A coroner’s report says that an active case of tuberculosis was a factor in the death of a Tyson worker on Jan. 4 at the Emporia plant.
According to information this morning from the Lyon County Health Department, the department and Tyson Foods are taking precautionary measures in the case, which remains under investigation. The name of the worker, a 20-year-old man, has not been released.
Both the health department and local plant manager Mike Fiehler said in a news release that TB is not a food safety concern and is not transmitted by food.
The man’s death initially was announced as a work-related accident. The first information from Tyson stated that the man, a production worker, had walked into the plant’s Health Services Department about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 and reported being injured while helping prepare an animal for slaughter. He was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health, where he died.
“It was initially believed he was involved in a workplace accident,” a health department news release stated. “While the cause of death remains under investigation, the coroner reports the worker had an active case of TB when he died and that the disease was related to his death.”
Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a telephone interview this morning that additional details related to the death are not yet available.
“I don’t know how long it will be before we get the final coroner’s report,” Mickelson said.
The Lyon County Health Department has started an investigation, in coordination with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and with the cooperation of Tyson Foods.
The worker’s illness will be considered as an “index” case, or earliest documented case, in the investigation.
Under existing protocols, all close personal contacts of the worker will be interviewed and, if appropriate, testing and/or treatment will be initiated, according to a news release from Lougene Marsh, director of Flint Hills Community Health Center and the Lyon County Health Department.
“The good news is that TB infection is treatable,” Marsh said. “Our goal will be to identify anyone who was exposed so that they can receive the proper treatment.”
Fiehler said that the company is cooperating with health department officials to try to protect workers at the plant.
“This includes helping coordinate on-site TB testing of team members who may have been in contact with the worker,” Fiehler said.
Health department officials have been invited into the plant to conduct meetings to educate workers about TB, he said.
Mickelson said that the meetings today initially will involve about 200 people made up of management and management support personnel.
“We’ll schedule more meetings, if necessary,” he said.
Tyson will work with the health department to help determine who came into contact with the worker and to conduct any testing or treatments needed, he said.
The goal will be to locate personal contacts who may have active or latent TB, so they can receive appropriate treatment, and to locate those who are at high risk of developing TB and give them treatment until latent tuberculosis infection can be ruled out.
Tyson requires all new employees to complete a health assessment questionnaire after they have been offered employment. The questionnaire includes medical background information and whether they have TB or have been tested for the disease. Depending on the responses, new workers may be referred to a local medical provider or the health department. Tyson employs about 2,400 people in Emporia.
All staff at the health department have been trained in disease investigation and will remain in close contact with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment tuberculosis division.
In 2005, 61 cases of active tuberculosis were reported in Kansas.
Comments
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Mypoint (anonymous) says...
While it is a great tragedy anytime someone passes this makes me wonder back a few months ago when the gazette ran a story that Tyson's was testing employees and none of them had TB. So who was lying to us, the gazette or Tyson's?
January 18, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JessicaNelson (anonymous) says...
hmmm.... good point.
January 18, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lollerskate (anonymous) says...
What if he was a new employee and was not there at the time of the initial testing?
"Its a jump to conclusions mat .... its a mat that you lay on the floor with different conclusions printed on it that you can ... jump to!"
January 18, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mylife (anonymous) says...
The Gazette get its information from sources. Don't be so quick to accuse either the Gazette or the source. You're jumping to conclusions.
January 18, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sweetpea99 (anonymous) says...
Well, in case you didn’t know it TB is an airborne disease. All you have to do to be exposed is stand next to someone who with the disease and have them cough or sneeze on you to catch it.
Each and every person who works with our food should have to take the test yearly to keep on top of things. We don’t take the proper steps to keeping ourselves safe from disease.
January 18, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Like we are suppose to be surprised by this??? And I would think that ANY and ALL workers at the plant should be tested and RETESTED. I feel it's the beginning of a long process that the community is going to have to face.
January 18, 2007 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Almost_There (anonymous) says...
sweetpea99-Although tuberculosis is contagious, it's not especially easy to catch. In general, you need long-term contact with an infected person to become infected yourself. You're much more likely to contract tuberculosis from a family member or close co-worker than from a stranger on a bus or in a restaurant. A person with nonresistant active TB who's been effectively treated for at least two weeks is generally no longer contagious.
Although TB can affect other organs and tissues, it primarily attacks your lungs. Approximately two to eight weeks after your lungs are infected with M. tuberculosis, your immune system springs into action.
Sometimes active TB can develop years after the initial infection. This occurs when your immune system can't keep dormant TB bacteria at bay, and the walled-off germs become active. A number of factors can weaken your immune system, including aging, drug or alcohol abuse, malnutrition, chemotherapy, prolonged use of prescription medications such as corticosteroids, and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. About one in 10 people who have TB infection goes on to develop active TB sometime inhis or her life. The risk is greatest in the first year after infection, but the disease may not resurface for decades.
January 18, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
What I would like to know, is that the Gazette reported on January 5th that an employee reported to the medical office at Tyson with blunt force injuries...and died...
copy and paste this link in your browser to read about it:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
Is this the same incident, or a different one? If it's the same incident, was Tyson attempting to decieve the public as to the reason or cause for this employee's death?
With all the hoopla about the migrant workers and their possible infection of TB, I would agree with hottopics that every employee needs to be checked, and rechecked!
Tyson plays a huge role in the economy of Emporia. If they make serious mistakes and had to make drastic changes at the plant, it won't only effect those that work at the plant, but also all of us who don't.
TYSON - TELL US THE TRUTH AND QUIT HIDING BEHIND YOUR CORPORATE BLANKET OF LIES!!!
January 18, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The people of this city, this state and yes this country need to wake up and stop letting rich corporations such as TYSON and the rest dictate how this country of the people is to be run! If you don't think that T.B. is a serious disease I suggest that you go on line to the WHO (world health organization) and educate yourself to the seriousness of this disease and which regions of the world that T.B. is most prevailent in and then decide wheather or not you want these disease carriers in your community and country, if you don't care about yourself, think about your children or grandchildren.
I agree that Emporia needs a strong economy, but we will have to decide at what cost we want a strong ecomomy! I believe that Emporia can have a strong economy without sacrificing our health or our childrens health or our childrens childrens health. We just have to be less greedy and smarter in how we let our local industries hire and screen people. If it takes a heafty fine to make them follow hiring and health guidelines, then so be it and I don't mean a small pittance of a fine I mean a fine that is heavy enough to let them know that if they are going to import diseased workers that it is going to cost them heavily.
January 18, 2007 at 10:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Digs_things (anonymous) says...
I agree with methusla!
It's no secret that immigrants are brought to Emporia with the sole intention of employment with Tyson. Half of them can't even speak a lick of English...let alone read it. They shouldn't be allowed to take someone's word on whether or not they're infected....JUST BECAUSE ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION THEY SAY they've been tested. IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY...PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MANDATORY testing should be taking place for each and every employee upon being hired. THEY SHOULD BE TESTED AND HAVE IT DOCUMENTED AND UPDATED ANNUALLY JUST LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYER THAT HAS COMMON SENSE ENOUGH TO MAKE THIS A MANDATORY AND STRICTLY ADHERED TO POLICY IN ORDER TO BE EMPLOYED WITH THEIR COMPANY. Is the tax break Tyson receives as a result of hiring these immigrants REALLY worth risking the lives of so many Emporia natives? How many people have already been exposed and don't even realize it? Who have THOSE people already infected? How many are out there walking around Emporia right this VERY moment infecting OTHERS..and how many will die as a result of Tyson's negligence?
January 18, 2007 at 11:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
To borrow your quote: "Emporia needs a strong economy".... could you explain exactly how refusing to hire local help and bringing in all the immigrants instead is helping the Emporia economy? How much of the wages paid to the immigrants stays in this country and how much is sent back to their home? Explain to me how taking MY tax dollars to subsidize a program that will NOT hire local help (thus putting money BACK INTO Emporia's economy - and helping to keep LOCAL people employed) is "helping Emporia to have a strong economy? That's a good laugh - my tax money going to help keep people in this country unemployed..... real funny....
January 18, 2007 at 11:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Here's a little education to the people of Emporia on TUBERCULOSIS from the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION web site.
" Like the common cold, it spreads through the air. Only people with TB in their lungs are infectious. wWhen infectious people cough, sneeze, talk or spit, they propel TB germs, known as bacilli into the air. A person needs only to inhale a small number of these to be infected."
So it seems to me that it doesn't take a prolonged close contact exposier to become infected with the TB germ!
Again I reiterate, Wake up people of Emporia and the Nation, there is more than an Al-Quida threat to our country and community.
January 19, 2007 at 5:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
It's important for Tyson to respond to this incident by showing they have the interests of the community in mind and desire to be a good member of the community.
Surely, OSHA and the CDC have some kind of guidelines that could be followed that ensure not only a healthy workplace but also ensures less risk to the community. Of course, this might mean not only screening foreigners but Americans as well. Also, other businesses, universities, etc who allow people from high risk countries (there are fewer and fewer low risk countries) to enter must be held to the same standards. Let's not pick on Tyson.
It appears Tyson has decided to bring the Third World to America since they can't take their operations to the Third World. But let's be fair. They probably have exhausted the local workforce and need to do this to continue operating.
We will have to rely on the Local and State Public Health organizations. They have the authority to deal with these types of problems because it is their responsiblity to monitor and control Public Health.
This needs to become a nationwide issue. Immigration, both legal and illegal, need to brought under control. If you go to the government immigration websites you will find that there are plans to allow another 75,000 refugees into the country in 2007 alone. These programs need to be closely monitored and conducted in an orderly, controlled fashion or we will see increases in rates of TB and other communicable diseases.
In the meantime, please, let's not panic.
We claim to be a Christian nation. If so, we are compelled to help those in need. This doesn't mean we don't have to be smart about how we do it.
January 19, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
"must be held to the same standards. Let's not pick on Tyson.
" What standards would those be? Forget tuberculosis. Just ask some current Tyson employees what the bathrooms there are like now. There are employees there who refuse to use the bathrooms anymore. Just ask some of them what they are like. But, they aren't taught OUR customs - Tyson employees are sent to classes to learn THEIRS. Down with toilet paper!!!!
(I for one no longer buy any Tyson products).
As for exhausting the local workforce, that is only partially true - but only because wages there have not kept pace overall. They used to be the best paying place in town - and had no problem finding workers - no more. And, how can you say they have "exhausted the local workforce" when local people are being TURNED DOWN for employment? All they have EXHAUSTED are people willing to work there for minimum wage.... Simple fact: They get the workers CHEAPER elsewhere, so they won't hire local help because it will cost them more. So ask a current employee there about what the bathrooms are like and then go enjoy your cheap steak....
January 19, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
" What standards would those be?
Well, I just visited the CDC website. These are some of the standards:
1. A TB skin test is recommended for those foreign born and less in the country for 5 years.
2. Anyone working in a healthcare setting.
3. Anyone who has lived in a homeless shelter or worked there.
4. People with HIV or who might be immunosuppressed.
6. People who have spent time/worked in a correctional facility.
7. Those with a history of IV drug abuse.
8. Anyone who has traveled outside the USA.
These are some of the standards I am talking about to name a few.
I am in agreement with you in regards to depression of wages. I think most citizens would be willing to eat less red meat and pay higher prices.
Corporate America dictates policy in this country now, not the American people. Republican Party motto "NCLB" No Corporation Left Behind.
But even our own citizens sometimes are not worth hiring. We have done a poor job of fostering a good "work ethic" with some Americans.
That being said, it is interesting that locals may be denied work. That is if you have the facts to prove this. Or is this just heresay?
I know a few people who work at Tyson and the bathrooms have not come up in my conversations. But this sounds like nitpicking.
January 19, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
Are Tyson products sold under any other brand name?
January 19, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I completely agree.
As for your 2 questions, yes, I do know of people that can't get a job there. If you were Tyson, and only cared about corporate greed (profits), why would you hire anyone that you had to pay twice the wage for? And yes, I have heard MANY stories about how absolutely filthy and disgusting the bathroom(s) there are....
January 19, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I appreciate your comments and questions, but if you think that having people handle your food that don't use toilet paper is "nitpicking", then why do you care about TB? After all, it's treatable! Get a shot and get over it, for crying out loud! :) Why do we have "Please Wash Your Hands" signs in restrooms in restaurants? Certainly not for the cooks or waiters! After all, that sounds like nitpicking!
Honestly, I don't think people care. I'm not sure about people willing to pay higher prices. Most people in America will buy from the Devil himself if he will sell it 1 penny cheaper than anyone else.... :(
January 19, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
My thoughts on how to stop corporate control of America.
First thing you have to do is absolutely ban any and all LOBBYING AND LOBBYISTS with their bags of money that they use to by votes and special favors, this needs to be done in all aspects of government, local, county, state and federal.
Second you will need to make all rich corporations and individuals pay their fair share of taxes.
Third you will need to stop giving ridiculous tax breaks to rich corporations to locate in your area, this will take some of the tax load off the individual citizens.
Ready for a fight? what I have proposed above will certainly start one.
January 19, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tknaak (inactive user) says...
@ slimbolen99, your comment:
"What I would like to know, is that the Gazette reported on January 5th that an employee reported to the medical office at Tyson with blunt force injuries...and died..."
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
The story says nothing of "blunt force trauma injuries" its specifically says "...reported being injured while helping prepare an animal for slaughter."
I heard a rumor that he did die of blunt force trauma, but it was just a rumor, not reported as fact.
January 19, 2007 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lucky (anonymous) says...
I know it is important for Tyson to take responsibility for their part within this event, but I am surprised that there has been little, or no mention of the deceased man's actions and the actions of our own Health Department.
Almost ALL people entering the US from another country have Latent TB, this is a disease that is running rampant within third world countries. It is only logical that this gentleman had Latent TB upon entering the US.
Becaue of HIPAA, Tyson has NO access to this man's records. They have no right to be informed of whether or not he is in fact a worker with active TB or Latent TB. They also would be denied access to whether or not this man was in fact taking his medication.
This is where the Health Deartment has to take some responsibilty. It is their job to check up on individuals with Latent AND Active TB on a monthly basis to assess wether or not the person is getting better, and in the case of someone wiht LATENT TB to make sure they do not become active. If this person was checked MONTHLY, how did they not know he had developed ACTIVE TB?
We are also experiencing the effects of the lack of acculturation, people entering this country and refusing to adopt even the most basic ideas of our culture. I am not one to argue immigration issues, but it has been made clear to me that individuals from Somalia (and other countries) believe their life plan is mapped out from the moment they are born. They do not try and alter this path, it is one that has been chosen for them and they believe whatever is to happen will. Therefore, taking medication is not something they as a culture do. With that being said, can anyone be sure this man wasn't getting the appropriate treatment for TB, but HE refused to take the medication that was giving to him free of charge? Can you be sure he didn't start coughing up blood at work, and not realzing what was happening to him, simply told his supervisor he was injured on the job? Maybe the man had already accepted his fate with TB as part of his life path and therefore chose to do nothing about his illness. The point is we will never know the exact factors that lead up to this event.
There are a number of things at work here, but aside from TYSON, I think there are others who should be held accountable.
January 19, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I am VERY concerned with the amount of ignorant or possibly uneducated people making statements. Let me just respond to some of the comments made.
1. IF a TB skin test shows up positive once, then it will most likely show up positive forever. So even if the person does not have the TB infection or active TB, their skin test will show up positive. Yes, TB skin testing could be done annually, but it would invovle a skin test and then possibly a chest x-ray. Also, IF the person tests positive for TB, antibiotics will take care of it.
2. Tyson processes more brands than just TYSON, so if you say you don't or won't buy Tyson products, think again. ONCE AGAIN TB is SPREAD BY DROPLETS WHEN SOMEBODY COUGHS, SINGS, SNEEZES, ETC.
Once it hits a surfaces, such as a table, a pencil, and for goodness sake a piece of meat, it DIES. If you don't feel this is correct, or want to prove otherwise, go take some microbiology courses and learn.
3. If you are upset that Tyson hires foreign workers, maybe you should talk to the locals about not using drugs/alcohol and showing up to work on time.
4. Any company, including Tyson that hires employees has documentation from the Health Dept. or wherever the TB was done if the test showed positive or negative, it's NOT taken by a person's word.
5. I don't think that it's fair to solely blame the immigrants for TB, if you do some reading, other counties in Kansas have TB "outbreaks" too. It's not all due to immigration.
January 19, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I totally agree. I am fully aware that Tyson processes more brands than just Tyson, that is just my own small way of standing up and saying that Corporations that abuse their brand name can also damage that image. As for sneezing, again, you are absolutely right. Microbiology tells me that I really have very little to fear from the waiter spitting in my food if I am being a difficult customer, or the cook not washing his hands after using the restroom, or the person next to me sneezing without covering their mouth. Doesn't mean I have to like it.... Just like I also have the right to not like having my wife/girlfriend/mother/sister/any female rudely shoved in front of/pushed aside in WalMart, but then again, there is very little I can do about it, because it's all about us understanding and accepting THEIR culture, not them accepting ours (such as treating women like human beings). But maybe you don't believe in that.... I personally DO believe that women are not cattle. But that's just my opinion.... not that everyone has to believe it/accept it. Which is my way of saying, that deep down, to alot of people, this is really about more than just TB...
January 19, 2007 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Just to set the record straight! Especially for those of you with bleeding hearts for the immigrants! According to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) comes the following Quote "The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the largest number of new TB cases in 2004 occured in WHO'S South-East Asia Region, which accounted for 33% of incident cases globally. However, the estimated incidence per capita in( sub-Saharan Africa )is nearly twice that of the South-East Asia Region, at nearly 400 cases per 100,000 population. How's that for proof that immigrants are the largest carriers of disease such as TB.
January 19, 2007 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I would like to adress Mr. Griffins' comments in the Emporia Gazette of Jan. 19, 2007, Mr. Griffin states that someone with latent TB cannot infect anyone else. That statement is really only a half truth, because the information that I have on TB from several health organizations is that latent TB only remains non infectious as long as the infected party continues to take his or her medication and does not have a low immune system, if the infected party doesn't take their medication regularly or if their immune system becomes unable to fight the infection then the latent TB may become active and infectious.
As to Mr. Griffin comparing someone with latent TB to someone with high blood preassure to me is just plain stupid, someone with high blood pressure is definately not going to infect someone else if they do not take their medication but someone with latent TB may be able to infect someone else with TB if they do not take their medication regularly, so I am all for mandatory testing of people with TB of any kind.
January 19, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brooklyn (anonymous) says...
I agree with Lucky that there are others who should be held accountable for this potential harm to many others. Where are the gate keepers of our country. INS, Homeland Security. It is my understanding that some immigrants are here as political refugees and that maybe this individual who died is one of them. If so, according to the statutes that govern such a status, people should not be allowed into our country who pose a threat to the health of the citizens of the US. I would contend that allowing people into our country who knowingly carry TB is a threat. Politics and blame game aside, who is watching the gate? IF because of the HIPPA law potential employers can not know the status of an immigrant's health and the only health screening is to ask a question if the person has or had TB (people wouldn't lie?) we through our own laws and regulations have created this situation. Why do we give the same rights and priveleges to people who are not citizens. If it is an accepted fact that most third world countires have this scourge in their land and we choose to allow them to bring it into our country then we should allow potential employers to know this so they can be pro-active and monitor the health of those individuals so we are not all blind-sided by an event such as this because of the gag order of HIPPA. Maybe it takes something like this to get people to realize the error of our laws and fight to get them modified. A visitor in this country is not entitled to the same status as a citizen and the HIPPA law should not apply. If the employer was given this knowledge maybe the situation would not have elevated to this level. Just some food for thought.
January 19, 2007 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I am by no means, "bleeding" for immigrants. I guess I just look at these immigrants and compare them to our service men in Iraq. I know the reasoning is a little off, but there are thousands of U.S. citizens in a strange country, they don't know the language, they don't assume the culture, religions, beliefs, but they are there making money for their families (and protecting us!). I guess I am just thinking about "walking a mile in their shoes". You are COMPLETELY right, this is not about TB at all, this is about people with different values, beliefs, religions, etc. I too have been in Wal-Mart or at a bank, and have found that I have been frustrated by "their" actions. I think this is something that is not going to go away so, unfortunately we are all just going to have to find a way to deal with it.
As for your comments about our/their culture and the whole women/cattle thing, I do believe that all immigrants should adjust to our culture if they plan on living in the U.S. I don't think that it's too much to ask for someone to know the language of the land they will reside, or respect others. After all, if one of us moved to another country for employment, I believe that we would be expected to do the same.
See, none of this relates to TB, so you are exactly right.
January 19, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Thank you jenna414, you have hit the nail on the head. The difference however, that I see, with our soldiers in Iraq, is that while they don't "assume" the culture, religions, beliefs, etc... they are taught to respect them, and modify their behavior according to the host country - our soldiers are taught to be VERY sensitive to the local norms and ways. So why is it when the Somalians are brought here, it is the TYSON employees that are all sent to classes to learn THEIR ways - what's wrong with running all the immigrants thru a little education class, and say, perhaps, while you may beat a woman to death for driving a car or being seen in daylight without a relative in your country, you are now IN THE USA and over here that behavior IS NOT TOLERATED!!!!!!!
January 20, 2007 at 1:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lots_to_learn (anonymous) says...
I believe the Tyson employees were sent to a class to learn of the Somalian ways so they would not misinterpret their behavior. Because of their background and culture, they react to situations differently. To get along, it is important to understand. I,too,believe they need to learn our culture, but without giving up who they are. The same as the rest of our immigrants, which is about everyone in this country or their ancestors.
January 20, 2007 at 4:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I would like Jenna 414 to explain to me how an immigrant who possibly has TB and possibly may be a muslim terrorist is (protecting us). And by the way lots_to_learn I personnaly can trace my ancestory back to NATIVE AMERICAN, can you say as much? Wake people the open border policy of this nations government is the biggest threat to this nation that exists today!
January 20, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I am NOT saying that the immigrants are protecting us, you mis-understood my anology. I was in no way comparing soldiers to immigrants for that reason, I was just making a comment about a foriegn land, culture, etc.
I hate to admit that I too, am not that thrilled about all the foreign people coming to Emporia. However t,hat is what 2007 and beyond will consist of. So unless I want to move to some little town in another state, which I am not, (I don't believe that anyone should have to move, it's a choice one could make). But the U.S. is in fact the "Melting Pot" and we are just going to have to get used to it. I am not say it's right/fair, but . . .
Again, we (myself included) have turned this into a discussion completely different than TB.
January 20, 2007 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
O.K. lets get back to discussing TB, all you have to do to learn about TB and how serious a disease it can be is go to any of several websites such as www.WORLDHEALTHORGANIZATION.com, www.CDC.com, www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/ and I believe that the information these organizations have on TB will open some eyes about how serious TB may possibly be.
For instance the CLEVELAND CLINIC CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION says and I quote " TB is the second leading cause of death world wide after HIV/AIDS, killing nearly 2 million people each year. Approximately 13% of TB cases have co-exist HIV infection.
A little scary I should think!
January 20, 2007 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh! and here is another little bit of information on TB from the CLEVELAND CLINIC CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION. In 1993 the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) declared TB "a global emergency", the only disease ever so designated, in 2003 WHO reported a continued TB pandemic.
January 20, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
been_there (anonymous) says...
It seems to me this discussion has become one of education, or lack of, and tolerance, or lack of. Several people have commented on 'bits of information' they are getting from WHO and the CDC but they are only pulling out the 'bits' they want to see.
1. In 2004 there were 62 new cases of ACTIVE TB in the state of Kansas. Of those, 13 were black, 10 were Asian/Pacific Islanders and 38 were white. Clearly the Somali population was not here yet and the largest number was white! You run the risk of being killed by a drunk driver everyday, are you discussing who's to blame for this?
2. As for the bathrooms at Tyson, I agree there is a problem, but it is a problem we have been dealing with there for over 20 years.
3. What does not using toilet paper have to do with WASHING YOUR HANDS? Go stand in the bathroom at Wal-Mart for an hour and see how many people actually wash their hands after using the restroom. They are going to go out and use shopping carts that you will then use or perhaps put your child into.
4. Being rude? Don't tell me a non-Somali person has NEVER been rude to you! I have learned from experience that if you correct them on this, they will LEARN what we expect of them.
5. The Somali culture as a whole! Well, the women do NOT feel they are being mistreated. It is their religion that governs how they dress, how they eat and how they survive. Who are we to judge? We all have our own religions and choose as to what level we want to follow it.
6. Tyson doesn't hire locals. Well, I believe MOST locals have already worked at Tyson. I think the locals that you are talking about probably can't get a job at any business in Emporia, or they can't keep it so their work history reflects this. Take a look at the locals you are referring to, would you hire them, especially for a job involving knives where they would be responsible for their own safety as well as those around them?
It wasn't that long ago we were badgering the Hispanic poplulation with their 'WALK' and demonstrations. It seems we have become a society of people who are not willing to accept the diversity of our world today. With the exception of methusla, I believe we all know that our ancestors had to go through an adjustment period when they came to the United States. This included an adjustment of the people that were already relocated to our country. We all have traditions that have been carried over from the homeland but we are no longer 'judged' as to the extent that we follow these because we are now Americans. What makes our country great is that we are all free to be ourselves. We are a country made up of many races, religions, languages, etc. We must all adapt to change on a daily basis. Blaming Tyson or the Somali population for all the problems in our community is only proof that a certain number of people in Emporia need to educate themselves on the changing world and take a look at themselves. What are you actually afraid of?
January 20, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I would like to respond to a few points in this latest comment:
2) Well at least we agree there is a problem, but it is not quite the same as it has been.... which goes along with # 3...
3) Like I said before - we're talking hygiene standards here at a place that provides food to the general public - you can eat your food handled the way you want, and I'll do the same.
4) Who ever said people all over aren't/can't be rude? Trying to stick to the subject here - the point is, why isn't Tyson educating them on certain ways to behave while in this country from the beginning?
5) This one is almost laughable. OF COURSE they don't feel like they're being mistreated (except for the ones that kill themselves, such as in Iran, which has the highest rate of suicide among women in the world, or Afghanistan, which is having an epidemic of women setting themselves on fire). They wouldn't dare come out in public and say they are mistreated. The only way they will ever admit that is if they can completely escape to another country. Then they join/lead groups fighting for women's rights. I saw a documentary awhile back where a group of women in a third-world country were asked if they would like to get jobs and work or get an education, etc.... first they asked them with their menfolk nearby, and everyone of them said absolutely not - they were very happy and only wanted to please their man. Then they removed the men and told the women they could say whatever they wanted and it would not be repeated - boy oh boy did the attitudes change! But, you are also right, there ARE women in their culture who do not feel as if they are being mistreated. Raise an animal in a tiny cage and that iis the only world they will ever know, and they will accept it. Heck, I dare say there are women in THIS country who are beaten on a daily basis and feel that there is nothing wrong with it because they deserve it.
Point is, I'm not trying to make them change their culture and norms - I'm just saying, while you're in this country, learn and respect OURS. You can go home and kick your dog every night as much as you want, I may not like it but if that's the way you do it in your country, fine (and the poor dog probably doesn't know any better, so he thinks it's the way all dogs should be treated) - but DON'T come over to my house and kick MINE.
6) You really don't know what is going on as far as hiring.
January 20, 2007 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Of course we are all immigrants. The point is who we choose to let across our borders and how we expect them to behave while here. Nobody is asking them to give up their culture and values, we're just asking them to respect and in certain ways conform to ours while they are here.
As for terrorism, and the safety of the 'locals', I could tell you a certain quote that was made by one of the Somalians that DOES speak some English about what knives are used for in their country, that might make you think twice about terrorism, but I won't - we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
I think at the basic level, this is all about what it seems everything eventually boils down to - the Almighty God $$$$.
Pure and simple - notwithstanding TB, cultural problems, hiring problems, etc... Tyson is and will continue to bring in people willing to work for alot less. The world is being made flat. And, the people who are all ok with that, are the ones that have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But, what if, just what if.... Suddenly Emporia State fired all their professors because they could bring in professors from foreign universites to replace them willing to teach for $6,000 year (which by the way, happens to be the average wage of the foreign programmers which all our computer work is being outsourced to). Or what if the local doctors/lawyers all went out of business because in influx of qualified foreigners set up shop willing to do the same work for, say, 50 cents/hour? Just take any job in the US, I don't care how much it pays or how much education it requires, and I bet you can find people from other countries willing to do it for minimum wage or less. And once it is YOUR job that is affected, you will feel differently - but until then, all those unaffected can sit in their ivory towers and judge the rest of those who's jobs ARE.
January 20, 2007 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
Okay, Culture is Culture and we can educate people on how Americans expect others to act, but let's also practice what we preach! Who would set the standards and teach these immigrants on how an American should act? I am curteous, saying please, thank-you, excuse me, etc. However, I don't feel that I am above anybody, and should teach anybody else, but me children how to respect others. So, who should teach them? Should it be a preacher who a lot think have higher morals, oh wait wasn't there a preacher here many years ago who plotted to have his wife killed? Should we go on to have a President decide, oh wait, they have had affairs with interns. I guess what I am trying to say, is that we have all been brought up differently, and although I am not a fan of someone who belches at the dinner table, I do know some people who think it's perfectly acceptable. I think education on our culture is a good idea, but it doesn't mean that it will be respected or used. Also, the hand washing thing, yes I believe that it's discusting NOT to wash your hands after you do many things, restroom included, and I am not trying to take away from that point, but at Tyson, bare hands do not come in direct contact with the meat, just to let you know. If any of you posting these comments have ever worked at Tyson then you know what goes on. If you have not, then maybe some more education is needed.
January 20, 2007 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Congratulations open_eyes you seem to have a grasp on our national problem. Lets see what you think of this thought!
Everything of any consiquence that happens in this country happens because of Politics and Money and Money buys Politicians who in turn pocket the Money to make certain Policy decisions such as letting every TOM, DICK and HARRY who wants to enter the country do so wheather it be legally or illegally and as I see it the rich corporations who buy the Politicians with their huge sums of money are the real problem. And if this continues to be the norm that everone in this country continues to accept, then this great contry is going to and will destroy itself from within not from without.
January 20, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
been_there (anonymous) says...
Open_eyes, so sorry you have taken offense to what I posted. I see now that you are an expert on all subjects concerning Tyson. I can only assume you are the Plant Manager, even tho most everything you've commented on has been 'according to your friends'. Yes, I believe Tyson will continue to bring in people willing to work for a lot less and a lot of that is due to the fact that it is hard work and a lot of people in America no longer feel the need to actually WORK for their paycheck so someone has to do it. Is that because we are a society who's government has made it increasinly easier to do this or because as parents we are not all teaching our children that nothing is free? Why is it up to Tyson to educate 'these' people? OUR government is bringing them to the United States and then basically throwing them to the wolves. Why does the government not place them in an adjustment camp where they can teach them common practice and courtesies before entering them into our society? Why is OUR government not tracking their health status and issues? I'm sure this discussion could go on forever but since it now has nothing to do with TB I really need to get back to my Ivory tower!
January 20, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I used to work there awhile back. No, I am not the Plant Manager. And I am not an expert on all subjects concerning Tyson, And please do not say "so sorry" when you are not, followed by your scorn. I have responded to comments, and voiced my own opinions, and named no one in particular - if you do not like them, here is my advice - while you are in this country, please try to learn and respect the local values, such as civil discussion and respect for other points of view. I have not taken anything said here personally, but it is obvious that you have. I apologize if you have, and unlike you, when I say that, I am sincere, and will not follow it up with a bunch of catty remarks. I am merely trying to open some people's eyes to things they may not be aware of.
I totally agree with you from that point on.
Yes, America is turning into a welfare state, and parents are not teaching their kids work ethics and values like we used to. And it is, and will continue to have, a negative affect on this country. But it is not just manual labor jobs, or jobs "nobody wants to do", that are being replaced by cheaper labor. Just exactly what do you think the outsourcing of tech jobs is all about?
My take: I think both the government and Tyson should work together to educate people being brought in - and not just "throw them to the wolves".
January 20, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
been_there (anonymous) says...
Open_eyes, as you said, I too was just responding to comments and voicing my own opinions. I am not taking any of these comments personally, as they are only the opinions of others, of which everyone is entitled to. I don't expect anyone to agree with what I'm saying or believe. That is why it's called freedom of speech.
I do agree that it all boils down to $$$$ and education. I can only hope that we use this situation as a learning experience and try to be proactive in our own lives. We as a people have to start making choices and decisions to turn our country around and as methusla said, not destroy ourselves from within. But, we do have to do this by working together and education is where we need to start, regardless of who we feel is responsible for this.
January 20, 2007 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Amen
January 20, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I say again, The reason the government does not put the immigrants into a camp to patriate them into the way of life in this country, is because the rich corporations are buying congressmen and congresswomens' votes on policy making in order for the corporations' to pay cheap labor and line the board of directors, stockholders, ceos', ect. pockets with gold. You know money causes blindness and looking the other way.
January 20, 2007 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brooklyn (anonymous) says...
I would like to reflect on what Methsula reported from the World Health Organization's assessment of how harmful TB is. If we accept their statements that TB is a pandemic, then why are we letting any immigrant into the United States with TB. If the thrid world countries accept TB as a fact of life what makes us think that someone from a third world country will monitor their Latent TB and seek treatment if it becomes active? The person who died that worked at Tyson didn't. Now I do not want to generalize to a whole group of people based upon what one person did, but it makes me wonder how they perceive TB. Again I would like to pose the question of where are the gate keepers of our country. According to the eligibility criteria for someone who may apply to be resettled in the United States of America as established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "a person who is determined to have a communicable disease of public health significance" is not eligible. If the WHO determined in 2003 that TB is a pandemic, then one could safely say that immigrants with TB (Latent or active) should not be allowed to settle in our country. TB is a communicable disease of public health significance. And Somalians have not just setteld in Emporia. They came to Emporia from the processing center in Minnesota. They have also settled in other parts of the country. Just look at all the different Licsence plates at the Ayan Cafe on 12th street where they congregate.
January 20, 2007 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esustudent (anonymous) says...
Wow...just wow...There was a comment made about the locals getting off drugs and showing up for work. Think about that for just one minute. I know two locals who are now supervisors at Tyson becuase they got off their ass and did something.
I'm glad that we've all veered away from hating blacks and gays, but that doesn't mean you should move on to a new hatred. The Somolians left their country as refugees, that means they are in a "safer" place here. If I were them, I would rather be in my country risking a bullet in my ass, than somewhere full of ignorant people who are ungrateful for what they have. Seriously, maybe you should all spend some more time with your family, kids, friends, rather than posting comments about something you don't plan to do anything about. Complain all you want, but unless you're going to do something about it you really have no right to. As an athlete growing up, and my mother as a coach, if I got an injury, I'd better put ice on it and take some aleve, or I had no right to complain about pain. Same goes for all you complainers right now. If you aren't going to do something, don't whine. And my something I don't mean commit a hate crime. If you are so passionate about not wanting people here, try to get a law against it. Some ignorant people felt that gays shouldn't be allowed to be married, so they made it illegal. One should not under-estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
I personally do not agree with the anti-marriage laws, or with one that would send all "those people" back home, but seriously, no ice and aleve, no right to whine. Think about it.
One more thing, to the person who said they can track their ancestory back to Native American, good for you, use that to get financial aid and get an EDUCATION!
January 20, 2007 at 7:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
OK: I will try AGAIN to explain how things are done in all aspects of government in this country! A large rich corporation or individual wants something done that will favor them so they can make even more money. What they do is hire a LOBBYIST and give him or her an open ended check book or a briefcase or suitcase whichever the case may be filled with money to buy the vote of a congressman or congresswoman to vote favorably on legislation or laws that will benefit that rich corporation or individual, such as allowing that rich corporation or individual to import immigrants at cheap wages, therefore your corrupt congressmen and congresswomen are the gatekeepers you are wondering about!
January 20, 2007 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Also is it possible that the AMERICAN workers that you accuse of being fat, lazy, drug users are none of these things at all, but could be smart enough not to work for a pittance of a wage when they know that the company that they are working for is making astounding sums of money as the fruits of their labors and the workers only want a fair living wage instead of living at the poverty level so the company and its executives can live on easy street.
January 20, 2007 at 8:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hey, esustudent did you know that this countrys' NATIVE AMERICANS live in the most abject poverty of anyone and they can get know help from anyone! So if anyone needs to get an EDUCATION it is you, stay in school you need it, because you have no intelligence or common sense what-so-ever.
January 20, 2007 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
One more thing to esustudent, I attended ESU way before it was known as ESU and I worked a job while attending KSTC, and paid for my own education, there was no such thing as STUDEN AID, so I couldn't borrow someone elses money to play my to higher learning and then not pay it back! Now that said, lets try to get back to the main topic of this blog site (TB).
January 20, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
Why did this turn into a bashing debate? I understand that we all have the right to make comments, but do we really want to "go there". None of us know who anybody really is, so we may be bashing our neighbor, a relative, or even a friend. Let's keep this nice!!!
January 21, 2007 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Amen, jenna414, isn't it funny how a public forum on a certain subject can turn into something entirely different!
January 21, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Here's a nice, civil suggestion for Wal-Mart, banks and all other businesses in Emporia: Adopt the policy and train your employees, namely tellers, check-out people, etc... that people who cut in line and push others aside, treat them rudely, etc... (no matter WHO they are - Somalian or otherwise) - ANYBODY that acts this way will NOT be waited on, and will have to go to the end of the line and wait their turn like everyone else.....
January 21, 2007 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
open-eyes, Let me open your eyes to some of the facts of life about WAL-MART and any other business or corporation whos'soul purpose is to make money for its executives and ceos and stockholders. These money mongers are not going to turn away any potential customer and they will do anything they can to get that customer to spend money in their establishment. Here's another little known fact about WAL-MART, not to long ago WAL-MART imposed a wage cap on all of its hourly employees, which means when an hourly employee reaches his or her maxium wage for their specific job classification, he or she will no longer receive a raise, either in the form of encentive raises nor cost of living increase, also WAL-MART hourly employees don't receive any sort of wage increase when the mimimum wage is increased, so therefore if the mimimum wage should happen to go to lets say $7.00 per hour and you have worked for WAL-MART lets say for 8 years and are just now making $8.50 per hour the person that starts work at WAL-MART for $7.00 per hour will already be making almost as much as the person who has worked for WAL-MART for 8 years. Now hows that for sticking it to the people that have made and will continue to make WAL-MART what it is today. Would you stand for such treatment from your EMPLOYER no matter who that employer was.
January 22, 2007 at 6:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
brooklyn (anonymous) says...
What does the conversation about Wal Mart have to do with immigrants with communicable diseases being allowed to come into the United States and compormise our health standards? Have we forgotten that there is a significant health hazzard in Emporia? And do we know all of the facts that related to the death of the Tyson employee? How many people have been exposed to TB through direct or indirect (contact with others whom he infected) contact? Where is the KDHE and the Local health department in regards to containing the potential outbreak of TB? The newsrelease stated that TB was a factor in his death. That leads me to wonder if there are other diseases involved in his death that we have not been informed about.
January 22, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
brooklyn: Your right, discussing WAL-MART is straying from the real topic of TB, but I thought I would give open_eyes just a little info on why WAL-MART and others won't train or require their employees to not serve any customer, regardless of who that customer might be or how they may act.
So now back to the real topic of TB with a little more education on TB. The following info comes straight from the CDC and again I quote: "TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings or spits. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these FB germs can become infected, this is called latent TB infection ".
" People with latent TB infectioon have TB herms in their bodies, but they are not sick because the germs are not active. These people do not have symptoms of TB disease, and they do not have symptoms of TB disease and they cannot spread the germs to others. However they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed treatment to prevent them from developing TB disease."
However the person that worked for TYSON and died from TB disease had active TB disease and therefore was capable of infecting who knows how many other people! Also according to the CDC sub-SAHARAN Africa has the highest number of TB cases per capita (400 cases per 100,000 population), so I leave it to you to draw your own conclusions about immigration and the governments total disregard for an increasing problem!
January 22, 2007 at 11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Actually, I respectfully disagree. I think it would only take a few instances of people being cut in front of leaving their carts and walking out not buying and management would be soiling themselves in their hurry to implement a policy to not lose those customers. I didn't say turn people away that cut in, I said tell them to go to the back of the line. Please read a little closer.
But enough about that. Back to TB. I agree with the opinion posted in the Gazette labeled "Think About It". I agree it would be helpful if the victim's name was released so that other people might possibly be able to determine if they came into contact with that person. I'm not all that confident and trusting of the health department's ability to track everyone down, given how the case has been handled so far.
January 22, 2007 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Knowing what I know from visiting the various websites and learning about TB and finding out that the TB bacilli or germ can stay in the air for several hours(depending on the environment) I wonder if the germ can also linger in exhaled cigeratte smoke, etc., if the person who smokes has active TB disease, I'm thinking (yes) so that would make that infected persons' exhaled cigarette smoke potentially more hazardous than it would normally be!
January 23, 2007 at 6 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I too agree with Patrick Kelley, the person who died of active TB disease should have his or her name and picture published on the front page of the GAZETTE, afterall if this person were a child molester wouldn't his or her name and identity be made known to the public by various means, the citizens of Emporia deserve to know all the facts about this incident. Maybe someone has been in contact with this person at one of the various businesses in Emporia, how are the citizens of Emporia going to know if they have been exposed to this individual unless the citizens of Emporia know who this person is? Should everyone in Emporia get tested for TB?
Is this going to turn into a case of cover-up and smoke and mirrors as happens all to often in cases such as this!
January 23, 2007 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
Oh my, now we are comparing a person with an illness to a criminal?????? If you have been paying attention to all of the information you have posted, NOT everyone in Emporia needs to be tested.
January 24, 2007 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
WOW! I don't think comparing a person with a potentially deadly illness to a criminal is too far different than an official of the KDHE saying that someone with a comunicable disease such as TB is similar to someone with high blood preassure, (if they don't take their medication).
I just hope that a native EMPORIAN doesn't contract TB because of this incident, because if they do things will change in a hurry.
January 24, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IgnoranceisaliveandwellinEtown (anonymous) says...
Wow!! I see not much has changed in Etown, the ignorance and hatred towards anyone of color or who is "different" is still alive and strong. I see that the youger baby boomers and the gen Xers have kept the hatred and bigotry alive just like the older generations did when I grew up here (not too long ago in the 80's). I love the way some of you are saying "those" people, a human being is a human being WE all deserve to be treaty as such!! Before you start becoming experts on TB why don't you go to the CDC's website and educate yourselves?
January 24, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I by no means am an expert on TB, however I did visit the CDC website along with visits to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS' website and the CLEVELAND CLINIC FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION website and received an eye opening education to the seriousness of TB. If you would have taken the time to read and understand the info from these websites I posted on this blogsite you to may be surprised at the info from these organizations, for instance the CLEVELAND CLINIC CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION states that "TB is the second leading cause of death worldwide, after HIV/AIDS, killing nearly 2 million people each year".
I don't hate anyone, I am just sick and tired of people setting on their butts and accepting that what happens and is happing in this country and community as something that is supposed to happen and nothing can be done about it, I am just saying that everyone regardless of age, color, sex, culture or religious beliefs should be required to prove that they are not a health threat to this country or anyother country before they are allowed to immigrate to another country from their country and all business and corporations, etc. should require all job applicants to have a complete physical before they are hired. I mean whats next EBOLA, TYPHOID, DIPTHERIA, SMALLPOX, HANTA VIRUS, etc.
January 24, 2007 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lollerskate (anonymous) says...
Caps lock is cruise control for cool. zing.
January 25, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I think that Emporians should be more worried about the people around them having HIV/AIDS and the drugs issues in this town, I am mored concerned with that than TB.
January 25, 2007 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Boy! you people just don't get it do you!
I GIVE UP!
January 25, 2007 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I get it, but I think that there is more to life than worrying about catching some disease that is preventable and curable.
January 26, 2007 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I really don't think you do get it! What is more to life than life and the quality of life, is it Money, Social Status, What your neighbor or friend thinks of you , Keeping up with the Joneses ? To me the most important thing to worry about is my life, my familys' lives, my fellow countrymen and countrywomens' lives and the quality of life and health that we have and stopping any threat to that quality of life wheather it be abroad or domestic. You yourself say you are worried about people around you having HIV/AIDS and the drug issue in town, well HIV/AIDS can be and is brought here by immigrants as is the drug problem in this country, because the drug problem in this country can be and is an imported problem or disease, caused by both domestic and immigrant (MULES) used to bring the drugs into this country. And our government is doing very little or nothing to control or stop either the disease or drug problem.
January 27, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lollerskate (anonymous) says...
"And our government is doing very little or nothing to control or stop either the disease or drug problem."
You have no idea what you are talking about do you? Broad generalizations about stopping the spread of AIDS and the War on Drugs ... please go read some more before you start making uneducated comments.
From Wikipedia:
"In 1994, it was reported that the War on Drugs incarcerates 1 million Americans a year. Of the 1 million drug arrests each year, about 225,000 are for simple possession of marijuana, the fourth most common cause of arrest in the United States. In the 1980s, while the number of arrests for all crimes was rising 28 percent, the number of arrests for drug offenses rose 126 percent.[10] The United States has a higher proportion of its population incarcerated than any other country in the world for which reliable statistics are available — reaching a total of 2.2 million inmates in the in 2005."
Linkified : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_D...
Sounds like they are doing something doesn't it? Granted they may be doing it WRONG, but they are trying to stop it, unlike you claim. kthxbai
January 27, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Sounds like the wrong people are be punished by the government for the drug and disease import problem, mainly the people that use the illegal drugs and the people that are going to suffer because of the import of diseases. Appears to me that the people that need to be stomped on and punished are the immigrants, etc. that are bringing the illegal drugs and diseases into this country instead of the unfortunate people who happened to get hooked on the illegal drugs and those who become ill because of the imported diseases, doesn't sound like the government is getting a handle on the real problem and that is the problem of supply. Common sense tells me that if you stop the flow (a.k.a. ) supply, the problem will basically be stopped, but legislators, rich corporations and rich individuals are to busy making themselves rich by stealing all the money they can, while they can from the gullable americans (like you and me) who believe anything and every thing that these legislator, rich corporations, and rich individuals tell you (us). I say its time for us as americans to start holding these legislators, rich corporations and rich individuals accountable for the mess this country has been in and is currently in. Sometimes common sense is worth more than education!
January 28, 2007 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
No, what I am saying is that I am enjoying my life, my family, my HEALTH. I do worry about diseases, but I am educated enough to protect myself and educate the one's that I love. I am not sitting at my computer all day wasting time digging for reasons to hate immigrants and posting them on this site. Anyway, gotta go I am going to spend the day with my family.
January 28, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lollerskate (anonymous) says...
Never argue with an idiot, people watching will have a hard time determining who is whom.
Enjoy your ignorance.
January 29, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I have worked, fought and bled for this country for almost 50 years now, and now I do not have the right to my opinion because I am an ignorant idiot! You hippocrits in your Ivory Towers that let others protect your A_ses and your right to your freedoms and opinions are the ones I hope to GOD are going to see this country go down the tubes because of your attitudes and the lack of action by your government. When your job is taken by some immigrant and you and your family are fighting for your life because of some disease brought to you by some immigrant then talk to me, but until then if you want to see a true ignorant idiot go set in front of a mirror and try to carry on an intelligent conversation.
January 29, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JD_number_07 (anonymous) says...
Methusla, what is your problem? You are blaming the Government and immigrants for all the ills of the country and are lecturing to everyone that you hope the country goes down the tubes just to spite everyone who disagrees with you. Are you some sort of Communist or Nazi? Don't you have any respect for the 1st Amendment? Just because you are a native born American, doesn't make you or your opinions better than anyone else's. If you are so disappointed in the way this country is run, why don't you leave, you have the freedom to do that, unlike the Communist Russia you seem to what America to be. Love it or Leave it.
January 29, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
I wasn't going to comment on Methulsla's remarks about people getting free money to go to college, but now that her other comments have pissed me off, I guess I will.
First and foremost I have used financial aid twice, only I have to pay it back, so NOT everyone is getting a "free" education. Second of all I would rather give free money to people to pay for college and room and board and have them go out and make something of themselves, than to see them work a dead end job or sit at home and become baby factories to get "free" money. I honestly feel sorry for you. You are so caught up in what the government is doing and what others are doing. Worry about yourself, enjoy life and remember Life isn't Fair!
January 29, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Oh, now you have pissed me off. Your the kind of people who seem to put the blame for this countrys' problems on everyone but the ones' who deserve the real blame and thats the people in our government and the people who run the people in our government with payoffs and bribes and the people who sit idlely by and let it happen and thats you, me and everyone else that accepts the situation without getting a little upset about it! Like I said I fought and bled for this country and I am no NAZI or COMMUNIST and as for leaving this country, This country belonged to my ancestors long before your ancestors infested it, so kiss my ass, Oh by the way Methusla was not a woman he was a very old and wise man.
January 29, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
Damn Right Methusla!! It's not that I agree or disagree with him or anyone else. But this has quickly turned to an attack on a man who fought and BLED so that we could voice our opinions. Also an opinion should not be an attack on someones intellegence. We should should be a little more civil and not resort to name calling (But that's just my opinion). As for "Life is not fair", "If you don't like it get out", or anything to that meaning. If we stood by and just accepted that "Life isn't Fair", and there nothing we can do about it. We would be under England's rule. So, I applaud everyone for taking the time to share your opinions. It was fun to engage in conversation.
January 30, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JD_number_07 (anonymous) says...
I apologize for upsetting you, but I was simply pointing out that you are a hypocrate.
"Your the kind of people who seem to put the blame for this countrys' problems on everyone but the ones' who deserve the real blame."
You are blaming the government for all the drug problems and the immigrates for all the diseases of this country. We wouldn't have a people smuggling drugs into this country if it wasn't for the huge demand for them and we have plenty of home grown diseases (hanta virsus, anyone). This is a democracy, so if you are going to blame the government for all of these problems, the same government that you "fought and bled" for, the same government that you elected, who do you have to blame but yourself?
January 30, 2007 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4_Emporia (anonymous) says...
We are all to blame. We elect the officials and we stand by and talk a big game and do nothing. If you stand up and say something then good, but if you sit there and do nothing. Well, we can only blame ourselves. Not YOU, THEM, OR THEY, BUT US.
January 31, 2007 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
Active TB can be spread. The 46 people that were tested either showed up negative or positive for TB. IF they did test positive, it still doesn't mean that they are infectous.
February 2, 2007 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollingdavidspade (anonymous) says...
but if you have someone that has tb why would you want them in our country in the first place. you dont know when tb is active or inactive and there is no way of telling just from physical appearance. TB is a life threatening disease, obviously. we are putting our country at serious risk.
February 3, 2007 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jenna414 (anonymous) says...
There are a lot of people I would prefer not to have in this country and they aren't all immigrants. However, it's not my choice. We don't know how many people have diseases and who is to say that your American friend or neighbor doesn't have it from traveling outside of the United States or working in a nursing home, hospital, correctional facility, homeless shelter, etc. So let's not put this all on the immigrants. These diseases were here long before this unfortunate incident happened. Unfortunately, it took a death of a person, someone's child, for Emporia to open there eyes. We are the "land of the free and the home of the brave", but sometimes I think it should be the land of the greedy and the home of the paranoid. I am guilty too, however my eyes and and ears are wide open now.
February 4, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I realize alot of times this discussion strays from TB, but at least we are getting people to open their eyes. In 10 years, even if we have an outbreak, TB is going to be the least of people's problems. And it will happen, because people don't care (they'll buy gas from Hugo Chavez & all our actors will buddy up to him if he sells it 2 cents cheaper), or they just don't really think about things. We've had people on this board spouting about the intolerance being shown immigrants (but who's really being intolerant when shoving at WalMart?) while ranting about anti-gay marriage laws. Apparently that person has no idea about how gays are treated in Muslim society. Kindof like a vegetarian campaigning for more meat-packing plants. We've also had people talking about how Somalian women do not feel they are mistreated. I'd like to borrow a clip here to give you a little insight into how Somalian women are treated in the following post - please notice the number is estimated at 98 percent....
February 5, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Similarly, the common practice of female genital cutting (FGC) is certain to create controversy here in the U.S. An estimated 98% of Somali girls 8-10 years of age undergo FGC, usually Type III (or infibulation), which consists of the removal of the clitoris, the adjacent labia (majora and minora), followed by the pulling of the scraped sides of the vulva across the vagina. The sides are then secured with thorns or sewn with catgut or thread. A small opening to allow passage of urine and menstrual fluid is left. An infibulated woman must be cut open to allow for intercourse on her wedding night, and the opening may then be closed again afterwards to secure fidelity to her husband."female circumcision," where the clitoris and part of the labia is excised, ostensibly to keep women pure and chaste. Web sites concerned with the issue include http://www.fgm.org/ and http://rainbo.org. For a more extensive discussion and current classification of FGC, readers are also referred to the section on Refugee Women in this site.
February 5, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I'm not intolerant. People have the right to dress how they please, talk/eat/entertain/worship do everything how they please, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. Apparently in this country it is too much to ask of immigrants to adhere to the same principles. I've heard the immigrants referred to as refugees, but are they truly? Since it is the Muslims driving out all the other groups in Somalia (how's that for tolerance), and they are all Muslim, (Tyson spent over $50,000 to build them a prayer room), are they truly refugees? Given their treatment of women, I'm not sure they classify as what I would call "moderate" Muslims. To borrow the quote on the news recently from the "moderate" Muslim mosque in London, "Even if the woman has a PHD, she is inferior to the man". And, yes, I do know some moderate Muslims and get along with them fine.
As I said, TB will be the least of this country's problems (indeed, the entire world's) in 10 years. And I will probably be too depressed to bother to log into this site and say "I told you so". So to wrap it up, all I'm asking is that the government and companies check a little closer on the background and health issues of immigrants before bringing them into this country, and do a little better job of educating THEM first. I'm doing what small part I can. I VOTE, and I post here to get some people to at least open their eyes a little. I'm not asking everyone to agree with me - just THINK about it.....
February 5, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leo6914 (anonymous) says...
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS AMERICAN IS IMMIGRANTS NOT ILLEGAL ALIENS.....EVERYONE IS WORRIED ABOUT DISEASES AND SAYS IT COMES FROM IMMIGRANTS IT DOES NOT COME FROM IMMIGRANTS IT COMES FROM ILLEGIAL ALIENS, IF YOU CAME INTO THE COUNTRY LEGALLY YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN TESTED, ILLEGIALLY NO TESTING.
February 9, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
This video by a Somalian woman is a must see - scroll towards the bottom and click on the YouTube video...
http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?p...
February 12, 2007 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Gosh, no comments about how happy Somalian women are.... the silence is deafening....
March 9, 2007 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )