Fukushima in Our Food: Low Levels of Radiation Detected in U.S. Milk, Fruit and Vegetable Samples

As the horrors of the Fukushima nuclear disaster continue to fade from media coverage, it's important that we continue to follow the story and get as much information about the crisis as possible. This disaster affects us all. In America, we should be all asking ourselves whether or not nuclear energy is worth the risks that it poses to huge populations should we experience a catastrophe on the scale of Fukushima. I do not believe nuclear energy is worth the risk. Germany recently decided to abandon plans to build new nuclear plants and has scheduled the retirement of their existing nuclear power plants by 2022. I pray that we can somehow do the same here in the US but there are a lot of vested interests in government and industry pushing recklessly for new nuclear capacity as a clean energy alternative. Yet, the risk is so great that every nuclear project has to have 100% government subsidies because the private sector won't touch it otherwise. The public bears the cost and industry pockets the profit, in part by skimping on maintenance and practical planning to save money. It's bullshit. This story provides a detailed update on the issues facing the Fukushima reactors that are still spewing radiation in a meltdown state, as well as information on the worldwide spread of all the radiation being released.
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=9523

FDA Targets Supplement Manufacturers Falsely Accusing Them of Selling Drugs

I am becoming increasingly incensed by the conduct of the FDA in subverting natural supplements and herbal health remedies in their baldfaced effort to support the pharmaceutical industry. Natural remedies are extremely effective and have been used to cure cancer in thousands of patients. I, personally, was diagnosed with Uveitis, a swelling of the Uvea that resulted from a auto-immune reaction, and the doctors at the Eye & Ear Institute ultimately wanted to put me on Prednisone to knock out the swelling. This is a heavy-duty steroid and I did not want to take it for six weeks unless there was no other recourse. I went to my acupuncturist and received a treatment from him and chinese medicinal herbs, and the problem was gone in a few days. That made a believer out of me and the more research I do the more convinced I become that diet and herbs are a key to fighting disease. Watch Food Matters for more good information on these issues. The persecution of the natural health industry has got to stop or we will all be left with only pharmaceutical remedies to treat illness. Oh, did I mention that all the shit that's in our food supply contributes mightily to disease in this country? Well, it's undeniably true and the diabetes epidemic (not to mention cancer) is a good place to start looking to verify the substance of that statement. The Free Speech About Science Act is an attempt to remedy the government's bias against natural health alternatives.
http://www.naturalnews.com/032567_FDA_supplement_companies.html


Here's a link to modify a letter in support of the Free Speech About Science Act
https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=698 

GOP Obstructionism Reaches New Heights

The smallest percentage of judicial nominees have been confirmed for Obama of any American presidency. The Republicans recently filibustered to defeat the nomination of Goodwin Liu, a Berkeley Law Professor known to be one of the sharpest constitutional lawyers in the country, after promising in 2005 not to use such filibusters unless there were "extraordinary circumstances."
http://www.thenation.com/blog/161059/gop-obstructionism-reaches-new-heights

Geithner and Goldman: Thick As Thieves

Robert Sheer recounts some of the secret and highly unusual special treatment provided to Goldman Sachs, first at President of the NY Federal Bank and then as Treasury Secretary.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/geithner_and_goldman_thick_as_thieves_20110531/?utm

Welcome To ThinkProgress Green: The New Reality

ThinkProgress' reality check on the failure of efforts to reduce global warming presents a sobering perspective on the crisis of global warming and what needs to needs to be done to stop it.
http://thinkprogress.org/default/2011/05/31/230978/welcome-to-thinkprogress-green/

Scientists discuss the rash of natural disasters and how they are connected to global warming. Flooding of the Mississippi River has seen multiple 1-500 and 1-in-100 year floods in 1993, 2000, 2008 and now again in 2011.
Why Climate Experts are Using Tougher Language
http://www.minnpost.com/donshelby/2011/05/31/28716/why_climate_experts_are_using_tougher_language

Voters Around The Country Afflicted With Buyer’s Remorse Over New GOP Governors

Seven out of eight states that elected new Republican governors in the wake of the debt crisis spawned by the Great Recession that preceded the  2010 election would now elect Democrats. The harsh anti-labor and middle class policies of these extreme-right GOP governors has created a backlash of discontent.
http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/05/31/231083/voters-around-the-country-afflicted-with-buyers-remorse-over-new-gop-governors/

Wik-Bee Leaks: EPA Document Shows It Knowingly Allowed Pesticide That Kills Honey Bees

The reckless collusion of federal regulators and their industry 'clients' seems to know no bounds. In this case, administrators have allowed a pesticide to be used commercially since 2003 that EPA scientists knew was toxic to honey bees, thereby threatening the longterm viability of agricultural crops worldwide. 
http://www.fastcompany.com/1708896/wiki-bee-leaks-epa-document-reveals-agency-knowingly-allowed-use-of-bee-toxic-pesticide

There's a Right Way and a Wrong Way to Deal With a Jobs Crisis -- Why Is Germany Doing It So Well?

The US was harder hit by the Great Recession than most industrialized countries. Unemployment in America soared to the third highest level in the western world, behind Spain and Ireland. In Germany, unemployment actually went down and there are specific labor and employment policies that helped that country weather the downturn.
http://www.alternet.org/news/151082/there's_a_right_way_and_a_wrong_way_to_deal_with_a_jobs_crisis_--_why_is_germany_doing_it_so_well/?utm

In Reversal, Germany to Close Nuclear Plants by 2022

This is a dramatic development in the wake of Fukushima and demonstrable evidence that nuclear energy cannot truly be harnessed safely. The political activism of German citizens opposed to continued investment in nuclear energy forced the government to adopt this new sweeping program to develop sustainable alternative energy sources as a national strategy. Unfortunately, we are a long way from making that same commitment here is the US of A.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/world/europe/31germany.html?_r=1&hp

GOP is No Friend to Military Members Struggling During Recession

The patriotic hypocrisy of politicians across the board is belied by their actions and deeds when it comes to voting and advocating the well-being of the men and woman of the military. They may weep in public ceremonies but they too often will not raise some hell or lift a finger to provide safeguards and services that would benefit military families.
http://www.thenation.com/blog/161028/gop-no-friend-military-members-struggling-during-recession

Don't Believe in Conspiracy Theories? Read This About Facebook

This story is not earth shattering but it provides important insight into the surreptitious methods used by companies to discredit competitors. The piece also explores the technical meaning of a 'conspiracy' and urges readers not to blindly dismiss theories but rather to examine the factual basis behind various allegations. Many 'conspiracy theories' have been proven true over time.
http://www.naturalnews.com/032543_conspiracy_theories_Facebook.html

This Wired report is from 2010 but provides interesting background on FB's use and sale of user's personal information.
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/04/report-facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-doesnt-believe-in-privacy/

TEPCO Now Admits that Three Fukushima Reactors Have Melted With Large Holes in Containment Vessels

The poor decisions and lack of critical information provided to the public by TEPCO and the Japanese government have resulted in massive radiation releases and a worsening situation there. The industry/regulator coziness that exists in Japan, and undeniably in the US as well, puts public health in a precarious position by subjecting populations to unreasonable risk of radiation contamination from malfunctions and emergencies at nuclear energy plants. 
http://www.naturalnews.com/032537_Fukushima_meltdown.html

Why the Democratic Party Has Abandoned the Middle Class in Favor of the Rich

This is an excellent and lengthy analysis by Kevin Drum from Mother Jones on the degree to which the Democratic Party has been influenced by wealthy and corporate constituents, at the expense of the middle class, over the past several decades. Read it and weep, then talk it up with everyone you know...
http://www.alternet.org/news/151108/why_the_democratic_party_has_abandoned_the_middle_class_in_favor_of_the_rich/?utm

For Anarchist, Details of Life as F.B.I. Target

This story recalls the days when J. Edgar Hoover had the FBI looking at every left-leaning citizen in the country. Since 9/11, under the expanded surveillance powers of the Patriot Act, domestic surveillance of Americans has increased directly under the flag of fighting 'terrorism.'
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/us/29surveillance.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Republican Legislators Push to Tighten Voting Rules

Thirteen states with GOP-controlled legislatures are passing Voter ID bills and other measures designed to reduce turnout by making it more difficult for minorities and the young to vote. Of course, this is nothing new as Republicans always seem to be up to such tricks. Meanwhile not one case of voter fraud has been used to justify these laws that the GOP claims are for the purpose of insuring fair elections.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/us/politics/29vote.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Noam Chomsky Talks at Syracuse Peace Conference

Noam Chomsky tells it like it is at a peace conference event from May 11. Though Chomsky is largely ignored by the mainstream media, as is the subject matter of his talks, he remains perhaps the most eloquent  intellectual critic of the United States and its foreign policy. However, Chomsky doesn't deal in opinion but rather nails down each of his analytical points with solid facts and background from the existing historical record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxyYkyJ9Tiw

This is an interesting post from Dollars & Sense highlighting how European companies now come to the US for cheap labor and lax regulations, as well as some developments in the foreclosure saga. It's also where I found the Chomsky clip.
http://dollarsandsense.org/blog/2011/05/europe-slumming-foreclosure-rulings-etc.html

Gil Scott-Heron, Voice of Black Culture - Poet, Musician, Social Critic - Dies at 62

I first discovered Gil Scott-Heron when I heard "Angel Dust" in the 70's while still in high school. The song, recorded with Brian Jackson, made a strong impact on me as his lyrics conjured the destructive loss of control and violent chaos that the street drug was wreaking on many of its users. I stayed away from Dust and that was likely the result of listening to what became one of my favorite songs over and over again. What I didn't realize until reading his obituary was that Scott-Heron had been a novelist at the age of nineteen, and I now see a strong literary influence and story-telling aspect in all his music. Of course, it's tragic that Gil Scott-Heron succumbed to the nightmare of addiction several times over the years, and that we lost a couple of decades of his work in this way, but I will always regard Gil as a brilliant voice speaking truth to power and I hope he will always be remembered that way. In the mid-80's I saw Gil Scott-Heron perform at a small club in Detroit, we were just a few rows away, and it was thrilling to see the man do his thing up close. I don't remember the show well, we were all pretty toasty and it was 25 years ago, but I do recall that the man had a lot to say that night. The fight goes on, in a timeless sort of continuum filled with the words and music of Gil Scott-Heron, a troubled man in a troubled world, and one of my heroes. The Revolution will not be televised...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/arts/music/gil-scott-heron-voice-of-black-culture-dies-at-62.html?hp

WRTC Radio Archive Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron
http://rel5.wrtc.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/20284
http://rel5.wrtc.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/20285

I just added this link as it's the first thoughtful and detailed piece I've seen on GSH and his influence. This one transcends an obituary.
Gil Scott-Heron's Revolution
http://www.thenation.com/blog/161025/gil-scott-herons-revolution


Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2F-XX0Ol0&feature=share


Gil Scott-Heron, Poet and Musician, Has Died
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/05/27/136731274/gil-scott-heron-poet-and-musician-has-died?ps=cprs

Spoken Word Musician Gil Scott-Heron Dies in New York
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/05/28/us_obit_gil_scott_heron/index.html

Gil Scott-Heron - Poet, Musician, Social Critic - Dies at 62
http://www.thenation.com/blog/161021/gil-scott-heron-poet-musician-social-critic-dies-62

A link to several performance clips of Gil Scott-Heron going back to the 70's.
http://www.commondreams.org/further/2011/05/28

Truthdigger of the week: Gil Scott-Heron

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/truthdigger_of_the_week_gil_scott-heron_20110603/?utm

GOP Medicare debacle proves Americans 'love socialized medicine after all'

Daily Kos points out that the GOP has gotten itself into quite a jam after going on record to support the privatization of Medicare into a voucher program. In fact, it may be a good time for the Dems to force a vote on a public option to move that policy forward and keep the heat on Republicans.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/28/979954/-GOP-Medicare-debacle-proves-Americans-love-socialized-medicine-after-all?utm

Rand Paul, Tea Party Ask: What About Privacy?

As the Senate rushed to renew expiring provisions from the Patriot Act this week, Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite, forcefully challenged both Republicans and Democrats to have an extended period of open debate on the particulars of the law. Harry Reid had promised a full week of debate on the Patriot Act and the specific provisions that allow the government to disregard standard civil liberties under the banner of fighting terrorism, but reneged. And, virtually all Senators were silent except for Paul who managed to open the door on privacy issues and force a vote on two Amendments. Paul has also joined with Sen. Leahy (D-VT) to sponsor a separate law to phase out the so called National Security Letters provision which allows the FBI to collect, without court approval, personal records from banks, credit card companies and Internet providers. Perhaps it's time to acknowledge that elements of the Tea Party could be important allies to Progressive Democrats in the fight to restore privacy rights.
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/27/136722456/rand-paul-tea-party-ask-what-about-privacy?ft=1&f=1001

Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors

I believe this WebMD health item is legit even though I can't find anything else about the Harvard study on the Internet. The results showed that mice implanted with human lung cancer cells, who received THC treatment, demonstrated a fifty percent reduction in tumor size after three weeks. Preliminary results also show that THC, the primary ingredient in cannabis, may well be effective in fighting brain, prostate and skin cancers too. 
http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20070417/marijuana-may-fight-lung-tumors

This Natural News piece details the National Cancer Institutes listing of cannabis as a Complimentary Alternative Medicine on its website for the first time, and how it subsequently distanced itself from cannabis treatment in later actions.

Understanding Cannabis Therapeutics Before it is Censored
http://www.NaturalNews.com/031936_cannabis_therapy.html

NYC Wins Award for Most Marijuana Arrests in the World
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-levine/nyc-wins-award-for-the-mo_b_867120.html