Them on Us: 9/23/09

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

By Jake Nichols

Jackson Hole economist helps save Feds $1,000,000,000,000
Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Noted vascular surgeon and author John Kenagy shared his opinion of President Obama’s healthcare plan with Huffington Post on Sept. 14. Kenagy advised a changing of the healthcare system from the ground up, beginning with many small fixes from the “boots on the ground” people close to the work, instead of following a “big fix” path.

Kenagy quoted local economist Jonathan Schechter in the piece, citing his three examples of waste that, if eliminated, could help the U.S. government find $1 trillion in savings over 10 years.

Schechter is the executive director of the Charture Institute. Kenagy is a board member of that group.

Paging Dr. Davis
Pennsylvania Senator and brain cancer survivor Arlen Specter held a Senate committee hearing last week on the alleged dangers posed by cell phone use. At the same time, an international conference is examining the scientific research on cancer risks linked to exposure to cell phone radiation. Part-time Jackson resident Dr. Devra Davis testified at the congressional hearing. She claimed there is mounting evidence that cell phone use may come at a high price, and more research is needed. Cell phone industry spokespeople continue to say there is no public health risk.

Meanwhile, cell phone use while driving isn’t too good for one’s health either. Statewide, the proposed ordinance that would ban cell phone use while driving in Riverton was shot down. Council members were mostly opposed to the ban, claiming it would be too difficult to enforce. A similar ban in Cheyenne was passed last week. Rock Springs enacted the state’s first such ban in May.
The information was found in the Cheyenne Tribune.

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf … hunter?
While hunters gun down wolves in Idaho’s inaugural grey wolf hunt, Wyoming still waits to get a shot at her own. Salt Lake Tribune columnist Ken Fischman said the latest federal report states there are 846 wolves in Idaho, 497 in Montana and 302 in Wyoming. Not enough, according to him, for legalized hunts to take place in Idaho and Montana.

Federal Judge Donald Molloy recently rejected a request from 13 environmental groups that he block wolf hunts in Idaho and Montana. Molloy said that the plan to kill up to 20 percent of the wolves does not put them in danger of extermination. At the same time, Malloy said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to retain federal protection for wolves in Wyoming while delisting them in Idaho and Montana appears to violate the law. JHW

Courtesy photo
Devra Davis


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Them on Us: 9/23/09 | Planet JH News Article: General News

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