October, 2012 media hits

U.S. Bush-era trade deal with Panama goes into force

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:29:00 GMT

Reuters: U.S. Bush-era trade deal with Panama goes into force - Critics such as Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, said the pact, which locks in Panama's current duty-free access to the United States, is expected to destroy more U.S. jobs than it creates.

Meningitis outbreak: Second Mass. compounder recalls all its drugs

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:22:00 GMT

The Tennessean: Meningitis outbreak: Second Mass. compounder recalls all its drugs - Noting that Ameridose is a much larger company than New England Compounding, Dr. Michael Carome of Public Citizen, a nonprofit advocacy group, said there was clearly cause for concern. According to several published reports, Ameridose’s annual revenues are more than 10 times those of New England Compounding. “This raises serious concerns for the public at large. It’s of great concern,” Carome said.

The OTC derivatives deregulation debate

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:08:20 GMT

Life Health Pro: The OTC derivatives deregulation debate - One of the problems with derivative contracts is that the sums of money involved are potentially, quite literally, limitless. A recent report by the consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen, called Forgotten lessons of deregulation, makes this point very forcefully. “Over-the-counter derivatives trading grew dramatically in the years following passage of the CFMA,” the report states. “The notional value of such trades [...] increased from $95.2 trillion in 2000 to $672.2 trillion in 2008 — a more than seven-fold increase. By contrast, the entire world’s assets in 2008 added up to only $178 trillion.”

Chamber of Commerce’s ‘secret’ election spending

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:05:00 GMT

truthdig: Chamber of Commerce’s ‘secret’ election spending - “We want the Security and Exchange Commission to require publicly traded companies,” such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “to disclose their sources of contribution,” said Lisa Gilbert, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch Division. Corporations right now “are putting their money through conduits like the Chamber or 501(c)(4) nonprofits ... and the only way for citizens like you and me to know where the advertisements that are flooding our airwaves come from is through mandatory disclosure.”

FDA lists venues that got drugmaker's products

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:03:05 GMT

Gazette Xtra: FDA lists venues that got drugmaker's products - Michael Carome, deputy director of consumer advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group, said the New England Compounding Center was not following safe and sterile procedures in its manufacturing plant. "It is certainly conceivable that other products made within the facility were contaminated," he said. The FDA, CDC and state and local health departments are continuing to investigate the outbreak of fungal meningitis, which is not contagious.

Reed in legal battle over website forum

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:00:17 GMT

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Reed in legal battle over website forum - Paul Alan Levy of the Public Citizen Litigation Group in Washington, D.C. also said the website has no way or legal responsibility to prove or disprove either the statements or Reed’s denials. “If he has a case to make, he should make it against the critics just as you wouldn’t shut down the post office because of alleged defamatory letters sent through the mail,” Levy said. “And I don’t think it’s defamatory to say a single guy is playing the field among women,” he added. “Maybe titillating, but not malicious.”

China - America's scapegoat forever

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:52:00 GMT

Staple News: China - America's scapegoat forever - When you buy goods at a store, if you happen to check where it was made more than likely it will be China. The Asian country is believed to be the next super power due to its high volume exports and cheap labor, but is China really a threat to the US economy or the global economy? Melinda St. Louis, international campaigns director for Public Citizen, joins us with more on China's global role and to discuss political ads targeting China.

US facility linked to meningitis outbreak overgrown with mold and bacteria

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:48:37 GMT

RT: US facility linked to meningitis outbreak overgrown with mold and bacteria - In its turn, the agency has been scrutinized for conducting its inspections too late. Public Citizen, a nonprofit organization that advocates for public safety, has called for an independent investigation because of the FDA’s slow approach to the sanitation matter. Even though mold was found at least 79 times in the NECC’s “clean rooms” in a nine-month period, the agency did not investigate. “An independent investigation must be conducted and should identify all agency officials whose actions and decisions contributed to the FDA’s failure to prevent this public health catastrophe,” said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of the nonprofit group, as quoted by the Tennessean.

Lax oversight, settlements undermine consumer safety

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:46:00 GMT

The Orange County Register: Lax oversight, settlements undermine consumer safety - The clear and convincing standard is too high, says Michael Carome, the deputy director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., which annually ranks the rate of serious disciplinary actions by state medical boards. California ranked 28th in its latest report, in part, he said, because of the high burden of proof. “We believe that the standard these boards should be using is preponderance of the evidence,” Carome said.

Green Bay's speedy budget process raises questions

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:43:53 GMT

htrnews: Green Bay's speedy budget process raises questions - Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for the watchdog group Public Citizen, said giving the public adequate time to scrutinize a city’s spending plan ensures that taxpayers and others in the community have a chance to raise objections or offer suggestions. Passing a multimillion-dollar budget in just 13 days, Holman said, means that only top city officials fully understand what it contains.

FDA investigates recent outbreak of viral meningitis

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:41:00 GMT

KCEN-TV: FDA investigates recent outbreak of viral meningitis - And to top it off the pharmacy's own sampling repeatedly found bacteria and mold in sterile rooms in 2010 yet no documented corrective actions were taken. Dr. Michael Carome of the Public Citizen Health Research Group says, "The fact that this is occurring, it seems, under the noses of the federal and state regulators is shocking."

Public Citizen calls for recall of bed handles

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:39:00 GMT

MD News: Public Citizen calls for recall of bed handles - In a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public Citizen claims that a variety of bed handles used to assist the elderly or otherwise weak patients in getting out of bed can trap or suffocate people. The petition urges the FDA to recall Bedside Assistant bed handles made by Missouri-based Bed Handles, Inc., and to investigate similar bed rail devices made by other companies.

Special interest groups contribute heavily to GA politicians

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:36:15 GMT

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Special interest groups contribute heavily to GA politicians - Craig Holman, who lobbies for ethics and campaign finance reforms for Public Citizen, said some members benefit from being on “juice committees,” such as Energy and Commerce and Armed Services, that oversee deep-pocketed industries. Slots on those committees are highly coveted. “When it comes to donors’ interest, they want access to the person who is overseeing their business and so … what committee you’re on will shape who’s going to be your major donors,” Holman said.

U.S. regulator needs new authority over compounding pharmacies: report

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:31:36 GMT

WBDJ7: U.S. regulator needs new authority over compounding pharmacies: report - But the public health crisis has also stirred debate about how much authority the FDA actually needs. Last week, the advocacy group Public Citizen called on the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the agency on grounds that it failed to exercise its existing authority to prevent the meningitis outbreak.

Drug-mix industry stymies regulators

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:29:04 GMT

The Boston Globe: Drug-mix industry stymies regulators - “Clearly, the industry and trade groups would like less oversight and less regulation and have lobbied for that over the past 10 years,” said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of health research for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group that has long been concerned about the industry. Carome faulted the FDA for not doing more, using the agency’s existing authority. “We’re not saying there is no need for further regulation,” he said, “but our fundamental position is that current laws give the FDA more than enough authority to have prevented this outbreak of fungal meningitis.”

The compounder & its not-so clean room

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:26:00 GMT

Pharmalot: The compounder & its not-so clean room - Last week, Public Citizen called for the FDA to be investigated (see this), arguing that the agency could – and should – have pursued an enforcement action against the NECC over its practices. And Congress is expected to hold hearings next year.

FDA needs new authority over compounding pharmacies: report

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:24:00 GMT

Insurance Journal: FDA needs new authority over compounding pharmacies: report - But the public health crisis has also stirred debate about how much authority the FDA actually needs. Last week, the advocacy group Public Citizen called on the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the agency on grounds that it failed to exercise its existing authority to prevent the meningitis outbreak.

This is what democracy looks like? The $2 billion election

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:22:00 GMT

Non-Profit Quarterly: This is what democracy looks like? The $2 billion election - While Romney is a candidate with a chance to be president come November, Obama has been president for the last four years and has a track record that we can evaluate on this issue. The director of Congress Watch at Public Citizen, Lisa Gilbert, tells ProPublica that the president could have done a lot of “tangible” things, but he didn’t. She points to a draft executive order from the Obama White House that would have required government contractors to reveal their political spending, but the administration didn’t push and eventually abandoned it.

America's terminal cancer: scumbags in black robes

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:18:00 GMT

truthout: America's terminal cancer: scumbags in black robes - Including House and Senate races, Bill Holman, government affairs lobbyist with Public Citizen, estimates that as much as $8 billion will be spent on the 2012 elections. There are approximately 80,000 local, state and national elections each year in the US. Two years and about 160,000 elections after Citizens United, five openly partisan, ethics-deficient, corporate-loving, Supreme Court justices have reasserted the claim that corporate expenditures in politics do not "appear" to corrupt.

Ballot initiatives to watch: marijuana legalization, marriage equality and campaign finance

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:14:00 GMT

International Business Times: ballot initiatives to watch: marijuana legalization, marriage equality and campaign finance – supported by advocacy groups such as Public Citizen and Common Cause – would urge state congressional delegates to support efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban corporate personhood. While California’s Proposition 32 would not call for a new constitutional amendment, it would ban corporate and union contributions to state and local political campaigns.

FDA inspectors find foreign matter in New England compounding facility

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:12:00 GMT

KCEN-TV: FDA inspectors find foreign matter in New England compounding facility - To top it off, the pharmacy's own sampling repeatedly found bacteria and mold in sterile rooms between January and September, yet no documented actions were taken. Dr. Michael Carome of the Public Citizen Health Research Group said, "The fact that this is occurring, it seems, under the noses of the federal and state regulators is shocking."

State regulators stuck using outdated computers as drilling surges

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:05:00 GMT

State Impact: State regulators stuck using outdated computers as drilling surges - “The reporting as well as the documentation is critical to everyone in the process, whether you’re the public or the pipelines,” says Rita Beving. She lives in Dallas and is a community organizer with corporate watchdog group Public Citizen. Beving says the commission’s online mapping tool to locate pipeline routes is frustrating and cumbersome.

Mayor sics lawyer on gossip website

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Atlanta Creative Loafing: Mayor sics lawyer on gossip website - Paul Alan Levy, an attorney with Washington, D.C.-based public-interest law firm Public Citizen, told Evans (PDF) that his demands reflect a "woeful ignorance of the facts and law." Levy says that Phoenix NAP temporarily pulled Lipstick Alley offline but reinstated it on the condition that the mayor and the website could reach a compromise. Rather than do that, Levy said, Lipstick Alley, found another hosting service. He added that the website was "not willing to conduct any discussions with you in response to your meritless demand" and said the comments would be left online "in perpetuity."

Argument preview: Court considers litigation expenses in debt-collection disputes

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:58:36 GMT

SCOTUS Blog: Argument preview: Court considers litigation expenses in debt-collection disputes - The briefing in the Supreme Court is excellent. Marx (represented by Allison Zieve at the Public Citizen Litigation Group) presents a two-part argument of powerful directness. The first point is an affirmative reading of the statute. Rule 54 allows costs to “the prevailing party” unless a statute “provides otherwise.” The FDCPA allows costs for bad faith and harassment.

Hurricane Sandy, a climate on steroids

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:44:00 GMT

Kansas City Info-Zine: Hurricane Sandy, a climate on steroids - Director of Public Citizen's Energy Program, Tysocum Slocum recently told IPA: "For the first time in 24 years, neither the presidential nor vice-presidential candidates were asked a question about climate disruption during the debates. And the candidates have failed to highlight the issue as well -- unless you count Governor Romney's use of climate change as a punchline to a joke in his convention speech. Some argue that the issue isn't high on voters' minds, but polls demonstrate otherwise. Rather, the hundreds of millions of dollars that the fossil fuel industry and their allies are spending saturating the airwaves with anti-regulation messages is likely the culprit. Obama's 'all of the above' strategy locks in fossil fuels as the status quo, forcing us farther behind on the sustainable era of renewable energy. There is no such thing as benign fossil fuel production and consumption, and the future of fossil fuels will only become more expensive."

US-Panama trade deal goes into effect Wednesday

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:41:32 GMT

The Hill: US-Panama trade deal goes into effect Wednesday - “The presidential candidates are sparring over who would best crack down on offshore tax evasion and reduce our budget deficit, so it’s a sorry statement about the power of corporate campaign money that both candidates support a pact with the hemisphere’s leading tax haven,” said Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch.

Electric brain stimulation gains ground

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:39:25 GMT

SF Gate: Electric brain stimulation gains ground - But some health experts warned that the technique's safety and effectiveness are unknown and that larger, controlled human clinical trials are needed. "Whenever you do something - whether it's swallowing a drug or applying current - there may be a downside," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, a consumer and health advocacy lobbying organization.

Hedge funds must embrace the new communications landscape post-JOBS act

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:34:00 GMT

All About Alpha:Hedge funds must embrace the new communications landscape post-JOBS act - On the other side, the investor protection agencies (Public Citizen, ProPublica, and Consumer Federation of America, etc.) take more of a glass half-empty view that by eliminating regulation, investors will be at greater risk of being defrauded. The rational response: investor fraud is nothing new. A money manager who is determined to break the law is more than likely going to find a way to do so. The Madoffs of the world will always be out there.

Bloomberg school's dean plans symposium on Rx drug abuse

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Occupational Health and Safety: Bloomberg school's dean plans symposium on Rx drug abuse - The Center for Injury Research and Policy announced this month that its 2012 Community Hero award went to Joan Claybrook, president emeritus of the group Public Citizen and a former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for her work on behalf of motor vehicle safety.

Outside cash trumps candidates’ in half a dozen tight races

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:28:46 GMT

The Hill: Outside cash trumps candidates’ in half a dozen tight races - When the final campaign finance reports come in after Election Day, it is likely several more congressional campaigns will have been dwarfed by outside spending. “They are the big player on the block. Bigger than the party, bigger than the candidate,” said Craig Holman of Public Citizen. “I think outside spending is going to be the most important factor in these congressional races.”

U.S.-Panama trade pact brings hope, controversy

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:26:00 GMT

The Texas Tribune: U.S.-Panama trade pact brings hope, controversy - “U.S. exports to Korea have declined, imports from Korea and Colombia have surged, and the Panama deal has not even gone into effect,” said Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch. The group warns that the Colombia and Korea pacts have increased the trade deficit with those countries by 29 percent and will eliminate about 15,000 U.S. jobs. “In a presidential campaign dominated by the urgent agenda of job creation, it is a sorry statement about the domination of corporate money in American elections that both presidential candidates would tout NAFTA-style deals that most Americans oppose,” Wallach said.

Cap-and-trade, carbon taxes, and my neighbor’s lovely lawn

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Boston: Cap-and-trade, carbon taxes, and my neighbor’s lovely lawn - And a much-publicized meeting in July at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. brought together a broad spectrum of Washington groups – ranging from Public Citizen to the R Street Institute – to talk about alternative paths forward for national climate policy. Reportedly, much of the discussion focused on carbon taxes.

FDA lists venues that got drug-maker's products

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Pharmacy Choice: FDA lists venues that got drug-maker's products - Michael Carome, deputy director of consumer advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group, said the New England Compounding Center was not following safe and sterile procedures in its manufacturing plant. "It is certainly conceivable that other products made within the facility were contaminated," he said.

Everyone hates Citizens United

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:36:06 GMT

Salon: Everyone hates Citizens United - But corporate money is only one piece of the problem. A new study from Public Citizen notes that most super PACS only support a single candidate, a fact that undermines the Supreme Court’s argument in the Citizens United decision. Of the more than 100 super PACs that have spent at least $100,000 so far this year, 65 were active in only a single race.

ICE sued for not turning over detention records

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:31:05 GMT

The Denver Post: ICE sued for not turning over detention records - The material sought by TRAC includes every date and outcome of every internal investigation of the detention facilities that are administered by ICE. TRAC, with representation by the Public Citizen Litigation Group, is also seeking the names and types of facilities, the contracts with private prison providers, the daily rates charged, and the breakdown in adults, juveniles and family units in each facility.

Dark money and Citizens United: what Obama and Romney would and wouldn't do about it

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:27:00 GMT

The Huffington Post: Dark money and Citizens United: what Obama and Romney would and wouldn't do about it - Meanwhile, campaign finance regulation advocates in Washington have been disappointed by Obama's first term. "There are a lot tangible things that he could have done that he did not do," says Lisa Gilbert, director of Congress Watch at Public Citizen.

Court upholds secrecy in product safety lawsuit

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Consumer Affairs: Court upholds secrecy in product safety lawsuit - “Adjudicating this first-ever challenge to the consumer product safety database in secret, based on secret evidence, and with a secret plaintiff, is at odds with the First Amendment and our tradition of open judicial proceedings,” said Scott Michelman, the Public Citizen attorney representing the three organizations. “The public has a strong interest in the outcome of this lawsuit and a correspondingly strong right to learn who is involved and the factual basis for the court’s decision to exempt a product report from the database.”

Famed scientist sues National Review for libel. Brace for SLAPP

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:20:04 GMT

Reuters: Famed scientist sues National Review for libel. Brace for SLAPP - Paul Alan Levy of Public Citizen, who defends bloggers accused of libel, told me that unless the District of Columbia Circuit rules that the same holds true for Washington's anti-SLAPP law, libel plaintiffs will be able to forum-shop, adding out-of-town defendants to get to federal court and avoid anti-SLAPP defenses.

Tax disclosure: electing not to do it

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:15:00 GMT

WDNT 2 News: Tax disclosure: electing not to do it - They're intended to give you a chance to monitor possible conflicts of interest. However, government watchdog groups like "Public Citizen" and the "Center for Responsive Politics" find them too vague and incomplete. Thus, the call to release tax returns.

Public Citizen says FDA could have done more to prevent meningitis outbreak

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:09:00 GMT

WSAV3: Public Citizen says FDA could save done more to prevent meningitis outbreak - "This event clearly was avoidable, and that's really what's most tragic about it. There have been alarm bells going off over the last decade," says Dr. Michael Carome from Public Citizen. Wednesday, the group indicate it's written a letter asking that an investigation be conducted on why the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) did not take decisive action over two administrations to protect the public. That's because there's word that the FDA sent a warning letter to the New England Compound Center in 2006.

Public Citizen, Texas named as Industry Ally by CHP industry

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:07:57 GMT

District Energy: Public Citizen, Texas named as Industry Ally by CHP industry - The Texas Combined Heat and Power Initiative (TXCHPI) has recognized the advocacy group Public Citizen, Texas as CHP Industry Ally for 2012. The CHP Ally recognition is given to an individual, company or organization that forms an alliance with the CHP industry and takes action for the betterment of all.

Dewhurst no. 1 in single-candidate Super PAC donations

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:06:00 GMT

The Texas Tribune: Dewhurst no. 1 in single-candidate Super PAC donations - Single-candidate Super PACs, particularly those founded, funded or managed by the candidates they support, call into question the court’s rationale in the decision, said Taylor Lincoln, director of research for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division and the report’s primary author. “Once the spending is not independent, you’re seeing the dissolution of the campaign finance laws,” Lincoln said. “I think our report debunks the Supreme Court’s theory. It leaves it intellectually baseless.”

Better safe than sorry

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Brattleboro Reformer: Better safe than sorry - Meanwhile, accusations of blame are flying, with Public Citizen’s Health Research Group saying the FDA failed to act even though it knew of problems at the Massachusetts company, according to a report from MSN.com. FDA and Massachusetts officials say they lacked the authority to move against the pharmacy and said Congress needs to pass clear legislation giving the FDA authority to regulate these so-called compounding pharmacies.

New warning requested on 19 hypertension drugs

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Sokolove Law: New warning requested on 19 hypertension drugs - Public Citizen states that safety information regarding the risks of combination use needs to appear in a black box warning at the top of the labels for these drugs. Public Citizen also says in its petition that an FDA-approved medication guide should be distributed to patients as well as a “Dear Doctor” letter to physicians warning them about the risks of combination therapy.

Medtronic's pull influenced Infuse articles, report finds

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:53:01 GMT

CBOE: Medtronic's pull influenced Infuse articles, report finds - Dr. Sidney Wolfe, who oversees health care issues at the consumer-oriented advocacy group Public Citizen, called the allegations that Medtronic manipulated scholarly research "dangerous." "Ask any editor of a respected medical journal if this is typical," Wolfe said, "and they would laugh or get outraged."

As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:19:38 GMT

The Town Talk: As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking - "They might be tempted to cut corners if they know no one's really watching them," said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group.

FDA under fire for meningitis outbreak

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:17:00 GMT

American News Report: FDA under fire for meningitis outbreak - “The FDA clearly is incapable of conducting an objective evaluation of its own policy, oversight, and enforcement decisions, which clearly contributed to this ongoing preventable tragedy,” wrote Michael Carome, MD, deputy director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group.

USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:15:33 GMT

USA Today: USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks - The law hasn't changed since the 2002 outbreak, says Michael Carome, deputy director of the advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group. And there have been a "series of alarm bells" since then, Carome says, including a 2006 warning letter from the FDA to the pharmacy linked to the current meningitis outbreak, the New England Compounding Center. In that letter, the FDA cited potential health risks with an anesthetic cram and warned the pharmacy that it was acting like a drug manufacturer.

FDA lists venues that got drug-maker's products

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:01:12 GMT

Journal Sentinel: FDA lists venues that got drug-maker's products - Michael Carome, deputy director of consumer advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group, said the New England Compounding Center was not following safe and sterile procedures in its manufacturing plant.

Outside groups, super PACs flood senate races with cash from undisclosed donors

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:59:00 GMT

Huffington Post: Outside groups, super PACs flood senate races with cash from undisclosed donors - Over the summer, the White House contemplated issuing an executive order that would require all government contractors to disclose their political spending -- a measure that would primarily affect big businesses. The Chamber led a pressure campaign to successfully stall the issue, said Robert Weissman, executive director of the Washington-based accountability group, Public Citizen.

A majority of super PACs are devoted to just one candidate, Public Citizen study finds

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:57:00 GMT

Common Dreams: A majority of super PACs are devoted to just one candidate, Public Citizen study finds - A majority of the super PACs active in this election cycle are devoted to helping just a single candidate, a new Public Citizen analysis shows. Of these, many were founded by friends, family members, former employees or political allies of the candidate they support, meaning they cannot plausibly be deemed independent.

Spineless web host shutters site over toothless legal threat because comments are too much trouble

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Tech Dirt: Spineless web host shutters site over toothless legal threat because comments are too much trouble - As noted by Public Citizen's Paul Levy: In response to a strong protest, Phoenix NAP acknowledged that its failure to give notice was a mistake in process, but it had no sympathy for Lipstick Alley’s legal rights; PhoenixNAP told me that it takes claims of defamation seriously and, without regard to the merits of the dispute, its customers must “resolve the issue with the complaining party.”

Probe FDA over compounding authority: watchdog

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:50:00 GMT

Pharmalot: Probe FDA over compounding authority: watchdog - “The FDA clearly is incapable of conducting an objective evaluation of its own policy, oversight and enforcement decisions, which clearly contributed to this ongoing preventable tragedy,” Public Citizen wrote to the HHS. An “investigation must identify all FDA officials whose actions and decisions contributed to the agency’s failure to prevent this public health catastrophe”

What Obama, Romney would do about Citizens United

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:47:44 GMT

Alaska Dispatch: What Obama, Romney would do about Citizens United - “There are a lot tangible things that he could have done that he did not do,” says Lisa Gilbert, director of Congress Watch at Public Citizen.

Why a truly ‘green’ car race might not be possible for formula one

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:45:00 GMT

NPR StateImpact: Why a truly ‘green’ car race might not be possible for formula one - “Most of the [race organizers] concessions were limited in terms of money or scope, and were designed primarily to give it a green tint without really getting to the fundamental issue: That the enormous amount of pollution from this will have significant economic impact to the City,” Tom “Smitty” Smith, director of the environmental group Public Citizen tells StateImpact Texas.

Mass. board was lenient on drug maker

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:42:00 GMT

The Boston Globe: Mass. board was lenient on drug maker - But Dr. Michael Carome of Public Citizen, a watchdog group that has often been critical of state medical boards for not doing enough to discipline doctors, said: “It seems like the evidence of recurrent problems was just overwhelming. Why both state and federal officials failed to take action is just inexplicable.”

Foreign-connected PACs figure big in U.S. elections, watchdogs say

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:06:59 GMT

The Tucson Sentinel: Foreign-connected PACs figure big in U.S. elections, watchdogs say - "We should prohibit foreign corporations from selecting our president and Congress," said Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, a watchdog group. So far, Obama has spent $345 million and Romney has spent $229 million, making 2012 the most expensive presidential race yet.

Tiananmen Square activist loses trademark bullying case against critic, but ruling is weak

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Tech Dirt: Tiananmen Square activist loses trademark bullying case against critic, but ruling is weak - Paul Levy, from Public Citizen, who represented Long Bow in the case, raises a few other concerns about the ruling, including that this decision to go through the detailed factors test will allow trademark bullies and others pursuing SLAPP-type litigation to increase the time and expense for those they are suing -- a clear concern for Long Bow in this case:

23 ballot measures to keep an eye on

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:56:00 GMT

Mother Jones: 23 ballot measures to keep an eye on - Colorado's Amendment 65, supported by reform groups including Common Cause, Public Citizen, and People for the American Way, would urge the state's congressional delegation to support a constitutional amendment to mitigate the impact of Citizens United.

Federal judge lets company stay anonymous in suit over CPSC complaint data

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:41:52 GMT

Consumer News: Federal judge lets company stay anonymous in suit over CPSC complaint data - "The public has a strong interest in the outcome of this lawsuit and a correspondingly strong right to learn who is involved and the factual basis for the court's decision to exempt a product report from the database," said Scott Michelman, the Public Citizen attorney representing the three consumer groups. "Adjudicating this first-ever challenge to the consumer product safety database in secret, based on secret evidence, and with a secret plaintiff, is at odds with the First Amendment and our tradition of open judicial proceedings."

Internet freedom experts team up for a giant Reddit AMA

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:35:00 GMT

Blodic: Internet freedom experts team up for a giant Reddit AMA - I'm included as one of the folks taking part, but there are plenty of much more interesting people involved, including Alexis Ohanian (Reddit, HipMunk, Breadpig), Ben Huh (Cheezburger), Michael Geist (Canadian copyright expert), along with people from EFF, Public Knowledge, Public Citizen, Open Media, ACLU and a bunch of others as well. It's basically going to go all day, starting from 9am ET.

Extreme heat leads to workplace deaths and injuries

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:31:00 GMT

EIN News: Extreme heat leads to workplace deaths and injuries - Recently, United Electrical Workers, Public Citizen and Farmworker Justice issued a petition, which asked OSHA to execute an Emergency Temporary Standard for extreme temperatures. In response, OSHA's Assistant Secretary of Labor conceded that extreme heat can cause work-related deaths. On the other hand, the safety agency noted that the danger does not exceed other work-related hazards that OSHA has deemed to be "significant." Therefore, OSHA feels that there is no legal requirement to immediately address the issue.

Court upholds right to criticize companies on the web

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:26:00 GMT

News Tribune: Court upholds right to criticize companies on the web - “Title tags and meta tags are noncommercial speech that truthfully describe a subject of the Web page and should be protected by the First Amendment,” argued Paul Alan Levy, the Public Citizen attorney representing the defendant in the case of Jenzabar v. Long Bow Group. “People should be allowed to use the Internet as a tool for open criticism and debate. With this opinion, the court came down on the side of free speech.”

Trans-Pacific Partnership: The biggest trade deal you’ve never heard of

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:13:38 GMT

Salon: Trans-Pacific Partnership: The biggest trade deal you’ve never heard of - I spoke with a few other international trade experts, and they gave me some more detail on what is in it. Lori Wallach, of Public Citizen, says the agreement strengthens investor provisions, allowing a whole set of new disputes to be removed from the U.S. courts and remanded to international tribunals run by corporate trade attorneys.

Foreign-connected PACs buy into US polls

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:22:57 GMT

The Telegraph: Foreign-connected PACs buy into US polls - "We should prohibit foreign corporations from selecting our president and Congress," said Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, a watchdog group.

Court upholds right to criticize companies on the web

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:17:00 GMT

Consumer Affairs: Court upholds right to criticize companies on the web - “Title tags and meta tags are noncommercial speech that truthfully describe a subject of the Web page and should be protected by the First Amendment,” argued Paul Alan Levy, the Public Citizen attorney representing the defendant in the case of Jenzabar v. Long Bow Group. “People should be allowed to use the Internet as a tool for open criticism and debate. With this opinion, the court came down on the side of free speech.”

New report: here’s what nearly 30 corporations gave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:14:00 GMT

Progressive Radio Network: New report: here’s what nearly 30 corporations gave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year - In 2011, corporations that disclosed their contributions to the Chamber gave a total of approximately between $10.1 million and $11.4 million, according to the report, “U.S. Chamber of Commerce Pumps Millions into Elections.” Chamber Watch is a project of Public Citizen. The report lists money given by nearly 30 corporations, ranging from Yum! Brands and Monsanto to eBay and Intel.

Medicare role reviewed in drug supply outbreak

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:12:00 GMT

Associated Press: Medicare role reviewed in drug supply outbreak - Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group, says Medicare's policy on compounded drugs seems "internally contradictory."

As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:10:00 GMT

WLTX: As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking - "They might be tempted to cut corners if they know no one's really watching them," said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group.

USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:08:16 GMT

ABC WTLV: USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks - The law hasn't changed since the 2002 outbreak, says Michael Carome, deputy director of the advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group. And there have been a "series of alarm bells" since then, Carome says, including a 2006 warning letter from the FDA to the pharmacy linked to the current meningitis outbreak, the New England Compounding Center. In that letter, the FDA cited potential health risks with an anesthetic cram and warned the pharmacy that it was acting like a drug manufacturer.

TXU teeters as firms reap $528 million fees: corporate finance

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:06:00 GMT

Bloomberg: TXU teeters as firms reap $528 million fees: corporate finance - “The management contract allows them to milk these fees out and that’s why the company is being kept alive,” said Tom “Smitty” Smith, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a consumer group founded by Ralph Nader.

Equity firms were paid than $500 million in fees by Energy Future Holdings

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:04:24 GMT

Star-Telegram: Equity firms were paid than $500 million in fees by Energy Future Holdings - "The management contract allows them to milk these fees out, and that's why the company is being kept alive," said Tom "Smitty" Smith, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a consumer group founded by Ralph Nader.

Meningitis outbreak: Group says company should have been closed

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:40:53 GMT

Altoona Mirror: Meningitis outbreak: Group says company should have been closed - New England Compounding Center is a "compounding pharmacy" that operates as a drug manufacturer under an oversight framework intended for custom compounding of drugs for individual patient prescriptions, Michael Carome said.

Meningitis outbreak death toll rises to 12 amid new questions on oversight

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Before It's News: Meningitis outbreak death toll rises to 12 amid new questions on oversight - “What is particularly tragic for the families of those who have been sickened or killed by the tainted drugs is that this situation was completely avoidable,” said Dr. Michael Carome, Deputy Director of Public Citizen’s health research group. Public citizen is a 41-year-old non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C.

Questions for Medicare in outbreak

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:36:45 GMT

Associated Press: Questions for Medicare in outbreak - Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group, says Medicare's policy on compounded drugs seems "internally contradictory." "They do appear to have a policy for which the default setting is that Medicare does not cover drugs that have not been approved by the FDA," said Carome. "That essentially applies to many, if not all, drugs made by compounding pharmacies."

Groups call on Chamber to open up

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:34:00 GMT

Corporate Crime Reporter: Groups call on Chamber to open up - “If the Chamber really represents the interests of small businesses, as it erroneously claims, then it should have no problem revealing the sources of the money it has poured into ads this campaign season,” said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen. “However, there’s every reason to believe that it is giant multinational corporations that paid for those ads, and that they did so because they expect the candidates the Chamber backs to advance their interests, not those of small firms. This highlights exactly why voters deserve to know what corporate and wealthy interests are trying to influence their votes.”

Rally targets U.S. Chamber political spending in Maine, nation

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:32:10 GMT

The Morning Sentinel: Rally targets U.S. Chamber political spending in Maine, nation - On Friday, representatives of several progressive organizations -- the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Public Citizen, the Business Ethics Network, Main Street Alliance and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – held a rally to call for stronger disclosure laws.

Corporate donors fuel Chamber of Commerce’s political power

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:28:40 GMT

The Washington Post: Corporate donors fuel Chamber of Commerce’s political power - “What is true is that publicly traded companies are very worried about their shareholders, the public and their customers knowing that they’re giving this money,” said Public Citizen President Robert Weissman. “What we see is that when it isn’t disclosed, companies are more interested in giving.”

Passive-aggressive birthday wishes to the Chamber

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:26:00 GMT

National Journal: Passive-aggressive birthday wishes to the Chamber - About two dozen representatives from advocacy organizations, including the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Public Citizen, Business Ethics Network and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington rallied near the White House today to speak out against the Republican-leaning business group's refusal to disclose the donors behind its election advertising.

This week in dark money

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Bill Moyers: This week in dark money - On Saturday, more than 1,000 people lay down on a San Francisco beach to create a human protest sign against Citizens United. Local cab driver Brad Newsham organized the event along with a host of activist groups, including Move to Amend and Public Citizen (both of which also support Ben & Jerry’s cofounder Ben Cohen’s effort to stamp money out of politics). Protesters also came out in support of Proposition G, which would make it official city policy to recognize that corporations aren’t people.

Liberal groups protest U.S. Chamber's election spending

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Roll Call: Liberal groups protest U.S. Chamber's election spending - Protesters represented a who’s who of the liberal-leaning watchdog groups, including U.S. PIRG, Public Citizen, the Main Street Alliance, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean’s Democracy for America. The effort is part of a larger crusade against the influx of undisclosed and corporate money in the post-Citizens United era.

N.J. Assembly rejects Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate political spending

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:32:57 GMT

NJ.com: N.J. Assembly rejects Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate political spending - Common Cause, a nonprofit advocacy group that lobbies for open and accountable government, was involved in the New Jersey resolution, along with groups Public Citizen and NJ for the Overturn of Citizens United.

Medicare's role in meningitis outbreak

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:29:00 GMT

Daily Motion: Medicare's role in meningitis outbreak - Dr. Michael Carome of Public Citizen in Washington talks about how Medicare patients could have gotten contaminated drugs from compounding pharmacies that led to a meningitis outbreak. He says it comes down to unsure rules.

Solar advocates say it’s high time for public utility commission to act

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:27:00 GMT

Texas Observer: Solar advocates say it’s high time for public utility commission to act - California leads the nation in installed solar capacity partly thanks to ambitious renewable energy standards and generous incentives to businesses and homeowners. The state has set a goal of 3,000 MW of installed solar capacity by 2016 and is already at 1,342 MW. By comparison, Texas ranks 13th in the nation in installed solar capacity. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Texas has 124 MW of installed photovoltaics, though Kaiba White of Public Citizen says many users don’t immediately report their units, so the number is probably about 20 MW higher.

Child-care provider from Falmouth calls on chamber to reveal donors

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:24:55 GMT

Kennebec Journal: Child-care provider from Falmouth calls on chamber to reveal donors - On Friday, representatives of several progressive organizations -- the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Public Citizen, the Business Ethics Network, Main Street Alliance and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington -- held a rally to call for stronger disclosure laws. But the primary target was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, due in part to its stature and its opposition to attempts to require more disclosure of donors.

One hundred years of secrets and lies

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:18:00 GMT

Targeted News Service: One hundred years of secrets and lies: national groups, small business representatives call on U.S. Chamber of Commerce to disclose the sources of funds behind its dark money electoral advertising - Public Citizen issued the following news release: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce should disclose the corporate donors behind its electoral advertising, U.S. PIRG, Public Citizen, Business Ethics Network, small business representatives and others said at a press conference today.

Medicare's Role in Meningitis Outbreak

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:14:00 GMT

ABC Eyewitness News: Medicare's role in meningitis outbreak - Dr. Michael Carome of Public Citizen in Washington talks about how Medicare patients could have gotten contaminated drugs from compounding pharmacies that led to a meningitis outbreak. He says it comes down to unsure rules.

Tower of Basel

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:11:45 GMT

Huffington Post: Tower of Basel - Banks want simplicity? Here you go: In Public Citizen's comment letter, we call for a strict capital requirement of 20 percent, with no hall passes for risk weighting.

Pharma companies paid big bucks in Tennessee for bad drug deals

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:09:26 GMT

Commercial Appeal: Pharma companies paid big bucks in Tennessee for bad drug deals - Whistleblowers are telling on their drug companies at higher rate, according to new figures from consumer advocate Public Citizen, in a trend that began in 2008. Most of them want to do the right thing, state officials said, but it also doesn't hurt that these company insiders get a percentage of the overall settlement, which can reach millions of dollars.

In wake of CNN report, mayor defends solar deal

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:07:28 GMT

My San Antonio: In wake of CNN report, mayor defends solar deal - “That's the real genius of this deal and was one of the major goals of Mayor (Phil) Hardberger and, later, Mayor Castro,” said Tom “Smitty” Smith, director of Public Citizen's Texas Office. “It was to create a clean-energy economy in San Antonio by using the purchasing power of CPS to bring jobs home instead of continuing to ship your money to Wyoming to buy coal or to California to buy solar panels.”

Whistlerblowers, state Medicare fraud investigators helps Tennessee recoup big bucks for bad drug deals

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:05:12 GMT

Med City News: Whistlerblowers, state Medicare fraud investigators helps Tennessee recoup big bucks for bad drug deals - Whistleblowers are telling on their drug companies at higher rate, according to new figures from consumer advocate Public Citizen, in a trend that began in 2008. Most of them want to do the right thing, state officials said, but it also doesn't hurt that these company insiders get a percentage of the overall settlement, which can reach millions of dollars.

A spotlight on compounded medicines

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:53:00 GMT

The New York Times: A spotlight on compounded medicines - Sometimes even a doctor at a hospital may not know where the drug originated, and whether the institution purchased a commercially available drug from an independent compounding pharmacy rather than a manufacturer, said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of the health research at the watchdog group Public Citizen.

Meningitis outbreak: Global supply chain, regulatory gaps raise drug safety concerns

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:52:00 GMT

The Tennessean: Meningitis outbreak: Global supply chain, regulatory gaps raise drug safety concerns - “They might be tempted to cut corners if they know no one’s really watching them,” said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen’s health research group. “It is a concern.”

Obama’s double game on outsourcing

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Truthout: Obama’s double game on outsourcing - An analysis of leaked TPP documents led Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch to conclude in June that the deal would “extend the incentives for U.S. firms to offshore investment and jobs to lower-wage countries.” The TPP would also create expanded powers for corporations to challenge—before secretive dispute resolution tribunals—protective regulations on finance, the environment, workplace safety, and other vital measures enacted by democratically elected governments.

Pharma companies paid big bucks in Tennessee for bad drug deals

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:48:44 GMT

Pharmacy Choice: Pharma companies paid big bucks in Tennessee for bad drug deals - Whistleblowers are telling on their drug companies at higher rate, according to new figures from consumer advocate Public Citizen, in a trend that began in 2008. Most of them want to do the right thing, state officials said, but it also doesn't hurt that these company insiders get a percentage of the overall settlement, which can reach millions of dollars.

Power engineering

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Power engineering: HAYES: Joining me now at the table is Tyson Slocum, the director of the Public Citizen Energy Program, which focuses on climate change, coal, oil fracking, nuclear and other renewable energies. Tyson, what was your response to watching the debate, specifically the energy portion of the debate?

Kucinich: TPP trade deal lacks transparency

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:41:47 GMT

Democratic Underground: Kucinich: TPP trade deal lacks transparency - "This policy of secrecy undermines public trust and denies members of Congress the opportunity Congress has historically been afforded to provide input on trade deals. According to Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, the U.S. Trade Representative has consulted with 'over 600 mostly corporate advisors on the context of the classified TPP text,' while continuing to deny access to policy makers whose constituencies will be greatly affected by the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Made-to-order meds under the microscope

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:38:57 GMT

The Seattle Times: Made-to-order meds under the microscope - Sometimes even a doctor at a hospital may not know where the drug originated and whether the institution purchased a commercially available drug from an independent compounding pharmacy rather than a manufacturer, said Michael Carome, deputy director of the health research at the watchdog group Public Citizen.

As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:35:23 GMT

China Securities Journal: As drug making goes global, oversight found lacking - "They might be tempted to cut corners if they know no one's really watching them," said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group. It's also a business issue for American companies. The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Associates, which represents U.S. drug ingredient manufacturers, contends infrequent inspections give foreign companies an unfair competitive advantage. The group has advocated for more foreign inspections.

USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:33:10 GMT

RGJ - USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks - The law hasn't changed since the 2002 outbreak, says Michael Carome, deputy director of the advocacy group Public Citizen's health research group. And there have been a "series of alarm bells" since then, Carome says, including a 2006 warning letter from the FDA to the pharmacy linked to the current meningitis outbreak, the New England Compounding Center. In that letter, the FDA cited potential health risks with an anesthetic cram and warned the pharmacy that it was acting like a drug manufacturer.

Barrow gets big PAC boosts; party isn’t biggest pull

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:30:46 GMT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Barrow gets big PAC boosts; party isn’t biggest pull - Craig Holman, who lobbies on ethics and campaign-finance for the nonprofit group Public Citizen, said the disparity shows the power of incumbency. “Generally PACs and business interests will support the incumbents disproportionately, no matter who the incumbent is and so it doesn’t matter what party they come from,” Holman said.

Questions for Medicare in outbreak

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:28:04 GMT

Local 8 Now: Questions for Medicare in outbreak - Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's health research group, says Medicare's policy on compounded drugs seems "internally contradictory." "They do appear to have a policy for which the default setting is that Medicare does not cover drugs that have not been approved by the FDA," said Carome. "That essentially applies to many, if not all, drugs made by compounding pharmacies."

10 largest settlements and judgments

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:41:00 GMT

Fierce Pharma: 10 largest settlements and judgments - Healthcare advocacy group Public Citizen did its recent update report on the number of criminal and civil judgments and settlements against pharma in the last couple of years. It found 74 settlements, totaling $10.2 billion in financial penalties, stemming from both federal and state actions between Nov. 2, 2010, the cutoff for a previous report, and July 18, 2012, when it quit counting.

Compounded meds often made for specific patients

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:34:25 GMT

Marion Star: Compounded meds often made for specific patients - Driven partly by serious drug shortages, however, some compounding pharmacies in recent years have begun large-scale production of drugs, said Michael Carome, a doctor and deputy director of the health research group at Public Citizen, an advocacy group.

Citizens United: Are shareholder revolts in the offing?

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:32:00 GMT

Forbes: Citizens United: Are shareholder revolts in the offing? - On the left, observers like Craig Holman of Public Citizen argue that shareholders are increasingly less amenable to “squander” money on the political enthusiasms of their CEOs.

Looking for leadership on internet privacy

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:06:00 GMT

Institute for Policy Studies: Looking for leadership on internet privacy - Harris challenged the subpoena and soon earned the support of Twitter, which argued that the police had no right to demand private information about its users. Advocacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the ACLU, and Public Citizen also stepped in to help. But when the city of New York threatened to hold Twitter in contempt of court, the company caved, turning over the warrantlessly subpoenaed data.

Indonesia in bold move to obtain cheap drugs for HIV

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:02:51 GMT

PMP News: Indonesia in bold move to obtain cheap drugs for HIV - Public Citizen, which has long argued for developing countries to be allowed to bypass patent protections on drugs in order to be able to afford to treat their people is delighted. Peter Maybarduk said: We see this as potentially a massively important precedent. We think the world needs these examples. It is the sort of thing that can drive public health outcomes. This is the single broadest use of licensing powers for a country since the advent of the Trips agreement. For us that's a big deal.

County residents uneasy about doubling heavy-crude pipeline capacity

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:59:55 GMT

Star Local News: County residents uneasy about doubling heavy-crude pipeline capacity - Rita Beving of Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., outlined the risks behind transporting the diluted bitumen, or tar sands crude, and how it could threaten local wells and waterways, including Lake Lavon. "It's not your granddaddy's West Texas crude," Beving said. "Tar sands is mined, it's not drilled like conventional crude. So it actually looks like asphalt."

Talk News Radio Service

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:57:35 GMT

Talk News Radio Service: Free trade agreements initiated last year with Korea, Panama and Colombia have not produced the results that were promised for them, Public Citizen said. Contrary to a claim by President Obama that U.S. exports to South Korea have increased, exports to Korea have declined while imports from Korea and Colombia have surged. The agreement with Panama hasn’t yet taken effect.

eBay’s sneaky attack on consumer rights

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:53:00 GMT

CIO: eBay’s sneaky attack on consumer rights - That’s exactly what eBay wants to stop. The new user agreement forces users to give up their right to go to court and prevents people from banding together in class actions, Public Citizen President Robert Weissman said in a letter sent to the eBay last week. Most eBay users, he says, “accept the take-it-or-leave-it contract language without reviewing it, and most don’t understand that the forced arbitration clause means they will be shut out of court if they are harmed by company misconduct, particularly when large numbers of users each suffer small-dollar losses.”

Onus on patient to find out if drug is compounded

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:50:52 GMT

The Tennessean: Onus on patient to find out if drug is compounded - Traditionally, compounded medications have been made by small-scale community pharmacists, for individual patients. Driven partly by serious drug shortages, however, some compounding pharmacies in recent years have begun large-scale production of drugs, says Michael Carome, a doctor and deputy director of the health research group at Public Citizen, an advocacy group.

Lobbyists might join Romney’s team

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:49:00 GMT

Roll Call: Lobbyists might join Romney’s team - “I don’t think the rule really does the job of keeping out the people who have the connections with the special interests,” said Joan Claybrook, former president of the liberal group Public Citizen. “As to the lobbyists for public interest organizations, those are the people who have had their finger in the dike and kept corporate America from decimating health, environmental and consumer regulatory programs — which Obama supports.”

Meningitis outbreak: TN revokes compounding pharmacist's license

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Tennessean: Meningitis outbreak: TN revokes compounding pharmacist's license - Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director for Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group in Washington, D.C., said it’s no surprise that other medicines distributed by New England Compounding Center could have been contaminated. “If their manufacturing practices were deficient enough to lead to contamination of what were supposed to be one set of medication — the first steroid that led to the big outbreak — it’s certainly not surprising that others were contaminated,” Carome said. “It reflects obviously a significant failure in following appropriate standards for manufacturing drugs.”

Antacid pills get C. diff blame

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:42:00 GMT

Recordnet: Antacid pills get C. diff blame - Yet no one can guarantee that consumers will stop taking the pills after 14 days, said Dr. Sammy Amashat, a researcher with the Health Research Group at Public Citizen, a Washington-based public interest group. "There's just a trend of overuse, more so than just about any medication class that we know of," Amashat said.

Global glass onion

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:54:00 GMT

Global glass onion: Public Citizen has provided instructions on its website for consumers "to protect their constitutional rights by opting out of a forced arbitration clause and ban on consumers joining together in class actions." eBay is not alone in using this sort of opt-out arbitration program.

The great vitamin debate

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:52:00 GMT

The People's Pharmacy: The great vitamin debate - For years, doctors have been divided on the value of vitamin supplements. Many contended that supplementary vitamins are a waste of money and potentially even dangerous. They agree with Public Citizen, which headlined a recent issue of its newsletter, "Dietary Supplements Offer Little to No Benefit and May Be Harmful."

Kid consumers: Could tougher laws protect our children?

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:49:36 GMT

Ann Arbor.com: Kid consumers: Could tougher laws protect our children? - Here’s how Public Citizen put it in their online petition—just launched this week—to have the Federal Trade Commission beef up protections for kids: Today, corporations are collecting children’s data through invasive “behavioral” tracking. Using these techniques, marketers track kids’ behavior by leaving “invisible” cookies and other identifiers. Companies also collect children’s location data when they use mobile devices. With this data, marketers can directly target kids with tailored ads all around the Internet.

County residents uneasy about doubling heavy-crude pipeline capacity

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:43:42 GMT

Congress widens scrutiny of meningitis outbreak to regulator

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:41:01 GMT

CNBC/Reuters: Congress widens scrutiny of meningitis outbreak to regulator - Lawmakers and organizations including the advocacy group Public Citizen have raised questions about whether the FDA and Massachusetts regulators had the knowledge and authority to act against NECC before the outbreak occurred.

Meningitis outbreak 2012: Congress widens scrutiny to regulator

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:39:00 GMT

Huffington Post: Meningitis outbreak 2012: Congress widens scrutiny to regulator - Lawmakers and organizations including the advocacy group Public Citizen have raised questions about whether the FDA and Massachusetts regulators had the knowledge and authority to act against NECC before the outbreak occurred.

Paypal basically a bank & credit card -- but not regulated as such.

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:35:56 GMT

Democratic Underground: Paypal basically a bank & credit card -- but not regulated as such. - Public Citizen has provided instructions on its website for consumers "to protect their constitutional rights by opting out of a forced arbitration clause and ban on consumers joining together in class actions." eBay is not alone.... Many tech companies have joined, or plan to join, the "party" in requiring consumers to opt out or be subject to binding arbitration... (Paypall) recently sent notices to its users of policy updates, effective November 1, 2012.

The threat of dark money in our elections

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:29:00 GMT

The Nation: The threat of dark money in our elections - When voters hear “Chamber of Commerce,” says Public Citizen President Robert Weissman, many imagine “their local Chamber of Commerce, providing information about restaurants and hotels and representing local community businesses. Or, many people think it’s part of the government, like the Department of Commerce.” The US Chamber, Weissman observes, acts as “the trade association for the country’s largest multinational corporations,” but “trades on general public misunderstanding of what it is.”

Citizens United attack on democracy

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:04:00 GMT

The Charleston Gazette: Citizens United attack on democracy - Please take notice, my fellow West Virginians, of this grassroots movement and become a part of it. Take a look at the work being done by the folks at Public Citizen and the West Virginia Citizens Action Group and West Virginians for Democracy; look at MovetoAmend.org. These people have answered the call to arms.

Patients have few ways to learn source of medications

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:01:49 GMT

Daily Record: Patients have few ways to learn source of medications - The outbreak has called attention to gaps in the nation's system for inspecting and regulating drugs, says Michael Carome, a doctor and deputy director of the health research group at Public Citizen, an advocacy group.

Idaho helps keep drug firms honest

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:59:19 GMT

Pharmacy Choice: Idaho helps keep drug firms honest: Idaho was singled out last month as a leader in drug-pricing lawsuits by the consumer-rights nonprofit Public Citizen. There are two main ways a state can take on consumer-protection cases: by joining a multistate investigation or going it alone. Idaho has done both.

Congress widens scrutiny of meningitis outbreak

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:56:56 GMT

DMN Forums: Congress widens scrutiny of meningitis outbreak - Lawmakers and organizations including the advocacy group Public Citizen have raised questions about whether the FDA and Massachusetts regulators had the knowledge and authority to act against New England Compounding before the outbreak occurred.

Politics of food: bioengineering and prop 37

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:51:00 GMT

Monrovia Patch: Politics of food: bioengineering and prop 37 - In saying No to Prop 37, the scientist is aligning himself with DuPont, Dow, Monsanto, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other corporate behemoths, who are squaring off against other organizations in support of the label, such as the Sierra Club, California Nurses Association, California Council of Churches, Consumers Union, the Center for Food Safety and Public Citizen.

Ad stretches to tie Archer to job losses

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:49:43 GMT

The Gazette: Ad stretches to tie Archer to job losses - The Department of Labor’s data isn’t searchable by employer, but a database created by Public Citizen, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization, shows 1,008 U.S. Deere workers have qualified for TAA benefits since 1999 when their jobs went to Mexico. Archer has worked for Deere only since 2000.

Indonesia acts to override patents on HIV drugs

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:47:00 GMT

Jakarta Globe: Indonesia acts to override patents on HIV drugs - The US-based group Public Citizen, which also campaigns for greater access to medicines in poorer countries, said the move would greatly expand access to newer and more appropriate antiviral medicines against both HIV and hepatitis B.

Health scandal in US, people killed by steroid treatments

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:41:00 GMT

FARS News Agency: Health scandal in US, people killed by steroid treatments - Lawmakers and organizations including the advocacy group Public Citizen have raised questions about whether the FDA and Massachusetts regulators had the knowledge and authority to act against NECC before the outbreak occurred. The compounding company has recalled the suspect product, surrendered its operating license and has said it is cooperating with the investigations.

Over 1,000 people spell out 'DUMP CITIZENS UNITED' at Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:37:45 GMT

Press TV: Over 1,000 people spell out 'DUMP CITIZENS UNITED' at Ocean Beach in San Francisco - The event was a collaboration between Mr. Newsham and The Other 98%, a netroots community with over 400,000 members, plus a host of other pro-democracy organizations, including: Common Cause, CREDO Action, Code Pink, Courage Campaign, Free Speech For People, Move to Amend, Public Citizen, RootsAction, Ruckus Society, unPAC.org, Democrats.com and the San Francisco Green Party. other98.com

Indonesia acts to override patents on HIV drugs

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:35:43 GMT

Republika Online: Indonesia acts to override patents on HIV drugs - The U.S.-based group Public Citizen, which also campaigns for greater access to medicines in poorer countries, said the move would greatly expand access to newer and more appropriate antiviral medicines against both HIV and hepatitis B. However, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, representing global drugmakers, expressed concern at the wide-ranging decree.

President Obama's abuse of executive power

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:33:00 GMT

The New American: President Obama's abuse of executive power - This argument was echoed in a piece recently published by David Arkush, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division. In his paper, Arkush posits two constitutional pretexts allowing the president to place someone in office whose nomination has already been blocked by the Senate.

Looking for leadership on internet privacy

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:28:00 GMT

Foreign Policy in Focus: Looking for leadership on internet privacy - Harris challenged the subpoena and soon earned the support of Twitter, which argued that the police had no right to demand private information about its users. Advocacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the ACLU, and Public Citizen also stepped in to help. But when the city of New York threatened to hold Twitter in contempt of court, the company caved, turning over the warrantlessly subpoenaed data.

Indonesia breaks seven HIV, hepatitis drug patents

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:24:00 GMT

PM LiVE: Indonesia breaks seven HIV, hepatitis drug patents - Lobbying group Public Citizen, which has campaigned for years for greater access to medicines in the developing world, said that the main issue for countries like Indonesia is that treatment options are limited when first-line therapies start to become ineffective.

Kid consumers: Is school commercialism on the level?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:30:10 GMT

AnnArbor.com: Kid consumers: Is school commercialism on the level? - Some schools have opened themselves to commercial advertising to kids, according to a new report by Public Citizen, a national nonprofit that represents consumer interests. Examples include commercial sponsorship of school programs, appropriation of space on school property, sponsorship of educational materials, and digital marketing.

Tagg team: the Romney family recipe for crony capitalism

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:27:00 GMT

The Nation: Tagg team: the Romney family recipe for crony capitalism - “There are no legal constraints that could be imposed on family members and close friends and associates to prevent them from cashing in on a Romney administration,” explains Craig Holman, a lobby watchdog for Public Citizen.

Inslee bets on green economy to avoid tax increases, despite uncertainty in that industry

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:24:57 GMT

Associated Press: Inslee bets on green economy to avoid tax increases, despite uncertainty in that industry - Craig Holman, who lobbies on government ethics matters for the national watchdog group Public Citizen, disagreed with Inslee. "That is a conflict of interest and a cause for concern," Holman said of the investment. "Members of Congress should make every effort to avoid those conflicts of interest."

Why did this clean-energy group fund a pro-coal, pro-oil outfit?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:22:00 GMT

Mother Jones: Why did this clean-energy group fund a pro-coal, pro-oil outfit? - Craig Holman, a lobbyist for the consumer group Public Citizen—which has also received grants from the Energy Foundation—says the American Action Forum "is not dedicated to clean energy." He says the group favors deregulation and ending federal subsidies for renewable energy technologies that would tilt the playing field toward "established, traditional dirty sources of energy."

Meningitis outbreak toll rises to 12 amid new questions on oversight

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:18:00 GMT

ABC News: Meningitis outbreak toll rises to 12 amid new questions on oversight - "What is particularly tragic for the families of those who have been sickened or killed by the tainted drugs is that this situation was completely avoidable," said Dr. Michael Carome, Deputy Director of Public Citizen's health research group. Public citizen is a 41-year-old non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C.

Meningitis outbreak: compounding pharmacies under scrutiny in wake of national health scare

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:16:00 GMT

Huffington Post: Meningitis outbreak: compounding pharmacies under scrutiny in wake of national health scare - "They dropped the ball. They either didn't follow up or have chosen to look the other way or they have chosen to put resources toward other things," said Dr. Michael Carome, a health expert with the advocacy group Public Citizen.

Pharmacies under scrutiny over US meningitis outbreak

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:14:00 GMT

Reuters: Pharmacies under scrutiny over US meningitis outbreak - "They dropped the ball. They either didn't follow up or have chosen to look the other way or they have chosen to put resources toward other things," said Dr. Michael Carome, a health expert with the advocacy group Public Citizen.

Interest groups relied on faulty arguments to challenge HOS provisions, ATA asserts

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Light & Medium Truck: Interest groups relied on faulty arguments to challenge HOS provisions, ATA asserts - Public Citizen and the Truck Safety Coalition did not respond to requests for comment. Henry Jasny, general counsel for Advocates for Highway Safety, another petitioner in the lawsuit, declined to comment.

Wells Fargo strengthens lobbying presence in state capitals

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:54:32 GMT

Providence Journal: Wells Fargo strengthens lobbying presence in state capitals - Even though these are not traditional lobbyists trying to sway lawmakers, they do interact with the government at many different levels. A number of states decided to regulate them as lobbyists after scandals involving public officials doling out contracts to campaign contributors and friends, according to the watchdog group Public Citizen.

Meningitis outbreak stirs calls for FDA pharmacy oversight

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:51:34 GMT

FOX News: Meningitis outbreak stirs calls for FDA pharmacy oversight - They operate in a legal limbo created by existing laws and federal court rulings that have effectively blocked the regulatory powers of the Food and Drug Administration, despite repeated threats to public health in the last decade.

How Wall Street and Washington conspired to spike gas prices

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:49:00 GMT

LA Weekly: How Wall Street and Washington conspired to spike gas prices - "That was the breaking point of the economy," says Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at Public Citizen, a Washington, D.C., government-watchdog group. "That's when businesses said they could no longer fuel their trucks and that fuel costs were overwhelming their payroll."

Scoop: Ben & Jerry's cofounder wants to freeze money in politics

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:46:00 GMT

Mother Jones: Scoop: Ben & Jerry's cofounder wants to freeze money in politics - The effort has been endorsed by the reform groups Move to Amend, Public Citizen, and People for the American Way. Cohen hopes to attact more independents, libertarians, and Republicans to the cause. "Despite the fact that the Republican rank and file wants to get money out of politics, the only groups that are working to do it are lefty groups. We're never going to pass the amendment without Republican support." For that reason, he shies from focusing on corporate personhood, a popular target for progressives that tends to turn off conservatives.

Drug maker profits soar from bilking states, despite record Medicaid fraud fines

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:44:00 GMT

AlterNet: Drug maker profits soar from bilking states, despite record Medicaid fraud fines - Indeed, as a new Public Citizen report released last week shows, settlements like GSK’s have become so commonplace that investors have come to accept billion-dollar payouts for fraud as an “ innate risk ” of investing in the drug industry. The report documents that, since 1991, the industry has paid out more than $30 billion in 239 different settlements with the federal government and the states to resolve a wide range of fraud allegations.

Meningitis outbreak stirs pharmacy oversight calls

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:42:01 GMT

Quality Health: Meningitis outbreak stirs pharmacy oversight calls - "Congress exempted drugs compounded by pharmacists from the usual safety and efficacy requirements," said Dr. Michael Carome of the Washington-based public advocacy group Public Citizen. "And now it's led to a public health disaster." The 1997 Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act states that such requirements don't apply to drugs "compounded for an identified individual patient based on the unsolicited receipt of a valid prescription order."

Watchdog calls eBay's user policy 'underhanded'

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:37:15 GMT

CNET: Watchdog calls eBay's user policy 'underhanded' - Public Citizen, which called eBay's new user agreement "underhanded," takes issue with a section in eBay's policy that details how eBay and users' will handle legal disputes. In the agreement, eBay says that all claims that arise against eBay should be "resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration," rather than in court.

Four citizens groups deliver petition to fight Citizens United

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:34:19 GMT

WV Gazette: Four citizens groups deliver petition to fight Citizens United - Members from the groups West Virginia Citizen Action Group, CREDO, Public Citizen and West Virginians for Democracy gave Senate President Jeffrey Kessler, D-Marshall, a petition signed by more than 2,700 people. The petition asked the Legislature to support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

President Clinton urges Californians to vote no on Proposition 32

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:30:00 GMT

California Majority Report: President Clinton urges Californians to vote no on Proposition 32 - President Clinton joins California's leading government reform groups, including the League of Women Voters, California Common Cause, Public Citizen and the California Clean Money Campaign, along with hundreds of public safety, labor, education, health care, consumer, environmental, religious, and senior organizations, as well the state's leading newspaper editorial boards in opposition Prop 32.

Letter: FDA failed in its oversight of specialty pharmacy in meningitis outbreak

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:29:00 GMT

Framingham Patch: Letter: FDA failed in its oversight of specialty pharmacy in meningitis outbreak - The now widely publicized outbreak of life-threatening fungal meningitis in back-pain patients linked to steroid injections prepared by a compounding pharmacy highlights the failure of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) regulatory oversight of drugs prepared and sold by such pharmacies.

Republican congressional political committee pulls Schreibman ad

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:26:16 GMT

Record Online: Republican congressional political committee pulls Schreibman ad - "I don't see why this donation is more corrupting than any other large donation," said Taylor Lincoln, a top researcher for Public Citizen. Holzwanger told Schreibman that nobody had ever before worked that hard on his behalf, Schreibman said Tuesday.

Meningitis outbreak puts attention on pharmacy rules

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:23:15 GMT

The Tennessean: Meningitis outbreak puts attention on pharmacy rules- There are FDA-approved versions of the contaminated drug, methylprednisolone acetate, said Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of the Health Research Group at Washington D.C.-based Public Citizen. New England Compounding Center was skirting federal regulation by manufacturing it, he said.

Prop. 32 campaign having trouble with the facts

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:29:24 GMT

Daily Kos: Prop. 32 campaign having trouble with the facts - The real advocates of campaign finance reform, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and Public Citizen, to name three, all oppose Prop. 32 , as in this ad by the League.

Members’ PACs test unregulated spending

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:26:00 GMT

Roll Call: Members’ PACs test unregulated spending - Still, watchdogs who fought hard to improve leadership PAC disclosure with ethics reforms enacted in 2007 bemoan the groups’ growing clout. “We finally got registration and disclosure of them in 2007, and I thought that was a big step forward,” said Government Affairs lobbyist Craig Holman of Public Citizen. “And now the leadership PACs are doing exactly what they were not supposed to be doing, and that is electioneering.”

Consumer group asks FDA to put black box warning on 19 widely used high blood pressure medications

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:23:00 GMT

Seattle PI: Consumer group asks FDA to put black box warning on 19 widely used high blood pressure medications - The drugs, known as angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or ARBs, and aliskiren, are widely used to treat high blood pressure. Several ACE inhibitors and ARBs also are effective when used separately in slowing the progression of other chronic illnesses, such as heart and kidney disease, Public Citizen said.

FDA could get more control over pharmacies after meningitis deaths

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:21:36 GMT

MED City: FDA could get more control over pharmacies after meningitis deaths - "Congress exempted drugs compounded by pharmacists from the usual safety and efficacy requirements," said Dr. Michael Carome of the Washington-based public advocacy group Public Citizen. "And now it's led to a public health disaster."

Meningitis outbreak stirs calls for FDA pharmacy oversight

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:19:33 GMT

XE: Meningitis outbreak stirs calls for FDA pharmacy oversight - Congress exempted drugs compounded by pharmacists from the usual safety and efficacy requirements,' said Dr. Michael Carome of the Washington-based public advocacy group Public Citizen. 'And now it's led to a public health disaster.' The 1997 Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act states that such requirements don't apply to drugs 'compounded for an identified individual patient based on the unsolicited receipt of a valid prescription order.'

Critics say no way Ebay - advocates say user policy is underhanded

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Houston News: Critics say no way Ebay - advocates say user policy is underhanded - The activist group Public Citizen is warning consumers about eBay's new user agreement. The group says it's 'underhanded.'

Wells Fargo strengthens lobbying presence in state capitals

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:13:00 GMT

The Charlotte Observer: Wells Fargo strengthens lobbying presence in state capitals - Even though these are not traditional lobbyists trying to sway lawmakers, they do interact with the government at many different levels. A number of states decided to regulate them as lobbyists after scandals involving public officials doling out contracts to campaign contributors and friends, according to the watchdog group Public Citizen.

Public Citizen raises alarm (and a petition) against eBay’s updated policy on class action and litigation

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:08:00 GMT

Tech Crunch: Public Citizen raises alarm (and a petition) against eBay’s updated policy on class action and litigation - Now the company’s facing the wrath of Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy group, which has written an open letter and started a petition asking eBay to reverse its policy on class action suits and to update other elements of the user agreement that make it more difficult for users to take grievances to court, if they come to that.

Breastfeeding moms boot Nestlé from maternity wards

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:06:28 GMT

The Nation: Breastfeeding moms boot Nestlé from maternity wards - Fortunately, we are starting to see change on this issue, thanks to many years of work by committed public-health advocates and activists. Recently, Public Citizen, the organization I work for, launched a campaign calling on healthcare facilities to stop allowing the distribution of infant-formula samples to new moms. More than 15,000 people have signed Public Citizen’s petition calling on the three major manufacturers of infant formula - Abbott, Mead Johnson, and Nestlé - to stop using healthcare facilities to market their products. Some states are leading the charge to get infant formula marketing out of hospitals.

More GOPers in Congress=more inequality; Yes, the stimulus worked; Schneiderman goes after JPMorgan

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:04:00 GMT

AlterNet Radio: More GOPers in Congress=more inequality; Yes, the stimulus worked; Schneiderman goes after JPMorgan - This week on the AterNet Radio Hour, we speak with Bart Naylor -- a former investigator with the Senate Banking Committee who is now an advocate with Public Citizen -- about the lawsuit filed this week against JP Morgan. Still no perp-walks, but better than nothing.

New trucking alliance bids for leadership on safety

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Truckinginfo: New trucking alliance bids for leadership on safety - "Advocates and the other groups like Public Citizen and the Truck Safety Coalition strongly oppose 11 hours of driving and electronic onboard recorders is not going to correct that," said Jackie Gillan. Gillan did say she enjoyed working with the alliance on EOBRs and expects to collaborate on the group's other issues, as well.

Congressional ethics committees protect legislators, critics say

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:00:57 GMT

Washington Post: Congressional ethics committees protect legislators, critics say - “The House Ethics Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee are structured in a way to protect incumbents rather than to discipline them,” said Craig Holman, a campaign finance and government ethics lobbyist for Public Citizen. “Members are overseeing each other, and they make sure that nothing comes back to haunt them.”

Combatting campaign craziness

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:05:14 GMT

Daily Mining Gazette: Combatting campaign craziness - Fortunately, many good people and organizations like Common Cause and Public Citizen are working to get huge sums of private money out of politics and to counteract the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which gave corporations the privileges of people and opened the floodgates on campaign contributions.

How a new utility rule could mean less energy efficiency for Texas

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:03:00 GMT

State Impact: How a new utility rule could mean less energy efficiency for Texas - “Depending on where you live, it’s going to reduce the amount of money to get incentives from your utility to help you do affordable energy-efficiency upgrades,” says David Power of Public Citizen Texas, an environmental group.

Papantonio: US Chamber comes to aid of fracking industry

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:01:00 GMT

Ring of Fire Radio: Papantonio: US Chamber comes to aid of fracking industry - But as members of Congress attempt to correct that, energy companies are rushing to make sure that they continue to escape the grasp of regulators by funneling money into campaign coffers, and by enlisting the help of a very powerful ally – The US Chamber of Commerce. Mike Papantonio talks about all of this with Tyson Slocum, the director of Public Citizen’s energy program.

Hedge funds must embrace the new communications landscape post-JOBS act

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:58:00 GMT

nlawler88: Hedge funds must embrace the new communications landscape post-JOBS act - On the other side, the investor protection agencies (Public Citizen, ProPublica, and Consumer Federation of America, etc.) take more of a glass half-empty view that by eliminating regulation, investors will be at greater risk of being defrauded. The rational response: investor fraud is nothing new.

Deepwater horizon talks stall as groups haggle over diminishing penalties

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:55:00 GMT

Common Dreams: Deepwater horizon talks stall as groups haggle over diminishing penalties - Although the Department of Justice would seek a $25 billion settlement with BP in court, such a result would not likely resolve all civil and criminal damages and liabilities arising from the disaster, which spilled 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, killed 11 workers, and "did untold damage to the ecosystem," according to rights group Public Citizen.

Sponsors pull out of debates as Gary Johnson files antitrust lawsuit

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:53:00 GMT

PJ Tattler: Sponsors pull out of debates as Gary Johnson files antitrust lawsuit - The sponsors’ change of heart is seen as largely the result of a concerted Open Debates effort that criticizes the current system for being skewed to shut out third parties. Last week, Open Debates, Common Cause, Public Citizen, ... Center for Study of Responsive Law, Citizen Works, Free & Equal Elections Foundation, and Rootstrikers called on the commission to make public the debate contract negotiated behind closed doors with the Obama and Romney camps.

Brad Sherman charged too much interest on campaign loans, opponent Howard Berman charges

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:39:00 GMT

Huffington Post: Brad Sherman charged too much interest on campaign loans, opponent Howard Berman charges - "We don't think it's a good idea," said Lisa Gilbert, deputy director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch, about charging interest on campaign loans. But, she added, it's "not that unusual."

Politics stifle federal election agency

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:37:27 GMT

The Washington Times: Politics stifle federal election agency - In the four years ending in 2007, the FEC held 2,600 votes on enforcement actions and deadlocked on 1 percent of them. But in the four years since that time, the agency has managed to bring only 760 suspected cases of wrongdoing to votes and has deadlocked on more than 13 percent, according to data compiled and provided to The Washington Times by Public Citizen, which advocates for robust enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Endocrinologists misrepresenting natural thyroid drugs

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:35:00 GMT

About.com: Editorial: Endocrinologists misrepresenting natural thyroid drugs - Then there was Sidney Wolfe, MD, whose group Public Citizen and its "Best Pills, Worst Pills newsletter" called for Armour Thyroid to be taken off the market because, as they erroneously stated, " Armour Thyroid is an unregulated, over-the-counter dietary supplement." Sorry Dr. Wolfe, but it as neither. It was a prescription medication, and one that, like all prescription medications, is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Whistle-blower lawyers decide to back Obama

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:33:44 GMT

Herald-Tribune: Whistle-blower lawyers decide to back Obama - The federal government has recovered more in financial penalties against drugmakers since 2009 than in the previous 18 years combined, with whistle-blowers credited for helping initiate about three quarters of the cases, according to a recent study by Public Citizen, a nonprofit group.

A nurse's care plan for California

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:31:00 GMT

California Progress Report: A nurse's care plan for California - Non-partisan groups like the California League of Women Voters, California Common Cause, Public Citizen and Public Campaign, who advocate for policies that curb Koch Brothers and self-serving corporate influence, are urging voters to join us in rejecting Prop. 32. Public Citizen calls it "an attack on labor masquerading as campaign finance reform."

Ralph Nader set to speak at Purdue

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:25:35 GMT

Boiler Station: Ralph Nader set to speak at Purdue - In 1971, Nader founded the consumer rights advocacy group Public Citizen. Nader’s Center for Study of Responsive Law produces reports on a variety of issues, including food safety, pensions and corporate welfare.

US Chamber of Commerce = secret lobbyists for ruling class?

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:20:00 GMT

Coffee Party Radio: US Chamber of Commerce = secret lobbyists for ruling class? - Today's guests will include Dan Aronson who wrote a recent blog post about the Chamber of Commerce. Also present will be a representative from the non-partison group Public Citizen to help us understand this often misunderstood group.

House ethics panel let Waters off the hook; what does that mean for Berkley?

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:16:33 GMT

Las Vegas Sun: House ethics panel let Waters off the hook; what does that mean for Berkley? - “The precedent it set is toward enforcing the stringency of those rules. They made that very clear,” said Craig Holman, lobbyist with Public Citizen, another ethics watchdog group in Washington, D.C.