Pandemic flu, not terrorism, is the most serious risk to the U.K. public, says Britain’s first ever national threat assessment.
Don’t you just hate it when a serious examination of reality produces results counter to every political hack’s favorite slogans?
The document, part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s overhaul of homeland security strategy, considers the likely dangers posed by threats including terrorism, climate change, extreme weather and pandemic disease…
Though the new register does not rank threats in order of seriousness, it does indicate that flu is considered the most pressing concern, said a spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office.
“It looks at the whole range of risks and looks at them from a national perspective,” said the spokeswoman, on condition of anonymity in line with policy. “It is the first time all of this has been brought together in this way.”
Not that Gordon Brown – the UK’s latest George W. Bush lapdog – will pay much more than lip service to the report.
Its good to take a “fresh look” at issues and see what new definitions, new approaches can highlight.
Most serious threat in terms of what? Lives lost? Dollars Lost? Infrastructure Lost? That we can actively do something to counter? That we can effective counter without damage to other important values?
What has the USA given up in the War on Terror? The War on Drugs? Free Trade? Can equivalents be established?
Who’s ox gets gored for each solution or failure to act?
Lots of ways to look at these things. Politicians mostly frame these issues not in terms of any risk except for use as bumpers stickers for/against in the next election.
It does all make a difference.
A network of nanoscale CCTV cameras is already in the works.
While 911 was bad, and 3,000 people died that day, more than 40,000 people die every year in auto accidents. That’s a 911 happening every month.
It has always driven me crazy how people over react to dramatic events. And they then ignore much worse going ons because we have gotten used to them.
Another for instance, 36,000 Americans die from the common flu every year, but Bird Flu, which has killed no one in the US gets all this sensational press.
Don
Exactly!
The general threat assessment formula is potential damage times probability of it happening. Terrorism is always way down on the list, because the probability is so tiny. And yet we have spent over a trillion dollars trying to prevent it. Does that make sense?
terrorisam is good for getting you reelected, nothing more.
poloticians worriy about the flu because it can do them in, they arent worried about anyone else….
I’m far more afraid of the bugs that killed Bernie Mac than of terrorist. That scares the hell out of me that pneumonia can take out a guy in the prime of his life. Where did he pick it up? At the hospital?
#6–Ron==my first reaction is “no 50 yo dies of pneumonia unless he has aids.” So I googled and while many natural medicine advocates are kooky, I agree with the “attitude” this site shows===B Mac was killed by doctors. Even the rich can’t get the individualized care they need in the treadmill of our for-profit system:
http://www.naturalnews.com/023817.html
I agree with every post here. I only ask if any one know how much gets spent each year researching cures/inoculations for diseases each year.
Not knowing how much is spent on those things and saying that we spend too much time fighting terrorism is some what suspect. Seems like propaganda to me.
Once again not saying that I disagree just looking to open a few minds…further.
Britain seems to be sobering up.
#8–Czen, aka Strawman==you are the only one introducing that idea. Facts, not ignorance of facts, is what opens people’s minds.
Figures triing to post statistics from Wiki and the post has to be reveiwed.
The post that has not shown up yet shows that in 2003 the US government spent 28 Billion on Medical research. Which was only a fraction of what Private Companies spent.
Canada by contrast only spent 700 Million in 2005-2006.
If the post ever shows up you can follow the links.
Wonder how much of the US’s research is being used by Canada’s state sponsered health care.
BTW bobbo STFU
#12–Czen==everyone knows Candada spends less on research in absolute dollars than the USA. The USA spends more dollars on just about everything compared to just about anyone else.
How much money is spent on what by whom is irrelevant to the point made by the posted article. I assume your linked data will only take you further away from relevancy?
Cannot inform the closed minded.
bobbo=Glad you know everything, but obviously that knowledge is not leading you to any real intelegence.
The point was to highlight that things are being done to combat desease. The article seemed to imply we are ignoring bird flu in favor of Proctection from bomb strapped fanatics.
The added dig at Canadian Health Care was to piss you off. Objective complete.
#15–Czen==no, the article doesn’t imply that at all. It simply lists what the Brits think are the most pressing problems. Everything you attack is from your active imagination, something I would think could be corrected once it is pointed out to you?
Why would I be pissed at any irrelevant discussion of Canadian Healthcare?
Are all your villians and successes fictional?
Bobbo,
Post #1=good post, reasonable train of thought.
Post #7= embarrassing trash link to a naturopathic site that is SELLING things at a huge profit, no doubt. Absolute speculation without access to his medical chart, coroners report or anything. I thought you were promoting factual statements in a prior post, Bobbo? N’est ce pas? Doesn’t anyone learn to evaluate anything anymore, other than its tabloid value?
As for the treadmill of health care (…it will be vastly improved with National Health Care, right, wink,wink) did Bernie get his pneumococcal and influenza vaccines that people with chronic illness should have? They are widely available, for free from the local health clinic if needed. Lifestyle choices affect many of the medical issues that plague americans, including choosing not to get vaccinated for an example. Not saying that’s what killed him, for all you literal types, just that everything has to be considered.
#17–montanaguy==whats your point?
I said the guy was kooky. I said what my first reaction was/is. You confuse a valid opinion post with a factual post. And even for my bias opinion, I made the effort to find a link. I guess you are still working on yours?
When it comes to healthcare treadmills/quality measurements, USA always comes in 15-20th in line for outcomes and NO ONE for per capita cost. Since everyone knows this, I won’t provide a link.
You didn’t say the guy was kooky. Then you posted the stupid link anyway. That doesn’t get you off the hook. Gee, you made the big effort to post a ridiculous link. Pat yourself on the back.
A great number of our health concerns in this country relate to lifestyle choices, ignorance and the nature of our culture. As you say, “everyone knows this”, so no link is necessary. I don’t see any other health care system in this country obliterating these problems. There will be more rationing, for sure.
Bobbo The aggressiveness tone of your posts betrays you. Turn to the Dark Side.
Your failure to cite statistical information aside. Don’t tell every one what they know.
BTW People die. Nothing will ever stop it. Expecialy Canada “Perfect” health care system.
Imaginary enemies are so fun.
#19–montanaguy==I didn’t say he was kooky? Think of horseshoes and hand grenades and stop quibbling. Quibbling is for quibblers and not recommended except for interesting factoids or humor.
The link is relevant and interesting for all readers of DU. There was nothing “chronic” in B Mac’s condition, most likely for a man of 50 dying of pneumonia it was iatrogenic. Learn and protect yourself and family members.
#20–Czen. Don’t waste your imagination on projecting your own style onto others. I’m hardly being “agressive” but in a contest those perceiving their own loss, and who can’t be honest about their own failings, may try that tack. Who said STFU? Someone trying to be agressive but failing again.
C’mon boys. A relevant, factual, interesting dialectic is certainly not beyond your best considered effort.
Apparently you didn’t even read your own link. It states that he had chronic sarcoidosis, an incurable condition which commonly affects the lungs. In some people, it is fatal. Where is the factual in your post? wow. It must be getting late wherever you live. Go to bed.
#22–montanaguy==I did read it fast, as I do everything, so maybe I missed it. Could you copy and paste that tidbit for me? Now contextually, you might be equating “previously diagnosed with” as being chronic, but that would be a leap woulnd’t it?
I’ll wait for your confirming thoughts or explanation.
Well since it got no mention as a separate news item, I’ll mention it here. Pertaining to the Ivins case, of this nutball spreading anthrax thru the mail. That he apparently sailed right thru any kind of background checks and psych evaluation (IF ANY), should scare us all! I remember thinking, after seeing “12 Monkeys”, that this couldn’t possible happen. Such a wacko, allowed to mess around with viruses, would be as likely as a arab terrorist getting airline pilot training. But then I hadn’t counted on the lazy ass jerks in our government, who can’t even be bothered to keep tabs on things like this. Instead, they’re more worried about covering up sexual indiscretions by certain politicians. Only now are they thinking about maybe screening who get their hands on deadly germs. And maybe asking them some simple questions, like “Does your house pet tell you to kill all the unbelievers?” I mean really! Anyone else would exercise a bit of discrimination during a job interview. But the government? Oh no! If you’re willing to play God with deadly bugs, you’re their man. In spite of that messiah complex, you’ve been nursing for years. It’s just part of the creative process, right? Ugh! Yeah, the greatest threat is from our F’d up government and it ass-backwards contracting policies. First it was the private mercenary army, now this germ lab screwup. And naturally, the FBI pulled another Richard Jewell, and accuses the wrong man. Probably for that same reason. They just didn’t like his ass. That’s a good enough reason for the feds to ruin your life, and let the real nutjob run free for years. Come to think of it, they pulled the same thing on Dr. Mudd, after Lincoln was shot. A 144 years, and nothing much has changed.
#7, Bobbo,
… while many natural medicine advocates are kooky, I agree with the “attitude” this site shows
This site is “kooky” too. I quit after reading four glaring errors in the first paragraph.
First, Bernie Mac died from complications from pneumonia. In a nut shell, pneumonia is when the lungs fill with fluid which prevents the absorption of oxygen, release of CO2.
Second, while often caused by bacteria, pneumonia may also be caused by injury, viral, or parasites. Mac had previous had other lung diseases so without knowing more, the injury possibility remains.
Third, even with todays advanced tools and knowledge, not every person can be saved. That does not mean the doctors killed him. Even when money is no object, people still die.
Fourth, and not a knock on you, “natural” treatments have a very low demonstration of success. If they were useful, they would be in common use. Even then, most naturally occurring medicines, need to be refined for purity, quality, and consistency in order to be used effectively.
#4, Arriane
And yet we have spent over a trillion dollars trying to prevent it. Does that make sense?
Actually yes, in some ways.
By hardening much of our infrastructure against “terrorists attacks”, they also become more resistant to natural occurrences.
First Responders learned their lesson and revised their plans, strategies, training, liaisons, etc.
Equipment was updated and replaced.
Emergency planning has been revitalized and is now understood by more people.
So the next huge natural disaster will end up using much of the anti-terrorist protocol put into place. For example, will the hospital respond much differently if there is an terrorist Ebola outbreak or a natural SARS outbreak. While actual treatment might differ, the same prophylactic measures and much the same equipment and personnel are needed. Even more important, the hospital has a action plan.
BUT, yes, there has been an inordinate amount of money spent to sniff shoes for explosives or X-Ray passengers when such a small percentage of imports are inspected.
#16, Bobbo,
… Are all your villains and successes fictional?
OK, you deserve credit for that. Very good come back. But damn, don’t make me laugh hard, it hurts this morning.
Mr Fusion:
Excellent posts.#25, #26