Former U.S. top doc: Bush officials interfered for political reasons

[ReillyT]

From CNN:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush's most recent surgeon general accused the administration Tuesday of muzzling him for political reasons on hot-button health issues such as emergency contraception and abstinence-only education.
----
For example, he said he wasn't allowed to make a speech at the Special Olympics because it was viewed as benefiting a political opponent. However, he said he was asked to speak at events designed to benefit Republican lawmakers.
----
A report condemning secondhand smoke was a hallmark of Carmona's tenure.

Another report, on global health challenges, was never released after the administration demanded changes that he refused to make, Carmona said.

"I was told this would be a political document or you're not going to release it." Carmona said. "I said it can't be a political document because the surgeon general never releases political documents. I release scientific documents that will help our elected officials and the citizens understand the complex world we live in and what their responsibilities are."

He refused to identify the officials who sought the changes.

Carmona said he believed the surgeon general should show leadership on health issues. But his speeches were edited by political appointees, and he was told not to talk about certain issues. For example, he supported comprehensive sex education that would include abstinence in the curriculum, rather than focusing solely on abstinence.

"However, there was already a policy in place that didn't want to hear the science, but wanted to -- quote, unquote -- 'preach abstinence,' which I felt was scientifically incorrect," Carmona said

www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/10/surgeon.general.ap/index.html

This is unfortunate.

 

[maineman]

I heard an interview with him on NPR yesterday...it was disgusting how the Bushies politicized our nation's health.

 

[ReillyT]

I ask less of my government than I should, but at the very least, I would hope we can have honest discussions about science. Alas.

 

[T-Bor]

I wish upon George a very slow painful death. Seriously, nothing would please me more than to watch that man suffer in pain. He should have been hung instead of Saddam.

 

[JeffWartman]

I wish upon George a very slow painful death. Seriously, nothing would please me more to watch that man suffer in pain. He should have been hung instead of Saddam.

You are a sick individual. I could say the same thing about every socialist Democrat is Congress.

You, and people like you, are the reason our country continues on a downward path. You are a terrible person.

 

[T-Bor]

Bush is a terrible person...I only seek justice.

 

[Bullypulpit]

I heard an interview with him on NPR yesterday...it was disgusting how the Bushies politicized our nation's health.

The Bush administration has done the same thing with any area of science which may have some impact on their policy decisions. If it gets in the way of their policy decisions, or their big dollar contributors making even more money at the expense of the health and safety of the rest of us, it is ignored, glossed over or swept under the rug. Any employee of any government agency which tries to keep the facts at the forefront is soon looking for work.

 

[Bullypulpit]

I wish upon George a very slow painful death. Seriously, nothing would please me more than to watch that man suffer in pain. He should have been hung instead of Saddam.

Bush is not worthy of such venom. He is a corrupt and venal man who has cost the lives of thousands in Iraq, not just our blood and treasure, but the lives of innocent Iraqi civilians.

If there is a God, Bush will be judged when the span of his years comes to its natural end. If there is not a God, Bush will live in fear of that judgment until the span of his years comes to its conclusion. Either way, he will pay.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

The Bush administration has done the same thing with any area of science which may have some impact on their policy decisions. If it gets in the way of their policy decisions, or their big dollar contributors making even more money at the expense of the health and safety of the rest of us, it is ignored, glossed over or swept under the rug. Any employee of any government agency which tries to keep the facts at the forefront is soon looking for work.

Ya like Clinton and his last second changes to regulations on water and such that NO ONE at any level of science wanted, that would have cost local Governments millions to implement with NO increase in public health or safety.

 

[maineman]

Ya like Clinton and his last second changes to regulations on water and such that NO ONE at any level of science wanted, that would have cost local Governments millions to implement with NO increase in public health or safety.

so Clinton's behavior, which you obviously admonish, is somehow acceptable when done by a republican? nah.... you're not a partisan hack!

 

[Gunny]

I wish upon George a very slow painful death. Seriously, nothing would please me more than to watch that man suffer in pain. He should have been hung instead of Saddam.

That's pretty-damned sick.

 

[Gunny]

Bush is a terrible person...I only seek justice.

Maybe Bush thinks YOU are a terrible person and wishes to seek whatever you are calling "justice" on you?

 

[RetiredGySgt]

so Clinton's behavior, which you obviously admonish, is somehow acceptable when done by a republican? nah.... you're not a partisan hack!

Twisting in the wind in an attempt to defend someone that you side with I see.

 

[William Joyce]

I am no Bush fan, but this guy's little fanfare is dumb. First, his case isn't that great --- he's complaining about things anyone might expect an administration to do. Second, he's piling on Bush when EVERYONE is piling on Bush. Big deal. The SG is one of the dumber executive positions, anyway. I say get rid of it.