Search results for

David Kessler is former Commissioner of the US food and Drug Administration. As such, he took on one of the country's most powerful foes: the tobacco industry. They investigated tobacco makers to determine whether nicotine was a drug, and if so, be regulated by the FDA. Kessler's book about it is A Question of Intent: A Great American Battle with a Deadly Industry. (Public Affairs

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on findings of a Pentagon commission that was set up after last year's bombing of a U.S. Navy destroyer in Yemen. The commission says a failure of intelligence left the U.S.S. Cole exposed to attack. U.S. officials say they are nearing completion of their investigation of who was responsible for the attack and said they would not hesitate to act against those responsible once they are identified.

He held the post during Clintons impeachment trial.

Southern California Edison, one of California's cash-strapped electric utilities, defaulted to some of its creditors today. It failed to repay, at least temporarily, a 596-million-dollar wholesale electricity bill. The move brings the company a step closer to bankruptcy. The utility said the action was necessary to allow it to continue operations while state and federal officials seek a regulatory solution to California's power crisis. The state, meanwhile, declared another top level power emergency today, citing a shortage of natural gas needed to generate electricity. Scott Horsley reports.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study, which shows no differences along racial lines in the outcome of medical or surgical treatments among veterans. Other studies have shown wide disparities in health care between African-Americans and Caucasians, in particular. These studies often suggest that socioeconomic differences and access to health care are the main causes for higher disease and death rates among the black population as a whole. The new study suggests that when all things are equal, African-American men actually have a lower rate of disease and death, relative to whites.

One year ago, Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Junior, a Rhode Island juvenile court judge, and Matthew, a 16-year-old repeat offender, were given tape recorders. During that time, Judge Jeremiah released Matthew early, for good behavior. Two weeks later, Matthew was arrested again for selling drugs. Through their diaries, Matthew and the judge tell the same story from two different sides of the bench.

The audio diaries of Matthew and Judge Jeremiah continue.

There was a time when many potions and cures were mostly alcohol, and had names that claimed to do specific things, such as "Dr. Chaise's Nerve and Brain Pills" or "The Great Stomach Remedy." Now drug names are semi-scientific, like Paxil, Vivelle, Celebrex. Commentator Carol Selman wonders if the new secret to selling drugs may be using letters at the end of the alphabet.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on today's first day of hearings on former Senator John Ashcroft's nomination to be Attorney General. Senators promised a full and fair hearing. Several Democrats said they need reassurance that Ashcroft can put aside long and deeply held beliefs that conflict with the law. Republicans emphasized Ashcroft's extensive experience in law and public service, and the usual deference to a president in his cabinet choices.

Noah talks with Deborah Caldwell, Religion Producer of the BeliefNet Website about how Pentacostal Christians might view a role in politics, and how that might relate to the approach of former senator John Ashcroft to the role of attorney general. (4:00) http://www.beliefnet.com or http://www.beliefnet.org