In an example of colossal stupidity, Iraqi officials have called for the killing of the three wild boars in the Baghdad zoo to protect the country against swine flu. This comes on the heals of the Egyptian government moving to kill every pig in the country despite the lack of any evidence that it would help prevent the virus, which passes from human to human.
The Iraqis seem to blame the eating of pork, an emerging view among some Muslim clerics. Regional health minister Abdul Rahman Osman said “It is also possible the disease could be spread by eating pork, so we banned hunting wild boars.”
In the meantime, the Egyptian plan to kill every pigs in the country adopts an almost biblical approach to health care. Various groups have ridiculed the measure as unconnected to any scientific basis.
For the full story, click here.
Mespo:
it is my contention that viruses are actually the impetus for certain evolutionary changes, especially ones that defy logic. For example a Hyrax is the cousin of an Elephant. So actually they may not be a destructive force. They easily insinuate themselves into animal DNA and who knows what changes may have taken place in various species over eons.
CEJ,
All photo evidence was burned or rendered digitally inert to protect the innocent . . . that being the viewer.
lottakatz:
That was interesting. I have no expertise in biology, but if I did I would want to be involved in virology. These loose strands of DNA encapsulated by proteins walk the thin edge between animate and inanimate. I have heard viruses may be the catalyst of life, and their total dependence on but destructive influence upon other life forms is one of the great mysteries.
mespo727272: Not Patty but this is interesting and relates somewhat to your query about the Swine flu:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/swineflufarm/
Anon:
I am not being graded so I cannot be a suck up. Actually if I had been a suck up in college I would have done a little better. The real suck-ups usually got at least one letter grade better based on my observations of test scores. And in fact in once instance during my last semester I was taking prestressed/post tensioned concrete design and just wanted to get out, I was tired. I told the professor I just wanted a C and would be happy. Well I ended up working hard and actually doing some good work, I reviewed it a few years later and was surprised by how good it actually was for an undergraduate (I say that objectively because enough years had passed to diminish any emotional attachment I may have had to the work). Well the professor gave me a C and he made a point to surrupticiously show me his grade book, I had the highest marks in the class. It was a very good lesson and worth the price of tuition for that year.
The regulars are all fun to read and are all very thought provoking. But I single Mespo out because he weaves the classics into his work. My education is incomplete in that regard and I use his references as a syllabus if you will.
Everyone here is fun to read, the 2 Mikes, Buddha, Raf, RCampbell, FFLEO, Bobesq, Vince, AY and the rest.
It is always educational. In fact I have noticed that I am thinking more and in a critical manor on a whole host of topics. I am realizing why you guys on the left think that republicans are not very intellectual, because they aren’t. I also like objectivism and I am starting to see that they don’t expand enough on some ideas either. They get to a point and they quit and they don’t go beyond. Sometimes that is OK because you have to begin with something, but sometimes the something is not the beginning. Exploring ideas and asking questions of people on this site is helping me get to the beginning.
Bron98,
Teacher Pets, ah want to be Teachers pet. You do need to bring an Apple to the desk though.
SUCK UP.
No you are correct, there are a lot of brilliant people on this list. No all shine at the same time which I do believe that Messpo727272 is saying with humility.
The analogy I like to use is a car. The car needs to be in good working condition to run smoothly. You may not have all spark plugs running at the same time and sometimes you are going to have misfires. The list is endless. But I think you get my point.
The value of a good secretary exceeds the value of an attorney by leaps and bounds. I got through College on my good looks or maybe my photographic memory. Which believe it or not we all have that capability.
Mespo:
CEJ is right, you are one of the, if not, most fun to read on this site. I believe he is referencing your depth of knoweledge and how you bring in germain comments from history and literature to underline your points and back up your arguments.
I am often amazed at some quote you bring to the table. At first I thought you were just doing a google search, but then realized you would have had to read the work to know the author and the content of the text. It is always a treat to read your posts.
TJ,
I agree with your analogy. But remember we had Bush and Cheney in the WhiteHouse for 8 years and nobody did nuttin. I am only kidding.
I really disagree with this. This is like giving a robber your money so he cant steel it, or letting your prisoner go, so he cant escape. So there thinking, oh, lets just kill them so they cant get the virus???? NO!!!!!! Its all just wrong.
Buddha,
The answer is found here, HELL YEAH, SHOOT EM AND SHOOT EM DEAD:
Florida Expands Right to Use Deadly Force in Self-Defense
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
New York Times Published: April 27, 2005 – MIAMI, April 26 – Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill on Tuesday giving Florida citizens more leeway to use deadly force in their homes and in public, a move that gun-control groups and several urban police chiefs warned would give rise to needless deaths.
The measure, known as the “stand your ground” bill, lets people use guns or other deadly force to defend themselves in public places without first trying to escape.
Floridians already had the right to defend themselves against home intruders under what is known as the castle doctrine, but until now, they could not do so in public.
LINK:
http://www.cephas-library.com/nwo/nwo_jeb_bush_new_gun_law_about_votes.html
Little query to Patty C:
Are you aware of any medical literature linking so-called “factory farming” to increased incidents of animal borne viruses which can be transmitted to humans?
CEJ:
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” Seriously, thank you for the sentiments, misplaced though they may be. I find we are all quite intelligent on various topics on this blog. You can see I enjoy history and literature, but would shrink in abject embarrassment if forced into Bron’s scientific world, or MIke S.’s paradoxical world of human motivation and aberration. FFLeo could run rings around me in his arena at the federal courthouse, and I think I would send an associate if I had to argue law with Buddha, Anon., rafflaw, Vince Treachy, Mike Appleton, or Bob,Esq. Think I ‘d take on Patty C in debate over medicine? Ever? (I know I ‘m leaving some other worthy bloggers out, but this old memory is the worse for wear.) Everyone contributes so much to these discussions, yourself included, that rendering a compliment to any one really is a compliment to us all. We owe a large debt to our host for providing this forum, and putting up with our eccentricities day after day. Can you imagine posting on daily basis just to see what others have to say while still teaching, lecturing, fathering, husbanding, and raising the nation’s awareness of the law that keeps them free on a near nightly basis? I like praise as well as the next guy, but it really should go to a more worthy candidate. That said, it in no way diminishes my appreciation for your kind words.
Buddha,
I’m glad you popped in; (of course I can’t help you with your question as I have no legal background) but I do want to compliment you on your earlier posts today-if that is you writing while under the influence you too are so amazingly impressive. As to the para-sailing incident, any pictures!
Buddha,
Consider that Florida is a Drip Bush state. Ok former Bush, the guy Jeb lost to Crist who was a Republican that ran as a Democrat and beat him. This was when Jeb was being Courted as the III. It served as a source of fine humuality for the Bush Dynasty.
I know in Michigan that if someone trys to jack your car with you in it. Its open season, cap em, strap em to the gurney and send em home with roses (optional of course).
Now in Texas be bold enough to break in, you can be worm fodder quickly even if you are running away. It does not matter. B&E and you could be DOA, the legislature cleaned up the part about having to drag em back onto your property and go “oh yeah the got shot right here, see the body there, nod, nod, wink, wink.”
So to answer your question about Florida. Do some drunk dialing, they may not appreciate it, but you’ll feel much better. Better to give a resentment than get one. Reach out and touch someone tonight, make it special.
So you do know what the definition of Rodeo Sex is?
You mount your significant other from behind, grab around the belly and wisper in her ear ” Your Sister likes it like this, then see if you can hold on for 8 seonds.”
In conclusion, I don’t know about Florida. Have a good time.
Oops!!!
I forgot Rafflaw he could keep up!
I forgot: No more lists. No more lists. No More Lists!!!
Oh Grand Poobah,
I bow before your genius! I am so glad your considerable powers are only used for good. Although I must confess you need not practice any arts of obfuscation on my behalf; so much of what you discuss is way over my head but I know it’s good (especially when I take the time to look things up!)
Seriously Mespo727272 you really are amazingly intelligent, and I’m guessing only JT, Buddha, Patty C., the Mike’s A&S, Bob esq. and MASkeptic and maybe a few others can keep up at your level.
I mean this sincerely – I enjoy reading your posts!
Mike Appleton (and any others who want to chime in)
OFF TOPIC: 2nd Amendment and local laws
I’m between the room and the bar, but this quickie is for you Mike as your Florida experience is germane.
There was a guy arguing in the bar earlier about the 2nd Amendment and he brought up a topic that I was unaware of because I didn’t think a state would be so stupid as to enact something this insane. I was not a party to the conversation but they were drunks of the very loud variety. It got me and the Angel of Mercy talking at our table and we agreed more input is better.
The “No Retreat” laws that allow gun owners to shoot if they feel their life is in danger (no problem so far) but that right extends (here comes the crazy part) beyond the home/property and INTO PUBLIC PLACES. The guy who brought it up had said he lives near Sarasota. I’ve never lived in an afflicted jurisdiction, but I’d sure like to hear the opine of one who does.
This sounds like an invitation to murder to me. Self-defense and the right to use deadly force therein should stop at the borders as a matter of common sense in my book. Otherwise, by definition, it’s a right of offense.
Hail Agapetus II. Welcome back to the realm of the earth-bound. I am awaiting more revelations about god, man, and menus. Please favor us with a word or two.
Anon.
Darn you Anon, you’ve solved the mystery of the first “72” since Vespasian is my favorite Roman Emperor and the year 72AD marked his zenith. Tacitus recounts that he was the first and only Emperor to improve as a person after he assumed the purple. More importantly he was of common birth (an equestrian but son of a tax collector)and remained unaffected even as he wielded the power of the Empire to rebuild it after the tumultuous “Year of the Four Caesars.” He was a benefactor of the visual arts as well as writers and historians, though he certainly knew little about their craft. He was the builder of the Flavian Amphitheater, now called the Roman Coliseum. He caused a minor scandal by revealing to the Roman populace that he removed his boots after riding with his own hands. He was, in essence,the first “American Rags to Riches Story.”
But you know Anon, there are three sets of “72s.” Wonder if wiki can shed light on the second one?
Messpon727272.
I guess the year 72 AD was not good for you if you were Antiochus IV.
Because in the year 72 AD Antiochus IV of Syria was deposed by Vespasian. Pray tell.