Ahhh, yes, I remember the day when to say “I am an American”, meant “I am FREE”. <<<
Thank you.
You have no idea of how I wish we were all still free.
[How does obama feel about nuclear weapons, see post #2.]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2218870/posts
[I now show you the insanity, we are going to fight, granny]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219121/posts
ABC: Judge Cuts Water to California Farmers to Save Endangered Fish
NewsBusters ^ | March 31, 2009 | Brad Wilmouth
Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:15:18 PM by Zakeet
On the March 28 World News Saturday, ABC gave rare attention to the plight of drought-stricken farmers in California who have been denied access to a major water supply by a judge citing the Endangered Species Act to protect a type of fish. During a story recounting the unusual level of problems facing these farmers – a recession coinciding with drought – correspondent Lisa Fletcher informed viewers: “And for the first time ever, farmers may be completely cut off from one of their sources of water. Farmers don’t have access to this water that runs right through the center of their farmland. It is being allocated to the delta smelt, a little fish protected by the Endangered Species Act. Conservationists say the smelt are dying in the irrigation pumps, so a judge ruled they must be shut off for much of the growing season.”
continued, see photo in post 1.............and rant and rave.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219137/posts
Earth population ‘exceeds limits’
BBC NEWS ^ | March 31, 2009 | Steven Duke
Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:43:35 PM by Free ThinkerNY
There are already too many people living on Planet Earth, according to one of most influential science advisors in the US government.
Unapproved Drugs:
Drugs Marketed in the United States That Do Not Have Required FDA Approval
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/unapproved_drugs/
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/unapproved_drugs/enforcement.htm#narcotics
Unapproved Drugs:
Drugs Marketed in the United States That Do Not Have Required FDA Approval
Enforcement Actions
[snipped]
Drug-Based Actions: Since publication of the CPG, the Agency has taken enforcement action against a number of unapproved drugs:
* Unapproved Narcotics Containing Morphine Sulfate, Hydromorphone, or Oxycodone
* Balanced Salt Solution (ophthalmic) Products
* Carbinoxamine Drug Products
* Ergotamine-Containing Drug Products
* Timed-Release Drug Products Containing Guaifenesin
* Hydrocodone Drug Products
* Injectable Colchicine Products
* Topical Drug Products Containing Papain
* Quinine Sulfate Drug Products
* Trimethobenzamide Hydrochloride Suppositories
Unapproved Narcotics Containing Morphine Sulfate, Hydromorphone, or Oxycodone
* Answers for Consumers about FDA’s Action Involving Unapproved Narcotics Containing Morphine Sulfate, Hydromorphone, or Oxycodone (3/31/2009)
* FDA News
* Warning Letters
o Glenmark Generics Inc.
o Lannett Company, Inc.
o Lehigh Valley Technologies Inc.
o Mallinckrodt Inc. Pharmaceuticals Group
o Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc.
o Physicians Total Care, Inc.
o Roxane Laboratories, Inc.
o Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc.
o Cody Laboratories, Inc.
Balanced Salt Solution (ophthalmic) Products Drug Products
* Federal Register Notice [HTML][PDF ] (September 22, 2008). FDA announced its intention to take enforcement action against unapproved drug products containing Balanced Salt Solution ophthalmic products and persons who cause the manufacture of such products.
* Questions and Answers About FDA’s Enforcement Action Against Unapproved Ophthalmic Balanced Salt Solution Products
Carbinoxamine Drug Products
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (June 9, 2006). FDA announced its intention to take enforcement action against unapproved drug products containing carbinoxamine and persons who cause the manufacture of such products.
* FDA News: FDA Acts to Improve Drug Safety and Quality; Manufacturing of Unapproved Drug Products Containing Carbinoxamine Must Cease (Issued June 8, 2006)
* Questions and Answers About Unapproved Drugs and FDA’s Enforcement Action Against Carbinoxamine Products
Ergotamine-Containing Drug Products
* FDA News: FDA Takes Action to Halt Marketing of Unapproved Ergotamine Companies Ordered to Cease Manufacturing and Distribution of Illegal Drugs to Treat Migraine Headaches (Issued March 1, 2007)
* Warning Letters (Issued February 26, 2007)
Timed-Release Drug Products Containing Guaifenesin
* FDA News: Federal Agents Seize more than $24 Million in Unapproved New Drugs (Issued July 30, 2008)
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (May 29, 2007). FDA announced its intention to take enforcement action against unapproved drug products in timed-release dosage forms containing guaifenesin and persons who cause the manufacture or interstate shipment of such products.
* FDA News: FDA Takes Action to Stop Marketing of Unapproved Timed-Release Guaifenesin Drug Products (Issued May 25, 2007)
* Questions and Answers About FDA’s Enforcement Action Against Timed-Release Drug Products Containing Guaifenesin
Hydrocodone Drug Products
* Patient Safety News segment: Warning on Unapproved Antitussives Containing Hydrocodone (December 2007)
* FDA News: FDA Takes Action to Stop Marketing of Unapproved Hydrocodone Products (Issued September 28, 2007)
* Questions and Answers About FDA’s Enforcement Action Regarding Unapproved Hydrocodone Drug Products
* FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Hydrocodone in Unapproved Prescription Products. September 28, 2007.
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (September 28, 2007)
Injectable Colchicine Products
* FDA News: FDA Takes Action to Stop the Marketing of Unapproved Injectable Drugs Containing Colchicine (Issued February 6, 2008)
* Questions and Answers About FDA’s Enforcement Action Against Unapproved Injectable Colchicine Products
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (February 6, 2008)
Topical Drug Products Containing Papain
* Federal Register Notice [HTML][PDF ] (September 22, 2008). FDA announced its intention to take enforcement action against unapproved topical drug products containing Papain and persons who cause the manufacture of such products.
* Questions and Answers about FDA’s Enforcement Action Regarding Unapproved Topical Drug Products Containing Papain
Quinine Sulfate Drug Products
* Patient Safety News segment: Danger in Products Containing Quinine (March 2007)
* Questions and Answers About FDA’s Enforcement Action Against Quinine Sulfate Drug Products (updated December 15, 2006)
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (December 15, 2006).
* FDA MedWatch Safety Alert. Quinine products. (December 12, 2006).
* FDA News: FDA Advances Effort Against Marketed Unapproved Drugs; Orders Unapproved Quinine Drugs from the Market (Issued December 11, 2006)
Trimethobenzamide Hydrochloride Suppositories
* Federal Register Notice [HTML] [PDF ] (April 9, 2007)
* FDA News: FDA Announces that Companies Must Stop Marketing Suppository Products Containing Trimethobenzamide (Issued April 6, 2007)
Return to the top
Firms
In addition, since publication of the CPG, the Agency has taken enforcement actions against a number of firms with significant violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMPs) or adverse event reporting requirements that also make unapproved drugs.
* Abraxis Bioscience, Inc.
* Actavis Totowa, LLC
* Amerifit Brands, Inc.
* Concord Laboratories, Inc.
* C. R. Canfield Co., Inc.
* Elge, Inc.
* G & W Laboratories, Inc.
* KV Pharmaceutical Company
* Midland Pharmaceutical LLC
* PharmaFab Inc.
* Scientific Laboratories, Inc.
* Sheffield Laboratories, Division of Faria Limited LLC
* Syntho Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Intermax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
* TME Enterprises
* Vintage Pharmaceuticals, LLC
* Vita-Erb, Ltd.
[This list of names is getting long and is almost a pattern on the map...granny]
http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1743774.html#map
Interactive map: Eateries using recalled spices
Multiple local restaurants used items containing products that may have been contaminated with salmonella, according to the state Department of Public Health. Use this database to see where they are.
Read More
Other Breaking News stories at sacbee.com
* Gottschalks corporate employees begin packing
* Tehama County man faces charges of transporting minors across state lines
* Victim loses car, phone, money to carjacker
* Cops: 4 days in the woods enough for parolee
* Naked man shot with pepper ball, arrested at school
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/31/cities-states-plan-strange-new-taxes-pretty/
Cities and States Plan Strange New Taxes on Pretty Much Everything
The government is having a hard time making do with the meager trillions
you’re throwing their way, so they’re pressing some controversial new
customs to buy their way out. Here’s a look at some of the more
egregious new taxes you’re sure to be seeing soon.
By Joseph Abrams
FOXNews.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Behold, America: the taxman cometh.
Even as taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet in a crumbling,
tumbling economy, your friendly neighborhood (and state and federal)
government is having a hard time making do with the meager trillions
you’re throwing its way, so it’s relying on an old maxim:
If it exists, it can be taxed.
continues.
Maeco Foods Recalls Peanut Meal Because of Possible Health Risk (March 31)
Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:50:00 -0500
Maeco Foods of College Point, New York is recalling its 8 oz. packages of PEANUT MEAL, because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This action is a result of the PCA expanded recall of January 28, 2009 for all peanut products manufactured in their Blakely, Georgia facility since January 1, 2007. Maeco Foods received the peanut meal from PCA.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/maeco03_09.html
Found this in my mailbox, there is no url with it, and it came from the Yahoo group ATC....granny]
“Right” and “Left”
(From a January 19, 2009 article)
Prof . Paul Eidelberg
There is no “Right,” there is no “Left . ” There is good, there is bad, but no “Right” and no “Left . ”
We live in a democratic era in which the terms “Right” and “Left” replaced the traditional distinction between good and bad . This is why so many people in the democratic world live in a state of moral confusion .
[snipped]
[end]
Of course, sophisticated people will regard this sort of language as simplistic . They will insist on preserving the distinction between “Right” and “Left . ” By so doing they avoid moral responsibility . The avoidance of moral responsibility is the core failing of this post-modern era . This avoidance, which underlies the benighted language of “Right” and “Left,” is why the architects of Oslo and their collaborators remain in office, untroubled by fear of retribution .
he is an interesting writer, makes me think of Ann Coulter:
Frito-Lay Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of In-Shell Pistachio Nuts Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Aurora Gonzalez
Frito-Lay North America
917-873-7069
972-334-3821
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — PLANO, TX (March 31, 2009) – Frito-Lay announced the voluntary recall of Frito-Lay branded in-shell salted pistachios due to potential contamination with salmonella. Frito-Lay has received no reports of illness related to this product; the company is issuing this recall as a precaution.
The affected product is 1.75 oz. packages of Frito-Lay branded Salted Pistachios (in shell) with sell-by dates between 14-Jul-09 through 29-Dec-09 and the UPC code: 0 28400 03888 1. The date is located on the front of each package.
No other code date, package size or flavor is impacted. This is the only Frito-Lay product impacted by this recall. This voluntary recall is not related to the recent peanut/ peanut butter recalls.
This product has been distributed to retail stores in the United States and Canada. The pistachios used in this product were supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., which yesterday announced a recall of selected lots of pistachios. Setton Pistachio is recalling pistachios from the 2008 crop year.
Salmonellacan cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Consumers with any product of the date and package size noted above can contact Frito-Lay Consumer Affairs at 1-800-352-4477.
#
Photos: Product Labels
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/fritolay03_09.html
Kraft Foods Conducts Nationwide Recall of Planters and Back to Nature Products Containing Pistachio Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk (March 31)
Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:04:00 -0500
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kraft03_09.html
DIMETHYL FUMARATE TOXICITY, FURNITURE - UK ex CHINA
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 27 Mar 2009
Source: BBC News [edited]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7961969.stm
A judge is expected to order several retailers to pay millions of
pounds to people who suffered burns and rashes from faulty leather
sofas.
The BBC now has evidence that Argos, Walmsleys and Land of Leather
accept liability, subject to it being proved that injuries were
caused by the sofas.
More than 1600 people claim to have been affected by the problem. Tens
of thousands more people could have burns not yet traced to sofas.
The High Street stores, along with 11 others, may have to pay more
than 10 million pounds [USD 14.3 million] in compensation and legal
costs, the shoppers’ lawyers say. They claim that makes it “the
largest group compensation claim ever seen in British Courts.”
The sofas, which were manufactured in China, were packed with sachets
of an anti-mould chemical called dimethyl fumarate to stop them from
going moldy during storage in humid conditions.
Commonly known as DMF, the toxic, fine white powder has been used by
some manufacturers to protect leather goods like furniture and shoes
from mold. Even very small amounts can be harmful.
One sofa customer, who is well aware of the health problems caused by
her purchase, is a customer who bought a leather sofa suite from
Argos in April 2007. Almost a year later, she started to notice a
rash developing on her arms and legs. After a few weeks, her skin
started flaking off. She says the irritation was so bad, she was off
work for 2 months. This customer was seen by more than a dozen
doctors, who couldn’t work out what was causing the rash.
She said: “It was very, very painful; I couldn’t sleep at night; I
couldn’t walk about; I couldn’t drive; every time I did walk about,
the skin would fall off, and I would leave a trail of it, therefore,
I couldn’t go to work.”
This customer was one of thousands of people who had bought a leather
sofa from Argos, Land of Leather, or Walmsleys and then suffered a
severe reaction.
For a long time, none of those suffering knew it was their sofa
causing the problem, so they simply kept sitting on the defective
furniture and worsening their condition.
A dermatologist in Liverpool solved the mystery. After hearing of an
increasing number of patients presenting with similar symptoms, the
scientist discovered they had all recently bought new leather
furniture, which had been packed with chemical sachets in China.
The scientist tested the contents of one of the sachets on his skin,
and it quickly reacted. Further testing revealed that the sachets
contained a chemical called dimethyl fumarate, or DMF, placed inside
the sofas to stop them from going moldy during storage in humid
warehouses in Asia.
When the sachets get hot, the chemical evaporates into the air,
penetrating through the leather and victims’ clothing and onto their
skin, causing painful blisters and sores.
Many people discovered they might have been affected when they saw an
investigation on the BBC’s consumer affairs programme Watchdog.
Meanwhile, several law firms realized there could have been thousands
suffering without knowing the cause of their injuries. They put
advertisements in national newspapers, warning people they may have
been affected.
“We advertised in 8 national newspapers last October [2008], and
purely from those, we got another 3500 people coming forward,” said
Richard Langton of Russell, Jones and Walker solicitors.
“I think, potentially, there are tens of thousands more people out
there who might be affected; potentially, people are still suffering
and don’t know what the problem is.”
Argos, Land of Leather, Walmsleys and 11 other very small shops had
sold the sofas. After being warned of the problems, they offered
exchanges or refunds to people who complained.
After seeing the effects of the chemical, the European Union is now
taking action. It considers DMF to be so harmful to consumers that it
is bringing in a new directive in May 2009 requiring all retailers to
recall from sale any goods which contain the chemical and to stop any
more hitting the shops. It also appears to require retailers to
remove any goods which contain DMF from people’s homes.
EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: “We are
absolutely certain that the minor quantities of this product DMF in
leather sofas or shoes could cause a terrible allergy and even death.
It is very, very, serious; we will not compromise on safety.”
The toxic sofa symptoms are blisters, sores, rashes, and eye irritation.
Until the directive is introduced and tested, it is difficult to
determine how it will affect retailers. Lawyers hope it will compel
Argos and Walmsleys to remove any faulty sofas still in customers’
homes. But Land of Leather is in administration [bankruptcy court], so
its customers are unlikely to receive any exchange or refund.
Anyone with any concerns about a sofa they have bought can check
whether it is affected by looking on the Russell, Jones and Walker
website. They could then contact their retailer, or in the case of
Land of Leather, the administrators in charge.
Walmsleys said it would not comment about the case while it was ongoing.
Argos said: “Over the last 18 months, there have been issues
regarding certain sofas manufactured by a company based in China
which were supplied to Argos and a number of other retailers. This
issue is currently the subject of a group litigation order, so we are
unable to comment on any individual cases. Argos no longer sells the
products.”
[Byline: Nicola Pearson]
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for dimethyl fumarate states
that it can cause severe skin irritation and severe eye irritation.
Dimethyl fumarate is an ester and an alpha-beta-unsaturated
electrophilic compound, undergoing reactions typical to them. While
there are some medical uses when taken internally, and while other
uses are being examined, it has many problems also associated with it.
Dimethyl fumarate has been found to be an allergic sensitizer at very
low concentrations, producing extensive, pronounced eczema that is
difficult to treat. Concentrations as low as 1 ppm may produce
allergic reactions [5]. There are only a handful of equally potent
sensitizers [6].
The extreme sensitizing risk was brought to public attention by the
“poison chair” incident, where Chinese manufacturer Linkwise produced
2-seater sofas with dimethyl fumarate sachets inside to inhibit mold
while they were in storage or transport [7], [8]. In Finland, where
the chairs were sold from 2006-2007, 60 users were given serious
rashes [6]. The cause was identified as dimethyl fumarate-induced
allergic reaction by Tapio Rantanen, M.D. from Finland, and his
original article became the cover story in the July issue of British
Journal of Dermatology [5].
Given the fact that this allergen has already been documented as
causing problems and those being documented and published, one
wonders why this company wanted to try it.
Realizing that it took a period of time for the discovery of the
malady to be diagnosed, it is possible that this is a far-reaching
situation. However, once known, it seems that a recall may have been
an excellent move: Get the furniture back under their control. Of
course, that may or may not have lessened the liability the company
faces.
References:
5 Rantanen, Tapio. “The cause of the Chinese sofa/chair dermatitis
epidemic is likely to be contact allergy to dimethylfumarate, a novel
potent contact sensitizer.” British Journal of Dermatology 159 (1):
218-221. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08622.x.
6 “Myrkkytuoli-ihottumien syy selvisi” (in Finnish). YLE Uutiset
(YLE). 2008-04-24.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/24h/id88989.html
Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
8 “This baby was burned red raw by a sofa giving off toxic fumes. As
our investigation reveals, there are hundreds of other victims.” Mail
Online.
Portions of this comment were extracted from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_fumarate
- Mod.TG
Photo of an implicated leather sofa with details:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1247410.ece
Image of the toxic rash:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/06/20/article-1028097-019823DE00000578-84_468x286.jpg
- Mod.JW]
.................................................tg/msp/jw
Report: Chinese Develop Special “Kill Weapon” to Destroy U.S. Aircraft Carriers
Advanced missile poses substantial new threat for U.S. Navy
U. S. Naval Institute
March 31, 2009
With tensions already rising due to the Chinese navy becoming more aggressive in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy seems to have yet another reason to be deeply concerned.
After years of conjecture, details have begun to emerge of a “kill weapon” developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers.
First posted on a Chinese blog viewed as credible by military analysts and then translated by the naval affairs blog Information Dissemination, a recent report provides a description of an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) that can strike carriers and other U.S. vessels at a range of 2000km.
The range of the modified Dong Feng 21 missile is significant in that it covers the areas that are likely hot zones for future confrontations between U.S. and Chinese surface forces.
The size of the missile enables it to carry a warhead big enough to inflict significant damage on a large vessel, providing the Chinese the capability of destroying a U.S. supercarrier in one strike.
Because the missile employs a complex guidance system, low radar signature and a maneuverability that makes its flight path unpredictable, the odds that it can evade tracking systems to reach its target are increased. It is estimated that the missile can travel at mach 10 and reach its maximum range of 2000km in less than 12 minutes.
Supporting the missile is a network of satellites, radar and unmanned aerial vehicles that can locate U.S. ships and then guide the weapon, enabling it to hit moving targets.
ASBM is said to be a modified DF-21
The ASBM is said to be a modified DF-21
While the ASBM has been a topic of discussion within national defense circles for quite some time, the fact that information is now coming from Chinese sources indicates that the weapon system is operational. The Chinese rarely mention weapons projects unless they are well beyond the test stages.
If operational as is believed, the system marks the first time a ballistic missile has been successfully developed to attack vessels at sea. Ships currently have no defense against a ballistic missile attack.
Along with the Chinese naval build-up, U.S. Navy officials appear to view the development of the anti-ship ballistic missile as a tangible threat.
After spending the last decade placing an emphasis on building a fleet that could operate in shallow waters near coastlines, the U.S. Navy seems to have quickly changed its strategy over the past several months to focus on improving the capabilities of its deep sea fleet and developing anti-ballistic defenses.
As analyst Raymond Pritchett notes in a post on the U.S. Naval Institute blog:
“The Navy’s reaction is telling, because it essentially equals a radical change in direction based on information that has created a panic inside the bubble. For a major military service to panic due to a new weapon system, clearly a mission kill weapon system, either suggests the threat is legitimate or the leadership of the Navy is legitimately unqualified. There really aren’t many gray spaces in evaluating the reaction by the Navy…the data tends to support the legitimacy of the threat.”
In recent years, China has been expanding its navy to presumably better exert itself in disputed maritime regions. A recent show of strength in early March led to a confrontation with an unarmed U.S. ship in international waters.
https://www.usni.org/forthemedia/ChineseKillWeapon.asp
This message consists of the following:
1. Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html
2. Clothing Irons Recalled by Conair Corporation Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09173.html
