Raven Clabough
France Responds to Study of GMOs That Shows Links to Tumors and Organ Damage
A study on the effect of long-term consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) by rats has France calling for a major investigation into GMOs. Findings from the study show evidence that there is a connection between GMO crops and tumors, as well as organ damage. The French agriculture minister is now asking European authorities to abandon the use of GMO crops, and the French government is calling for a health agency investigation.
Judge Rules Arizona Police May Check Immigration Status
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton signed an order on Tuesday allowing Arizona police to begin immediately enforcing the provision of the state's immigration law SB 1070 that requires them to check the immigration status of individuals whom they lawfully stop. Fox News reports that the ruling is “the latest milestone in a two-year legal battle over the requirement [that] culminated in a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that upheld the provision on the grounds that it doesn’t conflict with federal law.”
House to Consider Bill Targeting Fannie and Freddie
Republicans in the House of Representatives have added another bill to this week’s legislative agenda, which is already cumbersome. The addition is entitled the Market Transparency and Taxpayer Protection Act and would force government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to close their non-critical assets. The bill is intended to reduce the size of the two mortgage companies.
U.S. Credit Rating Downgraded
The Federal Reserve has announced that it would begin yet another round of quantitative easing, a maneuver that has caused the independent and nationally recognized statistical rating organization Egan-Jones to lower the U.S. government to “AA-“ from “AA.” Egan-Jones specifically cited the third round of quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve, indicating it would hurt the U.S. economy and the nation’s credit quality.
NYC Board of Health Bans Super-Sized Sugary Drinks
On Thursday, the city of New York became the first to ban super-sized sugary drinks in restaurants, a move that analysts contend will set the stage for a legal challenge by the beverage industry. Opponents of the ban contend it violates consumers’ rights to drink what they want to drink, regardless of the touted intent behind the law to improve consumer health.
Indefinite Detention Provisions Struck Down by Fed Judge
Judge Katherine Forrest, a New York federal judge, struck down a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that allows Americans to be indefinitely detained just for being accused of supporting terrorist groups. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit brought by journalists and scholars who were concerned that the NDAA would allow them to be indefinitely detained for speaking their minds. Judge Forrest’s ruling reaffirms a ruling she issued back in May against the indefinite detention provision.
Israel and U.S. Spar Over Iran Nuclear Program
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the United States and Israel are engaged in talks about the best approach to Iran’s nuclear program. According to Netanyahu, those talks are focused on determining a “red line” for the nuclear program.
Obama Administration Adds 11,000 Pages of Regulations
As the real unemployment rate hovers around 19 percent, with more Americans dropping out of the labor force and others being forced to take low-paying, part-time jobs, job creation continues to move at a painfully slow pace. And while a number of lawmakers have proposed a variety of approaches to stimulate job growth, most seem to ignore the fact that a major inhibiter to job growth is the abundance of federal regulations, which have increased dramatically under this administration. According to CNS News, the Code of Federal Regulations has increased by 11,327 pages in just the last three years.
Unemployment Still High; Not for Government Workers
While a record number of Americans are not currently in the labor force, according to the Department of Labor, unemployment for government workers drops to 5.1 percent, the lowest among all industries.
The Words: a Powerful Film About Conscience and Ambition
The Words uniquely portrays just how influential words may be. They can deliver news, or eternally capture a moment in time, whether it’s through songs, cards, or books. They can offer comfort or chasten the sinful. Just 26 letters have the capability of creating some of the most powerful moments in history. But the powerful nature of words can achieve both greatness and sorrow. Words, combined with irresistible temptation and powerful ambitions, can create major complications, and that very notion is portrayed well on the big screen in this intriguing and authentic film.