Wednesday, July 29, 2009

CAR BOMB EXPLOSION INJURES ABOUT 60 IN SPAIN

CAR BOMB EXPLOSION INJURIES ABOUT 60 IN SPAIN

BURGOS, Spain-(AP)- A powerful car bomb destroyed a police barracks housing officers and their families in northern Spain on Wednesday, injuring about 60 people and causing major damage in the surrounding area. The attack was blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA.

ETD did not phone in a warning as it typically does before most attacks, so authorities had no time to evacuate the 14-story building in Burgos, police said. There were around 120 people in the barracks and surrounding buildings, a third of them children, when the explosion went off at 4 a.m.

Most of the injuries were from flying glass, and 38 of the wounded were treated in a hospital, the Interior Ministry said.

Officials expressed surprise no one killed in the blast, which blew off much of the barracks' facade. Nearby residential dwellings had their windows and some walls blown by the force of the explosion.

The bomb left a crater that filled with water from broken underground pipes and hurled the van that carried it about 230 feet away.

ETA has killed more than 325 people since it launched a campaign in 1968 for an independent homeland in Basque region of northern Spain.

Burgos, a regional capital, contains a historic city and major tourist attractions in a province bordering the Basque region.

It was ETA's eighth attack this year, further proof the militant group is still an active force despite major police crackdowns in Spain and France. Spain's government claims after each ETA arrest, including those of many leaders, that the group has been decapitated, but the attacks have continued.

Members of Spain's paramilitary Civil Guard police force often live in barracks with their spouses and children. The force is chiefly in charge of policing rural areas and guarding office buildings.

Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Fubalcaba rushed to the scene and condemned the bombing.

“The attacks aimed to cause deaths,” he told reporters. “Forty-one girls and boys were sleeping and could simply have been killed in what was a major car bomb.

“This wasn't just directed at those who worked in the Civil Guard, which is detestable in itself, but it was aimed at hurting their families, giving it an added repulsive aspect.”

He said all the injured had been discharged from the hospital by midday.

The minister said the van had used false license plates and had probably been stolen in France. He said no warning call had been received, but said this was not so unusual for ETA when it attacked the Civil Guard.

Rubalcaba said it was too early to give details on the size of the bomb. News reports cited police investigators as saying it contained up to 440 pounds of explosive.

Spain has vowed to crush the separatist group since ETA ended what it had said it was a permanent cease-fire with a massive bombing at Madrid airport in 2008.

Rubalcaba said the “horrendous attack” showed that ETA was not only group of “murderers and savagers but also crazed people. This does not make them stronger, but it does make them more dangerous.”

The last attack blamed on the group was July 10 when a bomb exploded outside an office of the Spanish prime minister's party in the Basque town of Durango, causing significant damage but no injuries.

The group's last fatal attack took place June 19, when a bomb attached to the underside of a car killed a Spanish police detective who investigated ETA.

In an attack on May 14, 2008, ETA killed a Civil Guard officer in a car bomb outside a barracks in the Basque town of Legutiano.

ETA is a Basque-language acronym for Basque Homeland and Freedom.

Http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-07-29-spain-car-bomb_N.htm?csp=YahooMo....

JACKSON DOC GAVE HIM DRUG BEFORE DEATH

AP SOURCE: JACKSON DOC GAVE HIM DRUG BEFORE DEATH

LOS ANGELES-Michael Jackson had been using a powerful anesthetic to help him sleep, and authorities are working under the theory that a dose of it administered by his person physician killed him, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said Jackson regularly received the anesthetic propofol and relied on it like an alarm clock. A doctor would administer it when Jackson went to sleep, then stop the IV drip when the singer wanted to wake up.

On June 25, the day Jackson died, Dr. Conrad Murray gave him the drug through an IV sometime after midnight, the official said.

Murray's lawyer, Edward Chernoff, has said that the doctor “didn't prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Michael Jackson,” When asked Monday about the law enforcement official's statements he said” “We will not be commenting on rumors, innuendo or unnamed sources.”

In a more detailed statement posted online late Monday, Chernoff added that “things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known, and I'm sure that will happen here as well.”

Toxicology reports are still pending, but investigators are working under the theory that propofal caused Jackson's heart to stop, the official said. Jackson is believed to have been using the drug for about two years and investigators are trying to determine how many other doctors administered it, the official said.

Murray, 51, has been identified in court papers as the subject of a manslaughter investigation, and authorities last week raided his office and a storage unit in Houston. Police say Murray is cooperating and have not labeled him a suspect.

Murray became Jackson's person physician in May and was to accompany him to London for a series of concerts starting in July.

He was staying with Jackson in the Los Angeles mansion and, according to Chernoff, “happened to find” an unconscious Jackson in the popstar's bedroom the morning of June 25. Murray tried to revive him by compressing his chest with one hand while supporting Jackson's back with the other.

The official also provided a glimpse into how the pop star was living in the weeks before he died, describing the room in which Jackson slept in his rented Beverly Hills mansion as outfitted with oxygen tanks and an IV drop. Another of Jackson's bedrooms was a shambles, with clothes and other items strewn about and handwritten notes stuck on the walls. One read: “children are sweet and innocent.”

The temperature upstairs was stifling hot when authorities arrived at the singer's house after his death. Gas fireplaces and the heating system were on high because Jackson always complained of feeling cold, the official said.

A porcelain girl doll wearing a dress was found on top of the covers of the bed where he slept, the official said.

Police found propofol and other drugs in the home. An IV line and three tanks of oxygen were in the room where Jackson slept and 15 more oxygen tanks were in a security guard's shack, the official said.

Using propofol to sleep exceeds the drug's intended purpose. The drug can depress breathing and lower heart rates and blood pressure. Because of the risks, propofol is supposed to be administered only in medical settings by trained personnel.

Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Lynn Elber in Tustin, Calif. Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee and Justin Pritchard in Los Angeles.

BOAT WITH HAITINS CAPSIZES, 133 SAVED, 85 MISSING

BOAT WITH HAITIANS CAPSIZES, 113 SAVED, 85 MISSING

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos-An overloaded sailboat carrying Haitian immigrants sank off the Turks and Caicos Islands and many as 85 people are missing, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.

An estimated 200 people were aboard the boat when it capsized Monday afternoon, said Petty Officer.1st Class Jennifer Johnson, a Coast Guard spokeswoman in Miami. One survivor said the boat struck a reef as it tried to elude police.

The Coast Guard was optimistic daylight would help it find more survivors.

“We're really hoping we can find as many people as possible,” Johnson said.

Rescuers found 113 survivors stranded in two reefs roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of West Caicos island. Most of them were ferried to land by Turks and Caicos authorities using small boats. Two bodies were also recovered, said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Mooriag, a Coast Guard spokesman.

The boat had been at sea for three days when those aboard saw a police vessel and accidentally steered a boat onto a reef as they tried to hide. Survivor Alces Julien told The Associated Press at a hospital were some survivors were receiving treatment.

Johnson said information from survivors indicates that the boat set out from Haiti with about 160 passengers but stopped at an unknown location and picked up 40 others. She said overloading appeared to be a factor in the accident near the island chain north of Haiti and southeast of the Bahamas.

“These vessels, they are grossly overloaded. Two hundred people on a sailboat is astronomical,” she said.

Johnson said the Coast Guard was using a helicopter, a jet and the cutter Valiant, which was sending out smaller search vessels. A C-130 aircraft was expected to join the search.

Turks and Caicos authorities reported the accident Monday to the U.S. Coast Guard, which patrols the region for drug traffickers and illegal immigrants and often helps in the search and rescue efforts.

Haitins routinely take to the seas in rickety, overcrowded boats in hopes of escaping poverty in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation.

In May 2007, a boat carrying about 30 mainly Haiti immigrants capsized off Florida's coast, killing at least nine people, including a pregnant woman.

Associated Press writer Mike Melia contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_turks_and_caicos_boat_capsized;__ylt=AnCd4FwEVL5ilO...

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Although there is no blood test to diagnose depression, there are well-developed guidelines used by health care professionals to diagnose major depressive disorder. One of these guidelines, developed by the American Psychiatric Association, is called the DSM-IV. Your health care professional may ask your questions based on this established diagnostic tool.

According to the DSM-IV, major depressive disorder (or “depression”) is diagnosed when five or more of the following symptoms of depression are present for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. At least one of the symptoms must be either persistent said or “empty” feelings or lost of interet in activities.

Constant sadness
Irritability
Hopelessness
Trouble sleeping
Low energy or fatigue
Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
Significant weight change
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in favorite activities

Be sure to tell your health care professional if you're experiencing any of these symptoms as described by the DSM-IV. Also, tell your health care professional if your symptoms are affecting your ability to function at home, at work, with the family, friends, or colleagues.

Call a health care professional right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you.

Thoughts about suicide or dying
Attempts to commit suicide
New or worse depression
New or worse anxiety
Feeling very agitated or restless
Panic attacks
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
New or worse irritability
Acting aggressive, being angry or violent
Acting on dangerous impulses
An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
Other unusual changes in behavior or mood

http://www.pristiq.com/depression_symptoms.aspx?WT.mc_ID=F37F466C-0EBB-4F16-8...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

SUSPECT IN KAN. ABORTION PROVIDER KILLING IN COURT

SUSPECT IN KAN. ABORTION PROVIDER KILLING IN COURT

WICHITA, Kan - The man charged with gunning down abortion provider George Tilller at his Kansas church was expected to enter a plea Tuesday in the murder case.

Prosecutors allege Scott Roeder, 51, of Kansas City, Mo., shot and killed Tiller while the doctor served as an usher at the Wichita church he regularly attended. Authorities also claim that Roeder threatened two ushers who tried to stop him during the May 31 attack in the church's foyer.

Unless the defense waives Tuesday's preliminary hearing, prosecutors must convince a judge they have enough evidence to merit a trail on one count of first-degree murder and and two counts of aggravated assault. Roeder then would enter a plea.

Tiller 67, had been the target of regular protests for most of the 36 years he performed abortions at his Wichita clinic, where he practiced as one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions. He was shot in both arms by an anti-abortionist activist, in 1993, and the doctor had been repeatedly threatened over the years.

If Roeder is convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

It is unknown how many people the prosecution might call for Tuesday's hearing, but the witness list has 220 names, mostly law enforcement officials. Also on the list are members of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue; Roeder's ex-wife and son; Tiller's wife, Jeanne, who was singing in the choir when her husband was shot, and Rachelle “Shelley” Shannon, who shot Tiller in 1993.

In rambling jailhouse interviews. Roeder has talked about the notion of justifiable homicide against abortion providers, but he has refused to discuss any facts of his case.

Roeder has told The Associated Press Tiller's shooting was justified, but never has claimed a role in the slaying.

Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090728/ap_on_re_us/us_abortion__ylt=AuYTN9tf...

DRAGON & TIGER CHI GUNG (QIGONG): MOVING TIGER METHOD

DRAGON AND TIGER CHI GUNG (QIGONG0: MOVING TIGER METHOD

A SYSTEM OF SEVEN EXERCISES

Dragon & Tiger chi gung consists of seven exercises with names like Dragon Soars and Tiger Pounces.

In ancient Chinese culture the Dragon and the Tiger were often paired. The Dragon usually represented the “yang” or “male” forces of nature, and the Tiger the “yin” or “female” forces.

When you are learning the exercises, the Dragon and Tiger imagery can be very useful. Each exercise's name provides you with a sense of how it should look and feel when you do it.

From the prespective of Chinese medicine each exercise provides particular physical and life energy benefits, as described below. The real power of the seven exercises, however, comes from the way that they are combined as a systematic and synergistic progression in accord with the principles of Chinese medicine. The sophisticated design is what enables Moving Tiger to deliver all-day energy and many other benefits to you.

The seven exercises and some of their key features and benefits are:

Movement 1. Dragon and Tiger Meet: Rhythmical pacing in place and up and down hand movements warm up your muscles, loosen your joints, and stimulate and balance the ascending and descending energy currents in your right and left sides, particularly benefiting your liver and lungs.

Movement 2. Dragon Looks to the Horizon: Turning, reaching, and “flicking” movements with your hands and feet further loosen your muscles, stimulate your joints, transfer energy between your right and left sides, and “flick” stagnant energy from your whole body.

Movement3. Tiger Crouches: Up and down crouching movements strongly stretch and work your legs and lower, increase your blood circulation, and transfer energy around your body from front to back and from back to front.

Movement 4. Tiger Separates Her Cubs: Side to side reaching and pulling movements stretch your arms and neck, release muscular tension across your shoulder blades and chest, and move energy right and left through your heart.

Movement 5: Tiger Pounces: Slow rising movements followed by quick drops improve the spring of your legs and powerfully release stagnant energy from your kidneys.

Movement 6: Dragon and Tiger Pierce Heaven and Earth: Up and down “piercing” movements of your arms and hands stretch and release your neck and chest muscles and open the energy pathways of your neck and head, thereby improving blood circulation to and from your brain.

Movement 7: Dragon Soars to Heaven and Brings Back the Pearl: Repeated turning and diagonal arm and legs movements in and out release tension throughout your body and unite all major energy currents through the center of your body.

Http://www.movingtiger.com/what/7exercisesystem.html

ENERGY AWARENESS TIGER TIPS

ENERGY AWARENESS TIPS

to help you better understand and manage your life energy

Excess Strength = Less Energy

When we start to explore ideas about our life energy, a concept many of us struggle with is that excess strength diminishes the amount of energy we have.

This is hard to believe because many of us are accustomed to the idea that strength is good, and the more strength the better.

Yet this is not necessarily the case when it comes to your life energy.

Before we go any further, let's define what we mean by strength. The strength we are discussing is any strength that we create in some way by holding, whether muscularly, emotionally, or mentally.

These types of strength make us more rigid and hard. Unfortunately, rigidity blocks the flow of life energy in our bodies, and diminishes the total amount that we have available to us.

In the United States, we sometimes use the phrase “to squeeze the life” out of someone or something. This phrase reflects our common understanding that if you take something that is alive, and put too much pressure on it, then you deaden it.

This is what happens to your life energy when you hold yourself too tightly with your muscles, or for that matter, with your emotions or your mind.

This doesn't mean that you should let yourself go soft and flabby. It's also true that for your life energy to flow in your body, your muscles or other soft tissues need to have what we call “good tone”. In this state you can think about your muscles having some strength, but not too much.

Think of a young child's body. Their muscles have great tone, yet are soft to the touch. This is the type of body that easily carries lots of life energy.

Or think of great athletes or dancers in their prime years. As they perform, they always look so relaxed and natural, with no sense of the holding or effort that you often see in their less capable peers.

So as you go through your day, try to recognize when you are holding yourself with excess strength and then let go of that strength. Try it as you walk. Try it as you exercise. Try it when you hold something. Try it when you are having a difficult conversation.

Let go a bit and let your life energy flow.

Enjoy.

Bill Ryan

http://us.mc593.mail.yahoo.com/mc/welcome?gx=1&.tm=12487909463&.rand=fl6ofrg287...

Monday, July 27, 2009

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
WORKPLACE NO-NOS

Don't use profane or offensive language—bad language in the workplace is not only potentially offensive to those around you, it may also make you appear unprofessional, immature or downright rude.
Don't steal—as minor as it might seem to occasionally lighten the office stationary supply of the odd pen or two, stealing from your workplace (stealing anything at all) is one of the quickest ways to get yourself fired and should never be risked, no matter how small the item.
Don't talk negatively about your employer, managers or co-workers—if you have a gripe about your company or somebody in it, take it through the appropriate channels; talk to your manager or human resources department.
Don't make sexually suggestive, racist, or inappropriate comments or jokes
Don't dress inappropriately—whether or not we admit it, we're all guilty of judging people on their appearance. People who look well groomed and who dress professionally will be taken more seriously, and potentially deemed more competent, than those who don't. Avoid ill-fitting clothes-particularly clothes that are too small, too tight, or too revealing.
Clean up your act—try to keep your desk and work space tidy and clean; a cluttered, dirty desk can make you appear unprofessional or unproductive. Don't allow mugs and plates, papers or books to built up. And definitely get rid of yesterday's half eaten [lunch]!
Don't gossip or spread rumors

CALLED MANIC DEPRESSION OR BIPOLARA DISORDER STIGMA PERSISTS

CALLED MANIC DEPRESSION OR BIPOLAR DISORDER ST IGMA PERSISTS

Manic depression is another term for bipolar disorder. Manic depression, a phrase that describes the extremes of mood associated with bipolar disorder. A phrase with origins rooted in Ancient Greek where the coupling of the words was used as early as the first century to describe symptoms of mental illness and an official title of the disorder coined by Emil Kraepelin in 1902.

Over the last few days, I've been researching the syymology—the development and use of a word or phrase through history and across languages—of the axiom manic depression. (Yes, I know I'm a complete word nerd).

What is particularly interesting about the term manic depression is that in the last decade the medical profession, psychiatry specifically, has made a concerted effort to shift the vernacular to the now official DSM diagnostic term of bipolar disorder. There are a number of reasons cited for this shift:

Bipolar disorder is more of a clinical term,; less emotionally loaded.
Manic depression gives emphasis to the predominant emotional symtoms, but implies exclusion of the physical or cognitive symptoms. The term also excludes the cyclothymic or hypomanic bipolar II disorder versions of the disorder.

Manic depression has been greatly stimatized. Consider popular phrases as manic Monday, Animanics, homicidal maniac, etc. And depression is now generally used as an everyday replacement for the word sad or tired.

And siagnostic and clinical applications are most often referenced by medical professionals. But those with the disorder talk more about how manic depression is bandied about as if it is more serious than the common cold.

What is wonderfully ironic is that it took centuries for the expression manic depression to become politically incorrect. It's taken less than a decade for the replacement title bipolar disorder to reach the same status. I did a search on Twitter looking for other members of the online bipolar disorder communities. Tweet after tweet came up with the phrase “bipolar weather” referencing a sudden change in the temperature or precipitation.

Raisinear posted in our Forums about this very thing venting about how a person referenced their bipolar landlord because he is unbalanced and unpredictable. Raisinear pointed out that bipolar disorder can also be used interchangeably with brilliant, creative, energetic or artist.

She asks, “Should I just walk away from this, knowing that nothing I say will get through to them or should I try to educate them about why equating “unpredictable and unbalanced” with bipolar is hurtful, and, for lack of a better word, just plain wrong?”

Comments

(1)
Martin says:
Hello, I can only agree with you on this, and in a way, I get daily proof. I use Google's email “alert” service to send me new articles based on the word, “bipolar”. I get maybe a dozen links each day.

The breakdown if these links is always much the same—usually a couple of news stories involving violence where someone's bipolar disorder is quoted, a couple of articles (often about celebrities) who have used the word bipolar non-medically, then the rest would be actual articles and blogs about bipolar.

I don't know what it means, but I've definitely noticed a rapid increase in the use of the word bipolar, and perhaps also in the awareness of the condition, but how accurately I don't know.

(2)Sarah says:
Martin is 100% right-on! I also see these alerts every day and have been struck by how they are dominated by dubious claims of “bipolar” from people looking to construct a criminal defense (on my Bipolar Lives website I explain the research that shows how a person with manic depression illness is far more likely to be a victim of a crime than to commit one), or celebrity rants where the word is used as a prejorative intended to be synomous with anything they don't like. I think the reality is that in popular culture “bipolar” is a slang term that is bandied around very freely—BUT that is why I have my website, and I do try to educate people in personal conversation. It is like anything though—you have to pick your battles and some folks just don't want to have less than one word in their vocabulary of abuse.
(3)John Thompson says:
It's important to keep it in perspective. By calling someone out on their usage of the word, you are setting up yourself for your own definition. You mentally confirm your condition as distinct from their misuse. It also offers them the opportunity to define the correct use as what they see in you, as if your symptomatic behavior defines the condition universally.

It all adds up to defining yourself as “bipolar”. I'd let it lay.

(4)cribwinner27says:
Hi Raisenear,
I try to follow the advice someone gave me some time ago. She said if you want to get closer to a person (have further interaction), maybe you should say something. If not walk away, I can't
always do this but I try. Sometimes I just feel compelled to say something, especially if they are making a joke about it. At these times I don't identify myself as bipolar because it could bring
me more ridicule which I don't need.

(5)Ben says:
My wife has bipolar II with rapid cycling. She is unpredictable and unbalanced much of the
time. What's wrong with the truth?

(6)Traci says:
Unfortunately, where I live, manic depression and bipolar disorder are all the same to people.
They think it is just a big problem that cannot be controlled. I have to keep it a secret because if
I say it, I might as well say I am practicing voodoo and slaughtering animals and bathing in the
blood. I agree with Ben. We ARE unpredictable. We ARE unbalanced. The heartache is that o
our symptoms 1) sometimes come and go as they please (making us appear capricious) and 2) c
can be undistinguishable from deadly sins (hupomania looks like Promiscuity, depression like s
sloth). Educate, educate, educate. That's all we can do.

(8)George says:
The stigma of mental illness still exists and can be very damaging.
However, I feel strongly that the huge numbers of us who are more or less successfully treated for bipolar and more or less as “normal” or “stable” as the next guy/gal should speak out when we feel it relatively safe and appropriate to do so.

Reputable and outstanding people coming out of the closet, as it were, is the most powerful way to attack a stigma. Just ask the gays and lesbians.

(9)Ken says:

Stigma interests me a great deal, as I'm also living with HIV.

I almost feel defensive in talking about my bipolar II condition, particular around other recovering alcoholics who look skeptical when I tell them I was diagnosed before I stopped drinking. The implication is that now that I'm stopped, the bipolar should be less of a problem. Indeed it has been but I've been taking medications of one kind or another for it all along!

Someone else has had terrible experiences with psychiatrists and meds so she's very worried about me and seems to be re-living her experience through me.

I gues I just have to pick and choose who I confide in. After giving up Seroquel because of elevated blood sugars old-fashioned lithium has kept me stabile—and I don't want to fight that!

Http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/06/16/called-manic-depression-or-bipolar-disorder-stigma...

CURING BOREDOM

CURING BOREDOM

Did you ever meet people so boring they put your feet to sleep? They complain about living, “I have to breathe all day, even when I sleep. It's so boring!” One guy remarked that he fell asleep while reading a dull book and had a dream that he was still reading it; finally, he woke up from sheer boredom.

Boredom may be a boring subject, but it's an important one because it is the source of much misery. You see, it is accompanied by, or leads to feelings of loneliness, emptiness, helplessness, inadequacy, sadness, despair, or even depression. When allowed to spin out of control, there can be serious repercussions. For example some may try to escape boredom by turning to drugs, sex, and alcohol. Yet, all they succeed in doing is compounding their problem.

When someone is bored, they don't like what they're doing, but don't know what else to do. The missing element is a good idea. So, when you feel the pang of boredom, it is a signal to stop and THINK. If you don't like what you're doing, shouldn't you STOP doing it? Boredom is a state of passivity and its opposite is a state of activity and creativity.

If we are not bored when we are busy, we should be happy when we are bored. Why? Because boredom tells us that we have free time.

And free time is a valuable resource that can be used to enrich our lives. It's time that can be devoted to friends, family or personal development.

Our source of boredom may be the endless pursuit of pleasure, for pleasure cannot be endless. Therefore, in seeking it, we are bound to be disappointed. Life is not about a quest for pleasure, but about a reason that we create. Our reason for living is a personal one, and one that we create. If we create it and live up to doing it during our free time, we won't experience boredom.

Just in case you have occasional bouts of boredom, here is a list of additional things you can do. Accept responsibility for your own happiness. It's okay to feel lazy and bored, but choose an activity.

And do it anyway. Refresh your body by taking a walk or exercising.

Set goals. They give you something to plan, tasks to do, and the pleasure of looking forward to achieving them. Find out what you like to do, and do it! Get a pet; visit the library; attend an outdoor concert, carnival, or festival.

HOT DOGS SHOULD CARRY CANCER WARNING LABELS SAYS US NON PROFIT GROUP

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY www.medicalmewsday.com

HOT DOGS SHOULD CARRY CANCER WARN LABELS US NOT PROFIT GROUP

A US non-profit organization filed a lawsuit on Wednesday asking a New Jersy county court to force food companies to put labels warning of cancer risks on any hot dogs they sell in New Jersey.

Described by the Los Angeles Times (LAT) as a vegan advocacy group Cancer Project, wants food companies like Oscar Mayer and Hebrew National, big names in the hot dog world, to put labels on their hot dogs warning that eating this meat product and other processed meats “increases the risk of cancer.”

President of the Cancer Project, Neal Barnard, who is an adjunct professor at George Washington University medical school in Washington DC, told LAT that:

“Just as tobacco causes lung cancer, processed meats are linked to colon cancer.”

“Companies that sell hot dogs are well aware of the danger, and their customers deserve the same information,” he added.

The lawsuit, which according to the LAT is seeking class action status, is brought against ConAgra Foods Inc. (owners of Hebrew National), Kraft Foods INC (owners of Oscar Mayer), Sara Lee Corp, Nathan's Famous Inc, and Marathon Enterprises Inc.

The group refers to a report from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund where scientists say there is no safe amount of processed meat that can be eaten, and that just one 50-gram serving of bacon, sausage, deli meats or other processed meats, every day increases a person's chance of getting colorectal cancer by 21 percent on average.

Processed and cured meats contain nitrites which are added to help preserve the meat. When ingested, these break down into nitrosamines and other chemicals that are thought to be cancer-causing.

Every year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and about 50,000 Americans are expected to die of the disease in 2009.

However, there are mixed views about the research evidence, with some scientists saying it could be the fat content of the food (most processed meats also tend to have high fat) that is linked to cancer. For instance a Harvard study that pooled data from several studies found no link between red and processed meat and cancer but it did find there was a lower risk of cancer when fish and chicken consumption was higher.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

What is Mental Health?

Mentally healthy people have positive self-image and can relate successfully to others most of the time. They are able to handle life's everyday challenges and changes, as well as its traumas and transitions—loss of loved ones, marriage difficulties, school problem, the challenge of retirement.

Unlike the short-term difficulties people may experience occasionally in life, severe and persistent mental illnesses are diseases of brain that have psychological, biological and sometimes situational causes. Just like physical illnesses, they range from mild to severe. Fortunately, most mental illnesses have become much better understood in the last 20—30 years and most can be successfully treated. Help ranges from counseling, to medication to support group and other types of supports.

Recognizing and Addressing Problems

Mental health issues affect people of all ages, races, cultures and economic conditions. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are experiencing a mental illness or have a friend or family member who is ill. You are not alone.

The first step is dealing with mental illness is to acknowledge and identify the problems the person is experiencing.

A mental health professional should evaluate a person who is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms as soon as possible:

Marked personality change.
Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
Strange or grandiose ideas.
Excessive anxieties.
Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
Extreme highs and lows.
Abuse of alcohol or drugs.
Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior.

Monday, July 20, 2009

RISK FACTORS OF DEPRESSION FROM MAYOCLINIC.COM

RISKS FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION FROM MAYOCLINIC.COM

Although precise statistics aren't known, depression is considered relatively common. In any given year, about 12 million adults in the United States have depression. Depression cuts across all racial, ethnic and economic divides—no one is immune from the risk of getting depression.

Depression can arise at any age, affecting everyone from young children to older adults. Twice as many women are diagnosed with depression as men, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment.

Researchers have indentified certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression:

Having other biological relatives with depression
Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
Having a depressed mood as a youngster
Illness, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS
Long-term use of certain medications, such as some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills or, occasionally birth control pills
Certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly independent, self-critical or pessimistic
Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse
Having recently given birth

When to seek medical advice

It's perfectly normal to occasionally feel sad or upset, or to be unhappy with situations in your life. But with depression, these feelings linger for weeks, months or even years. And these feelings also are much more intense than “just the blues” and can interfere with relationships, work and daily activities, and even your ability to eat and bathe.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Emotional Intelligence (EI), often measured as an Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), is a term that describes the ability, capacity, or skill or (in the case of the trait EI model) a self perceived ability, to identify, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, or others, and of groups.

Origins of the concept

The most distant roots of emotional intelligence can be traced to Darwin's early work on the importance of emotional expression for survival and second adaption. In the 1900s, even though traditional definitions of intelligence emphasized cognitive aspects such as memory and problem-solving, several influential researchers in the intelligence field of study had begun to recognize the importance of the non-cognitive aspects. For instance, as early as 1920, E.L. Thorndike used the term social intelligence to describe the skill of understanding and managing other people.

Similarly, in 1940 David Wechsler described the influence of non-intellective factors on intelligent behavior, and further argued that our models of intelligence would not complete until we can adequately describe these factors.

The first use of the term “Emotional Intelligence” is usually attributed to Wayne Payne's doctoral thesis. A Study of Emoiton: Developing Emotional Intelligence from 1985. However, prior to this, the term “emotional intelligence” had appeared in Leuner (1966). Greenspan (1989) also put forward an El model, followed by Salovey and Mayer (1990) and Coleman (1995).

The publication of Daniel Coleman's best seller Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ that the term [emotional intelligence] became widely popularized.

1.Bradberry, Travis and Greaves, Jean. (1005). The Emotional International Quick Book. New York: Simon and Schuster. (ISBN) 0743273265)
2.Bar-On, model of emotional-social intelligence (ESI). Psicothema, 18, supl., 13-25.
3.Thorndiek, R.K. (1920). “Intelligence and Its Uses”, Harper's Magazine 140, 227-335.
4.Payne, W.L. (1983/1986). A study of emotion: developing emotional intelligence; self integration; relation to fear, pain and desire. Dissertation Abstracts International, 47, p. 203A. (University microfilms No. AAC86005928)
Goldman, D. (1905). Emotional intelligence. New York: Bantam Books

COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED

COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED

MISSION

The Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled provides oversight of the State and local mental hygiene systems that collectively spend more than $5 billion in public funds annually. The Commission:

Monitors conditions of care for people with mental disabilities in State institutions, licensed residential facilities, and outpatient programs;
Reports to the Governor and Legislature on how the laws and policies established to protect the rights of people with mental disabilities are being implemented; and
Makes recommendations to improve quality of care.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

OVERSIGHT OF SERVICE DELIVERY

The commissions provides independent oversight and review of State-and-voluntary-operated programs serving individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and alcohol and substance abuse problems. Most importantly, it investigates complaints including allegations of patient abuse or mistreatment in facilities operated or licensed by these agencies.

PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

Federal funding provides statewide protection and advocacy services for individuals with disabilities, using State staff and contracts with non-profit agencies.

SURROGATE DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE

The Surrogate Decision Making Committee (SDMC) program reviews recommendations for medical services on behalf of individuals receiving Mental Health residential services who have neither a legal guardian nor the ability to make decisions for themselves. Volunteer teams comprised of medical, legal and health care professionals and advocates work through dispute resolution centers to represent these individuals. Expanded under a multi-year gubernatorial initiative, this program is now available statewide.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson, who changed music's Landscape, loses his life to Cardiac Arrest.
Kind OF POP is dead

Michael Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center; the call from his home was 12;30 pm. He was the King of POP. Always was center stage.

Michael Jackson was 50 yrs. Old. He was born in 1958 and he died 2009. So he will always be a great fan of mine. When my husband told me, he had to wake me up, I started to cry, and I'm big fan of his. I wish I could go to his funeral that's how much of a fan I'm with him. I watch him on MTV when I was growing up and even the Jackson Five on TV but I could never afford to go to his concerts but every time he was on TV I sure watch him.

From Christine 6-26-2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

GOOD PRACTICE FOR TOUGH FATHERHOOD

GOOD PRACTICE FOR A TOUGH FATHERHOOD

BACK in the early 90's, before I became a father and began my education in the heartbreak and hope of parental love, I lived on the crumbling fringe of Park Slope, Brooklyn, where every morning I'd drink coffee, smoke cigarettes and play jazz guitar for six to eight hours before heading off to wait tables. For years this routine was my life, and through it I felt connected to the city.

One bitterly cold afternoon I looked out my window to see the little boy who lived across the street wearing no coat, just a T-shirt and jeans, and clutching himself and crying.

His nickname was Booboo, and from what I'd heard his life was a near -perfect stereotype or urban poverty and neglect. His mother was in prison for crack and prostitution, and he'd been left in the care of his grandmother, a drunk who gambled their welfare money. Plump, near 50 and always in high heel, she carried herself as if she were still an object of great sexual interest. On a block where noise was constant, her shrill laughter cut through it all—you always knew where she was.

It went downstairs and asked her if it was O.K. If I made Booboo some hot chocolate. She seemed only too happy to be free of the boy, who as it turned out had peed his pants, which were freezing to his leg.

You see so much sadness in New York that you become good at blocking it out. But now here was Booboo, a sad, vacant creature, inside my apartment. He was about 5, skinny, possibly malnourished, and seemed to exist solely on potato chips and candy. He had big eyes and a runny nose and was actually handsome, like a little child model. Except he gave off no joy, no energy, seemed slow to understand and was delayed in his responses.

His family and friends mainly spoke Spanish, so his English wasn't very good. But he recognized that I was trying to do something nice for him, and he accepted the temporary improvement in his circumstances.

I made him hot chocolate, then set him up with a grilled cheese and a glass or orange juice and let him watch TV. It was odd having him in the apartment, another living creature in the midst of my solitude, a creature for whom I was suddenly responsible.

And of course Booboo started coming around. I'd hear my buzzer, look out, and there he'd be, gazing up with those huge blank eyes, his grandmother across the street calling out in that piercing voice that it was O.K., and I'd say, “O.K.” And she'd head up the block to drink and gamble and talk trash with her crew.

I wish I could say I made some kind of impact on Booboo, but I didn't. All I did was take him in for a while and feed him. You do something like this and you think it's going to be like “The Courtship of Eddie's Father,” and you'll have a clever relationship with a cute tyke who's a bit of a tough but smart and funny and ultimately decent. But that's not quite how it works, or at least it didn't with Booboo and me.

I'd try to talk with him, seldom getting much more than monosyllable responses. Sometimes, when I thought I wasn't looking, he'd study my face as though he were searching it for a clue. Generally, he was happy enough to get things: food, warmth, TV,. But as much as I wanted to reach him, it seemed that in some fundamental way it was already too late, that he'd probably go through life outside the circle, wondering what kept him apart.

One day my buzzer rang, and I looked out and saw Booboo's grandmother with a group of neighbors, all of them greeting me with angry expressions.

“Where's Booboo?” the grandmother shreiked. Her face had that rose glow, and it was clear she'd been drinking.

“I don't know.”

“Where's he at?” she demanded.

“I'm coming down,” I said, and went downstairs to talk with her.

When I opened the door, she repeated her question, which was clearly an accusation, and I said again that I had no idea where Booboo was.

“When's the last time you saw him?”

“Yesterday,” I said. “When's the last time you saw him?” I asked, and that sent a tremor through the group.

“That's none of your business,” she said.

“I told you not to trust this boy,” a neighbor said, and there were murmurs of agreement.

I'd known all along I'd set myself up for this kind of suspicion and resentment, but went ahead and did what I could to help Booboo anyway. And now here it was, playing out in the worst possible way.

“You can come up to my apartment and look around if you want,” I said. “And while you're up here, we can call the police.”

“We don't need the police,” the grandmother said. And there was an awkward moment.

Then a teenager girl who lived in Booboo's building came calling down the street that she'd found Booboo,. And there he was, trailing along behind her, oblivious as ever.

The next day the grandmother tried to apologize, explaining she had been in such a state that she wasn't thinking right. Of course, I sensed her main concern was for herself. She'd voiced her resentment, and now she'd lost a place to ditch Booboo. I said I understood, but added that Booboo probably shouldn't come into my apartment anymore.

And that was that, I turned away and did not look back.

A couple of years later, I moved to Providence, R.I., and in time married and became a father of two. Our younger child, Phoebe, 7, is so quick to understand and so kind in her understanding that it's easy to forget she's just a child.

The older one, Theo, 10, was born in the autism spectrum. His journey into the world has been very difficult. For him to be at a place where he can laugh and talk and feel at ease among people has required years of hard work.

Back when we were expecting, I wondered what it would mean to be a father. I'd never had one myself. I'd had a stepfather for a while, but he wasn't much of a dad and I never called by anything other than his first name.

So as far as fathering went, I had no real point of reference. I just figured if our child were a boy; he'd been approximate version of me, and that a girl would be an approximate version of my wife, Kate. We'd feed the kid organic food and everything would turn out fine.

On the day that Theo was born, all bloody with ears like a monkey, and the nurse let me hold him, whatever it was I expected to feel—a surge of love, of wonderment—stalled completely. I stood there, wooden, trying to cradle a baby that seemed more like an alien offering than anything to which I was related. Loving him, my son, was apparently something I'd have to learn.

And loving Theo has required exttensive education. Into his second year, he still wouldn't meet our eyes. He wasn't interested in us unless we were giving him something he wanted. No looking up with curiosity, with the desire to connect.

I wasn't an authority on babies, but I'd been around enough of them to see how they looked to their parents. And there were other things about Theo, too, things Kate and I pretended not to worry about. Nearing 2, he still didn't speak a word. People would say things like, “Don't worry, Einstein was slow to speak, too.” But it wasn't that Theo didn't speak. He didn't seem to understand the meaning of words. Not one.

Later, we'd learn that's called, “receptive language.” Theo had no receptive language,. When I retrieved him from day care, he would sit quietly in his car seat—no words, no sounds. If not for his tantrums and night terrors, he would have been a completely silent being.

Finally we owned up that something was wrong and schedule an appointment at the hospital. After a full day of tests: the news.

I didn't even know what autism was; they had to explain it. And even then, it was just words.

Soon enough, I came to understand exactly what such a disability means, for your child and for you. And I learned about early intevention and home-based services and vitamins and mercury and special diets and applied behavioral analysis and individualized education plans. But mostly I learned about the unrelenting frustration an autistic child experiences and the terrible rage it engenders, day after day, for years.

IT'S sad to admit, but while some children are easy to love, others require more of us—sometimes more than it seems we're capable of. But given the right combination of awful circumstances, you can discover surprising things about yourself. Loving Theo required lavishing affection upon him and receiving almost none in return. It required a willingness to think like him, to see the world through his eyes, so that he wouldn't have to suffer constant frustration.

And it required work, a whole lot of grinding, tedious, physical work. More work than I ever could have imagined having to do for another human being. And yet I did it—most of the time with tenderness. These days, when I catch Theo's eyes and tap my heart, he says sweetly and dutifully, “I love you, too, Dad,” and the sound of his voice, the look on his face, cracks me up.

What what started me on this story: recently, while in New York for a conference, I went back to Brooklyn to see my old neighborhood. And as I walked the block where I had lived for those yeas, not recognizing anyone, I wondered what it was I'd expected to find.

And that's when I remembered Booboo, and my heart caved. I hadn't thought of him in years, hadn't really allowed myself to.

The poor unloved boy. What could have become of him?

Http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/fashion/21love.html?pagewanted=2

Monday, July 13, 2009

LUPUS FAST FACTS

LUPUS-FAST FACTS

Systemic lupus erythematosus, also commonly referred to as lupus or SLE, a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and other prgans of the body. It is not uncommon for symptoms associated with lupus to resemble symptoms associated with other types of arthritis and rheumatic disease, making lupus difficult to diagnose.

Several types of lupus exist:

Systemic lupus erthematosus
Discoid lupus
Subacute cutaneous lupus rythematosus
Drug-induced lupus
Neonatal lupus

Causes of Lupus:

It is known that lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks a person's own cells and tissues. The reason for the immune system malfunction is not completely understood but as is the case with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and other autoimmune diseases, it is thought to involve genetic factors and environmental factors.

Symptoms Associated With Lupus:

Symptoms which help doctors differentiate lupus from other rheumatic diseases include:

A butterfly-shaped rash appearing on the cheeks and over the bridge of the nose (malar rash)
Scaly sores appearing on the face, neck, and chest (discoid rash)
Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunllight)
Mouth ulcers
Arthritis pain and joint stiffness
Srositis-inflammation of tissues which line the lungs, heart, abdomen, and internal organs
Kidney problems
Central nervous system abnormalities
Blood abnormalities
Antinuclear antibodies
Immune system problems

Fatigue, fever, swollen glands and weight loss may occur with lupus.

Diagnosis of Lupus:

There is no single test used to diagnose lupus. Diagnosis is based on a combination of factors (clinical symptoms, blood tests, and medical history) which together provide evidence of abnormalities in several organ systems. Laboratory tests and x-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis of lupus.

Besides abnormalities which may be revealed through routine blood counts, chemistry tests, and urinalysis, tests which are specifically relevant to lupus include:

Sedimentation rate and CRP
Antinuclear antibody test
Specific antibodies (anti-dsDNA, anti-smith, and anti-phosphollpid)
Complement test

Treatment of Lupus:

Treatment of lupus depends on the severity of symptoms and organ symptoms involved. NSAIDS (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) are commonly prescribed to control inflammation. Plaquenil which is used as a DMARD (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) is another commonly prescribed medication used to treat lupus, as are other immunosuppressants) including Imuran, Cytoxan, cyclosporine, and CellCept.

Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) are also used to treat the condition:

Studies are currently ongoing which are testing the effectiveness of new treatments for lupus, most of which are monoclonal antibodies.

Prevalence of Lupus:

Lupus affects l0 times more women than men. Though lupus can develop at any age, disease onset usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 45 years old. African-Americans and Asians have a higher risk of developing lupus than people of other radical or ethnic backgrounds. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans have one of the types of lupus, but that estimate actually may be low.

Points of Interest About Lupus:

Systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE), as its name suggests, can involve multiple organ systems and is the most serious type.
Discoid lupus erythematosus affects only the skin and does not involve other organ systems.
Drug-induced lupus is caused by a reaction to certain prescription medications. Symptoms resemble SLE but it does not affect the central nervous system or kidneys.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus causes skin lesions to appear on parts of the body exposed to sun.
Neonatal lupus is a rare disease which affects newborn babies.
Nearly all lupus patients are positive for antinuclear antibodies.

Http://arthritis.about.com/od/lupus/p/lupusfacts.htm

MICHAEL JACKSON: DEATH RELATED TO LUPUS OR MEDICATION USE?

MICHAEL JACKSON -DEATH RELATED TO LUPUS OR PAIN MEDICATION USE?

The unexpected death of Michael Jackson has caused a whirlwind of attention. People are clamoring for his music—others are interested in his medical history. Numerous rumors and conflicting reports have circulated over the years with regard to Michael Jackson's health. It was widely reported that he had lupus—but it was also reportedly in remission. Still other reports purported the lupus story was a lie. Sorting out fact from fiction hasn't been easy. An article in the June 27, 2009 (Chicago-Sun-Times) took on some of the zany claims about Michael Jackson. The lupus connection is listed as a fact.

No medical malady was related to the cause of death in the initial offering from his autopsy. Attention quickly turned to speculate as the sad final chapter of his life unfolds. He was an international mega-star and the mega-story will not end anytime soon.

Http://arthritis.about.com/b/2009/06/27/michael-jackson-death-related-to-lupus-or-pain-me...

GUIDE TO LUPUS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS

Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash (the so-called butterfly or malar rash) may appear across the nose and cheeks. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands. Because many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight (called photosensitivity), skins rashes often first develop or worsen after sun exposure.

Common Symptoms of Lupus

Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain
Unexplained fever
Red rashes, most commonly on the face
Chest pain upon deep breathing
Unusual loss of hair
Pale or purple of fingers from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon)
Sensitivity to the sun
Swellling (edema) in legs or around eyes
Mouth ulcers
Swollen glands
Extreme fatigue

Symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. Other symptoms of lupus include chest pain, hair loss, anemia ( a decrease in red blood cells), mouth ulcers, and pale or purple fingers and toes from cold stress. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion, or seizures. New symptoms may continue to appear years after the initial diagnosis, and different symptoms can occur at different times. In some people with lupus, only one system of the body, such as the skin or joints, is affected. Other people experience symptoms in many parts of the their body. Just how seriously a body system is affected varies from person to person.

Systemic Effects

The following systems in the body can also be affected by lupus.

Kidneys: Inflammation of the kidneys (Nephritis) can impair their ability to get rid of waste products and other toxins from the body effectively. There is usually no pain associated with kidney involvement, although some patients may notice swelling in their ankles. Most often, the only indication of kidney disease is an abnormal urine or blood test. Because the kidneys are so important to overall health, lupus affecting the kidney generally requires intensive drug treatment to prevent further damage.

Lungs: Some people with lupus develop pleuritis, an inflamation of the lining of the chest cavity that causes chest pain, particularly with breathing. Patients with lupus may also get pneumonia.

Central nervous system: In some patients, lupus affects the brain or nervous system. This can cause headaches, dizziness, memory disturbances, vision problems, seizures, stroke, or changes in behavior.

Blood vessels: Blood vessels may become inflamed Vasculitis, affecting the way blood circulates through the body. The inflammation may be mild and may not require treatment or may be severe and require immediate attention.
Blood: People with lupus may develop anemia, leukopenia (a decreased number of white blood cells), or thrombocytopenia (a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, which assist in clotting). Some people with lupus may have an increased risk for blood clots.

Heart: In some people with lupus, inflammation can occur in the heart itself )myocarditis and endocarditis) or the membrane that surrounds it pericarditis), causing chest pains other symptoms. Lupus can also increase the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Pregnancy for Women with Lupus

Although a lupus pregnancy is considered high risk, most women with lupus carry their babies safely to the end of their pregnancy. Women with lupus have a higher rate of miscarriage and premature births compared with the general population. In addition, women who have antiphosphollipid antibodies are at a greater risk of miscarriage in the second trimester because of their increased risk of blood clotting in the placenta. Lupus patients with a history of kidney disease have a higher risk of preeclampsia (hypertension with with a buildup of excess watery fluids in cells or tissues of the body). Pregnancy counseling and planning before pregnancy are important. Ideally, a woman should have no signs or symptoms of lupus and be taking no medications for at least 6 months before she becomes pregnant.

Some women may experience a mild to moderate flare during or after their pregnancy; others do not. Pregnant women with lupus, especially those taking corticosteriods, also are more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, hypoglycemia (high blood sugar), and kidney complications, so regular care and good nutrition during pregnancy are essential. It is also advisable to have access to a neonatal (newborn) intensive care unit at the time of delivery in case the baby requires special medical attention.

Http://arthritis.about.com/od/lupus/a/guidetolupus 2.htm
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Friday, July 10, 2009

SUMMER ALLERGIES

SUMMER ALLERGIES

Summer Allergies

Summer is a time for being outdoors with friends and family. Many people go camping, picnic at the beach, or barbeque in the backyard. But along with these outdoor activities comes the possibility of outdoor allergies. Allergies to summer pollen, stinging and biting insects, hidden food ingredients, and smoke from campfires and barbeques can ruin an otherwise perfect activity for some people.

Summer Pollen Allergy

Grass pollen is usually the predominant pollen in the air during the summer. Allergy to this pollen can cause sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, as well as cause asthma attacks in some people. Other people get hives and itching after touching and sitting on the grass.

While completely avoiding exposure to grass pollen (and direct contact with grass) may not be possible, there are some measures that can be taken to minimize allergy symptoms. First, using various allergy and asthma medicines can reduce grass pollen allergy symptoms. Next, if there's a lot of grass around in the air, such as with mowing the lawn, wear a mask or bandana over your face to minimize exposure. Lastly, if you get itchy after touching or sitting on the grass, taking an antihistamine an hour or two before grass exposure can prevent symptoms in many cases.

Food Allergies at Picnics

At outdoor picnics and barbeques, many different people may bring various dishes with hidden ingredients. This can present a real danger to people with food allergies. Accidental exposure to a number of different foods can occur at a picnic, including peanut, nut, egg, seafood, and other nuts. Therefore, people with food allergies should always be prepared to treat an allergic reaction to foods, and most of these reactions happen after accidentally eating a particular food.

Allergy to Stinging and Biting Insects

Stinging insects, such as bees, wasps and yellow-jackets, and biting insects such as mosquitoes , are more active during the summer months, and can cause allergic reactions in certain people Most people experience localized pain, itching, and swelling as a result of being stung or bitten. However, some people experience more severe symptoms, including hives, difficulty breathing, or even lift-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) as a result of an insect sting. Insect allergies are curable, so if you think you have an allergy to stinging insects, you should see an allergist to discuss treatment options.

Preventing insect stings is the most treatment of insect allergy. People should avoid looking or smelling like a flower, and not wear brightly colored clothing or flowery prints, and avoid wearing perfumes or other scents that may attract stinging insects. It is important to always wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, close-toed shoes and socks when working outdoors. In addition, a person should check food and drinks, especially open cans of soda or drinks with straws, before eating and drinking outdoors, as yellow-jackets and other stinging insects are attracted to sugary treats.

Various mosquito repellents are available, including including sprays and lotions that are applied to the skin, as well as citronella candles, which release a scent that repels mosquitoes.

Smoke Allergy

Exposure to smoke from various sources, such as barbeques and campfires, is also common during the summertime. While this exposure often results in non-allergic irritation of the eyes, nose and lungs, it is possible to be allergic to smoke. If a person is allergic to the pollen of the tree from which the wood was obtained (such as from the mesquite tree), allergy symptoms can occur with exposure from the burning wood.

People with asthma and sensitive noses and eyes should be careful to avoid being directly exposed to smoke from barbeques and campfires, and have asthma rescue medicines readily available in case they are needed.

LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

Healthy Routines—Positive First Step

Get regular sleep. Do your best to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day
Eat regular meals and get regular exercise
Reduce stress. People with bipolar disorder may find that an episode of depression or mania might start after they have been under more stress than usual
Take medication regularly. If your health care professional has prescribed medication for you as part of your treatment plan, be sure to take it at the same time every day. Having a routine may help make it easier to take your medication as prescribed
Get help for substance abuse, if needed. People with bipolar disorder may be more likely to use and abuse alcohol and other drugs. This can trigger episodes of illness or make your episodes last longer. If you think you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your health care professional about options for dealing with these issues

Track your progress. You may find it helpful to keep a Mood Tracking Diary.

Work with your health care professional to develop a plan to manage your bipolar disorder and its symptoms and to follow your treatment plan closely. Here are a few more resources that are designed to help someone living with bipolar disorder.

Helpful tools that may help you gain prespective, track your moods, and work with your health care professional
Support and resources or organizations, advocacy groups, and support groups, as well as prescription savings programs.
Thinking Forward, a patient support program that offers free information, resources, and practical advice designed to help you work with your health care professional and move forward with your treatment plan.

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about SEROQUEL XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if SEROQUEL XR is right for you.

Important Safety Information for SEROQUEL XR

This not a complete summary of ssafety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

SEROQUEL XR is a once-daily tablet approved to treat acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or when added to lithium or divalproex; long-term maintenance of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia


Elderly patients with dementia -related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill), SEROQUEL XR is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation and irratibility. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to the physician. SEROQUEL XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors as obesity or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before starting SEROQUEL XR and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening.
Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain have been reported with SEROQUEL XR.
A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with SERIOQUEL XR and medicine like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS); Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
Another serious side effect reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it is tardive dyskinesia (TD)--unconatrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase. While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if treatment is stopped.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high prolactin levels or have a history of, or at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC) count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter. During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing. Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide. Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL XR, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR because SEROQUEL XR increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid become overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL XR
Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation, upset stomach, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, weight gain, increased hunger, tiredness, increases in blood sugar, difficulty speaking and stuffy nosel

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/watch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CAN MARGARITAS BE A PART OF YOUR WELLNESS PROGRAM?

CAN MARGARITAS BE A PART OF YOUR WELLNESS PROGRAM?

It's a funny thing being a fitness coach as many people have misconceptions about my lifestyle. They think I must be some sort of “fitness nazi” who live an austere life devoid of any hedonistic pleasures. Chocolate? Heaven no! Butter? No way! Alcohol? God forbid! The presumption is that I eat only “healthy” food and spend 5 hours a day exercising (10 on Sundays). It's assumed I would never contaminate my body with “evil substances” such as fat, alcohol, and sugar.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. I've also developed quite a reputation for my blended lime margaritas. Ask the guests who attended our summer barbeques and I'm sure they'll vouch for my margs!

How is this possible? Genetics does play a role but that can only account for about 30% of the results. Environment and personal decisions play just as an important role because they help determine how your genes express themselves.

North Americans are notorious for looking at other cultures' diets and trying to find a secret ingredient that is the key to health, youth & vitality. We've looked at the Okinawa diet, the Mediterranean diet, and the French diet trying to find that magic bullet that will allow us to have perfect health.

A Mediterranean type diet and low-carb diet. The low carb group lost the most weight (10.3) lbs), followed by the Mediterranean group (10) libs.) and low-fat group (6.5lbs.). The low-carb group also had the best improvement in cholesterol levels whilethe Mediterranean group had the greatest improvement in the blood sugar levels.

Western science is very narrow-minded in its approach. It generally tries to break everything down into parts to understand how things work. An eagle-eye perspective is needed to tie together the data collected by a microscopic view.

There are three major similiarities between the cultures of the three diets I mentioned above (the Okinawa (Japanese), the Mediterranean and the French) that can help explain the health of their people:

(1)the sense of community foiund in these cultures
(2)a slower pace of life and less stress than the typical North American lifestyle
(3)an emphasis of real (high quality) food versus processed (poor quality) food

The lower stress levels of the French goes a long way to explaining the apparent paradox of their diet which can include many rich foods such as cheese and butter. The point I'm making is it's not simply what foods these people eat that's important but the quality of the food itself and the environment they eat in are equally important.

Getting back to my situation, yes I enjoy chocolate, beer, red meat, cheese and margaritas. But I don't use these foods as a way of dealing with stress which is what many people do with things like alcohol and chocolate. I use exercise, meditation and other techniques to handle the stresses of modern life and allow myself to enjoy these “bad” substances when relaxing and having fun with friends.

And keep in mind what the researchers from the three-diet study concluded; there is no one diet that is right for everyone. So experiment for yourself and enjoy an occasional margarita!

TOP 5 HAPPINESS EXERCISES

TOP 5 HAPPINESS EXERCISES

Happiness, as a state of mind, is the aggregate of life experiences at a particular point of time in your life. In simple terms, what that means is a number of factors contribute to an approximately 60% of your happiness. These are factors over which you have little control. However, the other 40% of your happiness is controlled by your own decisions and actions.

There are ways in which you can increase your happiness. These are simple exercises that may be practiced regularly.

Practice gratitude: This one of the best ways to achieve a constant state of happiness. Each one of us has a number of things to be grateful for. The air that you breathe, your body, your home, your hair—there's always something to be grateful for. Find it. It will make you happy.

Think kind thoughts: Often, our internal talk is all about all about negatives. Stop defeating self talk. Instead, think of someone who is less fortunate and send up a prayer. Think of some adversities in your life and how you managed to overcome them. Think back on your day and find at three good things that happened that day.

Random acts of kindness: If you were to practice three acts of kindness everyday for a month, your cup will overflow.

Simile: How many times do you smile in a day? A smile has the ability to lift your spirits and make you feel good.

Bolster yourself: Many times, we are overly critical of ourselves. This is not really our fault. The world has taught us that if we want to excel, we need to put ourselves through the grind. Take a piece of pen and paper and write down three events that portrayed the best of you. Pin this up where you can see it and read it every day.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

ONE OUT OF FIVE AMERICANS HAS AN ANGER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM

ONE OUT OF FIVE AMERICANS HAS AN ANGER MANAGEMENT PROBLEM

Anger is a natural human emotion and is nature's way of empowering us to “ward off” our perception of an attack or threat to our well being. The problem is not anger, the problem is the mismanagement of anger. Mismanaged anger is the major cause of conflict in our personal and professional relationships.

Management and Coping with Anger in the Workplace

Violence and destructive anger has reached an epidemic level in our culture and negatively impacts us in each arena and major tasks of life.

In a recent Gallup poll, two (2) out of every ten (10) employees confessed to being angry enough to “hurt” some co-worker in the last six (6) months.

Much of the problem contributing to the epidemic anger and violence occurring in the workplace is that many people have attitudes about themselves, about others and about life that predispose them to behave in ways that are irrational and disrespecting towards others. Such persons are “culturally incompetent” and are not “sensitive” to other peoples “feelings” [or] ways of seeing, doing and understanding things. And when conflicts arise, their lack of “insight” and cultural competence makes positive cooperation difficult and sometimes, even impossible.

Most of the inter-employee problems, manager/employee problems and violent conflicts on the job, arise out of this negative context of cultural ignorance.

When co-workers, managers and employees learn how to make the transition from their mistaken or uninformed attitudes and expectations of others to more appropriate ones, their lives at work take on new meaning and purpose. As employees, they become more efficient and productive at their job. They stop insulting and putting each other down and start helping each other up. They are moved into a relationship of mutual respect.

Mutual respect can be defined as state in which two (or more) individuals respect themselves and each other in spite of their differences, faults and imperfections.

In the context of mutual respect, each employee's feelings of self respect and sense of worth and value are enhanced. Even when the person make it very difficult for us to respect them by making useless “anger mischief” we can still disengage from their inappropriate or unprofessional behavior and respect them in spite of it!

FANS BIG JACKSON FAREWELL OUTSIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE

FANS BID JACKSON FAREWELL OUTSIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE

LOS ANGELES—Michael Jackson fans came from near and far Tuesday to say last goodbyes to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. And Europe for his public memorial in Los Angeles.

Near the service site on downtown's Staples Center, vendors sold Jackson memorabilia such as T-shirts,collages, buttons and bouquets of snapdragons and dahlias.

“His music will live forever. That's why I'm here today. It's like closure. I'm a person who believes in miracles, and I'm witnessing one today,” said Jenee Huitt of LosAngeles, referring to her gold wristband allowing her to be among the lucky fans to attend the memorial service.

Huitt, an ettiquette teacher, said she met the Jackson 5 as a girl in the early 1070s.

“Diana Ross brought the Jacksons in to this event, introduced them and said, 'They're going to be stars,” Huitt said.

Fans inside Staples Center wept during the many emotional highlights during the service, which included spoken tributes and performances of Jackson tunes.

“I cried, and I was like, I'm not going to cry because I did not kknow him. But it was very moving,” said Morgan Bryant, 15, of Los Angeles. “By them performing his songs, it made it so real, and seeing the casket there, it made it like he's really not coming back.”

Bridget Thomsen, 26, of Upland, Calif., said seeing all the stars come together and perform in Jackson's memory brought tears to her eyes.

“The soul and the heart they put into it was something you could never forget,” Thomsen said.

Bianca Reyes, 41, San Diego, said one of the most moving moments was when Jackson's daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the audience how much she loved her father.

“This was amazing to be part of history,” Reyes said. “They're just regular family. It was so said.”

Crowds were tiny compared to those expected by police, who had issued statements leading up to the service asking people without tickets to stay away.

Deputy Police Chief Sergio Diaz, operations chief for the event, said authorities had projected a crowd of 250,000 or more. Besides reporters and those with tickets to the memorial service, the crowd around the Staples Center perimeter numbered only about 1,000 he said.

“We asked people not to come out and just be on the street and spectate from a distance, and it seems to have worked,” Diaz said.

Police had based their projection of 250,000 people on turnouts for the funerals of Princess Diana and England, some just to be outside the event. Some wore trademark Jackson clothing, including sequined white socks and red leather jackets reminiscent of those the singer wore in his music videos.

The scene was reminiscent of one of the many Hollywood's award shows, which draw vendor and celebrity gawkers. Police helicopters flew ovrrhead, and officers patroled on foot and bicycle. The crowds were orderly.

Fans carried signs such as “Michael Jackson Lives.” One turned himself into a walking music video, strapping a flat-screen TV to his back that played Jackson numbers.

Claudia Hernandez, 29, said she loved Jackson's music as a girl growing up in Mexico. Now a day-care teaching assistant in Los Angeles, Hernandez said she has cried watching TV coverage of his death.

“I'm trying to hold in my emotions,” said Hernandez wearing a wristband to allow her amittance to the service and holding a framed photograph of Jackson “I know right now he's teaching the angels to dance.”

Half a dozen protesters stood among fans, condemning Jackson over his child-molestion charges, holding signs that read, “Jacko in Hell” and “Mourn for Your Sins.”

But Jackson's devotees far outnumbered his critics. Mishelle Van, 37, drove with her cousin from Hesperia, Calif. Arriving at Los Angeles at 1 a.m. They spent the early morning hours with other Jackson fans.

“They're touching us and saying, can you bring the love in for us?” said Van, who was among those with a wristband for the service.

Melvin Price, 43, flew in from England on Saturday, even before he knew he had won a ticket to the Jackson memorial.

“I wanted to pay my last respects to Michael Jackson,” said Price, dressed in a red leather jacket. “I've been a fan of his for 35 years.”

Beverly J. Ellis, 48, said she drove from Holly Springs, Ark., just to be there even though she could not get in. She planned to go to Jackson's Neverland ranch later in the day to take pictures and see if she could get a rock or other souvenir to take home.

“I'm just a groupie. I'm an old groupie now,” said Ellis, who held an American flag and a sign with a photocopied image of Jackson. “I'm a die-hard, true fan.”

“I adore him. He's a genius,” said Lorena Gonzalez, 24, a college student who came up for the service with her mother from Monterrey, Mexiso.

“Michael was a legend. He had to die young because he was an idol,” said her mother, Elsa Lopez de Gonzalez, 50. “He will be missed but he will live forever.”

“Vemay Lewis, 32, flew in from Wilmington, Del., spent all Monday night on the streets outside Staples Center, wrapped in a blanket to stay warm overnight.

Lewis said she did not care that she traveled cross-country even though she did not have a wristband to attend the memorial. She just wanted to be near the singer and his fans.
“I think it was his kind heart, his gentleness, his childlike ways,” said Lewis, who signed a wall for fans to offer farewell sentiments to Jackson. “For me, he was the whole package as far as what an entertainer and what a person was supposed to be. I just think he was wonderful.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/2090707/ap_mu/us_jackson-scene??ylt=ApUHSj...

MICHAEL JACKSON'S MUSIC MISSING: MORE TO COME?

MICHAEL JACKSON'S MUSIC MISSING: MORE TO COME?

Call it irony, call it the silver ling of a tragic death- Michael Jackson's passing has put the King of Pop back on top of the music charts. His hits have suddenly become the nostalgic sound track of summer 2009.

And Jackson's reign could continue for years with fresh material that has never been released and artistic reworkings of existing classic tracks, according to Tommy Mottala, former CEO and chairman of Sony, the company that owns the distribution rights to much of Jackson's music. “The world will be listening to Michael Jackson for decades to come.” Mottala tells Time.

As fans rediscover the great albums, their newfound appetite for Jackson's music could be further satiated by “dozens” of new albums in various forms, says Mottala. The unreleased material, for example, should to extensive due to Jackson's prolific recording and legendary perfectionims. In the studio, Jackson “absolutely” over-record for all of his iconic albums, says the former Sony head. “Let's 12 or 13 songs end up on the album; Michael could have possibly recorded 15, 20 or 30 songs,” says Mottola. “This would probably go for every album he recorded and probably pre-dating {Sony} to his Motown days.”

Jackson was also constantly trying to stretch himself as an artist, working with the latest hot producers to stay current. So with each album there would be a “plethora” of these producers brought in to work on tracks-leading to even more material.

Mottala contends that some of these unreleased tracks , even if they did not make the cut for the original album, could potentially reepresent Jackson's “best work.” Says Mottala: “There were so many recordings, and so many of them were great. It doesn't mean these [unreleased] songs were any less great; it just happened to be the other songs that were picked.”

This unreleased Jackson material would not even take into account the two albums that Jackson was reportedly working on for his tour at the time of his death. One of them was a classical album, in which he was collaborating with composer David Michael Frank. Jackson “had the tunes pretty much worked out,” Frank told CNN, adding that the album would “show the world that Michael was more than just a songwriter.”

There is also the possibility of new live albums and remixing Jackson's existing catalog. “That's five years of material right there,” says Mottala of the remixing. “You can just go on and on and on. It's endless for years to come.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599190880300;__ylt=AuqwtWyK58ZG2z4CipYMDGxrdL...

MICHAEL JACKSON'S FINAL RESTING PLACE A MYSTERY

JACKSON'S KIDS EMERGE FROM BEHIND THE VEIL

For all the hasty preparations, hand-wringing over security, breathless media competition to scoop details and soul-wrenching performances, the essence of Michael Jackson's memorial service came down to a 20 poignant, powerful seconds the moment when 11-year-old, Paris-Miehael Jackson inched up to the microphone and, in a statement no one saw coming, referred to the late pop superstar as “Daddy.”

It was a remarkably humanizing moment. Then again, it was remarkable jus to see Jackson's three children in public to begin with.

A fiercely, protective father, Jackson rarely brought his brood out into public, covering their faces in veils and party masks to protect their identity when he did.

Now here they were, unveiled, before an audience of thousands at Staples Center and millions more around the globe. Starting out seated in the front row, the three youngest Jacksons eventually joined the rest family onstage as the two-hour service wound to a close.

Dressed in the same dark suits and yellow ties as the rest of the Jackson men, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, chewed gun and toted the memorial service program; 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, held is program and clutched a Michael Jackson doll.

Paris, wearing a black dress with white trim, turned a small patent-leather purse over her hands as other family members spoke. And then a dramatic hush fell over the crowd as family members whispererd that the little girl, whose lifetime of public exposure amounted a small handful of paparizzi photographs, Paris-Michael wanted to say something.

She furtively emerged from the tight circle of family members, who rushed to lower the microphone to her level. And with her uncle Randy on one side and aunt Janet on the other, Jackson's little girl stood center stage.

“I just wanted to say,” Paris began weekly.

“Speak up, sweetheart, speak up,” Janet encouraged, sweeping the girl's long hair back. “And get close.”

Paris put one hand behind her neck, another on the microphone, and began again.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, her tiny voice cracking.

Rebbie and Marlon Jackson moved in closer to comfort their niece. She shut her eyes tight.

Then she wrapped her hands—little fingernails painted red—around the microphone and fought back tears as she continued, “And I just wanted to say I love him—so much.”

She collapsed into tears into her aunt's arms.

“It's OK baby. It's OK,” Janet Jackson said as she held Paris close. Prince joined in on the hug.

And all at once, Jackson wasn't the larger-then-life King of Pop, or Wacko Jacko the tabloid freak. He was a doting father who had left three adoring children behind.

He was “Daddy.”

http://new.music.yahoo.com/michael-jackson/news/jacksons-kids-emerge-from-behind-the-...

JACKSON KIDS EMERGE FROM BEHIND THE VEIL

JACKSON'S KIDS EMERGE FROM BEHIND THE VEIL

For all the hasty preparations, hand-wringing over security, breathless media competition to scoop details and soul-wrenching performances, the essence of Michael Jackson's memorial service came down to a 20 poignant, powerful seconds the moment when 11-year-old, Paris-Miehael Jackson inched up to the microphone and, in a statement no one saw coming, referred to the late pop superstar as “Daddy.”

It was a remarkably humanizing moment. Then again, it was remarkable jus to see Jackson's three children in public to begin with.

A fiercely, protective father, Jackson rarely brought his brood out into public, covering their faces in veils and party masks to protect their identity when he did.

Now here they were, unveiled, before an audience of thousands at Staples Center and millions more around the globe. Starting out seated in the front row, the three youngest Jacksons eventually joined the rest family onstage as the two-hour service wound to a close.

Dressed in the same dark suits and yellow ties as the rest of the Jackson men, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, chewed gun and toted the memorial service program; 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, held is program and clutched a Michael Jackson doll.

Paris, wearing a black dress with white trim, turned a small patent-leather purse over her hands as other family members spoke. And then a dramatic hush fell over the crowd as family members whispererd that the little girl, whose lifetime of public exposure amounted a small handful of paparizzi photographs, Paris-Michael wanted to say something.

She furtively emerged from the tight circle of family members, who rushed to lower the microphone to her level. And with her uncle Randy on one side and aunt Janet on the other, Jackson's little girl stood center stage.

“I just wanted to say,” Paris began weekly.

“Speak up, sweetheart, speak up,” Janet encouraged, sweeping the girl's long hair back. “And get close.”

Paris put one hand behind her neck, another on the microphone, and began again.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, her tiny voice cracking.

Rebbie and Marlon Jackson moved in closer to comfort their niece. She shut her eyes tight.

Then she wrapped her hands—little fingernails painted red—around the microphone and fought back tears as she continued, “And I just wanted to say I love him—so much.”

She collapsed into tears into her aunt's arms.

“It's OK baby. It's OK,” Janet Jackson said as she held Paris close. Prince joined in on the hug.

And all at once, Jackson wasn't the larger-then-life King of Pop, or Wacko Jacko the tabloid freak. He was a doting father who had left three adoring children behind.

He was “Daddy.”

http://new.music.yahoo.com/michael-jackson/news/jacksons-kids-emerge-from-behind-the-...

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

JACKSON'S DOCTOR DENIES GIVING DANGEROUS DRUGS

JACKSON'S DOCTOR DENIES GIVING DANGEROUS DRUGS

Michael Jackson's dermatologist said he had sedated the pop star in the past for painful medical procedures but never had given him dangerous sedatives like Propofol to use.

“I was not one of the doctors who participated in giving him overdoses of drugs or too much of anything,” Dr. Arnold Klein said in an interview that aired Wednesday on NBC's “Good Morning America.” In fact, I was the one who limited everything, who stopped everything.”

Investigators looking into the cause Jackson's death have honed in on drugs that were administered to the insomniac musician. The powerful sedate Deprivan, also known as Propofol and usually administered by anesthologists in hospitals, was found in Jackson's home, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to comment about the matter.

Any drugs he used with Jackson were on very mild levels, Klein said. “How am I going to prescribe Deprivan when I don't know to use it?” he said.

Klein said he saw Jackson three days before he died on June 25. In response to rumors that the musician was dangerously thin at the time of his death, Klein said he saw nothing to make him worry.

“He danced in my office,” he said. “He danced for my patients.”

Still, Klein said he was always concerned about Jackson because he knew that whatever he wanted, he could always find someone to give it to him.

The sage surrounding Jackson's death will continue past Tuesday's memorial service in LosAngeles, watched by millions around the world.

Despite the presence of stars like Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, and Kobe Bryant, the emotion speech by Jackson's 1l-year-old daughter, Paris was the memorial's most heart-tugging moment. NBC's “Today” show replayed portions of it three times in its first eight minutes Wednesday.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine,” Paris said, dissolving into tears and turning into the arms of her aunt Janet Jackson. “I just want to say I love him so much.”

Custody of Jackson's three children is one of the biggest legal issues still unresolved. In his 2002 will, Jackson made his wishes clear—his three children should remain under the care of his mother, Katherine.

Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Paris and her 12-year-old brother, Prince Michael, has indicated she may seek custody. The surrogate mother of Jackson's youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, is unknown. A custody hearing was scheduled for Monday.

As the world paused to remember Jackson, authorities released his death certificate, which did not list a cause of death. The official determination will likely wait until toxicology results are completed, which could be weeks away.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Jackson's brain, or at least part of it, was still being held by investigators and would be returned to the family for interment once neuropathology tests were completed.

Jackson's final resting place was another unknown. Permission is needed to bury him at his former home, Neverland Ranch. A private memorial was held at a private cemetery of Hollywood Hills that is the resting place of many stars, but it does not appear Jackson will be buried among them.

Then there's Jackson's money. He died deeply in debt, but left an estate potentially worth $500 million and his enduring star power with its tremendous earing potential.

Jackson's financial adviser, Tohme Tohme, said on “Today” that he had fired Jackson staff members in an effort to get the star's finances untangled.

“I saw that there was a lot of money being wasted and a lot of people taking advantage of the situation,” Tohme said.

He said Jackson didn't appear to care about money. He said, “It's your department, not mine.”

Former Sony Music chairman and CEO Tommy Motola has said Jackson left dozens of songs that included newer material and leftover works from some of his biggest albums. Mottola predicted the potential playlist was bigger than the one left behind by Elvis Presley.

The singer also left behind an elaborate production dubbed “The Dome Project,” which could be Jackson's last complete video piece. Little is publicly known about the production, but its existence has been confirmed by two knowledgeable sources who spoke to the Associated Press on condition they not be identified because they signed confidentially agreements.

There is also more than 100 hours of footage of preparation for his London concerts, which were canceled because of his death. Randy Phillips, president and CEO promoter AEG Live, said last week the company also has enough material for two live albums.

About 20,000 people gathered inside the Staples Center In Los Angeles on Tuesday for a somber, spiritual ceremony, watched by millions more around the world.

Crowds gathered outside Harlem's Apollo Theater In New York to soak it in. In Santiago, Chile, national police band played “We Are The World” during the traditional guard change at the presidential palace. About 50 fans lit candles and arranged flowers in the main square in Stockholm, as “Billie Jean” and “Earth Song” poured out of a small stereo.

In London, dozens of fans stood under umbrellas in the rain as they watched the event on a big screen outside the 02 Arena, where Jackson was to have performed 50 comeback shows starting next week. More stayed dry at home after the BBC announced it would cancel scheduled programming and show the ceremony live.

Calculating just how many people in total watched the ceremony—around the world and across all platforms—will take several days and even then will likely be a approximation, given the huge variety of outlets.

At the ceremony, a star-studded lineup of performers closely linked to Jackson's life and music remembered the King of Pop as an unparalleled singer, dancer and humanitarian whose music united people of all backgrounds.

Outside, more than 3,000 police officers massed downtown to keep the ticketless at bay. Helicopters followed the golden casket as it was driven over blocked-off freeways from Forest Lawn Cemetery to the Staples Center. Movie theaters played the service live.

Inside, however, the atmosphere was churchlike, assisted by enormous video image of a stained-glass window with red-gold clouds blowing past that was projected behind the stage.

The Rev. Lucious W. Smith of the Friendhip Baptist Church in Pasadena gave the greeting, standing on the same stage where Jackson had been rehearsing for a comeback concert before his death at age 50.

The ceremony ended with Jackson's family on stage, amid a choir singing “Heal the World.”

Http://new.music.yahoo.com/michael-jackson/news/jacksons-doctor-denies-giving-dangerous...