Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Real Scoop on Papa John's and Obamacare


Franchise owners listen to corporate officials, especially when they're the founder and spokesman for the whole business. When you teach people that it's common sense to lower hours so you don't have to pay for insurance, and condone finding loopholes in the law, at least some will follow your lead. While the bottom line is important, the most valuable asset any company has is it's staff. Take better care of your employees, treat them as the important resource they are and they will work harder, be more productive and loyal. Show them the only thing you care about is the almighty dollar and your customers will see it. You'll lose money.



Blaming the backlash of your own words on a reporter is as irresponsible as the message you sent. The enormous cost of your latest advertising gimmick would be much better spent instilling better company values in all your franchises, being a leader in showing the world that a business cares enough about it's crew enough to treat them as human beings. Your bottom line will improve, instead of dwindle as more and more folks get to know the real you and look elsewhere for a common product.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Gabby Douglas Covers ESSENCE 'Women Of The Year' Issue In Glamorous Black And Gold Dress (PHOTO)


Not to take away from Gabby, who is amazing and beautiful... if this was an article about Michael Phelps in a magazine devoted to promoting how gorgeous, talented and intelligent people with his flesh tone are, it wouldn't matter how gifted a swimmer he is. There would be negative remarks. So many Americans think it's ok to celebrate one pigment over others, as long as it's not the lightest one. And anyone who shares hues is immediately identified as only one end of the spectrum.



If this sounds silly, it is. In reality, we're all a blend of something. That's not who we are, and should have very little bearing. We're Americans, first and foremost. Those among us who excel represent not only themselves and their families but all of us. The hue makes no one better than another, It's what's inside that drives us, makes us improve, makes us beautiful. Gabby and Michael know this. We need to be reminded, and believe it.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Neil Armstrong Dead: First Man On The Moon Dies At 82


Neil, you were one of the heroes of my youth. Your words echo in so many minds and hearts. Pioneer, explorer, adventurer. You lived a great life, and now you have leaped beyond the moon and into the heavens. Rest well, Mr. Armstrong.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Mormons' Love-Hate Relationship With America


It's interesting... take a provocative headline, a loosely written, scattered article with quotes by a couple of kooks, an attempt to turn the suffering of Americans into an anecdotal sideline.... and the comment gates open wide for every rumor, juvenile retort, regurgitation of the same 'ol spin and bi as, mixed with a smattering of actual h@. tred. In a blog filled with folks who claim to be progressive and tolerant, in a country founded on principles of freedom. My ancestors simply wanted to live in peace and worship according to their faith, the way all Americans are guaranteed by the Constitution. They were mobbed, beaten, imprisoned, murdered and driven from their homes in the winter by neighbors, fellow Americans and Christians. People who should have known better.



I'm no different than you. We often share the same views on a host of varying subjects. And gratefully I don't have to keep a lookout for mobs. But reading comments like these makes it very clear the underlying intolerance is still there. Feces based on gossip is still being flung. People who are otherwise decent have a bad experience, see something on the net, read it, believe it and use it to cause damage. They equate different with dangerous and feel justified in being offensive.



We have a long way to go before we live up the the ideals of the founding fathers. Before we treat each other with tolerance. Before we are worthy of the name Americans.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Anderson Cooper Comes Out: 'The Fact Is, I'm Gay'


What's important is being comfortable in your own skin. Being true to yourself, kind and tolerant toward others. Finding love. That's what matters. Having a press conference or telling the world on tv isn't coming out. It's showboating. Feeding ego, raising ratings. That doesn't make anyone courageous or a hero. Real coming out is actually an inward thing... when you can finally be honest with yourself, not with millions of folks you don't know.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Planet's Evaporating Atmosphere Tied To Eruption Of Exoplanet HD 189733b's Parent Star


Here's one... The universe is vast, and amazing like our own world. And while we've learned much from studying both, we've only scratched the surface. The more we learn, the more apparent how much more there is we don't understand yet. In other words, the more we know... the less we know. No one has a lock on truth. Not scientists, not religious, nor any other field of study. It behooves all of us to have an open mind. To be willing to learn, because every year something we thought true becomes understood differently. Everyone can look into the expanse of space, and the depths of the oceans, and feel awe. It's so silly to close our minds and and feign superiority over someone else. Both are destructive and self-limiting. And completely against the processes by which we learn.
About Space
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Protecting Mothers and Children From HIV: A Call to Action


Good article and message, Dr. Goosby. May I add my two cents...

Education... So many areas of Africa live by old traditions that prevent women from having rights or protecting themselves. And if children are known to be infected they are often mistreated by family and friends, and even abandoned to die.



Second... pharmaceutical companies making untold billions developing ever more expensive long-term treatments. We understand enough about HIV/AIDS now to be doing trials of cures. Other diseases as well. We've been promised for half a century and more that we're on the "verge of a cure" for (insert disease here). But since profits rule the industry there are no cures. Why save and improve a person's life with one treatment when you can keep them going indefinitely for a few thousand a month! What the world needs are manageable prices, donated treatments and an open-minded reward system for cures, without regard to who developed them or what profits would be made or lost.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost