Today's Reads - 4/24/13 - Some Up and Some down reads!

Every once in a while you come across a story that gives you hope for humanity and this is certainly one of them! From Susie Madrak's blog at Crooks and Liars:

From PerezHilton.com

College Athlete Gives Up Final Event To Save Someone's Life

It might not sound like such a big deal (because bone marrow donation is a low-risk procedure), but to give up the final event of your college career because a stranger needs your help? Yeah, I'd say that's someone who qualifies as a real mensch. Always happy to read about a selfless act: enlarge Cameron Lyle, a UNH athlete, will miss his final event to donate bone marrow to a stranger

LAISTOW — Last month, Cameron Lyle of Plaistow had a decision to make. He could finish up his senior season of track at the University of New Hampshire, or he could give the season up and have an opportunity to save someone’s life. It was a no-brainer. Lyle will be donating his bone marrow to an anonymous recipient on April 24. As a result, he will have to miss the final two meets of his career, including the America East Championships, where he was hoping to throw shot put . Continue Reading

But then you read something like this.... and you just groan! I'm a sports fan and I am appalled by the way the school handled this and the actions of the other students are also inexcusable!

Michigan High School Protects Student Athlete at Expense of Alleged Sexual Assault Victim 

Last week the National Women’s Law Center, along with a local law firm in Michigan, filed a complaint in federal district court on behalf of a high school student who was allegedly sexually assaulted at school by a fellow student and star basketball player. In many ways the story echoes the tragic high school rape story from Steubenville, Ohio, which should lead all of us to ask just what kind of culture are we raising our children in, and what kind of culture is being cultivated at our high schools?

According to the complaint, in 2010 the victim was sexually assaulted by a star player on the school’s basketball team. The assault took place on campus in a sound proof band room at Forest Hills Central High School. The victim notified a teacher who in turn reported the assault to the principal. But rather than open an investigation into the allegations, the principal discouraged the student and her parents from filing charges, telling them that doing so could ruin the assailant's prospects at being recruited to play basketball for a Division 1 school.Continue Reading 

and finally here's at least some partially good news from Climate Progress and Alternet: EPA Slams State’s Draft Impact Statement For Keystone XL

On the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, EPA rated the adequacy of the State Department’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as having “Insufficient Information.”

Yesterday was the last day to submit public comments to the State Department regarding the proposed pipeline that would transport 830,000 barrels of tar sands oil through the U.S. per day.

EPA’s Cynthia Giles, the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement, has submitted the agency’s public comment. They could have rated the adequacy of the impact statement three different ways: “Adequate,” “Insufficient Information,” or “Inadequate.” They rated it “Insufficient Information,” which means that they do not know enough to fully assess the environmental impacts of a tar sands pipeline traversing the continent. Continue Reading

I don't know but after the mess the resent spill made in Arkansas I do believe it's hard for the Impact Statement to say that there will be no adverse impats from the pipeline!!