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Best Wishes To All for the New Year-It Can Only Get Better

Pilots are routinely screened for ALL forms of intoxication, as are several other professions considered to be safety=sensitive. Yes, possession and use of THC/CBD is now legal, but legal sales account for only 15/% of usage. Insofar as my knowledge is concerned, my credentials and work history qualify me to comment.

An inevitable part of the journey is the end.

I suggest that your view is based on decades-old data, where pot was 3-4% potency but now the stuff is 19-25% potency and has caused a lot of trouble for many people. You say that the matter is between the person and employer- would you be comfortable boarding an plane where the pilot was stoned? Whether or not it is more problematic than alcohol or opioids is irrelevant- THC has to stand on its own merits or liabilities. There is a vast difference between casual, recreational use and problematic use. What causes a problem is a problem.

A potential employer might. Safety-sensitive jobs (and a receiver is not one) require zero levels of MASes but for occasional users, no big deal. For heavier users, the problems of short-term memory impairment, reduced night-vision adaptability, emotional blunting and even induced psychosis (like what happened to Seth Rogan at the Adele concert) are possibilities. And then one regular-strength joint plus one beer in 20 minutes produces the same effect as a six-pack in the same length of time.

The Edsel bombed due to bad timing. Ford's market research in 1955 indicated a good market for an upscale luxury sedan, but in the 3-4 years it took at that time to develop a brand new car, the American economy tanked, and so did the Edsel.

Which does not make him a reliable athlete.

It is interesting that small, tech-poor Cuba has independently developed a vaccine that is as good as and perhaps a bit better that the vaccines developed by the big pharmaceutical companies, but the Russian and Chinese versions are worse.

Same old story- a lying Tory. If this had not become public, Schuyler would still be in cabinet. The only surprise in all this is that the knives have remained sheathed for as long as they did. If the PCs were riding high in the polls, this would not be an issue- they have self-inflicted wounds and need to find a scapegoat.

Texas team applauded for giving what Big Pharma refuses: A patent-free vaccine to the world A small team of Texas researchers is being hailed for developing an unpatented Covid-19 vaccine to share with the world without personal profit, with some advocates asking, if they can do it, why can't Big Pharma? Dubbed "the World's Covid vaccine," the inoculation—formally called Cobervax—is an open-source alternative to Big Pharma's patent-protected vaccines. Instead of being produced for profit, this shot could ultimately be manufactured around the world and made cheaply available to all without governmental or private legal retribution. Common Dreams reported this week that Cobervax—developed jointly by Texas Children's Hospital, Houston's Baylor College, and the Indian pharmaceutical company Biological E. Limited—was authorized for emergency use in India amid a surge in infections driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant. Texas Children's Hospital says the new vaccine is at least 90% effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and 80% or more effective against its Delta variant. "We're not trying to make money," Peter Hotez, who led the Texas Children's Hospital team, told The Washington Post. "We just want to see people get vaccinated." Texas team applauded for giving what Big Pharma refuses: A patent-free vaccine to the world - Alternet.org

Retired army general urges the US military to prepare for a possible ‘coup’ attempt in 2024 In a sobering op-ed published by the Washington Post on December 17, three retired U.S. Army generals — Paul D. Eaton, Antonio M. Taguba and Steven M. Anderson — warned that that if Republicans make another coup attempt following the 2024 presidential election, there could be a “potential for lethal chaos inside our military, which would put all Americans at severe risk.” Eaton discussed his worries with National Public Radio’s Mary Louise Kelly in an interview aired in late December. Kelly reports, “As the anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol approaches, three retired U.S. generals have warned that another insurrection could occur after the 2024 presidential election, and the military could instigate it.” The retired generals, in their Post op-ed, wrote, “We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time.” And Eaton didn’t sound any less worried when he spoke to Kelly for NPR. Kelly asked Eaton how a “coup” could “play out in 2024,” to which he responded, “The real question is, does everybody understand who the duly elected president is? If that is not a clear-cut understanding, that can infect the rank and file or at any level in the U.S. military. And we saw it when 124 retired generals and admirals signed a letter contesting the 2020 election. We're concerned about that. And we're interested in seeing mitigating measures applied to make sure that our military is better prepared for a contested election, should that happen in 2024.” Eaton went on to say that in the military, there is “a lot of war-gaming” in order to prepare for various “scenarios” and “ferret out what might happen.” One possible scenario to be concerned about in 2024, Eaton told Kelly, is “a U.S. military compromised” — and the U.S., according to Eaton, is in trouble when “39% of the Republican Party” is “refusing to accept President Biden as president.” The retired general told Kelly, “We advocate that that particular scenario needs to be addressed in a future war game held well in advance of 2024…. I just don't want the doubt that has compromised or infected the greater population of the United States to infect our military.” Retired army general urges the US military to prepare for a possible ‘coup’ attempt in 2024 - Alternet.org

Makes me wonder how some people survived the Stone Age.

U.S. Children Hospitalized With COVID In Near-Record Numbers SEATTLE (AP) — The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated. “It’s just so heartbreaking,” said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious-disease expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “It was hard enough last year, but now you know that you have a way to prevent all this.” During the week of Dec. 21-27, an average of 334 children 17 and under were admitted per day to hospitals with the coronavirus, a 58% increase from the week before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The previous peak over the course of the pandemic was in early September, when child hospitalizations averaged 342 per day, the CDC said. On a more hopeful note, children continue to represent a small percentage of those being hospitalized with COVID-19: An average of over 9,400 people of all ages were admitted per day during the same week in December. And many doctors say the youngsters coming in now seem less sick than those seen during the delta surge over the summer. Two months after vaccinations were approved for 5- to 11-year-olds, about 14% are fully protected, CDC data shows. The rate is higher for 12- to 17-year-olds, at about 53%. In other COVID news, there is some light at the end of this seemingly-endless tunnel. Saskatchewan has been reporting massive increases in test-positive results, but over the past week, their pandemic-related hospitalizations are actually down a bit. They are now going to reporting only the COVID hospital admissions and deaths. In Israel, they are debating whether to offer a second booster to vulnerable people and possibly to healthcare, law enforcement and penal system workers. But it is consistent with the PC philosophy of crippling the healthcare system so as to pave the way for increasing privatization.

WHAT??????

Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty on 5 of 6 counts in sex trafficking trial: report On the 18th day of Ghislaine Maxwell's trial for enticement of minors and sex trafficking of underage girls, the jury reached a verdict after nearly 40 hours of deliberations. Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was found on five of six counts, CNN and MSNBC reported Wednesday. “Preserving the innocence of children is among the most important responsibilities we carry as adults. Like Epstein, Ms. Maxwell chose to blatantly disregard the law and her responsibility as an adult, using whatever means she had at her disposal to lure vulnerable youth into behavior they should never have been exposed to, creating the potential for lasting harm," FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said when announcing the charges.

'Madness': Oklahoma bill would empower parents to remove books from school libraries A bill proposed by a Republican state senator in Oklahoma would empower parents to have books that discuss gender identity removed from public school libraries—a measure that rights advocates warned could have life-threatening consequences for LGBTQ+ children across the state. Under Senate Bill 1142, introduced earlier this month by state Sen. Rob Standridge, just one parent would have to object to a book that includes discussion of "sexual perversion, sex-based classifications, sexual identity, or gender identity" and other related themes in order to begin the process of removal. Upon receiving a written request to remove a book, a school district would have 30 days to eliminate all copies of the material from circulation. In a provision that appeared inspired by S.B. 8 in Texas—the law that deputizes any citizen and entitles them to a financial reward if they successfully sue someone for aiding a pregnant person in obtaining abortion care—parents will be able to collect $10,000 per day for as long as the book in question remains in library. 'Madness': Oklahoma bill would empower parents to remove books from school libraries - Alternet.org

Mourtada was so bad that I cannot see any reason to ask him to return. I would be far more comfortable in sending Legghio to the the US of A and have our previous kicker coach the snot out of him.

Blue Bombers sign eight players, including Canadian running back Kyle Borsa December 28, 2021 By 3Down Staff The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed eight players, including Canadian running back Kyle Borsa. Borsa was selected in the fifth round, 39th overall by the Bombers during the 2021 CFL Draft. He attended training camp with Winnipeg during the summer, but returned to the University of Regina for his final year of eligibility during the fall. The six-foot, 200-pound back spent his entire U Sports career with his hometown Rams. Borsa carried the ball 195 times for 1,037 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and seven majors along with 43 receptions for 436 yards and three touchdowns during 22 games with Regina. During his time with the program, he posted 2,773 all-purpose yards, including 1,300 yards as a returner, and 10 total touchdowns. The Bombers re-signed American defensive tackle Ricky Walker. The six-foot-two, 287-pound Walker played seven games for Winnipeg last season, recording eight tackles and one sack. The 25-year-old spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns prior to coming north of the border. Winnipeg also signed six players who ended the 2021 CFL season on the practice roster: American offensive lineman Jalen Burks, American kicker Ali Mourtada, American receiver Kelvin McKnight, American defensive back Demerio Houston, national linebacker Robbie Lowes and Global linebacker Les Maruo.

I cannot find the source of this information, but it appeared credible: even vaccinated patients receiving treatment for cancers have a 300% grater chance of morbidity or mortality than the general population if they contract any of the COVID viruses. Another good reason for these people to rigorously isolate and for others to both wear masks and keep their distances.

CDC Recommends Cutting 10-Day COVID Isolation Period In Half U.S. officials say the guidance is due to growing evidence that those with COVID-19 are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms . U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop. The decision also was driven by a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, propelled by the omicron variant. Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus. But the sheer number of people becoming infected — and therefore having to isolate or quarantine — threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say. CDC Recommends Cutting 10-Day COVID Isolation Period In Half | HuffPost Latest News

The double-vaccinated are barely protected from omicron — but those with boosters are in good shape= A UK study into omicron has alarming findings for the double-vaxxed — and good news for the triple-vaxxed Since the omicron variant was first discovered in the United States last month, many scientists have been fearful that the variants' many unique mutations compared to its peer variants (including delta) might make omicron more adept at evading existing vaccines. A new study validates those worries, but also provides a splash of hope for those who have received their booster shots. In the article in question, researchers from the Imperial College London COVID-19 response team found that vaccine effectiveness against omicron is between zero and 20 percent for those who have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. That effectiveness range, zero to 20 percent, may sound dismal. But for those who also received a booster shot, the findings for vaccine effectiveness against omicron were much, much rosier. Specifically, those who had received three shots — meaning the two-dose vaccination plus a booster shot — saw a vaccine effectiveness of between 55 percent and 80 percent against the omicron variant. The vast gulf between the two ranges suggests that a booster shot is crucial to protection against the omicron variant. The findings also reinforce the public statements of some public health experts, including former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who have stated that they believe the COVID-19 vaccine should be a three-dose, not a two-dose shot. Certainly, three-dose vaccines are not unusual; Cuba's COVID-19 vaccine, which has 92.4% efficacy, and the HPV vaccine, are both three-dose vaccines. The double-vaccinated are barely protected from omicron — but those with boosters are in good shape | Salon.com

You cannot challenge an emotional decision with logic. Its like using architecture to explain dance.

They could always go after Todd Krennbrink