Ahh, No Electricity for About 24 Hours.....

I think most of us are so pampered, to use that word, that we feel the world has come to an end if we don't have electricity for a while. Yes, I'm in that category. At these times we need to remind ourselves that our service people are serving where the temperatures are 100-plus degrees and they're wearing flak jackets and packs and such. And, it's every day and they're being shot at. 

Anyway, for anyone who may stumble across this entry other than my neighbors, we live in Virginia Beach, Virginia and our neighborhood is Lake Shores. And yes we have a lake and of course, shores to go with it.

Last night we had a violent storm, period! Then there was a heck of an explosion or the sound of an explosion and the electricity was out. I don't know how our entire neighborhood fared, though at least couple of trees were down just around the corner.

Two neighbors and I sat in the yard, in the shade, sipping coffee from Dunkin Donuts and watched the show start. There was a sign off of the main highway that said Road Closed or some such thing. And, yes, folks ignored the sign. Sooooo, of course, then there was the problem of turning around. We chuckled and referred to them as idiots. If any of you who ignored the sign, are reading this, yep...that's what we called you. And, two cars almost backed into each trying to turn around.

A few comments about my snaps. The composition is what it is. You know, regular ordinary amateur stuff. That said, the camera is the first Ricoh digital that's about 15 years old???? And, it's a fixed 28mm lens...and some of the snaps are heavily cropped. I used aperture preferred...not sure of the aperture and 800 for the speed. Sooooo, don't expect great resolution or sharpness. But, hey, it gave me something to do. Also, photography aficionados claim this camera has a film-like quality. There's nothing wrong with your monitors, yes the snaps are black and white.

Now, if I had it to do over again I would have gotten my camera sooner so I could take snaps of the idiots ignoring the sign and I would have gotten closer to all of the activity...gotten closeups of the workers and such and taken snaps of the trucks and the equipment. Also, taken a few snaps of the fallen trees. But, hope I don't have the chance for a do-over.

Dang, I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the great work by River City Construction Company headquartered in North Carolina. At first there seemed to be a lot of standing around and pointing. That said, wow, when those fellows starting working they truly worked and more than earned their money. Thanks to them all!!!

EDIT: When we were referring to you folks as idiots, we, of course, meant that in a kind, loving, and neighborly way. We, of course, were not being judgemental or hateful. You folks were our idiots....

EDIT...again. For my neighbors in Lake Shores, at the top of my blog is a snap of the dreaded Burnt Orange Subaru Hatchback!

RIP, Dr. Charles Krauthammer....

What would you do, if at 22 and in medical school, with your life ahead of you, if you dove into a pool and became paralyzed from the neck down?

Thankfully, I never had to make that decision and most of us don't. I know I, and most of us would have never been able to accomplish half of what Krauthammer accomplished.

He finished medical school, became a psychiatrist and then devoted his life to journalism.

Here is his last commentary.

Do yourselves a favor and watch this video of remembrance and George Will's thoughts about Krauthammer.


As Charles wrote, Ankiel’s saga illustrated “the catastrophe that awaits everyone from a single false move, wrong turn, fatal encounter. Every life has such a moment. What distinguishes us is whether — and how — we ever come back.”

"I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking."

Here's the Amazon link to his book, "Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics/

This from an interview with Dana Parino as found on Amazon.  

DP: Do you think that your training as a psychiatrist has given you an advantage when observing people in politics?

CK: Actually, no. Psychiatry has everything to say about mental illness, very little to say about ordinary life. It offers no magical formulas for understanding human behavior beyond what any lay person can see. Although I do like to joke that there's not much difference in what I do today as a political analyst in Washington from what I used to do as a psychiatrist in Boston—in both lines of work, I deal every day with people who suffer from paranoia and delusions of grandeur. The only difference is that the paranoids in Washington have access to nuclear weapons.

DP: Given the mention in your essay, and because I have a gut feeling that we’re on the same page, what is your preferred style on serial commas?

CK: With commas the rule should always be: the fewer the better. They are a scourge, a pestilence upon the land. They must be given no quarter. When you list three things, it should be written: a, b and c. If you see a comma after the "b"—call 911 immediately.

If we were checking out today and had a few moments of reflection, how would we view our life? If allowed a do-over what changes would we make? Given that there are no do-overs, what should we do from here on with our lives, so that we do not add to our lists of regrets? Regrets of things we did and regrets of things we didn't do.

EDIT: OK, OK, no more serials commas for me!

Guy Martin...Yes, Still One of my Heroes....

"I love racing because it can kill you." Guy Martin Read an interesting article.

OK, Race Fans...the Greatest Show on Earth Starts this Weekend...and, No, it's not the Indy 500! It's the Isle of Man!!!

Here's the information that will help you understand, why it is the greatest race ever!

Guy Martin's crash. Yes, he lived to race another day!

EDIT: The Indy 500 is a great race. This year I think the speeds are close to 230mph. That said, at the Isle of Man some of the motorcycles hit 200mph on country roads and exceed 165mph going through small villages and towns. Sad to say, in some ways the racers are similar to the Japanese Kamikaze pilots of WWII. There's little room for error at the Isle of Man.

EDIT: May 31, 2018

Sadly, one rider dead and one critically injured from what seems to be a non-racing accident. The rider who died, Dan Keen, had posted an average speed of over 130mph. 

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.

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!!!

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.

Here's the link to the article.

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'.

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.

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?

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.

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!!!

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

By Andy Borowitz

March 9, 2018

Photograph by Ethan Miller / Getty

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....