In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples of his coming death and resurrection. (During His life He does this on at three occasions, and they do not understand). He then tries to explain that the duty of a leader and a believer is to serve the ‘least’ of these.
Jesus puts a young child in the center of the group and says, “Anyone who welcomes one of these children in my name, welcomes me.” In the time of Jesus, children were completely powerless. The child in this story represents a person without power; a person easily controlled, abused or neglected. Jesus is talking about the powerless, the marginalized and those dependent upon others for their very survival.
Jesus tells us to welcome this person as we would welcome Him. How would I welcome Jesus? I would be respectful. I would be humble. I would take great care to offer Him the best that I have to give. I would seek knowledge.
We must give, talk, and feed the powerless with the same respect and humility that we would give, talk and feed Jesus. It is not enough to help the marginalized. We must welcome them the way we would welcome Jesus. We must do so with the same speed with which we would come to Jesus. If Jesus returned to earth today, we would rush to that place and welcome Him. We know where the powerless are and we must rush to them with the same speed with which we would rush to Jesus.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Amid one of Mexico's worst economic downturns . . .
AP Associated Press Writer – Tue. Sep 8, 10:48 p.m. ET
"The president said the government will turn more attention to the poor amid one of Mexico's worst economic downturns since the 1930s".
On the border some people are being hired at the factories, other factories remain closed. The people remain optimistic and hopeful. The peso that used to worth a dime is now worth 7 cents. This is an improvement over February, but prices continue to rise and the only thing the people understand is that the peso buys less every time they read new reports about the economy in the United States.
There continues to be very few (often none) tourists in the border-cities. The other main source of employment are the factories. A year ago, people talked about the absolute need for a just wage. Today they just hope for any wage.
A year ago, when we returned to a family living in a card-board house we sometimes saw that some of the food we delivered the previous week was still on a shelf. Today, the shelf is bare.
Mexico's President just proposed the cutting of three cabinet posts, a tax reduction on certain foods and a tax increase on alcohol and tobacco. His proposals would result in huge government savings. (Cabinet posts have huge staffs.) However, the proposals must be approved by the Mexican Congress.
In the meantime, the average mother and father do not know where to turn. Nor do the hundreds of thousands of teens that graduate last year.
"The president said the government will turn more attention to the poor amid one of Mexico's worst economic downturns since the 1930s".
On the border some people are being hired at the factories, other factories remain closed. The people remain optimistic and hopeful. The peso that used to worth a dime is now worth 7 cents. This is an improvement over February, but prices continue to rise and the only thing the people understand is that the peso buys less every time they read new reports about the economy in the United States.
There continues to be very few (often none) tourists in the border-cities. The other main source of employment are the factories. A year ago, people talked about the absolute need for a just wage. Today they just hope for any wage.
A year ago, when we returned to a family living in a card-board house we sometimes saw that some of the food we delivered the previous week was still on a shelf. Today, the shelf is bare.
Mexico's President just proposed the cutting of three cabinet posts, a tax reduction on certain foods and a tax increase on alcohol and tobacco. His proposals would result in huge government savings. (Cabinet posts have huge staffs.) However, the proposals must be approved by the Mexican Congress.
In the meantime, the average mother and father do not know where to turn. Nor do the hundreds of thousands of teens that graduate last year.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Next Bogeyman
The media and government must find another way to direct our attention away from the 'social agenda package' that is not stimulating the economy. By the year's end they will return to a 'its all because of them' message.
Consider the hype about the impact of illegal immigration.
Less than a year ago, taxpayers were told that illegal immigration was responsible for the outrageous cost to taxpayers at our emergency rooms, welfare offices, crime, and schools. We were told that the tide of illegal immigration was the reason American citizens could not find jobs and employers did not raise wages.
Many media and government sites now report huge reductions in the number of illegal aliens. CNN reported a 40% reduction. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/07/22/mexico.immigrants/index.html).
Although the lack of immigrants of any type has reduced the number of people contributing to Social Security, depleted a cheap labor force, and destroyed economies of towns and cities dependent upon the money these people spent in the community, it was well worth these costs.
I soon expect to see a 40 percent reduction in my taxes and will read that area hospitals and schools are doing well. After all, a 40 percent reduction in costs is a huge improvement. I also expect to read about less unemployment and higher wages. Crime must certainly be down. Do we still need so many police? Do we still need so many ICE agents? Wow! Our taxes are about to be reduced at every level!
Keep watching the media and the Internet for the good news. Even with the downturn in the economy, there should be some mention in the media, government and all of the anti-immigrant web sites of the positive impact of less illegal aliens. These people should be pointing at the wonderful outcome and gloating. After-all, they were right!
Enough sarcasm. They were mislead. Many of the anti-immigration crowd are part of the majority that are easily misdirected from holding politicians accountable. The real issues are simple. These scare politicians and should arouse any American wanting a fair government. Once these issues are resolved, the will of the people will have more impact on all issues and policies, including immigration.
Demand Congress obey the laws they pass, without exception.
Demand our representatives (all elected officials) represent the people.
Demand that the media stop calling a social change program an economic stimulus package.
Demand a balanced budge.
Demand a readable tax code.
Demand that any elected official that did not read the legislation they voted on be removed from office.
Demand on term for every politician.
Demand real government transparency by putting every item, contract, campaign contributer on the Internet in a highly searchable format.
Write laws (including tax codes) at an 8th grade reading level.
The age-old game of the government pointing at a group, person or organization as the cause for our troubles (African-Americans, Irish Catholics, Jews, illegal immigrants, etc.) can only be stopped by the people.
Ignore the misdirection and stay focused. Congress and the White House need to get their hands out of our wallets and represent the people. Stop the gerrymandering of congressional districts. Stop the deliberate manipulation of how we count the population. Limit everyone to one-term and a politician’s job changes from being re-elected to doing the job. Certainly more time can be spent on the job.
Tomorrow's News: ___________ is taking your jobs, taking your taxes and the blame for your plight.
Consider the hype about the impact of illegal immigration.
Less than a year ago, taxpayers were told that illegal immigration was responsible for the outrageous cost to taxpayers at our emergency rooms, welfare offices, crime, and schools. We were told that the tide of illegal immigration was the reason American citizens could not find jobs and employers did not raise wages.
Many media and government sites now report huge reductions in the number of illegal aliens. CNN reported a 40% reduction. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/07/22/mexico.immigrants/index.html).
Although the lack of immigrants of any type has reduced the number of people contributing to Social Security, depleted a cheap labor force, and destroyed economies of towns and cities dependent upon the money these people spent in the community, it was well worth these costs.
I soon expect to see a 40 percent reduction in my taxes and will read that area hospitals and schools are doing well. After all, a 40 percent reduction in costs is a huge improvement. I also expect to read about less unemployment and higher wages. Crime must certainly be down. Do we still need so many police? Do we still need so many ICE agents? Wow! Our taxes are about to be reduced at every level!
Keep watching the media and the Internet for the good news. Even with the downturn in the economy, there should be some mention in the media, government and all of the anti-immigrant web sites of the positive impact of less illegal aliens. These people should be pointing at the wonderful outcome and gloating. After-all, they were right!
Enough sarcasm. They were mislead. Many of the anti-immigration crowd are part of the majority that are easily misdirected from holding politicians accountable. The real issues are simple. These scare politicians and should arouse any American wanting a fair government. Once these issues are resolved, the will of the people will have more impact on all issues and policies, including immigration.
Demand Congress obey the laws they pass, without exception.
Demand our representatives (all elected officials) represent the people.
Demand that the media stop calling a social change program an economic stimulus package.
Demand a balanced budge.
Demand a readable tax code.
Demand that any elected official that did not read the legislation they voted on be removed from office.
Demand on term for every politician.
Demand real government transparency by putting every item, contract, campaign contributer on the Internet in a highly searchable format.
Write laws (including tax codes) at an 8th grade reading level.
The age-old game of the government pointing at a group, person or organization as the cause for our troubles (African-Americans, Irish Catholics, Jews, illegal immigrants, etc.) can only be stopped by the people.
Ignore the misdirection and stay focused. Congress and the White House need to get their hands out of our wallets and represent the people. Stop the gerrymandering of congressional districts. Stop the deliberate manipulation of how we count the population. Limit everyone to one-term and a politician’s job changes from being re-elected to doing the job. Certainly more time can be spent on the job.
Tomorrow's News: ___________ is taking your jobs, taking your taxes and the blame for your plight.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Economic Slump Caused by Stimulus Bill
In a few short years we will 'learn' that the cost of the stimulus bill caused a huge economic slump.
None of us can understand a 10 trillion dollar bail-out program. We live in the real world. We can understand our yearly salary and our yearly take-home pay.
To better visualize the 10-trillion dollar bail-out, I went to the IRS and learned that there were 74,139,000 Federal Tax Returns filed last year. When we divide the 10-trillion dollar bail-out program, we see that each one of us now has an additional $94,417.24 of debt. Since we pay it out over 10 years we will only pay $9,441.72 each year.
So, look at your yearly net income and subtract $9,441.72 and you can see what the bail out will cost you every year - for the next 10-years.
Well, the important thing to remember is that the $9,441 you will pay each year for the next ten years kept GM from filing for bankruptcy. Oh, wait a minute. That is not true. GM did file for bankruptcy. Well, the important thing to remember it that your $9,441 increased the number of people working in America. Oh, wait a minute. That is not true. Well, you must remember that your money did further a social agenda and even helped ACORN ( 1 billion) and encouraged abortion.
Everything became stimulus:
$2.1 billion for Head Start,
$6 billion for wellness preservation,
$200 million for birth control,
money for the arts,
money for federal vehicles,
money for digital TV coupons,
money for the community activist group ACORN,
$6 billion for government buildings,
$400 million for global warming research, $2.4 billion for carbon-catching demonstration projects. (Source: U.S. News)
It is not just the questionable investments in ACORN groups, but the fact is the stimulus money does not stimulate economic growth. Paying salaries in the F.B.I. Is something we want to see happen, but this is a routine expense and not something that stimulates the economy.
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wild-land fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
$200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
What right-wing source provided this information? CNN!
While every project is not wasteful and many may be needed, they do NOT stimulate the economy. The White House used alarmist language and screamed that Congress needed to act quickly to stimulate the economy. The money would be used by an honest person to stimulate the economy and not used to pay routine bills or promote a social agenda.
Please know that some of our money is wisely spent For example, $83 billion was spent for the earned income credit- for people who don't pay income tax. (SOURCE Wall Street Journal)
Look on the bright side. You will only see $9,441 less in your paycheck each year - for the next ten years. You certainly will not need to worry about a thief stealing that $9,401! The government already stole it.
It may not all come out of our paychecks. Some will be hidden in usage fees, taxes for purchasing items with high-fat or sugar content, license fees, permits, and some will be passed to businesses - and the businesses will raise prices.
You can believe one thing: the working people are going to pay and pay and pay.
None of us can understand a 10 trillion dollar bail-out program. We live in the real world. We can understand our yearly salary and our yearly take-home pay.
To better visualize the 10-trillion dollar bail-out, I went to the IRS and learned that there were 74,139,000 Federal Tax Returns filed last year. When we divide the 10-trillion dollar bail-out program, we see that each one of us now has an additional $94,417.24 of debt. Since we pay it out over 10 years we will only pay $9,441.72 each year.
So, look at your yearly net income and subtract $9,441.72 and you can see what the bail out will cost you every year - for the next 10-years.
Well, the important thing to remember is that the $9,441 you will pay each year for the next ten years kept GM from filing for bankruptcy. Oh, wait a minute. That is not true. GM did file for bankruptcy. Well, the important thing to remember it that your $9,441 increased the number of people working in America. Oh, wait a minute. That is not true. Well, you must remember that your money did further a social agenda and even helped ACORN ( 1 billion) and encouraged abortion.
Everything became stimulus:
$2.1 billion for Head Start,
$6 billion for wellness preservation,
$200 million for birth control,
money for the arts,
money for federal vehicles,
money for digital TV coupons,
money for the community activist group ACORN,
$6 billion for government buildings,
$400 million for global warming research, $2.4 billion for carbon-catching demonstration projects. (Source: U.S. News)
It is not just the questionable investments in ACORN groups, but the fact is the stimulus money does not stimulate economic growth. Paying salaries in the F.B.I. Is something we want to see happen, but this is a routine expense and not something that stimulates the economy.
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wild-land fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
$200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.
What right-wing source provided this information? CNN!
While every project is not wasteful and many may be needed, they do NOT stimulate the economy. The White House used alarmist language and screamed that Congress needed to act quickly to stimulate the economy. The money would be used by an honest person to stimulate the economy and not used to pay routine bills or promote a social agenda.
Please know that some of our money is wisely spent For example, $83 billion was spent for the earned income credit- for people who don't pay income tax. (SOURCE Wall Street Journal)
Look on the bright side. You will only see $9,441 less in your paycheck each year - for the next ten years. You certainly will not need to worry about a thief stealing that $9,401! The government already stole it.
It may not all come out of our paychecks. Some will be hidden in usage fees, taxes for purchasing items with high-fat or sugar content, license fees, permits, and some will be passed to businesses - and the businesses will raise prices.
You can believe one thing: the working people are going to pay and pay and pay.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Huge tax increases, New Fees are Needed
Picture coming home with less than half your salary and you can picture your future. Even if the government cuts programs, there is no getting around the fact that taxes must be raised.
In many cases, they will not be called taxes. They will be called fees, value added costs and other meaningless terms. A tax by any other name is a tax.
Businesses will be hit with taxes, fees, permits and the like. This will be a double hit on each of us. Businesses will raise prices to pass on the cost of these taxes. Businesses will close and more of us will be out of work. With higher unemployment, more taxes will be needed to cover medical care and unemployment insurance.
There will also be ‘product’ taxes - that go beyond alcohol and tobacco. Products deemed unhealthy will be taxed. Sugar and fat tax? Why not? What about a red-meat fee? Will candy get a double tax- one for sugar and one for chocolate?
Maybe the government will remove tax exempt status from places of worship. Everything will be up for grabs if it involves the working middle class and the rich. Congress will continue to exempt itself from these laws and the only safe businesses will be those involved in politically correct issues.
Even a gravity use fee would not be surprising. Oops. I should never have written that one. They have not thought of it yet.
Read this news report and tell me I am wrong. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090826/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_economy
In many cases, they will not be called taxes. They will be called fees, value added costs and other meaningless terms. A tax by any other name is a tax.
Businesses will be hit with taxes, fees, permits and the like. This will be a double hit on each of us. Businesses will raise prices to pass on the cost of these taxes. Businesses will close and more of us will be out of work. With higher unemployment, more taxes will be needed to cover medical care and unemployment insurance.
There will also be ‘product’ taxes - that go beyond alcohol and tobacco. Products deemed unhealthy will be taxed. Sugar and fat tax? Why not? What about a red-meat fee? Will candy get a double tax- one for sugar and one for chocolate?
Maybe the government will remove tax exempt status from places of worship. Everything will be up for grabs if it involves the working middle class and the rich. Congress will continue to exempt itself from these laws and the only safe businesses will be those involved in politically correct issues.
Even a gravity use fee would not be surprising. Oops. I should never have written that one. They have not thought of it yet.
Read this news report and tell me I am wrong. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090826/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_economy
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
White House will be Shocked! People need help to make car payments!
Cash for Clunkers helped some people that could never come up with a down payment for a new car - to qualify! Does this sound similar to the housing mess? BTW - Houses are still being sold with no money down! In a few years (perhaps less than one year) Congress and the White House will be shocked to see that people may lose their new cars because they cannot make the payments.
Here is a headline from today that sets the stage.
BBC HEADLINE
August 25, 2009
The US budget deficit will soar to almost $1.6 trillion this year, the highest on record, both the White House and Congress have warned.
You have to love this! Who are the White House and Congress warning? THEY created the budget! They are the ones that needed ‘warning’ and now they act as if this is an act of nature, like a potential hurricane!
In the future, people will write books that explain how the United States led the world to mortgage the future in order to have it all now! We continue to be taught that the tax payer must pay more and more so that our every whim may be granted.
We are only guaranteed the pursuit of happiness. Stop taxing me and my grand-children to deliver happiness. The marvel of America is that anyone can work, study and advance! The curse of many countries is that they tax the middle class into extinction in an attempt to provide happiness. Government should provide opportunity.
We continue to buy cars and homes we can not afford. We can’t even afford the down payment. I wonder if the people at the White House, Congress and supporters of these programs are rehearsing looks of shock, surprise and dismay for the time when the people purchasing new cars and homes with tax dollars as their down payments - can no longer make their payments! Will we have another bail-out to keep these people from losing their new cars and homes? Will we again hear that these poor unfortunates were victims of the system, did not understand the long-term debt agreements? Will we borrow another ten trillion to help them?
Who will pay all of this money back when it is due? So many people think ‘the government’ must provide for their needs and their desires. They really do not understand that the ‘government’ does not pay for anything. We, the people, pay! Of course their confusion is understandable. After all, we decided it was unfair that the unemployed did not receive a refund for over-payment of income taxes and began sending those that did not over-pay income tax - refunds!
We have stepped through the looking-glass and nothing is real.
Here is a headline from today that sets the stage.
BBC HEADLINE
August 25, 2009
The US budget deficit will soar to almost $1.6 trillion this year, the highest on record, both the White House and Congress have warned.
You have to love this! Who are the White House and Congress warning? THEY created the budget! They are the ones that needed ‘warning’ and now they act as if this is an act of nature, like a potential hurricane!
In the future, people will write books that explain how the United States led the world to mortgage the future in order to have it all now! We continue to be taught that the tax payer must pay more and more so that our every whim may be granted.
We are only guaranteed the pursuit of happiness. Stop taxing me and my grand-children to deliver happiness. The marvel of America is that anyone can work, study and advance! The curse of many countries is that they tax the middle class into extinction in an attempt to provide happiness. Government should provide opportunity.
We continue to buy cars and homes we can not afford. We can’t even afford the down payment. I wonder if the people at the White House, Congress and supporters of these programs are rehearsing looks of shock, surprise and dismay for the time when the people purchasing new cars and homes with tax dollars as their down payments - can no longer make their payments! Will we have another bail-out to keep these people from losing their new cars and homes? Will we again hear that these poor unfortunates were victims of the system, did not understand the long-term debt agreements? Will we borrow another ten trillion to help them?
Who will pay all of this money back when it is due? So many people think ‘the government’ must provide for their needs and their desires. They really do not understand that the ‘government’ does not pay for anything. We, the people, pay! Of course their confusion is understandable. After all, we decided it was unfair that the unemployed did not receive a refund for over-payment of income taxes and began sending those that did not over-pay income tax - refunds!
We have stepped through the looking-glass and nothing is real.
Friday, August 21, 2009
H1NI SWNIE FLU PART TWO
Ready or Not: Here It Comes: MORE Media Driven Panic! Tomorrow's News - Today!
H1N1 Continues to Spread. LOOK! There is an H1N1 mutation that is even worse!
- Avoid Travel
- Be Afraid
- Keep Watching
Follow Up Stories: (the results of misleading reports and exaggerations) school and business closures, travel industry and tourism affected, individual heart breaking stories about the few deaths. (Can someone find a dead baby we can use?)
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and media share a goal: panic. Watch as this year’s new virus is named very similar to H1N1 instead of being given a new name. H1N1 has name recognition value that can inflame panic.
Instead of naming a new influenza as "2009-New Flu 1," they will name it 'advanced H1N1' or 'Super H1N1' or 'H1N1-A' to keep the fear alive.
Instead of naming a new influenza as "2009-New Flu 1," they will name it 'advanced H1N1' or 'Super H1N1' or 'H1N1-A' to keep the fear alive.
Naming new variations of influenza by year and 'New Flu 1', 'New Flu 2, etc., would greatly diminish panic. "New Flu" suggests the reality that every year there are new types of influenza. It would lower the panic. Reporting the facts by explaining how the 'number of cases' were determined and putting facts into the context of other cases of influenza would lower panic.
When the H1N1 virus reports began, the media, the CDC) and the World Health Organization )WHO fanned the flames of panic. The media, CDC, and WHO all benefit from public panic as more people keep watching and giving importance to what they say and do.
Every day more of us turn off the news, cancel the news papers and news magazines and go to the Internet. We can read on the CDC website (if we keep searching) that 'hundreds of thousands of people die from influenza related respiratory illnesses every year'. Anyone care to compare the number of respiratory deaths attributed to smoking VS flu?
By the way, if you add up the number of respiratory deaths attributed to various reasons, the number far exceeds the total number of people that died from respiratory illnesses! Why? Because if someone smoked and died of a respiratory illness, that death is counted as 'attributed to smoking." If the same person has flu symptoms, that death is also attributed to influenza. If that person also worked with asbestos, well .… you get the picture.
By the way, if you add up the number of respiratory deaths attributed to various reasons, the number far exceeds the total number of people that died from respiratory illnesses! Why? Because if someone smoked and died of a respiratory illness, that death is counted as 'attributed to smoking." If the same person has flu symptoms, that death is also attributed to influenza. If that person also worked with asbestos, well .… you get the picture.
Confirming cases of a specific flu, we are told by CDC and WHO, is very difficult. There are very few confirmed cases of H1N1. All influenza viruses mutate. Hundreds of thousands of deaths are attributed to influenza each year. However, the best advice we can give to prevent death by respiratory illness is to stop smoking.
The news readers (people paid to read a script) should stop providing their advice. What is their area of expertise? Stop mixing facts with opinions Why is their personal opinion relevant? In 2008, a national reporter on FOX was a great example. Here is what she said in her televised report of swine flu cases. “Eight cases have been confirmed in New York, but there will be a ton!”
What is a ton? Did she mean 2,000 people in New York will die or did she mean that the accumulative weight of the dead will reach 2,000 pounds? What rubbish! Why is that outrageous statement and the resulting panic not the subject of an investigation? (Note: this is a rhetorical question. Panic caused by any ‘reporters’ comments improves ratings).
The United States continues to be the country with the most confirmed cases of H1N1, so where are the travel alerts warning people not to visit or do business with the United Sates? Why are we not encouraged to go to Mexico, Europe or even Argentina, the number-two country with H1N1 cases, where it is safer than the United States? (More rhetorical questions. Warnings about visiting other countries generate a lot of buzz. “Last night the news reported that going to Mexico is dangerous. Should we cancel our plans?”)
If the news focused on the fact that our country is the number one place to avoid because of the swine flu, people would demand answers. The answers would be that the reports and facts are exaggerated. The real pandemic is the exaggerated reports about each new flu virus.
If the news focused on the fact that our country is the number one place to avoid because of the swine flu, people would demand answers. The answers would be that the reports and facts are exaggerated. The real pandemic is the exaggerated reports about each new flu virus.
There are two big reasons we should stop this nonsense. First, the public may eventually ignore all warnings from the media, CDC and WHO and there may one day be a report that we need to trust. Second, the crushed economies, lost school days, lost income and stress levels affects real people. There are millions living at the bottom of the economy that can’t buy food because of the lost work caused by panic. Travel industries are crushed. Airlines lay-off workers. Shops, hotels, restaurants close.
Turn to the Internet for news facts and news entertainment. For the facts, read information from original sources without interpretation. For entertainment watch the U-Tube clips of all the accidental up-skirt clips of ‘reporters’ on TV that actually think they are taken seriously. Watch as the reporters shake their heads to convey their concern, as if we think they are experts.
Final Note
What do YOU think the next news story will be?
Final Note
What do YOU think the next news story will be?
Next Panic: TOMORROWS NEWS, TODAY!
This blog contains tomorrows news, today! Yes! The media is predictable. I am not talking about the inevitable crime, corruption and war news. I am talking about the stories framed in ways to cause panic that results in people reading or watching the unfolding stories. I am talking about the predictable and outrageous things that will be done to keep us coming back for more.
I am also talking about the consequences of these outrageous exaggerations. Real people lose jobs. Real companies suffer loss. Real people experience stress and worry were there is no need.
Here we go!
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