P.C. Patrol Enabling the Mentally Ill.

According to the Huffing and Puffington Post, Filipinos Aren’t Happy With This White Woman Claiming To Be Filipina.

In Tampa Florida, someone going by the name Ja Du is self-identifying as a Filipina, despite the fact that he was born a white male. Sadly, the writer of the article, Kimberly Yam insists on referring to "Ja Du" using pronouns such as "she" and "her".

In the video embedded in the article, Ja Du is seen driving around in a "motorized rickshaw" which he claims is called a "tuk tuk". I haven't seen any quite like the one Ja Du is driving in Philippines, but similar vehicles are called "tricycles" or "pedicabs", not "tuk tuk". He'd know that had he ever traveled to Philippines.

An article on the story at truthrevolt.org quotes a local psychologist, Dr.Stacey Beth Scheckner, who maintains that Ja Du's delusions are perfectly fine and dandy:

"If someone feels that they feel at home with a certain religion, a certain race, a certain culture, I think that if that’s who they really feel inside life is about finding out who you are. The more knowledge you have of yourself, the happier you can be. And, as long as it’s not hurting yourself or anyone else, I don’t see a problem with that.
"If that’s who they are and they want to celebrate it and enjoy it, then you have to think what harm is it doing? All they want to do is throw themselves into that culture and celebrate it.
"I think before we get offended, we need to take a step back and think about what is the harm."

The only thing that offends me about this situation, is that quacks like Scheckner are enabling Ja Du's mental illness.

If I Were King............

Back in early October, it was being widely reported that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would be imposing a nationwide ban on cigarette smoking in public before the end of the month. October has come and gone without the smoking ban.

This month, the Department of Health (DOH) recommended that electronic cigarettes (e-cig) and vapes be included in the public smoking ban. Part of the reasoning behind the ban of cigarette smoking in public has to do with the obvious health issues from second-hand smoke. I don't know if e-cigs have the same issues regarding second-hand smoke, but if second-hand smoke is a serious health concern, the Philippine government should consider banning the outdoor burning of trash and refuse.

Being near a house where outdoor burning is going on is a nuisance - when more than one household is engaged in refuse burning at the same time, it is more than a simple nuisance and borders on a serious health hazard.

Of course, we still haven't seen the cigarette smoking ban yet. Perhaps it's wishful thinking that much will be accomplished.

Calexit? Chillax.

With the election of Donald Trump as POTUS, some have pushed the idea of Calexit – the idea that California should become an independent state – to the front burner.
Liberals have long been threatening to leave the United States should Trump be elected. Now, they want to take part of the country with them when they go.

There seems to be a bit of confusion on what it is they want to do regarding secession from the Union. Some are advocating that the States of Washington, Oregon and California seceede and join up with Canada. It's unlikely that Canada would go along with that scheme. Others, however are advocating that California go it on its own.

Many of these folks seem to have forgotten - or perhaps, never learned - that the United States government doesn't look kindly on States that vote to leave the nation. Last time I checked, California doesn't have a military force of its own that would be capable of defeating the United States military.

Of course, those wishing to see California secede have their own website - Yes California.org. Just what are the group's arguments for leaving the U.S. - other than throwing a tempter tantrum now that Trump will soon enter the White House?

From the website:

THE CASE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN 9 SIMPLE POINTS

1. PEACE AND SECURITY
The U.S. Government spends more on its military than the next several countries combined. Not only is California forced to subsidize this massive military budget with our taxes, but Californians are sent off to fight in wars that often do more to perpetuate terrorism than to abate it. The only reason terrorists might want to attack us is because we are part of the United States and are guilty by association. Not being a part of that country will make California a less likely target of retaliation by its enemies.
Is California going to be able to match the "massive military budget" should the Federal Govt. decide not to accept Calexit? Being part of the U.S. is not the only reason terrorists might want to attack you. Islamists see American society as decadent, and News Flash: California society isn't less decadent than the rest of the U.S.. They'll still hate you.

So, why should we keep subjecting ourselves to presidents we play no role in electing, to 382 representatives and 98 senators we can’t vote for, and all the government officials and federal judges appointed by those very same people we don’t elect.
No State has complete autonomy. Every State in the Union subjects itself to representatives and Senators they can't vote for. Suck it up.

On top of that, the United States is dragging California into the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement which conflicts with our values.
Trump doesn't like the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement either.

As a U.S. state, our immigration system was largely designed by the 49 other states thirty years ago. This immigration system has since neglected the needs of the California economy and has hurt too many California families. Independence means California will be able to decide what immigration policies make sense for our diverse and unique population, culture, and economy, and that we’ll be able to build an immigration system that is consistent with our values.
A country with even more porous borders? Good luck with that.

NATURAL RESOURCES/THE ENVIRONMENT
An independent California will have an EPA on steroids.

The Affordable Care Act was enacted by the U.S. Government to lower the cost of health care and expand health insurance coverage to the uninsured, yet millions of Californians still lack access to quality health care because they can’t afford it.
So, you wanted Clinton to expand the Affordable Care Act. Maybe that's because......

California has some of the best universities but in various ways, our schools are among the worst in the country. Not only does this deprive our children of the education they deserve, but it also costs taxpayers billions in social services and law enforcement expenses linked to lacking opportunities resulting from poor education.

And you want to continue on your Liberal, Progressive free-fall?

Anti Obama folks wanted to secede after he was elected. Just like that group, you'll see staying in the Union is your best option.

Hillary's Health Problems......Are They Just Mental?

In a recent editorial, The Atlantic maintains that speculation into Hillary Clinton's health is merely the 2016 version of the anti-Obama Birther Issue. With the calls to question Hillary's health being lead by the likes of former New York city Mayor Rudy Guiliani and The Drudge Report, I can understand where the editors might get that impression, but that flies in the face of similar comments made by medical specialist and TV personality Dr. Drew Pinsky - who is said to be gravely concerned about Clinton's health, and medical treatment - as well as recent statements by Rutgers University Professor of Medicine, Dr. Robert Lahita, that concerns over Clinton's health are most certainly not a conspiracy theory.

It is ironic that Hillary's health questions are being compared to the Birther Issue after recent analysis from the Washington Post prove that the anti-Obama Birther movement was started in 2007 and 2008 by Hillary Clinton, her campaign, and her Democrat supporters.

I guess we can say that, not only is HRC a bitch, so is Karma.

Arthritis

I have arthritis.

Years ago, when I first sought treatment, a doctor told me, after medical tests were done, that my back, neck and spine were overrun with arthritic joints. Strangely enough, over the years, my neck, back and spine have not presented a problem. Instead of the areas listed by the doctor, most of my arthritic symptoms come from my right wrist.

Not having a proper computer desk has not helped. Using either the keyboard or mouse has aggravated the soreness in the wrist and carpal tunnel.

Now, I have something else causing havoc with my right hand; dumbbell, free weight exercises.

The, so-called, "pushing" exercises for chest, shoulder and triceps don't appear to be as big a problem as the "pull" exercises for back and biceps. It's usually the day following the "pull" that gives me the most pain. The grip required when doing these can be pretty intense.

I hate that this is making writing with the keyboard so difficult. I don't want to abandon my free weight exercises. Aspirin and acetaminophen have helped relieve some of the pain, but it looks like I'll need to find for ways to modify the exercises.

Rand Paul Gets Hepatitis A Booster Shot.

In an effort to show that he is not an anti-vaxxer, Republican Senator Rand Paul found a reporter to accompany him while he received a booster shot for Hepatitis A at the Capitol physician’s office.

According to breitbart.com, in spite of having said earlier that he was aware of “many tragic cases of walking, talking normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines,” the Senator wants to make it known that, “It just annoys me that I’m being characterized as someone who’s against vaccines.”

That's good to know.

The Vaccine Debate

The reports that Republicans Sen. Rand Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have been giving the wink to anti vaxxers is more than a bit troubling. Although both potential Presidential candidates have admitted to having had their own children vaccinated, both believe the decision to vaccinate should be left entirely up to the parents.

Sadly, the Republicans have a reputation as the anti-science Party. I'm beginning to believe that reputation is well deserved. The fact that 34% of Democrats believe that God created Humans less than 10,000 years ago  makes little difference. 52% of Republicans believe the same.

Far too many Americans deny any possibility of climate change and/or evolution. Now we can add the growing number of Americans who reject the science behind vaccination.

Slate writer Jamelle Bouie has his own theory as to how we can "encourage" parents to vaccinate their children.

Force.

I agree that in the interest of the health of the child and the general public, all children should be vaccinated, but I can't agree with Bouie's approach. I'm not sure he would either if he thought through the problem. He writes, "Like any affiliation, anti-vaccination beliefs become stronger when attacked by outsiders".

Yet that is exactly what he recommends.I can just imagine how these ant-vaxxers would react to coercion.

They'd probably elect candidates like Chris Christie and Rand Paul.

Good News for a Change.

From lifesitenews.com:

"A federal judge has blocked the Obama administration from enforcing its controversial contraception mandate against Roman Catholic-affiliated organizations in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah".

"U.S. District Judge William Duffey ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot force Catholic schools, hospitals or charities to cover sterilizations, contraceptives or abortion-causing drugs in their health plans, as Obamacare requires of all employers, because to do so would violate their religious freedoms. The Catholic Church teaches that artificial contraception of any kind is gravely sinful".

"Obamacare" Banished.

The custodian of the Queen's English - AKA Michigan's Lake Superior State University - announced its 39th annual list of words "banished" from the language.

Included in the list, "selfie," "twerking" and "hashtag." Good riddance, I say.

The list of words banished also includes the ever popular nickname for the Affordable Care Act, "Obamacare". I'm sure that millions of people wish that Obamacare itself, and not just the word, could be banished completely.

What the Republicans couldn't accomplish..........

....a faulty website can. Americans will have an extra six weeks to buy health coverage before facing penalty.

The New Me.

Continuing along the path I started on yesterday, I'll write a little on my plan to take myself off my current medications - meds for high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and cholesterol. To do that, I'll need to make small mention of our plans to eventually leave the USA for good and live near my wife's family in Philippines.

Without going into great detail now about our decision to emigrate, it was that decision which lead to my plan to get off the meds.

Currently all my maintenance medication is provided to me through my health insurance - with no cost to me, other than my insurance premiums, of course. When the day arrives when I've retired and said my fond farewell to my employer, I'll no longer have the free maintenance medication. Being retired and living on a fixed retirement income in Philippines, it will be difficult to provide myself with these medicines.

The plan has been for some time now to return to a regular meditation schedule - which will lower my blood pressure to acceptable levels - get back on the treadmill - which will help lower my triglycerides - and stop eating the food which I know is not doing me a bit of good.

Returning to a regular meditation schedule should be the easiest of the three to accomplish. After all, it's something I've been doing - off and on - for more than half my life. I'll get out of the habit from time to time but will return to it again and again. Finding the time for the afternoon meditation is slightly more difficult than fitting it into my morning schedule. It's easier to find peace and quiet in the house when everyone else is sound asleep.

There was a time when doing strenuous exercise played a more central place in my life. Weight training, and treadmill, that sort of thing; didn't spend much time running, however. Now, the nerve damage which prevents me from playing the guitar as I once did also prevents me from weight training. I just can't get a proper grip on free weights. I tried Yoga for awhile, but I finally settled on getting my workout on the treadmill. Sadly, I've fallen behind on that. I'm not fat by any means, but it wouldn't hurt to tone up a bit and the exercise will help with my triglyceride levels.

It goes without saying that changing my diet will be the most difficult of the three. Being a typical 21st century American, convenience is my curse. All the wrong foods are too easily within reach.

My plan to go med free may have started with the plan to retire, but it was still too convenient to continue as I have been. The proverbial slap in the face came when I noticed some unusual hair loss. I've lost hair on my arms and on the back of my hands; my beard seems to be getting sparser and my eyebrows, which were once notoriously, bushy have become thinner.

It turns out that the culprit for this unusual hair loss is one of my current medications. If I want to keep the little I have left, I'll have to get away from the convenience of daily pill popping and make a few inconvenient lifestyle changes.

"Obama Get Out" Video.

Found this video at www.obamagetout.com via a link from this article on the Lifenews.com website.

Michael Voris on Obamacare.

Pretty much sums it up.

Kmiec Predicts Obamacare Victory.

In a piece for America Magazine, Douglas Kmiec predicts that the Supreme Court will vote in favor of Obamacare this week.

The Supreme Court decision is expected to be announced this week. We'll see just how well Kmiec does in reading the minds of the justices - particularly Justice Kennedy. The ever obsequious Kmiec calls Kennedy a "literate, level-headed, fair-minded man" so, naturally, in Kmeic's view, Kennedy will cast the deciding vote in support of the President's handiwork.

Kmiec's love of Obama is well known. I,for one, have serious reservations concerning Kmiec's judgement. If I had any doubts before how the Supreme Court would rule on Obamacare, my doubts were removed having learned of Kmeic's prediction.

The Court will crush Obamacare.

My Recent Visit to Blood Assurance.

Two weeks ago, the good folks at Blood Assurance called and asked if I could come in and donate platelets. A young girl, who has the same blood type as I, is undergoing treatments and would need platelets Monday,Wednesday and Friday of last week and this week as well.

I was only too happy to help. I scheduled an appointment for this morning at 10:00 o'clock. I dropped off J.P. at vacation Bible school just before nine and went ahead and drove over to the Blood Assurance location on the chance that I might be able to get in early.

After going over the questionnaire prior to the donation, I discovered that my surgery for prostate cancer in March precludes me from donating either whole blood on platelets until one year after the doctor's release. Since the doctor released me to return to work the first week of May, we calculated that I should be able to donate again in May of 2013.

Oh, well.............

The Surgery.

This is not the sort of blog post that I had imagined having to write; at least, perhaps until the very, very distant future. Be that as it may, not being one who likes beating around the bus, as they say, I hope to get straight to the point.

It was recently discovered that I had prostate cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was found early enough where a successful outcome is expected.

After reviewing my options with a urologist, I decided that a radical prostatectomy was preferable to any sort of radiation treatment. So, this past Wednesday, I was admitted into the hospital for the surgery.

The urologist is optimistic. Everything went well and the prognosis is good.

I'll be off from work for quite some time. Before the surgery, I expected to be able to write more than usual; that might happen, but days after the surgery, it is difficult for me to sit at a PC for any length of time. I've never been comfortable using a laptop, so that's not an option for me.

I feel reasonably well, under the circumstances. It's been a week since the surgery and I feel like, while I won't be doing any "heavy lifting" any time soon, I should be able to write more in the coming days.

Of course, I'm thanking everyone in advance for any future prayers.

Why are Birth Control Pills and Abortifacients so Important to Obama?

After even Liberal Catholics objected to Obama's recent attempt to force religious-affiliated employers to provide free birth control coverage even if it runs counter to their beliefs, Obama has announced what he feels is a workable compromise. According to the spin, the "religious-affiliated employer" will no longer be required to pay for the contraceptives and abortifacients, but will be provided, free of charge by the insurance company.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said it was a "first step". Dolan isn't going to be fooled by the President's shenanigans.

A caller on a radio talk show brought up an interesting point; namely, if this is simply a health issue as Obama claims, why then not free access to all life saving medications? As far as I know, most women will not die if they are not taking birth control, but millions can die without blood pressure medication, medicines to treat high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides to name just three.

The President's pals at NARAL claim that free birth control is "critical to protecting women’s health". Evidently, cardiac medications and insulin for diabetics aren't critical enough in protecting anyone's health to be given away free.

The pro-abortionists in the Obama administration want to provide drugs that will prevent something natural (pregnancy) but medications that actually save human life aren't important.

Pink Ribbon? No, Thanks.

I had been forewarned, so I knew what to expect. Actually, I'm one of the few who pays attention during our little ten minute meeting before 7 o'clock at work.

Last week, our supervisor told us that the corporate office was a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen organization and she'd be providing pink ribbons for everyone to wear today. When she attempted to give one to me, I said, "No thank you". Of course, she wanted to know why I'd refuse to support such a "worthy cause".

Anyone who is seriously involved with the Pro-life movement already knows the answer; for those who are unaware of the connection between Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood, I've post two links.

According to this article at lifenews.com , "Komen’s ties to Planned Parenthood are well documented and figures from STOPP International show Komen chapters giving $711,485 from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 to Planned Parenthood affiliates."

I explained to my supervisor that I could not support the Susan G. Komen organization because of it's ties with Planned Parenthood......she said that she didn't agree with the "political agenda" of Susan G. Komen either, but this was about breast cancer awareness. I stood my ground and refused to wear the pink ribbon.

The more I thought about "breast cancer awareness" the more I realized the absurdity of the idea of wearing a pink ribbon while being opposed to Komen. Let's suppose the company supported a program like, say, "AIDS awareness" or even "influenza awareness" we could discuss how AIDS could be prevented by not doing A,B,C, or D. Some folks need to learn about how influenza is not just a severe cold, but a dangerous disease that caused serious epidemics before flu vaccines where developed. With "breast cancer awareness", there is little the average Joe or Josephine can do....other than donate money. So, who's going to get the money? These pink ribbon folks want you to give it to Susan G. Komen which will, in turn, give a portion of your money to the largest abortion provider on the planet.

No, thanks.

Obama's Lack of Leadership Qualities.

Judging by his piece in the Washington Post today [A president without a doctrine] it would appear that Richard Cohen has finally reached the conclusion that many of us came to much earlier. Namely, President Obama is not a leader.

Regarding Obama's "wee war in Libya" - to use Cohen's phrase - he writes, "Libya may now be in for a protracted civil war. Obama botched this one."

Concerning Obama and the Federal budget, Cohen has this:
"The plan is to be announced this week — at last. For some time a bipartisan group of more than 60 senators has been asking Obama a basic question: What’s the plan?"

Many of us looked at Obama's "resume" during the campaign and understood clearly that Obama had no experience leading anything or anyone. He had never been a CEO of a business, he had never been a governor.........heck, he hadn't even been a mayor. He had less executive experience than Sarah Palin.

When he became president, he didn't even show leadership with the healthcare fiasco; he had basically given the Democrats carte blanche and he would sign - and take credit - for whatever the Democratic Congress passed.

Cohen, too, may have seen this during the Presidential campaign had his vision been focused on something that was useful for the country. Instead he, like many others, voted for Obama because of his race. Cohen writes in the same article,
"You could not vote for Obama and not have felt that somehow you had fired a shot in the Civil War or ridden a freedom bus into the Jim Crow South."

Cohen voted for Obama in order to feel good about himself. One would hope that, rather than vote for a candidate because of his skin color, people like Cohen would follow the words of Martin Luther King Jr. :

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Triglyceride Levels.

I recently had blood work done......basically, a semi-annual check up.....cholesterol, psa and a host of others.
Everything looks OK......the only thing that's out of range are the triglycerides; not so high that medication would be necessary, but just high enough that I should watch my diet to try and lower it just a smidgen. Fish oil would help too, I was told.

I had been advised to take fish oil last time, but I have a difficult time remembering to take the capsules. I told the nurse that it might be easier for me to eliminate the culprits from my diet. She mentioned things like white bread, white rice and biscuits. No need to stop eating those foods completely, just cut down. Problem is, I don't eat large amounts of those three particular foods.

I went on-line to find a list of other food items that might be the reason my triglycerides are out of line. I found the item easy enough. It's ice cream.




I really love ice cream. Whenever I felt like I had been through a particularly bad day, I'd treat myself to a huge bowlful. The ice cream was not causing a weight gain....I could eat to my heart's content and wouldn't gain a pound. So, I didn't see a problem.

Now, I'll be severely restricting my intake of ice cream. Too early to say if I'll completely give it up, but I'll be eating next to none for the next six months.

This isn't a News Year's resolution......I'm not giving up ice cream for Lent. I'm doing it to lower my triglyceride levels.

I'll try to do better taking the fish oil capsules as well. The next scheduled blood test is in September. We'll see.