This piece is not intended to be directed at any one individual, if you take it that way then that is solely your responsibility not mine.
Recently I was asked about some opinions I had on mental illness and my belief that mental illness is a made up phenomenon. While I still believe that many related mental illnesses such as ADD, ADHD, OCD, bipolar and the like are more a character issue and not a real problem I did have to rethink my thoughts after I read my comments.
I made the comment that all mental illness was bogus, however upon thinking about this issue I need to clarify my thoughts.
I do believe the mind can see something so horrific that the brain will revisit this scene often such as soldiers on the battle field, law enforcement officers in the field, fire fighters and the like. The mind can be a delicate part of the body in these instances and as such can create mental problems for years to come.
Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, are all disorders which the individual has the ability to change. Many people get depressed or many of the other symptoms which have been mentioned here and yet they have either the will power or the desire to change their behavior. Anyone that looks deeply into these issues will plainly see almost any behavioral problem can be explained away with some mental disorder. People with gambling problems simply need to stay away from casinos. People with eating problems need to slide away from the table and eat in moderation. We have eating disorders which have become borderline mental issues when it is quite simple to keep your fingers out of your mouth. People that have sex with multiple partners or any other variation you can think of simply have a problem saying NO and thus lack conviction and are looking for an excuse to forgive their behavior.
A child diagnosed with either ADD, or ADHD with the help and guidance of parents and authority figures can change their behaviors, I know our youngest was told he had ADHD. We automatically changed the foods and the water of which we consumed and cut out numerous sugars and sweeteners and got our children involved in activities of the mind and body. This condition seems to be a way for parents to cope with children since their professional lives are much more important. This condition it is now said affects some of our adult population and I must admit often times I have problems sticking to a task, however I don't need some drug to correct my wondering mind.
I really don't expect many readers to agree with my position and that is fine, however you are entitled to your opinion just like I'm entitled to mine. Many people could learn from listening to the likes of Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Dale Carnegie and numerous other people that have overcome instances in their life which could have led them down the path of a so-called mental illness.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Bob Barr Weighing Presidential Run
Quite possibly the best news that could occur to the Libertarian Party.
Bob Barr Weighing Presidential Run
by FOXNews.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
File: Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr was an impeachment manager against President Bill Clinton in 1998. (AP video still)
Former Republican Georgia Rep. Bob Barr is considering a run for president on the Libertarian Party ticket.
Barr told FOX News on Tuesday that he should know in the next few days whether he is going to go for it.
If he does decide to make an announcement in the next few days, Barr said it “would not be in either Washington or Atlanta.“
Another source todl FOX News that the announcement should happen this weekend, probably on April 5. That is the day Barr is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Heartland Libertarian Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
Barr, who joined the Libertarian Party after leaving Congress in 2003, is looking to attract conservatives who are unhappy with the choice of John McCain as the expected Republican presidential nominee. McCain and Barr are at odds primarily over the role of U.S troops in Iraq, although both agree that tough interrogation methods should not be permitted.
FITNews, who was first to report the possible presidential bid, wrote that Barr will receive the endorsement of Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul, a GOP presidential candidate who is still technically in the race but has not suggested he would throw his support to McCain. McCain and Paul, who ran on the Libertarian Party presidential ticket in 1988, also are at odds primarily over the role of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Barr, who represented Georgia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 1995-2003 and served as a House manager during impeachment proceedings against former President Bill Clinton, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that he identifies closely with Paul’s outlook.
“Ron Paul tapped into a great deal of that dissatisfaction and that awareness. Unfortunately, working through the Republican party structure, it became impossible for him to really move forward with his movement. But we have to have ….a rallying point out there to harness that energy, that freedom in this election cycle,” he said.
Click here to read the FITNews article on Barr’s possible run for president.
FOX News’ David M. Lewkowict contributed to this report.
Storage issue delayed until next year
Storage issue delayed until next year
Springfield business owners upset about container proposal pleased with action.
Much to the appeasement of business owners, Springfield's proposed storage container ordinance will be put on hold for more than a year.
The City Council Community Involvement Committee on Wednesday afternoon decided to put an administrative delay on the ordinance until Sept. 11, at which time the delay will be formally extended for a year.
"That is the smartest, wisest thing that the city leaders of Springfield can do with that issue," said Tom Martz of Mozark Environmental. "Anything the city can do to maintain the businesses here is a wise future investment."
Many other business owners have sat through multiple public meetings during the past two years fighting with the city over the storage containers.
The matter eventually became so confusing and nettlesome that Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver suggested a "cooling off" period after a meeting with business owners last month turned contentious.
Business owners said Wednesday they're thankful the storage container issue has been officially put on the back burner.
Brenda Teeslink, who owns Mobile Storage Solutions, said she is thrilled the issue has been put on hold.
"This is the right thing for them to do at this time," she said. "It's an issue that does not deserve the attention it got to begin with. It snowballed into something that was unnecessary."
Rita Needham, executive director of the Southwest Area Manufacturers Association, said she too was happy with the administrative delay put on the storage container issue.
"That's probably the best thing that could have happened today, and I was pleased to see it get done," Needham said after Wednesday's meeting.
"It will be a cooling off period that gives everybody time to step back and rethink it."
She said by the time the council is ready to revisit the issue, hopefully the new city manager can offer a new perspective.
Jim Pretti, who owns Ozark Flag Distributors and uses storage containers to hold some of his merchandise, said he's glad the issue has been delayed but would like to see it done away with altogether.
"There's so many other things Springfield has to worry about right now besides those trailers ... let's worry about the police department and the fire department," he said.
Councilman Dan Chiles, who has opposed the ordinance from the beginning, echoed those sentiments. He said dealing with the city's budget crisis is the biggest priority right now.
Chiles said he can live with the decision to delay any action on the storage container issue.
"Life is a compromise ... I would have preferred to just do away with it, but this is OK," he said.
In the meantime, it seems there's been enough light shed on the issue to make business owners aware of the regulations surrounding storage containers, according to Needham with the Southwest Area Manufacturers Association.
"There are a lot of companies that once the storage container issue was discussed and brought to light, they became aware of the proper placements and made adjustments accordingly," she said. "Once they find out what the right thing is to do they're going to comply with that."
Deaver said he's already noticed a change.
"I have noted significant improvements in the placement and use of the containers throughout the community and believe we can delay action on this issue for a period of time," he said.
Teeslink with Mobile Storage Solutions said she's happy to hear that.
"They've realized that the businesses out there are not knowingly breaking any of the codes -- and when they were taught what to do they corrected them," she said.
Teeslink said when the storage container issue is eventually taken up again, she hopes the city will approach it with a different perspective. She said she wants them to treat it as a training and educational issue.
"Any safety training that they are willing to take the time to do, I'll be there with bells on. That's what we want. We want them to educate instead of regulate."
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