TASER International argues that its weapon has been thoroughly tested and proven to be safe. Dr. David Rosenbaum, the Director of Heart & Vascular Research Center at Case Western Reserve University, specifically refutes these assertions in many ways. The most important of which is probably the evidence that the weapon can capture and stimulate the heart enough to cause fibrillation. Dr. Rosenbaum says that there is "very reasonable evidence from the scientific and medical literature that states that TASERs applied to the body surface can stimulate the heart muscle, can electrically stimulate the heart muscle. It can stimulate the heart muscle in a rapid fashion, and it can stimulate the heart muscle in a fashion that is rapid enough to induce an arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation." Dr. Rosenbaum references a study in "The Journal of Cardiovascular Physiology" by Leslie Saxon which shows evidence of local capture of the heart muscle in humans. Rosenbaum explains that in the Saxon study they were able to record this capture because the patient happened to have a pacemaker leads in the heart that detected local myocardial capture. Dr. Rosenbaum also referenced a review by Paul Dorian, "where they clearly emphasized and pointed out the... fact that the TASER energy... can clearly stimulate the heart and induce fibrillation based on the Saxon report showing local capture in a human subject very well documented." Dr. Rosenbaum also makes a very strong case that the testing of the TASER that has been done has not adequately established that the weapon is safe for its intended use. Dr. Rosenbaum explains the lack of adequate testing done on the TASER as follows:
Another TASER death, right here in Denver
The Denver Coroner has ruled the death of Marvin Booker a homicide. The Denver Post reports:
Health Insurance Options in Colorado
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010 requires states to establish an internet website to help residents identify health coverage options. Colorado residents can get information about their options here. There is an excellent summary of the new health reform law done by the Kaiser Family Foundation. It can be found here.
Protecting Your Civil Rights
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is arguably the most important provision in our Constitution when it comes to protecting our civil rights. Section 1 of the 14th Amendment reads:
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