Text: Obama's Remarks on Health Care --Text of the prepared remarks by President Obama before his White House news conference on Wednesday, as released by the White House. 22 Jul 2009 (Transcript)
White House Discloses Meetings With Health Care Executives 22 Jul 2009 The Obama administration released Wednesday night a list of 15 health-care lobbyists and senior executives who have visited the White House to discuss health-care reform. Guests have included Billy Tauzin of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; Karen Ignagni of America's Health Insurance Plans; Richard Umbdenstock of the American Hospital Association; and J. James Rohack of the American Medical Association, according to a letter from White House Counsel Gregory B. Craig. Senior executives at companies including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, UnitedHealth Group and Merck also visited at least once.
President Obama's Longtime Physician Opposes White House Health Plan, Advocates Single Payer (Democracy Now!) 22 Jul 2009 Dr. David Scheiner was President Obama’s doctor from 1987 until he entered the White House. Today Dr. Scheiner is publicly opposing Obama’s health plan and is calling for a single-payer system.
The class issues in the US health care debate By Kate Randall and Barry Grey 22 July 2009 The Obama administration’s push for health care "reform" has exposed the class realities that dominate American politics and the social interests which Obama defends. Under Obama, the issue of health care reform has been shifted from providing decent medical care for all to slashing the cost of health care to businesses and the government, primarily by cutting costs for Medicare and fundamentally changing the nature of the Medicare program.
Is the Obama Health Care Plan Really Better Than Nothing? By Bruce A. Dixon 22 Jul 2009 Candidate Barack Obama told us to judge his first term by whether he delivers quality affordable health care for all Americans, including nearly fifty million uninsured. So why does his proposal not cover the uninsured till 2013, after the next presidential election when Medicare took only 11 months to cover its first 40 million seniors? Why are corporate media pretending that no opinions exist to Obama’s left? And why has the public option part of the Obama health care plan shrunk from covering 130 million to only 10 million, with 16 million left uninsured altogether?
Bernanke: "I Don't Know" Which Foreign Banks Were Given Half a Trillion --Grayson grills Fed chairman on destination of credit swaps By Paul Joseph Watson 22 Jul 2009 Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke was confronted yesterday by Congressman Alan Grayson about which foreign banks were the recipients of Federal Reserve credit swaps, but he was unable to provide an answer as to where over half a trillion dollars had gone. Asked which European financial institutions received the money, which was handed out by The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), a component of the Federal Reserve System, Bernanke responded, "I don’t know." "Half a trillion dollars and you don’t know who got the money?" asked Grayson. ..[T]he destination of trillions in bailout funds remains hidden after the Fed refused to disclose where it had gone despite a lawsuit filed by Bloomberg.
Pakistan Objects to U.S. Expansion in Afghan War 22 Jul 2009 Pakistan is objecting to expanded American combat operations in neighboring Afghanistan, creating new fissures in the alliance with Washington at a critical juncture when thousands of new American forces are arriving in the region. Pakistani officials have told the Obama administration that the Marines fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan will force militants across the border into Pakistan, with the potential to further inflame the troubled province of Baluchistan, according to Pakistani intelligence officials.
U.S. Deaths Hit a Record High In Afghanistan --Toll of 31 So Far in July Makes For Deadliest Month of the War 22 Jul 2009 U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have surged to a record high this month and are likely to remain elevated as American and NATO forces settle into outposts in southern Afghan villages and cities where Taliban forces have traditionally been the strongest. The rising death toll comes as the country prepares for a presidential 'election' next month, and could erode U.S. public support for a war that is already among the longest in U.S. history.
Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan 22 Jul 2009 A bomb blast kills two more US soldiers in southern Afghanistan, making July the deadliest month for the US and its allies since the 2001 invasion of the country. "Two International Security Assistance Force service members were killed today in an IED strike that occurred in southern Afghanistan," the NATO-led force said in a statement on Wednesday.
Obama: U.S. on Track to Withdraw All Forces From Iraq by 2011 22 Jul 2009 President Obama said Wednesday that he was "very encouraged" by Iraq's progress in taking over its own security responsibilities and that the United States was on track to withdraw all military forces from the country by 2011. In a brief news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after the two met for more than an hour at the White House, Obama acknowledged there would be "some tough days ahead.
Obama applauds improved security in Iraq 22 Jul 2009 President Obama, hailing the transfer of authority in Iraq's cities to Iraqi military forces, acknowledged today that "differences in strategy" remain to be resolved, but voiced satisfaction with the level of security in the war-torn nation. Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, in private meetings at the White House, also spoke of both the Obama administration's concern for speedier ethnic reconciliation inside Iraq and the Iraqi government's appetite for accelerated U.S. investment there.
Iraq bombings kill 19 22 Jul 2009 Bombs killed 19 people and wounded 80 across Iraq in a flurry of attacks Tuesday, three weeks after the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from the cities. At least six explosions struck both Shiite and Sunni neighborhoods in Baghdad. The Baghdad attacks, including two in the Sadr City district, resulted in 14 deaths.
Leftist Israeli intellectuals demand new Gaza war probe 22 Jul 2009 Leading left-wing Israeli intellectuals signed a petition Wednesday demanding the government to allow an independent, external investigation into last winter's Gaza war. The signatories included authors David Grossman and Amos Oz, as well as outspoken former lawmaker Yossi Sarid of the left-liberal Meretz party and 25 academics, actors, musicians and public figures.
US senators seek softer tone on Iran 22 Jul 2009 The US senators, who proposed tougher sanction against Iran earlier this year, seem to have taken a softer tone in the new amendment they have presented. Although the amendment still calls for more sanctions against Iran in the event of talks failing, it moves away from allegations that Tehran's civilian nuclear program is gearing up to for militarization.
EFF Demands Intelligence Agencies' Reports About Possible Misconduct --Lawsuit Seeks Public Disclosure of Oversight Records Amidst New Questions About Accountability 22 Jul 2009 The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed suit today against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and a half-dozen other federal agencies involved in intelligence gathering, demanding the immediate release of reports about potential misconduct. EFF filed suit under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), requesting records of intelligence agencies' reporting of activities since 2001 that might have been unlawful or contrary to presidential order.
The CIA, licensed to kill --The agency has been involved in planning assassinations since at least 1954. By David Wise 22 Jul 2009 The CIA's involvement in planning assassinations goes back at least to 1954, when it prepared a manual for killings as part of a U.S.-run coup against the leftist government of Guatemala. The 19-page manual, which was declassified in 1997, makes chilling reading. "The essential point of assassination is the death of the subject," it declares, noting that while it "is possible to kill a man with the bare hands ... the simplest local tools are often much the most efficient means of assassination. A hammer, ax, wrench, screwdriver, fire poker, kitchen knife, lamp stand or anything hard, heavy and handy will suffice." The agency's manual recommends "the contrived accident" as the best way to dispose of someone.
DNA samples do not fit suspected Jakarta bombers 22 Jul 2009 DNA samples taken from the families of suspects in the Jakarta suicide bombings do not match bodies taken from the blast site. Indonesian police have confirmed the mismatch on remains found at the scenes of last Friday's deadly blasts. The man who was suspected of bombing the Marriott hotel, Nur Hasbi, and a florist named Ibrahim, missing from the Ritz-Carlton hotel, are no longer being regarded as the chief suspects. The negative DNA results will ensure the identities of the suicide bombers remain a mystery until two severed heads found at the bomb sites are identified. [Or, they can just check the Xe DNA database.]
US man accused in 'al-Qaeda' case 22 Jul 2009 An American man has been charged with giving al-Qaeda [al-CIAduh] information about the public transport system in New York City, US court papers say. The man, named as Bryant Neal Vinas, is also accused of firing rockets at US troops in Afghanistan last year. Other charges allege he received "military-type training" from al-Qaeda. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit murder and providing support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
Honduran unions call general strike 21 Jul 2009 In a direct challenge to Honduras's military dictatorship, the country's three main trade union federations have called a two-day general strike, beginning on Thursday. Yesterday, 150 delegates representing both public and private-sector workers met in the capital city Tegucigalpa. Speaker after speaker angrily denounced the military regime and demanded the return of elected President Manuel Zelaya.
'Swine flu is going to be positive for the performance [of the company].' Glaxo unmasked: drug firm to make £1bn from swine flu 23 Jul 2009 Britain's largest pharmaceuticals company could make up to £1bn from sales of its swine flu vaccine by the end of the year, industry analysts said yesterday as the first trials of the drug began in Australia. GlaxoSmithKline is to sell the vaccine for up to £6 a dose in Western countries, and the first supplies are due to arrive in Britain in September. Andrew Witty, GSK's chief executive, refused to apologise for the boost in earnings, pointing out that GSK had invested more than $2.5bn (£1.5bn) in its vaccine [pandemic] development programme over the past few years.
Swine flu vaccine will need compensation rules: Expert --No plans here to aid those injured from the immunization 21 Jul 2009 A leading public health expert is calling on Canada to create a no-fault compensation program for people who may be harmed by a swine flu vaccine that millions of Canadians will be urged by the government to get this fall. Kumanan Wilson, Canada research chair in public health at the University of Ottawa, said in an interview with Canwest News Service that children and adults could be exposed to an incompletely tested vaccine and that a compensation scheme is needed to encourage the public to buy into any mass immunization program. [We are not 'buying into' Baxter's pandemic propaganda promoting their WMDs. --LRP]
World's first human swine flu vaccine trials begin 22 Jul 2009 The world's first human trials of a vaccine to protect against swine flu have begun in Australia, it has been announced. It will be at least six weeks before the initial results show whether the vaccine is effective. Adelaide-based Vaxine, one of two pharmaceutical companies undertaking the vaccine trials in Australia, began tests on Monday with 300 adult volunteers.
Swine flu triggers 'plague rule' in church ritual --Swine flu has spurred the Church of England to revive a rule drawn up more than 450 years ago when bubonic plague swept the land. 21 Jul 2009 As concern mounts about the spread of the virus, which has killed at least 29 people in the UK, some Anglican churches have begun to allow "intinction" or dipping bread in communion wine rather than sharing the chalice, while others have stopped offering wine altogether. The practices are permitted under the 1547 Sacrament Act, introduced after the plague, which requires both bread and wine to be given "except necessity otherwise require".
Key Flu 'Oddities': Killer flu recreated in the lab 07 Oct 2004 Scientists have shown that tiny changes to modern flu viruses could render them as deadly as the 1918 strain which killed millions; US, Japanese Researchers Mix Samples of 1918 Flu Pandemic to Recreate Deadly Code 30 Dec 2008; Donald Rumsfeld makes $5m killing on bird flu drug 12 Mar 2006 Donald Rumsfeld has made a killing out of bird flu. The US Defence Secretary has made more than $5m (£2.9m) in capital gains from selling shares in the biotechnology firm that discovered and developed Tamiflu; University of Qld unveils swine flu vaccine made with insect eggs 29 Jun 2009; Baxter working on vaccine to stop swine flu, though admitted sending live pandemic flu viruses to subcontractor 26 Jun 2009; Baxter Vaccine 'Oddities' 17 Jul 2009 Baxter files swine flu vaccine patent year ahead of outbreak; Drug groups to reap swine flu billions 20 Jul 2009.]
Taiwan scientists unveil new weapon in swine flu fight 21 Jul 2009 Taiwanese scientists said Tuesday they had developed an organic compound which could help control the global swine flu epidemic as the worldwide death toll from the disease passed 700. The compound, which the researchers call NTU-VirusBom, can destroy viruses such as A(H1N1) swine flu and avian influenza and stop the spread of bacteria including those responsible for staph infections.
Records of Virginia Tech Gunman Discovered --Criminal investigation is underway to determine how the employee was able to take the records and why the documents were not uncovered during state investigations following the shooting 22 Jul 2009 Virginia Tech gunman Seung Hui Cho had been treated at the college's counseling center before the shooting rampage in which he killed 32 students, contradicting earlier accounts of his psychiatric history, according to newly discovered mental health records located in the home of the center's former director. According to a memo written by a university lawyer and obtained by The Washington Post, the former director, Robert Miller, had moved the records into his home more than a year before the April 16, 2007, massacre, during which Cho also took his own life. Word the records had been found first came from Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine during a Wednesday morning news conference. [See: Virginia Tech Shooting 'Oddities' --Seung-Hui Cho in U.S. Marines uniform, pulled from Wikipedia By Lori Price Iraq link to campus killer Cho 19 Apr 2007 The sister of the gunman responsible for the deadliest shooting rampage in modern US history works as a contractor for a State Department office that oversees billions of dollars in American aid for Iraq.]
Woman, Shooter Both Die After Shots Fired In Fort Lewis PX 22 Jul 2009 (WA) Two people are dead after an initial investigation shows a man fatally shot a woman and then turned the gun on himself at the Fort Lewis Main Post Exchange, according to a press release from the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office. Army spokesman Mike Garcia said a 59-year-old Army retiree shot a woman.
Senate rejects bid to carry concealed weapons across state lines 22 Jul 2009 The Senate today narrowly defeated an effort to allow gun owners to carry their concealed weapons across state lines. The 58-39 vote was short of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster. Twenty Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, joined 38 Republicans in supporting the measure. The legislation would have allowed people who have concealed-weapon permits in their home states to take their firearms into other states -- including California and others that currently prohibit the practice.
Previous lead stories: Agencies to set up mass swine flu vaccinations --Voluntary vaccine 'likely' 21 Jul 2009 Public health experts are gearing up for swine flu vaccinations this fall in what could be the largest mass-immunization campaign since the polio vaccine was introduced more than 50 years ago. Local public health agencies will bear much of the responsibility for vaccinating the public, and the state is receiving $30 million in federal grants to help prepare for an expected re-emergence of swine flu this fall. The polio vaccine was mandatory, but a flu vaccine is likely to be voluntary.
Cui bono? Drug groups to reap swine flu billions 20 Jul 2009 Some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies are reaping billions of dollars in extra revenue amid global concern about the spread of swine flu. Analysts expect to see a boost in sales from GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis... The fresh sales -- on top of strong results from Novartis of Switzerland and Baxter of the US, which both also produce vaccines -- come as the latest tallies show that more than 740 people have died from the H1N1 virus... One beneficiary of the fears about the pandemic has been Roche of Switzerland, which sells Tamiflu, the leading antiviral drug, and has seen a sharp rise in orders from private companies as well as governments.
