Conquer Pinched Nerves and Strive to Get Out of This Life Alive

   I've got this theory that living indefinitely (or at least a lot longer than we are) is possible, and maybe not that far away. I'm thinking, if we put our efforts into it, we just might get out of this life alive.
   And, I mean living in mortality. I'm not talking about the immortality of the soul. That will happen, yes, but living down here on earth need not end nearly so fast, if we can just figure it out before our time is up.
   We've made progress into ending a number of diseases. What if we do conquer them? More, what if we treat old age, itself, as a disease and go after what causes old age, and end that "disease"?
   The last couple days, I've thought on pinched nerves and such. I've thought about bulging disks. I've wondered if with the passing of time, pressure mounts on all parts of the body -- pinched-nerve type stuff. Those elderly people who just set in their chairs not saying much? I'm thinking that might be due (at least in part) to something akin to pinched nerves on the brain.
   So, what if we solve this? What if we find a way to unpinch all the pressure on the brain, and on the rest of the body? Don't tell me it isn't possible. Of course it is.
   And, if we do do this, perhaps we will have gone a long ways toward extending the life of mortal beings. Perhaps, as much as anything (even more so) that has already been done by modern medicine, this will add years to our lives.

Washington's Wisdom on Charity for Those of Differing Opinions

   Oh, it is wonderful to learn that a hero of mine, George Washington, considered on civility. Just as today, in the last few years, so many Utahns have called for civility, even so, George, way back in his day, also called for it.
   Respect the other person, regardless if you differ in belief. Be charitable with those of differing opinions. Villainize not your foes, but befriend them. These are principles George apparently felt the same about as I do.
   I found this great quote from him. It is great in what it says, though not in the way it was worded. So, I will rewrite it. First, I will give you George's own words, then I will offer the rewrite.
   "Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable as, to a certain point, they may perhaps be necessary; but it is exceedingly to be regretted that subjects cannot be discussed with temper on the one hand, or decisions submitted to without having the motives, which led to them, improperly implicated on the other; and this regret borders on chagrin when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, having the same general objects in view, and the same upright intentions to prosecute them, will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions and actions of one another."
   (Quote taken from a letter to Alexander Hamilton, Aug. 26, 1792.)
  And, here's my rewrite. It, too, is not perfect in wording. But, here it is:
  Differences in political opinions can be unavoidable. If we have thoughts contrary to those of our friends, we, of course, feel an obligation to express them in order to stand for what we feel is right. But, it is regrettable that things cannot be discussed in a more tempered way, with respect for the beliefs of the other, and not questioning the other's motives. It is wrong to implicate the other person, to assign a faults in conduct, and flaws in character, simply because they reached a different conclusion. My regret for this borders on chagrin when I consider that persons of great abilities, zealous patriots, all, can have the same love of country, and the same well-fare of humanity in mind, yet because they reach different conclusions on what should be done, they will not be charitable towards each other.
  

Article 1, Section 8 Speaks of Naturalization, not of Immigration

   Here's a little bit of a bombshell: The part in the Constitution often quoted to say Congress has power over immigration actually says no more than that Congress can establish an uniform way to be declared a citizen. It says nothing of immigration, itself.
   Further, look at the first time (1790) Congress did fulfill this part of the Constitution, the first time it did establish a law on how to be declared a citizen. The new law, reflecting what Article 1, Section 8 set forth, said the person must have lived in the U.S. for one year and must have been of good character. It did not set forth any restrictions on coming here.
   "The Congress shall have Power . . . to establish an uniform rule of Naturalization." Naturalization is not the act of immigrating, it is the act of being named a citizen once you are here.

Perhaps the Charleston Shooting Should Take Down a Drug, as Well

   As the argument goes, legalize drugs and a lot of our problems would go away. But, I'm wondering if we should outlaw at least one more. Dylann Roof used it. It reportedly lends to aggressive behavior. It reasonably can be suggested to have contributed to his shooting nine people at the church in Charleston.
   Ban this drug? Make it illegal? I think we should consider that. From what I do know at this point, I'd recommend it. Suboxone is used to treat opiate addiction. But, in and of its self, Suboxone is dangerous.
   Yes, we should consider the benefits, and consider whether there are adequate alternative drugs should we shut down the legal use of this one. But if it has been a factor in even just this one mass shooting, how responsible are we to not ban it?
   I wonder. Perhaps there is reason to keep it legal. But, then again, perhaps we should be marching in the streets, protesting, mad that such a drug is still legal after what has happened. The church shootings took down a Confederate flag. Perhaps they should take down a drug, as well.
 

Do Any of Them Change Their Orientation When They Changes Sexes

   When Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner, did his/her sexual orientation change? Was Bruce homosexual all his life? Was his orientation toward liking men? It is a crucial question, because we are told sexual orientation is something a person is born with. Our understanding, is that it is something that does not change.

  Or, does Caitlyn's orientation have nothing to do with it? It is what is is and remains what it was, and it is not why he chose to changes his sex.

  I do wonder about transsexuals, whether some of them change their orientation. I wonder if any study has been done of it. I wonder if any of them at all have changed their orientation.

Let Us Knock Off Diseases One After Another, Till We Live Indefinitely

   We might be closer to living indefinitely than we realize. Barring car accidents, and shootings, and lives being taken forcibly, we just might be closer to living indefinitely than what we think.
   After all, medicine has made inroads against cancer, against heart disease, and so forth. What if we can cure these diseases? What if we reach a point where we have cured them? What if we consider wrinkly skin a disease and go after that? What if we consider muscle deterioration a disease, and cure that, too?
   Here's the point: If we can cure one disease, we can cure many -- maybe all -- and, if we can cure all diseases, then we can live indefinitely. I say, get on with the business of curing diseases, because I do want to be part of this.

Entertainment is the Religion of the Day

   If we get our values from our religion, entertainment is the religion of our day. If our religion is where we learn how to treat others, if it is what gives us whatever character we do or do not have, if it is what gives us our morals, entertainment has become our religion.

   Forgive, but I see it that way. I look around at the way people act, and the values they have, and I wonder but what they aren't a reflection of what is on TV, and in movies, and in popular songs. Teaching moments? Ours come in the movie theater.