Summer time is sunscreen time. It is time to show off flat tummies and wear sing lets and open to sandals. The crux is heat is on and it take some smart tricks to keep you in shape for great summers.
You need to review your beauty routine. It is just not buying lipstick and sunscreen, but much more you may need to look more gorgeous by showing something and hiding back many things. It is whole of your personality, physical or emotional which makes you beautiful inside out and outside in. Let’s review some of way to natural beauty.
1. Do the leggy works
Summer time is great because it helps to wear mini and shorts skirts. But your legs should not be looking pillar holding the building. Believe me nothing makes you look and feel better than a regular exercise routine. You can go for swimming, outdoor games, biking & hiking. Even a 30 minute brisk walk in morning can do wonder. Make a good to shed off those extra 3 to 4 kg and keep yourself discipline.
2. Cool Shades
Take a new look at your dresses. Some cosmetics can’t stand the heat. Go for new cooling eye make – up from Maybelline or Elle 18 cool eyes-a liquid liver that keeps your lids icy. Stay away heavy foundation and instead choose light powder and liquid bare from shiseido, Mac, Versace and Aviance. Opt for water proof make-up as sweat tends to make the kohl and foundation smeary.
3. Hair on ends
Have a cool designer hair cuts. Best time to make your next hair appointment is when you are visiting the saloon.
4. Come out of the closets
Take a hard look at your closets. Throw away the cloths which you have not worm for last 18 months. Making decision about your wardrobe will make room for better possibilities and current styles. Do the same with your beauty drawer.
5. Choose the Radical
Rethink your diet to maxi mire your level of energy. Experiment by eliminating certain foods until you have optimum level.
And finally drinks a lot of water. It keeps you fresh for whole day.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Paragliders - Some Great Places To See Them
Paragliders are being flown in thousands of locations around the world. In fact if you are patient and know just where to go, chances are you could see one or two at a place near you. Are you a frequent traveller? Would you be interested in seeing some paragliding action in some spectacular surroundings? I'm about to highlight just a few exceptional places on this planet where there is a lot of paragliding activity from time to time. These locations are all very public too, so access is easy.
Since these places are very well-known in their respective parts of the world, no detailed 'who to contact and how to find it' information is provided here. The locals will soon point you in the right direction, if that's necessary.
You have probably guessed by now that this article is aimed at those who haven't thought about actually flying in a paraglider. However, most of the locations below do offer opportunities to get a ride in a tandem paraglider, if you so desire!
Torrey Pines, California, U.S.A.
Many members of the public roll up at Torrey Pines Gliderport in Southern California. Here, they can see paragliders and hang gliders launch from the cliffs into the Pacific Ocean breeze. Famous for many years for being a busy hang-gliding site, paragliders have become commonplace too in recent years. Plenty of space to park your car at the edge of the cliffs and watch the soaring action. Occasionally a pelican or 2 will sail past as well!
Interlaken, Switzerland
Paragliding goes back a long way in this region, almost back to the birth of the sport. So it's not surprising that paraglider-spotting is easy in this picturesque Swiss town. Oriented towards tourism, the town is located between lakes Thun and Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region. Being in the Alps, there are magnificent mountains nearby. Pilots launching from these mountains often use a landing area in Interlaken itself. Shoppers walking along the Bahnhofstrassein can watch the brightly colored paraglider canopies arriving and landing gracefully in the nearby park. A lot of paragliding takes place in other parts of the Swiss Alps too.
Oludeniz, Turkey
It's hard to beat this location for the sheer amount of paragliding activity in the one area. Most Americans haven't heard of this place, but it is a major paragliding destination for Europeans. As a watcher, there's no need to brave the somewhat exciting truck ride to the top of Mount Babadag, where the paragliders launch. Babadag is an imposing limestone mountain 2000 meters (6500 feet) high, overlooking the wide white sandy beaches of Oludeniz. With literally dozens of pilots flying on some days, some with passengers, there is ample opportunity to observe them landing on the beach back in Oludeniz. Many of these pilots make their living this way. The place to be is the Fly-Inn Cafe, a meeting point for people who are waiting to fly or who have just arrived back via the air. Upstairs is the slightly more up-market Ottomania Restaurant which has great views of the whole bay area.
Lima, Peru
The city of Lima in Peru, South America, extends right down to a series of coastal cliffs. It's commonplace for the general public to see paragliders quite close-up as they soar along the cliffs. The district of Minaflores in particular is a nice area for shopping and dining, in full view of the Pacific ocean and all the flying action. You can explore the Larcomar mall, perhaps relaxing in a restaurant such as the Mangos or the Vivaldino, with a window seat. Or, just take a stroll along the footpath (sidewalk) atop the cliffs. Either way, you are sure to see paragliders sooner or later, provided weather conditions are favorable. In blustery weather, the seagulls have the air to themselves!
Hartbeespoortdam, South Africa
This is actually the name of a dam, although the name also refers to the man-made lake which it creates. Some say the area looks a bit like Switzerland as a result! Not far away are the large cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. To view paragliders, it's hard to beat a cable car trip on the Hartbeespoortdam Cableway, which is in fact the longest monocableway in Africa. From this moving vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the dam and it's surroundings. Soaring birds such as the Black Eagle, Fish Eagle and White Backed Vulture are often joined by paraglider and hang-glider pilots.
Voss, Norway
Now to the winter paradise of Voss, in Norway. Situated between Norway´s most famous fjords, the awe-inspiring Hardanger and Sogn, this town is a hub for extreme sports of all kinds. There is a park where you can just relax and maybe spot a paraglider or two approaching from the nearby mountain, overflying a fjord on the way. If the weather co-operates! Voss can be reached by train from nearby Bergen, affording a very scenic trip beside the fjords.
Conclusion
During your travels, you might find yourself within an hour or three of one of these places. Never seen a paraglider, ever? Why not take the opportunity for a memorable experience seeing paragliders in flight! The longer the stay, the less chance of disappointment due to unsuitable weather of course. Alternatively, a phone call to one of the local paragliding organizations might help you time your visit.
Since these places are very well-known in their respective parts of the world, no detailed 'who to contact and how to find it' information is provided here. The locals will soon point you in the right direction, if that's necessary.
You have probably guessed by now that this article is aimed at those who haven't thought about actually flying in a paraglider. However, most of the locations below do offer opportunities to get a ride in a tandem paraglider, if you so desire!
Torrey Pines, California, U.S.A.
Many members of the public roll up at Torrey Pines Gliderport in Southern California. Here, they can see paragliders and hang gliders launch from the cliffs into the Pacific Ocean breeze. Famous for many years for being a busy hang-gliding site, paragliders have become commonplace too in recent years. Plenty of space to park your car at the edge of the cliffs and watch the soaring action. Occasionally a pelican or 2 will sail past as well!
Interlaken, Switzerland
Paragliding goes back a long way in this region, almost back to the birth of the sport. So it's not surprising that paraglider-spotting is easy in this picturesque Swiss town. Oriented towards tourism, the town is located between lakes Thun and Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region. Being in the Alps, there are magnificent mountains nearby. Pilots launching from these mountains often use a landing area in Interlaken itself. Shoppers walking along the Bahnhofstrassein can watch the brightly colored paraglider canopies arriving and landing gracefully in the nearby park. A lot of paragliding takes place in other parts of the Swiss Alps too.
Oludeniz, Turkey
It's hard to beat this location for the sheer amount of paragliding activity in the one area. Most Americans haven't heard of this place, but it is a major paragliding destination for Europeans. As a watcher, there's no need to brave the somewhat exciting truck ride to the top of Mount Babadag, where the paragliders launch. Babadag is an imposing limestone mountain 2000 meters (6500 feet) high, overlooking the wide white sandy beaches of Oludeniz. With literally dozens of pilots flying on some days, some with passengers, there is ample opportunity to observe them landing on the beach back in Oludeniz. Many of these pilots make their living this way. The place to be is the Fly-Inn Cafe, a meeting point for people who are waiting to fly or who have just arrived back via the air. Upstairs is the slightly more up-market Ottomania Restaurant which has great views of the whole bay area.
Lima, Peru
The city of Lima in Peru, South America, extends right down to a series of coastal cliffs. It's commonplace for the general public to see paragliders quite close-up as they soar along the cliffs. The district of Minaflores in particular is a nice area for shopping and dining, in full view of the Pacific ocean and all the flying action. You can explore the Larcomar mall, perhaps relaxing in a restaurant such as the Mangos or the Vivaldino, with a window seat. Or, just take a stroll along the footpath (sidewalk) atop the cliffs. Either way, you are sure to see paragliders sooner or later, provided weather conditions are favorable. In blustery weather, the seagulls have the air to themselves!
Hartbeespoortdam, South Africa
This is actually the name of a dam, although the name also refers to the man-made lake which it creates. Some say the area looks a bit like Switzerland as a result! Not far away are the large cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. To view paragliders, it's hard to beat a cable car trip on the Hartbeespoortdam Cableway, which is in fact the longest monocableway in Africa. From this moving vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the dam and it's surroundings. Soaring birds such as the Black Eagle, Fish Eagle and White Backed Vulture are often joined by paraglider and hang-glider pilots.
Voss, Norway
Now to the winter paradise of Voss, in Norway. Situated between Norway´s most famous fjords, the awe-inspiring Hardanger and Sogn, this town is a hub for extreme sports of all kinds. There is a park where you can just relax and maybe spot a paraglider or two approaching from the nearby mountain, overflying a fjord on the way. If the weather co-operates! Voss can be reached by train from nearby Bergen, affording a very scenic trip beside the fjords.
Conclusion
During your travels, you might find yourself within an hour or three of one of these places. Never seen a paraglider, ever? Why not take the opportunity for a memorable experience seeing paragliders in flight! The longer the stay, the less chance of disappointment due to unsuitable weather of course. Alternatively, a phone call to one of the local paragliding organizations might help you time your visit.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Improve Your Hair And Skin. See Results In Days.
Why is coconut oil the best oil for your skin?
Coconut oil is good as a skin moisturiser. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as useful and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturiser, with absence of adverse reactions.
The biggest chemical barrier to infectious organisms is the acid layer on the skin. Healthy skin has a pH of about 5, making it slightly acidic. Our sweat (containing uric and lactic acids) and body oils promote this acidic environment. For this reason, sweat and oil do us good. Harmless bacteria can tolerate the acid and live on the skin, but troublesome bacteria can't thrive and their numbers are few.
Coconut oil will absorb easily, keep the skin soft, and yet without feeling greasy.
Most commercial creams and lotions are commonly water. Their moisture is quickly absorbed into dry, wrinkled skin. As the water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, like filling a balloon with water, so that wrinkles fade away and the skin feels smoother. But this is not permanent. As soon as the water evaporates or is carried away by the blood stream, the dry, wrinkled skin returns. No matter how hard you try people will never be able to permanently cure dry, wrinkled skin with any commercial body lotion or body care merchandise. In addition to water, most lotions have an oil of some type. This oil is almost always a highly refined vegetable oil deficient of all natural protective antioxidants. One product in our food supply and in body care merchandise that leads to a great deal of free radicals is oxidized vegetable oils.
Cocout Oil is not like other oils used to soften rough, dry skin. It will help to reduce chronic skin inflammation within days and be soothing and healing to wounds, blood blisters, rashes, etc.
Our skin is made up of connective tissues. These tissues give our skin strength and elasticity. When we are young and healthy the skin is smooth, elastic and supple. This is the effect of tough connective fibers. As we age their fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its capacity to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery.
Antiseptic fatty acids in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin when it is consumed and to some extent, when it is applied directly to the skin. The only way to gain entry into the body other than through the natural openings, such as the nose and mouth, is by penetrating the skin. When the skin's defenses break down, infections can result. Acne, ringworm, herpes, boils, athlete's foot, and warts are just some of the infectious conditions that can affect the skin and body.
Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction which produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us. The number of antioxidants we have in our tissues is determined to a large extent by the nutrients in our diet. Having anti-oxidants in skin care products is important, too. Dr. Ray Peat, a biochemist who has written about the antioxidant properties of coconut oil, states "It is well established that dietary coconut oil reduces our need for vitamin E, but I think its antioxidant role is more general than that, and that it has both direct and indirect antioxidant activities." Virgin Coconut Oil is especially useful in fighting free-radicals, as it is unrefined and hasn't been extracted of any of its natural components through the refining process.
Conventional body care goods that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants removed from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even develop skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil..
The ideal lotion is one that is made from an oil that not only softens the skin, but protects it against damage, promotes healing and gives it a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description.
Quality virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them. It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.
Coconut Oil can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight.
Coconut oil for your scalp and scalp
What coconut oil can do for your skin it can do for your hair.
In India and Sri Lanka, coconut oil is commonly used for styling hair, and cooling or soothing the head and provide stress relief.
Beauticians who are familiar with coconut swear by it. It softens the hair and conditions the scalp. Using the coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner can rid a person of dandruff better than a medicated shampoo.
What coconut oil can do for your skin it can do for your hair.
The protective environment of the skin and how coconut oil helps
Our skin is home to many tiny organisms, most of which are harmless; some are beneficial. At least one variety of bacterium is essential to the healthy environment on our skin. It feeds on the sebum, breaking down the tryglycerides into free fatty acids. The bacteria actually feed on the glycerol part of the triglyceride. This leaves fatty acids which are now "freed" from the glycerol unit that held them together. Medium chain fatty acids which are bound to the glycerol unit as they are in coconut oil have no antimicrobial properties. However, when they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials.
So these bacteria convert the medium chain triglycerides (in the sebum or on the skin) into free fatty acids that can kill disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The combination of the slightly acid pH and medium chain fatty acids offers a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. Due primarily to the action of bacteria, the oil on the surface of your skin and hair is composed of between 40 and 60 percent free fatty acids. The medium chain fatty acids in the sebum provide the protective layer on the skin that kills harmful germs. Coconut oil is nature's richest source of medium chain fatty acids.
When coconut oil is put on the skin it doesn't have any immediate antimicrobial action. However, when bacteria which are always present on the skin turn these triglycerides into free fatty acids, just as it does with sebum, the result is an increase in the number of antimicrobial fatty acids on the skin and protection from infection. The free fatty acids also help to contribute to the acid environment on the skin which repels disease causing germs.
Coconut Oil is an great ingredient to use in healing salves and ointments. People have used a coconut oil/crushed garlic mixture at night to eliminate plantar warts and athlete's foot with excellent results.
In the making of soaps, the soap does not have a tallow smell nor the smell of a vegetable oil. Instead, it has a nice fresh smell and yields a nice fluffy lather. Coconut oil is one of the most popular oils used in soap making.
Coconut oil is good as a skin moisturiser. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as useful and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturiser, with absence of adverse reactions.
The biggest chemical barrier to infectious organisms is the acid layer on the skin. Healthy skin has a pH of about 5, making it slightly acidic. Our sweat (containing uric and lactic acids) and body oils promote this acidic environment. For this reason, sweat and oil do us good. Harmless bacteria can tolerate the acid and live on the skin, but troublesome bacteria can't thrive and their numbers are few.
Coconut oil will absorb easily, keep the skin soft, and yet without feeling greasy.
Most commercial creams and lotions are commonly water. Their moisture is quickly absorbed into dry, wrinkled skin. As the water enters the skin, it expands the tissues, like filling a balloon with water, so that wrinkles fade away and the skin feels smoother. But this is not permanent. As soon as the water evaporates or is carried away by the blood stream, the dry, wrinkled skin returns. No matter how hard you try people will never be able to permanently cure dry, wrinkled skin with any commercial body lotion or body care merchandise. In addition to water, most lotions have an oil of some type. This oil is almost always a highly refined vegetable oil deficient of all natural protective antioxidants. One product in our food supply and in body care merchandise that leads to a great deal of free radicals is oxidized vegetable oils.
Cocout Oil is not like other oils used to soften rough, dry skin. It will help to reduce chronic skin inflammation within days and be soothing and healing to wounds, blood blisters, rashes, etc.
Our skin is made up of connective tissues. These tissues give our skin strength and elasticity. When we are young and healthy the skin is smooth, elastic and supple. This is the effect of tough connective fibers. As we age their fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its capacity to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery.
Antiseptic fatty acids in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin when it is consumed and to some extent, when it is applied directly to the skin. The only way to gain entry into the body other than through the natural openings, such as the nose and mouth, is by penetrating the skin. When the skin's defenses break down, infections can result. Acne, ringworm, herpes, boils, athlete's foot, and warts are just some of the infectious conditions that can affect the skin and body.
Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction which produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us. The number of antioxidants we have in our tissues is determined to a large extent by the nutrients in our diet. Having anti-oxidants in skin care products is important, too. Dr. Ray Peat, a biochemist who has written about the antioxidant properties of coconut oil, states "It is well established that dietary coconut oil reduces our need for vitamin E, but I think its antioxidant role is more general than that, and that it has both direct and indirect antioxidant activities." Virgin Coconut Oil is especially useful in fighting free-radicals, as it is unrefined and hasn't been extracted of any of its natural components through the refining process.
Conventional body care goods that are made with refined vegetable oils which have all the antioxidants removed from them are highly prone to free-radical generation both in and outside the body. That is why eating processed vegetable oils can cause a deficiency in vitamin E and other antioxidants. The antioxidants are used up fighting off free radicals causing permanent damage to connective tissues. This is also the reason why you should be careful about the type of oils you use on your skin, and in your lotions, creams and lip balms. If you use a lotion, or cream with a refined oil in it you are in fact causing your skin to age faster. The lotion, though it may bring temporary improvement will actually accelerate the aging of the skin and even develop skin cancer through the free radicals that are readily formed from the refined vegetable oil..
The ideal lotion is one that is made from an oil that not only softens the skin, but protects it against damage, promotes healing and gives it a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description.
Quality virgin coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It prevents destructive free-radical formation and provides protection against them. It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn't sag and wrinkle. In some cases it might even restore damaged or diseased skin. The oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause.
Coconut Oil can help to keep the skin from developing liver spots, and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight.
Coconut oil for your scalp and scalp
What coconut oil can do for your skin it can do for your hair.
In India and Sri Lanka, coconut oil is commonly used for styling hair, and cooling or soothing the head and provide stress relief.
Beauticians who are familiar with coconut swear by it. It softens the hair and conditions the scalp. Using the coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner can rid a person of dandruff better than a medicated shampoo.
What coconut oil can do for your skin it can do for your hair.
The protective environment of the skin and how coconut oil helps
Our skin is home to many tiny organisms, most of which are harmless; some are beneficial. At least one variety of bacterium is essential to the healthy environment on our skin. It feeds on the sebum, breaking down the tryglycerides into free fatty acids. The bacteria actually feed on the glycerol part of the triglyceride. This leaves fatty acids which are now "freed" from the glycerol unit that held them together. Medium chain fatty acids which are bound to the glycerol unit as they are in coconut oil have no antimicrobial properties. However, when they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials.
So these bacteria convert the medium chain triglycerides (in the sebum or on the skin) into free fatty acids that can kill disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The combination of the slightly acid pH and medium chain fatty acids offers a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. Due primarily to the action of bacteria, the oil on the surface of your skin and hair is composed of between 40 and 60 percent free fatty acids. The medium chain fatty acids in the sebum provide the protective layer on the skin that kills harmful germs. Coconut oil is nature's richest source of medium chain fatty acids.
When coconut oil is put on the skin it doesn't have any immediate antimicrobial action. However, when bacteria which are always present on the skin turn these triglycerides into free fatty acids, just as it does with sebum, the result is an increase in the number of antimicrobial fatty acids on the skin and protection from infection. The free fatty acids also help to contribute to the acid environment on the skin which repels disease causing germs.
Coconut Oil is an great ingredient to use in healing salves and ointments. People have used a coconut oil/crushed garlic mixture at night to eliminate plantar warts and athlete's foot with excellent results.
In the making of soaps, the soap does not have a tallow smell nor the smell of a vegetable oil. Instead, it has a nice fresh smell and yields a nice fluffy lather. Coconut oil is one of the most popular oils used in soap making.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
How To Take Care Of Your Turquoise Jewelries
The uniqueness and rarity of the color of turquoise make it quite an attraction, especially for women. There are tons of creative pieces that jewelers can do with these precious stones. Turquoise jewelries are popular gift ideas especially for people born on the month of December, as it is their birthstone. Nevertheless, a lot of people no matter which month there are born, are really helplessly in love with the beauty of turquoise.
Turquoise jewelries can really be expensive, specially the high-grade and authentic ones. Because of the popularity of turquoise, you may find a lot of counterfeits. This is why you need to be a little cautious when buying one. If you bought your jewelry at a high cost, it is but right to treat them like your babies and take care of them the best way you can. Here are some tips that can help you preserve their true beauty.
• When cleaning a turquoise, you can use your usual silver cloth to wipe away grimes or dirt. This could beautify your stone in two ways. First, it removes any tarnish without actually damaging it. Second, cleaning them with silver cloth can add luster to turquoise stones.
• With the absence of a silver cloth, you can use a soft cloth. You can add a little water to dampen the cloth and polish the stone. Make sure that you follow this up by wiping the stone with a soft, and this time- dry cloth. This would remove any trace of moisture after you cleaned the stone. After doing so, allow your turquoise to dry naturally.
• Make sure to keep turquoise away from other hard gems, especially diamonds, as they can leave scratches on your precious jewelries.
• When remove your turquoise accessories, be sure that you do so by tugging on the metal or silver part of the jewelry. Do not pull on the turquoise itself.
• Keep your turquoise jewelry in its proper storage after every use. You can wrap them carefully with a tissue paper or a 100% cotton cloth and place them in your jewelry box or in a zip-lock plastic bag. By doing so, you can prevent tarnishing and the possibility of hard materials scratching your turquoise accessories.
• Do not use soap, harsh chemicals or perfume on your turquoise jewelries.
• Make sure that you remove your turquoise rings before putting on hand creams or lotion. If you are to use body oils, remove your turquoise jewelries as well. Even your skin's natural oil can affect the color of turquoise stones over time. They may even change their color a little bit.
Turquoise jewelries are really stunning once worn. It can instantly jazz up your total appearnce, especially if you are about to attend a special occasion that you need to dress up for. Turquoise is really not that hard to take care of. With the tips above, make a mental note of the things that you need to do to preserve the beauty of turquoise. With proper maintenance, turquoise can really last a long time and would continue to adorn you for as long as you need them.
Turquoise jewelries can really be expensive, specially the high-grade and authentic ones. Because of the popularity of turquoise, you may find a lot of counterfeits. This is why you need to be a little cautious when buying one. If you bought your jewelry at a high cost, it is but right to treat them like your babies and take care of them the best way you can. Here are some tips that can help you preserve their true beauty.
• When cleaning a turquoise, you can use your usual silver cloth to wipe away grimes or dirt. This could beautify your stone in two ways. First, it removes any tarnish without actually damaging it. Second, cleaning them with silver cloth can add luster to turquoise stones.
• With the absence of a silver cloth, you can use a soft cloth. You can add a little water to dampen the cloth and polish the stone. Make sure that you follow this up by wiping the stone with a soft, and this time- dry cloth. This would remove any trace of moisture after you cleaned the stone. After doing so, allow your turquoise to dry naturally.
• Make sure to keep turquoise away from other hard gems, especially diamonds, as they can leave scratches on your precious jewelries.
• When remove your turquoise accessories, be sure that you do so by tugging on the metal or silver part of the jewelry. Do not pull on the turquoise itself.
• Keep your turquoise jewelry in its proper storage after every use. You can wrap them carefully with a tissue paper or a 100% cotton cloth and place them in your jewelry box or in a zip-lock plastic bag. By doing so, you can prevent tarnishing and the possibility of hard materials scratching your turquoise accessories.
• Do not use soap, harsh chemicals or perfume on your turquoise jewelries.
• Make sure that you remove your turquoise rings before putting on hand creams or lotion. If you are to use body oils, remove your turquoise jewelries as well. Even your skin's natural oil can affect the color of turquoise stones over time. They may even change their color a little bit.
Turquoise jewelries are really stunning once worn. It can instantly jazz up your total appearnce, especially if you are about to attend a special occasion that you need to dress up for. Turquoise is really not that hard to take care of. With the tips above, make a mental note of the things that you need to do to preserve the beauty of turquoise. With proper maintenance, turquoise can really last a long time and would continue to adorn you for as long as you need them.
Monday, December 11, 2006
How To Choose The Right Clothes For Your Body Shape
With ever-changing fashion designs and trends, there is one thing that remains the same: dressing to complement your body shape will always make the biggest impression. Whether you are wearing last year’s skirt or this year’s dress, the way it fits your body is what makes you look fantastic or just ordinary.
It doesn’t matter if you have a pear-shaped body or a to-die-for hourglass figure, there are always certain styles of clothes that will flatter your body type. With a seemingly endless array of stylish accessory options and different clothing styles, you too can look and feel fabulous.
If you have been blessed with a pear-shaped figure, you are not alone! Your hips are set low and your thighs seem out of proportion to your upper body. With a less significant bust size and a typically pronounced waist, you should avoid anything that attracts extra attention to your hips, including blouses or jackets that sit directly on your waist. By shifting the attention to your bust with fitted tops, you will move attention from your trouble areas below and appear more proportional to the rest of your body. Don’t forget to accessorize to complement your look! A subtle necklace and a short hanging bag can perfect your outfit and bring more attention to your upper body. With the faultless pairing of the right clothes and accessories, your outfit will look like it has been tailored to fit and you will be ready to impress even the most stylish divas.
With hips to love and a full bust, women with the classic hourglass figure are in luck. If your body resembles that of Salma Heyak or Tyra Banks, you are one of the eight percent of American women that have been fortunate enough to inherit the curves that most women dream of! When dressing for an hourglass figure, it is important to flaunt those curves and remember that over seventy five percent of fashion designers tailor their clothing to fit this classic shape, making it a breeze to find the right fit for you. Wearing clothes that skim your body, and are not too tight and not too loose, will flatter your form and make the most of your body. Accessorize with belts and tops that tie at the waist and your outfit (and body!) will be runway ready.
Women with an undefined waist and a straight body shape should show off their slender legs and highlight the best aspects of their lean body. Wearing skirts and dresses that lengthen the appearance of the torso flatter this body type. Pair fashionable dresses with a longer overcoat and your body will appear long, lean and fit. Wearing V-neck shirts or tops with a low collar will elongate your neck and draw attention to your most helpful assets. With a straight body shape, you can detract attention from your waist and hips by avoiding belts and any dresses or shirts that gather at the waist. To make your legs appear even longer, add stylish pumps or pointy high heels to perfect your outfit.
If you have inherited a round body figure with a voluptuous bust, narrow hips and a round tummy, there is no need to shy away from chic styles. Celebrities like Kate Winslet have become fashion icons with their voluptuous bodies and you can too. With characteristically lean legs, rounder types will find that their best bet lies with showing off their legs and shapely hips. Wearing tops with a longer neckline and avoiding broad collars and polo necks can diminish attention from your full bust and can help your neck appear extra lean. Wear attractive tunics and steer clear of tight fitting clothing so that your round stomach will seem lean and fit while drawing attention to your trim legs. Accessorize your outfit with narrow belts that blend with the color of your outfit and you will be model ready in no time.
With simple changes to your outfit, your body shape fears can be a thing of the past. Always remember to accentuate your best features to detract from your most troublesome areas and you will be an exemplary model of first-class fashion.
It doesn’t matter if you have a pear-shaped body or a to-die-for hourglass figure, there are always certain styles of clothes that will flatter your body type. With a seemingly endless array of stylish accessory options and different clothing styles, you too can look and feel fabulous.
If you have been blessed with a pear-shaped figure, you are not alone! Your hips are set low and your thighs seem out of proportion to your upper body. With a less significant bust size and a typically pronounced waist, you should avoid anything that attracts extra attention to your hips, including blouses or jackets that sit directly on your waist. By shifting the attention to your bust with fitted tops, you will move attention from your trouble areas below and appear more proportional to the rest of your body. Don’t forget to accessorize to complement your look! A subtle necklace and a short hanging bag can perfect your outfit and bring more attention to your upper body. With the faultless pairing of the right clothes and accessories, your outfit will look like it has been tailored to fit and you will be ready to impress even the most stylish divas.
With hips to love and a full bust, women with the classic hourglass figure are in luck. If your body resembles that of Salma Heyak or Tyra Banks, you are one of the eight percent of American women that have been fortunate enough to inherit the curves that most women dream of! When dressing for an hourglass figure, it is important to flaunt those curves and remember that over seventy five percent of fashion designers tailor their clothing to fit this classic shape, making it a breeze to find the right fit for you. Wearing clothes that skim your body, and are not too tight and not too loose, will flatter your form and make the most of your body. Accessorize with belts and tops that tie at the waist and your outfit (and body!) will be runway ready.
Women with an undefined waist and a straight body shape should show off their slender legs and highlight the best aspects of their lean body. Wearing skirts and dresses that lengthen the appearance of the torso flatter this body type. Pair fashionable dresses with a longer overcoat and your body will appear long, lean and fit. Wearing V-neck shirts or tops with a low collar will elongate your neck and draw attention to your most helpful assets. With a straight body shape, you can detract attention from your waist and hips by avoiding belts and any dresses or shirts that gather at the waist. To make your legs appear even longer, add stylish pumps or pointy high heels to perfect your outfit.
If you have inherited a round body figure with a voluptuous bust, narrow hips and a round tummy, there is no need to shy away from chic styles. Celebrities like Kate Winslet have become fashion icons with their voluptuous bodies and you can too. With characteristically lean legs, rounder types will find that their best bet lies with showing off their legs and shapely hips. Wearing tops with a longer neckline and avoiding broad collars and polo necks can diminish attention from your full bust and can help your neck appear extra lean. Wear attractive tunics and steer clear of tight fitting clothing so that your round stomach will seem lean and fit while drawing attention to your trim legs. Accessorize your outfit with narrow belts that blend with the color of your outfit and you will be model ready in no time.
With simple changes to your outfit, your body shape fears can be a thing of the past. Always remember to accentuate your best features to detract from your most troublesome areas and you will be an exemplary model of first-class fashion.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Presidential Prospects of John Kerry Not Very Merry
Although John Kerry was not very merry when he lost his bid for President, he continued to maintain that he deserves a second chance. He might have had one if it weren’t for two very significant obstacles: Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.
There is little he can do about the allure of Hillary. Though she’s a member of the party that seems determined to be at odds with the inclinations of most Americans, she might have so much appeal that she can pull off a Presidential win.
But a more significant obstacle for Senator Kerry is the Senator himself. Veteran politico that he is, he seems to have run his own swift boat into the rocks. How could he have allowed himself such an egregious misjudgment as to state before a university audience that anybody who doesn’t study hard could “get stuck in Iraq”?
Oh, he did have the sense to offer an apology, or was persuaded to provide one. But what a lame excuse. He said he misspoke and actually meant to say that such a neglectful student could become a President who gets the nation stuck in Iraq. The circumlocution is so awkward it would only have a place in a very hastily scribbled script and would very likely be misspoken. It matters little.
He gave the Republican lions just the steak they were longing to have tossed to them and they went to work on it ravenously. He also became, in the opinion of many of his fellow Democrats, a candidate with a mild case of leprosy.
Given the inviting choice of Hillary Clinton and his own woeful punch at his own jaw, just how merry can his prospects be for a second run as the Democratic candidate?
Of course, he can always promise to have his mouth wired shut. But it’s hard to imagine a Presidential candidate with such an encumbrance on the campaign trail. At least, he would have a credible excuse for misspeaking.
There is little he can do about the allure of Hillary. Though she’s a member of the party that seems determined to be at odds with the inclinations of most Americans, she might have so much appeal that she can pull off a Presidential win.
But a more significant obstacle for Senator Kerry is the Senator himself. Veteran politico that he is, he seems to have run his own swift boat into the rocks. How could he have allowed himself such an egregious misjudgment as to state before a university audience that anybody who doesn’t study hard could “get stuck in Iraq”?
Oh, he did have the sense to offer an apology, or was persuaded to provide one. But what a lame excuse. He said he misspoke and actually meant to say that such a neglectful student could become a President who gets the nation stuck in Iraq. The circumlocution is so awkward it would only have a place in a very hastily scribbled script and would very likely be misspoken. It matters little.
He gave the Republican lions just the steak they were longing to have tossed to them and they went to work on it ravenously. He also became, in the opinion of many of his fellow Democrats, a candidate with a mild case of leprosy.
Given the inviting choice of Hillary Clinton and his own woeful punch at his own jaw, just how merry can his prospects be for a second run as the Democratic candidate?
Of course, he can always promise to have his mouth wired shut. But it’s hard to imagine a Presidential candidate with such an encumbrance on the campaign trail. At least, he would have a credible excuse for misspeaking.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Preschool Activities: Use Snacks And Crafts To Teach ABCs
Everyone knows that it is important to teach children the letters of the alphabet. After all, it is clearly an important building block for learning to read and other early education milestones.
Even children who know their alphabet need to be regularly reminded and challenged with the letters in various order.
The challenge is finding a way to teach preschoolers that is both effective and fun. Most early childhood educators do not recommend buying flashcards or expensive educational tools. Effective preschool education makes learning fun and friendly.
There are three simple methods you need to employ for effective preschool learning and these can be done with things you already have in your own home. Young children learn best if you use these three simple methods: see it, say it, experience it.
This means that in order to teach your preschooler the alphabet you need to let them see the letters -- both in order and out of order. Then you must say the letter and the child must also say it. Finally, in order for the child to really understand the letters of the alphabet he must also experience it. This means employing the senses.
You can use food and crafts to help your child experience the letters of the alphabet by seeing the shape and creating the shape in three-dimensions as well as eating food that either starts with the chosen "letter" or is in the shape of the letter.
For example, why not have your child munch on carrots and candy corn while gluing cotton balls into the shape of the letter "C"? Or perhaps blow bubbles, glue beans in the shape of a "B", and then eat banana splits?
Some other ideas include:
W snacks like waffles, whipped cream, and watermelon; Y snacks like yogurt, yellow cake, and yeast rolls; and Z snacks like zucchini bread, Zesta crackers, and zwieback toast.
Making three dimensional art projects using kite strings and kidney beans for "K"; leaves, lace, lima beans, lids, letter stamps, and shoe laces for "L"; and play money, material, macaroni, and moon shapes for "M".
Be creative and let your child's imagination roam free in your kitchen and with your craft supplies. Once you start looking around your home (and grocery store) for alphabet teaching "tools" you might be surprised at how many ways you can teach your child the alphabet.
While teaching your child the alphabet is an important part of teaching your child to read and preparing for their education, it does not need to be difficult, boring, or expensive for you or your child. It can be fun and easy if you use the world around you and foods and crafts you have in your home.
Even children who know their alphabet need to be regularly reminded and challenged with the letters in various order.
The challenge is finding a way to teach preschoolers that is both effective and fun. Most early childhood educators do not recommend buying flashcards or expensive educational tools. Effective preschool education makes learning fun and friendly.
There are three simple methods you need to employ for effective preschool learning and these can be done with things you already have in your own home. Young children learn best if you use these three simple methods: see it, say it, experience it.
This means that in order to teach your preschooler the alphabet you need to let them see the letters -- both in order and out of order. Then you must say the letter and the child must also say it. Finally, in order for the child to really understand the letters of the alphabet he must also experience it. This means employing the senses.
You can use food and crafts to help your child experience the letters of the alphabet by seeing the shape and creating the shape in three-dimensions as well as eating food that either starts with the chosen "letter" or is in the shape of the letter.
For example, why not have your child munch on carrots and candy corn while gluing cotton balls into the shape of the letter "C"? Or perhaps blow bubbles, glue beans in the shape of a "B", and then eat banana splits?
Some other ideas include:
W snacks like waffles, whipped cream, and watermelon; Y snacks like yogurt, yellow cake, and yeast rolls; and Z snacks like zucchini bread, Zesta crackers, and zwieback toast.
Making three dimensional art projects using kite strings and kidney beans for "K"; leaves, lace, lima beans, lids, letter stamps, and shoe laces for "L"; and play money, material, macaroni, and moon shapes for "M".
Be creative and let your child's imagination roam free in your kitchen and with your craft supplies. Once you start looking around your home (and grocery store) for alphabet teaching "tools" you might be surprised at how many ways you can teach your child the alphabet.
While teaching your child the alphabet is an important part of teaching your child to read and preparing for their education, it does not need to be difficult, boring, or expensive for you or your child. It can be fun and easy if you use the world around you and foods and crafts you have in your home.
Crib Safety Recommendations
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a terrible thing to contemplate, however there are things parents can do do reduce their child's risk of accidental suffocation. Here are some of the suggested precautions for crib-safety.
If using a blanket, it is best to place your infant with his or her feet nearly touching one end of the crib, then tuck the blanket in at the foot and the sides allowing it to cover no farther than your baby's chest. Using a sleeper instead of a blanket may further reduce any risk of danger. Your child should sleep on his or her back in a crib with a firm, tightly fitting mattress. This is to prevent your child from becoming trapped between the sides of the crib and the mattress. Do not put pillows, comforters, quilts, bumper pads or stuffed toys in the crib with your child. Only use fitted sheets that are made for cribs and fit the mattress properly.
Be sure there are no loose or poorly installed brackets, screws or other hardware on the crib or mattress support. The corner posts should not be taller than 1/16th of an inch high to prevent the infant's clothing from getting caught and there should not be any cutouts on the headboard or footboard where your child's head might become trapped. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 1/4 inches apart so that the baby cannot squeeze through. Never use a crib with missing or damaged slats.
If you plan to use a crib with mesh sides, don't use anything with mesh larger than 1/4 inch because the buttons from your infant's clothing could get caught. If the crib or playpen was manufactured using staples, just be sure none of them are missing, loose or sticking out. Check the tops and bottoms on all sides to be certain the mesh is securely attached and make sure there are no rips or holes in the rail cover along the top especially. Always check for damaged mesh and do not use the crib or playpen if there are holes or loose threads.
By taking the above precautions you can reduce the chance of your child having an accident, and that will help just about any parent sleep a little better at night.
If using a blanket, it is best to place your infant with his or her feet nearly touching one end of the crib, then tuck the blanket in at the foot and the sides allowing it to cover no farther than your baby's chest. Using a sleeper instead of a blanket may further reduce any risk of danger. Your child should sleep on his or her back in a crib with a firm, tightly fitting mattress. This is to prevent your child from becoming trapped between the sides of the crib and the mattress. Do not put pillows, comforters, quilts, bumper pads or stuffed toys in the crib with your child. Only use fitted sheets that are made for cribs and fit the mattress properly.
Be sure there are no loose or poorly installed brackets, screws or other hardware on the crib or mattress support. The corner posts should not be taller than 1/16th of an inch high to prevent the infant's clothing from getting caught and there should not be any cutouts on the headboard or footboard where your child's head might become trapped. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 1/4 inches apart so that the baby cannot squeeze through. Never use a crib with missing or damaged slats.
If you plan to use a crib with mesh sides, don't use anything with mesh larger than 1/4 inch because the buttons from your infant's clothing could get caught. If the crib or playpen was manufactured using staples, just be sure none of them are missing, loose or sticking out. Check the tops and bottoms on all sides to be certain the mesh is securely attached and make sure there are no rips or holes in the rail cover along the top especially. Always check for damaged mesh and do not use the crib or playpen if there are holes or loose threads.
By taking the above precautions you can reduce the chance of your child having an accident, and that will help just about any parent sleep a little better at night.
The Explorer And The Talking Money: All About Dora And Boots
Best of friends, for life…
The above phrase describes the friendship Dora and Boots have. You may ask who are Dora and Boots.
If you are familiar with Dora the Explorer then you might find it easy to answer who Dora and Boots are.
Dora is a seven-year old Latina lass who pilots the animated show “Dora the Explorer.” She is set forth to beat various tasks. Every task she hurdles requires her to come up with strategic plans. At all times, Dora succeeds in her mission. Dora will not be able to accomplish her tasks if Boots is nowhere to be found.
Boots is Dora’s best pal. He is a talking monkey who helps Dora with her every task. He seldom frets on matters which requires problem-solving. Yet it is evident that Boots love to assist Dora and complete her mission. You can observe Boots as an outgoing and active monkey.
Dora and Boots have always been together with every Dora’s adventure. They have experienced laughter and sadness together. Both have encountered triumphs and failures. They just lived their lives together.
Some of Dora and Boots adventures keep their friendship alive are the following:
A true friend remembers his friend’s birthday and makes a way to brighten up his day.
On one occasion during Boots’ birthday, Dora plans a surprise party for her best pal. She invited all their common friends. However Dora, together with her friends has to climb a stair with almost-never-ending steps. Afterwards she and her friends need to go across a Troll Bridge. Dora and her friends need to do that for them to be able to reach the venue for the surprise party…all for the love of Boots.
It is not only during good times that Dora and Boots are together. They are also together on bad and rough times.
There is also one instance where Dora and Boots have to catch a bouncing ball. Boots is the one who purchased the bouncing ball. He thought it will be a good toy for him and Dora. Unluckily, the ball bounced down to the hill. Dora and Boots decided to follow and get hold of the bouncing ball. The best pals experienced their first mud swim in search for the bouncing ball. They also brainstormed on a tricky riddle at the Troll Bridge for them to be able to get their toy. Fatefully Swiper threw the bouncing ball into the Volcano. Dora and Boots had their first taste of volcano explosion as it spewed the bouncing ball.
Dora and Boots also have a heart for other creatures. They will face many challenges set forth to them just to help someone.
During one of Dora and Boot’s water adventure, they have come across a baby fish which is fenced in a tide pool. Dora and Boots agreed to help the baby fish and chose to return him in its home. The decision to return the baby fish is not an easy one for both friends needs to mount over a sandcastle which is believed to be owned by a King Crab. Moreover, they need to make Val the Octopus says yes to take them into an underwater ride.
On the examples given, you can see how Dora and Boots maintained their friendship. It is not all about fun times. A true friend sticks with you on both good and bad times.
As the song goes…that’s what friends are for.
The above phrase describes the friendship Dora and Boots have. You may ask who are Dora and Boots.
If you are familiar with Dora the Explorer then you might find it easy to answer who Dora and Boots are.
Dora is a seven-year old Latina lass who pilots the animated show “Dora the Explorer.” She is set forth to beat various tasks. Every task she hurdles requires her to come up with strategic plans. At all times, Dora succeeds in her mission. Dora will not be able to accomplish her tasks if Boots is nowhere to be found.
Boots is Dora’s best pal. He is a talking monkey who helps Dora with her every task. He seldom frets on matters which requires problem-solving. Yet it is evident that Boots love to assist Dora and complete her mission. You can observe Boots as an outgoing and active monkey.
Dora and Boots have always been together with every Dora’s adventure. They have experienced laughter and sadness together. Both have encountered triumphs and failures. They just lived their lives together.
Some of Dora and Boots adventures keep their friendship alive are the following:
A true friend remembers his friend’s birthday and makes a way to brighten up his day.
On one occasion during Boots’ birthday, Dora plans a surprise party for her best pal. She invited all their common friends. However Dora, together with her friends has to climb a stair with almost-never-ending steps. Afterwards she and her friends need to go across a Troll Bridge. Dora and her friends need to do that for them to be able to reach the venue for the surprise party…all for the love of Boots.
It is not only during good times that Dora and Boots are together. They are also together on bad and rough times.
There is also one instance where Dora and Boots have to catch a bouncing ball. Boots is the one who purchased the bouncing ball. He thought it will be a good toy for him and Dora. Unluckily, the ball bounced down to the hill. Dora and Boots decided to follow and get hold of the bouncing ball. The best pals experienced their first mud swim in search for the bouncing ball. They also brainstormed on a tricky riddle at the Troll Bridge for them to be able to get their toy. Fatefully Swiper threw the bouncing ball into the Volcano. Dora and Boots had their first taste of volcano explosion as it spewed the bouncing ball.
Dora and Boots also have a heart for other creatures. They will face many challenges set forth to them just to help someone.
During one of Dora and Boot’s water adventure, they have come across a baby fish which is fenced in a tide pool. Dora and Boots agreed to help the baby fish and chose to return him in its home. The decision to return the baby fish is not an easy one for both friends needs to mount over a sandcastle which is believed to be owned by a King Crab. Moreover, they need to make Val the Octopus says yes to take them into an underwater ride.
On the examples given, you can see how Dora and Boots maintained their friendship. It is not all about fun times. A true friend sticks with you on both good and bad times.
As the song goes…that’s what friends are for.
Baby Proofing Basics
One of the first things that goes through a new parent’s head is the need for safety. Baby proofing your home is a major concern – and rightfully so. Many accidents that happen in the home can be prevented with a few safety precautions.
Before you spend a penny on baby proofing accessories, take an inventory throughout your home to look for trouble spots. Some examples of baby dangers are chemicals, open toilets, bathtub faucets, sharp edges on tables and other furniture, staircases, unprotected electrical outlets, heavy furniture such as bookcases and entertainment centers that could fall on baby, window blind cords, electrical appliances, sharp utensils, doors that lock on the inside, and choking hazards.
As you’re going through your home making a baby-proofing inventory, make sure that you don’t stay on your feet. Don’t forget to get on your hands and knees and get a baby’s eye level view of your home.
When you look at the above list, you may begin to feel overwhelmed – but don’t panic! Baby proofing doesn’t have to be done all in one day – especially if you start early in your pregnancy and baby’s life.
You should begin thinking about baby proofing as soon as you decide to become a parent. However, even after your baby is born you have a little time to get the job done. At first your baby won’t be able to move around the house at will and this gives you time to get your baby proofing done if you haven’t already completed it. Certainly before your baby is crawling, you should have your baby proofing completed.
Many parents work hard at baby proofing their home, but don’t take care of the hidden choking hazards that are lurking. An easy test to determine whether or not an object is a choking hazard is to see if it will fit through the hole in a toilet paper roll.
If an object can easily slide through, it can easily be picked up by small hands and put in the mouth. Make sure that you don’t make a baby-proofing mistake by overlooking common objects in your home that could spell big danger.
Once you know what areas of your home need baby proofing, you can make some simple modifications to improve safety. Childproof latches, socket covers, and simply picking up dangerous objects can help make your home safer for your baby and improve your peace of mind.
Before you spend a penny on baby proofing accessories, take an inventory throughout your home to look for trouble spots. Some examples of baby dangers are chemicals, open toilets, bathtub faucets, sharp edges on tables and other furniture, staircases, unprotected electrical outlets, heavy furniture such as bookcases and entertainment centers that could fall on baby, window blind cords, electrical appliances, sharp utensils, doors that lock on the inside, and choking hazards.
As you’re going through your home making a baby-proofing inventory, make sure that you don’t stay on your feet. Don’t forget to get on your hands and knees and get a baby’s eye level view of your home.
When you look at the above list, you may begin to feel overwhelmed – but don’t panic! Baby proofing doesn’t have to be done all in one day – especially if you start early in your pregnancy and baby’s life.
You should begin thinking about baby proofing as soon as you decide to become a parent. However, even after your baby is born you have a little time to get the job done. At first your baby won’t be able to move around the house at will and this gives you time to get your baby proofing done if you haven’t already completed it. Certainly before your baby is crawling, you should have your baby proofing completed.
Many parents work hard at baby proofing their home, but don’t take care of the hidden choking hazards that are lurking. An easy test to determine whether or not an object is a choking hazard is to see if it will fit through the hole in a toilet paper roll.
If an object can easily slide through, it can easily be picked up by small hands and put in the mouth. Make sure that you don’t make a baby-proofing mistake by overlooking common objects in your home that could spell big danger.
Once you know what areas of your home need baby proofing, you can make some simple modifications to improve safety. Childproof latches, socket covers, and simply picking up dangerous objects can help make your home safer for your baby and improve your peace of mind.
Parenting Tips That Build Character When Your Kids Are Driving You Crazy
I remember counseling a second grade boy who was a 'Sammy the Slacker.' One day his teacher confided, "When I tell my class, 'Children, please take out your readers,' Sammy leans back in his chair, his arms hanging over its back, and calls out, 'I can’t find my book!' Sure enough, a little girl scrambles over, looks in his messy desk, and finds it for him."
Sammy irritated his teacher, lost the respect of his classmates, and had no friends. These are not the results most parents want for their children. To help Sammy, I worked with his parents. I found out that his mother and grandmother believed it their duty to be servants to their families. They were to pick up after everyone, do all the housework, and smile too.
Sammy’s mom felt her smiles turn to anger. She understood that she was spoiling Sammy, making him weak, dependent, and distasteful to others. She decided to build character in Sammy by changing the beliefs she inherited from her mother.
3 Parenting Tips That Build Character:
Sammy's mom wrote out age-appropriate chores for Sammy.
She created a chart to help build his character.
She worked with Sammy to choose a goal for his chart.
The goals Sammy's mother offered were clear, simple, and positive. At the top of Sammy’s chart Sammy chose this goal:
"My goal is to do my own work and then help others."
3 Parenting Tips That Motivate:
Sammy's mom offered stickers for his chart.
She developed a fun activity list to share with him as a reward.
She gave Sammy the choice of which activity to share when he earned a certain number of stickers.
Once the chart was created, Sammy posted it on the refrigerator. Sammy’s mom knew she had to encourage his improvements.
3 Parenting Tips to Encourage Good Behavior:
Sammy's mom rewarded him consistently.
She gave the stickers soon after he completed a task.
She scheduled his fun activity to do together soon after he earned enough stickers.
Because Sammy’s mom was positive and consistent in rewarding him, he went from being Sammy the Slacker to becoming Sammy the Helper. His teacher sent home reports of improvement and, slowly but surely, Sammy made friends.
Whether you have a Billy the Blamer, a Gretta the Greedy, or a child with some other problem behavior, consider using character building charts. You’ll be teaching your child responsibility, self-discipline, and teamwork. You’ll feel saner and happier. You'll be building character too.
Sammy irritated his teacher, lost the respect of his classmates, and had no friends. These are not the results most parents want for their children. To help Sammy, I worked with his parents. I found out that his mother and grandmother believed it their duty to be servants to their families. They were to pick up after everyone, do all the housework, and smile too.
Sammy’s mom felt her smiles turn to anger. She understood that she was spoiling Sammy, making him weak, dependent, and distasteful to others. She decided to build character in Sammy by changing the beliefs she inherited from her mother.
3 Parenting Tips That Build Character:
Sammy's mom wrote out age-appropriate chores for Sammy.
She created a chart to help build his character.
She worked with Sammy to choose a goal for his chart.
The goals Sammy's mother offered were clear, simple, and positive. At the top of Sammy’s chart Sammy chose this goal:
"My goal is to do my own work and then help others."
3 Parenting Tips That Motivate:
Sammy's mom offered stickers for his chart.
She developed a fun activity list to share with him as a reward.
She gave Sammy the choice of which activity to share when he earned a certain number of stickers.
Once the chart was created, Sammy posted it on the refrigerator. Sammy’s mom knew she had to encourage his improvements.
3 Parenting Tips to Encourage Good Behavior:
Sammy's mom rewarded him consistently.
She gave the stickers soon after he completed a task.
She scheduled his fun activity to do together soon after he earned enough stickers.
Because Sammy’s mom was positive and consistent in rewarding him, he went from being Sammy the Slacker to becoming Sammy the Helper. His teacher sent home reports of improvement and, slowly but surely, Sammy made friends.
Whether you have a Billy the Blamer, a Gretta the Greedy, or a child with some other problem behavior, consider using character building charts. You’ll be teaching your child responsibility, self-discipline, and teamwork. You’ll feel saner and happier. You'll be building character too.
Find the Perfect Picture Frame
Picture Frames
If you have a picture that you love, then it's amazing how much better it can look given the right frame. Pictures can say so much more than words, given the right presentation. A photo or picture frame, as well as being decorative, is meant to protect and highlight its contents. It's possible to take a magnificent work of art and reduce it to nothing by giving it a frame in the wrong materials, but it's also possible to turn the tables and turn an average picture into a masterpiece.
Finding the right frame can be difficult, so it's important that you allow plenty of time to the search. Most standard size photo frames are relatively inexpensive, and they're stocked by a large range of shops. This means it's easy to look at a whole range of possible frames in a fairly short amount of time. As you look around, you'll find there are frames that instantly appeal to you, and that's a good sign. That particular frame probably connects with your personality in some way, and so will give your framed photo an extremely personal feel.
You can buy photo frames made in a whole range of materials, with some of the most popular frames being made from pewter, stainless steel, ceramics, composites and crystal. Look for the best design and material that fits your budget. Examine the decor of your home, and choose a frame that matches. Contemporary homes blend best with dark frames, using strong materials like silver, copper or gold, or plain dark colors like black. If your home has more of a Mediterranean feel, then pale blue or white will go best. Ornate gilded frames match beautifully with antiques, and for a child's room look for plastic frames made with bright colors and fun shapes.
Pictures aren't always made to a standard size, which can make them difficult to frame. It's possible that a professional framer might be necessary to get something custom made. If you've never been to a framer's before, you may find the huge variety of shapes, colors and materials a little daunting. So it's a good idea to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve. What's the style of the room where the picture will be located? Do you want the frame to stand out or the picture? Take care not to overwhelm a special picture with a bright, wide frame.
If you've spent some time thinking about what sort of effect you want to achieve for your picture, then choosing the right frame shouldn’t be too difficult. Take a look at all the options, and choose something that appeals to you. After all, you'll undoubtedly be looking at the picture and its frame for many years to come.
If you have a picture that you love, then it's amazing how much better it can look given the right frame. Pictures can say so much more than words, given the right presentation. A photo or picture frame, as well as being decorative, is meant to protect and highlight its contents. It's possible to take a magnificent work of art and reduce it to nothing by giving it a frame in the wrong materials, but it's also possible to turn the tables and turn an average picture into a masterpiece.
Finding the right frame can be difficult, so it's important that you allow plenty of time to the search. Most standard size photo frames are relatively inexpensive, and they're stocked by a large range of shops. This means it's easy to look at a whole range of possible frames in a fairly short amount of time. As you look around, you'll find there are frames that instantly appeal to you, and that's a good sign. That particular frame probably connects with your personality in some way, and so will give your framed photo an extremely personal feel.
You can buy photo frames made in a whole range of materials, with some of the most popular frames being made from pewter, stainless steel, ceramics, composites and crystal. Look for the best design and material that fits your budget. Examine the decor of your home, and choose a frame that matches. Contemporary homes blend best with dark frames, using strong materials like silver, copper or gold, or plain dark colors like black. If your home has more of a Mediterranean feel, then pale blue or white will go best. Ornate gilded frames match beautifully with antiques, and for a child's room look for plastic frames made with bright colors and fun shapes.
Pictures aren't always made to a standard size, which can make them difficult to frame. It's possible that a professional framer might be necessary to get something custom made. If you've never been to a framer's before, you may find the huge variety of shapes, colors and materials a little daunting. So it's a good idea to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve. What's the style of the room where the picture will be located? Do you want the frame to stand out or the picture? Take care not to overwhelm a special picture with a bright, wide frame.
If you've spent some time thinking about what sort of effect you want to achieve for your picture, then choosing the right frame shouldn’t be too difficult. Take a look at all the options, and choose something that appeals to you. After all, you'll undoubtedly be looking at the picture and its frame for many years to come.
Are You Ready For Holiday Shopping This Year?
Know the holiday retail and spending trends
With the increase in gas prices, and the slow down of the housing market, you may think consumers will cut down on their holiday spending in 2006. But many reports and surveys have shown these concerns will have little to no impact on what consumers will spend this year. According to a report from the Radio Advertising Bureau, consumers have withstood challenges this year from energy costs, slow growth in jobs and softness in the housing market, and they will continue to be bullish about the economy and their own financial well-being. Overall spending is expected to be up for many key categories.
Gift Cards
Same as last year, gift cards are expected to be the top holiday purchase this year. Last year, 66 percent of consumers bought at least one gift card. Gift cards are an excellent idea if you are not sure what the person will like. However, many people think they are too impersonal. Retailers on the other hand, like gift cards. They like the idea when consumers come in to use the gift cards, there is a good chance the consumer will want to use the entire gift card balance and even spend more than the gift card.
Department Store Credit Cards
Everyone knows when the holiday season approaches, many department stores offer zero-percent financing or an additional percent off for consumer purchases. A survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs, stated that when consumers were asked how likely they are to make a major purchase this holiday season using either a zero-percent financing or a no payments/no interest offer, fewer than two in ten (18 percent) say it is very likely that they will. Additionally, 71 percent responded that if they were to take advantage of such an offer, they would plan to pay off the total due before incurring any interest charges.
This same survey also found a correlation between age and income level. Ninety-five percent of consumers 65 and older say they are highly unlikely to take advantage of store credit card offers. Twenty-five percent of consumers with household incomes $50 k or greater say they are very likely to take advantage of such an offer. Eighty-one percent of consumers with household incomes $50 k or greater say they would pay off the whole purchase before the interest is due.
If you choose to take advantage of such deals, make sure you pay the purchase off as quickly as possible. Department store credit cards are known for charging ridiculously high interest rates after the promotional offer expires. If this happens to you, the initial savings you received on the product when you first bought it will turn into a net loss, especially if you rack up late payment fees. Online Shopping
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers tips for safe online shopping
• Know the seller. Confirm the online seller's address and phone number incase of problems
• Know exactly what you are buying. Look out for descriptions like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close out." These terms may indicate that the products are not in mint condition.
• Compare prices of the same product on different website.
• Check the privacy policy to make sure the website will not share your personal information with anyone.
• Pay with a credit card. Credit cards offer consumers the most protection. Do not send cash!
• Use a secure browser. Buy only from websites that offer secure payments.
• Consider shipping and handling costs.
• Print records of your online transactions. (receipts, confirmation e-mails, bank statements, etc.).
• Understand the return policy.
• Check delivery dates. A FTC rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date.
Retail store information for 2006
According to Forbes.com, here are their holiday picks. Specialty stores like Victoria's Secret, Coach and Aeropostale, will do very well because consumers want premium products. Another specialty store – Gap, is introducing their limited edition "Product Red" clothing line just in time for the holidays. Product Red is being promoted by Oprah Winfrey and Bono to raise money for AIDS victims in Africa. Forbes.com says Product Red will bring a whole new customer to Gap stores, some who have not shopped there in years. Huge stores like Wal-Mart and Target have already shown a holiday shopping increase in October. Wal-Mart is now selling top notch electronics such as High Definition (HD) televisions. JC Penny is also expected to do well due their large advertising budget and their "Red Box" holiday campaign. The Red Box campaign will feature 20 – 30 items in advertisement across the whole country.
Protecting your purchases
If you decide to shop with a credit card, choose one that offers a purchase protection plan. There may be an instance that you buy a product that you do not want or a product that breaks or falls apart. Since many stores have a no-return or return for store credit only policy, you are usually out of luck. This is when purchase protection plans come in. If you shop with a credit card that offers return protection, you can receive reimbursement for the purchase price even if the store of origin has a no-return policy. Return protection programs typically involve a limit on the amount per item and an annual limit for the cardholder. Other qualifications such as the condition of the purchased item and the existence of any return/satisfaction guarantee programs at the store may apply. These plans also offer manufacturer's extended warranties. You may not need to buy additional warranties on major purchases because some credit card companies will extend the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty. This service could save you the expense of purchasing extended warranty programs. Make sure you familiarize yourself with coverage restrictions before making your final decision.
With the increase in gas prices, and the slow down of the housing market, you may think consumers will cut down on their holiday spending in 2006. But many reports and surveys have shown these concerns will have little to no impact on what consumers will spend this year. According to a report from the Radio Advertising Bureau, consumers have withstood challenges this year from energy costs, slow growth in jobs and softness in the housing market, and they will continue to be bullish about the economy and their own financial well-being. Overall spending is expected to be up for many key categories.
Gift Cards
Same as last year, gift cards are expected to be the top holiday purchase this year. Last year, 66 percent of consumers bought at least one gift card. Gift cards are an excellent idea if you are not sure what the person will like. However, many people think they are too impersonal. Retailers on the other hand, like gift cards. They like the idea when consumers come in to use the gift cards, there is a good chance the consumer will want to use the entire gift card balance and even spend more than the gift card.
Department Store Credit Cards
Everyone knows when the holiday season approaches, many department stores offer zero-percent financing or an additional percent off for consumer purchases. A survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs, stated that when consumers were asked how likely they are to make a major purchase this holiday season using either a zero-percent financing or a no payments/no interest offer, fewer than two in ten (18 percent) say it is very likely that they will. Additionally, 71 percent responded that if they were to take advantage of such an offer, they would plan to pay off the total due before incurring any interest charges.
This same survey also found a correlation between age and income level. Ninety-five percent of consumers 65 and older say they are highly unlikely to take advantage of store credit card offers. Twenty-five percent of consumers with household incomes $50 k or greater say they are very likely to take advantage of such an offer. Eighty-one percent of consumers with household incomes $50 k or greater say they would pay off the whole purchase before the interest is due.
If you choose to take advantage of such deals, make sure you pay the purchase off as quickly as possible. Department store credit cards are known for charging ridiculously high interest rates after the promotional offer expires. If this happens to you, the initial savings you received on the product when you first bought it will turn into a net loss, especially if you rack up late payment fees. Online Shopping
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers tips for safe online shopping
• Know the seller. Confirm the online seller's address and phone number incase of problems
• Know exactly what you are buying. Look out for descriptions like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close out." These terms may indicate that the products are not in mint condition.
• Compare prices of the same product on different website.
• Check the privacy policy to make sure the website will not share your personal information with anyone.
• Pay with a credit card. Credit cards offer consumers the most protection. Do not send cash!
• Use a secure browser. Buy only from websites that offer secure payments.
• Consider shipping and handling costs.
• Print records of your online transactions. (receipts, confirmation e-mails, bank statements, etc.).
• Understand the return policy.
• Check delivery dates. A FTC rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date.
Retail store information for 2006
According to Forbes.com, here are their holiday picks. Specialty stores like Victoria's Secret, Coach and Aeropostale, will do very well because consumers want premium products. Another specialty store – Gap, is introducing their limited edition "Product Red" clothing line just in time for the holidays. Product Red is being promoted by Oprah Winfrey and Bono to raise money for AIDS victims in Africa. Forbes.com says Product Red will bring a whole new customer to Gap stores, some who have not shopped there in years. Huge stores like Wal-Mart and Target have already shown a holiday shopping increase in October. Wal-Mart is now selling top notch electronics such as High Definition (HD) televisions. JC Penny is also expected to do well due their large advertising budget and their "Red Box" holiday campaign. The Red Box campaign will feature 20 – 30 items in advertisement across the whole country.
Protecting your purchases
If you decide to shop with a credit card, choose one that offers a purchase protection plan. There may be an instance that you buy a product that you do not want or a product that breaks or falls apart. Since many stores have a no-return or return for store credit only policy, you are usually out of luck. This is when purchase protection plans come in. If you shop with a credit card that offers return protection, you can receive reimbursement for the purchase price even if the store of origin has a no-return policy. Return protection programs typically involve a limit on the amount per item and an annual limit for the cardholder. Other qualifications such as the condition of the purchased item and the existence of any return/satisfaction guarantee programs at the store may apply. These plans also offer manufacturer's extended warranties. You may not need to buy additional warranties on major purchases because some credit card companies will extend the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty. This service could save you the expense of purchasing extended warranty programs. Make sure you familiarize yourself with coverage restrictions before making your final decision.
Lawyers – Did You Hear The One About…
• Three partners of a law firm were flying out of town to attend a convention. Halfway through the trip, one of the partners said to the second partner, “Oh no, I forgot to lock the office safe”. The third partner quickly responded, “Don’t worry all three of us are here”.
• Question – “What’s wrong with telling a lawyer joke”? Answer – “Lawyers don’t think they’re funny and no one else thinks they’re jokes”.
• Question – “What do honest attorneys and UFOs have in common”? Answer – “You always heat about them but no one has ever seen one”.
Chances are you have heard numerous jokes pertaining to attorneys, and admittedly some are actually funny! However, while some can be taken lightly, others are almost gruesome. The love/hate relationship between attorneys and clients has been going on for a long time. Unfortunately, some attorneys probably deserve to have a joke written about them but most are good, honest, and reputable people trying hard to make a difference in a person’s life and society.
Although there are a number of negative perceptions associated with attorneys, the one that seems to keep hanging on is actually slightly misguided. Much of the public believes that all attorneys squeeze clients dry, charging them for every dime spent, often associated with outlandish lawsuits. Believe it or not there are industry standards and state bar guidelines as to how attorneys charge clients and are paid. The best way to avoid billing surprises is to agree in advance on how and what you are charged for and the expected timelines and outcomes.
The media has played a huge role in our overall perception of lawyers from news reports involving attorneys to attorneys (fictional and reality). If you were to turn on any major news channel, the majority of issues being reported whether they involve attorneys or not are often negative. We don’t hear news stories about attorneys doing their job, but we do hear of the isolated case of bad behavior. Therefore, the public assumes that one story pertaining to a crooked attorney represents all attorneys, which is simply not the case.
We also have the perception that many attorneys are hard nosed sharks. We love to hate this type of attorney but it’s also exactly the kind of representation we want on our side of the bargaining table! In a recent example Nancy Grace accused the mother of a missing child of holding back information. The mother committed suicide shortly after the hard hitting interview and the family partly blamed Grace. While Grace may have doggedly sought the truth, it’s unlikely that her decided lack of sympathy caused the woman’s death. The public was horrified at the behavior, and yet if you needed legal representation, would you want someone unsympathetic to the other side? Someone who would aggressively pursue justice on your behalf?
Herein lies the crux of our love-hate relationship. Divorcing couples provide a window into this dichotomy. In divorce cases where there is a large amount of money involved, someone walks away as the “winner” and the other party is the “loser.” We typically hear of the hard hitting, nasty divorce attorney who won a huge settlement. The client is perfectly happy with their attorney and refers him/her to friends and colleagues. However, the opposing party reviles the lawyer and their entire profession. So the truth may be that we only hate lawyers when they are not our own!
The reality is that there are bad lawyers but there may be more bad people. Attorneys have the moral and legal responsibility of being fair and honest, but potential clients have a responsibility in doing their homework before hiring an attorney, as well as being wise about when to and when not to sue.
Often we turn to the legal profession to mediate petty disputes which are better resolved outside of court. For instance, a coach of a youth baseball league in Brunswick, Ohio ended the season with a 0 to 15 record. Soon after the season ended, the coach, who a volunteer, was served a summons advising he was being sued for $2,000 by the catcher’s father. The crux of the lawsuit was that the coach was incompetent and the father wanted his money back for a trip taken by the team.
The challenge lies in the fact that legally, people can sue for just about anything, even silly, frivolous issues. We have seen lawsuits against fast food makers for making people obese, families suing one another over small dollar amounts and countless other lawsuits over any and everything. While most people are responsible, working through disputes without the court, we see some individuals who have become “sue happy”. To make the issue worse, you have attorneys who see this as a way of making a quick buck by taking on these types of cases, which has resulted in the ever-growing list of jokes. Will the teasing ever stop? Probably not - but many reputable law firms and single-practicing attorneys are taking steps to change or improve public opinion. While you may not see attorneys baking cookies for their clients any time soon, we may just begin to see a few more positive stories about the profession.
• Question – “What’s wrong with telling a lawyer joke”? Answer – “Lawyers don’t think they’re funny and no one else thinks they’re jokes”.
• Question – “What do honest attorneys and UFOs have in common”? Answer – “You always heat about them but no one has ever seen one”.
Chances are you have heard numerous jokes pertaining to attorneys, and admittedly some are actually funny! However, while some can be taken lightly, others are almost gruesome. The love/hate relationship between attorneys and clients has been going on for a long time. Unfortunately, some attorneys probably deserve to have a joke written about them but most are good, honest, and reputable people trying hard to make a difference in a person’s life and society.
Although there are a number of negative perceptions associated with attorneys, the one that seems to keep hanging on is actually slightly misguided. Much of the public believes that all attorneys squeeze clients dry, charging them for every dime spent, often associated with outlandish lawsuits. Believe it or not there are industry standards and state bar guidelines as to how attorneys charge clients and are paid. The best way to avoid billing surprises is to agree in advance on how and what you are charged for and the expected timelines and outcomes.
The media has played a huge role in our overall perception of lawyers from news reports involving attorneys to attorneys (fictional and reality). If you were to turn on any major news channel, the majority of issues being reported whether they involve attorneys or not are often negative. We don’t hear news stories about attorneys doing their job, but we do hear of the isolated case of bad behavior. Therefore, the public assumes that one story pertaining to a crooked attorney represents all attorneys, which is simply not the case.
We also have the perception that many attorneys are hard nosed sharks. We love to hate this type of attorney but it’s also exactly the kind of representation we want on our side of the bargaining table! In a recent example Nancy Grace accused the mother of a missing child of holding back information. The mother committed suicide shortly after the hard hitting interview and the family partly blamed Grace. While Grace may have doggedly sought the truth, it’s unlikely that her decided lack of sympathy caused the woman’s death. The public was horrified at the behavior, and yet if you needed legal representation, would you want someone unsympathetic to the other side? Someone who would aggressively pursue justice on your behalf?
Herein lies the crux of our love-hate relationship. Divorcing couples provide a window into this dichotomy. In divorce cases where there is a large amount of money involved, someone walks away as the “winner” and the other party is the “loser.” We typically hear of the hard hitting, nasty divorce attorney who won a huge settlement. The client is perfectly happy with their attorney and refers him/her to friends and colleagues. However, the opposing party reviles the lawyer and their entire profession. So the truth may be that we only hate lawyers when they are not our own!
The reality is that there are bad lawyers but there may be more bad people. Attorneys have the moral and legal responsibility of being fair and honest, but potential clients have a responsibility in doing their homework before hiring an attorney, as well as being wise about when to and when not to sue.
Often we turn to the legal profession to mediate petty disputes which are better resolved outside of court. For instance, a coach of a youth baseball league in Brunswick, Ohio ended the season with a 0 to 15 record. Soon after the season ended, the coach, who a volunteer, was served a summons advising he was being sued for $2,000 by the catcher’s father. The crux of the lawsuit was that the coach was incompetent and the father wanted his money back for a trip taken by the team.
The challenge lies in the fact that legally, people can sue for just about anything, even silly, frivolous issues. We have seen lawsuits against fast food makers for making people obese, families suing one another over small dollar amounts and countless other lawsuits over any and everything. While most people are responsible, working through disputes without the court, we see some individuals who have become “sue happy”. To make the issue worse, you have attorneys who see this as a way of making a quick buck by taking on these types of cases, which has resulted in the ever-growing list of jokes. Will the teasing ever stop? Probably not - but many reputable law firms and single-practicing attorneys are taking steps to change or improve public opinion. While you may not see attorneys baking cookies for their clients any time soon, we may just begin to see a few more positive stories about the profession.
Unique Approach To Voting During The Upcoming Election
Decisions, decisions! Here comes another election. You know it’s getting close when you get the sample ballot in the mail. And of course there are the signs in the yards, the newspaper ads, and direct mailings. Another indication that the election is near is the amount of TV and radio advertising and the intensity of the messages. More of the ads seem to be negative the closer to Election Day.
Those of you who are loyal to one party have no difficulty choosing which candidate to vote for in the election – it’s one party all the way. Other people may be more thoughtful in their choices. The pre-election polls refer to the other people as undecided.
And then there are the numerous propositions to consider. The County Recorder sends out a thick pamphlet with all the information you care or didn’t care to know about the proposition and the candidates. The sample ballot makes it easier by summarizing what a vote yes or no for a particular proposition would mean. Even some of the best sounding propositions are so poorly written that it may be best not to vote for them.
If you are someone who doesn’t vote and doesn’t care, or has firm loyalty to only one party, then this article is not for you, however, one way or another, the decisions that are made for candidates or propositions will affect you.
So how to do cut through the ads and media coverage to make the best decision? Getting information is a good first step. Some of the information that’s available may be biased to one view or another. Maybe…. it’s more likely the information is biased.
Most of the time I’d say you can trust your intuition or your gut feeling about a candidate or proposition. However the ads that are designed to appeal to the emotions can cloud your reasoning and intuition. So what do you do then? Who do you trust?
What if there was a quick method for asking questions so you could be happy with your voting selections? What if there was a way to determine the level of honesty of a candidate?
Yes, of course it’s only one vote per candidate or proposition and maybe your vote wasn’t or won’t be for the winning one. The important thing is for you to feel good about your voting.
Here’s one solution. You can use the ancient art of dowsing to find the best candidate for the office or to make the best choice for proposition voting. Why dowsing? Dowsing when done correctly enables you to find the truth about the candidates or propositions.
Here’s how you use dowsing appropriately. First you establish a connection with a higher power (be it God, higher self, spirit guides or angels). Then you learn how to use a pendulum, which is quick and easy. It’s simple to make one even with a piece of thread and paperclip.
Next you determine that the horizontal swing of the pendulum device would mean no and the vertical would mean yes. Also it is advisable to draw a simple chart that would show the percentage or on a scale of one to ten response. A simple chart can be drawn with a right angle or “L” shaped lines on a page and mark zero (0) at the top and ten (10) at the bottom. All the numbers in between zero to ten could be marked in hash marks.
Now it’s time to formulate some simple yes and no response questions. It’s always good to start out with test questions on answers you know to be true such as asking your own name or birth date. For example to get a yes response ask the question with the correct information (is my name Fred? if your name is Fred then you would get a yes response). And to get a no response you could ask if you are 10 ft tall or something like that (or something else you know to be false).
Here are some questions you can use for making voting decisions. Is this candidate the best choice for this office? On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, what is the level of honesty of this candidate? What is the level of greed for this candidate? Is this media ad true about this candidate or proposition? What percent of this ad is true? For percentages you could make a similar chart to the one for a scale of one to ten or use a half circle marking the percentage increments by ten. (Hint – a protractor like the one’s you used in grade school are ideal for drawing a half circle.)
You can also ask questions about the propositions. Is the information in the summary on the sample ballot accurate? Would this proposition benefit me? Is the wording of this proposition clear and easy to interpret so if it does become law it will maintain the proposition’s intent?
In his book, Improve Your Life Through Dowsing, David Schultz explains his approach to using dowsing to select the best candidate and whether to vote for or against an issue. He had his High Self research from his criteria that included honesty, ethics, knowledge and a willingness to serve the public. He used his sample ballot and his pendulum to point to the name of the candidate that fit those criteria. He also relates that propositions can be confusing and uses his High Self research the pros and cons and whether the propositions are best for the people.
You could even experiment with predicting the outcome of the elections as suggested in Taming the Wild Pendulum by Dr. Tag Powell and Dr. Judith Powell. Their method involved writing the names of the candidates for one particular office on a small piece of paper and turned them over and mixing them up on a table. They then asked which one would become the next (president). They maintained their neutrality with using dowsing to determine the outcome and got it right.
Asking questions and using dowsing to find your answers is a powerful combination.
Learn more at http://www.thedowsingadvantage.com. Even after this Election Day has come and gone, using dowsing for making choices in other areas of your life can be beneficial.
Those of you who are loyal to one party have no difficulty choosing which candidate to vote for in the election – it’s one party all the way. Other people may be more thoughtful in their choices. The pre-election polls refer to the other people as undecided.
And then there are the numerous propositions to consider. The County Recorder sends out a thick pamphlet with all the information you care or didn’t care to know about the proposition and the candidates. The sample ballot makes it easier by summarizing what a vote yes or no for a particular proposition would mean. Even some of the best sounding propositions are so poorly written that it may be best not to vote for them.
If you are someone who doesn’t vote and doesn’t care, or has firm loyalty to only one party, then this article is not for you, however, one way or another, the decisions that are made for candidates or propositions will affect you.
So how to do cut through the ads and media coverage to make the best decision? Getting information is a good first step. Some of the information that’s available may be biased to one view or another. Maybe…. it’s more likely the information is biased.
Most of the time I’d say you can trust your intuition or your gut feeling about a candidate or proposition. However the ads that are designed to appeal to the emotions can cloud your reasoning and intuition. So what do you do then? Who do you trust?
What if there was a quick method for asking questions so you could be happy with your voting selections? What if there was a way to determine the level of honesty of a candidate?
Yes, of course it’s only one vote per candidate or proposition and maybe your vote wasn’t or won’t be for the winning one. The important thing is for you to feel good about your voting.
Here’s one solution. You can use the ancient art of dowsing to find the best candidate for the office or to make the best choice for proposition voting. Why dowsing? Dowsing when done correctly enables you to find the truth about the candidates or propositions.
Here’s how you use dowsing appropriately. First you establish a connection with a higher power (be it God, higher self, spirit guides or angels). Then you learn how to use a pendulum, which is quick and easy. It’s simple to make one even with a piece of thread and paperclip.
Next you determine that the horizontal swing of the pendulum device would mean no and the vertical would mean yes. Also it is advisable to draw a simple chart that would show the percentage or on a scale of one to ten response. A simple chart can be drawn with a right angle or “L” shaped lines on a page and mark zero (0) at the top and ten (10) at the bottom. All the numbers in between zero to ten could be marked in hash marks.
Now it’s time to formulate some simple yes and no response questions. It’s always good to start out with test questions on answers you know to be true such as asking your own name or birth date. For example to get a yes response ask the question with the correct information (is my name Fred? if your name is Fred then you would get a yes response). And to get a no response you could ask if you are 10 ft tall or something like that (or something else you know to be false).
Here are some questions you can use for making voting decisions. Is this candidate the best choice for this office? On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, what is the level of honesty of this candidate? What is the level of greed for this candidate? Is this media ad true about this candidate or proposition? What percent of this ad is true? For percentages you could make a similar chart to the one for a scale of one to ten or use a half circle marking the percentage increments by ten. (Hint – a protractor like the one’s you used in grade school are ideal for drawing a half circle.)
You can also ask questions about the propositions. Is the information in the summary on the sample ballot accurate? Would this proposition benefit me? Is the wording of this proposition clear and easy to interpret so if it does become law it will maintain the proposition’s intent?
In his book, Improve Your Life Through Dowsing, David Schultz explains his approach to using dowsing to select the best candidate and whether to vote for or against an issue. He had his High Self research from his criteria that included honesty, ethics, knowledge and a willingness to serve the public. He used his sample ballot and his pendulum to point to the name of the candidate that fit those criteria. He also relates that propositions can be confusing and uses his High Self research the pros and cons and whether the propositions are best for the people.
You could even experiment with predicting the outcome of the elections as suggested in Taming the Wild Pendulum by Dr. Tag Powell and Dr. Judith Powell. Their method involved writing the names of the candidates for one particular office on a small piece of paper and turned them over and mixing them up on a table. They then asked which one would become the next (president). They maintained their neutrality with using dowsing to determine the outcome and got it right.
Asking questions and using dowsing to find your answers is a powerful combination.
Learn more at http://www.thedowsingadvantage.com. Even after this Election Day has come and gone, using dowsing for making choices in other areas of your life can be beneficial.
Democrats Will Not Win House, Republicans Will Lose It
Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States. Every member of the House of Representatives is up for re-election, and one third of the United States Senate. It is difficult living in the greatest democracy in 12,000 years of civilization, and not after a while grow use to the freedoms that our ancestors gave their lives for.
The Constitution and Declaration of Independence could only have been created by a specific generation in the 18th century, the time known historically as the "Age of Reason". These men, and they were men, knew more about the history of ancient Rome and Greece than we do. They had studied and read Plato, and Aristotle. They met in groups and talked and educated one another.
I dare say that today in a country of 300,000,000 Americans, we could not replicate the brilliance of the individuals, and their youth that met long ago and formed our government. It is truly one of the miracles of history, and this grand experiment has evolved and lasted for more than 200 years. It has survived the Civil War, a conflagration that consumed more lives than all other wars combined that the United States has been in since. We survived the Great Depression, thanks to the leadership of Franklin Roosevelt. Viet Nam and Watergate ripped the social fabric of this country apart, and we survived it.
Now tomorrow November 7, 2006 is our first opportunity to pass judgment as voters on the Republican's handling of the Iraq war, and indirectly terrorism. President Bush is not up for election, and this means that people must vote indirectly on his policies. This vote will be communicated through the House of Representatives. I believe that people will not be voting for the Democrats tomorrow. I believe they will be voting AGAINST Republicans.
The momentum or perhaps anger against the President's policies is so strong that the House of Representatives will switch hands, and with it will go the power to slow down the President's momentum, and perhaps reverse many of his policies. Of course, we have the benefit of hindsight in looking at how our country has been guided over the last several years, but let's revisit some of what has gone on, and decide the merits of the President's actions.
IRAQ We know now that the basis for the war was without merit. The underlying assumptions that Saddam was manufacturing Weapons of Mass Destruction, and perhaps would have used them to create great calamity for others was FALSE. Nevertheless we must now deal with the aftermath of the invasion. Iraq can not turn out well for us at this point. Regardless of what happens from this day forward, it will not be a friendly end for our involvement, just as Viet Nam did not end well. When you open Pandora's Box, you do not know what will come out. Politically Pandora's box is the equivalent of the "Law of unintended consequences." We are paying a price for opening the box, America with its treasure, and energy, and more importantly our soldiers with their lives, and limbs.
We did not arm our soldiers well, many pay for their own body armor, and are cannibalizing steel off of other vehicles to reinforce the steel of the vehicles they drive. This happens in a country as rich as ours. The President wages war but sought no sacrifice from the American people. Instead he expands the National Debt to finance the war, and puts the burden on our unborn children to pay for. Simultaneously he created tax cuts for the Rich, which I approve of, but not in a time of deficit. You don't borrow money from Japan, China, and the Europeans, and then give it to the rich via tax cuts, once again leaving the burden to the young in this country. That's just plain WRONG.
Eavesdropping and the Bill of Rights
The President chose to circumvent the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by having the National Security Agency (NSA) create a huge funnel whereby conversations of ordinary citizens in the United States were monitored in the name of Anti Terrorism. Thirty year employees of the NSA reeked in horror at the notion. Every bone in their bodies told them it was wrong. All the President had to do was appoint Federal Judges to the NSA to approve and monitor the program. There are similar judges who sit in the FBI offices full time for over a decade now who routinely approve Federal wiretap orders.
The President has put himself above the law in this case. He knew he was secure with a Republican majority in both houses of Congress who would protect him in ways that Richard Nixon was not protected. Nixon would never have been driven from office if he had posssessed a Republican majority.
What about Congress itself?
I have been a student of Congress since Lyndon Johnson was President in 1963. For many decades I actively worked to create a Republican majority in both branches of the Congress. My background includes being a Barry Goldwater Republican. I have seen the filthy, back room, money changing aspects of politics all my life, and it has been on both sides of the aisles. What I see now that is unique is in your face corruption. The waste use to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
The waste is now billions of dollars, even tens of billions of dollars. There was a time as they say when the MERE APPEARANCE of IMPROPRIETY would be enough to drive an elected official from office. Now the appearance doesn't mean anything anymore. You have Senators and Congressmen on both sides flying around in private corporate aircraft. As a result they have debts to the owners of those planes that must be paid for with favorable votes on bills. These bills cost the American taxpayer billions of extra, and unnecessary dollars.
An example is the Drug Bill for Senior Citizens where by the law specifically states that the federal government can not enter into negotiations with the drug companies to demand, and FORCE lower prices. Wow, you talk about giving away $25 to $50 billion extra dollars per year. Frankly, I don't think the Republican members of Congress got enough from these drug companies. The drug companies gave the Republicans $12 million in contributions, and got back tens of billions in the laws that were passed. If you are going to be corrupt, you ought to get paid more than that.
I believe that Tuesday, Election Day there will be a momentum tide that will sweep out the Republican majority in the House, and come close to taking the Senate. With this act, the American people will put the Congress and the President on notice that these types of actions will not stand. We may go back to gridlock, but for this writer, gridlock is a pleasure compared to our experiences of the last few years.
Goodbye and Good Luck
Copyright (c) 2006 Richard Stoyeck
The Constitution and Declaration of Independence could only have been created by a specific generation in the 18th century, the time known historically as the "Age of Reason". These men, and they were men, knew more about the history of ancient Rome and Greece than we do. They had studied and read Plato, and Aristotle. They met in groups and talked and educated one another.
I dare say that today in a country of 300,000,000 Americans, we could not replicate the brilliance of the individuals, and their youth that met long ago and formed our government. It is truly one of the miracles of history, and this grand experiment has evolved and lasted for more than 200 years. It has survived the Civil War, a conflagration that consumed more lives than all other wars combined that the United States has been in since. We survived the Great Depression, thanks to the leadership of Franklin Roosevelt. Viet Nam and Watergate ripped the social fabric of this country apart, and we survived it.
Now tomorrow November 7, 2006 is our first opportunity to pass judgment as voters on the Republican's handling of the Iraq war, and indirectly terrorism. President Bush is not up for election, and this means that people must vote indirectly on his policies. This vote will be communicated through the House of Representatives. I believe that people will not be voting for the Democrats tomorrow. I believe they will be voting AGAINST Republicans.
The momentum or perhaps anger against the President's policies is so strong that the House of Representatives will switch hands, and with it will go the power to slow down the President's momentum, and perhaps reverse many of his policies. Of course, we have the benefit of hindsight in looking at how our country has been guided over the last several years, but let's revisit some of what has gone on, and decide the merits of the President's actions.
IRAQ We know now that the basis for the war was without merit. The underlying assumptions that Saddam was manufacturing Weapons of Mass Destruction, and perhaps would have used them to create great calamity for others was FALSE. Nevertheless we must now deal with the aftermath of the invasion. Iraq can not turn out well for us at this point. Regardless of what happens from this day forward, it will not be a friendly end for our involvement, just as Viet Nam did not end well. When you open Pandora's Box, you do not know what will come out. Politically Pandora's box is the equivalent of the "Law of unintended consequences." We are paying a price for opening the box, America with its treasure, and energy, and more importantly our soldiers with their lives, and limbs.
We did not arm our soldiers well, many pay for their own body armor, and are cannibalizing steel off of other vehicles to reinforce the steel of the vehicles they drive. This happens in a country as rich as ours. The President wages war but sought no sacrifice from the American people. Instead he expands the National Debt to finance the war, and puts the burden on our unborn children to pay for. Simultaneously he created tax cuts for the Rich, which I approve of, but not in a time of deficit. You don't borrow money from Japan, China, and the Europeans, and then give it to the rich via tax cuts, once again leaving the burden to the young in this country. That's just plain WRONG.
Eavesdropping and the Bill of Rights
The President chose to circumvent the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by having the National Security Agency (NSA) create a huge funnel whereby conversations of ordinary citizens in the United States were monitored in the name of Anti Terrorism. Thirty year employees of the NSA reeked in horror at the notion. Every bone in their bodies told them it was wrong. All the President had to do was appoint Federal Judges to the NSA to approve and monitor the program. There are similar judges who sit in the FBI offices full time for over a decade now who routinely approve Federal wiretap orders.
The President has put himself above the law in this case. He knew he was secure with a Republican majority in both houses of Congress who would protect him in ways that Richard Nixon was not protected. Nixon would never have been driven from office if he had posssessed a Republican majority.
What about Congress itself?
I have been a student of Congress since Lyndon Johnson was President in 1963. For many decades I actively worked to create a Republican majority in both branches of the Congress. My background includes being a Barry Goldwater Republican. I have seen the filthy, back room, money changing aspects of politics all my life, and it has been on both sides of the aisles. What I see now that is unique is in your face corruption. The waste use to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
The waste is now billions of dollars, even tens of billions of dollars. There was a time as they say when the MERE APPEARANCE of IMPROPRIETY would be enough to drive an elected official from office. Now the appearance doesn't mean anything anymore. You have Senators and Congressmen on both sides flying around in private corporate aircraft. As a result they have debts to the owners of those planes that must be paid for with favorable votes on bills. These bills cost the American taxpayer billions of extra, and unnecessary dollars.
An example is the Drug Bill for Senior Citizens where by the law specifically states that the federal government can not enter into negotiations with the drug companies to demand, and FORCE lower prices. Wow, you talk about giving away $25 to $50 billion extra dollars per year. Frankly, I don't think the Republican members of Congress got enough from these drug companies. The drug companies gave the Republicans $12 million in contributions, and got back tens of billions in the laws that were passed. If you are going to be corrupt, you ought to get paid more than that.
I believe that Tuesday, Election Day there will be a momentum tide that will sweep out the Republican majority in the House, and come close to taking the Senate. With this act, the American people will put the Congress and the President on notice that these types of actions will not stand. We may go back to gridlock, but for this writer, gridlock is a pleasure compared to our experiences of the last few years.
Goodbye and Good Luck
Copyright (c) 2006 Richard Stoyeck
Tony Blair on Genetically Modified Food Debate
This week, I want to idolize British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, because of remarks he made last week on genetically modified foods.
Addressing a group of scientists last week, Mr. Blair suggested that opponents of genetically modified foods aren’t “rational” when debating this issue.
"Government must show leadership and courage in standing up for science and rejecting an irrational public debate around it [GM food]," said Mr. Blair, referring to “those who have distorted facts to oppose developments such as GM foods.”
Mr. Blair, expectedly, did receive flaks for these remarks. Some challenged him to state if he was openly criticizing Prince Charles, who has openly opposed genetically modified foods [I must, hereby, mention that Prince Charles is wrong to use the privileges of the British throne to make statements that can’t be scientifically substantiated about genetically modified foods].
Others insinuated that it was payback time to multinational biotechnology companies, for millions of dollars donated to the Labor Party.
I found this quite amusing because of instead of addressing real issues, Mr. Blair’s critics decided to dwell on side issues. This, needless to say, has been the hallmark of the debate about genetically modified foods.
Opponents of genetically modified foods dare not attack the science behind genetically modified food because they have no case to make against it. Instead, they go for fringe issues with the aim of confusing the public.
Mr. Blair is right in urging the public to “discuss technological innovations in a more scientifically literate fashion.” Those who genuinely care about food safety should support and not criticize him. Mr. Blair evidently means well for the world.
How else can the world determine the safety of genetically modified foods other than subjecting them to thorough laboratory investigations? This is the premise of Mr. Blair’s argument.
Genetically modified foods have been subjected to rigorous examination by various scientific bodies. The British Royal Society of Science has produced numerous reports showing that genetically modified foods can be beneficial to humans and the environment.
Various United Nations Agencies, notably the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have also published similar reports.
Perhaps Mr. Blair should use his political leverage to prevail upon other European countries to change their attitude towards genetically modified foods. Currently, Europe maintains the most draconian and restrictive laws on genetically modified food. These laws aren’t informed by science, but by populist sentiments
Addressing a group of scientists last week, Mr. Blair suggested that opponents of genetically modified foods aren’t “rational” when debating this issue.
"Government must show leadership and courage in standing up for science and rejecting an irrational public debate around it [GM food]," said Mr. Blair, referring to “those who have distorted facts to oppose developments such as GM foods.”
Mr. Blair, expectedly, did receive flaks for these remarks. Some challenged him to state if he was openly criticizing Prince Charles, who has openly opposed genetically modified foods [I must, hereby, mention that Prince Charles is wrong to use the privileges of the British throne to make statements that can’t be scientifically substantiated about genetically modified foods].
Others insinuated that it was payback time to multinational biotechnology companies, for millions of dollars donated to the Labor Party.
I found this quite amusing because of instead of addressing real issues, Mr. Blair’s critics decided to dwell on side issues. This, needless to say, has been the hallmark of the debate about genetically modified foods.
Opponents of genetically modified foods dare not attack the science behind genetically modified food because they have no case to make against it. Instead, they go for fringe issues with the aim of confusing the public.
Mr. Blair is right in urging the public to “discuss technological innovations in a more scientifically literate fashion.” Those who genuinely care about food safety should support and not criticize him. Mr. Blair evidently means well for the world.
How else can the world determine the safety of genetically modified foods other than subjecting them to thorough laboratory investigations? This is the premise of Mr. Blair’s argument.
Genetically modified foods have been subjected to rigorous examination by various scientific bodies. The British Royal Society of Science has produced numerous reports showing that genetically modified foods can be beneficial to humans and the environment.
Various United Nations Agencies, notably the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have also published similar reports.
Perhaps Mr. Blair should use his political leverage to prevail upon other European countries to change their attitude towards genetically modified foods. Currently, Europe maintains the most draconian and restrictive laws on genetically modified food. These laws aren’t informed by science, but by populist sentiments
Ambassador Leo Wanta Provides Key Update On $4.5 Trillion Earmarked for American People
According to Ambassador Leo Wanta in direct communication with London financial writer, Christopher Story, a "blatant and scandalous" diversion of the $4.5 trillion settlement entered into by Wanta and U.S. authorities has taken place, blocking the vast sum of money from being used to revitalize the American economy.
Ever since President Bush and the Federal Reserve Board, without legal justification, blocked the settlement and then failed to honor a July 31 deadline imposed by Wanta, the Ambassador, who is legal trustor of the money, hoped for a quick resolution.
However, after receiving no cooperation from the Bush administration and no receipt for the money, he decided to come forward Sunday with a "status update" regarding the progress of repatriating the $4.5 trillion earmarked for the American people.
Besides the $4.5 trillion negotiated settlement in May, Wanta has been declared legal trustor of more than $27.5 trillion in offshore funds amassed when he was instructed by President Ronald Reagan to destabilize the Russian currency at the end of the Cold War, which turned into a highly successful financial program beyond Wanta and Reagan's wildest dreams.
But instead of using the money to strengthen America after Reagan was out of the picture, Bush Sr. and Clinton devised a plan to use the money for their own underhanded purposes, jailing Wanta in the process, as they then created phony front companies and illegal trusts to use the money illegally.
And now, according to Wanta, the same people are trying to under-mind the latest deal signed, sealed and delivered between Wanta, his AmeriTrust Groupe, Inc. and U.S. authorities after negotiating the deal through influential law firms in New York and Georgia, as well as with the assistance of two federal court judges.
Wanta claims the $4.5 trillion has been diverted and stolen with the complicity of high level officials, including the President of the United States, Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the U.S. Attorney Gen.Alberto Gonzalez, the Supreme Court and other high level officials.
Furthermore, he claims financial institutions are illegally trading the vast sum of money with up to $200 billion a day being illegally earned instead of the money being used to better the American economy.
Wanta's financial revelations were first revealed Sunday evening by Story on his London web site at www.worldreports.org. Story also revealed that his web site as well as the Arctic Beacon and its editor, Greg Szymanski, have been the target of ruthless and criminal intelligence attacks, aimed at discrediting the writers bringing the truth to the world as well as Wanta himself.
The following is Christopher Story's status update of the Wanta saga, as provided on his web site listed above:
STATUS REPORT
"Note: The following report summarizes the status of The Wanta Settlement at the time of posting [13 August 2006].
"...The blatant and scandalous diversion of Ambassador Leo Wanta's Treasury-tagged $4.5 trillion, earmarked for the benefit of the Ambassador Leo Wanta, his corporation, the US Treasury, the State of Virginia, and the American people, continues. Specifically:
"o Financial institutions are brazenly and illegally trading these tagged funds, that they do not own, overnight between each other, with up to $200 billion per day being earned and pocketed - such accruals being by definition exclusively the stolen property of Ambassador Leo Wanta. The identity of some of the institutions, which can now be regarded as criminal enterprises, is known."
[The complete report is reprinted with permission at http://www.arcticbeacon.com/14-Aug-2006.html and at Christopher Story's site at: http://www.worldreports.org/news/15_highest_office-holde]
Ever since President Bush and the Federal Reserve Board, without legal justification, blocked the settlement and then failed to honor a July 31 deadline imposed by Wanta, the Ambassador, who is legal trustor of the money, hoped for a quick resolution.
However, after receiving no cooperation from the Bush administration and no receipt for the money, he decided to come forward Sunday with a "status update" regarding the progress of repatriating the $4.5 trillion earmarked for the American people.
Besides the $4.5 trillion negotiated settlement in May, Wanta has been declared legal trustor of more than $27.5 trillion in offshore funds amassed when he was instructed by President Ronald Reagan to destabilize the Russian currency at the end of the Cold War, which turned into a highly successful financial program beyond Wanta and Reagan's wildest dreams.
But instead of using the money to strengthen America after Reagan was out of the picture, Bush Sr. and Clinton devised a plan to use the money for their own underhanded purposes, jailing Wanta in the process, as they then created phony front companies and illegal trusts to use the money illegally.
And now, according to Wanta, the same people are trying to under-mind the latest deal signed, sealed and delivered between Wanta, his AmeriTrust Groupe, Inc. and U.S. authorities after negotiating the deal through influential law firms in New York and Georgia, as well as with the assistance of two federal court judges.
Wanta claims the $4.5 trillion has been diverted and stolen with the complicity of high level officials, including the President of the United States, Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the U.S. Attorney Gen.Alberto Gonzalez, the Supreme Court and other high level officials.
Furthermore, he claims financial institutions are illegally trading the vast sum of money with up to $200 billion a day being illegally earned instead of the money being used to better the American economy.
Wanta's financial revelations were first revealed Sunday evening by Story on his London web site at www.worldreports.org. Story also revealed that his web site as well as the Arctic Beacon and its editor, Greg Szymanski, have been the target of ruthless and criminal intelligence attacks, aimed at discrediting the writers bringing the truth to the world as well as Wanta himself.
The following is Christopher Story's status update of the Wanta saga, as provided on his web site listed above:
STATUS REPORT
"Note: The following report summarizes the status of The Wanta Settlement at the time of posting [13 August 2006].
"...The blatant and scandalous diversion of Ambassador Leo Wanta's Treasury-tagged $4.5 trillion, earmarked for the benefit of the Ambassador Leo Wanta, his corporation, the US Treasury, the State of Virginia, and the American people, continues. Specifically:
"o Financial institutions are brazenly and illegally trading these tagged funds, that they do not own, overnight between each other, with up to $200 billion per day being earned and pocketed - such accruals being by definition exclusively the stolen property of Ambassador Leo Wanta. The identity of some of the institutions, which can now be regarded as criminal enterprises, is known."
[The complete report is reprinted with permission at http://www.arcticbeacon.com/14-Aug-2006.html and at Christopher Story's site at: http://www.worldreports.org/news/15_highest_office-holde]
Illegal Immigration 'Crackdown'
New initiative on illegal immigration in the UK… four hundred and forty police officers are being brought in.
“People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the government's policy so far has been one of neglect.”
David Davis
Shadow home secretary
Home Secretary, John Reid, has unveiled plans for 800 new immigration staff – an increase of 25%.
In the plan, Britons involved in people-smuggling will be arrested, the public will be encouraged to report suspects and firms will face larger fines.
The 400 police constables and 40 sergeants moving across to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will be joined by 360 newly-recruited immigration officers.
But police are "badly needed" on the beat, say the Conservatives, whilst the Lib Dems want "new, not redeployed" staff.
However, a Home Office spokeswoman insisted: "We are very clear that we do not want this to have an impact on police officers' frontline work. There won't be any police officers taken off the front line.”
But shadow home secretary, David Davis, criticised the government's record on the subject.
"Over the last nine years, we have actually seen immigration officers instructed not to arrest illegal immigrants, merely to meet the prime minister's artificial targets on removing failed asylum-seekers. People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the government's policy so far has been one of neglect."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Nick Clegg, said: "a truly integrated border force" is needed rather than to "shift police officers away from their current duties. The government itself has admitted it would cost £104m to secure every port of entry into this country.” Clegg goes on to ask: "Why then has John Reid failed to announce any new funding while tens of thousands of pounds a day are wasted on identity cards?"
Crimestoppers
Under the plans, members of the public will - for the first time - be able to report illegal workers and illegal immigrants using the free Crimestoppers telephone line from 1 January.
I'm fearful that's going to lead to discrimination against anybody who looks as though they might be a foreigner
Keith Best
Chief Executive
Immigration Advisory Service
The government has already said it would be doubling the budget for deportations to nearly £300m, and a bill tackling deportations was included in last week's Queen's Speech.
And, by the end of 2007, ministers intend to create 650 extra detention spaces for illegal immigrants
The measures are seen as a response to criticism from political opponents about a perceived failure to deport enough of those identified as being in the UK illegally.
There were nearly 5,000 deportations in the last three-month period for which figures were available - a record - but it estimated that 500,000 people remain in the UK illegally.
Penalising Businesses
The idea of penalising businesses is apparently not favoured by the Immigration Advisory Service, which said firms would become "reluctant to recruit anybody".
If you should have any questions or views concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to Remain or need help finding staff please email Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk.
For regular immigration updates see: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
HOW 2 COME TO THE UK to Live Work Study or Visit by Charles Kelly & Cynthia Barker2005 ISBN 0-9546338-3-0.
Available from our website, www.Amazon.co.uk, leading bookstores in the UK and National Bookstore, Glorieta and Manila Area.
http://www.how2cometotheuk.com
“People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the government's policy so far has been one of neglect.”
David Davis
Shadow home secretary
Home Secretary, John Reid, has unveiled plans for 800 new immigration staff – an increase of 25%.
In the plan, Britons involved in people-smuggling will be arrested, the public will be encouraged to report suspects and firms will face larger fines.
The 400 police constables and 40 sergeants moving across to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will be joined by 360 newly-recruited immigration officers.
But police are "badly needed" on the beat, say the Conservatives, whilst the Lib Dems want "new, not redeployed" staff.
However, a Home Office spokeswoman insisted: "We are very clear that we do not want this to have an impact on police officers' frontline work. There won't be any police officers taken off the front line.”
But shadow home secretary, David Davis, criticised the government's record on the subject.
"Over the last nine years, we have actually seen immigration officers instructed not to arrest illegal immigrants, merely to meet the prime minister's artificial targets on removing failed asylum-seekers. People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the government's policy so far has been one of neglect."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Nick Clegg, said: "a truly integrated border force" is needed rather than to "shift police officers away from their current duties. The government itself has admitted it would cost £104m to secure every port of entry into this country.” Clegg goes on to ask: "Why then has John Reid failed to announce any new funding while tens of thousands of pounds a day are wasted on identity cards?"
Crimestoppers
Under the plans, members of the public will - for the first time - be able to report illegal workers and illegal immigrants using the free Crimestoppers telephone line from 1 January.
I'm fearful that's going to lead to discrimination against anybody who looks as though they might be a foreigner
Keith Best
Chief Executive
Immigration Advisory Service
The government has already said it would be doubling the budget for deportations to nearly £300m, and a bill tackling deportations was included in last week's Queen's Speech.
And, by the end of 2007, ministers intend to create 650 extra detention spaces for illegal immigrants
The measures are seen as a response to criticism from political opponents about a perceived failure to deport enough of those identified as being in the UK illegally.
There were nearly 5,000 deportations in the last three-month period for which figures were available - a record - but it estimated that 500,000 people remain in the UK illegally.
Penalising Businesses
The idea of penalising businesses is apparently not favoured by the Immigration Advisory Service, which said firms would become "reluctant to recruit anybody".
If you should have any questions or views concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to Remain or need help finding staff please email Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk.
For regular immigration updates see: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
HOW 2 COME TO THE UK to Live Work Study or Visit by Charles Kelly & Cynthia Barker2005 ISBN 0-9546338-3-0.
Available from our website, www.Amazon.co.uk, leading bookstores in the UK and National Bookstore, Glorieta and Manila Area.
http://www.how2cometotheuk.com
Lost in Translation: California Community Dispute Resolution Programs Denied Funding
In 1986, the California legislature enacted a statute to fund a Dispute Resolution Program. In enacting this statute the Legislature recognized that the resolution of many disputes is unnecessarily costly, time consuming and complex when achieved through formal court proceedings. As a result, the legislature intended for the funds to be directed to the community to develop an informal resolution of disputes in a non-coercive dispute resolution forum, outside of the court system. The intent of the legislature has been lost and the funds are being directed toward court programs that favor the economically well off, specifically claims over $25,000, who have the financial resources to maintain costly and protracted litigation. The Dispute Resolution Program Act must be amended to restore the legislature's intent that the funds be used for Community programs for persons of all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Legislature states in Business and Professions Code section 465 that the purpose of the program is to seek alternatives to costly legal process, by funding community-based dispute resolution programs reflective of the diversity of the communities to be served, funded partly by public funding and partly by users of these services on a sliding scale basis, but without cost to indigents.
However, some of the counties have lost sight of the Legislature's intent and have misdirected the funds away from under funded community programs to the detriment of the diverse communities and the socio-economically challenged. Some counties have chosen instead to fund court-connected programs, particularly claims over $25,000 that can generally only be accessed by economically sufficient persons.
For example, Los Angeles County ignores the legislative intent by giving priority to unlimited jurisdiction civil claims (over $25,000) by providing free services indiscriminately to all comers provided they are already in the litigation system. The Los Angeles court connected program specifically discriminates against Small Claims and low value ‘limited jurisdiction' cases (under $25,000 cases), by giving them the least priority and fails altogether to provide services ‘on a sliding scale basis'. The violation of legislative intent could hardly be clearer. Los Angeles County specifically limits funding for Small Claims and ignores the statutory purpose of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic diversity. By diverting funds to already well-funded unlimited jurisdiction cases, the County circumvents the statutory purpose by failing adequately to provide funding to programs for Small Claims and limited jurisdiction cases that involve disputes "between neighbors, domestic disputes and consumer-merchant disputes,' as specified by legislative intent.
Thus, the programs intended by the legislature to benefit from the funds, namely community programs involving disputes that have not already entered the court system and similar court-connected programs involving socio-economically challenged persons involved in low value limited jurisdiction and Small Claims disputes, and Youth Peer Programs, are suffering because funds are being diverted to programs serving economically prosperous, who receive dispute resolution services free of charge while paying handsomely for all other aspects of their litigation.
An enumeration of specific matters that may be referred to government-funded programs will prevent misuse of funds and uphold the statutory purpose. Business and Professions Code section 467.2 outlining the county's eligibility requirements for funding should be revised as follows: (b) Provision of neutral person, reflective of the diversity of the community in which they serve, adequately trained in conflict resolution techniques as required by the rules……. (c) Provision of dispute resolution programs on a sliding scale fee-paying basis, and without cost to indigents, with respect to any disputes that have not yet entered the court system, and limited jurisdiction and small claims cases.
By incorporating the Legislative intent of diversity of community volunteers and enumerating the specific disputes that can be eligible for Dispute Resolution Funds, the Legislature will finally create what it originally envisioned: a funded community-based dispute resolution forum for all persons of all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
However, some of the counties have lost sight of the Legislature's intent and have misdirected the funds away from under funded community programs to the detriment of the diverse communities and the socio-economically challenged. Some counties have chosen instead to fund court-connected programs, particularly claims over $25,000 that can generally only be accessed by economically sufficient persons.
For example, Los Angeles County ignores the legislative intent by giving priority to unlimited jurisdiction civil claims (over $25,000) by providing free services indiscriminately to all comers provided they are already in the litigation system. The Los Angeles court connected program specifically discriminates against Small Claims and low value ‘limited jurisdiction' cases (under $25,000 cases), by giving them the least priority and fails altogether to provide services ‘on a sliding scale basis'. The violation of legislative intent could hardly be clearer. Los Angeles County specifically limits funding for Small Claims and ignores the statutory purpose of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic diversity. By diverting funds to already well-funded unlimited jurisdiction cases, the County circumvents the statutory purpose by failing adequately to provide funding to programs for Small Claims and limited jurisdiction cases that involve disputes "between neighbors, domestic disputes and consumer-merchant disputes,' as specified by legislative intent.
Thus, the programs intended by the legislature to benefit from the funds, namely community programs involving disputes that have not already entered the court system and similar court-connected programs involving socio-economically challenged persons involved in low value limited jurisdiction and Small Claims disputes, and Youth Peer Programs, are suffering because funds are being diverted to programs serving economically prosperous, who receive dispute resolution services free of charge while paying handsomely for all other aspects of their litigation.
An enumeration of specific matters that may be referred to government-funded programs will prevent misuse of funds and uphold the statutory purpose. Business and Professions Code section 467.2 outlining the county's eligibility requirements for funding should be revised as follows: (b) Provision of neutral person, reflective of the diversity of the community in which they serve, adequately trained in conflict resolution techniques as required by the rules……. (c) Provision of dispute resolution programs on a sliding scale fee-paying basis, and without cost to indigents, with respect to any disputes that have not yet entered the court system, and limited jurisdiction and small claims cases.
By incorporating the Legislative intent of diversity of community volunteers and enumerating the specific disputes that can be eligible for Dispute Resolution Funds, the Legislature will finally create what it originally envisioned: a funded community-based dispute resolution forum for all persons of all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Environment: A Global Overview
It is not difficult to become a believer in global warming. According to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center 2001 was the second warmest year on record and it was the 23rd consecutive year of above normal temperatures. Perhaps most troubling is the fact that the rate of temperature increase is accelerating. Add to this the data just released from insurer Munich Re stating that deaths from natural disasters were more than double in 2001 versus 2000 and insured losses were up more than 50%.UNEP estimates that the extra economic costs of disasters attributable to global warming are running at more than $300 billion annually.
Some 180 countries are proceeding toward an expected ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of this year. Of the six gases it will control CO2 is by far the largest contributing nearly 90% of the global warming impact. The primary source of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore the focus on energy will continue to increase.
Throughout the world different methods are being used to encourage reduced energy use. Japan has enacted the Energy Conservation Law in 1999 mandating huge efficiency improvements by 2004 for nearly all air conditioning products. The U.S. has revised ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for buildings to raise the minimum COP level for centrifugal chillers from the current value of 5.2 to 6.1 effective in October 2001. DOE and Green Seal have revised their recommended efficiency levels to an even higher level of 6.27.
Some countries use laws. Others use codes and standards. An increasing number of countries are using environmental costing which increases the price of energy thereby increasing the financial attractiveness of high efficiency products. European countries have been using such “carbon taxes” for more than a decade. However a rapidly growing trend in developing countries is the reduction of subsidies to energy industries “so prices more accurately reflect environmental impacts” according to OECD’s Environmental Strategy for the First Decade of the 21st Century.
China has shown leadership by reducing subsidies to the coal industry from $24.5 billion in 1990 to $10 billion in 1996 resulting in 7% emissions reduction while seeing a solid economic growth of 36%! China is now moving aggressively into environmental costing with the just announced (1/13/2002) 5-year environmental plan that commits 700 billion yuan ($84 billion) to help protect the environment. The government will provide the fist 65 billion yuan to initiate the project but will apply the “polluter pays” principle for the rest. The “environmental protection authorities will collect funds from the pollution-producing companies”. The impact on the price of energy is not known at this time. However it is clear that the addition of environmental costing will increase energy prices. According to a European Research Commission Report of July 2001 “The cost of producing electricity from coal or oil would double if costs such as damage to the environment and health were taken into account”.
The global movement to high efficiency is accelerating just like the rate of temperature increase. But this is not all that is changing. This second environmental threat of global warming is making it clear that we need to give combined consideration to ozone depletion and global warming. But more important is the need to focus on the real issue which is the total environmental impact not address each individual environmental threat in isolation. This includes the concept of environmental risk exposure, which recognizes that there are other environmental threats that are less well understood today. However, there are “no regrets” decisions we can make today (such as minimum refrigerant charge, minimum atmospheric life refrigerants, etc.) to minimize these risks.
Combined consideration would place more emphasis on reducing the use of CFCs, which are still being produced in developing countries until 2010 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Little attention is being given the large contribution to global warming from CFCs. Actions which cause confusion and delay the phaseout of CFCs cause increased environmental damage rather than lessening the environmental impact.
The other rapidly changing factor in the HVAC industry is the shift to becoming a hermetic industry, where refrigerant is contained throughout the life of a chiller and recycled for further use when the chiller is replaced. This simple understanding that “if it doesn’t get into the environment it does no harm” is a powerful argument, which will lead to the continued use of the most efficient refrigerants in such closed hermetic applications as chillers. In just 15 years annual refrigerants emissions from chillers have been reduced from 25% to well below 1% today. This defines a whole different world than that which existed when the Montreal Protocol was crafted some 15 years ago.
But perhaps the most important change coming to our industry is the realization that there are no new or “perfect” refrigerants waiting to be discovered. There are eight elements that can be combined for use in a vapor compression cycle. All feasible combinations of these eight have been evaluated. The reality is “what we have now is all there is”.
This recognition is why we are now seeing a shift from the search for a perfect refrigerant to a search for the right refrigerant(s) for the right application. Said another way, the highest efficiency refrigerants for the lowest emissions applications. Many in our industry call this “Responsible Use”.
Some 180 countries are proceeding toward an expected ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of this year. Of the six gases it will control CO2 is by far the largest contributing nearly 90% of the global warming impact. The primary source of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore the focus on energy will continue to increase.
Throughout the world different methods are being used to encourage reduced energy use. Japan has enacted the Energy Conservation Law in 1999 mandating huge efficiency improvements by 2004 for nearly all air conditioning products. The U.S. has revised ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for buildings to raise the minimum COP level for centrifugal chillers from the current value of 5.2 to 6.1 effective in October 2001. DOE and Green Seal have revised their recommended efficiency levels to an even higher level of 6.27.
Some countries use laws. Others use codes and standards. An increasing number of countries are using environmental costing which increases the price of energy thereby increasing the financial attractiveness of high efficiency products. European countries have been using such “carbon taxes” for more than a decade. However a rapidly growing trend in developing countries is the reduction of subsidies to energy industries “so prices more accurately reflect environmental impacts” according to OECD’s Environmental Strategy for the First Decade of the 21st Century.
China has shown leadership by reducing subsidies to the coal industry from $24.5 billion in 1990 to $10 billion in 1996 resulting in 7% emissions reduction while seeing a solid economic growth of 36%! China is now moving aggressively into environmental costing with the just announced (1/13/2002) 5-year environmental plan that commits 700 billion yuan ($84 billion) to help protect the environment. The government will provide the fist 65 billion yuan to initiate the project but will apply the “polluter pays” principle for the rest. The “environmental protection authorities will collect funds from the pollution-producing companies”. The impact on the price of energy is not known at this time. However it is clear that the addition of environmental costing will increase energy prices. According to a European Research Commission Report of July 2001 “The cost of producing electricity from coal or oil would double if costs such as damage to the environment and health were taken into account”.
The global movement to high efficiency is accelerating just like the rate of temperature increase. But this is not all that is changing. This second environmental threat of global warming is making it clear that we need to give combined consideration to ozone depletion and global warming. But more important is the need to focus on the real issue which is the total environmental impact not address each individual environmental threat in isolation. This includes the concept of environmental risk exposure, which recognizes that there are other environmental threats that are less well understood today. However, there are “no regrets” decisions we can make today (such as minimum refrigerant charge, minimum atmospheric life refrigerants, etc.) to minimize these risks.
Combined consideration would place more emphasis on reducing the use of CFCs, which are still being produced in developing countries until 2010 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Little attention is being given the large contribution to global warming from CFCs. Actions which cause confusion and delay the phaseout of CFCs cause increased environmental damage rather than lessening the environmental impact.
The other rapidly changing factor in the HVAC industry is the shift to becoming a hermetic industry, where refrigerant is contained throughout the life of a chiller and recycled for further use when the chiller is replaced. This simple understanding that “if it doesn’t get into the environment it does no harm” is a powerful argument, which will lead to the continued use of the most efficient refrigerants in such closed hermetic applications as chillers. In just 15 years annual refrigerants emissions from chillers have been reduced from 25% to well below 1% today. This defines a whole different world than that which existed when the Montreal Protocol was crafted some 15 years ago.
But perhaps the most important change coming to our industry is the realization that there are no new or “perfect” refrigerants waiting to be discovered. There are eight elements that can be combined for use in a vapor compression cycle. All feasible combinations of these eight have been evaluated. The reality is “what we have now is all there is”.
This recognition is why we are now seeing a shift from the search for a perfect refrigerant to a search for the right refrigerant(s) for the right application. Said another way, the highest efficiency refrigerants for the lowest emissions applications. Many in our industry call this “Responsible Use”.
Jesus And Mohammed Were Schizophrenics
According to all medical encyclopaedias and psychiatric reference books, schizophrenia is any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, being accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors.
Just about everything of what is said in the Bible and the Koran about the founders of those two creeds, points in the direction of a biochemical imbalance in their brain. These men showed systemic signs of delusion in their behavior.
They claimed to have heard heavenly voices, which is a typical symptom of this disease. People with schizophrenia tend to hear, see, feel or smell things that are not there. Just as in a dream, where fantastic events can not be distinguished from real ones. Thus, the hallucination of a voice is perceived in the brain just like a real person talking.
In present times psychiatrists and psychologists have reported millions of cases of people who claim identical things, consisting of two or more voices conversing with each other. However, nobody else has ever been able to hear the voices. Not the doctors, not the nurses, and not even the family members of the patient. That was exactly the situation for Jesus and Mohammed. Only they heard the voices and it was not because they were the chosen ones. It was simply because the others did not suffer from that neurological disequilibrium.
Since in modern times religion does not play a powerful role in the lives of people, many of the persons assuring to have heard voices did not claim it came from God. In ancient times when the belief in the divine was omnipresent, everybody assured it came from above.
Whether in the past or in present times, in all cases the person always clings to these beliefs even after the beliefs are shown to be false. That is a typical symptom and that is what Jesus and Mohammed did. In their times many contested their claims with strong rational arguments but both clung on to their unsubstantiated ideas.
It is human nature to explain things simplistically and religions excel in simplifying things when trying to explicate any phenomenon. Due to the total absence of scientific information in the ancient times in which those two characters lived, it was inevitable that they and their contemporaries would interpret that situation as a divine calling.
Illogical patterns of thinking, is another common expression of this mental illness and both men experienced it. The structure of their thoughts was completely detached from reality and there was never an effort to search for correlations or establish causality linkages. These men never substantiated their arguments with statistical evidence or with historical facts, basing everything on anecdotes and so called commands from God.
Withdrawal from reality and the experiencing of hallucinations are also typical symptoms, and both men were completely delusional. They thought they could walk over water, move mountains, feed the masses, and cure diseases. The truth of the matter is that the historians of the time did not report any of these events. Given the large scale following that these men had in Palestine and in the Arabian Peninsula respectively, it was inevitable that something as huge as the supply of food and medicine to a hungry and ill population would have been recorded in some way. However, nothing was reported.
What was reported was the violent way in which Mohammed instituted his belief in the peninsula, for he waged war to impose his will.
What was also reported was the continued misery and sickness of the population of both lands. There were no such miracles as the transformation of uneatable goods into food and wine. Life expectancy was of just eighteen years of age in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula before the coming of Jesus and Mohammed, and during the time they realized their miracles, people continued to die by the droves at the same early age. Nothing improved while they spread their gospel. Not the food supply of the country, not the level of health, not the quality or the quantity of housing, and not even the level of crime or household violence.
Once they died and rose to Heaven, where they supposedly took better care of their people for they could lobby more directly God, the miserable living conditions of those two territories remained as bad as before. Hundreds of years went by and the people of the region prayed uninterruptedly to the God that Jesus and Mohammed had peddled, but there was still no improvement.
When life finally started to improve, in the nineteenth and twentieth century, it was not because their prayers were finally answered but because there was an inordinate amount of scientific and technological discoveries.
The religions that Jesus and Mohammed founded have never delivered concrete benefits to the Middle East or to any other region of the world. There have been numerous unsubstantiated claims, but non that could be quantified in a serious way or that could be classified as progress.
They on the contrary mislead the world in the wrong direction and in doing that, hindered progress. Over the past two thousand years, the religions they created have systemically restrained the advance of science, which is the only thing that brings wealth to humanity.
Despite the harm that they have caused, they cannot be blamed for misleading humanity. The reason they cannot be blamed is because they were sick. They were mentally ill and cerebral illnesses are beyond the control of the person that suffers from them. Schizophrenia is due to genetic, biological or adverse psychosocial factors.
It is not clear whether the cause driving Jesus and Mohammed to behave like they did was genetic, biological, psychosocial, or if it was a mixture of two or more of those factors. Whatever the cause, the fact is that they were both victims of circumstance.
However, it is almost a certainty that the third factor played an important role. The extreme violence of their times and the deplorable misery of the epoch played a major part, for such atrocious conditions tend to push people into efforts of mental escapism. Just as a child who is regularly beaten and sexually abused tends to seek refuge in a fantastic world of myths and legends, so do adults who are confronted with terrible conditions that seem insurmountable take refuge in a world of fancies.
The poverty and the violence of the times were indeed insurmountable and it was only until the nineteenth and twentieth century that the Middle East and the rest of the world started to experience some significant improvement in living conditions. In that two-hundred year period, life expectancy in the Middle East went from twenty in 1800 to sixty eight in the year 2000.
To understand the dangers that schizophrenia can cause when people who suffer from it attain positions of influence in a nation or in the world, it is worth pointing at what the latest research has revealed about the worst war of all times.
The Second World War was the sole responsibility of Adolph Hitler and new studies show that the Austrian suffered from schizophrenia. In Hitler’s family there was a long history of this disease and in his case the main variable causing it was clearly genetic. However, the psychosocial factors seem to have also played a part for he was brutally beaten by his father, he became orphaned at an early age, lived in dire poverty once his parents died, and experienced the horrid savagery of trench war during the First World War.
The biochemical imbalance in the brain of Hitler caused the death of fifty million people and left traumatized several generations of Europeans, Jews and others who suffered. History teaches that humanity must not deposit its faith in people with unstable brains, and Jesus and Mohammed were that kind of people.
Just about everything of what is said in the Bible and the Koran about the founders of those two creeds, points in the direction of a biochemical imbalance in their brain. These men showed systemic signs of delusion in their behavior.
They claimed to have heard heavenly voices, which is a typical symptom of this disease. People with schizophrenia tend to hear, see, feel or smell things that are not there. Just as in a dream, where fantastic events can not be distinguished from real ones. Thus, the hallucination of a voice is perceived in the brain just like a real person talking.
In present times psychiatrists and psychologists have reported millions of cases of people who claim identical things, consisting of two or more voices conversing with each other. However, nobody else has ever been able to hear the voices. Not the doctors, not the nurses, and not even the family members of the patient. That was exactly the situation for Jesus and Mohammed. Only they heard the voices and it was not because they were the chosen ones. It was simply because the others did not suffer from that neurological disequilibrium.
Since in modern times religion does not play a powerful role in the lives of people, many of the persons assuring to have heard voices did not claim it came from God. In ancient times when the belief in the divine was omnipresent, everybody assured it came from above.
Whether in the past or in present times, in all cases the person always clings to these beliefs even after the beliefs are shown to be false. That is a typical symptom and that is what Jesus and Mohammed did. In their times many contested their claims with strong rational arguments but both clung on to their unsubstantiated ideas.
It is human nature to explain things simplistically and religions excel in simplifying things when trying to explicate any phenomenon. Due to the total absence of scientific information in the ancient times in which those two characters lived, it was inevitable that they and their contemporaries would interpret that situation as a divine calling.
Illogical patterns of thinking, is another common expression of this mental illness and both men experienced it. The structure of their thoughts was completely detached from reality and there was never an effort to search for correlations or establish causality linkages. These men never substantiated their arguments with statistical evidence or with historical facts, basing everything on anecdotes and so called commands from God.
Withdrawal from reality and the experiencing of hallucinations are also typical symptoms, and both men were completely delusional. They thought they could walk over water, move mountains, feed the masses, and cure diseases. The truth of the matter is that the historians of the time did not report any of these events. Given the large scale following that these men had in Palestine and in the Arabian Peninsula respectively, it was inevitable that something as huge as the supply of food and medicine to a hungry and ill population would have been recorded in some way. However, nothing was reported.
What was reported was the violent way in which Mohammed instituted his belief in the peninsula, for he waged war to impose his will.
What was also reported was the continued misery and sickness of the population of both lands. There were no such miracles as the transformation of uneatable goods into food and wine. Life expectancy was of just eighteen years of age in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula before the coming of Jesus and Mohammed, and during the time they realized their miracles, people continued to die by the droves at the same early age. Nothing improved while they spread their gospel. Not the food supply of the country, not the level of health, not the quality or the quantity of housing, and not even the level of crime or household violence.
Once they died and rose to Heaven, where they supposedly took better care of their people for they could lobby more directly God, the miserable living conditions of those two territories remained as bad as before. Hundreds of years went by and the people of the region prayed uninterruptedly to the God that Jesus and Mohammed had peddled, but there was still no improvement.
When life finally started to improve, in the nineteenth and twentieth century, it was not because their prayers were finally answered but because there was an inordinate amount of scientific and technological discoveries.
The religions that Jesus and Mohammed founded have never delivered concrete benefits to the Middle East or to any other region of the world. There have been numerous unsubstantiated claims, but non that could be quantified in a serious way or that could be classified as progress.
They on the contrary mislead the world in the wrong direction and in doing that, hindered progress. Over the past two thousand years, the religions they created have systemically restrained the advance of science, which is the only thing that brings wealth to humanity.
Despite the harm that they have caused, they cannot be blamed for misleading humanity. The reason they cannot be blamed is because they were sick. They were mentally ill and cerebral illnesses are beyond the control of the person that suffers from them. Schizophrenia is due to genetic, biological or adverse psychosocial factors.
It is not clear whether the cause driving Jesus and Mohammed to behave like they did was genetic, biological, psychosocial, or if it was a mixture of two or more of those factors. Whatever the cause, the fact is that they were both victims of circumstance.
However, it is almost a certainty that the third factor played an important role. The extreme violence of their times and the deplorable misery of the epoch played a major part, for such atrocious conditions tend to push people into efforts of mental escapism. Just as a child who is regularly beaten and sexually abused tends to seek refuge in a fantastic world of myths and legends, so do adults who are confronted with terrible conditions that seem insurmountable take refuge in a world of fancies.
The poverty and the violence of the times were indeed insurmountable and it was only until the nineteenth and twentieth century that the Middle East and the rest of the world started to experience some significant improvement in living conditions. In that two-hundred year period, life expectancy in the Middle East went from twenty in 1800 to sixty eight in the year 2000.
To understand the dangers that schizophrenia can cause when people who suffer from it attain positions of influence in a nation or in the world, it is worth pointing at what the latest research has revealed about the worst war of all times.
The Second World War was the sole responsibility of Adolph Hitler and new studies show that the Austrian suffered from schizophrenia. In Hitler’s family there was a long history of this disease and in his case the main variable causing it was clearly genetic. However, the psychosocial factors seem to have also played a part for he was brutally beaten by his father, he became orphaned at an early age, lived in dire poverty once his parents died, and experienced the horrid savagery of trench war during the First World War.
The biochemical imbalance in the brain of Hitler caused the death of fifty million people and left traumatized several generations of Europeans, Jews and others who suffered. History teaches that humanity must not deposit its faith in people with unstable brains, and Jesus and Mohammed were that kind of people.
Iran Continues To Star As The Mouse That Roared
Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear diminutive Iran roar like a lion about its nuclear ambitions. Or growl about its mighty power by launching yet another flight of missiles. Yet among the world’s most powerful nations Iran remains inarguably diminutive. So, regardless of all the bluster, it can never be more than the mouse that roared.
The powers that be can observe and even indulge Iran, but they know quite well that the mouse better behave itself, because they can always give in a backhand and send it sprawling across the floor and scurrying back into its hole.
Are we attempting to make fun of the descendants of the Darius? No. We have a more considerate goal.
Our intention is to reveal that the efforts of its leaders to brandish weapons and pretend to be a superpower are unwisely conceived. They hope to be what, due to their nation’s size and resources, they can never be.
Far better to spend their national treasure on the prosperity of their citizens, instead of on nuclear armaments that, at their most dangerous, certify them as a possible target for a nuclear attack. And far more productive to join the family of nations as a peaceful and prosperous member than to bellow impossibilities.
But these hopes may be too revolutionary, at least, for now. So we have to settle for the most that’s likely. If the little nation will just stop roaring, the powers that be have shown plenty of willingness to throw it some cheese and let it nibble away in peace.
The powers that be can observe and even indulge Iran, but they know quite well that the mouse better behave itself, because they can always give in a backhand and send it sprawling across the floor and scurrying back into its hole.
Are we attempting to make fun of the descendants of the Darius? No. We have a more considerate goal.
Our intention is to reveal that the efforts of its leaders to brandish weapons and pretend to be a superpower are unwisely conceived. They hope to be what, due to their nation’s size and resources, they can never be.
Far better to spend their national treasure on the prosperity of their citizens, instead of on nuclear armaments that, at their most dangerous, certify them as a possible target for a nuclear attack. And far more productive to join the family of nations as a peaceful and prosperous member than to bellow impossibilities.
But these hopes may be too revolutionary, at least, for now. So we have to settle for the most that’s likely. If the little nation will just stop roaring, the powers that be have shown plenty of willingness to throw it some cheese and let it nibble away in peace.
Friday, December 8, 2006
USO Sending Paris Hilton Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson to Iraq
It definitely looks like it’s time for everyone to lighten up. Yesterday General Electric the parent company of NBC, fresh from their success with the Madonna concert at Wembley Stadium in London announced that it had instructed its news anchors to now refer to the conflict in Iraq as a “Civil War.” Today President Bush fired back that Iraq was not in a “Civil War.” A Civil War according to the dictionaries is defined as a struggle between various groups (or regions) of a country. If that’s the case then why wasn’t Iraq called a Civil War months ago? Are we all illiterate or just completely spun out and brainwashed?
President Bush is a stubborn Southern Man. Years ago Neil Young wrote a song about the American Civil War called “Southern Man”. Here are the lyrics: “Southern man better keep your head, Don't forget what your good book said, Southern change gonna come at last, Now your crosses are burning fast, Southern man, I saw cotton and I saw black, Tall White Mansions and little shacks. Southern man when will you pay them back? I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking How long? How long? Southern man better keep your head, Don't forget what your good book said, Southern change gonna come at last, Now your crosses are burning fast. Southern man. Lily Belle your hair is golden brown, I've seen your black man comin' round, Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down! I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking How long? How long?”
Now we are told that Iraq is having a Civil War. Isn’t that an oxymoron? The Americans and the Iraqis are certainly not acting in a civil fashion. People are definitely not engaged in a civil war when they routinely use power drills on their captives’ bodies prior to beheading them in snuff films shown on Al- Jazeera television. No wonder President Bush turned off the power in Bag Dad. Doesn’t he remind you of Prince Charles just waiting for the Queen to die? King charles will be a King who once stated that he wished to reincarnate as Camilla’s bicycle seat. No wonder England no longer has an Empire. At least New York has an Empire State building.
For the past 3 years President Bush has been pounded by journalists and voters alike because the journalists and voters claim that there was no connection between 9/11, Al Qaeda and Iraq, and the White House insists that there was in order to justify Iraq. Weren’t the Al Qaeda hijackers on 9/11 and the Iraqis all Muslim? President Bush said today that the sectarian violence rocking Iraq is not civil war but part of an Al Qaeda plot to use violence to goad Iraqi factions into repeatedly attacking each other. "No question it's tough, no question about it," Mr. Bush said at a news conference with Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. "There's a lot of sectarian violence taking place, fomented in my opinion because of the attacks by al Qaeda in Iraq causing people to seek reprisal.”
Hasn’t anyone told President Bush that Al Qaeda are Sunnis fighting the Shiites? Hasn’t anyone mentioned to President Bush that sectarian violence is the definition of Civil War? Maybe he thinks that Civil War is only when the North fights the South, or the Sunni East fights the Western Shiites and the Northern Kurds. In any event Estonian President Ilves pledged to send a troop to Iraq because just in case America wins he wants a share of the oil. Where is Estonia? Is it really even a country or just some fiction created by the White House to bolster their baloney about having a coalition of the willing? Very few people are still willing to listen to President Bush’s baloney any longer including his own American people. It turns out that the Dixie Chicks were right and the Americans were wrong three years ago to stop playing the Chicks’ music on the radio and for refusing to buy their albums. Why aren’t the American media screaming that it was President Bush who brought Al Qaeda into Iraq in the first place? They wouldn’t dare go near Iraq when President Hussein was living it up in his golden palaces with his golden showers.
In January 2004 CBS News became involved in their own civil war. They aired a story about President Bush’s National Guard service. It was decided that some of the facts were wrong and CBS News fired 4 of their staffers including 3 executives including senior vice president Betsy West, executive producer Josh Howard and senior broadcast producer Mary Murphy aka Eminem. At the time CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves issued this statement on behalf of CBS: “We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy.” CBS had reported that President Bush had failed to appear for a physical exam while in the National Guard. CBS News asked former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi to conduct an independent investigation into the matter and they prepared a 224 page report. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the administration appreciated CBS' steps to hold people accountable. Conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh insisted the network "had an axe to grind" with President Bush. Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz said it would take the network a long time to get over "a high-profile blunder."
Al Gore got more votes in the 2000 election but lost to President Bush. This CBS mountain out of a molehill incident and the Swift Boat baloney cost John Kerry the Presidency and handed it to President Bush. The story didn’t even mention that President Bush was a lying warmongering deserting alcoholic. In the good book Jesus Christ says, “You strain at gnats yet you swallow camels whole.”
Presently a bipartisan panel, led by Daddy’s former Secretary of State James Baker III and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind. is trying to figure out a new strategy in Iraq. The members, according to CBS News correspondent David Martin have agreed on an all-out diplomatic offensive with Iraq's neighbors — including Iran and Syria — to get help in stabilizing Iraq. However President Bush continued to express his reluctance to talk with two nations he regards as pariah states working to destabilize the Middle East. Who came up with the phrase “People who live in White Houses shouldn’t throw stones”?
Meanwhile David Icke reports that Daddy Bush is in Saudi Arabia at a séance of the Carlysle Group being presided over by its chairman Count Hans Kolvenbach, aka The Black Pope, the Jesuit General, and the ruler of the New World Order announced by President Bush in his State of the Union Address. They are channeling instructions from their masters the space lizard Illuminati on what to do next. Don’t be alarmed. Every Egyptian, Greek and Roman Emperor had their oracles. I guess the American voters do not expect as much from their leaders as the shareholders of the Oracle Corporation. The Roman Emperor had to recall Pontius Pilate to Rome for excess brutality. The Appian Way leading into Rome was lined with crucifixes as a warning to visitors not to mess around. Those were the days when Emperors knew how to conquer the World.
Imagine Alexander the Great with 25,000 100 megaton nuclear bombs and vast storehouses of chemical and biological weapons. It would have taken him maybe 3 hours to conquer the Middle East for America in partnership with Russia. People conduct wars too civilly today. It’s like watching paint dry. Get it over with already so Jesus can come. Maybe that’s why Count Kolvenbach sent Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey, to spark the Apocalypse. These reptiles are vicious bloodthirsty monsters and they have their finger on the button. At least they have good senses of humor. President Bush is going to fly to Iran to beg President Ahmidinejad’s Cleric puppet masters to help him out in Iraq. Superman couldn’t get us out of this pickle. This calls for Spam Man. CBS News President Sean McManus now reports that in an effort to boost troop morale the USO is sending Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, Bono, Elton John and Beyonce to the Green Zone to “entertain” the troops and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. Watch for special guest appearances by British soldiers Prince Harry and Prince William, who are to be introduced by Spam Man.
President Bush is a stubborn Southern Man. Years ago Neil Young wrote a song about the American Civil War called “Southern Man”. Here are the lyrics: “Southern man better keep your head, Don't forget what your good book said, Southern change gonna come at last, Now your crosses are burning fast, Southern man, I saw cotton and I saw black, Tall White Mansions and little shacks. Southern man when will you pay them back? I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking How long? How long? Southern man better keep your head, Don't forget what your good book said, Southern change gonna come at last, Now your crosses are burning fast. Southern man. Lily Belle your hair is golden brown, I've seen your black man comin' round, Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down! I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking How long? How long?”
Now we are told that Iraq is having a Civil War. Isn’t that an oxymoron? The Americans and the Iraqis are certainly not acting in a civil fashion. People are definitely not engaged in a civil war when they routinely use power drills on their captives’ bodies prior to beheading them in snuff films shown on Al- Jazeera television. No wonder President Bush turned off the power in Bag Dad. Doesn’t he remind you of Prince Charles just waiting for the Queen to die? King charles will be a King who once stated that he wished to reincarnate as Camilla’s bicycle seat. No wonder England no longer has an Empire. At least New York has an Empire State building.
For the past 3 years President Bush has been pounded by journalists and voters alike because the journalists and voters claim that there was no connection between 9/11, Al Qaeda and Iraq, and the White House insists that there was in order to justify Iraq. Weren’t the Al Qaeda hijackers on 9/11 and the Iraqis all Muslim? President Bush said today that the sectarian violence rocking Iraq is not civil war but part of an Al Qaeda plot to use violence to goad Iraqi factions into repeatedly attacking each other. "No question it's tough, no question about it," Mr. Bush said at a news conference with Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. "There's a lot of sectarian violence taking place, fomented in my opinion because of the attacks by al Qaeda in Iraq causing people to seek reprisal.”
Hasn’t anyone told President Bush that Al Qaeda are Sunnis fighting the Shiites? Hasn’t anyone mentioned to President Bush that sectarian violence is the definition of Civil War? Maybe he thinks that Civil War is only when the North fights the South, or the Sunni East fights the Western Shiites and the Northern Kurds. In any event Estonian President Ilves pledged to send a troop to Iraq because just in case America wins he wants a share of the oil. Where is Estonia? Is it really even a country or just some fiction created by the White House to bolster their baloney about having a coalition of the willing? Very few people are still willing to listen to President Bush’s baloney any longer including his own American people. It turns out that the Dixie Chicks were right and the Americans were wrong three years ago to stop playing the Chicks’ music on the radio and for refusing to buy their albums. Why aren’t the American media screaming that it was President Bush who brought Al Qaeda into Iraq in the first place? They wouldn’t dare go near Iraq when President Hussein was living it up in his golden palaces with his golden showers.
In January 2004 CBS News became involved in their own civil war. They aired a story about President Bush’s National Guard service. It was decided that some of the facts were wrong and CBS News fired 4 of their staffers including 3 executives including senior vice president Betsy West, executive producer Josh Howard and senior broadcast producer Mary Murphy aka Eminem. At the time CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves issued this statement on behalf of CBS: “We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy.” CBS had reported that President Bush had failed to appear for a physical exam while in the National Guard. CBS News asked former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi to conduct an independent investigation into the matter and they prepared a 224 page report. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the administration appreciated CBS' steps to hold people accountable. Conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh insisted the network "had an axe to grind" with President Bush. Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz said it would take the network a long time to get over "a high-profile blunder."
Al Gore got more votes in the 2000 election but lost to President Bush. This CBS mountain out of a molehill incident and the Swift Boat baloney cost John Kerry the Presidency and handed it to President Bush. The story didn’t even mention that President Bush was a lying warmongering deserting alcoholic. In the good book Jesus Christ says, “You strain at gnats yet you swallow camels whole.”
Presently a bipartisan panel, led by Daddy’s former Secretary of State James Baker III and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind. is trying to figure out a new strategy in Iraq. The members, according to CBS News correspondent David Martin have agreed on an all-out diplomatic offensive with Iraq's neighbors — including Iran and Syria — to get help in stabilizing Iraq. However President Bush continued to express his reluctance to talk with two nations he regards as pariah states working to destabilize the Middle East. Who came up with the phrase “People who live in White Houses shouldn’t throw stones”?
Meanwhile David Icke reports that Daddy Bush is in Saudi Arabia at a séance of the Carlysle Group being presided over by its chairman Count Hans Kolvenbach, aka The Black Pope, the Jesuit General, and the ruler of the New World Order announced by President Bush in his State of the Union Address. They are channeling instructions from their masters the space lizard Illuminati on what to do next. Don’t be alarmed. Every Egyptian, Greek and Roman Emperor had their oracles. I guess the American voters do not expect as much from their leaders as the shareholders of the Oracle Corporation. The Roman Emperor had to recall Pontius Pilate to Rome for excess brutality. The Appian Way leading into Rome was lined with crucifixes as a warning to visitors not to mess around. Those were the days when Emperors knew how to conquer the World.
Imagine Alexander the Great with 25,000 100 megaton nuclear bombs and vast storehouses of chemical and biological weapons. It would have taken him maybe 3 hours to conquer the Middle East for America in partnership with Russia. People conduct wars too civilly today. It’s like watching paint dry. Get it over with already so Jesus can come. Maybe that’s why Count Kolvenbach sent Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey, to spark the Apocalypse. These reptiles are vicious bloodthirsty monsters and they have their finger on the button. At least they have good senses of humor. President Bush is going to fly to Iran to beg President Ahmidinejad’s Cleric puppet masters to help him out in Iraq. Superman couldn’t get us out of this pickle. This calls for Spam Man. CBS News President Sean McManus now reports that in an effort to boost troop morale the USO is sending Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, Bono, Elton John and Beyonce to the Green Zone to “entertain” the troops and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. Watch for special guest appearances by British soldiers Prince Harry and Prince William, who are to be introduced by Spam Man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)