60 Minutes: Iraq Has Smallpox

Newsmax ^ | 10/8/01

[truthandlife]

60 Minutes reported Sunday night that Iraq has a strain of smallpox.

Smallpox is a deadly and highly contagious virus.

Only two countries were believed to have strains of the virus, the U.S. and Russia.

60 Minutes' Mike Wallace reported this evening that Saddam Hussein acquired some of the smallpox virus from a laboratory in Russia.

Russian scientists have also been helping countries like Iraq and Iran developed biological weapons.

[Snowy]

There are about 40 million doses of vaccine stockpiled in the U.S. Quit freeking out.

I was just asking a question. I am nowhere near "freaking out." Quit making assumptions based on no knowledge. It makes you look silly...

[Richard Kimball]

OWK, you've been around here long enough to know that there is no point in replying to Illbay. He's a sad, strange, little man with no function in life other than to get on posts and throw bombs.

On a point actually related to the post, do you remember a few years ago when the CDC was trying to determine whether or not they should destroy the last remaining smallpox samples? Their reasoning was that since the disease had been wiped out, we should go ahead and make it completely extinct.

[freeeee]

Once we use nukes, the other side will

Then we use more - a lot more.

[Illbay]

Oh, I DO recognize that Saddam's intent is to do us harm, and ought to be pre-empted. I'm just surprised to find that YOU do. It is NOT consistent with Libertine philosophy, after all.

I happen to recognize that people who get drunk and then get behind the wheel of an automobile have "demonstrated intent to harm others", but I've been argued blue in the face by Libertines who tell me that you cannot presume that such a danger exists. You can't arrest someone for YOUR perception of their intent, you people say.

Well, how is it any different? I would think that if you wanted to be consistent you would say that we have no right to bother Saddam UNTIL millions begin to die from his bio-attacks. THEN we can take him out.

Same thing, right?

[Kevin Curry]

How about OWK? Should OWK be permimitted to have his own private stash of smallpox agent? Are you saying the state should be permitted to prohibit OWK from keeping his own private stock of smallpox agent? Where does the state derive such power under the Constitution?

Maybe tpaine will show up and help us out here.

[OWK]

On a point actually related to the post, do you remember a few years ago when the CDC was trying to determine whether or not they should destroy the last remaining smallpox samples? Their reasoning was that since the disease had been wiped out, we should go ahead and make it completely extinct.

The WHO actually oversaw the destruction of all other specimens save those in the United States, and the former Soviet Union. They had a big "eradication" ceremony.

Looks like they may have spoken too soon.

[alethia]

And if the strain of smallpox being mentioned here has been genetically altered -- will our vaccination work?

[OWK]

Oh, I DO recognize that Saddam's intent is to do us harm, and ought to be pre-empted. I'm just surprised to find that YOU do.

Saddam Hussein has raised his hand in anger against the United States, and evidence suggests that his intelligence service may well be involved in the planning and financing of the latest WTC attacks.

While libertarian philosophy prohibits the initiation of force, it does NOT prohibit the use of force in defense. If an assailant raises a gun and points it at your head, you do not need to wait until he pulls the trigger to act in your own defense.

[OWK]

It is NOT consistent with Libertine philosophy, after all.

I can't speak for libertine philosophy, but my position is totally consistent with libertarian philosophy.

[alethia]

"Looks like they may have spoken too soon."

Agreed. In my previous post, I asked the question about genetically altered strains of smallpox -- and would our vaccine be effective.

Thoughts?

[Kevin Curry]

OWK, you've been around here long enough to know that there is no point in replying to Illbay.

Quite the contrary. He's demonstrated the abject moral and intellectual bankruptcy of the pointy-headed libertarian position on these matters. He's taken libertarian idiocy to its logically absurd conclusion. You are left without a response, so you slang him.

[goodnesswins]

Just out of curiosity, do you know when was that DESTRUCTION of the smallpox vaccines done...what year?

[SirAllen]

There are about 40 million doses of vaccine stockpiled in the U.S. Quit freeking out.

Not freaking out or anything...but did you read the article? Those 40 million vaccinations won't START being ready until 2004. Also, the vaccination is worthless once you contract it and there is NO treatment.

[OWK]

Agreed. In my previous post, I asked the question about genetically altered strains of smallpox -- and would our vaccine be effective.

I suspect that if the mode of virulence is the same, then previous vaccinations would be effective against even a genetically altered form of the virus (although this is far from certain).

There is also considerable question in the mind of immunolgists, as to whether or not those vaccinated against smallpox would maintain their immunity for so long without a booster. Precious little experience in this area.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Interesting how the hard core lefties at 60 Minutes can read a Presidential approval rating.

[OWK]

Just out of curiosity, do you know when was that DESTRUCTION of the smallpox vaccines done...what year?

I seem to recall late 80's... but I could be wrong.

[Illbay]

Oooookay, then why is it NOT okay to have laws against driving drunk that include blood-alcohol restrictions? That's "pre-emptive," right?

I REPEAT: Saddam hasn't actually TERRORIZED us yet, so how can we "preempt" him? We haven't the right.

It's one way or the other. I believe that we can enforce laws that pre-empt bad guys. Your Libertine philosophy says that you can't, not until it is provably harmful. Can't "prove" that Saddam's possession of the means for our destruction would DEFINITELY be harmful.

Back in the box.

[Physicist]

Time to contact the health center and vaccinate your kids.

You cannot commercially obtain smallpox vaccine. I tried hard about a year and a half ago to get some for my kids.

However, all is not lost. If push came to shove and a real outbreak arose, what would Edward Jenner do? (WWEJD?)

There's a low-tech solution at hand. Think about it.

[MadameAxe]

He's taken libertarian idiocy to its logically absurd conclusion.

Yes. Of course. Anything you and your L-bashing buddies make up to say about us is our "libertarian idiocy".