Volume 1 Issue 27

December 19, 2002

Only 6 Shopping Days Left!

Smallpox questions, Governors being bad, and the "new" business models

So today I'm going to take a break from the Trent Jefferson Davis Lott scandal, and the resulting "Trent Warfare" (good one, Howard Kurtz!) to discuss some other matters out there that have been bothering me lately. Let's talk about smallpox. Last week, Bush made news when he said he would receive the Smallpox vaccine (notice he didn't say when...) and would order the military to do so as well. Medical workers will be next early next year, except...many are revolting, and will not take the vaccine, including many of the nation's largest and most influential hospitals. This should tell us something, when doctors, who usually firmly believe that vaccines are worth the small chances of problems some of them present, refuse to participate in this new vaccination program. Medical questions aside (though they are serious...if this vaccine was being introduced today, it would not be approved by the FDA...) there is the question of whether or not smallpox is really a threat to the civilian population. Now, the military is something different, if I were going into combat in Iraq, I'd want the vaccine, because it is looking more and more likely that Hussein will use chemical/biological weapons (and the US apparently will then respond by nuking them, but this is for another day...). But there is an interesting discussion to be had of whether or not terrorists would use the Smallpox virus to attack the United States. True, it would be a terror act with far reaching social, political, and economic consequences. But, the one thing most commentators have failed to point out is that it would also be suicidal for their cause.

Why? Because smallpox is one of the most contagious viruses out there, which is part of the reason that it has use as a terror weapon. But, also, this will likely spread beyond just a few people (despite improvements in monitoring hospitals...if they still operate on people's wrong legs, odds are someone will miss the first few cases of this) to a metro area. All that has to happen is for one of these exposed people to get on a plane, and it's all over. But...if that plane is to another nation (due to crappy air systems on planes btw, everyone on board would easily contract the disease...why do people fly again?) then that nation will get an outbreak as well.

Now, if you have a world wide pandemic suddenly on your hands, where do you think the first-world nations are going to concentrate first...obviously on protecting their own populations!

So, considering that there is only a finite amount of vaccine, nations like the US, Canada, the EU and all will be protecting their own citizens, while the disease runs ramshod through other nations that have no immunity like us. So...a terrorist spreading smallpox in the US would be guarantying that his nation would be wiped out, along with most of the third world. And lets ignore for now the geopolitical implications of this...i.e. India (with a billion people packed into a small space) goes nuts and decides to nuke Pakistan or vice versa, etc, etc. It would get ugly. And unfortunately, the Muslim nations of the world tend to be on the poorer end, and will likely not get help until its too late and up to 30% of their populations have died. From a terrorist's perspective, does it make sense to wipe out your own people? No, I don't think so. So what should the US do? Not ignore the threat, since many terrorist acts are irrational. Rather, instead of forcing an unsafe vaccine onto the population now, research money and time should be used to develop a safe vaccine, that would be much like a flu shot, with few complications for most people. There is some work being done on this, but nothing is expected for at least 5 years. In the meantime, lets keep that stockpile, and if there is a clear and present threat, then we can use it. Also, a little forward thinking about what to do with viruses we eliminate would be useful...the WHO expects Polio to be wiped out worldwide soon...although in the US the vaccine is still given (though we have moved back from the Sabin vaccine which can actually cause polio in rare cases to the Salk Vaccine, which is a killed-virus vaccine). Proving once again that despite the Bush administration's best hopes, there is not always a quick solution to every problem...

Here's the article about the hospitals not giving the Smallpox vaccine -
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/health/19HOSP.html

OK, that done, let's turn to today's insanity...

The Lunacy of Trent Lott - The most unpopular man in America, Senator Trent Lott (R-Confederacy), continues his self-destruction tour, as he attacked the White House today for not supporting him. In response, the White House had the President's brother attack him, as well as the most senior African-American in the government, Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Timothy Noah discusses the differences between Thurmond and Lott and supposed Democratic "racists" like Robert Byrd and Fritz Hollings -

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2075662

A Federal Judge attacked Lott today in a Philadelphia Inquirer letter, a rare move -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9044-2002Dec18.html (article)
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/2002/12/18/news/editorial /4761927.htm (letter)

And a crapload of other people (including a few GOP Senators) also attacked Lott yesterday -
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Lott.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/politics/19LOTT.html

Folks in Mississippi are discussing who should replace Lott should he resign his Senate seat -
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/national/19MISS.html

Oh, and the newest GOP Senator to come under attack for racist remarks? Conrad Burns of Montana -
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/19/opinion/19HERB.html

Other GOP Revolts: Some in the House are pushing to end the self-imposed term limits on the Speakership the GOP put into place in 1995. In fact, many argue that much of the current gridlock in Congress has been caused by the term limits put in place by the GOP -

http://www.adn.com/24hour/politics/story/680642p-5067488c.html

Ruins of the Resurgence: So now the speculation is on for Gore to run for President...in 2008 -
http://www.sunspot.net/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.witcover18dec18,0,2257263.column?coll=bal%2Doped%2Dheadlines

Maryland, My Maryland: When Bob Erlich becomes the first Republican governor of Maryland next month since Spiro Agnew, one of the best shows in Maryland will close, that of the "Board of Public Works" meetings. In Maryland, no money can be spent until approved by a board consisting of the Governor, the state Treasurer, and the Comptroller. For those of you in the know, the Comptroller of Maryland is William Donald Schaefer, a former 2-term governor and longtime Mayor of Baltimore. Schaefer and Gov. Glendening, despite both being Democrats, don't exactly get along, as yesterday's meeting showed....quote of the day? "You've been the most irresponsible governor we've ever had. Outside of that fact, I wish you a Merry Christmas." Schaefer also asked for a $25,000 donation back -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9045-2002Dec18.html

Marc Fisher's take on the meeting -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9697-2002Dec18.html

A Holiday Reminder: As you enjoy your Yuletide libations, please remember not to drink and drive. In fact, US drunk driving laws are, and continue to be, a joke, as this investigation finds -

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/drunkdriving0212 219.html

Another exciting development from Airport Security: Now you can't lock your luggage anymore. Why do people fly again? Oh, right, government policy has kept us from developing any alternatives... -

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/12/19/tsa.screening/index.html

Speaking of the quickly vanishing US aviation industry, United has decided to cut fares again. Even though they're bankrupt. Is this what they're teaching MBA's nowadays? Because it just really doesn't make sense to me. But anyway, buy now if you're planning a trip before April. -

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/12/18/united.fares.reut/index .html

Another Business Lesson? Oh, and apparently the reason AOL-Time Warner is going under? Not enough attention to sex. Man, MBA school must be fun too! -

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/media/columns/media life/n_8135/index.html

Other Stuff on the Hill: Ed Henry's column today is filled with tidbits, he must be using up all his spare pieces from the 107th. I think these two are the best, but there are lots more in there -

Lotta Strom. In addition to thinking that Thurmond would have been a great president, Lott also believes the former segregationist candidate could handle "IT," the motorized scooter that's supposed to revolutionize the way people commute.

Back in February, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) received a tutorial on the scooter from founder Dean Kamen outside the Senate chamber. While Edwards got the hang of the new-age machine, also called the Segway Human Transporter, Lott and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) happened to turn the corner. After being coaxed on to one of the machines, Lott first threatened to run Kerry over and then challenged Edwards to a race.

Edwards and Lott lined up at the famous Ohio Clock and then broke for the entrance to the chamber. Edwards had a clear lead until Kamen jumped in front of Lott, apparently to help the Minority Leader save a little face.

An unbowed Lott said he was heading into the chamber to grab some more of his colleagues to give the scooter a whirl. "I'll go ahead and get some volunteers," he said. "I think Strom's inside."

Going Strom. Even at the age of 100, Thurmond came up with a new pickup line - literally - for the ladies.
Although he's been getting around in a wheelchair these days, Thurmond's interest in the fairer sex did not wane this year. He was spotted one Friday morning rolling down a Capitol corridor sporting a big smile after an encounter with a young woman.

"Want a ride?" Thurmond asked, pointing to his lap, according to a witness. She politely declined.
Meanwhile, at a time when the Pentagon is starving for money, HOH found out that Thurmond secured a hefty $8 million for the construction of a new parking garage at an Army medical center.

But there was a new twist to the traditional game of pork-barrel politics: Rather than steer the cash to South Carolina, Thurmond dished the dough out to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in D.C., where the Senator lives because of his weakened condition.

The whole column -
http://www.rollcall.com/pages/columns/hoh/

Coleman! Local prof Coleman McCarthy is getting some national press for his peace efforts -
http://www.cnn.com/2002/EDUCATION/12/19/peace.teacher.reut/i ndex.html

Maybe its because he can't get insurance: New Jersey officials had to do a quick backpedal after schoolkids panicked upon hearing the state had banned reindeer from entering the state. The children were worried this would interfere with Santa Claus' impending visit to the state -

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-2/104028208721200.xml

The Customer is sometimes an idiot - Fans of Pasta Mia and other "no, you can't have it your way" restaurants will enjoy this piece by the owner/chef at another DC restaurant, though he does feel guilty for telling customers off. Sometimes. -

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2075422&entry=2075651

A Dog of Faith: A dog in India is apparently heeding calls to pray with Muslims 5 times daily. And, when they screw up the prayers, he lets them know it. -

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_728881.html

Maybe she saw it coming: Miss Cleo says she is psychic, and still wants to help people, but was a victim of the fraud that used her image. Well, next time Cleo use a lawyer when signing those contracts, not your psychic ability -

http://www.click10.com/mia/news/stories/news-184407120021218-061212.html

Christmas Gifts of the Day: In 2016, this will be really cool -
http://www.theonion.com/onion3847/ghost_of_christmas_future. html

Improvements are a 'comin: Well, you were promised improvements, and you're gettin 'em. Firstly, there is now an e-mail address for you to send incoming mail to. We're still working on the outgoing mail, but by early next year, we should be free of using government domains, and able to expand our readership a bit more. Anyway, send your comments, requests for new subscriptions, etc to greg@fromtheswamp.com for now. Ain't technology grand?

Tomorrow...will be the last daily swamp until the New Year. It will also be our Christmas special, since we won't have one on the day itself :)

Have a great afternoon!

Gregory S. Gadren