"This... is London." followed by the Lillibullero Just imagining it brings me back to my Tanzania, sitting on the porch of our house in the foothills of Nkungwe on Lake Tanganyika, the air alive with the sounds of red-tailed monkeys leaping in the trees above.
I wish the Beeb would return to its roots of spreading freedom and democracy around the world. Instead it has become a reactionary anti-American and anti-Semitic outlet - that no longer plays the beloved Lillibullero.
Hrm. I'll ship it around the Health Dept and see who perks up. Pretty rotten, but unsurprising, to be honest. This AM we were discussing mandatory HIV testing through doctors and the courts - while it was admitted that it was "too bad" we can't simply get the courts to order public testing full-on, they were setting about figuring how to 'influence' [their word] judges and ADAs to order them within their cases. The boss thought it was 'interesting' that once someone was convicted you could order it carte blanche. It didn't seem to occur to her it was because a prisoner is a ward of the state.
All that was appalling enough. Worse was the discussion on doctors. Seems they want to switch it from offering testing as a matter of course to testing unless you specifically opt-out. They didn't even want to the opt-out option. I pointed out that one has a right to refuse medical treatment of any kind but no one paid any attention....
is there really anything to get upset about re: mandatory testing? mandatory TREATMENT, i can understand. but regardless of where you fall on the "HIV is bad" acceptance/rejection continuum, surely there's no harm in knowing if you have or don't have the virus?
Now add in the fact that you could have your kids forced into chemotherapy, and be denied medical insurance, because of "knowing" you have the virus, and you realize how insidious this can be.
I would never knowingly submit to one of these tests. Under any circumstances. Nor would I allow my children to be.
Also, be aware that I'm not objecting to testing based on "HIV is bad", etc., but on the reach of government versus your Rights, particularly because I see it as a stepping stone towards mandatory treatment OR quasi-monitored 'voluntary' abstinence. I work for the Health Dept. [in Rochester. Howdy, zach.] but I don't agree with giving *myself* or anyone in my Dept. that kind of authority. We already have quite enough, thanks.
2.5.2007 5:16pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
"This... is London." followed by the Lillibullero Just imagining it brings me back to my Tanzania, sitting on the porch of our house in the foothills of Nkungwe on Lake Tanganyika, the air alive with the sounds of red-tailed monkeys leaping in the trees above.
I wish the Beeb would return to its roots of spreading freedom and democracy around the world. Instead it has become a reactionary anti-American and anti-Semitic outlet - that no longer plays the beloved Lillibullero.
All that was appalling enough. Worse was the discussion on doctors. Seems they want to switch it from offering testing as a matter of course to testing unless you specifically opt-out. They didn't even want to the opt-out option. I pointed out that one has a right to refuse medical treatment of any kind but no one paid any attention....
is there really anything to get upset about re: mandatory testing? mandatory TREATMENT, i can understand. but regardless of where you fall on the "HIV is bad" acceptance/rejection continuum, surely there's no harm in knowing if you have or don't have the virus?
See this video for a start on the problem.
Now add in the fact that you could have your kids forced into chemotherapy, and be denied medical insurance, because of "knowing" you have the virus, and you realize how insidious this can be.
I would never knowingly submit to one of these tests. Under any circumstances. Nor would I allow my children to be.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.