Deadly airborne fungus in Oregon set to spread

Here’s a news item that really creeps me out. Anyone who has ever seen movies like “Outbreak” knows how deadly new strains of anything can be.

This is something to be afraid of. Very afraid. Where’s my gas mask? Time to pull it out and clean it up.

The new, rare strain infects people and animals, researchers warn

Excerpt:

“A deadly, airborne new strain of fungus has emerged in Oregon. It has killed nearly one out of four known affected people so far and might also attack animals ranging from dogs to dolphins. And it is likely to spread, researchers now warn.

The new strain known as VGIIc of the fungus Cryptococcus gattii not only targets humans but has also proven capable of infecting dogs, cats, alpacas, sheep and elk. Other strains have even infected porpoises.”

 

Relax and look for the five horses here

If you enjoy optical illusions this ought to be right up your alley.

I’m always amazed at how much work the artist has to go through to create something so clever.

Do you see all five horses yet? Relax. You will.

Image source

See more at:

www.extremus.net

Seven Food Products Banned in Europe Still Available in the U.S.

The following list ought to give anyone pause. Are Europeans more concerned about food safety than we are? You decide.

Here’s one:

Food Contact Chemicals
Phthalates and bisphenols in plastic are really beneficial. They help manufacturers create plastic products with the softness and moldability needed to fulfill consumer needs. But when the food contact additives are found in the food and liquids contained by those plastics, trouble starts. Both the U.S. and Europe stringently regulate food contact use of chemicals. However, the standard of approval is different. In Europe, the precautionary principle requires that the suppliers of chemicals prove their additives safe, or they will be banned. Of course, although the E.U. has banned phthalates in toys, both phthalates and bisphenol-A remain approved for food contact uses—subject to strict regulations on their use. Go here to see the rest.

Talk about 420 parties – did you hear about this one?

Estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people exhale marijuana ...

An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people all exhale marijuana smoke as the clock hit 4:20pm during the 4/20 event on Norlin Quad at the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado April 20, 2010.

Source - Most Emailed Photos

Throwing your dog a bone could be deadly

My Pug is very upset with this news this morning:

FDA reminds pet owners to toss bones from meals rather than feed to pets

“Some people think it’s safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast,” said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA. “Bones are unsafe no matter what their size.”

Muslim group issues warning to ‘South Park’

This kind of thing gives all Muslims a bad name. This is also a reminder that we have Muslim terrorists living in America who are protected by free speech – a concept they don’t believe in, but hide behind at times like this.

Wait till you read what the group’s spokesman said while defending the threats. It’s chilling.

Site posted photo of murdered filmmaker, details about mansion

“A U.S. Muslim group has issued a dire Internet "warning" to creators of the satirical animated TV show "South Park" over a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in a bear outfit.”

Getaways, gifts suck up most of parties’ funds

This is what I wish more people would be aware of. BOTH PARTIES are full of crooks who coddle one another in a self-serving system full of benefits the average American could only dream about.

Dems, GOP spend two-thirds of budget on parties, ‘pampered adventures’

“Both the national Democratic and Republican party committees spend about two-thirds of the money they take in on the care and comfort of committee staffs and on efforts to raise more funds, with lavish spending on limousines, expensive hotels, meals and tips, an analysis of the latest financial disclosure data shows.”

photo source

Burglars break into prison to steal TVs

If this story would have happened here in the good old USofA, this would have been major news. I can see people like Jon Stewart having a great time with the whole idea.

I think it’s a sort of twisted justice and  humorous. The Dutch do things a little different than we do.

Minimum-security prison robbed twice while prisoners were on furloughs

Image source

Bigger Ben! $100 bill gets a makeover

Changes meant to foil fakes. Story  |  Newsweek: Facelifts for Founding Fathers?

Processed meat tied to ovarian cancer risk

My next question is “Does that mean it’s okay for men to eat processed meat? Should there be a separate study now to see if men face a risk of cancer too?

I know that they were looking at Ovarian cancers in the study, but cancer is cancer isn’t it? In men it’s prostate cancer. Now I’m going to worry about why women are warned when men are left wondering!

Study: Those who ate at least 4 servings a week had 18 percent higher risk

“Women who eat a lot of processed meats, such as salami and hot dogs, are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer, according to a new Australian study.

At the same time, those who eat a lot of fish have a lower risk of the deadly tumors, Dr. Penny M. Webb of Gynecological Cancers Group at Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane, Australia, and colleagues found.”

Racial segregation returns to schools

 Long before president Obama was elected, race relations in this country were deteriorating. Whatever positive gains that were made in the sixties, seventies, and up to the eighties, are being erased by a growing color divide.

When people bring up race problems in politics and programs across the county they are attacked as being agitators. America is angry. Our political process has nearly ground to a halt because of partisan politics that are becoming increasingly violent. People are losing jobs, losing their homes, and losing their patience with our government leaders.

In that backdrop of anger, race has become an increasing issue. The electing of an African-American president has fired up the extremists, racists, and bigots blood. FBI reports show his election has been basically a recruiting poster for racists of all stripes.

Still, when people try to address the problem, as I have in various columns in recent years, they get pounced on and accused of trying to incite trouble. It’s like some people don’t want to acknowledge what’s happening quietly behind the curtain of political correctness. This article will give you just one aspect of why I believe there is a growing racial divide. The reasons are many. For today, here’s one to consider:  

Ruling on racial isolation in Miss. system reflects troubling broader trend

“Last week, a federal judge ruled that a school board policy here in Walthall County has had the effect of creating "racially identifiable" schools in violation of a 1970 federal desegregation order.”

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