The Futility of Finding Physical Explanations for Homeopathy...

The Futility of Finding Physical Explanations for Homeopathy

This post from Quackometer, covers the broad arguments against any efficacy from homeopathy. In the United States, billions of dollars are spent on un/dis-proven, fraudulent or dangerous medical therapies. Homeopathy falls into the category of disproven. No evidence exists of its effectiveness, save anecdotal testimony from patients and practitioners.

Sadly, there remain many folks who continue to espouse this waste of time, resources and possibly delay of meaningful diagnosis and treatment. Take some time to read the post and then travel to the magical land of the homeopathic believers.

Ironically, one of the most popular posts of mine is a critique of the effectiveness of a "homeopathic / herbal" cold remedy known as Sinupret.

Farewel, brother...

Operations continue in Afghanistan to secure that nation for some form
of sustainable self-government. Despite the criticism that the Karzai
leadership receives, it is critical that the citizens of Afghanistan be
able to take the reins on their destiny and not be subject to the
prevarications of outside forces.

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
<http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13898>
Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:04:00 -0500

________________________________

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 850-10
September 20, 2010

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a
Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming, 24, of Marietta, Ga., died
Sept. 17 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment,
3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

For additional background information on this Marine, news
media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public
affairs office at 808-257-8838.

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1
(703) 428-0711 +1

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or
stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page
<http://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USDOD> . You will
need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or
problems with the subscription service, please e-mail
support@govdelivery.com.

Bookmark and Share
<http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?pub=govdelivery&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsh
aring.govdelivery.com%2Fbulletins%2FGD%2FUSDOD-F5E9D&title=Bookmark+and+
Share>

GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense *
408 St. Peter Street Suite 600 * St. Paul, MN 55102 * 1-800-439-1420

Nine years...

It has been nine years since that fateful morning. I was at my civilian job, hosting my boss' boss and a collection of international scientists and engineers. I received a call from my command at the time and was told to "stand by".

We watched, mesmerized, as the images flooded through the television. We really didn't understand it at the time. In a way, we still don't understand the events of that day. We are a nation of vigorous, passionate yet peaceful disagreement. It is impossible for us to reconcile the cognitive dissonance of the actions of that day.

This anniversary is marked by frustration and anger. It seems to stem from the lack of resolution from the attacks of 2001. To this day we still have not captured Bin laden, the success in Iraq is unsatisfying and we are reminded constantly that a segment of Islam would like to see us destroyed.

The United States, for all of its flaws, is tolerant, open and welcoming to all types of individuals. We have physical and social room enough for everyone. There is no nation on the planet with the level of freedom, opportunity or openness to rival that of the United States.

Some of my dearest friends would contest this statement, however, any challenge brought is easily disassembled or refuted. The Scandanavia nations are often held up as a model, and yet they are a largely homogeneous culture with only a few million citizens and limited access for immigrants. The United Kingdom is cited for their acceptance of homosexuals and yet their continuing class segregation and troubling presence in Northern Ireland remains a substantial hindrance to true social freedom.

This is not an unhindered, jingoistic worship of our nation. It is merely an acknowledgement of the numerous real belssings we enjoy. A recognition of the many real challenges we have still to face as a nation and the expression of my hope and belief that we will rise to the best of our ideals.

It is important to remain ever forgiving and never forgetting.

New clothes, again...

Navy Testing Two New Camo Uniforms

The Navy is adding a field grade camoflage uniform to its stable of uniforms. We spent time reducing the total uniform count to support a smaller seabag and cost to the Navy. We are the last service to utilize the old NATO woodland pattern for field units (SEABEES, etc.).

Although I really like the "digi-blues", there is clearly a need for a revised field uniform. It seems that we could provide some efficiency by adopting the Army or USMC model and simply implement.

Ask and Tell...

It is ironic that one of the most controversial aspects of the ongoing
debate over Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) is the comprehensive force
survey being conducted by the working group. The Advocate has a fairly
tough analysis of the DoD response,
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/07/12/Transcript_DOD_Defend
s_DADT_Survey/. Oddly, I was one of the 400,000 force members who was
invited to participate. I will report my findings as well as opine on
the charges of bias.

CNO DADTcast...

CNO POdcast

ADML Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) makes a pitch for sailors and families to speak up during the DoD review of DADT. In my opinion, this policy's usefulness has ended. What started as a measure to provide more access to all qualified citizens, became a political third rail with connotations beyond its intent.

Citizens should be permitted to serve providing they meet the physical, mental and moral requirements of the armed services. hose moral requirements have nothign to do with sexual orientation. It's time to put aside these childish ways and get back to serving our nation in the manner in which it deserves.

Citizen Deux

Whither Afghanistan...

Michael Yon, a writer whose opinion I respect, indicates that we are losing the war in Afghanistan.  This is a very concerning prospect, as we have much more to lose by ceding the ground in this volatile region of the globe.  I have a few friends currently deployed and am "on the list" myself (whatever that means) - Note to US Navy - get your mobilization process fixed!  Naturally, I have an interest in seeing the coalition succeed in their efforts.  I also recognize that Afghanistan has never been a nation.  It is a leftover from the post imperial age. 

 

Greetings,

A new dispatch on Afghanistan is up: PENGUINS OF AFGHANISTAN

My intentions were to write several more dispatches about missions, yet there seems to be so little interest in Afghanistan that it hardly seems worth the time to write about real missions.

There is little embedded work coming from Afghanistan.  McChrystal's censorship seems to be working.  (For now.)  He's losing the war and covering it up.  The deception is easy when so few people are paying attention.  We are losing the war.  At this rate it will be lost.

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon

 

 

Nuke em...

The United States enjoys a truly rare and terrible spot in global
history. For the first time in the history of the world, one nation
holds the power to strike against the remainder of the globe with no
fear of reprisal. In a recent Foreign Affairs article it was detailed
how the United States can now deliver a nuclear first strike against the
balance of the world without any retaliation. This is a stunning moment
in history. In the past, nations and empires which held this power were
quick to use it to enforce their will or conquer desirable territories.
And yet the United States continues to act with restraint and prudence.

Despite the accusations by those who oppose warfare in all its forms,
the armed forces of the United States have acquitted themselves with
distinction and dignity in their operations. There has never been a
more carefully or diligently executed conflict with respect to the
impact on innocents. Certainly the wars are far from perfect. The
enemies faced by coalition forces are hard to distinguish and do not
operate from the same ethical standpoint. Nonetheless, these foes face
a military which despite its restraint, continues to deliver defeat
after defeat.

Nuclear Stockpile Fact Sheet Available
<http://www.defense.gov/advisories/advisory.aspx?advisoryid=3212>
Mon, 03 May 2010 17:41:00 -0500

________________________________

No. 037-10 May 03, 2010
Nuclear Stockpile Fact Sheet Available

"Increasing Transparency in the U.S. Nuclear Weapons
Stockpile" fact sheet is now available on Defense.Gov . The recently
declassified information on the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile is being
made publically available for the first time. The declassification of
the data was approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

The fact sheet is available at:
http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100503stockpile.pdf .

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Advisories/
Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1
(703) 428-0711 +1

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or
stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page
<http://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USDOD> . You will
need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or
problems with the subscription service, please e-mail
support@govdelivery.com.

Bookmark and Share
<http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?pub=govdelivery&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsh
aring.govdelivery.com%2Fbulletins%2FGD%2FUSDOD-C5EE6&title=Bookmark+and+
Share> GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the U.S. Department of
Defense * 408 St. Peter Street Suite 600 * St. Paul, MN 55102 *
1-800-439-1420

You muzzled Kenny! You bastards...

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have been censored by their coporate sponsor, Comdey Central, agianst showing an unflattering image of Mohammed, the prophet of Islam. This stems from the murder of Theo van Gogh by an insane, Islamic radical. The "threats" received by Comedy Central overrode their courage to support their artists' rights to free expression.

In the West, where our culture is more advanced, tolerant and flexible (summarize "better") than that of Islamic nations, this sort of discourse is taken for granted. The faithful of satirized religions take these jabs in stride - supposedly recognizing the old idiom about sticks and stones.

Islam, apparently, continues to invoke the older idiom with the use of sticks and stones (in the form of beatings and medieval punishments). Let me be clear, no genuine deity should ever fear mockery by any earthly entity. They are simply above such petty critiques. on the other hand, if they are not a genuine deity - then the mockery is deserved and it is the adherents who should reflect upon their choice of faith.

No matter how you slice it, the deity doesn't care or it doesn't exist.

Op-Ed Columnist - South Park - NYTimes.com

Et tu, NYT...

If true, and we have no way of knowing. But the NYT has released OPSEC information before. Tragic.


SOS &#8211; RED ALERT &#8211; New York Times About to Put American Troops in Deadly Peril

Now on Salon...

Open Salon is a free service which may prove to be a better venue for
bloggers looking to engage in critical dialogues. They certainly have a
better brand than Blogger. However, will the rash of wannabe bloggers
on Open Salon be poaching grounds to expand the mother site's online
content? The New York Times already does this with some prestigious
paid bloggers - but as sites scramble for eyeballs and hits, will there
become a bidding war for the most popular bloggers? Is the Huffington
Post's model - "We'll publish any ol' thing!" going to be expanded to
this site? Time will tell, the reality however, will be less. More and
more sites allow multiple publishing, making content repeatedly
available anywhere - despite being "published" only once.

2010... Here we GO!! PARSA...

I wanted to provide a brief plug for PARSA, my Afghan NGO of choice.  They are working hard to build capability among the Afghan people and restore confidence in their nation, government and themselves.  Stop by their site and see what you can do to help.

---

From: Marnie Hartung Gustavson [mailto:mgustav@marniehartunggustavs.eliteemail.com] On Behalf Of Marnie Hartung Gustavson
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 8:32 AM
Subject: 2010... Here we GO!!

Having problems viewing this message? Click here to view it on the web.

2010 - Full Speed Ahead	Volume I
Animal Lovers - We NEED You!!  To all our animal loving friends and families - PARSA needs your help.  After 5 years of rescuing dogs, cats and various other assorted animals from the streets, mountains and trash heaps of Kabul, Marnie and PARSA have decided to start an Animal Shelter at Marastoon. The Shelter and Rescue efforts will fall under the Healthy Afghan Community Program and will include education of Afghans who are interested in adopting a pet as well as vaccines, spay and neuter services and veterinary medicine for animals.   We are in dire need of the following items: Medicine Leashes, collars and animal toys Volunteer assistance (a Vet trainee??)  FUNDS Please contact us for more information about our new project and if you are interested in the idea of helping some of the most vulnerable citizens of Kabul, let us know.  We are currently home to over 25 dogs plus an additional assortment of animals from cats to donkeys.  We'd greatly appreciate any help you might offer.  And that includes adopting an animal either here in Kabul or getting a pet to the States.   The PARSA Wish List!! A new regluar feature for the PARSA Newsletter.  You will find our Wish List located in the bottom left side of the newsletter.   As with all Non-Profit and NGO Organizations, we are constantly in need of a variety of items.  Most notably is FUNDS for our various programs and for our general operating fund.  So fast and SO easy...  writing a tax-ductible check for $1.00 - $1000.00 or more is one of the best items we recieve.  You can be assured it will be out to good use for any of or programs as well as rent, funds to purchase wood to heat our buildings and classrooms and to pay our hard working staff people.  Other items of need we often wish for at PARSA: Printer Ink - please contact us for types of ink Any Animal related items for our new Project within the Healthy Afghan Community Program - toys, food, leashes, collars, flea and worm medicine Soap and toiletries for orphans Ph. +93 (0) 799020588 mgustav@mac.com Visit Us Online	PARSA Afghan Training Institute To kick off 2010, PARSA has moved into training and working with Afghan people with the Afghan Training Institute.  We are working with Afghans looking for more higher education opportunities allowing them to become capable and have a better chance to be successful as well as helping other Afghans in their daily struggles.  The goal of the Afghan Training Institute is to grow the AFghan people and give them the skills they need to help each other.  As a developing country it is important to train the Afghan people to fend for themselves and rely less on the International Aid community.  PARSA Afghan Training Institute is committed to building the capacity of people in Afghanistan.  Click For More Information >>> Afghan Scouting GOING Strong in 2010 Afghan Scouts Visit the US Embassy in Kabul This past Saturday, February 27th, PARSA and our Scouts were invited to visit the US Embassy.  We held a Scout initiation ceremony IN the Embassy.  Attending the event were Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Mrs. Eikenberry who welcomed 80 children from the National Orphanages, Alluhoddin and Tai Maskan.  The Scouting Program is part of the PARSA Healthy Afghan Child Program and continues to be a big success.  In addition, Volunteers from the embassy assisted in our ceremony as we completed initiation of the children into the Afghan Scouts program.  In addition, we welcomed our the new Minister who will oversee the Orphanages in the country and the new National Director as well as several ISAF soldiers, also Eagle Scouts and Scout trainers participated.  Our goal this year is to be able to run Scout programs for all 750 children in the three orphanages where PARSA staff conducts "Healthy Afghan Child" programs.  Please visit our website for more information about the scout program as well as details about this event. If you are interested in helping the Afghan Scout Program - we are ALWAYS looking for people, individuals, and groups to take on an Afghan Scout troop.   Click For More Information >>> A Word From Air Commodore Sean Bell have to say that supporting the Orphanage was the one thing that kept me going throughout my nearly a year military assignment in Kabul - really raised my spirits to be able to support such a worthy cause, and also such a committed team in Marnie and her son and team. Part of the morale development of those under my command is to ensure they remain fit, are happy in their work, and an extra strand is to encourage charitable work. This was simply an extension of that obligation as a Commander. Part of going our project activities was to chat to Marnie, meet the kids and of course, for us to engage others in the fundraising activities (and also ensure that they were all suitably motivated to get stuff done!!) We played football with some of the kids, sat and chatted to them, but avoided giving gifts at the time or risk getting mobbed every time we went. My aim was to support Marnie in a longer-term project rather than the short-termist drop a few goodies off, feel good about ourselves, and then walk away having changed nothing! Discussions with Marnie proved compelling, so it was evident that with financial support Marnie and her team could deliver what we were seeking to do. So I started “Ringing the Change”-to fund PARSA programs in the orphanages. It was hard work getting things set up, and influencing a LOT of folk, but TREMENDOUSLY rewarding to see the effect, and to support such a marvelous group of folk in Marnie and her PARSA team. (click on picture for an article on his project)/p> Click for PARSA newsletter for people living in Afghanistan

Forward this email to a Friend
One-Click Unsubscribe This email was sent to Jett-Parmer@msn.com, by mgustav@mac.com Update Address/Profile | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy
Marnie Hartung Gustavson | 3036 13th Ave. W | Seattle | WA | US | 98119

MP David Tredinnick is Wrong...

The UK's govevernmental Homeopathy Report is a good mix of science and policy recommendations. It takes issue with the irresponsible expenditure of government funds (read UK citizen tax pounds) on ineffective, non-scientific therapies. MP David Tredinnick, a consummate woo-fan, seeks to discredit this well researched and vetted report.

MP David Tredinnick is Wrong about the Homeopathy Report