Mindconnection eNL, 2002-07-30In this issue:
1. Thanks, readers!Feedback from you folks makes me smile. It's good to know you appreciate what's here. And yes, it's OK to forward this on to friends.
2. Brainpower tipBeware of subtle word changes and misuses. A good example of this is "democracy." Somehow, our media have construed that democracy is a good thing. I don't know where they get that from. They have also insinuated that it's up to Americans to defend democracy. The brainpower-enabled person must ask, "What is democracy?" For one thing, it's a form of government (or lack thereof) that Thomas Jefferson and George Washington ardently warned against. This is one reason why contemporary USA "history books" give Washington such short shrift--barely mentioning him and no longer referring to him as "the father of our country." Now, the point here isn't to deride the statists, or the concept of democracy, or to defend George Washington. What I am doing is pointing out this good example of brainwashing. More like brain bleaching. So, let's cover it for clarity and then move on. Our system of government is allegedly a representative republic. A democracy is rule by majority, which sounds good on paper. However, think back to those mobs that lynched innocent people of color in the USA only 100 years ago. That was democracy in action. It's easy to whip a crowd (or a populace) into an emotional frenzy. Hitler did this in Germany. Another word for democracy is "mobocracy." It's really rule of the loudest, most manipulative, or most powerful, rather than rule of reason or will of the people. Sort of like our modern corporate governance. My message to you is that we all have a responsibility to call things what they are, not what we wish them to be. Do you have kids in school? Do those schools have soft-drink machines? Why not call them osteoporosis machines? That's what they are (the carbonation causes loss of calcium in the bones--see tip below). Don't let euphemisms and manipulative word choices foil your reasoning. Ask people to define what they mean. When they start talking about "our democracy," explain there is no such thing. Ask if they can refer to our government by a label that is at least Constitutional.
3. Finance tipsA huge expense for many people is the car payment. I'm going to give you some easy ways to get that payment out of your life by extending the happy ownership of your present car. If you do not have a car, then maybe you can apply these same principles to your refrigerator or your bath towels. Just so you know I know what I'm talking about. I have a 1995 sports car that people often confuse with a brand new car. It's been paid off for many years. I've had several cars go over 100,000 miles. I sold a 250,000 mile car for $3500 a few years back. It was 22 years old and cost about that much new. A relative of mine is going through a divorce. Her husband hated her 1995 sports car, a 300Z. Very expensive car. So, he drove it all the time (go figure). The struts failed in the front, and he failed to replace them. Eventually, the vibration damaged the front suspension, worked the starter bolts loose, ruined the tires, damaged the transmission (which will cost $2800 to replace, because he also let it run low on fluid), and generally caused enough damage to nearly total the car. Struts are not expensive. The lesson here? Well, several lessons actually. Here's a list of ways to save big bucks:
If you're not "mechanically inclined," find someone who is and who can teach you. All of these things are easy, and all of them will reduce the number of car payments and roadside emergencies you have. Now, many folks save the pennies involved in car maintenance and spend big dollars later. I think this is incredibly short-sighted, and I also think it lowers your appreciation for the car. Special tip #99. Now that you've learned how to give tender loving care to your car, do the same for your spouse.
4. Health tipSoft drinks are appropriately named, as they soften your bones. It might be better to call them "osteoporosis in a can." The mechanism works like this:
Drink enough of this poison, and you develop osteoporosis. How much is enough to cause that? Well, that depends on how much weigh-bearing exercise you do, what your testosterone levels are (they are driven mostly by weight-bearing exercise, within your genetic limits), and how much bio-available calcium you ingest. Hint: Milk is not a great calcium source. "Tums" or any other elemental calcium is not a good calcium source. You need dark green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, spinach, etc. It wouldn't hurt to supplement, because most veggies today are grown in poor soil. Make sure your supplement has phosphorous and magnesium to go with the calcium, or it won't work. And stay away from those osteoporosis beverages.
5. Fitness tipMany people are under the delusion that joggers are health nuts. No, joggers are jogging nuts. If you don't like running, don't feel guilty. If you do like running, fine--but be careful. Running every day creates a build-up of cortisol, lowers testosterone (never a good thing, especially if you don't like getting osteoporosis), and does a host of other damages to the body. Rest is as important as exercise. If you like to run, do so only a couple of days a week--like Saturday and Wednesday, for example. Your times will improve, and your cardio fitness will not suffer. To be truly healthy, mix your exercise up regularly. Getting in a rut of doing the same routine just isn't good. Look at the gym rats who use the same machines three days a week and call that "working out." They look the same way they did three years ago (if they are lucky!). Why is that? Because they have settled into a ritual, instead of working toward progress. Don't forget, gardening, mowing, raking, shoveling, and playing with pets and kids all are good forms of exercise.
6. Thought for the DayOnly you can make yourself angry or upset. If you find others "make" you feel that way, think about why that is. Do you need their opinion? You might--if so, ask them to discuss the one issue (no more than one) that most bugs you. See if they can help you change whatever it is that irritates you. For example, if your neighbor's dog consistently pees on your prize petunias, don't get mad at your neighbor (unless he is also peeing on your prize petunias). Tell your neighbor you want to be friends, but you are always getting angry over the petunias. Ask if there is a solution that will make you, the neighbor, and the dog happy. You could pull the petunias up, put a fence around them, or plant an electrode so the dog gets 120V in the nuts. There are all kinds of solutions, other than getting mad.
Wishing you the best, Mark Lamendola AuthorshipThe views expressed in this e-newsletter are generally not shared by criminals, zombies, or brainwashed individuals.Except where noted, this e-newsletter is entirely the work of Mark Lamendola. Anything presented as fact can be independently verified. Often, sources are given; but where not given, they are readily available to anyone who makes the effort. Mark provides information from either research or his own areas of established expertise. Sometimes, what appears to be a personal opinion is the only possibility when applying sound logic--reason it out before judging! (That said, some personal opinions do appear on occasion). The purpose of this publication is to inform and empower its readers (and save you money!). Personal note from Mark: I value each and every one of you, and I hope that shows in the diligent effort I put into writing this e-newsletter. Thank you for being a faithful reader. To unsubscribe, write to This e-mail link Let other potential readers know what you think of this e-zine, by rating it at the Cumuli Ezine Finder: http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/ra22225.rate |
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