Brown pelican recovery is often heralded as a success story for the Endangered Species Act. California declared the brown pelicans recovered in the state as of June of 2009, and the federal de-listing came in November 2009. Yet organizations like International Bird Rescue Research Center believe the act came too soon for the California population of brown pelicans.
Even though the population size grew enough to consider the species recovered, many of the factors that led to brown pelican endangerment are still prevalent today. Which is why Change.org community member, Dagmar Jesensky, is petitioning California to return brown pelicans to the state’s endangered species list.
Poisoning from the pesticide DDT caused the brown pelican population crash back in the 1960s, along with a number of other bird species, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Despite an EPA ban in 1972, DDT is still having effects on bird populations today, such as the federally endangered California condor.
Having just been declared recovered last year, IBRRC worries that, while the number of pelicans in California has “recovered,” the population has not stabilized.
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According to a new report by the United Kingdom’s People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA UK), tea companies PG tips, Lipton and Lyons have been testing their products on animals in some pretty gruesome experiments that are decidedly not “100% natural.”
The report says that rabbits were fed a diet high in fat to increase cholesterol levels to egregiously high levels and to harden their arteries. Then, the companies fed the animals tea in their water, ostensibly to demonstrate that if the levels decreased, they could market their product as having health benefits. Rabbits weren’t the only test subjects; mice were bred with severe bowel inflammation problems, and then fed tea to see if it helped. And piglets were infected with E. Coli, to give them diarrhea, and I suppose the tea companies felt that their product might have an effect on that, too?
In any event, even if tea had helped the artificially, intentionally sickened animals, they were all killed afterwards for their trouble. It doesn’t get less natural than this.
And this might not be all. Other reports have stated that the Lipton brand uses animal products in their teas — like blood. To dye it the right color.
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Photo courtesy of tonrulkens on flickr
With the release of and subsequent media frenzy surrounding Pope Benedict XVI’s published comments on condom use has come a renewed debate about religion, sexuality and public health. And it’s not just about “male prostitutes.” While the Pope’s original declaration referred to the fact that condom use may be a moral act for male prostitutes wishing to prevent against sexually transmitted infections, the Vatican later clarified that — oh, wait a minute — women, men and transsexuals also may use condoms to protect themselves against transmission of disease, thank you very much.
Many progressive Catholics and organizations say these statements have opened the door to the potential to have a more realistic conversation about the role condoms play in protecting the health and lives of women, men and young people globally.
But, of course, the conversation has been happening for years between public health experts, advocates and those who use condoms. We already know that condoms are the only sure-fire contraceptive method for women who want to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, Catholics for Choice say that many Catholic health providers working for Catholic aid agencies in developing nations are secretly handing out condoms while fearing for their jobs since condom use is still unacceptable as a tenet of the Church. Catholic groups like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States have stood in the way of ensuring access to condoms, as well as to the funding of other HIV/AIDS prevention strategies that work — like comprehensive sex education in developing nations — for too long.
The best way we can “use” the Pope’s comments on condoms, in this country, is to put pressure on Catholic health agencies working on the ground in these poor nations to formally integrate condoms into their prevention strategies.
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This is a petition to end Water-Fluoridation on a National level; of all fluorine compounds not found Organically in water supplies.? We will no longer tolerate the forced, mass-medicinal implementation of these compounds into our water supplies, that have up to this moment in time, been allowed without our consent, and by many, their knowledge.?This is the unethical, unconstitutional and unmonitored usury of a system that profits off of the unawareness of those it is hindering the health of. We the people have spoken against this practice for years to no avail.?We the people affirm this petition as our last regarding this issue and will understand it so that if our voices are not heard, our lives have been infringed upon as well as our Constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We will understand this further that are rights, rather than being upheld and protected by our Government, are in fact being oppressed, purposefully at that.
Petition to end Water Fluoridation in the United States of America -
Hot dogs and chicken patties and greasy pizza — oh my! Those are the entrees most kids currently get in their school cafeterias. If school lunch reform legislation doesn’t pass this week, those meals are unlikely to get any better in the future.
The Child Nutrition Act, legislation that would improve both the quality and accessibility of school lunches, has been kicking around in Congress for months on end. While the Senate passed its version of the school lunch reform bill — the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act — back in August, the House has yet to vote on the bill. That will change this Wednesday, December 1st, as representatives will finally weigh in on the legislation.
The House can do a number of things with the pending legislation. For one, it could neg the bill entirely, meaning kids wouldn’t see any increased funding for school lunches. The House could also delay the bill through a motion to commit, which would essentially kill the legislation for the rest of the year. With Republican lawmakers taking control of the House of Representatives this January, it’s unlikely that increased funding for school lunches will get enough support from Congress next year. Unless the House votes in favor of the Child Nutrition Act this week and sends it to President Obama’s desk for approval, this may be the last chance in the foreseeable future for federal school lunch reform.
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Most people would rather have a cold or flu than a nasty bacterial infection that’s incurable. Unfortunately, this is kind of the choice we’re forced to make these days, as more and more research shows our overuse of antibacterial agents — in consumer products, it’s most commonly the ingredient triclosan — contributes to the development of new “super bugs” that are resistant to antibiotics and antibacterials.
Triclosan is found in everything from Clearasil face wash and Colgate toothpaste to Playskool children’s toys. Do we really need that much sterility? It makes sense to keep everything germ-free in a hospital setting where patients have compromised immune systems, but in our daily lives, according to the CDC, antibacterial products can lead to drug resistance, lower immunity and allergies. A recent study by the CDC detected triclosan in the urine of 75 percent of the people they tested.
In April, the FDA issued a stating regarding triclosan’s health effects. In it, they note that triclosan alters hormone regulation in laboratory animals and may contribute antibiotic resistant bacteria. Although they state that the chemical does not currently present a health hazard, it does merit “further review” and they are currently reviewing the scientific evidence to determine its safety in consumer products. Some countries have already banned or limited the use of the chemical.
Perhaps most perplexing is why we use the chemical in the first place. Although it’s been found to be useful to prevent gingivitis, overall, the FDA statement concludes that it “does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.”
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Potential presidential contenders Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee will all make appearances in Iowa this month, throwing more speculative fuel on the already fiery debate over the Republican party’s pick for the 2012 election.
Their visits are also turning the state into a culture war battle ground, and Huckabee launched a fresh attack this weekend by celebrating the national “significance” of Iowa’s decision to oust three state Supreme Court justices who approved same-sex marriage.
“The significance and historic nature of the judicial elections here in Iowa were far bigger than the borders of Iowa,” said Huckabee in a speech at an evangelical gathering Sunday. “It was a very important statement that voters made, a statement that resonated across the country and one that I think will give legs to a larger movement over the next few years.”
The Iowa justice recalls were a rallying cry for social conservatives this overwhelmingly money-minded election year, and Huckabee made sure to stay on top of the waning tide: he stoked the flames in June by refusing popular Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’ calls for a “truce” on social issues.
“The issue of life and traditional marriage are not bargaining chips nor are they political issues. They are moral issues,” Huckabee insisted at the time. Though certainly heartfelt, Huckabee’s latest outburst also reveals insight into his 2012 strategy.
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AboutLaws in Minnesota seem to lean toward protecting mothers while they abuse drugs and harm their unborn child.Minnesota has Laws in place to charge the Mother with child abuse,But from my personal experienceIt does not seem to get done.To civilly commit a Mother is a policy in Minnesota But there againI have tried to see why that is failed to get done also,You can place a Mother on hold if she test positive for narcotics while she is pregnant,But there again I have fought to wonder why theselaws and policies are not enforced. In Minnesota Health Care professionals are required to report this kind of drug abuse to the welfare system ,if the Mother And child test positive.After The Welfare system is involved they take the child into protective custody and can terminate your parental rights ,But although I have seen the welfare system work,they have never attempted to commit or charge the Mother with child abuse,or even child endangerment.The Laws Should be Harsher and they should be enforced.I know the state is afraid the mother will not get the prenatal care she or the baby needs If she is afraid she will be charged with a crime.But on the other hand these Mothers hardly seek the prenatal care they need any way and if they do, what is the point when they can walk out of the clinic freely to use drugs and there are no real consequences.And this can go on and on In the State Of Minnesota,The Mother can walk away from the poor little baby that she had who is suffering from withdrawl symptoms because of the effects of being on drugs for 9 months.Left to care for these Babies are the Grandparents, Fathers or any one the Welfare system chooses.The child Is Called Special needs Then.The cant walk or talk or play like other children their own age,and alot of the time they spend in the Doctors Office now.And guess what Mom is pregnant again and will harm one more child.When will this change? The Harsh Reality is : There has to be Harsher Laws :Step It UP Minnesota; South Carolina,Wisconsin and South Dakota Have laws and they work,it says come to South Carolina pregnant and do drugs you will be arrested Minnesota should join them on the right path of protecting these unborn babieswho will be born with a life time of problems to look forward to, and the cost of Health Care is Astronomical ,That is if the Baby even lives at all.
Here is a Babies Point of View,Please think about what you are going to do to Enforce Harsher Laws. Thank You For Making A Difference.
Heaven Will Cry Tears,
I hear your voice everyday,every word that you say ,Sometimes its loud and I cant Sleep.I hear your voice, Can you hear me
“Mommy Please”
I really wonder whats that smell,
I feel so cold and all alone,In this water of my own.If you love me I cant tell I am really scared’ Whats That Smell
Shylyns Law
The ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center filed a class action lawsuit in federal court this week alleging that GEO Group, the nation’s second-largest private prison operator, was subjecting young prisoners to “barbaric, unconstitutional conditions” at a Mississippi facility.
The lawsuit presents a laundry list of abuse at the 1,400-bed Walnut Grove Correctional Facility in north Mississippi. And it goes straight after GEO for allowing assaults and denying medical care and education while racking up healthy profits at the prison. The facility was built with $41 million in taxpayer dollars, while GEO has now earned more than $100 million in profit from its management, the suit estimates. The 1,400 boys and young men held there were all sentenced as adults, but two-thirds of them were convicted of non-violent crimes.
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It is widely accepted that 9.6 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States.
‘Euthanization’ is an inaccurate term since it is defined as ‘mercy-killing’, to be administered only to terminally ill or injured animals.? Most cats and dogs being put to sleep in shelters are healthy, loving, adoptable animals, and? what is happening would be more aptly described as a ‘cull’ or ’slaughter’.? The situation has become catastrophic and begs investigation, oversight and compassionate solutions.? 33,000 animals being killed every day is not acceptable in a country that calls itself humane.? Humans are not being responsible and animals are paying the price.?
Create Senate Committee for Animal Welfare
