Monday Open Thread

Welcome to your Monday open thread. How was your Easter weekend? I know many of you with kids are probably vacationing this week because of Spring Break. Enjoy yourself!

There were some longer stories that were published in the last week that are worth a read.

The Los Angeles Times published a story on life near Chernobyl. I imagine you can guess – it’s pretty awful.

Mother Jones published an article on science denial – “The Science of Why We Don’t Believe Science.”

George Lakoff discusses Obama’s speech on the deficit and how he has returned to his moral vision.

Enjoy some good news, Gabrielle Giffords continues to progress in her recovery.

Dr. Dong Kim, the neurosurgeon who oversees Giffords’ care at TIRR Memorial Hermann, said she “is maybe in the top 1 percent of patients in terms of how far she’s come, and how quickly she’s gotten there. I think the question, then, becomes, how far is she going to go?”

She speaks mostly in single words or declarative phrases but is frustrated by longer sentences, which she needs to construct first in her mind. Once the sentence is formed, she can speak clearly and at a normal rate. Her staff also brings her office memos and articles for her to read, and the plan is to soon start giving her simple House resolutions to read.

Giffords has limited but improving use of her right arm and leg, and she can stand on her own and walk a little, according to Dr. Gerard Francisco, the physiatrist working with Giffords. She’s “pretty close” to walking independently, Kim said.

“She shows a lot more independence right now — that’s what’s emerging,” Francisco said. “She’s her own person.”

Her doctors say she appears to have been spared the depression, personality change, behavior problems and trouble relating to others that can accompany injuries like hers.

That’s very impressive. I have no doubt that Gabrielle Giffords has a bright future in front of her. It’s only been 16 weeks since her injury.