NG Picks of the Week: Power of Photography | Photo Contest | Your Shot Assignment


125th Anniversary
Over National Geographic’s 125-year history, the process of taking photographs has changed dramatically, but the end result remains the same; a compelling photograph has the power to make you stop and think—and even sometimes act. This month, we’re taking an inside look at the determination, patience, and vision behind some of our most iconic images—the ones that have made people act to change the world.Explore the power of photography with our featured article. Learn how camera phones have made us all part of a global visual village. Zoom in on the changing face of America. See unearthed treasures from our photo archives. Delve into our new photo blog, Proof. Then see how your own photos stack up by joining our anniversary photo assignment on Your Shot for the chance to win a National Geographic Photo Workshop and more.

125th Anniversary
Watch what photography has the power to do.
EXPLORE MORE VIDEOSWatch our photographers explain what drives them.

See Cory Richards and Sadie Quarrier explain the latest Your Shot assignment.

 

GOP Rejects Own Plan to Keep Government Open


By

CHART: Democrats Have Already Negotiated & Compromised

Republicans continue to falsely claim that President Obama and Democrats won’t negotiate over the budget. That’s just not true.

In fact, Senate Democrats even tried once again this afternoon to launch a formal conference committee to hash out a budget through September of 2014, but Republicans blocked their request, as they have on 19 previous occasions since the Senate passed a budget over six months ago.

What is true is that Democrats refuse to negotiate over keeping the government open and paying the bills that Congress has already racked up. Those items should be non-negotiable. They are simply Congress’ job.

As soon as the GOP brings these latest manufactured crises to an end — as they could at literally any moment if they simply allow the House of Representatives to vote on a clean government funding bill and a bill that guarantees that Congress will not allow an unprecedented and catastrophic default on our obligations — Democrats are more than happy to negotiate on the actual budget.

In fact, they have done plenty of negotiating already. The clean bill to re-open the government is already a huge compromise and agrees to the sequester spending levels that Republicans demanded and promised to bring to a vote mere months ago.

Check out this chart that shows just how much Democrats have already compromised with Republicans:

FundingLevelCharticle-1

This compromise bill was Speaker Boehner’s own idea and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) touted it as a major victory for House Republicans just last month, but now they refuse to even allow the House to vote on it. Worse, Republicans continue to threaten to unleash a “financial apocalypse” on the global economy as soon as next week unless the president and Democrats agree to their laundry list of Tea Party demands.

BOTTOM LINE: Unless Congress acts, we’ll face a global economic calamity next week. Americans across the country — including the family members of our troops killed in action — are already suffering because the GOP shut down the government in a failed effort to deny affordable health insurance to millions.

It’s time for these manufactured crises to end. Republicans just need to allow the House of Representatives to vote on a clean government funding bill and a bill that guarantees that Congress will pay our nation’s bills.

 

What health and safety really mean in TX


http://DrawTheLine.org

In a few weeks, the Center will return to court to fight for the rights of Texas women.

This is a familiar battleground in the ongoing war on women. Led by Gov. Rick Perry, Texas politicians are fixated on devastating reproductive health care in the state.

It’s time to let Perry know that we won’t stand for his ideological agenda.

He claims to care about the women in his state. On the day he signed the most recent restrictions into law, Perry told reporters, “This is an important day for those who…support the health of Texas women.” 1

But the governor’s actions speak louder than words. The sweeping law he passed has nothing to do with safety, health, or supporting women.

The truth is, if his restrictions take effect, they would make essential health care services practically impossible for many Texans to access, leaving women’s health and safety at risk.

Tell Gov. Perry to stop using Texas women as political pawns—and to stay out of the very personal decisions that determine their health and future.

Thanks, as always, for all you do,

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ~~ October 2013


Fda
Fda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recent Food Recalls

 

Turkey Hill Dairy Issues Voluntary Recall of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Premium Ice Cream,
Fudge Ripple Premium Ice Cream, and Moose Tracks Stuff’d Frozen Dairy Dessert

Recall due to possible foreign matter; limited to select stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia

 

 

Haute Health, LLC Conducts Voluntary Nationwide Recall of All Lots Of Virilis Pro, PHUK And Prolifta Capsules Due To Undeclared Ingredients

09/30/2013 05:36 PM EDT
Haute Health, LLC is voluntarily recalling all lots of Virilis Pro, PHUK and Prolifta at the retail and consumer level. Virilis Pro, PHUK and Prolifta have been found to contain amounts of the PDE-5 Inhibitor sildenafil, which is an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Big Blue Fisheries, Llc Recalls All Smoked Products From All Lots, Various Sizes, in Vacuum Packaging Because of Possible Health Risk

09/30/2013 09:33 PM EDT
Big Blue Fisheries is recalling ALL smoked products from all lots and codes, various sizes, in vacuum packages because the products may not have been properly cooked and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.
Carefusion Provides Update On Voluntary Recall Of Avea® Ventilator

09/30/2013 08:08 PM EDT
CareFusion issued the following update regarding its previously announced voluntary recall of AVEA® ventilators. The company initiated the voluntary recall on Sept. 3, 2013
Afikim Electric Vehicles Issues Nationwide Recall of Breeze C Scooter

09/30/2013 05:18 PM EDT
On September 27, 2013, Afikim Electric Vehicles initiated a nationwide recall of 69 Breeze C Scooters. The Breeze C Scooter may become unresponsive during operation due to an electrical contact which may fault due to extensive wear, which potentially could result in the driver not being able to stop the scooter during operation except by turning off the ignition key.