February 16, 2008 The Pump Handle

The final deceased victim of the February 7 explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery has been recovered from the scene, and a ninth victim, Mr. Michael Fields, 40, succumbed to his severe injuries earlier today at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.  U.S. Senators Johnny Iasakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chamblis (R-GA) met today with victims’ families […]

February 15, 2008 The Pump Handle

Those hoping to fix the U.S.’s current healthcare system have plenty to chew on this week. Sara Robinson at Campaign for America’s Future debunks several myths about U.S. vs. Canadian healthcare (Part I here). Keep this handy for the next time someone whines that single-payer healthcare will mean rationed care. Jacob Goldstein at Health Blog […]

February 15, 2008 The Pump Handle 3Comment

Friends and colleagues continue to offer lovely memorials to Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), who passed away on February 11.  (here, here)   Human Rights Watch noted in their tribute  he was an “unwavering advocate for fundamental rights,” and “his remarkable and sustained efforts on behalf of vulnerable and otherwise voiceless people.”   Indeed, for Cong. Lantos, human rights was not only about […]

February 14, 2008 The Pump Handle

Public health values prevention. In many cases, this means spending a relatively small amount of money up front (on things like water treatment and vaccination) to avoid spending a lot more money later (on medical care, lost productivity, and reduced earning potential – not to mention quality of life). In the past few days, I’ve come across […]

February 14, 2008 The Pump Handle 4Comment

Reporters and bloggers are using the occasion of Valentine’s Day to explore the health and environmental aspects of typical gifts and recommend worker- and Earth-friendly alternatives.

February 13, 2008 The Pump Handle

Fire suppression experts from a North Carolina firm are providing assistance in Port Wentworth, Georgia at the Imperial Sugar factory.  After the devastating explosion five days ago on Thursday evening, February 7, the fire continues to burn.  Two workers remain missing in the fire and debris.  Another six perished at the scene and 16 remain in critical condition.  Three injured workers […]

February 13, 2008 The Pump Handle

This week, North Carolina’s Charlotte Observer is running an in-depth series, “The human cost of bringing poultry to your table.” After a 22-month investigation, reporters convey the grim picture: poultry-plant workers suffer high rates of crippling injuries, but fear losing their jobs if they complain, and companies cover up the problem. Observer editor Rick Thames […]

February 12, 2008 The Pump Handle

Forbes has created a “Misery Measure” to rank the country’s 150 biggest metro areas, and I wasn’t surprised to see Detroit awarded the title of Most Miserable City. What did surprise me, though, was one of the factors Forbes considered: number of Superfund sites. Kudos to them for acknowledging that hazardous waste has a way […]

February 12, 2008 The Pump Handle 1Comment

The date is set for the presidential candidates’ Science Debate 2008 – it’ll be April 18th at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute – so now the push is to get candidates’ commitment to participate. Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Barack Obama have been invited, and the fact that the debate is set for four days […]