Yet again, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has raised his sword for Big Healthcare at patients' expense.  This time, Frist aims to shield vaccine manufacturers from liability for injuries caused by bird-flu and Anthrax shots.  

Instead of sponsoring legislation in the sunshine, Frist snuck provisions into a spending bill.

Frist's deceptiveness is no surprise, starting at least as far back as med-school, when he took animals from shelter under the pretense of "adopting" them but instead used them in fatal experiments.

Like fruit from a poisoned tree, Frist's political success is inextricably tied to HCA, the family business that became the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain.  HCA stock worth at least $11 million comprised a substantial chunk of his wealth, enabling Frist to spend $1.2 million from his own pocket for his first senatorial campaign.

HCA's fruit was similarly poisoned, with profits stemming from years of crimes and civil infractions that cost the taxpayers millions.