EXCLUSIVE: Obama Received $20 Million of Healthcare Industry Money in 2008
While some sunlight has been shed on the hefty sums shoveled into congressional campaign coffers in an effort to influence the Democrats' massive healthcare bill, little attention has been focused on the far larger sums received by President Barack Obama while he was a candidate in 2008.A new figure, based on an exclusive analysis created for Raw Story by the Center for Responsive Politics, shows that President Obama received a staggering $20,175,303 from the healthcare industry during the 2008 election cycle, nearly three times the amount of his presidential rival John McCain. McCain took in $7,758,289, the Center found.
The new figure, obtained by Raw Story through an independent custom research request performed by the Center for Responsive Politics -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that tracks money in politics -- is the most comprehensive breakdown yet available of healthcare industry contributions to Obama during the 2008 election cycle. [...]
- 135,000 Uninsured Americans Will Die Before Health Reform Takes Effect, Analysis Finds
- Exclusive: Pentagon Pursuing New Investigation Into Bush Propaganda Program
- Discussing Investigative Series on GRITtv with Laura Flanders
- Exclusive: Pentagon's Domestic Propaganda Program May Not Have Been Terminated
- Pentagon Used Psychological Operation on US Public, Documents Show
Raw Story has also uncovered evidence that directly ties the activities undertaken in the military analyst program to an official US military document’s definition of psychological operations -- propaganda that is only supposed to be directed toward foreign audiences.
The investigation of Pentagon documents and interviews with Defense Department officials and experts in public relations found that the decision to fold the military analyst program into community relations and portray it as “outreach” served to obscure the intent of the project as well as that office’s partnership with the press office. It also helped shield its senior supervisor, Bryan Whitman, assistant secretary of defense for media operations, whose role was unknown when the original story of the analyst program broke.
- Senior Official in Bush Domestic Propaganda Program Remains Obama’s Pentagon Spokesman
- Op-Ed Column: Tributes Censor Cronkite's Anti-Iraq War Stance
- NYT Front|Back: Porn Plots vs. Detainee Rights
- Op-Ed Column: CNN's Iran Timeline Omits US-Backed '53 Coup
http://www.naturalnews.com/027932_polypharmacy_psychiatric_drugs.html
A study released last fall in the Archives of General Psychiatry documented a dramatic increase in the use of antidepressant drugs like Prozac since l996. In fact, these medications are now the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S.
Think Americans are maxed out on the number of psychiatric meds that huge numbers of them are taking? Think again. A new report says U.S. adults are increasingly being prescribed combinations of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic medications -- and they could be experiencing serious side effects as a result.
The study, published in the January edition of Archives of General Psychiatry, investigated patterns and trends in what is known as psychotropic polypharmacy, meaning the prescribing of two or more psychiatric drugs. Ramin Mojtabai, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Mark Olfson, M.D., M.P.H., of Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, examined data gathered from a national sample of office-based psychiatry practices. In all, the researchers looked at the medications prescribed between 1996 and 2006 during more than 13,000 office visits to psychiatrists by adults.
The results showed a significant increase in the number of mind impacting drugs prescribed over these years. The percentage of doctor visits which resulted in two or more medications being prescribed increased from 42.6 percent to 59.8 percent. What's more, the percentage of visits at which three or more drugs were prescribed soared from 16.9 percent to 33.2 percent. And the median number of medications prescribed at each appointment with a psychiatrist increased on average by of 40.1 percent.
Google declares cyber war on China after security attack
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/01/13/239935/Google-declares-cyber-war-on-China-after-security-attack.htm
Google has decided to stop filtering its search results in China after a security attack that targeted human rights activists in the country.
The company said it - along with at least 20 other large companies - was the target of a highly sophisticated attack on its corporate infrastructure in December.
The attackers stole intellectual property and Google said in a blog, "We have evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists," something the company said the hackers did not achieve.
The CIA Deliberately Misspells Terrorists' Names and Bypasses TSA to Let Terrorists Fly
DCBureau.org Exclusive * 11 Jan 2010 DCBureau.org Press Release WASHINGTON - (Business Wire) One of the 9/11 hijacke...
Eugene, Oregon's Pacifica Forum/Nazi Bund
Why Is Haiti So Poor?
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, which makes the devastation caused by yesterday’s earthquake that much harder on an already struggling nation. As death toll estimates continue to ri...
Brace for More Strong Quakes in Haiti Region
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck just outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti last night could be just the beginning. According to geologists monitoring the region, the quake could have primed faults crisscr...
Creating Hospitals From Thin Air
After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the capital of Haiti yesterday, I watched the aftermath unfold in the news with horror. Yet something mentioned in passing during a Doctors Without Borders press confer..
Are Men More Evolved Than Women?
Men might not be so primitive after all.
'Asteroid' 2010 AL30 Might Be Venus Express Rocket
Artist impression of the Venus Express spacecraft separating from the Soyuz Fregat upper stage rocket after launch (ESA) The cosmos threw a curve ball at us, but a near-Earth object (NEO) called 2010 AL30 ...
Haiti Quake Wire
16 UN Staffers Confirmed Dead In Haiti Quake
UN chief Ban Ki-moon says 16 UN personnel have been confirmed dead in an earthquake that flattened the UN's Haiti mission headquarters. Three were police officers from Jordan. One was from Argentina, and another from Chad. Eleven were from Brazil.WATCH: Coast Guard Assesses Haiti Damage In Flyover
A video look from above at the devastation in Haiti.Haitian President: 'I Don't Know' Where I'll Sleep Tonight
In an interview today with CNN's Sanjay Gupta, Haitian President Rene Preval said that he can no longer live in the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, or his private home, because both were destroyed in yesterday's earthquake.Bill Clinton: We Need To Save Lives Right Now
Appearing on CNN, the former president stressed the need for immediate international aid -- from basic supplies like aspirin to expensive equipment like helicopters.Obama To National Security Staff: Why Aren't We Doing More?
ABC reports that National Security Staff chief of staff Denis McDonough said the president said, "I want to know why it is we're doing what we are -- and why it is we're not doing more."CNN: Clinton Canceling Remainder Of Asia Trip To Focus On Haiti
CNN's Steve Brusk tweets: "Sec. Clinton announces she is cancelling remainder of Asia-Pacific trip, returning to Washington because of Haiti situation"State Dept Checking Reports Of 3 U.S. Deaths
State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley said officials are still trying to confirm reports that at least three Americans have been killed in Haiti. He also said that only 100 of the 45,000 or so Americans living in Haiti had been able to communicate with U.S. officials so far.Obama Makes More Calls On Haiti
This afternoon, President Obama spoke separately by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chilean President Michelle BacheletClinton: 'The Situation Is Horrific'
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the crisis in Haiti today, and took questions from reporters.Haitian President: 'Parliament Has Collapsed'
President René Préval declared that "parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed.Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed. There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them."
MSNBC: 14 UN Staffers Killed By Haiti Quake
MSNBC just reported that 14 UN staffers on the agency's Haiti mission are among the dead. Many more are injured.World Bank Planning $100M Grant In Crisis Aid For Haiti
"This is a shocking event and it is crucial that the international community supports the Haitian people at this critical time," Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank, said in a statement.Obama E-mail: 'Haiti Will Have The Full Support Of The United States'
President Obama just sent an e-mail about the earthquake in Haiti:"The reports and images from Haiti of collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, and men and women carrying their injured neighbors through the streets are truly heart-wrenching. As we learn more about the extent of the devastation, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and Haitian Americans around our country who do not yet know the fate of their families and loved ones back home.
I have directed my Administration to respond with a swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives. The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States Government in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble and to deliver the humanitarian relief -- the food, water and medicine -- that Haitians will need in the coming days.
This is also a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share, and Americans have always responded to these situations with generosity of spirit. If you would like to support the urgent humanitarian effort in Haiti, I encourage you to visit our website where you can learn more about how to contribute:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake
Americans trying to locate family members in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at (888) 407-4747.
We will continue to stand with the people of Haiti and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama "
LAT Reporter In Port-Au-Prince: 'Virtually No Sign Of Outside Assistance'
Tina Susman reports from the streets of Port-au-Prince: "The damage in Haiti's capital seemed nearly random."More Than 700 Nurses Volunteer For Haiti Relief
The 150,000-member National Nurses United reports that more than 700 registered nurses from across the country have responded today to the call by the nation's largest nurses group for volunteers to provide assistance to Haiti.American Red Cross Is Out Of Medical Supplies In Haiti
A spokesman for the aid organization said the Red Cross is out of medical supplies in Haiti. More supplies are on the way, but the Red Cross is unsure when they'll arrive.FBI Warns Of Earthquake Relief Frauds
The FBI warned today that internet users should be wary of appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. While it didn't mention any specific scams in its statement, the agency urged that people "apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause."U.S. Halts Deportations To Haiti
Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler released the following statement today: "Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary John Morton today halted all removals to Haiti for the time being in response to the devastation caused by yesterday's earthquake. ICE continues to closely monitor the situation."Haitian-Americans Worried About Devastated Homeland
Nearly 300,000 Haitians live in the South Florida metropolitan area, not to mention large Haitian populations in New York and other U.S. cities. Many tell of frantically trying to reach friends and relatives to see if they've survived.Obama Talks To U.S. Ambassador To Haiti
President Obama spoke shortly before 1 p.m. ET with U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten. Shortly after 1 p.m. ET, he spoke with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Pat Robertson: Haiti 'Cursed' Since It 'Swore A Pact To The Devil'
That's Rev. Pat Robertson's explanation for why Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake. He said they made a deal with the devil to help free them from the French. "Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another."U.S. Orders Aircraft And Ships To Haiti To Aid Relief Efforts
The military has ordered a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and three ships, including one that can carry up to 2,000 Marines, to set sail for Haiti, Pentagon officials announced today.Reid: 'We'll Stand With' Haiti
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released the following statement this afternoon regarding the recent earthquake in Haiti:"I am saddened by the destruction caused by the devastating earthquake in Haiti last night. I know that the American people grieve with the people of Haiti, and Haitian-Americans, as they cope with this tragedy. So many lives have been lost, and we know that many more will be affected.
"I am pleased that President Obama has committed U.S. resources to help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives and their country, and the Senate will work with the Administration to make sure that we get the necessary assistance to Haiti. America is at its best when our spirit of goodwill and compassion shows in difficult moments like this. The Haitian people are in our thoughts and we'll stand with them in these difficult days ahead."
How To Help Haiti
The Daily Beast compiles a list of the best ways to donate to the disaster relief efforts.Doctors Without Borders Setting Up Clinics
Doctors Without Borders teams that were already working on medical projects in Haiti are transitioning to disaster relief, treating hundreds of people and setting up clinics in tents to replace their own damaged facilities.Fox News: U.S. Considering Sheltering Haitian Refugees At Gitmo
Fox News reports that U.S. military planners are considering using Gitmo's "Camp Justice" to house Haitian refugees after a devastating earthquake rocked the Carribbean nation.Lieberman To Haiti: You Can Count On America
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) issued the following statement on the earthquake in Haiti."Hadassah's and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti after this most devastating natural disaster. Thousands of people are dead and injured. Government buildings, hospitals, schools, businesses, and homes have been leveled. And the island nation needs the most basic sort of disaster assistance to help it dig out of this tragedy.
"The President has appropriately pledged the full support of the United States government, and private aid is already on its way. I am confident that the State Department will coordinate humanitarian assistance to Haiti efficiently, with the help of other federal agencies. The Department of Homeland Security, for example, has lent Coast Guard and FEMA assets to assist in the disaster recovery efforts.
"The people of Haiti must know that they can count on the American people for help."
Ellison: Haiti Requires 'Relief Effort Of Historic Proportions'
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement regarding the Haitian earthquake:"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the citizens of Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with those suffering and in pain; those who have lost family members, homes, and their means of livelihood in this disaster. I join with my fellow Members of Congress in exploring every way possible to most effectively marshal national and international resources to assist our neighbors who had very little - and have lost even that," Ellison stated.
The country's strongest quake in 200 years has devastated the capital of Port au Prince, causing numerous buildings and homes to give way. Buildings including the United Nations headquarters (where over one hundred individuals who worked there are unaccounted for) the President's official residence, hospitals, and cathedrals have all collapsed or had major portions of them cave in. Thousands of people are feared dead and many government officials have not been reached. Over two million of the country's nine million people live in the capitol of Port au Prince. The quake is expected to have affected six - seven million people.
"This quake is going to require a relief effort of historic proportions. The nation's major infrastructure is reported to have been destroyed in the earthquake. I implore the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Defense Department to use every resource at their disposal to come to the aid of our Haitian brothers and sisters," Ellison said. "I and the good people of the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota stand ready to help in any way we can."
"I am pleased the President has already designated the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Dr. Rajiv Shah, to be our government's unified disaster coordinator," Ellison stated.
Hoyer: 'America's Thoughts Are With The People Of Haiti'
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on yesterday's earthquake in Haiti:"America's thoughts are with the people of Haiti as they struggle to recover from yesterday's devastating earthquake. The loss of life and destruction of property are severe, and the work of caring for the injured, sheltering the displaced, and rebuilding will no doubt be painful and long. But as President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made clear, our country is ready to commit humanitarian aid, and civilian and military disaster relief, to the recovery effort. Working with the international community and with non-governmental organizations, the United States will stand by the Haitian people in their time of need."
USAID Administrator: Primary Focus Is On 'Saving Lives'
Rajiv Shah, the USAID administrator, said that the "primary focus" of the next 72 hours is saving lives. "That is the president's top priority," Shah said.CNN: Haiti's Prime Minister Says Hundreds Of Thousands Are Dead
Details are still very sketchy, but CNN is reporting that Hait's prime minister told the cable network that hundreds of thousands of Haitians have been killed by a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake.Napolitano: Coast Guard And FEMA Leading DHS Aid Effforts
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano released the following statement about the crisis in Haiti:"The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake--a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are leading DHS actions to support the larger assistance effort. Several Coast Guard cutters and aircraft have mobilized and are on the ground to assist the humanitarian effort as needed. FEMA has been in close contact with the State Department and USAID, the lead U.S. federal response agencies, and stands ready to provide assistance as requested. I am being kept closely apprised of the developing situation, and the Department will continue to support the people of Haiti and others affected by this tragedy. I encourage the American people to donate what funds they can afford to disaster relief organizations such as the American Red Cross to allow these voluntary groups to provide goods and services to disaster survivors as quickly as possible."
Steele Sends 'Heartfelt Prayers' To Haiti
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement on the crisis in Haiti:"On behalf of the RNC, I send our heartfelt prayers and thoughts of condolence to the entire country of Haiti and to people across the world affected by the devastation of this earthquake. I applaud the men and women of our civilian and military agencies who are bravely responding to this disaster and I encourage all Americans to do everything they can to support the humanitarian efforts taking place to assist the people of Haiti during this incredibly trying time."
MSNBC: Haiti's Main Prison Has Collapsed, Inmates On The Run
Citing the UN, MSNBC just reported that the main prison in Haiti has been destroyed, and that its inmates are on the run.Mills: Haiti Is Obama's Top Priority
The State Department's Cheryl Mills says the crisis in Haiti is President Obama's "top priority."Mills: Approximately 45K U.S. Citizens In Haiti
The State Department's Cheryl Mills said there are about 45,000 Americans in Haiti. She said that the U.S. is trying to connect with them to determine what support they need. Many are injured, she said. The U.S. Coast Guard will be arriving in Haiti this afternoon.State Dept: Situation Is 'Very Severe'
The State Department's Cheryl Mills is giving a live address on the crisis in Haiti. She said there are "very limited telecommunications" in Haiti and that the U.S. ambassador and Haitian president are both safe -- though a number of structures have been damaged or destroyed. She said there are no casualty estimates yet, but that the situation is "very severe."Chuck Todd: Obama Canceling Jobs Event Today To Focus On Haiti
NBC's Chuck Todd tweets: "President cancelled his economy-jobs event today to stay close to Situation Room re: Haiti. He's also having #hcr meetings."MSNBC: All Hospitals In Port-Au-Prince Have Been Abandoned Or Destroyed
MSNBC, citing information from Doctors Without Borders, just reported that all hospitals in the Haitian capital have either been abandoned or destroyed.Clinton: 'The United States Is Offering Our Full Assistance'
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the crisis in Haiti earlier this morning. She said, "We are still gathering information about this catastrophic earthquake, the point of impact, its effect on the people of Haiti.""The United States is offering our full assistance to Haiti and to others in the region. We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. And our prayers are with the people who have suffered, their families, and their loved ones.It is hard to even imagine how different the region we're talking about today was back in 1959 when Lyndon Johnson proposed creating an institution where thinkers from East and West could come together. And during the five decades since the Center opened, no region has undergone a more dramatic transformation. This progress is the product of hard work and ingenuity multiplied across billions of individual lives. And it has been sustained by the engagement, security and assistance provided by the United States."
Dodd: 'Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With The Haitian People'
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today on the earthquake that struck Haiti last night."Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck last night. The United States--including the State Department and USAID-- and the rest of the international community are acting quickly to save lives and provide immediate humanitarian support to Haiti during this critical time of need. As we begin to learn more about the scope of this tragedy, I plan to work closely with the Administration and others in the international community to ensure that the people of Haiti are receiving the resources they need.
"Many in Connecticut have friends or family who were living or working in Haiti. The State Department has set up a hotline for those seeking more information at 1-888-407-4747."
World Food Programme Airlifting 86 Metric Tons Of Food To Haiti
The World Food Programme released a statement on the devastating earthquake:"The World Food Programme (WFP) is deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction in Haiti and we are mobilising all available resources to provide urgently needed food assistance as part of a swift and coordinated recovery effort.
Our thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones and those whose lives have been shattered.
WFP is already deploying resources in Haiti to assist those affected by this disaster. WFP is immediately airlifting an additional 86 metric tons of food from its emergency hub in El Salvador, which will provide more than half a million emergency meals.
In the initial stages of this crisis, WFP will be providing significant quantities of ready to eat food that can be consumed immediately by those who have no access to cooking facilities. High energy biscuits will also be distributed to those who have lost their homes and can no longer feed themselves.
We will work with the Haitian government, with our humanitarian partners on the ground, and with governments across the world, as part of a coordinated international rescue and recovery effort."
In Quake Aftermath, Haitians Organize and Survive Online
In the wake of a devastating earthquake, Haitian survivors and rescue workers do have one thing on their side: technology. Haitians are taking to Twitter, YouTube, blogs, and data collection websites to give eye witness accounts of the tragedy, organize, search for loved ones, report casualties, and upload amateur photos and videos of the devastation.Archbishop Of Port-Au-Prince Dies In Haiti Quake
Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, the archbishop of Port-au-Prince, has died in the Haiti earthquake, according to a Roman Catholic priest in France.MSNBC: All 3 Doctors Without Borders Hospitals In Haiti Have Collapsed
MSNBC just reported that the medical aid organization has announced that all three of its hospitals in Haiti have collapsed.Obama To Haitians: 'You Will Have A Friend And Partner' In The U.S.
President Obama said he's direct his administration to respond to the crisis in Haiti with a swift coordinated effort, adding that "this must truly be an international effort."Obama On Haitian Crisis: 'Truly Heart Wrenching'
President Obama calls the reports and images that we've seen from the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti "truly heart wrenching."WATCH: View From The Ground
TPM compiles some of the startling video images shot by Haitian residents in the direct aftermath of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti Tuesday afternoon.Haitian Leader Fears Thousands Died
Haitian President Rene Preval reportedly said that while there's still no tally of how many have been killed in the earthquake, thousands of people are believed to be dead.Haitian Diplomat: Too Soon To Estimate Casualties
Raymond Joseph, the Haitian ambassador to the U.S., said on Good Morning America this morning that "there is no way of estimating" the casualties from the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation yesterday. Joseph also said that what Haitians need most right now is "a hospital ship off the coast of Haiti."![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=5e123328-6408-4f25-9a5f-dcb5a282f401)
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