profe51
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posted on July 12, 2007 08:03:09 AM new
Or maybe it is believable, and that's the shame.
The White House has repeatedly meddled with, censored and politicized the Surgeon General, preventing him from speaking about topics that are dear to the religious right. It makes me sick.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2758838.ece
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Linda_K
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posted on July 12, 2007 08:33:16 AM new
Always makes me wonder about the character of a person who willingly does as they're told to do, supposedly, but ONLY speaks out about it after they no longer hold the job they're now whining about.
Seems to me he compromised his own character by not speaking out or quitting this job where he now wishes people to believe he was 'muzzled'. 
Those big paychecks must 'buy' their willingness to not be truthful - to willingly allow themselves to be 'silenced'. tsk tsk tsk
It would have been quite simple for him to quit this job and speak honestly - not waiting until his term was completed.
==============
Imo, since it appears that each administration has such GREAT influence over the surgeon generals and since some believe the position is so 'politicized'...then just eliminate it totally. Or change it and make it where the SG is appointed by whichever president is currently in office, but have them operate totally independent from the WH. Just like the Fed. reserve is run.
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[ edited by Linda_K on Jul 12, 2007 08:36 AM ]
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mingotree
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posted on July 12, 2007 09:53:25 AM new
Carmona Says Bush Officials Muzzled Him
Updated 2:09 AM ET July 11, 2007
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's most recent surgeon general accused the administration Tuesday of muzzling him for political reasons on hot-button health issues such as emergency contraception and abstinence-only education.
Dr. Richard Carmona, the nation's 17th surgeon general, told lawmakers that all surgeons general have had to deal with politics but none more so than he.
For example, he said he wasn't allowed to make a speech at the Special Olympics because it was viewed as benefiting a political opponent. However, he said was asked to speak at events designed to benefit Republican lawmakers.
"The reality is that the nation's doctor has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget, and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas," said Carmona, who served from 2002 to 2006.
Responding, the White House said Carmona was given the authority and had the obligation to be the leading voice for the health of all Americans.
"It's disappointing to us if he failed to use his position to the fullest extent in advocating for policies he thought were in the best interests of the nation," said Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto. "We believe Dr. Carmona received the support necessary to carry out his mission."
Confirmation hearings are scheduled to be held Thursday for Dr. James. Holsinger Jr., the Kentucky cardiologist Bush nominated as the nation's 18th surgeon general. The nomination has been criticized by gay rights groups.
Carmona testified Tuesday at a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Also appearing were Drs. C. Everett Koop, who served as surgeon general from 1981-1889, and David Satcher, who served from 1998-2001.
"Political interference with the work of the surgeon general appears to have reached a new level in this administration," said committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
Koop is probably the most recognized former surgeon general. He talked about AIDS as a public health issue rather than a moral issue, which won him many admirers and some critics. He said President Reagan was pressed to fire him every day, but Reagan would not interfere.
Koop said that after he left office he had more access to the secretary of Health and Human Services than his successor, Satcher, and that embarrassed him. "Dr. Carmona was treated with even less respect than Dr. Satcher," Koop said.
A report condemning secondhand smoke was a hallmark of Carmona's tenure.
Another report, on global health challenges, was never released after the administration demanded changes that he refused to make, Carmona said.
"I was told this would be a political document or you're not going to release it." Carmona said. "I said it can't be a political document because the surgeon general never releases political documents. I release scientific documents that will help our elected officials and the citizens understand the complex world we live in and what their responsibilities are."
He refused to identify the officials who sought the changes.
Carmona said he believed the surgeon general should show leadership on health issues. But his speeches were edited by political appointees, and he was told not to talk about certain issues. For example, he supported comprehensive sex education that would include abstinence in the curriculum, rather than focusing solely on abstinence.
"However, there was already a policy in place that didn't want to hear the science, but wanted to quote, unquote preach abstinence, which I felt was scientifically incorrect," Carmona said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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mingotree
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posted on July 12, 2007 09:55:08 AM new
"""It would have been quite simple for him to quit this job and speak honestly - not waiting until his term was completed.
============== """
Apply the same to bushit ??? 
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Helenjw
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posted on July 12, 2007 11:16:08 AM new
Richard H. Carmona
Carmona, a Bush nominee who served from 2002 to 2006, told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that political appointees in the administration routinely scrubbed his speeches for politically sensitive content and blocked him from speaking out on public health matters such as stem cell research, abstinence-only sex education and the emergency contraceptive Plan B.
'Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is often ignored, marginalized or simply buried,' he said. 'The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds.'"
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Bear1949
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posted on July 12, 2007 01:11:55 PM new
And what real good does any surgeon general serve other than tell people not to smoke, practice safe sex, dont over eat. This is one job position that should be eliminated.
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.George S. Patton
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profe51
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posted on July 12, 2007 01:25:58 PM new
It's his own fault and the job should be eliminated. That's funny. Why not show some gumption and come right out and say you think it's perfectly fine that the white house pressured him to keep quiet about stem cells, contraception and such?
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etexbill
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posted on July 12, 2007 03:22:29 PM new
I'll come right out and say it. The Surgeon General is appointed by the President and works for him and the administration answering to the Assistant Secretary of Health. He/she can and often does talk against the beliefs of the administration who actually is their employer. In the past this has cost them their jobs.
"Past American Surgeons General have often been characterized by their outspoken personalities and often controversial proposals on how to reform the U.S. health system. Because the office is not a particularly powerful one, and has little direct impact on policy-making, Surgeons General are often vocal advocates of unconventional, unusual, or even unpopular health policies. Vice Admiral C. Everett Koop and Vice Admiral Joycelyn Elders were two former Surgeons General who were well known for their controversial ideas, especially on sex education."
As I recall, Elders lasted about one year in the Clinton administration before losing her job.
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coincoach
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posted on July 12, 2007 04:07:29 PM new
"Always makes me wonder about the character of a person who willingly does as they're told to do, supposedly, but ONLY speaks out about it after they no longer hold the job they're now whining about."
Always makes me wonder about the character of someone who becomes president and then lies to the people, forces his cabinet members to lie or omit information to protect his political base and not for the good of the people and starts wars based on lies.
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Linda_K
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posted on July 12, 2007 04:43:01 PM new
But of course, you AGAIN have no proof any of that nonsense actually happened.
You're just willing to believe ANY negative thing said about this President without any verification. Period.
No bias on your part. lol lol lol lol
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coincoach
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posted on July 12, 2007 06:49:06 PM new
"But of course, you AGAIN have no proof any of that nonsense actually happened."
None that you would believe. Thread after thread here has offered testimony,investigative news articles, regarding WMD's, uranium from Africa, statements from former Surgeon General, etc. There could be a video of Bush admitting to lying his azz off and you would explain it away with some poor excuse.
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Linda_K
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posted on July 12, 2007 10:03:30 PM new
Not at all true, CC.
I'm just sick of the left throwing all this garbage out even though investigators have all said he didn't lie. But that won't stop the left from staying in denial and repeating the lies on and on.
Liberals don't appear to need proof for anything....if someone/anyone says it...they'll blindly believe it. That's what you've been doing on a continuing basis.
sadly
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Bear1949
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posted on July 13, 2007 06:57:49 AM new
It's his own fault and the job should be eliminated.
Come on now Prof. Seriously to what purpose does the Surgeon General really serve. Does anyone really pay attention to him?
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.George S. Patton
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mingotree
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posted on July 13, 2007 07:11:22 AM new
Muzzling the Surgeon General? Yup...so it should come as no surprise that bushit is now trying to muzzle private citizens . Wonder who is next?
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profe51
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posted on July 13, 2007 07:57:43 AM new
Come on now Prof. Seriously to what purpose does the Surgeon General really serve. Does anyone really pay attention to him?
From the SG's home page at the Dept. of Health and Human Services:
The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. The Surgeon General is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate for a 4-year term of office.
So he's charged with being chief health educator for the nation. I don't know who listens to him. His information shouldn't be filtered through the white house, that much I do know. It's clear that other Surgeons General have had their own white house battles, but none as severe as this one. The fact that it happened to others doesn't make it right.
It's just another example of how this administration is going to hit the history books as the most politically devisive white house ever.
[ edited by profe51 on Jul 13, 2007 07:58 AM ]
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Helenjw
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posted on July 13, 2007 08:01:58 AM new
Bear, the Surgeon General Directs the U.S. Public Health Service and the Department of Health and Human Services. Would you favor the abolition of those good services?
The Surgeon General promotes and educates the public on health initiatives such as tobacco and HIV prevention efforts. Would you like to abolish those duties?
The Surgeon General is responsible for an effective response to public health needs in case of emergency. Would you like to ignore that possibility?
If you read the accomplishments of Surgeon Generals throught the history of the Unites States, I am sure that you will see the need for a good leader in the health field who can oversee the health of our country.
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etexbill
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posted on July 13, 2007 08:11:15 AM new
""So he's charged with being chief health educator for the nation. I don't know who listens to him. His information shouldn't be filtered through the white house, that much I do know. It's clear that other Surgeons General have had their own white house battles, but none as severe as this one. The fact that it happened to others doesn't make it right. ""
None as severe as this one. Really? In your mind. Jocelyn Elders (appointed by Clinton) lost her job after a year.
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roadsmith
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posted on July 13, 2007 08:55:13 AM new
My GOD. How can some of you actually defend this?
So. . . your answer is to eliminate the position?!!!!!!!!!!
And the day scientists and medical people are told what to think or do is the death of science. You are pitiful.
_____________________
There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
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etexbill
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posted on July 13, 2007 09:18:32 AM new
"And the day scientists and medical people are told what to think or do is the death of science. You are pitiful."
Better re-think that roadsmith. Thousands of "scientists and medical people" are told what to think and do by their employers every day. The employees of pharmaceutical companies.
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Helenjw
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posted on July 13, 2007 11:07:03 AM new
Roadsmith it's just as someone here once pointed out...."The morons have come where before they had the sense to shut up".
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etexbill
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posted on July 13, 2007 11:09:00 AM new
Shame Helen, that sounds like something that mingo would say. You can do better.
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mingotree
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posted on July 13, 2007 11:28:04 AM new
"So. . . your answer is to eliminate the position?!!!!!!!!!! ""
That's the answer repugs and the bushits have for everything....it avoids that irritating "truth" thingy.
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Helenjw
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posted on July 13, 2007 11:32:27 AM new
I'm versatile, Etex.
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Linda_K
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posted on July 13, 2007 12:28:35 PM new
"It's clear that other Surgeons General have had their own white house battles, but none as severe as this one."
lol...the profe is comparing the two administrations to one another. ONLY 'allowed' when they do it. When I use the clinton administration for comparison to this one....the lefies here scream blooding murder. how funny.
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kiara
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posted on July 13, 2007 12:29:45 PM new
I think the Surgeon General under Clinton was asked to resign because she talked about teen pregnancy and distributing condoms in schools. The Conservative Christian right-wingers became very vocal about it. They seem to have a stilted view of human sexuality and anything related to science.
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mingotree
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posted on July 13, 2007 12:56:22 PM new
Good point, Kiara, but it will be lost on the neocons.
linduh, """the lefies here scream blooding murder. how funny.""
"lefies" and "blooding" murder ARE funny !!!!
P.S. Are you hearing screaming again ????
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kraftdinner
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posted on July 13, 2007 12:58:55 PM new
"Seems to me he compromised his own character by not speaking out or quitting this job where he now wishes people to believe he was 'muzzled'."
Linda, I agree and wonder about this all the time. Is it money?
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etexbill
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posted on July 13, 2007 01:11:04 PM new
"Good point, Kiara, but it will be lost on the neocons."
The point seems to have been wasted on you and kiara again mingo. Everyone knows why Elders was asked to RESIGN by Clinton. Get that, FIRED! You are griping because this surgeon general served his term and now says he was muzzled sometimes. Clinton fired Elders to muzzle her.
There is a difference.
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mingotree
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posted on July 13, 2007 01:18:36 PM new
"""It would have been quite simple for him to quit this job and speak honestly - not waiting until his term was completed.
============== """
Apply the same to bushit ???
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Linda_K
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posted on July 13, 2007 01:26:56 PM new
"I think the Surgeon General under Clinton was asked to resign because she talked about teen pregnancy and distributing condoms in schools. The Conservative Christian right-wingers became very vocal about it. They seem to have a stilted view of human sexuality and anything related to science."
ROFLOL...not the case at all. But figures the twisted thinker would see it only that way.
But the liberals think the gov. should be in the business of providing all necessary sexual items for everyone. Let them buy their own...pay for their own abortions...pay their own way period. It's not our job....but it does grow the nanny gov. the liberals so support.
[ edited by Linda_K on Jul 13, 2007 01:35 PM ]
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