HEALTH POWERS ACT
Derry Brownfield
May 20, 2002
NewsWithViews.com
On page 7 of the January 2002 issue of the Common Sense Chronicle I discussed the "Model State Emergency Health Powers Act." The Model Act is a blueprint for states to use in passing state legislation that would give State Health officials the power to quarantine and vaccinate entire populations, even if it is against an individual's will. The state would also have the power to control or even restrict food, fuel, alcoholic beverages, firearms, and other commodities. The Model Bill goes on to explain that citizens will be required to submit to medical examinations, vaccinations and quarantines against their will if a public health emergency is declared. My final comment was "if you think the Patriot Act gives the government too many unconstitutional powers, wait until our state legislatures start passing these "State Bio-terror Laws." Well - they have started!
A WorldNetDaily article written by Joan Doughherty titled "POLICE STATE USA - Emergency-powers bill gaining momentum," appeared March 20, 2002. Jon quotes the American Legislative Exchange Council which says 34 states have begun considering the MODEL State Emergency Health Powers Act giving state governors unprecedented authority in the event of a terrorist attack or other threat to the public health.
South Dakota is the first state to pass the measure, but it is a fairly watered down version. It doesn't have all the quarantine language in it that the MODEL suggests. Minnesota is very close to passing the closest version of the bill so far but it too has been watered down. Mississippi is the only state so fat to just "kill the bill outright" Georgia and Oklahoma added some language saying that if the governor declares the public health emergency, then the legislature has to come into session within 48-hours and vote the bill either up or down.
Politically correct jargon is difficult for me to understand, but according to the author of the bill, a "public health emergency" is defined as: an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition, caused by bio-terrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal infectious agent or biological toxin, that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. Such illness or health conditions include, but are not limited to, an illness or health condition resulting from a national disaster.
According to the above definition how many of our state governors would know what a public "health emergency really is?"
© Derry Brownfield, All Rights Reserved
Derry Brownfield was born in 1932 and grew up during the depression. He is a farmer and a broadcaster. Derry attended the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri where he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He taught Vocational Agriculture several years before going to work as a Marketing Specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Derry served as Director of the Kansas City Livestock Market Foundation at the Kansas City Stockyard prior to establishing himself in farm broadcasting.
Derry started farming when he was 16 years old and received the Future Farmers of America State Farmer degree in 1949. Since that time the Brownfield Farm has grown to over 1000 acres maintaining a herd of 200 registered Charolias cows.
In 1972, Derry and his partner established the Brownfield Network which now serves 250 radio stations throughout the Midwest with news and market information.
In 1994, Derry started his own syndicated radio talk show and hi is one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in America. The Derry Brownfield Show can be heard on approximately 80 radio stations in 23 states. With his entertaining sense of humor and witty commentary he has captured audiences for over 30 years. His ability to present an informative talk show while being light and colorful is why he has a large loyal listening audience.
Derry Brownfield is a practical farmer, a practical business man and a very entertaining speaker. He travels extensively throughout the country speaking about his common-sense point of view. Web Site is: http://www.derrybrownfield.com
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