 |
|
Add to My Group
|
October 9, 2008 at 01:34:46
Obama Must Appoint a Consumer Protectionist as FDA Commissioner by Stephen Fox Page 1 of 2 page(s) |
|
 
|
7
3
3
President Obama Must Appoint a Consumer Protectionist as FDA Commissioner, no Big Pharma & Big Junk Food Corporate Hack! Right now there is a huge battle going on in New Zealand regarding whether the nation should ban Aspartame, the Neurotoxic Carcinogenic Artificial Sweetener found in 7000 or so foods and medicines, including children's vitamins, even though it is metabolized as, among things, methanol, formaldehyde, and a proven brain tumor agent called DIKETOPIPERAZINE. Having tried twice in the New Mexico Legislature and once in the Hawaii Legislature to ban the poison by statute, and all 3 times, watching the bill get eviscerated then strangled in committee, largely the result of corporate lobbyists, my highest faith now is considering what kind of FDA Commissioner it will be who President Obama appoints. It won't continue to be Andrew Von Eschenbach, the Bush appointee. Unless it is a true consumer protectionist, and my personal favorite candidate is one of the few I completely trust, Dr. Howard Dean, aspartame will stay on the market. I mean for God's Sake: even Richard Nixon had the brains to give a Presidential Order to rescind FDA approval for Cyclamates, after evidence of its cancer causing neurotoxicity was presented to him by physicians and Washinton Attorney and former Nader Raider James Turner, co-author with Nader of The Chemical Feast, one of the first books on this I ever read, back in the early 70's.
The early 80's saw Donald Rumsfeld as CEO of G.D. Searle force the FDA to approve aspartame with his crony Arthur Hull Hayes as Commissioner. The entire grim nasty truth and sordid history is in an article RUMSFELD'S BIOWEAPON LEGACY, and elsewhere in purely legislative language in Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 191 from 2008 which I wrote with Dr. Betty Martini. To read it, click here.
My reason for writing this has more to do with illuminating you as to what is going on in New Zealand. It started when an actress, Abby Cormack, realized that what was causing several chronic and undiagnosable or misdiagnosed neurologicail ailments was her consumption of sugarless gum and diet sodas. Ten months ago in OpEdNews, I published this article, Aspartame Research Needed, Not Coca-Cola Soft Sell This was basically a press release put out by consumer activists in New Zealand.
Betty Martini, Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, a few days later published this at OpEdNews, Aspartame and New Zealand.
This has heated up and about ten days ago, a Coca Cola Toxicologist and Abby had a debate on New Zealand National Television in an almost 9 minute broadcast, longer of course than would be possible in the American media in the post-Rumsfeld era, and of greater interest to New Zealanders that it would be to most Americans, who get that battered guinea pig look of boredom, if you speak of such things as neurotoxic food additives in almost all Junk Food. Is it genocide? Well, perhaps, but that is another discussion beyond the scope of this article.
Here is the news coverage from Channel 3 New Zealand introducing the video of the "debate" between Abby Cormack and the Coke lobbyist (or what ever else you want to put after Coke), reporting , which by American Standards, might seem a bit objective:
"Aspartame is the artificial sweetener commonly found in products such as diet soft drink, lite yoghurt and sugar free gum to name just a few.
But recent reports linking it to a range of diseases including cancer and brain lesions have seen sales of aspartame-containing products plummet as New Zealanders returned to consuming their high-sugar alternatives.
Is there any foundation to the claims? Dr Bernadene Magnuson is a toxicologist who is in New Zealand, sponsored to present a series of seminars by Cocacola. Both she and Abby Cormack, who believes she is a victim of aspartame poisoning, spoke to Sunrise. This is the video of the newscast/debate.
This is my own personal response: First, the Coke Toxicologist's "study" was totally funded by industry.
"I commend Channel 3 for covering this more than would be possible in the SA, where people seem bored with neurutoxicity discussions and where Coca Cola and Big Junk food control the media, preventing such "radical" talk in toto.
The rent-a-toxicologist championing industry-paid-for "studies" is works for Coca Cola! She could never explain why Coca Cola and Ajinomoto of Japan (world's largest manufacturer of Aspartame as well as another neurotoxic additive, MSG) workers unloading Aspartame tankers must wear Hazardous Materials Suits.
Aspartame was forced on the market by now-disgraced Donald Rumsfeld and his crony Arthur Hull Hayes in 1981; google RUMSFELD'S BIOWEAPON LEGACY, plus medical texts by HJ Roberts and Russell Blaylock.
1 | 2
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
|
| 50 comments |
|
Here is the best candidate
RALPH NADER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Joel S. Hirschhorn (141 articles, 50 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 546 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 8:32:56 AM  (0+)
|
|
Reply: best candidate
I think Cynthia McKinney and Brian Moore are better. by Ty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 888 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 6:41:51 PM (0+)
|
|
Bravo, Bravo, This would be a great start
There are to many chemical additives in our food supply, and they are the cause of most of the sickness in the world. Aspartame, MSG, HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) Artificial Coloring and preservatives. All these additives are not what our cellular system require for optimal health. The food supply is already nutrient and mineral deficient and don't give our immune system what it requires to protect our bodies from invaders. Our cellular system needs a good supply of minerals and nutrients to perform its duties for physical and mental health, and when we don't get it we suffer from breakdowns in our bodies. Those neuro-toxic chemicals should all be removed from the food supply and changing the Head of the FDA is a great start. The Government needs to fund that department better so they don't have to depend on Corporate money to run the FDA. I really believe there should be changes in the law to make it illegal for lobbyists to contact our elected officials and bribe them against the health of the public. The FDA is our guardian of the food supply and we depend on them to protect us from unscrupulous corporations that want to profit on the health of the public. So we do need to have a very concientous department head to realize when we are being poisoned by these chemical additives. Mel Smith by Mel Smith (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [21 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 9:44:37 AM (0+)
|
|
reply to both commenters
JOEL: Do think Ralph Nader could do a better more credible job than Dr. Dean? I don't. MEL: You have very keen and perceptive insights. I encourage you and anyone else fired up about these concerns to write to Senator Obama's Senate office through their email contact form. It is high time that he speak about Consumer Protection matters, long over due. These are hardly trivial concerns, and an ounce of prevention would obviously prevent a lot of medical costs, and even more human suffering, not only in the USA, but in every nation, because they have mistakenly relied on the integrity of the US FDA regulatory apparatus! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:30:39 AM (0+)
|
|
Lets hope the next FDA comissioner won't
Lets hope the next FDA comissioner won't destroy the tomato industry due to salmonella tainted Mexican hot peppers! -T by Tommy News (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 34 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:53:07 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: classic example of FDA failures in your idea
Tommy's brought up a key point. The FDA is a total failure, and in due course, the international implications of this failure will further damage the US Economy. Nobody is talking about it, but the evidence is totally there. And all the FDA can do is ask for more money, like a spoiled rich kid in jail asking for more money....Time to say no, eh? by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 1:17:10 PM (0+)
|
|
rBGH
What about rBGH? It is not approved in Canada, Japan, and Western Europe, yet it is in our milk (it was not considered safe for human consumption by their equivalents of the FDA). Many people in the FDA had conflicts of interest when it was approved. by Sean Fenley (7 articles, 41 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 264 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 1:04:36 PM (0+)
|
|
ABSOLUTELY GET RID OF BOVINE GROWTH HORMONES!
I couldn't agree more, and further, ask Monsanto to throw out all of those suits against farmers and dairy producers who put rgbh-fre on their products labels. What monstrous arrogance this company has always displayed! Like we are going to poison you and subvert 6000 years of organized agriculture, and if you don't like it, we will haul you into court and get an order to seal your mouth and silence you....ever read about the hundreds of farmers in India whose cotton crops were destroyed by Monsanto test plots next to theirs? This is the most horrible company in America, and their power base should come to an end, with their buddies like Ashcroft out to lunch....they still have a former corporate lawyer of theirs on the US Supreme Court: CLARENCE THOMAS! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 2:16:59 PM (0+)
|
|
Another Recommendation . . .
All of the above individuals are fine choices for US FDA Commissioner. However, I have another recommendation to make. I introduce to you Doctor-Attorney Clark Newhall: http://cnewhall.com/about-clark by Dean Hovey (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 3:57:47 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: MR. HOVEY:
What do you like about this chap? Please let us know. This is an evolving dialogue, so don't be reticent in championing your own nominee, please! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 5:15:17 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Okay . . .
First, I've no desire to bias anyone's opinion or to act as a cheerleader for anyone, so I encourage everyone to go to Clark Newhall's website to examine Newhall's credentials and ambitions for themselves. Now I wouldn't call Clark Newhall my "nominee", I just know him to be a very good man and a true & powerful crusader for Universal Health Care in America. I am impressed by what I've seen Clark Newhall do to move the state of Utah toward seriously considering Universal Health Care. I would like to see him in a position where he can do the same and much more for the entire country. Frankly, no matter who becomes US FDA Commissioner, Clark Newhall is one individual that should be on the team. The day I met Newhall, he was providing the general public a gourmet meal inside the Utah State Capital Building to get people to come learn about insurance problems and the possibility of implementing Universal Health Care in America. I had gone there to video-record the event. Clark Newhall spoke before the Utah State Legislature that day along with former news editor and cancer victim Donna Smith of Michael Moore's documentary SiCKO. Prior to that, Newhall had rented an entire movie theatre to give the entire Utah Legislature and the general public free viewings of Michael Moore's SiCKO. Since the day at the capital I have been in email & instant messenger correspondence with Clark Newhall. To put a cherry on the cake, Clark Newhall knows his stuff: Being both a physician and an attorney Newhall has all the right qualifications -- and he excels in both professions. Go to Newhall's website and read of his personal accomplishments and of his goals for Universal Health Care in America his blog. Finally, just Google "Universal Health Care Clark Newhall" and see what comes up to show you how assertive a crusader Clark Newhall is. by Dean Hovey (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 11:26:54 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Having said all of that . . .
If I were gambler and I wanted to be sure that I would win at my game all or most of the time, I would be on the constant lookout for sure bets. I think it's a pretty safe bet to assume that Howard Dean stands to gain the position of FDA Commissioner already and that he will assume the role almost the moment Obama takes office. So, why are we having this conversation? It seems like such a moot point. by Dean Hovey (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 4:09:55 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: FYI
UTAH MATTERS: CALLING ALL DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS & CONCERNED REPUBLICANS Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Sign up at tinyurl.com/utobama SUGGESTED MINIMUM DONATION (ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED): by Dean Hovey (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 8:40:49 PM (0+)
|
|
No sugar? Yes sugar
I like my tea without sugar and I enjoy the flavor of the tea without the sweet taste and no milk. But I like my coffee with sugar and milk. I don't drink soda on a daily bases only when I have no choice, give me water, juice, tea, and coffee instead. Anything that's not real I try not to put it in or on my body, Aspretame is one I would not touch with telegram post, you my as well eat lye. I feel that Obama will make major changes in the FDA and will make a good choice in who he put in place. by Gloretha Gray (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 18 comments) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 7:56:56 PM (0+)
|
|
RIGHT!
A lot of people are suspicious about planning into January. I wrote this because I have around the block and up one side and down the other with these infernal corporate lobbyists/hired guns/whores, and recently realized that Obama's appointment to FDA was the only salvation on this problem. The wise ones realize that bringing it up as an issue, as in why Dr. Dean should get the job, that is a way of holding feet to the fire. We all know in politics the kind of politician who forgets campaign promises the minute he or she takes office. Obama won't be like that, but remember that everybody and his brother who helped him or didn't help him will want to get in on what they see as the Handout! and this Bailout makes the Handout starting in January look pretty good.... by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 8:10:50 PM (0+)
|
|
Great Idea!
I completely agree with you, we need to have leaders of the FDA and other organizations that are consumer oriented. Who would you like to see head up the FDA or other orgs?Additionally, I can confirm that these foods are not good for you allegorically anyway. I stopped consuming anything that has artificial sweeteners or partially hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, and other man made ingredients, and now if I do accidentally eat something with any of these items I get acid. Food should not do that to you. by sakins (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 8:57:08 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: With aspartame you don't get acid, you get formaldehyde and
methanol and diketopiperazine, a proven brain tumor causing agent. Did you watch the video from New Zealand Television news? Who won that debate, por favor? by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 9:07:32 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Aspatame/Acid
I meant that I get acid indigestion with any of the non-natural sweeteners, Aspartame included, as well as with partially dehydrogenated oils. Dean would make a good FDA Commissioner. What would you think of a non-partisan FDA review committee as well as a consumer protetionist commissioner? Maybe it could be Howard Dean, Ralph Nadar, Ron Paul, and Dennis Kucinich? Anyone else you would want to see on it? by sakins (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Monday, Oct 13, 2008 at 4:46:59 PM (0+)
|
|
A+ - This is not a warning but an Alarm (Red Code) to FDA
As you probably notice recently, babies (with melamine in milk), pets (poisoned foods) and infants and even adults (tomatoes) have been victims of various products imported from various countries. by Lydia Kopere Patterson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 154 comments) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 9:38:53 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: FDA alarm? You gotta be kidding-they're asleep at the wheel!
I have a friend, Dr. Betty Martini, who filed a Citizen's petition about aspartame, as did Dr. H.J. Roberts a physician's petition, required by law to be answered in 180 days, and at least 5 years have gone by with both! FDA has the Ramazzini Report from Dr. Sofritti in Italy proving many kinds of tumors in 3000 rats, and sat on it silently for months. The FDA is presently a mendacious bunch of buffoons and corporate-apparatchikes, make no mistake. The FDA is a joke, the Cruelest of Jokes. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Thursday, Oct 9, 2008 at 10:36:11 PM (0+)
|
|
tobacco, alcohol drinks, aspartame all give formaldehyde
tobacco, alcohol drinks, and aspartame all expose people to methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid: Rich Murray 2008.10.10 formaldehyde, aspartame, and migraines, the first case series, Sharon E Jacob-Soo, Sarah A Stechschulte, UCSD, Dermatitis 2008 May: Rich Murray 2008.07.18 improve once aspartame is avoided. 22 Splenda (sucralose) affects rats in 12 weeks at low levels, MB Abou-Donia, SS Schiffman et al, Duke U, paid by Sugar Association, JTEH, Part A 2008 Jan -- Murray 008.09.23 by Rich Murray (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 16 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 12:50:35 AM (0+)
|
|
3 Points I'd Like to Make
1. In her outstanding book, The Secret War on the History of Cancer, Devra Davis , Director of the world's first Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, has a great section on Aspartame, Rumsfeld and the shoddy methodology of the testing that allowed Aspartame on the market. 2. In most reporting on the failures of the FDA in recent years, they fail to mention Daniel Troy, and thus they miss the cause. It has been deliberate. When Mr. Bush came to office and revealed the nature of his administration through those the industry lobbyists he appointed to his cabinet and to the leadership of federal agencies, Ted Kennedy drew the line at the FDA, and announced that he would use his power to stop the confirmation of any FDA Commissioner appointee who had ties to the pharmaceutical industry. But Kennedy's principled intention backfired -- in response Bush simply stopped trying to find a Commissioner, leaving the functional responsibilities of the FDA in the hands of its newly appointed General Counsel, Daniel Troy. Mind you, the position of General Counsel is not normally a politically appointed job; it has traditionally been the job of a career employee. It was an early sign of what was to come in the Justice Department. Mr. Troy had already proven himself as the go-to lawyer for both the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries in their battles AGAINST the FDA -- a shocking work history for his new job, but it was a position that did not require Senate confirmation. So there he was, holding down the fort, so to speak, while the FDA went about its business without a leader. From that office, though, he was not only able to stifle investigations and move extraordinarily slowly on complaints and concerns brought to the agency, he established the methodology by which industry could beat the huge liability/torte cases they knew were coming down the line. Daniel Troy had the chutzpah to broadly contact industry and defense attorneys to invite them to involve him, as General Counsel to the FDA, in their litigations, so he demonstrate the role the FDA could provide in protecting their interests by submitting briefs which would call for the dismissal of liability lawsuits! It was his goal to set precedence for the FDA claiming pre-emptive authority over both product manufacturers and the courts in cases that sought to hold manufacturers responsible for endangering consumers. Troy argued that if the FDA, with its scientific standards, approved a product, then the manufacturer could no longer be held responsible for liability, because the product was FDA-approved and thus the manufacturer was acting in accordance with federal law. In addition, Mr. Troy argued FDA approvals "deserve substantial deference from courts" and that it was inappropriate for any court or jury to "second-guess FDA's scientific judgement." Of course, the fact that the FDA was frequently basing its scientific judgement on flawed studies provided and subsidized by the manufacturers seeking approval should indicate that the FDA's approval is far from trustworthy. Mr. Troy resigned just after the 2004 election, but not before carefully selecting his replacement. He continues to get a lot of mileage out of the role he played as General Counsel to the FDA, and the damage to consumers he's done there. But there again, one look at the statistics of his career shows he was happy from the beginning to sign a deal with the Devil. 3. My suggestion for Obama's FDA Commissioner (for McCain, handled by lobbyists and Cheneyists, would of course continue the onslaught) would be Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (if he is not named head of the EPA). He is a passionate protector of the people against the careless poisonings caused by corporate greed and sloppiness, and has both the determination and legal talent to re-establish the FDA as the consumer protector we need. The above-mentioned Devra Davis could also work, or at least advise. Thank you for your article and the opportunity to discuss some of what I think people should know more. by Barbara Bellows-TerraNova (25 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 83 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 6:10:44 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Interesting response, but, sorry, no on Devra Davis....
Thanks for such a detailed comment bringing up many new things that even I, as a frequent and harsh FDA critic, was unaware of. I do think that Bobby Kennedy Jr. would be good, but I see him at the EPA, given his own interests. Devra Davis? Sorry, but I categorically disagree. When we were in the throes of fighting the lobbyists in Hawaii, I wrote to her asking for her help, as a new book by her on cancer as a result of industrial pollution and to some extent junk food, had just been published. After about 8 emails, she wrote back "How can I help?" Then absolutely nothing ever came through, despite many subsequent emails to her and to her assistant, so it was either a kind of false-hearted tease or a total space out on her part, neither of which is very attractive, eh? Especially in the FDA such equivocating has no place. Furthermore, months later when I wrote to her for the final time, she never would even explain why she proffered assistance, then just vanished when it got down to the brass tacks. I would rather butt heads with corporate stooges; at least you know where they are coming from and who is paying for their obfuscation and lobbying-whoredom. Dr. Dean is a medical and political genius, in the trenches every day; his 50 state strategy has re-energized the party and people all over the USA know and trust him. When I first met him, I gave him an inscribed copy of Dr. Russell Blaylock's Excitotoxins: the Taste That Kills, a book about the proven medical and neurodegenerative effects of aspartame, from the point of view as a neurosurgeon in practice and as professor then at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and I know that Dr. Dean in due course read it in toto.... Trust is a key part of what I envision at the FDA would require; to overhaul that behemoth from top to bottom, rather than just keep administering the shambles it has become! The harm done by its malfeasance in our attempts at interntional trade: that may be the worst effect of all, of FDA failures. Where is that chap now, the former FDA counsel? no doubt "serving" on some board of directors, one of the perks for having worked once at the FDA? Thanks again for the illuminating comment. I encourage you to write an article, especially about that former General Counsel. There will be more of FDA articles by me, and I welcome your insights and knowledge! P.S. Do you and the readers like my choice of Bill Richardson as Secretary of State? If that happens, he would leave the Governor of New Mexico position, but, again, he is needed more at this higher level. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:23:24 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: How could Devra Davis help?
She did help - she at least wrote that book! That's a starter. We can't rely on writers to have any more power than what they are able to post for others to read. I thought her book was an xlnt read and expose. Let me ask you a question - why didn't Governor Lingle do anything? Or Akaka, or anyone else in a position of power? We need real (thinking) people in government, not patsies for the pharmaceutical industry! by Cinderfella (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 248 comments [95 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 3:48:37 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: here is most of the answer
AKAKA IS A U.S. SENATOR; THIS WAS IN THE HAWAII LEGISLATURE. LINGLE APPOINTED THE HEALTH DIRECTOR, CHIYOME FUKINO, WHO PARROTED WHAT THE ASPARTAME COMPANIES ARE. All most governors do, in case you didn't know, is take a long look at only what lands on their desk, unless it is their idea or one of their Cabinet members ideas. No hue and cry and populist initiatives for most of them....sad but true. Writing books is one thing, and responding when someone asks your help and you say you will but then leave them hanging: that is another. She offered to help by writing a letter then left us hanging. No big deal. I don't want to get into a big spiel about that deal with Devra. It is fini, but one does draw conclusions which last a long time, when one is in such circumstances. Have I answered your question. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:11:09 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Let's not shoot the messenger!
No, you haven't answered my question. I also live in Hawaii and endured the mechanization's of cronyism here for three decades now. Granted, the governor and senators have their agendas, just like book authors do. But they all have influence and pick and choose how they use it. But you can't expect someone to be on your team and be proactive just because you wish it so. I've learned that when you want to get something from a busy person, you've got to be a persistent pest. The squeaky wheel gets oiled, plain and simple. I think we've all disappointed someone's cause at one time or another. And at the same time, when I have been pesty, I've found more often than not that the person on the other end appreciated my persistence on a matter I deemed important. I'm neither defending Ms Davis nor getting on your case. It's just how life is. Holding a grudge against her serves no purpose, really. I laud her on her great book, and I don't like to see her demeaned because she didn't jump on your bandwagon. And aspartame IS evil. Given that, I could add a few more things to the list of things the FDA should be held accountable for. Like thimerosol, which they finally took out of contact lens solutions and put in vaccines. I should write a story on that one. Or quinine sulfate. Or any of the good drugs that have been synthesized while the original derivatives banned. We agree one thing, though. The FDA is just the long arm of the pharmaceutical industries' grasp on government regulation. And you should know, if you do live in Hawaii, that this is the third most corrupt state in the union, behind Louisiana and Alaska. Aloha, my friend. by Cinderfella (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 248 comments [95 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 3:07:26 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: This is what is going on with Hawaii Aspartame Legislation!
United States Senator Daniel Akaka has little to do with the workings of the Hawaii Legislature.There was a Senator Lorraine Inouye whom I believe to be related to U.S. Senator Inouye, who made it clear that she liked the Ban Aspartame Resolution, but that was already too late, because Senator Roz Baker already hammered Health Committee Chair David Ige with her Opinion that opponents of aspartame are all just wallowing in "internet junk science," causing him to never schedule discussion on the Resolution, which was kind of a consolation effort since the bill to outright ban it was too much for them to handle. Have you personally taken the time to read the Resolution, SCR191, at the Hawaii legislature website, so you might understand this more clearly? Governor Lingle? Appearance of Independent, but as an R., not going to rock the R boat, that 's for sure, and with Donald Rumsfeld the Big R behind the aspartame approval history, this is stupidly still a mere partisan gripe rather than an urgent and obvious medical imperative in the minds of many... I will say again, the Lingle-appointed Health Secretary Chiyomi Leilani Fukino, a protege of Kalani Brady, dumped all over the ban bill in her written testimony to the Legislative Committees in both houses as "unnecessary," and some BS along the lines of: "what are the poor diabetics going to drink if you take away their methanol and formaldehyde?" Hawaii may be corrupt, that I understand, but this is no more than plain old stupidity! Hawaii is more corrupted by the presence of, for example (and above all): MONSANTO. Their lobbyists were all over this ban bill. The key mover on this effort is Jade Bruhjell, a Molokai farmer, and also retired Adrian Chang, the prime mover behind Oahu County banning Fluoride in water, so unless Hawaiians, particularly Native Hawaiians, stand up and demand this either as a ban or as a strong Resolution to the FDA to rescind aspartame's approval, maybe a Resolution will pass at best, and it is a powerful resolution at that....get in touch with Senator Chun Oakland and Senator Kalani English really soon if you can help or want to see this get passed. I am 3000 miles away in Santa Fe , working as a volunteer in Hawaii at the request of activists there. Everybody in this doing the Xeroxing and telephoning and citizen lobbying are volunteers, digging into their own pockets to pay these expenses. One final point: the media in Hawaii is atrocious. Only the Molokai Dispatch and the Hawaii Reporter even came close to doing what media should be doing on this issue and on the bill and the Resolution about Aspartame: open enlightened coverage. The big ones, like the Star Bulletin and the Honolulu Advertiser or the papers on Maui and in Hilo? Forget it...the Advertiser sent a reporter over to get the legislative story, who got the whole thing mixed up and reported that the USDA was in charge of approving aspartame!!!! The Department of Agriculture! When I brought this error to her attention, she reacted to the correction being brought to her attention about like a drunk person with a giant hangover reacts to hearing an alarm clock in the morning. To my knowledge, her errors were never acknowledged nor corrected at all... I should mention gratefully that Dick Allgire at Channel 4, and Sabrina Hall at Channel 9 did excellent coverage several times, Allgire giving 9 minutes of prime time newscast to his own personal medical reactions/migraine headaches from Aspartame, and so did Channel 2, right at the beginning of the legislative session with an interview with Dr. Kalani Brady who kept hammering the line about the "poor diabetics will miss their morning formaldehyde" and the corporate BS that 200 (corporate paid for) studies have proven aspartame to be safe. Radio? University of Hawaii radio station? Never gave five seconds of time to this issue....Hesh Goldstein, an activist with a radio program, did medically-oriented programs, but not much on the legislative effort at all. The Natural Food Stores, Down to Earth, rolling in the big bucks? Never even responded once to about twelve emails to all levels of the corporate structure, CEO on down to store managers. Never put a single piece of paper in their stores for their shoppers to learn about aspartame or the legislative effort to ban it....so you see, a great deal of ground work in Hawaii must be done before the legislative session begins in January, just to be on an even footing with the infernal corporate lobbyists from Coke, Pepsi, Ajinomoto, and God knows what other companies with a stake in keeping the status quo.... As long as Hawaii has a Health Director who wants to parrot the corporate mendacity like a trained cockatoo in a bar, Hawaii will continue to suffer. We saw statistics about the huge amount of epilepsy there; epilepsy and grand mal convulsions are 2 of the 92 symptoms recognized as attributed to aspartame by the FDA itself, from consumer complaints; they stopped keeping the list in 1995, but it is still there...the medical community and the new agers in Hawaii seem so swept away with their island paradise that they can't seem to wrap their minds around this biochemical mayhem from the Mainland, and that means an even tougher legislative battle. Few will show up to testify, except lobbyists from the Grocers' Manufacturing Association and Coca Cola etc., but that is the state of reality in almost all state legislatures: the only ones who can attend most of the committee hearings are those lobbyists paid big bucks by their sponsors to do so. Josh Green, M.D., Chairman of the House Committee? Tabled the ban bill, no doubt under pressure from lobbyists and grocers, etc. Is he a disgrace to the medical profession? Not really, as most doctors haven't a clue about aspartame anywhere in the US... Only a few bright folks in the Senate carrying the ball and one in the House, Mele Carroll of Molokai! Please ask your friends to get in touch with Suzanne Chun Oakland of Hawaii and with Kalani English of Molokai, and whoever their Representatives and Senators are. If we win, it will have a domino effect all over the world! You'd think it would be a natural in Hawaii, since artificial sweetener manufacturers have put the cane sugar business virtually out to pasture in Hawaii, but no. Get the picture? It is truly a very ugly picture! Mahalo. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 9:09:28 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Thanks for all your info
Stephen: Thanks for in depth reply. I will try and contact you personally when I've got a little more time. I've been banned by no less than 3 local papers in Hawaii, one now defunct. We all gotta pick our fights with the time we have. I fought against helicopter intrusions for 20 years and in the end scored some minor success. The bureaucracy here is graft driven thru the "old boy" network. I won't name a particular race, however one dominates, and it's not the haoles. Hawaii is the most prejudiced place in the world, but most folks bite their tongues and carry their resentments in a backpack. by Cinderfella (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 248 comments [95 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 3:27:29 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Banned by 3 papers? Say you must be all right...
Seriously... by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 8:12:07 PM (0+)
|
|
4 MAJOR HEALTH FREEDOM BILLS TO SUPPORT
Please support these wonderful bills by Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul and Rep. Cannon. Times are going to get a lot tougher. We need to have the freedom to heal ourselves instead of depending on the pharmatocracy that is stealing our health and robbing our wallets. Please help http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/link.php?id=71925 by tiffane (4 articles, 2 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 47 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 8:38:38 AM (0+)
|
|
You are so Right withThat One
one can only hope that the Obama transition team will read your thoughts in deciding...send it to him. And vote for Obama--- otherwise it is more of the same by Eliot Gould (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 200 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:08:19 AM (0+)
|
|
Nice Article. Thanks for the Info.
I really enjoyed reading this piece. It was informative, to say the least. I think Dr. Dean would be a good choice, but he might decline as he has other duties. Would you be satisfied if Obama took his recommendations into account? Another thought that I had was that Dr. Ron Paul would also be a good choice, even though I recognize that he is a Republican. None the less he is honest, anti-corporate and, as a doctor, has held new life in his hands. Regardless, we should make these sorts of facts widely available to the Obama campaign so that his appointments are informed and raise the bar that Washington and its corporate handlers have lowered. by Alamantra (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 3:03:45 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: alamantra has hit the nail on the head...
One commenter through MBO.com informed that Dr. Dean was one of the earliest and most effective of Obama's early supporters who encouraged him to run...I am hoping he will post his comment shortly, and I will if he doesn't.... Apprising his Senate office of consumer concerns is vital, and so is publishing them on the Editorial pages in the context of your letter to the editor supporting Obama, and I don't mean in the hometown paper; I mean in the battleground states. Just google and the name of the state you are looking for, and you will come to a "live" list at usnpl.com (united state newspaper list). Go from there, and let us know how it went either in a comment or in your own article at OEN. PERSONALLY, I think Montana, Missouri, Indiana, and Mississippi are within our reach....beyond the usual list of battleground states, which are starting to look secure for Obama, as of this morning.... by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 3:40:39 PM (0+)
|
|
Upstate New York Obama organizer concurs on Dean at FDA
Stephen, President Obama will be in full control of the DNC and can replace Dean with another trusted ally. Dean has been mentioned as a likely HHS secretary in an Obama administration, but this high profile position might go to Hillary. As FDA commissioner Howard could play a significant role in protecting public health. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 3:49:40 PM (0+)
|
|
OTHER COMMENTS THROUGH MYBARACKOBAMA.COM;
THROUGH LUBBUCK SUPPORTS OBAMA, AS IN TEXAS: Out there. While I support Senator Obama, I can not solidly support _______________ FROM ROBERT NEMANICH AT ENDTHEIRAQWAR at mybarackobama.com: Far too partisan (as far as baggage) for him to be in what is a very scientific and policy position. The FDA has become far too political and beholden to the pharma industry and they need to find genuine scientific and non partisan leaders to discipline this area. __________ from Charles Guillotte at Oneworldmanyopinions@yahoogroups.com: by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 5:27:03 PM (0+)
|
|
FOX URL UPDATE:
Why Hawaii Must Ban Aspartame: Economic and Medical Reasons: Testimonial by Stephen Fox Hawaii Senate Aspartame Resolution Requesting FDA to Rescind Approval for United States Markets Mikhail Gorbachev asked today in Santa Fe to lead next USA President out of Middle East by Dean Hovey (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 5:47:21 PM (0+)
|
|
Obama
Obama won't be the next president. However even if he was he doesn't give a damn about your health, freedom, or safety. by Ty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 888 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 6:48:42 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: HAHAHAHAHAHA
TY: THANKS FOR THE LAUGH. by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 7:09:34 PM (0+)
|
|
Empathy for strangers
This article is a well-written depiction of how people can apply the finest instinct in humanity - to act on empathy for strangers. It also underscores the need for and purpose of consumer protection regulation. I'm particularly grateful because before I heard of any action regarding aspartame, I learned I'm sensitive to it. Just one sip of a drink with aspartame causes my temples to pound, then a sudden sensitivity to light causes pain behind my eyes, and moments later I have a full blown headache. If my body didn't have such a sensitive warning system, I might have wound up a bit skinnier due to the diet drinks - but with a brain tumor to prove how relatively unimportant dieting can be. Hey, I'm not allergic to anything - but a truly misguided friend thought I might be just another whiner and tried to prove his theory by slipping me a diet drink. As I'm sure you can understand, moments later that friendship was over forever. But thanks in part to this article, I now have gratitude for strangers I feel are friends because they try to protect folks like me, sight unseen. by Carma Keats (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 8:04:40 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Carma's reactions to Aspartame occur in everyone....
in varying degrees. It is not a discussion of allergies. It has chemical by products which are poisonous to everyone: methanol, formaldehyde, and a proven brain tumor causing agent called DIKETOPIPERAZINE. I wish physicians knew something, even just a little bit more, about these matters, instead of sanguinely recommending it to diabetics, whose diabetes and many other symptoms become much worse.... Did anyone google and read this fine article: RUMSFELD'S BIOWEAPON LEGACY? Thanks for your candid and honest comment, Carma!!!! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 9:14:16 PM (0+)
|
|
Nice article Stephen
I look forward to working hard on health issues after Obama is safely in office. The lack of oversight by and on the FDA has been criminal. Just look at their recent fights to prevent information being brought out about BPA in plastic baby bottles. It is unbelievalbe. The FDA is actually disputing science because it might hurt the plastics industry. Instead of listening to and holding hearings to discuss the scientific findings the FDA puts out press release after press release disputing the scientists findings with little or no basis. I have NEVER seen an FDA this bad before. It looks less like a legitimate body of scientific oversight and more like marketing agency for big business. by E. Nelson (40 articles, 8 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 511 comments [57 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:31:14 AM (0+)
|
|
Thanks for all the info on Rumsfeld and Aspartame
I never knew the Rumsfeld and Aspartame connection. I have been trying to find the research that indicated that HFCS have addictive properties than normal sugar. The research seems to have disappeared. Has anyone else seen the studies? Below is a snippet that I have seen or similar language at a number of health sites but I can't find the original reference. "High fructose corn syrup is a manufactured substance put in thousands of products today from fruit drinks to yogurt to cereal and whole wheat bread. Its critics claim it to be a wholly unhealthy substance concocted as a filler and sweetner used for its addictive properties far advanced from natural sugar and its cheap price tag" I did find this publication sponsored by the AHA which is a decent study looking at the many problems we are facing with fast food and HFCS. by E. Nelson (40 articles, 8 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 511 comments [57 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:40:47 AM (0+)
|
|
Mr. Nelson is right on....FDA has never been worse....
Strange that it took all of the melamine from China and other ghastly chemicals to wake up a few, and I mean only a few.... not even the Vioxx suit in Angleton Texas with its $246 million judgment against Big Pharma, wasn't it Merck? seemed to wake any Americans up at all. This is tantamount for our nation's majority to be saying in essence, to the junk Food and junk Pharma corporations: "poison us if you want to and if helps with your corporate bottom line, but make sure it's 'Merican Pizin, not that stuff from China, etc." I want to encourage you to write an article too, Mr. Nelson, on the FDA, when your time permits. I see reform at the State Department and at the FDA as the highest priorities, even beyond this bailout, which is out of my control and sadly out of my sphere of knowledge and interests. Don't forget the Bushes made most of their money in pharmaceuticals, so Carte Blanche to Big Pharma seems to have been the way they wanted things to run the past 8 years. Personally, I think the FDA Commissioner should be a Cabinet Secretary, and the workings of the FDA not under the Secretary of Health, at all, nor the Department of Health. For Pete's sake: the FDA commissioner oversees 25% of the American economy! As I mentioned, there was a while when Republicans and even a few Democrats in the NM Legislature were proud to be seen guzzling Diet Cokes in the very committees that were supposed to be examining what effect aspartame had on the children of New Mexico. Ludicrous! Many of the worst consumers have either died, retired, or in two notable cases, been voted out of office. No one knows a politician better than his or her own constituents! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:19:43 AM (0+)
|
|
Thanks Stephen
I have 2 or 3 ideas that I am already jotting down notes for and doing the literature searches on. We should be shouting the Rumsfeld - Aspartame link from every mountain top. That alone should get people thinking as he never had much support from the American people ...... and for good reason. by E. Nelson (40 articles, 8 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 511 comments [57 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:25:39 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: I have done that for four years, but folks really don't care
They can't believe it, like it was some kind of deranged 9/11 theory, but in fact it is highly documented in many places. He made between $12 and $15 million on that one deal alone! How is Donny any different from Chemical Ali over there in Eye-Rack? Not even State Attorney Generals seems to comprehend the magnitude of what a horrible thing he did in forcing the approval of aspartame. hope you have read that article RUMSFELD'S BIOWEAPON LEGACY by now? just google that title; it is all over the world! by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:32:05 PM (0+)
|
|
Reply: Rumsfeld: geld him.
When we're talking about links, let us not forget Rumsfeld and AIDS, Rumsfeld and Anthrax, and Rumsfeld and Tamiflu virus vaccine! This guy should be hung by his testicles. And that would be too kind. by Cinderfella (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 248 comments [95 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 3:23:25 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: It started with Rumsfeld and Swine Flue Vaccine
One person possibly died of it in the early 70's on a Virginia military base, then Rumsfeld said he wanted to have "every man, woman, and child" in the USA vaccinated for Swine Flu. 48 died of the vaccine!Rumsfeld perhaps felt henceforth that 1) this was a good way to make money as in Gilead Vaccines and the Avian Flu Vaccine, and 2) if something went wrong, he was somehow immune from prosecution. I don't know everything about this, and the subject is so detestable and disgusting to me, I have to hope someone else will write a book or maybe an indictment or ten about it... by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 6:49:12 AM (0+)
|
|
Reply: FROM TODAY'S CITIZENS FOR LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT:
US controls bird flu vaccines over bioweapon fears 11 Oct 2008 When Indonesia's health minister stopped sending bird flu viruses to a research laboratory in the U.S. for fear Washington could use them to make biological weapons, Defense Secretary Robert Gates laughed and called it "the nuttiest thing" he'd ever heard. Yet deep inside an 86-page supplement to United States export regulations is a single sentence that bars U.S. exports of vaccines for avian bird flu and dozens of other viruses to five countries designated "state sponsors of terrorism." The reason: Fear that they will be used for biological warfare. [The U.S. is the most prolific 'state sponsor of terrorism' on God's green earth, and if *anyone* is going to create, spread and manage-for-profit an avian flu pandemic--it's Bush's bioterror team. Oh, btw. Try to envision Sarah Palin running the show during a Blackwater-KBR bird flu event. See: Killer flu recreated in the lab 07 Oct 2004 UK Scientists have shown that tiny changes to modern flu viruses could render them as deadly as the 1918 strain which killed millions. A US team added two genes from a sample of the 1918 virus to a modern strain known to have no effect on mice.] by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:22:23 AM (0+)
|
|
Keep your expectations low!
Let's not get our expectations too high over an Obama presidency. Who do you think funds his campaign? Big pharma, big oil, the telecoms, the MIC, and corporatrocity (sic) in general. The only difference between him and McCain is - Obama is young, bright, and articulate; whereas McCain is senile, stupid, and has dementia. Otherwise their platforms are nearly identical. by Cinderfella (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 248 comments [95 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 3:26:31 AM (0+)
|
|
I like these kinds of discussions, premature or not....
I am sure some people even among Obama supporters see such discussions as premature, and I am sure among the peripherally involved, they must really seem premature, as in those who would say, "We have to win this election, first..." However, among those who may be a little sharper and/or have a bit more "moxie," in the political sense, such discussions are appropriate and rewarding because when the person says that so-and-so should be Secretary of Defense or Agriculture or Interior, not only do they usually tell us WHY they like so-and-so, which becomes obvious, but they usually tell us what the problems are in that realm that must be identified and dealt with in the next generation of office holders, starting in January 2009! As a constitutional scholar, I find this a very valuable dialogue, one worth watching and reading, a kind of CITIZENS' PICKS FOR OBAMA'S CABINET, and I dare say: there is little imagination, passion, or intellect going into creating and advancing CITIZENS' PICKS FOR MCCAIN'S CABINET! I read opednews every day, at least ten articles, have a few of my own up on reforming New Mexico's Election practices, and look forward to reading more of such articles. by Eliot Gould (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 200 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Oct 13, 2008 at 6:07:29 PM (0+)
|
Want to post your own comment on this Article? 
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||
Well Said (2) 
News (1) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Interesting (1) 
Inspiring (0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell a Friend:
|
Copyright © 2002-2009, OpEdNews |
