Rare Form of TB

A man who was under Federal Isolation for a rare antibiotic resistant strain of TB, got on a plane and traveled to Europe earlier this month, knowing that he was infected with TB but unaware of its rare and deadly form, but aware of the possibility of infecting others! He is now on the move and has left Grady Memorial Hospital, he says he is leaving to receive health care at National Jewish Medical Center in Denver. However it has not been confirmed if he has arrived in Denver as of yet. He found out that he had TB earlier this month, he was advised to stay quarantined, he left hospitalization and traveled to Paris, while he was away tests revealed that he had this rare resistant form of TB, the CDC tracked him down in Rome and urged him to hand him self over to the Italian authorities, but he refused, and got back on a plan to Montreal. He is now on the move once again and we can only hope he will reach Denver and stay where he is told. This outraged me this morning when I heard. How irresponsible, he could have not only exposed each person on both flights but he could have also turned it into an epidemic. The CDC has contacted everyone on the flight and is in the process of testing each person. There have only been 47 reported cases of this rare form of TB in the last few decades, but none in the last 20 years. As far as researchers know this strain is completely resistant to antibiotics and is untreatable. One Health official who treated the infected man called even TB a weapon of mass destruction that is largely ignored in this society but is still very much a concern with 9 million new cases per year world wide. What does this have to do with politics? Everything!! Anything that is of potential danger to the health and safety of a countries people should be considered part of politics. And if this does break out, which is looking very unlikely, you better believe the president would have to be heavily involved with the CDC to try to contain the matter as best as possible. I just need to say one more time, how utterly ridiculous I think this man is. To get on a plane filled with people when you have been diagnosed with TB and warned of the possibility of contamination!!! I am so upset and I cannot imagine how the people on the flight felt when they were notified of their possible exposure. That is all for now but will keep you updated as reports come in of the mans whereabouts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6JFkxpyYi4
quick clip of the highlights of this breaking story

The Nexus of Politics and Terrorism

For those of you who do not know, the term nexus refers to a connection between two or more things.

What I want to know is why it took so long for things like this to surface. Why the media waited four years to start digging. The Answer is that no one wanted to get there hands dirty! It was to early after 9/11 and too many people were still in favor of the administration. Now with Bush at such a low approval rating it seems like every media source is just now digging up facts about how we sliped up on 9/11. UM I would have liked the country to know these things in time for the last presidential election!! Maybe Jonh Kerry would be in office instead!!

An Organized Kidnap

Today 5 british citizens were abducted by what appeared to be Iraqi Police Forces. This comes just after yesterday when ten US Soldiers were killed making May the most deadly month so far. Wittnesses said that the forces sealed of the streets at both ends and went right past the quards and entered the Finance Ministry Head quarters. US and British forces both believe that this was part of an Iraqi Police Force that went rogue. There has been infaltration of the police force recently by the Militia! When are we going to stop hearing of kidnapps and deaths of our soldiers and our allies soldiers in Iraq. When are we going to hear that we are winning? Can we even win with this amount of troops. I want this war to be over just like every one else, but what will happen if we pull out? We have already made so many enemies in Iraq from our occupation, and Abu Grahib and Gitmo, that to just leave and let them fight it out..... we cant take that risk. We have no idea who will come to power!

Rumsfield Mixes up the Stories

I was doing some research on Donald Rumsfield and I found this conspiracy clip. The reason I was researching Rumsfield is because I do believe the man is a war criminal, I think he is an extreme hawk that likes war, I think that is all he knows and in times of crisis urges presidents to go to war! If you research him, you will find that behind many of the wars in the past couple of decades, he has served for those presidents. I do not like this man and I certainly do not trust him!

Bye Bye Rosie

ABC announced today that Rosie O'Donnell will not be coming back to the show. While she was already due to leave in three weeks, I guess they gave her an option to leave now. On her website she wrote that there comes time when a painting is done and to add anymore paint is to ruin the painting. I think that is probably best for her to go, although she did make things interesting. Because of these recent fights I had actually set my Tivo to start recording the View, but now that she’s not going to be there I think I will cancel it! I also had a chance to look up some of Rosie's past remarks that have been in the media, and I would like to make it clear that I do not support everything she says!! In fact when she goes off about our troops in Iraq, and although she says she did not mean to call them terrorists..... You do not say anything negative about our actual troops! The administration, go for it, but the troops are off limits!! But what I do believe in, is that she speaks her mind, and unlike Elizabeth he gives her safe opinion, Rosie gives her off the way ideas. Lets all remember in high school when we had to read Fahrenheit 951, or 1982. what were the lessons we were taught about from those? To ALWAYS question authority, to never just accept what someone tells you. The minute that people like Rosie and conspiracy theorist stop caring, is the minute that we will be taken advantage of!!!

He Use to be our Friend and Ally

This is a video about the atrocities of Saddam Hussein's rule, as well as a documentary of the role the US played before we became his sworn enemy. This Video is very difficult to watch, but, many people lost their lives to this man and I believe it is important to know the terrible things he did. Although I will always say that I support our troops, I have never been one to support us going into Iraq in the first place. But even five minutes of watching this man, is enough to make me question!!

Their Stuck in the Middle too!!

Today on the View a fight broke out between Elizabeth and Rosie with Joyce trying to reassert her authority in the fight, and all the while Shar and Joyce are stuck between the two of them trying to get the network to go to commercial!! Everyone is always giving Rosie a hard time about her political belief's, but has anyone listened to Elizabeth speak? Why is everyone always defending her, I don’t care if you are a Republic! sometimes, and not necessarily just in this video clip, but if you search her on youtube you can find some of the ridiculous ideas she has said and defended. Yet again another incident happens that makes me like Rosie O’Donnell. In this fight she even calls out what will happen with the media and how they will spin the situation. She says, and I quote, "Oh big lesbian Rosie, picking on poor little Christian Elizabeth" she says she is not going to do it anymore, that she will not fight with her just to have the media make her look like the bad guy!! Although she did let herself get drawn in, she still tried to keep her thoughts to herself, you can tell she was restraining herself, but she felt betrayed by her friend who is suppose to be backing her up. I think the media needs to lay off of her. Good for her for speaking her mind, me need more people who are not afraid to say what they really think, and whether or not you agree with what she is saying, you should recognize the courage it takes to speak your mind on public television. Especially when the media has it in for you!!!

The Wolfowitz... Scandal?

In case you are curious about the World Bank and Paul Wolfowitz controversie, but do not know all the facts, I found a clip from the British Network that does a good job explaining the situation. Wolfowitz is being asked to step down after information sufaced that he gave his girlfriend an unapproved pay raise. he has refused to step down, but has offered an appology and asked for the sympathy and understanding of the international community. Wolfowitz was appointed by Bush and in case you did not know Wofowitz also served as deputy secretary of defense, he along with Donald Rumsfeild were the main designers of the Iraq war, which as you probably know has become a hot debate in the international community. Funny that the head of the world bank would not only be appointed by the US but also the job was given to someone who's loyalty to the war can not be questioned, since he is one of the main architects of the 2003 lead invasion. The clip explains why he is being asked to step down along with why he is refusing to do so.

YouTube Helping Politicians?

I found this very interesting, take a look. It is the idea that YouTube is helping politicians reach more than just the news watching society!!

Security Vaccum

When The US entered into Iraq in 2003 guns ablaze, we took out Saddam and after Saddam was out of power, we then demoted everyone who was involved in the Ba'ath party. Saddam had about 4 or 5 different security apparatus's working for him before his removal. When the Ba'ath party fell it created a security Vacuum, which metaphorically describes what happens when a space is left open and many groups or people compete for the same opening. this occurred in Iraq and is a huge factor that contributed to the insurgency, and militia problem. Iraq announced today it is preparing a contingency plan to avoid another Security Vacuum situation in case the US were to exit Iraq quickly. this is the first time an Iraq official has publicly mentioned the possibility of the United States leaving Iraq. Does the Prime Minister know something we do not? Or is here merely being cautious? As he rightfully should be, considering the political mood of the US at this point in time. Again time will tell if this preemptive tactic is merely smart planning, or if it is in response to something that is already under way!

More Fighting!

Tonight a bomb went off in Beirut killing one woman, this occured while Lebanese troops battled Islamic militants linked to al Qaeda outside Tripoli, Lebanon's second-largest city. The battle near a Palestinian refugee camp continued into the night, and left 22 Lebanese soldiers and at least 10 militants dead. The fighting was sparked early today when Lebanese internal security forces raided a building in a neighborhood north of Tripoli, army sources said. Militants from Fatah al-Islam opened fire on the forces, who returned fire, triggering clashes in the vicinity of the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. This is just one of the places in the world where fighting is going on, many news sources are saying that this is not an isolated incident and that the fighting may contiue, for how long no one knows. And will this be one battle or will it turn into more. I have a feeling that this is the begining of something that will last for a while. While I hope I am wrong, I also would like to see the Lebanese forces take out the Islmaci militants, because they are linked to Al Qaeda, and it is said that their leader would like to see himself as Osma Bin Ladden, and has been know to be training squads. We can only hope that as little lives are lost as possible and the Lebanese forces will be able to nutralize their enemy. As I usually end my posts that speculate on events, Only time will tell what will happen with this situation. Lets hope it is for the better!!

Hope For The Three Captured Contractors

Yesterday in Columbia escaped hostage, police officer Jhon Frank Pinchao was found in the jungle by a police patrol after escaping from nine years in FARC captivity. He said he was held with a group of 13 hostages including, former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three captured U.S. contractors who disappeared in 2003. He described the camps that they were held prisoners in as crueler than the concentration camps of the Nazis. Pinchao said they moved camps every few months and were often chained by their necks to stop them fleeing. President Alvaro Uribe ordered the military yesterday to hunt for the former presidential candidates as well as the three US contractors. The president has assured the White House that they are doing everything in their power to find the US citizens. The FARC, the Spanish initials for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, captured Betancourt in 2002 while she was campaigning for president. The Americans, Thomas Howes, Marc Gonsalves and Keith Stansell, were captured in 2003 after their surveillance plane crashed while spotting coca crops used to make cocaine. The Columbian government is not only under pressure from the US to find the American Contractors, but has been under pressure from France to negotiate a trade witht the FARC for the hostages. My thoughts are with not only our men that are being held captive, but for all of the hostages that the FARC are holding, and we hope for their safe rescue!!

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead

Just one of the many paradoy's of Jerry Falwell circulating the internet.

Stuck in the Middle With You!!

I saw this on you tube today and I thought it went along with the theme of my blog, since I named it after the song that is playing. When I watched this video I was watching for any political Innuendos, and I found it qhite interesting, take a look!!

Jerry Falwell is Dead

I think Jerry Falwell probably managed to do what many will not accomplish. Even though he is dead not on nice thing can be found to say about him. The man was not a good person, He promoted violence and hatred toward gays, lesbians, and many others. In case you aren't familiar with what Jerry Falwell had to say, here is just a breif quote he made after the attacks on Sept. 11:
"I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen'."

I think that many would agree that this world will be better off with out a man who's mind is so closed to change and harbors so much hatred for others who do not believe in the same thing he does. I thought this was funny the first time I saw it on family guy and I saw it on youtube today.

Brain Injuries

There has been a huge problem in this war with more and more men and women coming home with some sort of brain injuries. Many are cared for until they are transfered home or to a station that does not have the right equiptment to treat or maintain treatment. Many soldiers are losing various brain functions, speculation and preliminary test point to the frequency of blasts and other explosions that soldiers are experienceing often. Research is still being done on why such a high percentage of soldier,18 percent, come home with brain injuries. That is a pretty scarry number if you are a soldier on you way to Iraq. And you hope that if you risk your life to serve your country, that when something goes wrong and injuries are sustained that your country will take care of you. However their are stores of soldiers who will never be able to work again because their reabilitation took so much time just to get approved through the paper work system. Something needs to be done. These people go half way across the world to risk thier lives for millions of people they do not even know!!!!!

For an interesting article done by the New England Journal Of Medicine check out this link; http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/352/20/2043

Finnaly Investigations of Abu Ghraib

Photographs have recenly been surfacing showing American soldiers abusing and humiliating Iraqis being held at a prison near Baghdad. The Army investigated, and issued a scathing report. Now, as of today an Army general and her command staff may face the end of long military careers. And six soldiers are facing court martial in Iraq, and possible prison time. This is the major aspect of the war that I do not approve!!! Torturing these people and not even knowing if they are innocent? This is not what our country stands for. This YouTube Video is of a guards man at Abu Ghraib, talking about the various ways that they torture their prisoners, and he describes how he feels about the situation. The Video is very disturbing, while not graphic, his jocular manner, and lack of respect for humanity was very difficult for me to watch. I put it up here, because I think people need to know what is going on in out Detainee camps. This is just one guy, and yes he could just be showing off for the camera, but it doesnt sound like it to me. He even says that the CIA taught them a whole bunch of torture tricks. Remember it might be hard to hear, but it is something everyone must be aware of!!! Their was a 60 minutes done on this and you can check it out at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/27/60II/main614063.shtml

Russia Found Guilty

Today the mystery of a lost love one was solved for one Chechen family. The European Court of Human Rights condemned Russia on Thursday over the violent death of a Chechen and ordered it to pay 55,000 euros ($74,450) in damages to the victim's family. It is said that it has proved beyond a doubt that the Russian government was responsible for the death of Shamil Said-Khasanovich Akhmadov, His body was found in a field in April 2002, his right leg was broken, the upper half of his skull was missing and there were bullet holes in the chest area of his clothes.The court found Russia guilty of "violating the right to life, illegal detention, an inefficient investigation into the death and not handing over documents relating to the case." Fighting occured when Vladamir Putin took office in 2000 and sent troops to conduct indiscriminate sweeps known as "chistki" or clean-ups through Chechen villages in search of insurgents. Dozens of those detained in this way have never returned home.

Great Campaign Video

I was trying to take a look at some of the candidates that were running for president and I have to say that this campaign add is the best one I have seen so far. For someone that I knew little about before now, his add not only educated me on him, it made me want to vote for him. Im not saying I will, I still have no Idea who I will vote for, but I thought this was a genious campaign. I will continue to bring you more campaign adds, since I believe that the majority of voting America does not do research on their candidates but instead votes for them by what they see in the media, debates, and adds such as this one. Take a look, it really is quite good!

Hilary......

I was trying to find good campaign videos for Hillary Clinton and found that there were not many that I felt were efective. A good campaign add should, even if just for a moment, think that that candidate is the right one for the job. I am not saying Hilary is not the right person, but she could have done a better job on her campaign video's. they all seemed to have the same theme which was a bunch of pictures of her and her family, set to music. This is one of the better one's but still not very convinving of anything!!

The Attack on Obama?

This is a very interesting compilement of clips that Fox has run about Obama, judge for yourself whether or not you believe Fox was out to get Obama.

Here is a very boring yet informative campaign ad for Rudi Guiliani. Personally I think that he lost most young people after the first 15 seconds. Although he did try to educate you on his accomplishments, he still really didnt seem to give you any idea of where he stands on the issues that are most pressing in the US right now! He also seems like he is just waiting to say, remember how much of a hero I was during 9/11? But instead he finds other ways to remind you!! Here is one of his campaign videos, take a look and decide for your self.

The Newspaper Read to You

Now you can read the newspaper without ever having to read, a series of video youtube programs that actually show pictures of the day befores newpaper, while someone with a deep voice reads you the highlights. Here is the review of yesterdays newspaper. I have to admit I think it is sad that people cant even read for themselves that they have to watch someone else read them the news. Thought it was pretty funny take a look!!!

More Violence

A man today was beheaded today for being suspected of being a US informant! This has not been the first beheading, many men have been killed because of being accused of being an informant. The group that was responsible for the beheading were suspected pro-taliban militants, and the body was found by the Afghan border.
It would be nice to hear about something good happening on the news for once. this comes after strings of bad news from that part of the world.

A few Weeks ago Tony Blair jumped on the YouTube Ban Waggon, by starting his own youtube channel called Labor Vision, here is his introduction of the channel. This is just another way that the internet is reforming the way the world views and recieves their information.