Special From NewsMax's Most Informed Sources
Monday, Jan. 10, 2005

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1. Bill Clinton Thanks Tom Ridge

We hear one leading Democrat is thankful to the Bush administration for the job they have done protecting us after the last Democrat left the White House.

His name is Bill Clinton.

Clinton was late to arrive for a dinner at tony Café Milano in Georgetown this past December. Hillary and Chelsea were waiting at the corner table.

As he raced to his table, Clinton spotted Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, sipping Grey Goose vodka and celebrating the holidays with his Homeland Security staff.

Clinton reportedly made a beeline for Ridge.

"Thank you for what you did," Clinton told Ridge.

Apparently surprised by the endorsement, Ridge responded, "It's a totally thankless job. Thank you."

2. Al-Qaeda Spotted in Panama

Ever since the U.S. left Panama and our canal, the place has become a hot bed of intrigue.

A prominent Washington source -- with close ties to the U.S. intelligence community -- tells NewsMax that al-Qaeda operatives have been using Panama City.

U.S. intelligence has tracked several al-Qaeda operative through Panama.

The question is whether it is a base of operations or a transit point for operations. Panama City is an international banking center and al-Qaeda may be using banks there to funnel funds around the world, our source suggests.

The recent installation of the new president, Martin Torijos, is bad news for the U.S. Torijhos is already seeking making closer ties with another terrorist leader, Fidel Castro.

3. John Bolton: No Plans to Leave Yet

While the AP reported, "John Bolton, the State Department's top international security official, will leave the post in the second Bush administration," one source denied the report.

A source close to the administration told NewsMax that the AP report is news to Bolton. Bolton had made no plans of leaving the Bush administration.

Bolton has been undersecretary of state for arms control and has been widely credited for holding rogue states like Iran, Libya and North Korea accountable for the illegal weapons programs.

Bolton had been considered as a possible deputy to Condeleeza Rice, who is awaiting Senate confirmation as Secretary of State.

Instead, Rice has apparently selected U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. A Republican, Zoellick is also considered an internationalist with close ties to former Secretary of State James Baker and former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft.

The view is the Zoellick pick underscores a desire by the Bush administration to end its go-it-alone policy.

Rice is also said to be picking Nicholas Burns, U.S. ambassador to NATO, to be her under secretary for political affairs.

Burns, a State Department careerist, served as spokesman for former secretaries of state Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright.

Administration insiders tell NewsMax that Rice's picks so far suggest she will make accommodations with the State Dept. and not attempt to clean house.  At the National Security Council, Rice filled her staff with State Department officials and brought in few outside policy experts.

4. Blaylock Had It First: CRP Linked to Heart Attacks

This week newspapers headlined that C-reactive protein, a molecule found in blood, is a good indictaor of heart attack dangers.
 
But this was not news for NewsMax readers who get Dr. Russell Blaylock's Wellness Report.
 
Back in October of last year, Dr. Blaylock wrote in his newsletter:
 
"One of the big secrets of the cardiology world is that elevated cholesterol plays no part in over 50 percent of heart attacks and strokes. Recent studies have shown that four factors play a major role in risk in these individuals: lipoprotein(a), C-reactive protein, homocysteine and fibrinogen. Your doctor can test all of these factors with a blood test. Any doctor worth his salt will test you for these."
 
The C-reactive protein test, Dr. Blaylock wrote, is much more an indicator of heart attacks and stroke risks.
 
Two studies out this past week found just that.
 
"Blood levels of a molecule called C-reactive protein are just as important as cholesterol readings when measuring cardiovascular risk, say two studies that looked at the issue in different groups of patients," one report indicated.
 
Interesting, some reports are spinning these studies to suggest that statin drugs are the best way to lower C-reactive protein. Dr. Blaylock also has warned that statin drugs are dangerous.
 
Please read his life-saving report on lowering your heart attack and stroke risk - Go Here Now.

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