Can I Offer You a Shot?

As a society we tend to send out mixed signals. Are we as a society; afraid, startled, concerned or indifferent over the H1N1 pandemic that has been slowly crawling across North America?  The reason I say this is that in light of the arrival of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine, many people I personally polled say that they have no intention of getting inoculated. “If you don't have a compromised immune system, then your O.K.,” Yvonne said to me.  And, “I'm not getting it!  It will only make you sick.” said Christina.  These types of responses are not out-of-step with many others in Alberta.

I really can't say that I blame them for taking this position.  Over the past decade we have seen the pharmaceutical industry treat the sick like a open marketplace, and the perception for many is that doctors dispense a broad range of chemical treatments too frequently rather than just treating the illness. The increase in homeopathic treatments and people self diagnosing themselves using the internet is at an all-time high.

But we are a very fickle bunch.  In the face of what has become a true health threat we snub what can actually be a treatment for the prevention of contracting H1N1.  This is rather ironic when one thinks that when the biggest “Prank” on society was running amok before the turn of the century.  That being another type of pandemic foisted on the masses, the Y2K computer virus.  People in that so-called-threat were all abuzz.  Prevention was not just a quick shot in the arm, it was an elaborate system of transferring money and sticking it in a can.  Many frantically developed corporate crisis policy to be implemented on New Years Eve, which in many cases included filling your bath tubs full of fresh water just in case it was last time the water would flow.  Everywhere you turned people either had an opinion or had heard of somebody who had prematurely come down with it and lost all their lifetime data!  It was pandemonium!
 

But in a recent survey in the U.S., clearly 40% of parents said that they would not have their children inoculated, and here in Canada the reception is not any different.   One headline in the U.S. stated, “Military People Will Soon Be Forced to Take Poisonous H1N1 Shot.”  With this jaded perception of the pharmaceutical industry and  media hype, it is no wonder why people are shying away from taking the H1N1 vaccine.
 

But let us at least step back and look at this without the jaded eyeglasses.  Alberta has now reported it's   ninth H1N1 death, and as of late August we had over 180 people in the hospital with the disease.  It is speculated that many have the virus at some level but have not needed hospitalization. 
 

Alberta is now in what has become the ‘flu season’ and we expect a higher level of flu cases. As an indicator of what is 'acceptable' for Alberta, the schools are normally required to report any absentee rate over 10% on any given day,  which when you look at that number is extremely liberal.  If, for instance, a school had a student population of 450, then if 45 students reported in sick or failed to come to school, it is considered serious enough to require the Principal to report that incident.  Would those numbers indicate that a school may have an influenza problem?
 

Well, last week in St. Albert, the Ecole Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville with a student population of 450 reported a one day absentee rate of  33%. That represented 148 students home sick.  In light of these numbers and what we are now seeing reported in Edmonton,  is it fair to say that perhaps the odds are better that you and I will get a serious flu or even H1N1, than winning the lottery?  And yet, in hopes of winning more people will buy lottery tickets than get in line to take a shot in the arm.
 

At some point we need to put aside our preconceptions caused by a particular mindset long enough to see if we may be wrong.  At least in that instance.  My skepticism is still in tact, but if it looks like poop, smells like poop, and feels like poop, then perhaps its not a Hershey’s bar.
 

So aside from the fact that it may be a good idea to get the H1N1 Influenza Shot, we are told that we  can practice four simple common-sense steps to stave off the virus. They are: frequent hand-washing, keep your  "Hands-off-the-face" and out of your nose, gargle twice a day,  and boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C.   The H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat and nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
 

So should we be taking the H1N1 vaccination?  In light of of how the disease is spreading, unless you  have a medical precondition preventing you, it would probably be a good idea.  And, before you say that you had the previous Swine Flu Vaccination and you are immune,  think again, that previous shot will not prevent you from getting H1N1. You see my reasons for discussing this here is purely selfish.  I just don't like losing readership. 

Three Time’s a Charm

Would it be safe to say that  Alberta will always be right?  The polls have always showed that any left thinking politician is pounding an upward climb in this province.  Until the last year, I would never have even given a second thought to a provincial Liberal governing body in Alberta.  But since Stelmach and his Tory cabinet have entered the slippery slope of popular opinion polls, it makes one ponder.

But then again we Albertans are not completely in love with any party based solely on the Conservative name.
The world is changing, and with it so does the political landscape.  For almost 36 years the Social Credit Party ran this province until Peter Lougheed displaced then Premier Harry Strom in 1971.  Nobody would have predicted that the Social Credit Dynasty would have crumbled under the pressure of the Progressive Conservative campaign.

History has a way of repeating itself, and now in light of the fact that the Wildrose Alliance Party has finally showed some life and voted in the new party leader, Danielle Smith, the next election will indeed be a must see.  So once again Alberta has two right-wing parties to choose from.

History records that the undoing of the Social Credit Party was their inability to adapt to the changing social climate of the day.   The rural based Social Credit Party was slow to adapt to the changes brought about as a result of the urban influences of Edmonton and Calgary.  The province was beginning to shift its economic center from agriculture to oil, and the Social Credit was still on the rural fence.  So much so that Strom timed the election to ensure that the farming community was not out working the fields.  With 36 years under the Social Credit power-belt, they became complacent.  This was demonstrated when Peter Lougheed's Progressive Conservative party promised free health care for all Albertans over 65.  Strom countered that offer with “almost-free” health care.  Strom was only going to charge the seniors one dollar a month.  Yes, the Socreds were completely out-of-touch with Albertans.

So today, we have Ed Stelmach running a huge deficit budget, after they had voted themselves a 35% pay increase.  When the people began to voice their displeasure with the deficit, the out-of-touch Tory government decided to offer a voluntary freeze of “new” wage increases.  The 'big' move was to rolled back the Premiers income by 15% and the cabinets by 10%.  Naturally this really didn't do anything for the confidence of the people because it will not touch the bonuses and allowances and still leaves them with a huge raise.  It sure smells like a one-dollar a month out-of-touch political gesture to me.

A recent poll has shown that Ed Stemach's approval rating has fallen.  Sixty-one percent of Albertans believe that Stelmach is moving in the wrong direction.  Twenty-two percent of Albertans strongly disapprove of Stelmach's performance.  In the same poll the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party received 22 percent of Albertans support.  Interesting since the Wildrose Alliance has yet to do anything.  It speaks volumes of what can be seen as impending doom for the Progressive Conservatives.

Stelmach had a great opportunity in his recent address last Wednesday to show Albertans that the Tory government had a plan.  But instead of outlining a detailed fiscal strategy to offer some economic hope to Albertans over the next few years, he offered up a weak four point plan.  They were; Freeze wages, spend savings to cover off revenue shortfalls, invest in public infrastructure and ensure the energy sector remains competitive.  There it is in a nutshell.

Albertans are voicing their displeasure for this weak response in the media.  The Edmonton Journal quotes a Paul Ferguson of Edmonton as saying, “We started out with Peter Lougheed being the cream of the crop.  Now, we have the dregs of the Conservative barrel in power.  For the past 20 years, I have watched with dismay the disintegration of democracy in Alberta.”

Ferguson is just one working stiff that has tossed in his two-cents worth. Stelmach may not be fully responsible for the recent displeasure of the masses.  Both Ralph Klein and Don Getty have had their hand in the weakening of the Progressive Conservative’s armour. However, he certainly has done nothing to turn opinion around.

But what Ferguson did say is revealing  when he referred to Lougheed as the “Cream of the Crop.”  More than anything the young lawyer from Edmonton, Peter Lougheed represented change, and he had a flair for innovative thinking.  Lougheed may not have been a knight in shining armour, but he represented the change that Alberta wanted and today the rumblings of the Alberta electorate of late are screaming for change.

The social and economic climate in this province is ripe for a change of the guard.  Once again we are seeing a shift in economic realities with the pressures for change in the energy sector, environmental issues and the aging voter population.  Could it be that with 38 years of holding power in Alberta a political upset is in the making?  Yes, history does have a way of repeating itself.  

We have had two different right-wing parties holding power since 1921.  Maybe three times is a charm.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

An Ass once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry.  He put it on and went towards his native village.  All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Ass that day.  In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgelling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I knew you by your voice." Aesop’s Fable

Two weeks before the February 1st deadline for Noble Prize nominations Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.  By deadline Obama, according to his nomination, had already deserved recognition for a Nobel Peace Prize nod.

Like a silver tongued orator, his election night speech, “Yes We Can.” raised the hopes of many.  He has spoken out against nuclear weapons and in other speeches has called for peace between Israel and Palestine.  The Obama fervour began to dwindle after a short honeymoon period.  So other than pretty speeches, what has Obama really done.

Since his election Obama has committed an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan, continued the occupation of Iraq, launched deadly counter-terror strikes in Pakistan and Somalia, committed a 15 billion dollar military build-up in Guam, had 61 Peace Protestors arrested outside the White House and has humbly accepted the Noble Peace Prize.  It’s been a great run thus far.

According to the Nobel Committee that chose to honour Obama, he won the prize for "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".  What did Obama do that was beyond what is ordinary or usual in the two weeks after his election or even between Feb. 1st and now?

Has he released all the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay?  He may have signed the order to close the prison within a year, but even before be took power the number of prisoners held had reduced from its peak population of 779 to 245 suspected terrorists.  Was this extraordinary, continuing a process started by the Bush administration?

Has he pulled his troops from Iraq?  Has he declared peace with terrorism? As absurd as that sounds, it is terrorism the United States had declared war on in the first place.  No, he has done none of these things because as the President of the United States is nothing more than the ‘ass’ in ‘lions’ clothing.

The good people of the Nobel Committee have done nothing but confused the international community, and I dare say Obama himself. "I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize,"  he said. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century."  Did you catch that?  He accepted the prize on behalf of all nations."  Apparently Obama sees himself as the leader of the world.  Interesting for a man who is the leader of the most warring nation on the planet.

His own words admit that he does not deserve the prize, and upon accepting the honour, felt it necessary to take actions to deserve it.  A ‘call to action’ is what he promises the international community.  Words from a man who is serving two masters.

In identifying himself as a universal citizen and virtual leader of a world under globalization.  He promises peace while America marches on with a foreign policy that is in direct opposition to a peaceful existence.

Obama is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and if the man is genuine as we all hope he is, his tenure in office will be anything but glorious.

So does Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?  Many would agree that at this point it is premature.  I tend to agree with Former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the prize in 1983 when he said of the Obama‘s award, "So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far. He is still at an early stage. He is only beginning to act."

Its too bad that Prime Minister Stephan Harper does not get an award for something he did not do.  But then again he is in the running for a Grammy for thrilling an audience with his duet with Yo-Yo Ma when he sang The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends."  Harper was not going to let Obama show him up.

Feeling Nuts in Alberta

Looking across the room on any day most people can pick out a person not having a good day.  They can be downcast, tired looking and some what introverted.  This can be especially concerning for you when you remember this particular person to be usually bright and cheerful.  Some people you know may be too sprite, talk fast or are acting almost too cheerful.  Even if they are always in this state, it could be a cause for concern.  You may even know a co-worker who complains of lack of sleep on a daily basis, yet still functions as is they have an abundance of energy.  Are these people functioning at what we call normal?  Or are they suffering from a psychological disorder.

This is a tough call, and in many cases you will not know that your co-worker or family member has a bipolar disorder or even schizophrenia.   It would also be fair to say that it would take a person with special training and certification to detect and deal with such a problem.  Because according to statistics, one in five people have suffered or are suffering from a mental disorder.

Furthermore, less than 20 percent suffering from a mental disorder have received adequate treatment.  One could assume that this lack of treatment is the result of a person neglecting their own health or having no support structure within their family.  But to do that would be simply wrong.

In Alberta we have regulations for everything.  Traffic regulations, property controls, city bylaws, utility regulations, and federal regulation.  We pretty much live in a society where many believe that the government has it all under control.  We, although too much, trust the authorities.  A doctor can prescribe a medication and you will take that medication without question, because he or she is a physician.  They are educated and our government have certified them as being able to deal with our problems.  You have a toothache, you go to the dentist.  Again, you open your mouth wide as a man with a power drill drives the bit into your mouth.  We trust that person, because they have a certificate on the wall stating that they have read the owners manual for the drill and the government has vetted them, clearing them to provide treatment.  If we are honest with ourselves, we truly believe that the authorities have ensured that professionals are adequate, and talented to deal with our problems. … Yes?

Not so with mental health.  Until Alberta introduced the Health Professions Act, there was little in Alberta to identify and certify a person as being adequate to dispense psychological help.  But, the presence of this act will once again give us a false sense of security because of the art of language.  You see, even with this regulation the term, “Psychotherapist” is not protected under this act.  The H.P.A. does not address the term psychotherapist, which refers to the treatment of mental disorders as psychosocial intervention and identifies specific groups of people that can dispense psychosocial intervention.  Those are social workers, dietitians, licensed practical nurses, psychologists, registered psychiatric nurses and physicians.  On the surface it seems that the Alberta government has it completely covered.

But they don't. It came to my attention from a good friend who has a need to seek help for someone with bipolar disorder.  Seeking a therapist, they found a psychotherapist and was surprised to find out that this person was a practicing mystic. And, according to Alberta Connects, it was legal for this person to hold themselves out as a psychotherapist.  “Thank you for your query to Alberta Connects. While a number of professional titles are protected and reserved for the use of regulated health professionals in Alberta, the title "psychotherapist" is not one of them", came the answer.
This loophole is something that needs to be re-addressed in the H.P.A., and regulated in order to ensure that people don't fall into a case of mismanagement of psychotherapy.  Would it be fair to assume that if your neighbour takes an online training course on counseling, they can print up 500 business cards, hang up a shingle and hold themselves out as a psychotherapist?  This opens this field of treatment  to abuses which can in turn cause more anxiety or even peril for the patient.

People with depression can be driven to suicide.  Every two out of three people who have committed suicide have sought help the month prior.  The elderly are at most risk of suicide as a result of depression, as one fourth of total suicides are committed by the elderly.  Because the general public recognize the word psychotherapist as a person who is trained and certified to deal with the mental health of an individual, someone seeking treatment are in danger of not getting the help they need.  This can put the person as well as their family and friends in harms way.

This shortfall is serious, and if our government  wants to maintain the trust of the people, more care and attention to details need to be taken when introducing regulations in Alberta.  At least we don't live in Quebec where the law is completely silent in the field of psychotherapy.  Go figure.

Pucker Up Buttercup

What a horrible insult. Canada was hurt, spited, banned, blackballed and downright shunned. It would have been the highlight of St. John’s Newfoundland’s international status. St. John’s would have joined the ranks of Moscow, Paris, Rome and New York. But, the self proclaimed “President-for-Life” of Libya and confessed associate of the Lockerbie bomber that snuffed 270 souls, will not be pitching his tent on Canadian soil. Somewhere today in Newfoundland is a codfish poised in puckered position waiting for an intimate moment with a despot. But that intimate moment will have to wait, ‘Muammar, you don’t know what you’re missing’.

If you have not heard, the “King of Kings in Africa” had scheduled a refuelling stop and short camp-out at St. John’s, Newfoundland after being served an eviction notice from the Mayor of Bedford, NY. The former chair of the United Nations Humans Rights Commission, Muammar Gadhafi has not had a good diplomatic run in North America last week. It is enough to make the strongman weep. But to shun the good folks of St. John’s is just downright rude.

His problems started in New York when he arrived to address the United Nations. Gadhafi, who always pitches a Bedouin-style tent in the country he visits as a symbol of his nation, wanted to set-up camp in Central Park, New York. The fine folks of that city remembering this dictator’s former deeds, would have nothing of it. Instead Donald Trump steps in and has him pound stakes on some real estate in the town of Bedford. Not to be outdone the Mayor and Council there say ‘nay-nay’ and a court order is served. Muammar decides to ignore that order, but within days, a U-Haul trailer arrives and the dictator moves on. Historically, that moment became the first time an African tent trailer turned a wheel on American soil.

Meanwhile, waiting with bated breath is the city of St. John’s. Even Prime Minister Stephen Harper was expecting the arrival of our African visitor. Reports have it that Harper had planned on sending Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon to meet Gadhafi and express Canada’s displeasure over Libya’s hero welcome they gave the Lockerbie bomber upon his release from prison. But, in only what could be seen as either a diplomatic snub or a misdirected tent dwellers trip plan gone wrong, Gadhafi decides that he would visit another place of his choosing. Venezuela is where he found himself. Newfoundland…Venezuela… sounds similar, ok I’ll give him that one.

Visiting Canada aside, Muammar Gadhafi is one interesting subject. He admits to the world that his country was involved in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland killing 270 people. The Libyan agent involved was sent to jail only to be released on compassionate leave after being diagnosed with cancer.

Gadhafi has governed his country with a horrible record of human rights abuses. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion are not freely respected in Libya. Records of arrest without grounds, torture of prisoners held without trial for long periods of time have also been reported. Yet in 2003 Libya was voted in the United Nations as the chair of the United Nations Humans Rights Commission. A time when Gadhafi was admitting his government’s involvement in terrorist activity and was still listed as a terrorist nation.

Recently in an attempt to be a kinder, and gentle tyrant, Gadhafi openly admitted to the Lockerbie incident, apologized and paid restitution for the deaths of the innocent. He even met the families of the slain and is quoted as saying, “It was a friendly meeting and encounter” and “very sentimental.”

Yet, last week when Gadhafi gave a 90 minutes speech in the UN and when he began to lose the attention span of his ‘colleagues’ he stopped and hollered, “Please pay attention!” Ego from a man who’s sociopathic behaviour have kept his country in nearly a four decade oppression. Although he has gone on record as hating America and all thing American, he views himself a friend and ‘brother’ to Barack Obama. In his long address to the world at the UN he stated, “We Africans are happy, proud that a son of Africa governs the United States of America.” With true ignorance of democracy he suggested to Obama that he take a cue from Libya and declare himself President-for-life.

So what did Gadhafi do instead of kissing a codfish in St. John’s? He landed a meeting with Hugo Chavez, another ‘reformed’ radical military man, and dictator. And, while the Mayor of St. John’s was looking for evidence of tent pegs on civic soil, Gadhafi and Chavez shook hands in agreement to build an alliance to form a “NATO of the south.” He is quoted as saying in Venezuela, “Those who were betting on NATO, we now say to them that we’re going to bet on SATO. We are going to have our treaty too.” Splitting the world into an old fashioned North against the South.

If only Gadhafi would have taken the time to visit Newfoundland he would have truly experienced the difference. Personally I blame Harper for scaring Gadhafi off. The fear of getting a good old fashioned Canadian chastisement by Lawrence Cannon could scare off even the stiffest dictator, or is Muammar just allergic to fish?