Hypocritical Obama and Corporate Media Are Agressively Undermining Pot Normalization

This article hits the situation on the head. Despite the fact that a growing majority of Americans favor legalization of marijuana for adults, the White House, the corporate media, and Big Business (think Big Pharma) are doing everything they can to continue demonizing the “killer weed.”

Excerpt:

“While marijuana is more mainstream than ever, legalization still faces backlash from the powers that be.

“There are some ominous harbingers indicating that common-sense drug reform relating to marijuana still has a ways to go. Here are five signs that pot legalization faces government and corporate backlash (which may affect public opinion as well), in no particular order:” Go here to continue reading.

New study says marijuana has therapeutic value

  Marijuana Has Therapeutic Value, Reports California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research;  Studies Show MJ Safe and Effective in Treatment of  Chronic Pain & Neuralgia et al.

 SACRAMENTO, In a landmark report to the state legislature today, the California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research announced that its studies have shown marijuana to have therapeutic value (Go here for report).
      The CMCR, established at the University of California in 2000 to conduct controlled scientific studies of medical marijuana, reported positive results in six different human clinical trials regarding chronic pain, spasticity and vaporization.

         Four studies showed marijuana to be safe and effective in relieving the chronic pain of neuralgia.   "The findings  are very consistent," remarked CMCR director Prof. Igor Grant, "There is good evidence now that cannabinoids may be a good adjunct or even first line treatment." Neuralgia is  a type  of pain caused by damaged nerves that is particularly resistant to other therapies .  Some 10% of the population are said to be affected by neuralgia.

     A fifth CMCR study found marijuana effective in reducing muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.
     A sixty study demonstrated the efficacy of smokeless vaporizers as an alternative  delivery system to smoked marijuana. California NORML, which has promoted research on vaporizers, advised  CMCR researcher Dr. Donald Abrams on the study.

     "Today we have good solid, scientific research that will benefit patients in California and across the globe," remarked state Sen. Mark Leno  at a press conference announcing the CMCR report. Former State Sen.Vasconcellos, who sponsored the state legislation establishing the CMCR, called the studies "state-of-the-art" evidence of marijuana's value in medical use.

      The DEA has insisted that scientific evidence of marijuana's efficacy is needed before it can be made available for medical use. "The evidence is in," says California NORML director Dale Gieringer, a member of the CMCR's advisory council."The time has come for the government to change its policy and recognize the medical value of marijuana."

    A petition to reschedule marijuana for medical use has been pending before the DEA since 2002. California NORML is calling on the Obama administration to give it prompt and favorable attention in light of the CMCR's findings.

     - California NORML Release by Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858

Danger of Marines’ water removed from report

This is the kind of crap that really rocks my boat!

My father was a Marine and fought in the South Pacific (Not that this has anything to do with what I’m complaining about – just thought I’d mention it).

The real story is that as far back as 1984 high levels of Benzene (a carcinogen) was found in the camp’s water system. Over the years, numerous cancers have been reported by the families and trainees. Investigation after investigation rambled on with no results and the Marine Corps claims there’s been no cover-up. The families disagree. The Benzene in the camp’s water system is capable of short term, and long term ailments that can result in death.

The asshole contractor who did cover up the dirty facts about the dangerously high levels of Benzene ought to be tried for treason (endangering American soldiers). During ongoing probes for contamination, Benzene turned up every time, but the levels were said to have been safe. Now the shit is hitting the fan!

Excerpt:

“WILMINGTON, N.C. - An environmental contractor dramatically underreported the level of a cancer-causing chemical found in tap water at Camp Lejeune, then omitted it altogether as the Marine base prepared for a federal health review, an Associated Press review has found.”

 Full story here.

When the Olympics stop the seal slaughter begins!

I want you to know that I’m not a member of PETA, and actually have a problem with some of the extremes they go to when they advertise.

Nevertheless, this senseless slaughter of baby seals (for the sake of fashion) has always bothered me. I’ve done a lot of reading on the subject and this shouldn’t be happening in this day and age.

The following is from a PETA press release:

Right now the world is focused on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, and PETA is doing all that it can to call global attention to the ghastly, industrial-scale commercial slaughter of Canada's harp seals—a massacre that is scheduled to begin soon after the games end.

With your help, we are making sure that as many people as possible know that just days after the Olympic flame is put out, the lives of tens of thousands of baby harp seals will be extinguished as well.
Before most of these animals even get a chance to eat their first solid meal or learn how to swim, they will be shot in the head or have their skulls crushed by heavy clubs. Their mothers will be forced to witness the carnage, but they will be helpless to stop it and will cry out as their babies are killed. I long ago ceased to be surprised by the suffering that people inflict on animals, but the images of dead, skinless seals lying on the blood-soaked ice are truly sickening.
That's why the Canadian government wants to keep the massacre as quiet as possible, especially now that the eyes of the world are focused on the Olympics' host nation. So PETA is bringing news of the seals' plight to the crowds in the Olympic village—and to people all around the world.

Wherever Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has traveled, PETA supporters have been there in full voice. Protesters from PETA and our affiliates have demonstrated across North America as well as in France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and many other countries. More than 530,000 people have signed our Facebook petition calling for an end to the massacre. A long list of celebrities, including Perez Hilton, "Sugar" Shane Mosley, and gold medal–winning snowboarder Hannah Teter, are using their star power to help us raise awareness of the bloody slaughter and generate unprecedented press coverage—exactly the kind of publicity that the Canadian government is so deeply afraid of.
We need everyone who is outraged by this senseless carnage to speak out right now. Most of all, we need the voice—and the financial support—of caring PETA members like you. There are two ways that you can help these animals right now:

• Sign our petition demanding that the Canadian government bring an immediate and permanent end to the seal slaughter.

The Canadian government is as intractable an opponent as any that we have faced. With North American and European markets closed to its bloody products, Canada has started looking into selling its seal fur in China—a move that has outraged the Canadian people, the majority of whom want to the see the slaughter brought to an end.
But even the most unrepentant animal abusers can be beaten. Since PETA launched its campaign against the seal slaughter, opposition to the massacre has become a global movement—and the pressure on the Canadian government is intensifying every day. This is a fight that we can and—with your help—will win.

Read a blog that actually looks at all sides in politics

Are you tired of reading the same old trash from political hacks hawking their party’s virtues?

When was the last time you went to a “political” blog that didn’t espouse cult-like ideologies?

Try checking this one out: 

THE MODERATE VOICE

An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

Mission Statement

“The Moderate Voice was founded in December 2003 by journalist/entertainer Joe Gandelman as a personal weblog that would offer an independent voter’s irreverent comments, and serious analysis of events, issues and people in the news. A prime guiding principle was that differing ideas don’t give people brain cancer, so from the start TMV linked to Democratic, Republican, liberal, conservative and centrist blogs. It also put a special emphasis on linking to blogs written by “independent thinkers” of any (or no) party who sought to discuss issues and promote dialogue rather than hype specific candidates or repeat talk show (of the left and right) talking points.

Since then, TMV has grown into one of the Internet’s fastest growing and respected group moderate/centrist sites.” Visit the site here. 

image source

When teens grind, schools freak

Schools use Burt Bacharach, contracts to halt sexy dancing

When I was a teenager we did the Funky Monkey, The Twist, The Chicken, and other odd-sounding named dances. The teachers complained we slow-danced together suggestively, and made sure there was some distance between dancers.

This new dance craze “grinding” is causing those same parents who did the funky monkey to freak out now. Playing Bacharach is downright dirty! What comes around goes around. I think it’s amusing.

Excerpt:

“Across the nation, public schools have been putting the brakes on grinding — also known as freak dancing — where partners repeatedly rub their pelvises together in a sexually suggestive manner.” Go here to read the story.

 

‘Oversized’ Kevin Smith ejected from flight

Actor-director says Southwest pilot kicked him off plane because of size

Excerpt:

“Smith raised a stink about the incident on his Twitter page Sunday, saying "I'm way fat, but I'm not there just yet," and "If you look like me, you may be ejected from Southwest Air."

Go here to read the story.

Recalling Valentine's Days of yore and hoping for more

By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 02/14/2010 09:05:19 AM PST

Valentine's Day hasn't always been easy for me. If I tried to calculate how many times I missed cupid's mark, you'd think I wasn't a romantic. I recall feeling flushed and confused while exchanging Valentine's Day cards in elementary school during the 1950s.

When I turned 10, I refused to participate in such nonsense. Those cheap mass-produced Valentines with chubby cupids kissing, flowery hearts, and saccharine poetry were just too much. I declared myself too manly for such devices. If a guy wasn't careful, he could catch the dreaded cooties by kissing girls.

Things started to change in my teen years. Girls started to look good. They seemed mysterious and appealing. Valentine's Day began to take on a new meaning. Cards could still be exchanged, but now more was demanded on such a romantic day. There were Valentine's Day dances in our high school gym that required getting dressed up.

Go here to read the rest.

Tomorrow is dedicated to the one I love!

photo source

Patients face bitter choice: Pay up or lose care

Premium-pay medical practices grow as doctors seek more control, cash

Excerpt:

“The Goodriches’ dilemma is becoming more common as a growing number of doctors enact their own brand of health reform. These physicians are opting out of the system, with some doctors dumping insurance companies altogether and others forcing patients to pay thousands of dollars in cash to keep the care they’re accustomed to.”

Go here to read the whole story.

(ABOVE) Dr. Susan Debin, 64, of Orange, Calif., turned to a hybrid concierge practice two years ago. About 125 patients pay $1,600 a year for extra services including an extended physical and her personal cell phone number. But what about the rest of her patients?

Photo by Carissa Ray / msnbc.com

Snow on the ground in 49 states

Hawaii is the holdout, but weather is still one for the record books

Excerpt:

“It was the United States of Snow, thanks to an unusual combination of weather patterns that dusted the U.S., including the skyscrapers of Dallas, the peach trees of Atlanta and the Florida Panhandle, where hurricanes are more common than snowflakes.” Go here to read the story.

Lovesick: Hooking up over a shared disease

Web sites aim to pair those with cancer, herpes, even Tourettes in common

“One online  entrepreneur  believes he has the answer to Valentine’s Day loneliness for people living with chronic diseases: match them up with someone with the same condition. But how much enduring love can a shared health condition  really provide?”

Go here for the whole story.

My blog has been banned because I wasn’t nice to Sarah Palin

After asking Rose why my blog has been banned from her blog (WatchPaul) she said it was because of my post on Sarah Palin (Gee, I guess it wasn’t real nice to her hero). When I asked her if I’m that offensive, she said “Yes.”

After more than a year of having a link on her blog roll it comes to this. I had (past tense) respect for her views (even though I didn’t agree with them). I thought that attitude went both ways.

Looks like she has finally shed her sheepskin of being moderate and entertaining all views. No more MS Nice Person. She’s come out of the Conservative/Republican closet and has no more interest in the other side of the story. That’s too bad.

On the other side of the coin, I will continue to carry a link to her blog, because I like my readers to have a choice. I don’t need to have a bunch of “Yes your right” posters who have narrow minds.

World’s strangest aphrodisiacs

Bird’s Nest Soup, poisonous snakes ... oh, the things we consume for love

Excerpt:

“In Korea, the hagfish, or slime eel, takes the shape of an enviably large member and emits a slimy substance when touched, likely accounting for its status as an elixir of love. And there is perhaps no more symbolic aphrodisiac than the balut—a duck egg hosting a partially gestated fetus—hawked in the Philippines as commonly as movie theater popcorn.”

Go here to read the rest.

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World’s strangest aphrodisiacs

Snow way I’d live back East!

I got an email from my buddy, and brother-in-law, Tom today. It was snowing and the winds were howling at 55 mph. He lives near Baltimore and sent me some photos.

All I know is I live on the “Right Coast” even though some call it the “Left Coast.”

National Park Service workers clear snow in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Alex Brandon / AP

View related photos

Washington, D.C., breaks record for total snowfall with 54.9 inches

Bored to death? It really could happen

Research suggests a link between chronic listlessness and heart problems

Excerpt:

“In a commentary to be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in April, experts say there's a possibility that the more bored you are, the more likely you are to die early.

Annie Britton and Martin Shipley of University College London caution that boredom alone isn't likely to kill you — but it could be a symptom of other risky behavior like drinking, smoking, taking drugs or having a psychological problem.”

Go here to read the rest.

Related article:

Time flies when you’re having fun, but time flew when you were bored.

Photo source

Beer may be good for your bones

Here’s some good news for beer drinkers:

Analysis shows a cold brew has high levels of dietary silicon

Excerpt:

“If you downed one too many while watching the Super Bowl, here's at least one reason to hold your head high: Drinking beer can be good for your health.

But seriously, a new analysis of 100 commercial beers shows the hoppy beverage is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for bone health.”

Go here for the rest of the story.

Palin Tells Fox News ‘it would be absurd’ not to consider what she can do for U.S.

I agree. It’s absurd not to consider what would happen to our country if Sarah Palin were elected President.

It’s also scary. Watching Palin consult her palm (crib notes anyone?) as she speaks with a GOP lackey chiding President Obama for using a teleprompter while speaking in public, is like a stepping into an alternate universe where sanity has no place.

This paragon of politics who claims she can see Russia from her backyard, and who couldn’t even finish her only term in office as governor of Alaska, is only interested in making money while she’s still a hot topic. Does anyone think that working as a commenter for Fox News will be something she can proudly put on her resume for president?

She even collected money from the Tea Bagger’s to speak at their gathering recently. I thought she was their champion. If that’s so, why do they have to pay her to talk with them? Make no mistake, her book “Going Rogue” was only the forerunner for future fortunes.Being a Conservative diva is probably the smartest thing she can do to fill her coffers with the coins of her slavish admirers.

Does that inspire you to vote for her in 2012? Here’s a pro and con link for your reading pleasure. 

Palin: Won't close door on White House run

‘Morning Joe’ on Palin: Still no substance

1 in 5 prefers pet to partner for Valentine’s Day

True love: According to a survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries, 21 percent of adults would rather smooch their pet than their spouse on Valentine’s Day.

Least likely to choose non-human companionship: the French, of course.

Getty Images stock

Read story here.

Males more likely than females to have noise-related hearing loss

By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 02/07/2010 01:27:41 AM PST

“I wear hearing aids, but I consider myself lucky. There are a lot of people in America today who are deaf due to numerous environmental assaults on their hearing. Many of them don't have insurance to get what they need.

Recent research presented by the American Academy of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) in San Diego concluded that males are three times more likely to have noise-related hearing loss than women.

According to Dr. Hamid Djalilian of the University of California Irvine Medical Center, occupational and recreational noise exposure, as well as service in the armed forces, probably explain why men are at greater risk.”

Go here to read the rest of this column.