Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Infamous (and much overrated) Swine Flu

Couldn't resist posting this article my mom sent me on vaccinations and swine flu. Makes me so sad. There are so many people who make millions off of drugs, and who have a huge influence on the media, so this truth is buried underneath convenient lies. And it's not just vaccines that are wrong when it comes to the health situation in America (!) But don't get me started :) I don't claim to understand everything in this article, but I thought it made some good points. Enjoy!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/04/Squalene-The-Swine-Flu-Vaccines-Dirty-Little-Secret-Exposed.aspx


GULF WAR SYNDROME Drug to be used in SWINE FLU VACCINES for CHILDREN!

By Dr. Mercola

According to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, your children should be the first target for mass swine flu vaccinations when school starts this fall.[i]

This is a ridiculous assumption for many reasons, not to mention extremely high risk.

In Australia, where the winter season has begun, Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon is reassuring parents the swine flu is no more dangerous than regular seasonal flu. "Most people, including children, will experience very mild symptoms and recover without any medical intervention," she said.[ii]

Sydney-based immunization specialist Robert Booy predicts swine flu might be fatal to about twice as many children in the coming year as regular influenza. Booy estimates 10-12 children could die from the H1N1 virus, compared with the five or six regular flu deaths seen among children in an average year in Australia.[iii]

“Cure the Disease, Kill the Patient”

Less than 100 children in the U.S. die each year from seasonal flu viruses.[iv] If we use Australia’s math, a very rough estimate would be another 100 children could potentially die of swine flu in the United States in the coming year.

If children are the first target group in the U.S. per Sebelius, that means we’re about to inject around 75 million children with a fast tracked vaccine containing novel adjuvants, including dangerous squalene, to prevent perhaps 100 deaths.

I’m not overlooking the tragedy of the loss of even one child to an illness like the H1N1 flu virus. But there can be no argument that unnecessary mass injection of millions of children with a vaccine containing an adjuvant known to cause a host of debilitating autoimmune diseases is a reckless, dangerous plan.

Why are Vaccinations Dangerous?

The presumed intent of a vaccination is to help you build immunity to potentially harmful organisms that cause illness and disease. However, your body’s immune system is already designed to do this in response to organisms which invade your body naturally.

Most disease-causing organisms enter your body through the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth, pulmonary system or your digestive tract – not through an injection.

These mucous membranes have their own immune system, called the IgA immune system. It is a different system from the one activated when a vaccine is injected into your body.

Your IgA immune system is your body’s first line of defense. Its job is to fight off invading organisms at their entry points, reducing or even eliminating the need for activation of your body’s immune system.

When a virus is injected into your body in a vaccine, and especially when combined with an immune adjuvant like squalene, your IgA immune system is bypassed and your body’s immune system kicks into high gear in response to the vaccination.

Injecting organisms into your body to provoke immunity is contrary to nature, and vaccination carries enormous potential to do serious damage to your health.

And as if Vaccines Weren’t Dangerous Enough on Their Own …

… imagine them turbocharged.

The main ingredient in a vaccine is either killed viruses or live ones that have been attenuated (weakened and made less harmful).

Flu vaccines can also contain a number of chemical toxins, including ethylene glycol (antifreeze), formaldehyde, phenol (carbolic acid) and even antibiotics like Neomycin and streptomycin.

In addition to the viruses and other additives, many vaccines also contain immune adjuvants like aluminum and squalene.

The purpose of an immune adjuvant added to a vaccine is to enhance (turbo charge) your immune response to the vaccination. Adjuvants cause your immune system to overreact to the introduction of the organism you’re being vaccinated against.

Adjuvants are supposed to get the job done faster (but certainly not more safely), which reduces the amount of vaccine required per dose, and the number of doses given per individual.

Less vaccine required per person means more individual doses available for mass vaccination campaigns. Coincidentally, this is exactly the goal of government and the pharmaceutical companies who stand to make millions from their vaccines.

Will There Be Immune Adjuvants in Swine Flu Vaccines?

The U.S. government has contracts with several drug companies to develop and produce swine flu vaccines. At least two of those companies, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, are using an adjuvant in their H1N1 vaccines.

The adjuvant? Squalene.

According to Meryl Nass, M.D., an authority on the anthrax vaccine,

“A novel feature of the two H1N1 vaccines being developed by companies Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline is the addition of squalene-containing adjuvants to boost immunogenicity and dramatically reduce the amount of viral antigen needed. This translates to much faster production of desired vaccine quantities.”[v]

Novartis’s proprietary squalene adjuvant for their H1N1 vaccine is MF59. Glaxo’s is ASO3. MF59 has yet to be approved by the FDA for use in any U.S. vaccine, despite its history of use in other countries.

Per Dr. Nass, there are only three vaccines in existence using an approved squalene adjuvant. None of the three are approved for use in the U.S.

What Squalene Does to Rats

Oil-based vaccination adjuvants like squalene have been proved to generate concentrated, unremitting immune responses over long periods of time.[vi]

A 2000 study published in the American Journal of Pathology demonstrated a single injection of the adjuvant squalene into rats triggered “chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation,” also known as rheumatoid arthritis.[vii]

The researchers concluded the study raised questions about the role of adjuvants in chronic inflammatory diseases.

What Squalene Does to Humans

Your immune system recognizes squalene as an oil molecule native to your body. It is found throughout your nervous system and brain. In fact, you can consume squalene in olive oil and not only will your immune system recognize it, you will also reap the benefits of its antioxidant properties.

The difference between “good” and “bad” squalene is the route by which it enters your body. Injection is an abnormal route of entry which incites your immune system to attack all the squalene in your body, not just the vaccine adjuvant.

Your immune system will attempt to destroy the molecule wherever it finds it, including in places where it occurs naturally, and where it is vital to the health of your nervous system.[viii]

Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) received anthrax vaccines which contained squalene.[ix] MF59 (the Novartis squalene adjuvant) was an unapproved ingredient in experimental anthrax vaccines and has since been linked to the devastating autoimmune diseases suffered by countless Gulf War vets.[x]

The Department of Defense made every attempt to deny that squalene was indeed an added contaminant in the anthrax vaccine administered to Persian Gulf war military personnel – deployed and non-deployed – as well as participants in the more recent Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP).

However, the FDA discovered the presence of squalene in certain lots of AVIP product. A test was developed to detect anti-squalene antibodies in GWS patients, and a clear link was established between the contaminated product and all the GWS sufferers who had been injected with the vaccine containing squalene.

A study conducted at Tulane Medical School and published in the February 2000 issue of Experimental Molecular Pathology included these stunning statistics:

“ … the substantial majority (95%) of overtly ill deployed GWS patients had antibodies to squalene. All (100%) GWS patients immunized for service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm who did not deploy, but had the same signs and symptoms as those who did deploy, had antibodies to squalene.

In contrast, none (0%) of the deployed Persian Gulf veterans not showing signs and symptoms of GWS have antibodies to squalene. Neither patients with idiopathic autoimmune disease nor healthy controls had detectable serum antibodies to squalene. The majority of symptomatic GWS patients had serum antibodies to squalene.”[xi]

According to Dr. Viera Scheibner, Ph.D., a former principle research scientist for the government of Australia:

“… this adjuvant [squalene] contributed to the cascade of reactions called "Gulf War Syndrome," documented in the soldiers involved in the Gulf War.

The symptoms they developed included arthritis, fibromyalgia, lymphadenopathy, rashes, photosensitive rashes, malar rashes, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, abnormal body hair loss, non-healing skin lesions, aphthous ulcers, dizziness, weakness, memory loss, seizures, mood changes, neuropsychiatric problems, anti-thyroid effects, anaemia, elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Raynaud’s phenomenon, Sjorgren’s syndrome, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats and low-grade fevers.”[xii]

Post Vaccination Follow-Up Might as Well Be Non-Existent

There is virtually no science to support the safety of vaccine injections on your long-term health or the health of your children. Follow-up studies last on average about two weeks, and look only for glaring injuries and illnesses.

Autoimmune disorders like those seen in Gulf War Syndrome frequently take years to diagnose due to the vagueness of early symptoms. Complaints like headaches, fatigue and chronic aches and pains are symptoms of many different illnesses and diseases.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for vaccine purveyors and proponents to look seriously at the long-term health consequences of their vaccination campaigns.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Snow in July

Ah I have been silent for a while. Well, I have been pleasantly busy :)

The 4th of July was the other day, and we went hiking. Robert was driving home when low and behold, my dad yelled, "Is that snow!!!?" I was reading Gone with the Wind intently so had not been looking about at our surroundings, but when I heard that, I did! Sure enough, a white substance was on either side of the road (mostly melted, but still there to be sure!). At first we all said it was hail, but it surely was not. Snow! On the 4th of July. What a strange state Colorado is. But I love it :)

Just had to share that tidbit. Keep an eye on our family blog www.cochranfamily101.blogspot.com and soon you will see pics of the hike! Didn't get any of the snow as it was rather dark out and rainy, but I hope you enjoy the others!

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. God bless!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Give it Up... Let Go

""There Is A River"

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own,
For all of your tears, are the wages for things you have done

And all of those nights
Spent alone in the darkness of your mind
Give it up, Let go
These are things you were never meant to shoulder

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of those tears, love will atone

So, give up the right
To control the waves that empty out your life
Above wild skies
Are the rays that break the shadows we design

Give it up, let go
These are things you were never meant to shoulder
Give it up, let go

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of those things, love will atone

I know the world can turn in different ways
Most of the time, we're simply hanging on
And under the signs of how we all behave
We might find the place that we belong

There is a river that washes you clean
There is a tree that marks the places you've been
Blood that was spilled, although not your own
For all of these things, love will atone

For all of those nights, that you cried all alone
All of your tears, love will atone

Thursday, March 26, 2009

What does This World Need?

I have been thinking. Just to warn you, whenever I say this in my family, many members will say, "Uh oh! Not again!" They are mostly joking, but partly serious I think, since most of my shared thoughts include a new habit we can develop, a new idea to make money, or a new meal idea :) That is partly a joke--I do think of other things too!

Anyway, I have been thinking. There are so many different types of "Christians." Those who are Baptists, those who are Presbyterian; those who are reformed, those who are Armenian; those who date, those who court; those who believe in spiritual gifts, and those who think they are past history; those who wear skirts all the time, and those who don't care what they wear; those who sing hymns, those who rock out every Sunday morning on all the latest praise and worship songs created; girls who wear make-up, girls who don't--because of principal ; those who listen to contemporary Christian music, and those who believe any drum beat is wrong; those who believe in sending children to public school, and those who believe it is the parents' job ALONE to educate their children.... (to name a few)

So, which one, in each of these examples, is the RIGHT way? Are all Christians right and Jesus isn't particular about these things?

Or is somebody wrong.

That is a sobering thought. A lot of times I believe that Christians become comfortable in their lives and begin taking on the look, feel, and sound of the world without even knowing it. If we are not actively fighting against the world and it's passions, then passively those very ideas will invade out lives.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:2

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -1 John 2:15

The first verse doesn't just give a no-no and then move on. It gives a no, and then gives an ACTIVE command, that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds! This takes work!! Self-control and self-government to force our minds from their natural inclinations (since all men are born in sin) and into the right avenues TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD. I get so excited about this. We can actually KNOW the will of almighty God! Think of all the heart-ache we could save ourselves if we just knew God's will.. Well, my friends, there is a way to know it. Praise the Lord!

All that to say, just because one becomes a Christian doesn't mean that he or she has somehow arrived and now has to do no more work! Oh no, the work is just beginning... The work to know what is of God, and what is of the world. More and more I am convinced that something cannot be both. Either something (habit, desire, thought, deed, event) is of GOD, or it is of the WORLD. There is no middle ground! I am not totally sure of this yet, but that is where I am leaning... Simply because there is absolutely NO sin in anything God does, so everything of God would have NO sin, and so everything else would be sin, right?

Maybe I am getting into semantics here :)

I just want to honor the Lord, and I am confused when I see Christians who are so diverse. How can BOTH lifestyles honor the Lord?

I would love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, here's a song by Casting Crowns that really got me thinking about all this stuff

What this world needs
is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three-ring circus society
What this world needs
is not another sign-waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

What this world needs
is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before he changes her shirt
What this world needs
is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world FREE!

People aren't confused by the Gospel
They're confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God, but we are not the only way to Jesus
The world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination or my translation of the Bible
It just needs Jesus
Jesus is going to save the world, but maybe the best thing we can do, is get out of the way...

I think the world is partly confused because we looks just like them... Anyway, just something to think about.

May you show someone today the Love of Christ.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Crash!

My laptop computer crashed. I am looking to buy a new one (probably a desk top) and am open to suggestions! If you have an opinion AND good proof on why you think a certain brand is better than another, please leave me that opinion! I am pretty bummed since the laptop that crashed was only two years old. I, um, think I'll NOT buy an Acer again (laptops' hard drives should last longer than two years!).

So yeah, tell me what you think. I will probably be buying one in like a week or so (want to do some research first). All my pictures, docs, etc. were on it so that's part of the reason I haven't been blogging on the family blog...

Thanks, and God bless!

Friday, January 2, 2009

By Your Side

As you face this new year, what are your thoughts? Excitement, hope, expectations, maybe some doubt or cynicism... Whatever they may be (and I'm still figuring this one out myself in my own mind), I think gratefulness should be one of those thoughts. God has lead us all through another year, praise him!

My family has always made goal-setting a big part of the new year, so here goes! Some of my goals are:
(1) Practice my violin every single day!
(2) Save up lots of mula in my savings (rather than spending it); my goal is to have like $5,500 by next year
(3) [tentative!] become a realtor. Still seeking God's wisdom on that one...
(4) Curb my propensity to say what's on my mind to whoever is nearby *gulp* It's not always encouraging....

Well, that's some of them! I don't have many as I don't want to make too many promises to myself! That only makes me frustrated when I can't fulfill them...

As I open up this 2009, this song has been on my mind. I hope it speaks to you. Note the youtube link to see the music video and hear the song sung by this relatively new band, Tenth Avenue North. I just bought their CD and every song on it is either us talking directly to God, or God talking to us (in the case of this song). Rare...

"Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching?
As if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child
Tell where will you run?
To where will you run?

(chorus)
I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you fall
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life

(chorus)
Here are my side wherever I fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you

(bridge)
And I, I love you
And I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

By your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you

By my side, my hands are holding you
In the Dead of night, my hands are holding you..."

-By My Side by Tenth Avenue North (from their CD Over and Underneath)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95rAr0gOFU

Wherever or whatever I go or do in this new year, He'll be by my side and that is so encouraging...

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Afterwards

So you've opened up the gifts, eaten the treats from your stocking, now what? When I was younger, I remember feeling pretty empty after Christmas day had gone by in all its glory. My parents were always good about sensing this and explaining that there is so much more than the gifts and treats. Those will pass away and even when we've gotten so many good "things" there will still be an emptiness, an emptiness that only Jesus Christ can fill. I believe it is totally possible for even Christians to feel this void. And it doesn't only happen on Christmas! After some event we've waited a long time for is over, it's hard to not feel depressed--what do I have to look forward to NOW. I struggled with this for many years and still do, but I have learned a little bit, maybe, and that little bit I have learned is that things will never satisfy.

It's not an effortless activity to be filled with Christ. I personally must work towards that every day and not allow myself to be caught up in "life."

So how do you feel after this Christmas? Alive and filled with Christ and blessed beyond measure by the gifts given in his honor? Or empty and restless. I pray that everyone reading this would be filled with Christ either for the first time, or anew.

"Some still failed to understand it, so God spoke his final word; on a silent night in Judah's hills a baby's cry was heard..."

Monday, December 15, 2008

Love Has Come To Walk Among Us....

"In the space of the beginning
Was the living Word of Light
When this Word was clearly spoken
All that came to be was right

All creation had a language
Words to say what must be said
All day long the heavens whispered
Signing words in scarlet red

Some have failed to understand it
So God spoke His final Word
On a silent night in Judah's
Hills a baby's cry was heard

Glory!; sang the angel chorus
Glory!; echoed back the night
Love has come to walk among us
Christ the Lord is born this night

All creation sing His praises
Earth and heaven praise His name
All who live come join the chorus
Find the words His love proclaim

Find the words His love proclaim"

-Anthem for Christmas
Words: Gloria Gaither
Music: Michael W. Smith

We went to a Micheal W. Smith Christmas concert the other night and it was, to say the least, awesome. His piano playing is incredible, and his choice of music and putting instruments together is talented indeed... He's still got his touch, even is he is a grandfather now! Anyway, this is one of my favorite Christmas songs by him. He didn't play it at the concert, but it's good enough in his 1989 (the year I was born!) CD "Christmas." (Buy it if you don't already have it--no Christmas music collection is complete without it.)

The picture is sort of corny, but to hear this song, go to this link... Just close your eyes and listen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_LdUyTPC0

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My Friend is Gone :)

That would be: the trial (see below post). :)

We had the carpets cleaned as planned and so far so good! I still have minor reactions every now and then, but am overall much mucho better! Praise God... I was honored to have the men pray for me at church not last week but the week before. God is good.

Thanks for all of you praying! Pray now that I continue to get better and better with eventually no reactions at all!

Life is good. We are settling into our new house just fine. We had two lovely huge snows on last Friday and Sunday! Snow is one of the prettiest things God created, I think. I am already praying for a white Christmas *wink* We had one last year and it was so beautiful and such a huge blessing. God knew how to comfort me when I was homesick last year after moving from GA! Stifle me in beauty *laugh*

Have a wonderful week. "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" (sorry all you Florida peeps!)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Trials are Friends...

Well, I have a new friend.

We moved into our new lovely house on Saturday, but I wasn't unpacking long before I began to have an allergic reaction. At first I thought I was coming down with a cold, but it felt just like my allergies to cat dander. To make a long story short, I have not been able to sleep in my new home for the past two nights (the only two nights we've been there) and can't even stay inside long. Apparently the former renters had cats and the carpets, though spot-cleaned, must still have dander in them. Today we had the carpets professionally cleaned and hopefully I will be able to sleep in my own bed tonight! But God is sovereign.... Thank God for kind friends who allowed me to sleep at their house the past two nights...

I am wondering at this, God's new little "plan," but trust in him. James says to count trials as friends, and that's what I'm trying to do! Haven't done it perfectly, by any means, but trying... After all, I DO have a bed to sleep in! And a warm house to go to! I am by far very blessed indeed... Perspective is very important :)

Your prayers are appreciated and I will keep you posted! Have a great night.