Arkansas Senate passes fluoride mandate

 Analysis, News, Opinions  1 Response »
Feb 242011
 

And he said, Woe unto you also, [ye] lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
— Jesus Christ, Luke 11:46

At a time when water fluoridation is being increasingly scrutinized worldwide, the Arkansas State Senate resoundingly passed a bill today mandating the fluoridation of all water systems in the state serving more than 5,000 citizens.

By a vote of 25-7, the Senate passed Senate Bill 359 by Sen. David Johnson, D-Little Rock. Johnson said the fluoridation requirement would help prevent tooth decay, lower dental costs and help ease the strain on Medicaid.

In his first term, Senator David Johnson, who was elected in 2008 during an unopposed general election, is a lawyer whose two biggest campaign contributors are a trial lawyers association and an investment firm with ties to Righthaven, the nefarious copyright troll who has recently become the bane of free speech in the United States.

Johnson received a grade of zero from a conservative group seeking to limit the exposure of Arkansas’ children to pornography, while a radical, pro-illegal immigrant, global-warming-fear-mongering organization gave him scores of 100 on environmental and civil rights issues.

Johnson, who wants to extend the school year to 200 days, is head of the state’s lottery oversight committee. Johnson is also part of the “sustainability” movement, widely recognized as a UN-led land grabbing effort.

It is clear who pulled Johnson’s strings for this bill:

Water Fluoridation (Bill No. Unassigned)
The Water Fluoridation bill, if introduced, would mandate fluoridation of the state’s community water supplies that serve populations of 5,000 or more. Pew has weighed in on this particular bill, having hired a lobbying firm to support it. This bill, which is the most controversial, is also a direct result of the Pew report. This legislation is proposed in the shadow of a very recent report from the EPA that recommends a reduction in the amount of fluoridation contained in water supplies. The ASDA is depending on the solid science [LOL! Just like global warming, eugenics and phrenology are “solid science.”] demonstrating that community water fluoridation and placement of sealants is a good formula to prevent the majority of dental decay in our younger population, and is vitally important in underserved areas.

So this is yet another example of an out-of-state lobbying effort overriding the best interests of a state’s citizenry.

Only a few weeks ago, the EPA reduced its recommended levels of fluoride in drinking water due to health and dental problems associated with fluoridation.

Fluoride is rejected throughout Europe, and the recent trend in America is to ban fluoridation as Honolulu did and as Austin, Texas, is currently considering in light of overwhelming evidence against water fluoridation.

EPA’s own scientists oppose water fluoridation and the “science” behind water fluoridation has always been specious.

Fluoride is bad for babies.  Fluoride is linked to bone cancer in men, and it appears to increase bone fracture rates.

For many years, fluoride has been condemned for it affects on the human brain. Research shows that fluoride reduces IQ and increases dementia risks.

Fluoride only has proven benefits for topical applications and even those are questionable. Water fluoridation is a failure at reducing dental carries, which is the only reason anyone has ever argued for its use. In fact, look at what happened in Kentucky, a state that mandated fluoridation years ago. The program was disastrous:

A new study reveals pre-school children’s tooth decay rates doubled after fluoridation became Kentucky law.

In 1987, 28% of Kentucky preschoolers developed cavities. That number increased to 47% in 2001, according to the July/August 2003 journal, “Pediatric Dentistry.”(1)

Over 96% of Kentucky water systems add fluoride since a 1977 Kentucky law compelled water suppliers serving over 1,500 individuals to fluoridate, aimed to reduce tooth decay by up to 60%(2)(3). Fluoride supplements are prescribed to children without fluoridated water(3).

But cavities didn’t decline at all. In fact, 57% of Kentucky third- and sixth-graders also developed tooth decay.

“…untreated decay and caries experience have increased since the state’s 1987 survey. The state’s levels also appear to be much worse than national levels for these same indices,” concludes authors Hardison et al., summarizing “The 2001 Kentucky Children’s Oral Health Survey…”

And none of this even begins to address the ethical issue of informed consent. Forced, mass medication is immoral and simply stupid and reckless:

Arkansas State Senator David Johnson’s email address is: johnsond@arkleg.state.ar.us

Uncle Paul to Ascend Mount Kilimanjaro

 Health, Site news  2 Responses »
Dec 172010
 

Kathy’s 79-year-old uncle, Dr. Paul Magelli, is traveling to Arusa, Tanzania, to climb Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Uncle Paul will be the oldest person ever to ascend to the top of the 19,380 foot peak.  His climb begins January 5th.  He expects to reach the summit on January 12.

You can follow his journey here.

E. coli tainted romaine lettuce recall broadens; terrorism fears rise

 Analysis, News, Site news  4 Responses »
May 112010
 

As we anticipated, the E. coli contaminated romaine lettuce recall has broadened.  Some people are worried that the E. coli outbreak might be a terrorist act.

Vaughan Foods of Moore, Oklahoma, has issued a recall of romaine lettuce with “use by” dates of May 9 through May 10.  The recall is for lettuce sold to restaraunts and the food service industry.

However, as I mentioned in Saturday’s post here, I became ill from eating romaine lettuce purchased in Arkansas from either Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club, so the recall is still not broad enough.

Note the “use by” dates on the lettuce under recall.  It is possible if not likely that the FDA is working with Wal-Mart to contain the recall until the tainted lettuce expires in order to protect the retail giant from taking costly action.  Also notice that today’s CNN report makes no mention of the Sysco recall linked to in my last post.

The FDA still claims that only 19 people limited to Ohio, Michigan and New York became ill because of the E. Coli 0145 outbreak.  E. coli 0145 is not normally tracked by the FDA and the current, potentially life threatening outbreak is considered novel.

A sickened Ohio State University freshman is suing Freshway Foods and his lawyer disputes the FDA’s information.

Freshman Richard Cardinale filed a lawsuit after his stool sample tested positive for E. coli O145, according to court documents. He suffered from gastrointestinal problems including bloody diarrhea and dehydration and was hospitalized on April 14 for treatment.

Food safety lawyer Bill Marler, who is representing Cardinale, said the E. coli O145 outbreak may have sickened as many as 59 people.

“We have a new form of deadly E. coli to contend with. It is past time for the government and industry to track this bug as it does E. coli O157:H7,” said Marler, referring to the best known form of toxic E. coli.

The contaminated lettuce is believed to have originated from a Yuma, Arizona, farm.

Authorities are investigating a farm near Yuma, Arizona, where the tainted lettuce was harvested, the Food and Drug Administration said. Vaughan Foods received lettuce from that farm, the administration said.

Yuma, Arizona, is located on the Mexican border and the E. coli outbreak has intensified the illegal immigration debate.  This controversy is reflected in the comment sections of many articles reporting the E. coli outbreak. Some people are worried that the food contamination is a direct result of illegal immigration itself as described in this CNN comment.

Yuma Arizona is where more illegal Mexicans cross into the country than any other border location. The Colorado River separates Mexico from the U.S. there and daily crossings of hundreds of illegals takes place every day. It is not unusal so see small groups of illegals going potty among the many farms there as they make their way to the U.S. We see groups of alleged illegals carrying AK-47s walking along the railroad tracks. The new food terrorist.

Another angry commenter accuses migrant field workers.

by wyodutch May 7, 2010 5:49 PM EDT
E-coli on lettuce comes from one thing only… fecal material.
.
You think the lettuce-picker from Mexico (who never saw an indoor toilet until he jumped the border)… is gonna run to the outhose when nature calls? Of course not…they squat in the lettuce patch and the Gringo dines on the tainted lettuce.
.
There you are… good, hardworking people from Mexico… just doing “jobs” that Americans won’t do.

According to Salinas, California, television station KCBA, large numbers of illegal immigrants migrate to Yuma, Arizona, to work as farmhands on winter crops.

A majority of ag workers are illegal immigrants. Most of them migrate to Yuma, Arizona for winter crops.

Yuma is the source for much of the nation’s winter lettuce crop.

The recall only applies to romaine lettuce with “best if used by” date before or on May 12, when Freshway Foods stopped buying its romaine from Yuma, Beer said.

Officials in Arizona also confirmed the investigation. Laura Oxley, a spokeswoman for Arizona’s agriculture and health departments, said federal officials contacted them and told them they suspected the source of the E. coli outbreak was lettuce grown in the state. She said there were no additional shipments to stop because the winter lettuce season has mostly ended for the year.

The Yuma area is the source of much of the nation’s winter lettuce crop, but farmers switch to other crops at the end of winter.

E. coli bacteria occurs in human excrement, so the contaminated lettuce came in contact with fecal matter and the contamination almost certainly occurred at farm level.

“Experience tells us that the point of contamination is likely at the farm level, which can then be spread during the entire processing chain,” Allen said.

The E. coli outbreak occurs in the middle of heated debates regarding a recently passed Arizona law which aims to take action against illegal immigration within that state. Enforcement of that law will begin this summer.

Some people are worried that the E. coli outbreak might be an act of terrorism in direct retaliation against the Arizona legislation.

by myassss May 9, 2010 11:54 PM EDT
Couldn’t possibly be retaliation for the recent law passed in Az?
I agree with desertdwellr, FBI investigate and bring about terrorist charges to those involved!

E. Coli tainted lettuce outbreak probably larger than being reported

 Analysis, News, Site news  Comments Off on E. Coli tainted lettuce outbreak probably larger than being reported
May 092010
 

Last Sunday, I posted that I had been very ill for about a week with E. coli food poisoning.  My wife and I had already isolated romaine lettuce as the illness vector at the time of that post.

Four days later, the FDA reported an E. coli outbreak in several states due to tainted romaine lettuce sold by Freshway Foods.  Arkansas, where I live, was not among the list of states where shredded romaine lettuce was being recalled, although the recall was broadened significantly yesterday.  Also, the romaine lettuce that made me sick was not shredded.  It was either organic romaine lettuce from Wal-Mart or part of a six-pack of romaine lettuce obtained from Sam’s Club.

Consequently, it is probable that the scope of E. coli contaminated romaine lettuce is larger than what the FDA is currently reporting.

The predominate symptom that I suffered was significant pain throughout much of my large intestine.  I had a bout of diverticulitis several years ago and the abdominal tenderness was very similar.  However, the pain from the recent food poisoning was spread over a much larger area.

Lettuce becomes contaminated with E. coli bacteria when brought into contact with fecal matter.  This commonly occurs in third world countries like Mexico where human and animal waste is often used as fertilizer.  However, there have been reports of E. coli tainted crops originating in the U.S..  This is commonly believed to be the result of inadequate toilet facilities for migrant fieldworkers.

In any case, I can tell you from personal experience that you don’t want to catch this illness.  I could barely get out of bed for several days and my wife constantly urged me to go to the hospital.  Fortunately, the symptoms eventually abated and I did not have to seek medical treatment.

Is it coming to a time in the United States when we have to treat our food like we live in Cambodia or Somalia, soaking our lettuce in bleach?  The FDA does not appear to be useful as demonstrated by the fact that E. coli food-borne illnesses were virtually unheard of in the U.S. when I was a child.  And don’t forget that I became sick with E. coli in an area of the country still outside the scope of the FDA’s current recall — and I became sick nearly two weeks before the FDA said anything about an E. coli lettuce outbreak.

Also recall the FDA’s recent tomato ban that cost the American tomato industry millions of dollars only for the FDA to later discover that the outbreak was actually due to Salmonella-tainted, Mexican-grown Jalapeno peppers.

The best remedy is to simply not trust the government’s ability or inclination to provide adequate food safety.  Buy locally produced food, or, better yet, raise your own vegetables and farm animals or purchase foods produced by your friends.  With the exception of lettuce and a few other items, we buy a large portion of our fresh food locally or raise our own food.  Lettuce was the exception.  It appears we’ll have to reconsider our lettuce sources now.

Although I did not enjoy being sick, it is good that I became ill rather than our little children where E. coli can be a much graver infection.

E. coli food poisoning knocked me out last week

 Site news  3 Responses »
May 022010
 

I apologize for making so few updates this past week, but I have been very ill with what appears to be E. coli food poisoning.  My large intestine felt like it had been surgically removed, stomped on by a large-intestine-hating elephant and then replaced.  Although I was bedridden for several days, I am much better now and will likely be fully recovered in a day or so.

Child dies 12 hours after flu shot

 Health, News  Comments Off on Child dies 12 hours after flu shot
Apr 252010
 

A previously healthy two-year-old girl died twelve hours after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine in Brisbane, Australia.  Her twin sister was given the same shot and began vomiting but is still alive.

A FAMILY is in mourning after their toddler unexpectedly died less than 12 hours after receiving a seasonal flu vaccination.

Two-year-old twin Ashley Jade Epapara had been “perfectly fine” before dying at her Upper Mt Gravatt home, on Brisbane’s southside, on April 9. Parents David and Nicole are shattered by the mysterious death of their baby girl. “It’s dreadful, it’s a very hard time,” Mr Epapara said yesterday.

Australia has now issued orders to halt flu vaccines to children under five after numerous complications have been reported including those suffered by more than 45 children in Western Australia who experienced serious reactions soon after receiving the influenza jab.

National health authorities have ordered doctors to stop giving seasonal influenza vaccinations to children under five after dozens of serious reactions, including convulsions.
…
More than 45 children experienced convulsions and fever, with some having to be taken to hospital in intensive care after receiving the vaccine in Western Australia.

The novel vaccine contains a combination of seasonal flu and the H1N1 Mexican-Swine flu and has never been clinically tested.

CLINICAL tests were never carried out on the latest seasonal flu vaccine – a first-time combination of seasonal flu with the feared swine flu H1N1 – that has left a baby girl fighting for her life in a Perth hospital and sparked fits, fevers and vomiting in up to 60 toddlers across the country.

Health officials were last night trying to determine what had caused the reactions in the children, mostly in Western Australia.

The country’s chief medical officer, Jim Bishop, yesterday ordered doctors in all states to stop giving the flu vaccine to children under five.

Microsoft proposes tatooing medical patients

 News  2 Responses »
Apr 192010
 

Software behemoth Microsoft recently published a paper proposing the tattooing of certain medical patients.  “We propose that access keys be written into patients’ skin using ultraviolet-ink micropigmentation (invisible tattoos),” the abstract reads.

The piece, authored by Microsoft’s Stuart Schechter, maintains that passwords providing wireless access to implanted medical devices like heart pacemakers shouldn’t be entrusted to patents who are unreliable and might be unconscious when device access is needed.

Schechter also shuns medical bracelets claiming they pose privacy risks.  Worse, Schecter believes demented “hackers” exist who might read bracelets’ passwords to hack into implanted devices for nefarious and perhaps even homicidal purposes.  However, easily constructed electromagnetic pulse devices could obtain the same deadly results without requiring security code knowledge.

We propose that a user-selected human-readable key be encoded directly onto patients using ultraviolet-ink micropigmentation, adjacent to the point of implantation. To increase reliability the encoding could be augmented
to include an error correcting code and/or be replicated in full on the base of the patient’s leftmost foot—at the
arch. All devices used to communicate with the IMD would be equipped with a small, reliable, and inexpensive
ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) and an input mechanism for key entry (a keypad or touch-screen).
A single key would be sufficient for multiple devices and could be re-used when devices are replaced.

The key encodings could take the form of user chosen character strings (optimizing for user choice), random
character strings (optimizing for minimal size), or strings of hieroglyphic-like images chosen from a subset
deemed acceptable to the user. The first option gives the greatest control to reluctant patients, whereas latter
two options guarantee a minimum level of key entropy and can easily be augmented with error correcting codes.
Each patient would be allowed to request new random encodings until finding one he or she deemed acceptable.

Schechter recognizes the obvious parallels with Nazi Germany prison camps.

In the holocaust, identification tattoos reminded prisoners [they] no longer controlled their own bodies. Giving the patient a choice of whether or not to use micropigmentation, the type of encoding to use, and some control over the process that generates the encoding should help to address these concerns.

Princeton Study Concludes High Fructose Corn Syrup Makes You Fat

 News  1 Response »
Mar 232010
 

A study published March 18th from Princeton University concludes that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the overwhelming sweetener of choice in the U.S. snack food and soda pop industries, causes much more weight gain than table sugar.

A Princeton University research team has demonstrated that all sweeteners are not equal when it comes to weight gain: Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.

In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. The researchers say the work sheds light on the factors contributing to obesity trends in the United States.

“Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn’t true, at least under the conditions of our tests,” said psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction. “When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese — every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don’t see this; they don’t all gain extra weight.”

From my own professional soda pop drinking experience, I find that my thirst is quenched much faster with sugar sweetened drinks. I can swill down several HFCS-based 12-ounce soft drink cans, but usually one can of sugar-based pop is my limit. Moreover, I prefer the taste of sugar over HFCS.