All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Avian flu: urgent request for scientific advice – EIN News

SOSO – Same Old-Same-Old – want to blame wild birds for spread of avian influenza and not increased industrialized global poultry industry getting billions of birds ready for holiday markets in Europe and then in Jan/Feb for Chinese New year and Tet celebrations. When billions of birds are brought together, nature senses over populations and birds are stressed due to overcrowding thus viruses are re-created to balance the system and billions of birds are more vulnerable to disease. This has always been the way influenza strikes first birds, then pigs, horses and humans. But with a globalized industrial market, the disease factory is now in process year round and the chase for more profits increases chances of more deadly viruses. Duh? Wild birds do catch the influenza from produced birds which are housed in the open or from their waste that is used as fertilizer or added to fish farms to aid growing of fish food. Someday, maybe before we are all dead from a flu we cannot respond to quickly enough, some greedy poultry farmer will suggest killing all wild birds – which will do nothing but advance our own demise.

 

EFSA is assessing the current situation on the H5N8 avian influenza A virus in Europe and the world, following an urgent request from the European Commission. Experts are focussing on the possible entry routes of the virus into Europe- in particular on the role of wild birds.

The highly contagious avian influenza virus has recently been detected in three European countries: in a turkey holding in Germany; three chicken holdings in the Netherlands and in a duck breeding holding in the United Kingdom.

The flu viruses found in the EU are similar to one that affected poultry flocks in South Korea earlier this year. To date, there are no recorded cases of humans contracting the H5N8 virus.

EFSA’s role is to provide EU risk managers with independent scientific advice and assistance on animal health and welfare related to avian influenza and any possible food safety issues.

In previous risk assessments EFSA provided information on the risks of influenza viruses entering and spreading amongst poultry in Europe and made recommendations to prevent existing risks. EFSA experts also concluded that there is no scientific evidence that avian influenza can be transmitted to humans through consumption of food.

The scientific report will be delivered in early December 2014.

via Avian flu: urgent request for scientific advice – EIN News.

ZEN PENCILS » 166. PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY: Ozymandias

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was an English poet. Ozymandias is Shelley’s most famous poem and was the result of a friendly competition between him and fellow poet Horace Smith. They often would have a poetry battle where a topic was chosen and they would only have 15 minutes to finish a sonnet. You can compare Shelley’s and Smith’s poems on Wikipedia and read an extensive history of the poem in this article by The Economist.

Ozymandias enjoyed a boost in popularity last year after it was used as the title for one of the final episodes of Breaking Bad. In this promo, Bryan Cranston ominously recites the poem in character as Walter White, king of meth dealers.

via ZEN PENCILS » 166. PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY: Ozymandias.

Here’s How To Find A Ferguson Protest In Your Area

Brown’s family has called for peaceful protests, though anger over the news that there would be no charges for Wilson has sparked destructive demonstrations.

Over the next few days, a number of other protests, memorials and vigils have been planned in cities across the country. Check below to see if there’s an event near you. This map will be updated as protests continue.

via Here’s How To Find A Ferguson Protest In Your Area.

21 Photos And Videos That Tell The Story Of Los Angeles’ Ferguson Protests Last Night: LAist

After a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri made the decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of the unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, protests sprung up from coast to coast.

In Los Angeles, there were scattered marches that roved through Beverly Hills, the Miracle Mile, downtown and South Los Angeles until 3:30 a.m., blocking traffic and even freeways. In Los Angeles, there wasn’t the looting or fires like the epicenter of the protests in Ferguson (or like the 1992 Rodney King riots that weren’t far from anyone’s mind). However, police did fire non-lethal weapons into crowds to disperse them. NBC Los Angeles reports that altogether three protesters were arrested, though there was little information about the arrests.

One group marched onto the 110 Freeway at Pico around 11:30 p.m. That’s where protesters were met with non-lethal fire from LAPD:

via 21 Photos And Videos That Tell The Story Of Los Angeles’ Ferguson Protests Last Night: LAist.