Free Republic

PREMATURE babies requiring expensive hospital care have been described as “bed blockers” by one of the country’s leading medical colleges. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says that the ability of doctors to keep alive babies born under 25 weeks presents difficulties for the treatment of other infants. Its comments were made in a submission to an inquiry by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics into the ethics of prolonging life in foetuses and the newborn. The RCOG paper states: “Some weight should be given to economic considerations as there is a real issue in neonatal units of “bed...

<p>January 16, 2004 -- Embattled Democratic front-runner Howard Dean yesterday vowed to tone down his aggressive attacks on rivals after a key ally warned that harsh words could cost him votes, with the battle for Iowa now in an unpredictable four-way tie. Dean also softened his image by sporting a comfy hunter-green sweater instead of his usual rolled-up-for-action shirtsleeves as he headed toward the Monday vote.</p>

Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean blew his stack at an Iowa voter on Sunday who had asked him to end his "slam, bam and bash" rhetoric attacking President Bush. "Please tone down the garbage, the mean-mouthing of tearing down your neighbor and being so pompous," said Dale Ungerer during a question-and-answer session initiated by Dean after he had delivered his standard stump speech at the Oelwein Community Centre on Sunday. Dean's response was calm at first, telling Ungerer, "George Bush is not my neighbor." But when the Iowa Republican stood and tried to interrupt, Dean shouted: "You sit down. You...