I hope this assists in clearing up any ambiguity towards my recent emailing regarding selenomethionine and methionine.  The information in that sent email relates to the hog producer and I wholeheartedly believe selenium, whether in organic (selenomethionine) or inorganic (sodium selenate and/or sodium selenite) form, is still a culprit and should be suspect in the foods - but, that is only my personal opinion.

Anyway, here is what I received via email from DQ [American hog producer], just the other day and she granted permission to share it - thanks DQ, you are so very correct, EVERYONE needs to know!

I hope all will get a better picture of why I sent it out to you! 
 
[begin quote]
Hi DX,

We are moving ahead.  I have finished a brochure for immediate
distribution and we will issue a press release in the near future.  I attached a copy of the final draft that went to formatting and printing.

We will be passing it out to producers at the WPX and other meetings.

We do not do testing here, but could maybe help develop a program.  I will check into it.  Thanks for the update.

MXXX

-----Original Message-----
From: d q [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:19 PM
To: XX XX
Subject: Hi from Oregon

Hi XX. ,

How is your press release project going?

More news, the XX XX Dairy in XX Oregon, has tested
aborted Calf Fetus livers. Guess what? Toxic levels of Selenium. In their case Canola is their main high protein grain. Soybean Meal, DDGS, Fish Meal, all have too much selenium to be safe.

We are using mostly local grown barley, oats, and/or wheat, a
little soybean, a little corn, premix with no added selenium, and
more lysine. No added fat yet.  It took me a year to get the feed
right, as it was all experimental. We now have it as close to right as we are going to get. Can't get higher in protein or added fat without needing to spend another fortune on testing feed ingredients.

Can XXX do testing of feed ingredients in the name of research?
It would be beneficial to know what the selenium levels are in
different fat ingredients. If rendering concentrates selenium like it does in DDGS.

We have had a complete turnaround with the new feed. Made by a local feed company who was willing to believe the selenium tests and work with us to make a safe feed. We are telling everybody we can about what has happened. I haven't found anybody without devastating stories about their sows. It all points to one thing, selenium level in blood and feed should be a routine examination.

The feed companies don't believe the test results because of
"inconsistancies" in the results. The reality is, selenium levels can vary from field to field.

Hope to hear from you soon.
DQ

Anyway,  I get a lot of phone calls and e-mails asking about the
feed problem. Most people are having problems, we need to let
everyone know what it is, so they can test for it.
[end quote]

Attachment forwarded to me (donna by dq)

[begin quote]
Selenium Toxicity in the Western United States’ Pork Industry
National Pork Board

Over the past year, selenium toxicity was identified in several swine and some cattle herds in the Western United States. Extension agents, local producers and State Veterinarians worked closely with Don Mahan of The Ohio State University to identify selenium toxicity and assist producers in their efforts to reverse it through diet modifications. 

Mahan believes undiagnosed selenium toxicity may have been plaguing pork producers across the Western states for the past few years.  Producers that have struggled with animal health, reproductive and lameness issues that do not seem to respond to conventional treatments should discuss the possibility of selenium toxicity with their herd veterinarian.  Producers also should enlist the assistance of a qualified nutritionist to ensure that rations are adequate but not high in selenium, and balanced for all other nutrients.

The following question and answer section is useful for producers to understand selenium toxicity, how to identify it as a problem in their herd and how to address it.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF SELENIUM TOXICITY? 

The first sign normally is the loss of hair and cracking of the hoofs, particularly at the coronary band (junction of hoof and foot).  This may be followed by reduced feed intake and growth rate of pigs.  Upon continued feeding of a high-selenium diet, the pigs will walk erratically (swaggering).  Sows fed such diets for a long time period will experience fewer and reduced estrus and many will not conceive.  Sows will show evidence of reduced feed intake, lower litter size, increased mummies and stillbirths and lack of milk production. Some of the pigs born from such sows will be deformed, particularly in the cartilage forming tissue, and become hairless while nursing the sows.  Although these reproductive signs also may be indicative of other diseases, further examination of these signs is warranted.  Selenium toxicity may be acute or chronic. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUTE AND CHRONIC SELENIUM TOXICITY?

Acute selenium toxicity occurs rapidly upon the injection or feeding of a high level of selenium (inorganic or organic) to animals.  Acute dietary selenium toxicity is generally considered to start at approximately 5.0 ppm (5mg /kg or 2.2 mg/lb – equivalent to 5 grams per ton) in a diet.  This response will produce the toxicity signs described above and could occur within three and six weeks after feeding such a diet.  Normally, the pig rids itself of excess selenium through the urine and feces, but once these avenues are overwhelmed, selenium begins to build up in the tissue causing tissue damage and toxicity.  Occasionally, a foul smell (similar to rotten eggs) will be noted in the breath of animals which have been given excess selenium. 

Chronic selenium toxicity results when the amount of selenium consumed per day by the animal is lower, but has been consumed over a longer period of time and produces the same signs as the acute form of toxicity.  Consequently, the time to achieve a toxic level in the pig is much longer, making an early diagnosis and intervention more difficult.  It is most probable that the cases recently reported in the West were caused by chronic selenium toxicity.

HOW DID EXCESS SELENIUM  ENTER THE ANIMALS’ DIETS?

It is believed that selenium entered the pigs’ diets through feedstuffs of plant origin, including grains and possibly grasses.  Plants do not require selenium for growth and development, the amount of selenium in a plant is in direct relationship to the amount of selenium in the soil.  Selenium is deposited or retained where the plant when selenium replaces sulfur in an amino acid or in plant tissue that normally contain sulfur. 

Normally, sulfur is used by the plant in the synthesis of the amino acid methionine. When the plant uptakes selenium from soil, it binds it to methionine, resulting in a modified amino acid called selenomethionine.  The amount of selenomethionine produced by the plant depends on the relative ratio of sulfur to selenium in the soil and the rate of absorption of selenium by the plant.  Thus, in selenium-rich soils, high protein seeds would contain more selenium.  The animal cannot synthesize methionine or seleniomethionine and depends on its diet for its supply and for tissue synthesis.  The animal can use either form for normal protein synthesis.   

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE WESTERN USA?

Soils do not have the same selenium content.  Some areas in the western region of the Midwest have soils with high selenium contents.  Consequently, the grains and forages that are grown in these regions may have high selenium content.  In contrast, states such as Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana have lower soil selenium contents.  Grain-producing areas along the east coast (such as in Florida and North Carolina) and along the west coast (such as in Oregon and Washington) with high levels of rainfall and sandy, well-drained soils do not retain many minerals and consequently, soil selenium is low or deficient.  In addition, soils that are alkaline, dry and with a high pH are more likely to have selenium of a higher bioavailability for plant absorption. 

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE CURRENT CASES OF SELENIUM TOXICITY?

The analysis of feed ingredients in diets consumed by affected pigs in Western states confirmed the presence of high levels of selenium. Animal tissue assays also confirmed high selenium in affected pigs.  Mahan and others hypothesize that the high price of grains and other feedstuffs has stimulated production of feed stocks from relatively dry lands in the West that had historically been idle or less used, but has now been placed into cultivation and crops harvested.  This land may have had a buildup of selenium in its soil reserve and the resulting grains and products harvested contributed more selenium than that that can be tolerated by animals, particulary when fed for a prolonged time period.  Because it is currently cheaper to transport grain from the Western United States and the Western Corn Belt than from the Eastern Corn Belt, much of the grain fed to those animals could have originated from previously idled crop lands or land where selenium levels are higher than normal.  Producers should not assume that their grain supply is optimum for selenium whether purchased or grown on farm until routine and repeated testing has confirmed the selenium content. 

ARE PIGS EQUALLY AFFECTED?

As indicated previously, the chronic form of the selenium problem takes a longer time to develop.  In fact, a recently completed regional trial using grains and protein sources grown in several areas of the United States including South Dakota and Nebraska produced no toxicity levels when fed to pigs from 50 to 250 lbs. of body weight.  The diets were found to contain approximately 0.80 ppm selenium.  Therefore, feeding diets with less than that amount of selenium to grower/finisher pigs should not produce toxicity problems in market pigs and in fact have been fed to swine raised in that area for many years. 

In contrast to market pigs, high dietary levels of selenium would be expected to have more of an adverse affect on older animals including breeding females.  For example, grower pigs fed a high dietary selenium level which produces no toxicity issues from 50 to 250 pounds will exhibit indigenous blood selenium levels that are higher than normal (more than 0.4 ppm in plasma).  These pigs might develop chronic toxicity if retained in the breeding herd and continued on a high -selenium diet.  Consequently, the development and degree of selenium toxicity depends upon the original dietary selenium content fed, the resulting selenium blood plasma status of the pig entering the breeding herd, the levels of dietary selenium fed during gilt development, gestation and lactation diets. 

In breeding females, for example, selenium toxicity could be present in both the adult sow and her progeny because organic selenium (found in the grains and in some premixes) is readily transferred to the fetus and also to mammary tissue and thus into to the milk supply. 

Note that lactation diets often contain higher levels of protein in the form of soybean meal that can potentially have higher selenium levels.  The other feedstuffs that are added to a diet may also influence the development of toxic selenium levels.  For example, alfalfa meal that is sometimes fed to breeding animals may contribute more selenium to the diet if the feedstuff is grown in Western states.

Generally the water supply does not contain excess selenium but if pigs are allowed access to waste water or water from a mining area it could contain a supply of selenium that could produce toxic effects since urine is a major route of excretion of selenium for the pig.

ARE ANIMALS WITH SELENIUM TOXICITY EXPECTED TO RECOVER?

Adult hogs showing advanced signs of toxicity (weakness, lack of strength, lameness, emaciation) generally will not recover.  However, hogs with minor chronic signs, may respond to diets having reduced levels of selenium and it may be possible to overcome the selenium toxicity.

HOW CAN SELENIUM TOXICITY BE CONFIRMED?

Producers should test all potential feeds and feed ingredients for selenium levels and enlist the assistance of a qualified nutritionist to the diet is balanced for all nutrients.    Producers also should work with their herd veterinarian to discuss the possibility and identify the signs of toxicity early on, as well as all other contributing factors.

HOW CAN SELENIUM TOXICITY BE RESOLVED ON YOUR FARM ?

Selenium toxicity can be addressed through the pig’s diet.  Rations should be monitored for selenium content and those with high selenium levels should not be used, particularly for breeding stock.

This report was developed by Don Mahan, Ph.D., The Ohio State University on request from the Pork Checkoff.
[end quote]

Thanks EVERYONE, you have been most helpful! 

I did show my daughter the warning letter from the FDA to Merck, but all she said was, so what, they didn't do anything!

Though I do not agree, I have to understand her side: she wants to go ahead with this and it is her body (yes, she is of age to decide). 

I have kept this post, just in case anything happens to her, as the doctor warned her, she must stay for an additional fifteen minutes for possible "side effects" ... you know, those ones that have already been reported!

A folly in my eyes!

Sincerely,
Donna

This stance is not about your community, YL, though I certainly understand your commitment to it.

This stance is about the ridiculous and rising price of GASOLINE, DIESEL and HEATING OIL and everyone who is losing their homes, their trucks, their jobs, their very LIVES. 

I have to ask you, is YOUR life a LIVING HELL right now, living in that pristine, historical, UPPER STATE NEW YORK COMMUNTIY?  I bet it isn't, but these people, your brothers and sisters in this world ARE LIVING IN THOSE FIRES.  This is what MY STANCE and MY WORDS are all about - concern for lives that are hurting and are facing devestation.  These are thousands of American citizens - don't YOU care about them?

If and when you experience not being able to buy food, not go to work, not live in a house, but in a car, not see your children smile, not to be able to buy them what they NEED to grow and live in happiness and security, the way parents ARE suppose to provide, then no offense, come back to me and tell me you have opened your heart to the unselfish plight towards humankind, as everyone should in this world.

Pathetic is the selfish need of men (and women).  Man, I think I have seen it all now, and definitely have had it with the selfishness, callous hearts and blindness of some who call themselves ... caring human beings.

Goodbye,
A CITIZEN WHO LOVES TOO MUCH - DAMN ME

P.S.  Perhaps the hour long CNN, "We Were Warned" should be viewed by all tonight who choose not to stand beside the fight for what is right in life and not what is abused by power and greed ... you know, YL, the very same thing YOU are fighting about with the pet food companies.  Only thing, thousands of hands reached out to take yours!  Ask yourself this, Who is holding out theirs to these unfortunate individuals?  Hmmm ... different scenario, isn't it?

Yes, that is it, you will not hear about this again ...

Nestle-Purina makes animal and pet foods, Purina Mills is a separate entity, having been bought from Land O' Lakes some time ago and merged into them.

Nestle-Purina is a Swiss business, not French, and Del Monte is the one that makes food, along with Beneful, though the Nestle-Purina Swiss logo is found on their website.

They use the checkerboard because the PARENT company and founder was Ralston Purina, hence "Checkerboard Square". 

Politically dealing with this company. John Danforth's great grandfather was the founder of Ralston Purina, with Danforth's father left in charge. John is an heir and if memory serves me correctly, he has siblings.

Aflatoxin teems in broken corn kernals and will fester in the batch if not eliminated or thrown into a clean batch of feed.

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

Has anyone had a personal experience with the HPV virus vaccine, or knows anyone who has? 

I ask because I am trying to talk my daughter out of getting this three step vaccination - similar to the HIB vaccine for children, or so, I believe. 

Yes, she knows my concerns re "repercussions by vaccine" as this has taken place in young women, but she insists upon receiving the shots for HPV, which prevents a host of nasty, ugly transmittal diseases, along with cervical cancer.  Her doctor knows of my concerns, and her doctor just laughed when my daughter related them, saying, "Tell your mother, she cannot believe everything she reads." 

Well now I have some proof re Merck and HPV vaccine from this post!  Surely, if the FDA has worry, then the doctor's should, too!

Thanks K, for this, I missed it entirely before!

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality 

Allow me to clarify, the above is NOT a reflection upon Evangers pet food products, this is my own personal confidence level in ALL food and many non-food products produced, whether human or animal.  If I was unclear, I did not mean the ambiguity. 

Personally, I realize I cannot make a judgement against this company [Evangers], but I do feel I can make a judgment regarding testing protocols as mandated by the FDA, the enforcement of those by the FDA, and if maintenance of the strictest of controls are in the forefront for all manners of food products as supervised by FDA protocol, as in the case of ConAgra.

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

Yes, I thought so when I went to the link you posted, Offly-irked, and began reading the testing protocol questionaire.

Thanks for the confirmation, even though it does not provide 100% satisfaction in the comfort level I feel, as it relates to what I would feed my dog, my cat, my chinchilla, my family or myself.

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality for ALL

Are not these the same directives in human food processing matters?  This protocol wreaks of the reason ConAgra was shut down.  They were "called" on their record keeping procedures, too, or should I say, lack of proper record keeping when the E-coli tainted pot pies appeared last October.  I recieved no response to that matter, as I was interested in the regularity of cleaning the machines and drums, with sterility of the entire plant mandated or at least bi-weekly, not announced visits.  Sadly, this is all too familiar to me. 

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

Here is the Bill

A00421

TITLE OF BILL: An act to repeal article 21 of the tax law relating to the highway use tax

PURPOSE: This bill repeals the highway use tax.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Repeals article 21 of the tax law relating to imposition of a highway use tax for the privilege of operating any vehicular unit upon the public highways of the state.

JUSTIFICATION: The highway use tax, also known as the ton-mile tax, reduces the ability of New York trucking companies to compete with out-of-state companies because it places a higher cost burden on the New York-based trucking industry as compared with truckers from other states that travel through New York. Other states have eliminated the highway use tax and have instead opted for simpler tax collection methods, such as registration fees and fuel taxes, over the ton-mile tax. Calculating the ton-mile tax payment requires substantial paperwork and is easily evaded by out-of-state companies. This tax causes New York to lose its competitive edge in attracting trucking businesses.  The tax also increases the cost of shipping and the cost of doing business in New York State. The elimination of the tax would benefit truckers, manufac-turers, shippers and consumers.

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A421

Here is the call for action

May 7, 2008
CALL TO ACTION
PHONE CAMPAIGN

There is a bill (A421) in the Assembly Ways & Means Committee
in New York regarding the elimination of the per mile tax.
This issue effects all drivers that run through the state of New York.

You probably know this as HUD tax.

We are asking for support with a phone campaign to impress
upon the Governor of New York to get this bill past.

Monday May 12, 2008 -- 9am (est)
Governor's Phone#: 518-474-8390

If you do not know what to say when you call there:

I'm supporting Truckers and Citizens United of New York
and want the Governor of New York to support the trucking industry in New York by supporting the passing of bill A421.

http://truckersandcitizensunited.theamericandriver.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39&mode=&order=0&thold=0

Here is a bill explanation

4/23/08-A bill in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee would eliminate collection of a tax applied to truck drivers.
Sponsored by Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, A421 would rid the state of administering the truck mileage tax – also known as the ton-mile tax.

The ton-mile tax is based on the specific weight of trucks. It is intended to offset wear and tear on roads by charging fees for miles travelled in the state.

The nearly 60-year old levy is applied to vehicles with maximum gross weights exceeding 18,000 pounds operating in the state. New York doesn’t charge truckers the ton-mile tax on miles travelled on toll roads.

For bill status, call (518) 455-7545. In New York, call 1-800-342-9860.

The Senate version – S807 – is in the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee.

 http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2008/NY/Updates/A421.htm

Here is an article

May 2, 2008

New York bills would end ton-mile tax, reduce fuel tax in certain areas

Two bills in the New York Assembly would eliminate collection of a tax applied to truck drivers and reduce the state’s fuel tax in certain areas.

Assemblyman William Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, introduced one measure that would rid the state of administering the truck mileage tax – also known as the ton-mile tax.

The ton-mile tax is based on the specific weight of trucks. It is intended to offset wear and tear on roads by charging fees for miles traveled in the state.

The nearly 60-year old levy is applied to vehicles with maximum gross weights exceeding 18,000 pounds operating in the state. New York doesn’t charge truckers the ton-mile tax on miles traveled on toll roads.

Supporters of the bill point out that New York is the only state in the region to administer the tax. They say it is a barrier to competition with neighboring states.

Elimination of the tax would benefit truckers, manufacturers, shippers and consumers, they say.

Others say truckers already pay high user fees for road work. The fees include the state’s 36-cent-per-gallon diesel tax and registration fees.

The bill – A421 – is sitting in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Another bill in the Ways and Means Committee would eliminate the motor fuel excise tax and petroleum business tax near Indian reservations. Sponsored by Assemblyman David Townsend Jr., R-Sylvan Beach, the measure – A3809 – would reduce the taxes on motor fuels by 20 cents per gallon in areas within a 20-mile radius of Indian reservations.

Statewide, about 1,000 retail fuel stations would be affected.
Advocates say the bill would allow retail stations to become competitive in their prices with fuels sold in neighboring Indian reservations. They say there typically is a 30-cent price difference.

Although the state would receive less direct tax revenue, increased sales for affected stores would do more to benefit the state in the long run, they say.

To view other legislative activities of interest for New York in 2008, click here.

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Apr08/042808/050208-07.htm

Perhaps, a full understanding of the call to action is now made known, and perhaps it can be seen community roads in NY are being paid for by truckers.

The increase in garbage pick-up I found interesting reading and I most certainly found it not unexpected.  As it stands, lots of life needs and wants will be related to the no longer trickle down, but the pouring down effect of the bedfellowing of government and business.

I am beginning to see the very precarious view upon which people view material things and how that view sorely pales in comparison to the precious aspect of the gift of life.  It is compelling to me and I emphatically know "things" are not that important when it comes to the consequential and inevitable life or death matters presented today! What happens when all those material things are worthless and you just happen to be facing your day of misery and crying for survival? Will they feed you, clothe you, or offer satisfaction by offering a hand and saving you?  HELL, NO!  If we assist in saving the people who are not surviving as they should be, it DOES stand to reason, they will assist in saving when and if we should need their help, too.

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality for ALL

P.S.  I do live in a small, rural community where trucks travel our smaller streets, with its intersecting routes of 140, 126 and 109!  Yes, they do rumble by with heavy loads and yes, they are rough on the streets, but the truckers must survive, these are given and alloted routes, and the residents here, along with myself, simply understand that as a fact of life.

I have not checked this thread either, but oh, my, the photos ARE breathtaking - thank you EVERYONE!  Yes, I do agree!  This virtual tour of spring and landscape also gives me a smile every time I visit to see if new photos are up and it is so very refreshing!

I wish I knew what that blue flower is, that is GORGEOUS and would love a tree like that - it reminds me of a Mimosa Tree, which my neighbors have and I will photo for all.  My bad on naming the [edited] that pussy willow was sleeping in - I must have had Hyacinths on the brain because that [edited] is actually the Honeysuckle that is planted on the side of the deck and rides the rails!   K, the catnip will be planted later, it is too cold right now in this neck of the woods, but I will take a snap of that, too, especially if I can get Baby to roll over!

It has been raining here, so outside work has been scant, but when in the garden last, I saw that the Lily of the Valley is in bloom and is spreading wonderfully within all the gardens!  The Centuria plants are ready to burst open exposing their large, star shaped purple flowers with yellow centers.  The Salvia have prepared for their show of cone shaped flowers, with just a touch of that deep purple showing through the bud, and the Sweet William is vibrant with their low lying and trailing pink, Phlox style flower!  The Bachelor Buttons will be in bloom in about three days, the Butterfly [edited] is just peeking and the Lilacs, which are in bloom, came in very scant this year.  The Tiger and Stargazer Lillies are popping from their hiatus (and, yes, the beetles are here, too) and the Chicks and Hens are fattening up.  The Lavendar is sprouting leaves, the Myrtle is budding and all the Ferns are standing at attention now!

It really is spring here in MA, but the temperature tells me it is still winter - ah, ya gotta love New England with its season flux in temperatures!

Happy digging in to get your hands dirty, everyone!

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

While I certainly understand your words, YL, and "see" the conditions you describe by some, I most assuredly find it difficult to believe all truckers contribute to the litter, as concerned truckers who respect the aesthetic view of the landscape do exist, too!  Yes, I find it unfair to "stigmatize" one group of drivers, especially as it is known that America is STILL being littered by those who drive cars, ride bikes, walk, etc.

Unfortunately, this issue is not about New York, I am sorry to say.  This issue is about the LIVES of EVERY, SINGLE, LOWER AND POOR CLASS CITIZEN who WILL lose everything in life if this crap is not stopped in its track.  And, again, I am not speaking about the "mandated" detours into rural communities of New York, this IS A FUEL CRISIS that involves this country and the world, and is hitting truckers most especially with the rising and crazy price of diesel.

A huge part of the problem that exists in this country and this society, is the mentality of "ME, POOR, POOR, ME" and I have seen this apathetic, selfish attitude exist for more than 25 years now.  I don't know about you, but I do believe it is high time society get off their high horse of selfishness!  Lives and countries exude this acrid odor and people better realize they NEED other people [both in the US and the world] because this world is going to go to hell if people do not unify for the good of all.  Realization must come to the forefront and people must begin to see not only the issue that effects them (litter, noise, busy streets) but the one single issue that is responsible for the conglomeration of related incidents brought on by greed and selfishness.  This is what is having its toll on oil products and the PEOPLE NEED to stop this crap before they end up face first in the toilet full of [fill in your blank]. 

Do you (used generally) use oil for heating or need to go to work using gas?  If you do, and you do not stop this, you WILL wish you fought beside this band of citizens when that oil hits $6.00/gallon within the next five months.  What happens when you, your neighbor or someone else freezes to death on any given winter night?  Or, how about death by gas poisoning because that is the only method of producing heat?  Perhaps you will not be able to go to work, what happens next?  No food for you, your family, your children, your pets.  What will you do if there is not enough money to keep schools open because of the rising cost in fuel and food cannot be purchased for breakfasts or lunches?  There will be no education for you or kids. Who will be to blame then?  Me, for bringing this message?  The truckers because they spoke up first when they began to lose their homes, their trucks and their lives?  OH, HELL, NO!  Blame YOUR government for that and for the detours in the state of New York. Blame everyone who would not speak up and do something about it.  Blame everyone who sat by waiting and waiting on everyone else to do something for them.  Blame everyone for sitting by and just griping and griping, saying over and over again, Oh, woe is me!  YES, blame everyone who did not UNIFY into ONE people for the good of ALL people (everywhere). 

I certainly don't understand why people cannot hold hands and why they have to DIVIDE on an issue that means the very welfare of life for possibly EVERYONE.  Yes, we have a choice.  We can sit here and look within those little boxes that never, ever open to see anyone else's plight and which only sees that which effects one's circumstance, or we can open our hearts and minds to view that solid angle, which encompasses the real problem, with the repercussions trickling down.  Please ask, how fair it is to really pick the cry of another apart, when you are NOT walking in their shoes and are not on the verge of financial disaster, as they are.  Please ask, is it going to be fair to the thousands and thousands of innocent lives that have been and will continue to be flushed down the crapper from the hand that holds the handle of twisted power and outrageousness?  I think not.

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice, equality and one
who seeks love and understanding for the
good of ALL people

I meant to post when this topic first came upon the board, but forgot all about it in the midst of all that is going on in life!

But, interestingly enough, human placenta is eaten by human mothers.  Ah, yeah, I know: I don't know if I could do it, either!

WARNING: the following may provide discomfort.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/20/ingesting-the-placenta-is-it-healthy-for-new-moms.aspx

and

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-07-18-placenta-ingestion_N.htm?csp=34

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

Thanks for coming by Calare, I know your words and the actions reported have provided a glimmer of hope as far as Congress' progress and concern goes, but oh, so much more hope for the average citizen purchasing this essential "liquid gold" once put into action!

Petslave, I, too, went over to the DOE and was so ruffled by the disorganization and the several hours I spent trying to find "oil routes" - what companies from what country, what ports to ports, what refineries supply to what gas stations.  Like you, no luck in my quest, I just kept landing on lists of corporate and refineries, no matter how I changed my search parameters.  DMS, if you have better luck than us ... well, I know you will post it (and I am glad I did not offend)!

With gasoline having jumped again in Massachusetts to $3.639, the smaller, more economical car is now at a cost of $60.00 to fill up.  Thankfully, after three years (imagine!), my daughter finally looks at the 1/2 tank marker as EMPTY and will fill up!  Oh, Trudy, I truly feel your pain and I know!  Over the weekend the food purchase cost was $198, last weekend, the price was $169 ... same stuff, same brands, same quantity ... MO' MONEY!  I wish myself luck in the coming months with this, and I wish everyone luck, too, because if we don't start to fight against that strangling grip of that lasso, we will be downers!

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

I understand what you are saying, DMS, and sometimes, I know I simply must think outside the boundaries and strong opinons of others, especially when it comes to ALL that is contributing today to the lives of everyone. The purpose of the post was surely not to highlight another individual's feelings, as most are divided on US/Middle East relationship, and the Chavez/[edited] relationship we have heard so much about since 05!   

If I offended you or any one's sense of patriotic duty, sensibility, what is right or wrong and/or produced any hurt to heartsong or background or life, I am truly sorry, this post was certainly not intended that manner. Personally, I feel there will be two different sides to this, two different views and two different actions until the choices are made that have been prompted by individual hearts and brought within collaborative settings. Those barriers, which pose life threatening instances, I believe can be knocked down and abolished, if only the people decided to work with each other for the benefit of other people now and not only for themselves and their security of future.

I know I cannot personally pick apart someone else's cry for help as it appears in their words or their stance, but I did feel the information was worth reporting for the citizens who want to have a choice: whether their decision is to buy x's oil product and support other economies, or whether they want to buy y's oil product, and supply a sense of "I am doing my part", as they most certainly believe their efforts will assist their economy and their lives.  I wonder though, since we are in the throes of such a severe crisis comprised of a multitude of matters, what happens if people don't come together before it's too late?  Because time IS running out!  If nothing is done, I ask, will every person alive say, WHY? WHY [fill in your blank] are you letting this happen?  Will they then take pause to realize, if only they came together, they COULD have ended the problems with cooperation, understanding, compassion, but mostly within the essence of love, within unity and within one truth for one people, equal in every aspect of life? 

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality

Great photos everyone!  I think the lilacs on the side are almost ready to bloom, too - thanks for the photos, they are lovely!

I just had to share the latest bloom from the garden!



Quite a rare spot for Baby, but I couldn't resist the camera shot with him in the Hyacinth [edited]!

Happy gardening, watching and snapping, all!

Sincerely,
Donna
average citizen for justice and equality