Pot Is Dangerous, Not Funny — a Doctor Tells Us Why

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As a physician, my doctoring knowledge tells me that making marijuana legally available is a bad idea, except perhaps for certain medical conditions. Marijuana is a potent mind-altering drug that can cause serious harm, as I explain below. It will be just one more substance we have to warn our children to stay away from . . .

The growing acceptance of legalized pot is an alarming trend. It has quickly spread in the past few years and today seven states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational marijuana. A total of 29 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of medical marijuana.

Too often, marijuana is treated as a harmless substance – something to joke and giggle about, and something that we see the people we admire on TV, in movies and elsewhere enjoying as a break from the workaday world. The message? Treat yourself to an ice cream cone, a piece of cake, a beer or some pot. It’s OK to enjoy yourself . . .

What is especially concerning is the fact that the marijuana of today is not the same as it was back in the 1960s or 1970s. Over the past few decades, the concentration of THC in the cannabis plant has been increasing, making it more potent than ever . . .

What causes the “high” people experience is marijuana’s effect on over-activating parts of the brain containing specific brain cell receptors. This leads to feelings of an altered sense of time, other altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, impaired memory and difficulty in thinking and problem-solving. (Read more from “Pot Is Dangerous, Not Funny — a Doctor Tells Us Why” HERE)

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Refugee Admissions Lowest in Recent Years Thanks to Trump Immigration Crackdown

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The U.S. admitted significantly fewer refugees in the first three months of fiscal year 2018 as the Trump administration implemented tougher vetting procedures and banned refugees from countries generating most of them.

The Wall Street Journal reported that 5,000 refugees were admitted to the country during the months of October, November and December. The figure is far below similar periods in recent years – with 25,671 refugees admitted in the same period during the Obama administration.

If the current rate of admission continues, the number of people given asylum in the U.S. will not reach the 2018 refugee ceiling of 45,000 set up by President Trump last year. The limit is already at its lowest since the program to resettle the refuges was started in 1980.

The downfall of the number of refugees admitted indicate the broader effect of the administration’s crackdown on immigration, including the controversial decision to suspend admission from 11 countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and creating tougher screening process of applicants.

The administration said the figures reflect its attempt at trying to find a balance between protecting “legitimate” refugees and the need to protect the country’s security. (Read more from “Refugee Admissions Lowest in Recent Years Thanks to Trump Immigration Crackdown” HERE)

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Man Flying a Drone Takes Closer Look at Video Footage, Realizes Oblivious Boy Isn’t Alone in Shallow Water

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From alligators and bears to tornadoes and lightning, individuals around the world have a higher chance of experiencing these possibly-fatal encounters with nature than encountering sharks.

However, for one boy swimming in the Bahamas, that simply wasn’t the case as drone footage displayed the harrowing moment he narrowly escaped shark-filled waters.

The drone’s cameraman, Atem Tkachenko, was using the device to capture stunning images of the beach’s crystal clear waters and sandy shore as a young boy splashed along the shore.

The scene was quick to turn from serenity to panic as four sharks were spotted swimming in the same waters of the boy who swam directly in their path.

“Run! Run!,” Tkachenko reportedly yelled to the boy, who quickly moved out of the water.

“Thank god he heard me,” Tkachenko later recalled.

The other adults present on the shore were reportedly unable to see the sharks swimming up to the boy from their viewpoint.

Though the odds of encountering a shark are slim to none, waters in the Bahamas are filled with sharks and exotic fish, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.

In September 2017, footage showed a dramatic encounter between a diver and a shark as the diver viciously punched the creature after it took food from a bait box.

And, though controversial, the practice of feeding sharks in the Bahamas still remains.

Why then, in areas where these sharks are so often seen, is there so much fear of sharks from people the world over?

Gregory Skomas, a shark expert with the Massachusetts Division of Marin Fisheries, suggests it may be a primal instinct of humans that becomes triggered when seeing — or encountering — one of nature’s most frightful creatures.

Skomal credits the evolution of humans’ senses and the survival instincts that alert each individual of a potential threat, despite how minuscule that threat may actually be.

“There’s a deep-seated fear in all humans of being bitten by some animal, either on land or in the seas,” Skomal said. “And the ocean looks dark and deep and foreign to us.”

“It embellishes that fear.” (For more from the author of “Man Flying a Drone Takes Closer Look at Video Footage, Realizes Oblivious Boy Isn’t Alone in Shallow Water” please click HERE)

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CNN Anchor’s Attack on Trump Was So Full of Errors Even One of His Colleagues Is Calling Him out for It

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There appears to be some in-fighting at CNN as the network’s “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper called out “Reliable Sources” host Brian Stelter for his abandonment of journalistic standards when reporting on Michael Wolff’s controversial book “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.”

As noted by BizPac Review, Stelter recommended Wolff’s controversial book, stating that while “Wolff’s errors are sloppy … many Trump experts say the book ‘rings true overall.’”

However, Tapper, who is far from being pro-Trump, took a jab at Stelter for actively trying to push a book that is rife with factual errors.

“Having many errors but ‘ringing true’ is not a journalistic standard,” Tapper tweeted Saturday.

The CNN host went on to concede that “quotes are quotes. And if facts can be ascertained by further reporting as true, that’s also a service.”

As reported by The Western Journal, Tapper and Farhi took to Twitter to discuss the validity of claims made in Wolff’s book.

Fahri revealed that he was also “very skeptical” of the information found in the book, before asking Tapper if he believes thinks Wolff may have interviewed members of Trump’s family.

The book has been used by many left-leaning reporters, such as Stelter, as supposed proof that Trump is unfit to serve as president.

During a recent segment of “Reliable Sources,” Stelter claimed Trump’s mental stability is now a “global story” due to certain bits of information found within the book, most notably comments made by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

“‘He’s not going to make it,’ said Bannon at the Breitbart Embassy. ‘He’s lost his stuff,’” Wolff writes in the book.

As noted by CNBC, Bannon has since stated that he “regrets” comments he made to Wolff, and added that his support for the Trump administration and its agenda is “unwavering.” (For more from the author of “CNN Anchor’s Attack on Trump Was So Full of Errors Even One of His Colleagues Is Calling Him out for It” please click HERE)

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George and Barbara Bush Are Celebrating a Milestone Today No Other Presidential Couple Has Ever Reached

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Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara Pierce Bush, have made history. The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Saturday — the latest milestone in what is already the longest marriage in presidential history.

As noted by WTTG, the couple met when George was just 16. At the time, Barbara was on holiday from her boarding school. They dated long distance for several years, then became engaged before George served as a naval pilot during World War II.

After he returned home, the couple got married and eventually moved to Texas with their oldest son, who was named after his father.

George H.W. Bush led a highly successful political career that included two terms in the House of Representatives, in addition to stints as U.N. ambassador, chairman of the Republican National Committee, chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China and director of the CIA.

In 1980, he ran for the GOP presidential nomination, and though he lost to then-candidate Ronald Reagan, he would go on to serve two terms as vice president in the Reagan administration.

In 1988, Bush was elected president, and served in the Oval Office for one term, until he was defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.

Bush, 93, and his wife, 92, have five children — former President George W. Bush; former Florida Governor John Ellis “Jeb” Bush; fellow sons Marvin and Neil; and daughter Doro.

Another daughter, Robin, died in 1953 of leukemia.

The Bushes also have 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

As The Western Journal reported, it’s not the first time in recent months that George H.W. Bush has made history.

On Nov. 25, 2017, he became the longest-living president in U.S. history, reaching the age of 93 years and 166 days.

He surpassed the previous record held by former President Gerald Ford, who died in December 2006 when he was 93 years and 165 days old.

Bush was born on June 12, 1924.

The former president has led an active life well into his 90s. He went skydiving to celebrate his 90th birthday in 2014.

He celebrated his 93rd birthday by boating with his family.

However, a slew of health complications last year slowed the former president down.

Bush was hospitalized several times in 2017 for chronic pneumonia. (For more from the author of “George and Barbara Bush Are Celebrating a Milestone Today No Other Presidential Couple Has Ever Reached” please click HERE)

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You’ll Never Guess Who NBC Sees as Their ‘Future President’

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. . .During its broadcast of the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the official Twitter page of the National Broadcasting Company posted an intriguing tweet showing a laughing image of Oprah Winfrey with the message: “Nothing but respect for OUR future president. #GoldenGlobes.”

And despite the fact that Winfrey has squashed speculation of a potential presidential bid in 2020, Seth Meyers, the host of the TV event, tried his best to coax her into running during his opening monologue by invoking his previous remarks about President Trump.

“In 2011, I told some jokes about our current president at the White House Correspondents Dinner, jokes about how he was unqualified to be president,” Meyers said. “And some have said that night convinced him to run. And if that’s true, I would just like to say Oprah you will never be president. You do not have what it takes. And, Tom Hanks, you will never be vice president. You are too mean and unrelatable.” . . .

“It’s up to the people,” Winfrey’s longtime partner, Stedman Graham, told the Los Angeles Times. “She would absolutely do it.”

Steven Zeitchik of theWashington Post tweeted: “Asked Meryl Streep what she thought of Oprah’s speech. Her answer: ‘She launched a rocket tonight. I want her to run for president. I don’t think she had any intention [of declaring]. But now she doesn’t have a choice.’” (Read more from “You’ll Never Guess Who NBC Sees as Their ‘Future President'” HERE)

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Hold On! Trump Makes Big Change to Fake News Awards

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Despite days of anticipation, President Trump has decided to postpone his “Fake News Awards,” making people wait more than another week to find out who he thinks is the most corrupt and biased in today’s news media.

Trump tweeted the change in schedule Sunday afternoon, saying: “The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!”

Now, don’t expect Jim Acosta or Rachel Maddow to be strolling down a red carpet or arriving at the White House in limousines in hopeful anticipation of accepting the dishonor.

In fact, several late-night comedy hosts are actually campaigning for the public disgrace that presumably will bring higher ratings . . .

Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah all took time on their shows Wednesday to mull over their chances of receiving one of the awards – or as Colbert referred to them, “the Fakies.” (Read more from “Hold On! Trump Makes Big Change to Fake News Awards” HERE)

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Oscars Now Regret Banning Weinstein So Quickly

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When Hollywood’s most prestigious organization, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) — the group of nearly 7,000 actors, directors and other industry types who dole out the Oscars — expelled Harvey Weinstein on Oct. 14, audiences applauded. But by acting so swiftly, a mere nine days after the New York Times first reported allegations of sexual assault against the movie producer, the outfit now finds itself facing a dilemma.

Put simply: What to do with the rest of them?

“Harvey opened the floodgates,” said one male Academy member. “Now the Academy’s drowning in a tide of s—t. They don’t know what hit them.”

What hit, of course, were more alleged horror stories about so many other members: Kevin Spacey assaulting multiple young men, Dustin Hoffman sticking his hands in women’s pants, director Brett Ratner forcing himself on actresses. Ben Affleck seen on video groping a female host on “Total Request Live.” Screenwriter James Toback accused of sexual misdeeds by nearly 40 women. (As of this past Tuesday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said it is considering criminal charges in five cases against Toback. He, Spacey, Hoffman and Ratner, deny the claims against them.) (Read more from “Oscars Now Regret Banning Weinstein So Quickly” HERE)

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The 3rd Most Popular Boy’s Name in US State Is Unusual

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St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, came out with its annual list of top 10 most popular baby names for 2017, and No. 3 on the list of boys’ names was a bit of a surprise.

No. 1 – Henry
No. 2 – Liam
No. 3 – Mohamed
No. 4 – Jack
No. 5 – Nolan
No. 6 – William
No. 7 – Jackson
No. 8 – Logan
No. 9 – Wyatt
No. 10 – Grayson

The hospital has been publicizing its top baby names for boys and girls for as long as anyone can remember, but this is the first time the namesake of the Islamic prophet ended up in the top five.

In fact, as recently as 2013 the hospital published a list of its “Top 20” most popular baby names, and Mohamed was nowhere to be found . . .

The vast majority of Muslims in Minnesota are refugees from Somalia, and the Somalis have large families. Just since 2002, the U.S. State Department, in cooperation with the United Nations, has distributed more than 54,000 Somali refugees into Minnesota cities and towns. (Read more from “The 3rd Most Popular Boy’s Name in US State Is Unusual” HERE)

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Israel Dig Unearths Prehistoric ‘Paradise’

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Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a rare prehistoric site near Tel Aviv described as a “paradise” for hunter-gatherers living 500,000 years ago.

The site, next to a busy motorway at Jaljulia, has revealed hundreds of flint axes and other artefacts.

Experts say the area had a stream, vegetation and an abundance of animals – all perfect for early humans . . .

The ancient landscape was found between Jaljulia and the Route 6 motorway, about 5m (16ft) below the surface, and the finds indicate it was used by the ancestors of modern humans – homo erectus.

The Israel Antiquities Authority, which carried out the joint excavation with the university, said the finds had shed new light on the period. (Read more from “Israel Dig Unearths Prehistoric ‘Paradise'” HERE)

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