I am exceptionally late today as I didn't get home until 8:30 pm. My student's eldest son has significant problems, not the least of which I believe is depression. I spent over 3 hours talking with him and then more time talking with his mother. She is going to try to get a doctor's appointment tomorrow to which I will go as well. Please pray or keep the family in your prayers. I am just about finished October's report and November's is partially complete. I had hoped that they would be finished today but circumstances precluded that. We had wind and heavy rain warnings on the weekend and again for tonight. Let's hope there are no power interrupts like there were on the weekend . . . 43,000 homes without power at the height of the storm, some still without power this evening.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:52 (average 4:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
The Atlantic — Coccidioidomycosis, also known as cocci, or valley fever, is a fungal disease endemic to the soils of the Southwest, in places like Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. In California, it’s rampant across the Central Valley, an area just slightly smaller than West Virginia that grows about a third of the country’s produce. About 30 percent of all valley fever cases nationwide occur in the Central Valley each year.
Valley fever has perplexed doctors and patients alike for more than a century. Symptoms range from mild fatigue to incapacitating, flesh-eating infections, and despite decades of research, advances in treatment and pushes to develop a vaccine have been painfully slow. There’s virtually no way to guard against inhaling the spores that cause valley fever, as most masks can’t filter out the microscopic dust particles that carry the spores through the air and into the lungs. …
… rates of valley fever are rising nationwide. Between 1998 and 2011, documented cases across the country increased steadily by about 15 percent annually, from just 2,000 infections in 1998 to more than 22,000 in 2011. In areas where the fungus is widespread, like Kern County, it’s statistically more probable to develop valley fever than hepatitis or chickenpox.
Although The Atlantic article is from 08 August 2014, the video is from the current Mother Jones, and both are important when discussing the effects of climate change. For example, California is suffering through a prolonged drought. As a result, the soil is very dry, some becoming "dusty" which is where the Coccidioides fungus lives and gets blown about by the winds. The CDC has more information about the disease. Click through for the rest of the article.
Middle East Eye — In a July Haaretz article commemorating the first anniversary of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, which killed more than 2,250 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in 51 days, journalist Khaled Diab quotes Palestinian psychologist Hasan Zeyada of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme: “Gaza has endured multiple losses – what we call multi-traumatic losses. People in other places usually endure a single loss: the loss of a home, or a family member, or a job. Many Gazans have lost them all.”
And while Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often the focus of discussions of the psychological repercussions of conflict, Diab summarises the observation by various experts that “talk of post- or pre-trauma is futile, since trauma is constant and ongoing”.
In addition to attending professionally to the victims of this Israeli-induced brand of eternal trauma, Dr. Zeyada is personally well acquainted with the phenomenon. Last August, the New York Times reported on his “challenging new patient: himself”. Six of the psychologist’s close family members, including his mother, had just been wiped out by an Israeli airstrike.
Operation Protective Edge came to an end on 26 August 2014. But the diagnosis of collective psychological suffering in the Palestinian coastal enclave is open-ended, and serves to compound the more tangible suffering that attends the regular Israeli release of large quantities of ordnance in the direction of human bodies.
This article, although written almost 6 months ago, remains just as germane today given the on going hostilities between Israel and Gaza. The video from The Nation is a followup to the killing of four boys from the Bakr family on the beach by Israeli bombardment back in August 2014. If you don't remember the bombing on the beach, perhaps this will help you. The raw emotion is palpable. These young lives are changed forever, and not for the better.
Talking Points Memo — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened Monday that he may not attend CNN's next debate unless the network forks over $5 million, which the real estate mogul said would go to charity.
Trump pulled the stunt once before, demanding that CNN donate the proceeds from its September Republican presidential debate to a charity. The network didn't publicly comment on the request and Trump ultimately participated in the debate.
It is about time that someone called Trump on his bloviating narcissism. Are you up to it CNN? Who runs your business anyway?
My Universe —
17 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 07/12/2015”
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The Atlantic: How scary! I sure hope that folks get treatment from Coccidioidomycosis!
Talking Points Memo: The net worth of Trump is $4.5 BILLion, so why should he care what CNN does..or not..with the 5 million $ price tag? If he was so interested in giving the charity, he'd do it like all of us, and just donate without any fanfare. He's doing this for publicity, nothing more, and it repulses me that he get away with his behavior and vile comments.
Hope that your appointment goes well with this mother/son, and get to the root of his issues. I'm glad that you are involved in a positive mode for this family. Prayers all around for those affected by the weather too. I'm out the door, have a busy day. Take care, and Thanks, Lynn.
I lost an in-law to valley fever many moons ago…
Fortunately CNN (which has become "Faux News Lite") refused Trump's extortion demand:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cnn-wont-donate-5-million-for-trump-to-debate/
… BUT Trump decided he'll still show up
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/12/04/Despite-5-million-refusal-Trump-will-appear-at-CNN-debate/9351449234723/
Too bad. The political world would be better without Trump!
Your Universe – Just another reason to like and admire Mark Twain!
Cat's rule! Just ask TC!
4:27. Hugs!! Hurrying!
Congratulations on the move home. Trepidation about the move and adjustment is understandable and normal. Remember, cat's land on their feet!
3:57 Come to think of it, I haven't picked up yesterday's mail yet.
Atlantic – Kern county used to be such a nice place. I suppose some of those spores are attaching themselves to the actual produce, which goes all over, and that washing won't get it off?
MEEye – Israel seems to be actively recruiting for Daesh – along with The Donald.
TPM – Well, we'll hide and watch.
Universe – Also from Twain – "If man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat,"
Did not know that Twain quote but it is spot on. I also like the bumper sticker that says "The more people I meet, the more I love my cat!"
LS: Hope your appointment with Mother and son go well in discussion of depression at the doc.
The Atlantic: Coccidioidomycosis aka Valley Fever.
Over 11,314 died from Ebola in West Africa. Remember the CDC's role in their attempts to stave off Ebola.
"3,089 coccidioidomycosis-associated deaths (deaths in which coccidioidomycosis was listed as a primary or contributing cause on a death certificate) occurred in the US during 1990 to 2008". Why isn't more being done with this Valley Fever?
Climate Change as a very real possibility is considered as a cause. But, medications are not coming forthwith to combat those that are infected.
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Statistics
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/coccidioidomycosis/statistics.html
Middle East Eye: Multi-traumatic losses is very real in the Gaza. "And while Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often the focus of discussions of the psychological repercussions of conflict, Diab summarises the observation by various experts that “talk of post- or pre-trauma is futile, since trauma is constant and ongoing”.
"Constant and ongoing".
Netanyahu, Tel Aviv and their supporters should all be taken to the Hague and tried as war criminals for the killings during the 51 days. There was a boy in the video who says that he will not rest until Netanyahu is in a prison cell. A future Isis fighter…
Talking Points Memo & CNN: Let Trump walk out or not show up for the next GOP debate. The other candidates would most likely welcome a debate without the Trump. lol.
Universe: Kitties are funny.
Looks like I was sleepng when Nameless posted his two links on the Trump above. Oh well… lol.
A cat nap?
May the Trumpthing go screw!
Valley fever is going to show the deniers what they will not yet believe!
Too bad some have to suffer to prove a point to climate deniers.
Thanks all!
It's quite understandable that you want to help everyone, Lynn: TomCat, your student, her eldest son and anyone else that calls on your assistance. It's also understandable that you give the human problems, which seem to run deep, priority over reports. They've held until now, and they'll hold a few days longer. I hope the power cuts don't intrude on your schedule too.
I just noticed that you already have an other Open Thread posted, so I'll do some Cherry picking for this one.
The Atlantic: Valley fever spreading, another side-effect of Climate Change. I foresee a long, long list of side-effects to come. We can count ourselves lucky that scientists see the spread of these diseases for what they are: Climate Change enhanced, otherwise the death rate would be far higher. But with a Congress denying Climate Change, the treatment of these side-effects will soon be out of funding.
Middle East Eye: Thanks for posting this Lynn. Nothing much has changed for the Palestinians in Gaza since Israel’s Operation Protective Edge has ended: untreated PTSD (almost an endemic disease), no rebuilding, no jobs, only fear (real, reasonable fear, that is). The focus has shifted to the West Bank and East-Jerusalem, however where PTSD may wel explain the hopeless knife attacks on Israelis.
Talking Point memo: I must have missed that. This narcissist has the lowest campaign budget of them all because he gets all this free publicity from the media. So making enemies there may well put an end to that free-loading. He didn't demand this from Faux News, did he, so this is only one more way to make CNN jump through his hoops. Wouldn't it be nice that instead of jumping they bit off a leg or two?
My Universe: I feel exactly the same way as Mark Twain describes here. Unless the man has a gun in his hand as well, or poses in front of a Union Flag or is called Donald Trump, Ted Cruz or Geert Wilders or… Oh well, that does seem to narrow it down a bit.