Featured Diary: What if what is isn't true?

gerrymander.

Posted to Etcetera on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 06:58:06 PM EST (promoted from Diaries by port1080). RSS.

First, they came for the soda in schools; this time they're after fruit juice.

(31 comments, 110 words in story) Full Story

Yet Another Dreaded Syndrome

MayorBob.

Posted to SciTech on Tue Feb 17, 2009 at 07:53:42 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

The world is a frightening place due to perceptions and fears about negative effects resulting from when technological advance meets up with human beings.  Some have been claiming for some time that cell phone use leads to cancer.  There are those who see cancer risks from living too close to power lines.  Now, it seems another risk looms on the horizon.  It's a risk that threatens to slow down development of one of the key green energy initiatives up in Maine.  The threat comes from wind turbine farms and the syndrome is called wind turbine syndrome.

(12 comments, 488 words in story) Full Story

You're Too Fat To Adopt

MayorBob.

Posted to Legal on Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 09:47:57 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

To some, the United Kingdom (UK) meddles too much in the personal lives of its citizens.  Others would respond saying that the government is merely looking to improve the overall quality of life for all its citizens.  Whatever, this tendency to concern itself just a little too much in what its citizens do (especially when it comes to children) has led to its snarky title "the nanny state."  Now the nanny state has found yet another way of asking if we all won't think about the children - a city council has blocked a married couple's petition to adopt a child on the grounds that the husband is too fat.

(13 comments, 520 words in story) Full Story

Possibly the only thing worse than Belgians on the Congo

pO157.

Posted to SciTech on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:44:56 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

The World Health Organization has confirmed the start of a new Ebola virus outbreak in the Congo.

Ebola virus has plagued Africa since 1976. With a mortality rate of up to 89% (overall kill rate of 69.3%), the highly contagious disease is one of the few in the world that scares the jeepers out of scientists and physicians. Thankfully it has been relatively confined to the third world for the few outbreaks that have occurred since its discovery.

(24 comments, 248 words in story) Full Story

Can You Hear Me Now With That Instrument Of Death In Your Hands?

MayorBob.

Posted to SciTech on Sun Jul 27, 2008 at 01:52:39 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

Reports that cell phone usage increases the likelihood of brain cancer have been out for some time now. The main culprit is seen as the electromagnetic radiation (ER) emitted by the devices. For the most part, the industry and the federal government seem to agree that cell phone usage is perfectly safe. They've been backed up by study upon study which says so. However, there's at least one expert in the field who is warning maybe you should think twice about using them, just to be on the safe side.

(9 comments, 474 words in story) Full Story

Barefoot In The Park (And Everywhere Else)

MayorBob.

Posted to SciTech on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:56:47 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

Such obvious podiatric torture devices such as stiletto and platform shoes can't be any good for your feet right?  As it turns out it's not just the obvious footwear that's doing us harm - it's all kinds of shoes.  No matter how expensive or how comfortable they might seem to the wearer, those who have their feet firmly planted in scientific research tell us that today's footwear actually does our feet more harm than good.

(10 comments, 794 words in story) Full Story

Snooze Or Lose

MayorBob.

Posted to SciTech on Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 07:15:01 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

We're halfway through it and most us were unaware that this is National Sleep Awareness Week.  The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) wants us to know how critical a good night's sleep is.  But it seems most of us are as unaware of that as we are of this week's celebration.  Because, according to numerous studies, more and more of us are getting less and less sleep.

(16 comments, 392 words in story) Full Story

HEY! Heyheyhey! HeY!!!! HoW DO yOOou GeT yOUr FIX?

port1080.

Posted to Etcetera on Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 09:29:58 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.

Is America the world's most caffeinated society? Editor's note: the availability of this product may be all the answer you need.

(17 comments, 202 words in story) Full Story

You Must Be Sixteen To Have That Heroin Chic Appearance

pO157.

Posted to Business on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 11:55:21 AM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.

Fashion experts have suggested that all models 16 and under be banned from the star-studded London Fashion Week due to concerns over eating disorders.

(18 comments, 177 words in story) Full Story

I've had it with this muthafucking XDR-TB on this muthafucking plane!

pO157.

Posted to Legal on Fri Jun 01, 2007 at 10:48:12 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

The news services have been abuzz recently with the story of a man identified as laywer Andrew Speaker. He is said to be involuntarily quarantined after becoming infected with a type of tuberculosis (XDR-TB) which is quite scary due to its extensive drug resistance.

(8 comments, 587 words in story) Full Story

Enviga -- Breakthrough Diet Drink Or Hoax?

MayorBob.

Posted to Legal on Wed Feb 07, 2007 at 10:05:55 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

Enviga, the green tea beverage from Coca Cola and Nestle, was supposed to be a true breakthrough in beverages.  Due to its ingredients, digestion of the drink would make the body burn more calories than the drink contained.  How great is that - a beverage which not only slakes your thirst but helps you to take off unwanted pounds?  Why that would mean "negative calories" and end the need for weight watching or fad diets.  It would be great if it was true.  But one public health watchdog organization says Coke's and Nestle's claims are bogus and they've filed a complaint in federal court.

(5 comments, 363 words in story) Full Story

Should Raising An Obese Child Be A Crime?

MayorBob.

Posted to Etcetera on Tue Jan 30, 2007 at 11:54:43 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

The answer to that question is a resounding yes for some social workers and doctors in the United Kingdom.  There has been an increasing trend in the UK to treat obese children in the same fashion as children reported to be at risk from physical or sexual abuse.  Beyond merely insuring that parents have to work together with national health authorities to deal with cases of obese children, there are some who believe allowing a child to become obese should bring criminal charges.

(17 comments, 530 words in story) Full Story