All over the world with Belviq

I checked on my stats today and I always like look at the location from which my followers view my blog.  I have views from pretty much all over the world:  Norway, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Spain, Cayman Islands, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, India, Canada - that was just in the last day!  HA!  Wow, international following is really pretty awesome.  <br /><br />Tomorrow I finish week 7.  Not a lot had really happened this week.  I go do my weigh in every 2 weeks so that will be next week.  A lot of people ask if I have a co-morbid condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  I don't actually have any of that.  I do have high cholesterol which I don't take medication for because I am stubborn.  So, hopefully next week I will get my cholesterol levels checked and hopefully with Belviq and my diet changes, they will have come down on their own.  If not, I will agree to take meds.  SO FINGERS CROSSED..........<br /><br />I wanted to update on my blog about one of my Belviq followers who is taking Belviq herself.   Julie is one that had the same primary physician as I to prescribe Belviq.  That doctor flew the coup so we both were caught without a doctor.  I found one for both of us pretty quick.  She went to go get her RX today and is happy to announce that she has lost 15 pounds.  I am so proud of her!!!!  She lives in Houston as I do and hopefully one day we will get to meet in person!!!!  GOOOO JULIE!!!!<br /><br />Have a great evening!!!!<br /><br />XOXOX<br />Ellie

All over the world with Belviq

I checked on my stats today and I always like look at the location from which my followers view my blog.  I have views from pretty much all ...

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Glenn Beck worth $90 million

Proving he can make money hand-over-fist by leading the masses and charging them for access, radio personality Glenn Beck is worth $90 million, according to <a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/glenn-beck/">Forbes</a>. Not bad for someone who spreads a continuous "sky is falling" rhetoric.

Forbes Glenn Beck millionaire Glenn Beck worth $90 million

Proving he can make money hand-over-fist by leading the masses and charging them for access, radio personality Glenn Beck is worth $90 milli...

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Valley military families ... 'A special homecoming'

Today's <i>News Virginian</i> has a story, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyprogress.com%2Fnewsvirginian%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fa-special-homecoming%2Farticle_59ade0ce-ffd3-11e2-a90d-001a4bcf6878.html&h=tAQFl7BeH&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A special homecoming</a>, about a Valley soldier who returned from Afghanistan to see his six-month old daughter for the first time. <br /><br />This is yet another way our military sacrifices for our freedom. Imagine not being able to stand with your wife as she gave birth to your first child because you were deployed with the Army halfway around the world. We can never thank our troops enough for what they do.<br /><br />"For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."<br /><br /><i>Cross-posted at </i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/"><i>Facebook </i></a>

American military facebook freedom isn't free News Virginian support our troops Valley military families ... 'A special homecoming'

Today's News Virginian has a story, A special homecoming , about a Valley soldier who returned from Afghanistan to see his six-month ol...

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World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Part 4 Anger

<p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5074bb6f-2eeb-4d84-b317-427462f84c21" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/BSWYMQEQhEo?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/BSWYMQEQhEo?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">And the beautiful story telling continues as the Emperor encounters the Sha of Anger.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ebb045b5-b76f-492e-bf40-3117d1adfe96" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Burdens+of+Shaohao" rel="tag">Burdens of Shaohao</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a></div>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Part 4 Anger

And the beautiful story telling continues as the Emperor encounters the Sha of Anger. Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft , WOW , Burdens...

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Buy union-made for your back-to-school needs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTOMeYDE0eSa38_vqj2IiNihDZrFtSAYgTZ-v1NSUBSJXAOMVlkYe1xr8kgj7NNX3C7Se9-mFN_BAN6juqq9QNWg266rvjeAtSIx2ZnQS1eXynhZHkWJGGkGb8ztZ95Ee6tl1PxG7lHGj/s1600/buying+union+-+made.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/AVvXsEhyTOMeYDE0eSa38_vqj2IiNihDZrFtSAYgTZ-v1NSUBSJXAOMVlkYe1xr8kgj7NNX3C7Se9-mFN_BAN6juqq9QNWg266rvjeAtSIx2ZnQS1eXynhZHkWJGGkGb8ztZ95Ee6tl1PxG7lHGj/s1600/buying+union+-+made.jpg" /></a></div>If you're filled with joy or sorrow at the approach of school, you probably need back-to-school gear. Here's a quick guide to the best quality (that is, union made) items for that return to the halls of academe. <br /><br />At the start of a new year, it’s important to for students to look their best. <a href="http://www.oshkoshbgosh.com/" rel="nofollow">OshKosh B’Gosh</a> and <a href="http://www.allusaclothing.com/union-line-s/1879.htm" rel="nofollow">Union Line All-USA Clothing</a> show how stylish labor-friendly alternatives can be.<br /><br />With kids getting ready to storm the halls, it’s important to send them off with a good union-made lunch. Orowheat bread is terrific for sandwiches -- and goes great with Jif peanut butter or Uncle John deli meat. For snacks, Slim Jims, Wheat Thins, Dannon or Yoplait yogurts and Frito-Lay chips are all great labor-friendly choices! Buy juice that displays the black UFW eagle – all of the major juice brands use some union workers. For dessert, any Hershey chocolate is guaranteed to add solidarity to the ranks.<br /><br />For school supplies, try to buy from union stores. Safeway, Albertsons, Giant, Vons, Supervalu, and Costco are all union-friendly stores that pay their workers well. <a href="http://www.rspaperproducts.com/" rel="nofollow">Roaring Springs</a> also has union-made notebooks, art supplies, binders and other products.<br /><br />And what would the back to school season be like without fun extras? For a good time, look for Hasbro toys and sports equipment from Spalding and Louisville Slugger. For the serious scholar, <a href="http://www.unionbuiltpc.com/" rel="nofollow">Unionbuilt PC</a> makes custom laptops. All companies use unionized American labor to make their products.<br /><br />Looking for more union made stuff? Check out <a href="http://www.labor411.org/" rel="nofollow">Labor 411</a> or the <a href="http://pinterest.com/unionplus/" rel="nofollow">UnionPlus Pinterest</a>!

Buy union-made for your back-to-school needs

If you're filled with joy or sorrow at the approach of school, you probably need back-to-school gear. Here's a quick guide to the be...

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Crazy Pills - NYTimes.com

On Oct. 16, 2002, at 4 p.m., I walked out of my apartment in Secunderabad, India, leaving the door wide open, the lights on and my laptop humming. I don't remember doing this. I know I did it because the hospital for three days.<br><br>The cause of this incident was drugs. And these drugs had been recommended to me by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<br><br>I had been prescribed mefloquine hydrochloride, brand name Lariam, to protect myself from malaria while I was in India on a Fulbright fellowship.<br><br>Since Lariam was approved in 1989, it has been clear that a small number of people who take it develop psychiatric symptoms like amnesia, hallucinations, aggression and paranoia, or neurological problems like the loss of balance, dizziness or ringing in the ears. F. Hoffmann LaRoche, the pharmaceutical company that marketed the drug, said only about 1 in 10,000 people were estimated to experience the worst side effects. But in 2001, a randomized double-blind study done in the Netherlands was published, showing that 67 percent of people who took the drug experienced one or more adverse effects, and 6 percent had side effects so severe they required medical attention.<br><br>Last week, the Food and Drug Administration finally acknowledged the severity of the neurological and psychiatric side effects and required that mefloquine's label carry a "black box" warning of them. But this is too little, too late.<div><br>There are countless horror stories about the drug's effects. One example: in 1999, an Ohio man, back from a safari in Zimbabwe, went down to the basement for a gallon of milk and instead put a shotgun to his head and pulled the trigger. Another: in Somalia in 1993, a Canadian soldier beat a Somali prisoner to death and then attempted suicide. "Psycho Tuesday" was the name his regiment had given to the day of the week they took their Lariam.</div><div><br>Lariam is no longer sold under its brand name in the United States, and our military finally caved in to pressure and stopped prescribing it to the majority of its soldiers in 2009. But some are still getting it; lawyers for Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who has pleaded guilty to killing 16 Afghan civilians in 2012, said he had taken the drug. And the generic version is still the third most prescribed anti-malaria drug here, with about 120,000 prescriptions written in the first half of this year.<br><br>Make no mistake: mefloquine does a good job protecting against malaria (and unlike some other anti-malaria drugs, it can be used during pregnancy and has to be taken only weekly). It just works at a significant risk, the full extent of which we're still discovering.<br><br>The new F.D.A. warning advises people taking mefloquine to call their doctor's office if they experience side effects. Fine advice, except that by the time most people — business travelers, Peace Corps volunteers, students studying abroad — start to notice the side effects, they are thousands of miles away, frequently out of cellphone service.<br><br>Most worrying of all, the announcement notes that the drug's neurological side effects — dizziness, loss of balance or ringing in the ears — may last for years, or even become permanent. I suspect that it's only a matter of time before that black box tells us that the psychiatric effects may become permanent too.<br><br>More than a decade has passed since my last dose of Lariam, and I still experience depression, panic attacks, insomnia and anxiety that were never a part of my life before.<br><br>We have a generation of soldiers and travelers with this drug ticking away in their systems. In June of last year, Remington Nevin, a former Army preventive medicine officer and epidemiologist, testified in front of a Senate subcommittee that he was afraid that Lariam "may become the 'Agent Orange' of our generation, a toxic legacy that affects our troops and our veterans."<br><br>Science is a journey, but commerce turns it into a destination. Science works by making mistakes and building off those mistakes to make new mistakes and new discoveries. Commerce hates mistakes; mistakes involve liability. A new miracle drug is found and heralded and defended until it destroys enough lives to make it economically inconvenient to those who created it.<br><br>Lariam is a drug whose side effects impair the user's ability to report those side effects (being able to accurately identify feelings of confusion means that you probably aren't that confused). The side effects leave no visible scars, no objective damage. But if Lariam were a car, if psychological or neurological side effects were as visible as broken bones, it would have been pulled from the market years ago.<br><br>It's a prescription I wish I had left unfilled.<br><br><i>David Stuart MacLean is the author of the forthcoming memoir "The Answer to the Riddle is Me."</i><br><br><a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/opinion/crazy-pills.html">http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/opinion/crazy-pills.html</a></div>

Crazy Pills - NYTimes.com

On Oct. 16, 2002, at 4 p.m., I walked out of my apartment in Secunderabad, India, leaving the door wide open, the lights on and my laptop hu...

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SOUTH AFRICA AND CHINA

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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/AVvXsEgNl27ojlVvbP30vvZQHI_IxZB4Ume8i9I9f9yRNbwVK6bdCGNIrvBF8EgjdiIIUufh3R_H9u5HMv8POsUnOG43okdLk2tfMrLFGTBkn5Oyi9BA7-f500pb2MvZgkUU2E3p8DbZeNysevtN/s1600/RSA-China-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl27ojlVvbP30vvZQHI_IxZB4Ume8i9I9f9yRNbwVK6bdCGNIrvBF8EgjdiIIUufh3R_H9u5HMv8POsUnOG43okdLk2tfMrLFGTBkn5Oyi9BA7-f500pb2MvZgkUU2E3p8DbZeNysevtN/s400/RSA-China-flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><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"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></b></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: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES CHINESE MILITARY ASSISTANCE </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; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">via BDLive</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";">The SOUTH AFRICAN National Defence Force (SANDF) would benefit from CHINESE military training, discipline and expertise if an exchange programme were initiated, Maj-Gen Ntakaleleni Sigudu of the Department of Defence stated.</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";">Addressing diplomats and military representatives on the 86th anniversary of the CHINESE People’s Liberation Army, Maj-Gen Sigudu said had it not been for CHINA’S contribution to the military training of cadres of the AFRICAN National Congress and other liberation movements in AFRICA, the continent’s freedom could have taken much longer.</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";">He said CHINA’S role in SOUTH AFRICA’S liberation should be celebrated as it did not start between 15 and 20 years with the change of CHINA’S expansionist economic policy but dated back to the colonial era.</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="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";">IMPROVE MILITARY TRAINING </span></b></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";">He said although modern CHINESE policy seemed focused on economic ties and trade, the presence in SOUTH AFRICA of a new military attaché of CHINA, Senior Col Xu Jianwei, was testimony to the need to broaden ties to include agreements that could improve military training and expertise to help the AFRICAN Union build a formidable AFRICA-based peacekeeping force.</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 style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA AND AFRICA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; 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;">MALI AND CHINA'S 'WESTERN' FOREIGN POLICY </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE SECRET WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND THE US FOR AFRICA'S OIL RICHES</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA’S WINNING STRATEGY IN AFRICA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html</a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></div></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";">“Conflict is still a plague on this continent and the continent is increasingly challenged to build capacity to engage and tackle its own problems. Therefore we appreciate the undertaking by the CHINESE People’s Liberation Army to contribute significantly to the AU’s objectives of building its own strong, effective and efficient peacekeeping capability,” he said.</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";">He congratulated CHINA for the more focused and value-adding economic development programme in AFRICA that had led to roads and rail infrastructure development in some AFRICAN states as well as the construction of the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.</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";">CHINA offered a genuine partnership unparalleled by the contributions in the past of AFRICA’S colonial masters.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">CHINA'S PRESENCE IN AFRICA</span></b></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";">Snr Col Xu said CHINA’S military participation in AFRICA was growing, with CHINESE soldiers already on the ground in SUDAN, LIBERIA, MALI and the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. He said the CHINESE People’s Liberation Army planned to steadily increase its participation in peacekeeping efforts in AFRICA because the continent’s stability was in the global interest.</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";">CHINA particularly wanted to work side by side with SOUTH AFRICA, whose foreign policy was focused on bringing stability in AFRICA to enhance social development and trade. This was already having a significant effect on stabilising many countries previously facing conflict.</span></div>

SOUTH AFRICA AND CHINA

SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES CHINESE MILITARY ASSISTANCE  via BDLive The SOUTH AFRICAN National Defence Force (SANDF) would benefit from CHINESE m...

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Why I changed my mind on weed - CNN.com

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Over the last year, I have been working on a new documentary called "Weed." The title "Weed" may sound cavalier, but the content is not.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I traveled around the world to interview medical leaders, experts, growers and patients. I spoke candidly to them, asking tough questions. What I found was stunning.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Long before I began this project, I had steadily reviewed the scientific literature on medical marijuana from the United States and thought it was fairly unimpressive. Reading these papers five years ago, it was hard to make a case for medicinal marijuana. I even wrote about this in a TIME magazine article, back in 2009, titled "<a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552034,00.html" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">Why I would Vote No on Pot</a>."</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Well, I am here to apologize.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I apologize because I didn't look hard enough, until now. I didn't look far enough. I didn't review papers from smaller labs in other countries doing some remarkable research, and I was too dismissive of the loud chorus of legitimate patients whose symptoms improved on cannabis.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Instead, I lumped them with the high-visibility malingerers, just looking to get high. I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a <a href="http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/ds.shtml" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">schedule 1 substance</a> because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse."</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">They didn't have the science to support that claim, and I now know that when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works. Take the case of<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/index.html" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">Charlotte Figi</a>, who I met in Colorado. She started having seizures soon after birth. By age 3, she was having 300 a week, despite being on seven different medications. Medical marijuana has calmed her brain, limiting her seizures to 2 or 3 per month.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I have seen more patients like Charlotte first hand, spent time with them and come to the realization that it is irresponsible not to provide the best care we can as a medical community, care that could involve marijuana.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that.</div><a name="em2" class="" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none; "></span><a name="em3" class="" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none; "></span><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">I hope this article and upcoming documentary will help set the record straight.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">On August 14, 1970, the Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Roger O. Egeberg wrote a letter recommending the plant, marijuana, be classified as a schedule 1 substance, and it has remained that way for nearly 45 years. My research started with a careful reading of that decades old letter. What I found was unsettling. Egeberg had carefully chosen his words:</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Since there is still a considerable void in our knowledge of the plant and effects of the active drug contained in it, our recommendation is that marijuana be retained within schedule 1 at least until the completion of certain studies now underway to resolve the issue."</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Not because of sound science, but because of its absence, marijuana was classified as a schedule 1 substance. Again, the year was 1970. Egeberg mentions studies that are underway, but many were never completed. As my investigation continued, however, I realized Egeberg did in fact have important research already available to him, some of it from more than 25 years earlier.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">High risk of </strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">a</strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">buse</strong></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In 1944, New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia <a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/lag/lagmenu.htm" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">commissioned research</a> to be performed by the New York Academy of Science. Among their conclusions: they found marijuana did not lead to significant addiction in the medical sense of the word. They also did not find any evidence marijuana led to morphine, heroin or cocaine addiction.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We now know that while estimates vary, marijuana leads to dependence in around 9 to 10% of its adult users. By comparison, cocaine, <a href="http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/ds.shtml" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">a schedule 2 substance</a> "with less abuse potential than schedule 1 drugs" hooks 20% of those who use it. Around 25% of heroin users become addicted.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The worst is tobacco, where the number is closer to 30% of smokers, many of whom go on to die because of their addiction.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There is clear evidence that in some people marijuana use can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, anxiety and nausea. Even considering this, it is hard to make a case that it has a high potential for abuse. The physical symptoms of marijuana addiction are nothing like those of the other drugs I've mentioned. I have seen the withdrawal from alcohol, and it can be life threatening.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I do want to mention a concern that I think about as a father. Young, developing brains are likely more susceptible to harm from marijuana than adult brains. Some recent studies suggest that regular use in teenage years leads to a permanent decrease in IQ. Other research hints at a possible heightened risk of developing psychosis.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Much in the same way I wouldn't let my own children drink alcohol, I wouldn't permit marijuana until they are adults. If they are adamant about trying marijuana, I will urge them to wait until they're in their mid-20s when their brains are fully developed.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Medical </strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">b</strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">enefit</strong></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">While investigating, I realized something else quite important. Medical marijuana is not new, and the medical community has been writing about it for a long time. There were in fact hundreds of journal articles, mostly documenting the benefits. Most of those papers, however, were written between the years 1840 and 1930. The papers described the use of medical marijuana to treat "neuralgia, convulsive disorders, emaciation," among other things.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">A search through the U.S. National Library of Medicine this past year pulled up nearly <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=medical+marijuana" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">20,000 more recent papers</a>. But the majority were research into the harm of marijuana, such as "<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23906840" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">Bad trip due to anticholinergic effect of cannabis</a>," or "<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23892868" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">Cannabis induced pancreatitits</a>" and "<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23846283" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">Marijuana use and risk of lung cancer</a>."<strong class="" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "></strong></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In my quick running of the numbers, I calculated about 6% of the current U.S. marijuana studies investigate the benefits of medical marijuana. The rest are designed to investigate harm. That imbalance paints a highly distorted picture.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">The challenges of marijuana </strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">r</strong><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">esearch</strong></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">To do studies on marijuana in the United States today, you need two important things.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">First of all, you need marijuana. And marijuana is illegal. You see the problem. Scientists can get research marijuana from a special farm in Mississippi, which is astonishingly located in the middle of the Ole Miss campus, but it is challenging. When I visited this year, there was no marijuana being grown.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The second thing you need is approval, and the scientists I interviewed kept reminding me how tedious that can be. While a cancer study may first be evaluated by the National Cancer Institute, or a pain study may go through the National Institute for Neurological Disorders, there is one more approval required for marijuana: NIDA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is an organization that has a core mission of studying drug abuse, as opposed to benefit.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Stuck in the middle are the legitimate patients who depend on marijuana as a medicine, oftentimes as their only good option.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Keep in mind that up until 1943, marijuana was part of the United States drug pharmacopeia. One of the conditions for which it was prescribed was <a href="http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neuropathic-pain" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">neuropathic pain</a>. It is a miserable pain that's tough to treat. My own patients have described it as "lancinating, burning and a barrage of pins and needles." While marijuana has long been documented to be <a href="http://www.jwatch.org/ac200704300000001/2007/04/30/marijuana-painful-peripheral-neuropathy#sthash.e8PMYHlU.dpuf" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">effective for this awful pain</a>, the most common medications prescribed today come from the poppy plant, including morphine, oxycodone and dilaudid.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Here is the problem. Most of these medications don't work very well for this kind of pain, and tolerance is a real problem.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Most frightening to me is that someone dies in the United States<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/14/health/gupta-accidental-overdose" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">every 19 minutes from a prescription drug overdose</a>, mostly accidental. Every 19 minutes. It is a horrifying statistic. As much as I searched, I could not find a documented case of death from marijuana overdose.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It is perhaps no surprise then that 76% of physicians recently<a href="http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/poll-76-percent-of-doctors-approve-of-medical-marijuana-for-advanced-cancer-pain" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">surveyed</a> said they would approve the use of marijuana to help ease a woman's pain from breast cancer.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">When marijuana became a schedule 1 substance, there was a request to fill a "void in our knowledge." In the United States, that has been challenging because of the infrastructure surrounding the study of an illegal substance, with a drug abuse organization at the heart of the approval process. And yet, despite the hurdles, we have made considerable progress that continues today.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Looking forward, I am especially intrigued by studies like those in Spain and Israel looking at the <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401181217.htm" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">anti-cancer effects of marijuana</a> and its components. I'm intrigued by the neuro-protective study by Lev Meschoulam in Israel, and research in Israel and the United States on whether the drug might help <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/01/the-case-for-treating-ptsd-in-veterans-with-medical-marijuana/251466/" target="_blank" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline: 0px; ">alleviate symptoms of PTSD</a>. I promise to do my part to help, genuinely and honestly, fill the remaining void in our knowledge.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Citizens in 20 states and the District of Columbia have now voted to approve marijuana for medical applications, and more states will be making that choice soon. As for Dr. Roger Egeberg, who wrote that letter in 1970, he passed away 16 years ago.</div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 24px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 186px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial; vertical-align: baseline; font-variant: normal; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">I wonder what he would think if he were alive today.</div></div><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/health/gupta-changed-mind-marijuana/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/health/gupta-changed-mind-marijuana/index.html</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Why I changed my mind on weed - CNN.com

Over the last year, I have been working on a new documentary called "Weed." The title "Weed" may sound cavalier, but the...

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So if Megyn is in at 9, what happens to Sean Hannity?

In a developing story, <a href="http://www.drudgereport.com/flashmk.htm">Drudge</a> reported on Thursday that Megyn Kelly at <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/">Fox News Channel</a>, usually an afternoon anchor who is currently on maternity leave, will return to the network at the 9:00 p.m. slot. Since that is where Sean Hannity's show is currently aired, the question becomes what happens to Hannity? And what other shakeups are in store for Fox?

Drudge Fox News Channel Megyn Kelly news networks Sean Hannity So if Megyn is in at 9, what happens to Sean Hannity?

In a developing story, Drudge reported on Thursday that Megyn Kelly at Fox News Channel , usually an afternoon anchor who is currently on m...

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Reference and Instruction Librarian - Quinbaug Valley Community College, Danielson

<strong>Reference and Instruction Librarian - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Quinbaug Valley Community College</span></strong></strong>, Danielson, seeks an innovative and student-oriented librarian to join a team-oriented, teaching library. The position requires the ability to work one evening per week, teach evening classes as required, and travel to the College’s Willimantic instructional location as scheduled. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited institution and a strong commitment to public services, including one or more years of related experience in an academic or public library; and a demonstrated passion for teaching information literacy skills to individuals and classes. It is strongly preferred that candidates have a demonstrated ability to create digital resources; experience with developing and administrating learning assessment tools; effective interpersonal, oral, written, and online communication skills; experience leading or supervising others; the ability to work independently and as part of a team and work with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and community members; and enthusiasm for tackling all aspects of the job description with creativity and flexibility. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position and by providing appropriate references. Exceptions to the degree requirements may be made for compelling reasons. Responsibilities: Working under the direction of the Library Director, the candidate performs a broad range of professional library services, including information literacy instruction; reference services; technical services, and collection development. Minimum Salary: Approximate annual $59,471, plus State of CT benefits. Application Deadline: <span style="color: red;">September 4, 2013</span>. Application Procedure: Submit a completed Community College Employment Application, a current résumé, cover letter and unofficial transcript(s) to: Jennifer Hyatt, Human Resources Assistant, Quinebaug Valley Community College, 742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT 06239 or email to <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:Jhyatt@qvcc.commnet.edu" href="mailto:Jhyatt@qvcc.commnet.edu">Jhyatt@qvcc.commnet.edu</a>. QVCC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F. Protected group members are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reference and Instruction Librarian - Quinbaug Valley Community College, Danielson

Reference and Instruction Librarian - Quinbaug Valley Community College , Danielson, seeks an innovative and student-oriented librarian to ...

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Library Specialist in Children's Room (2 positions) - Avon Free Public Library

<strong>Library Specialist in Children's Room (2 positions) - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Avon Free Public Library</span></strong></strong>.<br /> <ul><li>POSITION #1: 25 Hours/Week, including 1 evening and Saturday Rotation</li><li>POSITION #2: Alternate Sundays, January through March, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.</li></ul>Position Definition: Performs responsible and varied library services in the Children’s Services Department, including assisting children and students in the use of library materials, equipment and resources, and conducting programs for pre-school, elementary and middle school students and young adults. Supervision received: Works under the general supervision of the Children’s Librarian, who assigns areas of responsibilities, outlines policy and procedures, provides guidance as necessary, and evaluates work in terms of accuracy and effectiveness. Works with a great deal of independence in Children’s Services. Supervision exercised: Provides task supervision to Library Pages and volunteers as assigned. Examples of Essential Job Duties: Assists in the planning, development and implementation of library programs and services for children and young adults, including story hours, library tours, and related events to encourage reading, viewing and listening skills. Provides reference and readers advisory services to children, teens and adults. Assists children and students in the use of the library's catalogue and reference materials, answers reference questions; locates information or guides children to source materials. Assists children and students in use of computer system to locate books and materials, to access Internet and CD ROM reference sources. Refers children and students to Children’s Librarian as necessary. Plans, prepares and presents pre-school and early grade story-time and literature related programs. Uses literature, music, dance, and puppets, etc. to enhance presentations. May develop scripts, posters, and audio-visual materials for programs. May involve audience, including adults, in activities. Visits schools, childcare centers, and community locations to present programs. Participates in the developing Children’s Services collection of books, periodicals, and audio-visual equipment and materials. Evaluates library materials for children based on knowledge of community needs, review of professional journals and children's literature, and library policy. Recommends selections to the Children’s Librarian. Enters new materials into automated circulation system and barcodes materials in the Technical Services Department on an as needed basis. Performs collection maintenance tasks, including shelf reading, weeding of damaged or obsolete materials, and noting gaps in subject areas, etc.Performs circulation desk duties, including charging and discharging library materials, recording and filing circulation cards, and registering new children; answers telephone calls and provides information to children. Reserves books and loan materials. Maintains circulation desk area in neat and functional condition. Provides backup assistance in other library areas as necessary. Examples of Incidental Job Duties: Organizes programs and activities with school librarians, teachers, parents’ groups, and community organizations. Arranges programs using volunteers, artists, and others. Attends professional library conferences to remain abreast of changes in library matters. Performs other duties as required. Maintains appearance of Children’s section. Prepares displays and exhibits. Minimum qualifications required: The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with an Associate’s degree in Library Science, and three years of experience in an educational institution or a public library, or any equivalent combination of experience and training. Prior experience in working in childcare, child development, pre-school or elementary education is desirable. Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Must have a working knowledge of children’s, juvenile and young adult literature. A working knowledge of library principles and practices is required. Must be able to apply the principles of library science to resolve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Must be able to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagrammatic and schedules form. Ability to acquire a working knowledge of, and to work with, computer applications and technical equipment applicable to library operations is required. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure, and compute ratios, rates and percentages. Must be able to relate to children and have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff and adult patrons is essential. Salary: $22.1649/hr. (no benefits associated with these positions). Closing Date: 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, <span style="color: red;">August 29, 2013</span>. Employment Application: <a href="http://www.town.avon.ct.us/" target="_blank">www.town.avon.ct.us</a> (under job opportunities). Send completed application, cover letter and resume to: William F. Vernile, Director of Human Resources, 60 West Main Street, Avon, CT 06001.

Library Specialist in Children's Room (2 positions) - Avon Free Public Library

Library Specialist in Children's Room (2 positions) - Avon Free Public Library . POSITION #1: 25 Hours/Week, including 1 ev...

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Librarian 1: Reference and Adult Services - Manchester Public Library

<strong>Librarian 1: Reference and Adult Services - <strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Manchester Public Library</span></strong></strong>. 37.50 hours/week, $53,584.33. Summary of Position: Responsible for assisting in the administration and operation of a major section of the library such as reference, circulation and children's and performing specialized professional work. A person in this position also administers the entire library in the absence of a librarian in a more responsible position. Responsibilities include helping develop, coordinate and implement programs to improve service availability and quality consistent with library policies and management guidelines. Other routine work involves keeping current of new technologies and methods, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of less senior staff, providing for the overall care and maintenance of the collections, attending meetings and workshops and communicating with customers, co-workers and other agencies. Regularly scheduled night and weekend work is expected. Requirements: Master’s Degree in Library Science required, plus; one (1) year of library experience and a strong knowledge of automated library systems. Examination Will Consist of: Parts: Oral Examination, Weight: $100, Passing Score: 80%. Applications and job description are available in the Human Resources Department, 41 Center Street, P.O. Box 191, Manchester, CT 06045-0191 or by calling the Recruitment Information Line (860) 647-3170 or visit our website at: <a _fcksavedurl="http://hr.manchesterct.gov/" href="http://hr.manchesterct.gov/" target="_blank">http://hr.manchesterct.gov/</a>. To apply online, please visit <a _fcksavedurl="http://hr.manchesterct.gov" href="http://hr.manchesterct.gov/" target="_blank">http://hr.manchesterct.gov</a>. Applications must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on <span style="color: red;">Friday, August 23, 2013</span> or must be postmarked by Friday, August 23, 2013. No faxed or e-mailed resumes and/or applications will be accepted. The Town of Manchester shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical disability or sexual orientation. The Human Resources Department provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation in the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department. The above posting is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete description of the position or the process.

Librarian 1: Reference and Adult Services - Manchester Public Library

Librarian 1: Reference and Adult Services - Manchester Public Library . 37.50 hours/week, $53,584.33. Summary of Position: Responsible for ...

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Arrests, street closures during massive ALEC protest in Chicago

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UV3i4-ZrAG-VeoizbVjTf8ADxXIvZP1RxgPNR0vWHb52aF3HLhnKGp72UZCJ-2AMyg6wXLacH8VD_sjBWWW555gZe3shuBsYQsuqaHXVC7qFwl4uhpguBrF4PgVP81xp6PKRsxHgMkSC/s1600/ALEC+in+Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UV3i4-ZrAG-VeoizbVjTf8ADxXIvZP1RxgPNR0vWHb52aF3HLhnKGp72UZCJ-2AMyg6wXLacH8VD_sjBWWW555gZe3shuBsYQsuqaHXVC7qFwl4uhpguBrF4PgVP81xp6PKRsxHgMkSC/s400/ALEC+in+Chicago.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the large ALEC protest in Chicago, happening now.</td></tr></tbody></table>(UPDATES to correct spelling of 'Uetricht' in graf 11.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/08/07/alec_convention_protests_labor_vs_lobbyists/" rel="nofollow">Thousands of citizens, union members, environmentalists and faith groups</a> are right now marching in the streets of Chicago to protest <a href="http://alecexposed.org/" rel="nofollow">ALEC</a>, or the American Legislative Exchange Council, <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/anti-ALEC-protesters-converge.html" rel="nofollow">meeting at the Palmer House in the Loop</a>. The size of the crowd forced police to close Monroe Street, a major artery, and moments ago we learned they arrested several protesters.<br /><br />The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/398759776900781/" rel="nofollow">massive demonstration</a> follows a 10,000-person <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/chicago-joins-NC-in-moral-monday-protest.html" rel="nofollow">Moral Monday protest in Asheville, N.C.</a>, two days ago. Angry North Carolinians denounced the Legislature's passage of ALEC's agenda. Politicians beholden to corporations and billionaires raised taxes on the middle class, outsourced public education, cut education spending, slashed unemployment benefits and restricted voting for citizens not likely to vote for them.<br /><br />In Chicago, ALEC-supported politicians are enjoying the luxuries offered by the Palmer House and working on ways to destroy the middle class. Their agenda this year includes crushing unions, keeping the minimum wage at its current level, outsourcing toll roads and education, banning prohibitions on genetically modified food and eliminating licensing requirements for truck drivers and other professions.<br /><br />In short, they're like a baby with a nail gun aimed at working people.<br /><br />From early accounts the protest is large, energetic and loud. Watch them here shout "Shame on You":<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/onDuJbH2OKQ" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />You can follow the action on Twitter at #ALECinChicago and #ALECExposed. Here's what tweeters are telling us is happening:  <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Casey Aldridge ‏@CaseyJAldridge 4m<br />RT @thegirlone: Get up, get down, Chicago is a union town. #ALECExposed #noALEC #ALECinChicago  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Stephanie Pistachio ‏@supasuga 3m<br />Raise Up MKE chants: Up With Black Youth, Down With ALEC! #noALEC #ALECinChicago #RaiseUpMKE http://instagram.com/p/cww0jbs8LQ/  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Fair Trade Ervin ‏@fairtrade_ervin 5m<br />THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE! #ALECinChicago #ALECEXPOSED #NOALEC pic.twitter.com/W6wVL8wmca<br />Isaac Wright ‏@Izac_Wright 6m </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">MT “@ALECexposed: ALEC at 40: Turning Back the Clock on Prosperity and Progress  http://www.prwatch.org/node/12205/  #ALECexposed #ALECinChicago” #arleg</blockquote>Photos are showing members of UAW, AFSCME and ATU. We're quite certain many other unions are represented.  Micah Uetricht at <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/175644/alec-convention-met-protests-chicago#" rel="nofollow">The Nation</a> explains why:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Targeting ALEC would certainly be in labor’s self-interest: anti-worker and anti-union legislation has been a central focus of the group, with model legislation that includes right-to-work laws, repealing the minimum wage and opposing future minimum wage increases, and other pro-business labor laws. Their fingerprints have been on a number of high-profile legislative battles on labor issues in recent years, including Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s 2011 Budget Repair Bill that led to the state capitol’s occupation, Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s right-to-work legislation late last year, and anti-worker (as well as anti-choice) legislation in North Carolina behind the state’s Moral Mondays protests. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">In 2013 alone, at least 117 bills resembling the group’s “model bills” on worker compensation and organizing rights have been introduced in state legislatures around the country. Their bills attacking public sector unions have caught the attention of the American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees (AFSCME), who have decried the organization in the past and are also encouraging members members to join the protests. </blockquote>Finally, we'll leave you for now with this great photo:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTZiUH08I9tZp6I1E8KLIv-Jc0hrNhHk4YCnsqh8Atovu5c-fuulM4n388DtonyDk9mZAfp7KY1SQDIZuiPuwSf75ilJoAOAYLQc5PSC0Di9qxtJRvq_HcTLZt9P-sAYYFSDKa8SsDQ_k/s1600/ALEC+in+Chicago+greed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTZiUH08I9tZp6I1E8KLIv-Jc0hrNhHk4YCnsqh8Atovu5c-fuulM4n388DtonyDk9mZAfp7KY1SQDIZuiPuwSf75ilJoAOAYLQc5PSC0Di9qxtJRvq_HcTLZt9P-sAYYFSDKa8SsDQ_k/s400/ALEC+in+Chicago+greed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALEC banner right in front of the Palmer House in Chicago. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>

Arrests, street closures during massive ALEC protest in Chicago

Here's the large ALEC protest in Chicago, happening now. (UPDATES to correct spelling of 'Uetricht' in graf 11.) Thousands of ci...

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