Once Banned, Tiny Turtles Could Make a Comeback

 

According to MSNBC, a once popular pet is making a comeback after being banned in 1975 by the Food and Drug Administration. In the 1960’s and early 1970’s, the “it” pet to have was a red-eared slider.  A red-eared slider is a small turtle with a dark green shell, striped legs, and is marked with a red stripe behind the eye. The problem with this breed of tiny turtle is that the shell sheds salmonella. Kids become infected after putting the shells in their mouths or by licking their fingers after touching the turtles.

Salmonella poisoning causes headaches, vomiting, joint aches, diarrhea, and even death. Before the FDA ban in 1975, there were an estimated 100,000 cases of salmonella poisoning due to the little turtles, says Steven Sundlof, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Since the ban, that number has decreased by about a quarter.

There are some who are fighting to have the ban lifted. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is using her power to try and get the ban lifted. Landrieu argues that the new technologies developed in her home state make the small turtles safer to keep as pets. Landrieu has introduced an amendment to the FDA Revitalization Act to once again permit the sale of the tiny turtles.

Technology developed at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, called the Siebeling Method, disinfects turtle eggs resulting in the baby turtles to emerge free of salmonella. The amendment requires states which raise the turtles, primarily Louisiana and Mississippi, to issue a certificate of sanitization signed by a federally certified veterinarian. Landrieu says that this will help to ensure that turtles offered for sale have been treated by the Siebeling Method or an equivalent method.

The senate has already passed a bill containing Landrieu’s amendment. When asked if she believes House will vote in favor of her amendment, Landrieu says, “I think we have a pretty good chance.”

There are still some problems with having these small turtles as pets. The Siebeling Method does not fully solve the salmonella issue. The turtles continue to shed salmonella throughout their lives, regardless of treatment.

“The bacteria is in their intestinal tract. Sometimes they shed it, sometimes they don’t, so its not easy to tell when the animals are perfectly salmonella-free even following treatment, ” Sundlof says.

Veterinarians feel that most people are not prepared to care for the tiny turtles in the long-term. Red-eared sliders can grow to be 10-12 inches long and are able to live for 50-70 years if given the proper care.  Continue reading here.

Fourth of July Tip: Flag Etiquette

July 4, 2007 is America’s 231^st birthday. The fourth of July is celebrated as the day of independence, or Independence Day. Independence Day celebrates the signing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which occurred on July 4, 1776.

The 4^th of July is a time for fireworks, parades, picnics, beer, “bombs bursting in air” and the red, white and blue. The American flag is a common fixture utilized in celebration of Independence Day.

Did you know there are rules to follow in order to correctly display the American flag? Here are some etiquette tips and guidelines to follow when displaying the flag.  Read the tips here.

Movie Review: Michael Moore’s “SiCKO”

Michael Moore has a secret to share with U.S. citizens. The executives who control the health care industry don’t actually care about the health of American citizens.

In Moore’s latest documentary, “SiCKO” he utilizes the personal stories of insured Americans who wound up in financial ruin due to outrageous medical bills because their health care providers refused coverage. The most tragic stories show how insured Americans died after being denied health care through their very own insurance companies. Viewers will see a teary-eyed mother who tells the story of how her young daughter died because her HMO refused to pay for services at one hospital, resulting in the little girl getting denied emergency care and was then transported to another hospital that is endorsed by Kaiser Permanente, her HMO, just in time for the little girl to pass away upon arriving at the second hospital where she was to finally receive emergency care. An equally heartbreaking story is told by the wife of a man who died because his insurance provider would not cover the bone marrow transplant needed to save his life. There is a hair-raising sequence where an L.A. hospital dumps a dazed patient at a homeless shelter because her health insurance reached its cap.  Continue reading the review here.

Legislature Protects Doctors Against Prescribing Birth Control, Emergency Contraception or Performing Abortions

Even under the most normal circumstances, it can be uncomfortable for a woman to talk about sex and contraception prevention with her doctor.

Try to imagine what it must be like for a woman who has just been raped to have to drive herself to the hospital, undergo a painful pelvic exam, and then be told by the doctor that he will not prescribe the morning after pill for her even though she is requesting it. Why? The doctor says it is against his religious beliefs.

This is exactly what happened to Lori Boyer. Boyer, 35, and a man that she knew went to his home to hang out together. Instead, when they got inside the house, Boyer was assaulted by the man. He viciously threw her onto his bed and then told Boyer in a toneless manner afterward, “I’m done with you.” Boyer grabbed her clothes and ran to her car. Even after this violent attack, Boyer possessed enough clarity to drive to the nearest emergency room and ask for a rape kit and to talk to a sexual assault counselor.

Boyer grimaced though a pelvic exam as she was bruised and in pain. As Boyer watched the doctor, Martin Gish, M.D., who examined her make some notations on a chart, she thought of some advice that the rape counselor had given her earlier.

“I need the morning after pill,” Boyer told the doctor.

Dr. Gish, the trim, middle-aged man with slightly graying hair looked at Boyer in what she deems as an aloof manner and replied, “No,” very abruptly. The doctor told her that he couldn’t do that and then just went back to his writing. Continue reading here.

Girl with Non-Stop Hiccups Goes Missing

According to the Associated Press, Jennifer Mee, the 15 year old girl with the endless case of hiccups has gone missing. Police reports are indicating that the teen has run away from home.

This is 15 year old Jennifer Mee on TODAY on March 2.

Mee’s hiccup story made international headlines earlier this year.

Jennifer Mee’s struggle with constant hiccups, occurring up to 50 times a minute and lasting for over five consecutive weeks, made her a newsworthy story. Mee was headline news, featured on morning talk shows, and became an internet sensation because of her case of hiccups. The hiccups stopped for a while, but then started again forcing Mee out of school.

Jennifer Mee was last seen by her sister at a park in north St. Petersburg on Sunday evening, according to police spokesman George Kajtsa. Jennifer’s mother, Rachel Robidoux, reported the hiccupping teen missing about eleven hours later. Continue reading here.

Latest Tacky Celebrity Trend: Divorce Parties

(Picture: Shanna Moakler’s divorce party cake features a knife-wielding blonde and a bloody groom.)

I keep hearing about these big, blowout bashes that celebrate being single…again. They are divorce parties. Divorce parties have been gaining popularity with more celebrities selling out clubs and promoting parties in the name of their divorces.

Former Miss USA and reality show star, Shanna Moakler, held a divorce party at Las Vegas nightclub Light at the Bellagio back in November. Moakler had not yet finalized her divorce from Travis Barker, former drummer of Blink 182. Moakler and Barker have two children together and Moakler also has a daughter from a previous relationship. Like all great parties, there was a cake. The three-tiered cake featured a miniature knife-wielding blonde in a wedding dress on top, with a trail of blood leading to a tiny groom sprawled at the bottom. Moakler stated, “I’m really doing it for myself to have closure and celebrate being single again and start a new chapter in my life.” In the end, Moakler went through with the party, but not the divorce. Moakler and Barker reconciled and are still together.

Danny Bonaduce, the redheaded former “Partridge Family” member, recently held his official divorce party at the Key Club in Hollywood. The not-yet divorced Bonaduce and his wife, Gretchen, have been married since 1990 and have two children together, a twelve year old daughter and a six year old son. Gretchen had been urging Bonaduce to get clean and sober for years and informed him that she would be filing for divorce in April. At his divorce party, Bonaduce stripped down into teeny-tiny mankini bottoms and performed a lap dance for a young woman who happened to be onstage with him. Then he picked the young woman up and put her on his shoulders and they disappeared offstage. Continue reading here.

(Picture: Danny Bonaduce strips down to his mankini and gives some poor woman a lap dance at his divorce party. How many woman are happy this guy is now single? *Cringe*)

Paris Hilton Dominates the News, But Let’s Remember the Words of Intelligent Women

Paris Hilton is getting far too much media attention, for no real reason. In a nutshell: she got a DUI, acted flip about the charge and drove her Bentley even though her license was suspended, got caught, placed the blame on her publicist for not supposedly not explaining to her that she isn’t supposed to drive, was sentenced to serve some jail time, whined about that, went to jail for a few days, got sprung out of jail, got ordered back to court, and was then told to go back to jail.

The news of Paris going in and out of jail has clogged up all of the national and local television channels. Let us try to keep in mind that there are women in the world that deserve to have their story told because they could actually make a positive impact upon the world with their profound thoughts. In the spirit of celebrating women who have utilized their intellect to make a difference in the world, here are some brilliant quotes from some extraordinary women.  Continue reading here.

Red, White and Blue Themed 4th of July Desserts and Treats

If you are having a 4^th of July party, or even just attending one, you may need some ideas for desserts or treats with the holiday theme. These desserts are all easy to make and the ingredients are all very inexpensive.  See dessert recipes here.

 

Need a Way to Keep Your Wine Glass Steady at the Beach? Steady Sticks for Your Wine Glasses and Bottle

You are on a white, sandy beach. The rays of sun are tanning you and also somehow manage to fill you with a happiness that could not possibly be accomplished by sitting on a snowy mountaintop.

The waves keep rolling in at an almost hypnotic rate. Each breath you take fills your nostrils with the sweet, seductive smell of coconut lotion. You have your sunscreen on, music playing, and good books to read.

There is still a void to be filled. Something is missing. What is it? The weather is perfect. The water is the most tranquil shade of blue that you have ever seen. It isn’t time to re-apply the sunscreen yet. The CD player is still going and the music is both relaxing and fun. You have got both classic literature and a trashy novel in your beach tote. Either book will provide you with enjoyment; whether it is naughty or nice will be up to you.

You have a thirst. The thirst is not that unquenchable, cottonmouth kind of thirst. It is a craving. This day at the beach is borderline perfection and it needs to be toasted. You can’t toast this day with a diet coke or bottled water that can be bought from a vendor. This day needs to be toasted and sipped slowly. The only beverage that will do this day justice is your favorite wine. Who doesn’t love to eat and drink with friends while you soak up some fun under the sun? Or is it that you soak up the sun while having fun?

This is where a small problem presents itself on your magical day. Drinking your wine straight out of the bottle is not an option. You can’t bring yourself to doing something so devoid of class. That action would degrade both you and your delicious, crisp white wine (or your dry, rich red wine). How does one safely balance a delicate glass of wine on the sand?

Here is what you’ve been waiting for. The answer lies in the ingenuous Steady Sticks bottle and wine glass holders.  Find more information about Steady Sticks here.

Dr. Oz’s Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Oprah calls him “America’s favorite doctor”. Dr. Mehmet Oz has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show numerous times and due to the success of those appearances, he now shows up on the show at least once a month to answer the questions that we all have about our bodies.

Dr. Oz is perhaps the most accomplished and respected cardiothoracic surgeon in the United States. Born in Cleveland, OH to Turkish parents, he works at Columbia University New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; he also holds an MBA from Wharton School of Business at Penn. The kind and remarkable doctor operates on some 400 patients a year, is a Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University, director of Cardiovascular Institute at Columbia Presbyterian, directs the Heart Assist Device Program and is the founder of the Complimentary Medicine Program.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Dr. Oz would much rather help you prevent heart disease than perform an operation on you. Here are 5 tips that Dr. Oz says will help you decrease your risk of having a heart attack. Read the five important tips here.