Ray Bradbury, Bo Derek, Gary Kao and more

Found a few minutes tonight to catch up on newspaper websites, which was nice. Here are several interesting articles I can recommend:


From the Wall Street Journal: A Wandering Mind Heads Straight Toward Insight
I love reading about Creativity, and this article offers much food for thought, in terms of how creativity is triggered in the brain, the role of daydreaming, and different methods of problem-solving. I have to assume that some of the daydreaming observations may help explain why kids and teens do so much unfocused thinking. Incredibly fascinating.


The New York Times offers: A Literary Legend Fights for a Local Library
I didn't know Ray Bradbury was still alive; I love his writing. Now he's campaigning for the survival of a California library, but the interview is really more about what Bradbury is doing these days - writing, speaking, railing against the Internet and reminiscing about Bo Derek - than it is about the fate of the library. I'm surprised to hear of his opposition to the Internet; I would have expected him to value its potential for safeguarding books. But I don't know him, I've only read his books.


Another one from the New York Times: At V.A. Hospital, a Rogue Cancer Unit
I worry about things like this all the time - doctors who don't know what they are doing, or who don't care, but get by because the people who know them are reluctant to speak out. The allegations regarding prostate cancer treatment by Dr. Gary D. Kao and others are truly frightening. That it's happening to military vets makes it even worse.


Caroline Glick offers Column One: Israel's rare opportunity
Ms. Glick oversimplifies way too much for the sake of her point, making many tenuous assumptions about Iran's government, its people's inclinations, and more. She knows it, and adds numerous disclaimers and caveats to that effect. Nonetheless, her essential argument that Israel should publicly recognize and support Iran's demonstrators is compelling.


And, finally, CNN offers a shockingly low-key government statement, in Gates: U.S. ready if North Korea sends missile toward Hawaii
Word is that North Korea is preparing to launch a missile at Hawaii, and the best the Secretary of Defense can muster is, ""We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile," but "we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect the American territory."
Is he asleep, or just trying to project calm? I'd be more comfortable with a, "Come on, guys, that ain't gonna happen," or a Bush-esque "Bring it on!" What does "We do have some concerns" mean?


Oh, and let's not forget... this week's Haveil Havalim is here!