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NYT Editorial: The Bush Surgeon General Mess Originally published Jul 11, 2007 Yeah. Another nightmare to throw on the pile. Even those who have grown cynical over the Bush administration's relentless manipulation of scientific views to fit its political and ideological agenda must have been surprised at the sheer breadth of interference described by the former surgeon general, Dr. Richard Carmona. The official job description calls for the surgeon general to serve as "America's chief health educator." But the Bush administration instead tried to turn Dr. Carmona into a propagandist and political cheerleader, and when he refused to go along, it stopped him from speaking at all on a host of essential health issues. Dr. Carmona told a House committee that the administration would not allow him to speak on the scientific and medical aspects of stem cell research, emergency contraception, comprehensive sex education and prison or mental health issues. He said a surgeon general's report on global health issues was quashed because he refused to insert glowing references to the efforts of the Bush administration. His report on prisoners' health care was held up for fear it would lead to demands for costly reforms. Other disturbing improprieties included an order that Dr. Carmona insert President Bush's name at least three times on every page of his speeches, requests that he make political speeches on behalf of Republican candidates and an admonition not to speak to a group affiliated with the Special Olympics because of the charity's longtime association with the Kennedy family. It all sounds so ham-handedly partisan that it would be laughable if it weren't so damaging to the public's understanding of important public health issues. Dr. Carmona declined to name his tormentors but made it clear that they included assistant secretaries in the Department of Health and Human Services as well as other top political appointees. A first step is to stop thinking of the surgeon general as an agent of any administration and instead view the job as a national ombudsman for public health. HAHAHAHAHA! Silly New York Times! This is the BUSH administration! They can do whatever the hell they want! It's useless to attempt to fix any of this, but thanks for trying. Some of us out here appreciate it. Posted at 11:40 PM | Permalink Comments on "NYT Editorial: The Bush Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn