Gordon Campbell introduced carbon tax
It is a paradox that the abundance of letters I read here criticizing what the various writers perceive to be “left-leaning” never address what is a major insult here in B.C. — the carbon tax.
Introduced by then-Premier Gordon Campbell, that upstanding pseudo-Liberal, it systematically vacuums everything including the lint, out of an old lady’s pocket and gives back nothing. The income threshold for rebates anywhere else in Canada where the program is administered by the federal government results in the rebate outpacing the cost.
Here, the threshold is “on the street” or “about to be.” Lest you say, “It’s those NDP,” do remind yourself that this gem was instituted by Conservatives, disguised as Liberals, skilled in sucking in revenue while telling you how good it was for you.
This carbon tax, applied to everything we consume — or would, if we could afford to — amounts to nothing but a giant tax grab and has been since its inception.
Please do not suggest that it has anything to do with the environment or is revenue neutral. Oh no. That ship never even set sail. Elaine Lawrence
Kelowna
Kierra Smith — a West Kelowna Olympian and NCAA swimming champion — has been invited to speak alongside NBA legend Magic Johnson at a virtual fundraiser.
The 28th annual RBC JCC Sports Dinner on March 3 is to feature Johnson, the five-time NBA champion. Smith — who is in Kelowna preparing for the Tokyo Games — will be hosting a table and sharing her story.
Smith will talk about when she touched the wall to win her first NCAA title after suffering through years of homesickness while at University of Minnesota and almost quitting.
“I really struggled in my first year at college, living and swimming away from home in Minnesota, to the point where I finished last in the rankings,” said Smith, who is now preparing for her second Olympic games.
“Two years later, when I touched the wall to become an NCAA champion, the feeling that came over me after overcoming so much was so unique and so unexpected. It was magical. I’ll never forget it.”
In addition to Johnson, Smith will be joined at the event by Team Canada field hockey stars John Smythe and Kate Wright, 2016 Olympic bronze medalists Megan Lukan (rugby) and Laura Brown (cycling), former Olympic wrestler Korey Jarvis, and 11-time national boxing champion Mandy Bujold.
“It’s such an honour to join this group of athletes, all with their own magic moment to share,” said Smith, who made the 200-metre breaststroke final at the 2016 Rio Games.
“How many Canadian athletes can say they’ve shared a stage, even a virtual one, with Magic Johnson?”
Smith, who will attempt to qualify for Team Canada at the National Swim Trials in May, grew up swimming with the Liquid Lightning swim club in West Kelowna.
Tickets are $36 at JCCSportsdinner.com. Tickets include access to an exclusive fireside chat with Johnson and a silent auction. Only one ticket per household is required.
The annual fundraiser enables Jewish Community Centre scholarships and programs for members of the community who wouldn’t otherwise have access.
“It was like going through hell,” he said. A friend had developed facial shingles, involving his ear, and despite medication, the pain continued for weeks. So what is the best way to prevent an attack of shingles? Take action quickly. If you delay, you’ll wish you hadn’t when the pain from hell strikes.
Today, most children are vaccinated against chickenpox. But it was not in the mix of common childhood shots until the mid-1990s.
It’s a rare older person who escaped this childhood infection. Unlike other childhood diseases, the varicella zoster virus never leaves the body. Rather, it goes into hiding in nerve cells near the spinal cord. These cells transmit messages from skin to the central nervous system. The virus continually tries to escape and when it does, it surfaces as shingles. This is never good news. Even when its lesions subside, pain may last for months or years.
Dr. Peter N. Watson, a neurologist at the University of Toronto, reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that of 261 patients with shingles 24% suffered lingering pain. This complication results in chronic anxiety, depression, insomnia, and poor quality of life.
The problem is not rare. In North America, every year, over 2.5 million people develop shingles, 350,000 end up with post-shingles pain, and 400 die. Living with pain day after day is bad enough, but for some the result can be inflammation of the brain, facial paralysis, or the loss on an eye. Of those over 50 years of age, post-shingles pain can affect up to 40% of patients.
Once shingles strikes, a number of antiviral drugs such as Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex are available to decrease the severity of the attack.
The earlier these drugs are prescribed the better the result.
But prevention is better than cure and the Zostavax vaccine has been available for several years for those who have had chickenpox but not shingles.
The vaccine halves the risk of getting shingles and decreases by twothirds the chance of post-shingles pain. The cost of the vaccine is about $200. But anyone who has had shingles, or its complications, is quick to advise finding the money to avoid hellish pain.
Pregnant women, those breast-feeding, and anyone who has had a reaction to neomycin should not take the vaccine.
What about natural prevention? Lysine, an essential amino acid, possesses antiviral effects which are helpful in fighting the shingles virus.
For instance, it has been known for years that lysine can often decrease recurrent attacks of the herpes virus. The addition of vitamin C can make it even more effective in building up immunity to shingles.
But large doses are essential. This means taking 4,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C and at least 2,000 mg of lysine daily.
This high-dose combination must be used daily and for years to be helpful. Moreover, this high-dose combination of C and lysine also provides protection against heart attack and viral infections.
The big problem is what to do when the lesions of herpes have faded away and patients are left with unrelenting pain.
An ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern medical practice, known as cupping therapy, has helped many people suffering from this debilitating pain.
Needle cupping involves pricking the skin at acupuncture points along the herpes nerve roots. A small cup is heated to remove oxygen and then placed over the pricked area. This creates a suction effect drawing internal blood to the area and diseased blood flushed out.
So now you have some options. As always, the message is, choose prevention before hellish pain occurs.
OVERVIEW: The rules change as some individuals settle into their power or position. There is still some game playing afoot.
Unexpected sources of income help to tip the scales as backing is switched from one to the other in a surprise move. Time will tell if this was a good idea or not.
The push is on to advance agendas or reach important goals. Information that comes forward can have an effect on status or reputation of all involved.
Take a politic position. Some are thrown under the bus. The full moon in Virgo encourages practical thought and action. Get clearance on funding from those in control. Update past agreements or make a new deal.
ARIES: Pull a rabbit out of the hat and rise to a better position. Others will be caught off guard.
TAURUS: Join forces with associates to secure some backing or involvement
Celestial Prophecies
in going forward.
GEMINI: You have a power source that others are not aware of. Call on them if you feel its time.
CANCER: Legal or official matters ramp up. Discuss a plan of action with those in top positions.
LEO: Decide if where you are and what you have is enough. You are ready to take action now.
VIRGO: You want to feel settled and secure no matter what the situation is. Pull rank if you can.
LIBRA: You gain easily now on any level. Others recognize your value and agree to make way.
SCORPIO: Your words carry weight and give direction to those who want to know whats next.
SAGITTARIUS: You are on top of your game and others agree you are important key player.
CAPRICORN: Dive in where others won’t and you come out smelling like a rose. Take charge.
AQUARIUS: Pull strings behind the scenes and this can affect individuals or their situations.
PISCES: You allow your passions to show where they count. Private relationships will grow.