Blessed are the peacemakers - except when we are at war...
I am curious about a few things reported in the news earlier today and this evening. The specialists on the scene in Florida were quoted in the press as stating that the case of anthrax was caused by an airborne infection (apparently, there are three ways to become infected: through solid food ingestion, via liquids and through spores in the air, i.e. the airborne route). Secretary of Health and Human Services Thompson was quoted as definitively stating at this early juncture that the man infected was "an isolated case," was "an avid outdoorsman" and that he had recently ingested liquids "from a creek." This simply does not add up, and I find it curious, to say the least. Then this report from CNN, which also contains a number of strange discrepancies:
cnn.com
Thompson said the last U.S. case of anthrax was earlier this year in Texas.
All forms are rare, but the most recent cases -- including ones in Texas and North Dakota -- have been so-called cutaneous cases resulting from handling animals.
During the 20th century, only 18 cases of inhaled anthrax have been reported in the United States, the most recent in 1976.
Wait a minute, here, now. First it is implied in the progression of this piece that the cases in Texas and South Dakota were different than this one and especially is implied that these two were quite recent, as no dates are given. Then is stated that the most recent case occurred in "1976." I find this very, very odd. Which is it? Either there have been three cases this year, and before that none since 1976, i.e., none for 25 years and all of a sudden three, or this is the first in 25 years. No cases in 25 years and now either 1 or 3 cases. Considering what happened September 11, and the above, the coincidental timing of this case, the first statements made by local Florida officials who presumably would not speak according to strategic or political concerns, simply stating facts, and the many discrepancies in official statements made today, I am beginning to become very concerned.
I prefer the truth from my government, for myself and my fellow countrymen. I believe that the American public, far from panicking, would respond to a disaster such as this one with courage and a steely resolve. I would look to the bonding done every year on the Fourth of July in the neighborhood in Potomac, Maryland where I grew up, when hundreds of Americans, different in so many ways, came together to celebrate in uniquely American fashion a special day and a way of living dear to all of us so many times, to see how citizens of this country would react to such an event.
I believe all of us place our faith in the government now. I hope and believe that now the government shall retain the same faith in the citizens which it represents. |
