International: Dengue Kills in Brazil
Summary: An outbreak of Dengue fever in Rio De Janeiro state, Brazil has killed at least 54 people since January with another 60 deaths still being investigated. The outbreak of the deadly fever has lead the Brazilian Health Care Secretary to deploy 1,200 soldiers from the countries armed forces to set up three field hospitals as others are overwhelmed by the 43,000 people who have contracted the disease since January, 500 more soldiers will spray insecticide and place poison in standing puddles of water where mosquitoes breed. 31 of the confirmed deaths have been in Brazil's largest resort city Rio De Janeiro with half the victims being under the age of 13. The number of people who have contracted the disease in Rio De Janeiro state is already double the number of people from all of 2007, and has lowered tourism in the city by 25%. Dengue Fever is transmitted by mosquito, has no vaccine, can incapacitate patients for over a week with severe headaches and joint pains, but is not usually fatal.
Opinion: I sincerely feel for the people of Rio De Janeiro state who are suffering at the hand of this terrible disease. I have first hand experience with how bad it can be as my dad contracted Dengue shortly after returning from a trip to Haiti and was hospitalized for days. It is a terrible disease that is often over looked in the United States because it mainly affects tropical and sub-tropical areas. I believe the recent outbreak is due to massive overcrowding and lack of infrastructure which contributes to the amount of standing water and it's proximity to people. Hopefully the government can get a handle on the epidemic and learn valuable lessons which can help prevent such an outbreak in the future.
Opinion: I sincerely feel for the people of Rio De Janeiro state who are suffering at the hand of this terrible disease. I have first hand experience with how bad it can be as my dad contracted Dengue shortly after returning from a trip to Haiti and was hospitalized for days. It is a terrible disease that is often over looked in the United States because it mainly affects tropical and sub-tropical areas. I believe the recent outbreak is due to massive overcrowding and lack of infrastructure which contributes to the amount of standing water and it's proximity to people. Hopefully the government can get a handle on the epidemic and learn valuable lessons which can help prevent such an outbreak in the future.
National: Bush touts progress in Iraq amid escalating violence
Summary: In the third of a series of recent speeches about the war in Iraq President Bush has continued to tout progress in the war a week before key U.S. commanders are scheduled to testify before Congress on troop strength. The speech comes amid reports of escalating violence in Basra as the Iraqi PM is personally in the city to oversee operations aimed at rooting out the Mahdi Army in the key oil city and port. The violence has spread to Baghdad and has resulted in the Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr mobilizing his followers into massive protests demanding PM Maliki resign. Violence in the capital has led to several days of rocket attacks on the Green Zone where U.S. embassy staff have been told not to leave the building after the death of a worker. A curfew has also been imposed on the capital. In Basra PM Maliki has issued a 72 hour deadline to insurgents; disarm or die. Meanwhile Bush touts the progress and reminds us of the price of failure.
Opinion: Bush has got to the be the most inept and optimistic president we've ever had. While optimism is usually a good thing the Presidents borders on outright stupidity and gross incompetence. If there is any progress in Iraq it is no thanks to the president, the credit goes to the generals who have the persistence to confront the policy makers like the president who resist any change in strategy as a sign of defeat. But really who gives speeches about victory amid the worst violence in months which is only escalating and not subsiding it's either that or denying the recession either way the President looks like a jackass, but I suppose he feels obligated to talk about Iraq because the economy is complicated. 4,000 dead, 100's of billions spent, almost 30,000 wounded, over 100,000 Iraqi's dead WAS IT WORTH IT?
Opinion: Bush has got to the be the most inept and optimistic president we've ever had. While optimism is usually a good thing the Presidents borders on outright stupidity and gross incompetence. If there is any progress in Iraq it is no thanks to the president, the credit goes to the generals who have the persistence to confront the policy makers like the president who resist any change in strategy as a sign of defeat. But really who gives speeches about victory amid the worst violence in months which is only escalating and not subsiding it's either that or denying the recession either way the President looks like a jackass, but I suppose he feels obligated to talk about Iraq because the economy is complicated. 4,000 dead, 100's of billions spent, almost 30,000 wounded, over 100,000 Iraqi's dead WAS IT WORTH IT?
1 comment:
To prevent a dictator from acquiring nuclear weapons--yes. Progress is being made in Iraq and not the failure not to see this since the surge is turing a blind eye to results.
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