New Mushroom Study Points to Improvements in Personality

Research at Johns Hopkins University has found some hopeful results from a
(small) study on psilocybin. Potential future treatments may be used for
PTSD and depression.
Source:
www.independent.co.uk/news/science/single-magic-mushroom-can-change-personal
ity-2363324.html

You Know Those Cheesehead Hats That People Like? They're 'Intellectual Property'

Go figure...  Someone comes up with a funny idea for a hat, and figures out how to make them out of cheap foam and starts a business.  Fast forward about 25 years and someone else decides to make a funny poster intended to link cheese to poor health by putting a 'cheesehead' hat on top of the Grim Reaper on a single billboard.  As you can imagine, the company that owns the patent for this cheese hat as well as the registered trademark for the word, Cheesehead, sees this as a threat to their intellectual property.  Do they care about peoples' health?  That isn't the issue.  The issue is their product, and since they have threatened to sue the pro-health activists for their billboard.  The activists have backed down, apparently not wanted to get sued.  This is what is wrong with America - corporations can sue people and nonprofits for disparaging their brand.  Thus, we have 'free speech' but really it is not free speech at all.  We have the freedom to say what we like, but we do not have the freedom to disparage what we don't (or if you do, make sure you don't offend anyone).

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/chris_rickert/article_8e0ba0dc-ea1c-11e0-a10f-001cc4c03286.html

RIP Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Kenyan environmental activist and politician Wangari Maathai has died at the age of 71.  In receiving her Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, the award committe praised her for her, “holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women’s rights in particular” and serving “as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights.”

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/world/africa/wangari-maathai-nobel-peace-prize-laureate-dies-at-71.html?_r=1&hp

Link Found Between ADHD and Pesticides in Children

Researchers have found a strong correlation between pesticides and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics.  Children with substantially higher levels of pesticides found in their urine were at least twice as likely as developing ADHD. Recommendations include switching to organic food for children as well as pregnant mothers.

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44260583/ns/health-childrens_health/

September 21 is the International Day of Peace

I think the best way to observe this day is to share it with as many people
as possible, and to acknowledge that it is through the tireless work of
peacemakers the world over and the collective dream of peace and
nonviolence that I am here today.
Link: www.internationaldayofpeace.org

Happy 1st Day of "It's O.K. to be Gay in the Military Now, Finally"

I am delighted to read that it's now o.k. to be gay in the military, just as it is in the rest of the federal government.  Not that you will find your life free from discrimination or that your long term partner will be able to be treated like they should be, but at least you will not lose your job.  Let's see if we can get some more gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals into elected government now too!

Georgia to Put Troy Davis to Death

I'm willing to go on the record and say that I am absolutely against the death penality in all cases.  It doesn't do what it is intended to do - punish someone, bring justice, or deter future offenders.  There may be some who will disagree with me for emotional or religious reasons, but I think that facts tell a much different story. 

Most countries have abolished the death penalty, including all of our closest allies.  The death penalty has been overturned recently in Illinois by order of the Governor after it was found that many people on death row have been wrongfully convicted.

This week, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Georgia will execute Troy Anthony Davis, a 42-year-old African American man who was given the death penalty for killing an off-duty police officer in Savannah in 1989.  The case has been marred by numerous questions, including Davis' own plea of innocence.

The renowned Innocence Project, which has helped many people find justice and escape the death penalty has drafted the following letter which I invite you to sign on to and send to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles by visiting http://www.innocenceproject.org/troydavis and using their web form.

New Book by Dr. James Fadiman on Psychedelics

A recently published book, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide, by Dr. James Fadiman of the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology in Menlo Park, CA, provides an overview of the spiritual, problem-solving, and therapeutic uses of psychedelics like LSD.

Here's a couple reviews: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8790246.htm and http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/141664/new-book-on-psychedelics-outlines-their-problem-solving-spiritual-and-therepeutic-effects/

New Documentary, "Curing Addiction," to be Released

A documentary citing several new or controversial approaches to addiction and recovery are being covered in a new documentary to be released this month.  The film, by Lucas Catton, includes interviews from Stanton Peele, and Tom Horvath (of SMART Recovery).  Here's the trailer:



Here is a link to a review:  http://www.wiredprnews.com/2011/09/12/documentary-film-curing-addiction-ready-for-recovery-month_2011091222191.html

Walker Aide Cindy Archer has House Raided by FBI

This lady cannot catch a break.  It has been only a couple days since news broke that she took a $99,000 state job after suddenly leaving her other $124,000 job in Governor Walker's Department of Administration, and today her house (502 Dunning St. on Madison's east side/Atwood neighborhood/right near the Jenifer St. Market) was raided by the FBI and local law enforcement.  The raid apparently took place starting in the early morning and lasted for several hours - investigators left the house with unknown items.

She is a top aide of Scott Walkers, who served under him when he was the Milwaukee County Executive as well.  The raid may have something to do with a John Doe investigation of Scott Walker's campaign - it has been alleged that some of his aides might have used public time or money on Walker's gubernatorial campaign last year.

Link:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/129801878.html

UW-Madison Students Stand Up for their Right to Equal Opportunities in Education

Over one-hundred UW-Madison students shut down a press conference by the conservative, anti-affirmative action group 'Center for Equal Opportunity' today.  The center was releasing a report alleging that Blacks and Latinos are entering the UW with significantly lower test scores than Whites and Asians.  The UW states that their admissions process prefers all sorts of diversity - including income - and not just race.  It is unbelievable that anyone would argue against any kind of diversity initiative in today's society.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/article_1c3387b2-de33-11e0-80b0-001cc4c002e0.html

Solidarity Forever!

The Solidarity Sing-Along (www.wnpj.org) is going strong - 6 months of
singing every day Mon-Fri from 12-1. A few counter protestors with their
'Don't Tread on Me' flags, but not many. Today is the only day the
legislature is in session this September. I'm here with my mom Judy and
friend Kyle.

Walker Aide Cindy Archer takes new $99,449/Year Job - supposedly not for the money

Something really fishy is going on with the Governor of Wisconsin and his inner circle.  A number of aides who have come to Madison from Milwaukee, where Gov. Walker previously was the county Executive, have abruptly left one high-paying job for another.  This time, it is aide Cindy Archer.  She suddenly left her job at the Department of Administration, citing 'family reasons,' only to have it turn out she had taken a different state job on pretty much the same day.  Why we're finding about it now I have no idea.  So as Walker and his conservative tribe dismantle medicaid, collective bargaining, and even democracy itself in Wisconsin, they reward themselves with plum jobs and 100% job security.

Link:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/129700133.html

Harsh Treatment Offered in Russia's "City Without Drugs"

A treatment program in Russia has found many critics, as well as supporters.  It involves kidnapping, imprisonment, and forcing participants to undergo withdrawal from narcotics without medication and while handcuffed to their beds.  

“Is it wrong to rescue a drowning person by pulling their hair?” asked Yevgeny Malenkin, a founder of City Without Drugs, summing up the public view. “If people say it is cruel and inhumane, let them teach us how to do it otherwise.”

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/world/europe/03russia.html?_r=1

September is National Recovery Month

From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA):

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a substance use or mental disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. The observance’s main focus is to laud the gains made by those in recovery from these conditions, just as we would those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.  Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

Link:  http://www.recoverymonth.gov/About-Recovery-Month.aspx

Please Sign the Petition Against the Keystone XL Pipeline Today

The size and potential harm from this oil pipeline that is being proposed to cut across North America has caused enormous opposition and fear among the environmental community.  Please watch this short video and  then sign on to the petition to say "No!" to the pipeline.


Tar Sands Action/ Josh Fox from JFOX on Vimeo.

Here's a map of the proposal from the NRDC.

Google Wishes Freddie Mercury a Happy 65th Birthday!

Really awesome animation celebrating Freddie Mercury of Queen via Google Doodles.

Official Google Blog post on Freddie's birthday: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/happy-birthday-freddie-mercury.html

Madison Labor Fest

Happy Labor Day everyone! We're celebrating with our union brothers and
sisters down at the Labor Temple (1602 S. Park St.). The party goes on all
day long - lots of fun stuff to do for all ages. Link: www.scfl.org