ADULT EDUCATION

Helping You Navigate Life

Chart a course for a strong, vibrant faith journey by taking an adult education class at WCC. We have a wide variety of classes that will help you set sail for a deeper relationship with God, connect you to others at WCC and expand your horizons. All classes start Sun., June 7, 2009, unless otherwise noted.

CLASSES @ 9:05 a.m.

New Connections

Get connected at WCC in this 8-week class designed to introduce you to our ministries and mission. You will discover your SHAPE: your own unique combination of spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experience. Also discover opportunities to belong, grow and serve at WCC. Entry dates are the first Sunday of each month. Facilitated by Linda Wells, Missy Nance and Sherri Swanson in the Lecture Hall (Room 330).

NEW! Women’s Bible Study

Imagine if Jesus pulled up in a U-Haul and moved into the house next door. In the book, Next Door Savior, this is exactly what happens as author Max Lucado takes readers on a journey into Jesus’ neighborhood. And remember, no matter where you live, you have a next door Savior who loves you more than you can ever imagine. That’s the greatest news of all. Facilitated by Gina Kennedy and Debbie Benner in Room 301.

NEW! Life Lessons

Has your peace been stolen? Dreams crushed? Hope lost? The Apostle Peter knew what it was like to go through tough times. His words of wisdom provide encouragement for believers going through the hard times of life. This summer we’ll continue our study of Max Lucado’s book on 1 & 2 Peter by studying Lessons 7, 8, and 9 that focus on Joyful Service, Trusting God Through Trials, and Humility. Facilitated by Don and Joyce Kronmueller in Room 310.

CLASSES @ 10:10 a.m.

NEW! How to Have More Than Enough

In this book written by Dave Ramsey, we will look at 10 character traits of people who have more than enough. Here are just a few: value system, vision, hope and desire to give. Join us as we discover how to have more than just FINANCES and do a little self-evaluation. Facilitated by Margaret & Michael Andes in Room 304.

Contemporary Believers

What will heaven be like? Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, presents a thoroughly biblical answer, based on years of careful study, presented in an engaging, reader-friendly style. His conclusions will surprise readers and stretch their thinking about this important subject. Heaven will inspire readers to long for heaven while they’re living on earth. Facilitated by Russ Cline in the Lecture Hall (Room 330).

NEW! Intimate Marriage

What is a boundary? It is a property line. It is the beginning and the end. Boundaries are important in our marriage relations because they define the person. Boundaries give each partner a sense of ownership of him/herself. Drawing on principles from the Bible, this study of Boundaries of Marriage will safeguard against relational breaks. It is never too late or too early to draw boundaries and respect your spouse’s boundaries. Facilitated by Tricia Kelsey in Rooms 305/306.

FOR MEN: Keeping God Real

Bring whatever has been pressing on your life during the week—business, work, world events, relationships. Significant discussion in the light of Scripture. Bring your Bible. We’ve got the coffee. You have friends here. Facilitated by Terry McCarty in Room 303.

Seekers of the Word

Join us as we come to know God better through the study of His Word. During the summer months we will be concluding our study in Exodus and continuing on into John’s letters, considering what he has to say about our response to God’s love. Does God still reveal His Word to us? Welcome. This is a great time to jump in. Facilitated by Bill and Pam Carpenter in Room 311.

NEW! The Living Room

Have you ever wondered what we can learn from the victim in the story of the Good Samaritan? Have you ever asked what if God threw a party and no one came? Parables From The Back Side looks at these questions and offers a new understanding of twelve of Jesus’ parables by viewing them through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Begins Sun., June 28. Facilitated by Dennis and Barbara Bass in Room 301.

CLASSES @ 11:15 a.m.

NEW! Just Walk Across the Room

Somebody you care about wants to know about God and your faith and you freeze and don’t know what to say. You don’t want to mess it up or be wrong. What do you say? Deep inside you are concerned about friends in your life who do not have a living faith...how can you tell them? This class introduces some easy and powerful tools that can engage your heart to reach your friends and enable them to get “connected to Jesus Christ.” Open to all. Begins Sun., June 14. Facilitated by Clay Withers in Room 305.

Sermon Rewind

You just listened to the pastor in worship. Now come sit with others and discover how God reveals different things to each of us from the same sermon! Hear the message through someone else’s life-filter. The message continues…come…give it a try! Facilitated by Paula Higbee in Room 303.

NEW! Good Soil

This singles group will study He Loves Me! Learning to Live In The Father’s Affection by Wayne Jacobsen. Do you believe God’s love is sometimes fickle or determined by our behavior? Jacobsen reassures seekers and insecure Christians that God’s relentless grace is based on who we are—His beloved creation—not what we do. Learn how to live consciously and confidently in the Father’s ever-present love! Includes questions for reflection and discussion. Facilitated by Justin Torbert in Room 311.

COMING THIS FALL...

Financial Peace University

FPU is a biblically-based program, which teaches us to manage our money, eliminate debt and build wealth. The class is taught via entertaining video by best-selling author and nationally-syndicated radio show host, Dave Ramsey, followed by small group discussion.

Two 14-week sessions will be offered this fall beginning on Thurs., Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. and on Sun., Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. All classes run 2 hours. FREE preview will be held on Sun., Aug. 16 at 11:15 a.m. Childcare available by registration.

for Fall FPU.

for more info on FPU at WCC.

DISCIPLE Bible Study

Whether you are a new believer or have been a Christian for many years, the DISCIPLE Bible Study program is designed to increase your understanding of the Bible and what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ. These courses provide an in-depth look at both the Old and New Testaments and will transform and inform your walk of faith forever. Classes start the week of Aug. 23.

ADULT EDUCATION

For many years you may have wanted to take part in a learning course for a wide variety of reasons but had always put it off. We have all had experiences within learning where things could have been better and this may have proved a real deterrent to getting involved in learning again.

BUT . . .

Whitehaven Adult Education can provide you with a positive and really worthwhile learning experience

Whitehaven Adult Education provides a range of different courses, from academic to more leisure - based courses appropriate for students of all abilities. We offer a relaxed and understanding environment where meeting your needs is our priority. Our enthusiastic approach to learning ensures you receive the highest quality learning experience.

Please take the time to look at our brochure and we hope it will help you feel enthusiastic and motivated to enrol on one of our courses.

If you have any worries about returning to learning or have a disability please contact our staff who will be only too willing to give you any confidential advice and guidance you may need.

We hope you will take the step into learning, as we will be with you all the way!!!

John Barrett
Community Learning Manager

Malcolm Smith - Head of Centre
Whitehaven Adult Education
Whitehaven School
Cleator Moor Road
Whitehaven CA28 8TY
01946 852963
adulteducation@whitehaven.cumbria.sch.uk

LEGAL ADVICE

The original, one-and-only, accept-no-imitations, Carbolic Smoke Ball 'Legal Advice `Dice'!Di 1: Do, Don't, Soon, Later, A.S.A.P., NowDi 2: Sue, Settle, Hedge, Beg, Ask Mum, ShootThrow them individually for simple advice or, for a more detailed answer, in conjunction.Indispensable when you are asked for free legal advice! Price: £10.43



DOCTOR

QUACK DOCTOR

This superb print is a reproduction of an original 1802 painting which satirized the quack doctors of the time. The bewigged doctor describes himself as a 'Physic for Man and Horse!', and the signage around him proclaims, inter alia,: Pills for Members of Parliament' Scabdal Drops for Old Maids' Young Husband Pills for Widows' Lawyers Elixir - Very Bracing in Term Time' Orthodox Snuff for Gentlemen of the Pulpit' Pills of Forgetfulness for Contracters' Speculation Drops for Stock Jobbers' Oil of Almonds for Gentlemen of the Bar' Pills of Promise for Money Lenders' At 16 x 20 inches it is a large print, beautifully coloured, and looks stunning in a frame. Carbolic Smoke Ball supplies it unframed, so that you can choose a mount and frame that suits your office/home. About George Woodward George Woodward was born in 1760 and is known today as one of the founding fathers of British satire. Along with James Gillray, Thomas Rowlandson and Robert Cruikshank, Woodward made a living as a caricaturist and cartoonist, often depicting medical subjects. He died in 1809.

Price: £24.00

UK shipping on this item: £6.00

In stock, usually dispatched within 24 hours

DENTIST

In the wake of the Industrial Revolution the population swiftly developed a thirst for knowledge about the myriad of new goods and ideas that were becoming available. But before the days of television, newspaper advertising and junk mail how did people get to know about everything? Over a million people solved the problem by buying a copy of this book which caused a publishing sensation in Victorian Britain. Because it explained so much about so many different aspects of life it continues to provide a very enjoyable and informative peep into the lifestyle of our forebears. In 2775 entries the enquiring Victorian learns how to tell if food is fresh and when it is in season; how to dance; the difference between local dialects; correcting grammar and spelling; the rules of games and puzzles; hints on etiquette; kitchen and household hints and recipes; cures for scores of ailments including rheumatism and baldness; the origins of Christian names; first aid; employment and rental regulations; keeping fit; dressmaking and embroidery; births, marriages and deaths; personal conduct as well as scores of others.

We know when and where the Victorians lived, this fascinating book explains much about how they lived and it was the world wide web of its day.

Curious fact: Tim Berners-Lee was inspired to invent the World Wide Web after seeing a copy of this book. He even named the early versions of the web ‘Enquire’ after it.

A wrongful death

A wrongful death is when a person’s death is caused by third party negligence or recklessness. When a person is wrongfully killed, it is always very traumatic, especially for the wrongful death victim’s family. In cases involving wrongful death, the victim’s death is not expected, which can make the loss more overwhelming for family members. Aside from their grief, families must contend with new obligations, and may face financial hardship. Fortunately, the law protects families of wrongful death victims by allowing them to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for their losses.

Wrongful Death Claim
In the state of Florida, family members such as spouses, children, or parents may file a wrongful death claim if they have wrongfully lost a loved one due to third party negligence or recklessness. A family member may file a wrongful death claim to recover monetary compensation for:

• the deceased’s funeral expenses
• the deceased’s medical expenses
• lost financial income
• loss of companionship
• loss of emotional support
• emotional pain and suffering

In order for the family member to file a wrongful death claim, he/she must meet certain requirements. The family member must be of the legal age and the family member must be able to prove that he/she lost his/her loved one as a result of third party negligence. Wrongful death claims are extremely complex and time sensitive. For this reason, any family member wishing to file a claim should seek representation from a skilled personal injury attorney who has successfully handled prior wrongful death cases.

Jacksonville Personal Injury Law Firm – Wrongful Death
The personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Patrick Kelly is committed to providing clients with exceptional legal counsel and guidance. Our goal is to successfully represent families who have wrongfully lost their loved ones throughout Jacksonville, Florida. Our wrongful death lawyer is dedicated to our clients’ needs and we strive to provide each client with the compassion and attention he/she deserves. If you have lost a loved one due to wrongful death, call the Law Office of Patrick Kelly today at (904) 398-6353!

WRONG FULL DEATH

The loss of a loved one can be an extremely difficult experience, made even more painful when it is the result of someone else's negligence or wrongful conduct.

When a person dies as a result of someone else's negligence, a wrongful death claim ensues. A wrongful death suit addresses the tragedy of the loss of a loved one, by holding individuals or companies who are responsible accountable.

If you have lost a loved one as the result of a fatal car crash or another kind of wrongful death, our firm will treat you with the compassion and understanding needed during your difficult time.
AUTO ACCIEDENT

Each time you enter a motor vehicle you are exposed to the possibility of an accident. Motor vehicle accidents can range from minor to catastrophic. In addition, motor vehicle accidents involve complex insurance issues, which can involve multiple insurance companies. As insurance companies hire experienced adjusters and attorneys to defend their interests, an injured accident victim needs aggressive representation by an experienced attorney to protect their rights as well. Our attorneys have an excellent understanding of the intricacies of New York’s No-Fault Law, as well as Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage issues.

It is therefore important to hire a qualified attorney to perform a thorough investigation, obtain all insurance benefits and ensure that you are adequately compensated.

Bragoli and Associates, P.C. has represented thousands of automobile accident victims, securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. Whether you have sustained a soft tissue injury, multiple fractures or other types of trauma, you deserve and require outstanding legal representation. If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident, please contact our office.
SLIP & FALL

Property owners are legally required to keep their property in a safe and hazardous-free condition. They must also warn others of any potentially hazardous conditions on their property.

Premises injuries can occur in office buildings, shopping malls, supermarkets, lots, hospitals, parking structures, apartment buildings and schools among other places. Premises accidents can result in substantial financial expenses, including lost wages and outstanding medical bills.

Bragoli and Associates, P.C., has represented thousands of victims of premises accidents successfully. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip/trip and fall accident, contact our premises liability attorneys.

CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT

Construction workers are exposed to a wider variety of hazards and face a greater risk of work-related injury or fatality than employees in any other U.S. industry. Construction accidents may include, but are not limited to, roof-related falls, scaffolding accidents, lifting equipment failure, fires and explosions, trench collapses, crane collapses, compressed gases accidents and welding accidents.

If you have sustained an injury while working on a construction site, you may be entitled to seek monetary compensation from the party at fault. New York personal injury law allows victims of negligence to file a civil lawsuit against liable parties to recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and emotional suffering.

New York Labor Law Sections 240 and 241, are known as the "safe place to work" or the "scaffold" laws. These sections state that if a worker is injured in a New York construction accident as a result of falling from a height, or as the result of being hit with something that falls from a height, the owner and the contractor are responsible. This is true whether or not the worker was at fault or refused to use safety equipment. These laws exist to make certain that all workers have a safe place to work, especially on construction sites.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a construction accident, contact Bragoli and Associates, P.C., the construction accident attorneys.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

Design defects, marketing defects and manufacturing defects can pose threats of injury to innocent consumers. Improper warnings or instructions on a product's packaging or manufacturer’s failure to warn can cause injuries to the person using the product. The results of product liability accidents may cause long lasting effects on the victim, either physically, emotionally, or financially. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a defective product, contact our attorneys.

WRONGFULL DEATH

Although no amount of money can replace the loss of a family member, monetary compensation is the only way our civil justice system allows for redress of a wrong that caused death. Our firm will provide surviving family members a sensitive and confidential consultation. After suffering such a loss it is essential to have the advice of an experienced attorney to explain what should be done first in pursuing a claim for wrongful death.

While you are grieving, you should not make any major decisions which will limit any future recoveries without consulting an attorney. You should not enter into any settlement, sign any release or accept any money in exchange for releasing an individual, corporation or insurance company from liability without first knowing what insurance coverage or other redress is available to you and your family.We have represented the families of victims who have lost their lives due to the negligence of other individuals or corporations. Wrongful Death claims could include deaths due to car accidents, use of a defective product, negligent treatment by doctors, or any other situations in which someone else is at fault.

As with all other areas of law handled by Piccin & Glynn, you do not pay any attorney's fees or costs until we reach a full and fair settlement or a final judgment against the insurance company.

CANADIAN ASBESTOS INJURY CLAIM LAWYER

There are serious long term consequences of exposure to asbestos. Some of these have only recently appeared. The diseases include asbestosis, certain forms of lung cancer and the condition of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can develop 30 or even more years after exposure to asbestos. These very serious conditions affect people who have worked with asbestos, had loose fibres in their workplace (even from asbestos removal) and people who have been exposed by their family members who may have come home from a hard days work covered in asbestos.

If a loved one has developed one of these conditions and is seriously ill or has died due to asbestos exposure it can easily be proven with medical records. Doctors should be able to confirm causation by asbestos when the diagnosis is made. Compensation is available for Canadians from a number of U.S. trusts set up for that purpose. We need to know the source of exposure to asbestos for us to determine which manufacturer was involved and where the claim may be placed. We do not handle claims related to removal of asbestos from homes or other properties.

Contact the Miskin Professional Corporation Law Offices of Whitby, Peterborough and Toronto, Ontario for information on making a claim. Email miskinlaw@aol.com or call 416-492-0989 from the Toronto area or 877-428-8000 from elsewhere in Canada. You can have us as your lawyers here in Canada and get compensation from the trusts set up to pay claims on behalf of the former asbestos manufacturers. We are working in partnership with experienced reputable lawyers in the U.S. to ensure that Canadians get fair compensation equal to what is available to Americans payable in US dollars. Generally, we need to know the source of asbestos exposure and there has to be significant illness not just fear of future illness to make a successful claim. Cases are handled with contingency fee agreements which include a one third fee shared by the lawyers involved on your behalf. That means you pay nothing until and unless money is received for your claims. Settlements are in US dollars, which now is to our benefit when converted to Canadian dollars. We include the tax in our share of the one third contingency fee so you will not pay extra GST or HST if you live in a Province where the harmonized tax applies. We note that in Ontario this will otherwise add 8% provincial tax to legal fees starting July 2010. Additional cases are being accepted and submitted from clients across Canada. Often we can get clients compensation from more than one settlement trust depending on the source of the asbestos exposure. We are starting to see some large cheques come in for our clients and faster processing of claims. If you are not eligible for Worker's Compensation we can get you compensation. The right to bring a claim may be taken away or reduced by receipt of Workers Compensation Benefits so do let us know details of any WCB or WSIB claims when you first contact us. The Boards have brought U.S. claims for a number of Canadians and where that was already done we can not bring a claim again. Often the Compensation Boards keep all of the money that they recover from U.S. claims as reimbursement for what they paid to the injured worker. We are consulting with the Compensation Boards in different provinces to ensure that our clients actually receive maximum compensation from all sources. In some Provinces Workers' Compensation Boards have allowed us to proceed directly for clients with claims to the asbestos funds where the Boards have rights to make those claims.

We are the leading firm representing Canadians in every province and territory injured by the drug Vioxx, and Murray Miskin has been a lawyer in Ontario practising personal injury law for over 30 years. His first work with Canadian asbestos claims was in 1979. We are settling asbestos injury claims and getting compensation for our clients. Trust us to treat you and your family with compassion and get you results.

For general information on who we are and what we do visit our website

Bextra

Bextra

Bextra, like Vioxx, is used to treat the pain, inflammation and swelling that is usually associated with arthritis. The FDA approved Bextra, or valdecoxib, in 2001 to treat people suffering from the effects of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike traditional NSAIDS, Bextra only inhibits the COX-2 enzyme in the body. The COX-2 enzyme is the primary cause of the pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Initially, patients prescribed Bextra were delighted to find that it didn't cause the gastrointestinal problems normally associated with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Unfortunately, after Bextra was approved by the FDA and released to the public, it was determined to have other more dangerous side effects. Bextra has been linked to the following serious side effects:

• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
• Exfoliative Dermatitis
• Indigestion
• Abdominal Pain
• Headache
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Flu-like Symptoms
• Death

Bextra is a dangerous drug, and many people are filing lawsuits against the drug marketers, Pfizer and Pharmacia, to recover compensation for their injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered from the side effects of Bextra, the dangerous drug lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, L.L.P. to schedule your

Bextra Attorneys

First Vioxx was removed from the market because of safety concerns. Now sales of Bextra, the same-genre prescription painkiller made by Pfizer, have also been suspended because Bextra has been found to pose an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among users.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 7, 2005 asked Pfizer to remove Bextra from the market "because the overall risk versus benefit profile for the drug is unfavorable." Concerns include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal skin allergy.

The FDA also asked Pfizer to include the government's strictest warning label to its other painkiller, Celebrex. "Today's actions protect and advance the health of the millions of Americans who rely on these drugs every day," said Dr. Steven K. Galson, acting director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

In making its decision, the FDA went against the recommendation of a panel of experts that in February concluded the benefits of Bextra outweighed the risk of taking the drug.

A 2004 study presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association had found that patients who took Bextra were more than twice as likely to suffer heart attacks or stroke. The study included 5,930 patients, some taking Bextra and some given a placebo.

"This is a time bomb waiting to go off," Dr. Garret A. FitzGerald, a University of Pennsylvania cardiologist and pharmacologist, told he New York Times after presenting the study data on Nov. 9. "The magnitude of the signal with Bextra is even higher than what we saw in Vioxx.”

Merck & Co. removed Vioxx from the market Sept. 30, 2004. A deluge of lawsuits have followed by people who used the drug and claim to have suffered severe heart attacks and stroke as a result. Many of those lawsuits were filed for patients and their families by Kline & Specter, P.C. If you or someone you know has suffered illness or death as a result of using Bextra, you may want to contact a Bextra lawyer.

One expert, Dr. Curt Furberg, professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who helped conduct the Bextra study, said Bextra presents the same dangers as Vioxx. “Basically, we showed that Bextra is no different than Vioxx,” he told the Times. “And Pfizer is trying to suppress that information.”

Pfizer, the world’s largest drug maker, introduced Bextra in the United States in 2001, two years after Vioxx hit the market. Both are COX-2 inhibitor drugs as is Celebrex, also made by Pfizer.

The Bextra study, which pooled data from patients who participated in a dozen trials, found 2.19 times the number of heart attacks or strokes among patients given Bextra, a pain reliever used to treat osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis and severe menstrual cramps.

Bextra has also been linked to a skin hypersensitivity disorder known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, a potentially life threatening syndrome whose symptoms include painful blistering of the skin.

For its part, Pfizer said it disagrees with the latest FDA decision that Bextra should be withdrawn and that it will hold further discussions with the FDA on returning Bextra to the market. Pfizer in the past has denied problems with Bextra for arthritis patients, saying that the only patients who experienced heart problems were those at very high risk for heart disease.

On Jan. 31, 2005, the nation's largest HMO said its pharmacies would no longer dispense Bextra because of safety concerns. Kaiser Permanente, based in Oakland, Calif., serves 8.2 million customers in nine states and the District of Columbia.

On the same day, the national consumer group Public Citizen renewed its call for the FDA to ban both Bextra and Celebrex after revelation of a 1999 study that showed an increased rate of heart attacks and strokes among Alzheimer’s patients.

In the latest news, released Sept. 13, 2006, two new review studies evaluating the safety of COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) found increased cardiovascular and kidney risks associated with the medications. (See story.)

Bextra Heart Attack

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Vioxx arrived

education?
Do you know more about Vioxx watching Dorothy skate and smile? Do you feel safer because a celebrity says use it while the FDA is busy keeping us from using Canadian pharmacies?

Vioxx ads topped $500M ...Drug maker Merck spent heavily against rival Pfizer

Shortly after Vioxx arrived in pharmacies, the painkiller became an adman's dream.

During the next five years, Merck spent more than $500 million advertising the medicine. Television ads featured former Olympic ice skater Dorothy Hamill or The Rascals' 1960s anthem, "It's a Beautiful Morning."

One reason for the advertising explosion was obvious. Merck was locked in a battle with Pfizer, which launched Celebrex, a similar drug that hit the market a few months before Vioxx in 1999. Since then, Pfizer has racked up $449 million in Celebrex advertising.

But there may have been another reason for Merck's advertising blitz.

In 2000, a widely publicized study suggested Vioxx may cause heart problems. That same year, Merck spent $160 million on Vioxx ads, double what Pfizer spent, according to TNS Media Intelligence, a market-research firm.

Ultimately, solid evidence did emerge linking Vioxx to heart attacks and strokes, prompting the drug maker late last month to withdraw the drug. Now, critics say such widespread promotion was improper at a time when safety questions remained unanswered.

"I would have liked to have seen less advertising because of the safety issues," said Ed Langston, a physician in Indiana and an American Medical Association trustee. "I had some concerns about the advertising as soon as the safety data started surfacing."

Merck spokeswoman Anita Larsen said the company continues to believe its Vioxx ads were "completely appropriate, based on what we knew at that time." She reiterated the company's position that the 2000 study compared Vioxx with an older painkiller that may have protected patients from heart problems.

The Vioxx recall, though, is prompting fresh concern about direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription medicines. Some doctors and consumer groups say many ads lack important information or coax people to seek expensive drugs when cheaper ones would suffice.

The pharmaceutical industry says such ads are useful tools that offer valuable messages. In an era of rising health-care costs, drug makers say the ads often prompt consumers to pay closer attention to their health and to seek treatments.

Increasingly, drug makers are running TV ads to combat charges of price gouging. The ads boast a commitment to finding cures and saving lives. One Pfizer ad even features its chief executive, Hank McKinnell, making such a speech.

At the same time, Pfizer has a Viagra ad in which a man grows little blue devil's horns as he and his female companion shop for lingerie. One critic believes the ad encourages consumers to abuse the pill and may lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

"The Viagra ad is completely inconsistent," said Jeffrey Klausner, a San Francisco public health official, who recently petitioned federal regulators to force Pfizer to change its ads. "They're selling sex, and it's over the line."

Dorothy Wetzel, a Pfizer consumer marketing vice president, called the ad "playful," and said its "overall function is closely aligned with a purpose we take seriously: solving a problem that's very real for millions of men."

Overall spending by drug makers on direct-to-consumer ads is big, and getting bigger. Last year, the pharmaceutical industry spent $3.3 billion to advertise medicines directly to consumers, according to Verispan, a market-research firm.

That was triple the $1.1 billion spent in 1997, when the Food and Drug Administration changed its rules. The agency said the move would provide consumers with needed information, but critics say regulators compromised safety -- with Vioxx being the latest example.

"The failure of the FDA and the massive promotional campaigns by Merck, which minimized the potentially serious cardiovascular risks, played a role in misrepresenting the safety of Vioxx to the public," said Sidney Wolfe of Public Citizen, an advocacy group.

One former drug-company executive questioned the wisdom of spending large sums on consumer ads when, in his view, the money could be used more efficiently to target doctors to increase their prescribing.

"I've never seen one study to show the economic benefit is there," said Irwin Lerner, a former chief executive at Hoffman-La Roche.

Nonetheless, experts say little will change. Stuart Klein, president of the Quantum Group, a communications company that specializes in direct-to-consumer ads, said some additional scrutiny may occur, but drug ads are already reviewed very closely.

Arthur Caplan, who heads the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said drug makers should readily address challenges to their medicines and respond by conveying important information to doctors. But he didn't predict reduced advertising.

"They won't back off in a competitive marketplace, because the point of the ad is to generate demand," he said. "Look, the world of advertising and marketing has no ethics. But if you allow it, this is what you'll get."

Court Rejects Vioxx Lawsuit

Court Rejects Vioxx Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit filed in New Jersey against Vioxx manufacturer Merck has been rejected by the state’s supreme court.

The lawsuit was filed by a NJ-based engineers union on behalf of all health insurers who covered prescriptions for Vioxx, which has been found to double risks of heart attacks and strokes. The plaintiffs alleged that the company covered up evidence of the increased risks, which would have caused companies to purchase other painkillers.

In its decision, the court didn’t evaluate those claims, but simply said that applying New Jersey’s consumer fraud laws to claims made by companies around the country was inappropriate, and that as each company made their coverage decisions on their own, so should they pursue legal remedies individually. In their decision, the judges noted that this was in fact likely to happen, and insurers pledged to do so. Merck also faces another 27,000 individual consumer lawsuits.

Reported the Associated Press:

Chris Seeger, lead attorney for the West Caldwell, N.J.-based union that sued, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68, said that given the ruling, he will now pursue separate claims on behalf of individual unions.

"Merck temporarily dodged a bullet. Merck didn’t totally dodge the bullet," he said.

My Financial Knowledge

Of course it isnt, but it surely is a great time to buy buy buy! From houses and cars to computers and televisions, there has never been a better time to buy something new.

Lets start with cars. Ford will pay your car payment for an entire year if you lose your job, and they will give you a used car free if you purchase a new car. Hyundai was the first to come out with ideas such as this, and they will take your new car back if you lose your job. Multiple car companies are offering zero interest, such as mazda and honda.

What about a house? Feel like moving? Mortgage rates continue to drop on homes each and every day. More and more homes are being foreclosed on and sold back to the public absolutely dirt cheap. What about refinancing? Look into it! Americans are reducing their mortgage rates by 3-5%, significantly reducing their monthly payments.

Want a new computer or a TV? or anything costly for that mater. Retail stores as well as manufacturers of such items are slashing prices like crazy. Not to mention, if you really want it, they will sell it to you for the price you name.

The economy isnt really doing well, but it is opening opportunities every day for the average American to get a ridiculous deal on something expensive, like a brand new car. Take advantage of these opportunites, and since our president isnt going to do it- maybe the citizens can pull together to get us out of this mess.




Inaugurated on January the 20th of 2009 Barack Obama took over the United States of America. With the economy currently struggling he has his work cut out for him, but is off to a swift start. Some of his first steps as president thus far have inlucded the following: an announcement that the US will begin to remove its troops from Iraq in 18 months, and appointment of Tom Daschle as health secretary.

Are these two steps by the new president of the US behooving or harming us?

First, the withdrawl from Iraq. On one hand our country has stood up for what it believes in, held its own ground and fought for our freedom. Likewise, we have been helping the Iraqi people to build a new government and begin to rebuild their country- so maybe they need us there. On the other hand, we went into the country looking for weapons of mass destruction and found none, and have sacraficed thousands of mens lives. So is Obama’s plan to withdrawl the tropps benetfiting or hurting Iraq or the US?

Second, the appointing of Tom Daschle as the secertary of health. Since his appointment for the position Daschle has found himself in quite the mess with his taxes. He failed to pay them on time, and has been reported for submitting a number of tax amend forms, one for year 2005, 2006 as well at 2007. On his 2007 taxes Daschle failed to claim a monthly payment of $88,333. Over three years Daschle has failed to report $250,000 in income from the use of a car service. Daschle claims that all of these tax paying mishaps were mistkes, and were not done intentionally. Is he being truthful? Is it right or wrong for the president of the US to appoint someone who is in a situation like this?

Do you think Obama is getting off on the right foot? Or does he need to turn things around quick?





It is proven that high school dropouts earn 40% less income than those students who attend college and obtain a degree, but inevitably there are exceptions to this statistic.

In 2004 the following statistics proved to be true. Citizens who dropped out of high school earned 26k, citizens with a high school diploma earned 35k, citizens with an associates degree earned 44k, citizens with a bachelors degree earned 57k, and citizens with a masters degree earned 71k.

How is the word prosperity defined? As the condition of prospering or having good fortune. So is money necessary to have good fortune?

Every individuals idea of happiness and prosperity differs. To some, prosperity is living in a double wide on 16 acres of land and owning 15 cows. To others prosperity is becoming the CEO of a company, owning a million dollar home and driving a Ferrari.

While the statistics speak volumes, does the cliche always hold true?


How do we define truth? When someone tells you that 2+2=4, you assume this is correct- but how do you know it is correct. 90% of the things we “know”, are secondary knowledge- things that have been told to us or things we have read. Only 10% of what we “know” we experience first hand. So of that 90% how do we “know” what the Truth is?

The idea that we assume things are correct is scary. We live in a society where we are discouraged from questioning things. Religion- if you question what is right and what is wrong, are you not typically looked down upon? Levels of Power- if you question the person above you in any company, are you not typically reprimanded? Why does our society discourage the idea of questioning the truth?

When we ask questions, and research things that we want to know more about we eventually learn them first hand, making them true to us. The more we question, the more we are able to learn. If you want to know how mortgage rates work you could look online, you could read a book- but these are both secondary knowledge sources. Why not speak directly to a realtor about mortgages and have them walk you through the process, wouldn’t learning it first hand make it true to you?

How many things about your finances do you actually take the time to question, and find the truth about? Maybe you are paying an outrageous interest rate that you could have lowered, or maybe your bank is charging you fees that you are totally unaware of. Don’t settle for what you are told- find the truth, or at least something you can see to be true. Because ultimately, what is the truth?

Refinance

So how do you know if it is right for you?

You will be spending money up front for the loan, but you will be saving money each month because your . Therefore, you will need to calculate how many months it will take to recoup your up front cost. If you are going to live in the house at least that long, you should refinance.

Mortgage Payment

If, for example, your current mortgage is 8% on a $100,000 loan to be paid in 10 years, your monthly payment is $1213. If you can get that 8% lowered to 6%, your payment will drop by $103 each month. So far, so good.

What are your upfront costs?

The lender tells you that you will be paying one point and $2,500 closing costs. The one point is one percent of the loan amount, or $1,000. Added to the $2,500 closing cost, your upfront costs total $3,500. Divide your monthly savings into the upfront costs to learn how long it will take to break even. In this case, $3,500 divided by $103 equals 34, which means you will break even after 34 months.

This is great if you plan to stay in the house for more than 34 months; not great if you think you will be moving soon. If you stay the entire 10 years, you will save a total of $8,860.

Hint: Shop for your best deal.

Tell your prospective lenders you do not want to pay points or origination fee. With the current competition for these refinance loans, they may just listen. Now is a great so go save yourself some money.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC

Loans after Bankruptcy or Foreclosure - FHA Insured Loans

There is help out there!

In todays volatile lending market there is an old standby that is moving forward to a new place in American finance…. The FHA loan.

The History of the FHA The Federal Housing Authority was set up after the depression of the early 1930’s to help Americans recover from the tremendous numbers of foreclosures during the depression and get Americans back into home ownership. Prior to the FHA there were not 30 year loans generally available, people were financing homes with 5 to 10 year loans. FHA may be doing the same thing now as traditional lending goes through it’s changes. Initially and for most of the history of the organization it was completely self funded and did not rely on any taxes for it’s operating capital. It was funded initially by mortgage insurance premiums and appraisal fees. It took till this year for the FHA to come to the Government to help make up a budget shortfall. The predictions are that the FHA will recover as it is the only option for credit challenged borrowers, and is writing a record number of loans.

Today’s FHA We have seen conventional loans tacking on rate increases for borrowers with lower credit scores. A couple of years ago anything above 600 was considered decent while now some lenders are adding 1/2 a point to the interest rate on 30 year fixed rate loans for borrowers with credit scores between 650 and 680 and 1.25% added to interest rates for borrowers with credit scores between 620 and 650. Below 620 is considered “subprime” and the rates rise dramatically. Yet FHA will still make loans to borrowers with credit scores as low as 580. These are 3% down loans with interest rates fluctuating between 6 and 6.25% 30 years fixed. FHA has recently started charging a premium based on credit scores as well. The loan amount has increased to $346,250 recently in most of metro Atlanta. It may now be a better deal for not only credit challenged buyers, but for the mid-range credit purchaser with 650-680 credit scores.

There is a one time mortgage insurance premium of 1.5% of the loan amount which can either be paid in full at closing or added to the loan amount and financed, then there is a monthly mortgage premium which is .5% of the loan amount per year, (1/12 of that paid each month). Conventional loans also have mortgage insurance.

Some of the Guidelines for FHA insured loans after Bankruptcy or Foreclosure

FHA INSURED LOANS are available to people who have had both bankruptcies and foreclosures in their past. There are some restrictions, the borrower must have virtually perfect credit since the bankruptcy or the foreclosure. These loans are also subject also to normal qualifying guidelines with income and debt limitations.

• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy There must be 12 consecutive months of on time payments on all accounts (including utilities, cell phones etc) from the filing of the chapter 13 bankruptcy.
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy There must be 24 months of perfect credit from the disposition of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
• Foreclosure There must be 3 years of perfect credit from the foreclosure.

Bankruptcy

Credit Card Debt Relief Option: Filing Bankruptcy

Unlike debt settlement, filing bankruptcy has the potential to devastate your credit score for years to come. Filing bankruptcy also carries with it a stigma that many people never free themselves of. For these reasons and more, we do not offer support for filing bankruptcy, but we do want to make sure you understand all of the debt relief options available to you.

Understanding Bankruptcy

Filing bankruptcy is no trivial matter – it can be one of the most stressful situations you will ever deal with in your life. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you consider, you will have to deal with long term consequences:

• If you declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy (also called “total bankruptcy,“) your credit report will show this for the next 10 years, making it more difficult to obtain credit in the future.
  
  
• If you declare Chapter 13 bankruptcy (in which you make some level payments on your debt), you may be able to get the event removed from your credit report after seven years, but it is not guaranteed.
  
  
• In addition, you may be forced to report your bankruptcy to a potential employer if asked to for the next ten years, but for the rest of your life. This may jeopardize your chances of getting the job you want in the future.
  
  
• Your bankruptcy will be a matter of public record – forever.

Another Debt Relief Solution: Credit Card Debt Settlement

For certain individuals, debt settlement is a better option than filing bankruptcy, and can protect and preserve your ability to remain creditworthy in the future while providing debt relief in the short-term. How might debt settlement be a preferable alternative to filing bankruptcy?

• Unlike debt settlement, filing bankruptcy is recorded on your credit report as a major
  negative event where you failed to pay your creditors. Debt settlement can allow
  you to have your creditors mark your account as “paid as agreed,“ which works
  strongly in your favor.
  
  
• Unlike debt settlement, filing bankruptcy is a difficult situation to keep to yourself.
  Important events such as a job hunt – or in some cases applying for life insurance
  could be more difficult to complete successfully. Debt settlement on the other
  hand never need come up in these types of situations.
  
  
• Unlike debt settlement, filing bankruptcy is typically viewed as a way of “getting
  out of paying your bills,“ and can leave you with a lot of emotional baggage
  and negative feelings. Debt settlement can actually lead to empowering feelings,
  because you take proactive steps to clear out all of your unsecured debt in
  12 to 36 months.

Making The Decision: Discover Your Debt Relief Strategy

Filing bankruptcy is not the ideal answer for everyone who is facing debt-based stress. And while credit card debt settlement can be a very effective way to get your finances back on track, you need to have all the facts before deciding if it is right for you and your situation. Contact one of our debt relief specialists now to find out which debt relief solution is best for you.

PAY DAY LOAN

Are you in a financial crisis? Is payday still a few weeks away? Then a payday loan could be the best solution to your problem.

A payday loan is a short term, unsecured cash advance until your next payday. People, just like you often get a payday loan to help cover unexpected bills that come at the worst possible time. In order to avoid high fees for bounced checks or penalties for late payments, they simply use one of the top lenders on this page to get a short term loan to pay their bills.

What If I Have A Bad Credit Rating

For many payday loan lenders, having a bad credit rating, charge-offs, NSF's or if you are in bankruptcy is not a problem in order to get a payday loan. Unlike most other types of loans, a payday loan does not require a credit check. As a matter of fact, some payday loan lenders have services especially tailored for people with bad credit.

Payday loans are a fast, easy and convenient financial product to help you in times when cash is short. When you need some money and you need it now, a payday loan is the simplest solution.

PAY DAY LOAN

SALEM, Ore. - Since June 1, a total of 60 Oregon payday loan shops have shut down as a result of new state regulations and now, to try and turn the market back in their favor, the payday loan industry is advertising.

For years, the payday loan industry has kept a low public profile - quietly taking blows from consumer advocates and politicians critical of its high interest loans.

Now, a national association of payday lenders is playing offense with a major nationwide ad campaign telling borrowers to use their loans responsibly.

"These changes are part of the ongoing effort we have as an association to respond to concerns by policy makers and to protect the financial well being of our customers at the end of the day," said Lyndsey Medsker with Community Financial Services Association of Washington, D.C.

The man in charge of regulating Oregon's payday lenders, David Tatman with the Department of Consumer and Business Services, said it is safe to say that the payday loan industry is getting nervous and may be trying to boost its image.

"I think what they're trying to do is make sure what happened in Oregon, the need to do that in other states is precluded by this campaign," he said.

Translation - keep other states from capping payday loan interest rates, the way Oregon has, and let Oregon's policy makers know that their industry is being responsible.

KATU News asked people on the street to read the campaign's print ads and they said the campaign is clearly not directed at payday loan borrowers.

"First of all, they're not going to read this," said Mike McNeill.

The ads are lengthy and detailed, not for a consumer on the run.

"Maybe for Congress," said Tina Vanoosten. "Maybe for the politicians who are trying to fight it, but not for the people who are getting the loans, no."

Congress is also looking at payday loan caps and some say that is one of the reasons the industry has fired off this ad campaign.

The industry denies that, saying they are simply looking out for consumers.

DebtConsolidation

DebtConsolidation

Some consolidation companies will not ask you to take out a loan. The service they offer differs from other companies in that they work for a set fee to disperse your payments after they have done their best to have your interest rates lowered or completely taken off your debt. They then put it all together at the lower interest rate and pay each of your creditors every month according to what you have agreed to send them.

Their fees can be large, but many of them are worth it when you find that even by paying them, you are paying out less than before and have the opportunity to pay a little more and get your principal down further.

Advantages and disadvantages of debt consolidation

Are you having trouble every month paying the bills? You can get out of your current dire financial straits. It’s up to you to take control of your debt and start the path to financial stability. The fastest way to do this is by debt consolidation.

Will debt consolidation have a negative impact on ? The answer is yes, but only in the short run. But sometimes taking a step back is the fastest way to get ready to move a few steps forward. If your having serious problems now, the first thing you need to do is find stability. Debt consolidation will give you this much needed stability.

There’s a pretty good chance your credit needs some improving anyway if you’re experiencing debt problems. A home equity loan is the quickest and cheapest way of doing debt consolidation. A lender will be glad to speak to you if you have enough equity in your home to cover your current debt.

A home equity loan can drastically lower your payments because of the difference in interest rates between a home loan and a for example. Try professional if you don;t own your own home right now. A debt consolidation expert can help you set up a good debt consolidation plan.

If you do it right, you will reap the benefits of debt consolidation. A lower interest rate, lower monthly payments and most important, a feeling of financial stability. If you want to get debt consolidation done, find out if there’s a way for you to take out one big loan to pay back your current total debt. Start your road to financial stability today by adhering to these steps.

Customize Your Private Jet

Owning a private jet is a luxury that only a few of us are able to afford, but a stock jet may not come with the furnishings and style the millionaire or billionaire that buys it might be used to. Now you can Customize Your Private Jet with lavish and functional interiors.

That is what keeps Belarus based designer Alex Nakobo employed. He redesigns and customizes the interiors of private jets.

With a host of custom designs which are already doing duty in Russian corporate jets, Nakobo can give your jet a lavish luxury interior fit for presidents and royalty.

How do custom leather chairs and wide aisles for a very comfortable and an ultra luxurious flying experience sound? You can even have seat warmers installed, and an ornate dining room for elegant dinners in the sky.

Entertainment is covered with HDTV’s and custom lighting for jet theater viewing. Materials used throughout rage from fine woods to fine leathers, and there is nothing that is not possible for the right price.

Private Jets

You know it’s bad when coffee giant Starbucks is feeling the economic pressure.

After having their corporate plane for only one month, Starbucks is already listing the plane for sale. With only 20 flights on the new the plane should sell well, if there is a buyer that is.

The $45 million Gulfstream G550 was ordered four years ago when Starbucks was enjoying a blissful boom time, unlike the present economy.

The world’s most expensive jet is currently the . At $49.3 million for just the jet itself, no maintenance included, you’ve got to have some very deep pockets or maybe some really good friends.

The Bombardier Global Express XRS Jet can travel up to 6,150 nautical miles at a cruise speed of no less than Mach 0.85. Not too shabby, eh? Well for that kind of cash, I wouldn’t take anything less.

greatest, if you ask me, in the world of light sport aircraft is the Cessna Skycatcher. Quite an eyecatcher, eh?

With a Garmin glass cockpit, Teledyne Continental O-200D engine & all the air you could want, there’s really nothing better than this beauty. How about an introductory cost of just $109,500?