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[Guest guest]

SECRET??!!!!

Thinking....... thinking......... let's see...... what could it be???????

Thinking...... thinking............ Could it Be....... O.... I don't

know....... ANTHRAX??!!!!!!!!

<< " I don't want to give away any secrets, but the reality is that we have a

threat of biological weapons being used in very small ways that can cause

tremendous damage to society, " said, Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Florida). >>

[Guest guest]

I agree that the threat is real, but I also believe that the timing of this

aggressive media blitz (closing FBI and Pentagon) is to push for more

vaccines. The DoD has already seen the threat to their anthrax vaccine

program and are worried sick over the other dozen or so vaccines already

contracted with BioPort. These vaccines include SEB, plague, HepB, HepC, and

others. Yes, there is a threat, but who is the greater threat to good order

and discipline in this free society? How long will we have any freedom at

all? I just read that the FBI is putting a task force on line to combat

terrorism on the internet. I am as sick of getting computer virus, sick of

porno and disgusting stuff, sick of the sales scams, and sick of people

attacking my bank account, but I'm not sick enough of it to throw the

constitution out the window and turn to communism! We are a free society but

our freely elected government seems to have forgotten this simple fact.

Please, write your elected representatives and remind them that we want

security but not at the price of our freedom.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/29/99 4:17:37 AM !!!First Boot!!!, Randice1@...

writes:

<< << " I don't want to give away any secrets, but the reality is that we have

a

threat of biological weapons being used in very small ways that can cause

tremendous damage to society, " said, Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Florida). >> >>

Dear List,

With due respect to our military and political leaders, if the biological

threat was something dramatically different from what it's been for the

preceding decades, the military members professionally encouraging a review

of this program would have been gathered and sat down and thoroughly briefed

and shown the urgent priority that finds this program evolving today. That

has not happened.

Instead, individuals at the highest level of government appear to be using

fear and implied secrecy to further maintaining the AVIP at all costs.

Everyone should stay on target. Anthrax is an ancient disease. Weaponized

anthrax is a decades old capability. The anthrax vaccine is an equally

antiquated means of addressing this dilemma. The only thing that is new is

an attempt to " create " the impression of a new threat while abandoning a zero

tolerance deterrence doctrine. Even if there is a new an undosclosed threat,

defensively posturing against the threat may not be a wise means of

protecting the

nation. But a dialogue as to its merits might be in order within Congress?

It would be disappointing if all the progress made in exposing the flaws of

the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Policy (AVIP), and raising public awareness

as to its personnel and doctrinal dangers, could somehow be lost in the

latest media blitz of the " threat. " Our nation must stay strong in

addressing the long-term challenges regarding bio-warfare threats. An

acquiescence to the " inevitability " of attack is an acceptance of failure,

and that's not what our country is all about.

V/R,

Major (S) L. " Buzz " Rempfer

[Guest guest]

My own opinion is that the U.S. Department of Defense or the President

of the United States should publicly warn Afghanistan that if Osama bin

Laden (who they provide refuge and a base of operations for) performs a

terrorist attack using biological and/or chemical weapons in an effort

to induce wide spread death (such as spraying Anthrax over a major city

or contaminating drinking water), that they will recieve an immediate

nuclear retaliation on their country once the perpetrators of the attack

have been traced with no question as to who ordered the attack.

Currently out of all the hostile middle eastern countries, only possibly

Iran and Pakistan has nuclear capability or is very close to achieving

that status. Fortunatly for us, Iran is increasingly trying develope

closer ties with the U.S. and trying get trade going with us. Pakistan

definatly has the bomb, but is more or less pro-American (though flying

cruise missles over their country without their permission and having

one accidently hit Pakistan territory did not help matters during the

last cruise missle attack on Osama bin Laden).

Right now it seems like the Pentagon is just trying to work everyone up

in a frenzy of fear of biological terrorists attacks until people are

demanding Anthrax vaccines or at least will be very susceptible to the

idea.

I don't doubt that biological weapons attacks is a real threat, but the

fact is that the country hosting the terrorists responsible for such an

attack would risk facing nuclear annihilation. I think the Pentagon

should definatly be working on vaccines to help protect against these

deadly weapons, however they should be concentrating on next-generation,

safer vaccines, as well as making sure that they are throughly tested

for safety. This would be a long process...maybe 10 years or more, but

probably well worth it in the long run. In the mean time using a

vaccine with LOTS of well documented and serious problems is just plain

stupid. But I guess the DOD head honchos figure that only a certain %

of the troops will get sick from it so no biggie as long as their

generals can boast that their troops are protected (which is highly

questionable) and their retired Admiral buddy at BioPort lines his

pockets.

G.

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with the Major and only what I have said again and again.

Which countries anthrax is it that we are vaccinating against? The only way

this vaccine is effective is if we know, absolutely for sure, which strain or

strains are going to be used. How can we do such a good job at intelligence

when we can't even figure out which building is an embassy, hospital, jail or

military arms factory? We could only know if it is our anthrax weapon we are

protecting our soldiers from! I know, we don't have a biological weapons

program, or do we?

[Guest guest]

It seems this is a timely effort to instill fear in the U.S. citizens and

cause them to look to the government for " protection " . Then the government

would use this to strengthen its case in favor of the Anthrax shot. Does

anyone else get the same impression?

[Guest guest]

Very well stated. I agree wholeheartedly that the response to such perceived

threats is to make it explicitly clear that there will be severe consequences

for any and all biological warfare attacks. If your child threatens to

throw a glass of purple koolaid on your white carpet, do you tell him or her

" Well, I have a stainproof carpet. " ? NO! You tell them what the

consequences for throwing the glass will be, such as being sent to their

room, or what have you. Seems obvious enough to me and I am no incredible

genius!!

[Guest guest]

I have always had that impression. When you can't bully someone around, you

scare them into doing what you want.

[Guest guest]

Hi Moira.. So good to hear from you. I dunno if you remember me, but I was in

clinic the day you came to visit after your surgery in oct. Wow.. half of

you!! Its wonderful. Hope you dont work too hard in Switzerland, and please

stay in touch. Take care, and congrats again.. 10/16/02 284/256

========Original Message========

Subj: Latest News

Date: 11-26-02 8:22:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

From: mlmjohnson@... (Moira )

Reply-to: <A

HREF= " mailto: " > </A>

amypoe@..., Braunmk@..., florence@...,

, MidCoastMGB

Hi Everyone on the Post Op Site!

Well, A lot of things have happened inthe 21 months since my MGB and I

believe it was worth every penny I took out of my 401K plan to have it.

I've lost 180 pounds total and I weigh 180 pounds! That's half! FROM A

SIZE 32.5 TO 14 PETITE BOTTOMS AND LARGE TOP. During Ocotober I had my

legs, arms, chin, tummy and breast lift done with Dr. Don in Statesville and

I couldn't be more pleased and satified. WOW! what a job he did, better than

we both expected the out come to be. So if anyone is thinking of PS, at

least talk with DR Don, ewspecially since he'll be at the CHristmas party.

Now my sad news......I'm going to be missing the next two years of Christmas

Parties and picnics! I'm leaving this weekend for a new job assignment (yes

for two years) to Geneva, Switzerland! Wow, I'm excited, happy, but

stressed. This all ouurred during my recovery time from PS so packing a

house for storage, finding renters, finding temporary arrangements for my

two cats, VISAs, work permits, and oh, getting a new passport because the

State Department said I didn't look like my picture just put more stress on

me when I should have focused on recovery.

I look forward to keeping up with the pre and post websites and can't wait

to see all th pictures from all the activities and maybe I'll find a way to

post pictures of me through Europe as I take weekend trips once a month

throughout Europe.

For those inthe DC Washington Support Group, I'll be home during the

holidays so maybe we can arrange a meeting some evening.

I wish everyone the happiest of Thanksgivings and Holiday times and party up

for me.

Moira

2/28/01 360/180 DR R

_________________________________________________________________

Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail

[Guest guest]

Cool! That would be a bonus!

in OK

TT 12/16/02

In a message dated 11/26/2002 4:01:47 PM Central Standard Time, klg@...

writes:

<< hey have had a new MGB, in that they

eat even less due to the tummy tuck! So don't be surprised if you drop

a few more pounds. >>

[Guest guest]

Dear Miracle Workers: Dr Rutledge and the staff of CLOS-

I want the you to be the first to know that as of last Friday morning I have

lost 150 pounds. In 8 1/2 months I have exceeded my wildest expectations.

This is a big psychological and physical accomplishment for me.

It has not been easy and at times I have probably been too obsessive in my

haste to get the pounds off. The greatest benefit has been the elimination of

the scourge of diabetes from my morbidity factors. I was taking oral med's

plus injecting over 240 units of a combination of insulin throughout the day

and I was insulin resistant and so not much was working. Now I take no more

medication and my blood sugars are normal everyday even right after eating.

Unfortunately diabetes causes so much damage that I am still recovering from

the damage done to my nerves and so on. I still have some neuropathic damage

that troubles me but at least I am on the road to recovery and going in the

right direction after years of going in the wrong direction.

I am also completely off of high cholesterol medication and am now down to

half a dose of high blood pressure medication. I was taking the high blood

pressure medication prior to becoming overweight so we will see how this goes

but I am glad to be at a very low dose for this last health challenge that I am

dealing with.

My sleep apnea has disappeared and my joint problems have also come to an

end. My waist size was 54 inches and it is now 38 inches and shrinking. I

used to not be able to stand for any length of time and spent most of my time

sitting. Now I enjoy standing and walking. My feet used to hurt so bad and I

was wearing padded insoles and double wide shoes. Now my show size is normal

width and I have lost almost 1/2 size in the length of the shoes I wear. I

used to sleep outside the covers on the coldest nights but now I curl up and

my wife loves that. I used to snore so badly that my wife slept in a

separate room but now she says that I make no sounds at all when I sleep.

I couldn't walk up but a few steps without getting winded and trying to walk

more than a block would cause me to have to stop and rest. I was even

exercising at the local YMCA trying to lose weight and stay in shape but nothing

was working. Now I freely walk, climb stairs and so on with my only challenge

being building more muscle mass.

My personal physician has been so impressed with my tremendous improvement

in my health that he has referred three of his patients to CLOS. My personal

physician's own mother-in-law had gastric bypass surgery almost two years ago

using another procedure and she has had lots of problems. My doctor says

that I have had more success and less problems than his mother-in-law and that

he would now recommend the MGB over any other surgical procedure for weight

loss.

This road has been quite a journey and I am not finished yet but it is nice

to know that 150 pounds is off my skeleton. I have been beset by bouts of

vomiting, gastro-intestinal pain, powerful and smelly gas, burping and vomiting

bile, pooping my pants, mood swings, bouts of starvation, taste changes, and

so on. To go down this road one has to be single-minded and convinced that

it has to be accomplished. I sometimes get too obsessed and that has made it

hard on my family as well as I. At 150 pounds lost I can say that it has

all been worth it. The discomfort one experiences is truly nothing in exchange

for regaining one's health.

I sometimes read the e-mails that are sent to you and think that these

people are missing the main point. Yes, there is discomfort and other

inconveniences but we are changing our lives and changing our lives for the

better. All

changes have a price and the price of the surgery and the price of a little

discomfort are far outweighed by the amazing health benefits we experience.

Dr Rutledge said that we are plumbed for success and wiser words have never

been spoken. Thank you Dr Rutldege and many thanks to your wonderful staff.

I hope to one day stop in and thank you in person. When I first met you I

was wearing men's 4X size clothing and now I am wearing men's size large

clothing. I am truly ashamed to have been so large but obesity is a disease

and I

was in a downward spiral. I was truly on the road to an early death. Now I

am looking forwards and life is so good again.

This is a personal struggle. We become overweight due to bad choices and

then we struggle with obesity in our private shame and personal discomfort. We

feel alone in the depths of our misery and feel so frustrated and helpless.

Then we are offered hope in a surgical alternative. We then begin a

personal struggle to change our lives and to adapt to this new life of a

surgically

altered stomach and intestine. Each person is a little different in their

struggle and each of us handle it differently. Dr Rutledge, you and your staff

are always there for each of us and even though we may not ever contact you

just knowing that you are willing to help provides a comfort that it truly

appreciated.

I hope you are all doing well and my best wishes to you for a pleasant

weekend.

My most heartfelt thanks to you.

-Dan s

Grants Pass, Oregon

June 19th

344 pounds prior to surgery

192 pounds this morning

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