Felow readers of the forum...

I sincerely apoligize for my taking up band width. But it seems to me. That we as a people, must, in our stricing to survive. Note that we are not of the same skin tone...

We are Americans! I cannot uderscore that pharse any more than I have. We bleed the same... I do not care for Marus's view point! I care for we" The people..."

I am old now..Not by chronilogical age..But it seems tht I must take an Abestos-silcontious(sp) test next week...This I will not pass. I know when I was exposed, the year and the month. And what contractor. But dry not for me...Cry for our country! I do. I cry that we have not learned that we . as a ation. We as a people. Have not learned that "we are our only friends"...

I sit here tonight, surveying all that has come to my posting(s). And I do not see...Just one thing. Just one. That our world belongs to our children. And it is up to us, as parents. No matter how it urks us personally. To acept our children's choices for ther pick of life mates..

I acept...I hope and pray for the aceptable, for me. Decision. To "close" the back door on any Brigands who would harm them! But also...I hope and pry that we all... Remember that we are AMERICANS!

When the day comes...Make them pay for our children! Make them pay!

"As for me....I shall finish the Game"!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shakey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-- Shakey (in_a_bunker@forty.feet), February 25, 2000

Answers

Shakey,

You, you Shakey the man, honor the memory of your heroic friend. What is right about America is because of people like you. If you would like to talk, our email is real. Just drop me or Steve a line, we will be happy to call you.

-- Susan (susan@steveheller.com), February 25, 2000.

You're among friends Shakey. Keep walking the good walk and we'll walk over the bumps together. Together is the operative word here.

-- m (discovery@shields.up), February 25, 2000.

shaky the consititution is survived by real man and women who know their rights. Teach your children how not to be enslaved, a battery for the matrix. Were not in Kansas any more since 1933. A Corporation is not a lawfull nation it has no heart, no soul. Follow the money trail to find out who is tring to unlawfully be King

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), February 25, 2000.

Shakey,

Actually, you might "pass" your asbestosis test. Most of the people who are debilitated from asbestos were in shipbuilding/boiler work who were exposed to high levels of asbestos for years. Smoking added exponentially to the cancer risk from this.

If you only had a brief exposure, you may not have had enough exposure to cause much harm. (Of course, theoretically even one properly damaged cell could cause a malignancy, it's just not likely). Most of the trouble from asbestosis is the body tries to "digest" the filaments and can't, but ends up digesting the cells around it instead. As the fiber is still there, the process repeats. As you have a large lung reserve, for mild exposure most people never miss the small amount of lung destroyed. The big problem is with massive doses as would be received in chronic exposure AND ESPECIALLY in people who have destroyed their lungs by smoking.

Also, there are I believe 6 minerals commonly lumped as asbestos. Amosite is needle-like, used in insulation, and more likely to be problematic. Chrysotile is hair-like and used in sprayed ceilings, etc. Less likely to "stick" in lungs though. Don't remember the spelling of the third, but something like "chrysidolite", it's mainly used in lab benches, etc. and doesn't pose any hazard unless sanded. The other 3 forms aren't (weren't) used commercially. This is only important in that if your exposure was residential and mainly chrysotile, your "risk" of damage should be lower than if all your exposure was to amosite.

NEVER make important decisions based on information you read on the internet, but talk to a qualified professional :)

Good luck from an uneducated but sometimes well read J6P,

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), February 25, 2000.

Shakey

The color on the outside doesn't matter. If your Red, White and Blue on the inside, I'm with you. Don't let our country become divided along artificial lines. Being a real American is a code of conduct. And it starts with watching out for the rights of your fellow Americans.

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.2all), February 25, 2000.

Eyes Open: What is six that it should be watched. I really am interested so I can watch. Thanks Shakey: do you live in Montana. We have that problem of asbestos here in Libby, Montana. I hope your tests turn out good for you. i will be praying for you.

-- Gay Boling (wilber@montanasky.net), February 25, 2000.

GB

It means watch your back, basically.

Keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.2all), February 25, 2000.

Thanks eyes open , that's something I suppose people should always do, especially in these uncertain times.

-- Gay Boling (wilber@montanasky.net), February 25, 2000.

Frank .... Thanks for the tip on the Chrysotile . That's what is causing my asbestosis of the left lung, mainly. It's getting worse , but there is little I can do , now that a doctor has confirmed it.

Worked in the Danbury ,CT school system for twenty years . Another science teacher really blew up a volcano in a demonstration , when he failed to dilute the concentrated sulfuric acid . Burned hole in kids books, and burned the paint of some of the blinds , but NOTHING happened to the ceiling tile right in front of my desk !

After years of wondering why , I had the microscopes AND the Bunsen Burners out for an afternoon lab , so I decided to make test on a material that was impervious to concentrated sulfuric acid . Took samples of said tile , held peice in Bunsen Burner blue cone ( 1300F). It turned red , with NO smoke , and NOTHING lost in the process. I then took fibers of real asbestos from an old wire gause/asbestos pad and put them under 440 power of the microscop . Looked EXACTLY like the fibers from the ceiling tile ( including the little fishhook like barb that sticks out of each one ) , only just a little longer.

I wrote four letters to the new principl about the problem . Nothing happened . Finally , after I tried to tell the other teachers after a regular meeting ( always allowed for when info pertained to all ) , I was shut up before I could get 10 words out . " Go into my office ," he growled . Then things began to happen !

First a state employee (?) came to my room to take samples for " testing ". After about 20 days , the principle had me in his office to show me a letter from the then superintendent of schools , Irene Lober. It said " of the samples taken , NO asbestos was seen ." Fine, I said . Then asked to be shown the state lab report . Said the same thing , BUT it was dated NINE days AFTER her letter ! Oh, that ? Just a typo .

Starting in the fall , one accusation after another was made . This to a teacher who had NEVER had any threat of disiplinary charges in 19 years . When I refuted each charge , there was no rebuttal . Just a new letter in my mailbox the next day with a new charge ; Insubordination : you were 2 minutes late to the scheduled teacher meeting . More than half the teachers were not there when I came , but NONE received such a letter . I held out for five months . Other teachers were afraid to talk to me . Then ALL disiplinary backup control was withdrawn in February , and any problem was mine to explain to vice principles I had know 19 years , AND I was lectured on how I should change my proceedures , what and how I should teach .

As I could no longer sleep nights , didn't want to go to school anymore for new rounds of charges , and had been presented to a an assistant superintendent who believed all charges , but reviewed none , I took early retirement . Eight years later , all the tile were removed during summer recess , and buried under the Danbury Town Dump . However , the dump caught fire ; burned on and on , especially underneath . They meerly put more truckloads of dirt on it , while people living in the area could not keep their windows open hot summer nights , the smell overpowering . Some sold ; others threatened legal action, and business in the area suffered . After many months , the fire finally burned itself out . I know why they refused to dig up the dump . EPA would have been present , and uncovered all that asbestos tile illegially disposed of for fear of lawsuits by teachers and now grown children .

Bye the way , the principle , Christman , was gotten rid of by the very teachers who failed to understanmd why this man wanted " No waves". He expected to go from his position in two years to the superintendents job , as he was chummy with her AND knew she intended to leave then. He only lasted 8 months longer than I , but it's little consulation to be away from the world you knew and loved . They fired him in the middle of October , same year.

Stand up for what you know is the truth . Find out everyone treats you as a lepper AND you end up with the lowest ( 20 year ) retirement money . But then , I like beans ! I HAVE too !! Eagle

P.S. The local newspaper would not touch the story ; they are part of the political system , I found out .

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@FREEWWWEB.COM), February 25, 2000.

Hal

I find it disgraceful that your coworkers stood by and let that happen. I try to tell myself that you were cast as the odd man out to them, but it's difficult to swallow.

Thanks for fighting the good fight. I wish there was something I could do to help you out. You deserve it.

You already know enough to watch your six by now.

Keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.2all), February 25, 2000.

eyes .... I was the first on his " hit " list . When he drove out two beloved guidance councelors , the remainder could see anyone could be next , especially if they were at the top of their earning potential . He wanted to fire one ,pay half as much for new teacher AND impress the board of ed that he should be annointed one for superintendent of the system. The science deptment head only came to one meeting , asked one question , and left me swinging in the breeze . So much for Dambury Ed Assoc. AND the NEA . Pay your dues ... pay the piper too ! Eagle

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@FREEWWWEB.COM), February 25, 2000.

Shakey, you said,

"Frank .... Thanks for the tip on the Chrysotile . That's what is causing my asbestosis of the left lung, mainly. It's getting worse , but there is little I can do, now that a doctor has confirmed it. "

Actually, this worries me a bit. I've always thought asbestosis would affect BOTH lungs about equally, as there's no real reason (outside of some individual difference) for one lung to be affected more than the other. If there's only a problem in ONE lung, I'd be sort of worried about a tumor in one of the bronchi, and (were I in your shoes) would like a pulmonary doc to make *sure* that it really was from asbestosis, and not something else that could be removed before calling it a day.

But then as I've said before,

"NEVER make important decisions based on information you read on the internet, but talk to a qualified professional :)

Good luck from an uneducated but sometimes well read J6P,"

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), February 26, 2000.

Thanks , someone .... It has started in the other lung , gradually . But for some reason , the left started about 7 years ago ; right came on in '99 . At 72 , I probably don't have that much time anyway . NEVER smoked . Always ate a good diet .

Reminds me of my wife . Kept her new car in perfect condition . Then an illegial , can't speak the language , NO licence South American comes over the line and hits her head on ! He's still loose after 4 months and my wife, after two months in hospital/convalesent home, can barely walk . No end of hospital bills and pain . BUT , all the preps I made NOW come in handy , as they is little to buy . Have a nice weekend . Eagle

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@FREEWWWEB.COM), February 26, 2000.

Shakey:

Very sorry to hear about your lung problems.

However, I must point out that on the internet people are NOT necessarily from the U.S.

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.com), February 26, 2000.