Sunday Rap
Posted by Michelle Moquin on September 23rd, 2012
Good Afternoon!
I am just going to check in with some of you this morning, and keep the day open for whatever topic moves you.
Hi Jeff: It was so nice of you to come by my table at the Lake Chalet this past Friday to say hello and tell me that you enjoy my blog. Thank you. It was nice to see you after all these years. I HOPE that you’ll comment here, and join in on the conversation.
Hi Alycedale: All I want to say is, although they may be out there, I personally don’t know any successful man who has made it without the help of a supportive woman beside him. Jesus is no exception. And I am not surprised one bit – if men can be so shitty to women now why not then. I HOPE you are doing good.
Hey Lea: How are you? I wrote about those brown tree snakes awhile ago. It still looks like the problem has not be resolved, and has now brought on another issue. Ugh. I HOPE you are well. Hafa Adai.
Halley: Haha! I couldn’t have expressed it better.
Eric: Smart man.
Terri: Welcome! I didn’t realize the theme was that obvious but perhaps you are just highly observant. Thanks for commenting, reading and joining us. Oh…and by the way it is Mike, TM, and Robert, RT.
Andrew: Is someone twisting your arm to read my blog or are you just so fascinated or addicted to it, that you can’t pull yourself away even though you make the statement that you don’t know why you bother to read it? I grant you your break. You may leave. :) I see I am not the only one responding to your comment.
Anonymous: Me too.
Hello Anonymous: That is just too cute. I HOPE you got lucky with your little Red Corvette.
Glenn: I’d say it was definitely safe sex. And if she was married, I don’t consider it cheating – it was like watching a live porn show. Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing an attractive well hung man get off on looking at a woman, getting off on looking at him naked. It seems the benefit was mutual. It would certainly turn me on, but then I enjoy that kind of thing. In fact I would probably get so excited, I would want to run, grab my man and jump on him right then and there while watching the man masturbate.
Monica: Thanks for the clarification. :) Gee I would love it if this was THE Monica.
Mike, TM: Love what you add to this blog.
Big Mama: I liked your comment. I HOPE you’ll comment again.
Henry: It is sickening to me as well. But unfortunately bigotry and racism is deep rooted in the country.
Evans: I HOPE so too. Some vets have it pretty darn bad. The republicans are the first ones who want you to go to war to protect them, and they are the first to deny you any help once you are back home. In the name of their one self interest, I cannot imagine any vet voting republican.
Freda: Just read your comment. Seems we think the same same.
Whisper: Hahaha! Good one.
Jim: Aahaha! You continue to keep me laughing this morning.
Readers: I think I’ll end it right here and get on with my day. Have a good one!
Peace & Love…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)
September 23rd, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD, is a must read for anyone with wheat intolerance, or anyone wanting to understand more about the problems with eating wheat,
Here’s the book summary:
http://thehealingproject.us/2012/09/22/book-summary-wheat-belly-by-william-davis-md/#more-853
September 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Millions of Americans Have Hepatitis C
Why YOU Need a Test Now
Shocking fact: One of every 30 baby boomers has been infected with a virus—most of them unknowingly—that greatly increases the risk for liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and liver transplants.
Latest development:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that every boomer get tested for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which often causes no symptoms until the liver is severely damaged.
Certain other people of any age, including those who received a blood transfusion or an organ transplant before blood-screening tests were widely available, also should be tested for the stealthy virus.
Because testing and treatment frequently can cure the HCV infection, these new guidelines are projected to prevent more than 120,000 unnecessary deaths in the US.
A GENERATION AT RISK
An estimated 3.2 million Americans, largely baby boomers, have a chronic HCV infection. This generation accounts for more than 75% of all adult cases.
Most of these infections occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, before there were tests to detect them and before the nation’s blood supply was routinely screened for the virus. The risk of transmitting the virus in bodily fluids was not widely known at the time.
HCV is transmitted only through blood. Anyone who received either a blood transfusion or an organ transplant prior to 1992, when blood screening and other HCV precautions came into widespread use, is also at increased risk.
So are health-care workers exposed to blood (such as from accidental needle sticks)…and people who inject drugs (including those with diabetes, who might have shared a needle when injecting diabetes medications).
Even though baby boomers are the age group most likely to be infected with HCV, no one can assume that he/she is safe.
You can get HCV from microscopic amounts of infected blood. This could occur during sex, from sharing a razor or toothbrush, or when getting a tattoo at an unsterile shop. About 45% of infected patients report no risk factors.
SILENT AND DEADLY
Most viral infections, including those caused by other forms of hepatitis, are “cleared” by the immune system—that is, the virus is eliminated from the body after the initial infection.
HCV is different.
While the virus is cleared from the body in about 25% of cases, the HCV infection becomes chronic in 75% of infected patients.
In these people, the virus (for unknown reasons) eludes the immune system and stays active in the body, where it causes on-going liver damage.
The majority of those exposed to the virus have no initial symptoms. The infection can persist for decades before it is recognized and treated.
Even in the 20% to 30% of patients who do have symptoms (such as fatigue, fever and joint pain), the illness is so mild that it’s often mistaken for a cold or the flu. Most people don’t get tested because they never even bother to see a doctor for such mild symptoms.
GETTING DIAGNOSED
Blood tests to diagnose HCV…
An initial antibody test will determine whether you’ve ever been infected with HCV. If the test is negative, no further tests are needed—unless you have ongoing risk factors, such as the continued use of injected drugs, which requires more frequent testing.
Cost: $30 to $35. If the test is positive, you’ll need the following test to determine whether the infection is chronic.
A nucleic acid test will show whether the virus is still active. Cost: $100 to $250. If you test positive, you have chronic HCV and will need to talk to your doctor about treatment options. If you are infected, but have no liver damage, your doctor should monitor your liver at your annual physical.
BEST TREATMENT OPTIONS
Deaths from HCV are on the rise because many chronic HCV patients aren’t diagnosed or treated until the liver is severely damaged.
If the condition is detected and treated, many of these deaths could be prevented. There is no vaccine currently available to prevent HCV infection, though studies are under way.
The main treatments for chronic HCV…
Pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
This two-medication treatment is standard for certain types of chronic HCV, although a new approach (described below) may be faster-acting.
The interferon, given by injection twice a month, helps the immune system fight the virus. Ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol and others), taken orally twice a day, fights the virus directly.
Triple therapy.
With this approach, patients take boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivek), in addition to the interferon and ribavirin.
This three-drug therapy can shorten the treatment time to as little as 24 weeks, compared with 48 weeks with the older treatment.
The side effects of both treatments can be grueling and may include extreme fatigue and/or muscle aches. But the virus is completely eliminated in 70% to 75% of cases. The rest will remain chronically infected.
TWO OTHER HEPATITIS VIRUSES
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections have dropped by 92% since 1995, when a vaccine first came into widespread use. In 2009, fewer than 2,000 cases were reported in the US.
Cause:
Poor sanitation. It’s spread through the fecal-oral route. For example, someone who’s infected and doesn’t wash his/her hands after using the bathroom could transmit it to someone else.
Other causes:
Contaminated water (usually in less-developed countries) and eating food that has been contaminated, often by an infected food-service worker.
Certain sexual practices (specifically oral contact with an infected partner’s anus) also increase risk for HAV.
Some patients infected with HAV have no symptoms. In others, it may cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), fatigue and flulike symptoms. Most patients recover in one to two months.
Get vaccinated for HAV if you travel to areas where the virus is common. You’ll need two injections over a six-month period.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has also declined in the US in recent years. In 2009, 3,374 new cases were reported. Since many patients have no or only mild symptoms and don’t get tested, the actual number of cases is probably 10 times higher.
Cause:
Contact with blood or other body fluids, such as semen and saliva. Most people are infected during sex with an infected partner…from injecting drugs with an unsterile needle…or from sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes.
It is not spread by sharing eating utensils, sneezing, etc. The virus is unlikely to be spread by kissing unless the noninfected partner has an open wound in his/her mouth.
Between 30% and 50% of HBV patients will experience fatigue, nausea, jaundice or other symptoms. The symptoms can persist for a few weeks to up to six months.
HBV can become chronic, but this occurs in only about 5% of adults. Between 15% and 25% of those with a chronic infection will eventually develop liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
No treatment is needed for an acute HBV infection.
Patients with chronic HBV may be treated with antiviral drugs and need regular checkups to monitor liver changes that could lead to cirrhosis or cancer.
Important:
Patients with risk factors for HBV—including health-care workers…people who travel to parts of the world with a high rate of HBV…or men who have sex with men—should get vaccinated.
Three shots are given over six months.
Source: Bryce D. Smith, PhD, lead health scientist in the division of viral hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he is the project officer for the program to improve hepatitis C–-screening practices and testing for primary-care patients.
September 23rd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Terri Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
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Terry, some of the other regulars are: The One and Only Anonz; the highly perceptive Prism Princess; the no nonsense Alycedale; the articulate, but now missing Al; the keeping them honest, Robert,RT; the I’ve got a piece of humor Bob; the teacher with anecdotes, Ellen; the super bigot, George,WN; the I will do anything to get next to Zen Lill, Larry; the I can’t get enough of Al, Linda; the I’m a bigot, too, John(john you need some initials, how about TP for tiny penis);
There are a few others that I think are regulars but I have categorized them yet.
Brenda
September 23rd, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Once again we have a situation of men in authority being allowed to exploit women and keep their jobs.
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Despite testimony in federal court that several officers of the Guam Police Department were involved to some degree in a human trafficking ring that resulted in a woman being sentenced to life in federal prison, only one officer was investigated.
This failure needs to be redressed, and quickly.
During a federal trial for Song Ja Cha — the owner of Blue House lounge, who was convicted of forcing at least nine women into prostitution — at least two witnesses testified that police officers frequented the lounge.
Prosecutors said Cha controlled the women by threatening them with arrest by police officers if they disobeyed her.
One witness provided the first name of two officers and described a third. Another police officer — David Manila — admitted to having sex with a Blue House employee at the lounge.
The Guam Police Department only investigated Manila, who was disciplined, but allowed to keep his job despite an internal investigation that determined he abetted prostitution. Police said it would have taken action if investigators had found any other officers were involved with illegal activities at Blue House.
Was the testimony in federal court not enough?
There needs to be a thorough investigation of police officers in relation to the Blue House human trafficking case — and if the Guam Police Department won’t do it, another agency must step in.
If police officers are cleared, then there’s no problem and the public can be assured. But if there are officers found to be involved in the case, then they must be held fully accountable for their actions — up to criminal prosecution, if warranted.
On Friday, police spokesman Officer A.J. Balajadia issued a statement, saying the public shouldn’t interpret the lack of police comment as a sign the department is hiding something. How else should the public interpret the silence?
The police department must immediately launch a thorough investigation, or release to the public the process and findings of its previous investigation; or cooperate with whichever agency is put in charge of the investigation.
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Women are going to have to be willing to stand up in unison a resist this behavior of men.
Hafa Adai
Anna
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Gee, Michelle, if I knew that you would be okay with people coming up to you and saying they enjoy your blog I would have done that when I saw you at an event with your now ex husband two years ago.
Harold
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Aloha , Michelle:
Andrew if you don’t like what we have to say or how we say it, you got two choices; tell us about it or move on.
I would prefer if you stayed. We like discourse here.
Aloha
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Michelle, If you need some loving. I am in the same Zip code you are. We should meet.
Not just for the loving of course. We could talk. I hear you frequent the Harry Denton’s Starlight Room in SF. When I make 21, I will be a regular.
A really big fan
Natalie
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Fuck you busy bodies who feel that you have to comment on everything and everybody who visits this blog. I said what I felt and I stand by it.
Michelle, I apologize if I came on too strong. I didn’t mean to offend. However, I did. I guess I was ranting like most of your other blogsters.
Andrew
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Did anyone hear about the man who won $7 million for lung damaged caused by using microwaved popcorn?
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A Denver man has just won $7.2 million in damages from the makers and sellers of his favorite snack — microwave popcorn. Wayne Watson, 59, ate bags of the stuff every day for years, and developed a potentially fatal condition known as “popcorn lung.” What is this odd-sounding ailment, and is the company that made the treat really to blame? Here, a brief guide:
What exactly is popcorn lung?
It’s the informal name for a rare ailment called bronchiolitis obliterans, an irreversible respiratory illness that causes wheezing, dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Patients have scarring in the bronchioles, the lung’s smallest air passageways, and the damage makes it harder for them to breathe. Some people stricken with “popcorn lung” require lung transplants. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
How do you get popcorn lung?
It’s relatively common in people who have been exposed to high levels of diacetyl, an artificial flavoring used to give popcorn a buttery taste. Workers in factories that make microwave popcorn are the ones who usually suffer from it. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that anyone subjected regularly to the chemical wear a respirator and get regular breathing tests. Hundreds of popcorn-factory workers have sued over diacetyl exposure — winning settlements as high as $34 million — but Watson was the first consumer to go to court.
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Andrew, maybe he was one of Michelle’s readers, if he was he certainly heard about it here from “Health Info.” I know I remember reading it.
Just saying that is another one of the benefits of making this a must read.
Kelly
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Breaking News: Rats fed a lifetime diet of Monsanto’s genetically engineered corn or exposed to the company’s popular Roundup herbicide, in amounts considered “safe” in drinking water and GM crops in the U.S., developed tumors and suffered severe kidney and liver damage, according a study released this week.
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Hafa adai Peter:
I’d like to know what is up to. I guess we will have to ask Howie to tell us what the Alien connection is.
Howie, what’s up? Are the Japanese being given instructions on how to communicate with the Aliens who are dissatisfied with their pollution of the seas?
Oh, and yes, Andrew, some not only believe in UFOs but we believe in Howie.
Kent
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Sorry I forgot to leave the link to the story.
http://nation.time.com/2012/09/23/what-crisis-u-s-marines-and-japanese-troops-train-for-war/
September 23rd, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I just finished watching the “60 Minutes” interview with both Romney and Obama. I am voting for the man that prays to God every night.
Obama never mentioned God because he is a atheists.
Miller
September 23rd, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Despite Todd Akin belittling rape survivors, the Tea Party’s largest Super PAC is considering throwing millions behind him. And today, projections show Republicans could take over the Senate by a single seat. Here are the latest polls:
***PUBLIC POLICY POLLING UPDATE***
September 22, 2012
Missouri Claire McCaskill (D)-45 Todd Akin (R)-44
Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren (D)-48 Scott Brown (R)-46
Arizona Richard Carmona (D)-43 Jeff Flake (R)-44
An Akin victory could actually hand Republicans control of the Senate.
September 23rd, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Kent, the exercises maybe because of the disputed Senkaku Islands. The japanese and the Chinese could go to war over them.
September 23rd, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Some things are beyond human description. Darling if you are reading this, you know what I mean. I wanted to call, but I realized the time difference would wake you.
So I decided to say it where you introduced yourself to me. Every time we separate the time you are not in my sight gets more and more onerous.
So when you think of me with a picture like the one I happened upon when I checked my email, I get excited. But my sweet, you out did yourself with this masterpiece of sensualness.
Your exquisite Beauty proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God for only a God could create such flawless form.
The unbridled sexual desire that undoubtedly this picture will inspire also proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lust is no sin.
It is another of our Lord’s prescribed biological urges given lovingly to all God’s creatures.
Thank you Lord. For this splendid creation and for granting me her favor.
Ym
September 23rd, 2012 at 11:54 pm
Romney is and has always been a rich guy bully. He has no understanding of the trials and tribulations that working people, especially those who live from paycheck to paycheck (due to diminished wages pushed down by Corporate bullies) have to face.
Do GOP voters really think that as President he would suddenly change into an understanding father figure? Fortunately, with Mitt’s unlikeabiliity and Ryan’s attacks on seniors, I think the GOP is in for a dismal failure, that is, if voters are wise enough to unseat the tea baggers in Congress.
Maybe it will shock the GOP into its former more moderate party. As to diminished wages, many Americans are too young to remember the struggles by unions for decent wages, decent working hours and work place safety.
The anti-union forces (which certainly include Romney) are responsible for the lowest standard of living for Americans since the Great Depression. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.
September 23rd, 2012 at 11:58 pm
“Issa Vows To Continue Anti-Holder Witchhunt Despite Report Exonerating The Attorney General”.
Just no one will be paying attention, you dick.
September 24th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Alyssa, even if what you said was gospel, obama is still a nigger.
September 24th, 2012 at 12:01 am
Romney, like a true Republican, will waste time and money to feed his grandiosity rather than do what is right for the country.
September 24th, 2012 at 12:05 am
What You May Not Know About Grapefruit and Drugs
Most people know that grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interfere with medications, but did you know that you might have to wait as long as 24 to 48 hours before taking a drug after having the fruit?
Grapefruit inhibits the important intestinal enzyme CYP3A4, which is needed to break down many medicines properly.
Different people have differing amounts of the enzyme and so are affected to a greater or lesser degree. Medicines known to be affected by grapefruit include…
Calcium channel blockers, including nifedipine (Adalat or Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan) and others.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor)—but not pravastatin (Pravachol).
Sleeping pills and antianxiety drugs, such as buspirone (Buspar), diazepam (Valium) and others.
Heart medicines, such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex).
Transplant drugs, such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and tacrolimus (Prograf).
Estrogen, including birth-control pills.
HIV/AIDS drugs.
Epilepsy drug carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Studies of grapefruit’s effects on medicines are continuing. Many other drugs may be affected to a greater or lesser degree.
Source: Joe Graedon, pharmacologist and consumer advocate based in Durham, North Carolina. He is cofounder of The People’s Pharmacy and coauthor of Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them (Crown Archetype). http://www.PeoplesPharmacy.com