The Beginning....

The Beginning....
When William Least Heat-Moon toured the country many years ago, his steed, if you will, was a van that he named Ghost Dancing. His journey of America was 13,000 miles. His book is Blue Highways, A Journey Into America. My steed will be a Subaru WRX (traded for an XV Crosstrek). My travels will be, what in the past were called, the blue highways of Virginia. Years ago, maps showed secondary roads in blue. Yes, the ones less traveled.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

A Change of Pace. A Young Lady With Five Children Who Dropped Out of HS Gets Law Degree!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

No, we surely all can't become anything we want (to be), but this lady sure proved that with enough grit, determination, and unrelenting hard work, we sure can accomplish a lot.

Here's her story.

Edit: Hmmm, the above link leaves a lot out. When I read it seems she went from GED to law school. Anyway, try this link.


Like many others, she gave GOD credit. Though didn't seem ticked off at this same GOD for all the bad things that happened to her. OK, OK, I know, Old GOD was just testing her.


Monday, April 16, 2018

Yes, Chiropractors, Again! Just When You Think You've Heard it All, They Just Keep Giving!

Even the Man upstairs, as understanding
and compassionate as He is, has his limits!
About 15 years or so ago, while at work, my coworker who was sitting in the cubicle across from me said something about a treatment of some sort, as I best remember. Anyway, she turned her computer screen so I could see the blog.

I immediately said, He's a chiropractor.

How did you know?


Thinking back, I guess I would say, he had the, I don't know jack about actual/real medicine but the state gave me a license, I can wear a white coat, call myself doctor, and dream-up any kind of bullshit I want!

And, they sure do dream it up!

A few years back, a chiropractor came out with a book about how to cure your dog's cancer!

Take a look here!  Frankly, I'd be far too embarrassed to even try to tell you what this jerk invented! This fellow is way up there are on the scale of crazy crap chiropractors dream up!!!


Saturday, April 14, 2018

Fuckin' Chiropractors, Again!!!! They Are a Pox on Humanity, Some of Them We Should be Allowed to Summarily Shoot. Or, Better Yet, Be Allowed to Crack Their Fuckin' Backs!!!

I don't consider myself a violent person. That said, some of us just need to have the crap beat out of us. Yes, line-up the chiropractors. 

Of course, that would change nothing. Chiropractors most likely fall into two groups. One group is the outright frauds. They know what they are doing is worthless and at times harmful. The second group is the true believers...and they are the same as religious people. The only difference is the religious people have the God virus and the chiropractors have the vertebral subluxation virus.

Paltrow, Goop, Bullshit, and a $135 Coffee Enema!

OK, folks. I'm going to take the easy way out on this one. This has been idling in my Blogspot draft folder for...hmm...a couple of months, at least.

What got me going, if you will, was when I read about her coffee enema. Come on, folks. Do you really want to stick a tube up your butt and purge yourself or what-have-you with coffee? Dang, some of you New Age wackjobs are something.

Just for the heck of it, before you get the old coffee enema, why don't you talk to a real doctor. Nooo, not some Reiki healer or chiropractor...but, for once see an MD.

Anyway, I was visiting one of my favorite sites tonight and Orac covered Paltrow much better than I ever could. Plus, it saves me a lot of time.


Here's his post about Paltrow.

Who in the world are these people who are buying her crap? I, of course, do not know. Surely the ones who are spending big bucks for her seminars or workshops or what-have-you are folks with more money than brains. OK, more money and not even a smidge of critical-thinking skills or skepticism.

Now, if you just have to have a coffee enema, here's what I want you to do.


Buy a "kit" for ten bucks on Amazon and send me the other $125.

Edit: Dang, forgot to have a link to Goop!

Edit, again: Sorry, folks. Yes, I'm still at Orac's site and here's his post on Goop! You gotta read this, seriously.



By the way, everything here is my opinion. And, I sure ain't giving no medical advice or nothin'.




Tuesday, April 10, 2018

My Battle With the Virginia Board of Medicine.... Part Four, a Brief Update....

Today is Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Last Friday, after speaking with an assistant to Secretary Carey, I sent an email to the office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (see part three for a copy of the letter).

Yesterday, I sent the following email to Senator Frank Wagner, who represents my area of Virginia.


Hi Senator,
 
Would it concern you if some doctors in our area (Virginia Beach) are using treatments that not only don't work but can't work?
 
My complaint to the Board of Medicine seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
 
Hoping your week goes well, I remain
 
Sincerely,
 
George (Callender) 



Shortly after starting my crusade or whatever you want to call it, I realized that my major problem was that I have no STANDING! By that I mean, no one is going to listen to or pay attention to me. Who has standing?

My opinion, obviously: Retired generals and admirals, sports stars, politicians, lawyers, doctors, Ph.D. college professors, HS coaches, pastors*, folks who make large political donations, millionaire business owners, and so on.

*Yesterday, I realized that I'm a reverend. Honest, I am. And, I'd be willing to bet you, if I had
started this crusade calling myself Reverend George, folks would have paid attention to me. Ironic, hey, if I believe in myths and superstitions and shun science, they would listen to me. Amazing! We so-called humans sure are funny folks.

Soooooo, now what? Think I will wait until Friday. If no answers by then, I'm going to check with Jennifer at the Secretary's office and see if they received my email. If they did, then I guess the next stop is the governor's office and also the state attorney generals' office about consumer fraud. You know, the suck the toxins out...and, so on.

Stay tuned!!!!

The Helpful Blogger.... Take a Look!


My friend, Lou, who was having some health issues, started looking at ways to change her eating habits. Along with her friend, Suzanne, who is a food photographer, they started The Helpful Blogger. Follow along with them. And, nope, They Ain't Sellin' Nuthin'! They just want to share the information.


Monday, April 9, 2018

Trying to Make Sense of Something that Doesn't Make Sense.... CHIROPRACTIC! And, Chiropractors.

I'm fond of saying, On every street corner you'll find a damn church and a fuckin' chiropractor. Actually, they share a couple of things: they are both essentially useless and of no value and wrap themselves up in their own terms and languages, along with confusing and ridiculous nonsense.

I will only say that chiropractic was dreamed up or invented by a grocer with no medical training in 1895 and present-day chiropractors are still using the same bogus stuff from 1895. Want to learn a little more, here are a couple of links to get you going.


I'm sure some chiropractors are basically nice people. That said, Why the fuck did they become chiropractors?

Good question. It would seem that there are only so many possible answers; I would guess that for one or a combination of the following reasons.


1) They thought chiropractic was an actual method of healing and they thought it was real-doctor like.

2) Wanted to be a real doctor but didn't have the grades or brains.

3) Influenced by someone who they knew who was a chiropractor.

4) For some reason contacted a chiropractic school and were conned into enrolling.

5) They wanted to wear a white coat and be able to call themselves a doctor when they made restaurant reservations.

6) Maybe a few who knew it was a scam and figured it'd be an easy way to make a buck without much work.


Oh, well..... Had planned on writing more, but with all of the other stuff I'm writing about chiropractors, I guess that I'm experiencing chiropractor-overload.

Enough of this.

EDIT: OK, I'm sure there are some (a philosophy professor said, some is one or more) sincere, caring, and dedicated chiropractors out there--hey, they're just blinded by all of the chiropractic bullshit.

EDIT, again: Had planned on commenting how chiropractors branch-out into other bogus treatments such as Reiki, toxin cleansing, and so on. But, just can't come to grips with it now. Also, if they believe bogus treatments work, how do they accomplish that? That is, how do they trick themselves?

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Ahh, My First Time Making Peanut Soup....

This morning, got up a little before sunup, went out in the fields and picked a bushel of peanuts.

OK, not exactly.


I've had peanut soup once. I can even remember where even though it's been at least 15 years. There was a small motel and restaurant in Surry, Virginia. I remember it as being pretty good (the soup).

A few years ago thought of making peanut soup, bought 12 cans tomato soup...and, never did.


Lately been eating more peanut butter than usual and recently bought Richard's peanut butter. So, today I made my version of peanut soup.

1 can condensed tomato soup/with a can of water
1 small can diced tomatoes and green chilis
3 heaping tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter.
No spices added.

When served, I added a chopped scallion to the top of the soup.

And, how was it? Hmm. 1-10? Maybe 5.

Actually, think it was a little too spicy/hot (for me, of course). The taste was...hmm, so-so? My opinion changed some over the course of two bowls (actually, a 22-ounce cup I use for soup).

It has potential. Quick and easy. My kinda food.


Next time I'm going to use regular diced tomatoes and start with two tablespoons of creamy peanut. Creamy vs crunchy? No particular reason. And, then carefully and judicially add spices that are not known as I type this. Will look at a few recipes.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

My Battle With the Board of Medicine....PART THREE!

Just a brief update and an attempt at humor.


OK, let's see.... I pitched my complaint, if you will, to the following. And, to keep my complaint simple and easy to follow, I ignored the millions of bogus things chiropractors scam the public with and only mentioned the suck all of your body's toxins out through your feet scam. For those of you who haven't heard of this, I'm including two videos.

When I initially started this crusade, figured I would use a two-prong approach. I would contact the Virginia agencies that were supposed to be looking out for our welfare and wellbeing and I would approach the press to investigate and alert the citizens to the scams. Well, yeah, sure!

Anyway, here's my update.

Virginia Beach PD: Spoke with a civilian representative about the bogus treatment (yes, stick your feet in the pan). She said, Maybe the people doing it think it works. I'll spare you my response. PISS OFF

We have a daily online newspaper. PISS OFF  (I like that....is it a British saying?)

Our local paper-the investigative journalist, health reporter, and editor.  PISS OFF

The health reporter for the Richmond (Virginia) paper.  PISS OFF


Investigative reporter for a local TV station.  PISS OFF

It seems I'd be getting the message, hey????


A few days ago thought about going to Richmond and protesting outside the BOM. You know, have a placard made and hand out fliers with my complaints. Hmmm......


Ahh, now I get the good part! Yes, was on the phone with Jennifer, who is an assistant to Dr. Carey, who is the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Sounds like a pretty big job, And, guess what, the BOM is under him. You know, he's in charge of a bunch of agencies including the BOM, also it would seem the BOM is known as the Department of Health Professions or is a part of DHP.

OK, ready for the good part? Jennifer referred me to the director of the DHP. She told me to file my complaint with him. Guess who the director of the DHP is? Drum roll.... The Director of DHP is David Brown, DC. Do you folks know what DC is? Yep, a fuckin' chiropractor. So, I'm going to file my complaint about William Harp, MD, the executive director of the BOM, with Brown who is a chiropractor. BTW, in case you've forgotten, my complaint about Harp is that by knowingly allowing chiropractors to use bogus treatments he is not upholding the mission of the board of medicine.


I guess I need to look for humor because there's nothing much rational about any of this. Joseph Heller would be proud.

Sometimes it seems as though some of these folks act as though they are doing me a favor. And, I need to remind myself that these agencies aren't doing their jobs!!!! In a way, I'm doing their job for them and I'm not on the payroll.

Where was I?

OK, here's the letter I sent to Jennifer (the assistant to Secretary Carey) April 6. 2018.



*************************************
Hi Jennifer,

Yes, I'm back again.

The DHP and Board of Medicine are one in the same. You suggested I write David Brown, DC who is the Director and lodge my complaint about William Harp, MD who is the Executive Director. That ain't gonna work.

The reason I called you is that Secretary Carey seems to be in charge of all of the agencies listed on your website. That's why I wanted to lodge my complaint with your office.

I'm asking that you present my case to Secretary Carey. It's simple.


There are chiropractors in our state using bogus treatments. Treatments that don't work and can't work. The one I ask you to use with Secretary Carey is the foot detox, where chiropractors claim that by putting your feet in a pan of water along with an electric device, that they are going to pull all the toxins in your body, out through your feet.

Anyway, I will await your reply whatever it may be.

I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for your patience in dealing with me.

Sincerely,
George

BTW, my phone is 757-XXX-XXXX


*********************************************************

I will add that I have no complaint about/with Jennifer as she did the best she could and put up with me for 45 minutes. Of course, if things in the government of Virginia worked as they should I wouldn't be spending my time on this and (some) chiropractors wouldn't be ignorant scammers.

 What am I pissed off about and what am I complaining about? Watch the two videos!!!











Wednesday, April 4, 2018

I Needed a Good Laugh! And, When You Read Andy You Will Always Get One....


Kim Jong Un Reveals He Is Just Using Trump to Meet Stormy Daniels


PYONGYANG (The Borowitz Report)—Kim Jong Un has revealed to close associates that he has offered to meet Donald J. Trump only as a means of achieving his real goal: meeting the former adult-film star Stormy Daniels.
A confidant of the North Korean dictator said that Kim revealed his true intentions behind the Trump invitation at a high-level government meeting on Thursday night. “Kim said that he was a big fan of Stormy’s, and he decided that meeting with Trump would be a ‘necessary evil’ if he wanted a chance to meet her,” the confidant said.
According to the confidant, Kim first attempted to arrange a meeting with Daniels through his close friend, the former N.B.A. player Dennis Rodman, “but, when Dennis said that he didn’t know Stormy, Kim was, like, ‘Oh, well, I guess I’ll have to go through Trump, then.’ ”
Kim reportedly is prepared to use whatever leverage is necessary to force Trump to broker the meeting with the erstwhile porn performer. “If Kim doesn’t get to meet Stormy, the missile tests resume,” the confidant said.
When told about Kim’s real reason for offering to meet with Trump, a White House aide initially expressed shock, but then added, “Now everything makes sense.”

EDIT: Yes, this is from the New Yorker. As I'm pluggin' their magazine, I hope they won't mind. Trial subscription is only $12 for 12 weeks, digital, and print.
1-800-825-2510....


Monday, April 2, 2018

OK, Another Lame One! Sometimes I Just Can't (or Won't) Help Myself......

OK, Melania just headed to New York after the Stormy Daniels 60 Minutes
segment.

Yes, 55 words....



A Soft Knock at the Oval Office

Trump grabbed another drumstick out of the KFC bucket.
Another tap and the door opened a little. “Mr. President, it’s Mike.”
“Mikey, common in.”
“Just saw Melania leaving.”
“Going back to NY.”
“Oh. You, OK?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s pray?”
“Screw that!”
“What are you going to do?”
“We Mikey, we’re heading out and gonna chase chicks.”

Religious? Folks, Don't Get Screwed Twice!

OK, under my new moniker, I call myself a humanist. You must admit, that doesn't sound as bad as an atheist, does it?

What am I working up to? Simple. I believe you're getting screwed (the first time) by believing in all that God stuff. It's all just a bunch of superstition and myths, folks. That's all it is. OK, let's say you don't mind being screwed the first time...please, I beseech thee, don't get screwed the second time by donating to the charlatans posing as men and women of God. Yes, the so-called mega-church people. They are the ones who are really putting it to you. Yes, buy them another effing jet!!!! THEY ARE CROOKS! Why can't you understand that! And, they surely don't care about you. And, they sure ain't gonna heal you!


Here are just a few of the many: LINK ONE.  LINK TWO.  LINK THREE.

And, remember, Jesus didn't have no jet!


Yes, this is your small church....
Now, let's say that you don't mind the number-one screwing...OK, I can understand. You just have to go somewhere to praise the Lord. Fine. Here're my suggestions.

Pick a small church. Period! Why?

One thing, the preacher will most likely be appreciative of whatever donations you may make. It's more likely that the preacher may get to know you and your family. And, it's more likely that you'll get to know the other church members. Now, how does that sound????? FIND A SMALL CHURCH!!! Got it?

Ted Nugent is a DICK!

It seems that people who we elevate to star status or whatever term you want to use, get to voice their opinions and have them heard, regardless of whether their thoughts are worthy of hearing. Yes, merely because they are stars if you will. Usually, we commoners, regardless of what we have to say are rarely heard and we're never given a voice in the marketplace of ideas.



David Hogg, who's a student at Parkland, Florida where the last school shooting took place, seems to have stepped out and is, in my opinion doing a decent job of presenting the students' concerns. Of course, hey, he's a 17 YO who's thrust into the spotlight. I watched one interview and I think he did a great job. He seems articulate and speaks with passion about his concerns.

That said, the gun debate is a mess. No matter what laws are passed, mass shootings like this will not be stopped because of gun legislation. (Right now, I just don't want to spend more time on the gun problem.)

Anyway, Nugent is really making an ass of himself. And, being the ass that he is, it's easy for him to do.

Here's a link to the CNN article.



EDIT: I think most stories, concepts, ideas, thoughts and such can be distilled to 55-words. Obviously, many if not most of the 55-word stories will be lacking in detail, though the major idea or premise can remain intact. Here's a 55-word story to go along with my calling Nugent a dick!



Returned after a Quest of Twenty Years

As a kid, he’d always asked, “How should we conduct ourselves?”
Journalist interviewed him.
“Where have you been, do you have the answer?”
“I’ve interviewed philosophy scholars all over the world. Read thousands of books on philosophy, religion, sociology, psychology, and the classics of literature.”
“Do you have the answer?”
Yes, don’t be a dick!”


Definition of dick from the Urban Dictionary:

Being a dick is conducting oneself in an inappropriate manner to the annoyance of others.

The Politicians in Oklahoma Should Hang Their Heads in Shame Over Teachers' Salaries!!!

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE!!!!!!!

And the bastard politicians in DC keep pissing away our money!!!!! They do this, while all over our country hard-working men and women are struggling just to scrape by.