Not surprising, crime is on the increase in Baltimore

As the former mayor of Baltimore, so far left he could fall off, announces he will run against Hillary, ABC reports on the Baltimore crime increase. Not a word about the mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's and prosecutor's role in this mess--only that arrests have dropped sharply. If police were the problem in Baltimore, wouldn't less policing mean less crime? Plus, Rawlings-Blake's crime team is fleeing.

Crime report via AP

Criminal justice team leaving

Martin O'Malley

When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone

Wolves had been gone from Yellowstone for 70 years. Now they've been reintroduced with remarkable results. Small in number, mighty in ecological changes.

Check out this video, you'll be amazed.

Organically grown food does use pesticides

Research shows food labeled organic isn't more nutritious but does it use less pesticide?

"But the idea that organic foods are healthier isn't even the largest myth out there. That title belongs to the widely held belief that organic farming does not use pesticides. A 2010 poll found that 69% of consumers believe that to be true. Among those who regularly purchase organic food, the notion is even more prevalent. A survey from the Soil Association found that as many as 95% of organic consumers in the UK buy organic to "avoid pesticides."

In fact, organic farmers do use pesticides. The only difference is that they're "natural" instead of "synthetic." At face value, the labels make it sound like the products they describe are worlds apart, but they aren't. A pesticide, whether it's natural or not, is a chemical with the purpose of killing insects (or warding off animals, or destroying weeds, or mitigating any other kind of pest, as our watchful commenters have correctly pointed out). Sadly, however, "natural" pesticides aren't as effective, so organic farmers actually end up using more of them!*

Moreover, we actually know less about the effects of "natural" pesticides. Conventional "synthetic" pesticides are highly regulated and have been for some time. We know that any remaining pesticide residues on both conventional and organic produce aren't harmful to consumers. But, writes agricultural technologist Steve Savage, "we still have no real data about the most likely pesticide residues that occur on organic crops and we are unlikely to get any.""

Biggest myths

That's a lot of veggies!

The following is from the Harvard Medical School HealthBeat, May 28, 2015

"Several studies have shown that in countries where men eat a typical "Western" diet containing a large amount of meat, the incidence of prostate cancer, especially aggressive prostate cancer, is higher than in countries where plant-based foods are a primary part of the diet. Unfortunately, these studies weren't designed to prove cause and effect. So for now, definitive answers about prostate cancer and diet aren't yet in — although researchers are actively studying this topic.

Investigators have launched a federally funded national study to see whether a diet that's higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal-based foods than the typical Western diet will help control tumor growth in men with early-stage prostate cancer.

Participants in the Men's Eating and Living (MEAL) study will try to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily — significantly more than the three to four servings consumed each day by the typical American man — as well as two servings of whole grains and one serving of beans or other legumes.

This clinical trial will include men 50-80 years old who have small, low-grade tumors and who have opted to have their condition followed closely (active surveillance) rather than undergoing immediate treatment. Researchers will randomly assign participants to telephone counseling about how to achieve the dietary MEAL goals or to a control group that receives standard dietary advice for Americans.

During the two-year study, the investigators will collect blood samples to assess levels of antioxidants and nutrients, and then monitor the men with PSA tests and prostate biopsies to determine whether the cancer is progressing. A pilot study showed the approach is workable, and that with enough telephone prompting, men can increase their intake of vegetables and other healthy foods. To learn more about the larger phase III MEAL study, or to enroll, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search for Trial NCT 01238172."

ACORN spawn stiffs Ferguson rioters

I really do wonder why blacks trust ACORN (under any of its name changes). Now they've been stiffed. "Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE), the successor group to the now-bankrupt St. Louis branch of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), stiffed the protesters out of promised money for protesting during the Ferguson riots."

Article here

The unpaid rent-a-mob operatives complain that MORE stiffed them the same way ACORN did to hired protesters throughout its 40 years of radical left-wing rabble-rousing. The ACORN network’s leadership was always predominantly white while its foot soldiers were mostly non-white, a fact that caused tension within the criminal community organizing outfit.

Rent a mob

We're not as generous as we like to think

I saw a poster on the internet about how much we provide in foreign aid (not the one shown here) compared to taking care of our own poor, veterans elderly, etc. Pure mythology. We just aren't that generous--at least in the area of foreign aid.

We provide very little aid, and much of it has strings attached. Some countries' medical aid, for instance, has strings attached tied to our attempt to change their social patterns--not using DDT or using contraception or not using contraception--or pressure to allow our military bases. Americans seriously overestimate, 1) percent of gays in the population, and 2) percent of our own generosity. Both figures are probably 2-3% at best, and maybe less, but Americans routinely will guesstimate 20-30%.

"The entire international affairs budget – which includes diplomacy and aid – is less than 2 percent of the federal budget. Poverty-focused development assistance is about half of that – for a grand total of 0.7 percent of the U.S. federal budget in Fiscal Year 2014. Americans vastly overestimate how much the U.S. spends on aid. Surveys report that, on average, Americans believe the U.S. spends as much as 30 percent of the federal bud­get on foreign aid, more than Social Security or Medicare." (The Hill.com)

On the other hand, we do take care of our own quite well--24% of the 2014 budget on social security, 24% in various health programs (Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP), and 11% for "safety net" or almost 60% of our budget. Defense is only 18%--much smaller than our social assistance programs. There's a lot of waste and graft in that and it provides huge salaries along the way for the legions who are helping the needy, but it's a fact.

Myths about foreign aid

Percentages of federal tax dollars

Cute Chihuahua mixes

I read through one of those dog breed lists (20 breeds that live the longest) today and noticed a number were "designer dogs" particular Chihuahua mixes/hybrids. This is not the site, but is one about Chihuahuas.

This morning's workout music

On YouTube: an anthology of famous Sacred Masterpieces performed by the Choir of New College of Oxford. It's a little slow and relaxed, but fine for my speed. Beautiful slides.

Choir

Cleaning out my office--list of books

List of books

Great religions of the world (National Geographic, 1971)

Ancient-future faith; rethinking evangelicalism (Webber, Baker, 1999)

The Christian calendar; complete guide to the seasons of the Christian year (Merriam, 1974)

Complete guide to Bible versions (Tyndale, 1991, pb.)

Renovation of the heart (Willard, Navpress, 2002)

What the Bible is all about (Henrietta Mears, Regal, 1966, pb.)

The challenge of today (1st state convention Methodist men, Columbus, OH, March 1915)

Infant baptism and adult conversion (Hallesby, Augsburg, 1926 pb.)

Brochures: God’s man of faith (Luther); Small catechism (Luther); Why Jesus have his life for us; Women of the Bible; About the sacrament of baptism; Abstinence; Enriching your marriage; The servant as Leaders (Robert Greenleaf);

Jesus and his times (Reader’s Digest, 1987)

After Jesus (Reader’s Digest, 1992)

I and thou (Buber, Touchstone, 1970 , pb)

The happy Christian (Murray, Nelson, 2015, pb)

The Lord’s Prayer (Noyes, First Congregational, Columbus, 1962, pb)

History, criticism and Faith (Inter-varsity, 1976 pb)

A book of prayers for boys and girls (Neumann, Wartburg, 1943)

My prayer book (Concordia, 1957)

The art of reading scripture (David and Hays, Eerdmans, 2003 pb)

Treasures from the Greek New Testament ;Wuest’s word studies (Wuest, Eerdmans, 1941 pb)

A brief story of the Augsburg Confession (Concordia, 1930, pb)

Devotions and prayers of Martin Luther (Baker, 1965, pb)

Women in the Bible helpful friends (Latham, Broadman, 1979)

Encounter with books; a guide to Christian reading (Inter-Varsity, 1971, pb.)

Blog (Hewitt, Nelson, 2005)

Liberty and tyranny (Levin, Threshold, 2009)

The new thought police (Bruce, Forum, 2001)

Right for a reason (Chicks on the right, Sentinel, 2014)

A simple Christmas (Huckabee, Sentinel, 2009)

Power to the people (Ingraham, Regnery, 2007)

My grandfather’s son (Thomas, Harper Collins, 2007)

Extraordinary, ordinary people (Rice, Crown, 2010)

Arguing with idiots (Beck, Threshold, 2009)

Culturally incorrect (Parsley, Nelson, 2007)

Paradise suite/Bobos in Paradise (Simon & Schuster, 2011)

Countdown to the Apocalypse (Jeffress, Faith Words, 2015, pb)

The bookshop, the gate of angels, the blue flower (Fitzgerald, Everyman’s library 247, 2001)

Glenn Beck’s Common sense (Threshold, 2009, pb)

Overton Window (fiction) (Threshold, 2010)

Flight Behavior (Kingsolver, HarperCollings, 1st ed., 2012)

Black Orchid (Harper, Signet, 1996) autographed by author

The book thief (Zusak, Knopf, 2005 pb)

The notebook (Sparks, Warner, 1996)

The Christmas Letters (Smith, Algonquin, 1996)

When I am an old woman I shall wear Purple (Papier-Mache Press, 1987,pb)

I am becoming the woman I’ve wanted (Papier-Mache Press, 1994, pb)

Women of words (Bukovinsky, Running Press, 1994)

Old age is not for sissies (Peter Pauper Press, 1989)

Making your own days (Koch, Scribner, 1998)

A dictionary of textile terms (Dan River, 1967, pb)

Women’s Magazines 1940-1960 (Bedford, 1998, pb)

Women writers at work, (Plimpton, 1989, pb)

So your husband’s gone to war! (Gorham, Doubleday 1942) with book cover, rare.

It was on fire when I lay down on it (Fulghum, Villard, 1989)

Sea biscuit (Hillenbrand, Ballentine, 2001)

On writing well (Zinsser, Harper, 1988)

Reading Lolita in Tehran (Nafisi, Random House, 2004)

Writing down the bones (Goldberg, Shambhala, 1986)

A book lover’s journal (for recording titles read) (Addison-Wesley, 1986)

A handbook of literary terms (Citadel, 1966 pb)

Concise Oxford dictionary of literary terms (Bladick, Oxford, 1990)

Dearest friend (Withey, Touchstone, 1981)

Life at the speed of Light (Venter, Viking, 2013)

Courage to be rich (Orman, Riverhead, 1999)

Healthwise for life, (4th ed. Healthwise, 2000)

Family guide to natural medicine (Reader’s Digest, 1993)

It’s always the heart (Constantine, Westbow, 2014, pb.)

I love horses and ponies, over 50 breeks (Scholastic, 2011)

New Yorker book of cat cartoons (Knopf, 1990)

Simply Divine (Harris, Prima, 1996)

The Desperate housewives cookbook (Hyperion, 2016)

Socialized history of the United States (Vannest, Scriber’s, 1934)

My Country, civics textbook (Turkington, Ginn, 1923)

Added to the pile on June 5

The I hate to housekeep book (Peg Bracken, 1962)
Handbook of medical library practice, 4th ed. vol. 1 (MLA, 1982)
Introduction to reference work, vol. 1, basic information sources (Katz, 1974, 2d ed.)
Emily Post's etiquette (Elizabeth L. Post, 12th rev. ed,1969)
Chronicle of America,(1990?)
The practical guide to practically everthing (Bernstein and Ma, Random House, 1995)
A pictorial encyclopedia of the oriental arts, China (2 vol. slip case, Crown, 1969)
Rural England (Mercer Puttnam, Macdonald Queen Anne Press, 1988)
The face of rural America (1976 Yearbook of Agriculture)
Off the beaten path (Reader's Digest, 1987)

War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy, Modern Library)
Poems, plays and prose of Pushkin (Modern Library c1936)
Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy, Modern Library, 1950)
Russian short stories 19th century (Oxford, 1953)
Tolstoy selections (Oxford, 1959)
Ivan Goncharov Oblamov (Everyman's, 1959)
Golovlyov Family (Everyman's, 1955)

When you hire a Community Organizer . . .

'President Obama's second-term agenda, it seems, is in the hands of the courts.

Same-sex marriage. Obamacare. Climate change. And now immigration. And in many cases, there is significant doubt about whether his signature initiatives will stand legal scrutiny.'

Washington Post


Climate change fears are being used usurp state's rights, as is Obamacare. Immigration Obamastyle is just another way to pick up Democrat votes. And of course, he lied about same sex marriage support in order not to lose black votes in 2008. What a prize.

Why men are seldom depressed (humor)

Men are just happier people.
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours....
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
If someone forgets to invite you, He or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes--one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes!
Men Are Just Happier People

See More

A guide for parents

The full title of this “What you can do to stop the promotion of homosexuality in our schools; a guide for parents, students and communities” was found this morning when cleaning my bookshelves.  I have no idea when I picked it up, and there’s no copyright date, but judging from the dates of resources, I’d guess about 2002.  Many websites listed.  However, it’s pretty clear this battle has been lost, at least since the President “came out of the closet” in 2012 whereas before he supported marriage.  (It’s recently been revealed that he lied in 2008 to keep the black vote.)

Somehow, support for marriage and the promotion of homosexuality has become conflated.  So these days, if a parent were to object to any of these tactics, he would be called homophobic, a bully, and probably risk having the child expelled.

New look in the cottage kitchen

Last July there was a terrific rain storm in Lakeside, and although the interior windows were closed, the outside storm over the kitchen sink was not and water filled up in the well, ran down inside the wall, out on to the floor, and actually dampened the counter top under the Formica, causing bubbling.  So we hired a contractor, selected a new color, and had the tops replaced.  The finishing work has been very unsatisfactory with a very odd piece of trim added (not in these photos), so like our Columbus changes, it will appear to drag on for awhile until the contractor decides to fix it.

This week-end we also replaced the microwave, and made more space for food preparation. It’s not that I do a lot of cooking there, but I seem to do more there than in Columbus. Gave me a good excuse to clean out all the cabinets with the flotsam and jetsam of 25 years.  Now I have empty space.  I wish I could get this done in Columbus!

The stove is only about 2 years old, replacing the 50 something that was there.  It’s a good example of penny wise and pound foolish; for another $20 I could have had a door with glass and a temperature gauge that actually worked, but I bought bottom of the appliance barrel. Always buy mid-price with the fewest bells and whistles—I knew that, but let the price influence me.

Political correctness in reporting

On WOSU (PBS) this morning I watched a very moving story about minorities in Pakistan targeted by "militants" (kidnapping, murder, rape) and how the children are bravely preparing in body and spirit. The minorities were unnamed (appeared to be lighter and more Asian than Pakistanis) as were the "militants." Misuse of air time. It was not reporting; it was CYA.

One can only guess at the minority being terrorized. The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2002 estimates the Shi'a population between 10-12%, among which around 900,000 are Ismailis which is a sect of Shi'i Muslims and who pay tribute to their living spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. It also lists Christians at 2.09 million; Ahmadis at 286,000, Hindus at 1.03 million; Parsis, Buddhists, and Sikhs at 20,000 each; and Baha'is at 50,000-100,000. (Wikipedia)

The First Amendment is offensive to Democrats

Judge Rosemary Pooler, a Clinton appointee, agreed with New York’s position [to ban the 'Choose Life' license plate design] in her majority opinion. She took this view even though she also ruled that license plates are private speech subject to First Amendment protections. Despite these protections, however, she said that so many New Yorkers could find a plate advocating an anti-abortion position 'patently offensive' that the DMV was justified in suppressing the speech.

Liberals on the couch again--the fainting couch--seeing something they disagree with could be offensive. Almost every speech the President gives is offensive to me, but I think he has the right and responsibility to speechify.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/05/22/n-y-allowed-to-exclude-choose-life-plates-from-specialty-license-plate-program-because-they-are-patently-offensive/

Why the recovery remains sluggish

“Whereas jobs are the first priority for most Americans, the Administration’s regulatory and legislative agenda has had the effect of reducing jobs rather than creating them. Energy and environmental regulation, new financial legislation, the new health care law, and proposed tax increases all serve to drive jobs abroad rather than foster domestic growth.”

If you look at the recovery from the Depression of the 1930s, particularly 1937 when a “2nd” recession kicked in the the implementation of Social Security, you see the same Democrat pattern, regardless of who is president.  More regulations, more taxes, more taking advantage of a crisis to work in a social program.  Kill it when it starts to breath.

Regulatory barriers to employment

It’s just a couple of paragraphs, but tells volumes

“Rancor and polarization in Washington are nothing new, and indeed are deeply rooted. Psychologists have noted that hard conservatives tend to be traditionalists predisposed to maintaining the status quo at almost all cost, while extreme left-leaners want and demand “change.” In other words, the far left lives for change; for traditionalists, it’s a four-letter word. Is it any wonder they can’t get along?

You can see this in liberals’ well-intended idealism about income equality and other social progress, without regard for the financial consequences. You can see it in conservatives’ unrelenting cries for an unfettered free market, without regard to the social consequences. Nothing gets done when these two unmovable sides cling to their extreme views. “

Think about these words.  Exactly who are the “extreme left-leaners?”

• Communist, anarchists, Occupiers, Black Power elitists and angry atheists.  They kill people.  They put them in prison.

And who are “traditionalists who want the status quo” for whom change is a 4 letter word.  

• Almost no one I can think of.  Certainly not the Tea Party who are not a party, have never killed anyone, and are looking for and promising change; not libertarians who are primarily whiners, morally whip lashed by abortion and gay marriage and also have never killed or imprisoned anyone, and definitely not Republicans who are spineless and almost without any virtue. You can’t even throw capitalists into that bag because that would be millionaires like the Clintons and the Kardashians.

The author of those paragraphs (don’t know his affiliation, but I’m guessing he’s a capitalist who votes Democrat) is in charge of an obesity think tank who seems to think responsibility for fat America is either big food or big government or both, and if they’d just work together, we’d all be healthier.  Well, I’ve lost a lot of weight in my life time, and I know neither one is responsible for my putting it on, nor did they assist in my taking it off.

We don’t need a single purchase of processed or packaged food to add weight and calories.  You just need a delicious recipe, frequent eating out, and lots of couch sitting.

Hank Cardello

Search my blog for recipes

And I don’t for a minute believe that leftist organizations and non-profits want a healthier America.  They just want food corporations out of business. But then I’m a conservative.

Meet Lawrence O’Donnell, proud to be a liberal liar

This guy sure doesn't know his American history. Republicans were the champions of blacks and voting rights. Democrats fought them all the way--with the KKK, btw. They didn't end segregation--they furthered it until someone realized blacks vote, at least when Democrats allowed them. It wasn't liberals who got women the right to vote, it was women of all parties and philosophies, thank you very much. And they were already voting in the state and local elections. Liberals have contributed to the destruction of over 50 million Americans, 38% of them black, and half of them female, by advocating abortion as a "health" plan. All major social programs up to Obamacare which was just theft from the private sector, had full support of both parties. Neither party should brag on the War on Poverty which both have supported because it has left the poor wounded and victimized. None could have been passed without Republican support. Wear your badge proudly, Mr. O'Donnell, but you win no prize for truth telling.

The goal of the Muslim Brotherhood

The goal of the Muslim Brotherhood is not difficult to understand:  First the individual, then the family, then the society and the globe to Islamicize all areas of life.  “A fundamental transformation” . . .it may be on the ropes in Egypt, but is alive and well in the U.S. well connected to the White House through friendships, organizations and appointments.

http://www.hudson.org/policycenters/6-current-trends-in-islamist-ideology

Score card for the coming Islamicization of the globe

More than you'll want to know about ISIS, al-Qaeda, AQAP, Houthis, Salafism, Muslim Brotherhood, The Caliphate, Isa bin Maryam [Koran name for Jesus] and the various leaders and jihadists, their history and ties to "total transformation" of the globe to Islam. Don't try this on your phone. You'll need at least a laptop and perhaps a printer to focus. 6 articles, 128 pages. No time? Bookmark it. You might need it.

http://www.hudson.org/content/researchattachments/attachment/1470/current_trends18.pdf

Opening night at Hoover was early this year

The kick-off in a coolish  Hoover Auditorium last night was “The Sounds of Sousa Band” with director Marcus L. Neiman. Tonight will be “Let’s Hang On”, a Frankie Valli Tribute show—which was here last summer and was very good. It should be a good draw for tourists on the peninsula who aren’t acquainted with Lakeside.   There will be 2 week-ends of programming before the Methodists come.  We’re seeing friends and neighbors already, and the Patio restaurant opened yesterday for lunch (my husband hung his paintings in there on Thursday). The book store and gift shops are open, and today is the big plant sale.  Walnut Street is a riot of color.  And there are the usual interesting yard sales, which I will try to avoid, because I sure don’t need more “stuff” or books. When we walked past the miniature golf course on Thursday afternoon, we couldn’t believe it would be ready, but it is and looks fabulous.  All new holes and wonderful landscaping. I’m not particularly fond of the game, but did play a bit when I was younger, and when I was looking for something for the children to do.

“As part of Lakeside Chautauqua’s Memorial Day weekend entertainment, “Let’s Hang On!” Frankie Valli Tribute Show will return to Hoover Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23. “Let’s Hang On!” is a tribute show that leads the audience through the ca­reer of Frankie Valli & The Four Sea­sons, a popular group from the 1960s and the musical, Jersey Boys. Not only do the four members of “Let’s Hang On!” sing the songs of this iconic group with a four-piece live band, but they also tell the story of how Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons originated.

After the group came to fame in 1962, their success grew rapidly. Although Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons were a hit in the 1960s, the music of this band has not faded. The musical Jersey Boys is popular again with 10 years on Broadway and two touring companies. Last summer, Clint Eastwood di­rected the movie “Jersey Boys,” star­ring John Lloyd Young and Christopher Walken.” from Lakeside  calendar of events

Sunday evening is Jack Hanna.

Do you really want this couple to be Bill Clinton’s third term?

Organizations addressed by Bill Clinton include the U.S. Islamic World Forum (between $250,000 and $500,000 contributed), a South Korean energy and chemical company ( between $500,00 and $1 million), the China Real Estate Development Corp., and the Qatar First Investment Bank (both paying between $250,000 and $500,000).

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/22/clinton-foundation-reveals-up-to-264m-in-previously-undisclosed-payments/

Dark Chocolate is good for us

I have one or two cups of dark chocolate drink in the morning.  I make my own brew. Lately, I’ve been having the chocolate drink before my coffee.  Hersey’s dark chocolate powder, brown box, 100% cacao, adding half the sugar/sweetener recommended. I like it made with about 1/4 cup decaf coffee, with milk added. Yummy and energy inducing.

1) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Heart

2) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Brain

Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. Dark chocolate also helps reduce your risk of stroke.

Dark chocolate also contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical your brain creates when you feel like you're falling in love. PEA encourages your brain to release endorphins, so eating dark chocolate will make you feel happier.

3) Dark Chocolate Helps Control Blood Sugar

Dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation unimpaired to protect against type 2 diabetes.

4) Dark Chocolate is Full of Antioxidants

Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer.

5) Dark Chocolate Contains Theobromine

Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which has been shown to harden tooth enamel. Theobromine is also a mild stimulant, though not as strong as caffeine.

6) Dark Chocolate is High in Vitamins and Minerals

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health.

• Potassium
• Copper
• Magnesium 
• Iron

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/6-health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate.html

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/nutrition/food-choices/benefits-of-chocolate

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/07/chocolate-brain-blood-flow-thinking-skills_n_3721880.html

http://darkchocolatebrands.net/top-health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate.html#.VV-IYWfbL0c

Bison return to Illinois

The next time I’m in Franklin Grove, I think I stop by the preserve and try to see the bison.

At least 30 million bison grazed the North American prairies in the 1500s, allowing plants to grow and attract native animals. But over-hunting killed most of the iconic creatures, crushing the population to less than 1,000 by the 1800s, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

With the help of ranchers and conservationists, bison have made a comeback. A 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture census shows more than 198,000 bison on private properties across the country, with more than 1,200 in Illinois. An additional 20,000 bison roam public land in the U.S.

Ninety miles west of Chicago, staff and volunteers have worked since 1986 to restore Nachusa, a 3,100-acre mosaic of agricultural land and prairie fields. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-04-22/news/ct-illinois-bison-met-20140422_1_prairie-fields-bison-tallgrass

And a new baby. http://www.inquisitr.com/1992159/illinois-baby-bison/

Islamic TV in Columbus

I watched a segment on our Islamic channel this morning about dawah, or proselytizing/preaching and offering an invitation. The speaker said 1) Listening is the key to establishing a relationship, then 2) thank the person for his question no matter how abusive and misinformed because that disarms the hate. Since both Muslims and Christians are learning the same messaging techniques, let's hope the message of salvation is different.

In another segment, the speaker had a red, white, blue ball cap with stars and stripes, and long white beard, a Midwestern good ol’ boy accent, and explained how to tangle Christians in their own misinformation about their own religion as they are led to Islam. Culture awareness swings both ways.

Also, there was religious leader advising parents on their children's marriages--good English, accented, alternating with phrases in Arabic, and I think he was speaking from Sri Lanka, but is U.S. based. He warned them--there are plenty of good women, few good men of character and honesty. He suggested they stop seeking the perfect mate for their daughters--we don't live in the same culture of even 10 years ago. Don't tolerate long engagements--just a reason for sex and unhappiness for your daughters. Sometimes abortions. He counsels them and hears what their parents don't. He railed against social media--Twitter and Facebook--and said the only reason he used it was to promote Islam, but that their children could be led astray.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Ravi Zacharias Baccalaureate address 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdxVhqncmP4

We hear about some that aren’t so good, this one is excellent.

And Ben Carson in 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Foz-EjZ3g

Our lost blood and treasure—frittered away by Obama and followers

“The hasty retreat this week of the Iraqi army from the capital of Anbar province, the country’s largest and the heartland of its Sunni minority, clearly stunned an administration that has argued it is making steady progress toward Obama’s goal of debilitating and defeating the Islamic State.” WaPo, chief lap sitter of the WH

Good God, even Washington Post?

Take his daughter to work on your tax dollar

I was reading the USDA page about waste (Americans waste an obscene amount of food, much of which I’m convinced is because of government regulations about safety, labeling, quality, etc.) http://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/# So as I was browsing, I saw there was a blog. I’m a blogger, so I clicked and found out it was written by a 15 year old who had gone to work with her dad, Director of the USDA Climate Change Program Office in Washington, D.C. —several states away in Michigan, since he was a government employee attending a conference with people (farmers, producers, processors) who also had flown in to Michigan from around the country slurping up fuel and leaving a huge carbon footprint in the process. http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/04/28/on-bring-your-daughter-to-work-day-a-local-student-learns-about-climate-change/

She’s been brainwashed about Earth Day and Climate Change (it’s her father’s livelihood), but what I noticed was how much money was being wasted for show. I attended many conferences in my professional life, and made wonderful friends, some still on Facebook with me, but they are opportunities for cities and hotels and invited speakers to make money and the people in the profession to add to their resume for Promotion and Tenure.

So here’s the comment I left on the blog.

I didn't know "Take your daughter to work day" was still in place. But the "cha-ching" of the cost of doing this, travel, hotel, food, conference facilities, flying people around the country to attend a conference that could easily have been done via Skype or e-mail or just reading the literature is the first thing that jumped out at me. And then the really big one: "incentives," aka my tax money. And carbon credits--what a scam. All for Earth Day, to honor Rachel Carson who killed more black children than the cross Atlantic slave trade after she got DDT off the market before there were replacements.

If Bush lied, then Democrats committed treason

Of course, Bush lied--well, maybe not. Perhaps Democrats like Clinton, Biden, Reid, Pelosi, etc. lied about WMD? First supported the war, then stabbed our brave military personnel in the back.  They warned us about the security threat from Saddam. Don't let them rewrite history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhZ2ZvS2t_E&feature=youtu.be

European union will fight illegal immigration—will we?

“LONDON — The European Union on Monday [May 18, 2015]  approved the use of military force to take on migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean, significantly escalating Europe’s response to a crisis that has left at least 1,800 people dead this year.

The decision allows European governments to move ahead with plans for a naval operation that has been taking shape for weeks and that officials say is crucial to any attempt to confront the burgeoning tide of smuggler vessels ferrying migrants from North ­Africa to Europe.” Washington Post

Exercising with Eric

Today the YouTube I found for my exercise routine was our own Pastor Eric Waters in an "reenactment" of his July 4, 2010 sermon of several years ago. We're not usually here in the summer, but I did attend this meeting. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AseCsgLcrvw

If you Google Eric Waters, you’ll have to wade through all the ones about an athlete by that name.

Why there is an income gap

Five people in a household working make more money than one person working part time.

Households with two full-time workers earn five times as much as households in which nobody works.

Here is a summary  (from 2010) of some of the key demographic differences between American households in the bottom and top income quintiles in 2010:

1. On average, there were significantly more income earners per household in the top income quintile households (1.97) than earners per household in the lowest-income households (0.43).

2. Married-couple households represented a much greater share of the top income quintile (78.4 percent) than for the bottom income quintile (17 percent), and single-parent or single households represented a much greater share of the bottom quintile (83 percent) than for the top quintile (21.6 percent).

3. Roughly 3 out of 4 households in the top income quintile included individuals in their prime earning years between the ages of 35-64, compared to only 43.6 percent of household members in the bottom fifth who were in that age group.

4. Compared to members of the top income quintile, household members in the bottom income quintile were 1.6 times more likely to be in the youngest age group (under 35 years), and three times more likely to be in the oldest age group (65 years and over).

5. More than four times as many top quintile households included at least one adult who was working full-time in 2010 (77.2 percent) compared to the bottom income quintile (only 17.4 percent), and more than five times as many households in the bottom quintile included adults who did not work at all (68.2 percent) compared to top quintile households whose family members did not work (13.3 percent).

6. Family members of households in the top income quintile were about five times more likely to have a college degree (60.3 percent) than members of households in the bottom income quintile (only 12.1 percent). In contrast, family members of the lowest income quintile were 12 times more likely than those in the top income quintile to have less than a high school degree in 2010 (26.7 percent vs. 2.2 percent).

Coffee research

Free image from Pixabay.com

Do you need some more reasons to enjoy that cup of coffee in the morning? I switched to decaf because of a-fib, but it still has the good stuff. A really good summary of current research. http://samadimd.com/latesthealth/coffee-and-your-health

I watch Dr. Samadi on week-ends on Fox, and find him a good balance between sound research and alternative concepts.

I've tried several brands of decaf (never brewed coffee until about 2 years ago) and have settled on Folger's. I like it with some half n half, or if mixing it with dark chocolate, about half a cup of 2% milk. I use a little Mr. Coffee machine, and have no problem with reheating in the microwave, which brings nightmares to purists.

Exercise for body, mind and spirit

My exercycle is in my office. I try to use it 35-45 minutes a day, in 1 mile segments--which is about 6 minutes, 24 calories. I've learned to walk around some after each so I don't irritate my bursitis. But I really don't like exercise, never have, so I look through the worship bulletin (Lutheran) and select a hymn or two, Google it with the words You Tube. Sometimes it's just audio, but that's really what I want. That way I'm helping body, mind (hearing but not reading is terribly challenging for me) and spirit; a good way to start the day. This morning I found instruction on The Athanasian Creed. That may be more than I wanted to know and it's 19 minutes--good for 3 miles.

If we say this creed once a year at UALC: Upper Arlington Lutheran Church I'd be surprised. It's difficult, long, theological and quite dogmatic. Those qualities make it challenging for 21st century Christians who prefer to clap, swing and sway during worship.

The narrator/scholar seems to want no inconsistencies, nothing illogical, no paradoxes, everything linear, in other words, very 20th century. I prefer to think it a wonderful statement/summary of 4th-5th c. Christianity, one it wouldn't hurt to review from time to time.

Cash for influence

“Almost a decade ago, as Hillary Clinton ran for re-election to the Senate on her way to seeking the presidency for the first time, the New York Times reported on her unusually close relationship with Corning, Inc., an upstate glass titan. Clinton advanced the company's interests, racking up a big assist by getting China to ease a trade barrier. And the firm's mostly Republican executives opened up their wallets for her campaign.

During Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State, Corning lobbied the department on a variety of trade issues, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The company has donated between $100,000 and $250,000 to her family's foundation. And, last July, when it was clear that Clinton would again seek the presidency in 2016, Corning coughed up a $225,500 honorarium for Clinton to speak.”

http://www.vox.com/2015/5/16/8614881/Hillary-Clinton-took-money

Even the American Institute of Architects. . .

Free stock photos

You can get in trouble using unattributed photos on your website.  But here are some free sites.  I always search the word “horses,” or “horse,” even if searching Library of Congress images.  Here’s one of me riding a horse downloaded from Pixabay.

http://bloggerspassion.com/finding-free-images/

This one is from Free Public Archives

.

The cross is an offense to the unbeliever

"The message of the crucifixion is insanity to the lost, but to those of us who have life it is the power of God." (Aramaic Bible in Plain English.)

You would almost think this is from the Onion (parody/humor site), but I checked several versions. "Crosses in every room at Washington D.C.’s Catholic University of America are a human rights violation that prevent Muslim students from praying. That’s the complaint to the Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights filed by a professor from rival George Washington University across town."

http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/news/2011/10/lawsuit-says-crosses-at-catholic-university-offensive-prevent-muslim-prayers.php

http://sonsoflibertymedia.com/2015/05/catholic-university-investigated-for-having-too-many-crosses-because-its-offensive-to-muslims/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/10/28/muslims_want_crosses_at_catholic_university_removed_before_they_pray#!

Childlessness decreasing, family size increasing

“Among women in the United States, postgraduate education and motherhood are increasingly going hand-in-hand. The share of highly educated women who are remaining childless into their mid-40s has fallen significantly over the past two decades. Today, about one-in-five women ages 40 to 44 with a master’s degree or higher (22%) have no children – down from 30% in 1994, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released Census Bureau data.”

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2015/05/2015-05-07_children-ever-born_FINAL.pdf

Lemon Lush—could it be?

This sounds a little like  Lemon Dessert at McKinley Hall at the University of Illinois.  I won’t know unless I try it, and right now I’m not doing any desserts.  Also, in the 50s, I don’t think our cooks would have used an instant pudding mix.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, divided
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 (3.4-ounce) packages lemon instant pudding mix
2 2/3 cups milk

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Combine flour, 1/2 cup pecans and butter in a medium bowl and mix well. Press onto the bottom of an 11 x 8-inch baking dish. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Let stand to cool.

Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set at medium speed until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until mixture is light and fluffy.

Add 1 cup whipped topping to cream cheese mixture and fold in gently. Spread over cooled crust.

Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl. Beat until thickened. Spread on top of cream cheese layer. Top with the remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Chill, covered, for 1 hour. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Who is asking for favors from the Clintons?

http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/05/16/in-one-fell-swoop-clinton-foundation-exposes-dozens-in-media-with-list-of-donors-204968

Here's the list of all the media figures who are donors to the Clinton Foundation. With all the established charities with good track records that are not tied to political figures, I wonder why both liberals and conservatives would be hedging their bets that our next president would be Hillary? The Clinton Foundation gives a pittance to charity--most goes to staff and PR. And to buy influence and publicity. I'm not really asking, I know the answer.

There is no diversity on college campuses

Ninety-six percent of donations in the data set from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which includes Harvard College, supported Democratic efforts. That figure was even higher—nearly 98 percent—at Harvard Law School." I hope this doesn't come as a shock--but our campuses have no diversity of thought. They are the farm clubs for Democrat plantations.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/5/1/faculty-political-contributions-data-analysis

“I am amazed at how high that number is,” FAS Dean Michael D. Smith said.  I’m not.

The Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee that supported both Obama’s reelection and the Democratic National Committee, was the single largest recipient of contributions in the data set in this time frame, at $541,001, or 18 percent of all donations. The second largest recipient, with 10 percent of total donations, was Obama’s official re-election campaign, Obama for America. It received $294,107 from faculty, instructors, and researchers in the data set.

The third- and fourth-largest beneficiaries were former Harvard Law School professor Elizabeth Warren’s successful campaign for the U.S. Senate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s second unsuccessful presidential bid, respectively. Both occurred in the 2012 election cycle.

How ISIS gets its money and where it goes

CNN had a excellent "short" on how and where ISIS gets its money. Extortion, kidnapping, theft, arms trading, slavery, you name it, they've mafia'd it. And although I didn't hear much about ISIS (ISIL, IS) until last summer, this is a vast, well run money organization that didn't develop over night, and how did our President call them JV? They seem better organized than a lot of our state and local entities

http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/07/media/isis-brand-media-twitter/

At my age, should I appreciate this joke?

Citizens against government waste—2015 pig book

http://cagw.org/reporting/2015-pig-book

Oink, oink. This little piggy stole your money.

"The latest installment of CAGW’s 23-year exposé of pork-barrel spending includes $120 million to upgrade the M1 Abrams tank, which is opposed by the Pentagon; $15 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, a pet project of Senate Appropriations Committee member Patty Murray (D-Wash.); $5.9 million for the East-West Center, an earmark championed by Senate Appropriations Committee member Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii); and $4,000,000 for the aquatic plant control program."

Surprise. Congress has different definition of "pork" so it says there is no waste. Sounds like the War on Poverty is still in the trenches.

"$21,800,000 for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which is a 38.9 percent increase over the $15.7 million earmark in FY 2014. ARC was created by Congress in 1965 to “bring the 13 Appalachian states into the mainstream of the American economy.”

Additional costs of doing business are always passed along to customers

“The Health Insurance Providers Fee (in Obamacare) was aimed at insurance companies. The thinking went: Because insurers would gain a windfall of customers, they ought to help pay for the expansion of coverage. Insurers say they have raised prices for individuals and small businesses to cover the new tax.

As it turns out, they are raising their prices to state Medicaid programs, too.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2015/05/16/inside-washington-insurers-pass-health-law-tax-along-to-states-could-cost-13b/

Work through that bad mood with a walk

At Metro Fitness today I chatted with a woman who is a personal care giver; she exercises 3 hours a day, she told me. Her client is in her 90s, still smokes, and is on oxygen. I'd exercise that much, too, if I had her job.

The ex-wives club

I see no reason Bruce Jenner's three ex-wives can't marry each other so they can get government benefits. There is no reason to limit marriage to two people if we’re not limiting it to a man and a woman. They all seem to like each other, they’ve shared step children, plus years of sex with Jenner. As a bonus, now they could all wear each others clothes and won't have to share them with him. He’ll be able to buy his own.

Millionaire rapper Azealia Banks hates the country and white teens that made her rich and famous

“I hate everything about this country,” Banks told the men’s magazine (Playboy, she's on the cover). “Like, I hate fat white Americans. All the people who are crunched into the middle of America, the real fat and meat of America, are these racist conservative white people who live on their farms. Those little teenage girls who work at Kmart and have a racist grandma — that’s really America.”. . .

Banks has previously called for reparations in America, a point which she claims angered a lot of her white fans. “Why do I have to explain this to y’all?” she said. “My little white fans will be like, ‘Why do you want reparations for work you didn’t do?’ Well, you got handed down your grandfather’s estate and you got to keep your grandmother’s diamonds and pearls and shit.” (Mediaite.com)”

What a classy performer fat, white, poor, rural, teens are paying their hard earned money to so a high school drop out can be a millionaire. And she luvs Obama--thinks he's so fine. No surprise there.

I’m tagging this “celebrities,” because I don’t have “a-hole” as a tag, but also I’d never heard of her before seeing the article.

The Gotcha question

The Iraq question isn’t the only gotcha question Jeb Bush will be getting about his brother. Just as Hillary will be carrying Bill, so Jeb and Dubya.  I believe he handled it poorly—and Marco Rubio did an excellent job and said the closest to what I would say.

• Who in the world “would have gone into Iraq knowing what we know today (in May 2015).
• Who could have known the next president (Obama) would take a war won in Afghanistan, and essentially won in Iraq (after the surge) and throw it all away because he made promises to the far left to get elected and then play footsy with Iraq and draw meaningless lines in the sand?
• Knowing now what Obama would do, of course, Saddam would have been the choice to hold Iraq in check. He was a really bad dude, and the Iraqis and Iranians are different ethnic groups.
• Now we know what Obama intends, and Saddam could be useful if not dead.
• Osama bin Laden’s death has probably led to the growth of ISIS, so that’s on Obama’s record. A year ago, none of us had ever heard of ISIS.
• Bush acted on intelligence from the Clinton era and the Democrat candidates in 2000 were really beating the war drums about WMD.
• Obama acted on intelligence from the Bush era.

How far back should we go? What if Truman had decided to undo the tentative allied victory in Europe and not use the bomb on Japan? What if there had been no Communists in FDRs cabinet and administration to push for giving Eastern Europe to the Russians laying the ground work for almost half a century of domination by the powerhouse USSR that we helped create?

I’d like to hear a candidate play the history “what if” game and out smart the reporters reading a script. The Republican candidates will all run from the Iraq-Afghanistan wars, and no one will turn the table to speak on Obama’s complete failure in the middle east. But if such a candidate emerges from the large, talented field of Republicans, I’ll vote for him/her.

Did you know the Republicans outlawed the Klan?

In 1871, the Republican-controlled 42nd Congress passed a Civil Rights Act aimed at the Ku Klux Klan. Guilty of murdering hundreds of African-Americans, this terrorist organization had also eradicated the Republican Party throughout most of the South. The law empowered the Republican administration of Ulysses Grant to protect the civil rights of the former slaves in federal court, bypassing the Democrat-controlled state courts.

The 1871 Civil Rights Act, along with the GOP’s 1870 Civil Rights Act, effectively banned the Klan and enabled Republican officials to arrest hundreds of Klansmen. Though the U.S. Supreme Court would eventually strike down most of the 1871 Civil Rights Act, the Ku Klux Klan was crushed. The KKK did not rise again until the Democratic administration of President Woodrow Wilson.

See more stories at Review of America

God spoke

Reading first chapter of Genesis: "And God said" seven times about light and dark, waters, vegetation, heavenly bodies, creatures of the seas and skies and then livestock, and when he finished He saw that it was good. The eighth time he spoke He created male and female made in his image blessing them to increase and rule over the rest of creation and then he said it was all "very good," and rested.

Why are people fat?

I see a lot of speculation and research on why people are fat--everything from fast food, to TV, to women returning to the workforce in the 1970s, to antibiotics in childhood, to genetics. So when I look at pictures of paintings from the 17th century, or photos of my family reunions in the 1920s, and no one had fast food, everyone had physical work, there was no modified or processed food and they look just as overweight in middle age as today, I do wonder what the researchers are missing. Frick Hals portrait

Obama got the gimmes

Obama wants just a smidgen more from the rich to support his failing pre-school idea (for over 50 years and trillions of dollars Head Start designed to end poverty has shown no permanent gains in education for children). I admire the foundations the super wealthy support, but really, they can do both--just don't take the tax deduction and they'll have Obama's wish that the wealthy pay more. Also, it's been known for years that conservatives and middle income people contribute... to charity at higher rates than the super wealthy. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy red states are more generous than blue states. The eight states where residents gave the highest share of income to charity went for John McCain in 2008. The seven-lowest ranking states supported Barack Obama. So wanting others to pay more sort of goes with the political philosophy. "Am I my brother's keeper" was first said by Cain after he killed Abel. I thought this was not a good choice of words for Obama's big push to help black men and Latino men.

The Amtrak business model is off the rails, too

Temporarily inconvenienced

Eventually, most people have back spasms--I blame my short legs, but my son has long legs and the same problem. My dad and other family members, too. Mostly, I blame my horse which fell on me when I was 12, and that's the first time I felt like my dad walked. I slept on the floor last night, I'm like a sausage in my back brace, and am standing to do most things like reading or computer. I'll have to get some help to unload the dishwasher. Driving the car is awful--and it's my turn to do the church mail run today. Yes, a blatant plea for sympathy.

Keystone pipeline

The only reason to fight it is to help our enemies. It's safer and more environmentally friendly than ocean transport of crude which requires huge energy resources and pollution to move oil here from the middle east; it benefits our neighbor Canada (who would otherwise sell to China) and hurts our enemies supplying radical jihadists. And crude by rail? Think about Philadelphia. “In the U.S., 70% of crude oil and petroleum products are shipped by pipeline. 23% of oil shipments are on tankers and barges over water. Trucking only accounts for 4% of shipments, and rail for a mere 3%. In Canada, it’s even more lopsided. Almost all (97%) of natural gas and petroleum products are transported by pipelines. “

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/04/26/pick-your-poison-for-crude-pipeline-rail-truck-or-boat/

The President has discovered the poor

The President of the U.S. has just discovered poverty—for his entire presidency he’s focused on the middle class.  And he thinks if he could just get a few more percentage points from the wealthiest Americans he could "invest" their money in that pre-school program--you know the one--sort of like Head Start I suppose which even government studies say have never benefitted kids for 50 years. Never mind that Democrats since 1964 have been claiming more money will eliminate poverty while they pocket a lot of it on the pass through to the poor.

I have a better idea, Mr. President. All rich Democrats, say those in the top 5% like the Obamas, Holders, Clintons, Kennedys, Pelosis, Reids, etc. could just fire their tax accountants and pay taxes without taking advantage of all the deductions the rich get that the poor don't--donations for foundations, art museums and political causes (like the Clintons), real estate taxes, business and investment loses, costs of doing business, etc. That should bring in enough to at least run a few model preschools in Democrat-run cities with Democrat mayors in states with Democrat governors--like Baltimore.

Also President Obama thinks the wealthy of America won some sort of luck lottery and should start paying more (they already pay most of the taxes in our progressive tax system) so the government can invest their money for them. Has anyone told him Brin (Google) was an immigrant from Russia where his father was denied opportunity by the Communist government because he was a Jew, or that Jobs (Apple) was a college dropout with dyslexia adopted at birth by a middle income couple? Perhaps it is luck to grow up in a capitalist country within a good family-- so maybe Obama could be more positive about those things instead of tearing down achievers. What gives him the right to impugn the intelligence and hard work of others?

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/05/12/barack-obama-calls-for-renewed-government-focus-on-poverty/

I’m just too fit

It just doesn't pay to be too fit. I did all the planks in exercise class today ( engage your back, arms, shoulders, glutes, and hamstrings) and the arm stuff--all the reps.  Something I certain couldn’t do in December. At home changing my shoes I threw out my back. But at least I now can wear the back brace and regular clothes!

Pastors will be required to marry gays or face jail

Our liberal friends and relatives said we were awfulizing about the same sex marriage thing--it was all just about equality, about love. Not so. It's about forcing Christians, Jews, Muslims to violate their faith. Very few gays want the 1300+ laws and regulations that go with marriage--they haven't used the protections they already have for their partners. Local ordinances are written to violate the first amendment which then imposes fear and law suits. Pastors will have to agree to gay marriage or get out of the business. Sermons will be monitored--after all, churches use common frequencies in broadcasting, and have benefits as tax exempt entities (and requirements). Churches have schools and content will have to promote "equality" for sex practices.

"Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, city officials have laid down the law to Christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines."

Prayer a good start to the day

Some days I'm quicker to start the coffee pot than to pray, but the message is still good. Today I started in the bathroom brushing my teeth and praying for those in the Philadelphia Amtrak accident, for the injured, for the families of the deceased, for the first responders. We don't need to be on our knees. God is the original social media source. Never misses a call.

Strangling business with regulations

The major regulations imposed by the Obama administration now cost Americans more than $80 billion a year—twice as much as the rules issued by the Bush administration at the six-year mark, according to a Heritage Foundation report released today.

The report, “Red Tape Rising: Six Years of Escalating Regulation Under Obama,” documents an increase of 27 major rules in 2014, which brings the administration’s total to 184.

http://dailysignal.com/2015/05/12/the-obama-administrations-major-regulations-cost-more-than-80-billion-annually/

Economic recovery did more than Obamacare

“The RAND Corporation has published a thorough analysis of Obamacare's effect on health insurance that should have put an end to the Obamacare success narrative. Unfortunately, too many continue to confuse the effect of the delayed recovery with Obamacare. What the RAND study really shows is that employer-based benefits have been restored as jobs have started to come back.

The headline is that 172.7 million people, ages 18-64, are covered in 2015, versus only 155.8 million in 2013. The number of uninsured dropped by 16.9 million from 42.7 million to 25.8 million, falling from 21.5 percent to 13.0 percent of the population in that age group.

However, the RAND survey examines people insured or uninsured at a point in time, reporting changes from September 2013 through February 2015. The good news is the number of people with employer-based benefits increased by 8 million, from 111.9 million to 119.9 million (The total population is adjusted for death, aging and migration over the period.) Digging deeper, it looks like this improvement would have been much higher, but for Obamacare.”

http://healthblog.ncpa.org/economic-growth-improved-health-coverage-more-than-obamacare-did/

Look who’s giving advice about what churches should do?

The President.

“President Obama suggested that people of faith should focus more on helping the poor, instead of focusing on divisive issues such as gay marriage and abortion. During a panel discussion on poverty at Georgetown University, Obama specifically referred to his own Christian faith, pointing out that he recognized the importance speaking out about the issue as president.” http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/12/obama-churches-should-focus-more-on-poverty-instead-of-abortion-and-gay-marriage/

Why bother to prevent the 38% of abortions that are for black women when you can be assisting the fraction of the 2% who are even remotely interested in same sex marriage. Most of the 126 transfer of wealth programs of the federal and state governments were originally patterned after programs begun and maintained by churches. It was the government that then set up regulations that snarled and strangled the work. Christians started the schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, homes for the poor and indigent, even the penitentiaries (for the penitent)--even the Peace Corps was patterned after what the Quakers, Brethren and Mennonites set up after WWII. He not only doesn't know the past, he doesn't know the present. The Catholic church is the largest social service agency in the U.S.—the only organization large enough and powerful enough to actually challenge the federal government and its heavy handed ways. Increasingly, churches are accepting government money for everything from food pantries to chastity programming in the schools.  That’s a pact with the devil.

"The number of Christians dropped by almost 8 percentage points in seven years to 71 percent, and the trend holds across race, gender, education, and geographic dimensions, though Christianity still dominates American religious identity at 70 percent." (Newsmax)   Hmmm. I wonder what else has been going on the last 7 years--1) a leader who promises the government is your hope for change, and 2) followers who would rather play cyber-community with their phones than have real community within a church.

And look what the Methodists are doing instead of taking care of the poor or preaching the gospel. I'm not picking on Methodists, really, because this is pretty much the platform of all the main line Board of Directors/General Synod/ Big pooh bahs, who use the culture created by TV and Hollywood as their Gospel.

"The world’s lone Jewish state must be singled out for punitive divestment campaigns, while we should at the same time promote economic investment in North Korea, whose government has done absolutely nothing in the area of human rights worthy of specific criticism. And we should take our broad support for sex outside of marriage one step further by advocating to legalize prostitution.

This was the moral vision offered by our United Methodist Church’s apportionment-funded D.C. lobby office, the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) at its Spring 2015 board of directors meeting."http://juicyecumenism.com/2015/05/11/methodist-lobby-divest-from-israel-invest-in-north-korea-legalize-prostitution/

At the intersection of Grievance Culture and the Welfare State

“If the Ferguson outrage and riots were about “lack of representation” or “lack of voice,” this cannot be said about Baltimore. The city council is majority black, the police department is approximately 40 percent black, the top two officials running the department are black men, the city has a black mayor, the state’s attorney for Baltimore City — who charged the six officers — is black, the new U.S. attorney general is a black female, and of course the President of the United States is black.

The left has created a culture of anger and entitlement based upon government dependency and the false assertion that racism remains a major problem.”  Larry Elder

Read more at http://blackcommunitynews.com/baltimore-the-intersection-of-the-grievance-culture-and-the-welfare-state/

What’s in the Yogurt?

Let’s avoid for this post (and maybe all posts) GMO, pesticides and happy, contented non-Holstein cows free roaming in green pastures.  I have before me Dannon All natural plan nonfat yogurt (grade A)  and Yoplait plain nonfat yogurt (no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners also Grade A).  I’m not a huge fan of yogurt, but sometimes will use it to cut dressings or add to fruit instead of milk.

Yoplait is made from grade A pasteurized nonfat milk and contains corn starch, gelatin, pectin, Vit. A acetate, Vit. D3 and has 130 calories per cup, zero from fat.

Dannon is made from cultured grade A nonfat milk and pectin. It is 100 calories per cup, zero from fat.

Percentages listed: Yoplait has more sodium, less potassium; both have 12 grams of protein. Then it gets a little complicated as amounts are listed only in percentage.  Yoplait has added vitamin A and D.  Dannon has a higher percentage of Calcium and Phosphorus (probably because it has less filler) and lists some B vitamins which Yoplait doesn’t.

Pectin is a fiber found in fruits and is used in many medicines. “Cornstarch and pectin act as thickening agents, making the yogurt creamier. Kosher gelatin also adds texture to the yogurt. It is often assumed that kosher gelatin is derived from a vegetarian source; however, contrary to common belief, it may also be derived from animal or dairy. Unless a product specifies that its kosher gelatin is derived from a vegetarian source, such as carob beans or agar agar, it may contain animal or dairy products.” (Livestrong.com)

I’ll go with Dannon in the future.

You may be a liberal if . . .

Elijah Cummings, 1996- Democrat

Government sponsored segregation

Baltimore schools budget is about $1.3 billion annually, and federal contribution to Baltimore schools was $184.8 million in 2012 and $169.3 million in 2013.

40 years of block grants

red tape of public housing in Baltimore

Chocolate is better than kissing?

"Some say that eating chocolate is better than kissing, and scientists have dutifully tested this hypothesis . . . In 2007, a team led by Dr. David Lewis recruited pairs of passionate lovers, whose brain activity and heart rate were monitored first while they kissed and then while they ate chocolate (separately). . . although kissing set the heart pounding, the effect did not last as long as [eating] chocolate. The study also showed that when the chocolate started melting, all regions of the brain received a boost far more intense and longer lasting than the brain activity measured while kissing."

"Stuff matters; exploring the marvelous materials that shape our man-made world." by Mark Miodownik, 2013. p.86.

No White House representative at Brian Moore’s funeral

Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson, chair of the Obama administration’s My Brother’s Keeper Task Force, Heather Foster, an adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement, and Elias Alcantara from the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs were sent by Obama to Freddie Gray’s funeral.  There is controversy about Gray’s death and particularly the charges brought against the police, but there’s no lack of evidence of Gray’s long history of crime and arrests.  Johnson and Foster also attended Michael Brown’s funeral along with Marlon Marshall, also of Public Engagement.  Brown had just committed a robbery and assault when he was shot resisting an officer.  As of the latest reports from New York, no one representing the president was sent to officer Brian Moore’s funeral.  Moore was murdered by a thug and has probably saved many black lives by being a NYPD officer, because black lives matter.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/08/obama-ignores-slain-white-police-officer-while-honoring-gray-and-brown/

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/05/obama-sent-3-officials-to-criminal-freddie-grays-funeral-no-one-to-nypd-officer-brian-moores-funeral/#!

ISIS doesn’t just have a target on Pam Geller’s back

This will come as a shock to liberals and progressives, and even some conservatives who have criticized Geller, but ISIS doesn't just dislike conservatives who draw Mohammed, but they hate the liberals too for their belief in the first amendment (which includes religion). You know the one--allows them to ridicule and criticize Christians, stomp on the American flag and attend Michael Moore movies that insult our intelligence. Most of the people they've killed have been Muslim, but they're coming for you, too.

Pam Geller’s abuse of free speech

“I take a back seat to no one when it comes to defending free speech — even that of the worst sorts. We let neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan march and protest because the true test of free speech is that unpopular speech is tolerated. “  But for Pam Geller, she’ll hide in the trunk.

Our kitchen counter top

The news is good--and if it actually happens and I find out the name of the supplier, I'll certainly give them a plug. At the end of February the final touch on our kitchen after months of hassle about 3 new appliances, and a mishap on paint color choice, was new quartz counter top. I'd had marble (don't ever chose that), and granite requires too much care, so quartz seemed the perfect, if expensive, answer, for worry free cooking. After it was installed we found tiny imperfections in... about 6 places. The contractor was mystified; said he'd never seen it before. The supplier sent out an inspector. Now the supplier to that supplier has said they will reinstall, at no cost, not even for the first one, and will reimburse the contractor. So essentially, we'll have a quartz counter top free. . . assuming this all happens. . . and we have been waiting 2 months for it to be resolved.

This kind of bully has approval all the way from the White House down

For years, gays (except librarians, stage actors, ballet dancers, male models, some female athletes, women's clothing designers, and hair dressers) thought they needed to hide their sexual preferences. Despite their fear and self-loathing, gays are the most educated and wealthiest demographic in the country. Again, except librarians.  They weren’t loud, or rich, but they were very out, proving it can be done—even in the 60s and 70s.  But that's all changed now--the president finally came out in 2012 against traditional marriage and the entertainment industry particularly has been relentless for four decades in providing gay themed and gay story line and gay actors for TV and movies--far beyond their 2% representation in the population. So now they are popping out of closets like they've run out of moth balls--professional athletes, news anchors, authors, etc. The response? To demonize Christians who have a biblical view of marriage. So I guess it isn't about sexual preference or love or marriage at all, but about power and bullying, very human traits and behaviors that transcend gender, race, ethnicity and religion.

Maybe a tasty discovery

A concentrated extract of maple syrup makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, according to laboratory experiments by researchers at McGill University.

https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/could-maple-syrup-help-cut-use-antibiotics-246929

"Polyphenolic Extract from Maple Syrup Potentiates Antibiotic Susceptibility and Reduces Biofilm Formation of Pathogenic Bacteria," by Vimal B. Maisuria, Zeinab Hosseinidoust, and Nathalie Tufenkji, is scheduled for publication in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Volume: 81 Issue: 11. To view the accepted manuscript: http://aem.asm.org/content/early/2015/03/23/AEM.00239-15.abstract

Anti-inflammatory diets

They are all similar, and they all sell books.  This article from 2008 in WebMD lists the components. These articles all have enriched links (for making money to support the website).

Specifics vary from diet to diet, but in general anti-inflammatory diets suggest:

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Minimize saturated and trans fats.
• Eat a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or fish oil supplements and walnuts.
• Watch your intake of refined carbohydrates such as pasta and white rice.
• Eat plenty of whole grains such as brown rice and bulgur wheat.
• Eat lean protein sources such as chicken; cut back on red meat and full-fat dairy foods.
• Avoid refined foods and processed foods.
• Spice it up. Ginger, curry, and other spices can have an anti-inflammatory effect.

From Molly’s Fund in 2013: Here are the basics of the anti-inflammatory diet (all versions vary, but this is the general proposal for all:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Minimize saturated and trans fats.
• Eat a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or fish oil supplements and walnuts.
• Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates such as pasta and white rice.
• Eat lots of whole grains such as brown rice and bulgur wheat.
• Choose lean protein sources such as chicken; cutting back on red meat and full-fat dairy foods.
• Avoid refined foods and processed foods.
• Use spices like ginger, curry, and other spices that have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Reading through the paleo diet, I think one could starve in place. You’d at least have a problem at restaurants and parties.

Carrot Cake Smoothie
Serves 1

1 cup chopped carrots
1 frozen banana
6oz cup Chobani Pineapple Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice )
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add almond milk as needed to acquire your desired thickness.
Note: For a vegan option, omit the Greek yogurt (and almond milk) and sub with 1 cup of coconut milk instead.

I haven’t tried this—just using it as an example of something on a Lupus page.  I like making smoothies in my blender—have never tried adding oats.

The China Study has been around a long time—about arthritis and plant food.