In the news...

Bizarre:

NOVA SCOTIA'S 'COFFEE COWBOY' TO STAND TRIAL
A Nova Scotia man who was arrested after riding his horse through a coffee shop drive-thru will stand trial after withdrawing his guilty plea.
FULL STORY:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/07/22/Cowboy-coffee-050722.html

I wear mine with socks:

FASHION FINDS FIX FOR HEALTH RISKS OF SANDALS
A trendy pair of sandals can exact a painful price, but summer fashion victims seem to be willing to pay it.
FULL STORY:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/07/22/sandals050722.html

This has me upset:

DIABETES GROUPS WORRY ABOUT LOOMING LACK OF INSULIN OPTIONS
Some Canadians with diabetes are calling on the federal government to guarantee supplies of animal-based insulin, saying they face potentially fatal consequences if they can't get it.
FULL STORY:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/07/22/insulin-animal050722.html

It reminds me of a conversation I had with two of my American coworkers, who seemed to think that universal healthcare was a bad thing. Their opinion was that "some people wanted to live more than others"... ie that if you want health care, you'll find a way to pay for it. They considered those who couldn't pay for it were simply a drain on society. I know not all Americans think this way, but these two really had me pissed off.

Now here we have a situation where a drug company doesn't want to make a drug because they can't make money from it, but this is the only drug that works for some people. In my opinion, no one person is likely going to be able to raise enough money to convince the drug company to make this drug anyway. For profit companies have to think of profits and their bottom line. Government healthcare can focus on the good of the people. Perhaps we need a government run generic drug manufacturer too... one to step in in situations like this.

An interesting dilemma... wild bison are endangered, but the farmed ones are thriving... how to classify them?:

PLAINS BISON STAYS OFF ENDANGERED LIST
Although some experts say wild plains bison is a threatened species, they will not be added to the government's list of animals that are endangered, Ottawa has decided.
FULL STORY
http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_bison-20050722

Imagine being in prison for four years, with no charges laid, and no chance to defend yourself:

HUNGER STRIKE CONFIRMED AT GUANTANAMO BAY
At least 52 prisoners are taking part in a hunger strike at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the U.S. military has confirmed.
FULL STORY:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/07/22/Guantanamo-Bay-protest-050722.html