PostHeaderIcon Claiming poverty, Imelda Marcos seeks the return of her P15 billion jewels

6/16/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After complaining that she is dirt poor, Imelda Marcos demands that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) return her P15 billion jewel collection confiscated from her during her husband’s fall from power. Mrs. Marcos is seeking the gem collection which was taken from her by the government as part of her accumulated ill-gotten wealth.

The PCGG divided the jewelry collection into three: The Malacañang collection, which includes pieces confiscated from the Palace after the Marcos family fled from the People Power revolt in 1986; the Hawaii collection seized by the American Customs; and the Roumeloites collection that the Bureau of Customs seized from a Greek national.---PDI (06/15/09, Torres, T; Tandoc, E. Jr.)

In 2007, the PCGG planned to auction the state-sequestered assets to bring about P30 billion for the government, but such plan did not materialize. Government authorities who for more than 20 years did not rule on the timely disposition of the jewelry are just about to study if the valuables should rightfully be returned to Marcos. (Photo Credit: newsflash.org) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Politics of Health: Give the flu vaccines to those who need them most

6/15/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


The number of H1N1 flu infection ominously jumped from 111 to 147 cases and health authorities reported brisk community transmission in Nueva Ecija----suggesting that more cases are cropping up and the flu is getting harder to control.

As a response, the government said 8,000 Makati City employees will be given free flu shots on Monday to prevent the seasonal flu, not the H1N1 viral infection. The government thinks mass vaccination against the common flu at a cost of P2.8 million will help track down by “elimination” those with swine flu. But health authorities know that giving the vaccine doesn't completely assure seasonal flu will be avoided.

“We have prioritized the immunization against seasonal or common flu of our city workers, especially our frontline and field workers, not only to strengthen their defenses against respiratory diseases, but also to help us in promptly identifying possible cases of A(H1N1),” Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said.---Philippine Daily Inquirer (06/14/09, Lopez, A.)

Really?

The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to be effective in preventing the H1N1 flu. At best, the justification that swine flu can be detected by “elimination” is faulty because there are many illnesses which present with flu-like symptoms. If one means to control the viral disease, it’s not by “elimination.” Doctors need the right diagnosis, even if influenzas in general have essentially the same treatment.

To identify H1N1 flu or seasonal flu, a lab test like the one done at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) must be done. This makes one to consider if Mayor Binay’s decision to administer the vaccine is in line with good medical judgment. Why don't politicians like Binay leave the medical decisions to Dr. Francisco Duque III and the Department of Health (DOH?)

Government employees, unless they are in the high risk group, hardly qualify as the priority group to get the vaccines. Though workers may receive them, the government in triaging patients, must give the vaccines to those who need them most as shown below. On the process of production, it will take sometime before the new H1N1 vaccine will be readily available in the market:

2008-09 INFLUENZA PREVENTION & CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS
Center for Disease Control

Vaccination of all children aged 6 months–18 years should begin before or during the 2008–09 influenza season if feasible, but no later than during the 2009–10 influenza season. Vaccination of all children aged 5–18 years is a new ACIP recommendation.

Children and adolescents at high risk for influenza complications should continue to be a focus of vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routinely vaccinating all children and adolescents. Recommendations for these children have not changed. Children and adolescents at higher risk for influenza complication are those:

•aged 6 months–4 years;
•who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
•who are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
•who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
•who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
•who are residents of chronic-care facilities; and,
•who will be pregnant during the influenza season.

Note: Children aged <6 months should not receive influenza vaccination. Household and other close contacts (e.g., daycare providers) of children aged <6 months, including older children and adolescents, should be vaccinated.

Annual recommendations for adults have not changed. Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended for any adult who wants to reduce the risk for becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting it to others. Vaccination also is recommended for all adults in the following groups, because these persons are either at high risk for influenza complications, or are close contacts of persons at higher risk:

•persons aged >50 years;
•women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
•persons who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
•persons who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
•persons who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
•residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;
•health-care personnel;
•household contacts and caregivers of children aged <5 years and adults aged >50 years, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged <6 months; and,
•household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe complications from influenza.
Source: Center for Disease Control (Photo Credit: Healthcarewithoutharm/ Southeastasia) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon HIV infections sweep California porn industry

6/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


As the Los Angeles County Health authorities announced of a sex worker having contracted HIV in the last five years, they say 16 more porn stars had been infected by the dreaded virus.

Public Health Officials said the 16 cases of HIV/AIDS were not investigated and unpublicized because of privacy rules enforced before 2006 which prohibited the disclosure of names to government agencies. It was unclear whether all of them got their illness at work.

“No state laws specifically require condom use and the vast majority of heterosexual porn movies are shot "bareback," an industry term for unprotected sex.

State labor codes, however, do require use of personal protective equipment and protection against blood or bodily fluids in the workplace. Since 2004, five adult entertainment companies have been cited for a variety of violations. Each case has been settled, state officials said.

Since 2004, 2,378 people who identified themselves as adult film industry performers have tested positive for chlamydia in Los Angeles County. An additional 1,357 tested positive for gonorrhea and 15 for syphilis, according to data released Thursday by the county's health department.” Los Angeles Times (06/12/09, Kimi Yoshino and Rong-Gong Lin II

Since the San Fernando Valley is a leading pornography capital which has an annual income of $12 billion dollars, employs more than 1,200 sex performers under at least 200 productions. The HIV outbreak is looked upon with worry because it has the capacity to spread quickly in the community. (Photo Credit: www.rogallery.com) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Prejean drops her Miss California Crown

6/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post




The 22 year-old Miss California who is battered and reviled because her opinion doesn’t jibe with that of some contest officials doesn’t really feel so bad being stripped of a crown. Ms. Carrie Prejean is probably more beautiful than the California beauty title. The fiesty lady, ever more popular, gracefully faced the media to explain why she lost her title---more as an offshoot of standing up for what she believes in.

A victim of a political firestorm that is not of her own making, Prejean lost in the Miss USA 2009 contest for asserting that marriage is between and a man and a woman. This angered gays and lesbians who campaign to legalize same-sex union in California.

Fortunately for the young beauty queen, most citizens of her state support her views and even the Pres. Barack Obama agrees. The pretty lady, a supporter of Proposition 8 which bans gay marriage, bravely advices women to stand against harassment. She said they must not be intimidated to stand up for truth and what they believe in.

Defending the side of Prejean, the California State Supreme Court recently ruled against the legalization of same sex unions in the Golden State. (Photo Credit: NewsYahoo.com; maCalifornia) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Miss California retains her crown as she affirms her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman" Posted by mesiamd at 5/13/2009; "Miss USA finalist graciously defends her anti-gay marriage position" Posted by mesiamd at 4/22/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Ahmadinejad wins in Iranian election

6/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


In a disputed election last Friday, June 12, 2009, Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won over his chief rival reformist Mir-Hossein Mousavi sparking riots and protests in Tehran and other Iranian streets. With allegations of election fraud, Ahmadinejad’s winning gives him another 4-year term to pursue his promised “bright and glorious” future for Iran which is actively pursuing its dangerous nuclear program.

"Many backers took this call to the streets. Thousands of protesters — mostly young men — roamed through Tehran looking for a fight with police and setting trash bins and tires ablaze. Pillars of black smoke rose among the mustard-colored apartment blocks and office buildings in central Tehran. In one side road, an empty bus was engulfed in flames."---AP (06/14/09, Johnson, A; Murphy, B.)

Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei brushed aside the protests over Friday’s vote and welcomed the 80% election turnout. The Interior Ministry disclosed that Ahmadinejad garnered more than 63% and Mousavi received 35%.

“Iran in turmoil will not be ready to engage Obama," said Bruce Riedel, veteran US inteligence official…. Congress and pro-Israel conservatives, already strongly critical of Ahmadinejad, will undoubtedly press Obama to put a tight deadline on his overture to Iran. They are expected to urge him to move on to tougher measures, such as economic sanctions or military action, to try to compel Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions.” LA Times (06/14/09, Richter, P)

Ahmadinejad advocates the destruction and annihilation of Israel. He brings fresh challenge in keeping the balance of peace in the Middle East. Like Mousavi, he supports terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. His election will make it harder for the United States, UN, and their allies to pursue a peaceful resolution against the nuclear threat Iran poses to the world.

US Sec. of State Hillary Clinton doubts whether Ahmadinejad won by landslide victory----something that the Iranian people must decide.
(Photo Credit: LA Times/ AP/ Ben Curtis) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Libmanan raised as 57th diocese

6/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


On March 25, 2009, Libmanan in Camarines Sur had been established as the 57th diocese of the Philippines. According to Most Rev. Msgr. Jose R. Rojas, Jr., the declaration by the Vatican coincided with the feast of the Annunciation, making Libmanan the 5th diocese in the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The Canonical Erection of the Diocese of Libmanan is scheduled on June 19, 2009 to be held at Cathedral of St. James the Apostle, Libmanan, Camarines Sur with Naga Metropolitan Archibishop Msgr. Leonardo Legaspi presiding.

Msgr. Rojas is the first bishop of the newly created diocese over which he supervises 36 priests. Before its elevation, Libmanan became a prelature through a decree by then Pope John Paul II with 16 parishes in towns of Sipocot, Cabusao, Ragay, Del Gallego, Lupi, Libmanan, Pasacao, Pamaplona, San Fernando , Milaor, and Minalabac. (Photo Credit: Libmanantowards20decades) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Araw ng Kalayaan

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


ARAW NG KALAYAAN MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS
JUNE 12, 2009

Sa Kabataang Pilipino
ni Jose Rizal

Itaas ang iyong noong aliwalas
ngayon, Kabataan ng aking pangarap!
ang aking talino na tanging liwanag
ay pagitawin mo, Pag-asa ng Bukas!

Ikaw ay lumitaw, O Katalinuhan
magitang na diwang puno sa isipan
mga puso nami'y sa iyo'y naghihintay
at dalhin mo roon sa kaitaasan.

Bumaba kang taglay ang kagiliw-giliw
na mga silahis ng agham at sining
mga Kabataan, hayo na't lagutin
ang gapos ng iyong diwa at damdamin.

Masdan ang putong na lubhang makinang
sa gitna ng dilim ay matitigan
maalam na kamay, may dakilang alay
sa nagdurusa mong bayang minamahal.

Ikaw na may bagwis ng pakpak na nais
kagyat na lumipad sa tuktok ng langit
paghanapin mo ang malambing na tinig
doon sa Olimpo'y pawang nagsisikap.

Ikaw na ang himig ay lalong mairog
Tulad ni Pilomel na sa luha'y gamot
at mabisang lunas sa dusa't himuntok
ng puso at diwang sakbibi ng lungkot

Ikaw, na ang diwa'y makapangyarihan
matigas na bato'y mabibigyang-buhay
mapagbabago mo alaalang taglay
sa iyo'y nagiging walang kamatayan.

Ikaw, na may diwang inibig ni Apeles
sa wika inamo ni Pebong kay rikit
sa isang kaputol na lonang maliit
ginuhit ang ganda at kulay ng langit.

Humayo ka ngayon, papagningasin mo
ang alab ng iyong isip at talino
maganda mong ngala'y ikalat sa mundo
at ipagsigawan ang dangal ng tao.

Araw na dakila ng ligaya't galak
magsaya ka ngayon, mutyang Pilipinas
purihin ang bayang sa iyo'y lumingap
at siyang nag-akay sa mabuting palad.

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PostHeaderIcon David Letterman vs. Gov. Sarah Palin: Jokes in bad taste and an "epidemic" of (in)sincere apologies?

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


When Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo was caught in an foul phone call in the “Hello Garci” case, she had no choice but to apologize to the Filipino people. When the seemingly straight arrow US Senator Tom Daschle was found to have evaded taxes during a background check, he apologized to the Americans.

Many followed through with their own mea culpas for certain wrong-doings. Bernard Madoff did so for defrauding his trusting clients of $65 billion in his Ponzi scheme. Dr. Hayden Kho was “remorseful” for spreading his scandalous sex videos which humiliated his girl friends and insulted the medical profession.

Now it’s late-night comedian David Letterman’s turn to apologize for making fun of Gov. Sarah Palin and her family. Letterman, the 62 year-old ageing laughbag who should know better, made some sexual jokes on Willow, one of Palin’s underaged chidren of having to fend off Eliot Spitzer (a sexual problem) and getting raped by Yankees sportsman Alex Rodriguez during a New York visit.

The joke relates to the hateful and long-standing rough handling of Palin who espouses conservative beliefs on pre-marital sex---obviously her freedom to do so being in America.

After offending people, which of these public apologies are real? Where is the sincerity? In spite of the outrage from tolerant people, why is the mainstream media, TV, and cause-oriented groups silent of the mockery of the Palins?

The conservative family from Alaska was offended and issued a statement which was quickly answered with a lot of back-hand humor by Letterman to the delight of his fans. Had Gov. Sarah Palin never run for vice-president during the last election, her family could have been left alone. For her conservative views, the governor of Alaska had been a target of unfair "minding" by secular individuals who don't agree with her opinion.

It looks like USA is degenerating into a warped society whose beneficient culture is going down the drain. At the expense fairness and in the guise of humor, some people like Letterman have become insensitive. Mockery seems in vogue for certain people, but off-limits to others like Pres. Barack Obama's children.

Political correctness takes a double standard. For those who watched Letterman “apologize” in camera, many are struck by the (in)sincerity and appalled by the hideousness of his jokes. (Photo Credit: gettyimages/ Fame/ Extracomposite; http: extratv.warnerbros.) =0=

UPDATE: June 16, 2009--- Amidst vociferous protests and criticisms versus David Letterman, the late night comedian apologized to Gov. Sarah Palin and her family. Letterman said for a joke that was wrong. Gov. Palin who protested that such joke was degrading to women----encouraged disrespect and exploitation of to certain group of people, accepted the apology.

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PostHeaderIcon Technological hazard: more computer injuries reported

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


Personal computers (PC’s) at home have innate risks and pose some danger.

In recent study, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database reveals a 732% increase in computer related injuries which is more than twice the increase of PC ownership of 309%. These injuries may be undercounted because the data involve only cover those that have been documented in emergency rooms.

“The most common diagnosis in all age groups was laceration -- 58.4% to the extremities and 41.3% to the head. Contusions and abrasions were the second most common injury.:----WebMD (06/10/09 Bill Hendrick and Louise Chang, MD)

As computers become integrated in the lives of people, most of the injuries, according to the Center of Injury Research and Policy, the Research Institute of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Ohio State University College of Medicine are attributed to hitting body parts, tripping, falling over PC components, getting caught in the computer equipment and straining extremities and muscles. (Photo Credit: StephanLedwina) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon 8 killed in fresh fighting with Abu Sayyaf

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


At least 6 Abu Sayyaf rebels and two military troops died in a recent clash between the Islamic militants and government forces last Thurday, June 11, 2009 in Indanan, Jolo, Sulu. Four other soldiers were reportedly wounded during the encounter.

About 100 terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf Albader Parad clashed with the military in a planned combat operation which sought to rescue Italian Eugenio Vagni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker still being held hostage since January 15, 2009.

According to Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the soldiers who suffered injuries and died were hit by sharpnels from booby traps set up by the militant bandits. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=

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