Category: Medical

NO KINGS #2 STREET LEVEL REPORT

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No Kings #2: Street Level Report

No Kings #2: Street Level Report

 

D. S. Mitchell, author, editor, and (good) trouble maker

 

What I Saw

We had T-Rex times two, we had clowns too many to count, we had singers and dancers too, I heard there was even a unicorn. There were a couple “hate the Dems” characters roaming through the crowd, and making insulting comments, and being confrontive, one even had a gun secured to his hip. My, my. What’s he afraid of at high noon in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon, I wonder. Oh-h-h-h-h, I get it-he’s not afraid of us, he’s trying to intimidate and terrorize us.

Tools of Tyrants

But we’re not afraid. Fear and bigotry are the tools of tyrants, and we understand that. The U.S. Constitution guarantees all of us the right to protest injustice, to raise our voices against tyranny and resist a corrupt government. And I will do just that until my dying day. I love this country, I am resolute….I will resist….those like me will not be silenced; we will show our outrage and our disgust at the this convicted felon, this Mob Boss president.

Old Friends

“Lock him up” was a phrase I heard repeated many times. I sincerely doubt Trump will ever go to jail but that’s not because he doesn’t deserve 20 years plus, or a firing squad, but rather, we could never have a former president jailed. Just imagine the shame of it all. I’m convinced he’ll be allowed to “escape” to a new home in Moscow or Riyadh, where he can live out his dotage. Or he’ll die, probably in the next couple years, my God, he’s a fat old white man and the average age at death for that demographic is 74.8 years. So, the old guy is basically 4.5 years past the average. So in June he’ll be 80. Hmmm.

Sunny Days

The weather was sunny and 70 degrees for the No Kings Protest; sweet. I was ecstatic, the crowd was sizeable, my best guess was that close to 2,000 people lined both sides of 6th Street in our little Southern Oregon town. For red-assed Southern Oregon that could be called a damn “righteous” turn out.  In today’s vernacular, “perfect.” The age range represented was quite incredibly baby carriage to walker/wheelchair.

Vote Policy NOT Prejudice

It was really exciting, seeing such a wide range of citizens recognizing the danger this narcissistic psychopathic president represents, but are ready and willing, just the same, to come out and demand Trump do the right thing and end his corruption….to immediately stop the tariffs game…support fair taxation, in other words tax the billionaires….protection of due process…..a fair immigration policy….restoration of abortion rights…. LGBTQ+protections….environmental protection….universal health care….Social Security….and thousands of other issues that affect millions upon millions of every day Americans; I’m talking about you, me, our families, our friends and neighbors. In my opinion, people better start voting on a candidates policies and character not some hot button fuckin’ culture war issue.

Back Then

There were some smart people back in 1776 who told George III that we’d had enough of high taxes to put gold bathrooms in the palace. Now it looks like this generation of smart people needs to tell Donald Dumpster that we are done with gold bathrooms and gold ballrooms for kings and tyrants; and have been for more than 250 years. Maybe, Don the Con skipped American History, along with Economics, Chemistry, and English, because he doesn’t seem to know shit about any of those basic studies.

And Those Signs

The protesters signs were GREAT, they were funny, they were imaginative, they were spot on; many were new and many were previously-used in past Trump protests. Signs and flags waved in the air, creating quite a vibrant display. There was an audio system playing out of the back of a van and the spirit was positive. Many passing cars honked their support, and of course there were some that did not-and they rejoiced in calling us ‘effin commies.

When It Effects You

Oh, well wait until Trump’s next executive order effects them, or their grandma is denied her Medicaid, or their son’s Affordable Care Plan quadruples in cost. When policies and actions negatively hit an individual’s bank balance there’s liable to be a fight. And that’s why more than 7 million American citizens came out on Saturday, October 18, 2025, to reject Trump and his agenda. RESIST-it’s the American thing to do.

 

 

Put Zing In Your Step

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Put Zing In Your Step

Put Zing In Your Step

 

By D.S. Mitchell                                                                       

Hamster on a Wheel

I know somedays are harder than others, but if you’re feeling like that hamster on a wheel and your energy has gotten up and gone-here are a few strategies to put a smile back on your face and the zing in your step.

Start Laughing

In case you didn’t know, laughing increases your body’s intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. Laughing also triggers the release of endorphins, which boost your energy level and mood. A University of Nebraska at Lincoln study, found that people who watched a funny 10 minute long video, such as a cat riding a rumba vacuum around the living room felt energized by the experience. So, look for funny, and laugh loud, and hard.

Small Talk

Brief, pleasant exchanges with people you don’t know or barely know can enhance happiness, mood, energy, and overall satisfaction with life.  A willingness to meet new people (no matter how briefly) and engage in some small conversation is guaranteed to improve both your physical and mental health. So, go ahead, I give you permission to initiate a conversation in the check out line at Walmart. As an older adult female I suggest that you initiate conversations with women with small dogs or small children. I’m not suggesting anything other than you don’t want to give a strange guy the wrong idea. Other than that grandmotherly caution; socialize away.

Get Moving

Exercise fires up the autonomic nervous system. Exercise gets your heart pumping and raises your blood pressure all the while improving blood flow through the brain. You don’t need to hit the gym; a brisk walk around the neighborhood, 20 minutes of light exercise in your living room; a couple sets of wall push ups, a few jumping jacks, some standing crunches. I know when you are tired and feeling fatigued all the time, exercise may be the last thing you think you need, but as is frequently the case, exercise is probably just what you need.

Change It Up

The nucleus accumbens is the part of your brain that is associated with motivation and pleasure, but if it is not stimulated it likes to go to sleep. So, if you’re feeling bored, you are probably feeling tired. Alice Boyes, PhD., author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit, suggests to stimulate the nucleus accumbens, we need to mix things up, rearrange the furniture, buy a new comforter for your bed, pour the milk into the bowl before the cereal. Get the idea?

How About Karaoke?

There is a study for everyone they say; according to one such study at Sam Houston State University, singing and tapping your foot to the music causes an endorphin rush. So if you want to enhance music’s energizing effect start singing and dancing. Sing in the shower, sing in your car, join the local bar crowd for some Karaoke fun, and keep tapping that foot.

Use Imagination

Numerous studies indicate that being out in nature makes us feel more alive and energetic. Getting on that forest trail may be too hard for many of us city dwellers, however some of those same studies indicate that just imagining that you are out in nature delivers a similar effect. You can add a poster of a mountain, a river, or a creek to your office wall. How about a gorgeous photo of the outdoors as your screensaver on your PC? Or, install a beautiful forest scene as your phone’s home screen. Studies have proven this is a great technique to release energy boosting endorphins.

Cold Showers and Big Drinks

Change your usual hot morning shower to a cold shower and you will increase your circulation, heart rate, and oxygen intake, and you will feel more alert and energetic. To keep that refreshed feeling throughout the day all you have to do is head into the bathroom for a cold water face splash. The second part of the water story is a reminder to stay hydrated. When our body is low on fluids one of the first signs of the deficit is fatigue. For the average healthy adult 64 oz or 8 cups of water is a reasonable starting point, but it’s not enough for everyone. Fluid needs vary based on age, sex, activity level, climate, and health status. Official guidelines from the National Academy of Medicine suggest higher daily fluid intakes, including fluid from all sources like food and other beverages. To know if 64 ounces is enough, monitor your body’s signals, such as thirst and urine color (pale yellow indicates good hydration). 

Keep It Up

Hope these tips help to keep you active and engaged in life. Don’t let fatigue and lack of energy rob you of fun filled days.

How to Recognize a Media Quack

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Spotting a Social Media Quack

Spotting a Social Media Quack

No Matter How Cute and Fuzzy

 

By D.S. Mitchell, author

 

Real or Not?

First, you can buy one of those white lab coats on the internet for as little as $10.00. Those wall certificates and awards forms, you know the blank ones you can fill in yourself  can be purchased at Staples, Amazon, or Walmart for about $5.00 each. Those stethoscopes, a cheap one will be about $8.00. All I’m saying is, it’s easy to play a doctor on video. And sadly, folks get drawn in and don’t check on credentials but rely on emotion. “Isn’t he cute?” or “She sounds so smart.”

Trust or Mistrust?

So, here are a couple of things to watch for when viewing internet health videos or anything else for that matter. I’ve researched the internet (LOL) and there is an agreed group of telltale signs that you may be getting bad and/or dangerous information. The nice looking “doctor” we see in a YouTube video or hear about from an influencer who quotes studies and cite doctors, with the best of them, says is “great.” But seriously are these people we can trust? Well, the internet is the internet; where there is great truth, and at the same time probably greater fraud and fantasy. So, here are some tips on spotting quacks in lab coats.

  1. Using absolute statements: No product or person can give a 100% guarantee that a product or person will perform as described 100% of the time. That’s just reality. The “doctor or influencer” should allow for uncertainty in scientific research and performance. Science is constantly gathering new evidence and our knowledge evolves to a better and more complete understanding of  the spotlighted issue or product.
  2. Non-experts: If a health coach is pushing hormones or “nutritional experts” who aren’t registered dietitians are making supplement replacement therapy recommendations, beware. Like anything when stepping outside their expertise their qualifications should be taken into consideration, in other words “take what they say with a grain of salt” as my mom used to say.
  3. Avoid mavericks: Be suspicious of people who claim they are the outlaws, the rebels, the mavericks, going against the grain of the scientific consensus. There is a study for everything with diverse results; however what does the overall research show. Going against the grain is great, I love the curious and questioning mind, however if 20 people reported terrible pain during a procedure, while 3 respondents reported relatively little pain. I would take the word of the 20 over the 3. So that’s how I feel about those 3 mavericks.
  4. They are selling something: I think, ‘caution’ when watching a video in which the presenter is focused on selling their chosen product is wise advice. I of course, buy a wide variety of crap off the internet and for the most part have been satisfied, all I’m saying is check on any of their claims and subject matter expertise before you decide to purchase. Or, if you wanna give it a try and you are dissatisfied post purchase you have multiple refund resources. First the company you bought it from, then your bank’s fraud department if the company refuses to give you your money back. Most likely if you have a valid claim you will get your refund.

 

 

Suicide Crisis Lineline: Dial 988

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Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Editor: I missed 9/10/2025 Suicide Prevention Day, but I think this is important information and we don’t need a designated date to inform people about suicide.

D. S. Mitchell

Statistics 

If you are between 15-35, suicide is the second leading cause of death for your age group.  For all age groups, suicide is responsible for more deaths than murder and natural disasters, combined.  Men take their own lives four times as often as women. Many men sadly would rather be dead than appear ‘weak.’

Left Behind

As you can see, suicide is not a rare, or isolated event. It is very real and definitely permanent, and it leaves those who are left behind, in utter despair. For them the suicide event is plagued by stigma, guilt and self-recrimination. The most common question from those left behind is, “what could I have done differently?”

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Trump’s Travesties

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Trump’s Travesties

Trump’s Travesties

By Cate Rees-Hessel with D.S. Mitchell

Since taking office less than a year ago, “The Donald” has made quite the mess of our nation…. again. I feel like sending him right along with his policies to the nearest dump site. Here are just a few of his deliberate faux pas:

  1. The Epstein cover up – resist! Too many “secrets,” that Donnie wants hidden.
  2. Tariffs – he needs to be impeached now…take back the House & take back the Senate!
  3. Racist ICE raids – resist! Take off the masks!
  4. Said the day after the Perry High school shootings, “We have to get over it” – he needs to be impeached now…he’ll “get over it”!
  5. Said at the Bedminster Gala that smart people don’t like him; stop the presses – he finally said something truthful…resist! That’s because smart people see past culture wars and listen to policy.
  6. Seeking to silence the progressive left regarding the shooting death of Charlie Kirk – he needs to be impeached now…well, of course he needs to be impeached.
  7. Cozying up to Elon Musk – resist! Such a short and damaging love affair for our country.
  8. Denying climate change – he needs to be impeached now…I guess we’re gonna find out just how hot it can get. *Iran July 2025; 127 degrees F.
  9. Cozying up to the gun lobby – resist! As of 9/25/25 there have been 317 mass shootings in the US-!
  10. Project 2025 – he needs to be impeached now…right along with this corrupt and rogue Supreme Court.
  11. Claiming he is king – resist! No crowns for clowns is my motto.
  12. Denying COVID-19’s severity, restricting vaccines, and inciting the anti-vax fringe – he needs to be impeached now…and Bobby Jr. and allies should be sent off planet.
  13. Attacking Social Security – resist! Social Security has been paying Americans faithfully for 90 years I’d say it should be strengthened not ‘effed up.
  14. Attacking SNAP so children go hungry – he needs to be impeached now…SNAP helps the farmer as well as the hungry. 60% of Americans are barely scraping by; protect SNAP.
  15. Tax breaks for billionaires – resist! Spreading the wealth makes for healthier and happier citizens.
  16. Brown nosing other dictators – he needs to be impeached now…and the ass-kissing goes on…and on….and on.
  17. His undermining the post office causing major mail delivery problems, which is occurring because of his first term installation of Louis DeJoy – resist! They’re getting ready to auction off our constitutionally guaranteed post office to buyers like Fed-Ex and UPS-resist.
  18. His constant attacks on freedom of the press – he needs to be impeached now…Americans are about to lose their freedom of speech, we’ll all be listening to one channel, no need for the remote control.
  19. Just being a multiple convicted felon – resist! When you’ve got the thugs in charge, expect to find a lot of dead bodies and jailed enemies.
  20. He incited the January 6th 2021 insurrection – he needs to be impeached now…and now he’s pardoned his co-conspirators.
  21. He threatened officials to rig the 2020 election and his victory in 2024 is in severe question – resist! This is a story hiding in plain sight, we should be saying, “Madam President.”
  22. Being an accused and convicted rapist – he needs to be impeached now…I certainly think we need  better, but when are we going to demand better?
  23. Calling President Biden and VP Harris vicious names and lies – resist! Small minds produce a lot of four letter words.
  24. Trying to force out of office a federal reserve governor that he does not like – he needs to be impeached now…he seems to enjoy accusing people of crimes he has committed, in this case mortgage fraud.
  25. Threatening our democracy and anyone that disagrees with him-resist! Ask Miles Taylor, Chris Krebs, James Comey, or how about Rosie O’Donnell how it feels when the president starts publicly accusing you of wrongdoing and threatens Justice Department charges.

Mark 10/18/2025 on your Protest Calendar and hit the streets and tell Trump we’ll have ‘No Kings Here.’

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

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Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Editor: A version of this article was published on 10/17/2017

D. S. Mitchell

 

No News

It’s no news that our society is becoming more sedentary and overweight. Many of us spend hours behind a desk at our jobs and then go home where we spend more hours watching TV and perusing the internet before falling into bed exhausted.  We drive our cars to the McDonald’s drive thru, order  our food and never even get out of our cars.  We use our computers to shop, without ever leaving the house.  With decreased activity people are increasingly complaining of posture related aches and pains, weight gain, depression, joint pain, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Too Much

Just like we enjoy eating and drinking too much, we enjoy sitting and doing nothing too much. We are surrounded by cars, salty snacks, elevators and escalators, sugary drinks and fast foods. The problem has become serious enough that the World Health Organization has an agenda focused on encouraging physical activity. In other words folks, the world is experiencing a crisis in health, created by being inactive and being too fat for our own good.

Try Vigorous Movement

A “Black Dog Institute” of Australia, in a decades old study, found that 1-2 hours of exercise per week can prevent depression and suicide. In addition to improved mental health multiple world-wide studies have shown that vigorous movement can stave off heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, and even cancer.

“Sitting Disease”

Our country, and most of the industrialized economies are suffering from chronic “sitting”.  Physical inactivity is one of  the top 10 causes of disease and disability according to a recent UK government study, they in fact have diagnosed 1 in 6 deaths to “sitting disease” which is equal to the number of deaths related to smoking in the UK.

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Murder in Auburn, Alabama

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Murder in Auburn

Murder in Auburn

By D.S. Mitchell

 

How far does the pain of murder travel?

Auburn, Alabama is a town of about 83,000 in the northeastern section of the state. A tight knit community built around Auburn University. Kiesel Park is a sprawling green space, about four miles from the University campus. With its fields and woodlands and 2 plus miles of walking trails the park is a magnet for runners, bikers, and dog walkers, a place of peace and tranquility.

On September 6th, 2025, a beautiful fall morning in Auburn, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle took her dog for a walk in Kiesel Park. A few minutes past 10:00, Julie a petite 5’2″ woman, was dragged off the walking path into a wooded area of the park where she was stabbed multiple times. After killing Julie, the man robbed her and stole her Ford F-150 truck.

Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was a retired Auburn University professor. A large animal vet, Dr. Schnuelle was a 1996 graduate of the veterinary school and a faculty member from 2003 until her retirement in 2021. She recently served as Area Veterinarian in Charge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Alabama and Mississippi. She was according to past students, “a fabulous teacher,” “always an example- forever an inspiration.”

2,598 miles across the country, in Vancouver, WA, the pain of the murder hit just as hard as in Auburn, Alabama. Shocked, horrified, and broken hearted Julie’s father and stepmother are valiantly trying to come to terms with the  violence of her death. Friends, family, anyone hearing this story is devastated.  I’m devastated, as a friend of the family for more than 50 years the pain of Julie’s murder far exceeds miles.

Despite her many important life achievements, “her greatest legacy will be the love she gave so freely to any person or animal that came into her life.”  Julie is survived by her beloved husband Archie Schnuelle; her children, Michael and Natalie Waldrop; her stepchildren, Megan Schnuelle, Tyler (Brandee) Schnuelle, and Sarah Jo (Garret) Truett; parents, Gary (Christina) Gard, and Elizabeth Moody; her siblings, Tim (Lisa) Gard, Dolores (John) Reuther, Jason (Amy) Gard, and stepsister Karla (Shawn) McQuade; along with nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, additional family, and numerous friends who were dear to her.

The Julie Gard Schnuelle Annual Scholarship Fund has been established at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in her honor.

****A suspect, Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28 years old is in custody charged with capital murder. He is being held without bond.

 

Worker’s Over Billionaires Protest

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Worker’s Over Billionaires Protest

Worker’s Over Billionaires Protest

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”                                                                                                                                                  

By David L. Shadrick

This was our fourth protest in a season of protests. As usual Darlene, Vajra, John, and myself parked ourselves on our favorite bench under our favorite shade tree on 6th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon, kitty corner from the county courthouse. The turnout for the Worker’s over Billionaires rally was good, but not great.

I can also report that the opposition turnout, in deep red southern Oregon, was close to microscopic. I counted two rabid Trumpers in the crowd; one flipped me off and the other one, a jogger, stopped in front of my wheelchair and called me a “horrible person” and then accelerated his pace and headed to the safety of 7th street. Other than than those two events things were cool. We got lots of positive comments on our signs, in fact several folks stopped to take a selfie with me.

INDIVISIBLE came through with a new stereo system for our rally. It was cool being able to actually hear the speakers and some great music.  John and Vajra wandered through the crowd checking things out; they told us about a group way up on the other side of the street out of our field of vision that were causing a ruckus. It seems they wanted to protest FOR pedophilia. Holy smokes, I can see why that might cause a fight or two. I suspect they were just a bunch of Trump supporters being A-holes, trying to stir up some shit.

Despite the smaller size of the Labor Day protest in our little town, I will admit that in Grants Pass it was very hot and there were a lot of folks out of town for the last week-end get-away before school started.  With that said, we need to increase the pressure on Trump and his allies. We need to tell ‘ol Donnie Boy we are not going to stand for his masked thugs disappearing people from American streets, putting billionaires on the government dole when poor Americans are having health care and even food benefits snatched away. This isn’t ‘effin Russia, yet.

If these protests are going to have the intended impact they need to be getting bigger and bigger not smaller.  In my mind, turnout is imperative to keeping Trump’s attention. We can’t weaken or tire now; we have another 3 and a 1/2 years of  the Trump despot show. We can’t give in, give up or surrender to this lawless president and his corrupt allies; our freedom is literally at stake.

**Quote by Edmund Burke

I Can Hear Her Breathing

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I Can Hear Her Breathing

I Can Hear Her Breathing

By Karen Tate

 

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.  On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” – Arundhati Roy

 

When I read that quote for the first time, the breath caught in my throat and the hair stood up on the back of my neck as I remembered….

I had been invited to Wisconsin to present at a weekend workshop which turned out to be a more than wonderful experience.  I went thinking I was just going up there to teach women the workshop material, but the sharing and activities I participated in were a beautifully reciprocal dance.  Besides the bonding and the fun, issues I had never quite been able to banish from my psyche had dispersed in the safety of the ritual the night before and I was feeling light and open and gloriously happy and fulfilled.

As the weekend came to a close and the time to drive back to the airport was drawing near, I grabbed a few moments of solitary time behind the dormitory where we were staying located about 100 yards off serene and shining Lake Michigan.  Between the lake and the dorm, trees had been planted in a circle, with barely two to three feet of space between their trunks, and inside the circle was a bench.  I was drawn within the circle desiring a few moments of quiet contemplation in what felt like Nature’s embrace.

As I sat there, enjoying a cool breeze on my cheeks, glimpsing the reflection of the sun on the lake between the tree trunks before me, I suddenly realized I heard a rhythmic breathing.  In and out.  In and out.  Where was it coming from?  In my mind, I began a process of elimination.  I held my own breath for a few moments thinking perhaps here in this small space among this odd configuration of trees I was hearing the echo of my own breath, but no, it wasn’t me.  I looked around to make sure there was no one else there, perhaps just beyond my initial line of light.  No.

I wasn’t hearing the incoming tide of the lake.  I sat there mesmerized as I listened.   No, this sound was coming from this very spot where I sat.  Dare I even utter the next thoughts that crossed my mind?  In this circle of trees, it was as if  I were sitting within the body of Goddess and I was hearing Her breathing  This was incredulous, but I was going to go with it and  just listen, feel, and  receive. I soaked in the magic of this sacred place.  The hair stood up on back my neck and arms.  I felt that familiar cold chill up my spine and my tears turned into sobs of joy.  What an emotional experience!

In hindsight, many of us might speak in metaphor, as perhaps the novelist and activist Arundhati Roy is speaking above, about Gaia or the coming new paradigm of the Sacred Feminine, but this was different.  This experience went beyond metaphor or even feeling inspired in some natural landscape.  This wasn’t merely equating the ebb and flow of the ocean tides with Her breath as we attempt to personify Her and embrace Her mysteries.  This felt as if it were another phenomena of a dimension I had yet to experience.  Was I crazy to even contemplate hearing the inhaling and exhaling…..of our Mother?  Well, sometimes we just have to shut off that left-brain and just feel Her incredible gifts!  Those few minutes sitting in that sacred grove near that beautiful lake will no doubt be some of the most profound and magical minutes of my life.   Thank you, Mother.  Thank you for that precious gift… I can hear you breathing!