FDA Plastic Decision ‘Creates a False Sense of Security’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 29, 2008 The chemical BPA is common in plastic products such as baby bottles and food containers, despite concerns among scientists and environmentalists about its safety. The FDA has defended BPA use and recently turned to an outside panel for backup. That group of scientists, however, ended up criticizing the agency's guidelines. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

AT&T, Microsoft Discuss Internet Filtering

Staff / Truthdig Jan 10, 2008 During a panel discussion at the annual consumer electronics show, representatives from NBC, Microsoft and AT&T made the case for filtering Internet content at the service provider level. The idea is to stop the movement of copyrighted material, but there is a large, scary implication: allowing the pipe owner to control what passes through. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Portugal’s New Fix for Drug Users

Staff / Truthdig Oct 8, 2007 Portugal is the latest European country to pick up on a growing trend of favoring therapy over jail for possession and use of small amounts of illegal drugs. Critics of the new law worry that Portugal will become a hot spot for foreign drug users, but supporters believe the law will shift the focus of the government's anti-drug efforts from users to traffickers and will give addicts a better chance to get clean. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Galactic Booze Cruise

Staff / Truthdig Jul 27, 2007 An independent panel set up by NASA to evaluate health issues at the agency has made an unexpected discovery: In at least two instances, astronauts were allowed to fly after drinking heavily, despite concern by doctors and colleagues. It's not clear whether the flights involved spacecraft or training jets. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Democrats to Boost Intelligence Oversight

Staff / Truthdig Dec 15, 2006 Incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that the Democrats plan to form a new House intelligence committee based on recommendations of the 9/11 commission. The panel would combine elements of the current intelligence and appropriations committees with the aim of achieving better oversight. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

E.J. Dionne Jr.: The End of Shake ‘n’ Bake Democracy

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Dec 8, 2006 The Iraq Study Group Report makes clear that you can't whip up a representative government by buying a cake mix or holding a single election and declaring victory. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Conservative Rabbis Issue Gay-Friendly Ruling

Staff / Truthdig Dec 7, 2006 A panel of Conservative rabbis has approved a relatively gay-friendly interpretation of Jewish law, paving the way for ordinations of gays and same-sex commitment ceremonies. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Baker Panel in the Hot Seat

Staff / Truthdig Nov 13, 2006 The Iraq Study Group, set to meet with the president on Monday, may offer more in the way of political cover than genuine solutions to the problems facing Iraq. According to Iraq experts familiar with the panel's work, many of its recommendations either have already been attempted or are unlikely to succeed. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Baker Panel to Urge Change

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2006 The panel of advisors tasked with investigating solutions to the quagmire in Iraq is set to recommend a major shift in policy. The group, headed by former Secretary of State James Baker, is likely to advocate troop withdrawals, and might even suggest inviting Iran and Syria to assist in Iraq's security. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obese Outnumber Starving People Globally

Staff / Truthdig Aug 15, 2006 The world now holds more than a billion overweight people and 800 million who are undernourished, a health expert told an international panel. A possible solution: subsidize fruits and vegetables, instead of fat-producing corn crops. Wanna learn more? Check out Truthdig's interview with food expert Michael Pollan. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Join Democracy Fest 2006!

Staff / Truthdig Jul 14, 2006 Shameless plug alert: Truthdig managing editor Blair Golson will be co-hosting a panel on alternative media at this weekend's DemocracyFest in San Diego. Tickets for the conference are going fast. Panelists and speakers include Howard Dean, Al Franken, comedian Marc Maron, Democratic strategist Dave Sirota and BuzzFlash Editor Mark Karlin. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Net Neutrality Gets Boost From House Panel

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2006 The panel recommended a version of the Net neutrality bill that would bar telecom companies from charging premium fees for Web companies that sell video and other content. This is far from a full victory, but it's a step in that direction. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )