Since my article for Forbes.com was posted yesterday, debate over whether South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford should resign has grown and festered, confirming our view that he accomplished nothing in his press conference except to fan the gathering flames. No such debate has raged over the suitability of Nevada Senator John Ensign remaining in office, nor is it likely to. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s tragic death may have eclipsed the story, but the damage to Governor ... Read More

The FDA is at it again. The latest product to fall victim to the newly-energized agency is Zicam, an over-the-counter cold and allergy product that some users claim has damaged their sense of smell. Unlike prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies like Zicam don’t require FDA approval before they go on the market. But since 2007, companies have been required to report what are called “adverse events” related to their products. After the agency spotted the Zicam complaints ... Read More

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently found itself in the middle of a very unpleasant communications situation. Its approach to dealing with the problem has left a lot to be desired. When reports first surfaced that an unknown number of patients had been put at risk because colonoscopy equipment at VA hospitals had not been properly sterilized between examinations, thousand of patients wondered whether they might be among the unlucky few to have been exposed ... Read More

Apple enthusiasts rejoiced at the news of a new, faster, more powerful iPhone 3GS Monday – that is until they found out that AT&T would not subsidize the upgrade cost for current users. AT&T’s position not to allow upgrades for current customers has produced fast and furious backlash. Consumers quickly took to the Internet and formed a Twitter petition calling on AT&T to change its position. More than 8,000 people have signed the petition since it was ... Read More

In this regular feature, Bulletproof interviews top plaintiffs' attorneys for their perspective on the crises likely to affect businesses in the near future. Today we talk to James McKenzie of McKenzie & Hall, P.A., one of Florida’s long-established and most respected plaintiffs’ firms. Mr. McKenzie, based in Pensacola, discussed his focus for 2009 and beyond. What industry now represents your primary focus for the near future?  James McKenzie: The insurance industry has been a prime focus of ... Read More

First the facts: The nation's food supply has never been safer. The number of reported illnesses caused by common food-borne pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria continues to decrease year after year. Now the unfortunate reality: Public concern over food-borne illnesses has never been greater – thanks in large part to a recent uptick in food recalls (and the media attention they generate), even as the real threat diminishes. Why the apparent disconnect? Because public ... Read More