Perry orders anti-cancer vaccine for schoolgirls

Originally published at Twixel.net. You can comment here or there.

AUSTIN (AP) — Bypassing the Legislature, Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

By issuing an executive order, Perry apparently sidesteps opposition in the Legislature from conservatives and parents’ rights groups who fear such a requirement would condone premarital sex and interfere with the way parents raise their children.

Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade — meaning, generally, girls ages 11 and 12 — will have to get Gardasil, Merck & Co.’s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-02-02-texas_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
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Although I think this HPV vaccine should be included with the DPT requirement - it absolutely should not be required until there is a very cheap, and non-monopoly vendor product.
And what the hell is up with Hypocrite Perry? This guy is a fundie. And this vaccine, in a round about way, has to do with sex. Which we all know is evil right? Hahaha. And The thought of this loser making any decisions about womens health gives me the heebie jeebies.

Bush finally accepts science on warming

Originally published at Twixel.net. You can comment here or there.

The White House yesterday embraced a new international report faulting humans for global warming, marking the furthest President Bush has gone in placing blame.
But administration officials again rejected the Kyoto-style caps on carbon emissions that have been the preferred solution of European nations.
The report, released in Paris by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the fact that the Earth is now warming “is unequivocal,” and said it is “very likely” that human activity is responsible for many of the changes.
“Human activity is contributing to changes in our Earth’s climate, and that issue is no longer up for debate,” said Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman, who took great pains in a press conference yesterday to point out that U.S. research money and science was critical to producing the report.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070202-105426-1955r.htm
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It’s about time he at least acknowledged it.

Texas lawmaker introduces legislation to make missing parent/teacher meetings a $500 fine

Originally published at Twixel.net. You can comment here or there.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/02/01/parents.fined.ap/

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Parents beware: Miss a meeting with your child’s teacher and it could cost you a $500 fine and a criminal record.

A Republican state lawmaker from Baytown has filed a bill that would charge parents of public school students with a misdemeanor and fine them for playing hooky from a scheduled parent-teacher conference.

Rep. Wayne Smith said Wednesday he wants to get parents involved in their child’s education.

“I think it helps the kids for the parents and teachers to communicate. That’s all the intent was,” Smith said.
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Good grief. Hey “lawmakers”. STFU. Quit making your GD Nanny-State laws.