News from The Old Line State – in addition to raising our taxes to pay legal bills for chicken farmers and build soccer fields for college students, Maryland politicians passed sweeping restrictions on gun ownership this past session. When our founding fathers wrote the 2nd amendment, the musket was in vogue; today, Maryland becomes the fourth Democratic-led state (NY, Colorado, CT) to enact new restrictions which include a ban on purchases of assault weapons, a 10 bullet limit on magazines and requirements that handgun buyers undergo fingerprinting and target training.
Health News and Product Liability Update – DePuy metal-on-metal hip implant cases going to trial as well as the Johnson & Johnson Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh cases. Do not delay in speaking to a lawyer if you or a loved one are affected. New Alert: Mirena, a T-shaped birth control intrauterine device (IUD) manufactured by Bayer Healthcare, can spontaneously perforate the uterus and migrate into the abdominal cavity, leading to organ damage, adhesions, infection, pain, and surgery to remove the IUD. Despite the risk, the U.S. label does not warn of post-insertion perforation. Also, Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are combination oral contraceptives that have been linked to serious side effects and health concerns. Yaz and Yasmin are also manufactured by Bayer Healthcare and despite recent FDA warnings and independent studies linking them to serious side effects, these products continue to be marketed and sold today. Many women have faced serious health conditions that have been fatal or life changing such as heart attacks, strokes and blood clots.
A Tow Truck Story – If your car is pulled a few minutes after the four-o-clock do not park time, hold your panic; those crafty devils most likely towed your car around the corner and dropped it while they scooped up all the other time violators. One truck will pull the whole block and then take the cars back to impound over the next several hours. If you see the tow truck, watch where he goes, he may lead you back to your car.
END DD – Many thanks to the administrations of the McDonogh and Gilman schools. I lectured to over 700 students and parents last month on the Dangers of Distracted Driving; rivals on the field, teammates in saving lives. Stay safe on the roads and let’s have a quiet Prom season.
Be well. John CM