thelerner

yeah, edgier and angrier for a while there. I think that cats back in the bag. More energy and maybe working through some darker stuff. We're just past the summer solstice after all and if energy isn't used constructively it finds negative paths.

Lets see.. Q> Why did the carnivore cross the road? A> He was chasing the chicken. Q> Why didn't the vegetarian cross the road? A> He was chicken. Q> What do vegetarians call there martial art? A>TO-Fu A prostitute, a vegetarian and a carnivore try to get into a fancy night club. The bouncer stops the prostitute .. I'll have to finish this one later..

I had a class in a hospital. Went there 3 times a week and generally used the elevator at least to go up. Didn't catch nothing. Course they had lots of anti bacterial stuff every major exit and I'd use them Sometimes one shouldn't trust statistics that seem too odd. If it costs nearly 20 years of life, would anyone be a doctor? It'd be more dangerous then smoking 2 packs a day. My stats came up with White Doctors lived 73.0 years (Black Dr's lived 68.7?!) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11020591 excerpt: Mortality rates and causes among U.S. physicians. Abstract CONTENT/OBJECTIVES: No recent national studies have been published on age at death and causes of death for U.S. physicians, and previous studies have had sampling limitations. Physician morbidity and mortality are of interest for several reasons, including the fact that physicians' personal health habits may affect their patient counseling practices. METHODS: Data in this report are from the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance database and are derived from deaths occurring in 28 states between 1984 and 1995. Occupation is coded according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census classification system, and cause of death is coded according to the ninth revision of the International Classification of Diseases. RESULTS: Among both U.S. white and black men, physicians were, on average, older when they died, (73.0 years for white and 68.7 for black) than were lawyers (72.3 and 62.0), all examined professionals (70.9 and 65.3), and all men (70.3 and 63.6). The urban legend may have been spawned by the Dead Doctors Don't Lie guy. Here's a link to the story: http://www.murfreesboropost.com/dr-kestner-do-doctors-really-die-earlier-than-their-patients-cms-16779 excerpt: The tape went on to talk about the common cause of all manner of human conditions, but I was stopped cold by that assertion about doctors dying at age 58. The notion that medical doctors were dying years earlier than everyone else seemed absurd. Generally speaking, people who go into medicine are quite bright. One would think that if this statement were even remotely close to being true, someone in the entire field of medicine would have had a light-bulb moment and exclaim, “Hey, wait a minute! Have you guys noticed that all our colleagues seem to be dropping dead at least a decade earlier than our patients?” Of course the whole notion was a blatant mistruth that was intended to make the listeners distrust medicine. Out of curiosity, I investigated the average age of death of medical doctors. At the time, each edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) printed obituaries of all their members that had passed away during the previous month. I took a whole year’s worth of JAMA, noted the ages at the time of death, did a little math and discovered that the average age at death of physicians was in the 70s … just like everyone else. The astounding thing that I observed when this tape was making the rounds was that many listeners actually believed it. How could a story that is introduced with such an obvious exaggeration have any credibility? I still don’t understand that. Amazingly, the tape is still circulating. Another thing that occurred to me as interesting after I confirmed that physicians don’t have shorter life spans than everyone else, is that they don’t live much longer either! edit> Here's an update and a bit good news both for patient and perhaps society (ie patient given a new serum that has helped, as well as other remedies coming online) http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dr-kent-brantly-american-ebola-got-experimental-serum-group-says-n171681 Dr. Kent Brantly, one of the two Americans who contracted Ebola in Liberia, received a dose of an experimental serum before he was flown to the United States for treatment, an aid organization that he works with said Sunday. The aid organization, a Christian group called Samaritan’s Purse, said it was grateful for news that Brantly’s condition is improving. Earlier, the group had said there was only enough serum for one dose and that it went to Nancy Writebol, the other American infected. Writebol is to be flown to Atlanta this week and treated at Emory University Hospital, where Brantly is also being treated. There is no known cure for Ebola. Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has said he does not know what treatment the group may be using. There are several in development. From the 'Several in development' link: ..Various labs have been working for decades to come up with drugs and vaccines to fight Ebola and its close cousin Marburg virus. They are both considered potential bioterrorism agents, which is what drives most of the U.S. government’s interest. One drug started safety trials in people in January, but it got put on hold by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this month over concerns about the dose being given to volunteers. It’s made by a Canadian company called Tekmira, with funding from the U.S. government. The drug uses small bits of genetic material called RNA that attach to the virus and target it for destruction by the immune system. The company hopes to get back on track by the end of the year. “We are mindful of the need for this important therapeutic in situations such as the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa,” Dr. Mark Murray, president and CEO of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement. “However, TKM-Ebola is currently an unapproved agent and the regulatory framework to support its use in Africa has not been established at this time." Further along in human testing is a drug called favipiravir, or T-705. Approved under the brand name Avigan in Japan, it’s being tested for influenza. But early tests in mice suggest it might also work against Ebola. This one would be especially useful because it’s a small molecule — something that could be taken orally, even in pill form. Bavari says USAMRIID is currently testing it against monkeys, animals whose response to Ebola infections is much closer to humans than mice's are. The lab is also testing a drug called BCX4430 in animals. A small biotech company called BioCryst is working with USAMRIID to develop that one. It seemed to protect monkeys when given as long as 48 hours after they were infected. Other drugs are based on monoclonal antibodies, engineered immune system proteins that can home in specifically on a microbe. One collaboration grows them in genetically engineered tobacco plants. The treatment, called MB-003, provided 100 percent protection to monkeys when given right after exposure to the virus, and helped even after symptoms developed. There are some promising vaccines, also, says Geisbert. His favorite is made using a virus called vesicular stomatitis virus. It’s genetically engineered to resemble Ebola, and it’s worked well in monkeys. Scientists who have worked with it feel confident it’s effective, Geisbert says. “We would all want it,” he said. But it uses a “live” virus, which means it can replicate in the body and that could cause side-effects. “Like any live vaccine, you have to worry about safety,” Geisbert said. Other vaccines have used adenoviruses, which are in the family of viruses that cause the common cold. The trouble with these is that many people already have immunity to adenoviruses because they’ve had colds, and the vaccines may not work in all people. Then there are vaccines using virus-like particles, an approach that’s worked against other disease. Again, they haven’t been tested in people yet, says Bavari. “All kinds of questions come up about who do you treat and is it ethical to use it." Geisbert says he sometimes wonders whether a bad outbreak like this one doesn’t call for unusual measures, like trying some of the experimental drugs or vaccines. “All kinds of questions come up about who do you treat and is it ethical to use it,” he said. “My own opinion, regardless of the treatment, is that I would love to see one of the vaccines used to vaccinate first responders, lab workers, the people that are on the front line,” he said. Other experts say an ongoing outbreak is a poor time to try something that could just make matters worse. Bavari says he hopes the current outbreak will give drug and vaccine development a little impetus. “Maybe this outbreak will put some life into this. Maybe people will start asking the tough questions, such as do they work in human beings or not,” he said.

Hmnn I wonder if there's any synergy putting 3 under 5 with puppy? And may the best species win.

There's a couple different strains of it. Some outbreaks the mortality rate was 44% others under 50%, some were incredibly high 88%. Keep in mind you're dealing with countries that have very limited often very poor medical facilities. With facilities and modern medicine using massive transfusions many people can be saved. Money and expanded research is being thrown at the problem, new treatments are coming. Still, in 3rd world countries where even a cut can quickly turn deadly, a catastrophic viral disease like ebola will not be easily cured. Past outbreaks have been contained and limited. The latest has hit several areas at the same time, stretching resources. But because its less infectious then some nasty airborne diseases out there, it can be controlled when there's a modern system. Good odds anyway.

The point is healthcare workers (in Africa) aren't casual people. They work intimately with blood and bodily fluids. The article you quote goes on to say this: Doctors turned patients have been a common feature of Ebola outbreaks since the virus was discovered in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 near the Ebola river. However, the infection rate typically tails off as doctors and health staff get used to strict procedures for handling patients, experts say. But a second wave of Ebola infections in West Africa from late June caught many by surprise as the disease popped up in new areas after relatives took infected patients out of clinics rather than leave them in wards they feared were death traps." With knowledge of what we're dealing with comes greater safety. Those working with deadly disease, especially in 3rd world situations are going to be at high risk. By painting Ebola as a doomsday disease there is the chance of unintended consequences and people who can safely get care and quarantine will run for the hills because of the fear factor being spread. That would be a bad thing. And that dynamic is already happening and making the situation worse in Africa. We don't want to create Typhoid Mary's of Ebola Ed's. I think the front line doctors and nurses are heroic. In the case of those who are US citizens, if they can get better treatment here, we should bring them back. Take precautions ofcourse, imo they deserve our best. I'll add this. Better to gain some expertise in quarantine and curing in a small controlled environment here then being caught by surprise when or if a case pops up here.

Off to look up phenomenal reality... Kant's definition.. Plato's noumenon ideal... phenomenal vs noumenal.. pictures of Morpheous with red and green pills... Zen interpretations.. interesting. What I was aiming at was a good mind, is a quiet mind. When not needed a man should keep 'thought' tucked away in his tool box. Have faith in our empty unplanned, unthinking mind, unless there's a problem that requires it. Course if we find our unthinking mind is untrustworthy and stupid then screw thoughtless spontaneity. That was the aim, from the little study I did, it seems once you get thinking it colors the world into phenomenal reality. Versus noumenal which just views and accepts the world as it is, so keeping things noumenal..actually Actually phenomenal and noumenal are too philosophical for my tastes. I like to keep it simple. Matter of fact once a Buddhist argument starts to consistently use words with over 4 syllables, I stay away from it. edit> hmnnn, perhaps I should have stopped at good mind, is a quiet mind.

I eat meat yet I think vegetarianism is a more ethical diet. It simply creates less suffering in the world, on multiple levels. So why aren't I vegetarian? Because the mind is only half willing and the flesh is weak & tasty.

While I'm no fan of missionaries, I don't think they should be killed off. Ebola has to be taken seriously but, I'm still perhaps naively trusting of the experts and CDC. I've seen too much overblown panic which tends to make things worse. I quote: (oops deleted link) "How contagious is Ebola? National Geographic interviewed W. Ian Lipkin, an expert in viral diseases and the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Lipkin said the virus is not highly transmissable, but the number of people who can be infected by one person is high. "You have to come into very close contact with blood, organs, or bodily fluids of infected animals, including people," he said. Professor Peter Piot, who discovered Ebola, said to The Telegraph that a sense of panic and lack of trust in the West African authorities contributed to the outbreak. Piot said he would not be concerned about being in close proximity of an infected individual. "I wouldn't be worried to sit next to someone with Ebola virus on the Tube as long as they don't vomit on you or something," Piot said. "This is an infection that requires very close contact." The World Health Organization confirms this, explaining that the disease is only obtainable through direct contact. "Ebola then spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness." Can Ebola spread to the U.S.? CNN reports that the CDC emphasizes there is "no significant risk" of an Ebola outbreak in the United States. Kamiliny Kalahne, an epidemiologist with Doctors Without Borders, says there has never been a confirmed case of Ebola spreading to a developed country. "This is because people generally transmit the infection when they are very sick, have a high fever and a lot of symptoms -- and in these situations, they don't travel," she said."

As soon as we type (or read) aren't we entering the world of thoughts? Thought = useful tool to pick up and put down as needed. Not to confused with being. ?

and the winner is No One. Lets keep it on track. I, personally, am against ebola. I understand its a controversial subject and would like to hear from the pro-ebola side. kidding, but generally I don't like decisions made from a stance of fear. Ebola is frightening but the experts at the CDC are allowing travel, while deadly, with precautions its controllable. If the experts change there tune, I will too, but at this point in time, part of saving lives means getting people to the best hospitals available.

Beyond regular sitting there are places that I do particularly short practices. In the shower the acoustics are great for chanting practice. I think it increases the power of any vibrational practice and you gotta stay clean anyway. (I like Rawn Clarks YHVH system) In the morning I'll get up early, stay in bed and listen to a guided meditation (These days the Monroe System). In the washroom, a refuge of peace in a family with 3 kids, I'll do a slightly shortened version of the Glenn Morris's secret smile. Sometimes, depending on my liquid intake I can get through it in a single pee! Late night if I can't sleep I'll do Kunlun practice on the 'throne'. Pressed for time I'll play around with breath counting. Sometimes counting each inhale and exhale up to 4, then repeat. Othertimes breathing in for a 8 or 12 count, then breathing out to the same. Or 10 count in, 10 count hold, 10 count out.

I wonder if I can dig up an article I read earlier today. Bottomline it said that the ebola virus while nasty and very deadly is not very contagious. Unless it mutates radically into a way that makes it easier to spread its doesn't pose a threat as a pandemic. We can't say the same thing about H1N1 and certain pneumonia strains. So while there's things to worry about an ebola epidemic isn't one of them- at least according to an article presumably by someone with a background in viral epidemiology. -Can't find the article. The articles I did find seemed to back up that the the nature of ebola makes it a regional threat to places with 3rd world conditions rather then a pandemic one. It deadly but the way it spreads doesn't make for high contagion rates. Bringing the 2 workers here should pose little risk.

I love science and the scientific method, but if it gets too dogmatic, it betrays itself. At the bounds of rational and scientific thought we need to keep a certain open cautiousness about what is possible. Otherwise we're in danger of stagnating, closing out the possibility of new tools and understanding. To me such 'open cautiousness' Is using the scientific method. The willingness to let go of preconceived beliefs; try something new, afterward stepping back over the line and assessing the experience.

While mainstream organized religions create rules and dogmas, most, maybe all, have mystical traditions where you can keep flavor of tradition while dropping much of the dogma and heading for the source.

While I applaud giving up anger at strangers who belong to quasi-secret clubs, I can't help assuming when a person stops thinking of other groups as pathetic, they're further along the way. Just as anger hurts the person who holds it, so does dividing the world into who's pathetic and who's not. Sometimes such thoughts come of themselves, but dwelling and feeding on it, seems like back pedaling. Maybe we can't control such thoughts, but we don't have to hold onto them. The worst thing about quasi-secret groups is thinking they're so much better then everyone else. They're the best all others are pathetic. Yet, at times we are a group of one, guilty of such ego expanding states. Not easily overcome but at least we can avoid clinging to it. And at times it might be true enough of some negative groups that there is some wisdom to stay away from them, but even then, move away, body and mind.

Hell is a form of control. It's often religion's 'big stick'. Western religions have no monopoly on it either. Some olde Taoist systems have nasty hells that you can pay a priest to get your relatives out of. I tend to doubt nature/universe is quite so moralistically punishing over human foibles.

I was hoping it was bullshit. Your word is good enough for me. I do think MPG is obsessed with Mo Pai, I really do. I also think he's a bit obsessed with me. He's written a huge amount of posts and he's had a silly war with TTB's ever since he got ban. You shouldn't leave. There is no crap behind your back. Just me being stupid. I will certainly delete the message I wrote on your PPF. edit> damn too late.

Ah, Regret and its sister Guilt. Not the most pleasant relatives, but they help keep one on the right path. We may not want to live with them, but imo its good to take there phone calls.

Huh, I wonder if that's considered the highest form of Iron Shirt. I always thought Iron Shirt was a skill/gong that was more like body armoring. In one form I studied, Kaishan, the higher ups would be pounding each other with pretty thick rods. I thought the Healing Tao Irons Shirt was more health based and less martial/impact based then that.

Yowza.

Thank goodness for the rebels, without them we'd be.. we'd be.. we'd be, um.. we'd be like Canada.

I think his true power is shown in his intelligence not to use it .

I've asked the board to take me off as a mod this month. Its summer and I intend to let down my hair.

After spending 5 days thinking about the nastiest most psychologically damaging things I could write on MPG's site, when I got there and saw how much he'd written about me. Seeing his obsessive writing (about me!) the anger and bitterness. Was a wake up call, a real slap, to Not Be Like MPG. It hit me in the gut. Such anger is crazy. Its just a forum, its not real life, partly make believe, nothing to protect or prove. I sincerely hope he chills and gets some perspective, but clap clap. I'm out. I think dropping out of being a mod for a month was good. I think ignoring all things Mo Pai (as if I care about it) is better. And my thoughts on MPG (& KenB cause he's right, I & others attacked him to hurt MPG), hope he doesn't hurt himself. and if he does wah wah wah.