Truth and Hammer

Author: Truth & Hammer

World’s Oldest Woman Attributes Her Long Life to Marijuana

After living to the ripe old age of 125, Fulla Nayak became the world’s oldest woman before she died peacefully in her home. In the years before her death, many curious reporters and researchers came to interview Fulla, seeking answers to good health and longevity. Her answer seemed to stun them all. Fulla believed she lived so long because she smoked marijuana every day. Family members said she was routinely seen sipping hot tea and smoking ganja. Apart from weak eyesight, she suffered from no major health problems up until the time of her death.

Fulla’s story has inspired many baby boomers to consider the possibilities of medical marijuana to slow the signs of aging and preserve good health. We know that marijuana can offer some incredible health benefits, particularly among the world’s aging population. Much research has been devoted to how marijuana can be used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, which currently impacts more than five million Americans annually. Alzheimer’s is one of the cruelest possibilities for a person to face because it strips away your memories and leaves you with depression, anxiety, and an inability to even exercise basic self-care. Fulla never experienced Alzheimer’s and relatives reported that her mind remained sharp up until the day she died.

Marijuana is also a powerful treatment for loss of appetite. Wasting syndrome is increasingly common among elderly patients as well as those who suffer from AIDS. But marijuana serves as a natural appetite stimulant that encourages patients to eat and maintain a healthy weight, which gives enough energy to continue fighting against chronic disease.

There are many additional ways that marijuana could be beneficial for aging Americans. It can ease depression, prevent osteoporosis, treat insomnia, and even ease joint pain related to arthritic. In many cases, it can replace pharmaceutical drugs that cost a host of unpleasant side effects. The life of Fulla Nayak makes it clear that marijuana is truly a wonder drug and it’s time that we embrace it’s real potential.

The post World’s Oldest Woman Attributes Her Long Life to Marijuana appeared first on Vaporizer Nerd.

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
Taking a trip with your girlfriends is good for your health, according to science

If you’ve been having doubts about booking that holiday trip with your girlfriends, then what you’re about to read might just change your mind.

In this ever-evolving and fast-paced world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the avalanche of deadlines, emails, and tasks that you have to accomplish. At the end of a work week, you are too exhausted to have some fun that you basically just sleep through the whole weekend. We’re not saying that’s bad – but sometimes, everyone needs a little break from routine, right?

But according to studies, this occasional break doesn’t just allow you to rest and relax, it is also essential for good health and long life!

The Harvard Women’s Health Watch reported that social connections “not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking.”

Of course, these social connections include our relationships with our families, but research proves that having solid friendships could: lower the risk of acquiring health issues such as heart disease, increase life expectancy, and even improve tolerance for pain! In fact, psychologists were able to predict a person’s social network size based on how much pain they were able to withstand.

Aside from these, friendships can also make us happier. In 2016, researchers found evidence that hanging out with friends can increase the production of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that our bodies produce when we are happy. Oxytocin is known to make people more trusting, more generous, and friendlier – all the traits that you would want in a friend!

However, this is not great news for those who have difficulty establishing social connections. When scientists examined the other side of the spectrum, they discovered that those people who don’t have strong friendships “tend to be more depressed, have later-life cognitive decline”, and worse, “were more likely to die at a younger age”.

A study that inspected the lives of 309,000 individuals found that lack of social ties increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50% – about the same effect as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Also, a Dutch study in 2012 found that people who were lonely have an increased risk of developing dementia.

According to psychologist William Chopik of Michigan State University: “Keeping a few really good friends around can make a world of difference for our health and well-being. So, it’s smart to invest in the friendships that make you happiest.”

Forbes also reported that women who use their vacation time frequently “are less likely to become tense, depressed or tired and are happier with their marriages”. And by vacation time – it means traveling and getting yourself out there – not just a day off spent running errands that you weren’t able to do on the weekdays.

Conversely, those women who don’t go on travels as much have a “higher risk of heart disease and death from heart disease”. Note that a study on men yielded similar results, but women tended to benefit more from traveling with close friends.

So, do you need more reasons to book that holiday getaway?

We get it – it’s not that easy to pry yourself away from life’s obligations, plus, an out-of-town trip could take a big chunk off your well-maintained budget. But with all the evidence proving that traveling with your friends could yield a plethora of health and mental benefits, then maybe it is worth doing once in a while, right?

Perhaps, the next time that you decide to reward yourself, a ladies’ getaway might be the best idea not just for you, but for your girlfriends too.

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
9 Of The Most Uniquely Beautiful Houseplants That You Never Knew Existed

Common houseplants like Dracaenas, Orchids, Pothos and Bamboo are beautiful, but just wait until you see the likes of Marimo Moss Balls, Hoya Kerrii, and Trachyandra – your houseplant collection will never be the same again.

1. Black Succulents

Do you prefer the darker things in life? Get ready to expand your succulent collection with these handsome black succulents.

The perfect treat for your dark soul, Sinocrassula yunnanensis is a dark variety of succulent that grows in tightly packed rosette clumps.

The pointed leaves are reminiscent of pine cones or hedgehogs, whichever you prefer, and they are actually a very dark green, so dark they look black.

2. Hoya Kerii

The Hoya plant comes in several varieties, all of which make great houseplants. The Kerii assortment, also known as the Sweetheart Plant, is our favorite by far thanks to its unique shape that looks like a heart.

The quirky heart-shaped leaves have made this plant an instant sensation that is easy to grow and cheap to buy – win-win!

This plant is very comparable to the Lucky Bamboo. It makes a great gift for friends, or for yourself.

3. Trachyandra

Native to southern and eastern Africa, the Trachyandra resembles tentacles or spaghetti and will certainly spark conversation.

4. Rose Succulent

Yet another incredible succulent to add to your list of must-have houseplants, the Rose Succulent looks like a perfect rose.

Technically known as Greenovia Dodrentalis, the curved layers look like rose petals. Only, unlike roses, they’ll stay in bloom for much longer and are easier to care for.

Largely found in the Canary Islands, this plant will make your home look like it came from the pages of a storybook.

5. Crassula Umbella

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The Crassula, also known as ‘Wine Cup’ succulents, grow up to 6 inches tall when in bloom, Yet, the most unique part of this plant is the little upside-down umbrellas they have.

While they are easy to grow, you’ll have to watch out for mealy bugs and fungal diseases. Don’t overwater this plant, like any succulent, it prefers dry conditions.

This plant is typically started by division, leaf cuttings, or offsets.

“Plants can be easily propagated from a single leaf: sprout leaves by placing them into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout,” explains .

6. Euphorbia Obesa

The Euphorbia Obesa, also known as the baseball plant, is grouped with succulents and woody plants. It gets its nickname from the fact that it looks like a ball with little sprouts coming out of the top.

This low maintenance houseplant does well in hot and arid climates. There’s a water reservoir at the center to help it survive droughts.

It is endangered in the wild due to poaching and over-collection, as well as the fact it grows slowly, and the pod only contains two to three seeds.

7. Marimo Moss Balls

This plant may look like those cheap fake plants you see at Home Goods, but it’s the real deal. These small squishy balls of algae resemble moss but are strikingly beautiful.

In the wild, they are found rolling at the bottom of rivers, hence how they become round in shape. In Japan, they are often treated as pets and considered a lucky charm.

Typically found at stores that carry aquatic plants, you can grow them yourself by placing the baby moss balls into warm, clean water. You don’t need a large container, just make sure they aren’t crowded and have plenty of space.

They need some light; even regular household light is adequate. Just make sure they don’t have direct sunlight, or they will turn brown.

8. Living Stones

Lithops Plants, also known as Living Stones, look like cloven hooves or hearts with a plant that sprouts from the center.

These small plants are a type of succulent that is native to South African deserts, yet they are easy to find at local nurseries and plant stores.

They thrive in well-compacted and sandy soil. All they need is a little water and prefer hot temperatures, so if your house is an ice box this might not be the plant for you.

9. Fishbone Cactus

Technically known as Selenicereus Anthonyanus, this cool looking plant is better known simply as the Fishbone Cactus.

Also known as Ric Rac and Zigzag Cactus, the Fishbone Cactus has a unique pattern that resembles the spine of a fish skeleton.

When in bloom, the low maintenance plant produces a pretty pink flower.

Even if you tend to kill every plant you’re tasked with caring for, this plant is hardy enough to survive under your care.

Source:

The post 9 Of The Most Uniquely Beautiful Houseplants That You Never Knew Existed appeared first on The Powerful Mind.

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
Scientists discover elements that are solid and liquid at the same time

In a new study, researchers have discovered a new state of physical matter in which atoms can exist as both solid and liquid at the same time. The study was conducted by a team led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh. Until now, the atoms in physical material were understood to exist in one of three states: solid, liquid or gas. But this study found that some elements can exist in both solid and liquid states under extreme conditions. In the study, the team applied high pressures and temperatures to potassium and created a state in which most of the element’s atoms form a solid lattice structure. However, the structure also contains another set of potassium atoms that are in a fluid arrangement. The researchers also suggest that over half a dozen elements could be capable of existing in the newly discovered state under the right conditions. Next, the researchers examined if the unusual structures represent a unique state of matter, or existed as transition stages between two distinct states. They used powerful computer simulations to study the existence of the state—known as the chain-melted state. They simulated how up to 20,000 potassium atoms behave under extreme conditions. They found that the formed structures represent the new, stable state of matter. The researchers suggest that applying pressure to the atoms leads to the formation of two interlinked solid lattice structures. Chemical interactions between atoms in one lattice are strong. This means that they stay in a solid form when the structure is heated, while the other atoms melt into a liquid state. The team suggests that potassium is one of the simplest metals in the world. But if you squeeze it, it can form very complicated structures. The current study has shown that this unusual but stable state is part solid and part liquid. Recreating this unusual state in other materials may have wide applications. The study leader is Dr. Andreas Hermann, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Astronomy. The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report . All rights reserved.

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
AOC: All Latinos Have ‘Right’ To Migrate To US, Sarah Torches Her With Flamethrower

Sarah Huckabee Sanders was on fire defending President Donald Trump’s call to action on the Southern border. Part of the problem is Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who claims, “All Latinos have a race-based right to migrate to the United States.” Well, Sarah just torched AOC and her cohorts with a flamethrower. You’ll love this. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Photo Credit: YouTube/Screenshot, Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become the new face of the Democratic Party. The former bartender speaks, and the rest of the Democrats nod in unison. And besides her ridiculous Green New Deal, AOC has been really vocal promoting open borders. Now, every Democratic candidate for president has adopted the disastrous open border policy. And their cohorts in the courts, the Obama-appointed judges are causing mayhem. The 29-year-old Congresswoman said , “ All Latinos have a race-based right to migrate to the United States.” But that’s not all. “We have to have … respect for the right of human mobility,” Ocasio-Cortez told a press conference on Capitol Hill. “ It is a right. We are standing on native land, and Latino people are descendants of native people. We cannot be told and criminalized simply for our identity or our status.” So, let’s get this straight. AOC claims all Latinos should be able to just walk right into America and say, “This is our land.” This may sound bonkers to you, but this is exactly what the fringe far-left organizations like La Raza stand for. This is nothing new, but up until last year, no self-respecting Congressman would ever condone open borders. Welcome to the new rabid far-left Democratic Party. And thanks to AOC, we just received another blow from the leftist courts. “A federal judge on Monday blocked an experimental Trump administration policy that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases make their way through the U.S. immigration court system, a major blow to President Trump’s efforts to stem the surge of crossings at the southern border,” the Washington Post reports. That means every migrant who presents themselves at our Southern border will be allowed to enter the United States. Sure, they will be told they have to show up at a court hearing, a court hearing they will never show up for. With record numbers coming every day, this activist judge just followed AOC’s crazy and dangerous open border policy. Well, Sarah Sanders was on fire: “A liberal activist judge in San Francisco ruled the United States and Mexico can’t work together to address asylum issues at the border,” tweeted the press secretary. “ It’s sad that Mexico is now doing more to secure our border than Democrats. President Trump will do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe .” A liberal activist judge in San Francisco ruled the United States and Mexico can’t work together to address asylum issues at the border. It’s sad that Mexico is now doing more to secure our border than Democrats – President Trump will do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe. — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) April 9, 2019 Mexico was in agreement that they would hold the migrants on Mexican soil until they got fed up and returned home or until U.S. judges could hear their case for asylum. Now, this Obama judge decides the United States can’t house the migrants on Mexican soil. It’s idiotic. Senator Tom Cotton, a major Trump supporter, was also livid. “Another crazy immigration ruling from activist Obama judge. Even if Mexico agrees to keep migrants, judge says no! Must release into our country! Democrats will do anything for open borders,” Senator Cotton tweeted. Another crazy immigration ruling from activist Obama judge. Even if Mexico agrees to keep migrants, judge says no! Must release into our country! Democrats will do anything for open borders. https://t.co/zrGlhEVgk0 — Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) April 9, 2019 The point is almost 99% of these migrants have no case for asylum. They are being used as pawns by leftist organizations that are being funded by Democrats to encourage the migrants to come to the United States. It’s a big game. Think about it. How are these poor migrants sustaining themselves on this 6-week trip? These Democratic-funded organizations are giving them food etc. “Meanwhile, the U.N. is committing resources to the [migrant] caravan. In essence, it uses U.S. taxpayers’ money to fund a violation of their own border. That way, the U.S. can join all the other countries with a mass immigration problem,” Investor’s Business Daily reported. In other words, the U.N. has set up shop in Mexico and is pushing these migrants to go to the U.S. Once again, the U.N. violates a member nation’s right to protect its own borders. Fortunately, President Trump is having none of it. For those who have suggested Trump’s move is illegal under the “Posse Comitatus” Act of 1878, they’re wrong. That law’s letter and intent were to keep the U.S. from using federal military troops against its own citizens. No one intended for this law to force our borders open to those who would violate our sovereignty. Sarah Sanders is right. It’s AOC and her Democratic cohorts who are aiding and abetting the migrants, who are just pawns, to cause the border crisis. They have powerful friends at the United Nations, and there is one man standing in their way: President Donald Trump. Every American citizen needs to learn the entire truth and do whatever they can to spread this information far and wide. The content on Mad World News expresses a personal opinion, advocates a point of view (e.g., on a social or political issue), or is self-promotional. For the purpose of fact-checking, it should be rated as Opinion according to Facebook policy .

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
Candace Owens explodes at Ted Lieu mid-hearing after he plays short clip of her Hitler comments | Fox News

Candace Owens accuses Rep. Ted Lieu of flagrantly distorting her comments. Tensions at a heated House Judiciary Committee hearing on online hate speech boiled over on Tuesday, when conservative commentator Candace Owens accused Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., of distorting her comments on Hitler so flagrantly for the sake of a smear that he must “believe black people are stupid.” “In congressional hearings, the minority party gets to select its own witnesses,” Lieu began. “Of all the people the Republicans could’ve selected, they picked Candace Owens. I don’t know Miss Owens; I’m not going to characterize her; I’m going to let her own words talk.” Lieu then produced a cellphone and played a short clip of Owens’ previous remarks at a conference in December, which were widely circulated in February : “I actually don’t have any problem with the word ‘nationalism.’ I think the defintion gets poisoned by elites that want globalism. Globalism is what I don’t want. When we say ‘nationalism,’ the first thing people think about — at least in America — is Hitler. You know, he was a national socialist, but if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK then, fine. The problem is, he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalize. He wanted everyone to be German. …” Owens’ remarks echoed those of President Trump, who has repeatedly defended nationalism against progressive attacks that the concept is intrinsically racist. Lieu then asked committee witness Eileen Hershenov: “When people try to legitimize Adolf Hitler, does that feed into white nationalist ideology?” But Owens soon made clear she felt Lieu had intentionally misrepresented her views to drive a false narrative not just against Owens, but also Trump and Republicans in general. “I think it’s pretty apparent that Mr. Lieu believes that black people are stupid and will not pursue the full clip in its entirety,” Owens said. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-NY., interrupted, telling Owens, “It is not proper to refer disparagingly to a member of the committee. The witness will not do that again.” After clarifying that she had not, in fact, called Lieu stupid, Owens continued: “As I said, he is assuming that black people will not go and pursue the full two-hour clip. He purposefully cut off — and you didn’t hear the question that was asked of me. He’s trying to present as if I was launching a defense of Hitler in Germany, when in fact the question that was presented to me was pertaining to wheher I believed in nationalism, and that nationalism was bad.” As Owens went on, Lieu tapped his hands together silently. “And what I responded is that I do not believe we should be characterizing Hitler as a nationalist,” Owens said. “He was a homicidal, psychopathic maniac that killed his own people. A nationalist would not kill their own people. … That was unbelievably dishonest, and he did not allow me to respond to it.” “I think it’s pretty apparent that Mr. Lieu believes that black people are stupid.” — Candace Owens Owens concluded: “By the way, I would like to also add that I work for Prager University, which is run by an orthodox Jew. Not a single Democrat showed up to the embassy opening in Jerusalem. I sat on a plane for 18 hours to make sure I was there. I am deeply offended by the insinuation of revealing that clip without the question that was asked of me.” Turning to her 75-year old grandfather seated behind her, Owens remarked, “My grandfather grew up on a sharecropping farm in the segregated South. He grew up in an America where words like ‘racism’ and ‘white nationalism’ held real meaning.” The hearing was separately derailed when a YouTube livestream of the proceedings was bombarded with racist and anti-Semitic comments from internet users. YouTube disabled the live chat section of the streaming video about 30 minutes into the hearing because of what it called “hateful comments.” FILE – In this Dec. 17, 2018, file photo, a man using a mobile phone walks past Google offices in New York. Executives from Google and Facebook are facing Congress Tuesday, April 8, 2019, to answer questions about their role in the hate crimes and the rise of white nationalism in the U.S. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) The incident came as executives from Google and Facebook answered lawmakers’ questions about the companies’ role in the spread of hate crimes and the purported rise of white nationalism in the U.S. They were joined by leaders of such human rights organizations as the Anti-Defamation League and the Equal Justice Society, along with conservative commentator Candace Owens. Neil Potts, Facebook director of public policy, and Alexandria Walden, counsel for free expression and human rights at Google, defended policies at the two companies that prohibit material that incites violence or hate. Google owns YouTube. “There is no place for terrorism or hate on Facebook,” Potts testified. “We remove any content that incites violence.” The hearing broke down into partisan disagreement among the lawmakers and among some of the witnesses, with Republican members of Congress denouncing as hate speech Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s criticism of American supporters of Israel. As the bickering went on, Nadler was handed a news report that included the hateful comments about the hearing on YouTube. He read them aloud, along with the users’ screen names, as the room quieted. “This just illustrates part of the problem we’re dealing with,” Nadler said. Monday’s hearing was prompted by the mosque shootings last month in Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 50 people dead. The gunman livestreamed the attacks on Facebook and published a long post online that espoused white supremacist views. Owens was named in the mosque shooter’s manifesto, along with eco-fascism, socialism, Trump, and other seemingly unrelated actors. The shooter, who professed affection for divisive online memes and sowing social discord, explicitly stated that his intent was to gin up division and goad different factions into attacking one another. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
Best water leak detectors of 2019: Reviews and buying advice | TechHive

Fire might be a homeowner’s greatest fear, but any insurance company will tell you that water is the far more common cause of property damage, even if you don’t live in an area subject to flooding. And it can come from many sources: A failing water heater, a burst pipe, a broken supply line under your sink, a clogged toilet, or even a split hose connected to your washing machine. Just as it’s essential to have a smoke detector in each of your home’s bedrooms and common areas, you’d be wise to install leak detectors in places where water damage could start: The laundry room, water heater closet, the bathroom, under your kitchen sink, and so on. Leak alerts are arguably less important for renters, but it’s something landlords might want to consider—although that raises the issue of how the sensors would connect to the internet. More on that later. If you think a leak sensor is something your home should have, here are our top picks. If you want more information on this topic and want to read more reviews, scroll down a bit. Updated April 9, 2019 to add our take on the Sinopé Sedna water-leak protection kit . This system combines water sensors with an electronic valve that mounts on your main water supply, so it might react faster to a water leak than “smarter” valves—such as the Flo by Moen —that rely on algorithms analyzing water pressure and flow rates. On the other hand, if a pipe bursts far from one of Sinopé’s sensors, your home could suffer a lot of water damage before any of those sensors trigger the valve to shut off the water. Best water leak detector: Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector Honeywell’s Lyric Water Leak and Free Detector alerts you to three conditions that can cause problems in your home: water leaks, freezing temperatures, and high humidity. It’s dead-simple to deploy, but its biggest drawback is that it can’t be integrated into any smart-home systems. Although it’s the most expensive sensor we tested ($80), the Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze detector is the most powerful and the easiest to set up. It operates over Wi-Fi and connects directly to your router without requiring a smart-home hub. And in addition to warning you about a water leak, the Lyric can also alert you to freezing temperatures and high humidity levels that can lead to other problems. Jared Newman The Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector is our current favorite in this category. The Lyric has one major shortcoming that could be a deal breaker for enthusiasts: It can’t be integrated into a broader smart-home system. So it can bring a water leak to your attention, but it can’t communicate with a smart water valve to shut the water off at the source. But Honeywell’s sensor can’t be beat on the basics. Runner-up water leak detector: Utilitech Wireless Water Leak Detector The Utilitech water leak detector is very inexpensive and can be incorporated into any Z-Wave smart-home hub. But its own siren is too quiet to be of any use, and it must be mounted to a vertical surface. This was a tough call, because the Utilitech Water Leak Detector has some major downsides. Its battery life only lasts for a year, and the sensor must be mounted on a wall or other vertical surface, making setup a hassle and limiting your placement options. Jared Newman There are a few downsides to our next-best pick, but you can’t beat the price. On the other hand, it costs just $30, it you can deploy them in multiples, and it works with most Z-Wave smart-home hubs (we tested it as part of an Iris by Lowe’s system; Utilitech is a Lowe’s brand ). Honorable mention: LeakSmart Water Leak Detector It’s pricey, but the LeakSmart’s ability to integrate into broader smart-home systems and its relatively inexpensive optional water shutoff valve help this leak detector stand out. What sets LeakSmart’s hub-based sensor apart from others is that the company also manufactures a smart water shut-off valve ($159 at Lowe’s), which we did not test (most people would want to have that component professionally installed). Still, it’s a huge draw over other sensors that either require more elaborate valve setups or don’t offer those controls at all. Jared Newman You can pair the LeakSmart sensor with a smart shut-off valve from the same manufacturer. Aside from that perk, the LeakSmart Sensor works with both Wink and Iris by Lowe’s hubs (the latter also able to sound its own alarm, and it call you in case of emergency). This is also is one of a few options we tested that measures temperature as well as moisture. But at $69, it’s pricey for a sensor that requires a separate hub device. How we tested To measure each sensor’s effectiveness, we placed it on a bathroom tile, and then poured enough water to cover the surface of that tile. Most sensors responded immediately, though the Honeywell Lyric routinely delayed its alarm by around 30 seconds, which we noted in our full review. We measured alarm volume using the Decibel 10th app on an iPhone 6 Plus, with the microphone pointed toward the sensor from six inches away. Empirical testing aside, the Honeywell Lyric’s volume was subjectively much louder than the other sensors. We didn’t directly test integrations with other smart home devices, but inspected each companion app and the online service IFTTT for available features. We consulted manuals and product listings for battery life estimates and device dimensions. Editors’ note: This testing methodology does not apply to leak detection systems that monitor your water supply line, such as the Flo by Moen and the Sinopé Sedna . Jared Newman What to look for when shopping You might be surprised by the diverse approaches to what seems like a simple task: detecting the presence of water where it shouldn’t be. Some operate on Wi-Fi, others require a hub to communicate. Some plug into an AC outlet, others require a battery. Some come with external sensor cables and mount to the wall, others lay on the floor. Most, but not all, have onboard sirens. If the recommendations above don’t work for you, here are the specs and features you’ll want to consider when shopping for a smart home water leak detector. Hub requirements: Honeywell’s Lyric and D-Link’s sensor both operate on Wi-Fi, so you don’t need additional products to make them work. Other products, such as the Fibaro Flood Sensor and Insteon Water Leak Sensor, require a hub to connect to the internet and the apps on your phone. Jared Newman Hub-based sensors, such as this Fibaro Flood Sensor, can be integrated into broader smart-home systems. Connection protocols: If you own a hub already, you must make sure the sensor uses a compatible connection protocol. Fibaro, for instance, uses Z-Wave, which works with SmartThings and Wink hubs. Insteon sensors only work with Insteon hubs (one of which is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit technology). If you own a well-known hub such as Wink, SmartThings, or Iris by Lowe’s, you’ll likely see those names on the sensor’s box. Integrations: Some hubs, such as Wink, SmartThings, and Insteon, allow you automate actions on other devices when a leak occurs. That way, you can trigger lights, turn on cameras, or sound an alarm. (Iris by Lowe’s supports this as well, but only with a $10-per-month subscription.) Wink, SmartThings, and D-Link also support IFTTT, a service that lets you automate tasks between connected devices and services. Sensors that communicate with water valves can turn off your main water supply to stop a leak. Size and extendability: Where do you plan to put your leak sensor? If it’s a tight space, make sure the sensor is either small enough to fit, or that it offers a sensor cable to extend its reach. Built-in siren: Unless you plan to put the sensor far from where you might normally hear it, it’s helpful to have a siren onboard. That way, you’ll still get alerted at home even when the internet is down. Additional onboard sensors: Some leak sensors can also measure other environmental conditions that can lead to problems at their extremes, such as temperature (a frozen pipe can burst and cause catastrophic water damage) and humidity (excess moisture in the air can allow mold to grow). Power source: Most leak sensors are battery powered, but some, such as D-Link’s Wi-Fi Water Sensor, depend on AC power. An outlet-powered sensor with battery backup in the event of a blackout would be ideal; unfortunately, they are rare. Editor’s note: Mel Nussbaum, the owner of Water Works Plumbing in Overland Park, Kansas, emailed this useful tip for preventing water damage due to frozen pipes bursting: “If you shut off your main water service valve [you’ll] never have the issue, and two minutes of your time [will] cost you nothing. By the time you’re alerted and get someone to take action you still will incur huge damages.”

This content was originally published here.

April 10, 2019
Every Time Democrats Talk, I Want To Vote For Trump Twice

This article includes rhetorical uses of profanity.

It’s a damn shame I have to wait another 20 months to vote for President Trump. I wish I could do it now. Twice. Or better yet, in as many jurisdictions as I can. Preferably in every swing district and every swing state.

Yeah, yeah, I know — sadly, I can’t. It’s been a hell of a ride these past couple of years, and I sure hope it doesn’t end next November.

I am a middle-of-the-road Republican who voted for Trump with the utmost reluctance in 2016. He sure wasn’t perfect. He was no Cicero, either––though he can give a decent speech when the chips are down. He had a few extra skeletons rattling in his closet, especially compared to colorless non-entities like Jeb. So yeah, I was queasy about voting for an ex-registered-Democrat-from-New-York-and-possible-liberal-now-turned-Republican.

Was I worried? Hell, yeah! Was I depressed? You bet. But, really, what options were there? Hillary? Jill Stein? Seriously? Trump wasn’t my first choice or my second choice or my third choice, but by the time November 2016 rolled around, Trump was the only choice on the menu. So I swallowed hard, took a leap of faith, and pulled the lever for the Donald.

Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen Are Non-Issues For Me

And let me tell ya, every time one of these newly minted Democratic “stars” opens their mouth, the same thought goes through my mind: Thank God for Trump. Trump is my last line of defense. Trump is the only thing that stands between me and these hallucinogenic socialist nut jobs. Trump is what’s keeping chaos and left-wing insanity at bay.

Maybe I am not a gettable voter for the Democrats. Certainly not easily gettable, but had Trump turned out to be a closet Nelson Rockefeller, and the Democrats were to nominate a genuine centrist, who knows what could’ve happened? Isn’t that what politicians running for president are supposed to do––spend a few months promoting themselves as the reasonable choice, and the other guy as unacceptable?

But today, every single Democrat I can name is working overtime to make damn certain that I will pull the lever for Trump again, and with both hands this time. Trump need not worry about locking down my vote––the Democrats are doing all the heavy lifting.

Every time the Democrats and their media allies peddle yet another “end of the Trump presidency bombshell,” I laugh hysterically. If I laughed any harder, people would think I was having an epileptic seizure.

I can’t even keep track of half the revelations that were supposed to bring Trump to an ignominious end. Even the Democrats forget most of them within days. Remember Papadopoulos? Flynn? Gates? Roger Stone? Some 77-year-old guy I’ve never heard of, getting a handjob at a Florida massage parlor?

Say what? This is a Trump scandal because apparently the former massage parlor owner posed with Trump and various Republicans who know or have spoken to Trump. Who? What? Huh? Democrats don’t just own crazy anymore; Democrats left crazy in their rearview mirror months ago.

Stormy Daniels? Right. Who gives two shits about Trump’s sex life 12 years ago? But, but, “Trump paid her off! It was hush money!” you say? Yeah, okay. He probably did. Oh, hell, who are we kidding here? I am certain that he did. And I care about all this why? I can see why Melania would care, but why do I care?

Heck, I’ll go even further––it wouldn’t surprise me if Trump paid off a bunch of other women over the years. In fact, and here I am really going out on a limb, there was some reason to suspect, even before the election, that Trump hasn’t always been a faithful husband to his various wives. But, dear Democrats: I just checked my Vanguard and Fidelity account balances, and I just don’t give a squat about Trump’s sex life or his ex-mistresses or how much they cost him.

Michael who, you say? Michael Cohen? Oh, yeah, the sleazeball who took Trump’s money for years and years, and then, once his taxicab schemes and assorted other shenanigans fell apart and prison time loomed, suddenly had an epiphany about Trump? The guy who plead guilty to lying to Congress? The guy who begged Trump for a pardon? That Michael Cohen? If Democrats think Michael Cohen’s pathetic drooling before some congressional committee will change my mind, they are beyond delusional.

Sundry Scandals Don’t Bother Me Either

Trump Organization, you say? Something about possible non-compliance with New York State health insurance purchasing regulations? Congress will investigate, you say? Uh huh. I am fatigued out with these investigations. You want me to vote for some Democrat because Andrew Cuomo says Trump didn’t follow his insurance regulations? Are you people for real?

What’s that? Russia? Mueller? Collusion? I am sick of Russia and I am sick of Mueller. I am sick of Comey, Rosenstein, Ohr, McCabe, Yates, Strzok, Page, Baker, and the rest of the gang. I am beyond sick of them. I am vomit-inducingly sick of them. (And, for the record, I was born in Russia, so I know Russia like these Democrat clowns can’t even imagine.) After years of nonstop investigations, all they actually have on the collusion front is Manafort’s tax evasion from 10 years ago. That’s it?

Remember that New York Times monster 15,000-word article about Trump’s inheritance taxes 30 years ago? Ask me if I care. Jared Kushner? Next! Ivanka’s shoe line? Whatever. Trump Hotel in DC? Yawn. The Emoluments Clause? Puuuuhhhhlease. Obstruction? Here, I agree. Trump made a mistake. He should have fired Comey’s ass on day one instead of waiting two months to do it.

But then, this is all yesterday’s news. Who needs last year’s bombshells when we have today’s contestants! The Donkey Party has a new leader: someone called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Every time her bright red lips form a sentence, I hear a clarion call: Must Vote For Trump! Unlike AOC, I actually know firsthand what socialism is. I don’t need to imagine the future that AOC is trying to shove down my throat––I lived in that future and I pray I’ll never have to live in that future again.

Every time AOC proposes to build trains to Europe, or wants butt plugs for cows to control their flatulence, or wants to spend $93 trillion on fairyland, I really, really want to vote for Trump. So make Ocasio-Cortez more visible! Make Ocasio-Cortez speaker of the House! Make her the keynote speaker at the convention!

All the CNN talking heads agree that Trump is an idiot? Maybe, but at least he isn’t planning to ban my car. Trump lies? Maybe, but with Trump, we’ll still have airplanes (and my 401(k) plan has been doing great since his election).

Presidential Contenders and Congressional Nutjobs

This gets us to the next installment of “Friday the 13th,” a.k.a. the Democratic presidential candidates. Kamala Harris, you say? You seriously want me to vote for Kamala Harris? And you say that Cory “Spartacus” Booker is just like Kamala, only better and balder? Are you kidding me? Pete Buttigieg? Ask me again when I stop laughing.

Bernie? Really? This grumpy near-octogenarian “public service” millionaire with three mansions is running for the presidency of the wrong country. All his best ideas have already been put into practice––in Venezuela.

This is a guy who pseudo-honeymooned in the USSR (two years before it collapsed!), and didn’t notice that people were waiting in mile-long lines for literally everything. This is a guy who has never met a paleo-Stalinist dictator he couldn’t be best pals with. Bernie doesn’t need to pretend he is a complete crank; he is a complete crank.

I will personally call every one of my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, and beg them to vote for Trump. I will even offer to come and wash their cars while in the nude, if only they’d vote for Trump.

Did someone say Warren? Warren, the first Cherokee candidate — that Warren? Doesn’t she now want reparations not just for African-Americans, but also for Native Americans? Where, oh where, is that lever to pull for Trump?

Biden? The creepy old guy who likes to massage women and 13-year-old girls in public? That guy? I have a 19-year-old daughter, and I sure hope he never goes anywhere near her. But I do hope he runs. It feels like he’s been running for president in every election since Eisenhower. Can he lurch far enough to the left this time, to satisfy the woke police? I doubt it, but it will be fun to watch him try.

Ilhan Omar? Maybe she should run for president too. Nancy suggests that Omar is a good person who is simply too ignorant to understand what her words mean. I disagree. Omar is only saying what all the other Democrats are thinking. Yes, she is an anti-Semite. Yes, she is totally mainstream within the Democratic Party.

Throw that toxic Tlaib person into the mix, and we’ve got the triumvirate that truly runs the Democratic Party now––Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, and Tlaib. I see this nutterfest, and let me tell you, dear Democrats: I am motivated as hell. If ever given a choice (in this election or in other ones) between Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Tlaib, Pelosi, Warren, Harris, Booker, Biden, Sanders, or Trump, I will take Trump any day of the week.

I am a highly motivated Trump voter because the Democrats have motivated me up to my eyeballs. I have never been more motivated in my life, because the Democrats are terrifying me. I am locked, cocked, and ready to rock in that voting booth. I just wish I didn’t have to wait 20 months.

This content was originally published here.

April 9, 2019
Ladies Beware! Your Beauty Products Have Just Made A Deal With Planned Parenthood –

Moms beware – popular makeup lines have just brokered a deal with the devil, and even worse your dollars are paying for it. You might purchase a lipstick from the store and think nothing of it, right? But thanks to a new deal with these two massive beauty lines, your next makeup purchase may actually be going to kill unborn babies. Most of us would never dream of donating money to organizations like Planned Parenthood who are blatantly pro-abortion. After all, why would pro-lifers want to spend money helping abortionists kill more unborn babies? But what you may not know is two makeup companies, Benefit and M∙A∙C have committed to raising millions for Planned Parenthood off their cosmetic sales. Which means a young girl may be purchasing an eyeshadow not knowing her contribution is going to line the financial coffers of Planned Parenthood. The partnership is being touted as helping “women and girls healthcare” when nothing could be further from the truth. The goal of the staff at Benefit and M∙A∙C is to promote Planned Parenthood and raise money for the abortion provider. And pro-lifers everywhere know, Planned Parenthood is not pro-women – they are pro-abortion. Boasting in their status and ability to help Planned Parenthood, Nancy Mahon, the global executive director of the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund told Refinery 29 : “We’re a big, really successful cosmetic company, so we hope that the fact that we care about the issue will attract corporate donors to Planned Parenthood, and make it known that it’s not scary to do this.” Yet again, mainstream companies are trying to make abortion seem “cool” to teenagers, at the same time working behind the scenes to attract “corporate donors.” Planned Parenthood’s CEO Leana Wen was delighted to promote the fact that makeup lines were on board with supporting Planned Parenthood. In a statement on Planned Parenthood’s website, Wen wrote: “We’re so grateful for the generous support of Benefit Cosmetics and M∙A∙C Cosmetics, which will help us continue to provide millions of people with the health care, information, and education they need to be empowered to lead strong, healthy lives,” said Dr. Leana Wen, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We know that people stand with Planned Parenthood because they and their loved ones have relied on us for health care and education. Planned Parenthood is inspired by these two global beauty brands standing proudly and publicly with us to declare that sexual and reproductive health care is health care, and health care is a human right.” There are plenty of other makeup lines women and teenage girls can purchase their beauty products from instead of supporting Benefit and M∙A∙C who are helping to raise funds to murder more unborn babies. We know Planned Parenthood continues to deceive women and girls by pretending to be “pro-life” and “pro-women”. This latest partnership is another marketing trend designed to make young girls think their purchase is going towards something good. But as consumers, we can simply choose to spend our hard-earned dollars elsewhere. No sparkly shadow is worth helping fund the slaughter of unborn babies. What are your thoughts on purchases being used to fund abortions? Do you plan to boycott buying makeup items from these companies as long as they support Planned Parenthood? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. And to stay current on the latest Mommy Underground stories, follow us on Facebook and be sure to like and share our posts!

This content was originally published here.

April 9, 2019
This Canadian clothing brand found a brilliant way to undermine the symbolism of the MAGA hat

A powerful new advocacy video repurposes the Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat to tell the stories of immigrants and refugees — and to welcome them to Canada, Ad Week reports. “For many immigrants, refugees and other people of color already established in America, the deceptively plain-looking MAGA hat represents an ideology that could cost them their security, their health and their lives,” Ad Week observes. The ad agency Zulu Alpha Kilo and Canadian lifestyle …

This content was originally published here.

April 9, 2019