A Safe Place to Be Yourself and Do Your Thing

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Hola! So yesterday, a day which will live in infamy, Matt-Man got to strike something off of his Bucket List. He finally got to do an <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/06/paula-deen-does-not-hate-niggers.html">N-Word post</a>. Okay, I’m kidding. Kinda. Anyway, that satirical post accomplished its primary goal. Lots and lots and lots of page views! Hell yeah! *Hi-5’s Matt virtually* <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There were a few people who didn’t enjoy that post though. No really! Some people found that post to be in poor taste or thought it was unnecessary to use the N-Word and blah, blah, blah. Well look, would I have written that post? OH HAIL NAW! Not on your life. But, that doesn’t really matter cause this blog here is a safe place for Matt, me or anyone else who is posting to speak honestly and post whatever they want. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This includes a satirical posts from Paula Deen. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is primarily a humor/comedy blog. Matt-Man and I are both free to post whatever we want here. We don’t stop each other from talking about any topic or anything else, nor should we. Too many people censor themselves on their own damn blogs because they’re afraid they’re gonna upset someone or offend people or whatever. I've been known to do that myself. We shouldn’t be doing that. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Your blog is the only place where you will ever be totally free to be yourself, or anyone else you want to be. Even if you want to be Racist Paula Deen.  Back in the day I did a post on my old blog where I blasted Elizabeth Edwards that resulted in someone calling me a “pig” in the comments section and then telling me “I hope you get cancer and die!” Okay, fair enough. I like it when people speak their mind. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdWI6brFGfmFGC89XAwNP_BiW7Yb1BfGR0dw5QNrNtqXcB_bJKOjt-Qqx_uAiNkFDAUiRp9T8JVXK0nZ0xqa5Jx-AkdjjFOy593_T9hIXQY-OwczRxZd86nf8FL3ZqbJSWPHvMuEBHww/s700/Hyuna-Hot-Legs-Sexy-Nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdWI6brFGfmFGC89XAwNP_BiW7Yb1BfGR0dw5QNrNtqXcB_bJKOjt-Qqx_uAiNkFDAUiRp9T8JVXK0nZ0xqa5Jx-AkdjjFOy593_T9hIXQY-OwczRxZd86nf8FL3ZqbJSWPHvMuEBHww/s320/Hyuna-Hot-Legs-Sexy-Nude.jpg" width="189" /></a>Having said that, I don’t always agree with Matt and he doesn’t always agree with me. I don’t always like what he posts and he doesn’t always like what I post. I’m sure there are times when Matt rolls his eyes at how hard I work to find a way to post a pic of a hot Asian babe even though it doesn’t really fit with what the blog was about. That’s perfectly acceptable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, why am I bringing this up? Well, I‘ll tell ya why. Whenever you happen to read a post here that you fine offensive or upsetting we most definitely want you to let us know. It’s a little odd that the only time we get any feedback from people is when they aren’t happy, but that’s okay. We very much respect your opinions and beliefs as long as you respect ours. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, I got a few messages and emails from people who thought Matts’ post was in bad taste that thought we shouldn’t allow the “N-Word” on the blog. Plus a comment on a pic posted to the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iwsradio?ref=hl">IWS Facebook Fan Page</a>. But, I dismiss that cause it came from a guy who I know to be a raging fucking hypocrite. I have no doubt Matt has also heard from people who either don’t like me or don’t think I’m funny or are bitter middle-aged white women who are jealous of hot, petite, sexy and exotic Asian babes. I’m just guessing on that last part. Point is you can't always make everybody happy and you can always worry about people's sensibilities. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The people who had something to say about Matt’s post did so nicely and without name calling or rudeness or over the top OMG I’M SO OUTRAGED crap. I really appreciate that. But, there is one thing Matt and I would like to request of people who feel strongly enough about something to email and express their feelings. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Please make sure you direct your comments to the person who actually wrote the post.</i><br /><br />That’s really all we ask and we think that’s more than fair. Seriously, we put our name on the posts ya know.Thanks for your cooperation. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jayman68">Facebook.com/Jayman68</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws">@Jayman_IWS</a><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

A Safe Place to Be Yourself and Do Your Thing

Hola! So yesterday, a day which will live in infamy, Matt-Man got to strike something off of his Bucket List. He finally got to do an N-Word...

Read more »

U.S. House schedule for Friday, June 28, 2013

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/"><i>From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....</i></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH </b></u><br />On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. <br />First and last votes expected: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /><b>Complete Consideration of <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343574-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 2231</a></b> - Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, Rules Committee Print <br />(Structured Rule) <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)</i><br /><blockquote>The Rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order the following remaining amendments:</blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><b>Rep. Peter DeFazio Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Rep. Paul Broun Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Rep. Alan Grayson Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Reps. Capps / Brownley / Lowenthal Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)</blockquote></blockquote><b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY</b></u><br />Oversight & Government Reform Committee mark up of "<a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343575-6846703" target="_blank">Resolution<b> </b>Determining that Lois Lerner Waived Her Fifth Amendment Privilege</a>” (Friday, June 28th, at 9:00 a.m.)<br /></div><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343576-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Congress Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Friday, June 28, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office.... FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Fi...

Read more »

Breaking a sweat - sort of......???

Last night I texted Karen to tell them they need to be on standby today because, get this, I was going to WORK OUT!!  I wanted to make sure that I had the doc on standby for the anticipated breaks, sprains, swelling!!   My friend Britton has a guest pass for her gym so I went with her today.  Now, this may surprise you, but I actually have a lifetime membership at 24 Hour Fitness - I pay $45 dollars per year.  BUT I HATE GOING ALONE!!!!  I'll get more into my work out later.<br /><br />Today for lunch Britton brought this yummy chicken, pasta (whole wheat), broccoli cooked in a tomatos.  It was REALLY good.  I cut my portion size to what I would normally call "barely" which was about 2 cups total, maybe not even that much.  I chopped fresh vegetables for a salad and ate plenty of fresh raw veggies.  It was good!!<br /><br />Tonight, I am going to figure out diner, probably a chicken breast and some vegetables.  I'm not that hungry so I have to tell myself EAT!<br /><br />Ok, so, the gym.  Where do I start?  So, we get to the gym and I feel like the fat kid.  Wait, I AM the fat kid!  Britton was so great to get on the treadmill next to me to encourage me.  She usually does those step glider thingies.  I knew not to even TRY one of those.  That's like committing orthopedic suicide!  Anyway, she jogged while I walked.  I did a good 30 minutes at the speed of "2.5" whatever that was ha!!  It was a pretty good pace for a start.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05V1OmjOMaNpjAc_1oeQsZPoreK7wDqI35kM2DcbcLYmnEe4cP5CQkuPfDJVOwV_V-UzfUu3tB-Sj4IDaG6nvROGvHGfyKJZ95haWL5QX1cFgg-JEQrR396V6slnPmYNbxbBIdBhL-Q0/s640/IMG_5419%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05V1OmjOMaNpjAc_1oeQsZPoreK7wDqI35kM2DcbcLYmnEe4cP5CQkuPfDJVOwV_V-UzfUu3tB-Sj4IDaG6nvROGvHGfyKJZ95haWL5QX1cFgg-JEQrR396V6slnPmYNbxbBIdBhL-Q0/s320/IMG_5419%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>As you can tell, I am not exactly Miss Peppy workout queen</em></strong></div><br /><br /> I started off at 1.5 and ended at the 2.5   My legs started bothering me.  Well, I mean, if you had to carry this weight, I guess you'd be bothered too!!!  <br />So, I said, "I'll sit on the stationary bike".  <br /><br />I originally wasn't going to even do it in fear of my knees going on a permanent strike.  Well, the machine fascinated me so I decided to give it a go.  I broke the first machine!  NO JOKE haha!  I slid the seat too far back and we couldn't get it to move forward.  So, I jumped on the one next to me.  I was able to ride for about 10 minutes maybe at the most.  My knees were SCREAMING, so I decided to not push it.  <br /><br />This is an absolutely HIDEOUS picture.  But, I am all about exposing the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Ok, so the ugly is now exposed, I'm ready to promote to the bad!!  But, I am working out!!!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvrCR5UGJXmbYtzYjAF8DLXEyFtsxWUnQZOaVAAb1aMk1vMOSjFo9Ei_C51bnpO7Z9M9A2Ro6habpDkC0q4sa3dcUzMRHVVFVueqQkVcaDd9r-IrH85TIqnXxHRFggdMliD8vbywbgss/s960/IMG_5424%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvrCR5UGJXmbYtzYjAF8DLXEyFtsxWUnQZOaVAAb1aMk1vMOSjFo9Ei_C51bnpO7Z9M9A2Ro6habpDkC0q4sa3dcUzMRHVVFVueqQkVcaDd9r-IrH85TIqnXxHRFggdMliD8vbywbgss/s320/IMG_5424%5B1%5D.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>This is why I am the photographer.  I do NOT like to be in front of the lens.  Thanks to Britton for capturing this ugly moment, per my request.  Who does that?  Hey, I am ugly, sweaty, and I am making noises I didn't know I could make, can you capture that for me for my blog?  I want to give my viewers the TOTAL experience!!!  (You should be thankful you cant scratch n' sniff the photo).<br /><br />The good news, other then a little wind, nothing else broke!  I limped out a little and I am TOTALLY feeling it in my legs, but that's what a pain pill is for!  Yes, I will be taking 1/2 of one tonight.  I think we will be trying this again tomorrow.  I wonder if I can conveniently forget my workout clothes - if Britton will notice that it was intentional?<br /><br />Tomorrow is the big day!!  I am going to weigh in for the FIRST TIME since I started taking Belviq one week ago!  I am NERVOUS.  I hope I lost at least 2 lbs!!  I would be happy with even just 1 pound!  I will be recording the weigh in tomorrow.  I will also officially tell you all tomorrow what my starting weight is!!  So, everyone, start taking bets.  1.  What was my starting weight (YOU WILL NOT OFFEND ME: 200, 300, 400, 500 LOL - just take a guess). and 2.  How much do you THINK I lost based of what you read on my blog this week.<br /><br />Feel free to post it in a comment like 500/2 - 500 is the starting and 2 is what I lost.  I want to see how in tuned you are.  Just a little background information, I am 5'7.  <br /><br />Ready, set, guess................................................<br /><br />Tune in tomorrow!!!

Breaking a sweat - sort of......???

Last night I texted Karen to tell them they need to be on standby today because, get this, I was going to WORK OUT!!  I wanted to make sure ...

Read more »

The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot more interest in becoming fit and healthy. There are lots of forms of exercise, as any good personal trainer Carlsbad can tell you. Most people choose a certain number of forms that best suit their situation, need and schedule. One of the most commonly chosen ways to keep your body in shape is to play a sport.<br /> <br /> How Sports Could Help You<br /> <br /> Sports are among the best ways for a person to stay active. Not only do they keep your body moving, they also provide a variety of opportunities for you to improve yourself, with different ones depending on the particular sport. Among some of the most common reasons why people choose sports over workouts in the gym are:<br /> <br /> * The team sports teach people how to work effectively together and how to trust each other.<br /> <br /> * They are much more of a social activity than gym sessions can be as depending on the sport, any number of people can join in.<br /> <br /> * They can be done anywhere suitable, which means giving you the chance to breath in fresh air and have a good variety in scenery.<br /> <br /> * They generally need little equipment and require almost no payment to play.<br /> <br /> The Most Recommended Sports<br /> <br /> Your personal trainer Carlsbad is going to have a good list of sports that you'll be able to play. They'll have been chosen based on what you're shooting for, what your current fitness status is and how much free time you've got in your personal schedule. The sports that are most commonly played for their fitness benefits are:<br /> <br /> * Volleyball<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Rowing<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Swimming<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> * Soccer<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> Why Listen To A Personal Trainer Carlsbad<br /> <br /> A personal trainer Carlsbad has been trained well to know that each person is unique and will therefore need a personal way to become physically fit. This includes choosing the appropriate type of sports for you. Carlsbad is an area that is known for its love of exercise, and due to the many people there who are looking to be fit, there are many options in terms of working out.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Being in excellent condition with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-carlsbad/">Personal Trainer Carlsbad</a> not just improves your entire body but also your health too. The advantages that one can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/117219889004260885472/about">Carlsbad Personal Trainer</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

By Brandon Watkins Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot m...

Read more »

Proven Weight Loss Ideas From The Experts

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By John Taylor</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>If you have decided that your are overweight and want to lose some stubborn pounds, the very first place to make changes is to your daily diet. What you eat gets the most significant effect on your size. Physical fitness should accompany a sensible diet program as well, although primary emphasis should be on changing the foods you consume. The next article is packed with tips and advice to help maximize your weight loss.<br /> <br /> A good idea for losing weight is to begin drinking green tea. Green tea extract is proven to enhance metabolism and it's a fantastic natural solution to get power. Just have a glass of green tea each morning prior to your workout and you'll have more energy.<br /> <br /> Weight reduction will go faster in the event that you contain the bread. Eating out isn't necessarily a negative thing. Unfortunately if you eat out, servers quickly shuffle over with chips, dips, combinations, and warm loaves of bread. Do not take them. Send them right back for those who have to. Your stomach will thank you.<br /> <br /> Losing weight is something, but keeping that core weight soon becomes a fresh problem. To-do this, you are going to need to stay to a similar regime to the one that brought you to this new goal and improve it where need be. Don't let yourself go because you think the job is done after you lose the weight.<br /> <br /> Feeling hungry causes us to consume. Eating causes us to gain weight. Feeling total decreases our experience of hunger. Therefore a method to lose weight is to complete more often. One of the ways you can "trick" your body into feeling complete more generally is by eating spicy foods that have more capsaicin in them, including foods lightly spiced with cayenne or jalapeno pepper. No need to overdo it, adequate to burn off a bit will do fine.<br /> <br /> A simple way to lose fat is by eating a salad before every meal. Soups contain plenty of fibre that will fill you up without supplying you with excess calories to lose. Try not to put additional dressing or cheese to the salad, since this can just add fat and calories that you simply want to avoid.<br /> <br /> You could lose weight by drinking milk before a meal. Work will allow you to feel whole, thus, drinking it before meals will cause you never to overeat. In addition, milk is rich in calcium, which ensures you strong bones and healthy muscles.<br /> <br /> Popcorn is a good snack for slimming down. Avoid movie theater popcorn or making popcorn with lots of extra butter or oils. Corn is a whole grain and whole grains are extremely important to digest when on a <a href="http://themissingbridges1.blogspot.in/">weight loss program</a>. Buy or borrow popcorn air popper. The air going method is very healthy. In the event the popcorn choices too mundane for you, try playing with spices or even adding Parmesan cheese to the popcorn for different taste a few ideas that are not fat and laden with butters or oils.<br /> <br /> Make sure you are exercising, when you're striving toward your weight reduction goals. You do not want to exercise simply to exercise both, you want to create every exercise count. Remember, it's the caliber of the exercise that counts and not the amount. You can walk all day long and though it may help in reducing your weight, running will help you lose weight even more quickly.<br /> <br /> Before attending a vacation party or dinner, ask the coordinator to talk about the menu with you. Once you learn what's being offered, you can determine beforehand what you will eat. Bring a plate on a bit of paper and piece it out. Seeing it written down will make you feel committed to those parts while at the dinner. The less you have to make spur of-the moment decisions, a lot more likely you're to keep to your diet program.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Weight loss is deceptively simple, and as long as you have <a href="http://themistsbirch.weebly.com/">the information</a>, it is accessible.</div><br /> </div><br />

Proven Weight Loss Ideas From The Experts

By John Taylor If you have decided that your are overweight and want to lose some stubborn pounds, the very first place to make changes ...

Read more »

Obama to suspend Bangladesh trade privileges. Now let's fix the real problem.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/business/us-to-suspend-trade-privileges-with-bangladesh-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">Reports have been flying around today</a> that the Obama administration would suspend Bangladesh’s trade privileges in response to continued concerns over worker safety, yielding to pressure from labor and Democrats in Congress.<br /><br />Bangladesh has come under fire after <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/world/asia/report-on-bangladesh-building-collapse-finds-widespread-blame.html">1,129 workers lost their lives</a> when a factory collapsed this past April, capturing the world’s attention and calling into question the country’s commitment to improving working conditions and workers’ rights. The country’s track record is horrible, with many labor and human rights advocates <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/25/bangladesh-tragedy-shows-urgency-worker-protections">questioning the Bangladesh’s Ministry of Labour’s Inspection Department’s competency</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.laborrights.org/">International Labor Rights Forum</a> has taken action by drafting its “<a href="http://laborrights.org/sites/default/files/publications-and-resources/Accord_on_Fire_and_Building_Safety_in_Bangladesh_2013-05-13.pdf">Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh</a>” which calls on clothing manufacturers to take responsibility for the conditions at the factories where their products are produced. More than 40 apparel and retail companies have signed the agreement that requires companies to participate in and fund a program of independent safety inspections, remediation, and worker safety trainings with the involvement of trade unions. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br /><br />However, this is not a problem unique to Bangladesh, nor can we depend on the industry to fix the problem. The garment industry as a whole is viewed as being reluctant to take an active role in promoting worker safety and rights at facilities in countries that have weak or nonexistent labor laws. <br /><br />The only way to ensure that workers’ rights are protected is to change the way the U.S. drafts it trade agreements, building in human and worker’s rights provisions that must be followed by the trade partners. Until the U.S. holds its trade partners responsible for improving working conditions in poor, developing nations, we will continue to see tragedies like April’s horrific accident occur. Workers will continue to toil away for low pay in unsafe conditions with no recourse.  <br /><br />

Obama to suspend Bangladesh trade privileges. Now let's fix the real problem.

Reports have been flying around today that the Obama administration would suspend Bangladesh’s trade privileges in response to continued co...

Read more »

Disruptions: Medicine That Monitors You - NYTimes.com

They look like normal pills, oblong and a little smaller than a daily vitamin. But if your doctor writes a prescription for these pills in the not-too-distant future, you might hear a new twist on an old cliché: "Take two of these ingestible computers, and they will e-mail me in the morning."<br /><br><br /><br>As society struggles with the privacy implications of wearable computers like Google Glass, scientists, researchers and some start-ups are already preparing the next, even more intrusive wave of computing: ingestible computers and minuscule sensors stuffed inside pills.<br /><br><br /><br><br /><br>For people in extreme professions, like space travel, various versions of these pills have been used for some time. But in the next year, your family doctor — at least if he's technologically adept — could also have them in his medicinal tool kit.Although these tiny devices are not yet mainstream, some people on the cutting edge are already swallowing them to monitor a range of health data and wirelessly share this information with a doctor. And there are prototypes of tiny, ingestible devices that can do things like automatically open car doors or fill in passwords.<br /><br><br /><br>Inside these pills are tiny sensors and transmitters. You swallow them with water, or milk if you'd prefer. After that, the devices make their way to the stomach and stay intact as they travel through the intestinal tract.<br /><br><br /><br>"You will — voluntarily, I might add — take a pill, which you think of as a pill but is in fact a microscopic robot, which will monitor your systems" and wirelessly transmit what is happening, Eric E. Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, said last fall at a company conference. "If it makes the difference between health and death, you're going to want this thing."<br /><br><br /><br>One of the pills, made by Proteus Digital Health, a small company in Redwood City, Calif., does not need a battery. Instead, the body is the power source. Just as a potato can power a light bulb, Proteus has added magnesium and copper on each side of its tiny sensor, which generates just enough electricity from stomach acids.<br /><br><br /><br>As a Proteus pill hits the bottom of the stomach, it sends information to a cellphone app through a patch worn on the body. The tiny computer can track medication-taking behaviors — "did Grandma take her pills today, and what time?" — and monitor how a patient's body is responding to medicine. It also detects the person's movements and rest patterns.<br /><br><br /><br>Executives at the company, which recently raised $62.5 million from investors, say they believe that these pills will help patients with physical and neurological problems. People with heart failure-related difficulties could monitor blood flow and body temperature; those with central nervous system issues, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, could take the pills to monitor vital signs in real time. The Food and Drug Administration approved the Proteus pill last year.<br /><br><br /><br>A pill called the CorTemp Ingestible Core Body Temperature Sensor, made by HQ Inc. in Palmetto, Fla., has a built-in battery and wirelessly transmits real-time body temperature as it travels through a patient.<br /><br><br /><br>Firefighters, football players, soldiers and astronauts have used the device so their employers can monitor them and ensure they do not overheat in high temperatures. CorTemp began in 2006 as a research collaboration from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.<br /><br><br /><br>Lee Carbonelli, HQ's marketing director, said the company hoped, in the next year, to have a consumer version that would wirelessly communicate to a smartphone app.<br /><br><br /><br>Future generations of these pills could even be convenience tools.<br /><br><br /><br>Last month, Regina Dugan, senior vice president for Motorola Mobility's advanced technology and projects group, showed off an example, along with wearable radio frequency identification tattoos that attach to the skin like a sticker, at the D: All Things Digital technology conference.<br /><br><br /><br>Once that pill is in your body, you could pick up your smartphone and not have to type in a password. Instead, you are the password. Sit in the car and it will start. Touch the handle to your home door and it will automatically unlock. "Essentially, your entire body becomes your authentication token," Ms. Dugan said.<br /><br><br /><br>But if people are worried about the privacy implications of wearable computing devices, just wait until they try to wrap their heads around ingestible computing.<br /><br><br /><br>"This is yet another one of these technologies where there are wonderful options and terrible options, simultaneously," said John Perry Barlow, a founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a privacy advocacy group. "The wonderful is that there are a great number of things you want to know about yourself on a continual basis, especially if you're diabetic or suffer from another disease. The terrible is that health insurance companies could know about the inner workings of your body."<br /><br><br /><br>And the implications of a tiny computer inside your body being hacked? Let's say they are troubling.<br /><br><br /><br>There is, of course, one last question for this little pill. After it has done its job, flowing down around the stomach and through the intestinal tract, what happens next?<br /><br><br /><br>"It passes naturally through the body in about 24 hours," Ms. Carbonelli said, but since each pill costs $46, "some people choose to recover and recycle it."<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/disruptions-medicine-that-monitors-you/?src=me">http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/disruptions-medicine-that-monitors-you/?src=me</a>

Disruptions: Medicine That Monitors You - NYTimes.com

They look like normal pills, oblong and a little smaller than a daily vitamin. But if your doctor writes a prescription for these pills in t...

Read more »

Teamster tells Congress why Amtrak needs funding

Amtrak desperately needs long-term funding, but Republicans in the House of Representatives want to cut federal spending on Amtrak by 29 percent and eliminate funding for high speed rail.<br /><br />Brother John Tolman from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen today urged<a href="http://transportation.house.gov/subcommittees/railroads-pipelines-and-hazardous-materials"> members of Congress</a> to support long-term funding for Amtrak. Tolman was speaking on behalf of 37,000 active BLET members and over 70,000 Rail Conference members. He told the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The BLET supports of the concept of a unified national plan for our nation’s passenger and freight railroads, as it is consistent with our desire for long-term planning and financing of rail. It also is imperative that any National Rail Policy would protect the interests of the men and women who work in the railroad industry. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">In order for our nation to meet the economic and environmental challenges that we face, we must continue to invest in infrastructure and to develop and plan for new means to get goods and people from place to place, in the most fuel efficient means possible; Rail clearly is the best means of doing this.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEiO-Xv61_tCPI7RnX8mUpnAQ6uAAy0AfYcox0CHFvB6nvMm35nngnlJNKVsVLZFvXhyphenhyphen8CHceQHa_R8zaU9Obbwo-QLIV8-bKThd9Z-A_mW1UepwexWB4Q3Tpg5DbJFFHNtpBucPwMkl5/s300/john+tolman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEiO-Xv61_tCPI7RnX8mUpnAQ6uAAy0AfYcox0CHFvB6nvMm35nngnlJNKVsVLZFvXhyphenhyphen8CHceQHa_R8zaU9Obbwo-QLIV8-bKThd9Z-A_mW1UepwexWB4Q3Tpg5DbJFFHNtpBucPwMkl5/s300/john+tolman.jpg" /></a></div>Tolman cited Amtrak's successes:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">On the passenger side, Amtrak and other intercity and commuter railroads, and its employees, have the knowledge, skills and abilities to develop, implement and grow passenger rail in this country. They have done great work and continue to set ridership records, across the US. Passenger rail is a great example of the old quote (Field of Dreams) “if you build it, they will come”. On Amtrak, this cycle of underfunding must end, they desperately need long term funding.</blockquote>And he pleaded for safety:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Too often, cost benefit analysis is used as the sole objection against moving ahead on a Rail Safety Projects.  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">If we could rewind time and freeze the moment before any fatal accident — such as Macdona, Texas or Graniteville, NC, occurred and talk to that train crew, or residents,  who among us would like to explain them that they would die in the accident, not from the accident itself but from smoke or hazardous materials inhalation because the Congressionally-mandated emergency escape breathing apparatus or switch point indicators failed a cost benefit analysis?  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Let’s work to implement feasible, protective safety opportunities for the public and the employees. As Ed Hamburger, testified last week in the Senate, and stated “Job Safety is the number 1 issue, for the industry.” Let’s walk the walk and talk the talk, and get things done together.</blockquote>You can join the chorus of voices urging adequate funding for Amtrak and high-speed rail by sending a letter to Congress <a href="http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50740/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=8300">here</a>.

Teamster tells Congress why Amtrak needs funding

Amtrak desperately needs long-term funding, but Republicans in the House of Representatives want to cut federal spending on Amtrak by 29 per...

Read more »

D.C. Council backs higher minimum wage for Walmart, big box stores

The Washington, D.C., City Council took an important step to ensure large retailers like Walmart pay a fair wage. The Council tentatively approved a bill yesterday requiring such companies to pay their employees at least $12.50 an hour.<br /><br />By an 8-to-5 vote, the council backed a measure that would raise the minimum wage for those who work at big box retailers by $4.25 an hour. Workers qualify if they are employed at non-union shops that are at least 75,000 square feet and whose parent companies gross above $1 billion annually. Lawmakers are expected to take a final vote on the legislation next month.<br /><br />Three Walmart stores are currently being built in the nation's capital, and two are expected to open this year. Other D.C. retailers that could be affected include Target and Home Depot.<br /><br />One of the bill's sponsors, Council member Vincent Orange <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/living-wage-bill-passes-initial-dc-council-vote/2013/06/26/3231680c-de83-11e2-b797-cbd4cb13f9c6_print.html">said</a> it is time for workers' interests to be supported in the city.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">For once in your life, stop worrying about business, because business is going to take care of itself.</blockquote>Other people took to Twitter to express their support of the legislation. Sam Jewler tweeted the measure could have the effect of increasing salaries across the city.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">This bill says lets have the biggest market actors pull wages UP instead of DOWN. Very simple idea, benefits all.</blockquote>The vote is a victory for workers who have stood up to the nation's largest retailer as part of the <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/06/walmart-workers-on-strike-tell-ceo-stop.html">Our Walmart</a> campaign. Scores of workers have periodically gone on strike in recent months across the country to protest low pay and benefits at the retail chain. That effort is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. <br /><br />The Teamsters are supporting Walmart workers in their quest for better treatment. Teamsters around the country joined actions at local Walmart stores on June 7, the day of the chain's annual meeting. Rallies were held at<a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/06/walmart-workers-on-strike-tell-ceo-stop.html"><span style="color: #336699;"> dozens of Walmart stores around the U.S</span></a>. that day.

D.C. Council backs higher minimum wage for Walmart, big box stores

The Washington, D.C., City Council took an important step to ensure large retailers like Walmart pay a fair wage. The Council tentatively ap...

Read more »

Chicago Teamster funeral directors hope they won't have to strike

As Teamster funeral directors in Chicago head into talks with corporate giant <a href="http://www.sci-corp.com/SCICORP/home.aspx">SCI</a> tomorrow, they're hoping they don't have to sanction a possible strike or job actions at local funeral homes and cemeteries.<br /><br />But the company's unchecked greed and indignation may force strikes and labor disputes.<br /><br />The Teamster funeral directors' new website, <a href="http://integrityinillinois.com/">integrityinillinois.com</a>, explains SCI is a $3.8 billion company with about 13 percent of the market share in the funeral industry.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Founded in 1962, SCI has grown into a company with 1,423 funeral service locations and 374 cemeteries (including 214 funeral service/cemetery combination locations) in North America. The company’s business model is based on buying successful funeral homes that are well known in any given community. The company then retains the home’s original name and often the home’s original owners as managers. Many times the affected community doesn’t even know a multi-billion dollar corporation now owns the funeral home. </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYcAGGA8Xe0l9PBaR5Rk0NjfxLRhJJjJeW3B9TPwK15s4XDf0DKakmeolWj5ItCtAELn0KD2hbPo-Pj8rwSeOdowQ9ZfMlc3W12-kA_eq9O_pqo7qzAk0rL8bZmusVWO5wf164l8PQnLU/s1600/funeral+directors+rally.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYcAGGA8Xe0l9PBaR5Rk0NjfxLRhJJjJeW3B9TPwK15s4XDf0DKakmeolWj5ItCtAELn0KD2hbPo-Pj8rwSeOdowQ9ZfMlc3W12-kA_eq9O_pqo7qzAk0rL8bZmusVWO5wf164l8PQnLU/s320/funeral+directors+rally.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You'd think a company would reward its employees after its stock rose 56 percent in the last year. You'd be wrong. SCI is demanding 40 concessions from the funeral directors who have made it so successful. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">The funeral home giant wants to eliminate the  pension plan, raise the cost of health insurance, freeze wages for new hires and remove protections for disabled employees.</span><br /><br />You can help your brothers and sisters at Chicago funeral homes by signing the petition <a href="http://www.integrityinillinois.com/online-petition.html">here</a>. It says, in part, <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">These workers are professionals who provide an invaluable service to grieving families, and they deserve the same respect they give to our communities.</blockquote>We'll keep you posted on the negotiations.

Chicago Teamster funeral directors hope they won't have to strike

As Teamster funeral directors in Chicago head into talks with corporate giant SCI tomorrow, they're hoping they don't have to sanct...

Read more »

How unions make you safer on the road

Unionized drivers in the curbside bus industry are laying down rules that make the trip safer for everyone -- and more profitable for the company.<br /><br />After years of frustration with dangerous working conditions, low pay, and terrible healthcare, contract negotiations with Megabus workers in <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/02/woo-hoo-another-teamster-victory-in-nj.html">Chicago</a> at Local 777 and <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/02/woo-hoo-another-teamster-victory-in-nj.html">Springfield, N.J.,</a> at Local 102 have made their buses safer.<br /><br />Since organizing in 2011, Chicago Megabus drivers have better working conditions in a company that has <a href="http://www.kcrg.com/home/top-9/TV9-Investigation-Megabus-Has-Poor-Record-for-Driver-Fatigue-180788161.html">a history of ignoring driver fatigue.</a><br /><br />“If you are respected by your company, you have this sense that this is a profession,” said Courtney Bell, business agent for Teamsters Local 777. “Drivers have enforceable safety standards (and) Megabus is held accountable to (that) contract.”<br /><br /><a href="http://atu.3cdn.net/2e6f3bbd046be7f383_nrm6bsrsc.pdf">Driver-related problems account for 60 percent of fatalities</a> in the curbside bus industry, according to a report published by the Amalgamated Transit Union. Driver fatigue (38 percent) and driver medical condition (18 percent) head the list. <br /><br />The Chicago contract set a living wage standard, provided a choice of different affordable healthcare plans and added co-drivers for most drives so tired drivers can switch places.<br /><br />Legally, bus drivers aren’t required to receive overtime -- or, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/public-transit/290565-transit-union-to-administration-address-bus-driver-fatigue">even minimum wage</a>. Without union representation, many drivers are pressured to <a href="http://www.labornotes.org/2012/04/asleep-wheel">work up to 100 hours a week</a>. ATU president Larry Hanley notes that:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The wages of most of these drivers are abysmally low. The website Glassdoor.com pegs the top wage of drivers at just $29,000 per year. The low wages often force workers to take a second job during their off hours—hours in which they should be resting before their next run. </blockquote>In order to save even more money, discount operators encourage or coerce their drivers to work overtime, thus avoiding the need to hire enough drivers to actually do the work.<br /><br />The prevalence of unsafe, non-union companies is such a huge concern that the National Transportation Safety Board actually <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/nyregion/federal-officials-shut-down-26-bus-operators.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0">shut down</a> <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130308/chinatown/feds-shut-down-another-chinatown-bus-company-over-safety-violations">a bunch of</a> <a href="http://gothamist.com/2013/03/02/rip_fung_wah_feds_pull_chinatown_bu.php">the unregulated death traps</a> over the past year.<br /><br />One of the non-union companies not only routinely falsified bus documents, but <a href="http://ohsonline.com/articles/2013/06/14/virginia-bus-company-shut-down-for-being-imminent-safety-hazard.aspx?admgarea=news">also racked up 39 safety violations </a>in just two months:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The company repeatedly dispatched another driver whose medical certificate had expired and had been falsified. Drivers were not required by the company to turn in hours-of-service records or other required documentation such as driving itineraries and fuel receipts.</blockquote>Without strong union support, drivers aren’t the only people left vulnerable. The public is safer with rested, healthy and professional drivers – and the reputation of the company has flourished because of it.<br /><br />Since Megabus drivers in the Chicago and New Jersey hubs become Teamsters two years ago, Megabus has almost doubled its total amount of customer trips. Unlike other companies, the unionized Megabus hubs are doing more business than ever.<br /><br /> <br /><br />

How unions make you safer on the road

Unionized drivers in the curbside bus industry are laying down rules that make the trip safer for everyone -- and more profitable for the co...

Read more »

USA AND RUSSIA: FULL SCALE WAR IN SYRIA IMMINENT?

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrzDLyD0Orvqq9u0PT8ZVZtiT0rYJklPJgwVzuSupqltP_X1ghnYj0Xl0NqR0RwAdrs0YOXs-U-bY83BZU7H5E-rxcGXRmmAZNxoAkIJgD8Wtbw92GNg-TDHCAUNZLbSbJGTRkipsb_oc/s391/arton172205-da5e8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrzDLyD0Orvqq9u0PT8ZVZtiT0rYJklPJgwVzuSupqltP_X1ghnYj0Xl0NqR0RwAdrs0YOXs-U-bY83BZU7H5E-rxcGXRmmAZNxoAkIJgD8Wtbw92GNg-TDHCAUNZLbSbJGTRkipsb_oc/s400/arton172205-da5e8.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RUSSIA EVACUATES TARTUS, ALSO MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL FROM SYRIA. HIGH WAR ALERT IN ISRAEL</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Via DEBKAfile </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RUSSIA announced that the evacuation of all military and diplomatic personnel from SYRIA was now complete, including the Russian naval base at Tartus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“RUSSIA decided to withdraw its personnel because of the risks from the conflict in SYRIA, as well as the fear of an incident involving the RUSSIAN military that could have larger consequences,” said a defense ministry official in Moscow. He stressed that a 16-ship naval task force in the eastern MEDITERRANEAN remains on post and arms shipments, including anti-air weapons, would continue to the SYRIAN government in keeping with former contracts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In another sign of an impending escalation in SYRIA, the ISRAELI GOLAN brigade staged an unannounced war maneuver on the Golan, attended by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and top army chiefs. In London, Prime Minister David Cameron called the government’s National Security Council into session in Downing Street on SYRIA. Opposition leader Ed Milliband was invited to attend the meeting, a custom observed only when issues of the highest security importance are discussed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5NQH9g17sJd9pyCl124IdwjZ-THnw-eXu0wXVoAmuZWyZkj4fkNCZqcfihhqTNo2aSNtKsSPqoCuSXrlmzKSG3r5Wuc1rWEqRAjm_pxsV1mAMKY3JCua52sp9JR2ixWib9XkyJ2jpR3t/s450/OPUTIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5NQH9g17sJd9pyCl124IdwjZ-THnw-eXu0wXVoAmuZWyZkj4fkNCZqcfihhqTNo2aSNtKsSPqoCuSXrlmzKSG3r5Wuc1rWEqRAjm_pxsV1mAMKY3JCua52sp9JR2ixWib9XkyJ2jpR3t/s320/OPUTIN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The sullen confrontation between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama at the G8 Summit in NORTHERN IRELAND last week condemned SYRIA to five months of escalating, unresolved vicious warfare – that is until the two leaders meet again in September.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For now, tempers are heating up between Washington and Moscow on SYRIA and other things too, notably the elusive AMERICAN fugitive Edward Snowden.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USA AND ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE WATCHERS SEE THE SYRIAN CRISIS ENTERING SEVEN OMINOUS PHASES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />1. A five-month bloodbath centering on the battle for Aleppo, a city of 2.2 million inhabitants. The SYRIAN army plus allies and the fully-mobilized opposition will hurl all their manpower and weapons into winning the city. Military experts don’t expect the rebels to hold out against Assad’s forces beyond late August.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.  Neither side has enough manpower or game-changing weaponry for winning the war outright. That is, unless Presidents Obama or Putin steps in to retilt the balance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. The US and RUSSIA are poised for more military intervention in the conflict up until a point just short of a military clash on SYRIAN soil – or elsewhere in the MIDDLE EAST. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">US intelligence analysts have judged Putin ready to go all the way on SYRIA against the US - no holds barred.</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span>The RUSSIAN president is meanwhile deliberately goading Washington and raising temperatures by playing hide-and-seek over the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, charged with espionage for stealing and leaking classified intelligence. At home, he is considered variously as a traitor and a brave whistleblower.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For several hours Snowden vanished between Hong Kong and Moscow – until the RUSSIAN president admitted he was holed up in the transit area of Moscow airport and would not be extradited by RUSSIA to the UNITED STATES.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.  IRAN, Hizballah and IRAQ will likewise ratchet up their battlefield presence.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">A violent encounter is building up between Middle East Shiites flocking to SYRIA to save the Assad regime alongside RUSSIA, and the US-backed Sunni-dominated rebel forces.</span><br /></b>It could scuttle the secret US-IRANIAN negotiating track on its nuclear program, which was buoyed up by the election of the pragmatic Hassan Rouhani as President of IRAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.  The Geneva-2 Conference for a political solution for the SYRIAN crisis is dead in the water. Moscow and the US are divided by unbridgeable issues of principle, such whether Bashar Assad should stay or go and IRANIAN representation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.  So long as the diplomatic remains stuck in the mud, the prospects of a regional war spreading out of the SYRIAN conflict are rising. IRAN, ISRAEL, JORDAN and LEBANON may be dragged in at any moment – if they have not already, like LEBANON.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A small mistake by one of the SYRIAN warring parties in SYRIA could, for example, touch off ISRAELI retaliation and a wholesale spillover of violence.</span></div>

USA AND RUSSIA: FULL SCALE WAR IN SYRIA IMMINENT?

RUSSIA EVACUATES TARTUS, ALSO MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL FROM SYRIA. HIGH WAR ALERT IN ISRAEL Via DEBKAfile  RUSSIA announced that the ...

Read more »

High court is corporate America's best friend

The Supreme Court means business when it issues a decision. Big business, that is.<br /><br />The U.S. Chamber of Commerce during the just-ended court session won more cases than ever, prevailing in 13 of the 16 appeals in which it took a position. The latest examples came this week when the nation's top corporate lobbying group won three cases that shield big business from existing law.<br /><br />Two of the cases made it easier for companies to strike back at workers who allege they are victims of discrimination. The other granted legal immunity to a generic drug manufacturer whose product reportedly caused severe burns to a patient's body. <br /><br />In one instance, the high court went even further than the government officials who initially put the policy in place. Per <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/06/24/2205241/supreme-court-ruled-in-favor-of-americas-top-corporate-lobbying-group-in-13-of-16-cases-this-term/">Think Progress</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Notably the Court deferred so completely to the Chamber [this week] that it adopted a harsh rule limiting sexual and racial harassment claims even though the attorney arguing that case on behalf of the defendant — a former Solicitor General under George W. Bush — <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/06/24/2200681/the-scariest-pending-supreme-court-case-that-youve-probably-never-heard-of/">would not endorse the rule himself while he was arguing the case</a>. So the five conservative justices sided with the Chamber even though no party before the Court agreed with the Chamber’s position.</blockquote>That is not good news for the nation's workers. Fortunately, not everyone involved in the lawmaking process has it out for us. Rep. Alan Grayson introduced <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/174975/grayson-announces-bill-let-workers-personally-sue-bosses-who-retaliate#ixzz2XHInueLM">legislation</a> that would expand the legal remedies available to non-union workers who are punished for workplace activism. Beyond seeking redress from the National Labor Relations Board, it would allow most employees to sue their boss in civil court for retaliating, and the chance to seek an injunction to swiftly reverse the alleged retaliation.<br /><br />Sadly there is little chance the legislation will be taking up during the current Congress. The House Republican leadership ensures it. But we hail policymakers who take a stand on behalf of middle-class families. And we live to fight another day.

High court is corporate America's best friend

The Supreme Court means business when it issues a decision. Big business, that is. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce during the just-ended court ...

Read more »

Don't Stop Believing: The Retiring Principal Flashmob you've gotta see

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J-2utYVSNAM" width="560"></iframe><br />Principal Roger Boddie  has led <a href="http://www.hcamtv.tv/2013/06/10/flash-mob-hingham-middle-school-honor-retiring-principal-roger-boddie/" target="_blank">Hingham Middle School</a> in Massachusetts for 36 years. On his last day on the job, the entire school surprised him with a flashmob to "Don't Stop Believing."<br /><br />The words he says in shock and surprise (you've got to listen to all he says) are:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"I always knew I'd miss the kids..."</blockquote><br />In there is loaded, the things he won't miss.<br /><br /><h2>What will we not miss?</h2>I needed to hear and see this video today. There are some things in schools that are quite challenging to deal with. We all have them. They are upsetting. They keep us awake at night. They even sometimes cause us to question if we can make it another day. But, in my case, out of all the things that frustrate me... it has never... not once been my students.<br /><br />In fact, for most of us, the students are our WHY. They are why we do it.<br /><br /><h2>Education needs us to keep on believing</h2>Right now, education needs you... it needs me... it needs us to not stop believing. Don't stop believing in the kids. Don't stop believing that you can still make a legacy.<br /><br />We are amidst a time of great turmoil, largely caused by the digitization of society and education along with it. Teaching is the hardest job that everyone thinks they can do. Everyone has had a teacher but there are very few who could actually breathe the air in the classroom without running for the hills.<br /><br /><b>Don't stop believing.</b><br /><br />You can all give me a million reasons in the comments about why you're betrayed, misunderstood and hurt. We all have these stories of hurt and pain. Of injustice and incredulity. We've all be hurt by those we try to protect. There are many times parents, kids, or even admin have told one side of the story where we're bound by silence not to tell the truth.<br /><br /><b>Don't stop believing.</b><br /><br />We have work to do. We have a generation to educate. Our actions scream a lecture we cannot mute with our words. What will those actions say about what we believe about education?<br /><br /><b>Will they say your life said:</b><br /><br /><ul><li>There is no injustice so great that I will not suffer it so you can learn.</li><li>There is no problem too big that I won't show up and teach you any way.</li><li>I don't care if the media disparages me, I believe in my mission and nothing will stop me.</li><li>I will love you even when you don't love yourself.</li><li>I will help you see the genius in you when you don't think you can even tie your show.</li><li>I will believe in you when you don't believe in yourself.</li><li>Even when society puts down teachers, I will not put down my desire to teach you.</li><li>I will live in a way knowing that I'm among the noble and time will show just how noble... but even if it does not... I will teach because it is the right thing to do.</li></ul><br /><br />For every reason to do something, there are a hundred not to. But that one is the most important reason - and that one usually comes in the face of a child.<br /><br /><i>I'm heading to the <a href="http://www.collegecareer.org/Agenda.aspx" target="_blank">Common Core State Standards National Conference</a> put on by many different organizations including the Center for College and Career Readiness. I was perusing the hashtag when I came across this tweet that showed me the video and want to give credit to <a href="https://twitter.com/SchoolsRock" target="_blank">@schoolsrock</a> for pointing it out. Just another reason to follow the hashtags for the conferences you attend. This one is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ccssconf2013&src=hash" target="_blank">#ccssconf2013</a> - so follow along starting today through Saturday. <a href="http://www.coolcatteacher.com/common-core-orlando-2013.html" target="_blank">My handouts</a> will be on this page.</i><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Retiring Middle School Principal Gets Tear-Jerking Goodbye Flashmob from Entire School <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23educatorsrock&src=hash">#educatorsrock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23studentsrock&src=hash">#studentsrock</a> <a href="http://t.co/4ithGmAOTy">http://t.co/4ithGmAOTy</a><br />— SchoolsRock! (@SchoolsRock) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchoolsRock/statuses/348121961223819264">June 21, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Don't Stop Believing: The Retiring Principal Flashmob you've gotta see

Principal Roger Boddie  has led Hingham Middle School in Massachusetts for 36 years. On his last day on the job, the entire school surprise...

Read more »

Book raises alarms about alternative medicine - USA Today

The 12-year-old girl arrived at the hospital wracked with abdominal pain.<br /><br><br /><br>Doctors diagnosed her with acute pancreatitis, in which pancreatic enzymes begin digesting not just food, but the pancreas itself.<br /><br><br /><br>The most likely cause of the girl's condition: toxic side effects from more than 80 dietary supplements, which the girl's mother carried in a shopping bag, says Sarah Erush, clinical pharmacy manager at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where the girl was treated last summer.<br /><br><br /><br>The girl's mother had been treating her with the supplements and other therapies for four years to treat the girl's "chronic Lyme disease," a condition that, experts say, doesn't actually exist. While some Lyme infections cause pain and other lingering symptoms, the infections don't persist for years. And, according to the Infectious Disease Society of America, the infections don't require years of antibiotics or other risky therapies given by some alternative medicine practitioners.<br /><br><br /><br>Doctors were able to control the girl's illness with standard therapies, Erush says, and she was discharged from the hospital after two weeks.<br /><br><br /><br>Although the child's story was unforgettable, Erush says, it wasn't unusual. Parents now "routinely" bring children to her hospital with a variety of alternative remedies, hoping that nurses will administer them during a child's stay.<br /><br><br /><br>There are an ever-growing number of supplements from which to choose: More than 54,000 varieties sold in stores and the Internet, according to the Food and Drug Administration.<br /><br><br /><br>About 50% of Americans use alternative medicine, and 10% use it on their children, notes Paul Offit, Children's Hospital's chief of infectious disease.<br /><br><br /><br>The girl's story illustrates the serious but often little-known risks posed by some forms of alternative medicine, a loosely regulated industry that includes everything from herbal supplements to crystal healing and acupuncture, says Offit, author of Do You Believe in Magic? The Sense and Nonsense of Alternative Medicine, (HarperCollins, $29.99), being published Tuesday<br /><br><br /><br>Many consumers view alternative medicine industry as more altruistic and home-spun than Big Pharma. But in his book, Offit paints a picture of an aggressive, $34 billion a year industry whose key players are adept at using lawsuits, lobbyists and legislation to protect their market.<br /><br><br /><br>"It's a big business," says Offit, best known for developing a vaccine against rotavirus, a diarrheal illness that killed 2,000 people each day, mostly children in the developing world.<br /><br><br /><br>"This is not just Mom and Pop selling herbs at the farmer's market," says Josephine Briggs, a physician and director of the National Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, who shares Offit's concerns.<br /><br><br /><br>Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who has long fought for stricter regulation of supplements, says the alternative medicine industry is "as tough as any industry I've seen lobby in Washington. They have a lot of money at stake. They want to maximize their profits and they want as little regulation as possible."<br /><br><br /><br>There's even a Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus, composed of legislators who look favorably on the industry.<br /><br><br /><br>Combined with alternative therapy research at the National Cancer Institute, the NIH spends a total of $233 million a year on this research, which has included everything from herbal supplements to acupuncture and aromatherapy.<br /><br><br /><br>Briggs notes that research conducted by her center and others shows real benefits to certain alternative therapies, which doctors describe as "complementary" if they are used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Last year, for example, The New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that people with Parkinson's disease can improve their balance and stability by practicing Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese exercise system. A study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that intensive-care patients on ventilators experienced less anxiety, and required fewer sedatives, if they could listen to their choice of music.<br /><br><br /><br>Proponents of alternative medicine say there are clear reasons for its popularity, including frustration with mainstream doctors and people's desire to have more control over their health.<br /><br><br /><br>Only about one-third of alternative therapies have safety and efficacy data behind them, critics note. Yet conventional doctors don't always follow the evidence, either, says Adriane Fugh-Berman, an associate professor of pharmacology at Georgetown University in Washington and author of a textbook on herbs and supplements. Only about one-quarter of therapies used in conventional medicine are "evidence-based," she says.<br /><br><br /><br>Many Americans see modern medicine as increasingly bureaucratic and impersonal, says Deepak Chopra, a physician and one of the best known advocates for mind-body healing.<br /><br><br /><br>"Doctors spend more time filling in charts than they spend on seeing patients," Chopra says. "The average doctor stands in the door and does a ritual of examining patients for one or two minutes, then moves on to the next patient."<br /><br><br /><br>Arthur Caplan, the director of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, says alternative healers satisfy patients' needs for more personal attention.<br /><br><br /><br>"Medicine does a very poor job of addressing the emotional, spiritual and even psychological side of things," Caplan says. "When you are not good at doing important things, other people rush into that vacuum."<br /><br><br /><br>Yet people who put their faith in alternative healers and supplements may be putting themselves at risk, Caplan says.<br /><br><br /><br>The alternative therapy industry capitalizes on a number of common sentiments, Offit says, from a naïve belief in the safety of all things natural to distrust of government regulation.<br /><br><br /><br>"Just because it comes from a plant, doesn't mean it's not harmful," Chopra says.<br /><br><br /><br>About one-third of conventional drugs are derived from plants, Fugh-Berman says. Pharmaceutical companies still make Digoxin, a heart drug, from the foxglove flower, she says. And while some research suggests that kava, a plant in the pepper family, can relieve anxiety, it can also damage the liver.<br /><br><br /><br>In the best cases, Offit says, alternative remedies are ineffective but relatively harmless, functioning as expensive placebos that may appear to relieve symptoms such as pain, largely because people expect them to. An example of this is homeopathy, in which key ingredients are diluted to the point of oblivion, making these remedies basically sugar pills, Offit says.<br /><br><br /><br>Yet supplements aren't risk-free.<br /><br><br /><br>A 2010 report from the Government Accountability Office found supplements were being sold with deceptive marketing practices.<br /><br><br /><br>Tests have found heavy metals in ayurvedic medicines, used in India for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions and also popular in the USA, Briggs says.<br /><br><br /><br>In some cases, dietary supplements are just prescription medications in disguise.<br /><br><br /><br>The most common offenders tend to be supplements claiming to aid weight loss, build muscles or boost sexual performance, Briggs says. Although such supplements may be marketed as "natural," the FDA has found hundreds of brands actually contain real drugs, from anabolic steroids to the active ingredient in Viagra. Several weight-loss supplements were found to contain the active ingredient in Meridia, a prescription diet drug pulled from the market due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.<br /><br><br /><br>In April, the FDA announced that it had received 86 reports of illness and death due to body-building supplements that illegally contained a stimulant called DMAA. The FDA says DMAA, which is especially risky when combined with caffeine, can raise blood pressure, leading to problems such as shortness of breath and heart attacks.<br /><br><br /><br>In 2012, the FDA estimated that supplements cause 50,000 adverse reactions a year.<br /><br><br /><br>In the worst cases, scam artists masquerading as healers push bogus cures on desperate, vulnerable people, charging prices that patients can't afford, says Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, who compares these marketers to "snake oil salesman."<br /><br><br /><br>The consequences can be tragic.<br /><br><br /><br>Nissen says he's lost patients with serious cardiovascular disease because they opted to take alternative medicines instead of those he prescribed. The practice, Nissen says, is "a national catastrophe in the making."<br /><br><br /><br>Alternative medicine doctors sell patients on a variety of unproven therapies, such as chelation, a process of removing metals from the blood, Offit says.<br /><br><br /><br>Although chelation has real medical uses — treating acute heavy metal poisoning — doctors also promote the intravenous treatments as an alternative remedy for everything from Alzheimer's disease to cancer.<br /><br><br /><br>In 2005, a 5-year-old boy with autism died after treatment with chelation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<br /><br><br /><br>Many people with aches and pains are being misdiagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, Offit says, even though studies show that half of these patients really suffer from treatable conditions, such as depression or rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors who call themselves "Lyme literate" often prescribe years of intravenous antibiotics, a therapy with no proven benefits but serious side effects, including infections and the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.<br /><br><br /><br>Apple founder Steve Jobs' faith in alternative medicine likely cost him his life, says Barrie Cassileth, chief of integrative medicine at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.<br /><br><br /><br>Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. But Jobs, revered as one of the brightest minds on the planet, chose to delay surgery, the only treatment that had a chance to save his life, Cassileth says.<br /><br><br /><br>For nine months after his diagnosis, Offit writes, Jobs treated his cancer with acupuncture, herbs, bowel cleansings and a special diet of carrots and fruit juices.<br /><br><br /><br>Jobs eventually had surgery, and even a liver transplant. But it was too late.<br /><br><br /><br>He died in 2011, eight years after diagnosis.<br /><br><br /><br>"He had the only kind of pancreatic cancer that is treatable and curable," Cassileth says. "He essentially committed suicide."<br /><br><br /><br>Cancer patients have cashed in their life savings or children's college funds to pay charismatic charlatans, spending $20,000 or more for "absurd" treatments at fringe clinics in the USA, Mexico and Bahamas, Cassileth says.<br /><br><br /><br>"There are no viable alternatives to mainstream cancer care," Cassileth says. "We work very hard to dissuade patients who want to go that way, because they are going to die."<br /><br><br /><br>And while many in the alternative medicine industry are cashing in, Offit says there are few people looking out for the desperate patients whose hopes — and bank accounts — are being exploited.<br /><br><br /><br>"Quackery is an enormous concern," Briggs says.<br /><br><br /><br>Consumers are often taken in by outrageous claims, partly because they lack the scientific knowledge to spot phonies, and partly because they fall victim to a huckster's charismatic personality, Offit says.<br /><br><br /><br>"Our science literacy is terrible as a nation," Briggs says. "People like magic. I don't know why, but they do."<br /><br><br /><br>Many Americans are unaware that supplements, unlike drugs, don't need to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration — or tested for safety — before going on the market, Offit says. One study found that 58% of Americans believe that the FDA must approve herbal supplements before they're sold.<br /><br><br /><br>"When a consumer buys a food supplement or dietary supplement, they may think it's really going to do what it says on the label," Waxman says. "That's not necessarily the case. ... Consumers should know that when they buy a dietary supplement, they are really on their own."<br /><br><br /><br>And while manufacturers are responsible for making sure that products are safe, the FDA can typically take action only after products are on store shelves.<br /><br><br /><br>The FDA expressed frustration with these constraints in an April press release about DMAA.<br /><br><br /><br>In making the announcement, the agency said, "FDA is required to undertake what are usually lengthy scientific and legal steps in order to force the removal of dietary supplements that may be unsafe or are otherwise illegal if companies don't voluntarily comply. . . .FDA's response to the use of DMAA illustrates the challenges that the agency faces in addressing incidents involving potentially dangerous dietary supplements. "<br /><br><br /><br>Andrew Weil, one of the USA's best known advocates of holistic medicine, says he also favors closer regulation of supplements.<br /><br><br /><br>"I would love to see the FDA set up a division of natural therapeutic agents," says Weil, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona,<br /><br><br /><br>But Steve Mister, president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, notes that supplement regulations, while "not identical to pharmaceuticals" are "very rigorous."<br /><br><br /><br>"Consumers can have strong confidence in the products they're buying," says Mister, whose group represents the supplement industry. "There are lots of ways that the FDA oversees the safety of these products."<br /><br><br /><br>The FDA sets standards for good manufacturing processes, Mister notes.<br /><br><br /><br>While a supplement may claim to "support immune health," the FDA forbids supplement manufacturers from making specific claims about being able to "treat, diagnose, cure or alleviate the effects of disease." Supplement makers are also required to report "adverse events," such as serious side effects or reactions, to the FDA.<br /><br><br /><br>Waxman notes that the FDA has only banned one supplement: ephedra — an herbal stimulant taken off the market in 2004 after it was found to increase the risk of heart problems and death.<br /><br><br /><br>Because the FDA's authority is mostly "reactive," Waxman says "the agency must wait for people to get hurt or even die before they can remove an unsafe supplement from the market."<br /><br><br /><br>In his book, Offit singles out a number of popular alternative doctors for questionable practices:<br /><br><br /><br>• Joseph Mercola, an Illinois physician, sells a variety of supplements and alternative medical products on his web site. Although Mercola shuns vaccines, his website sells tanning beds — which have been found to increase the risk of skin cancer.<br /><br><br /><br>In 2011, the FDA sent Mercola a letter for marketing an alternative to mammography on his website — the Meditherm Med2000, a camera that measures skin temperature. Although Mercola's site describes its products as "natural," the FDA viewed the machine as an unapproved medical device.<br /><br><br /><br>• Rashid Buttar, a North Carolina physician, has used treatments that Offit calls outlandish. According to the North Carolina Medical Board, those treatments have included giving intravenous hydrogen peroxide to cancer patients and topical chelation creams to children with autism.<br /><br><br /><br>In a 2010 consent order with the medical board, Buttar explained that the hydrogen peroxide was intended for "detoxifying the patients and improving their immune systems." In the order, the medical board formally reprimanded Buttar and ordered him to inform all patients that his treatments "may not have been approved by the FDA."<br /><br><br /><br>In April, the FDA also sent Buttar a letter, claiming that the claims he made for some of his products showed he was marketing them as drugs, not supplements.<br /><br><br /><br>In a post on his website, Buttar noted that he has stopped selling the products mentioned in the FDA letter May 15. One of those products, Trans-D Tropin, previously had been marketed as "a clinically proven aging and longevity solution."<br /><br><br /><br>USA TODAY was not able to reach Mercola or Buttar by press time.<br /><br><br /><br>• Stanislaw Burzynski, who has spent decades promoting antineoplastons, an experimental cancer therapy not approved by the FDA. According to the National Cancer Institute, these drugs have never been proven effective against cancer in a definitive, randomized, clinical trial.<br /><br><br /><br>Last year, the FDA sent Burzynski a letter noting that his "websites violate the Food Drug and Cosmetics Act" because they promoted experimental cancer treatments as "safe and effective."<br /><br><br /><br>According to FDA spokesman Curtis Allen, responses to FDA letters are not posted on the agency's website, and are available only through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. USA TODAY filed a FOIA request but has not yet received a copy of the responses by Mercola, Buttar or Burzynski.<br /><br><br /><br>In a statement sent by his attorney, Burzynski said he has published 36 articles, presented papers at many international conferences and completed 14 phase 2 trials in brain tumors. Phase 2 trials consider safety and are a preliminary, but not definitive, look at effectiveness, according to the National Institutes of Health. In the letter, Burzynski wrote that, "based on the results of the phase 2 trials, the FDA has granted permission to proceed into two Phase 3 clinical trials in brain tumors."<br /><br><br /><br>Offit also criticizes Mehmet Oz, a respected heart surgeon and star of The Dr. Oz Show, for providing an audience for a variety of questionable guests, from Mercola to faith healers and even psychics.<br /><br><br /><br>"He gives a lot of good advice," including advice about diet and exercise, Offit says. "But he mixes that in with a lot of terrible advice."<br /><br><br /><br>In a statement, a spokesman for The Dr. Oz Show said the TV program is "a conversation about the many sensitive topics surrounding health care, including alternative medicine, and we remain committed to empowering our viewers with comprehensive information about these issues so they can take an active role in their health."<br /><br><br /><br>Yet Cassileth, author of The Complete Guide to Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care, says non-traditional approaches can have a place in medicine, when modern medicine has little to offer.<br /><br><br /><br>As opposed to "alternative," Cassileth prefers the term "integrative" medicine, which subjects nonstandard therapies to scientific tests. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, integrative health researchers focus on alleviating pain and other symptoms. But they would never claim that nontraditional therapies can cure cancer, she says.<br /><br><br /><br>For example, doctors have had promising early results using acupuncture to restore salivary gland function in patients who receive radiation to the head and neck. Without functioning salivary glands, these patients can't talk or swallow.<br /><br><br /><br>While critics counter that acupuncture treatments are simply placebos, Cassileth says, "if there is a placebo effect that brings back salivation to these people who can't eat or talk, who cares?"<br /><br><br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/18/book-raises-alarms-about-alternative-medicine/2429385/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/18/book-raises-alarms-about-alternative-medicine/2429385/</a>

Book raises alarms about alternative medicine - USA Today

The 12-year-old girl arrived at the hospital wracked with abdominal pain. Doctors diagnosed her with acute pancreatitis, in which pancreatic...

Read more »