Stupid human gets an innocent animal shot

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You know, anyone who willfully jumps into a BEAR PIT has pretty much told the world they’re ready to check out. Seriously.

At the Berne Bear Park in Switzerland this weekend, police were called by park officials when they saw a man had been sitting on the edge of a bear pit for ten minutes. But just as the police arrived, the man jumped into the pit.

So after this idiot jumped in, the bear did what bears do when someone suddenly enters their living area unannounced. He pulled out a folding table and set a pot of tea on the burner and looked for some fresh biscuits. Oh wait, no he didn’t do that… he mauled him.

As the bear was illustrating the “my, what big teeth you have” part of the story, the police moved into the enclosure, eventually shooting the bear once in the chest. The bear spit out the idiot-sized chew toy, and the wall jumper got another chance at life.

In the article on the DailyMail website, it says this fellow was “mentally handicapped” and was “treated in hospital for severe head and leg injuries, and his condition yesterday was said to be comfortable”. So my question is what was a “mentally handicapped” man doing unsupervised at a bear park sitting on the edge of a 20 foot tall wall looking into a bear pit all by himself? For 10 whole minutes? And only jumping as the police were arriving?

This whole incident wasn’t the bear’s doing. The bear was in his home, minding his business, being a bear, and got shot for someone else’s stupidity. And I’m not completely blaming the “mentally handicapped” man on this one.

And as for the poor bear? The “vets… decided not to operate to remove the bullet splinters, treating him with antibiotics”

Great. Now this poor bear has 9mm fragments constantly moving around in his chest. Even for a big brown bear that’s got to suck.

Poor bear

Poor bear

Fortunately “Police and zoo officials say there has been an outpouring of public sympathy – for the bear. Bouquets of flowers and pots of honey have been placed outside his enclosure.”

Here’s the link to the original DAILYMAIL article.

Recall : Stork cribs – also sold under the “Fisher Price” brand

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If you have a child that sleeps in a crib, you need to check and see who made that crib as soon as possible.

After four child deaths and 15 entrapments, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “…announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The recall involves approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada.”

Pretty much every Stork Craft crib with a manufacturing date between January 1993 and October 2009 and Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo with manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004 are subject to this recall. This recall only involves Stork Craft cribs with a “plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware” and not those with “metal rod drop-side hardware”. Any Stork Craft crib that does NOT have a drop down side are not affected by this recall.

You can find the “manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information… on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” or “storkling” is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs. In Stork Craft cribs that contain the “Fisher-Price” logo, this logo can be found on the crib’s teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.”

If you have one of these cribs, the CPSC urges you to immediately stop using the crib, wait for a free repair kit (that you need to go online and ask for), and do not attempt to use or fix the crib before you get the kit.

Here’s a link to the official US CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION recall. And another link to the STORKCRAFT.COM website.

UPDATE : Photos from the CPSC website illustrate the problem…

Crib Recall

Crib Recall

Crib Recall 2

Crib Recall 2

Crib Recall 3

Crib Recall 3

Recall : Some Shedd’s Country Crock Chilled Side-Dishes

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Now this is a much more specific and targeted recall. Today Unilever announced that they are recalling “certain Shedd’s Country Crock chilled side-dish products because they may contain undeclared sulfites.”

The specific recall list is limited to…

“Shedd’s Country Crock® Side Dishes DELUXE Cheddar Broccoli Rice, with Best-By dates of NOV 29 09 through to JAN 16 10. The UPC code is 027400218316. The product comes in a 21-ounce (1 LB 5 OZ / 595 g) plastic tub inside a paperboard sleeve.”

…and also…

“Shedd’s Country Crock® Side Dishes DELUXE Four Cheese Pasta, withBest By dates of DEC 05 09 through to JAN 16 10.  The UPC code is 027400230875. The product comes in a 20-ounce (1 LB 4 OZ / 567 g) plastic tub inside a paperboard sleeve. The UPC code is located on the bottom of the sleeve and the Best-By date is located on the same side of the sleeve and the side of the tub.”

Here’s the link to the official FDA recall notice.

Recall : “Majesty” labeled cantaloupes

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This is a tough recall to sift through, mainly because there are no identifying stickers or marks on some of the affected items.

Five Crowns Marketing announced today that they are… “voluntarily recalling cantaloupes packed under the Majesty label because of a potential health risk due to possible contamination of Salmonella.”

“Cantaloupes were packed in various sizes with and without individual label stickers. All cartons carry the label “Majesty” and are further identified with lot numbers 198 2 or 198 3, packed dates Nov 4, Nov 6, and Nov 10. Also those cantaloupes that contain stickered labels are identified with the label “Majesty”.”

So pretty much you have to remember if you saw “majesty” on the box you picked them from at the grocery store because not all the cantaloupes are properly identified.

I’ve always wondered why RIFD tags aren’t on each stem of everything in the produce isle. RIFD tags cost a fraction of a penny to make, and this would help out immensely in cases like this. I would tag everything as it comes into the US as it enters the nation’s food supply and keep all this information in a master database at the FDA. When a bad batch comes up, you know where everything went. The RIFD tag would be wiped at the checkout scan, and can be tossed along with the stem or skin of the produce. This tagging would help keep a safer food supply chain and definitely create jobs as part of the labeling and cataloging process.

Here’s the link to the FDA recall notice.

News stories the mainstream media missed 11/21/09*

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* D’oh! I goofed setting up the autopost. This was supposed to be up on Saturday.

Here are some news stories from this week that I think the mainstream media completely missed out on. All links are from legitimate news sources and not the fringe / wacko sites.

* Is climate change a lie? Some hackers who broke into the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit (aka Hadley CRU) and stole a bunch of their internal emails say what they have is proof global warming is all a big lie. Manbearpig is not pleased. [TELEGRAPH.CO.UK] BONUS: I’ve heard you can download the stolen emails here. Or was it here? I forget. I’ve also heard you can find it at some famous professional unaccredited sailor’s bay website under the name “Hadley CRU Files”. Supposedly.

* This intro headline says it all… “Here’s a new way to think about the U.S. government’s epic borrowing: More than half of the $9 trillion in debt that Uncle Sam is expected to build up over the next decade will be interest. More than half. In fact, $4.8 trillion.” [CNN]

* Texas has a new online anti-harassing law that kicked in September 1. This ought to be interesting. Check out the first part of the law… “A person commits an offense if the person uses the name or persona of another person to create a web page on or to post one or more messages on a commercial social networking site : (1)  without obtaining the other person’s consent; and (2)  with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person. (b)  A person commits an offense if the person sends an electronic mail, instant message, text message, or similar communication that references a name, domain address, phone number, or other item of identifying information belonging to any person: (1)  without obtaining the other person’s consent; (2)  with the intent to cause a recipient of the communication to reasonably believe that the other person authorized or transmitted the communication; and (3)  with the intent to harm or defraud any person.” The bold italic part is my emphasis. This is where a LOT of people are going to get popped. [MIKEYOUNGLAW]

* Those rich college kids! If only there was some way to get their money! Well, Mayor Luke Ravenstahlof of Pittsburgh has a plan! He’s going to tax college students! From the article : “We do not want to impose a tax on the students. We hope that will never happen. But it’s up to the universities to take their great wealth and share it with the city.” So in other words, you got some money, we want it, so give it up and nobody gets hurt. Kind of like a robber would say to someone in a dark alley, dontyathink? [THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL – 4]

* Hershey’s is about to nom on Cadbury. A $17 billion nom. [BLOOMBERG]

* The FDA is apparently coming down on pharmacies… in other countries. For selling things to the US that are illegal here. Here’s the word of the day for the FDA… JU-RIS-DIC-TION. [FDA]

* And here’s where the FDA redeems themselves. A man in Maryland who was selling Veal was pumping them full of illegal drugs. What could possibly go wrong when drugs designed “to control abnormal rise in body temperature associated with bovine respiratory disease and endotoxemia” enter the market place? Needless to say, veal-man is done now. [FDA]

Recall : Smoked Nova Salmon

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This one specifically applies to the New York area, New Jersey, Connecticut, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Portland.

Service Smoked Fish Corp is recalling some of their “Brooklyn’s BEST brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON” because they may be contaminated with Listeria. The press release explains that “Listeria monocytogenes… can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may possibly suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

I love the placement of “only” in that last part. Hey, it’s “only” a 103 degree fever! Whatsamatter with you?

Anyhow, the specific recall is limited to… “3 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz. and random weight sides with the brand name “Brooklyn’s BEST” appearing on a circular label inside the vacuum bag. A “Use-By” date appears on the bottom of the gold board. Units with “Use-By” dates of 12/03/09 through 12/19/09 are being recalled.  The product was also air-packed in bulk boxes. Air-packed units with lot numbers 060 through 043 are being recalled.  No other use-by dates or lots numbers are involved in this recall.”

Here’s the link to the official FDA recall notice.

Recall : Vicks Sinex nasal spray in US, UK and Germany

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Some lots of Vicks Sinex are being recalled due to a finding of bacteria in some lots that were shipped to the US, the UK and Germany.

The press release says “The company said it is taking this precautionary step after finding the bacteria B. cepacia in a small amount of product made at its plant in Gross Gerau, Germany.  There have been no reports of illness.  However, the bacteria could cause serious infections for individuals with a compromised immune system, or those with chronic lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.  B. cepacia poses little medical risk to healthy individuals.”

The problem lot numbers, listed on the outside carton and bottle, are

9239028831 United States Vicks Sinex Vapospray 12-Hour Decongestant Ultra Fine Mist, 15 ml., Nasal Spray
9224028832 United Kingdom Vicks Sinex Micromist Aqueous Nasal Spray Solution, 15 ml
9224028833 Germany Wick Sinex Schnupfenspray Dosiersystem, 15 ml

Here’s the link to the official recall notice.

Abandoned gas station

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On one of my recent road trips, I stopped on the way back to take some photos of an old gas station I had seen on the side of the highway.

The sign on the building says “Uncle Sams”, but the painted-over red circle badge and red font still visible on the hood of the station’s roof looks like it was once a Texaco gas station. That the the giant Texaco sign in the background with the empty pricing gave it away.

Abandoned Gas Station 01

Abandoned Gas Station 01

The pumps were old, rusted, and beautiful. All the accessories and decorations were long gone, and only the bare interior remained.

Abandoned Gas Station 02

Abandoned Gas Station 02

A closeup of one of the pumps showed the last purchase made on this pump was for $50.02

Abandoned Gas Station 03

Abandoned Gas Station 03

This opened pump was one of my favorite photos. There’s a mix of old and new parts in this one, and it looks like someone had pried the top plate down.

Abandoned Gas Station 04

Abandoned Gas Station 04

Backing up a little, you can see how far the roof was leaning back. The impact was only on one column, and the roof was all in one piece. I wonder if this damage is what did in “Uncle Sams” or if it came after the store was already abandoned?

Abandoned Gas Station 05

Abandoned Gas Station 05

A photo of the whole station. I can almost see what it was at one point a long time ago. The weeds have made great headway through the concrete, so it has been awhile since anyone has been here.

Abandoned Gas Station 06

Abandoned Gas Station 06

This little rusted broken pillar is what was holding up the whole roof.

Abandoned Gas Station 07

Abandoned Gas Station 07

This is my second favorite photo. The grass grew up into this last pump and was entwined among the rusting gears and steel.

Abandoned Gas Station 08

Abandoned Gas Station 08

Backing up a few steps, you can see the grass had really grown into this last pump.

Abandoned Gas Station 09

Abandoned Gas Station 09

If you looked at it from far enough away, it looks like the grass picked this particular pump to reach out to.

Abandoned Gas Station 10

Abandoned Gas Station 10

That was it for my quick stop. I think the next big storm will probably knock over that roof, flattening the pumps and maybe part of the store.

As I was driving away, I noticed construction had just started on a freeway overpass for this town. It was just the flattening of the ground, but eventually there’s going to be a business highway and the regular highway passing by. And if it’s like any of the other bypass highways in this part of Texas, these towns I currently drive through on my way North might be in big trouble.

“Food Insecurity” (or just old fashioned “Going Hungry”) in 2008

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Before getting into this tidbit, I want to talk about the wonderful phrase “food insecurity”. Instead of saying the truth in a clear and understandable manner, the phrases “going hungry”,  “not having enough to eat” and especially that horrible word “starving” have been phased out by people reporting on this horrible situation in favor of a understated, underperforming, and inoffensive phrase…. “food insecurity”.

Now. Having said that, I would like to post this article from Food Business News the mainstream media has completely missed out on.

A recent study by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the United States has had… “the highest food insecurity rate since 1995. Seventeen million U.S. households, or nearly 15%, were food insecure during 2008… The number of families that had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during the year was up from 13 million households, or 11.1%, in 2007, and was the highest level recorded since food security surveys were initiated in 1995.”

Let’s try that paragraph again. This time, substituting “going hungry” and “starvation” for “food insecure”.

A recent study by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the United States has had… “the highest STARVATION rate since 1995. Seventeen million U.S. households, or nearly 15%, were GOING HUNGRY during 2008…. The number of families that had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during the year was up from 13 million households, or 11.1%, in 2007, and was the highest level recorded since food security surveys were initiated in 1995.”

See how much more terrible it is when I say it without coddling the truth with that “food insecurity” phrase? Saying it straight and clear kind of makes it more important, dontcha’ think? Maybe a bit more newsworthy. Especially if you crunch the numbers a little more. 15% of 100% literally means 15 out of every 100 people is going without enough food. Reducing that down to a more manageable fraction, you get 3 out of every 20 people are going hungry in the United States.

But running with those numbers in the opposite direction is perhaps more eye opening. If you look at the ballpark current US population of 307,960,000, 15% of that is 46,194,000 people. 46,194,000 people is just slightly less than the combined 2007 populations of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Columbus, Austin, Memphis, Baltimore, Fort Worth, Charlotte, El Paso, Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston, Denver, Louisville-Jefferson County, Washington, Nashville-Davidson, Las Vegas, Portland, Oklahoma City, Tucson, Albuquerque, Long Beach, Atlanta, Fresno, Sacramento, Cleveland, Kansas City, Mesa, Virginia Beach, Omaha, Oakland, Miami, Tulsa, Honolulu, Minneapolis, and Colorado Springs… which all total to 46,240,297.

I think that’s pretty important myself. Important enough to post it early, during the week, and not with the usual “news you missed” pieces I put together on Saturdays.

Here’s the link to the FOOD BUSINESS NEWS article and the link to the official study from the USDA.