Roger's Ruminations

Pakistan rape reform fails after Musharraf caves in

2006-09-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

n a setback for women's rights in Pakistan, the ruling party in Islamabad has caved in to religious conservatives by dropping its plans to reform rape laws.
Statutes known as the Hudood ordinances, based on sharia law, currently operate in Pakistan. They require a female rape victim to produce four male witnesses to corroborate her account, or she risks facing a new charge of adultery.

More Americans Have Now Died In Iraq Than Died On 9/11

2006-09-13T10:51:00.000-05:00

While President Bush and other Republican politicians spent the day exploiting the memory of those we lost five years ago, the nation overlooked a grim milestone: More Americans have now died in Iraq than died on 9/11. Iraq didn't attack us on that day, and our misguided policy there has now taken more American lives than Al Qaeda.

Appropriate Sept. 11 tribute by our President

2006-09-12T09:02:00.000-05:00

Burning the flag: Bad
Walking on the flag: OK

Situation Called Dire in West Iraq

2006-09-11T18:27:00.000-05:00

The chief of intelligence for the Marine Corps in Iraq recently filed an unusual secret report concluding that the prospects for securing that country's western Anbar province are dim and that there is almost nothing the U.S. military can do to improve the political and social situation there, said several military officers and intelligence officials familiar with its contents.

Helium Shortage Could Be a Party Pooper

2006-09-11T18:15:00.000-05:00

The world's supply of helium has taken a hit because of delays in getting plants on line, U.S. officials say. Suppliers of the lighter-than-air gas have raised prices, and some party-supply stores have had to cut back on their balloon business.

One Million Ways to Die

2006-09-11T16:21:00.000-05:00

Your appendix is more likely to kill you than al-Qaida is.

Brain and Body Shrink Before Alzheimer's Sets In

2006-09-11T16:02:00.000-05:00

The body, and not the mind, might be the first thing to go in people with Alzheimer's and related dementias.

New studies show that brain tissue and body weight are lost before memories begin fading in elderly people who go on to have the diseases. The findings could lead to new types of early-warning tests for dementia before the diseases cause lasting damage.

Girl Shortage Could Cause Rise in Crime

2006-09-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

Thank heaven for little girls, for without them, little boys would turn to lives of crime.

In a recent review paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team of British and Chinese researchers argue that sex selection in countries like China and India may have already set the stage for national crises by creating a surplus of men and a shortage of women.

How Bacteria Nearly Destroyed All Life

2006-09-11T09:55:00.000-05:00

About two and one-half billion years ago, life on Earth was still in its infancy. Complex organisms such as plants and animals had not yet appeared, but the planet was teeming with microscopic bacteria which thrived in the temperate and nutrient-rich environment. Greenhouse methane lingered in the atmosphere and trapped the sun's warmth, creating a climate very accommodating to the stew of microbes life that made their home on primitive Earth.

TV footage and web archives from 9/11/2001

2006-09-11T09:31:00.000-05:00

TV footage and web archives from 9/11/2001

Rumsfeld Forbade Planning For Postwar Iraq

2006-09-10T21:55:00.000-05:00

Long before the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld forbade military strategists to develop plans for securing a postwar Iraq, the retiring commander of the Army Transportation Corps said.

Brig. Gen. Mark E. Scheid told the Newport News Daily Press in an interview published yesterday that Rumsfeld had said "he would fire the next person" who talked about the need for a postwar plan.

Ten Big News Stories You Aren't Hearing

2006-09-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- The San Francisco Bay Guardian newspaper has printed a list of stories we in the media seem to have largely ignored over the past year. The story is gleaned from an annual list developed by Project Censored, a media research group out of Sonoma State University that tracks the news published in independent journals and newsletters.

Is the U.S. Winning This War?

2006-09-10T21:41:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON — Five years after Sept. 11, is the United States winning the war against Al Qaeda? President Bush says yes, but most experts — including many inside the U.S. government — say no.

Tora Bora: Bush Lets bin Laden Go

2006-09-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

Hot on bin Laden's trail, when his basic whereabouts were still known, and just months after bin Laden engineered the most devestating foreign attack on American soil in our history, the President gives up the chase to fight a bogeyman in Iraq who had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks. The basic reality of the situation was that George W. Bush just wasn't all that interested in seeing bin Laden brought to justice, either in December 2001, or a few months later when he shifted focus to Iraq.

The Day Nothing much Changed

2006-09-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

We were told the world would never be the same. But did 9/11 actually alter the state of global affairs? For all the sound and fury, the world looks much like it did on September 10.

If You Want My Advice . . .

2006-09-10T21:20:00.000-05:00

Here are some tips for navigating the exciting journey that lies ahead.

10 Reasons To Drink More Water

2006-09-10T21:15:00.000-05:00

Here are 10 reasons why drinking water is good for you and why you should make drinking water part of your daily routine.

Saudi religious cops ban dog, cat sales

2006-09-09T12:32:00.000-05:00

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's religious police, normally tasked with chiding women to cover themselves and ensuring men attend mosque prayers, are turning to a new target: cats and dogs.

The police have issued a decree banning the sale of the pets, seen as a sign of Western influence.

Physical washing may help clean your conscience

2006-09-08T04:47:00.000-05:00

It appears that an element of Lady Macbeth may reside in most of us. The metaphorical desire to wash away one’s sins is not just wishful thinking but evidence of an innate psychological association between moral and physical cleanliness, according to a new study.

Telephone telepathy

2006-09-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

NORWICH (Reuters) - Many people have experienced the phenomenon of receiving a telephone call from someone shortly after thinking about them -- now a scientist says he has proof of what he calls telephone telepathy.

Things You Have to Believe to be a Republican Today

2006-09-02T15:13:00.000-05:00

Things You Have to Believe to be a Republican Today

Same song, nth verse

2006-08-29T14:02:00.000-05:00

Conservatives have been mad at the Supreme Court since it decided to desegregate the schools in 1954 and have seen fit to blame the federal bench for everything that has happened since then that they don't like.

Jim Chessher 1954 ~ 2006

2006-08-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

A damned fine brother.

Six Lessons from the London Airline Bombing Plot

2006-08-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

The foiled bomb plot in the UK offers us and the Bush administration some pointers about the true nature of terrorism and its causes.

The land of the free?

2006-08-13T11:43:00.000-05:00

You can say what you like in the US, just as long as you don't ask awkward questions about America's role in the Middle East.

Insurers refuse to cover iPods and phones in airline luggage

2006-08-12T02:35:00.000-05:00

MILLIONS of British air passengers were told last night that they will be travelling without insurance cover for valuable items such as jewellery, laptops, mobile phones and MP3 players that must now be packed in the aircraft hold.

Bomb Threat Posed by Pants, Belts

2006-08-11T19:44:00.000-05:00

At U.S. airports, passengers are inspected, tested and searched, and in the wake of the bomb plot foiled Thursday by British police, they can't even bring a latte on board. But terrorists armed with liquid or plastic explosives can still make it onto planes because there's little technology to stop them from smuggling bombs on their bodies or in their clothes, experts say.

Bush staff wanted bomb-detect cash moved

2006-08-11T18:49:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON - While the British terror suspects were hatching their plot, the Bush administration was quietly seeking permission to divert $6 million that was supposed to be spent this year developing new homeland explosives detection technology.

Travelers with health problems could face risks

2006-08-11T18:44:00.000-05:00

ATLANTA (AP) - Air travelers with medical conditions may suffer dehydration or other risks because of new air travel restrictions that prohibit people from bringing drinks onto the plane, some doctors say.

Hydration Z-Bra

2006-08-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

What happens when terrorists discover that their dangerous liquids can be stored inside a bra?

GI Who Exposed Abu Ghraib Feared Revenge

2006-08-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

The soldier who triggered the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal by sending incriminating photos to military investigators says he feared deadly retaliation by other GIs and was shocked when Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld mentioned his name at a Senate hearing.

Don't Be Terrorized

2006-08-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

You're more likely to die of a car accident, drowning, fire, or murder.

OH NOES!!!

2006-08-11T14:08:00.000-05:00

U.S. Lags World in Grasp of Genetics and Acceptance of Evolution

2006-08-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

A comparison of peoples' views in 34 countries finds that the United States ranks near the bottom when it comes to public acceptance of evolution. Only Turkey ranked lower.

Wondermark by David Malki

2006-08-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

Plot suspects met alleged al Qaeda bomber

2006-08-11T11:28:00.000-05:00

The original information about the plan came from the Muslim community in Britain, according to a British intelligence official.

The tip resulted from a person who had been concerned about the activities of an acquaintance after the July 7, 2005 terror attacks in London, the official said.

US Muslims bristle at Bush term "Islamic fascists"

2006-08-11T11:21:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Muslim groups criticized President George W. Bush on Thursday for calling a foiled plot to blow up airplanes part of a "war with Islamic fascists," saying the term could inflame anti-Muslim tensions.

Predictors of Intelligence Change from Younger to Older Adulthood

2006-08-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

An ability to be open to new situations may predict intelligence earlier in life, says a new study, but disagreeableness may predict intelligence later in life. According to the findings, differences in personality predictors of intelligence were found between young adults, and those who retain a normal level of overall cognitive ability in old age and those older adults who are cognitively superior.

It puts the lotion in the basket...

2006-08-11T10:05:00.000-05:00

Let's hope these aren't really dangerous chemicals.
Let's hope they mix together well.

How does an oil pipeline get corroded?

2006-08-11T01:59:00.000-05:00

Severely corroded pipelines will force BP to shut down its oil field at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, company officials said on Sunday. After a major spill in March, the company discovered stretches where the pipe had lost more than 70 percent of its mass to corrosion. Why does oil corrode a pipeline?

Liquid explosives sit on bathroom shelves

2006-08-11T01:34:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chemicals sitting in anyone's bathroom at home could be used to make an easily smuggled bomb that would badly damage a passenger jet, and experts have been warning about this danger for years.

Emotion rules the brain's decisions

2006-08-07T18:14:00.000-05:00

The evidence has been piling up throughout history, and now neuroscientists have proved it's true: The brain's wiring emphatically relies on emotion over intellect in decision-making.

We need Democracy for the Workplace.

2006-08-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

You load 16 tons and what do you get, another day older, and deeper in debt. And when they've used you up they spit you out without so much as a dime to recognize the sacrifice and hard work you've done for years. The employment at will doctrine means that most American worker have no recourse if they are fired for no fault of their own, and no right to compensation.

Rumsfeld: ‘I Have Never Painted A Rosy Picture’ About Iraq

2006-08-04T13:50:00.000-05:00

Testifying before the Senate today, Donald Rumsfeld told Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) that he has “never painted a rosy picture” about Iraq. Rumsfeld insisted that he has been “very measured” and told Clinton “you would have a dickens of a time trying to find instances where I have been overly optimistic.”

Oh rly?

Hunger dictates who men fancy

2006-08-03T11:29:00.000-05:00

A study of 61 male university students found those who were hungry were attracted to heavier women than those who were satiated.

Street cats take over Lebanese port

2006-08-02T22:50:00.000-05:00

Street cats have taken over this Lebanese port city from which thousands of its human inhabitants have fled in fear of Israel's looming ground offensive.

Mountains of rubbish, uncleared for more than a week, have become a haven for hundreds of hungry felines who dodge dogs and the occasional trash fire to get their claws on the contents of the black bags.

U.S. Puts Onus on Employers of Immigrants

2006-07-31T11:51:00.000-05:00

CINCINNATI, July 30 — Immigration agents had prepared a nasty surprise for the Garcia Labor Company, a temporary worker contractor, when they moved against it on charges of hiring illegal immigrants. They brought a 40-count federal indictment, part of a new nationwide strategy by immigration officials to clamp down on employers of illegal immigrant laborers.

Waco Police arrest Secret Service agent

2006-07-31T11:46:00.000-05:00

Waco Police tasered and arrested a US Secret Service agent at a downtown Waco bar after a scuffle.

Churches Putting Town Out of Business

2006-07-31T11:43:00.000-05:00

Stafford, Texas, has 51 tax-exempt religious institutions and wants no more: "Somebody's got to pay for police, fire and schools."

Worry over sperm donor shortage

2006-07-31T09:06:00.000-05:00

Fertility clinics are facing a "national crisis" because of a shortage of sperm donors, say experts.

(How does one become an expert in this field?)

Ask your doctor about catching on fire

2006-07-30T08:52:00.000-05:00

The majority of the public has not heard of surgical fires, let alone be prepared to take an active role in preventing them.

The Patient is on Fire!

2006-07-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

Virtually all operating room fires ignite on or in the patient, and about 10 surgical patient fires a year come to ECRI's attention through various medical and legal communications. These fires typically result in little damage to equipment, cause considerable injury to patients, and are a complete surprise to the staff. Some other potentially disastrous fires singe linen, hair, or instruments, but are quickly patted out and soon forgotten.

A New Enemy

2006-07-30T08:43:00.000-05:00

Pound for pound and pounding for pounding, the Israeli military is one of the world’s finest. But Hezbollah, with the discipline and ferocity of its fighters and ability to field advanced weaponry, has taken Israel by surprise.

Why our intuitions about how the world works are often wrong

2006-07-29T14:42:00.000-05:00

The reason folk science so often gets it wrong is that we evolved in an environment radically different from the one in which we now live. Our senses are geared for perceiving objects of middling size--between, say, ants and mountains--not bacteria, molecules and atoms on one end of the scale and stars and galaxies on the other end. We live a scant three score and 10 years, far too short a time to witness evolution, continental drift or long-term environmental changes.

Don't blame immigrants for healthcare crisis

2006-07-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

Contrary to popular opinion, and the propaganda coming from anti-immigration advocates in Washington, a new study released in health care policy journal Health Affairs found that undocumented immigrants are not the cause of a public health crisis defined by over-crowded emergency departments, higher health care costs, and lower-quality primary care.

The study of 46,600 people living in 60 different communities found that the communities with high levels of Hispanics and undocumented immigrants had far lesser rates of emergency department use than communities with low undocumented representation. By far the largest cause of emergency department overcrowding was found to be an increased use of them as primary care facilities by native born Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

Clan of the Neocon

2006-07-28T15:13:00.000-05:00

At the heart of every human lurks a beast. We have crocodile brains, monkey digits, and hominoid eyes. But written into the fabric of man's greatest physical attribute, the swollen cerebral cortex, is the operating system of a savage.

Detainee Abuse Charges Feared

2006-07-28T10:17:00.000-05:00

An obscure law approved by a Republican-controlled Congress a decade ago has made the Bush administration nervous that officials and troops involved in handling detainee matters might be accused of committing war crimes, and prosecuted at some point in U.S. courts.

Laptop border searches OK'd

2006-07-27T13:58:00.000-05:00

What: A business traveler protests the warrantless search and seizure of his laptop by Homeland Security at the U.S.-Canada border.

When: 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on July 24.

Outcome: Three-judge panel unanimously says that border police may conduct random searches of laptops without search warrants or probable cause. These searches can include seizing the laptop and subjecting it to extensive forensic analysis.

Tampon Shooter Blowgun

2006-07-27T10:44:00.000-05:00

Inspired by marshmallow shooters, this air-powered tampon gun turns your feminine hygiene products into high-flying projectiles.

Bush's Tactic of Refusing Laws Is Probed

2006-07-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

A panel of legal scholars and lawyers assembled by the American Bar Association is sharply criticizing the use of "signing statements" by President Bush that assert his right to ignore or not enforce laws passed by Congress.

The Middle East Buddy List

2006-07-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

Who hates who in the Middle East?

Hezbollah's Apocalypse Now

2006-07-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

By provoking its southern neighbor, Hezbollah knew it would present Israel with a ghastly choice. Hezbollah is a popular social movement, and it is well aware that it can be destroyed only if the Israeli army is prepared to commit mass murder, genocide, ethnic cleansing -- use whatever unpalatable term you will -- against the entire Shiite community.

Snout Invasion!!!

2006-07-23T12:40:00.000-05:00

If it seems the tiny winged creatures meeting a messy demise on your windshield are a bit more striking than the usual bug carcasses, you're not alone.

The prolonged drought, interrupted by a few days of heavy rains, has spawned an explosion of American snout butterflies across Central and South Texas, experts say.

Pizza staff forced to work for free

2006-07-23T12:12:00.000-05:00

The Western Australian Government says an incident in which young workers at a fast food store were forced to work for free is an example of what workers will see more of under new federal industrial relations legislation.

Dominos in Myaree placed a poster in its store informing employees they would have to work an extra five minutes unpaid for every minute they were late to work.

When I worked for Custom Power, we were docked 15 minutes for being one minute late.

Ewwww. Again

2006-07-22T22:16:00.000-05:00

We were embarrassed by the behavior of the president of the United States at the G-8 Summit this week.

Pentagon Allowed Sensitive Military Equipment Sales

2006-07-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

Undercover government investigators purchased sensitive surplus military equipment such as launcher mounts for shoulder-fired missiles and guided missile radar test sets from a Defense Department contractor.

Much of the equipment could be useful to terrorists, according to a draft report by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

The Tribal Way of War

2006-07-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

While the U.S. spends billions of dollars on sophisticated defense systems, the dime-a-dozen kidnapper and suicide bomber have emerged as the most strategic weapons of war. While we tie ourselves in legal knots over war's acceptable parameters, international law has increasingly less bearing on those whom we fight. And while our commanders declare "force protection" as their highest priority, enemy commanders declare the need for more martyrs. It seems that the more advanced we become, the more at a disadvantage we are in the 21st-century battlefield.

Man Accused of Blinding Wife With Carrot

2006-07-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

MONROE, Conn. -- A 46-year-old man is accused of assaulting his wife with a carrot, causing her to lose sight in one eye. Roderick Vecsey is charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Meanwhile, our government does nothing to control this deadly menace of assault carrots.

How nicotine helps cancer grow

2006-07-21T10:33:00.000-05:00

Nicotine influences a key cancer pathway in cells, which may explain how it speeds up cancer growth, says a new study.

Lack of sleep saps men's brain power

2006-07-20T18:26:00.000-05:00

If you have ever thought you were stupid to sleep with someone, consider this. Sharing your bed could actually make you stupid if you are a man - at least temporarily.

Red Light Cameras Increase Accidents

2006-07-20T14:00:00.000-05:00

After three years of use, red light cameras in Bakersfield, California have increased the number of injuries and accidents at the eight intersections where they are used. Overall, the annual collision rate increased 17 percent. This increase is caused by a shifting of accident types from T-bone, down 28 percent, to rear end, up 47 percent. The shift in accident type, nonetheless did not reduce the number of injuries.

Bush to stem cell community: drop dead

2006-07-20T12:57:00.000-05:00

An administration that has shown itself over and over again to have trouble telling the truth is now telling Americans in wheelchairs, those with damaged hearts, babies who are diabetic and those left immobile by Parkinsonism not to worry. The president, whose grasp of science left him unable to identify creationism as a fundamentally religious idea, and his trusty sidekick Karl Rove, rarely seen in a white lab coat but who knows something about rats, having been in Washington for some time now, claim to know best which medical research is most likely to benefit diseased Americans in the future.

Paramilitary Raids on U.S. Homes More Frequent

2006-07-19T19:08:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON -- The last 25 years have seen a 1,300 percent increase in the number of paramilitary raids on American homes. The vast majority of these are to serve routine drug warrants, including for offenses as trivial as marijuana possession, according to a just-released study by the Cato Institute.

Clusterfuck

2006-07-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

So we've got Israel attacking Lebanon. Israel attacking Palestine. Hezbollah attacking Israel. Palestinians attacking Israel. Israel threatening to attack Syria and Iran. Iran meddling in Iraq. The US meddling in Iraq. Lots of terrorists and insurgents targetting the US. The US threatening Iran. Sunnis attacking Shiites. Shiites attacking Sunnis. The US and NATO fighting a resurgant Taliban in Afghanistan. Kurds attacking Turks.

And now, as predicted back when this whole mess was brewing, Turkey threatens to invade Iraq.

Bush vetoes life-saving stem cell research

2006-07-19T19:00:00.000-05:00

President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he used his first veto to block legislation expanding embryonic stem cell research, putting him at odds with top scientists, most Americans and some in his own Republican Party.

The rhythm method and embryonic death

2006-07-19T10:14:00.000-05:00

Some proponents of the pro-life movement argue against morning after pills, IUDs, and contraceptive pills on grounds of a concern for causing embryonic death. What has gone unnoticed, however, is that the pro-life line of argumentation can be extended to the rhythm method of contraception as well. Given certain plausible empirical assumptions, the rhythm method may well be responsible for a much higher number of embryonic deaths than some other contraceptive techniques.

Stem Cell FAQs

2006-07-18T14:21:00.000-05:00

Stem cells are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body. They are like a blank microchip that can ultimately be programmed to perform any number of specialized tasks. Stem cells are undifferentiated, "blank" cells that do not yet have a specific function. Under proper conditions, stem cells begin to develop into specialized tissues and organs. Additionally, stem cells are self-sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time.

Bush Gropes Germany's Merkel

2006-07-18T13:55:00.000-05:00

President Bush took time out from the G-8 Summit to grope German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Giant nests perplex experts

2006-07-18T00:11:00.000-05:00

MOBILE -- To the bafflement of insect experts, gigantic yellow jacket nests have started turning up in old barns, unoccupied houses, cars and underground cavities across the southern two-thirds of Alabama.

A message to the American citizens in Lebanon

2006-07-18T00:06:00.000-05:00

The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date. In a subsequent message, when we have specific details about the transporation arrangments, we will inform you about the costs you will incur. We will also work with commercial aircraft to ensure that they have adequate flights to help you depart Cyprus and connect to your final destination.

Foreign companies buy U.S. roads & bridges

2006-07-17T15:49:00.000-05:00

Roads and bridges built by U.S. taxpayers are starting to be sold off, and so far foreign-owned companies are doing the buying.

Ask your doctor about shrooms

2006-07-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

There is now evidence to suggest that an important ingredient in magic mushrooms is capable of assisting people suffering terminal cancer and a release from addictions.

Warn children about smoking's dangers

2006-07-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

The recent report from U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona came to an unsettling conclusion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure can cause harm.

Alzheimer's May Be Tied To High Blood Sugar

2006-07-17T09:43:00.000-05:00

People with elevated blood sugar levels may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported yesterday at an international conference.

Weight loss can herald dementia

2006-07-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

Weight loss can be a sign that a woman will develop dementia in the future, US researchers have discovered.

Chronic Pain Shrinks People's Brains

2006-07-16T19:08:00.000-05:00

Pain causes an unexpected brain drain, according to a new study in which the brains of people with chronic backaches were up to 11 percent smaller than those of non-sufferers.

Desire Controls What We See

2006-07-16T19:01:00.000-05:00

Without realizing it, people will perceive things according to how they want to see them, a new study suggests.

Mechanically Separated Chicken and Other Horrors

2006-07-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

The foods that lurk on grocery shelves have ingredient lists that often defy pronunciation. Those few words that can be pronounced are sometimes far too horrible to contemplate.

Five facts of life

2006-07-16T15:46:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of things about the world that aren't as most of us would probably wish them to be. Why else do you think we're all working so hard to change it? There are some things we all need to learn to accept about reality.

Stabbed in the Back!

2006-07-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

Every state must have its enemies. Great powers must have especially monstrous foes. Above all, these foes must arise from within, for national pride does not admit that a great nation can be defeated by any outside force.

Anarchy's consequences

2006-07-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

The most damaging outcome of the current phase of Israeli-Palestinian violence is the near-total collapse of the Palestinian Authority. While all eyes are riveted on Israeli incursions and the continuous barrage of Kassams, on attempts to release Gilad Shalit and on the progressively dire results of collective punishment, almost no attention is being paid to the dangers inherent in the growing political chaos. Unless a conscious effort is made by Israeli, Palestinian and international leaders to restore some semblance of the rule of law, the consequences for the region will be truly unspeakable.

The Political Brain

2006-07-16T13:04:00.000-05:00

A recent brain-imaging study shows that our political predilections are a product of unconscious confirmation bias.

Lebanon is a great example

2006-07-16T12:24:00.000-05:00

"There's no question in my mind that Lebanon can serve as a great example for what is possible in the broader Middle East; that out of the tough times the country has been through will rise a state that shows that it's possible for people of religious difference to live side-by-side in peace; to show that it's possible for people to put aside past histories to live together in a way that the people want, which is, therefore, to be peace and hope and opportunity."

Too much sleep may double risk of disease

2006-07-15T13:53:00.000-05:00

Sleeping too long could be bad for your health, new research shows. A team of scientists has found that people who sleep at least nine hours a night are almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease as those who get by on six hours or less.

Sleep Deprivation Doubles Risks Of Obesity

2006-07-15T13:52:00.000-05:00

Research by Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick has found that sleep deprivation is associated with an almost a two-fold increased risk of being obese for both children and adults.

First Half of 2006 Is Warmest on Record

2006-07-15T12:44:00.000-05:00

The government reported Friday that the average temperature for the 48 contiguous United States from January through June was 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or 3.4 degrees above average for the 20th century.

Putin rejects Bush's Iraq democracy model

2006-07-15T12:26:00.000-05:00

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a suggestion from U.S. President George W. Bush that his country should emulate democracy in Iraq.

Humidity raises heart attack risk in elderly

2006-07-13T22:02:00.000-05:00

High humidity can increase the risk of a heart attack in the elderly even in relatively mild climates, according to research published on Thursday.

Smoking Linked to Higher Death Rate Among Poorer Men

2006-07-13T19:28:00.000-05:00

Poorer, less-educated men are more than twice as likely to die as their wealthier, better-educated counterparts, and smoking is to blame for more than half the difference in those mortality rates.

Wear nice pants

2006-07-13T19:14:00.000-05:00

LONDON (Reuters) - Women going on boozy nights out have been warned by police to "wear nice pants" in case they fall down drunk in the street.