The Unlikely Buddha

Giant pandas have been a symbol of friendship and goodwill between China and the United States for over 70 years. In 1941, on the eve of the United States entering World War II, the Chinese government gifted two pandas, Mei Mei and Ping Ping, to the Bronx Zoo. The pandas were an instant hit with the American public, and their arrival helped to soften the image of China in the United States. In the following decades, China gifted pandas to a number of other countries, including the Soviet Union, North Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, the most famous panda diplomacy occurred in 1972, when Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai gifted two pandas, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, to President Richard Nixon. The pandas were a symbol of the new era of friendship between the two countries, which had been estranged for decades. Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling were housed at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, where they quickly became national celebrities. Millions of Americans visited the zoo to see the panda...

According to the Bible, Noah was instructed to bring two of every "kind" of animal onto the ark. The Hebrew word used for "kind" is "min," which is a broader term than the modern classification of "species."  Theologians estimate that there are around 1,398 known kinds of land animals and flying creatures, including extinct ones. This means that Noah would have needed to bring around 6,744 animals onto the ark. Some people believe that the biblical "kind" is equivalent to the modern family level of classification. This means that all animals within a family, such as all cats or all dogs, would be considered to be of the same kind. Others believe that the biblical "kind" is a broader category that includes multiple families. Scientifically speaking, it is impossible to say for sure how many species of animals existed on Earth at the time of Noah. This is because the fossil record is incomplete and we do not have a complete unde...

There once was a wolf, so sly and so sly,  He was trusted to watch the sheep in the sty.  But the wolf had a plan, a wicked scheme,  To betray the sheep and fulfill his dream. At first, he was kind, with a gentle gaze,  He guarded the sheep through the sunny days.  But at night, he would hunger, his wolfish eyes gleam,  And he'd dream of the sheep, their tender meat. One night, he could resist no more,  He pounced on a sheep and tore it to shreds.  He devoured the flesh, his hunger sore,  And left the rest of the flock in dread. The shepherd arrived, his heart filled with fear,  To find his sheep scattered, their trust in disrepair.  He knew that the wolf had betrayed him so,  And left the flock incomplete, oh no! The wolf was a creature of deceit,  He betrayed the trust that was placed at his feet.  So let this be a lesson to us all, Not to trust those who are untamed, lest we fall. Unlikely Buddha 2023

There are a few reasons why Trump and his followers disliked Fauci and blamed him for the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci contradicted Trump publicly. Fauci was one of the few scientists who was willing to speak out publicly and contradict Trump's statements about the virus, such as when he said that the virus was not going to "disappear" like a miracle in the spring of 2020. Fauci's popularity threatened Trump. Fauci became a trusted voice on the pandemic, and his popularity soared, while Trump's approval ratings declined. This may have threatened Trump's ego and his chances of re-election. Fauci represented the establishment. Fauci is a career government scientist, and he represents the type of expert that Trump and his supporters often distrust. Fauci's advice was inconvenient for Trump's political goals. Fauci's recommendations for things like social distancing and mask-wearing were often inconvenient for Trump's political goals, such as keeping t...

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a common respiratory virus that causes an upper respiratory infection (like a cold). It is a seasonal disease that usually occurs in the winter and early spring, similar to RSV and the flu. Anyone can be infected with HMPV, but it is most common in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Most people get HMPV before they turn 5. You can get HMPV again, but symptoms are usually mild after your first infection. HMPV is spread through contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person, such as through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects, such as toys or doorknobs. Symptoms of HMPV usually develop within 3-6 days of exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms include: Cough Fever Runny or stuffy nose Sore throat Wheezing Shortness of breath Most cases of HMPV are mild and go away on their own within a week or two. However, in some cases, HMPV ...

The Republican National Committee (RNC) raises money to fund their activities from a variety of sources: Individual contributions:  In 2022, individual contributions accounted for the largest share of the RNC's income, at  $175 million. Political action committees (PACs):  In 2022, PAC contributions accounted for  $135 million of the RNC's income. The following are some of the specific PACs that contribute to the Republican National Committee (RNC): Club for Growth Action American Action Network Freedom Partners Action Fund U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee for Political Action National Association of Realtors PAC  National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action Political Action Committee  Koch Industries  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America  American Petroleum Institute  National Federation of Independent Business  National Automobile Dealers Association PAC  American Hospital Association PAC  Thi...

Tobacco was introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean in the early 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese explorers returning from the Americas.  The first recorded mention of tobacco in Europe is in a letter written by a Spanish soldier in 1518, and by the 1530s tobacco was being cultivated in Spain and Portugal. Tobacco quickly became popular in Europe, and by the end of the 16th century it was being smoked, snuffed, and chewed all over the continent. Tobacco was also introduced to the Mediterranean region at this time, and it quickly became a popular crop in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In the 17th century, tobacco cultivation and trade became a major source of revenue for many European countries. Tobacco was also used by European powers to colonize and control other parts of the world. For example, the British East India Company introduced tobacco cultivation to India in the 17th century, and the French introduced tobacco cultivation to North America in the 18th century. Today, ...