

(Ideas from Dr. Bill Bennett)

Fruit nuitrition

Maybe you've heard the argument that the sugar in fruit is still sugar, so it can be bad for you and you should not eat too much fruit.  That argument is being countered.

There are some important advantages to eating whole, fresh fruit.  You can gulp down a glass of juice in less time, but that puts a lot of sugar into your bloodstream pretty quickly.  Whole fruit's fiber slows down the absorption of that sugar.  The fiber is in the cell walls, and it slows down that absorption most efficiently if the cell walls are not ground up in the blender.

There's more depth to the case for eating fruit in this NY Times article.

Ruins of Detroit

Churches, schools, theatres, homes, it's amazing to see buildings of all types abandoned for many years now. So many treasures, so much old wealth, just gone.  It's sad and eerie.

Untypical Chinese restaurant

Jason Wang, now 25, was born in X'ian, China.  He is now co-owner and operator with his father of X'ian Famous Foods in New York. Holding a business degree from Washington University in St. Louis, he spends 13 hours a day on his feet making noodles, taking orders, and keeping the store going.

Their food is not the Cantonese style that Americans have known for decades, but a distinct style that comes from Northern China.  Authenticity, moderate prices, and a handle on both Chinese and American tastes have made the place popular.  Jason's business training seems to be guiding his choices regarding their future growth and the decision to eschew franchising.

Go here for more stories about young entrepreneurs.