I'm Not A Green Bay Packer Fan, But ...

This story takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin and has nothing to do with the Packers. I've just always wanted to write those seven words.

I was talking to my mother tonight and she told me about young Kennedy Corpus who skipped school on the last day of fourth grade to go to an event with her father, John.

I hadn't heard of the story, so I decided to see just what happened. It turns out, she got a note for her teacher that was a once-in-a-lifetime event for ten-year-old Kennedy.

Since I rarely watch the main stream media any more, I get most of my news from the Internet and discussions with friends and family. Yes, Google is my friend. This is a precious video and story from the Green Bay Press-Gazette on June 11th. To read the story and watch the video, click here.

I'm guessing young Kennedy had a hard time sleeping that night.

I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

Obama Did It!

If you haven't already heard, President Obama overturned the ban on government-funding for embryonic stem cell research today by signing an executive order in the White House. I couldn't be more thrilled!

The thought of what lies ahead for this exciting science is truly mind boggling! You can read the entire article from CNN.com by clicking here.

Here is a video of his statement just before he signed the order:



A direct quote from the article:

"In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said at the White House.

"In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research — and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

Also from the article:

Former first lady Nancy Reagan also issued a statement Monday thanking Obama for lifting the ban.

"These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward," Reagan said. "Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases."

President Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after leaving office — an affliction that many scientists say eventually may be cured with the help of embryonic stem cell research.

I'm guessing the spirits of both Christopher Reeve and Ronald Reagan are smiling today.

I could write a lot more about my feelings on this subject, and how it will potentially benefit not only me, and literally millions of people; but instead, I think I'll save it for a chapter in my book. After all, that is one of the reasons I'm doing this blog. Remember, I'm not done yet!

Have I said yet how thrilled I am about this?

I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

Amazing Photograph!

A friend just sent me this photograph. This is absolutely the BEST in “high definition” ... Zoom in (double-click an area) ... and watch it focus. Then zoom some more ... and wait for it to focus. Or, you can use the focusing tool on the upper left side of the screen to zoom in and out, and scan across the photo with the directional arrows at the top left of the page. Or, just grab it somewhere on the photo and move your mouse across the page.

What a surveillance tool this is!

This picture was taken with a robotic camera and weighs in at 1,474 megapixel. (295 times the standard 5 megapixel camera). It was a Canon that pulled together over 200 individual shots. Each zoom in takes a second to focus ... and then you can see some amazing reactions. You can even read the Everest & Jennings logo on Dick Cheney's wheelchair!

I'll give you bonus points if you find Yo-Yo Ma taking a picture with his iPhone.

http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

I look forward to your comments.

Later,

Mike

Obama's Disability Plan

Welcome to 2009 and a new beginning in many ways. It's very exciting for me to see what the new administration is planning to do for people with disabilities. There is a good video on the Barack Obama website about his plan. It is obviously several months old because it looks like a campaign ad. Having said that, he has some great ideas to help the disability community. You can view it by clicking here.

The website also has this statement:

In addition to reclaiming America's global leadership on this issue by becoming a signatory to — and having the Senate ratify — the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the plan has four parts, designed to provide lifelong supports and resources to Americans with disabilities. They are as follows:

First, provide Americans with disabilities with the educational opportunities they need to succeed.

Second, end discrimination and promote equal opportunity.

Third, increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities.

And fourth, support independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities.

It was obviously shot before September 25, 2008 when the ADA was amended. You can read a brief synopsis of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 on the EEOC's site by clicking here.

Any comments?

Later,

Mike