JKane

I'd figured this one would be in here...

I'm a little surprised by the turn this has taken... not really out myself but was under the impression from some who are it's unimaginable freedom, unicorns and puppies--great, utterly priceless. Apparently not! What I don't really get, with all that money and an army of lawyers available Travolta has to resort to groping masseurs...? Fucking FLY YOUR PRIVATE 727 to ANY COUNTRY SOUTH OF HERE! But then, this is the arsehole who let his son die for lack of simple anti-seizure medication (because psychologists are the root of all evil...), so fuck him! And not in the way he wants!

By themselves, without commitment and real lifestyle change, I agree. But as a boost, or to help one get through a rough patch they have some value, in my experience anyway. Given the 'growth' of the market it seems inevitable that they'll get better with time too. But even the most drastic surgery, a full Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be eaten around by somebody who doesn't make the commitment to a new themselves. For those that are ready and commit though, anything that helps them along by helping them stick to it or by boosting the results (helping the person see progress easier so they *stay* committed) can only be a good thing. Except when it isn't, like Fen Phen...

Not really, though that's a great start. Yes, a lot of the currently available ones are basically speed pills with all the side affects. The infamous Fen Phen combo was one of these, but 1/2, Phentramine remains in common use. Phentramine and two other very similar drugs are just about all that's currently available as a "weight loss drug" from most doctors. But there are actually new drugs doing different things: There was one that boosted satiety but it was pulled when EU testing (after it sailed through FDA and was in use over here for maybe a year...) showed harmful side effects. This incident plus, of course, Fen Phen do tend to make me cautious, but on the other hand I appreciate any help I can get. Another, Alli, is now available over the counter, it prevents abortion of 1/2 of the calories contained in fat one consumes, great for cheat days, restaurant meals, etc. Can have same side effects as olestra. It's a modest effect and hard to sustain without lifestyle change though. I haven't read much about what exactly this latest drug does yet.

Holy shit, reading this really made my blood boil. What actually happened is the exact opposite of how it's been portrayed, and the ever expanding examples of Republicans willing to say *anything* for political points, even lies, even when they harm the country... it's really disgusting. That said, there's a little mention at the bottom about some of the people arranging buys in the cartels being FBI informants, which has nothing to do with the ATF or their "Fast and Furious" case but may keep Holder on the hook...

I can has health insurance now soon?

There is a shiny new weight loss drug almost out. Hopefully it fares better than it predecessors!

Any more details on this yet? Can't wait!

I do to, especially the good Costco cherries! But fruit is a lot of sugar and excess can cause setbacks, so I try to moderate myself. For a long time I did without, but a couple servings every day or two has been OK too.

Abercrombie to close 180 US stores.

It would be a MAJOR accomplishment for it to beat out Battleship for that honor. Though Prometheus shows us the more you expect out of something the more you're bound to be disappointed...

I'd love to support the great journalism they've shown flashes of several times in the last year or two (don't know, it may well be in every issue...) but I barely have time to read the couple subscriptions I currently have.

He'd mentioned needing to travel and some sad family issues, I think he's earned a brief vacation. Brief! ;o)

I thought KPCC (Pasadena) carried them, KCRW doesn't carry several NPR mainstays but most of LA can listen to either. I usually love the music on KCRW (especially Ann Litt) but for news, traffic and Terry Gross it's KPCC.

Alan Turing, father of computer science. Neil Patrick Harris and Chaz Bono --both have done quite a bit lately in the way for positive public exposure.

Vancouver is a quick jaunt north though... weather's not much better but it's a fun city!

I was just saying to someone, it's funny, both the Mormons and Target gave a large amount of money to anti-gay causes, but are now doing "marketing" to get us back... because they want *our money*. Fuck everything about that!

I was thinking the guy in photo 4 is pretty cute, then I noticed the shotgun...

You're right, it is a good sign, but I remain skeptical until the higher levels and prominent Mormons (Romney and Orson Scott Card, for example) come around.

Deepest condolences and warm thoughts towards you and your family!

Tell you what, how about they fund a massive effort to repeal their PROPOSITION 8 handiwork, then we'll talk about being 'friends'...

Bets on how long it takes him to show up on some Dancing with the Stars / Apprentice BS show?

That's the perfect guide all the sites should send it out when you sign up!

Cool looking design, but building that in one of the more impoverished cities in the world seems pretty crass.

Congrats to Expat and thanks to TY and OZ for the contest! Looking forward to the dinner!