Canadian government examining use of Agent Orange on trees

The Canadian government used Agent Orange in its forestry program as late as the 1980s, in accordance with a Toronto Star study. The herbicide Agent Orange is infamous as a chemical warfare agent that was utilized by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Numerous scientific studies have shown Agent Orange to be a reason for genetic defects upon people situated in the areas dispersed.

The Agent Orange story

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. military did use Agent Orange on Vietcong enemy forces hidden in trees and vegetation in Operation Ranch Hand, which was the operation code-name. Agent Orange is a mixture of two phenoxyl herbicides in iso-octyl ester form.

Anyone uncovered could have had various forms of cancer, nerve, digestive, skin and respiratory disorders. Some of the U.S. veterans ended up getting dispersed with this at the time. At least 3 million in Vietnam, including 150,000 kids, were affected in birth defects and genetic disorders, states the Vietnam Red Cross. Several other children were stillborn as a result of parental exposure to Agent Orange.

Worker gets it too, claims Star

Archived documents referenced in the Toronto Star Agent Orange investigation expose that Canada began to dump the herbicide from World War II-era planes onto birch and maple timber and shrubs that needed to be cleared. There was a rise in cancer, birth defects and troubles with food and water according to the Star study, since Forest workers got exposed. In the 1950s, there was not enough research on Agent Orange done yet to know the chemical was dangerous. Canada started to use Agent Orange to remove plants.

Canadian Provincial Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne has promised that there could be an official government inquiry to the nation’s usage of Agent Orange, states BBC News.

"I don’t have the specific information on how much of it was used by the ministry of transportation, but the independent panel will look at that and we’ll work closely with them," Wynne told Canadian media.

Details from

BBC

bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12573599

The Star

thestar.com/news/canada/article/940243–star-exclusive-agent-orange-soaked-ontario-teens

U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs

publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/

Agent Orange: Death to Weeds

youtube.com/watch?v=2EaqwRtjVEM

Congressmen possibly target of Psyops procedures

The Pentagon has launched a study into a possible misuse of “psyops” by military personnel. Psyops, or psychological operations, were possibly used on members of the United States Congress that visited Afghanistan. Psychological procedures are techniques of psychological and emotional manipulation used by the United States army. They consist of disinformation and propaganda. These techniques were allegedly used to persuade members of Congress to be able to get more military financing.

Rolling Stone states military official ordered psyops on Americans

A scathing article in a recent issue of Rolling Stone says members of the military were ordered to use “psyops,” or psychological operations, techniques to persuade members of Congress visiting military outposts in Afghanistan to give the army more financing and additional personnel, according to MSNBC. There are accusations that Lieutenant General William Caldwell ordered a study of Congressmen visiting in 2009 by a psyops team. This was done so as to find a way to get more army troops and financing there based on how best to convince them. The order was refused by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Holmes who is the head of the psyops unit. This got him in a lot of trouble.

Study started by Petraeus

A study was started. This was done by Afghan procedures commander, General David Petraeus. The Washington Post reports that the accusations are "categorically denied" by Lt. Gen. Caldwell. Citizens of the United States aren't legally allowed to have "psyops" or propaganda used on them. It’s something all Intelligence Operations personnel know very well. There were specific Congressmen targeted for this. It involved Senators Al Franken, Carl Levin, Joe Lieberman, Jack Reed and John McCain. Representative Steve Israel, a member of the Armed Forces Committee, and Admiral Mike Mullen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were also possible targets.

Exact same reporter profiled General McChrystal

Michael Hastings wrote the Rolling Stone article. He said that the job was to “get the enemy to behave the way we want,” and Holmes said “when you ask me to use these skills on senators and congressmen you are crossing a line," for Lt. Col. Holmes. The enemy is the only one that propaganda and psychological manipulation is allowed on, he explained, which everyone in the Information Procedures field learn about. McChrystal left the Army last year because of another article written on General Stanley McChrystal by Hastings.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41753749/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/02/psychological_operations_manip.html

Rolling Stone

rollingstone.com/politics/news/another-runaway-general-army-deploys-psy-ops-on-u-s-senators-20110223?page=1

Secured credit cards are one road to credit repair

If you’re looking to apply for a mortgage or automotive loan, it helps to have a clean credit score. If you do not, you will find credit repair steps you can take. Although it can be expensive, using a secured credit card with an original deposit requirement can help rebuild a credit rating so that large-scale loans are no longer out of reach. Here are some things to consider before applying for a secured credit card.

How to work a secured charge card

Getting a secured credit card is not too difficult. Get an active savings account as collateral before this though. The secured credit will have a limit typically of the amount that is in the savings account. It could be smaller though. The issuer of the card will take money out if you are delinquent. You have to be 30 to 60 days delinquent though. Once bills on the secured credit card are paid on time for six months to a year, the credit rating may have recovered enough to where unsecured charge card choices that require no upfront collateral become accessible.

Requirements for issuer to report

If the issuer of your secured credit card does not file with the major credit reporting agencies, the card can’t help you. Making payments on time is essential to credit. It will rebuild your credit quickly. Keep in mind that a secured charge card will have an rate of interest and grace period, so it pays to shop around for the best terms. You can go to bankrate.com for help. This can help compare your choices. You might have a savings account that earns lots of interest. In this case, you will be well on your way to fixing credit.

The fees that are there

Two major but often unavoidable drawbacks to secured charge cards are upfront and annual charges. An annual fee will not be too terrible since a secured credit card won't be something you'll need forever although the upfront charges of $100 or more could be hard. It is possible to get a card without upfront fees. This can be something only many people with specific credit ratings will qualify for though.

Every month, keep away from using the secured credit card more than necessary. You’ll want to spend less than 30 percent of the credit limit each month while paying the balance each month in full can help.

Articles cited

Bank Rate

bankrate.com/funnel/credit-cards/credit-card-results.aspx?classificationuid=13&childcategoryid=837&childcategory=Secured%20Cards

Fox Business

foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/02/22/secured-credit-cards-6-tips-applying-using/

Rebuilding credit can be an expensive path

youtube.com/watch?v=kSHKw3-5Ne0

LinkedIn Initial Public Offering endangered by Chinese censorship

After LinkedIn users brought up the subject of revolt in the Arab world, the Chinese government censored the website. Discussions about Arab world protests on LinkedIn attracted the attention of Chinese censors, who abruptly shut the website down. China’s censorship of LinkedIn comes as the network prepares for an Initial Public Offering that could possibly be endangered by a denial of presence in China.

LinkedIn not approved in China which means a fight against the Good Firewall

China’s notorious “Great Firewall” has censored LinkedIn as part of a broader effort by the Beijing government to suppress dissent provoked by protests in the Middle East. Facebook and Twitter are other sites that have been obstructed in China. These have been blocked since 2009. Any self-censored social networking sites are allowed by China. Chinese individuals have already known what Chinese officials have just figured out. LinkedIn is totally integrated with Twitter which isn't good. Subversive communications might be easily distributed through Twitter using the LinkedIn portal.

Why China censored LinkedIn

China censored LinkedIn after a user launched a discussion group last week asking for input on how the wave of unrest that ousted dictators in Tunisia and Egypt could reach China. The LinkedIn user, “Jazmine Z” first wrote of “dying for democracy, freedom and justice in my homeland." A post that followed said the Beijing government fails to "realize the crisis of the autocratic one-party system." The Chinese communist party was attacked in a last post before being censored where it was called “a Power and elite club.” Before LinkedIn was obstructed, there was lots of other stuff censored by the Chinese government. It is clear the government is worried about the Middle Eastern Jasmine Revolution making its way into China.

LinkedIn Initial Public Offering threatened

If Chinese censorship of LinkedIn becomes more than a symbolic gesture, the company’s planned Initial Public Offering could be threatened. LinkedIn hopes to raise $175 million in an IPO either on the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange. Exclusion from the Chinese Internet industry — the world’s largest with about 450 million users and counting — would lead investors to question LinkedIn’s future growth and profits. The price that investors would be willing to pay for shares of a LinkedIn censored in China would have to be taken into account.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/02/25/china.blocks.linkedin.fastco/index.html?npt=NP1

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2011-02-25/linkedin-blocked-in-china-after-jasmine-protest-postings.html

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/02/24/china-linkedin-idUSTOE71N06P20110224

Reuters

reuters.com/article/2011/02/24/china-linkedin-idUSTOE71N06P20110224

Scientists discover link between cell phones and brain cells

Can cell phones fry your brain? A brand new study suggests they might. The research found an increase in brain cell metabolism in regions of the brain closest to the cellular phone antenna. Scientists confirmed that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones has an impact on brain cells, however not if the effects are harmful.

Mobile phone brain cell study first done

On Tuesday, the first study on how electromagnetic radiation from cell phones impacts the cells in the brain was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research focused on how cell phone use impacts normal brain cell function, known as glucose metabolism. Researchers found that exposure to cell phones increases the rate of glucose metabolism in brain cells more than they expected. Brain activity is a result of cells using glucose to create energy. Glucose is produced as needed in the brain. The study suggests that cell phone use stimulates glucose metabolism artificially, but further investigation is required to determine whether elevated amounts of glucose metabolism damage brain cells.

Brain cancer due to cellular phone usage?

Cellular phone radiation from frequent calling has concerned medical experts for years. Previous test results have been inconclusive. Nothing has been found before. A link with brain cancer was found in famous cellular phone radiation studies. There wasn't any proof though. There was no way to link the brain cancer with the mobile phone use. DNA mutations or other mutations that end up causing cancer and dementia are things that scientists have tried to link mobile phone radiation to though. Another huge concern is the amount of use a child has with a cellular phone. The problem is the radiation penetrates deeper into the brain of a child with the thinner skull making brain cells metabolize glucose even faster.

Using speakerphone is a good idea

In a statement responding to the mobile phone brain cell study, the Wireless Association said scientific evidence proves that cellular phones, used within limits established by the FCC, don’t pose a public health risk. Study authors suggest that speaker phone and Bluetooth earpieces should be used until more is known on how mobile phone radiation affects the brain.

Citations

CNN

cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/22/cell.phone.brain.activity/

Web MD

webmd.com/brain/news/20110222/cell-phones-affect-brain-but-does-it-matter?page=2

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704071304576160652541652440.html

Trial date set for April in Berlusconi prostitution scandal

Prostitution charges have been formally made against Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, and he can be subject to a trial. Berlusconi is alleged to have engaged the services of an underage prostitute, which has brought on an excellent deal of controversy. Berlusconi’s hold as Prime Minister is growing increasingly shaky, and the first court case on the matter is scheduled for April 6. He will need a pretty large personal unsecured loan to get out of this one.

Italy Prime Minister getting charged

After controversy erupted over whether Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy enlisted the services of an underage prostitute in the past few months, law enforcement officials have brought criminal court case against him, according to The Telegraph. Berlusconi is alleged to have paid for the services of a now-18-year-old who calls herself Ruby the Heartstealer. Ruby, real name Karima el-Mahroug, was 17 at the time of the alleged transaction. The first hearing can be on April 6, as the case was set to be fast tracked by Judge Cristina Di Censo. There are other charges for Berlusconi too. He will be charged for abusing Prime Minister powers.

'Rubygate’ the name

Several protestors, while most were women, were in a protest over the scandal, called "Rubygate" saying Berlusconi needed to be removed. His personal conduct has never gotten him to trial before. In parliament, Berlusconi's party is currently the majority. The New York Times reports that his support is dying off though. It doesn't matter if Berlusconi is in the first hearing. It will occur in Milan. The legality of prostitution is okay in Italy. The issue is that the prostitutes have to be 18 already.

Berlusconi defends himself saying prostitution didn't occur

One of the guests at the lascivious “bunga bunga” parties that Berlusconi held last year was Karima el-Mahroug, then 17. MSNBC reports the first time they met, Berlusconi gave her a little less than $10,000 at 7,000 euros. Prosecutors say it was a payment for sex. Both Ruby and Berlusconi say it didn't occur. They were never even intimate. Berlusconi is also charged with abuse of powers, having personally pressured a police officer to let Ruby out of theft charges. She ended up saying she was Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's granddaughter. He didn't want an international incident on his hands.

Citations

Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8325340/Silvio-Berlusconi-ordered-to-face-trial-over-sex-allegations.html

New York Times

nytimes.com/2011/02/16/world/europe/16italy.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41594875/ns/world_news-europe

Magic formula formula for Coca-Cola seen in old newspaper column

The magic formula ingredients of Coca-Cola are considered so valuable the company holds the only copy of the recipe in an underground vault. Yet the recipe for Coke was printed in a news story year’s ago. The article the Coke recipe appeared in was featured in "This American Life," a public radio program. The Coca-Cola Company keeps the Coke recipe locked in a vault, but the radio show said all the ingredients can be bought online. Now there is no need to take out a pay day loan to try and make the recipe.

Revealing of the secret Coke recipe

The formula for Coca-Cola was concocted by a doctor in Atlanta named John Pemberton in 1886. There is a "Merchandise 7X" that is a magic formula ingredient. It can only be mixed by the 2 individuals at a time that know how to do it. "This American Life" suggests the Coca-Cola formula was published in an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution though. This would have been in a February 18, 1979 edition. A notebook that was passed along by pharmacists for generations is where a columnist reporter said to have found the hand-written recipe. A copy of Pemberton's original formula for Coco-Cola is listed in the article and shown in a photo of an open book.

Cocaine not in Coco-Cola

There was a recipe before that came out. It said it was the original coke recipe too. The intended original Coke recipe was put in a book called "For God, country and Coca-Cola" in 1993. It was written by journalist Mark Pendergrast. There was a statement made from Coca-Cola. It said the Pendergrast recipe was different than the real Coke recipe. The extract of coca leaves was required in the original Coke recipe which may have been what the executives were referring to. The modern version of Coca-Cola utilizes “spent” coca leaves. Spent coca leaves are run through a process that extracts the cocaine. The cocaine extraction isn't all that great. The cocaine alkaloids do not leave. Today, the coke still has cocaine in it. It is in trace amounts though.

The reason why many cannot stop drinking Coke

When Dr. Pemberton formulated Coca-Cola extract, he took it to a local pharmacy, where it sold for five cents a glass. Without cocaine, today’s Coke is nevertheless rather addicting because of an “asymmetrical” base of flavors that combines sweet, sour, bitter and salty, combined with huge amounts of sugar and caffeine. Also, the pH level of the mixture is lowered with carbon dioxide under pressure, or carbonation, making it easier for the bloodstream to absorb the sugar and caffeine.

The alleged original Coke recipe:

Fluid extract of Coca 3 drams USP
Citric acid 3 oz
Caffeine 1 oz
Sugar 30 (it is unclear from the markings what quantity is required)
Water 2.5 gal
Lime juice 2 pints
Vanilla 1 oz
Caramel 1.5 oz or more to colour

7X flavour (use 2 oz of flavour to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol 8 oz
Orange oil 20 drops
Lemon oil 30 drops
Nutmeg oil 10 drops
Coriander 5 drops
Neroli 10 drops
Cinnamon 10 drops

Information from

Today Show

bites.today.com/_news/2011/02/14/6051765-has-cokes-secret-recipe-been-uncovered?gt1=43001

This American Life

thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/427/original-recipe

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1356810/Is-Coca-Cola-recipe.html

Guru Focus

gurufocus.com/news.php?id=120119