Daily Archives: February 2, 2012
FDA Secretly Monitored Private E-mails of Whistleblowers
Original Post On Overseas Civilian Contractors.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Secretly monitored the private emails of staff scientists and doctors who complained to Congress that the agency was approving dangerous medical devices for public use, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the staff members.
Infosecurity January 31, 2012
The current and former employees, who work for an FDA office that approves medical devices, told Congress that the agency was approving medical devices that in fact posed risks to patients.
The House of Representatives represents who?
“Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
One of the options you have when you’re retired like me is to spend time watching the members of Congress debate on C-Span. Indeed, watching them deal with legislation on Budget, Education, Health and other human services is an example of people speaking to each other but not listening to one word the other person says. You get what I mean?
Right now they are debating on “Rules for Changing the Federal Budget Process Bill.” No, they aren’t changing the budget. They are changing the RULES to change the budget as law.
Republicans are saying things like “tax cuts cause higher revenues.” Democrats are saying that “Inflation increases the amount of money needed to carry out necessary programs” like Social Security or Medicare.
At least one (Democrat, I guess) has quoted Grover Norquist‘s favorite statement that he doesn’t want to eliminate government… he just wants to shrink it…until it is small enough to drown in a bathtub. (btw, was Grover Norquist ever elected by anyone, anywhere to serve in Congress as they decide on things like this?)
In the long run, if you are a.) a Democrat proposing legislation or b.) presenting a proposal by President Obama… even if legislation being proposed was sought previously by Republicans… you can assume that the large majority of Republicans will make sure nothing passes. That has been the situation since the 2010 election that brought in all the Tea Party folks.
Do not expect anything to happen this season that will actually solve our very serious problems. Ain’t gonna happen.
The Groundhog Saw His Shadow…
Punxatawney Phil is predicting 6 more weeks of winter… however, if it is six weeks of a winter like we’ve been having, then Phil is living in a dream world.
It’s supposed to be colder today, but yesterday, on the first day of February (called February Fools day for those following Mitt Romney‘s gaffes about the poor) it was over 60°.
I wonder what Spring will be like.
