Posted on 02/07/2008 8:36:10 PM PST by navysealdad
LITTLE ROCK -- The people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are among the unhealthiest people in the world. An estimated 6,000-8,000 Marshallese immigrants live in Springdale, AR. and the surrounding areas, of whom 867 are children enrolled in the Springdale School District, Pritchard told the House and Senate Interim Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor.Deputy State Health Officer Dr. Joe Bates testified that between 2000 and 2005, Northwest Arkansas had nine cases of congenital syphilis, six of which involved Marshallese; 38 people with infectious syphilis, 21 of whom were Marshallese; and nine cases of leprosy, all Marshallese.
Lawmakers also heard testimony from a leader in the Marshallese immigrant community who cried as she asked the legislators to do something to help. Sen. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, said the risk of an outbreak of serious disease is high and described the situation as a "time bomb."
Bates said the rate of leprosy in the Marshall Islands is the highest in the world, yet no survey has been done to determine the extent of the disease in among Marshallese immigrants in Arkansas.
"We think there are two to three times more cases of leprosy than we know about," he said.
“Why are they here? Were they relocated due to nuclear testing, or what?”
They’re here because the doors to the candy store are wide open.
How did 6000 to 8000 MARSHALL ISLAND people get to SPRINGDALE ARKANSAS?????? WTF???? How big can Springdale be to have this many foreigners from ONE PLACE?? WHO OK’d THIS?? LEPROSY??? OMG!
A couple of minutes of easy research would have revealed to our friend the manner in which those folks ended up here.
The endemic ill-health of Marshall Islanders is certainly a problem -- but I find that a little context and information (oh, those words, so hated among the mouth-foamers at FR) helps to understand the issue a bit better.
As for "our population ... being radically altered without our consent," that is not true in this case. We have a treaty with the Marhsall Islands, ratified by the Senate, which governs the manner by which Marshall Islanders can be here. Again, a little thought and research does wonders to aid in understanding.
Yes, that is my point exactly. Why can’t we at least examine and treat them, if necessary, before we let them in? My next question is, what gave us the right to blow up their country in the first place? In other words, the US often creates its own problems by doing whatever the heck it wants around the world.
"Give us your tired, your poor, your rotting lepers yearning for free health care"
The Marshall Islands was a trust territory of the USA from WW2 through 1979. And we used their country to explode 66 nuclear bomb tests between 1946 and 1958.
In all fairness and charity, I'd say that these people do have a bit of a moral claim on us, unlike the Mexicans and South Americans.
“Nine cases of leprosy in Springdale, Arkansas.”
was not the title at the source. Also, you didn’t include the date of article.
We’re trying to reduce the number of threads we have to pull. Please do not alter the title of any published article. Always include the actual date, the source and writer’s name.
Thanks.
Note: I just received thid from the Springdale Chamber of Commerce..
Dear Chamber Members
You may be aware of a media report that is suggesting there has been an outbreak of leprosy in Springdale. This is not true.
The Chamber has been in touch this morning with Governor Mike Beebe, Congressman John Boozman, the Center for Disease Control and the Washington County Health Department. Each of these entities are fully engaged and are reporting to us that there is no “outbreak” of leprosy in Springdale or Northwest Arkansas.
In fact, the Washington County Health Department explains nothing has changed in the number of known cases of communicable diseases in Northwest Arkansas in the past year.
Please help us in our effort to diffuse this non-factual story with the accurate details of the Chamber’s research from this morning.
Perry Webb
President/CEO
That's good! LOL!
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