Recipe: Lemon Meringue Pie

One of my favorite parts of our Thanksgiving meal is my mom's lemon meringue pie. I've fiddled with the recipe over the years and have mastered it!

I'm not fond of the overly sweet lemon pies, nor am I fond of the lemon pies that cause your lips to pucker and a zing to go through your jaw.

So grab your ingredients, measure the bigger amounts into separate containers, trust me on that one, and let's make the best lemon pie on the face of the planet. At least in my opinion!

I LOVE this pie!

Lemon Meringue Pie
Makes 2 Deep Dish Pies

3 1/2 cups Sugar
21 T. Cornstarch
4 1/2 cups Water

9 Beaten Egg Yolks
3 Dashes Salt

3 t. Grated Lemon Peel (make sure you have thoroughly washed the lemon first.)
6 T. Butter
1 1/4 c. Lemon Juice (squeezed from fresh lemons, or from Real brand lemon juice.)

Bake two pie shells (I'm a terrible pie crust maker, so I simply buy the frozen ones at the store) until golden brown. Don't forget to poke holes in the crust before cooking.

Separate 9 eggs, egg white in one bowl, egg yolks in the other. Beat the egg yolks and set aside.

Cook sugar, cornstarch and water until thick. Continuously stir the mixture until it thickens and turns an opaque clear color.

Add in egg yolks, quickly stirring into mixture.
Add 3 dashes of salt.
Add in lemon peel, butter and lemon juice.

Stir well until thoroughly mixed and let cool for 15 minutes.

Pour into pie shells and let cool completely.

To make the meringue:

9 Egg Whites
1 t. Lemon Juice
18 T. Sugar

Whip egg whites until peaks begin to form
Slowly add in sugar, beating the egg whites all the time.
Add lemon juice and whip until peaks form and stiffen.

Put meringue on pies and form peaks with a spoon.

Place pies in preheated oven (450 degrees) for 1 minute or until tips of peaks turn golden brown. Remove from oven and chill for two hours.

Happy eating!

Return to the Neighborhood.

Measured Voices Provide Reason, Support Amidst Prop 8 Reaction

From the LDS Newsroom:

Measured Voices Provide Reason, Support Amidst Proposition 8 Reaction
Salt Lake City : 21 November 2008

Following the passing of Proposition 8 in California, the Church released statements urging civility and reaffirming its position on the issue. The Church also noted that two Roman Catholic bishops released statements decrying religious bigotry against Mormons. The Church today points to additional third-party voices that provide useful insights into the reaction following the vote. Some of these individuals supported Proposition 8, and some were against it.

These materials may be helpful to the news media, bloggers, Church members and the general public in gaining a broader view of the aftermath of the Proposition 8 vote. All people of faith have cause for concern when others try to remove their legitimate voice from the public square.

Anti-Defamation League Condemns Criminal Activity Targeting Religious Institutions That Supported Proposition 8

"Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution's First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us."

Dallas Morning News Editorial: Protest and Civility in a Democracy

“But a vicious minority is not satisfied with that. Some gay rights protesters have voiced sentiments about Mormons, whose church was active in advocating Prop 8's passage, that if said about gays would be condemned as hate speech. Vandals have struck a number of Mormon temples. Bash Back, a pro-gay group in Olympia, Wash., trashed a Mormon temple there, then issued a statement saying, ‘Let this be a warning to the Mormon church: Dissolve completely or be destroyed.’

“Gay rights extremists should ask themselves the same question. A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility.”



Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University

“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”

The First Amendment Center — Charles Haynes: When the Marriage Debate Turns Ugly, No One Wins

“Mormons are taking the biggest hit from the opposition. But as protests, boycotts and blacklists targeting Mormons proliferate, it’s worth pausing to think about where this collision is headed. … Before this clash escalates further, both sides should exercise caution and reconsider their battle plans going forward.”

The Christian Post — Chuck Colson: So Much for Tolerance

“Two days after the election, 2,000 homosexual protesters surrounded a Mormon temple in Los Angeles chanting ‘Mormon scum.’ Protesters picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, holding signs reading ‘Purpose-Driven Hate.’ Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills was spray painted. Church members’ cars have been vandalized, and at least two Christians were assaulted. Protesters even hurled racial epithets at African-Americans because African-Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of traditional marriage. What hypocrisy from those who spend all of their time preaching tolerance to the rest of us!”

Beliefnet.com — Rod Dreher: Stand By the Mormons

“Now is the time for traditional Christians — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox — to come to the aid of our Mormon friends. They put themselves on the front line of the traditional marriage battle like no other church group. And now individual Mormons are paying a terrible price for standing up for something we all believe in. I don't know how we can stand with them from afar, but at least we can thank them, and speak out when we see them being abused. We might also think again about how we view them. … I have deep disagreements with Mormon theology. But they are our friends and allies and fellow citizens, and they deserve our thanks and support.”

John Mark Reynolds, Philosophy Professor at Biola University – California and Thank-a-Mormon Day

“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree. A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do. Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”

The Volokh Conspiracy — Dale Carpenter: An Alternative to Anti-Mormon Protests

“Here's my advice to righteously furious gay-marriage supporters: Stop the focus on the Mormon Church. Stop it now. We just lost a ballot fight in which we were falsely but effectively portrayed as attacking religion. So now some of us attack a religion? People were warned that churches would lose their tax-exempt status, which was untrue. So now we have (frivolous) calls for the Mormon Church to lose its tax-exempt status? It's rather selective indignation, anyway, since lots of demographic groups gave us Prop 8 in different ways — some with money and others with votes. I understand the frustration, but this particular expression of it is wrong and counter-productive.”

# # #

May I add one more to this. From the blog of author, Laurie LC Lewis:

Friday, November 21st:

"Rising majestically from a knoll set on a bend in the Washington Beltway, the brilliantly white, Washington DC Temple is a landmark familiar to every DC traveler. The radio stations even use it as a traffic marker, so it's no surprise it was an easy find when the protesters wanted to set up shop. Except they picked a really miserable day last Saturday.

"Sometime in the midst of their demonstration, they shifted one driveway down from the Temple's lane to the Visitor Center's drive, and soon thereafter the sky darkened, the winds picked up and the rain began to fall like stinging pellets of ice water.

"Now some people might have gleefully looked upon nature's timely downpour as divine intervention, figuring the protesters were getting their just desserts. But I'm humbled and awed to report that that is not how the missionaries at the Visitor Center reacted. They did what Jesus would have done. They turned the other cheek. . . and more than that, they blessed their adversaries. How? They carried umbrellas out to the protesters so they could stay dry and comfortable while they picketed."

This is a wonderful reminder to all of us, on both sides of the battle, to act according to our faith, as followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and our loving Heavenly Father. Thank you to the many who have stepped forward in defense of all who have been attacked for defending deep moral and spiritual beliefs.

United we stand, divided we fall. This time, we stood.

Recipe: Mixes vs. Scratch

Something struck me the other day and it was this: Is it possible that this generation has only learned how to mix and bake cakes using mixes?

Several weeks ago I had someone try my Millie's Yellow Cake recipe. She said it tasted really good, but that it fell. Well, that happens sometimes when you bake a cake, so I didn't think much of it. Then I had a little time this weekend, very very little, to think. And it occurred to me that the mix vs. scratch thing could be the problem. So I started asking around: "When you bake cakes, do you bake from scratch or do you use a mix?" Every single woman told me she used mixes.

So, here are some basic about making a cake from scratch.

When baking from scratch always be sure to use quality, fresh ingredients, such as: baking powder or baking soda, both need to not be out of date. that will make a difference as to whether your cake will rise or not.

Always preheat your oven to the correct temperature and be certain to place the cake pans directly in the center of the rack.

The flour you use can make a difference. If you sift it into your mixing bowl, rather than just dumping it, you cake will be a little more airy and fine. It is also best to use cake flour which is milled from soft wheat with lower levels of protein and gluten.

Follow the recipe carefully, measuring everything as written down. Know that the creator of the recipe has already gone through every aspect of it and figured out exactly how much of what should be used. The ONLY time you should adapt a recipe, is if you already know how to adjust it accordingly for your adaptations. This skill only comes with time, experience and failure. But generally, fantastic recipes come through this trial and error part.

Your altitude will make a difference in baking cakes successfully. Highaltitudebaking.com has a fantastic adjustment chart for the specific adjustments which are necessary for a successful recipes.

And one final tip: tread carefully while your cake is baking. If kids run through the kitchen, the cake will fall. If you bump the oven, the cake will fall. If you are slamming cupboards, the cake will fall. Basically, stay out of the kitchen once you put the cake in the oven.

Cake mixes, somehow, simply don't fall as easily. But those cakes which are baked from scratch can do so in the blink of an eye.

So good luck and have fun!

Happy eating.

Return to the Neighborhood.

Finally, the Fairness Doctrine Explained

I've been searching and searching for good information on the Fairness Doctrine and finally found it written by Jack Thompson over at Human Review.

Obama's New 'Fairness Doctrine'

by Jack Thompson

11/20/2008

Get ready for an unprecedented government assault upon the First Amendment. President Obama will be at the heart of it. using his version of the “Fairness Doctrine”.

In 1949, the Federal Communications Commission created the “Fairness Doctrine,” which mandated that federally-licensed radio and television stations “provide a reasonable opportunity for the presentation of contrasting viewpoints” on “vitally important controversial issues.” Rather than be deluged with demands for air time by aggrieved listeners, the broadcasters generally opted not to cover controversial issues, thereby leaving the public less informed.

In 1987, President Reagan’s FCC jettisoned the Fairness Doctrine, and conservative talk radio grew like topsy, unencumbered by the logistical nightmare of determining what is “controversial” and what is “fair.” Rush Limbaugh’s meteoric, syndicated rise is directly attributable to this repeal, as radio stations were freed to air what listeners wanted to hear without airing what few wanted to hear. If you think that’s unfair, check out how Air America is doing.

Limbaugh even today correctly says, “Don’t me ask for equal time; I am equal time. I am the rebuttal to the liberal, mainstream, drive-by media.”

With the Democrats now set to control the Presidency and both houses of Congress, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid say they want to bring back the Fairness Doctrine to stifle conservative talk radio’s criticism of the Democrats.

Barack Obama, however, in June 2008, , stated that he opposes bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, through his Press Secretary Michael Ortiz: “He considers this debate to be a distraction from the conversation we should be having about opening up the airwaves and modern communications to as many diverse viewpoints as possible.” [emphasis added]

Obama knows that exhuming the Fairness Doctrine would be a frontal assault upon the First Amendment that would evoke a Boston Tea Party-like response from listeners of Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, Beck, and other conservative talk hosts who would be dropped rapidly from many if not all stations. Glenn Beck has warned that if the Fairness Doctrine comes back, he’ll be off the air.

Obama is way smarter than that. What he has in mind is an indirect and far more means to accomplish the demise of conservative talk -- America’s last town hall. The analogy is to the proverbial frog in the pot of water. Put him into boiling water, and out he’ll hop. Instant Boston Tea Party. Here, then, is the Obama plan to slow cook the First Amendment:

Charles Benton is Chairman of the Benton Foundation, with offices in Obama’s Chicago as well as in Obama’s Washington. Benton proclaims at his Foundation’s web site, “[O]ur number one national communications policy priority must be the eradication of racial and gender discrimination in media and telecommunications. Our shared goal: seeing the day when all Americans possess the tools to compete in commerce, to contribute to and enjoy the fruits of democracy, to receive unbiased and uncensored news and information, to create our culture. “ [emphasis added]

The Federal Communications Commission has a vague rule called “localism,” which requires stations to serve the interests of their local communities in order to hold onto their broadcast licenses. Obama, who gets to replace FCC Chairman Kevin Martin right away, needs only three votes from the five-member FCC to define localism his way.

Jim Boulet, Jr., the head of English First in Washington, D.C., one of whose projects is www.keeprushontheair.com, has been studying and warning for months about the morphing of FCC localism. Boulet notes to Human Events the following:

• On September 20, 2007, Obama submitted a pro-localism written statement to an FCC hearing at the Chicago headquarters of Rev. Jess Jackson Sr.’s Operation Push. One month later, an insistent Obama sent a public letter to Chairman Martin stating, “The Commission has failed to further the goals of diversity in the media and promote localism.”

• The head of Obama’s transition team is John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. In 2007, the Center issued a report, The Structural Imbalance of Political Talk Radio, which concluded there were too many conservatives on the radio because of “the absence of localism in American radio markets” and urged the FCC to “[e]nsure greater local accountability over radio licensing.

• Podesta’s choice as head of the FCC transition team is Henry Rivera, a Director and General Counsel of the above-noted Benton Foundation and chairman of the Minority Media Telecommunications Council, which has stated: “Broadcasters must reach beyond the business sector and look for leaders [think community organizers] in the civic, religious, and non-profit sectors that regularly serve the needs of the community, particularly the needs of minority groups that are typically poorly served by the broadcasting industry as a whole.”

• Bowing to this pressure even while Bush is still President, the FCC proposed on January 24, 2008, the creation of permanent station advisory boards comprised of local officials and other community leaders, to periodically advise them of local needs and issues to ensure content diversity on the air.

• Any station that fails to placate these “local community leaders” would then be subject to license revocation by the FCC with an accelerated license review every two years as opposed to the current eight years. This would allow each station license in America to be attacked twice during just one Obama term.

Question: What organization first used “localism” at the FCC in this fashion? Answer: The United Church of Christ, Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s highly-politicized denomination. UCC has an entity called the Office of Communication, Inc., which successfully took a broadcast license away from a Southern station it felt was not covering the civil rights movement fairly. This is just one reason John McCain should have realized Rev. Wright was fair game in the campaign.

This, then, is the historical template that Obama, Podesta, and their FCC maven Rivera intend to use to do something about the curse of conservative talk radio in America: Redefine FCC “localism” to give community activists the right to demand more local, liberal content. If station ownership does not comply, then licenses will be revoked and given to minority owners.

One of the more clever aspects of this “localism” plan is that, should a station lose its license to a liberal owner whose content will reflect his/her views, then there will be no Fairness Doctrine around to require equal time from aggrieved conservative listeners.

Christian radio stations will be saddled with local Muslim “advisory boards” demanding equal time and getting it. The Brave New World awaits.

# # #

I'm working a booth at the Utah Chocolate Show this weekend, so no blogs this weekend. See you on Monday!

It is time Congress hear from the American people. No on the Fairness Doctrine. Yes on drilling in America. The EPA has already started playing games and has halted the drilling in Utah. They are the most insidious, underhanded, beholden to E.L.F., organization I have ever seen. They must be stopped.

So call and let your voice be heard. No on the Fairness Doctrine. Yes on drilling in America. The area code is 202

House of Representatives:

Representative	State	District	Phone	Room
Abercrombie, Neil	HI	1st	225-2726	1502
Ackerman, Gary L.	NY	5th	225-2601	2243
Aderholt, Robert B.	AL	4th	225-4876	1433
Akin, W. Todd	MO	2nd	225-2561	117
Alexander, Rodney	LA	5th	225-8490	316
Allen, Thomas H.	ME	1st	225-6116	1127
Altmire, Jason	PA	4th	225-2565	1419
Andrews, Robert E.	NJ	1st	225-6501	2439
Arcuri, Michael A.	NY	24th	225-3665	327
Baca, Joe	CA	43rd	225-6161	1527
Bachmann, Michele	MN	6th	225-2331	412
Bachus, Spencer	AL	6th	225-4921	2246
Baird, Brian	WA	3rd	225-3536	2443
Baldwin, Tammy	WI	2nd	225-2906	2446
Barrett, J. Gresham	SC	3rd	225-5301	439
Barrow, John	GA	12th	225-2823	213
Bartlett, Roscoe G.	MD	6th	225-2721	2412
Barton, Joe	TX	6th	225-2002	2109
Bean, Melissa L.	IL	8th	225-3711	318
Becerra, Xavier	CA	31st	225-6235	1119
Berkley, Shelley	NV	1st	225-5965	405
Berman, Howard L.	CA	28th	225-4695	2221
Berry, Marion	AR	1st	225-4076	2305
Biggert, Judy	IL	13th	225-3515	1034
Bilbray, Brian P.	CA	50th	225-0508	227
Bilirakis, Gus M.	FL	9th	225-5755	1630
Bishop, Rob	UT	1st	225-0453	124
Bishop, Sanford D. Jr.	GA	2nd	225-3631	2429
Bishop, Timothy H.	NY	1st	225-3826	225
Blackburn, Marsha	TN	7th	225-2811	509
Blumenauer, Earl	OR	3rd	225-4811	2267
Blunt, Roy	MO	7th	225-6536	217
Boehner, John A.	OH	8th	225-6205	1011
Bonner, Jo	AL	1st	225-4931	422
Bono Mack, Mary	CA	45th	225-5330	104
Boozman, John	AR	3rd	225-4301	1519
Bordallo, Madeleine Z.	GU	Delegate	225-1188	427
Boren, Dan	OK	2nd	225-2701	216
Boswell, Leonard L.	IA	3rd	225-3806	1427
Boucher, Rick	VA	9th	225-3861	2187
Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	LA	7th	225-2031	1117
Boyd, Allen	FL	2nd	225-5235	1227
Boyda, Nancy E.	KS	2nd	225-6601	1711
Brady, Kevin	TX	8th	225-4901	301
Brady, Robert A.	PA	1st	225-4731	206
Braley, Bruce L.	IA	1st	225-2911	1408
Broun, Paul C.	GA	10th	225-4101	2104
Brown, Corrine	FL	3rd	225-0123	2336
Brown, Henry E. Jr.	SC	1st	225-3176	1124
Brown-Waite, Ginny	FL	5th	225-1002	414
Buchanan, Vern	FL	13th	225-5015	1516
Burgess, Michael C.	TX	26th	225-7772	1224
Burton, Dan	IN	5th	225-2276	2308
Butterfield, G. K.	NC	1st	225-3101	413
Buyer, Steve	IN	4th	225-5037	2230
Calvert, Ken	CA	44th	225-1986	2201
Camp, Dave	MI	4th	225-3561	137
Campbell, John	CA	48th	225-5611	1728
Cannon, Chris	UT	3rd	225-7751	2436
Cantor, Eric	VA	7th	225-2815	329
Capito, Shelley Moore	WV	2nd	225-2711	1431
Capps, Lois	CA	23rd	225-3601	1110
Capuano, Michael E.	MA	8th	225-5111	1530
Cardoza, Dennis A.	CA	18th	225-6131	435
Carnahan, Russ	MO	3rd	225-2671	1710
Carney, Christopher P.	PA	10th	225-3731	416
Carson, André	IN	7th	225-4011	2455
Carter, John R.	TX	31st	225-3864	408
Castle, Michael N.	DE	At Large	225-4165	1233
Castor, Kathy	FL	11th	225-3376	317
Cazayoux, Donald J. Jr.	LA	6th	225-3901	341
Chabot, Steve	OH	1st	225-2216	129
Chandler, Ben	KY	6th	225-4706	1504
Childers, Travis W.	MS	1st	225-4306	2350
Christensen, Donna M.	VI	Delegate	225-1790	1510
Clarke, Yvette D.	NY	11th	225-6231	1029
Clay, Wm. Lacy	MO	1st	225-2406	434
Cleaver, Emanuel	MO	5th	225-4535	1641
Clyburn, James E.	SC	6th	225-3315	2135
Coble, Howard	NC	6th	225-3065	2468
Cohen, Steve	TN	9th	225-3265	1004
Cole, Tom	OK	4th	225-6165	236
Conaway, K. Michael	TX	11th	225-3605	511
Conyers, John Jr.	MI	14th	225-5126	2426
Cooper, Jim	TN	5th	225-4311	1536
Costa, Jim	CA	20th	225-3341	1314
Costello, Jerry F.	IL	12th	225-5661	2408
Courtney, Joe	CT	2nd	225-2076	215
Cramer, Robert E. (Bud) Jr.	AL	5th	225-4801	2184
Crenshaw, Ander	FL	4th	225-2501	127
Crowley, Joseph	NY	7th	225-3965	2404
Cubin, Barbara	WY	At Large	225-2311	1114
Cuellar, Henry	TX	28th	225-1640	336
Culberson, John Abney	TX	7th	225-2571	428
Cummings, Elijah E.	MD	7th	225-4741	2235
Davis, Artur	AL	7th	225-2665	208
Davis, Danny K.	IL	7th	225-5006	2159
Davis, David	TN	1st	225-6356	514
Davis, Geoff	KY	4th	225-3465	1108
Davis, Lincoln	TN	4th	225-6831	410
Davis, Susan A.	CA	53rd	225-2040	1526
Davis, Tom	VA	11th	225-1492	2348
Deal, Nathan	GA	9th	225-5211	2133
DeFazio, Peter A.	OR	4th	225-6416	2134
DeGette, Diana	CO	1st	225-4431	2421
Delahunt, William D.	MA	10th	225-3111	2454
DeLauro, Rosa L.	CT	3rd	225-3661	2262
Dent, Charles W.	PA	15th	225-6411	116
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln	FL	21st	225-4211	2244
Diaz-Balart, Mario	FL	25th	225-2778	328
Dicks, Norman D.	WA	6th	225-5916	2467
Dingell, John D.	MI	15th	225-4071	2328
Doggett, Lloyd	TX	25th	225-4865	201
Donnelly, Joe	IN	2nd	225-3915	1218
Doolittle, John T.	CA	4th	225-2511	2410
Doyle, Michael F.	PA	14th	225-2135	401
Drake, Thelma D.	VA	2nd	225-4215	1208
Dreier, David	CA	26th	225-2305	233
Duncan, John J. Jr.	TN	2nd	225-5435	2207
Edwards, Chet	TX	17th	225-6105	2369
Edwards, Donna F.	MD	4th	225-8699	2470
Ehlers, Vernon J.	MI	3rd	225-3831	2182
Ellison, Keith	MN	5th	225-4755	1130
Ellsworth, Brad	IN	8th	225-4636	513
Emanuel, Rahm	IL	5th	225-4061	1319
Emerson, Jo Ann	MO	8th	225-4404	2440
Engel, Eliot L.	NY	17th	225-2464	2161
English, Phil	PA	3rd	225-5406	2332
Eshoo, Anna G.	CA	14th	225-8104	205
Etheridge, Bob	NC	2nd	225-4531	1533
Everett, Terry	AL	2nd	225-2901	2312
Faleomavaega, Eni F. H.	AS	Delegate	225-8577	2422
Fallin, Mary	OK	5th	225-2132	1432
Farr, Sam	CA	17th	225-2861	1221
Fattah, Chaka	PA	2nd	225-4001	2301
Feeney, Tom	FL	24th	225-2706	323
Ferguson, Mike	NJ	7th	225-5361	214
Filner, Bob	CA	51st	225-8045	2428
Flake, Jeff	AZ	6th	225-2635	240
Forbes, J. Randy	VA	4th	225-6365	307
Fortenberry, Jeff	NE	1st	225-4806	1517
Fortuño, Luis G.	PR	Resident Commissioner	225-2615	126
Fossella, Vito	NY	13th	225-3371	2453
Foster, Bill	IL	14th	225-2976	2304
Foxx, Virginia	NC	5th	225-2071	430
Frank, Barney	MA	4th	225-5931	2252
Franks, Trent	AZ	2nd	225-4576	1237
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P.	NJ	11th	225-5034	2442
Fudge, Marcia L.	OH	11th	225-7032	1009
Gallegly, Elton	CA	24th	225-5811	2309
Garrett, Scott	NJ	5th	225-4465	1318
Gerlach, Jim	PA	6th	225-4315	308
Giffords, Gabrielle	AZ	8th	225-2542	502
Gilchrest, Wayne T.	MD	1st	225-5311	2245
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.	NY	20th	225-5614	120
Gingrey, Phil	GA	11th	225-2931	119
Gohmert, Louie	TX	1st	225-3035	510
Gonzalez, Charles A.	TX	20th	225-3236	303
Goode, Virgil H. Jr.	VA	5th	225-4711	1520
Goodlatte, Bob	VA	6th	225-5431	2240
Gordon, Bart	TN	6th	225-4231	2310
Granger, Kay	TX	12th	225-5071	440
Graves, Sam	MO	6th	225-7041	1415
Green, Al	TX	9th	225-7508	425
Green, Gene	TX	29th	225-1688	2335
Grijalva, Raúl M.	AZ	7th	225-2435	1440
Gutierrez, Luis V.	IL	4th	225-8203	2266
Hall, John J.	NY	19th	225-5441	1217
Hall, Ralph M.	TX	4th	225-6673	2405
Hare, Phil	IL	17th	225-5905	1118
Harman, Jane	CA	36th	225-8220	2400
Hastings, Alcee L.	FL	23rd	225-1313	2353
Hastings, Doc	WA	4th	225-5816	1214
Hayes, Robin	NC	8th	225-3715	130
Heller, Dean	NV	2nd	225-6155	1023
Hensarling, Jeb	TX	5th	225-3484	132
Herger, Wally	CA	2nd	225-3076	2268
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie	SD	At Large	225-2801	331
Higgins, Brian	NY	27th	225-3306	431
Hill, Baron P.	IN	9th	225-5315	223
Hinchey, Maurice D.	NY	22nd	225-6335	2431
Hinojosa, Rubén	TX	15th	225-2531	2463
Hirono, Mazie K.	HI	2nd	225-4906	1229
Hobson, David L.	OH	7th	225-4324	2346
Hodes, Paul W.	NH	2nd	225-5206	506
Hoekstra, Peter	MI	2nd	225-4401	2234
Holden, Tim	PA	17th	225-5546	2417
Holt, Rush D.	NJ	12th	225-5801	1019
Honda, Michael M.	CA	15th	225-2631	1713
Hooley, Darlene	OR	5th	225-5711	2430
Hoyer, Steny H.	MD	5th	225-4131	1705
Hulshof, Kenny C.	MO	9th	225-2956	409
Hunter, Duncan	CA	52nd	225-5672	2265
Inglis, Bob	SC	4th	225-6030	330
Inslee, Jay	WA	1st	225-6311	403
Israel, Steve	NY	2nd	225-3335	432
Issa, Darrell E.	CA	49th	225-3906	211
Jackson, Jesse L. Jr.	IL	2nd	225-0773	2419
Jackson-Lee, Sheila	TX	18th	225-3816	2435
Jefferson, William J.	LA	2nd	225-6636	2113
Johnson, Eddie Bernice	TX	30th	225-8885	1511
Johnson, Henry C. ``Hank'' Jr.	GA	4th	225-1605	1133
Johnson, Sam	TX	3rd	225-4201	1211
Johnson, Timothy V.	IL	15th	225-2371	1207
Jones, Walter B.	NC	3rd	225-3415	2333
Jordan, Jim	OH	4th	225-2676	515
Kagen, Steve	WI	8th	225-5665	1232
Kanjorski, Paul E.	PA	11th	225-6511	2188
Kaptur, Marcy	OH	9th	225-4146	2186
Keller, Ric	FL	8th	225-2176	419
Kennedy, Patrick J.	RI	1st	225-4911	407
Kildee, Dale E.	MI	5th	225-3611	2107
Kilpatrick, Carolyn C.	MI	13th	225-2261	2264
Kind, Ron	WI	3rd	225-5506	1406
King, Peter T.	NY	3rd	225-7896	339
King, Steve	IA	5th	225-4426	1609
Kingston, Jack	GA	1st	225-5831	2368
Kirk, Mark Steven	IL	10th	225-4835	1030
Klein, Ron	FL	22nd	225-3026	313
Kline, John	MN	2nd	225-2271	1429
Knollenberg, Joe	MI	9th	225-5802	2349
Kucinich, Dennis J.	OH	10th	225-5871	2445
Kuhl, John R. ``Randy'' Jr.	NY	29th	225-3161	1505
LaHood, Ray	IL	18th	225-6201	1424
Lamborn, Doug	CO	5th	225-4422	437
Lampson, Nick	TX	22nd	225-5951	436
Langevin, James R.	RI	2nd	225-2735	109
Larsen, Rick	WA	2nd	225-2605	107
Larson, John B.	CT	1st	225-2265	1005
Latham, Tom	IA	4th	225-5476	2447
LaTourette, Steven C.	OH	14th	225-5731	2371
Latta, Robert E.	OH	5th	225-6405	1203
Lee, Barbara	CA	9th	225-2661	2444
Levin, Sander M.	MI	12th	225-4961	1236
Lewis, Jerry	CA	41st	225-5861	2112
Lewis, John	GA	5th	225-3801	343
Lewis, Ron	KY	2nd	225-3501	2418
Linder, John	GA	7th	225-4272	1026
Lipinski, Daniel	IL	3rd	225-5701	1717
LoBiondo, Frank A.	NJ	2nd	225-6572	2427
Loebsack, David	IA	2nd	225-6576	1513
Lofgren, Zoe	CA	16th	225-3072	102
Lowey, Nita M.	NY	18th	225-6506	2329
Lucas, Frank D.	OK	3rd	225-5565	2311
Lungren, Daniel E.	CA	3rd	225-5716	2448
Lynch, Stephen F.	MA	9th	225-8273	221
McCarthy, Carolyn	NY	4th	225-5516	106
McCarthy, Kevin	CA	22nd	225-2915	1523
McCaul, Michael T.	TX	10th	225-2401	131
McCollum, Betty	MN	4th	225-6631	1714
McCotter, Thaddeus G.	MI	11th	225-8171	1632
McCrery, Jim	LA	4th	225-2777	242
McDermott, Jim	WA	7th	225-3106	1035
McGovern, James P.	MA	3rd	225-6101	438
McHenry, Patrick T.	NC	10th	225-2576	224
McHugh, John M.	NY	23rd	225-4611	2366
McIntyre, Mike	NC	7th	225-2731	2437
McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck''	CA	25th	225-1956	2351
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy	WA	5th	225-2006	1708
McNerney, Jerry	CA	11th	225-1947	312
McNulty, Michael R.	NY	21st	225-5076	2210
Mack, Connie	FL	14th	225-2536	115
Mahoney, Tim	FL	16th	225-5792	1541
Maloney, Carolyn B.	NY	14th	225-7944	2331
Manzullo, Donald A.	IL	16th	225-5676	2228
Marchant, Kenny	TX	24th	225-6605	1037
Markey, Edward J.	MA	7th	225-2836	2108
Marshall, Jim	GA	8th	225-6531	504
Matheson, Jim	UT	2nd	225-3011	1323
Matsui, Doris O.	CA	5th	225-7163	222
Meek, Kendrick B.	FL	17th	225-4506	1039
Meeks, Gregory W.	NY	6th	225-3461	2342
Melancon, Charlie	LA	3rd	225-4031	404
Mica, John L.	FL	7th	225-4035	2313
Michaud, Michael H.	ME	2nd	225-6306	1724
Miller, Brad	NC	13th	225-3032	1722
Miller, Candice S.	MI	10th	225-2106	228
Miller, Gary G.	CA	42nd	225-3201	2438
Miller, George	CA	7th	225-2095	2205
Miller, Jeff	FL	1st	225-4136	1535
Mitchell, Harry E.	AZ	5th	225-2190	2434
Mollohan, Alan B.	WV	1st	225-4172	2302
Moore, Dennis	KS	3rd	225-2865	1727
Moore, Gwen	WI	4th	225-4572	1239
Moran, James P.	VA	8th	225-4376	2239
Moran, Jerry	KS	1st	225-2715	2202
Murphy, Christopher S.	CT	5th	225-4476	501
Murphy, Patrick J.	PA	8th	225-4276	1007
Murphy, Tim	PA	18th	225-2301	322
Murtha, John P.	PA	12th	225-2065	2423
Musgrave, Marilyn N.	CO	4th	225-4676	1507
Myrick, Sue Wilkins	NC	9th	225-1976	230
Nadler, Jerrold	NY	8th	225-5635	2334
Napolitano, Grace F.	CA	38th	225-5256	1610
Neal, Richard E.	MA	2nd	225-5601	2208
Neugebauer, Randy	TX	19th	225-4005	429
Norton, Eleanor Holmes	DC	Delegate	225-8050	2136
Nunes, Devin	CA	21st	225-2523	1013
Oberstar, James L.	MN	8th	225-6211	2365
Obey, David R.	WI	7th	225-3365	2314
Olver, John W.	MA	1st	225-5335	1111
Ortiz, Solomon P.	TX	27th	225-7742	2110
Pallone, Frank Jr.	NJ	6th	225-4671	237
Pascrell, Bill Jr.	NJ	8th	225-5751	2464
Pastor, Ed	AZ	4th	225-4065	2465
Paul, Ron	TX	14th	225-2831	203
Payne, Donald M.	NJ	10th	225-3436	2209
Pearce, Stevan	NM	2nd	225-2365	1607
Pelosi, Nancy	CA	8th	225-4965	235
Pence, Mike	IN	6th	225-3021	1317
Perlmutter, Ed	CO	7th	225-2645	415
Peterson, Collin C.	MN	7th	225-2165	2211
Peterson, John E.	PA	5th	225-5121	123
Petri, Thomas E.	WI	6th	225-2476	2462
Pickering, Charles W. ``Chip''	MS	3rd	225-5031	229
Pitts, Joseph R.	PA	16th	225-2411	420
Platts, Todd Russell	PA	19th	225-5836	1032
Poe, Ted	TX	2nd	225-6565	1605
Pomeroy, Earl	ND	At Large	225-2611	1501
Porter, Jon C.	NV	3rd	225-3252	218
Price, David E.	NC	4th	225-1784	2162
Price, Tom	GA	6th	225-4501	424
Pryce, Deborah	OH	15th	225-2015	320
Putnam, Adam H.	FL	12th	225-1252	1725
Radanovich, George	CA	19th	225-4540	2367
Rahall, Nick J. II	WV	3rd	225-3452	2307
Ramstad, Jim	MN	3rd	225-2871	103
Rangel, Charles B.	NY	15th	225-4365	2354
Regula, Ralph	OH	16th	225-3876	2306
Rehberg, Dennis R.	MT	At Large	225-3211	516
Reichert, David G.	WA	8th	225-7761	1223
Renzi, Rick	AZ	1st	225-2315	418
Reyes, Silvestre	TX	16th	225-4831	2433
Reynolds, Thomas M.	NY	26th	225-5265	332
Richardson, Laura	CA	37th	225-7924	2233
Rodriguez, Ciro D.	TX	23rd	225-4511	2458
Rogers, Harold	KY	5th	225-4601	2406
Rogers, Mike	MI	8th	225-4872	133
Rogers, Mike	AL	3rd	225-3261	324
Rohrabacher, Dana	CA	46th	225-2415	2300
Roskam, Peter J.	IL	6th	225-4561	507
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana	FL	18th	225-3931	2160
Ross, Mike	AR	4th	225-3772	314
Rothman, Steven R.	NJ	9th	225-5061	2303
Roybal-Allard, Lucille	CA	34th	225-1766	2330
Royce, Edward R.	CA	40th	225-4111	2185
Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch	MD	2nd	225-3061	1730
Rush, Bobby L.	IL	1st	225-4372	2416
Ryan, Paul	WI	1st	225-3031	1113
Ryan, Tim	OH	17th	225-5261	1421
Salazar, John T.	CO	3rd	225-4761	1531
Sali, Bill	ID	1st	225-6611	508
Sánchez, Linda T.	CA	39th	225-6676	1222
Sanchez, Loretta	CA	47th	225-2965	1230
Sarbanes, John P.	MD	3rd	225-4016	426
Saxton, Jim	NJ	3rd	225-4765	2217
Scalise, Steve	LA	1st	225-3015	1205
Schakowsky, Janice D.	IL	9th	225-2111	1027
Schiff, Adam B.	CA	29th	225-4176	326
Schmidt, Jean	OH	2nd	225-3164	238
Schwartz, Allyson Y.	PA	13th	225-6111	423
Scott, David	GA	13th	225-2939	417
Scott, Robert C. ``Bobby''	VA	3rd	225-8351	1201
Sensenbrenner, F. James Jr.	WI	5th	225-5101	2449
Serrano, José E.	NY	16th	225-4361	2227
Sessions, Pete	TX	32nd	225-2231	1514
Sestak, Joe	PA	7th	225-2011	1022
Shadegg, John B.	AZ	3rd	225-3361	306
Shays, Christopher	CT	4th	225-5541	1126
Shea-Porter, Carol	NH	1st	225-5456	1508
Sherman, Brad	CA	27th	225-5911	2242
Shimkus, John	IL	19th	225-5271	2452
Shuler, Heath	NC	11th	225-6401	512
Shuster, Bill	PA	9th	225-2431	204
Simpson, Michael K.	ID	2nd	225-5531	1339
Sires, Albio	NJ	13th	225-7919	1024
Skelton, Ike	MO	4th	225-2876	2206
Slaughter, Louise McIntosh	NY	28th	225-3615	2469
Smith, Adam	WA	9th	225-8901	2402
Smith, Adrian	NE	3rd	225-6435	503
Smith, Christopher H.	NJ	4th	225-3765	2373
Smith, Lamar	TX	21st	225-4236	2409
Snyder, Vic	AR	2nd	225-2506	1330
Solis, Hilda L.	CA	32nd	225-5464	1414
Souder, Mark E.	IN	3rd	225-4436	2231
Space, Zachary T.	OH	18th	225-6265	315
Speier, Jackie	CA	12th	225-3531	2413
Spratt, John M. Jr.	SC	5th	225-5501	1401
Stark, Fortney Pete	CA	13th	225-5065	239
Stearns, Cliff	FL	6th	225-5744	2370
Stupak, Bart	MI	1st	225-4735	2352
Sullivan, John	OK	1st	225-2211	114
Sutton, Betty	OH	13th	225-3401	1721
Tancredo, Thomas G.	CO	6th	225-7882	1131
Tanner, John S.	TN	8th	225-4714	1226
Tauscher, Ellen O.	CA	10th	225-1880	2459
Taylor, Gene	MS	4th	225-5772	2269
Terry, Lee	NE	2nd	225-4155	1524
Thompson, Bennie G.	MS	2nd	225-5876	2432
Thompson, Mike	CA	1st	225-3311	231
Thornberry, Mac	TX	13th	225-3706	2457
Tiahrt, Todd	KS	4th	225-6216	2441
Tiberi, Patrick J.	OH	12th	225-5355	113
Tierney, John F.	MA	6th	225-8020	2238
Towns, Edolphus	NY	10th	225-5936	2232
Tsongas, Niki	MA	5th	225-3411	2229
Turner, Michael R.	OH	3rd	225-6465	1740
Udall, Mark	CO	2nd	225-2161	100
Udall, Tom	NM	3rd	225-6190	1410
Upton, Fred	MI	6th	225-3761	2183
Van Hollen, Chris	MD	8th	225-5341	1707
Velázquez, Nydia M.	NY	12th	225-2361	2466
Visclosky, Peter J.	IN	1st	225-2461	2256
Walberg, Tim	MI	7th	225-6276	325
Walden, Greg	OR	2nd	225-6730	1210
Walsh, James T.	NY	25th	225-3701	2372
Walz, Timothy J.	MN	1st	225-2472	1529
Wamp, Zach	TN	3rd	225-3271	1436
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie	FL	20th	225-7931	118
Waters, Maxine	CA	35th	225-2201	2344
Watson, Diane E.	CA	33rd	225-7084	125
Watt, Melvin L.	NC	12th	225-1510	2236
Waxman, Henry A.	CA	30th	225-3976	2204
Weiner, Anthony D.	NY	9th	225-6616	1122
Welch, Peter	VT	At Large	225-4115	1404
Weldon, Dave	FL	15th	225-3671	2347
Weller, Jerry	IL	11th	225-3635	108
Westmoreland, Lynn A.	GA	3rd	225-5901	1213
Wexler, Robert	FL	19th	225-3001	2241
Whitfield, Ed	KY	1st	225-3115	2411
Wilson, Charles A.	OH	6th	225-5705	226
Wilson, Heather	NM	1st	225-6316	442
Wilson, Joe	SC	2nd	225-2452	212
Wittman, Robert J.	VA	1st	225-4261	1123
Wolf, Frank R.	VA	10th	225-5136	241
Woolsey, Lynn C.	CA	6th	225-5161	2263
Wu, David	OR	1st	225-0855	2338
Yarmuth, John A.	KY	3rd	225-5401	319
Young, C. W. Bill	FL	10th	225-5961	2407
Young, Don	AK	At Large	225-5765	2111

Senator phone numbers will be posted tomorrow. When the new class comes into office in January, I'll update the lists. Take these numbers and utilize your rights as American citizens to make your voice be heard and counted.

Semper Fi

BUSH'S LEGACY: EUROPEAN SOCIALISM

I had planned on writing a letter to President Bush thanking him for his years of service. I had also planned to say, "Although I didn't always agree with you I knew you actually loved America, and for that I thank you." But then the G-20 Economic Summit occurred and President Bush sold out America out to the European Union. I am horrified!

Dick Morris explains the entire mess:

BUSH'S LEGACY: EUROPEAN SOCIALISM
Posted 18 November 2008 on The Hill
By DICK MORRIS

The results of the G-20 economic summit amount to nothing less than the seamless integration of the United States into the European economy. In one month of legislation and one diplomatic meeting, the United States has unilaterally abdicated all the gains for the concept of free markets won by the Reagan administration and surrendered, in toto, to the Western European model of socialism, stagnation and excessive government regulation. Sovereignty is out the window. Without a vote, we are suddenly members of the European Union. Given the dismal record of those nations at creating jobs and sustaining growth, merger with the Europeans is like a partnership with death.

At the G-20 meeting, Bush agreed to subject the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and our other regulatory agencies to the supervision of a global entity that would critique its regulatory standards and demand changes if it felt they were necessary. Bush agreed to create a College of Supervisors.

According to The Washington Post, it would "examine the books of major financial institutions that operate across national borders so regulators could begin to have a more complete picture of banks' operations."

Their scrutiny would extend to hedge funds and to various "exotic" financial instruments. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), a European-dominated operation, would conduct "regular vigorous reviews" of American financial institutions and practices. The European-dominated College of Supervisors would also weigh in on issues like executive compensation and investment practices.

There is nothing wrong with the substance of this regulation. Experience is showing it is needed. But it is very wrong to delegate these powers to unelected, international institutions with no political accountability.

We have a Securities and Exchange Commission appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, both of whom are elected by the American people. It is with the SEC, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve that financial accountability must take place.

The European Union achieved this massive subrogation of American sovereignty the way it usually does, by negotiation, gradual bureaucratic encroachment, and without asking the voters if they approve. What's more, Bush appears to have gone down without a fight, saving his debating time for arguing against the protectionism that France's Nicolas Sarkozy was pushing. By giving Bush a seeming victory on a moratorium against protectionism for one year, Sarkozy was able to slip over his massive scheme for taking over the supervision of the U.S. economy.

All kinds of political agendas are advancing under the cover of response to the global financial crisis. Where Franklin Roosevelt saved capitalism by regulating it, Bush, to say nothing of Obama, has given the government control over our major financial and insurance institutions. And it isn't even our government! The power has now been transferred to the international community, led by the socialists in the European Union.

Will Obama govern from the left? He doesn't have to. George W. Bush has done all the heavy lifting for him. It was under Bush that the government basically took over as the chief stockholder of our financial institutions and under Bush that we ceded our financial controls to the European Union. In doing so, he has done nothing to preserve what differentiates the vibrant American economy from those dying economies in Europe. Why have 80 percent of the jobs that have been created since 1980 in the industrialized world been created in the United States? How has America managed to retain its leading 24 percent share of global manufacturing even in the face of the Chinese surge? How has the U.S. GDP risen so high that it essentially equals that of the European Union, which has 50 percent more population? It has done so by an absence of stifling regulation, a liberation of capital to flow to innovative businesses, low taxes, and by a low level of unionization that has given business the flexibility to grow and prosper. Europe, stagnated by taxation and regulation, has grown by a pittance while we have roared ahead. But now Bush -- not Obama -- Bush has given that all up and caved in to European socialists.

The Bush legacy? European socialism. Who needs enemies with friends like Bush?

A Thank You to America from Down Under

I've tried to ascertain the validity of this email and have been unable to disprove its originality. Snopes and TruthorFiction.com have its validity as undetermined. If any of my fellow bloggers have connections to Australia and know Peter Turner or his soldier son, please let me know. As I agree wholeheartedly with this man's assessment and sentiment, I thought I would post it to remind people how marvelous our military has always been and continues to be.

First, I wish to express gratitude to the Australians for always standing with us in battle. Although this letter is several months old and the Australian government has since determined to pull its support of the Iraq war, I have always been grateful to the Aussie military for standing with us in the tough corners of the world.

Now to the letter, the language can be a little salty at time . . . be prepared:

Gentlemen,

I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned there is not place on God's earth better than Australia, and there are no people better than Australians.

That was until the past week or so.

My son is in the Australian Army and he is currently on deployment in Iraq. I can not go into his duties in great depth, but shall we say that he and his fellow army buddies are on a glorified guard duty looking after the Australian Embassy. They don't go out looking for 'action', though it is a different story in Afghanistan, there the Aussie troops chase the baddies over the hills and into the valleys.

My son and I just ended a long 'phone conversation and here are some of his comments, believe me this is what he said. We have all seen the bullshit email's written by some clown in his lounge room pretending to be at the coal face, but this is what was said.:

'Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army) were pretty shit hot..... was I ever wrong!....The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom that it is almost embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier....don't get me wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much better.....they are complete at what they do, how they do it and their attitude is awesome....they don't complain they just get on with the job and they do it right.....I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I
am not real worried about a confrontation but I tell you I feel safer just knowing that the US Army is close by....If we got into trouble I know that our boys would come running and we could deal with it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers.

No questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us and for us because that is their nature, to protect those in need of protection.....We use the American Mess so you could say that we are fed by the Americans.....they have every right to be pissed at that but they don't bitch about that they just make us feel as welcome as possible....what gets to me is that the Yanks don't walk around with a 'we are better than you attitude' and they could because they are, they treat us as equals and as brothers in arms. If nothing else, coming here has taught me that the Americans are a truly great Nation and a truly great bunch of people.....

Let's face it they don't HAVE to be here, they could stay in America and beat the shit out of anyone who threatened them, BUT THEY ARE HERE because they believe they should be here, and the Iraqis would be screwed if they weren't here.....When I come home, you and I we are going to the US, we will buy some bikes and we are going riding....'

The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I realize that you (as a nation) must get pretty pissed with all the criticism you receive by the so-called 'know it alls' who are sitting at home - safe.

The reality is that they are safe, just as I am, because of America. If the world went arse up tomorrow there is little all we (Australia) could do about it, but I know that the Americans would be there putting themselves on the line for others. That to me is the sign of greatness.

The most precious thing in my life is my son, I look at him and I thank God that I am fortunate enough to be able to spend time in his company. We laugh, we discuss, we argue, we dummy spit, we have the same blood. I am not happy that he is where he is but that is his duty. He joined the Army to protect and to defend, not to play games. I mightn't like it but I accept it. My reasons for not liking it are selfish and self centered. I felt assured that he would be safe because he is in a well trained army with an excellent record, BUT NOW, I feel a whole lot better knowing that he is with your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

Whilst he was growing up. I was always there to look after him, I would not let harm befall him and I would always put myself before him to protect him. I can't do that now. When it comes to looking after him now he and his mates will do the job, but also THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.

Gentlemen, I have rambled on for too long. But as I finish I say to you, as a foreigner and outsider, a nation is only a collection of its people and its attitude is the attitude of its people, collectively and as individuals. I am really glad you are here on this Earth and I respect you as a nation and as people.

Stand up and feel proud because you deserve it, there is no one else who will do what America does without question. The next time someone howls you down, take some comfort in the fact that America is defending their right to act like an idiot.

Finally, thank you for looking after my son.

Peter Turner

Health: Herbs & Their Many Uses "D"

Continuing with what we started, let's continue exploring the different uses of herbs, which should be used in conjunction with the advice and prescriptions of your medical doctor. Many doctors now have had a semester of schooling on herbs and natural healing. Some are very dismissive, others are willing to accept that mankind existed for millennia with only herbs and natural medicine to help them along.

This, in no way, negates the value of modern medicine. But I believe in a careful balance between the two. Therefore, here we go:

Herbs and Their Multiple Uses

The main resources for this section are Herbnet, and Prescription for Nutritional Healing.

Dakota Vervain (Glandularia bipinnatifida)

As an effective sedative tea, particularly in the early feverish states of a cold or flu. It also stimulates sweating. It is a good remedy for children, although the taste leaves much to be desired. The powdered tops are mixed with lard or Vaseline and applied to the back of the neck for back or neck pain. The herb or tea is used for goats that have just kidded and have udder infections.

Daisy (Bellis perennis - English)

Flowers are used externally in lotions for skin disease, wounds, varicose veins, sore and watery eyes and bruises. An infusion of the flower was drunk in the morning and at night for a fever. Daisy is under investigation for possible use in HIV therapy. The flowers contain compounds similar to those in Castanospermum. It is most often used as a gentle laxative. Its fresh flowers are anodyne and help heal inflamed swellings and burns. It is also beneficial for colds and chest problems, coughs and mucous congestion. The tea is good for stomach and intestinal problems where some sort of internal fermentation is the source, also for catarrh, colic, and liver, kidney and bladder problems. The juice can be used externally for injuries and suppuration. As a double treatment to relieve stiffness or soreness, wild daisy can be taken internally as a tea and applied externally in compresses.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

As an aphrodisiac, damiana works by sending blood to the genital area. It must be used consistently for several weeks before an effect is noticed. The leaf is infused to treat sexual trauma, frigidity, and impotence. It also clears the kidneys, helps the digestion, relieves constipation, and benefits lung problems and coughs. Due to its testosterogenic quality, damiana has always been seen as an herb for men, helpful in treating premature ejaculation and impotence. It works well in combination with saw palmetto berry and/or ginseng and was used that way by Native Americans for this purpose.

It is a blood purifier with many of the same properties as parsley. Its essential oil is irritating to mucous membranes, increasing the production while decreasing the thickness of fluids produced by these membranes and may account for its success as a diuretic, laxative, blood purifier and expectorant. The effect is most pronounced in the reproductive and urinary systems. It’s used in the treatment of urinary infections such as cystitis and urethritis due to the constituent arbutin, which is converted into hydroquinone, a strong urinary antiseptic, in the urinary tubules.
It is a relaxing nervine and tonic with an affinity for nervous system problems that affect the reproductive system. It works by increasing blood flow, blood oxygenation, and energy in the affected area while it relaxes the whole person. It is also used for debility, depression and lethargy. It has mild laxative properties. It has traditionally been used to treat coughs, colds, enuresis, nephritis, headaches and dysmenorrhea.

Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)

The flower is used for fever, rheumatism, and as a diuretic, sudorific, antispasmodic, and aphrodisiac

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion contains much that is beneficial to our bodies: bitter compounds, choline, inulin, large quantities of minerals such as calcium, sodium, silicic acid, sulfur and, in the fresh leaves, a high content of potassium. The bitter compounds stimulate the appetite and promote digestion. Choline affects the gallbladder and the intestines, often stimulating the mucous membranes of the large intestine in a laxative effect. It also has a relationship to the liver’s lipid metabolism. Our daily requirement of choline is 2-3 grams and a lack of it increases fatty degeneration of the liver. Dandelion can promote bile production in the liver and its secretion from the liver. Dandelion root is a "blood purifier" that helps both the kidneys and the liver to improve elimination. It helps clear up many eczema-like skin problems because of this. The root has also been successfully used to treat liver diseases such as jaundice and cirrhosis along with dyspepsia and gallbladder problems. Its use as a diuretic is favorable because it replaces the potassium that most diuretics remove. It's the herb of choice for treating rheumatism, gout and heart disease as well as regulating hormonal imbalances. Fresh latex removes warts if applied several times daily. The Chinese have prescribed it since ancient times to treat colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, boils, ulcers, obesity, dental problems, itching, and internal injuries. A poultice of chopped dandelion was also used to treat breast cancer. Traditional Ayurvedic physicians used the herb in a similar manner. Recent research shows a wide number of possibilities using dandelion. It's diuretic property can make it useful in relieving the bloated feeling of PMS and in help with weight loss. One study shows dandelion inhibits the growth of the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections. It stimulates bile production and prevents gallstones. There is a German preparation Chol-Grandelat (a combination of dandelion, milk thistle and rhubarb) prescribed for gallbladder disease. Traditional formulas: dandelion and barberry; dandelion and parsley; dandelion and purslane

Darnel (Lolium temulentum)

Occasionally used in folk medicine to treat headache, rheumatism, and sciatica. It is occasionally used externally in cases of skin eruption and tumorous growth. It is sometimes used by doctors to treat dizziness, insomnia, blood congestion, and stomach problems. It may also be used for skin problems like herpes, scurf, and sores.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera)

The fruit, because of its tannin content, is used medicinally as a detersive and astringent in intestinal troubles. In the form of an infusion, decoction, syrup or paste, is administered as a treatment for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh. It is taken to relieve fever, cystitis, gonorrhea, edema, liver and abdominal troubles. And it is said to counteract alcohol intoxication. The seed powder is an ingredient in a paste given to relieve ague. A gum that exudes from the wounded trunk is employed in India for treating diarrhea and genito-urinary ailments. It is diuretic and demulcent. The roots are used against toothache. The pollen yields an estrogenic principle, estrone, and has a gonadotropic effect on young rats.

Day Flower (Commelina communis)

The leaves are used as a throat gargle to relieve sore throats and tonsilitis. A decoction of the dried plant is used to treat bleeding, diarrhea, fever etc. Extracts of the plant show antibacterial activity. An extract of Commelina communis after decoction in water has been traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes in Korea.

Death Camas (Zygadenus elegans)

Death camass was once used as an external medicine. The Blackfoot Indians applied a wet bound dressing of the pulped bulbs to relieve the pain of bruises, sprains and rheumatism.

Deertongue (Carphephorus odoratissimus (Trilisa odoratissima, Liatris odoratissima))

The roots have been used for their diuretic effects and applied locally for sore throats and gonorrhea. It has also been used as a tonic in treating malaria. Demulcent, febrifuge, diaphoretic. A powerful stimulant, highly regarded by Native Americans as an aphrodisiac, and said to induce erotic dreams.

Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi)

Both the flowers and the leaves can be used to make a minty-tasting tea that is good for the stomach and throat. It’s an anesthethic to the esophagus, thus extremely soothing to inflamed tissues. It is also a hemostatic, used by desert Indians to treat heavy menstruation and bleeding hemorrhoids as well as being given to women in childbirth. Desert lavender is an excellent tea for hangovers and helps rid the mouth of the sour taste that comes with stomach flu. Betulinic acid, with tumor-inhibitory properties, was identified from a chloroform extract by Sheth et al. (3). Tanowitz et al. (4) identified 34 constituents from the oil of a collection from San Diego Co., California, with 11.9% borneol as the most abundant constituent

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

It has been recommended for treating a wide variety of conditions: cholecystitis, cholelithiasiss, gout, obesity, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis; Dyspepsia; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia. It is a remedy from the Kalahari desert in Namibia with a well deserved reputation as an effective rheumatic remedy. A group of glycosides called harpagosides found in the root show a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Devil’s claw is also considered by herbalists to be a potent bitter. Bitter principles, like the iridoid glycosides found in devil’s claw, stimulate the stomach to increase the production of acid, thereby helping to improve digestion.

In the west, Devil's claw has been recommended for treating a wide variety of conditions including diseases of the liver, kidneys, and bladder, as well as allergies, arteriosclerosis, lumbago, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual difficulties, neuralgia, headache, climacteric (change of life) problems, heartburn, nicotine poisoning, and above all, rheumatism and arthritis.
Externally, devil's claw root is made into ointments for skin rashes, wounds and the like.

Diabetes, hepatitis, kidney and bladder deficiency, nervous malaise and respiratory ailments are all treated with devil's claw preparations. Insofar as hardening of the arteries pertains to complications of aging, devil's claw finds application. There is some concern in the industry about the difficulty of obtaining good devil's claw root; only certain portions of the root contain active constituents, and often the whole root is supplied to manufacturers. To help circumvent this problem, standardized preparations are now being produced.

Not much research has been done in this area, but it has been established devil's claw root possesses a bitter value of 6,000, equal to the main Western bitter, gentian root. It would therefore be expected to possess similar gastro-intestinal properties. Indeed, in the few reported studies on g.i. problems, harpagophytum proved effective in treating such complaints as dyspepsia and conditions relating to the proper functioning of bile salts, the gallbladder, and the enterohepatic circuit. In a related manner, the herb helps to raise cholesterol and fatty acid levels in the blood. As one author points out, devil's claw may be the perfect treatment for elderly people with arthritis, obesity and hyperlipemia.

An early review paper on devil's claw suggested the plant was a good stimulant of the lymphatic system, with detoxifying effects that extended to the whole organism, and provided evidence from clinical studies involving close to 400 persons. The plant was indeed effective for most of the conditions listed in the folklore section above, especially as pertaining to the liver, gallbladder, bladder and kidneys.

More recent studies have found devil's claw preparations are generally well suited for the treatment of chronic rheumatism, arthritis, gout, spondylosis-induced lower back pain, neuralgia, headaches, and lumbago. One study found its anti-inflammatory effects equaled those of pyrazolone derivatives and the commonly prescribed anti-arthritic phenylbutazone. Analgesic effects of a subjective nature are reported, but objective tests are ambiguous on this point. Relief of pain is probably a side benefit of reduced inflammation. Improved mobility in the joints is often reported, as well as improved feeling of well-being. Currently, physicians in Europe are injecting devil's claw extract directly into arthritic joints, where it acts much like cortisone in terms of reducing inflammation. As in the case of most arthritis treatments, not everybody benefits, but there are enough to do to warrant further investigation of this plant, and to recommend it as a possible treatment option. A clinical study carried out in Germany in 1976 reported that devil's claw exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, comparable in many respects to the well-known anti-arthritic drug, phenylbutazone. Analgesic effects were also observed along with reductions in abnormally high cholesterol and uric-acid blood levels.

Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridum)

Devil's Club is used to stabilize blood sugar levels. It is used routinely in the treatment of diabetes as a natural alternative to insulin. Although devil’s club shares some pharmacological and therapeutic similarities with ginseng, it is not the same medicine. It is a strong and safe respiratory stimulant and expectorant increasing the mucus secretions to initiate fruitful coughing and soften up hardened bronchial mucus that can occur later on in a chest cold. The cold infusion, and to a lesser degree the fresh or dry tincture, is helpful for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders , taken regularly and with sensible modifications to the diet. It is more helpful when taken during remissions and has little effect during active distress. Its main value is in modifying extremes of metabolic stress and adding a little reserve to offset the person’s internal cost of living. . Its use by Native Americans as a treatment for adult-onset diabetes has been substantiated by scientific studies in this century. It seems to decrease the lust for sugars and binge food in those trying to lose weight or deal with generally elevated blood fats and glucose. Seems to work best on stocky, mesomorphic, anabolic-stress-type, middle-aged people with elevated blood lipids, moderately high blood pressure, and early signs of adult onset, insulin-resistant diabetes. Indians also used it to treat cancer. Root strongly warms lymphatic system function; weakly warms central nervous system activity; weakly warms hepatic activity.
Root weakly warms immunologic activity; weakly warms mucosal activity; weakly warms parasympathetic nervous system activity; weakly warms renal activity; weakly warms reproductive system function; weakly warms respiratory system function; weakly warms skin activity; weakly warms sympathetic nervous system activity; weakly warms thyroid stress; weakly warms upper GI activity; weakly cools adrenal stress; weakly cools anabolic stress.

Devil's Horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera)

The plant is highly esteemed by traditional healers and used in treatment of asthma, bleeding, in facilitating delivery, boils, bronchitis, cold, cough, colic, debility, dropsy, dog bite, dysentery, ear complications, headache, leucoderma, pneumonia, renal complications, scorpion bite, snake bite and skin diseases etc. Traditional healers claim that addition of A. aspera would enhance the efficacy of any drug of plant origin. Prevents infection and tetanus. Used to treat circumcision wounds, cuts. Also used for improving lymphatic circulation, strengthens musculatured, improves blood circulation; Cold with fever, heat stoke with headache, malaria, dysentery; Urinary tract lithiasis, chronic nephritis, edema; Rheumatic arthralgia (joint pain). Used traditionally for infertility in women: Two ml decoction of root and stem is administered orally thrice a day for three months. Younger women respond better to this therapy.

Dewberry (Rubus caesius)

The fruit is commonly used for a treatment for diarrhea and dysentery. Combination of the roots is treatment for coughs and also fevers.

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Carvone is a carminative. Limonene and phellandrene--an irritant found in oil of dill and many other essential oils--are photosensitizers. Dill seed improves digestion and appetite and sweetens the breath. The oil kills bacteria and relieves flatulence. It is frequently used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines for indigestion, fevers, ulcers, uterine pains and kidney and eye problems. Ethiopians chew the leaves along with fennel to treat headaches and gonorrhea. In Vietnam it is used to treat intestinal diseases. Contemporary herbalists recommend chewing the seeds for bad breath and drinking dill tea both as a digestive aid and to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers. The herb helps relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. One study shows it's also an antifoaming agent, meaning it helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas bubbles.
Historically, injured knights were said to have placed burned dill seeds on their open wounds to speed healing. A mixture of dill, dried honey and butter was once prescribed to treat madness.

Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus)

As a medicinal plant, the herb has been utilized to heal wounds, soothe pain, and ease childbirth. The root has been used in a salve to treat sciatica, and the juice was consumed in wine to cure snake bite. In addition, it has been used as a remedy against gastric or stomach ailments and rheumatism.

Dock, Bloody (Rumex sanguineus)

Has been used medicinally for cancer and for various blood diseases. An infusion of the root is useful in the treatment of bleeding. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of several skin diseases.

Dock, Japanese (Rumex japonicus)

For internal use it is similar to da huang: nose bleeding, functional bleeding of the uterus, purpura due to thrombocytopenia, chronic hepatitis, inflammation of the anus, constipation. Fresh squeezed juice is effective for fungus infection of skin, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the mammary glands, and eczema.

Dodder (Cuscuta epithymum)

A mild laxative and a well regarded hepatic. It is of value for the treatment of bladder and liver troubles. It is also considered a remedy for kidney complaints.

Dodder, Big Fruit (Cuscuta megalocarpa)

Indians used the plants in a bath for treatment of tuberculosis. Early settlers put their fevered children in the same kind of bath. A poultice of the plant has been used to treat insect stings. Indians believed the plant to be a useful contraceptive and gave it to their women. It has also been considered a bile stimulant and a laxative.

Dodder, Common (Cuscuta europaea)

In traditional folk medicine, a decoction was used as a laxative. The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, where it is considered to have a bitter, acrid and sweet taste with a heating potency. It is aphrodisiac, renal and a hepatic tonic, being used to increase semen, to treat pain in the wrist and limbs, vaginal/seminal discharge, polyuria, tinnitus and blurred vision.

Dodder, Japanese (Cuscuta japonica)

Internally used for diarrhea, impotence, urinary frequency, vaginal discharge, and poor eyesight associated with liver and kidney energy weakness. Also used for prostatis and neurological weakness. It builds sperm, builds the blood, strengthens sinews and bones. It also treats enuresis and seminal emission; constipation, backache and cold knees; and rheumatoid arthritis. One of the safer and more affordable yang tonics. The herb is reputed to confer longevity when used for prolonged periods, particularly in combination with Chinese yam. The herb is nontoxic and can be used continuously for long-term periods except for the contraindication below.

Dog Lichen (Peltigera canina)

Liver tonic. The whole plant is used in the form of an infusion of 1 oz to 1 pt of boiling water and taken in doses of 2 fl oz as a liver tonic. It is laxative. It is best combined with other remedies for the liver such as dandelion

Dog's Tongue (Psychotria sulzneri)

Added to a mixture of medicinal leaves (usually 9) to make an herbal bath formula for bathing wounds, rashes, swellings, and for those who feel nervous and sleepless. Mash leaves and flowers to apply as poultice on infected sores.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

Often called “the female ginseng.” Though dong quai has no specific hormonal action, it exerts a regulating and normalizing influence on hormonal production through its positive action on the liver and endocrine system. It has a sweet and unusually thick pungent taste and is warming and moistening to the body. Chinese angelica is taken in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic for “deficient blood” conditions, anemia and for the symptoms of anemia due to blood loss, pale complexion, palpitations, and lowered vitality. Chinese angelica regulates the menstrual cycle, relieves menstrual pains and cramps and is a tonic for women with heavy menstrual bleeding who risk becoming anemic. Since it also stimulates menstrual bleeding, other tonic herbs, such as nettle, are best taken during menstruation if the flow is heavy. It is also a uterine tonic and helps infertility. Chinese angelica is a “warming” herb, improving the circulation to the abdomen and to the hands and feet. It strengthens the digestion and it also is useful in the treatment of abscesses and boils. Research has shown that the whole plant, including the rhizome, strengthens liver function and the whole rhizome has an antibiotic effect. In China, physicians inject their patients with Dong quai extract to treat sciatic pain. Clinical trials show that when this extract is injected into the acupuncture points used to treat sciatica, about 90% of people receiving treatment report significant improvement.

Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris)

Dioscorides thought it resembled a dragon. In ancient medicine it was used for the eyes and ears, for ruptures, convulsions and coughs. Dioscorides says, “But being beaten small with honey, and applied, it takes away the malignancie of ulcers.”

Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops draco syn Calamus draco)

A stringent, and regarded as effective for the treatment of dysentery. It is applied externally as a wash or liniment to stop bleeding and promote healing. Internally it is used for menstrual irregularities, chest pains, post-partum bleeding and traumatic injuries. Doses of 10 to 30 grains were formerly given as an astringent in diarrhea, etc., but officially it is never at present used internally, being regarded as inert. The following treatment is said to have cured cases of severe syphilis. Mix 2 drachms of Dragon's Blood, 2 drachms of colocynth, ½ oz. of gamboge in a mortar, and add 3 gills of boiling water. Stir for an hour, while keeping hot. Allow to cool, and add while stirring a mixture of 2 oz. each of sweet spirits of nitre and copaiba balsam. Dragon's Blood is not acted upon by water, but most of it is soluble in alcohol. It fuses by heat. The solution will stain marble a deep red, penetrating in proportion to the heat of the stone.

Dragon's Blood (Croton lechleri)

For centuries, the sap has been painted on wounds to staunch bleeding, to accelerate healing, and to seal and protect injuries from infection. The sap dries quickly and forms a barrier, much like a "second skin." It is used externally by indigenous tribes and local people in Peru for wounds, fractures, and hemorrhoids, internally for intestinal and stomach ulcers, and as a douche for vaginal discharge. Other indigenous uses include treating intestinal fevers and inflamed or infected gums, in vaginal baths before and after childbirth, for hemorrhaging after childbirth, and for skin disorders.

It is also used internally for ulcers in the mouth, throat, intestines and stomach; as an antiviral for upper respiratory viruses, stomach viruses and HIV; internally and externally for cancer and, topically, for skin disorders, insect bites and stings.

Some studies have found that the taspine, found in the red sap of dragon’s blood, appears to accelerate the healing of wounds. But later research at the University of London, School of Pharmacy has cast doubt on taspine’s wound-healing power, suggesting instead that substances known as polyphenols may be responsible. The same British study also examined the ability of dragon’s blood to kill certain human cancer cells and bacteria. In laboratory tests on samples of human oral cancer cells, dragon’s blood sap proved toxic to those cells. In addition, other components in the sap were believed to be valuable in killing off bacteria, making dragon’s blood useful as an anti-infective.

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera)

The flowers, leaves, and roots are used in folk remedies for tumors, the seed for abdominal tumors. The root decoction is used in Nicaragua for dropsy. Root juice is applied externally as rubefacient or counter-irritant. Leaves applied as poultice to sores, rubbed on the temples for headaches, and said to have purgative properties. Bark, leaves and roots are acrid and pungent, and are taken to promote digestion. Oil is somewhat dangerous if taken internally, but is applied externally for skin diseases. Bark regarded as antiscorbic, and exudes a reddish gum with properties of tragacanth; sometimes used for diarrhea. Roots are bitter, act as a tonic to the body and lungs, and are emmenagogue, expectorant, mild diuretic and stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy and hysteria.

The juice from the leaves is believed to stabilize blood pressure, the flowers are used to cure inflammations, the pods are used for joint pain, the roots are used to treat rheumatism, and the bark can be chewed as a digestive.

A decoction of the root bark of Moringa is used as fomentation to relieve spasm. The juice of the leaves is given as an emetic. The root and bark are abortifacient. The expressed juice of the fresh roots, bark, and leaves of Moringa is poured in the nostrils in stupor and coma. In Guinea, the bark and the roots are considered rubefacient and they are used as vesicants. The ground roots are mixed with salt and applied as a poultice to tumors. The bark and the leaves ground together are applied on head for neuralgia.

In the Indian indigenous system of medicine (Ayurveda), the leaves of Moringa oleifera are described to remove all kinds of excessive pain, useful in eye diseases, cure hallucinations, and as an aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, dry tumors, hiccough, asthma etc.

Drumsticks have been confirmed as a natural antibiotic and antifungal agent. Pterygospermin, which clinical tests seem to confirm is antitubercular, has been isolated in the drumstick’s root, although Ayurvedic medicine uses the root for liver disorders.

Medicines made from drumsticks are also gynecologically valuable in childbirth as an aid for difficult deliveries. Externally, applications compounded from drumsticks are used for leg spasms, while the seeds are ground and administered for unblocking nasal catarrhs.

Moringinine acts on Sympathetic nerve endings and can: Produces a rise in blood pressure; Acceleration of heart beat and constriction of blood vessels; Inhibits the tone and movements of involuntary muscles of the gastrointestinal tract; Contracts the uterus in guinea pigs and rabbits; Produces a slight diuresis due to rise of blood pressure; Relaxes bronchioles.

Drumstick Tree (Moringa peregrine)

The seeds of the common small tree Moringa peregrina are turned into a yellowish oil that cures abdominal pains, infantile convulsion and for childbirth. The testa is removed, powdered and then has salt and water added.

Du Huo (Angelica pubescens)

The roots and rhizomes are used to treat nose bleed, blood in urine, rheumatic arthritis, lumbago, common cold, headache; increase menstrual flow. A decoction is used to promote menstruation, to treat rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, headache, toothache and abscesses.

Dulse (Rhodymenia palmate)

In several traditions of European herbal medicine, dulse was used to remove parasites, to relieve constipation, and as a treatment for scurvy. It is a superior source of the iodine the body needs to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine which affect weight and metabolic rate. The complex polysaccharides in the herb make it a gentle alternative to psyllium or senna in the treatment of constipation.

Externally, the fresh blades can be used to treat skin diseases, headaches, and to help expel placenta. It is used as a gentle laxative. Dulse has also been used to help prevent fibroid tumors of the breasts, the uterus or the ovaries and in cases of swollen lumps or enlargements of the intestinal area. Natural, organically-bond iodine extracts from Dulse are used for the treatment and prevention of thyroid disease, and clinical trials on daily molecular iodine supplementation have shown that cyclical breast lumps and cysts are completely resolved within two months. The iodine in Dulse can also prevent goiter.

Dulse has an alkalizing effect on the blood that neutralizes wastes that build up in the body and also aids in removing radioactive and heavy metals from the body. It also prevents the absorption from the gut by binding these elements, which include radioactive strontium, barium, and cadmium. This is done by transforming them into harmless salts (via a substance called alginic acid) that are easily eliminated. Dulse has elements to eliminate excess uric acid from the system and has been used for genitourinary problems such as kidney, bladder, prostrate, and uterus. Clinical documentation shows that taking some each day can reduce enlarged prostrates in older men and urination can become painless.

Seaweeds may reduce the risk of poisoning from environmental pollution by providing fiber that increases fecal bulk and also reduces cholesterol levels through the retardation of bile acid absorption. Recent research has suggested that Dulse may help reverse hardening of the arteries, reduce high blood pressure, regress and prevent tumors Research has shown that Dulse extracts inhibited HeLa cell proliferation that is found in human cervical adenocarcinoma and has also been found in animal studies to reduce the risk of intestinal and mammary cancer.

It has been used to treat the problems associated with thyroid malfunction. Liquid Dulse can help to soothe an irritated throat and mucous membranes. It has been used for enlarged thyroid and lymph nodes, swollen and painful testes and to reduce edema. Seaweeds are used to promote wound healing. New generation dressings such as the hydrocolloid dressings are seaweed base as they provide optimal conditions for healing to begin. It is known to prevent seasickness. Thus it should be of value in other conditions where motion sickness is the cause such as vertigo and labrynthitis or Meniere's Disease.

Durian (Durio zibethinus)

The flesh is said to serve as a vermifuge. In Malaya, a decoction of the leaves and roots is prescribed as a febrifuge. The leaf juice is applied on the head of a fever patient. The leaves are employed in medicinal baths for people with jaundice. Decoctions of the leaves and fruits are applied to swellings and skin diseases. The ash of the burned rind is taken after childbirth. The leaves probably contain hydroxy-tryptamines and mustard oils.

The odor of the flesh is believed to be linked to indole compounds which are bacteriostatic. Eating durian is alleged to restore the health of ailing humans and animals. The flesh is widely believed to act as an aphrodisiac because it improves sexual function for those who are kidney yang deficient.

In the late 1920's, Durian Fruit Products, Inc., of New York City, launched a product called "Dur-India" as a "health-food accessory" in tablet form, selling at $9 for a dozen bottles, each containing 63 tablets–a 3-months' supply. The tablets reputedly contained durian and a species of Allium from India, as well as a considerable amount of vitamin E. They were claimed to provide "more concentrated healthful energy in food form than any other product the world affords"–to keep the body vigorous and tireless; the mind alert with faculties undimmed; the spirit youthful.

A toothpaste flavored with durian is currently marketed for durian fanciers. The Malays, besides looking on the durian fruit as tonic, consider the root medicinal, taking a decoction of it for a fever, which has lasted three days. The leaves and root are used in a compound for fevers. The leaves are utilized in medicinal baths for jaundice. The juice enters into a preparation for bathing the head of a fever patient. In Java the fruit-walls are used externally for ski complaints. Considered by many to be the strongest aphrodisiac in the world

Decoction of the leaves and roots is used as antipyretic; the leaves are used in medicinal baths for people with jaundice; decoctions of the leaves and fruits are applied to swellings and skin diseases; the ash of the burned rind is taken after childbirth.

Dyers Greenwood (Genista tinctoria)

Both the flowering stems and seeds are the medicinal parts. Dyer's Greenweed was used as a laxative, to expel uroliths and for gout. It has strong diuretic, weak cardioactive and laxative properties. Besides being a remedy for kidney and urinary disorders, it has also been used to strengthen heart action, to raise blood pressure and to alleviate rheumatic and arthritic pain. It has diuretic, cathartic and emetic properties and both flower tops and seeds have been used medicinally, though it has never been an official drug. The powdered seeds operate as a mild purgative, and a decoction of the plant has been used medicinally as a remedy in dropsy and is stated to have proved effective in gout and rheumatism, being taken in wineglassful doses three or four times a day. The ashes form an alkaline salt, which has also been used as a remedy in dropsy and other diseases. In the fourteenth century it was used, as well as Broom, to make an ointment called Unguentum geneste, 'goud for alle could goutes,' etc. The seed was also used in a plaster for broken limbs. A decoction of the plant was regarded in the Ukraine as a remedy for hydrophobia, but there's not much scientific evidence on this use.