Medical opinion by John F. Ruhland, ND

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

ANTHRAX 911

Let us look at the recent anthrax exposures more closely. The peoplewho have been exposed could not be considered logical targets of theterrorists that the government has described as those mastermindingthe 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thoseterrorists were clearly attacking the symbol of US aggression (thePentagon). They were attacking a symbol of the economic system thatrequires the majority of people to be poor to allow a relativeminority to be comfortable, and a few to be very rich. That symbol wasthe World Trade Center. No wonder the very rich such as Donald Trumpare anxious to rebuild it.

To return to the topic of the anthrax attacks, the first targets ofthe attacks were media and Democrats. Although the media must be asource of frustration for the perpetrators because they are notattempting to determine the reasons for the attack, nevertheless, theterrorists suggested by the government would NOT attack the media. Themedia is the channel for getting out information. It does not do toantagonize them. Remember the case of the Unabomber, who used themainstream media to get out his message, almost as much as it used himto increase their sales.

Any terrorist attack consistent with the destruction of the Pentagonduring this Cheney/Bush administration would clearly target theCheney/Bush party. There are powerful connections between Cheney/Bush,the intelligence agencies, and the military-medical-industrialcomplex. The Republican Party is clearly seen as more hawkish than theDemocratic Party. Terrorists aligned with bin Laden would not dulltheir message by attacking Senate majority leader Daschle, of thesomewhat less pro-war party.

It’s important to ask who benefits from the anthrax attacks. Clearlythe 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 yetmore support for Cheney/Bush’s war. Much as during the Contra warunder Papa Bush, when drugs financed war, US allies in Afghanistan arebenefiting under George W.’s war as well. According to the WallStreet Journal: “...some important potential allies inWashington’s struggle with Afghanistan are also believed to be reapingthe rewards of the nation’s burgeoning heroin trade.”

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

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

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

Anthrax Prevention

Two factors determining who dies from exposure are the size of theinoculum—the amount of microorganism entering the body, and the healthof those exposed. People at elevated risk from anthrax exposure arethose with weakened immune systems. Infants, especially those notbeing breastfed, have little protection. Elderly who do not eat well,especially those in retirement homes, are also at risk. People inhigh-stress jobs, including rescue workers, hospital workers, evensome doctors are at risk. The reason reporters died may be attributedto the 9/11 disaster. Reporters working overtime after the disasterwere at risk from lack of sleep, poor diets, and the stress ofdeadlines, not to mention stress on relationships caused by arduouswork schedules. The anthrax that has been used is very expensive andis available in limited quantities. To maintain its effectiveness, itis chemically treated in a way only three countries have thetechnology to do. It would take vast quantities to infect manypeople.

Hear are some recommendations to protect yourself naturally:

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

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

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

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

5. Certain foods boost the immune system. Eat members of the Alliumfamily, including garlic, onions, chives, leaks. Barberry is anothervery effective broad-spectrum antibiotic. Echinacea is useful if anysymptoms develop, not for use preventatively. Yellow-coloredvegetables as well as beets and burdock root help the liver processtoxins. Green leafy vegetables provide crucial minerals. Avoid grainsas much as possible, other than whole grains. Avoid any type of wheatand dairy product.

Choose and consult with a Naturopath or other holistic physicianBEFORE you get sick. Purchase a homeopathic remedy kit. If you do getsymptoms, 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 ofimmunity.