Chinese Zoo Visitors Kill Kangaroos
3
Red Kangaroo, photo taken at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, Australia (photo by Rileypie).
If you had any doubt that zoos in China are often terrible, you should have no doubt now.
Visitors wanted some kangaroos to hop for their entertainment. When they didn’t, the visitors threw rocks at them. One helpless kangaroo was injured, another died.
Should we stone an animal to death because it won’t dance?
An opinion by a member or associate of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
Donald Trump is The Best at Everything
How many times have you heard Donald Trump brag about how terrific he is? Here’s more.
Donald Trump Can’t Stop Congratulating Himself
Trump, quite simply, is the best at everything. Believe him.
Posted by The Trumpster Fire by HuffPost on Wednesday, February 28, 2018
An opinion of a member or associate of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
The image of Donald Trump was identified by a news service as being in the public domain, but did not identify the photographer.
School Says Girls Can’t Say No
Girls were not allowed to choose who they danced with at a school dance. (This photo is a substitute for the original which was removed by the publisher; this photo does not depict the school; see details below).
A Utah girl told her mother she couldn’t refuse if a boy asked her to dance at a Valentine’s Day event at her school. The mother complained to her Kanesville Elementary school principal because telling a sixth grade girl she couldn’t say no to a boy is a terrible message. The principal said that’s the policy, and the preteen girl had to do what the boys wanted.
It applies to both boys and girls. What happens if they say no, will they be punished? None of the preteens can say no. Is this 2018 or 1958?
Schools decision to refuse girls right to say no if boys ask them to dance, challenged by pupil’s parent
Photo source.
An opinion of a family member of associate of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
White Evangelical Christian Hypocrisy
Donald Trump and Barack Obama. How you speak about them tells more about you than it does about them. And you may not like what people are seeing.
If you want to skip my introduction, you can go and read John Pavlovitz’s editorial White Evangelicals, This is Why People Are Through With You.
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s hypocrisy. If you recall, Jesus of Nazareth didn’t tolerate it either. And right now, America is rampant with it.
This isn’t just about Donald Trump and Barack Obama. This isn’t just about politics. It’s about fundamental Christian values. To understand where I’m coming from, you need to understand where I came from.
I was raised in church. For churches, I was a child acolyte, child/teen/adult choir member, janitor, website and business card designer, Bible school worker, assistant production director, production director, young adult group leader, adult Sunday school teacher, communion server, bylaws reviser, and administrative board member.
I am classified as Caucasian, and I voted in the last presidential primary as Republican.
With that in mind, I remember how Jesus loved and helped sinners, but spoke very, very strongly against religious hypocrisy. Like what is happening in America right now.
Now please read John Pavlovitz’s editorial White Evangelicals, This is Why People Are Through With You. It says what I would say if John hadn’t already said it very, very well.
An opinion of an individual members of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
Donald Trump Lies
“I’m not gonna play much golf, because there’s a lot of work to be done.” –Donald Trump
All right, so the title of this entry is hardly ground-breaking. Even supporters of Donald Trump say he lies (and may justify it by saying all politicians lie and they don’t care).
But comparing the number and type of Trump’s documented lies to those of hundreds of people in studies reveal a couple of startling things. Social scientist
For one thing, he apparently lies much more often than the average person. For another, Trump’s lies are rarely made to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, like many of us do (“Why yes, I really do like your new, whatever-it-is you’re wearing.”) Instead, Donald Trump’s lies are often the opposite: insulting and hurtful. He lies to insult people much, much more often than almost all of the rest of us. In fact, according to records of his public comments, his lies are 10 times more likely to be malicious.
Come to think of it, having listened to Trump speak, maybe that isn’t too surprising either.
I study liars. I’ve never seen one like President Trump.
Voter’s don’t seem to care whether candidates tell the truth
Linked photo is listed as REUTERS/David Moir
An opinion of an individual member of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
Order of the Pineapple 2018: Gypsie Skripto and Toby Bruno
Pat Pineapple as drawn by Toby Bruno.
It is time once again to announce the 2018 winners of the Order of the Pineapple. (This is only awarded once a year on January 18 aka Pat Pineapple Day).
The honorees for 2018 are: Gypsie Skripto and Toby Bruno.
Toby Bruno is a founding member of the Ĕk-sĕn-trĭks Cluborguild which began the Order of the Pineapple. As the group was beginning, Toby brought in the artists. A contributor to the Ek-sen-trik-kuh Discordia: The Tales of Shamlicht which talks about the OP, Toby is the first illustrator of OP mascot Pat Pineapple. (Some would say Toby created the mascot, but we all know Pat already existed).
Gypsie Skripto was a little girl when given the Discordian name Porky Pigsties by Discordianism co-founder Greg Hill. Gypsie contributed to Principia Discordia for Loompanics; Ek-sen-trik-kuh Discordia, Principia Harmonia, Intermittens, Five Finger Discord, and a number of websites. A hostess for Shamlicht Kids Club events, Gypsie is also a pagan high priestess.
The Order of the Pineapple is also called the DisOrder of the Pineapple and the Pineapple DisOrder, but it’s usually abbreviated O.P. (The award has also been called Patus Pineappleus Bromeliadic and the winners The P.P. Bromeliadics or Bromedliaddicts). It honors those who have given extraordinary service to “the participatorial study of comedic attitudes and eccentric tendencies.” The O.P. is awarded to very few people, those who are especially servicey. It’s presented on only one day a year, January 18 CE, which is 18 Chaos of the Discordian calendar. That date is recognized as Pat Pineapple Day. Pat is the Mascot of the ECG and Patron Saint of the D D of the ECG. It is absolutely required that members of the Order eat something containing or resembling pineapple on January 18–unless of course they don’t feel like it.
Congratulations to them both!
Order of the Pineapple Wiki (this is just beginning and could use your help!)
9 Incredible Benefits of Breastfeeding
Mary Cassatt, 1898 – Louise nursing her child
An opinion by guest blogger Jessica M
Breastfeeding is the most natural way of taking care of your little one. It’s an incredible method of nourishing your baby, and its benefits extend beyond the basic nutrition. There is no denying breastfeeding is not compulsory, and the decision to breastfeed or not is a personal choice. It’s a decision that will most likely draw opinions from close friends and family.
In spite of the benefits, breastfeeding is one of the most daunting tasks for new mothers. The challenge is compounded by the fact that some people are completely uncomfortable with it. Some even discriminate against mothers who breastfeed in public. Whether you hate breastfeeding in public or are a new mom who doesn’t like breastfeeding, appreciating these benefits will completely change your mind. Here are some incredible benefits of breastfeeding:
1) Breastfeeding keeps SIDS at bay
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can be caused by a cascade of events that lead to sudden unexplained death before the baby’s first birthday. According to a review of the most recent research studies, both exclusive and partial breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS. The longer you breastfeed your baby, the better the protective effect. Although results from the most recent researches vary, there is strong evidence that if you breastfeed your baby for any length of time, they will have a reduced (about 50%) risk of SIDS. Besides, some studies have shown that not breastfeeding your baby subjects them to risk higher than that from maternal smoking.
2) Breastfeeding improves mother-child bonding
There is no denying the process of breastfeeding is astounding. When your baby suckles at the breast, it signals your brain to release a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone also know as the love hormone signals your breast to release the milk and the milk let down encourages the baby to keep feeding.
Ever had a crush? The feeling that you get is precipitated by this hormone. When the baby is suckling, good amounts of oxytocin are released. This hormone makes you experience a gush of affection and love for the baby. Therefore every time you breastfeed your baby, the surge of love helps you to bond perfectly with your baby.
3) Breastfeeding helps you lose baby weight
This is an incredible benefit celebrated by all moms. When you breastfeed your baby, you shed an extra 500 calories per day. Some studies have shown that moms who breastfeed exclusively shed baby weight more quickly than those who don’t. Who would hate losing up to 500 extra calories a day?
However, if you adopt unhealthy choices such as poor dieting and lack of sleep, don’t expect breastfeeding to help you lose weight.
4) Breastfeeding boosts the baby’s and mother’s health
Many moms are aware of the health benefits breastfeeding offers for their baby. In fact, most of them breastfeed for the sake of their babies. But did you know breastfeeding benefits the mom too? For instance, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The longer you breastfeed your baby(s), the lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Studies have shown that, for every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer is decreased by 4%. On the other hand, it boosts your little one’s immune system. Breast milk has plenty of health-promoting and germ-fighting components.
5) Breastfeeding aids the uterus to shrink down to pre-pregnancy size.
As aforementioned, when the baby starts breastfeeding, it causes the mother’s body to release oxytocin. As the brain signals the release of this hormone, mild cramping occurs in your lower abdomen. The cramping is not comfortable, but it’s a positive sign that the uterus is healing.
6) It helps you make up for lost sleep
Babies are amazing bundles of joy. But their arrival is marked with interrupted sleep for breastfeeding. Although this makes new moms tired, it brings an added benefit. The steady release of oxytocin during breastfeeding enables you to make up for the lost sleep. Oxytocin brings a soothing effect and makes you more relaxed.
In most cases, new moms fall asleep while breastfeeding not because they are exhausted but because of the release of the hormone. Those 10 to 20 minutes nap helps you recover some of the lost sleep. Besides, even if you don’t sleep the calming feeling leaves your body rejuvenated.
7) Breastfeeding is cost and time saving
Did you know breastfeeding brings numerous financial benefits? Many new moms don’t realize this fact because they take it to be a normal event. Breastfeeding is free and time-saving. You do not have to rush to the nearest store; the milk is readily available.
If you want to see that breast milk is tremendously cost-effective, compare it to artificial milk. The cost estimate for artificial milk is roughly $1800/year, this without the extra preparation costs. This amount can be put to good use like buying the best formula for treating spitting up and gas.
Also, if your baby is well breastfed he/she will fall sick less often. This will translate to reduced healthcare cost. Parents who don’t breastfeed their babies miss work about six times more due to baby illness than those who breastfeed well.
8) Breastfeeding is environment-friendly
Breast milk is the most natural and organic food for your baby. It produces no waste, reduces the carbon footprint, and above all it’s a sustainable means for feeding your baby with no negative impact on our environment.
9) Breastfeeding is a reliable way of birth control
In most countries around the world, breastfeeding is a renowned, natural method of birth control. When utilized effectively, this method can yield up to 98% success. This birth control method is called Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and relies on four pillars to succeed. The principles include:
- The mom must be exclusively breastfeeding
- The baby must be less than six months old
- The mom’s menstrual cycle has not resumed
- The baby is not sleeping more than 6 hours at night and 4 hours in the day.
If the mentioned conditions change, you must seek an alternative method of birth control.
Wrapping it up
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist and the American Academy of Pediatrics are among the numerous medical authorities that strongly advocate breastfeeding. This is mainly attributed to the health benefits that both the baby and the mother get. You and your little one are inimitable; the decision to breastfeed or not is hinged solely on your personal preference. However, if you take into account all the incredible benefits we’ve highlighted, nothing is going to stop you from breastfeeding your baby.
*****
About The Author:
Jessica is the mother of one, a Chief, and a lover of the great ideas. You can find her journey through motherhood on her blog Take Care Baby (https://takecarebaby.net/)
An opinion of a poster to The Loveshade Family Blog does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as medical advice; consult with a physician before making decisions on baby care and contraception.
Reverend Loveshade and Ms. M.C. and Baby Three
Big three-year-old sister holding newborn baby brother.
All names in this entry are Discordian names.
It’s baby number three! Ms. M.C. gave birth to Cobbraven at 19.54 UTC Tuesday, 26 Dec. 2017. Cobbraven weighed in at 3,855 grams (8.5 lbs.) and was 51.8 cm long (20.4 inches). Mommy and Baby are doing great. Daddy, who worried tremendously over the birth of baby one, and a lot over baby two, has almost gotten used to Ms. M.C. giving birth. Almost. Older sisters Twinkleton and Wunderkätzchen are ready, willing, and able to help their new brother. The family didn’t get the same midwife as for their first two offspring, but got great help from Nurse Aislebeth. Once again, Untroubled Teen V, Ms. MC’s 18-year-old sister, helped with the birth which was at Roseneteeth Commune. UTV, who plans to become a midwife in four years or so, has already helped at all three of the couple’s births (starting when age 12) and several other births.
Congratulations to the family!
תהלה הרץ shot the photo which is under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
End of the Year Letter 2017
To see the full graphics and the Christmas poem described in this letter, check the attachments at the bottom.
Say kids, what time is it? It’s End of the Year Letter time!
I had some guests this year. They included:
1) some welcome out-of-state visitors for the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love
2) a neighbor’s heifer (a young cow) who decided the grass was greener on my side so loved spending the night here while her “parents” were out of town
3) some pretty white wildflowers that when I touched them lovingly gave me a rash
4) some fire ants that loved biting my feet
5) some busy bees that loved being busy inside of my bird feeder
6) an opossum (“possum”) lying by the side of the house that I thought was dead–until I remembered they love “playing possum”
7) and an unwelcome but clever wild mouse that loved the food he took from the shelf, two live traps, and the cats without getting caught. (I did catch him in the third trap, two cardboard tubes I stuck together with peanut butter inside, although to keep him from escaping again I had to cover the tube hole on each end with my bare hands).
My Mom got her formerly fibrillating heart rebooted which helped her a lot.
The year wasn’t without bad news. I lost an uncle, a neighbor’s house burned down, and another neighbor’s house exploded. And I had to file several DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) claims which fortunately worked, but then my computer went kaput.
I got my weight back down, and am weighing helping design curriculum for Abrahamic religions for a religious studies series. I’m finally entering the 21st century by switching my photography from film to digital. I partially built a barn floor, and am working on a special project, writing, editing, and doing graphic design for publications (I created the 21st Centuryesque font used in the heading, and graphics and border of this here letter).
Back to the 20th century, I’ve included the very first piece I ever professionally published, a Christmas poem I wrote when I was 16 years old. Keep in mind I wrote it when I was 16 years old.
Have a Great Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Chanukah, Wonderful Yule, Fine Winter/ Summer Solstice, Terrific New Year!
End of the Year Letter 2017 and Christmas poem
End of the Year Letter 2017 _AL_ digital
An opinion of an individual member of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
The Second Amendment is Dead
Image from http://awselby.com/?p=331
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, born 226 years ago today, is dead. Defunct. And it has been dead for a long time.
Many of you will say it’s not dead. It’s never been revoked, it’s still in the Constitution, and it’s still the law. And I would agree. But as it existed originally, and from a practical point of view, it’s deceased.
The Second Amendment harkens back to the American Declaration of Independence. No less that President Abraham Lincoln believed that the Constitution should be interpreted through the Declaration’s principles, according to Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution by historian James M. McPherson. And that says it is “the Right of the People to alter or abolish” a despotic government. “It is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” It is “the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.”
To throw off a hostile government, and to provide guards for the future, means having and using arms. The right to bear arms goes back much further, back 100 years to the English Bill of Rights of 1689. And in the 21st century in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Supreme Court proclaimed the right to bear arms was “clearly an individual right, having nothing whatsoever to do with service in the militia.”
While the nation’s founders did not state a constitutional right of the people to “throw off such Government” once they founded a government, they did continue the tradition of giving people, including individuals, the right to bear arms. In 1791, the Second Amendment passed which says, “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
So why do I say the Second Amendment is dead? At its acceptance, and by the traditions that preceded it, it gave people the right to bear arms against a government. From a practical point of view, that means people having arms that could be used to defeat a nation.
In 1791, this was entirely practical. A person of relatively modest means could buy a Kentucky long rifle, then arguably the most effective weapon in existence. (I’ll leave it to munitions experts to debate on whether a field gun or something else was most effective, but in any case, a person could buy one). For something larger, you and your associates could buy and use a real, deadly cannon like members of private groups, including the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, used.
But things have changed, radically. There was the Civil War’s Gatling gun, which was nearly an automatic weapon; and the 1880s Maxim gun, which was. These weapons were not readily available, and were very expensive. The Second Amendment, in its original meaning as interpreted through the Declaration of Independence, was dying.
In today’s world, it’s all over. None of us can go to our local gun shop and pick up a arsenal of thermonuclear weapons. And you can’t go to Walmart to get yourself a nuclear submarine and an armed aircraft carrier. They’re too expensive, and too illegal. That’s what someone in the modern world would realistically need to “throw off such Government.” Thus, by its original meaning, the Second Amendment is dead.
An opinion of an individual member of The Loveshade Family does not necessarily reflect the views of the whole family.
