Jeff Flake’s final act of revenge

Outgoing Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) admitted on CNN that he would not be opposing President Donald Trump’s judicial appointments if he was not retiring at the end of his term. (Mediaite).  This means he invalidated all the votes of the Republicans in Arizona who voted for him. Trump won Arizona in 2016.  Far more effective than a Russian bot on Facebook.
 
I expect he will run again as a Democrat if his future career working for CNN or MSNBC doesn’t work out.

And this empire was started by a nun from Akron, Ohio in 1981

"Boldness should be the eleventh commandment."
- Mother Angelica

“EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 38th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 300 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio and more than 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; the largest Catholic website in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, the National Catholic Register, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book-publishing division.”  (http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/ewtn-wins-lawsuit-over-hhs-contraception-mandate)

The reason I describe EWTN and its importance in religious media is because the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued an order Thursday vacating a 2014 district-court decision against the Eternal Word Television Network in its lawsuit against the so-called contraceptive mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. The order follows a settlement between the network and the Department of Justice reached Oct. 5.
 
The specifics of the contraception mandate of the “Affordable Care Act” were not included in the original bill, but were announced in January 2012 by then-HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Obama promised EWTN and other religious groups there would be an exception made for them. He lied.  Imagine the money they’ve had to spend just so they didn’t have to provide birth control and abortions for staff.

Seven years!
EWTN Wins Lawsuit Over HHS Contraception Mandate
IRONDALE, Ala., Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a  legal battle that has lasted nearly seven years, EWTN Global Catholic Network has prevailed in its lawsuit against the U.S. government over what has become known as the "HHS Contraception Mandate." In an order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit published Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, the court vacated a June 2014 decision against the Network by U.S. District Court Judge Callie Granade. The ruling by the appellate court follows an Oct. 5, 2018 settlement agreement between EWTN and the Department of Justice. Under terms of that settlement, the Network will not be required to provide contraception, sterilization and abortifacients in its employee health plan, something EWTN found morally objectionable.

And finally some common sense from Washington.
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor released two updated rules concerning conscience protections for organizations and individuals in relation to the HHS contraception mandate. We once again are protected by the First Amendment from an over reaching federal government.  Until the next law suit.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/breaking-trump-administration-announces-broad-exemptions-for-hhs-mandate-84021

Who is financing the Caravan from Central America?

There are many organizations contributing to the misery and illnesses of the people in the so-called Caravan, demanding entry, benefits and rights at our border. They were lured there with promises of jobs and assistance and they are sitting in the mud, and some have assaulted the border guards. Several hundred have returned home realizing they've been conned.

Here's the wall of shame. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/centro-sin-fronteras/?

Centro Sin Fronteras Community Services Network, is a 501(c)(3) illegal immigration activist organization based in Chicago

La Familia Latina Unida (“The United Latin Family”) is a Chicago, Illinois-based 501(c)(4) illegal immigration advocacy organization formed in 2001 by Elvira Arellano.

The Pueblo Sin Fronteras (“People Without Borders”) appears to be a project of La Familia Latina Unida.

By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), a far-left agitation group.

The article at the above link includes details, finances, individuals and churches involved. It's not just fake news, but a media lie that this was not an organized assault funded by various groups in the U.S. This is like recruiting Democrat voters from other countries.

Obamagate and real collusion

The collusion in the 2016 election was between Britain and the U.S. government, which means the Obama administration. Yes, let's look at the documents. "British spies were in on the ground floor of Obamagate. Long before even the first Republican primary, they had been passing conjecture disguised as “intelligence” to John Brennan about the Trump campaign. In fact, Brennan was spying on Michael Flynn before he joined the campaign, as reported by the UK Guardian."

https://spectator.org/why-britain-doesnt-want-trump-to-declassify-obamagate-docs/?

https://www.conservapedia.com/Obamagate_timeline

Chris’ Walkaway—voted twice for Obama

I don’t know if I was ever really a liberal person. Just remembering how I was brought up in the black community, and in the church I was definitely raised with mostly conservative values. As I grew up, and began to come into my own as a young man I knew something wasn’t right about certain aspects of being a liberal. First and foremost I love GOD! I’m a capitalist, I’m pro life, love low taxes, hate socialism, hate government overreach, and I’m a 2nd Amendment supporter.

I voted for Obama twice, he was a complete and utter failure to this country. For the 2012 election I actual watched, and listened to a few Mitt Romney rallies. I enjoyed a lot of what he had to say, and agreed with most. On election day 2012, I seriously had to bite my lip in order to vote for Obama the second time. It was such a hard choice, because I knew I related to Romney’s policies, but I had always voted Democrat my entire life.

In 2015 when Trump announced he was running for President it was like one of those cartoon light bulbs that shined above your head when you connect with something brilliant. Trump's announcement speech was music to my ears, and I haven’t looked back since. This is a new era of conservatism, and thank all of you for welcoming me with open arms.

I was going to hold out from posting a story, but today [Nov. 15] was sort of the tipping point for me. I commented on Facebook after someone posted the story about Jim Acosta suing Trump for suspending his press pass. The conversation was very civil until someone (nameless) told me that I was “confused, and self hating” [Chris is a black man], and that it made her sad to realize that self hatred was real. WHAT! Now, does this sound like a person that is inclusive or tolerant? Absolutely not! To the Democrats I’m a disgrace to my race, a sellout, and a Uncle Tom, etc….

We need to fight, and get the conservative message across. We all know that conservative speech is suppressed to the highest levels. It really pisses me off to see conservative voices silenced by fear and intimidation. We can’t wear hats or tee-shirts in the street without risking a confrontation of some sort, then sucker punched if we don’t comply, conservative speakers are stopped at the steps of universities, and told to go away “come back another day”, can’t eat in restaurants, families aren’t safe in their homes due to mobs of imbeciles showing up outside the front door. Now, think hard! What day and age does this remind you of? I want no part of liberalism, it’s a thoughtless mindset to where the leaders mindf@ck the followers. I’m a Free Thinker!

I wonder if she still has a job after coming out for Trump? Valerie walked away in July

I live in a very liberal, far left section of the East Coast and it has become very disheartening. When I saw this group [WalkAway], I breathed the biggest sigh of relief that must have been heard from miles away. I am a registered Democrat, mom, volunteer/advocate for suicide prevention and am in my 22nd year of teaching blind and visually impaired children. Prior to the election and a few months afterwards, I would engage in debate but then realized it was fruitless. The hurled insults at my family, friends and I, because of our political views, support, choices, etc., were applauded/supported by people who I consider friends and neighbors. Friends who preach love, kindness and tolerance, friends who advocate for the poor, the opening of our borders and the acceptance of MS-13 from their beautiful homes or beach chairs on their vacations. I especially love the indirect /insults comments and then the replies when called out on it - “I didn’t say you in particular” or “I’m entitled to my opinion.” Well, what about mine? Why is it OK for you to wear a vagina on your head and cheer when our president is threatened during celebrity speeches during a protest but then scream that I promote violence and have the blood of children on my hands because I am a gun owner?

I decided to Walk Away because of the hypocrisy. I work in the public school system in two middle to lower income districts – very diverse, wonderful hardworking families but an area affected by addiction and a small population of MS-13 members. I see the effects of their surroundings on children first hand – but I was verbally called insensitive and a “horrible, sickening person” because I agreed when Trump called MS-13 members inhuman. From the same armchair warriors who don’t leave their perfect neighborhoods, with the exception of the yearly trip to work in a soup kitchen followed by 500 posted pictures of the excursion.

I’ve heard friends and neighbors claim that if you voted for or support Trump you are a “bigot, sexist, racist, xenophobe, etc.” At one point, I pointed out to these people who used to praise my son for his involvement in volunteering to work with underprivileged youth, actively takes part of the “Its on Us” campaign (fights sexual assault on college campuses), raised money for AFSP and Relay for life were now labeling him as such, because of his vote.

So, I am walking away from the Democratic Party. I will also walk away from any party in the future who behaves this badly. Oh yeah…..I also walked away from Hollywood Award shows.

DISCLOSURE: I do not and will not discuss politics with my students. I can encourage them to think for themselves across all areas but prefer to keep the school environment positive - too much adversity in politics - kids need to be kids. And thankfully I work in supportive school districts so don’t have to deal with politics at work. This post is about my life experiences outside of my work.

CNN lets Marc Lamont Hill go

. . . “grass-roots action, local action and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea.” Marc Lamont Hill denies he was calling for the destruction of Israel, which just happens to be the land between the river and the sea and a phrase used by terrorists. CNN let him go, but since all these things are written and vetted before the on air ridiculousness that passes for news at CNN, perhaps there are a few others who need to go too? He was calling for jihad and won't admit it. Says he just can't understand how people misunderstood his "critique" of Israel. Duh.

Let's see if Twitter pulls his account as it has for conservatives who've said far less damaging things. Don't hold your breath.

Trump haters even criticize the White House Christmas decor

  

Melania Trump was raked over the coals by social media nobodies and the somebodies in the anti-Trump know nothing media.

This Amelia, Ohio, florist was part of the team that put this stunning display together.

“This was one of my Masterpieces! 10 feet high this big one behind me. We pinned each and every one of these single little cluster of berries on one by one. It took hours! All of the styrofoam cones underneath had to be totally covered. We even had to go back and paint the silver pins each one with a red paint pen to cover the mechanics. I thought we would never get finished. We had 45 of these trees to cover and complete in 3 days. It's a miracle they turned out so perfect.” (Facebook)

https://www.aim.org/aim-column/media-sees-red-on-melanias-white-house-decorations/

https://amp.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/28/melania-trump-defends-red-christmas-trees-i-think-/

https://people.com/politics/melania-trump-red-white-house-christmas-trees-online-criticism/amp/

And the Washington Post, always with the evil eye on the White House, said a red tree is a diseased tree.

Glenn Beck comments on the illegal alien caravan

No American news personality has been more tuned into and sympathetic with the plight of the illegal aliens than Glenn Beck. During the Obama years, he raised money to help people stranded at the border with children after the lure of DACA  (we contributed), and I don’t recall anyone attacking law enforcement. Most of the photos you’ve seen of children in cages are from the Obama years.  Beck lives in Texas, and he sees it first hand.
However, this Caravan which is supported by many American leftist non-profits so they can build up the voting population for Democrats has drawn more attention, even though Obama was known as the “deporter in chief.” Beck suggests that Trump wear an Obama mask to see if that helps.
This is Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s  point-by-point list:
1. This caravan has shown violent elements throughout its journey here. In Nielsen's words:

I refuse to believe that anyone honestly maintains that attacking law enforcement with rocks and projectiles is acceptable. It is shocking that I have to explain this, but officers can be seriously or fatally injured in such attacks. Self-defense isn't debatable for most law-abiding Americans.

2. The caravan is far larger and more organized than previous ones. There are 8,500 caravan members in Tijuana and Mexicali. There are reports of additional caravans on their way.
3. Most of the people in the caravan are not eligible for asylum.
4. Most of the caravan members are men, and, as we've seen, some of the women and children are being used as human shields.
5. It turns out that, yes, there are quite a few criminals mixed in with the caravan:

[A]t this point we have confirmed that there are over 600 convicted criminals traveling with the caravan flow. This includes individuals known to law enforcement for assault, battery, drug crimes, burglary, rape, child abuse and more. This is serious. Additionally, Mexico has already arrested 100 caravan members for criminal violations in Mexico.

6. Nonlethal force (also used by the Obama Administration in 2013) was necessary.

We will not shy away from protecting our people. I ask parents to avoid violent caravan groups and refrain from attempts to illegally enter our country – these acts will put your children in danger.

Nielsen went on to unequivocally thank President Trump for his unwavering stance on the border despite dishonest media coverage meant to sway public opinion.

Twitter and sex confusion and dysphoria

Twitter will close your account if you correctly identify someone by his or her biological sex and call that hairy, muscle bound person with more red blood cells and testosterone on the girl's track team a "he." Whoever controls the language, controls the debate. Even in the day of scientific proof and enlightenment, the Left is in control of sex (just look how that worked out for the USSR and China). Before, "gender" was always a term of grammar; then they won that battle of the sexes, of which there are only two. Once they got us all using the word gender instead of sex (which indicates biology and not feelings or choice), they rushed in with all new behavioral rules for other people.

https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/twitter-rules

http://thefederalist.com/2018/06/19/said-transgenderism-mental-illness-twitter-blocked-account/

Anti-Semitism and the Liberals

Donald Trump was called an anti-Semite for calling out George Soros who supports all manner of leftist organizations and infiltrates Christian groups, but Marc Lamont Hill, a CNN employee, is allowed to advocate for the destruction of the country Israel and jihadism. He claims it wasn't MLK Jr. using peaceful protests to push the Democrats to give up Jim Crow in the South, but the slave revolts of the 19th century that set the stage. I wonder if he knows that today, November 29, 2018, black Africans are still being sold into slavery to the highest bidder by Muslims. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-11-15/libyas-slave-auctions-and-african-genocide-what-hillary-knew

If Roseanne and Megan can be fired for far, far less, this man deserves to go. If Info Wars is a threat to the nation through social media, then this guy is a ticking time bomb. He used to (or maybe still does) preach his filth and hate on Fox News but I haven't seen him for awhile.  He’s chummy with Farrakhan.

https://www.thewrap.com/cnn-contributor-says-he-supports-violent-palestinian-resistance-to-israel/

https://www.newsweek.com/who-marc-lamont-hill-cnn-commentator-defends-comments-palestinian-state-after-1235759

He is a Professor of Media Studies and Urban Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I can’t understand why American Jews support the Democrats and their hatred for Israel.  And this is not about Trump.  I remember this from 30 years ago, and mainstream Christians getting all weepy over poor little Palestine.  Have they even looked at a map of the Middle East in recent years?

Right of passage—a driver’s license

This is our great-nephew, a star in academics and sports.  And now he has a driver’s license, and here’s the list that makes it possible to drive, talk on his phone, and get his allowance.  I can remember posting this sort of thing on the refrigerator, but had very little success.  I guess it depends on the kid. (from his mother’s Facebook wall)

An update on Lily, Leukemia survivor, from her mother

Lily’s grandmother Carol posted today that she’s been accepted to 5 colleges, despite losing 4 years of formal schooling due to her illness and treatment. I’ve been following her story for 10 years, since Lily was 7 and I met her grandmother, aunts, and great grandmother as a blogger.
----------------------------------
“It’s been awhile since I have updated but Lily is doing great. Last week we went to her monthly clinic visit. Her blood counts looked good. She is also feeling much better. As Deb said being off therapy agrees with her!

Her back has improved dramatically since coming off chemo and starting acupuncture. Still not sure how it works but it does. She has weaned off all of her back pain meds and even most of her neuropathy medications. Thanks Libby! This has truly been a blessing and has allowed her to do more in her weekly PT sessions and be much more active and pain free.

They also checked this month her IGG levels. This is the body’s ability to fight getting infections with antibodies (in basic terms). She has had low levels for a while and was receiving infusions monthly however the last infusion she had she had a pretty severe allergic reaction. We had truly hoped the number would get better coming off chemo.

However her IGG level was just 125 last week. Normal I believe is around 800. There is also evidence to show that the Blincyto or immunotherapy drug she took can cause long term and most likely a permanent decrease in B cells thus IGG. This will most likely mean some type of infusion either weekly or monthly. There is supposedly a different infusion, she can get that is weekly that has less reactions. Probably for the rest of her life. It isn’t unexpected but kind of a tough one to think about long term. I know we / she will get use to it and adapt. I also know she generally feels better when she gets the infusions. However as a mom, I worry.

It also throws a small wrinkle into college plans for her. Wrinkle maybe wrong word, but it adds another element to consider since we need to figure out how she will do this if she moves away. I’m sure it is possible just another thing to consider.

She has been accepted to 5 colleges and all of their nursing programs! I’m so proud of her and while it is scary at times I want her to be able spread her wings. Some of the colleges are relatively close but some others are quite a ways away. I don’t want this to be a major consideration in her decision so I know we need to get a plan in place soon.

Anyway she has an appt on Monday with the immunologist to discuss in way more detail.
Lastly she is getting her port out on Friday morning! It’s exciting to get this out. She will also be having her prior scar revised since it hasn’t healed well. It is a pretty easy surgery but still surgery and I’m sure she will be down a few days.

She has a bunch of appts over the next few weeks. The port removal. Immunologist. Ortho follow up. Endocrinology follow up. And another monthly clinic visit to the oncologist. I will try to update on the important things.

Thanks for all the support. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love
Larisa

Michael Smith on Murphy Brown

“Murphy Brown was cancelled. I'm not surprised. I watched about 5 minutes of the first show out of morbid curiosity and found it to be completely unwatchable. The plot was tedious and the dialog sounded like an episode of The View with Rachel Maddow of MSNBC and Don Lemon and Jim Acosta of CNN as guest panelists.

When it was popular back in the late 80's it had little competition in bashing Republicans - now there is so much from CNN, MSNBC and the Alphabet broadcast networks that their Trump bashing jokes fell flat.

Another fail was that a sitcom relies on likable characters even if we don't like their dialog. Even though many of us of a certain age remember the characters, the reincarnation of them seemed bitchy and bitter...unlikable.

A good political joke or satire includes a lot of fact - say true representations of an action or words of an actual official - combined with a ridiculous situation or conclusion. That's why the Onion and the Babylon Bee are funny...and successful. Good satire happens when everything sounds real until you get to the punchline.

The problem with the Murphy Brown revival was that the premises for the jokes weren't as ridiculous as the "news" reported by the cable outlets, broadcast news and the leftist print media.

Trump may have broken Kathy Griffin but CNN broke Murphy.”

Dan Quail was right.

Legal marijuana in Massachusetts

I was watching on TV that traffic jam in Massachusetts for legal marijuana. What a stupid group--from the state lusting for taxes, to entrepreneurs raking in the bucks, to the deluded buyers. We've got massive health and expense with drugs, alcohol and obesity, marching with those who rant against GMO, chemtrails, vaccines and gluten. We have the deluded who put hormones regularly in their bodies, who think building fake vaginas and adding penises are a civil right, and they've now talked themselves into adding another toxic chemical to their already damaged bodies. Good luck on hanging on to those brain cells--they seem to be in short supply already.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marijuana-store-leicester-massachusetts-causes-headaches-residents/

The High Cost of Good Intentions by John Cogan

“Entitlements grow over time because of a force called “the equally worthy claim,” where eligibility for benefits continually expands until programs no longer resemble their initial, honorable intentions.”

Entitlements don’t go just to the poor. The word doesn’t mean the same thing to all. Some think it’s a handout, unearned.  Others see it as a benefit than can’t be taken away because it is their right. It is a benefit under the law to anyone who qualifies.
https://www.policyed.org/perspectives-policy/high-cost-good-intentions/video
I’m trying to get a copy of Cogan’s book from my public library, but I found a YouTube of Cogan explaining this thesis that any entitlement expands and usually during an election year. Shocked!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqthAe5-4Zg
Cogan reports that the very first entitlement was a pension for men who had fought in the Continental Army during the War for Independence, but by 1830 (when most would have been dead) it had already expanded to many others, such as state militia, because they were also worthy to a claim.  Didn’t they bleed? I’d have to go through my genealogy files, but I found a copy (in an on-line data base) of the claim of a widow in my family tree who was claiming a Revolutionary War pension well into the 1800s. Then after the Civil War there were originally about 200,000 pensioners, and that grew to over a million by the 1890s.  There is still a woman getting a pension from that war who was born in 1930, and her mother had married a Civil War veteran when she was young.
The federal government spends $7,500 for every man woman and child on entitlements.  However, it was not until the New Deal that Americans began receiving assistance for not having provided any service. Now, about 55% of Americans receive some form of entitlement.  Cogan’s point is that these forms of assistance create a disincentive to work. The intentions of these programs were good, but can provide negative outcomes. The break up of the family is far worse today due to welfare than it was in 1965 when the alarm was first sounded.
The most successful reform of entitlements was in 1996 and the welfare reform when the money was pushed to the states to dispense. They will continue to grow, but will need a healthy growth of the economy to balance out. If Trump can get the growth he wants, perhaps he will turn to entitlement reform.

The importance of exercise

“The experts call physical activity the “best buy” in public health. And the guidelines are based on evidence from thousands of studies. Based on this evidence, an expert panel concluded that exercise increases our lifespans, prevents that sneaky annual weight gain and reduces the risk of almost every chronic disease: cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many cancers. No other single behavior can do as much good for your health. By investing some time into exercise now, you get to cash in later. Think of it as the 401K for a long, healthy and happy life. “
I go to Lifetime Fitness 6 times a week, so that’s about 300 minutes of planned exercise, plus I may do another 10-15 at home on my exercycle.  I’m not seeing a big pay off, but then I’ve pretty much been a slug my whole life.  I don’t really enjoy exercise, but I can do 3 miles on a cycle if I take a magazine with me. or turn on Fox News. However, being a researcher from way back, the number of articles on exercise as the new life extender pill is stunning.
This article suggests move more, sit less, but since I’ve battled weight gain from all this exercise (I’m more hungry), I still hold to my old motto, “Move More, East Less,” or MMEL.  The author is exactly right, though, in saying it’s not difficult to add 5 minutes a day to your routine, and then when that’s settled, add another five.
As I’ve said before, I’ve seen some stunning role models at the gym—usually men who come in on walkers, or are using canes. One woman has an artificial below the knee prosthesis.  When I think the treadmill is too boring, I look at them and decide I don’t have it so bad.
https://theconversation.com/move-more-sit-less-great-advice-but-how-can-we-make-time-for-exercise-106741
I looked up the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report linked in the first  paragraph thinking I’d print it, but it turned out to be over 700 pages, so I just printed the Executive Summary, pp. 18-25.
https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/report/pdf/PAG_Advisory_Committee_Report.pdf

Guess which party the splitting partner or friend or family member belonged to. Exactly.

“Many people with divergent perspectives from their partners have not been able to make it work in the Trump era. A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed in early 2017 found that in the months following Trump’s election win, 13 percent of 6,426 participants had cut ties with a friend or family member over political differences. This past summer, another survey of 1,000 people found that a third declared the same.”

New York Magazine, November 27. http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/donald-trump-is-destroying-my-marriage.html?

I warn you, this article sounds like something out of “The Onion,” and you almost can’t believe women can be this stupid over political differences, or in the one case, because her husband had less enthusiasm for being so ridiculous (neither liked Trump, but he didn’t go crazy).  But then you remember the 1970s when we discovered consciousness raising, and the late 80s when we discovered menopause, and it all starts to sound like just a bad movie that’s been re-made too many times.  One woman admitted she was obsessing, posting on social media, not speaking civilly to her husband and after counseling remembered she’d been date-raped and this was a way to take back power.  Oh puleeze!

The most interesting couple (using their real names, perhaps because of their professions) was a life coach and couples therapist. The woman was a Republican and the man a Democrat, but until the 2016 election it never came up.  Then the sparks when she decided to vote for Trump. I’m just saying, she was the far more reasonable and respectful of the two about their differences.

My letter to a grant recipient at OSU

Today I noticed in OnCampusToday you’ve received a handsome grant of $2.27 million from NIH for “patient engagement.” Congratulations.  I’ve read through your publications, and you have had an impressive career. Although I don’t know what “concept map to define capacity for engagement” means, I would like to comment on patient portals as a means to engage patients in their own care.

I hate them.

My husband has 2 doctors, 3 if you count the cancer specialist whom he rarely sees, and I have 3, family, ophthalmologist and cardiologist. We share the family doctor. Each practice uses a different portal system for finding our lab results, asking questions, tracking meds, etc.  But the worst feature is their sending us advertisements! I don’t know until I’ve made the effort to get in—not easy—why I’m being contacted. What a mess! Fortunately, I don’t think my ophthalmologist uses one, because he’s the one I see most frequently. When I ask him to send a record to my family doctor, he uses a fax.

Recently we received a notice from our financial advisor suggesting we have our own “portal” for his financial services, and I fired back, Absolutely Not. Face to face is always better. I’ve not had eye-contact with a doctor since Obama imposed the horribly expensive EMR system, which had never been tested for improved care or cost reduction. One of the Emanuel brothers just thought the tech industry needed a pay off. My medical records could be transported faster by carrier pigeons from Riverside Hospital to Dr. Jennifer Bush, 2 miles away. And I hold no hope that patient portals will improve my care, at least not the ones in use by any of our doctors.

And by the way, how secure are these portals? Who designs them to be unworkable? Are they more secure than large medical practice records? Two years ago my husband’s urologist’s practice was hacked, and thousands of records exposed with all the personal data that goes along with that.

I have 9 blogs, I’m on at least 4 e-mail discussion lists, I’m on Facebook, I read a lot of medical, political, technology and religious information web sites, and I’m a retired librarian (veterinary medicine) who formerly taught classes in data base searching and information skills.  I used to teach “older learners,” which is anyone over 25.   You need a system that is easy for 80 year olds or admit this technology does not have the capacity to engage.

Norma J. Bruce

OSU Libraries faculty, retired

What If Men Are Smarter?

             
Lots of people, millions and millions, are smarter than I am. Is that so awful?  And my math intelligence is probably below that of a 5th grader.   The majority of brilliant mathematicians are men—some are women—but a small percentage.  The women’s movement, the current one that developed in the early 1970s, has perhaps resulted in unfulfilled rising expectations, according to this Fiamengo File.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9FPe3U8mj8

Janice Fiamengo’s reports (files) are available on YouTube.  She’s Canadian and an anti-feminist, not anti-woman. She’s anti-Marxism,  anti-PC, and anti-woman-as-victim, all of which encompasses today’s feminism.  She’s goes deep, and she’s not an animated speaker—sort of a Joe Friday style.  However, her logic and research are compelling.  Even so, I’m sure at some point the truth and facts will cause her to be bumped off YouTube.

Here she comments on Christine Blasey Ford, the accuser of Judge Brett Kavanaugh brought forward at the last minute by Senator Feinstein when it looked like nothing could derail the nomination.  It has had over 2 million views and well over 14,000 comments (as of November 27, 2018).  And the comments bring up things I never thought of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFL6k5yOAFM 
“YouTube is demonetizing videos that are critical of the Left. This makes it nearly impossible for critics of feminism to survive off of their work. A viral video like this one [about Dr. Blasey] would normally gather $2,000 per day in ad revenue, but because it criticizes a feminist position this revenue is denied. This is part of the bias that we are fighting .  https://www.youtube.com/user/StudioBrule