Monday, December 26, 2011

Are We High Yet?

Sometimes I just don't know what to say...


Painkiller 10 times stronger than Vicodin worries addiction experts

(It Should) 

(CBS/AP) As pharmaceutical companies are approaching the final stages of development for a new type of painkiller said to be 10 times stronger than Vicodin, addiction experts worry a new wave of abuse may soon follow...
Four companies have begun patient testing on the pills which contain a pure version of the highly addictive painkiller hydrocodone...
"It's like the wild west," said Peter Jackson, co-founder of Advocates for the Reform of Prescription Opioids. "The whole supply-side system is set up to perpetuate this massive unloading of opioid narcotics on the American public."
                                                          ***

Opiates block pain but also unleash intense feelings of well-being and can create physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can be intense, causing cramps, diarrhea, muddled thinking, nausea and vomiting. After a while, opiates stop working, forcing users to take stronger doses.

"You've got a person on your product for life, and a doctor's got a patient who's never going to miss an appointment, because if they did and they didn't get their prescription, they would feel very sick," said Andrew Kolodny, president of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. "It's a terrific business model, and that's what these companies want to get in on."

The U.S. consumes 99 percent of the world's hydrocodone and 83 percent of its oxycodone, according to a 2008 study by the International Narcotics Control Board.   [Emphasis mine].

What Is Happening To Our Children?

I fear I have encountered an iceberg. My research is just beginning and I don't like what I am finding out about child abuse in the U.S.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2010). Child Maltreatment 2009. Available from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm#can
(HT) ChildHelp.org


Iraq Coalition Military Fatalities By Year

YearUSUKOtherTotal
20034865341580
20048492235906
20058462328897
20068222921872
20079044710961
200831444322
200914910150
2010600060
2011540054
Total44841791394802

Afghanistan Coalition Military Fatalities By Year

YearUSUKOtherTotal
2001120012
20024931870
20034801058
2004521760
200599131131
2006983954191
20071174273232
20081555189295
200931710896521
2010499103109711
201141245101558
Total18583935882839

More than 13,000 children have died from abuse since 2003. Double the number of military coalition casualties of two wars.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Donald tells the GOP; "You're Fired!"

From Political Wire:

 Trump Dumps Republican Party

Donald Trump continued to tease a potential presidential run by changing his voter registration from Republican to "unaffiliated" and publicly denouncing the behavior of members of his former party, CNN reports.

Michael Cohen, an aide to Trump, said the real estate mogul and reality television star made the switch "in order to preserve his right to run for president as an independent if he's not satisfied with who the Republicans nominate."

Cohen added that Trump was "disgusted with the way Republicans are handling" the payroll tax cut extension, saying the actions of Republicans were partly to blame for his party change.
 A person just can't make this shit up. Mitt, Newt, The Donald, Jon, Ron Paul, Rick Perry (what the fuck is up with the two first names?), Herman the Ho...Is anyone else embarrassed? It's Not going to be The Thrilla In Manilla folks.


Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

From Taegan Goddard at Political Wire:


December 24, 2011

Gingrich Fails to Qualify for Virginia Ballot

Newt Gingrich has failed to qualify for Virginia's presidential primary, the Richmond Times Dispatch reports.

Rick Perry also failed to amass the required 10,000 signatures of registered voters to qualify for the March 6 contest.

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul will be the only candidates on the ballot.

Several polls this month showed Gingrich with a substantial lead over Romney in the state.
Merry Christmas from Virginia.


Friday, December 23, 2011

Oh yeah, Christmas.

So it's that time again. Well we saved the cattle but we lost the farm. A person can't have everything. For the one or two lost souls who have happened onto this electronic cave, a suggestion for Christmas day entertainment:

The Dismal Political Economist


They promise to bring us the up side of our holiday cheer.