How To Safely Dispose Of Medications

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How To Safely Dispose Of Medications

D. S. Mitchell

I was getting packed for my third move in two years. I know, too many, too often, but it was a strange set of circumstances and not worth talking about here. Usually I just go into the bathroom and dump the drawers into a box and then sweep the contents of the cabinet shelves into another box, and voila, the bathroom is packed. But, I picked up the first bottle, a bottle of Aspirin and glanced at the expiration date. Holy Moly, it had expired three years ago. That knowledge shook me up a bit. The next bottle, a prescription for Flexeril, was outdated by 10 months.  I was two for two. Not good. Next,  was a bottle of cough syrup, expired the previous year. I was batting 100%.

If your medicine chest is full of outdated medications or medications you no longer need and you are wondering how to dispose of them I have some information for you.  The best option is to use community-based drug disposal programs. Go to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) website, dea.gov and use their search tool to find an authorized drug disposal collector in your area.

If you don’t find a program in your area call your local police department or country sheriff. Often these law enforcement centers have disposal programs. As a last resort you may be forced to dispose of them yourself. Please do not flush down the toilet, or sink. These toxins are dangerous to animals, fish and water systems.

Many medications include specific disposal instructions, please follow any specific disposal instructions. The FDA advises that if there are no disposal instructions, do as follows: If the medication is tablets, crush thoroughly. If medication is capsules, open capsules and release contents.  1). Mix medication with used coffee grounds, kitty litter or dirt/sand to disguise the medication making it less desirable to children, pets and drug seekers. 2). Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can or other container to prevent the medication from leaking out of the garbage bag. 3) Be sure to obliterate any personal information on the prescription bottle to protect your identity and health information.

In my case, when it was all said and done, I had a shopping bag full of outdated and unneeded medications. I guess I am a “closet” hoarder. Or, just inattentive. I decided to call my local police department and see if they had a disposal program.  The answering officer said they did indeed offer a safe disposal program. I took my bag of meds into the cop shop where an officer dumped them into a secured bin. The officer told me the drugs “would be incinerated.”

Hope this little piece of life experience helps you think before you just toss medication into the trash, or flush it down the toilet. Be a good citizen, dispose of drugs responsibly.

Calamity Politics is an online political news magazine offering, comment, analysis and opinion. We admit to a progressive agenda. Join the Resistance.

Dar

 

 

Part VII: Behind The Curtain

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Part VII: Behind The Curtain

D. S. Mitchell

At the end of Part VI it was January 11th and Donald Trump was holding his first press conference since his Electoral College win. Trump stood to one side of the stage, flanked by Donald Jr 39, Ivanka 35, and Eric 33, listening to his tax attorney, Sheri Dillon explain to the audience of reporters and staff, the changes that were being made to the Trump Organization.

The stage with a center podium was decorated with solemn dark blue drapes and a row of American flags with long gold tassels giving the event a sober tone. On a black shrouded table, to the left of where Dillon stood at the podium, were stacks of manila folders. The stacks were impressively high. Pointing to the stacks of folders, Dillon claimed they were filled with 1000’s of documents proving that Trump was re-arranging his empire to satisfy the growing chorus of critics.

Dillon claimed the Trump “business empire” was “massive”. She emphasized massive several times. A couple of times Dillon tried to draw a correlation between Trump and former Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller as she talked about the changes being made at the Trump Organization. Evidently, she did not know that Rockefeller had released his tax returns and later offered to place his sizeable assets in a blind trust. Neither of which Trump has offered to do.

“The plan” was, according to Dillon, to put the Trump Organization into a trust to be managed by his sons and a long time executive. She emphasized that there would be no more foreign deals, an ethics advisor would be chosen and lastly, Donald Trump would have no involvement in the business. It quickly became clear that Trump was not going to sell his business or put those assets in a blind trust, or release his tax returns.

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Warning Signs Of Stroke And Heart Attack

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Warning Signs Of Stroke And Heart Attack

D. S. Mitchell

I opened a donation request letter today from the American Heart Association. In that request letter was a sheet of paper listing the warning signs for both Heart Attack and Stroke. Remembering that Tom Petty just died of cardiac arrest, I thought it was valuable information and I should pass it on.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most of them, according to the AHA, start slowly, with mild discomfort. Don’t ignore the following warning signs, you could be having a heart attack.

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. The feeling is often described as  “pressure” “squeezing” or a “fullness” in the chest.

Other signs. These signs may include cold sweats, nausea & vomiting or light-headedness.

If you or someone that you are with is having any of the noted symptoms call 911 immediately. It is imperative that you get medical attention quickly. If you are unable to access EMS have someone take you to the hospital. Don’t drive yourself unless you have absolutely no other choice.

Stroke is a medical emergency.Every second matters, because time lost is brain lost. Watch for the following warning signs,

STROKE WARNING SIGNS:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden vision disturbance in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination
  • Sudden severe headache without a known cause

If you, or someone you are with, is experiencing one or more of the signs of stroke act immediately. Time is of the essence. Call 911 or EMS to have an ambulance with advanced life support come to your location. Be sure to check the time, so you will know when the first symptoms appeared. Quick action is essential. If given within three hours of the onset of symptoms a powerful clot-busting drug which can be given that potentially will reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

Calamity Politics is a progressive on-line political magazine that features headline news from around the world. Join the Resistance.

Dar

Thinking Tiny?

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Thinking Tiny?

D. S. Mitchell

If you have ever watched “Tiny House Nation” or “Tiny House” you have seen a growing trend in the United States toward minimalist living. Many people are attracted to the prospect of financial freedom, a simpler lifestyle, and a smaller human environmental footprint.  The downsize revolution promotes living structures with sizes between 300 and 700 square feet. In general, the tiny home is 400 sq. ft or less. In some cases, the homes are even on wheels. Despite the stated positives, they are not for everyone.

Small does not necessarily equate with cheap. A tiny house can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000. Holy Moly. The cost is dependent on a series of factors: location, building complexity, materials, and finally are you doing it yourself, or are you having it built. A contractor construction package will generally cost twice as much as a “do it yourself” house.

Not always identified, but a serious matter, are the extra building costs for appliances, fixtures, water heaters and heating & cooling systems because of their reduced size. The rule it seems is that the smaller, the more expensive. It is important that you do some very careful figuring before you commit yourself to building a tiny home. One recommendation would be to get a minimum of three bids. Many builders  do sizeable markups on small projects.

Before you decide to DIY you need to understand that construction of a tiny home can take from three to six months if you are working at it full-time. When taking on such a project you should take into consideration that while you are trying to save money on contractors you need to account for the money you won’t be earning while you are acting as your own contractor. And, unless you are an experienced carpenter the frustration and potential areas of significant error should be added into your equation. Weigh those pros and cons carefully.

There are pre-fab tiny homes being made, but this is a case where buyer beware. Avoid potential pitfalls by making sure the NOAH (National Organization of Alternative Housing) certifies the plan and the builder. Things like windows, framing, roofing, insulation, become very expensive if you need to go back and fix things done incorrectly the first time.

I know it looks like fun, and even exciting when seen on TV, but before you commit the time, energy, and money required to build a tiny house, please do some big time research. Self education is essential before you go tiny. This should not be a decision made one Sunday night after watching a television show. There are books, magazines, videos, workshops and even Facebook groups which provide excellent information.

I saw one article where the writer recommended that anyone considering building a tiny home to try it out first. I thought that was a great idea. You can rent tiny cabins all over the country. Give it a try. For at least a week, I would suggest. And bring a lot of stuff with you, and remember, this tiny space could potentially be your full time home, with all of your junk, and the necessities, that go with actually living in a home.

I can imagine a lot of people loving their tiny home and never wanting to go back. However, I can also visualize a significant number of people not adapting well to the smaller lifestyle, and regretting their purchase. Please, don’t be a regretter, be a planner, be a student, before you build.

Have fun. Even if you don’t decide to go “tiny” you will have learned a lot about the industry,  yourself, and your needs.

Calamity Politics is an on-line progressive news magazine. Please join us, mostly daily, for updates on the current events. Join the Resistance.

Dar

29 Things To Make You Smile

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29 Things To Make You Smile

D. S. Mitchell

Sunday morning and Trump has slammed Senator Bob Corker and Corker slammed back. Tillerson is still denying he called the President of the United States an “‘effing moron”. Vice President Pence leaves Colt’s Game in Protest of the Protesters. Nate brings high water to Biloxi, MS. North Korean bomb test shakes China city. Movie producer Harvey Weinstein has sexually harassed women for 4 decades.

I could go on, but before I get any more irritated it is time to think of all the things that make me smile. Join me for a moment to reflect on the sweet and simple things in life.

  • Beach grass whipped by the wind
  • The crackle of Autumn leaves beneath my feet
  • The feel of cotton against my skin
  • Electric BBQ’s
  • Donating blood
  • A dash of Irish Cream in my morning Cappuccino
  •  Soldiers in their dress uniforms
  •  Children’s handmade cards
  •  Ed Sheeran’s “The Shape Of You”
  •  The shape of water
  •  Looking through freshly cleaned windows
  •  Montana’s endless skies
  •  Roller skating at Oaks Park, Portland, Oregon
  •  Paddle wheel river boats
  •  Finding that lost earring
  •  Homemade Clam Chowder and Cheese Bread
  •  Letters to the Editor
  •  Antique car shows
  •  A freshly cleaned garage
  •  NetFlix
  •  Cashmere and tweed
  •  Halloween’s “Haunted House”
  •  The thinnest, crispiest french fries
  •  A new supply of business cards
  •  Lunch with Mom
  •  A February 29th birthday
  •  Dancing cheek to cheek
  •  Random acts of kindness
  •  Circular driveways
  • That’s it. Hope you took a minute from the insanity of the 24 hour news cycle, put up your feet and smiled at a few simple things in life.

    Calamity Politics is a progressive news magazine dedicated to human rights, universal health care, elimination of the Electoral College and restoration of Democratic control of the Congress and the White House. Join the Resistance.

    Darlene

Get Ready To Grab & Go

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Get Ready To Grab & Go

D. S. Mitchell

I love AARP magazine. It is loaded with information for the young, and the old.  The October 2017 issue was loaded with a bonanza of knowledge. I thought Jeff Rossen did a great job of telling the public how to put together a “go bag.” A “go bag” is exactly what it sounds like; a bag or backpack, or suitcase (he recommends one on wheels) packed with life essentials.

Be ready for an emergency.  You never know when such events will occur. The recent hurricane evacuations highlight our need to be ready for such events, day or night. In the last month we have seen the devastation and chaos caused by Harvey, Irma and Maria.  It can happen anytime, anywhere.  In my little corner of the world, the North Oregon coast, we are subject to evacuation orders because of tsunamis, earthquakes, fires, floods and even a rare tornado.

No matter where you live there is always the possibility that you will be forced to move quickly out of harm’s way. Not all incidents of danger are natural in cause, often these tragedies are man made disasters, such as toxic spills. The idea is that you can, in some small way, help yourself by preparing an emergency “go bag”. In a true emergency you will be under extreme pressure and critical evacuation time can be lost as you race around the house looking for medications and other supplies. So, do yourself and your family a favor, and pack for survival.

Rules For Your “Go Bag”

Rule #1: Pack a “go bag” for every member of the household including your beloved pet, and keep them together in an easily accessible place. **Remember there is a possibility that not all family members will leave together.

Rule #2: Basic electronics. Pack an extra phone charger if you are lucky enough to have electricity and a portable battery pack if you do not have such good fortune. A long-lasting LED flashlight. A small hand cranked or battery operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries.

Rule #3: Personal needs: Make a list of all the toiletries you use daily, and really think about what you will need in an emergency evacuation, and buy travel sized versions of each. Make sure to pack an extra pair of eyeglasses if you wear them and a pair of  sunglasses. A small first-aid kit, sanitary wipes, a couple Bic lighters, a multi-purpose “Swiss army” tool so you have at least a knife and a can opener.

Rule #4: Clothing. Think in days (three to four max). Think in layers (that you can add, or remove).  Lightweight rain gear, gloves, knit cap and waterproof shoes and boots.

Rule #5: Medications. The article suggests 3 days worth of each of your medications. I pack 7 days of medications. That choice is up to you, but be sure that you have at least a small cache of each of your meds. If you have large items, ie oxygen tanks get a portable version for emergency situations.

Rule #6: Paperwork. Fill a zip lock waterproof bag with photocopies of your birth certificate, driver’s license, power of attorney, marriage, adoption or naturalization certificates, proof of address, insurance, medical and immunization records, Social Security and Medicare cards, and info about credit and ATM cards.

Rule #7: Food and drink. Several bottles of water are imperative. Dehydrated survival packets are a good option (which are easy to buy on-line), or even granola bars.

Rule #8:  Cash. Must have at least enough cash for a duration of several days. (The last severe gale that we had in my area the bank machines were down for several days). Make sure that you have small bills and even a roll of quarters for vending machines for when you have access to them.

Rule #9: Pet go bag.  Pets become excited when we show stress and urgency. Cats and dogs may run and hide and refuse to co-operate with entrapment. If that is the case, you must save yourself and your family, and sadly that means you will need to leave the pet. However, other pets, especially dogs will want to stay close. If you have a dog or other animal that is co-operative, take the animal. The go bag for your pet should include any medications your pet takes on a regular basis, 5 lb bag of dry food, a bag of treats, multiple bottles of water, a leash, a collar, veterinary history in a zip lock bag, a familiar blanket and a toy.

Beyond the to “go bags” I always carry in my car, a sleeping bag, 2 blankets, a pillow, and a Costco 48 pack of bottled water. (I used to live in Montana and these are essentials).

In the garage I always have a full 5 gallon can of gas.

A little preparation goes a long way in a real emergency. Take some time and put together the “go bags” for your family. The several hours you spend on this task could pay off big time by saving your life and the lives of those that you love.

Calamity politics is a progressive news magazine that attempts to present interesting and topical information to a progressive audience. Join the Resistance.

Dar

Does It Really Matter?

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Does It Really Matter?

D. S. Mitchell

I was sitting in the doctor’s office reading a February 2016 Reader’s Digest article that offered the following advice on when and what to shred.  It seems our greatest danger is through ‘mass hackings’ of our credit information. No matter how cautious we are our greatest danger is as victims of other people’s carelessness, or bad intent.  But, every bit of protection we can develop should help keep our private information private. Kelsey Kloss article suggested the following things, we as individuals can do to protect ourselves.

 

Receipts: If you aren’t saving the receipt for taxes or other purposes and you made your purchase with a credit or debit card shred it. The receipt shows the last 4 digits of the card number and possibly your signature. Those clever crooks can use receipts for fraudulent returns and benefit from your store credit.

Prescription Labels: Sometimes they are stapled to the prescription bag or on the bottle. Labels frequently list your name, date of dispensing, name and strength of the drug and dispensing pharmacy.  Crooks can use the information to refill prescriptions or steal your identity.

Pet Medical Documents: Keep records of major events for the pets health history, but shred the rest.  The paperwork will show your name, address, phone and the pet’s name, which according to many studies to be the most common computer password choices.

Airline Boarding Passes: Shred after landing. The boarding pass will show your name, your itinerary, and a bar code that in some cases will show your frequent flier number, which would allow thieves to “log in to airline accounts to view upcoming travel plans, check in to flights, and even cancel trips.”

Return Labels: Shred free return labels that come in the mail and any envelopes showing your name and address. When writing a return address on an envelope omit your name. Identity thieves will use that information to collect more information from social media and piece together your identity.

Any little thing we can do to help keep our private information private should be considered important. Do it.

Calamity Politics is a progressive news magazine that shares interesting information with its primary focus on the ongoing events in Washington, DC.

Join the Resistance

Dar

The Flag Is For Protester And Soldier

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Let’s remember we are more alike than we are different. Last weekend President Trump went on a rant at an Alabama rally and attacked any “SOB” that did not stand for the National Anthem.  Steve Schmidt, my new favorite guy, said it simply, “The flag is for the protester and the soldier.”

Join the Resistance

Darlene

10 Simple Ways To Protect Against Computer Viruses

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10 Simple Tricks To Protect Against Computer Viruses

D. S. Mitchell

The massive hacker attack on Equifax has unnerved many of us. According to reports, half of the American adult population was compromised by the attack. I was one of those who had their information stolen. If you haven’t frozen your accounts, or registered with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, you should do that immediately.  If you want to deal first with Equifax their website for this event is: Equifaxsecurity2017.com, or you can call, 1-866-447-7559 . Experts are advising that you freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus.

Equifax is a huge company that has failed to protect our most sensitive information. We can’t do anything about that, accept call or write Congress, but it highlights our need to take whatever steps we can to protect ourselves and our crucial information. The bulk of that security, must naturally, be directed at our personal computers, the storehouse of all our life information. In January 13, 2013 MoneyTalksNews published an article on ways to block computer viruses. The Sept/Oct 2017 AARP magazine supported those suggestions with its article, “7 Ways To Block Computer Viruses”.

Don’t forget the WannaCry virus that in the spring of 2017 wrested control of over 200,000 computers across 150 countries in one of the most vicious international cyber attacks in history.  The saddest part of the WannaCry episode is that Microsoft had, previous to the attack, issued a routine update to the Windows operating system that would have blocked the virus.  Anyone that had downloaded the Microsoft update was spared the misery of the massive hack.  This incident was a reminder that we must be vigilant and follow some common sense rules to protect our PC from outside attacks.

The FBI recently issued a warning to the public about a computer scam that starts with a phone call. This scam involved the scammers calling people, claiming their company worked with a major software company.  The caller would tell the mark that his computer was sending error messages to them over the web and through that communication had identified a virus.  “No problem” the scammer tells his target, “Just pay a small fee, and we will fix the problem remotely by installing our anti-virus software.”

Once the telephone scammer has your fee, your credit card number, and computer access, they don’t stop viruses they install them. It seems hard to imagine that something like this would work, but apparently in the case of thousands of people, it sounded good. There is a list below that gives you 10 time-tested means to protect yourself.  However, the most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves, is use some common sense. Shred all sensitive documents. Don’t give information to unknown callers and:

  • Strong password: Try a short phrase. “Cute_*shoes!” Definitely avoid the most common passwords, 123456, or its closest competitor, 234567.
  • Buy legitimate software and Register it:   In the case of the WannaCry virus only versions of Windows that had been purchased from a licensed retailer and registered with Microsoft received the upgrade that blocked WannaCry. The reason that so many systems outside the U.S. were affected is that they were running on bootlegged or borrowed versions of Windows.
  • Regular backups:  The easiest way to recover from any malware attack is to restore a recent backup of your files.
  • Run pop-up blocker: Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge include pop-up blockers that keep potentially dangerous ads from appearing on your PC.
  • Be sure all software is up to date:  Set your system to automatically download and install updates from trusted software providers.
  • Use a reputable anti-virus program and keep it updated: Many anti-virus companies release new products as attacks occur. **Many excellent free protection systems exist, such as Microsoft Security Essentials.
  • Firewall: Mac’s and PC’s have built-in firewall software. Be sure to enable your system.
  • Minimize Downloads: Be sure that your web browser security settings are high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. With Internet Explorer medium security is the lowest level to use.
  • Instantly leave websites you have been routed to without your consent: If you are on the site, DO NOT click on anything, doing so could trigger a malware download to your PC.
  • DO NOT click on links or open attachments from email addresses you do not know: Just remember John Podesta, and what happened to him after opening an unfamiliar email. According to AARP, “one of the biggest sources of malware is fraudulent emails, called spam.  Seeking information from you via spam is called phishing.  Delete unsolicited emails from unfamiliar people or companies”.

Hope this cobbled together list helps you protect your information. We cannot protect ourselves from the hackers going after the huge depositories of personal information held at such giant companies as Equifax, but we can take these simple common sense steps that should help us sleep better at night.

Calamity Politics is a news magazine with an outspoken voice for the progressive agenda and we show that mission with pride. Join, me mostly daily, for news, comment and opinion on the state of the Union.

Join the Resistance

Dar

Part VI: Behind The Curtain

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Part VI: Behind The Curtain

D. S. Mitchell

In part V we saw how Donald Trump’s poor judgment and lack of “give a shit” attitude, his branding and monetization of everything he touches is a direct cause of most problems besetting his administration. Scandal, ethics reviews, Senate inquiry and counter-intelligence investigations have plagued this recently installed White House.  Most of the problems are Trump’s  fault. Donald cares little about who he associates with, as long as they kiss the ring, rub his ego and equate everything to money.

Roger Stone, a disgusting creep, who is a self-described lobbyist, political consultant and “Republican operative” got together with Trump and they decided that Paul Manafort would make a great campaign chairman.  OMG. This is the same guy who was making millions of dollars working against American interests in Crimea and the Ukraine. And between these two guys the only name they could come up with was Paul Manafort to chair the Trump campaign?  That limiting of potential candidates for the job is mind bending, unless that already known relationship between Manafort and the Kremlin was considered a positive and defining qualification.

Once installed at Trump’s right arm, Manafort just two weeks before Trump was nominated as the Republican nominee for the president of the United States, he offered to “provide briefings” on the presidential race, through a European intermediary, to Russian oligarch and billionaire Oleg Deripaska.  Deripaska is a known confidant of Vladimir Putin and because of his connections to organized crime has not been allowed to travel in the United States.

On July 7, 2016 Manafort wrote to his intermediary, “If he (Deripaska) needs private briefings we can accommodate.”

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