Krauthammer on Christmas

This column by Charles Krauthammer appeared in the Chicago Tribune yesterday. (But the source I've linked to doesn't require registration. So there.) I handed the paper over to daisy_knotwise to read, because we've been discussing the subject of the "de-Christmasing" of Christmas for a while and I thought she'd enjoy the article.

This is, of course, nothing new. I recall old gags about "getting the X out of Xmas". But it does seem to be an accelerating trend and I'd like to think there's some happy middle ground here.

Of course, it's the guys standing in the middle who get shot at by both sides.

Krauthammer on Christmas

This column by Charles Krauthammer appeared in the Chicago Tribune yesterday. (But the source I've linked to doesn't require registration. So there.) I handed the paper over to daisy_knotwise to read, because we've been discussing the subject of the "de-Christmasing" of Christmas for a while and I thought she'd enjoy the article.

This is, of course, nothing new. I recall old gags about "getting the X out of Xmas". But it does seem to be an accelerating trend and I'd like to think there's some happy middle ground here.

Of course, it's the guys standing in the middle who get shot at by both sides.

Vioxx, Celebrex, Naproxen, and Aspirin

I've tried some cursory web browsing to see if I can find an answer to this question and have failed utterly. So, absent data, I post speculation which is probably wrong, but which is an entertaining thought.

Recent studies have shown that taking Vioxx, Celebrex, or Naproxen tend to increase the user's risk of heart attack and stroke, according to press reports. This leads to the next question: "Relative to what?"

See, I recall research that indicates that taking aspirin will reduce your chance of heart attack and stroke. If you're among the experimental group in a study taking high doses of an anti-inflammatory, you're not likely ever to take any aspirin, because you're on enough similar pain medication to choke a horse.

But what about the control group? Did they take aspirin now and again? Is it possible that what this research has done is to measure not an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among the experimental group, but a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke in a control group that took the occasional aspirin?

This inquiring mind would like to know.

Vioxx, Celebrex, Naproxen, and Aspirin

I've tried some cursory web browsing to see if I can find an answer to this question and have failed utterly. So, absent data, I post speculation which is probably wrong, but which is an entertaining thought.

Recent studies have shown that taking Vioxx, Celebrex, or Naproxen tend to increase the user's risk of heart attack and stroke, according to press reports. This leads to the next question: "Relative to what?"

See, I recall research that indicates that taking aspirin will reduce your chance of heart attack and stroke. If you're among the experimental group in a study taking high doses of an anti-inflammatory, you're not likely ever to take any aspirin, because you're on enough similar pain medication to choke a horse.

But what about the control group? Did they take aspirin now and again? Is it possible that what this research has done is to measure not an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among the experimental group, but a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke in a control group that took the occasional aspirin?

This inquiring mind would like to know.

System Down

So I finally pick up the phone to reserve a room for GAFilk and it turns out that the national reservation line for Holiday Inn is down right now. Maybe in half an hour.

Timing is everything.

System Down

So I finally pick up the phone to reserve a room for GAFilk and it turns out that the national reservation line for Holiday Inn is down right now. Maybe in half an hour.

Timing is everything.

So Who Is That Half-Blood Prince Anyway?

With many people waiting for the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", there's going to be lots of speculation about who the other character in the title is. I can hardly refuse to contribute to the pile. :)

What if the "half-blood prince" is a new character, a first-year student who is heir to the throne of England in the Potterverse? Certainly he'd be a bigger celebrity than Harry, which would be a novel experience for Harry at Hogwarts. And imagine the discomfort of Malfoy and crew at having to deal with the half-breed.

It's probably all rubbish, but it would be interesting.

So Who Is That Half-Blood Prince Anyway?

With many people waiting for the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", there's going to be lots of speculation about who the other character in the title is. I can hardly refuse to contribute to the pile. :)

What if the "half-blood prince" is a new character, a first-year student who is heir to the throne of England in the Potterverse? Certainly he'd be a bigger celebrity than Harry, which would be a novel experience for Harry at Hogwarts. And imagine the discomfort of Malfoy and crew at having to deal with the half-breed.

It's probably all rubbish, but it would be interesting.