Don't listen to the bullshit being spewed on television by Obama over how the economy is showing signs of improving. Don't listen to any of these DC insiders talk about how we saw an increase of jobs last month (whereby approximately 50,000 are for TEMPORARY census workers and thereby cannot be viewed as real job gains). Don't listen as they blather on about job loss declining (when in reality how many more jobs can this country lose before showing SOME signs of slowing down - that slowing down simply being the result of nothing much less TO lose). And please don't fall victim to those who say "well at least many people are working part-time or temporary and that's better than nothing", as though a nation of part-timers and temporary workers leads to economic prosperity and recovery.
Instead, look at stats like this for The Truth.
The days of working your ass off, fierce competiting, rugged individualism and busting your hump every day to make enough to pay the banks to provide a roof for yourself (whether you are a "homeowner" or renter you are working to make the banks rich) must end. It begins with stopping such mindless chanting and instead, exploring other means of living, where life is truly about living instead of struggling to survive and get by.
4.04.2010
Young Girl Doodles On Desk. Gets Hauled Off To Jail.
More evidence of the Nanny State.
"(April 3) -- When 12-year-old Alexa Gonzalez was caught doodling on her desk at Junior High School 190 in Queens, New York, she expected detention and an afternoon on desk-cleaning duty. Instead, she was arrested, led out of her school in handcuffs and detained at a local police precinct for hours, she said. Two months after the incident, Gonzalez and her mother, Maraima Comacho, are suing the New York City Education Department and the New York Police Department for $1 million in damages, claiming excessive use of force and violation of the girl's rights in the ordeal, which Comacho has called a "nightmare." Gonzalez describes the ordeal as traumatizing and excessive, saying that after her Spanish teacher caught her doodling on her desk with erasable green marker, she was "physically dragged by a teacher and an assistant principal" to the dean's office, where school safety officials searched her by placing "their hands inside the rear and front pockets of her jeans." Police were then summoned to arrest her... The legal papers filed by Rosenthal [whereby the family is seeking $1 million in damages] said Comacho was not permitted to accompany her daughter to the precinct and was instead told to go home and wait for a call. The documents also said that Gonzalez was detained in "an enclosed room" at the precinct and handcuffed to a pole for more than two hours."
And what "horrible" thing did this young girl doodle on her desk?
'"I love my friends Abby and Faith," Gonzalez said she wrote, adding "Lex was here. 2/1/10" and a smiley face."
Her punishment? (As if being traumatized and restrained by a bunch of fascists wasn't enough.)
"...Gonzalez was given eight hours of community service and ordered to write a book report and an essay about what she learned from the experience."
Oh how I hope this beautiful young girls says she has learned we live in a fascist, nanny state where writing cute little loving doodles on our school desks, as all young girls do, can result in being dragged away from school, hauled to the police station for hours, whereby your own mother is not "allowed" to come see you and yet Big Bankers and Corporate America Criminals can steal our money, pollute our waterways, soil and bodies with hosts of toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. and get away with it all while puppets like Obama et. al orate verbal wet dreams for hours on television feigning "anger" over these real criminals (while his blind supporters point and say "see? he's on our side!") all the while doing nothing about any of it to truly put an end to the nightmare.
Just one more in a myriad of reasons to HOME SCHOOL.
"(April 3) -- When 12-year-old Alexa Gonzalez was caught doodling on her desk at Junior High School 190 in Queens, New York, she expected detention and an afternoon on desk-cleaning duty. Instead, she was arrested, led out of her school in handcuffs and detained at a local police precinct for hours, she said. Two months after the incident, Gonzalez and her mother, Maraima Comacho, are suing the New York City Education Department and the New York Police Department for $1 million in damages, claiming excessive use of force and violation of the girl's rights in the ordeal, which Comacho has called a "nightmare." Gonzalez describes the ordeal as traumatizing and excessive, saying that after her Spanish teacher caught her doodling on her desk with erasable green marker, she was "physically dragged by a teacher and an assistant principal" to the dean's office, where school safety officials searched her by placing "their hands inside the rear and front pockets of her jeans." Police were then summoned to arrest her... The legal papers filed by Rosenthal [whereby the family is seeking $1 million in damages] said Comacho was not permitted to accompany her daughter to the precinct and was instead told to go home and wait for a call. The documents also said that Gonzalez was detained in "an enclosed room" at the precinct and handcuffed to a pole for more than two hours."
And what "horrible" thing did this young girl doodle on her desk?
'"I love my friends Abby and Faith," Gonzalez said she wrote, adding "Lex was here. 2/1/10" and a smiley face."
Her punishment? (As if being traumatized and restrained by a bunch of fascists wasn't enough.)
"...Gonzalez was given eight hours of community service and ordered to write a book report and an essay about what she learned from the experience."
Oh how I hope this beautiful young girls says she has learned we live in a fascist, nanny state where writing cute little loving doodles on our school desks, as all young girls do, can result in being dragged away from school, hauled to the police station for hours, whereby your own mother is not "allowed" to come see you and yet Big Bankers and Corporate America Criminals can steal our money, pollute our waterways, soil and bodies with hosts of toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. and get away with it all while puppets like Obama et. al orate verbal wet dreams for hours on television feigning "anger" over these real criminals (while his blind supporters point and say "see? he's on our side!") all the while doing nothing about any of it to truly put an end to the nightmare.
Just one more in a myriad of reasons to HOME SCHOOL.
3.25.2010
Health Care. Schmelth Care.
Watching the health care debate play out both on the floor of congress and amongst the left and the right is a bit like watching a group of toddlers attempt to build a bridge (minus the cute factor). They think they know what they're doing, but in reality, they don't.
Congress of course is going to remain on their course of human health destruction with their unwaivering support for corporate insurance companies. Gotta keep capitalism alive and well. Gotta keep those lobbying dollars flowing into their greedy little pockets by the insurance companies. There's really nothing more to add to the behavior of these folks as none is (nor should be) surprising. Same goes for the current administration.
Those on the left, the well-meaning folks that they are, are continuing their pansy-ass type behavior. They pushed and pushed for a single payer option, wanting the insurance companies out of the health care industry altogether (which is the most common sense, fair, just, ethical and moral thing TO do) and yet, when Obama and the Democratic Congress refused to stand by their "supposed" support of including a single payer option, there was no public outcry. Last I heard, Michael Moore was still holding onto his delusional little "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" ballon while chanting the "Please Mr. Obama, don't tell me you are drinking the same kool-aid as your predecessor." Oh well. At least those radical righties, albeit a scary bunch of folks in some ways, know how to make a point and aren't afraid to show their rage.
Those on the right wish to keep capitalism alive and well and want nothing to do with single payer. Keep government out of their health care choices. (Medicare, anybody?) These folks don't understand the idea of freedom of choice. What's so scary about allowing those who want a single payer option that freedom to do so? All these folks seem to care about is ending welfare and social programs (while screaming "DO NOT TOUCH MY SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE!") and while turning a blind eye to the realities of unnecessary suffering around them. I especially love those who chant the tune of Jesus Christ while showing such disdain towards the needy.
That being said however, I will give these righties one more bonus point. While they may not understand freedom of choice nor do they see their own hypocrisy, they do indeed understand the Constitution and are justifiably upset over the idea of mandated insurance, which is clearly unconstitutional and, as of today, 19 attorney general's are challenging this mandate. (Why this same outcry and challenge isn't happening over mandated auto and homeowner insurance is perplexing.)
I will end this little missive with my own thoughts on health care.
1) Health insurance companies have no business nor reason (aside from making people rich off of people's suffering) to be involved at all when it comes to health care. Health Care needs to involve the doctor and the patient only. Period. All other intrusion ends right there.
2) Government is only to be involved to provide proper regulatory measures to ensure the safety of the patients and to provide the financial means for those who cannot afford to provide for health care practices on their own.
3) Doctors need to provide sliding scale fees. The more you make, the more you pay and vice versa.
4) The area of malpractice suits and insurance is a bit foreign to me. However, I was recently told that it is common practice amongst malpractice attorney's to only take cases whereby the outcome is $100,000 or greater in potential winnings. I believe if such attorney's were less "greedy" in terms of their hourly rate and/or the chunk they receive in the end if they win (anything more than 20-25% is indeed, overall, greedy and unnecessary), perhaps this could help put an end to the more extreme cases. And, on the flip side, if doctor's were much better (i.e. properly) trained in such areas as patient communication, compassion, empathy and in the area of pharmaceutical medications and alternative health care practices (and had schedules that were more suitable to their own physical needs), there would be fewer lawsuits. Certainly if the health insurance companies were removed from the scene, doctors would deal with far fewer hassles, paperwork and pressure. In short - they could be themselves - the doctor's they were trained to be instead of some corporate pinhead's puppet (said puppet having received no medical training).
Congress of course is going to remain on their course of human health destruction with their unwaivering support for corporate insurance companies. Gotta keep capitalism alive and well. Gotta keep those lobbying dollars flowing into their greedy little pockets by the insurance companies. There's really nothing more to add to the behavior of these folks as none is (nor should be) surprising. Same goes for the current administration.
Those on the left, the well-meaning folks that they are, are continuing their pansy-ass type behavior. They pushed and pushed for a single payer option, wanting the insurance companies out of the health care industry altogether (which is the most common sense, fair, just, ethical and moral thing TO do) and yet, when Obama and the Democratic Congress refused to stand by their "supposed" support of including a single payer option, there was no public outcry. Last I heard, Michael Moore was still holding onto his delusional little "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" ballon while chanting the "Please Mr. Obama, don't tell me you are drinking the same kool-aid as your predecessor." Oh well. At least those radical righties, albeit a scary bunch of folks in some ways, know how to make a point and aren't afraid to show their rage.
Those on the right wish to keep capitalism alive and well and want nothing to do with single payer. Keep government out of their health care choices. (Medicare, anybody?) These folks don't understand the idea of freedom of choice. What's so scary about allowing those who want a single payer option that freedom to do so? All these folks seem to care about is ending welfare and social programs (while screaming "DO NOT TOUCH MY SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE!") and while turning a blind eye to the realities of unnecessary suffering around them. I especially love those who chant the tune of Jesus Christ while showing such disdain towards the needy.
That being said however, I will give these righties one more bonus point. While they may not understand freedom of choice nor do they see their own hypocrisy, they do indeed understand the Constitution and are justifiably upset over the idea of mandated insurance, which is clearly unconstitutional and, as of today, 19 attorney general's are challenging this mandate. (Why this same outcry and challenge isn't happening over mandated auto and homeowner insurance is perplexing.)
I will end this little missive with my own thoughts on health care.
1) Health insurance companies have no business nor reason (aside from making people rich off of people's suffering) to be involved at all when it comes to health care. Health Care needs to involve the doctor and the patient only. Period. All other intrusion ends right there.
2) Government is only to be involved to provide proper regulatory measures to ensure the safety of the patients and to provide the financial means for those who cannot afford to provide for health care practices on their own.
3) Doctors need to provide sliding scale fees. The more you make, the more you pay and vice versa.
4) The area of malpractice suits and insurance is a bit foreign to me. However, I was recently told that it is common practice amongst malpractice attorney's to only take cases whereby the outcome is $100,000 or greater in potential winnings. I believe if such attorney's were less "greedy" in terms of their hourly rate and/or the chunk they receive in the end if they win (anything more than 20-25% is indeed, overall, greedy and unnecessary), perhaps this could help put an end to the more extreme cases. And, on the flip side, if doctor's were much better (i.e. properly) trained in such areas as patient communication, compassion, empathy and in the area of pharmaceutical medications and alternative health care practices (and had schedules that were more suitable to their own physical needs), there would be fewer lawsuits. Certainly if the health insurance companies were removed from the scene, doctors would deal with far fewer hassles, paperwork and pressure. In short - they could be themselves - the doctor's they were trained to be instead of some corporate pinhead's puppet (said puppet having received no medical training).
Nano Technology: It's Everywhere. And We Don't Know It.
It's been shown to damage dna, contributing to such diseases as cancer and heart disease.
(March 24) -- "For almost two years, molecular biologist Bénédicte Trouiller doused the drinking water of scores of lab mice with nano-titanium dioxide, the most common nanomaterial used in consumer products today. She knew that earlier studies conducted in test tubes and petri dishes had shown the same particle could cause disease. But her tests at a lab at UCLA's School of Public Health were in vivo -- conducted in living organisms -- and thus regarded by some scientists as more relevant in assessing potential human harm. Halfway through, Trouiller became alarmed: Consuming the nano-titanium dioxide was damaging or destroying the animals' DNA and chromosomes. The biological havoc continued as she repeated the studies again and again. It was a significant finding: The degrees of DNA damage and genetic instability that the 32-year-old investigator documented can be "linked to all the big killers of man, namely cancer, heart disease, neurological disease and aging," says Professor Robert Schiestl, a genetic toxicologist who ran the lab at UCLA's School of Public Health where Trouiller did her research."
And where is this ugly technology to be found?
"It's 'in everything from medicine capsules and nutritional supplements, to food icing and additives, to skin creams, oils and toothpaste,' Schiestl says. He adds that at least 2 million pounds of nanosized titanium dioxide are produced and used in the U.S. each year."
And do manufacturers have to tell the consumer their products contain nano technology?
"Consumers have virtually no way of knowing whether the products they purchase contain nanomaterials, as under current U.S. laws it is completely up to manufacturers what to put on their labels."
And is there any movement from Uncle Sam to change this insanity?
"...most federal agencies are doing little to nothing to ensure public safety."
(March 24) -- "For almost two years, molecular biologist Bénédicte Trouiller doused the drinking water of scores of lab mice with nano-titanium dioxide, the most common nanomaterial used in consumer products today. She knew that earlier studies conducted in test tubes and petri dishes had shown the same particle could cause disease. But her tests at a lab at UCLA's School of Public Health were in vivo -- conducted in living organisms -- and thus regarded by some scientists as more relevant in assessing potential human harm. Halfway through, Trouiller became alarmed: Consuming the nano-titanium dioxide was damaging or destroying the animals' DNA and chromosomes. The biological havoc continued as she repeated the studies again and again. It was a significant finding: The degrees of DNA damage and genetic instability that the 32-year-old investigator documented can be "linked to all the big killers of man, namely cancer, heart disease, neurological disease and aging," says Professor Robert Schiestl, a genetic toxicologist who ran the lab at UCLA's School of Public Health where Trouiller did her research."
And where is this ugly technology to be found?
"It's 'in everything from medicine capsules and nutritional supplements, to food icing and additives, to skin creams, oils and toothpaste,' Schiestl says. He adds that at least 2 million pounds of nanosized titanium dioxide are produced and used in the U.S. each year."
And do manufacturers have to tell the consumer their products contain nano technology?
"Consumers have virtually no way of knowing whether the products they purchase contain nanomaterials, as under current U.S. laws it is completely up to manufacturers what to put on their labels."
And is there any movement from Uncle Sam to change this insanity?
"...most federal agencies are doing little to nothing to ensure public safety."
3.19.2010
Contradiction
Today while out and about, I saw a car with two bumper stickers: One saying "end this war" and the other saying "Obama/Biden". How's that Obama-Biden team workin' for them, I wonder?
3.18.2010
Man Videotapes UFO Over Lake Erie
For the past 12 nights, these lights have been captured on video over the skies of Lake Erie between the hours of 7 and 8pm, typically lasting for 2-3 hours.
3.06.2010
The Logical Song: 30 Years Later and Nothing's Changed
I've been spending this afternoon listening to some of my old albums (which, like my cassette tapes and 8-tracks, after 30 years are still intact, still sound awesome, unlike today's "modern technological advances" of CD's and DVD's which begin breaking down after a year or two). At the moment, I'm listening to "Supertramp: Breakfast in America" - a very intuitive, rockin' and socially/politically aware album. One of my favorite songs on the album always has been and still is "The Logical Song". I was just entering my teenage years when this song was popular. At the time, in spite of my tender young age, a lot of my innocence had already been shattered apart for a variety of reasons, some too graphic to depict on this blog, not the least of which was an on-going pressure from adults/the church/the system/teachers/family/neighbors around me to "SHUT UP" with my "radical/naive/unrealistic" etc. etc. etc. opinions. At the time it was one thing when you spoke up and you were male (and straight). When you happened to have breasts and a vagina (or had the penis and liked other humans with penises), the venom shot back at you packed an extra punch of contempt.
Usually. But not always.
When listening to this song way back when, while my brain was still trying to understand some of the concepts, assumptions and words, somewhere within I knew the truth: When You See Things As They Are And Could Be And Aren't Silent About Such Things, You're Gonna Face Attempts Of Silence For The Remainder Of Your Life.
30 years ago and this message was every bit as prevalent as it is today. I think each generation tends to forget this and holds the impression (illusion) that theirs is the only one who has experienced such silencing.
Political and social opinions may change a bit over the generations, but one thing has remained the same and that is the above stated truth in bold.
In honor of the vocal truth seekers, I present you with the words from that wonderful song, "The Logical Song". Keep on speakin' out. Keep on rockin'.
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
clinical, intellectual, cynical.
There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.
Not watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable!
At night, when all the world's asleep,
the questions run so deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.
Who I am.
Who I am.
Usually. But not always.
When listening to this song way back when, while my brain was still trying to understand some of the concepts, assumptions and words, somewhere within I knew the truth: When You See Things As They Are And Could Be And Aren't Silent About Such Things, You're Gonna Face Attempts Of Silence For The Remainder Of Your Life.
30 years ago and this message was every bit as prevalent as it is today. I think each generation tends to forget this and holds the impression (illusion) that theirs is the only one who has experienced such silencing.
Political and social opinions may change a bit over the generations, but one thing has remained the same and that is the above stated truth in bold.
In honor of the vocal truth seekers, I present you with the words from that wonderful song, "The Logical Song". Keep on speakin' out. Keep on rockin'.
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
clinical, intellectual, cynical.
There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.
Not watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable!
At night, when all the world's asleep,
the questions run so deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.
Who I am.
Who I am.
3.04.2010
Consumer Alert: Aspartame About To Change Its Name To AminoSweet
Sneaky bastards.
"Aspartame producer Ajinomoto is launching a new initiative that will rebrand the sweetener as “AminoSweet”. Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages marketed as low calorie or sugar-free. However, its reputation has been clouded somewhat by studies that have investigated reports of ill effects. Just to remind you, the side effects of aspartame can include:
Headache
Change in vision
Convulsions and seizures
Hallucination
Nausea and vomiting
Joint pain
It can cause many, many other problems as well...Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent! It’s hard to believe such a chemical would be allowed into the food supply, but it was, and it has been wreaking silent havoc with people’s health for the past 30 years. The truth is, it should never have been released onto the market, and allowing it to remain in the food chain is seriously hurting people – no matter how many times you rebrand it under fancy new names."
Back in the early 90's, my sister-in-law was consuming beverages sweetened with Aspartame. In time, she began suffering debilitating headaches and blurred vision. On an intuitive whim, she decided to go off the crap. Within weeks, her headaches and vision problems disappeared. My spouse used to use this crap as well. For over 20 years, he used it to sweeten his coffee. Coincidentally enough, he developed joint and muscle pain, which to this day have yet to disappear despite his many attempts, both medically and holistically. While some of the issue is likely due to trauma and injury, the possibility certainly exists that, given the amount of time he consumed this crap, it built up in his body.
Of course, Aspartame is just one of numerous substances/chemicals found in our food and water supply and the air that we breath that is creating a host of unnecessary suffering and illness in the people. Makes one long to live on another planet altogether...
"Aspartame producer Ajinomoto is launching a new initiative that will rebrand the sweetener as “AminoSweet”. Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages marketed as low calorie or sugar-free. However, its reputation has been clouded somewhat by studies that have investigated reports of ill effects. Just to remind you, the side effects of aspartame can include:
Headache
Change in vision
Convulsions and seizures
Hallucination
Nausea and vomiting
Joint pain
It can cause many, many other problems as well...Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent! It’s hard to believe such a chemical would be allowed into the food supply, but it was, and it has been wreaking silent havoc with people’s health for the past 30 years. The truth is, it should never have been released onto the market, and allowing it to remain in the food chain is seriously hurting people – no matter how many times you rebrand it under fancy new names."
Back in the early 90's, my sister-in-law was consuming beverages sweetened with Aspartame. In time, she began suffering debilitating headaches and blurred vision. On an intuitive whim, she decided to go off the crap. Within weeks, her headaches and vision problems disappeared. My spouse used to use this crap as well. For over 20 years, he used it to sweeten his coffee. Coincidentally enough, he developed joint and muscle pain, which to this day have yet to disappear despite his many attempts, both medically and holistically. While some of the issue is likely due to trauma and injury, the possibility certainly exists that, given the amount of time he consumed this crap, it built up in his body.
Of course, Aspartame is just one of numerous substances/chemicals found in our food and water supply and the air that we breath that is creating a host of unnecessary suffering and illness in the people. Makes one long to live on another planet altogether...
2.26.2010
My First Visit To Trader Joe's
Mr. N and I decided to finally check out the new local Trader Joe's here in Corvallis. I was looking for good quality and low prices and, after dealing with First Alternative Co-Op and their poor quality checkout service (in reference to bagging your groceries), I wanted someone to bag our groceries without having to ask or without attitude. Overall, I was pleased. Here's a brief rundown of our experience:
1) Bananas were very cheap at .19 cents a pound. That blows away Winco's prices. Since bananas are grown with very little pesticide usage, it isn't necessary to buy such items organically. And yet, at .39 cents a pound for organic at TJ's (or was it .29???), this price blows away the price of organic bananas at the Co-Op. Plus, the appearance was far superior.
2) Their meat selection was pretty decent. You can buy grass-fed/anti-biotic and hormone-free lean beef (90% fat-free) for a dollar less per pound than you can at the Co-Op. We also picked up some free-range/hormone and antibiotic-free chicken breasts and thighs for a good price.
3) Their cheese selection was just ok. Pretty pricey given their limited selection, although there were some very yummy-looking cheese that were hard to pass up. The Co-Op blows TJ's out of the water in this department, in my opinion, in both prices and options.
4) If you're looking for fresh greens, forget it. TJ's offers only the bag variety, which I don't like.
5) As far as dry goods (cereals, crackers, etc.) you cannot beat TJ's prices or quality. That's where the bulk of our shopping dollars went. And I found a new favorite: TJ's Ginger Snaps. They contain an abundance of real ginger, which you immediately taste upon eating these tasty little treats. They're also made with gluten-free flours and molasses. As far as artificial preservatives and other nasties you cannot pronounce, forget about it. TJ's stays away from such things.
6) Their juice selection was a bit spendy, but cheaper than the Co-Op. We bought a large carton of OJ from the refrigerated section for $1.99. It is yummy!
7) The ambience is what was really nice. It's a fairly small store, which I appreciate. It was crowded when we went, but it didn't "feel" crowded. The aisles, unlike the co-op, are nice and wide (which pregnant women like myself TRULY appreciate). We also had a couple of conversations with complete strangers - something I have yet to find at the co-op, which seems to be more like a club for the elite - a club I apparently have yet to know the secret code in order to enter. Probably a money or a Prius/Subaru thing...
8) For the beer and wine connoisseurs, TJ's has a huge selection of the two. In fact, I would estimate that approximately 15% of the store was contained in just the beer and wine section.
9) And last but not least, the checkout. It was speedy and efficient. The staff was friendly and unless you wish to do so yourself, your groceries are bagged. Mr. N stepped in to do this task himself as he wanted to get out of the store quickly (the clerk was already starting the bagging process but then we had issues with the credit card machine, which warranted a call to the manager.)
10) I am quite picky when it comes to the soaps, lotions, shampoos and make-up I put on my skin. I've been buying this tea-tree bar at the co-op for a couple of years now. At $3.29 per BAR, it gets to be an expensive purchase. However, at TJ's, they have a 2-pack of tea-tree soap (with even fewer ingredients) for just $1.69. At virtually the same size, I snagged 3 packages.
Now all that being said, upon looking around the store, there was not one staff member who was over 30 that we could see on that particular day. I say that given earlier this year, thousands stood in line at their chance of getting on with TJ's, many of these folks in their 40's and 50's and beyond. It's unfortunate TJ's opted out of giving these folks a chance and instead, following the more "age-discriminatory" practice so often seen in the service industry of hiring the youngest worker. What are these companies so fearful of? God forbid someone with some gray hair or facial lines display themselves for the public? Are they afraid older workers will "steal the show" given their stealth of experience and their (typically) stronger work ethic? At least the Co-Op has several "older" workers. Perhaps it's simply a matter of economics. Older workers are more expensive to insure.
Whatever the reason, we figure we'll go there once a month to stock up on meats and dried goods. And my bar soap!
1) Bananas were very cheap at .19 cents a pound. That blows away Winco's prices. Since bananas are grown with very little pesticide usage, it isn't necessary to buy such items organically. And yet, at .39 cents a pound for organic at TJ's (or was it .29???), this price blows away the price of organic bananas at the Co-Op. Plus, the appearance was far superior.
2) Their meat selection was pretty decent. You can buy grass-fed/anti-biotic and hormone-free lean beef (90% fat-free) for a dollar less per pound than you can at the Co-Op. We also picked up some free-range/hormone and antibiotic-free chicken breasts and thighs for a good price.
3) Their cheese selection was just ok. Pretty pricey given their limited selection, although there were some very yummy-looking cheese that were hard to pass up. The Co-Op blows TJ's out of the water in this department, in my opinion, in both prices and options.
4) If you're looking for fresh greens, forget it. TJ's offers only the bag variety, which I don't like.
5) As far as dry goods (cereals, crackers, etc.) you cannot beat TJ's prices or quality. That's where the bulk of our shopping dollars went. And I found a new favorite: TJ's Ginger Snaps. They contain an abundance of real ginger, which you immediately taste upon eating these tasty little treats. They're also made with gluten-free flours and molasses. As far as artificial preservatives and other nasties you cannot pronounce, forget about it. TJ's stays away from such things.
6) Their juice selection was a bit spendy, but cheaper than the Co-Op. We bought a large carton of OJ from the refrigerated section for $1.99. It is yummy!
7) The ambience is what was really nice. It's a fairly small store, which I appreciate. It was crowded when we went, but it didn't "feel" crowded. The aisles, unlike the co-op, are nice and wide (which pregnant women like myself TRULY appreciate). We also had a couple of conversations with complete strangers - something I have yet to find at the co-op, which seems to be more like a club for the elite - a club I apparently have yet to know the secret code in order to enter. Probably a money or a Prius/Subaru thing...
8) For the beer and wine connoisseurs, TJ's has a huge selection of the two. In fact, I would estimate that approximately 15% of the store was contained in just the beer and wine section.
9) And last but not least, the checkout. It was speedy and efficient. The staff was friendly and unless you wish to do so yourself, your groceries are bagged. Mr. N stepped in to do this task himself as he wanted to get out of the store quickly (the clerk was already starting the bagging process but then we had issues with the credit card machine, which warranted a call to the manager.)
10) I am quite picky when it comes to the soaps, lotions, shampoos and make-up I put on my skin. I've been buying this tea-tree bar at the co-op for a couple of years now. At $3.29 per BAR, it gets to be an expensive purchase. However, at TJ's, they have a 2-pack of tea-tree soap (with even fewer ingredients) for just $1.69. At virtually the same size, I snagged 3 packages.
Now all that being said, upon looking around the store, there was not one staff member who was over 30 that we could see on that particular day. I say that given earlier this year, thousands stood in line at their chance of getting on with TJ's, many of these folks in their 40's and 50's and beyond. It's unfortunate TJ's opted out of giving these folks a chance and instead, following the more "age-discriminatory" practice so often seen in the service industry of hiring the youngest worker. What are these companies so fearful of? God forbid someone with some gray hair or facial lines display themselves for the public? Are they afraid older workers will "steal the show" given their stealth of experience and their (typically) stronger work ethic? At least the Co-Op has several "older" workers. Perhaps it's simply a matter of economics. Older workers are more expensive to insure.
Whatever the reason, we figure we'll go there once a month to stock up on meats and dried goods. And my bar soap!
Repuke Jim Bunning Blocks Unemployment Extension - Tells Oregon Democrap "Tough Shit"
Apparently football is more important than 1.2 million unemployed people.
"Jim Bunning, a Republican from Kentucky, is single-handedly blocking Senate action needed to prevent an estimated 1.2 million American workers from prematurely losing their unemployment benefits next month. As Democratic senators asked again and again for unanimous consent for a vote on a 30-day extension Thursday night, Bunning refused to go along. And when Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) begged him to drop his objection, Politico reports, Bunning replied: "Tough shit." Bunning says he doesn't oppose extending benefits -- he just doesn't want the money that's required added to the deficit. He proposes paying for the 30-day extension with stimulus funds. The Senate's GOP leadership did not support him in his objections."
Well of course a 30-day extension in and of itself is pathetic, but it is something that is absolutely necessary for the time-being while these idiots in Congress enact real unemployment benefit legislation. As Mr. N said "End the wars and use the funds to provide health care for all and unemployment benefits for the next 5 years" (which is how long so-called "experts" say before the economy returns to it's pre-depression status - which was pathetically dismal in and of itself).
Sigh...
"Jim Bunning, a Republican from Kentucky, is single-handedly blocking Senate action needed to prevent an estimated 1.2 million American workers from prematurely losing their unemployment benefits next month. As Democratic senators asked again and again for unanimous consent for a vote on a 30-day extension Thursday night, Bunning refused to go along. And when Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) begged him to drop his objection, Politico reports, Bunning replied: "Tough shit." Bunning says he doesn't oppose extending benefits -- he just doesn't want the money that's required added to the deficit. He proposes paying for the 30-day extension with stimulus funds. The Senate's GOP leadership did not support him in his objections."
Well of course a 30-day extension in and of itself is pathetic, but it is something that is absolutely necessary for the time-being while these idiots in Congress enact real unemployment benefit legislation. As Mr. N said "End the wars and use the funds to provide health care for all and unemployment benefits for the next 5 years" (which is how long so-called "experts" say before the economy returns to it's pre-depression status - which was pathetically dismal in and of itself).
Sigh...
2.23.2010
Hey All You Unemployed Americans: Come Work As A U.S. Census Taker
Hey, at least it's something, right? At least that's what those people in our life keep telling us (said people either being retired and/or for the moment, gainfully employed). All you gotta do is go stand in line with hundreds of other desperate folks, take a timed test and wait for a return call. (And when you look around, you'll notice most are over the age of 50). Of course they may not tell you that unless you score a perfect or near-perfect score, your chances of a return call are slim. And they may not tell you the hours may be no more than 5 or that the weeks being employed may not be more than a few.
You can, if you wish, retake the test in hopes of a higher score. But even at that, when you live in an area where over 500 tests have already been given and 3 more dates are on the calendar for testing, your odds of being hired are slim.
No different than searching for a job in this market...
You can, if you wish, retake the test in hopes of a higher score. But even at that, when you live in an area where over 500 tests have already been given and 3 more dates are on the calendar for testing, your odds of being hired are slim.
No different than searching for a job in this market...
2.22.2010
Tidbits
*Congress, in it's infinite wisdom, has said they wish to extend the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation program through the 2nd week of March. At that date, they will discuss extending it further.
Comment: Knock it off you elitist assholes and quit playing games with the American People. Extend the program through the end of the year. Then add more tiers. Everyone (well except for my family and those like them) knows we're in a Depression. Everyone knows this economy ain't gonna budge or even come close to any sort of recovery for another 3-5 years. Your pompous arrogance ain't cute. And neither is your ignorance.
*You can't rely on local social service agencies to tell you any semblance of truth. One attempts to educate themselves by doing research on particular programs prior to making contact with such agencies. However, more often than not, when agency is contacted, you find out what you have read and what you are told by a PERSON are two totally different things.
Comment: I believe this is done intentionally to piss off those in need. Certainly it adds to an already over-loaded mind. Of course what should we expect when most of these agencies hire brain-dead clueless folks under the age of 25 who sound like they're 12. And to think - I once had the dream to work for such an agency. I was once told, many years ago, by a Social Worker that I was too smart, too aware, too driven and too idealistic to be hired by any such agency, private or public.
*I receive a lot of comments on this blog that I delete due to their spam content.
Comment: So much for the hours I spent reorganizing this damn blog, learning about such things as blog aggregators and adsense and how to generate revenue. All it's lead me to is an increase in the fucking little spammers. My middle finger is up to the world and the system and to anyone who would dare question what I am doing with my life and the steps I am taking to make money. My POV at this point is either give me some cash or get out of my personal space.
*Lots of media attention surrounding these tea-party people.
Comment: If only the blind fools of the left would actually show a willingness to see that there are some darn good and valid points these folks have to make. And if only the tea party people themselves would stop chanting their religious "god" crap and their rugged individualism crap and their "abolish welfare" and support the "free market" diatribe, perhaps they would have their other more valid points and thus their overall agenda respected. The more I contemplate this issue, the more I realize perhaps it is a good idea to break up the states into separate regions where each is completely self-governing. Why should someone who WANTS a capitalistic/individualistic society have to live in a culture where the wealth is shared and collectivism is the norm and vice versa?
Comment: Knock it off you elitist assholes and quit playing games with the American People. Extend the program through the end of the year. Then add more tiers. Everyone (well except for my family and those like them) knows we're in a Depression. Everyone knows this economy ain't gonna budge or even come close to any sort of recovery for another 3-5 years. Your pompous arrogance ain't cute. And neither is your ignorance.
*You can't rely on local social service agencies to tell you any semblance of truth. One attempts to educate themselves by doing research on particular programs prior to making contact with such agencies. However, more often than not, when agency is contacted, you find out what you have read and what you are told by a PERSON are two totally different things.
Comment: I believe this is done intentionally to piss off those in need. Certainly it adds to an already over-loaded mind. Of course what should we expect when most of these agencies hire brain-dead clueless folks under the age of 25 who sound like they're 12. And to think - I once had the dream to work for such an agency. I was once told, many years ago, by a Social Worker that I was too smart, too aware, too driven and too idealistic to be hired by any such agency, private or public.
*I receive a lot of comments on this blog that I delete due to their spam content.
Comment: So much for the hours I spent reorganizing this damn blog, learning about such things as blog aggregators and adsense and how to generate revenue. All it's lead me to is an increase in the fucking little spammers. My middle finger is up to the world and the system and to anyone who would dare question what I am doing with my life and the steps I am taking to make money. My POV at this point is either give me some cash or get out of my personal space.
*Lots of media attention surrounding these tea-party people.
Comment: If only the blind fools of the left would actually show a willingness to see that there are some darn good and valid points these folks have to make. And if only the tea party people themselves would stop chanting their religious "god" crap and their rugged individualism crap and their "abolish welfare" and support the "free market" diatribe, perhaps they would have their other more valid points and thus their overall agenda respected. The more I contemplate this issue, the more I realize perhaps it is a good idea to break up the states into separate regions where each is completely self-governing. Why should someone who WANTS a capitalistic/individualistic society have to live in a culture where the wealth is shared and collectivism is the norm and vice versa?
2.19.2010
Big Bucks For Big Brother
Forget the words behind the mission statement of the police in California. Vehicle checkpoints to catch DUI offenders has turned into a mass of impounds for unlicensed drivers. Who profits? You guessed it.
"In the course of its examination, the Investigative Reporting Program reviewed hundreds of pages of city financial records and police reports, and analyzed data documenting the results from every checkpoint that received state funding during the past two years. Among the findings: Sobriety checkpoints frequently screen traffic within, or near, Hispanic neighborhoods. Cities where Hispanics represent a majority of the population are seizing cars at three times the rate of cities with small minority populations. In South Gate, a Los Angeles County city where Hispanics make up 92 percent of the population, police confiscated an average of 86 vehicles per operation last fiscal year. The seizures appear to defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed. In fact, police across the state have ratcheted up vehicle seizures. Last year, officers impounded more than 24,000 cars and trucks at checkpoints. That total is roughly seven times higher than the 3,200 drunken driving arrests at roadway operations. The percentage of vehicle seizures has increased 53 percent statewide compared to 2007."
Yes, those unlicensed drivers, many of them immigrants (remember that in many states, including California, immigrants cannot obtain a driver's license), are far more dangerous to other drivers than those pesky drunk drivers. Let's arrest the drunks (who are often repeat offenders) but let them retain their cars while we impound the vehicles of those who are unlicensed yet otherwise sober.
"In the course of its examination, the Investigative Reporting Program reviewed hundreds of pages of city financial records and police reports, and analyzed data documenting the results from every checkpoint that received state funding during the past two years. Among the findings: Sobriety checkpoints frequently screen traffic within, or near, Hispanic neighborhoods. Cities where Hispanics represent a majority of the population are seizing cars at three times the rate of cities with small minority populations. In South Gate, a Los Angeles County city where Hispanics make up 92 percent of the population, police confiscated an average of 86 vehicles per operation last fiscal year. The seizures appear to defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed. In fact, police across the state have ratcheted up vehicle seizures. Last year, officers impounded more than 24,000 cars and trucks at checkpoints. That total is roughly seven times higher than the 3,200 drunken driving arrests at roadway operations. The percentage of vehicle seizures has increased 53 percent statewide compared to 2007."
Yes, those unlicensed drivers, many of them immigrants (remember that in many states, including California, immigrants cannot obtain a driver's license), are far more dangerous to other drivers than those pesky drunk drivers. Let's arrest the drunks (who are often repeat offenders) but let them retain their cars while we impound the vehicles of those who are unlicensed yet otherwise sober.
2.18.2010
Brief Life Update
All is well with the little-one-to-be and yours truly. Even though I have 3 months to go, I can't imagine how much more my muscles and skin can possibly stretch, although I am at the right weight for this stage. I've been able to hear her hearbeat at a recent midwife visit with the fetoscope. Aahh, this all such a miraculous, mind-blowing experience.
We're just starting to put together her room and for now, are focused on kids furniture. We've found the crib and are looking for a changing table, a dresser and either a recliner or glider. The crib will be in our room for the first several months.
On the job front and money-producing front, well that's still slow-going, although this particular post is netting me $35 so that's a positive! My online collectible studio is garnering hits but no sales so far. I remind myself that miracles happen every moment of every day, often when we least expect it. This has certainly been the case with our little one...
We're just starting to put together her room and for now, are focused on kids furniture. We've found the crib and are looking for a changing table, a dresser and either a recliner or glider. The crib will be in our room for the first several months.
On the job front and money-producing front, well that's still slow-going, although this particular post is netting me $35 so that's a positive! My online collectible studio is garnering hits but no sales so far. I remind myself that miracles happen every moment of every day, often when we least expect it. This has certainly been the case with our little one...
Man Flies Plane Into IRS Building
This was one fed-up American.
"AUSTIN, Texas – A software engineer furious with the Internal Revenue Service launched a suicide attack on the agency Thursday by crashing his small plane into an office building containing nearly 200 IRS employees, setting off a raging fire that sent workers running for their lives. At least one person in the building was missing. The FBI tentatively identified the pilot as Joseph A. Stack, 53. Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still going on, said that before taking off, Stack apparently set fire to his house and posted a long anti-government screed on the Web. It was dated Thursday and signed "Joe Stack (1956-2010)." In it, the author cited run-ins he had with the IRS and ranted about the tax agency, government bailouts and corporate America's "thugs and plunderers." "I have had all I can stand," he wrote, adding: "I choose not to keep looking over my shoulder at `big brother' while he strips my carcass." "
This is so sad. What is there to say, really? It's a sign of the times and sadly, I believe there will be more such acts. It's unfortunate he didn't join in with others of like-mind and attempt a more unified and even peaceful at change. This is simply going to be news for a few days before it all gets swept away by some other lone individual. Of course, I am assuming this was really the conscious choice of an individual who wasn't influenced by any person(s)...
Points of interest: 1) The building didn't collapse; and 2) F-16 Fighter jets were immediately called to the scene, unlike on 9/11.
"AUSTIN, Texas – A software engineer furious with the Internal Revenue Service launched a suicide attack on the agency Thursday by crashing his small plane into an office building containing nearly 200 IRS employees, setting off a raging fire that sent workers running for their lives. At least one person in the building was missing. The FBI tentatively identified the pilot as Joseph A. Stack, 53. Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still going on, said that before taking off, Stack apparently set fire to his house and posted a long anti-government screed on the Web. It was dated Thursday and signed "Joe Stack (1956-2010)." In it, the author cited run-ins he had with the IRS and ranted about the tax agency, government bailouts and corporate America's "thugs and plunderers." "I have had all I can stand," he wrote, adding: "I choose not to keep looking over my shoulder at `big brother' while he strips my carcass." "
This is so sad. What is there to say, really? It's a sign of the times and sadly, I believe there will be more such acts. It's unfortunate he didn't join in with others of like-mind and attempt a more unified and even peaceful at change. This is simply going to be news for a few days before it all gets swept away by some other lone individual. Of course, I am assuming this was really the conscious choice of an individual who wasn't influenced by any person(s)...
Points of interest: 1) The building didn't collapse; and 2) F-16 Fighter jets were immediately called to the scene, unlike on 9/11.
SCOTUS: A Solid Reason For Unification of Left and Right?
Ah, one can only hope...
"A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the vast majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for corporations, labor unions, and other organizations to spend money directly from their general funds to influence campaigns. As noted by the Post's Dan Eggen, the poll's findings show "remarkably strong agreement" across the board, with roughly 80% of Americans saying that they're against the Court's 5-4 decision. Even more remarkable may be that opposition by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents were all near the same 80% opposition range. Specifically, 85% of Democrats, 81% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans opposed it. In short, "everyone hates" the ruling."
It isn't like this behavior hasn't been going on for the past 3 decades or so, overlooked and unpunished. All this did was put the rubber stamp of approval from our nations highest court for said behavior, making them immune from punishment. Lady Liberty needs a new slogan: Welcome To Corporate America where Big Biz Rulez and The People Looze.
"A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the vast majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for corporations, labor unions, and other organizations to spend money directly from their general funds to influence campaigns. As noted by the Post's Dan Eggen, the poll's findings show "remarkably strong agreement" across the board, with roughly 80% of Americans saying that they're against the Court's 5-4 decision. Even more remarkable may be that opposition by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents were all near the same 80% opposition range. Specifically, 85% of Democrats, 81% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans opposed it. In short, "everyone hates" the ruling."
It isn't like this behavior hasn't been going on for the past 3 decades or so, overlooked and unpunished. All this did was put the rubber stamp of approval from our nations highest court for said behavior, making them immune from punishment. Lady Liberty needs a new slogan: Welcome To Corporate America where Big Biz Rulez and The People Looze.
K2: This Isn't Your Daddy's (Or Jerry Garcia's) Marijuana
"JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – There may be nothing like the real thing, but some industrious marijuana users have seized on an obscure but easily accessible substance that mimics the drug's effects on the brain — creating a popular trade in legal dope that has stymied law enforcement authorities. The users are buying a product known as K2 — or "Spice," Genie" and "Zohai" — that is commonly sold in head shops as incense. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing."
Read more here.
Hmm. The song lyrics, "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby" go through my mind reading this.
Read more here.
Hmm. The song lyrics, "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby" go through my mind reading this.
2.13.2010
New Crime Ring Hitting Corvallis Residents: Bold Thugs Stealing Cans and Bottles
Ok, I know, on the surface this sounds innocent enough. People, desperate for cash (a state of mind I am all too familiar with), are stealing returnable bottles and cans from people's property. I can understand this when the bottles and cans are taken from the recycling bins on trash day. I can even understand this when the property owners have been asked if the individual(s) can come onto said property and help themselves. However, I draw the line when these thugs walk onto the property without permission and rummage through the owners/occupiers trash and other items without permission. I also take a huge exception when you happen to confront one of these individuals and they become verbally abusive and threatening and refuse to leave your property.
We have experienced this recently. And from what the police say, so have others. In fact, this has become quite the problem in the Corvallis area on both ends of town and police are asking residents to call immediately upon seeing someone on their property or any other property engaging in this behavior. Today alone, as I drove down a side street, I saw two older men pushing grocery carts full of cans and bottles, walking up people's driveways, rummaging through trash.
Not only is this theft, it's trespassing.
Our recent experience brought this to the forefront of my life when Mr. N happened to walk outside and saw some stranger going through our belongings out front. While we keep our bottles and cans inside (learned that lesson last November when someone stole 3 large bags we had hidden in front of our car underneath some boxes which made it completely undetectable from the street), this individual obviously didn't know that. And didn't care. When Mr. N approached him, asked him what he was doing and told him to leave, the man refused, walked up to Mr. N and threatened to physically kick his a&&, that he was entitled and free to do whatever he wanted. He even boldly stated (lied) that he had permission from everyone in our block to do this.
"You don't have my permission so get off my property," Mr. N said. The guy only left when he was done with his search.
Talking to neighbors later, none declared they have given this individual (or anyone else) permission to walk on their property and help themselves to their returnable bottles. One neighbor even commented "I've been wondering who has been taking our bottles!"
Perhaps I could have some sympathy for these folks if they weren't already targeting a rather impoverished neighborhood. Many of the people on our street are either unemployed or underemployed and are on some sort of government assistance. I was able to walk out at the end of the confrontation Mr. N had with this man and told him, yelled at him, as he rode off, that if he wanted to steal, he should hit the wealthier neighborhoods but to leave neighborhoods like ours alone.
I mean really, the poor robbing from the poor? Come on! I thought we were supposed to be uniting...
We have experienced this recently. And from what the police say, so have others. In fact, this has become quite the problem in the Corvallis area on both ends of town and police are asking residents to call immediately upon seeing someone on their property or any other property engaging in this behavior. Today alone, as I drove down a side street, I saw two older men pushing grocery carts full of cans and bottles, walking up people's driveways, rummaging through trash.
Not only is this theft, it's trespassing.
Our recent experience brought this to the forefront of my life when Mr. N happened to walk outside and saw some stranger going through our belongings out front. While we keep our bottles and cans inside (learned that lesson last November when someone stole 3 large bags we had hidden in front of our car underneath some boxes which made it completely undetectable from the street), this individual obviously didn't know that. And didn't care. When Mr. N approached him, asked him what he was doing and told him to leave, the man refused, walked up to Mr. N and threatened to physically kick his a&&, that he was entitled and free to do whatever he wanted. He even boldly stated (lied) that he had permission from everyone in our block to do this.
"You don't have my permission so get off my property," Mr. N said. The guy only left when he was done with his search.
Talking to neighbors later, none declared they have given this individual (or anyone else) permission to walk on their property and help themselves to their returnable bottles. One neighbor even commented "I've been wondering who has been taking our bottles!"
Perhaps I could have some sympathy for these folks if they weren't already targeting a rather impoverished neighborhood. Many of the people on our street are either unemployed or underemployed and are on some sort of government assistance. I was able to walk out at the end of the confrontation Mr. N had with this man and told him, yelled at him, as he rode off, that if he wanted to steal, he should hit the wealthier neighborhoods but to leave neighborhoods like ours alone.
I mean really, the poor robbing from the poor? Come on! I thought we were supposed to be uniting...
Study Shows Being Religious Doesn't Make One Healthier
An interesting study.
"The study, published in the journal Circulation, suggests that when it comes to heart disease and clogged arteries, attending religious services or having spiritual experiences may not protect against heart attacks and strokes. "There's not a lot of extra burden or extra protection afforded by this particular aspect of people's lives," concluded Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, who led the study. In a review of data from nearly 5,500 people, Lloyd-Jones and his colleagues expected to see less risk for heart disease among those with more "religiosity." The researchers defined religiosity as participation in religious activities, prayer or meditation, and spirituality, regardless of denomination. They did not report the religious faiths of study participants. Over the course of four years, those in the study had 152 events related to heart disease or clogged arteries, including 9 deaths, 42 heart attacks, and 24 strokes. That rate of such events -- less than one percent per year -- was lower than in the general population, which the team expected because they excluded people who were already diagnosed with heart disease and related conditions. However, neither the rate of heart disease events, nor the number of certain risk factors -- such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- differed among those who were more or less religious or spiritual."
While I have stated on this blog I am not religious in that I don't follow one set of religious doctrine nor do I attend church, I do take some issue with this study in that I have found the practice of meditation, whether it be while I am cooking, taking a walk, playing my piano, doing yoga or simply sitting alone in a quiet place quieting my mind and tuning in to the higher frequences of my being does have a positive effect on my physical body. Regular practice, I believe, certainly can lower heart rate and, with other lifestyle changes, improve if not totally reverse heart disease.
The authors of the study chose not to share the particular faith of the study participants. That's unfortunate because that could possibly lead to the rather questionable results. My guess is that the vast majority were Christian or Jewish or Muslim or one of the other more guilt-induced, restrictive religions, and that these folks attended regular church services, where they were fed religious script as interpreted through the eyes of another human being proclaiming to know God/Jesus better than his/her congregants, followed up by large but typically subtle doses of religious guilt, which goes something like this: "We are to strive for perfection. We are to strive to be like God. Be like Jesus. However, since you will never obtain such a goal, you must come back next Sunday again, empty your $$pockets$$ and listen to me speak all over again. And remember, anyone claiming to have reached that state of perfection is under the influence of our good 'ole scapegoat, Satan."
Such exposure sets up a duo inside our already over-burdened state of consciousness and awareness, over-burdened due to the dysfunctional disease of societal conditioning which tells us we're not good enough, not worthy, must prove ourselves and blah blah blah. This duo results due to the societal programming which is in direct conflict with our authentic voice, which knows we're wonderfully worthy (not better than others for that is pure ego - just precious and wonderful at that inherent level) as we are and we don't have to prove our worth or for that matter, anything to another soul, human or otherwise. Meditation and/or religious practice and exposure to those who follow the same inner conscious awareness most definitely can have a positive and profound effect on the physical body.
So sayeth I. And don't worry. I won't ask you to fill the money basket.
"The study, published in the journal Circulation, suggests that when it comes to heart disease and clogged arteries, attending religious services or having spiritual experiences may not protect against heart attacks and strokes. "There's not a lot of extra burden or extra protection afforded by this particular aspect of people's lives," concluded Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, who led the study. In a review of data from nearly 5,500 people, Lloyd-Jones and his colleagues expected to see less risk for heart disease among those with more "religiosity." The researchers defined religiosity as participation in religious activities, prayer or meditation, and spirituality, regardless of denomination. They did not report the religious faiths of study participants. Over the course of four years, those in the study had 152 events related to heart disease or clogged arteries, including 9 deaths, 42 heart attacks, and 24 strokes. That rate of such events -- less than one percent per year -- was lower than in the general population, which the team expected because they excluded people who were already diagnosed with heart disease and related conditions. However, neither the rate of heart disease events, nor the number of certain risk factors -- such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- differed among those who were more or less religious or spiritual."
While I have stated on this blog I am not religious in that I don't follow one set of religious doctrine nor do I attend church, I do take some issue with this study in that I have found the practice of meditation, whether it be while I am cooking, taking a walk, playing my piano, doing yoga or simply sitting alone in a quiet place quieting my mind and tuning in to the higher frequences of my being does have a positive effect on my physical body. Regular practice, I believe, certainly can lower heart rate and, with other lifestyle changes, improve if not totally reverse heart disease.
The authors of the study chose not to share the particular faith of the study participants. That's unfortunate because that could possibly lead to the rather questionable results. My guess is that the vast majority were Christian or Jewish or Muslim or one of the other more guilt-induced, restrictive religions, and that these folks attended regular church services, where they were fed religious script as interpreted through the eyes of another human being proclaiming to know God/Jesus better than his/her congregants, followed up by large but typically subtle doses of religious guilt, which goes something like this: "We are to strive for perfection. We are to strive to be like God. Be like Jesus. However, since you will never obtain such a goal, you must come back next Sunday again, empty your $$pockets$$ and listen to me speak all over again. And remember, anyone claiming to have reached that state of perfection is under the influence of our good 'ole scapegoat, Satan."
Such exposure sets up a duo inside our already over-burdened state of consciousness and awareness, over-burdened due to the dysfunctional disease of societal conditioning which tells us we're not good enough, not worthy, must prove ourselves and blah blah blah. This duo results due to the societal programming which is in direct conflict with our authentic voice, which knows we're wonderfully worthy (not better than others for that is pure ego - just precious and wonderful at that inherent level) as we are and we don't have to prove our worth or for that matter, anything to another soul, human or otherwise. Meditation and/or religious practice and exposure to those who follow the same inner conscious awareness most definitely can have a positive and profound effect on the physical body.
So sayeth I. And don't worry. I won't ask you to fill the money basket.
2.11.2010
Texas Gubernatorial Candidate Questions U.S. Role In 9/11
Then later recants.
"AUSTIN, Texas – A Republican gubernatorial candidate said Thursday she has questions about whether the U.S. government was involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — a statement she swiftly backed away from and one that drew immediate criticism from her better-known rivals in the race. Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison dismissed the comments made by Debra Medina on the Glenn Beck Show that there were "some very good arguments" that the U.S. was involved in bringing down the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. "I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised. In that regard there's some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there." Medina later released a statement saying she did not believe the government was involved in the attacks."
Well, of course we know what happened here. Her handlers quickly pulled her aside after the interview (all while grimacing as she spoke her at-the-time truth), said "Are you NUTS? Are you trying to commit political suicide? Recant, woman! Recant!"
"AUSTIN, Texas – A Republican gubernatorial candidate said Thursday she has questions about whether the U.S. government was involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — a statement she swiftly backed away from and one that drew immediate criticism from her better-known rivals in the race. Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison dismissed the comments made by Debra Medina on the Glenn Beck Show that there were "some very good arguments" that the U.S. was involved in bringing down the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. "I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised. In that regard there's some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there." Medina later released a statement saying she did not believe the government was involved in the attacks."
Well, of course we know what happened here. Her handlers quickly pulled her aside after the interview (all while grimacing as she spoke her at-the-time truth), said "Are you NUTS? Are you trying to commit political suicide? Recant, woman! Recant!"
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