Deliberation du jour

Your Thanksgiving Ham Could Have Mouse Genes In It And The FDA Does Not Want You To Know About It.

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:58:00 +0000

The FDA took the opportunity of the elections dominating the news cycle to approve Cloned Meat to be sold to unsuspecting consumers without any labeling , and thus taking the choice out of our hands.

Now the FDA is fighting labeling on Genetically Engineered animals that will end up on your table .

According to Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union , " mouse genes have been put into pigs to help them metabolize phosphorous more efficiently, and spider genes have been put into goats so that they produce spider silk in their milk."

So your Thanksgiving Ham , your breakfast bacon & pork chops could be genetically engineered with mouse genes WITHOUT your knowledge or Choice, because there won't be a label telling you that.

And according to Dr. Michael Hansen Senior Scientist at the at Consumers Union : "Consumers Union is also concerned that cows engineered to produce antibiotics in their milk, which can help the cow avoid udder infections, also will not be labeled. "Unlike conventional antibiotics, which must be cleared from the cow before it can be used to produce milk or meat, the antibiotic that is genetically engineered into the animal will always be present. We are concerned both about the potential safety and lack of labeling on such food products."

How dare the FDA take away our ability to make choices about what we eat & what we feed our children.

These are the people who brought us hydrogenated oils , aspartame and genetically engineered corn , soy & cotton. In my opinion the FDA should be held responsible for promoting the diseases we see today.

When will the FDA start putting consumers before profit for their cronies. And when will they stop using the consumers as guinea pigs. And when will the consumers wake up & demand real protection from their governmental agencies?

Call your Senators & Congressmen and demand labeling on all cloned & genetically engineered foods, don't allow them to take such important choice away from us.

Sales Up by 40% At Thrift Stores and Second -Hand Clothing Outlets

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:10:00 +0000

While retailers are suffering, and struggling to get paying customers through the doors due to the abysmal economy , another segment of the retailing industry are enjoying a 40% increase in sales according to a News Report quoting economists, and verified locally by the reporter who interviewed some of the thrift stores' staff and customers .

When I moved to the Palm Springs area 5 years ago, I was surprised at the number of Consignment Stores , Second -Hand stores & Thrift Stores in the area.

You can find a consignment store or a thrift store on almost every major street. The chance of driving by one of these stores on hwy 111 ( our major thoroughfare) versus driving by a Starbucks could be 4 to 1.

A good number of these stores are privately owned , but the majority are owned by non-profit organizations .

As our middle class erodes further and further with every economic downturn, and disparity in our society widens, opening Second- Hand Stores could become the next boom in business opportunities.

Sarah Palin : The Woman & Mother Unveiled ...

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:34:00 +0000

This is not a political rant , but rather grave concern as to the judgment and moral values of Sarah Palin as Woman and Mother.

I can somewhat understand it, when a woman who has no children and is desperate to get pregnant, would venture and take a risk at the age of 43

But , I cannot even phantom the idea, of someone who already has 4 children, taking that risk before getting her ovaries thoroughly tested , to eliminate any possibilities of causing the Baby to be born with Down Syndrome, and putting a baby's health and well being at risk.

I worked with Children with Down Syndrome, as well as with their parents and saw the pain first hand.

For those of you who do not know much what a Baby could endure with Down Syndrome, get informed.

I am not a proponent of abortion by any means. But in my book the recklessness of a pregnancy with a very high probability of causing a baby to be born with Down Syndrome, or any disease , is as immoral and irresponsible as having an abortion.

And what would be more immoral, is if the Evangelical Movement and the
Pro - Life Movement (who are suddenly pouring money now into the McCain Campaign) decide to use that pregnancy and Baby, to glamorize and propel Sarah Palin as their Poster Girl, and to further their political agenda of imposition, at the expense of the Baby . And that would be purely unconscionable .

Her poor judgment is not, in not having an abortion, but rather in not doing everything she possibly could have done , before getting pregnant, to make sure that the life she will be bearing will be protected from suffering. I am sure as Governor, she had access to top medical advice, anywhere in the country.

Who is taking care of that Baby she was parading on TV ?

Some might say, well her pregnancy might have been an accident and unplanned , and I say, when a woman is 43 and already on the verge of , or in menopause, she is expected to have at least an ounce of judgment, in the form of a condom, to protect the unborn.

I guess we live in a time when youthfulness and its quest are very popular and perceived as a measure of self worth , and could lead some women to feel that they are invincible ... and I say , good judgment should always prevail and especially when it has to deal with another life.

I do understand that we do not really know what goes on in people's private lives, and we should not be judgmental , and in any other circumstance I would totally agree .

But, considering that in this particular case , we are dealing with a woman who could be elected as Vice President , then her judgment and moral values are pivotal.

So, I take exception to that rule of minding my own business, especially , that with our media being mostly male dominated, they will not dare to bring up matters such as, the responsibilities of late pregnancies, and menopause up for discussion, in fear of losing advertisers, and, the raft of the different militant groups.

I believe that this is a debate that should take place, as it deals with the fundamentals of judgment and the core of morality.

Who is the House Protecting With This Electronic Surveillance Bill ?

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:41:00 +0000

The Associated Press Reported today that: " The House Friday easily approved a compromise bill setting new electronic surveillance rules that effectively shield telecommunications companies from lawsuits arising from the government's terrorism-era warrantless eavesdropping on phone and computer lines in this country."

So who are our elected officials protecting this time with this Electronic Surveillance Bill ?

I went on You Tube and searched for some archived reports on the subject, believing that I'll find some reports on Att or Verizon as the culprits in pushing the bill. Instead I stumbled on this Fox News Report that tells another story .

And if it is coming from Fox News with Tony Snow heading the report, then it must be true. Watch the video and see who these telecommunications companies our elected officials are shielding under this electronic surveillance bill.

Just when will our untrusted elected officials in Congress & the Senate going to start standing up for the American People . I thought they were elected to protect our rights and put our interests before any special interest groups.

Or better yet, when are we going to boot them out of office. They surely do not deserve to represent us . They have been bought and sold so many times by special interest groups that they forgot who elected them and forgot their fiduciary duty to us. Vote them out.

Tim Russert: You Touched Our Lives and Hearts With Your Life and Your Death.

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:53:00 +0000

I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that it is possible to get so emotionally and intellectually affected by the death of someone I did not know personally . Yet, I feel like I lost my best friend with the death of Tim Russert . I truly do feel lost.

There was something about Tim Russert that exuded integrity , honesty, total contentment and joy in what he was doing. I keep seeing his smile and the twinkle in his eyes during the primaries.

Tim Russert was like an architect. He understood that comprehensive knowledge about his guest was the foundation, and we the public were the client. From these notions, he formulated his questions with the intention of generating the closest profile rendering of the guest, and left it to us to approve or disapprove. He was a genius.

For the past three days I have been trying to understand my very sad feelings for the loss of a Journalist, thousands of miles away, whom I did not know beyond TV.

Finally today while watching the sort of Wake for Tim Russert during the Meet the Press time slot,it hit me.

We look to the Journalists and news Media to be our eyes and ears, and we need to trust them to report the Facts to us.

Unfortunately, during the past few years, we were hit with a new reality.

Journalists armed with the First Amendment to protect them, forgot what their roles were , and allowed themselves to be intimidated into submission and fear .

Many replaced information, facts and integrity, with sensationalism, and with some, intentional misinformation.

Corporate Media Moguls in search of ever more power, bought into the underlying notion that has being perpetuated for the past decade , that we the public, are morons & stupid, and THEY , have the power to mold us as they please, with lies and misinformation, and turned Journalists into pushers of agendas.

Tim Russert was able to stay above all that and stayed true to his profession, ideals, and those who depended on him to deliver facts. He cannot be replaced.

I sincerely hope that every journalist will take some time to reflect on Tim Russert's Life and how he is being remembered . I sincerely hope that this loss, will inspire journalists to stand up and demand that Journalism 101 be returned as the basis of reporting.

To Tim Russert, who in his life as in his death has touched the core of our hearts . Happy Journey !

Alzheimer Moms & Mothers' Day

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:07:00 +0000

The other day I asked a friend of mine whose Mom has been slipping into Alzheimer or Dementia for a few years, what was she planning on doing with her Mom on Mothers' Day. Her response was, " nothing, she doesn't know who I am , and she won't remember it anyways."

I don't know what is worse or sadder , the fact that her Mom won't remember, or the fact that my friend has given up on her Mom?

My Mom too, has Dementia, and I am most certain that my Mom on her worst days, when she might not have been able to remember my name, she knew who I was , or, at least knew that someone close to her and who loves her is there, holding her hand , kissing her and talking to her. I could see it in her face, and feel it in her touch.

I always loved my Mom, but I never loved her as much as I do now, she is like a child , full of innocence and more dependent than she ever thought she could become, and most of all needs the reassurance that she is not a burden.

How could anyone ignore their Mom on the mere premise that they will not be recognized , and not spend Mothers' Day with her. It does not matter if she will know you, remember you, or remember you were there. What matters is that she will feel the love and its energy. And it is not about you. It's about her.

Don't think sadness or heartbreak. Just think LOVE and show it.

If you have a Mom suffering from Alzheimer or Dementia , you might want to read my Article, and have a wonderful day with your Mom.

Happy Mothers Day to All Moms !

Is Obama a threat to Rev. Wright & organized religions in general ?

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:17:00 +0000

I watched Reverend Wright yesterday during his NAACP address. Though I found him entertaining , he struck me as being on a mission , and it felt that his whole song and dance, was nothing more than a lead up to the crescendo of a repetition of Barack Hussein Obama three or four times.

Is Obama perceived by Reverend Wright as a threat?

Is Obama perceived as a threat to all organized religions?

The other day, I saw on television, a billboard in front of some church where they replaced passages from the Scripture with Obama Osama .

If Obama is elected, and is true to his promises of Change, Hope and uplifting people, then, "the people", who after eight years of fear and helplessness, will wake up on November 21st 2008 and feel a big surge of hope in the future ,in their self worth, individual potential and the possibilities . And yes, organized religion in all its forms and creeds will become less of a crutch and will start loosing their gold laying flock and their hold and control on them.

How I freed myself from "Christmas shopping" stress!

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:15:00 +0000

I still vividly remember the stress of running around aimlessly during the last week before Christmas fighting the traffic in LA , trying to figure out what gifts to buy for the people on my list .

I don't have kids so I am in the dark as to what children and teenagers are into that year . So my excursion would start at Toys R Us. I go in and stand for a while near the checkout isles and inspect what people are buying, hoping that would give me some ideas ... then while inspecting the different isles, I would get on my cell phone calling family & friends and try to pry out of them what their kids would like for Christmas. Never got any straight answers . Nobody ever wants to make it easy . A few hours later , my head is spinning , my feet are aching and I am pushing a cart full of toys and games and a knot in my stomach evaporating any feeling or conviction that I picked the right gifts. So I would resolve myself to the fact that this is the best I can do.

Since I moved to the Desert , I acquired some wisdom and started to shop on line . I would sit for hours surfing from one store to the other , bookmarking the stores where I liked certain items so that I come back to them later.

You guessed it ! I would end up with a multitude of bookmarks that tell me nothing , and the search starts all over.

Well this year though late in the year , November to be specific I decided it would be great if I can create one web site with different gift ideas for different ages linked to different stores that are willing to pay me for shopping and provide a service for people who find themselves in similar situation.

This is the web site www.allamazingifts.com I know it is not perfect and real sophisticated but it does provide the service . After Christmas I'll have more time to hype it up.

So if you are a procrastinator or apprehensive of the mobs out there, I would appreciate your support. You will find Gifts for Women , Gift Ideas for Men ,
Gifts for Business Associates & Friends.

If you are entertaining and throwing a Christmas or New Years Party get some of these
Easy Holiday Appetizers , they are really great.

Thank You! and have a wonderful Christmas.

6 Million Toys Recalled and more on the way...

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:49:00 +0000

Japan will not allow products manufactured in China, enter their country unless they have been tested by Japanese inspectors on location in China.

Why doesn't the Department of Commerce initiate such rules on all American companies manufacturing their products in China ?

I thought it was great News yesterday when it was reported that Attorney General of the great State of California, Jerry Brown, filed a lawsuit on Monday against 20 companies for manufacturing or selling toys with "unlawful quantities of lead" in Children Toys . Some of the companies named - Mattel, KB Toys, Fisher Price , Wal-Mart, Toys R US & Target.

The lawsuit is based on "Proposition 65" passed in 1986 , and the penalty for not complying with "Proposition 65" is a mere $2500.00 / day.

It's a start , but I want to know what else in my house besides toys is laced by lead or other toxic substances.

In the age of "no accountability", I see a ray of hope that there are still some elected officials who are willing to do the right thing .

Is Children Toy Safety on your mind this Christmas Season?

Do you consider obesity offensive ? And who do you blame ?

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:32:00 +0000

If you walk in any public area, go to the mall, restaurants or anywhere you will pass a good number of obese people .... and your reaction is either gazing with incomprehensible wonder, or if you are with somebody , commenting with dismay or even disgust as to "why don't these people cut down on their eating" .

But do you ever stop to think beyond the general concept of "excessive food consumption" and wonder if there are any causes that stem from beyond the amount of food..

If you are in your 30s or 40s, ask your parents and grandparents if they recall how often did they encounter excessively overweight people when they were your age?

I bet their answers would be that they cannot recall anything like this , and even you do not probably recall anything like this when you were growing up .

In the mid 1950s the use of Hormones in US Cattle was sanctioned by the FDA and to this date they are still defending it and bowing to the lobbyists of the very powerful companies that produce these hormones.

It is reported that at least two thirds of the cattle in the USA and consumed in the form of steaks, roast, hamburgers etc.. comes from cows that have been given 6 kinds of growth hormones . Three are naturally occurring—Oestradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone—and three which are synthetic—Zeranol, Trenbolone, and Melengestrol.

The Use of these hormones are banned around the world , except for the USA, Canada & Mexico .

Barry Bonds is being indicted over steroids , yet the general public is unknowingly consuming steroids on a daily basis through our meals , though in much smaller amounts , over time everything compounds.

Then in 1993 the FDA, in spite of strong opposition from scientists, farmers and consumers, approved the use of "recombinant bovine somatotropin " (rbST) ,
a synthetic version of BGH that is injected into dairy cows to artificially increase milk production. rBST is banned in Canada and the EU countries.

In 1998, the American Cancer Society reported a correlation between human blood levels of IGF-1 (often associated with obesity) and breast cancer,[17] prostate cancer,[18] and colorectal cancer.[19] Increased plasma levels of IGF-1 are associated with a higher risk of diabetes and a shorter lifespan in animal studies (e.g. Nature, vol 444, pages 337-342, 2006).

On May 22, 2006, Scientific American reported that Dr Gary Steinman of the Long Island Jewish Medical Centre published a paper in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine proposing a link between IGF and the incidence of twin births. He cites the May 6 issue of The Lancet which compared the relative increase of twinning rates in the USA and UK.[20]

In March 2007 Oxford University Journal in March 2007 , commissioned by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology published a report titled " Semen quality of fertile US males in relation to their mothers' beef consumption during pregnancy". The report can be found at OxfordJournal.org .

The problem is even if you are a vegetarian and do not consume meat or milk ... the excreted waste from the cows end in the ground and the irrigation system of farmed lands, then end up contaminating the oceans and the fish supply. So its supply chain keeps on giving.

As for the non vegetarians , when the milk has rBST, then your cheese , your ice cream your yogurt etc... etc is going to have rBST.

Fortunately many companies now are offering only no rBST dairy products; Trader Joes, Wild Oats and Henry's Stores , Whole Foods , and lately I read somewhere that Safeways in Northern California are eliminating rBST (to be confirmed) , and Starbuck is now eliminating the use of rBST dairy from its stores.

As for beef, you do not need to buy organic if you can't afford it, you can buy

Natural & 100% Grass Fed beef , they have no hormones , antibiotic or pesticides

As for cheese & butter , buy imported to be sure they do not contain rBST .

I have a friend who has a son who drinks close to a gallon of milk everyday . He is now 13 years old and has the body and fat of a lazy 30 year old. I wonder how much of that growth is attributed to induced hormones.

Good health starts with good information.

We can write all we want about any subject, yet, it won't be until people hear it on TV that they will start believing it . But the Media as the trend has become, are too busy with more pressing junk news to feed the unsuspecting general public.

And unfortunately in this case, it is "What people don't know will kill them".

Meanwhile powerful companies ,their lobbyists and the politicians on both sides of the isle will keep treating us as "YOU the Consumers" instead of "YOU the People".

The Wonderful World of Skype

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:51:00 +0000

My Family is scattered all over , and though through the years, we did keep in touch on a regular basis by telephone, birthday and Christmas cards, we did not see each other much, especially my only sister who after spending years moving from country to country and state to state due to her husband's job , she just stopped traveling and the last time I saw her was 1996 . Her little boy was only 2 years old.

I know, I could have gone to Massachusetts and seen her, but my work for 10 years took me at least twice a month to different cities , and getting on an airplane has become something to avoid at any cost .

Over a year ago, I updated my Apple from a G4 Tower , to an IMac , and with its state of the art built in camera and microphone, the whole world opened up in front of me. I downloaded Skype
and invited the whole family to join .

I am so grateful to eBay for providing that service.

I remember the folks on Wall Street did not spare a comment about eBay buying Skype , yet every time I am on a call I can see the number of people using Skype at the same time, it is never less than 9 million.

After almost 11 years, now I see my sister and talk to her at least twice a week. I got to meet my nephew who is almost 13 now. And a few months ago, I got to celebrate with my Mom her Birthday , cake, candles and singing Happy Birthday.

Now, I use Skype not only for family reunions . I use Skype for Business
. I bought a telephone number, and I subscribe to almost all of their paid services... I guess eBay will be the one laughing last. This is not a regional telephone company , it is a universal telecommunications company. Kudos to eBay

Today it's all about Tuberculosis, "TB" , the New Scare

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Wed, 30 May 2007 23:18:00 +0000

Well, guess what , we have a new scare .... Tuberculosis "TB" and flying .

All the News and Cable News Shows today featured a complete set of Health Analysts, Terrorism Analysts , Print Media Journalists , Homeland Security experts. So do not worry . They are on top of their daily dose of fear mongering ... and asking the real important questions :" How was this guy allowed on an airplane?"

How about for a change , educating the people about the decease, informing us how many people are infected in the USA, what States that have the highest reported cases , why ? , how do people protect themselves, how poverty is a big contributor .

On Chris Matthews' Hardball, today a former Reagan Deputy Ass. Defense Secretary ,
KT McFarland , and the infamous, Michael Brown were advocating a Health NO FLY List .
Of course they were instigated by Chris , that's what he does best.

Some of their suggestions where ; Homeland Security should coordinate with CDC and start the health no fly list. Michel Brown suggested to hire some "Company" missed it's name , to farm data on everybody and compile the list.

I am not a Doctor or come anywhere close to being a health professional, but I know that TB, like some other infectious decease like Mono, Hepatitis among others, could be carried by people who never exhibit any symptoms , and with 45 + million uninsured Americans who cannot afford to see a Doctor unless very sick, how does a list ever get compiled .

And, what about the rest of the world . According to the Doctors Without Borders Organization , Tuberculosis is hardly under control around the world. Are we going to force the rest of the world to compile lists too ? How stupid !

I added a link to the Doctors without Borders site at the end of my post for whoever would like to check it out.

Richard Huber said :

"The old prescription of success is a combination of ability and character. Once the character fails, the ability follows."

Deliberation du jour: Is it the quality of Producers, or Media Exec. policy?

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Sat, 26 May 2007 19:50:00 +0000

Deliberation du jour: Is it the quality of Producers, or Media Exec. policy?

Is it the quality of Producers, or Media Exec. policy?

noreply@blogger.com (Deliberation du jour) — Fri, 25 May 2007 00:28:00 +0000

I was not sure how I was going to initiate my blogging , but Keith Olberman on MSNBC made it easy for me. I like Keith Olberman , he strikes me as an upstanding human being , he is funny and in my opinion one of the very few who still exhibits principles in his "Special Comments" , whether you agree with him or not.

BUT , I cannot understand for the life of me why he does not refuse to report all the stupid so called news that is continuously being shoved in our face? Sanjaya , American Idol, Michael Jackson, Rosie O'Donnell , and the list goes on and on and on .

Why do Media Executives treat us, the viewing audience like morons and make the decisions on what we should be watching ? And why do we still allow them . I know, I can switch channels , but guess what , going one click up brings in Fox News , and one click down it's CNN, not much of a choice . So I end up clicking the OFF button .

I remember during the Anna Nicole Smith saga .... which ran for days with no end in sight, some of the ( how do we refer to these guys ? Talk Show Hosts , Journalists , Commentators? if any body knows how to properly address them , please tell me ) like Chris Matthews of Hardball, you could see some embarrassment in his face in having to turn Hardball into a Soap/News Opera.

And the worst part is when later , WE, the audience are blamed for having an insatiable appetite for these news. All the Analysts and Consultants gather around to remind us that WE, the audience like these kind of news and scandals, and the Media Executives and Producers are just obliging !