Author Archives: Jim deMaine

Amid tensions with Trump administration, Harvard offers free courses on US history, politics

From Goodgoodgood (thanks to Pam P.) This summer, any American can add ‘Harvard University’ to their resume — for free. The university has offered free online courses for several years, but with tensions rising in relation to the Trump administration, more attention … Continue reading

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Scientists believe penguin poop might be cooling Antarctica — here’s how

This story was originally published by Grist. Thanks to Pam P. In December 2022, Matthew Boyer hopped on an Argentine military plane to one of the more remote habitations on Earth: Marambio Station at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Climate | Leave a comment

Two Japanese TV Show Contestants Act As a Single Gymnast Performing a Pommel Horse Routine

Thanks to Bob P.

Posted in Fitness, Humor | Leave a comment

Will this symbol stand?

Thanks to Pam P.

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Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates

Thanks to Mike C. Good morning, everybody. What a beautiful day. What a beautiful North Carolina day for a graduation. Incredible. Thank you, President Wente, Provost Gillespie, members of the Board of Trustees and Katy Harriger, my faculty sponsor, for … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Education, History, Law, Morality, Politics, Social justice | Leave a comment

The Unfolding Catastrophe Emanating From DC and Its Implications for Everyone’s Health – Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the MBR

Paul Pottinger, MD, DTMH, FACP, FIDSA, is a board certified physician and Director of the Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake and a Professor in UW School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Division of … Continue reading

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There’s never an end to Zucchini commentary

Thanks to Ed M (and to Gary Larson!)

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May we remember

Posted in History, Holidays | Leave a comment

We Are Not Being Asked to Run Into Cannon Fire. We Just Need to Speak Up.

By Drew Gilpin Faust in the NYT Ms. Faust is the author of “This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War” and a former president of Harvard University. Frederick Douglass thought Decoration Day — the original name for Memorial … Continue reading

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Kipling’s “When Earth’s Last Picture is Painted”

Ed note: I was talking to Mike C. at dinner about our early education and how, at times, we were required to memorize poetry. This is one poem he still recalls. We discussed the value of memorizing things in childhood, … Continue reading

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When you have nothing else to do!

Thanks to Bob P.

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I’m A Psychologist Who Specializes In Narcissists. Here’s What We Need To Do To Stop Trump.

By Jocelyn Sze in the Huffington Post (thanks to MaryLou P.) The Trump administration is planning a June 14 military parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — and the president’s 79th birthday. When your sense of self-exaltation requires … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Mental Health | Leave a comment

Silencing the CDC

A recent study by the CDC showed how to prevent the most common cause of hospitalizations in babies. Why haven’t we heard about it? Paul Offit (thanks to Ed. M) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of … Continue reading

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Joe Biden Has a Chance to Do Something Astounding

By Patti Davis in the NYT Ms. Davis is the author of “Dear Mom and Dad: A Letter About Family, Memory and the America We Once Knew.” She led a long-running support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s. On Nov. … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Dementia, end of life, Essays | Leave a comment

Is There a Least Bad Alcohol?

We all know about the health risks of drinking. But if you’re going to partake, it’s natural to want to minimize the damage. By Caroline Hopkins Legaspi in the NYT Q: I’ve been trying to cut back on alcohol lately, but … Continue reading

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Prostate Experts See Familiar Scenario in Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis

Ed note: The article below relates the common misunderstandings about the benefits of screening for prostate cancer. The great majority of prostate cancers that are common in old men behave in a benign fashion, so most of us die with … Continue reading

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Remembering those words

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Medicaid cuts proposed for 8.6 million people. Impact will differ across states.

From The Epidemiologist A recent study found that, since 2010, Medicaid expansion has reduced the mortality of the low-income adult population by 2.5%. In other words, Medicaid expansion saved more than 27,000 lives. Deaths fell not only among older enrollees (who are … Continue reading

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These stunning photos show how nature came back after the world’s largest dam removal project

by BY Adele Peters thanks to Pam P. It’s been less than a year since the world’s largest dam removal project was completed along 420 miles of the Klamath River, near the border of Oregon and California. But if you look … Continue reading

Posted in energy, environment, Nature | Leave a comment

Maja Sereda: Back to the Wild

Ed note: You can find more about Maja — her art, teaching and wildlife advocacy at her website https://majasereda.biz/. Maja Sereda is a multidisciplinary artist who immerses herself in the world of abstraction, fiber arts, and highly detailed drawings. Throughout … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Animals, Art | Leave a comment

The Second Poem the Night-Walker Wrote

Thanks to Bob P.

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Bruce Springsteen’s opening comments

May 14, 2025 MANCHESTER (thanks to Pam P.) Tonight, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band opened their Land of Hope & Dreams Tour in Manchester, England. Bruce launched this run of shows with three statements about the situation in … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Music | Leave a comment

Corruption, habeas corpus, emoluments and more

Heather Cox Richardson The biggest news over the weekend was silence: the silence of Republicans. They refused to disavow White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s statement that the administration is looking at suspending the writ of habeas corpus, … Continue reading

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What Paris and Skyline will have in common!

Thanks to Deborah C.

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Josh Hawley: Don’t Cut Medicaid

By Josh Hawley In the NYT. Mr. Hawley is a Republican senator from Missouri. Polls show Democrats down in the dumps at their lowest approval level in decades, but we Republicans are having an identity crisis of our own, and you can see … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Health, Insurance | 1 Comment