Eggs are good?

One thing I really like in the morning is a good breakfast. My personal favorite is bacon and egg sandwiches. That’s why I was so concerned when I heard about the recent recall of millions of eggs. The shells carry bacteria called salmonella that can make you very sick. I can’t afford to get sick in this economy.

So far, over 380 million eggs have been recalled. I hope that investigators will be able to pinpoint the source and wipe these bacteria out. For now, I have avoided buying eggs from this dealer until they can prove the eggs are safe.

Wolves and us

For many years, the gray wolf was a key part of the ecology in the western United States. They lived along side the other animals and made sure that other species were kept healthy and strong by eliminating the weak. That all changed when farmers and ranchers moved in to raise cattle and pigs.

The wolf population was decimated and they were all but extinct. Strict laws were enacted to restore their population and their numbers have risen. Now some states are claiming that the wolf population is too high and they want to hunt some of the animals to keep their numbers down. The courts are scheduled to rule on this matter shortly and we will wait to see what the results are.

Majority

One thing that is particular to America is that the majority rules. This is the way our founding fathers set up our nation and it has served us well over the years. This years coming election will be important for both the democrats and republicans. There are many seats available and no one knows who will get the majority.

The GOP is campaigning hard to regain control of the house. Both sides are opening their war chest and funding massive campaign advertising. The outcome will surely affect our countries future and I hope the voters will choose wisely.

The Queen

No matter where you are from, you have to love Queen Elizabeth ll. She has been a light to the world and an inspiration to us all. That’s why we all took notice when she praised the UN for its humanitarian efforts over the years. She also reminded us all that more work needs to be done all over the world.

The 84 year old queen also thanked all those who have given so much over the years toward making our world a better place. Her view is that the UN is a force for good and should be supported by all those around the world who believe we can make the world a better home for all.

More Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is still raging. Although the story is just in the background to most Americans, the serious situation is still going on. Every day, thousands of U.S. troops risk their lives fighting for a cause that is uncertain. Many are hopeful that the new commander in charge will change the course of the war.

General David Petraeus will soon take over the role of command in Afghanistan. His recent success in Iraq has many hoping that he can produce the same results in Afghanistan. New strategies will be undoubtedly be tried and many hope that U.S. troops will soon be home.

Handguns

It seems that nearly every modern city is plagued with the same problem. Handgun violence is on the rise. One mayor is trying to combat the problem by making handgun rules stricter. Mayor Richard Daly of Chicago is proposing tough new handgun laws that are aimed at preventing crime and limiting the number of handguns in the city.

At South Side Park, the mayor announced proposed news rules that include training for handgun owners, trigger locks for people with children, and limiting the number of handguns bought to one a month. The mayor remains strong in his feelings despite opposition from some members of the public. I hope he is successful.

Helpless

One thing that happens to many people when disaster strikes is a feeling of helplessness. One instance of this is going on in the coastal towns that surround the Gulf of Mexico. As the oil continues to destroy the fishing industry, many are uncertain about the future and what it will bring. This has led to many people needing help from depression.

Social services that provide mental health to these individuals are being overloaded with new cases. Stress on the system is causing gaps in service and is taking a toll on those who depend on it. There is also the long term impact of the spill and no one knows how that will turn out.

New York Rats

The city of New York is in a constant battle with the rats that infest its subway system. The rodents seem to be everywhere and are causing problems with the subway riders. Some new studies are being done to see how the problem can be addressed. Of course, cost is always an issue.

Experts say that the main draw for rats is food. They seem to like the garbage collection points the best and are making their homes nearby. The rats can live inside cinderblocks in the walls and are making themselves at home. New baits for traps will soon be tried and many are awaiting the results with baited breath.

Sting

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Correctional Safety ran a sting this week involving hundreds of parole violators. The office sent out thousands of e-mails to families of parole violators stating that they were eligible for amnesty and cash or prizes. All they had to do was show up and collect. They were in for a surprise!

Upon showing up at the Oakland parole office, they were arrested. Authorities say they arrested 81 felons for parole violations or outstanding warrants. They move was part of a plan to reduce the amount of convicts on the most wanted list. It also removed many dangerous felons off the street. I am all for this type of thing and wish it hadn’t gotten into the news as it will make other felons aware of the scam!

Congress Freezes Pay!

I was glad to hear that members of congress had the good sense to forego voting themselves a pay raise. The congress rejected an automatic cost of living increase that would have taken effect on January 1. Don’t worry; they still bring home about $174,000 dollars per year which is a pretty good chunk of change.

There will be an election come November and I am sure that no congressman wants to explain a pay raise to his supporters. I hope the money they would spend on themselves will be put to a better use. Maybe we could make a payment on the debt we owe!!