We are used to recalls of automobile parts, children’s toys, electronic devices and grocery items but few expect recalls of defective hip implants already implanted in patients. DePuy ASR implants, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson Services, are joining the long list of defective manufacturer recall products. This month, the Senate Special Committee on Aging heard testimony for persons who had subsequent surgery due to the DePuy hip implant. One patient, Katie Korgaokar, reportedly told the committee that “In my mind, recalls were for dishwashers and cars, not body parts.” The DePuy hip implants are said to release high levels of cobalt and chromium, at sometimes 1,000 percent higher than they should. This is the same type of chromium poisoning levels that were found in the water, based on the real life movie, Erin Brockovich. The DePuy hip implants were recalled, by the manufacturer in late August, 2010, due to a high failure rate requiring subsequent surgery over what was … [Read more...] about Is More Government Regulation Needed to Prevent Recalls and Save Lives?
Archives for April 2011
Royal Wedding Coverage Trumps Everything
The media’s coverage and obsession of the royal wedding seems to have trumped all other news for today, including coverage of the US event, a space shuttle launch and the horrific tornado damage in the south. What is this obsession with royalty about? It baffles me. Yes, I love weddings as much as anyone else viewing the royal wedding. But, I was always told everything in moderation. There has been nothing in moderation about the royal wedding coverage. I commend NBC network and Brian Williams. Apparently, Mr. Williams, along with most of the rest of NBC was assigned to cover the royal wedding. But, when Mr. Williams' plane landed, he learned of the tremendous tornado damage that occurred in many of the southern states. He immediately returned to Heathrow Airport to make his way back to the US to cover the events in this country. Too bad, he did not take some other journalists with him. My real concern is not the coverage of the royal wedding. I too, took a peak at Kate … [Read more...] about Royal Wedding Coverage Trumps Everything
Supreme Court Causes Havoc for Class Actions
The Supreme Court yesterday dealt a death blow to consumers filing class action suits in ruling that companies can use arbitration clauses in consumer and employment contracts to block class actions. California judges had held that class action waivers in arbitration clauses are unenforceable. The Supreme Court reversed and thought otherwise. However, without class actions, it is difficult to hold corporations responsible for harms that affect large numbers of persons. Sometimes, amounts are just too small for individual law suits but can amount to huge sums of money where many consumers are affected. The case of AT & T v. Concepcion, is a devastating decision for consumers and consumer advocates. With the Wal-Mart class action looming before the court, the hand writing may be on the wall as to which way the Supreme Court will decide it. Although, the decision was a close one, with the Court split 5-4, the losing side was clearly the American consumer and the winner was big … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Causes Havoc for Class Actions
Birther Issue is Here to Stay
President Obama released his long version birth-certificate today stating that he wanted to end the “silliness” surrounding the birther issue. President Obama tried to take a rational approach to an irrational issue. Despite the President publicly releasing his birth certificate stating that it was distracting from the other issues, the birther issues and the persons fueling the issue are here to stay. Nothing short of an impeachment of the President and removal from office will appease them. Already, the release of the birth certificate has called remarks as to why did it take so long for him to release it. The birthers are like all other conspiracy issue oriented folks. They remind me of the persons who say we never landed a man on the moon. Nothing will convince them otherwise. Although, they have called for the release of the birth certificate which was released for the President to run for the highest elected office, they want a high court to review it and determine if it is … [Read more...] about Birther Issue is Here to Stay
Why is America Fascinated With Britain’s Royal Wedding?
All of the media’s coverage of the royal wedding and its effect on Britain’s economy is in stark contrast to the coverage in the US on our royal mess and economy. All of the major networks and local stations have traveled this week to Britain forgetting that the debt ceiling issue still looms. Medicare, seniors, students, the uninsured and unemployed and the future of the US are still at risk. While the royal wedding is getting all the media’s attention, I just wonder why some of the attention could not be diverted back to our own issues. Here’s what the media should be reporting about with a little substance over style. Back at home the Republicans and Rep. Ryan are busy at work to dismantle and end Medicare, Pell grants for students, Medicaid and social programs to help the poor and elderly. Last week, Democratic National Committee Interim Chair Donna Brazile said on a conference call: “Representative Ryan’s budget is one that will ruin the future. His budget, as we know, … [Read more...] about Why is America Fascinated With Britain’s Royal Wedding?
Racist Obama Pics Have Roots in Slavery
The recent E-mail sent by Orange County Committee member, Mary Davenport, is not the first racist picture depicting President Obama as part monkey and unfortunately will probably not be the last. It appears to be the first known one disseminated by a political representative. Davenport says that she thought the E-mail was well, ”amusing” but I could come up with a better word. Those who don’t think the display of images of blacks as monkeys are racist are in denial of their own subconscious or conscious racial views. And here’s the reason why blacks are offended by such images. Historically, dating back to slavery, blacks were not considered full human beings. Blacks were counted as 3/5 of a human. So, what do you think the other 2/5 would consist of? The three-fifths compromise is found in Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution. And while its purpose may have been to dilute the power of the southern states and representation in government, the … [Read more...] about Racist Obama Pics Have Roots in Slavery