Is it time to get serious about ARA terrorists?

The firebombing of two biological research scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz undoubtedly represents a novel phase of escalation in the threat level represented by animal rights activists. We are inching forward to the point at which the violent extremists, fueled on by their supposedly mainstream apologists, finally kill a research scientist. It would be very nice if we did not have to reach that point before the underinformed and naive supporter of generic ‘animal welfare’ (the sensitivities of whom are usually preyed upon by the violent fringe and their front groups to provide cover and support) realizes that there is a time to make hard decisions. A time to confront one’s actual priorities and values, in concrete terms instead of comfortable ivory tower “what-ifs”. A recent editorial in Science asks for legal solutions before someone dies.

HIPAA Concerns or Institutional CYA?

Thomas Robey of Hope For Pandora muses on a case in which a blogger associated with a teaching hospital was called on the carpet. Now the good Dr. Robey, perennial optimist that he is, attributes the concern expressed by said hospital as merely a sign that they are “out of their league” and are having trouble catching up with the idea that blogs are becoming very commonplace. Me, I’m a little more cynical.