Hurricane Katrina underscored the risks of our nation’s dangerous dependence on oil. Oil prices remain high, consumers are being squeezed at the pump and experts are predicting an extremely expensive winter heating season. With only three percent of global oil reserves, we simply can’t drill our way to energy independence—but we can combat our oil addiction by improving the fuel economy of our passenger vehicles and investing in cleaner sources of energy. Our leaders should heed the lessons of Katrina by setting our nation on a path toward energy independence. But unfortunately, the House of Representatives next week will debate another backward looking energy bill that favors polluting special interests and does nothing to reduce our dependence on oil. What’s worse, the legislation would roll back the clock on environmental protection, threatening public health and the environment across the country.

Winning the war on cancer means preventing cancer. Yet cancer is a multi-billion dollar business. Isn’t preventing cancer bad for business? It is for the pharmaceutical and mammography businesses. These industries have intricate ties to U. S. policy makers, directing research funds to insure their continued profits in cancer diagnosis/treatment. It’s time for reform. Congressional leaders are calling for an investigation of the U. S. National Cancer Institute for its indifference to cancer prevention, other than smoking, and for denying the public of its Right-to-Know, and for failing to inform Congress and regulatory agencies.