Monday, July 2, 2012

Imaging agents predict breast cancer response to endocrine therapy

Imaging agents predict breast cancer response to endocrine therapy [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 2-Jul-2012
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Contact: Susan Martonik
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Society of Nuclear Medicine

Preclinical imaging of progesterone receptor signals usefulness of biomarker in determining effectiveness of therapy

Reston, Va. (July 2, 2012) Research published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows imaging progesterone receptor (PR) status also may be able to identify responders and nonresponders to endocrine therapy at an early stage. Estrogen receptor-? (ER?) status is an important factor in determining the most appropriate treatment for breast cancer patients, especially for those who are ER?+ and likely to respond well to hormone-based, or endocrine, therapies.

Prominent professor and research chemist Michael J. Welch, PhD, who passed away in May, was a contributing author for this research. "Throughout his career, Dr. Welch specialized in the synthesis of new radiolabeled compounds for medical imaging, with a special emphasis on the growing numbers of applications in PET," said Dominique Delbeke, MD, PhD, editor of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Noted for his ability to see beyond the immediate aspects of basic work to potential future applications, Welch was both a prime mover and an integral part in the development of PET as it transitioned from a compelling investigative idea to widespread clinical acceptance. "Many of his discoveries and research will live on well into the future," said Delbeke.

The study, "Small-Animal PET of Steroid Hormone Receptors Predicts Tumor Response to Endocrine Therapy Using a Preclinical Model of Breast Cancer" was an example of his unique approach to research.

"Positron emission tomography, or PET, has typically been used to identify the target for endocrine therapy in breast cancer by demonstrating that ER is present in tumors using F-18-fluoroestradiol (FES)-PET, or by monitoring for hormone-induced changes in tumor metabolism'metabolic flare' with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET once therapy has begun. What is novel about our study is that we chose to image progesterone receptor levels to see how the estrogen signaling pathway is functioning in response to endocrine therapy," said Amy Fowler, MD, PhD, lead author of the study.

In the study, mice with mammary cell lines (SSM1, SSM2 and SSM3) derived from STAT1-deficient mammary tumorswhich are ER?+/PR+ and similar to the majority of human breast cancerswere imaged. Small-animal PET/computed tomography (CT) was performed using F-18-FES to image estrogen receptor status, F-18-fluoro furanyl norprogesterone (F-18-FFNP) for progesterone receptor status, and FDG for glucose uptake.

Initial imaging of the cell lines showed that SSM3 tumors displayed the greatest F-18-FES and F-18-FFNP uptake, and therefore, the SSM3 cell line was used to test the response to estradiol, an ER agonist, and fulvestrant, a pure ER antagonist. Upon treatment with estradiol, it was determined that PR expression is estrogen-inducible and indicative of ER? signaling in the SSM3 tumors. Mice treated with fulvestrant showed early decreases in F-18-FFNP uptake after initiation of therapy, prior to measurable growth inhibition. SSM2 tumors, which were not growth-inhibited by fulvestrant despite also being ER?+/PR+, showed no change in F-18-FFNP uptake after initiation of therapy. These data support the potential use of PR imaging with F-18-FFNP PET of patients with ER?+ breast cancer at baseline and shortly after initiation of endocrine therapy to distinguish between responders and nonresponders, and thus help facilitate the selection of therapies most appropriate for individual patients.

"An important goal of molecular imaging in cancer research is to noninvasively predict early responses to therapies in order to guide further management," noted Fowler. "Our work using a preclinical model of breast cancer helps support the notion that molecular imaging can achieve this goal by testing whether the target utilized for a specific therapy is not only present but also functional."

An estimated one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 280,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women in 2011, and nearly 40,000 died from the disease.

###

Authors of the article "Small-Animal PET of Steroid Hormone Receptors Predicts Tumor Response to Endocrine Therapy Using a Preclinical Model of Breast Cancer" include Amy M. Fowler, Terry L. Sharp, Nicole M. Fettig, Dong Zhou, Carmen S. Dence, and Michael J. Welch, Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Mo.; Szeman Ruby Chan and Robert D. Schreiber, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.; and M. Jeyakumar, Kathryn E. Carlson and John A. Katzenellenbogen, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill.


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Imaging agents predict breast cancer response to endocrine therapy [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 2-Jul-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Susan Martonik
smartonik@snm.org
703-652-6773
Society of Nuclear Medicine

Preclinical imaging of progesterone receptor signals usefulness of biomarker in determining effectiveness of therapy

Reston, Va. (July 2, 2012) Research published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows imaging progesterone receptor (PR) status also may be able to identify responders and nonresponders to endocrine therapy at an early stage. Estrogen receptor-? (ER?) status is an important factor in determining the most appropriate treatment for breast cancer patients, especially for those who are ER?+ and likely to respond well to hormone-based, or endocrine, therapies.

Prominent professor and research chemist Michael J. Welch, PhD, who passed away in May, was a contributing author for this research. "Throughout his career, Dr. Welch specialized in the synthesis of new radiolabeled compounds for medical imaging, with a special emphasis on the growing numbers of applications in PET," said Dominique Delbeke, MD, PhD, editor of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Noted for his ability to see beyond the immediate aspects of basic work to potential future applications, Welch was both a prime mover and an integral part in the development of PET as it transitioned from a compelling investigative idea to widespread clinical acceptance. "Many of his discoveries and research will live on well into the future," said Delbeke.

The study, "Small-Animal PET of Steroid Hormone Receptors Predicts Tumor Response to Endocrine Therapy Using a Preclinical Model of Breast Cancer" was an example of his unique approach to research.

"Positron emission tomography, or PET, has typically been used to identify the target for endocrine therapy in breast cancer by demonstrating that ER is present in tumors using F-18-fluoroestradiol (FES)-PET, or by monitoring for hormone-induced changes in tumor metabolism'metabolic flare' with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET once therapy has begun. What is novel about our study is that we chose to image progesterone receptor levels to see how the estrogen signaling pathway is functioning in response to endocrine therapy," said Amy Fowler, MD, PhD, lead author of the study.

In the study, mice with mammary cell lines (SSM1, SSM2 and SSM3) derived from STAT1-deficient mammary tumorswhich are ER?+/PR+ and similar to the majority of human breast cancerswere imaged. Small-animal PET/computed tomography (CT) was performed using F-18-FES to image estrogen receptor status, F-18-fluoro furanyl norprogesterone (F-18-FFNP) for progesterone receptor status, and FDG for glucose uptake.

Initial imaging of the cell lines showed that SSM3 tumors displayed the greatest F-18-FES and F-18-FFNP uptake, and therefore, the SSM3 cell line was used to test the response to estradiol, an ER agonist, and fulvestrant, a pure ER antagonist. Upon treatment with estradiol, it was determined that PR expression is estrogen-inducible and indicative of ER? signaling in the SSM3 tumors. Mice treated with fulvestrant showed early decreases in F-18-FFNP uptake after initiation of therapy, prior to measurable growth inhibition. SSM2 tumors, which were not growth-inhibited by fulvestrant despite also being ER?+/PR+, showed no change in F-18-FFNP uptake after initiation of therapy. These data support the potential use of PR imaging with F-18-FFNP PET of patients with ER?+ breast cancer at baseline and shortly after initiation of endocrine therapy to distinguish between responders and nonresponders, and thus help facilitate the selection of therapies most appropriate for individual patients.

"An important goal of molecular imaging in cancer research is to noninvasively predict early responses to therapies in order to guide further management," noted Fowler. "Our work using a preclinical model of breast cancer helps support the notion that molecular imaging can achieve this goal by testing whether the target utilized for a specific therapy is not only present but also functional."

An estimated one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 280,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women in 2011, and nearly 40,000 died from the disease.

###

Authors of the article "Small-Animal PET of Steroid Hormone Receptors Predicts Tumor Response to Endocrine Therapy Using a Preclinical Model of Breast Cancer" include Amy M. Fowler, Terry L. Sharp, Nicole M. Fettig, Dong Zhou, Carmen S. Dence, and Michael J. Welch, Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Mo.; Szeman Ruby Chan and Robert D. Schreiber, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.; and M. Jeyakumar, Kathryn E. Carlson and John A. Katzenellenbogen, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Ill.


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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-07/sonm-iap070212.php

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Never Wanting To Let Go

Never Wanting To Let Go

4 teens and their families stay at a camp ground every summer. The teens become good friends, but this is there last summer before the go off to college and where ever else in life.

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This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Never Wanting To Let Go?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

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Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.


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Summer Reading ? Tim Bonno's Blog On Business Continuity ...

As I?m sitting here writing this blog, I?m thinking about how we have now crossed over half-way through this year.? ??The kids are on summer break and anxious for a summer vacation.? I hope they want to go somewhere sunny and warm (hot) so we can simply stay at home!? It?s been record-setting hot here in St Louis the past few days.? If they want to go somewhere cooler, we may need to go South to Florida or South Texas.

I also hope that the first six months have been as good to you as they have been for me.? I?ve been blessed with contract work that has allowed me to travel and see parts of our great country.? Along the way, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with great people who have since become friends.? I?ve been fortunate to work with other high-caliber instructors who have helped me become a better instructor.? I?ve also been able to chronicle and share with you, through my blog, stories about the classes, the people, and the communities.? It really has been a lot of fun, and I look forward to the next six-months that are in front of us.? I hope you do too.

And while we?re at it, please plan on coming back on July 15 when I post a new installment that will include details from a class I?ll be teaching about ?Joint Information System (JIS) / Joint Information Center (JIC) Planning for Tribal, State, and Local Public Information Officers?.? While the class is geared towards the public sector, there?s great applicability in the private sector as well ? think business continuity and crisis management.

So let?s get to the subject at hand ?. Summer reading.

For some time now, I?ve had the chance to read some really good books about emergency preparedness, business continuity, and leadership.? ?I thought I?d share with you a few of the more recent books that I?ve read.? And hey ? if you want to comment on any of the three books that follow, or mention other books you feel are worth reading, post a comment on this blog.

My SIM RLF Experience

But before we talk books, allow me to start by sharing with you an experience I was fortunate to take part in several years ago that really helped me become the reader I am today.? At the time I was managing a team of eight managerial subordinates tasked with developing and managing AT&T?s (formerly SBC) IT business continuity and disaster recovery efforts.? ?Tony? (truly one of the best managers/leaders I have EVER worked for) must have seen something in me, because he nominated me to attend the Regional Leadership Forum program of the Society of Information Management (SIM RLF).

In short, SIM?s Regional Leadership Forum (RLF) is an intensive, ten-month leadership development program focused on creating authentic leaders.? Since 1992 over 3000 graduates and more than 300 sponsors have found RLF the key to developing leadership effectiveness.

SIM?s Regional Leadership Forum (RLF) provides a time-tested and successful process to aid organizations in building that strong leadership team. ?The key word here is ?process?. ?RLF is not just another series of classroom lectures. ?It is an interactive, engaging and motivating series of activities that provides the individual with a set of building blocks and knowledge necessary to lift them to the top of the profession. ?And in that process, individuals discover their own ?authentic leadership style?. ?One that allows them to not only create effective strategic vision and tactical plans, but to do so in a work atmosphere that engenders trust, inspiration and a recognized sense of accomplishment for their colleagues.

Although the 30 books that we needed to read during the ten-months was at first a bit daunting, something happened along the way where I really started to enjoy not just the reading, but the learning that occurred through reading and more importantly from the terrific discussions that took place.? And, I?m very pleased that today, I still enjoy reading ? and learning.

As a side note, one of the features I enjoy with LinkedIn is the ?Reading List by Amazon?.? If you checkout my profile , you will see that I?ve included several books I?ve read in the past, including the following three.

The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes ? and Why, by Amanda Ripley

I actually read this book some time ago, but I carry it with me now to every class I teach and I hold it up and tell everyone it?s a ?must read? book for anyone in the emergency management or business continuity field.

While I was on campus at FEMA?s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) sometime back I found this book in the Learning Resource Center. ??Ripley researched past disasters and talked to survivors as well as industry experts.? In her book, she lays out terrific insight as to why some victims perish and some live. More importantly, it?s with this insight and understanding that we can be more effective in educating others as to the ?why? we need to be prepared, so that they too can prepare and be ready for emergencies or disasters that affect them.

I encourage you to take the time to get the book and read it. You won?t be disappointed.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently, by John C. Maxwell

Well, what can I say ? the book is another John Maxwell winner.? I?ve added this book to my ?must read? list.? I reference this book in classes I teach in the areas of leadership as well as effective communications and instructor development.? The book?s premise is that while many of us communicate often, seldom do we really establish a connection with those we are communicating with.?? Throughout the book Maxwell does a terrific job addressing how to ?connect? with individuals on an individual basis, in a group setting, and with an audience. Much of what we do in leadership, coaching, supervision, teaching, and personally relies on connecting with others ? not just communicating.? And as we make those connections, our relationships strengthen and improve.? My advice to you is, read this book.? I think you will enjoy it.

Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America?s Leaders, by Chesley B. Sullenberger

Like you perhaps, I became a fan of ?Sully? when he landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River.? I was on a recent trip and was looking for a good read for on the way home.? ?Making a Difference? had been just released and so I picked it up.? Boy, am I glad I did.? The book contains 11 distinct chapters that are based on 11 different interviews Sully had with influential leaders that we all recognize from a variety of industries including sports, business, government and military. Each chapter (interview) provides sound leadership insight. The book is both interesting and entertaining to read which helps make it a fast read.? And like the other two books mentioned, I?d recommend this book.

Well there you have it, three terrific books that will inform you and entertain you throughout the summer.? If you ready any or all of these, please post a comment on my blog and let me know how you liked the book(s).

Getting Prepared In a Year

As I mentioned in my last blog, I hope you are finding this section of my blog helpful and that you are using it to either build your preparedness from the ground floor up, or you are using it to enhance what you have already done.? If you have other tips you would like to pass on, please use the ?Comment? function on my blog and drop me a note.? I?ll include your ideas in a future blog.

So, continuing on, here?s what you can do now to add to your preparedness kit:

From your local grocery store, pick up the following items:

  • 1 large can of juice.
  • 1 box large plastic food bags
  • 1 box quick energy snacks (i.e. granola bars, etc.)
  • 3 rolls of paper towels
  • Sunscreen and bug spray (if needed)

Things to Do:

  • Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls (yes, there are still some pay-phones).
  • Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone near your home ? and write down its location and store that in your preparedness kit/plan.? You might also want to locate a back-up pay phone.

Source: http://timbonno.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/summer-reading/

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Kenya police: church attacks kill 15, wound 40

An armed Kenyan policeman walks inside the African Inland Church, as a body of one of those killed in the attack lies on the ground underneath church pews, in Garissa, Kenya, on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Grenade and gunfire attacks on two Kenyan churches near the border with Somalia killed 10 people and wounded 40 on Sunday in what was likely an attack by militants from Somalia, an official said. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

An armed Kenyan policeman walks inside the African Inland Church, as a body of one of those killed in the attack lies on the ground underneath church pews, in Garissa, Kenya, on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Grenade and gunfire attacks on two Kenyan churches near the border with Somalia killed 10 people and wounded 40 on Sunday in what was likely an attack by militants from Somalia, an official said. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

Members of the Kenyan security forces inspect the scene, as a body lies covered by a sheet, outside the African Inland Church in Garissa, Kenya Sunday, July 1, 2012. Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and then opened fire on the congregation with bullets and grenades on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding at least 40, security officials said, with militants from Somalia being immediately suspected. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

An unexploded grenade lies at the scene outside the African Inland Church in Garissa, Kenya Sunday, July 1, 2012. Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and then opened fire on the congregation with bullets and grenades on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding at least 40, security officials said, with militants from Somalia being immediately suspected. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

Bodies of some of those killed in the attack lie on the ground underneath church pews inside the African Inland Church, in Garissa, Kenya Sunday, July 1, 2012. Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and then opened fire on the congregation with bullets and grenades on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding at least 40, security officials said, with militants from Somalia being immediately suspected. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

Members of the Kenyan security forces guard the scene outside the African Inland Church in Garissa, Kenya Sunday, July 1, 2012. Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and then opened fire on the congregation with bullets and grenades on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding at least 40, security officials said, with militants from Somalia being immediately suspected. (AP Photo/Chris Mann)

(AP) ? Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and then opened fire on the congregation from inside and out on Sunday, killing 15 people and wounding 40, security officials said.

Two gunmen entered the simple wooden church in the city of Garissa at around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, while two others waited outside, police commander Philip Ndolo said. When the congregation fled the attack inside, they ran straight into another hail of bullets from gunmen outside, he said. At least one grenade was detonated in the attack.

Overturned wooden benches littered the church afterward. A victim wearing a simple blue dress lay on the sandy earth outside. Witnesses reported seeing the four gunmen flee in dark blue outfits and masks.

"We were deep in prayers preparing to give our offerings," said a visibly shaken David Mwange, a churchgoer. "We first had a loud bang from outside which we mistook to be coming from the rooftops. We then had gun shots which made us to lie down. Within no time we had gunshots all over. Everybody was shouting and wailing in pain."

The bloodiest of the two attacks came against the African Inland Church in Garissa, a city some 195 kilometers (120 miles) west of the Somali border. Ndolo said 15 people were killed and at least 40 wounded. A grenade attack against a second church in Garissa wounded three people.

Garissa Mayor Ismail Garat called the church assault "evil."

"We are not used to witnessing such kinds of acts in our country, where people are just shot in broad daylight. We really want to know who the heartless people who did this are," he said.

Ndolo told reporters he wanted an investigation carried out before assigning blame to the group many people in this region assume is at fault: al-Shabab, the most dangerous militant group in Somalia.

Another security official said two attackers walked up to the two policemen guarding the church, shot them at point-blank range and took their rifles. The official spoke only on condition he wasn't identified because he is not allowed to speak to media.

The police were guarding the church because of the increasingly dangerous security situation near the border with Somalia and because Somalia's Islamist militants have made Christian churches a common target.

The Vatican spokesman condemned the "vile" and "disgraceful" attacks and said they showed the necessity of defending the rights of Christians to celebrate their faith and "oppose irresponsible acts that fuel hatred among religions."

The White House also condemned the attacks, saying: "At a time of transition, peace and stability are essential to Kenya's progress. We support those who recognize Kenya's ethnic and religious diversity as one of the country's greatest strengths."

Garissa is one of two major Kenyan towns near the border with Somalia. It lies just to the west of the Dadaab refugee camp, which houses nearly 500,000 Somali refugees. On Friday armed attackers kidnapped four international workers with the Norwegian Refugee Council and are believed to have taken them over the border into Somalia.

A top security official suggested after that assault that the attackers came from within the camp. Kenyan officials have long complained Dadaab and its inhabitants are a threat to Kenya's security. Kenyan officials hope to see the Dadaab refugees move back to Somalia, but they cannot force the refugees to move without breaking international law and courting wide international condemnation.

Areas of northern and eastern Kenya along the border with Somalia have suffered a series of gunfire and grenade attacks over the last year. Militants attacked a church in Garissa in December, killing two people.

Kenya sent troops into Somalia last October to hunt al-Shabab fighters. The militants, who are allied with al-Qaida, have threatened repeatedly to carry out revenge attacks for Kenya's push into Somalia. Sunday's attacks appear to be part of that trend.

___

Associated Press reporters Tom Odula, Adow Jubat and Boniface Ongeri contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-07-01-Kenya-Church%20Attacks/id-77853555b8d14ea0a9e39e841ff6c612

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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Chimp attack victim identified as Texas student

JOHANNESBURG An American researcher mauled by chimpanzees in South Africa has been identified as a graduate student in Texas studying anthropology.

Andrew Oberle was in critical condition Friday after undergoing surgery near Johannesburg. Officials say the 26-year-old was giving a lecture Thursday at the Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden when two chimpanzees grabbed his feet and pulled him under a fence.

Oberle is a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The school said in a statement Friday that "our hearts go out to Andrew and his family."

Officials in South Africa say Oberle had "multiple and severe bite wounds" and was dragged nearly a half-mile by the chimpanzees.

Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/29/3353138/chimp-attack-victim-identified.html

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Chris Weigant: Friday Talking Points -- Obama Cares

Well, that was a pretty stunning week. Lots of other things happened politically, but in truth it was a one-issue type of week, so this is going to be a one-issue type of column.

I must admit being personally stunned at the Obamacare decision -- not so much what it said (stunning enough), but who said it. Before the ruling, I would have given odds on two or three possible permutations: a 5-4 ruling with Kennedy being the swing vote (either way), or quite possibly a 6-3 ruling upholding Obamacare and the mandate, with Roberts joining Kennedy and the liberal wing (likely because Roberts would realize he needed to be on the right side of history on this one). But I don't think I ever even considered the possibility of a 5-4 decision with Roberts as the key swing vote. I don't feel too bad for missing this possibility, because everyone else in the entire media/political/legal universe also missed it.

Which was why it was so stunning. It was as if Lex Luthor suddenly decided that fighting next to Superman for truth, justice, and the American way was truly the right thing to do. Roberts may have prompted this last sentence (I admit) with his comment about where he's heading on vacation (to Malta, which Roberts joked was an "impregnable island fortress")... where maybe he'll seek some solitude, perhaps...?

All kidding aside, though, it certainly has been fun to see the other side spin. As a child's reader might put it: "See GOP spin. Spin, spin, spin! So sad, the spinning."

Was that too snarky? Well, it's been a snarkadelic week for Democrats, so hopefully you'll excuse my excess. Let's just get on with the rest of the column, shall we?

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Most Impressive Democrat of the Week

Speaking of snark, we have an Honorable Mention to hand out to Pennsylvania state senator Daylin Leach, for calling Republicans on the carpet for nakedly admitting that their voter ID law was (no surprise) all about winning elections for Republicans. Leach's response: "If you have to stop people voting to win elections, your ideas suck."

As previously mentioned, it's been a snarky week. Another Honorable Mention goes out to Representative Luis Gutierrez for his presentation about Arizona's immigration law on the House floor this week. Gutierrez used the "happy couple" Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez to make a point: "Because I'm not a trained Arizona official, I somehow got that backwards. Actually, Ms. Gomez, of Texas, has helped Mr. Bieber, of Canada, learn all about his adopted country. Justin, when you perform in Phoenix, remember to bring your papers." He then went on to offer up other examples (such as Geraldo Rivera and Ted Koppel), before concluding with: "the point is simple. The idea that any government official can determine who belongs in America and who doesn't simply by looking at them is completely ridiculous, unfair and un-American." This was a brilliant way to frame the argument, and deserves a round of applause.

But the Most Impressive Democrat Of The Week this week is none other than President Barack Obama, who gained two major (if partial) victories this week in the Supreme Court, on the Arizona law and on Obamacare. Obama was careful to not appear too football-spikey (or end-zone-dancey, take your pick) in his address after the Obamacare court ruling was announced, but both of these rulings are a clear victory for Obama.

Because of the court's actions, Republicans have been robbed of two lines of attack they were depending on in the upcoming election: "Obama's just wasted his time" while in office, and "the constitutional law professor doesn't understand the Constitution." Neither will be deployed by the right-wing echo chamber now, which is a relief.

Instead, perhaps they'll dust off a tactic from fifty years ago, and begin screaming "Impeach John Roberts!" Boy, that'd certainly be amusing, wouldn't it?

See, it's tough this week to avoid snark. Oh, well, nothing to do but drop these little snark-bomblets and move along....

[Congratulate President Barack Obama on the White House contact page, to let him know you appreciate his efforts.]

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Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week

There weren't a whole lot of disappointing Democrats this week, but one group does deserve singling out. Seventeen Democrats in the House voted with Republicans to hold a sitting member of the president's cabinet in contempt of Congress. This is an unprecedented step, but one entirely expected by Republicans trying to gin up some sort of scandal in an election year.

Many Democrats staged a walkout during the vote, in protest. Which reminds me, everyone who walked out certainly deserves an Honorable Mention this week. But perhaps because of a threat by the National Rifle Association to use this vote against House members, 17 Democrats not only stayed for the vote, but voted with the Republicans.

All 17 of them (Politico has a convenient list) deserve this week's Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week award.

[See the list, and if your representative appears on it, use the main House page, to find their contact info so you can let him or her know what you think of his or her actions.]

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Friday Talking Points

Volume 216 (6/29/12)

But wait -- there's more!

OK, I admit, I've been waiting to use that line for a very specific reason. Barry Becher has sadly passed away. You may not know his name, but if you are of a certain age, you will certainly remember his face from television, as he was a pioneer in the world of infomercials. Becher was the guy who tried to convince America to buy Ginsu knives.

Since this column is all about framing things in snappy ways, we have to at least salute Becher's family, who are reportedly considering carving "But wait, there's more" into his tombstone. In our humble opinion, this would be the greatest epitaph since Mel Blanc's immortal "That's all, folks!"

Humor aside, this week's talking points are (quite obviously) all on one subject. If Roberts had ruled differently, we'd have a much different group of these, today, but thankfully we can come out swinging instead of in a defensive crouch. President Obama -- and Democrats in general -- have done an abysmal job on selling the concept of Obamacare to the country. This is borne out in poll after poll which shows that millions of Americans just have no idea what is contained in the new law. What we have here, to borrow a movie quote, is a failure to communicate.

Which is why we're here, every Friday, of course. So let's get on with it.

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1
???Obama Cares

This one is so strong, I had to make it the column's title as well. To give full credit where credit is due, I saw this on a Huffington Post comment on another article, and it struck me with both its brilliance and its simplicity. The best talking points are the simplest one, and for the life of me, I can't see how this could be made any easier to understand while at the same time drawing such a stark contrast with the opposition.

"I am struck in the entire fight over the Affordable Care Act that Republicans may look back and regret one tactical error -- tying the president so closely to the legislation. They've used the term 'Obamacare' so often that now even the president accepts the label. But, years from now, this will only serve to remind people exactly who made their lives better and who was against it. In fact, I'd go even further and suggest a new campaign slogan for the president -- a simple bumper sticker with two words on it: 'Obama Cares.' Obama does care, even if Republicans don't. If I were the president, I'd be proud to run on that slogan."

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2
???Taxing nonsense

It took a few hours, but the Republican spin (other than the naked rage directed at John Roberts) finally settled on the argument: "It's a TAX!!! Obama TAXED everyone!!! Run for the hills!!!" Or something like that, it's hard to tell at times. Fortunately, this is nonsense, and quite easy to debunk.

"The Republican argument that this is somehow the biggest tax ever levied on the middle class is nothing but horse manure. Let's look at who will not be paying this tax, shall we? Do you have health insurance, either through your employer or by purchasing it? Then you will not be taxed. Even if you don't have health insurance, are you too poor to afford it? Then you will not be taxed. Do you make so little money that you don't pay federal income taxes? Then you will not be taxed. There -- that takes care of roughly 98 percent of the population. Which leaves two percent of Americans who will have to pay this new tax, because they can indeed afford health insurance, but refuse to buy it. What this tax means is that these folks will no longer be able to continue their free ride -- with the rest of us footing the bill in higher premiums -- without their paying a price for doing so. Republicans are trying to scare everyone into thinking they'll have to pay a new tax, but 98 percent of Americans will be completely exempt from it -- a fact they fail to mention."

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3
???Whatever happened to "personal responsibility"?

This is a good GOP talking point to throw back in their face. We've actually got more than one of these here today.

"The Republican Party, as I recall, used to stand for 'personal responsibility' -- which is why the mandate idea originally came from the Heritage Foundation in the first place. Quoting from the document which suggested the idea: 'The requirement to obtain basic insurance would have to be enforced. The easiest way to monitor compliance might be for households to furnish proof of insurance when they file their tax returns.' The Heritage Foundation went on to state that the enforcement would likely be in the form of 'a fine.' See? Republicans used to decry freeloaders who, by their irresponsibility, caused the rest of us to pay higher prices. Again, quoting from the Heritage document: 'Americans with sufficient means would no longer be able to be "free riders" on society by avoiding sensible health insurance expenditures and relying on others to pay for care in an emergency or in retirement.' They came up with the idea of penalizing these so-called 'free riders' in order to incentivize personal responsibility among the citizenry. It's sad to see how low the GOP has sunk -- because now, they're actually defending the freeloaders and championing 'personal irresponsibility.' How times have changed, eh?"

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4
???Replace with what?

Another former talking point from the right to fling back in their faces.

"After Obamacare passed, the Republicans made much political hay over their plans to, quote, repeal and replace, unquote, the new law. They've made lots of noise and had many a tantrum over the 'repeal' part of that slogan, but we've heard nary a word about what they would replace it with. You want to repeal ending the pre-existing condition loophole for insurance companies? What would you replace it with? You want to repeal allowing children on their parents' health insurance? What would you replace it with? You want to repeal fixing the donut hole for seniors' prescription drug benefits? What are you going to enact in its place? You want to repeal the rule that forces insurance companies to send rebates out instead of just shoveling more money into CEO pay? So you're for profits over actual health care. You want to repeal free preventative care? Are you sure about that? You want to return to the days where insurance companies could set lifetime caps or just kick you off their coverage if you got sick? And replace it with what, exactly? Nothing? Republicans have had two years now to come up with a plan of their own which accomplishes all this. They haven't. Mitt Romney had a plan, and it's now called Obamacare. Mitt doesn't like to be reminded of this, but he doesn't seem to have any new plan that I've heard of. So, to sum up: After two years' time, the Republicans have no plan. That's because they never really meant 'repeal and replace' -- they just meant the repeal part."

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5
???But Fox News said...

OK, we can't resist any more, we're just going to turn the rest of the column over to pure snark. This one is handy, say, for a Democratic politician being interviewed on Fox News, whenever a moment of levity is called for...

"Are you sure about that? I heard differently on Fox News -- and aren't they always right? Even CNN agreed with them, from what I remember."

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6
???You already blew that argument, didn't you?

Republicans used to have what they considered a dandy argument against the "gummint takeover" of health insurance, but now this argument doesn't hold much water any more -- through their own doing. The argument was, in a nutshell, that the big, bad Democrats were "putting government between the patient and the doctor." Since then, Republicans have done exactly that, in some pretty shocking ways. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley showed every other Democrat exactly how to shoot this argument down, using the weapon of Republicans' own actions, in a recent interview:

The only healthcare mandate they [Republicans] can embrace are transvaginal probes for women.

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7
???It's all right, it's all right.

And finally, a catchall phrase to keep handy, when faced with Republican fulminations and tornado-quality spinning, this week.

"Really? You're saying the court decision was a big win for conservatives? That's really what you're going with? Wow. So Napoleon's greatest victory was actually Waterloo, I guess? Hey, as the late, great John Lennon sang: 'Whatever gets you through the night.' "

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Chris Weigant blogs at:
ChrisWeigant.com

Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Become a fan of Chris on Huffington Post
Full archives of FTP columns: FridayTalkingPoints.com
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