We Love the Homeless . . . But . . .

LOS ANGELES — Finding $1.2 billion to build housing for the homeless — as voters here did last year by overwhelmingly approving a hike in their own property taxes — may turn out to have been the easy part.

Los Angeles is now witnessing a fight that demonstrates why developing housing for the homeless has been such a tough challenge across the state, even when there is funding, good will and an open piece of land. A proposal to build a 49-unit shelter in the Boyle Heights neighborhood has been blocked by a City Council committee after running up against a wall of opposition.

Opponents invoked environmental concerns in seeking to derail the project, pointing to an abandoned oil well on the site. They also argued that its proximity to a lively restaurant and shopping mall catering to the largely Latino community there would be a source of disturbance for homeless people trying to start a new life. José Huizar, a City Council member who blocked the complex, said that while he supported the construction of housing for homeless people, the nonprofit group promoting this project was attempting to muscle through a plan over well-grounded neighborhood concerns.  from the NYTimes

We do so love the homeless, and we want them to get better.

And that is why we give them cans of soup and then a sweater.

We’ve raised our taxes to finance new homes for their relief.

But when they live nearby us we are filled with bitter grief.

It’s just that our vicinity is not quite safe, you know.

There’s traffic and there’s noises and the wind can really blow.

They’d be better off far on the other side of town,

Where there is nothing but dead weeds and trees all turning brown.

In fact if you can manage all their shelters to construct

In another county we’d be glad to then conduct

All of them to their new homes, where they can always be

Snug and cozy and away from our vicinity.

Amy Coney Barrett

One of President Trump’s judicial nominees became something of a hero to religious conservatives after she was grilled at a Senate hearingthis month over whether her Roman Catholic faith would influence her decisions on the bench.

The nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, a law professor up for an appeals court seat, had raised the issue herself in articles and speeches over the years. The Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee zeroed in on her writings, and in the process prompted accusations that they were engaged in religious bigotry.

“The dogma lives loudly within you,” declared Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, in what has become an infamous phrase. Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican of Utah, accused his colleagues of employing an unconstitutional “religious test” for office.   from the NYTimes

Amy Coney Barrett goes to church religiously.

That makes her a suspect in a vile conspiracy.

The Seventh Circuit Court in old Chicago doesn’t need

A zealot who thinks God is in her pocket for each plead.

Her dogma is so obvious, her halo blinds the eye.

 Is there any case in much good conscience she can try?

Does she think that angels flit about in her courtroom?

(and does she think that witch Feinstein is flying on a broom?)

The Senators should dump her so she never rules in court --

She’d always be a-preachin’ to each lawyer with a tort.

Protect our justice system from such godly people, who

Would make a mock of all of our fine precedent voodoo!

The Lobbyists Fight Back

WASHINGTON — Republicans’ release of a sweeping plan to rewrite the tax code has set off a scramble among Washington lobbyists and trade groups to protect valuable tax breaks and other long-ingrained provisions.
from the NYTimes

They crawled out from the woodwork; they popped up from lobster bisque;

They left their merry junkets and returned home mighty brisk.

The lobbyists were circling their wagons for attack;

They heard that Congress had a tax plan that was plainly whack.

Each special int’rest fellow and each pressure grouping gal

Was worried that their ‘fix’ was gone, which would mean low morale.

They huddled and they muddled and they gurgled and they gasped;

Looking for the smallest slightest straw that could be grasped.

Twas finally decided that there was just one sure means

Of deflecting Congress -- twas the sharing of the greens!

Yes, greenbacks always paved the way for good intentions -- so

The lobbyists dug deep and filled great barrels full of dough.

Not caring who might see them and without a hesitation

They spread the gravy ev’rywhere, as merely a ‘donation.’

And so the mighty tax plan that was to solve our many ills

Is somewhere off in Fairyland, beyond the farthest hills . . .

Get an Energy Boost from these Essential Oils!

Essential oils are a great alternative to prescription drugs that offer energy and a healthier state of mind. I use essential oils every day in my shower, every night in a diffuser, and I even apply some to pulse points like on my wrists and ankles. Enjoying the pleasant smells of essential oils can make a difference in your life, helping the day go from stressed and hectic to focused and energetic. For so many people, tiredness is an accepted way of life, but there are quite a few essential oils that can help with energy so the crankiness and fatigued part of your day goes away. If you’ve never used essential oils before, then keep in mind that not all of them will have the same effect on you as on another person, so one oil might make one person feel awake and another person really relaxed. Also, I would recommend doing research on which oils can be used orally and which ones can only be used topically or diffused into the air (since drinking an essential oil isn’t the best idea). I’ve assembled a list of different essential oils that can help with fatigue and bring energy into your life, leaving behind those tired school and work days.

Eucalyptus

This is an oil I use in the bathroom every morning, not just because it’s great at opening sinuses and helping with asthma (which I have), but also due to its great mental stimulation qualities. Eucalyptus oil is good for removing mental exhaustion and fatigue as it helps increase blood flow to the brain, and getting more blood to the brain is usually seen as a good thing.

The oil can also help with stress and mental disorders, as gaining more mental clarity can reduce chaotic thoughts tied to stress and upsetting thoughts tied to depression. If you love the smell of mint, then Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil to consider in helping to remove the cobwebs from the mind and rejuvenate the senses to help you go about the day—happy and awake.

Lemon

This is staple for anyone into essential oils, as lemon oil can do so much from cleaning kitchen cabinets to helping with weight loss to getting rid of dandruff. My mom always keeps her trusted lemon oil under her kitchen sink cabinet, ready to be used in the dishwasher. As for lemon oil’s ability to help with energy, it’s great at reducing insomnia and regulating sleep, which will naturally help amp-up energy levels.

Lemon oil, not surprisingly, offers a whole ton of vitamin c, if taken orally, which can help boost your immune system and fight off colds and diseases, therefore taking away sluggishness and giving your body much needed energy. Since lemon oil tastes just like lemon juice when added to water, it’s a great oil to take internally and with a familiar taste, lemon oil isn’t as intimidating as lesser known oils. Of course, you don’t have to ingest it; just diffusing it into the air is good enough.

Grapefruit

I guess a lot of the citrusy oils have a common thread among them: They’re great at rejuvenating the mind. Just like lemon oil, grapefruit oil has a wealth of vitamin c to help you feel revitalized and ready to take on the day after waking up sluggishly in the morning. Grapefruit oil and eucalyptus oil both help with blood circulation, causing more blood to reach the brain.

If eucalyptus is too minty for you and lemon oil is too, well, lemony for you, then grapefruit is a little bit more on the orangey side of smells and flavors. Just the smell alone of grapefruit will help with reinvigorating the mind and body for the day ahead. Grapefruit can even act as a mild depressant, erasing “brain-fog” and sour moods, as well as removing aches and sluggishness within the body.

Cinnamon

Now onto the spicy stuff. If you’re not a fan of citrus or earthy smells, but love hot, spicy smells, then cinnamon oil for definitely for you. Cinnamon oil is good at releasing insulin into the body, which means it can help keep blood sugar levels stable, therefore helping with fatigue and crankiness or moodiness. Cinnamon oil can be taken orally, so you can add drops to a drink or a food recipe for flavoring or as an extra pick-me-up.

Though, due to the hotness of the oil, if you use it on a patch of skin, especially the face or neck, then dilute it with a carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil) so it doesn’t cause skin irritations. Once, a little bit of cinnamon oil accidentally got on an Aloe Vera plant I was using for my skin, so my face literally felt like it was burning, so be careful with this one. A good alternative to breathing in the oil, instead of putting it on the body, is to diffuse it into the air with a diffuser, that way you still can get the positive, energy boosting benefits of cinnamon oil.

Rosemary

Rosemary oil is good for improving mental clarity, which is why I love to put it into my shower every morning. It’s great at helping to reduce stress levels, since rosemary oil can decrease the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is related to the fight-or-flight part of stress. With newfound relaxation, your mind will be more at ease and ready to think more clearly and calmly, helping with mental focus and energy.

Just like lemon and grapefruit, rosemary oil can help keep the immune system strong, leading to reduction in colds. There’s nothing that screams “lack of energy” like a cold, so if inhaling rosemary oil helps with the common flu, then look to gaining more energy in the future. Rosemary oil has an herbal smell; if you love the smell of more natural, outdoor scents, then check rosemary oil out.

You don’t have to turn to prescription drugs if you’re feeling fatigued all the time, unless of course you’re dealing with a chronic disease, then going to your doctor is a wise choice. But if you’re feeling just a little tired here and there, then definitely give essential oils a chance. Listed are only a handful of all the essential oils that can give you more energy and mental focus, so I recommend doing more research and checking out even more essential oils for your journey into acquiring more energy.

Learn more about the benefits of essential oils from doTERRA Health Advocate Amy Snyder at http://my.doterra.com/amysnyder 

Fast Food Workers

ORLANDO, Fla. — The American fast food industry is built on two pillars: cheap hamburgers, and cheap labor.

As economists try to understand why wages have stagnated across the country’s economy, they are examining the cheap labor part of the equation closely. A few have zeroed in on an obscure clause buried in many fast-food franchise agreements as a possible contributor to the problem.

Some of fast-food’s biggest names, including Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Pizza Hut and, until recently, McDonald’s, prohibited franchisees from hiring workers away from one another, preventing, for example, one Pizza Hut from hiring employees from another.

The restrictions do not appear in a contract that employees sign, or even see. They are typically included in a paragraph buried in lengthy contracts that owners of fast-food outlets sign with corporate headquarters.

Yet the provisions can keep employees tied to one spot, unable to switch jobs or negotiate higher pay. A lack of worker mobility has long been viewed as contributing to wage stagnation because switching jobs is one of the most reliable ways to get a raise.

from the NYTimes

Worker mobility in fast food stores

Is just about nil, closing many fine doors

For toilers who want to move up in their field,

But find that their bosses this point will not yield.

This is a restriction that makes little sense;

It has no relation to skills or expense.

Perhaps it is meant just to rub noses in

The fact that the rights of their workers are thin.  

What is the reason a dull franchise holder

Lets profit margins his soul start to moulder?

But then if they paid more for working a grill,

A Big Mac would cost you a ten dollar bill.

The Tale of Benny the Pauper

WASHINGTON — The tax plan that the Trump administration outlined on Wednesday is a potentially huge windfall for the wealthiest Americans. It would not directly benefit the bottom third of the population. As for the middle class, the benefits appear to be modest.  from the NYTimes. 

Benny was a pauper who lived in a drafty shack;

He ate but very little and a mattress he did lack.

He worked for meager wages and no benefits had he;

But as a true American he’s happy as can be.

Because he knows that money cankers souls and causes grief;

And that the struggle of the poor brings blessings by the sheaf.

So when he heard that taxes for the rich would be decreased

He felt a swelling in his heart like dough with lots of yeast.

He hoped that the economy would now recover quick,

And that the banks and Wall Street would soon really start to click.

To celebrate this milestone in the history of man

He splurged upon tomato soup, and had a second can!

We all should be like Benny, never counting our own gain --

But thinking of the money market crowd and their great strain.

The Bible says that Caesar always must get his own due;

So let’s all pay our taxes like we’re eating honeydew!  

Banning Books

A book, or two, or three, or four,

Upon my tables, chairs, and floor.

I take them from my shelves to read

So in my head ideas will breed.

When I unearth a rotten thought

From paperback that I have bought,

I do not want it quickly banned

But rather wish to understand

Just what the author was about

By working with such shabby grout.

Not ev’ry book must sacred be,

And some are written scurvily --

But banning books does not succeed

In protecting any creed.

Rather, when a book is rot,

I’d like to see the author shot . . .

The Wonders of Tea Tree Oil

Essential oils are used in nearly all cultures and societies. Sometimes, you might have heard some of the oddest uses of such oils. They can be used in different ways ranging from beauty purposes to treatment of a number of health conditions.

Tea tree oil is one of such oils. Also known as melaleuca, this oil is well-known for its ability to heal wounds and keep them away from bacterial or fungal infections due to its various antiseptic properties.

Tea tree oil was mainly used in Australia in the previous centuries because of limited trade routes. Secondly, this oil is mainly derived from the plant Melaleuca alternifolia which is a native plant of Australia and was only grown there in those times.

Nowadays, you can see the different uses of tea tree oil around the world. It might even be in some of your cleaning, skin care, and cosmetics. Tea tree oil gained popularity after seven decades of continuous research which highlighted its antibacterial, antifungal as well as antiviral properties.

In addition, bottled tea tree oil can be seen in a majority of the homes in the United States. According to a study carried out in 2011, one of the five most used oils in the United States was tea tree oil.

The study also reported that it was used in many different ways in each of the houses having it including beauty purposes and medicinal purposes.

How can tea tree oil benefit you?

According to researchers, tea tree oil has been used longer than you think by Indigenous tribes in some parts of the world. Today, there are science backed advantages of this essential oil. There are approximately 327 scientific studies on the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil alone.

Tea tree oil can benefit everyone in everyday life in a couple of ways. Some of the conventional healing ways of using tea tree oil are:

• Chicken Pox
• Bacterial Infection
• Staph Infections (boils)
• Lice in Hair
• Bacterial Infections
• Fungus infections (all common types including toenail fungus, Candida, Athlete’s foot and Jock itch)
• MRSA
• Cold Sores
• Dry Cuticles
• Respiratory Tract Infections
• Congestion
• Insect Bites and Sores
• Sunburn
• Earaches
• Psoriasis
• Halitosis (another name for bad breath)
• Acne

This list only comprises of the healing properties of tea tree oil. So, in case you see there is an advantage such as using tea tree oil for removing make and other beautification purposes, it is probably because most of the people already know that.

In addition, you might not even know that tea tree oil alone and in combination with other essential oils can replace many of the pricey household items.

Using tea tree oils as a substitute for such common products can help create a cleaner environment in your house due to reduced usage of chemicals.

Following are the products that tea tree oil can replace:

• Household Cleaner
• Chemical-free Deodorant
• Anti-microbial Laundry Cleaner
• Anti-microbial Dish Cleaner
• Mould Remover
• Chemical-free Acne Face Wash
• Insect Repellent
• Foot Order Remover
• Beauty Products (Makeup Remover, Moisturizer, Hair replenisher)

A study published in Journal of Phytomedicine showed that none of the essential oils including tea tree oil cause any sort of adverse effects. This is the reason why many doctors prescribe tea tree oil in place of traditional medication and options in a number of health conditions.

In addition, the study also highlighted the synergetic effect of taking essential oils. This means taking essential oils along with medicines brings no side effects as well as does not react with them and instead decrease chances of development of antibiotic resistance.

How can you use tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil can be used in various ways to treat the conditions or replacement for common household products as mentioned before. Following are the ways you can use tea tree oil:

Aromatic use of tea tree oil

Aromatherapy is a widely used and well-known technique known for helping in relieving many health conditions especially mental health problems such as depression, ADHD or anxiety. Tea tree oil is one of the oils that can be used for aromatherapy.

You can do this at home in two ways. The first one is diffusing the oil by using an oil diffuser in all rooms of your home. The second one is to directly inhale the scent from the tea tree oil bottle or to sprinkle some directly on skin, clothes, and way as a perfume.

Topical use of tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is applied to hair or skin due to its beautifying effect. But before doing so, it is important to know that tea tree oil should only be used topically in mixture with another carrier oil of your choice in a 1-1 ratio. Two of most suggested options are Olive oil Coconut oil.

Both of these oils have their own advantages for the skin and hair. A mixture of these with tea tree oil can bring even better effects.

Avoiding internal use

Tea tree oil is used as a remedy for dental problems, to get rid of bad breath and for whitening of teeth but that does not mean swallowing the oil does not cause any harm. Always remember there is no remedy that includes internal usage of tea tree oil.

According to the National Poison Centre, this is because swallowing tea tree oil is not beneficial and can instead be poisonous. It can cause hives, allergies and digestive issues if used internally, therefore, it should be avoided at all costs.

When using tea tree oil as a mouth wash or for mouth ulcer, you should always spit it out later and not swallow it to prevent any potential dangers.

Tea tree oil household cleaner

You might have noticed some of your friends or relatives are advised to keep away from conventional household cleaners and deodorants. Most of these people will also be suffering from some kind of seasonal, food, environmental allergy or may be having some lungs related issue. Why is this so?

Asthma patients are clearly told to avoid products containing chemicals to avoid future asthma attacks and to reduce their intensity. According to a study, indoor environments of some homes can be more toxic than outdoors due to the use of chemical-laden products.

Most of the household cleaners have chemicals and synthetic scents as well and it is also a fundamental item for most of the people. You can replace that commercially hold cleaners with homemade tea tree oil cleaner that will bring no side effects.

This natural cleaner is not only easy to make and requires only four ingredients but also leaves behind a fresh scent in the house when used.

You will need the following items for creating a homemade tea tree oil household cleaner:

• 15 Drops of Lemon
• 80oz Water
• 15 Drops of Tea Tree Oil
• 4oz White Vinegar (distilled)
• Spray Bottle (for easy use)

All you need to do is combine all the mentioned ingredients and shake the bottle once. You can start using after letting it sit for 15-20 minutes. This amount of tea tree oil cleaner will last around 30-40 days. Make sure to shake before using every time.

In addition, glass spray bottles are recommended to store the homemade cleaner over plastic bottles since citrus essential oils have an acidic nature that can be good for you but not for plastic because it will eat away the plastic over time.

Learn more about the benefits of essential oils from doTERRA Health Advocate Amy Snyder at http://my.doterra.com/amysnyder 

A New Political Action Group: Mormon Women for Ethical Government

In Lysistrata women made their menfolk disengage

From wars and havoc by their use of sensual Ice Age.

From ancient Greece to modern times the women want a say

In how regimes are running things -- like in the USA.

They seem to find our current Chief of State such a buffoon

That they are forming coteries that spread like a typhoon.

In Utah and the Mountain West the Mormon distaff side

Have formed a union that they hope puts Trump on his backside.

They ain’t the Kathy Griffin kind who use a severed head;

They say please and thank you to their enemies instead.

A candlelight procession is their stock-in-trade, you see;

They never twist an arm or go for demagoguery.

Can they succeed where others failed, by using so much charm?

Well, at the very least they cannot do us any harm.

But if they conquer Trump by using such a sweet format,

I and ev’ry cynic man will have to eat our hat!

(Inspired by a story by Courtney Tanner)   

Essential Oils have Proven Healing Powers

If you suffer from anxiety or depression, feel fatigued, or often experience aches and pains, adding essential oils can complement your wellness regimen to improve your symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "the therapeutic use of essential oils (also known as volatile oils) from plants (flowers, herbs, or trees)" can be used "for the improvement of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being."

The center also noted that essential oils and aromatherapy are used for cancer treatment, "primarily as supportive care for general well-being," and can be used as a complement to wellness treatments like massage and acupuncture, "as well as with standard treatments for symptom management."

In studies conducted with cancer patients, different oils were used (in conjunction with treatments like massage) to see what outcomes different oils could have on health and wellness. Here are some of their findings:

• Lavender: improved sleep, reduced depression, and reduced blood pressure
• Chamomile: reduced anxiety (physical and psychological symptoms) and improved quality of life
• Sweet Orange: reduced nausea

• Peppermint: this oil has "anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antispasmodic, astringent properties," has been shown to improve exercise performance, and can aid digestion and alleviate IBS
• Lemon and Citrus: reduce morning sickness and reduce anxiety during labor
• Bergamot: improves mood
• Rosemary: can treat dementia and Alzheimer's, improves cognitive function, and can manage pain
• Geranium: reduces fatigue, anxiety, and stress
• Eucalyptus: can reduce aches and pains, and has anti-inflamatory, antibacterial properties
• Neroli oil: reduces blood pressure and anxiety

Learn more about the benefits of essential oils from doTERRA Health Advocate Amy Snyder at http://my.doterra.com/amysnyder