Now we're supposed to call it H1N1 to protect our pork interests?

An Editor's Post

OK, so there's been a noticeable shift in calling the Swine Flu by it's scientific name of the H1N1 Virus. I guess it's the politically correct thing to do now that both China and Russia have started to refuse our pork exports. I have a hard time buying into this since the science proves that you can't get the virus from processed pork or even a live pig for that matter. This is a virus that mutated, from a pig virus to a human virus. If you're going to catch it, you're going to get it from another human.

I don't mean to make light of the real and somewhat frightening risk of a pandemic breaking out worldwide. Regretfully, the reality of political correctness, political caution and misinformation is there. I'd bet real money that China and Russia's refusal of our exports has way more to do with 1) - Economic opportunism and 2) - Doing something stupid and of no real medical use so their leaders can look like they're doing something in front of their media that gives the appearance of them protecting their citizenry.

The widely publicised use of surgical masks has been getting some attention along with the fact that they don't really do much to protect you from getting H1N1. I would think however, that if you believe you may be infected with the H1N1 virus, wearing a surgical mask might help you from spreading it around. Coughing, sneezing and just breathing in general emits microscopic vapor particles on which the virus can ride along. Touching a surface that has collected these vapor particles and then touching your face, lips, nose or food you're about to consume is how you are most likely to contract it, if you get it at all. This means the best protection is good old hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers.

I think I'll scrub up and have a pork chop.

Yum!

-The Editor

Let's blame illegal aliens for swine flu!

Let's blame illegal aliens for swine flu!

Arturo Mora
April 29, 2009 - Kansas City Star

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American Hispanics are not exactly shocked that the hard right is using swine flu to once again demonize illegal aliens.

People like Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and Neal Boortz, having failed to stir up sufficient xenophobia during the 2008 campaign, are pointing to the outbreak as proof that they were right all along about the immigration issue.

Close the borders, keep out those illegals, and swine flu will not ravage our nation.

Never mind that the globalization many on the right also champion means disease will spread as easily as economic activity.

Never mind that American tourists and businesspeople returning from Mexican visits are as likely carriers of the virus as any illegals. They're instant epidemiologists and know better.

Never mind that the Mexican government recognized the danger relatively quickly and warned the world, despite the horrendous resulting damage to its own economy. Let's blame Mexico anyway.

You'd think the defection of Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter to the Democrats would remind the right of the dangers of conservative extremism to their party's fortunes.

These people are focused on conservative "purity" and conservative "principles" (Xenophobia bordering on racism? Really? Great principles!).

It doesn't matter to them that Republicans lost the entire Southwest in 2008 (except for home-stater John McCain's Arizona), in large part due to Hispanic voters turned off by immigration histrionics.

Ironically, before the hard right attack on illegal immigrants began American Hispanics were by no means monolithic on the issue. They have helped unite Hispanic voters against what they perceive as thinly disguised racism.

I'm not sure what people like Beck achieve for their party, except to help marginalize it and polarize America.

Immigration is a legitimate issue worthy of debate, as is border security and our relationship with Mexico.

Are extreme conservatives so bereft of logic and arguments that their only refuge is scapegoating?