Bill Clinton...heart pains require immediate surgery! Hillary on way to New York...

Former President reflects on life!

Former President Bill Clinton was rushed to a New York hospital today after suffering pains in the chest.

Just a short while ago, his staff confirmed that the complaints were serious enough to require immediate surgery.

In a brief assessment on the fly, doctors noted for the record, that a bypass graft from a prior operation obstructed normal operating functons which required two stents to alleviate the coronary artery emergency.

The silver-haired statesman, has been involved hands-on with the United Nations as a special envoy to Haiti in recent weeks, in the aftermath of the violent earthquake which killed thousands.

Mr. Clinton just returned a few days ago from his second trip there since the natural catastrophe shook the Nation.

Sources close to President Clinton have assured well-wishers that he is in good spirits and will continue to focus on the work of his foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts."

Mr. Clinton, suffered a quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in 2004, and later developed rare complications affecting his lungs that required another operation six months later.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, on the job in Washington, plans to head to New York late this afternoon to be by her husband's side during the healing process.

The last scare caused Mr. Clinton to reflect on life a bit in the face of potential mortaliy.

 “It changed me,” he noted in a The New York Times interview.

“One of the things I noticed is that on normal days ever since I had that heart surgery, I’m a lot more laid back and a lot more relaxed and a lot more healthy."

“But I also noticed since I had the surgery – and this is what you picked up in the campaign – that if I’m really tired, it’s more difficult for me than it was when I was back in politics before I had the heart problem. I have no explanation for why that is. I’m just observing it. It’s neither an excuse for any mistake I made or anything else. I’m just explaining. It’s something I’ve noticed. My life has changed.”

Get well soon, Willy!
 

Bill & Hillary

(childhood sweethearts)

Michael Jackson..."wake" celebrates the life & music of Pop Icon! UCLA unlikely host...

Michael, what happened?

This morning's papers were awash with news about Michael Jackson in the wake of his unexpected death yesterday afternoon at the UCLA Medical facility in Westwood (CA).

Many of the insightful detailed reports echoed each other.

There were eye-witness accounts of mourning fans, thoughts on what amounts to a colossal loss to the creative end of the music industry, reports on weepy candle-light vigils, and up-close and personal interviews with contemporaries who sang the Pop Icon's praises now that he has departed from this mortal coil and passed into spirit.

From where I stood, however, the overwhelming news event smacked more of a celebration of Michael's life & music.

A "wake", if you like.

Indeed, in a mass turn-out in front of the UCLA Medical facility late yesterday afternoon and early into the evening, fans demonstrated their love for a performer who was many things to many different people.

Yes, Jackson was a musical genius, an original given to unexplained excesses, a talented artist prone to self-destruct at any moment, you name it.

Once the news swept out from the inner recesses of the UCLA medical facility that doctors were desperately trying to work their magic to restore life to a frail shell of a human being that was fast expiring - fans descended on the well-manicured courtyard outside the hospital - and began their vigil.

But, what I beheld before me was not a teary-eyed assembly of mourners, grief-stricken beyond comprehension - but rather - a joyous throng of devoted fans who chose to celebrate his life and music the best way they fathomed they could.

The spirited music-lovers mimicked his style (many turned out with gloved hand, signature Fedora-style hat, outfitted in eye-catching outerwear festooned with sequins that glittered like stardust in the mid-afternoon sun), as they sang out the catchy - at times tricky - arrangement of notes and words of a dozen or so of his memorable hits.

Occasionally, emotions took hold - at which point a handful of high-spirited fans - broke into a contagious dance that continued on into dusk.

When the familiar strains of "Thriller" hit the air, the mood shifted gear and the fans went into a wild frenzy.

Young tots, hip teens - even older snazzily-dressed Jackson fans - let loose and danced individually and in pairs (even trios, at times) - inside a "magic circle" like moths drawn to a flame.

At one point, a beaming Afro-American male spied my own lithe bod gyrating to the unique beat of the mega hit from yesteryear and was inclined to give me a nudge.

"Go on, man. Get in there. It's your turn."

Hesitant, but willing nonetheless (dancing is my first love), I stepped into the glare of the spotlight at the heart of the hypnotic beat of the pop hit and danced up a storm.

A roar went up from the crowd.

"That was the beauty of it," I thought to myself.

This "wake" was all inclusive.

At this point, for me anyway, the lines blurred somewhat.

One moment, I was logging the "historical event" from a reporter's point of view for posterity; in the next, I was swept up, across a great divide.

All the walls came tumbling down as I relaxed into the warm and fuzzy moment.

The world shifted.

I was transformed from an unbiased commentator on the sidelines into a bona fide fan capable of appreciating the remarkable compositions of a uniquely gifted musician who had just passed into spirit before his time.

Even still, Michael Jackson's rich legacy of sound - pure in it's creative genius - shall march on.

Such was the potent power of the Prince of Pop's musical gifts.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Vioxx Settlement...a fraud perpetrated on the American people!

After a few skirmishes in the courts with litigants over allegations that the intake of VIOXX resulted in life-threatening ailments, the manufacturer - Merck - agreed to a settlement with the claimants.

In the wake of that landmark announcement last year, the pharmaceutical giant proceeded to rehabilitate its image, claimants scrambled to sign the paperwork, and attorneys rubbed their hands with glee over the spoils to come.

In recent days, there have been grumblings from claimants that Merck has not been following through on their promise.

Moreover, as the accountants get ready to divvy up the pie, it appears that - as usual - the sharks (lawyers) will gobble up the lion's share of the settlement money, while needy claimants end up with a few crumbs or - in some cases - nothing at all.

Claimants started to get nervous late in the summer when checks were not forthcoming.

After all, a few months earlier they signed off on the agreement with the understanding that payments would make their way into their hands in August (2008).

Today, some are still twiddling their thumbs, waiting for their checks to arrive.

Are they in the mail?

Heck, no!

Now there is a new twist to the ongoing deception.

Some claimants have received confusing notices from claims administrators (Mr. Brown at BrownGreer with offices back East) and high-powered law firms handling the litigation in the local courts (Khorrami Pollard Abir LLP; Kabateck Brown Kellner) advising them that there is a "deficiency" in their paperwork which must be cured, otherwise their claim(s) will be in jeopardy.

The legally-binding document is deceptive on its face because it is not meant to resolve any deficiency at all, but rather, to trick the claimant into signing a "dismissal" of their lawsuit pending in the U.S. Courts.

A couple of wise old owls figured that one out and have informed Brown (claims office) that they don't intend to dismiss the suit until he produces two things: a release and - the obvious - a draft the sum agreed to.

But, the scurrilous conduct of the lawyers handling the settlements extends further.

Victims of the VIOXX fiasco have also been mailed "lien" documents.

A cover letter urges the addressee (claimant) to sign the paperwork to ensure that no problems arise (or delays occur) in the final stages of the settlement process.

In reality, signing the "lien" documents, guarantees that doctors and/or medical facilities - and lawyers who handled the litigation and subsequent claims - receive their fees upfront before the claimant receives their settlement check!

If anything is left, that is.

Claimants I have spoken to are suspicious and holding back on those signatures.

Frankly, I don't blame them.

Complaints directed to the Judge presiding over the case in Los Angeles (Victoria Chaney) have not triggered any investigation, or appropriate action, whatsoever.

Is it possible that the female Jurist is taking money from Merck under the "bargaining" table or does she have a cushy pact with the heavyweight law firms involved that guarantees her a cut to keep her yap shut?

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

John McCain...to pick Jeb Bush as VP?

We fooled the voters once, we'll fool 'em again...


Whoa Nellie!

I sat up and took notice when I spied a list of potential running mates for that crotchety presidential candidate, John McCain.

Jeb Bush is on the short list?

If that's the case, let's take a gander at the potential scenario.

John McCain wins the Presidential race with Jeb on the VP ticket.

Then, one evening - after ingesting a bit of nitroglycerin for the old ticker - an impotent moment with Cindy inclines the aging Lothario to pop a tab of Viagra.

Faster than you can say - double whammy! - McCain is carted off to the hospital quick as a wink.

Too late!

So, who becomes top dog in the White House?

You got it: Jeb Bush.

Well, looks like Obama may be a shoe-in, after all, once voters get their priorities straight!

I still like to swing even if John is not up to it...