Asian Child With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes

After reading this story (here) of a white-haired baby abandoned in China, I was genetically-curious (again) about Asians with blue-eyes, but also with blonde hair. I found the little darling girls pictured here. It did not hit me that the one might present albinism, as her skin is not so obviously missing pigment. So, instead of guessing what could be going on, which I resist, I asked a geneticist at Stanford Medical School. (here)

I received a quick response. "Off the top of my head the likeliest explanations are mixed ancestry or albinism. Asians with albinism often have blonde hair and blue eyes but their skin isn't quite as light as a Caucasian with albinism. Another possibility is that the child is of mixed race. And this doesn't have to be a parent who is Caucasian, it could be a more distant relative. Sometimes the hair and eyes will darken later in life in these cases." The Tech Geneticist

So there you have it. The Stanford site has a bunch of questions and answers about genetics from people world-wide. Very interesting and informative.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Asian Child With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes, Genetics, Albinism, Recessive, Abandoned Baby, Acting White

Democrats Square Off Against Obama On Indefinite Detention

Today, two Democrats, Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Congressman Adam Smith, (D-Wash.) presented a bill that will repeal indefinite detention of US citizens, on US soil. This effort is squarely at odds with Obama, regardless of the spin/rhetoric put into the air. (here)

Last year, on December 24 to be exact, President Obama signed NDAA 2012, which notably included, at the White House's insistence (threat of veto), indefinite detention of US citizens. Now, there is a Democratic plan afoot to repeal the inclusion, thereby acknowledging that no president, even a cool one, or branch of government is above the US Constitution dictate, protecting due process and the right to speedy trial.

The White House will try to keep this low-key through the election - but many Democrats should worry about looking un-American in their home states, while supporting the President's ill-advised and un-constitutional power grab.

James C. Collier

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U-S-A Chant Deemed Racist At Texas HS Basketball Game

The coach, and school district authorities of Alamo Heights, in Texas, apologized to Edison HS of the San Antonio Independent School District for chanting "U-S-A" repeatedly after a basketball victory, implying that the losing school affiliates were not citizens. Sounds like this is not an isolated case, but rather a recurring display of bigotry and insensitivity sometimes witnessed in that part of the country. Kudos to the Alamo Heights coach for putting his foot down.

Who says racism doesn't bring out the creativity in some folks, and responsible behavior in others?

James C. Collier

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Is Obama Good For African-Americans?

Finally, someone is getting around to asking the reasonable question, even if black voting support for Obama is already locked up for Decision 2012.

If you ask the Congressional Black Caucas for their honest answer to Obama's impact on the status of blacks, they would say little or none. (here) Congresswoman Waters makes it clear that perception is blocking reality when it comes to black voters and the president.

The short answer to the question goes like this...Republicans don't want black votes, Obama has done little for blacks, but he is still the only hope the group sees, so hope wins.

Conventional wisdom would say that Obama is very good for 'immigrant-minded' blacks, as he demonstrates what one black man can do for himself, and family, if he puts his mind to the task and utilizes all of the available resources here in America.

So I guess the answer is - it depends.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Is Obama Good For African-Americans?, Congressional Black Caucas, Maxine Waters, Black Voters, Racism, Acting White

Rush Limbaugh Self-Immolation Not A Fluke

It is hard to imagine Don Imus, Mr. Them Sure Are Some Nappy-headed Ho's, giving Rush Fluke's a slut Limbaugh advice, but this is exactly what transpired earlier today. Imus told Limbaugh to load his fat butt onto his Gulf Stream private jet, and fly to wherever and apologize like a man, to Ms. Fluke. Rush countered by pouring a little more gasoline on himself and once again lighting up. (here) The best part is George Will calling the Republicans, especially Romney, cowards for not checking Limbaugh(here). John Boehner said Limbaugh's name calling was inappropriate. Wow, that's tough talk from the Republican leader!

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Rush Limbaugh Self-Immolation Not A Fluke, Sandra Fluke, Slut, Prostitute, Apology, Acting White

Random Engineering Genius: Robots That Fly...And Cooperate

A friend sent this to me yesterday. It is pretty cool and amazing. It reinforces that technology is a train leaving the station at regular intervals, and you must be aboard or find yourself obsolete and marginalized. And it all begins with constant curiosity about the things around you.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Random Engineering Genius: Robots That Fly...And Cooperate, TED 2012, Vijay Kumar, Quadmotors, Innovation, Acting White

Obama Attempts Backing Off Indefinite Detention Law

I'm sure readers will recall my recent rail (here) against the president for tearing down the Constitution, via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), on Christmas Eve of 2011. Obama insisted that the NDAA give his office the power to indefinitely detain US citizens for alleged acts deemed terrorist and occurring on US soil - in direct violation of the first, fifth, and sixth constitutional amendments. (here)

As of February 28, 2012, the White House now says, "Section 1022 does not apply to US citizens, and the President has decided to waive its application to lawful permanent residents arrested in the U.S." Problem here is that this waiving and promising applies, not to indefinite detainment law, but rather WHO is doing the the detaining - the military or civilian authorities. Frankly, that ain't the part that should worry us.

So, why go through this bit of seemingly meaningful-less political slight-of-hand? Obama is simply attempting to camouflaged the election bulls-eye, in the NDAA, that he placed on his own backside, uncertain whether Romney is competent to understand and challenge him on it (probably not). Also, the Executive Branch fears the military as much as it also needs them to stand ready in times of unrest, so this posturing is inevitable.

Of course, NDAA as law is still on books and ready for enforcement in full-weight, whenever the President, whoever he/she may be, sees fit. So, thanks but no thanks! Bad law, get rid of it, except if you think the country is headed for anarchy, then maybe it's okay...recall that Europe is still teetering on the financial brink, world debt crisis still looms, China bubble could burst, Afghanistan is killing us, Syria, etc.

If the Occupy Movement et al ever catches any real steam, look for 'rumors' of terrorist-group funding to pop-up, because this is all that is needed to start locking protesters up - indefinitely. And in this case, the White House will be doing some waiving for sure - bye-bye to the First Amendment trouble-makers.

It's tough walking the hero-traitor tightrope, in these challenging times.

James C. Collier

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Technorati Tags: Obama Attempts Backing Off Indefinite Detention Law, NDAA 1031, Indefinite Detention, Occupy Wall Street, McCain/Levin, Acting White