Masterstroke: Some things impressive about the Obama campaign

Today Obama announced his Executive Order to defer deportation for the persons brought to US before the age of 16 and meeting some other criteria

This is one thing that various groups were either hoping for or fearing. And it was probably left for dead by regular people who didn't care

What strikes out to me is that the Order deferred the deportation for just 2 years, after which it can be renewed. Now, isn't that the way to ensure that the "Amnesty lobby" (not my coinage) sticks with him in this election? For, if they don't, and he doesn't end up winning, the next person is surely going to strike that down or expire it. Wow.

Why did he wait this long to do this? He may well have done it a few months earlier, last year, or even when his CIR failed. Why now?

It seems to me he deliberately waited till this time to do what he did, because
- if he had done for after the CIR failure, there was still time to do more, and not doing more would put his next election in jeopardy. Saved the tidbit for when the dog was nearly dead from starvation
- If he had done it last year or a few months back, he would have been widely criticized. The right Wing would have maligned him and it would have ensured much more vitriol in Congress going from there. The same wouldn't happen now, because they are all preoccupied with the campaigning, and they are all scared of the enhanced power of the Hispanic electorate in this year

This is ONE TIME the people (majority) are more powerful. During the first three years a handful of minority can do much damage because they have nothing to lose and the party in power has much to lose. During the fourth year the tables start turning and People briefly have the say. And once re-elected, suddenly the President is emboldened because now HE has nothing to lose, because it is his last term. The other side, however might feel the need to make up for their hacks played during the last 4 years. It is amazing how this sharing of power works at different spheres -- policy-making and temporally

Another thing was, how quickly they came up with the healthcare bill. The mammoth bill that few might have read and digested. I heard somewhere that this bill was first drafted in the 1990's. This seems very likely to me, or else how can one possibly imagine coming up with thousands of pages of legal verbiage within the span of a few days? And to think, they started off this business even when it was not clear that Obama would win in the election! In retrospect, I feel, the same would have happened had even Hillary Clinton won the Primary, and the man behind it would be again Bill Clinton.

There is something in common in the two examples above. Perfect timing. And this was obvious in SO many of their actions. A study in this series of executions would be a very valuable education to anyone. Wouldn't you like to have such power of doing all the right actions at the right times? Some day, they will come out with all their secrets, it is hoped!

Research scams

How often do you come across research studies saying a variety of things? At the time of this writing (mid June 2012) there is a study in the news, that says that taking vitamin D and calcium supplements does not help older women. And another that says Omega-3 fatty acids don't help the brain after all

I did not read the two articles. The reason? I don't know how I can take them with any seriousness anymore.It seems they always say one thing today only to completely reverse their opinions just a few days later.

What is the reason for this inconsistency? Are not these studies properly vetted, especially when they contradict long-established theories? Where is the research community's sense of responsibility when publishing their claims in the media?
Are these studies merely for someone trying to complete their PhD? If so, what a nice way to begin a life of quack doctorship!
And to think of some of them --- I get the feeling, even I could dream up a theory like that. Now if only I were among the "right" crowd, that is entitled to publish their papers in prestigious journals.. and here is one more point: why is Research shielded from "outsiders"? Is it because they have not studied the topic, at least for grades? But look at what the people who "studied" came up with. Indeed, laughable
In my opinion, to have a paper vetted and published there should be no prerequisites. Only sufficient training in the scientific process, that includes all formalities, all formats, and ways to scourge information and access to books/other sources

Come on researchers, I challenge you! Do you have the guts to compete against the torrent of ideas from the general people? Do you really want to take Science to the new frontiers? I very much doubt, because you are all namby pamby self-preservers