Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on April 27, 2009

By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone

Gotta golf... another occurance of Obama's decision-making avoidance

UPDATE

Associated Press, Wed Apr 29, 11:07 am ET

WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is asserting that the description she initially gave of the border swine-flu monitoring effort no longer applies.

Appearing Wednesday before a Senate panel, Napolitano said that “passive surveillance” is “not an accurate picture of what is going on” at U.S. entry points. She had used that term Tuesday morning to describe the nature of the monitoring for illness.

On Wednesday, Napolitano said that U.S. officials are “actively” questioning visitors at the border, asking questions about “whether they are ill, their travel history and the like.”
She also discounted turning to thermal meters to gauge whether people are carrying a fever, and Napolitano also said she does not believe the facts of the current situation would merit closing the borders.

The New York Times: Mexican Toddler in U.S. Dies From Swine Flu – First Death in US

*****

This post will be following a diverse assortment of news stories about the swine flu epidemic, with accompanying URL links and commentary;

They’re divided into two categories: Obama and the White House vs. Everyone Else in the World

Swine Flu: From Obama and the White House

NY Post: Obama: Swine Flu Is ‘No Cause for Alarm’

Obama says not to worry, no cause for alarm with this outbreak of swine flu. And, not willing to actually comfort those in the nation who are freaking out about this, said that if we had socialized health care, we could invest in better science, blah blah blah. Well, heck, since he said not to worry, I’ll just disregard what other US departments and world agencies are saying about the seriousness of this outbreak of super-charged swine flu.

Holy moley, Batman… Obama is using this crisis to try to RAM through his socialized health care “utopia,” without proper congressional involvement or public awareness, and slam through the trillion-dollar cap-and-trade ripoff to help pay for it. He is using this as “a crisis too good to go to waste,” and rather than reassure the nation, he jumps on his political soap box to sell his agenda again. And he’ll do it every day and during his preempting of American Idol on Wednesday. I’m sick and tired about him spending money like it’s not real money. The more money it is, the faster he tries to spend it.

But, Obama said not to worry about the swine flu. No cause for alarm…

Associated Press: Napolitano says US should prepare for new flu outbreak even if this one fizzles out

Uh-oh… I thought Obama said not to worry! Then, what in the blue blazes does DHS Janet Napolitano know that she’s not telling us? First, she is too busy issuing and then defending her debacle “conservative extremist” report, now she’s acting like she’s a clairvoyant. I have no idea what to make of this statement from our DHS head. I lack confidence in her mind reading skills, so it feels scary that she has secret intel on the virus, or that something worse coming down the pike. Or else, just a “duh” response. Shouldn’t she be warning Obama’s administration about preparedness and not us? How in the heck do I prepare??? Or, is this laying the initial ground work for Obama to push for ramming through his socialized medicine plan? And didn’t he already say we didn’t have to worry?

FOX News: White House: Obama Updated Regularly, Despite Golf Outing

Well, I feel much better.

Obama has said not to worry about the swine flu, and to prove how much HE doesn’t worry about it (or anything that has to do with our welfare), he went out to play golf. But, he was updated “regularly,” whatever that means. I have yet to read where any other world leaders have taken time off during this health crisis for golf or jai alai or squash or some other fun sport. Maybe they’re too old for sports. Or maybe, they’re too busy running their countries. Could go either way.

WebMD: CDC: Swine Flu Outbreak “Serious”
Oh, no, another news story conflict. Center for Disease Control says the swine flu outbreak in the US is serious. Did the CDC not coordinate with Obama? I mean, who you gonna believe? An acclaimed disease control agency or a community organizer?

The Hill: Napolitano: Closing border not the answer to flu
Ah, Janet, you must have read the Associated Press stories and suddenly realized that Europe considers the US a leper colony. Atta girl, you KEEP those borders open. That’ll show those Euro-alarmists.

*****

Read the headlines in the links below about what is happening in the world over swine flu, then tell me you believe Obama fully understands this situation. That he’d have the idea it would be wise to stop campaigning or selling for just one day to actually LEAD. And to not jump on Air Force One to do some picayune photo-op thing about Earth Day, something he could do just as easily and cheaper over the phone or in a teleconference. And DO NOT ever again go golfing during a health crisis, Obama.

How does Obama explain all the other conflicting stories from so many other world leaders, medical experts, virus specialists, and public health agencies. Frankly, he doesn’t. Because he always believes he, and he alone, is always right.

How do you look yourself in the mirror, and say with narcissistic confidence, “I’m right, I’m always right, and everyone else is wrong?” Mexico City is under frickin’ LOCKDOWN!

Are you the “only” smug, smart kid in the room again? Must feel so reassuring to think you’re always the only one with the right answer… you’re showing all those other countries how wrong they are to be alarmed about their citizens’ health, how cool you are to go golfing.

How dare you let this be about your agenda and not American citizens. How dare you gamble, again, with America.

I could find no other international leader who said to the press, “No cause for alarm” and “Don’t worry about swine flu.”

Swine Flu, from Everyone Else

Phoenix Business Journal: Russia bans Arizona pork, California, Mexican meats in response to swine flu

Corruption Chronicles, Judicial Watch: Illegal Aliens Spread Swine Flu In U.S.

UPDATE
Thomason Reuters Foundation, AlertNet: WHO raises flu threat level, warns pandemic imminent – Now Level 5

Have you changed your mind, Obama, when faced with the facts and the legitimate worries across the globe? Or, as with so many other directions in your administration, will you arrogantly choose to ignore the majority and to ignore those who are experts and advise you?

Categories: Conservatism, Economy, Government, Health, International Relations, National Security, Social and Political Climate, US Borders
Tags: American health care, banned, Barack Obama, borders, CDC, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, golf, golfing, Health, health crisis, infection, Janet Napolitano, Mexico, Mexico City, Napolitano, Obama, outbreak, pigs, pork, socialized health care, swine flu, travel, vaccine, virus, wear masks