Oh, thanks for the great exercises. I feel like the last word has been said on an opening Michelle topic until I hear from you.

Milo

Jackie, I’m glad you enjoy the exercises and I cringed only slightly when my name and SP were in the same sentence/thought, yes I would’ve made a better candidate than SP though it’d have to be on an Independent ticket.

Iris, I’m sorry you’re diabetic though I have to admit I am busting to share info that I heard on a talk radio show from an over 75 MD, an ex-cardiologist turned clinical nutritionist, check out vagnini.com for his book as well as eating and supplement advice, he’s the word on that topic. His advice was so good I pulled over to jot some notes to self.

Clark, Clark, Clark…I KNEW someone would illustrate my point from yesterday sooner or later, and lo and behold you nailed it, ‘…you pussies kissing the shrews’ ass…’ oh my, I could not stop laughing, thanks for that. In case you can’t remember my point: men will likely call women something derogatory, bitch/y, controlling, etc….shrew was such a nice touch : ) love it, keep up the sexist good work, you should be feeling your weinie shrinking any time now, so anytime you’d like to stand up and start the chorus ‘I’m white and I’m better’ have at it, you all ‘built all this’ mostly through others-otw’s sweat but you like to think it was surely bc you were smarter and therefore bootstrapping everyone along, uh-huh…

Caio and much pluvness, Zen Lill

OK, all you grumps and grouches out there–it may be time for some self-reflection and a change of heart, because your bad attitude could be killing you.

A new study finds that unpleasant people have a higher risk of stroke.

In fact, the most disagreeable people are more likely to have actual physical differences in the lining of the carotid artery, putting them at risk for this life- altering, debilitating and possibly even deadly event.

Researchers at the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland, examined data from an ongoing study of 5,614 residents of Sardinia, an island off Italy known for its beautiful beaches.

You might think it would be hard to be disagreeable while living in a Mediterranean paradise, but an assessment of six character traits found that some of these people managed to be real jerks despite all that wine, cheese and sun.

And ultrasound measurements of their carotid arteries found that the most hostile and antagonistic of the bunch–those who rated in the lowest 10 percent in the agreeability assessment–were 40 percent more likely to have thickening in the lining of the carotid artery.

These nastier folks also had a higher risk of increased thickening during a three-year follow-up period, according to the study published in Hypertension.

What’s more, this difference remained even after the researchers factored in other possible causes–such lifestyle-related risk factors.

The study indicates that having a highly aggressive personality may be as much of a stroke risk factor as smoking, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or high blood pressure.

And while many people associate overly aggressive behavior with men, the researchers say aggressive women were more likely to experience thicker artery linings.

On the other hand, men tend to have thicker artery walls to begin with, so maybe there’s some truth to that old feminist rallying cry: Men are jerks.

The researchers behind the new study say not all unpleasant traits are equally deadly–because the highest risk came from those who were specifically manipulative and aggressive.

If that sounds like anyone you know, you might want to warn them that it’s time to change their ways, or maybe you’ll be visiting them in the emergency room one of these days.

Of course, a true jerk won’t listen anyway–and that emergency room might turn out to be a very lonely place.
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So the next time you have a chance, smile for the love of life, even if its only for your own.

Nancy

Under President Bush, Congress passed excessive tax cuts, tax breaks and tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires.

But now, there’s a chance to change things if your members of Congress hear the call.

President Obama has been barnstorming America calling for an end Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans — while preserving lower taxes for working Americans.

But Republicans like John Boehner will stop at nothing to defend the fat cats and millionaires. 3 They’re giving $95,000 to every taxpayer in the top 1% — the wealthiest Americans.

We need to act fast or Boehner’s extreme position could become a conservative rallying cry that stops all conversation about responsible taxes.

Click here to make a fast, free phone call to Congress to tell them you support the President’s plan to eliminate tax cuts for millionaires.

Boehner and his conservative cronies are making misleading claims that getting rid of tax breaks for the rich will hurt the already weak economy.4

Don’t be fooled by those who profit from the status quo on taxes. Middle-class Americans already pay their fair share to keep the country strong; now it’s time for those at the top to do the same. That’s why Obama’s tax plan will only affect people making more than $250,000 a year, an amount nearly five times the median annual income for an American family.5

Click here to tell your Senators to get on board now.
Thanks!
- Matt
Matt Holland
TrueMajority.org / USAction.org