January 23, 2016

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Business January 23, 2016

Billionaire Former N.Y. Mayor Bloomberg Eyeing Possible White House Bid

Sources tell NPR that former New York City Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering launching an independent bid for the White House.

Sources tell NPR that former New York City Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering launching an independent bid for the White House. Thibault Camus/AP hide caption

toggle caption Thibault Camus/AP

A divorced New York businessman billionaire with a mixed political history and knack for controversy and grabbing the spotlight might run for president. Another one.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is again weighing a possible independent bid for the White House after seeing an opening in a chaotic and unpredictable 2016 race.

The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent is actively exploring a run, hiring consultants and commissioning a poll last month aimed at seeing whether there is an appetite for a third party candidate, a source familiar with Bloomberg’s plans told NPR.

Bloomberg plans to survey the race after next month’s New Hampshire primary and is willing to spend up to $1 billion of his own money on such an effort. He has proved he’s willing to spend money to win elections. He’s spent more than $300 million between his three mayoral runs and his post-mayoral political projects. The $250 million he spent on his mayor races is the most anyone’s ever spent on their own elections in U.S. history.

He can afford it — Bloomberg is the 14th-richest man in America and estimated to be worth some $36 billion, according to Forbes’ 2015 list of billionaires. To put that in context, Donald Trump claims to be worth almost $10 billion. (His wealth has been estimated at lower than that, somewhere between $2 billion and $5 billion, according to various counts.)

Because of deadlines to get on a general-election ballot, he will make a decision one way or another by March, sources close to the former New York mayor told NPR and WNYC.

This isn’t the first time the former mayor and media mogul has flirted with a presidential bid, but the unique dynamics of the 2016 race make it more likely than ever he could actually pull the trigger this time.

According to the New York Times, which first reported Bloomberg’s interest, he is more likely to run if Trump or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wins the GOP nomination and if Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders topples former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race.

“If Hillary wins the nomination, Hillary is mainstream enough that Mike would have no chance, and Mike’s not going to go on a suicide mission,” former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Clinton ally and friend to Bloomberg, told the Times.

The problem that timeline presents for Bloomberg is that neither primary contest is likely to be decided in March.

The 73 year-old Bloomberg has remained active in politics since leaving office in 2013, most notably advocating for stricter gun-control measures across the country through his “Everytown for Gun Safety” group, which spent nearly $400,000 on elections in 2014 with mixed results.

Even though Bloomberg first won office in 2001 as a Republican, he holds some very liberal positions. He’s outspoken on climate change, is pro-abortion rights and supports same-sex marriage, and his crackdown on trans-fats and other healthy eating requirements in New York City drew backlash from many conservatives.

But his cozy relationship with Wall Street and anti-public-sector union efforts in New York City could similarly alienate liberals who might agree with him on social policy.

There’s no telling how exactly Bloomberg could affect a general election featuring Trump and Sanders, but the race would feature two New York billionaires against an avowed socialist whose core message has been anti-Wall Street and the wealthy class.

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Health January 23, 2016

Young People Surprised By Risky Synthetic Drugs They Considered Safe

A man prepares to smoke synthetic marijuana on a street in East Harlem in New York City.

A man prepares to smoke synthetic marijuana on a street in East Harlem in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images

My 14-year-old patient grabbed my hand and told me that he was going to die.

Just seconds before, the nurse had wheeled him into the resuscitation room. His blood pressure and heart rate were more than twice the normal levels. He was pale, clammy and gasping for breath.

The nurses and doctors with me in the ER worked to stabilize him. We put an oxygen mask on his face. We inserted two IVs and began pumping fluids into his body. When his oxygen level dropped, we inserted a breathing tube.

In the meantime, we observed that there was no sign of trauma or active infection. The electrocardiogram showed that this wasn’t a heart attack. His blood tests were unrevealing.

What was causing his symptoms? It was his friends who told us what happened. They were experimenting with what they said they thought were “totally safe” and “natural” drugs — substances called Spice or K2 that are often referred to as synthetic marijuana.

In the past, the drugs had given the teenagers a quick high. This time, they experienced hallucinations. Some threw up. My patient was the one who got the sickest.

This would be a frightening scenario for any friend or family member, but what makes it worse is that this isn’t an isolated incident. In the last two years, cities across the U.S. have seen surges in ER visits and hospitalizations tied to an evolving category of chemical substances known as synthetic drugs.

In Baltimore, where I serve as the health commissioner, we have seen a marked increase in the use of these drugs, along with a spike in adolescents seeking urgent medical care.

Patients present with a range of symptoms, from agitation, hallucinations and psychosis to dangerously high blood pressure and seizures. Most recover with supportive therapy. Some, however, experience irreversible heart, brain and kidney damage. A few die.

How is it that these dangerous drugs can be so widely accessible?

One reason is that they encompass a large of number of compounds. Some are similar to amphetamines; others have ingredients similar to cannabinoids (the active ingredients in marijuana) and are referred to as synthetic marijuana. Since the Drug Enforcement Administration first ban on some synthetic drugs in 2011, more than 250 similar compounds have surfaced in their place.

Another reason is misleading advertising. Sold in gas stations, corner stores, and online, these drugs are marketed as room fresheners, herbal incense, bath salts or potpourri. In fact, they consist of chemicals sprayed onto dried plants and are intended solely for human consumption.

Many young people falsely believe that these synthetic drugs provide a safe and legal alternative with the same high as illicit drugs. However, some synthetic cannabinoids can be up to 100 times more potent than marijuana. Moreover, users don’t know which of thousands of chemical combinations they may be taking. Scientists have equated taking synthetic drugs with a game of Russian roulette.

If federal regulation of these substances is so challenging, what can be done to reduce the harmful effects on our youth?

First, local legislative efforts can be effective. New York City and Washington, D.C., are among major cities that passed legislation in 2015 to ban the sale of synthetic drugs. In Baltimore, we introduced a bill to impose civil as well as criminal penalties to sellers. It also allows inspectors to remove these drugs from stores at time of discovery, and provides a mechanism for citizens to anonymously report stores selling these substances.

Second, businesses themselves can take action. After we sent 1,300 letters to local stores, many have posted “Not a Drug Dealer” signs in their windows. Some havde voluntarily reported distributors that are illegally selling synthetic drugs.

Third, parents, teachers, pediatricians and others who work with teens should be aware of the dangers of synthetic drugs and speak with children and adolescents. In Baltimore, we launched a public education campaign called “Don’t Roll the Dice With Spice.” Similar efforts exist in Minnesota, New York City and Washington, D.C.

My 14-year-old patient regained consciousness and recovered without long-term damage. He said that he had no idea that what he took would make him so sick. I hope that other young people will not require a near-death experience to prompt them to avoid these dangerous synthetic drugs.

Dr. Leana Wen is the Baltimore City Health Commissioner. Follow her on Twitter: @DrLeanaWen and also @BMore_Healthy.

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Sports January 23, 2016

This Week In Sports

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There are only two games left in the NFL playoffs. Tom Brady will be facing off against Payton Manning tomorrow. But is that even a fair match anymore? NPR’s Tom Goldman tells Rachel Martin what he thinks.

Transcript

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I’m Rachel Martin in for my friend Scott Simon, who is home sick today. And I’m pretty sure really sad he does not get to say the following – time now for sports.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

MARTIN: And we’re down to the final four in the NFL playoffs. Tomorrow, the Patriots play the Broncos and the Cardinals play the Panthers. Winners go to the Super Bowl. Luckily, neither of those games is taking place in D.C. because they’d be playing on cross-country skis. Here to talk about the games is NPR’s Tom Goldman. Hey, Tom.

TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE: Hi, Rachel. And hi, Scott, if you’re listening.

MARTIN: I’m know. I’m sure he is. Feel better soon, Scott. OK, so in the first of these two games tomorrow, Tom Brady is going to face off against Peyton Manning for about the kajillionth (ph) time. What’s your prediction here?

GOLDMAN: Seventeenth showing between the quarterbacks, to be specific.

MARTIN: Yeah.

GOLDMAN: Sadly probably not going to be much of a showdown. Brady is seemingly ageless at 38. He’s as great as ever. Manning, who’ll be 40 in two months, is not. He had those neck surgeries a few years ago, and he says since then he hasn’t regained the feeling in his fingertips of his throwing hand and his arm strength has really diminished. So he just doesn’t scare opposing defenses the way he used to.

MARTIN: But Denver – it’s not just about the QBs though, Tom. I mean, they got to this point for a reason, right?

GOLDMAN: Yeah, they did. They are a good football team. Manning can still move them down the field with short passing and directing the running attack. But they’ve been good this season largely because of defense. And that’s why the real matchup in the game tomorrow is Tom Brady versus a 68-year-old guy with a paunch, Wade Phillips, the Broncos defensive coordinator. Sorry, Wade.

Brady has two major weapons back from injury, tight end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Julian Edelman, the toughest 5-10 guy in the league. When those three play together, they’re nearly impossible to stop. They played in nine full games together this season. They won all nine. Brady was on fire in those games. It’s up to Wade Phillips to figure out a defense that can stop them or at least slow them down.

MARTIN: OK, so speaking of coaches, we’re going to move to the NBA because the Cavaliers fired their head coach, David Blatt. What’s going on?

GOLDMAN: Yeah, good question. Halfway through the season, the Cavaliers have the best record in the Eastern conference – 30 wins, 11 losses. In his first one and a half seasons in the NBA, Blatt appeared to have made a successful transition from European basketball, where he won a lot. And at least one prominent NBA voice says the firing doesn’t make sense. Dallas head coach, Rick Carlisle, president of the NBA Coaches Association says, quote, “he’s embarrassed for our league.” But Cleveland general manager David Griffin says under Blatt, the Cavs actually have been a flawed team, lacking connectedness and spirit. Those were the terms he used. Griffin also implied Blatt lacked vision on how to use his players.

Now remember, Rachel, the firing came four days after Golden State, the team that beat the Cavs in last year’s finals, pasted Cleveland by 34 in Cleveland. Griffin said that wasn’t the final straw, but, you know, certainly it didn’t help matters.

MARTIN: But remember that game, Tom – I can’t remember who they were playing – but LeBron, like, looked like he was pushing David Blatt on the sidelines of the court. And everyone was like, LeBron, what’s the relationship? I mean, this is his team. He had to have given the nod to this.

GOLDMAN: You know, of course, that’s the widespread belief, the power of the megastar. But Griffin said he didn’t consult James and that James doesn’t run the organization. Still, expectations are huge when you coach a team that includes LeBron James. Those expectations are in the lap of assistant coach Tyronn Lue now, who’s taking over. He’ll have his debut today against Chicago.

MARTIN: In happier coaching news, Golden State. The Warriors are getting their coach back

GOLDMAN: Yeah, Blatt is out. Steve Kerr is back in. Kerr missed the first half of the season because of complications after back surgery. The team did OK in his absence. They went 39 and 4. They won their 40th last night, beating Indiana. I’m happy to report that Kerr’s sense of humor is back, too. After Steph Curry of the Warriors made one of his impossibly long range 3-point shots, Kerr turned to assistant Luke Walton and said, that’s just good coaching.

MARTIN: (Laughter) They’ve got a good game coming up, right?

GOLDMAN: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. It’s the first meeting with the San Antonio Spurs who’ve been quietly putting together a fabulous season as well. They play Monday. Spurs are the best defensive team in the league; Golden State the best offense. Both play beautiful, unselfish basketball with lots of passing. Rachel, I’m going to watch the game with a box of Kleenex because I expect to weep openly at the sheer artistry.

MARTIN: (Laughter) NPR’s Tom Goldman. Thanks so much, Tom.

GOLDMAN: You’re welcome.

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