Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 30

Hospital Infections

Yesterday I posted this little tweet:  "1 person died from Ebola in U.S. hospital this week. In same period about 2000 died due to other infections acquired in a U.S. hospital."  It obviously struck a nerve, so to speak--as it got RTed about 650 times, and counting.   But some have asked for details or sourcing.   As some know, the controversy surrounding not-too-ill people in hospital suffering from, and passing away, partly or largely due to infections they pick up after entering the facility has raged for some time.  Hospitals have been asked or ordered to respond and there has been a national campaign, successful in many places, to get  doctors and nurses to go through a check list of safety procedures, which has cut fatalities where these infections contributed to the problem. 

A few sources found here and here and here.

BTW, Chris Rock tweeted this yesterday:

Americans killed in 2014:  Ebola 1  ISIS 2  Televisions tipping over 150  Obesity 400,000  Heart Disease 600,000

Officer Wilson: Blood on His Hands (and Elsewhere?)

NYT tonight with alleged scoop from government officials briefed by federal investigators--that FBI forensics tests found Michael Brown's blood inside Officer Darren Wilson's car, on his gun and on his uniform, which if true may back cop's claim that they struggled through window and two shots fires there, wounding the youth in the arm.  The Times points out that even if true this does not change dispute over why Wilson had to shoot Brown so many times later from a distance.   And this:

The officials said that while the federal investigation was continuing, the evidence so far did not support civil rights charges against Officer Wilson. To press charges, the Justice Department would need to clear a high bar, proving that Officer Wilson willfully violated Mr. Brown’s civil rights when he shot him.

No civil rights charges does not mean the local grand jury cannot bring charges.  But
I have said for weeks that I seriously doubt Wilson will faces charges from either the feds or locals because of the "state of mind" clause after the struggle--whatever it was--at the car.  May not be fair or right but that's what I expect.

Here's to You, Ms. Robinson

Bill Moyers this week with full show with rarely interviewed at length Marilynne Robinson, the great novelist (who has a new one).  Full transcript here.

As the Seas Rise in Florida...

Even the Pentagon is worried about climate change, and warned it could exacerbate the threat of terrorism, we learned in a report this week.   And in the hot Florida governor's race, the increase in flooding in some areas has become a campaign issue. 

The flooding also poses a special challenge for conservative politicians who are skeptical of the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change. Some Republicans, like Scott, have gradually arrived at a somewhat schizophrenic position, refusing officially to take a position on global warming even as they ramp up efforts to deal with its immediate effects.

The contradictions were on full display in a week in which Scott dodged a debate question about climate change while also helping to expedite a new flood-control system for Miami Beach. The upgrades were completed just before this year’s king tide and, in a further twist, just ahead of the arrival of environmental groups and elected officials who planned to use the event to call attention to rising sea levels....

The flap over tidal flooding caps a political season in which the national divide over climate change appears starker than ever. Throughout the country, environmental groups and industry-backed political action committees are spending unprecedented sums in statewide races targeting politicians who oppose their position on climate change.

In Kentucky, a coalition with ties to Republican strategist Karl Rove and the billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch has targeted Democratic Senate candidate Alison Grimes, whose stated belief in climate change has stirred anxiety that she might support policies contrary to the state’s coal industry.

Great Scott!

Jon Stewart as predicted opens show with the Florida "FanGate."


The Daily Show
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From Sir (Doug), With Love

Doug Sahm, Augie on organ, Hef, Barbi Benton...live, what more could you want?  He's about a mover!

Howlin'

The one and only Howlin' Wolf, on Shindig, 1965, plus Mick and Keith and Brian (and you can see where the early Stones came from).

Recalling "Bloody Sunday"

Something happened to remind me that one of my favorite movies since 2000 is Paul Greengrass's early film Bloody Sunday.  James Nesbitt got an Oscar nomination and yes, the U2 song closes the film.  I followed the official inquiry and legal cases--which the film sparked--ad read the excellent book by (and chatted with) witness Don Mullen, and more.  

The Royals

KC sweeps its was to the Series.  In tribute, live Beatles, and the original from Wilbert.   Then take-off on Lorde "Royals"--ahead of its time, months ago.  "You''ll beat the Royals...better than we ever dreamed...not just a fantasy!"

Beheading Used in Campaign Ad

Naturally it's a right-wing group and only targeting Dems up for election (Udall, Pryor, Shaheen etc.).  See James Foley used at opening.