Herbal "medicine" is a scam

OK, maybe not all herbal remedies are a scam, but there are some dangerous ones out there. Unfortunately, herbal remedies are not regulated by federal authorities because of their status as "supplements". It's a case of buyer beware.

The following article is from this source.



Consumer reports finds dangerous herbal products sold over the counter

The current issue of Consumer Reports will stand your hair on end, especially if you are taking herbs to improve your health and/or to avoid the side effects that usually go with drugs. The FDA classifies these products as dietary supplements, a designation that amounts to a free pass for the manufacturers. Unlike drugs, there is no required testing for proof of safety or effectiveness.

Supplements can be purchased over the counter and over the Internet. The lack of government regulation allows them to be regarded as "innocent 'til proven guilty." Even when the FDA has clear proof of danger, as it did with the herbal weight-loss aid, ephedra, it can take years to get the product banned. Furthermore, manufacturers are allowed to market their products as "natural," which to most consumers implies harmless.

The Dirty Dozen

The May issue of Consumer Reports identified 12 herbal ingredients that are linked to serious adverse events, "or, in the case of glandular supplements, to strong theoretical risks." Labeled "the dirty dozen," the ingredients are available individually or in multi-ingredient combination products. Consumer Reports, which is published by the non-profit Consumers Union, divided the following ingredients into three categories: definitely hazardous, very likely hazardous, and likely hazardous:

--Aristolochic acid is judged to be "definitely hazardous" because of documented kidney failure (sometimes requiring transplant), deaths, and known potent cancer-causing properties. What makes things difficult even for consumers who carefully read the label is this: the offending ingredient can appear under many different names. (The multiple names for aristolochic acid are listed in the Consumer Reports article.)

--Comfrey, androstenedione, chaparral, germander, and kava are classified as "very likely hazardous" because they are banned in other countries; have generated an FDA warning; or are identified as causing adverse effects in studies. Each is known by more than one name. Abnormal liver function or damage, often irreversible, and deaths have been reported for chaparral, comfrey, germander, and kava.

--Bitter orange, organ/glandular extracts (brain/adrenal/ pituitary/placenta/other gland "substance" or "concentrate"), lobelia, pennyroyal oil, skullcap, and yohimbe are considered "likely hazardous." This category applies to ingredients for which there have been adverse-event reports or because of theoretical risks. Each is known by several different names. Referring to glandular products, Consumer Reports states that the FDA has banned high-risk bovine materials from older cows in foods and supplements, but has not banned high-risk parts from cows under 30 months. There is a theoretical risk of mad cow disease, particularly from brain extracts.

Not the FDA's Fault

Consumer Reports does not fault the FDA for this situation that puts so many at risk. Congress has created the regulatory barriers to appropriate testing of these products. Furthermore, there is no mandatory reporting system as there is for drug companies. Though this mandate is notoriously ineffective, as it is well known that fewer than 10% of adverse reactions to drugs are reported to the FDA, the system should be strengthened and expanded to include dietary supplements.

What you can do:

--For free access to the article about Dangerous Supplements, go to www.consumerreports.org, or buy the May 2004 issue of Consumer Reports.

--Go to www.bmj.com and locate the April 24 issue of the British medical journal, BMJ. Find the rapid responses to the news item entitled, US consumer group names "dirty dozen" dietary supplements. Read the objections to the Consumer Reports assessment from Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association. For example, he contests the listing of skullcap as presenting a danger of abnormal liver function or damage. "The only suggestion of such a danger was associated with an incident of misidentification of skullcap in a product that, in fact, contained germander and did not contain skullcap."

--Visit www.ConsumerLab.com This Web-based organization describes itself as an independent testing service for consumer products, including herbal products, vitamins, minerals, sports and energy products, functional foods, food and beverages, as well as personal care products. ConsumerLab.com issues "concerns and cautions" about specific products. Its testing centers on factors related to quality, such as the critical issue of whether the ingredients and amounts listed on the label accurately reflect what is in the product. Testing criteria also include purity (Is the product free of contaminants?), bioavailability (Does the product break down properly so that it may be used by the body?), and consistency (Does each unit of the product have the same identity, potency and purity?)

Don't bother making a pligrimage to the "Bosnian Pyramids"

The "Bosnian Pyramids" are not pyramids at all, but a hoax, intended to draw dollars from a naive public. Don't believe claims that thay are remnants from Europe's oldest civilization that predates the Egyptian pyramids, and certainly don't book any flights to Bosnia-Herzigovina any time soon.

From this source:

Bosnian pyramids refers to a site known as Visočica hill (or Grad hill), in the Bosnia and Herzegovina town of Visoko, northwest of Sarajevo, which became the focus of international attention in October 2005, following a news-media campaign promoting the false idea that it is actually the largest of a group of ancient man-made pyramids, the so-called Bosnian pyramids.

Scientific investigations of the site show there is no pyramid.^[1][2][3] Additionally, scientists have criticised the Bosnian authorities for supporting the pyramid claim saying, "This scheme is a cruel hoax on an unsuspecting public and has no place in the world of genuine science."^[4]

The 213 metre Visočica hill, upon which the Old town of Visoki was once sited, is roughly pyramid-shaped. The idea that it constitutes an ancient artificial edifice was publicised by Houston-based expatriate Bosnian author and metalworker Semir Osmanagić, whose subsequent excavations at the site have uncovered what he claims to be a paved entrance plateau and tunnels, as well as stone blocks and ancient mortar which he has suggested once covered the structure. Osmanagić has claimed that the dig involved an international team of archaeologists from Australia, Austria, Bosnia, Scotland and Slovenia.^[5] However, many archaeologists he named have stated they had not agreed to participate and were never at the site.^[6] The dig began in April 2006.

Expert interpretations

Semir Osmanagić's claims, widely reported in the mass media, have been challenged by a number of experts, who have accused him of promoting pseudo-scientific notions and damaging archaeological sites with his excavations. Penn State University Professor Garrett Fagan is quoted as saying "They should not be allowed to destroy genuine sites in the pursuit of these delusions[...] It’s as if someone were given permission to bulldoze Stonehenge to find secret chambers of lost ancient wisdom underneath."^[7]

Boston University's Curtis Runnels, an expert in prehistoric Greece and the Balkans states that, "Between 27,000 and 12,000 years ago, the Balkans were locked in the last Glacial maximum, a period of very cold and dry climate with glaciers in some of the mountain ranges. The only occupants were Upper Paleolithic hunters and gatherers who left behind open-air camp sites and traces of occupation in caves. These remains consist of simple stone tools, hearths, and remains of animals and plants that were consumed for food. These people did not have the tools or skills to engage in the construction of monumental architecture."^[8]

Enver Imamovic of the University of Sarajevo, a former director of the National Museum of Sarajevo, concerned that the excavations will damage historic sites such as the medieval royal capital Visoki, said that the excavations would "irreversibly destroy a national treasure".^[9] Excavations by archaeologists not related to the Foundation in the summer of 2008 uncovered medieval artefacts and led to renewed calls for the government to cancel Osmanagić's digging permits.^[10]

In a letter to the editor of The Times on 25 April 2006, Professor Anthony Harding, president of the European Association of Archaeologists, referred to Osmanagić's theories as "wacky" and "absurd" and expressed concern that insufficient safeguards were in place to protect Bosnia's "rich heritage" from "looting and unmonitored or unauthorised development".^[11] After visiting the site himself, Harding reported, "...we saw areas of natural stone (a breccia), with fissures and cracks; but no sign of anything that looked like archaeology."^[2]

According to one source, on May 8, 2006, members of the Geological team investigating Visočica on behalf of the Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation held a press conference in Tuzla to present the results of their research. The academics, from the Faculty of Mining and Geology^[12] at the University of Tuzla^[13] and led by Professor Dr. Sejfudin Vrabac,^[14] concluded that the hill is a natural geological formation, made of classic sediments of layered composition and varying thickness, and that its shape is a consequence of endodynamical and exodynamical processes in post-Miocene era.

According to Professor Vrabac, who specializes in paleogeology, there are dozens of like morphological formations in the Sarajevo-Zenica mining basin alone. The Geological team report on Visocica, based on the data collected in six drill holes at 3 to 17 metre depths, is supported by the Research and Teaching Council of the Faculty of Mining and Geology, as well as the Association of Geologists of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[15]

In June 2006, Zahi Hawass's name became linked to the excavations^[16] as recommending an expert, Aly Abd Alla Barakat, to investigate the hills. Upon being contacted Hawass denied any involvement, accusing Osmanagić of "giving out false information".^[17]

The Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation has said that Barakat inspected the hills and stated, "My opinion is that this is a type of pyramid, probably a primitive pyramid."^[6][18] In November 2007 an English version of a 2006 report by Barakat was posted on the foundation site. ^[19] Osmanagić also invited geologist and alternative archaeologist Robert Schoch to visit the site. In a preliminary report he concluded that there were natural geological explanations for all the features claimed to be artificial by Osmanagić. In the case of the tunnels he further added:

The much-touted “ancient inscriptions” seem not to be ancient at all. I was told by a reliable source that the inscriptions were not there when members of the “pyramid team” initially entered the tunnels less than two years ago. The “ancient inscriptions” had been added since, perhaps non-maliciously, or perhaps as a downright hoax.^[20]

The foundation has described such comments as "ill-intentioned" referring to "irrelevant and completely incorrect facts".^[21] In return Dr Schoch's website documents "extreme damage being done by the way the excavations are being performed," and accuses Osmanagić of launching "a deliberate smear campaign."^[22]

Two of the archaeologists who worked as volunteers in 2006 are Silvana Cobanov and Nancy Gallou. In an article in BIH Dani magazine, ^[23] you can find an email from Silvana Cobanov (who was said to be supervising the archaeological work) to the members of the Board of Directors of Osmanagic's foundation which says in part: "It is difficult to admit, first for myself and then to the others, that I have been doing the figurehead on the terrain. The works on Pljesevica were conducted by Goran Cakic (a graduate mechanical engineer). My efforts to change this have been unsuccessful. To my regret, I have contacted orally several times the project manager, discussed with Goran Cakic, cautioned him that he should write his observations and conclusions in his private diary, categorically protested that Amir Susa Zombi[a man employed by the Foundation who seems to be more or less in charge of everything, and particularly the security] may not and should not plot, dig and excavate a little bit here and a little bit there (and this literally as it seems)..." While she was working there a rectangular construction was unearthed at the base of one of the alleged pyramids. Silvane Cobanov in her parting email informed Osmanagic about what it really was; a recent construction with "dry walls, very unstable". The evidence for this are the bricks of which it is made, and the nails, also recent. "I have protested that one should not talk about a tomb, or entry to the pyramid, or a military post... to say to the visitors such unfounded suppositions is in my opinion dishonest. So, to conclude: on Pljesevica we didn't find a single archaeological artifact, and it is, in my opinion, sterile in the archeological sense."

[edit] Osmanagić's interpretation

Osmanagić has named Visočica hill the "Pyramid of the Sun", while two nearby hills, identified from satellite and aerial photography, have been dubbed the "Pyramid of the Moon" and the "Pyramid of the (Bosnian) Dragon" (and another two, one named the "Pyramid of the Earth", have been mentioned in reports). Newspaper reports have quoted Osmanagić as claiming that they were constructed by ancient Illyrian inhabitants of the Balkans as early as 12,000 BC. But in an interview with Philip Coppens in Nexus (April-May 2006), Osmanagić attempted to clarify his previous statements, stating he was misquoted: he does claim that they were most likely constructed by the Illyrians, who he claims lived in the area from 12,000 BC to 500 BC, and that the pyramid was therefore most likely constructed between those two dates - not in 12,000 BC.

Osmanagić claims the excavation has produced evidence of building blocks as well as tunnels. Earlier geological work has also indicated that human activity had shaped the hill.^[24] Additionally Osmanagić has found tunnels in the hillside which he interprets as ventilation shafts.

Osmanagić believes his discoveries around Visoko will have further implications for world prehistory. By comparing the varying heights of the tallest pyramids in Mexico and Egypt with Visočica hill, he concluded that the pyramids may all have been built by the same people(s), with the Bosnian Pyramid being the last to be built. However, upon further thought he has decided that this dating mechanism may not be reliable and has now announced Visočica hill could be "The mother of all Pyramids", a claim he says would be corroborated by the existence of sacred geometry and further numerological study of messages left in the pyramid for future generations.^[25]

Osmanagić estimates that the Sun pyramid stands 722 feet (220m) high (or, depending upon the report, either 230 feet (70m) high or 328 feet (100m) high). If it is 722 feet, it would be one third taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, making it the largest pyramidal structure on Earth.

The current target of the project is to complete excavation by 2012. This is in order to "break a cloud of negative energy, allowing the Earth to receive cosmic energy from the centre of the galaxy" according to Osmanagić,^[26] who also hopes that it will be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[27]

References

1. ^ Pyramid No More, Sub Rosa, Issue 6, Oct 2006.
2. ^ ^{a b} The great Bosnian pyramid scheme by Anthony Harding, British Archaeology November/December 2006
3. ^ John Bohannon, Mad About Pyramids, Science Magazine, 22 September 2006.
4. ^ Declaration from the European Association of Archaeologists, 11 Dec 2006
5. ^ Australian in Bosnia pyramid riddle, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 January 2006
6. ^ ^{a b} Mark Rose, Bosnian "Pyramids" Update, Archaeology Magazine Online, 14 June2006
7. ^ Nick Hawton, Indiana Jones of the Balkans and the mystery of a hidden pyramid, Times Online, 15 April 2006
8. ^ Rose, Mark. "The Bosnia-Atlantis Connection". Archaeology Magazine Online. URL accessed 2006-04-29.
9. ^ Lucian Harris, Amateur to dig on site of medieval capital in search of Bosnia's own Valley of the Kings, The Art Newspaper, 15 April 2006
10. ^ Archaeologists find medieval artefacts on Mt. Visocica, disparage pyramid seeker[1]
11. ^ Anthony Harding, Bosnia's rich heritage, Times Online, 25 April 2006
12. ^ RGGF / Start (novosti)
13. ^ University of Tuzla
14. ^ Untitled Document
15. ^ Stop Osmanagich NOW!, 08 May, 2006
16. ^ Bosnian 'pyramid' created by nature, say European experts, Yahoo! AFP, June 9 2006.
17. ^ Letter to Archaeology Magazine (PDF)
18. ^ Aida Cerkez-Robinson British Expert Nixes Bosnia Pyramid Claim, ABC News
19. ^ At last, Dr. Barakat’s report, 08 May, 2006
20. ^ The Bosnian Pyramid Phenomenon, The New Archaeology Review vol 1.8 pp 16-17], September 2006
21. ^ Comments regarding the visit of Dr. Schoch and Dr. Dowell to Visoko, Sept 2006
22. ^ Articles by Dr. Schoch & Dr. Dowell
23. ^ Nezavisni magazin BH DANI - ONLINE
24. ^ N. Nukić, Report on a Geological Survey of "Visočica" Elevation in Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Word document), Archaelogical Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation, November 2005
25. ^ Osmanagic: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Candidate for “Mother” of all Pyramids, FENA News, 20 April 2005
26. ^ Energijsko središče sveta?, Misteriji. Accessed 13 July 2006. (Slovenian)
27. ^ 5-year Plan of Research on Visoko’s Visocica 1 Jan 2006 - 31 Dec 2010, Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation. Accessed 13 July 2006.

Recycling is a scam

What? The Earth is bleeding, and were doing nothing but plunder its resources, so how can I say something so brazen as "recycling is a scam"?

Let me clarify something. Not all recycling is pointless. If a material is non-renewable, and will otherwise end up in a landfill for millennia without breaking down, then yes, it's worth recycling.


Plastic is worth recycling- It is derived from non-renewable petroleum, and takes forever to break down.




Metal is worth recycling- It is mined from the Earth, and can not be replenishable. It degrades within decades, but the mineral serves no more use when it sits in a landfill.


Glass? That's questionable. Glass is derived from sand, which is derived from the erosion of stone, so technically, it's a limited resource. However, there is so much sand in the world that there is no danger at all in the long term of running out. So, is it worth recycling glass? No, it's too expensive and it pollutes. See paper, below.



Paper? Well, here's the kicker: paper is not worth recycling. First of all, paper is a renewable resource. It comes from trees which come from forests, and forests regenerate at a surprisingly quick rate. With today's advanced forest management practices (at least in more developed nations), we are harvesting less trees than we did 100 years ago. Not only that, but we are harvesting almost entirely "regen" or replanted forests. New techniques are being employed to limit clear-cutting, and measures are implemented to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity. Believe me, I've witnessed the system first hand. When forests are managed correctly, we are not in danger of running out of trees. In fact, pests, such as the mountain pine beetle pose a significantly greater threat to the landscape than does timber harvesting. However, even if most pine forests are wiped out by the beetle, we will certainly see a newly regenerated forest of pines within a few decades. The point is this: forestry is not all bad, and we need the resource for paper and building supplies, especially with the growing population of the Earth and the demands that come with it. Wood is an inexpensive building material, and will not be replaced by anything cheaper or more "environmentally sound" in our lifetimes.

So why not recycle the paper anyway, rather than having it go aimlessly to a landfill? Well, what most people don't know is that paper recycling is extremely expensive. It costs significantly more to collect, sort, break down, and reform paper pulp into recycled paper than it does to create new paper. Not only that- it pollutes as well! Paper recycling plants do nearly as much harm to the environment as paper mills.

Wanna watch something interesting? Here's a link to Penn & Teller's "Bullshit", which talks about some of the same things. There are points I disagree with, but I mainly agree with the parts on paper.

Penn & Teller Bullshit- Recycling

Now, believe me, I really want recycling to work out, and I'm glad that so many people want to save the planet. I just think that the system isn't efficient enough at this time. I think we should focus more on reducing than recycling, and I'm glad to note that the world is becoming more and more paperless.

Before you beat me over the head about not putting my junk mail in the recycle bin, I have to admit that I do use the blue boxes. *sigh* As Val Kilmer said as Doc Holliday in "Tombstone", "My hypocrisy knows no bounds." My hands are tied. My municipality has enacted a bylaw prohibiting the disposal of paper trash; any recyclables not in the blue bins are not even collected. So... I have to do it. Not only that, but the strata council at my condo complex would linch me if I tossed paper into the dumpster. Not only that, but so would my coworkers in the office.

It seems everyone has fallen prey to the recycling cult's message.