Not to beat a dead horse to death, but if both the speechlessness Jerry Green and Councilor Burney would take note both Dan Damon and myself called attention to the stupid erroneous reporting of the Star Ledger long before they published their own posts. If they question this look up the posting time. Although the Assemblyman's says posted at 1.21PM I did not read it until this morning and I do check his blog every evening.
I presume that I am included in what the Assemblyman calls "those negativity-seeking parties" because we tend at times to disagree with him. Our elected official should be advised that our democracy will survive only if the !st Amendment exists. Any attempt by either Republicans, "New" or "Regular" Democrats to suppress voices of others by innuendo or other unacceptable or biased actions is contrary to the America of today that could elect Obama by such a large majority. When I first was able to vote, no one in their wildest dreams could have imagined this. Don't compromise the gains by being narrow minded.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Paris in the past
Have to recover from the election-no words of wisdom but a few slides of Paris about 30 years ago. Like me they show signs of advancing years. After reading the papers! I may have some Random thoughts. Suggestion: click on picture to enlarge for better detail.
This should not need an explaination The view is from the Trocedero across down the road and bridge to under the structure.
This is looking towards the Madeline at the end of the street
I was told that Erik(aka phantom) lived here
Could not find Quasimodo here
This should not need an explaination The view is from the Trocedero across down the road and bridge to under the structure.
This is looking towards the Madeline at the end of the street
I was told that Erik(aka phantom) lived here
Could not find Quasimodo hereThursday, November 6, 2008
RANDOM THOUGHTS NOV 6
The STAR LEDGER! If were not for the fact that the Star Ledger still has one of the if not the best sports sections in the country and if it did not carry the most complete obituary page- there are still enough people left to look for- and if it were not for the fact that there is no other newspaper for this part of New Jersey** after receiving my renewal bill with a 20% increase I would consider joining those who no longer subscribe to newsprint.
Apparently in the minds' of the Ledger's editors, the Plainfield we live does not exist in this universe. During the entire SDSS/Solaris charade about Muhlenberg th paper had minimal coverage if any, nor was there any editorial expression about the impact on the area. I had only given a cursory glance at the map in today's Ledger until I read Dan's Plainfield Today posting. Sure enough in the Ledger's (not a Star) map on the first page of the New Jersey Section showing how which candidate won a town, McCain won the Ledger's Plainfield by over 25%. I was amazed because when I was at polling place the lines looked liked there was a new hit movie playing.
Then when I turned to page 25, in the Ledger's list of towns in the 7th district under Union County I can not find Plainfield. I thought that I had a choice between Lance and Stender when I cast my ballot.
** The "Courier News" in its most recent incarnation is a glorified daily simulation of the weekly "throwaways" in size and content. If Gannett chain wonders why the circulation is dropping to a disaster point I would point out that before the amalgamation with "The Home News" the Courier had assumed the profile of a "RAG". I was ready to drop my subscription it was so bad.
Mayor Blumberg in New York is ready to bite the bullet and make drastic cutes in the city's budget. Will Plainfield's council come down from cloud 9 and be realistic in preparing a budget for the remaining 7 months of this fiscal year. You can't mandatory spend money you don't have.
I think the first thing the new Council must do is study in depth Plainfield's fiscal practices; its failures, its operational problems, its lack of controls and accountability and efficiency of operation. If individuals are not doing their jobs let that be noted. It is time for a change.
Apparently in the minds' of the Ledger's editors, the Plainfield we live does not exist in this universe. During the entire SDSS/Solaris charade about Muhlenberg th paper had minimal coverage if any, nor was there any editorial expression about the impact on the area. I had only given a cursory glance at the map in today's Ledger until I read Dan's Plainfield Today posting. Sure enough in the Ledger's (not a Star) map on the first page of the New Jersey Section showing how which candidate won a town, McCain won the Ledger's Plainfield by over 25%. I was amazed because when I was at polling place the lines looked liked there was a new hit movie playing.
Then when I turned to page 25, in the Ledger's list of towns in the 7th district under Union County I can not find Plainfield. I thought that I had a choice between Lance and Stender when I cast my ballot.
** The "Courier News" in its most recent incarnation is a glorified daily simulation of the weekly "throwaways" in size and content. If Gannett chain wonders why the circulation is dropping to a disaster point I would point out that before the amalgamation with "The Home News" the Courier had assumed the profile of a "RAG". I was ready to drop my subscription it was so bad.
Mayor Blumberg in New York is ready to bite the bullet and make drastic cutes in the city's budget. Will Plainfield's council come down from cloud 9 and be realistic in preparing a budget for the remaining 7 months of this fiscal year. You can't mandatory spend money you don't have.
I think the first thing the new Council must do is study in depth Plainfield's fiscal practices; its failures, its operational problems, its lack of controls and accountability and efficiency of operation. If individuals are not doing their jobs let that be noted. It is time for a change.
BECOMING FAMOUS
About 1949 Dr. Schwartz established a cardiac clinic in the OPD with about six of us. A surgeon had a patient with Lareich Syndrome, a saddle thrombosis of the aortic bifurcation which was a rare condition. I co-authored a paper for the Medical Society of NJ Journal. We thought so little about it that we did not bother to have reprints for distribution although for about a year we were receiving requests from all over the world.
Shortly thereafter, I received from Ciba a supply of a purified form of Rauwolfia an Indian plant which was used to treat hypertension for clinical pre FDA approval. I treated a total of six patients and thought that the results were promising enough to write a letter (report) to Ciba. This was not a controlled study. Ciba used that letter as part of their approval application for Reserpine, the first drug anti-hypertensive. I found this out latter when a pharmacy detail man from another company was selling a similar drug and referred to my letter in its sales promotion.
About a year later Ciba wanted me to do clinical trials on a drug that they thought would be competitive with Smith-Kline-French’s blockbuster Dexedrine diet drugs. I tried Ritalin on a few patients and concluded that it was worthless. After my negative report, Ciba never again asked to do a clinical trial on one of their drugs. Ritalin would surface every few years for another use, until years later it found a home in the treatment of hyperactive children.
I was not surprised when years later the government cracked down on the use of poorly supervised pre-approval field trials. The drug companies did not want negative reports and condoned false data. In fact there have been incidents in the past where serious complications even death had occurred and the Pharmaceutical company had hidden those reports.
Unfortunately our society demands the release of new drugs before they can be adequately determined. Premature publicity by the media puts pressure on the regulatory agencies. When bad results happen after the medication has been on the market there is always finger pointing , and a swing to extreme conservatism before the government allows the sale of good new drugs. Ultimately political pressure again results in relaxing the safeguards.
The drug companies now do extensive pre-patient and human trial studies before FDA approval. Most trials are without bias and the results published and studied before we can use the medication. Unfortunately there is always pressure by institutions (medical schools) and large hospitals for the grant monies that are involved in these studies. Fortunately it is not often that the individuals doing the study bend their criteria to remain in the good graces of the company.
Part of the tragedy for both the physician and the patient is the autocratic restrictions on therapy. Indications for a drug are listed on the information insert along with contra-indications and real and potential adverse reactions. That list is usually so broad and all consuming that the manufacture has completely CHA. If anything goes wrong irrespectively of administration the doctor is exposed to malpractice suit-a trial lawyer's nirvana- or even loss of license. Unfortunate outcomes are treated as malpractice.
I did not have a problem in the early years of practicing of using a drug or a dosage for an illness that was not listed as indicated. The caveat was that there was reasonable evidence that the therapy would be effective and not harmful. I am not condoning irrational treatment or ignorance. It is also a given, that the doctor should explain to the patient that although the treatment being prescribed had not received FDA approval there was sufficient evidence in the literature that it worked and should be given if "he" wished a watched trial. now a days that would have to be a written release for a degree of legal protection. Oh the lawyers rule the world.
By the 80s things had become so codified that any deviation from the "book" if reported would result in disciplinary action from the Board of Medical Examiners. The "cookbook" took precedent over the best individualized treatment for the patient. The insurance companies slavishly followed industry generated standards to authorize tests, treatments and punish any doctor who exhibited ingenuity.
Shortly thereafter, I received from Ciba a supply of a purified form of Rauwolfia an Indian plant which was used to treat hypertension for clinical pre FDA approval. I treated a total of six patients and thought that the results were promising enough to write a letter (report) to Ciba. This was not a controlled study. Ciba used that letter as part of their approval application for Reserpine, the first drug anti-hypertensive. I found this out latter when a pharmacy detail man from another company was selling a similar drug and referred to my letter in its sales promotion.
About a year later Ciba wanted me to do clinical trials on a drug that they thought would be competitive with Smith-Kline-French’s blockbuster Dexedrine diet drugs. I tried Ritalin on a few patients and concluded that it was worthless. After my negative report, Ciba never again asked to do a clinical trial on one of their drugs. Ritalin would surface every few years for another use, until years later it found a home in the treatment of hyperactive children.
I was not surprised when years later the government cracked down on the use of poorly supervised pre-approval field trials. The drug companies did not want negative reports and condoned false data. In fact there have been incidents in the past where serious complications even death had occurred and the Pharmaceutical company had hidden those reports.
Unfortunately our society demands the release of new drugs before they can be adequately determined. Premature publicity by the media puts pressure on the regulatory agencies. When bad results happen after the medication has been on the market there is always finger pointing , and a swing to extreme conservatism before the government allows the sale of good new drugs. Ultimately political pressure again results in relaxing the safeguards.
The drug companies now do extensive pre-patient and human trial studies before FDA approval. Most trials are without bias and the results published and studied before we can use the medication. Unfortunately there is always pressure by institutions (medical schools) and large hospitals for the grant monies that are involved in these studies. Fortunately it is not often that the individuals doing the study bend their criteria to remain in the good graces of the company.
Part of the tragedy for both the physician and the patient is the autocratic restrictions on therapy. Indications for a drug are listed on the information insert along with contra-indications and real and potential adverse reactions. That list is usually so broad and all consuming that the manufacture has completely CHA. If anything goes wrong irrespectively of administration the doctor is exposed to malpractice suit-a trial lawyer's nirvana- or even loss of license. Unfortunate outcomes are treated as malpractice.
I did not have a problem in the early years of practicing of using a drug or a dosage for an illness that was not listed as indicated. The caveat was that there was reasonable evidence that the therapy would be effective and not harmful. I am not condoning irrational treatment or ignorance. It is also a given, that the doctor should explain to the patient that although the treatment being prescribed had not received FDA approval there was sufficient evidence in the literature that it worked and should be given if "he" wished a watched trial. now a days that would have to be a written release for a degree of legal protection. Oh the lawyers rule the world.
By the 80s things had become so codified that any deviation from the "book" if reported would result in disciplinary action from the Board of Medical Examiners. The "cookbook" took precedent over the best individualized treatment for the patient. The insurance companies slavishly followed industry generated standards to authorize tests, treatments and punish any doctor who exhibited ingenuity.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
RANDOM THOUGHTS NOV 5
I thought that McCain's concession speech was one of the greatest political speeches of all times. It will be little remembered, and has been ignored by the press. McCain would have made a great President but he was the right man at the wrong time. Too bad he did not get the nomination 4 or even 8 years ago.
Now that we have new leadership let us disregard the political verbiage that the present economic crisis was due to "failed Republican policies". History will show that all societies have boom and bust cycles. George Bush #1 lost to Clinton because the country was in an economic depression after years of rising prosperity. In nature every action has a reaction. In economics it is a correction. The Great Depression was a severe one that lasted 10 years. Clinton was fortunate to be elected as the great boom of the 90s was already in its formative stages. The mortgage fiasco and the Fredie Mac and Fannie Mae risky loans were initiated by legislation in the Clinton years. We remember only what we wish, and can place blame on any scape goat.
With the " New Democrats" being in position of influence on the Council perhaps Plainfield's government will be more proactive in civic affairs. Would it not be nice if a true provisional budget would be ready for action on July 1, the start of the fiscal year. To approve a budget 6 or 9 months into the year means that the elected officials have abandoned their fiduciary responsibilities to those they are supposed to supervise.
How soon will Rashid reveal his political ambitions? 2009= Mayor?--Assembly???. City Party Chairmanship ??? I can't wait.
Now that we have new leadership let us disregard the political verbiage that the present economic crisis was due to "failed Republican policies". History will show that all societies have boom and bust cycles. George Bush #1 lost to Clinton because the country was in an economic depression after years of rising prosperity. In nature every action has a reaction. In economics it is a correction. The Great Depression was a severe one that lasted 10 years. Clinton was fortunate to be elected as the great boom of the 90s was already in its formative stages. The mortgage fiasco and the Fredie Mac and Fannie Mae risky loans were initiated by legislation in the Clinton years. We remember only what we wish, and can place blame on any scape goat.
With the " New Democrats" being in position of influence on the Council perhaps Plainfield's government will be more proactive in civic affairs. Would it not be nice if a true provisional budget would be ready for action on July 1, the start of the fiscal year. To approve a budget 6 or 9 months into the year means that the elected officials have abandoned their fiduciary responsibilities to those they are supposed to supervise.
How soon will Rashid reveal his political ambitions? 2009= Mayor?--Assembly???. City Party Chairmanship ??? I can't wait.
CONGRATULATIONS
Raise the glass to Obama on his election. And also to the people of the United States who have matured enough not to make Race and I hope any other ethnic differences a contraindication to full citizenship.
May the next 4 years not be too radical in social changes so that the country can stay united. There will be those who will be divisive , let them be unsuccessful.
No American should fear or resent a "black" as President. What we should fear is an over reaction from supporters who may erroneously believe that they have been given a mandate. Restraint and common sense by all should be the deciding values for the immediate future. Let us hope that we have learned from the misuse of power that had been granted in local governments.
I and WE have lived through a great era in History. Let us be able to reflect on all that has happened and be able to learn and grow as a society from not only our years but from the lessons of history itself.
May the next 4 years not be too radical in social changes so that the country can stay united. There will be those who will be divisive , let them be unsuccessful.
No American should fear or resent a "black" as President. What we should fear is an over reaction from supporters who may erroneously believe that they have been given a mandate. Restraint and common sense by all should be the deciding values for the immediate future. Let us hope that we have learned from the misuse of power that had been granted in local governments.
I and WE have lived through a great era in History. Let us be able to reflect on all that has happened and be able to learn and grow as a society from not only our years but from the lessons of history itself.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
ON TO THE KLONDIKE
This was complied on election night while I was thinking about the second woman who would be Vice President. It was just 111 years ago that the Alaska gold rush was at its peak, the original discovery was in 1896. Many of the prospectors landed at Skagway to climb up to the White Pass and then float on rafts from Bennett Lake down to the Yukon River to Dawson City.
Charlie Chaplin's silent film The Gold Rush (1925), the highest grossing silent comedy, was set in the Klondike, as was the silent epic The Trail of '98.
Skagway and its mud streets after a rain.
Looking down to Skagway from the train to White Pass. Note the RR tracks in the center below the train
In the center another of the RR bridges across a creek on the climb up.
Looking down to the Lynn Canal and Skagway from train note tracks in left foreground.
Another view
A bridge on the new highway across White Pass.
Charlie Chaplin's silent film The Gold Rush (1925), the highest grossing silent comedy, was set in the Klondike, as was the silent epic The Trail of '98.
Skagway and its mud streets after a rain.
Looking down to Skagway from the train to White Pass. Note the RR tracks in the center below the train
In the center another of the RR bridges across a creek on the climb up.
Looking down to the Lynn Canal and Skagway from train note tracks in left foreground.
Another view
A bridge on the new highway across White Pass.
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