Are You Happy With The Status Quo?

 

I’m not.  This is my first (and maybe the only) post about the upcoming election.

I changed my party affiliation from Independent to Democrat only because I wanted to vote for Bernie in the primary.  It was a decision that I did not make lightly:  I felt strongly that Hillary was not the one I wanted to represent me during the next four presidential years.

I firmly believed (and still do) that our country needed a change – not the one that Barack promised and was not able to deliver – but a REAL CHANGE.  A change that encompassed all of our societal strata.

Just because Bernie did not win the primary, does not mean his supporters will throw up their hands in defeat and turn away.  His supporters are as strong as ever, and for the most part, will not vote for the presumptive nominee(s).

It was said somewhere at some time, that Bernie was “not the politician for the job.”  And, that someone who wants to run for the presidential office needs leverage.

Leverage?  [Take a look]:

● 12 million votes.
● Victory in 22 states.
● 45 percent of pledged delegates.
● A history-making small-dollar fundraising campaign that out-raised his well-heeled opponent.

That was all while facing one of the most powerful Democratic clans in history, rejecting big-money donors, and challenging one of the most famous people in the world as a leftist outsider.

Leverage? Consider the trend line: Twelve months ago Bernie Sanders was all but unknown nationally. He didn’t fit the typical “politician” profile in age, style, or rhetoric. He was a self-described democratic socialist. And he faced overwhelming obstacles erected by the party machinery at all levels.

This election is not about just the next four years, it’s about our current and future generations.  As I see it, the problems with which our nation and the world have to wrestle, are seemingly insurmountable.  We need new ideas and strategies from our more savvy younger citizens.  The old guard should be retired.  And, at 78, I can say this with some degree of experience.  I admire our young people.  They are vigorous and full of new ideas that are waiting to be put on the table; unlike many of our “tired, old fogeys” who say they represent their constituents, but in reality, represent themselves with their self-interests.

The polls I’ve seen have shown that Bernie had a better chance at defeating Trump than Hillary did.

I look forward to the upcoming Democratic Convention.  It is going to be veerryy interesting, I expect.

I refer you to the following links:

https://ourfuture.org/20160620/bernies-leverage-isnt-going-anywhere-deal-with-it?utm_source=progressive_breakfast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pbreak

https://ourfuture.org/20160619/peoples-summit-attendees-leave-determined-to-keep-the-bern-alive

[Bernie images from bingdotcom]

[ Header image from http://www.freewebheaders.com ]

 

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Enough Is Enough

Too much sun is not good.

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We all know that cats sunbathe.  They love to feel the warmth surround and hug them.

There comes a time when even a good thing has to come to an end; when “enough is enough.”

I’ve had enough sun.

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Looking Back in Time

Memories…

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As you may remember, Romeo is no longer with us.  I was looking at some past photos and came up with the one below.

It was a rare occurrence when Patches would accept Romeo being so close to her.

Togetherness can be a good thing.

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Beach Time

The sun, sea and sand. What a life!

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Rusty and Patches have never been to the beach.  And never will be.

However, I think, if they use their imagination, they could believe they are there.  Anyway, here are their pretend photos of “At the Beach.”

What could be more “beachy” than fish, sun and waves?

Patches even has her pretend pink whale to keep her company while she’s “absorbing” some ‘rays.

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Are We Getting Closer To A Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Biomarker?

 

In #MEAction‘s latest announcement, we’ve learned that the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID) of NIH recently funded Dr. Derya Unutmaz’s latest grant application.  Dr. Unutmaz is the renowned immunologist at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine.

[Dr. Unutmaz’s] research focuses on defining the optimal immune response and what happens during infection and chronic disease.

A few years ago Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD was introduced to Dr. Unutmaz, and knew his research focus was a very good fit for ME/CFS.  Dr. Unutmaz became intrigued with ME and the ongoing research to uncover its mysteries.  He decided to apply to the NIH for funding to expand the numbers of patient samples and types of quantitative analyses on the blood.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID) of NIH recently funded Dr. Unutmaz’s grant application. He will receive five years of funding – totaling $3,281,515 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — to find better ways to diagnose and treat ME/CFS. Dr. Lucinda Bateman and Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD are Co-Investigators on this project and the Bateman Horne Center will provide the required blood samples and correlating clinical information for the participating samples.

We need Myalgic Encephalomyelitis information taught in medical schools and information disseminated to all doctors.

For too long, research in ME/CFS has been lean and under-funded for several reasons, including the shortage of accurately diagnosed patients available for research studies. The Bateman Horne Center – a clinic specializing in ME/CFS/FM and with a large number of patients who have been carefully and accurately diagnosed, and continue to be treated effectively – will partner with Dr. Unutmaz so that a Research Ready Army of well qualified patients can participate in this exciting research.

Source:  $3.28 million awarded for ME/cfs biomarker study.

See also:  Bateman Horne Center

[ Header image from http://www.freewebheaders.com ]

[Alien image from bingdotcom]

 

A Group of White Ibises Had a Meeting…

 

…in my backyard.

Ibises are considered endangered, so it is a real treat to see them on occasion.  Sometimes, I see them gathered in the middle of the street, clacking away to each other while making a decision as to where they want to fly to next.  As I drive down the street, I stop and wait for them to make up their minds.

If you would like to see great photos of other kinds of Ibises (there are many subspecies of various colors), click on this link.

[ Header image from http://www.freewebheaders.com ]

Orlando FL: Target of Terror and Hate

Photo from Bingdotcom

Our flag has been ordered to be at half mast by our president; also, flags should be lowered at all embassies around the world.

It has happened in many sections of our country and in so many cities around the globe.  Now, it has happened on my personal “turf.”  Florida is my home state and became that from the moment I drove over the border from Georgia.

I take this personally.  Two and a half hours away, but close enough.

Photo courtesy of CNN

And we have the “distinction” of having the worst shooting massacre in the U. S.  A pall is settling over us, but Orlandoans and the surrounding communities are pulling together.  1500 donors lined up to donate blood, heroic actions by the Orlando PD, SWAT teams, patrons of the night club who were not injured, helping as they could:  carrying friends, supporting those who could walk.

Photo courtesy of CNN

At first, it was 20 estimated dead.  The final count was devastating:  50.  And more than 50 injured; some, critically.

Photo courtesy of CNN

Websites have been set up already, at 3:00 pm, to list the names of people who lost their lives, and those who are being attended at area hospitals.  Also, very soon after this tragedy, organizations and neighbors started collecting donations to help the families of those people who were shot.

Swift work by the courageous Orlando PD prevented more deaths, for sure.  The Orlando community has come together quickly and with great determination, to show our nation and the world, that life will continue as before in the face of the lone wolf’s determination to kill.  The terrorist died in a hail of bullets exchanged with the Orlando PD.

In conclusion:

This cretin was authorized and licensed to buy guns.  He worked for a security firm as a security officer for hire for 9 years!  He didn’t have to go through a full background check.  I hope we will have some scrutiny by government officials, to know why this was allowed, and to stop the exemption of security companies employees to full background checks when purchasing any type of gun.  He bought most of the guns he had on his person, within the last 2 weeks.

[ Header image from http://www.freewebheaders.com ]

Meet Mr. Great Blue Heron

 

The most beautiful of all the large tropical birds makes his appearance occasionally along the edge of the lake behind my house.  I was so excited to be able to take these latest photos through my bedroom window yesterday morning.

They are poetry in motion.  They are very graceful, given their size, and they walk with a regal gait.  You can’t help to take notice when these birds appear.

 

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The Toy Box

I love the idea of a toy box. Lovely story, Marc.

Kitchen Closed

On the topic of food, Rusty gets impatient!

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Rusty never seems to be satisfied.  He’s a very good eater – really loves to eat.

Sorry, Rusty. Not yet.

Aww geee!

Rusty checks back, just in case.

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