Clinton laughs off Colombia questions

Posted: 10:00 AM ET

Watch Clinton laugh off a question on Colombia.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) – Hillary Clinton used her trademark laugh Thursday to deflect a question about the $800,000 her husband earned in 2005 giving speeches for a Bogota-based group that supports the Colombia free trade agreement — the same trade deal she currently opposes.

Asked by CNN if those earnings represented a conflict of interest given that she has dipped into her family's pocketbook to pay campaign bills, Clinton threw up her hands and laughed loudly for several seconds.

"How many angels dance on the head of the pin?," she responded, continuing to giggle. "I have really, uh, nothing to … I mean, how do you answer that?"

The New York senator explained there are different sides to the argument over trade, and re-emphasized her own opposition to the trade deal, assailing the Colombian government's "outrageous" record of "targeting labor leaders."

"I am against the Colombia free trade deal," she said. "It doesn't matter who talks to me. It doesn't matter any circumstances. I have been against it. I am against it. I will be against it absent the kind of changes in behavior that I have been calling for from the Colombian government."

Earlier in the press conference, describing her husband's advocacy for the trade deal, Clinton said: "Everyone is free to express their opinion."

From: CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

One word: YUCK

and one question:

Why should anyone accept

THIS WOMAN

as the next US Commander in Chief?

commentary on Hillary's campaign manger stepping down

Down to BRASS TACKS, guys.

The idea is to create an entire hemispheric FREE TRADE ZONE.

And Stephen Harper (The Harper, as I like to call him) has been sent by the NEOCONS to Columbia (human rights violator) and Chile to accomplish the task for BuZh. Part of a sort of brutal regime diplomacy effort and a real chance to set up retirement funds for the Big BoyZ should things get out of hand with We the People.

Guitterez is rushing around facilitating "trade talks" with all sorts of people as the sun sets on the NEOCON empire (if they manage to avoid elections - and declare martial law, well, it might be another story) The US Department of Commerce is acting as a sort of franchise handing out agency with the US taxpayer paying for this tremendous "service" .. real niiiice.

So The Harper was ORDERED to send shock waves into the election whereby the Magicians get the attention away from Urgent Matters at Hand and rather discuss the past - which as time will show is truly the past.

Trust me, with any of the candidates coming to power there will be NO discussion of NAFTA or the Security Prosperity Partnership/Protocol and NO discussion on the coming North American Union - excuse me ! - on the North American Community. One imperative is to keep changing the alphabet soup so everyone remains confused. NAU/NAC - it's confusing and meant to be, dear reader.

This is a deal that has already been inked. Signed 25 May 2005 and the ink is barely dry on the CENTCOM/Central Canada Command Treaty ..

The Plan is for North America to keep fueling the jets used in the FULL SPECTRUM DOMINANCE paradigm. Armaments must be made for Fearless Leader and his thirty chosen handmaidens/lords of commerce, already selected.

Who were were last years primary speakers to the Competitiveness Council . .why none other than George HW BuZH and William Jefferson Clinton!!

Now that is a FACT.

In any discussion of NAFTA or in the election do you see any signs of the press asking questions about Bill's conflicts of interest? No you do NOT. How handy for THEM. Niiiiice.

Transglobalism is a FACT OF LIFE now. How do We the People deal with that?

We face the increasing balkanization of the world that just might resist AND at the same time move towards implementing Global Agenda 21.

The election of one of these handy dandy presidential candidates offered up to "us" look much to your tastes?

Get real everyone!! There is no CHANGE to come unless We the People make it so!!

When I heard the news of a shakeup in HiLAIRy's campaign management I said to myself this, without knowing the "released" reason -

What? Didn't she offer up enough money to keep them quiet? My lord!
She hardly needs ANOTHER STUMBLE"

Well, blow me down and call me toothpick!! It's the nice divisive Cheneyness at work!!

Remember our rule: When analyzing anything US or Canada "policy" - always remember CHENEY BACKS ALL SIDES AS HIS WONT.

The insanity of what happens will therefore NOT stun you so much as the weeks and months click by.

Just remember I've tipped you all off in advance as to the next phase of THE MATRIX as planned by Fearless Leader.

We will all be GREENED - having a softer form of fascism and half of you will support it and the attendent doping by Big Pharma more pronounced, increased militarization (always a new enemy to be invented by Fearless Leader), new politicians to make their way into the kleig lights, more disharmony in all institutions to surface (KIDS ARE TERRORISTS!! Report them now - before they commit crimes) --

Do you like your fascism hard and mean with obvious torture tactics - or do you like soft, with the leafy meter detecting if you turned your lights off while MONSANTO continues to poison your children, but you get a much better FEELING from this new way of caving in. Everyone will be submitted to an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. Fearless Leader will get on TV and ask everyone NICELY, to see that that is done as the times demand it. All that is asked you is keep on aworking, not complaining so that the idiot box must cover your protests as they grow too large AND that you snitch on your neighbor and your parents.

They will be a common currency as quickly implemented as they can possibly "mint" it in your mind.

There is an eighteen month delay in THEIR plans due to opposition to real ID.

The TransAmerica highway AND the border crossing regulations did not fly causing a "bit of a setback" in the timetable.

Now the border fence being built to KEEP US IN not the Mexicans out has been stopped because of concerns to the environment caused by RAYTHEON's radar being used. Just perhaps it was NEVER MEANT to be built! The contracts were important and lead to the DJIA staying up, but why have a fence when you can use chemtrails and bioweapons to kill?

The language laws in Quebec must be repealed to get true harmonization - what if there is a repeat of the 1970's Montreal riots? How will Canadians act to the US command of the putdowns and MARTIAL LAW? So what's few quebecers being offed if The Grand Scheme of socialism for the rich is achieved? Remember: they share the profit$ and we share the lo$$es, in fact for generations to come. May I remind the reader: if nothing CHANGES, nothing CHANGES been like that for millenia seems like.

The fraudulent voter machines must be "sold" to the Canadian public and delivered by Diebold and other cos. Stockwell Day says his timeline, which MUST BE ADHERED TO is for elections in Canada in fall, 2009.

I"ve read The Plans THEY mean to have about oil - the free enterprise system in Canada is "to their liking" as long as Israel gets its cut. But the Mexican oil nationalization must be undone.

This not all tickedy boo, folks!! Much as the PTB/ illuminati / NWO folks - whatever you care to call THEM - would like to be so and particulary the Competiveness Council as those folks are ITCHING to get their hands on ALL THAT LOVELY MONEY and lots of CONtrol.

But surely Hills and Bill are having their PROBLEMS. And it must be causing the Rothschild's a bit of discomfort. C'mon old HILLS - ya better get with it!!

What happens NEXT?

YOU can change The Cast, but you can't change

The Characters in this Immortal Play

we are living.

And this time we are Playing for KEEPS.

Stay tuned!!

(Things are REAL interesting right now.)

Veeger

(ps, do you think this all for SHOW?)

Hillary Clinton strategist quits amid Colombia trade flap

"How can we trust that a President Hillary Clinton would stand strong against this trade deal when her top advisor is being paid by Colombia to promote it?" he asked in a statement.

Obama also has criticized Clinton saying she has close ties to lobbyists who might undue influence shaping policies, should she become president.

The controversy prompted an angry reaction from Colombia, which took offense at Penn's statement in which he called the meeting "an error in judgment."

The Colombian Embassy in Washington announced it was ending its contract with Burson-Marsteller, which had been hired a year ago.

The Clinton campaign has asserted that Penn's meeting was "independent of the campaign."

The two Democratic candidates have been sparring over the issue of trade, with each questioning the other's credibility in their pledges to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

(Editing by Chris Wilson)

Giustra, Clinton, Carlos Slim - dynamic neocolonial trio

President Clinton and Business Leaders Launch Sustainable Development
Initiative in the Developing World

Philanthropists pledge $200 million for poverty alleviation in developing world

June 21, 2007

New York, NY - Former President Bill Clinton announced today that his foundation is launching a new sustainable development initiative in Latin America, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI), thanks to the major financial commitment of two prominent philanthropists, Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim Helú. Giustra, a Canadian businessman, has pledged a minimum of $100 million to the effort, as well as one half of all of his future earnings from his work in the natural resources sector. He has also been the driving force to bring together a coalition of mining industry and non-industry actors that will make CGSGI possible. Carlos Slim Helú, the Chairman of Grupo Carso, has already answered Giustra's call for financial commitments to CGSGI and committed at least $100 million to CGSGI's work in Latin America.

"Collective action is the best strategy to address the economic, educational and health hurdles that confront millions in the developing world," said President Clinton. "I'm proud of the coalition in the natural resources industry that has come together to invest in sustainable growth in emerging economies, and humbled by the enormous financial commitment to this work by Frank Giustra and Carlos Slim. This initiative will focus on improving living conditions in Latin American countries and other nations, in partnership with the mining industry and other sectors. Ultimately, our goal is to bridge the gap between the rich and poor, and give all people a shot at a better life."

CGSGI will focus on alleviating poverty in the developing world and build on the Clinton Foundation's successful record of implementing and scaling-up development initiatives in other countries. The Clinton Foundation will act as the implementing partner, bringing together key stakeholders from the natural resources sector as well as the business community in the developing world. Participating companies from the mining industry will have a key role in CGSGI. To date, over 20 resource, resource finance and supporting companies have endorsed or signed on as partners to the initiative.

"I am honored to join President Clinton in launching the Clinton-Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative today, and I am pleased to personally commit a minimum of a $100 million to this project, as well as half of all my future earnings from the natural resources sector for the rest of my life," said Giustra. "I firmly believe that this innovative partnership between the Clinton Foundation and the business community - and the mining industry in particular - will have a profound and positive effect on the lives of countless people in the developing world during the months and years ahead."

The new initiative will focus its efforts in Latin America and other parts of the developing world, and will identify opportunities to assist local leaders in addressing social, economic, and environmental issues in a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable way, consistent with the Foundation's proven track record on health and development elsewhere in the developing world. CGSGI will engage other partner organizations, NGOs, and national governments as necessary to develop programs at costs that can be borne by local communities.

"Latin America faces major challenges related to poverty and education, and these needs go beyond any single country, industry, or donor," said Carlos Slim. "CGSGI is an innovative partnership that's similarly far-reaching. I'm proud to commit a minimum of $100 million to support CGSGI programs in Latin America. CGSGI will play a critical role in shaping the future of the region."

There are over 2,000 listed mining companies around the world with a combined estimated market capitalization in excess of $1 trillion. CGSGI will work with participating companies that are working in the developing world to implement sustainable systems that serve the community long after a mine in that country has been closed. A number of major resource, resource finance and supporting companies have agreed to partner with or support this new initiative (see attached).

"The Clinton Foundation has been making headlines for several years now by taking a fresh look at problems that seem intractable-and then crafting bold and highly effective solutions," said Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Moreno. "While Latin America has made great progress in recent years - particularly when it comes to political and economic stability - there are still pockets of critical need, such as access to clean water and better education, which cry out for new approaches. So I am thrilled that CGSGI will work with governments, business leaders, and NGOs to find innovative and scalable solutions to critical issues in Latin America and elsewhere. At the Inter-American Development Bank, we are convinced that the public-private partnerships so effectively leveraged by the Clinton Foundation offer the best hope for addressing Latin America's problems."

About the Clinton Foundation
President Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. To advance this mission, the Foundation works with like-minded organizations and forms partnerships with national and local governments around the world to make an immediate and measurable impact in several areas, including bringing HIV/AIDS care and treatment to underserved populations, developing sustainable economic growth in Africa and fighting global climate change. The Clinton Global Initiative serves as a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues. In the U.S., the Foundation is working to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity and is helping to expand economic opportunity by empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.clintonfoundation.org.

For more information, please contact the Clinton Foundation Press Office: +1 212.348.0360

Clinical Psych takes a look at Zyprexa

Zyprexa and Key Opinion Leaders

Since the Zyprexa trial is ongoing in Alaska, I thought I should return to the wonderful world of Zyprexa. I encourage readers to follow the Zyprexa coverage at Furious Seasons, Pharmalot, and PharmaGossip. Today, I will discuss the link between key opinion leaders and the marketing of Zyprexa. To preface, a coveted Golden Goblet Nomination could be handed out to several individuals based on their involvement in Zyprexa marketing...

In March 2000, Zyprexa received FDA approval for treatment of manic episodes. One document laid out the multipronged marketing maneuvers that Lilly utilized to move Zyprexa shortly after its approval. Some of the details of this document have been well-covered in a terrific piece of investigative journalism at Furious Seasons. This post will provide some coverage of the link between Zyprexa and the key opinion leaders who helped popularize the drug across the nation.

Once approved for bipolar disorder, Lilly utilized several tactics to market Zyprexa for bipolar disorder, including a satellite conference beamed to about 6000 physicians, and 8000 treatment team members in 1000 facilities. The faculty providing this educational service included many of the big names in academic psychiatry, including Paul Keck, Jan Fawcett, Hagop Akiskal, and Alan Schatzberg.

Alan Schatzberg, you say? Yes, the same Alan Schatzberg who is set to become president of the American Psychiatric Association. Some have been less than pleased with his election as APA president, considering his background as a physician-marketer, a key opinion leader with large conflicts of interest. The same Alan Schatzberg who has been involved in marketing passing itself off as continuing medical education.

Lilly also bankrolled dinner meetings, anticipated to draw 150-400 physicians per sitting. Dr. Schatzberg was also listed as a speaker for such dinners. One mental health service provider was impressed enough with receiving such excellent medical education that you can find it on his CV.

In the document outlining Zypexa's big marketing launch, Paul Keck's name appears in the following contexts:

• Satellite symposium provider
• Trainer of "local speakers." I believe this means he would train local physicians in various markets to then discuss Zyprexa with their colleagues.
• Faculty for bipolar weekend symposia
• Faculty for audio conferences
  
• Faculty for a satellite CME workshop
• Faculty for "dissemination of Bipolar information to 30,000 customers"
• Faculty on a "closed symposium" resulting in a CME newsletter and a CME audiotape, both of which were mailed to 30,000 individuals
• Author of two journal supplement articles

Paul Keck was also a member of a task force chartered by the American Psychiatric Association that served to revise the organization's guidelines to provide a more favorable view of atypical antipsychotics (including Zyprexa) in the treatment of bipolar disorder. No conflict of interest there, eh?

Keck said in a 2002 interview that:

"Often," Keck said, "patients with bipolar disorder require complex treatment regimens to manage all phases of their illness, creating a compliance challenge for patients and a management challenge for clinicians. These studies suggest that physicians may be able to use olanzapine as a foundation to simplify patients’ treatment regimens, and the combination of olanzapine and fluoxetine could be an effective treatment choice

It is likely that Keck was not performing all of his "educational" functions for Lilly in exchange for lollipops. He was likely receiving a healthy dose of cold, hard cash. Yet in the article, nothing is written about his financial links to Lilly. Keck has also appeared in press releases saying nice things about Symbyax (fluoxetine/olanzapine combination).

To be fair, Keck has also stumped for Pfizer's Geodon in press releases. Oh, and he also said nice things about Abilify in a press release. I suppose that if one is going to be a true key opinion leader, a real mover and shaker, one should be prepared to say nice things about whatever new drug is released, since each new drug naturally represents an "important" treatment option. Keck, like Alan Schatzberg and Charles Nemeroff, is also currently listed as a member of the clinical advisory board for Neuroscience CME, a for-profit entity awash in drug industry money. Dr. Daniel Carlat has previously written that the "educational" content produced by this organization is biased, and I find that easy to believe. It's not hard to find examples of poorly done industry-funded CME. In fact, you might be interested in reading about a CME activity in which Nemeroff seems to have pulled data out of thin air.

In sum, the usual fun and games were in play when Zyprexa was initially being pushed for bipolar disorder. Some of the biggest names in psychiatry left their fingerprints all over the marketing of Zyprexa and one of these key opinion leaders recently won the presidential election for the American Psychiatric Association. I suppose, then, that American psychiatrists are generally either unaware of conflicts of interest or don't care about them.

The beautiful thing about being a key opinion leader is that one's name recognition is huge. Among psychiatrists, I bet that Schatzberg's name is better known than that of Bill Clinton, since Schatzberg's byline appears on journal supplements and CME so frequently. That can't hurt when running for president of the national professional organization. I will be very interested to see how Schatzberg handles questions about conflicts of interest and drug industry influence on his profession. Don't be expecting any major efforts at reform in the near future.

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