Quote of the day:  

 When we lose one we love, our bitterest tears are called forth by the memory of hours when we loved not enough. Maurice Maeterlinck, Wisdom and Destiny, 1898

Bob Keeshan died last Friday.      Lee Marvin, the actor, once called him the bravest man I ever knew. Lee was a Marine and highly decorated for bravery for his role in WWII. Bob was also a Marine during WWII and saved Lee Marvin's life.  You probably know Bob by his stage name. …Captain Kangaroo.  He started out playing  Clarabell the Clown on one of the first children's shows on TV, the Howdy Doody Show.  He eventually was given his own in October 1955. Ever see any children on his show? He didn't have them on because he talked to the kids at home. He spoke to them in a gentle way as he had some good-natured fun with Mr. Rabbit, Grandfather Clock, and Mr. Green Jeans. I loved the Banana Man who pulled a n unending supply of fruit from his oversized coat (hey…I was a kid). He showed some cartoons (Tom Terrific and Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog) and read books s (Curios George etc) but his personal connection with the kids was the best part of the show. Bob paved the way for others like Fred Rogers. When asked how he could have time for his family in addition to his show, study of languages, writing, and travels he said. "one of the big secrets of finding time is nor to watch television".  He will be missed by generations.

Of course that isn't what the headlines say but is what they want…. and they want the "extra" money to flow to them. What really made them mad was the "mandatory mail" provisions in some auto manufacturing union contracts. Rather than have employees pay less for a 90 days supply and the employer receive a bigger discount at mail order they want members on the hook for 3 full retail copays and the employers to settle for retail discounts (they grouse about the discounts the give but they know what they are getting into when they take those contracts). So the legislature will cave to pressure from a small group of pharmacy business owners or continue to allow the rest of the State's businesses and employees to save money on their prescription drugs. Just one more example of WIIFM…(what's in it for me?)

http://www.freep.com/money/business/drugs23_20040123.htm <…Click here for full text).

The Ink Spots

Regular coffee intake reduces type 2 diabetes by 50% in men and 30% in women. Will probably be even better for those drinking it "black" (no cream or sugar) but that wasn't tested.  Decalf was only about have as good. This supports my continued love affair with caffeinated coffee. Tea didn't do anything. Best defense is still diet and exercise but I'd rather sit with a cup o' Joe.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3882792 <…Click here for full text .

New Jersey physician "wrote" for over 100,000 prescriptions last 2 years. This works out to over 135 prescriptions a day, every day for 2 years. Most were "life style" drugs like Xenical and Viagra. He shouldn't be too surprised to find that this has drawn some legal attention. And he isn't the only physician doing this and only one of many CONGRESSIONAL targets.

http://www.northjersey.com/print.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY0Nzc3ODgmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXky

With all of the attention being given in the press to the growing diabetes "epidemic" another test if proposed. Have the blood pressure of your legs checked to determine if you have diabetes. Just one of several tests but points to the reason that diabetes is dangerous to many body systems…reduced circulation.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040119/D806243O0.html

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_04/b3867001_mz001.htm

Drugs not just re-imported US drugs but drugs manufactured outside of US borders. Some re-called Canadian-manufactured asthma drugs found along with some other questionable items. (May require free registration to read the full article).

Do not share eye drops with anyone. Contamination is the biggest danger. Even trained professional contaminate eye drop containers. Lasik anyone?

CLICK HERE for Eye drop story

Steve