On the national scene: The Obama Administration once again proves it is a master at crony capitalism. HHS has made a deal for $435 Million for 1.7 million doses of a drug that can't be proven efficacious in humans, because smallpox has been eradicated worldwide. Besides, the U.S. already has a full stockpile of smallpox vaccine. According to the LA Times: "Over the last year, the Obama administration has aggressively pushed a $433-million plan to buy an experimental smallpox drug, despite uncertainty over whether it is needed or will work. Senior officials have taken unusual steps to secure the contract for New York-based Siga Technologies Inc., whose controlling shareholder is billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, one of the world's richest men and a longtime Democratic Party donor." Perelman and associates gave over $400,000 to Obama and Democrats in 2008 and 2010. See here: Smallpox Scandal?
On the California scene: The Sacramento Bee has a brave expose article today about the new Bay Bridge. They discuss questionable testing of the foundation piles by a Caltrans testing technician. In addition, kudos to the Bee for a nice detail listing of the cost increase history of the Bay Bridge, which is an edifice to the Browns (Jerry and Willie), and the MTC all of whom wanted a "signature" bridge to prove how big their cajones are.
Also on the California scene: The new report about the High Speed Rail system was released two weeks ago. As I expected the cost has gone from $35 Billion to $98 Billion, the miles of track are less, the ridership estimates have been significantly reduced, and the timeline for completion has been kicked out 10 years. The possibility of it ever paying for itself are now non-existent.
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