Maryannaville™

“Oliver Hardy died today in 1965. I was Hardy to Siskel’s Laurel, as you can see here.”

“Just how cool is that?”

I’m greatly impressed with Dr Szasz, psychiatrist and academic. I enjoy his point by point logic in his argumentation regarding mental illness. On the same note, there is a difference between behaviors and misbehaviors. Both are choices and not related to disease. Each one is learned and what is learned can be unlearned. On the other hand, disease is a physical disorder. Disease is pathology; and, pathology is the scientific study of the nature of disease, its causes, its processes, its development, and its consequences.

“His title was not hyperbole. “Psychiatry is conventionally defined as a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases,” he wrote. “I submit that this definition, which is still widely accepted, places psychiatry in the company of alchemy and astrology and commits it to the category of pseudoscience. The reason for this is that there is no such thing as ‘mental illness.’” Szasz’s attack targeted the cornerstone of modern American psychiatry: the marriage of mind and molecule, the notion that behavior can safely be classified as “sickness” and that the mind can safely be “treated” just like any other organ. Jerry Oliver, New Atlantis

The Myth of Mental Illness provides sound argument point by point with substantiated medical truths. Although as human beings there are many of us who have living problems. The problems aren’t necessarily mental health or brain disease issues. Problems experienced in life are arduous ‘living problems’ that most of us endure at one time or another, believe it or not. And as Dr. Szasz claims, it’s “a part of the vicissitudes of life.”

Related:
Prominent Psychiatrists Admits Psych Diagnosis Not Based on Science
Just Say Know

A note:
Just for posterity sake, I’m not into Scientology nor am I actively employed in the mental health field. I had read this paper years ago and was greatly impressed with it then as I am still impressed with it still today. Actually, I’m impressed with Dr Szasz and how he delivers his point by point logic and sound reasoning.

Originally posted 2008-02-02 17:09:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pip Wilson, author of his latest novel, ‘Faces in the Street’, has provided special permission to print out and read ‘Faces’ as a gift to our readers here at Maryannaville. I’ve personally read it and was enthralled with its richness in historical facts. The book is packed with history untold before and written in a delightful manner that grabs a reader’s pique. History buffs will not want to set the book down once started. It may be downloaded free at http://www.boilingbilly.com/faces_in_the_street.pdf — 2.13 Mb.

Pip also mentioned, “What I’m sending you is in PDF form, which to me is rather like reading a brick, but you might like a copy anyway. Some people say I’m mad to give it away. I disagree.

The book is about Australia’s most famous writer, Henry Lawson, his mother Louisa Lawson (‘Mother of Women’s Suffrage’), their radical and bohemian associates — terrorists, anarchists and seditionists, and Henry’s love affairs. It’s not what you might think.

The reviews are excellent — see http://www.lulu.com/content/446062 — even from the USA and Ireland, but the interest from Australian publishers is non-existent so far. It’s been suggested that the connection between an Aussie ‘icon’ and terrorism is too scary for them.

Don’t worry about copyright; if you wish to pass it on to anyone, feel free. In fact, I encourage it, as it was written to be read and I think word-of-mouth will help this book get published. Please send this far and wide to friends and email lists. The more, the better. Much appreciated.

Originally posted 2006-12-23 14:54:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Cargo of abandoned vessel destined for restaurants illegal trade drives species closer to extinction

Endangered, hunted, smuggled and now abandoned, 5,000 of the world’s rarest animals have been found drifting in a deserted boat near the coast of China.

The pangolins, Asian giant turtles and lizards were crushed inside crates on a rickety wooden vessel that had lost engine power off Qingzhou island in the southern province of Guangdong. Most were alive, though the cargo also contained 21 bear paws wrapped in newspaper.

The Guardian

Originally posted 2007-06-04 09:25:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Check out 3 year old Howard Wong on the drums. The kiddo is right in the pocket, both rhythmically and conceptually. He also has the spark that all musicians want surging through them when it comes to playing music; moreover,  the kiddo didn’t miss a beat even when he flubbed control of the sticks. And, get a load of his facial expressions!  He’s having the time of his life and giving everything he has before his audience members.

Getters generally don’t get happiness; givers get it. You simply give to others a bit of yourself, a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put it into the other fellow’s mind and heart.
*Charles H. Burr

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Watch this video See for yourself the inane belief of today’s modern Christian belief and practice. It is not much difference than the Salem Witch Trials.

Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes interview Shirley Phelps Roper, whose father is the idiot who organizes protests at funerals of soldiers. This is one of the few times that the conservative Hannity and liberal Colmes agree that Roper is an ungrateful nut who has no appreciation for the brave men and women in the military fighting for our country.

If you see a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcyclists and veterans that disrupts the anti-military protesters, thank them. And as always, support our troops. They’re the ones who sacrifice everything so that you and I can have freedom, even for those like Shirley Phelps Roper.

Originally posted 2006-05-31 17:28:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A crusty old biker out on a long summer ride in the country pulls up to a tavern in the middle of nowhere, parked his bike and walked inside. As he passed through the swinging doors, he saw a sign hanging over the bar:

COLD BEER : $2.00
HAMBURGER : $2.25
CHEESEBURGER : $2.50
CHICKEN SANDWICH : $3.50
HAND JOB : $50.00

Checking his wallet to be sure he had enough money, the ole’ biker walked up to the bar and beckoned the attractive female bartender who at the time was busy serving drinks to a couple of sun-wrinkled farmers. Wiping her hands on the bar towel, her eyes were direct as she gracefully glided behind the bar to the ole biker.

“Yes,” she inquired with a wide, knowing smile, “may I help you?” The ole biker leaned over the bar and asked, “I was wondering young lady,” he whispered, “are you the one who gives the hand-jobs?”

She looked into his eyes with a wide smile and purred, “Why yes, yes, I sure am”. The ole’ biker leaned closer and into her left ear whispered softly, “Well, wash your hands real good; I want a cheeseburger.”

1847 USA: The Arkansas Intellegencer newspaper reported that Choctaw Indians, on learning of the Irish Potato Famine, sent $710 to a famine relief fund in Ireland.

On May 23, 1995, Mary Robinson, the then President of Ireland, visited the Choctaw Nation to convey her nation’s thanks for this act of generosity from the Choctaws. President Robinson, who had been made a Chief of the Choctaw Nation, spoke to the Choctaw people in their native language, “Chahta I yakne ala li kut na sa yukpa.” Then she translated, “I am glad to have come to Choctaw Country.”

President Robinson added: “I believe that we have in common that bond of humanity and it should be an additional reason why we should particularly reach out now to countries who suffer from poverty and hunger. I think it is very important that we should try to give leadership in that and that we try to encourage others to understand that there are people today who need the support that the Choctaw Nation gave 150 years ago to the Irish people.”

Celtic dancers danced with Choctaw dancers during the ceremony.

The Choctaw tribe had had its own tragedy not long before its generous gift to the starving Irish: Indian removal. Read more at: Trail of Tears in the Book of Days (1838)
Pictured above: Choctaw Eagle Dance, by George Catlin, circa 1845 – 1848

Related:
Choctaw blood, Choctaw Spirit

Originally posted 2008-04-02 17:03:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Only those who truly love and who are truly strong can sustain their lives as a dream. You dwell in your own enchantment. Life throws stones at you, but your love and your dream change those stones into the flowers of discovery. Even if you lose, or are defeated by things, your triumph will always be exemplary. And if no one knows it, then there are places that do. People like you enrich the dreams of the worlds, and it is dreams that create history. People like you are unknowing transformers of things, protected by your own fairy-tale, by love.

*Ben Okri

Stevie Wonder’s 1976 album, “Songs in the Key of Life,” was the last of five consecutive albums widely hailed as his classic period. Songs in the Key of Life became among the best-selling and most critically acclaimed album of his career. Stevie has enriched the music world  since the 70s. Where he lacks in sight, his visions come from within his heart felt love songs in every sense of the word’s meanings and understandings.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

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My friend, Scott, recently informed me that he believes that I’m as “dumb as a fox.” Geesh, wonder if that could be a good thing?

Originally posted 2006-04-20 21:18:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter