August 31, 2005
New Orleans
By now, we've all seen the destruction wrought by Katrina.
My heart is heavy, knowing that our friends, neighbors and countrymen in New Orleans have been hammered.
Our family's prayers, and those of our neighbors, are with you.
Posted by ward at 08:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 28, 2005
Beware The Killer French Fries in California!
Yet another reason to be glad we left California. Hell, I'm embarassed to admit I'm from there.
Credits: Hat tip to Rob at GutRumbles. Source: AP via CNN
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Potato chips and french fries could soon come with a warning label in California if the state's top attorney prevails in a lawsuit filed Friday against nine fast food chains and snack-food makers.
Attorney General Bill Lockyer asked for a court order requiring McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Frito Lay and other companies to warn consumers that their fries and chips may contain acrylamide, a chemical the state says causes cancer. At least one of the companies disputes that, saying there is no evidence the substance is carcinogenic. ``In taking this action, I am not telling people to stop eating potato chips or french fries,'' Lockyer said. ``I know from personal experience that, while these snacks may not be a necessary part of a healthy diet, they sure taste good.'' Acrylamide, a byproduct of chemicals and high heat, has been found at low levels in several foods. The lawsuit focuses on french fries and chips because they have more acrylamide than other foods, according to the Attorney General's Office. Frito-Lay spokeswoman Lynn Markley said there was no scientific evidence that acrylamide causes cancer. She said it was counterproductive for the state to sue the companies when California regulators are setting standards for the chemical under Proposition 65, a state law that requires companies to notify the public about potentially dangerous toxins in food. When risk levels for acrylamide were added to Proposition 65 in 1990, the chemical was generally thought of as an industrial agent, used in food packaging and to treat sewage, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But in 2002, a Swedish National Food Authority study reported that acrylamide occurred naturally in some starch-rich foods as a result of cooking or heat processing. Other studies have found no link between foods containing acrylamide and a higher risk of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently assessing the chemical in food. Representatives of several other companies named in the lawsuit did not return calls for comment Friday. The lawsuit was filed after business hours in the Central and Eastern time zones, where the companies are located. Teresa Schilling, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said that if the lawsuit succeeds the office will want to discuss with the companies the size of the warning labels and where they would appear on packaging. ``We don't want the warning to be alarming or excessively large,'' she said. ``We want it to be simple and effective, and (we'll) be flexible about how it will work with each product.'' |
Posted by ward at 05:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 27, 2005
Great Job Search, Part XIV
When I last noted my job situation, I was working part-time at the (Small Governmental Organization). I started that in January. Now, the dudes in charge of the (Small Governmental Organization) have decided to eliminate the part-time job, in order to save the (Small Governmental Organization) some money. I understand that three other positions, all full-time, were eliminated as well.
This wasn't handled at all well.
My supervisor (the IT Manager) and I were called into the conference room and we were informed of the decision, to take effect that day. That was the first clue that anything odd was going on for either the IT Manager or myself.
The IT Manager, a very nice lady (and quite bright, and fully qualified to be an IT Manager, unlike some other folks I've seen as IT Managers - and yes, you know who you are, and yes, I'm still peeved) was blind-sided by this - she had no idea that it was coming down the road.
That was Wednesday.
There's a couple of things that are "real definite maybes", one IT related, one not.
We'll see.
Posted by ward at 05:31 PM | Comments (1)
New Home
Old Weird Ward has moved to his new home.
Over the next few days/weeks/months, I'll be moving stuff over here from oww.blogspot.com. When all is complete, I'll either delete OWW's old place, or archive it, or something.
Meanwhile, on with the show.
I'd especially like to thank Miss Zoot for setting me up with Movable Type and giving my wife the idea for a masthead. Further thanks to Mrs. OWW for persuading Miss Zoot to lend a hand, and for her work on setting up the templates and everything else you see on this page (she's still working on it). I should also mention that I, Old Weird Ward, had final say on the appearance of this place, so if it looks GawdAwful, It's my fault, not theirs.
More later...OWW
Posted by ward at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)