Take A Hike
Posted by Michelle Moquin on July 23rd, 2009
Good morning. Hey….I loved the diversity of the comments yesterday. Some good stuff there. Since health seemed to be the main inspiration, I thought I would throw in an article that I found.
I’m not much of a hiker these days although I used to be, and Mt Tamalpais was my stomping ground. Lately, I prefer leisurely walks up in the hills or by the water, or a good brisk walk with a girlfriend through the city streets, chatting it up, and window shopping.
I will say one thing, whether you are an avid mountain hiker or you’re out walking your dog, I always find that getting away from the phones, the computer, and getting out in the air where the sunshine can grace my face always gives me a fresh perspective and an overall sense of well-being. And a good conversation with self always helps too. :)
HIKE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH
FIRST STEPS FOR NEW HIKERS
There is no better time of year to go hiking than now, where in most parts of the country the weather is cooling down and the autumn colors are at their best. Here are some tips to get you going:
Wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Wear shoes that support your foot and ankle, with a firm sole and a deep, durable tread for traversing uneven terrain. Always wear socks, even if the weather is hot, choosing ones that fit snugly and comfortably, preferably made of either wool or synthetic fibers — never cotton as it can cause blisters. Wear comfortable synthetic clothing, which keeps you cool by wicking moisture in warm weather, but insulates when it is cold. If you are going into the mountains, be prepared for rapid changes in weather by dressing in layers.
Drink up. Hydration during exercise is always important and in the mountains even more so. The ideal beverage should have sodium in it to aid in fluid retention.
Begin slow and easy. “Start slow, enjoy the scenery, and increase your pace as your fitness and level of comfort increases,” Levy advised. The first time you go hiking is not a time to set difficult goals. Keep in mind that hiking a mile on uneven terrain is very different than simply walking a mile on city sidewalks. The strain will be greater and it will take longer, so plan accordingly.
Set realistic fitness goals. “You can use the same formula for planning your hiking workout as with walking or running,” Levy noted, assuming you have some basic level of fitness, no health risk factors and are hiking at fairly moderate altitudes (under 8,000 feet).
Go exploring. You can find hiking trails near you by contacting the state and/or local parks and recreation department or you can go to the American Hiking Society’s Web site for direct links listed state by state atwww.americanhiking.org/helpfullinks.aspx. Many of these resources provide trail maps and suggestions for day hikes, including mileage and a description of terrain. Outdoor stores such as REI and Eastern Mountain Sports generally sell hiking magazines and books listing trails and hike details for different regions of the country.
INTERESTED IN SPEED HIKING?
Those interested in kicking it up a notch might want to consider speed-hiking, a sub-sport of hiking that is gaining momentum. It combines the benefits of fast-paced aerobic exercise with the muscle-strengthening benefits of altitude climbing (or hill climbing, for those who hike on flatter terrain). As with other forms of exercise, hikers can alter their experience to boost heart rate, burn fat, build muscle and enhance aerobic capacity.
Hikers average about two miles an hour, while speed hikers generally cover around four to five miles/hour. On a typical outing, a speed hiker may combine jogging, running, and, if hills or mountains are part of the terrain, uphill climbs and downhill sprints. There’s no “right” pace at which to hike, he notes. “You might boost the challenge of a day hike by increasing your pace, where other hikers want to surpass official or unofficial records for hiking certain trails in certain amounts of time. Choose a pace, comfort level and goals that are right for you.”
For more on the physiological impact of speed hiking I spoke with John E. Davis, PhD, a professor of exercise and health science at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. He told me that between four and five miles an hour is considered the “break point” where you begin to derive some cardiovascular benefit — and if you are going uphill, even better.
Of course, as with any form of exercise, it is important to take certain precautions in order to minimize your risk of injury. Risks of speed hiking can include…
Falls. Moving quickly on uneven terrain makes it easy to fall, so the proper footwear is even more important. “Hikers who have balance issues and elderly hikers might want to seek out trails that don’t have a lot of obstacles,” said Dr. Davis. Look for trails that are well maintained.
High-altitude or mountain sickness. “At altitudes greater than 8,000 feet, the barometric pressure is lower, the amount of oxygen that you breathe in is less, and as a result exercising becomes more difficult,” said Dr. Davis. (Examples of these high altitudes would be in the Rocky Mountains range, the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades.) Symptoms of high-altitude sickness include headaches, breathlessness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and swelling of the face, hands and feet. If hiking while on vacation, be sure to adjust to the altitude before hiking, and make sure you are well hydrated.
HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE
While speed hiking may seem like a challenging and fun way to get a great workout, it should not be done at the expense of enjoying your hike. “The quality of your hiking experience, whether it is for enjoyment or to achieve your fitness goals, does not necessarily depend on your pace,” said Levy. “Hike at whatever pace is comfortable or effective for you. There is a saying in the hiking community that expresses this well: ‘Hike your own hike!’ ” For more information about hiking and safety tips, contact the American Hiking Society at www.americanhiking.org.
It seems women’s equality is also challenged in the military in the form of protection. I believe the stat is, (and if one of my readers can substantiate or disprove, I would appreciate it): 1 out of 3 women return home with either Military Sexual Trauma (MST) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or sexual harassment assault.
And when these women come home, they are not being properly taken care of. Many of these women are not being seen, and if they are being seen they don’t have the privacy that is needed. Vet buildings are not structured to accomodate women in the military. So how long have women been in the military now and we can’t even upgrade the buildings to accomodate their needs? Once again, women’s health needs are not a priority.
Hi Anna: Thanks for writing in but I’m not sure that everything you wrote about the eclipse got posted (?) Thanks too for your kind words. Sometimes I wonder what the hell I am doing and if I really am contributing enough. It is comments such as yours that encourages me to continue.
Claire: Thank you for the compliments but it is I who want to compliment you. I agree; you do have a wonderful way of self expression. Your words are like liquefied sex, sensually dripping through your sentences. I woke up this morning with glistening pearls between my own thighs, and now reading your comment has gotten me even more hot and bothered. Umm..I can only imagine how much the Japanese men must miss their favorite Ginza girl.
Maret: I so enjoyed your story of the ‘living God’. Fascinating and I would love to hear more if you are able to reveal new findings.
Parker: The movie ‘Anonymous Rex’ is not out in the theaters. Try Blockbusters, but I must admit, it may not be easy to find. But if you do locate it, I think you would find it most interesting. And in fact, based on your knowledge and experience, I would like to hear your opinion if you have the opportunity to see it.
Oh…I have so much more to say from yesterday that I will just have to reserve for tomorrow.
Have a beautiful day everyone.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:
or click here: “A Day in the life of…”
All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009
" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
COLON CANCER SCREENINGS BY RACE
Health experts have long noted that African Americans are more likely both to be diagnosed with and die of colon cancer. Researchers at the Portland VA Medical Center have now found they are also significantly more likely to have large colorectal polyps (abnormal growths that can become cancerous) and, after age 60, are at greater risk for proximal polyps (those that are located high in the colon near the small intestine). The findings emphasize the importance of colonoscopy, the most thorough screening test available for colon cancer, since these particular kinds of polyps cannot be seen with sigmoidoscopy, which screens only the lower colon and rectum.
The researchers evaluated the colonoscopy records of more than 85,000 asymptomatic men and women (80,061 white and 5,464 African American patients) and found that the prevalence of large (greater than 9 mm) polyps was 7.7% in African Americans and 6.2% in whites. Analyzing these data separately by gender, the researchers estimated the risk of having large polyps is 62% higher in African American women compared with white women, and 16% higher in African American men compared with white men. The findings were published in the September 24, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends that adults over age 50 who are at average risk should be screened for colorectal cancer, which involves either an annual fecal occult blood test plus a sigmoidoscopy every three to five years, or colonoscopy every 10 years. For high-risk patients (defined as those with a prior history of cancer… a family history of colon cancer… or predisposing chronic digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease), the ACG recommends a colonoscopy, since it explores the rectum and the entire length of the colon.
I spoke with Andrew P. Flood, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health and the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, about the study implications. He told me it provides solid evidence that screening is vital, no matter your ethnicity, and that African Americans should consider themselves at higher risk. “When colon cancer is detected early, the five-year survival is 90%,” he explained, “but after a distant metastasis (spread) the five-year survival is 5%.” That math is convincing.
Source(s): ??Andrew P. Flood, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health and the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota.?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
LIBERIA
July 5, 1999
Rape of minor girls on the rise in Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia – Police and doctors have given an appalling account of a sharp increase in the
number of rape cases involving male adults defiling minor girls in Monrovia, the Liberian capital.
Police director Joseph Tate told a news conference last week that most of the victims of rape
perpetrated by middle-aged men were girls “below the age of 15 years” and 24 such cases had been
reported in the first half of the year.
Tate cited two instances in which a 43-year-old man raped a six-year-old girl, and another case
involving a 27-year-old man who also violated a girl of six.
“This is just from Monrovia. The figures may be more if we get those from other parts of the
country,” the police chief said.
One police officer explained that some of the victims were little girls being used by their parents to
peddle goods at street corners and in their communities from where they are lured by older
men under the pretext of wanting to transact business.
Pathologist Isaac Moses at the John F Kennedy Medical Centre said: “What makes it unimaginable
is that of late most of the victims fall below the age of 10.”
“I am appalled by the rabidity of older men forcing minors into sexual intercourse,” he said, adding that
“such rape cases are being reported on a weekly basis” at the hospital.
He told journalists that the situation has reached “an alarming proportion. So it is appropriate to raise the
alarm to create national awareness”.
Most rape cases are referred to Moses who prepares a medical report used by police in court to
prosecute the culprits. The doctor said reasons forthe rape of minors range from adults taking
precaution against contracting the HIV/AIDS to a “natural passion” to have sex with children.
The offenders are also taking advantage of the hardship faced in the country which constrains both
male and female minors to fend for themselves after a devastating seven-year civil war.
A recent health ministry report stated that Monrovia is topping the list with 107 HIV/AIDS cases, with
the highest prevalence among the age group of 20-29.
Other doctors at the hospital told this reporter that “the probability is high” that many rape cases are not
reported to the hospital or police when the culprit and the family of the victim strike a compromise
wherein some money is paid as “damages and the child treated clandestinely”.
The doctors did not mince words in expressing disdain about the practice “getting out of hand”, and
calling on government to ensure that the culprits “bear the full weight of the law”.
A child rights advocate group said it is worried that “the doers of this ugly act (child rape) usually go
away with impunity”.
The Committee of Journalists for the Protection of Children’s Rights said it wants government to
enforce the law making the rape of children by adults a first degree felony.
Under current Liberian law, rape is a first degree felony if the rapist inflicts serious bodily injuries on
the victim, and faces the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The law also stipulates that sexual intercourse with a girl below 16 years is “statutory rape” because the
individual (girl) has no capacity to give “mental consent” to the act.
Rape is punishable by a definite prison term not to exceed 10 years, according to the new penal code
of the Liberian law. The committee said it believes “enforcing the law to the letter will eradicate the
rampant raping of little girls who are left with painful, indelible psychological and medical scars which
have an adverse effect on their lives”.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Here’s how Obama’s idea for national health care would affect Guam.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
How does Obama’s health care plan affect Guam?
By Heather Hauswirth
Published Jul 23, 2009
The President’s primetime news conference in Washington, DC addressed an issue that matters to every American: health care. The president spoke to reporters inside the Beltway, who asked him to explain how his plan will affect everyday Americans.
“This is about every family, every business, every taxpayer who continues to shoulder the burden of a problem Washington has failed to solve for decades,” President Barack Obama said. He addressed the country and an audience of reporters inside the East Room of the White House at a primetime news conference earlier today. On his agenda – getting the health care bill passed by Congress before an August deadline.
“Absolutely, it’s my job, I’m the President and I think this has to get done,” he continued. The high costs of health care and the president’s backing of a public option has private insurance companies like Calvo’s Insurance here on Guam very concerned.
“Medicare has not been able to control costs, so I’m a little skeptical as to the ability to control costs through a public plan and also very skeptical about the fact that a public plan may put private plans out of business,” he said.
Frank Campillo, plan administrator of Calvo’s Insurance, told KUAM News that the president’s support for a public plan will seriously impact Guam’s health care system, where only 30% of medical providers on the island currently take Medicare. ”Just to show you how Guam can be impacted, only 30% of medical providers on the island take Medicare, and that is a compelling statement to show you what can happen throughout the entire nation, because not every doctor participates in Medicare throughout the nation.”
The president proclaimed that we must reduce health care inflation and costs. When asked about the sacrifices Americans will make and whether a public run plan would reduce costs, the president had the following to say: “One of the plans we’ve talked about is a public option and part of the reason we want to have a public option is to keep insurance companies honest.”
And some concerns are that looking forward what we may see is that some of the private companies are forced to merge or consolidate and that others may disappear.
——————————-
Hafa adai
Anna
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 am
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for posting the link that made it possible for me to sign Obamas Health Care Reform Petition.
I had googled Anonymous Rex, Wikipeidia had an interesting page.
Parker if you can’t find this movie try Wikipedia, I can see from it’s description why Michelle recommended this film to you.
Al
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
The white media loves playing gotcha when it comes to race issues with Obama.
————————-
President Obama took an hour of prime time Wednesday to try explaining one of the most complex notions in government today — why America needs to substantially change and expand its national health care system.
So why did the Today show — by far TV’s most-watched morning show — spend its first segment this morning discussing what the president said about the arrest of a black scholar in Cambridge, Mass.?
The president, after admitting he didn’t know all the facts in the case, said police “acted stupidly” in arresting Henry Louis Gates, one of the country’s best-known African-American scholars and a personal friend. Gates was arrested in his home after an officer arrived to investigate a mistaken burglary call and, apparently, didn’t like the way the professor reacted during their conversation.
I’ll get to what they said about Gates in a minute. But I found it astonishing that the show, which still claims to be an arm of NBC News, would put bloviating about race issues raised by an offhand answer late in a press conference above a debate about health care that affects all Americans. Today’s rival, Good Morning America, seems to have made the same choice.
It reminded me of something President Obama said during an interview last Friday, where he noted that press coverage of his speech to the NAACP highlighted his talk about black people taking responsibility over his words about the government taking responsibility for its role in black America’s issues.
The press seems to be playing a game of gotcha with Obama on issues of race, cherry-picking statements he makes that will make the biggest splash, regardless of what his actual speeches are focused on.
Back to Gates and the Today show. The discussion started with a recap of the professor’s arrest (including an odd camera move where they emphasized a black officer standing near the handcuffed scholar), moving into an argument between black pundit Michael Eric Dyson and white pundit Michael Smerconish.
Both men’s takes were predictable, with Dyson connecting the arrest to larger issues of race and Smerconish accepting the arresting officer’s account of how the incident began.
But neither man noted a couple of important issues: Cambridge police have dropped charges against Gates, calling the arrest “regrettable and unfortunate.” And police have not really explained why they felt the need to arrest a man they knew was not guilty of a crime, simply because he was yelling at them.
Of course, each side has their own story now. The police report says Gates instantly made race an issue after the officer identified himself and asked the professor to step outside his home. Gates told CNN the officer didn’t immediately identify himself and seemed angry even after the professor provided his driver’s license and Harvard identification, which insulted him.
It seems obvious to me there were two missteps here. Gates probably could have found a calmer way of expressing his displeasure with the police, and the officers overreacted by arresting a guy they knew wasn’t a criminal and wasn’t a threat to them, simply because they didn’t like what he was saying and how he was saying it.
Now media outlets like the Today show have pulled the president into it, further obscuring the real issues at hand just to spark an exciting TV segment.
If you ask me, the Cambridge police aren’t the only people involved who may have acted stupidly.
————————————-
Ruth
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 am
The sad thing about Professor Gates arrest is that he NEVER should have been arrested. In my opinion there are 2 good things about his arrest:(1) It brings to light (again) the fact that many Blacks are arrested for just being Black (2) Professor Gates needed to see that it doesn’t matter if you are a high faluting, college educated man who seemingly thinks that he is above the fray….he is still just another African-American in America.
President Obama admitted that he was mainly speaking from the perspective of being Gates’ friend. I am sorry that he used the term “stupid”. He shouldn’t have, although I can. Arresting an elderly man who walks with a cane (and who was in his own home with proof that it was his home) WAS STUPID!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
That comment was made by a republican pundit shortly after the press conference. he said that it was going to be the lead story today. As always MSM is the mouth piece of the conservatives. Which is the reason why there is so much mass media opposition to whatever the President propose. Notice the amount of air time that is devoted to opponents of health care reform to spew their lies?.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
For the President, Commander & Chief to say “the police officer acted stupidly” went to far. I am in total agreement with his remarks on this incident up to that point. The President of the USA can not have the SLIGHTEST appearance that he is in someway against the police no matter what skin color they are. He could have said it more politcally correct.
The “the police officer acted stupidly” comment should have been confined to the kitchen table and NOT part of a national conversation on health care.
With that said. I firmly believe that the Prsident should role back his remarks or try to clean it up. Now that its been said. Let it stand. Don’t back down Mr. President!!!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Pardon me Anon8, but why shouldn’t the President be honest with the American people about the police or any institution in this country?
He represents all the people. He, as the President, is immune from retaliation from institutions, corporations, and organizations that would cower the average american.
Part of his job description is to use the bully pulpit to inform, educate, and stand up those of us who can not do it for ourselves.
The white establisment philosophy is to hold the police department to the level of esteem that is reserved for those citizens who serve in our military.
Being a policeman is an occupation like any other occupation. Every occupation pays what the risk of that occupation will command in the open market based on the supply and demand of qualified personnel for that occupation.
To be a police office the education qualification is a high school diploma. It pays a high five figure salary from the start. Very few jobs awards the benefits to a person with only a high school diploma that high an income with the health care package, fringe benefits and instant authority that comes with it.
What society expects for these extra benefits for only having a high school diploma is that the employee realizes that being shot at by the bad guys is part of the job requirement.
Since that is part of the job description for the wages and benefits the job pays, how does a cop qualify for hero status simply for opting for a job with that job description? Logic would dictate that if he/she did not wish to be shot at by bad guys, they would apply elsewhere.
There is a more sinister reason why the white establishment needs to convince us that a policeman is a hero simply because he/she is a policeman. The white want to give the benefit of the doubt in all actions taken by a policeman to the policeman.
The reason is policemen protect the white man’s privileged position in the social hierarchy of the United States. Hence they bombard the country with propaganda espousing the heroism and truthfulness of policemen.
The result is that most police departments in America basically operate a friendly service for white america and a gestapo like operation for the rest of us.
All President Obama did was state the obvious for a white man who was being investigated as a burglar who was accosted in his own by a policeman. If this happened to a white man, and he presented his identification to the cops they would have checked it out and then left. If he was upset with the cops, they would have apologized for his inconvenience and stated they were just doing their jobs and left.
The MAIN point is they would NOT have arrested a white man under the same circumstances.
Henry Gates’ only crime was that he was an OTW acting the same way a white man would have under the same circumstances. The friendly service would have been the police leaving the white man in his home.
The gestapo service would be to arrest the OTW on some trumped up charge and to force the OTW to not charge them with police brutality in exchange for the police department dropping their trumped up charge.
I, like President Obama, don’t know what happened, but I’ll wager my credibility on this blog that if and when the facts are out it will be the gestapo that Mr. Henry Gates met that day and the charges were quip pro quo for his not charging them with the conduct of abuse they directed towards him.
President Obama did what no white president would he stated the truth. OTWs get treated differently than white men.
They acted stupidly when they arrested a occupant already in his home which was being checked for a burglary.
The white media is claiming the “record” is the facts. However the record is the officers account of the evident. It is not the facts.
The problem is that none of the media give the account of what Henry Gates said happened. That is my point the white want to use propaganda to instill in the populace that what a policeman says IS the facts. That defies the US Constitution. What a policeman alleges is only his statement of what happened.
This situation demonstrates how white america bends over backward to take the side of the cop. “It’s the record.” That is what will be the sound bite. When it was not “the record,” it was only the cop statement of what happened.
Oh and the media is pushing the fact that the officer trains other officers against racially profiling. We are supposed to believe that a white man who trains others not to be a bigot isn’t himself a bigot.
That would be hypocritical and we all know that white men are not hypocritical. As Wolf Blitzer said, “What’s going on?”
What indeed!
Robert
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
The way the Today Show handled the President’s news conference just proves once again how every single media outlet on television is just another “Entertainment Tonight.” They are not about real, hard news — they are about ratings. And that is precisely how they have contributed to the demise of this country while it was in the hands of Republicans who have done so much to destroy it.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Today, I was lying in bed late at night trying to fall asleep. I blew my nose on a kleenex and was too lazy to get up and but it in the garbage. I threw it under my bed when I heard a whispery voice say “Thank you”. It was my little brother trying to scare me. I peed myself.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Hi Mischa, lots of good general info here yesterday. I plan to bake Leah’s chocolate cake (thank you) and if I am so excited about eating it or being eaten (think Claire’s ‘eternity’ here) and distractedly drive myself into a lake I’ll use Mildreds ‘get out of the sinking car’ method (thank you).
Claire, you’ve already been told about your way with words – just wanted to say that I’m not a big beautiful blonde. I’m tall, slender and have that attractive approachable look (ala Julia Roberts, plane movie was ‘Duplicity’ I got that ‘you look like her’ thing at baggage claim several x’s) and yes, I’m blonde but I hate being oversold on my looks : ) I’m just me.
Robert, love your last 2 comments. The cop simply didn’t like getting angry lip service and stupidly responded using his stupidly awarded authority.
- Zen Lill
It’s rainy here : (
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Thank you anon11. We need to lighten up this blog a bit. So in that light, here’s my entry.
I went to a funeral. When I got there, I hugged one of the family members and he asked, “How are you?” Out of habit, I replied, “Good, how about you?” He looked appalled and shouted “How the fuck do you think I am?! My mother just died!” loud enough for everyone to hear.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I forgot…
Roy, you have to comment in a way to attract Claire to ask after you, in other words: to choose you. She isn’t just up for grabs, of course I am speaking for her here (sorry Claire) but that attitude was just plain goofy.
Oh and Viv, get your priorities straight hahaha…ZL overshadowed by an eclipse or some other space antic? C’mon now : )
- ZL
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Why are white men so virulent about a black man going too far about a situation that is obvious for anyone but a white boy.
The cops handcuffed a black man who uses a cane, was in his own home, and who was being accosted because they thought he was a burglar.
After finding out he wasn’t a burglar, they arrest him for basically impolite to them. But the cop’s version is the record.
Georgia
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
You, want grief? My girlfriend of 8 years told me yesterday that she was pregnant.
I asked her if we should get married right away? She said not to worry we could just continue living together. I said I didn’t want my child to be born our of wedlock.
She told me not to worry about that because it was not my child, it was my brother’s and he was okay with it.
Should I kill the bitch?
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
No I didn’t mean kill her literally. I mean should I kill this relationship?
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
What does a black man who owns an expensive home in a predominately white neighborhood have to do? He needs to have a bunch of spare keys in different places, evidently.
I would not want to be black in America. I can only imagine how I would feel if my father owned was treated that way. But that would never happen he’s white.
Kenneth
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Not to jump to conclusion before the full story jumps out but something fishy is going on here.
How can the police arrest a man who’s in his own house for loud and tumultuous behavior?
I’ve seen much worse being exhibited by the students at Harvard and for all I know none of them have been arrested.
It’s a bit ludicrous to arrest a professor at his own house for this lame offense.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Looks like the full story is not going to come out. There were two different police reports filed: one by the arresting officer James Cromley and the assisting officer. Carlos Figueroa.
They printed the entire 2 page report by James Cromley, but on a half of the first page of a 4 page report by Carlos Figueroa.
Why did they feel that the public was not entitled to compare the statements of the 2 officers? We know that “the thin blue line” creed of cops say that they stick together so what was significantly different that caused those on the side of the cops to only print the part of Figueroa’s report that most supported Sgt Cromley’s report?
The Globe’s claim was that they removed it to save embarrassment to Professor Gates. That claim flies in the face of the publication of all of Sgt Cromley’s report who was the arresting officer.
It would appear that you were spot on again Robert. The white establishment is desperately trying to protect their image of the police as the heros.
I’m white, but so proud of it at this moment.
Mike
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Here we go. Let’s act like this happens all the time. Let’s assume there is a larger story where a man who can produce ID is arrested inside his own home…bring on the African-Americans are whiny victims circus.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Anon21 didn’t we just witness 2 weeks of white-americans whining about the injustice to white firefighters?
If this white cop felt he wouldn’t be held accountable for his racist attitude towards a pillar of the black community, How do you think he treats the average black man he accosts?
Your kind wants to make that point. You pretend that you don’t believe that OTWs are being racially profiled by white cops.
Yet, a reverend Wright can’t speak his mind in his church without the entire white media spending months calling for his resignation.
Julio
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
agree Al Sharpton links on to dubious claims of abuse, but why would you dismiss this case just like that?
Sounds like Gates has legitimate reason to complain. Think about it: he’s one of the most respected African American scholars in history, and even after showing police his ID they still arrested him from his own house, just because he forgot his keys and lost his temper.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
f he wasn’t loud and obnoxious then he probably would not have been arrested. I love how the Globe only tells one side of the story.
I find it comical that could not get one comment even off the record from the police. Typical Globe reporting that is why I don’t buy it anymore.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I agree that when you get the full Al Sharpton circus reality has turned into broadway, but that doesn’t change the central fact here.
If one of Prof. Gates’ neighbors had been locked out and tried to get into their house, and then presented the police with an ID as a Harvard prof and a driver’s license showing their residence in that house, they would NEVER have been arrested.
There is definitely a double-standard, and that should concern you, even if you correctly hate the way that issues like this are coopted by Sharpton and the others.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I believe that anyone who is arrested for breaking into his or her own home, and can prove that he or she lives there, is being targeted.
Does this mean that anyone who locks themselves out of their home is subject to arrest? This may be blown out of proportion, but not by the victim. Maybe the police reacted too severely.
This is not some unknown person, but a distinguished scholar who is not only known on the Harvard campus but also around the globe.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Watch yourself anon21. I’ll bet you anything you are white. Its easy to dismiss this kind of thing if you are white and have never been on the receiving end of racial profiling.
You can bet that an old white-haired, blue-blood looking Harvard Prof. wouldn’t have had the cuffs thrown on him, even if he did raise hell for getting hassled by the cops. You need to look at this objectively. I am a white man, and I think this is total crap
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
The “Do you know who I am?” routine is not against the law. These cops arrested him because they did not believe he lived there despite him providing ID. They arrested him because he was black
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The man was in his own home! What on earth could be the justification for arresting a man alone in his own home?
I see nothing in this story of any domestic squabble. How ridiculous that the court’s time will now be spent sorting out this foolishness. Did he dare speak truth to power in his own home and gets arrested for it?
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Several years ago a similar incident happened to me. I locked myself out. Some neighbor must have seen me trying to climb into the window and called the cops.
When they arrived, I explained to them what had happened, showed them ID with my address, and they actually helped me get the window open. But of course I’m white. What would I be doing breaking into a house?
I hope Gates sues the city’s pants off!
This thing doesn’t even go to trial: very quiet, expensive, out-of-court settlement.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
d like to think racism is done and over with, but unfortunately that’s rarely the case. However, I’m amused that any time a minority is arrested everyone breaks out the handy race card.
Lefties like to complain that racism influences more than it actually does, the irony is that minorites are some of the most protected people in the country.
If a minority is passed over for promotion, it’s racism even if he’s unqlualified. If a bunch of minority children’s swimming priveleges at a private club are revoked, it’s racism not because they’re 65 screaming children.
This country has changed from racist, to racial-phobic. Whenever it comes to minorities, the lefties seem to insist on handling them with gloves. Racial equality will never become reality in this country when one group (no matter which) is given preferential or special treatment over others.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Anon21 and Anon31, You know full well that if the guy was white and lived in Dedham or Wellesley, the cops would have moved along once identification had been established. Now these cops will get what they deserve for their heavy fisted behavior.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Lets not blow this out of proportion. Every day thousands of white people get locked out of their homes and arrested once they gain entry. Look at your local locksmith’s advertisement “we change locks and have you arrested within 2 hours or your money back.”
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Every time the race card is thrown at such a ridiculous circumstance, the whole racist argument is devalued to the point of being inconsequential. How many times can someone “cry wolf” until those cries land on deaf, uninterested ears? Besides, a white professor never would have locked himself out of his own house to begin with.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
This was just the cop’s way of saying to a well to do and successful black man; “See, we can still arrest you and treat you like a criminal if we want by applying any law or rule we want.”
They probably thought well, He certainly doesn’t look like a burglar, he works at Harvard, his driver’s license says he lives at this address but let’s run him in anyway, he probably has some warrants out on him. You know, all these people do.”
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
“Exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior…” In other words the police didn’t believe he lived there,
Gates asks for their badge numbers and they in turn charge him with an offense… Welcome to our world white America.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
A commenter at Steve Sailer’s site (who unfortunately doesn’t seem to believe in capitalization) writes:
LOL! a case that i was gonna ignore is simply getting better all the time!
the half black president says the police officer acted stupidly! the governor, who also appears to be half black, says he is troubled and upset! the mayor, WHO ALSO IS BLACK (?!), has apologized on behalf of the city!
every single one of these people is african or part african, has attained the highest political office in a european majority nation, yet quickly goes on the offensive against a white police officer, who, it now appears, is perhaps the worst possible target they could have picked to attack:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Hafa adai
The U.S. military owns one third of Guam. I for one am glad that the Guam senate has decided to defend the right of the people of Guam’s right to own its own land.
——————————-
Guam sends clear message to US military over lands
Posted at 05:13 on 24 July, 2009 UTC
Guam Senator Judith Guthertz says the US military will no longer be allowed to expropriate land in Guam at will as it did after the Second World War.
Senator Guthertz has been meeting with the Joint Guam Program Office leadership to discuss latest plans for the pending US military build-up on Guam.
The US military is to transfer 8,000 marines and 9,000 of their family members from Japan over the next five years, and continues to survey land it says it will need for various purposes.
The military already owns a third of Guam’s land and Senator Guthertz says Guam’s message to the US military over future needs is clear:
“If you need land here, you’re going to have to make a very strong case for it. Private land owners have the right to deal with you if they wish to or not to deal with you. When it comes to government land, you’re going to have to deal with the legislature because we passed a law that says there shall be no speculation on public land for the military. If the military is going to need land, they’re going to have to have their request approved by the Guam legislature.”
Senator Judith Guthertz
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
—————————–
Hafa adai
July 24th, 2009 at 1:02 am
A beauty so rare
one can only stare
and silently declare
she has to be aware
She is beyond compare
July 24th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I hope that Obama never gets locked out of the White House. That would really be a public embarrassment. But it could play out and happen just the same. The cops would say they are sorry for the mistake but in all of the confusion…
July 24th, 2009 at 6:58 am
PYCNOGENOL: NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FEW KNOW ABOUT
Growing abundantly in the South of France is the French maritime pine tree… source for Pycnogenol, a special patented, clinically studied pine bark extract. New clinical research finds it effective at lowering risk factors for heart disease and controlling blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
PINE BARK EXTRACT IS POTENT MEDICINE
Pycnogenol, or pine bark, is a medicine with numerous benefits, notes Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the nonprofit American Botanical Council. It’s theorized that pine bark’s high level of inflammation-fighting antioxidant bioflavonoids, known as procyanidins (these are the same potent compounds found in fresh fruits and vegetables), should get credit for these results. In addition to these latest findings, Blumenthal says there are a number of benefits to Pycnogenol, including…
Better diabetes control. At the University of Arizona, researchers found that people with noninsulin-dependent type 2 diabetes who took Pycnogenol for three months experienced a 17% drop in blood glucose levels. The study also suggested that Pycnogenol may protect kidney function in people with diabetes.
Improved circulation, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Pycnogenol helps strengthen blood vessel walls, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the constriction of arteries, platelet stickiness and clotting that can lead to heart attack or stroke. In the University of Arizona trial, participants — who had mild high blood pressure as well as type 2 diabetes — were able to reduce their antihypertensive medication by 50%.
Less leg and ankle swelling on long flights. In 2005, a study published in Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis demonstrated that Pycnogenol reduced edema (leg and ankle swelling) and the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long-distance flights of seven to 12 hours. DVT — the formation of a blood clot, usually in the leg — is a dangerous condition, since if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lung, it can cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.
Reduced joint pain. In a study at Italy’s Chieti-Pescara University, people with osteoarthritis of the knee took 100 mg of Pycnogenol daily for three months. Participants who took the pine bark extract experienced about a 50% decrease in osteoarthritis symptoms. They were able to lower their dosage of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g., aspirin) by 58%.
Fewer menopausal symptoms. Taiwanese researchers found that perimenopausal women who took Pycnogenol for several months experienced improvements in symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and vaginal dryness. With natural anti-inflammatory properties, this extract may also be helpful in controlling menstrual pain.
Other benefits. More than 200 scientific studies have been conducted on French maritime pine extract — most of them on Pycnogenol — and research suggests that it may aid in the treatment of other disorders such as asthma, erectile dysfunction and other conditions.
DEMONSTRATED SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
Pycnogenol is a well-researched botanical medicine with demonstrated safety and efficacy in study after study at the prescribed doses, says Blumenthal. Consult a physician trained in botanical medicine to determine what dosage best meets your specific medical needs. To prevent any minor stomach discomfort, it’s best to take Pycnogenol with or after meals… and, as we always recommend, with doctor oversight.
Source(s): ??Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council and editor of HerbalGram, Austin, Texas. http://www.herbalgram.org.