Big Tobacco Happy – Racketeers But Pay No Money

This week, two appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court involving tobacco companies have been denied to be heard. One decision favoured Big Tobacco, the other did not. But both had to do with a 2006 U.S. District Court ruling by Judge Gladys Kessler. In her landmark 1,683 page ruling found… Continue reading

Doctor’s Office Disinfectant – The Smell of Fear

White coat syndrome. That visceral, heart thumping, anxious, nerve-driven reaction that predictably pops up the second you see that tell-tale while lab coat. But wait, it starts before that doesn’t it? More like the second you first detect that smell. Just what is it about medical disinfectant? It just smells… Continue reading

Still More Info on Tobacco Testing on Animals

The power of the internet never ceases to amaze me. The worldwide instant communication with people you’d never otherwise come into contact with truly makes our world feel as small as we know it is. This was brought home to me again when I received an email just a few… Continue reading

More Information on Animal Testing by Tobacco Companies

A recent comment to my post “Tobacco Companies Still Testing on Dogs” asked for more evidence that animal testing was still going on, how he hoped it would have stopped by now. I thought this was a good opportunity to share what I’ve found beyond what I’ve already posted. The… Continue reading

BP Cartoon Break

Not that I want to put my head in the sand, hide from view of the damage caused by human arrogance and denial, (BP anyone?), but perhaps a dip or two into the sand is allowed. Part of what makes the ongoing insanity in the Gulf of Mexico even more… Continue reading

More SeaWorld Deaths – Whales This Time

I went searching for any kind of update on Tilikum, wondering if any changes were in the offing regarding whales in captivity. I found little new about Tilikum himself, but did learn that, “Two killer whales at SeaWorld Orlando are pregnant, with one due in a matter of weeks. SeaWorld… Continue reading

17th Century Predictions of Robert Boyle Came True

The Royal Society in London, England, is currently celebrating its 350th anniversary with an artifact exhibit which includes a fascinating Robert Boyle document. Scientist Robert Boyle was one of the society’s founders, but what makes him even more noteworthy is that he created a “wish list” of sorts in the… Continue reading

Not Just Antioxidants – More Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate

What a glorious day, just found another reason to eat chocolate, the decadent treat so loved by many. While we’ve known for a while that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, not to mention flavour, did you know (in descending order*) it’s high in manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium,… Continue reading

TV Ad Campaign Deemed Too Suggestive

Ah the invincibility of youth, or at least the perceived invincibility. And the incredulity of decision makers, advertisers and government officials in this case. But that feeling of being invincible, that sense of immortality that can come with youth, was reaffirmed in drinking and driving surveys of “young men [which]… Continue reading

Bacterium in Dirt Makes Us Smarter and Happier

What do you know? It turns out digging in the dirt is even better for you than I thought. I love coincidences. Maybe it’s just the universe having fun with us, or maybe it’s a tool to help get a point across to us we might otherwise miss, were it… Continue reading