Eruptions, Beef, and Birth Control

Your news, Today:

Science/Technology

~ With a halo of controversy and skepticism, the "Volcano Monitoring" fund was approved in Pres. Obama's stimulus package. Last night, we were sent a message in regard to just how important that fund is. Alaska's Mount Redoubt shot five explosive bursts of ash and steam as far as 9 miles into the air causing flights in and out of Anchorage International to be halted. Some may say, no big deal, but the USGS monitors this volcano closely so as to keep the twenty thousand passengers that fly over top of the volcano each day... safe.

Business

~ While Carnival Cruise lines are showing a net gain in their first quarter profits - after cutting ticket prices as well as employees - Airlines are facing steep losses , across the globe. The IATA (International Air Transport Association) projected a "red ink" sum of $2.5 billion, but (as reality would have it) actual losses are closer to $4.7 billion. 

Health

~ The FDA is under orders by a US Court (NY's Eastern District Court) to reconsider the un-prescribed use of TheMorning After Pill . Currently the push has expanded the use of the morning after pill to 17-year olds without the requirement of a prescription. What does Obama have to say - not much other than reiterating his pledge to restore reliance on science in making decisions about health.

~ Eating too much red meat may - well - kill you. The United States National Cancer Institute found significant evidence in a recent study that links red meat and processed meats (such as sausage or processed beef) to increased 
risks of not only cancer and heart disease, but Alzheimer's, stomach ulcers, and other problems, as well. Scary part - "too much" is as little as a quarter pound hamburger or a small pork chop, both of which put you into the "increased risk" category, if eaten daily. --- Thankfully, chicken and fish aren't known contributors.

Politics

~ President Barack Obama pressed global leaders in a written message Tuesday to take "bold, comprehensive and coordinated" steps against the debilitating recession. Is this an act of desperation? Hardly. Is it affecting his ratings? Zogby thinks so ... but no one else does. After all, it's a Zogby poll. His ratings may be on the rise when people hear about the steps he's taking to increase Mexican Border Patrol . $700 million dollars are being spent to "beef up" the border law enforcement and crime prevention. Narkotraffickers beware.  

~ AIG debacle places Tim Geithner under the guillotine . Congress reams Geithner for not knowing about AIG bonuses (which are in the multi-million dollar category) well in advance. Protesters are told to "act their age" and plans for how to deal with it continue to stagnate. Good news: 9 of the 10 TOP recipients of bonuses have agreed to give ALL of their bonuses back. 

In Lighter News!

Vermont's Senate just voted overwhelmingly to convert their civil unions law into a civil marriage law . The tally was by an astonishing 26 - 4 margin, easily outside the range of the governor's veto, were he to go there (it's not clear yet whether he will). The House is now considering the bill and is expected to pass it. If the bill becomes law, Vermont would be the first state to legalize marriage equality by legislative action, the best route in my view. Yes people, Gay Marriage!