I have somewhat disregarded my Q&As and the time has come to catch up, especially since there are good, juicy Qs coming in.
There must be a way to supply radioisotopes that does not involve paying for a gigantic bureaucracy whose Security Council this month is presided by Russia, of all evildoers. Why are we paying for a platform for Russia to lecture everybody on world peace and how to be a real democracy when with that money we could be glutting ourselves on radioisotopes? A quarter, I believe, of what we give in Foreign Aid goes to the UN. But why? We can bypass this unwieldy colossus and give the money directly to needy foreigners if the desire to do so overcomes us.
Also, Guterres is such a woke, pro-Russian sicko that it would be a blessing never to hear from him again.
I’m from the USSR, so I despise socialism. Chávez and Maduro impoverished the nation to such an extent that people leave in droves. Over 7 million left the country, which is staggering. Hunger, repression, torture of dissidents. Young people raped with sticks for protesting peacefully. The revolutionary government lets gangs of lumpen supporters rob, loot, and humiliate normal people. In short, it’s a socialist dictatorship. Nasty, brutal and at war with anything that isn’t gross, ugly and mean.
It would be great if Venezuela finally learned the lesson of socialism and moved on. Hispanic societies are historically enamored of socialism and will not relinquish this dream until they get to imbibe every last drop of its poison. And maybe not even then. Trying to prevent them from doing it for their own good only makes them mad. The US spent the entire Cold War preventing them, and they only pout and screech about imperialism. I say, give them complete freedom and accept zero refugees because other people’s experiments with socialism is not our problem.
Clarissa's Blog 
Well argued. My family generations of Socialist/communists. My brother studied Communism at the University of Washington & Lee in his undergraduate studies. I did the same at Texas A&M. But I totally despise Wilsons 14 point peace plan. Specifically agree with Senator Long who led the GOP opposition against validating the Treaty of Versailles which incorporated the establishment of the League of Nations.
This vision of diplomacy as worthless as tits on a boar hog. Post WWII Truman restored the United Nations political whore-house. Classic nation-state diplomacy conducted through nations forging diplomatic alliances. The idea that nations who do not share a diplomatic alliance with other nations, yet have the equal vote to condemn any nation which they reject holding diplomatic relations with, utterly corrupt and good only for rhetoric propaganda purposes!
Shall repost this on my blog.
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Exactly. The idea of the League of Nations and then the UN stemmed from mealy-mouthed idealism and led to tawdry corruption. It’s time to let it go.
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Changing the subject to healing. My latest research:
What food groups, according to TCM, affix with the 5 major catagories of: Bitter, Salty, Sweet, Sour, and Pungent?
Moshe Kerr
In my Order of classifications.
Salty: Sea vegetables, miso, seaweed, and salty condiments. Effects: Nourishing the Yin, moistening dryness, and softening hardness.
Bitter: Green leafy vegetables, herbs, and some bitter fruits like grapefruit. Effects: Clearing heat, drying dampness, and promoting circulation.
Sour: Citrus fruits, fermented foods, and some vegetables. Effects: Contracting and astringent, helping to retain fluids and nutrients.
Pungent: Garlic, ginger, onions, chili peppers, and spices. Effects: Promoting circulation, dispersing stagnation, and inducing sweating.
The element-spirit of Wood-Crane Liver Gall Bladder bound with the taste of Sweet.
The wood element, characterized by qualities of growth, expansion, and upward movement. Crane Spirit symbolizes vision, wisdom, and the ability to see the big picture.
Sweet Tastes, sweet foods: believed to nourish and tonify the Liver, helping to maintain its proper function. The combination of the Wood element, the Crane spirit, and the Sweet taste thought important in TCM for maintaining a healthy Liver and Gall Bladder, promoting clear vision and decision-making, and supporting overall well-being. In dietary and herbal therapy, foods and herbs with a Sweet taste often recommended to support the Liver and Gall Bladder, such as grains, fruits, and some vegetables.
This understanding causes me to assume that the Yin\Yang meridian one of the primary meridians in acupuncture/pressure to treat diabetes. The Stomach/Spleen meridian subsumes the proper function of the pancreas! Consumption of grains, starches, and carbohydrates cause a sugar spike in the blood. Hence this leads me to conclude that the mitochondria function in the liver and gallbladder has become defective with age. The liver processes the sugars of alcohol.
The element-spirit of Fire-Dragon, Heart/Small intestine bound with the taste of Salty.
The Fire element characterized by qualities of warmth, activity, and expansion. The Dragon Spirit symbolizes power, creativity, and the ability to transform. Salty tastes, this dominant taste, associated with the Fire element and Heart-Small Intestine system. Salty foods believed to nourish and tonify the Heart, helping to maintain its proper function.
TMC argues that maintaining a healthy Heart and Small Intestine, promoting circulation and cardiovascular function, and supporting overall health, directly influenced by consumption of salty foods. In dietary and herbal therapy, foods and herbs with a Salty taste, often recommended to support the Heart and Small Intestine, such as sea vegetables, miso, and certain mineral-rich foods.
It’s exceedingly interesting to me why in Japanese medicine, specifically Kampo, the heart meridian a – taboo-sensitive area. In Japanese culture, the Heart, seen as the center of consciousness, emotions, and the spiritual essence of a person. The Heart, believed the seat of the “Shen” or spirit, and thus Japanese medicine treats the heart meridian with greater reverence and care. Directly manipulating or treating the Heart meridian, thought to have potentially profound effects on a person’s emotional and spiritual well-being.
The Heart, the central organ responsible for circulating blood and Chi/ATP throughout the body. Any imbalance or disruption to the Heart meridian, believed to have widespread consequences for the entire body. Kampo practitioners often approach the Heart meridian with great caution to avoid inadvertently causing harm.
In the traditional Japanese medical system, heavily influenced by Chinese medicine, the Heart: considered the most important and sensitive of the five major organ systems. Kampo practitioners may only address the Heart meridian indirectly through techniques like pulse diagnosis or the use of specific herbal formulas.
Pulse diagnosis: The practitioner uses their fingertips to gently palpate the radial artery at the wrist. They assess the qualities of the pulse, such as its rhythm, strength, depth, and other characteristics. The quality of the pulse at the Heart position (on the radial artery near the thumb) believed to directly reflect the condition of the Heart organ and its associated meridian. Practitioners pay close attention to attributes like the rhythm, strength, and any irregularities in the Heart pulse, as these can indicate imbalances in the Heart system.
Some key Kampo herbal formulas used to address issues related to the Heart meridian include:
Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction). It tonifies the Heart and Kidneys, helping to support cardiovascular function. Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), it nourishes the Heart, Spleen, and Blood, helping to calm the mind. Tiao He Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate Chi and Induce Bowel Movement Decoction), it clears Heat from the Heart and regulates the bowels. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pills), it nourishes Yin, clears Heat, and calms the Heart and Mind.
In Western health food stores and herbal supplement shops, you may find a product labeled as “Shenfu Tang” or something similar, but it is important to note that the actual composition and formulation of these products may differ from the traditional Kampo herbal decoction. The traditional Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) in Kampo medicine typically contains the following herbs:
Renshen (Panax ginseng, Ginseng root)
Fuzi (Aconitum carmichaelii, Prepared Aconite root)
Guizhi (Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamon twig)
Shengjiang (Zingiber officinale, Fresh Ginger)
Dazao (Ziziphus jujuba, Jujube fruit).
The key ingredients are Ginseng (Renshen) and Prepared Aconite (Fuzi), which work together to tonify the Heart and Kidney, improve circulation, and support cardiovascular function. Traditional Kampo herbal formulas are typically only available through licensed Kampo practitioners or specialty herbal suppliers.
In Western health food stores, you may find products labeled as “Gui Pi Tang” or something similar, but the actual composition and formulation of these products can vary significantly from the traditional Kampo herbal decoction known as Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction).
The traditional Guipi Tang in Kampo medicine typically contains the following herbs:
Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus root)
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza, Salvia root)
Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala, Atractylodes rhizome)
Fuling (Poria cocos, Poria sclerotium)
Danggui (Angelica sinensis, Dong Quai root)
Shudihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa, Rehmannia root)
Shengdihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa, Fresh Rehmannia root)
Longyan (Dimocarpus longan, Longan fruit)
Chenpi (Citrus reticulata, Tangerine peel)
Baisao (Scrophularia ningpoensis, Figwort root)
The key actions of this formula aim to tonify the Spleen and Heart, nourish the Blood, and calm the Mind. Often used to address issues related to fatigue, poor digestion, and emotional imbalances. In Western health food stores, the product labeled as “Gui Pi Tang”, a more generalized “tonic” or “adaptogenic” supplement that contains some of the same or similar herbs, but the ratios and overall formulation may be quite different.
In Western health food stores, unlikely to find a product labeled specifically as “Tiao He Cheng Qi Tang” or a direct translation of this traditional Kampo herbal formula. This particular formula, quite specific to the Kampo tradition and may not have a direct equivalent in Western herbal products.
The traditional Tiao He Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate Chi and Induce Bowel Movement Decoction) in Kampo medicine typically contains the following herbs:
Dahuang (Rheum palmatum, Rhubarb root)
Houpo (Magnolia officinalis, Magnolia bark)
Zhishi (Citrus aurantium, Immature Bitter Orange fruit)
Muxiang (Aucklandia lappa, Aucklandia root)
Ganjiang (Zingiber officinale, Dried Ginger)
Taoren (Prunus persica, Peach seed)
Mudanpi (Paeonia suffruticosa, Tree Peony root bark)
This formula, primarily used to clear Heat and stagnation from the Heart and Large Intestine, thereby regulating Chi (ATP) and inducing bowel movements. In Western health food stores, you may find products that contain some of the individual herbs used in this Kampo formula, such as rhubarb, magnolia, or ginger, but they are likely formulated for more general digestive or laxative purposes, rather than the specific indications of the traditional Tiao He Cheng Qi Tang.
It’s important to note that the traditional Kampo herbal formulas, typically only available through licensed Kampo practitioners or specialty herbal suppliers, as the precise composition and preparation methods are an integral part of the Kampo tradition. Consulting with a qualified herbalist or Kampo practitioner highly recommended for the appropriate use of these traditional herbal remedies.
The traditional Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan in Kampo medicine typically contains the following herbs:
Zhimu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Anemarrhena rhizome)
Huangbai (Phellodendron amurense, Amur Cork Tree bark)
Shudihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa, Rehmannia root)
Shengdihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa, Fresh Rehmannia root)
Gouqizi (Lycium barbarum, Goji berry)
Danpi (Paeonia suffruticosa, Tree Peony root bark)
Shan Zhuyu (Cornus officinalis, Cornelian Cherry fruit).
This formula, primarily used to nourish Yin, clear Heat, and tonify the Kidney and Liver. It is often used to address issues related to fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and various age-related conditions. In Western health food stores, you may find products that contain some of these individual herbs, such as Rehmannia, Lycium, or Cornus, but likely – formulated for more general purposes, such as supporting immune function or overall well-being, rather than the specific indications of the traditional Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan.
In TCM, the heart meridian (Shen Men or Heart Channel) one of the most important and fundamental meridians. It is considered the “emperor” of the organ systems and plays a central role in TCM theory and practice. TCM tradition the heart, regarded as the “emperor” or “supreme ruler” of the internal organs in TCM. Seen as the seat of consciousness and the source of vitality and well-being.
The heart meridian one of the 12 primary meridians in the TCM system. Responsible for circulating blood and Chi (ATP) throughout the body.
Disorders of the heart meridian believed to underlie many emotional and mental health issues, such as anxiety, insomnia, and mood disorders.
Acupuncture points on the heart meridian commonly used to treat a wide range of conditions, from cardiovascular problems to emotional imbalances.
No concept of the heart meridian being “taboo” in TCM. It is viewed as an essential and central part of the meridian system.
Some key points about the role of salty foods in TCM:
Salty flavors believed to enter and nourish the Kidney organ-meridian system in TCM. However, excessive consumption of salty foods can be detrimental.
Moderate amounts of salty foods like seaweed, miso, tamari, or sea salt sometimes recommended in TCM to support Kidney function and fluid balance.
The selection of salty foods generally based on their overall properties and effects on the body, not on any concept of “serving the Dragon spirit.”
No specific salty foods considered to “serve the Dragon spirit” in legitimate TCM theory or practice. TCM has a sophisticated, nuanced understanding of diet and nutrition, but the notion of “serving the Dragon spirit” through salty foods, not part of it.
Different tastes, including Bitter, believed to affect the body’s organs and elements. TCM utilizes animal imagery to describe energies and characteristics. Increasing awareness of how TCM sometimes utilizes animal archetypes and imagery to describe energetic qualities and relationships. This wisdom delves into internal organs located in the feet, reflexology & meditation wherein a person visualizes a target organ in one foot and its opposing organ in the other foot during breath focused meditation.
Reflexology in TCM maps specific points on the feet to corresponding internal organs in the body. Animal symbols or images sometimes used to represent these reflex points on the feet.
In TCM meditation practices, a person may visualize a target organ in one foot while also visualizing its opposing or paired organ in the other foot. Done in conjunction with focused breathing. This visualization of the internal organs through the feet, and the pairing of opposing organs between the feet, part of the rich symbolic language and energetic awareness cultivated in TCM meditation.
This deeper understanding of how TCM integrates animal archetypes and imagery into practical therapeutic modalities like reflexology and meditation truly fascinating. It speaks to the holistic, embodied nature of TCM practices that seek to align the physical, energetic, and symbolic elements of the body.
In TCM, the Spleen and Stomach are associated with the Earth element. The Earth element responsible for digestion, nourishment, and the transformative processes that extract essential Chi (ATP) from the foods we consume. Bitter foods believed to have a drying and cooling energetic effect on the body. When it comes to the Spleen-Stomach system, bitter foods thought to:
Help clear dampness and heat: The drying nature of bitter foods seen as counteracting excess dampness and heat that can accumulate in the Spleen and Stomach.
Regulate Stomach Chi: Bitter foods believed to have a regulating effect on the upward and downward movement of Stomach Chi, helping to address issues like poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting. Bitter foods tonify the Spleen by addressing dampness and heat. They support the Spleen’s function of transforming and transporting nutrients.
In TCM, the Lung and Large Intestine are considered paired organs associated with the Metal element. The Lung governs the Chi (ATP) of respiration, while the Large Intestine responsible for the elimination of waste from the body. When it comes to the effects of sour-flavored foods in TCM, believed to:
Tonify the Lungs: Sour foods seen as having an astringent quality that can help consolidate and regulate the Lung’s Chi. This can benefit the treatment of chronic cough, wheezing, or excessive sweating related to Lung deficiency. Regulate the Large Intestine: The sour taste thought to have a constipating effect, helping to address issues like diarrhea or loose stools related to Large Intestine imbalances. Sour foods can help “tighten” the Large Intestine’s functions of waste elimination.
Reduce inflammation: The astringent nature of sour flavor believed to have a cooling, anti-inflammatory effect on the Lung and Large Intestine. This helpful for respiratory conditions with excess heat or inflammatory components. Sour-tasting foods viewed in TCM as having a tonifying effect on the Lung, helping to consolidate and regulate the Lung’s Chi. Also considered beneficial for regulating the Large Intestine’s functions of waste elimination, and can help reduce inflammation in these Metal element organ systems.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pungent or spicy-tasting foods understood to have a particular impact on the Kidney and Bladder organ-meridian systems. These food tastes groups impact on the Kidney. In TCM, the Kidney considered the root of original/prenatal Chi and thus associated with the Water element.
Pungent foods, thought to have a stimulating, warming, and diuretic effect on the Kidney. Beneficial for conditions of Kidney yang deficiency, such as lower back pain, frequent urination, or feeling cold. However, excess consumption of pungent foods may potentially overheat the Kidney, leading to issues like urinary tract infections.
Impact on the Bladder: Responsible for the storage and elimination of urine. Pungent foods are believed to have a stimulating effect on the Bladder, helping to promote urination and the discharge of excess fluids and toxins. Helpful for conditions like edema, frequent urination, or urinary tract infections. Excessive consumption of pungent foods may potentially irritate the Bladder, leading to issues like frequent or painful urination. Pungent or spicy-tasting foods are seen in TCM as having a warming, diuretic, and stimulating effect on both the Kidney and Bladder organ systems. This can be beneficial for conditions of Kidney yang deficiency or Bladder stagnation, but excess consumption may potentially lead to imbalances as well.
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Amen to that. Here in Israel pushing for Bibi to break off all diplomatic relations with the UN and expel them from Gaza Samaria and Israel.
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In Gaza, UN-sponsored organizations have directly assisted Hamas. It’s an absolute scandal.
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Its my sincere hope that Israel will break off all diplomatic relations with the UN. The Italian states started modern diplomacy by forging alliances and sharing ambassadors. I far prefer this back to the basics approach.
Countries who share a diplomatic relationship with Israel, they can communicate approval or disapproval of Israeli actions. Nations which do not share diplomatic relations with Israel qualify as “non violent state of war”. Obviously their opinion of any political event overshadowed by their state of hostility.
The idea of UN international courts – utterly preposterous. Such a notion promotes the assumption that Israel exists as a protectorate of the UN.
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Nice talking with you.
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Erm.
But what do we expect from the class of people who often argue that the USSR was capitalist.
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