A new medical study suggests a link between the use of cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs, like Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin) and higher risk of brain hemorrhage in patients who have had a recent stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA--commonly called a "mini-stroke" or "warning stroke.") But the researchers opine that the benefits of the statin drugs outweigh their risks. Bah! In my opinion, the statin drugs are grossly over-prescribed, most often to allow people to continue to eat greaseburgers. Granted, there are some people that are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, but the solution to high cholesterol for the vast majority of the citizenry is a healthy diet. Here at the Rawles Ranch we mainly eat venison, elk, and smaller quantities of rabbit and chicken. We only eat store-bought meat when we travel. I should mention that when I applied for a life insurance policy a few years ago, my insurance carrier insisted on a physical exam, which included blood tests. My low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad cholesterol") and VLDL (very-low-density lipoproteins or “very bad cholesterol") numbers were so low that they thought that it was an error. The insurer wanted me to re-test! It wasn't until I explained my diet that they relented.
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Mark G. mentioned this article: Is Survival Only for The Rich? It is hard to believe that SurvivalBlog readers are characterized as "yuppies" in at least one other blog, when you see folks like this--to provide some genuine contrast.
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Mark S. suggested this piece by James Turk: Liquidity Won't Help Insolvency
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In answer to those who ask me: "At what age should I start homeschooling my children?", see this video clip of Lily, a 23-month-old geography savant.
