Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Bleeding Heart


14 comments:

  1. I was just now reading up on the Johnson & Johnson opioid trial in Oklahoma. [Click] Particularly interesting: it is a bench trial rather than a jury trial.

    Neologism of the day: mentrification [Click]

    The preachers getting rich from poor Americans [Click] Makes me think of DT, it does.

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  2. The microbiome concept explained herein makes this article worth reading.

    Why you shouldn’t trust your food cravings.
    http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190524-food-cravings-are-they-a-sign-of-nutritional-deficit

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    1. I find the psychological insights re food cravings in the column particularly interesting. Although it wasn't mentioned (and it would be unethical to carry out human studies) I recall the story of a woman who had a fecal transplant to deal with an overgrowth of clostridium difficile; she insisted that her daughter, who was overweight, should be the donor rather than a carefully vetted stranger. The fecal transplant was successful, the c. difficile was bullied into submission--but for the first time in her life the woman became overweight. My gut flora was, I believe, adversely affected by my cancer treatment, but I was eventually able to get it back into working order by taking probiotic supplements--which I no longer need. So if or when somebody figures out which bacteria control overweight, they will probably be offered as a type of probiotic supplement. I'd sure give that a try.

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  3. I see that Mueller is to make a lengthy public statement starting in a few minutes.

    As Conservative States Pass Sweeping Anti-Abortion Laws, IL Bolsters Women’s Rights [Click]

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  4. Mueller Won’t Comment Beyond Report
    May 29, 2019 at 11:12 am EDT By Taegan Goddard

    Special counsel Robert Mueller publicly stated that he will not speak beyond what’s contained in his report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

    Said Mueller: “The report is my testimony.”

    New York Times: “Mueller reemphasized the report’s main findings, including that there was not enough evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy with Russia’s interference and that he made no decision on possible obstruction of justice because of a Justice Department policy on not indicting sitting presidents.”

    Mueller also announced his retirement from the Justice Department.

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  5. Global markets fall as China prepares to hit back at US in trade war [Click] “Dow Jones slumps after Beijing signals readiness to restrict exports of rare-earth elements.” Sounds like a very reasonable thing for China to do. I shouldn't be surprised if there were some other similar things in the pipeline.

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  6. Democrats up requirements for 2nd round of primary debates, likely to help cull a crop of 24 candidates [click] Also has some info in the first round in June and July, which will be limited to 20 candidates.

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  7. Electric out for four or five hours. Mebbe severe weather north of us. Boy is my keyboard clean!

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    1. Welcome back,puddle! Nowadays it's way more important when the power goes out than it was when we were young.

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  8. I had a court appearance in Los Angeles scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), but it has been delayed to Monday. I like that.

    And the medicos are after me to schedule a (routine) colonoscopy; that I don't like. Oh, well, now it is down to every four years.

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    1. I am happy that my primary physician has decided I am now old enough that I no longer need colonoscopies. I don't think the people who do the procedures agree, but them I can ignore.

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    2. Bill--I look forward to the day. In my opinion the modern test for human blood in feces [the fecal (human) globin test] is a good substitute for screening by colonoscopy. I gather that it has to a considerable extent replaced sigmoidoscopies.

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