This courtesy of Reuters today:
“CHICAGO (Reuters) – U.S. researchers estimate that an 18 percent tax on pizza and soda can push down U.S. adults’ calorie intake enough to lower their average weight by 5 pounds (2 kg) per year. The researchers, writing in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine on Monday, suggested taxing could be used as a weapon in the fight against obesity, which costs the United States an estimated $147 billion a year in health costs.”We had written about this proposal once before here at the Allen School Online blog, when the proposed tax was put forth in New York State. Now it seems the idea has taken hold nationwide. I can sort of see the value in taxing sodas, which contain ungodly quantities of sugar in a single serving. I might suggest taxing all items that contain high fructose corn syrup (but that will never fly because our government pays huge subsidies to corn farmers to produce this deadly sugar.) Furthermore, soda is sold by all restaurants and groceries so a tax on soda would at least be equitably distributed across all foodservice and sales businesses. However, I draw the line of fairness at singling out pizza for additional taxation. What, do obese people not overeat fried chicken? Chinese food buffet? Ice cream sundaes? Why discriminate against pizzeria owners for this new tax? Eating pizza specifically is not the only driver of obesity. I could live with a soda tax,but to start singling out individual foods for additional taxation is a very bad idea. What do you think?
It was announced today that President Obama has reversed a deeply immoral and perverse policy that has been in effect for the last 22 years. For the last two decades, if you had AIDS or HIV, you were precluded from entering the USA. This neanderthal policy, according to Obama, was at odds with our efforts at becoming thought leaders in the fight against HIV. In light of advancements in treatment of HIV and AIDS it was even more silly for the US to continue the ban. It kept us in the company of notoriously regressive countries like Saudi Arabia and Libya. I support this change. How do you feel about this? Sound off in the comments. 
I am disgusted with the passage of the Senate healthcare “reform” bill over the weekend. Besides the inclusion of severe restrictions on womens’ rights to abortions which sets back womens’ rights by 25 years, it also passed without any public option or Medicare buy-in. What’s left is a giveaway to the pigs at a trough that I like to refer to as the “death by spreadsheet” industry. Trying hard to believe the spin from Democratic leadership that this is an historic advancement and not a steaming pile of unmentionable garbage? Follw me over the fold for proof that the American people have just been royally screwed over. 
Heartburn is a “burning” problem for over 60 million Americans each month. 
According to the New York Times, the beef industry has initiated no less than 52 recalls of beef for contamination with E. Coli and other harmful bacteria. It seems like we hear stories with more startling regularity about how our food supply is inadequately monitored leading to sickness and death. Remember the tainted spinach last year? The deadly burgers from Jack in the Box the year before? Well, there are some interesting developments on the horizon that may make your 
Guest Blogger – Zippi Dvash
Asst. VP of Public Affairs
Long Island College Hospital
Emily Somers created, directed and choreographed this awesome music video in Portland last week for her Medline surgical glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. This was all her idea to help promote their new 
A while back I posted several pieces 
Forbes Magazine published a list of the most and least toxic cities in the US to live in. As a New Yorker and something of an environmentalist, I was surprised to learn we are not on the “Most” list. Even more surprised to find us on the “Least” list. Anyway, for those considering a move after graduation or a new city to launch your new career, keep this in mind when weighing quality of life against availablity of employment. List after the jump…