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PROCTER & GAMBLE: The Cincinnati-based consumer goods giant gets our thanks for donating 15 pallets’ worth of Iams dog and cat food to help the region’s needy pets. The food will be distributed through the United Coalition of Animals (UCAN) and the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. Located in Queensgate, UCAN is a nonprofit spay/neuter clinic for cats and dogs, which also provides pet care for animals owned by low-income people. The Pet Food Pantry, operated by Recycled Doggies, is a nonprofit group that helps individuals and families going through tough economic times feed their pets; it distributes pet food monthly from its donated facility in Blue Ash. Both groups rely on donations, and the sizable one from P&G will no doubt help hundreds of animals. Well done, P&G. On the other hand...
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PROCTER & GAMBLE: Unfortunately, P&G is making national headlines due to a class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami. The case, which includes more than 70 plaintiffs, alleges they got crippling neurological damage stemming from zinc poisoning due to the use of denture adhesive creams. One of the defendants — GlaxoSmithKline, maker of PoliGrip — voluntarily removed zinc from its product last year. But P&G, maker of the popular Fixodent, still uses zinc. The local company says its product contains a lower concentration of zinc and is safe, when used as directed. P&G only added a warning label. A recent study in the journal, Neurology, linked longtime use to nerve damage, but the study’s publication allegedly was delayed for two years due a hostile peer review by a dentist found to be a paid consultant for P&G, according to The San Francisco Examiner. If true, that’s extremely bad form.
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ABORTION ACCESS: Many Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives campaigned last fall by stating their priority would be job creation, not divisive social issues. During their first month in office, however, they’ve introduced three separate bills trying to increase restrictions on abortion. The most odious of the trio changes when federal funding may be used for abortion. Previously, it was allowed in cases of low-income women who get pregnant due to incest, rape and danger to the mother’s health. But the GOP bill would change that to “forcible rape,” meaning it couldn’t be used for situations like statutory rape and date rape. After a backlash, lawmakers said they would remove the wording but, a week later, that hasn’t happened. More than 150 Republicans have sponsored the bill with the original wording. Clearly, the GOP misunderstood whatever mandate voters were giving it in last November’s elections.
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HORSESHOE CASINO: The city of Cincinnati’s Urban Design Review Board (UDRB) last week said initial blueprints for the casino planned at Broadway Commons needs some tweaking. The board, which has no real authority but acts in an advisory capacity to the city manager, said the Horseshoe Casino’s design appeared disjointed and “hodgepodge.” Also, the panel was worried that outdoor lighting might bother nearby residents and should be scaled back. Developers promised to work on some changes and — as they’re investing hundreds of millions of dollars — we’re sure they want it to be the best it can be. Still, they should take the recommendations with a grain of salt. The UDRB is the same group that liked the horrid design for downtown’s Freedom Center, so maybe if it dislikes something, it actually means it’s a good thing.