Poinsettias are not toxic and the debunking of other myths

Researchers debunk conventional wisdom about poinsettias, sugar and holiday suicides -- and note that Coca-Cola can only do so much.

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic to people or animals, suicides do not increase over the Christmas holidays, and sugar does not make kids hyperactive.

Also, Wales winning the rugby grand slam does not influence the death of popes, and douching with Coca-Cola is not an effective contraceptive method.

The supposed toxicity of poinsettias has been a subject of warnings ever since the red and white flowers have been associated with the Christmas holiday, but numerous reports from poison control centers do not support the warnings, according to Drs. Rachel C. Vreeman and Aaron E. Carroll of the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Los Angeles Times/Dec. 21                                                                                                   Gina Ferazzi/LA TIMES Photo

Political Correctness leaves Santa Claus Polarized!

It's Cold Outside and I'm Thinking About Polar Bears!

  

  

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Passes Out Condoms to Men & Women!

By John Jalsevac

TORONTO, December 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Christmas shoppers were shocked this week to find men and women dressed up as Santa Claus on some of the busiest streets in Toronto, handing out condoms.

The publicity stunt was arranged by Durex, the condom manufacturer.

A press release from the company explained that costumed representatives, dressed as Santa Claus, would be handing out the condoms beginning on Tuesday, December 16.

“This holiday season, Durex(R) wants lovers to really feel the Love,” says the release. “Helping Canadians get in the mood to wrap their packages, Durex and Santa will start celebrating the holidays by handing out Love condoms this Tuesday, December 16, 2008 in downtown Toronto. Giving never felt so good!”

“It’s deeply saddening to me that at one of the most sacred times of the year, Durex would do such a thing,” said Suresh Dominic of Campaign Life Catholic in response to the publicity stunt.

“Santa Claus is simply another name for St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop and saint from the early Church known for generosity to the poor. He is also a symbol of the beauty and mystery of Christmas, particularly for children. To use the figure of Santa to promote an ideology of casual sex on busy public streets is offensive in the extreme.”

Dominic encouraged readers to contact Durex as well as the Toronto mayor and Toronto city councillors to complain.

The condom manufacturer is not the only organization that is hijacking Christmas to spread a message of casual sex. Planned Parenthood also recently made the news by offering gift certificates that can be redeemed for everything from contraceptives and sexually transmitted disease testing to abortions.

Former major league pitcher Dock Ellis has died at 63

Associated Press

8:05 AM PST, December 20, 2008

Dock Ellis, who infamously claimed he pitched a no-hitter for Pittsburgh under the influence of LSD and later fiercely spoke out against drug and alcohol addiction, died Friday. He was 63.
His wife, Hjordis, said he died at the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

• 

  ARCHIVE: Ellis is trying to strike...

Dock was one of my favorite pitchers in baseball. It's sad to see him die at such an early age due to liver disease.

Vintage Travel Posters Take Us Back To Simpler Times

 

 

 

      Click Here to see more fine art posters at Enjoy Art. The site has a real nice collection to look at.

I just discovered this site and thinks it's only fair to warn the reader that fine art prints are sold here, but that's not the reason I recommend it.

It has some really cool posters to check out!

I don't know about you...

but I'm a lookie-loo!

Car Enthusiasts Put Down Thousands to Show Off Their Creations

  

 

 

Blagojevich babbled...'I'm gonna fight, fight, fight...

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich  made a statement to the media at his downtown Chicago office building a short time ago.

The embattled governor has kept his trap shut up till now, since his arrest last week on federal corruption charges.

Prosecutors say FBI wiretaps caught Blagojevich scheming to deal President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for campaign cash or a plum job.

Blagojevich told reporters that he's innocent and would not step down and "would fight till his last breath." You gotta hand it to this creep, he isn't going quietly into the night!

The stage is set. The characters have taken their positions. Stay tuned...

AP file photo

Hilda Solis named Labor Secretary by Obama

AP Photo

I think she's a great pick. I use to live in La Puente (early sixties) and she's from there. However, there's a lot more reasons to think she's a really smart choice. Click here for her story in the Daily-News Latino.

1950: This was a popular children's gift for Christmas

I was born on November 7th, 1950, so regretfully, I don't remember this little bit of trivia. But it was sure fun seeing it and comparing it to what children get today for Christmas. What a difference between generations! No wonder we're often world's apart from this new generation. Lo tech versus high tech. Simple versus complex. Inexpensive versus very expensive. I suppose I'm not the only baby boomer out there that feels nostalgic this Christmas. Peace.