WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PART 1.

No doubt, most all of us have worried about those extra pounds that add unwanted dimensions to our bodies. This seems especially true the older we get.  However, to often people are unwilling to put in the Time, Effort or Discipline it takes to trim down, and add muscle to replace fat.  That is a dilemma the Con- Man has been willing to exploit for generations.  As has happened throughout the years, a new group of aging adults is falling for the same type of Hocus- Pocus their Parents and Grandparents fell for. 

Unfortunately, sometimes we see things as they could be, and ignore what they actually are.

First lets look at some common Terminology you may encounter.

Dietitian vs Nutritionist-  A Dietitian is a Licensed, Board Certified and Formally Educated Individual Legally recognized as an expert in their field.  A Nutritionist is required to have no specific education or training.  This does not mean that a Nutritionist is completely unqualified to advise you, just be diligent and check Background and Accreditation.

Cleansing Diets -  You can dress it up any way you want, but these diets are just another form of FASTING. Eliminating or Drastically cutting back the intake of Foods, and replacing them with Water, Special "Drinks", Pills etc are Decades old Lures that differ only in the Names of the Products and Diet Plans being offered for sale.

Naturopathy-  Lies in the category of Alternative Medicine. It is not based on evidence that passes scrutiny using the Scientific Method, and seems to rely only on Faith and Belief.  Any assertions made by those practicing Naturopathy have no basis in reality, because they have not been accurately tested and studied under proper clinical conditions.

"All Natural" or "Organic"-  If you find a claim that is emphasizing either of these two terms as a reason for success, don't buy in.  They are Buzzwords that have nothing to do with weight loss, and are used for Marketing purposes.

Look for PT 2.

LOGIC. WHAT ARE DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE ARGUMENTS? PART 5.

IF WE TAKE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE:

"TO BE A CHRISTIAN, ONE MUST ACCEPT THE DIVINE NATURE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH AS BEING THE SON OF GOD." 

AS A PROPER DEFINITION FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN, WE MUST ASK THE FOLLOWING:

WHY DOES SUCH A DEFINITION AUTOMATICALLY PLACE THOSE WHO ACCEPT IT AS TRUE, INTO AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY OF BEING "ANTI-SCIENCE?"

THE ANSWER USUALLY REVOLVES AROUND THE FOLLOWING LINE OF REASONING...

                                (REPRINTED FROM PART 4.)

... That to Accept the Divine Nature of Jesus, Means you have to BELIEVE IN THE "MIRACLES" HE PERFORMED, AS ACTUAL EVENTS.  HOWEVER, THESE VIOLATED "NATURAL LAW", SO TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH OF THESE EPISODES RELATED IN THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE IS TO REJECT SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD.

The Problem with this Line of Reasoning, is the MIXING OF TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINKING, OR BELIEFS, WHICH ARE NOT COMPARABLE OR COMPATIBLE. 

FAITH BASED  -  IS AN ACCEPTANCE OF A "SUPERNATURAL REALM", THAT EXISTS APART FROM THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ITS LAWS, BUT MAY ENTER IT AT TIMES.

SCIENCE BASED  -  EXAMINES/STUDIES, THEORIZES AND ATTEMPTS TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIVERSE AND NATURAL LAW.  ANY ASSERTIONS OR CONCLUSIONS ABOUT EVENTS, PROCESSES, AND OBSERVABLE PHENOMENA THAT OCCUR WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, ARE SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED THE BEST WAYS TO PROPERLY EVALUATE THE REALITY AND TRUTH ABOUT ANYTHING THAT EXISTS AND INTERACTS WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

HOWEVER, SYSTEMS OF FAITH DO NOT WORK THIS WAY.  IF YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF SUPERNATURAL ENTITY EXISTS APART FROM THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, BUT CAN ENTER IT AND DETERMINE OR INFLUENCE ANY PART OF IT WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO ITS LAWS, MECHANISMS, OR RESTRICTIONS YOU ARE LEFT WITH THE FOLLOWING...

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST ON THIS SUBJECT.

QUICK HITTERS. FOR THE PEOPLE...?

As the UNITED STATES Endures the Horror and Tragedy of another Multiple Victim Shooting Incident, Involving Individual(s) who had access to Assault Weapons, will it finally motivate Republicans into adopting stricter gun control laws? Probably not. Let's face it, if the slaughter of small children at SANDY HOOK COULDN'T MOVE THEM INTO ACTION, WHY DO YOU THINK THE MASSACRE OF HELPLESS INDIVIDUALS IN LAS VEGAS WOULD LEAD TO CHANGE?

In the past, the NRA AND THEIR CRONIES* IN GOVERNMENT HAVE REFUSED TO ENACT LAWS MANDATING BACKGROUND CHECKS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE CRIMINAL AND MENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES. In addition, RESTRICTING ASSAULT WEAPONS TO THE MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES,(Who actually REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS BEFORE YOU ARE HANDED A FIREARM, LET ALONE ONE THAT CAN CAUSE DOZENS OF CASUALTIES IN A FEW MINUTES), SEEMS TO BE A CONCEPT THEY HAVE TROUBLE GRASPING.

(* By Cronies I am referring mainly to Republicans)

Knowing what we do about INVALIDLY ELECTED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION, CAN WE EXPECT LOGIC AND REASON TO FINALLY MOTIVATE THOSE WHO OPPOSE ANY FORM OF GUN CONTROL TO CHANGE?  

I have already written about the CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, and will do so again in the future. However, LOGIC AND REASON IS NOT THEIR STRONG SUIT, SO REPUBLICANS USE DIFFERENT MESSAGES TO IGNORE, AVOID, AND CONFUSE THOSE WHO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATIONS FOR DOING NOTHING.

Before I answer that, consider the following, WHICH SHOULD REMIND YOU OF THE MENTALITY, WORLD VIEW, AND PRIORITIES OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY. 

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS                                      REPUBLICANS.

            SUPPORT.

                                                                                        

                                                                                         

-  UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.                                         OPPOSE ALL

-  RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.                                           OF

-  LEGALIZING SAME- SEX MARRIAGE.                              THESE.

-  RESTRICTIONS AND DISCLOSURE LAWS,                       

   ON CONTROLLING  CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

-  PROVIDING SANCTUARY FOR WAR REFUGEES 

   FROM SYRIA.

-  STRICT OVERSITE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

...AND, OF COURSE, COMPREHENSIVE GUN CONTROL

   LAWS.

                                                   FOR THE PEOPLE...?

Now, add Donald Trump to the mix.  WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN?  HOW DOES THE OPPOSITION INTIMIDATE A "PRESIDENT" WHO ATTAINED OFFICE THROUGH A SHAM ELECTION, THAT THEY DIDN'T CONTEST?

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM- WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU ON T.V. PT 2.

Anyone who has spent any amount of time in Court, be it Civil or Criminal, can say one thing with certainty;  The Majority of time a Courtroom in session is a boring and tedious venue, that most people outside the practice of law would find hard to comprehend.

Naturally, this does not translate well for attracting viewers to programs offered on Network or Cable Television, that focus on Trials currently being adjudicated.  The Answer?  Bring in Personable Hosts that "Mediate" debates conducted with "Special Guests" brought in to lend their expertise about the proceedings being broadcast over the air.  Since a Courtroom in session spends a great deal of time upon matters of proper procedure, which involves only the Attorneys and Presiding Judge, these interactions between Host and Guests must engage the viewer enough to prevent them from changing the Channel.

So, what do they choose to discuss, this panel of experts?  Many times it is the Conduct and Manner of the Counsel representing both sides.  Since most these shows focus on Criminal proceedings, it leads us to the next point;

- THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ADVOCACY BASED, OR, "MAY THE BEST LAWYER WIN."  TRUTH, JUSTICE AND EXPEDIENCY ARE PREFERRED, BUT NOT NECESSARY.

When you listen to the commentary from the Host and Guests, you may notice that the criticisms seem to be less about the Law, and more about such things as Physical Appearance, Courtroom Behavior and the Ability to capture and hold the attention of the Judge, Jury and the attending Media.

This mirrors a concept that many Americans refuse to accept or acknowledge; ENTERTAINMENT OFTEN TRUMPS INTELLECT. 

Look for PT 3.