Debbie Downer Alert: More Puppy Mill info!

Well here is a sad story of what happens in puppy mills.
http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/34546-my-new-foster-rescue.html

and here is more from the same person still dealing with and negotiating the behaviors produced by traumatic life this dog has been through.
http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-training-forum/34654-need-advice-helping-extremely.html

I think for many we figure, well so what if they are bred in mass quantity? They go out to the stores and everyone loves a cute puppy, and they'll get adopted and go to good homes. Well, I ask you, what about the mamas and papas of these cute little puppies? It would be my guess that Annie, the dog in this link, was one of the dogs who was used to breed. She is an older dog who has been horribly neglected and has never seen the outside world. So sad, and so the reason NOT to support pet stores who sell cute little puppies. There are so many Annie's out there in the world being used to mass produce without any consideration to her happiness or health. People are sick. Basically factory farming, but for domestic animals. Ugh!

Seriously, STOP IT!

Gonna need ya to Google the following:

Katie and tight roll.

I'm not much for celeb gossip, however, I'm a sucker for bad 80s fashion comebacks gossip. So, I'm sorry Katie. I don't know what's going on with you, nor do I really care. I am however very interested in those hot tightroll pants you are sporting.

For a three hour tour (a three hour tour)

Well no three hour tours just yet, but here is our new boat. New to us that is. Apparently it is a 1975 Glastron. I don't pay attention to these things, I just call it our ski behind boat that holds 6 people. Apparently the lower gears need some fixin, so we are just waiting on that to get done. Josh's dad was nice enough to snatch up this great deal on our behalf! Thanks Mark!

Here I am being a dork in our ski behind boat:)

My my my...Once Bitten Twice Shy Baby..except not so much shy!

Well you might wonder how two 30 somethings might spend their day off together. A nice lunch, some great convo, maybe catch a great movie, or some real "grown up" activity. Not for Mariah and me! We like to go to Kohls. Seems reasonable, right?
Well here we are looking normal. Well...aside from taking a photo in the dressing room. One may want to cover their eyes for the next three photos...I DID WARN YOU!!!
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HOT!

SEXY!!!!

MAMAS!!!!

Okay, so you are probably wondering "what the heck"? Well, we stopped in Kohls for appropriate purposes. HOwever, when we came across these doozies, we had to try them on for old times sake. This would have been the perfect 9th grade dance dress 12ish years ago. Apparently, it is perfect again! UGH. Why are these in the Juniors department? Why are they in any department really? Either way, at our own expense and our modesty out the window, we had to try them on and document the hideousness. I'm proud to say the size 13 was slightly big on me, however, I still look like a stuffed sausage. But, I can live with that. I just wish I had my Aquanet in my purse! The cans would have matched the dresses! HA!

Obama/Biden 2008

Well, I don't and won't publish much about politics in the way of who runs for various office positions in our government. Why? Because for the most part, I think a politician is a politician is a liar/manipulator/poor choice maker/insert various other inept abilities that ultimately affect billions of other people all over the World.

But, I have to say that I'm somewhat please that Obama chose Biden for his VP running mate. From what I am told by my boss and other co workers that pay attention to this stuff, he really supports VAWA-Violence Against Women Act. That is the fund that provides monies for shelters and outreach centers that assist victims of domestic and sexual abuse. So, I do like that. However, I have also heard he voted for the war....which I guess a lot of people did...but it seems kind of like an oxymoron to me. Prevent violence against women but vote for violence overseas. (shakes head). I suppose one might aruge the war was an ultimate attempt to prevent further violence in Iraq, but I think you can all guess what I think about that argument. *Something suddenly stinks in here*

Anyway, other than that, I don't know much about Biden or what this choice does to the Democratic ticket. I'll be voting for them either way.

On the other side: one might be kind of suprised by my thoughts on this. I can't believe the big deal they are making out of McCains "how many houses do I own" debacle. Yes, it is unbelievable and insane and places him so out of touch with my life. BUT, honestly, there are very few people at that level of government who are "in touch" with the lives of the average American. So, I really think that all politicians should abide by the old, "don't throw stones in glass houses" because although I will be voting for Obama, I'm pretty sure life is just a little bit easier than most and he probably doesn't have to think twice about whether or not he is losing his house tomorrow or how he is paying for groceries or what to do about his lack of health care. He may not have 4...er, ah 10 houses, but I'm pretty sure the one he lives in is not too terribly shabby.

Okay, well I'll get off my soapbox for now. Will be posting later about thelighter things in life...our "new to us" boat, my first day at school, and a little wardrobe incident perpetrated by Mariah and myself this past Friday. Pictures will be included, so stay tuned:)

Hansen Dairy Rocks My Socks Off!!

So I continue to LOVE Hansen Dairy! Every time I go there I feel so welcome and appreciated. The staff/owners are always so kind and conversational! For lunch today, I jumped across the street to MooRoos where they sell their ice cream by the scoop. Mmmmmm Delish! So good. And as I was in there, the delivery guy, who of course is a Hansen:) asked me "don't you normally shop over in the Cedar Falls store?" Okay, love that he recognizes the customers. That is awesome. And as I walked out he asked if I like tortillas. Well of course I do! And so he gave me a free package of some tortillas that were literally made last night in Decorah. They are having customers test them out to see if they will start selling them in their stores. Awesome! Can't wait to try them tonight.

It's about me, but its also about us.

As I read over my entries, I realize I write a lot about MY life, rather than our (Josh and my) life together. Which, I think that is okay. I mean, I am still an individual dealing with my own personal struggles and I think this is a place where I kind of mentally deal with those things. But, after rereading my Vegan Parenting entry, I realized I did a lot of talking about my kids and what I will teach them. I think I did this mostly because Josh isn't on the same path as I am in terms of being strict about boycotting factory farming and that was the specific issue at hand in the blog. He does it where he can, but he still eats what he wants and that is totally fine by me. I think he probably thinks I over do it a bit, but also supports me in what I need to do. But, I wanted to clarify, there will definitely be a partnership as WE raise OUR kids. And, honestly, IF we ever do have children, I can't wait to help him raise our kid(s).

On another note: They say the first year of marriage can be tough. Even tougher when your dealing with depression I would guess. I commend my husband for putting up with my woah is me attitude. Especially because he is such a social butterfly. It isn't fair to him that I continue to wallow in my own self pity. I think I am finally making some good changes in my daily life that will ultimately change my brain chemistry! Honestly, over the last couple of days I have felt less reactionary and anxiety driven, and dare I say, happier?! I'm still waiting to see if it holds or if I've just been lucky:) I've been working out everyday in hopes to naturally boost my endorphines, as well as taking the St. John's Wort. I really hope it works as I don't want to have to deal with the potential side affects of meds, although, if needed I will make use of them. So, there ya have it. More about me than you probably wanted to know. Have a blessed day!

Not Free Speech, RIGHT speech.

My new Mantra. Like I said yesterday, small steps, one day at a time, but I'll eventually get to a place where my heart feel at peace. I hope this helps me get there.

Three Tests of Right Speech:

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?

Just reading it lifts a weight from my shoulders.

Vegan Parenting?

Well, I am not strictly vegan, however my attempt to eat meat and dairy and other animal by products that comes only from small family farms where the animals are treated more humanely has been fairly successful. I still struggle with this because I know if I owned a cow, I would grow attached and treat it like a pet. And I would never eat my pets. But, I also believe that if I lived in the "wild", I would probably kill animals for nourishment. So I guess that is my reasoning for now. I'm just not in a place where I feel comfortable getting rid of all animal products from my diet. It may happen eventually. You never know. One day at a time, with small changes will allow me to get to the place where I feel most at peace and stay there long term.

With that being said, I did want to share the article below. I agree with the main idea. While I won't be able to control everything my kids eat or wear, they will be taught the idea that ALL animals deserve to be treated in a humane way and that we should make an effort to observe that through the products we choose to buy. I don't think I'd go as far as restricting them from friends and family with leather furniture, though a precocious little one (as I'm sure mine will be) may have a word or two for someone with a leather couch;) Is it any different than instilling another belief system in our kids? I think not as long as they are not malnourished, but I'd love to hear what others think. Just some food for thought, I guess.

Animal Person

Mary Martin, PhD, deconstructs the language, ethics and economics of our relationship with nonhuman animals.

On Vegan Parenting . . . Again

In "Custody Battle Over Quints Questions Vegan Lifestyle," by Emily Nipps, we learn about Gayle and Jeff Nelson-Folkersen of Tampa who are getting divorced, and Jeff is seeking primary custoday of their five 10-year olds. The only reason we know at this point for his decision, is Gayle's strict vegan lifestyle. Jeff claims she has:

'serious psychological control issues' and imposes a strict vegan diet - no meat, eggs or dairy - on the children, according to Hillsborough County court files. She even restricts the quints' visits with their paternal grandparents, the divorce petition states, because they have leather furniture.

The article casually states a commonly held train of thought that I'd like to take a moment to derail:

Vegan diets, especially for children, are often criticized not just from a nutritional standpoint, but also an ethical or psychological one. Adults often choose veganism because they disagree with the way factory farms use animals to produce eggs and milk, as well as how they are fattened or slaughtered for meat.

Is it okay to teach a child about these practices to ensure they share a parent's views on cheese, ice cream and leather furniture?

First, even the New York Times has realized that Nina Plank-like concern over vegan diets for children is bunkum. People who criticize veganism from a nutritional standpoint simply don't know the facts. There's been more discussion about this topic over the last 30 days than ever before, and we have Nina Planck and her misinformed op-ed to thank for that. The American public has been schooled on the nutritional aspects of veganism, and for those paying attention, the case is closed.

What strikes me as entirely backward, however, is that vegan diets are criticized from and ethical or psychological standpoint. Everyone communicates their values to their children, either implicitly or explicitly. If I have leather furniture in my house or my car (I don't), I am telling the world--through my choices--that I think it's okay to sit on someone else's skin. If I feed my children meat, which my parents did to me, I am sending them the message that eating the flesh of another--for no better reason than you like the taste of it or it's readily available and inexpensive--is acceptable. My parents transmitted values to me: Certain animals, such as chickens and cows and pigs, are for eating, and there's nothing wrong with eating them. In fact, they can be quite tasty. Other animals, such as cats and dogs, are cute and sweet and for petting. You shouldn't eat those animals.

Pit that value system against: We don't eat nonhuman animals because we don't believe they are ours to eat. They are like us in many ways that are very important. They are like Fido and Fluffy in every way that is important. We wouldn't eat Fido or Fluffy, so we shouldn't eat other creatures either. (Language can be modified to fit appropriate stages of cognitive development, naturally.)

What makes the latter value system criticize-able? Isn't the former one, which encourages unnecessary killing of nonhuman animals and is devoid of logic, the one on ethical and psychological-shaky ground? Is it okay to teach a child what really goes on in the world? Of course it is (with appropriately language). It's better than lying to them about Old McDonald and his mythical farm, while driving through McDonald's for a happy meal.

Finally, "Some might find the choice to raise a child to have these ethical beliefs as no different from raising a child to have certain spiritual beliefs." Some might. I don't. Spiritual beliefs are based on faith and faith, by definition, is belief without evidence. Veganism is a way of life based on science. Facts. We know that sentient beings are like us in all ways that matter. That's not a belief--it's a fact. Raising children to be nonviolent and to ask questions and align their actions with what is right is not the child abuse it is made out to be--it's responsible parenting.

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Life is yours to live...just the way you want to live it.

This is a giant block of whatever is most difficult for you to carry & trust me on this, you'll carry it more times than you can count until you decide that's exactly what you want to do most & then it won't weigh a thing anymore. ~Brian Andreas, Weight Training

As I've journeyed through life, I've made some tough decisions. Mostly decisions about who I wanted to be, what was important to me, and when and where I would take a stand for those things. It's never easy. I think it was more so for me because I had a lot of great supports in my life. People who only wanted me to be happy and trusted I knew exactly how to get to that point...whether immediately or in the long run. Really my family is the best. They supported me through being a philosophy major...where was that going to get me I got asked by strangers all the time. And my sister took two whole years off before even considering going to college. "Oh she'll never go" was what many people probably thought. And what if she never did? Would that make her less than? And through life experience she learned what she wanted to do rather than force the decision in 2 short years of college before she would have had to declare a major. I think we are both happier people now for following our hearts! My husband is a prime example of someone who just never felt like college material. He had 2 go's at it, but in the long run he wanted to work with his hands. He's a carpenter now and gets paid the same as me...and I have the student loan bill! Imagine that.

Really the same goes for any stance in life. College, religion, raising your kids, hell, birthing your kids, eating your food...Anything. You'll always get the eyebrow raise, the sly looks, the "concerned" questioning, the "but don't you think you should...."!

It makes me sad when I know there are people out there who crumble under the pressure of their "support" systems. "Supports" who don't truly hear what these precious individuals need to become complete in their very own way. Everyone has their own path and they have the right to follow that path as long as it does not injure another. But it can be so hard to follow when everyone else wants you to go down the "right" path. I wish there were no "right" mandated by most of society. It just breeds insecurity and hostility in those who try to follow it but never feel quite right about it.

Follow your dreams, live your life for yourself because you'll never be able to live for someone else until you do, let others love you for exactly who you are and leave the rest to miss out on the best person they may never know!

Mm mm Delish!

If for some reason I'm in the market to marry again, this is the man I will be seeking. One swimmer for another. Who knew I had a penchant for swimmers? Really, I had no clue who he was before this week, but that's about all I needed with Josh so apparently it is par for the course! Ooh he's about to race again. Exciting stuff.

Mock Blogs

My friend Kaari's blog
So above is a link to an entry on my friend Kaari's blog. It also links to another spoof blog, but she did a good job explaining what it spoofs. Although not Mormon, it makes me laugh out loud quite a bit because it really does mock many bloggers, I think!

Neg. Part 2

Well, I honestly think I'm back to being "depressed". It's been a good 10-12 years since I've been at this point. Luckily, I'm able to pin point it since I've been there before. However, I'm more stubborn in my old age and needed my husband to kick me in the ass. I just keep hoping it'll go away. But, it doesn't. I have so much to be happy about, and when I think about it, I am happy about everything that is happening in life right now. Things are going really well! But, I'm just always sad, irritable, anxious, or otherwise crabby! It seems to be a vicious cycle, as well. I was reading up on depression and the same feelings that are considered symptoms can also cause depression. So, if one is overly anxious, stressed, etc., their depression can be increased. I definitely have HUGE control issues and when I feel "out of control" I stress hardcore. No matter how much I tell myself to buck up, relax and smile, I can't. So, I'm trying some St. John's Wort first, before I go back on the meds. Hopefully I will be jumping like a crazy person on a couch soon, one way or another, either because I'm happy or clinically insane.

2 weeks...Do I have what it takes?

Oh man, come Monday, I will have exactly 2 weeks before 160 students are mine (well 3 times a week for an hour) for the semester! I have the distinct honor of serving as an adjunct instructor at UNI this Fall with a high probability of doing it again in the Spring. I have ALWAYS wanted to do this. I've always wanted to go back for my PhD, so I could be a professor, but no one wants to hire someone who gets all three degrees from the same college and let's face it, I'm not moving anywhere. So, I figured it was just a pipe dream. Well, Dr. Howard Barnes in the Family Studies Dept. contacted me this summer and asked if I'd be willing to do this. Almost as if I was doing him the favor!!???!!

I have the syllabus and the supplemental reading packet all done, and the speakers lined up! I'm ready to go. Very excited, but really nervous. Wish me luck. I'm sure I'll share my adventures once I get started.

Turn that frown upside down.

Oh Strawberry Shortcake, such words of wisdom you speak! Lately, I have been overcome with negativity. Clouds have been hanging over my head on a constant basis. I really can't pin point what it is. I do know I've been allowing others negativity to affect me which since I realize it, I need to work on continuing to put out what I need rather than reacting in a manner that does not benefit anyone. I feel like the ongoing negative cycle I have with one person overflows into the rest of my life so that I am putting forth negativity in my other relationships. Well, we all know what that gets me! More negativity. It's a viscous circle that I know all too well. Sometimes it is easier to get caught up in in it rather than battle against it. I need to start doing my daily affirmations again. As cheesy as it sounds, journaling about everything I am thankful for, even if it is just little things, really sets my mind on the right track for the day. So, I won't even go into what is bothering me because all that will do is invoke those bad things and I don't need that anymore! So, instead I'll redirect my energy to the good things.

I am thankful that I have been able to help several people this week at work. I am thankful that it is the weekend. the weather has been beautiful and I opened up the house last night to let nature back into our home! I love my dogs and my husband and they love me. I have a wonderful family that cares about me even when I act like a brat! I am thankful that I have my health and that I am able to exercise and play and be alive! I will celebrate life. I will start fresh and allow others to do the same. I will hold each individual up to be respected and treated with kindness. I will be curious rather than reactionary about others perspectives in hopes that they will do the same for me! All life should be celebrated! Life is a celebration! Celebrate with me friends!

The Business of Birthing

I am posting this because I believe it is info that needs to be out there, but even more so, I am posting it in honor of someone who I am praying was able to deliver in her own home free from intervention this week.

Although I have much to learn about the business of birthing, Danelle has opened my mind to a lot of things that I just took for granted to be true and right. As I understand it, there are many things to be considered including whether the pregnancy is a normal healthy pregnancy vs. high risk. But, I do continue to be amazed at some of the statistics regarding birthing practices in the U.S.

Once I decide to try this baby thing again, I will definitely be looking in to home birth, midwives, and what my options are here in Iowa. I need more education on my rights should I enter a hospital as far as having a choice about what is done to my body and my baby.

The "Business" of Birthing

Note: All of the information here represents fact, not opinion, of birthing within the United States. If you don't believe it, check the references listed at the end of the article. That being said, you may want to sit down before reading further...


FACT
Each year, the U.S. spends over $50 billion dollars on childbirth. This is more than any other nation in the world. (This number does not include babies in the NICU or readmissions during the first month.)


FACT
Birthing is the largest source of income for American hospitals.


FACT
The U.S. ranks 37th in the world for the quality of its health care.


FACT
Over HALF of all hospital admissions in America are for maternity.


FACT
Hospitals are NOT the safest place to have a baby. 25 infectious strains exist that are resistant to ALL known antibiotics. These are found primarily in hospitals.


FACT
75 years of routine hospital birth have produced NO studies to show it is safer than having a baby at home with a skilled birth attendant.


FACT
Both homebirth and birth centers have been scientifically proven to be as safe or safer than hospitals with a skilled labor attendant (i.e. midwives, not doctors).

FACT
The more technology used in childbirth, the more dangerous it becomes.


FACT
The larger the hospital, the greater the risks to both mother and baby.


FACT
Of the 4.3 million babies born annually in the U.S., a mere 5% represent natural childbirth.


FACT
America has the 40th highest infant mortality rate in the entire world.


FACT
The U.S.A. has the 14th highest maternal mortality ratio among developed nations.


FACT
Over 90% of all infants in the U.S. are born with drugs (e.g. narcotics from epidurals, pitocin, acetaminophen, etc) in their systems. NONE of these drugs have been tested for safe use in infants.


FACT
A 24-hour hospital stay, uncomplicated delivery in the U.S.A. costs anywhere from $8,000-10,000. This cost DOUBLES for a c-section.


FACT
ALL families in the U.S. are charged newborn nursery charges, even if the baby NEVER leaves the mother's room. This "routine" charge amounts to about $1.3 billion dollars annually, for services that are NOT rendered. (I'm not quite sure why this doesn't constitute insurance fraud - billing for services not rendered.)


FACT
Every year, 1 million, or about 20%, full-term, healthy infants are sent to the NICU for "observation" for an average stay of 3 days, totaling a whopping $6,000.


FACT
For newborns suspected to have serious medical conditions, the same NICU stay totals $20,000.


FACT
1 in 3 American women has an episiotomy. Episiotomies are medically indicated for less than 10% of all women. Over 1 million unnecessary episiotomies are performed annually in the U.S.


FACT
1 in 5 births in the U.S.A. are induced. 44% of women surveyed in 2002 reported their doctor wanted to induce. Only 16% reported medically-indicated reasons.


FACT
American women who elect epidurals are FOUR times as likely to have cesarean sections.


FACT
31.1% of American babies (nearly 1 in 3) in 2006 were delivered by cesarean section. The World Health Organization recommends a c-section rate of less than 10-15% as acceptable.


FACT
U.S. hospital policies for routine tests, practices, policies and procedures are based on financial considerations, which include malpractice insurance costs. They are not based on evidence, research, or appropriateness of care.


I truly hope you found these statistics disturbing. If they don't speak to the medicalization of childbirth in this country, I don't know what does.


The true horror comes in the fact that these views are being exported across the world. As the U.S. is such a powerhouse of marketing, more impressionable regions are adapting to these customs, despite the overwhelming evidence that the U.S. approach to childbirth IS SERIOUSLY FLAWED!


American obstetricians are taught to view birth as "a disaster waiting to happen." The average delivery in the U.S. is neither natural nor healthy. We have embraced a cascading system of successively more intense, unneeded interventions termed "active management" or the "standard of care".


So what do we do? How can we change the system?



We as a country need to reach beyond our own boundaries to embrace an effective model of maternity care. We, as women, mothers, and families, must educate ourselves as to the true process of labor and childbirth.


We must regain our faith in our bodies' perfect ability to have a baby. We must look at what the research is already telling us - that nature has it right!


In short, we must take back our birthing!


And if you're still not convinced, check these out:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_07.pdf

http://www.motherfriendly.org/Downloads/induct-fact-sheet.pdf

Deneux-Tharaux D, Berg C, Bouvier-Colle MH, Gissler M, Harper M, Nannini A, Alexander S, Wildman K, Breart G, Buekens P. Underreporting of Pregnancy-Related Mortality in the United States and Europe. Obstet Gynecol 2005;106:684-92.

http://www.who.int/whr/2005/en/

Hartmann K, Viswanathan M, Palmieri R, Gartlehner G, Thorp J, Lohr KN (2005). "Outcomes of routine episiotomy: a systematic review". JAMA 293 (17): 2141–8. doi:10.1001/jama.293.17.2141. PMID 15870418.

(2006) "ACOG Practice Bulletin. Episiotomy. Clinical Management Guidelines for Obstetrician-Gynecologists. Number 71, April 2006". Obstet Gynecol 107 (4): 957–62. PMID 16582142.

http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_18108.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obgyn.htm

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/330/7505/1416?ehom

Macfarlane A, McCandlish R, Campbell R.
Choosing between home and hospital delivery. There is no evidence that hospital is the safest place to give birth.
British Medical Journal. 2000 Mar 18;320(7237):798.

Home versus hospital birth.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2)

The cost-effectiveness of home birth.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. 44(1):30-5, 1999 Jan-Feb.

http://www.kff.org/womenshealth/upload/whp061207othd.pdf

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10401

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/318/7189/995

Peck P. Preinduction cervical ripening significantly increases risk of cesarean. Medscape Medical News, 2003

Goer H. The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth. New York: Perigee Books, 1999, p 228-9.

Fullerton JT and Severino R. In-hospital care for low-risk childbirth: comparison with results from the NationalBirth Center Study. J Nurse Midwifery 1992;37(5):331-340.


Return from Birthing Statistics to Giving Birth Naturally Home

Take these magic beans....

Miracle supplement? I think so! After having this stupid IUD put in, I started suffering from yeast infections and cystic acne. Annoying. The ease of the birth control was great, but was it worth it? Desperate, I went to Greenfields ( a natural foods and herb store), and begged for help with the yeast infections. I ended up purchasing what has become my saving grace pictured above! I realized the other day that not only was I free from yeast since I've taken it, I've been free from the annoying painful acne I was getting! I then googled it to see if there was a link between acidopholus and acne treatment. In fact, there is! What a great little find!

My Wall

Well here it is. The wall has been designed and I love it!!!!! So does Josh. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I was getting kind of nervous as the top print took forever to get here. But that being said, I would still recommend artistrising.com to anyone.

something's rotten, but it ain't the tommy-toes.

The FDA's Wheel of Salmonella (comic)

Comments by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
(NaturalNews) Watching the FDA trip over its own clumsy self while groping for answers on Salmonella is a sad affair. Following the FDA-encouraged destruction of tens of millions of dollars of perfectly good tomatoes, this confused, bewildered agency admits that tomatoes may not have been the problem after all, and it has now set its sights on destroying the peppers industry. Is there no vegetable safe from the destruction of the FDA?

Tomatoes don't harbor salmonella, by the way. Neither do peppers, onions, cilantro or spinach. Salmonella only festers in factory-farmed animals, folks, and that means the real source of contamination is no doubt some animal factory upstream from the vegetable processing centers. So why isn't the FDA going after the animal factories that likely caused this whole fiasco? Because making Americans scared of their vegetables is a great way to advance the FDA's food irradiation agenda which would destroy virtually all the medicinal phytonutrients in plants.

As intelligent, informed consumers are now discovering to their own dismay, the FDA appears to be purposely dragging its feet on this food safety crisis, milking the fear for political gain just like President Bush after 9/11. Fear is a powerful tactic for pushing an agenda that the People would otherwise refuse to accept, and since most Americans are strongly opposed to food irradiation, the FDA is more than happy to drag out this salmonella issue as a way to make American consumers increasingly afraid of fresh vegetables.

This accomplishes three things the FDA supports:

1) It advances the FDA's pro-irradiation agenda where ALL fresh produce might someday be irradiated without your knowledge.

2) It makes consumers buy more processed, dead foods, which produces profits for the very same junk food companies that have strong influence at the FDA.

3) If food irradiation is put in place, it will destroy the medicinal properties of fresh produce, thereby blocking the prevention of diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, etc. This, in turn, has the effect of creating a windfall of sick people that will fill the coffers of drug companies (who are, of course, the FDA's clients).

But would the FDA play politics with the safety of American lives? Sure it would...
Wait a sec. Am I saying the FDA would purposely put American lives at risk in order to play politics with food safety?

Well, gee, if you haven't noticed, the FDA has been putting American lives at risk for well over a decade, pushing dangerous pharmaceuticals that were recalled by other nations, colluding with drug companies to bury negative information about the drugs, outlawing safe, natural alternatives to dangerous pharmaceuticals and even going so far as to threaten its own top scientists who attempt to speak out against dangerous drugs.

Want to know the truth about the FDA? Read the shocking facts, if you dare, at www.NaturalNews.com/the_FDA.html

This salmonella scare, you see, isn't about tomatoes, peppers or cilantro. It's about creating a state of fear in the minds of consumers -- a state that can be invoked to further the FDA's pro-irradiation agenda.

These scare stories, in other words, are a lot like false flag operations in the military, where conflicts are staged against one's own nation in order to blame the enemy and declare war. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_flag

So as it turns out, the FDA isn't fumbling around so much after all. It only acts like it's clueless about these salmonella outbreaks in order to prolong the problem, generate more fearful press coverage, and then appear as the hero when it calls for widespread food irradiation.

Don't be afraid of fresh food, folks. Be outraged at the FDA's use of fear as a manipulation tactic to invoke a backlash against fresh food.

Vegetables are not the problem, and food irradiation would make them LESS safe for consumers, not more.