a little of this, a little of that.........

i read something disturbing today: since monsanto began forcing their way into the lives of farmers with their genetically altered seeds, 20,000 farmers in india have committed suicide. the cultivation of genetically altered cotton in has lead to massive crop failures, driving the farmers into poverty and bankruptcy.

20,000 people. TWENTY THOUSAND. i would have to say monsanto is the most dangerous "disease" on the planet today. they have the ability to control the entire food population and thus our health. our lives.

i completed my ballot. well it isn't quite complete considering i left a lot of those oval circles empty. i also wrote some folks in. i wonder if anyone at our local election headquarters is familiar with zardon............ i read a letter to the editor in some paper awhile back. the writer was urging all of us to simply not vote. personally, i have favored that idea for a few years now, however it is a logistics nightmare and the chances of getting the vast majority to favor it are slim to none. anyhow, the writer said he simply wrote "NO" in large letters across the ballot. i thought that would make for a wonderful art gallery display--artistic expression with the theme of "voter apathy".

lots of stink over the recent antics of rush limbaugh and his remarks about and ensuing impression of michael j. fox. i read something of interest about what rush had to say. it was written by a medical doctor who said the medications that mr. fox takes do exagerrate his symptoms for a brief period of time. i also read that mr. fox admitted in his biography to taking these meds before appearing in front of some government committee in order to garner more sympathy. who knows what to believe. if this is true, while i may not approve of such a method to garner support for a cause, i can understand the desire--the strong desire--to see the fruition of the end result, in this case the funding for stem cell research. furthermore, even if there is truth in this, to make a point by making fun of someone who has an illness is simply inhumane and shows what a bully he is. and we all know that bullies, deep inside, are very frightened, insecure people. and as a side note: if they are male, they usually have issues with their penis and/or their sexuality.

rush limbaugh. the pill-popping, republican ass-washing, playground bully who is afwaid of his widdle pee pee..........

i found a really good vitamin company--swanson's health products. i've shopped around, both in the stores and online, and have never been ok with the idea that you have to spend at least $30 per month per person for a good multi-vitamin. i was offended a few months ago at a local vitamin store when i was told that the $18.99 bottle of multi-vits i was buying wasn't nearly as good in quality as the $49.99 bottle. i said i couldn't afford the more expensive brand (which interestingly enough was the store brand) and was given a weird look by the clerk, who then walked away. i've had a couple of other weird experiences with this store, who seem to cater to people who actually HAVE money to freely dispose of at a whim on the latest, most expensive health care miracle supplement.

so anyway, i found swanson's. they were also recommended by a friend, a fellow low-income earner, who has been with them for years. she said their products were excellent and their customer service, superior. i was sceptical, but after placing my order and receiving their products, i gotta admit she was right. first of all, when i called, i didn't reach an automated system. a person actually ANSWERED THE PHONE! can you believe that???? in this day and age??? i was so caught off guard, i had to say "you mean this is a LIVE person i am speaking with?? i don't have to press any buttons for english or to place an order???" she laughed and said "of course not. that's now how we do business here." WOW. a made-in-america company operating in the way of the good 'ole days. there's hope for america yet, i tell ya...........anyway, their products arrived quickly--within one week of processing my order. i popped the multi-vitamin and i could actually feel something taking place in my body. it was a subtle change but i did notice something. my spouse said the same thing. never had that experience before. the vit/mineral combination is equal to that of the more expensive brands. today i placed another order for a tri-mushroom complex and astragalus--substances that have been shown to increase immune response, decrease inflammation and have anti-cancer agents. the chinese actually use these particular mushrooms to fight cancer and tumors. i've been sick off and on all month so it's imperative i do something extra to keep my immune system strong.

so much more i could write about with the world, but the other bloggers are doing a good job of that on their own.

nina