Month: November 2013

Eating Nuts Means Magical Healthy Life

Eating Nuts Means Magical Healthy LifeThe New England Journal of Medicine, Nov. 19, reported that those participants in a study who daily ate a 1.5 ounce  serving of nuts had a 29 percent reduction in the number of deaths from heart disease and an 11 percent reduction in the risk of dying from cancer.

More surprisingly, the nut eaters were skinnier. Those who ate nuts seven or more times a week had an average body mass index score of 24.9 verses 26.0 for the non-nutters, according to the report.

And yes, this includes peanuts along with the tree nuts such as walnuts and pistachios.

“There’s something unique about nuts,” said Charles Fuchs, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and a senior author of the report. ” We’re trying to understand why, what’s the mechanism by which these things reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer, as well as reducing the risk of diabetes, and we believe that there are substances within nuts that seem to affect energy or caloric pathways that alter metabolism in a positive way that allows you to contribute to weight loss.”

Eating Nuts Means Magical Healthy Life

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick Chops

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick ChopsWell it is happening. After the GOP shot itself in the foot, yesterday, with the Pennsylvania House vote to push through a massive gasoline tax hike, the old media that had been screaming about the need to save our transportation infrastructure is now using words like “Hosed” in headlines while pointing out that Pennsylvanians are likely going to have the highest gas prices in the nation.

Pennsylvania’s House, Senate and governor’s office are all controlled by Republicans. While just about every Democrat was behind this cruel increase, their fingerprints are not on it. Once again Lucy has pulled the football from Charlie Brown.

The only upside is that the Tea Party “Republicans” — and we can leave that word in quotes as  party membership to us is a means to an end not a religion — are on record as being the only vocal opponents to this action.

The Independence Hall Tea Party Association — the first (only?) Tea Party group to endorse Mitt Romney; the group that has bent over backwards, usually wisely, to defend Republicans under fire from the grassroots — has announced it is withholding support from Gov. Corbett in his upcoming re-election.

“Governor Tom Corbett, obviously, twisted the arms of Republican State Representatives in order pass this disastrous piece of legislation,” said Association President Teri Adams.  “Instead of cutting funds from other areas of the budget to pay for needed bridge and road repairs around the state, the Governor and his minions decided to sock it to the taxpayers.”

Yes, Tom, you are hosed. I’m thinking about switching my registration this primary in the hope of getting at least a quasi-sane Democrat to replace you because you are going to be replaced. Of course, doing so means I lose my chance to primary my state rep so one must give it some thought.

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick Chops

 

Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

The Pennsylvania consumer took a wicked shot to the gut yesterday, Nov. 19, when an amendment by State Rep. Nick Micozzie (R-163) caused the State House to switch directions and pass  a $2.3 billion transportation bill that will raise the state gas tax and other motor vehicle cost such as vehicle registration fees. Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

The bill uncaps the oil franchise tax will will raise the price at the pump 28 cents over five years albeit the Delaware County Daily Times is reporting that the Micozzie amendment ends the 12 cent retail pump tax that would ease the pain to a 16 cent hike.

Miccozie amendment also raises the limit for the prevailing wage mandate from $25,000 to $100,000, an almost trivial reform despite the ire of the union demonstrators picketing his in Clifton Heights and Upper Darby yesterday.  The new standard would have only affected 17 jobs in the state last year, mostly municipal projects in rural areas. The prevailing wage mandate adds about 20 percent to the cost of construction projects.  It should be noted that the $25,000 limit had not been changed since the law was passed in 1961. With inflation, $25,000 then would be about $180,000 today.

Thanks for little, Nick.

The plan calls for spending $1.65 billion on highways and bridges, $497 million on mass transit and $144 million on “multi-modal” transportation.

The entire Delaware County contingent voted for the bill — except for Steve Barrar (R-160). Thank you, Steve.

The bill, SB1,  now goes back to the Senate — which passed the original 45-5 on June 5 — to consider the House changes. After they approve it again, it will be signed by Gov. Corbett who has made this monstrosity his signature legislation.

Here’s a final thought if the spending was going to be primarily funded by a 28 cent gas tax hike and  Miccozie’s amendment cuts this by 12 cents by ending the retail pump tax as the Daily Times reported, where is the money going to come from to fund this project the scope of which does not seem to have changed?

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Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

 

House Saves Pennsylvania

The GOP-controlled Pennsylvania House, yesterday, Nov. 18,  rejected, 103-98, a $2.3 billion “transportation” bill that would have given the state the highest gasoline tax in the nation.

The 103 compassionate legislators who killed it understood that the citizens of this state are hurting and just can’t have any more taken from them whether it be from taxes or mandates or just general crony capitalist greed.

It would have also increased other things such as vehicle registration fees and turnpike tolls.

The plan was strongly supported by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and the Republican-controlled Senate. There was no Democrat opposition to it. The only bulwark against it was the Republicans in the House. It held.

Thank you.

The plan called for spending $1.65 billion on highways and bridges, $497 million on mass transit and $144 million on “multi-modal” transportation.

It should be noted that most if not all the money would have gone to those with connections whether it be prevailing-wage construction work to protected unions or those working for government authorities such as at SEPTA.

Are our highways and bridges really in that bad shape? Well, here’s a thought: vote on each bridge and highway project individually. Sure, it would be more work but it’s not as though our legislators are being paid pocket change.

For those who cry crisis and claim to be supporters of the public good here’s another thought: Demand that these jobs be exempted from the prevailing wage requirements mandate that hikes the cost of construction by 20 percent on the average. Granted, that concerning the highway work federal reform would be required as well but it would be nice to see this start being discussed as proof that those we elect to represent us actually do so — and understand the issue.

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Lobbyist Reform Passes House

The Pennsylvania House, Nov. 13, voted 197-5 for a bill increasing the penalty for violations of the law governing lobbyist and requiring the creation of a “fully accessible system to accommodate the use of computerized filings”

The nays were Angel Cruz (D-180),  Louise Williams Bishop (D-192), J.P. Miranda (D-197) all of whom represent parts of Philadelphia; Jake Wheatley (D-19), whose district is in Pittsburgh and Bernie O’Neill (R-29) of Bucks County. What’s up with that Bernie?

Anyway, that’s five names who you can chalk up as having failed a very basic litmus test for corruption. Remember them.

House Bill 744 would increase the  penalty that may be imposed by the Ethics Commission said State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129), rising   maximum fine to $10,000 from  $2,000; and the maximum ban from lobbying for economic consideration  to 10 years from five.

In addition, the bill increases the criminal misdemeanor grading for various
offenses and increasing the maximum fine to $100,000 from  $25,000.

The bill would also increase the maximum administrative penalty that may be imposed for negligent failure to report under the lobbying disclosure law from $50 per late day to $50 per late day for the first 10 days and $250 per late day after the first 10 late days.

The bill goes to the Senate for consideration.

Lobbyist Reform Passes House

Sarah Murnaghan Good News Update

Sarah Murnaghan Good News UpdateSarah Murnaghan Good News Update –The family of Sarah Murnaghan — the 10-year-old Newtown Square, Pa., girl the Obama administration nearly killed due to a perverse cold-hearted insistence on  following outdated bureaucratic rules — has issued a statement saying  the little girl is off oxygen support and is now back to school albeit at home.

“She sprints off of the ventilator every day with her lungs and muscles doing all of the work,” the Murnaghans said.

They said the big part of rehabilitation now is building back the muscles.

“She does physical therapy every day and is now walking with a walker to support as needed. She loves to take walks in the neighborhood after dinner with the family and is so proud of her progress,” the family said.

The family said that her teachers are coming to the house four days a week, and that  her classmates and friends have been visiting. She will be returning to regular school next year.

They noted that more than 373,000 people spoke out in support of the little girl.

“Sarah would not be with us today without what everyone did with us to make a change,” the Murnaghans said.

The New England Journal of Medicine article has an article about the difference the crusade to save Sarah made, which can be found here.

Those wishing to make a donation to the Murnaghans can do so here.

The statement was signed by Janet, Fran, Sarah, Ella, Sean and Finn Murnaghan

Sarah Murnaghan Good News Update

Obama Administration Muslims

Courtesy of Tom C. Feel free to Bing search the names.

You were warned and you sneered at us…….not a chance you said….now look at what has happened!!!

Have to wonder if there’s any doubt in your mind. Is this HIS agenda or not and to whom is HIS allegiance?

Look who’s new in the White House!

Arif  Alikhan
– Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for the U.S. Department of Homeland  Security

Mohammed Elibiary
– Homeland Security Adviser

Rashad  Hussain
– Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic
Conference(OIC)

Salam al-Marayati
– Obama Adviser and founder of the Muslim Public  Affairs Council and is its current executive  director

Imam Mohamed Magid
– Obama’s Sharia Czar from the Islamic Society of North America

Eboo Patel
– Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships

This is flat-out  scary!!!

Obama Administration Muslims

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129) reports that House Bill 112, which would make it a crime for a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association to commit acts of sexual assault against children, is now before the Senate.

The House passed it 197-0.

“There is no current provision of law that specifically addresses sexual misconduct with a child by a person who has the influence and access that a sports official or person performing charitable services has,” says Cox.

Well, that certainly seems to be a rather glaring oversight in our law.

The third-degree felony would be applied when that person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a child who is participating in a sports program of the nonprofit or for-profit association, Cox said. The penalty would hold a maximum of seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine.

For the record, sexual assault of a child whether it be by a sports official, volunteer etc. is a pretty serious existing crime and we have no idea as to how this bill would make children any safer. Still, there is no way we would vote against it if we were in the House.

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112

ObamaCare Unworkable Says Toomey

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa) has issued the below statement regarding ObamaCare. He spells it out rather well. ObamaCare Unworkable Says Toomey

This week, the Obama Administration announced enrollment numbers for the President’s health care law. Just 106,185 Americans have been able to sign up. As NBC News reporter Luke Russert tweeted, Penn State’s Beaver Stadium can comfortably seat all of those enrollees.

These enrollment numbers are further evidence that the President’s health care law is a train wreck. Even more troubling, millions are losing health coverage they like because the President deemed those plans inadequate and failed to make good on his promise that “if you like your plan, you can keep it.”

Even the President recognized this was a problem. Yesterday, he announced what is, at best, a temporary fix to postpone this disaster until after the next election. This is little comfort to the millions of Americans who will now lose their insurance coverage next year.

The faulty website is only the tip of the iceberg. It is not technical glitches that will doom this system; it is the fact that the President’s health care law forces people to buy overpriced health plans they don’t want, hikes taxes, and puts important, personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians and bureaucrats instead of patients and their doctors. The whole law is unworkable.

ObamaCare Unworkable Says Toomey

Obama Criticism Racist Says Oprah

Obama Criticism Racist Says OprahOprah Winfrey, who once upon a time had an influential daytime talk show, says criticism of President Barack Obama is often (likely?) racist.

“There’s a level of disrespect for the office that occurs. And that occurs in some cases and maybe even many cases because he’s African American. There’s no question about that and it’s the kind of thing nobody ever says but everybody’s thinking it.”

You have it completely wrong Miss Winfrey. It is not the color of the President’s skin upon which he is being judged. It’s the content of his character.

Obama Criticism Racist Says Oprah