The National Cholesterol Education Program
How were the manufacturers of statin drugs able to convince nearly the entire population that we should all have the same cholesterol levels? Easy. They got the government to make the recommendation for them.
The latest cholesterol-level guidelines issued by the federal government effectively "qualify" 36 million Americans for statin drugs. The government received these guidelines from the influential National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) - an organization with a stated goal to "reduce the number of people with high cholesterol."
Sounds noble. Any chance that they may have a hidden agenda? Maybe.
Turns out that eight of the nine doctors who make up the NCEP board have made money from the cholesterol-lowering drugs they promote - clearly a conflict of interests. And here's some additional background on the nine NCEP board members:
. Two of them own stock in statin drugs.
. Two others worked for drug companies after setting the guidelines.
. One of them was a consultant for 10 drug companies.
. Another was serving on the board of a drug company.
(Reference: USA Today, October 2004)
- Jon Herring
______________________________
WISDOM
Attorney-Client Confidentiality As a Marketing Strategy
"Historically, lawyers have liked to think of themselves as defenders of individual liberty against an overbearing state, primarily through traditional advocacy - that is, persuasively asserting a client's rights. Today, however, lawyers' typical efforts to mediate between clients and the state rely less on advocacy and more on information control. This is a disturbing development; lawyers have brought to their new role as information guardians a powerful predisposition toward needless secrecy that suppresses and distorts information about many matters of public importance.
"Never say anything to the police without talking to a lawyer first. Never volunteer anything in a deposition. Never try to explain or apologize when you are in an accident. Don't talk to anyone about your civil case. These canonical (see "Word to the Wise," below) precepts serve to maximize the profession's influence. Lawyers are excessively prone to advise confidentiality for the same reason that surgeons are excessively prone to advise surgery. Confidentiality puts a premium on services and protections that lawyers are distinctively qualified to provide."
(Source: William H. Simon, author of "The Practice of Justice: A Theory of Lawyers' Ethics", writing in The Atlantic Monthly)
______________________________
IT'S GOOD TO KNOW
10 Tips for Safer International Travel
by Lori Appling
1. If you're traveling to an unfamiliar country, it's a good idea to contact the American Embassy for information about safety. They can tell you what crimes U.S. citizens need to be wary of and what precautions you should take. You'll find a listing of U.S. Embassies and Consulates at http://usembassy.state.gov/ .
2. Do a little research about clothing customs and pack accordingly. In Turkey, for instance, in many places it's considered provocative for a woman to show her knees. The website http://www.internationalbenefits.com/ talks about making the most of international travel, including dressing appropriately.
3. Don't wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches. Arrange to keep your valuables and passport in a hotel safe. If you need to carry them with you, a money belt or pouch worn under your clothes is the most secure way.
4. Don't travel with cash. Instead, consider traveler's checks and credit cards.
5. Make a photocopy of your passport and take it with you. If you have the misfortune of losing your passport or it gets stolen, this will make it easier for the American Embassy to arrange a replacement. Consider leaving an additional copy with a friend at home. Extra passport photos are helpful, too.
6. Ask the American Embassy or the country's tourist bureau about laws that are different from those in the U.S. In Singapore, for instance, you can be fined instantly for smoking in public buildings, littering, jaywalking, spitting, feeding birds in public places, chewing gum on the local transport system, and failing to flush public lavatories.
7. Check with the tourist board or your local phone company for instructions on how to call home. AT&T and MCI have toll-free numbers that reach a U.S. operator. You can then use a credit card or phone card to make a call.
8. Keep your prescriptions in their original bottles. Drug laws are very serious in many countries. The original containers, along with copies of your prescriptions, will help you avoid problems. Be especially mindful of prescriptions that contain narcotics. In that case, a letter from your doctor is a good idea, too.
9. If you are traveling alone, make sure a friend back home has your itinerary and knows where you will be and when.
10. Use your street smarts. Keep to well-lit places at night, and be aware of the people around you.
______________________________
WORD TO THE WISE
Something that is "canonical" (kuh-NON-ih-kul) conforms to orthodox or well-established rules. The word originated with the "canons" for the government of the Catholic Church.
Example (as quoted in today's Wealth article): "Never say anything to the police without talking to a lawyer first. Never volunteer anything in a deposition. Never try to explain or apologize when you are in an accident. Don't talk to anyone about your civil case. These canonical precepts serve to maximize the profession's influence."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #1398, 04-26-05], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
The latest cholesterol-level guidelines issued by the federal government effectively "qualify" 36 million Americans for statin drugs. The government received these guidelines from the influential National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) - an organization with a stated goal to "reduce the number of people with high cholesterol."
Sounds noble. Any chance that they may have a hidden agenda? Maybe.
Turns out that eight of the nine doctors who make up the NCEP board have made money from the cholesterol-lowering drugs they promote - clearly a conflict of interests. And here's some additional background on the nine NCEP board members:
. Two of them own stock in statin drugs.
. Two others worked for drug companies after setting the guidelines.
. One of them was a consultant for 10 drug companies.
. Another was serving on the board of a drug company.
(Reference: USA Today, October 2004)
- Jon Herring
______________________________
WISDOM
Attorney-Client Confidentiality As a Marketing Strategy
"Historically, lawyers have liked to think of themselves as defenders of individual liberty against an overbearing state, primarily through traditional advocacy - that is, persuasively asserting a client's rights. Today, however, lawyers' typical efforts to mediate between clients and the state rely less on advocacy and more on information control. This is a disturbing development; lawyers have brought to their new role as information guardians a powerful predisposition toward needless secrecy that suppresses and distorts information about many matters of public importance.
"Never say anything to the police without talking to a lawyer first. Never volunteer anything in a deposition. Never try to explain or apologize when you are in an accident. Don't talk to anyone about your civil case. These canonical (see "Word to the Wise," below) precepts serve to maximize the profession's influence. Lawyers are excessively prone to advise confidentiality for the same reason that surgeons are excessively prone to advise surgery. Confidentiality puts a premium on services and protections that lawyers are distinctively qualified to provide."
(Source: William H. Simon, author of "The Practice of Justice: A Theory of Lawyers' Ethics", writing in The Atlantic Monthly)
______________________________
IT'S GOOD TO KNOW
10 Tips for Safer International Travel
by Lori Appling
1. If you're traveling to an unfamiliar country, it's a good idea to contact the American Embassy for information about safety. They can tell you what crimes U.S. citizens need to be wary of and what precautions you should take. You'll find a listing of U.S. Embassies and Consulates at http://usembassy.state.gov/ .
2. Do a little research about clothing customs and pack accordingly. In Turkey, for instance, in many places it's considered provocative for a woman to show her knees. The website http://www.internationalbenefits.com/ talks about making the most of international travel, including dressing appropriately.
3. Don't wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches. Arrange to keep your valuables and passport in a hotel safe. If you need to carry them with you, a money belt or pouch worn under your clothes is the most secure way.
4. Don't travel with cash. Instead, consider traveler's checks and credit cards.
5. Make a photocopy of your passport and take it with you. If you have the misfortune of losing your passport or it gets stolen, this will make it easier for the American Embassy to arrange a replacement. Consider leaving an additional copy with a friend at home. Extra passport photos are helpful, too.
6. Ask the American Embassy or the country's tourist bureau about laws that are different from those in the U.S. In Singapore, for instance, you can be fined instantly for smoking in public buildings, littering, jaywalking, spitting, feeding birds in public places, chewing gum on the local transport system, and failing to flush public lavatories.
7. Check with the tourist board or your local phone company for instructions on how to call home. AT&T and MCI have toll-free numbers that reach a U.S. operator. You can then use a credit card or phone card to make a call.
8. Keep your prescriptions in their original bottles. Drug laws are very serious in many countries. The original containers, along with copies of your prescriptions, will help you avoid problems. Be especially mindful of prescriptions that contain narcotics. In that case, a letter from your doctor is a good idea, too.
9. If you are traveling alone, make sure a friend back home has your itinerary and knows where you will be and when.
10. Use your street smarts. Keep to well-lit places at night, and be aware of the people around you.
______________________________
WORD TO THE WISE
Something that is "canonical" (kuh-NON-ih-kul) conforms to orthodox or well-established rules. The word originated with the "canons" for the government of the Catholic Church.
Example (as quoted in today's Wealth article): "Never say anything to the police without talking to a lawyer first. Never volunteer anything in a deposition. Never try to explain or apologize when you are in an accident. Don't talk to anyone about your civil case. These canonical precepts serve to maximize the profession's influence."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #1398, 04-26-05], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
posted by Oak Stone at 4:24 PM
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