FROM THE PAGES OF STRAIGHT GOODS:

Two recent article have caught Molly's eye while she was surfing the internet to Straight Goods, an online news magazine based out of Ontario.

GIRLS AS GUINEA PIGS:

HPV VACCINE CAMPAIGN RAISES SERIOUS HEALTH CARE QUESTIONS:

The new human papilloma vaccine that is supposed to guard against the subsequent development of cervical cancer has raised many concerns, not the least because of the immense cost in both the USA and Canada (estimated Canadian cost about $2 billion) and the possible connections between the manufacturers of Gardasil and conservative governments who are advocating its use, despite their stinginess on other health care matters. There are numerous studies questioning both the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, as well as its cost effectiveness. Straight Goods has published a recent article of the above title on this matter. Molly quotes,

"A vaccine against cancer is a dream come true---which explains why Gardasil, the new vaccine against some strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which cause genital warts and (eventually) cervical cancer, was so well received. The federal government swiftly announced funding for vaccination of girls and women and several provinces quickly took up the offer. Most parents surveyed supported this move. Many who have been affected by cervical cancer are applauding.

Now some Canadian researchers are having second thoughts. They are raising questions calling the $ 2 billion program to vaccinate all girls aged 9 to 13 premature and suggesting the vaccination could have unintended negative consequences. Since there is no epidemic of cervical cancer to warrant urgent action (Molly note about 400 deaths per year in Canada) , they suggest governments not rush into a universal vaccination program.

A leading researcher from Dartmouth University who participated in the development of the vaccine, said that giving the drug to preteen girls "is a great big public health experiment". then the Journal of the American Medical Association took a stand against mandatory vaccination with Gardasil with the devastating comment that, "Private wealth should never trump public health"....

To READ MORE see the article at the Straight Goods site.

Then there's this little bit about "bullying". Now, Molly isn't about to sign up to the latest fad of the social managerial ruling class that claims they can eliminate bullying in schools by intensifying the bullying that school authorities exercise towards their inmates-excuse me "pupils". As elsewhere the greatest amount of "bullying" is done there by the authorities and not by the pupils themselves. Now here's a study by the Workplace Bullying Institute and Zogby International about bullying in the workplace. A little birdie tells Molly that this sort of behavior, something that people have known about for centuries(millenia ?) won't become a major public campaign for the New Class amongst our rulers, if for no other reason than it would pit them against other members of their class. better to pick on children after all. Anyways...

BULLYING AFFECTS HALF OF US WORKERS:

IN 72 PERCENT OF CASES, THE BULLY WAS THE BOSS:

"Half of working Americans (49 percent) have suffered or witnessed workplace bullying---including verbal abuse, job sabotage, abuse of authority or destruction of workplace relationships, according to a new Workplace Bullying Institute/Zogby Interactive survey.

Prevalence: The WBI survey found that 37 percent of the US workforce, an estimated 54 million employees, have been bullied now or sometime during their worklife. despite this epidemic-level prevalence, 45 percent of respondents said they have never seen or experienced bullying at work.

"It's clearly a silent epidemic" claims Dr. Gary Manie, director of the Workplace Bullying Institute in Bellingham, Washington. Stress from prolonged exposure to bullying (33 percent suffer for more than one year) adversely affects psychological or physical health of 45 % of targets.".....

To READ MORE go to the article on Straight Goods.

All that Molly can add to this is that such things cannot be eliminated by any campaigns by do-good social reformers disguising their own power and financial motives. They can only be significantly reduced by eliminated the social class that perpetrates such things- the bosses and that includes the 'soft bosses' of the social managers.