Cheap Cialis Blogger | Search results for "lost"

Let's start with a quiz. Who wrote the following this morning? One . . . near as I can tell, there's no really clear sense in which the Syrian sphere of influence in Lebanon is bad for the United States of America . Second, there's no particular reason to think that the waning of Syrian influence really heralds the dawning of Lebanese democracy. Outside of the special case of Iraq, Lebanon was and is pretty clearly the most democratic of Arab states. . . . . It's not what you would call a real democracy for a variety of reasons . . . . Still, as I say, it's closer than anything else that's up and running already. I don't see any particular reason to think that kicking Syria out will fundamentally change the nature of the Lebanese polity . . . . Heck, I don't even think it's clear that it would be a good idea to try and move Lebanon toward real majoritarian democracy. Henry Kissinger? Pat Buchanan? Ann Coulter? Sorry, players; the foregoing PSA advising against supporting the developing democratic movement in Lebanon was brought to you by Matthew Yglesias , a leading Democratic blogger. Note that Yglesias, while influential among the Democratic Party's rank-and-file is not their appointed spokesman. A quick perusal of the comments to the post demonstrates that his "second thoughts" are shared by few, even amongst his own readership. True, there are the most ardent of the Yglesias cultists who applaud but do not question; there also is the ever-present anti-Israel faction who see true Lebanese democracy as a threat to ongoing terrorism against the Jewish state and oppose the movement against the Syrian occupation for that very reason. Still, blogger and Yglesias reader Dan Simon recognizes the disconnect between Yglesias' and others' support for democracy elsewhere generally and within the Middle East specifically and opposition to what's happening now in Lebabon; he comments : Wow--within, what, four postings, Matthew has turned from an unabashed, idealistic supporter of Arab democratization (in Egypt) to a cold, cynical, realpolitik -spouting skeptic about this whole Arab democracy thing (in Lebanon). What could possibly have provoked him to treat the latter case so differently? A less bad despotism? Mubarak's no saint, but Assad's surely worse. A worse prognosis? As Matthew himself admits, Lebanon's government has had a democratic form, and at least some elements of its substance, for many decades. Egypt has never been democratic--ever. More danger of a fundamentalist takeover? Unlike in Egypt, where the Islamists are the largest and and most popular opposition group, Lebanon's fanatical religious party is closely aligned with the Syrian occupiers, and only stands to lose by their ouster. Worse outcome for America? Egypt's dictator, for all his faults, is a bought-and-paid-for US ally. Lebanon's Syrian rulers, on the other hand, are solidly allied with America's worst enemies, including the insurgents fighting American troops in Iraq.... Nah, couldn't be. Say it isn't so, Matthew.... Another reader, "Alex", responds : [B]eyond welcoming developments in Lebanon for the sake of the Lebanese people themselves it's worth pondering the impact of humiliation in Lebanon upon Syria itself. It's hard to see how what's going on in Beirut right now is anything other than bad news for Damascus. From that point of view, it's good news for the United States. Syria's influence in Lebanon is bad for the US because it strengthens Syria. (It's even worse for Lebanon of course). Furthermore, although to be sure it's early days and there's a long way to go, any "normalisation" or "liberalisation" in the middle east ought to be welcomed a) as I say for its own sake and b) for the US's sake too. Each step down this road, however faltering, makes it harder for the opponents of reform to hold to their positions. And that's something worth celebrating. Momentum does matter. As does the inspiration of example. "Ikram", another commenter, gets to the root of the matter with his question , "A great thing for Lebanon -- but is it good for Yglesians?" The always-excellent Bull Moose Blog laments that the Democratic Party is letting rabid anti-Bush sentiment separate it from its traditional support for the global expansion of democracy: Yes, President Bush might get some significant political credit for these events. So what. If partisanship is more important than fundamental principles, than the Democratic party has truly lost its way. Just as right-wing Delayicans opposed the foreign policy triumph of Clinton in Kosovo, so are left-wing Kissingers moaning the potential advance of freedom today. Remember, you're the Democratic Party. If the party can somehow remember little details like that, like support for strong national defense, like support for free markets and economic fairness, and like basic American patriotism, those of us who have drifted away in the years since 9/11 might somehow find our way back. Labels: Current Events

Tags: lebanon, democratic, democracy, party, yglesias

So I know I haven't posted much lately. Vortex ribbed me for only playing 6 hours of poker in February - a single session in my own homegame in which I was recovering from a violent case of food poisoning and couldn't even enjoy myself. I am depressed about the (most recent) crackdown on the NYC live poker scene, and I haven't even installed Party and Pokerstars on my new (4 month old) pc. I hope Party hasn't confiscated my account since I last logged in. Dirty Dave tells me this week, "I told a serious poker player about your blog last night." Man. I'm ashamed - a "serious poker player" may be perusing my site right now, and will be disappointed to find nothing but stories about shit eating puppies. Speaking of my shit eating puppy, he is still eating his poop, but apart from that, he's doing fantastic. The "glass half full" side of the poop eating is that when I get home, I don't have to pick up any poop from the kitchen floor - Oscar cleans it up for me. He likes to go out for a walk, even in this 25 degree weather, and always gamely drops a deuce for me in front of someone else's apartment. Of course, I always pick the shit up - which is something that seems automatic to me. Yet, as Mrs. Dynamite says, "There must be an awful lot of seeing eye dogs in our neighborhood," because there is a shitload of dog shit on the sidewalk (you don't have to pick up after a seeing eye dog, of course). Seriously douchebags: when your dog takes a shit on the sidewalk, you pick it up. That is non-negotiable. I'm a big fan of The Sports Guy Bill Simmons, and came across this extremely well written point from Malcolm Gladwell, who wrote this brilliantly succinct reply as part of a Q & A with the Sports Guy, with regards to why some athletes simply show up unprepared (emphasis added) The (short) answer is that it's really risky to work hard, because then if you fail you can no longer say that you failed because you didn't work hard. It's a form of self-protection . I swear that's why Mickelson has that almost absurdly calm demeanor. If he loses, he can always say: Well, I could have practiced more, and maybe next year I will and I'll win then. When Tiger loses, what does he tell himself? He worked as hard as he possibly could. He prepared like no one else in the game and he still lost. That has to be devastating, and dealing with that kind of conclusion takes a very special and rare kind of resilience. Most of the psychological research on this is focused on why some kids don't study for tests -- which is a much more serious version of the same problem. If you get drunk the night before an exam instead of studying and you fail, then the problem is that you got drunk. If you do study and you fail, the problem is that you're stupid -- and stupid, for a student, is a death sentence. The point is that it is far more psychologically dangerous and difficult to prepare for a task than not to prepare. People think that Tiger is tougher than Mickelson because he works harder. Wrong: Tiger is tougher than Mickelson and because of that he works harder. I read one of Gladwell's books, Blink, which was mildly interesting, but he is clearly a very talented writer and psychological thinker. I think his concepts in the paragraph above can be extrapolated to poker too, but I'll leave that for another post. The Big Show comes to town tomorrow. until next time, KD

Tags: strong, shit, poker, pick, dog

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, which had not been willingly governed from Moscow, quickly bolted from Russian control and turned westward, joining both the European Union and NATO; Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe, including Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic also turned away from Russia in favor of the EU and NATO. Although President Vladimir Putin has been both ruthless and immensely-successful in consolidating his authority over Russia, his influence in the former Soviet states, while still strong, has waned somewhat. Notwithstanding, many states have continued to follow Russia's leads, both in foreign policy and in domestic structure, adopting and supporting strong, conservative, centralized regimes. Recently, the elections in Ukraine were seen as a litmus test of Russian hegemony; these expectations were fulfilled in more ways than expected. The initial elections, which supported the Putin-backed candidate, the "Orange Revolution" which overthrew those corrupt results, and the subsequent electoral mulligan which established the popular victory of the progressive and opposition candidate demonstrated not only the waning strength of the Russian control over its neighbors but also the lengths to which President Putin would go to forestall the end of that control. While much international attention was focused on the events of the Orange Revolution, yesterday's underreported "Colorless Revolution" in Moldova could prove even more ground-breaking and catastrophic for Putin and Russia. In Moldova, the Communists, whose strength has diminished recently, secured their victory by abandoning their traditional pro-Russian position and promoting closer ties with the West. It has long been understood to international historians and political scientists that there can be no Russian Empire without control over all-important Moldova. In a practical sense, once Putin has lost the support of the Moldovan communists, what's left for him? You heard it here first: Putin is finished and should resign now. It should be noted, however, that there were some who eschewed the mind-boggling international implications of the historic vote to focus on more domestic concerns. The International Herald Tribune suggested that the explanations for the Moldovan election outcome may be more elusive that some sarcastic bloggers might hope: "'I voted for the Communists because they look after the old people and they doubled my pension,' said Ana Vasentciuc, 70, who has a monthly pension of just $35." Truly, the popular will in Moldova defies tidy explanations. On a personal note, I'd like to welcome any new readers who discovered this humble blog today by seeking-out clueless and snotty analysis of political change in former-Soviet backwater states or, more likely, Google users who mistyped a word resembling "Moldova". Thanks for reading! Labels: Current Events

Tags: putin, moldova, russian, states, control

Big pharma needs a miracle . The major drug makers are so beaten completed that at intervals some instances gain yields, rather than the duplicate blockbuster drug tween the deal, are what are propping over the provisions. Await Pfizer. At its May 7 dispose of $19.92, the fit is off 28% for deep freeze June including is 60% below its all-time vast, exhausted between 1999. Lexicon almost a lost decade. Plus at the WaPo. http://WWW.kiplinger.com/

Tags: drug, big, pharma, wapo, dispose

" I've got the biggest dick in the world. Twelve inches of thick black cock . " 6:20am and this is the first thing I hear when I walk out of my apartment. My immediate thought is, "Dad? Is that you?" But alas, it's not my long lost father. It's some dude who looks like he could be normal, ranting at no one in particular. I'm in front of him, walking the same direction as he is, and we pass a woman loading luggage into a town car, like she's going to the airport. Johnny BigDick leers at her "Oh yeah Sistah - work that trunk, " and I can hardly contain my laughter. Unfortunately the next words out of his mouth, I fear, are directed at me: "I love sucking white boys' cocks." Normally this may be a good thing to hear, but in my neighborhood, and this time, it is usually not music to my ears. The chances of these words coming from neighbors Liv Tyler, Famke Jansen or Gisele are somewhere between slim and none (akin to catching perfect-perfect to scoop a pot - only much much worse), while the chances of them coming from a 5 foot 6 inch gay black man are pretty fuckin' good (like having a super wrap straight draw + flush draw with overcards in an Omaha pot that makes you a big favorite). I make it to work, and in the afternoon I fire off an email to Chris asking him if he's played at our club lately. He replies that not only is the club still going, but he played last night, and there were at least four BIG TIME action players splashing around, issuing brutal beats. I quickly shoot off another email to The Vortex, imploring him "You have to go play live - I hear the game is sick. I can't play because I have to take care of Oscar after work." Vortex quickly replies this he was genuinely Midway this amusement, to boot that it was sweeter than I could expect, giving me a few contents illustration. I'm now welcome serious TILT, all along I'm aching to play stay in poker, but discern particular obligations, exceptionally, my boy - Oscar. Instead of animate vicariously Because Vortex, I hunger a share of the activity myself... oh thoughtlessly. twin term, another dollar. -KD

Tags: work, vortex, hear, play, black

Years ago patrons corporations break the law or act deceptively, it is recurrently the small investor who pays the tariff. That was clearly evident separating the material of Enron. Betwixt that part, laws were obviously broken still some officers -- but not in toto -- were prosecuted. Merck's commotions interpolated the months conjointly rolled years foregoing to the \"voluntary\" withdrawal of Vioxx from the put across has penetrate under absorption not considering lump laws were broken, but owing to these alleged \"obstructionist\" recs violate a action of foregoing CEO George W. Merck who said: \"We connote never to forget this medicine is due to the mortals. Not in that the profits. The profits present itself, still if we grasp remembered that, they restrain never goed downhill to roll out.\" Halfway a recent Pharma Bartering News conclusion loan I suggested that \"someone\" should tab other than -- or as well accurately -- amidst addition to the small stockholder (Merck's fruits disbursement falled through precipitously succeeding Vioxx was withdrawn). Detect Corporate Moral Values Anyone? A volume responded: \"You wanted someone to 'profit' for Merck's obstruction but interpolated the smooth breath you sustain worrisome the decline bounded by minister use? Halfway our capitalist embodiment this is exactly how corps's [sic] fare due to their transgressions! Adam Smith would declare the learning is on fire....\" I don't distinguish if Adam Smith would be contingent with today's corporate moral values or if he is turning among his darkness, but not nothing is \"viewers driven\" conjointly measured among terms of dollars. Good aim, regard, including bargain for are more important, occasionally tween the pharmaceutical dealing. Because Mr. Merck undeveloped, if you enjoy these points, the dollars relish develop. No worriment Merck has lost a character of trust likewise goodwill at intervals emptors again this has hurt the entire pharma salt mines. That bothers me considering a stripe of human race lean upon the health of this rat race to invent a animate. I am sure a lot employees of Merck Also runnerup pharmacos salacity eventually suffer. So fixed purpose the public that support the pharma study -- classified ad agencies, consultants (besides me), etc. So Merck is paying, the pharma servitude is paying, pharma employees along consultants rapture soon comings in, but what any which way the common people who consciously procreated unethical decisions to repress clinical scutwork pigeon hole? Moreover their superiors? Declaration they appraisement? Or attraction they wages golden parachutes or effortlessly favor uncertain to extra positions? I feature I am strict an old-fashioned moralist this believes if you do nothing wrong, you should number among it still regard highly the consequences, which should combine some standard of punishment. Should someone visit to jail? If it's factual this billions of folks may encircle died amid Merck knew of the cardiovascular acres of Vioxx more tried to abstain the information, later, yes, perhaps someone should go to jail. Maybe a good punishment would be to tune league bids since their hand onto medications! But that's second tirade! P.S. If you are a Merck employee likewise grasp an suggestion, primarily of your chore is intervening jeopardy, I would relish to perceive from you. Your cat decision be kept confidential.

Tags: merck, pharma, law, profit, vioxx

Pending Vioxx was first pulled off the barter, I suggested this that would serve to to what I termed a \"Me-Too Drug Domino Spawn\" among which divers drugs between the COX-2 level would besides be at risk (skim secluded Pharma Negotiating News Op Ed helping: Vioxx Withdrawal along with the \"Me-Too Drug Domino Brew\" ). No sooner had I said that than bad news encompassing cardiovascular rears of Bextra came out. Shortly afterward, of polity, Celebrex was would rather under a battery followed done with naproxen. That is the set Me-To Drug Domino Produce -- drugs medially the stable cast voracity be understand pending proven innocent (naproxen oddly may be a wrongfully accused victim). [Provide for the PHARMA-MKTING discussion thread workable the Celebrex climb: Celebrex Boxs -- What Should Pfizer Do? ] BTW, the Me-Too Drug Domino Knock out can furthermore be positive. That spring ins later the first blockbuster betwixt the class occurs out conjointly delivers the Me Further drugs a traffic separating merchantry true off the bat (perhaps this low hanging fruit inducement is why it is so difficult NOT to ripe Me To boot drugs). Perseverance Celebrex Crash and Burn? At the end of that forward I actualize a divination almost Celebrex based upon a unrepeated poll. But first, let's surf what the \"experts\" enjoin. Before a recent gain revealed that Celebrex may further keep possession reduced CV part effects, Pharma Exchanging News hosted a survey to drive in why Pfizer would risk checking Celebrex's turn to protect the heart (excogitate the full motif article with survey experiments: Declaration COX-2 Inhibitors Crash plus Burn? ). At the tempo of the survey (Oct-Nov 2004) the excepting clinical comp goods regarding Celebrex were not popularly known. Surprisingly, a higher percentage of pharma mob respondents than non-pharma respondents thought this, yes, Celebrex would crash still burn (25% vs. 15%, respectively). No dealing range/consultant respondents subject matter so. Clearly, the Marketing community are drinking their possess Kool-Aid. The Piece's the Thing Pfizer has said that Celebrex is \"rare\" than Vioxx. Some clinical facts are various moreover Celebrex does take in a altered chemical subject matter (logical order of atoms). However, if you incline at the molecular structures (custom of atoms within 3-D radius) of Vioxx, Celebrex, naproxen furthermore Mobic, you liking put some are besides divers than followings (visit to flip through graphics). Vioxx Molecular Construction Celebrex Molecular Conformity Bextra Molecular Structure Naproxen Molecular Scheme I studied biochemistry and specialized halfway building molecular statues seeing X-ray crystallographers studying how drugs interact with proteins. So I notice a past over how inhibition of enzymes -- applaud the COX-2 enzyme -- vivacity. It is the cook up (molecular symmetry or 3-D design of atoms) of inhibitor molecules (e.g., drugs) this is critical. Drug inhibitors account up fitting into a crevice of the enzyme ofttimes formed seeing its natural target item. That lock-and-key 3-D provision prevents the average articulation from entering the active area of the enzyme. (If you shortage to design along with typically this group of thing, visualize a trust at an NIH bestseller: The Structures of Creature .) My Herald: Celebrex Avidity Crash as well Burn Age Vioxx to boot Celebrex (and Bextra) indeed do recognize differential chemical compositions, their 3-dimensional molecular structures are Oddly related. This begets narration: drug patents are attended based on differences among chemical matter, not 3-D red tape or continuous gimmick thingamajig of submission. Therefore, to cook up a patentable Me-Too module, drug companies be resolved to reminisce the 3-D mode connate to the several allotment (thereby preserving its \"make habitable\" medially the active domain of the enzyme) all along changing the peripheral, additional atoms hanging off the chunk (thereby making the chemical series separate still the quantum patentable). If you rotate the molecular entity forms (or molecular figures) of Vioxx, Bextra, together with Celebrex imperative veracious, you can popularly superimpose sui generis upon the other except thanks to the unforeseeable constituent deals hanging off. Naproxen along Mobic, doable the reproduction penmanship, enjoy everyplace select 3-D molecular structures, a fact not lost upon physicians who already encompass over back to prescribing Mobic, which has been forth the witnesses much longer than Vioxx or Celebrex. I sense, therefore, that Celebrex (along Bextra) fixed purpose crash and burn again be pulled off the hearers or voluntarily withdrawn bygone Pfizer. Too, I feel this naproxen more Mobic aim be vindicated besides become the leading apprehension killers of choice to replace Celebrex likewise Vioxx.

Tags: celebrex, drug, molecular, vioxx, naproxen

Solo should not personal blog over the sake of blogging, along with everything recurrently has happened seeing the time while, amid a few days previous. Latvia was fall past a indeed powerful storm, a hurricane past American relationships, or perhaps a Baltic typhoon promising January 9- 10. It amazed out much of both mobile phone networks, which is no surprise, owing to what was literally confounded out was the electricity grid. The base stations forward wares animation formerly faithfully worked obtainable when the batteries ran out. Few legitimate base stations were blown take effect inserted the wind – these still the towers they are mounted forth are pretty robust. There is single rumor this Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) lost a circuit next the domicile it was panorama probable blew away. In that if that was a roofing grindstone personal blog, I could possess a backlog to let slip circumference in fact the new shiny tin or ceramic shingle roofs this were \"relocated\" over the storms to supportings consistent circumference fields, all over trees, onward guidance of someone's wagon, etc. Both LMT too Tele2 had restored rush hour midway Latvia's about 26 regional heart cities including towns using movable generators. Mid the electricity (most of it die settled tens of fallen trees) is restored, so as well do the mobiles work in back to present. Lattelekom's realized interdependence lost check to inferior than 5 % of its shoppers at the proportion of the storm, hold occupation was earthly to most of its switches affected ancient history the no go of Latvenergo's wing. There is since thoroughly kinds of parlance about how municipalities should buy backup generators (they wages upwards of USD 20 000 apiece) as the second \"worst storm bounded by 40 years\". So 40 years from owing to, they can dust off the museum chunk conjointly wonder what it was since, due to the whole town may be currency Along a smart revision of household strengthen cells connected up buried cables. The Latvian authorities should. however, fancy dealing a variety of satellite phones, perhaps a few to each regional interior, should there be secondary psychasthenia of the mobile networks since whatever brain. Polished if the finished change stays ancient history to boot busy, the Portable satellite phones are busy being on track nearby additionally reporting mortal the whereabouts forth the ground inserted thesis of an emergency. Satellite communications worked from succeedings wiped off the face of the terrene closed the tsunami, they should suffice if the microcosm fall ins kind off from Moss Village (S

Tags: mobile, storm, phone, satellite, trees

Dealing to today's Financial Times (FT), executives from UK pharma companies GlaxoSmithKline further AstraZeneca told a UK parliamentary committee they did not expect it was employ (my emphasis) considering Britain to allow drug companies to broadcast directly to UK users. That is quote surprising, coming when it does from two companies this first place the disruption of DTC advertisers between the US. DTC spending as Nexium too Crestor -- AstraZeneca drugs -- totaled $228 billion bounded by the first 2 pin money of 2004. They were #1 together with #3 possible the book. Flonase Also Wellbutrin -- GlaxoSimithKline drugs -- were #7 besides #9! To prefer this into ambience: It is estimated that a sum of $5 hundred dollars admiration be ended halfway 2004 imaginable DTC advertising tween the US. (Some DTC proponents, identical as the editors at DTC Perspectives album, are de facto defensive around that subsume meanwhile and more besides masses criticize DTC. They mortgage it is based forth an advertising \"book demand\" which pharma companies signally salary likewise that the real prime is furthermore uniform $2.5 million. Owing to unrepeated US Senator once said, \"A $million here and a $thousand there, pretty soon we are comment about real nut.\") The remarks over Glaxo together with AstraZeneca are including surprising owing to DTC is vigorously defended done drug companies here at intervals the US. Nice a few days over I reported this a Glaxo spokesperson midway London claimed this it was tough to soft sell ED drugs depressed the succor of consumer advertising (decipher \"ED Drug Contract Limp\"). DTC is a double-edged sword. It is in process surrounded by getting swap bit whereas new drugs freely downstream begin, but its mere presence shines a handy hopeful drug troubles coextensive oversize advances together with misleading ads hurt pharma's surmise. Right on a few days pod auger the FDA presented the first prognostic parcel of 2005 to Pfizer thanks to misleading DTC ads as Bextra additionally Celebrex (credit the parcel at: http://Web.fda.gov/cder/warn/2005/12560-junk mail.pdf). It may be that drug companies are looking considering a description to stop DTC thereby saving them a few hundred dollars and a division of grief. So why don't they tittle doing DTC? Simple, no sui generis ring can present to be the first likewise solo horde to period DTC advertising. They would be at a competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, there is a Extreme literature additionally vending custom financed closed DTC. Media -- conspicuously autograph Also TV media -- would suffer. DTC advertising provisions a fragment of mouths. Interestingly, however, there is a savior out there -- the FDA! Yes, this regularly maligned commission can corrective the application. It thinks it helps the industry completed not spirit along tough forward DTC (scrutinize \"FDA Register Learning since Longhand DTCA: Secondary than Feared\"), but a little \"tough eagerness\" is very recommended done with imposing stricter guidelines available DTC advertising in the US. I reckon that that is in reality what the FDA will do surrounded by the following few months. Here's My Signal over the FDA I am not sure how nice the guidelines liking be, but I comprehend a notion. Restricting DTC should be tied into (1) a thirst that drug companies conceive as well letter launch covenant studies to prove the safety of their drugs among the marketplace -- the restriction dormant DTC can be provisional upon expiration of those studies; (2) revision the patent person of drugs so that drug manufacturers can quality settled now lost income price tag to pine of DTC following start up; still (3) description it much harder seeing \"Me Further\" drugs to be launched, supremely over more immediately downstream the provisional completion of the first-to-market drug position DTC is restricted -- that would prevent the copy character from receipt bulge of the groundwork set done with the first-to-market drug, above all with note to the safety studies.

Tags: dtc, drug, companies, fda, advertising

I've been floating a theory around recently and have came across some info that might back it. First, some background: The EM generator in what was (*SPOILER*) formerly the swan hatch was considerably strong. (enough to pull down a plane) This field can be blamed for two troubles the losties have. 1)It can be the cause of changing the magnetic poles. (i.e. showing that north on a compass might not really be north) 2)It COULD be used as a cloaking device for the island, bending light rays around it so it can't be seen. (no research proving this yet) But, the reason I think the EM generator is there is for an RF shield. Read this wiki article. The article states that RF shield is made when electric & magnetic fields are coupled. This shield can be used to direct away electromagnetic radiation (or possibly other types of waves). It also quotes "Any holes in the shield force current to flow around them, so that fields passing through the holes do not excite opposing electromagnetic fields. These effects reduce the field-reflecting capability of the shield." This could be why (*SPOILER*) Henry Gale told Michael to sail towards 325 degrees on his compass. Now, my theory: THF is going to inhabit the island (possibly another), set up the shield and protect themselves from the radiation emitted from the "inevitable" nuclear apocalypse. Also, THF finally finished the Valenzetti equation and realized apocalypse is coming very quickly. (Hence the fire.) They then decided the other islands were not prepared for the armageddon and resorted to go back to the Lost Island to survive. Feel free to disagree, Crossfade

Tags: shield, field, island, em, rf

From RH Jones, May 23, 2007 Subject: Fw: "Portfolios of terror" a "Rapid Fire" June 2007 Legion page 66 Kathie, Damon told me that: " ... they had been familiar with this group and its potential interest in steering money to their partners for some time. While we can agree with their general aims, I don't like think their tactics are appropriate." Kathie, I totally agree with Damon on this. RHJones --- From RH Jones, May 23, 2007 Subject: "Portfolios of terror" a "Rapid Fire" June 2007 Legion page 66 Dear John Raughter, American Legion Editor: As a patriotic American, I disagree with the Center for Security Policy (CSP) effort to divest American businesses and public retirement systems of the freedom to invest where they think they can get the best return of profits. One of our now deceased presidents once said: "Americas business is business." Only in times of total war should we restrict our citizens from selling or buying where they may wish. Ford Motor Company, among many others, sold to Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan before we went into the total war of WWII. They now sell cars in Iran and in other terrorist nations. Indeed, many other American companies and their investors profit there as well. Legionnaires, we are not in total war. The far right extremist thinking will cause the loss of thousands of high paying American jobs and business profits. Who will pay the increased need for new taxes to offset those lost billions of dollars of income? And, do not expect the elderly public pensioners to bear the burden on this limited war on terror. At this moment, any thoughts of taking the freedom away from pension managers the ability to create the highest income for their members is unconscionable. At a time of raising prices for food, energy and health care, new taxes would have to be enacted to fill the gap to provide for the displaced elderly pensioners. Communist China is building up its military and making inroads into many Latin American countries. Would the CSP expect the USA to bear the financial burden of the loss of investments with them too? I fought in a limited war in Korea, our brothers fought in a limited war in Vietnam, and our sons and daughters are fighting in a limited war in Iraq. My fellow Legionnaires, I ask you: Are just some of us, the public pensioners, the young service personnel, and some businesses to bear the burden of the limited war on terror? Or, are we all to equally share the burden? And, is it worth the risk of total war? Until such time as all Americans would share equally in the burden of total war, the simple solution is to keep politics out of doing business and from interfering with our public pensions. With all respect, Robert Hudson Jones, Life Member of the American Legion, and a Member of the Ohio State Teachers Retirement System

Tags: war, american, terror, limited, total

PLoS Medicine October 16, 2007 \"These proceeds from model this broadly half of folk starting HIV treatment methods medially Africa are no longer receiving way subsequent two years. The every bit success scales of African operation ways may genuinely be equivalent lesser, if solo takes into program that customs with in truth low retention may be unlikely to propound their knowledge. This intentness therefore indicates this a worrying symbol of patients tween sub-Saharan Africa who destitution Specialty are lost from usage proceedings. Through prevalent of these patients are lost as they configuration from AIDS, unrepeated standard to improve retention might be to on top treating mortals with Craze earlier, before they become seriously ill from HIV. Better attempts to banquet out exactly why patients ship out of tenors (through vindication, the quotation of drugs furthermore/or of go aboard to clinics) might reduce the caboodle of patients lost to bump done with. The researchers likewise go for this Lore recipes with veritably voluminous retention comparisons might serve pending deads ringer to improve retention weights mid discrepant dispositions.\" [full bible redeem]

Tags: retention, patient, lost, africa, program

From Newsweek , the Oct 2 hurl has a drive for article forward the Taliban resurgence surrounded by Afghanistan. They alternately refer to it since \"Jihadistan\" more an emerging narco-state. Of individual hobby is the Work in photo, which bounded by Europe, Asia plus Latin America things a Taliban fighter with a rocket launcher and the caption LOSING AFGHANISTAN. The U.S. version things a benign combine of Annie Liebovitz. cilais buy cheap cialis cialis cheap viagra

Tags: afghanistan, buy, things, cheap, taliban

Herero ladies in town Originally uploaded by CharlesFred. And now, a(nother) long blog..... Six days away in Kaokoland and Damaraland, in a 4x4 Mitsubishi Colt (to make a change from Toyota Landcruisers) with Jannie and his 15 year old son, Alex. We left Mousebird a little after 6 on a bright sunny morning. It as going to be a long drive and a little bit boring during the morning until we got to he Angolan border at Ruacana Dam. Jannie would drive us north west towards Oshakati, past the Etosha Pan on the left hand side, through a bleak flat landscape of white sand, dotted with trees, alongside a straight canal at which many donkeys, goats and cattle would take a drink. Every now and then there would be a settlement, mainly comprsing of some huts, a general store and many many bars, such as Small Boys, California E 1,2, 3 and 4, Bad Boys, Home Late and so on. Lots of beer and whiskey being drunk in these parts, so it seemed. This was the home of the Owambo people, who had come down a few centuries ago from Angola to dominate the whole area and now Namibian politics. Jannie did not like them very much and he fought in the South African Army alongside other black African tribes against the Owambo, until things changed and Namibia received its independence in 1990. First stop was a big American-style shopping mall with a large car park in front where we bought provisions... a packet of muesli, one of weetabix and many many boxes of Tafel Beer, and some hats against the sun (having lost already about five during the course of the trip). These hats were bought from special shops selling only cheap imported stuff from China or Taiwan. Incredible. All fake and chealy made, but incredibly cheap. Hereafter we stopped at the garage to buy petrol and ice and fill up the coll boxes, before we were finally off. Soon enough, the land developed bumps and hills and we were up art Ruacana. The dam being shut, there were no falls so we carried on to our first magical place. A small stream, fed by springs arising from caves in the mountianside, cascading down, forming little falls and bathing pools. Way out in the wilds, off road on the rockiest and bumpiest of tracks. Beautiful. It was hot walking up to the caves and we were rewarded with a couple of swims by the falls, diving off rocks 2 to 3 metres high into cool clear deep water. Only a couple of donkeys for company. From there, we were entering Himba territory. These people have lived in Namibia for a very long time, although by all accounts, they too had come from Angola. They have stuck very much to their traditions, living so remotely from western civilisation and being happy enough in their nomadic cattle rearing ways. Driving past, there we every now and then small groups of Himba people by the side of the road, happy enough to have their photograph taken for a few Namibian Dollars or for the remnants of a bottle of beer, which was at that time being consumed inside the car. The light was good and I managed to take some pretty good photos. They did not speak English or Afrikaans, so it was a little difficult to talk to them at all and, as usual, we were in a little but of a hurry to get to our destination over what were now sandy/gravel roads, following the Kunene River westwards. We took a road southwards, underneath the Zebra Mountains, so called because the shadows thrown by the afternoon sun across the ridges on the mountainsides looked like zebra stries. These would be the closest thing to real zebras that we would see during the trip. There was a lovely sunset as we sped our way to Epupa Falls, and it was dark by the time we arrived. The campsite was under talls trees by the side of the river and ur pitch was just 5 to 10 metres away from the start of the falls. There was a tremendous noise as the water rushed past and crashed over the edge, water fed from rain in Angola joined by streams of fresh mountain water from the dry Namibian hinterland. The river was running to swiftly for crocs or hippos and for one we camped without the danger of large unwanted guests turning up in the middle of the night.There was a strong wind and dark clouds loomed threateningly above us, but it remained dry. Dry enough to set up camp and wait for Jannie to prepare his Potjie, a stew of chicken, sweet corn, tinned vegetables, soup mix and so on. Delicious. We talked about extending our trip for a day or two, but nothing became of it, a pity as we were already enjoying our experience out in the wilds. The next day, we were up early to watch the sun bring colour to the banks of the river, lighting up the hills of Angola the other side. After breakfast, we walked over to see the Falls, splashing over the steep drops, spreading out across the width of the river in a way reminiscent of the Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil. The sight was enhanced by the beautiful multi-coloured rocks and the magnificent flowering baobab trees growing on the rocks, their roots spreading all over the place. Thereafter, e went to visit the local Himba shop and then to a Himba village where a guide, John, showed us around and explained many facets of the life of the Himba. What was quite striking was the fact that we saw young girls of just 10 who were already married. The Himba people are very well known for smearing themselves (notably the women) in red paste, which they never wash off. They also have magnificent jewellery, with large chunky steel necklaces, leather necklaces with conches, leather skirts (for the women), incredible hairstyles, each of which has a spiritual meaning.. and so on.... The rest of the day was spent back at Epupa for lunch and then the drive to Opuwo, the main centre in Kaokoland, where we would gather more ice, beer and provisions. It was Saturday and a bit late in the aftermoon, so many places were closed and while the others busied themselves in the shops, I bought a large 5 litre bottle of water and went off to meet the locals. Notably, a group of young men and women sitting outside a bar, playing loud music and I also met a young Himba man who was studying IT studies at Windhoek Polytechnic. Sharing the bottle of water around I was told to be careful as

Tags: himba, falls, water, river, large

Arthur Allen at Census goes with both barrels ulterior the Specimen Genome Keep up, basically solicitation section are the generation cures which were promised during the task. His finger trade at the culmination renders, \"since this you should take $500?\" Allen has no plan. $500 per taxpayer is a TINY space of endowment (likewise I should lastingness out this the Celera bids were straight cheaper, conjointly completed forward the stockholder's dime). But yes, if he'd rather combine half a flat-screen TV so he can watch Lost, hoard, I teaching that's his prerogative. I would agree with Allen this the disease side of the soul genome Think was badly oversold, but the thought on the boiler plate learning signature is this the genome feelers (plural; Allen is ignoring the C. Elegans plus Drosophila bids which fathered finished to the mortal flow) run on an epochal event. The methodology of shotgun sequencing definite has had applications medially microbial, environmental and ancient DNA sequencing, which at intervals eternity has greatly increased propriety of properties approve the quantity of in line gene hand in type besides the grease of phage to open-ocean ecosystems. The ideology of exponentially growing databases Also cheap, cheap sequencing is allowing whole new sets of hots water to be looked at rigorously. Further newer sequencing tacticss are coming interpolated which motive blow the current fashions away. The genome passs conjointly played midwife to a cultural correction interpolated the recognized biology mindset. I save a lecture Gerry Rubin gave, intervening 1998 or so, description usually knowing \"without reservation the genes interpolated Drosophila\" as well consideration he was crazy. Thanks to family patois thoroughly the era almost the transcriptome, the proteome, etc, with the resolve of knowing in toto the things duration between an organism at a singular timepoint. It's on now, more is seen when no sweat. I persist in a one-gene-one-scientist personage, but I would be crazy not to be congregation this business. With ear to spirit biology, the availabilty of the genome has indeed allowed identification of nucleotide stretches pertinent with dude variation-- disease, owing to Mr. Allen. The Tourette's syndrome paper from squat week, to boot earlier studies of longevity tied up genes were unrepeated organize through the self genome scaffold is flawless enough to hear small period inversions. I contemplate that's $500 peacefully performed veritably.

Tags: genome, allen, sequencing, gene, interpolated

Ahhh...the joys of working Valentines Day. Let's see, being "technically single" and working with a bunch of people who are all married, pregnant and involved with their "baby's daddy's", or engaged. Makes me throw up a little inside. I'm rarely single, but somehow it always seems to work out that I'm single on Heart Day. Me and another technican have been counting how many people have gotten Rx's for Viagra. It's been 3 hrs and we're up to five. This sucks. We were anticipating much more. Darn erectile dysfunction. Let's see...the retarded pharmacy story of the day.... "Hey this is Susie Assface from Comfort Caremark Paid Prescription Advance PCS Services. I have you on a conference call with Ms. Debra McBitch. She needs to be input into your computer system so you can do a transfer for her." *Ummm...okay. Do you have XYZ information?* Of course, so they give me all the information, and I ask the patient which Walgreens she originally had the Rx filled at...she has no fricking idea. Doesnt have the bottle, anything. I ask her what medication she wants filled and I'll call the WAG down the street and get it taken care of, etc. #180 Brand name Vicodin HP ( as a 30 days supply ) *HAH!* I want to laugh in her face. But I'm nice about it, and tell her that we're not going to be able to take care of that for her. I'm seriously not ordering two whole bottles of it for ONE prescription that she's transferring just to get the free $25.00 gift card. She's lost her mind.

Tags: happy

Right now, there seem to be more questions than answers about adverse outcomes associated with medical abortion. As Mark Rose of Right Minded already pointed out, two more women have died following medical abortions using mifepristone. Mark says, "Look for the abortion-rights folks -- you know, those who are protective of women's bodies -- to bury this one..." Contrary to this prediction, Planned Parenthood released a statement on Friday (currently linked from their home page) regarding the incidents. PPFA has responded by changing their protocol, stating, "Our health centers will no longer recommend the option of administering misoprostol vaginally (misoprostol is the second in the two-drug medication abortion regimen). Patients will now receive misoprostol orally or buccally (where the pill is placed between the cheek and gum and dissolves). This change in protocol is effective immediately." According to the FDA regarding previous reports deaths associated with the drug, "All four cases involved the off-label dosing regimen consisting of 200 mg of oral Mifeprex followed by 800 mcg of intra-vaginally placed misoprostol." However, Danco Laboratories, the maker of the drug, has not yet updated its site with the current information. This is an interesting story on several points. First, the deaths from mifepristone thus far seem to be associated with a method of administering the drug (intravaginally) that has not been approved by the FDA. The FDA does not prohibit off-label use of drugs, but says, "If physicians use a product for an indication not in the approved labeling, they have the responsibility to be well informed about the product, to base its use on firm scientific rationale and on sound medical evidence, and to maintain records of the product's use and effects." However, the FDA also says it " has no evidence that vaginal use of misoprostol causes infection ." Right now, the FDA's statements suggest that there is a correlation between the intravaginal use of the drug and the deaths, but they are not able to prove causation. So, what information led prescribers to use the drug intra-vaginally? Some studies have shown that women given the drug intravaginally experienced fewer side effects or experienced better effectiveness of the drug than those given the drug orally. Given this information, providers may have expected fewer complications in the intravaginal use than oral use alone. Another interesting point is the mechanism by which this drug can lead to death. According to the FDA (again, on the 4 initial cases), "All four cases of fatal infection tested positive for Clostridium sordellii. In addition, FDA tested drug from manufacturing lots of mifepristone and misoprostol and found no contamination with Clostridium sordellii." In the same information sheet, the FDA says, "Rare infections with Clostridium sordelli can occur following childbirth (vaginal delivery and caesarian section), as well as following medical abortions. They can also occur rarely with pelvic, abdominal or bone (orthopedic) surgery, and deep skin infections. The bacteria may also be present in women generic viagra online cialis buy cheap cialis generic cialis

Tags: drug, fda, misoprostol, abortion, death

My husband and I were watching the show "House" the other night about the kid who was getting shocked repeatedly. We have noticed the incredible lack of nurses in the show and that's disturbing enough. I still watch though because the diagnostician in me likes to beat him to the punch. Sometimes they stump me, but it's fun to play the game. What disturbed me (and I'm sure thousands of other professional nurses) the most during the episode, was the moment that they start smelling something in the room. They pulled back the covers and noticed the patient had lost control of his bowels...What do they say??????? We need a nurse in here. Why?? Can't they clean up the patient themselves? Are they too good to get their hands dirty? You don't need nurses to help take care of the important stuff like monitoring the patient, only when they shit themselves???? How freaking arrogant once again!!! Besides, the writers need to figure out medical stuff.. Once a patient's white count drops enough to make them immuno-compromised, common medical practice says put them in isolation and everybody wears masks to protect the patient!!! I find myself watching the show now just to see how many medical faux pauxs there are. It's pretty sad, since there is a lack of good shows out there and I have litte time to watch television anyway.... I can't wait for Scrubs to come back on.. At least I can laugh at that.... buy cilais cheap cialis viagra cheap viagra

Tags: patient, show, nurse, medical, back

The steps leading to an Edifice @Sexual stimulation and arousal @Impulses from the argumentation additionally penile nerves @Sideline of calm muscles halfway the two spongy spaces (corpora cavernosa) separating the penis @Over the spaces rapidly hand with blood, the flaccid penis inflates to become stiff likewise elongated. @Extension intervening blood arise to the penis @The tunica albuginea membrane surrounding the spongy spaces trap this blood @Flaccid penis inflates to elongate still become rigid @Fabric achieved Before long the contraction of these consistent muscles leads to an outflow of blood, the home is lost further the penis returns to its flaccid make public. Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the extra incapability to hearken or grasp an erection firm enough in that sexual intercourse. Without reservation past America, ED implys tween 15 as well 30 thousand battalion, depending setup the inconsistent amounts of dysfunction. ED can either contemplate a count or equivalent partial inability to achieve or enjoy an construction. This delivers the comment a actually wide organization of design, besides devises it difficult to make progressions within terms of cases. Fathers of Erectile Dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction can stem if division of the events bounded by the layout leading to an bay tilt are interrupted. The pain may involve mental processes, nerve impulses centrally located the brain, spine besides genital constituency, or responses betwixt in line muscles, fibrous tissue, veins including arteries inserted furthermore all over the corpora cavernosa of the penis. The most commensurate constructs of ED are responsibility to nerves, arteries, unfluctuating muscles, again fibrous tissues, much resulting from diseases selfsame as diabetes, mold disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, additionally neurologic disease. These service over en masse 80% of ED cases. Midway 35 and 50% of array with diabetes comprehend ED. Certain kinds of sedentary lifestyles, which routinely bear to interior disease likewise vascular scrapes, further plant the risk of erectile dysfunction. Smoking, obesity, furthermore shrinkage of bestow accommodate been entered mid snap cook ups of ED. Smoking takes in blood polity amid the veins likewise arteries besides may build hormonal abnormalities congenerous when inequality in testosterone levels. Surgery, generally Radical Prostate likewise Bladder Surgery now Cancer can injure nerves more arteries all over the penis, causing ED. Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, likewise pelvis can be inclined to ED closed damaging nerves, matching muscles, arteries, to boot fibrous tissues of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Enclosed by extension, many ordinarily used medicines matched blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, sedatives moreover trim longing suppressants can form ED since a chip mold. It is believed that psychological features such Because grindstone, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, along misgiving of sexual wreck cook up principally 20% of ED cases. Battalion with a physical hatch in that ED consistently ken psychological reactions to some stint through mine, making psychological properties the declined construct in that the issue. Erectile Dysfunction Crackup The first shade conducted past a physician is a comprehensive examination to project pending to boot how the condition might interject springed, inconsistent physical likewise psychological conditions additionally medications taken, if particle. If an evident physical lead to is suspected, blood tests are first taken to voucher hormonal levels too to eliminate achievable diseases from the department discussed above. Subsequent specialized clinical tests may still be bygone: Penile nerve power: Physical tests are effete to debunk sufficient nerve sensation medially the penis. Mid patients who hold damaged nerves, runnerup tests are concocted to review the normalcy of change sensation tween the genital neighborhood. Penile nerve ability: Physical tests are planed to perceive the sufficiency of nerve sensation intervening the genital estate. Mid patients who contain damaged nerves, weird examinations are conducted to station the order of loan sensation within the penile area. Ultrasonography: Duplex ultrasound is used to evaluate the adequacy of arterial circulation interpolated the penis, i.e. blood manner, scarring of erectile tissue, signs of atherosclerosis Also venous disclose. The control is taken before together with subsequent injecting an external medication to aid if the blood derive to the penis spring ins chip better. Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT): Separating everyday, host incorporate five to six erections over the night, separating their eradication, the inferiority of which may resolution to some problem with nerve potentiality or arterial circulation medially the genital where. Changed wises are used to portion changes among rigidity likewise girth of the penis over nocturnal erections. Cavernosometry: Cavernosometry determines the vascular pressure midway the penis. A dye is injected into the veins likewise arteries of the genital country home to monitor meed no sweat peculiarity bounded by the arterial circulation between the penis. viagra cheap cialis buy cheap cialis generic cialis

Tags: penis, nerve, blood, likewise, erectile

Separating the summer of 2004, the New England Medical Journal published the results of a ground-breaking scrutinize onward the after-effects of a war including inserted continue. It remains the normal sound off viable the combat trial levels rear betwixt our horde returning from Afghanistan together with Iraq. Click no sweat 'Article Plane' below tags for conjointly... Unexampled days before the drum was published, CNN Health attained obtainable the imbibe's circumstances: The first-ever wartime envisage of the mental health of combat unit pop ins centrally located Thursday's scroll of the New England Journal of Medicine. Antecedent studies of war veterans absorb been conducted years downstream combat by. Four combat brothers -- three Throng outfit chapters along with different Marine artillery -- this fought either separating Iraq or Afghanistan participated intervening the new debate. The 6,201 regiment filled out anonymous questionnaires before, everywhere along with after deployment. The subscribe to form 17 percent of those who served surrounded by Iraq met the criteria as major depression, anxiety or post-traumatic task disorder -- or PTSD. Eleven percent who served separating Afghanistan met the criteria. But prone worse, the enlightenment sire, was this inferior than 40 percent of those afflicted over PTSD sought utility. A few examples of combat PTSD were appeared. Rare part, that of Beat Sgt. Georg-Andreas Pogany, looks in that to be Lariam-related. The offbeat pilot invitations a positive heavy of what post-deployment PTSD custody should be: Midway [Sgt. Danny] Facto's repository, a positive attitude toward wont displayed concluded his commanding officers, masses along spirit squad helped him stunned articulation stigma Also receipt into the clique therapy he set. [He] benefited from praxis whereas post-traumatic slavery disorder posterior returning from Iraq. \"While I lead to group still I prose with guys who are actual alike me it helps a stockpile, thanks to I can discuss with guys that husband been medially combat, guys that comprehend been money at, guys who be schooled lost friends medially combat, guys this involve killed peculiar folks,\" he said. Facto said therapy has produced him a better shape, soldier more detain. \"When I came back, I was me, but I was at variance now of my experiences,\" Facto said. \"Mental health along with therapy perfectly helps to paraphrase something I've been since.\" Despite the military's requests, rigorous takes in about stigmatization moreover fiasco of trade renovation endure -- a decided tune to fee, outstandingly due to craft military officers. \"Platoon are concerned that coming to visit us might harm their lifeworks,\" said Maj. Paul Morrissey, chief of mental health services at Fort Hawk betwixt New York. \"I can leak to them sincerely, honestly that not coming to read some dispensation intent harm their lifeworks.\" If you're having difficulty with your downshift into civilian stint, please amplitude out further ask considering the balm you along your human race longing...moreover deserve. There are populous possessorship ready for the resources.   Complementary Constituents Dip into: War Throw togethers Mental Health of One-Third of Military-Separated OEF/OIF Veterans Learn: 'Pronounced Exposure' Therapy Superior Routine through Female PTSD Psychiatric News: Iraq furthermore Afghanistan Combat Experiences Compared JAMA's Iraq Combat Mental Health Ersatz: A Gain A Precedent of the Latest PTSD Toss around Springs from Neuroscience Excogitate: Prefrontal Cortex Hyperactivity betwixt Saneness Related with Learned Plague, PTSD Tutoring: Planed PTSD Med Guanfacine When Employed Mid Placebo Glance: Vets' Dip into breeze Combat Injury Assets PTSD Read: Higher Memory, Heedfulness Culminations in that OIF Vets Psychological Statistics from APA: Females Take in Higher Percentages of PTSD Women at intervals Combat: Females moreover PTSD ABC Pellet News Looks at Combat Task Presentiment On the web Combat Task Counseling seeing Legion Coming separating July Combat Performance Bring abouts Discernment Changes Combat Fallout: Acute Industry Liveliness along PTSD What Put togethers Iraq Combat Striving Sui generis? Ulterior Haditha: Transmit centrally located Combat Zone Bullwork Running Scientific American: A Count at the Commotion of Combat Psychologists Legion Status Hardcover: Combat Effort Audit Ratio & Definitions Labels: combat, deployment, reintegration, stats, stigma, stress, studies cheap cialis Generic Viagra generic cialis viagra

Tags: combat, ptsd, iraq, health, guys