Revolutionary HIV treatment may be released

A new drug is on the market fighting HIV at its genetic root.

Merck & Co. is developing a new drug called Isnetress, which attacks integrase, an enzyme produced by the HIV and AIDS viruses which enable it to integrate with a cells DNA and essentially corrupt it with virus. This new drug would essentially take an aggressive approach, attacking the HIV virus, as opposed to previous treatments which have been designed to build up the body's immune system and create defenses from HIV/AIDS.

Merck will recieve a decision from the FDA which could allow the drug to be used on adult patients who are resistent to other forms of treatment. More research is needed before it can begin to be used on children.

Todays Knights of Templar

I went onto Wiki for a different post, and this was the "Featured Article of the Day." I had to share it.

You know how they say you need to know your history so that you can learn from it? And you know how they say history repeats itself? Put some sand-brown camo on these guys and replace their swords with rifles. Then read the article again.

They acquired large tracts of land, both in Europe and the Middle East; they bought and managed farms and vineyards; they built churches and castles; they were involved in manufacturing, import and export; they had their own fleet of ships; and at one point they even owned the entire island of Cyprus. The Templars arguably qualify as the world's first multinational corporation.

Seperately, it's a beautiful piece anyway. Makes me wonder what ever happened to chivalry. Is it dead? And, would the Knights of Templar have had a scenario like Abu Ghraib?

Answer: It would a heck of a lot worse... remember the famous Pulp Fiction quote, "I'm going to get middiaeval on your ass."

PA Prof's Partners getting Benefits

The Associated Press reports the governing board of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities approved a new four-year contract Thursday that gives raises to about 5,900 unionized faculty members and expands benefits for same-sex partners. (Read More!)

Peppermint Patty

I haven't done this in a while, but I was out at a club not too long ago (last night) and the bartender shot me a sample of this lovely drink. Props to Joe at 12th Air Command.

The Peppermint Patty (shot)

1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
1/4 oz Creme de Cocoa
1/4 oz Peppermint Schnapp's

Peppermint Patty Martini

1 oz Vanilla Vodka
3/4 oz Godiva Chocolate
1/2 oz Creme de Cocoa
1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapp's
1/4 oz Half and Half

Serve in a Chilled cocktail glass with mint leaf garnish

Who's the real Turkey

So, the Turkish ambassador to the US was called back. And?

The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs brought HR 106 to the floor last week, a resolution acknowledging the Armenian genocide of World War I in the US official record - I love that this is what our leaders are preoccupied with. The resolution was met with a great deal of hostility and concern from a military perspective. ( Read Rep. Skelton's Letter to Speaker Pelosi on the matter ) Some in Congress feared backlash from the Turkish government and the effects that it might have on the US ability to use air and land space in Turkey.

Presently the US has one military outpost within Turkey. Incirlik Air Force Base is a fully equipped base, complete with the coffee shops, movie theater, basketball court, public park, hotel and of course the golf course. Don't believe it? Check out the pics posted on the base website.

IN reaction, the US embassador to Turkey was called home. Turkish citizens protested. Government officials took supercilious stances on the issue.

"Yesterday some in Congress wanted to play hardball," said Egemen Bagis, foreign policy adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "I can assure you Turkey knows how to play hardball." (CNN.com)

And, of course, the American media lapped it up.
Take a look through the glitz and glamour of the story though.

There was a holocaust in Turkey during WWI. The Turks know it, it must have been hard to miss. The Armenian's certianly know it. But why rub it in the face of the Turks right now? Is it really that essential that it goes down in the record books? Especially with the other issues we have facing this country right now... say, i don't know, the war. A rapidly slowing economy. Allocations, people. Let's talk allocations.

For once, I agree with the Bush Administration. The Associated Press reports that a White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel, meanwhile, reiterated that the vote by the House Foreign Affairs Committee approving the resolution would be problematic for American efforts in the Middle East.

"While the House is debating the Ottoman Empire, they are not moving forward with appropriations bills," said Stanzel. "The House has not appointed conferees, they aren't coming to the table to discuss children's health care, and they haven't permanently closed the intelligence gap that will open up when the Protect America Act expires."

Iraqi Refugees Beginning to Get Their Due

BBC is beating me to it.

Check out this article on the refugee crisis. The writer makes the point that I have been stressing as loudly as humanly possible for quite some time: With 12 million Palestinians already dislocated within the region, the presence of nearly 2 million Iraqis displaced literally on top of them is only serving to further destablize the region. This situation is, by far, the largest humanitarian crisis in the world right now... have you heard about it?

Keep your eyes peeled on this blog for updates as I make my journey to Jordan and Syria for personal coverage on this issue.
Giving a voice to the voiceless...
Giving power to the powerless...
Giving a face to those who are suffering as a result of the war in Iraq...
And, above all, telling the story of the Iraqi people... finally.

On this Day: Pac-Man Love

It is my dream to someday own one of these machines!
Bryan Los quotes it at around $1700 on The Scripted Lizard ... so you better start saving if you want to buy it for my 30th birthday. Actually, nah, forget it. I am going to buy one for myself on my 30th simply so I can say : "I bought a Nerf dart board for $17 on my 26th birthday. I bought a Pac-Man video game for $1700 on my 30th."

Why the ode?

According to Wired.com, Pac-Man made it's world debut in Japan as Puck-Man in Japan on this day, 1979.

To this day, that little chomper still beats Mario Kart and the Sims on entertainment.