Thursday, November 29, 2007

Dihydrogen Monoxide, the evil truth!

Originally published on MySpace on Nov 29, 2007

Current mood:amused
I've been involved in researching this dangerous chemical (dihydrogen monoxide - DHMO) and all the efforts to ban it.  OMG, it's a truly horrific chemical and we MUST eliminate it from our world!! Here are some important facts you should know!!  (from dhmo.org)

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Research conducted by award-winning U.S. scientist Nathan Zohner concluded that roughly 86 percent of the population supports a ban on dihydrogen monoxide. Although his results are preliminary, Zohner believes people need to pay closer attention to the information presented to them regarding Dihydrogen Monoxide. He adds that if more people knew the truth about DHMO then studies like the one he conducted would not be necessary.
A similar study conducted by U.S. researchers Patrick K. McCluskey and Matthew Kulick also found that nearly 90 percent of the citizens participating in their study were willing to sign a petition to support an outright ban on the use of Dihydrogen Monoxide in the United States.

What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?

Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:
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  • Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
  • Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
  • Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
  • DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
  • Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
  • Contributes to soil erosion.
  • Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
  • Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
  • Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
  • Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
  • Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
  • Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
  • Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
Okay, Peeps, lets back up.... just what is this evil chemical, DHMO? 
WATER!
Yes, it's just water - pure & simple!  Let's look at the information again....
"Research conducted by award-winning U.S. scientist Nathan Zohner concluded...."
Let's google Nathan Zohner and find out just who he is....
"In 1997, Nathan Zohner, a 14-year-old junior high student at Eagle Rock Junior High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, gathered 43 votes to ban the chemical, out of 50 people surveyed among his classmates. Zohner received the first prize at Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair for analysis of the results of his survey. In recognition of his experiment, journalist James K. Glassman coined the term "Zohnerism" to refer to "the use of a true fact to lead a scientifically and mathematically ignorant public to a false conclusion."
"A similar study conducted by U.S. researchers Patrick K. McCluskey and Matthew Kulick..."
Since I love 'googling' lets check out these two...
"In 1989, Eric Lechner, Lars Norpchen and Matthew Kaufman circulated a Dihydrogen Monoxide contamination warning on the UC Santa Cruz Campus via photocopied fliers. The concept originated one afternoon when Matthew recalled a similar warning about "Hydrogen Hydroxide" that had been published in his mother's hometown paper, the Durand (Michigan) Express, and the three then worked to coin a term that "sounded more dangerous". Eric typed up the original warning flier on Matthew's computer, and a trip to the local photocopying center followed that night.."
What an amazing amount of research went into their flyers!  Three of them worked to coin a term that sounded dangerous...
Now let's check out the real dangers point by point....
  • Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities. You can drown by inhaling as little as one thimble full of water.
  • Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage. Solid DHMO is also known as ice and severe tissue damage in this case is known as frostbite and can lead to amputation.
  • Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects. Bloating, sweating, urge to urinate and withdrawal causes certain death!
  • DHMO is a major component of acid rain. Or any other rain for that matter! The acid part of acid rain is caused by particles of pollution in the air.
  • Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns. Gaseous DHMO doesn't alway cause severe burns but as steam, it certainly can!
  • Contributes to soil erosion. DUH!
  • Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals. Let's refer to this as rust, k?
  • Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits. Common sense tells us to keep our electronics away from water.... don't ever use your hair dryer in the tub, right? Think Mel Gibson in "What a woman wants"
  • Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes. Car manufacturers will recommend that you lightly pump your brakes to dry them out after driving through a puddle.
  • Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions. It only makes sense since human body is 55-78% water.
  • Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks. Even dogs held in confinement are given food and water.
  • Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S. PULEASE - everyone knows that wind and water are the major damaging factors in major storms.
  • Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect. Ocean currents and their thermal variations are the causes of El Nino....
Still don't believe me?  Check it out here.... dihydrogen monoxide hoax
and while you are at it.... You have now taken notes on dihydrogen monoxide...

Thursday, November 1, 2007

My Month

Originally published on MySpace on Nov 1, 2007

Current mood:drained
I think it was the day after I wrote my last blog, September 29th.... Mom had a stroke.  Harriett called me home from work and I took her to the hospital where they began checking her out.  I don't really believe there are any really good tell-tale symptoms for stroke, but I should know better.  We only knew she was sick and wasn't able to stand on her own that day.  She'd had a headache for about a week. After a CAT scan which revealed bleeding in her brain they wanted to move her from that neighborhood hospital to LDS Hospital in downtown SLC.  It happened to be snowing that day so the preferred LifeFlight by helicopter was out of the question. We ran from Sandy to SLC "Lights & Sirens" in the ambulance.
Learn to Recognize a Stroke  It was a bit disconcerting to realize, later, that she had so many of the signs.
Mom spent only a few days in the hospital and was transferred to a skilled nursing facility (aka nursing home) in our neighborhood.  She hates it there and wants to come home very badly. We expect to bring her back home eventually when she gets her strength & ability to walk (assisted with a walker) back. In defense of the facility, she has a very nice room with a private bath, large TV in an armoire, sofa and rocker/recliner, table and two chairs.  It's very much like a small studio without a kitchen.  
She's not significantly different.  Her memory and hearing are bad, her speech not noticiably affected. The biggest affect has been visually - she can't see well on her left and it takes a few moments for her to focus and see people approaching her. In retrospect I did see signs of her vision problems prior to her hospitalization, but she didn't complain and I didn't comprehend it at the time.  I could be sitting across the room, slightly to her left and she would say I'd left and come back when I had never left the chair.  I didn't understand what it meant until later.
I feel like a failure as a daughter through this.  I can't dispell her displeasure with where she's at by bringing her home until she is ready to come home. At times I wonder if she is ready and I am delaying it for my own convenience. My days are spent at work and then visiting her and then home to collapse and do nothing. The next day: repeat.  Some days I get so fed up listening to her repeat the same things over and over so I turn on her tv to help me pass the time. I know she doesn't like it but I can't sit and answer the same questions she's asked yesterday, the day before and several times this day. ARGH!!
I guess that is enough complaining.  It does help to just get it out.

3:20 PM
Post a comment...


    Katlanga SkyCherry Sending you lots of love and hugs! xoxoxoxox
    3 years ago


    ~~>Kim's talkin' trash! FAILURE?!?!? Never! You're going through one of the most difficult times with your mom right now, and handling things very well. Just keep doing what you're doing. You can't change what she's going through and the simple fact that you're there with her is more than many others accomplish.

    Chin up, my friend, and hugs to you!
    3 years ago


    Jeannie Corby Becker Ah sweetie you will never be considered a failure in your mom's eyes. We all have seen the signs that something is not right BUT we do not realize we saw these signs prior to the actual happening.

    You have cared for your mom as best as you could. She knows that. You know in your heart that she is not ready to come home just yet. You need to take each day as it comes. Maybe you could have someone else in the family visit her every other day so you can take a break. There is nothing wrong in taking time for yourself. You need to take this time and build up your strength so you are healthy to care for her when she comes home. If your are exhausted you will be of no good to her.

    Keep your chin up and I will say a few extra prayers for you and your family.

    Hugs,
    Jeannie
    3 years ago


    ♥Cid not so Vicious♥ I'm not sure which is more difficult--a parent caring for a child or a child caring for a parent. When the roles are reversed, it is just so hard for all. You are doing the best that you can and your mom is getting the care that she needs. When the facility feels she is ready to go home, she will.

    Like Kari said, we are here when you need to vent. Keep smiling, Betsy, things will get better before you know it. Hugs!
    3 years ago


    Kari Fisher Williams (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( BIG OL HUGGGGS ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

    You are NOT a failure. I think it is respectful of you to take care of your mother and you are doing a fine job. It is not an easy undertaking.

    Remember we are here for you if you need to vent!

    Huggers!