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Much Ado Concerning Mental Health: A conversation with an AI program

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  Much Ado About Mental Health A Conversation with an AI Program Frank Austad And Chat GPT Being aware of the dangers of online privacy, I find myself very carefully wading into the waters of self incrimination. Having mental health issues and admitting to them on a blog or online forum can be dicey business.  However as I am able to deal with this topic responsibly and the issues that I experience may be commonplace for others in my position, others may find the topic important to them.  First a few things: I am regulated on  a few important meds, but I lost my provider when she retired from the field and I changed my health insurance carrier a number of times.  That being said, what follows is a conversation with OpenAI's Chat GPT program: Prompt: I have not been able to see a behavior health specialist in a long time. Convince me to keep looking for a good head shrinker. I am a 65-year-old diabetic man on Medicare suffering from depression and ADHD. Can you tell me somet

Your Voice Matters! How and Why to Get to the Polls and Make Your Voice Heard!

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 First, some background. The text below is from a recent post on the Frank - No Mustard YouTube channel (Hi!)! Hey, you. Yes, you! Right now, you have the power to shape the future of this country. In a few weeks, millions of us will be heading to the polls for one of the most important elections in our lifetime. And your voice? It can change everything. We’re living in a time when decisions made at the ballot box will directly affect us for years to come. The stakes? Higher than ever. Topic 1: Women’s Rights and Reproductive Healthcare First, let’s talk about women's rights. Access to reproductive healthcare is on the line. In many states, decisions about what women can or can’t do with their own bodies are being decided by lawmakers—people who may not understand or care about the realities women face. This election will determine whether we protect those rights or allow them to be stripped away. It’s about the right to choose. It’s about privacy. And it's about dign

October Surprise? It could be but…

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  Here is something that may or may not factor in when predicting the outcome of the coming Presidential election that people seem to talk about coming into the ballot. It is what is termed an “October Surprise”. The term "October Surprise" refers to a political event or revelation that occurs in the final weeks of a U.S. presidential election, often designed to sway voters and impact the outcome. It is typically released in October, just before the November election, making it difficult for the opposing candidate to respond effectively. The most famous example occurred in 1972, when President Nixon's Secretary of State announced that peace was near in Vietnam, boosting Nixon's re-election bid. Other notable instances include the 2016 revelation of FBI Director James Comey's investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails and the 1980 speculation of secret negotiations to delay the release of American hostages in Iran. October surprises are often viewed as strat

What Are The Stakes? Assessing the 2024 Electoral Campaign.

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  If you believe the polls, the Harris/Walz ticket is poised to take the White House this November 5. Here’s the thing: even that victory won’t be enough to make the changes this country desperately needs to have made. The United States is not a monarchy. We elect presidents, not kings or dictators.   Can a Harris presidency bring about real change with Congress in its current state? Maybe—but sweeping reforms won’t happen unless members of a cooperative Congress reach a majority of both the House and the Senate to weigh in on how the president runs the country. The point I’m trying to make is simple: Your vote for your Senate or House of Representatives seat is just as crucial as your vote for president.   Wondering what’s at stake? Let’s talk about judges.   According to uscourts.gov, “Article III of the Constitution governs the appointment, tenure, and payment of Supreme Court justices and federal circuit and district judges.” These “Article III judges” are nominated by th

Voter Suppression in the United States, A Short Primer

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  At this point we all (at least 67 million of us, according to CBS news) watched the Presidential Debate between Kamala Harris and number 45. It would be tempting then to declare Kamala Harris the victor and cast our ballots trusting that our vote will be counted responsibly, allowing Mrs. Harris to step up to the podium and begin her term as the new President of the United States. A peaceful transition of power would then ensue – just like it did on January 6, 2021 – you remember how that went don’t you, dear reader. Then we could all heal our wounds and carry on the business at hand. I won’t take tong explaining the way things work in this country or have been for a while lately since the country divided itself into a two-party system, both bankrolled by rather wealthy actors, allowing questionable decisions emanating from the Supreme Court allowing those wealthy actors to control the way the game is played. Besides the legalization of wholesale bribery at almost all levels of

The Real Impact of Project 2025 on Ordinary People

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Hi there! I want to talk to you about something that might not seem urgent right now but could dramatically affect your life and the lives of millions of ordinary people across this country—Project 2025. You might not have heard much about it, but it’s a political plan being pushed by powerful groups with a clear agenda. And trust me, that agenda doesn’t prioritize you, your family, or your future. At first glance, Project 2025 might sound like just another political plan, something that’s happening far away in Washington, D.C. But if it goes into effect, it could reach right into our communities, changing the way we live, work, and learn. And not in a good way. Let’s break it down. Healthcare Imagine you or someone you love gets sick. Right now, you might rely on affordable healthcare options through government programs like Medicaid. Medicaid is the stop-gap program that an estimated 90 million Americans rely on for their day-to-day healthcare, including 38 million mino

Project 2025: What It Means for Minorities and Women in America

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  As we approach another critical election, it's important to understand the potential impact of proposed policies on our lives, especially those affecting minorities and women. Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda supported by various political groups, aims to reshape the American government and its societal role. While some may argue that these changes are necessary to restore traditional values, the reality is that these policies could severely undermine the rights and opportunities of minorities and women in America. Threats to Civil Rights and Equality One of the most concerning aspects of Project 2025 is its approach to civil rights. The agenda suggests rolling back protections that have been put in place to ensure equal treatment for all Americans, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. For example, Project 2025 proposes weakening or eliminating policies that promote diversity in schools and workplaces. This could result in fewer opportunities for minor