Mark my words..."It's the flu shot, stupid"

Those people going to Canada to get their flu shots don't seem to be worried about the evils of national healthcare.

"It's the flu shot, stupid"

What I want to know is how the moderate christains are going to explain to their children that the Truth Test does not matter. I don't think any poll shows that.

Jaime -

As much as Kerry likes to say it, Bush isn't responsible for the Flu shot being imported from England. Every report I've looked at so far this year seems like a low year for the flu. So why the concentration on the shortage of shots? The media of course.

I've never gotten a flu shot, nor do I plan on starting to get one. In Michigan at least, I only hear of *rumors* of shortages, when in actuality, there really aren't that many.

Personally, I think it was terribly wrong for Kerry to talk not just about the flu shots, but the supposed shortage of an Anthrax vaccine. Even though we have one, terrorists could easily use that against us.

Announcing a weakness to the world on TV: Stupid
Blaming Bush for things he isn't responsible for: Typical

Troll, I know you're a Bush partisan and that's fine. But half the ordered vaccine was no good and Bush told people in the debate to not get a flu shot. Did he just do that for fun?

Point is, Bush takes responsibility for nothing, and folks like yourself seem all to willing to play along. He's the President. The buck stops with *him*.

Rush blamed *Clinton* of all people for their not being enough vaccine today. But point is, are you telling me if a Dem, like Kerry, was in office right now, you people wouldnt' be screaming to high hell about his incompetency in not ensuring there was enough vaccine??

Brad--thanks for your efforts and enthusiasm. Your current favorite video, with the song by the boxcar racers, is amazing. I am a bit too old to have heard the song before, so it was especially moving.
I want to comment to Troll, which I am sure is a descriptive epithet for anyone voting for Cheney and Rove...I mean Bush.
Dear Troll: Get the fuck out of Michigan and see the world--like I did! But seriously folks, there is a flu shot vaccine shortage, as I came to learn yesterday at my youngest son's 4 month check-up. You see, Troll, the flu kills babies. And the flu vaccine is itself too harmful to be administered to babies under 6 months old. Therefore, everyone in my family (husband, self, older son) must get the vaccine just to protect the baby from illness. Yesterday my 2 year old got the vaccine, which is so painful he cried for two hours post. And the clinic had less than 100 vaccines remaining. Today I spent two hours calling local clinics looking for vaccines for me and my husband. There might be some available after Nov. 1. You show you have no children, so I thought I'd fill you in on one important reason for some of us to get the vaccine. But there are other categories of folks who require a vaccine, like those with auto-immune diseases like ITP, or diabetes, cancer, etc. who need this to survive an epidemic...which we expect this year due to the mild summer, and lack of availibility of the vaccine. Be glad you aren't in the high risk categories that require vaccination. And speak only about that which you have knowledge of. Or, better yet, visit another site that shares your values. No one likes a hater. Even on the internets.

Well explained, Elle. Thanks. Hopefully our friend Troll (and he is our friend, just horribly mislead unfortunately) stops by to catch you note.

What gets me is that our government brought up their concerns about the plant in England three months ago. Why didn't they act to have a batch started since the method takes 6 weeks? That I blame on BAD ADMINISTRATION.

Brad - You take what he said out of context. He said not to get one if you are healthy.

Elle - I appreciate what you said. Getting the fuck out of Michigan doesn't do anything to be quite honest. And I wish you the best with your family. Its very easy to spread the flu around. Knock on wood, I haven't gotten it yet. Interestingly enough, I've heard the exact opposite with how bad the flu will be this year and that it will be very mild, not an epidemic. As for being a hater, I'm not going around attacking people on blog comments.

Henry - Its much more complicated than you might think to just come up with a Flu Vaccine. The American companies, sadly, make more money of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra than they ever will off of the Flu vaccine. This year being an exception, there are usually flu shots left over where the company has to just bite the bullet on. Its all about money. The government doesn't control flu shots.

Something interesting I'd like to point out is that getting the flu shot is just like playing the lottery. The scientists don't know for certain if the vaccine they make will even protect against the strain that spreads around that particular year.

Brad - actually I probably wouldn't have even noted the whole flu vaccine shortage if a Democrat was in office. As I've stated, I think its blown out of proportion.

If it makes anyone feel any better, I'm passing up my flu shot (free from work) because I don't *need* it. Making a big deal out of a shortage will just make the demand go up, and therefore cause a bigger shortage. Its simple supply and demand.

Troll said:
"You take what he said out of context. He said not to get one if you are healthy."

I'm sorry to hear that Majority Senate Leader Bill Frist is in such rough shape! I hope he pulls through okay!

"The government doesn't control flu shots."

Yes. It does.

Aside from that, Troll, I really don't wish to hold your age against you, but I have no other way to make sense out of what seems to be clear insensitivity and/or a lack of education and/or the positioning of party before country or common sense. I know you're not stupid. But the alarming lack of understanding you seem to display on some of these things is alarming. On the good side, Sean Hannity would be proud of you.

Troll,
Not to sound mean, but READ YOUR CONSTITUTION! Please, our government has the God Given Right to regulate any and all business in this coubtry. In fact, we could and should require each pill manufacture to share in the burden and profits of manufacturing the flu shot. Why? Due to the fact it ensures Domestic Tranqulity and Promotes the General Welfare of this nation. Two of the four orginal items found in the Preamble of the United States of America Constitution.

Troll, you are right again. The sickest my wife has ever been was after she had a flu shot. She and I no longer get them and we have not had the flu since we can remember.

A coworker got a flu shot and was crippled by it. He came to work for 6 years in a wheelchair. Amazingly, he can now walk again.

I have no repect for bloggers who curse like Elle.

What about "Vice-Presidents" who say "Go fuck yourself" on the Senate floor?

Or "Presidents" who call repoters "Assholes" at campaign events?

Any respect for them, Paul?