Celebrity Advice and Opinions

     We are living in a time when many people seem to be taking their cultural, political, lifestyle and health care advice from the rich and famous. 

     Of course celebrities have the right to voice their opinions no matter how far out or goofy they may be. For example, Nikki Minaj once advised us that a friend of her cousin got the COVID-19 vaccine and his testicles swelled up and he became impotent. 

     The stand up comic, mixed martial arts fanatic and psychedelic adventurer Joe Rogan was laid low after after testing positive for COVID-19 and he described his use of Ivermectin to treat it. 

     The drug won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for its use treating the world’s poorest populations for parasitic diseases like river blindness and elephantiasis. It is also used in veterinary medicine to get rid of worms in livestock. The Food and Drug Administration says it's useless to treat COVID. But then Rogan claims the pharmaceutical companies "are in cahoots to try and make anybody who takes this stuff look crazy. But what’s crazy is look how better I got! I got better pretty quick.” Who are you going to believe? 

     By the way, people should NEVER use medications intended for animals because they can be very different from those approved for humans and can be dangerous even to the point of death.

     Politicians get into the act, too. Remember when President Trump advocated Hydroxychloroquine. His enthusiasm for the drug lead to some people blaming him for prompting the stockpiling of the drug and thereby limiting access to it for lupus patients and it was, according to some people, his fault that in an attempt to ward off the coronavirus, an Arizona couple in their 60s ingested chloroquine phosphate which killed the man and landed his wife in critical care. Few considered it was the couple's fault for taking advice on self-medicating from a celebrity, President or not.

     Back in the day Trump had endorsements from Mike Ditka, Lil Wayne and Roseanne Barr. Then there was Joe Biden who had a cruise ship full of celebrities on his side in 2020, including Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

     There are plenty of examples of celebrities advertising stuff on television, but the latest scam involved professional (American) football players the Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Los Angeles Rams wideout Odell Beckham Jr. who were handling out financial advice. 

     They were endorsing Bitcoins, the no. 1 cryptocurrency, and announced their plans to take portions of their salaries in the cryptocurrency during a time when Bitcoins hit an all-time high. Not long after Bitcoins took a nasty dive.

     Cryptocurrencies have been moving in tandem with stocks, which have been falling as investors have been selling risk assets like technology stocks. i.e. Bitcoin investing is like any other investing...you take your risks. However, it seems wiser to take advice from a professional financial advisor and not professional football players who are getting paid to hawk a product or service. 

     Being rich and famous does not make a person smart or worthy of spewing advice on medicine and politics and everything in between and much of it can prove to be downright harmful. In many cases these people are fear mongers who promote anything to make a dollar. They have no idea if it works, or if what they are saying has any truth to it. On the other hand, some really do believe that they know more than the rest of us and we should listen to them no matter how ridiculous their advice may be. 

     How smart are the celebrities? The following quotes reveal a lot and Madonna said it best when she said, "Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion." 

 

Shaquille O’Neal 

Reporter: “Did you visit the Parthenon during your trip to Greece?” 

 O’Neal: “I can’t really remember the names of the clubs we went to.” 

 

Kanye West

"I actually don't like thinking. I think people think I like to think a lot. And I don't. I do not like to think at all." 

 

Britney Spears 

"I’ve never really wanted to go to Japan. Simply because I don’t like eating fish. And I know that’s very popular out there in Africa."

 

Paris Hilton 

"No, no, I didn’t go to England, I went to London." 

 

Jaden Smith 

“If everybody in the world dropped out of school, we would have a much more intelligent society.” 

 

Christina Aguilera 

"So, where’s the Cannes Film Festival being held this year?" 

 

Brooke Shields

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost an important part of your life." 

 

Mitt Romney (politician) 

"I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that's the America millions of Americans believe in. That's the America I love." 

 

Dan Quayle (politician) 

"It's time for the human race to enter the solar system!"

Enjoy a little washboard music...

Intrusive City Government

     The city in which I live requires permits for just about everything. Some are understandable...you don't want shoddy, dangerous electrical work being done. And, a good argument could probably be made for permits for demolition, home foundation repair, waterproofing, siding, fences, plumbing, swimming pools and signs.

     Permits for garage sales seem a bit intrusive though. No person shall conduct a public sale or garage sale before 9:00 a.m. of any day or after Sunset of any day, the law says. You also cannot sell anything that was brought into the residence or onto the property for the sole purpose of selling it if you regularly sell those items for a profit. e.g. if you own a bicycle shop you can't sell a bicycle at a garage sale.

     By the way, in my city you are required to have a bicycle license. They cost $3.00. "No person who resides within this City shall ride a bicycle on any street or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles unless such bicycle has been licensed and a license sticker is attached thereto as provided herein."

     Additional rules state that the license is good for the life of the bicycle or for the time that you own it. And, you must have the serial number of the bicycle and your social security number to get a license. Upon the sale or other transfer of a licensed bicycle the new owner has to make an application to the City Auditor. That will cost another $3.00. If an original license sticker has been lost and not attached to the bicycle you have to get a duplicate issued. Of course there is a fee, but it's only $1.00. 

     Oddly, there is no mention of any penalty for owning an unlicensed bicycle. This is hard to understand because with the scourge of unlicensed bicycle in this city ticketing riders would be a gold mine, but the local politicians don't seem to have realized that yet. 

     Also, today everyone was reminded that dog owners have to get their licenses by the end of the month. In the State of Ohio, every dog must have its license renewed every year and the deadline for the renewal is January 31. A one-year license costs $20. 

     Ohio law permits Animal Control Officers to impound dogs that are not wearing a license, even from the dog owner's yard. The maximum penalty for a violation is a $150 fine. That's intrusive. 

     Still, in one sense dog licensing laws make sense. A handful of cities in Ohio ban certain dog breeds like pit bulls, dobermans, rottweilers, akitas, huskies and German shepherds, but dangerous dogs are generally defined by behavior, not breed. 

     Ohio law defines a “dangerous dog” as a dog that, without provocation, has caused injury to any person or killed another dog.

     A dangerous dog license costs $50.00. You also have show proof that the dog does not have rabies, that it is neutered or spayed or a statement from a licensed veterinarian that doing so is medically contraindicated, prove that you have posted and will continue to post clearly visible signs warning both minors and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property. Finally, you have to show evidence that the dog has been permanently identified by means of a microchip and the dog’s microchip number. 

     Some lawyers actually advertise that they will take on dog bite cases. While all dogs are capable of attacking people, it is a statistical fact that some breeds are more likely to attack people than others. 

     The Center of Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 4.6 million Americans are bitten each year and according to insurance companies the average dog bite claim is around $30,000. Ohio has made a list of dogs that are the most dangerous and vicious breeds. Of course, the list does not mean that all dogs of that breed will bite, but if you happen to meet up with one that is on the list you should be careful. 

      If you have been attacked by a dog you should be aware that most lawsuits must be brought within two years from the date of the attack. And, you should seek out an attorney experienced in handling dog bite cases.

The Amazing Bloodhound

     Known for their massive layers of wrinkles, deep-set brown eyes, and hanging jowls, bloodhounds look more like sleepy old men than life-saving heroes, but don’t let this ancient breed fool you, they are definitely not the lazy hound dogs they are often portrayed to be. 

     They can be gentle, affectionate family dogs, but you probably wouldn't really want one for a pet. Due to their stubbornness and independent qualities, a bloodhound can be an overwhelming challenge. They generally live for 10–12 years with minimal health problems although they are notorious for drooling, howling and snoring! 

     Although they are calm and gentle by nature, bloodhounds are also tough, stubborn, cunning and independent. They have been known to sniff out for treats chew furniture and escape from any yard that is not extremely secure if they catch an interesting scent and decide to follow it. Also, bloodhounds are very sensitive creatures and do not respond well to stern training. A puppy will cost you between $400 and $1,200 with the average being around $750.

     Bloodhounds shed a lot. They're messy eaters and at 80-100-plus pounds they eat and defecate a lot. Being friendly critters, they also like to sit on their owner's laps. They are also born sniffers...they sniff everything. They are smart, too. Some learn to open doors and some like to hide things.

     They were originally bred for hunting large game such as deer and wild boar and are thought to be descendants of Belgian hounds kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in the Ardennes region and, as a breed, may be nearly 1,000 years old.

     They have skills no other dog has that makes them extremely valuable when it comes to nose work. For nearly 200 years, bloodhounds have helped law enforcement track missing persons and criminals. Even though today's police forces have a lot of high tech equipment available many believe bloodhounds are still the best option for tracking. 

     Bloodhounds have a very, very good sense of smell. Researchers estimate that their sense of smell is at least 1,000 times stronger than a human's. Experts say they have as many as 300 million scent receptors, which enables them to follow scent trails up to 300 hours (12-13 days) old and they have been known to follow a scent trail for more than 130 miles. By comparison, German shepherds are pretty sniffers, but they only have approximately 230 million scent receptors. We humans only have about 5 million receptors, or about 2 percent of what a bloodhound has.

     When a bloodhound sniffs the scent such as a piece of clothing, air passes through its nasal cavity and the scent creates an “odor image" in the dog's brain...a sort of smell photograph. 

     The odor image is created from smells humans can't detect, things like sweat, breath and skin which when combines enables the bloodhound to pick out the exact scent trail it's looking , or rather, sniffing for. Once the bloodhound finds a scent trail matching the odor image, it can follow that specific smell despite all the other odors in the environment. 

     The nose isn't the only part of bloodhound's anatomy that makes it a good tracker. Their wrinkly skin helps trap scents and their long, droopy ears also act as sweepers, dragging the ground and sweeping scents toward their nose. They also have very muscular necks that allow them to keep their nose to the ground for hours at a time without getting cramps. 

     A bloodhound’s sense of smell is so reliable, it is even admissible in court. Their “testimony” is considered admissible in many American courts which allow the results of a bloodhounds nose work to be entered into evidence:

 

 “Evidence of the trailing of human beings by Bloodhounds is admissible as a circumstance to corroborate other testimony offered by the state. The Bloodhound in question must be shown to have been trained to follow human beings by their tracks and to have been tested as to its accuracy in trailing upon one or more occasions.” 

 

     The term bloodhound refers to the fact that early breeders went to great lengths to record their ancestry and preserve the purity of their bloodline. “Blooded Hound” would be a more apt name.

Engine Splash Shields

     For the past few months my leased Ford Escape has made a rattling sound when accelerating from a stop. I could not figure out what is was and because the car is leased and there is less than a year left and its performance has not been compromised I decided not to worry about it. 

     Today I discovered the cause. While waiting for the tech to change the oil I noticed that he was removing some kind of thin metal plate from underneath the engine. 

     Upon inquiry I found out it is an engine splash shield. These things cost less that $60 each and are held in place by 7mm screws that fasten into plastic holders. That explains why an oil change takes so long...about an hour and a half. 

     The tech explained that this particular shop does not have an air wrench with a 7mm bit, so he had to use a hand wrench. Sure enough...when I Googled engine splash shields I found out that it takes about one hour to remove and replace one. That extra hour explains why the price of oil changes has increased considerably.

     It's also a good thing that they don't have an air wrench with a 7mm bit! People have reported that techs often over tighten the screws and strip the plastic screw holders. The result is that often the shields then fall part way off and can drag on the road or fall off. 

Ford Escape splash shield

     The purpose of these splash guards is to minimize the projecting of water and rocks by your vehicle up into the engine compartment. Are they REALLY necessary? One site says, yes, an engine splash shield is necessary and can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs. When you drive without one, you're putting the most important parts of your vehicle at risk—road debris such as rocks, leaves, and twigs can get inside the engine compartment and cause damage. Others (in the majority it seems) say no, they aren't really necessary. After all, they didn't put them on cars until just recently. 

     The point is, it was a loose (probably from the previous oil change) splash shield that was causing the rattling noise. Now it appears to have been put back on correctly and the noisy rattling has stopped.

Why You Should Take Cod Liver Oil

     Cod liver oil is an incredibly nutritious type of fish oil supplement and it contains a great combination of: 

 

* omega-3 fatty acids. While the market is saturated with hype, omega-3 fatty acids are important for heart health, improved mood, an anti-inflammatory, brain function and weight management. 

 

* vitamin A. This vitamin is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and for good vision. 

 

* vitamin D. This vitamin is responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate as well as many other biological effects. 

 

     Besides, cod liver oil may provide you with health benefits like stronger bones, reduced inflammation and less joint pain for those with rheumatoid arthritis. A common dose is 1–2 teaspoons of fishy tasting liquid cod liver oil per day, or it is available in capsules. 

Here are 8 scientifically supported benefits of cod liver oil. 

 

1. High in Vitamins A and D 

Most cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of Atlantic cod and it is quite different than regular fish oil. Regular fish oil is extracted from the tissue of oily fish like tuna, herring, anchovies and mackerel, while cod liver oil is extracted from the actual livers of cod. It is incredibly nutritious...a single teaspoon provides 90% of the daily requirement for vitamin A and 113% of the daily requirement for vitamin D. 

 

2. May Reduce Inflammation 

In some cases inflammation can continue at a low level for long periods of time. Such chronic inflammation may increase the risk high blood pressure and several diseases, such as heart disease. Also, vitamins A and D are powerful antioxidants that can reduce inflammation by binding and neutralizing harmful free radicals. 

 

3. May Improve Bone Health 

You start losing bone mass after age 30 which can lead to fractures later in life, especially in women after menopause. Vitamin D may reduce age-related bone loss because it helps your body absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones. 

 

4. May Reduce Joint Pain and Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that’s characterized by damage to the joints. There is no cure, but studies suggest that cod liver oil may reduce joint pain and improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis like joint stiffness and swelling. 

 

5. May Support Eye Health 

Vision loss is a huge health problem. There are many reasons why people lose their vision, but two of the leading causes are glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Both of these diseases can result from chronic inflammation. Note: although vitamin A is great for eye health, it’s not recommended to take high doses of it, as it may cause toxicity. 

 

6. May Reduce Heart Disease Risk 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and studies have shown people who regularly eat fish have a much lower risk of heart disease. This effect can be attributed to its omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3s have been shown to have many benefits for your heart, including: lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL cholesterol, reduce the risk of plaque forming in the arteries. Plaque buildup can narrow the arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Note: taking fish oil supplements may reduce risk factors for heart disease, but there is little evidence that it can actually prevent heart disease or strokes. 

 

7. May Improve Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression 

Studies suggest there may be a link between chronic inflammation and anxiety and depression and many studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil can lower inflammation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, studies have also found a link between increased blood levels of vitamin D and a reduction in symptoms of depression. 

 

8. May Help Heal Stomach and Ulcers

Ulcers are small breaks in the lining of the stomach or gut and cause symptoms of nausea, upper abdominal pain and discomfort. They are often caused by bacterial infections, smoking, excess use of anti-inflammatory medications or too much acid in the stomach Animal studies indicate that cod liver oil may help treat ulcers, particularly in the stomach and gut. 

 

There are no set guidelines for cod liver oil intake, so most recommendations are based on safe intake levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and D. A common dose is often 1–2 teaspoons, but taking up to one tablespoon per day is usually safe. Higher doses are not recommended, as they would result in excess vitamin A. Cod liver oil is likely safe for most adults, but it can cause side effects including heartburn, stomach upset, and nausea. 

 

Warning: High doses of cod liver oil are possibly unsafe because they might keep blood from clotting and can increase the chance of bleeding. Vitamin A and vitamin D levels might also become too high with high doses of cod liver oil. Because cod liver oil can act as a blood thinner, check with your doctor before taking cod liver oil if you take blood pressure or blood thinning medications.

Supernumerary Nipples

     Supernumerary nipples, or third nipples as they are usually called, are a condition in which a person has an extra nipple on their body in addition to the two located on the breasts or chest.    

     The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center states that this is a relatively common condition and many people with a third nipple may not even realize they have one. The presence of additional nipples (aka polymastia or polythelia or accessory nipples occur in roughly 1–5 percent of the population. 

 

Fun facts on third nipples: 

* Some people have had up to eight 

* Most third nipples are harmless and do not need any medical attention 

* Third nipples may be smaller compared to regular nipples 

* The condition is more prevalent in men than in women. 

* In most cases, the additional nipples are smaller and less developed than the regular nipples. 

* In the case of a woman who has given birth, it is possible for her third nipple to lactate 

* Lactation of third nipple can occur in third nipples on both men and women. 

 

     Third nipples are not always readily recognized because hey are usually smaller and less developed than regular nipples. As a result it is easy for a person to think they might be a mole. A third nipple usually appears on the front of the body between the area starting in the armpit and running down past the nipples to the genitals. This is known as a person’s “milk line.” 

     However, third nipples can appear anywhere on the body, even the hands and feet. a condition known medically as ectopic supernumerary nipples. Often people may dismiss third nipple as a mole or birthmark, but it is possible to tell the difference as moles or birthmarks tend to be flat and are unlikely to have any bumps or ridges in them. 

     There are different types of supernumerary nipples and they are categorized depending on features such as shape, size and tissue makeup. 

 

Types of third nipples: 

* Category One nipples (or polymastia,) may have an areola around it. An areola is a ring of soft circular tissue and the underlying tissue is regular breast tissue; this indicates that a full breast has also developed. 

* Category two nipples do not have an areola though the presence of breast tissue underneath is still apparent. 

* Category Three nipples is where the area has breast tissue present, but no actual nipple has formed. 

* Category Four nipples is where breast tissue has formed underneath, but no nipple or areola is present. 

* Category five (known as pseudomamma) nipples have an areola around the nipple area, but instead of breast tissue underneath, fat tissue is found instead. 

* Category six (known as polythelia) is where the nipple appears alone and there is no areola or breast tissue underneath it. 

 

     All third nipples develop while the baby is in the womb. When an expectant mother is 4 weeks pregnant, the developing embryo’s two milk lines begin to thicken. The milk lines are made of ridged tissue and will eventually become part of the baby’s skin. Two strips of tissue across the chest known as the “mammary ridges” regress in-utero, and in doing so two regular nipples form. However, there are instances where they don’t regress altogether, which can result in the creation of additional nipples. 

     It is important to see a doctor should the extra nipple cause any discomfort. For example, it's lactating or is painful pain, the nipple hardens, additional lumps form or a rash appears over the area.

     In any case, third nipples should be checked regularly by a doctor who will check for any signs of abnormal growths or unusual, activity. 

     It's uncommon, but there are some cases where an additional nipple can be a sign of a congenital breast defect or malignant growth or tumor. It is possible for the extra nipple to get breast cancer. 

     Additionally, certain types of extra nipples have been linked to various kidney conditions such as end-stage renal disease and can also be associated with cancer of the kidney cells.

     Having third nipples removed is usually for cosmetic rather than health-related reasons. Their removal usually involves noninvasive outpatient surgery. However, if a person has their third nipple, it may not be covered by insurance.

Notched US Military Dog Tags

     Once, a long time ago, I wore a set of US military dog tags. The ones I was issued had a notch in one end.   

     In the 1940s and for about 30 years, US military dog tags, known as the M-1940 dog tag, had a notch along the edge. If anybody asked what the notch was for they were told that when a soldier died on the battlefield, medics, or Navy Corpsman if serving with the Marines, would take the notched part of the dog tag and place it between the teeth of the deceased soldier. The medic would then kick the jaw so the tag would become lodged between the soldier’s teeth. The reason for this procedure was because transporting a dead soldier across a battlefield in the 1940s was difficult and his identity could be lost. But, if the dog tag was wedged between the teeth the loss of identity was unlikely. 

     Equally gruesome is the alternative reason for the notch. After a dead soldier was taken off the battlefield their decaying bodies produces gases and in order to allow the gases to escape the dead body, a dog tag was placed in the mouth, between the teeth, to keep the mouth open thereby allowing the gases to escape.

     Actually, neither was the purpose of the notch, known as a "locating notch" in military manuals. It's purpose was more prosaic. The notched dog tags used until 1970 were part of a casualty identification process. 

     The dog tag was created using a machine and the notch helped the machine hold the dog tag in place as it was stamped. Modern dog tags are manufactured by machines that do not need the notch to hold the tags in place. 

     The notch served an additional purpose. The dog tag was removed from casualties and it was placed into a handheld tool called the Addressograph Model 70 which transferred the information from the dog tag to medical records. The notch, again, held the dog tag in place in the Addressograph. 

     Of course, today's modern technology what with DNA and all, dog tags are no longer as important as they used to be.

The Problem With Masks

     Here's something Facebookers haven't yet posted any memes about. And, these are verifiable facts, not made up stories which is something rare for meme posters on Facebook!

     In the Cook County Jail in Chicago a prisoner jailed on a gun charge and for violating his bond in a drug case, had tattoos on his face, but wearing a mask enabled him to pose as another prisoner and get released. 

     The way the FBI tells it, William Rosario Lopez put on a surgical mask and walked into the Connecticut convenience store and picked up plastic wrap, fruit snacks and a few other items. Then, when the only other customer left, he went to the counter, pulled out a gun and robbed the place. According to the FBI Lopez robbed four other gas station stores over a period of eight days before he got nabbed. 

     At Aqueduct Racetrack in New York three workers were robbed at gunpoint of a quarter-million dollars. Other robberies involving suspects wearing surgical masks have occurred in North Carolina, and Washington, DC and other places across the country. 

     Wearing mask to protect others against the COVID virus is a perfect opportunity for robbers to conceal their face and blend in with honest, God-fearing people. 

     Before the pandemic, masked robbers had to remove their masks immediately after leaving the scene to avoid standing out from the crowd. But, now they can keep their masks on and blend right in. 

     Masks also mean video of the robbery are much less useful if police are unable to see a face,. Crimes in which the suspect was wearing a mask have increased nearly five fold. 

     The Los Angeles, California police department even suggests honest folks can protect themselves from being identified as being a subject by wearing a unique mask that stands out so you are not mistaken for a suspect!

3-D Wooden Puzzles

I have no financial interest in Rolife, but they sell some interesting and unusual stuff. Of special interest are their 3-D wooden puzzles. Visit site