http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0212/Alecia-Pennington-can-t-prove-she-s-an-American-or-even-exists.-What-would-you-do

USA SOCIETY
Alecia Pennington can’t prove she’s an American – or even exists. What would you do?
To the government, Alecia Pennington doesn’t exist. She has been unable to get a driver’s license, get a job, go to college, get on a plane, get a bank account, or vote. What can she do?
By Samantha Laine FEBRUARY 12, 2015

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On Sep. 24, 2014, 18-year-old Alecia Faith Pennington left her family and childhood home with the help of her grandparents. Having been raised in a staunchly Christian, homeschooled family in Texas, she was ready to set off and pursue a new life.

But she quickly realized that would not be possible. While she claims that she was born on Nov. 26, 1995, there is no actual proof of her age or identity, when it comes to the United States government.

Ms. Pennington, who says she’s now 19, has launched a campaign via YouTube and Facebook called “Help Me Prove It.” In the video, she explains her strange circumstance: she was born at home, after which her parents neglected to file for a birth certificate or a social security number; she was homeschooled and therefore has no school records; she has never been to a hospital and is without medical records. Furthermore, she says that her parents have been refusing to help her.

She appears caught in a Kafkaesque bureaucratic web – one that’s been dubbed “identification abuse,” which a small percentage of homeschooled children and adults sometimes experience, often due to the unconventional views held by their parents.

*** end quote ***

It seems that any court of competent jurisdiction could solve this quickly.

*** begin quote ***

For Alecia, Stollar suggests that her best option is to find a lawyer who will be willing to represent her pro bono. Her campaign has at least shed light on a situation that a small but sometimes desperate group of homeschooled children face. And the easiest solution, he notes, would be for Alecia’s parents to cooperate.

*** end quote ***

Shame on the Texas Bar association for not stepping up to the plate?

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probono@texasbar.com

TO: Legal Access Division Pro Bono Department

I’d hope that this prompts your organization to step up to the bar for her.

fjohn

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http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/donald-w-miller-jr-md/more-dangerous-than-measles/

Measles vs. MMR Vaccine: Risks and Benefits
By Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD
February 12, 2015

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Short-lived vaccine immunity renders people under age 55-60 vulnerable to contracting measles at a bad age, with infants less than 1 year old and adults over 20 years old at greatest risk. The day may once again come when parents, while avoiding the vaccine, hold measles parties for their children in the age window of 5 to 9 years (like some families now do in Germany) so they can have measles at the safest time in their lives, thereby achieving the benefits of a strengthened immune system and lifelong natural immunity from this disease.

*** end quote ***

This, to me at least, was a very interesting well-reasoned piece about the tradeoffs we’re making.

Could it be that profits bought politicians and bureaucrats? And, now we are stuck with it.

And, of course, it’s unlikely that there will be any reasoned discourse on it.

I’m not a doctor, scientist, or parent, so I’m relegated to the role of “bystander” watching this particular “traffic accident”.

I’ve gone around on the more times than a revolving door. Now I’ve arrived at the position that “parents know best”. And, perhaps, “measles parties” are the best strategy. Certainly the cheapest. And, possibly, the one with the least side effects.

Hmmm, I wonder if there are other “choices” that are foisted on us by others “who know what’s good for us”?

As a little L libertarian who is pro-choice pro-life and anti-war, I’s suggest that everyone should make their own choices in life. Just don’t make me pay for them. 

Argh!

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Why don’t suits have part numbers like every other gadget? And their color and pattern?

As a fat old white guy injineer, I’m partial to dark blue or black suits.

(Supposedly it makes one look thinner?)

My problem is after a while they all look a like.

It would seem obviously easy for manufacturers to help us poor old guys out.

Put the suit part number in the jacket and the pants. Then when the cleaner splits them up, I can get them back together without a bright light, magnifying glass, and some guessing!

Argh!

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Why don’t sox have serial numbers like appliances?

It’s not like it would add a lot of costs.

Gold Toe could use #1001 for one type of black. #1002 for another type.

Then when I have to match them, problems solved!

Otherwise, I have “orphans” and mismatches.

Argh!

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https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/felten/in-partial-defense-of-the-seahawks-play-calling/

In Partial Defense of the Seahawks’ Play Calling
FEBRUARY 2, 2015 BY ED FELTEN

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The conclusion that run-pass-run is the best sequence is fairly robust against changes in the probability assumptions. If it’s wrong, it’s probably because of the assumption that run-run-run isn’t an option.The Seahawks’ decision to pass on second down wasn’t crazy, but a better choice would have been to pass on third down. Announcers who said “just run twice” were giving bad advice. The Seahawks didn’t make a terrible play call; they made a reasonable choice but were defeated by a great defensive play.

*** end quote ***

I think this analysis over looks that the NE Pats had timeouts.

I doubt Bill B would not try to save some time for a “Hail Mary” by Brady.

Hence a stuffed run, might get a “free” time out from NE.

Interesting discussion.

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http://time.com/money/3688483/taylor-swift-this-sick-beat-trademark/

EVERYDAY MONEY
TAYLOR SWIFT
Can Taylor Swift Really Trademark “This Sick Beat”?

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Yes, and Here’s Why
Jacob Davidson @JakeD  
Jan. 29, 2015     

Taylor Swift just tried to trademark “This Sick Beat.” Here’s why she can, and why it makes a whole lot of financial sense.

The internet almost exploded Thursday over news that pop star (and freshly minted New Yorker) Taylor Swift has trademarked the phrases “This Sick Beat,” “Nice to Meet You. Where You Been?,” and “Party Like It’s 1989,” among others.

Actually, that’s not quite true. Contrary to many reports, Swift has not yet been granted any of these trademarks—she’s merely applied for them and is awaiting approval by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

*** end quote ***

Well, that’s “my girl”.

Business say and always finding a new wrinkle!

Like Cher, “barbara streisand”, and Dolly Parton, you have to back the beauty with brains.

Argh!

300$ a pop for trademarks?

Maybe I can trademark “fowgi” and “fat old white guy injineer”?

Too descriptive of a real thing? 

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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20150122/fbn-deflated-footballs-2d3a36fde7.html

Patriots coach says he doesn’t know how balls were deflated
Jan 22, 10:59 AM (ET)
By HOWARD ULMAN

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday he doesn’t know how footballs became deflated during the game that got his team to the Super Bowl.

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I believe him.

(Until there is evidence otherwise.)

Solve it like the two children splitting a sandwich.

One cuts; the other picks.

So the NFL sets the specs for the balls and the teams exchange game balls.

End of problem. No muss. No fuss.

No?

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http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/01/joseph-mercola/dont-be-magnesium-deficient/

Magnesium: An Invisible Deficiency That Could Be Harming Your Health
By Joseph Mercola Mercola.com
January 20, 2015

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Magnesium is a mineral used by every organ in your body, especially your heart, muscles, and kidneys.1 If you suffer from unexplained fatigue or weakness, abnormal heart rhythms or even muscle spasms and eye twitches, low levels of magnesium could be to blame.

*** and ***

Early signs of magnesium deficiency include loss of appetite, headache, nausea, fatigue, and weakness. An ongoing magnesium deficiency can lead to more serious symptoms, including:

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“Numbing and tingling”

Wow, Our Girl has that. Might have I “saved” her by magnesium. SOB!

And, I have “numbing” and no trots. Maybe I need more?

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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-avoid-hitting-animals-while-driving-without-putting-yourself-in-danger.html

Bottom line: Don’t swerve except for a moose. (No word about Shriners, Eagles, or other fraternal organizations)!

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http://www.laweekly.com/publicspectacle/2014/12/31/when-a-cartoonist-landed-in-la-county-jail-she-drew-what-she-saw-using-only-a-golf-pencil

First Person
When a Cartoonist Landed in L.A. County Jail, She Drew What She Saw, Using Only a Golf Pencil
By Elana Pritchard
Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 4:00 AM

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In June 2014, I was arrested for violating a court order. I bailed out on July 3. But because I had no money and an overworked public defender, I knew I’d have to serve time for my violation. That’s when my mentor, animator-director Ralph Bakshi, advised me to “document my exploits.” Jailed in the women’s division of the Los Angeles County jail system for two months, I was sent first to Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) in Lynwood and then to Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles for my final three weeks. Armed with nothing more than a golf pencil and whatever paper I could get my hands on, I drew the strange world into which I’d been dropped. 

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I read some of this and I was actually sickened.

And, this is supposedly a free society?

Disgraceful.

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2015-Jan-01

I was thinking that if “we” all used GMT+0 (Zulu?) that we could all celebrate at the same time?

And, end a lot of confusion of time zones. That’s what computers do! And the US military.

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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-vets-view-of-home-euthanasia-for-pets.html

A Vet’s View of Home Euthanasia for Pets
Vetsreet.com
December 5, 2014
6:20 am

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Nobody says, “I hope I die in a hospital bed in the ICU in a lot of pain.” If you were to query your friends, most people would probably say, “I hope I die at home in my sleep.” (In fact, according to some surveys, as many as 70 percent to 90 percent of people would prefer to die at home.) The uncertainty of knowing when and where we will shrug off the mortal coil is a great source of angst for many of us humans. Dogs and cats have it a little different.

*** end quote ***

Agree. Dying in a hospital is barbaric. Being in a hospital with little hope is pretty bad.

Maybe it’s the time of year or time of my life, but these thoughts are troubling.

Hope people make their pets comfortable.

Losing a pet is hard; losing a spouse hardest think I’ve ever endured.

Argh!

Maudlin.

But this is an excellent idea for the ETHICAL treatment of pets and animals.

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2014-Oct-24

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TROPICAL_WEATHER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-10-17-11-15-36

Oct 18, 10:28 AM EDT
POWER OUT, TREES FALL AS HURRICANE CROSSES BERMUDABY JOSH BALL AND DANICA COTO ASSOCIATED PRESS

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HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) — Hurricane Gonzalo crushed trees, flattened power lines and damaged Bermuda’s main hospital during an hours-long battering – the second time the tiny British territory has been slammed by a powerful storm in less than a week.

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Simple observation: Why aren’t power lines underground?

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http://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/nylf-digital-media-film-and-journalism#faqs

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Your safety and well-being during the program is our highest priority. The program is structured so that you will reside in a safe, controlled environment. You will be closely supervised by a professionally trained staff, including faculty advisors who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel and a program coordinator.

For nearly 30 years, Envision has achieved a stellar record of safely and successfully enriching the lives of students, providing them with superb educational experiences and professional supervision. Other Envision safety measures include:

* Greeting students at the designated airport upon their arrival and providing shuttle service directly to the program site, as well as providing shuttle service back to the airport on departure day.
* Maintaining a student-to-staff ratio of 17-to-1.
* Providing single-sex rooms and single-sex floors.
* Requiring all students to attend all activities.
* Checking rooms nightly and ensuring that students remain in their rooms.
* Having night monitors in place to support students who may become ill or who have an emergency during the night.
* Equipping all staff members with two-way communication devices.

*** end quote ***

I guess after Natile Holloway in Aruba this is now on everyone’s mind.

It brings up some interesting questions:

* does this create a greater legal liability for all those involved in the provision of this trip.

* if you can’t keep cell phones out of prison, how can you keep anyone totally safe.

* humans are very innovative. I’d put a disclaimer about the students actions to defeat the safeguards.

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http://washingtonexaminer.com/it-looks-like-a-gop-wave-the-question-is-how-far-it-goes/article/2554246#!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psephology

Learnt me a nu wurd today!

Duh!

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Loss of smell may be predictor of death in elderly, study says 

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/10/01/loss-smell-may-be-predictor-death-in-elderly-study-says/?intcmp=obnetwork

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I better watch out. While I can smell bacon; not much else.

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http://www.ted.com/talks/dean_ornish_on_the_world_s_killer_diet?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=image__2014-09-27

Forget the latest disease in the news: Cardiovascular disease kills more people than everything else combined — and it’s mostly preventable. Dr. Dean Ornish explains how changing our eating habits can save lives

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Change diet and exercise.

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http://darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2014-01.html

Darwin Award: Selfie With Elephant: Two men in Kenya were capturing selfies with a wild elephant when they were trampled to death by the irate pachyderm who proceeded to bury the corpses. The two men were actually touching the elephant’s face…

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Like the Chinese fellow, who the sleeping crock should be made to do something, climbing over two walls to beat it with a stick.

It ate him.

Argh!

How does this species survive?

Good thing we have politicians and bureaucrats to tell us what to do!

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http://www.newsledge.com/look-cars-must-able-warn-says-government-8822

BY ALEX CHAVERS NEWS, TECH
AUGUST 18, 2014
LOOK OUT! CARS MUST BE ABLE TO WARN EACH OTHER SAYS GOVERNMENT

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Cars and light trucks of the future must be able to talk to each other and warn of potential dangers. This first step from the government requiring the technology could prevent thousands of accidents and fatalities.

How would it work? A radio signal would be used to continually transmit a vehicle’s position, speed and other info. Other cars equipped with the same technology would be able to read the data and warn of any potential collision. The range of the radio signal is limited to about 300 yards. Plenty of distance to warn your car of any potential accidents.

*** end quote ***

I’d rather have the self-driving Google cars.

And my “Big Brother” paranoia rises to the top.

• Your car “broadcasts” that your tags, insurance, or inspection is expired. And the “revenue agents” are summoned to ticket you. Or maybe you’re tried in absentia?
• Your car records your speeding and is used against you in a court of law. It hears you texting, exiting, or smoking and notifies the appropriate “revenue agent”?
   
• It has a breathalyzer add on?
• Your neighborhood mechanic disables the feature. So much for that much ballyhooed save at the stop light.
• Hackers take over your car? Impossible, yeah right!
   
• How long until Crony Capitalists figure out other <synonym for excrement> to force you to put on your car?
• And yet another pos that will fail and / or require maintenance.
• Also, roadside checkpoints to ensure it’s working “to protect the public”. 

I think I don’t like this idea until the “bugs” are out of the District of Corruption.

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