Willy Loman

With as many as 12 deaths possibly linked to the current out break of listeria at MapleLeaf foods coinciding with the Tories plans to cut back on federal meat inspectors, it seems like we are now getting a lot of stories about how the government is concerned about our public safety. Here's some samples from the last three days: Federal government deems 4 chemicals danger to humans Burning incense increases cancer risks: study Decline in smoking rates flatlines; cancer group blames contraband cigarettes Stockwell Day says street gang prevention having positive impact in Montreal Too much folic acid may trigger cancer Netherlands shuts down reactor that produces medical isotopes Both Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn and Health Minister Tony Clement have issued similar statements saying the government is working to ensure that Canadians will have the isotopes they need. And from the Health Canada site Expert Alert - Risking your Health for Your Job? For workers feeling refreshed f...

I knew this was bad idea from the start. According to the latest Health Canada pol l, the much heralded placement of cancerous deathlike graphics across the top of cigarette packages is ineffective at persuading smokers to try to kick the habit.  Unfortunately I am both a smoker and a believer of Wilson Bryan Keyes theories of subliminal advertising. I made my tin foil hat from the foil in cigarette packages . Anyway, according to Keyes, cigarette advertisers inserted hellish cancerous deathlike imagery into their cigarette advertising to target the “subconscious death wish” inherent in the majority of smokers. Simply stated his theory was that smokers were well aware of the risks of smoking and were in fact rebelling against the perceived norms of society at a semi-conscious level. To target the rebelliousness of the act of smoking, advertisers implanted hidden and obscure, imagery, graphics, effects and phrases into their ads to increase the subconscious risk taking of the smoker. Ba...

Dr. Brian Day, President of The Canadian Medical Association, speaks out on the government's dismissal of the positive role harm-reduction programs can play in society and questions why the federal government seems to be opposed to safe injection sites in British Columbia, but is willing to consider them in Quebec. From The Star : Clement's public hedging on Quebec's proposal is further proof that his decision appears to be based on political science and not the real thing. When it comes to safe injection sites, Conservatives need to consider the health of all Canadians, not just those who agree with the government's ideological bias against drug-addicted patients . Good for you Dr. Day.  And unlike the posts found around here, he didn't revert to calling Clement unprincipled sycophant once. Or maybe he did in a more educated way.