No Dog Zen



There's nothing to smile about this Monday morning.

What To Do About Dr. Tiller's Assassination

The most important thing we can do now is to alleviate the concerns of "abortion foes" that we would use the assassination of Dr. Tiller occasion to brand the entire anti-abortion movement as extremist.

Also, we must open our hearts and our minds to those who may not think like we do or believe what we do in order to discover at least the possibility of common ground.

Last, but not least, we must do everything in our power to debase female patients of reproductive age even further and renew our efforts to not give a toss about their medical care and about the people who risk their lives to provide it.

Enablers of Dr. Tiller's Assassination

The Associated Press.

In a news article about the assassination of Dr. George Tiller, AN OB/GYN, the focus is on the history, actions, hopes, and needs of "anti-abortion" groups.

Also, the only reaction statements deemed newsworthy by the AP are from Operation Rescue, something about a Mr. Tiller, and from former Kansas Attorney General, patient chart thief Phill Kline.

[What, no statement from Rachelle Shannon who shot and wounded Dr. Tiller in both arms in 1993, or from Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, or James Charles Kopp, Dr. Barnett Slepian's killer?]

A follow-up AP article details how Dr. Tiller's assassination is all about the fears, needs, and goals of the "abortion foes."

Assassinations by domestic terrorists of Ob/Gyns who provide safe and effective medical care to their patients do not happen in a vacuum.

They happen with the complicity of MSM, politicians, and ordinary people.

As long as we pretend that those who want to ban a safe and effective medical procedure because of their personal beliefs have a legitimate say in the medical care of female patients, we'll continue to gather bits of those who provide that medical care off of pavements and church floors.

Dr. Tiller's Assassination

Dr. Tiller was assassinated just a few hours ago at his church and already there's no police presence at the crime scene?

Also, how appropriate is it for Wichita police Capt. Brent Allred (video next to article) to refer to domestic terrorism as an "unfortunate incident on a Sunday morning" and to giggle during key points (past violence against Dr. Tiller, and notifying the FBI) in the news conference? Maybe it was just nerves but it comes off as unprofessional.

Dr. George Tiller Shot to Death

Dr. George Tiller has been shot to dead this morning at his church. What a terrible loss! My condolences to his family and friends.

And my utter contempt for, and disgust with, any and all who enable the killing of Ob/Gyns by irresponsibly perpetuating the fantasy that there is such a thing as common ground with those who want to ban the safe and effective medical practice of abortion.

(via)

ETA: A suspect in this morning's assassination of Dr. Tiller is in custody. There's a 4 p.m. police news conference scheduled.

Dog Zen

Happy Memorial Day from Rule of Dog.

Religious Morals 101: How to Deal With Children and Adults

If you're an Irish Catholic priest, a nun, or Bill Donohue kicking, kissing, ogling, and raping 11.99% of the miscreants children under your care are minor instances of abuse.

If you're a Serbian Orthodox Christian you use a shovel to rehab junkies drug addicts.

But what do you do if you're an Israeli rabbi and you think children are possessed by the devil unpure?

Apparently, you hit kids in the head with a hammer, among other things:

BRASILIA, Brazil – The Brazilian government can extradite a fugitive rabbi to Israel where he is accused of burning and cutting toddlers as part of a purification ritual, the Supreme Court said Friday.

...

The Court found there was cause for Hen to stand trial for allegedly subjecting eight children to "intense physical and mental suffering because they were supposedly possessed by the devil."

...

Hen, who allegedly acted with four other people, was arrested in Brazil in June 2008 after a 45-day manhunt. Police did not say how or when he and his family arrived in the country.

The rabbi allegedly hit the children in the head and face and burned their hands, the court said. One child sustained permanent brain damage and is in a vegetative state.


Bottom line: How you people fail to see the benefits of a theocracy is beyond me.

Dog Zen

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

WolframAlpha Test

First test input: birth control pill brands

Wolfram|Alpha isn't sure what to do with your input

Second try: Plan B

Under brand names, everything from Levora-28 to Norplant.

Bottom line: So far, we are not impressed, bordering on a bit alarmed that it can't tell the difference between an emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B) and an implant (Norplant).

Free Viagra for Jobless



With tears in their eyes, Pfizer participants at a leadership training meeting decided to institute a program to provide free Viagra to people who have lost their jobs and health insurance.

OK, I'm, being a tad facetious (but only a tad):

TRENTON, N.J. – Pfizer Inc. says it will provide 70 of its most widely prescribed prescription drugs — including Lipitor and Viagra — for free to people who have lost their jobs and health insurance.

The world's biggest drugmaker said Thursday it will give away the medicines for up to a year to Americans who lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been on the Pfizer drug for three months or more.

...

Applicants will have to sign a statement that they are suffering financial hardship and provide a "pink slip" or similar employer notice. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, with medication provided for up to 12 months after approval — or until the person becomes insured again.

Starting Thursday, patients can call a toll-free number, 866-706-2400, to sign up, and those whose drugs are not included in the program will be referred to other company aid programs. Starting July 1, patients can also apply through the Web site, http://www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com, which has information about the other Pfizer aid programs.


The article goes on to mention some of the drugs included in the program, you know, other than Viagra (emphasis mine):

The 70-plus drugs covered in the program include several diabetes drugs and some of Pfizer's top money makers, from cholesterol fighter Lipitor and painkiller Celebrex to fibromyalgia treatment Lyrica and Viagra for impotence. Drugs from several other popular classes such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungal treatments, heart mediations, contraceptives and smoking cessation products also are included.


I took the liberty to select a few drugs that I think will be of interest to you:

• Cytotec® (misoprostol)

• Depo-Provera® (medroxyprogesterone acetate)
• depo-subQ provera 104™ (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension)

• Diflucan® (fluconazole)
• Flagyl® (metronidazole)
• Zithromax® (azithromycin)

• Estring® (estradiol vaginal ring)
• Provera® (medroxyprogesterone acetate)

(sorry, no direct link; go here, click on "Search by medicine", click on, say, D then Depo-Provera, then click on "Get your results" to get to the applications page)

I hope these drugs will be covered under the new free drugs program but, for now, Pfizer has two patient assistance programs for these meds, Connection to Care and Pfizer Pfriends.

Dog Zen

Monday morning, time for your weekly dose of adorable at Rule of Dog.

Seasonique: "Repunctuate Your Life" Commercial

Just saw the new TV commercial for Seasonique and I think it's much better than their previous ad. Why? Because of this:

Did you know? Did you know? Did you know that when you're on a birth control pill there's no medical need to have a monthly period?


The split personality angle is gone, replaced by an emphasis on informing women about the key concept behind Pill use and extended regimens -- no medical need to have a monthly bleeding episode when you're on the Pill.

Granted, there's still no mention of the fact that women using the Pill, regardless of regimen, do not have menstrual periods for the duration of use, or of the difference between a period and withdrawal bleeding. But, by making the concept of "no medical need to have a monthly period" the focus of the ad, it points women in the right direction and allows them to use that message as a springboard for in-depth discussions with their physician.

Here are the ads (new one first). Which one do you think is better?



Larry Donlan, Fetal Tissue Fetishist

Let's hear it for Mr. Larry Spurgeon and his neighbors in Bellevue, Nebraska for standing up to, and refusing to be intimidated by, a deranged person with a fetal tissue fetish, Larry Donlan, the director of Rescue the Heartland.

After Donlan drove a truck with graphic tissue images 23 times in the span of one hour through their neighborhood:

...Larry Spurgeon said he’d had enough. Spurgeon laid down in the street to block the truck.

“Free speech is one thing, but it becomes harassment after 23 times and we’re keeping our kids in the house,” said Spurgeon’s wife, Karen.

Spurgeon was arrested for refusing a lawful order. But neighbors rallied around Spurgeon and offered money to help pay for his bail.

The neighbors said the truck had been driving around for about an hour. Some of them said they were shocked at the images, especially since their children were being exposed to them.

...

Spurgeon was released from the Sarpy County jail Tuesday night and said he’d lie down in the street again if the protesters show up.

“We understand they think they’re on a mission. We understand that. Now leave, that’s all,” Spurgeon said.


The reason Mr. Spurgeon's area was picked for the fetal tissue exhibitionism was because a nurse who assists with abortions lives in the neighborhood. Which, if you think about it, totally makes sense. Because if there's one group of people who's unfamiliar with products of conception, it's the medical personnel who assists in the procedure.

One more thing, just so there's no confusion. Larry Donlan is a deranged person not because he has a fetal tissue fetish (hey, he's an adult, it's a free country, and all that). Larry Donlan is deranged because, according to him:

1) Pathological specimens should be used by parents to teach their children about fistulas, vaginal and rectal tears, products of conception tissues, you know, obstetrics and gynecology.

2) It's appropriate for adult male strangers to expose other people's kids to graphic, anatomical pictures.

3) He, as opposed to parents, is a better judge of what's appropriately traumatic for random children.

Pregnancy and Swine Influenza A (H1N1)

Swine flu cases reached 1,085 worldwide, spreading to every major region of the U.S., Bloomberg reports. So, if you're pregnant, here are a few things about pregnancy and swine flu you should know (adapted from Pregnant women and swine influenza):

Swine flu in pregnancy, what should you expect?

- Pregnant women with swine influenza would be expected to present with typical acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, sore throat, runny nose) and fever or feverishness.

- Many pregnant women will go on to have a typical course of uncomplicated influenza.

- For some pregnant women, illness might progress rapidly, and might be complicated by secondary bacterial infections including pneumonia.

- Fetal distress associated with severe maternal illness can occur.

- Pregnant women who have suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be tested [specimens from women who have unsubtypeable influenza A virus infections should be sent to the state public health laboratory for additional testing to identify swine influenza A (H1N1)].

Who should receive treatment?

- Pregnant women with confirmed, probable or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1).

- Pregnant women who are close contacts with persons with suspected, probable or confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1).

Note: Pregnancy should not be considered a contraindication to oseltamivir or zanamivir use*.

* Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are "Pregnancy Category C" medications (no clinical studies have been conducted to assess the safety of these medications for pregnant women. However, no adverse effects have been reported among women who received oseltamivir or zanamivir during pregnancy or among infants born to women who have received oseltamivir or zanamivir.).

What's the treatment for swine flu in pregnancy?

- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is preferred for treatment of pregnant women (because of its systemic activity).

- Antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after the onset of influenza symptoms, with benefits expected to be greatest if started within 48 hours of onset based on date from studies of seasonal influenza.

- Some data from studies on seasonal influenza indicate benefit for hospitalized patients even if treatment is started more than 48 hours after onset.

- Recommended duration of treatment is five days.

- Fever in pregnant women should be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol).

What's the prophylaxis for swine flu in pregnancy?

- The drug of choice for prophylaxis is less clear.

- Zanamivir (Relenza) may be preferable because of its limited systemic absorption; however, respiratory complications and medication delivery system challenges that may be associated with zanamivir because of its inhaled route of administration need to be considered, especially in women at risk for respiratory problems.

- Recommended duration of treatment for chemoprophylaxis is 10 days.

Note: Oseltamivir and zanamivir treatment and chemoprophylaxis regimens recommended for pregnant women are the same as those recommended for adults who have seasonal influenza.

Breastfeeding

- The risk for swine influenza transmission through breast milk is unknown. However, reports of viremia with seasonal influenza infection are rare.

- Women who are breastfeeding can continue while receiving antivirals. However, women who are ill with swine influenza A (H1N1) should take steps to reduce the risk to their infants, such as frequent hand washing and possibly wearing a mask (see below).

What are some other ways to reduce the risk for pregnant women?

- There is no vaccine available yet to prevent swine influenza A (H1N1).

- The risk for swine influenza A (H1N1) might be reduced by taking steps to reduce the chance of being exposed to respiratory infections, like frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and having ill persons stay home, except to seek medical care, and minimize contact with others in the household who may be ill with swine flu.

- Additional measures that can limit transmission of a new influenza strain include voluntary home quarantine of members of households with confirmed or probable swine influenza cases, reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded settings.

- If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help reduce the risk of getting influenza, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene. A respirator that fits snugly on the face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through a respirator for long periods of time.

Bottom line: Best thing to do is to avoiding close contact and maintaining good hygiene. If you do get the disease, most likely the course will be mild and self-limiting. And even if it's not, don't panic; effective treatment is available.

Dog Zen

Monday morning, time for Rule of Dog.

Missouri Politicians Abolish Professional Duties, Standards for Pharmacies

Missouri politicians just passed a law that strikes a serious blow to Communism on American soil.

The Missouri House on Tuesday voted 115-43 to approve HB 226, an amendment that [s]pecifies that no pharmacy can be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer to, or participate in any act or service resulting in an abortion and it will be immune from liability for refusing to do so.

By definition, when it comes to women of reproductive age, refusing to provide professional services to patients you deem undesirable is an inalienable right. As such, there's nothing special about politicians enacting laws to shield medical professionals from liability. These politicians are just doing [insert deity of choice]'s work. (Hear that malpractice lawyers!)

What is remarkable about Missouri's HB 226 is that it represents a quantum leap forward from the noble pursuit of playing games with your untouchable patients' trust, dignity, and health without any professional or legal liability.

This law HB 226 allows pharmacies and pharmacists to take advantage of all the benefits of having a monopoly on the sale of drugs without any requirements to abide by those pesky professional duties and standards that are usually a condition of being granted a State monopoly.

Like so:

No licensed pharmacy in this state shall be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer to, or participate in any act or service...

No duty to dispense drugs, talk to or advise patients, refer them to another pharmacist, or refrain from stealing taking a patient's prescription and refusing to return it to her.

...in connection with any drug or device that is an abortifacient, including but not limited to the RU486 drug and emergency contraception such as the Plan B drug...

No requirement to adhere to the professional standard of using science when dispensing drugs. (The medical definition of abortifacient is out, the personal definition is in.)

No duty to dispense drugs to *pregnant* patients, since most prescription medications are Category C. (Good luck with that asthma attack if you're a pregnant woman in Missouri!)

...not limited to the RU486 drug...

No requirement to stock or dispense a drug, RU-486, that cannot be legally stocked by pharmacies or dispensed by pharmacists to begin with.

No duty to provide pain meds or antibiotics to a patient who's been administered misoprostol and RU-486 by her physician, or, for that matter, to a patient who has an IUD, is already using birth control pills, or to men who are wearing tight underwear. (Hey, when you legislate science out of medicine, defining man panties as a device that is an abortifacient is perfectly valid.)

You tell me, what is more anti-communist than having the State grant a monopoly to an enterprise, remove duty and standard requirements, and then shield the entity from liability?

Here is the full text oh HB 226; read it and weep:

338.575. 1. No licensed pharmacy in this state shall be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer to, or participate in any act or service in connection with any drug or device that is an abortifacient, including but not limited to the RU486 drug and emergency contraception such as the Plan B drug.

2. No civil or criminal cause of action shall accrue against a pharmacy due to a refusal to perform, assist, recommend, refer for, or participate in any act or service in accordance with subsection 1 of this section.

3. No board, commission, or other agency or instrumentality of this state shall deny, revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of a pharmacy, nor shall it impose any other condition of operation due to a refusal to perform, assist, recommend, refer for, or participate in any act or service in accordance with subsection 1 of this section.

4. No pharmacy shall be denied or discriminated against in eligibility for or the receipt of any public benefit, assistance, or privilege of any kind due to a refusal to perform, assist, recommend, refer for, or participate in any act or service in accordance with subsection 1 of this section.


One last thing. I have a question for Rep. Ed Emery, Rep. Cynthia Davis, and all the other Missouri politicians who passed HB 226. Since you've removed the professional duty and standard requirements for the sale of drugs, can I haz street stand for the glorious, Capitalist selling of Plan B in your state?


(via)