Support HR 2890/S. 1271: Wild and Scenic protection for Rogue River Tributaries

The 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is the best way that a river can be protected in the US. A river designated "wild and scenic" cannot have roads built within 1/2 mile of the water. There can be no dams upstream. There can be no logging, mining, or construction of anything but trails along its banks. Non-commercial fishing and boating are permitted.
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QotD

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point.
--C.S. Lewis

ZICAM Alert: the cold med, the FDA, and homeopathic meds

Over the last few years I have suggested this product to quite a few people, because it works. Now I find out that the FDA has pulled it from the market because it can kill your sense of smell. Zicam is intranasal zinc administered with a swab or squirt. You absorb the zinc through your mucosal membrane, and it helps you fight viruses. Absorption of zinc through the gastrointestinal system is not very good. Having a steady stream of zinc in your bloodstream is supposedly beneficial when fighting a cold or flu bug. I don't have references for all this, but I can tell you that I have never had another cold since discovering the stuff, and I can still smell.
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Iran after the stolen election

( random thoughts )

New HIV Infections Decreasing in South AfricanTeens

Sounds like young South Africans have finally gotten the news that condom use is the way to avoid infection. The report I have here (from The Week) says that people are still having multiple sex partners, but new infection rates have declined significantly. South Africa has the worlds largest HIV positive population, some 5.2 million people. Of South African women age 20-34, one third are HIV positive. One third. It's not hard to imagine the disaster in the future.

Have you seen the guy who put the star tattoos on the girl's face?

The young man is tattooed everywhere we can see. He has so many metal loops piercing his lower lip that he hisses when he talks. Just looking at him gives me a lot of questions and ideas about his mental status and personal history. He seems clear-headed as he speaks from behind his glasses and lip rings. He speaks English. You can get a look at him here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQClB2OC80A

I actually like the stars decorating the girl's face, though I understand her regret. I hope that she can find her inner strength to stand with herself, and be the star girl. It could take her places she never imagined. It's quite possible that she wanted the stars while in the company of this strange man, then changed her mind when she realized how upset her father was. There's no way of knowing from the little bit of news we get.