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Last week Americans gathered across the country to honor Veterans. As Americans celebrate military heroism, veterans are reportedly committing suicide at rates substantially higher than the national average. A recent CBS investigative report indicates suicide statistics among Army veterans are double the national average. Groups like the Department of Veteran Affairs make health resources available to troubled veterans. However, officials say many former servicemen who suffer from health issues, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, find it difficult to seek help due to stigmas.
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This summer the Los Angeles Natural History Museum in Exposition Park opened its "Age of Mammals" exhibit to the public. The exhibit covers 65 million years of Los Angeles' evolutionary history in a light-filled, modern hall which houses the enormous mastodon fossils unearthed in Simi Valley. The renovated wing of the museum is significantly different from the classical sections of the museum, but no less eye-catching. The new hall is part of the museum's $107 million dollar restoration initiative. During the summer of 2011 "Dinosaur Mysteries," a new exhibit showcasing more than 300 dinosaur specimens, including 20 fuill-body specimens, will open to the public.
Read the entire editorial here.In October the National Press Foundation personally selected 15 journalists to attend an all-expenses paid conference on cancer in Washington D.C. In December, the National Press Foundation will host a similar program about Alzheimer’s disease. Although promoted by the National Press Foundation, one major pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, finances these events.
This undoubtedly casts a shadow over the important workshops and raises concerns about the objectivity of journalists whose medical education depends upon a giant in the pharmaceutical industry.
“I cannot believe this issue doesn’t cause outrage with more journalists,” said Gary Schwitzer, publisher of HealthNewsReview.org, in a phone interview.
The National Press Foundation president Bob Myers has argued that the pharmaceutical company does not have input on the meeting and attendees.
But according to Merrill Goozner, senior correspondent for The Fiscal Times in Washington, D.C., Pfizer dictated the agenda for October’s cancer conference. While participants said that Pfizer was not even mentioned at the program, serious ethical concerns remain.
Schwitzer argues that whether or not Pfizer is mentioned at these seminars, a taint remains when alternatives for educating journalists are available.
“Why does it have to be this way when there are other cleaner, arguably more acceptable ways, to get the training done?” Schwitzer points out.
Pfizer’s underwriting of conferences and seminars provides the pharmaceutical company with a unique opportunity to interact with journalists.
Critics warn journalists to be careful when attending these conferences as they can easily affect objectivity, especially as friendlier relationships develop.
“If the goal really is for education, the same rules that apply to doctors should apply to journalists,” said John Mack, editor of Pharma Marketing News, in a phone interview....
Read it all here.Democratic incumbent Patty Murray has found herself in a tight race.
Murray, the fourth highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate and three-time senator, raised $15,313,579 and spent $14,844,250, more than double than that of her opponent. President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama visited Seattle separately last month, hoping to widen the gap between Murray and Dino Rossi, the Republican hopeful.
Yet despite these efforts, Washington’s Senate Race is among the closest in the country and the state is prepared for a recount.
Last week’s polls indicated that Rossi was gaining momentum in the race. Unlike previous polls that put Murray at an advantage, Washington’s Senate race is projected to be a toss-up in the polls—at least as of Tuesday night.
A Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of 750 likely voters conducted last Wednesday had Dino Rossi, the Republican hopeful, picking up 48 percent of votes. Murray gathered 47 percent in the poll. Two percent of voters were still undecided and three percent said they preferred a different candidate.
In a Survey USA poll conducted last week, sponsored by Seattle’s KING-TV, the candidates numbers were tied.
The candidates attack ads have been fierce. Murray argues her opponent is "too conservative" on issues like abortion and claims his policies will send American jobs overseas.
Rossi claims his opponent is “fiscally irresponsible,” arguing the career politician went to D.C. with good intentions but “changed” in the process....
Read it all here.Four-time senator and two-time presidential candidate John McCain is the projected winner of the Arizona Senate race.
Rodney Glassman, the Democratic opponent and former Tucson vice mayor, has attempted to sway votes by arguing that McCain is a failed incumbent.
Although the tactic has worked well for opponents in other nationwide races, it hasn’t been effective for Glassman whose policies are counter to public opinion polls in Arizona.
Rodney supports additional stimulus projects and expansive government-run health-care system.
The former mayor has also articulated opposition to SB 1070, the illegal immigration law passed by the state earlier this year....
