Monthly Archives: January 2018

01.31.18
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E Cig Flavors Toxic To White Blood Cells

Who needs white blood cells anyway?

I know to a smoker, or a vaper (is that a word?) there is nothing worse than an ex smoker harping on the ills of the habit. Well I have been of the opinion from the advent of vaping that trading one addiction method for another is somewhat ridiculous and that the side effects of vaping are relatively unknown. Why make yourself a lab rat?

While the ingredients in vape juice are considered safe to eat, there is a misconception that those chemicals are safe to breathe. Well, not so much. I quote:

“Previous studies show that flavors used in e-cigarettes cause inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in lung cells. Users of e-cigarettes also show increased levels oxidative stress markers in the blood compared to non-smokers. The new study extends this to assess the effects of commonly used flavoring chemicals, as well as e-liquids without nicotine, directly on immune cells — namely, a type of white blood cell called monocytes.

Exposure to the e-cigarette flavoring chemicals and e-liquids led to higher production of two well-established biomarkers for inflammation and tissue damage mediated by oxidative stress. Furthermore, many of the flavoring chemicals caused significant cell death — with some flavors being more toxic than others.”

Also relevant:

…”while the flavoring compounds tested may be safe for ingestion, these results show they are not safe for inhalation. “Cinnamon, vanilla and butter flavoring chemicals were the most toxic but our research showed that mixing flavors of e-liquids caused by far the most toxicity to white blood cells.”

And finally:

“Our scientific findings show that e-liquid flavors can, and should, be regulated and that e-juice bottles must have a descriptive listing of all ingredients. We urge regulatory agencies to act to protect public health.”

I could not agree more. There is way too much we do not know about inhaling the chemicals in vape juice. Again, why be a voluntary lab rat? At least we know what tobacco will do to you.

 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180130123244.htm

01.17.18
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Such Good X-ian Folk

Read this for a stomach turning, I think I need some pepto moment.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/16/thirteen-siblings-found-chained-starving-california-home-say/

I had heard of the incident and suspected they might be good damn x-ians. But did not know for sure till now. I wish I could say I am surprised, but I’m not. You see good x-ians can justify ANYTHING as long as they can twist it into acting on gods account. Just as they can easily justify horrific acts in their bible. You see it’s all ok, because…some fucking insane reason that makes no sense at all.

Pentecostals for clarification. Chaining some of those kids to their beds. Living in squalor. Forcing the children to memorize bible passages. Malnourished. Holding them captive. And the mother is perplexed as to police involvement? What planet are they living on?

My hat’s off to the 17 year old who had the courage to escape and alert the authorities. The only thing that concerns me is the general tendency for the court system to let people like this off with light sentences.

01.16.18
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Oh, This Is Good

Every once in a while I’ll see a recommended post in my reader that is pretty awesome. I found one this morning.

I know I have harped on tRump quite a bit lately, it is difficult to not use the blog as a place to vent. It just happens. Every day there is more and more ridiculous nonsense from our tiny handed president. It is I think making me a grumpy (er) old man. Anyway, anyone interested in a great look at the blatant racism of our orange-ish leader click here:

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/55588023/posts/20445

01.13.18
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Have You Seen This?

After some recent discussion about the effectiveness of Faux News turning otherwise normal people into stumbling zombies unable to think their way out of a paper bag, it got me to wondering. So I just did a search on ” has anyone investigated Fox News for using mind control techniques?” I found this, which I thought very interesting. It is from back in 2016, but still quite revelant.

https://www.autostraddle.com/this-is-how-fox-news-brainwashes-its-viewers-our-in-depth-investigation-of-the-propaganda-cycle-297107/

My question now is, “why is this allowed to continue?” Just because they do weather and sports, does not mean they are doing news. They have been the hand of the far right propaganda campaign for years now, most of us know that. There needs to be established some sort of baseline of fact that is an acceptable format for reporting the news. Those unable to meet the standard get denied their opportunity to do news. What they are doing isn’t just wrong, IMO it is criminal.

Free speech is one thing, using speech in the deviously deceptive, and extraordinarily effective manner the Fox News propaganda machine does it, again, IMO is criminal.

…and I don’t mind taking the heat for the free speech thing. At some point free speech crosses a line. Fox News crossed the damn line.

 

EDIT: Oh! Here is another one, quite similar:

https://www.alternet.org/story/151497/14_propaganda_techniques_fox_%27news%27_uses_to_brainwash_americans

 

01.12.18
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What Have We Done To Deserve This?

Just step down already. Somebody impeach the bastard. Anything is better than this. We the people of this country ARE responsible for this atrocious president. I mean he got the vote. BUT, and this is a big but (no big butt jokes!) this slimy, devious, lying, narcissistic, petty little dictator wannabe, does NOT speak or act for all of us.

I apologize for the current state of my shithole country. There are good people here. This man, this administration, this Senate, this House, does not speak for or represent a great many of us. How we got here, and how can we fix this, I don’t really know. I just woke up one day and regretfully we had the Great Orange One as a president.

Just know that we all can’t be judged by Donald fucking Trump. No more than we can be judged for the color of our skin. No more than we can be judged for our our place of work, or the where we live. I promise you there are good people here. And it will take good people to fix the shithole we are in.

I just hope the good people will rise to the occaision.

 

01.07.18
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Here Is A Live One

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/107677700/posts/1011

I posted a comment but unlikely it will see the light of day.

His/her argument seems to be that they believe atheism is a religion, and how could we possibly have evidence to support our lack of gods? Oh, and an elephant can do a self portrait, which means us nasty atheists are rong somehow?

It is almost amusing to observe the flailing around in the dark with little understanding of the strawman they are attacking.