Meta-Bug Product Reviews: Trader Joe’s Taco Mix. Verdict: Sodium Overdose
Depression in Teenage Girls and Young Women: Is it getting worse?
Yes, that does seem to be the case, in spite of increased awareness, better medications, and supposedly less stigma.
And this from the peer-reviewed journal Pediatrics
RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of MDEs increased from 8.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2014 in adolescents and from 8.8% to 9.6% in young adults (both P < .001). The increase was larger and statistically significant only in the age range of 12 to 20 years. The trends remained significant after adjustment for substance use disorders and sociodemographic factors. Mental health care contacts overall did not change over time; however, the use of specialty mental health providers increased in adolescents and young adults, and the use of prescription medications and inpatient hospitalizations increased in adolescents.
Do You Know What Your Elected Officials Think About a Draft? No? Well, Neither Do They.
Today I called up the offices of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA).
Our current administration seems to be heading us towards more armed conflict rather than less. In order to have any fair discussion about the use of the military, the country needs to have a fair discussion about making everyone pay the price for using it.
So I called some legislators in my state
From Elizabeth Warren’s office: The kind person on the other end of the phone had no idea what Ms. Warren’s position was. She said they would get back to me.
From Edward Markey’s office: The kind person on the other end of the phone had no idea what Mr. Markey’s position was, but maybe I should check the website. I said I had and had not been able to find a policy statement. She said they would get back to me.
From Seth Moulton’s office (Mr. Moulton is a veteran): The polite person on the other end of the phone said that she was an intern and could not give out policy positions. She did not offer to get back to me. I asked her to do so, and I left my phone number and email address.
My blocked list on Facebook is getting longer
I don’t block people because they’re idiots. I block people because if I don’t, I waste my time arguing with idiots. Which makes me an idiot, of sorts.
What does my daughter Zahava, who lives in DC, and Sarah Palin have in common?
Answer: Both can see Russia from their house.
Tifney Terry-Franks Just about as funny as Obama who claimed to visit all 57 states.
Richard Lerner One was a misspeak. The other was a blatant attempt at self-puffery. Please examine your biases.
Richard Lerner My point exactly. You don’t even think you have any, which is the definition of bias.
Tifney Terry-Franks What bias Richard Lerner? Please feel free to enlighten all as you seem so all knowing? In this scenario only please.
Richard Lerner The fact that you conflate a statement where someone clearly misspoke with a prepared talking point that borders on the ridiculous pretty much says it all. If you can’t see the failure of the logic that allows that then it would be like me trying to explain music to the tone-deaf.
Tifney Terry-Franks Right. He clearly misspoke. Amusing how liberals misspeak and conservatives are just stupid in the eyes of a liberal. I am not the one tone deaf sir.
Richard Lerner Prepared idiocy vs. misspeaking? What on earth don’t you get? That you CAN’T get it really shows where you are coming from.
Richard Lerner And now I have to block you, because I’m wasting my time arguing with the tone deaf. Really, it’s not you. It’s me.
Tifney Terry-Franks No I get it. You like others want to discredit Palin at face value because you think she is stupid/ignorant. Shows where you are coming from, she is not a stupid or an ignorant person.
Block me as you please. It will have no impact on me or my day.
Nahla Nimeh-Lewis Please block her, I don’t need to feel so dismayed by a country I voluntarily adopted and loved I shall also do the same
Hey Lawyers.
We know from the Jones case during the Clinton administration that a president can’t be sued for something done while in office, but can be for things done before taking the oath. However, that wouldn’t seem to preclude conflict of interest suits, which–by definition–would only occur while the president is sitting? Can someone explain this to me?
Embrace Your Outer Misfit.
You may as well, because there’s no way you’re going to make it inner.
Haiti Veterinary Mission
Please go to this site
and give a hand. Or a few bucks.
There are NO veterinary schools in Haiti. The Christian Veterinary Mission is teaching young Haitians to be veterinary agents, helping them take care of the livestock that is so important to their livelihood.
Meta-Bug readers like cute doggie stories, less motivated by calls for the Trumplets (Ivanky, Ericky, and Donny Jry) to join the military.
So few people read this virtual rag that statistics are probably useless. However, we did go over 100 views for ENTIRE WEEK! I realize that more millions more people than that will watch a cute cat video in the time it takes to read this paragraph. I can live with that.
And I’m glad that you’re interested in the thrilling story about Genius Mutt defying death after eating a chocolate cake.
But people! In all of this political talk flying around, NO ONE is talking about the proper use of the military. It would be nice to have this discussion before we get stuck in another stupid quagmire that costs the lives and health of those willing to sign on that line.
It is the unanimous view of the Meta-Bug editorial staff that the draft needs to be reinstated. We don’t like the draft. We don’t like the fact that having a large standing army tends to get overused. We wouldn’t like the increased military spending that would accompany a universal draft. We don’t like the possible militarization of society that could occur with a universal draft. We don’t like having permanent military bases in places where they are not wanted or not necessary. We think that young Americans should be supported in becoming the adults they want to be, and that it should be done through education, that the money would be better used paying for universities and trade schools rather than uniforms, food supplied by contractors, and weapons.
Above all, I don’t want my children in the military.
But we are in love with our military might. For a large number of Americans, being big and powerful is part and parcel of our patriotism. We stand astride the globe, ready to go anywhere at a moment’s notice (damn the exit strategies!).
If that is going to be the case, everyone needs to take part. Senators’ sons. Kids of Congressmen. The President’s Progeny. Especially the President’s Progeny. And they shouldn’t be dragged off to the draft board kicking and screaming. They should be at the recruiter’s office, waiting at the door ten minutes before opening time. (On time in the military is 10 minutes early.)
Will they answer the call?
The Meta-Bug 