Each administration makes a bigger, filthier mess out of things and sleazy politicians run for office, while dishonest flunkies climb over each other, up the Establishment ladder. Lacking candor, they boast about their crooked schemes being good for Americans and the people of the world. It should be obvious to everyone, that most politicians and executives cannot be trusted to tell the truth, much less do what is right. I do not claim to be an expert on corrupt corporations and biotechnology, though I do have the ability to see the overall picture, vividly, from an artist's perspective. Many thanks go out to the experts in specialized areas, who have generously shared expertise that has helped others to better understand complex issues. The least we can do is listen and learn from them.
Washington D.C. was the epicenter of the global biotech community for five days in June. More than 16,000 biotech leaders, scientists, pharmaceutical chief executive officers, medical professionals, regulatory officers, researchers, journalists, and government leaders came from all over the world, to attend the BIO 2003 Convention. The Biotechnology Industry (BIO) represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations in every state and 33 nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial, and environmental biotechnology products. Research companies, academic institutions, and government entities spearheading biotechnology projects utilized BIOTV and the convention media center, to focus the worldwide spotlight on biotechnology advances.
Sponsors include Aventis and Aventis Pasteur, Bayer Corporation, Dow, DuPont, Eli Lilly & Company, Ernst & Young, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Mayo Clinic, Merck & Co., Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Monsanto, Pfizer, Pillsbury Winthrop, States of Delaware and Georgia, and the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.... See www.bio.org/events/2003/sponsor/sponsorlist.asp for the complete list.
George W. Bush vehemently kicked off the event with the keynote speech. He urged the Senate to quickly pass legislation on Project Bioshield and Medicare reform. Other high-ranking federal officials who spoke at the convention included Tom Ridge, Mark McClellan (FDA), the directors of the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Human Genome Research Institute. Tom Ridge discussed the BIOWATCH Surveillance Network that will detect early airborne releases of certain kinds of biological agents, which is up and running in 30 cities. He said Homeland Security is working hand in glove with the DOE and DOD, to upgrade infectious disease detection capabilities to handle mass casualties.
This indeed goes hand in hand with and confirms an article posted on Prison Planet (8/18), "Military to Conduct Bio-Terror Exercise" - www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3032260,00.html. Could they be preparing us for what is going to be deployed next?
The reader is urged to watch the short speeches by Bush and Ridge:
BIO 2003 Plenary Speakers video and transcripts - www.bio.org/events/2003/speaker/plenary/.
The following paragraphs are important excerpts from his remarks:
".... It's a pleasure to be with so many leaders in such a vital industry. Each of you is carrying on the incredible work began some 50 years ago by Doctors Watson and Glick.... My administration is committed to working with your industry so that the great powers of biotechnology can serve the true interests of our nation and mankind. Tommy Thompson is the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is the point man for the administration on biotechnology and other matters of national health.... The biotechnology industry finds itself on the front lines of some of the great challenges of our time. The first challenge is the need to fight terror. All of us know the great possibilities of modern science, when it is guided by good and humane purposes. We understand, as well, the terrible harm that science can do in the hands of evil people....
A key part of our all-out effort to prepare for the threat of bio-terror is what this administration has called Project Bioshield. I have proposed that our government spend nearly $6 billion over the next ten years to speed the research, production, and availability of effective vaccines and treatments against small pox and anthrax, botulin toxin, E-bola plague, and other possible agents of bioterror. Under Project Bioshield, the government will have the spending authority to ensure that the most advanced vaccines and treatments are available to our people. Project Bioshield will give our scientific leaders greater authority and more flexibility in decisions that may affect our national security. Our labs will be able to hire the right experts, to buy the right equipment, and to speed the construction of the right facilities to accelerate urgently needed discoveries. Like other great scientific efforts, Project Bioshield will have applications beyond its immediate goals....
As we pursue Medicare reform, we must make sure that whatever system evolves does not undermine America's biotechnology industry. We need to keep rewarding innovation and protecting competition without unnecessary intervention by the government.... And as you make your voices heard on necessary reform for Medicare, make sure you make your voices heard on making sure that we have legal reform in America, as well. We sue each other too much in the United States of America. We passed a medical liability reform bill and a class action reform bill out of the House of Representatives. These bills are stuck in the United States Senate. For the sake of a balanced legal system, we need tort reform in Washington D.C."
.... These are times of great challenge for this country. Our country must continue to meet the grave dangers of bioterrorism. As men and women of science you have accepted a moral calling to improve lives and to save lives. That calling also requires a deep respect for the value of every life. Because even the most noble ends do not justify any means. This nation is counting on you to serve the true interests of all humanity.... The American people are grateful for your many achievements and we look forward to the many achievements yet to come."
The speech writer knew the right manipulative words to use and carefully crafted it to suit the occasion, however, considering Bush's background and other factors, it is a big joke (on us). It would be hilarious, if it wasn't so tragic. Using common sense and credible information, we will briefly analyze some of the questionable statements that were/are automatically accepted by many as truth. For more information on this discussion, please refer to the links provided as it is impossible to mention everything of importance.
Tort is a small word with a big meaning that is defined as any wrongful act, damage, or injury done willfully, negligently, or in circumstances involving strict liability, but not involving breach of contract, for which a civil suit can be brought. Another dictionary defines tort as a wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction. The implications of tort reform includes serious consequences for the average person, while enormous profits and unjust protection will benefit the ones doing harm, under the guise of doing good. This would include biopharmaceutical companies that research, create, and manufacture dangerous diseases, vaccines, drugs with side effects worse than the disease, genetically modified food, and things you and I never dreamed of in our wildest imaginations.
Excerpts: "CDC, Pharmaceutical Companies Counter Bioterror Threat" - http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/hiv/02041203.htm.
Insurers deny, delay, defraud, and defend against legitimate claims brought by honest reasonable people, seeking only what they are entitled to within reason. Tort reform would limit a consumer's right of recovery and to collect what is due them, they would have to pay substantial legal fees, and wait out the legal process. Good for the Insurance Industry, but bad for consumers. Follow the money and look at what major corporations are contributing to particular politicians, who are pushing for "Tort Reform". It is very difficult or impossible for those who are injured at the hands of corporate wrongdoers, to be fully compensated for the harm that was done. Tort Reform is nothing more than a bailout from liability and responsibility for corporations, including the largest and richest ones in the world, at the expense of all Americans.
"Tort Reform, In Great Detail" - www.votenader.com/issues/tort_full.html.
"Terror Tort Reform" - http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/936852.asp.
"Connect the Dots and the Truth Emerges" - www.whodieswhopayswhoprofits.com/arch_Jul03.html.
"Project Bioshield, Biotechnology, and STS-107" - www.prisonplanet.com/analysis_louise_021003_sts.html.
It matters not whether one is liberal, conservative, or otherwise in their views. What matters is what is true, right, and good versus what is false, wrong, and evil -- regardless of whom is saying or doing it. Since Scripture warns and instructs us about these things for our own well being, not to spoil our fun, we don't have to guess or take someone else's word for it. People are always learning, yet often do not come to the knowledge of the truth, many preferring to indulge in fallacies and falsehoods instead. Before saying he found no fault in Jesus, Pontius Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" This was after Jesus had said that he came into the world to bear witness to the truth. As we continue to shine the light of truth on the dirty secrets and criminality of big corporations and political agendas, we need to remember that the wicked leaders are outnumbered and will ultimately be the losers on Judgment Day.
To be continued.... |
