The reviews of Michael Moore’s ‘Sicko’ have been fascinating, the editorial and op-ed commentaries on the film even more so. Apparently there is a rule in corporate journalism that every mention of Moore and his films, or Moore without his films, must contain at least two snide observations about his biases, his ever so naughty attacks on rich and powerful but somehow — in the eyes of the corporate journalists — defenseless people such as the chairman of General Motors, and, if you can slide it in, Moore’s physical appearance. Four snide comments, two or three misrepresentations and an outright lie or two about Moore or the films is better, I gather. (A quick digression: No, I don’t know Moore, have never met him or corresponded with him.) The ‘Sicko’ reviews and commentary are running pretty much true to form, but, interestingly enough, after all the snideness is done, every writer I’ve come across has had to admit that it is a good film, and that, sonofagun, the United States health care ‘system’ truly is a bloody awful mess, pretty much as Moore says. Of course, I haven’t read the comments in the insurance and […]
The White House has decided to defy Congress’s latest demand for information regarding the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys, sources familiar with the decision said yesterday. Such an action would escalate the constitutional struggle and propel it closer to a court showdown. Senate and House committees have directed President Bush to provide by tomorrow a detailed justification of his executive privilege claims and a full accounting of the documents he is withholding. But White House counsel Fred F. Fielding plans to tell lawmakers that he has already provided the legal basis for the claims and will not provide a log of the documents, the sources said. White House counsel Fred F. Fielding is planning to direct former Bush aides not to testify in response to congressional subpoenas. White House counsel Fred F. Fielding is planning to direct former Bush aides not to testify in response to congressional subpoenas. (Mark Wilson – Getty Images) Special Report The standoff suggests that neither side is prepared to budge in the fight over documents and testimony in the widening U.S. attorney investigation. Officials in both camps said no serious negotiations are taking place to resolve the dispute. Fielding plans to […]
Scientists have constructed a custom enzyme that reverses the process by which the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) inserts its genetic material into host DNA, suggesting that treatment with similar enzymes could potentially rid infected cells of the virus. In tests on cultured human tissue, the mutated enzyme, Tre recombinase, snipped HIV DNA out of chromosomes. Curing real infections by this or any other technique, however, would require mastering one of HIV’s sneakiest tricks-its ability to hide from the immune system by laying dormant for months or years in host cells. HIV infects the immune system’s disease-killing T cells by converting its genome into double stranded DNA and using the enzyme integrase to insert that DNA into a T cell’s genome. Researchers have speculated that they could reverse this process with bacterial DNA-cutting enzymes they have adapted for adding and subtracting genes from mice and other multicelled organisms. To take that step, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics and the University of Hamburg’s Heinrich Pette Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology began with the bacterial enzyme Cre recombinase, which exchanges any two pieces of DNA flanked on either end by a certain […]
Nearly half of the US public wants President George W. Bush to face impeachment, and even more favor that fate for Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a poll out Friday. The survey by the American Research Group found that 45 percent support the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Bush, with 46 percent opposed, and a 54-40 split in favor when it comes to Cheney. The study by the private New Hampshire-based ARG canvassed 1,100 Americans by telephone July 3-5 and had an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points. The findings are available on ARG’s Internet site. The White House declined to comment on the poll, the latest bad news for a president who has seen his public opinion standings dragged to record lows by the unpopular war in Iraq. The US Constitution says presidents and vice presidents can be impeached — that is, formally charged by the House — for ‘treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors’ by a simple majority vote. Conviction by the Senate, which requires a two-thirds majority, means removal from office. Just two US presidents have been impeached: Bill Clinton was impeached […]
Are you looking to fall for someone tall, dark - but most importantly - very wealthy? Marlys Harris, Money Magazine Senior Editor, explains what it takes to snag your very own Richie Rich: Work hard, take risks, maybe build your own business. That’s the traditional route to financial success. Of course, there’s another highly traditional path to acquiring wealth that isn’t talked about quite as much these days: Marry money. Real money. As in not a mere millionaire (a dime a dozen these days) but an honest-to-goodness billionaire – make that 10 figures after the dollar sign, please. True, it’s not politically correct to go hunting for a marital meal ticket (or for that matter, to write about it). But just for a moment imagine the life that could be yours if you did. Forget the fabulous baubles, designer clothing, cutting-edge electronics and palatial mansions that your golden goose – uh, spouse – might heap upon you. Consider the more pragmatic bonuses of the good life. No more scrimping and scraping to make your annual Roth IRA contribution. No more working until you drop to ensure a comfortable retirement. And no more worries about […]
Remote Viewing the Year 2060
