Opinion
-
Planning Is a Tool, Not a Goal
Opinion -Local government officials often lament the fact that “not enough planning” has gone on in their communities. Like virtue, urban planning seems to be considered by many as an end in itself. -
An Unnecessary Energy Crisis
Opinion -Since 1998, virtually all newly constructed power plants have been designed to run on natural gas. Not that it is any cheaper to produce power from natural gas--in fact, coal and oil are generally cheaper. -
Senate Battle Begins on Asbestos Fund
Opinion -On July 14, the U.S. Senate began debate on the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2003, a measure aimed at addressing the nation’s asbestos litigation crisis. -
‘A la Carte’ Menus Encourage Kids to Eat Poorly
Opinion -Reporting in the July 2003 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, registered nurse Martha Kubik and colleagues at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health found school-age children who were allowed to choose food outside the -
Alabama Jury Breaking the Bank in Suspect PCB Case
Opinion -An Alabama jury has awarded $73 million in property damage and emotional distress awards to 380 people who have detected PCBs on their property. Significantly, most of the money has been tied to cleanup-cost claims ... -
Analysis: Medicare Reform Measure Repeats Mistakes of 25 Years Ago
Opinion -In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Catastrophic Health Care Act--sweeping Medicare reform legislation meant to respond to what legislators saw as overwhelming demand for government-provided health care benefits. -
Apologies to My Grandchildren
Opinion -Dear Jack, Katie, Luke, Will, Tess, Elle, and Anthony: My entire generation owes you an apology. -
Attack on Fast Food Jeopardizes Public Health Community
Opinion -Attorney John Banzhaf, who for years has litigated against tobacco, purportedly in an effort to protect public health, has announced his intention to solve another public-health problem--obesity--by suing fast-food restaurants. -
Consumer Directed Health Care Conference Scheduled for November 2003
Opinion -Major issues across the health care system--rising health care costs, quality of care, and patient outcomes--are on the minds of consumers. Public opinion polls place the issue second only to concerns about the economy. -
Generics Added to Medicare Reform Measure
Opinion -The Senate voted 94-1 on June 19 to approve a proposal aimed at speeding the market entry of generic drugs by eliminating some patent extension practices used by brand-name drug manufacturers. -
Horinko Is Named Interim EPA Administrator
Opinion -Senior EPA official Marianne Horinko was appointed on July 10 as the second interim EPA Administrator to serve since Christie Whitman’s resignation. -
PCB Lawsuit Threatens Pennsylvania Business Climate
Opinion -What critics have called a “bizarre” jury verdict, holding a chemical manufacturer responsible for the costs of rebuilding a state-owned building after a fire, is being appealed to the Pennsylvania supreme court. -
Pennsylvania Senator Opposes Drug-Pricing Proposal
Opinion -Managing Editor’s note: On June 23, 2003, Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) rose to the Senate floor in opposition to a proposal by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas), who sought to mandate that prescription drugs be sold in the United States at the -
Senator Defends Medicare Reform Measure
Opinion -Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, told USA Today the Senate’s Medicare reform measure “targets the poorest and the sickest. It gets the most bang for the buck. It keeps traditional Medicare intact. -
Study Finds No Health Risks for Above-Average Mercury Levels
Opinion -A comprehensive study of 643 children, tracked from the womb to 9 years of age, has found no health risks resulting from exposure to above-average levels of mercury in their diets. -
Lawsuit Abuse Fortnightly #2-9
Opinion -It Was Only a Matter of Time Lawyers representing twelve Scottish alcoholics between the ages of 18 and 60 have announced their intention to file suit in Edinburgh against the liquor companies they claim destroyed their clients’ lives. -
Voucher Advocates Motivated by Compassion
Opinion -In his July 21 Letter “Voucher Backers Have a Privatizing Agenda,” Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way, accurately reports my views on school vouchers but does a disservice to the school choice movement. Mr. -
NAS Rejects New Dioxin Regulation
Opinion -After decades at the top of the list of “deadly chemicals” decried by liberal environmentalists, dioxin’s risk has been found to be too small to merit new government regulations. -
Voucher Backers Have a Privatizing Agenda
Opinion -Your July 11 editorial “Freeing D.C. Kids” grossly distorts the conclusions of People for the American Way Foundation’s new report on the voucher movement, The Voucher Veneer. Contrary to the assertions in your editorial, the report is not about D.C. -
Lawsuit Abuse Fortnightly #2-8
Opinion -Happy Birthday, Daubert! This year marks the tenth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Daubert v. Merrell-Dow requiring federal judges to act as gatekeepers to prevent junk science from being introduced in the courtroom. -
Federal Employees Protected from ‘Medicare Reform’
Opinion -The U.S. House of Representatives on July 7 passed legislation guaranteeing federal employees and members of Congress will have prescription drug benefits better than those available through Medicare when they retire. -
Testimony to U.S. Senate on Carbon Sequestration
Opinion -Joseph L. -
Medical Criteria Set for Asbestos Claims
Opinion -In June, the Senate Judiciary Committee reached agreement on language describing the medical criteria that would be used to evaluate asbestos injury claims submitted to a proposed national compensation fund. -
European Scientists Reject EU Biotech Ban
Opinion -Leading scientific academies in Britain and France have expressed support for a multinational World Trade Organization suit against the European Union’s ban on genetically improved crops.