Wendy Wright Explains the Swine Flu Outbreak

To understand what's going on with the swine flu outbreak, forget Effect Measure and assorted scientist. Wendy Wright, the president of the conservative group Concerned Women for America, tells you what you need to know (emphasis mine):

“Some people think that declaring a state of emergency about the flu was a political thing to push the Sebelius nomination through,” said Wright. She pointed to news stories that ask whether the slow-walking of the Sebelius choice will hurt the response to the flu. “If there’s even a hint that [Department of Homeland Security] is manipulating the health situation to push a political appointee through, well, it almost defies imagination that they’d be willing to that.”

Wright said that she’d heard the speculation “on talk radio,” and wanted to be skeptical, but “there’s too much of a basis in that argument to easily dismiss it.”


Never forget that this deranged buffoon, Wendy Wright, is quoted in almost every MSM article on contraception and abortion. Never forget that alleged journalists pass off what she has to say as a legitimate, not to mention accurate, reality-based, contribution to medical and scientific reproductive health matters.

(via)

Dog Zen

It's Monday morning, time for Rule of Dog.

Swine Flu

If you want to keep up with all things swine flu I recommend you read Effect Measure. The blog is run by public health scientists so you get both basic science and informed commentary on swine flu developments, government/s measures, etc.

Make sure to read the comments sections, as well. For example, this comment from the latest post, details the testing protocol (edited for context):

The rapid tests [done in the doctor's office] is only for influenza type, which can be either A or B. The H1N1, H3N2, etc. are subtypes. So the rapid tests tells if it is flu A[. I]f so and it is in one of the high index of suspicion cases (ILI and traveled to Mexico, for example) a swab is to be sent to the state public health lab. Those labs can subtype, i.e., tell if is one of the current seasonal H1N1s or H3N2s. They use PCR primers specific to the seasonal viruses. If it is a swine flu it will not be typable by the state lab. If they get untypable flu A, the state labs are being asked to send them to CDC, which has the primers for swine flu.

Pronounced Bouquet!

More words of wisdom from Hyacinth Bucket [pronounced Bouquet!]:

Richard, I will not have you discussing nettle beds with total strangers!



(The entire episode: 1, 2, 3, and 4, above.)

Dog Zen

Monday morning, time for a bit of puppy cuteness.

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle, as presented to you by the Los Angeles Times:

Less than a week ago, she was just another 47-year-old Scottish virgin.


I guess when it comes to encapsulating a person's essence, selflessly putting your life on hold to dutifully care for an ailing parent simply pales in comparison to the state of your hymenal tissue.

Pronounced Bouquet!

Words of wisdom from Hyacinth Bucket [pronounced Bouquet!]:

I think a certain reserve is called for against the tongues of strangers.

Dog Zen

Bo has taken over at Rule of Dog this Monday morning.

W00T, We're Winning the Drug War!

Winning the War on Anti-Inflammatories and the Pill, one honor student at a time.

Diocese of Scranton: Catholic Moral Teaching and Proper Medical Care Don't Mix

Diocese of Scranton leaders Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty have asked the presidents of four area Catholic colleges and universities to provide information about their student health services in order to insure that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.

According to the diocesan press release, the reason for the bishops' request was an article in the March 25 edition of "The Hawk" — the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia — which described how the university, in its words, finds the "middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare". From the article:

Although the university adheres to its Catholic values in opposing the use of contraceptives to prevent childbirth, the Health Center provides certain services to Saint Joseph's students that are often unavailable at other schools.


So, just like the other Catholic schools, Saint Joseph's Student Health Center does not dispense condoms or other birth control methods for contraception but does provide STI testing.

Unlike other schools, according to Laura Hurst, St. Joseph’s Director of Student Health Services:

"We can prescribe birth control for a medical necessity such as extremely bad cramps that are disabling to the students," she said. "I know some of the other Catholic institutions in the area, such as La Salle, are stricter in their distribution policy."

...

While Catholic tradition has long discouraged the use of oral contraceptives at universities, Hurst maintained that the prescription of such drugs can lead to medical benefits when use is recommended by a physician.

"It [oral contraception] does decrease your cramps and bleeding, and makes periods more regular, doctors even use it for acne," she said.

...

"We follow the Catholic/Jesuit values, and that hasn't changed at all," said Hurst. "It's always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students. We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us."


The problem with Ms. Hurst's position? Turns out that discussing the noncontraceptive uses of the Pill and pointing out that easy access to condoms for sexually active people is a good thing indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching, according to Bishop Martino and Bishop Dougherty.

Bottom line: When providing proper medical care goes against your religion's moral teachings no wonder you need all the moral clauses you can get the State to impose on the public at large as cover for getting away with inflicting substandard care on unsuspecting patients.







(via)

Dog Zen

It's Monday morning and the smile this sleeping puppy will put on your face should last you for quite some time.

Tartan Day parade 2009

I'm all hopped-up on pipe band music because.....It's.Tartan.Day.Parade! My favorite-est parade of all the city parades.

What I absolutely love, and look forward to as much as the parade itself, are the impromptu "band duels" that can go on for quite a bit after the parade is over.

Enjoy:

Alan Cumming, Tartan Day Parade 2009
Alan Cumming, the one in the middle in a brown suit, led this year's parade.

Tartan Day Parade 2009

Tartan Day Parade 2009

Tartan Day Parade 2009
Pipe Bands

Doggy Brigade, Tartan Day Parade 2009
The doggy brigade.



Ocean County, NJ; Tartan Day Parade 2009

Ocean County, NJ; Tartan Day Parade 2009

Pipe bands having fun.

Nestea's Liquid Foreigner Ad

If I were an exchange student I'd be somewhat alarmed at what appears to be my host country's custom of liquefying foreign students and serving them up as a cold, refreshing drink:

Nestea's red tea ad





















New Red Tea:

Tasty and foreign,
like we bottled an
exchange student.


Liquid AWESOMENESS


Women’s Health Heroes Awards


Nominations are now officially opened for Our Bodies Ourselves' first ever Women’s Health Heroes Awards. From OBO:

We’ve created the Our Bodies Ourselves Women’s Health Heroes awards to honor those who make significant contributions to the health and well-being of women. It’s a great way to publicly recognize people who make a difference in your life or the lives of others.

Who should I nominate?

You’re welcome to nominate yourself or anyone who has advocated on behalf of women's health. Possible nominees include, but are far from limited to, your nurse practitioner, a favorite blogger, a volunteer at the domestic violence shelter, the local activist who writes letters to the editor on the importance of health care reform, or a friend who supports you through day-to-day medical struggles. If you have a hero, we want to hear about that person.


The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009 and the winners will be announced May 11, 2009.