Articles by David Roberts

Studies funded by chemical companies find chemicals aren’t harmful. Whew!

Magpie draws our attention to the relevant passage in this story by Marla Cone on the mounting evidence that Bisphenol A -- a chemical ubiquitous in plastics and food packaging -- may be harmful to humans at very low doses, which, wouldn't you know, virtually every human gets.

In their study, vom Saal and Hughes suggest an explanation for conflicting results of studies: 100 percent of the 11 funded by chemical companies found no risk, while 90 percent of the 104 government-funded, nonindustry studies reported harmful effects.

Shocking.

(Via Kevin Drum)

And isn’t that the best kind?

Is the Cape Cod Times editorial board in the pocket of big anti-wind groups?! Are they skewing and suppressing news coverage in service of their rabid anti-wind bias!?

!!!???

Yes, these are matters of minimal national import, but they do provide some fun drama. Jack Coleman says he left the Times after getting sick of the increasing slant of its news coverage against Cape Wind, the big wind project planned for Nantucket Sound. Apparently the editors are allied with the ruthless Alliance to Save Nantucket Sound. The hoo-ha even reached the Boston Globe.

I can't say I've been tracking the trials and tribulations of Cape Wind that closely, but everything I've seen leads me to the same conclusion: This is a group of privileged upper-crust aristocrats perfectly willing to advocate for sacrifice on the part of, say, Michigan auto workers, but who react with umbrage when their precious views and sailing waters might have to be part of the solution. Maybe a commenter can explain to me why this is not what it seems.

Vote early and often!

Grist has been nominated for a Webby award in the "magazine" category. Webbys are the Internet Oscars. You know it's true, cause their site says so!

Seriously, though, it's a cool thing, and to be nominated alongside Consumer Reports and Alternet, well, it's downright heady.

So please, all you Gristers: head over and vote for Grist.

(Yes, you have to register to vote. And yes, it's a pain. But you love us that much, right?)

The Onion: funny.

The Onion is, as always, hilarious.

There are serious issues in the vicinity, however. If you care to read about them, check out this Mark Schmitt post.