August 15, 2008 The Pump Handle 3Comment

by revere, cross-posted at Effect Measure A couple of days ago we discussed the murky questions surrounding the death of accused anthrax attacker Dr. Bruce Ivins. At the center of stipulating the cause and manner of death were the procedures for filling out the state of Maryland’s death certificate by the medical examiner. Determining and […]

August 14, 2008 The Pump Handle 1Comment

Celeste Monforton was the first to publicize the nine-word item on the White House website that turned out to be a risk-assessment rule that would make it harder for OSHA and MSHA to protect workers from hazards. (Read more about it here.) Now, Celeste has teamed up with NRDC’s Jennifer Sass and gathered 80 scientists and […]

August 13, 2008 The Pump Handle

In today’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Robert McClure highlights a case involving a consultation under the Endangered Species Act – the very aspect of the ESA that the Bush Administration wants to slash. EPA has approved three pesticides – chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion – for use in areas where they will affect several species of salmon that […]

August 13, 2008 The Pump Handle

  Researchers from the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego have reported that a significant number of U.S. veterans who were stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan begin abusing alcohol after returning. Difficulties in coping with traumatic memories of combat are one possible reason; younger servicemembers and call-ups from the National Guard and Reserves were […]

August 12, 2008 The Pump Handle

Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, her Solicitor and other political operatives in DOL continue to dismiss requests from Cong. George Miller (D-CA) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) for documents related to the development of her draft risk assessment proposal.  The latest non-response, dated Aug 5, refers five times to the almighty “deliberative process” as a reason for refusing to disclose […]

August 12, 2008 The Pump Handle

The Bush Administration wants to make it easier for federal agencies to get around the Endangered Species Act. The Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin explains: Under current law, agencies must subject any plans that potentially affect endangered animals and plants to an independent review by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service. […]

August 12, 2008 The Pump Handle 1Comment

The Whole Foods chain is recalling fresh ground beef sold in several states between June 2 and August 6, 2008 after seven people in Massachusetts were sickened by E. coli 0157:H7 that was linked to the meat. Illnesses have also been reported in 11 other states, DC, and Canada. The meat came from Nebraska Beef, […]

August 11, 2008 The Pump Handle 7Comment

Several bloggers are raising concerns about the FBI’s case against Dr. Bruce Ivins, who was suspected of carrying out the 2001 anthrax attacks and who died from an acetaminophen overdose hours before he was supposed to meet with government officials about the case. In particular, Revere explains why the anthrax tracing and medical report explanations are fishy, […]

August 8, 2008 The Pump Handle

The International AIDS Conference took place this week in Mexico City, and bloggers have plenty to say about it: RH Reality Check provides extensive, in-depth coverage from multiple bloggers. Marilyn Chase at WSJ’s Health blog summarizes some expert attendees’ thoughts on the future of AIDS research, the role of AIDS in healthcare system planning, reshaping […]

August 7, 2008 The Pump Handle 1Comment

Kathy G directs our attention to Thomas Frank’s Wall Street Journal column (sub only), which uses the AgriProcessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa to illustrate Labor Secretary Elaine Chao’s record. In May this plant, which happens to be the country’s largest kosher meatpacking facility, was the site of the largest single immigration enforcement operation at […]