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July 3, 2008

Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski: A spiritual budget (TOUCHING!)

Jeff Jacoby: Israel still paying for its defeat

JWisdom:: Re-Jew-venating prayer, Part IV by Rabbi David Aaron

July 2, 2008

Jonathan Tobin: Appeasers Make Poor Patriots

The Kosher Gourmet By Kathleen Purvis: Slaw, y'all: For BBQs or Sabbath dinner, these southern recipes are something else!

JWisdom:: Rabbi Mordechai Becher: Jewish Rx for A Simpler Life

July 1, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q. I think it's important to leave a legacy to my children. How much should I save towards this end?

Paul Greenberg:A President who is history deficient?

JWisdom:: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Poland's Unique Antisemitism

June 30, 2008

Jonathan Rosenblum: Remembering the architect of Torah Judaism for the modern world

Abe Novick: Hulk: Still a Jew?

JWisdom: : Putting the Spirit Back into Spirituality, Part 2: The Abandoned Child

June 26, 2008

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: Quantum leap to evil

Caroline B. Glick: Victimized families must not be allowed to dictate policy

June 25, 2008

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Today in Biblical History: King Jeroboam of Israel prevents pilgrimage to Jerusalem

Jonathan Tobin: Real Friends and Real Enemies

JWisdom: Raping of reason By Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

June 25, 2008

Steven Emerson: Kristof: Never Mind the Terrorists

Stratfor Intelligence Briefing: Mediterranean Flyover: Telegraphing an Israeli Punch?

JWisdom: Rabbi David Aaron: Re-Jew-venating prayer, Part III

June 24, 2008

Caroline B. Glick: What were they thinking!?

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Guilty knowledge

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Warping Innocence

June 23, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Diploma dilemma

Jeff Jacoby: A world without children

JWisdom: Rabbi Dovid Gross: Putting the Spirit Back into Spirituality --- Introduction

June 20, 2008

Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: Man: The Crowning Glory of Creation

Caroline B. Glick: Israel's darkest week

JWisdom: We aren't worthy? by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

June 19, 2008

Rabbi Elazar Meisels: The saints who don't come marchin' in

Chris Christoff: Muslim woman demands an apology from Obama after camera snub

June 18, 2008

Jonathan Tobin: Still Dancing Around Jerusalem

The Kosher Gourmet by Steve Petusevsky: Chilled fruit and vegetable soups

JWisdom: Souls Need A Check Up? by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

June 17, 2008

Rabbi Avi Shafran: Baby Einstein

Caroline B. Glick: Bush's rhetoric, Bush's policies

JWisdom: Re-Jew-venating prayer, Part II by Rabbi David Aaron

June 16, 2008

Varda Branfman: Bob Dylan, won't you please come home?

Diana West: Academic dares to question the 'religion of peace'

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Positive Backfire

June 13, 2008

Rabbi Berel Wein: Trading manna for whine

Caroline B. Glick: Peace with friends

JWisdom: From the mouths of by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

June 12, 2008

Michael Feldberg: Meet Paul Revere's pal, the Orthodox Jew who played a key role in laying Boston's cultural and business infrastructure

The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Manweiler: No need to be tempted by Wendy's mandarin chicken salad

JWisdom: Re-Jew-venating prayer, Part I by Rabbi David Aaron

June 11, 2008

Rabbi Avi Shafran: What would Hillel say?

Jonathan Tobin: UNRWA and NGOs: The Real U.N. 'Insult'

JWisdom: Sara Yoheved Rigler: Greatness Made Simple: How a momentary decision shifted life's course and destination

June 6, 2008

Rabbi Pinchas Stolper: Revelation: The basis of faith

Binyamin L. Jolkovsky: Mere hours after becoming Israel's new 'best friend' Obama backtracks on status of Jerusalem

Caroline B. Glick: UN choosing to protect rogue nuclear programs

JWisdom: Sameness in difference by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky

June 5, 2008

David Lightman: Now Obama wants to be Israel's newest 'best friend'

Obama's remarks to AIPAC policy conference

The Kosher Gourmet By Ethel G. Hofman: Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Lokshen Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread

JWisdom: Why a Jewish Jerusalem makes so many nervous by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

June 4, 2008

Jonathan Rosenblum: A different sort of 'religious broadcaster'

Jonathan Tobin: Misgivings on the Road to Damascus

JWisdom: 44 Years Without An Argument? by Sara Yoheved Rigler

June 3, 2008

Daniel Pipes: Obama vs. McCain on the Middle East

Everything's Relative: There is a crisis growing in Orthodox synagogues worldwide, reveals Jordan "Gorf" Gorfinkel

JWisdom: White Facades; Black Secrets by Rabbi Mordechai Becher

June 2, 2008

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: Lie to outsmart discriminator?

He writes the songs that make our souls sing:Gavriel Aryeh Sanders interviews Jewish music legend Ben Zion Shenker; includes stirring, uplifting song

JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Of laws and lives

March 22, 2007

J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !)

Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review March 23, 2007 / 4 Nissan, 5767

Parents Help halt mandatory HPV vaccinations

By Drs. Michael A. Glueck & Robert J. Cihak

The Medicine Men
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Sometimes the system works and the people prevail.


Case in point: the successful groundswell of public opposition to the well orchestrated and synchronized approval, release, and lobbying efforts by Merck, and governmental mandating of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil.


In a previous Medicine Men Column on Feb. 9, 2007, "Merck lobbyists work for papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine mandates: Parental rights advocates say mandate premature," we commented on both our own concerns and those of medical groups such as The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS):


At best, the vaccine is only partly effective. No study has actually shown cancer prevention, only a reduction in abnormal Pap smears.

Vaccine protection may only last a few years. Boosters may be needed every 10 years, or perhaps every five.

There is no public-health purpose for mandating HPV vaccine for schoolchildren.

Safety is a concern, and so far proof of safety is lacking. The vaccine is claimed to be safe and "well-tolerated," but studies have involved only a few thousand women, most over 16 years of age, for less than five years.

Mandates are medically unethical. All medical procedures, including vaccines, require informed consent, with rare exceptions.

A survey of pediatric practices in Virginia revealed that parents could be charged between $525 and $930 for the series of shots.

Laws were proposed in at least 18 states, including California, Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. The bill was narrowly defeated in Michigan.


Through the united efforts of the many organizations, individuals of the "Hands Off Our Kids" coalition there has been significant progress in halting the progress of HPV vaccine mandating in legislatures across the county.


The biggest news is in Texas, where the legislature has passed a bill overturning the governor's Executive Order with enough votes to kill his likely veto. Dawn Richardson worked tirelessly there.


In California, the bill's own sponsor tabled it this week because he realized he didnt even have enough votes to get it out of committee, much less pass the Assembly.


Washington and New Mexico have passed bills that call for information distribution only, not a mandate. And Wyoming has expanded funds to be available for low-income girls to receive the vaccine. Women picketed the D.C. city council last week to express their opposition.


The big disappointment is in Virginia, where the newly-elected Democrat Tim Kaine signed the mandate into law the beginning of this month.


On Feb. 22, Merck announced that it has suspended its campaign to persuade state legislatures to mandate Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine, for schoolgirls, after running into unexpected opposition from parents and medical groups.


Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., has introduced H.R. 1153, the "Parental Right to Decide Protection Act" that would block all federal funding for any vaccine mandate, including those passed by states.


A lead researcher who has been working on the HPV vaccine development for more than 20 years has now gone public, saying that the mandate is wrong, and could result in higher rates of cervical cancer. Further, she accuses the drug company of "overselling" the vaccine as a cancer preventative.


The lesson here is that when we have concerned parents and medical organizations working together in concert the people can make a difference.


The Texas retort gives us hope for Virginia and other states.


In retrospect I wonder whether the nation might not have been ready for a vaccine dropped so suddenly and were therefore blindsided without warning. Normally when there is a vaccine developed for long-known and feared medical monster contagious diseases like smallpox, polio and others the response is overwhelmingly enthusiastic.


In this case the public wanted and needed more information for an informed consent. Someday the HPV vaccine may be universally welcomed and this Medicine Man encourages and supports further studies.


Note: Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D., wrote this week's commentary

Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D., is a multiple award winning writer who comments on medical-legal issues. Robert J. Cihak, M.D., is a Discovery Institute Senior Fellow and a past president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. Both JWR contributors are Harvard trained diagnostic radiologists. Comment by clicking here.

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