We the People

 

Last week was great . This past Tuesday dual citizen Detroitor Dave, Buckeye Joyce, Linda and I traveled to Folsom to see AOC and Bernie. They picked us up around 4 PM and we planned to get a bite to eat before attending the event.  A couple miles prior to the event, there was a sea of parked cars and long lines  of humans traveling in different directions.  Dave dropped us off and said he would meet us.  Of course there was no cell reception at that point.  Anyway, the three of us walked and walked slowly proceeding to the entrance.  After 45 minutes or so. Linda said she was tired.  Luckily ,we were near the ball field and I led the girls to seating behind home plate.

At 6 o'clock the program began.  AOC began her talk around 615.  She spoke about the oligarchy and fighting for the working class.  She spoke about her background and that her parents were highly motivated and stood behind her early on .  She also told us about the corruption and the inside trader shenanigans centered around the tariffs.  She was inspirational , spoke clearly and soundly about the difficulty with the opposition.and lobbyists. She takes no corporate money .

Around 6:45.  Bernie began his talk.  He said the minimum wage should be called and changed to the living wage.  He also spoke about the assault on democracy and that we all needed to support and elect a Democrat to Congress in this Republican district.  He also spoke about the importance of the workers , unions and the evil of the inequality going on, along with the multitude of irresponsible actions by you know who.. He received so much support from the 26,000 or so individuals that turned out to hear him. It's about solidarity and we the people.

Finally, there was a cell reception and Dave said he would meet us on the way out.  Dave heard the speech on the radio and found a close parking place so we didn't have to walk too far.  Then we found a Mexican restaurant and had dinner. Linda and I shared a steak fajita .

Dave is political and was elected to GPUD and served on the Board of Directors for ALT.  He said he's motivated to elect a Democrat to our district.  In A couple of weeks, Dave is celebrating his mother's 100th birthday in the Detroit area.  She has become the focal point at the assisted living facility.  She is still mobile and sharp cognitively.  She's been a good model for Dave the hockey player.  He smiles. , when I talk about Abel, Lindsay and Howe, the production line for the Detroit Red Wings.  A few years ago we saw the Red Wings play the San Jose Sharks for one of our reunions. Sitting behind us was Jim Harbaugh. Also, Dave and I saw a Michigan- Ohio State football game in Ann Arbor at the Big House.  In fact, it was Dave's first  in person college football game .. Dave was also a member of our Monday night NFL football group.

On Friday, Pat, Tom and  their dog picked up Teddy and took him to the groomer for a haircut and bath.  Then Linda and I left for Novato.  After lunch we went to the McInnis Park  near San Rafael to hit a few golf balls.  It's been over nine months since we hit that little white ball.  Linda's form is terrific and she hit the ball really well. I had difficulty.  In any event, I need  practice.

For dinner we met Beverlee Bentley at  her  residence, met her daughter  Jessica and drove to  the Spinnaker Restaurant  in Sausalito. Linda and I shared  a Salmon plate .  Beverly's story can be found in Chapter XV!!!  of “It Has Nothing To Do With Age.”  She is turning 87 and was invited to participate in a rowing competition in Boston.  The female team's average age will be 80.  She said she needs to get serious about getting back in competitive shape.  She lives in Marin and her home  was built in 1895.  At the time that was the first home in that area,  Linda and I enjoyed her company ..After, she gave us a package of cookies for our departure.

On Saturday we headed for Point Reyes Station to meet Gary Elizabeth and their daughter Jill.  Linda and I had lunch at The Side Street Cafe and shared a tri-tip sandwich. We had a political conversation with a young employee who adores Bernnie.  Then we headed to Stinson Beach for the afternoon before heading out to Bolinas.  Gary has  been a  member of the Bolinas Drawing Group for over 20 years and they were presenting at the Bolinas Gallery.. At the showing his son Jim and sister Amber were there as well.  We were warmly welcomed.

Afterwards, we had a bite to eat at The Coast Cafe and had New England chowder with sourdough bread.  At the restaurant, the couple sitting next to us asked if I was a Wolverine.  I did and found out that Pam was from Flint and her husband  Joe from Chicago.  They currently reside in Pt. Richmond  in the Bay area. 

 Going back to our car, we met again the couple that had been standing in line in front of us at that restaurant.  They live in Santa Cruz and had to go back to their hotel and return  the one and only hotel room key.  Levi is recovering from an injury and told us about the hockey being played in Santa Rosa where  former NHL players participate.  We also talked about my  beautiful Corvette as I get so many compliments about my mid engine power machine.

We returned to Gary and Elizabeth's home and met a number of their friends for dinner.  I had a salad and Linda had a beer.  Howard, an architect, and one of the guests, had a previous working relationship with Trump.  He had nothing good to say about the man and wrote a letter to one of his acquaintances, Bill Marher.  He was disturbed and annoyed that the political comedian described Trump positively during his White House visit.  On the show, Maher commented on Trump's non-confrontation and that he just listened.  In other words, there was no meaningful  dialogue exchange between the two men.

 It was a delightful evening with much hospitality,warmth  and fun  .  Jill, a runner, is doing the rim to rim to rim in the Grand Canyon next month and later this year is running a marathon in Berlin and Gary  intends to join her. When I was competing and Linda and I hosted the Coolest  Ride and Tie,  Jill was working forTeva . She donated  sandals for awards

Finally , I had an uninterrupted opportunity to talk with Gary after the art event.  In 1975 Gary started his collection of masks, artifacts from tribes all over the world.with his brother in law Sydney  Their house is like visiting the Museum of Natural History  and National Geographic as it's decorated with so many objects, artifacts and statues from his world travels.  Also, there are numerous paintings, pictures representing not only his work, but other artists. Incidentally, I have a few masks, arrows, spears and a bow placed around my home.  So, Gary and I haven't been separated over the years.

Gary's interest in art goes back to Hemingway novels, as a teen, ,appreciating tribal art  on his travels and being a massage therapist for a little over a year.  He's interested in the human body and has focused on drawing nudes. His studio  was located on the second floor of his home.  He now intends to direct his energy on horses and themes from the West.

Gary and Elizabeth's backyard is in paradise , a garden of Eden with fruit trees, flowers, bushes, shrubs, as it backs up to the wetlands.  Elizabeth spends much of her time taking care of that backyard along with receiving monthly assistance.  Words do not give it justice as it's amazingly beautiful .

 Seriously, we talked about the Raiders.  Gary ,our  former wives and I attended the Raider Super Bowl victory  against the Eagles in New Orleans in 1980.  Needless to say we've attended many Raider football games while they were in Oakland.  Gary and his son John are going to South Dakota next week for more travels and Mt. Rushmore . Gary told me that both  John and he are making sure that their hotel carries ESPN because it's the NFL draft . They hope that the  Raiders get this fantastic running back. On another note, years ago, Gary invited us to a Little Richard concert on Marina Green in San Francisco.  I have a lot of Gary stories.

I should write Gary's story as he's lived a full, interesting and productive life.  Incidentally, John is an evangelical  minister in Santa Barbara.  Gary told me that John and five other religious leaders made a pack years ago that they would meet once a year for retreat in which their talk would stay within.  Currently, the five friends have left the clergy.  The evangelicals have inserted politics with religion, causing a divide.John does his best to keep politics separate from God.

PS

Gary, the Raiders picked that runnin back.

Trade War

 

In the history of Homo sapien, there is warfare. The "reasons" include, but  are not limited to power, the reinforcement from advisors, exterminating and enslaving the enemy, acquiring land, property, materials, and so forth. However, do the following statistics suggest that man is becoming more civilized?  For example, in the early agricultural societies ,wars accounted for about 15% of human deaths; in the 20th century about 5% and today about 1%. But ,about 175 years ago in 1846, the United States invaded Mexico, conquered California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma. .And by doing so, it added 888,000 mi.² which totals more than the combined size of France, Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Today we have a catastrophic Trade War affecting the planet.  The " reasons " include but are not limited to power; support and reinforcement from a trade "advisor" ;the leader loves the word tariff, perpetrating stress, economic hardship on the Republic and world ; for trade renegotiation purposes; raise revenue,  to build industry; to reduce trade deficit, to give favor to certain industries  and so forth.

According to Elizabeth Warren, a tariff can be appropriate if used wisely.  The senator gave an example of an important industry, such as pharmaceuticals for national security.  Let's assume the products are manufactured in India which gets the ingredients from China.  This might place  our country in jeopardy.  So, provide incentives  to the pharmaceutical industry like a tariff so 

the products are manufactured and sold  in our country.

On the other hand, Milton Friedman, Reagan's economic guru, provided an example of  the importance and necessity for free trade.  He used a pencil as an example. He said a pencil was really composed of various parts that come from all over the world.  He said that we have that low cost pencil only because of free trade.

 A few excerpts taken from the "news."  1.  $11 trillion has been lost, thrown out the window according to Rahm Emanuel on the Daily Show April 7  2.  Musk has had a $100 billion loss  3 Navarro, the advisor, created a fictional character in his  book promoting the efficacy of Tariff'’s.  4.  Musk called Navarro dumber than a sack of bricks.

In part because of executive functioning in the cerebral cortex , man  is able to create great stories that are fictional, contradictory ,double talk, irrational , exciting, captivating, persuasive, distort subjective experience ,and crazy making  .In other words, man lies in order  to manipulate  and only to please their master .

 George Orwell , in 1984 had it right when he stated "ignorance is strength .The following are  stories from the opposite camp on April 7 and before 1.  According to Trump-"don't be weak, don't be stupid; only the week will fail."  If Kamala wins the election, there will be an economic crash in 1929 style depression."  "Negotiation reduces the trade balance."  Tariffs give us great power to negotiate."  Tariffs could be permanent, or not.  Both can be true, Tariffs  can become negotiations."  2.  According to the others.  "Don't panic, calm down.  Everything's going to be okay."  "I wouldn't worry at all."  Don't look at your stock portfolio."  "I don't really care about my 401(k)."  "Everyone loses money, it costs you nothing."  3.  The president made it clear it's not a negotiation 4.  Trillions of dollars of factories are going to be built.  Millions of human beings are going to screw in bolts into the iPhone,  mechanics to fix robotics and that's what's coming to America.  5.  stock market  reference "we had a record volume on Friday.  Everything is working very smoothly.  6.  Don't panic, we have a president that understands  business.

Other stories: 1.   from "The Art of the Deal."  In chapter 9.  In reference to the Atlantic City casino.  Trump said I'm a business genius.. That casino was bulldozed.  There is no casino today and Trump has gone bankrupt six times.  2.  Japan has the number one foreign investment in the United States.  3.  China was isolated from the world as a result of its lousy policies.  Now we are isolated.  We gave China a get out of jail card.  We've become the problem.  4.  Trump is a terrible negotiator.  China never bought anything, they took him to the cleaners.  He had a deal with Canada and Mexico and just blew that up.  In eight weeks he destroyed America's reputation that it took America 80 years to build.

The Smoot Holly tariff act of 1930, increased import tariffs by about 20%.  Kicking off a global trade war that contributed to the Great Depression that was signed into law by Pres. Herbert Hoover. 

I don't know if that 95 years later were going to have the same outcome.  However, I do know that this sadistic crazy criminal is perpetuating tremendous emotional, physical and economic harm on this Republic.  

PS

War,huh, yeah  , What is it good for ?  Absolutely nothing, The song sung by Edwin Starr 

References

Harari, Yuval Noah.  21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

TV news April 7, 2025

Stress and Distress

 

77 million voting citizens  contributed to  increased stress, frustration,conflict and anxiety because Trump took office on January 20, 2025 . With Trump ,we  now have a fascist takeover of the government. The implementation of their policies have increased toxic levels of stress . And as  Freud stated, social conditions are one of the factors contributing to mental health dysfunction. This disquisition addresses  the consequences of stress associated with Trump’s policies .

Physiologically, cortisol is a hormone produced by stress and associated with numerous degenerative diseases. .Stress is associated with the disturbance of sensory input.  It's being composed of afferent stimulus from either internal or external sources.  This concept fits within the idea of homeostasis within a functioning body . In other words, a disequilibrium occurs with the occurrence of tension or anxiety .The  new disequilibrium level  upsets the homeostasis level resulting in   problems until accommodation occurs.. 

 Stress  produces a force or strain on the body and its conditions. .There are a multitude of stressor agents like heat, cold ,infections, intoxicants , hemorrhage, exercise, drugs, hormones, injury, shock ,trauma and so forth. In addition, anxiety, frustration, conflict are also stressors  .Any stimulus can serve as a stressor, and the type , degree and intensity of the stress is also related to previous factors such as anticipation of pain, uncertainty, apprehension and so forth.  

Frustration  is a stressor that  occurs as a result of tension , a disturbance of homeostasis, its adaptability, a deprivation , delay in reinforcement  relief  as well as an  emotional, behavioral reactions ,such as anger, aggression, withdrawal, and regression. Once again it’s  interference or a  threat that affects one's  perceived goal or need gratification.Loss of  economic security is one major example.

With that being said Dr. Hans Selye found that stress is  a mind-body condition . He theorized that distress is actually the  problem . He defined distress as prolonged emotional stress or simply  not dealing well with the stress agent.  Four bodily stages were identified  by Dr.Selye. First stage is an alarm reaction.  This was followed by a stage of resistance, resulting in flight or flight and a cortisol release. If strategies in dealing with stress don't disappear, a stage of exhaustion follows . Then, the last stage is organ failure, fatigue, disease, or even death

Also, there are positive examples of stress that include falling in love,making a terrific golf shot, shooting the winning basket, scoring a touchdown and being keyed up to play in  that important game.  In other words, it could be a pep talk by the coach prior to the game or during a timeout.  So arousal can be positive. However, when the athlete chokes, it is an example of too much  stress. 

On a  more serious note, negative stress results from a prolonged or  ineffective action that does not resolve or effectively alleviate the situation.  When this occurs, distress is followed by anxiety, headache, stomachache, negatively affecting the immune system,, anger, aggression, and so forth.

More serious ailments related to stress include mental frustration, anxiety, depression, allergies, ulcers, and heart disease.  In other words, stress also wears down the immune system which leads to other serious diseases. Physiologically speaking, stress increases  productions of free radicals followed by the hypothalamus, releasing neuropeptide which keeps the body in a perpetual state of excitement and this is followed by the pituitary, stimulating the adrenal glands which produces the stress hormones, cortisol , epinephrine and norepinephrine.

High levels of cortisol are associated with many degenerative diseases that are also associated with aging, such as hypertension, ulcers, myocardial infarction, diabetes, infections, arthritis, cerebrovascular accidents, psychosis, cirrhosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.  Studies also show high levels of cortisol  inhibits muscle growth..Further , a recent study at the Harvard Medical School  that included 623 heart attack victims . These patients were evaluated four days after their attack.  The researchers found angry responses doubled the risk of a heart attack which occurred some  two hours after the outburst.

We know that economics in a capitalistic system is a stressor . Being fired , retirement ,health insurance  are  some  of the changes that affect an individual and are significant elements of stress.  On one external stress index, there were 35 life events stated and each had a weighted numerical value associated with it . Of the 35 life events listed,10 had economic , or work implications suggesting that stress is a major consequence  contributing to negative  health and well being outcomes.

A few words about Musk's team that is dismantling the federal government.  First, he might take a look at Tesla as these cars are being recalled for a number of malfunctions.  If he's so good at being knowledgeable about cutting fraud and waste., he should look at this  company as well as  his other company failures . So what if it’s money, He has received billions from the government. Second, who wants  a young kid evaluating work efficiency for the multitudes of government workers.  Do you want some kid evaluating the doctor of medicine, a  PhD in biology ;and would you go to this kid about whether or not to receive a vaccination?  These kids have no documented expertise, credibility, or experience in evaluating someone in a job other than their ignorant  opinion.  Third, there is no criteria or definition regarding who should stay and who should leave.  Just because someone's on probation has nothing to do with expertise, job qualifications or performance, but only with the amount of time on the job.  Letting probationary employees go  is sadistic, irresponsible and stupid.

Dismantling the federal government and tariff’s  not only affects the person but his or her family, community, city and state as well.  Trump said he won't rule out a  recession.  Of course not ,a recession is not a consequence for him.  So what if it affects millions of others. A recession will wind up causing stress for many more.  Remember, stress affects the aged population significantly which tended to vote for him. This fact is another example of the irrationality of man that votes against his own interest.  Even if the court saves some from losing their jobs, the  damage to health has been done.  Mental and physical health of federal workers and others should be studied in order to evaluate the harm.  But, Trump is interested in profit ,power  and not in the welfare of the country. His policies are  major causes of stress that affects the welfare of our Republic.

Reference

Klatz, Ronald, Goldman, Robert.  Stopping the Clock.

Formidable Barriers

 

Functional medicine doctors  Hyman, Goldman , Klatz and others talk and write about longevity and its implications.  These knowledgeable and formidable doctors have collected data regarding how to live a healthy and long life .  I'm in agreement with their ideas but will present  barriers affecting a healthy longevity. 

Currently, over 80% of our population have a chronic disease which is defined as persistent  and long-lasting that includes diabetes, functional gastrointestinal disorder, arthritis, asthma, pulmonary disease, dementia, cancer, and so forth. Also, about 68% of those individuals with one of these diagnoses  have an additional disease.  How can those numbers be accurate in a country that's considered "wealthy," with outstanding medical doctors, with much medical  research in our highly functioning capitalistic, military-industrial technological complex ?  Moreover, there is a flood of information regarding theories of aging, the right  hormones, minerals ,vitamins, exercise, diets, apps, physical fitness materials , gyms ,  etc.  In fact, one's biological and chronological age can also be determined as well as the characteristics of centenarians living in Blue Zones.  It's  been said that people from Blue Zones who come to our country die faster than they would if they had remained  in their own country. In other words, we are the home of the  free,of the brave and of death. 

Genetics , behavioral choice , society, and nature  are barriers that affect health significantly .  For example, my grandfather passed away when dad was nine years of age from diabetes . Dad had juvenile diabetes, and lived until his early 70s.  As a teen, on some of our outings, we traveled to Windsor, Ontario to buy insulin.  We then had lunch and then a haircut for me .Dad knew his fate regarding  eventual loss of eyesight, poor circulation and amputation. Dad called this disease a  curse. In the end, in a nursing facility he was depressed as the amputations progressed. In essence, genetic influences are terrible . . .

Lifestyle has been attributed to as much as a  50% causation in contributors to disease, as in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  When I was 68 years of age. I suffered an equine injury resulting in broken neck bones.  The orthopedic surgeon told me that if I continued my equine activities, I would wind up like Christopher Reeve. I  believed the message  and quit riding .  Linda in her 80s, had an equine injury resulting in TBI and cognitive decline.  A number of my football buddies have sustained injuries that have affected their  ongoing health. 

Other health barriers relate to being in the  military , police force, a firefighter and other dangerous occupations affecting health,  suicide , physical disability , toxic environment,s as stress rates indicate . Also, smoking , alcohol, drugs, eating ,movement, partners,divorce, death, separation, incarceration ,being fired , retirement  children and even dementia caretakers are risks and factors or barriers interfering with health outcomes..

What about food and nutrition as risk factors?  Two thirds of the population are overweight and/or obese; an average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar and 133 pounds of starch per year.  If you visit a supermarket, one finds it at both ends of the store. fruits and vegetables. The rest of the store is filled with packaged processed foods filled with sugar, salt and flour.  These food  isles have little phytonutrients, or  health benefits but harm aplenty .  

 

Yes, the farmers grow food and have to deal with drought , insects and use pesticides that affect a profitable harvest.  Shelflife is important for foods in this industry . Organic foods are expensive but recommended.. Does it make a difference that the CDC ,EPA and other federal agencies are being downsized or putting in charge anti-vaccine Kennedy Junior  of the Nation's Health ? Drinking water ,chlorination, and polluting the environment  are other toxic contributors to poor health and disease..

TV advertising of foods, products and meds picture  smiling individuals.  This propaganda is also a barrier because it suggests that  all you need to do is to eat , drink , take a pill, consume some product and you'll be happy too.The message is superficial ,demeaning, and a  lie.  So what if Premarin is derived from pregnant horse urine. So what, if lying is the norm . 

A brief word about incorporating a healthy mental and physical lifestyle.  Decisions, decisions seem to be a major problem since a decision today affects an unknown future situation.  In other words, a decision in the here and now may be correct, but not in the long-term as situations and variables change.  It's true that the information regarding  health is progressing and that it takes time and energy to keep abreast

Obviously socioeconomics is an important variable regarding making right decisions regarding  health.  Time is also required to understand and locate the right foods along with the proper movement or exercise.  Cardio and strength training for one hour a day may be available for some.  Obtaining the right amount of sleep, hormesis, availability of hot and cold showers. sauna, yoga, bands,and  free weights require time, money and commitment.  Simply put, one's  behavioral goal ,consistency and purpose tells the story.  In my read It Has Nothing to Do with Age, I listed a number of prescriptions for healthy aging, but omitted nutrition.On the other hand, the frailty, the irrationality and the ego need of abasement are the reality bearers related to man's self-destruction and interfere with a healthy well-being. 

The stress related to nature's realities of climate change flooding, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes also play a part because of related stress and are significant barriers to well-being  

A few articles found in the February 23, 2025 edition of The New York Times pertaining to stress: 1.  How a CryptoCurrency Scam  Destroyed a Small Town.  2.  As Prices Soar, Coffee Growers Are Worried 3.  Noise Complaints Led to a $ 750,000 Legal Settlement and a Shattered Friendship.  4.  Shoppers Go Online to Pay Clearly for Beloved Items that have been Discontinued.  5.  Requirements by Insurance Companies Add to the Burden After a Devastating Fire 6.  Kathy Hochul's Plans for Changes to Mental Health Laws Face a Barrage of Opposition 7.  New York Pulls School Funding From Two Yeshives That Ignored Laws 8.  Key to Trump Success Is His Knack For Creative Lying 9.  President  Ousts Top US General As Part of Purge 10.  They Escaped From Mass Shooting, But Teacher Never Left Students of Room 1214 11.  Landslides in California Creep  Along.,  Then Speed Up 12.  Fired Top Navy Officer Recorded Historic Firsts 13.  Layoffs at Safety Agency Investigating Musk's Cars 14.  Do you really know what you're injecting into your body?  15.  No Rest For Federal Judges Ruling on Executive Orders 16.  Under Trump, DC Braces for Economic Shock 17.  The Real Reason Trump Pushes Tariffs 18.  Roberts's Entire Life Has Led to This Moment.  19 Real Estate  listings$1,995,000 midtown condo; $1,399,000 New Rochelle Victorian; $1,699,000 Turtle Bay condos;$ 1,700,000 Westport Colonial and$ 765,000 Clinton Hill co-op.

Stress is a  serious mind-body connection associated with loss of appetite,and increased blood pressure.  When stress becomes negative it's our responses to it that creates a number of ailments from mental frustration  such as anxiety, depression, headaches, allergies, ulcers, and heart disease.  

In conclusion, engaging in a healthy lifestyle is a choice.  The variables of heredity, nutrition, exercise, are important considerations for positive mental and physical health.  Statistically, our Republic's health is severely lacking. However, adding a fascist component, as a stress variable, suggests a decline in mental and physical health outcomes.  This additional government factor adds an inordinate amount of uncertainty to the socioeconomic welfare  or stress to our Republic’s well being .