Bertrand Russell's 10 Rules of Thinking

 1: Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.

2: Do not think it worthwhile to produce belief by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.

3: Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed.

4: When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.

5: Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.

6: Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.

7: Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

8: Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.

9: Be scrupulously truthful, even when truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.

10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.

Who has better physical and mental health: Joe Biden or Donald Trump??

 

Since both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are over 70 years of age, it is a legitimate question for any voter to ask about the status of their physical and mental health.  I am not talking about the differences in their political views.  I am 74, white, retired at 70, an Independent, and in decent health. 

Both of these old Presidential candidates have had physical exams, and were judged to be in “satisfactory” physical health by medical doctors.  Mr. Trump prefers not to exercise.  Joe Biden exercises every day.  Just looking at them, I would say that Joe Biden looks far leaner and more fit than Donald Trump.  Leanness in older men is medically advantageous say all doctors.  So, I will give an edge to Joe Biden on physical health. 

President Trump’s mental health is more questionable.  His character is abrasive.  He frequently insults others, calls people sophomoric names, bullies his chosen staff, tweets baseless claims at all hours, lies, is vain, gets angry quickly, contradicts himself, and rants till he is red faced – all signs of mental unfitness.  He overuses the words “great, greater, and greatest” like he is casting magical spells.  His sister, a former Federal Judge, says he is “cruel” and “unprincipled.”  John Bolton resigned and called working with Trump a “college food fight,” and Trump called the respected and conservative former National Security Advisor an “idiot.”  On the other side, Joe Biden speaks clearly, speaks carefully and respectfully, stays calm, seems to relate better to all kinds of people, and works well with colleagues.  Joe Biden doesn’t need to criticize someone or invent conspiracy theories or act like a teenager on Twitter.  I’ve seen no evidence in Mr. Biden of this kind of obnoxious mental instability in the past or at present.  Mr. Biden is also much more informed and grounded about medical science issues.  Consequently, I give Joe Biden a much better rating for his mental health. 

Mr. Trump constantly makes insulting remarks about “sleepy Joe Biden” being “worn out.”  Mr. Biden just says, “Mr. President, just watch me work when I am elected.”  For me, style matters, and Joe Biden has much more class and poise.  

I think that Kamala Harris and Mike Pence are equals in physical and mental health.  So, we have satisfactory backups in case either of these old men die in office. 

In my opinion, Joe Biden is a healthier choice for a Better America. 

 

Guns and Self-Defense Facts

 "For each instance of successful self-defense or justifiable homicide using a gun, there were twenty-two cases of assault or criminal homicide, unintentional homicide, suicide and attempted suicide using a gun."
-  Arthur L Kellerman, et al., 'Injuries and Deaths Due to Firearms in the Home', in the Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection and Critical Care, 45:2 (1998).  

This is not counting the non-lethal but serious injuries from gunshots.  Many more people injure themselves while playing with guns.  

Too many Americans watch all those old white power Western movies.  Now, in 2020, most of us live in urban and suburban neighborhoods, not the West of the 19th century.  Improved gun control and safety measures are more sensible in our day.  

Crazy Killers with Arsenals

Donald Trump's Needs More Water for His Hair

 

Mr. Trump was complaining in August 2020 about shower head and toilet water conservation measures.  President George Bush sensibly encouraged water conservation legislation back in 1992. 

“People are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once,” Trump told a meeting of small business leaders at the White House.  He groused about lower-flow shower-heads because "You turn on the shower — if you're like me, you can't wash your beautiful hair properly."  

This is another example of Mr. Trump’s ignorance of the serious water shortages in the West, his negative attacks on environment conservation and the EPA, and his pathetic vanity.  

Sounds to me like a spoiled rich man whining about some trivial inconvenience.  He does not want to cooperate with sensible water conservation measures needed in California, Nevada, and Arizona.  He thinks real life is just playing at his private golf course in Florida, where it rains a lot.   

Does Mr. Trump really know anyone who needs to flush their toilet 10 to 15 times?  We had low-flow toilets for 20 years in Red Bluff, CA - one flush was always enough.  

Probably, Mr. Trump is so full of CRAP that HE needs to flush his toilet 10 to 15 times! 

Why I am Voting for Joe Biden

 From an old friend, Philip Yantis, from our college days (1965) and while we were working part-time at the City of Commerce Library in East Los Angeles.  We both volunteered to serve in the U.S. military.  

"To friends and family who support Trump, I copied this from another friend's post but it says what I wish to say in regards to the coming election:

A friend (who happens to be a staunch Trump supporter) asked me ‘why I want Joe Biden as my president?’

"It was actually a good, reasonable question…one that deserved a reasonable, and honest answer.

My support for Joe Biden has more to do with my severe disdain for Trump than it does with overwhelming affection for Joe Biden.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe Biden is a good, decent and honorable man…his politics and ideology are moderate, which I like...and, I believe he will work to unite us, rather than divide us. I believe he will restore a level of dignity and rational behavior to the office of the president.

But Joe Biden and I are not ‘perfectly aligned’ ideologically…no, this is not about ideology, or partisanship, or even specific emotionally charged issues, such as 'pro-life vs. pro-choice'.

No, this election is about the very character and soul of our nation…it is about placing ‘love of country’ above ideology.

I believe Joe Biden is basically honest, and will not insult us with a never-ending barrage of easily disproved lies…

Joe Biden will not tell us the 'free press' is the ‘enemy of the people’…

Joe Biden will not tell us we should trust Vladimir Putin more than we trust our own CIA, FBI, NSA, or DOJ…

Joe Biden will not advocate separating families and caging children…nor will he demonize immigrants with lies and hate-filled rhetoric…

Joe Biden will not tell us that NATO, which has successfully maintained peace in Europe for the past 75 years, is obsolete…nor would he abandon our long-held allies in Syria, an act that Lindsey Graham called a ‘stain on the character of our great nation’.

Joe Biden will not insult our closest allies (Angela Merkel, Emanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau) while flattering and fawning over Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.

Joe Biden will not pick unnecessary trade wars with our closest trading partners

Joe Biden will not deploy federal troops against our own citizens, against the expressed wishes of the duly elected governors and mayors…

Joe Biden will not 'tear gas' protesters to clear a path for a blasphemous photo op holding a Bible upside down against the backdrop of the actual bishop of the church who expressed outrage at the actions of the president

No, Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, won’t ever use Christianity as a blasphemous prop under any circumstance…

And, this is important...even respected (former) republican leaders, some that even I respect, such as Gen John Kelly, Gen Colin Powell, Gen James Mattis, Adm William McRaven, Adm Michael Mullin, and Rex Tillerson will never feel compelled to warn me that Joe Biden is a threat to my nation, my constitution, and our democracy.

And finally, white supremacists, such as David Duke, will never endorse Joe Biden and tell us that voting against Joe Biden is betraying our white heritage…and if any of these White Supremacists did endorse him, Joe Biden would quickly denounce their endorsement and their racist beliefs…

Joe Biden will never say, 'I take no responsibility at all'...that is simply not in his nature...

I could go on, but I think you get the point…I want Joe Biden as my president because he is ‘not Donald Trump’. I want Joe Biden because in many ways he is the antithesis of Donald Trump.

I want Joe Biden for my president because I truly do love this country, and I truly do believe America, all its citizens, and the entire world deserves better than what we have gotten for the past 3 ½ years…

I could talk about the COVID response as well, but you already know what I would say about that…

I hope this clears up my reasons…and I sincerely hope everyone will take the time to consider what is the character that we want for America…what does it really mean to ‘make America great’…"

I want Joe Biden because he is man enough to choose a running mate that challenged him in the debates, a woman of color, and of Indian heritage who called him on bussing. He did not denounce her, call her vile names, do everything in his power to destroy her - which is what Trump would’ve done. He pulled her into the fold and didn’t hold a grudge because he is man enough to take criticism and grow from it, not stew in it.

Comments

Social Security and Medicare Funding

 I am concerned about the Donald Trump attack on the Payroll Tax that funds Social Security.  Half is paid by the employee and half by their employer, for a total of 15% of the wages of the employee.  Republicans, in general, have long been against Social Security since the 1940's.  

Medicare has a Trust Fund created by payments from both employees and employers.  Pro business interests have always been against Social Security and Medicare.  

My wife and I benefit greatly, at the age of 74, from Social Security and Medicare.  I want my children and grand-children have the same benefits in their old age.  We both worked and paid Social Security and Medicare from age 16 to age 70.  

I am against paying of benefits from these earmarked Trust Funds out of the General Fund.  I don't see how it will be funded consistently out of the General Fund.  

I favor the approach of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in managing these invaluable U.S. Government services and programs.  

Thanks to FDR, Lindon D. Johnson, and George Bush II for creating these programs.   

 

Grays Harbor Adventure

I left on Tuesday from Vancouver and drove to Westport, Washington.  The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on your route, speed, sightseeing, and breaks.  I greatly enjoyed the drive from Interstate 5, via State Road 6 through Pe Ell to Raymond, then up 105 to Tokeland, Grayland, and Westport.  

I explored the Grays Harbor region from Aberdeen to Ocean Shores, then up 109 to Taholah [Quinault Reservation].  The Bay is a beautiful and heavily forested region, with many rivers and valleys.

I returned home this afternoon after three days and two nights camping alone at Twin Harbors State Park near Westport.  The campground was full.  Families were everywhere.  

The City of Westport and its many docks shelter fishing vessels and seafood industry plants, as well as attracting tourists.  Westport is at the southern jetty tip of Grays Harbor, with the City of Ocean Shores on the northern tip.  The City of Aberdeen, the largest on the Washington coast, founded 1890, is at the east end of the Grays Harbor.  

I hiked on many sand dunes and forest trails and along the seashore many times the past few days at Twin Harbors State Park.  I am pretty tired tonight, and my legs are sore.  It rained last night, but my Coleman 9'x9' Dome Tent kept me dry and warm.  

I plan to return to Grays Harbor this summer and autumn.  Next time I will camp alone at Ocean City State Park.  Then, Karen and I will stay at the Quinault Resort and Casino north of Ocean Shores.  Finally, we have two cabins reserved at Twin Harbors for a family camp out in October.  

An Old Man's Misunderstanding

 I enjoy talking with my neighbors about a variety of issues. One man in his 80’s, a very likable gentleman, told me that Medicare nearly paid for all the costs for his two knee replacements, one hip replacement, a pacemaker, two stents, and removal of his thyroid. Also, he said that he was voting for Mr. Trump to stop socialism. I politely pointed out that Medicare is a socialist program. I favor Joe Biden’s approach to Medicare and ACA. Wake up old people!

I Went Out Walking and Wondering

"Looking for your light,
 I went out:
 it was like a sudden dawn
 of a million million suns,
 a ganglion of lightnings
 for my wonder.
 O Lord of Caves,
 if you are light
 there can be no metaphor."
 -  Allama Prabhu
 

"With the first step, the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite, but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along, though freedom remains total with each step: any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse, or any wild patch of woods can be explored.  The pattern of the walk is to come true, is to be recognized, discovered."
-  A.R. Ammons, A Poem is a Walk

 
"When I would re-create myself, I seek the darkest wood, the thickest and most interminable and to the citizen, most dismal, swamp.  I enter as a sacred place, a Sanctum sanctorum.  There is the strength, the marrow, of Nature."
-  Henry David Thoreau, Walking , 1851

Ways of Walking: Quotations, Poems, Sayings, Lore, Facts

Compiled by Mike Garofalo

Siletz River, Oregon

We enjoyed our trip last week to Pacific City, Oregon.  Further south, between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay is the road (Route 229) that follows the Siletz River; turn off Highway 101 at Kernville.  We have enjoyed this drive in the past.  I find the area quite beautiful.

Traveled to Pacific City

Karen and I drove to Pacific City on Thursday, July 2.  We drove on I 5 south to Albany, then OSU-Corvalis, then west on Route 20 to Newport, then north on Route 101 to Lincoln City.

We ate crepes for breakfast at Elmers, lunch in Newport, and dinner in Pacific City.   We wore our masks, and kept social distancing.

The coastal mountains have lush vegetation.  We stayed at a large house in Pacific City, with a forest in our backyard.  Alicia, Sean, Katelyn, and Makenna shared the weekend with us.  Lots of cars, people, and fireworks noise over a busy July 4th weekend.

We returned to Portland on July 5. We drove along the Wilson River from Tillamook, Route 6 to Freeway Route 26 into Portland. 

Swift Reservoir, Skamania County, Southwestern Washington

Swift Lake is about 17 miles long and 2 miles wide.  It's maximum depth is about 330 feet.  This lake is behind a rock dam and hydroelectric plant, created in 1958, managed by PacifiCorp.  The Lewis River drains from Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens' through three reservoirs then into the Columbia River near Woodland, WA.  Campgrounds and boat launching parks on the north east side of the Swift Lake provide some access points operated by Pacific Corp, e.g., Swift Forest Camp.

We have good maps of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area.  We also have very good maps of Clark, Skamania, and Cowlitz Counties. 

North Fork of the Lewis River, Video Essay, by Nick Fisher, OPB

  Looking north towards Mt. St. Helens

Karen, Mick, April

We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Yale Lake Park and Boat Launch.

Swift Forest Camp

Wind River and Chanting Canyon Streams

Tomorrow, Mick and April are taking us on an outing up past the Bonneville Dam to the town of Carson, then up the Wind River Road to Curly Creek Road and then to the Swift Lake, and then west to Woodland.  They are providing a fine picnic lunch and drinks.  Good paved roads make this journey easier.  

Wind River, 30 miles

Swift Lake, South of the Mt. St. Helens' Volcano

"A white crowned night sparrow sings as the moon sets.
 Thunder growls far off.
 Our campfire is a single light.
 Amongst a hundred peaks and waterfalls.
 The manifold voices of falling water
 Take all night.
 Wrapped in your down bag
 Starlight on you cheeks and eyelids
 Your breath comes and goes
 In a tiny cloud in the frosty night.
 Ten thousand birds sing in the sunrise.
 Ten thousand years revolve without change.
 All this will never be again."
 -  Kenneth Rexroth, The Wheel Revolves, 1966



Time - Quotes and Poems 


"I first met Chang San-Feng above the forest, 
near the clear spring,
when gathering clouds darkened the day,
and Mt. Shasta was silent.
His long beard was black as emptiness,
ear lobes to his shoulders,
holding obsidian in his hand,
pointing to the sun,
eyes staring into infinity,
his long body clothed in silence.
We exchanged "hellos"
smiled and bowed,
a barbarian and an Immortal,
both panting from the climb,
laughing,
ten-thousand echoes
between our rocky minds.
After billions upon billions of heartbeats past
(for he must have been 888 years old),
I was so bold
as to ask the ancient one
for the sacred mantra of yore.
He lifted his whisk,
and brushed my face,
I could not speak,
my lips were stone,
ideas stopped -
I was alone." 
-  Michael P. Garofalo, Meetings with Master Chang San-Feng   



"Opening bell
echoes from the canyon walls —
raindrops on the river.

The sounds of rocks bouncing off rocks;
the shadows of trees traced on trees.

I sit, still.
The canyon river chants,
moving mountains.

                                                       

The sermon spun on the still point:
dropping off eternity, picking up time;
letting go of self, awakened to Mind."
-  Michael P. Garofalo, Above the Fog

 

 
 

Wearing a Mask - Sensible Prevention

My wife and I observe the Covid19 Flu Prevention medical advice for social distancing, wearing a mask, cleaning hands, and avoiding buildings with lots of people. We appreciate all the people doing the same in Vancouver, Washington. We thank all the hospital workers for their courage, and hope that the many that are ill can recover. We avoid the uncooperative people not wearing a mask.

I cannot understand President Trump's attitude towards masking, reducing testing, and getting back together in groups. His familiar "We are doing a GREAT job" or "blame China" are unconvincing anymore. How about something like "this is a really tragic flu virus, and we can and will do better at helping people in the coming months. For now, mask up, social distance, and avoid large groups of people. We will work with the FDA and commercial labs to carefully evaluate the efficacy and safety of new treatments, new vaccines, and new drugs to combat this killer flu. We all need to be patient, practice safety measures, cooperate, and work together."

During World War II, in Los Angeles, we had mandatory blackouts. People who did not turn of lights at night were criticized and fined. Not wearing masks right now, not social distancing, and not helping to prevent the spread of this deadly flu are like people who refused to turn out their lights in 1943. Come on people, cooperate and help us out of this pandemic.

Old Age - My Health Problems - Remedies

My walking, weight lifting, Taijiquan, Qigong, dietary, and Yoga practices have helped me to stay healthy and make it to 74 years of age. 

I have led a fortunate life, have many accomplishments, and worked till 70 years of age.
I am now facing the challenges of an aging body with constructive daily actions and a positive demeanor.  I am very fortunate to have excellent medical care in Vancouver, Washington, having both Medicare and Anthem Blue Cross insurance, and benefit from medical advances unknown in 1980. 

I work with three medical doctors: internal medicine, cardiology, and endocrinology. 

I have managed my Type II diabetes since 1996, starting when I was age 50.  I kept my AIC to under 6.5 until I was 69.  I now take the maximum recommended dosages of Glipizide, Metformin, Losartin, and Trulicity.  Now, I get high blood sugar readings if I don't very strictly monitor my intake of carbohydrates. 

Currently, I try my best to consume under 2,000 calories per day, and under 150 grams of carbohydrates per day.  My three month body weight goal is 235 pounds, and I am now at 246 pounds.  My one year goal is to weigh 215 pounds. 

I try to walk seven days each week.  I walk my dog, Bruno, for 40 minutes daily.  I also use a treadmill at home.  My goal is to walk, mostly on flat ground, for 75 minutes each day.

I practice Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong daily. 

I also have heart disease (pacemaker for Bradycardia, stent in my LAD) and symptomatic high blood pressure.  I am working with my medical doctors to find the right combination of blood pressure drugs to lower my blood pressure.  This is my most serious current health problem. 

I expect to die from stroke or heart attack, sooner rather that later, due to my age, and with these serious health problems.  So, my web publishing might end suddenly, and everything else for me, due to these problems of old age. 

My Cloud Hands Blog (2005-2020) and my many web pages (1999-2020) have, hopefully, helped in some way to benefit others. 


Walking: Quotes, Sayings, Information, Medical 

Tai Chi Chuan for Diabetics