These numbers don't add up

So, there's a big scandal in Ohio because a guy named Tom Noe was managing an investment for the Ohio Workers' Compensation Bureau, by investing in rare coins. Somehow 121 coins (worth $400000) are missing (the article doesn't explain the details), and it's possible that up to $10 million from the fund is missing.

But note these too sentences:
Democrats say that the scandal is a symptom of GOP corruption and self-dealing, and that Noe received the state contract because of his political ties, which include raising more than $100,000 for Bush's re-election."

and

Taft has returned $22,190, the most of any officeholder, saying Noe "has done a great disservice to the people of Ohio by mismanaging our public resources and abusing our trust." Bush returned $4,000.

Seems like about $96,000 is missing from that figure.

Hold the beef

Wow, I'm losing my appetite for steak.

"At the moment, there appears to be an outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan... and American researchers are incredibly nervous that we may be on the verge of a deadly mad cow outbreak here in the United States. That’s what makes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s approach so troubling.

As it stands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture refuses to even consider the main recommendations put forward by the World Health Organization that have stopped mad cow disease across Europe. What are these recommendations? The first is testing. The other is to stop the practice of feeding cow blood, tissue, and slaughterhouse waste to other cows.

I can hear some of you now: “Come on, Shuster, that feeding practice is so grotesque it couldn’t possibly be happening in the United States.”

Actually, it is happening a lot. Sure, there are some livestock producers who don’t give their animals the kind of feed that contains cow blood or waste. But many livestock producers do. And the fact is, much of the commercially produced calf feed available today contains the very stuff that could spread mad cow disease throughout our food chain."

Peanut allergies no more?

Scientists are working a cure for peanut allergies. By using a process of fermentation they have been able to significantly reduce the allergens in peanuts... with refining they may be able to make peanuts safe for everyone. Then hopefully they'll get started on hazelnuts and almonds.

Added bonus: the article gets today's "Stating the obvious" award (narrowly beating out the pope) for this sentence: "Peanuts are one type of food allergens that can trigger allergic reaction in people with peanut allergy."

Breaking news: pope opposes gay marriage

In a surprising announcement, Pope Benedict XVI condemns gay marriage... he's also opposed to birth control, divorce, and abortion.

In other words, same ol' same ol'.