Bush takes heat on slow response to climate change

President Bush came under fire this week for failing to do enough to stem the growth of climate change–causing pollution. In an attempt to quell criticism that the U.S. is dragging its feet on the issue, Bush on Wednesday announced a "long-term" goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and to boost investment in alternative energy sources—from nuclear and "clean" coal to renewable solar and wind power. World and environmental leaders were not impressed. A Chinese official called the plan too little, too late and Germany's environment minister, Sigmar Gabriel, called it "losership, not leadership." Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change agreed. "The only good news is that this is irrelevant—both in the U.S. and globally—because this administration has only nine months left in office," she said, "and we have three presidential candidates who will take this issue seriously." (Der Spiegel, AP)

This is your pain on dope: Study confirms marijuana's soothing effect

University of California, Davis, researchers report in the online edition of the Journal of Pain that they confirmed that pot can ease pain caused by nerve damage. The scientists asked 38 patients suffering neuropathic (nerve damage) pain from diabetes, spinal injury, multiple sclerosis and other causes to take hits on joints that were placebos or contained THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana that binds to specific brain receptors called cannabinoids). Those who toked on the THC-laced cigs reported dramatic relief that lasted over five hours. Researchers Barth Wilsey and colleagues said the side effects "were relatively inconsequential" and "psychoactive effects were minimal and well-tolerated." The results were released on the same day that Rep. Barney Frank (D–Mass.) introduced legislation that calls for dropping federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana and for the not-for-profit transfer of up an ounce of weed. "Congressman Frank's bill represents a major step toward sanity in federal marijuana policy,'' said Aaron Houston, government relations director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "The decades-long federal war on marijuana protects no one and, in fact, has ruined countless lives. Most Americans do not believe that simple possession of a small amount of marijuana should be a criminal matter, and it's time Congress listened to voters."

5 Comments

1. 1. ImproperUsername 04:07 AM 4/19/08

   >
   It seems that women were most vulnerable on this score: 45 percent of women compared with 10 percent of the men surveyed gave up their passwords to researchers.
   >
   I bet most of them were clever enough to make up a fake password on the spot. ;)

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2. 2. ImproperUsername 04:32 AM 4/19/08

   >
   It seems that women were most vulnerable on this score: 45 percent of women compared with 10 percent of the men surveyed gave up their passwords to researchers.
   >
   I bet those women made up fake passwords on the spot. ;)

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3. 3. fredsie 04:05 PM 4/19/08

   And how do we know that the passwords provided were real?

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4. 4. John_Toradze 07:58 PM 4/19/08

   Regarding pets with higher levels of retardants and mercury, one should ask also how this affects the human elderly and the poor?
   
   One of the secrets of the pet food industry is that much of the food, both wet and dry, is bought by people for consumption by people. Put dry pet food in with hamburger, or in a stew, and you have a healthy, nutritious extender. The premium brands of canned pet food that taste better to people - those were created to get a bit more money out of the people that eat them. Frankly, many of the high end pet foods taste better than the low end stuff for people. And quite a few young children eat pet food, or things like Milk Bones.
   
   Generally speaking, poor mothers who use dog food to extend their meals, and old people who do the same, are making a nutritious, pretty healthy choice. But if pet foods are contaminated? This could be a human health issue also.

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5. 5. frgough 01:27 PM 4/21/08

   Wait a minute, SA just finished telling us last week that mercury was no big deal anymore. Or perhaps mercury is only harmless when it is used in CF light bulbs?

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