February 28, 2010

Women Attack Palin as Not Feminist

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brad-wilmouth/2010/02/27/valerie-harper-sly-palin-playing-worst-us-making-fool-herself#ixzz0glceqIdB

Valerie Harper: ‘Sly’ 'Snide' Palin ‘Playing to the Worst in Us,’ Making ‘Fool’ of Herself

Freed Lockerbie Bomber Alive and Well

[From article]

"Freed from his life sentence, the Lockerbie bomber was sent home by the Scots on compassionate grounds because he had 'just three months' to live.

But six months later, Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi is still living - and doing it in the lap of luxury.[. . .]

Earlier this month it emerged that Libya was on the brink of agreeing £5billion in investment in Britain.

Critics believe Downing Street colluded with the Scots to pave the way by having Megrahi freed.

[. . .]

It later emerged he had a £2million fortune stashed in a Swiss bank account."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254142/Lockerbie-bomber-Abdelbaset-Ali-Mohamed-al-Megrahi-beat-cancer-say-family.html

Lockerbie bomber may beat cancer (but wasn't he sent back to Libya to die?)

Home comforts: Al-Megrahi with his family at their villa last year after he was freed on compassionate grounds

Home comforts: Al-Megrahi with his family at their villa last year after he was freed on compassionate grounds

The 1988 bombing of Flight 103 over Lockerbie killed 270 people

The 1988 bombing of Flight 103 over Lockerbie killed 270 people

By Sam Greenhill and Peter Allen
Last updated at 9:09 AM on 27th February 2010

Intelliegence and Politics?

This study may have some validity, but the report makes little sense. Conclusions are stated with no evidence connecting them to the study. One remarkable statement is: "Religion, the current theory goes, did not help people survive or reproduce necessarily, but goes along the lines of helping people to be paranoid, Kanazawa said. Assuming that, for example, a noise in the distance is a signal of a threat helped early humans to prepare in case of danger."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/26/liberals.atheists.sex.intelligence/

Liberalism, atheism, male sexual exclusivity linked to IQ

By Elizabeth Landau, CNN
February 26, 2010

February 27, 2010

Changing Place Names

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-redraw-the-map-to-erase-offensive-names-1913020.html

Intercourse in Pennsylvania has managed to hold on to its name, while California's Negrohead Mountain has been renamed Ballard Mountain

afp/getty images

Intercourse in Pennsylvania has managed to hold on to its name, while California's Negrohead Mountain has been renamed Ballard Mountain

[From article]

"Areas mapped during the gold rush were often given names that reflected the no-nonsense argot of prospectors. Generations of students have giggled at a river in California that enjoys the name Shitbritches Creek. That somewhat lavatorial name has survived, so far. As have a place called Hell in Michigan, an Intercourse in Pennsylvania, and a town called Crappo, in Maryland."


Americans redraw the map to erase 'offensive' names

California says goodbye to Negrohead mountain, but Intercourse, Pennsylvania survives – for now

By Guy Adams in Los Angeles

Independent (UK)
February 28, 2010

Madeleine Stowe Truth

Madeleine Stowe

http://images.askmen.com/galleries/actress/madeleine-stowe/pictures/madeleine-stowe-picture-1.jpg


Madeleine Stowe at event of Fight Club

Madeleine Stowe at event of Sleepy Hollow

Internet New Democracy

[From article]
"The internet is the best thing to happen to free choice since Erasmus, the best thing to happen to democracy since John Locke, and the best thing to happen to commerce since Adam Smith. The internet is the new agora, a new market for ideas. The end of the mainstream, the mendacity monopoly, is gospel -- good news indeed!
"

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/02/the_internet_and_the_agora.html

February 27, 2010

The Internet and the Agora

By G. Murphy Donovan
American Thinker

Maher Ridicules Palin Again

[From article] "Sarah Palin sends liberals into irrational frenzies of contempt and, in the case of Bill Maher, fits of condescension which drive him to denigrate anyone stupid enough to see anything good in her."

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2010/02/27/maher-brain-dead-palin-babbling-barely-house-broken-uneducated-being

Maher: ‘Brain-Dead’ Palin ‘a Babbling, Barely House-Broken, Uneducated Being’
Photo of Brent Baker.

Padma Lakshmi Truth

Padma Lakshmi


Lee Bollinger, President, Columbia University

Sonia Dara Truth

Sonia Dara


WWII Times Square Kiss

Palin's PR Flack Leaves

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-26/palins-enforcer-bails-out/?cid=bsa:mostpopular3

Palin's Enforcer Bails Out
by Shushannah Walshe
Daily Beast
February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

Non Profits: Vehicle for Taxpayer Fraud

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/acorn_fruits_n7hQfh2ljHxFe1ny0wvQjI

ACORN's fruits
Billions to help pols, not the poor
By STEVEN MALANGA
New York Post
Last Updated: 5:18 AM, February 24, 2010
Posted: 1:01 AM, February 24, 2010

Hawaii Race Based Land Grab

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/race_based_gov_the_aloha_land_grab_dQG4jwJZF4ybQff4jMhYDM

Race-based gov't: the aloha land grab
By KEVIN D. WILLIAMSON
New York Post
Last Updated: 5:18 AM, February 24, 2010
Posted: 12:50 AM, February 24, 2010

Obama's Misguided Health Care

[From article]
"look at Massachusetts -- which made health insurance mandatory in 2006, and now has the highest premiums in the country."

That's the model President Obama is trying to force on everyone.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/washington_knows_best_Ll5urBxopz4YPmney3RCrJ

'Washington knows best'
ObamaCare vs. state lessons
By BETSY MCCAUGHEY
New York Post
Last Updated: 7:26 AM, February 25, 2010
Posted: 12:48 AM, February 24, 2010

545 VS. 350,000,000

545 vs 300,000,000

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the and, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems..

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge T ax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Ser vice FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge=2 0Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'
And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?

Gov't Threat to Rights, CNN Poll

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/26/cnn-poll-majority-says-government-a-threat-to-citizens-rights/

CNN Poll: Majority says government a threat to citizens' rights
Posted: February 26th, 2010 09:00 AM ET
From

Palin Can be President

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/02/powerless_against_palin.html

Sarah Palin Picture Gallery

February 26, 2010

Powerless Against Palin

By Gene Schwimmer
American Thinker

Human Services Corporations Speak for Disabled

Headline says the disabled fight for funds. The article says advocates and families. That would mean human services corporations and professionals who live off of persons with disabilities. They speak for persons with disabilities. They tell persons with disabilities what they need and take the money. This is one more special interest exploiting their clients and the taxpayer.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1235637

Disabled fight to keep funds

By Colneth Smiley Jr.
Boston Herald
Friday, February 26, 2010

Today's Spineless Leaders

The preferred leader (public and private) according to Roger Morris is a weak individual with relaxed rectitude. How does this apply to Cadillac Deval, Obama, Paterson, Paulson, Geithner, Rangel, Daschle, Biden, Bill Clinton, and all the rest? Ever hear any of them complain about corruption among politicians, police or courts? They remain silent and divert attention proposing property tax relief, universal health care, anything to keep the herd bewildered to use Noam Chomsky's phrase.

http://bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1235639

Signs of the times look bad for Deval Patrick

By Howie Carr
Boston Herald
Friday, February 26, 201

February 25, 2010

Palin and Human Services

Reason disability advocates shun Palin is because most of them are liberal Democrats. (Liberal feminists declare Palin is not a woman.) Democrats focus on funding not disability rights. They ignore daily slurs in major media, in courts, and by politicians. Palin's focus differs from human services corporations and professionals who earn their money providing goods and services. Palin is focused on an individual not a business.

BS Top - Goldstein Sarah Palin Trig Rebecca Cook, Reuters / Landov

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-22/does-palin-have-disability-cred/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsL1

Palin Snubs Disability Advocates

by Dana Goldstein

Daily Beast

February 22, 2010

Double Standard in Paterson Aide Scandal

If this is a matter for serious concern by journalists, why was there no reports of abuses of power when tenured Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was arrested in Cambridge? The President, the MA Governor and the Mayor of Cambridge all used their public offices to make the arrest go away. Can't ignore the President's beer summit which was international news. Plus the District Attorney abdicated his power and allowed the city solicitor and a private attorney to "negotiate" the dismissal of the charge. Why was that acceptable behavior while this is not?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/nyregion/25paterson.html?hp

Questions of Influence in Abuse Case of Paterson Aide

Narrow Focus Encourages Abuses

Why is the focus on only teens bullying other teens? What about journalists and academics who bullied Bush and Palin? What about human services professionals, police and prosecutors who bully elders and persons with disabilities? Why is some forms of bullying ignored by the DA, the AG and the caring industries? What about the readers who bully Margery Eagan?

http://bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1235314

Bill bullies schools into finally taking action

By Margery Eagan
Boston Herald
Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Sociopath's Dream Job

Let's see. Parents are prohibited from spanking their children. Teachers cannot strike students. But students with disabilities can be shocked with electrical weapons (cattle prods?) with the approval of their parents in the name of love? Sociopaths line up to work at this place asking "They pay me to do this?"

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1235423

Feds probe special needs school
By Associated Press
Boston Herald
Thursday, February 25, 2010

February 24, 2010

IRS Worker's Wife Sues Wife of Pilot of Plane Crash

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100224/ap_on_re_us/us_plane_crash_texas_1

IRS worker's widow sues Texas suicide pilot's wife
Ap
Yahoo News
Tue Feb 23, 9:05 pm ET

UC San Diego Defunds Media

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100224/ap_on_re_us/us_black_history_mock_party_4

University TV show mocking blacks sparks freeze

By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press Writer
AP
Yahoo News
Tue Feb 23, 9:46 pm ET

Conservative Hispanic Texans

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/022410dntexhisppolitics.39fae92.html

Poll: More than half of Hispanics identify as conservative

09:05 AM CST on Wednesday, February 24, 2010
By ROBERT T. GARRETT
The Dallas Morning News
rtgarrett (at) dallasnews.com

GM Pays Former Chief $3,000 hour

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/22/autos/gm_fritz_henderson.fortune/?section=magazines_fortune

fritz_henderson_091110.gi.03.jpgGM's ex-CEO Fritz Henderson

Fritz Henderson is back at GM, for $3,000 an hour

By Alex Taylor III, senior editor

Missile Defense Logo: Obama, Islam?



New Missile Defense Agency Logo Causes Online Commotion...




Islamic flag? Crescent moon and star

Son of Hamas founder spied for Israel

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7039011.ece

From
February 25, 2010

Son of Hamas founder spied for Israel for more than a decade

Italy Convicts Google for Down Syndrome Video

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE61N0Q120100224

NOTE: Reuters' headline misspells Down Syndrome

UPDATE 1-Google execs convicted in Italy for Down's video

Reuters
Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:32am EST

Laws With/Without Penalties Are the Same

Concern about a toothless bullying bill is misguided. Current laws which carry heavy penalties are not enforced. Taxpayer funded agencies refuse to address criminal abuse of elders especially those with disabilities. Sociopaths are given a green light by law enforcement to intensify their abuses knowing there will be no enforcement. The idea in MA is to permit an open society--open to any and all acts which do not affect the ruling class which remains above the laws of man.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1235067

Critic rips pols’ bully bill

Says ‘toothless’ measure doesn’t go far enough

By Hillary Chabot
Boston Herald
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Police Bias Revealed in Strangling

Harrison, NY Police Captain Anthony "Marraccini said [suspect] Stacey Pagli had no history of mental illness." That implies that if there were it would explain the crime. Police uniformly indicate a negative bias against persons with disabilities which remains unaddressed by journalists and the courts which join the illegal abuses.

http://bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view.bg?articleid=1235249&srvc=news&position=recent

Police say mother strangled NY college student

By Associated Press
Boston Herald
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
* * *
Harrison, NY Police Captain Anthony Marraccini "also said he was not aware of any history of mental health problems with [suspect] Stacey Pagli." That implies that if there were it would explain the crime. Police uniformly express negative bias against persons with disabilities which remains unaddressed by journalists and the courts which join the illegal abuses.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20102240388

Mother of Manhattanville student charged with her murder
White Plains Journal
Shawn Cohen and Theresa Juva • spcohen (at) lohud.com
February 24, 2010

All Teachers Fired at High School

http://www.necn.com/02/23/10/Rhode-Island-teachers-fired/landing.html?blockID=185539&feedID=4215

Rhode Island teachers fired


(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Central Falls, RI)
February 23, 2010

Woman Jailed for False Rape Claim, Perjury

Steven HirschTHE PRICE OF DECEIT: Biurny Peguero Gonzalez gets slapped into cuffs yesterday in Manhattan court for concocting a
Steven Hirsch
THE PRICE OF DECEIT: Biurny Peguero Gonzalez gets slapped into cuffs yesterday in Manhattan court for concocting a "rape" that ruined a man's life -- all to cover herself for ditching her girlfriends.

Steven HirschFORGIVE ME, FATHER: Biurny Peguero Gonzalez (above), at the urging of the Rev. Zeljko Guberovic, admitted falsely accusing William McCaffrey.
Steven Hirsch
FORGIVE ME, FATHER: Biurny Peguero Gonzalez (above), at the urging of the Rev. Zeljko Guberovic, admitted falsely accusing William McCaffrey.


http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/justice_happened_things_system_solomon_JyyLFVitMM4bx63gpD1ouI

The truth hurts rape liar
3 yrs. in prison for framing innocent man
By LAURA ITALIANO
New York Post
Last Updated: 6:04 AM, February 24, 2010
Posted: 3:39 AM, February 24, 2010

Faulty Memories from 1986 Killing

Delahunt laments not having Bishop sent for a competency evaluation in 1986, which could be used against her. Is this US Rep. former DA a delightful fool? He expects everyone to believe him. He is laughable fraud. Bishop committed her latest crime in Alabama where they have law enforcement. MA government privatized enforcement to the Bulger crime family. This frees up the elected officials to attend fund raisers and go on junkets. What a state.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1235074&format=comments

Kin: Cop target of blame game
Says officer unfairly eyed in Bishop case
By Dave Wedge
Boston Herald
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Obama and Insurance Premiums

[From article]
"In 301 AD, the Roman emperor Diocletian imposed price controls on most commodities and professions in the empire. The penalty for raising prices was death. Yet the controls failed utterly, leading to shortages, more inflation and the near collapse of the imperial economy.[. . .]
Medicare already reimburses at roughly 80 cents on every dollar of actual costs. Medicaid pays even less. As a result, more than a third of physicians have closed their practices to Medicaid patients; 12 percent no longer accept Medicare patients.
[. . .]
more than 750,000 Britons are waiting for admission to hospitals. Every year, British physicians cancel almost 50,000 surgeries because patients on the waiting list become too sick for the operations to proceed.

In Canada, almost 800,000 people are on the waiting list for care. And, according to the Canadian Supreme Court, many are in chronic pain and some will die while waiting for treatment."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/price_controls_by_any_other_name_U1itPDcdkkV9creOxoysFK

Price controls by any other name
By MICHAEL TANNER
New York Post
Last Updated: 4:02 PM, February 23, 2010
Posted: 12:21 AM, February 23, 2010

Obama and Reality

[From article]

"While he's at it, Obama should go right ahead and outlaw unemployment. Then he could make foreclosures illegal. That would fix all our problems.

Heck, if any problems remain in health care after he has jammed his bill through Congress before his co-conspirators get run out of town, Obama could just make sickness illegal.

Maybe he could outlaw death."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/prez_newest_idea_simply_outlaw_reality_A9lsWAXwaEQj2UheOJojIK

Prez's newest idea: Simply outlaw reality

New York Post

Last Updated: 4:02 PM, February 23, 2010

Posted: 2:51 AM, February 23, 2010

headshotCharles Hurt

Obama Justice Appointees Defended Terrorists

[From article]

"Long Island GOP Rep. Peter King said he was perplexed why Holder didn't reveal the names of appointees who had worked for terrorists."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/in_justice_furor_over_gitmo_appointees_2Yr7Gp8Qh41E4EVWIeAXRP

In-Justice! Furor over O's 'Gitmo' appointees

New York Post

Last Updated: 2:16 PM, February 23, 2010

Posted: 2:42 AM, February 23, 2010

Hospital Infections Kill 48, 000

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61L51D20100222

U.S. hospital infections killed 48,000: report

WASHINGTON
Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:01pm EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pneumonia and blood-borne infections caught in hospital killed 48,000 patients and cost $8.1 billion in 2006, according to a report released on Monday.

God Bless America

When the screen fills up with words, then the words tumble
to the bottom and new words start up again at the top of the screen.

http://www.greatdanepro.com/Pray%20For%20America/index.htm

Contemporary Psychiatry and Drugs

Menand claims "Mental disorders [. . .] are biological conditions, since they correspond to changes in the body." But he provides no evidence for this claim. The American Psychiatric Association was unable to to do so but the false claim continues to be promoted.
Never mentioned is the idea that people who are diagnosed with mental illness have statutory and Constitutional Rights as a person with a disability. Psychiatrists seem to think they are above the laws of man. One psychiatrist told me "I don't have time to read the Constitution."
This essay treats irrational arguments equally to rational arguments. Logic does not enter into the discussion.

[From the article]
Greenberg thinks that numbers like these are ridiculous—not because people aren’t depressed but because, in most cases, their depression is not a mental illness. It’s a sane response to a crazy world. [. . .]
it’s not even that drug companies and the psychiatric establishment have some kind of moral or political stake in these arrangements—that they’re in the game in order to protect the status quo. They just see, in the world’s unhappiness, a chance to make money. They invented a disease so that they could sell the cure.[. . .]
the increase in the number of people who are given a diagnosis of depression suggests that what has changed is not the number of people who are clinically depressed but the definition of depression, which has been defined in a way that includes normal sadness.[. . .]
The discovery of the remedy creates the disease. [. . .]
Donald Klein, of Columbia University, who was one of the key figures in the transformation of psychiatry to a biologically based practice.[. . .]
Kirsch concludes that since antidepressants have no more effectiveness than sugar pills, the brain-chemistry theory of depression is “a myth.”[. . .]
Is psychopharmacology evil, or is it useless?[. . .]
critics who, like Greenberg, accuse it of turning deviance into a disorder, and of confusing health with conformity. [. . .]
Homosexuality, originally labelled a sociopathic personality disorder, was eliminated from the D.S.M. in 1973, partly in response to lobbying by gay-rights groups.[. . .]
Between 1968 and 1981, Valium was the most frequently prescribed medication in the Western world. In 1972, stock in its manufacturer, Hoffmann-La Roche, traded at seventy-three thousand dollars a share.[. . .]
thalidomide, which was prescribed as a sedative, caused birth defects.[. . .]
D.S.M.-II listed a hundred and eighty-two diagnoses; the current edition, D.S.M.-IV-T.R., lists three hundred and sixty-five.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2010/03/01/100301crat_atlarge_menand

Head Case

Can psychiatry be a science?

by Louis Menand

March 1, 2010

February 23, 2010

Happiness Is

Meltzer says, "The things that make us happy, she says, are things we don't get enough of."
Would Tiger Woods say "Having sex is happiness?"

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-21/what-makes-women-happy/

What Makes Women Happy?

by Marisa Meltzer

Daily Beast

February 21, 2010

Baruch Spinoza



Bruch (Benedictus) Spinoza
1646-1716

Aspirin Not Good For All Hearts

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-23/could-a-daily-aspirin-be-deadly/2/

Michael Pollan wrote a few books on food. He reveals the changing paradigm of what food causes harm or helps the body. Science is not an absolute but always changing. This article reflects that pattern.

Could a Daily Aspirin Be Deadly?
by Arthur Agatston, M.D.
Daily Beast
February 23, 2010

10 Ideas to Prolong Healthy Life

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-22/10-ways-to-really-live-forever/?cid=hp:mainpromo6

10 Ways to Live Forever
by The Daily Beast
February 22, 2010

How Google Search Works

search quality engineer Patrick Riley says “'Essentially all the queries are involved in some test.' In other words, just about every time you search on Google, you’re a lab rat."

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/02/ff_google_algorithm/all/1

Exclusive: How Google’s Algorithm Rules the Web

Dutch Pols Try to Isolate de Wilders


Geert de Wilders

[From article]
"Wilders, who believes that Islam is a violent religion and what he calls the Islamisation of Europe must stop, has consistently challenged the established order with his ferocious debating style, often accusing the government of cowardice.
He set up his own party after he was forced out of the VVD, and has lived under guard since 2004, when a Dutch-Moroccan killed filmmaker and Islam critic Theo van Gogh."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE61M08120100223

Dutch parties tussle over approach to far right
Labour figure calls on others to keep Wilders out of govt
Wilders, other politicians blast move as undemocratic
Blocking approach could push more voters towards far right
By Catherine Hornby

Psychiatrist Arrested for Sword Attack

[From article]
"Rank, who is also board certified in internal medicine, had his license to practice medicine restricted by the board in 2001 it found that after he prescribed "high doses of narcotic prescriptions" to one patient while practicing in Lexington.

The Board of Medical Licensure found that Rank given the patient 57 prescriptions over 14 months. Rank agreed to no longer treat the patient.

Rank also faced disciplinary action from the board in 2000 after he admitted he had sexual intercourse with another patient."

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100222/NEWS0107/302220118/Doctor+held+in+woman+s+stabbing

Doctor held in woman's stabbing

By Brenna R. Kelly • bkelly (at) nky.com

February 22, 2010

Former DA Reveals Bigotry

William Delahunt, District Attorney when Amy Bishop shot her brother to death in Braintree, MA said, “If an arrest had been completed and charges of assault with a dangerous weapon had been filed . . . the district attorney’s office . . . would have requested psychiatric evaluation of Miss Bishop. We can speculate what that might have revealed.”

Delahunt indicates that he used psychiatry to stigmatize suspects. On TV Delahunt said the evaluation would stay with her for life showing how psychiatry avoids due process protections. During an evaluation what a person says can be used against him. Police and prosecutors use psychiatry to get convictions otherwise illegal.

Delahunt illegally discriminates based on disability and violates privacy laws.

Delahunt makes diagnoses? I thought only psychiatrists were able to predict the future.

When he was DA a suspect was accused of killing his parents. Delahunt said there is no history of mental illness about the man, as if there were it would eplain why he killed his parents. This bigoted guy was a DA and now writes laws to facilitate psychiatric abuse. He is not unique among elected officials.

Delahunt points fingers


http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100223william_delahunt_ex-chief_point_fingers_over_amy_bishop_case/srvc=home&position=1

William Delahunt, ex-chief point fingers over Amy Bishop case

By Dave Wedge
Boston Herald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Medical Abuse in Philadelphia

Del. Pediatrician Indicted On 471 Criminal Counts

Computer Security Breach

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100222/usa/us_it_computer_security_internet_ftc_1

FTC warns firms, organizations of widespread data breach

Yahoo News

Mon Feb 22, 4:35 PM


NJ Toll Collectors Gone Wild

30 Complaints by motorists on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike about rude toll collectors.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2010/0222101tolls1.html

Nobody Home In MA Government

This sounds like a job for the dynamic duo, Delahunt and Coakley.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1234796

Cops investigate 3 Hub shootings

By Boston Herald wire services
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

No Common Sense in MA

Only Wendy Murphy has any common sense in this state. Coakley is busy lobbying for same sex marriage. She thinks she won the election. Someone should tell her she lost. With no functioning AG the Governor ordered an investigation of the Bishop incidents. This will not be political. AHEM! Like Cadillac Deval's interference in the arrest of his friend Henry Louis (Do you know who I am) Gates.

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1234830

Statement of John V. Polio

Boston Herald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Driver's License Optional?

Did the driver have a license? Was he able to read signs in English? In MA the answers to those questions are uncertain. Is FL as lax as MA?

TRAVEL TRAGEDY: Emergency personnel...
Photo by AP
TRAVEL TRAGEDY: Emergency personnel assist victims of a bus crash yesterday afternoon in Lake Placid, Fla. The crash left two people dead and dozens injured.


http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1234812

Bay Staters riding bus in fatal crash

By Richard Weir
Boston Herald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tax Cheat Runs the IRS

A few years ago there was a beautiful picture of another Vet who invested his money in a business. His lawyer was negligent or simply a thief. The photo showed the Vet marching the lawyer to the police station with a shotgun at the back of his head with a wire attached so that he could not get away from the weapon. The IRS is run by Time Geithner, a tax cheat. The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee which writes tax laws is Charles Rangel, a tax cheat. Why should ordinary citizens pay their taxes when government pigs do not?

http://bostonherald.com/news/national/southwest/view.bg?articleid=1234820

Pilot’s daughter backtracks

By Associated Press
Boston Herald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MA Death Panels On The Way?

The idea of death panels is not mentioned in these stories. But someone must approve stopping treatment. One doctor? Two? When does more than one become a panel? What are they approving? Is it cake recipes? Oh, it is death. There will be death panels if this law passes. But Ethicist Eagan will not call it that or even acknowledge that they exist.

http://bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1234799

Memory of suffering helps right-to-die bill live on

By Margery Eagan
Boston Herald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

February 22, 2010

State Death Panels?

Would this require any discussion with a group that may be called a death panel? Or would one MD be sufficient? Then if you don't trust one doctor why trust two?

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1234503

State mulls right-to-die bill

By Laurel J. Sweet
Boston Herald
Monday, February 22, 2010

Obama's Irrational Sweet Talk

"What's funny about this is that if nearly two-thirds of Americans are idiots, that means roughly half of Obama's voters were idiots, too. His election was once the epitome of American wisdom. Now it seems he was elected despite the stupidity of his supporters.[. . .]

The filibuster was once a bulwark against tyranny, according to Democrats trying to block President George W. Bush's agenda. Now, it's proof that our political system 'sucks,'"

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_excuse_factory_4bFXnafL9oV3gybChOvpPJ

The excuse factory

Dems' search for scapegoats

New York Post

Last Updated: 11:38 AM, February 21, 2010

Posted: 12:45 AM, February 20, 2010

headshotJonah Goldberg

SEIU ACORN Fraud


"Republicans on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee have released a new report leveling fresh allegations and evidence of corruption against the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN.
Entitled 'Follow the Money: ACORN, SEIU and their Political Allies ,'”

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=35696

Issa Report finds ACORN Fraud, SEIU Connections

Free Train Passes for Retirees

"About 15,000 retired transit workers get a stunning free pass on the subways and buses for life, Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday -- which at full value is worth at least $16 million annually to the cash-strapped MTA.

And the Transport Workers Union retirees get just as generous a break on the railroads."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/free_ride_follies_ALTl6vU0INeNoPy9IUZbtN

Transit retirees' free pass costs $16M a year

New York Post

Last Updated: 10:02 AM, February 20, 2010

Posted: 3:27 AM, February 20, 2010

Psychiatry is a Boondoggle

"When one of the women, made aware of the memo, confronted Dr. Ivins about it in 2008, he wrote to her, blaming an alternate personality he called '"Crazy Bruce, who surfaces periodically as paranoid, severely depressed and ridden with incredible anxiety.' He complained that 'it seems as though I have been selected as the blood sacrifice for this whole thing.'”

According to the New York Times, mental illness is now self diagnosed? When neighbors, spouses, TV psychologists who never met the person and journalists can all make diagnoses who needs psychiatrists? Of what value are such a designations? Courts, the psychiatric industry, the drug industry and the human services industrial complex promote the largest boondoggle in the history of the world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/20/us/20anthrax.html

F.B.I., Laying Out Evidence, Closes Anthrax Case


New York Times
Published: February 19, 2010

Obama Clueless on Governing

"Public sentiment is everything," Abraham Lincoln said. "With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/nothing_broken_dSrR043NIPuOkoUSFVZspI

Nothing's broken

The system's not the problem

New York Post

Last Updated: 7:01 AM, February 20, 2010

Posted: 12:39 AM, February 19, 2010

headshotRich Lowry

Biden Clueless or Lying

"Biden said yesterday, "We understand why they're angry. . . We get it."
Really?
Hours later, President Obama was praising his stimulus program to the heavens: 'There has never been a program of this scale, moved at this speed, that has been enacted as effectively and as transparently as the recovery act.'"

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/the_people_business_n4kWAusORY1aNHXp7VYz2J

'The people's business'
New York Post
Last Updated: 10:19 AM, February 18, 2010
Posted: February 18, 2010

Dogs Serve, Cats Rule

"FROM a New York judge: Want some one who eats what's put in front of him and never says it's not as good as his mother's? Get a dog.

Who'll go out at any hour as long as you like? Get a dog.

Never touch the remote, doesn't care about football and can snuggle as you watch romantic movies? Get a dog.

Content to get on your bed and warm your feet and you can push off if he snores? Get a dog.

If you want someone who never criticizes, doesn't care if you're fat or ugly, who loves you unconditionally, perpetually? Get a dog . . .

BUT if you want someone who never comes when you call, ignores you when you come home, leaves hair everywhere, walks all over you and acts like your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness? Get a cat."

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/cindy_adams/sadie_one_hot_dog_lF5tC5mVSB7uUK6ARq9VON

Sadie's one hot dog

New York Post

Last Updated: 10:19 AM, February 18, 2010

Posted: 12:51 AM, February 18, 2010

headshotCindy Adams