There’s an interesting little story in the NY Times online edition today about a letter the head of the FDA wrote to Congress asking for money [F.D.A. Chief Writes Congress for Money, by Gardiner Harris, NYT, March 14, 2008]:

“After being pummeled for weeks on Capitol Hill over the president’s budget, Food and Drug Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach has written Congress that the agency needs an immediate infusion of $275 million to ensure that imported foods, drugs and medical devices are safe.”

My question is why does the head of the FDA have to beg for money?? And even if he gets it, will it do any good?

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It must be hard being a platypus. All your friends laugh at how funny you look and now you have to face up to the fact that your genes are just plain wierd too….

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It was a sad day for the Kentucky Derby when they had to put down the second place horse, Eight Belles, on the track after the filly broke both front ankles after the race. Some people are stunned, others are angry. We can argue about whether horse racing is a good or bad sport, whether it abuses animals, whether it is elitist, etc., but Eight Belles’ story is not about racing, its about bad breeding.

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