fitful wanderings from the web

From Make magazine: How to design and create things without a computer. It is wonderful that we have the technology we do today, but it is a shame that the cost is losing the true craftsman.

Some advantages to having your own water source. Exposure to fluoride can be hazardous to your health. One health researcher refers to fluoride into public water supplies as "...forced medication for the masses."

Borderline Families. "Stories from Families Affected by Loved Ones with BPD." A site developed by a mother to "...share the story of how we struggled with [my daughter's] illness while searching for help. I found that borderline is not only treatment-resistant but often misdiagnosed. I was frustrated by the unreliable treatments offered and the lack of discussion." The objective is to share useful knowledge and information with others.
     My question: how many mental disorders discovered in the late 20th century are really a result of our race's tendency to spread toxins into ourselves and our environment?

Biodegradable gel being studied as treatment for esophageal cancer. The investigational drug, called OncoGel, is made of two major components, the ReGel drug delivery system, which is a gel made up of ingredients used in biodegradable stitches, and paxclitaxel, a well established, FDA-approved anti-cancer chemotherapy agent. Patients receive a one-time injection of OncoGel during an endoscopy.

From Addicting Info: Bills Republicans have blocked from passing into law:

 • Anti-Rape Amendment - Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work for. Only Republican men voted against this.
 • Benefits for Homeless Veterans - Would have expanded benefits to homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children.
 • Health Care - Prevents insurance companies from discriminating against you on the basis of "pre-existing conditions".
 • Small business lending bill - would give LOCAL, community banks access to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses.
 • The Jobs Bill - Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that higher new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees.
 • Financial reform - Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing them from becoming "too big to fail". Curbs reckless spending practices that caused the banking crisis.
 • Political Ad disclosure bill - Would have required all donors to political campaigns to reveal themselves.
...Wait! There's more!

Insightful reportage from a FOX News affiliate: Disturbing discovery of crabs filled with black substance.
     ACTUAL QUOTES:
     "A pair of fishermen in Mississippi made an alarming discovery that has many wondering what's happening below the surface in the Gulf of Mexico. They found several full-sized crabs filled with some sort of black substance."
     FOX 8 News reporter, Shelley Brown asked: "This is where the crabs live, on the bottom?" "Correct," answered Ladner and Mayne."
     Ladner said he couldn't sell shrimp even if they wanted too. He said some of the largest processing facilities in the country say they just can't buy from him right now because they say the sentiment around the country is that this oil and dispersant mix is at the bottom and in our seafood.
     "We've seen a lot of large fish since this has happened that are dead on the beach. We're seeing large bones like on days that are low tides like tonight.. mammals, turtle bones," Hancock County Hazardous Material lead liaison Jesse Fineran said.
     Emergency managers want to know what's causing this"

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IMAGE SOURCES: 1- Cancer cell being attacked by the immune system Alternative Cancer.net; 2- FOX Affiliate Newscaster Shelly Brown FOX 8 LIVE, New Orleans, LA.