statism

More than two-thirds of Americans still use phones while driving

"More than two-thirds of American motorists use a mobile phone while driving despite recent laws in many jurisdictions banning the practice, a survey showed Thursday. The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 69 percent of US drivers talked on their cell phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed. Some 31 percent of drivers also said that they had read or sent text messages or emails while driving." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore than two-thirds of Americans still use phones while driving

US issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

"Amalgam dental fillings – which contain the highly toxic metal mercury – pose a health risk, the world's top medical regulatory agency has conceded. After years of insisting the fillings are safe, the US government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health warning about them. It represents a landmark victory for campaigners, who say the fillings are responsible for a range of ailments, including heart conditions and Alzheimer's disease. The FDA is now reviewing its rules and may end up restricting or banning the use of the metal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

Decentralizing Science: Local Biohacking

"Far-out ideas make established scientists uncomfortable. If your entire career was built around the fax machine, phrenology, the geocentric model or the beeper, you’re not too excited about these crazy kids and their ideas. There is a lot of untapped brainpower out there. The state education mill is a barrier to entry, a great divider — a credential firewall. MOOCs and badges may displace the academic cartel, but not without vested interests fighting to halt creative destruction along the way. Statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb recognizes that 'stochastic tinkering' rather than systematic, institutional agendas yield the greatest discoveries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDecentralizing Science: Local Biohacking

Obama launches $100 million brain-mapping project

"US President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a $100 million project to map the intricate inner mysteries of the human brain, targeting cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s. The BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) initiative will be run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Obama was introduced as 'scientist in chief' at the White House event by NIH Director Francis Collins, and his administration makes the case that despite tough fiscal times, investments in science are vital." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama launches $100 million brain-mapping project

Beekeepers sue EPA over failing to stop harmful pesticides

"The US government is being sued by a coalition of beekeepers, conservation and food campaigners over pesticides linked to serious harm in bees. The lawsuit accuses the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of failing to protect the insects – which pollinate three-quarters of all food crops – from nerve agents that it says should be suspended from use. Neonicotinoids, the world’s most widely used insecticides, are also facing the prospect of suspension in the European Union, after the health commissioner pledged to press on with the proposed ban despite opposition from the UK and Germany." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBeekeepers sue EPA over failing to stop harmful pesticides

Fusion center director: We don’t spy on Americans, just anti-government Americans

"Law enforcement intelligence-processing fusion centers have long come under attack for spying on Americans. The Arkansas director wanted to clarify the truth: centers only spies on some Americans – those who appear to be a threat to the government. In trying to clear up the ‘misconceptions’ about the conduct of fusion centers, Arkansas State Fusion Center Director Richard Davis simply confirmed Americans’ fears: the center does in fact spy on Americans – but only on those who are suspected to be ‘anti-government’." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFusion center director: We don’t spy on Americans, just anti-government Americans

State seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

"All of their children, from several months old to age five, have been put up for adoption. The last three children were seized shortly after birth at hospital. 'It’s a heartbreaking experience,' the father told the Citizen. 'They come in and take your baby. It’s like they are stripping your life away.' The father said it was wrong for a court to punish him for future crimes a judge said he was likely to commit. He pleaded guilty for sex crimes against children when he was 12. 'I was a kid. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I pleaded guilty. But there was no sex, it was experimenting as a 12-year-old boy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

After ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

"Under the new law, youth age 17 and older must have a parent or guardian present for an initial consultation with a tanning salon. It also bans children under 14 from getting spray tans in tanning salons. Governor Chris Christie said that while he does not favor government regulation of small business, the new law was important for protecting the safety of minors. Patricia Krentcil, who became known in tabloid stories as the "Tan Mom," denied exposing her daughter to a tanning session, and a grand jury opted not to indict her on charges of endangering the welfare of a child." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

"The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is being sued by a woman who says that officers violated her civil rights when they pepper-sprayed her entire family — including a 2-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby. Marilyn Taylor accuses Officers Maripily Clase, Suranjit Dey and Jermaine Hodge of overacting when they saw her pushing the stroller through a service entrance instead of going through the subway turnstile. 'The pepper-spray caused the children to scream out and choked the two-year old, who went into fits of vomiting,' the lawsuit says. 'Ms. Taylor was then placed in handcuffs as the minor children cried in fear and pain.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

Twice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked

"A Transportation Security Authority baggage-checking manager has got his job back a second time after he was unfairly fired twice. Raymond Ware and 35 other TSA employees were let go from Honolulu International Airport in 2011 after an investigation revealed that for several months, some officers failed to hand-screen checked baggage for explosives. But Ware challenged the dismissal, and has become the fourth TSA manager to win a settlement or successfully challenge his firing after the baggage-checking scandal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked