Would Reagan Win Today?

A story on NPR looks at the real Ronald Reagan. Many Republican Candidates are trying to wrap themselves in the Reagan mantle.  The story by NPR's Guy Raz suggests Reagan would have trouble winning the nomination today.

• In 1986 Reagan eliminated a number of deductions which, in essence, raised taxes.
• In 1986 Reagan granted amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. 
• In his 1985 Reagan proposed the exemption of federal income taxes to those living at or below the poverty line.

Ads from super PACs would be asking, "Who's side are you on?

Kumbaya

A song about social justice...about building consensus has become the victim of snarky dismissive comments that mirror the political dictum...no compromise.

According to a piece Linton Weeks on NPR, Kumbaya was originally used by African Americans asking god to intervene on their behalf against their oppressors. It was later used during the civil rights movement. The song was treated in a straightforward manner, held up without irony as a ritual of reverence, a soft-voice anthem of togetherness. That togetherness is being ridiculed in our political world. Compromise is considered a weakness.


You can find out more at the NPR website.


Sources cited include Michael E. Ross and Samuel G. Freedman.

A New PD at KUT

KUT, Austin has a new PD!
Keith Neisler takes control of content at the radio station. According to Radio Info.Com this is his second PD job in the market.

Twinkies May Be In Our Past

Hostess has filed for bankruptcy. Critics are saying Hostess changed to late. Wonder Bread fell out of favor long ago. The company is blaming its pension and medical benefits obligations, increased competition and tough economic conditions. There's a lot more on this story at NPR.org.

Did you peel off the frosting on the cupcakes first? What about sucking out the filling on the Twinkie?
You could also ball up the bread and it would stay that way making for a wonderful projectile to throw at siblings. There were a few that stuck to the classroom clock. (I plead innocence)

Diet and ADHD

NPR's Food Blog highlights a report from the journal "Pediatrics" about food and ADHD. Elimination diets were touted just a few years ago but, it has been found that elimination of junk food alone is not that effective. Diet can be complimentary to treatment. According to Benjamin Prince, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital tells us kids with ADHD usually need medicine and good diets.
There are three elements to a good diet:


Eat a protein-rich breakfast.
Cut back on sugary treats and processed foods.
Fish oil and omega-3 supplements.


You can find out more by linking to the blog (the salt) and, you can listen to the story. There's a link on the blog. It was aired on Morning Edition.


Stories about childhood learning and behavior are an interest of mine. I'm currently on the board of Focus Center for Autism. If you are too please check out their Facebook page and website. 


Focus needs your support. While there click on the donate tab to find out more. 

Steve Chiotakis Moves Cross Town

The drive from Pasadena to Santa Monica can take a few hours. Steve Chiotakis will get 19 days to make the journey. He is leaving the nationally syndicated “Marketplace Morning Report” after three years to join Los Angeles public-radio station KCRW-FM. His sleep schedule is taking a 180. He'll take over as afternoon newscaster and host of All Things Considered on KCRW. There's more in the Birmingham News.

Singing Therapy and Brain Food

Two of the most emailed stories from NPR last week dealt with brain health. The most emailed story was about the use of singing therapy to help stoke victims speak again. Story by Richard Knox is in their Health Blog.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is using a a type of singing therapy to help with her speech.
The therapy is being used on patients who had damage to the left side of the brain. Therapists and patients are trying to teach the right side of the brain to facilitate speech.

Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, who heads a study on singing therapy in Massachusetts says a surprising amount of recovery is possible. He also reports good results working with autistic children and people with Parkinson's disease who have trouble speaking.


The second story about brain health asked, Is There Really Such A Thing As Brain Food? Rob Stein's article for the NPR food blog poses the question, can certain foods or the proper diet protect your brain from diseases like Alzheimer's. There are studies that suggest the right foods like fish were less likely to have their brains shrink. On the other hand, "those who ate a lot of food containing trans fats — found in margarine, some packaged food, fast food and baked goods — tended to experience more brain shrinkage and score more poorly on the thinking and memory tests."


 There's a caution in the article. A lot more research is needed.