- The Monsanto corporation is under investigation in seven states for anti-competitive practices in marketing their seed to farmers. Elsewhere in the world, the international peasant farmer organization, La Via Campesina, has declared promotion of open field trials of Monsanto's genetically modified crops to be an act of aggression.
- The EPA is looking at regulating carbon dioxide through the Clean Water Act.
- "McDonnell's Confederate History Month proclamation irks civil rights leaders." Okay, I guess that's an accurate title, but totally insufficient, particularly considering that the announcement skipped anti-slavery language included in previous such declarations by Virginia's previous Republican governor. So let me fix that for you: 'Confederate History Month proclamation offends everyone who isn't an @sshole.'
- When are workers contractors? Often, when a boss wants to cheat.
- A seriously unhinged man who suspected that his wife might have had an abortion filed a restraining order against police so he could use deadly force at a local reproductive health clinic.
- Even school district administrators have to be more concerned with money than with children's health. Language arts teacher Mendy Heaps, of Elizabeth Middle School in Denver, CO, has been told in no uncertain terms that she is to stop bringing fresh fruit to school and lobbying for removal of the school's highly profitable fast food offerings.
- Law school clinics across the country offering pro bono services to unpopular clients have had their school funding threatened by Republican politicians, putting a chill on clients that law clinics across the country are willing to accept, depriving law students of valuable experiences. Affected cases include those where non-profit citizens' groups sue to enforce environmental regulations that local officials refuse to enforce themselves.
- It's always important to remember that this January, the Roberts Court decided that innocence is no impediment to execution.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption seem to have only a limited relation to cancer rates, though the recommended five daily servings appear to have other health protective effects. While it seems like bad news that you can't rabbit your way out of cancer, it does seem like a good defense against food processors blaming personal habits when people get sick after eating their lousy products because the can't afford fresh produce.
- I'm declaring the following They Might Be Giants song mandatory listening for all political types. You're welcome.
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