Hey - the shrub finally "won" something legally !!!!!

From USA Today

For the first time in the history of the Gallup Poll, 50% say they "strongly disapprove" of the president. Richard Nixon had reached the previous high, 48%, just before an impeachment inquiry was launched in 1974.

Congratulations mr pResident - you have finally met with success at some level somewhere....

Another "why am I not surprised?" post

Disclaimer - I take vitamins and supplements. I also market vitamins and supplements.

But did you ever stop to wonder why the big pharmas and your docs tell you vitamins are a waste of money?


Medical School Department Heads Financially Connected to Drug Companies
Breaking News
By VRP Staff

A new survey indicates that almost two thirds of department heads at U.S. medical schools have financial ties to drug companies.

The survey, conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, was distributed to all 125 accredited medical schools and the nation’s largest teaching hospitals. A total of 459 of 688 eligible department chairs completed the survey.

The results indicated that many of the academic leaders at these institutions served as paid consultants to the pharmaceutical industry or accepted free meals and drinks from drug company representatives. Overall, 60 percent of the department heads had a personal financial relationship with the drug companies. Twenty-seven percent reported serving as a paid consultant to the pharmaceutical industry and an equivalent amount of respondents also reported serving on a drug company scientific advisory board. Furthermore, 21 percent of these academic leaders reported serving on speakers’ bureaus for the drug industry. Eleven percent of respondents were on the board of directors of companies involved in the medical industry. In short, the survey found that pharmaceutical companies are involved in every aspect of medical care.

The lead author of the study, Eric Campbell, pointed out that drug companies and makers of medical devices often take advantage of these academic connections to convince physicians to widely prescribe the companies’ products to patients, even if the products aren’t necessarily in the patients’ best interest. Campbell also co-authored a study last year, which found that these same links to drug companies occur on hospital review boards that oversee experiments on patients.

Reference:

Campbell EG, Weissman JS, Ehringhaus S, Rao SR, Moy B, Feibelmann S, Goold SD. Institutional academic industry relationships. JAMA. 2007 Oct 17;298(15):1779-86.

Another beef recall? Yup!

Is anyone in the U.S. congress wondering why there have been so many recalls of all sorts of stuff this year? Or are they too busy cozying up to the same corporations that bring you ...E. Coli!

Today's recall below - and please note the beef was produced between October 8 and 11 - Isn't it now November 3rd?

U.S. agriculture giant Cargill recalls ground beef

Sat Nov 3, 2007 11:13am EDT

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Agricultural giant Cargill Inc. said on Saturday it is recalling over 1 million pounds of ground beef distributed in the United States because of possible E. Coli contamination.

Cargill Meat Solutions said the 1.084 million pounds (491,700 kg) of ground beef was produced at the Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, facility between October 8 and October 11, and distributed to retailers across the country.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture returned a confirmed positive for the E. coli bacteria on a sample produced on October 8, the company said.

Symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 illness, the strain associated with the recall, include potentially severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and dehydration. Children, the elderly and people with poor immune systems are the must vulnerable.

Full article HERE

Back to ranting

The art show is over and I am slowly catching up on the parts of life that got put on hold while getting ready for the show.

In the last week I ranted on KBOO, a local community radio station, about women and power. That was fun and the next time I am a guest on the show I will bring my camcorder and tape it for editing and posting here.....

Women and power is a long-time rant of mine and each time I talk about the subject, more ideas come up - that happened on the air as well - in addition to the great call-ins from listeners!

But today my angriest rants are for those "d" people in congress who no longer represent us - only their own interests!

Pelosi - will be at a fund raiser for Al Wynn - a "d" who pretty predictably votes with the shrub! And why? Incumbent protection? Here's a quote from and about Pelosi:

Though crediting activists for their "passion," Pelosi called it "a waste of time" for them to target Democrats. "They are advocates," she said. "We are leaders."

Why this message? Because a people powered movement is backing Donna Edwards - a real "D" and Pelosi is apparently not happy with democratic processes.

Next we have Shumer and Feinstein who say they will vote for the nomination of Mukasey for AG - the guy who can't say if waterboarding is torture and who believes mad king george can do as he wishes - and the constitution be damned!

With "d" people like these - it makes me sad......

Change of pace

I have ranted this week - but it's been in my own home : - )

My art group is having a show this coming Sunday and I have been busy getting ready. What I have learned is that although I love taking pictures and doing other forms of art - I HATE the "getting ready for a show" part. I'll be back to more regular blogging next week.

But I must say that watching the Red Sox win last night made the matting process a lot more fun...and after I set up my space this afternoon - I will return for more matting while watching game 2 of the World Series.

Here is our Press Release

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists
503.244.0794
info@northwestjewishartists.org
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org

CELEBRATION OF ART:
Portland, Oregon- October 28th, 9am-3pm
Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane
Portland Oregon

The magic begins as you enter our Main Exhibit Hall. Live music by well known recording artists and performers will greet your ears, and a coffee house featuring fresh treats will tantalize your palate as you listen to the musical stylings of Stephanie Schneiderman (of Dirty Martini fame), George Fendel, jazz pianist, and Justin Jude, recently named "Oregon's Best Singer/Songwriter 2007!"

Stroll from exhibit to exhibit to experience a unique show that blends the best elements of a gallery opening with an artist colony tour -- with a coffee house of a forgotten age tossed in. Celebrating their second year as a collective, ORA artists invite the public to
discover their new work. Although the artists are Jewish, Judaic and secular works are available for purchase.

Members of ORA are: Rosana Berdichevsky , collage and multi-media; Lynn Dorman, photography; Leslie Elder water colors, Robin Esterkin, water color, acrylic and mixed media; Laurie Fendel, fabric construction; Diane Fredgant, silk painting; Sara Harwin, fabric construction, acrylic painting and serigraph prints; Julie Hockley, hand-cast precious metal jewelry & ritual objects; Esther Liberman, handmade bead work; Sharon Segal, acrylic and mixed media paintings and cards; Eddy Shuldman, fused glass; and Sabina Wohlfeiler, water color paintings.

You don't need to be Jewish to come look, schmooze with the artists, nosh a little, and buy art that speaks to you., Best of all, admission is free!

For more information please visit our website: www.northwestjewishartists.org