Sec. Leavitt on c-span pre-emptively blamed local govs for bird flu deaths

[barbaraann]

(this is regarding a speech to medical people that ended few minutes ago)

He said that in the event of an epidemic the federal government could deliver medications/vaccines but that state and local governments had to do the distribution and that some communities would fail and that if they did it would be their fault. (I am paraphrasing here so if anyone has the exact wording please correct me.) He also said that people need to have a two-week supply of food without any recognition whatsoever that some people simply do not have the money to keep extra food on hand, millions of Americans in fact.

He also said that state and local governments would need to do "social distancing" in case of an epidemic--closing schools, etc. And, oh, just maybe there might be a bird flu scare if Cindy Sheehan came to town or if a peace group wanted to have a rally.

SO, I am envisioning a bird flu scare during the election with governors from, oh, maybe, CA or OH or NY issuing "social distancing" orders for, oh, maybe, DEMOCRATIC strongholds and oh, maybe, suppressing Dem turnout. And poor communities who don't have the wherewithall to plan and prepare for distribution of medicines/vaccines in a emergency will just be laughed at by the federal government.

Leavitt was talking like an epidemic was a certainty. If there is one, I can guarantee you from what I just saw that medicines/vaccines will not reach areas of concentrated poverty, just like assistance did not reach the 9th Ward in New Orleans. I also see a lot of "social distancing" in the future of highly populated areas, which just happen to be primarily Democratic. If you think about that red/blue state map, the red areas are already "socially distanced."

Leavitt delivered these messages in a calm, unemotional, matter-of-fact way without an ounce of compassion or concern for any deaths or suffering that might result from a bird flu pandemic. He and his people are going to be just fine.

[MadMaddie]

1. So Leavitt is already blaming the local governments...

setting the stage that only the government can distribute the vaccine appropriatly....(Like the water and ice delivery for Katrina)

Could this be the catastrophic event (that the Repugs will set in motion) to declare suspension of th constitution?

[Dhalgren]

2. You can see it clearly, standing out in the near distance.

"Could this be the catastrophic event (that the Repugs will set in motion) to declare suspension of th constitution?" It's going happen. It may not actually be "bird flu", but that is what it will be called. It will hit hardest in California, New York, and the other Democratic strongholds.

"No one could have anticipated that an epidemic like this would strike."

Martial law, detention centers, mercenaries in the streets...nah, it could never happen here.... :scared:

[barbaraann]

3. Sometimes I worry about the true purpose of the "big box" stores.

I guess I'm paranoid but I've started worrying lately that they will use them as prisons or worse.

[barbaraann]

4. I think they have figured out how to achieve their ends without suspending

the Constitution. They actually have a BETTER plan. They will withhold needed things and order "social distancing" in Dem areas but not in Republican areas. So, in effect it will be SELECTIVE MARTIAL LAW. They're such weasels!