MooPig Ho-Hum Politics Department :: "Tea, Tobacco, and Grass Roots..."

Why them, Why Not Me?
Mashed articles smoked by Pat Darnell  |  May 10, 2014  |  Bryan TX

[Picture LINK]

Do you get emails from FreedomWorks? I do. Dozens of them. They think by using the same methods that the Democratic and Republican Party use they will persuade me to join their "Grass Roots" movement. What is their movement? I don't know. But grass root it ain't.

I think FreedomWorks backed TEA PARTY wants me to vote to unplug the Federal Government, and rely on local and state governments to run things. I am not sure that is possible, but surely they have a big funding base behind them because they grew from nowhere when we "elected" our most recent Manchurian candidate, Barry Obama. Like cockroaches no longer afraid of the light, Tea Party-ers crawled into our streets and gutters and plodded along with misspelled slogans.

The referenced article claims the Grass Root rampage began in the 1980's by tobacco cartels who were attempting to stop all the governmental vice-taxes foisted upon their products, by creating a good old grassroots group of grass widows against taxation.

‘To quarterback behind the scenes, third-party efforts’: the tobacco industry and the Tea Party -- Fallin et al. -- Tobacco Control: "...Abstract Background The Tea Party, which gained prominence in the USA in 2009, advocates limited government and low taxes. Tea Party organisations, particularly Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks, oppose smoke-free laws and tobacco taxes...

"...Methods We used the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library, the Wayback Machine, Google, LexisNexis, the Center for Media and Democracy and the Center for Responsive Politics (opensecrets.org) to examine the tobacco companies’ connections to the Tea Party. Results Starting in the 1980s, tobacco companies worked to create the appearance of broad opposition to tobacco control policies by attempting to create a grassroots smokers’ rights movement. Simultaneously, they funded and worked through third-party groups, such as Citizens for a Sound Economy, the predecessor of AFP and FreedomWorks, to accomplish their economic and political agenda. There has been continuity of some key players, strategies and messages from these groups to Tea Party organisations. As of 2012, the Tea Party was beginning to spread internationally."
'via Blog this'

CONCLUSION
It's ho-hum politics as usual. We are sorry we descended into this quagmire once again, but when grown people act the way they do in a circus like Federal government, we get antsy. Watching Rand Paul and other anti-establishment types jet around and hold rallies for Tea Party-like wannabe's, it makes our eyes twitch.

Developing an eye twitch can be worrisome in the blogging business. If the stuff Rand Paul and his followers are doing is "Grass Root" I think a new definition is needed. Just what is a Grass Root movement in 2014? Well, some of the discussion is about 'restoring liberty,' using designed, clearly articulated, effective strategies, tactics, and ideas which liberty activists can use on campus or in campaign work to win with their 'principled message.'

So we worry. But like our mentor, we should follow his lead: "What, Me Worry?"

____________________Reference
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2013/02/20/tobaccocontrol-2012-050815.full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QCzww6EG7E
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/04/rand-paul-raises-big-dollars-from-small-donors.html
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00493924&cycle=2014
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/05/rand-pauls-ties-with-losing-nc-primary-candidate-run-deep.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brendan-demelle/study-confirms-tea-party-_b_2663125.html

MooPig Government Regulations Department :: "What doesn't FDA regulate?

Transparency in the FDA
mashed articles by Pat Darnell |  Dec 29, 2013  |  Bryan TX

[Picture LINK unknown]

I am doing the right thing this morning. I am sorting through the FDA Gov site, and trying to wrap my mind around it.

Everything today seems like it is a Federal Case. We at MooPig Government Regulations Department are inundated with reports by whistle-blowers from within Government Regulatory Offices. Who to believe? Where do we draw the line to the cynicism that all this mess causes, until the American people just throw their hands up in surrender?

This is a good question. Our FDA does not regulate everything you think it would.

FDA Basics :: What doesn’t FDA regulate? How do I contact the agencies that do?: "What doesn't FDA regulate? How do I contact the agencies that do?

FDA does not regulate:

• advertising (except for prescription drugs, medical devices, and tobacco products)
• some consumer products, such as paint, child-resistant packages, baby toys, and household appliances (except for those that give off radiation)
• illegal drugs of abuse, such as heroin and marijuana
• health insurance meat and poultry (except for game meats, such as venison, ostrich, and snake) 
• restaurants and grocery stores 
• vaccines for infectious animal diseases

FDA shares the responsibility for regulating these products with other government agencies:

• pesticides (FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency regulate these)
• water (FDA regulates the labeling and safety of bottled water, while the Environmental Protection Agency develops national standards for drinking water from municipal water supplies)"

'via Blog this'

Let's look at one product line, shall we? Advertising in Tobacco. From FDA Transparency files we have this slide show:

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S.

• Tobacco dependence is a life-threatening condition There are 45 million smokers in the

• U.S. and 440,000 people die every year Each day in the United States

• 3,600 kids under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and over 700 kids become regular smokers (Slide 3)

Are you already bored with bullet presentations? I am. Let's push on:

FDA’s ability to enact science-based regulation has the true potential to reduce the death and disease toll from the most harmful products

• A main goal is to have a country free of tobacco related disease and death
• Passage of the Tobacco Control Act means that FDA has many tools to help meet that goal
• FDA regulates an extremely addictive and toxic product
• But people smoke for the nicotine while dying from the tar
• Ongoing debate about how to regulate products based upon where they fit on a “continuum of risk” given their toxicities and how they are used (Slide 12)

[Picture LINK] Narcoti-Cure, Cures the Tobacco Habit - Vintage Drug Pharmaceutical Advertising Art Nouveau Poster

CONCLUSION
It's a mess. I could spend a whole school term on this FDA web site. What stands out is their commitment to transparency. However, I cannot find any tidbits concerning "in-house whistle-blowers at the FDA." For those we must travel Google source maps, such as Former FDA reviewer speaks out about intimidation, retaliation and marginalizing of safety (By Martha Rosenberg Posted on August 22, 2012).

" ... The agency, [FDA], using so-called spy software designed to help employers monitor workers, captured screen images from the government laptops of the five scientists as they were being used at work or at home. The software tracked their keystrokes, intercepted their personal e-mails, copied the documents on their personal thumb drives and even followed their messages line by line as they were being drafted, the documents show. (ERIC LICHTBLAU and SCOTT SHANE. Published: July 14, 2012. LINK ) ..."

For instnace: looking for guidance on the fda.gov site is going to be a tough search for anyone trying to figure out how to guard against youth using tobacco products. Smokers' smoke for the nicotine, and die from the tar, that is a fact. But, does transparency refer to this type of searching, or to its internal investigations of its employees and their governmental contacts all over the world?

" ... Government agencies cannot discourage whistle-blowing and reporting of wrongdoing by monitoring employees, echoed a White House memo sent to all government agencies about the FDA spy program. (ibid. Martha Rosenberg. LINK ) ... "

[Picture LINK ]

_________________Reference
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm203499.htm
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm308869.htm
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/UCM378104.pdf
http://www.intrepidreport.com/archives/7030
http://www.freevintageposters.com/search/label/food%20and%20drug%20administration
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/us/fda-surveillance-of-scientists-spread-to-outside-critics.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

MooPig Vapor Inhaling Department :: "E-Cigarette Health Effects"

This Could be for YOU
Snagged by Pat Darnell | May 7, 2013 | Bryan TX

[Picture LINK]

E-Cigarette Health Effects - Business Insider: "Taking over? Investment bank Citi named e-cigarettes as one of 10 technologies that will change the way the world does business. A potentially cancer-free cigarette — despite all other concerns — is that big of a deal. Citi projects $3.2 billion in global sales by 2015, up from $416 million in 2010.

While that's a huge market, however, it remains only a fraction of the global tobacco market, estimated at $700 billion in 2011.

Whether e-cigarettes take a larger share will depend on many factors, including improved quality and unresolved questions about health."

'via Blog this'

[eCigarette LINK]

______________________Reference
http://www.businessinsider.com/e-cigarette-health-effects-2013-5?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Science%20Select&utm_campaign=1-SCIENCE_SELECT_NEW&utm_content=emailshare
http://www.vapegeek.com/

MooPig's 'HUNH?' Department :: "Gaian Matrix"

Site Review :: Evolver Spores, Gaian Matrix, and Stuff ...
Snagged by Pat Darnell | Oct 12, 2012 | Bryan TX

 [Picture LINK]

Hey, band members, part of your problem today is getting paying people to your concerts... eh? Yes, it is common to most bands out there. So, you find these online evolver network storehouses who can "globally" rout out the people to your particular venue.

Say you have lined up a ballpark for your gala. You are in the business of setting up a fun night for any and all who brave the exclusivity of your bands performing... well maybe you will have a whack-a-mole, and displays of Gaian Matrices, as part of your festival! There apparently is a total smash up of evolving spore partners willing to show up and hawk your event.

If you can think it; then it must happen! Instantaneous people, all adoring your performance. Buuwahhhh!

[Picture LINK] KUDZU, Greenback, TN / Country / Country Rock

  SUPPORT | The Evolver Network: "When you support Evolver as a Michrosporidia, pulsations of cosmic joy waft toward you from the Gaian matrix."

'via Blog this'
ABOUT The Evolver Network
Our Mission
 The Evolver Network uses online tools to build off-line communities. We connect the dots between visionary idealism and lived experience — from open-source software to complementary currencies, meditation to direct action, festival culture to community-supported agriculture. We bring people together to explore areas that the mainstream culture ignores or suppresses; to learn new skills; to collaborate, celebrate and create.

What Are Spores?
 In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure, often adapted for dispersal, and capable of surviving for long periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Evolver Spores are regional hubs where we raise awareness about today’s most pressing issues, inspire activism, and explore transformative practices such as yoga, permaculture, gift circles, and shamanism. Spores are centers of cultural incubation that bring together many different groups to manifest local change. If there is no Spore near you, we invite you to start one.
Contact us at Spores@EvolverNetwork.org.

What Do Spores Do?
 Monthly Events Each month, we develop a theme for a network-wide event that sparks dialogue, attracts diverse groups, and empowers local communities to take action. The subjects range widely — examples include peace activism, the Occupy movement, social networks, research into dreams, and alternative currencies.

Check out a list of previous events and upcoming themes.
Film Screenings, Author Tours and Workshops Spores organize screenings of films with relevant content. Authors and musicians can tour the network. Spores set up workshops in many areas, such as nutrition, visionary art, sex and relationships, and permaculture. Festivals, Dance Parties and Conferences

Spores create dance parties, as well as festivals and conferences that combine workshops and talks with music and performance. Each spore has a local character and finds an approach that suits its region.

Projects Accessing the needs of their community, Evolver chapters have cleaned up rivers and beaches, shepherded local alternative currencies and gift circles, hosted citywide environmental festivals, assisted flood victims in Hungary, staged protests against unfair labor practices, kick-started permaculture gardens, orchestrated urban forestry efforts, and more.

Spores Host Activities In Areas Such As: herbalism * social media * film making * urban gardening * design science * leadership training * peace activism * shamanic ritual * quantum physics * bee keeping * open source software * composting * lucid dreaming * performance * psychedelic research * alternative media

 ___________________Reference
http://gasparmagistar.blogspot.com/p/stargate-stages.html
http://www.evolvernetwork.org/about/
http://www.reverbnation.com/kudzu1

Got the Travel Bug ?? Try Oberwiesenthal, Germany

Topless tobogganing divides German town
by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) on Feb 16th 2010

"... That rowdy crowd lined the slopes of a resort in the Harz mountains to watch young slide down the mountain in little more than a helmet, bikini bottoms and a smile."


Retrieved by Pat Darnell [HERE]

Citizens of the east German town of Oberwiesenthal finds itself at odds with a nearby ski resort this week, as plans for a controversial topless tobogganing event, scheduled to take place next month, move ahead.

[PHOTO Source unknown]

Yes, you read that correctly. A "topless tobogganing" event is being hosted on a nearby mountain, with a local property developer offering up travel and prize money for those that compete.

The developer in question, Jochen Nske, says he has "considerable support" for his big promotion, and claims that a similar event drew more than 12,000 spectators last year.

[ ... ] Read Article HERE

Despite the fact that the even is likely to bring a lot of visitors to Oberwiesenthal, the locals would rather Nske and his competition stay well away. The major of the town fears such an event would tarnish the reputation of his fair city, while others complain that it is sexist and demeaning towards women. (Becker, Kraig. 02.16.2010)

Bear Witness the Winter of Edgar's Tobacco Road 1974

by Pat Darnell
Every now and again one should re-play this youTube capture of a long ago stage assemblage of mechanics with blunt objects making music, ... re-play just to make sure one remembers how it all came to be.

As these music mechanics collectively wrench loose logic -- while motivated to levitate sound unhinged like an Impala Big Block coming off its motor mounts... hovering at terminal break-points briefly ... explodes from catastrophic internal pressures to reveal its tendency toward randomness ...and frazzles one's ganglia for remainder of lifetime... bear witness to it.



Not just any other youTube -- MooPig directs your attention to:
Tobacco Road youTube LINK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNOx8y75qEY
Category: Music
Tags: edgar winter ronnie montrose dan hartman les paul johnnie rick derringer tobacco road in concert