The Onion: Wonder Drug

Satire from theONION.com:

Wonder Drug Inspires Deep, Unwavering Love Of Pharmaceutical Companies

March 6, 2006 Issue 42•10

NEW YORK—The Food and Drug Administration today approved the sale of the drug PharmAmorin, a prescription tablet developed by Pfizer to treat chronic distrust of large prescription-drug manufacturers.

Pfizer executives characterized the FDA's approval as a "godsend" for sufferers of independent-thinking-related mental-health disorders.

Click here for the full article.

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton to Speak at Tulane University Commencement

From Tulane's website (click on title above for link) by Mike Strecker:

George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, and William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, will be the keynote speakers at Tulane University's 2006 Commencement, May 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the New Orleans Arena.

The two former presidents, who first joined force to raise funds for the victims of the 2004 south Asian tsunami, formed the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in September. To date, the fund has raised more than $100 million, some $30 million of which has been dedicated to 33 higher educational institutions in the Gulf region, including Tulane.

"I've always felt, in light of what we've experienced over the last few months, that this year's commencement would be a special one. Just how special was made plain this week," Tulane President Scott Cowen said. "We are so honored to have these two world leaders, who have harnessed their formidable skills and galvanized the generosity of the American people, address the historic Tulane class of 2006."

Commencement 2006 is Tulane's first university-wide graduation since Katrina. For a full schedule of Commencement 2006 events visit http://www.grads.tulane.edu/

Jazz Fest

I am so excited for Jazz Fest this year, which takes place the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. There will be some great musicians including Dave Matthews, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, and Bruce Springsteen.

You can visit http://www.nojazzfest.com/ for the complete schedule and ticket information. I hope many people go and many tourists from all over spend lots of money in New Orleans; the city could sure use it. Hopefully there will be even more traffic lights working and less trash in the streets by the end of April.

Mardi Gras

This float (from one of Sunday's parades) poked fun at Mayor Nagin's "Chocolate city comment."






Mardi Gras weekend had much larger crowds at the parades than last weekend. This is of course encouraging because hopefully restaurants, hotels, and other businesses made lots of money that will help in rebuilding the city. I had a great time watching the parades on St. Charles Ave. on Sunday, and down close to the French Quarter on Fat Tuesday. We later went t o Jackson Square (in the Quarter) for a late lunch of Po' Boys and people watching. Great costumes, funny signs, and a quite a few strange characters made for an enjoyable afternoon.

Bourbon street seemed as packed as ever while we headed home. Beyond the crowds, two things struck me. First, I saw people with small children walking along in the crowds. It's scary to think parents would bring their kids to such an environment, even if it was only late afternoon. There were (as expected) drunks fighting and women flashing, but on top of that, the crowds were so dense that a little child could easily get separated or even kidnapped. There is lots of pushing and grabbing while stumbling through the trashed-out streets. It's amazing how dumb some parents are.

Secondly, there are always some fundamentalist Christians with "Repent now, Jesus is coming" signs trying to save the wicked sinners on Bourbon street, and their out in full force now. Their presence didn't bother me, but in trying to understand their purpose, I asked myself a few questions. Isn't carnival celebration something supported by Christians (even endorsed by the Pope centuries ago) as a time to have one last fling before the more strict period of lent begins? Isn't it a little judgmental and presumptuous of these evangelical demonstrators to claim that anyone on Bourbon street is a wicked sinner automatically going to hell? That's the feeling that comes across in their message. Lastly, have these people no marketing skills? It seems to me like their energy is wasted on an audience that is not in the proper mood or location to be receptive to their message. It just makes me wonder, that's all.

This float depicts some of the many fridges that lined the streets.










After Katrina, many fridges were left on the streets for weeks/months before being removed. Often times, people decided to use them for advertising ("For tree removal call 555-5555") or to make light of our current situation, similar to what this float depicts. Katrina humor has been a good tool to help face setbacks during our slow recovery. Many have the "you have to laugh or else you'll cry" attitude.