Thoughtful, intelligent, entertaining, progressive discussion about politics, sports and whatever...

keep politics out of medicine

Posted on: July 22nd, 2006 by Gabi

 

Why does the Bush administration not turn its attention to world problems?  Why do they, instead, meddle in matters of science and medicine?

 This poser president uses his veto power for the first time to subdue research into stem cell therapy?  That could really hurt a lot of people...this stem cell research.

Instead, it will be refined in other countries, and we are left with expertise in torturing and election fraud.

 Another area under constant attack from the right wing is the Oregon law of "Assisted Suicide".  A terminally ill (less than 6 months) patient may be able to control the manner of his impending death.  If found competent by two physicians, the patient's doctor may give him a prescription for a lethal "cocktail".  Many patients never go on to use the cocktail -- but they like to be able to have some measure of control over the way their life is going to end.

This law was voted in by Oregon voters, not once, but twice.  That's because the right wing has tried time and again to chisel away at this law.  It's always someone from the right wing, always from outside the state....who tries to save Oregonians from the right to control their life and death.  How many more times do we have to fight off yet another attempt by the neocons to impose their will on the will of the people?

No replay of Terri Schiavo.  Keep politicians out of science and medicine!!

 Gabi 

 

 

Where’s the Outrage podcast 7-08-06

Posted on: July 22nd, 2006 by ecthompsonmd

 

New Jersey men arrested.  They were thinking about blowing up the Path tunnel.  Looks a lot like the Miami 7.  Guys who are thinking bad thoughts and no means to carry out those thoughts.  Bush administration noted that college tutition is going up soooo they cutting student loans just to balance things out.  Actually, the original excuse is that they are trying to balance the budget.  We confront some of the lies of the Right this week.  We point out that Ann Coulter seems to be in a little hot water for copying someone elses notes and pretending that they are hers.  We listen to some great music - James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Tower of Power and more.

Standard Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bush – NAACP: opportunity lost

Posted on: July 20th, 2006 by ecthompsonmd

 

white house photoIn what appeared to be, at first glance, a surprise visit to the NAACP, turns out not to be much of a surprise at all.  When your approval ratings seem to be stuck at 30 to 35%, you really need to go and talk to anyone who will listen.

President Bush has not had a cozy relationship with the NAACP or with the African-American community as a whole.  His approval ratings in the African-American community, post Katrina, sat at an abysmal 2%.  So, today was a unique opportunity to prove to the African-American community and to America that President Bush represents all Americans.  Unfortunately, with many of his opportunities, he drops the ball.

There were no new programs proposed.  There were no new packages of relief for the Gulf Coast.  There was no increase in funding for inner-city programs -- which he is cut over and over and over again.  Head Start, college loan programs, college scholarship programs, afterschool programs, work training programs, small-business loans, the whole small business administration, low income heating and energy assistance program are just a few of the programs that are targeted to the poor and are supported by African-Americans which Bush has cut in the last six years.  He had a golden opportunity to pick any one of those programs and prop them up with some funding... but no.

Unfortunately, President Bush took this opportunity to patronize African-Americans.  He took the opportunity to tell us how important the civil rights movement was.  He took the opportunity to tell us how important our ancestors were.  Chalk this one up to another opportunity -- Lost.

  • Errington C. Thompson, MD
    Errington_ThompsonDr. Thompson is a surgeon, scholar, full-time sports fan and part-time political activist. He is active in a number of community projects and initiatives. Through medicine, he strives to improve the physical health of all he treats.
  • “A Letter to America”
    There are many books which have been written documenting the issues of the Bush Presidency; A Letter to America draws the reader a clearer more concise picture of major policies of this White House. Read more about A Letter to America
  • Sign Up for My eNewsletter
  • Listen to Dr. Thompson on..
  • Subscribe to My Podcasts!
  • Listen to Podcasts on iTunes..
    You can download my podcasts to your iPod or other mp3 device.
  • Where is The Outrage Topics