When a parent "I love you" means "do as I say"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15mind.html?ref=health

This was an interesting article about the top of "conditional" vs "unconditional" parenting.

Conditional parenting is when a parent scolds a child or withholds "love" from the child when they misbehave, or do poorly in school. In unconditional parenting, the parent will address what the child did wrong, but not make them feel as though they are less loved because of it.

The article said studies have shown that positive conditional parenting (praising a child more when they do well) has both positive and negative effects. The child may do what the parent wants, but often they have a feel of being controlled or motivated by an outside source, instead of feeling as though they achieved something on their own. Negative conditional parenting has shown no positives and only increases children's dislike of their parents.

Health Care Reform and "American Values"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/health/10chen.html?ref=health

People on both sides of the aisle are using incorrect terms, such as "uniquely American", "Canadian" and "British" to describe our current health care, and health care to come.

The premise is that "American values" point to one form of health care - private insurance.

Dr. Allan S. Brett says that when politicians use the term "American values", they are assuming all Americans have the same values.  They are also assuming these values mean the same thing to the different people. Freedom could mean freedom to choose what health plan a person wants, it could also mean freedom from worrying about being able to afford health care if they became too sick.

Choices of physicians and where to go to the doctors are increased in a single payer system, because there are no insurance restrictions.

In the past twenty years, patients have been more and more able to get whatever test or procedures they want done.  Doctors think less about how effective they will actually be, and a lot of money is wasted.

Dr. Brett says that one uniquely American thing about our health care system is that we deny coverage to a portion of our population.

Obama Health Care Speech

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10assess.html?_r=1&hp

This article looked at Obamas speaking skills, and how he is using them to win over congress, and a country that has seemed to be loosing faith in him.

He addressed the issue of health care in a more articulate and simplified manor, talking not just to congress, but also to the American people watching him on their televisions.

He has used his speaking before to come back after difficult times, like after accusations of racism came out because of comments made by his former pastor.

Hatoyama Stands By Campaign Vow For Sharp Cut In Japans Emissions

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/world/asia/08japan.html?ref=todayspaper

Japans presumptive prime minister is stand by his campaign promises to cut emissions from 1990 levels by 25%.  Though he said that his promises were contingent on other countries making similar goals.

The European Union has promised to cut emission by 20% for 1990 levels, and 30% if other countries follow.  In the United States, congress is debating over a bill that would cut emissions by 6%.

Some are worried a 25% cut would be too harmful to the economy of Japan, and thousands of jobs would be lost. 

There is also concern that the Obama administration will not have time to win congresses support on reduction of carbon emission.

Stimulus-Assisted Schools Still Facing Crippling Cuts

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/education/08school.html?_r=1&hp

Schools across the countries had to cut lay-off thousands of teachers and give pay cuts to others. 

Schools were given a stimulus so they could afford to hire back teachers.  Most of them still received pay cuts.

One of the problems schools are facing is no way of testing the quality of teachers, and laws that force them to lay teachers of based on seniority, instead of how good they are.  Schools are getting stuck with not enough teachers, and those they do have, aren't always the best.

Some Parents Oppose Obama School Speech

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/04school.html?ref=education

Some conservative parents do not want their children to watch Obama speak in their schools about the importance of staying in school.

The republican chairman in Florida said he “was appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.”

And Chris Stigall, a Kansas City talk show host, said, “I wouldn’t let my next-door neighbor talk to my kid alone; I’m sure as hell not letting Barack Obama talk to him alone.”

Some parents want schools to offer alternative classes for children to attend.  Others say they don't see how listening to the president of out country speak is damaging our children.

I do agree that President Obama is sending a socialist message by urging kids to stay in school.  Public schools are one of the few social programs we have in America!  I don't understand why people who are already conforming to this would worry about there children being indoctrinated.  They've already given the same message to their children themselves! 

Sleep: Natures Time Management Tool.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/health/01mind.html?ref=science

Jerome Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA argues that sleep has evolved to optimize the use of time.  It keeps animals safe when the hunting, fishing, or scavenging is scarce or risky. In this view, differences in sleep patterns, including periods of insomnia, are not seen as problems but adaptations. 

There is opposition to almost ever idea offered about sleep.  Some believe it consolidates memories, others think sleep is needed to repair neural damage. Critics also point out that sleeping animals are less alert to predators than waking ones.

Siegel points out that sleepers are less vulnerable than they appear, being highly sensitive to certain sounds such as thumps, voices, or a babies whine. He also argues that the need for sleep is diminished in the most important waking hours - killer whales migrating for weeks on end, fully alert, with no sleep, is an example.

Siegel says that the elderly, who general sleep much less than young adults, may not be sleep deprived because of less sleep. They no longer have the need grow, and they have more of a need and ability to do things for themselves.

Siegel comes to the conclusion that people simply may not sleep well, or at certain hours because there is work to be done.