Understanding Chronic Pain

This is something that many people either don't understand or choose not to understand.  I live with chronic pain every day ranging from a 3 to a 6 or 7 on a daily basis.  Even chronic pain in lower levels can play havoc with day to day existence.  The mind body connection helps many like myself to think away pain during the day but the culmination of battling throughout the day can have substantial affects.

Check out the link I've provided below and scroll down to the heading "What Chronic Pain Does".  This outlines relatively clearly what chronic pain does.  I deal with this on a daily basis.  I am displaying this for purposes of understanding and not pity.  Though many people in my life just do not understand and do not want even take the time to understand what it is like living with chronic pain.  It impacts every area of my lifestyle including scheduling and commitments.  My chronic pain is because of an illness I was diagnosed with back in 2003 and in some ways I am thankful because it has had a great impact on my perception and thinking about this life and who I am.  I am glad to be alive and will never quit my journey to achieve healing.

Although this link is relatively extensive, there is even more that goes with and is affected by chronic pain.  Understand the people in your lives who have chronic pain are trying to live normal lives.  They are trying, most often times, there best to remain active.  When they can't meet their goals, obligations, or promises kept, it hurts them way more than it hurts the other individual.  It is a constant battle and it's difficult to appreciate what it's like unless you've had first hand experience.

http://webhome.idirect.com/~readon/pain.html

Burger King To Eliminate Cruel Practice By 2017

This really grinds my gears!  Why has this taken so long and why we're we being cruel to the animals that are led to slaughter for eating purposes in the first place.  Oh, and WHY, is it going to take until 2017 to eliminate cruel practices.  What, we can't just decide to to stop being cruel to animals that are part of the food supply on grocery shelves.  The bottom line is that meat has been pushed by the USDA as having to be a part of our diets.  Nothing could be further from the truth and it's a carefully, cleverly, propagated campaign that the USDA has carried out and made huge profits on.  I am glad to see that something is being done, though it's far overdue in my estimation.  I say this because so much damage has already been done and it's not like we didn't know about the wrong that was being done.  There is no blur here between right and wrong and this has been all about the money.  The fact that it's going to take 5 years to implement is a testament to how really sad this situation is.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/burger-king-gestation-crates_n_1451703.html

The EPA and the new Ozone Standard

Not sure how I really feel about all of this.  There has been talk about the depleting ozone layer for, it seems, decades and decades now.  Being a layman, I'm not sure how all of this has affected us on a grand scale.  Suffice it to say, that while this is something that concerns us all, it's certainly not something that crosses our minds often.

There have been many staggering statistics and mathematical calculations coming out of the EPA on the ozone layer and how it affects air quality.  These supporting numbers and statistics, at least in the EPA's eyes are reason enough to cause some alarm.  So much so, that there is a supposed major decision about to be made by the EPA on these issues.  That being said, there are those that are suggesting that possibly "flawed" science is being used to support the EPA's position on the ozone situation.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the EPA decides.  The air we breath is certainly an important thing and that in of itself gives us cause to pay attention to this upcoming EPA decision.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/25/controversial-ozone-initiative-that-could-cost-you-your-job.aspx?e_cid=20120425_DNL_art_1

14-Year-Old Girl Building A Car For Her Sweet Sixteen

This shows a lot of ambition and drive.  This article delves into the unique passion of a fourteen year old girl that has hands on car restoration experience from twelve years old.  Her Father has been watching her ever since she showed interest.  She used her baby sitting profits to buy an old Fiero and says she'll have it complete by her sixteenth birthday.

In a day and age where many youths feel a sense of entitlement to so many material things strictly based on being born; this young lady is a breath fresh air.  I'm not saying all young people need to figure out how to build their own vehicles, though this young lady is an outstanding example of taking self responsibility. Very interesting and inspiring article.

http://digg.com/newsbar/story/meet_the_14_year_old_girl_building_a_car_for_her_sweet_sixteen

Evacuated Tube Transport: Around the World in Just Six Hours?

How really viable this tube would be is up for debate.  Though the concept did grab my attention while surfing the net and checking out different news sites.  On the surface it is at leas intriguing to think about being able to go around the world in just six hours.  The main idea is to cut the time and cut building costs as it compares to high speed trains.  I have often wondered why the U.S. hasn't adopted a high speed train system up until now.  This tube transport alternative may be worth seriously considering once some more in depth studies are done.  Truthfully, and just like the one commercial back in 2000 or 2001, I was promised flying cars!  Where are all the flying cars?  I want my flying cars!  LOL  Enjoy video at the link below

http://digg.com/newsbar/story/evacuated_tube_transport_could_take_you_around_the_world_in_just_6_hours

http://et3.net/

Should we be Anti Anti-Depressants?

In a world where high stress, fast paced, are the name of the game in both business and the society we live in daily, more and more people are turning to anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications.  We live in an era where we think a pill can fix everything; including giving us happiness.  So, often time, these magic pills are referred to as "Happy Pills" and we forget that pills only fix symptoms; not the route problem.  With this being said, there is another more serious problem afoot with these psychotropic drugs that are being pushed by the huge pharmaceutical industry.  Take the time and check out the link I've provided below.  There is a video and article to get this information.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/14/antidepressants-cause-heart-disease.aspx?e_cid=20120414_DNL_art_1

Millions against Monsanto

Millions against Monsanto is part of the grass roots effort in the biggest food fight of all time.  They are fighting against GMO food that Monsanto and others are putting into our super market and places we buy are foods.  If you think this doesn't affect all of us; think again.  We are in a time now when soy, corn, sugar beets, etc... and the products that are made from these are almost entirely GMO.  The science of GMO food shows that GMOs are even unstable in the way they are unstable.  The second link will give some insight into the science of GMO foods and why they should be banned.  The first link is to an article at the Organic Consumer's Association.  Take the time to read and get informed.  There are many, many, other sources to get information from just buy using a search engine with key words GMO, GMO food, GMO seeds, and ban GMO food.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_25229.cfm

http://monsanto.no/index.php/en/environment/gmo/gmo-news/95-why-genetically-modified-organisms-gmo-should-be-prohibited

Monsanto Threatening Law Suit on State of Vermont

This is the kind of thing that makes my blood boil and it's a perfect example of how corporations are running the show in this country and around the world.  Just when a state, namely Vermont, and it's constituents take it upon themselves to exercise freedom of choice through a bill (H-722) requiring labeling for GMO foods, along comes the main culprit corporation Monsanto throwing it's weight around.  Apparently Monsanto thinks this is illegal and is going to challenge the bill by suing the state of Vermont if the bill passes.

This is exactly the kind of thing that has people in an uproar.  This is the same corporation that, through the U.S Government, is using military style trade practices in forcing GMO food on France and possibly the entire European Union via the U.S. Ambassador to France.  The European Union has refused GMO seeds and foods for quite some time now and is currently in the midst of a battle to keep GMO food out.  How in the world is this possible for a corporation to affect international policy through the U.S. Government on another country and possibly an entire continent?

Well, it seems the State of Vermont has it's proverbial hands full with the likes of Monsanto.  The link I've left below will give more details on this sad but true situation.

http://www.alternet.org/food/154855/monsanto_threatens_to_sue_vermont_if_legislators_pass_a_bill_requiring_gmo_food_to_be_labeled/

The "Massive Con" Causing a Suicide Every 30 Minutes

I won't be long on this one.  I just want to bring attention AGAIN to the tragedies that GMO seed are bringing to places around the world.  This short piece explores how the Military Industrial Complex through companies like Monsanto and Cargill reek havoc on Countries like India.  Now we actually have farmers in India committing suicide over the introduction of GMO seed to this country.  This is an aspect of GMO seed and food I did not know was occurring.  The science is showing that GMOs are unstable and they are even unstable in the way that they are unstable.  Please take the time and go to the two links below.  

The "Massive Con" Causing a Suicide Every 30 Minutes

http://monsanto.no/index.php/en/environment/gmo/gmo-news/95-why-genetically-modified-organisms-gmo-should-be-prohibited