Watching CNN ephedra coverage: is ban a Mad Cow distraction?

[DeepModem Mom]

Watching CNN's breaking-news ephedra ban coverage -- why now? Is this to distract from Mad Cow coverage, and possible stories about Bush administration negligence, by showing that people are being protected from ephedra? Carol Lin just asked Tommy Thompson, "Why now?", since dangers of ephedra have been apparent a long time. He said -- surprise -- that the Clinton administration had done nothing, and that there is a long lead time between beginning required studies, etc., and actual ban.