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Swines....
Author: Raine    Date: 04/27/2009 12:42:26

Is it 100 days yet? This has been part of the media Hype machine as of late. 100 Days. We are not there yet. We won't be until Wednesday. Even when we are there, it doesn't matter because we will have another 100 after that, and after that. CNN's John King is already saying that the Second 100 days will be bigger test for Obama.

Looming in those next 100 days is now a possible Flu Pandemic. The media will be -- and already is -- all over this juicy story. The bottom line, as we all heard yesterday, is to take commons sense steps for flu and cold prevention. While the media was all atwitter about DHS declaring a National Health Emergency, they failed to mention this rather important part of the story
When House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey, the Wisconsin Democrat who has long championed investment in pandemic preparation, included roughly $900 million for that purpose in this year's emergency stimulus bill, he was ridiculed by conservative operatives and congressional Republicans.

Obey and other advocates for the spending argued, correctly, that a pandemic hitting in the midst of an economic downturn could turn a recession into something far worse -- with workers ordered to remain in their homes, workplaces shuttered to avoid the spread of disease, transportation systems grinding to a halt and demand for emergency services and public health interventions skyrocketing. Indeed, they suggested, pandemic preparation was essential to any responsible plan for renewing the U.S. economy.

But former White House political czar Karl Rove and key congressional Republicans -- led by Maine Senator Susan Collins -- aggressively attacked the notion that there was a connection between pandemic preparation and economic recovery.

Now, as the World Health Organization says a deadly swine flu outbreak that apparently began in Mexico but has spread to the United States has the potential to develop into a pandemic, Obey's attempt to secure the money seems eerily prescient.

And his partisan attacks on his efforts seem not just creepy, but dangerous.
The Republicans fought to strip 900 million dollars in emergency health funding from the Stim Bill, citing it wasn't important to the economy. It was mocked and laughed at and ridiculed (remember Boehner slamming things around?) They cut alot of that money out:
With money for pandemic influenza preparedness stripped from a huge economic stimulus bill that appears headed for final congressional approval, public health advocates say they have to look to the regular budgeting process for the next chance to get some pandemic funding.

The House of Representatives had included $900 million in pandemic preparedness funds in its version of the massive stimulus package, but it appeared that all but $50 million was removed by the conference committee that ironed out differences between the House and Senate versions, said Richard Hamburg, government relations director for the nonpartisan, nonprofit group Trust for America's Health (TFAH).

The House passed the $787 billion compromise bill this afternoon by a vote of 246-183, with no Republican support, the New York Times reported. The story said the Senate was expected to approve the measure this evening.

The $50 million left in the bill, listed as a Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, is for improving information technology security at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Hamburg said. The sums removed included $420 million for pandemic flu and $430 million for biomedical advanced research and development, he reported.
The Republicans ought to be praying that we don't have a pandemic flu out break. They mock Volcano Warning Systems, they stripped Pandemic funding -- What more have they done? They ridicule everything except the beloved Tax Cuts.

All the times the GOP were screaming that they had no input, they said it was too partisan. The reality is they had plenty of input and did their best to strip everything stimulative or just plain good for people from the bill besides tax cuts. Then not only did they not vote for it as a whole they tried to sabotage it at every turn in the media. The Dems did not help either by caving to the Party of "No!". There is plenty of blame to go around.

I am going to wash my hands. I don't fear the flu so much as I fear the swines.


:peace: and :heart:
Raine

 

50 comments (Latest Comment: 04/28/2009 05:30:40 by livingonli)
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Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:07:41
Morning :hug:



Okay, haven't really been paying that close attention to this whole "swine flu" thing - put it in the same category at "bird flu"



someone give me the basics please and what does eating pork have to do with it?

Comment by BobR on 04/27/2009 13:14:32
The Swine flu is a virulent flu strain that has been deadly in Mexico, has a 24-48 hour incubation period, and seems to be making its way around the world (including the US) which is why it's so much in the news.



It has nothing to do with eating pork. It's called the swine flu because it started out in pigs.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 13:15:11
Here you go Mala: Swine Flu Fun Facts.

Comment by BobR on 04/27/2009 13:17:05
Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:20:06
Thanks guys :D



I didn't think it had anything to do with ingestion, didn't seem logical. Mom had said she heard on the news this morning that China wasn't going to be importing pork from the US or Mexico, that was why I asked

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:38:31
Saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend - couldn't help but laugh :)



http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/CSC-BigBobber_med.jpg


Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 13:39:24
Quote by wickedpam:

Saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend - couldn't help but laugh :)



http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/CSC-BigBobber_med.jpg


That is awesome!

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 13:42:13
It is a combination of up to 4 strains, actually. They do not know what could happen with this flu.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:42:36
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

Saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend - couldn't help but laugh :)



http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/CSC-BigBobber_med.jpg


That is awesome!






I know! :lol:

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:43:57
Quote by Raine:

It is a combination of up to 4 strains, actually. They do not know what could happen with this flu.






This is why I try to not use anti-bacterical stuff, how in the world can your immune system learn to fight off sickness if you keep killing all the germs

Comment by BobR on 04/27/2009 13:50:04
Quote by wickedpam:

Saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend - couldn't help but laugh :)



http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/CSC-BigBobber_med.jpg


the REAL Big Bobber is full of beer, not Pepsi!

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 13:51:40
Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend - couldn't help but laugh :)



http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/CSC-BigBobber_med.jpg


the REAL Big Bobber is full of beer, not Pepsi!






Only pix I could find were ones of soda or juice and fruit. I know in my heart of hearts beer is the offical beverage of THe Big Bobber :D

Comment by Scoopster on 04/27/2009 14:07:56
Morning all! Another wild month has come to an end.. and unless things spin around again we're looking at another loss.



I have to say this though - we're not drowning in a loss of business. Actually the real problem we're seeing is that our clients are simply too indecisive about renewing their ads. It's like they're waiting for something to happen.... and in the meantime we get beaten up.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 14:09:32
Ok SO0-- What is the Flu Count now in Mexico?

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 14:13:44
I thought it was only about 100 - methinks they aren't telling the world everything

Comment by BobR on 04/27/2009 14:21:05
Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 14:21:11
Someone should tell Jim that Spain has had 6 cases already.

Comment by TriSec on 04/27/2009 14:23:49


Comment by Random on 04/27/2009 14:31:03
Okay...seriously...in the stephcast ads, stop refering to Bush as president...It's been over a 100 days.

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/27/2009 14:34:11
Good morning my 4F mooks!



Yes, washing hands often is the best defense against any flu and cold type virus'. Don't use the hand sanitizer except as a last resort.

Comment by TriSec on 04/27/2009 14:37:39
Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?





Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 14:46:13
Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?









I've always thought they were good questions

Comment by BobR on 04/27/2009 15:04:21
Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?





They are only 2nd and 3rd behind "is this enough money for you?" :P



excellent!

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/27/2009 15:04:41
Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?





Unless it Ashton Kutcher asking, then YES!!



:boobs: :boobs:



Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:05:30
Quote by Random:

Okay...seriously...in the stephcast ads, stop refering to Bush as president...It's been over a 100 days.
98 actually. Did you read the bloggie today?



Heya Random!



Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:06:10
That sounds like awfully good news Tri!

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:12:34
I love me some Mary Tyler Moore!!!

Comment by TriSec on 04/27/2009 15:15:34
OK comrades....heading out to the store for a short shift this afternoon.



Mrs. TriSec's birthday tomorrow, but we're heading out tonight....



TTFN!



:sprint:





Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/27/2009 15:16:41
Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?







Good questions to get, TriSec!



Excellent post, Raine!!



I subbed a few days last week, and I am off today -- and will be tomorrow. I am getting ready to move into a new place here in Phoenix with a friend on Thursday, so I will likely pack up the computer on Tuesday night. I will check in before I go.



Be well.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 15:17:35
Um, then you call the cops you dope.....

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:20:04
My gawd. I really hate despise these torture apologists.

Comment by Scoopster on 04/27/2009 15:23:07
Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?





Those sound like closing questions to me.. Let em seal your deal!

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 15:34:37
LIke I said Chris see you at Hemmingford Home :)

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:40:02
Newt accusing Al Gore of being intellectually dishonest? :facepalm:

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:49:11
Breaking news: John Lewis among others has been arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy (Darfur Related)

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 15:50:11
Quote by Raine:

Newt accusing Al Gore of being intellectually dishonest? :facepalm:






did we get into the Deloren?

Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 15:51:23
Good morning.



I really something where I don't get home so late.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 15:53:48
Quote by Raine:

Breaking news: John Lewis among others has been arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy (Darfur Related)


Link.

Eight activists protesting the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur have been arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.



Humanitarian leaders and U.S. lawmakers, including Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards, were led away from the embassy in handcuffs Monday after crossing a police line.


MSNBC is reporting that John Lewis is among those arrested as well.

Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 15:54:04
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by TriSec:

Hey gang...



"When can you start?" and "What hours do you prefer?" are good questions from a hiring manager, right?









I've always thought they were good questions


Sounds good to me.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/27/2009 15:56:02
ummm - nope. as of yet I haven't had the flu

Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 15:56:13
Quote by Raine:

Newt accusing Al Gore of being intellectually dishonest? :facepalm:


Pot, meet kettle.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 16:06:07
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Raine:

Breaking news: John Lewis among others has been arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy (Darfur Related)


Link.

Eight activists protesting the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur have been arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.



Humanitarian leaders and U.S. lawmakers, including Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards, were led away from the embassy in handcuffs Monday after crossing a police line.


MSNBC is reporting that John Lewis is among those arrested as well.
Arrested:



Reps Jim McGovern, John Lewis, Donna Edwards, Keith Ellison and Lynn Woolsey



Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 16:54:16
CNN International just reported that an earthquake hit Mexico.

Comment by Scoopster on 04/27/2009 17:42:15
Just fired up the USGS web mosheen.. looks like that quake is centered between Aculpoco & Mexico City and hit 6.0 magnitude.

Comment by Scoopster on 04/27/2009 18:38:47
:devilbanana: ROCK LOBSTA! DIVE! DIVE!

Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 19:12:22
Time to go head off to the salt mine.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 20:02:18
From Lizz Winstead: OK FOLKS BIG NEWS! Your pal Lizz is filling in for Ed schultz on his RADIO SHOW THIS WED. DAY 100, April 29th, 12-3 est. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS AND CALL IN!!! I am excited and honored.

Comment by Raine on 04/27/2009 21:11:31
Kristoff Wants Cheney to run in 2012 -- LIZ CHENEY!

Comment by livingonli on 04/27/2009 21:24:59
Quote by Raine:

From Lizz Winstead: OK FOLKS BIG NEWS! Your pal Lizz is filling in for Ed schultz on his RADIO SHOW THIS WED. DAY 100, April 29th, 12-3 est. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS AND CALL IN!!! I am excited and honored.


It looks like I will be changing my listening habits on Wednesday since I can listen on either WWRL or XM.



And as for Kristof, something else he and his neo-con buddies can be wrong about.

Comment by livingonli on 04/28/2009 05:30:40
It seems like no one posts at night any more.