Current Events in November 2015

Jobs, the economy, immigration, defense, LGBT rights, abortion. Important issues to be sure, but there's one the presidential candidates have been ignoring until now -- marijuana.

Bernie Sanders broke the embargo last week, possibly lighting a fire under millions of potential voters who have so far not been mesmerized by any of the candidates.

Other candidates, not convinced that the times they are a'changing, have steered clear of the issue, although some political analysts think that public opinion may be rapidly moving in favor of limited legalization, just as it did on same sex marriage.

Gallup recently reported that a majority of Americans continue to say marijuana use should be legal in the United States, with 58% holding that view, tying the high point in Gallup's 46-year trend.

Equal justice

Knowing which way the wind is blowing is fine, but sometimes you have to blow the smoke in the right direction, as Sanders did by positioning it as a question of equal justice rather than self-indulgence.  

Sanders cited a recent FBI report that someone in the United States is arrested every minute on marijuana charges and said he would take marijuana off the federal government’s list of outlawed drugs.

Speaking at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., to 250 online student meetings in all 50 states, Sanders said he favors removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances regulated by federal law.

“In the United States we have 2.2 million people in jail today, more than any other country. And we’re spending about $80 billion a year to lock people up. We need major changes in our criminal justice system – including changes in drug laws,” Sanders said.

“Too many Americans have seen their lives destroyed because they have criminal records as a result of marijuana use. That’s wrong. That has got to change,” he added.

Under the senator’s proposal, people in states which legalize marijuana no longer would be subject to federal prosecution for using pot. Owners of stores that sell marijuana could fully participate in the banking system, like any other business.

States which want to regulate marijuana would remain free to do so, the same way local laws now govern sales of alcohol and tobacco. Sanders would continue to allow federal law enforcement officials to arrest and prosecute drug dealers for trafficking in marijuana sales.

Younger voters

Sanders' stance should smell sweet to younger voters, who are frequently difficult to lure to the polls, although older Americans are also beginning to come around on the issue.

According to Gallup, younger Americans, Democrats and independents are the most likely of major demographic and political groups to favor legalization, while Republicans and older Americans are least likely to do so.

Younger Americans have always shown the most support of any age group for making marijuana legal, but this has grown from 20% of 18- to 34-year-olds in 1969 to 71% of those in the same age group today, Gallup said.

But even seniors are becoming more mellow on the question. Gallup says 35% of today's seniors -- many of whom have been smoking weed since the 60s -- are in favor of legalization, compared with 4% in 1969.

Among all age groups, the increase in support has been proportionately greater over the last 15 years than it was between any of the earlier time periods.

No stampede

So far, there's no stampede by other candidates to get in line. Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that federal restrictions should be loosened in states where marijuana is legal but has declined to go beyond that.

Most Republicans are even less sympathetic. Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) has said he would crack down on all illegal substances and Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) vigorously opposes legalization.

Kasich may want to stay alert, however. Voters in Ohio will decide in tomorrow's election whether they want to legalize pot in their state.  

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) brands himself a Libertarian and might be expected to lean towards legalization. And maybe he does. He reportedly raised more than $100,000 at a Colorado marijuana industry conference and has previously called for marijuana decriminalization. 

Paul is co-sponsor of the CARERS Act, which would permit states to create medical marijuana rules without federal interference, and he’s co-sponsored a bill that would help marijuana businesses obtain bank accounts, a measure Sanders also supports. But he hasn't made the issue a rallying cry of his campaign, at least not yet.

Politicians are often -- some would say usually -- slow to embrace changing attitudes, but with more than a year to go until the presidential election, there's plenty of time to clear the air on marijuana.

Nearly every time there is a high-profile data breach, the compromised organization responds by providing victims with credit monitoring for a one or two-year period.

It's a nice gesture, but a report by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund questions the value of that remedy, saying it does nothing to prevent identity theft, the major threat when a person's personal data is compromised.

The report says most credit monitoring services only detect certain types of fraud, after it has occurred.

A better step, the organization says, is for affected consumers to immediately place a freeze on their credit.

“Only the security freeze can prevent someone from opening a new credit account in your name,” said Mike Litt of U.S. PIRG. “Credit monitoring services may tell you but only after you’ve already been victimized.”

Worse, he says, credit monitoring is usually offered after simple retail credit number breaches, even though they offer no help against unauthorized use of your existing accounts. He says that's the fraud most likely to occur from that type of breach.

How a freeze is different

Here's how a security freeze is different. It prevents a fraudster from opening an account in your name. Even if the identity thief has your Social Security number and other personal data, he will be blocked because the freeze does not allow any bank or business from accessing your credit report.

Without checking your credit, no bank or business will extend credit in your name without verifying that the applicant is really you. When you want to apply for credit, you can temporarily “unfreeze” your credit file.

“Whether your personal information has been stolen or not, your best protection against someone opening new credit accounts in your name is the security freeze, not the often-offered credit monitoring services, which only alert you after a new account has been applied for or opened,” said Litt. “For this kind of ID theft, only a security freeze offers peace of mind.”

What to do

To place a freeze on your credit, you'll need to contact each of the three credit reporting agencies. Click the links below for instructions:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an extended fraud alert is free but primarily intended for victims of identity theft and those who believe they are at risk. Today, however, that covers just about everyone.

If you have reason to believe that any of your personal data has been compromised – if your credit card was one of the 40 million exposed in the Target breach, for example – you may be justified in asking for an extended fraud alert on your account. Anyone is eligible for a 90-day fraud alert, which can be renewed.

JPMorgan Chase will pay $100 million to settle allegations that it committed debt-collection abuses against tens of thousands of its credit card holders, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced today.

The settlement specifically addresses debt collection wrongdoing that includes collecting incorrect amounts, selling bad credit card debt, and running a debt collection mill that involved illegally “robo-signing” thousands of court documents and improperly obtaining default judgments against military servicemembers.

As part of the settlement, Chase will pay $50 million in restitution to consumers nationwide, including an estimated $10 million to California consumers, and significant restitution to servicemembers in California, some of whom were on active duty when Chase obtained illegal default judgments against them. 

Chase will also pay $50 million in penalties and other payments to California, through the Office of the Attorney General. The judgment includes injunctive terms that fundamentally change Chase’s credit card debt-collection practices to prevent similar misconduct in the future, and is subject to court approval.

“Abusive and illegal debt collection practices will not be tolerated in California,” Harris said. “This settlement provides real relief to tens of thousands of Californians, including servicemembers, and prevents JPMorgan Chase from continuing  these deceptive and illegal debt collection practices.”

Robosigners

Between 2009 and 2013, Chase filed more than 125,000 credit card collection lawsuits against California consumers relying on illegally robo-signed sworn documents and provided an additional 30,000 robo-signed sworn statements in support of lawsuits filed against California consumers by third-party debt-collectors, Harris said. 

Chase also made systematic calculation errors regarding the amounts owed, and sold “zombie debts” to third-party debt-collectors that included accounts that were inaccurate, settled, discharged in bankruptcy, not owed, or otherwise not collectable, she said.

The Attorney General’s investigation and litigation further revealed that Chase sent letters to consumers that contained illegal threats and were signed by attorneys who did not review the accuracy of the information, determine if litigation was appropriate, or intend to follow through on some of the threats made.

Chase also filed false declarations regarding military service and improperly obtained default judgments against servicemembers on active duty, in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the California Military and Veterans Code.

Common conceptions about smoking have changed drastically over the years. Many Americans may remember old Westerns and other films where the machismo star would deliver a clever line and take a drag of his ever-present cigarette.

However, that iconography has changed in recent years. A more health-conscious populace recognizes the dangerous health effects of smoking, and as a result, it has become much less socially acceptable. But could this new stigma be making it harder for people to quit smoking? Researchers from Penn State think that might be case.

Negative stigmas

After conducting a study, researchers believe that stigmatizing smoking can, for some people, make it harder to quit. While you might question the validity of that statement at first, it actually makes a lot of sense if you stop and think about it. Some smokers can often feel attacked when faced with negative feedback on their habit, which can make them defensive and angry – not the ideal mindset for someone looking to quit.

For the purposes of the study, researchers from the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Germany examined nearly 600 articles that addressed smoking self-stigma. They found that responses to negative stigmas ran the gamut – while they could influence some smokers to quit, they could also be just as effective at making other smokers stick to their habit.

“Consequences of stigmatizing stereotypes ranged from increased intentions to quit smoking to increased stress to greater resistance to quitting smoking,” said Rebecca Evans-Polce, a postdoctoral fellow from Penn State.

"Universally negative" stereotype

Unfortunately, these negative stigmas are currently pretty pervasive in our culture. “The stereotypes that smokers deal with are almost universally negative,” said Sara Evans-Lacko, a research fellow from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Other related studies have found that 30-40 percent of smokers felt that their families and society disapproved of their habit. 27 percent felt they were treated differently because of it, and 39% believed that others thought less of them.

While these statistics are more general, negative stigmas for smoking are much more potent for different groups of people. Evans-Lacko said she found that stigmas for smoking parents were particularly strong. Other studies show that women who smoke are considered much more socially unacceptable than their male counterparts.

Proper social pressure

So while providing social pressure to get people to stop smoking may be effective, making sure it is the right kind of pressure is extremely important. Those who suffer from having too few coping mechanisms would benefit from anti-smoking programs that focus on the benefits of quitting, said Evans-Lacko.

While the study was successful, Evans-Polce admits that there is still much work that needs to be done. “Future research is needed to understand what factors are related to how individuals respond to smoking stigma," she said.

The full study has been published in the journal Social Science & Medicine. 

Amazon.com has taken additional steps to gear up for the holiday shopping season, launching a Black Friday Deals Store and unveiling its Electronics Holiday Gift Guide.

The company also says consumers can use its Gift Finder tool to help select gifts, based on the recipient's characteristics and interests.

The Black Friday store offers daily Black Friday deals on a wide range of products. The company says the deals will flow before and after Black Friday, with bargains on thousands of items between now and December 22.

Promoting Prime

Not surprisingly, Amazon is using the promotion to pump up its Prime membership.

“We’re giving Prime members early access to more than 30,000 Lightning Deals and for all customers, tens of thousands of great deals in the Black Friday Deals store,” said Steve Shure, Vice President Amazon Consumer Marketing. “With incredible deals, fast delivery options, curated lists like our Electronics Holiday Gift Guide, gift recommendations, customer reviews and more, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to save time and money on their holiday shopping.”

Some of the early Black Friday deals include:

• 30% off Sony XBR55X900C 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV with a Blu-ray Player
• $170 off the Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens
• 47% off Jaybird X Sport Bluetooth Headphones
• 40% off Frye, select shoes, handbags, accessories, and luggage/travel for men and women
• $10 off select $50 Black & Decker product purchases

Electronics gift guide

The Electronics Holiday Gift Guide has more than 600 popular gift items, organized by category and gift recipient. The guide features camera gear from GoPro and Canon, as well as electronic gadgets and Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage.

Something new this year – Amazon is using 3D imagery of popular gifts in its online displays.

Amazon also says it can predict a few trends for holiday gift-giving. It says consumers are looking for high-tech at low-budget prices. It says the new Amazon Fire tablet fits nicely into that category.

Also in demand this holiday season – wearables from brands like Jawbone, Fitbit, and Garmin, offering style and the ability to monitor personal health.

Online shopping will also be more hands-free, Amazon predicts. It says consumers are using more voice-activated devices to search for and order items on their shopping lists.

Teenagers – and many adults – fight outbreaks of acne, many of which can be severe.

A study of how these severe cases are treated has found plenty of room for improvement.

Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center conclude that physicians who treat severe cases of the skin blemishes prescribe ineffective antibiotics and leave patients on the medication too long when it doesn't work.

“Our study suggests that physicians need to recognize within weeks, not months, when patients are failing to respond to antibiotic therapy in cases of severe acne,” said study senior investigator Seth Orlow.

The researchers reviewed 137 medical histories of patients who were over the age of 12. Orlow said the study focused specifically on the history of antibiotic overuse in severe cases of acne.

Isotretinoin option

In all the cases, the original medication was replaced with isotretinoin, sometimes known by its former brand name Accutane.

The study found that on average, patients with severe, often “cystic” acne stayed on initial antibiotic therapy for 11 months before their doctors recognized that the drugs were not working.

There are two problems with that, Orlow says. First, the initial medication wasn't helping. Second, its overuse added to the danger of antibiotic resistance.

That's not to say antibiotics shouldn't be used to treat acne. In cases of inflammatory acne, it can help.

But Orlow says doctors should be limiting antibiotic therapy to two months to three months each, or a cumulative total of no more than six months, unless there are significant improvements.

Complacent about antibiotics

“Physicians and patients have become far too complacent about antibiotic overuse and its subsequent danger of increasing microbial drug resistance,” said Orlow.

Then why don't doctors treating severe acne turn to isotretinoin earlier? Maybe because isotretinoin is somewhat controversial.

Lead study investigator and dermatologist Arielle Nagler says fears about isotretinoin side effects, as well as federal restrictions meant to prevent use of the medication during pregnancy, may have a chilling effect on its use.

In fact, advice from the Mayo Clinic says isotretinoin should only be used after other acne therapy has been tried and failed.

At issue is the delay

Nagler acknowledges the risk of side effects, but maintains that is not the issue. Rather, that doctors wait too long in turning to it after antibiotics have failed. She says protocols are in place to prevent or carefully manage the risks.

“Acne remains the number one reason for young people to visit a dermatologist, and there are no other medications as effective as isotretinoin for treating severe cases of the skin condition,” said Nagler, an instructor at NYU Langone. “We need to find a better balance between trying antibiotics that may work and getting isotretinoin quickly to patients for whom antibiotics are not working.”

You can check out what the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has to say about isotretinoin here.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has closed some restaurants in Washington and Oregon as health authorities investigate an E. coli outbreak.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a total of 22 people have gotten sick – 19 in Washington and three in Oregon.

The Washington State Department of Health reports four cases were reported in King County, nine in Clark County, one in Cowlitz County, and five in Skagit County.

While the outbreak appears to be linked to food served at Chipotle restaurants, the food or other source of contamination hasn’t yet been determined and remains under investigation, the department said. Restaurants in Washington state have voluntarily closed until further information on the cause of the outbreak is available.

Strain not identified

At last report, the strain of E. coli had not been identified. Some types of E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting. Those illnesses can sometimes result in severe, life-threatening illness and may be fatal.

“Anyone who thinks they may have become ill from eating at a Chipotle restaurant in the past three weeks should consult their healthcare provider,” said Washington State Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist. “The elderly and very young children are more likely to become severely ill from this kind of E. coli infection.”

The FDA said it is working closely with its federal, state, and local partners conducting an investigation into the outbreak. The agency said it will continue to provide additional updates and advice as it becomes available.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common way to acquire E. coli bacteria is from ground beef, unpasteurized milk, and from fresh produce, contaminated by runoff from cattle farms.

The manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy expanded in October for the 34th month in a row, with the overall economy growing for the 77th consecutive month.

The latest Manufacturing Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Report On Business shows the October Purchasing Management Index (PMI) came in at 50.1%, down 0.1% from the month before.

The Production Index rose 1.1% from September to 52.9%, while the Employment Index slumped 2.9% to 47.6%.

A reading above 50% generally suggests expansion, while anything below that indicates contraction.

Sector performance

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, seven reported growth last month in the following order:

• Printing & Related Support Activities;
• Furniture & Related Products;
• Miscellaneous Manufacturing;
• Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products;
• Chemical Products;
• Paper Products; and
• Fabricated Metal Products.

The nine industries reporting contraction in October -- listed in order – were:

• Apparel, Leather & Allied Products;
• Primary Metals;
• Petroleum & Coal Products;
• Plastics & Rubber Products;
• Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components;
• Machinery;
• Transportation Equipment;
• Wood Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

Helados La Tapatia of Fresno, Calif., is recalling 13 milk based ice cream products manufactured from October 8, 2015, through October 16, 2015; and its Cookies "n" Cream bar and Granola bar.

The products contain wheat, almond, egg and soy, allergens not listed on the label.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date.

The following products, distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington, are being recalled:

Customers who purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-559-441-1105 Monday through Friday, 6:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. (PDT); Saturday, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. (PDT); and by email at helatapatia@sbcqlobal.net.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 75,574 model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015.

The affected vehicles may have a misrouted air conditioning suction/discharge hose which may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.