This will be a big topic of the debate … follow the ‘rosebud’ especially, it’s quite interesting and gives some insight into what I believe will offer some interesting discussion tonight. An excellent blogger found all of this. Pretty amazing - hats off.
Because they are anorexic UPI reports. Females, mostly between the ages of 12-19 years of age, are dieing from anorexia, more than any other mental disorder in France. The desire to be rail thin and fit into the latest fashions has been recognized as the mental health crisis that it is.
French lawmakers acted against anorexia Tuesday, trying to ban Internet sites and print publications glamorizing extreme thinness that jeopardizes girls’ lives.
The measure would make it illegal “to encourage another person to seek excessive thinness … which could expose them to a risk of death or endanger their health,” The Independent reported. The bill, which would inflict prison terms of up to two years and fines up to $48,000, was approved by Parliament’s National Assembly and is expected to be approved by the Senate, the British newspaper said.
Speaking to lawmakers, French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said advising girls how to go about purging food they’ve eaten, “lie to their doctors” and “encouraging them to torture themselves” is not a matter of freedom of expression.
“The messages sent out here are messages of death,” Bachelot said.
The whole measles outbreaks have really thrown me as you can see by my constant coverage on the site. Additionally, we throw in the autism question, and the concern as to whether or not there could be a link between vaccines and it’s onset. Top that with easy travel among borders, where we can travel anywhere, anytime.
It got me searching, looking for the latest and greatest research, and what do I find but this, from the Economist. I just had to say, wait a minute, now you throw this in the mix? Is it possible that by not vaccinating our families we are sending the US into a downward economic spiral? Looks to be true from the research. Check it out: 10/14/2005 Economist Article:
What good is vaccination? Obviously it is good for the person receiving the vaccine … More subtly, it can be good for an entire population since, if enough of its members are vaccinated, even those who are not will receive a measure of protection. … But in the case of many vaccines, there are non-medical benefits, too, in the form of costs avoided and the generation of income that would otherwise have been lost. … Quantifying these more general benefits is hard. But a pair of researchers from Harvard University has just tried. David Bloom and David Canning, together with Mark Weston, an independent policy consultant, have looked at two vaccination programmes and attempted to calculate the wider benefits. Their conclusions have just been published in World Economics. Dr Bloom and Dr Canning believed that previous attempts to quantify the non-medical benefits of vaccination had … failed to take account of recent work on the effects of health on incomes. For their study, they and Mr Weston identified how vaccination … might increase wealth. The first benefit was that healthy children are more likely to attend school and better able to learn. The second was that healthy workers are more productive. Both of these seem fairly obvious. Two other benefits are less so… One is that good health promotes savings and investment. This is because healthy people both expect to live longer (which gives them an incentive to save) and actually do live longer (which gives them more time to save). The other is that good health—and, particularly, expectations about the good health of one’s offspring—promotes the so-called demographic transition from large to small families that usually accompanies economic development. None of these factors, the researchers thought, had been properly taken account of in previous estimates of the cost-effectiveness of vaccination.
To demonstrate that … one of their ideas was correct, they turned to the Philippines. Here, a study called the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey has been going on since 1983. It follows the lives of Filipina mothers and those of their children born in 1983 and 1984. … The three researchers … found a statistically significant difference in the language and IQ scores between otherwise comparable vaccinated and unvaccinated children. In both cases, those of the unvaccinated were lower. Since it is known from other studies that these scores are good predictors of adult income, the researchers concluded that childhood vaccination would have significant economic benefits. In order to predict those benefits, they turned to a vaccination campaign that is just beginning. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) is a collaboration of governments, international organisations, vaccine-makers and charities. … the researchers used data from previous vaccination programmes to estimate both the reduction in mortality and the improvement in the health of the living that might be expected to flow from the new GAVI programme. Then they combined these estimates with existing data about the economic effects of health improvement … in poor countries… on future income. Using standard accounting methods … they calculate that the new GAVI programme can be expected to generate an immediate rate of return of 12.4%, rising to 18% by the end of the programme. And that does not include any benefits that might come from the demographic transition. The dispassionate economic case for vaccination, therefore, looks at least as strong as the compassionate medical one. If the figures … are right, it truly is an investment for the future.
I will continute to update you all on any information about Brittany Sue Zimmerman’s murder as I can locate it. As it stands currently, there are DNA samples under investigation. From the Badger- Herald :
by Jacquelyn Ryberg
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
As the homicide investigation of Brittany Zimmermann continues, Madison police called the case a “game of DNA” at a Bassett Neighborhood Committee meeting Monday.
With more than 20 officers working the case, police returned Monday from a one-day break since the April 2 murder of the 21-year-old University of Wisconsin junior.
According to Lt. Joe Balles, a sufficient amount of evidence has been sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, and police are awaiting results that could possibly lead to a break in the case.
“This lab is not like when you watch ‘CSI.’ It is not that easy. It is very complex, it is comprehensive, and it takes a long time,” Balles said. “I want them to take their time. We do not need to rush to any conclusions.”
The reason for the long process stems from the necessity of two crime analysts to review and process the DNA.
“The results have to be duplicated in order for them to report back to us that, yes, this DNA does whatever, matches whatever we might have on our end,” Balles said.
Although Balles did not comment on any advances in the investigation, he did point out the various strategies detectives have employed to increase safety in the downtown area. Preventive measures include encouraging property owners to post more visible signage to thwart trespassing and adding additional patrols to the Bassett and State Street areas and the west side of Capitol Square.
Balles said Madison police officers will be traveling door-to-door in the Doty and Wilson Street areas in the near future to administer surveys to tenants. The questionnaire will inquire about knowledge relevant to the investigation to uncover any information that citizens may not have come forward with.
Although safety remains a large concern, City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, said the forced entry into Zimmermann’s apartment at 517 W. Doty St. was extremely uncommon for the area.
“That sort of forced entry is quite rare in our community, and it was an anomaly,” Verveer said. While the focus on the recent Zimmermann case has been prevalent, Balles said the homicide of Joel Marino, a 31-year-old found stabbed to death in an alley near his 714 W. Shore Drive home Jan. 28, must also be considered as a possible connection.
“While we have no direct evidence to link the two together, certainly the … person of a reasonable mind has to question such events like that happening in such close proximity and time occurrence to one another,” Balles said.
Regarding the transient population in the downtown area and its relation to the investigation, Balles said it is necessary to take a look at all citizens who may have been present in the area the day of Zimmermann’s homicide.
“We know there were a number of people in that neighborhood looking for money, so we want to talk to them,” said Joel DeSpain, MPD public information officer. “They might have seen things; they may be good witnesses for us.
UPI- Isn’t it enough that we have Obama stealing speeches, perhaps Gordon Ramsey can teach either the McCain’s or their interns a thing or two. Seems the Huffington Post first sniffed this one out, that Cindy McCain’s family recipes were actually from the Food Network, these were on the McCain website. Another uh-oh:
The Republican presidential contender’s wife submitted the recipe for Passion Fruit Mousse as her own for a New York Sun article in January.
Maybe in typical Obama fashion it was Pride Fruity Mousse or something. Who knew?
Well I heard on the radio today that Walt Disney World is going to have to make some changes over at the the It’s a Small World ride. Seems some of the boats have been sinking because of the er rather large occupants. Not to fear. Disney will accommodate the ever larger growing population of ‘World’ and world occupants by make the boats bigger.
I guess the cheaper option would have been to put a scale on before you rode, too much weight, you were off. Would have been kind of mean though.
The Pope rocks. We took the kids to the Vatican and what a place, and he’s on his way here today. From CBN news.
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - The head of the Roman Catholic Church arrives in Washington today for his first trip to the U.S. as pope.
In Washington, CBN News’ Melissa Charbonneau spoke with White House insiders preparing for the visit from the Holy See.
A Presidential Welcome
The White House calls it an “extraordinary” gesture. For first time President Bush is traveling to Andrews Air Force Base to greet a visiting world leader.
“The President, as leader of a great country, and the Pope, as leader of a great faith, can speak with some amount of moral authority in terms of issues that do matter across the globe,” Bush counselor Ed Gillespie told CBN News.
Pope Benedict XVI will be the second pontiff ever to visit the White House. The first, Pope John Paul II, visited America during the Carter administration.
“It comes at a very important time in terms of understanding the need to stop the spread of terrorism and the notion that violence and terror should be committed in the name of religion. It’s an important time in terms of religious freedoms across the globe,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie says the President and the pope share many common concerns — the culture of life, the fight against aids, and combating global disease.
The White House welcome ceremony for the pope is the first since 9-11 and is expected to draw 12,000 guests to the South Lawn.
Ambassador Nancy Brinker, head of the State Department’s office of protocol, says security is high.
“These are the sorts of visits that take an inordinate amount of time, planning, forecasts, all kinds of things, and of course predicated on good weather, so that’s another issue,” she said. “And this visit will be met with the highest possible security and highest possible safety.”
Also expected, are sightings of the pope mobile as Benedict delivers mass Thursday to an estimated crowd of 46,000 in Washington’s Nationals Stadium and meets fellow Catholics as well as leaders of other faiths.
“People will have an opportunity as he holds mass and addresses large groups of people in stadiums, I think that there will be many media opportunities the breadth and the scope of this visit,” Brinker said.
Papal Controversy
From Benedict’s controversial comments about the evils of radical Islam to his recent baptism of a prominent former Muslim who converted, his stance on Islam has made him friends and enemies alike.
Gillespie said, “The Pope agrees with the President that we have to confront this ideology, and the notion that you can justify not only violence but murder in the name of religion.”
But the pope has also opposed Bush war policy in Iraq which raises questions about the fallout from speech to the U.N. set for Friday.
“There may be some tactical differences as to how best we do that and where we do that, but there’s no doubt there’s an agreement on principle that we have to stand for religious freedom and for stand against the notion that terrorism and murder can be justified in the name of religion,” Gillespie said.
After visiting with the President and spending two days in the nation’s capital, the pope will head to New York on Friday for his U.N. address. He’ll hold mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and will visit Ground Zero, site of the 9-11 terrorist attack, before heading home to the Vatican on Sunday.
I checked in with my comments this morning and I saw that trolfighter responded back that he was bitter as were his friends. Well, I am always of the mindset that an elitist Senator making a broad sweeping motion like Obama to label an entire population (middle America) ‘bitter’ is entirely wrong. When I was eleven, my parents packed us up and moved us away from our extremely large Irish Catholic family to California from Detroit. The ‘motor city’ wasn’t what it once was, however some left and some stayed. A larger portion all live there still, happily.
There is no ‘bitterness’. Love surrounds that core, and my parents had other plans. End of story. Life is what you make it. Choices abound. How many of you had to fight and fight, I know my ancestors did, my parents did, just so we could make it. We have for our kids. But we are happy. I wake up every day and if you call me bitter or my family bitter like I said in my last article I’ll say, Obama you are too far removed honey. How many of you from other countries reading this are working to make things happen for your families?
You have a choice in this life to be bitter. You have a choice in this life to be angry. You have a choice in this life to be angry at the world and wait for a government handout. We are not a socialist government. It seems some have gotten to a point perhaps where some might be waiting for a president for a bailout, or a financial institution to do so ( we have seen what a crisis that creates, look at our housing market : Youngstown, Ohio is a Ghost town!). As my 93 year old Grandmother says, their is no free lunch ;).
It’s not up to Hillary, or McCain, Or Obama, it really is going to come down to us at the end of the day. It’s an attitude, being aware of what’s around us, and doing something about it.
Check this out: big cereal recall, Malt ‘O’ Meal Cereal has recalled Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat Cereal because of Salmonella after three people were hospitalized. What, are you going to go eat the darn cereal because you are ‘bitter’ ‘cause’ you can’t have any? Lordy have Mercy.
Well, I am following yet another measles outbreak, and wondering what is going on now. We’ve got San Diego County, Tucson Arizona (where it could be a statewide epidemic), an UK outbreak, and now Milwaukee. This is easily controlled with a vaccine people. Some say in the media parents are afraid to give vaccines to their children because of the possibility of a vaccine-autism connection. An immunology student left an interesting post about a ‘herd’ mentality. Some individuals think immigrating families who are not vaccinated bring disease with them. Thoughts?
All I know is that it’s not looking good.
Measles outbreak feared in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE, April 12 (UPI) – Public health officials in Milwaukee are trying to contain a suspected measles outbreak that could involve scores of unsuspecting victims.
One of the four people confirmed to have measles had come into contact with up to 150 people before being contained, meaning the infection could have spread dramatically, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Saturday.
Health officer Darren Rausch said officials have been able to locate and contain a 37-year-old man, a 23-month-old girl and two boys, ages 5 months and 1 year, who were found to have measles.
“We believe we have limited the exposure,” he said.
As a precaution due to the potential exposure from one of the patients, city officials offered free immunization vaccinations Saturday.
The newspaper said those wanting such immunizations should contact their local public health office immediately.
Milwaukee Health Department medical director Geoffrey Swain said one immunization shot is 95 percent effective.
Obama, it’s like the old psychobabble of old. Soon everyone is bitter, Obama is Bitter, “we know you are but what are we?” People like guns because they like guns, not because of some deeply seeded fear of being chased by somebody somewhere. Perhaps it’s the right to bear arms, perhaps it’s a family tradition. Maybe elk hunting happens just once a year in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Whatever. Do you have a taste for venison Obama? I’m not sure if you developed a palate for that at Harvard or in Hawaii, whatever.
Maybe the families in Indiana or Pennsylvania are just happy with family and cousins and birthday parties and Sunday dinners and sprinklers and mosquitos and camping and sure it would be nice for a few more jobs here and there but nobody wants to be you or Hillary or John McCain. Don’t you dare insult anyone with the set of everyday praying or non-praying and bills and working and child rearing and marital issues to tell any of the proud Americans we are bitter. Especially when you are off in some fancy million dollar mansion in California- Hillsborough or wherever insulting the middle of America. Talking down like you know something middle America doesn’t.
You can take it back, but America is proud, there is no bitter.
Feed me
nicolleshanman
