Portable Planet

Karl Rove, White House deputy chief of staff, announced on Monday that he would be stepping down from the Bush administration by the end of August.   

“We’ve been friends for a long time, and we’re still going to be friends,” said George W. Bush.   Others, like Barack Obama, are not so sad to see him go.

“Karl Rove was an architect of a political strategy that has left the country more divided, the special interests more powerful, and the American people more shut out from their government than any time in memory,” he said.

“But to build a new kind of politics, it will take more than the departure of a man or even an Administration that constructed the old - it will take a movement of everyday Americans committed to changing Washington and reclaiming their government.”

Rove denied that ongoing investigations played any role in his departure.

“It’s not figured in my decision, no,” he said, adding that he’s “realistic enough to understand that the subpoenas are going to keep flying my way. I’m Moby Dick, and we’ve got three or four members of Congress who are trying to cast themselves in the part of Captain Ahab — so, they’re going to keep coming.”

Source: ABC News

Vitamins C and E and beta carotene, either individually or in combination, do not appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events or death among women at high risk for heart disease, according to a report in the August 13/27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Oxidative damage—harm to cells caused by exposure to oxygen—may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, according to background information in the article. In addition, compounds known as free radicals may damage artery linings, encourage blood clots and alter the function of blood vessels. “Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and limit the damage they can cause,” the authors write. “Diets high in fruit and vegetable intake, and thus rich in such antioxidants, have been associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease and stroke. Vitamins C and E and beta carotene are potential mediators of the apparent protective effect of a plant-based diet on cardiovascular disease.”

Nancy R. Cook, Sc.D., of Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues tested the effects of these compounds in the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study, which followed 8,171 women 40 years or older (average age 60.6) beginning in 1995 to 1996. The women, who either had a history of cardiovascular disease or three or more risk factors, were randomly assigned to take 500 milligrams of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or placebo every day; 600 international units of vitamin E or placebo every other day; and 50 milligrams of beta carotene or placebo every other day. Participants were followed up for the occurrence of heart events (including stroke, heart attack and bypass surgery) or death through 2005.

During the average study period of 9.4 years, 1,450 women had one or more cardiovascular events, including 274 heart attacks, 298 strokes, 889 coronary revascularization procedures (bypass surgery or angioplasty) and 395 cardiovascular deaths (out of a total 995 deaths). “There was no overall effect of ascorbic acid, vitamin E or beta carotene on the primary combined end point or on the individual secondary outcomes of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization or cardiovascular disease death,” the authors write. “There were no significant interactions between agents for the primary end point, but those randomized to both active ascorbic acid and vitamin E experienced fewer strokes.”

No additional adverse effects were observed for those taking active pills vs. placebo, with the exception of a small increase in reports of upset stomach among those taking active beta carotene.

“Overall, we found no benefit on the primary combined end point for any of the antioxidant agents tested, alone or in combination,” the authors conclude. “We also found no evidence for harm. While additional research into combinations of agents, particularly for stroke, may be of interest, widespread use of these individual agents for cardiovascular protection does not appear warranted.”

Source: American Medical Association (AMA)

Saying he has ‘no regrets’, Governor Tommy Thompson thanked his supporters Saturday night and officially left the campaign trail.

“I want to thank the people of Iowa who were welcoming and supportive as well as my volunteers and contributors from around the country,” said Thompson.   “I have no regrets about running. I felt my record as Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters.   I am leaving the campaign trail today, but I will not leave the challenges of improving health care and welfare in America.”

Thompson, who was elected to serve four terms as Wisconsin Governor and four years as Secretary of Health and Human Services, began exploring a presidential bid last December.   Weeks ago, he told supporters and the news media that if he did not do well in the Iowa Straw Poll, he would step aside and leave others to work for the Republican nomination.

“No candidate is more experienced than Governor Thompson and no candidate worked harder; but sometimes the dynamics just aren’t there to bring about a victory,” said Steve Grubbs, Senior Advisor to Thompson’s campaign.   “The Governor’s staff was deeply committed to him and to his candidacy.  If we could have willed a victory, we would have.”

Thompson will return to the private sector as well as his non-profit work after a brief time off.

“I have very much enjoyed my years in public service and I am comforted by the fact that I think I made a difference for people during that time.   I hope to continue working to serve others over the next few years,” said Thompson.

Source: Tommy2008.com

It looks like heartbreak may be on the horizon for Wii owners — the super-arty upcoming title Sadness may not be released until 2009. 

The Nintendo Wii bummer comes by way of Nibris, who recently talked about the status of the title with the website Cubed3.

When asked when the game is coming out, Nibris replied thusly: “When we are sure that Sadness is as good as we want it to be. This means that the game will be released no earlier than Q4 2008, and maybe even in sometime in 2009. This game will be a completely new thing in Game Industry. ”

Despite the delays, the developer is still quite enthusiastic about the project.

“There are, of course, some limits in developing, but any other platform would not give us the opportunity to create Sadness the way we want. As for development costs, I don’t talk about them, although in this case they are really big.”

Nibris also stated that the title will not be coming to DS as well, since “this game can be done only for Nintendo Wii.”