Just Noticing’: Observations Of A Blogger
Posted by Michelle Moquin on April 18th, 2010
Good morning.
I’m going to be brief today. So many things happening in our world that are up for discussion. From the monster smoke cloud still obstructing our flights – thanks to Ori and his gang in response to those who refuse to cooperate, to John Paulson, the mastermind designer(?) behind the nasty “Bet against the American dream’ CDO, to the tea baggers still talking the same same talk of wanting their country back.
I bring up the latter only because I finally got to the heart of what it means when they say they want their country back thanks to watching Bill Maher’s roundtable from last Friday.
Quote: “We want our country back!”
Coded language for: (Let’s not say they’re racist) Let’s say: “They’re nostalgic for an era when blacks were invisible.” (Thanks Bill)
Translation: I have no problem saying it: “They’re racist.”
On another note and honoring today’s topic, I’ll steal an observation from Bill that I liked:
‘Just noticing’…
- Being well educated is very different from being well informed.
Click here is you want to watch the roundtable segment.
Readers: Any observations you want to add? Or as usual feel free to jump into any topic at hand or something entirely different. The forum is now open :P
Mike: Good point. And ‘Just noticing’ the line in your article: “The law should control the judge, and not the other way around.” Uh huh and that is how the Supreme Court has been run all of these years? I don’t think so from what we have been told. Time to weed out the bought and paid for old, and bring in the new; fresh blood is needed.
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 :)
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April 18th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I’ve learned that you can keep vomiting
long after you think you’re finished.
April 18th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Hafa adai
Now they have figured out how to pollute the coast of Guam.
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EPA proposing to designate Guam Deep Ocean Disposal Site as ODMDS
News – April 15, 2010
The Environmental protection Agency (EPA) in the US is proposing to designate the Guam Deep Ocean Disposal Site (G-DODS) as a permanent ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) located offshore of Guam.
Dredging is essential for maintaining safe navigation at port and naval facilities in Apra Harbor and other locations around Guam. Not all dredged materials are suitable for beneficial re-use (construction materials, landfill cover), and not all suitable materials can be re-used or stockpiled for future use given costs, logistical constraints, and capacity of existing land disposal or re-handling sites.
Therefore, there is a need to designate a permanent ODMDS offshore of Guam.
Disposal operations at the site will be limited to a maximum of 1 million cubic yards (764,555 cubic meters) per calendar year and must be conducted in accordance with the Site Management and Monitoring Plan. The proposed ODMDS will be monitored periodically to ensure that the site operates as expected.
DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received no later than May 14, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Allan Ota, Dredging and Sediment Management Team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX (WTR-8), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, telephone (415) 972-3476 or FAX: (415) 947-3537 or E-mail: ota.allan@epa.gov.
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We need to act to protect Guam’s coast line
Peter
April 18th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Peter, hafa adai:
I got problems too. I’m from Georgia and your hick island won’t cooperate with my state so i can keep my driver’s license.
How about tackling this.
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If You Want To Keep Your Driver’s License, Don’t Get Stationed In Guam
If you want to hang onto Connecticut driving privileges, don’t get stationed in Guam.
That’s been the experience of some submariners at the Groton submarine base and members of their families. Guam, despite being a U.S. protectorate, won’t send electronic copies of driving records to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. And because of the island’s refusal to cooperate, the attempts of submariners and their families to obtain driving privileges in Connecticut after they have lived in Guam have gotten tangled in red tape — sometimes for months.
The DMV made a decision last week to cut through its own bureaucracy in agreeing to accept licenses from the island without obtaining motorists’ driving records first. It is a welcome courtesy to members of the military and families who are, after all, sacrificing for everyone.
There is a larger issue here, however. Service personnel who have Connecticut licenses can renew by mail if their license expires when they are overseas. But our state has no similar provision for the family members of military personnel who have to follow in their parents’ or spouses’ footsteps.
A bill in the Connecticut General Assembly would prevent military members’ licenses from expiring if they are stationed overseas. That’s a good idea, but it should go further. Connecticut should emulate the state of Washington, which extends this privilege to service members, their spouses and children.
Such a law would make Connecticut a more accommodating state to the military and their families: It would leave them with a few fewer examples of annoying regulations. And nearly everyone can use less complication nowadays.
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I’ve been stationed on Puerto Rico, the American Samoa and other places and I have not had these problem. Guam needs to join the 21st Century.
Fred
April 18th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Peter,
Jin Air is coming to Guam and I couldn’t be happier. I hope you are not against Guam becoming the Asian hub of the world. ——
Jin Air International, a low-cost carrier from South Korea, will begin daily flights from Icheon International Airport to Guam on April 20.
The inaugural flight will take Korean and Guam dignitaries and 150 Korean tourists to a reception at A.B. Won Pat International Airport.
The new service use 737-800 aircraft with capacity of 183 passengers.
In March this year 6,624 visitors from Korea arrived in Guam, a 46.5 per cent increase from the same month last year. On average, the daily spend for Korean tourists arriving is US$367.
Jin Air, which began operations in July 2007, is a subsidiary of Korean Air.
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You should be proud that others want to come to Guam
Hafa adai
Suki
April 18th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Looks like you are going to lose on this one Peter. Even Continental Is upping the Ante.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Continental Adds Guam-Majuro-Honolulu Flight
Last Updated on Monday, 19 April 2010 07:45
Written by News Release
Monday, 19 April 2010 07:40
Guam – Guam News
Guam – Continental Airlines has announced that it will add a new year-round flight service between Guam, Majuro and Honolulu, effective
Saturday, June 5, 2010.
The new service improves connectivity between the Marshall Islands and Japan, the mainland United States, Guam and Fiji and provides more choices within the region.
The flight schedule is as follows:
Flight Frequency Departure Departure Time Arrival Arrival Time
CO951 Saturday Guam 6:00 am Majuro 12:05 pm
Majuro 12:55 pm Honolulu 7:35 pm- 1*
CO952 Saturday Honolulu 10:30 pm Majuro 1:40 am + 2**
Majuro 2:40 am Guam 4:40am
Remark: * – 1 refers to arrival the previous day
Remark: ** + 2 refers to arrival two days later
The service is operated by Continental Micronesia with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 14 seats in business class and 141 seats in economy on the route.
The new service is in addition to the current three-weekly “island hopper” service between Guam and Honolulu via Chuuk, Pohnpei,
Kosrae, Kwajalein, and Majuro.
Continental has operated this route on a seasonal basis over the past few years. In addition to making travel between Guam, Honolulu, and Majuro more convenient, the new year-round schedule operates at new times that increase connecting options at both Guam and Honolulu for customers traveling to and from Majuro.
Flights from Manila, Hong Kong, Saipan, Palau, and Cairns all arrive in Guam shortly before the 6:00 am departure from Guam to Majuro.
The 7:35 pm arrival time in Honolulu from Majuro allows for immediate connections to Continental flights to Los Angeles, Newark, Houston, and Fiji.
In the return direction, the new 10:30 pm departure time from Honolulu to Majuro allows for same day connections – and no need for a hotel stay – for customers arriving from the US Mainland and Fiji.
When the Majuro to Guam flight arrives in Guam at 4:40 am on Monday mornings, immediate connections to six cities in Japan will be possible for the first time.
Continental Airlines is committed and focused on tourism promotions in cooperation with the Marshall Island Visitors Authority (MIVA) to generate more leisure traffic both from Japan and the mainland United States.
“This is a good example of Continental’s commitment as the hometown airline of Guam and Micronesia,” stated Charles Duncan, President and COO of Continental Micronesia.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Majuro in February, and I came away convinced that there is vast potential to further develop tourism across the Marshalls.”
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Get ready for traffic jams all day long.
Hafa adai
Anna
April 18th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for the acknowledgement Michelle. It’s the same old story with the republicans. They are only interested in their wealth. The “freedom” thing is code for we whites want our affirmative action benefits to continue.
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Calling all freedom lovers.
ObamaCare passes, and now this!
Dear Friends of Liberty,
Two events occurred recently that could have a devastating impact on your freedom and wealth. Consequently, we are holding a special “private” emergency session at FreedomFest to address the crisis. (See details below on how you can join in. Hurry — we already have over 1,100 signed up and are likely to SELL OUT this year.)
Last month President Obama signed into law the “worst bill ever” (as the Wall Street Journal called it) that top healthcare experts predict will inevitably lead to full-scale socialized medicine. (As Ludwig von Mises said years ago, “Middle-of-the-road policy leads to socialism.”)
Rush Limbaugh warned his listeners, “I’ll just tell you this, if this [ObamaCare] passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented, I am leaving the country. I’ll go to Costa Rica.”
Sadly, ObamaCare is now the law of the land, and Rush is packing his bags….Well, actually not. He’s decided to stay and fight.
But now there’s even worse news: Moody’s Investor Service, the credit rating agency, warned last week that government spending under Obama is so out of control that it is seriously considering downgrading US Treasury bonds.
If Moody’s were to downgrade the country’s credit rating, the impact could be severe, both here and abroad. It would signal to lenders worldwide that the US is no longer one of the safest places to invest money. Interest rates would increase sharply. China might stop buying US debt. Gold could skyrocket.
That, in turn, could cause a second financial crisis in 2010 — pushing federal debt even higher and threatening a run on the dollar. This is a sea change if the United States loses its AAA rating.
Let there be no doubt. The idea of a free America — the land of promise, the home of the brave — is under siege.
We may have reached the tipping point where the burdens of being over-regulated, over-taxed, and over-indebted will kill the golden goose. Heritage’s Index of Economic Freedom shows the United States steadily declining — and now it may go into free fall.
Top Experts Gather in “Private” Session at FreedomFest
The threat is so real that we are holding a special “private” meeting at FreedomFest to address “The Crisis in America: A Call for Action.” Top experts from around the world will gather together July 8-10 at Bally’s Events Center in Las Vegas. Participants include: Steve Forbes (Forbes magazine), John Mackey (CEO, Whole Foods Market), Steve Moore (Wall Street Journal editorial board), Richard Rahn and Doug Bandow (Cato Institute), Richard Viguerie (American Target), Jerry Jordan (former Federal Reserve Bank president), and Floyd Brown, among others.
All the major free-market think tanks will be there — Cato, Heritage, Reason, FEE, Fraser, the Leadership Institute.
Rick Santelli , the top CNBC reporter from Chicago and the world’s expert on Treasury markets — and inspiration behind the tea parties — will give us the latest report on interest rates, the credit markets, and the growing fear that China will stop buying US Treasuries. He will be joined by Charles Gasparino, Wall Street’s #1 reporter and now with Fox Business.
Current government officials, most of whom have failed us, will not be invited. The only exception is Ron Paul, the only member of Congress who speaks regularly at FreedomFest.
Two years ago at FreedomFest, our top financial experts (such as Peter Schiff, Bert Dohmen, and economist Fred Foldvary) warned attendees of an impending financial crisis — and they were right.
This year, we are inviting again our top financial experts to this private session to help us protect our hard-earn assets from government manipulation and even if possible to profit from the growing crisis. They include (in addition to the three mentioned above): Burt Malkiel (Princeton finance professor and author of classic, Random Walk Down Wall Street), Rick Rule (Global Resource Investments), Alexander Green (Oxford Club), Robert Prechter (Elliott Wave Theorist), Keith Fitz-Gerald (MoneyMap), John Dessauer, Louis Basenese, Frank Trotter, Martin Truax, Dennis Slothower, Adrian Day, and many more.
I will be moderating our ever-popular All-Star Prediction Panel, with Peter Schiff, Bert Dohmen, Alex Green, and Doug Casey.
We are also planning a special session sponsored by the Sovereign Society: “Escape from America: The Five Steps to Financial Freedom” with editors Robert Bauman, Eric Roseman, Erika Nolan, and Vernon K. Jacobs, CPA.
We also have top tax and estate planning experts at FreedomFest, including Jeff Verdon, David T. Phillips, Peter Zipper, and Ron Holland.
All the major freedom organizations and think tanks will be represented at this year’s conference: Reason, Heritage, Cato, Fraser, FEE, and the Mises Institute, among others. As George Gilder says, “FreedomFest is THE mandatory conference for freedom lovers.” FreedomFest isn’t a tea party — it’s better than a tea party.
For a full list of speakers, debates and panels, go to http://www.FreedomFest.com and ring the liberty bell.
We already have over 1,100 signed up for this year’s big event, and expect to sell out.
How to Sign Up for the Special “Private” Session
You are invited to join us in this private emergency session. Now is the time to sign up for FreedomFest, and take advantage of the “early bird” discount that ended on April 15 (tax day).
SPECIAL NOTE: By special arrangement with Human Events, we’ve extended the deadline to April 20 (this Tuesday). After that date, we can no longer honor the “early bird” special discount. So call Tami Holland today and mention this special offer.
When you register for FreedomFest, your ticket will include admission to the special session “Crisis in America: A Call for Action.”
Time and location of the special “private” session will be given at the registration desk when you sign in July 7, 2010, at Bally’s.
To sign up, call Tami Holland at 1-866-266-5101.
See you in Vegas in July. Just think 7-11.
In liberty, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen Producer, FreedomFest
“The world’s largest gathering of free minds”
July 7-11, 2010, Las Vegas
http://www.FreedomFest.com
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Has there ever been a country where a group so privileged has bitched so much?
Mike
April 18th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Hafa adai, Michelle
I couldn’t finish my lunch hour without saying I think that you belong in this category. You are a wonderful role model for females the world over.
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‘Women of movement’ recognized
BY ERIN THOMPSON • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • APRIL 19, 2010
They’ve worked to provide solace to children in need, built homes for the poor, worked on initiatives to preserve Guam’s environment and natural resources, and eBut many of the 18 “Women of Movement” recognized by the Guam Women’s Club for their contributions to the island community yesterday professed that what they did was nothing special.
“I feel I don’t deserve this,” said Reta Jones Taijeron tearfully as she ascended the stage at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Jones Taijeron was recognized for her work with the Guam Girl Scouts and her long-term commitment to philanthropic efforts, which included moving her husband into the garage to make room for a homeless individual.
Organized for the first time this year, the event recognized women whose community efforts have created movements with lasting effects, according to Guam Women’s Club President Carina Fejerang.
Recipients were recognized for their work in communication, education, social work, public service, philanthropy, and aid and care. The awardees included people who had excelled in their professions as well as those who have shown extraordinary commitment as volunteers and community leaders.
“We wanted people to understand that it’s not about business owners,” said Fejerang. “It’s about people that are just regular people doing their jobs, and yet doing something for the community.”
Organizers also presented a surprise award of Most Inspirational Mover to recipient Peggy Denney. The program administrator for I-Recycle, Denney was chosen for transforming recycling on Guam.
“That’s a movement in itself,” said Fejerang. “It wasn’t something that we did before. We’re doing it now.”
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his is my first job. I read your blog for the inspiration you give in your daily opening monologue. It makes me proud to be a woman. I have learned to resist sexual harassment because of your strength.
Thanks
Mary
April 18th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
How to Pick a Financial Adviser for the Help You Need at a Fair Price
David Richman, JD
Eaton Vance Advisor Institute
The recent investment and home-price losses have endangered the retirement goals of millions of Americans. If this describes you, or even if you just feel nervous, hiring a financial adviser could help you get back on track.
While most financial advisers are skilled, trustworthy professionals, some may lack the necessary experience, skills or motivation to help you.
Best first move: Ask trusted friends whether they would recommend their own financial advisers. If so, listen to how they describe these advisers — they should paint a picture of a trusted partner who is dedicated to understanding them and how they make financial decisions.
If your friends do not strongly recommend their financial advisers, ask your lawyer or accountant for referrals. If this doesn’t pan out either, ask other members of your community whom you respect.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
When you meet with a candidate, be sure to ask…
What professional certifications have you earned? Make sure he/she is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
These designations ensure that the adviser receives ongoing financial training and has passed a difficult exam. Titles such as “investment adviser” or “financial adviser” do not have the same guarantee.
If I had lost a lot of money as your client during the recent market crisis, what would you be telling me now? The answer should include some basics — such as how to rebalance your portfolio following stock losses and how to sell securities that have declined in value to offset taxes — as well as suggest a long-term perspective.
The adviser also should understand that his job is about managing a client’s emotions as well. The amount of risk that a client is predisposed to take often does not correspond with the amount of risk that makes sense for his situation, and the adviser must be able to steer clients into an appropriate portfolio in a way that still allows them to sleep at night.
I’m retired, and my portfo lio has lost a lot of money. What can I do to get my savings back on track? It’s an excellent sign if the adviser’s sug gestions include spending less and saving more and/or taking a part-time job during retirement.
A financial adviser must be willing to provide painful advice when necessary just as a doctor must be willing to tell a patient to “lose weight” or “stop smoking.” You should be extremely wary if an adviser suggests some aggressive strategy to “make it back.”
What should I be doing to manage my financial risk? Many financial advisers will discuss asset selection and diversification. That’s fine, but it’s a bad sign if the adviser doesn’t also mention insurance.
Insurance is crucial for risk management — if you don’t have enough, one mishap or lawsuit could cost you everything you own. Types of insurance to discuss could include homeowners’, umbrella, business, auto, life, health, disability and long-term-care insurance.
I’m worried about the bleak economic forecasts on the news. What should I do? The adviser should encourage you to turn off the news and spend your free time thinking about more enjoyable matters.
Becoming wrapped up in the endless recession coverage won’t help you make informed decisions — it will lead you to make knee-jerk emotional decisions that are likely to be detrimental to your mental and financial health.
What financial decisions will you make for me? This is a trick question. The adviser should answer that he will provide guidance on a wide range of financial decisions but will not make your decisions for you.
The adviser might take the lead in making decisions about specific investments if this is what the client wants — but he still should discuss these decisions and what they mean with the client before proceeding. The best financial advisers have a collaborative approach but are also likely to have strong opinions.
What words would your clients use to describe you? Most advisers will cite words such as intelligent, experienced, trustworthy and prudent. Make sure the list includes “accessible” —
it shows that the adviser understands that being available when needed is part of his job. The list also should include a word like “confidant” to show that the adviser stresses a personal connection with clients.
How many clients do you have? If it is more than 250 (for a solo practice), it’s unlikely that he can give each client the time and attention that each deserves. If you’re investing millions of dollars, anything more than 100 clients is probably too many, unless there is a strong support team.
Large portfolios tend to be more complex and time-consuming for advisers, and if you have this much money, it is worth it to pay a little more for one who can give you extra attention.
How often will we meet? You should have at least two face-to-face meetings per year. If your assets are well into the millions, you should probably have four meetings.
Phone conversations can be useful, but most people feel more comfortable when they have in-person contact with the adviser who is handling their money… and this gives the adviser a better chance to learn his client’s goals and fears.
How do you charge? Select an adviser who charges a fee for his services, not one who charges commissions. Don’t make a decision based on price.
Base it on your sense of an adviser’s competence, perspective and “fit.” Chemistry is vital. (Fees often are based on the amount of assets under management even though the adviser should provide guidance beyond investment advice.)
What is your typical client’s net worth? This adviser might not have much experience with the financial issues most important to you if his other clients have significantly more or less money.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed David Richman, JD, national director, Eaton Vance Advisor Institute, a training program for wealth managers based in West Hartford, Connecticut.
April 18th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
The republicans have started to eat their own.
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An Election for a Lifetime
Every six years we have the chance to replace an existing U.S. Senator. We never have a chance to replace a supreme court justice. We must send a true conservative to the U.S. Senate who will stand up against the leftist agenda and the progressive socialism we are seeing from this current President.
The U.S. Supreme Court may very well be our last line of defense against a government focused on destroying our nation by disregarding our founding documents. To be frank, Dan Coats is not fit for this fight. Dan Coats has a pathetic record when it comes to fighting against the left and its pursuit to place activist judges on the high court.
The facts are clear:
Dan Coats voted to confirm ultra liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg placing her on the high court.
Dan Coats voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor placing her on the federal bench.
Dan Coats now says, “It was a mistake. If I had that vote again, I would vote differently.” Well, Dan, we cannot afford any mistakes with the most aggressive anti freedom President in the history of our Republic.
Marlin Stutzman is quite a contrast to Dan Coats; a fourth generation farmer, a full spectrum proven conservative who believes in the timeless principles of less government and respect for the Constitution.
Marlin Stutzman has proven to be an innovative thinker, presenting new ideas and solutions that would cut to the root of old, recurring problems in the Federal government. See his ideas at GoMarlin.com.
Stutzman is a solid voice that people in the heartland can depend on when it comes to standing up for life, the right to bear arms, and keeping America the strongest and most prosperous nation on earth, without apologies to our enemies.
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It seems that if a republican doesn’t oppose Obama in every instance he is fair game to be replaced by a white man who will.
Midge
April 18th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Subject: Take two aspirin…
Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.
These excerpts are published each year for their amusement.
Here are last year’s winners…
7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
April 18th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Hi Mischa, actually I wasn’t so much looking for a what should be done first as I was refering to letter writing being effective. I’m sure truckloads have been received re: tarp $’s, unemployment/economy, fair tax, etc…and not much of any effect has happened on any if those fronts. Middle class tax payers are quick to comment that ‘we are picking up the tab’ for those treated at harbor general and they’d also throw in that most are illegals with gun shot wounds as if that would justify what, not treating them? Iyyyiiyi…
Just noticing that often closet racist will say I’m fine with Hispanics in California I just wish they’d pick up their shit when they leave the park with their ten kids, learn to speak English, have the same work ethic they had back in the day, etc…oh the south bay is loaded with peeps spewing that stuff. I just change the subject now, tired of opinionated self centered peeps. Looking for a tribe of my own now. : ) guess I’ll be hanging out with myself a lot : )
Hope you all had a fine weekend, Luv, Zen Lill
April 18th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Lucy, Sweet Lucy
So once again I,m all alone
You’ve pleased me and gone home
You’ve left your scent, It’s everywhere
Sometimes, I wonder if you really care
Am I, but amusement, a bit of a dare
something to show your savior faire
momentary pleasure between your lovely thighs
until you close them and say your sweet goodbyes
Then you dress quickly and head for home
So once again I’m all alone
April 18th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Zen Lill
I’m recently divorced. My wife was one of those closet racists when in public. But around her peeps she was a raving bigot. They wore me out. Our three kids grew up hearing her and her friends put down other races with their jokes and snide remarks.
They are not 12, 14, and 16. They hate the bigotry. They have OTW friends that they have been afraid to bring home. Now that we are divorced, they invite their OTW friends to my home.
You are a woman to be admired. When their are old enough I will show your comments to them.
Tom
April 18th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
This keeps the penis hard.
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Vitamin keeps on D-elivering
Vitamin keeps on D-elivering
Vitamin D is finally enjoying its big moment in the sun.
Once practically ignored, you can’t open a mainstream newspaper or magazine today without reading yet another story on the importance of the sunshine vitamin.
It’s about time, because vitamin D is also our single biggest nutritional deficiency… and as a series of new studies show, increasing your own levels of it can help fight disease and boost your immunity.
One new study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting found that patients with low levels of vitamin D who simply raise it to normal levels can reduce their risk of cardiovascular problems.
Researchers looked at data on 9,400 patients with low D levels–an average of 19.3 nanograms per milliliter. Most people need at least 30 nanograms per milliliter, and ideally you should have closer to 50.
In the study, half the patients reached that minimum threshold of 30 nanograms per milliliter, and they proved to be 33 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack, 20 percent less likely to experience heart failure, and 30 percent less likely to die over the yearlong follow-up period than the patients who didn’t raise their D levels.
Another study presented at the same meeting found that patients with low levels of vitamin D who increased it to at least 43 nanograms per milliliter had lower rates of death, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney failure and even depression.
That may sound like a long list of benefits, but guess what? I’m not even close to finished.
Another recent study found vitamin D can help fight off the flu and asthma attacks. Japanese researchers randomly assigned a group of schoolchildren between 6 and 15 years old to either 1,200 IU of vitamin D per day or a placebo.
The kids who got the D got a whole lot of protection: They were 58 percent less likely to get the flu than kids who took the placebo. They were also less likely to suffer from asthma attacks, according to the study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
And yet another new study finds that this vitamin might even make you stronger. The latest research on young women found that those with the lowest levels of D had the highest amounts of fat in their muscles, which could lead to weakness.
Popeye was eating the wrong stuff!
Of course, none of this is especially new–other studies have found that vitamin D can help boost the immune system, protect your bones, and lower your risk for diabetes, cancer and any number of other disease.
Previous studies have found that it may even help you live longer.
Your doctor can easily check your vitamin D levels… but since they can fluctuate throughout the year, the best way to make sure you’re getting enough is through a simple vitamin D3 supplement.
And now that spring is in the air, try to get outside a little more, too. It won’t take much–15-20 minutes of direct sunscreen-free exposure three times a week can jump- start a fantastic process inside your own body that all the drugs in the world can’t copy.
On a mission for your health,
Ed Martin
Editor, House Calls
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I know you think this is bizarre. But it is true
Larry