Tag Archives: National

Congressman introduced Life at Conception Act

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Alex X. Mooney, West Virginia

Alex X. Mooney, West Virginia

WASHINGTON — Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2] has introduced H.R. 816—the Life at Conception act. The act would use the 14th Amendment to guarantee the right to life at all stages of life. The bill would also prevent prosecution of a woman for the death of her unborn child.

The bill defines a human person or human being as:

…every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.

The bill provides:

However, nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

The bill is broadly defined to include cloning or any other method of fertilization which results in an embryo.

The bill, which was introduced February 9, has 82 co-sponsors and was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice on March 16. Only one Democrat has co-sponsored the bill.

Saving America’s Pollinators Act to ban neonicotinoids

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Beautiful flowers attract bees, butterflies and other insects.

Is CCD the result of neonicotinoids?

WASHINGTON — Representative John Conyers Jr. [D-MI-13] introduced a bill which should have Monsanto lobbyists working overtime. H.R. 1284, titled Saving America’s Pollinators Act, would ban neonicotinoids—A strain of pesticides said to be the cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD).

CCD is the decline of honeybee colonies which may be the result of neonicotinoids. It is tempting to use the famed Einstein quote about bees, but it is uncertain that he ever related bees to the decline and fall of man.

The “Findings” of the Congress in the bill says that

Scientists have linked the use of a certain class of systemic insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, to the rapid decline of pollinators and to the deterioration of pollinator health.

A 2014 Forbes article apparently disagrees that there is a problem in a September 9, 2014 article. It contends that even if all of the honeybees were killed off, there are other pollinating insects—including other bees. In addition, some plants, such as corn, are pollinated by the air.

The text of the bill, however, claims:

Native pollinators, such as bumble bees, have also suffered alarming population declines. There are currently more than 40 pollinator species federally-listed as threatened or endangered, and most recently, the iconic monarch butterfly has declined by 90 percent.

Europe banned the pesticide in 2013 drawing the ire of a Forbes opinion piece. reported in an article that:

Neonicotinoids are extremely effective. Applied to the soil, sprayed on the crop or used as a seed treatment, they are taken up in the plant, discouraging pests from wrecking havoc on crops.

This, of course, begs the question that if these pesticides are drawn into the plant, are consumers eating the pesticides, as well. They obviously cannot be “washed off.” That issue is beyond the scope of this article.

While Forbes contends that it is no big deal if a few honeybees give their lives to save a few acres of crops (assuming that we are not ingesting the pesticide), the bill claims:

A recent national survey sponsored by the Federal Government indicates that United States beekeepers experienced a 45.2 percent annual mortality rate with their hives during the period beginning in April 2012 and ending in March 2013. During the winter of 2013–2014, two-thirds of beekeepers experienced loss rates greater than the established acceptable winter mortality rate.

If true, beekeepers probably do not agree with Forbes.

The bill, however, would not be permanent. The bill allows:

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall suspend the registration of imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, dinotafuran, and any other members of the nitro group of neonicotinoid insecticides to the extent such insecticide is registered, conditionally or otherwise, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) …

until the EPA determines whether or not these insecticides are actually causing harm to pollinators in general and honeybees specific.

While other bees, and even wasps, do produce honey, none do on the scale necessary to provide a food source. Their honey is also different and not as nutritious as that of the honeybee.

It seems that farmers and beekeepers are finding themselves in the situation of ranchers and sheep herders in the days of yore.

Oregon Congressman submits bill limiting the ability of Forest Service and BLM to create travel management plans

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Representative Walden of Oregon. (House Photo)

Representative Walden of Oregon. (House Photo)

WASHINGTON — Greg Walden of Oregon (R-2 district) introduced H.R. 1555, yesterday, which purports to require the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to obtain the consent of the local affected communities prior to implementing any travel management plans affecting access to National Forest System lands.

The Summary and Text of the bill is currently not posted so it is unclear how much limitiation will actually be included.

Congressman Walden wrote a letter earlier this month to Randy Moore and Jim Pena, U.S. Forest service Foresters for Region Five and Six, respectively. The letter was signed by all members of the Oregon delegation, five members from Washington State and one from California.

The letter complained about the manner in which the Forest Service holds their input sessions. The letter complains that the input sessions were urban focused and limited access to rural dwellers who would have difficulty traveling to the site to give their input. The letter stated:

For over 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has profoundly impacted the communities within our districts and any revisions to the plan will have a similar effect. Holding only three listening sessions disadvantages our constituents in these rural communities. Many of our constituents would have to travel several hours and hundreds of miles to participate. The cost and time commitments involved would likely present an unacceptable hardship for many residents who would otherwise participate in these sessions.

Forest Service notices usually include electronic and mailing addresses for input, as well.

The current title of the bill is:

To stop implementation and enforcement of the Forest Service travel management rule and require the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to incorporate the needs, uses, and input of affected communities, and to obtain their consent, before taking any travel management action affecting access to National Forest System lands derived from the public domain or public lands, and for other purposes.

Aurora Products, Inc. Recalls Certain Walnuts and Trail Mixes Due to Possible Health Risk

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Orange, CT — Aurora Products, Inc. is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of certain lots of NATURAL WALNUTS and TRAIL MIXES CONTAINING WALNUTS because they have the potential to contain Salmonella which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Product was distributed nationwide through retail stores. Product was also distributed in Canada and Bermuda.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Aurora is communicating with stores that have received the affected product. Stores have been instructed to cease distribution of these products and to remove the affected product from store shelves.

The affected products were produced by Aurora Products, Inc. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by an outside company contracted by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella in one container of natural walnuts product. Organic walnuts are not affected.

Consumers that have the products listed below are urged to not eat it and destroy the product or return it to the point of purchase. Customers with questions can contact Aurora Products, Inc. for further information at (800)-898-1048 between the hours of 9:00AM to 5:00 PM EST Monday – Friday.
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Stock Yards Meat Packing Co., Inc. in Tuscon recalls roast beef product due to misbranding

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stockyard-2WASHINGTON — Stock Yards Meat Packing Co., Inc., a Tucson, Ariz. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,149 pounds of roast beef due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product was mistakenly labeled as corned beef on the product label.

The following item subject to recall, was produced on February 18, 2015:

  1. 6-10 pound cryovac packages of “Ready to Cook CORNED BEEF Bottom Round Flat.

The product bears the establishment number “EST. 6071” inside the USDA mark of inspection and has “Use or Freeze by: 4/22/2015” printed on the product label. The product was shipped to businesses in Arizona and California.

The problem was discovered when a customer of the recalling firm received the mislabeled product.

FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, and this product did not enter the School Lunch Program.

Done hating Windows yet? You might be with Windows 10

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windows-10Do you hate Windows 8.1? You are probably not alone. But the hate may be over. The constant switching from the Desktop screen to the App screen is coming to an end with Windows 10. That is the good news. The other news might not be so welcome. The upgrade might be free and it is right around the corner.

Windows is apparently so set on limiting piracy that they originally intended to give Windows 10 free to anyone who is currently operating Windows 7 to the terrible 8’s. Also those who purchased a Microsoft phone. ZDnet ic306250 is reporting that is a big maybe. The gist of the article is that it all depends on where you obtained the copy of that Windows that you are using. It appears that if you are operating an OEM machine—a manufactured computer that you purchased with an aforementioned version of Windows on it—you will get a free upgrade to Windows 10.

If you built your own computer, you should be okay so long as you obtained a “genuine” copy of either Windows 7 or 8.1.

I was forced into Windows 8.1 by a traitorous computer running XP that turned on me and failed. With some practice I was able to move around Windows 8.1 with a certain amount of comfort. Not with like, mind you; just comfort. I found a function to add features to Windows 8.1—quite by accident. When I tried it, I received the window in the following Figure to the left. The bottom of my PC did not have the Microsoft XXXX-XXXX-XXXx-ad naseum key required by Microsoft on the label. I searched the computer system information and found the only key I could find. I pressed the I Already Have a Key button and my key was not accepted in the Window that resulted shown in the Figure to the right.
add-feature-3Adding new 8.1 features was not that critical, at that point. I am still busy trying to relearn yet another Windows operating system while attempting to continue getting other work accomplished. My only purpose was to see what cool 8.1 features I was missing. It begs the question, however, if my operating system is “genuine” enough to qualify for the free Windows 10.

Originally Microsoft intended to distribute this free Windows 10 through a normal update. If you recall, manufacturers had an agreement with Microsoft to upgrade their recently sold XP machines to Windows 7, if you did so within a specified time frame. While some may get the new upgrade, others may not. At least not without some difficulty. The big losers appear to be large corporations.

Another problem that has surfaced is for those who add alternative operating systems such as Linux or even previous versions of Windows to their machine. This applies only to OEM machines and not to home-built machines. The complexity of the issue is beyond the scope of this article and may be found at ARS Technica. Essentially Microsoft is working with OEMs to lock out the ability to incorporate alternative operating systems into the OEM machine. This is a nerd-exclusive subject that should not bother the average user.

Many people do not create a restore disk when prompted to do so. When their hard drive crashes and they have to replace it, they are surprised when they put in the new hard drive and it does not automatically come up like it did when they bought it. There is a reason for the restore disk, folks. My concern is that if my hard drive crashes five-years from now and and I use the restore disk that I created because I am smart, will I still be able to upgrade to Windows 10? (Or Windows 12, by that time)

Another concern that I have is software. I have some older software that blistfully resides in my Windows 8.1 machine. Thus far I have been surprised to find only one that does not. Will the new Windows 10 wipe out the remaining remnants of XP programs?

The issue to the average user is what the new Windows will look like and how it will act. For those who were frustrated at having to learn a whole new Windows, the bad news might seem that you will have to learn a new Windows. In reality, however, you will be learning an update of the old Windows. The Windows Start button is back!

When you press the Windows Start button on the taskbar, you will not be treated to the Apps page. You will get, well, a menu. The menu, however, is different. The Apps will be included in the menu. They are customizable as they are on the Start Page in Windows 8.1.

Users of the Beta versions are giving Windows 10 good reviews. Not rave reviews, yet. But good reviews. It appears that Microsoft is committed to handing out the new Windows 10—Internetally speaking—to Windows 7 and 8.1 users for free as long as you upgrade within a year from the date of the release of Windows 10. The latest on the release date is simply sometime this summer. Some are saying as early as June.

If any of this is distressing you because you love Windows 8.1 and cannot do without it, you might want to consider seeking professional attention.


Kraft Foods Group Voluntarily Recalls Select Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinners Due to Possible Metal Pieces

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ucm438726NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 242,000 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the Original flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner – due to the possibility that some boxes may contain small pieces of metal. The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the Original flavor of boxed dinner with the “Best When Used By” dates of September 18, 2015 through October 11, 2015, with the code “C2” directly below the date on each individual box. The “C2” refers to a specific production line on which the affected product was made.

Some of these products have also been packed in multi-pack units that have a range of different code dates and manufacturing codes on the external packaging (box or shrink-wrap), depending on the package configuration (see table below).

Recalled product was shipped to customers in the U.S. and several other countries, excluding Canada. The affected dates of this product were sold in only these four configurations:

  • 7.25 oz. box, Original flavor
  • 3-pack box of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
  • 4-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
  • 5-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor

The following is being recalled:

Product Size Name of Product Sell Unit Best When Used By Code Date & Mfr. Code Individual Box Best When Used By Code Date & Mfr. Code Individual Box UPC Multi-Pack Unit UPC
7.25 oz. each Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 NA 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 NA
3-Pack Box
(Three 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 21.75 oz.		 3-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 09 SEP 2015 XDG
27 SEP 2015 XDG
01 OCT 2015 XDG
02 OCT 2015 XDG
03 OCT 2015 XDG
20 NOV 2015 XDG		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 05076 5
4-Pack
Shrink–wrap
(Four 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 29 oz.		 4-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 18 SEP 2015 C2
19 SEP 2015 C2
08 OCT 2015 C2		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 72540 3
5-Pack
Shrink-wrap
(Five 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 36.25 oz.		 5-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 18 SEP 2015
through
11 OCT 2015
XAR or C2		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 77436 4

No other sizes, varieties or pasta shapes and no other packaging configurations are included in this recall. And no products with manufacturing codes other than “C2” below the code date on the individual box are included in this recall.

Kraft has received eight consumer contacts about this product from the impacted line within this range of code dates and no injuries have been reported. We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed.

The recalled product was shipped by Kraft to customers nationwide in the U.S. The product was also distributed to Puerto Rico and some Caribbean and South American countries — but not to Canada.

Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers also can contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations at 1-800-816-9432 between 9 am and 6 pm (Eastern) for a full refund.

National Park Service Sitting On Half-A-Billion Dollars Of Concessions Obligations

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640-gc-eltovarAcross the National Park System, there is an estimated half-a-billion-dollars of obligations owed concessionaires who run lodges, restaurants, and even some activities, for the National Park Service.

It’s a sum that, while Park Service officials say is manageable, has seemingly stifled concessions competition in some parks and led the agency to divert tens of millions of dollars from some parks to others to reduce the debts.

At Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the outstanding amount is more than $57 million. At Glacier National Park in Montana, it’s $22 million. At Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, it’s nearly $100 million. At Yellowstone National Park, the sum is $21.5 million.

Read more at National Parks Traveler

Frontier Co-op Initiates Voluntary Class 1 Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from Organic Garlic Powder

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recall-3Frontier Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic garlic powder that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, and one product sold under the Whole Foods Market brand due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

The product in question was raw material received by Frontier, which tested positive for Salmonella during a test by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Given that Salmonella may be present, Frontier is immediately initiating this recall.

Frontier Co-op is immediately initiating added precautions to the safety of the supply chain and instituting additional product testing, beyond FDA guidelines, to mitigate any future occurrence.

Consumption of products containing Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditic and arthritis.

Recalled products were sold in all 50 states and in some parts of Canada to distributors, retailers and consumers. Below the release is a list of products containing the organic garlic powder. Images of the affected products can be viewed at the following link: http://www.frontiercoop.com/recalldisclaimer icon.

On foil bulk packages, the four-digit lot code will be found on the front label directly above the UPC code. On bottled items, the four-digit lot code can be found on the bottom of the bottle. On seasoning mixes, the four-digit lot code is embossed on the right side of the packet.

Consumers should not consume these products and should either throw away any remaining products or return to the point of purchase for a refund.

Please contact Frontier Co-op with any questions or to inquire about replacement or reimbursement at 1- 800-669-3275 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.
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Primal Pet Foods Voluntarily Recalls A Single Lot of Raw Frozen Cat Food

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300-PrimalPrimal Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling a single batch production code of Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula 3-pound bag. FDA tested product in response to a single consumer complaint. Primal Pet Foods was alerted by FDA that the testing of two bags of this lot resulted in a low thiamine level. Neither FDA nor Primal have received any other reports concerning Thiamine in Primal products. No other product manufactured by Primal Pet Foods is involved in this voluntary recall.

Cats fed only diets low in thiamine for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurologic signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. If your cat has consumed the recalled lot and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

Only the product with the following Best By date and production code is included in the voluntary recall. It is best to check the production code on the back of the bag to determine if the product has been recalled or not.

The lot involved in this voluntary recall is:

Primal Pet Foods Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula 3-pound bag (UPC# 8 50334-00414 0) with Best By date 060815 B22

Primal takes very seriously, the need for adequate Thiamine levels in our feline diets. We include Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder as a natural B-Complex supplement to ensure that adequate levels of Thiamine are met. Additionally, Thiamine occurs naturally in other ingredients contained in our Feline Turkey Formula such as: Turkey Muscle Meat (including heart), Turkey Liver, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Dried Organic Kelp, Organic Collard Greens and Organic Squash.

Consumers who still have bags of cat food from this lot should stop feeding it to their cats and call us at (866) 566-4652 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm PST. Consumers with further questions should visit our website at www.primalpetfoods.com or call us at this same number.