My Sick Mind

Occasionally, the Philadelphia Inquirer has the good sense to publish a letter I've written to them. Lately, an article appeared detailing the staff cuts that are coming to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It prompted this missive, soon to find the Editorial section: The Philadelphia Art Museum is cutting staff, the Philadelphia Orchestra is having financial troubles and libraries are closing. Meanwhile, the Eagles and Phillies both raised ticket prices and continue to enjoy sold-out crowds. I think that says a lot about society's values, and it's a shame that there isn't a better balance. Keeping things short is a key to having a letter published. I leave the wordiness and verbal festivals to this place. Newspapers are in trouble everywhere, and the two here in Philadelphia have recently declared bankruptcy . I suppose it's because more and more people are getting their news and information from the Internet, but it might also be because newspapers are 75 cents ...

WASHINGTON - Would consumers get the same warm, fuzzy message from a drug advertisement that promised to lift their mood if it also urged them to report side effects like suicidal thoughts and diarrhea? Under a prop osal regulators will consider Friday, that buyer-be-vigilant message would have to accompany the rosy messages of pharmaceutical promotions . Aren't the side-effects already longer than the drug's benefits in those ads? I think they are. I particularly like the anti-depressant meds that advertise that the side effects include yawning and diarrhea. Isn't being depressed better than that? I think it is. I'm depressed, and I don't think yawning and the runs would make me feel better about myself. Meanwhile, speaking of side effects... COLUMBUS, Ohio - John McCain , looking th rough a crystal ball to 2013 and the end of a prospective first term, sees "spasmodic" but reduced violence in Iraq and Afghanistan , Osama bin Laden dead or captured an...