(CBS/AP) The virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu could reach the Americas in six to 12 months or even sooner as infected wild birds migrate toward the Arctic and Alaska, the U.N. bird flu chief said.Like I said.
Migratory patterns will probably take birds carrying the virus from West Africa to the Arctic and Alaska this spring, Dr. David Nabarro said Wednesday. Some infected birds will then likely move south in the fall on a migratory route to the Americas.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Six Months Until Bird Flu Hits U.S.? - CBS News
Six Months Until Bird Flu Hits U.S.? - CBS News:
Close And Closer...
My Way News:
'The spread of H5N1 to Africa is cause for great concern ... overall the African continent remains vulnerable,' WHO director general Dr Lee Jong-wook said, on a visit to Nairobi.This flu have been progressing for years and isn't going away any time soon. Our only hope is that it loses it's lethality by the time it mutates to a form that is easily transmitted among mammals.
'We do not know, for example, what kind of an impact a pandemic virus would have on people who are already immunosuppressed as a result of HIV,' he said. 'The impact of an influenza pandemic on African countries' already overburdened health care systems could be extremely grave.'
Where people live closer to fowl, the risk of infection -- usually through close contact with an infected bird -- is higher.
HUMAN TESTS
Most cases of the virus have been in wild birds in Europe and on Thursday testing continued, with Serbia confirming its first case of H5N1 in a swan and Norway saying it was testing two ducks after finding 12 birds dead in the same area.
In further evidence that other animals are able to contract the virus, Germany said it had found H5N1 in a marten -- a weasel-like animal -- just days after finding it in three cats. The WHO said more research was needed to determine what this meant for the risk of human infection.
Dubai Company Gives Up On Ports Deal - CBS News
Dubai Company Gives Up On Ports Deal - CBS News:
"The offer by the Dubai company to sell the port facilities it just bought in New York, Newark, New Orleans and other cities followed a clear signal from Congress that it was not going to let this deal stand, regardless of strong support from President Bush. Despite administration pleas that Dubai is an ally and a help in the fight against terrorists, Congress was responding to a visceral reaction from voters around the country to the idea of a company owned by an Arab government running American ports. "
If this holds, the people have finally been heard. I certainly hope so...
"The offer by the Dubai company to sell the port facilities it just bought in New York, Newark, New Orleans and other cities followed a clear signal from Congress that it was not going to let this deal stand, regardless of strong support from President Bush. Despite administration pleas that Dubai is an ally and a help in the fight against terrorists, Congress was responding to a visceral reaction from voters around the country to the idea of a company owned by an Arab government running American ports. "
If this holds, the people have finally been heard. I certainly hope so...
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Once Upon a Time...: Holy Mother of God
Once Upon a Time...: Holy Mother of God
This one takes the cake...and the truck it came in on! Big Brother is getting way too up-close and personal!
This one takes the cake...and the truck it came in on! Big Brother is getting way too up-close and personal!
Higher Debt Ceiling Sought - CBS News
Higher Debt Ceiling Sought - CBS News:
Treasury officials, briefing congressional aides last week, said that during the week of March 20, the government will run out of maneuvering room to keep from exceeding the current limit.It's a bad sign when the only way to make the monthly payments is by increasing the credit limit on the ol' charge card. This has to stop, and I don't trust BushCo to do so wihout ruining decades of progress and responsibility.
In his letter, Snow notified lawmakers that Treasury would begin tapping the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, which Treasury officials said would provide a 'few billion' dollars in extra borrowing ability.
Treasury officials also announced that on Friday they had used the $15 billion in the Exchange Stabilization Fund, a reserve that the Treasury secretary has that is normally used to smooth out volatile movements in the value of the dollar in currency markets.
Treasury has also been taking investments out of a $65.3 billion government pension fund known as the G-fund.
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Anonymous Liberal: Putting to Rest the Administration's "Inherent Authority" Argument
The Anonymous Liberal: Putting to Rest the Administration's "Inherent Authority" Argument
I'm no lawyer, but my gut tells me that my president is breaking the law. The link above supports that feeling with nice lawyerly argument.
I'm no lawyer, but my gut tells me that my president is breaking the law. The link above supports that feeling with nice lawyerly argument.
Start The Countdown
My Way News:
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.
Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court.
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