Apr 30, 2008

The Right Rookie Is Worth The Money

Taking his Mickey Mantle rookie card to Wei Cheit Yu, the pawnbrokers, Ming hopes to invest the proceeds in Dendreon, then redeem his card with the profits. "How can I lend for such collateral?", sneers Wei. "Who is Mickey Mantle?", shouts Mrs. Wei. "This card is not in collectible condition", screams Wei. "That wasn't even his rookie year." trumpets Mrs. Wei. After all agree Ming is taking bread out of their mouths,a deal is struck but it would have been even easier getting Provenge approved had Dendreon been clever enough to get the well connected Howard Scher to lead the Impact trial.

Icing Howie's Cake

One of the Keebler elves has filed a cause of action against Howie claiming alienation of infections for promising he would allow him to get fudge on his cookie while with malice aforethought, Howie instead chose to wantonly roll in the dough with the Pillsbury doughboy while scuttling Provenge. Little Debbie, Howie's very own cream cake has now gone stale on their relationship and will no longer allow him to lick her bowl.Meanwhile, his betrothed, Charlotte Ruse, one of many ruses with which Howie is engaged, promises to cream him if caught. Perhaps Howie has too many pies in the oven and this could result in his getting burnt.

Apr 29, 2008

O. J. Denies Any Involvement

An abortive attempt was made today to pilfer the renowned Howard Scher collection of Provenge memorabilia. Fortunately, the much coveted tape of missing minutes on the Panel's safety vote was not taken. Nor was the E-mail correspondence with Alison Martin explaining technical input to Howard for inclusion in his letter. The still hermetically sealed bottle of Nyquil not used during the famous sleepless night is also still on display as is the famous "schmendrick" letter to Howard dated March 29th from certain interested parties. The May 9th, "All is forgiven" letter and the "schmendrick #2" letter following the Asenter fiasco are also intact. Interrupted by security guards, the putative thief was heard to mutter expletives thought to be in the Henan dialect of Mandarin as he left via a window left ajar. One can only hope this valuable collection will one day find its way into the National Archive.

Ming Sounds The Clarion Call

Comes the Revolution, Comrade Ming will fearlessly mount the barricades, (despite his acrophobia), and lead the masses to victory over the FDA, unless he could get hurt if there's shooting or its raining and he forgets his galoshes. Meantime, those more hardy than the sniveling Ming must consider the advantages of civil disobedience. Letting chimps loose in lab coats could bring the FDA to its knees, as they vainly try to determine who their real team leaders are. But that may just be last night's kielbasa, sauerkraut and chocolate ice cream talking so Ming reluctantly withdraws the suggestion. Meanwhile, encouraging anyone you're even remotely acquainted with, to attend the upcoming protests is the way to go. Torches and pitchforks optional.

Apr 28, 2008

The FDA Has A Lot To Answer For

Had they approved Provenge, Ming would even now be smoking expensive cigars, if only to be seen lighting them with $100 bills. He would now be functioning in a more rarefied social setting, getting rejected by a better class of women and being blackballed from all the better country clubs. Instead he's stuck rubbing shoulders with all the louts willing to associate with an impecunious wannabe like him. How can poor Ming bring himself interact with people that show such impaired judgment?

Ming Demands The Government Burp Him

The Government must help poor Ming who suffers from Greed, Avarice and Stupidity(GAS). They help odious investment bankers with bailout guarantees. They rescue hedge funds with easy money policies. People who should consider themselves lucky to live in a furnished room now have houses whose mortgage interest will be capped, abated or extended. All Americans will win the lottery this week with a free money payment by the Government. Ming swears he's as greedy, avaricious and stupid as any of the above idiots. He demands the Government reimburse him for his losses in Dendreon which were caused by one it's own dysfunctional and perhaps venal agencies. If not, Barrister Ming will bring suit under the doctrine of gross negligence equals constructive fraud. Just like everyone else, Ming deserves to be patted on the back and burped by his government. Ming has GAS.

Apr 27, 2008

Ming Offers New Hope For Screwballs

Has your investment in Dendreon made you feel helpless and not in control? Are people staring at you in the street as they see you talking to yourself while mumbling Scher, Hussein, Pazdur and other such obscenities? Ming Industries can help. From the same people that brought you sew-on designer labels, we now present you with designer cell phone cases, sans phone. Proudly hold this handsome case to your ear as you wander the streets, buses and subways cursing Dendreon's enemies. Everyone will think you're just another annoying bastard on the phone with no regard for others. Only you will know you're really a frustrated Dendreon investor driven to distraction by the crap being pulled on your beloved Dendreon. Order today and receive a free plastic pistol grip suitable for insertion in your waistband. This should serve to deflect any attempts at protest should you choose to stick your fist through nearby windows when contemplating how much money you would now have, had Provenge been approved by the FDA in a more just world than this one.

The Difference between G-d And Pazdur

G-d doesn't think he's Pazdur. This observation causes Ming to look into the messianic complex by consulting with old neighborhood chum, the renowned Dr. Vinny Umbatz author of "You're Alright, But I'm Umbatz", the ripoff of Games People Play authored in 1964 by Dr. Eric Berne M.D.. Ambitious people in positions of power over the commonality who attain specialized knowledge develop a certain elitism that transcends mere narcissism says the saintly Umbatz whose nimbus kept flickering in and out as the batteries ran down. Ming suspects that the umbatz of this world in general, and Pazdur in particular, can only feel enriched when the rest of us are genuflecting and tugging on our forelocks no matter the cost in human lives. They can never accept the insight of Lao-Tsu that "ambitious people force their will on others, but content people are already wealthy."

Apr 26, 2008

An Appeal To The Opposite Of PROgress

If Health & Human Services doesn't investigate the FDA, then our legislators should.The very honor of CONgress is at stake. It must remain a viable institution. There must yet remain a last refuge for failed lawyers to earn a living. Thus, Congress must be courted with all the dignity it deserves in requesting an investigation of FDA conflicts of interest. Ming would never besmirch that dignity by proffering filthy lucre to fill the already overflowing freezers of recipients of hedge fund largesse. After all, that money is better spent on more Dendreon. Instead, Ming advocates generous applications of wedgies, noogies and yes, even the dreaded wet willie to motivate our laggardly legislators. Perhaps resort could even be made to the unspeakable rear rebate to encourage our august solons to take action on the Provenge debacle. Ming holds little hope that even were the possibility of initiating hearings to be revisited, these waffling wastrels will have any overt affect on accelerating approval. At this point Ming is reduced to only looking to expose the prime movers behind Provenge's deferral as well as their loyal lackeys. To borrow the sentiment of that great New York philosopher and social activist, the late John Gotti, Ming would like to put a rocket in their pocket.

Ming To Be Hailed As Management Genius

Ming will now join that pantheon of great inventors such as Edison, Marconi, Tesla and Alexander Graham Nynex. Ming can promise to slash the exorbitant cost of management at any corporation. No longer will management be able to extort juicy equity interests in the form of options. No longer will they draw fat salaries and perks for doing naught. To launch his remarkable innovation, Ming will provide this much needed solution to Dendreon, gratis. Yes, now instead of stammering stooges at the helm, you can have easy to maintain cardboard cutouts. Duplicate the value added provided by current management at a fraction of the cost. And remember, they never soil themselves either in the restroom or on conference calls. As a shareholder, which unresponsive, one dimensional alternative would you rather have?

Apr 25, 2008

Talking Dirty a la Dendreon

Figuring everyone is getting very bored waiting for news, Ming decides to cash in bigtime, charging jaded Dendreonites $5 a minute for hardcore phone conversation. Call and a husky voice says, "Hi, I'm Mitch and I'm hot to partner and I don't even care who I do it with. Would you like to see my P-11?" Of course this is just a big tease since he has no such intentions in real life. Then the voice suggests you will get a very big rise if you could only see his interim. More frustration, but now that you're breathing heavily he suggests that he'll even expose his alpha for your delectation, hoping it will meet with approval. All this while voices in the background build to a crescendo shouting, "DNDN at 10, DNDN at 15, DNDN halted for News". If phone lines are busy, please try again as Ming has now become his own best customer.

Gaming The FDA

Having learned much from the Provenge fiasco, Fong Pharmaceuticals Chief Scientist, Werner von Merciless expects to achieve immediate approval for its miracle drug, Screwum. Admittedly another knockoff of the erectile dysfunction mania, this product will still be eagerly embraced by a grateful Congress who will look to Screwum at every turn when servicing their constituents. Von Merciless will first unveil the eagerly awaited swimsuit edition of his BLA application to garner the FDA's flagging attention. He will obtain manufacturing blessings by introducing the FDA inspectors to Madame Wu's House of 1001 Illicit Delights and provide them with a hands-on demonstration. The hand-picked Advisory Panel will be composed of the biggest advocates of screwjobs that are for sale. Howie, Maha, Jimbo etc. Fong Pharmaceutical detail men will blanket Capital Hill restrooms throwing our brochures with a complementary Ben Franklin attached into every bathroom stall with more than two feet showing to garner legislative support. Remember, Screwum and you can still gain approval.

Apr 24, 2008

Great Expectorations

Ming's latest moneymaker is the customized cuspidor so long absent from the American scene. The epiphany for this new product was the result of the FDA being mentioned in Ming's presence, thus eliciting the mandatory three spits to windward into spitoonless space. This was not well received by Ming's hostess who saw said loogies land in her punch bowl. Thus Ming saw a need and hopes small biotech investors fill it. His new line includes the Howie, the Maha and the extra large Pazdur. Each model has its eponymous personage's countenance pictured to make for accurate aiming. The only possible downside is that much like Ming, many purchasers, especially Dendreon shareholders, could seriously dehydrate themselves in their enthusiasm. Ming only hopes his new product hawks up much interest.

It's Only There To Let You Feel Empowered

Vote for this one or for that one is much like the door-close button on your elevator. Any elevator installed since the early nineties onward, has an inoperative door-close button, only there to give you the illusion of control. Likewise, those who will have the greatest impact on your life, the SEC, FDA, EPA, IRS etc., cannot be affected by your vote. Just as an elevator's escape hatch is bolted from the outside, so to, there is no escape from the workings of your government's agencies, whoever you elect President.

Time For Dendreon To Pony Up

Putting Dendreon's feet to the fire, Ming's demands are nonnegotiable. If Dendreon hopes to remain unscathed by Ming's acerbic tongue, nothing less than full capitulation is acceptable. They must give Ming a dollar a day for the vending machine in the employee lounge, 2,500 sheets of the softest toilet paper and a key to the executive washroom. Any attempt at negotiation and the offer will be withdrawn and the demands escalated to encompass Mitch having to give Ming pony rides each day in the office or he will ride Mitch in his blog and on the IV Board daily. Cliche loving Ming says, a word to the wise is sufficient.

Apr 23, 2008

Phraseology From The Devil's Dictionary

1) To blithely disregard, as in, "I don't give an FDA Panel, I'll do as I damn well please. 2) To impugn another's ocular capabilities, as in, He's as blind as the SEC Enforcement Division". 3) To denigrate another's actions, as in, "He's a horses von Eschenbach". 4) To insult by alluding to a bodily function, as in, "Why don't you take a good Scher for yourself". and finally, 5)To challenge another's ill will towards oneself as expressed by referral to anatomical tumefaction, as in, You've got a real Pazdur for me, don't you?". Apologies to the late Ambrose Bierce.

Free Brittany For Charity's Sake

All proceeds of Ming's Free Brittany Spears Telethon will go to Charity as soon as Ming can legally change his name to that euphonious cognomen. Congress, knowing where the limelight shines brightest, can then immediately schedule emergency hearings and ask Brittany all sorts of irrelevantly stupid questions as they normally do at such hearings. Naturally, there will be collateral damage as with any worthy cause. Innocent bystanders could be trampled as Congresspersons stampede toward the media's cameras. New York's Senator Chuck Schumer has even been known to swallow cameras whole with little apparent adverse affect. If only Dendreon would act in it's own best interest and appoint Brittany or any other such worthy as their spokesperson and thus reap some collateral publicity.

Apr 22, 2008

Historical Histrionics

A disgusted Ming plans on playing Henry IV to Mitch's Pope Gregory VII. Henry stood in a haircloth shirt outside Castle Canossa in the snow for three days in January 1077 begging the Pope to reverse his excommunication. Ming plans to stand outside Dendreon's Seattle headquarters begging Mitch to communicate anything that would reverse Dendreon's stock price. This is not so easy as it sounds. Not only can't poor Ming find haircloth shirts on sale in the L.L. Bean Catalog but he finds the rental cost of a snow machine to be astronomical. Ming supposes sitting outside HQ in an aluminum beach chair wearing speedos while a confederate cascades him with confetti made from Mitch's Form 4s just doesn't have the same impact. But how else does one get a reaction from the mute Mitch?

Ming Is Too Stupid To Be Fooled

The lowly Ming cannot even pronounce the names of some of those drugs being flogged on television to unwary but susceptible viewers. Before they run to their doctor demanding whatever they've been told to demand, know this about at least one such indication. Statins prescribed to reduce low density lipoproteins, cause angiogenesis. That in turn leads to cancer since the creation of new blood vessels are what cancer needs to spread. The risk of these statins in the creation of colorectal cancer is of particular risk. Their effects on blood could also be a factor in rhabdomyolysis. Luckily Ming is a suspicious peasant who would rather eat an apple than take a drug. The pectin in apples encapsulate cholesterol and pass it out of the system. For nut jobs really leary of low density lipoprotein, eat walnuts as they too lower cholesterol. Note that neither apples nor walnuts can be patented, so Big Pharma and the doctors whom they support will not highlight these natural alternatives. An unwashed Ming's motto is, Don't use what comes from Big Pharma, they have very bad karma.

Apr 21, 2008

Ming Endorses Presidential Candidate

Civic minded Ming is current Chairman of the Elect Stassen Committee. Harold Stassen has already run for president, nine times. He has the experience. This time he looks unstoppable. The Stassen Machine can truthfully promise their candidate will never raise taxes, never veto pork barrel spending, never engage the country in war. It helps that he died in 2001. Become a member of the Stassen team now. With Harold as President, Hugo Chavez will make an even greater fool of himself when he tells our already deceased leader to drop dead. Putin will think twice before sabre rattling his nuclear arsenal knowing that our leader has nothing to lose. The budget can be cut by canning unnecessary speech writers and secret service personnel. Our man can't give speeches and can't be assassinated and will never embarrass the Nation with a tawdry affair in the White House. Go with a winner. You can be dead sure with Harold.

Ming Provides Double Happiness

"Oh Ming, screamed his date, I've never had such happiness before". "How can you maintain such a consistent performance, again and again?" Yes, Ming admits to pleasuring the ladies with his famous Peking Double Happiness, made with pork and shrimp, smothered in his secret sauce. This brings to mind the last time the FDA ordered Dendreon to be taken out. It apparently was not too fulfilling since they would soon be likely to do it again. Ming only hopes Mitch also has some secret sauce to smother any FDA impediments to approval. Maybe the FDA should consult their fortune cookie before interim now that our big new investor has scanned the menu and ordered 8.6% of all outstanding shares.

Apr 20, 2008

Ming Is Flush With Ideas

Let Ming install kliege lights on the premises so Mitch can announce that things are looking brighter at Dendreon. Let Ming replace those new but anemic 1.6 gallon flush commodes with the old reliable 3.5 gallon models so that Mitch can aver that while management is straining to achieve it's goals, they now know that their efforts will be flushed with success. Allow Ming to procure pony rides for Mitch(cowboy hat optional), at a quarter a pop outside that variety store so he can proclaim that while he's had his ups and downs, he's still riding high. The point is that there should be so much they could say if they would only get off their collective keisters and say it rather than avoiding bright lights, hiding in the toilet and taking shareholders for a ride.

The Stock For All Seasons

Entering the Alley of The Redolent Rodent, Ming scuttles past the Happy Dragon Opium Den, The Shameless Pickpockets & Conflicted Panel Members Guild Hall and even Madame Woo's House Of 1001 Illicit Delights. Girls all wave to best customer Ming who cringingly slinks into the offices of his financial advisor, Sum Dum Luk. He asks the wise one why Dendreon has so large a call option open interest. The venerable Sum solicitously wonders how a naif like Ming crosses streets unaided as he explains that institutional longs can earn upwards of 40% a year lending their Dendreon at interest to shorts while simultaneously selling calls on their position. A reticent Ming humbly wonders if they aren't afraid of losing their position on announcement of good news. Sum says this is only a lost opportunity cost on one of the various biotechs they do this with. An adddled brained Ming then timidly asks who buys such calls and is told those who anticipate ultimate approval can leverage a long position which even when successively rolled over when out of the money on expiration can still provide a greater profit than a purchase and hold of the underlying stock. Everyone can win with Dendreon chortles Sum Dum Luk and this doesn't even require some dumb luck.

Apr 19, 2008

Ming's Fractured Fairy Tale

Its open season on therapeutics so the FDA and Little Debbie Dendreon go hunting. Little Debbie falls down in a faint from overexertion from too much test taking.(Three phase IIIs). The FDA, of course is clueless so it calls 911 and opines that it's little friend might be dead. The operator, apprised of the situation, begins to talk the FDA through the emergency by asking the FDA to first make sure she is really dead. The next thing the operator hears is a gunshot and the FDA, getting back on the line says," O.K. now what? " Now how far from the truth is this when given the level of expertise at the FDA?

Curing The Cure

Fong Pharmaceuticals proudly announces three new additions to its drug arsenal. Based on hard evidence, we now have the definitive cure for erectile dysfunction. Known as Purcuup, its only contra-indication is known technically in medical circles, as blindness. We here at Fong, take no responsibility for this as you were warned about it years ago by your mother. However, the ensuing depression that it elicits can be treated by our second miracle drug, Flisohi. Unfortunately, it has been found to induce severe incontinence. While this will not be of concern to you while enjoying its therapeutic effects, those around you may feel otherwise. Hence, our third contribution to medical science is Holdinitin. While this will ameliorate the problem, continued recourse to Holdinitin will result in erectile dysfunction. Business head Fong bows to Big Pharma for pioneering the modern approach to medicine.

Apr 18, 2008

Ming Still Likes Girls But Can't Remember Why

Ming just came back from seeing Dr. Umbatz and was diagnosed with a bad case of Sexheimers because Ming can't even remember the last time he got lucky and its all Dendreon's fault. Maybe he should change his standard pickup line from "Hey girl, you look as good as Dendreon's chances at interim". Or maybe Ming would meet with greater success offering to show that sweet young thing his etchings rather than his Dendreon charts. It probably also doesn't help admitting they may have to wait until 2009 before he buys the next round. Yet, after approval, he knows all he need do is quietly let slip that he bought Dendreon in the single digits and he'll become the darling of cafe society.

The Ubangis Had The Right Idea

We live in a "ya gotta havva gimmick world". Suffering low self-esteem? Get a tattoo. Need to differentiate yourself and feel special? Go with face jewelry. Never mind that there's an inverse correlation between the number of tattoos, puncture marks on your proboscis and your place on the socio-economic scale. Do it because its easy, it provides instant gratification, other cretins will think its cool and best of all, there's no need to exert yourself learning any skills or working towards a goal. Remember, expending effort at self-actualization runs the risk of failure. This iron clad argument has convinced Ming to also get all tricked out but he understands that all the above while outre, is also commonplace. Ming cleverly notes many rock band dummies wear fedoras. Perhaps making a statement now requires going retro. It may just be time to bring back spats, homburgs, double breasted suits and malacca canes. Adolphe Menjoe, you were so ahead of us all.

Apr 17, 2008

You Too Can Win Journalism's Bowling Trophy

When Ming was still an ignorant little tyke, he thought it was called the Pullet Surprise. Now that he's a big ignorant adult he understands that was right since it would be a surprise if any of the yellow chickens now palming themselves off as reporters are capable of winning it. Admittedly, not only does he now know its called the Pulitzer Prize but that there are numerous categories in print journalism for which it can be won. While its only a medal and $10,000 for winning the prize for investigative journalism its actually very easy. All one need do is take their favorite crayon, redact any number of posts on the Dendreon IV Board and put your by-line to an article on Festering Corruption In Provenge Denial. Then contact a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board such as Thomas Friedman, columnist for The New York Times and claim your bowling trophy. Remember, no laborious investigation nor mind numbing original thought need be expended. Good luck and good plagiarism.

Thank Goodness For Bruce

Solid citizen Ming was worried that he might actually have to think for himself. However, now that Bruce Springsteen has finally endorsed a presidential candidate, Ming's worries are over. He can go back to watching the news. Although it won't be on any channel that wastes precious airtime on Afganistan or Iraq when they could instead more profitably be telling Ming what Brittany did last night. Ming also plans to return to the newsstand that magazine with the phoney name. Foreign affairs never once even mentioned Paris Hilton or Madonna. And if the much vaunted WWIII does break out, one can only hope the idiots that program all the news shows don't decide to preempt last weekend's box office winners.

Ming's Medical Musings

Ming is not a doctor, although he stands at the ready to put on the scrubs if only to encourage gullible young ladies to disrobe. Yet, in his less febrile moments he wonders why prostate cancer is endemic in modern day America. Reading around, he finds studies show an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer as well as colon, beast and ovarian cancer when there is a deficiency of Vitamin D. Most Americans, working indoors in post-industrial revolution America are sadly deficient in this vitamin which acts as a hormone. The most important source of Vitamin D is sunlight absorbed through the skin. This may explain why African-Americans suffer more of these cancers and in more virulent forms. The high melanin in their skin's pigmentation serves to block the suns rays. This relationship to lack of Vitamin D is also found in those using sunblock and those living furthest from the equator. To counteract this deficiency, one would be well served to consume leafy greens, flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seed and most importantly, wild salmon, cold water sardines and albacore tuna several times a week. This also provides rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids so necessary for stable heartbeat and lowered blood pressure. Note that as with all things, too much(more tha 3 grams a week) will thin the blood and could promote stroke. Nonetheless, something so simple, lacking in most diets, that can do no harm when consumed in moderation, can serve to let you still be around to finally reap the rewards for sticking with Dendreon for the long haul. The downside, of course, is you'll have to read even more of Ming's blatherings.

Apr 16, 2008

A Happy Ming Is A Healthy Ming

The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine written in 2597 B.C. states," When the mind is quiescent and void, true Ch'i will be at your command. If one keeps a sound mind, danger of disease will turn to safety". Ming is in big trouble. Obviously, the most venerable Yellow Emperor never owned shares in Dendreon. It doesn't help Ming's equanimity that he starts each day putting in an hour cursing Dendreon's enemies to the 18th generation although it can be invigorating. Time spent sending turtle eggs in power missives explaining in excruciating detail how they are failing the republic by not pressing for Provenge approval also militates against quiescence. (The ancients thought turtles conceived through mind power, thus parentage of eggs was not traceable. Hence, addressing missives with that salutation conveys suspicions as to genealogy). Ming then monitors the day's trading in Dendreon with attending physicians from the Mayo Clinic stand at the ready to treat spikes in blood pressure and to sedate him at the first downtick in price. Ming's only worry is that they never catch on that hes not the Grand Plenipotentiary and High Exalted Poobah of Schmuckistan or they will ignore him for only being a poor Dendreon shareholder just like Mitch does.

Sabatoogie

Yes, gentle reader, the FDA will stop at nothing to thwart advocates protesting the criminal behavior of FDA troglodytes. Only this morning, they insidiously block the entire Investor Village website to quash the Dendreon Board on the very day of the next protest at the notorious FDA den of iniquity in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Where will they stop? Will they silence poor Ming next? Good thing Ming pays neighborhood kiddies to start his car in the morning while he prudently hides under pile of old rugs in basement. One cannot be too careful when tweaking the nose of the Government.

Apr 15, 2008

Ming Proud Owner Of Sweatshop

American worker, wonder of the world. Give hot dog, candy bar and cup of coffee and he work all day. He also work into the night and all weekends, cheerfully flouting all labor laws if you convince him that he's an executive. So Ming makes fortune exploiting American labor manufacturing hokey lawn ornaments for export to Chinese markets. Most popular is plaster American carriage house boy holding briefcase, dressed in suit, tie and fedora. Mandatory made in U.S.A. label should be discretely placed since reputation for shoddy goods is well deserved. Things here get any worse and Ming make second fortune smuggling unemployed American workers looking to better selves, into China.

An Illuminating Joke

How many people paid by the FDA does it take to change a light bulb? 1) Jesse Goodman, to see the light 2) Maha Hussein, to damn the light 3) Richard Pazdur, to pull the chair out from under Goodman before he can change the light 4) Howard Scher,to offer another source of light that can't be used because it kills people 5) Andrew von Eschenbach , who can't seem to see the light. So in the final analysis, we are left to curse the darkness.

Apr 14, 2008

Its All About The Science

The scientific method relies on the belief that ultimate reality is completely physical and that nothing exists beyond elemental forces and their properties. They call this reductive naturalism. Nature is broken up into its constituent parts until we are reduced to elementary units of molecules, neurons, quarks, chloroplasts, etc. In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled that man-made life could be patented thus erasing the distinction between living and non-living matter or said another way, between life and atoms. This reductio ad absurdum denies our spirit, soul and unique identity. However, it does make it easier for those in authority to deny life extending therapies such as Provenge. It becomes easy to "be all about the science" when the object of your denial is a collection of twenty amino acids that compose its proteins rather than a unique person. After all, when you do this you can't lose your soul if it doesn't even exist.

You Have To Have Balls

The sport of choice of the urban unemployed is basketball. The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is bowling, while the sport of choice for front-line workers is football. The sport of choice for supervisors is baseball and the sport of choice for middle management is tennis. The sport of choice of corporate executives and officers is golf. It thus becomes clear to Ming that the higher you go in the organizational structure the smaller your balls become. Finally, when one reaches the top as our hero Von Eschenbach has in the FDA, you have no balls at all.

Apr 13, 2008

Ming-O-Meter Hailed As Boon To Congress

Be the first Congressperson on your block to become the proud owner of the fabulous Ming-O-Meter. Don't conduct another hearing without one. Be able to laugh in the face of that FDA apparatchik when you catch him lying through his dentures about the science. Be in a position to denounce and denigrate the scurrilous scribblers of leaked lies about Provenge. Once a foul fib is detected, the Ming-O-Meter immediately produces a stentorian Bronx cheer capable of being heard throughout Capital Hill that will at once serve to discredit the prevaricator. The principle behind the Ming-O-Meter's infallible results are that once you can detect lip movement in a person testifying before Congress, you have prima-facie evidence that they're lying. The Ming-O-Meter is not a toy. Under no circumstances should it be directed at Committee members as it is not the manufacturer's intent to embarrass Congress. This device is not authorized for home use as errant spouses subjected to the Ming-O-Meter tend to come looking for poor Ming. Batteries are not included.

Apr 12, 2008

Putative Proctologist Proffers Poker

Authorities in Gaithersburg Maryland detained for questioning a self-described proctologist who aroused suspicion by offering free examinations limited to only those in the employ of the FDA. A search of his van produced only a heater and a selection of hot pokers. Identifying himself as the world renowned Herr Doktor Ludwig von Merciless of the famed Reiben Ihnen Ein Neu Loch Akademie of Vienna, he claimed to only be trying to provide what was sorely needed. Enquiries to Viennese authorities indicated no entity was registered in that city whose english equivalent would translate to Rip Them a New One Institute. Thus far, authorities can only bring the misdemeanor charge of being a pain in the ass against Merciless.

Cast Not The First Salt Shaker

Ming is drinking coffee at a diner after a night of pub crawling when he notices some guy at the end of the counter staring at him. This lug is a nasty looking piece of work, so peace loving Ming goes back to drinking his coffee. Yet every time Ming looks up, this lout keeps staring at him, so Ming flips him off. This excuse for a human being does the same to Ming. So taking a stout salt shaker from the counter, Ming heaves it at his head. Now the sorehead who owns the diner expects poor Ming to pay for the mirror. While this tale doesn't reflect well on Ming, the moral of the story is, look carefully before you act, whether if its a mirror in a diner or a stock on the Reg SHO list.

Apr 11, 2008

Ming Covets Oscar For Best Screenplay

Down in front, shouted Ming. Its hard enough making pirated videos without clods in the theater moving around like bobble-head dolls. This next blockbuster is entitled "The Dendreon Story" with Danny DeVito as the slimy Scher, Joe Pesci as the pugnacious Pazdur and Arnold Swartznegger as the big, dumb oaf, von Eschenbach. Johnny Dep will play Mitch Gold while Leonard de Caprio is the perfect Greg Schiffman and of course that consummate character actress, Cloris Leachman is the odious Maha. Ming originally had a bit part as the elusive Eric Small but it was left on the cutting room floor. Now if only this vehicle can move out of the art theaters and get national distribution, we'll have a winner on our hands.

Ming Needs His Fix

Not having bought more Dendreon in weeks, Ming is suffering from acute withdrawal. Even worse, after having financed last purchase by recourse to the loathsome loanshark brothers, Yu O Mei and Yu Pai Mei, they now promise to send notorious threatman, Po Nei Yup to collect unless Dendreon makes move soon. Like all addicts, Ming would like to borrow again to buy still more Dendreon but must first obtain assurances from Mitch who remains more enigmatic than the Mona Lisa. Yet Ming hopes to arrange a private tete-a-tete using clever ruse involving empty toilet paper carton held up by stick attached to string outside HQ. Enticingly baited with sign saying, " more free options inside", Mitch won't be able to shut his trap when Ming shuts his trap. This is what lowly shareholder Ming, looking for some answers, is reduced to when trying to get management's attention.

Apr 10, 2008

A Merciless Family Function

Dendreon loving Ming loses much face at honorable family gathering as everyone points their chopsticks at him when he tries to talk up favorite stock. In and around Beijing this is oriental version of giving Ming the finger. Even kindly cousin Fang takes a bite out of Ming with his gift of Stock Picking For Dummies. Great Aunt Soo threatens to sue him for misrepresenting that he ever knew anything about stocks. Nephew Ding Ah Ling snidely points out prophetic anagram for Dendreon is rend done. An all forgiving Ming takes this in good spirits, knowing that in less than one year, each idiotic ingrate will be kissing the hem of his robe hoping to gather the crumbs that fall from his table as he, as well as every other Dendreonite, wallows in their winnings. Then Ming will stick his chopsticks upright in their rice bowls. Let them swallow that insult.

Why Not Just Tell Ming The Truth

"You'll never take me alive", snarled Ming. "We don't plan to", replied several of New York's Finest who pegged a few shots in Ming's direction as he fled the limo with diplomatic plates he just carjacked. Cleverly dodging behind baby carriages and weaving through a troop of unwary cub scouts, Ming avoids his pursuers and even filches the stray merit badge in the process. Ming had hoped to fob himself off at the Hanover facility as the sovereign nation of Crapolovia's trade rep and get the true skinny on the big 483 imbroglio, but it was not meant to be. Once again, a company that doesn't communicate only becomes subject to rumors, innuendos, conspiracy theories and Wheres Waldo searches for its CEO. Anyone with 12 clean rooms has no excuse for not coming clean.

Apr 9, 2008

Ma Ma Ma Ma?

No, this is not Ming's impression of a hedgie caught in a short squeeze. Its an egregious example of Chinese being a tonal language. When pronounced in one of four different ways, the written word can mean four different things. Theres a level tone, a rising tone, a sinking tone which then rises and a falling tone. Thus in mandarin, ma ma ma ma can mean "did mother curse the horse?" While English is not a tonal language, inflection can still indicate indifference, stress, conviction, deception etc. Ming would bet the Golden Emperor's diamond studded yo yo that a voice analysis of Scher's Panel vote on Provenge would reveal stress and deception thus costing him even more credibility. However, such analysis can be thwarted by a true psychopath who actually believes his lies, especially when bridges are discussed. Perhaps if Howard confined his communications to tap dancing and farting in morse code, his panel votes would achieve greater credibility.

Grade School Gaffs

Being swell people, the noble Howard and Maha take time out from poisoning others to attend parents day at a grade school where they lead a discussion on the meaning of words. Asking the class for an example of the word tragedy, one moppet offers the example of a child run over by a car. No said Maha, that would be an accident. Another tot opined that a school bus loaded with kiddies going over a cliff would be a tragedy. No, no said Howard, that is only an example of a great loss. Finally, little Mingster, loitering in the back row raises his hand and offers that a plane carrying both Howard and Maha, struck by a missile and blown to smithereens is an example of a real tragedy. A wonderful example they both enthused "And can you tell us why ?"preened the pair. Well, said little Mingster, who has been well taught by his revered uncle Ming,"It sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either.

Apr 8, 2008

Schmuck Of The Week Award

Frank Vassallo IV of Wilmington, Delaware, just bought license plate number 6 for $675k at auction, and admittedly was prepared to spend up to a million. His family already owns Delaware plates 9, for which they paid $185k at auction in 1993, and number 27. "It's a family thing," explains Vassallo. "It's a Delaware thing." Ming thinks its a grounds for committal thing. This is what happens when inbreeding is not outlawed. What will the fifth generation Frank Vassallo buy? As long as its not shares of Dendreon, Ming will be happy to take a markup selling it to him.

Buy From Ming

In his never ending attempt to stay solvent until Dendreon makes him well, Ming hopes next time you visit the Big Apple you buy from Ming. Go in subway, board train and Ming will eventually get to your car. Look for vendor with jacket lined for warmth with margin calls. Buy FDA blowup doll from Ming. Do in the privacy of your own home what FDA already did to you in public. Too aggressive purchasers may find doll may spring leak. Ming hopes FDA does likewise and the leaker testifies.

Apr 7, 2008

Ming's Cure For Rejection

Spoilsports at Dendreon say don't call anymore salaciously and graphically demanding shareholder relations. Only heavy breathing Ming can now look forward to comes with climbing stairs. Yet, Ming still a babe magnet. Witness his last girlfriend who enjoyed talking with him during sex. Every week she would talk for an hour or so, calling collect from some motel in New Jersey. Then there was the cutie he used to live with. How she got through all those boy scout knots when he went to the store, Ming will never know. Or how about that little beauty Ming was seeing on a regular basis until someone copped his binoculars. Yet Ming hopes to attract a better class of paramour who, as rumor would have it, actually shave their legs. An escalating price for Dendreon shares would go a long way in providing the many reasons to turn him into the darling of cafe society even though he neither walks on water or even washes with water. If Dendreon makes him rich, it should be enough that he passes water whether or not he remembers to unzip first.

Ming Invokes The Howie Defense

Now that the night soil is hitting the air distribution device, Howard needs learned counsel. Barrister Ming, whose training includes watching reruns of Rumpole Of The Old Bailey, offers his services. Donning his peruke and striking an heroic pose, Ming would offer the argument that Howard was unduly pressured to accept authorship of a letter composed at the NCI that was leaked to a dubious newsletter by it's FDA recipients, denigrating the efficacy of Provenge. Barrister Ming will bring to his Worship's attention that Howie's handlers had pictures. Besides, Ming will brilliantly argue that the sheep in question had attained the age of consent and was not taken across state lines should anyone choose to cite the Mann Act. Ming doubts that any more coherent or cogent argument can be made in defense of this schlub(zhlob).

Apr 6, 2008

Ming Has To Do All The Thinking

Ming would be remiss and never forgive himself if he let Mitch present at the June 4th Annual Stockholders Meeting without guiding his faltering footsteps first. At the buffet breakfast, under no circumstances should Mitch partake of prune juice and in no manner, shape or form ingest any prune danish. Dendreon investors have already had too many unpleasant surprises. Next, Mitch must be sure and have the audience vetted so that, just like on Dendreon conference calls, no unwashed shareholders can participate. Lastly, Mitch must be sure and wear the beanie with battery powered propeller Ming sent him. He must remember to run the wire to his hand, such that whenever he raises that hand to make a point, the propeller begins rotating vigorously. Its a real crowd pleaser.

Dog Pile On The Rabbit

Everything Ming ever found worth learning he had already learned on the playground of good old P.S. 23. Only the names change. Lets assume a bully wants to rough up little Billy Biotech without getting into trouble with the Principal. As a child he waits until Billy gets off school grounds beyond the reach of the Principal. As an adult he forms an offshore hedge fund in the Cayman Islands whose sole shareholder and director is A Luxemburg G.m.b.H. whose own sole shareholder is a Liechtenstein Anstalt which the bully owns. Sheltered by the laws of three accommodating jurisdictions and having less than 100 shareholders puts him beyond the reach of The Investment Company Act of 1940. Anonymity without liability. He then naked shorts Billy Biotech for 8 million shares with a broker who knows damn well that he has no shares or even the possibility of a share locate. The broker wants this business for commissions, use of the proceeds which remain on deposit and most of all for the knowledge that enables him to front-run his customer. The market maker now seeing a sell order for 16 million shares looks on this as a sure thing sent from the gods. He front-runs both of them for another 8 million shares. To keep the shares from collapse, Billy's shareholders need to either put up real cash to buy 24 million shares or call the Principal. In this case the Principal, Mr. SEC is out to lunch since these shares, being offshore, are not even on the Reg SHO list. Tomorrow, the bully can play dog pile on the rabbit yet again unless little Billy decides to share his lunch with a very big friend willing to watch his back.

Apr 5, 2008

Not So Good Samaritan Arrested Outside FDA

Earlier this morning, an as yet to be identified individual was arrested for unauthorized distribution of whistles to FDA employees on federal property outside FDA Headquarters. Apparently suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome brought about by forcefully blowing the whistles in each employees face before proffering same, he was quickly subdued . Now on mechanical ventilation with inflamed alveoli, he was able to still gasp, "Do the right thing for Ming. Become an FDA whistle blower."

All Is Not As It Seems

Who of us could have believed that the immortal thespian from the Bronx, Bernie Schwartz, a.k.a. Tony Curtis, wasn't really British when he emoted," Yonda lies da castle a my fadda"? Which of us could have thought that other bad actor, Andrew von Eschenbach who made the tear-jerking bridge to nowhere speech was really a pyromaniac intent on burning that very same bridge? Now which of us believes that Dendreon management is doing nothing after inking that new stock and warrant deal? All is not as it seems.

Apr 4, 2008

Man Arrested Impersonating Federal Employee

Seattle postal inspectors became suspicious when the operator of a letter sorting machine was found to be doing a good job. Their suspicions were further exacerbated when he was polite to patrons. They then realized something was truly amiss when he refused to take the standard three hour break. Further investigations revealed that not only was he shredding junk mail such as The Cancer Letter but was culling out of the system all mail to Dendreon Corporation. The miscreant, identified as M. T. Merciless was obviously a terrorist intent on securing the cover of a new identity since once apprehended he kept screaming that he was only seeking a new investor's name. Naturally, he is being prosecuted under federal statutes prohibiting anyone found on federal property from acting with efficiency, politeness and dispatch.

Ming Is Delirious With Joy

Up 20 cents on the new investor's purchase of eight million shares of Dendreon. Now that can of beans Ming had his eye on is finally within reach. No more waiting for it to go on special. Never mind that his blog readers are convinced poor Ming is gaseous enough as it is. Ming may even throw all caution to the wind and invest in that package of franks with the bad expiration date in the discount aisle. Ming's day would then be complete if only he found out Scher was appearing on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader". Then Ming could make book that he turns out not to be unless of course Milken starts a charity for the education of fifth graders that provides them with answers that then become available to well connected contestants who may have been instrumental in designing the questions themselves. Any questions posed outside that rubric could always be denounced in letters to the sponsor by disgruntled contestants just as Scher has already done with respect to Provenge.

Apr 3, 2008

Homophones

No, not gay person with telephones. Not that theres anything wrong with that.
Hsieh or homophones can illustrate the yin-yang of investing. So if you fear your investment is in ruins, just study the runes. If the decline in price makes you want to faint, it may just be a feint. We may soon trade our boos for booze and celebrate with a beer that Dendreon is most definitely not on a bier. Is it any wonder that Ming has yet again failed the entrance examination for village idiot?

Apr 2, 2008

Ming Wins Much Coveted Award

A tearful,but grateful Ming, wishing to share his good fortune with his readers, reports that he has won the prestigious A. E. Neuman Award for Excellence in Biotech Stock Research. Ming achieved this despite having to overcome hedge fund machinations, FDA intransigence, Big Pharma truculence and indifference, machiavellian plots by venal and corrupt careerists at the FDA , all of whom were aided and abetted by a co-opted media, captured regulators and an unresponsive and grasping management. Choking with emotion while wiping the drool from his chin, a grinning Ming accepted his cherished prize at the gala awards ceremony. Sharing his thoughts on how he was able to achieve this distinction despite the impediments he encountered, Ming could only say, "What, me worry? I buy Dendreon".

Ming Wants To Do The Right Thing

Intrigued by Howard Scher's and Maha Hussein's professed need for bodyguards after doing their best to scuttle Provenge and truncate the lives of so many prostate cancer sufferers,Ming is led to seek new career vistas. Ming works out, bulks up and applies.
But application form for bodyguard job confuses poor Ming. Not enough room under question asking for sex to explain that Ming is willing unless it gets too kinky. Next of kin question leaves Ming with uncontrollable urge to list Jed Clampett. Under hobbies probably best not to mention instigating balance sheet audits of parties chosen at random such as Howard Isadore Scher and Maha H. Hussein just to see if lifestyles supportable by taxable income declared. For references, Ming decides to list Bruce Lee, Pinky Lee and Sara Lee since none likely to have anything bad to say at this point. Under short essay question as to why Ming wants to be bodyguard the humble Ming merely states he wishes to get nearer the rich and unscrupulous so he can do the right thing.

Apr 1, 2008

Government Lackeys, Rejoice

Ming's latest blockbuster board game is for you. Protect Your Posterior is not only fun, but instructive as well.The Board pictures the usual amply endowed adipose tissue of the typical government drone. The object of the game is not only to cover your behind but to line your pockets while doing so. This game is to be played during those long, meaningless days filled with ennui as you await retirement. Role the dice to see if someone will pay you to leak information. Advance your position if you can influence outcomes for which others will pay. A Go To Jail card is to be avoided at all costs and can be trumped by playing your snitching card. Do not land your posterior on Publicity Place or the game could be lost. Remember, this game is not meant to be played in the clear light of day.

Ming Appeals To A Higher Power

Three obeisances and nine kowtows to Lu-Hsing, God of rank, wealth and influence. The honored Lu symbolizes the opportunity to better one-self so is popular with persons who are responsible and work diligently. Ming thought he'd give it a shot anyway. Slyly appropriating several joss sticks already lit by previous acolytes, Ming prostrates himself while whining and drooling for sympathy as he begs the venerated Lu on Dendreon's behalf. All he asks is that Lu arrange a kick in the gluteus to jump-start Mitch, a trial for crimes against humanity for the FDA staff and that von Essoin approve Provenge. Ming swears if he can also make the stray shekel in the process, Lu-Hsing will be venerated throughout the land.(Its O.K. to lie to the Gods. They seem to need even more toadies than CEOs do.)