Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says
Gee... Maybe instead of wasting time on insipid crap like this, the FDA should concern itself with why drugs like Phen-Fen and Vioxx get expedited through their approval system, despite evidence of their dangerous side effects and permanent organ damage... while drugs that have been used safely in Europe for many years are still awaiting approval. But it won't, because the pharmaceutical companies have plenty of $$$ to keep the FDA in their back pockets for years to come. Expect to hear about more "drugs" in your groceries as the FDA tries to look like it's actually doing its job.
I know Obama has his hands full with the many disasters at hand, but I sincerely hope he gets his hands on the FDA sometime during his tenure. The whole thing needs to be torn down and rebuilt from scratch, with full transparency and independent review of their decision-making process.
12 May 2009
09 April 2009
Republicans becoming a 'regional party'
Apparently, the Republicans are petering out in all but the Deep South. This is fantastic news! And we have Rush Limbaugh - and other loudmouthed right-wing asshats like him - to thank for accelerating the demise of their party.
After all, Rush Limbaugh et al are doing us all a favour. They are coming out and showing the ugly undercurrents so often thinly veiled by the Republican party - contempt for non-whites, women, non-Christians, environmentalists, and the poor, for starters. It's always been covert, of course, almost never being spoken but seen very clearly in the policies it implements. For once, with Rush and his ilk at the helm, the Republican party's actions actually match its words.
It's my fondest hope that, faced with the threat of extinction, the Republican party will be dragged - kicking and screaming, no doubt - into the 21st century. And with it, the Reform Alliance -- oops I mean Conservative Party of Canada. It's time to dump racist, sexist, classist, xenophobic notions and get with the program.
After all, Rush Limbaugh et al are doing us all a favour. They are coming out and showing the ugly undercurrents so often thinly veiled by the Republican party - contempt for non-whites, women, non-Christians, environmentalists, and the poor, for starters. It's always been covert, of course, almost never being spoken but seen very clearly in the policies it implements. For once, with Rush and his ilk at the helm, the Republican party's actions actually match its words.
It's my fondest hope that, faced with the threat of extinction, the Republican party will be dragged - kicking and screaming, no doubt - into the 21st century. And with it, the Reform Alliance -- oops I mean Conservative Party of Canada. It's time to dump racist, sexist, classist, xenophobic notions and get with the program.
08 April 2009
Silly pervert, tits are for kids
Woman inundated with hate mail over poolside breastfeeding
It seems there is no shortage of right-wing whackjobs who don't get the concept that the first and primary purpose of breasts is NOT sex, but rather, feeding one's young.
Humans are mammals. That starts with m-a-m-m-a, as in...
...aw gee what's that word again??...
...oh yes... MAMMARY.
That means "boobies," for those of you who missed Biology 101. That's right, just like every other mammal we are equipped with these for the purpose of feeding our babies.
If you have, in your mind, sexualized breasts to such an extent that you have lost sight of their entire reason for existing in the first place, there is something seriously wrong with your mindset. It takes a pervert in the extreme, to see a breastfeeding mother and think "pedophile." Just what do these folks think people did to feed their infants before artificial baby formula came along? They do realize they probably nursed at their own mothers' breasts at one time themselves... don't they?
But then, it's easy to confirm such perversion, since such individuals have taken to sending this woman hate mail calling her a pedophile and specifying the obscene acts they would perform on her. These people need counselling, and fast. Even for the ones who didn't threaten her with such acts, their sexual mindset is obviously so twisted that we can no doubt expect a high percentage of sexual offenders in this group. I hope this woman presses charges against each and every one so we can get them off the street.
I personally think it's a beautiful thing when a mother does not resort to allowing her baby to go hungry, or feeding it artificial baby formula, out of fear of offending some ignorant twisted pervert. First and foremost, boobs = baby food. And it's the best baby food, above and beyond any substitute humankind can concoct. So perverts, get over yourselves. Boobs were not made for you.
It seems there is no shortage of right-wing whackjobs who don't get the concept that the first and primary purpose of breasts is NOT sex, but rather, feeding one's young.
Humans are mammals. That starts with m-a-m-m-a, as in...
...aw gee what's that word again??...
...oh yes... MAMMARY.
That means "boobies," for those of you who missed Biology 101. That's right, just like every other mammal we are equipped with these for the purpose of feeding our babies.
If you have, in your mind, sexualized breasts to such an extent that you have lost sight of their entire reason for existing in the first place, there is something seriously wrong with your mindset. It takes a pervert in the extreme, to see a breastfeeding mother and think "pedophile." Just what do these folks think people did to feed their infants before artificial baby formula came along? They do realize they probably nursed at their own mothers' breasts at one time themselves... don't they?
But then, it's easy to confirm such perversion, since such individuals have taken to sending this woman hate mail calling her a pedophile and specifying the obscene acts they would perform on her. These people need counselling, and fast. Even for the ones who didn't threaten her with such acts, their sexual mindset is obviously so twisted that we can no doubt expect a high percentage of sexual offenders in this group. I hope this woman presses charges against each and every one so we can get them off the street.
I personally think it's a beautiful thing when a mother does not resort to allowing her baby to go hungry, or feeding it artificial baby formula, out of fear of offending some ignorant twisted pervert. First and foremost, boobs = baby food. And it's the best baby food, above and beyond any substitute humankind can concoct. So perverts, get over yourselves. Boobs were not made for you.
Same-sex marriage and ignoring Canada, in America
Gay marriage supporters watch historic vote in Vt
Great! Now the Republicans won't have to bitch about "activist judges" any more. It's been through the legislature. One long-time tactic by the social conservatives when things don't go their way is to say judges shouldn't have a say in such matters (never mind that the courts are precisely where civil rights matters should be decided, both in principle and by precedent). Then they fight to have the legislature decide. If that doesn't go their way either, they say that was never the right way to begin with and it should be voted on by the people. Or they will skip the legislature and take it to the voters (such as has been done in California), and if that doesn't go their way, they'll say it should have gone to the legislature. It seems they're running out of excuses and options, which is good news because their legal shell games are getting downright boring.
It's very disappointing, however, that the writers of the AP article mentioned above left something out of their list of countries allowing same-sex marriage. Hell-l-ooo-oo-o.... Canada?? No wonder most Americans don't know anything about Canada! Once again, Canada has been ignored in American media.
No, I'm not an American-hater. See this post - I spent most of my life in the States so I know what I'm talking about. Americans routinely ignore Canada in the media and this is just the latest blatant example. It's become even more readily apparent to me upon moving to Canada, just how consistent and thorough this ignorance really is. One needn't wonder why American media pisses Canadians off.
I've written a sternly worded message to the writers of the article, both for their lack of research integrity and for the systematic ignorance of Canada in U.S. media. I'll report back with the results, but to be honest I'm not getting my hopes up.
Great! Now the Republicans won't have to bitch about "activist judges" any more. It's been through the legislature. One long-time tactic by the social conservatives when things don't go their way is to say judges shouldn't have a say in such matters (never mind that the courts are precisely where civil rights matters should be decided, both in principle and by precedent). Then they fight to have the legislature decide. If that doesn't go their way either, they say that was never the right way to begin with and it should be voted on by the people. Or they will skip the legislature and take it to the voters (such as has been done in California), and if that doesn't go their way, they'll say it should have gone to the legislature. It seems they're running out of excuses and options, which is good news because their legal shell games are getting downright boring.
No, I'm not an American-hater. See this post - I spent most of my life in the States so I know what I'm talking about. Americans routinely ignore Canada in the media and this is just the latest blatant example. It's become even more readily apparent to me upon moving to Canada, just how consistent and thorough this ignorance really is. One needn't wonder why American media pisses Canadians off.
I've written a sternly worded message to the writers of the article, both for their lack of research integrity and for the systematic ignorance of Canada in U.S. media. I'll report back with the results, but to be honest I'm not getting my hopes up.
24 March 2009
Sometimes I'm ashamed to be American
Many of my fellow Canadians are hopping mad. And who can blame them? Basically, some late night attention-whore on Fox News gathered a panel of like-minded ignoramuses and they all started insulting and making light of Canada, its mission in Afghanistan, and the RCMP.
There's an article about the host's so-called "apology," which by the way essentially amounts to, "I said what I said, and if you're offended you must have misunderstood me. I'm sorry you misunderstood." Gee, it's hard not to forgive this guy, with such a heartfelt outpouring of remorse and all.
Mind you, Canadians have been fighting in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan, which is why Canadian troops have been dying at roughly twice the rate of American troops. Look at sheer percentages and you'll see this is right. Canada has been doing the bulk of the dirtiest and hardest work while other NATO nations hesitate to get involved - despite their pledges to do so. As if these conditions alone aren't sufficient cause for outrage, this pack of slovenly closed-minded mouth-breathers, in their stupefying ignorance, now have the gall to minimize and make light of these efforts and sacrifices.
They laughed about how it would be a perfect time to invade Canada while our military is out "getting manicures and pedicures," and waxed on about how we don't need a military anyway since we just piggyback our national security on the U.S. military. They claimed not to even know Canadian troops were in Afghanistan, basically saying you wouldn't know it because they're not accomplishing anything. They talked about how the missions last too long because we're too soft and not focused enough on the task at hand. The insults flowed fast and furious with blissfully clueless disregard for reality or facts.
Then they went on to make light of the RCMP, not realizing of course that their references to Canadian law enforcement being performed while riding horses and wearing red jackets as proof that "this is not a smart culture," ironically only serve to showcase their own culture of ignorance.
I really do mean that last phrase exactly the way it sounds. I can state with confidence, from personal experience, that yes indeed - there IS a culture of ignorance in the States. While no country is completely devoid of ignorant people, there is a dramatic difference in the frequency and severity of ignorance between the U.S. and Canada, enough to cause us to experience significant culture shock. There is a minimal education level here, even among the supposedly "uneducated," that still enables them to speak with an eloquence and depth of understanding simply not seen among their American counterparts. I'm not being an ass - I'm speaking of the cataclysmic failure of the U.S. public school system, which I have had the misfortune of experiencing for myself. Were it not for my own thirst for knowledge, and continual lifelong self-education through library books and the internet, I wouldn't have nearly the level of awareness and understanding that I do today. Yes, I have a college education too, and that certainly helps. But before you dismiss all this as anti-American propaganda, take a look at the rates of postsecondary education in the States vs. Canada. You will see that I'm not just blowing smoke up your butt when I say that Americans on average are less educated. Since less of them attend college or university, it follows that more of them rely on the increasingly inadequate public school system for their base of knowledge, and on mass media for supplementing that base.
Which brings me to the abysmal failure of the media to help educate Americans about the U.S.' role in world affairs. News in the U.S. is covered as though the U.S. is the centre of the universe and the American perspective is the only valid one. Yes, world issues and events are covered in world news... but usually in a cursory manner, with little background as to why these things are occurring or discussion of the cultural norms that must be taken into consideration to put them in perspective. The sovereignty of other countries, and the differences of other cultures, are regularly dismissed out of hand or even treated with open contempt. Canada (much less its substantial contributions to the American economy or NATO operations) is hardly mentioned at all, and when it is, it's generally to make fun of it as the 51st state, a lesser imitation of U.S. proper, a land of nothing but frozen tundra and igloos and primitive life, a place and people that just don't matter, and someone to blame whenever there is a lapse in U.S. Homeland Security. So as much as I'd love to claim this latest display of bad taste, ignorance, and contemptuous disrespect is an isolated incident, it's not even close. It's embarrassingly typical. Only now, this outrage is also being directed at those who risk life and limb in service of our country - our troops and our law enforcement. And it's part of a rapidly growing culture of ignorance perpetuated by a failing school system and a mass media that thinks covering the latest Britney Spears escapade is more important than fostering good citizenship or diplomacy and cultural awareness in world affairs.
Sometimes I'm ashamed to be American.
There's an article about the host's so-called "apology," which by the way essentially amounts to, "I said what I said, and if you're offended you must have misunderstood me. I'm sorry you misunderstood." Gee, it's hard not to forgive this guy, with such a heartfelt outpouring of remorse and all.
Mind you, Canadians have been fighting in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan, which is why Canadian troops have been dying at roughly twice the rate of American troops. Look at sheer percentages and you'll see this is right. Canada has been doing the bulk of the dirtiest and hardest work while other NATO nations hesitate to get involved - despite their pledges to do so. As if these conditions alone aren't sufficient cause for outrage, this pack of slovenly closed-minded mouth-breathers, in their stupefying ignorance, now have the gall to minimize and make light of these efforts and sacrifices.
They laughed about how it would be a perfect time to invade Canada while our military is out "getting manicures and pedicures," and waxed on about how we don't need a military anyway since we just piggyback our national security on the U.S. military. They claimed not to even know Canadian troops were in Afghanistan, basically saying you wouldn't know it because they're not accomplishing anything. They talked about how the missions last too long because we're too soft and not focused enough on the task at hand. The insults flowed fast and furious with blissfully clueless disregard for reality or facts.
Then they went on to make light of the RCMP, not realizing of course that their references to Canadian law enforcement being performed while riding horses and wearing red jackets as proof that "this is not a smart culture," ironically only serve to showcase their own culture of ignorance.
I really do mean that last phrase exactly the way it sounds. I can state with confidence, from personal experience, that yes indeed - there IS a culture of ignorance in the States. While no country is completely devoid of ignorant people, there is a dramatic difference in the frequency and severity of ignorance between the U.S. and Canada, enough to cause us to experience significant culture shock. There is a minimal education level here, even among the supposedly "uneducated," that still enables them to speak with an eloquence and depth of understanding simply not seen among their American counterparts. I'm not being an ass - I'm speaking of the cataclysmic failure of the U.S. public school system, which I have had the misfortune of experiencing for myself. Were it not for my own thirst for knowledge, and continual lifelong self-education through library books and the internet, I wouldn't have nearly the level of awareness and understanding that I do today. Yes, I have a college education too, and that certainly helps. But before you dismiss all this as anti-American propaganda, take a look at the rates of postsecondary education in the States vs. Canada. You will see that I'm not just blowing smoke up your butt when I say that Americans on average are less educated. Since less of them attend college or university, it follows that more of them rely on the increasingly inadequate public school system for their base of knowledge, and on mass media for supplementing that base.
Which brings me to the abysmal failure of the media to help educate Americans about the U.S.' role in world affairs. News in the U.S. is covered as though the U.S. is the centre of the universe and the American perspective is the only valid one. Yes, world issues and events are covered in world news... but usually in a cursory manner, with little background as to why these things are occurring or discussion of the cultural norms that must be taken into consideration to put them in perspective. The sovereignty of other countries, and the differences of other cultures, are regularly dismissed out of hand or even treated with open contempt. Canada (much less its substantial contributions to the American economy or NATO operations) is hardly mentioned at all, and when it is, it's generally to make fun of it as the 51st state, a lesser imitation of U.S. proper, a land of nothing but frozen tundra and igloos and primitive life, a place and people that just don't matter, and someone to blame whenever there is a lapse in U.S. Homeland Security. So as much as I'd love to claim this latest display of bad taste, ignorance, and contemptuous disrespect is an isolated incident, it's not even close. It's embarrassingly typical. Only now, this outrage is also being directed at those who risk life and limb in service of our country - our troops and our law enforcement. And it's part of a rapidly growing culture of ignorance perpetuated by a failing school system and a mass media that thinks covering the latest Britney Spears escapade is more important than fostering good citizenship or diplomacy and cultural awareness in world affairs.
Sometimes I'm ashamed to be American.
11 March 2009
It's official: the Catholic Church has lost its mind
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/07/catholic-abortion.html
What in the world is the Church thinking? They're going to excommunicate the mother and doctors for saving this girl's life, but NOT the disgusting pig step-father for victimizing her and creating this whole difficult situation in the first place? I just can't understand the Church's take on child molestation. And yet, according to them I'm a 'pervert' worthy of excommunication because I'm in a consensual relationship with an adult of the same gender. More proof that the Catholic Church not only doesn't condemn child molestation, but actually condones and protects it. So glad I look to God and NOT the Catholic Church for my moral compass!
What in the world is the Church thinking? They're going to excommunicate the mother and doctors for saving this girl's life, but NOT the disgusting pig step-father for victimizing her and creating this whole difficult situation in the first place? I just can't understand the Church's take on child molestation. And yet, according to them I'm a 'pervert' worthy of excommunication because I'm in a consensual relationship with an adult of the same gender. More proof that the Catholic Church not only doesn't condemn child molestation, but actually condones and protects it. So glad I look to God and NOT the Catholic Church for my moral compass!
11 February 2009
"Buy Canadian?" How about "SUPPORT Canadian?"
Unions call for 'Buy Canadian' policy
Note that it's the Canadian Auto Workers pushing for this policy. How exactly are we to support their industry? As far as I know, their bread and butter is American car companies. Shall we support their industry by buying American and Japanese cars built in Canada? Are they serious?
Let's not kid ourselves. These aren't "Canadian car companies," they are American companies whose actions are dictated by American interests, and Japanese companies dictated by Japanese interests. They will use us as long as they need us and then bam, out on our collective ear. One need only look at the impending closure of the Oshawa GM plant to see that this is true. There was much pleading and protesting about it, to no avail. And GM has already exported huge chunks of its manufacturing labour to Mexico. Mexico recently surpassed Canada in auto manufacturing. Coincidence? No. It's all about financial advantage. GM is not a Canadian company, it's not based in Canada, and it couldn't care less about Canadian jobs. The sooner we get that through our heads, the better.
I know of two Canadian car companies - Zenn and Dynasty... and neither of them ever got proper support from any level of government.
Compounding this tragedy is the environmental impact of such governmental mismanagement. Both of these are 100% electric cars. They are classified as LSV (Low Speed Vehicles) and are ideal for the type of short distances typical for city dwellers for getting to work, the grocery store, and miscellaneous errands. Since, at last count in 2006, 80% of all Canadians lived in an area classified as urban, a whole lot of people could be using these. Alas, the federal government dragged its heels on making provisions for putting these cars on our roads. Once it finally did, it fell to the provinces, and all but two - BC and Québec - have dragged their heels as well. So, where are these cars getting sold? In the 47 U.S. states that allow them, amongst other places. I've said it before - it's a travesty.
And now that the U.S. economy is tanking fast, and with it their rate of new vehicle purchases, how do you suppose these Canadian car companies are faring? Did the government offer to bail them out or help them along? No! Millions in bailout dollars are instead going to GM and Chrysler, with a line of credit extended to Ford... all American companies.
If the government was really serious about Canadian jobs, the Canadian economy, and the environment, they would give proper support to Canadian-based companies. Why are we giving billions of dollars - that's "billions" with a "b" - to GM, an American company that is already closing down at least one of their Canadian plants? What would happen if we took the money designated for American car companies and put it into Zenn and Dynasty and Canadian startups who want to make cars here? There would still be plenty left over to go into public transportation and infrastructure. Why would we insist on spending big bucks to (1) ensure that our businesses are at a disadvantage and (2) ensure that large segments of our economy and jobs remain at the mercy of foreign interests?
What a crock.
Note that it's the Canadian Auto Workers pushing for this policy. How exactly are we to support their industry? As far as I know, their bread and butter is American car companies. Shall we support their industry by buying American and Japanese cars built in Canada? Are they serious?
Let's not kid ourselves. These aren't "Canadian car companies," they are American companies whose actions are dictated by American interests, and Japanese companies dictated by Japanese interests. They will use us as long as they need us and then bam, out on our collective ear. One need only look at the impending closure of the Oshawa GM plant to see that this is true. There was much pleading and protesting about it, to no avail. And GM has already exported huge chunks of its manufacturing labour to Mexico. Mexico recently surpassed Canada in auto manufacturing. Coincidence? No. It's all about financial advantage. GM is not a Canadian company, it's not based in Canada, and it couldn't care less about Canadian jobs. The sooner we get that through our heads, the better.
I know of two Canadian car companies - Zenn and Dynasty... and neither of them ever got proper support from any level of government.
Compounding this tragedy is the environmental impact of such governmental mismanagement. Both of these are 100% electric cars. They are classified as LSV (Low Speed Vehicles) and are ideal for the type of short distances typical for city dwellers for getting to work, the grocery store, and miscellaneous errands. Since, at last count in 2006, 80% of all Canadians lived in an area classified as urban, a whole lot of people could be using these. Alas, the federal government dragged its heels on making provisions for putting these cars on our roads. Once it finally did, it fell to the provinces, and all but two - BC and Québec - have dragged their heels as well. So, where are these cars getting sold? In the 47 U.S. states that allow them, amongst other places. I've said it before - it's a travesty.
And now that the U.S. economy is tanking fast, and with it their rate of new vehicle purchases, how do you suppose these Canadian car companies are faring? Did the government offer to bail them out or help them along? No! Millions in bailout dollars are instead going to GM and Chrysler, with a line of credit extended to Ford... all American companies.
If the government was really serious about Canadian jobs, the Canadian economy, and the environment, they would give proper support to Canadian-based companies. Why are we giving billions of dollars - that's "billions" with a "b" - to GM, an American company that is already closing down at least one of their Canadian plants? What would happen if we took the money designated for American car companies and put it into Zenn and Dynasty and Canadian startups who want to make cars here? There would still be plenty left over to go into public transportation and infrastructure. Why would we insist on spending big bucks to (1) ensure that our businesses are at a disadvantage and (2) ensure that large segments of our economy and jobs remain at the mercy of foreign interests?
What a crock.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
