How to Compete With the NRA
The primary reason the NRA is so successful at keeping guns, rifles, assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in so many people’s hands is because they are organized and well-funded. The foundation of the organization is the NRA itself – a non-profit 501 (c) (4) that has a reported 5 million members who pay about $40 annually each. This is key (a 501 (c) (4) cannot accept tax deductible contributions (although they can accept contributions that are NOT tax deductible) so the NRA focuses on membership).
The NRA holds fundraisers, and is affiliated with four non-profit 501 (c) (3)’s – NRA Foundation, NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, NRA Special Contributions Fund, NRA Freedom Action Foundation – all of whom can collect tax deductible donations and use these funds to support firearm organizations, educate the public, and provide legal assistance. The NRA is also affiliated with a PAC (NRA Political Victory Fund) which contributes to political organizations and candidates. Read more 
Core Granola
Most granola contains added oil and sweeteners so it’s really important to read the label to know what’s in the food you’re eating. At the top of the list of ingredients to avoid are refined sugars and oils with saturated fat (note: there are two types of fat: saturated and unsaturated and within unsaturated there are two subgroups: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated). Unsaturated fats – both poly (i.e. sunflower oil, safflower oil, nuts and seeds) and mono (i.e. olive oil, walnut oil, canola oil, peanut butter) – are a better choice in moderation than saturated fats (i.e. butter, palm oil). Read more
How The Donald Beat the FAA
Back in 1985, Donald Trump (“The Donald”) purchased Mar-a-Lago, the Marjorie Merriweather estate (a 110,000 square foot National Historic Landmark on 17 acres of land that span from the ocean to the intracoastal in Palm Beach) for $8 million (about $18 million in today’s dollars). He renovated the estate and turned the property into a private club in 1995 (requiring a $25,000 initiation fee which has since been raised to $200,000), although he maintains private living quarters on the property for he and his family. Ironically, the initial initiation fee was a bargain (the buying power of $25,000 in 1985 is $40,000 in 2017 dollars) compared to the cost to join in 2017. Read more
Mountain Dew? Doritos? In a Hospital?
Recently, I spent several hours at the JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida where a friend was being treated. The waiting room was filled with family and friends who had very few options while waiting for news of their loved ones. In one corner of the room was a coffee maker and a basket full of Otis Spunkmeyer Blueberry Muffins (which earned a D+ from www.caloriecount.com for its 19 grams of sugar, 9 grams of fat, and 270 mg of sodium) while in the other corner were two vending machines. Read more
Ma’ale Adumim Is Not In Israel
We didn’t steal the land from anybody. It was built on empty hills. You can see there – the desert, rocks and sand. Now you have a living city. ~ Benny Kashriel, Mayor of Ma’ale Adumim
Ma’ale Adumim is an Israeli settlement in the West Bank built on a parcel of land that was seized from Jordan in 1967. Established in 1975, Ma’ale Adumim was given official status as an Israeli settlement in 1977 by Israel’s Prime Minister at the time, Menachem Begin although the settlement has not been recognized by Jordan or the rest of the world because the settlement is built on land that doesn’t belong to Israel. Read more
GoAvo®
GoAvo® is a delicious avocado based condiment and egg-less mayonnaise alternative that is creamy, tasty, environmental friendlier, and just plain avocado-ier. So, if you love the flavor of avocados, this new spread is for you.
Made with minimal ingredients, GoAvo® contains 85% avocados blended with grapeseed oil, white wine vinegar, organic lemon juice, organic cane sugar, sunflower lecithin, sea salt and natural flavorings depending on the variety. Read more
Executive Salaries at St. Jude’s
When people think of St. Jude’s, they often think of a children’s hospital but St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:
- ALSAC – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (ALSAC)
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (Hospital)
ALSAC stands for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities and “exists for the sole purpose of raising funds and building awareness to support the current and future needs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc.” However, ALSAC only gives 50 cents of every dollar raised to the Hospital (based on the IRS Form 990’s). The other 50 cents is spent on supporting the fundraising organization – (about 29 cents of every dollar) while the remainder (21 cents of every dollar) is placed in the ALSAC fund balance which totaled more than $3.4 billion (net), concentrated in cash and securities as of June 30, 2015. Read more
Tagliatelle with Tomatoes and Tuscan Kale Pesto
When it comes to Italian food, there is one label that can always be trusted: Seggiano. Imported from Italy, Seggiano products include olive oil, balsamic vinegar, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, crackers, pasta, flatbread, olives, panforte, sauces, and pesto – all of which are categorically referred to as “Real Food From Italy.”
Made with real ingredients (non-GMO) without artificial ingredients and preservatives, Seggiano food products set a standard for prepared food that is hard to match even in your own kitchen (they grow the olives used to make the olive oil) so don’t feel guilty about buying a prepared food because next to homemade, Seggiano is best. Read more
Zesty Z™
Zesty Z™ is a new Mediterranean spread AND condiment made with za’atar (dried, wild Mediterranean thyme), extra virgin olive oil, and a variety of herbs and spices. All natural, gluten-free, and vegan, Zesty Z™ is versatile and delicious. Drizzle on hummus, avocado toast, cornbread, or bruschetta, blend a small spoonful on grilled vegetables or your favorite side dish, or spread a teaspoon or two on a wrap, panini, or focaccia. Read more
Is the NRA a Good Ol’ Boys Club?
The NRA (National Rifle Association of America) calls itself “America’s longest-standing civil rights organization.” By most definitions, civil rights refer to a “class of rights to protect individuals’ freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the society and state without discrimination or repression.”* So, it only seems natural to look at the people – the officers, directors, and key employees – and the composition of the management of “America’s longest-standing civil rights organization” to see if this organization sets the standards for upholding civil rights in America. Read more
Paddock Post 