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September 2nd, 2002, 20:08
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Administrator
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Join Date: 2001
Posts: 1,085
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August 2002
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Dads 'keep mum' over sexA recent survey in the UK found that 2 out of 5 dads do not discuss the subject of sex with their children. Comment: the survey also found that 9 out of 10 children think their parents are good role models and 92% believe they explain puberty well. [ BBC Health 14-Aug-2002 ] posted at 7:53 PM
Monday, August 12, 2002
Screening Women for Domestic Abuse Not RecommendedThis review concluded that screening women for domestic violence is not justified. The reason is that screening does not change any important outcomes, such as a decreased exposure to violence. Comment: this is certainly a provocative conclusion. However, the authors' point is valid: screening women for domestic violence has not been shown to improve outcomes. Nevertheless, I believe that the authors' conclusion is wrong. Just because our current interventions haven't been proven to be effective doesn't mean that we shouldn't screen women for domestic violence. Rather, we should redouble our efforts towards finding effective solutions for victims of domestic abuse. Permanent restraining orders seem to be a promising intervention. [ BMJ 2002;325:314 ( 10 August ) ] posted at 10:39 AM
Thursday, August 08, 2002
Permanent but Not Temporary Protection Orders Effectively Decrease Partner ViolenceThis retrospective cohort study of 2691 adult women victims of partner abuse found that those that received a permanent court-ordered protection order had an 80% less risk of further abuse compared with women not receiving a protection order. Those that received a temporary protection order (usually in effect for 2 weeks) had an increased risk of nearly 500%. Comment: this study suggests that temporary protection orders are actually more harmful than doing nothing. For women who are the victims of partner abuse, this article suggests that the courts should either do nothing or issue a permanent protection order. [ JAMA. 2002;288:589-594 ] posted at 6:41 AM
Saturday, August 03, 2002
Lawyers Now Suing TeachersLawyers have found a new target for their frivilous lawsuits---teachers. Students who fail a class are suing to get the teacher to raise their grades. For example, in January, a 15 year old student in Ohio sued the entire school district along with 11 teachers over her failing grades. The suit asked for $6 million in damages. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Comment: serious tort reform is necessary nationwide. After 3 decades of out-of-control lawsuits, a victim mentality has overcome millions of Americans. [ article ] posted at 8:57 AM
Advertisement
Friday, August 02, 2002
Crimes Against Seniors
Newsmax Wires. Bruce Mandelblit. Wednesday, July 31, 2002.
Crimes against senior citizens – it's a reality that occurs every day in
virtually every city in the United States. Criminals, thinking that the elderly
may be an easier target, put their mischievous focus on this segment of our
society. Because seniors are living longer and healthier lives, and as their numbers
continue to grow as a percentage of the overall population, the trend may be
that seniors will become crime victims at an ever-increasing rate. What techniques can seniors utilize to help reduce their opportunity of
becoming a crime victim? Here are some techniques and ideas suggested by the Fullerton, Calif.,
Police Department: When You Are Out
- If you must carry a purse,
hold it close to your body. Do not dangle it. - Never carry a wallet in your
back pocket. Put it in an inside jacket pocket or front pants pocket. - Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Avoid dark, deserted routes even if they are the shortest.
- Carry change for emergency telephone and transportation use.
Quick Security Tip: If possible, consider
buying and carrying a cellular telephone for added safety.
- Whenever possible, travel with friends.
Quick Security Tip: Check with your local senior citizen center or the police about escort services.
- When using public transportation, sit near the driver.
- Do not overburden yourself with packages and groceries that obstruct your view and make it harder to react.
- Have your car or house keys in hand as you approach your vehicle or home.
- Carry a whistle or loud horn to use if you need to summon help.
Quick Security Tip: In some communities, community groups offer free alarms for seniors.
- When you drive, keep doors locked and windows up. Park in well-lit, busy areas. If you have car trouble, be wary of strangers who offer to help. Stay in your car and ask them to phone a service truck or the police.
- If a friend or taxi takes you home, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.
- When walking, act calm and confident, and know where you are going.
Quick Security Tip: Trust your instincts –
if you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave! When You Are at Home
- Use deadbolts locks on all exterior doors. Keep your doors locked at all times, even when you are inside.
- Protect windows and sliding glass doors with good locks or other security devices.
Quick Security Tip: You may want to consider purchasing a high-quality home alarm system.
- Make your home appears occupied when you go out by using a timer to turn on lights and a radio.
- Never let repair or sales persons into your home without checking their identification.
Quick Security Tip: Call their company to verify their identity if you are not sure. - Install a viewer in your door, and use it.
- If you live alone, do not advertise it. Use only your first and middle initials in telephone books, directories and apartment lobbies.
- Get to know your neighbors, and keep their phone numbers handy for emergencies.
- Work out a buddy system with a friend to check on each other daily.
- Engrave your valuables with a unique identification number recommended by the police. Check with your local senior citizen centers for available services.
- Keep bonds, stock certificates, seldom-worn jewelry, and stamp and coin collections in a safe deposit box.
- Do not hide extra house keys under a doormat or in other obvious spots.
Quick Security Tip: Yes, most criminals are aware of all the "secret" extra- key hiding places. Don't Be Conned
- According to AARP, older citizens are victims of fraudulent schemes far out of proportion to their population number. Keep informed about the latest con schemes in your community by reading the newspaper and other media (including the Internet). Be skeptical (very skeptical) about any proposal that sounds too good to be true or has to be kept secret. Do not rush into anything.
Quick Security Tip: Check it out with family, friends, lawyers, police, the Better Business Bureau, and the state or county consumer affairs department.
- If you are a victim of fraud, call the police immediately. You may be embarrassed because you were tricked, but your information is vital in catching the con artist and preventing others from being victimized.
Especially now, with many of our economic markets being unstable, criminals may use this as an occasion to financially dupe seniors who might be worried about their retirement funds. For more details on senior crime prevention, please check the Fullerton Police Department's site at www.ci.fullerton.ca.us. A Final Thought Society owes a deep debt of gratitude to our seniors, and the community as a whole must make all reasonable efforts to protect them from the evildoers who want to prey on them. Although these crime prevention tips are geared toward senior citizens, many of these suggestions apply to all of us, regardless of our age. Whether you are a senior or not, please keep in mind these universal security Ideas: STAY ALERT! – STAND TALL! – TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! ******Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit
Reprinted with permission from newsmax.com posted at 7:59 AM
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