New study concludes the need for vitamin D repletion in systemic lupus erythematosis patients
August 2, 2011
Several studies have documented that patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) have low vitamin D levels and that those with the lowest levels progress to the most serious cases. Furthermore, animal studies have consistently shown that treatment with vitamin D helps the disease, but positive controlled human trials are lacking (one such human trial used meaningless doses of vitamin D). As usual, to some, this means that vitamin D deficiency in SLE should not be treated until such trials show effectiveness, a conclusion I just don’t understand.
Finally, a paper was publsihed from a group of physicians from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center who reached a conclusion that both lupus experts and I understand. The study, led by Dr. Lauren Ritterhouse, concluded that their data “strongly suggests that repletion with vitamin D should be considered” for patients with SLE.
What did they discover that led them to break with the pack and recommend treatment of SLE with vitamin D in spite of the lack of controlled trials indicating effectiveness?
They discovered two things. First, they found evidence of early lupus in healthy controls that were vitamin D deficient but no such evidence in healthy controls with higher vitamin D levels. This makes it unlikely that well patients are more active, thereby explaining their higher vitamin D levels. Second, they found that a marker of destructive inflammation was much higher in vitamin D deficient SLE patients comapred to vitamin D sufficient SLE patients. In fact, their figure 2 on page 1571 shows that inflammatory marker was at its lowest in the few patients with the highest vitamin D levels (around 30 ng/ml).
Lauren L Ritterhouse, Sherry R Crowe, Timothy B Niewold, Diane L Kamen, Susan R Macwana, Virginia C Roberts, Amy B Dedeke, John B Harley, R Hal Scofield, Joel M Guthridge, and Judith A James Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased autoimmune response in healthy individuals and in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011; 70:1569-1574
More than 150,000 Americans suffer from SLE. Modern medical treatment has led to increased life expectancy for SLE patients, although their pain and suffering is another story. So hats off to these Oklahoma physicians. Using common sense and uncommonly good science, they showed SLE patients may well be wise to treat their vitamin D deficiency.
-John J. Cannell, M.D.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Madison Ruppert
Madison Ruppert
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 2, 2011
Cloaked in the fear surrounding the debt ceiling and a possible default is the most dangerous legislation that America has ever faced. If this passes, the Super Congress will make the PATRIOT Act look like a just and fair law. When six Republicans, six Democrats and the President have complete control over the legislature, we need to be concerned.
The most frightening aspect of this proposed “committee”, inaccurate though the term may be, is the fact that lawmakers in Washington have already openly admitted the unprecedented power they will be afforded.
Referring to the Super Congress as a committee is a bit deceitful. Calling it a Supreme Council of Overlords would be a bit more accurate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made this quite clear by announcing on the Senate floor that, “The joint committee – there are no constraints. They can look at any program we have in government, any program … It has the ability to look at everything.”
When this is made explicit and openly so, I think there should be some serious concern among Americans. The PATRIOT Act was not billed as an Act that would be used to detain and torture Americans and innocent people from around the globe who did not have any evidence against them. We only found this out after it was rushed into law.
The Super Congress, on the other hand, has already been exposed as a completely unconstitutional body that will remove the ability for anyone to filibuster a bill or amend it in any way. This gives 13 people the unprecedented power to push through any legislation without a single amendment.
This fact already has some groups up in arms, literally.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The Gun Owners of America released a statement summarizing how this Super Congress could easily be used to wipe out our right to bear arms.
As they outline, much of the unconstitutional gun control legislation has been killed in the House and Senate through filibuster and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner.
However, if the Super Congress is passed into law, the crucial ability to filibuster will destroy all impediments and highly restrictive laws like the United Nation’s small arms treaty could easily be put into law.
The larger question that looms over this entire issue is: what can they not pass?
Unfortunately for everyone in America, and the world for that matter, this Super Congress would have literally no limitations whatsoever. Every single controversial bill that has been filibustered or voted out could be pushed through. Let your imagination run wild, although be warned it likely won’t lead anywhere pretty.
If you live in the United States, you have the duty to contact everyone you know and inform them about this issue. We need to build a massive grassroots movement that will inundate our representatives 24/7 with the call to never allow this to be put into law. We must stop this before it is passed, or else it will be too late and whatever shred of freedom we had left will be lost for good.
Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him atadmin@EndtheLie.com
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 2, 2011
Cloaked in the fear surrounding the debt ceiling and a possible default is the most dangerous legislation that America has ever faced. If this passes, the Super Congress will make the PATRIOT Act look like a just and fair law. When six Republicans, six Democrats and the President have complete control over the legislature, we need to be concerned.
The most frightening aspect of this proposed “committee”, inaccurate though the term may be, is the fact that lawmakers in Washington have already openly admitted the unprecedented power they will be afforded.
Referring to the Super Congress as a committee is a bit deceitful. Calling it a Supreme Council of Overlords would be a bit more accurate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made this quite clear by announcing on the Senate floor that, “The joint committee – there are no constraints. They can look at any program we have in government, any program … It has the ability to look at everything.”
When this is made explicit and openly so, I think there should be some serious concern among Americans. The PATRIOT Act was not billed as an Act that would be used to detain and torture Americans and innocent people from around the globe who did not have any evidence against them. We only found this out after it was rushed into law.
The Super Congress, on the other hand, has already been exposed as a completely unconstitutional body that will remove the ability for anyone to filibuster a bill or amend it in any way. This gives 13 people the unprecedented power to push through any legislation without a single amendment.
This fact already has some groups up in arms, literally.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The Gun Owners of America released a statement summarizing how this Super Congress could easily be used to wipe out our right to bear arms.
As they outline, much of the unconstitutional gun control legislation has been killed in the House and Senate through filibuster and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner.
However, if the Super Congress is passed into law, the crucial ability to filibuster will destroy all impediments and highly restrictive laws like the United Nation’s small arms treaty could easily be put into law.
The larger question that looms over this entire issue is: what can they not pass?
Unfortunately for everyone in America, and the world for that matter, this Super Congress would have literally no limitations whatsoever. Every single controversial bill that has been filibustered or voted out could be pushed through. Let your imagination run wild, although be warned it likely won’t lead anywhere pretty.
If you live in the United States, you have the duty to contact everyone you know and inform them about this issue. We need to build a massive grassroots movement that will inundate our representatives 24/7 with the call to never allow this to be put into law. We must stop this before it is passed, or else it will be too late and whatever shred of freedom we had left will be lost for good.
Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him atadmin@EndtheLie.com
Super Congress: the final nail in the coffin of representative democracy and freedom as we know it
Super Congress: the final nail in the coffin of representative democracy and freedom as we know it
Madison Ruppert
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 2, 2011
Cloaked in the fear surrounding the debt ceiling and a possible default is the most dangerous legislation that America has ever faced. If this passes, the Super Congress will make the PATRIOT Act look like a just and fair law. When six Republicans, six Democrats and the President have complete control over the legislature, we need to be concerned.
The most frightening aspect of this proposed “committee”, inaccurate though the term may be, is the fact that lawmakers in Washington have already openly admitted the unprecedented power they will be afforded.
Referring to the Super Congress as a committee is a bit deceitful. Calling it a Supreme Council of Overlords would be a bit more accurate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made this quite clear by announcing on the Senate floor that, “The joint committee – there are no constraints. They can look at any program we have in government, any program … It has the ability to look at everything.”
When this is made explicit and openly so, I think there should be some serious concern among Americans. The PATRIOT Act was not billed as an Act that would be used to detain and torture Americans and innocent people from around the globe who did not have any evidence against them. We only found this out after it was rushed into law.
The Super Congress, on the other hand, has already been exposed as a completely unconstitutional body that will remove the ability for anyone to filibuster a bill or amend it in any way. This gives 13 people the unprecedented power to push through any legislation without a single amendment.
This fact already has some groups up in arms, literally.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The Gun Owners of America released a statement summarizing how this Super Congress could easily be used to wipe out our right to bear arms.
As they outline, much of the unconstitutional gun control legislation has been killed in the House and Senate through filibuster and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner.
However, if the Super Congress is passed into law, the crucial ability to filibuster will destroy all impediments and highly restrictive laws like the United Nation’s small arms treaty could easily be put into law.
The larger question that looms over this entire issue is: what can they not pass?
Unfortunately for everyone in America, and the world for that matter, this Super Congress would have literally no limitations whatsoever. Every single controversial bill that has been filibustered or voted out could be pushed through. Let your imagination run wild, although be warned it likely won’t lead anywhere pretty.
If you live in the United States, you have the duty to contact everyone you know and inform them about this issue. We need to build a massive grassroots movement that will inundate our representatives 24/7 with the call to never allow this to be put into law. We must stop this before it is passed, or else it will be too late and whatever shred of freedom we had left will be lost for good.
Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him atadmin@EndtheLie.com
Madison Ruppert
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 2, 2011
Cloaked in the fear surrounding the debt ceiling and a possible default is the most dangerous legislation that America has ever faced. If this passes, the Super Congress will make the PATRIOT Act look like a just and fair law. When six Republicans, six Democrats and the President have complete control over the legislature, we need to be concerned.
The most frightening aspect of this proposed “committee”, inaccurate though the term may be, is the fact that lawmakers in Washington have already openly admitted the unprecedented power they will be afforded.
Referring to the Super Congress as a committee is a bit deceitful. Calling it a Supreme Council of Overlords would be a bit more accurate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made this quite clear by announcing on the Senate floor that, “The joint committee – there are no constraints. They can look at any program we have in government, any program … It has the ability to look at everything.”
When this is made explicit and openly so, I think there should be some serious concern among Americans. The PATRIOT Act was not billed as an Act that would be used to detain and torture Americans and innocent people from around the globe who did not have any evidence against them. We only found this out after it was rushed into law.
The Super Congress, on the other hand, has already been exposed as a completely unconstitutional body that will remove the ability for anyone to filibuster a bill or amend it in any way. This gives 13 people the unprecedented power to push through any legislation without a single amendment.
This fact already has some groups up in arms, literally.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The Gun Owners of America released a statement summarizing how this Super Congress could easily be used to wipe out our right to bear arms.
As they outline, much of the unconstitutional gun control legislation has been killed in the House and Senate through filibuster and with the help of Speaker of the House John Boehner.
However, if the Super Congress is passed into law, the crucial ability to filibuster will destroy all impediments and highly restrictive laws like the United Nation’s small arms treaty could easily be put into law.
The larger question that looms over this entire issue is: what can they not pass?
Unfortunately for everyone in America, and the world for that matter, this Super Congress would have literally no limitations whatsoever. Every single controversial bill that has been filibustered or voted out could be pushed through. Let your imagination run wild, although be warned it likely won’t lead anywhere pretty.
If you live in the United States, you have the duty to contact everyone you know and inform them about this issue. We need to build a massive grassroots movement that will inundate our representatives 24/7 with the call to never allow this to be put into law. We must stop this before it is passed, or else it will be too late and whatever shred of freedom we had left will be lost for good.
Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him atadmin@EndtheLie.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
Super Congress To Target Second Amendment
Super Congress To Target Second Amendment
Unconstitutional body created by debt deal to get “even greater super powers”
Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones
Prison Planet.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
The so-called “Super Congress” that is about to be created with the debt ceiling vote will have powers far beyond just controlling the nation’s purse strings – its authority will extend to target the second amendment – eviscerating normal protections that prevent unconstitutional legislation from being fast-tracked into law.
As the Huffington Post reported last month, the debt deal that has already been passed by the House and faces the Senate tomorrow will create an unconstitutional “Super Congress” that will be comprised of six Republicans and six Democrats and granted “extraordinary new powers” to quickly force legislation through both chambers.
Legislation decided on by the Super Congress would be immune from amendment and lawmakers would only be able to register an up or down vote, eliminating the ability to filibuster. The Speaker of the House would effectively lose the power to prevent unpopular bills from making it to the House floor.
But far from just being a committee that would make recommendations concerning the debt ceiling, the body is now to be granted “even greater super powers, according to multiple news reports and congressional aides with knowledge of the plan,” writes Michael McAuliff.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pulled no punches in making it plain that the Super Congress would have supreme authority. “The joint committee — there are no constraints,” Reid said on the Senate floor. “They can look at any program we have in government, any program. … It has the ability to look at everything.”
That includes introducing laws to restrict the second amendment, states a Gun Owners of America bulletin, warning that the body would be “a super highway for gun control legislation”.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
“Gun owner registration … bans on semi-automatic firearms … adoption of a UN gun control treaty — all of these issues could very well be decided over the next 24 hours,” states the GOA release.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) echoed Reid’s sentiment, asserting that the Super Congress was “not a commission, this is a powerful, joint committee.”
The Obama administration has already indicated that it will take the deciding vote as the de facto 13th member of the Super Congress. During his press briefing today, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the government would work with the Super Congress to hike taxes in 2012 and beyond.
Barack Obama has already exercised his fetish for executive autonomy by launching the attack on Libya without Congressional approval, bypassing Congress and having the EPA declare carbon dioxide a pollutant, as well as the appointment of ten state governors directly selected by him who will work with the federal government to help advance the “synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States”.
The administration’s zeal to target the second amendment “under the radar,” as Obama promised earlier this year, has also manifested itself in the form of ATF harassment of gun owners who purchase two or more firearms, despite the fact that the law to mandate such a policy failed to pass.
The establishment of a “Super Congress” will completely demolish the credibility and the authority of the system of elected representatives. It represents another final nail in the coffin of the American Republic and its replacement with an executive dictatorship run by the political elite.
*********************
Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a regular fill-in host for The Alex Jones Show.
Unconstitutional body created by debt deal to get “even greater super powers”
Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones
Prison Planet.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
The so-called “Super Congress” that is about to be created with the debt ceiling vote will have powers far beyond just controlling the nation’s purse strings – its authority will extend to target the second amendment – eviscerating normal protections that prevent unconstitutional legislation from being fast-tracked into law.
As the Huffington Post reported last month, the debt deal that has already been passed by the House and faces the Senate tomorrow will create an unconstitutional “Super Congress” that will be comprised of six Republicans and six Democrats and granted “extraordinary new powers” to quickly force legislation through both chambers.
Legislation decided on by the Super Congress would be immune from amendment and lawmakers would only be able to register an up or down vote, eliminating the ability to filibuster. The Speaker of the House would effectively lose the power to prevent unpopular bills from making it to the House floor.
But far from just being a committee that would make recommendations concerning the debt ceiling, the body is now to be granted “even greater super powers, according to multiple news reports and congressional aides with knowledge of the plan,” writes Michael McAuliff.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pulled no punches in making it plain that the Super Congress would have supreme authority. “The joint committee — there are no constraints,” Reid said on the Senate floor. “They can look at any program we have in government, any program. … It has the ability to look at everything.”
That includes introducing laws to restrict the second amendment, states a Gun Owners of America bulletin, warning that the body would be “a super highway for gun control legislation”.
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
“Gun owner registration … bans on semi-automatic firearms … adoption of a UN gun control treaty — all of these issues could very well be decided over the next 24 hours,” states the GOA release.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) echoed Reid’s sentiment, asserting that the Super Congress was “not a commission, this is a powerful, joint committee.”
The Obama administration has already indicated that it will take the deciding vote as the de facto 13th member of the Super Congress. During his press briefing today, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the government would work with the Super Congress to hike taxes in 2012 and beyond.
Barack Obama has already exercised his fetish for executive autonomy by launching the attack on Libya without Congressional approval, bypassing Congress and having the EPA declare carbon dioxide a pollutant, as well as the appointment of ten state governors directly selected by him who will work with the federal government to help advance the “synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States”.
The administration’s zeal to target the second amendment “under the radar,” as Obama promised earlier this year, has also manifested itself in the form of ATF harassment of gun owners who purchase two or more firearms, despite the fact that the law to mandate such a policy failed to pass.
The establishment of a “Super Congress” will completely demolish the credibility and the authority of the system of elected representatives. It represents another final nail in the coffin of the American Republic and its replacement with an executive dictatorship run by the political elite.
*********************
Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a regular fill-in host for The Alex Jones Show.
VERY URGENT: Congress Rushing 'Deal'
August 1, 2011
VERY URGENT: Congress Rushing 'Deal'
Posted by Jim Babka
Quote of the Day: "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it..." - Former Speaker, now Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Nancy said it. Republicans have mocked her endlessly for it. Some of them have even said, "We need to read our bills."
A few of those even pledged to sponsor our Read the Bills Act. But they've been "too busy" to make progress with us.
Instead, the Republican leadership plans to do some really bad things -- in a big damn hurry. If Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and company have their way, we'll have to wait till the bill is passed to see what's in it.
When it comes to legislation, "Speed kills."
WE NEED MORE TIME TO REVIEW THIS DEAL AND ALL ITS IMPLICATIONS.
And you should demand more time.
Because of the urgency, you need to call.
AND
So that your numbers are counted, and your arguments considered, you must write.
For the writing part, I went to DownsizeDC.org's "Cap the Debt" campaign.
I've sent letters to my reps using this campaign in recent weeks. But the issues at stake have changed, and my representatives need to hear from me now, more than ever. The hard-wired letter begins, "Do NOT raise the debt ceiling." Here are the personal comments I added...
Instead, please introduce DownsizeDC.org's "Read the Bills Act." You can find the legislative text here: http://www.downsizedc.org/rtba-legislation
John Boehner and the Republicans promised, in their 2010 campaign document, "Pledge to America," that they would allow the public sufficient time to read bills before lawmakers voted on them. "We will give all representatives and citizens at least three days to read the bill before a vote," the pledge said.
It is wrong to rush passage this so-called "deal" until there's been time for you to...
* comprehend its details
* receive feedback from your constituents and counselors on how it works
* engage in debate and amend where necessary
It is nearly impossible to do all of that in a mere three days. But we're not even going to get that. The promise will be broken. Typical.
Clearly, Congress needs a law, not an easily dismissible rule, which requires them to provide that kind of time -- seven days would be better. The Read the Bills Act requires it. And it deserves your support, if you really want to "change the culture in Washington."
I'm watching closely. I care deeply about the debt ceiling vote, and I expect you to oppose this plan. And then, I'll be looking for news that you've introduced the Read the Bills Act, without watering it down. I'll know then you really mean your rhetoric, unlike the Republican leadership.
END LETTER -- And BEFORE I hit SEND, I wrote down the phone numbers of my Rep and two Senators that are provided there.
You can use what I wrote, or write your own personal letter using the Educate the Powerful System.
Then, I called. And this is what I said...
Vote NO on the debt ceiling deal, if for no other reason than that legislation should be read and debated IN DETAIL before it gets a vote.
Then, I "tweeted" my "phone script," and I encourage you to do the same!
VERY URGENT: Congress Rushing 'Deal'
Posted by Jim Babka
Quote of the Day: "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it..." - Former Speaker, now Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Nancy said it. Republicans have mocked her endlessly for it. Some of them have even said, "We need to read our bills."
A few of those even pledged to sponsor our Read the Bills Act. But they've been "too busy" to make progress with us.
Instead, the Republican leadership plans to do some really bad things -- in a big damn hurry. If Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and company have their way, we'll have to wait till the bill is passed to see what's in it.
When it comes to legislation, "Speed kills."
WE NEED MORE TIME TO REVIEW THIS DEAL AND ALL ITS IMPLICATIONS.
And you should demand more time.
Because of the urgency, you need to call.
AND
So that your numbers are counted, and your arguments considered, you must write.
For the writing part, I went to DownsizeDC.org's "Cap the Debt" campaign.
I've sent letters to my reps using this campaign in recent weeks. But the issues at stake have changed, and my representatives need to hear from me now, more than ever. The hard-wired letter begins, "Do NOT raise the debt ceiling." Here are the personal comments I added...
Instead, please introduce DownsizeDC.org's "Read the Bills Act." You can find the legislative text here: http://www.downsizedc.org/rtba-legislation
John Boehner and the Republicans promised, in their 2010 campaign document, "Pledge to America," that they would allow the public sufficient time to read bills before lawmakers voted on them. "We will give all representatives and citizens at least three days to read the bill before a vote," the pledge said.
It is wrong to rush passage this so-called "deal" until there's been time for you to...
* comprehend its details
* receive feedback from your constituents and counselors on how it works
* engage in debate and amend where necessary
It is nearly impossible to do all of that in a mere three days. But we're not even going to get that. The promise will be broken. Typical.
Clearly, Congress needs a law, not an easily dismissible rule, which requires them to provide that kind of time -- seven days would be better. The Read the Bills Act requires it. And it deserves your support, if you really want to "change the culture in Washington."
I'm watching closely. I care deeply about the debt ceiling vote, and I expect you to oppose this plan. And then, I'll be looking for news that you've introduced the Read the Bills Act, without watering it down. I'll know then you really mean your rhetoric, unlike the Republican leadership.
END LETTER -- And BEFORE I hit SEND, I wrote down the phone numbers of my Rep and two Senators that are provided there.
You can use what I wrote, or write your own personal letter using the Educate the Powerful System.
Then, I called. And this is what I said...
Vote NO on the debt ceiling deal, if for no other reason than that legislation should be read and debated IN DETAIL before it gets a vote.
Then, I "tweeted" my "phone script," and I encourage you to do the same!
Highest Radiation Ever Detected At Fukushima: 10+ Sieverts An Hour
Highest Radiation Ever Detected At Fukushima: 10+ Sieverts An Hour
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 08/01/2011 11:35 -0400
Demographics Japan Reality
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 08/01/2011 11:35 -0400
Demographics Japan Reality
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