With all the discuss of corruption (especially on Len Hart's blog: existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com) on Capitol Hill, and even in the White House, along with many practices by our government that seem to really subvert the Constitution of the United States, I started to think back to an old (I mean original) Star Trek episode: Omega Glory episode (#54, first aired 3/1/68). Although I am not a true Trekkie, I remember seeing this show when I was young, and the overtones of our US civilization stuck with me.
Wikipedia has a nice overview of this episode. Their summary of the Omega Glory: Captain Kirk must battle a deadly virus and prevent a meaningless war.
Sound familiar? In 1968, the good and bad guys were different than today, but it can easily be changed to today's political climate within the US. Ok, the feared deadly virus today: Avian Bird Flu (I'm sure our president will talk your ear off with coherent discuss about this, since he is way more knowledgeable about this virus than about his current war in Iraq). And today, we are in a pretty much meaningless war in Iraq (Sorry, no WMDs and really, if Saddam was really as dicky of a dictator as they say, then why is the US just as dicky or even more so. Yes, Saddam tortured and used chemical weapons on his people. Pssst--The US has done this, too, on Iraqis--have you forgotten Abu Graib and white phosphorus? Doesn't sound very nice to me.)
Can you see the word "freedom" turn into a "worship word"? I can.
Close to the end of the show, Capt. Kirk finds what looks like a tattered copy of the US Constitution and says "Look at these three words written larger than all the rest, and with special pride never written before or since -- tall words, proudly saying "We the people" .. these words and the words that follow ... must apply to everyone or they mean nothing."
Is the Omega Glory predicting our present and future?
Showing posts with label Bird Flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bird Flu. Show all posts
Friday, May 05, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
EEeeeck! Dr. Evil Is Likely Working Hard In His Laboratory
The Avian "Bird" Flu doesn't scare me as much as what some creepy mad scientist will do with it. Oh, you're not following me? Didn't you read my last post about the bird flu? Well, scroll down and read it.
One of my diligent blog readers forwarded the Title Link (right click on the title and select open in new window), which expands the knowledge that our mad scientists have to make such a pandemic a reality.
Here's the statements from that article that are likely making Dr. Evil laugh with evil delight:
First and foremost, it (avian flu virus) would need mutations in the spike, the haemagglutinin molecule, to enable the virus to bind to cells in the upper respiratory tract.
This would enable the virus to spread via coughs and sneezes and nasal mucus, which are caused by irritation to the upper airways.
To boost its pandemic potential, the virus also needs changes in its PB2 gene, which controls an enzyme essential for efficient reproduction.
I can hear it now: "Muwaaaah ahhhh ahhhh. My scheme to take over the world, it's all coming into place now. Muwaaaah aaaaah aaaah."
One of my diligent blog readers forwarded the Title Link (right click on the title and select open in new window), which expands the knowledge that our mad scientists have to make such a pandemic a reality.
Here's the statements from that article that are likely making Dr. Evil laugh with evil delight:
First and foremost, it (avian flu virus) would need mutations in the spike, the haemagglutinin molecule, to enable the virus to bind to cells in the upper respiratory tract.
This would enable the virus to spread via coughs and sneezes and nasal mucus, which are caused by irritation to the upper airways.
To boost its pandemic potential, the virus also needs changes in its PB2 gene, which controls an enzyme essential for efficient reproduction.
I can hear it now: "Muwaaaah ahhhh ahhhh. My scheme to take over the world, it's all coming into place now. Muwaaaah aaaaah aaaah."
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Why'd the Chicken Cross the Road?
To spread the Avian Flu virus, of course.
Here's another riddle for you: How can you quickly infect thousands upon thousands of birds with avian flu at one shot and spread it across a continent?
Answer: Infect the birds when they have migrated south for the winter, then in the spring, watch it spread like wildfire!
You're not laughing. Oh, you read the linked article. Well. I'll have to say that when the avian flu hit Turkey last fall, that the migratory birds would spread it to Europe in the spring. And look who's got it first? France. That's logical. The majority of birds haven't migrated, yet, and in an effort to get back at France's inability to support the Iraq war, well, you know how that goes.
Don't worry, scientists are working diligently to create the human to human form of the avian flu so their pharmaceutical backers can find vaccines and drugs to cure it. They are working hard to make sure that they can get the almight dollar. Don't worry too much, the USA will probably see the first case of the human to human form of the avian flu, which will likely kill about five hundred people before everyone goes crazy to get vaccinated.
Of course, the vaccination will be mandatory to all US citizens and travelers in the US within six months of introducing the human to human avian flu vaccine. So no worries. The vaccine will also have a GPS device inside so the government can really play big brother. They will claim the chip is a time release device for the vaccine, but really it isn't. Some wisecracking folks will have shirts for those innoculated saying "Intell inside." Then, Intel will sue those wisecrackers for millions.
By the time its all over, it'll just be one big joke for the organizers of this epic tragedy, as the remaining citizens of the US will be programmed like robots to do as they are told and they will know that big brother is watching. Sounds a lot like 1984, huh?
Here's another riddle for you: How can you quickly infect thousands upon thousands of birds with avian flu at one shot and spread it across a continent?
Answer: Infect the birds when they have migrated south for the winter, then in the spring, watch it spread like wildfire!
You're not laughing. Oh, you read the linked article. Well. I'll have to say that when the avian flu hit Turkey last fall, that the migratory birds would spread it to Europe in the spring. And look who's got it first? France. That's logical. The majority of birds haven't migrated, yet, and in an effort to get back at France's inability to support the Iraq war, well, you know how that goes.
Don't worry, scientists are working diligently to create the human to human form of the avian flu so their pharmaceutical backers can find vaccines and drugs to cure it. They are working hard to make sure that they can get the almight dollar. Don't worry too much, the USA will probably see the first case of the human to human form of the avian flu, which will likely kill about five hundred people before everyone goes crazy to get vaccinated.
Of course, the vaccination will be mandatory to all US citizens and travelers in the US within six months of introducing the human to human avian flu vaccine. So no worries. The vaccine will also have a GPS device inside so the government can really play big brother. They will claim the chip is a time release device for the vaccine, but really it isn't. Some wisecracking folks will have shirts for those innoculated saying "Intell inside." Then, Intel will sue those wisecrackers for millions.
By the time its all over, it'll just be one big joke for the organizers of this epic tragedy, as the remaining citizens of the US will be programmed like robots to do as they are told and they will know that big brother is watching. Sounds a lot like 1984, huh?
Monday, February 27, 2006
If You Haven't Got Your Health...
"If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything." Remember that quote from the movie The Princess Bride? You haven't seen that movie, yet? Go rent it! That is probably my most favorite movie of all time, which likely explains a lot about me.
A British article about the flu and how it's transmitted mostly from kids to the rest of the population is very fitting nowadays, with people getting hit with late winter flus in the US and the bird flu showing its ugly head in France. If you don't have good hand washing habits, its never too late to start! Set a good example for yourself and for those around you to wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing, and when you use a tissue. And for gosh sakes, cover your coughs and sneezes!
Make sure that you speak with the school your children attend and ask if they are taking advantage of the programs the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta have put together to help kids understand the importance of good hygiene. These programs are helpful to keep kids and schools healthy, and are really a vital way to keep the flu and other viruses at bay. Develop your children into Germ-stoppers! (Or Germbusters!)
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/resources.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/
A British article about the flu and how it's transmitted mostly from kids to the rest of the population is very fitting nowadays, with people getting hit with late winter flus in the US and the bird flu showing its ugly head in France. If you don't have good hand washing habits, its never too late to start! Set a good example for yourself and for those around you to wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing, and when you use a tissue. And for gosh sakes, cover your coughs and sneezes!
Make sure that you speak with the school your children attend and ask if they are taking advantage of the programs the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta have put together to help kids understand the importance of good hygiene. These programs are helpful to keep kids and schools healthy, and are really a vital way to keep the flu and other viruses at bay. Develop your children into Germ-stoppers! (Or Germbusters!)
http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/resources.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
How Embarrassing?!
Why does the press corp always ask some of the most inane questions? Like why did it take almost a day for VP Dick Cheney to admit he made a mistake and shot a fellow hunter? Duh. Doesn't it take you a while to fess up to a boo-boo out of embarrassment sometimes? There you have it. At least give the VP some slack there.
Here's the questions I have:
What was Cheney doing shooting quail with buckshot? Doesn't he know that too much iron in your diet is not good?
If his hunting buddy was retrieving a shot bird, why didn't the rest of the group wait until their buddy was in a safe area before resuming fire?
Aren't they afraid of getting the bird flu?
Andy why didn't he have a $7 hunting credential? What do his aids do all day?
Here's the questions I have:
What was Cheney doing shooting quail with buckshot? Doesn't he know that too much iron in your diet is not good?
If his hunting buddy was retrieving a shot bird, why didn't the rest of the group wait until their buddy was in a safe area before resuming fire?
Aren't they afraid of getting the bird flu?
Andy why didn't he have a $7 hunting credential? What do his aids do all day?
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