Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease caused by bites from sandflies, has spread from thousands infected in Syria to neighboring countries.
Experts warn it has made its way to Europe with the millions of Syrians that have migrated over the last year. Cutaneous leishmaniasis often leads to severe scarring on the face if it goes undiagnosed and untreated.
The disease has been contained to Islamic State-controlled regions in Syria, particularly Raqqa, Deir al-Zour and Hasakah. As the civil war destroyed much of Syria’s medical facilities, it often goes untreated and spreads rapidly.
The estimated number of patients rose from six in 2012, to several thousand a year later, according to World Health Organization statistics.
Cases have already been detected in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.
Waleed Al-Salem, a doctor at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, calls the current situation “very bad.”
“It’s a very bad situation. The disease has spread dramatically in Syria, but also into countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and even into southern Europe with refugees coming in,” Al-Salem told The MailOnline Saturday. ‘There are thousands of cases in the region but it is still underestimated because no one can count the exact number of people affected.” (For more from the author of “Doctors Fear Scarring Bug Disease Brought to Europe by Migrants” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/19863662131_9991d17658_o.jpg15203120Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 22:17:592016-05-31 00:23:50Doctors Fear Scarring Bug Disease Brought to Europe by Migrants
This Memorial Day, Americans [enjoyed] a three-day weekend, amazing shopping deals, BBQ’s, and time spent with their families. But the time Americans use for rest, relaxation, and festivities came at a heavy price.
Americans should always remember that the freedoms we enjoy today are not free. Our freedom was fought for; it was bought with the blood of soldiers who gave their lives for their families, for their countrymen. These brave men and women gave their lives for our freedom. As President Reagan said, addressing the nation on Memorial Day in 1982:
“Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough: The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we — in a less final, less heroic way — be willing to give of ourselves.”
Today it is right to be reminded of the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers, to remember the cost of our freedom.
Here are eight powerful and sobering reminders that freedom isn’t free:
1. Mary McHugh mourns her dead fiance James Regan at Arlington on 27 May 2007. Photo John Moore #MemorialDay
Sgt. James (Jimmy) J. Regan was assigned to company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment when he was killed by an IED which targeted his vehicle in northern Iraq in February 2007. “Deeply affected by the terror attacks of 9/11,” Sgt. Regan rejected lucrative job offers on Wall Street and law school scholarships to join the Army in February 2004. He left behind his loving fiancee, his parents, and three sisters.
2. The Civil War in Four Minutes: Battlefield Death
Over 7,000 men died at the Battle of Gettysburg, and would they receive a “good death?” Union troops, sadly, had no time for burials as they hotly pursued Confederate troops away from the battlefield. A town of 2,500 had the tragic responsibility of honoring the dead with a burial. The video’s narrator reminds us that “every Civil War battlefield is a cemetery.”
3. Widow Learns Of Soldier’s Death Through Facebook
“It’s something that you never think will happen to you,” remarks the widow of Staff Sgt. Christopher Brown. “You don’t want it to be real.” Army Staff Sgt. Brown was killed after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, just a few hours after Skyping with his wife Ariell. Mrs. Brown was told of her husband’s passing by a member of Sgt. Brown’s platoon over Facebook. Sgt. Brown left behind two daughters and at the time his wife was pregnant with their third child.
4. War widow reads dead husband’s letter
The wife of a soldier who died in Iraq finally finds the strength to go through his belongings when she finds a letter written to her by her husband. Holding back tears she reads it aloud for others to hear. “I pray that in my life and death I saved others’ lives, and kept a few from ever having to experience this war,” he writes.
5. Fallen Soldier Returns Home [TAPS]
This touching, yet triumphant, video of fallen Army Specialist Joey Riley returning home to Grove City, Ohio, shows how our veterans are not just numbers, but are real people who belong to real communities. Grove City honored their fallen servicemember with an emotional and honorable homecoming.
6. ‘Come back, daddy:’ 4-year-old boy has heartbreaking plea at grave of Marine father
A young son’s visit to his father’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery offers a stark reminder of the sacrifice our service members make every day. Four-year-old Christian Jacobsen stays strong for his mother as he talks to his dad as if he’s right in front of him. “I know he’s always watching over me,” Christian says.
7. Dog Won’t Leave Fallen Navy Seals Soldier’s Side
This labrador retriever named Hawkeye showed why dogs are often described as “man’s best friend” when he stuck by his owner’s side even after death. Hawkeye led Navy SEAL Officer John Tumilson’s family into the funeral procession and remained loyally by his casket long after everyone else had left.
8. ‘Hero’ U.S. Soldier Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
U.S. Sgt. Dennis Weichel will never see his kids again because he saved the life of a young girl he had never met before. Weichel had just surprised his two kids at home for Christmas before deploying to Afghanistan for another 11 months. While overseas, Weichel made the ultimate sacrifice, dragging an Afghan girl to safety before he himself was hit by an armored vehicle ending his life.
As President Reagan said:
“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will ever have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice.
Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem — I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don’t know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.”
Remember always, “The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.” -Thomas Campbell
(For more from the author of “8 Sobering Reminders That ‘Freedom Is Not Free'” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/US_Navy_041112-N-0295M-001_American_flags_decorate_the_headstones_of_service_members_at_the_Quantico_National_Cemetery_in_Triang.jpg18112746Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 22:06:582016-05-30 22:06:588 Sobering Reminders That ‘Freedom Is Not Free’
With Marco Rubio’s journey towards the dark side complete, all eyes are on Ted Cruz to see if he will bow to the Trump chocolate bunny as well. I’ve already written my own analysis of why I believe this would be a tremendous mistake, not just morally but (especially) politically, so this time I decided to pose the question to Cruz supporters on Twitter. And let’s just say opinions here aren’t exactly varied.
A hefty 83 percent of them said “no” when asked if they thought Cruz should endorse Trump. But it’s not the dominant sentiment that should get the Texas senator’s attention as much as the emphasis. Cruz supporters don’t just seem to be overwhelmingly against him supporting Trump, but like really overwhelmingly against it. Like I’m against canned spinach. Like Chris Christie is against self-dignity. Like Ben Carson is against not being a willful pawn. Like Barack Obama is against the rule of law. Like Hillary Clinton is against transparency.
But don’t just take my word for it. I’ll let those tweets speak for themselves for the rest of this column:
@SteveDeaceShow It would be completely & unforgivably out of character for @tedcruz to support Trump. He won't bow to the mocking hedonist.
And there’s more where that came from, but by now I think we get the picture. (For more from the author of “Should Cruz Endorse Trump? The Senator’s Supporters Say ‘OH HELL NO!'” please click HERE)
LGBT activists on social media have repeatedly called on Disney to introduce more gay characters into its movies, and based on a new trailer for Pixar’s Finding Dory, there’s a possibility Disney has listened.
After the two-minute clip featured a brief scene with what appears to be two female partners next to a baby stroller, people took to Twitter and Facebook to voice concern and excitement.
The controversy erupted after posters on Twitter pointed to the trailer scene and described the pair as a lesbian couple. Others, however, stated they might be simply two women standing next to each other.
Disney has been accused of subtly suggesting gay characters in both Zootopia as well as Frozen, but this would be the first openly gay couple featured by Disney should the rumors turn out to be true.
As of yet, Disney has not weighed in on the controversy.
Some have expressed an intention to boycott the film, while others have lauded Disney for what they surely consider a progressive move.
So far, the long-anticipated followup to Pixar’s Finding Nemo has garnered significant attention, racking up several million views on the trailer alone.
(For more from the author of “Controversy Erupts Over Scene in New Trailer for Pixar’s Finding Dory” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/3455617310_91abf9a87d_b.jpg7681024Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 21:29:482016-05-30 21:29:48Controversy Erupts Over Scene in New Trailer for Pixar’s Finding Dory
According to developing reports Monday, the White House was placed on lock down shortly after President Barack Obama had returned to the executive mansion from his Memorial Day visit to the Arlington National Cemetery.
Shortly after Obama returns from Arlington, woman throws something over White House fence, sparking a lockdown. https://t.co/taXVxJdKCZ
Local news reports included sightings of emergency personnel — including hazard materials teams — responding to the White House. At least one individual allegedly tossed a suspicious package over the property’s perimeter wall.
Reporters on the scene indicated they were temporarily prevented from leaving the White House grounds, but were later ushered out through a separate exit. (For more from the author of “White House Put on Lock Down Right After Obama Returns From Memorial Day Ceremony” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/white-house-1022633_960_720.jpg720942Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 21:23:532016-05-30 21:23:53White House Put on Lock Down Right After Obama Returns From Memorial Day Ceremony
So here’s the deal. The first gun that a new prepper ought to get should be one that makes practice as easy as possible. Shooting is fun! But you won’t realize that until you do some. That first firearm should be inexpensive, both in initial acquisition and in the cost of ammunition. It should be something that you – and your other family members – can shoot with minimal training.
It should be a handgun.
Now a lot of the gun aficionados thought I was leading up to a .22 caliber rifle. And yes, every prepper should have one of those, if for no other reason than to have a rifle available to loan to a friend during a zombie attack, thereby allowing you to keep the much better defensive weapons for yourself.
There are a lot of sound reasons for a “handgun first” policy. Here are a few:
Dimensions. Try carrying a long gun concealed. You’ll walk like Frankenstein. Handguns allow you to carry concealed practically anywhere on your body, and concealed or not, when holstered they keep your hands free and allow your body to move naturally. If you are working around the compound and not in a elevated DEFCON, that means that you won’t be having your long gun, the one you so carefully leaned against a barn wall while you fixing a fence, fall over into a pile of bovine end product (as mine almost always seem to do). If something is easy to carry, you’re more likely to carry it. Simple.
(Read more from “The Very Best Gun for the Beginning Prepper” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/maxresdefault-65.jpg10801920Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 20:44:592016-05-30 23:45:37The Very Best Gun for the Beginning Prepper
North Korea on Tuesday appeared to have tried and failed with a fresh ballistic missile launch in violation of existing UN resolutions, South Korea’s defence ministry said.
The ministry declined to speculate on the missile type, but local media cited military sources as saying it was a powerful, medium-range Musudan missile that has already undergone three failed launches this year.
UN resolutions ban North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, although it regularly fires short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast.
Tuesday’s failed effort came with tensions still running high on the divided Korean peninsula following the North’s fourth nuclear test in January and long-range rocket launch a month later.
The defense ministry in Seoul said the missile test took place at around 5:20 am South Korean time (2020 GMT Monday) near the eastern port city of Wonsan. (Read more from “S. Korea Says North Fails With Attempted Missile Launch” HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/1027143190_b88685afaf_b.jpg6811024Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 20:34:502016-05-31 00:47:33S. Korea Says North Fails With Attempted Missile Launch
Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been relentless in his attacks on the integrity of Donald Trump.
A article in Politico quotes Romney saying, “I know that some people are offended that someone who lost and is the former nominee continues to speak, but that’s how I can sleep at night.”
The former Republican nominee went on to relay a conversation he had with his son, where he was asked, “When the grandkids ask ‘What did you do to stop Donald Trump?’ what are you going to say?’”
Despite his opposition to Trump, Romney has confirmed he will not run for president as a third-party candidate. “I made it clear I’m not running,” he said.
He also stated he will not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the November general election.
According to an NBC news article from March, Romney, speaking on Meet The Press, called Trump “anything but presidential.” He vowed he would vote; however, his vote would be cast for a candidate who he believes is a real conservative and someone people can be proud of, adding, “and I may write in a name if I can’t find such a person.”
In a speech Romney delivered to a crowd at the University of Utah, he said, “Let me put it plainly, if we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished.
“First, the economy: If Donald Trump’s plans were ever implemented, the country would sink into a prolonged recession,” he said. Romney pointed Trumps plan to impose a 35 percent tariff-like penalty which he says would only serve to instigate trade wars, increase consumer prices and kill export jobs.
Romney reminded the listeners of some of Trump’s failed business ideas, such as Trump Airlines, Trump University and Trump Magazine, to name a few. “A business genius, he is not,” he said. (For more from the author of “Mitt Romney Explains His Reasons for Opposing Donald Trump for President” please click HERE)
https://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/Mitt_Romney_at_2012_CPAC-1.jpg14671884Joe Millerhttps://joemiller.us/wp-content/uploads/logotext.pngJoe Miller2016-05-30 02:18:252016-06-04 23:40:52Mitt Romney Explains His Reasons for Opposing Donald Trump for President
If you do nothing else this Memorial Day, take a few minutes to watch this video. It is a heart-wrenching reminder of the sacrifice that our service members and their families have selflessly made – for us.
It’s easy to breeze by Memorial Day, giving little thought to veterans, while you enjoy a well-deserved day off with family. But when confronted with photos of a wife weeping at her slain soldier’s grave, or a daughter collapsed face-first into the freshly turned dirt above her father’s casket, or a son – tears streaming down his rosy cheeks – trying to keep it together at his dad’s funeral, it starts to give a little sense of the reality of loss suffered by thousands of our fellow Americans. They’ve given everything.
Obviously, Memorial Day is not ‘happy’ for them. For us, it’s a time for us to honor their sacrifice and pray for them.
Regrettably, some of our fellow Americans don’t see it that way. Instead, they think it appropriate to deface war memorials, beat elderly war veterans, and ridicule their service. Others deface our veterans’ sacrifices in other ways, by embracing political leaders and causes wholly contrary to the very Constitution that our veterans swore their oaths to and fought for.
So how do we honor this sacrifice? Not by rolling over in the face tyranny. Not by throwing up our hands and saying, “There’s nothing I can do!” Rather, we honor their ultimate sacrifice by being willing to stand up and fight against the insidious forces that are assaulting our constitutional and moral foundations, no matter how insurmountable they may appear.
The Libertarian Party again nominated former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson as its presidential candidate Sunday, believing he can challenge presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton because of their poor showing in popularity polls . . .
Johnson, 63, won the nomination on the second ballot at the convention, defeating Austin Petersen, the founder of The Libertarian Republic magazine; and anti-computer virus company founder John McAfee. The delegates selected former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld to be his vice presidential running mate . . .
At one point on Sunday, Petersen reportedly confronted Johnson over the selection of Weld as his running mate. Johnson apparently told his rival, “This is not the place” and walked away.
Petersen confronts Johnson about the Weld choice. "This is not the place," says Johnson, walking away. pic.twitter.com/48ZLvPCDiL
