Miscellany
Some stories you might have missed.
Last week there was yet another example of how the government wastes your hard-earned. Some yahoos put together an image of what Osama Bin Laden might look like ten years after we last saw him. Even if you don't realize that he was likely killed in the Tora Bora bombings in December of 2001, surely the possible differences in his appearance are legion. But now it turns out that the FBI, which made the new composite photo, used one off the Internet. Of a real person. A Spanish legislator, of all people.
A 30-year-old homeless man accused of five apparently-random stabbing attacks on people he didn't know has been term "mentally competent to assist his lawyer." This means, to the considerable pleasure of the district attorney, that they will be able to try him on four counts of attempted murder and other charges. Puh-flippin'-leeze, the guy is obviously a whack job, and the psychologist who found him otherwise should lose her license to practice. People who go around stabbing strangers on buses aren't mentally competent.
The FDA is going to spend $30 million over the next 18 to 24 months to study BPA. The substance, which is used in many plastics, including baby bottles and formula containers, is thought to be harmful by consumer advocates. They had been expecting a ban but instead, another study. A clue to whether that new study is really necessary is the fact that the six largest manufacturers, who produce 90% of baby bottles in the United States, have already removed BPA from the products they sell in this country.
Finally, as noted in a Gail Collins essay, the overwhelming percentage of gun owners are far more sensible than the NRA. Some 70% of their membership believe buyers at gun shows should have to go through a background check. It’s long past time for the NRA to wake up.
©2010 SetonnoteS
.