"Israeli official: Swine flu name offensive"
JERUSALEM (AP) -- An Israeli health official doesn't like the name swine flu and wants it changed to "Mexican" in deference to Jewish and Muslim sensitivities about pork.
Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman tells a news conference the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions. Both Judaism and Islam consider pigs unclean and forbid the eating of pork products.
Scientists, however, say there is nothing about the virus that makes it "Mexican" and worry such a label would be stigmatizing. They're unsure where the new swine flu virus originally emerged, though it was identified first in the United States.
Two Israelis who recently visited Mexico have been hospitalized with symptoms of the flu. Health authorities have not yet confirmed whether they actually have the virus.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
source - http://www.wtsp.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=104888&catid=58
Seriously people? What the hell is wrong with people these days? I like this next one almost as much:
"Can A Brotha Get A Break" Florida license plate?
TALLAHASSEE -- Fighting a Republican move to approve religiously oriented specialty license tags, and bitter about proposed salary cuts for state workers, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson has a specialty tag idea of his own.
Worried about the separation of church and state, Democratic critics are incensed about one proposed tag that would feature an image of Christ on the cross.
Lawson's amendment to SB 2326 is called, "Can A Brotha Get a Break License Plate."
"The plate must prominently display an image of state Senator Alfred 'Al' Lawson, Jr. The phrase 'Can a Brotha Get a Break?' shall appear in bold letters on the bottom of the plate."
Proceeds from the plate would go to, "Employees Relief Fund for the purpose of offsetting salary and benefit cuts by the Legislature and providing grief counseling."
The amendment doesn't mention that Lawson is running for Congress next year.
By Jim Ash, Florida Capital Bureau Chief
I'm glad we have fixed everything else so we can argue about license plates.
JERUSALEM (AP) -- An Israeli health official doesn't like the name swine flu and wants it changed to "Mexican" in deference to Jewish and Muslim sensitivities about pork.
Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman tells a news conference the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions. Both Judaism and Islam consider pigs unclean and forbid the eating of pork products.
Scientists, however, say there is nothing about the virus that makes it "Mexican" and worry such a label would be stigmatizing. They're unsure where the new swine flu virus originally emerged, though it was identified first in the United States.
Two Israelis who recently visited Mexico have been hospitalized with symptoms of the flu. Health authorities have not yet confirmed whether they actually have the virus.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
source - http://www.wtsp.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=104888&catid=58
Seriously people? What the hell is wrong with people these days? I like this next one almost as much:
"Can A Brotha Get A Break" Florida license plate?
TALLAHASSEE -- Fighting a Republican move to approve religiously oriented specialty license tags, and bitter about proposed salary cuts for state workers, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson has a specialty tag idea of his own.
Worried about the separation of church and state, Democratic critics are incensed about one proposed tag that would feature an image of Christ on the cross.
Lawson's amendment to SB 2326 is called, "Can A Brotha Get a Break License Plate."
"The plate must prominently display an image of state Senator Alfred 'Al' Lawson, Jr. The phrase 'Can a Brotha Get a Break?' shall appear in bold letters on the bottom of the plate."
Proceeds from the plate would go to, "Employees Relief Fund for the purpose of offsetting salary and benefit cuts by the Legislature and providing grief counseling."
The amendment doesn't mention that Lawson is running for Congress next year.
By Jim Ash, Florida Capital Bureau Chief
I'm glad we have fixed everything else so we can argue about license plates.
cria:
if Jews and Muslims only eat Kosher and Halal food respectively, are they immune to the swine flu? even if it is airborne? there's a thought...