Sunday Funnies

Ground ambulance Vs. HEMS

This will be the rare blog in which I discuss a profession with which I have been associated for 30-odd years. There are enough EMS blogs out there to chew up and spit out any conceivable splinter of the practice of pre-hospital medicine... and in much more eloquent fashion than I... so I tend to leave it to them.

However, while scanning the news I found one of those splinters upon which I feel compelled to comment. It was almost buried in all the other claptrap... and I almost missed it. 

Like everyone, I've followed the story of the tragedy in Tucson since it happened last Saturday. In the immediate aftermath I learned three helicopter ambulances were dispatched to the scene; with each transporting a wounded patient to University Medical Center. Knowing the city as I do, I wondered why helicopters were used and why we didn't simply transport by ground.

HEMS proponents will tell you that speed gained by utilizing air transport is critical in saving lives. Perhaps true in certain patients and in certain logistical settings. Transporting a CVA patient to a regional stroke center in the next city, or the victim of blunt, abdominal trauma in a rural setting 40 or 50 miles out... these could be candidates and likely would benefit from transport by helicopter. In Tucson all of the patients were gunshot victims, which under the correct circumstance would certainly qualify for air transport.

But that Safeway store is a ten minute leisurely drive to University Medical Center emergency room driveway, all  the way over congestion free city streets. 

So why the helicopters?

Rep. Gabby Giffords, one of the most critically wounded, survived. She was shot at 10:10 AM and arrived at UMC emergency department 31 minutes later. The pace of her recovery is being hailed as "miraculous" by UMC physicians. Efficient pre-hospital care, rapid patient packaging, and a short transport time to an appropriate trauma center can be credited with giving Rep. Giffords her chance for recovery.

It was therefore interesting to learn that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was transported by ground ambulance. 

###

UPDATE on WBC – Protest called off

Those wuvable whack-jobs of the WBC have bargained away the Tucson funeral protests in exchange for a new trump card. 

WBC spokesmouth Shirley Phelps-Roper told the Topeka Capitol-Journal that the pickets had been called off after she received an offer to appear on Mike Gallagher‘s nationally syndicated radio talk show, saying the WBC won't picket the funerals of any of the six victims of Saturday's shooting rampage in Tucson, Arizona. The right-wing radio jock made the offer Wednesday, and Phelps-Roper readily agreed.

All the loonies ever wanted was publicity. They have their wish now, and in spades. The show is supposed to air Monday. This should be entertaining.

###

Reflections on laws limiting the WBC

Slightly conflicting comments to my previous post caused me to stop and think. By the way I wrote the post the reader likely gets the idea that I am in favor of the State of Arizona’s move to enact laws limiting 1A rights for the pathetic fools of the Westboro Baptist Church. To a large degree that is correct, but from another, very libertarian perspective, perhaps not.

In her comment, MiniKat states:

”I find the idea of states enacting legislation to limit WBC's protesting both good and disturbing.

Good on the hand that they're a bunch of ignominious clods that really need a reality check. Also good that it's an example of state's rights. Disturbing on the other hand that worries about First Amendment rights."

Kat is correct that the state enacting laws limiting enumerated rights is an endeavor fraught with peril. However, individual rights do not, and should never trump the common good.

Although there is no discernable difference today, three of the original 13 colonies were chartered as commonwealths. The term ”Commonwealth”, or ”Commonweal” literally means common good.

John Adams, writing in the preamble to the Constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that the body politic (the state) should provide for the citizens ”the power of enjoying, in safety and tranquility, their natural rights and the blessings of life.” Adams further describes the body politic as a "social compact" in which the people agree to be governed by laws designed for the "common good."

The Massachusetts Constitution was the first document of its sort ever written, and was used as the basis for the U.S. Constitution. Our founders recognized that there would be instances where the State must enact laws placing limits on individual rights with the intent of providing for the common good. As Adams wrote, "the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity, and happiness."

Shouting "FIRE" in a crowded theatre is a violation of law; so should be the taunting and tormenting of grieving families.

###

Those phoolish Phelps

Fred Phelps and his fiends friends of the Westboro Baptist Church plan to be in Tucson to picket the funerals of the six shooting victims from Saturday’s massacre. Phelps is claiming God dispatched Laughner to kill those at the political rally as retaliation.

His reasoning? It seems that just last month someone planed to direct a bit of the old ultra violence toward WBC members. The conspirator, U.S. Army veteran and double amputee Ryan Newell, was pissed at the group’s protests of military funerals. Newell, who has a recent history of some minor attacks on WBC folks, now faces felony conspiracy charges for loading his car with weapons with alleged intention of taking some of the loons out .

Phelps didn’t quit with just one justification for God’s wrath raining down on Tucson. He also claims that the death of a Federal Judge and shooting of a member of Congress was God’s retaliation on the Federal government for Congress’ recent passing of laws limiting WBC’s freedom to protest military funerals.

Tucson residents aren’t taking this threat lightly, and the Phelps crew won’t find much of a warm welcome when they show to protest the funeral of 9-year-old Christina Green. Angels will be there to meet them, and to shield mourners from even more trauma.

Bless them.

Additionally, the Arizona lege is moving at light speed to enact a law barring Phelps and his band of merry fools from doing that voodoo they do so well.

###

Verbatim

From ahramonline.beta

Egypt's Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as "human shields"

Muslims turned up in droves for the Coptic Christmas mass Thursday night, offering their bodies, and lives, as “shields” to Egypt’s threatened Christian community

Yasmine El-Rashidi , Friday 7 Jan 2011

Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word Thursday night. What had been a promise of solidarity to the weary Coptic community, was honoured, when thousands of Muslims showed up at Coptic Christmas eve mass services in churches around the country and at candle light vigils held outside.

From the well-known to the unknown, Muslims had offered their bodies as “human shields” for last night’s mass, making a pledge to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants and towards an Egypt free from sectarian strife.

“We either live together, or we die together,” was the sloganeering genius of Mohamed El-Sawy, a Muslim arts tycoon whose cultural centre distributed flyers at churches in Cairo Thursday night, and who has been credited with first floating the “human shield” idea.

Among those shields were movie stars Adel Imam and Yousra, popular Muslim televangelist and preacher Amr Khaled, the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak, and thousands of citizens who have said they consider the attack one on Egypt as a whole.

“This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly Street. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.”

In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”. Around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.

The attack has rocked a nation that is no stranger to acts of terror, against all of Muslims, Copts and Jews. In January of last year, on the eve of Coptic Christmas, a drive-by shooting in the southern town of Nag Hammadi killed eight Copts as they were leaving Church following mass. In 2004 and 2005, bombings in the Red Sea resorts of Taba and Sharm El-Sheikh claimed over 100 lives, and in the late 90’s, Islamic militants executed a series of bombings and massacres that left dozens dead. 

This attack though comes after a series of more recent incidents that have left Egyptians feeling left out in the cold by a government meant to protect them.

Last summer, 28-year-old businessman Khaled Said was beaten to death by police, also in Alexandria, causing a local and international uproar. Around his death, there have been numerous other reports of police brutality, random arrests and torture.

Last year was also witness to a ruthless parliamentary election process in which the government’s security apparatus and thugs seemed to spiral out of control. The result, aside from injuries and deaths, was a sweeping win by the ruling party thanks to its own carefully-orchestrated campaign that included vote-rigging, corruption and widespread violence. The opposition was essentially annihilated. And just days before the elections, Copts - who make up 10 percent of the population - were once again the subject of persecution, when a government moratorium on construction of a Christian community centre resulted in clashes between police and protestors. Two people were left dead and over 100 were detained, facing sentences of up to life in jail.

The economic woes of a country that favours the rich have only exacerbated the frustration of a population of 80 million whose majority struggle each day to survive. Accounts of thefts, drugs, and violence have surged in recent years, and the chorus of voices of discontent has continued to grow.

The terror attack that struck the country on New Year’s eve is in many ways a final straw – a breaking point, not just for the Coptic community, but for Muslims as well, who too feel marginalized, oppressed, and overlooked by a government that fails to address their needs. On this Coptic Christmas eve, the solidarity was not just one of religion, but of a desperate and collective plea for a better life and a government with accountability. 

###

H/T

The Wise Judge

Seldom have I seen such snark from a family court judge... or any judge for that matter... but in this case it seems richly deserved. You get a hint of that which is to come from the introduction to the decree in this divorce case [PDF], which Judge Quinn begins,"Paging Dr. Freud. Paging Dr. Freud." It only gets better.

Pay particular attention to the footnotes.

###