More on the Corby case...

This is the biggest case of toxic poisoning in the UK since thalidomide.
-Danielle Holliday, from Messrs Collins Solicitors, which handled the Corby case.

I found that there are quite a number of other stories celebrating the Corby victory. This story is worth reading as the decision could have far reaching impact.

Here is a run down of some of the stories and the angle they are taking on this issue.

1. UK Telegraph, 30th July 2009: Corby birth defect: Ten-year struggle ends in victory that echoes Erin Brockovich: Draws parellels with Erin Brockovitch and the thalidomide incident.

2. Guardian, 29th July 2009: 'I can't do some of the things other kids are doing. I can't run': Focuses on the tragedy of the deformity suffered by the children and the vindication this judgment brought them.

3. Independent, 29th July 2009: Cuts or rises: toxic claim 'will hit council tax payers': Plays out the council's side of the story, with the council trying to tell members of the public that their taxes will go to compensate the plaintiffs. Quotable quote: "All the evidence suggests it would have been cheaper to settle earlier than to pursue and defend the case. We have run up substantial legal costs. We've run up legal costs so far of £1.9 million - that is money we have already paid and budgeted."

4. New Statesman, 30th July 2009: Landmark ruling in birth defects case: Focuses on the legal aspects of the matter as a "landmark ruling", calling the case "the first case of its kind since the thalidomide scandal".

5. LocalGov, 30th July 2009: Corby lawyers urge rethink after contamination ruling: Tries to show the council's argument that this case could open the floodgates for other similar claims, against other councils carrying out reclamation works. The council's lawyers issued this statement: "This is a significant concern because the standard of care has been drawn very highly, and could cause a rethink of the way that reclamation is carried out in the UK." It sounds like they learned their lesson and have accepted the judgment. Yet they are considering appealing the decision.

Funny Sleeping Pills

pop a pill:
and hope it will
calm you down
and make you still.

soon comes slumber!
swift descending!
the brain blacks out--
the mind still thinking.

sleeping, dreaming
waking, doing
which is which?
how came the switch?

your eyelids open
to see the sunrise
and along with it
a small surprise

whilst sleeping well
the night before
you wreaked all hell
with a mighty snore.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Comment:

1. Ambien, Lunesta -- Heard of them?
   If your answer is no, then you should start paying attention. These are sleeping pills normally prescribed by pharmacists. The US Food and Drug Administration has identified 13 sleeping pills that cause strange behavior.
   



2. Strange? How strange?
   Pretty strange, in fact. You might be curious. So, read this quote:
   
   

   The agency's review was prompted, in part, by queries to it from The New York Times last year, after some users of the most widely prescribed drug, Ambien, started complaining online and to their doctors about unusual reactions ranging from fairly benign sleepwalking episodes to hallucinations, violent outbursts, nocturnal binge eating and — most troubling of all — driving while asleep.
   
   Night eaters said they woke up to find Tostitos and Snickers wrappers in their beds, missing food, kitchen counters covered with flour from baking sprees, and even lighted stoves. Sleep-drivers reported frightening episodes in which they recalled going to bed, but woke up to find they had been arrested roadside in their underwear or nightclothes.
   
   ^{Source: IHT}




3. Sex while sleeping?
   Some people have reported having sex while sleeping. Strange, but it's true, and if you wish to wake up having had sex with certain furniture, go ahead. [link]



4. Further reading
   Here is a list, with entries in no particular order:
   
   
   
   • Dark Side of Sleeping Pills, an online e-book [link]
   
   
   • Consciousness and Sleep -- Lecture notes [link]
   
   
   • Sound and Relaxation Discussion [link]
   
   
   • Sleep @ Wikipedia [link]