“Misinformation spreads even faster than the virus itself.” — Declan McCullagh, Reason

Every so often, when I catch up with New Scientist news, I hit upon an amazing concentration of stories that resonate with importance or fascination, to any number of which I feel I could post links. So I will:

• ‘Safe’ lead levels still damage children’s IQ: Blood levels below maximum limits still dent intelligence, new research shows – in fact, most of the damage occurs at low levels
  
• Adult stem cells tackle multiple sclerosis: The cells sought out and repaired damaged nerves in mice – primate experiments are now underway
  
• Flashes seen by astronauts remain mysterious: The strange streaks of light seen by people on space missions, linked to cosmic rays, still defy a full explanation
  
• SARS virus is mutating, fear doctors: Scientists in Hong Kong are scouring the virus’s genetic code, after the symptoms presented by patients change
  
• New fuel tank design linked to shuttle disaster: A combination of a new external fuel tank design and an ageing spacecraft may been triggered the tragic chain of events
  
• Depleted uranium casts shadow over peace in Iraq: To overcome Iraqi forces, coalition troops fired thousands of shells tipped with DU – but its long-term health effects are still not fully understood
  
• Botox could break the pain barrier: Combining the potent neurotoxin with a protein from the Mediterranean coral tree could give a long-lasting treatment for chronic pain
  
• Snail mail attack could be launched online: An avalanche of unwanted post could be released upon a victim using only an internet connection and some simple code
  
• Double DNA chance of identifying Saddam: Two DNA techniques could be used to recognise the former Iraqi dictator – one offers relative ease, the other certainty
  
• Alcoholic blackouts may lead to heavier drinking: Drinkers may fill in the blanks after binges with rosy memories, putting them at greater risk of future alcoholism, say researchers
  

Did the White House “Enforcement Squad” Write Dale Petroskey’s Letter to Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon? BuzzFlash News Analysis

Gunter Grass: “Many people find themselves in a state of despair these days, and with good reason. Yet we must not let our voices, our no to war and yes to peace, be silenced. What has happened? The stone that we pushed to the peak is once again at the foot of the mountain. But we must push it back up, even with the knowledge that we can expect it to roll back down again.” CommonDreams

Howard Dean: “After reading a recent article that called into question my opposition to the Bush Doctrine of preemptive war, I wanted to state my position clearly to set the record straight. I appreciate that the editors of Common Dreams have given me this opportunity.”

“Tens of thousands of Iraqis demonstrated against the US occupation of Iraq in central Baghdad today after religious leaders spoke out against America.” Guardian/UK

And: “The exiled leader of the biggest Iraqi opposition group called Thursday on Iraqis to converge in the Shiite holy city of Karbala to oppose a U.S.-led interim administration and defend Iraq’s independence.” Yahoo! News

…that could grow to $680 million.

The San Francisco construction and engineering company will receive $34.6 million to start work under Thursday’s award, but could earn the larger figure over 18 months if Congress approves the funds. NY Times No surprises here.

The United States is a great nation and a great people that is also capable of great acts. The overthrow of the Iraqi fascist dictatorship is one. Its completion calls for another that matches the terrible seriousness of this moment: an expression of humility. openDemocracy

Neo-Cons Have Long Had Damascus In Their Sights.

Documents signed by neoconservative heavyweights suggest that the era of engagement with Syria is history. TomPaine

The War in Context: ‘Since most Americans never set foot on foreign soil, to be told that we are now citizens of a pariah state is a claim that will just as likely provoke disbelief or indifference rather than being a cause for alarm. But those Americans who now out of desire or necessity travel overseas are repeatedly being confronted with stark choices on how to represent themselves in the face of widespread hostility. Do they venture forth as proud Americans ready to rebut false accusations and defend a noble but widely misunderstood nation? Do they try and pass themselves off as Canadians, or do they simply plead, “I’m not responsible for my government?” ‘ Remarks were prompted by this article: Islamic world less welcoming to American scholars. NY Times

America is on probation. That, in four words, is my verdict on Gulf war II. America can still prove, by what it does over the next few years in the Middle East, that it was right in what it did during this last month of war. On what I see at the moment, I fear that the United States will show itself to have been wrong. Not grotesquely, criminally wrong, but prudentially, politically wrong. Then “the judgment of history”, invoked by Tony Blair in the House of Commons on Tuesday, may come in the famous words of Talleyrand: “It was worse than a crime; it was a mistake.” — Timothy Garton Ash, Guardian/UK

‘Iraq Is All Yours’.

The Hill once again caved to pressure from the White House in allowing the Defense Department control over funds allocated for the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. Alternet

Where Are They Now?

Two years after they left the federal government and one year after a ban that limited their lobbying activities expired, more than half of the top one hundred Clinton White House officials went on to represent, work for or advise businesses and entities in areas they regulated while they were in office, a Center for Public Integrity survey has found. Center for Public Integrity

It puts transgenic animals on fast track & weakens animal drug regulations.

Urge your Senators to neither support nor cosponsor

S. 741, the Minor Use/Minor Species Act (MUMS). This

bill is controversial and full of loopholes. If passed,

MUMS would abbreviate the Food and Drug Administration’s

(FDA) review procedures of genetically-engineered animals,

including fast-growing salmon, and it probably would

worsen the human health crisis of antibiotic resistance

by allowing the wider use of antibiotics in agriculture

and aquaculture. Center for Science in the Public Interest