Norman Man stabbed in back

A Norman man was released from the hospital monday after being stabbed in the back. He cannot identify his assailant, but claims to have been stabbed in the back while taking out the trash.

This is crazy random! From someone living in Norman, who sometimes takes out the trash, I'm horrified! Sometimes, there are those garbage rats who are just hungry and territorial. Norman, be cautious.

Darkness Falls

Day turned into night, temperatures turned cooler in cities and villages teemed with amateur stargazers. The total eclipse started in India on Wednesday morning and moved eastward across Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, China and parts of the Pacific. Total eclipses occur about twice a year as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun on the same plane as Earth's orbit. Wednesday's event lasted up to more than six minutes in some places.
Ok I have never seen an eclipse in my life! I believe one occurred when I was young and in day care however they felt it was a safety matter and didn’t let us see it. It is really a remarkable phenomenon considering how long it takes light to reach us. It takes 8 minutes for light to reach us and it is truly remarkable when it can be completely dark.

Obama Defends Health Care

The President is currently working on passing a reform, but a few issues still needed working out. Congress is currently debating various reform proposals. Certain questions keep posing disagreement. The primary concern that Americans are talking about is their result in paying for it. Obama has made it fairly certain he is not just planning to tax the middle class. But some are still in question of his decisions due to the economic crisis.
I am riding then fence on this issue. I somewhat agree this policy due to the fact countries such as Argentina has their medical issues covered if one is sick. However, the way our country is budgeted with hungry Americans only wanting more, we are too selfish to think of others. As a college student paying my own way, yes it would be easier to sleep at night knowing if I had a heart attack in my sleep I would be taken care of. But in this Country, I don’t see this ever happening.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8164177.stm

22 Year HIV travel Ban May Be Lifted for Infected Visitors

22 years ago a travel ban was set for immigrants to not be granted into US soil infected with HIV/Aids.

Now, 22 years ago today, the Department of Health and Human Services or the HHS has issued regulations allowing foreigners with HIV to enter the country.

In 1987, Congress voted to impose a travel ban for the US having all immigrants who were infected with HIV denied from our country. Currently people with a communicable disease on the "banned" list can pay $545 to apply for travel ban waiver. according to http://www.medpagetoday.com/HIVAIDS/HIVAIDS/14964 Visitors could have applied for these waivers though some felt it would have branded them as HIV positive and jeopardize their future citizenship or career.

The AIDS advocates are excited for the plan to be lifted. When congress voted this law, they were wrongly feared that the disease could be spread through casual contact, said Dr. Michael Saag, incoming chairman on the HIV Medicine Association. Saag feels there is no scientific or health rationale for excluding people with HIV infection from the US and that it is an embarrassment.

According MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910664/ns/health-aids/ immigration critics say it could possibly injure our country financially. If this ban were lifted it would allow 4,275 HIV-infected people into the country annually and a lifetime medical cost of $94 million for those admitted in just that first year!

Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, believes it becomes a matter of collective responsibility and cost. Also he claims to be in question as to why Americans should have to be in a position to pay for it. Others are also concerned that HIV positive visitors could possibly spread the disease.

MSNBC also states that more than 1.1 million people in the US are infected with HIV and more than 250,000 remain undiagnosed. Also that every year 56,000 people in the US are newly infected. Though some believe it to be a death sentence for these foreigners to be allowed into US soil, this ban was also reformed and allocated when it was thought HIV could spread by kissing or as little as hugging someone.

If people are not familiar with the issue are surprised at the proposal to reverse the ban, it's likely because they haven't kept up on the progress of the HIV spread and treatment, said Phil Curtis, director of government affairs for the AIDS Project of Los Angeles.

"Today we are one step closer to ending a discriminatory practice that stigmatizes those living with HIV, squanders our moral authority, and sets us back in the fight against AIDS," said Senator John Kerry. "By proposing this rule, the Obama administration has made a powerful statement in favor of overturning the HIV travel and immigration band that has no foundation in public health or common since. There is no reason for this policy to remain on the books." http://immigrationequality.org/blog/?p=1009

It is well past time for the US to act upon the HIV policies for immigration in this country. As scientific studies have increased it has now reached a point for drugs to be able to allow an HIV infected citizen to live a normal life span. Though it may cause our increases in infected citizens, maybe it will increase a cure in medicine.

The public has 45 days to comment on the Federal Register notice according to http://www.medpagetoday.com/HIVAIDS/HIVAIDS/14964

Potter Frenzy

Harry Potter Half Blood Prince broke a record and made $20 million dollars in the midnight showing shattering the record of The Dark Knight ($18 million) and Star Wars ($17 million) . You can truly tell that the Sooner State has caught the Potter fever again. With all the theatres across the state completely sold out there is no wonder why this film won’t go down into history as the biggest film franchise.
College students, adults, children, all showed up in costumes who have grown up around Harry Potter in the past ten years were excited to see the film. The long witch robes and wands at hand and don’t forget the famous Potter glasses and a drawn on lightening scar.
I for one was part of the midnight showing and saw the midnight madness and as a potter fan myself I absolutely loved the excitement and the movie totally lived up the name as the summer highlight blockbuster.
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_196145918.html?start:int=15

Experienced Walkers Only -- IGNORED

An Australian man has spent 12 harrowing days in the New Wales South Mountains. He claimed to have slept under a log and wrapped in his jacket during his survival. This was not only ridiculously scary for him, but his family and search efforts were giving up hope. He failed to show up at a set of caves the day after he set out on a supposed day trip.

As an outdoor person myself, I am simultaneously scared and thrilled. Scared that this may happen to me at some point, in hostilities or maritime. Yet deep down, I'm simultaneously thrilled that I can have this story to tell at some point in the future. I know that's terrible, but who doesn't want to be survivorwoman for a few days. No one really, I'm crazy.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25785449-5014090,00.html

What is $9k when you make a million a year?

(To answer my own question, it's not even 1 percent of a million dollars.) A health plan is formulating in the US House of representatives. Bear in mind, this is an young, young bill. It will most likely be changed radically.

The current plan calls for raising taxes on the wealthiest americans, and employers which do not provide health care for their employees. The plan looks to expand health care coverage to those 50 million currently without coverage.

I personally see a national health care plan as a moral imperative. With 98% of people not paying any more taxes due to this plan, I can't see how that same 98% of people wouldn't support this. The tired act of Republicans to scare people with raising taxes, and governmental control are ridiculous. You're taxes won't go up, and you're health is already controlled by a group of people trying to make a profit off of your health.

That makes true sense.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/health/policy/15health.html?ref=us