by Robert B. Reich

The American Prospect

12/22/04

The White House says the Food and Drug administration is doing a 'spectacular' job. Really? The FDA didn't respond to warning signs that block-buster painkillers like Celebrex and Vioxx increased the risk of heart attacks. Worse yet, its own drug-safety officer says the agency suppressed his research showing the apparent dangers of Vioxx.

... 'Spectacular?' I don't think so. In fact, one might conclude that the Food and Drug Administration is failing in its core mission to protect consumers from harm. It's a toothless tiger." [editor's note: Reich is characteristically unaware of the difference between an industry-based certification entity (Underwriters Laboratories) and the usual fedgov burEAUcracy that is only reactive rather than proactive in its "chewing" - SAT]

http://www.prospect.org/web/view-web.ww?id=8978


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

by Doug Bandow

Future of Freedom Foundation

12/20/04

War has become a centerpiece of American politics. The war on terrorism is the focus of U.S. foreign policy. A real war is being fought in Iraq. Jimmy Carter proclaimed the 'moral equivalent of war' over energy. Some analysts are advocating a war on obesity. But the longest-running ongoing 'war' is the war on drugs. For decades the U.S. government has attempted to suppress the use and sale of illicit substances. Alcohol and tobacco once were on the prohibited list but now are legal. Cocaine and marijuana, which once were legal, are now banned...

http://www.fff.org/comment/com0412f.asp


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

http://counterpunch.org/gardner09112004.html


Informant: Friends

by Hans Ruesch

http://www.wealth4freedom.com/truth/2/rockefeller.htm


Informant: Laurel

http://www.narconews.com/Issue34/article1047.html


Informant: Elven Astrorider

http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn08212004.html


Informant: Elven Astrorider