A Meerkat's Bolthole

for those who're tired of homophobia painted as 'morality' and used as a poliitcal ploy.... some other stuff going on around us:

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WASHINGTON, June 8 — Federal drug officials announced today that they had approved a vaccine against cervical cancer that could eventually save thousands of lives in the United States each year and hundreds of thousands in the rest of the world.

Called Gardasil, the vaccine is the culmination of a 15-year scientific effort that began at the National Cancer Institute and a research center in Australia, and it may one day be seen as one of the major health advances of the early 21st century.

Federal vaccine experts are widely expected to recommend that all 11- to 12-year-old girls get the vaccine, but the vaccine's high price and religious objections to its use could blunt its benefits. Merck, Gardasil's maker, said that a full, three-shot course will cost $360 — making Gardasil among the most expensive vaccines ever made...

In the United States, about 9,710 women contract cervical cancer each year, and some 3,700 die from it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/health/07cnd-vaccine.html?hp&ex=1149825600&en=ca15dbe4ab65161b&ei=5094&partner=homepage


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WASHINGTON, June 8 — The Senate rejected a major Republican effort on Thursday to eliminate the estate tax on inherited wealth. The vote was a big defeat both for President Bush and for Senate Republican leaders, who had framed their opposition to what they called the "death tax" as a popular and even populist crusade.

Sixty votes were required to end debate on the bill and prevent a filibuster, but the measure got only 57, with 41 Senators voting against and 2 not voting. Only a few lawmakers crossed party lines.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/washington/08cnd-tax.html?hp&ex=1149825600&en=08d9d8f3e32bb180&ei=5094&partner=homepage


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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vowing to clear the public airwaves of prurient and vulgar material, Congress has overwhelmingly approved legislation to increase by tenfold the fines that broadcasters could face for indecent programming.

President Bush welcomed passage of the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act and promised to sign it into law. ''I believe that government has a responsibility to help strengthen families,'' he said in a statement. ''This legislation will make television and radio more family friendly by allowing the FCC to impose stiffer fines on broadcasters who air obscene or indecent programming.''

The bill would increase the maximum fines the Federal Communications Commission may levy for indecent content from the current $32,500 to $325,000 per incident. The legislation passed the House 379-35 on Wednesday after moving through the Senate last month on a voice vote.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-TV-Indecency.html?_r=1&oref=slogin





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okay, win some lose some. What I want to know is why Congress won't fine broadcasters for insulting us with stupid-ass programming and overinsertion of commercials....

also, a political cartoon that cuts to the pained heart of things... http://www.ajc.com/shared-blogs/ajc/luckovich/media/mike0606.gif

Senate Russell office building has been evacuated -- "possible nerve agent" alert. One posiive test, one negative. Everyone's stuck in the underground garage area, waiting to hear more.

Of course, hoping for a false alarm, and deeply sympathetic to the folk who heard the 'dangerous materials' alarm go off. *shudder* But fascinating to watch.

Pity they didn't get whatever it is into the White House -- would like to see who they got out first, the Veep or the Thief. (waves to anyone Official monitoring this journal)


UPDATE: five senators reportedly held in the garage along with the staffers. Interesting, that. Decontamination tents have reportedly been set up, and anyone going into the building has to wear protective suiting. On the other hand, they're saying "nobody panic" and (in a wonderfully mis-thought comment) "take a deep breath."

Nerve agents? Biologics? Chemicals? False alarm? Who knows. Could be anything.


FINAL UPDATE: all clear. everyone goes home and has a stiff drink.