Pick a stylesheet that suites you: left, s,  left, m,  right, s,  right, m,  no menus, s,  no menus, m. 
War & politics: Sept 11th, bin Laden, Middle East news, from my own perspective.

05 February 2003   

 

Swarm of East Bay quakes spurs concern about Big One

"A swarm of earthquakes that rattled homes and nerves in the East Bay beginning Sunday morning has scientists concerned that a bigger quake -- packing more punch than Loma Prieta -- could be on the horizon."

Imagine, who bin Laden would be saying to his followers, was responsible for an earthquake that took out California? If such occurred at a 'prophetic moment' too. In the battle of hearts and minds, American and Western civilisations would be heavily wounded in the morals.


753 Also posted to: Home page . At: 2:41:46 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Swarm of East Bay quakes spurs concern about Big One

 

 

Antiwar.com

Transcript: Saddam Makes His Case on TV
Blix: It's Five Minutes to Midnight
Powell Retreating on Iraq-al Qaeda Claim
UK, Euro Intel Skeptical of Powell's Iraq Evidence
Powell Says He Has Tapes of Iraqis Fooling Inspectors
Bush's Record Budget Doesn't Include Iraq War Costs
France Talks Peace But Sends Warships East
Chirac Snubs Blair Over Support of Iraq War
US, UK at Odds Over New Resolution
Blair to 'Risk Political Future' Over Iraq
US Chooses Saddam's Successor
Pentagon Moves to Make Nukes 'Usable'
Could Shuttle Disaster Prompt a Rethink on Iraq?
US Claims Disruption of Major al Qaeda Plans
US Officials: Terror Threat Will Rise After Iraq War
I've never seen so many really, really interesting links on Antiwar.com before... War is near now.


751 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:56:22 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: Antiwar.com

 

 

UK Government, again: Emergency Planning Coordination Unit - Deliberate Release

"

Nerve agents

Guidelines for action in the event of a deliberate release

The nerve agents are a group of particularly toxic chemical warfare agents. They are chemically related to organophosphorus insecticides. The principal agents in this group are tabun (GA), soman (GD), sarin (GB), GF and VX.

Sarin and VX I've heard of, but the others?

Severe symptoms: such as respiratory difficulty, convulsions and ventricular arrhythmias

Admit casualties to ITU or equivalent wards; administer antidotes; supplemental oxygen should be administered, excess secretions may require removal by suction; ventilate if necessary; monitor red blood cell cholinesterase daily until symptoms improve; it is vital to treat the symptoms and not be lead by the cholinesterase concentration"

Oh shit.

What an awful death! Your nerve endings kill-ya-ass!


750 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:46:49 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: UK Government, again: Emergency Planning Coordination Unit - Deliberate Release

 

 

The United Kingdom Parliament: Emergency Planning Coordination Unit - Deliberate Overt Release of smallpox

"

Smallpox: Overt deliberate release

‘Aíde-memoire’ to assist DsPH and CsCDC in the Public Health Response: Complemented by information on PHLS website.

The following tasks and key actions should be covered in your response plan.

...In the case of overt release of a biological agent in a public place, there are likely to be large numbers (hundreds, perhaps thousands) person exposed. The remainder will be evacuated from the scene. The Police have the responsibility for public order and, the Police would move the crowd to a suitable place of safety where the Fire or Ambulance Service would decontaminate potentially exposed persons. Decontamination would require showering, clothing to be removed and double bagged.

...Provision of smallpox vaccine, survey materials, information leaflets and monitoring instructions to designated place of safety

  • Confirm with DH arrangements for distribution of pod(s) to designated receiving centre(s)
  • Arrangements for health workers to obtain their requirements of vaccine, forms and leaflets from pod(s)
  • Local leaflet and form production if initial stocks insufficient
"

So, if there's one mad geezer with the disease, in it's most disgusting final stages, down London's Underground, perhaps, several suicide mad Muslims, on their way to the 17 virgins promised by Allah; and there isn't enough vaccination available, we're to fill in photocopied forms.

Interesting stuff in this site, I mean what the &*%@ is Tularaemia?

We're on version 2, updated way back in 12 August 2002. Version 1 was in 1998. 9/11 put a rocket up their arse. One thing bin Laden did wrong, he sent a powerful message that he was coming with 9/11. If he hadn't he could have devastated us, as it is we're at least a little prearranged, though judging by the state of these guidelines, there's no mention of procedures (or forms to fill in:-) for mass vaccination, just containment policies - madness!


749 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:17:15 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: The United Kingdom Parliament: Emergency Planning Coordination Unit - Deliberate Overt Release of smallpox

 

 

The United Kingdom Parliament

"

8 Jan 2003, I think

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to vaccinate the whole UK population against smallpox. [87407]

Mr. Hutton: There are no plans to vaccinate the whole population as a contingency measure against the threat of a bioterrorist incident involving smallpox. Mass vaccination of the population could be justifiable if there was a smallpox attack or outbreak but it would not be acceptable to expose people to the risk of vaccination in the absence of any possible exposure to the smallpox virus.

Smallpox vaccine has a much higher rate of serious complications than vaccines that are in regular use today. Certain groups are at even higher risk, such as those with weak immune systems or with severe eczema.

We have already announced that a small number of key frontline national health service staff and a small number of military personnel who would provide the first response in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox will be vaccinated shortly. We are discussing with other Government Departments how to identify key workers in the emergency services and agreeing circumstances and timing under which they might be vaccinated.

Our contingency plans for dealing with smallpox are detailed in the draft guidelines on smallpox available on http://www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/biol/smallpoxplan.htm"


748 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:51:22 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: The United Kingdom Parliament

 

 

The United Kingdom Parliament, Hansard

"

26 Nov 2001, I think

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of vaccination in countering terrorist biological threats. [13828]

Jacqui Smith: The Department's on-going planning activity includes a review of the impact of terrorist biological threats and the countermeasures necessary, including vaccination where appropriate. We are working closely with the Ministry of Defence to address the issues of possible biological threats. We are in discussions with the United States of America, the European Union and other Governments to share information on planning and response, including vaccine supplies. There is a strategic reserve of vaccination, which could be rapidly deployed."


747 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:50:39 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: The United Kingdom Parliament, Hansard

 

 

DEBKAfile: Mega-Terror Menaces on Three Continents

"...A multi-pronged mega-terror offensive assault.

Al Qaeda's spokesmen are going beyond general calls for action against the enemy. They have announced a serious escalation of tactics. They are telling partisans explicitly that American troops and civilians must be fought with nuclear weapons. In some Internet sites associated with the group, such slogans as “the way to kill Americans is by nuclear attack," appear of late. Another favorite is: "There are no Western civilians. Every Westerner is a combatant whom we are enjoined to kill."

...The network's websites abound with detailed instructions on how to prepare chemical agents and dangerous toxins..."

One smallpox infected person, a 15 day incubation, a crowded Underground, would devastate the Capital and most of this country. And my family is vulnerable. So is Tony Blair's. The Queen's. Who's not been vaccinated?

The Government must start the programme, no matter what cost to public moral, nor the resulting chaos. I just hope, that by now, they have enough to go around.

I should look around to see if they're available privately.


746 Also posted to: Home page . At: 12:25:53 AM  . .
Permalink  Top  Search Google  Technorati
Other title(s) for this story: DEBKAfile: Mega-Terror Menaces on Three Continents