Civilization?

China likes to claim that they were an advanced civilization when we were still barbarians (well, actually, they still think we are).
Their ancient herbal medicine was thought of as backward and useless for much of the modern era.
Only in recent decades have many herbal remedies and acupuncture been proven to work and accepted by western medicine.

One reason that acceptance was so long in coming is a refusal on the Chinese side to accept that some of their "cures" are not only worthless, but manufactured via unacceptable practices.
Rhinoceros and Bears are still killed for body parts that have no proven positive effect.
In China, there are even "Bear Farms" that cage Asian black bears in tight quarters, deny them adequate water, and cause and leave open wounds in order to harvest bile from their gall bladders.

Civilization indeed!

"Bike to work day" cancelled

Holy Yogi Bear!
A Florida man was riding his bike into work when a black bear collided with his bike and tore off the back wheel.
The 300lb (estimated) bear left the cyclist with major injuries.
Experts say this type of bear behavior is unusual.

You think?

I'm guessing that more than a few have rethought their "Bike to work" day plans.

New pot farm guards not up to snuff

Illegal Canadian pot farmers have been trying a new tactic to prevent theft of their crop.
They placed dog food out to convince local bears to stay in the area in order to scare off any hikers.
When police came to investigate a pot farm, they found at least 14 bears hanging out on the property.
The bears were not aggressive and the raid proceeded with caution.
According to police, the pot farmers usually employ dogs as guards and the bears probably will have to be destroyed as they are now attracted to humans for the easy food source.