Irony, Cruelty and Stupidity
The United States is Not a Bubble
This a big meaningful day. But the ironies are frightening. And outrageous.
In 1952—an epidemic year for polio—there were 58,000 new cases reported in the United States. I was one of them. More than 3,000 died from the disease. I survived with minor lifetime complications.
On March 26, 1953, Dr. Jonas Salk announced he had developed an effective vaccine for polio.
By 1957 new cases had dropped to 6,000. In 1962 Albert Sabin had developed an oral version which greatly expanded its application. Polio has been essentially eliminated in the United States - by the universal use of vaccines. But earlier this month five other countries reported new cases of the virus.
And on this day in 2025 our “government” announced:
U.S. to End Vaccine Funds for Poor Countries
A question for “Christian” supporters of $Trump. What do you think Jesus would say? Was he a “Nationalist”?
The irony is that America has been the source of science and modern medicine that has saved millions lives around the globe. Yet today as we celebrate Jonas Salk, we condemn millions to suffer and die.
The cruelty is mind boggling in its scope. Does anyone remember when American “Christian” missionaries were sent to HELP people abroad? Did Jesus change his mind about who should live or die?
The stupidity is that we have broken faith with the world. Picture this. America has with drawn USAID support of food and medicine for many countries. People (children) will die. Governments will turn to other nations for help. China and Russia will jump in and expand their influence in those regions. Why would we give our global competitors such a gift?
Scientists remind us that diseases know no borders. No amount of travel restrictions will prevent the next pandemic. If monkey pox becomes more virulent in Africa, it won’t stay in Africa. If a new form of bird flu or another example of animal transmission occurs across the Atlantic, there is no “iron dome” to hide under.
We are the richest nation in the history of the planet. Yet we allow a few of us to hoard outrageous levels of wealth, deprive our own citizens of housing, health care, food and water…education. I guess we might as well hurt other countries too!
Our shame will be forever. Our word will never be trusted again.
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/polio/five-countries-report-new-polio-cases
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/health/usaid-cuts-gavi-bird-flu.html?unlocked_article_code=1.604.3maG.MVQteCue4hku&smid=url-share
"The evil men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." Shakespeare (in Julius Caesar). We have a lot of work, and fighting, to do to keep that from being the epitaph of the United States. I wish I could say we have a chance at bringing the MAGA crowd to a sense of decency, but I cannot. My conversations with MAGA supporters have shown me they both do not understand the gravity of the situation, nor care who is hurt. Indifferent. "Won't happen to me". They'll only come to understanding when the bombs are falling on their own heads, or the ICE Gestapo comes to take them away.
Our parents generation fought fascism in Europe. We are going to have to do the same, but this time the battle will be on this side of the Atlantic.
It's all just too horrifying.