The Binary Circumstance

Scientists at George Mason University have filed for a patent on the use of smallpox vaccine as a therapeutic treatment for HIV based some very preliminary research based on the fact that the spread of HIV in Africa began when smallpox vaccinations were stopped.

Scientists declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, and the widespread vaccination program that contributed to its demise ended. In the early 1980s, the AIDS virus began its rapid spread through central Africa.

The stockmarket began it’s rapid rise in the 80’s and the micro-computer revolution began and Bill Gates began to acquire his enormous wealth. Was this due to the end of smallpox vaccinations as well?

In the US most people were vaccinated against smallpox as children and that did not stop them from getting HIV and/or AIDS.

The absurdities of our political process tire me out sometimes. The State of New Jersey, maybe because they have that big turnpike, have criminalized driving while tired.

Recent studies estimate 51 percent of motorists feel drowsy behind the wheel, and about two of every 10 drivers say they have fallen asleep while driving in the past year.

Why not criminalize the root causes of being tired instead, like our legal system? Working too much doing absurd things? Talking too much while not saying anything? Having to listen too long to somebody who’s not saying anything? What about being forced to pay taxes to support those who make you work harder so they can tax you more? That makes me tired.

Arianna Huffington has a cute little flash video called The Hybrid v. The Hummer to remind CA voters why they should vote for her instead of Schwarzenegger. The video also tells us that she is the only viable female candiate in the race. If the poll numbers released by CNN/USA Today/Gallop are accurate, are there any viable candidates in the race besides Mr. Hummer himself, The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger?

A new poll shows that 63 percent of voters would vote to recall Gray Davis and 40 percent would vote to have Arnold Schwarzenegger replace him.

These CNN/USA Today/Gallop Poll numbers are so far removed from previous polls that their accuracy seems questionable.

In a related article for AOLNews a Gallop executive provided this explanation for the disparity:

Gallup executive editor Frank Newport said 55 percent of the full sample of registered voters supported the recall - a number more in line with previous polls. But support went up when Gallup looked at those who were very interested and said they were likely to vote. The 63 percent figure represented a best estimate of probable voters. ”It looks like the turnout is skewed toward those who are anti-Davis,” Newport said.

If only voting was a rational way to solve problems.