SHEKI MBEKI on Drug Ads and Another Apology

Drug advertising in wonderland. Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them for relief.

The newest drug therapy approved for this disorder is Myrapex, a drug that encourages dopamine production. The manufacturer’s website for this TV advertised drug reports these side-effects: pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive eating (including binge eating), and falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles which sometimes resulted in accidents.

Thank God. I was getting bored with the usual comic side effects of advertised drugs, like impotence and loose bowels.

All this to relieve some discomfort in the leg. Would we really be willing to risk falling asleep at the wheel while speeding to the nearest casino as we inhale a bucket of fried chicken and the dear girl we just picked up unzips our fly?

I’d be willing to give it a try if I could stay awake long enough to enjoy it. Maybe if I washed the chicken down with Red Bull.

Sub-prime mortgage securities update. The AP reported a week ago (July 31, 2007) that “Wall Street resumed its downward skid Tuesday, falling sharply as renewed concerns about soured home loans blew away what had looked like a solid recovery rally.” Since then, things have gotten even worse. Once again, Sheki Mbeki apologizes for pointing out that if you buy securities backed by drek, you’re actually buying drek, a point so subtle it eluded some of our best financial minds until Sheki pointed it out a week ago. Perhaps I’ll kill myself with Chinese toothpaste.