December 29, 2011 – 10:11 AM
I hate taxes as much as the next dad, but taxes are sometimes good. They raise prices and change behavior, such as smoking. And often, legislators best efforts to tie taxes to consumer education (anti-smoking campaigns) or health effects (cancer research) are reversed when new legislatures need the cash to fund other pet projects (remember when lotteries were only to be used to fund education?) Often too, they are regressive, affecting poor people disproportionately. Price elasticity is real however, and anything that gets people off the sugar drink habit has to be good. People are still free to drink a Coke now and then, but are de-motivated to drink Coke for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which is sometimes the case.
[From AFP: France approves soda tax]
Disagree? Let me know!
December 26, 2011 – 10:57 AM
I received an Earpeace, a pair of noise reducing earplugs a few weeks ago. The Earpeace are an addition to the field of earplugs for adults to cut down the noise while outside or at a loud event such as a concert. They attempt to lower the overall volume while not muffling sound the way foam earplugs do. Independent tests (Michael and Associates) put reduction of sound pressure at 75%. EarPeace delivers 11+ to 17+ decibels of protection. This means that 80% of people will get more than 11 decibels of protection and 20% of people will get more than 17 decibels of protection.
In my tests at a loud concert, I found that they do decrease volume, but to my ear, there was some loss of crispness in the sound though I was still able to enjoy the music and to relax knowing I wasn’t killing what is left of my ears. I wish they made these for smaller kids since we often take our kids to concerts in the parks where the decibel level is just really painful for young ears.
These make a thoughtful gift at $12.95.
December 1, 2011 – 10:03 AM
I just turned 54, so the facial hair that gets you into bars when you’re 19, is not what you want to make you look older when you are, in fact, older. … A friend of mind didn’t’ recognize me at my local coffee store, so I guess I know what to do if I ever need to really go incognito. … Bald faced plug: the Dad 2.0 team has already reached over $17,000, but it’s not too late if you want to help out the cause. 33,000 men will die of prostate cancer and the nearly 8,300 men who will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year. Several important men in my life have died of cancer in the last few years, at least one because he didn’t go for an exam when he had serious symptoms. … origin=|mckv|sIL5aiqBI&pcrid=8513465214|plid It’s usually $199, so that’s a nice saving if you have another Movember sufferer in the house who is keeping the ‘stash until 12/25.
November 29, 2011 – 5:55 AM
Too many men I know have died over the last year, most from cancer. Some were because they didn’t heed warning signs and go to see a doctor. I’m supporting Movember mostly to support men’s health awareness and the need for annual checkups for all dads especially. Please support my growing efforts and the 33,000 men who will die of prostate cancer and the nearly 8,300 men who will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year. … If you can, take a moment to support the cause at http://mobro.co/GreatDad.
November 27, 2011 – 9:59 AM
Young children commonly get about 6 to 8 colds and upper respiratory tract infections each year. And now, bcause the FDA and Pediatricians recommend not giving over the counter cough and cold medicine to children under the age of six, parents need alternative remedies to give to their kids. These include old-fashioned, but very effective, tricks like honey and lemon in hot water and the trusty vaporizer or humidifier.
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