Walnuts Are Drugs, Says FDA

From the New American   Seen any walnuts in your medicine cabinet lately? According to the Food and Drug Administration, that is precisely where you should find them. Because Diamond Foods made truthful claims about the health benefits of consuming walnuts that The FDA didn't approve, it sent the company a letter declaring, "Your walnut Products are drugs" — and "new drugs" at that — and, therefore, "they may not Legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug Application." The agency even threatened Diamond with "seizure" if it failed to Comply. Diamond's transgression was to make "financial investments to educate the public And supply them with walnuts," as William Faloon of Life Extension magazine put It. On its website and packaging, the company stated that the omega-3 fatty Acids found in walnuts have been shown to have certain health benefits, Including reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. These claims, Faloon notes, are well supported by scientific research: "Life Extension has Published 57 articles that describe the health benefits of walnuts"; and "The US National Library of Medicine database contains no fewer than 35 peer-reviewed Published papers supporting a claim that ingesting walnuts improves vascular Health and may reduce heart attack risk." This evidence was apparently not good enough for the FDA, which told Diamond That its walnuts were "misbranded" because the "product bears health claims that Are not authorized by the FDA." The FDA's letter continues: "We have determined that your walnut products are Promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are Intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease." Furthermore, the products are also "misbranded" because they "are offered for Conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals Who are not medical practitioners; therefore, adequate directions for use cannot Be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended Purposes." Who knew you had to have directions to eat walnuts? "The FDA's language," Faloon writes, "resembles that of an out-of-control police State where tyranny [reigns] over rationality." He adds: This kind of bureaucratic tyranny sends a strong signal to the food industry not To innovate in a way that informs the public about foods that protect against Disease. While consumers increasingly reach for healthier dietary choices, the Federal government wants to deny food companies the ability to convey findings From scientific studies about their products. Walnuts aren't the only food whose health benefits the FDA has tried to Suppress. Producers of pomegranate juice and green tea, among others, have felt The bureaucrats' wrath whenever they have suggested that their products are good For people. Meanwhile, Faloon points out, foods that have little to no redeeming value are Advertised endlessly, often with dubious health claims attached. For example, Frito-Lay is permitted to make all kinds of claims about its fat-laden, fried Products, including that Lay's potato chips are "heart healthy." Faloon Concludes that "the FDA obviously does not want the public to discover that they Can reduce their risk of age-related disease by consuming healthy foods. They Prefer consumers only learn about mass-marketed garbage foods that shorten life Span by increasing degenerative disease risk." Faloon thinks he knows why this is the case. First, by stifling competition from Makers of more healthful alternatives, junk food manufacturers, who he says "heavily lobb[y]" the federal government for favorable treatment, will rake in Ever greater profits. Second, by making it less likely that Americans will Consume healthful foods, big pharmaceutical companies and medical device Manufacturers stand to gain by selling more "expensive cardiac drugs, stents, And coronary bypass procedures" to those made ill by their diets. But people are starting to fight back against the FDA's tactics. "The makers of Pomegranate juice, for example, have sued the FTC for censoring their First Amendment right to communicate scientific information to the public," Faloon Reports. Congress is also getting into the act with a bill, the Free Speech About Science Act (H.R. 1364), that, Faloon writes, "protects basic free speech Rights, ends censorship of science, and enables the natural health products Community to share peer-reviewed scientific findings with the public." Of course, if the Constitution were being followed as intended, none of this Would be necessary. The FDA would not exist; but if it did, as a creation of Congress it would have no power to censor any speech whatsoever. If companies Are making false claims about their products, the market will quickly punish Them for it, and genuine fraud can be handled through the courts. In the absence Of a government agency supposedly guaranteeing the safety of their food and Drugs and the truthfulness of producers' claims, consumers would become more Discerning, as indeed they already are becoming despite the FDA's attempts to prevent the dissemination of scientific research. Besides, as Faloon observed, "If anyone still thinks that federal agencies like the FDA protect the public, this proclamation that healthy foods are illegal drugs exposes the government's sordid charade."

What we should do for those who are emotionally hurt.

When Job's three friends, Epliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.  When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.  Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.  (Job 2:11 - 13)   Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  How is everyone doing?  I pray that everyone finds this blog in good health and spirits.  Things are going pretty good out here even though I have not been doing very good on miles and my pay hasn't been very good. The truck I was given when I returned from my trip to New York has been in the shop a lot.  In fact, my truck is in the shop now.  Has been since Friday and our truck is in the shop til Monday afternoon.  I am hoping to get everything on this truck fixed before I go home at the end of this month so that when I go back on the road everything will be working good and I can run normal again.   I have just picked up a new student last week.  He is from Cuba and teaching him is interesting.  He knows English but has trouble with some words.  We sometimes have trouble with communication.  He has a nice attitude and really wants to learn so I will do my best to teach him.  He keeps telling me that Americans are crazy.   When someone has physical needs or runs into problems such as loosing a job, loosing their home or physical possessions in a natural disaster, I see lots of people running to help that person with their physical needs.  But how about their emotional needs?  Are we not to help people when they are having emotional problems too?    God created us to be social beings.  I don't care if someone says they prefer to be alone, God didn't create us to be that way.  Throughout the Bible, even from the beginning, God says that it isn't healthy for us to be alone and God also says and even demonstrates the blessings we have through each other.  When God wants to bless someone or help out  someone He uses people to do it.  This isn't only for physical needs but emotional needs also.  I know that it is hard to be around people who are feeling sad, depressed, or lonely.  But it is God's will that we be there for others when they have emotional problems and it is also God's will that we accept help when we have emotional problems.  And lets face it, we all have felt down and we all will feel down in the future.    So, why does God want us to comfort one another?  After all, God says that He comforts us, doesn't He?  In fact, Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our comforter.  But, God also said that we must comfort others as God comforts us (2 Cor 1:4).  Think how hard it is to be with and comfort people who are down emotionally.  It is easy to fix physical problems but to just be with someone who is emotionally down is very hard.  It takes a lot from us and without God, we don't do good at it.  This takes lots of Love.  More then us as humans have.  But God does have that kind of love and gives it to us.  By us showing God's love when someone is down, we show God to others.  Truth is, God uses you to show His love to the world.  You are the hands and feet of God.  The cool thing is that by being His hands and feet, you don't have to do anything.  Just let God work through you.    What do you do when someone is feeling emotional pain or is just lonely?  Most of the time people will avoid being around someone who is emotionally down because we feel like we can't do anything.  What do you say?  What do you do?  It is hard thing because everyone reacts to emotional pain differently.  The mind is very complex and everyones mind is different.  But you know, most of the time all that is needed is just for us to be with them and listen.  Maybe a hug, a cup of coffee, a card game, or just sitting and being quiet.  Most of the time when someone is down, they already know what they must do.  They just need another human to be with them.   By being there, we show that we care and will be by their side.  That is love.  That is the love God has for us and the love we should show others.  By us showing God's love, others will see that we are God's children and will also see God.   So, the next time you see someone hurting.  Pray for them, but also take the time to comfort them.  It can be a phone call, an e-mail, a hand written letter, and if possible ... Visit them.  I am going to make a challenge to myself and ask that you all do the same.  Every time you see that someone is hurting (whether it be on a social network group, church bulletin, Internet group, through a friend, or you see them in person) take the time to make contact with them.  This doesn't mean you have to fly out to their house.  But IM them, give them a phone call, e-mail them or write them a letter.  If you do live close then it is better to see them in person.  But ask them how are they feeling and let them open up to you.  Remember, God may be using you to be his hands and feet.  You may be the one God uses to bring someone closer to Him.  You may be the one God uses to help prevent a brother or sister from falling away.  Most of all ... You will be showing love to a neighbor.   Well, I must be going.  Take care and God Bless.   Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat

Casey Anthony found not guilty. A Christian view

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  How is everyone doing?  I am doing OK.  I just found out last night that my father passed away from cancer.  We all knew it was just a matter of time but it is still a shock when a loved one passes away.  He did pretty good though.  I thank God that my wife and children got to see him before he passed away and that he was feeling good while we were there.  My wife got to see who my father is and where I get my attitude and craziness.  God plans things out so perfect.  Think about it, if we would have built our house when we wanted to, we would not have gotten to New York to visit my father.  When we  submit to God's Will, all works out perfect.   Something else happened yesterday also.  Casey Anthony was found not guilty to charges of killing her daughter.  Of course, after the verdict, many reacted and most attacked Casey and felt that she got away with murder.  How are we, as Christians supposed to react to this?   It is easy to see how emotions can flair in this type of news.  Actually, one of the great things in us (in particular, Americans) is how we, as a whole, value women and children.  When  something terrible happens to a woman or a child, we react with great emotion.  The sad part though is often we react with hate and even judge in a wrong way.  It is OK if we see someone do wrong to judge their actions.  God does tell us what is right and wrong and we should correct our neighbor in love.  If you don't do this, then in essence you are allowing your neighbor to harm himself or others.  Therefor, you are showing hate to your neighbor through your actions.  But when it comes to a case that you see only on TV or in the News Media, how can you even judge the persons actions?  The only information you are getting is what the news (like they always tell the whole story) tells you or reports.  Even if you watch the whole trial on TV you are subject to influences from commentators and other information from other sources.  This is why the jury isn't supposed to watch TV, read the news, or talk to others.  To tell you the truth, we have to let human government be the judge to human law and leave it at that.  Let God determine if Casey sinned against God.  We must surrender all appoints and rest assured that God is in control.  What ever happened to Casey's daughter, God allowed to happen and God can use the tragic death of this little girl to glorify Him.  God is still in control.  Do you believe that?  Rest assured that that little girl is not dead now and if anyone is to blame for her death (which we do not know) then justice will be served.  That is another thing, is justice ever served in a human government?   Another thing to keep in mind is that we must ALWAYS SHOW LOVE TO ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO.   The Bible could not be any clearer of this.  Do you remember when the man killed several Amish children in a school house?  Do you remember what the reaction was from the family of those children who died?  Brothers and Sisters, that is exactly what the Bible says we should do.  No where do you find under the new covenant that we are to seek justice or to hate those who do us wrong.  We should not speak no evil against Casey.  No foul words should come from our mouth nor any opinion of her guilt.  We should show her love and speak loving words.    Well, we are on our way to Florida and my student is driving.  I need to get some sleep so that I can drive tonight.  Y'all take care and God Bless.   Love, The Oklahoma Tomcat http://www.facebook.com/oktomcat

Murphy's World - Backed up with a load of port-o-potties

The following comes from OTR Protrucker I was dispatched to deliver 5,000 pounds of Port-o-Potties to Port Republic, MD. Dispatch provided neither phone numbers nor bills. I looked on the map, planned my trip out and got to the area. I followed the arrows and signs until one pointed to turn left. So I turned left. No sign of a town, but there were houses and cars parked on both sides. Then the road dead-ended into a lake. It was 2 a.m. And there was no place to turn around, so I backed out for two miles. I found a parking lot, pulled in and went to sleep. Four hours later, I woke up and headed off to find a phone book and a phone to call the customer. The only place I could find that had a phone and a phone book was a liquor/general store. When they asked me who I was looking for, they got on the phone and made the call themselves. I thought I would have to find the customer and sleep in their yard until they came in the next morning, but, as it turned out, they came out and escorted me to their place. Coastie Elberton, GA Dear Coastie, Port Republic, MD is a small, rural town. Fortunately, in Small Town, USA, people still help each other out, so count your blessings that you ended up where you did when things went from bad to worse. I know that flies in the face of the usual Murphy story, but work with me on this. In this day and age, the thought that you are driving around without a cell phone is scary. The thought that you found a place with a dial-up phone and a phone book is even scarier. The thought that the proprietor of the place would make the call for you is scariest of all. Finally, the thought that the customer would come out at 6 a.m. And personally escort you to the delivery location is unbelievable. Like we said earlier, thank God for small towns and good people. That leaves us with just two questions: 1. How in the world do you back down two miles of road in a big rig at 2 o'clock in the morning, and 2. Why in the world would they need 5,000 pounds of port-o-potties in Port Republic, MD? On second thought, I don't want to know. Regards, Murphy and Lucky Dog