TerryH

Go for it, you've got my vote . Terry

rehsifylf, I'm getting tired of this thread, so I'll leave you with the last word. Discussing this issue with some people is best summed up by the following: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cool-han...cate/1606299045

One reason why this won't work -- it's spelled A.U.P.E. Terry

Every year the medical people responsible for the makeup of the seasonal flu vaccine have to make an educated guess about which strains of virus will be involved in the upcoming seasonal flu. As I understand it, the seasonal flu vaccine contains a number of strains that are considered to have the highest probability of showing up during flu season. However, since flu viruses are constantly changing, they sometimes get it wrong and you may still get the flu. The medical people making these predictions told us last spring that H1N1 would show up this fall, that it would probably be the dominant flu strain, that it would spread through the population at a much higher rate than the normal seasonal flu, that it would affect groups not normally at high risk, and that for some, it would prove fatal. I believe the evidence shows they were right on all counts. The H1N1 vaccine is aimed specifically at the H1N1 virus. Not being a medical type, I can't comment on how effective it will be, and I'm not sure the medical types even have the data yet. However, to argue that since seasonal flu vaccines have not been 100% effective in preventing all types of flu in a given year, that the H1N1 vaccine will not be effective is pretty weak, and involves a type of logic that I'm not familiar with. Furthermore, to argue that all the public health money being spent on H1N1 flu prevention in Canada should instead be sent to deal with starvation in Africa, and to imply that by not doing so ("...just African lives, so not nearly as important, right?") is somehow racist, is ludicrous. Which tinpot African dictator would you like to send the money to? Therefore, rehsifylf and Crowsnest, I have to disagree, the post by rehsifylf was not "Well said." Terry

Din, the article I was referring to, is on the front page of today's National Post. This link should get you there. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2156348 I listened to Cross Country Checkup on the CBC last Sunday as I was driving home. The topic was, not surprisingly, the H1N1 flu. They had a number of medical experts dealing with a variety of questions. One of them responded to the concern about thimersol and mercury. He said the amount of mercury one gets from everyday exposure far exceeds the amount you'd get from a vaccination. In fact, he said, you'd get more mercury from eating a can of peanuts. So there you go, don't eat peanuts nor drink Mexican beer . Terry

Din, if you're getting your information from chiropractors, homeopaths, and naturopaths, that explains everything, as far as I'm concerned. Don't believe everyone with a doctor in front of their name -- their credibility depends on how and where they got their degree. As it happens, I have a PhD, but it's in Mechanical Engineering. Therefore, despite being legally entitled to use the title "Dr" (which I rarely if ever do) I have absolutely no expertise in medicine, and the important thing is that I know it. That's why I'm very careful in checking the sources of all the information I'm getting on the H1N1 issue. I would suggest when it comes to public health, virology, and microbiology, that chiropractors, homeopaths, and naturopaths are not qualified either. On the other hand, my training and experience allows me to sift through conflicting information, to assess the credibility of various sources, and to come to an informed personal decision. Basically, that's what we all have to do -- I'm just saying, watch where you're getting your information. Many people are saying the information on H1N1 is confusing. Well, I've found the information from the medical people to be anything but confusing. The confusion is coming from homeopaths, naturopaths, quacks, and hollywood nutbars. If you tune out all those sources, guess what? -- no confusion. As an aside, I have heard the naturopath argument (repeated elsewhere in this thread) that a strong immune system is the key to avoiding the disease. I assume that's where you're coming from with the vitamin D and B12 recommendation. I would point out that the medical people agree a strong immune system is good, however, they also say that it will not prevent you from getting the disease if you are exposed. Furthermore, there is some concern in the medical community (as reported in today's papers) that the severe cases in young people may be due to their immune system reacting too strongly. Terry

I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but my reaction after reading this is quite simple: Bull Sh!t Terry

Smitty -- excellent article, thanks for posting. Unscientificangler -- thank you also for your comments. I think a lot of us non-medical types (engineer in my case) get the message, but it sounds much more convincing when coming from someone with some medical expertise. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am old enough to remember the pre-vaccine polio days. I was around 10 during the mid-fifties, and let me tell you, it was scary. If you got polio, you either died, spent the rest of your life in an iron lung (think of a horizontal oil barrel with only your head sticking out), or if you were lucky, you were crippled for the rest of your life. There was no telling who was going to get it next, and everyone was looking over their shoulder. When the vaccine was announced, I don't think anyone gave a damn what was in it, how much it had been tested or what the Jenny McCarthy types thought. In fact, I don't recall any Jenny McCarthy types spouting their nonsense. Since there was no internet, and TV was just being rolled out in western Canada, people got their medical information from doctors -- probably a good thing. Terry

That seems very complicated. Why not just consult these guys about what to do. Terry

I agree with much of the above -- i.e. the need for a Streamwatch program, given that the government is probably never going to provide a suitable level of enforcement. For this reason, I've supported the program in tangible ways -- i.e. cash donations, donations to the online auction, and I will continue to give. However, I am concerned that if Streamwatch is going to be an ongoing program, as opposed to a stop gap measure, there is the risk of donor fatigue setting in. Perhaps that is already happening. Anyway, where I'm headed is to suggest that a formal report be published at the end of each season. The report should give statistics on the number of warnings, charges, convictions etc. so that donors and potential donors can see the impact of the program. Terry

Rick, right on -- you've got it figured. :lol: And while you're at it, would you please give us all a lesson on the difference between probability and risk. I think there are some folks here who need a few lectures on risk management. Terry

No thanks, I've got all the bridges I need. Interesting data you have on the risk of death from H1N1 flu -- what medical journal did you find it in? Oh, by the way, would you like to comment on the two teenagers in Ontario who died from H1N1 in the last two days? According to news reports, both were perfectly healthy individuals who came down with flu symptoms and were dead within 48 hours. I don't dispute that we all have to make our own personal decision about whether or not to get an H1N1 flu vaccination. However, make it an informed decision, which for me means giving the highest level of credibility to the views of medical specialists. Terry

I had my seasonal flu shot last week (and lived to tell), and I'll be getting my H1N1 shot as soon as it's available. As one who lived through the years before polio vaccine, I have a strong appreciation for the huge impact that vaccinations have had on public health. And I also understand that if the full benefit of any vaccine is to be achieved, it is necessary that a very high percentage of the population be vaccinated. It is truly ironic that we have several generations of people who have avoided many significant diseases because they were vaccinated when young, and because they're healthy now, they question the need for vaccines. I've heard people say things like "I'm going to trust my immune system." Well guess what, your immune system won't prevent you from getting H1N1 flu or any other flu; it might quicken your recovery -- key word is might. Folks, it is very simple, cut through all the BS that is being spread by people who have no medical qualifications, listen to the public health experts, and get your H1N1 flu shot. Terry

Huh???? Official NHL stats, October 23, 2009 Edmonton Oilers GP 9 W 6 L 2 OT 1 PTS 13 Calgary Flames GP 9 W 6 L 2 OT 1 PTS 13

Official NHL stats -- October 23, 2009 Heatly GP: 10 G:6 A:6 Penner GP: 9 G: 7 A: 7 I guess things worked out for the best . Terry

Have a great B'day Paul. Terry

Great photos, nice fish, Gary. Now I understand why you disappear every fall. Terry

Hints: 1. He likes cake. 2. His initials are BBT. 3. He likes cake.

So, does this mean that Al Gore will make another $200 million by starting a worldwide panic over global cooling? Terry

Fight Phaneuf?????????? Gimme a break -- has anyone ever managed to fight Phaneuf? I've seen a lot of guys trying to chase him down, but Phanuef usually finds his way to the bench before anything happens. On the topic at hand (speaking as an Oilers fan -- in case anyone was wondering), Iginla is a class player, and I saw the whole event with Souray as unintentional. Iginla knows the code, and that's why he was prepared to go with Moreau. He showed further class, by not thumping Moreau after he slipped. Terry

Hey, that's my line!!!! GO OILERS GO. Terry

Yawn.

I was fishing the St. Mary River in BC in mid-September using a big foam hopper/stone dryfly. I kept getting hits but no hookups, and some from decent sized fish. So I went to something smaller, and still no hookups. Then smaller again, and finally a hookup. To my surprise, it was a nice rocky. I kept fishing, and in that particular run, I kept hooking rockies, and all on a dryfly. It was a first for me, but I guess there's always something new if you spend enough time on the water. Terry

For most rational people, it always was a bad word. Anyway, it's not amazing at all -- name one place on the planet where socialism has worked. Cuba & Korea come quickly to mind. Terry

I don't read from the chart that Canada is doing all that badly -- there are only 4 countries shown with higher GDP/capita than Canada. Also, I'm not sure that big GDP can be interpreted as "richness." I was surprised more by France's position than Saudi Arabia's. With regard to the latter, if you took away the contribution from oil production, Saudi Arabia would rank right down there with Syria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe etc. The most disturbing thing about where the US is headed right now, is the ratio of debt to GDP. Have a look at the chart at the following site. http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/federal_debt_chart.html In comparison, Canada's debt/GDP is expected to be around 33% by the end of the fiscal year. The only way the US can deal with their growing debt is to print money, lots of it. That leads to inflation and you can bet Canada will be affected bigtime. How do you deal with inflation -- among other things, you crank interest rates. All the geezers on this board, myself included, will remember mortgage rates in the 20% range. Terry