August 3, 2009 archive

Aug 03 2009

Pique the Geek 20090802. The Things we Eat. High Fructose Corn Sweetener

This is likely to be a hotly debated essay.  The subject of High Fructose Corn Sweetener (HFCS) is extremely controversial, with a spectrum of advocates ranging from those who articulate that is nothing but poison in any amount, to those who articulate that is nothing but safe.  I believe that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

We will examine first the chemistry of sugars, then the use of added sugars in processed foods, then some of the political and economic causes, and finally have an open forum.  I hope that everyone will contribute.

Aug 03 2009

Hmmm … 33

So I finally got around to trying one of these online test dealies… “Do You Have Asperger’s?”.

32 is the cut off. I scored a 33.

Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher. The test is not a means for making a diagnosis, however, and many who score above 32 and even meet the diagnostic criteria for mild autism or Asperger’s report no difficulty functioning in their everyday lives.

I prefer the term “eccentric”.

NOTE: By no means do I mean any disrespect or anything toward individuals who truly struggle and suffer with this syndrome. It’s just something I’ve wondered about for a while now, about myself.

Aug 03 2009

Weekend News Digest

Weekend News Digest is an Open Thread

Now with World and U.S. News.

From Yahoo News Top Stories

1 Khatami condemns Iran’s "show trial" of reformists

By Parisa Hafezi, Reuters

Sun Aug 2, 11:32 am ET

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iranian authorities have tightened pressure on their opponents by staging what former president Mohammad Khatami condemned on Sunday as a “show trial” of 100 reformists accused of trying to instigate a “velvet revolution.”

The trial was the latest shot in an official campaign to snuff out defiance by those who say Iran’s June 12 election was rigged to ensure the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, due to be sworn in by parliament on Wednesday.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has endorsed the election result and demanded an end to protests, will formally approve the hard-line incumbent for a second term on Monday.

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