Grévy's Zebras
Two Grévy's zebras trying to stay cool on a hot, humid summer morning.
Too Hot
Even before Summer officially starts on Sunday, we've had heat alerts the last two days. Combined heat and humidity has led to effective temperatures of 105 degrees. We haven't broken upper temperature records, but we have lower temperatures in the evening.
As these two Grévy's zebras demonstrate, the only way to handle weather like this is to stay in the shade, or in air conditioning. I've had to turn my air conditioning up to 80 degrees, just to keep it from running 24 hours a day.
Not sure if the sudden heat wave is an indicator of a bad summer or not. From what the climatologists have said, it looks like we will have an unusually warm summer. Move over, zebras.
Offered with no Commentary
Via Kansas City Star, State Representative Cynthia Davis comments on a program to provide nutritional meals to poor kids during the summer. Representative Davis' responses were pulled directly from her summer newsletter.
Program description: Current economic woes make Summer Food Service Program more important than ever. Program provides nutritious meals to young people throughout the state.
Davis response: The implication suggests that during a recession, parents don’t give their children nutritious food. The reverse may be true. During hard times, many families find it even more important to pull together. Families may economize by choosing to not waste hard earned dollars on potato chips, ice cream, or Twinkies. Perhaps some families will buy more beans and chicken and less sweets.
Program description: Hundreds of local community organizations throughout the state will offer lunch, as well as breakfast, during the summer months to eligible children.
Davis response: Who’s buying dinner? Who is getting paid to serve the meal? Churches and other non-profits can do this at no cost to the taxpayer if it is warranted. That is what they did when Louisiana had a hurricane.
Program description: “Children need nutritious food to grow and learn all year long,” said Ann McCormack, chief of the health department’s Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance.
Davis response: The problem of childhood obesity has been cited as one of the most rapidly growing health problems in America. People who are struggling with lack of food usually do not have an obesity problem.
Program description: Meals will be served at designated sites to children age 18 and under.
Davis response:Anyone under 18 can be eligible? Can’t they get a job during the summer by the time they are 16? Hunger can be a positive motivator. What is wrong with the idea of getting a job so you can get better meals?
Tip: If you work for McDonald’s, they will feed you for free during your break.
Offered without commentary. Because none is necessary.
Update: More from Riverfront Times, including link to Keith Olbermann naming Davis Worst Person in the World.
Update: Excellent response from Fox. Contact your local state legislator to ask them to lobby Republicans to remove Rep. Davis from her chairmanship of the Committe on Children and Families. Excellent suggestion.
Update: Representative Davis responds. I've also included a copy of her press release (PDF). Good luck finding anything coherent in there.
