Congressman Moran thinks members of Congress are underpaid

According to a Thursday interview, Congressman James Moran, from Virgina, thinks that $174,000 (that doesn't include any of the benefits...) isn't enough to live comfortably.

Mr Congressman, may I point out some other salaries for you:

Active Duty E5 (Sgt) with 4 years in service: $30,661.20
Active Duty O3 (Captain) with 4 years in service: $62,013..60
Active Duty O6 (Colonel) with 18 years in service: $110,163.6
http://www.dfas.mil/dms/dfas/militarymembers/pdf/MilPayTable2014.pdf

Starting salary for a Police Officer (In DC, since he referenced the cost of living in the city): $53,300

Salary for a firefighter: $48,270

Salary for a firefighter, supervisory position: $72,670

Salary for an EMT/Paramedic: $34,870

(Police, Firefighter, and EMT combined = $136,440, that's nearly $40,000 less annually than the salary of a Congressman)

Salary for a political science professor: $84,110

 Salary for a teacher: $48,750

 Salary for an RN: $68,910


Now, these are all national averages unless listed otherwise, and, in the case of EMT/Paramedic, they really should be two separate listings as they are differing training levels and pay, but it gives you a general idea.

Mr Congressman, may I suggest that, especially when you factor in the added benefits, such as retirement and healthcare, that you are incredibly out of touch with Americans as a whole?  May I suggest that we do not have much sympathy for your "plight"?

For some more perspective:
UK House of Commons: £74,000 ($122,677.20)
Canadian House of Commons: $163,700.00 Canadian ($149,068.89 USD)

You might be surprised who has armed law enforcement

I can understand a few of these listed, park police and rangers for instance, although personally, most law enforcement should be handled by state, county, and local entities. I can understand the reasoning for having some amount of federal enforcement, if nothing else to coordinate efforts between state agencies, but the Department of Education? NOAA??

How many federal law enforcement agencies do we need? Is this really a wise use of federal funds (aka, tax dollars...)

http://newmexico.watchdog.org/20977/under-attack-depth-of-federal-arms-race-should-surprise-shock-citizenry/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_law_enforcement_in_the_United_States

Crazy idea here, if the Dept. of Education happens to uncover fraud or crime related to education, couldn't they, I don't know, inform the police, or the FBI?  I mean, the existence of the Dept. of Education is constitutionally tenuous at best in the first place...but for them to have armed agents with arrest power?  Really?

Does your local school board have any say in your local pd? I guess maybe they should...

Agree to disagree? Or comply?

Imagine with me, a hypothetical scenerio: An individual has an opinion, and donates some of his private money to a cause supporting that opinion. Let's imagine he wants to give some of his own personal money to a cause supporting gay marriage. And lets say he is the CEO of a well known company.  Lets pretend he was forced to resign for his personal beliefs, even though he forced them on noone he worked with, and kept his private beliefs completely separate of the work place, he was still forced to resign from the company. 

Outraged? Wondering what company this is so you can write them a letter, or boycott them, or protest their headquarters, or at least post a facebook update about how intolerant they are?

What if I switched the issue on you, and told you it was a group opposing gay marriage, and he donated 6 years ago? Still outraged? If you aren't,  your understanding of tolerance is a tad off kilter.

Why is it perfectly acceptable to scream "tolerance" while being intolerant of dissent?

You don't have to agree, really, it's ok for people to have differing opinions, worldviews, and perspectives, and it is downright hypocritical to demand others accept your views and be tolerant of others if you will not do the same.

I do not demand that you change your opinions, views, or morals to meet mine, so long as you are not harming another,  do your thing

Yet I must change mine, because even disagreeing offends. That is liberal America, and thats a damn shame.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/04/mozillas-gay-marriage-litmus-test-violates-liberal-values/360156/

Autism and EMS

Today is autism awareness day. If you work in EMS check out the  link for some good info on autistic patients. I work and volunteer as an EMT, and have family members on the spectrum. I have yet to encounter someone on the spectrum as my patient, but the experience can be a terrifying one for anyone, strange sounds, pain, fear, add to that being unable to tune out those sounds, difficulty communicating under "normal" circumstances, sensory overload.....it's overwhelming, and we as providers have a responsibility to do our best for our patients, that includes understanding conditions such as autism that will greatly impact care.

In addition to the above list, as with any pediatric case, try to involve the parent or caregiver in treatment as much as possible. Failing that, if possible, someone they know and are familiar and comfortable with.

Routine is a big BIG deal. An emergency situation is far from routine, but anything that can be done to try to maintain the familiar will go a long way. Imagine, you are in pain you can't explain, people you don't know are holding you down and asking you questions. Seeing mommy, daddy, your teacher, etc, it won't make things better, but it may be the difference between a terrified meltdown and safe transport to definitive care.

Speak slowly, calmly, and clearly. It's important to remain calm as the provider on any scene, but more so with an autistic patient. Yelling will not make you heard.  You stay calm, mommy stays calm, your patient stays calm.

Finally, always remember, "When you've met one person on the spectrum, you've met one person on the spectrum" they are just like everyone else, each unique. Some may communicate well, some completely nonverbal, some won't be bothered by lights, but that loud siren comes on and it's over, meltdown time.  And if they are rocking, or moving their arm, whatever, if it isn't going to exacerbate an injury or put them in danger, let it be, it is a coping thing, and it's a good thing.

Whether you work in EMS, fire, police, or you are a caregiver or parent, read the above link, its a helpful list.

considerations for ems response to autistic patients and undertanding autism challenges in emergency situations

The raw milk debate

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/raw-politics-drive-milk-wars-105163.html

People should be free to make responsible choices. I have been drinking raw milk my whole life. I detest processed milk, it tastes awful to me. When I moved away from the farm, I pretty much stopped drinking milk because I couldn't tolerate the watery store bought stuff, it's just not what I'm used to. Given the chance I would have happily bought raw milk. I'm happy now to be back near my dad's farm and have easy access to "farm milk" again, but as a consumer,  I should be free to choose whom I buy milk from and how I buy it. I understand the risks of raw milk, I won't say everyone should drink it, but should be free to choose to do so. There is a fine line between safety and control.

The Local Spot: Anthony Scott and Falconry

The Local Spot; Small towns, Big ideas

I head out with a friend of mine who is into falconry to learn more about what falconry is.  Didn't get any good hunting shots like I was hoping because it was a pretty windy day and his hawk Malice took some time to adjust to a new person, but got to ask him some questions and find out some more about the sport.

Sorry about the wind, hope you enjoy!

New York State Falconry Association

NYS DEC Falconry page

Anthony Scott on Facebook

The FDA is keeping us safe again...

Image from Commodity Specialist Company


It's a longstanding relationship, brewers use cereal grains to make beer and other malt products, and are left with a byproduct, brewers grain.  This is essentially waste to the brewer, but still has a use as an animal feed.  Farmers and monasteries in Europe used to use grain to brew, and then fed the grain after to livestock.  In more recent times, many breweries, especially smaller microbreweries that looked to keep costs down, developed a relationship with farmers.  The farmer got a low cost source of quality feed, the brewer got a cheap, low cost way to get rid of a waste product.  Well, the FDA has decided that won't do, we must be protected after all!

  

Small business folding because it can't afford higher minimum wage, Obamacare costs

"Waterford-based Yankee One Dollar stores will be gone within the next five months, as the regional retail chain launches a going-out-of-business sale.
The retailer, which began operating in the early 1990s, has cut the price of its items to 75 cents each, with many items priced at two for 75 cents or even three for 75 cents.
Owner Keith Flike couldn't be reached for comment Friday, but he told the Glens Falls Post Star this year that rising costs, including a hike in the state's minimum wage and the Affordable Care Act, were to blame. Each store has six to 10 employees, according to the story."

Image and quote from the Times Union

Another local small business going under because it cannot afford the increased cost of government meddling.  It's ok though, because WalMart is big enough it can, and will save us by snatching up stores...yea, that makes me feel better.  Regulation, minimum wage, and government meddling are not the friends of the people, or of small business, but of corporate interests.  Where would you rather shop, a big box store, or a local store where the money goes back into the local economy?  Small business is being killed off, and yet we sit back and watch it happen, content that the government will take care of us, convinced that the free market is a scary place, free enterprise between individuals must be controlled by our betters. I guess we deserve it after all, we as a people put the likes of Obama and Cuomo in power.

"The Tyranny of Niceness"

Statement from the Libertarian party on Common Core and education:

As a number of state governments struggle with Common Core education rules, the Libertarian Party (LP) cites Common Core as a reason to get government out of education.

Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict commented, "Since Democrat Barack Obama took office, some conservatives have switched positions on Common Core. But conservatives were for it before they were against it. Republican George W. Bush paved the way with No Child Left Behind, and he helped double the budget of the federal Department of Education. Common Core was created by the bipartisan National Governors Association."

Benedict continued, "Republicans like Chris Christie and Jeb Bush have not flip-flopped, however. They still support Common Core."

Benedict continued, "Common Core is one more reason why government should not be involved in education. Government programs generally grow more centralized, bureaucratic, and one-size-fits-all. As the Cato Institute's Neal McCluskey said, Common Core 'treats students like soulless widgets.'"

Earlier this year, libertarian commentator John Stossel pointed out, "Common Core, like public school, public housing, the U.S. Postal Service, the Transportation Security Administration, etc., are all one-size-fits-all government monopolies. For consumers, this is not a good thing."

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