The Brain Lady Says Good-Bye To Her Left Hemisphere

What's it feel like to have a stroke?

Jill's TED Talk

Here's a great TED talk by a neuroscientist describing the effects of a devastating stroke. She's also been promoting her book about the experience on Fresh Air with Terry Gross: Listen here.

The TED Talk gets a little too kooky spiritual in places, but it's fascinating to see the neurological origins of religious type experiences.

Why can't we have health insurance for everyone?

Just in case you're wondering -- and feeling cheated because you live in the wealthiest country in the world and still don't have health insurance -- this PBS documentary explains how other capitalist democracies (they're not the same thing, W) manage to extend healthcare to every citizen. Imagine being able to change jobs anytime you want without worrying about your health insurance.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

It's a public television version of "Sicko."

Stay healthy.

t

The Boy Scouts vs. God

I heard the news today about the horrible tornado that struck the Boy Scouts camping in western Iowa. I'm saddened by the deaths and injuries. I'm also glad no gays or atheists were affected since the Scouts don't allow either to join their organization.

It doesn't take much to imagine what the televangelists and the Christian Industry would be crowing about if the tornado had struck a gay pride march or festival instead. Sunday's sermons would trumpet how a vengeful lord punishes the sinners -- just like John McCain's boy Pastor Hagee claimed Katrina struck New Orleans for the same reason.

Will this force the financial supporters (sheep) of these religious fanatics to question their relentless anti-gay dogma?