Bits and Pieces: News

Ashley Treatment
To anyone who thought that the slippery slope argument in regard to the Ashley Treatment was baloney:
Two families are seeking the same treatment for their children (via The Gimp Parade).

Asthma Inhalers May Cost More
Beginning in 2008, all sales of CFC-filled albuterol asthma inhalers are banned. A generic version of the new formulations that use an environmentally friendly propellants may not be available immediately, making inhalers more expensive.

Another Attack of a Homeless Person in Florida
Two 10-year old boys and a 17-year old attacked a homeless man in Florida. The boys threw rocks at the man. The 17-year old punched him, knocking him to the ground. Then, one of the boys used parts of a concrete wall to hit the homeless man in the head.

TJ Maxx Credit Data Theft Incident
The TJ Maxx data theft incident is turning out to be the biggest ever with "at least 45.7 million credit and debit card numbers being stolen over a period of several years".

Iran
U.S. is demonstrating the largest show of force in the Persian Gulf since 2003.

The Undersecretary of State claims "We are not there to provoke any military conflict".

Secretary of Defense says U.S.
is not planning for a war with Iran.

The New Yorker reports on Pentagon plans for a possible attack on Iran:

Still, the Pentagon is continuing intensive planning for a possible bombing attack on Iran, a process that began last year, at the direction of the President. In recent months, the former intelligence official told me, a special planning group has been established in the offices of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, charged with creating a contingency bombing plan for Iran that can be implemented, upon orders from the President, within twenty-four hours.