Just one of the events:

De-Clutterbug has a good friend who suffers from Scleroderma a little known or publicised desease which can affect old and the young alike the condition needs to be recognised and herewith addressed:-

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Scleroderma is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. This leads to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma, when it's diffuse or widespread over the body, is also referred to as systemic sclerosis.

The cause of scleroderma is not known. Researchers have found some evidence that genes are important factors, but the environment seems to also play a role. The result is activation of the immune system, causing injury to tissues that result in injury similar to scar tissue formation. The fact that genes seem to cause a predisposition to developing scleroderma means that inheritance at least plays a partial role. It is not unusual to find other autoimmune diseases in families of scleroderma patients. Some evidence for the role genes may play in leading to the development of scleroderma comes from the study of Choctaw Native Americans who are the group with the highest reported prevalence of the disease. The disease is more frequent in females than in males.

The Scleroderma Society is a registered charity (No.286736) founded in 1982.

It is also an affiliate of the nonprofit International Scleroderma Network at http://www.sclero.org/

The society's aims are to

•  help and support people with scleroderma
•  increase awareness of scleroderma
•  fund scientific and medical research

Membership is open to anyone. Society members range from people who have the disease themselves, or have a relative or friend with the illness, to doctors and healthcare professionals with an interest in scleroderma.

There is a small annual subscription which covers the cost of a quarterly newsletter.

The society is managed and run by volunteers including their trustees  who are elected by the membership every three years. Members join from all over the UK and there is now a number of regional groups that meet locally. Members keep in touch via a quarterly newsletter, Internet message board and the Scleroderma Society U.K. sub forum. They also exchange newsletters with other groups around the world.

The society are very privileged to have Professor Dame Carol Black as their president and Professor Chris Denton and Dr Ariane Herrick as vice presidents.

Please explore their website to find out more about scleroderma, how they provide help and support to those who have scleroderma and how you can support us by joining the Scleroderma Society or by making a donation.

A debilitating disease requiring funds to research further the causes and treatment, so donations are always needed - a very good cause to support.

Follow the links given within this article or the contact information which is also within the Friend Page with Links.

Herring-bone sky?

Not long wet,

Not long dry!

In response, I am sure liberals will say that we now give much more support to the under-privileged. While that is so, the system does seem to have created a mass of such people. I know a number of people claiming benefit and not one of them has any genuine need to do so; they are either bloody lazy, unemployable because of drink or drugs, or just taking advantage of the system.

HAVE YOUR SAY - BLOG DE-CLUTTERBUG!

How many flowers end up at the funeral  home and how many flowers did the dead person enjoy while they were alive?
Here's a flower from me! Enjoy your day!

Flower  Delivery .....

I would  rather have one rose and a kind word  from a friend while I'm here,  than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

These  Are For You !!!

Happiness  keeps you Sweet,

 Trials  keep you Strong,

Sorrows  keep you Human,

Failures  keep you Humble,

Success  keeps you Glowing,

But  .... Only Friends .... Keep  You Going !!!

Thank  you my friend for being a part of my life, whether you are a reason, a season or a lifetime.

  
IF  YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS  HARD LABOUR.  

IF YOU CROSS THE  IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED  INDEFINITELY.  

 
IF  YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE  JAILED. 
 
IF  YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD  FROM AGAIN.  
  
IF  YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED  A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.  
  
IF  YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO  POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.  

IF  YOU CROSS THE THAI BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY DEPORTED AFTER A SPELL IN THE MONKEY HOUSE. 


IF  YOU CROSS THE BRITISH  BORDER  ILLEGALLY; YOU GET A JOB, A DRIVERS LICENCE, SOCIAL INSURANCE  CARD, MONEY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, FOOD STAMPS, CREDIT CARDS,  SUBSIDISED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION AND  FREE HEALTH CARE.  

De-Clutterbug has for a long time now been concerned with inexperienced driver's, who have only just passed their test, being able to 'get behind the wheel' of high-powered, 0-60 mph cars and similar, without any real experience.

So De-Clutterbug welcomes the chance to sign the attached petition presented to No 10.

De-Clutterbug would like the outcome hopefully to make all newly passed drivers have:

1. 'P' plate on their driven vehicles for at least a year before removing.

2. Designated vehicles eligible for new drivers to be driving gauged by power of the engine the speeds attained.

3. Proof by qualified instructor that the driver has had a given number of hours instruction inclusive of night driving and different weather conditions.

We are no longer in an age when most cars rattled when they reached speeds of 50 mph with the air whistling through perforated holes in the floor or where the windows do not quite shut. 

Cars nowadays are reliable and so comfortable that most of the time you, as the driver, may well be unaware of the speeds being reached when travelling along without looking at the 'speedo'  for confirmation!   

Youngsters in particular because of their age and 'devil may care' attitudes can not help themselves showing off to their mates. Where driving is concerned accidents can happen and too often do.

So as a start De-Clutterbug recommends these changes before more inexperienced drivers meet their untimely end at the wheel or as a passenger, in a car being driven inappropriately by an inexperienced driver. 

Please click on the link below to confirm your signature on the     petition

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/car-license/DfnNxtDemk66EXtOL9AUinV

The petition was created by Stewart Jackson and reads: 

     'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Introduce a

     staged driving license for car drivers as currently exists for

     motorcycles.'

YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO BLOG DE-CLUTTERBUG ABOUT THIS ISSUE! 

This video shows the winner of 2009 “Ukraine Got Talent", Kseniya

Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table

 showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion

 during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is

 mesmeric to watch. 



The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience

 to tears and she won the top prize of about $75,000. 

She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands

 on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the

 happy scene is obliterated. 

It is replaced by a womans face crying, g, but then a baby arrives and the

 woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws

 the sand into chaos from which a young womans face appears. 

She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before

 the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier. 

This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is

 looking out on the monument from within a house. 

In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing

outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye. 

The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted in one in four

 of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a

 population of 42 million. 

An art critic said: 

"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or

 paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me. The art,

especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some

 audience members to tears. And theres surely no bigger compliment." 

HORSE LOVERS THINK BEFORE YOU COMMIT YOURSELVES!

Have you considered the implications costing and all that is involved in buying, hiring, accepting the chance to give a horse or a pony a home?

I have long known that some people have horses as evidence of their wealth or to show their worldly status. In a similar way that the prestige of home ownership, running two plus cars, children, fine jewellery, dogs, cats, acreage and ‘the not to be missed’ two or three must have holiday breaks a year.  

Well-meaning kind-heartedness may be behind the ownership or the parents wish to see their children doing well pitted against like-minded or privileged. This is all well and good if the responsible have seriously considered or know all the implications involved in horse ownership but for those that are first timers; please consider very carefully before adding a horse or pony to the family set-up. 

The cost of purchasing the animal, in the first place, is generally less than buying a second hand car, unless of course the horse is of good blood stock or proven track record when the cost would exceed most family budgets, but otherwise the cost of procuring a horse or pony is probably well within the budget of most families.

So you have a horse or pony in mind, your child wants a pony because the friend at school has one or you have determined that because, as a child yourself, and not being fortunate enough to have enough money to have a horse, the time is now appropriate. It is not just a case of arranging transport to bring the animal to its new home, after handing over the money or the initial enthusiasm in purchasing. Indeed this is only the start:

First consider what you can offer a horse. Have you enough land or good size paddocks suitable for turning the horse out with suitable shelter, or, if using full or half livery options, the use of land with stabling? Fresh water supply is a necessity for equine husbandry and should be within easy access and near at hand whether in the field or in the stable. A dry secure place for keeping fodder and a covered hay barn is advisable.  Keep in mind that you will also need to supply all the feeding receptacles such as buckets, haynets, and water troughs.

Horse or large animal vet practice needs to be sort to arrange a complete check of the horse to make sure that it is sound and fit for purpose. All inoculations need to be up-to-date a passport procured where necessary. Freeze marking needs to be confirmed and if chipped the numbers verified and checked against the records hopefully retained by the previous owners.

Good fitting tack is essential, if not supplied within the initial sale agreement. Different size horses, means the requirement for the horse to be properly measured for saddles and bridles so as not to cause hurt or damage through ill-fitting. Other items which, if not provided with the horse, halter and rope, rugs and blankets, boots, bandages, first aid kit for remedial and emergency, an advisable measure is to go to your nearest tack shop or to a local riding stable who will be able to help, ‘prior to’ buying your horse, confirm and give prices so that you can see for yourself the costing associated and to check all the horse’s requirements. A good mentor, equine advisor, will also be able to provide names of local specialists and suppliers of horse associated products such as saddlers, feed merchants etc.  Tack, if not provided by the previous owners, needs to be correctly measured for and acquired from a good reliable knowledgeable saddler’s.

If tack is supplied with the horse or pony; check that it actually fits correctly and that you are not being fobbed off with old ill-fitting worn saddles and bridles which could cause harm to the animal if used. The animal should at least be supplied with head collar and rope. Rugs may not be required if the horse has not been clipped but check to see if the owners are providing these so that you can purchase. This is only the start of the necessary equipment if you are serious about obtaining a horse or pony.

 Horse feed needs to be confirmed beforehand so that all dietary requirements are maintained within the new establishment and supplies made prior to the horse being delivered to its new home.  

Whatever reason behind purchasing a horse or pony whether it is for hacking, riding, showing, driving, racing or drag hunting. Then, please, look into all the expenses very carefully prior to making any commitments.

Should, at a later date, a recession, loss of employment, bereavement of a major wage earner in the family or another set-back that restrains the purse strings from being opened so readily occur; what would happen? Where would the cuts and savings take place?

Surely the house would not be sold, the family home, roof over one’s head. The cars are essential for the school run and the work commute. The dog is a part of the family and so too is the cat, neither of which cost too much to keep!  The holidays may be cut back to two a year but the image must be kept for the sake of those we want to impress. Jewellery may be sold but that would only help towards everyday living. So the list of excuses and the budget, cost cutting, goes on...

 It is winter - it is cold. The horse can be put out to grass for a longer period, this would save on fodder and we do not need to replace the shoes until next spring, a saving. He will not need so much hay or additional feed to keep him through the winter. His rugs are thin but will suffice as we do not need to clip him if we are not going to ride him! The tack, once fitted comfortably, is now worn and ill-fitting through loss of weight of the once highly prized, by the family, horse; the stitching is coming undone on the cheek straps, for example, but if not needed until next year, can remain in that condition and when circumstances may change in the New Year then so also will replacement tack be purchased. The list is endless and though the owner has no intention of cruelty but through the blindness of the situation has been presented with only one solution to let the horse in the field suffer prior to the household pets and family.

The final paragraph may just be supposition, not based on fact, but believe me worse does befall the horse and pony through ill-advised ownership; inadequate knowledge of related expenditure and animal husbandry.  If the above can prevent one person from recklessly purchasing a horse or pony, or at least make cause realisation that though, a dog is for life, a horse is also an animal that needs a lot of attention as well as money to maintain and keep it fittingly and without cruelty. Please, for the sake of that noblest of animals, Think before You Commit Yourself and loved ones to possessing a horse or pony.  

Support your local horse charity. Remember they need to be able to care for horses that they have taken in through our negligence and lack of understanding of the true costs incurred in horse ownership. De-Clutterbug supports Brownbread Horse Rescue, Battle.  

http://www.brownbreadhorserescue.com/

Registered Charity 1029341

 1. Prince Charles got married
 2. Liverpool crowned soccer  Champions of Europe
 3. Australia lost the Ashes (cricket)  tournament.
 4. The pope died

 Interesting Year 2005

 1. Prince Charles got married
 2. Liverpool crowned soccer  Champions of Europe
 3. Australia lost the Ashes  tournament
 4. The pope died

 Lesson to be  learned:

 The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I AM not sure whether this is authentic or not, but it makes a good point. Why was it not given more air time?

 This trial received about 30 seconds on TV.......

Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his
shoe and tried to light it?

Did you know his trial is over?
Did you know he was sentenced?
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?

Didn't think so!!!

Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.

 Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.

Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything
to say. His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the
record, Reid also admitted his 'allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to
Islam, and to the religion of Allah,' defiantly stating, 'I think I
will not apologize for my actions,' and told the court 'I am at war
with your country.'

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:

January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid.

Judge Young: 'Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the
Court imposes upon you.

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the
custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7,
the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the
sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That's 80 years.)

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to
be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed. The Court
imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000
that's an aggregate fine of $2 million. The Court accepts the
government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders
restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to
American Airlines.

The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court
imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law
requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need
go no further.

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a
fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.

Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of
your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have
been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I
say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we
deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as
individuals. As human beings, we reach out for justice.

You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a
soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference,
to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the
officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think
you are a soldier, you are not----- you are a terrorist. And we do not
negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not
sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring
them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow.
But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I've known warriors. You
are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple
attempted murders. In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it
right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you

 wondered where the press and the TV crews were and he said:

You're no big deal.

You are no big deal.

What your able counsel and what the equally able United
States attorneys have grappled with and what I have, as honestly as I
know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.
What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to
search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led
you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing? And,
I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this
entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You
hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to
live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not
believe as we individually choose. Here, in this society, the very
wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining
sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are
here in this beautiful courtroom, so that everyone can see, truly see,
that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It
is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on
your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of
you before other judges.

We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way
we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no
mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any
price, to preserve our freedoms. Look around this courtroom. Mark it
well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here.
The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will
long endure.

Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the
American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice,
justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very
President of the United States through his officers will have to come
into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be
judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that
evidence democratically, to mould and shape and refine our sense of
justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of
America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten.
That flag stands for freedom. And it always will.

Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.’

So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets? We
need more judges like Judge Young. Pass this around. Everyone
should and needs to hear what this fine judge had to say. Powerful
words that strike home.

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace

And saw, within the moonlight of his room

Making it rich, like a lily in bloom

An angel writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Abu Ben Adam bold

And to the presence in his room he said

“What writest thou?”

The vision raised its head

And with a look of all sweet accord Answered:

“The names of those who love the Lord.”

“And is mine one?” said Abu.

“Nay not so” Replied the Angel.

Abu spoke more low

But cheerily still and said

“I pray thee then Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.”

The angel wrote and vanished.

The next night it came again with awaking light

And showed the names of whom love of God had blessed.

And lo! Ben Adam’s name led all the rest.

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillaces, cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf cards and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak,

When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favourite things,

And then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin’,

Thin bones and fractures and hair this is thinnin’,

And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I’ve had,

And then I don’t feel so bad.

*************************************************************

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs

.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was

rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig

to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in

waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is

taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can

be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by

istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I

awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs

psas it on !!

Psas Ti ON !

Whilst attending our local University Hospital, A&E department, it was noticed that very few hospital workers, patients or visitors used the Sanitizer Dispensers that were situated around the walls, positioned in prominent places, easily accessible but without indication or instructions for usage or purpose.

However, with swine flu uppermost on people’s minds and the fear of hospital 'super' bugs, resistant to most cleaning agents as well as resilient against medication and drugs. Why did nobody use this facility, freely available?

Three ladies joined us in the area where we could view the waiting room and reception. Two of the ladies were carers of the third vociferous woman who had a pre-arranged appointment with the residing consultant neurologist. On their entrance to the hospital they located the dispensers and immediately dispensed liquid from and covered their hands rubbing the fluid into their hands thoroughly. Yet, through our time sitting and watching, we had not seen members of the hospital staff, visitors or others completing this task or setting an example.

The Consultant came out of a side room door and went to the desk to collect the patient files awaiting his attention. On his return to the room he called from the top file the name of the next patient due to be seen and led the lady into a small consultation room where he made a thorough hands-on as well as sensory, touch, movement, response, balance between patient and doctor examination. It was noticed that not once were hands washed or the sanitizer used by the Consultant. The patient seen and assessed, the next patient was called through into the room, much the same way as the previous. Perhaps in the position of Consultancy one does have a god like demeanour and clean hands are only for the visitors.

Cleanliness, after all, is next to godliness.

=================================================================

HYGIENE IN THE BATHROOM

Has it ever come to mind the sequence of events when visiting the bathroom? Perhaps we should wear cotton white gloves for a day and see the dirt amassed whilst wearing and just imagine the germs unseen by the naked eye. A lesson for us all but in this day and age we should have a far better, modern and hygienically way of going about ‘our business.’

The call of nature needs to be assuaged, keep in mind the hands and handling along the way…

1) Handle of the bathroom door opening into the area! Public toilets possibly entails passing through further doors, handling further, knobs, handles, latches and then into a cubicle with a lock or handle for closing and to give privacy.

2) After relieving oneself the provided toilet roll is used and handled.

3) Undergarments re-dressed. The toilet flushing mechanism is put into action either by depressing the lever by hand, pull of the chain via handle, or press the button again by hand. Sometimes a foot plate is used, by far the best method of flushing the pan without handling and spreading germs.

4) Exit cubicle by unlatching or unlocking the door, by hand, prior to washing.

5) Now to wash the hands of the germs at the sink. The water tap is turned on, by hand, and then the soap dispensed. Most bathrooms now have soap dispensers which need depressing or an up and over movement to get the soap liquid. Once the hands have been washed with the soap and then the taps turned off! At this point the germs from turning the taps on have now returned to the hands. I have known some to take their wedding rings off, prior to washing their hands, thus the germs remain on the jewellery and are still there once returned to their rightful fingers.

6) Drying takes place either on the towel provided or by electric air drying.

7) Exit by the same way as entrance means that all the handles and surface are again touched.

Is it no wonder that germs survive so well in these environs? Perhaps, bathroom designers can look into the hygiene of these areas so that fewer germs survive.

=================================================================

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. 

Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital.  One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.

He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him.  She swam to the bottom and pulled him out.  When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.

When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good news and bad news.  The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love...  I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.

The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him.  I am so sorry, but he's dead.'

Edna replied, 'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry..
How soon can I go home?'


Happy Mental Health Day!

This is a bricklayer’s accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian equivalent of the Workers’ Compensation board. This is a true story. Had this guy died, he’d have received a Darwin Award for sure……

 Dear Sir:

           I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put “poor planning” as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and trust the following details will be sufficient. I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later, were found to be slightly in excess of 500 lbs.

          Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it lightly to ensure the slow descent of the bricks. You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 175 lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly. I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward at an equally, impressive speed.

          This explained the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great deal of pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

          Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.

          I hope this answers your inquiry.

====================================================

QUOTE OF THE YEAR..............

The Whole World Needs A Leader Like This!

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society. Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'


'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

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This is the transcript of the ACTUAL radio conversation of a US Naval Ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland:

Canadians: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to south to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees north to avoid a collision.”

Canadians: “Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”

Canadians: “No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”

Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN: THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES, ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, I SAY AGAIN, THAT’S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER- MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”

Canadians: “This is a lighthouse: Your call.”

Two Red Indians and an Irishman were walking through the woods.  

All of a sudden one of the Red Indians ran up a hill to the mouth of a small cave.  

“Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!” he called into the cave and listened closely until he heard an answering, 

 “Wooooo! Wooooo! Woooooo!”

He then tore off his clothes and ran into the cave.

The Irishman was puzzled and asked the remaining Indian what it was all about.

 'Was the other Indian crazy or what?'

The Indian replied “No, it is our custom. During mating season when Indian men see cave, they holler:  'Wooooo! Wooooo!  Wooooo!' into the opening. If they get an answer back, it means there's a beautiful squaw in there waiting for us.”

Just then they came upon another cave.

The second Indian ran up to the cave, stopped, and hollered, “Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!”  

 Immediately, there was the answer.

“Wooooo! Wooooo!  Wooooo!” from deep inside.

He also tore off his clothes and ran into the opening.

The Irishman wandered around in the woods alone for a while, and then spied a third large cave.

As he looked in amazement at the size of the huge opening, he was thinking, 'Hoo, man!  Look at the size of this cave! It is bigger than those the Indians found. There must be some really big, fine women in this cave!'

He stood in front of the opening and hollered with all his might “Wooooo! Wooooo! Wooooo!” Like the others, he then heard an answering call, “WOOOOOOOOO, WOOOOOOOOO,  WOOOOOOOOO!”

With a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face, he raced into the cave, tearing off his clothes as he ran.

The following day, the headline of the local newspaper read...............

You’ll like this...............


NAKED IRISHMAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN!!!

Nurses, of whom I have the greatest respect, used to satisfy the prerequisite of a caring person who administer to the sick, making the patient comfortable, a person who has the care of the sick, feeble or injured, especially one who is trained for the purpose in doing all this she is supportive and under the directive of the supervising physician. So when did the change come about when it was part of the nurse’s job specification to inform relatives of the imminent bereavement of their spouses, partners. Examples to prove this have been brought to my attention which, I personally, find worrying.

On the first account a woman was told by the nurse in attendance that her terminally ill husband would not live beyond the following Tuesday.

Secondly, the wife was told that her terminally ill spouse would not survive to meet the next appointment with the specialist in a month’s time.

Have we joined such a society where the onerous burden has been passed to a junior so that if lawyers are brought in, then disassociation can easily be made by the specialists, personal general practitioners, doctors, or the consultant? Or was the nurse just incorrect in presuming that she had the right to issue such news to the family. News of such magnitude should, if need to be given, with a little sensitivity and correctness from the correct authority.

================================================================================

Comforting Embrace

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group at Balad, Iraq, cradles a young girl as they both sleep in the hospital. The girl's entire family was executed by insurgents: the killers shot her in the head as well. The girl received treatment at the U.S. military hospital in Balad, but cries and moans often. According to nurses at the facility, Gebhardt is the only one who can calm down the girl, so he has spent the last several nights holding her while they both sleep in a chair.

  Transcription of the above given article.

Please find below my suggestion for fixing Britain 's economy.  Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million a piece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.  Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new British CAR.  Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed.

5) Buy £50 of alcohol / tobacco a week there's your money back in duty / tax etc.

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

If you think this would work, please relate to everyone you know.  If not, please disregard.

De-Clutter Bug would also like to bring to your attention the following scam which, I am sorry to say, she fell for and now would like to make you aware that this is going on and is recognised world-wide. Not only has De-Clutter Bug fallen under the spell of the craftily presented advertising of the business but so have many others, without recourse and without pay back...

No doubt you have seen the ads saying; ”Earn £47.00 per hour” (or similar) “See how Julie changed her life around without prior computer knowledge from being an out of work shop assistant to now dictating the time of work...” “If you have four hours a day to spare then we are looking for you”. “See if there are spaces available in your area. Just provide your postcode.”  Once provided; “You are the lucky one, only 3 spaces available.” Similar adverts are given, email shots and more to try to draw you in.

The advertisement is professionally put together. Using Google as the basis of their speal; “How to make money out of Google. How to use Google adwords to benefit your business. Learn how to –

1.   Online Exposure Internet Marketing Made Simple

2.   Adsense Getting Started Tips ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR UNDERSTANDING DROPSHIPPING AND MORE.

3.      THE DROPSHIP SOLUTION 

4.      SEO Supervisor

Google Profits Made Easy

5.      Layout Optimization Tricks for High Click Thru Rate

They also use the backing logos of well known branded companies as supporting their business! Businesses such as Dixons and  Curries. Using branded names for their dropshipping idealisms which do when reading seem perfectly viable. After all how difficult is it to copy and paste an item with details into eBay from these well known suppliers at a discount to the buyer (the stock being sold is either no longer manufactured or refurbished). A lot of online selling uses copy and paste into the shop front so why not add from these estimable named companies. Without holding the stock in a warehouse or providing means of despatch.

From reading the above, which only gives a shortened abbreviated synopsis of what in on offer, one can understands how De-Clutter Bug saw it as a way of supplimenting being able to support clients and buyers and build up a small pot for Christmas and perhaps beyond.

Once the postcode is (strangely enough) accepted. Details are further given of the advantages or reading on and learning about the money earning methods to be had. For the cut down cost, because these are hard times and Julie wants to share her knowledge and how she became so wealthy, using the system. “Don’t turn your back on a possible fortune see how others lives have been turned around...”

The cut down cost amounts to £1.95 or similar. You are (some have yet to receive or not received) then asked to download the material “which does not take long to assimulate and then you will be up and running”.  About eight files of information are downloaded along with Macafee security. The reading material within these files is very time consuming and sure enough there are some useful pointers but maybe the grammatical errors within should have given away the shortcomings of this company. Though you are still thinking of Julie who is not computer literate and may be having difficulty getting used to the qwerty keyboard.

I shall not bore you any further other than to say... Once that initial payment of £1.95 has been taken out of your account, further monthly sums are suddenly taken equalling 97 dollars. Yes this is an American based company and they are hard to bring to justice. My bank has been sympathetic as I am not the only person they have experienced that has been taken in, especially in times of recession.  But they can do nothing about payments being withdrawn, especially as I had initiated the initial payment withdrawal. I have cancelled my card and due to be issued with another.    

HO, HO, HO ... No wonder Julie and the others are making a fortune!    

1        Trevor Adams, my assistant programmer, can always be found

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Further articles can be read at http://abde-clutterbug.livejournal.com