Given the Democrats’ sizeable majority in the House of Representatives it’s telling that the Democratic health care reform bill passed by just 5 votes (220 – 215) in a rare Saturday session. No Republicans supported the bill and several conservative Democrats did not side with their colleagues on a bill that costs $1 trillion but dramatically expands health care coverage. As the bill faces hostile prospects in the Senate, is it realistic to think that any health care reform package will emerge from Congress before 2010?
Who knew the simple practice of turning salty seawater into drinkable potable water could be so controversial—the Southern California Metropolitan Water District is set to vote today on giving sizable rate-payer subsidies to a private company to build a state-of-the-art desalination plant in Carlsbad. While desalination holds great promise for replenishing California’s dwindling water supplies, environmentalists and budget hawks feel that the technology isn’t ready yet for prime time. Is desalination worth the huge investment?
Cable giant Comcast is one step closer to acquiring General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal. After weeks of negotiation, the two media giants have agreed to set the value of NBC Universal at thirty million dollars paving the way for the creation of one of the nation’s largest media behemoths. In the past the FCC prohibited a cable operator from owning a TV station in the same city but those rules are gone today. Should there be some concern associated with allowing Comcast to own so much programming (NBC, E!, USA, BRAVO, CNBC, MSNBC, etc)?
Americans eat cows, pigs, chickens…but why not dogs? That’s one mental exercise author Jonathan Safran Foer works through in his new book, which takes a sober look at what many of us take for granted every day: what is the meat we’re eating and where does it come from? Safran Foer tells his personal tale—from culinary dabbling bachelor, to conscientious, vegetarian father. But personal preferences aside, this isn’t a straightforward case for vegetarianism so much as a metered exploration of our eating habits, assumptions and industry.
But mac 'n cheese isn't enough… no matter what your kid says. Eating vegetarian can be a healthy diet for kids, pregnant and nursing moms, and babies -- accordingly to an exhaustive study review by the American Dietetic Association. However, that diet must include protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and vitamins D and B-12. Here's the challenge - how do you wrap all of those goodies into a yummy "no-meat" meal?
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
