House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists from advising the EPA on their own research

By Lindsay Abrams

(Salon) House Republicans just passed a bill forbidding scientists from advising the EPA on their own research

Congressional climate wars were dominated Tuesday by the U.S. Senate, which spent the day debating, and ultimately failing to pass, a bill approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. While all that was happening, and largely unnoticed, the House was busy doing what it does best: attacking science.

H.R. 1422, which passed 229-191, would shake up the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board, placing restrictions on those pesky scientists and creating room for experts with overt financial ties to the industries affected by EPA regulations.

The bill is being framed as a play for transparency: Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, argued that the board’s current structure is problematic because it  “excludes industry experts, but not officials for environmental advocacy groups.” The inclusion of industry experts, he said, would right this injustice.

Your right to know what's in our food is under attack—again

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, along with allies like Monsanto and Dow, have teamed up with Koch-backed Congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas on a federal bill that would deny your right to know what is in your food.

This bill, (HR 4432), which has been called the “Denying Americans the Right-to-Know Act” (DARK Act), would:

- Prevent states from adopting their own GE labeling laws.

- Block states from making it illegal to put a “natural” label on products that contain GE ingredients.

Nuclear power keeps the corporates in charge. No wonder it's conservatives' preferred solution to climate change

(The Guardian) Nuclear power keeps the corporates in charge. No wonder it's conservatives' preferred solution to climate change

“I have no theological objection” to nuclear power, Tony Abbott said on 1 December, responding to Julie Bishop’s relaunch of the right’s preferred “solution” to global warming this week.

Abbott’s choice of words is fascinating. On the face of it he’s suggesting that opposing nuclear power is a faith-based, rather than rational, view. But it is the right’s consistent promotion of a technology that has been shown repeatedly to be too slow, too costly and too risky (see, for instance, here and here) that is underpinned by several right wing articles of faith.

Pycnogenol can help with heart disease, inflammation, and diabetes

If you find yourself struggling with low energy, menopause or cardiovascular disease, an extract from the French Maritime pine tree shows promise in alleviating these conditions, plus much more. The benefits extend to ailments like diabetes, impotence, asthma, osteoarthritis and swelling in the hands and feet. Additionally, Pycnogenol increases skin elasticity and reduces both oxidative stress and collagen degradation -- thereby reducing the effects of aging.

Pycnogenol addresses a wide spectrum of health issues, including the following:

TPP: The dirtiest trade deal you've never heard of

Tobacco giant Philip Morris is suing Australia for billions of dollars in lost profits because the government took action to reduce teenage smoking. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is suing Canada for $500 million, just because Canada has laws to keep essential drugs affordable.

Worst of all, these cases are happening in secret international courts to which only corporations have access.

Now, details are leaking of two global trade pacts (called the TPP and TTIP) that would massively expand the power of corporations to sue our governments. Countries from the US to Australia and from the EU to Canada are negotiating right now -- and some could be just days from signing up.

Top foods, herbs and supplements to keep on hand in the event of a nuclear crisis

With the situation heating up between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine, as well as ongoing concerns about a potential power grid failure affecting domestic nuclear reactors, preppers nationwide are turning their attention to antidotes for radioactive fallout. Likewise, with Fukushima continuing to spew radioactive harm, having a few select storable remedies readily available will protect health, regardless of what the future holds.

Have a look at the following supplements that will help shield the body internally and assist with maintaining equilibrium:

Are these familiar foods poisoning you with cadmium?

We normally try our best on a day-to-day basis to make sound food choices and live a clean lifestyle. But sometimes an edible that we think encourages health can actually cause harm. Due to an affinity with heavy metals in the environment, some plants and animals absorb toxins like cadmium more readily than others. In light of this, steering clear of these common foods can help prevent serious problems down the road.

Hidden dangers

Over the last decade, flax has been embraced as an exceptionally healthy food, since it supplies ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, along with notable levels of lignins and fiber. Women wishing to avoid breast cancer have eagerly included the seed in their diet after learning about the protective phytoestrogens that flax supplies. However, researchers have discovered that flax also introduces cadmium into the body -- which is notorious for encouraging breast cancer, kidney disorders, heart disease and osteoporosis. The soluble fiber of flax increases cadmium absorption, while the crop itself is known to take up cadmium from the soil, thereby infusing the plant with the metal.