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polly7
polly7's Journal
polly7's Journal
April 3, 2013
Yes, Antibiotic-Resistant Bugs Can Jump from Animals to Humans
—By Tom Philpott| Wed Apr. 3, 2013 3:00 AM PDT
For decades, the meat industry has denied any problem with its reliance on routine, everyday antibiotic use for the nation's chickens, cows, and pigs. But it's a bit like a drunk denying an alcohol problem while leaning on a barstool for support. Antibiotic use on livestock farms has surged in recent years—from 20 million pounds annually in 2003 to nearly 30 million pounds in 2011.
Over the same period, the entire US human population has consumed less than 8 million pounds per year, meaning that livestock farms now suck in around 80 percent of the antibiotics consumed in the United States. Meanwhile, the industry routinely churns out meat containing an array of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
As former FDA commissioner David A. Kessler recently put it in a New York Times op-ed, "rather than healing sick animals, these drugs are often fed to animals at low levels to make them grow faster and to suppress diseases that arise because they live in dangerously close quarters on top of one another's waste." And feeding antibiotics to livestock at low levels may "do the most harm," Kessler continued, because it provides a perfect incubation ground for the generation of antibiotic-resistant microbes.
The meat industry's retort to all of this is, essentially: And the problem is? The websites of the major industry trade groups—the American Meat Institute, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council—all insist current antibiotic practices are "safe." The main reason they can claim this with a straight face is that while scientists have long suspected that drug-resistant pathogens can jump from antibiotic-treated animals to humans, it's been notoriously difficult to prove. The obstacle is ethics: You wouldn't want to extract, say, antibiotic-resistant salmonella from a turkey and inject it into a person just to see what happens. The risk of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention politely calls "treatment failure," i.e., death, would be too great.
Full Article: http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/04/study-confirms-antibiotic-resistant-bugs-jump-animals-humans
Gene Sequencing Pinpoints Antibiotic Resistance Moving From Livestock to Humans
BY MARYN MCKENNA03.28.134:12 PM
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/ag-drugs-proof/#more-153038
April 3, 2013
Kind of interesting for anyone following the NHL
Interactive 2013 NHL Trade Tracker
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/2012-2013-nhl-trade-tracker/article549475/Kind of interesting for anyone following the NHL
April 3, 2013
Ok, I'm just wondering why this hasn't been included all along. [IMG]
[/IMG]
When something is barbaric, call it barbaric
GLOBE EDITORIAL: FIRST TAKE
When something is barbaric, call it barbaric
The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 9:16 AM EDT
Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 10:20 AM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/when-something-is-barbaric-call-it-barbaric/article10713368/
Jason Kenney, the federal immigration minister, deserves congratulations for releasing an updated guide for newcomers that refers to certain unacceptable cultural practices as “barbaric.” Those practices include any that “tolerate spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence.” The term “barbaric” is strong, but it leaves no room for misinterpretation. That is the most important issue here.
There is no question that some will be offended by “barbaric” and its connotations of primitive cultures and a lack of sophistication. It is a provocative adjective to use in reference to another culture, especially in Canada, where it does not quite fit with our self-image of a multicultural, all-accepting country that embraces other peoples with open arms.
But there are three overriding points that justify the term’s use. One, the most obvious, is that honour killings, spousal abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage are unjustifiable and savagely brutal acts that have no place in Canada. Mr. Kenney is absolutely right about that.
Secondly, these sorts of gender-based cruelties have no place in any country, and Canada is sending a strong message about it. Gender equality is a basic human right, and countries that embrace it as such tend to fare better economically than those that don’t. Not that a basic human right needs economic justification, but Canada is a prosperous and safe place to live, and its attitudes about the rights of women and girls are a critical part of that success.
There is no question that some will be offended by “barbaric” and its connotations of primitive cultures and a lack of sophistication. It is a provocative adjective to use in reference to another culture, especially in Canada, where it does not quite fit with our self-image of a multicultural, all-accepting country that embraces other peoples with open arms.
But there are three overriding points that justify the term’s use. One, the most obvious, is that honour killings, spousal abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage are unjustifiable and savagely brutal acts that have no place in Canada. Mr. Kenney is absolutely right about that.
Secondly, these sorts of gender-based cruelties have no place in any country, and Canada is sending a strong message about it. Gender equality is a basic human right, and countries that embrace it as such tend to fare better economically than those that don’t. Not that a basic human right needs economic justification, but Canada is a prosperous and safe place to live, and its attitudes about the rights of women and girls are a critical part of that success.
Ok, I'm just wondering why this hasn't been included all along. [IMG]
[/IMG]
April 2, 2013
Full Article: http://www.zcommunications.org/guatemala-wave-of-persecution-and-assassination-of-social-leaders-by-rocizela-p-rez-g-mez
Guatemala: Wave Of Persecution And Assassination Of Social Leaders
By Rocizela Pérez Gómez
Source: America Latin
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
In the first three months of 2013, a number of social leaders, defenders of the rights of their communities, have been assassinated or kidnapped, even as a policy of criminalization, defamation and repression has been mounted.
The struggle of men, women, youth and children in defence of individual and collective rights has intensified in Guatemala during recent years; various communities have organized to demand the fulfilment of national and international agreements, respect for mother earth, an end to the looting and contamination on the part of hydroelectric enterprises, mining and cement factories, as well as the struggle to defend the rights of the working classes.
The struggle of men, women, youth and children in defence of individual and collective rights has intensified in Guatemala during recent years; various communities have organized to demand the fulfilment of national and international agreements, respect for mother earth, an end to the looting and contamination on the part of hydroelectric enterprises, mining and cement factories, as well as the struggle to defend the rights of the working classes.
The report presented in October of 2012 by the Unit for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (UDEFEGUA), a Guatemalan NGO, pointed out that from January to October of 2012 there were 254 attacks carried out against men and women engaged in the defence of human rights.
Among the principal observations and recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, corresponding to the year 2012, are those pointing out aggression that particularly affects work in defence of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights on the part of indigenous peoples, all related to the exploitation of natural resources and these without any consultation or information for the affected communities.
Among the principal observations and recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, corresponding to the year 2012, are those pointing out aggression that particularly affects work in defence of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights on the part of indigenous peoples, all related to the exploitation of natural resources and these without any consultation or information for the affected communities.
Full Article: http://www.zcommunications.org/guatemala-wave-of-persecution-and-assassination-of-social-leaders-by-rocizela-p-rez-g-mez
April 2, 2013
Self-deprecating as they are, Anonymous would be the last to agree with the assertion that as a champion for revolutionary change they have evolved into nothing less than a channel for the social conscience of the world. Yet, time and time again, Anonymous have stepped in where, literally, governments fear to tread (below, we provide just a handful of the many campaigns Anonymous have spearheaded over the last two years). Thus, people in power are right to fear Anons – not because of their hacking skills, but because they express values that governments only pretend to espouse and by their deeds expose the moral bankruptcy of those governments to the world. And this is why governments and major corporations will do everything in their power to thwart, imprison and even kill Anonymous’ most prominent activists, while at the same time cynically exploit the fruits of Anonymous’ endeavours for their own commercial or strategic gain.
Tunisia, Egypt, Gaza, Greece, Syria, Myanmar:
http://www.zcommunications.org/have-anonymous-evolved-into-a-channel-for-the-social-conscience-of-the-world-by-darker-net-admin
Have Anonymous Evolved Into A Channel For The Social Conscience Of The World?
By Darker Net Admin
Source: Darker Net
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Self-deprecating as they are, Anonymous would be the last to agree with the assertion that as a champion for revolutionary change they have evolved into nothing less than a channel for the social conscience of the world. Yet, time and time again, Anonymous have stepped in where, literally, governments fear to tread (below, we provide just a handful of the many campaigns Anonymous have spearheaded over the last two years). Thus, people in power are right to fear Anons – not because of their hacking skills, but because they express values that governments only pretend to espouse and by their deeds expose the moral bankruptcy of those governments to the world. And this is why governments and major corporations will do everything in their power to thwart, imprison and even kill Anonymous’ most prominent activists, while at the same time cynically exploit the fruits of Anonymous’ endeavours for their own commercial or strategic gain.
Tunisia, Egypt, Gaza, Greece, Syria, Myanmar:
http://www.zcommunications.org/have-anonymous-evolved-into-a-channel-for-the-social-conscience-of-the-world-by-darker-net-admin
April 2, 2013
http://www.zcommunications.org/an-outpouring-of-love-and-support-for-bradley-manning-to-receive-the-nobel-peace-prize-by-norman-solomon
Solomon: An Outpouring of Love and Support for Bradley Manning to Receive the Nobel Peace Prize
By Norman Solomon
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
During the last week of March, more than 30,000 people signed a petition urging the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Bradley Manning. While the numbers continue to mount on the petition website, so do the comments from individual signers.
Thousands have already written personal notes to explain their support for the petition. I hope the Nobel committee reads the comments carefully when the petition arrives in Oslo later this spring.
As a U.S. Army private -- seeing massive evidence of official deception, human rights abuses and flagrant killing of civilians -- Bradley Manning did not just follow orders. Instead, he became a whistleblower, supplying vast troves of documents to WikiLeaks, exposing duplicity that had enormous impacts from Iraq and Afghanistan to Egypt and Tunisia.
Manning, now 25 years old, could be in prison for the rest of his life. But while the U.S. government tries to crush him, it’s clear that many Americans love him -- and would be thrilled to see him win the Nobel Peace Prize. The following samples of comments from petition signers begin to explain why:
Thousands have already written personal notes to explain their support for the petition. I hope the Nobel committee reads the comments carefully when the petition arrives in Oslo later this spring.
As a U.S. Army private -- seeing massive evidence of official deception, human rights abuses and flagrant killing of civilians -- Bradley Manning did not just follow orders. Instead, he became a whistleblower, supplying vast troves of documents to WikiLeaks, exposing duplicity that had enormous impacts from Iraq and Afghanistan to Egypt and Tunisia.
Manning, now 25 years old, could be in prison for the rest of his life. But while the U.S. government tries to crush him, it’s clear that many Americans love him -- and would be thrilled to see him win the Nobel Peace Prize. The following samples of comments from petition signers begin to explain why:
http://www.zcommunications.org/an-outpouring-of-love-and-support-for-bradley-manning-to-receive-the-nobel-peace-prize-by-norman-solomon
April 2, 2013
Full Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/i-founded-cida-but-its-death-worries-me-less-than-harpers-foreign-aid-agenda/article10663501/
I founded CIDA, but its death worries me less than Harper’s foreign-aid agenda
MAURICE STRONG
The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Apr. 02 2013, 8:40 AM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 02 2013, 9:05 AM EDT
But what Canadians really need to focus upon are the dramatic changes to the purpose and the mandate of Canada’s foreign-assistance program. The deep cuts that the government has made in development assistance have already had a major impact on Canada’s reputation as a leader in the international-development community. Now, the commercialization of our development funding further discredits Canada’s commitment to supporting the progress of developing countries. This commitment has long won us the respect of the international community and a relationship of trust and confidence with developing countries for which Canadians can take pride.
It has always been true that development assistance contributes in varying ways to Canada’s own economic interest. But making commercial interests the main purpose of our program will undermine its effectiveness – quite apart from its damage to our credibility and influence.
This policy – if the government proceeds with its implementation – will further undermine Canada’s respect in the international community. This government’s negative positions on climate change, its repudiation of the Kyoto Protocol, and its withdrawal from other United Nations, environmental and related programs have already transformed us from leader to laggard.
The international community was stunned by the latest example of Canada’s position on international development, when Ottawa withdrew last week from the Convention to Combat Desertification. It is now the only country that does not participate in this convention, which is of such great importance to the poorest developing countries, especially in drought-prone areas of Africa.
It has always been true that development assistance contributes in varying ways to Canada’s own economic interest. But making commercial interests the main purpose of our program will undermine its effectiveness – quite apart from its damage to our credibility and influence.
This policy – if the government proceeds with its implementation – will further undermine Canada’s respect in the international community. This government’s negative positions on climate change, its repudiation of the Kyoto Protocol, and its withdrawal from other United Nations, environmental and related programs have already transformed us from leader to laggard.
The international community was stunned by the latest example of Canada’s position on international development, when Ottawa withdrew last week from the Convention to Combat Desertification. It is now the only country that does not participate in this convention, which is of such great importance to the poorest developing countries, especially in drought-prone areas of Africa.
Full Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/i-founded-cida-but-its-death-worries-me-less-than-harpers-foreign-aid-agenda/article10663501/
April 2, 2013
Felicity Arbuthnot is a journalist with special knowledge of Iraq. Author, with Nikki van der Gaag, of Baghdad in the Great City series for World Almanac books, she has also been Senior Researcher for two Award winning documentaries on Iraq, John Pilger's Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq and Denis Halliday Returns for RTE (Ireland.) Read other articles by Felicity.
http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/03/liberating-iraqis-limb-by-limb-life-by-life-home-by-home-gene-by-gene/
“Liberating” Iraqis, Limb by Limb, Life by Life, Home by Home, Gene by Gene by Felicity Arbuthnot
March 29th, 2013
People leapt into the Euphrates river to put out their burning flesh – it continued to burn in the water. Dead were described as “caramelized”. Other bodies were described as melting, disintegrating, but their clothing staying intact, by doctors who have seen much in Iraq in 1991 and since, but never this.
“All forms of nature were wiped out”, stated the (pro-American) Iraqi Health Minister, Dr. ash-Shaykhli.
“All forms of nature were wiped out”, stated the (pro-American) Iraqi Health Minister, Dr. ash-Shaykhli.
The United Nations – responsible for the deaths of over half a million children, resulting from its strangulating embargo on Iraq, in little over the first five years, to 1996 and whose then Secretary General, Kofi Annan, took until September 2004 to admit that the invasion was “illegal”, designated “The 20th March 2013 the first ever International Day of Happiness” (Assembly Resolution A/RES/66/281.)
It is also World Sparrow Day, “designated to raise awareness of the threats to sparrow and of other birds, to their populations.” They should start in Iraq. Whilst there, perhaps they might also take in Representatives of the relevant United Nations Committees and give a thought to raising awareness of the threats to the endangered Iraqis and their population.
Felicity Arbuthnot is a journalist with special knowledge of Iraq. Author, with Nikki van der Gaag, of Baghdad in the Great City series for World Almanac books, she has also been Senior Researcher for two Award winning documentaries on Iraq, John Pilger's Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq and Denis Halliday Returns for RTE (Ireland.) Read other articles by Felicity.
http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/03/liberating-iraqis-limb-by-limb-life-by-life-home-by-home-gene-by-gene/
April 1, 2013
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/04/citing-exhaustion-kim-jong-un-to-stop-threatening-world-on-weekends.html?mbid=nl_Borowitz%20(101)
Citing Exhaustion, Kim Jong-un to Stop Threatening World on Weekends
PYONGYANG (The Borowitz Report)—Saying that he could “no longer keep up the punishing pace of sabre rattling seven days a week,” North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said today that beginning this month he will take weekends off from vowing to incinerate the world.
After the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a revised April Threat Schedule showing that Kim’s declarations of war and doomsday ultimatums would be limited to Monday through Friday, North Korea’s Supreme Leader explained his decision to make his weekends threat-free: “Dad always told me that you have to pace yourself in this job. The biggest danger isn’t the United States—it’s burnout.”
Kim said that he made his decision over the past weekend, after he issued his forty-ninth official statement threatening to engulf the mainland U.S. in a nuclear Armageddon: “I was in the middle of saying ‘infernal sea of fire,’ and I kind of realized, hey, I’m just phoning it in. And I never want to be that guy.”
After the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a revised April Threat Schedule showing that Kim’s declarations of war and doomsday ultimatums would be limited to Monday through Friday, North Korea’s Supreme Leader explained his decision to make his weekends threat-free: “Dad always told me that you have to pace yourself in this job. The biggest danger isn’t the United States—it’s burnout.”
Kim said that he made his decision over the past weekend, after he issued his forty-ninth official statement threatening to engulf the mainland U.S. in a nuclear Armageddon: “I was in the middle of saying ‘infernal sea of fire,’ and I kind of realized, hey, I’m just phoning it in. And I never want to be that guy.”
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/04/citing-exhaustion-kim-jong-un-to-stop-threatening-world-on-weekends.html?mbid=nl_Borowitz%20(101)
April 1, 2013
http://www.ceasefire.ca/?p=14962
Et tu, Harper ...... you nutcase!
http://www.ceasefire.ca/?p=14962But there is still a lot more work to be done. Harper’s plans to arm the military with attack drones have barely been noticed in Ottawa. That’s why your letters are so vital.
For instance, Green Party leader and MP Elizabeth May’s team understood Harper’s drones as being only for Arctic surveillance, and even replied to some Ceasefire.ca supporters that “there are no plans to purchase armed attack drones.”
Quickly, we briefed Ms. May about the dark side of the Harper’s JUSTAS project – the complex plan to spend $1 billion on surveillance and armed drones for the military.
For instance, Green Party leader and MP Elizabeth May’s team understood Harper’s drones as being only for Arctic surveillance, and even replied to some Ceasefire.ca supporters that “there are no plans to purchase armed attack drones.”
Quickly, we briefed Ms. May about the dark side of the Harper’s JUSTAS project – the complex plan to spend $1 billion on surveillance and armed drones for the military.
“We now realize that within DND there are efforts to gain approval for the purchase of attack drones such as Predators and Reapers,” Elizabeth May wrote in a subsequent letter to Ceasefire.ca supporters. “In the now well-worn fashion of the Harper Conservatives, these plans have been cloaked in secrecy. As an MP I have tools available and will use them to press for solid information on these plans.”
http://www.ceasefire.ca/?p=14962
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Gender: Do not displayHometown: Saskatchewan
Home country: Canada
Member since: Sat Jul 9, 2005, 11:46 PM
Number of posts: 20,582
