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I've only been to TX once, and didn't have much free time. Have some friends in the Ft Worth area so I might have to make a trip back down South
Thank you :D
We'll continue to take submissions for the 7 wonders through this week. Then we'll start a voting process.
**** New WA Resolution Notification *****
There is currently a new Security Council Resolution at vote. When expressing your opinion, please note which Resolution it is for. And remember Texans, your individual vote does count!
The new Resolution is called:
"Repeal: "Liberate The Monarchist Entente"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.
Category: Repeal Resolution: SC#253 Proposed by: Asuna 1
Security Council Resolution #253 "Liberate The Monarchist Entente" shall be struck out"...
<see the Security Council for full text and to vote>
Synopsis: The Security Council is doing some housekeeping with this Insta-Repeal™. This was a Liberation. The invaders are gone, the natives want their region back. This is a no-brainer. Four Stars. NewTexas will go on record as FOR on this Resolution. This is only the opinion of NewTexas. We look forward to other Texans' opinions and comments on this Resolution. If good arguments to the contrary are made, we will reconsider our position.
If you would like to take part in shaping the world you live in, please vote. Voting is a right and a privilege, please consider using it. And, if you are not a member of the World Assembly, we strongly encourage you to join.
All Texas WA Member nations please vote. Please make your Texan opinions known in Texas by 11:00 PM Tuesday and in the World Assembly voting booth by 11:00 PM Texas Time on Wednesday the 20th. Current voting in The World is running - Votes FOR: 5594 Votes AGAINST: 393
Big Tex
PS: Remember, be sure to vote at the World Assembly too!
Post by Conservitve systems suppressed by a moderator.
You do your own homework, Skippy. You were the one that wrote "Studies have shown that they can lead people to make medical decisions that are not in their best interest by choosing drugs that are well-known but potentially less affective and more harmful."
Show me a link to the studies you are talking about.
No point in suppressing posts these days. It only draws more attention to it than otherwise. They still get the boot though.
😛
Sorry, I wasn't aware that asking someone to do some light reading constitutes as doing "homework". I generally take the responsibility upon myself to refute someone's claims, not expect them to do the work for me. Unfortunately, there is no singular study/paper/research that has proven this, there are multiple. This would have been evident from the first link on the page and so on. The first link is from Wharton College at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school, who found that drug advertising leads "people to substitute away from low-cost generic drugs towards more expensive brands, even when they’re not appropriate". Furthermore it found that a "10% increase in advertising exposure increased the number of prescriptions purchased by about 5%".
Reading into other links, one from the LA Times talks about this history of prescription drug ads, and that there is concern that companies will begin advertising drugs for off-label uses. Patients who do this have a "54% more likely to experience adverse side effects". It's almost as if these corporations do not have the best interest of their patients in mind.
I imagine that with prescription drug advertising being more than a $5 billion industry, the drug companies aren't just throwing money frivolously. In fact, the NY Times article, the last one on the page, says that advertising for prescription drugs is increasing: "771,368 such ads were shown in 2016, the last full year for which data is available, an increase of almost 65 percent over 2012".
This study by Richard Meyer, "Majority of Physicians Believe DTC Ads Should Be Cut Back,” found that "63% of physicians surveyed in Apr. 2013 believed DTC prescription drug ads misinformed patients and 74% of physicians believed DTC prescription drug ads overemphasized the benefits of the drugs". Furthermore it found that "60% of claims made in DTC prescription drug ads aired from 2008 to 2010 "left out important information, exaggerated information, provided opinions, or made meaningless associations with lifestyles."
Even if you want to disregard everything else, the fact remains that many commercials advertise drugs that have not had their long-term effects studied. The same study above found that 68% of doctors agree that prescription drugs are marketed before safety profiles can be known. Although the FDA does not approve ads before they air on TV or radio, 50% of consumers surveyed thought DTC prescription drug ads were approved by the government. 43% of consumers surveyed thought the drug had to be 100% safe before being advertised but not all drugs have completed long-term safety trials before advertising begins.
So yeah, ultimately I think these ads are harmful and need to be stopped.
At least they didn't steal the Texas Regional Taco Supply.
NewTexas, Safj, Texas bbq home delivery service, Indian Empire, and 1 otherIssues Test Bed
And at least nobody has started eating them... until now :D
*munches away at Tacos*
https://youtu.be/Tim5nU3DwIE
**** New WA Resolution Notification *****
There is currently a new General Assembly Resolution at vote. When expressing your opinion, please note which Resolution it is for. And remember Texans, your individual vote does count!
The new Resolution is called:
"Repeal: "Freedom Of Expression"
A resolution to repeal previously passed legislation.
Category: Repeal Resolution: GA#30 Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum
General Assembly Resolution #30 "Freedom of Expression" (Category: Furtherment of Democracy; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out"...
<see the General Assembly for full text and to vote>
Synopsis: The Security Council is trying to Repeal and essential human right that was guaranteed in 2009. No one should stifle free expression among law-abiding citizens. No Stars. NewTexas will go on record as AGAINST on this Resolution. This is only the opinion of NewTexas. We look forward to other Texans' opinions and comments on this Resolution. If good arguments to the contrary are made, we will reconsider our position.
If you would like to take part in shaping the world you live in, please vote. Voting is a right and a privilege, please consider using it. And, if you are not a member of the World Assembly, we strongly encourage you to join.
All Texas WA Member nations please vote. Please make your Texan opinions known in Texas by 11:00 PM Wednesday and in the World Assembly voting booth by 11:00 PM Texas Time on Thursday the 21st. Current voting in The World is running - Votes FOR: 5594 Votes AGAINST: 1628
Big Tex
PS: Remember, be sure to vote at the World Assembly too!
Happy Juneteenth Texas! For those who are unaware, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Slavery was abolished in 1862 in the United States and went into effect in 1863. However, Texas was a little behind in enacting it and did not get to it until 1865 when 2,000 federal troops showed up at Galveston Island to enforce it. It is celebrated in 43 states in the U.S. and in many former British colonies in the Caribbean on various days of the year, but there is a push to make it the same day in all states. In Texas, it is June 19th and the day is recognized as a state holiday.
Ok, couple of things here.
The most glaring fact is that other than that cute little search Google page, you failed to post even one link supporting your statements. You posted lots of quotes, many quoting other sources. But the bottom line is that we still do not have a valid link to any of the actual data sources.
The fact remains that doctors prescribe those medications. No doctor is going to write a prescription for a drug that the patient does not need to be taking. While what ever it is you are pointing to may be screaming foul to the high heavens, none of that changes the fact the doctor is the final gate keeper.
But what you think is irrelevant. It doesn't matter what I am think either. As long as there is free speech in the United States and the drug companies are not lying, they should be free to advertise all they can afford. It is up to the consumer, and that consumer's doctor to have a brain.
Reminder that this is the last week to submit your suggestions for modern day wonders in the US.
The links are freely available to you, if you choose to do the "homework". I suspect it's safer for you to do the contrary, so you wouldn't have to have your own beliefs questioned.
If you are questioning the validity of 2 Ivy League institutions, and 2 of the most well-respected newspapers in the world, then I can't help you. If you want to continue to make your own claims without any evidence to support them, there can be no discussion with you. Willfully ignoring the data that has been presented to you and refusing to accept facts contrary to your own bias breaks down the structure of debate, making it a futile gesture in making noise. If this is what you prefer, you're welcome to do so, but I'm not interested.
The entire concept behind newspapers is that their journalists and editors have already done the work for you. They risk their entire reputation on reporting the facts. A news source is only as valuable as their reputation. This is the key difference between someone like the New York Times and InfoWars. Only a fool would take Alex Jones seriously. He spews lie after lie, without any care for truth. When NBC canned Brian Williams, it wasn't just because they lied. The trust that they had established with their viewers was tarnished permanently. If long established institutions of information are no longer trustworthy sources of information, then we are truly lost as a society.
Why do you feel that free speech is a pass to harm the ignorant? If you are robbed by sleight of hand, is it your fault for being ignorant? What makes you believe that the drug companies aren't lying? It is an industry rife with corruption. Many pharma corporations have been continually caught in lies over the years, including downplaying the risks of addiction to pain-killers in the '90s. If a corporation meerly deceives you by omission, not making you fully aware of the risks of a certain drug, do you not think they are responsible? Why do you attempt to shut down further discussion on the topic? An appeal to the virtue of freedom is meaningless without substance. Free speech cannot be without limits, even the Constitution says that.
A couple of thoughts:
I've been prescribed many drugs that I did not need to be taking. I've got a condition that doesn't respond the same with different patients. I try stuff for a few months, then switch to something else. Make no mistake, the doctors have correctly identified the condition, but the treatment is a crapshoot. Some of the drugs cost $90/year, some of them cost $35,000/year. Guess what? The $90 one works better for me.
I spent 10 years working for Big Pharma supporting R&D and marketing. It's a running joke in the industry that ads contain mostly cute images and no actual content, apart from FDA-required side effects listing (i.e. Blastiva cures sunburn itch! Side effects including vomiting, rash, loose stool, miscarriage, and death. Don't take Blastiva if you're allergic to Blastiva!) The ad may not be lying, but it's also not telling you anything useful. Human beings are complicated. Nobody actually knows for certain whether the side effects were caused by that particular drug.
I also spent 3 years in a clinical trial for a shiny and expensive drug for my condition. Towards the end, wondrous ads were running about how marvelous it was. Of course, the deaths from progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy weren't spotted during the trials, and the product was taken off the market shortly thereafter. Would have cost me $24K/year to continue, but as a trial participant, I didn't pay. I also didn't die horribly, thank goodness. Nonetheless, the ads were a joke.
Yes, these are apocryphal stories from my personal experience, but that doesn't make them inaccurate. Doctors are not infallible. They're going to give more weight to a sales rep who hands them buckets of free samples for their poorer clients or lets them join free clinical trials.
How this all fits into Free Speech I cannot say. But I don't expect most doctors to be fully informed about drug ads. It's simply impossible to keep up with all the new drugs, or to know which one will help which patient.
i love texas
NewTexas, Trecdom2, Indian Empire, Greater united texas, and 1 otherBritish crown dominions
**** New WA Resolution Notification *****
There is currently a new Security Council Resolution at vote. When expressing your opinion, please note which Resolution it is for. And remember Texans, your individual vote does count!
The new Resolution is called:
"Commend Helaw
A resolution to recognize outstanding contribution by a nation or region.
Category: Commendation Nominee: Helaw Proposed by: Nueva Rico
This esteemed Security Council,
Recognizing the extensive administrative, diplomatic, and organizational work Helaw has performed"...
<see the Security Council for full text and to vote>
Synopsis: The Security Council has Commendation going for a Roleplaying unifier, builder, all-around swell guy as far as we can tell. We have not met Helaw or any of their puppets, as far as we know. They sound like they have done a lot of stuff. We will take the author's word for it. Two Stars. NewTexas will go on record as FOR on this Resolution. This is only the opinion of NewTexas. We look forward to other Texans' opinions and comments on this Resolution. If good arguments to the contrary are made, we will reconsider our position.
If you would like to take part in shaping the world you live in, please vote. Voting is a right and a privilege, please consider using it. And, if you are not a member of the World Assembly, we strongly encourage you to join.
All Texas WA Member nations please vote. Please make your Texan opinions known in Texas by 11:00 PM Friday and in the World Assembly voting booth by 11:00 PM Texas Time on Saturday the 21st. Current voting in The World is running - Votes FOR: 9176 Votes AGAINST: 1522
Big Tex
PS: Remember, be sure to vote at the World Assembly too!
Indian Empire and Egregious erudition
Last day to nominate a wonder
**** New WA Resolution Notification *****
There is currently a new General Assembly Resolution at vote. When expressing your opinion, please note which Resolution it is for. And remember Texans, your individual vote does count!
The new Resolution is called:
"Preventing The Illicit Trade Of Cultural Artefacts
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.
Category: Education and Creativity Area of Effect: Cultural Heritage Proposed by: Stoskavanya
This World Assembly,
Recognizing the fundamental spiritual, historical and social value that cultural artefacts hold in many nations"...
<see the General Assembly for full text and to vote>
Synopsis: The General Assembly wants to protect your nation's stuff, whether you care about it or not, in an attempt to thwart black market trading in such stuff. This is an admirable goal, however, the definition of "cultural artefact" is so broad that this could actually hinder some forms of legitimate trade. Two Stars. NewTexas will go on record as AGAINST on this Resolution. This is only the opinion of NewTexas. We look forward to other Texans' opinions and comments on this Resolution. If good arguments to the contrary are made, we will reconsider our position.
If you would like to take part in shaping the world you live in, please vote. Voting is a right and a privilege, please consider using it. And, if you are not a member of the World Assembly, we strongly encourage you to join.
All Texas WA Member nations please vote. Please make your Texan opinions known in Texas by 11:00 PM Monday and in the World Assembly voting booth by 11:00 PM Texas Time on Tuesday the 26th. Current voting in The World is running - Votes FOR: 6373 Votes AGAINST: 992
Big Tex
PS: Remember, be sure to vote at the World Assembly too!
***** Texas Saturday Breakfast *****
Oh Boy! Today, The Big Tex Happy Taco Stands is proud to present The Monkey Brain Taco! This oddly-named taco is truly a behemoth and quite possibly the tastiest taco ever offered by The Big Tex Happy Taco Stands of NewTexas. Legal Disclaimer: no monkey parts are involved. We start with an enormous burrito-sized tortilla, hand-made onsite, and load it up Carne Guisada, a Mexican-style pot roast of gravy and exceptionally-tender shreds and chunks of beef, braised for hours. We then pile on fresh, homemade, spicy Guacamole, made from Texas-grown avocados, creamy Sour Cream, the always-fresh Pico de Gallo, a splash of Roasted Salsa and top it all off with delicious, mild Longhorn Cheddar Cheese! This taco is quite the spectacle. "Don't look inside it, just eat it!" (If you do, you will understand the name.) No offense to our friends over in Monkey Island! Since we cannot think of a single juice that goes with this monster, there is No Juice Bar today. Start your day off the right way; munch out and go back to sleep. Of course, The Never Ending Urn of Coffee is full and ready to help you wash it all down. Come on down and start your day right Texas. You know you want to!®
***** Texas Department of State Announcement *****
Citizens of Texas! Citizens of Canada! The Maple BBQ Weekend will be upon us next weekend!
It is our great pleasure to announce that our friends from Canada will descend upon Texas starting on Friday afternoon! For those who may not know, Canada is our fourth oldest ally and we will be celebrating our 13th year of ties on August 30th. Canada's head honcho, the beautiful Shay of The Pubs of Parkplace will be our special guest of honor in this weekend of Maple Syrup and BBQ. Canada and Texas will sign an epic trade agreement regarding those two exports and, to seal the deal, we will be having a massive BBQ all weekend, breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring Maple Syrup whenever and wherever possible. There will be plenty of special events pitting Texans against Canadians in such events as Maple Syrup Wrestling, Poutine Eating, Brisket Gobbling, Axe Throwing and more! Of course, there will be beer, beer, and more beer, both Canadian and Texan. And if BBQ and Beer and Contests are not enough, there will be plenty of Entertainment, including the Texas Two-Step Ball Saturday night with plenty of special guests! It should be good, really good!
The fun starts Friday, on the Regional Message Board as well as the Texas Offsite, here: http://s2.zetaboards.com/Texas/topic/7022065/1/
Please join us in welcoming Canada next weekend!
***** Texas Chat Reminder *****
The Texas Weekly Chat Session will be Saturday (TODAY) at High Noon Texas Time (CDT) ***Saturday***. And, if you can't be there right at Noon, that is Ok, Texas Chat usually runs 3, 4, 5 hours with some Chats running as high as 7 or 8 hours.
The Texas Chat Site is here: http://texasregion.net/blab70/login.php
Please register with your nation name. This is a great opportunity for nations old and new to Texas to find out what is going on! We chat, we debate, we talk about the weather, we talk about stuff we like, stuff we hate, random stuff and more stuff. But, it is never stuffy. Usually, it is about meeting your fellow Texans and talking about the latest and most interesting stuff in NationStates at the moment. But then again, sometimes NationStates does not even come up. It is wide-open chatting with peeps from around The World both IRL and NS. It is Texans, EuroTexans, WannabeTexans, ex-Texans, and plenty of Friends of Texans. We have it all and all are welcome. Texas Chat, 694 weeks and running! For the math-challenged, that is over 13¾ years! Check it out! Good stuff!
Post by Terostor suppressed by a moderator.
No one else has nominated a wonder so I shall go through what's been nominated and start making polls
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