This country is in such desperate straits -- and the so-called "liberal media" has been so predictably conservative since the onset of the Bush Regime -- that the LAST thing we need, Joan, is to waste time splitting hairs.

If the pundits and talking heads are giving their kudos to a Democrat, frankly, I don't care if it's a man, woman or a cross-dressing transexual.

Hell is freezing over, Joan... Because they've actually found a Democrat they want to cheer.

This is something to be HAPPY about!!

In the past, Rove would have figured out how to destroy him by lunchtime.

But it isn't happening, and the Rovian Death Ray isn't working...

And maybe, just maybe, the Dems are realizing that there are times when we have to play to the base, and acting accordingly.

So...Why can't we just smile proudly, and think to ourselves, gee, talking heads and the rest of America...we're glad that you like the new Democratic Senator from Virginia. THIS is what the state of Virginia wanted, instead of George "Macaca" Allen.

THIS is what a veteran, and man with a son in the military, looks like America, because you're NOT seeing it in the Administration.

This is a GOOD thing, Joan, a GOOD thing.

Sometimes, I think that we Dems are so used to being beleaguered and bitterly oppositional that we go into autopilot... but, Joan, times are changing.

They liked Webb.

This is a GOOD thing...

And if we have to make Webb the poster boy for getting out of Iraq, and let America think he's in charge, while Pelosi does the heavy lifting, at this point, WHO CARES???

I don't care WHO gets the credit, or who appeals to the hoi polloi...

JUST GET IT DONE ! ! ! ! ! !

If he never did a single interview on Faux News, it'd be no loss to him.

It's not as if morons like Steve Doocy are going to help do anything other than further the ignorance of the wingnuts who get their news from Fox...

I'm GLAD to see Fox scramble for a change.

If you want to see amazing, wonderful films for actresses who have grown into their faces, alas, you probably have to be watching the Brits, who seem to have respect for the wrinklier yet stunning and amazing older women...

Try:

Helen Mirren (age 61) in The Queen

Judy Dench (age 72) in Notes on a Scandal, Mrs Henderson Presents, Ladies in Lavender

Joan Plowright (age 72) in Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, Tea with Mussolini

Maggie Smith (age 72) in...anything

Too bad Diane Keaton doesn't get herself a nice juicy part like some of the grand "Dames" of Britain...

Let's take a look at some facts about HPV and cervical cancer.

• HPV infects 20 million people in the U.S. In most people, HPV goes away on its own.
• Only a small percentage of those infected with HPV actually develop cervical cancer.
• Cervical cancer is not a common cancer. It affects an estimated 8.5 per 100,000 women.
• Cervical cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests.
• If detected early -- and that is done by regular Pap smears and follow up of abnormal smears-- cervical cancer is usually treatable.
• Most cervical cancer deaths are due to failure to detect the cancer early via Pap smear, or failure to follow up on abnormal Pap smears.
• Cervical cancer is ON THE DECLINE. Recent research reported on in the in the latest issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, stated that "rates of invasive cervical cancer declined between 1998 and 2002, although significant racial, ethnic, and geographic differences persisted...Altogether, 59,848 cases of cervical cancer cases were identified during the 5-year study period. The annual number of cases fell from 12,720 in 1998 to 11,071 in 2002.
• The incidence rate declined from 10.2 per 100,000 women in 1998 to 8.5 per 100,000 in 2002, according to Dr. Mona Saraiya from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.
• Incidence is on the rise only among Hispanic and African American women. The average annual incidence rate was highest among Hispanic women (14.8 per 100,000), followed by African American women (13.5 per 100,000).
• There actually is a 50 percent higher incidence of cervical cancer among African-American (compared with white) and 66 percent higher incidence among Hispanic women (compared with non-Hispanic)

But Wow! Even if it's not that common, and is on the rise only in particular groups of women, here's a vaccine that's 100% effective, right?

Actually, the vaccine does not even prevent all cervical cancer among girls and women vaccinated. As even Merck admits, the vaccine targets only HPV types 16 and 18, which account for 70 percent of cervical cancers. 30% of all the cervical cancers are not prevented by this vaccine.

So girls and women who are vaccinated will still need annual Pap smears.

And of course, the women over 26 -- the ones who are at most risk of cervical cancer -- which is a slow growing cancer -- STILL need to get annual PAP smears.

Given all this, wouldn't it make sense to target the financial resources toward providing annual Pap smears and aggressive followup of abnormal results for high risk populations?

Nope... instead, we have states enacting mandatory vaccination for girls and young women ages 10-26 with a 3-shot (yes, the vaccine requires 3 separate shots!) several hundred dollar (yes, the vaccine costs over $300) vaccine.

Why?

One simple reason.

GARDASIL'S ANNUAL SALES COULD REACH $2 BILLION, ACCORDING TO J.P. MORGAN ESTIMATES.

As we speak, Merck's legions of lobbyists are in every single state in the U.S., trying to get those states to sign on to mandatory vaccination, and they've succeeded in Texas.

If state legislators really want to help prevent cervical cancer, then they'd fund programs of free annual gyn checkups/Pap smears and more aggressive followup programs.

But then Merck can't patent and make $2 billion a year from annual Pap smears and followup programs, can they?

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Sources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_44604.html

http://www.merck.com/newsroom/press_releases/research_and_development/2005_1006.html