EPA never implemented the Clean Water Act and Now Blames States
September 16, 2009
Opinion/Editorial by guest writer: Peter Maier, PhD, PE
(ChattahBox) — When Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, with its goal to eliminate
all water pollution by 1985 and as interim goal ’swimmable and fishable’
waters by 1983, Congress specifically demanded a “technology-based”
implementation program, whereby all national permits would require “best
available treatment technology”. A water-quality based program (treatment
based on water quality of receiving waters) would be too easy to manipulate by
local politicians and basically defeat the purpose (setting national treatment
standards) of the Act. Read more
THOSE SIX COMFORTING WORDS – A Tribute to the Rhinovirus
September 1, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Facemasks, pandemic, vaccines, anti-bacterial hand sanitizers … it wasn’t always like this. As the country braces for the arrival of another fall flu season, and the unwelcome possibility of confronting an evolved and more virulent version of swine flu, I am called back to a kinder gentler time, and a kinder gentler virus – one that kept us company for many a cold winter day and that, like the polar bear and the other 12,258 endangered species, is now being threatened with extinction. It appears that researchers have hunted down and decoded the genomes for the 99 strains of the rhinovirus (DBA “the common cold”) and have developed a catalog of its vulnerabilities. “We are now quite certain that we see the Achilles’ heel, and that a very effective treatment for the common cold is at hand,” said Stephen B. Liggett, co-author of research published earlier this year in Science magazine and reported in The New York Times.
Read more
KFC tests new breadless sandwich with ‘bun’ of fried chicken
August 25, 2009
(ChattahBox) — While the “Rethink KFC” commercial campaign to date, has been focused on rebranding the company with healthy products, there’s a new offering by the colonel that has taken a different direction. KFC is now offering on a limited basis, a special “sandwich,” called the “Double Down”, which consists of bacon, two kinds of cheeses, Pepperjack Cheese and Swiss Cheese with special sauce between two pieces of fried chicken acting as a bun.
According to Fox News, the “Double Down” is being test-marketed in only two areas so far, Rhode Island and Omaha, Nebraska and sells for $6.99.
Cuneiform Tablets Uncovered in 2,700-year Old Turkish Temple
August 12, 2009
(ChattahBox)—A team of archaeologists from the University of Toronto are sifting through the sands of time in the remains of an ancient Turkish temple, 2,700-years-old, that began as a holy Neo-Hittite site, named Tell Ta’yinat. Deep in the temple’s cella, or ‘holy of holies,’ the archaeologists made a discovery of a lifetime, uncovering a store of ancient cuneiform tablets, dating to the Iron Age period between 1200 and 600 BCE. Read more
Nissan unveils electric five-seat hatchback “Leaf”
August 2, 2009
Japan (ChattahBox) — Nissan Motor Co unveiled its first all electric car on Sunday, named Nissan Leaf. Japan’s third-biggest car maker by sales volume will roll out the zero-emission five-seat hatchback car in late 2010 in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Read more
Author Reveals Restaurant Secrets - Is KFC Secret Recipe One of Them?
July 22, 2009
US (ChattahBox) - Want to get out and eat at your favorite restaurant, but don’t have the money to spend? No worries, you can now make your favorite dishes at home, thanks to Chef Ron Douglas.
‘Warrior Gene’ Fuels Gang Membership, Male Gun Violence
June 8, 2009
(ChattahBox)— A new study for the first time, links the so called “warrior gene,” a variant of Monoamine oxidase A or MAOA, to gun violence and gang membership in boys who have it. Male gang members with the gene variant are also more likely to become the most violent gun-toting members in a gang. Read more
Study: Brains of Gay Men Look Like Straight Women
June 5, 2009
(ChattahBox)—In a new study that examined the brains of gay men and straight women, scientists discovered that the brains of gay men are feminized and are more like women’s brains than straight men’s. This finding points to yet another study that shows a definite connection between sexual orientation and biology. Read more
Verizon’s MiFi Brings In A New Wave Of 3G Technology
May 7, 2009
Global (ChattahBox) – I read an interesting piece this morning, courtesy of David Pogue of the New York Times. It looks as though the inconvenience of cell phone Internet access may be a thing of the past, now that the Novatel MiFi 2200 has been announced.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
May 3, 2009
(chattahBox) — I have been a huge fan of X-Men since I was a little girl. While the comics were a bit before my time, the cartoon was right up my alley, and every Saturday morning I would wake up early to watch my favorite characters battle it out for mutant supremacy. But the movies had so far been a bit disappointing, and so I had low expectations for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
But I was blown away. While Wolverine has never been a favorite of mine from the series, I have found myself liking him a bit more after this movie. Not only does it delve into the secrets of Logan’s adamantium (which, admittedly, most of us already knew), but it also goes into his childhood, his connection with Sabertooth (Victor Creed), and Logan’s involvement in the number of wars he has fought. We were also able to see Silver Fox for the first time, and she was a main focus through the movie.
But even better then the fact that this whole movie was based around Team X was the fact that finally, for the first time in the movies, we got to see Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit. Gambit was one of my all time favorite X-Men as a kid, and I was one of the soppy many who religiously followed the Rouge/Gambit story line. What can I say, I shipped before there was shipping.
All in all, the special effects were amazing, the storyline was solid, the action was great, and the characters were perfect. From Agent Zero to William Stryker, the baddies were the real meat of this film, but you will love the back story, especially those who followed the comic or cartoon. This is the best of the series, so go watch it! Now!
Oh, and as a side note to all ladies/gay men who have a sweet spot for Hugh Jackman: we get some serious nudity in the adamantium experimentation scene. Hell yeah.