Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

“It is impossible to listen closely to Trump without hearing echoes of fascist language and arguments.  He describes a form of national unity based on deference to a single leader.  He claims to lead a movement that speaks exclusively for American values.  He defines this movement primarily through exclusion, by directing bigotry and contempt toward outsiders.  He paints the picture of an idealized past, involving pride, ethnic solidarity, and national greatness.

“Fascism may not describe what Trump has done, as opposed to what he says.  But what he says matters and can create its own dangerous dynamic.  It is possible for a leader to be incompetent and still profoundly corrupt the people who follow him, undermining the virtues—tolerance, civility, and compromise—that make democratic self-government work.  It is possible for a foolish leader to leave the imprint of fascism on a portion of his followers.  And the language used by Trump—particularly a certain racially tinged nostalgia and a tribal resentment for the other—strikes me as at a higher level of prominence and acceptance than at any time I can remember.  So maybe, rather than fearing a fascist dictator, we should fear the legitimacy of fascist modes of thought in the Republican Party.  

“This is a more complex danger than most talk of fascism generally suggests.  But it is a danger nonetheless.  

“And one event in particular could quickly heighten that danger.  Consider what American politics would look like if Republicans—against all odds and expectations—were to keep the Senate and House.  There might be many explanations for such a result—exceptional economic conditions, bad Democratic strategy, the rallying effect of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh among Republicans—but we know how the president would interpret it.  He would regard such a victory as the complete vindication—the stamp of national approval—on his entire approach to politics.  

“All the last remaining opposition in the GOP would melt, and many of his supporters would be calling for retribution against enemies and traitors.  The whole leadership of the FBI and Justice Department—anyone who ever displeased him—would be at immediate risk of replacement.  Trump would take his victory as permission for even more brutal treatment of migrants.  More generally, a leader with no commitment to the separation of powers, with no respect for the traditional self-restraints of the presidency, with savage disdain for the free press, with an admiration for authoritarians, with a history of menacing individuals and companies by name, and with a talent for division and dehumanization would feel unbound.  

“The boor, the bluffer, the bully would be a political colossus.  Then the language of fascism might become less theoretical.  Then alarmism would be realism.”

-- Michael Gerson, “What does Trump’s ascendancy mean about America?  October 18, 2018  The Washington Post  

Michael Gerson is the author of “Heroic Conservatism” (HarperOne, 2007).

Stewart Myrent

​Janis - I really liked the article you quoted, by Michael Gerson, of the Washington Post.  He elucidated exactly how a major portion of this country feels, about this president.  If this isn't a wake-up call to everyone, about these mid-term elections, I don't know what could be.  I feel that everyone in this country, who has the right to vote, should exercise that suffrage in this mid-term election cycle, if you feel powerless or helpless.  This is your one shot, to have a say in how this country should be run.  If you don't vote, I feel you don't have much right to complain, about anything!  So, put VOTE on top of your to-do list for Tuesday, November 6th.  Don't do anything else, until you vote.  OK, you can brush your teeth, before you go to the polls.  Other than that, just get up & go.  It is now less than 2 weeks away.  It'll be here before we know it!

Roger C. Kaage

Another lurker is lured onto the site.

Get the shingles vaccine!  My mother got shingles a number of years ago, and my wife showed up with singles when we were on a trip to Palm Springs about 5-6 years ago.  Neither experience was fun for them.  My wife subsequently got the vaccine (once she turned sixty and the insurance would pay for it), and she's already gotten the first of the two "new" vaccines.  I'd recommend anything you can do to avoid shingles.

Stewart Myrent

Thanks for the heads-up, Roger.  I was actually hoping for some more gruesome commentary on the shingles effects, but what you mentioned is helpful.  I need a little more terror-filled details, to push me into getting the shingles vaccine.  Or am I being overly cautious?  This is so much more fun than the ususal political discourse.

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Stewart, you want to get the Shingles shots-- (I'm on the road without good access to the Internet-- I wonder if part of my message was delayed yesterday--

As you suggest, Shingles are disgusting and very painful.  Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is pure hell and older folks are way more susceptible than young people.  Sounds like Steve's mother-in-law suffered PHN which means the pain, itching, burning, tingling which accompany shingles do not disappear with the rash of open blisters which can last as long as 5 weeks. 

What I'm saying-- after the rash finally disappears - after as much as 5 weeks - it's possible PHN hangs around for weeks, months, even years after the rash has healed-- and if not treated, PHN can lead to blindness.

The first shingles vaccine had live virus in it-- probably the reason Nancy contracted shingles after being vaccinated.  There is NOT live virus in the new Shingrix vaccine.

Shingles would definitely be worse than the side effects of Shingrix vaccine.

It might be helpful for Roger to share information about how his wife's vaccine for shingles was covered by insurance.

As to side effects of the Shingrix vaccine, I would hope for minimal reaction, but be prepared to lie low for 2-3 days (if possibility of side effects necessitates) following each shot.

(Worse case scenario re side effects following vaccinations-- anaphylactic shock.  *I did NOT go into anaphylactic shock because of shingles shots* but I have gone into anaphylactic shock-- not a good thing, especially since I was alone.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Terror in America.  A mass attempt at assassination of American leaders. 

Trump condemns violence then slams critics and media at a rally in Wisconsin.  The president continues to use language to rile his supporters, ascribing responsibility to others for the rancor in the country.

How many ways can you twist a pretzel?  Pathetic to hear President Trump and Wisconsin Governor Walker tout their commitment to covering pre existing conditions.  The leading cause of bankruptcy in America is lack of health care coverage.

VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th

Stewart Myrent

​Nancy, I have to say, I was somewhat dismayed by your account of being vaccinated, but then suffering from shingles, despite being innoculated.  However, Janis' follow-up post clarified it for me, in that you had the earlier version of the vaccine, which had, apparently, live virus.  Thank you, Janis.  I was confused, but now I understand I want the new virus (despite the 2-shot regimen & increased costs).  Janis, I was curious about that caveat to plan to lay low for 2-3 days.  What is that about?

Allan Norman Karlin

One of my friends got awfully sick after the new shingles shot, but my wife got the shot - no problem.  I am on the wait list for more vaccine to come into the Walgreens and I will get it because, as sick as my friend got, it was nothing compared to my mother-in-law's terrible case of Shingles. 

Roger C. Kaage

I'll try to clarify re: insurance, Stewart.  Her health insurance company (and mine, before Medicare/supplement days) would only cover the shingles vaccine for those 60 y o or older.  If you wanted the shot before you turned 60, yuou were on your own--and I think she was quoted something like $300 back then. Even at that price, it would be worth it to avoid shingles.

Stewart Myrent

​Thanks for the clarification, Roger.  I am now seriously considering getting that shingles shot.  However, I have decided to leave early for work, so that I can stop & get my flu vaccine shot, while we're still in the month of October.  While at Osco, I will ask about the shingles vaccine cost, with my Part D Rx card.  Let you all know, later.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Way to go, Stewart.  New shingles vaccination is given in a 2 shot series.

Stewart Myrent

​OK, I did remember to stop & get my flu vaccination at Osco, after making sure I got the geezer dose (now that I think about it, she [the pharmacist] looked at the label, but I didn't look at the label), perhaps I did not make sure I got the geezer dose.  At any rate, I asked about the new shingles vaccination & they said the first dose would be $163 with my Part D Rx card (which, by the way, is Humana).  She wasn't sure how much the second shot would be, but assumed, as did I, the price would be similar to the first shot.  However, they had 0 - that's right - they had none of that vaccine & weren't even sure when they would be getting it.  So, it looks like there's a run on the shingles vaccine & I'm guessing they want you to feel fortunate to get yourself a couple of shots.  I would suggest, because of the difficulty in finding this vaccine, that wherever you get the first shot, get something in writing, that guarantees you the second shot within 6 mos. time, because I don't know if this vaccine is as efficacious after the elapsed 6 mos. time.  What happens if more than 6 mos. transpires, after the first shot?  Don't know. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Well worth repeating the astounding new height in the level of GOPers' hypocrisy about protecting folks with pre-existing conditions.  The GOP House majority voted more than SIXTY times to repeal Obamacare and thus kill protection for pre-existing condition coverage benefits.  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is the first signature on the lawsuit filed by 20 states to kill Obamacare.

GOPers are NOT PROTECTORS of Americans with pre-existing conditions.

The leading cause of bankruptcy in U.S. is lack of health care coverage.

VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th.

Meanwhile, when Americans should be vigilant in the midst of pipe bombs being sent in a mass attempt at assassinating American leaders, President Trump's concern is organizing efforts to prevent refugees from reaching the U.S. in a couple months.

Shingrix and shingles are a timely and informative topic on the Forum-- the back and forth and additional voices chiming in --drama of a useful concern seems to be of interest and much appreciated...

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

He stands for everything--

Weeks after voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, Jeff Flake isn't sure he believes Brett Kavanaugh's denials...

Jeff Flake speechifies about all the harm Trump is doing to the country, but always votes down the line with the Trump Party--

Result:

The Trump Party detests Flake so much he decided not to run for re election knowing he would be primaried...

and reasonable people, recognizing the disparity between Flake’s words and his actions, call him out on being “all hat, no cattle."  SAD!!! because Jeff Flake seems like a really nice guy.

Stewart Myrent

​I want to get into something I touched on several days ago, when I said that Janis & Steve & many others are "the products of being well-raised children."  I realize that none of us are children any longer, and I realize that there are probably thousands of ways to be a good parent, and many less ways to be a bad parent.  The other thing I said in that post, was that I "really like people who have inquisitive minds & empathetic hearts."  I think that to ensure that you're a good parent, you should try to raise children who have inquisitive minds; otherwise, they might easily be swayed, by some silver-tongued devil who does not have their best interests in mind.  And, as a good parent, to raise them to have empathetic hearts, so they are not blind to the suffering of others; and imagine how their lives could have turned out so differently, if not for an 'accident of birth'.  If I was born in Germany, instead of in the U.S., and in 1940, instead of 1947, my life could have been totally different, except for an 'accident of birth.'  If I was born in America as a black man, instead of a white man, my life would have been totally different, except for an 'accident of birth.'  The older I get, the more I realize that 'lucky' is way better than anything else.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Many thanks, Stewart. We are fortunate for the 'accident of our birth.' (I lived in the Sudan during 7th grade school year.) 

The beauty of America is the more we've shared the great opportunity this country offers, the stronger we've become as a nation.  On my profile page, David Bantz repeated the story of the fellowship of a campfire shedding light and warmth to humans and monkeys alike on a chilly night.  A campfire requires tending and new wood, which the humans provided to maintain their gathering.  When the humans departed, the monkeys remained until the fire burned down-- the wood pile was there, but the monkeys did not tend the fire to sustain the warmth and the light they enjoyed.  I grew up on this story--

I am concerned the magnificence of our country is burning out because of the "me" mentality... we are not giving back, adding logs to the fire, investing in our country and tending the fire.  When we were young our parents and grandparents were investing in improving schools and roads and safety-- today our children and grandchildren are concerned about climate change, inequality, how to finance a college education, and the shrinking role of government to help people in need. 

What can we do as older folks? singer Sheena Easton might put it this way: "less takin' and more givin' "

We can pay our taxes without grumbling... and those of us who remain healthy can be productive-- particularly in ways that help young people.

Why not create a living will and make clear we don't want expensive medical care when it won't make a difference anyway?

Stewart Myrent

​Janis, I read your story about the humans & the monkeys at the campfire, and thought it was ironic, as I just heard a similar story about monkeys & humans, also involving firewood, while I was driving, on the radio, albeit, with a totally different outcome.  Apparently, a man in India, (I believe he was in his early 60's) went into a forest to collect firewood.  There were monkeys in the trees & they started pelting him with bricks from the treetops.  Where would monkeys get bricks, to use as projectiles, you may ask?  It turned out that the monkeys had gotten the bricks from an old, abandoned building in the nearest town. The man was killed.  (Not a happy ending.)  The man's family decided to sue the town, claiming that they were liable for his death, as the monkeys had gotten the bricks from that town.  The town realized that they could not bring the monkeys into court, and ruled the incident an unfortunate accident, that probably, could not have been avoided.  Have no idea why the monkeys decided to pelt the man with bricks, but, perhaps, they were among the monkeys who were left shivering in the cold night, in your story, and harbored ill feelings against humans, for letting that campfire go out.  Don't know, just saying.  When I heard this story 2 days ago, I actually thought it was fairly humorous, except for the death of the elderly man.

Stewart Myrent

​Steve, I forgot to ask this in my last post: the second shot HAS to be from the same batch as the first shot?  And, they mix the components of the vaccine, right before you get the shot?  I have never heard this before, relative to any vaccination.  To me, sounds like a situation ripe for human error.  How can you be sure the 2nd shot is from the same batch as the 1st & they have to mix the components right before giving you the shot?  If you have any more info, I would appreciate it.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has been in touch with local officials re the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.  The governor is focused on the victims, their families, and making sure law enforcement has every resource they need.

"We must all pray and hope for no more loss of life.  But we have been saying

" 'this one is too many'  for far too long. 

"Dangerous weapons are putting our citizens in harm's way.

"And in the aftermath of this tragedy, we must come together and take action to prevent these tragedies in the future.  

"We cannot accept this violence as normal."

Hard to believe this is life in America.  Ironic that Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is literally in what was Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

VOTE Tuesday, November 6th.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

When Should I See a Doctor Because of the Side Effects I Experience from Shingrix?

In clinical trials, Shingrix was not associated with serious adverse events.  In fact, serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare.  For example, for every every 1 million doses of a vaccine given, only one or two people may have a severe allergic reaction.  Signs of an allergic reaction happen within minutes or hours after vaccination and include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing (that's anaphylactic shock), a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness.  If you experience these or any other life-threatening symptoms see a doctor right away.

"Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system, so it may produce-short-term side effects more intense than you are used to from other vaccines.  These side effects can be uncomfortable, but they are expected and usually go away on their own in 2 or 3 days."

Do Not Take Medical Advice From The Posts Here By Me Or Others.

Check With Your Doctor.

I for one am grateful for the attention drawn to SHINGLES and appreciate the Forum discussion.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Thank you for your explanation, Steve... I was pulled into shingles discussion far beyond my expectation.  Foolishly, my initial comment was meant as cover for people not looking to have Shingrix vaccination just yet. 

In fact, Shingrix is on backorder-- I have been told Shingrix vaccine will be improved-- I hoped the risk of delay could be balanced by those facts. 

Some of our classmates live alone-- it is for that reason I mention the extremely rare possibility of anaphylactic shock-- so singles can be prepared with the support of a friend-- also in case they “get awfully sick”...

I was a hospital patient when I went into anaphylactic shock-- I was NOT in intensive care-- I was 38 years old, had a prolapsed bladder and was lactating (had last given birth 13 years before), was otherwise in good health-- no one recognized me as a patient who needed monitoring--

I knew I was in trouble but had no way to let anyone know-- when medical personnel finally found me they issued a CODE BLUE.  To this day no one understands why I went into anaphylactic shock... and it’ s been passed off because I did not die.

I believe I did lay out the risk of contracting shingles (and PHN), (including blindness).  I do not take shingles lightly.  Just talking about shingles and PHN, it's as if I've had latent PHN which has suddenly activated.

I believe the Forum discussion about shingles has been a plus.

I believe in preventive medicine-- that "absolute best health care plan is to not get sick.  All effective vaccines make sense... Shingrix vaccine is 97% effective.

Alan A. Alop

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

For all our vigilance about Islamic Terrorism,

we are living with Domestic Terrorism

at the hand of White Supremacists.  

VOTE Tuesday, November 6th.

Beverlee Ann Arpan (Marshall)

How to wash a cat:

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

3. In one smooth movement put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.

4. At this point the cat will self-agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet; the cat is actually enjoying this!

5. Flush the toilet three or four times.  This provides a 'Power Wash' and 'Rinse'.

6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.

7. Stand well back behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

9. Both the toilet and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Yours Sincerely,

The Dog