I heard this:  California has the nation's largest concentration of illegal immigrants.

Bank of America has begun selling credit cards to customers who lack a U.S. Social Security number or credit history, opening the business to undocumented immigrants.

The bank expanded the program to 51 branches in Los Angeles County last week. The plan is utilizing "judgmental lending'' practices.  Analysis of creditworthiness goes beyond traditional credit scores and leaves lending decisions up to specialists.

Banks have given checking accounts and mortgages to illegal immigrants based on their individual tax identification numbers, which are given by the IRS to those who either don't have or aren't eligible for a Social Security number. The tax ID's are issued regardless of immigration status because nonresidents, like U.S. citizens, may also have tax responsibilities.

So, whatever happened to the days of packing up the bus and sending illegals home.  No wonder we have an illegal immigration problem.  The point of Border Patrol/ or Immigration is moot.

Welcome, pass go, collect a new credit card.  WOOF!

Watching the news tonite, I heard a story coming this Sunday in the Californian will talk about the rise of sex and drugs in the tween set, which are kids from 8-12 years old. 

Where?

Not mine (9 and almost 12).  I'm full aware of where they are and what they are doing.  I can't know for sure what they're talking about on the "playground" though.

Also, heard the story of Griffin O'Neal, Ryan's son, who commented the other day of using pot at 9 and doing coke at 11.  Well, that's Hollywood.  Not ole Bakersfield. 

This must have to do with socioeconomics.  It's sad.  Don't wish this kind of thing on anyone of any age.  I certainly don't want my kids reading the paper this Sunday.  WOOF! 

CNN reports this.  But now it's mostly about immigration.  So it's not just a black thing anymore....wow!  Damn, this is the 21st century, we are Americans first, we need to put race and color aside.  I have my issues with immigration too, but I'm not gonna put on a pointy white cap to spout off about it.

What I find kinda funny, is the surge is in Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey????  This is something I thought was dying out in the south.... but I guess not.   WOOF!

larger view

After going to the doc for a check up and off to do a blood test to check my cholesterol, my dad's wife told me, for high cholesterol I should take olive leaf extract and red yeast rice.  What?  Never heard of them.  Some ancient Chinese secret? 

There's gotta be some people that just can't start their day without 'em.  My husband is one of them.  He mostly takes ones I've heard of, like Ginkgo Biloba, DHEA,  B Formula, Vitamin E, plus his multi vitamin.  He's usually the last one to get sick when a cold/flu hits our house, if he gets sick at all

Me, I try to eat right, and rely on my own body to take care of itself.  Taking nutritional supplements  is not my cup of tea.  I don't like that vitamin -y-  taste it leaves, yuck.  Plus the cost of the supplements are way too expensive.  I'm healthy, I think, and would rather spend that money on a hotel at the beach with room service.

How 'bout you?  Are you a slave to your supplements? Or do you think you can live without them?

WOOF!

Having daughters who've been offered  this medication, the story here  in the Californian made me take notice.

Doesn't this open up a whole can of worms, when it comes to this being a newer drug and the fact we don't have a lot of history from past patients yet.  Won't there be a big backlash, if this drug has some unforeseen side effect.  Someone will sue.

I've been trying to weigh this out for my own pre-teen daughters.  This drug is not a cure all of all cervical cancers.  They may never get cervical cancer. I guess, lucky for us, we don't have, genetically anyway, cervical cancer in our family,  I won't even go into the "this suggests early sexual activity" thing.  That's not my point (though, I see how some would see that).  My choice still, so far, is to not give them this. 

Doesn't it seem communistic to force people to take  this drug?  Not to mention the cost.  And speaking of cost...this is why I don't like politics.  It sounds like Merck stands to make a butt load of moola on this deal.  Who's got who in their back pocket???

Am I standing on my rights of fighting a big money making drug company at the cost of possible cervical cancer in my daughters???  WOOF WOOF