Every time voters are asked to consider a referendum that limits citizens’ constitutional rights to seek justice from wrongdoers, the same catchy phrase echoes the airwaves: “Stop frivolous lawsuits!” Well, who wouldn’t buy that? “Frivolous” has little weight or importance, has no sound basis, lacks seriousness. Paris Hilton is frivolous. […]
The public relations spin on recent public health disasters caused by harmful food or drug products prompted me to think about what the word “voluntary” means in this context. For example, the consumer advocacy website www.consumeraffairs.com reports, “Days after its Peter Pan peanut butter and its generic counterpart, Great Value, […]
When a Denver, Colorado jury convicted former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio on 19 counts of securities fraud, prosecutor Colleen Conry did not mince words: “If you don’t tell, you can’t sell.” It’s about time. The American public’s eyes glaze over as the evening news reports yet another multi-billion dollar scam […]
Railroad accidents, while not as common as those involving trucks and cars, are often the most gruesome. We are fascinated by television footage of flattened railroad cars, scattered belongings, and shell-shocked passengers. But when we’re in a hurry, it is tempting to ignore the flashing lights at a clearly-marked crossing […]
The New York Times reports that Pfizer – one of the biggest and most aggressive of the Big Drug Companies – has ventured off into la-la-land in its latest television commercials for Viagra. They are being aired only in Canada so far, but Americans are going to love them. And […]
A recent Maryland truck accident dramatically highlights not only the deadly consequences of poor enforcement of Federal truck safety standards, but trucking companies’ ho-hum attitudes toward compliance with these standards. It seems that an accident in Prince Georges County, Maryland that killed one man and injured two others was caused […]
At the end of April, the FDA showed signs of coming to its senses on COX-2 inhibitors and voted 20-1 to reject Merck’s application for the painkiller Arcoxia. Like its parent painkiller Vioxx, Arcoxia was associated with increased cardiac risks in randomized clinical trials. Public Citizen’s Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director […]
Warnings are everywhere about the dangers of drinking and driving, a major cause of catastrophic motor vehicle accidents that kill and maim thousands of Floridians. But far less is said about the lethal combination of alcohol and water . . . bodies of water, that is, as Floridians get their […]
The FDA has recalled several brands of toothpaste, manufactured in China, after finding a poisonous substance in them. The poisonous substance is Diethylenme glycol. The brands involved are: Manufacturer: Goldcredit International Enterprises LTD Products: • Cooldent Fluoride • Cooldent ICE • Cooldent Spearmint • Dr Cool Toothpaste • Everfresh Toohpaste […]
The recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandate for what is called “electronic stability control” in all vehicles sounds like great news. The Transportation Department says it could save between 5,000 and 10,000 lives and prevent nearly a quarter of a million injuries a year. In plain language, electronic […]
