Obama overturns Bush policy on stem cellsBy PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – Reversing Bush policy, President Barack Obama on Monday cleared the way for a significant increase in federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research and promised no scientific data will be 'distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda.'
Obama signed the executive order on the divisive stem cell issue and a memo addressing what he called scientific integrity before an East Room audience packed with scientists. He laced his remarks with several jabs at the way science was handled by former President George W. Bush.
'Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry,' Obama said. 'It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.'
Here's Lexi checking the clearance under the desk. That can't be comfortable!
Stella took her first trip to Sloat Garden Center on Saturday. She rode in the cart and everyone asked about her.
The green planter contains all the extra plants I over-bought because I didn't read the directions first. We're going to see if they grow for a while and then eat them. In the meantime, it's a test between the Earthbox and my method of stuffing in as much as I can.
As you probably know, we have two fluffy pets. Lexi, our indoor cat who won't even step over a puddle during her rare trips outside is self-cleaning and BROWN. Stella, our fluffy dog who loves to go outside and dances in puddles, requires baths and blow-drying. She's WHITE. This is not the ideal situation. Anyone considering a fluffy pet, think about this.
Stella's pink and black carrier is really cool and well designed but it's sized for adult Stella, not the 3.8 lb. puppy I'm taking everywhere whose feet can't touch the ground.
We took Stella to the beach for the first time today. Apparently, the salt water kills viruses so you can take little puppies to the wet sand and play with less risk. She really liked it and had fun running around in the wind.
I had back to back appointments with my psychologist and psychiatrist today. They're in the same building and the appointments fell on the same day so we ran with it. I spent 90 minutes talking about my frustration with my neurologist and how he's handling my possible thyroid problem. The psychologist gave me a pep talk and some steps to regain control of the situation and the psychiatrist is going to call the neurologist and try to get to the bottom of things. Yea! Some background information: my neurologist tested my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) in December and it was high (5.26) so he re-tested in January and it was still high (4.92). He then sent me back for more tests: TSH again, T3, T4 and thyroid antibodies. Is he an endocrinologist or does he just play one on TV?
