November 3, 2005

• THURSDAY WHATEVER
  

  Let’s see – what could the Bush administration do to boost its deteriorating image? Why, here’s an idea! Announce a $7.1 billion plan to prepare for the Avian Flu pandemic that appears to be looming in the near future as a world crisis. Right here on the West Coast, I’m getting kind of nervous actually, having just read a terrifying article in my favorite news rag, Vanity Fair, about how very possible the spread is and how it will travel straight here from Asia. So news of a Plan of any kind is good. On looking closer, I find out “the rest of the story.” So far the government is only authorizing giant pharmaceutical companies like Roche to have control over global supply of flu vaccine. This means the developing countries where the disease is most likely to spread first will have no chance to build up adequate supplies. And of course, another nailbiter is that until it can be tested on humans, we can’t really know if Tamiflu or anything else developed will really work. Last December, I heard the happy news that Michael Moore was going to take on the drug bullies with his next film with Miramax, entitled Sicko, due out in 2006. Haven’t heard a word since. Have you? It couldn’t come out at a more perfect time. So, I’ve had my flu shot for this winter’s local version (flu season has already begun in my town). The supply seems adequate in my neighborhood (including the spray kind) for all ages, though just this week I heard there was a slow-down. Keeping my ear to the ground for what the next developments are. Fingers crossed, like that will do any good.

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  Deep Thought: “Once I was passing a roadside fruit stand, and I stopped to ask for directions. There was an old grizzled farmer there, with a face that looked like he had seen many things in his life. I asked him which way to go. He paused for a moment, then took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. I don’t know what he said, because I just peeled out. I don’t have time for guys to pull out handkerchiefs. “
  Today I am grateful for: Arms – the kind you hug with
  Guess the Movie: “Someday this war’s gonna end. That’d be just fine with the boys on the boat. They weren’t looking for anything more than a way home. Trouble is, I’d been back there, and I knew that it just didn’t exist anymore.” Answer: Apocalypse Now, 1979. Winner: tikhead.
  Rumsfeld to Profit from Avian Flu Vaccine
  By Nelson D. Schwartz
  Fortune
  Monday 31 October 2005
  Defense Secretary, ex-chairman of flu treatment rights holder, sees portfolio value growing.
  New York – The prospect of a bird flu outbreak may be panicking people around the globe, but it’s proving to be very good news for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other politically connected investors in Gilead Sciences, the California biotech company that owns the rights to Tamiflu, the influenza remedy that’s now the most-sought after drug in the world. (Rest of article here).
  End of Day: 8:28 pm
  + = Finished up reporting to Animal Control and can now let the whole thing go.
  - = Sopping wet outside.

  • 9:21 am
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