Yes... you heard me right.

Low to moderate blood alcohol levels improve the chance of survival for people brought into emergency rooms with traumatic brain injuries, a Canadian study finds.

The death rate among the 1,158 patients in the study was 24 percent lower for those with moderate blood alcohol levels than those with no alcohol in their blood. But the death rate for those with high levels was 73 percent higher than for those with no blood alcohol.

Ok ok... I'm being silly ;)
Yes yes... I know it's a serious topic....

Ohh.. and if you want to read about the research check it out here.

According to an article in Salon, via Mind Hacks:

The American Psychological Association, the world's largest professional organization of psychologists, is poised to issue a formal condemnation of a raft of notorious interrogation tactics employed by U.S. authorities against detainees during the so-called war on terror, from simulated drowning to sensory deprivation. The move is expected during the APA's annual convention in San Francisco this weekend.

The APA's anti-torture resolution follows a string of revelations in recent months of the key role played by psychologists in the development of brutal interrogation regimes for the CIA and the military. And it comes just weeks after news that the White House may be calling on psychologists once again: On July 20, President Bush signed an executive order restarting a coercive CIA interrogation program at the agency's "black sites." Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has indicated that psychological techniques will be part of the revamped program, but that the interrogations would be subject to careful medical oversight. That oversight is likely to be performed by psychologists.

It IS about time the APA condemned torture participation... but shouldn't they have done that back when the American Medical Association did? The reputation of the APA has suffered greatly.

But does any of this really matter? Will the condemnation and ban of the torture tactics employed by Psychologists make a difference? Absolutely not. Even if the APA knew which psychologists were participating with the CIA and friends and they kicked them out, it wouldn't make one bit of a difference. If someone is willing to participate in torture they are not likely to be concerned with what some professional organization believes anyway. I'm think that they can't even take away your right to practice psychology (can a clinician please let us know?).

But wait... it's even worse. The APA hasn't even proposed a full ban on psychologists participating in torture:

Psychologists interviewed by Salon noted a series of potential loopholes embedded in the resolution condemning CIA tactics. A simple example is the ban on isolation and sleep deprivation, favorite tactics of the CIA. But the resolution from Brehm and the APA leadership only forbids the methods when "used in a manner that adversely affects an individual's physical or mental health." There will be efforts in San Francisco to plug those loopholes, and to force a vote on a moratorium.

A number of psychologists, including Neil Altman, have proposed a ban on all participation in torture but it is extremely unlikely the APA will even allow a vote on the issue.

That leadership is seen by some psychologists as too chummy with government interests and with the military in particular. Backers of the moratorium are set to meet with APA leadership before next weekend just to negotiate for the opportunity to bring their resolution up for a vote before the council.

One other last thought... Do you think the CIA gives a shit what the APA says or does?
Yeah, I doubt it either.