Category: Uncategorized

On Sundays I pay tribute to someone who has been a big difference in the lives of others. Such is the case with Michele McClung, who must have been paying attention when Albert Einstein supposedly said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” 

Einstein’s statement is the status of education in this country these days. We continue to do the same thing (throw more money into education), and “those who know best” expect different results. Insanity!

However, the situation is now different in southern Alabama, thanks to Michele McClung, the new school superintendent for the twelve schools in Escambia County, Alabama. She arrived two years ago to lead a school system that needed major help academically. Being a former math teacher, she was familiar with what teachers needed to help students succeed. She used her classroom experience to equip teachers with the latest resources to make their jobs easier, while also improving students’ chances for success.

From Epoch Share:

She believes that fixing education starts with people.

“There’s nothing more important in today’s society than providing a safe, caring, and engaging environment for students to learn. It’s my job to lift up our employees, celebrate improvement, and lead the way no matter the challenges we face. Money can’t fix the problems we see in education today. Quality employees who are committed to students make the difference.”

Teamwork is the hallmark of Ms. McClung’s philosophy. Her slogan “We Are One” has teachers and administrators rowing in the same direction. Some teachers had never met their counterparts from other schools; now, there’s a sense of family and authentic collaboration, in which teachers have created viable pacing guides digitized in a calendar.

The annual “teacher institute” before the first day of school had often been a mind-numbing list of bureaucratic directives for teachers; now, it’s a pep rally with bands and cheerleaders. This year, the real “Coach Carter” gave the keynote speech that fired up everyone.

However, her plan wasn’t about throwing money at the problem, as she focused on improving the morale of teachers and employees and visited schools regularly. At the end of her first year, she hosted a formal red-carpet event and gave out awards for everything from the best principal to the top bus driver. Her philosophy of valuing the contributions of every single employee worked its way down into the classroom. Kids at one school who read the most books walked a red carpet and enjoyed a party. (Not everyone gets a trophy.)

One of the more remarkable achievements of McClung’s philosophy occurred at W.S. Neal High School in the small town of East Brewton, Alabama. That school had been designated a “failing school” by scoring in the bottom 6 percent in the state. In a county where only 12 percent of residents have college degrees and the per capita income is less than $20,000, the school had a lot to overcome. That school has now gone from an F to a B over the last two years. Ms. McClung proves that when decisions are left to those who actually work in the schools, students have a better chance of success. Maybe Neal High School’s next grade will be an A.

Kudos to Michele McClung for the spectacular job she is doing in Escambia County, Alabama. Could her philosophy rescue the almost moribund schools in California? Who knows!

10/8/23

californiacontrarian

For many years as a practicing cardiologist it was apparent that in general when leveling out all additional risk factors, middle-aged men had more heart disease than middle-aged women. I doubt that this comes as a surprise to anyone. However, this increased incidence in men versus women did not comparatively stay the same forever. After menopause, the incidence of heart disease in women began to increase such that at ten years or so down the road, the relative incidence began leveling out. In other words it appeared that the female’s hormones served a protective function, and as they disappeared, this protection also disappeared.

Now what do you think might happen as far as an individual’s risk of heart disease when hormones are artificially manipulated at young age? Do men who are given estrogen then begin the behave as women as far as the heart is concerned? And likewise do women given testosterone at a young age then begin to assume a heart disease risk commensurate with men of the same age?

Recently a study was done on transvestites and their risk of heart disease. [In order to try to keep the different terms clear, AFAB refers to individuals who were born female (Assigned Female At Birth), and AMAB refers to individuals who were born male.]

Dr. Dorte Glintborg of Denmark’s Odense University Hospital noted in a 2021 study that “epidemiological studies in transgender women (AMAB) reported increased risk of acute myocardial infarction and stroke during feminizing treatment, whereas long-term, controlled studies regarding feminizing treatment and risk of arterial CVD are lacking.”

In an apparent follow-up last month, Glintborg determined that male transvestites (AMAB) taking cross-sex hormones were nearly twice as likely to suffer from any cardiovascular disease as men not taking hormones, reported the Telegraph.

In other words, this new study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology revealed that male transvestites (AMAB) taking feminizing hormones are 93% more likely to suffer heart disease than other men. Female transvestites (AFAB) taking testosterone are 63% more likely to suffer heart disease than other women. 

While men are especially at risk, all individuals undergoing cross-sex conversion therapy face “significantly increased risk” of heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

In addition, a article, published on 9/23/23 in the European Journal of Endocrinology, also with Dr. Glintborg as the lead author concluded the following:

The OR (odds ratio) for mental health disorders was higher in transgender persons compared to controls and remained elevated throughout follow up, especially in transgender persons AMAB.

Hopefully these results of Dr. Glintborg’s studies will soon make their way into our Main Stream Media … but don’t hold your breath!

10/7/23

At first glance it would appear that October 9, 2023 is just another day, however, there is a big announcement planned for that day. I would guess that none of you were aware that this big announcement was going to take place in Philadelphia, and this big announcement was going to be made by RFK Jr.

As background RFK Jr identifies as a Democrat, but the DNC has treated him like dirt. Granted he is polling in the low teens, but he is a viable alternative to Joe Biden. Despite that he is being denied secret service protective by Biden’s lackey, Attorney General Merritt Garland. Why?? To me providing him with protection is a no-brainer, especially considering the assignation of his father, RFK. 

At this point I cannot say that I am familiar with RFK Jr’s positions on everything. He was a big anti-Covid vax mandate guy. He has a position that is anti-abortion after the first trimester position. He is pro second amendment and anti-gun control. He is anti-transgender males competing in girl’s sports.

At this point he almost sounds like a pseudo-Dem, but his positions on forgiving student loans, gay rights and gay marriage are right out of the standard Democratic playbook.

Is he a verifiable third party candidate? Have the DNC ignored him to the point that is now being pushed over the edge?

Personally, I hope that on 10/9, that he does declare himself a third party candidate.

Tucker Carlson recently said that the 2024 presidential race would not be between Biden and Trump. Could RFK Jr run for President, just like his father? Hmmm!

10/6/23

californiacontrarian

I think that many of you will have to stop and think about the following before you immediately disregard it. However, as I did read it on two separate sites, maybe it does have some legs. 

To me, the background is that Gavin Newsom, our esteemed Governor of California, just appointed a resident of Maryland to fill Diane Feinstein’s recently vacated U.S. Senate seat. Newsom had vowed that when Feinstein died he was going to appoint a black female to fill her seat, so naturally he chose Laphonza Butler. Does this imply that he could not find a qualified black female that actually was a resident of California? … Just asking! 

Of course, the leftists are overjoyed with this choice because Laphonza Butler is also a rabid pro-choice lesbian. For sure, Newsom must think that this appointment will clinch the pro-choice black lesbian female vote for him in the 2024 presidential election. Biden used the same sort of logic when he appointed KJP to be his Press Secretary. As best I can tell, all KJP has accomplished is to make a superstar of Fox’s Peter Doocy!

But I have strayed off topic! 

The amazing thing that I have read on two separate sites is that there is some serious talk about nominating Donald Trump to be Speaker of the House. For those who say that Trump is not even an elected member of the house, actually being a House member is not a prerequisite to being named Speaker of the House.

Article I, Section II, Clause 5 states only: “The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers … .” No mention whatsoever that said speaker must be a member.”

If the far left Newsom can arbitrarily choose a resident of Maryland to be the Senator from California, then certainly Donald Trump could be appointed Speaker of the House! 

Let the fun begin!

When will it end?

10/4/23

californiacontrarian 

Whereas at present I do not ride a bus very often, in years past, I did. I found buses to be reliable, and most important on those frigid Chicago winter mornings, they were warm. I had the highest respect for both the buses and the bus drivers … so much so, in fact, that I wrote a book about Charles Hyde, a bus driver, and his bus, the #7. [BTW: Charles Hyde and the #7 is available on Amazon.]

Interestingly President Joe Biden had a somewhat romantic allure for buses, … electric busses, and specifically, the electric bus company, Proterra. (FYI: for those that may have noted, either plural is acceptable!). Anyway both our President and his Energy Secretary were enthralled with Proterra! In fact Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm held hundreds of thousands of shares of Proterra … reportedly 240,000 at the start of her term.

From the Washington Free Beacon:

“But that wasn’t enough to save Proterra—the electric vehicle maker whose buses routinely failed to stay on the road—from declaring bankruptcy. Proterra cited “various market and macroeconomic headwinds” in a Chapter 11 filing on Monday, 8/7/23, which came after the California-based firm cut hundreds of jobs earlier this year and restructured hundreds of millions of dollars in outstanding debt.

The declaration marks a stunning downfall for Biden’s favorite green energy company. Biden took part in a virtual tour of a Proterra facility in April 2021 to promote his $1.9 trillion infrastructure plan, which included billions to boost the electric bus industry. Biden said during the event that Proterra was “getting us in the game” and predicted that Proterra and other electric vehicle companies would “end up owning the future.” He went on to praise Proterra in a March 2022 speech, and less than one year later, in February, the Democrat appointed Proterra CEO Gareth Joyce to serve on the President’s Export Council, which provides advice on international trade.”

Proterra, Bankrupt!! How can that be? I guess Proterra was ‘getting us in the game,’ but a different game, the bankruptcy game!

Many Proterra customers had negative experiences with the company’s buses. A Michigan school district that spent big on buses with Proterra batteries and drivetrain technology, for example, said during an April presentation that the buses had “a lot of downtime and performance issues” and weren’t “fully on the road.”

“I have a number of colleagues in different states who are facing similar challenges,” a district official said during the presentation. “For the school bus market, it’s been challenging for us.”

And here, just recently in Jackson, Wyoming.

FromBlazeNews::

“All electric buses in the town of Jackson, Wyoming, are currently out of commission and not expected to return to service any time soon, forcing commuters to rely on the transit system’s more reliable diesel-powered fleet, Jackson Hole News & Guide reported last week.

Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit (START), a public transportation system provided by Jackson and Teton County, Wyoming, purchased eight electric buses from EV manufacturer Proterra, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. All of the company’s buses are now out of commission and in need of repairs.”

Wyoming! Michigan! Could it be any worse? Err … yes!

Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), purchased 25 buses from Proterra, which have not been in service for over three years. The outlet noted that with the company filing for bankruptcy, SEPTA could lose $24 million after finding some of the buses had cracked frames and other issues. One of the EV batteries reportedly burst into flames last year, it added.

As noted above, Proterra was touted by President Biden several times, and the company received a $10 million COVID relief loan from the Paycheck Protection Program in 2020. The loan was forgiven in 2022, Bloomberg reported. The company also received other federal government incentives and support for its EV manufacturing.

As for Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s massive investment in Proterra, do not worry as she was able to sell her shares before the company declared bankruptcy … Whew!  …  but Hmmm!

10/3/23

Before reading, those of you who read my blog regularly, need to understand that this is not about using Ivermectin to treat Covid. That FDA nonsense has already been retracted. Who can forget, “you are not a horse y’all, so stop it!”

What I read this morning from C&C is about the use of high dose Ivermectin in the successful treatment of different types of cancer.

First, “a new study published last week in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology titled, “Ivermectin induces nonprotective autophagy by downregulating PAK1 and apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells.”

This study suggests the Nobel-winning anti-parasitic drug ivermectin might also cure lung cancer. Specifically, the researchers found that ivermectin kills lung cancer cells both in vitro (Petri dishes) and in vivo (mice). And it works in multiple ways. According to the researchers, ivermectin suppressed lung cancer in at least three different ways:

(1) Ivermectin stopped the cancer cells from growing and dividing,

(2) Ivermectin caused the cancer cells to die (“apoptosis”), and

(3) Ivermectin increased the process of cells breaking down their own damaged or unwanted parts (“autophagy”).”

Wow! Potentially amazing news as lung cancer is one of the cancers with the poorest prognosis. More than half of people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.

But you’re not a horse, ya’ll. So stop it?

Still from Jeff Childers C&C:

“In related news, on August 29th, the Deseret Review ran a medical op-ed titled, “High-dose Ivermectin shrinks cancer metastases.”

Author Justus R. Hope, MD, began by reporting on patient Rick’s “unsurvivable” stage 4 metastatic turbo colon cancer, which at the time of diagnosis had already spread to his liver and lymph nodes. Rick’s oncologist gave him six months, tops.

But Rick started taking high-dose ivermectin. His tumor markers dropped from 1,489 to 4.7. That’s a big drop. His metastases also calcified and shrank.”

Wow! Stage 4 metastatic colon cancer with a remarkable response to Ivermectin! 

But you’re not a horse, ya’ll. So stop it ?

Next, Dr. Tess Lawrie reported a patient with metastatic ovarian cancer that had already spread to her peritoneum. The patient’s initial tumor markers (Ca125) were high, at 288. After a few weeks of chemo combined with ivermectin, her markers dropped to 22, and the externally-visible traces of the tumor vanished.”

The cancer surgeon in this case was astounded as he found no cancer. He said, “This is extraordinary. No tumor. Some dead cells on the peritoneum that I removed. The biopsy confirmed that everything has gone.”

But you’re not a horse, ya’ll. So stop it ?

Amazing as here we have the same “déjà-vu” as Ivermectin is being used successfully to treat something that is not on its list of usual indications!

Will we soon be hearing again from the FDA intelligentsia? 

10/2/

As usual, on Sunday, I give praise to someone who is special. Today it is a  husband and wife duo who run a restaurant in Brewton, AL. Granted that most individuals that run restaurants are special people, but Lisa and Freddie  McMillan are a step above most restauranteurs, as in their restaurant, Drexell & Honeybee’s, there are no prices on the menu. Because you can pay whatever you can afford. And if you can’t spare a dime, no problem.

From Epoch Bright:

It’s the brainchild of Lisa McMillan, a woman who got her inspiration to be a culinary guardian angel in a grocery store checkout line. While waiting behind an older woman who was digging loose change out of her purse, Ms. McMillan discovered that the lady could use a financial helping hand. She started cooking and delivering breakfast to her.

“Pretty soon, I had 27 other seniors on my route, bringing eggs, grits, and bacon while stopping at Burger King for 27 cups of coffee,” she said. 

Mr. McMillan loved his wife’s original idea when she told him that she wanted to open a restaurant to help the needy. “I saw her motivation and said, ‘Let’s take it on.’ There’s great satisfaction in feeding people that really need a helping hand,” he said.

Five years ago, Ms. McMillan and her husband, Freddie, took things to another level, spending more than six figures to turn an empty liquor store that was a major fixer-upper into a cheerful, welcoming restaurant complete with exposed brick walls and a gorgeous wood ceiling.

For the past five years, Drexell & Honeybee’s has been a shining beacon for those in need who could use a hot meal. The unique restaurant in this small town near the Alabama–Florida border has taken Southern hospitality to another level, offering traditional lunches three days a week. The customers number more than 100 on an average day. Some pay more than what the meal would normally cost, subsidizing those who can’t afford to leave anything in the donation box except a note of thanks.

As you leave the restaurant, there’s a donation box behind a privacy screen near the front door, so no one has any idea if you’ve paid for your meal or not, using the “left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing” concept. You can read some emotional notes posted above the box. One reads: “I don’t have any money, sorry. But God bless you for everything you do.” Another says, “It’s a blessing to know there are heavenly places on earth.”

“I’m so happy God blessed me with the revelation. Money is only good when you can help other people,” Ms. McMillan said.

If I ever make it to Brewton, I will be stopping at Drexell & Honeybee’s to taste some good old-fashioned Southern home cooking that is seasoned with love.

10/1/23

Does a politician need to have any understanding of the issues being discussed? Rhetorical, you say! I think not. 

While I was at the gym on 9/28, I was positioned with Fox News in front of me. Okay, even though I no longer watch Fox News on a regular basis, I can watch it for thirty minutes while on an exercycle. Fox was showing the House Oversight Committee’s hearings on the Biden Impeachment inquiry. What caught my attention was an angry female, Rep Summer Lee, spewing hate and discontent. Even though there was no sound, I could read the words that she was saying, and it was truly hate and discontent. The problem for me was that during her entire spiel she did not once mention Biden, impeachment, or the rule of law, even though she has a J.D from Howard Univ. With that J.D., I would think that she would understand the concept of impeachment, and the seriousness of the charges. However, during her allotted time she disjointedly talked about mothers and babies and how in the districts of certain Republican members of that same Oversight Committee bad things were going to happen.

Why would Rep Lee waste her allotted time talking about things which did not pertain to the issue at hand? Either she did not understand the topic being discussed, or she could not think of anything positive to say about Joe Biden. Maybe she is hoping that Kamala will take over when JB is found guilty. 

A little background on Ms. Lee from Wikipedia. She is obviously a Democrat now, but had been a member of the Democratic Socialists of American, and in the last election she campaigned for Bernie Saunders … ‘nough said!

For me I really do not care what Summer Lee has to say … no me importa! 

For the last year or so I was embarrassed by the conduct, and the appearance of John Fetterman, who also is an elected representative from Pennsylvania. “How embarrassing for Pennsylvania,” I thought many times. 

However, Summer Lee is giving Fetterman a run for his money.

9/30/23

I have been asked if I have a Bucket List. Yes, I do. It’s not an extensive list. Actually it has only two items on it. 

One: I want to visit the Holy Land.

Two: I want to hear Donald Trump speak, live and in person.

In case anyone is interested, no, I did not watch any of either “Republican debate.” Not one minute! Why would I? If Trump is on the ballot, I will be voting for him. If not, yes I will be voting for the Republican nominee, no matter who it is. Realistically, since I live in California, my vote doesn’t really make much difference, and be will cancelled out by a vote from an illegal. Se la vie!

While I did not watch Fox News’ debate, I did watch Trump’s simultaneous speech to UAW workers and retirees. In fact, I watched the entire speech – from stem to stern for well over an hour. It appeared to be a comparatively small venue at Drake Enterprise’s just outside of Detroit.  It was full inside with thousands outside. In all honesty, I would have to say that the crowd in attendance was only lukewarm, comparatively speaking to the fanatical crowds at Trump events in the past.

To me there were two primary points of focus in this speech. The first was that JB’s EV mandates will kill the US auto industry as we know it. Trump predicted that no matter what the outcome of the present UAW strike is, that if Biden is re-elected, 40% of US auto jobs will be lost within two years. To me if only 20% are lost, it will be a disaster, especially in Michigan.  He bemoaned the fact that the Big 3 are caving to Biden’s EV mandates. … Why?? He said that with Ford presently losing $60,000 on each EV truck it produces, common sense would dictate that this kind of loss is not sustainable … duh!

The other main parts of Trump’s speech were indeed on a potpourri of different topics. He stressed what a disaster Biden’s foreign policy has been, compared to what he had accomplished during his term. eg Afghanistan! True and true!

He also stressed that Biden’s inflation is a result of his war on fossil fuels. Again common sense!

He emphasized that if someone were to chose to buy an electric car, so be it, as that is an individual’s choice. The government should not mandate what type of car one has to purchase. At this point, he segued in “school choice” to a round of applause.

What Donald Trump did not say was that Joe Biden is the devil. He did not say it, but I will! … Joe Biden is the devil!

9/29/23

A few months ago Sports Illustrated reported the following:

“A little over three months since suffering cardiac arrest near the end of the 2022 season, Buffalo Billssafety Damar Hamlin has been ‘fully cleared’ by his medical care team and has started to participate in offseason workouts. … and Hamlin has even bigger plans.

Now, Hamlin seems well on his way to making a triumphant return this fall.”

In August Damar Hamlin did play in a Buffalo Bills exhibition game. In fact he made some tackles in that game. But here’s the quandary. Demar Hamlin has not played in a regular season game this year. He made the squad, but he has mostly been on the inactive list. To me the question is “why?” He is either fit to play or he isn’t. If his cardiac arrest was due to Commotio Cordis, I am befuddled as to why he has been inactive for the Bills initial three regular season games. Commotio Cordis is a very rare phenomenon to begin with, and is typically associated with a high velocity impact, like a baseball line drive. There was no high velocity impact of any sort to the chest of Damar Hamlin. I would suppose that Commotio  Cordis could rarely recur, but the risk for a recurrence would not change from week 1 to week 16.

Again, why is he not playing yet? The only thing that makes sense to me is that the risk for a recurrent cardiac arrest is time-related in some way. In other words, the longer Hamlin waits before he plays, the less likely he is to have a recurrence, and this implies that some sort of healing is taking place, The only heart ailment that I am aware of that “heals,” would be one that is associated with some sort of infection or inflammation.

Perhaps related is this recent disheartening turn of events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has chosen to withhold updated information concerning cases of heart inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination. This move by the CDC, a federal agency that should epitomize transparency and public trust, is a betrayal to the American people who look towards such institutions for guidance and assurance in these trying times.

Is a Damar Hamlin’s diagnosis of Commotio Cordis, the NFL’s version of the CDC’s reluctance to release updated data on myocarditis and pericarditis, conditions associated with heart inflammation post-vaccination. Hmmm!

9/28/23