|
Home >History > Front page updates December 2015
Updates made to The Millenium Project in December 2015Talking about talking (19/12/2015)
I've been writing up some of the talks and speeches I've presented over the years. Here are the latest additions to the list.
Things get better (19/12/2015)
Every time I go to my local pharmacy I notice the display of pain relief medications targeted at specific complaints. A cursory examination reveals that they are identical and, like homeopathy, one size fits all – they all contain the same amount of the same active ingredient. The only differences are the artwork on the packets and the prices, which are usually about twice that for the same chemical sold as a multi-purpose painkiller. I also regularly see advertisements for these things on television, always with the message that the best results come from buying something with a specific medical condition on the label.
Finally something is being done about this. I realise that by mentioning this I am risking the loss of this month's Big Pharma shill dollars, but sometimes even I have to be critical of the pill makers. You can read the media release from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.
Court finds Nurofen made misleading Specific Pain claims
14 December 2015
In proceedings commenced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Federal Court has found that Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd (Reckitt Benckiser) engaged in misleading conduct in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law by representing that its Nurofen Specific Pain products were each formulated to treat a specific type of pain, when the products are identical.
The Nurofen Specific Pain product range consists of Nurofen Back Pain, Nurofen Period Pain, Nurofen Migraine Pain and Nurofen Tension Headache.
The court found that Reckitt Benckiser made misleading representations on the packaging of each Nurofen Specific Pain product, and on its website www.nurofen.com.au, that each product:
In fact, each product contains the same active ingredient, ibuprofen lysine 342mg, and is no more effective at treating the type of pain described on its packaging than any of the other Nurofen Specific Pain products.
Reckitt Benckiser admitted that it had engaged in the contravening conduct and consented to the orders made by the Court.
"The ACCC took these proceedings because it was concerned that consumers may have purchased these products in the belief that they specifically treated a certain type of pain, based on the representations on the packaging, when this was not the case," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
"Truth in advertising and consumer issues in the health and medical sectors are priority areas for the ACCC, to ensure that consumers are given accurate information when making their purchasing decisions."
"Any representations which are difficult for a consumer to test will face greater scrutiny from the ACCC," Mr Sims said.
"The retail price of the Nurofen Specific Pain Products was significantly higher than that of other comparable analgesic products which also act as general pain relievers. Price sampling conducted by the ACCC before the proceedings were commenced indicated that the Nurofen Specific Pain products were being sold at retail prices almost double that of Nurofen's standard ibuprofen products and the general pain relief products of its competitors."
The Court ordered that Reckitt Benckiser remove the Nurofen Specific Pain products from retail shelves within 3 months. The court has also ordered that Reckitt Benckiser publish website and newspaper corrective notices, implement a consumer protection compliance program, and pay the ACCC's costs.
The ACCC has agreed an interim packaging arrangement with Reckitt Benckiser for use following the removal of these products. This will clearly disclose to consumers that the products are equally effective for other forms of pain.
A hearing on penalty will be held on a date to be fixed by the Court.
Release number:
MR 253/15
Anti-vaxxer sympathy (19/12/2015)
I was reminded recently of how sick I was at this time last year with what could very well have been a case of whooping cough. (I am fully vaccinated now, of course.) Despite having several tests and indignities thrust upon me (like having a camera pushed up my nose), what I had was never really decided. I was also reminded of the way that anonymous anti-vaccination liars leap on any sane person's misfortune like blowflies attracted to a dog turd.
The mail trickles in (19/12/2015)
And I respond politely.
Subject: vaccinations
From: beatrice
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:09:14 +0930
yes, you really are an idiot. personal abuse is your only way of debating an issue. quit while you are down.
Hello Beatrice,
Thank you for your incisive comment. I have taken it on board and will try to be a better person in future.
By the way, it isn't a good look to say "personal abuse is your only way of debating an issue" just after you have called someone an idiot. Also punctuation is important if you want to communicate your ideas well.
Here's one from a little while back that slipped through the cracks. Sadly, the web site holding the six links to the exposure of the shocking cover-up of the betrayal is no more. It looks like the powers that be have had their way. But as I am not actually an American (North, South, Canadian or Mexican), I might not be exposed to whatever it is that the AMA use to kill all those people every day.
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2015 21:10:51 -0700
From: "HSI WhistleBlower" <HSIWhistleBlower@cenega.review>
Subject: Deadly Drug Cover-Up Threatens American Retirees
Dear Reader,
Urgent news out of Washington, D.C...
At this moment, a shocking cover-up involving Obama, Congress and the FDA is threatening the lives of over 45 million Americans... including you.
If you thought the ObamaCare lies were bad, what you're about to hear will blow your mind. In fact, some leading experts are suggesting this betrayal warrants criminal charges.
And don't think for a second that you're safe. Fact is, if you are 55 or older, you are right smack in their sights... with a bulls-eye on your back.
Bottom line: You need to know the truth before this cover-up kills you or someone you love.
The following video breaks the story wide open. Please watch it now before the "powers that be" shut it down. This is truly a matter of life or death, so don't delay. Watch the video now. It will only take a few moments, and it could save your life.
Sincerely,
Paul Amos
Associate Director, HSI
P.S. The American Medical Association reports 297 deaths per day. That's one death every five minutes related to this ruthless cover-up. Don't be the next victim! Watch the video now...
If you'd prefer not to receive future emails, Unsubscribe Here.
702 Cathedral Street – Baltimore, MD 21201
Here's another one from the "sent to the wrong folder" file. I probably should have answered this, but anyone citing one of the anti-vaccination liar web sites listed here would probably not like what I had to say.
Subject: Vaccines
From: Skenny
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2015 01:27:05 -0500
Dear Sir:
I came across your site while looking up the International Medical Council on Vaccination. I noticed you were very against this group. My wife and I are still on the fence regarding the issue to vaccinate or not, and are weighing the risks v. benefits. I was wondering if you had any insight into the subject? My most recent research was whooping cough, and I found the following
After reading the pertussis insert, and the article here (http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2011/12/20/special-report-the-vitam in-c-treatment-of-whooping-cough-suzanne-humphries-md/), there seems to be no benefits of the pertussis vaccine? I mean, if my newborn has a even 2% chance of dying, why would I use the vaccine when they can have 30 year immunity if pertussis is gotten naturally, helped out of the body by vitamin C, and no possible side effects of Crohn's disease or other complications?
I am trying to make an informed decision for a dearly loved little person!!
Regards,
Lucky
And one to which no answer is possible. I'm not sure where I discussed "female orgasm madness" but my memory isn't what it used to be. And no, I'm not just some guy spoofing.
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:24:36 -0400
Subject: Clitoridectomy
From: Gerry Allwin
The comments you made about female orgasm madness (my interpretation) strike right home. Before we married, my wife never mentioned that she was a furious masturbator orgasm addict. But once married, it soon came out. She used it as a threat: if I was too tired from a hard day's work to "make love" (give her an orgasm), she would threaten to masturbate. For the first year, we had sex as often as SHE wanted, which was pretty often. After our first child was born, we waited the prescribed 40 days before resuming. Always on HER schedule, never mine. Still pretty often. Following our second child, we waited the prescribed 80 days before resuming. This time, though, frequency dropped rapidly. Soon there was no more. I was cut off completely. She masturbated very often. The way I know this is that she told me that she did. And told me that if I didn't like it that I could just take care of myself (masturbate). We had several more children, almost all from a single, carefully (by her) isolated act. She has now cut me off for over a year. She says she masturbates daily on average. Her clitoris, rather her attitude about it, has been a continual source of dissatisfaction. You'd think that it would be better to change one's attitude rather than to have parts removed. Maybe, but it's quick and easy to have a part removed that serves no practical function but, in our case and what sounds like many others, to incite trouble.
Questions and comments:
How much of the clitoris is recommended to be removed? It is more than just the little tip that peeks out. It goes back, splitting to either side of the vagina and terminating in two "roots" or bulbs.
Does a declitted woman still have orgasms?
If not, how is sexual tension relieved? In a male, seminal fluid builds up in the seminal vesicles, distending them. If the pressure is not relieved in intercourse, the fluid is squirted out automatically, usually during a dream, thereby relieving the pressure. But in a woman, there is no seminal fluid. The small vestibular glands seem to produce lubricant in any significant quantity only during excitation and intercourse.
Is the corpus spongiosum sensitive as it is in the male? Can massage of it produce orgasm?
Is anything but part of the clitoris recommended to be removed? The hood/prepuce?
I hope that you're not some guy just spoofing.
Here's someone missing the point of this web site. I eagerly await the day when someone emails me to say that they tried to make a list of chiropractors but the species is extinct.
From: "Alfred Sujin"
Subject: Chiropractors Contacts
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2015 06:39:44 +0000
Hi,
Would you be interested in acquiring Chiropractors Contacts? We maintain recently updated contacts with email addresses of Chiropractors across USA UK and Australia.
Our Data fields: First Name, Last Name, Job Title, Permission based Email Address, Company, Address, City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code, Country, Phone, Fax, Web Address.
Other additional lists we maintain within medical industry: Dentists, physiologists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths etc..
These lists will be delivered for your perpetual use at one time cost.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Alfred Sujin
Business Development Executive
StackCreations
Persistence! (19/12/2015)
Once upon a time the highways of Australia were littered with billboards and the TVs of the nation plagued with advertisements touting the wonderful effects that could be brought about by products from Advanced Medical Institute. Using pathetic double entendres and outright statements which would make pubescent schoolkids wince and giggle, AMI offered to increase sexual potency to the point where men and women would die of exhaustion, but with smiles on their faces. It was all nonsense of course. The company, however, has shown persistence and sustainability far beyond anything they promised to customers, and has been fighting the authorities for many years. Here is the latest media release from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
 |  |
NRM found guilty of contempt for making representations about Advanced Medical Institute treatments
18 December 2015
The Federal Court has found NRM Corporation Pty Ltd and NRM Trading Pty Ltd (together, NRM), guilty of contempt of court. NRM owns and operates the business known as the Advanced Medical Institute (AMI).
The ACCC filed proceedings for contempt on 20 August 2015 alleging that NRM had failed to comply with court orders made by Justice North on 22 April 2015 in earlier proceedings brought by the ACCC.
In those earlier proceedings, Justice North found that NRM had engaged in unconscionable conduct and used unfair contract terms in the way it promoted and supplied medical services and medications to men suffering from sexual dysfunction. Justice North made orders permanently restraining NRM from making representations about the efficacy of treatments offered and prospective patients' need for AMI treatments, except where they were made by a duly qualified medical practitioner during face-to-face consultations.
The contempt proceedings were heard by Justice Moshinsky on 24 November 2015. His Honour found that NRM committed contempt of court by making representations on its website and in radio and television advertisements regarding the efficacy of AMI sexual dysfunction treatments offered by NRM in breach of Justice North's orders.
Justice Moshinsky said that NRM's conduct was deliberate and that the orders were "clear and unambiguous".
The statements found to have breached the order were made on ten occasions on the AMI website, in six radio advertisements variously broadcast in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle and in a television advertisement broadcast in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne over the period of 25 April 2015 to 30 July 2015.
"This decision reinforces the importance of abiding by any orders which the ACCC has obtained for the protection of consumers," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
"The ACCC will take action where necessary to enforce such orders."
The ACCC had also argued that NRM had made representations in breach of the injunction prohibiting it from making statements to patients about their need for AMI treatments and any adverse consequences that may result from consumers not obtaining such treatments. The ACCC was not successful in that part of the action.
A hearing on penalty will be heard on a date to be fixed.
Background
The ACCC instituted proceedings against the companies formerly known as Advanced Medical Institute Pty Ltd and AMI Australia Holdings Pty Ltd (together, the AMI companies) and Mr Jacov Vaisman in December 2010. At that time the ACCC was concerned that the AMI companies had engaged in conduct that took advantage of vulnerable consumers. When the AMI business was subsequently sold to NRM, the ACCC remained concerned that the conduct was continuing and, as a result, NRM was joined to the proceedings.
On 22 April 2015 the Federal Court found that the AMI companies and NRM, by operating the AMI business, engaged in unconscionable conduct and used unfair contract terms in the way it promoted or supplied male sexual dysfunction products.
The Court also declared that Mr Vaisman, who was a director and CEO of the AMI companies, then subsequently NRM, aided and abetted and was knowingly concerned in the unconscionable conduct by the AMI companies and NRM. Mr Vaisman was restrained for a period of seven years from having a role in connection with training, supervising or counselling or terminating employees, agents or contractors of NRM.
NRM and Mr Vaisman have appealed the judgment of Justice North. The appeal is scheduled to commence before the Full Court of the Federal Court in May 2016.
Release number:
MR 266/15
The 2015 Millenium Awards (31/12/2015)
The celebrities have been interviewed on the red carpet. The people who fill the seats while stars are out getting a drink, going to the toilet, getting an award or doing a couple of lines are in the relevant seats. The orchestra is tuned up. The people who dress the ladies for their stage appearances have ensured that just enough cleavage is visible but no more. Rage bloggers waiting for the first offensive or politically incorrect statement from the night's host have their iPads on and fully charged. The star who always appears on stage drunk but we still love him is on to his fifth Long Island Iced Tea and about to start on the margaritas. The lights dim and a single follow spot illuminates the lectern. Let the awards ceremony begin.
Here are the Millenium Awards for 2015. You can see the citations and details here.
It's true! (31/12/2015)
Yes. This is a real thing.
| Back to The Millenium Project Email the Copyright © 1999-  |
