Saturday, May 3

Auto Lobby Spends $70 Million

“This year, GM has spent $4.1 million on lobbying, the second most of any U.S. corporation behind General Electric, which spent $4.2 million.”

Congress Passes Bill Barring Genetic Discrimination

“Physicians now have access to more than 1,000 genetic tests that diagnose or assess the risk of developing potentially life-threatening diseases, including breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson's.”

One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong Press

“ Hong Kong ’s media, which have a tradition of using satire not always appreciated on the mainland, have been poking fun at Beijing ’s efforts to clean up its city and its residents. On April 19, TVB, a local television station that has programming in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, broadcast footage of a woman allowing her young child to relieve himself near the ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic stadium.”

Al Jazeera Cameraman Freed From Guantanamo After Six Years

“Al-Haj was never prosecuted at Guantanamo so the U.S did not make public its full allegations against him. But in a hearing that determined that he was an enemy combatant, U.S. officials alleged that in the 1990s, al-Haj was an executive assistant at a Qatar-based beverage company that provided support to Muslim fighters in Bosnia and Chechnya .”  (Well hell, didn't the U.S. government do that? - Ed.)

The Return of Limited Nuclear War?

“The monograph states that in certain circumstances U.S. leaders cannot be confident of deterring regional adversaries from using their limited arsenals, even if the United States maintains its nuclear superiority.”

Court-Approved Wiretapping Rose 14% in '07

“Additionally, the Justice Department announced that due to the increasing numbers of FISA wiretaps, it is creating a new office in its National Security Division, the Office of Intelligence.”

Bush Spells Out $70 Billion War-Funding Request

“If the request is passed, the total spending for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as antiterrorism operations since September 11, 2001 , would total $875 billion, The Associated Press reported, citing congressional analysts.”

Keyboards 'Dirtier Than Toilet Seat'

“Consumer group Which? said tests at its London offices found equipment carrying bugs that could cause food poisoning.”

Gene Therapy Improves Sight of Four Patients

“Although these studies were only designed to test safety, the results are ‘exciting,’ says Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute (NEI). ‘There is certainly a suggestion of efficacy.’ NEI is funding a third study based on the same gene therapy at Penn and at the University of Florida that also has ‘very encouraging’ results, says principal investigator Samuel Jacobson of Penn, but it is not yet ready for publication.”

Mommy 2.0: Kids’ Book on Plastic Surgery

“The book doesn't explain exactly why the mother is redoing her nose post-pregnancy. Nonetheless, Mom reassures her little girl that the new nose won't just look ‘different, my dear—prettier!’”

What the ASCAP Music Decision Means for Consumers

Was the New Finger a 'Natural' Miracle?

The Giant Squid – an Agile Predator of the Dark Antarctic Waters

Mechanical Squirrels, Robot Lizards Jump Into Research

“Rocky is among many robotic critters worldwide helping researchers observe animals in their natural environments rather than in labs. The research could let scientists better understand how animals work in groups, court, intimidate rivals and warn allies of danger.”

I Won't Ever Let The Position of County Surveyor Go to My Head

“God knows I have seen this job's power swell up inside lesser men, filling them with the godlike righteousness that only comes from being charged with the task of recording and maintaining the square-mile corners of land that were established by Congress to define the borders of Wayne County .”  Satire.

18mm

A photo blog.