This radio interview of Stan Taylor (My Dad), author of the book entitled Beneath the Bamboo: A Vietnam War Story, was given by radio personality Orv Graham on November 5, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNU2MMt_hwU&feature=youtu.be
#vietnamwar
#vietnam
#military
#soldiers
#army
#usarmy
Monday, November 20, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Trading with China....a bad idea? Or a good one?
Trading with China....a bad idea? Or a good one?
If we stopped trade with China completely and started making our own stuff, would that really be a bad thing?
There's pros and cons, really.
The pros are:
1. More jobs for us
2. More company tax money for our own governments
3. Less economic growth for others. For developing countries that would sting them a bit, but for those that already have nuclear capabilities? If you think about it, when we fuel their companies via trade and, in turn, that contributes to their government tax money, doesn't that ultimately mean more money for their governments to develop weapons? In reality, by us continuing to buy things that are made elsewhere, we might inadvertently be ensuring our own future destruction. So, in turn, it would seriously seem better if we halted trade with countries that had the potential to destroy us.
The cons are:
1. More environmental pollution. If we made everything here that was previously made in China, the air may LOOK like the industry centers in China, and that's definitely not a good thing. Think Los Angeles...On a GOOD day!!!
2. Making the dogs angry. What I mean is...if you basically give money handouts so often and for so long of a time to certain countries, and then cut off that money supply by stopping trade, when what they're used to getting is gone, it'll cause some pretty major consequences. In some cases, even war. It's happened before. When we cut off some major resources to Japan because they tried to take over more territory, they ended up bombing Pearl Harbor.
It's all interesting to think about. On one hand, we *need to be* a more self sufficient country for the betterment of our citizens and governments. On the other hand, major consequences could arise if we ended up being that way.
The trick is to have balance without an increased chance for destruction, whether it be financially, physically, or even emotionally. This is something I feel any president should weigh before taking *any* action which could potentially affect the American population as a whole.
#trade
#trump
#presidency
#whitehouse
#china
#politics
If we stopped trade with China completely and started making our own stuff, would that really be a bad thing?
There's pros and cons, really.
The pros are:
1. More jobs for us
2. More company tax money for our own governments
3. Less economic growth for others. For developing countries that would sting them a bit, but for those that already have nuclear capabilities? If you think about it, when we fuel their companies via trade and, in turn, that contributes to their government tax money, doesn't that ultimately mean more money for their governments to develop weapons? In reality, by us continuing to buy things that are made elsewhere, we might inadvertently be ensuring our own future destruction. So, in turn, it would seriously seem better if we halted trade with countries that had the potential to destroy us.
The cons are:
1. More environmental pollution. If we made everything here that was previously made in China, the air may LOOK like the industry centers in China, and that's definitely not a good thing. Think Los Angeles...On a GOOD day!!!
2. Making the dogs angry. What I mean is...if you basically give money handouts so often and for so long of a time to certain countries, and then cut off that money supply by stopping trade, when what they're used to getting is gone, it'll cause some pretty major consequences. In some cases, even war. It's happened before. When we cut off some major resources to Japan because they tried to take over more territory, they ended up bombing Pearl Harbor.
It's all interesting to think about. On one hand, we *need to be* a more self sufficient country for the betterment of our citizens and governments. On the other hand, major consequences could arise if we ended up being that way.
The trick is to have balance without an increased chance for destruction, whether it be financially, physically, or even emotionally. This is something I feel any president should weigh before taking *any* action which could potentially affect the American population as a whole.
#trade
#trump
#presidency
#whitehouse
#china
#politics
Friday, September 1, 2017
Attention: Ebay Sellers
To: #ebay sellers. Use the advanced search to find completed auctions before pricing your items!
#Collectibles #Marvel #vintagetoys
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Baby Formulas
Baby formula shopping and testing has been quite the chore. Yet, at the same time, quite the learning experience. It would be better if Laurel was breast fed, of course, but due to the lack of her mother's production and now drying up, that’s not really an option.
So here’s what I have learned about American formulas so far.
1. They constitute of the following ingredients: Protein, fat, a carb, and vitamins, and most if not all contain a form of DHA and ARA. Some also throw prebiotics and/or probiotics in there. Many others add additional chemicals *supposedly* good for brain health.
2. The fat is usually an assortment of oils, which sadly includes soy (Speculated to cause early puberty as well as potential mental risks due to aluminum saturation during its time in the soil and during processing). These also include Palm oil, which is kind of sketchy.
3. Most formulas contain at least *some* form of corn syrup or corn syrup solids that they use as the carb. This is especially true of the formulas that are designed for sensitivity, which often has it as the #1 ingredient. In any ingredient list, the closer to the top, the more of it happens to be in there. The problem with this ingredient as the carb as opposed to lactose (The natural sugar found in breast milk) is the fact that lactose is a combo of glucose and galactose, whereas corn syrup solids are usually straight glucose. This means they are absorbed by the body differently. Straight glucose has been shown in some studies to make a fatty liver (And person overall) as well as raise a risk for Diabetes, etc. Not only that, but using lactose instead of corn syrup solids is a better way for other reasons as well. First off, the galactose in lactose helps to digest things more properly. Secondly, lactose helps in calcium and phosphorous absorption. Third, beneficial bacteria thrive more on galactose compared to the other sugars. The only downside to all of this is the fact that lactose causes some babies to be gassy and fussy. So you have to weigh the consequences. Corn syrup solids as a first ingredient and no lactose, which can cause issues long term, or a gassy/fussy baby who is getting the lactose it needs. It’s not a hard choice.
4. Another issue some babies (Including ours) have is a slight milk absorption issue. You can deal with this in one of two ways. You can use a partially hydrolyzed formula, or a basic amino acid /fully hydrolyzed formula. The downside of using a fully hydrolyzed formula is the fact that corn syrup solids are usually the first ingredient AND they also don’t include any lactose. The downside of using a partially hydrolyzed formula is the fact that the baby still might have slight issues. Not as bad as using a non-hydrolyzed formula, but still a few issues here and there. Oh, and also…the fully hydrolyzed formulas? They STINK. Badly. Nutramigen by Enfamil, as an example, smells like the Staley overpass in Decatur, Illinois.
After thorough testing, we opted for a partially hydrolyzed formula, the Gerber Gentle Good start. Basically, because corn syrup solids are NOT the first ingredient, AND it has lactose in it. Yet it’s not full strength milk protein (AKA non-hydrolyzed) so it’s easier on Laurel’s tummy. We *were* using Enfamil Gentle-ease *but* the first ingredient is corn syrup solids AND its second ingredient had soy in it. Although we realize every formula has soy *oil* in some way, we didn’t want to see soy multiple times on an ingredients list due to the potential future issues it could cause.
So, that’s it. My research is finally done!
So here’s what I have learned about American formulas so far.
1. They constitute of the following ingredients: Protein, fat, a carb, and vitamins, and most if not all contain a form of DHA and ARA. Some also throw prebiotics and/or probiotics in there. Many others add additional chemicals *supposedly* good for brain health.
2. The fat is usually an assortment of oils, which sadly includes soy (Speculated to cause early puberty as well as potential mental risks due to aluminum saturation during its time in the soil and during processing). These also include Palm oil, which is kind of sketchy.
3. Most formulas contain at least *some* form of corn syrup or corn syrup solids that they use as the carb. This is especially true of the formulas that are designed for sensitivity, which often has it as the #1 ingredient. In any ingredient list, the closer to the top, the more of it happens to be in there. The problem with this ingredient as the carb as opposed to lactose (The natural sugar found in breast milk) is the fact that lactose is a combo of glucose and galactose, whereas corn syrup solids are usually straight glucose. This means they are absorbed by the body differently. Straight glucose has been shown in some studies to make a fatty liver (And person overall) as well as raise a risk for Diabetes, etc. Not only that, but using lactose instead of corn syrup solids is a better way for other reasons as well. First off, the galactose in lactose helps to digest things more properly. Secondly, lactose helps in calcium and phosphorous absorption. Third, beneficial bacteria thrive more on galactose compared to the other sugars. The only downside to all of this is the fact that lactose causes some babies to be gassy and fussy. So you have to weigh the consequences. Corn syrup solids as a first ingredient and no lactose, which can cause issues long term, or a gassy/fussy baby who is getting the lactose it needs. It’s not a hard choice.
4. Another issue some babies (Including ours) have is a slight milk absorption issue. You can deal with this in one of two ways. You can use a partially hydrolyzed formula, or a basic amino acid /fully hydrolyzed formula. The downside of using a fully hydrolyzed formula is the fact that corn syrup solids are usually the first ingredient AND they also don’t include any lactose. The downside of using a partially hydrolyzed formula is the fact that the baby still might have slight issues. Not as bad as using a non-hydrolyzed formula, but still a few issues here and there. Oh, and also…the fully hydrolyzed formulas? They STINK. Badly. Nutramigen by Enfamil, as an example, smells like the Staley overpass in Decatur, Illinois.
After thorough testing, we opted for a partially hydrolyzed formula, the Gerber Gentle Good start. Basically, because corn syrup solids are NOT the first ingredient, AND it has lactose in it. Yet it’s not full strength milk protein (AKA non-hydrolyzed) so it’s easier on Laurel’s tummy. We *were* using Enfamil Gentle-ease *but* the first ingredient is corn syrup solids AND its second ingredient had soy in it. Although we realize every formula has soy *oil* in some way, we didn’t want to see soy multiple times on an ingredients list due to the potential future issues it could cause.
So, that’s it. My research is finally done!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Sex Candy
After watching a movie today which talked about the ins and outs (No pun intended) of blogging, apparently just by mentioning the words sex, single, or orgasm you can get quite a few lookers. Which, in turn, means you should probably be pulling in your computer chair or shutting off your phone and looking for the real thing. Hey, I'm just saying...
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Spider-Man Homecoming
I recently saw Spider-Man: Homecoming. My reviews of it are mixed. Truthfully, I STILL prefer the Tobey McGuire Spider-man movies. To me he'll always be the Spider-man that was supposed to be depicted in the movies. Now, prior to this *Homecoming film* they tried to make Andrew Garfield Spider-man, but in my opinion he was a little bit *too* quirky. With this new kid, well...although he's not *as* weird as Andrew, with him they focused more on the teen angst/high school aspect of the part and, in my opinion, they've dumbed down the character due to that. It's almost as if they're trying to match the intelligence of a typical *modern* teen with that of Peter Parker. Yet, in the comics, Peter Parker was way beyond his peers and it showed. Then there's the emotional aspect of it. At least when Tobey was playing the part, his turmoil seemed real and he was endearing as a character. With the new boy, you just can't *feel* for the kid and, without that connection, the part just doesn't seem to work. In addition, when Tobey played the part, he was witty but also intelligent, outspoken, and just *seemed* smart when you heard him talk. With the new kid, you start to doubt his overall intelligence. The main pros to this movie, in my opinion, were the (Spoiler alert!) reappearance of alien technology that first appeared in the first Avengers movie, and, of course, the occasional appearance of Iron Man. Out of the last two movies I have seen that were super hero related, I would truthfully have to say that Wonder Woman was about 300% better than this new Spider-Man movie. Sad, but most certainly true.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Doctors and Medicaid
The next time you go to a doctor, ask if they accept Medicaid. If the answer is no, your doctor cares more about money than helping people in my opinion. Although, yes, it's true that Doctors get reimbursed less for Medicaid recipients (Which is why, unfortunately, many of them don't accept it) whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath? To help the sick means to HELP the sick, not help them only if they have a certain kind of insurance. Shame on you, doctors. Shame on you.
#medicine
#physicians
#doctors
#medicaid
#medicine
#physicians
#doctors
#medicaid
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