Most important news story of the week (ending November 21, 2008)

[ColbertWatcher]

Most important news story of the week ending November 21, 2008


A: President-elect Obama selects Eric Holder to be his Attorney General designate, Tom Daschle to head HHS

B: Spanish woman is the first patient to receive a whole organ transplant grown using her own cells<http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/the-medical-miracle-1024576.html>

C: Grand jury indicts Cheney, Gonzales on charges related to alleged abuse of prisoners held in federal detention centers in Willacy County, Texas

D: Somali pirates seize another ship

E: foreign automakers are leasing space at ports for imported cars that the dealers do not want and customers cannot buy

F: The Supremes rule in favor of the U.S. Navy in the case involving marine mammals and sonar testing

G: The Big Three Automakers came to Congress asking for $25 billion and they all traveled on separate private jets to do so

H: Dipshit is snubbed at the G20

I: a last-minute "incident" as part of the Friday document dump (please see which in my reply)

J: Other (please see my pick for most important new story in reply)

[charlie]

1. B(1) Historic transplant nearly botched by budget airline

Even though the transport of the cells had been pre-arranged, easyJet staff deemed the cells a security risk because they were carried in a test tube exceeding the 100ml limit for liquids.

Professor Martin Birchall, the scientist in charge of the cells, pleaded with staff at Bristol airport to allow the package on the flight.

He explained that the 60million cells could only survive outside laboratory conditions for 14 hours.

Martin Birchall, the scientist in charge of the cells, pleaded with staff at Bristol airport to allow the package on board

But the airline refused to allow them on to the plane - and when Professor Birchall protested, he was almost arrested by armed police.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1087849/EasyJet-ruined-pioneering-windpipe-transplant-operation-refusing-carry-stem-cells-flight.html

Professor Birchall managed to charter a private jet for £14,000 and arrive in time.

EasyJet offered to reimburse the unused £100 ticket.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. NO FUCKING WAY!

Holy crap.

That is insane.

[LaurenG]

2. B is really a great story but f is disgusting

and something needs to be done. That "technology" is killing marine animals on top of causing them severe pain.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. January 20, 2009 can't come fast enough. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Countdown kick. n/t