BAN VIAGRA NOW!! If having a baby is GOD'S WILL then so is IMPOTENCE! Makes sense.

2013 was the year of TAKING AWAY RIGHTS FROM WOMEN!  Maybe we need to regulate Viagra and stop its use.  I hope 2014 is a year when the ANTI-WOMEN LAWS GET REPEALED after we elect Pro-Woman candidates who support birth control.  I hope the new political group repeal the Vagina invasion rules which TeaParty and Religious Right fools got passed.  2014 - The year when Women gain ground and are heard.  FAT WHITE GUYS SHOULD NOT BE WRITING LAWS ABOUT WOMEN'S BODIES.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/seems-fair.html

Cough: 12 Home remedies

Coughing is annoying.

http://www.commonsensehome.com/home-remedies-for-coughs/



http://healthandnaturalliving.com/12-home-remedies-for-coughs/

10 Most Viewed Fact Checks of 2014 - FOX IS FULL OF LIES

As 2013 comes to close, it’s time again to share our most popular fact-checks from the past 12 months. Topics ranged from government surveillance to the national debt to the Obamas’ family vacation.

The following are the 10 fact-checks that received the most page views this year, in reverse order as a countdown to our most popular check.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/dec/31/top-10-most-viewed-fact-checks-2013/

Train carrying crude oil DERAILS - ENTIRE ND CITY EVACUATED! Happy New Year from Big Oil.

The train derailment occurred earlier this afternoon, but with the shift in wind the entire town is being evacuated right now. Reports say that one of the train's crew members suffered second degree burns before getting to safety. I'm posting this as a quick diary to get the word out. If anyone has more pertinent, local info, please post in the comments. One news link is here: http://www.valleynewslive.com/...
Twitter feed is here: https://twitter.com/...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/30/1266172/-Train-Carrying-Crude-Oil-Derails-in-ND-Entire-City-of-Casselton-Being-Evacuated?detail=facebook

Republicans DON'T BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION!! Stupidity? Yep, I think so.

REPUBLICANS:  Santa Claus is White, Women ask to be raped by wanting birth Control, a bearded dude that insists you need to marry 14 and 15 year old girls is a hero, draft dodgers should decide when and where we go to war -  NOW, REPUBLICANS DON'T BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION!!!  Jesus rode a dinosaur.

Economics:  Go to war in Iraq because the hijackers in the plane were from Saudi Arabia and trained in Afghanistan TO THE COST OF 6 TRILLION.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/belief-in-evolution-among-republicans.html

6 Foods to Control Diabetes

I eat a bunch of this stuff and I do not have diabetes

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/6-best-foods-to-control-diabetes/

FUKUSHIMA: Reactor 3 is probably MELTING DOWN!!

Fish in the Pacific Ocean are dying,  Fish have radiation in them, the bottom of the ocean floor is littered with skeletal remains, Radiated water is flowing into the Pacific Ocean at an enormous rate.  NOW IT APPEARS AS IF A REACTOR IS MELTING DOWN!  Can it get any worse?  Sure can. there are 6 reactors there.

http://www.occupycorporatism.com/tepco-quietly-admits-reactor-3-melting-now/

Bernie Sanders: Most People Understand that the Mimimum Wage is a starvation wage

Bernie Sanders is the best.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/bernie-sanders-most-people-understand

For This New Year, I wish you good health and happiness.

2013 was a good year health wise for me but I know others who suffered health issues this past year.

I am hoping that all I know and interact with have good health and happiness in 2014.  I now know what bile looks like and I have seen tubes down peoples noses.  I have seen a person on an IV for food for 6 weeks along with 5 major operations.  Fortunately, he is doing very well and the Drs cannot even tell he had such major injuries and multiple operations.

I also saw two people die of breast cancer after protracted battles.    I know of others who went into the hospital for various procedures.

Wishing you good health this new year of 2014.  I am finding that eating healthy fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water and green tea are also very helpful for me.

Wishing You well.
Rich

Dirty OIL: Conservatives spend 1 Billion per year in fighting Climate Change Progress

There is a lot of money in dirty oil and destroying our environment.  Wouldn't it be nice to start using this money on clean energy - LIKE OTHER NATIONS.

http://www.ringoffireradio.com/2013/12/conservatives-spend-nearly-1-billion-year-fighting-climate-progress/

REPUBLICANS DEVASTATE 1.3 MILLION AMERICANS and the media says nothing.

A bid deal is made out of plastic Jesus a couple weeks ago by the media but 1.3 Million are moved deeper into Poverty and nothing is said - weird.

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/12/30/republicans-devastate-lives-1-3-million-americans-media-stays-silent.html

INCOME INEQUALITY IS GETTING WORSE! The 1% got 6 Trillion of our money!

6.1 Trillion dollars gained by the 1% wealthiest WHILE THE MIDDLE CLASS AND POOR MAKE LESS AND LESS!  The blood suckers will not be satisfied until they own us.

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/3-shocking-ways-inequality-keeps-getting-worse-america?akid=11339.294211.uITqMU&rd=1&src=newsletter941597&t=5

Let People Retire with some dignity! Expand Social Security. Elizabeth Warren

The safety net is being torn to shreds so the Richest can put money into bank accounts overseas.

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/elizabeth-warren-its-right-every-american-retire-dignity-why-we-must-expand-social-security?akid=11339.294211.uITqMU&rd=1&src=newsletter941597&t=9

A ship is trapped in Antarctica

They had to postpone a rescue because of a blizzard which stopped the ice breaker from moving forward.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ship-trapped-in-antarctica-ice-slideshow/

Darrell Issa squirms over the new Benghazi Report - His Benghazi lies are disputed, big time.

Darrell Issa is such a worthless piece of **it.  He and FOX made up tons of lies about Benghazi and now has to continue with the insanity instead of saying he screwed up.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/watching-darrell-issa-squirm-over-new.html

2013: Some Great Progressive Political Events Happened - 10 to remember

The insanity of the Conservative Right Wing is being exposed.

http://www.alternet.org/top-10-noteworthy-progressive-milestones-2013?akid=11338.294211.tHSAre&rd=1&src=newsletter941488&t=14

Weird Photos 2013

some are quite unique

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/28/weirdest-photos-of-2013_n_4479921.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

2013 - Some of the things that WILL NOT be missed.

Not everything that happened in 2013 was great.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/27/things-you-wish-you-hadnt-learned_n_4435474.html?ir=Politics

Some amazing Abandoned Places all over the world - haunting

Just weird to see these.  Morbidly interesting.

http://distractify.com/culture/arts/the-most-spectacular-abandoned-places-in-the-world/

Migraines, Swelling: Lemon, Tumeric Detox Tea, Lemon Water Benefits

http://lindawagner.net/blog/2012/02/detox-tea-recipe/index.html

Benefits of Lemon Water
http://lindawagner.net/blog/2011/05/health-benefits-of-lemon-water

NY Times Report on Benghazi - Republicans and FOX made up a bunch of lies.

The NY Times did extensive checking of facts and concluded that the attack at Benghazi was a spontaneous attack WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE a coordinated attack by Al Qaeda.  This report shoots all the FOX noise to hell real fast.

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/12/29/york-times-turns-republican-benghazi-hoax.html

Hormones: Balancing Your Hormones

http://wellnessmama.com/5425/balance-hormones/

Snoring: Natural Cures

I need this I am told.

http://everydayroots.com/snoring-remedies

Decongestant: Home made.

http://titus2homemaker.com/2013/01/homemade-decongestant/

Guns: Man shoots himself in the butt at Home Depot

Everyone needs to carry a gun, just so we can have more stories of gun stupidity.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/12/28/responsible-gun-owner-butt/

Phil Robertson (Duck Guy) says MEN SHOULD MARRY 15 and 16 year old girls.

Video has surfaced of Robertson giving a speech in 2009 at the Sportsmen’s Ministry in Georgia, where he suggests that men should target 15-16 year-old girls for marriage — because they’re basically over the hill at 20.

“Look, you wait ‘til they get to be twenty years-old and the only picking that’s going to take place is your pocket. You got to marry these girls when they’re about fifteen or sixteen and they’ll pick your ducks.

- See more at: http://aattp.org/caught-on-tape-in-speech-from-2009-phil-robertson-says-men-should-marry-15-and-16-year-old-girls/#sthash.Dtadbpw1.dpuf

Duck Dynasty dude says girls are over the hill at 20 to an audience.  THIS IS THE RIGHT WING HERO you want?  Just wondering.

http://aattp.org/caught-on-tape-in-speech-from-2009-phil-robertson-says-men-should-marry-15-and-16-year-old-girls/

50 years old and fired! The new reality in the job market

As you stay in a job and get raises, you cost more.  The new reality is that more and more people get to 50 and get fired to make more profits for the company.  They then hire a younger person at less cost and the 50 year old is hoping to find a non existant job.  The lack of respect for the working man and woman and aging is getting worse and worse.

http://www.alternet.org/economy/age-discrimination-workplace?akid=11314.294211.u9AQYA&rd=1&src=newsletter940963&t=3

DETOX BATH - Getting rid of the stress of life one bath at a time.

Most detox bath recipes I found in researching this topic contained different combinations of the same basic ingredients: Epsom Salt, Baking Soda, and Apple Cider Vinegar. A few others also added Essential Oils and Ginger. But very few contained the “secret ingredient” I’m going to share with you today….Clay!

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/11/the-ultimate-detox-bath.html

Pain Relieving Cream:

Here is the recipe:
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/09/make-your-own-homemade-pain-relieving-cream.html

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-homemade-pain-relieving-cream/

REPUBLICAN SHAME! Millions lose Unemployment Benefits today.

Republicans got elected with:  JOBS, JOBS, JOBS  - Where are they? 
And now they took away the meager benefits of Unemployment Benefits - Shameful.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/millions-see-loss-unemployment-benefits

DETOX DRINK - Herbal, Make it yourself

this is the actual recipe:  http://everydayroots.com/detox-drink-for-cleansing

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-daily-detox-drink/

NO GUNS ALLOWED - Toby Keith's Restaurant

The Gun Nuts are pissed.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/country-star-toby-keith-opens-new.html

75 ways to use essential oils

These are oils that your body needs to do well.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/75-fantastic-ways-to-use-essential-oils/

Ear Infections: Natural Cures

http://www.mommypotamus.com/natural-remedies-for-ear-infections/

http://off-grid.info/blog/natural-remedies-for-ear-infections-eye-opening-tutorial/

No Mr. Robinson, these are NOT the teachings of Christ.

He is out to make money and to pander to the masses, just like Sarah Palin.

http://ozmud.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/no-mr-robertson-thats-not-the-teachings-of-christ/

Apple Cider elixer that tastes good

There are many health benefits to apple cider vinegar but it tastes bad. This makes it easy to drink.

http://healthandnaturalliving.com/how-to-make-a-sweetened-apple-cider-vinegar-elixir/

Whitening Teeth naturally - weird but if it works - might try it.

Charcoal - really, who would have thought it?

http://wellnessmama.com/3662/best-way-to-whiten-teeth-naturally/

Quit using the Bible to justify your racist rants!

don't point to the Bible to justify your ignorance and intolerance.  Don't quote passages from Leviticus as if that settles the debate.  Because there are other passages in that book specifying the offenses worthy of being stoned to death.  There's a set of rules laid out in Exodus for how a father should go about selling his daughter.  Somewhere in there it's made clear that the sun circles the Earth.  And while I can't put my hands on a Bible at the moment (we only keep non-fiction in the house), I don't remember reading much about dinosaurs in Catechism back at Our Mother of Perpetual Pain Catholic Church when I was a kid. 

          Unless you're unwilling to admit the book has a few omissions and errors, don't use it as the final arbiter for your fucking argument.

           Just admit you're a bigot, but stop trying to tell everyone "Jesus wants it that way."

           Because, according to your reference book, the man didn't say shit about the subject.

           He did, however, have a lot to say about loving one another, and reminding us not to judge others.

http://squatlo-rant.blogspot.com/2013/12/freedom-of-speechers-are-livid-and.html

GOP STOP UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO 1.3 MILLION. A new ad

Of course, the Republicans protected the tax cuts to the wealthiest even though they HAVE NOT produced jobs.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/ad-targets-gop-over-13-million-americans

2 minute laundry detergent

http://healthandnaturalliving.com/easy-2-minute-laundry-detergent/

Pain killers in your kitchen

If and when there is pain, it is good to know that you have some light duty things to try.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-20-natural-painkillers-in-your-kitchen/

Socialism is working great in red North Dakota. (There is a State Run Bank that is doing GREAT)

This State Run Bank is very successful, why do people insist on putting it out of business.

http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/why-socialism-doing-so-darn-well-deep-red-north-dakota

14 home remedies for nausea

Nausea is one of my least favorite things in the entire universe, so I was really pleased to find a whole list of natural remedies for it! Some of these I was not aware of.
I added a few of my own personal remedies too, here they are:
1) Washing your face in cold water. I sometimes find this can help with nauseous or dizzy feelings – and it’s certainly refreshing!
2) Oregano leaf tincture. This is a known powerful antibiotic and so if the upset is caused by bad bacteria, this may help. It’s one of my go-to remedies whenever I have something going on with my belly. Note that it has been suggested to follow up the next day with probiotics, as oregano may wipe out bacteria indiscriminately, leading to a need to re-up on the “good guys”.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/14-home-remedies-for-nausea/

Who is funding the Climate Deniers? (Big Oil, Koch Brothers and Billionaires making Big Money on ruining the environment.)

There is big money in funding Climate Deniers.  The Koch brothers and friends actually make Billions from spending millions on getting a few folks to deny climate change.  It is interesting how the deniers never take their work to peer review.  97% of Scientists believe that Climate Change is real.

http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/23/dark-money-feeding-climate-change-denial/

THE WORST CONGRESS EVER KNOWN: New poll

The current Congress is not only unproductive, but most Americans see it as the worst they've ever known, according to a new CNN/ORC International poll released Thursday.

Two-thirds said the 113th Congress, which left for the year last week, is the worst in their lifetime. Twenty-eight percent disagreed.

Nearly three in four said this Congress has done nothing to deal with the nation's problems.

This disdain for Congress "exists among all demographic and political subgroups. Men, women, rich, poor, young, old - all think this year's Congress has been the worst they can remember," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland told the network.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/cnn-poll-most-americans-say-congress-worst

Anchorage, Alaska: Mr. Scrooge has nothing on Dan Sullivan, Mayor

Dan Sullivan, especially during his tenure as Mayor of Anchorage, could arguably qualify as “Dickensian.” In the past, Sullivan has funneled funds to his “friend” the “Party Planner,” made sure he got paid before he started the job, and signed a Municipal check for his family trust through a fake “insurance policy.”

And that was just the first year! Scrooge would be so proud!

http://www.themudflats.net/archives/41410

Jesse Jackson on the Duck Dynasty Controversy. '

Blacks do not think Robertson is harmless and a hero.

Political activist and former presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson ripped suspended Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson in a statement on Wednesday, saying his actions were worse than that of the bus driver who denied service to Rosa Parks, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“At least the bus driver, who ordered Rosa Parks to surrender her seat to a white person, was following state law,” Jackson said in his statement. “Robertson’s statements were uttered freely and openly without cover of the law, within a context of what he seemed to believe was ‘white privilege.’”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/25/jesse-jackson-duck-dynasty-star-is-worse-than-rosa-parks-bus-driver/

'Man Up' 'Be a Man' WHY GROWING UP IS SO HARD FOR BOYS!

This is very well done.  It is super important for the boys growing up today.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/be-man-perhaps-one-of-hardest-to-follow.html

9 Huge but largely not discussed issues for the year 2013

6. The oceans changed dramatically, transforming into an acidic stew inhospitable to marine life.

http://www.alternet.org/media/9-incredibly-important-things-happened-2013-most-people-arent-talking-about?page=0%2C1

Christian Evangelicals and their racism problem.

The Evangelical Church has a racism problem. And it is incumbent on us in this Christmas season to tell the truth about that. Recently A&E suspended Phil Robertson, the patriarch of its hit show, “Duck Dynasty,” for making incredibly homophobic statements in a  GQ magazine interview. In typical fashion, he affirmed his evangelical belief that homosexuality is a sin, but went even further comparing gay people’s sexual behavior to bestiality, and declaring emphatically that they would not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

http://www.alternet.org/christian-evangelical-movements-ugly-racist-streak?page=0%2C1

Climate Change IS REAL! There is no debate. Peer Reviewed Science Proved it.

Some issues, however, are particularly contentious. While evolution and vaccines do have their detractors, no topic consistently evokes such rude, uninformed, and outspoken opinions as climate change.

Instead of the reasoned and civil conversations that arise in most threads, when it came to climate change the comment sections became a battleground. Rather than making thoughtful arguments based on peer-reviewed science to refute man-made climate change, contrarians immediately resorted to aggressive behaviors. On one side, deniers accused any of the hard-working scientists whose research supported and furthered our understanding of man-made climate change of being bought by “Big Green.” On the other side, deniers were frequently insulted and accused of being paid to comment on reddit by “Big Oil.”

After repeated interactions with climate change deniers, the moderators of the science subreddit decided that they were not interested in having an informed debate. Instead, the climate change-deniers simply parroted talking points that even a novice could poke holes in:

As a scientist myself, it became clear to me that the contrarians were not capable of providing the science to support their “skepticism” on climate change. The evidence simply does not exist to justify continued denial that climate change is caused by humans and will be bad. There is always legitimate debate around the cutting edge of research, something we see regularly. But with climate change, science that has been established, constantly tested, and reaffirmed for decades was routinely called into question.

Over and over, solid peer-reviewed science was insulted as corrupt, while blog posts from fossil-fuel-funded groups were cited as objective fact. Worst of all, they didn’t even get the irony of quoting oil-funded blogs that called university scientists biased.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/its-time-to-stop-portraying-climate-change-as-a-debate.html#ixzz2oaTtSSS3

http://www.care2.com/causes/its-time-to-stop-portraying-climate-change-as-a-debate.html

Income Inequality: IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN! It was engineered by Conservative Govt Policies.

In his speech on inequality earlier this month, President Obama proclaimed that the government could not be a bystander in the effort to reduce inequality, which he described as the defining moral issue of our time. This left millions convinced that Obama would do nothing to lessen inequality.
The problem is that President Obama wants the public to believe that inequality is something that just happened. It turns out that the forces of technology, globalization, and whatever else simply made some people very rich and left others working for low wages or out of work altogether. The president and other like-minded people feel a moral compulsion to reverse the resulting inequality. This story is 180 degrees at odds with the reality. Inequality did not just happen, it was deliberately engineered through a whole range of policies intended to redistribute income upward.

http://www.alternet.org/massive-inequality-didnt-just-happen-it-was-engineered-conservative-government-policies

Guns: Neighbor Shot and Killed from stray shot from neighbor target practicing.

In Florida, it is legal to have your own gun range as long as it is safe.  (It is a bad day when your shooting KILLS a neighbor I guess.)

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/25/florida-man-shot-and-killed-by-stray-bullet-from-neighbors-backyard-gun-range/

Solar Water Heater: How to BUILD YOUR OWN.

This guy built his water system by himself and is showing how to do it.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/solar-water-heater-zm0z12fmzphe.aspx

5 natural Fixes for STOMACH ACHES

Worth a try.  I don't like using medicines unless it is absolutely necessary.

http://www.treehugger.com/health/5-natural-fixes-stomachache.html

Pimples and facial lines - GET RID of them with banana peels

The slimy part of banana peels is helpful for facial concerns it seems.  Who knew?

http://healthandnaturalliving.com/how-to-get-rid-of-pimples-fine-lines-and-wrinkles-with-banana-peels/

200 Million REAL PEOPLE HELPED BY OBAMACARE! The truth is coming out.

Courtesy of the National Memo:

As the deadline to sign up for an insurance policy that takes effect in 2014 passes on December 23, the next crucial step in the debate about the future of the Affordable Care Act begins. 

On January 1, Republicans will make the case that because of the estimated five million cancelation notices that went out last year, more people are uninsured under the president’s signature legislative accomplishment than newly insured. 

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/though-republican-party-will-argue-just.html

A blizzard in time lapse - reminds me of Alaska.

I go to bed with no snow and wake up to shovel the car out.  This video reminds me of AK living.

http://grist.org/list/blizzard-nemo-time-lapse-video/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=update&utm_campaign=socialflow

Guns: California Guns Laws put safety of people first.

The California Gun Death Rate has gone down dramatically since the Stockton Shooting.

Through our extensive works and partnerships, California’s gun laws are now the strongest in the nation.

To date, we have supported the adoption of over 30 significant laws, including those to ban military-style weapons and ammunition magazines, create strong safety standards for handguns, prohibit the open carrying of unloaded firearms in public, and help law enforcement get guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and other dangerous people.  The state’s comprehensive and cogent gun laws place California at the forefront of gun violence prevention.

http://smartgunlaws.org/the-california-model-twenty-years-of-putting-safety-first/

Solar Power: Why it is the energy of the Future.

More than 100x cheaper in 35 years

For those who still doubt that solar power is about to shift into high gear and play a much bigger role, look at the graph above. It shows the price per watt, starting in 1977 at over $76/watt all the way down to $0.74/watt in 2013. While it's already very competitive with dirty sources of power in large parts of the world, a few more years of this and solar will simply be too cheap to ignore, even without a price on carbon emissions.

http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/graph-shows-why-solar-power-will-take-over-world.html

Volcanos - Time Lapse - awesome videos

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/timelapse-video-shows-beating-heart-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park.html

The Best TINY HOUSES of 2013

I am intrigued by the small house and apartment idea.

http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/green-architecture/our-favorite-tiny-houses-and-apartments-3013/

Iced Tea that is healthy and thirst quenching for summer

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-a-healthy-and-thirst-quenching-summer-iced-tea/

60 Anti cancer herbs

http://www.herbs-info.com/anticancer-herbs.html

12 Herbal Remedies for Sore Throats

I need these for me.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-12-home-remedies-for-sore-throat/

20 of the best detoxifying foods

Artichokes, avacados, beets as a partial listing.

http://healthandnaturalliving.com/20-best-detoxifying-foods/

http://bembu.com/detox-foods

Merry Christmas 2013

I am wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  I feel fortunate to be with my family and friends in the NorthWest.  The picture is of Mendenhall Glacier from last winter.  

I hope your Christmas is a wonderful as mine has been.

Enjoy your day!

What to eat when you are broke.

Grains: If you can’t swing organic grains, look for whole grains with few or no additives.

• Wheat flour
• Brown rice
• Pasta (with recognizable ingredients)
• Couscous
• Quinoa
• Barley

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/12153-what-to-eat-when-you-re-broke.html

Education Funding Cuts: Our Children are paying a HUGE Price and losing their future.

Just so the wealthiest and Corporations can get another tax break - foolish at best.

http://www.upworthy.com/what-theyre-doing-to-kids-in-pennsylvania-is-dooming-them-to-fail-5?c=bl3

Right Wingers are victims?: It is all about their feelings being hurt (or not having enough guns)

It's a reminder of the gun community's specific tunnel vision, but it's also a reminder of the overarching narcissism of the American right. Within days of the Sandy Hook deaths, we were expected to put aside our concerns for the victims (and future victims) and start worrying about whether we'd bruised the tender feelings of right-wing gun owners by daring to recommend a few speed bumps on their road to obtaining more and more guns. By means of threats, recall elections, scored votes, and the usual arsenal of hardball tactics, the gunners not only won the political battle but made it clear that Sandy Hook was all about them. It was about their desire to acquire weapons, not everyone else's safety. It was about keeping them safe from a strongly worded statement by Piers Morgan on CNN. All that needed to be the nation's #1 priority, not working to prevent the deaths of more schoolchildren.

And now we have a TV star who's equated homosexuality and bestiality, asserted that black people got along fine with whites in America before there was welfare, and blamed the Japanese involvement in World War II on the fact that the Japanese aren't Christian -- and who are the real victims? Right-wingers again.

http://nomoremister.blogspot.ca/2013/12/right-wingers-everything-is-all-about.html

KOCH AND FRIENDS: Climate Denial is BIG BUSINESS!! The cash cow of destroying the environment.

It is not just the Koch Brothers funding Climate Denials.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/its-not-just-koch-brothers-funding-climate

Jesus ReBranded - Sarah Palin style.

Capitalism is the reason for the season with Sarah Palin leading the charge to THE NEW JESUS!

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/mark-fiore-jesus-rebranded

Amazing Snow Art

He did it with snowshoes

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2013/12/16/251615317/the-amazing-snow-art-of-simon-beck?live=1&utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Ducked up! Republicans trashed the free speech of the Dizie Chicks - Remember When

Country music types jumped in to denounce the band. Boycotts ensued. Country stations across the United States pulled the Dixie Chicks from playlists. The group was vilified.
The Republican Party sent out thousands of e-mails instructing constituents to complain to their local country radio stations. Even GOP staffers took to the phone lines, demanding stations remove the group’s music from playlists.


On one hand, we have Duck Dynasty, a reality show with little regard to the LGBT community. On the other, we have the singer of a band who was  concerned over our country sending men and women to war, while invading a sovereign country.
That’s why most people don’t take the GOP seriously anymore.



http://freakoutnation.com/2013/12/22/ducked-up-that-time-republicans-destroyed-the-dixie-chicks-over-the-groups-opinion/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=ducked-up-that-time-republicans-destroyed-the-dixie-chicks-over-the-groups-opinion

Mushrooms that fight diseases like Heart Disease and Cancer

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/magical-mushrooms-that-fight-cancer-heart-disease-diabetes/

herbs for Fibromyalgia

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-fibromyalgia.html

2013 - 45 Oil Fuel Disasters Big Oil DOES NOT want you to know about.

Big Oil had some big messes in 2013.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/45-fossil-fuel-disasters-industry-doesnt-want-you-know-about?akid=11306.294211.WMJHs5&rd=1&src=newsletter939697&t=20

Guns: Open Carry is the new push for Gun Nuts

They say, We are just regular guys carrying guns - no big deal.  (Until someone is dead)

Open carry activists throughout the country have posted similar videos online. Perhaps the most  haunting and bizarre is a jittery clip posted last year by Robert Pratt of Michigan. In the video, Pratt carries a shotgun while walking his dogs through suburban Plainwell. Two police cruisers intercept him at the curb, and four officers surround him for a long, tense conversation. One of the cops is James Pell, whom Pratt greets by name — Cassandra Pell, the officer’s daughter, was Pratt’s girlfriend. The officers try to reason with Pratt, asking him to go home and put his gun away, because it’s unnecessarily frightening his neighbors. Pratt says he is “just exercising rights as a U.S. citizen” and that he would continue to openly carry his gun in the neighborhood because “people need to be aware of laws.” He cites the specific state laws and city ordinances that allow him to carry his shotgun.

This June, Pratt used that same weapon to shoot and kill Cassandra Pell, and then to commit suicide.

But the Plainwell shooting, and other violent crimes committed by people who were legally carrying their weapons, confirm the worst fears of some opponents of open carry. “Their perception of what they’re doing is so different than the majority of people watching them,” says Liz. “They think they’re just showing up saying, ‘see, we’re a bunch of nice guys who just happen to be carrying around semiautomatic rifles.’ Whereas for people who are out and about in a suburban area, it’s terrifying — especially considering the climate.”

http://www.alternet.org/gun-activists-have-new-craze-and-its-more-dangerous-you-think?page=0%2C3&akid=11306.294211.WMJHs5&rd=1&src=newsletter939697&t=10

Make Medicinal Vinegars for a variety of ailments

Vinegar effectively draws vitamins and minerals from herbs and plants helping to make powerful medicinal extracts for a variety of health conditions and complaints.
You can infuse different herbs depending on your complaint. For example, rosemary is great for low energy and improving circulation, thyme helps with respiratory problems and mint acts as effective tummy soother or digestive aid.


http://healthandnaturalliving.com/how-to-make-medicinal-vinegars-for-every-ailment/

Any Hope of Income Equality DIED in the 1980's - HERE'S PROOF.

That growing divide between the rich and you? It's not just in your mind, and it's certainly not just a couple years in the making.
Actually, the average incomes of the top 1 percent of Americans have grown steadily over the last century or so, especially when compared to the flat-lining incomes for the bottom 90 percent of Americans. But as you can see in the above chart, it wasn't until the 1980s that the rich really started to pull away from the normals.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/20/angry-chart_n_4480633.html

Make Scents for any room (Natural)

Maybe next year, this could be Christmas Presents.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-amazing-all-natural-room-scents/

Top 10 natural ways to get rid of Dry skin.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-10-natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-dry-skin/

93% of Hospital Executives believe Health Care will improve under Obamacare

In a recent non-scientific survey, Andrew Steinmetz, Ralph Muller, Steven Altschuler, and Ezekiel Emanuel of HealthAffiars.org asked 74 C-Suite (i.e. COO, CEO, CFO) executives from hospitals how they believed Obamacre would affect their hospital.  An incredible 93% believed it would not only make the health care system better than it is today, they also believed it would lower the cost of care across the board.

Fully 65 percent indicated that by 2020, they believe the healthcare system as a whole will be somewhat or significantly better than it is today. And when they were asked about their own institutions, the optimism was even more dramatic. Fully 93 percent predicted that the quality of care provided by their own health system would improve. This is probably related to efforts to diminish hospital acquired conditions, medication errors, and unnecessary re-admissions, as encouraged by financial penalties in the ACA.

http://www.occupydemocrats.com/93-of-hospital-executives-believe-obamacare-will-improve-american-health-care/

Restrictive Voter Laws meant to keep poor and minorities from voting - New Study

Courtesy of Salon:  

According to new research by University of Massachusetts Boston sociologist Keith Bentele and political scientist Erin O’Brien, the states that have enacted tougher voter ID laws in the past few years are also the same states where both minority and lower-income voter turnout had increased in recent years. 

The authors note that the study’s results carry ominous implications and demonstrate voter ID laws have “an uncomfortable relationship to the political activism of blacks and the poor.” Their paper further situates voter ID within a realm of policies that “collectively reduce electoral access among the socially marginalized.”

That's the Republican mindset for you, pretend to protect the citizens from voter fraud, while all along working to take away the right to vote from anybody who might not vote the way you want them to.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-study-confirms-that-stricter-id.html

Plants that Repel Mosquitos

First of all, here’s an astonishing bit of trivia: Did you know that the mosquito has caused more human deaths than any other cause since the beginning of time?
What was that about humans being at the top of the food chain? Well, that may be a nice story that we tell ourselves – but I think of it being more like a food cycle – and although we happen to be the largest creature in our particular food cycle, you could say that the mosquito is in fact our most deadly enemy.


http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/26-plants-that-repel-mosquitos/

Top 10 Herbs for depression.

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-depression.html

House Republican wrecks a rental house and then sues the landlord.

What planet does this guy live on?  Republican Planet of course where wrong is right.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/21/1264247/-House-Republican-wrecks-rental-house-then-sues-landlord?detail=facebook

Heat your home with 240 aluminum cans

I want to try this.

http://www.offgridworld.com/heat-your-home-with-240-recycled-aluminum-cans/

I am on Vacation - I will spend time in Portland, OR from Christmas through New Years.

I am leaving Juneau for vacation.  The lakes are frozen, including Mendenhall Lake which is where this picture was taken.  I was able to go into the glacier over the frozen lake.  We got about 2 feet of snow the last few days. I have been shoveling a lot the past few days.  I just heard that Seattle had snow today.  Alaska looks like Christmas.  It just feels good to be going to spend the holidays with my family.It is kind of hard to believe that Christmas is next week.  Wishing all a good evening.

Utah: Gay Marriage law struck down by court.

A federal judge on Friday struck down Utah's ban on gay marriage, saying that the western state's law -- approved by voters in a referendum in 2004 -- violates the US constitution.

Judge Robert J. Shelby of Utah's Federal District Court, said the state's law conflicts with the right of same-sex couples to equal protection under the 14th Amendment to the constitution.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/us-federal-judge-strikes-down-utah-gay

Herbs for Joint Pain

I have joint pain every now and again.

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-joint-pain.html

Duck Dynasty - Colbert speaks, some Jon Stewart too

Last night, Stephen Colbert had his final show of 2013 with a lament over Phil Robertson's suspension from A&E's Duck Dynasty for his homophobic and racist remarks.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/20/1264138/-Stephen-Colbert-defends-Duck-Dynasty-s-Phil-Robertson-possibly-NSFW?detail=facebook#

Top 20 Foods for Energy

Energy foods

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-20-foods-to-give-you-energy/

EXTREME ICE - A video about Glaciers crumbling, Well worth the time to watch

I have spent 5 years hanging around a glacier and ice.  This is a very important video which has a Big Impact on the health of our world.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/extreme-ice.html

Sarah Palin on the Duck Fellows Firing - Dixie Chicks, Olbermann, Bashir - How about their Free Speech?

Why is Robertson, Mr Duck Fool, a big deal about Free Speech for Sarah Palin BUT SHE TOTALLY IGNORED THE FREE SPEECH OF THE DIXIE CHICKS, KEITH OLBERMANN AND MARTIN BASHIR?  The First Amendment according to Sarah Palin only applies to people she agrees with which is totally UNAMERICAN.

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/12/19/sarah-palin-proves-martin-bashir-defending-racist-homophobe-phil-robertson.html

Here is Matt Tiabi on the same subject

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/sarah-palins-impressively-incoherent-duck-dynasty-comments-20131219

Make your own healthy sports drink

Sports drink - make it yourself.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-all-natural-sports-drink/

Herbs for Allergies

Hope it works.  Worth a try.

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-allergies.html

Household tips for every room in your house, Many are good.

These are helpful

http://www.glamumous.co.uk/2013/03/101-household-tips-for-every-room-in.html

Flying Spaghetti Monster joins the Festivus Pole at Wisconsin State House to Celebrate Christmas

First, there was a Festivus pole. 

Then on Monday the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics group placed a "Flying Spaghetti Monster" among the holiday displays inside Wisconsin's Capitol. 

Any group that submits an application to Capitol police can erect a display in accordance with the First Amendment ban on state establishment of religion, according to the Associated Press. 

The student group's "pastafarian" deity was represented in the rotunda by a poster that proclaims the monster "boiled for your sins!" 

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/fsm-joins-festivus-pole-at-wisconsin.html

The 20 Best Foods for the brain

Blueberries is one.

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-20-best-foods-for-your-brain/

51 Cancer Cases from US Ship that helped with Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Rescue - Why?

Fifty-one crew members of the USS Ronald Reagan say they are suffering from a variety of cancers as a direct result of their involvement in Operation Tomodachi, a U.S. rescue mission in Fukushima after the nuclear disaster in March 2011. The affected sailors are suing Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), alleging that the utility mishandled the crisis and did not adequately warn the crew of the risk of participating in the earthquake relief efforts.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/18/1263608/--51-US-Navy-Sailors-Sickened-3-Years-After-Participating-in-Fukushima-Rescue-Effort

Jon Stewart - Good Stuff, TeaParty is nuts

The TeaParty is nuts and getting nuttier

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/18/1263592/-Jon-Stewart-shows-how-INSANE-the-Tea-Party-has-become?detail=facebook

A little house on wheels

Just getting ideas.

http://www.viralnova.com/sick-of-divorce/

Another little house

http://www.viralnova.com/tiny-house/

15 Differences between Republicans and Democrats

Republicans believe large corporations will always do what is best for the American people if the government stays out of the way. Democrats believe large corporations would disembowel you and sell your organs to the highest bidder if the government didn’t stop them.

Democrats believe too much of our money goes to crooked corporate executives who take government subsidies and pay themselves $80 million salaries. Republicans believe too much of our money goes to teachers who make $30,000 a year.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/05/09/fifteen-differences/

Cholesterol - Herbs to help lower

My Cholesterol gets high at times.

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-cholesterol.html

150 herbs and their benefits

I am finding herbs to be helpful to health.

http://www.herbs-info.com/list-of-herbs.html

Headache cures Natural remedies

Headache cures - worth a try

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.herbs-info.com%2Fblog%2F18-natural-remedies-for-headaches&h=sAQHYSuzw&enc=AZNnv3bsExOJqboHYl6VcyB_eqY7pVgdvcY6Hpj5AnGZ13pis-CWtAy6IjSl4mKqAZcHzXcYWgzXJx7Ys3JjuSgybtvpL2Df9l95xVc3iPBRPq6zbWvR4T5f_cERmYKlc6HIt1oDbVQETiCo39Eq8RJ3RbZrYoGBQkvJwpQpLS9XMw&s=1

Adventurers of the Year 2012 - Amazing stuff

Two Nepalis complete a mission to launch a paraglider from Mount Everest’s summit and kayak the Ganges to the Indian Ocean.

When Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa first saw paragliders arrive in the Himalaya, he dreamed of flying above the massive peaks of his home—the Khumbu region. After his third successful summit guiding trip on Everest, he viewed paragliding as a simpler, faster, and more graceful way of descending through the peak’s perilous slopes.


http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/2012/sanobabu-sunuwar-lakpa-tsheri-sherpa/

US has a Poverty Crisis NOT A SCHOOLS CRISIS. USA Today

Finally, a realistic look at poverty and its effects on children in school and our society.


“As researchers Michael Rebell and Jessica Wolff of the Campaign for Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University, have noted, there is no general education crisis in the United States. There is a child poverty crisis that is impacting education.
“Here’s one data point worth remembering. When you measure the test scores of American schools with a child poverty rate of less than 20%, our kids not only outperform the Finns, they outperform every nation in the world.


http://dianeravitch.net/2013/12/14/usa-today-u-s-has-a-poverty-crisis-not-a-schools-crisis/

Jon Stewart: Megyn Kelly and the Knockout Game too a 2 for 1

Could both be over hyped?  Hmmmm

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/17/jon-stewart-knocks-megyn-kelly-and-the-medias-fake-knockout-game/

Pacific Ocean - 98% of seafloor covered with dead sea critters - Fukushima Radiation poisoning

Our Ocean and sea creatures are being killed by the Leaking Radiation from Fukushima Nuclear Power

http://thetruthwins.com/archives/fukushima-aftermath-98-percent-of-the-pacific-ocean-floor-covered-by-dead-sea-creatures

Chris Christie and the bridge with closed lanes and now his scammer buddy is caught.

It has been a bad week for NJ Governor Chris Christie.  The more that is found out about recent happenings just makes things seem worse and worse.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/16/rachel-maddow-chris-christie-rotten-and-vindictive-political-payback-scandal-deepens/

The Good Old Days according to Republicans

, here are 36 ways that unions have made ALL of our lives better:  (I just put a few down.)

• Weekends 
• All Breaks at Work, including your Lunch Breaks 
• Paid Vacation 
• FMLA 
• Sick Leave 
• Social Security 
• Minimum Wage 
• Civil Rights 
• Act/Title VII (Prohibits Employer Discrimination) 
• 8-Hour Work Day 

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2013/12/when-republicans-talk-about-good-old.html

This November was the warmest ever recorded. Climate Change is real

I know it was warmer than usual in Alaska.  It looks warmer all over the place.  Climate Change.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/12/15/3065961/faux-pause-warmest-november-nasa/

SNL takes on the Black Santa vs Megyn Kelly/ FOX Controversy

This is very good.

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/watch-snl-mocks-megyn-kellys-santa-is-white-with-black-santa-and-prancer-the-gay-reindeer/news/2013/12/16/80339#.Uq8W_40d7nJ

Reverse Eminent Domain - WHAT A GREAT IDEA

It is good enough for the rich and the corporations, this should also be done for the middle class folks with houses that are underwater.

http://www.alternet.org/economy/our-most-powerful-weapon-against-wall-street-rise-reverse-eminent-domain?page=0%2C1&akid=11279.294211.TqKVjA&rd=1&src=newsletter937044&t=5

7 Rip Offs by the Wealthy and Corporations (They don't really want us to know about these)

7 Rip-Offs Corporations and the Wealthy Don't Want You to Know About

There's no limit to corporations' ability to draw profit while screwing over Americans.

http://www.alternet.org/media/7-rip-offs-corporations-and-wealthy-dont-want-you-know-about?page=0%2C1

2013 in Review: The Onion

The annual Onion Review - The year must be coming to an end.

http://www.theonion.com/video/onion-year-in-review,34832/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:Week1:Default

Shark steals a camera from a diver

http://www.treehugger.com/ocean-conservation/thieving-shark-steals-divers-camera-swims-off-with-it.html

Keeping kids safe from Guns: Pediatricians speak out (Guns are the second most common reason for death)

A year after Sandy Hook and the killing of 20 children and 6 adults we need to look at changes.  Background Checks  and why do we need 30 and 100 bullet clips? Assault weapons:  Why does any regular person need a gun which fires 50 bullets or 100 bullets in one minute?  That type of weapon is for killing people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mzikawXXh0

21 Things Introverts enjoy (me too)

I spend 5 days a week with and around people and I sure like being away from people during the weekend.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/21-things-introverts-love

My Daughter speaks: Doing it All. (It is not easy)

I got this and feel it is worth sharing.  The life of a guy is pretty easy when compared to a woman.

Women can do it all, because we have to.  But how long can we sustain that role?  We need help recharging and managing the "big stuff" so that the little stuff doesn't bury us.

For 10 years I have been a part of an online message board meant for moms.  The board is full of women from all walks of life, different areas of the country (and world), and many different views on life.  It often seems that we have three things in common, collectively: 1) We are moms; 2) We love our families and they keep us busy; 3) We are one blow (work or health crisis, divorce, financial hardship, etc.) from watching our house of cards fall around us.  It is a common thing on this board to see a post titled "I can't do this!", followed by message after message saying "yes, you can!  You are fabulous, you'll get through this.".  

We all take our turns as example, disaster and cheerleader.  For many women, the support of other women- whether it be best friends, family, church groups or an online message board- is what picks us back up when the world is threatening to swallow us up.  And other women offer the unique ability to support us, because we know they have been there, done that.

I am a 31 year old married mother of 2 boys, ages 7 and 10.  I am the manager of a non-profit, donation based Meals On Wheels site responsible for feeding around 325 seniors a day.  Additionally, I've been on crutches for a month as doctors try to figure out why I am dealing with severe hip pain.  With all the tests and specialist appointments, lately I have been feeling completely overwhelmed by life and all it is throwing my way.  Between keeping up my long work hours on top of all my doctor's appointments, the physical challenge of mothering and managing without walking, and the defeating pressure that all the added medical bills put on me, every once in awhile I feel like I will crack.  Monday was one of those days for me.  I worked 12 painful hours, came home exhausted and ready to be with my family, only to fall asleep before we could get to watching a Christmas movie.  

After another procedure to figure out what is going on with my hip Wednesday, followed by a tearful "I am drowning in stress, pain and exhaustion" conversation with my HR person, I am off for a sick day.  I just sent my children to school.  My 7 year old needed money for a book fair, and thank goodness my husband had some cash in his wallet.  I feel obligated to do things like give my children book fair money- I know it isn't a substitute for the attentive mom I was before I went back to work, but it's what I can offer.  My ADHD 10 year old is starting down the tween attitude path and spent the morning lamenting how unfair I am for all the various hardships I impose on him- having to be ready for school on time, no sleepovers until grades are better, etc.  My husband woke up just in time to say goodbye to the kids after I had done all the work getting them ready.  

Normally I would be going in to the office now, where I would focus on feeding seniors and, often more importantly, providing a safe and happy place for them to socialize for 4 hours.  To feed them coffee and lunch, I typically work 9-11 hours a day, 5 days a week.  When I get home, I hope and pray that dinner is already made.  If it isn't, I look around and find something to cook so that we can move on to homework, cuddle time, bedtime stories and managing sibling arguments.  Usually after the kids are in bed, I sit with my Chromebook and checkbook and try to figure out how to cover all the bills- medical, especially- that add up to a constant weight on my shoulders.  I am unbelievably thankful that my mother, who is retired and lives 5 blocks away, helps me with the laundry and housekeeping that I would be hard pressed to get to.  I know not all working families have a grandma to help around the house 2 or 3 afternoons a week, and I hope I can be that grandma when my children are grown.

Two weeks ago my 7 year old had to have an abcess tooth removed.  He had been telling me that his tooth was "a little sore" for two weeks, but I just kept thinking "I'll call tomorrow"- and it got lost in the mix.  I felt like a failure as a parent when the dentist told us how bad his tooth really was.  We got a lecture about how we should be monitoring tooth brushing- I didn't realize we weren't.  I always tell my kids "ok, go brush your teeth!"...but that is usually said while I am trying to get myself ready, pack lunches and feed the dog.  I thought I was being attentive.  The abcess tooth really hit home.  Sometimes I drop the ball, and my kids pay the price.  It hurts and I just hope they will look back as adults and forgive me.  

My younger sister is in her 3rd year of medical school.  She has a 15 month old son and another child due in the spring.  She and her husband timed the pregnancies so that she would only have to delay her career 1 year.  With $250K student loan debt by the time she is a doctor, they wouldn't be able to start a family until very late in life had they waited to finish her schooling first.  My sister is an amazing, strong woman.  She works so hard and genuinely wants to be a doctor to help people.  But she worries that her son will see her mother in law as more of a mother figure than her, since young family finances with one of them in school has forced she and her husband to live with his parents until they move on to her residency.   Everyone praises my sister for her amazing ability to handle school and motherhood, but I know that she sometimes wants to break down and just go home to hold her child.  Her days off are so fleeting that she cherishes them and can't possibly fit all the family time she wants into her schedule right now.

My older sister is a stay at home mom of 2 children, a 5 year old girl and a 8 year old boy with sensory integration disorder and life threatening food allergies.  She volunteers at school, is heavily involved in the PTA, helps with the local wrestling team that her husband coaches and still somehow struggles to feel confident in how valuable her work is.  Lately her son has been bullied and she feels helpless and frustrated that even as a super involved parent she can't save him from this struggle.  She has the family focused life that my younger sister and I envy, yet she is lacking the feeling of personal success that we rely on to get us through missing our children.  My older sister plays a very important role in her world, but she is exhausted and undervalued by herself and her family.

In summary, we can't win.  We all feel guilty for something, and we all struggle with feelings of being inadequate.  We all tend to put the world before us, and we are all exhausted.  I feel confident that this statement applies to most women, not just those that I know and speak to personally.  So what do we need, to help deal with these feelings?

We need support.  My sisters and I are lucky to have that support in our parents, but I know not all women have that.  Our husbands try to support us and often do, but our roles in society are so different that they don't always understand the depth or reasons behind the feelings and realities we struggle with.  Women can support each other, but only when we have time to nurture those supportive relationships.

We need healthcare.  I know so many moms who have battled with mental health problems, physical challenges and illnesses that can often be the card that makes the house tumble.  We need access to healthcare- both in terms of time to see a doctor, supportive employers to allow us to get to appointments, and health insurance which makes care financially possible.  I personally feel lucky to have insurance through my employer, however, after paying $500/month for coverage for my children and I, the extra $300-500/month I spend on bills and prescriptions has me in the habit of asking "can I afford to go to the doctor?".

We need knowledge.  We need to know how to deal with the challenges that come our way.  Dealing with a child's health problem, a financial challenge in our household or trying to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle can feel incredibly isolating.  We need support groups and non-judgemental information.

We need affordable education, so that we have the opportunity to grow personally as well as know that we are setting our children up for successful futures.

We need steady job opportunities.  Because we want to break the glass ceiling, but it's hard to do from outside the building.

We need respect from our peers and loved ones in regards to our career choices.  We need to know that staying home to care for loved ones is a valuable career, and being a financial provider for the family is a career.  The world needs all kinds of women who makes all kinds of career choices.

Mostly, we need a strong message from society: You are valuable.  You are important.  What you do, the world notices.

The segment on the Today show this morning really hit home.  What do I need?  I need rest, relief from medical bills and assurance that it's ok if I drop the ball now and then, as long as I'm trying.  What do women need?  Someone to ask that question.

Thank you,

Brianna 

http://briannadustyfam.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-letter-to-today-show-what-do-women.html

The Slow Motion Lynching of President Obama - Very Good

I am a white privileged well off sixty-one-year-old former Republican religious right wing activist who changed his mind about religion and politics long ago.  The New York Times profiled my change of heart saying that to my former friends I’m considered a “traitorous prince” since my religious right family was once thought of as “evangelical royalty.”
I’ve just spent the last 7 years writing over 200,000 words in blogs and articles in support of President Obama. My blogs on the Huffington Post alone would add up to a book in support of the President of over 300 pages. Weirdly, I just realized that through all my writing, this has been the first time in my life I’ve personally gone to bat for a black man. It just happens that he’s a president. But my emotional stake in his life is now personal.

So I’ve changed from a white guy who used to read news about some black man getting shot or beaten by cops or stand-you-ground types who assumed that the black man must have “done something,” to a white guy who figures that the black man was probably getting lynched. I’ve changed ideology but I’ve also changed my gut intuitive reactions.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankschaeffer/2013/12/the-slow-motion-lynching-of-president-barack-obama/

John Muir Cabin near Auke Bay, AK.

JOHN M

Rich People give: TO ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND OPERA'S

They give generously and get a tax write off for giving to people who have lots of money.  The poor and middle class?  NO MONEY FOR THEM.

http://www.alternet.org/economy/rich-peoples-idea-charity?akid=11278.294211.p2yHqX&rd=1&src=newsletter936781&t=17

VW XL1 The 200 MPG car

Car Talk checked out the new VW Hybrid that gets 200 MPG  Great Looking Car, 2 seater

http://www.cartalk.com/content/think-smaller-driving-xl1

Grizzly Bear Videos - Alaska

Camping in Bear Country

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/see-what-its-be-eaten-grizzly-bear-video.html

Australia suggests that US change its Gun Laws.

"It doesn't really matter to what extent you might recognize or even support rights to own firearms," he says. "Our governments have the pre-eminent responsibility of ensuring public safety."
Australia's leading gun owners groups declined to be interviewed for this story.
But privately, they acknowledge there was little they could do to stop the new legislation and now that it's the law of the land, they're willing to live with it.

Gun violence hasn't been completely eliminated in Australia. But gun-control advocates are quick to point out that there hasn't been a single mass shooting in the 16 years since the laws came into effect.

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/21/167814684/australians-urge-u-s-to-look-at-their-gun-laws

Koch and the John Birch Society: A LOVE STORY

Most John Birch Society scoundrels are buried deep in the recesses of American history, known only to politics junkies, history wonks and me, a Birch kid.
There is one exception however, a Birch name that echoes across today’s political landscape: Fred C. Koch, founding member and national council member.
Before Koch’s sons―David and Charles―became synonymous with 2000s corporate power, Koch built a fortune from an oil drilling techniques he developed. When oil companies in the United States ignored him, Koch looked elsewhere. In 1929, he landed a $5,000,000 contract for his company to build fifteen oil refineries in Russia, Joseph Stalin’s Communist Russia
Koch supervised the refinery installations, traveling extensively across the country over three years. He claimed that his hatred for Communism grew out of his Russian experiences, but he had pocketed $500,000 (his part of the company’s profits) before his outrage set in. That money, $8,000,000 in today’s dollars made Fred Koch a very rich man.


http://claireconner.com/2013/11/13/koch-john-birch-society-a-love-story/

Merry Christmas folks - some music by Chris Moose

Enjoy

http://ozmud.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/merrry-chrismoose-everyone/

Great Vegetable Desserts

They sure look good.

http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/easy-vegetarian-recipes/10-luscious-desserts-hidden-vegetables/page/4/#slide-top

Melissa Harris-Perry on the Megan Kelly Santa Flap - Excellent!

there has been a lot of commentary about the Megan Kelly on FOX Santa topic but this one is the one I like best - so far.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/14/melissa-harris-perry-on-megyn-kelly-santa-flap-no-wonder-were-racially-divided/

How the GUN LOBBY WON after NewTown and the killing of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elem.

Even by the standards of mass public shootings in America, what happened last year at Sandy Hook Elementary School was staggering. Twenty-six victims, most no older than seven, were gunned down in their classrooms days before Christmas.
For gun-control advocates, Newtown offered an unprecedented moment to push to reform the nation’s gun laws. The day of the shooting, a visibly moved President Barack Obama called for “meaningful action.” One month later, a coalition of grieving Sandy Hook parents vowed to fight nationwide for “sensible solutions to prevent gun violence.” Some politicians with top ratings from the National Rifle Association (NRA) even indicated they’d be willing to consider new laws.
It didn’t quite work out that way.
In the wake of Sandy Hook, the gun-rights lobby outspent, out-organized and out-maneuvered gun-control advocates at both the state and federal level. A FRONTLINE examination of state legislation and federal lobbying expenditures shows that gun-rights groups outspent gun-control backers by nearly $10 million, and that around the country, states passed more than twice as many laws expanding gun owners’ rights than they did gun-control measures.


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/newtown-divided/how-the-gun-rights-lobby-won-after-newtown/

Mendenhall Glacier , short video

Mendenhall Glacier 12/7/13

55 Top Fat Loss Foods

The typical American Diet is horrible for your health.  Check out what is good for your body and allows for healthy living.

http://healthandnaturalliving.com/top-55-fat-loss-foods/

natural Uses for Baking Soda

Toothpaste, Oven Cleaner, Antacid  and many more

http://wellnessmama.com/32/baking-soda-use/

Make the US safer for our children and Grandchildren.

If we make the US better for kids - what would the US look like?  A comparison of countries that truly put children first.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/14/maddow-do-not-accept-that-we-are-helpless-to-stop-gun-violence-against-kids/

NRA Defends Right to OWN POLITICIANS

 WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, National Rifle Association C.E.O. Wayne LaPierre warned that the N.R.A. would vigorously oppose any legislation that “limits the sale, purchase, or ownership of politicians.”

“Politicians pose no danger to the public if used correctly,” said Mr. LaPierre, who claims to have over two hundred politicians in his personal collection. “Everyone hears about the bad guys in Congress. Well, the only thing that stops a bad guy with a vote is a good guy with a vote. I’m proud to be the owner of many of those guys.”

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/01/nra-defends-right-to-own-politicians.html

Rep Steve Stockman wants 'GUNS FILLED SCHOOLS'

TX Republican Steve Stockman wants to allow basically anyone to carry a gun in school just in case someone decides to shoot the school up.  The problem is:  Houses with loaded guns has proven that more gun deaths and suicides take place.  Guns everywhere generally means death everywhere so I, as a teacher, think it is a bad idea.

http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2013/dec/13/howard-fineman/howard-fineman-steve-stockman-wants-gun-filled-sch/

A year since Sandy Hook: Many States Relaxed Gun Laws.

2/3 of Gun Laws in the last year have weakened the gun laws in many states.

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=250283815&m=250283868


http://www.npr.org/series/167276841/shootings-in-newtown-conn

Parents Speak: A year after Sandy Hook. Talk about violence and their loss

Two Parents talk about the loss of their 6 year old daughter and their efforts to identify those who may do harm to others.

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=250287971&m=250395138

http://www.npr.org/2013/12/12/250287971/newtown-parents-seek-a-clearer-window-into-violent-behavior

Gun Carnage Continues: Newtown, A year later. Assault Weapons are easier to get now

The U.S. death toll from gun violence since Newtown is more than 33,000. When will we wake up?
One year ago this week, a seemingly unimaginable event took place in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, a disturbed and isolated young man took the guns that were legally purchased and kept in his home and drove to the Sandy Hook elementary school. He shot his way inside with an AR-15 assault rifle and proceeded to kill 26 people – 20 of them young children.

It was a crime that spoke, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, to America’s deadly and debilitating fascination with guns. Here was the sickness of this nation’s gun culture on vivid display.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/14/a-year-after-newtown-americas-gun-carnage-continues-with-no-end-in-sight/

New FOX Version of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

The late night comics continue to pile onto Megyn Kelly and her ridiculous remarks about Santa Claus and Jesus being white and their phony so-called "war on Christmas." This Thursday, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel took his turn: Fox News Presents: It's a Wonderful Life:

Fox News sparked a controversy about Santa's race and they seem to be very concerned lately about the war on Christmas. So they're doing something interesting - they're airing the classic Christmas movie "It's A Wonderful Life," which a lot of networks do, but the difference in this case is the way they're promoting it.

- See more at: http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/jimmy-kimmel-fox-news-presents-its#sthash.tw52ss3D.dpuf

Jimmy Kimmel found the FOX version of It's A Wonderful Life.  Here is a preview.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/jimmy-kimmel-fox-news-presents-its

House Republicans 12 Days of Christmas

A short song that explains a lot.  Very Good.

http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/house-republicans-12-days-congress

VW XL1 The 200 MPG car

Diesel Hybrid

http://www.cartalk.com/content/driving-vws-astonishing-200-mpg-xl1

The Incompetence of the Republican Party

This article keeps being rewritten, because examples of Republican government incompetence abound, and more examples become apparent almost daily. If you think the latest government shutdown and the constant brinksmanship is something brand new, you need to look at the data in this article. They’re not. If you think the fact that 144 Republicans in the House voted to default on the debt is a new thing, you haven’t been paying attention.

If you’ve had a hand in electing Republicans (and it’s not just right wingers), you are electing the most incompetent boobs in history to elective office. This isn’t just mean, it’s obvious when you look at the numbers. Not only does the federal government run better with Democrats in charge, but states that have been run by Democrats for years are simply better places to live than states run by Republicans. When you vote for Republicans, especially these days, you are opting to elect people who don’t care about you, or your life, or the lives of people in general. This shouldn’t be a surprise; listen to their rhetoric. Their main meme is that government can’t work, and if they did a good job running government, they’d actually undermine everything they claim to believe.

http://pleasecutthecrap.com/updated-heres-how-incompetent-republicans-are-at-government-both-parties-are-not-the-same/

US Govt pays TWICE AS MUCH TO CONTRACTORS as they pay to Civil Servants for the same job.

Us Taxpayers are being ripped off by Corporations.  A new study is out.

http://billmoyers.com/2013/12/12/ripoff-us-government-pays-contractors-twice-as-much-as-civil-servants-for-the-same-work/

CAMPING TRICKS - Pretty Amazing stuff here

Great tips on making camping more fun and easier too.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/camping-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius

Jon Stewart on THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS?

Jon Stewart opened The Daily Show this Thursday by taking on Fox and their never ending fake outrage over the so-called “war on Christmas” which, as Stewart explained, has managed to get a little weird this week, with both Gretchen Carlson and Megyn Kelly jumping into what's normally Bill O'Reilly territory. - See more at: http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/daily-show-takes-foxs-war-christmas-sts#sthash.yhTH51Lr.dpuf

Jon Stewart takes on the FOX crowd.


http://crooksandliars.com/2013/12/daily-show-takes-foxs-war-christmas-sts

Letters to Newtown

A year later, the sadness is still there.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/letters-to-newtown-project

16 myths about the Affordable Care Acts - True or False?

PolitiFact has been fact-checking claims about the federal health care law since lawmakers started drafting the legislation in 2009. Long controversial, the law has been no stranger to attacks by detractors. Here are 16 of the biggest falsehoods PolitiFact has rated.



http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/sep/24/top-16-myths-about-health-care-law/