GMO People: Something We Can All Get Behind

What's First (in the U.S.) When We Get to Optional Mods?

Fast on the heels of the mapping of the human genome, a breakthrough technology called CRISPR/Cas9 was discovered by scientists recently.  It allows the DNA strands to be cut in exact spots and edited by patching in a more desirable sequence (more inquisitive readers can click here).  It's gonna be Yuge.

First we'll do it on animals, of course

Based on the more novel treatments developed in the past, the United States will likely use DNA modifications for humans with incurable diseases first.  After a period of Humanitarian and/or Investigational Device Exemption (HDE/IDE) and suitable testing, other medical applications will be approved.  About that time, China, Russia and the Koreas will have their next generation of Olympic athletes in utero, side effects not withstanding.  

A whole team of Yao Mings

Swimming anyone?

The rich will foster some niche unregulated markets around the world, but it will be an expensive procedure and probably not a particularly safe one in the beginning.

Eventually, however, the practice of genetically modifying humans will become more commonplace and there will be a hue and cry for optional or "elective" applications.  That's not to say it won't be a controversial idea - one could expect discussions on the order of the abortion debate - but once it works safely for, say, cancer and severed spinal cords, we'll already be accelerating down that slippery slope. 

So, here's what I'm thinking:  Given that it may take a lot of early public funds to kick off the work at the NIH, let's develop a cure first for something we can all benefit from - not just those who undergo the procedure, but those around them.  Let's get rid of body odor.

Our Intemperate Russian Buddies

Russians are so desperate for alcohol that they are downing skin lotion clearly labeled hazardous for consumption

Apparently life in Russia promotes some mighty fine habits

Russia is quite literally drinking itself to death.**

“It’s difficult to overstate how serious Russia’s alcohol problem is.

More than 30% of all deaths in Russia in 2012 were attributable to alcohol, according to WHO data crunched by the OECD. That’s by far the highest among the nations it tracked.

Russian drinkers die a variety of deaths. Alcohol poisoning. Cirrhosis. Accidents. Suicide.”

Here's an idea

Russian and Syrian jets bombed Aleppo - at least 100 killed

Russian airmen in Syria

The next time Vladdy and his minions go after a country that happens to lack in natural resources vital to the U.S., instead of imposing another vicious round of sanctions on three Russian generals and their dogs, let's just give their soldiers FREE VODKA.
   

The rounds are on US - Mother Russia's favorite homegrown recipe, which we'll supply to all their ingressing soldiers and airmen.  We'll send in Relief Convoys with cases and cases of vodka (the moderately good stuff), which would likely not get bombed this time, and leave the bottles at strategic locations throughout the country.  We could even supply SKYY "Lotion," if that'll do the trick.

Let's face it, we don't have the stones to get involved just for humanity's sake, so we'll propose toasts to their glorious victory and let it slowly destroy their livers.  It'll cost less than weapons, and their inebriation on the way may lead to an early end to the conflict, or at least some good breaks for naps.

There Oughta Be a Test

Government Worker IT IQ --- Got Any?

Is it too much to expect our highly compensated government workers, entrusted with all our personal information, to be savvy enough to avoid the simplest scams?

Yeah, if Fancy Bear is after the info, you may not see it coming.  But this?

"LOS ANGELES — After seven months, Los Angeles County has disclosed that it was a victim of a phishing email attack.

The cyber-security incident happened back in May, when authorities say over 100 employees responded to a phishing email allegedly sent by the suspect, described as a Nigerian national"

Just a simple test every quarter wherein IT sends out some outlandish internal (i.e. Safe) phishing bait and see who they catch.  

 "No, silly, this isn't some Nigerian Prince scam, I'm right here in LA.

So if you'd be kind enough to help me..."

If a current employee goes for it, they lose access and have to dress like this for a month while answering the phones (to improve the God-awful customer service).  

It’s not like this is something new....

(Don't Stop) Looking at Me!

How Trump Might Keep the Focus on Him

As president, Trump will enjoy the constant limelight he craves, particularly during his first year:  The Year of Unexpectedness.  However, the everyday demands of the position will eventually cause interest to wane, and even his constant Tweeting, no matter how outrageous, will cease to ring the publicity bell.  What could he do then?

Issue a Calendar

 (Is this like Dog Years?) 

March

April

Orchestrate a Mysterious Absence

To Commemorate His First Year in Office

Augment & Rename the Washington Monument