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Day By Day by Chris Muir
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Forensic Dentistry Watch: Teeth Reveal True Age
ABC News Online has Teeth and nuclear fallout reveal true age.
Forensic scientists are using tooth enamel and the fallout from nuclear tests in the 1950s to more precisely deduce the age of a person at the time of their death.
Professor Jonas Frisen from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, developed the method and said it had already been used to help identify people who died in the Indian Ocean tsunami last year.
US researchers are also offering to use the technique to determine the age of unidentified victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Until now, forensic scientists studied the skeleton and wear on the teeth to determine the age of a person, a system which was accurate to within about five to 10 years.
But by looking at the amount of radioactive carbon-14 in the tooth enamel, scientists can correctly predict a person’s age to within about 1.6 years.
Couple this method with DNA and have you have a two prong approach to identifying the victims of disaster or crimes.
Flap previously had The Value of Dental Records in Victim Identification.
But by looking at the amount of radioactive carbon-14 in the tooth enamel, scientists can correctly predict a person’s age to within about 1.6 years.
Tooth enamel is formed at distinct times during childhood and contains only 0.4 per cent carbon, so higher concentrations of carbon in teeth reflect the amount in the atmosphere when the enamel was formed.
When nuclear testing began in 1955, it increased the amounts of carbon-14 in the atmosphere.
Regardless of where the tests were done, the levels very quickly became uniform around the globe, so the technique can be used to determine the age of people around the world.
“It is a simple method to determine the age of an individual by measuring the level of the compound in teeth,” Professor Frisen said.
However, the technique does not work for individuals born before 1943 because their teeth were already formed by the time the nuclear tests began.
Professor Frisen, a cell biologist, and his colleagues were studying the age of cells in the body when they realised carbon-dating tooth enamel could help forensic scientists.
The researchers, who reported their findings in the science journal Nature, say using the technique is no more difficult than doing a blood test.
Technorati Tags: dentistry, dentist, dental, forensic odontology , DNA, carbon-14, enamel
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Second Run Likely
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he always ‘follows through,’ when asked if he plans to run for re-election, during a town hall-style meeting in Clovis, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005. When asked about his future, Schwarzenegger said that he is someone who follows through on things and that he will make his final decision known Friday during a visit to San Diego. Schwarzenegger talked to workers at Anlin Industries, urging them to vote for his special election intiatives.Flap previosuly had California Special Election Watch: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Kicks Off His Special Election Campaign. where Flap handicapped that the Governor would announce his intention to seek a second term in 2006 on Friday morning at the California Republican Convention in Anaheim.
Bet the farm! ALL IN!
Reuters has Schwarzenegger hints at second run for governor.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signaled on Wednesday that he would seek a second term as governor in what would already be his fifth major campaign since seeking the office in 2003.
The former Hollywood actor kicked off a series of campaign events this week ahead of a special election he has called for November on teacher pay, redistricting and the state budget. In an appearance before an invited audience in Clovis, California, he said he would announce on Friday whether he will seek a second term for governor starting in 2006.
“I’m not in this for the short term,” he told the crowd, strongly suggesting he would run again. “I believe strongly in follow-up.”
Flap will be at the weekend California Republican Convention blogging live and will cover Arnold’s Saturday luncheon speech.
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, California Republican Party
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page
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NHS Dentistry Watch: Do It Yourself Extraction
The United Kingdon’s socialized National Health Service gets the Dental Moron of the Day award.
Prestontoday.net has An unpleasant tooth.
A desperate grandfather tore a rotten tooth out of his own mouth with a pair of pliers after failing to get an appointment at his dental surgery.
Peter Atkinson was in so much agony he drank half a bottle of whisky to numb the pain before wrenching out the molar in his garden shed.
The 62-year-old businessman had tried repeatedly to get an appointment at his dentist with no luck … and when he asked for the emergency dentist’s number he was told it would not be given out until the surgery closed.
But he says his toothache was intolerable. He could not take the pain and in desperation dug out his toolbox. Today he criticised the chronic shortage of NHS dental appointments.
He said: “I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t eat, so I rang up my local dentist. He is a good guy, but he is snowed under and said I would have to wait until September 20 to be seen. I couldn’t manage with paracetamols.
“When I rang again the receptionist and she said she couldn’t do anything for me and that I would have to wait. I was in agony and told my wife Barbara I couldn’t cope with it. She was horrified when I told her my intentions. She begged me not to tear it out and said she would ring the emergency dentist.”
But the couple, who live on Lavender Way, Preesall, were told the staff were not allowed to give out the emergency dentist’s number until they had closed, because it is an out-of-hours service.
Peter, who runs a toy shop in Knott End, said: “I drank half a bottle of whisky and went down to my shed. I felt no pain at all and it barely bled. The tooth had worn away so much it was like a shark’s tooth.”What a bureaucratic nightmare.
Couldn’t the local dentist make room for an emergency appointment or was it that the patient was on the National Health Service (NHS) and he would be paid whether he sees him or not or paid less?
There seem to be a good number of these type of horror stories about the NHS coming out of Britain lately.
Technorati Tags: dentist, dentistry, dental, tooth, NHS, National Health Service
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Pledge of Allegiance Watch: Federal Judge Declares Pledge Unconstitutional – To Be Immediately Appealed
Update: The Becket Fund, a religious rights group that is a party to the case, said it would immediately appeal the case to the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If the court does not change its precedent, the group would go to the Supreme Court.
“It’s a way to get this issue to the Supreme Court for a final decision to be made,” said fund attorney Jared Leland.
The decisions by Karlton and the 9th Circuit conflict with an August opinion by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. That court upheld a Virginia law requiring public schools lead daily Pledge of Allegiance recitation, which is similar to the requirement in California.
A three-judge panel of that circuit ruled that the pledge is a patriotic exercise, not a religious affirmation similar to a prayer.
“Undoubtedly, the pledge contains a religious phrase, and it is demeaning to persons of any faith to assert that the words `under God’ contain no religious significance,” Judge Karen Williams wrote for the 4th Circuit. “The inclusion of those two words, however, does not alter the nature of the pledge as a patriotic activity.”
Karlton, appointed to the Sacramento bench in 1979 by President Carter, wrote that the case concerned “the ongoing struggle as to the role of religion in the civil life of this nation” and added that his opinion “will satisfy no one involved in that debate.”
Karlton dismissed claims that the 1954 Congressional legislation inserting the words “under God” was unconstitutional. If his ruling stands, he reasoned that the school children and their parents in the case would not be harmed by the phrase because they would no longer have to recite it at school.
It is surprising that Slow Joe Plagiarist Biden did not ask Judge Roberts today what his opinion is.
Nahhhh he will probably stay away from this one. He would not want to be viewed unpatriotic would he?
Flap knows how Chief Justice Roberts will rule on this stupid issue.
A Federal Judge has ruled today that “Under God”is unconstitutional in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A federal judge in San Francisco ruled this morning that it is unconstitutional for public school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, because of its reference to one nation “under God.”
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kartlon ruled he is bound by the precedent set by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Well, this case resurfaces again.
Flap handicaps the Supremes will hear this case (albeit in a few years) and certainly SLAP the 9th Circuit when they overturn it. As they should!
And folks wonder why appointments to the federal bench are SO important.
Karlton ruled in a lawsuit brought by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow on behalf of three families who are custodial parents of children who attend Northern California public schools and the students themselves.
Last year Newdow lost a similar attempt to have the pledge ruled unconstitutional when he sued on behalf of his daughter. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Newdow’s argument the pledge violated the First Amendment’s ban on establishing religion. The case was appealed and ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court, but the justices declined to rule, saying there was a question about whether Newdow had custody of his daughter. Newdow returned to the issue earlier this year representing families of public school children.
Stay Tuned.
Update #1
The ASSociated Press has this account Judge: School Pledge Is Unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge’s reference to one nation “under God” violates school children’s right to be “free from a coercive requirement to affirm God.”
Karlton said he was bound by precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in 2002 ruled in favor of Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools.
The Supreme Court dismissed the case last year, saying Newdow lacked standing because he did not have custody of his elementary school daughter he sued on behalf of.
Newdow, an attorney and a medical doctor, filed an identical case on behalf of three unnamed parents and their children. Karlton said those families have the right to sue.
Karlton, ruling in Sacramento, said he would sign a restraining order preventing the recitation of the pledge at the Elk Grove Unified, Rio Linda and Elverta Joint Elementary school districts, where the plaintiffs’ children attend.
Of course, the restraining order will be stayed but this issue will definitely be a HOT POLITICAL issue in California…..just in time for the November Special Election.
XRLQ has it right, Moron Judge of the Day: Lawrence Karlton
Hugh Hewitt has a solution, Calling for Justice McConnell?
Michelle Malkin has ONE NATION, UNDER ATHEISTIC INSANITY…
Technorati Tags: Pledge of Allegiance, Michael Newdow, Lawrence Karlton
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Judge John Roberts Watch: Biden Calls Roberts the BEST
Exclusive Drudge sources in the U.S. Senate’s Hart Building heard Democrat Sen. Joe Biden say to Judge John G. Roberts in a private conversation on the hearing room floor: ‘You’re the best I’ve ever seen before the committee’…
Coming from Slow JOE Plagiarist Biden this is …… well expected?
Senators just vote tomorrow.
The U.S. Supreme Court needs a Chief Justice and Judge Roberts in an outstanding candidate.
Technorati Tags: Supreme Court, George Bush, John Roberts, Joe Biden
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Pledge of Allegiance Watch: Federal Judge Declares Pledge Unconstitutional
A Federal Judge has ruled today that “Under God”is unconstitutional in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A federal judge in San Francisco ruled this morning that it is unconstitutional for public school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, because of its reference to one nation “under God.”
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kartlon ruled he is bound by the precedent set by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Well, this case resurfaces again.
Flap handicaps the Supremes will hear this case (albeit in a few years) and certainly SLAP the 9th Circuit when they overturn it. As they should!
And folks wonder why appointments to the federal bench are SO important.
Karlton ruled in a lawsuit brought by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow on behalf of three families who are custodial parents of children who attend Northern California public schools and the students themselves.
Last year Newdow lost a similar attempt to have the pledge ruled unconstitutional when he sued on behalf of his daughter. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Newdow’s argument the pledge violated the First Amendment’s ban on establishing religion. The case was appealed and ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court, but the justices declined to rule, saying there was a question about whether Newdow had custody of his daughter. Newdow returned to the issue earlier this year representing families of public school children.
Stay Tuned.
Update #1
The ASSociated Press has this account Judge: School Pledge Is Unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge’s reference to one nation “under God” violates school children’s right to be “free from a coercive requirement to affirm God.”
Karlton said he was bound by precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in 2002 ruled in favor of Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools.
The Supreme Court dismissed the case last year, saying Newdow lacked standing because he did not have custody of his elementary school daughter he sued on behalf of.
Newdow, an attorney and a medical doctor, filed an identical case on behalf of three unnamed parents and their children. Karlton said those families have the right to sue.
Karlton, ruling in Sacramento, said he would sign a restraining order preventing the recitation of the pledge at the Elk Grove Unified, Rio Linda and Elverta Joint Elementary school districts, where the plaintiffs’ children attend.
Of course, the restraining order will be stayed but this issue will definitely be a HOT POLITICAL issue in California…..just in time for the November Special Election.
XRLQ has it right, Moron Judge of the Day: Lawrence Karlton
Hugh Hewitt has a solution, Calling for Justice McConnell?
Michelle Malkin has ONE NATION, UNDER ATHEISTIC INSANITY…
Technorati Tags: Pledge of Allegiance, Michael Newdow, Lawrence Karlton
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Judge John Roberts Watch: Confirmation Hearings Day 3
Chief Justice nominee John Roberts (L) shares a light moment with Senator Joseph Biden (D-DEL) during a break in Roberts’ Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 14 , 2005. During yesterday’s session, Roberts declined to say if he would reverse the long-standing decision legalizing abortion but said he believed the Constitution accorded Americans the right to privacy, the key underpinning of the landmark ruling.The Washington Post has Roberts Says He’ll Decide Cases by Law.
Chief Justice nominee John Roberts said Wednesday that the law, not his own personal views, would be his guide in deciding right-to-die cases that might come before the Supreme Court.
At the same time, Roberts stopped short of providing his specific views on the issue _ as he has steadfastly done on other contentious subjects in three days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. That left Democrats chafing.
“We are rolling the dice with you judge,” said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who made no headway in extracting Roberts’ personal feelings about when to decide to end life supports for an ailing family member.
Senator Slow Joe Plagiarist Biden would not be happy with any Republican nominee to the court. His ploding drudge of long-winded rhetoric is an embarassment to the United States Senate.
Republicans in the GOP-controlled Senate made it clear that President Bush’s choice was on a smooth path toward confirmation to a lifetime job, and they challenged Democrats who might oppose Roberts’ nomination to be the nation’s 17th chief justice.
“If people can’t vote for you, then I doubt that they can vote for any Republican nominee,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
A persistent Biden sought Roberts’ opinion on whether any law could trump the right to die, but the nominee would say little more than his oft-repeated response that it would be inappropriate to comment on a case that he might decide.
“There are cases that come up exactly in that context … before the court,” Roberts said. “I will confront them with an open mind. They won’t be based on my personal views. They will be based on my understanding of the law.”
What more does the Senate want?
Judge Roberts is an excellent choice for Chief Justice.
The Senate Judiciary Committee should spare the country more rhetorical largess of Senators lhogging television time but saying NOTHING…….vote him out of committee, let the Senate confirm him and let Roberts get started for the first Monday in October.
Technorati Tags: Supreme Court, George Bush, John Roberts
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bear Flag League, California, Politics, Proposition 77, Special Election 2005
California Special Election Watch: Proposition 77 Break With California Governor Schwarzenegger
The ASSociated Press has Redistricting proponents break with governor, form own campaign.
A key supporter of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s redistricting measure announced plans Tuesday to form an independent, nonpartisan campaign supporting Proposition 77 – largely over fears the measure will fail if tied directly to Schwarzenegger’s other Republican-backed ballot initiatives.
Bill Mundell, a Southern California businessman who donated more than $300,000 to help qualify the redistricting measure for the ballot, said his new group would operate separately from the governor’s California Recovery Team in support of the initiative.
Flap supposes Bill Mundell finally GOT it.
The move comes on the same day the California Recovery Team announced that Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley billionaire and Republican candidate for Insurance Commissioner next year, will head up the Schwarzenegger-backed committee also pushing Proposition 77.
Flap supposes more money is talking here and, of course, MORE POLITICAL AMBITION.
Poizner has more of a chance to win in November 2006 against Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamonte for California Insurance Commissioner than Mundell has over incumbent U. S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.
The proposition, one of three “year of reform” initiatives that Schwarzenegger helped put on the ballot for a special election Nov. 8, would strip lawmakers of their power to draw Congressional and state legislative boundaries, handing the job to a panel of retired judges.
Mundell, a Republican likely to challenge Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2006, said Prop. 77 will only succeed if voters believe it is a nonpartisan effort to restore fairness to the political system.
“We don’t want to be lumped into an overall opposition attack on the special election,” he said. “We feel Prop 77 is the most fundamental of all the reform initiatives, and our biggest fear is that it gets swept into a neat box of partisanship.”
But Pat Caddell, a longtime Democratic consultant who serves on the board of Californians for Fair Redistricting, was more blunt, saying Schwarzenegger’s largely Republican group of advisers had hijacked the measure and undercut its goals.
“I think Schwarzenegger does care about democracy, and there are Democrats who would support a legitimate redistricting initiative that would put the people first,” Caddell said. “But his people have undercut this thing from day one, and the way they are going, they will certainly sink it.”
Proposition 77 has a long way to go. It may be sunk in any case.
The latest Field Poll has it losing by 14 points.But, the good news for a fair redistricting and apportionment is that another initiative petition could be circulated for the November 2006 ballot..
This split does nothing to increase the measure’s passage and remember whether it wins or not in November the measure will be ultimately decided in the California Supreme Court due to the FLAP over flawed circulated initiative petitions.
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, Proposition 77
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page