# Edwards = lying douchebag **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 6, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806 "2004-10-06T04:25:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/1 "2004-10-06T04:25:40Z")
Here’s Edwards’ quote: _ **"They’ve blocked allowing prescription drugs into this country from Canada. We’re going to allow it."** _ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6187803/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6187803/) It’s at the end of the debate. However, **Americans are already allowed to buy Canadian drugs.** As some know, I live in Grand Forks, ND. 2 hours south of Manitoba via I-29. There is a thriving business for tour groups to go to Emerson, MB to buy drugs. I mean it’s a frigging industry to get these people north to buy drugs. [http://www.rxnorth.com/rxnorth\_news.asp](http://www.rxnorth.com/rxnorth_news.asp) [http://www.rxnorth.com/rxnorth\_news.asp](http://www.rxnorth.com/rxnorth_news.asp) [http://discovernd.com/prescription-drug.html](http://discovernd.com/prescription-drug.html) So, Mr. Edwards, what exactly will you do to lift the ban on Canadian drugs? :dubious: What a tool. :wally ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/2 "2004-10-06T04:29:26Z")
[FDA on Canada drugs: ‘No way’](http://www.usatoday.com/educate/challenge/2004winners/winner4-page4.htm) > [@](#): > > The Bush administration warned Monday that states and cities seeking to import lower-cost drugs from Canada face legal action and financial liability. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/3 "2004-10-06T04:30:29Z")
Doesn’t that piss off the Canadian govt? They don’t require proof of residency to use their subsidies? Seems like Canadians should be changing laws not Americans. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/4 "2004-10-06T04:30:54Z")
and a bit more from the same article: (bolding mine) > [@](#): > > The FDA contends it is illegal for U.S. citizens to purchase drugs from foreign sources. But it has told Customs officials to permit individuals to re-enter the country with up to 90-day supplies of drugs for personal use. A \*\*Medicare law signed by President Bush this month maintains the prohibition on imports but \*\* authorizes the HHS secretary to conduct a study on the safety of Canadian imports. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/5 "2004-10-06T04:36:37Z")
(Aug. 18, 2004) So far, the Bush administration has opposed imports, citing safety. Federal law does allow drugs to be imported at the discretion of the Health and Human Services secretary, who must certify their safety. Critics have charged that the safety issue is a red herring, noting that most of the drugs in question are actually made by U.S. manufacturers and exported to Canada and other countries. [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/18/bush.drugs/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/18/bush.drugs/index.html) (June 15, 2004) In a move likely to stoke domestic political flames around President Bush, the nation’s largest senior lobby confirmed Tuesday that it will endorse bipartisan legislation to legalize importing cheap prescription drugs. AARP spokesman Steve Hahn said the group will back the bill sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, and John McCain, Republican of Arizona. “We will aggressively work for passage,” said Hahn, saying the legislation the White House staunchly opposes has “good momentum.” [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/15/drug.bill/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/15/drug.bill/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/6 "2004-10-06T04:39:30Z")
**stpauler** , I’m aware of the points you’re making. But the fact is, North Dakotans and NW Minnesotans are doing it everyday. There are literally tour busses that head north on I-29 every week filled with people looking to fill scripts cheaper than in an American pharmacy. I suspect the law only applies to mail-order for international drugs. As you’re allowed to bring back 90 days’ worth of medicine when crossing the border. Unfair to those that can’t make it to Canada in a 2 hour trip or less? Well, we live in NORTH DAKOTA! Give us a little something with winter coming! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/7 "2004-10-06T04:40:09Z")
Drugs bought online are now problematic to ship to the US. This was even more of an industry, until recently. However the mighty government up here caved to the nutbar and the old guy. Not saying that Kerry/Edwards will be better, not saying that we don’t have a mental case as leader here. D’oh! On **preview** , no it doesn’t piss off the Canadian government, the people buying drugs to be shipped south weren’t subsidised per se. Some drugs are just cheaper here, and the weaker dollar makes it even better. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/8 "2004-10-06T04:48:27Z")
> [@mcott](#): > > D’oh! On **preview** , no it doesn’t piss off the Canadian government, the people buying drugs to be shipped south weren’t subsidised per se. Some drugs are just cheaper here, and the weaker dollar makes it even better. Surely they can’t be “just cheaper”. They are cheaper because of the way they are taxed and or subsidised by tax payers. The drugs can’t be more expensive in the US just because. Don’t Canada and the US have very different philosphies on healthcare? ---
**Author:** ![pervert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@pervert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pervert)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/9 "2004-10-06T04:52:33Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > Surely they can’t be “just cheaper”. They are cheaper because of the way they are taxed and or subsidised by tax payers. The drugs can’t be more expensive in the US just because. Don’t Canada and the US have very different philosphies on healthcare? No, they ar cheaper because the Canadians negotiate a deal with the drug companies to sell them for a cheaper price in Canada. If anyone is subsidising the Canadian druggies, it is the American Druggies. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/10 "2004-10-06T04:55:07Z")
There’s been plenty of proof provided in this thread that Edwards was in fact, not a lying douchebag on this subject. Importing prescription drugs from Canada is in fact against the law. I think an apology is in order. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/11 "2004-10-06T04:55:38Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > A Medicare law signed by President Bush this month maintains the prohibition on imports but authorizes the HHS secretary to conduct a study on the safety of Canadian imports. Wow, what a non-starter this was. Almost embarrassing. So, re the position of the OP: FALSE. Who is the lying douchebag remains very much in question. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/12 "2004-10-06T04:57:02Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > **stpauler** , I’m aware of the points you’re making. But the fact is, North Dakotans and NW Minnesotans are doing it everyday. There are literally tour busses that head north on I-29 every week filled with people looking to fill scripts cheaper than in an American pharmacy. > > I suspect the law only applies to mail-order for international drugs. As you’re allowed to bring back 90 days’ worth of medicine when crossing the border. Unfair to those that can’t make it to Canada in a 2 hour trip or less? Well, we live in NORTH DAKOTA! Give us a little something with winter coming! :eek: The law applies to all reimportations of drugs. The FDA is choosing to look the other [way for the smaller stuff for now…](http://www.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?programid=536902438&agency=Rx) > [@](#): > > However, to our knowledge, the U.S. government has not stopped individual U.S. residents from buying small amounts of prescription drugs for their own personal use, or that of a family member, and the FDA has made statements to the media that they do not plan to interfere with such small individual purchases. Click here if you want to read the FDA’s policy on “personal use.” It basically says that FDA staff can choose not to stop shipments that might violate federal law, under these circumstances: Here’s the full law in regards to [reimportation:](http://assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode21/usc_sec_21_00000381----000-.html) > [@](#): > > ) Reimportation > (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) and section 384 of this title, no drug subject to section 353 (b) of this title or composed wholly or partly of insulin which is manufactured in a State and exported may be imported into the United States unless the drug is imported by the manufacturer of the drug. > (2) The Secretary may authorize the importation of a drug the importation of which is prohibited by paragraph (1) if the drug is required for emergency medical care. > (3) > (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), no component of a drug, no component part or accessory of a device, or other article of device requiring further processing, which is ready or suitable for use for health-related purposes, and no article of a food additive, color additive, or dietary supplement, including a product in bulk form, shall be excluded from importation into the United States under subsection (a) of this section if each of the following conditions is met: > (i) The importer of such article of a drug or device or importer of such article of a food additive, color additive, or dietary supplement submits to the Secretary, at the time of initial importation, a statement in accordance with the following: > (I) Such statement provides that such article is intended to be further processed by the initial owner or consignee, or incorporated by the initial owner or consignee, into a drug, biological product, device, food, food additive, color additive, or dietary supplement that will be exported by the initial owner or consignee from the United States in accordance with subsection (e) of this section or section 382 of this title, or with section 262 (h) of title 42. > (II) The statement identifies the manufacturer of such article and each processor, packer, distributor, or other entity that had possession of the article in the chain of possession of the article from the manufacturer to such importer of the article. > (III) The statement is accompanied by such certificates of analysis as are necessary to identify such article, unless the article is a device or is an article described in paragraph (4). > (ii) At the time of initial importation and before the delivery of such article to the importer or the initial owner or consignee, such owner or consignee executes a good and sufficient bond providing for the payment of such liquidated damages in the event of default as may be required pursuant to regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury. > (iii) Such article is used and exported by the initial owner or consignee in accordance with the intent described under clause (i)(I), except for any portions of the article that are destroyed. > (iv) The initial owner or consignee maintains records on the use or destruction of such article or portions thereof, as the case may be, and submits to the Secretary any such records requested by the Secretary. > (v) Upon request of the Secretary, the initial owner or consignee submits a report that provides an accounting of the exportation or destruction of such article or portions thereof, and the manner in which such owner or consignee complied with the requirements of this subparagraph. > (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may refuse admission to an article that otherwise would be imported into the United States under such subparagraph if the Secretary determines that there is credible evidence or information indicating that such article is not intended to be further processed by the initial owner or consignee, or incorporated by the initial owner or consignee, into a drug, biological product, device, food, food additive, color additive, or dietary supplement that will be exported by the initial owner or consignee from the United States in accordance with subsection (e) of this section or section 382 of this title, or with section 262 (h) of title 42. > (C) This section may not be construed as affecting the responsibility of the Secretary to ensure that articles imported into the United States under authority of subparagraph (A) meet each of the conditions established in such subparagraph for importation. > (4) The importation into the United States of blood, blood components, source plasma, or source leukocytes or of a component, accessory, or part thereof is not permitted pursuant to paragraph (3) unless the importation complies with section 262 (a) of title 42 or the Secretary permits the importation under appropriate circumstances and conditions, as determined by the Secretary. The importation of tissue or a component or part of tissue is not permitted pursuant to paragraph (3) unless the importation complies with section 264 of title 42. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/13 "2004-10-06T04:57:07Z")
I would suggest that most of the people who truly need inexpensive drugs (i.e. the elderly) don’t have access to the Internet, or the energy required to jump through loops of red tape in order to fill their prescription. It’s a massive problem at the core of the rising healthcare costs in this country. We need to take to heart the lessons other countries haved learned, and find a way to bring low-cost prescription drugs to the U.S. It’s a cost that is currently borne by individuals and companies, and it’s time a solution was found. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/14 "2004-10-06T05:00:58Z")
> [@pervert](#): > > No, they ar cheaper because the Canadians negotiate a deal with the drug companies to sell them for a cheaper price in Canada. If anyone is subsidising the Canadian druggies, it is the American Druggies. 😉 Because the drug companies just fancy the Canadians more? They take them for better company lunches? Canadians give extras while negotiating? 😃 Or is it because the govt subsidises patients as part of the healthcare system? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/15 "2004-10-06T05:05:56Z")
Maybe it would have been better to use less inflammatory words in the OP? Just going by the left-wing rules of political discourse. The point was, Edwards tried to get the sound bite out there that getting drugs from Canada was illegal and Bush wanted to keep it that way. And that statement was patently false. He never qualified it with “international internet orders”. Buying drugs in Canada is legal, but there are limits to the amount at any given time. Throwing the illegality in such a vague way gives the impression to people that don’t know better that it’s illegal. I doubt anyone here can honestly say it wasn’t pandering to the ignorant. To those that don’t know, you can buy drugs in Canada on a script written by a US doctor. It is not illegal to buy Canadian drugs. It’s a fact. There really isn’t much to argue over this point. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/16 "2004-10-06T05:10:53Z")
duffer is a lying douchebag. ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/17 "2004-10-06T05:16:34Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > duffer is a lying douchebag. Perhaps _ignorant_ might be a better word ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/18 "2004-10-06T05:16:48Z")
The charge of lying is proven conclusively, you need at least three such instances to bring a charge of douchebagitude. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/19 "2004-10-06T05:18:05Z")
How was the statement “patently false”? It seems entirely consistent with the cite presented here in the discussion. How is legality introduced in the quote from Edwards? It says that “they’ve blocked” it, and the cite says that Bush “maintained the prohibition”? Entirely consistent. Either present the evidence that you are using to draw conclusions, or stop digging deeper in the hole you are in. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806/20 "2004-10-06T05:19:46Z")
[FDA shuts Canadian drug outlets](http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2003/11/07/Business/FDA_shuts_Canadian_dr.shtml) (November 7, 2003) > [@](#): > > A federal judge granted the government’s request Thursday to shut down a company, operating as Rx Depot and Rx of Canada, that helps customers buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. > The decision by U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan is a blow to customers who use the company to buy less expensive medicines. It also could affect cities and states nationwide that are considering allowing employees to import drugs in order to cut rising prescription costs. > Rx of Canada has seven stores in Florida, but its only location in the Tampa Bay area, in New Port Richey, closed in September for reasons unrelated to the legal action. > An estimated 1-million to 2-million Americans already buy Canadian drugs through the Internet, storefront operations or by crossing the border. > At the request of the Food and Drug Administration, the Justice Department asked the court for an injunction shutting down the 85 storefronts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-lying-douchebag/267806.md?page=2)