Medical opinion by John F. Ruhland, ND

Do you have health-related questions for Dr. John, the Naturopathic Doctor? Send them to the Free Press at 1463 E Republican #178, Seattle WA 98112, or email to WAfreepress@gmail.com. Please keep questions short. The opinions expressed below are on general issues of health. They should not be construed as personal medical advice. Readers should seek a variety of information about any health concern before deciding on a treatment from a personal physician.

ANTHRAX 911

Let us look at the recent anthrax exposures more closely. The people who have been exposed could not be considered logical targets of the terrorists that the government has described as those masterminding the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Those terrorists were clearly attacking the symbol of US aggression (the Pentagon). They were attacking a symbol of the economic system that requires the majority of people to be poor to allow a relative minority to be comfortable, and a few to be very rich. That symbol was the World Trade Center. No wonder the very rich such as Donald Trump are anxious to rebuild it.

To return to the topic of the anthrax attacks, the first targets of the attacks were media and Democrats. Although the media must be a source of frustration for the perpetrators because they are not attempting to determine the reasons for the attack, nevertheless, the terrorists suggested by the government would NOT attack the media. The media is the channel for getting out information. It does not do to antagonize them. Remember the case of the Unabomber, who used the mainstream media to get out his message, almost as much as it used him to increase their sales.

Any terrorist attack consistent with the destruction of the Pentagon during this Cheney/Bush administration would clearly target the Cheney/Bush party. There are powerful connections between Cheney/Bush, the intelligence agencies, and the military-medical-industrial complex. The Republican Party is clearly seen as more hawkish than the Democratic Party. Terrorists aligned with bin Laden would not dull their message by attacking Senate majority leader Daschle, of the somewhat less pro-war party.

It’s important to ask who benefits from the anthrax attacks. Clearly the military-medical-industrial complex benefits, including the “security” agencies which now have much more power and money.

Baby Bush has also benefited. The anthrax attacks have stimulated yet more support for Cheney/Bush’s war. Much as during the Contra war under Papa Bush, when drugs financed war, US allies in Afghanistan are benefiting under George W.’s war as well. According to the Wall Street Journal: “...some important potential allies in Washington’s struggle with Afghanistan are also believed to be reaping the rewards of the nation’s burgeoning heroin trade.”

A company that will benefit from the anthrax attacks is Bayer, the makers of one of the many antibiotics effective against anthrax (see related article this page).

A company that will benefit from the war in Afghanistan is the oil company Unocal. John J. Maresca, Vice President Of International Relations for Unocal stated to The House of Representatives Committee on International Relations on February 12, 1998 that “construction of the pipeline we have proposed across Afghanistan could not begin until a recognized government is in place that has the confidence of governments, lenders, and our company...”

Whatever the source of the anthrax, America’s sponsoring of terrorism throughout the world assures a constant stream of enemies who target the US The military-industrial complex is thus assured of a constant market for its products. The focus of our efforts to maintain our health and safety would thus be most effective if we changed our overt and covert foreign policies.

Anthrax Prevention

Two factors determining who dies from exposure are the size of the inoculum—the amount of microorganism entering the body, and the health of those exposed. People at elevated risk from anthrax exposure are those with weakened immune systems. Infants, especially those not being breastfed, have little protection. Elderly who do not eat well, especially those in retirement homes, are also at risk. People in high-stress jobs, including rescue workers, hospital workers, even some doctors are at risk. The reason reporters died may be attributed to the 9/11 disaster. Reporters working overtime after the disaster were at risk from lack of sleep, poor diets, and the stress of deadlines, not to mention stress on relationships caused by arduous work schedules. The anthrax that has been used is very expensive and is available in limited quantities. To maintain its effectiveness, it is chemically treated in a way only three countries have the technology to do. It would take vast quantities to infect many people.

Hear are some recommendations to protect yourself naturally:

1. Get enough sleep. The proper use of herbs, vitamins, and minerals helps.

2. Reduce stress with relaxation exercises, including physical exercise, meditation, and deep breathing.

3. Drink clean water, free of chlorine and fluoride.

4. Eat chemical-free food, preferably grown organically by someone you trust.

5. Certain foods boost the immune system. Eat members of the Allium family, including garlic, onions, chives, leaks. Barberry is another very effective broad-spectrum antibiotic. Echinacea is useful if any symptoms develop, not for use preventatively. Yellow-colored vegetables as well as beets and burdock root help the liver process toxins. Green leafy vegetables provide crucial minerals. Avoid grains as much as possible, other than whole grains. Avoid any type of wheat and dairy product.

Choose and consult with a Naturopath or other holistic physician BEFORE you get sick. Purchase a homeopathic remedy kit. If you do get symptoms, your holistic physician may be able to help you by phone. Try to find one who will make house calls, so the option is available. By being prepared, you reduce stress, a potent inhibitor of immunity.