ppp 02-11-08

Quote of the day: When the political columnists say 'Every thinking man' they mean themselves,

and when candidates appeal to 'Every intelligent voter'

they mean everybody who is going to vote for them.
Franklin P. Adams (1881 - 1960), Nods and Becks (1944)

Instead of celebrating at a Mardi Gras party I elected to go to my political party’s caucus. As I do in non-presidential years, I set out early to renew acquaintances prior to the meeting. This year the parking lot was completely full so I parked 2 ½ blocks away. By Minnesota law, no public building may hold a scheduled function so that all are available for the caucuses on the SECOND Tuesday of February. Organizers had to scramble for space because both major parties moved their gatherings up 1 week. Instead of the expected 300 hardcore partisans, over 1200 showed.

Our precinct had so many participants ( I live near a college campus) that we would not all fit in the designated classroom. Instead we were given ½ of a gymnasium… no chairs, no podium, no PA system… just space. To sign the register we had to write on the floor, wall, or each other’s backs. To make things even more interesting, there was a large curtain separating our area from a basketball practice in progress. There is nothing like the sound of 10 bouncing basketballs to get the political juices flowing.

Even though it was difficult to hear the nominating speeches, the endorsements, and pleas to support one candidate or another we were able to conduct the presidential straw poll. Immediately after the vote about 60% of the people left the meeting. After their departure the remaining 60 of us were able to elect 12 delegates and two alternates (even though we were allotted 24 alternates).

With so much riding on this election it will be interesting, if not pleasant, to see this all plays out in November and onto the next presidential race in 2012. With healthcare a big issue I’m sure that all readers will be affected… for better or worse. I sure hope you made your wishes known at your caucuses. The world belongs to those who show up …and stay.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Great...simply great!"

pps. Occasionally, some of the links require FREE registration.... I'm sure you can handle THAT slight inconvenience.

Generic Fosamax approved. Expect prices to hold for about 6 months and then drop to about 30% of brand name prices.

FDA is still in need of a commissioner. I wonder why? Couldn’t be because of the pressure, partisan politics and downright nastiness. The pay isn’t great. But then again, it is the chance to make a difference. How about you Dr. Gregg?

Generic Nexium tentatively approved by the FDA for the day after the patent is up… April 14^th.

Flu vaccine is not adequately covering the emergent strains of flu this year. Let’s hope that the scientists get it right next season.

2nd and 3^rd degree burns from ICY HOT products (not the creams). See details.

Not indicated but was used in children with spasticity of cerebral palsy …with deadly results.

Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the newer PCA3 test are less accurate at detecting prostate cancer than this new urine test in development. This could make early detection faster and easier (and maybe cheaper in the long run).

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