Stewart Lodge
I am a retired senior citizen who has always loved to write. I have lived through the Great Depression and World War II which gives me a personal historical perspective. I am a faithful optimist. Widowed at 65. Happily remarried 15 years. Member AARP. Residential apartment owner and manager 30 years. Electricial power industry 38 years. Dairy farmer 5 years. Wife and I traveled in retirement to 48 U.S. States, Canada and Europe. Live 4 months in Florida. Advocate for Senior causes. Politically active, concerned citizen
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Electrical Power Industry, Residential Real Estate, Dairy Farming, Cat & Dog Breeding, Some College - Ohio State
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Five-Year-Old Kentucky Boy Kills Sister with .22 Rifle Birthday PresentA 5-year-old Kentucky boy killed his 2-year-old sister with a single-shot Crickett .22 rifle that he received as a birthday present. 60,000 Crickett rifles, designed for children, are manufactured annually. Pink rifles are marketed for girls.
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New San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was Made in ChinaU. S. outsourcing of products and services has contributed greatly to unemployment. Some projects, like bridge construction, were previously considered immune to outsourcing. China has proved that assumption false. -
Ohio Concealed Gun Permit Holders Exceed 310,000Gun owners loudly proclaim their constitutional rights to carry concealed weapons. They are violating my right not to be surrounded by men carrying guns.
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I Just Missed Being a Natural Gas MillionaireIn 2006 I leased 100 acres of West Virginia land to a gas company and received a $10,000 signing bonus. By waiting until 2012, I could possibly have received $1,000,000. -
Not Fitting Behavior for the World's Greatest CountryCongress agreed on draconian budget cuts affecting domestic and military programs. The belief was that these drastic cuts would literally force the parties to agree on more moderate cuts. It did not happen. The consequences are in question. -
Flipping Houses Not Working? Try Low-income Rentals: Part IIMany people are in the market for low income rentals. With good management, they can provide a very reliable income. Acquisition and maintenance costs are low, providing a healthy profit margin. -
Change Laws About Exorbitantly-Priced Cancer DrugsCompetitive prices are not required with new cancer drugs. Medicare is required to pay for most new cancer drugs, regardless of price. This threatens the future solvency of our health care system. -
Flipping Houses Not Working? Try Low-income Rentals: Part IDilapidated old houses that are of basically sound construction can be purchased for a modest investment and produce an above average return. This is doubly true if you are willing to invest your own time and labor. It can beat flipping houses
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The Trials and Tribulations of an Apartment ManagerThe hundreds of people you meet as a landlord and apartment manager each have their own story. Some are frightening, some ridiculous, some sad, some amusing but never boring.
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My Colonoscopy Polyp Removal Resulted in a Four-Day Hospital StayA colonoscopy is generally considered a low-risk procedure. Mine necessitated a transfusion of three pints of whole blood and six pints of plasma. I survived and plan to have my next scheduled colonoscopy.
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Years Ago, Corn was Cut and Shucked One Ear at a TimeUntil the invention of the corn binder and then the corn picker, ears of corn were harvested one at a time. The old-time chore of cutting, shocking and husking corn has become a lost art. -
Making Sense of Newtown School Shooting an Impossible TaskDespite all the efforts to comfort the bereaved parents of the Newtown school shooting victims, each must find their own way of coping with the horrendous grief. Many work for gun control to restore purpose to life.
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State of the Union Did Not Exempt Social Security from CutsThe State of the Union speech inferred that Social Security may be cut along with Medicare. The Social Security trust fund may last until 2033, so that is not the definition of a crisis.
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Bed Bugs? Tent Your House and Gas the CrittersBed bugs have become a nationwide problem in recent years. They infest homes, motels, theaters and commercial buildings. Repeated insecticide treatments are often ineffectual. Tenting and fumigating your home may be the answer. -
Ohio Should Pull Back on Drilling, FrackingNatural gas drillers may soon assault the 3000 acres of pristine beauty of Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. The millions of dollars of signing bonuses and royalties are not worth spoiling many of the incomparable wonders of nature found in the park.
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Ohio Governor Kasich Flip-Flops, Accepts Obamacare Medicaid ExpansionStaunchly conservative Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich seriously disappointed his Tea Party supporters by accepting the federally financed Medicaid expansion. This directly opposes the Tea Party goal of repealing Obamacare.Also published on:
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Missed Opportunity to Repair Shuttle Columbia Haunts Us 10 Years LaterThe 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster claimed the lives of seven courageous astronauts.The post-crash investigation concluded that the crash might have been prevented by a rescue operation. -
Bed Bugs Can Be Killed by Giving Humans a PillWhile much more research needs to be done, a trial at Eastern Virginia Medical School proves bed bugs can be killed by giving humans the heart worm drug, ivermectin.The humans are then used as bait to induce the bed bugs to consume a lethal dose.
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Fix Gerrymandering, a Destroyer of Democracy, in OhioGerrymandering allows parties to draw distorted voting districts that are virtually loss-proof for their candidates. Elected officials in Ohio and many states can pursue their own agendas with little fear of losing their seats.
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Obama's Inaugural Address Should Address Gun ControlIt usually takes a horrendous disaster to move public opinion to demand sensible reforms. The Newtown school massacre may be one those historic moments. It may result in sensible cun control.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Built by Chinese Sculptor and StonemasonsThe recent unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. brought rave reviews from the public. Unknown to many was the disconcerting fact that the sculptor, the stonemasons and the granite were from China. -
Tightening Race Will Give Obama Supporters DeterminationAdmittedly, President Obama gave a very poor debate performance. No person can be at the top of his game every day. The next debates will see the old Obama with new-found invigoration. -
Early Ohio Voting Helps Senior CitizensI am a retired, eighty-year-old man who lives in Ohio. Like most senior citizens, I depend on Social Security and Medicare. While I know the programs may need some modifications, the basic structure must be preserved. President Obama is our best hope.
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Order Your Own Lab TestsAlthough it would not be recommended by many medical professionals, residents in 45 states can order their own lab tests. Tests can be for self-diagnosis or to supplement their doctor's tests. -
A Dog Can Be Trained to Detect Your HypoglycemiaPeople with insulin-dependent diabetes are subject to life-threatening extremely low blood glucose. This is called hypoglycemia or insulin shock. A diabetic alert dog can detect the odor of hypoglycemia through chemical changes in breath and sweat.
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Hurricane Katrina Left Indelible MarkThe TV coverage of Hurricane Katrina imbued viewers with the emotion of overwhelming helplessness. They sat there baffled by the inexplicable lethargy of the government.
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Judge Forrest: U.S. Citizens Cannot Be Imprisoned Without TrialSections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA act allow the president to place U.S. citizens suspected of supporting terrorism in military custody without charges or trial. A federal court judge has banned the action. The government will probably appeal.
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I Lowered My Cholesterol by Lifestyle Change and Losing WeightA diabetes diagnosis forced me to go on a strict diet and lose 43 pounds. As a fringe benefit of the weight loss and lifestyle change, my total cholesterol dropped from 205 to 150.
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U.S. Supreme Court Appears to Reach a Decision and Then Finds a Way to Justify ItCBS/New York Times poll: Only 13 percent of the public believes that Supreme Court decisions are reached by legal analysis alone. 76 percent believe personal and political bias are large factors. This greatly reduces respect for the law.
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GlaxoSmithKline Agrees to Plead Guilty in $3 Billion Health Care Fraud CaseAccording to CBS News, the GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical company has set a new record, not in sales or profits but in the size of the fine it has agreed to pay for health care fraud. Individual employees are open to further criminal prosecution
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CBS News: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Switched Vote on Health CareCBS News: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was initially against the individual medical insurance mandate. In May, he changed his mind and endured intense lobbying by the conservative justices.
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Growing Up During the Great Depression: The 4th of JulyOur 4th of July celebrations during the Great Depression consisted mainly of the company of family and friends. The massive displays of fireworks had not arrived in small towns. The simple pleasures were cherished. Today, there is something missing.
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Varroa Mite Linked to Disappearing HoneybeesBeekeepers have been plagued for years with colony collapse disorder (CCD). A high percentage of bee colonies would just disappear. Now the presence of the Varroa mite has been shown to enormously increase a virus infection which could be causing CCD.
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The X-37B Space Plane Completes 469 Days in SpaceAn Air Force Plane, the X-37B, has landed safely after completing 469 days in orbit around the earth. It carried a secret payload. It is capable of spy missions and transporting cargo to the ISS. The biggest drawback is the $1 billion price tag.
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Organ Regeneration is Coming of AgeIn Sweden, a 10-year-old girl received a successful transplant of a hepatic vein grown in a lab from her own body stem cells. Using a person's own body cells to grow a heart is the ultimate goal.
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U.S Justice Department Will Sue Florida to Stop Voter PurgeFlorida is targeting 182,000 voters as possibly ineligible to vote. The list is considered so unreliable that many county election supervisors refuse to follow the governor's order. This revolt of public employees is roiling the Florida political scene.
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Spain's Bank Bailout Provides Short-term Relief; Future UncertainThe world drew a sigh of relief when the Eurozone nations promised an aid package to Spain. Some fear we have seen just the tip of the iceberg. The light at the end of the tunnel is not yet visible.
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New York Mayor Bloomberg's Proposed Super-sized Soda BanThe proposed New York City ban on super-sized sugary drinks would probably have little effect on sugar consumption. If refills of a glass in a restaurant are allowed, how would less sugar be consumed?
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Spain Requests Huge Bailout for BanksThe government of Spain is requesting a bailout of their banks. Aid up to $125 billion has been approved by other Eurozone nations. The effect of the bailout on the U.S. and the world economy remains to be seen.
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I Almost Had Melanoma Skin CancerOn my last trip to my dermatologist, an innocent-looking skin lesion was biopsied. I thought it was only an age spot. The report showed it was almost melanoma skin cancer. This story demonstrates the importance of regular trips to the dermatologist.
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George Zimmerman is Back in JailThe judge says George Zimmerman misled the court by pretending to be indigent when he had $135,000 that he raised on his website. Unless the court grants new bail, he will be in jail until the trial.
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My Best Car: A 1957 Pontiac Star ChiefIn order to meet Mpg standards, the aerodynamic contours of today's cars have produced a uniformity of styling. Cars from 1950 to 1970 had style. Today's style is a study in mediocrity.
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Newt Gingrich Could Run Again in 2016In 2012, House Speaker overcame the weight of serious political baggage. For a brief period, he led Republican presidential candidates among Republican voters. Could he do it again in 2016?
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A California Motel is One of Our Travel Horror StoriesA California motel is the subject of a horror story that occurred on our cross-country auto-trip. In this modern age, this motel was unbelievable.
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Buying a New Car is an Exhilarating ExperienceFew activities are as exhilarating as buying a new car. That new-car aroma is intoxicating. Years ago, you would go into the showroom and say, "I want that one." Today, an extensive internet search is advised.
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10 Years After 9/11 Have Brought DisillusionmentI still love my country with all my heart, but ten years after 9/11, I am very disillusioned. The so-called War on Terror has no end, and we have lost many values and constitutional freedoms.
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If You Are Reading This Article, the Predicted May 21 End of the World Has Not ArrivedAre you one of the people who felt a little uneasy until May 21 had passed without the catastrophic earthquakes wreaking havoc at exactly 6PM? The story is fascinating.
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Blessing & Curse; The Pros and Cons of Credit CardsCredit cards are a wonderful invention if used properly, but used improperly they can be a curse. This article discusses the pros and cons of credit cards.
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Knowledge Gained by Building Our HomeA lot of people buy a newly constructed home in a subdivision and settle for much less than their "dream home." Here is a little knowledge I gained building my own home, to make some decisions a little easier.
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President Obama Exceeds Constitutional Authority by Attack on LibyaWhile most government leaders seem to agree that Libya required some kind of action, Obama failed to obtain the constitutionally required authorization or declaration of war from Congress. This sets a very bad precedent for a future president.Also published on:
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Extra Questions You Should Ask a Potential LandlordBefore renting a house or apartment, ask the landlord a lot of questions. The lease never covers everything. Sometimes apartments are rented month-to-month with no lease. Whatever the case, do not assume anything. Try to cover all potential situations.
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Medical Advances in the Next 10 Years May Surpass Your ImaginationWe are entering an era of medical miracles unbelievable a few years ago. Gene therapy and the ability to grow replacement organs in the lab, will gradually usher in an era of medical miracles.
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Falling Asleep at the Wheel and Running Off the Road at 70 MPH, We Are Lucky to Be AliveFalling asleep at the wheel, while going 70 MPH and running off the road, was a hair-raising experience. With a combination of luck and following the rules, we suffered no damage except frazzled nerves.
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The Federal Government is Borrowing Money to Pay Part of Your Social Security CheckThe Social Security Trust Fund will pay your Social Security check Until 2037. Wrong! The government is already borrowing billions to pay part of your Social Security check.
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Like King George VI of England, I Have Experienced Lifelong StutteringThe Academy Award Nominee "The King's Speech" is a wonderful movie. As a life-long stutterer, I relate the traumatic degree of frustration experienced in everyday situations by stutterers. Life is indeed very different for stutterers.
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Florida Woman Allegedly Slaps Police Horse: Charged with Police Horse BatteryIn St. Petersburg, Florida, a woman was arrested on the charge of slapping a police horse. The woman told Bay News 9, she was just shoving the horse's face out of her face. A Minneapolis woman recently faced the same charge.
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New 'Birther' Strategy to Defeat Obama in 2012. Demand Original Long-form Birth Certificate'Birthers' believe Obama is not a natural-born U.S. Citizen and therefore is not qualified to be president. Bills are being introduced in 10 states to require candidates to supply further documentation such as an 'original long-form birth certificate.'
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You May Contract a Zoonose or Zoonosis, by Kissing or Sleeping with Your Dog or CatThese are terms that are new to me: zoonose or zoonosis. Even my spellcheck does not recognize them, but they are bringing long-needed, new attention to diseases which are transmissible between animals and humans.
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Cold-EEze Cold Remedy Zinc Lozenges Shorten My ColdAt the first sign of a cold, I begin a regimen of Cold-EEze Cold Remedy Lozenges containing zinc. I am convinced it reduces my discomfort and hastens recovery.
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Suspect Kills 2 St.Petersburg Policemen. Ranch Home of Innocent Wife is Razed Same Day2 St. Petersburg, Florida policemen were killed while trying to arrest a suspect. The wife is considered an innocent victim. The Mayor ordered her home, which was severely damaged by police, razed by evening.
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2 St. Petersburg Florida Policemen Killed. Were Police Procedures at Fault?Two St. Petersburg Florida policemen were killed while trying to arrest a local resident. Informed he was in the attic and probably armed, they entered the attic instead of calling the SWAT team. Two policemen were killed and one U.S. Marshal wounded.
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15 States Have Banned Capital Punishment. Life Imprisonment is Cheaper Than Execution64% of the public supports capital punishment. DNA tests have released 265 convicts, 17 from 'death row.' Does it bother you that innocent people may have been executed?
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Tucker Carlson Believes Michael Vick Should Have Been Executed for Dog FightingPro Football quarterback Michael Vick spent 19 months in prison and 2 months under house arrest for dog fighting. Tucker Carlson says dog fighting is unforgivable and Vick should have been executed.
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The Health Care Bill Requires Restaurants to Provide Nutrition Information on Their MenuThe New Health Care law requires restaurant chains to post the nutritional values of their menu items. Would you eat an entree that contained 2,730 calories? A lot of people are doing so without knowing.
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Many People Waste Money by Being LazyMany people are concerned about saving money because of the recession, yet they are too lazy to take simple actions to save money. Her are a few tips.
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Florida Manatees Continue to Die from Unseasonably Cold WeatherManatees or "sea cows" are lovable, docile creatures. Being a protected species, their health and numbers are monitored by the government. 2010 had unseasonably cold weather in January and December which killed many manatees.
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Illegal Aliens Give Florida an Extra Representative in Congress. Unbelievable!Illegal aliens can't vote but, amazingly, they can give a state extra representation in Congress. The number of U.S. Representatives from a state are based on total population instead of U.S. Citizens only.
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Christmas Holiday Brings Dangers to PetsMost of us really enjoy the holiday festivities and for a lot of us that means including our pets. This is fine, but we need to be aware of the dangers presented to our pets by the Christmas decorations and holiday activities and protect them accordingly.
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Wesley Snipes: 3 Years in Prison for Failure to File. Was He Given Special Treatment?Film star Wesley Snipes is scheduled to begin serving a 3 year prison term Thursday December 9, 2010. Convicted for failure to file federal income tax returns for 3 years, he says he should not serve time and has always been a law-abiding citizen.
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Ohio State 37 Michigan 7; Observations of a Buckeye FanColumbus Dispatch: Ohio State received two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties after touchdowns, for doing what Coach Tressel recommended. Very strange!
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Under Healthcare Bill, Will You Have to Pay IncomeTaxes on Health Insurance You Receive from Your Employer?You may have received, as I did, an anonymous email stating that the value of health insurance you receive from your employer, will be included in your taxable income. This and other scare tactics have turned people against the Healthcare bill.
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How Basic Life in the 1930s Differed Little from Life TodayThe culture of our world has been has been marvelously transformed by the electronic revolution. Also amazing is the fact that, although greatly improved, our planes, trains, cars and kitchen appliances are basically the same as they were in the 1930s.
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Your Favorite Childhood Candy is Now Called Nostalgic CandyWhat was your favorite childhood candy? Was it GooGoo Cluster, Sugar Daddy, Bit-O-Honey, Zagnut, Oh Henry! or licorice sticks? Although it may be hard to find, a lot of your favorite candy is still available.
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While Growing Up During the 1930s Great Depression, Life was Quite Austere but PracticalIn several ways, modern life is very similar to life in the 1930s. The only differences in cars, trains and airplanes are in sophistication. The huge differences are in communication and information; TVs, cellphones and computers.
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Jury Nullification: A Juror Does Not Have to Follow an Unjust LawThe judge tells the jury their job is to determine if the defendant broke the law. Then they are told that if the facts show the defendant violated the law, they must find him guilty. That is a lie.
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Review: The Vermont Country Store is a Mail-order General StoreThe Vermont Country Store will be loved by seniors who remember Black Jack, Beemans and Clove chewing gum, Smith Brothers Cough Drops and Evening in Paris Perfume. Although nostalgia probably distorts reality, the olden days seem better, somehow.
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December 1967; The Silver Bridge Collapsed into the Frigid Ohio RiverDuring the 1967 Christmas season, the Silver Bridge spanning the Ohio River between Pt. Pleasant, W. Va and Kanauga Ohio, collapsed into the frigid river. 46 people died. The collapse sent a wave of fear sweeping across the nation.
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Coumadin Therapy Patients: Home-test for Your PT/INR ReadingsDo you tire of traveling to the lab bi-weekly or monthly to have your PT/INR checked? I am sure you do, but you do so because having your blood too thick or too thin is life-threatening. You can now test at home if your doctor approves.
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Seniors: How to Receive a Higher Interest Return on Your Retirement SavingsSeniors face a special problem in trying to safely receive a decent return on their nest egg. The 5% annual return on a long term CD seems to be gone for the foreseeable future.
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When and Why You Should Find a New DoctorWhether you realize it or not, your doctor's attitudes may be having a toxic effect on your health. You need to examine closely your relationship with your doctor and if necessary, find a new doctor.
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Amputated Fingertips Can Be Regrown Complete with FingernailCNN: A woman regrew her amputated fingertip in seven weeks, complete with fingernail, using Matristem Wound Powder. Made from pig bladder cells, the powder instructs the missing fingertip to replace itself.
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Organ Transplants Are Now Being Grown in Labs from the Patients' Own CellsThe Science-fiction Lab has become a reality. In a few weeks, replacement body parts are being grown in labs from the patient's own cells and surgically transplanted into the patient. The problem of tissue rejection is eliminated.
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The 1930's Great Depression: Childhood Toys Were SimpleGrowing up in the 1930's we had no iPods, Gameboys or video games to entertain us. When we ran out of toys to hold our interest, we devised our own entertainment.
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We Drove a Herd of Cattle Down the Middle of a U.S. Highway in the 1940sMy father was born in 1892, before the invention of the automobile. As a farmer, he drove livestock on foot to market on the highways. In 1946, cattle drives were over, but we drove a herd of cattle down the middle of a U.S. highway to our new farm.
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Unusual Methods Which Help Control Bed BugsHere are a few unusual self-help methods which kill bed bugs and will help prevent an infestation of your home. Your help would make your exterminator's job a little easier and less expensive, if you do have them.
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Raising Sheep While Growing Up in the 1940sWe raised a flock of sheep while I was growing up in the 1940's. They were very docile creatures that produced a double crop: market lambs and wool. Inevitably, we would have two or three orphan lambs that we would need to raise on a bottle.
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My Cataract Surgery Surpassed ExpectationsI always postpone elective surgery as long as possible. The cataract on my right eye was rated a four. I could only see shapes and colors so I finally resigned myself to having the surgery. I am very pleased with the results.
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The Lead Poisoning of America Has Parallels to the Old Roman EmpireThe lead poisoning of America came from adding lead to paint, gasoline and consumer products. The Romans used lead water pipes, added lead to paint, cosmetics and also food and drink.
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How to Check Your Hotel Room for Bed BugsThere is a nationwide epidemic of bed bug infestations. You need to prevent the carrying of bedbugs to your home by inspection of your hotel room and taking commonsense precautions even if no bed bugs are found.
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Years Ago, the Treatment for Bedbugs was Burning Sulfur CandlesBedbugs; A Sulfur-based fumigant is still available but seldom used. Why not? This nocturnal, blood-sucking scourge is now in all 50 states.
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Growing Up Farming with Horses in the 1940'sBefore tractors, all the farming was done by horses and mules. On small hill farms the practice continued at least into the 1940's. The horses needed no gasoline or oil and could reproduce themselves; definite advantages
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The 10 Best Fitness Ideas for SeniorsSeniors have special requirements for successful exercise programs, due to their different degrees of physical limitations. Some of these exercise methods for seniors can even be done in a wheelchair.
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BP Oil Spill: Can it Rain Oil? Does Oil Evaporate?There have been reports of oily rain in Louisiana. Is this possible? The possibility hinges on whether oil can evaporate and combine with rain.
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1930's: Threshing Wheat with a Threshing Machine was a Fun Time on the FarmIn the 1930's, growing and harvesting wheat was a long, involved process, especially on small family farms. Threshing day was the culmination. The best part was undoubtedly the scrumptious noon meal served by all the neighborhood farm wives.
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Burmese Python in Florida Everglades Swallows 6 Ft. Alligator and ExplodesA Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades overestimated the efficiency of its digestive tract, when it swallowed a 6 ft. alligator. It exploded with disastrous results.
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A Nightmare Scenario for Seniors: Being Declared Incompetent When You Are Still SaneAs a senior you may have a moderately sizable estate. Do you have children who are "down on their luck" and may be looking forward to spending your estate? Is it possible they could have you declared incompetent to keep you from spending your own money?
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Seniors: How to Reduce Your Chances of Being Forced to Enter a Nursing HomeSenior Citizens often worry about two things: being forced to move to a nursing home and being declared incompetent. There are ways to reduce your chances of being forced to enter a nursing home.
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Lead Poisoning from Leaded Gasoline Probably Caused the Violent Crime Wave in the 1980'sResearch shows very strong reasons to believe that much violent crime is caused by lead poisoning. Lower violent crime rates in nine countries show a direct correlation to the banning of leaded gasoline.
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My Experience Taking Coumadin for Atrial FibrillationIn 1988 I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It was a very frightening experience. I was afraid my heart was going to stop any minute. I now take Coumadin to prevent blood clots and have done very well.
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Inhumane Treatment of Animals on Factory Farms: Ohio Reaches Agreement with Humane SocietyLaying hens living in very small cages, veal calves and breeding sows kept in pens too narrow for them to turn around. They all just stand there and eat. Ohio has reached agreement with the Humane Society for change.
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20 Ft. Burmese Pythons May Spread from Florida Everglades as Far North as Kentucky and DelawareThe Burmese Python, which can swallow a 6 Ft. alligator, has begun to spread north from the Florida Everglades. The U. S. Geological Survey maps show potential habitat for the Python as far north as Kentucky and Delaware.
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Tutorial: A Few Words of Advice to New Writers on Associated Content -- Yahoo!New Writers: Some obvious but very important hints, plus some things the FAQ's forgot to tell you, help to make your transition to AC a little more pleasant.
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BP Oil Spill and Credibility Erosion Lowers Obama Approval RatingObama's approval rating has reached a new low. He is partly a victim of circumstances, namely the BP oil spill, but his credibility is slowly eroding from inaccuracies and exaggerations in his speeches and statements.
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Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Should Pass Tuesday July 20, 2010Washington Independent: The new West Virginia Senator Carte Goodwin, due to be sworn in Tuesday July 20 at 2:15 pm, will vote for the unemployment extension bill. Hopefully workers will receive back payments.
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Why Don't We Have a Fleet of Supertankers Sucking Up the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico?Why don't we have a fleet of supertankers plying the Gulf of Mexico sucking up millions of gallons of oil?. That method was used in the Persian Gulf to recover a large oil spill there in 1993. We need answers.
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Most 'Law-abiding' Citizens Are Unarrested Criminals?Millions of people have committed the same crimes as millions of citizens who are serving jail terms yet remain free. This realization should compel people to have empathy for people in jail for victimless crimes.
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Guardian: 27,000 Abandoned Oil Wells in Gulf of Mexico Have Little InspectionA Guardian,co.uk article relates the facts concerning 27,000 abandoned oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Some states inspect the capping of abandoned wells but the federal government normally accepts paperwork as proof.
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Rasmussen Polls: "28% Say Civilian Control of Military Bad for U.S.?"Rasmussen Polls: "28% (of Americans)say civilian control of military is bad for the country." Only 44% favor civilian control. 28% don't know. The only alternative to civilian control is military dictatorship.
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BBC: Wikipedia Compares Favorably with Encyclopedia Britannica on Scientific ArticlesWikipedia is widely criticized for inaccuracy. Quoting BBC, "The British journal Nature examined a range of scientific entries on both works of reference and found few differences in accuracy." I feel vindicated as I like Wikipedia.
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Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Depends on Appointment of W. Va. Senator2 million unemployed workers are not receiving unemployment benefits. Senator Byrd's replacement, to be named by W.Va Governor Manchin could supply the deciding vote to extend the benefits but the governor's ambition may be delaying the appointment.
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Why You Need to Take Personal Responsibility for Your Own HealthcareDoctors are human and do make mistakes, sometimes very serious. You need to take personal responsibility for your healthcare decisions. Doctors are very harried and sometimes overlook some very obvious signs with serious consequences.
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Daily Life Really Does Have More Problems Than in the 1930'sSome say the world is really not more dangerous now than it was 70 years ago. They say the difference is that the 24/7 cable news world informs us instantly of every problem. I say we really do have more problems in everyday life.
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My Experience with Byetta as Treatment for Diabetes Type 2The injectable prescription drug Byetta is usually given in combination with other diabetes drugs for treatment of diabetes type 2, but I receive it as the only treatment. My experience has been very satisfactory.
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Does God Really Care Who Wins the Football or Baseball Game?Football players huddle in prayer after the game. Some players thank God after every touchdown or home run. Is God actually concerned who wins the game?
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NYT: World Ignores Nigeria's Major Oil Spills for 50 YearsNew York Times: (Nigeria) "has endured the equivalent of the Exxon Valdez spill every year for 50 years by some estimates. The oil pours out nearly every week, and some swamps are long since lifeless." Sad to say, the world cares little.
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Life Growing Up in 1945 on a Small Appalachia Family Hill FarmOn our small Appalachia hill farm in 1945, we had no running water, no indoor plumbing and no electricity, but I feel privileged to have lived in that time.
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'Cushion Grip Denture Adhesive' Far Surpasses ExpectationsMillions of people are plagued with loose dentures. I have found 'Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive' far superior to other denture adhesives. I am really happy I found it.
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Caring for the Elderly Can Include Convincing Them to See the DoctorHave you ever had trouble convincing a senior family member to seek medical care? In order to convince them you must understand why they refuse.
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Funeral Planning for Families of Seniors Who Failed to PlanDo seniors in your family refuse to plan for their own funeral? The question is, how do you plan a funeral that the person would have wished if they could have made themselves plan?
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Einstein: If Honeybees Disappear, Man Will Disappear Within Four YearsAlbert Einstein is quoted as saying, "If the bee disappears off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left." Honeybees are rapidly disappearing. Could Einstein be right? I sincerely doubt it.
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Obama Shows Serious Lack of Leadership on BP Gulf Oil SpillI am an Obama supporter but he has been AWOL in regards to taking leadership in the BP gulf oil spill disaster. He finally declared today, that he is in charge of the effort. It has seemed all along that BP was running the show and doing a horrible job.
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Why Old Men Don't Wear Their Hearing Aids All the TimeWhen they ask you to repeat your comment, do you wonder why in the world the old men you know, won't wear their hearing aids all the time? They are not just trying to be contrary. Here is their side of the story.
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1930's: The Great Depression. Our Frugal LifestyleThe Great Depression was a very memorable time. We blended an orange powder with our white margarine to color it yellow. People found many uses for large wooden cheese boxes and orange crates.
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The Joy of Exercising with a Rollator or Fitness WalkerDo you miss those long walks you used to take? Is the reason leg pain or weakness? A rollator or wheeled walker may be the answer. You may be able to hike again.
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A Florida Vacation Home for Retirement Can Be Purchased for $25,000 or LessA lot of seniors would love to winter in Florida but think it is unaffordable. Real estate prices are now very depressed in Florida, providing a 'golden opportunity' to purchase your own home.
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Beware of Mice In Your GarageYou probably won't tolerate a mouse in your house, but may not be too concerned with a stray mouse in the garage. You may have a change of heart after reading this story of our nice car being sold for junk after being invaded by a family of mice.
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U.S Supreme Court Denies Release to 70 Year Old California Attorney Richard I Fine After 13 Months in Solitary ConfinementRichard I Fine has spent the last 13 months in solitary confinement without being convicted of a crime or even charged. He may lose his home May 5th. Our most precious constitutional right, habeas corpus is dead.
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70 Year Old California Lawyer Imprisoned 1 Year in Solitary Confinement Without Trial. Habeas Corpus Rights IgnoredA 70 year old nationally-known taxpayer advocate California lawyer, in poor health, has been held in solitary confinement by a judge for 13 months without trial or even charges. This is a national disgrace.
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Beavers Cut Japanese Cherry Trees in Tidal Basin, Right-wing Uses Incident to Promote Fear of GovernmentIn 1999, a Washington family of beavers decided to cut down some of the famous Japanese Cherry trees to build a dam in the tidal basin. A right-wing conservative columnist resurrected the incident to try to promote fear of government,
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Harris Polls: "24% of Republicans Believe that 'he (Obama) May Be the Antichrist'"Harris Polls say the Republicans believe Obama "may be the Antichrist (24%)" that he "is a Muslim," (57%), "he wants the terrorists to win," ( 22%) Newsweek believes the poll is flawed, but I find the basic trend is very disturbing.
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Republicans Vow to Repeal Healthcare ASAPRepublicans vow to repeal the health-care bill and use common-sense ideas to improve health-care. They had eight years under Bush to improve health-care but were not interested, while the uninsured grew to 48,000,000 people.
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The Texas Board of Education: Are They Rewriting History and Censoring Text Books?The Texas Board of Education sets text book standards which amount to rewriting history and book censorship. Thomas Jefferson's status as a founding father is being minimized, "separation of church and state" denied. Several founders were Deists.
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A 53% Tax-free Savings Return on Your Money by Buying Your Coke on Sale at WalmartEveryone knows it makes sense to stock up on grocery sale items, but we don't it. Would you stock up if you realized that when buying Coke on sale at Walmart, your rate of savings return is equivalent to about 72% taxable return on investments?
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KPRC Houston: Woman Reports Being Robbed 'Inside Local Walmart, Says Manager Told Her "Security Guards Cannot Get Involved with Robberies"A St. Augustine, Florida man was bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake in Walmart. A Houston,Texas woman now reports that she was robbed at knife point 'inside' a local Walmart store. She says the manager said security guards cannot help in robberies.
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Were the "Good Old Days" Really Better Than the Present? Let's Examine This PremiseEveryone talks about the "Good Old Days." Do they really exist? Let's examine this carefully.
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My Experience with Walmart Demonstrates the Power of the Corporation and the Impotency of the IndividualI frequently patronize Walmart because I like their selection of merchandise and low prices. Today I had an experience at Walmart which was irritating frustrating and downright abusive.
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Growing Up During the Great Depression in the 1930's: Our Frugal LifestyleDuring the Great Depression,my family developed a very frugal lifestyle. They saved every piece of string, every paper bag, even bread wrappers.
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Congress Seems Broken, but the Public Seems IncoherentAt present there is an intense sense of dissatisfaction with Congress and the government. The public seems unaware of their complicity in this problem. They demand greater benefits and services coupled with more and larger tax cuts.
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Does Your Employer Own a Multi-million Insurance Policy on Your Life? This is Called 'Dead Peasant' InsuranceHundreds of corporations own billions of dollars of life insurance on their employees, including the rank and file. Do you really feel comfortable with your employer collecting millions of dollars tax-free, when you die?
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1896: A Staged Train Wreck. Two Steam Locomotives Crashing Head-on in Texas. Three Dead, Several Injured1896: A Staged Train Wreck at Crush Texas. 40,000 spectators watched two steam locomotives collide head-on at top speed. Both boilers exploded killing 3 people and injuring several others. See photos.
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Think Progress: Michele Bachmann: We Can't Afford Social Security and Medicare. We Need to Phase Them OutAccording to Think Progress: Michele Bachmann wants to continue current Social Security and Medicare payments but begin to phase out the programs as they are unaffordable.
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Are You Aware the Social Security Trust Fund is Just a Stack of IOU's? (Government Bonds)The Social Security Trust Fund only exists on paper. After the current Social Security checks are mailed, the government borrows all the surplus. but even if no changes are made, the system should be solvent until at least 2042.
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CNN: Florida Manatees Are Dying from Florida's Unseasonably Cold Winter. 2010 Toll: 280The Florida Manatee, which resembles a gigantic obese seal, needs water temperatures of at least 68 degrees to stay healthy. Florida's unseaonably cold winter has had disastrous results for the manatee population.
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Follow-up on Air Force One Photo-Op Over New York City Which Resulted in Panicked Residents BelowApril 17, 2009, Air Force One, chased by an F-16 Jet Fighter, made several passes over New York City for a photo shoot. City officials were notified but the public was not, which panicked civilians, who feared another terrorist attack
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Air Force One in FlightAir Force One Flying over the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.
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1916: Black Tom Ammunition Dump in New York Harbor, Blown Up by German SaboteursThe Black Tom Ammunition Dump was blown Up in 1916 by German saboteurs prior to the U.S. entry into World War I. Four people were Killed. The right arm of the Statue of Liberty was damaged and closed to tourists since.
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Let's Ban All Corporate Election Contributions and Take Our Country BackAs a result of the recent Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. FEC, corporations are free to spend unlimited corporate money directly from their treasury, to influence elections through ads, etc. This may give them complete control of elections.
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Snow Rollers - A Very Rare Natural PhenomenonIf a layer of wet snow falls on ice-crusted snow, a high wind can pick up the snow and form donut-like rollers. If they roll downhill they will be much larger.
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Examiner.Com : Attorney Gloria Allred Says Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad 'misleading.' Abortion is Illegal in PhilippinesTim Tebow's mother, pregnant with Tim, and living in the Philippines, chose to deliver the child rather than have the abortion advised by her doctor. Their story is slated to be aired during the 2010 Super Bowl. Abortion was illegal in the Philippines.
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The Black Tom Ammunition Dump Explosion In New York HarborJuly 30, 1916, during the First World War, 2,000,000 lbs. of explosives in the Black Tom ammunition dump in New York Harbor, were blown up by German saboteurs. Four people were killed. The right arm of the Statue of Liberty was damaged.
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Willingham Possibly Wrongfully Executed. Hearing Postponed Until After Gov. Rick Perry's Primary CampaignCameron Todd Willingham is considered by many to be wrongfully executed for murder by arson of his 3 young daughters. Governor Perry's office received a report from an expert that the fire was not arson but Perry failed to issue a stay of execution.
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The Commemorative Air Force Preserves and Flies 150 World War II WarplanesIf you are fascinated by old warplanes, you will love the CAF. They own 150+ WWII warplanes they call the Ghost Squadron and fly them to air shows around the country. You can even take a ride. My wife and I did.
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World War II: "The Battle of Los Angeles", February 25, 1942Almost 3 months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army fired 1440 anti-aircraft shells at UFO's above Los Angeles,for a period of about an hour. The artillery fire downed no planes or other objects, but killed 3 civilians.
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State of Union Speech Sets Different Tone. Obama Shows Fighting Spirit. Now Deeds Must FollowObama has always been a wonderful orator, but seemed rather detached and professorial, In the State of the Union speech, he showed some strong emotion, even feistiness. I like that. Only time will tell if the real Obama has arrived.
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Prosperity GospelCNN: The 'Prosperity Gospel' states that Jesus was rich instead of poor. One Pastor states that in those days, "poor people ate their donkey" and the fact that Jesus' family had not feasted on their donkey proves Jesus was rich.
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During World War II, Japan Attacked the United States with Over 9000 Balloon Bombs, Via the JetstreamDuring World War II, Japan used the newly discovered jetstream to carry over 9000 paper balloons bombs to the North America continent. The balloon trip took 3 days or less, via the jetstream, which had windspeeds up to 300 mph. Six civilians died.
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The Final Layer of Airline Security, the Do-It -Yourself Phase, is the Ultimate Responsibility of the PassengersThe government undoubtedly tries to protect us by a security process, which naturally can be improved. The public must realize that as passengers, they are ultimately the last line of defense against terrorists.
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Air Security, Body Scanners, Shoe Bombers, Underwear Bombers. What Next?It would be nice if modern technology could provide an answer to the issue of airline security, but all it can do is catch a few amateur, unsophisticated, would-be, terrorist bombers. The other bad news: The "War on Terror" will never end.
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My Uncle's Farm in the 1930's. Pet Lambs, Cows, Thunderstorms, Blackberries, Gooseberries and PersimmonsWild blackberries, persimmons, snakes, bringing in the cows, feeding pet lambs, gooseberries from a bush at the garden's edge and a drink of water from the spring house.
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The Weirdest, Eeriest, Most-Mindboggling Experience of My LifeI had never had an experience even remotely comparable to this in my life. In a situation like this, your imagination runs wild, and begins considering even the unimaginable.
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My Family Kept Chickens in the Garage, Honeybees in the Attic and a Milk Cow Down the StreetMy Family were farmers who moved to town and still tried to maintain their country lifestyle.
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Did You Own a Red Ryder BB Gun Growing Up? Believe it or Not, They Still Make Them!If you were a boy born after 1938, a Red Ryder 1000 shot BB gun may have been the best-remembered gift of your childhood. Unbelievably, Daisy Outdoor Products Company still manufactures them.
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Steamboats, Showboats, Excursion Boats and CalliopesI spent most of my childhood years in a small Ohio River town. We really looked forward to the arrival of a showboat or excursion boat with their steam-operated calliope. You can listen to recordings of calliope music here.
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During World War II, a Submarine-Launched Japanese Seaplane Bombed Oregon to Start a Forest FireDuring the World War II, a Japanese submarine launched a seaplane to bomb an Oregon forest in an attempt to start a forest fire. The goal was to instill fear in the citizenry and impede the war effort.
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Buckeye Terrelle Pryor, the Best Under-performing Quarterback in the Country, Shines in the Rose BowlTerrelle Pryor may have more natural talent than any quarterback in the country, but he was widely viewed as under-performing, considering his potential to be the next Vince Young, only better. Has he really turned the corner?
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The Legendary 1937 Ohio River Flood Set Alltime RecordThe legendary Ohio River flood of 1937 set as all-time record. To a small child, it is very exciting to see the Ohio river in your front yard and steamboats level with your house.
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Growing Up in a Small Ohio River Town in the 1930'sLife growing up in a small Ohio River Town was everything nice you ever heard about a small town. The long idyllic summers were largely your own to do as you pleased. Softball, baseball, cowboys , hide and seek and books from the library.
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George Bush: The Survival of Civilization Depends on Winning the War on Terror. The Answer, Go ShoppingDuring World War II the sacrifices were shared.The public endured rationing of gasoline and other goods. The highway Victory Speed was 35 MPH. New cars and a lot of consumer goods were simply unavailable.
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Tobacco Smoking in Western Civilization was Very Popular by the 1500's. Lung Cancer was Very Rare Until 1930. Why?Tobacco smoking in western civilization became very popular in the 1500's yet lung cancer was very rare and considered medically insignificant until the 1030's. Why did tobacco smoke not cause lung cancer for 400 years
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Will the Afghan War Be Over in Three Years? Read the 'Fine Print.'Obama tried to satisfy everyone with his Afghanistan speech. The irony is that in the end, the side he satisfied the most was probably his implacable foes, the Republicans.
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Obama Says He Will Send 30,000 More Troops to Afghanistan. West Point Cadets Seem Very UnenthusiasticI watched President Obama's speech but the one fact that deeply impressed me was the very obvious lack of enthusiasm by the West Point Cadets for the President's plan
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Gulf Waves on a Somber EveningThe blue-green waves of the gulf give a hint of a storm offshore.
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Is the Texas Forensic Science Commission Stalling on the Willingham Case to Help Governor Perry's Re-election?Cameron Todd Willingham was executed by the State of Texas in 2004 for the arson murder of his 3 young daughters. Reports by several well known arson experts have declared that arson was not the cause of the fire.
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New York Times: Goldman Sachs CEO Said, "Goldman was Doing 'Gods Work' in Its Business."The New York Times quoted Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blackfein as saying, "Goldman was doing 'God's' work in its business." He was later quoted as admitting that Goldman did, "things that were clearly wrong." I detect a disconnect between the two statements.
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82% of U.S. Lightning Deaths Are Men. Why?We explore the question of why men comprise 82% of U.S. lightning victims
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Childhood Experiences in the 1930's: Making Hay While Farming with HorsesWe moved to the farm when I was 13. Farming with horses was a brand new experience for me, especially making hay. Have you ever seen a "Hay Devil?"
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Wildflowers Along the Walking TrailA Very Unique Presentation of Wildflowers.
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Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone,probably America's Favorite Park. A buffalo ambling down the center of the road.
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Northern California CoastI was surprised how different the Northern California shore was.
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DNA Tests Have Released 17 "Death Row" Convicts. Without DNA Tests, Innocent People Would Probably Be DeadAlthough unproved, innocent people are probably being executed. Life imprisonment without parole would eliminate wrongful executions and be less expensive by reducing the cost of legal appeals.
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Mount Rushmore from a Slightly Different Perspective.Mount Rushmore never fails to inspire.
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Huffington Post: Wall Street Firms Receive Swine Flu Vaccine While Millions of High-Risk Citizens WaitSome Wall Street firms receive swine flu shots before some hospitals. They should have to wait in line like the rest of us,
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Have You Ever Explored the Concept of "Intelligent Design" as it Applies to the Human Body?We have spares for many of our body parts, eyes, ears, hands, etc. Why don't we have spares for the ones vital for sustaining life, such as liver, pancreas and heart? Food for thought!
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Newsweek: Justice Scalia Believes a Condemned Convict Does Not Have the Constitutional Right to Live, Even If Later Found Not GuiltyThe U.S. Supreme Court ordered a new hearing for condemned murderer Troy Davis after 7 of 9 prosecution eyewitnesses admitted false identification. Justices Scalia and Thomas voted no.
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Blossoms of the Day.Botanical Garden Blossoms
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The Florida Sunset and the Intricate Patterns of the Backlighted Waves and RipplesThe sunset is admittedly ordinary. My interest was the fascinating pattern created by the backlighted waves and ripples swirling on the sand.
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Memories of Farm Life in the 1930's: The Spring HouseIn the 1930's most rural homes had no electricity, hence no refrigeration. A well-designed "spring house" served as a fine refrigerator with zero operating cost. The only shortcoming, it would cool but not freeze.
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CNN: Juror Who Voted for Conviction of Executed Texas Convict Has Doubt About His GuiltBefore Texas Governor Rick Perry dismissed three members of the Texas State Forensic Science Commission they were investigating whether an innocent man was executed. CNN says a juror now has doubt about his guilt.
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Sun Dogs. Mock Suns or Parhelia. Have You Ever Seen Them?A little-known occurrence, bright spots on one or both sides and the same elevation as the sun are called sun dogs, mock suns or scientifically, parhelia. Here are photos of them.
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Yellowstone Park's Old Faithful Erupting.Most people have seen photos of Old Faithful erupting. I believe you will still find this series awe-inspiring.
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Ohio State Quarterback Terrelle Pryor Has Missed His Calling. He Should Be a Running Back InsteadIn 2008 OSU freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor was heralded as the "next Vince Young" with potential to be even better. He has not met expectations this year. Some say his talent would be much better utilized as a running back.
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Grand Canyon ViewsThis is the final group of our Grand Canyon photos. Of course we saved the best until last.
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Grand Canyon ViewsNumber 3 in our Grand Canyon display.
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Grand Canyon ViewsA continuation of our Grand Canyon display.
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Grand Canyon ViewsThese views are unique and enhanced by unusual patterns of sunlight and shadow.
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Hibiscus Show in a YardFew flowers surpass the giant hibiscus for simple beauty.
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CNN: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Has Dismissed 3 Commissioners Investigating Whether Innocent Man was ExecutedFor years capital punishment opponents have been waiting for proof that an innocent person was executed. If this case is the one, it will completely re-shape the capital punishment debate.
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Lake Erie Waves on a Stormy DayThe great lakes should really be called inland seas. At times their waves could be mistaken for ocean waves. The storm clouds enhance the aura.
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Two Very Muddy Birds Hit Our Picture WindowTwo very muddy birds fly into our picture window and leave an exquisitely detailed feather painting.
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The Village of Kelly's Island, Ohio, is a Lake Erie IslandDuring two winter months, the 367 residents of Kelly's Island, Ohio, can only leave the island two ways. By plane from the small airport, or by snowmobile or walking to the mainland, across four miles of treacherous Lake Erie ice.