Create Your Own Box

     There are events in all of our lives that provide proof that there is something inside all of us that cannot be explained by science.  That something is the human spirit.  The human spirit is intangible, immaterial, but all the more real.  Upon reading the story of Rhio O'Connor, I was greatly reassured that the human spirit was alive and well, even in such tumultuous times as these.  He was given a grave diagnosis of mesothelioma.  Despite the cancer inside of his body, something inside of him said "No" I will not accept this.  The fought a courageous battle to survive.  He was interactive in his treatment, sought out non-traditional means to treat mesothelioma.  He engaged in research and developed his own regiment that allowed him to survive 7 and 1/2 years past his original death sentence.  To anyone who has a terminal illness, that is an incredible amount of time.  

    Rhio O'Connor's story is an inspiration.   However, this is not just a distant, aloof notion.  I have lived this first hand.  My Mother was diagnosed with 4th stage breast cancer back in 2002.  This was devastating to us all.  I loved my Mother dearly and considered her my best friend in life.  When I heard the news, it could not have been more devastating if I had heard such news myself.  We were vigorous in our efforts, and she too survived five years past her original survival prognosis.  Those extra years were precious to us, we appreciated every day, every minute.  The cancer eventually took her life in 2007.  We did all we could with our means and our efforts through traditional medicine.  If I had it to do over again, I would have pursued other avenues of treatment for her.  I cannot bring her back, but I can promise that I will do things differently.   I will give honor and dignity to her memory by becoming an integrated part of a solution to cancer, and eventually even a cure.  I want to live in world someday where cancer is no longer deadly.

After reading Rhio O'Connor's story, I know now more than ever what I would do if I ever received such a diagnosis.  There is never a better time to think "outside the box" as Rhio O'Connor said,  then when one receives such a terminal diagnosis.  What is there to lose?  I will never accept the first opinion.  I will be enthusiastic and interactive in my treatment from day one.  I will explore any and all options of treatment.  A holistic approach is the best, because the medicines that kill the cancer, also harm healthy cells that could keep the cancer in check.  I would say that Rhio O'connor "created his own box," when it came to his innovative ways which he developed to fight this deadly disease.  For more information about mesothelioma go to www.survivingmesothelioma.com

Drawing upon the details of Rhio O'Connor 's experience as a model, I will devise a team of specialists who can offer their specific areas of expertise to the illness, whatever that may be.  There is a cancer vaccine that can provide the immune system with the boost that it needs.  However, if my illness has a known protocol, I will follow that to the letter. However, even with known protocols, it is important to treat the whole person, not just the cancer.    If and when that has been said ineffective, then I will pursue other avenues.  Much of what makes Rhio O'Connor's story inspirational is his attitude that followed him through to the end.  He had a tenacity  that cannot be explained by science alone.  His ability to survive defied science and scientific understanding.  He was a living testament to the human spirit.  

Next to You: The Ihle Family

Obama's Move to the Right Proves Futile

How does Barack Obama ever win with a Republican base that despises him?   He has been moving further to the Right, which has his base up in arms, threatening impeachment over his latest decision to support a no fly zone over Libya.  Albeit his consistency is admirable, Dennis Kucinich is currently leading the charge of impeachment against Obama, claiming the no fly zone needed Congressional approval. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20045508-503544.html
Now whether the no fly zone was a declaration of war is a  matter of semantics, but the point is, Barack Obama engaged in an act that Conservatives would normally love, war.  Conservative pundits like Sarah Palin call the President's speech in response to his Libyan attack "dubious and deceptive." In a move that would normally please conservatives, Obama has received criticism on both sides of the isle.  John McCain called Obama's attack on Libya, "too little, too late." http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/03/31/gop-and-liberals-both-attack-obama-on-libya?s_cid=rss:gop-and-liberals-both-attack-obama-on-libya&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

It seems that Barack Obama cannot win.  Using typical conservative logic and past criticism of Obama's foreign policy, one might think that the Republicans would support this military effort.  Instead the intersect with vague criticisms and catch phrases like "end game" to tear down Obama at every turn.  The President's popularity is at its lowest point right now, according to recent polls and it seems he is losing support from his far left support in Congress.  Unless this trend is reversed, Barack Obama will be a one term president.  His Presidency was doomed from the beginning.  The Far Right has made it their every waking goal to unseat Obama not only because of his politics, but who he is, and what he stands for.  I believe Obama was a President that was truly democratically elected.  True Democracy scares some people.  They won't admit it, but the fact that they hate organizations like ACORN proves they hate democracy.  Do  you see Sean Hannity mobilizing voter registration drives.  No, and you never will.

American Democracy for Sale

Multinational corporations have set out to destroy the American economy.  How are they doing this?  They have invested millions in Republican congressional races all across the United States with the sole purpose of buying our democracy.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has recently dropped millions of undisclosed cash into various races, all backing Republican candidates.  What is there agenda?  They seem to be after the minimum wage.  It is my opinion that these multinational corporations wish to destroy the U.S. economy in order to access dirt cheap labor here in the United States.  This is a war, and if the American people do not wake up, we will have a collapsed economy, and no safety net to fall back on.  Here is one example of what is going on in Ohio's 18 district:
Last week, a ThinkProgress investigation revealed that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been using foreign money to fund its partisan attack ads this election. The very same day, the Chamber endorsed Bob Gibbs (R) in his campaign against Rep. Zack Space (D) in Ohio’s 18th congressional district. Gibbs said it was “an honor” to have the group’s support. In the nine days since, the Chamber has already pumped nearly $30,000 into the race.
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/14/gibbs-fec-chamber/
Corporations are coming after our safety net, and they couldn't have planned this at a worse time considering our economic climate.  Most people are most likely oblivious to this, and I worry so much for America and our future.  We cannot continue down this path, we will see utter destruction at the hands of the corporate interests.  There would like to see us revert back to raw capitalism, late 19 century revisited.  If the current rate of wealth concentration keeps at this pace, there will not be a middle class any more.  The truth is we are facing all out class warfare.  We have to take back what is ours before it is too late.  Apathy and lack of knowledge will destroy our democracy.  Wake up America, before it is too late.

Mad Hatter Joe Miller

The New Tea Party has declared war on the minimum wage and the working poor.  If some of these loons take office, this could prove to be devastating for the working poor in the United States. Armed with there very literal and limited interpretation of the Constitution, they are going to attack some very basic principles that we cherish here in the United States.  Most of us are pretty confident our children will not have to work in the factories, however, these Tea Party Patriots want to undo many of our child and labor laws.  Take for instance Joe Miller of Alaska.  He makes outrageous claims that the minimum wage and child labor laws are unconstitutional.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/does_joe_miller_think_child_la.html
So for me, this extreme move to the Right is dangerous for our Country.  They teabaggers intend to declare war on bare minimum human decency and use the Constitution as their weapon,  All of this is a clever disguise for true motives.  They want to get into office to get the rich richer, and to maintain the current balance of power.  So the only solution I can offer is for the democratic base to get mobilized against this dangerous trend.  They intend to undermine years of progress we have made toward a more inclusive democracy.  Trust me, they know what they are doing.  They are taking advantage of people's ignorance and fear.  Those type of opportunistic politicians will exploit vulnerabilities as every opportunity.  It shows real cowardice, because children cannot vote, and they look to us for their protection.  Please America, don't let them down.

Multimillionaire Linda McMahon Open To Lowering The Minimum Wage

Multimillionaire Linda McMahon Open To Lowering The Minimum Wage

Rachel Maddow - Meet Sharon Angle