WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.government had nothing to do with a film about the Prophet Mohammad that has triggered anti-American protests in Muslim countries, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday.
The film, apparently produced in the United States, sparked an attack on a U.S. mission in Libya on Tuesday that killed the ambassador and three other Americans. Clips posted on the Internet show an amateurish production portraying the Prophet Mohammad as a womanizer, a homosexual and a child abuser.
"The United States government had absolutely nothing to do with this video. We absolutely reject its content and message," Clinton said at the start of talks with senior Moroccan officials in Washington.
"To us, to me personally, this video is disgusting and reprehensible. It appears to have a deeply cynical purpose: to denigrate a great religion and to provoke rage."
For many Muslims, any depiction of the Prophet is blasphemous. Caricatures or other characterizations deemed insulting in the past have provoked protests and drawn condemnations from officials, preachers, ordinary Muslims and many Christians in the Middle East.
While distancing the U.S. government from the film, Clinton noted the history of religious tolerance in the United States and its commitment to freedom of speech and said there was no justification for people to respond with violence.
"I know it is hard for some people to understand why the United States cannot or does not just prevent these kinds of reprehensible videos from ever seeing the light of day," she said. "I would note that in today's world, with today's technologies, that is virtually impossible.
"But even if it were possible our country does have a long tradition of free expression which is enshrined in our constitution and our law. And we do not stop individual citizens from expressing their views no matter how distasteful they may be," she added.
"There are of course different views around the world about the outer limits of free speech and free expression. But there should be no debate about the simple proposition that violence in response to speech is not acceptable," Clinton said.
(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by David Brunnstrom)
Hi there! Wichita on the Cheap posts about free or inexpensive events, restaurant deals, shopping coupons, and more each day. To make sure you don't miss a thing, please Subscribe by Email. (It's free, of course.) Thanks for visiting!
Two daily deals in Wichita today will put a song in your heart. Get half-price music lessons at Senseney Music with a Groupon or from Vance Music with a Living Social deal.
At Groupon, choose from $46 for a month or $135 for three months of once-per-week music lessons at Senseney Music. There are 5 days left to buy the Groupon unless it sells out, and it must be redeemed by March 2013. Each lesson is 30 minutes. Senseney music is located at 2300 E Lincoln St. in Wichita. To see all the details about this Groupon or to ask a question, click on the link above.
Living Social also offers a half-price music lesson deal today that might be better for west-siders. Choose either four ($29) or eight ($49) once-weekly private music lessons at Vance Music. There are only three days to purchase this deal before it goes away, but you?ll have until January 18, 2013 to redeem it for full value. Vance Music is located at 1508 W. 19th Street N. in Wichita. For more information about the deal, visit the Living Social website by clicking on the link above.
'Pink Lemonade,' 'Razz,' 'Sweetheart,' and 'Cara's Choice': superb blueberries from ARSPublic release date: 13-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Marcia Wood marcia.wood@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1662 United States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics
This press release is available in Spanish.
That interesting shrub growing in a neighbor's front yard may actually be exactly what you think it is--a somewhat unusual ornamental that produces pink blueberries. These berries not only look pretty, but they're tasty, too, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist Mark K. Ehlenfeldt.
As a plant geneticist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Chatsworth, N.J., Ehlenfeldt has either developed, or helped develop, a dozen new varieties of blueberries, including "Pink Lemonade."
Although not a first of its kind, "Pink Lemonade" is likely America's most popular pink blueberry. In 1991, Ehlenfeldt chose the parent plants that later yielded today's "Pink Lemonade." Results from his test plots in New Jersey and findings from West Coast evaluations by ARS plant geneticist Chad E. Finn in Corvallis, Ore., led to the decision to officially "release" this blueberry as what is known as a numbered selection (specifically, ARS 96-138) in 2005, and, in 2007, to name it "Pink Lemonade."
After a new kind, or variety, of plant has been thoroughly tested, "releasing" it typically involves giving it a name, describing its pedigree and other features in a release notice (somewhat like a botanical birth announcement), and making it available to one or more suppliers of foundation plant materials so that commercial nurseries can buy and propagate it for wholesale or retail sale.
"Razz," another stellar blueberry from the Chatsworth program, offers a flavorful surprise: It tastes quite a bit like a raspberry. "Razz" was bred by USDA's first blueberry breeder, Frederick W. Coville, in 1934, and was chosen for further study during the next decade by USDA and university researchers. Originally regarded as too unusual for its time, "Razz" was later rediscovered, newly tested, then officially released last year.
"Sweetheart" is a beginning and end-of-season treat. It produces firm, delectable, medium- to medium-large berries in mid- to late-June, and will also produce a small crop of new berries months later, if the autumn is mild. Ehlenfeldt named and released "Sweetheart" in 2010.
Some blueberry fans regard "Cara's Choice" as the best blueberry they have ever tasted. Ehlenfeldt describes it as a very sweet, medium-sized berry that has a pleasant aroma. This berry can be allowed to remain on the plant for several weeks after ripening. It will continue to sweeten, while enabling growers to extend their harvests over a longer period of time.
Former USDA blueberry researcher Arlen D. Draper selected the parents for "Cara's Choice." Evaluations by Draper, Ehlenfeldt, and others led to release of "Cara's Choice" in 2000.
###
Read more about these berries in the current issue of Agricultural Research magazine and in release notices posted at http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=1556.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep12/lemonade0912.htm
ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
'Pink Lemonade,' 'Razz,' 'Sweetheart,' and 'Cara's Choice': superb blueberries from ARSPublic release date: 13-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Marcia Wood marcia.wood@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1662 United States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics
This press release is available in Spanish.
That interesting shrub growing in a neighbor's front yard may actually be exactly what you think it is--a somewhat unusual ornamental that produces pink blueberries. These berries not only look pretty, but they're tasty, too, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist Mark K. Ehlenfeldt.
As a plant geneticist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Chatsworth, N.J., Ehlenfeldt has either developed, or helped develop, a dozen new varieties of blueberries, including "Pink Lemonade."
Although not a first of its kind, "Pink Lemonade" is likely America's most popular pink blueberry. In 1991, Ehlenfeldt chose the parent plants that later yielded today's "Pink Lemonade." Results from his test plots in New Jersey and findings from West Coast evaluations by ARS plant geneticist Chad E. Finn in Corvallis, Ore., led to the decision to officially "release" this blueberry as what is known as a numbered selection (specifically, ARS 96-138) in 2005, and, in 2007, to name it "Pink Lemonade."
After a new kind, or variety, of plant has been thoroughly tested, "releasing" it typically involves giving it a name, describing its pedigree and other features in a release notice (somewhat like a botanical birth announcement), and making it available to one or more suppliers of foundation plant materials so that commercial nurseries can buy and propagate it for wholesale or retail sale.
"Razz," another stellar blueberry from the Chatsworth program, offers a flavorful surprise: It tastes quite a bit like a raspberry. "Razz" was bred by USDA's first blueberry breeder, Frederick W. Coville, in 1934, and was chosen for further study during the next decade by USDA and university researchers. Originally regarded as too unusual for its time, "Razz" was later rediscovered, newly tested, then officially released last year.
"Sweetheart" is a beginning and end-of-season treat. It produces firm, delectable, medium- to medium-large berries in mid- to late-June, and will also produce a small crop of new berries months later, if the autumn is mild. Ehlenfeldt named and released "Sweetheart" in 2010.
Some blueberry fans regard "Cara's Choice" as the best blueberry they have ever tasted. Ehlenfeldt describes it as a very sweet, medium-sized berry that has a pleasant aroma. This berry can be allowed to remain on the plant for several weeks after ripening. It will continue to sweeten, while enabling growers to extend their harvests over a longer period of time.
Former USDA blueberry researcher Arlen D. Draper selected the parents for "Cara's Choice." Evaluations by Draper, Ehlenfeldt, and others led to release of "Cara's Choice" in 2000.
###
Read more about these berries in the current issue of Agricultural Research magazine and in release notices posted at http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=1556.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep12/lemonade0912.htm
ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
While the iPhone 5 rumors were popping, I couldn't help think this was just some kind of stretched out iPhone 4S. During the keynote presentation, I was impressed by the features but couldn't help continuing on this path: Would it just be the same?
First pediatric study to look at the role of vitamin D in critical illnessPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Adrienne Vienneau avienneau@cheo.on.ca 613-737-7600 x4144 Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
OTTAWA, Canada, September 12, 2012Vitamin D is increasingly being recognized as important for good health. Vitamin D is a hormone made in the skin following sun exposure or acquired from diet and supplement intake. Previous medical research has shown that low body levels of vitamin D make people more susceptible to problems such as bone fractures, poor mental health and infections like the common cold. Until recently, there had been little consideration given to the role of vitamin D in more severe diseases, which is why Dr. Dayre McNally's recent publication in the esteemed scientific journal Pediatrics is so compelling.
"This is the first study to report on vitamin D levels in a large group of critically ill children," said Dr. McNally, a clinical researcher and intensivist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa.
The study, led by Dr. McNally at the CHEO Research Institute, included over 300 children and teenagers at six hospitals in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Vancouver. These children were admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe infections, significant trauma or conditions requiring major surgery, such as congenital heart defects.
Their study found that in three of every four critically ill children, blood vitamin D levels were below the target considered safe by many experts and medical societies. Further, those with lower vitamin D levels were noted to be sicker, requiring more life-sustaining therapies (breathing tubes, medications to support heart function) and staying in the ICU for longer periods of time.
"Although these findings are of concern, we are very encouraged because we've discovered something that is modifiable," explained Dr. McNally. "There are simple ways to prevent this problem, and it may be possible to rapidly restore vitamin D levels at the time of severe illness."
###
This study was conducted by Dr. Dayre McNally, Dr. Kusum Menon, Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty, Lawrence Fisher, Kathryn Williams, Dr. Osama Al-Dirbashi and Dr. Dermot Doherty. It was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CHEO Research Institute.
About the CHEO Research Institute:
Established in 1984, the CHEO Research Institute coordinates the research activities of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and is one of the institutes associated with the University of Ottawa Teaching Hospitals. The Research Institute brings together health professionals from within CHEO to share their efforts in solving pediatric health problems. It also promotes collaborative research outside the hospital with partners from the immediate community, industry and the international scientific world. For more information, please visit www.cheori.org.
About the University of Ottawa:
The University of Ottawa is committed to research excellence and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world. The University is an important stakeholder in the National Capital Region's economic development.
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?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
First pediatric study to look at the role of vitamin D in critical illnessPublic release date: 12-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Adrienne Vienneau avienneau@cheo.on.ca 613-737-7600 x4144 Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
OTTAWA, Canada, September 12, 2012Vitamin D is increasingly being recognized as important for good health. Vitamin D is a hormone made in the skin following sun exposure or acquired from diet and supplement intake. Previous medical research has shown that low body levels of vitamin D make people more susceptible to problems such as bone fractures, poor mental health and infections like the common cold. Until recently, there had been little consideration given to the role of vitamin D in more severe diseases, which is why Dr. Dayre McNally's recent publication in the esteemed scientific journal Pediatrics is so compelling.
"This is the first study to report on vitamin D levels in a large group of critically ill children," said Dr. McNally, a clinical researcher and intensivist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa.
The study, led by Dr. McNally at the CHEO Research Institute, included over 300 children and teenagers at six hospitals in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Vancouver. These children were admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe infections, significant trauma or conditions requiring major surgery, such as congenital heart defects.
Their study found that in three of every four critically ill children, blood vitamin D levels were below the target considered safe by many experts and medical societies. Further, those with lower vitamin D levels were noted to be sicker, requiring more life-sustaining therapies (breathing tubes, medications to support heart function) and staying in the ICU for longer periods of time.
"Although these findings are of concern, we are very encouraged because we've discovered something that is modifiable," explained Dr. McNally. "There are simple ways to prevent this problem, and it may be possible to rapidly restore vitamin D levels at the time of severe illness."
###
This study was conducted by Dr. Dayre McNally, Dr. Kusum Menon, Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty, Lawrence Fisher, Kathryn Williams, Dr. Osama Al-Dirbashi and Dr. Dermot Doherty. It was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CHEO Research Institute.
About the CHEO Research Institute:
Established in 1984, the CHEO Research Institute coordinates the research activities of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and is one of the institutes associated with the University of Ottawa Teaching Hospitals. The Research Institute brings together health professionals from within CHEO to share their efforts in solving pediatric health problems. It also promotes collaborative research outside the hospital with partners from the immediate community, industry and the international scientific world. For more information, please visit www.cheori.org.
About the University of Ottawa:
The University of Ottawa is committed to research excellence and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world. The University is an important stakeholder in the National Capital Region's economic development.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
In 1964, a medical paper demonstrated that asbestos causes lung cancer and mesothelioma. Some indication of asbestos-related health problems has existed since the 1920s. Some historians believe there were concerns even before this time.
Even though certain people knew the dangers of asbestos before the public did, manufacturers continued to distribute the material without proper warnings and instructions. Workers in some industries continued to be exposed to asbestos without proper protection.
The first US lawsuit involving asbestos diseases occurred in the early 1970s. Clarence Borel worked in asbestos job sites for decades beginning in the mid-1930s. In the late 1960s he was diagnosed with severe asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos fibers. He received some compensation through a workers' compensation claim, but later went to an attorney to pursue more compensation to help pay for his medical bills and costs of living.
Although Borel died of mesothelioma before the case was resolved, the case was eventually decided in his favor in the early '70s. This landmark case demonstrated that asbestos manufacturers can be held liable for the diseases caused by the material. The court had determined that the manufacturers knew how dangerous asbestos was, but did not provide proper warnings and instructions.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland or anywhere in the nation, please contact the Law Office of Matthew E. Kiely, LLC, to schedule a free initial consultation.
At Groupon, choose from $46 for a month or $135 for three months of once-per-week music lessons at Senseney Music. There are 5 days left to buy the Groupon unless it sells out, and it must be redeemed by March 2013. Each lesson is 30 minutes. Senseney music is located at 2300 E Lincoln St. in Wichita. To see all the details about this Groupon or to ask a question, click on the link above.
Living Social also offers a half-price music lesson deal today that might be better for west-siders. Choose either four ($29) or eight ($49) once-weekly private music lessons at Vance Music
. There are only three days to purchase this deal before it goes away, but you?ll have until January 18, 2013 to redeem it for full value. Vance Music is located at 1508 W. 19th Street N. in Wichita. For more information about the deal, visit the Living Social website by clicking on the link above.![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vh5BMReQkm26rXdY0EopeN3RsXvNxwjE1jNGEWP1L9F9ArAGQdBmVlbeaOhd6JJGFZ-ZJtN423_ZTXdPUIfQ5Jce45VwsvJ4dz3afj0rk=s0-d){kind=small}
Public release date: 13-Sep-2012
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