Because you -- yes, you, with the quivering chin and the raggedy fingernails, with one eye glued to the morning news and the other sort of furtively calculating how far you'd have to fall before you blacked out, if you jumped out the window right now just to get away from any more bad news -- you kind of look like you need some good news. So here you go!
Scientists from the University of Washington have been able to remove the extra chromosome 21 in cells taken from a person with Down Syndrome
[snip]Dr. David Russell explains in an article on the breakthrough on RedOrbit:
“We are certainly not proposing that the method we describe would lead to a treatment for Down syndrome,” said study co-author Dr. David Russell, from the University of Washington’s Department of Medicine. “What we are looking at is the possibility that medical scientists could create cell therapies for some of the blood-forming disorders that accompany Down syndrome.”
These treatments could include treating Down syndrome patients with leukemia with genetically-modified stem cells that are derived from their own cells, but without the extra chromosome. Stem cells could be taken from the bone marrow of the patients, doctors could remove the extra chromosome, and then the healthy cells could then be grown and transplanted back into the patient.
2. Yesterday, a judge made the right decision about something he had no business deciding. A mentally disabled women with epilepsy, whose emotional development is said to be like that of a six-year-old, got pregnant while at a group home. She apparently told her adopted parents that she wants to give birth to her baby. Her parents want her to give birth. And they have lined up six couples who would be willing to adopt the baby. One doctor said that, with care, the woman could safely give birth to a healthy child. But somehow this family was taken to court, and a judge was given the power to decide whether or not the woman would be forced to have an abortion.
The terrible part of this story is that a court got involved at all, even though it's very, very clearly a personal family matter. But thanks be to God, he made the right decision, and this poor woman won't be further harmed by being forced into an abortion.
3. Speaking of government intrusion, Cardinal Dolan continues to justify my laycrush as he stands up to Goliath:
"The only thing we're certainly not prepared to do is give in. We're not violating our consciences," Dolan told reporters at a national bishops' meeting. "I would say no door is closed except for the door to capitulation."
Isn't it nice to hear someone say something like that, and to believe it?
4. However bad you feel about your life and the election, you are neither this guy, nor the guy who paid him $15,000 to do it. Nor Romney. Nor Romney's dog, who is probably going for a nice, long ride about now, if you know what I mean.
5. Speaking of the election, I totally forgot about Bobby Jindal!
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday called on Republicans to “stop being the stupid party.”
[snip]
"We’ve got to make sure that we are not the party of big business, big banks, big Wall Street bailouts, big corporate loopholes, big anything,” Jindal told POLITICO in a 45-minute telephone interview. “We cannot be, we must not be, the party that simply protects the rich so they get to keep their toys.”He was just as blunt on how the GOP should speak to voters, criticizing his party for offending and speaking down to much of the electorate.
“It is no secret we had a number of Republicans damage our brand this year with offensive, bizarre comments — enough of that,” Jindal said. “It’s not going to be the last time anyone says something stupid within our party, but it can’t be tolerated within our party. We’ve also had enough of this dumbed-down conservatism. We need to stop being simplistic, we need to trust the intelligence of the American people and we need to stop insulting the intelligence of the voters.”
6. Speaking of Tintin, it has recently come to my attention that my kids -- who are literate, but perhaps not the most detail-oriented children around -- think that this
is the Pharaoh's Emblem. Thank you, Hergé. Now, whenever we drive around town and see a smug little Yaris with peace signs plastered all over it, I tell the kids, "Oh, look! It's another family for Thoth!"
7. Speaking of adorable children, everybody knows that our own Jennifer Fulwiler has her own reality show miniseries coming out, right? Here is the trailer:
In this reality show, nobody gets arrested for drinking Ron Ron juice and wearing sunglasses at night, but there are scorpions. It's pretty much scorpions all the way down.
8. Speaking of things that someone ought to be arrested for, someone sent me this, and I thought I was going to hate it.
Then I played it, and I started to hate it, but then . . . I don't know what happened. I liked it. I think he would have like it. Anyway, it was nice to hear his voice again. Oh, what a weird world.
9. Speaking of adorable children again, here are lovely twins recently born to a resident at Mary's Shelter, where women learn to care for themselves and their children, and are supported and guided toward independent living. They are funded entirely by donations. Look at the babies!
10. It's halfway through November, and that means ham is starting to go on sale. Have you noticed? Ham ham ham!
You see? Don't jump. It's going to be okay.
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Between “Oh, look! It’s another family for Thoth!” and “It’s pretty much scorpions all the way down”, it is safe to say that my day has been officially made! LOLOL! :D
Fun post! Would love to watch Jen’s show! They have worldwide live streaming right? What time would that be if you in the Philippines? IT would be in the morning here right? Is central time exactly 12 hours from the Hong Kong timezone?
Good News #11:
“A Canadian man who was believed to have been in a vegetative state for more than a decade, has been able to tell scientists that he is not in any pain.
It’s the first time an uncommunicative, severely brain-injured patient has been able to give answers clinically relevant to their care.
Scott Routley, 39, was asked questions while having his brain activity scanned in an fMRI machine.
His doctor says the discovery means medical textbooks will need rewriting. “
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20268044
Thank you. My heart was heavy this morning with all the world’s craziness and wickedness and I really needed some good news!
Wow, so awesome that you mentioned Mary’s Shelter! All of us staff at Mary’s Shelter love your stuff. Thanks for the shout-out :)
My heart is still a bit heavy. I do agree with Gov. Jindal (Geaux Bobby!) but I don’t think the electorate is going to give up their bread and circuses.
Oh man, oh man. The Pope video…oh man. I am going to watch it over and over and over…
Thanks for sharing some good news! Brought a smile to my face.
Well, #1 and #2 are downright miraculous and inspiring. And what a relief to hear those words coming from Bobby Jindal—common sense lives to see another day!
I love Bobby Jindal as our governor, and as much as I would love for him to run for pres, I am not sure I want to give him up! Also, he has a heart baby the same age as mine, so that makes him even more awesome.
jennyandcompany - what’s a heart baby?
Jen Fulwiler’s show looks awesome! I’m sad that I won’t get it. Maybe it will be available online somehow?
The pope video was awesome! Funny and great!
So, where the heck was Bobby Jindal for the last 6 months or so? Sheesh.
Mary’s Shelter is awesome.
Now Jindal says it’s time for the GOP to smarten up? Now, after four years of rumors about death panels and birth certificates and Mau Mau connections? Now, after four years of Tea Partiers rallying with guns on their hips, copies of Atlas Shrugged in their backpacks, and Photoshopped images of Obama as a cannibal witch doctor in their hands? Now, after four years—okay, more like two and a half—of “You betcha” and “real America”? What made Jindal decide that these things aren’t so great for the brand after all?
The numbers, you say? Oh, that’s comforting. Jindal will go along with the anti-intellectualism and the panic-mongering and the blood-and-soil dog whistles as long as they seem to be selling. Once they stop, he’ll reposition himself by deciding they weren’t so hot after all.
Right he may be, But brave or visionary he ain’t.
I don’t want to diminish any of these pieces of good news (all of which are good :) ), but for all or any of you on here who are Israel supporters, in case you do not yet know, Israel is currently in a dangerous situation.
For several months (make that years) southern Israel has been barraged by rockets from Gaza - threatening and sometimes taking the lives of residents and their homes.
Now Israel has finally managed to assassinate one of the leaders of Hamas (the terrorist group behind these attacks), and Hamas has said this was an act of war, and indicated they want to go to war against Israel.
Israel will probably be fine - she is a strong nation, with strong people (and thank God, the U.S. State Department is on her side in this matter). But still, prayers for the safety and survival of Israel and her people (and the Palestinian civilians too) would be wonderful! Thank you!
Posted by suburbancorrespondent on Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 12:57 PM (EDT):So, where the heck was Bobby Jindal for the last 6 months or so”
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Doing his job as Gov. & working hard with pro-life groups.
Like Ellen said:“Geaux Bobby!”
He’s right on about the GOP.I’ve been thinking the same thing for years.It’s likely going to have to wait til the older, country club-type GOP die off before we see huge changes.I think many Catholics, like me, joined by default more than choice.I’d register as an independent if it didn’t keep me from voting in the primaries.The Democrats left me behind when they joined forces with Planned Parenthood.Ron Paul’s mostly right on issues, but the other 25% of his platform’s goofy.So, I’m registered with the GOP.For now.
tiffany - a baby born with a congenital heart defect. I don’t remember his son’s diagnosis, but he had surgery right around the same time mine had his first, over 8 years ago now!
Eva,
Thanks so much. I’m praying for Israel.America’s behind Israel, but I’m not so sure about the White House.
Simcha,
You referenced this quote from Gov. Jindal:
“We cannot be, we must not be, the party that simply protects the rich so they get to keep their toys.”
I don’t recall in my 48 years ever hearing one Republican (Conservative) insist that the Republican Party, “protect the rich”. How about this: We allow freedom, democracy and free-enterprise determine how rich a person can get and then begin to focus more on the RAMPANT CORRUPTION in corporations, government, charitable organizations that deprive so many of the goods and services they need. Has ANYONE ever stopped to think where the BILLIONS (no perhaps TRILLIONS) of dollars of charity are GOING? Why are there still SO MANY poor in the greatest country on earth? When do Americans stand-up and ask the question: Where is our hard-earned money provided to charity REALLY going?
You see, it’s not a questions of politics Gov. Jindal, it’s a question of PRIDE, SHAME and GREED. DO NOT blame a system…systems don’t abscond people of their money…only PEOPLE do that!
“laycrush” lol.awesome. the world is weird and so are us catholics. ;)
Jaim ,
Private charities have to be accountable for how donations are used. Sometimes they cheat & are found out, but generally, the operating costs are tiny compared to government which can use up 80 cents on every dollar intended for welfare recipients.My dollar goes to a private charity -if I have a choice.
How is it the video of PJP made me cry? You’re right. I wanted to hate it, and then it made me cry.
Goodness. So much bounty here. Love this list. My inner Catholic nerd has a laycrush on our adorable JP11! I’m sending this along to my other inner Catholic nerd who is celebrating her official 19th birthday today:)!
.
Oh, and one more thing—member when I said on your blog that the only thing worse than Obama winning, was PMS and Obama winning? Lol, it WASN’T PMS (just rage)...Obama may represent the death-party, but we’re the LIFE party.
“I would say no door is closed except for the door to capitulation.”—yes, and especially to hear those words from our (the USA’ers) top dog.
Laycrush—I love it. :) And I have had two people post that video on my Facebook of the pope—I may use it for youth group…
The mentally disabled woman with epilepsy should get to keep her kid.
Thanks for your interesting and sundry observations. Despite the Jindal observations I will always remain Republican. Yes, Dolan reminds us to remain strong in Faith.
I look forward to the reality show of Jennifer Fulwiler. I feel that there will be a lot of people watching.
Since we are still in the Fall season I would like to throw in a little something extra:
The Seasons (4/5) Autumn - YouTube. [The first 4 minutes: “Coda L`ete”]. Enjoy.
Gabriel, I appreciate your wish for her, but she’s unable to care for herself with the mindset of perhaps a 12 year old, so adoption is the best situation. Certainly I hope that she would be able to visit her child and see it grow up. Prayer have been answered that another innocent life has been defended.
Simcha, you always have a post that brightens my day. Thank you and keep them coming! :-)
THANK YOU SIMCHA!!! I loved the video of Blessed JPII. I agree, I think he would have loved it too. He was such a Pope for the youth. Many blessings!
Thank you Simcha,the whole article made me smile! Love the JPII video,he would have loved it! It was sooo sweet when he picked up the baby crawling on the floor. And the twins,ahhhhhhh! So cute! See, there are good and wonderful things happening in the world,post election,lol.
Am sending your article to my sister to cheer her up too! Thanks again for another great article!
Speaking of videos, have you seen “The Gates of Hell” on You Tube? I thought I was going to hate it and I love it! Whenever I get depressed I watch it. It gives me strength. It’s not just the music alone, but the fabulous video they put with the music.
Please give it a watch and let me know what you think!
oh my goodness that music video of the Pope is the new “Gangnum Style”, except good for your soul!
I love the JPII video. I love him, I miss him, he is my hero, and this video shows him at his best - interacting with young people, showing his affection for the lucky tyke (he must be a grown man now with this great memory of being carried and kissed by the holy man - does that make him a living relic?) and delivering his message of love. Thanks for this and the other good news. Boy, after the election, don’t we all need some good news!
I love you, Simcha! :D
*gasp* Babies!!!!!! I love how the twins are holding hands with their fingers intertwined. Makes me want to snuggle them close!
Thanks, Simcha! You got me laughing, besides giving me some things to keep my spirits up longer. But I hope Jindal, being a Catholic, wasn’t referring to Mourdock with his comment about bizarre statements. The only thing wrong with what Mourdock said was that it was un-pc.
http://contemplativehomeschool.wordpress.com
When it comes to picking a song for a spontaneous dance party my kids and I put Dynamite in our top 1 - but this! I loved it and I cried watching it. Also, it’s certainly a nicer message than “I’m wearing all my favorite brands, brands, brands, brands” from the original.
Thanks for sharing that one!
Cmerie it made me cry too! You could just hear the love in his voice, even through the auto tune ;) awesome awesome awesome thank you!!
Was “scorpions all the way down” a reference to the lady who thinks the world is held up on the back of a turtle, and that turtle is held up by another turtle, and it’s “turtles all the way down”?
I have the biggest laycrush on Cardinal Dolan, too! Have you seen the tumblr blog devoted to photos of him laughing? It’ll brighten any day. cardinaldolanlaughing dot tumblr dot com.
Sorry, but Jindal says whatever the hell he thinks will get him elected.
Here in Louisiana, he keeps cutting and cutting and cutting healthcare and education.
Posted by Lee on Monday, Nov 19, 2012 9:06 PM (EDT):Sorry, but Jindal says whatever the hell he thinks will get him elected.
Here in Louisiana, he keeps cutting and cutting and cutting healthcare and education.
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I think there’s huge waste in both & support Gov. Jindal.If money was the answer to improving education, we would have seen results long ago.
http://www.alternet.org/belief/50-reasons-boycott-catholic-church?paging=off
Hey! I drive a Yaris and it is not a smug car at all. With my 40+ mpg, I dump far less money in the government’s coffers and big oil’s already bloated bank accounts than those who insist on having a Cadillac Extragallon or a Ford Guzzleswiller sitting in the driveway. That’s what I call ‘conservation’.
Ooo! Oooo! I also have an eleventh good news!
In English, there is a difference between what linguists call “count nouns” and what they call “mass nouns.”
Count nouns—like “chair”—can be directly modified by a quantity, such as “10 chairs.”
Mass nouns—like “furniture,” “water,” or “sand”—can’t be so modified. We wouldn’t say “10 sands” meaning ten grains of sand, for example.
Now here’s the good news part!
Through the introduction of quantifiers, you can make a mass noun countable!
For example, you could say, “10 *pieces of* sand” or “10 *grains of sand.”
Yay!
By the way, on a totally unrelated matter, it turns out that “news” is a mass noun in English, often coupled with quantifiers such as “pieces of” or “items of.”
But Jimmy, I wasn’t speaking English. I was speaking a rather obscure dialect called, “It’s very late and this makes me giggle; so sue me.” It takes a while to get the hang of this dialect. Supplementing with beer might help.
Gotcha. :-)
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