Pot Luck: Swine Flu Version

So the picture's ironic... (4.00 / 3)

-- and I laughed too -- but most likely that's a healthy (and vaccinated) pig. Are we saying we don't want kids to interact with animals? That they should stay inside where they won't eat dirt and roll around in the grass where birds have recently landed and/or pooped? :-)

I might point out you're probably more likely to get a flu or worse from kissing another human. :-) :-) :-)

It's so tempting to jump on the bandwagon: SEE! FACTORY FARMS BAD! And they are. I don't like factory farms. I don't like big ag. But so far, I find the evidence on this particular instance to be thin, and I caution that if we go too far on this, that it can get away from us and have unintended consequences - making hog farms even more into sterile, nasty factories; creating more regulations for smaller and medium sized farms where pigs have better lives, and otherwise going in directions that we won't like and won't control.

As it was, he did a deal with a blancmange, and the blancmange ate his wife.

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by: elfling @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 03:01:11 AM UTC

I hear you (4.00 / 2)

the evidence is weak so far. But I still love to see the word being spread about factory farms, even if this happens to have nothing to do with them. Altho, when it was corn syrup and mercury contamination I spoke up for ADM and Coca Cola's side of the argument. Because in truth the mercury levels where insignificant. Mayb that was a mistake.

I went a little far in my comment last night in Ellinorianne's diary on dKos. I was brought back to Earth by someone who runs a CAFO. he/she said that because the animals are confined for 10 minutes a day 200 days a year for milking that they are required to file as a CAFO. Because apparently the USDA measures confinement in days and not hours. What a stupid rule anyone heard of that?  

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by: Curtis Abbey @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 04:18:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i bought pork chops (4.00 / 5)

at the store on sunday.  niman ranch, I feel good about their practices, but the checker and another customer looked at me like i was insane.  

now for something that truly is insane:

my boss wanted to buy really high grade masks for everyone in the office to guard against swine flu.  Two of us argued that it would be far better to encourage our staff to stay home when they're sick.  He then commented on how commendable he thinks it is when people come in and work through their illness.  This after one typhoid mary managed to knock four of us out for a full week with the most virulent cold I've ever had.

My boss used to be the head of health and human services for a major U.S. city.  I'm glad these exchanges take place via email so that no one actually sees my head explode.  

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by: chicklet @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 03:38:47 AM UTC

I noticed... (4.00 / 3)

The bus driver on my home tonight was wearing a mask (looked like the little paper filters I used to wear when loading trucks at an old warehouse job a couple years ago) - I wonder if that's why?

Didn't even put that together until I just read your comment...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 04:32:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i've been driving to work (4.00 / 4)

all week but I'm guessing I'll see some masks and gloves the next time I'm on BART.  

come to think of it, I'm guessing that's where the fashion of gloves came into play to begin with - keeping things sanitary.

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by: chicklet @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 06:14:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Swine Flu in The Bay Area (4.00 / 2)

Probable swine flu case reported in Santa Clara County

A 16-year-old San Jose girl was diagnosed with Santa Clara County's first likely case of swine flu on Tuesday, as the Bay Area added a total of three potential cases to the growing epidemic that has struck people in at least nine countries.

The girl, who is believed to have become infected while traveling in Southern California, suffered only mild symptoms and is recovering at home, in voluntary isolation. Officials didn't name her or say what school she attends, citing confidentiality.

Marin IDs first swine flu cases in Bay Area

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.-Marin County health officials say they have confirmed two swine flu cases, the first identified in the San Francisco Bay area.

Sgt. Gary Wilbanks of Marin's Office of Emergency Services says a 60-year-old woman and her 20-month-old granddaughter were told Monday night they had tested positive.

Officials say the two recently returned from Mexico with moderate flu symptoms. The child has recovered, and the woman is experiencing "mild" symptoms. Neither has been hospitalized.

Wilbanks says other family members who traveled with the victims do not have flu but are taking medications as a precaution.

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by: Curtis Abbey @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 05:10:31 AM UTC

Speaking of things that make you sick... (4.00 / 2)

The Devils.  Bastards.  Oh well, I still have the Blazers going...

Anyways, I guess I'm now free to jump on the Vancouver bandwagon for the rest of the NHL Playoffs!

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 05:16:52 AM UTC

I really want to make that picture my new background (4.00 / 4)

but I just can't replace this one right now.

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by: Curtis Abbey @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 05:22:38 AM UTC

Heh... (4.00 / 2)

That's a nice one!  And sad, too...

My current desktop background is a really cool "Olde Portland" pic; an early-1900's streetcar carriage-house scene.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 05:29:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lenny really wants to be an outdoor kitten (4.00 / 2)

Lenny the Screenclimber

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by: Curtis Abbey @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 05:25:13 AM UTC

wow (4.00 / 3)

your lenny looks just like my lenny.  And my George.  

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by: chicklet @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 06:17:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

and my Louie :) (4.00 / 3)

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by: Iron Paws @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 06:19:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

awwww (4.00 / 3)

mine beg and beg to go outside into the apartment hallway. They looooove exploring. They have no idea what "outside" really is and I plan to keep it that way.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

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by: Jill Richardson @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 06:27:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

my daughters college (4.00 / 2)

just sent out an email to parents about swine flu.Me..I'm glad she will be in India the whole summer

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by: LeeN @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 11:59:32 AM UTC

The comment on that picture (4.00 / 2)

on the website you got it is priceless, too:

"Kids spread the darnedest infections."

Vote for yourself at www.ni4d.us!

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by: rossl @ Wed Apr 29, 2009 at 18:42:16 PM UTC