Excited Delirium

I’m in a ‘blame the CBC’ mood today because I’ve heard a string of absurd stories on the radio this morning that I simply can’t ignore.

This time, it’s all about the death of Wiarton Willie.

Science, 1; Abiding by myths associated with furry rodents, 0.

In other words, the CBC is perpetuating the stupidity the underlies adherence to ‘traditions’ and ‘superstition’ as opposed to chatting with a meteorologist (who, it can be argued, abide by their own version of ’50/50 chance of anything’).

I know … these are ‘human interest stories’ that knit together the fabric that is our loving and fun society. But really, they’re not.

C’mon CBC. Read your own ‘damning’ statistics about Canadians not trusting ‘science’ and run some real stories.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they go out and interview someone that wants to blame the earthquakes in Mexico on its celebration of sodomy and homosexual rights.

Oh wait … I think they just did.

No, it’s not meant to be a riddle.

I’ve seen several stories of late that are about people’s inability to cope with ‘science’.

This article with the CBC is just the latest in a growing pile of steaming turds that turn my stomach.

What the CBC misses – and perpetuates – is that people don’t trust corporate science because it’s driven by the profit motive, not the public’s best interest.

Occasional, the two overlap, but rarely.

So yeah, I ‘doubt science’ because science hasn’t been ‘science’ for decades.

Agendas have interfered with observation.

Messages have interfered with methodology.

Obfuscation has interfered with unbiased data collection and analysis.

What we have today is ‘corporate science’ driven by profit motive. Data that doesn’t agree with ‘corporate science’ gets tossed and is ignored.

People are told by the media that ‘corporate science’ is good for us. Look how long it’s taken to break through the lies of smoking, carbon, vaccines, pesticides and more.

Unfortunately, the CBC is using public funds to perpetuate this cycle by not digging into some of the explosive stories that are in front of our faces and using it’s brand to cow the public into thinking we should be ashamed because we doubt the junk that’s coming out of someone’s corner office.

This is like burning an atheist at the stake because that person correctly uses unbiased science to show that there is no God.

Today, we idolize the almighty dollar instead of a God.

Shame on the CBC for keeping this cycle going.

This morning’s ‘The House’ on CBC covered the opioid crisis in Canada.

The full podcast and story can be found here.

I don’t know where to start with this, but here are a few random thoughts:

1. Most opioids came onto the market as part of a ‘get rich quick’ scheme for a small handful of pharmaceutical companies;
2. Most doctors bought into the literature concerning highly addictive drugs like Fentanyl and seemed to prescribe them.  By last year, there were roughly 20 million opioid-related, commercially produced pills on the street;
3. This has become a FEDERAL issue and leadership is needed immediately;
4. One pharmaceutical company – Purdue – got a slap on the wrist for not advising the medical community about the hazards and addictive potential of drugs like Fentanyl;
5. Everyone is saying we need more Nalaxone – another name brand product brought to us by pharmaceutical companies – to stock the shelves to help addicts.

Of course, all governments around the world are facing the same crisis.

Here are some thought how we in Canada can address the issues:

1. Ban the commercial use and distribution of opioids immediately.
2. Prevent anyone in the medical community from prescribing them.
3. Sue and pursue the pharmaceutical companies that have profited from creating this crisis. If, in the case of Purdue, we can’t sue any further, block them from the Canadian health care system until they commit to spending every dollar earned from Canadian taxpayers on remediation and treatment programs.  From their own pockets.
4. Treat the root of the issue as a mental health issue. ANYONE that takes an opioid today should be seen as suicidal given the risks of addiction and difficulty with withdrawal.
5. If Naloxone or any other preventative kits are to be used by any public authority, the pharmaceutical companies that have profited from the opioid crisis should donate them. While our government ‘gives the kits away for free‘, we know that taxpayers ultimately have to foot the bill for this.  The question is ‘how much?’

These drugs have rapidly crushed the heart and soul of many downtown areas, sent tens of thousands of people into a world of addiction and sorrow and are killing dozens every single day.

The price of the stop-gap solution – Naloxone – has skyrocketed over the past few years, not because it’s a rare commodity, but because of price gouging.  Another story here.

One of the producers of Naloxone kits – Amphastar – generated nearly $40 million (US) from the kits.

WIRED Magazine calls the system perverse.

I agree.

We fret about bullshit issues like marijuana and control of alcohol and yet we are so blindly out of control with opioids.

I’m accused of being a moron and a paranoid animal that hates my child when it comes to vaccines, but when I look at how these companies are gouging governments in response to a crisis that they helped create, is it any wonder I’m concerned about their ability to act in the public interest?

They don’t report to me, they report to shareholders.

Shame on those who let it get so far so quickly.

The Wynne government has announced that they will create yet another monopoly to control the sale and distribution of marijuana in Ontario.

They must be high.

The plan is up in smoke.

Maybe they’re smoking their own stash.

Insert other pot-related expression to exhibit how stupid a plan this is.

We DO NOT need another monopoly for the sale of a legal product in Ontario.

The government’s LCBO is already on its last legs and we’re in the process of privatizing it by allowing grocery licenses and direct distribution to larger food and retail monopolies (mom and pop shops need not apply).

Add to this the simple FACT that marijuana is easy to grow.

It’s not like wine or spirits (or even beer) that require a good knowledge of how to ferment products without killing yourself (which is why the ‘control’ aspect was brought in under Prohibition years a century ago).

It’s called ‘weed’ after all.

As weed is decriminalized (planned for as late as July 1, 2018), people will be able to grow marijuana in their own backyards or basements.

Controlling the sale and distribution of marijuana will be a COMPLETE WASTE of taxpayer dollars.  It’s not a product that can be monopolized because it will be ubiquitous.

Focus on your legal issues, Wynne.

Suspended.

For torturing a teen.

If they can’t follow the law, the law will follow them.