July 20th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
Colbert teams up with the enemy of his enemy, filmmaker Michael Moore, to take CNN down a couple notches. Moore explains why the free market should have no place in our health care system, and how corporations tailor the news to fit their agenda. Of course, Colbert sees nothing wrong with being the mouthpiece for our capitalist masters. Hilarity ensures.
July 10th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
This is the follow-up to Moore’s exchange with Wolf Blitzer. If you missed the historic ass-whoopin’ from yesterday, check it out here.
Other shows later jumped at the opportunity to get a piece of the ratings action. Olbermann did a decent job at raising the level of debate, but others linked below were simply corporate hit jobs meant to divert attention away from the reality of socialized medicine. Olbermann analyzed corporate media coverage of the issue (video below), Scarborough bashed Moore on his weight, and Larry King was more concerned with the conflict between Moore and Gupta (in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3) than with the issues at hand.
July 9th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
This video is the greatest thing ever. Ever. Not only does Moore demand an apology from Blitzer for not doing his job as a journalist in the lead up to war, but he gives props to Kucinich’s health care plan. Unfortunately, instead of supporting Dennis for the presidency, he backs someone who isn’t even running. I guess nobody’s perfect. Well, enjoy the smackdown regardless.
Update: Part two is now available here.
June 29th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
Lou Dobbs has warned us that Americans are not just losing jobs because of immigrants, but also body parts. We need to put our foot down while we still have one left. As confirmed by John Hodgman, Faux News correspondents are not racist. They’re simply aware of the undeniable fact that Mexicans are dirty disease-carrying rapists. Conservatives merely want them to stay on their side of the fence so that our white power structure doesn’t fall apart - literally. Okay, enough bad jokes. Enjoy the clip.
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June 28th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
Jon Stewart interviewed Michael Moore last night to discuss Paris Hilton. What else would they talk about? Insurance companies have made us believe that the problems we face today are really caused by the government, rather than a market which intervenes on every level to deny people their basic rights. Our capitalist system creates an anti-social society which discourages the altruistic nature of our species. Instead, we encourage greed. Keeping medical care from those who need it the most should not be something which is rewarded.
June 22nd, 2007 by Calypso
Children with physical and mental deformities in the Nigerian town of Kano are considered the lucky survivors of a controversial 1996 drug trial by Pfizer. The pharmaceutical giant used hospitalized children, sick with meningitis, as guinea pigs for an experimental and unregistered antibiotic called Trovan. While Pfizer claims that the survival rate for the drug trial was at 94 percent, with only 11 out of 200 children dying, Kano officials state that over 50 children actually died.
The Nigerian government started an expert medical panel to review the drug trial after being pressured by families affected and rights groups. The panel concluded that the experiment was “an illegal trial of an unregistered drug”, and a “clear case of exploitation of the ignorant”.
Anas Mohammadu who was 3-years-old at the time of the trial fell ill and was taken to hospital by his parents. His father still burns with anger over the situation. “My son was ill and we took him to the hospital like any other family would. Then the Americans and some local Nigerian doctors injected Anas with this evil drug.” Anas, now 14-years-old, dreams of becoming a soldier but his dream seems unlikely as the trial left him with weak, wobbly legs, and a permanently drooling mouth. He is made fun of in school, and even daily tasks like getting water from a well can be difficult as he gets tired easily and can be pulled by the slightest weight.
Hassan Sani described how his daughter Hajara, now 14-years-old as well (pictured above left), became deaf and mute thanks to Pfizer. Mr Sani said “the American doctors took advantage of our illiteracy and cheated us and our children. We thought they were helping us.”
Many blame Pfizer’s experiment for the mass rejection of polio vaccinations in many northern Nigerian areas. Some Muslim preachers think it was a western plot to sterilize Muslim women. Pfizer denies any wrongdoing, saying that “verbal consent” was given by the parents, and that the trial was medically, scientifically, regulatory, and ethically “sound”. They added that the experiment followed Nigerian regulations and saved many lives. Moreover, they argue that such allegations are “highly inflammatory and not based on all the facts”.
A decade onwards, the Nigerian government is suing Pfizer for $7 billion in damages suffered by the families of the children who passed away and those still suffering from side effects. The Kano state government is filling separate charges against Pfizer. However, money will never be enough to compensate for dead or disabled children. Mr. Sani expressed his anger, saying; “In addition to the compensation, they should be killed like the children they have killed.”
June 5th, 2007 by Manila Ryce
Colbert proudly celebrates the American victory for the hot dog eating record. After years of losing our title for gluttony to Japan, we can now hold our double chins up high.
Stephen then juxtaposes that story with Hunger Awareness Day to highlight the growing gap between rich and poor. We entertain ourselves with a competition on who can waste the most food while there are people in our own country starving on less than $3 a day. Joining Stephen is Illinois representative Jan Schakowsky, to talk about her experience after taking the “Food Stamp Challenge”.
Since junk food is all most people can afford, the option to live a long and healthy life is reserved mostly for the rich. Today is National Hunger Awareness Day. Consider yourself aware.
June 4th, 2007 by Calypso
A study from Rochester’s Mayo Clinic has revealed that a daily dose of ginseng can enhance energy levels and make exhausted cancer patients feel mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally better.
The research involved 282 patients who were divided into 4 groups: a group receiving a placebo pill with their cancer treatment, and 3 groups receiving various daily doses of ginseng with their treatment. After 8 weeks the placebo group felt no benefit while those taking ginseng reported improvement based on their doses.
Ginseng’s “adaptogen” effect helps the body deal with stress and is thought to be the reason behind the results. The herb has previously shown other positive effects when used for other diseases, including colds and diabetes.
Acute exhaustion is a side effect of cancer therapy and affects about 90% of the patients undergoing therapy. However, scientists say more testing will be required before it is added as part of cancer therapy.
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