| The war on cancer (LAT-WP/ By Devra Davis)
We've been fighting the war on cancer for almost four decades now, since President Richard M Nixon officially launched it in 1971. It's time to admit that our efforts have often targeted the wrong enemies and used the wrong weapons.
Throughout the industrial world, the war on cancer remains focused on commercially fueled efforts to develop drugs and technologies that can find and treat the disease to the tune of more than $100 bn a year in the United States alone. Meanwhile, the struggle basically ignores most of the things known to cause cancer, such as tobacco, radiation, sunlight, benzene, asbestos, solvents, and some drugs and hormones. Even now, modern cancer-causing agents such as gasoline exhaust, pesticides and other air pollutants are simply deemed the inevitable price of progress.
Politicos flex muscles in opponents’ areas
Politicians in Haryana have taken a fancy to slug it out in their opponents battlegrounds to make their presence felt. The trend by now is so prevalent that holding a rally at their home turf has almost become a thing of the past. The trend has also caught the imagination of the man on the street, forcing the politicos to show their political muscle in their arch opponents area of operation. Although senior politicians have been organising political performances outside their own constituencies or home districts in the past, these were either a part of a statewide political campaign like the one launched by late Devi Lal in 1985 against the Rajiv-Longowal accord or such events marked the end of campaigning before the assembly or parliamentary election in the state. For several decades, Rohtak remained the first choice of all major political parties and their leaders for hosting campaign-end shows.
Snuff out that cigarette
On Jan. 1, Maryland added another buck to the sales tax on cigarettes, taking the per pack cost of most brands over $5. It follows years of attempts to ban smoking at the state level. Smoking bans already have been passed in Washington, New York City and several Maryland counties including Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's. "We are catching up," said Del. Barbara Frush, D-Beltsville, the lead sponsor of the legislation. "Seven years ago when I started this process, we were among the first. But they've all passed us by. However, we needed the right governor and the right timing. For the last four years we've had a governor that threatened to veto it ... If I don't accomplish anything else in Annapolis, I feel that I have done something very good for the people of Maryland." Ms.
Beazer Homes reports decline in sales, orders
The wild card this year is whether or not there's a national recession," Merrill said. In addition to the staff reductions -- which have cut the company's workforce in half, Merrill said -- Beazer has also reduced its land holdings, pared down the range of options it offers buyers in everything from floor plans to plumbing fixtures and even reduced prices on its homes in some locations as much as 30 percent to stimulate cash flow, according to Merrill. "We are aggressively defensive. That's our posture," Merrill said. But Bryan said Beazer, even more than other homebuilders who are reporting deep losses and slumping sales, could be highly vulnerable to the ravages of a stagnant economy. "Even if the economy doesn't go into recession, just slowing will push the prospects of the homebuilders out another year," Bryan said.
Iran War
Karen Fish: George Bush Nostradamus Third Anti Christ and Iran's Greatest Hero (1 comments) This week George McGovern called George Bush a false prophet. Rowan Wolf: BushCo Still Wants to Attack Iran - Weapons Industry Cheers (1 comments) Huge profits are to be made with continued unrest in the Middle East. Tuesday, January 8: Rob Kall: An Iran Gunboat War Start Fantasy Scenario (29 comments) Would Bush or Cheney rig the start of a war with Iran? If so, what might it look like? Dave Lindorff: What is This "Iranian Provocation" BS? (12 comments) Who is provoking whom in the Persian Gulf. Don't expect your local newspaper to tell you. Sunday, December 23: Ismael Hossein-zadeh: Distorting Fascism to Demonize Iran (9 comments) Neoconservative champions of war and militarism often use terms and adjectives such as fascist or Hitler to characterize opponents of US-Israeli policies in the Middle East in order to justify their agenda of 'regime change' in the region.
Broncos' Wiggins seeks do-over after Miami fiasco
It probably saved his career as he had a chance to heal and get better. He should thank the coaches and medical staff for looking out for his career. He also should thank them for letting him transfer. He could have gotten hurt out there playing football with the big boys. 5.) Finally the kid needed to transfer. I am glad for him that a school, even one like WMU, accepted him. At least, he will get to play intramural or whatever football they play up there and get a degree that may hold water somewhere. .
Giants kicker enjoys spotlight
Three of his four missed field goals and two missed extra points dotted the first half of the schedule. But he came on to miss only one field goal the second half. For a guy who bounced around NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League for two years before landing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, he'd had a pretty good stretch before things went awry last week. But, at least inwardly, his confidence never wavered. The exterior was another story. The second miss, yanked wide left after holder Jeff Feagles got a high snap from Jay Alford into good position, was especially deflating. "He just got down on himself," Feagles said. "I was trying to be like a big brother, bring his spirits up. I said, 'If you get another chance, you're gonna make this one.' " Once Eli Manning threw a final incompletion at Steve Smith in overtime, Tynes ran out before coach Tom Coughlin had time to look for him.
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