Junk Science Killer.

Moronocracy

Disrespect for science is a killer.

The popular media are obsessed with unscientific mumbo jumbo that gives a false credibility to any batty ideas that challenges established scientific truth. A society that giving equal respect to evolution and creationism, the Da Vinci Code with objective history and astrology with astronomy is shaping up to become a Moronocracy.

Andrew Wakefield flawed investigation of 12 children claim a link between  the MMR  jab and autism. Reputable investigations on 12 million children found no link. Yet a few scaremongering popular tabloids presented the conclusions as ones of equal merit.

A doubt was sown in the minds of all parents. It was a wholly unnecessary anxiety to add the inevitable trials of parenthood of young children Many opted for what they saw as the lesser risk and avoided the MMR jab. One fatality has occurred  with the death from measles of a boy who did not have the jab.

A Gwent MP supported Wakefield with parliamentary questions and speeches. Immunisation rates dropped in his constituency faster than elsewhere in Gwent.
The UK immunisation rates, eight years after the first scare over the MMR vaccine, are among the lowest in Western Europe. They were 90 per cent in 1998. They fell to  below  80 per cent two years ago. Currently, 81 per cent of children have the combined vaccine while many European countries achieve the 95 per cent coverage recommended by the World Health Organisation to prevent outbreaks.

Already this year there have ben 480 cases of measles. they include three in one Newport school . Last years was the highest number for ten years. at the present rate this years will exceed that.

I am old enough to remain measles as a child killer. My  own childhood experience of was one  damaged eyesight and being confined to a darkened room lit by a shaded candle. The memory is an indelible one because the book that was shading the candle caught fire with unforgettable results.

There were no serious long term consequences for me, but other children died or were left were brain damage and impaired sight. The WHO  figures show the number of deaths caused by measles world wide fell from 873,000 in 1999 to around 530,000 in 2003. That is entirely the result of the vaccine.

Progress in continuing the developing world while we are moving back towards a dark age of superstition and ignorance. The moronic tabloids are to blame.

Mortal mercy
It's certain that substantial ransoms were paid to the Taliban for the release of the Korean hostages.  There is a heartbreaking choice for the relatives who have loved one in the hands of callous murderers.

The individual choice is the inevitable one of paying the ransom. But it is always wrong for the common good. The taliban have hit on a profitable new earner. No foreigner is safe in the large tracts of Afghanistan under taliban control.

The 'humane' ransom payments will lead to more kidnappings and deaths.

Tree words
A wonderfully tender, mind churning, witty and beautiful series of mini-masterpieces has been published under the title, 'The Heart of Pillgwenlly.'

These short poems  grew from the words and ideas generated by sculptor Alec Peever, poet Philip Goss and children from St Michael's and Pillgwenlly schools

Within each poem is hidden a word which implies a question or theme that speaks to the heart of the place, its history, its people and their lives.

Seven of the poems will be permanently engraved into steel banners to embellish the trees in Pill Park.

I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, GROWN,
        BEEN CUT DOWN, PULPED AND PRESSED.
                    WHEN YOUR PEN WRITES, I REMEMBER.

FOR EVERY FEELING, THERE'S MORE.
        VERILY I SAY THIS UNTO YOU; TURN UP
                THE CONTRAST ON YOUR LIFE. BE VERY.

ZENITH, HORIZON: IN THE CHARTERED SKY
        HOW MANY WANDERINGS, OUR AND STARS',
                ARE PINNED IN PLACE BY WORDS IN ARABIC

UN-HAPPY  UN-ABLE UN-KIND UN-COOL...
        NOT A WORD BUT A DULL PUNCH, A GRUNT:
                UN-... DROP IT, AND A NEW LIFE HAS BEGUN