| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? 09:28 - Jul 9 with 17516 views | Shaky |
This story about Trump's war on healthcare is going to take some beating:
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U.S. Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution Stuns World Health Officials
By Andrew Jacobs
The New York Times. July 8, 2018
A resolution to encourage breast-feeding was expected to be approved quickly and easily by the hundreds of government delegates who gathered this spring in Geneva for the United Nations-affiliated World Health Assembly.
Based on decades of research, the resolution says that mother’s milk is healthiest for children and countries should strive to limit the inaccurate or misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes.
Then the United States delegation, embracing the interests of infant formula manufacturers, upended the deliberations.
American officials sought to water down the resolution by removing language that called on governments to “protect, promote and support breast-feeding” and another passage that called on policymakers to restrict the promotion of food products that many experts say can have deleterious effects on young children.
When that failed, they turned to threats, according to diplomats and government officials who took part in the discussions. Ecuador, which had planned to introduce the measure, was the first to find itself in the cross hairs.
The Americans were blunt: If Ecuador refused to drop the resolution, Washington would unleash punishing trade measures and withdraw crucial military aid. The Ecuadorean government quickly acquiesced.
The showdown over the issue was recounted by more than a dozen participants from several countries, many of whom requested anonymity because they feared retaliation from the United States.
Health advocates scrambled to find another sponsor for the resolution, but at least a dozen countries, most of them poor nations in Africa and Latin America, backed off, citing fears of retaliation, according to officials from Uruguay, Mexico and the United States.
“We were astonished, appalled and also saddened,” said Patti Rundall, the policy director of the British advocacy group Baby Milk Action, who has attended meetings of the assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, since the late 1980s.
“What happened was tantamount to blackmail, with the U.S. holding the world hostage and trying to overturn nearly 40 years of consensus on best way to protect infant and young child health,” she said.
In the end, the Americans’ efforts were mostly unsuccessful. It was the Russians who ultimately stepped in to introduce the measure – and the Americans did not threaten them.
The State Department declined to respond to questions, saying it could not discuss private diplomatic conversations. The Department of Health and Human Services, the lead agency in the effort to modify the resolution, explained the decision to contest the resolution’s wording but said H.H.S. was not involved in threatening Ecuador.
“The resolution as originally drafted placed unnecessary hurdles for mothers seeking to provide nutrition to their children,” an H.H.S. spokesman said in an email. “We recognize not all women are able to breast-feed for a variety of reasons. These women should have the choice and access to alternatives for the health of their babies, and not be stigmatized for the ways in which they are able to do so.” The spokesman asked to remain anonymous in order to speak more freely.
Although lobbyists from the baby food industry attended the meetings in Geneva, health advocates said they saw no direct evidence that they played a role in Washington’s strong-arm tactics. The $70 billion industry, which is dominated by a handful of American and European companies, has seen sales flatten in wealthy countries in recent years, as more women embrace breast-feeding. Overall, global sales are expected to rise by 4 percent in 2018, according to Euromonitor, with most of that growth occurring in developing nations.
The intensity of the administration’s opposition to the breast-feeding resolution stunned public health officials and foreign diplomats, who described it as a marked contrast to the Obama administration, which largely supported W.H.O.’s longstanding policy of encouraging breast-feeding.
During the deliberations, some American delegates even suggested the United States might cut its contribution the W.H.O., several negotiators said. Washington is the single largest contributor to the health organization, providing $845 million, or roughly 15 percent of its budget, last year.
The confrontation was the latest example of the Trump administration siding with corporate interests on numerous public health and environmental issues.
In talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Americans have been pushing for language that would limit the ability of Canada, Mexico and the United States to put warning labels on junk food and sugary beverages, according to a draft of the proposal reviewed by The New York Times.
During the same Geneva meeting where the breast-feeding resolution was debated, the United States succeeded in removing statements supporting soda taxes from a document that advises countries grappling with soaring rates of obesity.
The Americans also sought, unsuccessfully, to thwart a W.H.O. effort aimed at helping poor countries obtain access to lifesaving medicines. Washington, supporting the pharmaceutical industry, has long resisted calls to modify patent laws as a way of increasing drug availability in the developing world, but health advocates say the Trump administration has ratcheted up its opposition to such efforts.
The delegation’s actions in Geneva are in keeping with the tactics of an administration that has been upending alliances and long-established practices across a range of multilateral organizations, from the Paris climate accord to the Iran nuclear deal to Nafta.
Ilona Kickbusch, director of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, said there was a growing fear that the Trump administration could cause lasting damage to international health institutions like the W.H.O. that have been vital in containing epidemics like Ebola and the rising death toll from diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the developing world.
“It’s making everyone very nervous, because if you can’t agree on health multilateralism, what kind of multilateralism can you agree on?” Ms. Kickbusch asked.
A Russian delegate said the decision to introduce the breast-feeding resolution was a matter of principle.
“We’re not trying to be a hero here, but we feel that it is wrong when a big country tries to push around some very small countries, especially on an issue that is really important for the rest of the world,” said the delegate, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
He said the United States did not directly pressure Moscow to back away from the measure. Nevertheless, the American delegation sought to wear down the other participants through procedural maneuvers in a series of meetings that stretched on for two days, an unexpectedly long period.
In the end, the United States was largely unsuccessful. The final resolution preserved most of the original wording, though American negotiators did get language removed that called on the W.H.O. to provide technical support to member states seeking to halt “inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children.”
The United States also insisted that the words “evidence-based” accompany references to long-established initiatives that promote breast-feeding, which critics described as a ploy that could be used to undermine programs that provide parents with feeding advice and support.
Elisabeth Sterken, director of the Infant Feeding Action Coalition in Canada, said four decades of research have established the importance of breast milk, which provides essential nutrients as well as hormones and antibodies that protect newborns against infectious disease.
A 2016 Lancet study found that universal breast-feeding would prevent 800,000 child deaths a year across the globe and yield $300 billion in savings from reduced health care costs and improved economic outcomes for those reared on breast milk.
Scientists are loath to carry out double-blind studies that would provide one group with breast milk and another with breast milk substitutes. “This kind of ‘evidence-based’ research would be ethically and morally unacceptable,” Ms. Sterken said.
Abbott Laboratories, the Chicago-based company that is one of the biggest players in the $70 billion baby food market, declined to comment.
Nestlé, the Switzerland-based food giant with significant operations in the United States, sought to distance itself from the threats against Ecuador and said the company would continue to support the international code on the marketing of breast milk substitutes, which calls on governments to regulate the inappropriate promotion of such products and to encourage breast-feeding.
In addition to the trade threats, Todd C. Chapman, the United States ambassador to Ecuador, suggested in meetings with officials in Quito, the Ecuadorean capital, that the Trump administration might also retaliate by withdrawing the military assistance it has been providing in northern Ecuador, a region wracked by violence spilling across the border from Colombia, according to an Ecuadorean government official who took part in the meeting.
The United States embassy in Quito declined to make Mr. Chapman available for an interview.
“We were shocked because we didn’t understand how such a small matter like breast-feeding could provoke such a dramatic response,” said the Ecuadorean official, who asked not to be identified because she was afraid of losing her job.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/07/08/health/world-health-breastfeeding-ecuador- |  |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 13:42 - Jul 10 with 2488 views | peenemunde |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 11:43 - Jul 10 by omarjack |
Too many "darkies" and "pakis" and such.
Pee has this habit of thinking he's coy and mysterious about his not so closet racism. But we all know. [Post edited 10 Jul 2018 11:44]
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I couldn’t careless if you know.
Anti England is ok in your book, but anything else and you cry like a little baby.
Hypocrite. |  | | |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 13:47 - Jul 10 with 2480 views | omarjack |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 13:42 - Jul 10 by peenemunde |
I couldn’t careless if you know.
Anti England is ok in your book, but anything else and you cry like a little baby.
Hypocrite. |
Anti-England sentiment is NOT OK.
I take the p!ss on the English football team because they're a bunch of whiny cheating pr!cks.
That's about it. I mock how ridiculous some of the fans are in their exaggeration and overhyping their national team. Don't hate them (unless they're one of those violent, vandalising ones). Just like to make fun of them.
It's only football Pee. |  |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:04 - Jul 10 with 2455 views | irishswan546 |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 13:42 - Jul 10 by peenemunde |
I couldn’t careless if you know.
Anti England is ok in your book, but anything else and you cry like a little baby.
Hypocrite. |
Some of of the Anti English stuff on this board have been ott and I have said that previously but two wrongs don't make a right, just because others may have added comments you feel are racist against England shouldn't then allow for others to put racist comments against others. Racism is wrong no matter who it is against pure and simple. No offence to either you or Omar as I don't know either of you personally & both of you have had valid points at times that even I agree but both of you have taken thinks to far as well with certain comments and certain threads. |  | | |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:04 - Jul 10 with 2455 views | Loyal |
Why is it most Americans I know feel he is the best president in their lifetimes ?
I know ...
But I know few who have any real hate for him. |  |
| Nolan sympathiser, clout expert, personal friend of Leigh Dineen, advocate and enforcer of porridge swallows.
The official inventor of the tit w@nk. | | Poll: | Who should be Swansea number 1 |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:09 - Jul 10 with 2446 views | londonlisa2001 |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:04 - Jul 10 by Loyal |
Why is it most Americans I know feel he is the best president in their lifetimes ?
I know ...
But I know few who have any real hate for him. |
Every American I know thinks he’s a complete embarrassment and can’t stand him. |  | | |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 16:22 - Jul 10 with 2410 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:09 - Jul 10 by londonlisa2001 |
Every American I know thinks he’s a complete embarrassment and can’t stand him. |
Then again it’s short odds that none of the Americans you know work the land or in a Strip Mill or an Automotive Plant... |  |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 16:30 - Jul 10 with 2400 views | Highjack |
If more people breastfeed then it would hurt the profits of the baby milk industry decimating the jobs of those who work within it. Aren’t politicians right to protect big industries, jobs and the markets at all costs?
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 17:25 - Jul 10 with 2374 views | Shaky |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 16:30 - Jul 10 by Highjack |
If more people breastfeed then it would hurt the profits of the baby milk industry decimating the jobs of those who work within it. Aren’t politicians right to protect big industries, jobs and the markets at all costs?
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Do you really think that is funny? What the fcuk is wrong with you? | |
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Login to get fewer ads
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 17:51 - Jul 10 with 2359 views | peenemunde |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 14:09 - Jul 10 by londonlisa2001 |
Every American I know thinks he’s a complete embarrassment and can’t stand him. |
Well you don’t know many then.
I have been in the states 3 in the last year and he is popular from the people I’ve spoken too.
One lady I spoke to at the hotel told me Trump had a big mouth, and I wish he’d keep it shut a bit more, but he’s doing a good job, better than that other one.
I’m going to the USA again next Monday for a month and will be going to Trump tower on 5th Avenue- to pay homage to the great man. | | | |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 17:53 - Jul 10 with 2358 views | Highjack |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 17:25 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
Do you really think that is funny? What the fcuk is wrong with you? |
No I don’t. Just playing devils advocate. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:03 - Jul 10 with 2354 views | valleyboy |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 06:41 - Jul 10 by Kilkennyjack |
Peewee - Why is London a ‘foreign city’ ?
Whats wrong with it ?
How would you change it ?
Does it scare u ? |
When did you last spend some time in London recently???? | | | |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:04 - Jul 10 with 2354 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 17:53 - Jul 10 by Highjack |
No I don’t. Just playing devils advocate. |
File that one under whoosh!  | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:19 - Jul 10 with 2341 views | Highjack |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:04 - Jul 10 by Lohengrin |
File that one under whoosh! |
There’s a lot of whooshing going on lately.
It’s remarkable how one so resolutely in support of prioritising big business and the markets over all else in all other cases suddenly flips to the opposite viewpoint when trump is doing it and labels it ‘evil’. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:25 - Jul 10 with 2336 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:19 - Jul 10 by Highjack |
There’s a lot of whooshing going on lately.
It’s remarkable how one so resolutely in support of prioritising big business and the markets over all else in all other cases suddenly flips to the opposite viewpoint when trump is doing it and labels it ‘evil’. |
No surprise to me, brother. These people raise hypocrisy to an art form. | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:28 - Jul 10 with 2331 views | Shaky |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:19 - Jul 10 by Highjack |
There’s a lot of whooshing going on lately.
It’s remarkable how one so resolutely in support of prioritising big business and the markets over all else in all other cases suddenly flips to the opposite viewpoint when trump is doing it and labels it ‘evil’. |
You don't see any distinction between supporting business operating ethically versus unethically, for example killing people?
I don't know what to say, except that you are in no way playing devils advocate if you are unable to detect any nuance between those positions. Putting it kindly. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:35 - Jul 10 with 2322 views | Highjack |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:28 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
You don't see any distinction between supporting business operating ethically versus unethically, for example killing people?
I don't know what to say, except that you are in no way playing devils advocate if you are unable to detect any nuance between those positions. Putting it kindly. |
Who is killing people? | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:39 - Jul 10 with 2320 views | Shaky |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:35 - Jul 10 by Highjack |
Who is killing people? |
Can't be arsed to read the foregoing posts?
I can't be arsed to summarise for you. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:42 - Jul 10 with 2318 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:39 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
Can't be arsed to read the foregoing posts?
I can't be arsed to summarise for you. |
You could always copy and paste a response. | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:45 - Jul 10 with 2315 views | Shaky |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:42 - Jul 10 by Lohengrin |
You could always copy and paste a response. |
Ooooh, ooooh, please, look at me, loooook at meeeee.
Yap, yap, yap, etc, etc, ad nauseam.
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:47 - Jul 10 with 2312 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:45 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
Ooooh, ooooh, please, look at me, loooook at meeeee.
Yap, yap, yap, etc, etc, ad nauseam.
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Yes. That ought to do it. You’ve bested him Guv’nor and no mistake.  | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:50 - Jul 10 with 2308 views | Shaky |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:47 - Jul 10 by Lohengrin |
Yes. That ought to do it. You’ve bested him Guv’nor and no mistake. |
I see you are applauding your own witticisms, Lechgrin.
Normally I would recommend waiting for the endorsement of others, but I can see why that proposal would be unworkable in your case. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:52 - Jul 10 with 2306 views | Lohengrin |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:50 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
I see you are applauding your own witticisms, Lechgrin.
Normally I would recommend waiting for the endorsement of others, but I can see why that proposal would be unworkable in your case. |
What does that even mean? Google something more apt, you flounder left to your own devices. | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 19:02 - Jul 10 with 2292 views | Highjack |
| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 18:39 - Jul 10 by Shaky |
Can't be arsed to read the foregoing posts?
I can't be arsed to summarise for you. |
The argument in the OP suggests that breastfeeding is healthier for newborns, there’s no suggestion that the baby milk industry is actively and deliberately killing babies. | |
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| Trump Evilometer: How Low Can He Go? on 19:04 - Jul 10 with 2291 views | Lohengrin |
Ha! I hate to say it but that was sharp, in all fairness.  | |
| An idea isn't responsible for those who believe in it. |
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