ADDICTION IS NOT AN ILLNESS; IT’s A CHOICE…plus…THE EMPEROR OF ICE CREAM…THE COMMENT LINE IS OPEN
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, NOV. 13-15, 2015) — THE PLANET loves playing the contrarian, but never more so than when we can play the part AND be in the right. Such is the case when it comes to the opioid problem in Massachusetts. Governor Baker has outlined a program to deal with addiction, one that the local state reps have embraced. However, the program is based upon a fundamental flaw, namely, that addiction is an “illness.”
Addiction is not an illness. It is a choice.
Victims Need Not Apply
Addiction as “illness” is primarily an American invention, drawn up to coincide with the waning of personal responsibility for one’s choices and the elevation of “victimization” as the new sainthood. “Drunk drivers” became people “under the influence of alcohol.” You get the picture. When the American Medical Association famously declared that addiction was an “illness,” it became open season on the power of choice and the role of the Will in personal affairs.
Claiming addiction as a “disease” turns the user into a “powerless” victim. That begins the endless cycle of a problem that will not go away. True diseases or illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or the common cold are not thought of as something a sufferer can lick through will power, and rightly so. Addiction, however, is a choice. It is the result of a person choosing to take another drink, ingest another pill, shoot up another vein.
The Big Business of Addiction wants people to believe they are “powerless” in the face of their habit because of money. As an industry, addiction treatment cashes in at $35 billion a year. The business doesn’t want to “cure” addicts. It wants to “maintain” them and destroy the person’s will. That is done by perpetuating the fiction that addiction is an “illness” and that people are “powerless” in its face.
THE PLANET says no. One decides to take the next hit … or not.
Why Do Most Addictions End Spontaneously?
Here’s another point to consider. If addiction is a disease, why do most addictions end spontaneously, without treatment? THE PLANET knows many people who quit a lifelong habits of smoking and drinking, cold turkey, once they decided to grow up and act like adults. In another example, how were 75% of heroin-addicted Vietnam veterans able to kick the drug on their own when they returned home?
Addiction is not a disease. It’s a nasty habit. Don’t take THE PLANET‘s word. Read The Biology of Desire by neurologist Dr. Marc Lewis. Lewis is a longtime addict and also a professor of developmental psychology. He shows that the brain is a “plastic organ.” In other words, it changes continuously over time. If you learn a new language, if you fall in love, when you age, the brain changes. This shoots down the main argument of the “addiction as illness” group, who claim that repeated use of a substance over time “changes the brain.” Of course it does. So does eating peanut butter sandwiches four times a week.
Addiction is essentially a feedback loop. You get high (on pills, booze, grass, or whatever), and you feel good. You want to feel good, so you get high. Getting high makes you feel good. And so the cycle goes. The “will” to “feel good” overpowers other acts of will, such as the will to self-care, the will to personal responsibility, and the will to face our fears and anxieties rather than run away from them.
The state does not need to spend one dollar on treatment. Rather, people need to take responsibility for their choices.
—————————————————-
Here, now, is our single-most favorite poem of the 20th century.
THE EMPEROR OF ICE CREAM
BY WALLACE STEVENS
Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month’s newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
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To Ice Cream and Emperors! The Comment Line is open.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
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“Against the haystack a girl stands laughing at me, / Cherries hung round her ears. / Offer me her scarlett fruit: I will see / If she has any tears.” — D. H. Lawrence, “Cherry Robbers,” (1912).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Please watch PCTV, The Gaetani program. Especially you, Barry Clairmont. I must have as Gaetani reiterates continually, a very,very, very small brain, as I can’t cpmprehend him on his two yachts wearing a thong on the “French Rivera”. He never wanted to be mayor and now the city is going to be punished by him to the tune of $40 million dollars in extra costs when building a future sewage treatment plant and his share will be $20 million??? My very, very,very small brain makes his tv show analogous to The Twilight Zone.
Come on back “Concerned”. aka writer for the wizard.
All the Gaetani comments are bringing this web-site down to topix level.
I thought he was talking about the drinking water plants???? The sewage plant is a different ball of er wax.
I’ve already responded to your request. I do not possess the authority to grant your request.
This is my last response to these requests.
Barry
Doesn’t a city councilor vote on the money that gets spent on the water plants? I would hope that you might be able to at least take a tiny peak at the goings on inside the water plants. Is there a secret handshake or something that a city official has to know to get in or maybe a secret password?
If I made a similar reference to Kathy Amuso in a thong on a yacht people would get upset so let’s forgo such talk.
Does anyone believe Concerned is not Mr. Gaetani?
Barry, you could be on to something!
uh….No.
Barry
To be clear, my reply was to 655321.
Barry
If he really cares so much about the tax payer and has that much money why doesn’t he do us a big favor and pay our property taxes for the next couple of years. He’s just a big cry baby, finger pointing bully who didn’t get his way. Please do us a favor and sail away into the sunset.
Mr. G. has had your back for 30 years. Look at your water bill. It would have been 7 times what you have been paying. Didn’t know that did you.
At one time there was no water and sewer bill in Pittsfield. I bet you didn’t know that.
He’s insensitive to other (Mr G that is) doesn’t listen, and brags about all the money he has.
WEll you know what they about people who have to brag they are beautiful, powerful, have a lot of money etc……If they have to brag about it they don’t have it.
“I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by
Oh my my, I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by
See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy”
– Van Halen
What if one becomes addicted to reading the Planet everyday?
Both the Valenti show and the Gaetani show discussed the bloated school department budget but you both left out one factor…….many other city non school dept employees spend a significant amount of time policing or fixing things at the schools. These activities as well as school bussing come off the city side of the ledger so the schools consume even more than Valenti or Gaetani stated.
So true. The Pittsfield schools are eating up even more money than has been stated.
Juan.. Your are very correct. I wonder if there is some way to find out how many other city workers are outsourced to the schools? The school budget alone will eventually, force this city in to bankruptcy. Mr. Valenti and Mr Gaetani have made this point clear on their tv shows. Mr. Gaetani on his today’s show, even hints that bankruptcy might be the proper route for the city to go as bankruptcy would re-establish wages for all municipal workers which would reflect realistically what the taxpayers can afford. I am going to try to find out how things are going in Detroit and Sacramento as they are restructuring their municipal wages. If we can not get the Council and Mayor to do some serious reductions to our city budget, it is only a matter of time before we go under. After all how much more can the taxpayer withstand. Perhaps with just a little more incompetence from this council, and we will definitely see it, will be the straw that breaks the camel;s back and causes a city revolt by taxpayers. If the taxpayer doesn’t follow thru, like they didn’t in the election, we might as well all pack our bags and head to higher ground. What else can we do? Any ideas out there?
Busses come off the school side, not city side.
Barry
Are they listed in the school budget? Are the drivers employees of the school dept?
Yes, the debt payments and the drivers are on the school department side of the budget.
Barry
The Union Health Insurance Employee share needs to come in line with the rest of the world. They need to pay more of their own premium.
Here’s the link to the school budget.
http://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/docs/FY15_City_Budget/Tab_9_FY_2015_School_Department_Budget.pdf
Here’s the link to the City Budget
http://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/fy2015_city_budget.php
I agree that drug addiction should not be called an “illness”. We all know what illnesses are. Addictions can be beaten with willpower.
oversimplifying it a little since chemical dependence is biological, and withdrawal can even be fatal
Gaetani, Gaetani, Gaetani……
Is anyone else sick of hearing about Gaetani and how he wants to grab $20 million dollars from taxpayers?
He has a boat, has contempt for this site, ran for mayor and got 10 votes. Now lets move on.
Dan please stop this loser from posting here. Spare us from this spam.
I’m a first time watcher of Mr. Gaetanis show. The man is completely off his rocker! His writing on the black board looks like a 3 year old wrote it.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday should be GFD – Gaetani free days – unfortunately for us regular people he has NO relevance, and his posts are bloated pockets of wasted air – just one regular guys opinion – DV help us ! oh and addiction is definately part illness/part weakness – tough call – prob depends on your life experiences –
If you see a post from someone you don’t care for why do you read it?
Albany– You should watch both the Gaetani and Valenti shows today. Both are very relevant. Gaetani and Valenti are movers and shakers. They are quite different than most people in this town. They take a stand and they try to educate everybody. Both of them being teachers is quite evident. Straight forward and to the point. Now…What is your point?
The only way Gaetani is getting into the water treatment plants is if he gets elected mayor and removes Collingwood. Only then would he be able to put his stooges in place and bilk the people out of $40 million dollars.
Ain’t gonna happen. People are way smarter than that.
“Concerned” is not Gaetani but someone hired by him who know how write a sentence. Mr. Gaetani insists on highjacking this blog. He is not for the people as Dan Valenti is but Gaetani is for himself, looking to take the people’s money.
Concerned just writes what Mr. Gaetani tells/pays him to write.
Addiction as an illness is a very interesting and fascinating question.
If it is an illness what Medical treatment does AA offer once detoxed? It seems like the whole 12 step program is more based upon making wiser choices and changing of thinking than say ECT or some other “medical” treatment. If 12 step programs are treating diseases per say why are they not more regulated? Are the treatment facilities eligible for reimbursement under the ACA? Is a sponsor a medical professional?
What guidelines are there for addiction treatment facilities? A million questions all lead to big dollars towards treatment. What is the success rate for these places?
The bigger question is what is the addiction industry worth? 35Billion a year (or roughly half the school budget in 2020)
It is almost freaky that you posted this today as I just read about this and watched a documentary last week for my CME credits.
Please see the link
http://www.forbes.com/sites#/sites/danmunro/2015/04/27/inside-the-35-billion-addiction-treatment-industry/
The Documentary if you can get it is as interesting as the read but please view the trailer it is thought provoking to say the least.
http://www.thebusinessofrecovery.com/
Concerned can you please ask Mr. Gaetani to use some of his millions to arrange for a community viewing at the Colonial theater? If he does I will certainly step up to help clean his fish as I am sure others will. Here’s a chance to matter
Just askin
Joe Pinhead–Yes, this topic is a sleeping giant in this country and all other countries. I read some where that in some foreign country, they are experimenting with new drug treatments where by the addicted or diseased is given a target drug that is injected into the bloodstream, which is harmless to the sick or addicted. As long as the addict doesn’t use, no negative side effects are experienced. However, if the addict uses. .. A violent reaction occurs. They claim that medical specialists can take the addict out of the agony with an antidote, which is fast acting. The key factor here, is that the brain wires itself to recognize that the addict’s drug of choice, is a trigger to prevent the addict from wanting their drug of choice. If this is the case.. then we may be on the forefront of getting a handle on this runaway problem, that is killing more and more, year after year. Realistically, this seems as though this would be a very cost effective method to save the taxpayer, who are forking out much more than 35 billion dollars you mentioned. Mr. Valenti picked a good topic this weekend and I would like to know what everyone on this blog feels about this terrible scourge, that is wiping out many young people.
6 tenths of one percent.
Enough said.
Barry
BAN THIS GUY ALREADY! THE CONSTANT ATTACKS ON BARRY ARE SICKENING. GAETANI LOST BY A LANDSLIDE. BANISH HIM TO TOPIX. DON’T LET GAETANI NEAR OUR WATER SUPPLY. HE IS NOT MILOS KROFTA. CONCERNED IS IRRELEVANT.
L T just stated on Channel 13 she will give the Police Chief Carte Blanche to make the Force a force, for better safety. She also stated she will find the money to do it, interesting, can’t wait. She is also contemplating a Park Manager for the Stanley Business Park, also interesting.
They’ll be putting in money trees in the next phase of street scape so we’ll be ok.
Dear Mr./Mrs/Ms/ Miss Concerned,
Let’s give Mayor elect Tyer the opportunity to fail, hopefully succeed, before we condemn her to the deep dark recesses of Planet Valenti.
I think we need an experienced city manager. We don’t have one. We have a rookie mayor who I hope represents the taxpayers responsibly, who realizes that the city’s largest employer is the Social Security System, and, who realizes that we all must live within our means. As she has not been sworn yet, I feel it’s a tad early to begin the stoning, especially from one so cowardly as you, hiding behind an alias. Man up! Or maybe woman up! And Mr. Bossidl may be a bit out of our price range. Maybe Jack Welch?
The Krofta sand floatation system adds aluminum as part of the process. Aluminum causes alzheimers. This system is very old and outdated. It needs to be removed. This type of water treatment should never have been allowed.
If you drink water from the tap, you got to be out of your mind. There are much better ways to treat the water supply. Pittsfield’s residents have enough to deal with the pcb contamination. Adding aluminum to the water is not the way to go.
Horrible attacks in Paris happening right now. At least 100 people dead just in one concert hall. This is a game changer for Paris, Europe and the world. This world needs to wake up to what is happening.
For the past year the international community closed their eyes as to the taking of one town after another by ISIS These terrorists find sanctuary in Iraq and Syria and unless the international community comes together to put an end to these country’s harboring these terrorists, we can expect to see this type of carnage time after time. The Kurds begged the US to provide them with equipment to fight these terrorists and we can share the blame with all other country’s who didn’t heed their call. This type of warfare is the toughest to fight because there is no way to identify who is who. We have been watching Putin flexing his muscle in Syria and we should let him have Syria and see how fast Russia goes down the drain with Syria. After all, what do we care about Syria. IF the world body doesn’t come together to wipe out these terrorist groups and the countries that harbor them the whole world will be in serious trouble. It is time for all peace loving countries to come together and do what we must to wipe out these terrorists and countries who harbor them.
Send Syria the Pittsfield City Council and Syria will be out of money in six months.
I agree. Let global warming take a back seat…the radical ideology of this group needs to be taken seriously. All nations must come together against this common enemy.
If you get outside of the US, and read some real journalism, you will find out that the Russian military offensive in Syria has been very successful. On the surface President Obama has been forced to cooperate or look bad. Russian bombing in the short period has dropped ISIS/ISIL or whatever you want to call them.
All this while the Saudis along with our CIA supply weapons to “less radical Muslims”. That is also the rumor why the “embassy” in Libya was attacked. It was the hub of this operation to supply arms. If we had not supplied shoulder fired SAM’s to the afgan rebels against the Russians, we would not have had the Muslim problems we do today. But again the CIA is so involved in the opium trade “poppies” out of the region, so they could not allow it.
In Dan’s article…the AMA declaring addictions as a disease, all about the treatments being covered by health insurance. Yes there does develop a chemical dependence, but it is still a choice. If you do an extensive controlled detox of the body, it can minimize that issue, then it is up to will power and controlling personal desires.
Islamic Jihad has been a problem forever. They terrorized Europe centuries ago and they have been a problem for the U.S. since the Barbary Pirates. Islam is a religion of conquest and submission. The problems aren’t there because Israel exits. The problem is that many moslems live in the 7th century.
Kerry had a long winded speech today in which he also spoke French, but he thinks that a ceasefire in Syria will stop the terrorism. These politicians are just not seeing the bigger picture here. ISIS just happens to be in Syria now, but the terrorism problem isn’t just about Syria. ISIS wants to take over everywhere with their caliphate. These politicians are just not seeing the real problem.
If anyone is delusional it’s the current presidential administration and state dept.
I think the whole world is already in serious trouble. Paris is at ground zero and they know that their country and all of Europe has a huge problem right now.
Geraldo Riviera’s daughter was trapped in Paris last night. She survived the attack on the sports arena, but was clearly traumatized. She talked to her father on television last night from Paris describing what happened. It was extremely sad. She couldn’t wait to get out of there.
Please don’t waste any of your time with me, Mr. Miss. Ms. Concerned. Please.
Maybe Barry can explain the threshold for highest increase in tax on property. The L L if you will. I know it but prefer Barry to explain,if he will to the not so informed.
Apparently not so many people who follow this blog are effected or concerned about the opiate problem. ISIS may be on its way to America but the heroin problem is already here. Study up, as this is a menace that is in one way or another sorely effecting us all.
Whether you believe it is a disease or a choice it is a serious problem needing immediate heavy handed attention. Addicts in desperate need for a fix can be a danger to anyone they think may have the money they need to purchase their poison. They are a huge part of the crime problem. And sadly an addict can rip a family apart in a very destructive way.
Everyone probably has an opinion on addiction, but not much knowledge on it. I found this website, read some and it scared the crap out of me.
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html
NO WAY CONCERNED IS THE WATER WIZARD…HE IS WW MINI ME
If you believe that your
as delusional as Mr. Gaetani. I can’t believe Dan has allowed it this long.
DTR has been in and out of the hospital since the election…a fast and full recovery for her…get well
I assume you mean Donna Todd Rivers?. Met her during the campaign. Very educated with background in law. I hope she gets better. I was at her fund raiser. Hope you feel better Donna. You know who I am. I will get in touch with you soon.
Years ago I had a business that sold industrial products. I had some independent reps that had sold products for 20-30 years to farmers and construction companies.
One of the key things I learned from them…when someone boasts about how well they are doing or how rich they are…only take payment in cash!
In other words they are either broke or hurting financially. The people that were financially doing well, never boast, in fact they even downplay their success. It’s almost like the salesman that pulls up in a big Mercedes or Cadillac. As a potential customer, you resent them, even if they are only putting on this front by leasing the vehicle.
With regards to these excessive numbers being thrown about being earned building water plants…at one point in my career, I was a sales engineer that sold ductile iron pipe, valves, etc. The materials are EXPENSIVE. Reps make about 4% on the product. Design firms about 10-20% depending on size of project, and general contractors bid extremely low profit margins, knowing they will make their money on change orders which always come. Since they are not in the original contract, everybody involved piles on.
So, unless the water wizard is the agent for the hardware, actually designs the plant, then acts as the general contractor, I do not see him making the type of big money being mentioned from any new water project.
Also, if you search online and track down the various descendent companies of Krofta Water Industries (KWI), nowhere is found a listing that includes Mr. Gaetani. So unless he and some others actually have a legitimate company/business that does this work…well draw your own conclusions.
If Gaetani was setting himself up to make $40 million dollars off the backs of taxpayers for his water treatment scam, he could have offered to be mayor for free and still come out way ahead.
Water is a basic human need. If he truly cared about the people and does not care about money, which he already have ooodles of, why doesn’t he offer to fix the water treatment plants for free?
There was a time in Pittsfield when water was free. There was no extra fees and taxes for water. No tax on food and clothing – why? — because they are neccesseties. A water bill – why? Water must be a luxury.
The next thing you know they will be charging an extra fee for garbage pickup. Then a garbage wizard will come along and tell you how he saved you millions and put millions in his own pocket.
How about a pothole fee? Everyone drives on the roads. Everyone should get a pothole bill in the mail. I can save you millions. Elect me mayor and I’ll save you millions on your pothole fees. I will purchase two more bagler rust bucket machines and potholes will be gone. But you need to make me filthy rich to do this.
I drew my conclusion long ago… and concur 100%
That’s right Ed, the richest people in Pittsfield live on the west side. They wear clothes that are falling apart and they drive a 73 Pinto.
Juan, that may be true. It’s that their riches may be other than money. I was speaking about business owners and their bragging about wealth or their humility about it.
I have met some people who were not wealthy, but had the most precious treasure, the gift of salvation. They can live anywhere in the city or country.
Be that as it may, people are not cookie cutter clones and not everyone expresses himself or herself the same as everyone else.
//planetvalenti.com/2015/04/gaetani-declares-does-he-ever-plans-for-the-corner-office/
This said he was director of marketing.
Concerned / Gaetani et al…
When I moved to Pittsfield around 1980, the water quality was poor. Within days I had a whole house water filtration system in my home.
In addition, you can have the greatest water plant in the world, but if your distribution system (pipes) are ancient…water quality reaching your home or business is poor. Do you realize that most fast food and restaurants also have their own purification systems as well for this same reason?
So I agree, I do not think Mr. Gaetani owes me anything. I am also grateful the people of Pittsfield did not fall for him and elect him mayor. The lawsuits he would have caused might have been the tipping point in placing Pittsfield into receivership.
While I may not agree with some of mayor elect Tyer’s ideas, she is the people’s choice. I wish her the best of success. Pittsfield needs her to be successful. Mr. Gaetani had his opportunity in the last election, he squandered away that opportunity by not listening to people who could have helped him.
Just like acting as his own lawyer in his court case. BTW, how is that working out?
Ed, tell the feds that we have lousy water pipes and it doesn’t matter whether the water coming out of the plant is dirty or clean. Then maybe we won’t have to pay Metcalf & Eddy or Gaetani any money to redesign the water plants.
http://fultonhistory.com/Process%20small/Newspapers/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press%201985.pdf/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press%201985%20-%200114.pdf
Gaetani mentioned here
Time for government to help out those folks with this disease. Those on government assistantance should get medical screening (DRUG TEST) to see if they have contracted the disease. If they have they should be put into a treatment program. Why not make sure the money to feed children goes to them, not drugs?
Joe Tax..You are quite correct. Drug addiction in many cases is a disease. When one studies very carefully who these drug addicts, ( yes) addicts are, They are our family and friends. Certainly no one can blame a new born who is addicted (has) this disease. The one and only way to put an end to this problem is thru rigorous testing, all through life. We need to start testing early in life and continue to the grave. Punishing continuous drug use by lncarceration, is not the route to go. We should take the money spent on prisons and spend it on drug treatment programs. Short of that.. nothing will be able to correct the culture. And yes, this is a cultural thing.
Maybe we should go Monday-Sunday GFD – Gaetani free days -I would take the advice to not read his entries, but it is hard not to when they DOMINATE this page. Let’s give LT a chance – I am sure she realizes (or soon will) that all the promises were not realistic, but any progress would be well received.
I believe that Gaetani has hypnotized PV posters to read and reread his posts.
I don’t think so at all.
Cr@ig has more Brass than a Candle holder factory. I am not beholden to the man in any way, but would go to war with him. I like the man!
The late great Richard Boone….You got a lot of hard bark on you mister!
“Hombre,” to Paul Newman.
Some unbelievable lines from the Democratic debate tonight. I watched some, but could not bear to watch all of it. Bernie Sanders said that terrorism is caused by climate change. Hillary could not say we are at war with radical islam and had to change it to radical jihadists in order to be PC. You can’t make this stuff up.
Maybe Bernie should get his licence picture with a pasta strainer on his head.
I am an advocate for our Constitution and I believe in free speech. I would suggest, however, that ‘Concerned’ choose more carefully his posting, as commenting on this blog page is a privilege, not a right.
At Cat, Believe the quote was…..Mister, you have got a lot of hard bark on you comin down here like this…another great quote unrelated by Boone in the movie Hombre ( which means man) was …. My Mother told me to remove my hat and take the Cigar out of my mouth in the presence of a Lady, anything else I remove will depend on how lucky I am.
Does anyone know if concerned is in fact GAETANI? Sounds like him but more reasoned and few capital letters.
Only Valenti would know for sure. It clearly is Gaetani. “Concerned” attacks other posters like Gaetani. Writes like Gaetani.
If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s Gaetani.
Maybe a Juan a bee politician!
via duct?
Chuck, I thought you were concerned. Concerned is on second and I don’t know who’s on third…..so in any case are you concerned?
This is one big mystery Chuck. Let’s bring in Jakubowicz. In his capacity as J Edgar Hoover’s evening wear coordinator he may have honed his forensic investigative skills.
Is anyone else seeing red over our government’s call to increase the number of Syrian refugees entering this country, especially given the recent Paris attacks by ISIS? 2,000 have already arrived in the U.S. despite warnings from the FBI that it’s impossible to vet their backgrounds. Obama wants at least 100,000. According to the Congressional Research Office, the majority are men and 97% are Muslim. Gov. Baker wants 1,000 in our state. The CRO says 90% of Middle East refugees sign up for food stamps and 61% sign up for Medicaid. So now, in addition to illegals from Mexico and Central America, our leaders want to import trouble from the Middle East as well! Start screaming to your congressmen folks!
Have fun storming the castle!
Judging from the way Pittsfield votes most of the time, Pittsfield doesn’t care for salmon…..sucker seems to be the citizen’s choice.
The newest Speaker of the House (not Concerned) was a former McDonalds employee, his family has a History of heart problems and short life expectancy and really didn’t want the job. this is the perfect candidate, finally we have the perfect fit in Congress.
You’re talking Paul Ryan, will cut social security in a heartbeat if Congress allows with his leadership, he’s a tea party favorite and people should be wary, very wary, specially retires. It is amazing that the banks were bailed out, that one gets me and all of the players are going or gone Geiner, Obama, Boehner,Pilosi. People will be very very upset if the entitlement is reduced, ssi recipients aren’t getting any raises and it really the lifeblood of the retiree.
As a vet from two wars Viet-Nam and Iraq, I don’t see any sense in sending ground troops to fight ISIS. These present day terrorists are well backed financially by oil, they can sell on world markets and by rouge countries, who share their fanatic beliefs. When a terrorist is willing to risk his life for fanaticism, there is very little that can be done to contain them. The only way civilized countries can begin to break up, these packs of wolves, is to isolate the countries financially that harbor them and to destroy the sources of money.. which are Middle East oil. There is no other way to deal with terrorists other than starving them in all modalities. Of course, We and all other peace loving countries will have to curb our own taste for oil and we will have to break up the monopolies of the worlds oil companies. The US and most other peace loving countries must look to all other sources of energy sans oil and develop a world laboratory to share knowledge for the benefit of mankind. The problem that is facing the US and other countries is the poor type of students produced from the American educational system. If things don’t change and change fast in this country , we will soon be bossed around by other countries who have bettered their educational systems.