Take Time for Living

Not all news has a happy side — take this horror story, for example

I just read one of the most horrible accounts of senseless violence I've heard of in a long time. The story is from an Illinois town withing 200-225 of where I live.

It seems a 29-year-old mentally challenged pregnant woman was tortured to death in Alton, Illinois, and police have charged two adults, three teenagers, and a 12-year-old child with the death. I'm not really going to discuss the story at length here. You're capable of going to the link and reading as much as you can stomach of this vile business. Or perhaps it's already been on the TV news, I haven't watched any television yet today and don't know.

What I would say about the whole business is this: If the facts stated in that article are true, this bunch of people really needs to be put away where they'll never be a danger to another human being. I certainly hope they go to trail quickly. I wish for them what I wish for anyone accused of a crime -- a fair and just trial.

And if they are convicted, they simply should be given life without the possibility of parole.

Which brings me to another point that I feel very passionate about. Why is there so much inconsistency and injustice in our court systems regarding sentencing? I have heard or read stories about people holding up convenience stores and getting 5-10 year prison sentences -- while drunken drivers have killed entire families and gotten away with little more than time served and parole. I have heard, and I am sure you have, too, of states with those ridiculous "three strikes" laws sentencing street people to life for a third petty theft -- and in the same states people have killed others and gotten a few years prison time with early parole for good behavior.

Killing is killing. I do not advocate the death penalty, personally, but I do feel very strongly that murder, certain sexual crimes, and other crimes of violence deserve a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

So, anyway. There's my little rant for today about our criminal injustice system.

May God have mercy on anyone who would commit such horrible, heartless crimes as that committed against this woman in Illinois, her unborn child, and her 1-year-old. It's certainly hard for me to feel any mercy toward them.

But, anyway, go out there today and join me in trying to make this a better place for all of us as we really take time for living.

*End of post -- without anymore mini-sermons.*

Technorati Tags: torture killing in Illinois, woman's death, Illinois murder case, take time for living

Did you know a form of Alzheimer’s disease can afflict cats, dogs?

Those of us who are "Baby Boomers" got some grim news this week regarding a terrible disease that may await us in the future. According to the latest predictions in a news report that's been making the media rounds this week, something like 10 million people of my generation will be struck by Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia.

That's not encouraging, though some of the reports I heard added that there are increasing strides being made regarding the disease and treatments could be just a few years away. So there's hope.

Earlier today, on a blog I write for pets and pet lovers, I discussed something I had not known before: Aging dogs and cats can suffer from a form of Alzheimer's disease. As a matter of fact, the article I've linked to there (and here) is by a veterinarian. The veterinarian, Shawm Messonnier, D.V.M., says that the changes in the pet's brain involves the same type of beta amyloid plaques that are seen in victims of the human form of the disease.

It's interesting that the vet reports he's had good results treating the dog and cat disease with the B vitamin choline supplement CholodinR. I'm not familiar with that at all, and I'm only passing along information you will find if you read the article for yourself. And, please, I am NOT suggesting using B vitamins or any other sorts of supplements to treat symptoms that may be related to Alzheimer's or any other dementia in humans.

I want to be perfectly clear about this: I am not a doctor. I am in no way connected with the medical profession. NOTHING I say in this blog (or any other blog which I have) is intended to be taken as medical or legal advice. Please read my privacy and disclaimer statement to be clear about all that. Although I market some nutritional and health and beauty supplements for various merchants through this and other blogs, I am never offering anything you should take as professional, medical, or scientific advice.

We clear on all that? Good.

Having said that, I urge you to read that entire article about dog and cat Alzheimer's. You may even want to print it out or bookmark it for later reference, if you have pets or for your friends and family members who have pets.

Technorati Tags: dog and cat Alzheimer's disease, treating dog and cat Alzheimer's disease, take time for living

I applaud Barak Obama’s comments today regarding his former pastor

It always amazes me to listen to political analysts and other media types responding to a candidate's speech, any candidate and any speech. It was amazing to me when the cable "talking heads" on CNN were so negative about Obama's speech today regarding the inflammatory remarks made by his former Chicago pastor.

You've probably seen the pastor's sermon videos, or read about them, or heard the remarks somehow already, so I won't bother repeating them here.

In essence, Obama condemned again the nature of the remarks, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining loyalty to this good man, even though he was wrong and hurtful in what he said.

One of the cable commentators said he felt Obama got it right -- the other three insisted Obama missed the chance to clarify and condemn the remarks and take the whole issue to a higher level of debate -- or something like that.

Anyway, what do you think? Did Obama do well or not? Did you see or hear any of his speech? You'll probably hear and see far more than you care to hear and see of it this evening and for the next couple of TV news cycles.

Tell us your reaction 1) to the whole matter, and, 2) to Obama's speech.

Technorati Tags: racial issues in America, Obama, presidential politics, take time for living