I took this USA Today candidate quiz twice. There were a few questions in which I liked more than one answer so I took it over with different answers. The results surprised me.
Both times the winner was Fred Thompson. I like Fred but I haven't really seen him as a strong candidate yet. Mitt Romney got a second and a third place with Mike Huckabee getting a second place and Rudy Giuliani getting a third.
All of which only serves to show which side of the aisle my political inclinations are on and that I think the Republican nomination process is far from over with no clear-cut front-runner.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Mike in the news again, EFP kit for MRAP's
Plan calls for more armor on new combat vehicles
This USA Today article details the MRAP (Mine Resistant Abush Protected) Task Force's solution to EFP's (explosively formed projectiles).
From the article:
Of course the article has to contain some negative comments from Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del), a democrat presidential hopeful. As if Biden has been right on top of the EFP issue for the last three years rather than being merely negative and critical of the war effort.
This USA Today article details the MRAP (Mine Resistant Abush Protected) Task Force's solution to EFP's (explosively formed projectiles).
From the article:
The Pentagon's method for combating EFPs involves adding armor to the sides of MRAPs, Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan said in an interview with USA TODAY. The armor is a modified version of what the military calls Frag Kit 6, Brogan said."I have a solution for EFPs, and I'm going to put it on the trucks I've already bought," Brogan said.
The military tested the armor at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland by firing explosives at it. EFPs fire a slug of metal at high speeds that penetrate armor and spray pieces of shrapnel that can kill or injure the troops inside the vehicle.
Of course the article has to contain some negative comments from Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del), a democrat presidential hopeful. As if Biden has been right on top of the EFP issue for the last three years rather than being merely negative and critical of the war effort.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Hemophilia News
Franco-American Alliance Targets Hemophilia Market
France is now the largest shareholder of GTC Biotherapeutics Inc, a Framingham, Mass firm. Through state-owned Laboratoire Francais du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies SA (LFB), France has entered into some collaborations of great interest to the hemophilia community. From Bioworld International:
A lower-cost alternative to NovoSeven would be welcome news to inhibitor patients facing lifetime cap issues.
Accused in tainted blood trial exonerated
Here's a story I was not aware of until recently. It concerns some old players in the tainted blood/factor supply saga from the 1980's. Canada charged several doctors, the Canadian Red Cross and Armour Pharmaceutical Co. with criminal negligence and endangering the public for allegedly allowing Armour's factor tainted with HIV and Hepatitis C to be given to hemophilia patients. I haven't read enough or know enough of the facts to form an opinion in this case. But it's still a reminder of the vigilance necessary so that this never happens again.
This a more personal look at this story:
Promise of almost normal life destroyed by tainted blood, hemophiliacs say
France is now the largest shareholder of GTC Biotherapeutics Inc, a Framingham, Mass firm. Through state-owned Laboratoire Francais du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies SA (LFB), France has entered into some collaborations of great interest to the hemophilia community. From Bioworld International:
"The first program in the collaboration is development of a transgenically produced recombinant form of human factor VII a (rhFVIIa), a clotting factor for the X-linked (male) genetic disorder that will treat Type A hemophilia and may treat Type B with potential secondary uses for trauma and uncontrolled bleeding."
"LFB and GTC said they intend to become the low-cost producer of rhFVIIa, noting that the current product on the market, NovoSeven, from Bagsvaerd, Denmark-based Novo Nordisk A/S, is high in price yet enjoys strong market growth. Sales doubled from $400 million in 2000 to $800 million in 2005, and the estimate is for $2 billion in 2012, Pennacino said."
A lower-cost alternative to NovoSeven would be welcome news to inhibitor patients facing lifetime cap issues.
Accused in tainted blood trial exonerated
Here's a story I was not aware of until recently. It concerns some old players in the tainted blood/factor supply saga from the 1980's. Canada charged several doctors, the Canadian Red Cross and Armour Pharmaceutical Co. with criminal negligence and endangering the public for allegedly allowing Armour's factor tainted with HIV and Hepatitis C to be given to hemophilia patients. I haven't read enough or know enough of the facts to form an opinion in this case. But it's still a reminder of the vigilance necessary so that this never happens again.
This a more personal look at this story:
Promise of almost normal life destroyed by tainted blood, hemophiliacs say
Past Weekend Sports recap:
Craig Biggio
3,060 hits - 20th all time
2,850 games played
668 doubles
414 steals
285 hit-by-pitch - second all time
20 seasons
1 team
Houston and baseball bid a fond farewell to one of the best in the game. The player and the way he played the game will be sorely missed. Thanks Big.
The ups:
President's Cup
U.S.A. - 19 1/2
Intn'l - 14 1/2
Texas A&M 34
Baylor 10
The downs:
Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Arizona Cardinals 21
3,060 hits - 20th all time
2,850 games played
668 doubles
414 steals
285 hit-by-pitch - second all time
20 seasons
1 team
Houston and baseball bid a fond farewell to one of the best in the game. The player and the way he played the game will be sorely missed. Thanks Big.
The ups:
President's Cup
U.S.A. - 19 1/2
Intn'l - 14 1/2
Texas A&M 34
Baylor 10
The downs:
Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Arizona Cardinals 21
From one Marine General to another
Marine General Peter Pace, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff, retired Monday. Reluctantly General Pace steps down after only one term as Chairman. The Bush administration decided against re-nominating General Pace for fear of a circus created by the Democrats during the re-confirmation hearings. For a man of General Pace's caliber who has served this country with honor, valor and dignity to be sent to retirement because of partisan politics is absolutely pathetic. He is a great man who deserves better.
This video is of the change of command Monday honoring General Pace and incoming CJCS Admiral Mike Mullen. General Pace's comments are at times moving and always clear, direct and hopeful. He speaks as one who understands what is good and true in this country and what is necessary to keep this country great. Thank you General Pace for not only your service to this country but the admirable and honorable way you have served.
Here is a portion of General Pace's comments.
The whole ceremony can be seen following the below link. General Pace's closing comments are from minute 84 to about 98.3
CJCS Ceremony 01 October, 2007
This video is of the change of command Monday honoring General Pace and incoming CJCS Admiral Mike Mullen. General Pace's comments are at times moving and always clear, direct and hopeful. He speaks as one who understands what is good and true in this country and what is necessary to keep this country great. Thank you General Pace for not only your service to this country but the admirable and honorable way you have served.
Here is a portion of General Pace's comments.
The whole ceremony can be seen following the below link. General Pace's closing comments are from minute 84 to about 98.3
CJCS Ceremony 01 October, 2007
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