Pregnancy « Dr Alf's Blog





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This is an interesting story published in the Japan Times. It’s worth a read. Check it out!

via Japan’s take on the humble burger | The Japan Times.

Having spent a great deal of time in Asia in the last few years, I am appalled at the explosion of American junk-food. Young people think that it’s fashionable but very soon they are addicted and obese. Obesity is one of the greatest healthcare crises in both the developed and increasing in the developing world. For me, there is a direct link; junk food causes obesity; and obesity causes poor health and early death.

If governments are responsible for society’s welfare, why don’t they raise taxes on junk food?

Thoughts?

English: Logo of the People’s Daily 中文: 人民日报题字 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pandas!! (GIANT PANDA/WOLONG/SICHUAN/CHINA) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pandas are beautiful creatures, as Dr Alf knows from personal experience, and they are powerful diplomatic symbols as well.

The recent episode with a Chinese Panda feigning pregnancy to get itself moved into a cooler air conditioned environment where it would be treated better, given more bamboo shoots to eat and be showered with it’s favorite foods shows that they are also intelligent and cunning.

The ability to manipulate feelings demonstrates the capacity of the animal kingdom to surprise us with the magic of creation although people like Sir David Attenborough and Professor Richard Dawkins would attribute this to a series of arcane and random processes.

The Chinese Government wants the world to see itself as like the Pandas that Dr Alf and his wife cared for (fluffy, lovable, cuddly and harmless devourers of nothing more than bamboo shoots).

We need to learn to distinguish between how Pandas are, the nature of the Chinese Government and how the people are in that enormous country.

Making the mistake of equating all three to the characteristics of the Panda is not one we in the West can afford.

John Gelmini