What if someone were to tell you that a chemical (MSG) added to food could cause brain damage in your children, and that this chemical could effect how your childrens' nervous systems formed during development so that in later years they may have learning or emotional difficulties? What if there was scientific evidence that these chemicals could permanently damage a critical part of the brain known to control hormones so that later in life your child might have endocrine problems? How would you feel?

Suppose evidence was presented to you strongly suggesting that the artificial sweetener in your diet soft drink may cause brain tumors to develop, and that the number of brain tumors reported since the introduction of this widespread introduction of this artificial sweetener has risen dramatically?

Would that affect your decision to drink these products and especially to allow your children to drink them? What if you could be shown overwhelming evidence that one of the main ingredients in this sweetener (aspartate) could cause the same brain lesions as MSG? Would that affect your buying decisions?

And finally, what if it could be demonstrated that all of these types of chemicals, called excitotoxins, could possibly aggravate or even precipitate many of today's epidemic neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ALS, and Alzheimer's disease? Would you be concerned if you knew that these excitotoxin food additives are a particular risk if you have diabetes, or have ever had a stroke, brain injury, brain tumor, seizure, or have suffered from hypertension, meningitis, or viral encephalitis?

Would you also be upset to learn that many of the brain lesions caused by these products in your children are irreversible and can result from a SINGLE exposure of these products in sufficient concentration?

How would you feel when you learn the food industry hides and disguises these excitotoxin additives (MSG and Aspartate) so they can't be recognized? Incredulous? Enraged? The fact is many foods are labeled as having "No MSG" but in fact not only contain MSG but also are laced with other excitotoxins of equal potency and danger.

All of the above are true. And all of these well-known brain toxins are poured into our food and drink by the thousands of tons to boost sales. These additives have NO OTHER purpose other than to enhance to TASTE of food and the SWEETNESS of various diet products.

Hidden Sources Of MSG

As discussed previously, the glutamate (MSG) manufacturers and the processed food industries are always on a quest to disguise the MSG added to food. Below is a partial list of the most common names for disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins, aspartate and L-cystine, are frequently added to foods and according to FDA rules require NO LABELING AT ALL.

* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *

• Monosodium Glutamate
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
• Hydrolyzed Protein
• Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
• Plant Protein Extract
• Sodium Caseinate
• Calcium Caseinate
• Yeast Extract
• Textured Protein (Including TVP)
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
• Corn Oil
• Malt Extract
• Malt Flavoring
• Bouillon
• Broth
• Stock
• Flavoring
• Natural Flavors/Flavoring
• Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
• Seasoning
• Spices

* Food Additives That MAY Contain MSG Or Excitotoxins *

• Carrageenan
• Enzymes
• Carrageenan
• Enzymes
• Soy Protein Concentrate
• Soy Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate

Also: Protease Enzymes of various sources can release excitotoxin amino acids from food proteins.

Aspartame - An Intense Source Of Excitotoxins

Aspartame is a sweetener made from two amino acids, phenylalanine and the excitotoxin aspartate. It should be avoided at all costs. Aspartame complaints accounts for approximately 70% of ALL complaints to the FDA. It is implicated in everything from blindness to headaches to convulsions. Sold under dozens of brand names such as NutraSweet and Equal, aspartame breaks down within 20 minutes at room temperature into several primary toxic and dangerous ingredients:

Common Examples:

Diet soft drinks, sugar free gums, sugar free Kool Aid, Crystal Light, childrens' medications, and thousands of other products claiming to be 'low calorie', 'diet', or 'sugar free'.

A Final Note...

Dr. Blaylock recounted a meeting with a senior executive in the food additive industry who told him point blank that these excitotoxins are going to be in our food no matter how many name changes are necessary...

MORE ON MSG: Nutrition 4 Health Organization

A woman named Connie emailed me and said, “Thank you for your thought provoking commentaries. While I don’t always agree with your worldview, you present your opinion in a respectful way. I love your sense of humor. Keep up the good work.” Connie, I really appreciate your comments.

Meanwhile, a thoughtful and concerned mother wrote in to say, "Thank you for your approach to politics. It’s obvious that you know your subject matter. I have a son who is interested in politics. Should I try to change his mind?” Well, my advice is to continue to raise your son in an atmosphere characterized by positive Christian values. He will then be a man of character and integrity and a follower of Jesus Christ...just the kind of a man we need in politics.

Finally, Andrew emailed me and asked, "I keep hearing your commentaries at noon and I was wondering when I can watch your TV show?” Thanks for writing in andrew. You can watch my TV show “Coleman and Company” every Sunday morning at 10:30 on WETM-TV, which is NBC 18 in Elmira.

I want to thank everyone for listening and writing in. I always enjoy hearing from you. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Hydrolyzed Protein is protein that has been hydrolyzed or broken down into its component amino acids. While there are many means of achieving this, two of the most common are prolonged boiling in a strong acid (acid-HVP) or strong base or using an enzyme such as the pancreatic protease enzyme to stimulate the naturally-occurring hydrolytic process.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, hydrolyzed protein is used to enhance flavor. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form monosodium glutamate (MSG). When added this way, American law does not require the labels to list MSG as an ingredient.

If you want to find out if there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in a product, you must ask the manufacturer for information about "free glutamic acid." Don't ask about "MSG." Manufacturers find it convenient, when speaking to consumers, to tell them that there is no "MSG" in their product, meaning that there is no ingredient called "monosodium glutamate." Even if a manufacturer tells you there is no MSG in a product, there may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed pea protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, enzymes, and a whole slew of other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during manufacturing.

MSG and other similar products can cause headaches, a feeling of fuzziness, and extreme thirst due to the fact that they fray the neurotransmitters in the brain which in turn causes early onset of dementia and memory loss. Label reading is crucial when purchasing processed foods.

Now, I am all for the Census. It’s good to count people every now and again. I am quite excited to get my little questionnaire and lend my information to the federal government.  You can imagine my disappointment then, when yesterday I found an envelope from the U.S. Census Bureau containing what I thought was my own, personal Census form. Wrong- it was a letter saying that the actual Census was going to be arriving in about a week and would I please take time to fill out this very important paper and mail it back to D.C. I was outraged. Largely because I just wanted to answer the 10 measly questions and get it over with, but also because of the money I felt the government was wasting.

Every day I hear about how the federal deficit is ballooning out of control and our lawmakers are looking for ways to cut costs. Now, the Census department is sending out 3 letters to every American household-a pre-Census later telling me to keep checking my mailbox and since I opened this letter without throwing it away to do the same with the next letter they send me, the actual Census survey, and a post Census postcard reminding me to get my backside in gear and reply if I haven’t already. Then in case, you or I have failed to adhere to any of these three mailings, we will receive a personal house visit by a U.S. Census worker.  Tell me how all three of these mailings to every household are necessary, aside from keeping the USPS afloat and giving them something other than Christmas to look forward to? Explain how cost effective it is to send three different letters when two of them contain no valuable information whatsoever?  NEWSFLASH: People are not going to be any more inclined to fill out their Census because you sent them a “warning” letter nor are they going to rush off to check the boxes because you reminded them in a postcard. Perhaps we could have helped our unbalanced federal checkbook by sending one letter and then paying visits to households rather than thin out the forests and overload the mailbox.  I’d call my Congressman with my thoughts but since I live in New York’s 29th District…I don’t have one. 

Just a week ago Friday, and less than a week after he officially announced that he would run for governor of New York, Governor David Paterson announced that he was out of the race. When making his announcement, Paterson told the press and the people of New York, “It has become increasingly clear to me in the last few days that I cannot run for office and try to manage the state’s business at the same time.”

New York State government is facing a severe economic crisis involving a sea of red ink -- what could be aptly described as an economic tsunami. Given the magnitude of the fiscal crisis, New York State needs gubernatorial leadership of the highest order. When he announced his decision not to seek a four year term, Governor Paterson said that he intended to finish his remaining 308 days in office. He said, “I will serve every one of them fighting for the people of the state of New York.”

In my view, it is preposterous to think that Governor Paterson can provide the necessary leadership to effectively govern for the rest of his term because of the scandal that is now surrounding himself, his administration, and the state police. This -- of course -- is the scandal over whether pressure was put on a woman to keep quiet after she made allegations of domestic abuse against David Johnson, one of Paterson’s top aides. At one point, Paterson even talked to the alleged victim on the phone -- something totally inappropriate, unethical, and perhaps even illegal, depending on what was said in the phone conversation.

I believe that Governor Paterson really cares for the people of New York. Given this, he should do the right thing and resign.

That’s right, Governor Paterson should resign.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

The easiest way to help our children and ourselves is to use this list to begin to weed out the toxic chemicals that are in so many snack foods. Learning to read labels will revolutionize your choices, giving you the edge on a healthier lifestyle! Here's an excerpt from "Pediatric Nutrition Program" by Global College of Natural Medicine:

12 Key Additives to Avoid and Their Health Risks

Other Concerns:

• Food Waxes (protective coating of produce, as in cucumbers, peppers, and apples) - may trigger allergies, can contain pesticides, fungicide sprays or animal byproducts.
• Plastic packaging - Carcinogenic (vinyl chloride); immune reactions, lung shock

Today I’m proud to be celebrating my first anniversary of delivering commentaries every Tuesday on the Family Life Network Noon Report. I want to thank the management and staff of Family Life for blessing me with the opportunity to give a weekly commentary I also want to thank the thousands of you who listen to my commentaries each and every week as well as all of you who have sent me e-mails over the past twelve months.

During the last year, I have covered a number of important issues facing the Empire and Keystone States, including abortion, gay marriage, the political conflicts in both Albany and Harrisburg, smoking bans, drug testing, drunk driving, cell phone use in cars, text messaging while driving, local schools, fiscal crises, and so on. And yes, lest i forget, during the last year I did discuss Eliot Spitzer’s new pursuit as a college professor.

Well in the months ahead, I will continue to carefully and diligently follow, report, analyze, and comment on the important issues of the day that impact your lives, your families, your jobs, and your way of life. On this, my first anniversary as a commentator on the FLN Noon Report, I pledge to continue to do my best to serve you well.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has three forms. They are Vitamin D 1 (calciferol), Vitamin D 2 (ergocalciferol), and Vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D 2 is the most common added to milk and supplements however Vitamin D 3 is the most absorbable. Vitamin D needs a diet including good fats to be bioavailable. Cod liver oil is the highest source of D coming in with over 2000 IU for 2 Tablespoons. A six oz. piece of salmon is next with just over 600 IU. Suggested intake of D is 200 IU in youth through 40’s with a jump up to 400 IU in your 50’s and 600 IU in your 70’s.

Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium. Also if there is not enough Vitamin D, calcium can leach from the bones and form blockages in arteries. This is why Vitamin D has been linked to better heart health especially for those over 40. Low levels of Vitamin D have also been seen in those suffering with diabetes. It plays an important role in good immune function, hence the problems of cold and flu season when we have fewer hours of daylight, and tend to be inside due to the cold weather. Need for supplementation has been documented by several European studies during those winter months.

This has been one of the most overlooked vitamins over the last several decades. However the research is conclusive that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient to support your overall health and well being.

In a recent commentary, I proposed that all cars in New York and Pennsylvania should be required to have breathalyzer like devices -- called ignition interlocks -- that would prevent drunks from driving. In order to start their car, a person would have to blow into this device. If the person were drunk, the car would not start.

In my commentary, I urged lawmakers in Harrisburg and Albany to require that these devices be installed in all cars for safely reasons with the obvious goal of keeping drunk drivers off the roads.

Well, I got a number of e-mail responses from Family Life listeners. Andy wrote in to agree, saying, “Ignition interlock devices sound good. I hear it works too.” Rachel disagreed with my proposal and said, "I think Albany and Harrisburg have more important ‘fish to fry’ -- until they take care of the fiscal emergency both states are facing -- nothing else matters.”

In another e-mail, Carl had a different reaction to my proposal. He wrote, “I think they should install those ignition interlock devices on the vehicles of all the politicians in NY and PA…they blow enough hot air that they could start a forest fire!!!”

Well, I want to thank everyone for writing in. I’m curious as to what others think of my proposal to make it a legal requirement to install interlock ignition devices in every car in the Empire and Keystone States.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

In previous commentaries, I have expressed my concern about the economic mess in the Empire and Keystone States -- from unemployment to deficits and so on. I know that a lot of you feel powerless when it comes to making a difference, and you have been disappointed time and time again with politicians who refuse to lead and refuse to stamp out governmental waste, ineffectiveness, inefficiency, corruption, and fraud.

Well, I’m here to say that all of us can make a difference by buying local and spending our hard earned dollars at local businesses -- like local restaurants, local clothing stores, local auto repair shops, local grocery stores, local pharmacies, and so on.

You see, when you spend your money locally it contributes to a strong, vibrant, and robust local economy which leads to more employment and other opportunities for you, your family, and your neighbors. Keep in mind that the owners of local businesses are often active in the community and often contribute to many community causes.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against chain restaurants and big box stores. I’m only saying that it is important to spend a significant portion of your hard earned cash at locally owned businesses. The engine that drives the American economy is local business.

By spending locally you help both the local economy and the American economy at the same time.  I also urge public officials to use local contractors and contract for local goods and services when it comes to public works projects and other endeavors.

Don’t feel powerless. You can make a difference. Spend locally.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

• Whole grains -- six to eight servings a day of products made from 100% whole grains... a serving is one slice of bread, one ounce of dry cereal, or one-half cup of cooked cereal, whole-grain pasta or brown rice.

• Fruits and vegetables -- eight to 10 servings a day... a serving is defined as one cup of raw, leafy vegetables or one-half cup of cooked veggies, one medium fruit, one-half cup low-sodium vegetable juice, one cup of fresh fruit, or one-half cup of frozen or canned fruit. To reduce calories,  limiting starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, corn and the like, but the good news is that you can eat as much as you like of the nonstarchy ones, for example, tomatoes, green beans, leafy greens, peppers and others.

• Low-fat dairy -- two to three servings a day. A serving is one cup of milk or yogurt or one and one-half ounces of cheese.

• Lean meat, fish and poultry -- six or fewer ounces a day. A three-ounce serving is the size of a pack of cards, which is sufficient with a meal.

• Nuts, seeds and beans -- four to five servings per week... servings include one-half cup of cooked dried beans or peas, one-quarter cup of nuts or two tablespoons of peanut butter. It is okay to have more beans than this each week, but if so you should balance that by eating less meat, fish and poultry.

• Fats and oils -- two to three servings a day ...with a serving being one teaspoon of butter or vegetable oil(safflower oil), one tablespoon of mayonnaise or two tablespoons of salad dressing(olive oil base is best).

• Sweets -- up to five servings a week... such as one-half cup sorbet, a good homemade cookie or slice of dark chocolate cake, one tablespoon of sugar, jelly or jam, or one cup of lemonade.

• Sodium -- The National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine recommends not exceeding 1,500 mg to 2,400 mg of salt per day (1,500 mg is about two-thirds teaspoon of table salt). Note: Factors such as medications you are on, exercise and diet history should be considered in determining your optimal sodium intake.

Community service is a great American tradition that goes back to the very beginnings of our great republic. In fact, it is a great tradition that is uniquely american -- something that the Frenchman Alexis De Tocqueville recognized when he visited America in the early 1830s and noted in the first volume of Democracy in America, which was published in 1835.

Given the special place that community service has in American history and culture, I think that it is important to get young people -- like middle and high school students -- involved in community service. Hopefully, this will establish a habit of "giving back" to those in need.

On the other hand, community service in the schools should not ever be used as a bargaining chip with students. Recently WETM-TV, the NBC affiliate in Elmira, New York -- reported that students taking a ninth grade class in the Campbell-Savona School District are exempt from a five hour community service requirement if their academic average in the class is 95 or higher.

I think that this arrangement cheapens and degrades community service, makes it a reward to avoid this important work, and sends the wrong message to the kids. If community service is part of a class requirement, then all students in the class should be required to fulfill the requirement with no exceptions...

...period.

I urge that community service be a mandated part of every public school curriculum in the Empire and Keystone States, and it should never be used -- for whatever the reason -- as a bargaining chip with students.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Today is a thumbs up and thumbs down commentary.

I say thumbs up to New York Democratic Congressman Eric Massa for wanting to scrap the current House and Senate healthcare plans and start over. It takes someone with guts and independence to buck the Obama Administration.

I say thumbs down to the fact that unemployment is going up in New York.

I say thumbs up to lawmakers in Williamsport, PA who recently accepted money from the Feds to put surveillance cameras on the streets. I’m hoping that cities and towns throughout New York and Pennsylvania follow that lead. Cameras will help to deter the street thugs and will get their pictures when they break the law.

I say thumbs down to the fact that unemployment is up in the Keystone State as well.

I say thumbs up to the decision to keep the North Penn High School in Blossburg, Pennsylvania open. Three cheers for local schools!

I say thumbs down to Mark Mcgwire for finally admitting to what everyone knew -- that he was a steroid user -- and that makes him a homerun cheat instead of a homerun king. Kids...stay away from steroids.

And finally, I say thumbs up to Pennsylvania Congressmen Chris Carney and Glenn Thompson for fighting to keep Interstate 80 toll free.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Far too many cities in the Empire and Keystone States face serious fiscal problems in the months ahead. The big challenge for local governments is to balance their budgets to avoid bankruptcy, state takeovers, and other economic calamites. This will call for leadership and some tough decisions by elected officials.

You see, there are a number of possible ways to deal with the fiscal crisis. Some involve generating revenue and others involve cutting costs, but each one will be a hit to someone’s wallet or pocketbook or way of life.

For example, one way to generate revenue is to raise property taxes, but this is something that will compound the economic agony that so many people are experiencing in these tough economic times.

Another way to generate revenue is to charge new fees or raise existing fees for municipal services. This would represent a nickel and dime approach to raising revenue and could put recreational and other opportunities and services out of the reach of the less well-to-do.

Cutting costs is another way for local governments to achieve fiscal stability. Possibilities here would include laying off public employees or cutting back on such things as road maintenance and repair. Another approach would be to furlough -- and not fire -- local public employees to cut costs.

Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, at the end of the day local officials will probably use a combination of revenue generating and cost cutting methods to balance their budgets. Let’s hope and pray that these officials exercise responsibility, wisdom, and compassion.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

All too often lawmakers in Albany and in Harrisburg react to the tragedy and mayhem of the headlines instead of getting out in front of the headlines. We see this time and time again. Laws or proposed laws banning texting and handheld cell phones while driving are only seriously considered or passed after countless citizens are injured and slaughtered on the highways.

Even then, when laws are passed they often leave a lot to be desired because the fines and insurance consequences are minimal.

Likewise, it took lots of kids getting killed in vehicles driven by drunk drivers for New York State to finally pass a law last November that made driving drunk with kids fifteen or under in the car a felony. This law -- know as Leandra’s Law -- was named to honor 11-year-old Leandra Rosaro who was killed last October in a car driven by a drunken adult.

Unfortunately, this law does not go far enough because it only applies to kids fifteen or younger. So someone driving drunk with a sixteen year old as a passenger will get a pass on a felony charge.

Another part of Leandra’s Law is that anyone convicted of DWI in New York State will be required to install something called an ignition interlock. This device -- much like a breathalyzer -- will prevent someone who is legally drunk from driving. A driver blows into this device, which then measures the amount of alcohol in one’s breath. If the person is drunk, the car will not start.

This Leandra’s Law requirement is a good one. However, it does not go far enough. In order to be proactive and get out in front of the headlines, lawmakers in Albany and Harrisburg should pass legislation that would require ALL cars to have ignition interlock devices to prevent drunks from driving.

Driving while intoxicated is such a major problem and all too often people who have had one too many get on the road. Having an ignition interlock device in every car will save thousands of lives in the years ahead. So let’s save lives and require an ignition interlock device in every car.

I hope the lawmakers in Albany and Harrisburg are listening.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

The Beach Boys once had a hit song that was called "Be True To Your School." That was a good value then and is a good value now. That's why I was so impressed last month when hundreds of parents, students, and interested citizens participated and marched in a "Save Our School" parade in Blossburg, Pennsylvania.

The school in question is the North Penn High School in Blossburg. Some want to shut it down to save money on extensive repairs that are needed on the structure that was built in 1952. Others want this neighborhood or regional school to survive and do not want the students shipped off to high schools in Liberty and Mansfield.

I say that under no circumstances should this school be shut down and I encourage those who paraded to save the school in December to stage more parades and demonstrations because being true to local schools is so important. You see, when local schools are shut down so much is often lost including history, traditions, fight songs, sports rivalries, athletic opportunities, and getting an education close to home.

Recently, voters in the Corning-Painted Post School District in New York said “no” to a facilities plan designed to improve the schools. One important reason why the voters said “no” was a view that the plan was an attack on local schools. It would have closed four elementary schools, shut the doors on two middle schools, and eliminated one of the district’s two high schools. This outraged many parents who felt that -- among other things -- athletic opportunities would suffer, traditions would be eliminated, and that the remaining schools would be larger and more impersonal.

What the Beach Boys sang about over forty-five years ago is still valued and celebrated today: Be true to your school!

Finally, I hope that in the months ahead you the listeners will e-mail me with your take on the issues of the day. I’d love to share what you think with others over the radio! Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Now that 2010 is underway, I would like to share my hopes for the Empire and Keystone states. I hope that in 2010 Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell does his job along with all of the lawmakers in Harrisburg. Last year was a political fiasco. The people’s business played second fiddle to dysfunctional partisan bickering. I urge those in Harrisburg -- both Republican and Democrat -- to work together to avoid financial mayhem, furloughs, and layoffs.

I also hope that in 2010 New York Governor David Paterson, the members of the State Senate, and the members of the Assembly will also work to do what is best for the people of New York. New York is on the edge of a financial cliff and leadership is desperately needed...something that has been sorely lacking in albany for decades.

I hope in 2010 that public officials at all levels in both states do everything they can to help dairy farmers succeed. Farmers are among the hardest workers and they deserve our support and respect.

In the year ahead I hope and pray that the drug dealing, violence, shootings, and killings stop in places like Rochester, Elmira, and Harrisburg.

In 2010, I hope that work progresses in turning Route 17 into Interstate 86 along New York’s Southern Tier. I also hope that nothing comes of the proposal to turn Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania into a toll road. That would be horrible for commerce as well as for the motoring public. I also hope that in 2010 -- or sometime in the future -- the Pennsylvania Turnpike will become toll free.

Well, what can I say? Hope springs eternal! Finally, I hope that in the months ahead you the listeners will e-mail me with your take on the issues of the day. I’d love to share what you think with others over the radio! Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

The new year is just around the corner and starting on January 1st, a couple of hospitals in Williamsport -- and one just outside of Williamsport -- will ban smokers from being hired. Job seekers can reapply for employment once they stop smoking, wait ninety days, and pass a nicotine test.

Although I am an advocate of smokers' rights, I find nothing wrong with this policy. In fact, it makes a lot of sense. You see, smokers do not have the right to a job or even to keep a job. And let's face it, smokers at work often smell like chimneys, have less than pleasant breath, and have to keep running outside to get their nicotine fix. Having people like this working in hospitals is unhealthy. Furthermore, smokers hurt other employees by driving up the cost of health insurance because of their unhealthy lifestyles.

Perhaps hospitals throughout New York and Pennsylvania should follow the lead of the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center, Divine Providence Hospital, and the Muncy Valley Hospital, which are all part of the Susquehanna Health System. You know, perhaps hospitals across the Empire and Keystone States should not only stop hiring smokers but should even consider letting them go if they do not give up or will not give up the smoking of coffin nails.

At this time of year, millions of Americans make resolutions to give up smoking. Most of these resolutions are never kept. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the hospitals to put some strength into these resolutions by banning employees who smoke?

Finally, I would like to wish you and yours a new year filled with God's blessings, excellent health, prosperity, and all the best in 2010. Thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Every year around this time there is controversy over nativity scenes on public property. For example, in late November a Harrisburg newspaper -- “The Patriot News” -- reported on a demonstration in Chambersburg that protested the banning -- and demanded the return -- of a nativity scene in the town's public square...something that had been a fifty year tradition.

Liberal and radical judges across this country have succeeded in banning religious symbols from public property. The fact is that most Americans support religious displays on public property. Recently, the Rasmussen polling organization surveyed 1,000 adults and asked the following question: Should religious symbols like Christmas nativity scenes, Hanukkah menorahs and Muslim crescents be allowed on public land? An overwhelming number of those who responded -- 76 percent -- said yes. Only 13 percent said no, and some 10 percent were unsure.

With Christmas just days away it is really disturbing to contemplate the reality that nativity scenes have been banned from the public domain. The fact is that judges have taken Christ out of Christmas.

But all the news is not bad.

In fact, the good news is that Christians have the right to display nativity scenes and other religious displays on their private property. Muslims and Jews also have the right to display their religious symbols. I'm proud of the fact that in America believers of all faiths and traditions can proudly display their religious symbols. This makes America a great country compared to places like Communist China.

You know, it would be great to display nativity scenes and the like on public property. Perhaps some day. In the meantime, we can exercise our right to do so in our own backyards and front yards. Finally, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and may God bless you and yours.

Thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

It's that time of year again in many municipalities when citizens are turned into mice and required by law to scurry around and move their cars to the odd numbered side of the road on odd calendar days and to the even side of the road on even calendar days.

Now I realize odd-even parking makes sense in terms of snow removal, and I applaud the police agencies that give motorists warnings before issuing tickets. I also applaud officers who do their jobs, even when they ticket for offenses that should not be offenses.

That said, odd-even parking is often a complete waste of time and I say it is time to stop treating the hard working, tax paying citizens of New York and Pennsylvania like mice. Let's stop inconveniencing people by making them scurry around from one side of the street to the other, even when there is no snow on the ground.

Here is my solution: Odd-even regulations should only go into effect right before, during, and after a snow storm and shall stay in effect until the streets are cleared. Let's have odd-even parking regulations that make sense and then enforce those regulations with both rigor and vigor.

For those of you who do not live in communities with odd-even parking regulations...consider yourselves lucky.

I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Thanksgiving is over, Black Friday is in the rear view mirror, and Christmas is straight ahead. Unfortunately, for many people the holiday season is one big rat race. All too often the Christmas season is a materialistic and paganistic feeding frenzy which results in lots of people going bananas. You see it in their faces -- anger, exasperation, exhaustion, anxiety, frustration, sadness, and even depression.

It's important to remember that the true meaning of Christmas is not in the crass materialism that surrounds us but in the spirituality and joy of the season. It's important to keep Christ in Christmas by celebrating the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, celebrating family and friends, and praying for goodwill and peace on earth.

A true expression of the Christmas spirit is to reach out to those in need -- an elderly neighbor, those who are sick, those who are dying, those who are grieving, those who are depressed, the mentally distraught, the hungry, and all of those who have lost their jobs.

To all of my readers, I hope this holiday season is one of great happiness, unbounded exuberance, and boundless joy that comes from reaching out and helping others. I'm also hoping that during this Christmas season countless people come to discover and treasure the Gospel, the love of Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal salvation. Discovering Christ and embracing Christianity is the best Christmas gift of all.

Let's keep Christ in Christmas and God bless each and every one of you.

I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

In a recent commentary I criticized the Keystone State for failing to ban texting while driving and the use of handheld cell phones behind the wheel. I argued that this state of affairs was both dangerous and unacceptable. I even went so far as to say that Pennsylvania was failing to protect the safety and lives of its citizens.

Well, on the very same day that i delivered this commentary, Pennsylvania’s House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to approve a bill to outlaw both texting while driving as well as the use of handheld cell phones for those drivers under the age of eighteen. The bill is now under consideration by the full House, and Governor Ed Rendell is hoping to sign the bill into law by Christmas.

I want to commend Pennsylvania’s House Transportation Committee for moving in the right direction. On the other hand, the bill does not go far enough.

For example, the legislation calls for a fine of $50 for texting while driving And a $100 fine for those who text and drive in school or work zones. Considering the danger posed by texting while driving, the fines should be substantially higher and guilty parties should be forced to pay substantially higher automobile insurance premiums. Right now insurance premium increases are off the table.

Additionally, as i mentioned earlier, the legislation bans the use of handcell phones for drivers under eighteen. The fact that handheld cell phone use is not banned for drivers eighteen and older is ridiculous, dangerous, and makes absolutely no sense. Let’s hope that the cell phone legislation in Pennsylvania is amended so it will have some teeth.

I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and I am going to eat as much turkey as possible. You see, turkeys have no rights in my view and exist on the planet so that human beings can cook and eat them. In other words, turkeys are destined to end up in our bellies. In fact, there is nothing more special during the holiday season than seeing a huge cooked bird filled with stuffing all ready to be eaten by hungry people.

I say chicken feathers -- or should i say turkey feathers -- to those who say that turkeys have rights. Once a professor said that turkeys are smarter than most people think.

....Who cares? I don't care about the IQ of the turkey, just the taste.

And yes, I know that every year one turkey gets a presidential pardon. Of course, the only real turkey to ever get a presidential pardon was when Richard Nixon got a pardon from President Gerald Ford, and that made Ford an animal rights activist. So enjoy your turkey, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may God bless each and every one of you.

On a final note: Let’s pray that all the people going shopping this Black Friday will be safe. And let’s pray for the soul of the innocent man who was killed last Black Friday by a stampeding mob at a Wal-Mart in New York.

I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Download MP3

Political scientists have a number of terms that identify representational styles for lawmakers in Congress and elsewhere. A “trustee” votes his conscience even if it conflicts with the views of his constituents. In other words, the “trustee” does what he thinks is right and votes accordingly. On the other hand, a “delegate” votes the will of the people, even when it is contrary to his own beliefs. Then there is the “politico” who votes his conscience or the will of the people...depending on the issue.

Along with FLN’s Ed Thomas, I recently had the opportunity in Washington D.C. to sit down and talk with two freshmen members of the U.S. House of Representatives --Congressman Eric Massa who represents New York’s 29th District and Congressman Glenn Thompson who represents Pennsylvania’s 5th District. Massa is a Democrat and Thompson is a Republican. Both are finishing the first year of their two-year terms.

As first-term, first-year Congressmen, I asked each of them on how they approached the job of representing their constituents. Congressman Eric Massa is a trustee. He believes that he has an obligation to do what is right for his district even if he must vote against what is popular with his constituents. A case in point is his recent vote in the House against the Democratic healthcare reform bill.

In contrast to Congressman Massa, Congressman Glenn Thompson believes that he should vote in a way that is consistent with those who elected him to office. This makes Congressman Thompson a “delegate.” Interestingly enough, like Congressman Massa, Congressman Thompson also voted against the healthcare reform plan.

So ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, that’s your Political Science 101 lesson for today. I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour. Gradually add water with bouillon cubes dissolved and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with Kick’n Chicken and pepper. Add turkey, vegetables and onions to white sauce stir well. You can add a cheddar cheese blend to this and pour over rolls or biscuits.

Please do not use your cell phone to text while driving. This represents irresponsible, dangerous, and unChristianlike behavior that could kill or injure you, your passengers, and other drivers. Being distracted while driving is a formula for mayhem and death on the highways.

That’s why it is so important to have tough laws -- laws with teeth -- to cut down on the distraction that is texting while driving. New York and especially Pennsylvania have a long way to go in this regard. For example, on November 1st a new law went into effect in New York State that outlawed texting while driving.

Unfortunately, the police cannot cite someone for texting while driving unless the driver is initially stopped for something else like speeding or going though a stop sign. In other words, texting while driving is not a primary offense in New York. Furthermore, if stopped for something else and then ticketed and convicted for texting behind the wheel, the maximum fine is a measly $150.

I submit that the ban on texting while driving in New York is a paper tiger -- a joke of a law that invites people to break the law. New York needs to make texting while driving a primary offense, with steep fines, and with major auto insurance consequences.

If New York has a long way to go in the driving while texting department, Pennsylvania’s situation is much worse. It’s hard to believe that there is no statewide ban on texting while driving in the Keystone State.

That’s right. There is no ban on texting while driving in the Keystone State. This is a situation which is dangerous and unacceptable. What a disgrace!

On top of this, there is not even a statewide ban in Pennsylvania on the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Again, what a disgrace! A major responsibility of government is to protect the lives and safety of citizens. The Empire and Keystone States are failing in this regard.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

In a recent editorial, the New York Times lowered the boom on the embarrassing state of New York State politics. It said, “The state has become a national embarrassment, a swamp of intrigue and corruption, a $131 billion dollar monster controlled by a crowd of smug officials whose main concern is keeping their soft jobs.”

The editorial went on to say: “The clock is ticking. Unless the Albany crowd pulls off some miracle it will be up to the voters to get them out, all of them.” Well, I want to congratulate the New York Times for its straight talk on the circus that is Albany.

I only wish that the newspaper had also lowered the boom on the circus that is Harrisburg. After all, Pennsylvania’s State Senators and Representatives -- along with Governor Ed Rendell -- threw the Keystone State into chaos and confusion by passing a budget 101 days late.

During this period, the political circus performers in Harrisburg demonstrated a gross indifference to the people of Pennsylvania, a dysfunctional and blind obsession with party politics, a disgraceful fixation with scoring political points, and the kind of political behavior expected of  twelve and thirteen year olds. All of which adds up to political negligence and dereliction of duty of the worst kind.

Indeed, the citizens of Pennsylvania now have 101 reasons to throw the gang in Harrisburg out of office. Unfortunately, the political shenanigans of both those in Albany and Harrisburg are unlikely to lead to the defeat of many incumbents. You see, many voters have forgiving hearts, short memories, and even a high tolerance for politicians behaving badly. Furthermore, many voters who generally despise the rascals in Albany and Harrisburg think that the particular politicians they vote for do a great job.

So, the bottom line: Lots of people are currently fed up with the politicians in Albany and Harrisburg. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to lead to throwing the political rascals out of office.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

To read more info on this seed check out wiki.answers.com, a great link to help you wade through all of the information.

The politicians in Harrisburg were 101 days late this year in passing their state's budget. In fact, Pennsylvania was the last state in the nation to pass its budget. I say shame on members of the House, shame on members of the Senate, and shame on Governor Ed Rendell.

My goodness. Lawmakers in the Keystone State are trying their hardest to become even more dysfunctional than the politicians who run New York State.

One very disturbing item in Pennsylvania’s 2009-2010 budget is an unfair and outrageous 25 cent jump in the cigarette tax from $1.35 a pack to $1.60 a pack. This increase -- which goes into effect November 1st -- disturbs me because it is just another example of smokers under attack.

A year ago last June, New York State raised taxes on a pack of cigarettes from $1.50 to a whooping $2.75. On top of this, two lawmakers in Albany favor another increase to $3.50 a pack. And just about seven months ago the federal government increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents.

Enough is enough.

I don’t smoke and I think that smoking is an unhealthy, horrible, and addictive habit. I urge the young people who are listening to stay away from cigarettes or what my late father called coffin nails. On the other hand, in a free society adults should have the right to smoke without oppressive and prohibitive taxation from the government.

It was the great Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall who once said that “the power to tax is the power to destroy.” Let’s not destroy -- through excessive taxation -- the right to smoke.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Despite the election of Barack Obama as America’s first black president, America still has serious challenges of racial equality and justice in areas involving education, jobs, housing, and law enforcement. Indeed, even though America has come a long way in the area of race relations, it still has a long way to go.

For example, in the last couple of years there has been a disturbing trend in New York, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere where past and present public officials have used words like racist and racism in gratuitous, irresponsible, and thoughtless ways. It was just about a year ago that Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha called the people of Western Pennsylvania racists. He later apologized and said that “redneck” would have been a more appropriate term.

More recently, New York Governor David Paterson -- perhaps the most unpopular governor in the Empire State’s history -- opined that he was the victim of racism. Additionally, Governor Paterson and former President Jimmy Carter both argued that criticism directed at President Barack Obama was racist. The president -- refusing to play the race card -- rejected this analysis.

More locally, the only black member of the city school board in Elmira, New York has publicly charged that the other members of the board -- as well as the board itself -- are racist. Despite her dramatic charges, she has not provided any evidence. Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, throwing around words like racist and racism is outrageous, irresponsible, and just plain wrong.

It reminds me of the late Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy who -- without proof -- falsely accused people of being communists. In doing so, he ruined the careers and reputations of many who he had targeted. Those in public life need to choose their words carefully.

There are serious issues involving race and racism in America. Those who play the race card with incendiary language are a disgrace. They distract from a discussion of the serious issues of the day.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

There are huge numbers of welfare recipients in New York and Pennsylvania. Of course, the taxpayers of the Empire and Keystone States are the ones who have to foot the bill for those who cannot make it on their own.

This is an expensive and costly proposition -- especially when both states are dealing with serious fiscal problems.

That said, many of those on public assistance are good people who need a temporary helping hand and who pray that someday they will not have to accept the indignity of government handouts.  Unfortunately, there are also many welfare recipients who should not be getting a dime of the taxpayers’ money because they are good-for-nothings who think that the world owes them a living.

Given this fact, I have a question for you: Why not have a program of random drug testing for welfare recipients? Drug users and abusers should be excluded from all forms of public assistance. Taxpayers should not be supporting druggies who are some of the very people who are likely to cheat and rip-off the welfare system.

Furthermore, druggies on welfare give honest welfare recipients a bad name. Excluding drug users from public assistance would lessen the stigma of being a welfare recipient for those on welfare who are truly deserving and in need. The welfare system is in dire need of more monitoring, oversight, and accountability.

This would be a major step in the right direction...and the sooner the better.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace as New York’s Governor some eighteen months ago after he was publicly and accurately linked to prostitutes. His involvement with prostitutes shocked millions of New Yorkers because in his previous post as attorney general he had earned the reputation of a self-righteous prosecutor -- the "Sheriff of Wall Street" -- who went after businessmen and those engaged in prostitution.

Well, that was then. Eliot Spitzer now has a new gig as a political science professor at City College, which is part of New York City’s public university system. This semester he is teaching a course entitled “law and public policy.” Given his unique background and qualifications, there are at least five other courses that he could teach or co-teach in the future:

1. "Ethics and Politics"

2. "Hypocrisy and Politics"

3. "From the State House to the Cathouse"

4. A course co-taught with John Edwards entitled: "The Wives of Politicians and How to Share the Bad News."

5. "A course with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford on the politics of Argentina.

Let me be frank. Eliot Spitzer betrayed the trust of the citizens of New York. He broke the law, cheated on his wife, and was guilty of hypocrisy -- big time. The fact a man who betrayed the public trust is teaching at a public college in New York City is a disgrace. What a horrible role model for impressionable young undergraduates.

I have a question for the parents: Would you want Eliot Spitzer teaching your kids?

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for writing in and I always appreciate your comments. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

I do not like cheating and that’s why I condemn those school officials, teachers, and parents who recently cheated their students by denying them the opportunity to listen to a speech given by President Barack Obama.

In an age where young people are constantly bombarded with the wrong messages and the wrong values from Hollywood, video games, and the music industry, students need to hear the right messages and the right values from responsible adults.

The president’s speech provided just that.

It stressed responsibility, working hard, respecting teachers, finding one’s talents, and making a contribution to America. As President Obama eloquently put it: “At the end of the day…we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools...pay attention to those teachers…listen to your parents, grandparents, and other adults…and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.”

In his inspiring and motivational address President Obama shared the right messages and values with the nation’s students at exactly the right time -- the start of the new school year.

Unfortunately, some educators and parents feared that President Obama would use the speech to brainwash their kids and shower them with political propaganda. This fear turned out to be misguided, silly, and ridiculous. Ironically, the only folks who seemed brainwashed were the adults who cheated the youngsters out of an opportunity to listen to positive messages from the President of the United States.

How disappointing and how sad.

On a final note: I invite people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Table salt is made up of sodium chloride while sea salt includes minerals. Real salt which is pink in color is an even better choice. Our body needs a good balance of electrolytes which for optimum performance are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride. When salt is over processed all you get is salty, not the good stuff and most fast foods and processed foods are made with sodium chloride which in and of itself can cause a myriad of health problems.

Excess sodium intake is linked to: hypertension/high blood pressure and heart disease, fluid retention and kidney stones. A high-sodium diet increases the need for potassium. The average fast food burger is between 800-1050 mg. of sodium! Canned soup can run around 600-800 mg. per serving. Most boxed convenience meals are upwards of 1200 mg per serving.

Mineral deficiencies are the main cause for salt cravings. With a proper balance of minerals from real salt you will get an upper hand on your diet.

The only time it is dangerous to drink too much water is when your electrolytes are low and are not being replaced. This can cause disturbances in brain function with neurological and cardiac complications. Many athletes who seemed to be in top condition but did not replace sodium/electrolytes, have had major health issues and in some cases death.

Many products today are being made with sea salt so read labels and get the best sources as possible. Remember buyer beware!

Aside from its effects on your endocrine glands, bromine is toxic in and of itself. Bromide builds up in your central nervous system and results in many problems. It is a central nervous system depressant and can trigger a number of psychological symptoms such as acute paranoia and other psychotic symptoms.

Aside from its effects on your endocrine glands, bromine is toxic in and of itself. Bromide builds up in your central nervous system and results in many problems. It is a central nervous system depressant and can trigger a number of psychological symptoms such as acute paranoia and other psychotic symptoms.

In addition to psychiatric problems, bromine toxicity can manifest as the following:

• Skin rashes and severe acne
• Loss of appetite and abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Metallic taste
• Cardiac arrhythmias

Baby Boomers might recall a popular product from the 1950s called Bromo-Seltzer. These effervescent granules, developed by the Emerson Drug Company of Baltimore, were used to treat heartburn, upset stomach, indigestion, headaches and hangovers.

Bromo-Selzer’s original formula contained sodium bromide -- hence the name. The sedative effect probably explained its popularity as a hangover remedy. Bromides were withdrawn from the American market in 1975 due to their toxicity.

Bromo-Selzer is still on the market, but no longer contains bromide.

Bromines in Your Bread Box: Potassium Bromate

The ban on bromines have not prevented them from sneaking into your foods and personal care products.

You probably are not aware of this, but nearly every time you eat bread in a restaurant or consume a hamburger or hotdog bun you are consuming bromide, as it is commonly used in flours.

The use of potassium bromate as an additive to commercial breads and baked goods has been a huge contributor to bromide overload in Western cultures.

Bromated flour is “enriched” with potassium bromate. Commercial baking companies claim it makes the dough more elastic and better able to stand up to bread hooks. However, Pepperidge Farm and other successful companies manage to use only unbromated flour without any of these so-called “structural problems.”

Potassium bromate is also found in some toothpastes and mouthwashes, where it’s added as an antiseptic and astringent. It has been found to cause bleeding and inflammation of the gums in people using these products.

Sodium Bromate and BMOs

Mountain Dew, one of the worst beverages you can drink, uses brominated vegetable oil as an emulsifier. Not only that, it contains high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, more than 55 mg of caffeine per 12 ounce can, and Yellow Dye #5 (tartrazine, which has been banned in Norway, Austria and Germany.)

There is a stigma attached to those on welfare or public assistance. That’s because there is a stereotype of welfare recipients as lazy and promiscuous good-for-nothings who use drugs, abuse alcohol, gamble, and think that the world owes them a living. This stereotype -- like most others -- is inaccurate, simplistic, and unfair.

On the other hand, it is sometimes true.

Given this, it is very important that public assistance of any kind be handled in a way that prevents fraud and abuse. Recently, New York State failed to do so in a shocking display of incompetence.

To be specific: With the blessing and approval of Governor David Paterson, New York recently provided thousands of “back to school" grants to families on public assistance. Families received $200 of “back to school money” for each of their kids. $140- million-dollars of public stimulus money funded most of this giveaway, along with some $35-million in private funding.

Well, I submit that Governor Paterson should be ashamed of himself. This program handed millions of dollars over to people with no safeguards, no monitoring, and no accountability. Yes, I'm sure lots of parents spent the money on their kids for back to school clothes and supplies. On the other hand, I'm also sure that some others spent the money on drugs, alcohol, and gambling.

Next time...if there is a next time...a program like this should have strict monitoring and oversight. Perhaps vouchers should be used that would only be good for back to school shopping. Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, it’s time to say “no” to welfare scamming, fraud, and abuse.

On a final note: I invite people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

All too often the politicians we send to Albany, Harrisburg, and Washington are more concerned about following the party line, playing it safe, or blindly following the polling numbers than they are about leadership and doing the right thing.

Witness the lack of leadership, the mayhem, and the gridlock this summer in Harrisburg, in Albany, and in our nation’s capital. Perhaps it’s time for elected leaders to follow their conscience and to be willing to do the right thing -- even when it is unpopular.

Such is the case with a courageous Congressman from the 29th District of Upstate New York.  His name is Eric Massa.  This independent Democrat recently caused lots of controversy in his district when he said that he would vote against the wishes of his constituents on healthcare reform if he thought he was doing the right thing.

Well, I congratulate Congressman Massa for choosing honestly and integrity over expediency. I also want to congratulate Congressman Massa for his leadership. Nothing shows leadership more than the willingness to take an unpopular stand...whether on health care reform or anything else.

Americans are sick and tired of mealy mouthed politicians who blindly follow public opinion, the party line, or playing it safe.  Voters elect public officials to exercise sound judgment, exercise independence, and to make the tough and sometimes unpopular decisions…much in the tradition of Edmund Burke, the 18th century British philosopher and member of Parliament.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Empire and Keystone states, it’s time for our leaders to act like leaders and stop acting like children.

On a final note: I invite people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

It's both amazing and disturbing at how the media glamorize behavior that is sinful, anti-Christian, self-destructive, and morally bankrupt. Such is the case with the recent media coverage of the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, which took place in August of 1969 in the town of Bethel, NY.

The coverage has portrayed Woodstock as a major event or happening in American history, something that defined a generation, and something that amounted to a riveting cultural phenomenon.

Well, I beg to differ with the media.

The thousands of mostly young people who flocked to Woodstock were nothing more -- or less -- than a bunch of confused, mixed-up kids with no moral compass or direction. A bunch of kids who looked for and found a hedonistic mixture of drugs, sex, and rock and roll, with no responsibility, accountability, or strings attached.

Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, Woodstock represented and represents much of what is wrong with America. Many of those who attended the event ended up living lives filled with alcohol, drugs, and family problems. Woodstock is not something to celebrate or to be proud of. In fact, Woodstock was a cultural abomination, a national disgrace, and a collective obscenity.

It’s comforting to note that most young people in America did not attend Woodstock. They were doing something more productive with their lives.

On a final note: I invite people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

I'm very proud of how citizens in both the Empire and Keystone states are pitching in to make a difference in their communities. USA Today recently reported that -- despite the economy -- more and more Americans have been donating their time, energy, and effort to make a difference for the better in their communities in what a federal official calls a "compassion boom."

Indeed, Americans are "giving back" to their communities in many ways: volunteering in hospitals, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, helping the elderly, working with young people, building houses for the poor, and so on. This increased community activity falls within the proud American tradition of volunteerism and community service, a tradition that dates back to the founding of our great republic. It is especially refreshing to see tens of millions of Americans pitching in to make a difference in tough times.

At the end of the day, citizens can make a huge difference for the better in the communities in which they reside. The politicians and bureaucrats in places like Albany and Harrisburg can only do so much and sometimes that means not very much. Witness the problems in both Albany and Harrisburg since June.

The fact is that everyday Americans working to make their neighborhoods and communities better places to live can do so much more than the politicians and bureaucrats.

On a final note: I invite people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

I’ll start by saying I still do not have a clear picture of what all is taking place under this plan. I’ve heard that I will get to keep my insurance if I like it, but if not then what, the government is going to provide equal or better insurance? Will this healthcare reform eliminate the problem of the health insurance industry being run like a business rather than a service? Personally I think the healthcare industry needs some reform, but until I have the clear details I don’t know if this specific plan is the best one.

Next person, the floor is yours. Give us your thoughts on the plan: What are you concerned with? What would you like to know more about?

In my commentaries I have continually been outspoken in my opposition to gay marriage. I’ve opined that gay marriage is morally unacceptable, morally repugnant, and contrary to the Bible and Christian teaching. Furthermore, as a traditionalist, I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. In my view, the very concept of gay marriage is an oxymoron.

That said, this afternoon I have an e-mail from a listener who disagrees with my views and favors gay marriage. She is a thirteen year old girl named Sierra. She says, "My view on gay marriage is simply that it should be allowed in all states. Gay marriage is when two people of the same sex are in love. It is not as bad or horrible as everyone puts it out to be. Just like blacks and whites should be able to get along without a huge production.

"I have always believed that love is love. When two people are in love...they get married. My best friend is gay and is constantly getting harassed but that isn’t stopping him from knowing and believing in himself."

Well, I want to thank Sierra for writing in and expressing her opinion so well. Although i am opposed to gay marriage, I think it is a shame that her friend has been harassed because he is gay. I think it is unChristian, sinful, and mean-spirited for anyone to harass another person because of their sexual preference.

On a final note: I invite other young people to send me their comments. I would like to read more comments from young people on the air. Comment below, or send me an email.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

However, I am glad this unfortunate scenario occurred because it allows us to stop and take a deep look into the real issue at hand: Do we still judge by the color of skin or rather by the content of character? The color of your skin should not be relevant in today’s day in age- it should not make you more qualified or less qualified for a job, it should not make you more likely or less likely to commit a crime, and it should not make you more likely or less likely to succeed in life. That being said I am not naïve enough or innocent enough to believe skin color is totally irrelevant today. Sadly, it’s not. We still live in a time where racism, prejudicial behavior, and bigotry exist.

To add fuel to the existing fire, the media and public have become crazed with trying to find the “racial undertones” to every comment and situation… sometimes adding tensions in situations aren’t racially charged. I believe racism, bigotry, and prejudice are wrong and hurtful, but I also believe trying to invoke those tags or feelings is wrong. A white policeman arresting a black professor is not always a case of racism and it should not be automatically assumed or believed to be.

I am not here to say if the case of the Professor and the Policeman was racially motivated or not because I don’t know. I can’t read minds and I don’t know hearts. What I do know is that rather than casting judgment and aligning ourselves in one of the victim’s camp, we should use this opportunity to ask the question: Why is skin color still such a big deal? By continually accusing or instigating the issue of racism are we helping racing awareness or rather perpetuating the cycle? How can we truly guard against the effects of racism? Can we take preventative steps through education and mind shift to keep hate crimes from happening? Racism isn’t an issue that will ever be resolved in this lifetime but I still believe it’s something we should and need to work hard to eradicate or at least, diminish. It’s a process starting with a mindset change- one that looks passed the outward appearance and sees a person’s heart and soul, not their skin. It is the call of Christ for all of us to love our brothers and sisters for who they are in His eyes, and in His image. Don’t you agree?

Over the years, African-Americans have been unfairly singled out and profiled by the police in a disturbing number of cases. There is no excuse for police racism and it should never be tolerated. Racist cops should be held accountable. They disgrace their profession, give a bad name to other cops, and make a mockery of what it is to be an officer of the law.

With that said, every interaction between an African-American and a cop is not racially motivated or racist. That was the case with Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard University. When Gates -- who is black -- was recently arrested at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts for disorderly conduct.

The arrest came only after he verbally abused Sergeant James Crowley -- who is white -- by calling him a racist, shouting, making disrespectful remarks, and refusing to calm down. If a white man had been in that situation, he also would have been arrested.

It is not unusual for police officers to charge disrespectful, out-of-control citizens -- black or white -- with disorderly conduct. It is interesting to note that Sergeant Crowley -- with eleven years on the Cambridge Police Department -- is a model officer who has trained other police officers on how to avoid racial profiling.

In my view, Professor Gates owes Sergeant Crowley a public apology. So does President Obama for saying -- without knowing all of the facts -- that the Cambridge Police Department acted "stupidly."

Recently, the sergeant, the professor, and the president got together at the White House. I hope when the three of them sat down for a beer, President Obama ate some crow.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Last Friday, workers in New York and Pennsylvania received a federally mandated minimum wage increase of ten cents an hour. This brought the minimum wage in both the Empire and Keystone States to $7.25 an hour.

The increase is bad news for a couple of reasons.

First, the increase will cut jobs in New York and Pennsylvania. You see, every increase in the minimum wage -- no matter how small -- means that payroll costs go up. That means that many businesses -- especially small businesses -- will be forced to lay off workers.

Ironically, the increase in the minimum wage means that at least some minimum wage workers will be laid off. This is unfortunate, but it is especially unfortunate when both New York and Pennsylvania already have disturbingly high unemployment rates -- with New York at 8.7 percent, and Pennsylvania at 8.2 percent.

The second reason why a higher minimum wage is bad news has to do with the cost of living. The minimum wage increase will inevitably lead to higher prices as added labor costs will sometimes be passed on to consumers. This will hurt all consumers, but especially the poor who can least afford higher prices.

Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, it sounds counterintuitive...but the best stimulus plan to help the poor would be to significantly reduce the minimum wage. A decrease in the minimum wage would both protect and create jobs and would keep prices for consumers in check.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died. Since then, there has been a lot of talk and a lot of news coverage about his life and death.

Fair enough.

To some, Jackson was the King of Pop. To others, he was a deeply flawed human being. Some thought he was a combination of both. That said, when a person dies it is important to respect their passing if not for the person…then for their family.

Therefore, I was deeply shocked when a Congressman Peter King from Long Island unleashed a devastating attack on Jackson before the memorial services had even taken place. The Congressman, who may run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in 2010, called the deceased entertainer a "low-life," a "pervert," a "pedophile," and a "child molester."

My reaction to King's comments?

Well, on the one hand, there is probably some (or even a lot of truth) to what the Congressman said. After all, it was Jackson who paid millions of dollars in settlements to boys who accused him of sexual misconduct. It was Jackson who admitted to the nation and to the world that he let young boys sleep in his bed.

On the other hand, I think the timing of Congressman King’s comments was disgraceful. Out of respect for Jackson's family, the Congressman should have withheld his remarks until after Jackson's memorial services. That would have been the appropriate, as well as the Christian, thing to do.

Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, Congressman King showed a bizarre lack of judgment and humanity with his inappropriately timed remarks about Michael Jackson. In my view, Congressman King does not have the class nor the dignity to run for or sit in the U.S. Senate. I invite you to respond with your opinion.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

What did it represent? That famous Moon Walk took our entire nations to new heights; it was an astronomical achievement that spurned our country into an age of scientific exploration. Science became exciting and interesting and a field that needed to be explored. People flocked to the idea of become an astronaut, or engineer and aiding in the Space race. Sadly, in the four decades since then our interest in the heavens (and other hard sciences for that matter) is waning. The Pew Center recently conducted a poll that found our interest in science as a national achievement is plummeting. In 1997, 47 percent of us felt that science was our nation’s greatest achievement…no doubt putting a man on the moon was the greatest. However, new statistics show that number has fallen to 27 percent of our countryman agreeing with the importance of science. We are no longer fascinated by science and the world of opportunities those fields hold. That my friends, is a crying shame.

I am a firm believer that we need to once again engage and intrigue kids in the wonder of science; the vastness and novelty of space. Have you ever thought about how far a light year really is? Or the stars in the sky….are they always there or do new ones appear? Do you know what happens high up in the heavens above what the human eye can see? So much more is taking place in our solar system that we can fathom and witness…….activity that proves time and time again the awesomeness of our Creator. You may think we are wasting billions of dollars by building a space station that floats in the sky or taking shuttle missions to the heavens, but we’re not. We are investing in education, engaging kids in the world around and above them, and inspiring yet another generation to become astronauts and engineers. Today we should take time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in the last 40 years and the opportunity we have in the next 40 to go beyond our earth’s limits to discover, explore, and learn about the vast universe God has given us.

When Barack Obama was running for the presidency he alienated millions of Americans when he dismissively said that small town folks in states like Pennsylvania are bitter people who cling to religion and guns. His dismissive remarks reflected an arrogance, an ignorance, and a lack of appreciation of small town life in Pennsylvania and New York.

Unlike President Obama, I think that Small-Town America reflects the positive values of Christianity and freedom -- including the right and the freedom to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The fact that Small-Town America values guns -- especially for hunting and sport -- and religion should be a cause for celebration and not the consternation expressed by President Obama. As one pastor recently told the New York Times: “God and guns were part of the foundation of this country.”

Ladies and gentlemen of New York and Pennsylvania, when Barack Obama said that small town folks in places like the Keystone State are bitter people who cling to religion and guns, he got in wrong. He should have said that folks who live in small towns are extraordinary and that small towns represent the very best of what makes America great and what will continue to make America great -- like Christian values, respect for the Constitution, respect for the Second Amendment, respect for the law, and a dedication to freedom.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Will she be a good Supreme Court Justice? I have no idea. How do you determine who makes or is a good justice? Upon reviewing her record, listening to testimony from fellow bench-sitters and reading analysts assessment of her cases, it appears that no one in the Realm of the Courts appears too shocked by her nomination. She’s a moderate judge- probably not as conservative as some of us would like but certainly not as liberal a choice as the President could have been. And let’s face it a liberal President is not going to replace the most left-leaning justice on the Nation’s highest court with someone with an “I Love the Bush’s” bumper sticker on their car. But to answer the question, yes I do I think Sonia Sotomayor will be a fine justice if she is confirmed (which I believe is highly likely) to the bench.

Coming from humble beginnings and working one of the toughest Court of Appeals circuits in the nation, I don’t think Ms. Sotomayor believes she’s entitled to this position nor is she using it for her own political gain. She isn’t out to rule with an agenda that’s any different than any of the other 8 justices- they’re all appointed to hear cases and determine rulings based on the letter of law but sometimes how that letter is interpreted is different. Even if each justice brought their own bias into play, they must still factor in the opinions of their colleague so it’s not a runaway show. Maybe that’s why our Founding Fathers set up the judicial system to be ruled by a team of 9 rather than governed by the views of 1.

Just this past Saturday, America celebrated its independence with rousing celebrations and displays of pyrotechnics across the Empire and Keystone States. So today I think it is appropriate and fitting to talk about my hopes for courage and independence in everyday life.

I hope that the elected leaders in Albany and Harrisburg will have the courage and independence to work day in and day out on behalf of the people and not get distracted by power, control, money, and dysfunctional infighting.

To the young people I say have the courage and the independence to stay away from drugs, alcohol, and trouble... because if you’re looking for trouble…you’re going to find it.

I hope that unmarried pregnant women will have the courage and independence to have their babies.

I hope that men and women of faith will have the courage and independence to stand up in the fight for family values and the courage and independence to fight against gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

I hope that parents have the courage and the independence to say “no” to their children and discipline them when necessary…not out of anger but out of love.

Finally -- to one and all -- I wish you the courage and independence to use your freedoms as Americans wisely.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

I think the Democrats are to blame for the recent fiasco in the New York State Senate. Now I’ll concede the fact that the Republicans did not act like saints. On the other hand, when the Democrats took control of the State Senate in January, there was an expectation in Albany -- and throughout New York -- that they would walk the walk on reform because they had talked the talk while campaigning for last November’s election.

Indeed, there was hope that the Democrats would reform what had been identified by experts as the most dysfunctional legislature in America.  

Well, reform didn't happen.

The Senate Democrats conducted business in secret, went wild with taxing, went wild with spending, shut the Senate Republicans out of the legislative process and kept them from getting a fair share of money to bring home to their districts. The Democrats demonstrated that they were not about reform but about power, control, and putting the Republicans in their place.

It's no wonder the Republicans revolted and staged a coup on June 8th. To creatively paraphrase the late President John F. Kennedy: When the Democrats in the New York State Senate made reform impossible...they made a Republican revolt inevitable.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

There is an old saying in politics: don’t get mad, don’t get angry, just get even. Take the three time New York gubernatorial candidate and billionaire -- Tom Golisano. He spent millions of dollars to help get a number of reform Democrats elected or re-elected to the New York State Senate last November so the Democrats could take over the chamber and reform the dysfunctional way that politicians have conducted business in Albany for decades.

Well, after the Democrats were elected and took control of the Senate, there was little or no reform. In fact, the three men in a room model of New York governance continued, and the Democratic Majority Leader Malcolm Smith -- who Golisano had helped to get re-elected -- treated Golisano in a cavalier and disrespectful manner.

Instead of getting angry and mad, Golisano worked behind the scenes to get even by wooing two Democrats over to the Republican side to give the Republicans just enough votes to stage a coup and take control of the Senate.

That was two weeks ago. But then -- just last week -- one of the two switched back to the Democratic side. That left the Senate in a total state of chaos, pandemonium, and gridlock with 31 Senators standing with the Republicans and 31 with the Democrats.

If only the Democrats had been nice and had shown respect for Tom Golisano, this whole episode might have been avoided with Golisano not having to get even.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

You take to the streets not because a picket or protests will change the government but because what power and voice you hold must be heard. You take on a corrupt government not because you believe that in one election it will change, but because only through persistent and consistent actions will the truth ever shine. You march for justice because standing safely on the side of the road means injustice has already won. You bring your children to show them that some things in life are worth fighting for and you must never stop fighting for what you believe in.

It’s watching the masses surge in Tehran--amidst oppression and violence – that causes my heart to swell yet at the same time feel a sense of shame. I do not know corruption and oppression like the Iranians or the Burmese or the Soviets do. Yet do I stand up for what’s right even when I have nothing to gain? Do I speak out about injustice when I see it? The lessons from Tehran are simple yet often the most difficult: fighting for truth and justice is a never ending battle. You do it every time, all the time, merely because it’s the right thing to do.

The debate over homosexual marriage continues in the Empire State. The New York State Assembly has said "yes" to gay marriage and in the very unlikely event that the Senate follows suit in the remaining days of this year’s legislative session, Governor David Paterson says that he will sign the bill into law.

Same-sex marriage advocates like Governor Paterson and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg argue that marriage is a civil right and that people should therefore have equal protection under the law to marry anyone they wish.

This reasoning is flawed.

If all citizens had the right to marry anyone they wished, then anything would go -- from same-sex marriage to marriage with multiple partners to perhaps marriage between people and porcupines. Keep in mind that the law always reflects human values -- whether it is the drinking age, the age of consent, gambling, and so on.

The current law in New York -- and for that matter Pennsylvania -- reflects the value that traditional marriage should be between a man and a woman and that's the way it should stay. Anything goes when it comes to marriage would not be a civil right but a moral abomination and a civil wrong.

It's unfortunate that the gay marriage controversy took up the time of so many lawmakers in the soon-to-be ended New York State Legislative Session. The gay marriage issue was clearly a distraction from much more important issues, including taxes, spending, the deficit, the economy and jobs.

- Dr. Coleman also airs commentaries and a public affairs program on WETM 18 Elmira. For more information on these programs, go to wetmtv.com.

Convincing the masses that by adapting a national health care system we won’t be inflicting a socialist state or rescinding our democratic rule of government are the easy part. The hard part is the phase two which tries to answer the question asked by 306 million people: How does this affect me? How does it affect my pocketbook and how does it affect the quality of my care? We hear how about how the French have over half of their income spent on taxes or how a Canadian in need of open heart surgery had to wait three days before being able to get an appointment. We know that we do not want to sacrifice any more of our tightly-budgeted paychecks to taxes nor do we want to compromise the quality of the medical care we receive, so is there a way to have healthcare for everyone without losing any of the above?

The answer is I don’t know. I’m not an economist or a medical expert. I don’t know how you can create a safety net of care for all while expecting doctors to take a pay cut and still perform at the highest levels. I don’t know how you create a system where no child is uninsured or where no family is struggling for years to come under the massive weight of health care debt. I don’t have the answers nor do I think our government does, but I know they must exist. I understand the concern about moving to a nationalized system but I also understand the importance of knowing that if your child, husband, or mother is faced with a medical situation, you never have to worry about how you will pay for it.

Last year in my own family, we got an inside glimpse into our current healthcare system when my brother was in a serious car accident that landed him in ICU and then rehab for about two months. After a week in ICU-while my brother was still in a medically induced coma- the insurance company and hospital informed my parents that they would be stopping payments for various reasons and my parents would have to foot the rest of the bill that was rapidly escalating towards the million dollar mark. In my family’s situation, thankful the issue was able to be resolved and my brother received different coverage but it caused me to dwell on the hundreds of families in our country who don’t have that happy ending. Families who have to foot astronomical bills for care of loved ones and can never financially recover.

I’m not saying the President’s plan is the best plan and I’m not saying the President’s plan is the only plan. What I’m saying is that for a national with the best medical care in the world, I think we can find the plan that provides coverage- and good coverage at that- to everyone without taking too much more of our heard earned money. This plan could be the one devised by the government or it could be one devised by the people and submitted to the government. Since we’re paying for and receiving this plan, what do you want to see?

The following is from an excerpt from an about.com article by Laura Dolson. There is a lot more information at this web site to better understand health and nutrition.

It may be tiny, but it’s mighty: The flax seed carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains, while the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and Omeg fatty acids in flax leaves grains in the dust. Additionally, flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fiber content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance -- many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied.

Read more...

It is the job of the liver to make bile, 1 to 1.5 quarts in a day! The liver is full of tubes (biliarytubing) that deliver the bile to one large tube (the common bile duct). The gallbladder is attached to the common bile duct and acts as a storage reservoir. Eating fat or protein triggers the gallbladder to squeeze itself empty after about twenty minutes, and the stored bile finishes its trip down the common bile duct to the intestine.

For many persons, including children, the biliary tubing is choked with gallstones. Some develop allergies or hives but some have no symptoms. When the gallbladder is scanned or X-rayed nothing is seen. Typically, they are not in the gallbladder. Not only that, most are too small and not calcified a prerequisite for visibility on an X-ray. There are over half a dozen varieties of gallstones, most of which have cholesterol crystals in them. They can be black, red, white, green or tan colored. The green ones get their color from being coated with bile. Other stones are composites- made of many smaller ones- showing that they regrouped in the bile ducts some time after the last cleanse.

At the very center of each stone is found a clump of bacteria, according to scientists, suggesting a dead bit of parasite might have started the stone forming.

As the stones grow and become more numerous the back pressure on the liver causes it to make less bile. Imagine the situation if your garden hose had marbles in it. Much less water would flow, which in turn would decrease the ability of the hose to squirt out the marbles. With gallstones, much less cholesterol leaves the body, and cholesterol levels rise.

• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
• 1 Big grapefruit (2 small) (Or 3 lemons)
• 4 tablespoon EPSOM salts
• 3 cups water

Choose a day like Friday for the cleanse, since you will be able to rest the next day.

Eat a no-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal with fruit, fruit juice, bread and preserves or honey (no butter or milk), baked potato or other vegetables with salt only. This allows the bile to build up and develop pressure in the liver. Higher pressure pushes out more stones.

2:00 PM. Do not eat or drink after 2 o'clock. If you break this rule you could feel quite ill later. Get your Epsom salts ready. Mix 4 tbs. in 3 cups water and pour this into a jar. This makes four servings, 3/4 (three fourths) cup each. Set the jar in the refrigerator to get ice cold (this is for convenience and taste only).

6:00 PM. Drink one serving ¾ cup of the ice cold Epsom salts. You may add 1/8 (one eight) tsp. vitamin C powder to improve the taste. You may also drink a few mouthfuls of water afterwards or rinse your mouth. Get the olive oil and grapefruit out to warm up.

8:00 PM. Repeat by drinking another ¾ cup of Epsom salts. You haven't eaten since two o'clock, but you won't feel hungry. Get your bedtime chores done. The timing is critical for success.

9:45 PM. Pour 1/2 (half) cup (measured) olive oil into the pint jar. Wash grapefruit twice in hot water and dry; squeeze by hand into the measuring cup. Remove pulp with fork. You should have at least 1/2 (half) cup, more (up to 3/4 (three fourths) cup) is best. You may use part lemonade. Add this to the olive oil. Close the jar tightly with the lid and shake hard until watery (only fresh grapefruit juice does this).

Now visit the bathroom one or more time, even if it makes you late for your ten o'clock drink. Don't be more than 15 minutes late. You will get fewer stones.

10:00 PM. Sip a little water and take capsules that help you to sleep, something with valerian and 4 capsules specifically for liver function, with milk thistle and dandelion root. Lie down immediately. You might fail to get stones out if you don't. The sooner you lie down the more stones you will get out. Be ready for bed ahead of time. Don't clean up the kitchen. As soon as the drink is down walk to your bed and lie down flat on your back with your head up high on the pillow. Try to think about what is happening in the liver. Try to keep perfectly still for at least 20 minutes. You may feel a train of stones traveling along the bile ducts like marbles. There is no pain because the bile duct valves are open (thank you Epsom salts!). Go to sleep, you may fail to get stones out if you don't.

Next morning. Upon awakening take your third dose of Epsom salts. If you have indigestion or nausea wait until it is gone before drinking the Epsom salts. You may go back to bed. Don't take this potion before 6:00 am. 2 Hours Later. Take your fourth (the last) dose of Epsom salts. You may go back to bed again.

-Leigh Ann