Another Reason to End the War on Drugs

Nearly everyday you can read about non-violent drug offenders being sent to prison or a police officer injured or killed trying to stop a drug-related crime, or a drive-bu shooting tied to warring gangs.

Today, the news is that more than 47,000 people have died from drug violence in Mexico in the past five years -- since President Felipe Calerdon began using the military to deal with drug cartels.

Not an American problem you say? If the war on drugs ceased in our country -- and if we decriminalized drug use -- who do you think would be clamoring to buy drugs from the Mexican drug cartels with the profit margin enjoyed by drug dealers in America?

Eliminate the profit margin in drug dealing...make it illegal for anyone other than government-approved sites to sell drugs...and the drug trade in our country will dry up.

But, oh my gosh, everyone in America will then be on drugs! Not so, at least not in countries who have already decriminalized drugs have found.

It is human nature to seek anything that is forbidden. When drugs are legally accessible, it removes some of the desire for it.

And let's be real. There are lots of people in America already doing drugs. If drugs were legalized and their manufacture and sale regulated, there would be fewer people using dirty needles or syringes. Dirty needles and syringes lead to HIV/AIDS infection and hepatitis.

I believe this is the common sense answer to the current drug problem. What are your thoughts? Have I gone off the deep end?


Here's a link to a news story provided by LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) on the topic of drug war deaths.

Politics As Usual...And They Stink

It never ceases to amaze me what our elected officials choose to find important at any given moment. Right now, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH)has decided to arm wrestle the president into an untenable position on the payroll tax cut Obama has been lobbying for.

The payroll tax cut would be a continuation of the decrease in Social Security taxes that those employed pay from the usual 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. The current tax cut is set to expire on December 31 unless a new measure is signed into law.

Members of the House have tied additional issues into the measure, seeking to force the president to sign the legislation that would also give the go-ahead for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline project. President Obama has wanted a different route created for the proposed pipeline, set to carry crude oil from Canada to the Mississippi gulf. The president's hesitance has to do with concerns of underground water being adversely affected by the current route. House Republicans are poo-pooing such concerns, saying it's time for the pipeline now.

Also added to the payroll tax cut measure by the House Republicans include removing EPA restrictions on emissions from boilers and small incinerators, a move the EPA reports will cause over 8,000 premature deaths each year.

Obama has promised to veto the payroll tax cut bill if the pipeline go-ahead is attached to the measure, causing Congress to work into its intended holiday recess.

It's my hope that the Senate will be the voice of reason in this issue; few believe that will happen. If it does not, I support the president if he carries through the veto he has promised.

What are your feelings on the issues? Do you support the Keystone XL pipeline project as it is? What about the payroll tax cut continuation? How about the politics of the whole she-bang?

Medicare Adds Preventive Services for Obesity

Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced today that it will begin covering payment of screening for obesity, a nutritional assessment for those who qualify and counseling services through primary care providers.

Obesity is a large problem in the United States (no pun intended) and unabated can lead to many chronic illnesses, not the least of which are heart attack, stroke and diabetes. This preventive program is another measure via the Affordable Care Act and is a good weapon to have in the preventive services arsenal.

Like so many things in life, prevention of illness or disability is preferred to treatment of the same. Motivated obese Medicare recipients will likely reap the most health benefit from these newly covered services.

What I think is unfortunate is that the medical aspect of obesity treatment is not being linked to the mental health aspect of it. The way the system is currently designed, payment for these services will only be provided when a person goes through a primary care practitioner, which means a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist in a family medicine, internal medicine, or geriatric medicine.

I entrust my health care to practitioners in these specialties. In fact, I have always chosen a family practitioner because of their broad knowledge base. But I think counseling, even for obesity, belongs in the realm of mental health. The problem of obesity is a complicated one and, it seems to me, to call for the integrated services of a medical practitioner and a mental health practitioner for the most positive outcome for the individual.

As a taxpayer, I understand that the cost of mental health services in some areas may be cost prohibitive at this time. As an individual who understand you don't change a lifetime of habits overnight, I lament this well-meaning but inadequate decision.

How do you feel about these newly covered services?

American Citizens May Soon Find "Battlefield" Is Their Own Home

I'll be the first to admit I don't always agree with stands the American Civil Liberties Union takes, but I am still open to learning their ideas. In today's news the ACLU has made public proposed legislative changes to the National Defense Authorization Act.

The proposed changes would allow the military to indefinitely confine persons suspected of violations of the NDAA without charges or trial any where in the world -- including American soil.

What is now under the authority of the Department of Justice would be transferred to the jurisdiction of the military including custodial and prosecutorial authority. The provisions, section 1031 and 1032 of the NDAA for 2012, were proposed in secret and passed through a closed-door committee meeting without a single hearing.

It's frightening enough the powers the police have at times without enabling the military to be able to wield its authority on civilians.

You can check out more information here at the ACLU site and contact your senators on this issue if you wish directly through this link.

To read more about this issue, visit here.

Learning About Mental Health From an Experienced Source

There are a fair number of illnesses and conditions who have overcome public stigma, such as epilepsy and leprosy. Attitudes toward mental illness have softened somewhat over time, but there is still much misunderstanding and fear surrounding those people who are diagnosed with a mental illness.

The misunderstanding of mental health issues by the general public isn't surprising; this is one area of medical science where there remain more questions than answers. The fear that people feel about those with mental illness is borne of the same misunderstandings and misinformation that used to surround minority groups of people.

With understanding often comes acceptance, so it is understanding of mental health conditions that we must seek.

The New York Times is in the midst of a series of articles about people with major mental illness diagnoses. The articles provide insight from these people who have come forward to share their experiences in a positive light.

There is no better way to overcome stereotypes and misunderstanding than to hear information straight from those who know mental illness best -- and that would be those who are living their lives with the conditions.

What word comes to mind first when you think of mental illness?

I Believe in the American System of Government

I believe in the democratic process in general and believe it can and does work in the American government. I believe it is a system that can work. Call me naive or uninformed; it's okay with me.

The political system in the United States may be hobbling on a bad leg these days, but it is yet fixable. First of all, people who are eligible to vote need to do so. Few nations have as poor a voter turn-out as America does. Voting is a right, but its also a privilege not afforded to some citizens in other parts of the world.

Women and people of color, I would think, would fill voting booths in droves. These groups are the ones who most recently gained the right to vote. Put it to good use.

In addition to using your voting power, contact your elected officials once they are in office. Use the phone, email, or the good ole United States Postal Services to mail a letter -- it doesn't matter which form you use -- just keep your representatives apprised of your views on issues.

Stay abreast of current issues or pending legislation. Voice whatever your views are in a courteous and matter-of-fact manner. Rants aren't likely to be taken as seriously as well-thought-out reasoning. Even when you agree with the way an elected official is doing something, take a moment to say so to him/her. Positive messages are as important as dissenting or negative messages.

For some reason, presidential elections have a better voter turn-out than more locally-based elections. No doubt the media hoopla for a least 12 months preceding a presidential election spurs voters to action, but the truth is, local elections affect your life in more upfront and personal ways. Don't discount their importance.

In summation, it doesn't matter what your politics are -- or if you have any at all. As a citizen with voting privileges it is your duty to make this democracy work -- as much, if not more, than the elected officials.

Killing People to Save Money?

Okay, "killing" is a strong word; it would be better to say "allowing to go undiagnosed and untreated for conditions that often result in death." Who is doing this, you ask? The United States Preventive Services Task Force, a part of Health and Human Services. Sounds fishy? I wish it were so. Steve Forbes of Forbes has already explained it succinctly in an editorial here. I've had my suspicions about what the government and insurance industries were going to do with the millions of baby boomers now reaching their senior years. I suspected euthanasia might become legal and suggested for that generation. It seems that the first step is to suggest folks not get important tests for early diagnosis of prostate and breast cancer. Yep, that would reduce the senior population in pretty short order.

Myth Busting Campaign Promises

These candidates are certainly not the first to "talk trash" during a campaign; politic hopefuls from both parties and even independent parties make promises based in fiction.

It's interesting that most of the mainstream media who cover these candidates, "news" anchors and talk hosts are not pointing out the factual error of anyone's promises.

As citizens, we can either stay mum and allow the politicians to believe we accept blatant false promises as being okay, or we can make our voices heard that this type of behavior and grandstanding is unacceptable. On which side of the issue do you stand? How do we let the political machine know our thoughts on the subject?

Kids and Physical Activity

I just returned from a month-long hiatus, visiting my family and friends back home. It provided a much-needed break from my everyday routine, and even more, refreshed my heart and mind.

I've been concerned that when I drive through most neighborhoods, there is almost never any children playing outside. One would think that only adults live in the houses. It seems so different from when I was a kid, and even different from when my adult children were young.

Kids don't ask to go outside to play any longer and parental concern undoubtedly prevents parents from sending kids outside to play. Video games and computers occupy the minds of the young, and while that's not a bad thing, their bodies are vastly unused.

During my visit home, I was fortunate to spend time with my grandchildren. The kids and adults were outside much of the time--and the kids played and played. It was heart-warming.

Parents are busy people, often with both partners working outside the home. Relaxation time is at a premium. But if you have chosen to have kids, you need to spend some of that down time with them, and be physically active with them whenever possible.

The activity doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Playing catch or throwing the football with mom or dad is just as rewarding to a child as any paid-for excursion. And you'll find it to be rewarding to you as a parent.

We don't have control over the experiences our children will remember later in life, but the more positive experiences you and they encounter, the more likely it is that the memories built will be positive also.

Besides the health benefits of regular physical activity for your children and for you, you'll be providing good parent-child interaction and building positive lifestyle choices for your children to continue into their adult lives.

Parental Custody of Obese Children in Jeopardy?

There's no denying that obesity and general conditions of being overweight are plaguing the United States and other countries who model the American lifestyle. Facts and research bear out that obesity leads to other chronic and sometimes life-threatening health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease--among others.

So then, does it logically follow that severely obese children should be taken from their parents, as Harvard pediatric professor and obesity expert David Ludwig, contends in the July 13, 2011 article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association contends?

Or is the American family already a casualty of a government that is overstepping its bounds into the personal lives of its citizenry?

There has to be other solutions to this problem other than yanking children from their homes--and placing them where? Would foster families be the answer? Already there are too few foster families available for children taken from homes where abuse or neglect is suspected. What training would foster families be required to undergo that their care would be superior to the care morbidly obese children could receive at home?

Surely the public health care system could--and should--be updated to address the needs of not only children with obesity, but also parents and adults with the same health issue. Supervision could be provided by local health departments, with the responsibility of care for the child remaining where it should be--at home.

Education and community resources need to be available to families of all income levels and physical abilities. If the government needs to step in at all, let it be to ensure that all school systems have physical education classes.

It's true that childhood obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed, but let's do so within the family system. The family unit has endured throughout time, whereas governments come and go. We must say "No!" to Big Brother making any more intrusions into the family.



Sources: Time; "Should Parents Lose Custody of Their Extremely Obese Kids?"; Bonnie Rochman; July 13, 2011
              Journal of the American Medical Association; "State Intervention in Life-Threatening Childhood Obesity"; Lindsey Murtagh, JD, MPH and David Ludwig, MD, PhD; July 13, 2011

DEA Stonewalls Marijuana Reclassification

For the third time in nearly 40 years, the Drug Enforcement Administration has refused to reclassify marijuana as anything other than a Schedule I narcotic, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no known medical uses. That likely comes as a shock to the many people living in states where medical marijuana is available for the treatment or relief of any number of conditions.

It is unreasonable that the federal government continues to take such a narrow stance on a substance that sixteen states and our nation's capital have determined indeed contributes to an improved quality of life medically. Deputy Attorney General James Cole reversed the 2009 memo drafted by his predecessor that told U.S. attorneys not to focus federal resources on prosecuting individuals involved with medical uses of marijuana by stating that commercial operations involving cultivation, distribution or selling  marijuana, even where authorized by state law are "fair game" for prosecution.

This is an unnecessary and unwanted intrusion into citizens of states that have decided to allow the use of marijuana for medical treatments. It's true that federal law trumps individual state laws, but enforcement only occurs when the federal government has an ax to grind. We are not looking at one or two rogue states that have taken a bold stand to allow the use of medical marijuana; over one-fourth of states have made that determination. More states are considering making the move, but concerns such as the loss of use of tax monies derived from the sale of medical marijuana hold back some legislation.

People who've been quietly advocating for the legalization of the use of medical marijuana or the decriminalization of marijuana need to take the time to make their voices heard, whether through a letter, email, or telephone call to their elected officials. We need the federal government to represent the views of the majority.

Personal Responsibility

I consider myself to be an "average American" in many ways, and I suspect the health lesson I've recently learned has been and will be repeated by others like me. I've read--and written--about the important aspects of a health diet and regular physical activity for years. In times too numerous to count, I've thought to myself, "I'm going to change my habits--tomorrow."

You've probably guessed the rest of the story: "Tomorrow" never came. And I've recently found out that I have Type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled at this time. Add that to the obesity and hypertension I've already had for a number of years.

I did this to myself. I know the research, I see the ads--I had every opportunity to take advantage of health care advice. But I didn't do it. Now I must.

They say an addict doesn't change his behavior until he hits whatever is rock bottom to him. The same if true for me and my addiction to an unhealthy lifestyle. Being diagnosed with diabetes has hit me hard, and I am finally making my "todays" that "tomorrow" I had been promising myself.

You know what they say about reformed smokers--they are the worst when it comes to tolerating other people smoking. I am the new lifestyle nazi, talking to and advising those I care about to change their lifestyle choices. I'd like to help make a difference in their lives before it is too late, before they are diagnosed with a chronic health problem.

It really does come down to personal responsibility--good health, that is. Each of us could be at our best health if we just followed two little rules about lifestyle choices. So many of us didn't heed the advice. Now it's time to pay the piper.

Should Cops' On-Duty Activity Be Considered Private?

Radley Balko, writer at HuffingtonPost.com, wrote about the Illinois attorney general's office prosecuting private citizens who video or audio tape police persons performing their duties. There is a law in Illinois that prohibits such recording without the recorded party's knowledge.

This wouldn't be so bad, except the citizens who are being prosecuted were recording activity or conversations by law enforcement officials who were either breaking the law or were alleged to have done so. It also wouldn't be so bad if the law enforcement officials in question were under investigation or even chastised for their actions.

One woman who had filed a complaint about a police officer touching her inappropriately continued to be given the run-around by department officials. When she visited the police station and was spoken to by an officer who tried to intimidate her out of making such a complain, the woman recorded the activity on her Blackberry. In doing so, she committed a crime. The officer who is alleged to have touched her inappropriately has been under review for more than 10 months with no action taken to date.

How can the common citizen protect himself or others from those sworn to serve and protect them? If making complaints to their superiors falls on deaf ears, what other than a recording might a person use to protect himself?

How to Keep Your Cool Without Air Conditioning

A fellow freelance writer and blogging peer, Marie Anne St. Jean, wrote this common sense article.

Looking for Revenue and Backlinks?

I know a lot of freelance writers, including myself, are always on the lookout for new and additional methods to increase our revenue screen.

Just as important is finding legitimate venues from which to create valuable backlinks to published material. Legitimate backlinks can increase your material's credibility with search engines. If no one can find what we write, we can never hope to develop an audience or steady income stream.

A peer at HubPages.com introduced me to a site that addresses both of these issues: TipDrop.com. If you're interested in learning more about the site, click here. In addition to allowing each account holder to provide links to 10 articles/sites, this website shares 75 percent of Google Adsense revenue with account holders.

If you choose to look TipDrop over, I hope you'll take a moment to leave a post letting me know what you think.

Just in Time

Have you ever noticed how things seem to come together just in time...for big events, small events, life in general? She got to the hospital...just in time to have the baby. He got his driver's license...just in time to take his father to the airport. I got this post finished...just in time for today's letter of the alphabet in the Z to A in May Blogging Challenge.

Okay, so I didn't get quite a few posts done at all, let alone "just in time." Some of the plans for the family reunion didn't come off as planned--there was no "just in time" there. I arrived at the post office just as the delivery truck was pulling away when I needed to mail my taxes before the deadline. Ouch, no "just in time" there, either.

One thing I've learned as I've grown older is to roll with the punches. Missed opportunities for one thing may offer alternate ones. Many details in life that used to leave me stewing are now recognized as mere details. I believe I have arrived at living the adage, "Don't sweat the small stuff." I am saying that wisdom and maturity helped me to arrive at this point. It might really be that I have less energy than in earlier years. The truth is, it doesn't matter so much how I arrived at this point, it's simply that I got here...just in time.

Legislature: Part-Time in Oklahoma

I'll confess that I haven't looked up the statistics on it, but right off hand, I don't know of another state that tries to get all its legislative business done in a half-year session.

Oklahoma's legislature gathers just six months out of the year. This means that all the necessary budget and financial issues must be taken care of and whatever time is leftover is allotted to new proposals. This seems inefficient to me and means some legislation never gets to the table.

Politicians' pet projects and causes come first after the necessary stuff. Despite what the polls show are the top concerns of the Oklahoma citizenry, legislators have found it important to deal with other issues, such as immigration. The output of new bills/laws would leave the rest of the nation believing that all of Oklahoma has its collective panties in a bunch over immigration or Shariah law, but that is not the case.

Perhaps in earlier times a part-time legislature was able to address all of the state's concerns, but in these times, I don't believe that is so.

Research and the Media

On May 4, 2011, a team of European researchers published the results of a study measuring the effects of amounts of sodium excreted in the urine with incidences of increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The final conclusion reached from their study data indicated that lower sodium levels in the urine were associated with increased incidence of death from cardiovascular disease.

Attention from the media was immediate; this study's conclusion seemed to fly in the face of traditional medical wisdom that a low sodium diet promoted better control of blood pressure and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. And the media is correct in making this information available to the public.

The public--you and me--need to make use of our critical thinking skills when considering research studies and their conclusions. Not all studies are equal--some have few participants, others have many participants but are not representative of the general population. Some studies take place over short periods of time. And it's always good to keep in mind that the yardstick of scientific research is that the results must be replicable by at least one other study.

Some of the problems associated with the European study include only measuring sodium output in the urine, not sodium intake in the diet, a small group of study participants for this type of research, average age of participants was 40 at the beginning of the study, and only white Europeans were study participants. Other variables not measured during the research include weight, physical activity levels and diet.

As consumers of information, we should view single studies such as this one with interest, but not consider the conclusions reached to be set in scientific stone.

Unusual Headlines

What if you picked up a magazine and it had not one article or photo of Brad and Angie? If you didn't have to read about Jennifer Aniston's agony over losing the love of her life? A celebrity rag without a single Kardashian in it...could that be possible?

I'm not into the celeb thing--I guess you can tell. But there are only so many ways to say the same thing, Celebrity "news" are the top-of-the-line keywords in the media. Celebrity hits number uno in SEO (search engine optimization).

What if you could pick up a newspaper and read about the quiet, selfless acts of people in your community? Real people who go to work every day, raise families and just try to make it paycheck to paycheck--they are the backbone of the community and the nation.

How about a program featuring people who are building their own homes, along with neighbors and friends, in the Habitat for Humanity program? Does it really have to be a million dollar mansion to get our attention?

If it isn't sensationalism, it doesn't seem to sell--at least that's what media moguls would have us believe. Would you pick up a magazine or newspaper that had articles about everyday people in it?

**Fellow freelance writers**: This blog entry is targeted at mainstream media. It is with their headlines and audio and video snippets that they show the public what is to be considered newsworthy. I neither intended nor meant to bash my freelance peers.

V Is for Victory

Victory, a lot like success, can be defined in many ways. A small victory for me may be something you find to be a great accomplishment and vice versa.

I've remained silent on the topic of Osama bin Laden and his demise at the hands of Navy Seals. I find no fault with those brave men, or the minds of the CIA who determined the zealot's location. They were doing their jobs. I don't fault the president for making the decision that the time to strike was when they did, although I personally believe capture was preferential to killing.

I question just what kind of victory this really is--and how it will turn out to be in the days ahead. I do understand the anguish of those who lost loved ones connected with 9/11 and all other Americans, including myself, who will never be quite the same again. But I was saddened to see Americans take to the streets to celebrate this man's death. It is one thing to be relieved or even pleased, it is another to rejoice.

I think we should enjoy this victory for now, but do I really believe we have thwarted al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization with this action? Not for a minute. What do you see as the potential outcome of bin Laden's death? Is it a victory--or is it something else?