Want To Travel the World (but don't have the time or money)? Like Postcards? Want to Meet Folks From All Over? If You Answered Yes, Postcrossing May Be For You....

Postcrossing is a group of more than 500,000 people from more than 200 countries who

exchange postcards. It's free, though I donate 10 Euros a year. It's handled by computers of course. 

Each member has a profile. Folks usually list the types of cards they'd like to receive and most tell a little about themselves.

Here are some of the postcards I've received and here are some of the postcards I've sent.

If you are interested in having a pen pal for exchanging letters, you will be able to find someone through Postcrossing. 

Here you'll find the basics of how Postcrossing works.

BTW, sending postcards overseas is $1.20.

If you have any questions (not answered in the links) or want to know where to buy cards, send me a note.  george238c@juno.com

I've been active for the past year and it's been enjoyable. Have met some nice and interesting people from all over. And, have a couple of pen pals. Plus, I have about 200 cool postcards.

I Don't Consider Myself a Violent Person..... And, With Some Exceptions, I Think All Deaths are Sad and Tragic.... That Said...

This person is so infected with the god virus or whatever else is going on, he has given up his right to live among us. Anyone who acts as he has, there is no hope of rehabilitation. He should just be shot. Period. No trial. Nothing. Just shot. Or, maybe drowned.

Here's the story from CBS.

Cecil the Lion....You Folks Who Want to String Up Dr. Palmer, Need to Get A Grip, Relax, and Think This Through.....

OK, I'm not a hunter. Frankly, I couldn't kill an animal. Yes, for someone who eats chicken, has a

Wow, Cecil surely was magnificent looking!

hamburger, and such...I realize that folks are killing animals so that I can eat them.

At times I've been a vegetarian. But, always, again start eating meat. I've gone through the eating only chicken and fish-went over 20 years without eating a steak. And, a few times, fish only. 

It would seem that there are two types of hunting: hunting for trophies (the way I'm using trophy is killing an animal just to put a notch on your belt or gun, have it stuffed, brag about it, and think you're a big deal because you kill animals) and hunting for food. My neighbor is a hunter. Everything he kills he eats. And, he follows the rules. Doesn't hunt out of season or use lights or what-have-you.

OK, back to the dentist and others like him. These folks must like killing animals. Or, killing. Period. Yeah, they make noises about things other than killing but it's bullshit. 

Yes, I can appreciate the stalking aspect. Trying to follow an animal...tracking it down. Actually, going out in the woods/forest or whatever you want to call it, and tracking down an animal...and, taking a PHOTO. Yes, that I can surely appreciate. Instead of a notch on your gun for killing a helpless animal you can proudly hang a photograph.

But, killing an animal that's not posing a threat? Nope, I think anyone who hunts for trophies...that is,

Yes, this is the dentist....all proud.

to kill an animal just to have it stuffed and brag about it, well...don't want to hang out with them, that's for sure. Actually, the way they pose with the dead animal with their guns or bows propped on the animals.....reminds me of The Planet of the Apes when the apes posed with the dead and captured humans.

It's amazing that anyone would want their photo taken next to an animal they just killed...yeah, they

all have big grins or smiles... Look at me, I just killed a defenseless animal, ain't I something! Yes, you're something, you're a bunch of fuck heads...

Back to Cecil. Of course I think it's dreadful he was killed...just like any other animal tracked down and killed for no reason other than to have a trophy. 

Here's the point I'm working-up to. Why aren't you folks protesting all the children who will die today because of starvation or not being able to get any medical care or not being able to get vaccinations. Or, protest all of the fuckin' religious whack jobs all over the world killing because of their perverted religions.

Dang. Isn't she proud of herself..... Critics say men trophy hunt because they have
small wieners. What's the deal with women trophy hunters?

Yeah, Cecil is a tragic event...but, look around you. Cecil is nothing compared to all of the other atrocities that are ongoing.

I'm sure these so-called trophy hunters think of themselves as brave. Brave? Want to do some good? Want a challenge...hey, track down and kill the religious fanatics who are murdering people. Or, go see your local recruiter. I'm sure they can fix you up and give you guns and such and send you out to kill......of course, you'd be shooting at people who would be shooting back at you.            

Actually, he didn't kill this animal. He wrestled him to exhaustion!

EDIT:  Maybe a just punishment for the dentist would be to drop him in lion country without a bow, gun, or any weapons. And, let him know how it feels to be hunted. No, he surely shouldn't get the death penalty over killing Cecil (contrary to what some are calling for). Also, all you protesters at his office....carry your butts. He has staff that I would imagine at the moment are not making money. Go somewhere and protest the ongoing atrocities all over the world. Actually, if the press wouldn't show you'd be home doing whatever you normally do.... Ahh, yes, the lure of a few seconds exposure on TV. You folks are morons! Pickup your stuffed animals and take them to a children's hospital.

EDIT:  This is a comment left on the ABC website. "A lion like this was used to people. It wouldn't even run away. It would just lie there looking at people like it was bored. Hunting it was about as brave as walking up and shooting a parked Volkswagen."


EDIT:  Well, here's another doctor accused of illegally killing a lion in April. What's with these doctors? Well, they have one of the few professions that allows them to cough up $50,000 plus to kill animals. His name is Jan Seski and he lives in Pennsylvania. Yes, he also uses a bow.

EDIT: F@$K A COW!!!!! Yes, there is a psychic claiming to be talking to Cecil! AMAZING! Anyway, a few minutes ago, I reached out (don't you just love that, reached out) to Cecil. He assured me he hasn't talked to this woman. Cecil assured me he's not talking to anyone other than me.  Anyway, for those of you who want to send Cecil a message...just let me know. Send me $200, that will guarantee two questions to Cecil and his response. Hey, don't go to a fake psychic. Cecil's given me an exclusive. Sadly, there are people out there who claim to be psychics and aren't. 

WARNING. This is "fake psychic" Karen Anderson who claims to be communicating with Cecil. Don't be taken in by her, she is a fake!

So-Called Psychic Sandra Marks Arrested......

Yes, I often make fun of people who fall for bogus treatments, psychics, astrology, and so on; however, that I will not do today. The indictment for Marks is charging her with 31 counts of wire fraud, two count of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.

How appropriate and ironic that her name is Marks.

mark....noun. A person identified as an easy target, or "sucker". A mark is always the short end of a joke or scam, and is never let in on what's going on. A mark is usually being cheated out of money. Definition from the urbandictionary.

Here is a quote from a recent article at newsplex.com. 

"According to the indictment, victims from several states wired Marks money, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars."

So, what does it take for someone to be conned and scammed by a so-called psychic? With or without the help of confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance, you'll have to believe:

There are people who can see into the past and future.
There are people who can detect curses.
There are people who can remove curses.
There are people who can cleanse your money (whatever that means).
There are people who can communicate with the dead.

These so-called psychics can be dangerous to your health, finances, and emotions. Take a look at "What's the harm," for examples.

How Not to Treat a Customer.... A Few Minutes at CVS and the Craphead Award Number Two.....

For about a year I've been using a lamp on my desk that has a chimney, like an oil lamp.

Because of the chimney, I could only use a small light bulb, a max of 60 watts.

A few months ago I took my small light bulb to CVS to see if I could find a higher wattage bulb that would fit. Anyway, I ended-up buying a 100 watt compact fluorescent bulb. As I best remember, it was guaranteed for seven years. It cost eight bucks. 

The bulb fit and I like the increased light. As I tossed the box and receipt I wondered if I'd regret it. I am unorganized. Figured even if I kept the box and receipt I'd never be able to find them. Also, I figured that if it worked for a couple of years, that would be fine.

So, yes, the bulb crapped-out last night. 

When I went to CVS today to get a replacement I figured I may well be in for a battle. I knew they would ask for a receipt. I have a CVS card and figured they could see my purchase by looking at my card. Also, would be insulted if they questioned whether I purchased it at their store.

The clerk of course called the manager. She was most likely in her 50s. I told her my story. 

You can't exchange it if you don't have the box. I'd have no way of sending it back. (Because there's not a box you can't send it back? Well, that doesn't make sense to me, but I didn't mention that.)

Well, that's fine, I'll give you the box from the new one. (BTW, she seemed put out and hostile when she came to the front of the store to talk to me.)

She looked at the clerk, said OK, and literally stormed off without eye contact or a word to me.

I briefly thought about tracking her down and telling her she shouldn't treat her customers as she treated me. But, I figured, what the heck. She surely wouldn't change her attitude...and, maybe she was just having a shitty day (though frankly, I think it was who she is.....).

Hey, maybe she could put on her resume that she earned my second Craphead Award!

Craphead Award Number One to Kathy Verrico, Executive Director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, Boca Grande, Florida.......

Yesterday, in Chattanooga, TN, a Muslim terrorist murdered four Marines. I've been thinking about posting a comment, but what to say? Go on a rant about Muslims? Muslims suffer the same god virus that all religious people suffer-firmly held beliefs in the supernatural and what amounts to fairy tales. 

I guess my only comment would be that if a Muslim plans an act of terrorism she/he should be sentenced to life in prison. Why? Simple, if they are released they will be the same and nothing will have changed. They will still want to kill us. It would seem giving them a fifteen-year sentence would only delay their attacks.

Then I saw the article about Sam Samsonov, a 77-year-old  toll collector, who's worked for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority for almost 30 years.  It seems he lost his job, fired, for an act of kindness in paying a toll for someone who he realized he'd changed too little. Obviously, there may be something that I'm not privy too, however, it seems he wasn't fired exactly, but told that he could only work two days a week. Read the article.

I guess I had what I'm calling an epiphany. Samsonov and I are almost the same age-I'll be 76 in a few weeks. I worked until I was 71 at which time I was forced out of my job. I can appreciate the importance of people working who want to work. It seems Samsonov's job, was more than just a job.

Anyway, I decided that the person who fired him, Kathy Verrico (she's the executive director, so I'm putting his firing on her) would be given my first S*ithead Award. In deference to my mom, I have toned it down to my first Craphead Award. My mom, who maybe said damn once or twice in her life always said, Profanity is the tender, if you will, of a bankrupt vocabulary.

EDIT: July 18, 2015. Sadly, a fifth person has died.

Yes, Let's Make the Bible Our State Book...... This Time it's Tennessee....

Not going to waste much time on this one. Here's the link to an article in the Guardian. Subsequently, the bill was sent back to committee. So, we'll all have to wait and

see. 

Amazing, and sadly, I think these politicians are so eat up with religion that they can't help themselves. They have the god virus for which there is no injectable antidote. The only things that can help are common sense, reason, logic, and the desire to seek out the truth using evidence and lack of evidence. 

Yes, 2015 and folks still believe in the supernatural. Amazing, and these are the folks who control our destiny by writing our laws.

EDIT: Here's a link to my comment about Mississippi. Yep, they want the Bible and Confederate flag.

This So-Called Doctor is Treating People. And, Yes, Homeopathy Again.....

Dr, Ben Goldacre, an English physician, I believe has a saying, mocking morons. Folks who have mystical thinking beliefs that are easily refuted by science but keep harboring them, seemingly can never be reasoned with. And, maybe they deserve to be made fun of, ridiculed, and mocked. Of course, that will rarely change their minds and their mystical and magical beliefs will continue on.

OK, here we have Doctor Charlene Werner. The state of Texas gave her a license, she's allowed to parade around in a white coat, and ostensibly treat people. However, I doubt if even in Texas the scope of practice for an optometrist would allow her to use homeopathy to treat folks for problems other than those related to the eye.

Here's a video with Dr. Charlene explaining homeopathy.     

Here's Dara O'Briain's take on homeopathy.  

Here's a link to her website.

Energy Healing.... Yes, Ain't Life Grand.....

OK, I'll readily admit as I'm pounding away on my keyboard I'm ticked off. Well, actually

more than ticked off. The reason isn't important.

Where to begin?

Seemingly, no one has cornered the market, if you will, on energy healing. however, all of the so-called modalities (Reiki Therapeutic Touch, Jin Shi Do, BodyTalk, Quantum this that and the other) or whatever you want to call them, do have a few things in common.

They all talk about universal life energy. Yes, there are various names for this, one is Chi,  pronounced chee.

And, how does this go?

Well, most of them talk about meridians. Though there may not be a consensus, most mention twelve and they run from head to foot.  Channels, if you will.

They all talk about blockages. Yes, in the channels. And, they all talk about how to unblock them. (BTW, this is the same bullshit that acupuncturists talk about.) After all, if the old universal life energy is jammed-up your health will be influenced, any maladies you have will be exacerbated, and other problems may pop-up.

There are no telling how many of these modalities out there; however, a few have a leg-up on the others as they offer distance or remote healing. If you thought healing while the person is in your presence is weird...how about healing from a remote location? Yep, they claim they can heal you regardless of where you are. Using Reiki for the moment, the practitioners  claim they can lay on hands or send remotely massive (my word) amounts of Reiki energy. I believe they use the word limitless. 

OK, so how does a Reiki session work? OK, I fess up...I've never pissed away any money on this stuff, however, the practitioner will check out your meridians and look for blockages. Using acupressure they put their fingers on you pressing down. I guess you could say they are trying to mimic acupuncture but instead of using needles they use their fingers. Then lay on hands to infuse you with Reiki energy.

OK, stepping back for a minute. What will someone have to believe to buy into this stuff...yes, this energy healing stuff?

There is an energy (universal life) that has never been demonstrated to exist. Additionally, this energy can be manipulated. This energy, when unblocked, can treat illnesses and maladies. There are channels that will not be found on any physiology charts.

Now, let's say we visit our Reiki Master (dang, and they aren't even embarrassed to refer to themselves in this way) and we don't feel better. What might the old Master say?

Gosh, you may need more treatments.

Sometimes it takes a while for the treatments to kick in.

Maybe you don't want the healing enough.

Maybe you have doubts about the treatment working.

Sometimes you may actually feel worse for a while.

They may also throw-in, this has been around for hundreds of years.

So, here's my summary, if you will. You're spending money and not only doesn't energy healing work, it can't work. Sadly, if you have a medical problem you are putting off seeking actual medical treatment. 

Now, keep in mind, the James Randi Educational Foundation has $1,000,000 waiting for the person who can show that this stuff works. Out of the thousands and thousands of these so-called energy healers out there, why hasn't someone taken Mr. Randi's million bucks? You tell me. The next time you go to your healer ask why they haven't picked-up a million dollars?

Now, sadly nurses, yes, real-honest-to gosh nurses (RNs and LPNs) use this stuff. No, thankfully, not all of them. There are 50,000 plus trained. Of course they have their own name, it's Therapeutic Touch.

This video is one of mine. It's about Therapeutic Touch. Please note, there are a few minutes of the video when it rolls. Hang in there with me, it will stop. Sorry.

Homeopathy, Yes, One More Time.....

Recently, I twice posted comments about homeopathy; however, there are two videos you need to watch. One might be considered humorous even though the humor is based on the uselessness of homeopathy. The other is a well-done investigative report by a Canadian TV journalist.

Listen up folks.... Most, if not almost all of us will find ourselves in a drug store or pharmacy looking for an-over-the-counter remedy. You've been warned. The next time you're shopping please take the time to read the box. If it says homeopathic, folks, you're being hosed.

You Must See This Movie! Dr. Strangelove: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

I watched this movie last night. I guess it was my 5th or 6th viewing. In many ways it

reminds me of one of my favorite books, Catch-22. If you haven't seen this movie you need to watch it. The plane featured in the movie is a 
B-52 which I first worked on about 1958 (yes, a few years ago-I repaired the radios, intercom system, and nav aids). The plane is still in service today.

I'm sure the movie is available many places, buy a copy, or for Amazon Prime members watch it free.

Interestingly, Peter Sellers played three roles. An amazing performance by him as well as all of the other actors.

Sadly, Sellers may have died sooner than necessary. What follows is from Whats The Harm's Website.

"A heart attack in 1964 had permanently damaged his heart. His doctors were advising bypass surgery, but he delayed it and instead saw psychic surgeons twice a year. He died of a massive heart attack."




The video is James Randi demonstrating so-called psychic surgery.

  

Can Any Good Come From Religion? Basically, I Think Not. Do I Need to Take Another Look? Maybe.

Well, my best friend, Mr. Charlie, sent me a link today. His only message along with the link

was, "Sometimes faith really makes us do strange things." Mr. Charlie, himself a Catholic, knows my thoughts on religion. 

Though I am surely far from being a religious scholar, I do have my opinions. In

fact, among Christian religions Catholicism is way up there in being downright weird: annulments after ten kids and 30 years of marriage, saints, miracles, lots of men parading around in truly tacky ostentatious costumes with nutty hats...oh, yeah, they

actually have exorcists.

Of course, the Mormons are not slackers when it comes to being weird. Let's see, it started after a dude found a couple of gold tablets and went from there. Do all of them end-up with their own planet, or something? Oh, yeah, they one-up most religions with their magic underwear, for cryin' out loud.

Then we have the so-called evangelicals.  Yes, if I'm not mistaken they take the Bible literally. Well, they should be out by the village gates stoning unruly kids...and, oh, yeah, going to their neighbors in nearby villages who don't believe in their God and killing them all. Yep, even the babies, livestock...hey, even little puppies.

OK, enough of that for the time being. Here's what I want to write about.....

Dr. Tom Catena, a 51-year-old Catholic missionary.

"He is driven, he says, by his Catholic faith. “I’ve been given benefits from the day I was born,” he says. “A loving family. A great education. So I see it as an obligation, as a Christian and as a human being, to help.”

I guess the point I'd like to make, at least for me to think about, is this quote. If this man is doing this strictly because of his religion and not just because of his inherent goodness and compassion for humankind, then maybe I need to take a harder and closer look at religion. Or, at least for a few minutes, just shut-up about religion and drive myself nuts over other things.

BTW, click on the above link and read the article! Here's the link again. Do yourself a favor and read the article.

EDIT: Send Dr. Tom a donation:

You can donate online at the Camboni Missionaries website, but make sure to specify that it should go to “Dr. Tom Catena” in the Donation Note field.

Alternately, you can make a check out to “Comboni Missionaries” and write “Dr. Tom Catena” in the “for” line and mail to:

Comboni Missionaries
1318 Nagel Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45255

You May Not Believe This! $44,000 For A Do-Nothing, Bullshit Supplement! And, We Are Paying For It!

READ THIS! Here's the link to the CBS article.

Not only is it $44,000, it seems to have no benefit. The supplement is resveratrol. And, actually, you may be able to accomplish the same thing by drinking a little wine. Here's the link to wikipedia.

Chiropractors: Since 1895 Riding on the Coat Tails of a Grocer....

I think if I was a banker or represented an insurance company, it'd be great to be able to say, Hey, we've been in business since 1895. We've weathered, if you will, many wars, collapses of the economy, depressions, recessions, and we're still here doing business and providing services. We've kept our promises and have always done what we'd say we'd do.

Yes, it was old DD Palmer who dreamed-up or invented so-called chiropractic in 1895. He talked of vertebral subluxations and vitalism and innate intelligence. Yes, the vitalism and innate intelligence is some kind of energy stuff that is flowing around us and through us. He decided that just about every malady, illness, and disease that we could have could be fixed or cured with adjusting the spine to get rid of the vertebral subluxations.

One of DD's claimed early successes, was curing a man's deafness by adjusting his back. As I best understand it, there are no nerves in the spine that have anything to do with hearing. But, I guess for DD, that would have been a minor concern.

In the years since DD dreamed-up chiropractic....nothing has changed about the vertebral subluxation other than it has never been proven to exist.

Now, let's say you're new in town and are trying to find a doctor. You go to his or her office and notice a lack of the diagnostic equipment that all doctors' offices have. No EEG, EKG, x-ray, and not even a blood pressure cuff. 

You then find that the doctor is using all of the medical science that was available in 1895. Medical education, if you will, and training, is based on what was known in 1895.

For the modern-day chiropractors, it gets better.

The General Chiropractic Council in the UK issued a statement, May 2010, that said in part.

“The chiropractic vertebral subluxation complex is an historical concept but it remains a theoretical model. (Here's the good part.) It is not supported by any clinical research evidence that would allow claims to be made that it is the cause of disease or health concerns.”

Hey folks, you guys have been getting hosed and your pocket books and wallets raided, for over a hundred years.

The next time you visit your wonderful, caring, supplement pushing, real-doctor acting, white-coated chiropractor, to get your back cracked to get rid of vertebral subluxations that don't exist, and never did, you might want to mention this.

EDIT:  This initially posted on another of my blogs, December 2011.

EDIT:  Evidence, you want evidence! Well, one thing chiropractors don't have is evidence. Watch the video. Video added June 12, 2015.

Watch these two videos about chiropractic and Simon Singh. Thanks.