Issue #9 May 15, 2007

This is a one hundred percent opt-in newsletter with a two hundred percent anti-spam policy. You or someone using your name and email address signed up to receive this newsletter. We publish twice monthly and welcome all opinions, critiques, and topical articles.

In the last issue...

I offered a rebate to subscribers who bought my Short Takes© program. In sending out notification of rebate, I received this:

I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.

If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.

Click the link below to fill out the request: (an earthlink address)

in response to my email notification. Spam has forced many changes into our online lives. The above is just one example. I generally don't respond to such messages because the terms and services (TOS) of companies running such "spam protection services" are onerous on the email sender.

In this case, me. I was the sender. But since it was from earthlink, my other email provider, I shrugged and clicked their link. What did I get in return?

An error message. A stinking error message. So, even a giant like earthlink has its own set of problems/issues.

I don't use this kind of service because most have proven to be not reliable, dictatorial and rude. While I don't like it and wish there was an easy answer, I still use the delete key. Works every time.

I am not telling anyone to, or not to, use such a service. I'm saying there are a few of us out here who will do what we say we will do but won't jump through the above hoops. If I promise a rebate, you get it. I will continue to send out notifications to the email address you give me but if they get blocked because of your "spam protection service" then the only notification you will receive (hopefully) will be from paypal.

I say hopefully because even good ole paypal has failed to notify me of money received. Holy cow spider man, money received. So, w/o me getting into a rant of biblical proportions suffice it to say, you will get your rebate and it is up to you to check your paypal account.

A trans fat alert...

or at least a heads up. The following paragraph was the lead paragraph in a health oriented newsletter I receive:

"While shopping the other day I checked the ingredients label on a bottle of mixed black and red pepper. (I'm allergic to garlic, so I have to check labels to make sure it's not hidden in the mix.) What WAS hidden in with the pepper came as a shock: partially hydrogenated oil. In other words: trans-fats! I expect to see the word "hydrogenated" on packaging for baked goods, crackers, chips, etc. - but ground pepper?"

I realize there is a pro and con argument about trans fats but because I am a believer trans fats aren't worth a hoot, I thought I'd post the above paragraph as a reminder to please READ the label. Those of you allergic/reactive to MSG can vouch for my bit of expressed logic, right?

The scammers are even preying...

on Medicare recipients. It seems some bill collectors have been contacting some seniors saying that Medicare claims from years past have been denied making the senior(s) liable for the payment.

Sometimes it isn't a scam and indeed the claim was denied. You are protected in both instances because you can always demand a copy of the Medicare denial letter/form. A scammer won't have one so you won't hear from him again.

On the other hand, an agency with a real denial letter will send you a copy. Because denials are a complicated mess, don't just send the collector the face amount.

Call 1-800-633-4227 and ask for help in deciphering/interpreting the denial. Chances are excellent the hospital or billing agent screwed up. If it is an old bill, the statute of limitations probably has run out. This means you don't owe the money at all.

In any event, DO NOT send any collector any money. Do your detective work first.

Phytonutrients protect plants...

against the elements and may protect humans against cancer. One such phytonutrient is quercetin and is found in most fruits and vegetables, especially apples and cranberrires.

This little jewel, if science can actually prove it, has protective capability against breast, colon, liver, lung and ovarian cancers. To boot, it acts as an antioxidant.

The old adage, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be more accurate than we think, ey?

I was looking at a...

weight loss pamphlet the other day and read:

"Eating and other lifestyle behaviors have been learned; (their emphasis) therefore, they can be replaced or changed. (their emphasis)"

If one believes this statement, one should be able to make any change one desires in one's life sans excuses. In fact, if one believes the above statement, nothing else needs to be said, right?