April 2, 2009 - Pensito

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention are tackling the Dakota floods head-on. It has issued a new public service announcement script addressing one of the most pressing needs in the flood-ravaged region — trench foot. Ew!

At a time when people are losing homes, cars and property, the CDC is concerned about them losing homes, cars and property and developing trench foot. Here’s the radio script:

Preventing Trench Foot or Immersion Foot

This is an important message from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Trench Foot occurs when feet are wet for long periods of time. Trench foot causes feet to hurt, swell and feel heavy. Protect your feet — clean and dry your feet; wear clean, dry socks and soak affected feet in warm water for five minutes. Elevate bare feet when sleeping. Seek medical attention right away if you suspect someone has trench foot (emphasis added). To learn more, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

So now, on top of all the other troubles in the Dakotas, suspicion of trench foot is turning neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend and family members against family members. Not only that, but already overworked emergency rooms now are overflowing with Dakotans, complying with CDC’s suggestion, who are seeking medical attention simply because they suspect that someone has trench foot.

Thanks, CDC!

Day: April 2, 2009

Quote du Jour

“In other news, Michelle Obama is criticized because she has great arms, is beloved, and touched the Queen.”

— The Political Carnival

What CDC Is Doing to Aid Dakota Flood Victims

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.