by Paul Craig Roberts‚ Paul Craig Roberts: Former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn “was undone” by being accused of antisemitism.  Ask yourself why anyone should be ruined by such a meaningless accusation. To be an anti-semite all you have to do is to make a criticism‚ no matter how small or how legitimate‚ of any […]

The post What side would you be on? appeared first on The Funny Conservative.

The post Look closely for an important message appeared first on The Funny Conservative.

You may not have heard of his name or even be able to pronounce it in one try‚ but you’ve surely heard his voice.  Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay) was the voice behind the popular medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”Israel was large. He struggled with obesity all his life like several of his family members. Though he knew that he didn’t have long to live‚ his musical legacy continues to this day. Israel was over 700 pounds when he passed. KamakawiwoÊ»ole in 1993 The Voice of Hawaii Music had always been a part of Israel’s life. He was born on May 20‚ 1959‚ in Honolulu to Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwo’ole Jr.‚ a nightclub bouncer‚ and Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo’ole‚ a nightclub manager.  Israel‚ also known as Bruddah Iz or simply Iz‚ was the nephew of musician and ukulele virtuoso Moe Keale. Israel credited Moe as a major musical influence.  His older brother‚ Henry Kaleialoha Naniwa Kamakawiwo’ole III also known as Skippy‚ and cousin‚ Allen Thornton‚ have been playing music together since they were kids. It has been said that the room went silent whenever Israel started to sing.  Critics had described Israel’s voice as heavenly‚ soulful‚ silky‚ and other similar adjectives that relate to tenderness.  During his teens‚ Israel‚ Skippy‚ and three others formed the band Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau. The band continues to make music today as Makaha Sons with founding member Jerome Koko and two others. The band plays traditional Hawaiian and contemporary music.  It was always Israel’s goal to popularize traditional Hawaiian music nationwide. In his short lifetime‚ the singer and ukulele player achieved just that. It was thus apt for NPR music to dub Israel’s vocals as the Voice of Hawaii.  ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau was considered Hawaii’s most popular traditional group. It released at least eight albums with Israel. Israel recorded his last album with the band‚ Ho’oluana‚ in 1991. It is the band’s top-selling CD.  In 1990‚ Israel released his debut album as a solo artist‚ Ka ‘Ano’i‚ which won multiple Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Awards. But it was his second album‚ Facing Future‚ released in 1993‚ that put Israel on the map.  Photo from Universal Music It featured his most famous hit‚ the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” medley. The album also featured some of Israel’s biggest hits:  Hawai’i ‘78 White Sandy Beach Maui Hawaiian Sup’pa Man Kaulana Kawaihae “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was a late addition to the album‚ although it was recorded as early as 1988.  Milan Bertosa‚ one of the most popular Hawaiian producers and music engineers‚ recalled to NPR Music how he got a call at 3 a.m. because someone wanted to record music. He was about to close the recording studio but the caller was insistent and he eventually gave in.  Bertosa recounted how 15 minutes later‚ the “largest human being” went inside the recording studio. At 6 feet 2 inches tall‚ people often had to scramble to find a chair that was big and sturdy enough for Israel.  “Then I put up some microphones‚ do a quick sound check‚ roll tape‚ and the first thing he does is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He played and sang‚ one take‚ and it was over‚” Bertosa‚ who died on January 1‚ 2023‚ said.  A copy was made for Israel while Bertosa kept the original recording which he would often play for family and friends during special occasions.  As fate would have it in 1993‚ Bertosa worked as an engineer for Mountain Apple Company‚ a Hawaii-based recording studio. As Israel was recording his album at their studio‚ Bertosa told the producer about the singer’s 1998 recording.  The song was included in the Facing Future album‚ which remains the best-selling Hawaiian album of all time.  Israel’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is the most requested version of the song worldwide. Zoomers and Millennials may not even be familiar with the original version anymore.  The song was originally known as “Over the Rainbow” and was sung by Judy Garland for the movie The Wizard of Oz in 1939. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song that year.  Israel’s version has been used in many films and TV shows‚ including: E.R. (1994-2009) Meet Joe Black (1998) Charmed (1998-2006) Finding Forrester (2000) Cold Case (2003-2010) 50 First Dates (2004) Fred Claus (2007) Glee (2009-2015) In 2020‚ the Library of Congress chose to preserve the song in the National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance.  By the time Facing Future was released‚ Israel had already been in and out of the hospital.  Health Issues and Death Shortly after recording his biggest hit and way before it was released‚ Israel suffered a heart attack.  The year 1982 was a bittersweet one for the Hawaiian-born singer. It was the year his brother Skippy died of a heart attack from complications related to his obesity. Later that year‚ Israel married his childhood sweetheart Marlene. A year later‚ their daughter Ceslie-Ann was born.  Many members of the Kamakawiwo’ole family had obesity-related health issues. But Israel didn’t stop performing because his health was failing. He would often bring oxygen cylinders to his performances. He also had difficulty walking in the last few years of his life.  A bust of Israel “Iz” KamakawiwoÊ»ole on Oahu Israel died on June 26‚ 1997‚ from respiratory failure due to obesity at the age of 38. He was so loved that the Hawaiian flag flew at half-mast on the day of his funeral on July 10. The funeral took place at the state capitol building‚ an honor commonly bestowed on public officials. Israel was the first non-government official to receive such a distinction. Some 10‚000 people attended his funeral. After his body was cremated‚ his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12‚ 1997.  Many people jumped into the water to catch a final glimpse of their idol. They weren’t mourning but celebrating the life of one of the greatest Hawaiian musicians of all time.  Today‚ people can pay respects to the artist at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center in O’ahu where a bronze bust of Israel stands.  Conclusion Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was a sizable man whose influence continues to loom large. He made traditional Hawaiian music popular across the world with his unforgettable rendition of a classic. The post Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A Voice Larger Than Life first appeared on History Defined.

There was a time when only men could receive formal education‚ even in matters like obstetrics and gynecology.  Though women had more firsthand experience in childbirth‚ the male perspective always prevailed. However‚ that changed when Justine Siegemund proved herself in the field of midwifery and became an irrefutable authority on the subject.  Justine wrote The Court Midwife in 1690. The book is said to be the first medical book written from the perspective of women in Germany. Drawn portrait of Justine Siegemund‚ 1833 Who Is Justine Siegemund? Justine was a German-Silesian midwife. She was born in Rhonstock‚ Lower Silesia (now Roztoka‚ Poland) on December 26‚ 1636‚ to a Lutheran minister‚ Elias Diettrich. There are no records about her mother.  Formal education for women was neither widespread nor mandatory at the time. So‚ Elias took it upon himself to teach his daughter how to read and write. He died when Justine was only 14 years old.  In 1655‚ she married an accountant‚ Christian Siegemund. They were together for 42 years but remained childless which was quite uncommon at that time. However‚ Justine welcomed thousands of babies as a midwife.  Her published volume‚ The Court Midwife‚ also helped women from the same profession deliver babies around the world safely and more effectively.  According to reports‚ Justine suffered from uterine prolapse when she was just 20 years old. Because of the lack of information at that time‚ the disease was misdiagnosed.  Though women with prolapsed uteruses can get pregnant‚ the condition and the pregnancy have to be carefully monitored. Doctors today usually recommend treating uterine prolapse first before getting pregnant.  A few midwives tried to treat Justine’s prolapsed uterus because they all thought she was pregnant. However‚ there was no sure way of determining whether a person was pregnant at that time since there was no pregnancy test. In addition‚ the absence of a menstrual period doesn’t always mean pregnancy.  The painful experience prompted Justine to learn more about obstetrics. While studying‚ she applied what she learned by providing free services to poor women in her community. She quickly gained recognition until even noble and royal families called on Justine for her services.  Persecution From Men Midwifery wasn’t a new profession by the time Justine began practicing. However‚ the new information she provided rankled men‚ especially those from the medical field. Male physicians‚ in particular‚ accused Justine of unsafe birthing practices.  Interestingly‚ midwifery is one of the few professions where women were celebrated in the early ages. According to the International Confederation of Midwives‚ the profession existed as early as the Paleolithic Era. Between 3500 BCE and 300 BCE‚ midwifery was an acknowledged and paid profession in the Egyptian and Greco-Roman civilizations.  However‚ during the Common Era‚ particularly during the High Middle Ages‚ midwives were classified as healers and‚ therefore‚ considered heretics and witches. Hence‚ midwives were forced to hide or deny their profession. Despite being deemed illegal‚ the occupation thrived because women trusted other women to handle their childbirth.  The same sentiment helped Justine’s career. Despite misogynist attacks and unsafe birthing accusations‚ Justine continued her work because women needed it. Eventually‚ her effort‚ knowledge‚ and skills were recognized.  By 1683‚ Justine received the official position of City Midwife of Liegnitz.  The Court Midwife Her midwifery career had blossomed to such a point that even royals from all over Europe had heard of her knowledge and abilities.  One of them was Mary II of Orange‚ who eventually became queen of England‚ Scotland‚ and Ireland from 1689 to 1694. Mary II failed to produce an heir with King William III after 17 years of marriage.  Though she had not witnessed Justine’s skills‚ Mary II was still impressed with Justine. Hence‚ the Princess of Orange encouraged her to write a midwifery guide. At that point‚ the profession was merely an oral convention rather than a formal field of study.  Justine Siegemund portrait from The Court Midwife‚ 1741 In Germany where Justine practiced‚ there was no standard method for dealing with pregnancy‚ childbirth‚ and postpartum. All medical texts were written by men.  In 1690‚ Justine published The Court Midwife. Through the manual‚ Justine became the spokesperson for the art of midwifery. It was an easy-to-read technical manuscript that included illustrations.  While many were impressed with her midwifery skills‚ no one would sponsor the publication of her book. So‚ Justine self-published her work. She incorporated anatomical engravings made by Dutch physicians Regnier de Graaf and Govard Bidloo.  Justine demonstrated‚ through the text‚ how to handle possible complications of childbirth.  Shoulder Presentation A shoulder presentation is a complication in childbirth where the shoulder‚ trunk‚ or arm comes out first instead of the head. Today‚ such a case would lead to a Caesarian birth which was uncommon during the Renaissance.  Shoulder presentation could lead to the death of the mother and the child. So Justine illustrated how to help mothers deliver babies safely with a two-handed intervention that would help rotate the baby. Placenta Previa More common than the shoulder presentation is placenta previa. It happens in one out of 200 pregnancies. It is characterized by the placenta extending to the lower part of the womb and covering a major part of the cervix opening.  Justine and French physician Francois Mauriceau discussed in detail how to puncture the amniotic sac to address the ensuing hemorrhage. Justine Siegemund’s Last Years Eventually‚ Frederick William‚ who later became the King of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg‚ appointed Justine as the Court Midwife in Berlin in 1701.  She died in 1705 at 68 years old. By that time‚ it was reported that she delivered over 6‚200 babies during her 48-year midwifery career. Conclusion Midwives have been around for thousands of years and the profession continues to thrive despite advances in technology. There have been many changes in the practice since the early years.  But Justine Siegemund played a vital role in making midwifery and childbirth safer when she introduced standards and techniques through her book The Court Midwife.  Though she never had children of her own‚ her unmistakable legacy endures even centuries later.The post Justine Siegemund: The Mother of Obstetrics and Midwifery first appeared on History Defined.

Photo: Alamy Hundreds of energized college students at the University of Arizona this week chanted “WE WANT TRUMP” along with the rapper Lil Pump during a performance that reportedly took… The post Rapper leads Arizona college students in ‘WE WANT TRUMP’ chant first appeared on Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN).

Photo: Alamy President Donald Trump is leading big time in the great state of Texas‚ eclipsing all other prospective GOP presidential candidates by dozens of points‚ new polling data has… The post Trump leads BIG TIME in the Lone Star State ahead of Sunday visit first appeared on Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN).

The winner is easy to use‚ gives clear and accurate readings‚ and is impossibly cute. READ MORE...

Plus‚ seven more strategies to combat runny gravy. READ MORE...