Saturday, May 31, 2014

How valuable are endangered species?

Birding is currently the second fastest growing hobby in the United States after gardening, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In 2011, there were 47 million birdwatchers (birders) ages 16 or older in the United States, making up roughly 20 percent of the nation’s population. Birders spent an estimated $41 billion on trip related expenditures and equipment, added $107 billion dollars to the economy,supported 666,000 jobs and generated $6 billion in State tax revenue and $7 billion in Federal tax revenue.

This is no ordinary bird. It is exclusive to the USA, in Michigan and Wisconsin's Jack Pine Forests. It is endangered because of lack of habitat. 

The Kirtland's warbler, (click here) an endangered species, is a songbird that nests in young jack pine stands. Until 1995 Kirtland’s warblers had only been known to nest in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Today, they also nest in the Upper Peninsula, and since 2007, have nested in Wisconsin and Canada. They migrate from their nesting grounds to the southeastern coast of the United States on their way to wintering grounds in the Bahamas. 

They are very illusive and birders from all over the world come to visit them in the USA. One of the reasons they are elusive is because it is only the male that sings. Those responsible for the recovery of these birds maintain a count based on how many singing males are counted and doubling it assuming they all have mates.

Field Marks
Bluish gray above, streaked with black; yellow below, with black spots or streaks confined to the sides. Male has a blackish mask. Female is grayer, lacks mask. In autumn, browner. Persistently jerks tail; no other gray-backed warbler does this.

The years 1999 through 2002 saw an increase in childhood obesity by nearly 50%.

Overweight (click here) and obesity in children are significant public health problems in the United States. The number of adolescents who are overweight has tripled since 1980 and the prevalence among younger children has more than doubled. According to the 1999-2002 NHANES survey, 16 percent of children age 6-19 years are overweight (see Figure 1)....

The First Lady's health directive for children began in 2009. The sales of potato chips continued to increase. I really don't feel bad for them.

The REAL reason First Lady Michelle Obama is scapegoated for her dedication to our youngest citizens, is much larger than the USA. The real reason the First Lady is a target is because the USA has influence globally.

So, while we have a great First Lady seeing the need for a focus on health, happiness and longevity of our children, those receiving plenty of political monies from cronies believe our American children actually are disposable for global profits.


Role of Nutrition in World Health Issues (click here)


Nutrition and eating habits feed directly into a host of personal health issues that directly impact individual quality of life and national healthcare systems.  Poor eating habits, combined with limited activity, are a leading contributor to obesity, which increases the risk of serious long-term illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and cancer, and shortens life expectancies.  Even for those who manage to escape these problems, an unhealthy, high calorie diet lacking in essential nutrients can lead to weight control issues, low energy and self-esteem and an overall lower quality of life....
How do we spell it? C.O.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N.

Quality of Profits NEVER enters into a corporate board room. Profits at any cost including that of human health is always the elephant in the room. It's personal choice. It isn't like anyone is twisting their arms to purchase products.

The Pepsi commercial below not only sells empty calories and caffeine to poor children, it also sells attitude. Basically, Pepsi is the STATUS of poor children who need an 'ego structure' as a reward system rather than nutritional choices.

The sad truth to this commercial is that 'Food Deserts' (click here) do actually exist in impoverished neighborhoods in the USA. So, the 'target' of the ad is well researched. Pepsi knows exactly who they are selling to. They know their customer. Where is V8 when you need them?
Where is V8? Outside 'the attitude.' Enter stage right, First Lady Michelle Obama. Thank you to the First Lady.

Now. What happens when every First Lady around the world takes up "Let's Move" while setting nutritional standards for their nation's children. My, my, my.

Who is the winner to well administered QUALITY federal programs?

"Let's Move" (click here)

The First Lady's detractors are supporting...please spell it...C.O.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N.

They are using the First Lady to ridicule a healthy American lifestyle. It is tough to realize Wall Street commodities of apples and green beans should be of more interest than potato chips.

Kathleen Parker 
The Washington Post

...The first lady’s “Let’s Move!” program (click here) and her focus on whole foods (as opposed to fast) and water instead of sodas have been welcome developments. Who better to bring needed attention to such issues? Obama is merely expanding her maternal focus to include all those public school kids whose mothers apparently have forgotten how to make a sandwich. Or whose fathers have forgotten to say, “Get those plugs out of your ears and make friends with the lawn mower” — or whatever its urban equivalent....

Her maternal focus?

Ms. Parker is typical of the right winger who is supposedly Pro-Life, but, when it comes to QUALITY OF CHILDHOOD, forget it. Evidently, every maternal focus is under attack for the impact of cost to profit ratio.

You'll excuse me, but, the First Lady is amazing. She is articulate, well educated and I bet she bakes cookies, too. Any First Lady has a priority for the nation. It has been the way it is for the entire history of the country. First Lady Michelle Obama inherited an obese nation and it was unacceptable for her. While she is more than qualified to take any topic as First Lady, she decided our children were facing huge medical problems in obesity. There are record numbers of young people experiencing Type II Diabetes that normally doesn't result until later middle age in Americans. 

Type II Diabetes is a very serious diagnosis. This isn't something the latest diet fad can cure to fit into the summer swimsuit.

Our American children have a right to health and well being and the energy to learn and enjoy their young lives. So, when those like Ms. Parker decides to ridicule the First Lady, they are ignorant, seeking political power plays for Wall Street and completely LACKING a maternal focus.

Food and Beverage Money


A local school wellness policy (click here) is a written document of official policies that guide a local educational agency (LEA) or school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity....

ANY federal program should support the highest standards to provide incentives for local initiatives for children's best outcomes. Our children require ADULTS to be in government to prevent exploitation For Profit Companies of their NUTRITIONAL needs.


Dietary Recommendations for Healthy Children (according to The American Heart Association - click here)

Daily Estimated Calories and Recommended Servings for Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk/Dairy by Age and Gender

1
Year
2–3
Years
4–8
Years
9–13
Years
14–18
Years
Calories†900 kcal1000 kcal
Female1200 kcal1600 kcal1800 kcal
Male1400 kcal1800 kcal2200 kcal
Fat30-40% kcal30-35% kcal25-35% kcal25-35% kcal25-35% kcal

*Calorie estimates are based on a sedentary lifestyle. Increased physical activity will require additional calories: by 0-200 kcal/d if moderately physically active; and by 200–400 kcal/d if very physically active.
†For youth 2 years and older; adopted from Table 2, Table 3, and Appendix A-2 of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005)14; http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines. 

Nutrient and energy contributions from each group are calculated according to the nutrient-dense forms of food in each group (eg, lean meats and fat-free milk).

‡Milk listed is fat-free (except for children under the age of 2 years). If 1%, 2%, or whole-fat milk is substituted, this will utilize, for each cup, 19, 39, or 63 kcal of discretionary calories and add 2.6, 5.1, or 9.0 g of total fat, of which 1.3, 2.6, or 4.6 g are saturated fat.

§Serving sizes are 1/4 cup for 1 year of age, 1/3 cup for 2 to 3 years of age, and 1/2 cup for 4 years of age
.
A variety of vegetables should be selected from each subgroup over the week.
_Half of all grains should be whole grains.

For 1-year-old children, calculations are based on 2% fat milk. If 2 cups of whole milk are substituted, 48 kcal of discretionary calories will be utilized. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that low-fat/reduced fat milk not be started before 2 years of age.

Now, who do you want making policy for your children, a legislator that pays attention to The American Heart Association or is bought and paid for by the Food and Beverage and Snack Food Power Brokers?

The Editorial Board,8:45 p.m. EDT May 29, 2014

Chief supporter of weakening school lunch (click here) is a group of school officials backed by companies such as Coca-Cola and Domino's Pizza.

The U.S. faces an epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes.
Taxpayers spend $11 billion a year to subsidize school lunches.
Put those two facts together, and you'd think there'd be widespread agreement that the money ought to go toward healthy meals....
How is it spelled? C. O. R. R. U. P. T. I. O. N. And who spells it the best? R.E.P.U.B.L.I.C.A.N.S.

Top 20 Members (click here)

CandidateAmount
Boehner, John (R-OH)$141,455
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)$68,100
Cornyn, John (R-TX)$64,200
Scott, Tim (R-SC)$62,900
Toomey, Pat (R-PA)$61,100
Roskam, Peter (R-IL)$60,900
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA)$54,331
Cantor, Eric (R-VA)$51,500
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN)$47,000
Buchanan, Vernon (R-FL)$46,25

Top Contributors, 2013-2014

ContributorAmount
National Restaurant Assn  $545,750
Coca-Cola Co  $536,060
McDonald's Corp  $391,197
Darden Restaurants  $384,350
PepsiCo Inc  $240,520
Bloomin' Brands  $193,000
Nevada Restaurant Services  $162,000
American Beverage Assn  $160,600
CKE Restaurants  $146,550

This was 2013.

By Emma DumainPosted at 5:57 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2013

The House is set to consider legislation this week to cut $40 billion (click here) from nutrition programs over 10 years in yet another test for House GOP leaders still licking their wounds from the defeat of their original incarnation of the farm bill earlier this summer.
This time, however, at least one of their chief antagonists will be staying mostly on the sidelines.
The Club for Growth, an influential conservative advocacy group that took some of the credit for successfully lobbying Republican lawmakers to oppose the farm bill, told CQ Roll Call on Monday it did not plan to “key vote” the nutrition bill, even though “it’s clear that it’s part of an overall charade to remarry food stamps with farm subsidies that we oppose,” said spokesman Barney Keller. A key vote is used in scoring members’ bona fides before an election....

Obviously, the Club for Growth isn't interested in the growth of children so much as their bulging pockets. 

The Club for Growth are the losers in business. They make their money by cutting into government budgets rather than actually expanding markets and bringing new products to the consumer. That's Republicans for you. No ideas, only "where can I get the money from." 

"Where can I get the money from," primarily includes taking it from the pockets of others.

Club for Growth is not at the top of the Speakers favorites. He was number 1 in 2010 among Republicans, but, Boner ridiculed Club for Growth and Heritage Action recently when they sought to defeat the Ryan/Murray Budget. So, Boner has fallen of the "Most Favorite List" all together. (click here)

Snack Food Association PAC

The donations are made by individuals associated with the Snack Food Industry (click here)


The PAC to PAC/Party donations all went to Republicans. It is crony politics that disregard the food our school lunch programs provide to our children. The presence of poor quality food in the presence of others also puts pressure on parents to provide that type of food in school lunches.

This is only one of the Junk Food PACs.

This is CORRUPTION. C. O. R. R. U. P. T. I. O. N. Speaker Boner is a bad boy.

Contributions from this PACTotal
Boehner for Speaker Cmte$1,000
Contributors to this PACTotal
PepsiCo Inc$2,500
ConAgra Foods$1,000

RankVendor/RecipientTotal Expenditures
1Marcia Fudge For Congress$2,000
1Jim Jordan For Congress$2,000
3Ryan For Congress$1,000
3McConnell Senate Cmte '14$1,000
3Toomey For Senate$1,000
3Eddie Bernice Johnson For Congress$1,000
3Citizens For Cochran$1,000
3Pompeo For Congress$1,000
3Pat Roberts For Senate$1,000
3Bob Goodlatte For Congress Cmte$1,000
3Boehner for Speaker FOJB-NRCC$1,000

House
Total to Democrats: $3,000
Total to Republicans: $3,000
RecipientTotal
Fudge, Marcia L (D-OH)$2,000
Goodlatte, Bob (R-VA)$1,000
Johnson, Eddie Bernice (D-TX)$1,000
Jordan, Jim (R-OH)$1,000
Pompeo, Mike (R-KS)$1,000
Senate
Total to Democrats: $0
Total to Republicans: $5,000
RecipientTotal
Cochran, Thad (R-MS)$1,000
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)$1,000
Roberts, Pat (R-KS)$1,000
Toomey, Pat (R-PA)$2,000
Based on data released by the FEC on April 20, 2014.