Sometimes Common Sense Evades the Feds
Take a look at this
article which I found thanks to
this post by Shelby. Does anyone have any comments about this?
Some of the lines from this article are:
"As part of a sweeping federal measure to rid American homes of toys tainted with poisonous levels of lead, the commission is raising concerns over unsafe lead levels in books printed before 1986."
Books, what do they think children do with books, eat them?"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told The Associated Press that lead-based ink in books poses little danger to children, rating the risk, on a scale of 1 to 10, as 0.5."
Okay so a risk of 0.5 shouldn't even register on the scale of "bad" in my mind!"That's because little Suzie would have to swallow the pages whole, lots of them, to actually expose her body to the relatively small amounts of lead there. Heard of any widespread problems with kids all too literally digesting their copies of
Grimms Fairy Tales?"
now that just makes me laugh!and this one about sums up my thoughts:
"Books aren't the problem. Lead-based paint in toys is.
The fact that product safety officials can't tell the difference may be the real worry here."
Labels: funny, news, thought provoking
Rwandan "kingpin" jailed!
I was just reading on BBC's website about how the former Army Colonel BAGOSORA has been convicted and and given a life in prison sentence by the UN's tribunal for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. I think this is a good thing - I know they're not going to be able to find everyone who did wrong, but at least they're doing something!
To read more about it
click here. As most of you who read my blog know about 1 million people were killed in Rwanda's genocide. It was decided that Col BAGOSORA and 2 others organised, trained, and armed the interahamwe militia, a Hutu paramilitary organization (kinyarwanda word meaning "those who work together") which were at fault for the majority of killings. These men were responsible for making a list of both Tutsis and moderate Hutus, aka anyone who did not agree with their vision for an more ethnically "pure" Rwanda.
Some other interesting facts about Col BAGOSORA's trail is that it took 409 days, used 30,000 pages of transcripts, there were 242 witnesses heard, and 1,600 exhibits - I'm not even sure OJ Simpson can claim those sorts of numbers!
If you're interested in doing more for Rwanda, visit
Itafari's website, buy a goat, sponsor a child, support a local business, or buy a Rwandan basket - you won't regret it!
Labels: itafari, news, rwanda
2 more points of Obama in my mind
I know this is not a really good reason to like Obama more, but it made me giggle today when I read
Why Obama may not like Britain, so I wanted to share my thoughts with you - feel free to comment, discuss, agree or disagree with me - I've always said, opinions are like ***holes, every one's got one and they all can stink!
It starts off by saying, "
It recently emerged that Obama’s Kenyan grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama, was imprisoned and tortured by colonial British authorities for two years during the 1950s, when the Mau Mau insurgency was rebelling against British rule."
The
funny part to me is when the article says, "
In his [Obama's] memoir, the British come across as “ill-dressed, pasty-faced, and racially arrogant; cramped, spotty, and joyless.” " anyone who has lived over here for a period of time probably felt the same way on at least one of these comments, or is that just me???
I was glad to see the article wasn't all just about pointing out reasons why Obama could dislike Britain, as it also mentioned, "
With the global economy in free-fall and his country mired in two wars, Obama surely will not be “fixated on extracting revenge from the U.K.” Britain’s “colonial sins” are unlikely to “pose a risk to our relationship with the soon-to-be most powerful person on Earth.”"
I also thought it was great when they ended the article with, "
But still, instead of wallowing in our guilt, let’s learn from it. The Obama family’s experience demonstrates the horrors of imperialism. . . . “anti-imperialism is little more than an excuse for tyrants to visit misery and terror on their own populations.” If the West has learned anything from the experience of Hussein Onyango Obama and others like him, it will denounce all such abuse—no matter whom the perpetrator is."Your thoughts . . . if any??
Labels: news, obama, politics, thought provoking, thoughts
how could I forget to tell you how I was lucky yesterday!!
Don't worry I'm home now & about to go to bed, but for those of you who read about the murder on Oxford Street yesterday, you can now sleep better knowing I'm okay. I doubt any of you were worried, but 2 of my coworkers were!! They knew I'd gone to Oxford Street looking for dresses for the 2 weddings I'm going to this summer. When they heard on the news that they'd been a person stabbed to death outside the Mc Donald's they both were a bit panicked. Didn't help that my mobile battery died & they couldn't reach me till I appeared at work today 15 minutes late (adding to their worry)
So here's the details of how I avoided getting stabbed on Oxford Street. Apparently here in London some people think if you spill a coke on the floor at McDonald's you have the right to yell at the person behind the counter who sold it to you (cause obviously they made you spill it) to the point where the security guard at the door has to come over & ask you to leave. When this happens said person apparently feels they then have the right to stab the guard in the chest so that he dies.
I was shopping yesterday afternoon from 2-4.30pm and I remember hearing sirens & lots of people being in my way, but knowing the street rather well I ducted into a shop which has a "secret" side exit onto Tottenham Court Road, which was where I was actually trying to get to & in the process missed all above mentioned excitement.
Really sad that this was all over a spilled drink, people really are stupid some times :( What is happening to our society?!?!?! Please explain me (as my lovely Spanish coworker Laura would say)
Labels: London, murder, news, shopping
Europe's TB capital
Some of you may have guessed it from the title, but I'm referring to the wonderful city I live in, London, England, named the TB capital of Europe, now who wouldn't be proud to have that title?!?!?!
Luckily researchers over at Imperial College (where all of my FLUs currently are -
if you don't understand that email personally & I'll let you in, but for obvious reasons I cannot write it out on the blog) have come up with a new
faster TB test, check it out
here. Currently the way to test for TB is long and invasive procedure, consisting of 3 days in hospital, procedures to get sputum samples, and then growing the TB bacteria in the lab - that's what they currently call the "gold-standard" test . . . doesn't seem so gold standard to me, but I guess when it's the best you can get it's gold.
This new test will look for interferon gamma proteins being produced from immune cells from infection &
not vaccination (remember until only a few months ago the UK gave the BCG vaccination to all children) which the
Mantoux test (aka PPD test) cannot do.
For those of you not in the know about the TB vaccination, BCG, here is a bit more info than you actually ever wanted to know.
Bacille
Calmette-
Guérin (
Albert Calmette a French bacteriologist and Camille Guérin a French vet) is the attenuated (
aka weakened but still live) bovine tuberculosis bacillus. It has lost its virulence in humans due to years of culturing in an artificial medium. It was first given to humans in 1921 and depending on geographical location and time post vaccination it can be up to 80% effective in preventing tuberculosis. It has been shown to be efficacious against tuberculous meningitis in children, but much less so against pulmonary tuberculosis. Another interesting tidbit, should you ever be in London & fancy a chat with
Mr Paul Fine about it's efficacy, be sure to plan a few hours, he LOVES this topic!!
So today I'm thankful for this discovery & the fact that it's Friday :)
Labels: bcg, infectious diseases, London, march challenge, news, TB
news from today
my exciting news to report from today is that when I get my work permit extended (hopefully soon) I don't have to leave & re-enter the country - they can do it all in their office in Croydon :) it's the little things in life that keep me happy these days - that and the fact that it's sunny out today - not when I leave it won't be, but for now I can see sunlight coming through the glass ceilings!
anyone else have exciting news to tell me about?
Labels: news, work permits
nuttin much to say
Once again feel free to visit Carmi's site, Written Inc
Caption This 56, and offer up ideas. Congrats to Linda aka
Ms. Cheesewiz got an hounourable mention in last week's competition - you go girl!!
For those thinking the Patriots losing last night was bad might not want to
click here - WTF goes on in people's heads?!?!?!? The article says, "
Nicholas had not been getting along with his father, police said in a news release, but investigators offered no other details. There was no sign of a confrontation Friday at the house, police said." then they go on to say, "
John Browning, [the father]
a real estate lawyer, had worked in Baltimore County's oldest law firm for nearly 20 years. He was a scoutmaster and a church leader. Nicholas, who was tall and gangly, was working toward becoming an Eagle Scout, and had built a prayer garden at his church to meet one of the requirements. His high school was one of the best in the county." So strange how the family can look so fine from the outside, but apparently something was wrong on the inside - scarey if you ask me!
Labels: caption this, carmi, news
As I reckon you know by now I did not attend the carnival this year, but here are two of my favourite photos from the
BBC photo website. This year's theme was Set All Free in honour of the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. For more info on it, click the title or
right here.
I went last year just after handing in my thesis & was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds, so I declined going this year. Jim was working the event & said he thinks I'm glad I skipped it since it was just as crowded (2 million people go) as last year.
Labels: London, news
singledom
Are you single?
Do you live in the right city to be single?!??! If you don't are you upset your city isn't on the list, do you think it's a good single's city????
Labels: news
something I don't like to think about . . .
Sex with a partner in the last year was reported by:
73% of those aged 57 to 64
53% of those aged 64 to 75
26% of those aged 75 to 85
Health problems or lack of a partner, rather than lack of desire,
were listed as the most common barriers to sex.
In other not as exciting news England was beaten last night by Germany (2 to 1)
there is a worry that Beckham will not be able to keep up playing for both England and LA, but only time will tell! Course not being a fan of him I'm not bothered if he can't, but it's causing making lots of press over here, how about over in the US, do they seem to be worried at all about this?
Labels: news
GB's Lab Outing
So today our lab had our first "lab outing" - sorta long story, but we've hit a few bumps along the research path which are rather frustrating & in some cases half of the lab has to change their whole entire project, which as you can imagine if you're trying to do a PhD project can be rather daunting. A few weeks back Karen (a post doc in the lab) and I decided we needed an outing with all the members of the lab to sorta bring some fun back into the lab, so today was that day. And did we ever have fun!! It rained VERY hard for about 15 minutes, but we were in the rain forest enclosure & were able to stay dry! We had such a good time, to prove it I even have a few photos for you, just
click here. Okay I'm off to Tescos for a bit of food shopping.
Have a good weekend, oh and yes, I am safe, so no need to worry about what seems to be making
headlines news around the world - I guess in a way it's just part of every day life - it could happen any place in the world and you just have to try to live your life as normally as possible.
Labels: news, work
sounds like a bad excuse
Paris Hilton, "
The 26-year-old, sentenced to 45 days on 3 June, was released early due to crowded jail conditions and time off for good behaviour." WTF is up with that? How many other people do you know who are able to get out on that excuse?!?!?!?!
AND what is up with, "
She is scheduled to appear on Larry King's CNN talk show on Wednesday. The network has said she will not be paid for her appearance, which has replaced a planned interview with filmmaker Michael Moore." Of course she should NOT be paid, she's got enough money to burn, but in my mind, more to the point, who would you rather see be interviewed Michael Moore or Paris Hilton????
In other news, the
smoking ban is coming into effect starting on Sunday - YEAH!!! This is one of a few things that I definitely miss about New York, since it's been smoke free for a few years now. Moving to London was a bit of a shock to my system since I'd gotten so use to not being asked, "smoking or non?" or even worse is not being asked because you can smoke anywhere you want in the restaurant/pub. I found this comment rather amusing, "
Claire Fox, director of the Institute of Ideas, will say the ban is a sign of "our small-minded times".
"These new modern puritans demonise our behaviour and preach illiberalism." as an argument
against the smoking ban.
On the other hand
this article brought up one valid point as far as shisha ("
the Arabic water-pipe in which fruit-scented tobacco is burnt using coal, passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose") is concerned which is, ""
For myself, I know I'll lose a place that I can go out with my Asian friends who I can't go out to the pub with," Kate said of the impending ban." Since it's like like cigarette smokers meet up at the pub to smoke, but I don't reckon that is enough of a reason to allow shisha to be an exception to the smoking ban.
I guess I'm just looking forward to a smoke free environment, but fear the other smells that could arise from a smoke free pub, if you get my drift.
Labels: news
$2 = £1 and Mr D
Can you believe it? It's a total
$2 to every £1 now!! Thank goodness I'm being paid in £s these days or I'd be in real trouble - it was about £1 = $1.75 when I started here at uni in Sept 2005. I feel really bad for all the tourists!! Andrew watch out when you come to visit in May, be sure to set aside a few extra US$ to compensate for the crazy prices!!
title of this photo is gone but not forgotten
I got a very sad phone call from my lil sis last night that a good friend of hers (& our whole family) , Scott's father passed away yesterday from cancer. I think the cancer was discovered about 2 years ago & I know it's been a rough uphill battle for him. I only hope that he is more at peace now & no longer suffering - not that it makes it any easier on his wife, 2 sons, or daughter & son-in-law. Please keep Scott & his family in your thoughts over the next few days, it is never easy to loose someone, but to loose your father when you are 27 years old I'm sure is extra hard! Mr D was a hysterically funny man who always loved to wind up either Patty or Scott - I recall a few years ago when my mom was living in NM, our family got invited to the D's house for Christmas Eve dinner since their family only lived about an hour away in TX. When we arrived I remember the first thing Mr D said to my sister, Patty, was "That's my girl Patty, you're keeping my stock alive & doing better than Scott" There has been an ongoing rivalry between Scott & Patty since the summer that they both worked for GE in Erie, PA, since Patty switched to work for Pratt and Scott stayed with GE. Mr D was one of those guys who could always put a smile on your face & had loads of energy for an adult. He was constantly trying to get Patty & Scott to get married so he could have Patty as a daughter-in-law. Mr D will be missed, but I know he will live on through those people who's lives he touched over the years.
Labels: news
maybe I was wrong
When writing my "stab proof hoodies" post yesterday I had no clue about
this horrible incident at VT. Had I known I might have thought that the UK could invest in stab proof hoodies, while the US should invest in bullet proof hoodies. I have to admit this is a rather scary prospect! I was poo-pooing it all yesterday, but now after reading the article, I'm more sure that everyone needs to start focusing on the problem of stabbings & shootings in both the US & UK! I wish I had an idea of what I thought would be a good solution, but I got nuthin. I still don't think that hoodies with vests in them is the solution, but I've got nodda for other ideas, so I can't slag off the company for their inventions, as I guess it's better than nothing!
Labels: news
Stab-Proof Hoodies for all
A wee bit scary if you ask me, isn't it enough that the military have to wear these all the time in places like Iraq, why are school children needing them - the article mentions "plans are underway for the Kevlar-lined clothes range to be extended to school uniforms" WTF? Are the streets & school yards that dangerous, if so I think there
has to be another and better way to deal with this. How annoying would it be to have to remember to bring your body armour with you every day to & from work or as a tourist just walking around visiting the city!!
Okay I'm heading home now . . .
Labels: news
back to the grind stone
As for
Zee's question about Mame's place - I decided not to take it after speaking with her again to confirm the price & realized that for that price I could get my own studio with a lot more room & since I'm not in a rush I decided to decline & check out some more places.
I've been on
Gumtree most of the morning checking places out & hopefully will have a few replies later this afternoon/evening!
Aside from that I personally don't have much to report, had lab meeting, ordered some antibodies, and now just searching endlessly for flats.
This news was pretty cool - I heard about it this morning on BBC One along with
this topic, which I'm sure will start some sort of controversy!! And
this article about the A380 is pretty darn exciting since my lil sis use to work on the engine which
Pratt & Whitney are making.
Will keep you posted if I hear anything exciting during the day, so far it's been pretty dull & the weather is rather cold & cloudy to bout!
Labels: flats, news
Look at this I'm not sure how all NY would enforce it, but it apparently is becoming a problem across our country and in other news,
here was the "America" top story from BBC's website a few minutes ago. I guess I should be some what happy* that these were the top 2 stories, maybe this means the war is slowing down since it didn't make headline news, NO sadly that is not the case, the real fact is that the media knows what "sells" to the public.
On a happier news front I'm making this post from my dad's house in upstate NY, which means I've safely arrived after driving for 4 hours (should have been 3.5 but there was a backup on I-90 b/c of an overturned tractor trailer which they were trying to pull up from the ditch.
Okay dad is ready to help with my taxes, so I'm off, catch ya laters, tarra & toodle pip!
*
not happy as is I'm glad she's dead!Labels: news, road trip
