The plaintiffs already have part of their case established. It's like Merck has conceded the first four rounds of a 15-round fight.

They may try to argue that while there was some risk at 18 months, it was minimal and the real problem came at three years. That would push the bar back further just in time to defend themselves from claims by long-term users.

They've been hollering about 18 months as the magic number in these earlier cases. Now they'll have to come up with something else. That arrow has been taken out of their quiver.

In many regards, what is most notable about the President's budget is not what is in the plan, but what has been left out.

You just don't have to think about it too much because almost everybody is impoverished. Believe me, the wealthy citizens of New Orleans evacuated.

I think that's entirely possible.