These past 2 weeks have been huge for football fans all over the world with the double header in england,the milan derby in italy and the el derby in spain.This is the stuff that football paradise is made of!
As a Chelsea fan,it wasn't particularly a joy for me to watch as the guys lost to wenger's side somewhat undeservedly but lost all the pity they deserved with a shockingly anemic display at ewood park.
From the neutral perspective however,some great football was on display with deep strategic battles all over the pitch at anfield and the emirates in both double header games.It goes without saying that the 3 points were massive in both situations, what with liverpool dropping off the pace 10 points adrift of leaders arsenal.
It's all a strange feeling of deja vu as i see both man-utd and arsenal churning out victories even when they were not playing that well...an oft cited mark of champions in this league.
We all know that the African cup of nations will play a big part in the coming weeks...but just how much arsenal and chelsea would be affected remains to be seen...fergie will certainly be rubbing his hands with glee.One thing that's certain is that pompey are bound to head straight for the mid-table anonimity they are better acquainted with after what amounts to 1/2 of the 1st team head to ghana.
The milan derby did not throw up much surprise in the final result since most watchers expect inter to stroll to the scudetto again this season...what was surprising was how balanced the game itself appeared to be.I frankly expected the agility and youth of inter to overwhelm an aged rossoneri well past its sell-by date...at least liverpool will take some solace in this fact as they prepare to upstage the nerazurri in the knock-out stages of the champs lge.(ancelloti may wanna investigate how dida conveniently misjudged that 2nd goal though)
The el derby was the grandest surprise of them all.Just how Baptista managed to wreck catalan festive celebration is still beyond me.Look at this barca team...with more household names than any other team in the world,yet they've been turning out some dismal results of late.All is not well at the Nou camp and they need to call an inquest.Ronaldinho was not even going to start this one...and what was yaya toure doing in the starting line up??If he's that good then it may confirm a popular notion that other african teams are merely going to accra to watch the ivoreans crowned african champs in february.
I wish y'all a merry xmas and a prosperous,happy new year.For football fans,it promises to be a bumper package of african cup of nations,knock-out stages of champs lge,premiership photo finish and the european cup (minus england!).
Bring it on.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Giggle
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago,but I don't know where I am."
The woman below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied thewoman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is, technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am, "replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
The woman below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied thewoman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is, technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am, "replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
Middle class
Recent events in my personal life have inevitably shifted the focus of the microscope on the concept of the 'middle class' in america.
In his last campaign for the oval office,senator John McCain was heavily criticized by the conservative far right after he'd succintly referred to them as 'agents of intolerance'.This is just one of a cacophony of political suicidal acts that had ensured the maverick senator from arizona may never occupy the white house.
If you need any reminders about the struggling american economic middle class,you only need to tune in to CNN in the early evenings to hear the rants of Lou Dobbs who by now sounds like a broken record on this issue and his other trademark:'illegal immigration'.
Sadly,though,the economy is not the only facet of american life where the middle class seems to be vanishing.Every ideological,religious and philosophical dimension is dominated by extremism these days....you are either a religious fanatic or a psychopathic infidel,disgracefully liberal or boringly conservative,pet worshipper or dog fighter,far left or far right.Any attempt to even try to pander to both sides meets with comparable dogged opposition and you end up friend of neither and even foe to all!
Noone can share a harmless joke any more..and you ignore political correctness at your own peril...ask Don Imus. Many miss the 60s and 70s (probably best remembered as the age of innocence) when you could allow your kids to ride their bicycles in the open street in the neighbourhood while you enjoyed the game on TV. All that is gone as pedophiles now rule the streets.
One just hopes that in all things,common sense and tolerance will prevail.It is crucial for our continued mutual existence to be able to accomodate differences in opinion and beliefs no matter how diametrically opposed to ours.
Bring back the middle class.
In his last campaign for the oval office,senator John McCain was heavily criticized by the conservative far right after he'd succintly referred to them as 'agents of intolerance'.This is just one of a cacophony of political suicidal acts that had ensured the maverick senator from arizona may never occupy the white house.
If you need any reminders about the struggling american economic middle class,you only need to tune in to CNN in the early evenings to hear the rants of Lou Dobbs who by now sounds like a broken record on this issue and his other trademark:'illegal immigration'.
Sadly,though,the economy is not the only facet of american life where the middle class seems to be vanishing.Every ideological,religious and philosophical dimension is dominated by extremism these days....you are either a religious fanatic or a psychopathic infidel,disgracefully liberal or boringly conservative,pet worshipper or dog fighter,far left or far right.Any attempt to even try to pander to both sides meets with comparable dogged opposition and you end up friend of neither and even foe to all!
Noone can share a harmless joke any more..and you ignore political correctness at your own peril...ask Don Imus. Many miss the 60s and 70s (probably best remembered as the age of innocence) when you could allow your kids to ride their bicycles in the open street in the neighbourhood while you enjoyed the game on TV. All that is gone as pedophiles now rule the streets.
One just hopes that in all things,common sense and tolerance will prevail.It is crucial for our continued mutual existence to be able to accomodate differences in opinion and beliefs no matter how diametrically opposed to ours.
Bring back the middle class.
syndrome of the week
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder that involves a distorted body image. It is generally diagnosed in those who are extremely critical of their physique or self-image, despite the fact there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect.
Most people wish they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance, but people suffering from BDD, generally considered of normal or even attractive appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation at their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they are afraid others will think them vain or they may feel too embarrassed to do so.
Ironically, BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity-driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite; people with BDD believe themselves to be irrevocably ugly or defective.
BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, which links it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearance for more than one hour a day, and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.
A German study has shown that 1-2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder (Psychological Medicine, vol 36, p 877). Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD, due to the value of oneself being so closely linked with one's perceived appearance. The prevalence of BDD is equal in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for those suffering from the disorder.
Most people wish they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance, but people suffering from BDD, generally considered of normal or even attractive appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation at their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they are afraid others will think them vain or they may feel too embarrassed to do so.
Ironically, BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity-driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite; people with BDD believe themselves to be irrevocably ugly or defective.
BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects, which links it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearance for more than one hour a day, and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.
A German study has shown that 1-2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder (Psychological Medicine, vol 36, p 877). Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD, due to the value of oneself being so closely linked with one's perceived appearance. The prevalence of BDD is equal in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for those suffering from the disorder.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Syndrome of the week
Cheyne-Stokes respiration (also known as periodic breathing) is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by oscillation of ventilation between apnea and hyperpnea, to compensate for changing serum partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The condition was named after John Cheyne and William Stokes, the physicians who described it.
This abnormal pattern of breathing can be seen in patients with strokes, head injuries or brain tumors, and in patients with congestive heart failure. In some instances, it can occur in otherwise normal people during sleep at high altitudes. It can occur in all forms of toxic-metabolic encephalopathy. It is a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning, along with syncope or coma.
Hospice personnel often note the presence of Cheyne-Stokes breathing as a patient nears death, and report that patients able to speak after such episodes do not report any distress associated with the breathing, although it is sometimes disturbing to the family. This type of respiration is also often seen after morphine administration.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are not the same as Biot's respirations ("cluster breathing"), where groups of breaths tend to be similar in size. They differ from Kussmaul respirations in that the Kussmaul pattern is one of consistent very deep breathing at a decreased or normal rate.
N.B: I previously worked at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Dublin, Ireland where a big Neurology unit is named after William Stokes who also co-described the Stokes-Adams attack.
The condition was named after John Cheyne and William Stokes, the physicians who described it.
This abnormal pattern of breathing can be seen in patients with strokes, head injuries or brain tumors, and in patients with congestive heart failure. In some instances, it can occur in otherwise normal people during sleep at high altitudes. It can occur in all forms of toxic-metabolic encephalopathy. It is a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning, along with syncope or coma.
Hospice personnel often note the presence of Cheyne-Stokes breathing as a patient nears death, and report that patients able to speak after such episodes do not report any distress associated with the breathing, although it is sometimes disturbing to the family. This type of respiration is also often seen after morphine administration.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are not the same as Biot's respirations ("cluster breathing"), where groups of breaths tend to be similar in size. They differ from Kussmaul respirations in that the Kussmaul pattern is one of consistent very deep breathing at a decreased or normal rate.
N.B: I previously worked at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Dublin, Ireland where a big Neurology unit is named after William Stokes who also co-described the Stokes-Adams attack.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Jokes of the week
About a month ago, a man in Amsterdam felt that he needed to confess, so he went to his priest, "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. During WWII I hid a refugee in my attic."
"Well," answered the priest, "that's not a sin."'
"But I made him agree to pay me 20 Guilders for every week he stayed."
"I admit that wasn't good, but you did it for a good cause."
"Oh, thank you, Father; that eases my mind. I have one more question..."
"What is that, my son?"
"Do I have to tell him the war is over?"
..........................................................................................................................................................................
After having failed his exam in "Logistics and Organization", a student goes and confronts his lecturer about it. Student: "Sir, do you really understand anything about the subject?"
Professor: "Surely I must. Otherwise I would not be a professor!"
Student: "Great, well then I would like to ask you a question. If you can give me the correct answer, I will accept my mark as is and go. If you however do not know the answer, I want you give me an "A" for the exam. "
Professor: "Okay, it's a deal. So what is the question?"
Student: "What is legal, but not logical, logical, but not legal, and neither logical, nor legal? "
Even after some long and hard consideration, the professor cannot give the student an answer, and therefore changes his exam mark into an "A", as agreed. Afterwards, the professor calls on his best student and asks him the same question.
He immediately answers: "Sir, you are 63 years old and married to a 35 year old woman, which is legal, but not logical. Your wife has a 25 year old lover, which is logical, but not legal. The fact that you have given your wife's lover an "A", although he really should have failed, is neither legal, nor logical ."
"Well," answered the priest, "that's not a sin."'
"But I made him agree to pay me 20 Guilders for every week he stayed."
"I admit that wasn't good, but you did it for a good cause."
"Oh, thank you, Father; that eases my mind. I have one more question..."
"What is that, my son?"
"Do I have to tell him the war is over?"
..........................................................................................................................................................................
After having failed his exam in "Logistics and Organization", a student goes and confronts his lecturer about it. Student: "Sir, do you really understand anything about the subject?"
Professor: "Surely I must. Otherwise I would not be a professor!"
Student: "Great, well then I would like to ask you a question. If you can give me the correct answer, I will accept my mark as is and go. If you however do not know the answer, I want you give me an "A" for the exam. "
Professor: "Okay, it's a deal. So what is the question?"
Student: "What is legal, but not logical, logical, but not legal, and neither logical, nor legal? "
Even after some long and hard consideration, the professor cannot give the student an answer, and therefore changes his exam mark into an "A", as agreed. Afterwards, the professor calls on his best student and asks him the same question.
He immediately answers: "Sir, you are 63 years old and married to a 35 year old woman, which is legal, but not logical. Your wife has a 25 year old lover, which is logical, but not legal. The fact that you have given your wife's lover an "A", although he really should have failed, is neither legal, nor logical ."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Syndrome of the week
Erotomania is a rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that another person, usually of a higher social status, is in love with him or her.
Erotomania is also called de Clerambault's syndrome, after the French psychiatrist Gaëtan Gatian de Clerambault (1872–1934), who published a comprehensive review paper on the subject (Les Psychoses Passionelles) in 1921.
The term erotomania is also sometimes used in a less specific clinical sense meaning excessive pursuit of or preoccupation with love or sex.
The core of the syndrome is that the affected person has a delusional belief that another person, usually of higher social status, is secretly in love with them. The sufferer may also believe that the subject of their delusion secretly communicates their love by subtle methods such as body posture, arrangement of household objects and other seemingly innocuous acts (or, if the person is a public figure, through clues in the media). The object of the delusion usually has little or no contact with the delusional person, who often believes that the object initiated the fictional relationship. Erotomanic delusions are typically found as the primary symptom of delusional disorder, or in the context of schizophrenia.
Occasionally the subject of the delusion may not actually exist, although more commonly, the subjects are media figures such as popular singers, actors and politicians. Erotomania has been cited as one cause for stalking or harassment campaigns.
The assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr. was reported to have been driven by an erotomanic delusion that the death of the president would cause actress Jodie Foster to publicly declare her love for Hinckley.
Late night comedian David Letterman and retired astronaut Story Musgrave were the targets of delusional Margaret Mary Ray. Other reported celebrity targets of erotomania include Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Barbara Mandrell, and Linda Ronstadt.
Erotomania is also called de Clerambault's syndrome, after the French psychiatrist Gaëtan Gatian de Clerambault (1872–1934), who published a comprehensive review paper on the subject (Les Psychoses Passionelles) in 1921.
The term erotomania is also sometimes used in a less specific clinical sense meaning excessive pursuit of or preoccupation with love or sex.
The core of the syndrome is that the affected person has a delusional belief that another person, usually of higher social status, is secretly in love with them. The sufferer may also believe that the subject of their delusion secretly communicates their love by subtle methods such as body posture, arrangement of household objects and other seemingly innocuous acts (or, if the person is a public figure, through clues in the media). The object of the delusion usually has little or no contact with the delusional person, who often believes that the object initiated the fictional relationship. Erotomanic delusions are typically found as the primary symptom of delusional disorder, or in the context of schizophrenia.
Occasionally the subject of the delusion may not actually exist, although more commonly, the subjects are media figures such as popular singers, actors and politicians. Erotomania has been cited as one cause for stalking or harassment campaigns.
The assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr. was reported to have been driven by an erotomanic delusion that the death of the president would cause actress Jodie Foster to publicly declare her love for Hinckley.
Late night comedian David Letterman and retired astronaut Story Musgrave were the targets of delusional Margaret Mary Ray. Other reported celebrity targets of erotomania include Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Barbara Mandrell, and Linda Ronstadt.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Syndrome of the week
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS), also known as Nyhan’s syndrome, is a rare, inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT). LNS is an X-linked recessive disease: the gene is carried by the mother and passed on to her son. LNS is present at birth in baby boys. Patients have severe mental and physical problems throughout life. The lack of HPRT causes a build-up of uric acid in all body fluids, and leads to problems such as severe gout, poor muscle control, and moderate mental retardation, which appear in the first year of life. A striking feature of LNS is self-mutilating behaviors, characterized by lip and finger biting, that begin in the second year of life. Abnormally high uric acid levels can cause sodium urate crystals to form in the joints, kidneys, central nervous system and other tissues of the body, leading to gout-like swelling in the joints and severe kidney problems. Neurological symptoms include facial grimacing, involuntary writhing, and repetitive movements of the arms and legs similar to those seen in Huntington's disease. The direct cause of the neurological abnormalities remains unknown. Because a lack of HPRT causes the body to poorly utilize vitamin B12, some boys may develop a rare disorder called megaloblastic anemia.
The symptoms caused by the buildup of uric acid (arthritis and renal symptoms) respond well to treatment with drugs such as allopurinol that reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood. The mental deficits and self-mutilating behavior do not respond to treatment. There is no cure, but many patients live to adulthood. LNS is rare, affecting about one in 380,000 live births. It was first described in 1964 by Dr. Michael Lesch and Dr. William Nyhan.
The symptoms caused by the buildup of uric acid (arthritis and renal symptoms) respond well to treatment with drugs such as allopurinol that reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood. The mental deficits and self-mutilating behavior do not respond to treatment. There is no cure, but many patients live to adulthood. LNS is rare, affecting about one in 380,000 live births. It was first described in 1964 by Dr. Michael Lesch and Dr. William Nyhan.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Syndrome of the week
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as transient apical ballooning and stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in which there is a sudden temporary weakening of the myocardium (the muscle of the heart). Because this weakening can be triggered by emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, the condition is also known as broken heart syndrome .
The typical presentation of someone with takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a sudden onset of congestive heart failure or chest pain associated with EKG changes suggestive of an anterior wall heart attack. During the course of evaluation of the patient, a bulging out of the left ventricular apex with a hypercontractile base of the left ventricle is often noted. It is the hallmark bulging out of the apex of the heart with preserved function of the base that earned the syndrome its name "tako tsubo", or octopus trap in Japan, where it was first described.
Evaluation of individuals with takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically include a coronary angiogram, which will not reveal any significant blockages that would cause the left ventricular dysfunction. Provided that the individual survives their initial presentation, the left ventricular function improves within 2 months. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is more commonly seen in post-menopausal women.Often there is a history of a recent severe emotional or physical stress.
The typical presentation of someone with takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a sudden onset of congestive heart failure or chest pain associated with EKG changes suggestive of an anterior wall heart attack. During the course of evaluation of the patient, a bulging out of the left ventricular apex with a hypercontractile base of the left ventricle is often noted. It is the hallmark bulging out of the apex of the heart with preserved function of the base that earned the syndrome its name "tako tsubo", or octopus trap in Japan, where it was first described.
Evaluation of individuals with takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically include a coronary angiogram, which will not reveal any significant blockages that would cause the left ventricular dysfunction. Provided that the individual survives their initial presentation, the left ventricular function improves within 2 months. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is more commonly seen in post-menopausal women.Often there is a history of a recent severe emotional or physical stress.
Baby Whale
Crowd butcher stranded baby whale
By Olukayode Thomas and Kayode Ogunbunmi
A BABY whale measuring about 12 metres beached around 3.30 a.m. Wednesday on the Nigerian side of the Seme border town along the Nigeria-Benin Republic international corridor.
While some of the crowd that thronged the scene went with nothing more exciting than a camera, others went armed with knives, axes and bags.
It was all a little too much for security officers stationed at the area. So, around noon yesterday, the carcass of the whale was doused in fuel and burnt.
According to eyewitnesses, residents near the beach, including security officials and locals, became aware of the trapped animal in the early hours of Wednesday. This attracted a crowd who trooped to the area to behold the mighty creature, which was flopped belly-up on the Beach and had a large part of its tail buried in the sand.
This continued until yesterday, although by then, most of the whale's tail and a large chunk of its body had been cut and carried away - possibly by those who would eat it.
Initial efforts by the security officials, including Customs, Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Quarantine officers to rescue the animal were unsuccessful as their collective effort could not shift it. Twice they tied almost five inches thick ropes around the animal to tug at it. Twice the rope snapped.
When the animal eventually died, all efforts to move it also proved futile. "We tried to bury it or push it back into the ocean but we could not do it," said one of the security officers.
But the officers succeeded in fencing the area of the beach away from would-be butchers by yesterday morning, around the time when part of the animal had started decaying, oozing of oil onto the beach.
"We don't want them to continue cutting the fish because they might start selling its meat," a customs officer said. "It is too bad some people decided to eat the fish. We don't want them to sell this to others so that we don't have an epidemic here."
In 2001, a blue whale that beached on the Bar Beach also attracted a large crowd of visitors, and many people also made away with large parts of its meat.
By Olukayode Thomas and Kayode Ogunbunmi
A BABY whale measuring about 12 metres beached around 3.30 a.m. Wednesday on the Nigerian side of the Seme border town along the Nigeria-Benin Republic international corridor.
While some of the crowd that thronged the scene went with nothing more exciting than a camera, others went armed with knives, axes and bags.
It was all a little too much for security officers stationed at the area. So, around noon yesterday, the carcass of the whale was doused in fuel and burnt.
According to eyewitnesses, residents near the beach, including security officials and locals, became aware of the trapped animal in the early hours of Wednesday. This attracted a crowd who trooped to the area to behold the mighty creature, which was flopped belly-up on the Beach and had a large part of its tail buried in the sand.
This continued until yesterday, although by then, most of the whale's tail and a large chunk of its body had been cut and carried away - possibly by those who would eat it.
Initial efforts by the security officials, including Customs, Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Quarantine officers to rescue the animal were unsuccessful as their collective effort could not shift it. Twice they tied almost five inches thick ropes around the animal to tug at it. Twice the rope snapped.
When the animal eventually died, all efforts to move it also proved futile. "We tried to bury it or push it back into the ocean but we could not do it," said one of the security officers.
But the officers succeeded in fencing the area of the beach away from would-be butchers by yesterday morning, around the time when part of the animal had started decaying, oozing of oil onto the beach.
"We don't want them to continue cutting the fish because they might start selling its meat," a customs officer said. "It is too bad some people decided to eat the fish. We don't want them to sell this to others so that we don't have an epidemic here."
In 2001, a blue whale that beached on the Bar Beach also attracted a large crowd of visitors, and many people also made away with large parts of its meat.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
2nd Amendment
Innocent people again battle for dear lives after a crazed shooting rampage reported in a downtown cleveland high school yesterday.Initial reports suggest a reason as trivial as a 14 year old's suspension from school.
No matter what side of the aisle you are on the debate on gun control and the 2nd amendment,one thing is crystal clear:this thing is now reaching epidemic proportions,and we need to stop playing the ostrich and face the real issues.
Every parent should be able to drop off their kids at school without having to worry constantly at work about their safety.These days,you never know which deranged minor has brought his dad's gun to school....and he may well be sitting next to your daughter!
As an "alien",i am neither qualified nor able to challenge the wisdom of the founding fathers in enacting the 2nd amendment.What i am dead sure about though,is that several of the assumptions and precautionary premises upon which this amendment was predicated are now irrelevant and obsolete.Even Britain whose experience during the elizabethan era inspired this amendment currently maintains a largely unharmed police force and exercises stringent gun control measures.Whether this has led to lower crime rates in the UK compared to the US or not is self evident and does not even lend itself to any sort of intellectual debate(no matter what the NRA tells you).....I have lived in both countries and should know what i am talking about.
Every time a sanctimonious ultraconservative babbles on the sanctity of the constitution and its enshrined amendments in relation to gun control,i like to refer them to the equally sacred provisions of the 9th amendment.
No matter what side of the aisle you are on the debate on gun control and the 2nd amendment,one thing is crystal clear:this thing is now reaching epidemic proportions,and we need to stop playing the ostrich and face the real issues.
Every parent should be able to drop off their kids at school without having to worry constantly at work about their safety.These days,you never know which deranged minor has brought his dad's gun to school....and he may well be sitting next to your daughter!
As an "alien",i am neither qualified nor able to challenge the wisdom of the founding fathers in enacting the 2nd amendment.What i am dead sure about though,is that several of the assumptions and precautionary premises upon which this amendment was predicated are now irrelevant and obsolete.Even Britain whose experience during the elizabethan era inspired this amendment currently maintains a largely unharmed police force and exercises stringent gun control measures.Whether this has led to lower crime rates in the UK compared to the US or not is self evident and does not even lend itself to any sort of intellectual debate(no matter what the NRA tells you).....I have lived in both countries and should know what i am talking about.
Every time a sanctimonious ultraconservative babbles on the sanctity of the constitution and its enshrined amendments in relation to gun control,i like to refer them to the equally sacred provisions of the 9th amendment.
Syndrome of the week
The Uhthoff Phenomenon
Uhthoff's Symptom also referred to as Uhthoff's Phenomenon does not display solely in MS patients, however, it was the principal diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis until the 1980's when more accurate test methods became available.
The patient will show a worsening of symptoms with an increase in body temperature. The temperature rise may be the result of exercise, a hot bath, or the prevailing climatic conditions. Most associated with Optic Neuritis this may demonstrate with or without multiple sclerosis. In one study, patients exhibiting Uhthoff's phenomenon without multiple sclerosis were found to be more likely to develop MS than patients with Optic Neuritis who didn't display Uhthoff's Symptom.
An increase in heat can worsen many MS symptoms and cause new ones to appear. As well as Optic Neuritis it is most often seen to exacerbate MS fatigue.
It is thought, and these are just theories, that heat may affect serum calcium, circulatory change, heat shock proteins, and the most popular theory is the blockade of ion channels.
I prefer the explanation that demyelinated nerves suffer a performance drop when used a lot and the associated heat probably worsens this degradation.
Uhthoff's Symptom also referred to as Uhthoff's Phenomenon does not display solely in MS patients, however, it was the principal diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis until the 1980's when more accurate test methods became available.
The patient will show a worsening of symptoms with an increase in body temperature. The temperature rise may be the result of exercise, a hot bath, or the prevailing climatic conditions. Most associated with Optic Neuritis this may demonstrate with or without multiple sclerosis. In one study, patients exhibiting Uhthoff's phenomenon without multiple sclerosis were found to be more likely to develop MS than patients with Optic Neuritis who didn't display Uhthoff's Symptom.
An increase in heat can worsen many MS symptoms and cause new ones to appear. As well as Optic Neuritis it is most often seen to exacerbate MS fatigue.
It is thought, and these are just theories, that heat may affect serum calcium, circulatory change, heat shock proteins, and the most popular theory is the blockade of ion channels.
I prefer the explanation that demyelinated nerves suffer a performance drop when used a lot and the associated heat probably worsens this degradation.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Premiership update
Family matters had precluded my comments at the height of the chaos on stamford bridge in the past 3weeks.
The special one is no more around in west London to steer the ship and some near capsizing scares have so far been endured by the pensioneers.
I have read diverse views on different mediums concerning where chelsea goes from here.It certainly will be tough going forwards,but i expect things to settle before xmas.We got some kind of reprieve midweek at the mestalla thanks to the drogs.I definitely expect chelsea to win our group,our dismal opening draw with rosenborg notwithstanding.
What must be more worrying to not only chelsea fans,but also man-utd and liverpool fans is the superb form of the young gunners against all expectations this season.If they continue in this vein of form(which i doubt),many pollsters would have to reset their bets for the season.
I have however no doubt in my mind that this year's contest will be determined by several non-football factors like injuries to key players,dubious referee decisions and the african nations cup!
For the last mentioned factor,man-utd can be said to have the edge....i can't name one african player in the man-utd 1st team.I will not be surprised at all if arsenal surrenders a big lead in february!
At this time,i can only hope that lampard returns soon,JT's cheekbone heals and the drogs stays out of trouble!I think Schevchenko should be sold in january or offered as part exchange for ronaldinho(if barca would fall for the bait and acquire a liability!)
Man city is still 2nd, guys....dont be fooled by their humility....remember i told you so several weeks ago....watch out for sven's matadors.
....was that really liverpool getting spanked by marseille in midweek??...i mean marseille can't beat anyone in league1 at the moment.The kop faithfuls must be wondering what benitez is doing with this rotation policy.
omc
The special one is no more around in west London to steer the ship and some near capsizing scares have so far been endured by the pensioneers.
I have read diverse views on different mediums concerning where chelsea goes from here.It certainly will be tough going forwards,but i expect things to settle before xmas.We got some kind of reprieve midweek at the mestalla thanks to the drogs.I definitely expect chelsea to win our group,our dismal opening draw with rosenborg notwithstanding.
What must be more worrying to not only chelsea fans,but also man-utd and liverpool fans is the superb form of the young gunners against all expectations this season.If they continue in this vein of form(which i doubt),many pollsters would have to reset their bets for the season.
I have however no doubt in my mind that this year's contest will be determined by several non-football factors like injuries to key players,dubious referee decisions and the african nations cup!
For the last mentioned factor,man-utd can be said to have the edge....i can't name one african player in the man-utd 1st team.I will not be surprised at all if arsenal surrenders a big lead in february!
At this time,i can only hope that lampard returns soon,JT's cheekbone heals and the drogs stays out of trouble!I think Schevchenko should be sold in january or offered as part exchange for ronaldinho(if barca would fall for the bait and acquire a liability!)
Man city is still 2nd, guys....dont be fooled by their humility....remember i told you so several weeks ago....watch out for sven's matadors.
....was that really liverpool getting spanked by marseille in midweek??...i mean marseille can't beat anyone in league1 at the moment.The kop faithfuls must be wondering what benitez is doing with this rotation policy.
omc
Syndrome of the week
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), also known as Lennox syndrome, is a difficult-to-treat form of childhood-onset epilepsy that most often appears between the second and sixth year of life, and is characterized by frequent seizures and different seizure types; it is often accompanied by mental retardation and behavior problems.
As a general rule, the age of seizure onset in LGS patients is between the ages of two and six; however, this does not exclude the possibility that seizures can begin before age two, or after age eight. The syndrome shows clear parallels to West syndrome, enough to suggest a connection.
Daily multiple seizures are typical in LGS. Also typical is the broad range of seizures that can occur, larger than that of any other epileptic syndrome. The most frequently occurring seizure types are: tonic, which are often nocturnal (90%); the second most frequent are myoclonic seizures, which often occur when the patient is over-tired.
Atonic, atypical absence, complex partial, focalized and tonic-clonic seizures are also common. Additionally, about half of patients will suffer from status epilepticus, usually the nonconvulsive type, which is characterized by dizziness, apathy, and unresponsiveness. The seizures can cause sudden falling (or spasms in tonic, atonic and myoclonic episodes) and/or loss of balance, which is why patients often wear a helmet to prevent head injury.
In addition to daily multiple seizures of various types, children with LGS frequently have arrested/slowed psychomotor development and behavior disorders.
The syndrome is also characterized by an interictal (between-seizures) EEG featuring slow spike-wave complexes.
LGS seizures are often treatment resistant, but this does not mean that treatment is futile. Options include anticonvulsants, anesthetics, steroids such as prednisone, immunoglobulins, and various other pharmacological agents that have been reported to work in individual patients.
As a general rule, the age of seizure onset in LGS patients is between the ages of two and six; however, this does not exclude the possibility that seizures can begin before age two, or after age eight. The syndrome shows clear parallels to West syndrome, enough to suggest a connection.
Daily multiple seizures are typical in LGS. Also typical is the broad range of seizures that can occur, larger than that of any other epileptic syndrome. The most frequently occurring seizure types are: tonic, which are often nocturnal (90%); the second most frequent are myoclonic seizures, which often occur when the patient is over-tired.
Atonic, atypical absence, complex partial, focalized and tonic-clonic seizures are also common. Additionally, about half of patients will suffer from status epilepticus, usually the nonconvulsive type, which is characterized by dizziness, apathy, and unresponsiveness. The seizures can cause sudden falling (or spasms in tonic, atonic and myoclonic episodes) and/or loss of balance, which is why patients often wear a helmet to prevent head injury.
In addition to daily multiple seizures of various types, children with LGS frequently have arrested/slowed psychomotor development and behavior disorders.
The syndrome is also characterized by an interictal (between-seizures) EEG featuring slow spike-wave complexes.
LGS seizures are often treatment resistant, but this does not mean that treatment is futile. Options include anticonvulsants, anesthetics, steroids such as prednisone, immunoglobulins, and various other pharmacological agents that have been reported to work in individual patients.
Polygamy and governance
Nyako: God punish the press (?)By Reuben Abati
GOVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state keeps showing up in the news for the wrong reasons. He needs to pull himself together and begin to focus on the urgent task of providing leadership. For eight years, Adamawa state was a centre of acrimonious politics. This was particularly so in the last four years of the Obasanjo administration, largely on account of the feud between President Obasanjo and his Vice President Atiku Abubakar. At a point, Adamawa, the latter's home-state was described as one of the hot spots of Nigerian politics. The then Governor, Bonnie Haruna was quick to announce that he was "Atiku's boy" and he diverted so much energy that should have gone into the business of governance to the protection of Atiku's interest on the home-front. Expectedly, the people of Adamawa were short-changed.
When Nyako showed up as Governor in 2007 many progressives across the nation heaved a sigh of relief. Nyako was generally regarded by the public as an officer and a gentleman: polite, urbane and well-behaved. A former Naval officer, he rose to the rank of a Rear Admiral. He had also served previously as Governor of Niger State and Chief of Naval Staff. Unlike many of his contemporaries, there was no whiff of scandal around him. In retirement, he had shown much capacity for continued hardwork with his public-spiritedness and investments in farming. Nyako in the last few weeks, unfortunately has been burning his bridges and squandering his goodwill.
While other state Governors have been busy showcasing their achievements in 100 days, and their plans for the future, Nyako has been caught up in a sordid drama of his own making. It is best described as an unwanted distraction from which he should extricate himself. It is the drama of his four wives - Binta, Halima, Zainab and Asamau. The press had reported that Nyako in an attempt to treat his wives equally had chosen to democratise the office of the First Lady by parcelling out the office to his four wives, with assigned responsibilities: (a) Political Affairs and Social Mobilisation (b) Abuja Affairs; (c) Health, and (d) Home Front. In its September 12, 2007 edition, The Guardian published a story: "Nyako's wives at war over office", indicating that Nyako's method of managing possible conflict over the First Lady office was in fact, now, a source of friction among his competing wives and their supporters.
The politics of First Ladyship, and its history as a source of wastage and undue self-promotion has been a vexed issue among Nigerians. The media immediately began to feast on the story with the notorious refrain that Nyako should call his wives to order. Thus, Nyako and his four wives became the main news from Adamawa state. The Governor and his team had tried to do some damage control. They used public funds to place full-page advertorials in the press specifically to accuse The Guardian of "immoral calumny" - being their response to the newspaper's editorial: "Nyako and his four wives" (September 17, 2007). The rejoinder contained more fog than light. In the future, Nyako should pay for such advertorials from his own purse, using public funds to fight his private battles is indecent.
Obviously unhappy, Nyako was also reported as having defended himself as follows: "I want to clear the air. I am a Muslim and as such, all wives have equal status and so far I have not declared any one of them as First Lady. You know during my tenure as a former governor, my wife was never referred to as a First Lady, even though she was the only one then. So as far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a single first lady. You know that they are very talented, they have doctorate degrees, one in medicine, one in education, one in law, and even the fourth one is highly educated too. So, in the programme of government, any one of them who shows interest will be entitled to contribute."
Nyako had obviously missed the point. Nobody has questioned his right to have four wives. If he so wishes, he could have 50 wives. Nobody is also against the idea of his "well-educated and very talented" wives being encouraged to express themselves and make useful contributions. But the point is that the people of Adamawa should not be made to maintain four First Ladies, either directly or by default. And that the rivalry among the four women should not become a source of hardship to government.
In fact, my position is that since Nyako has a four-year tenure and he has four wives, he should consider the option of rotational First Ladyship with the wives serving a term of one year each in their order of seniority! The "Nyako and his four wives" debate nonetheless served the useful purpose of drawing public attention afresh to the First Lady syndrome and the challenges of polygamy. No one should overlook the simple truth that in this matter, Nyako had to find a way of maintaining peace in his home!. Every other argument is mere spin..
Matters such as this tend to have a short life-span, once the themes have been analysed and indeed, the media was beginning to focus on other issues. But last weekend, Nyako poured petrol into the furnace when he allegedly chose to call on God to punish Nigerian journalists. The report which Nyako is yet to deny, appeared in The Vanguard newspaper of October 2, at page 5, written by Umar Yusuf. It is worth quoting at some length: "Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State weekend rained curses on the media over what he considered unfair reports on the activities of his wives and the jostle among them over who should be the first lady."
We are told that the Governor through his media team had invited journalists in the state to his residence to join him during the breaking of the Ramadan fast in the evening. The Governor and the journalists prayed and ate together. Then, the Master of Ceremony, Chief of Staff to the Governor and former Deputy Governor in the state, Alhaji Bello Tukur invited the journalists to "nominate one of them to speak on their behalf." The lot fell on one Comrade David Molomo, Secretary of the local branch of the Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ), who apparently swooning over whatever he had been given to eat "apologised to the Governor for publications concerning his wives. The Secretary (He) appealed to the Governor to use the period of the Ramadan fast to put behind him the issue of his wives and the First Lady's position."
Molomo has the right to express a personal opinion but he was obviously talking nonsense. He is not in a position to apologise on behalf of the media. And why apologise? Is it not true that Nyako has four wives? Is it not true that these four wives have shared among themselves the First Lady portfolio as if they are sharing the family heirloom? Nyako does not need to put anything behind him; he should have been told to learn the right lessons from the media drubbing that he has received. Molomo spoke as if he could offer any guarantees. When journalists go to Government House to eat free food, they should watch their tongues. And of course, Molomo and his colleagues got what they did not expect. The Vanguard report states that Nyako was enraged. His aides had to appeal to him; eventually he was persuaded to say a word or two. When he obliged, he chose to speak in Hausa: "Allah Yai Sa! Allah Yar Sa! Allah!" which the newspaper translates as meaning "God punish the press, God punish the press, God punish the press." If he added other expletives, the Vanguard reporter, Umar Yusuf did not indicate. But we are told: "He then stood up and headed to his inner rooms to the surprise of the journalists and other top government functionaries present."
It serves those journalists in attendance right. If Nyako had been a military Governor, he could have ordered all the journalists arrested and direct that they should be caned. This was how intolerant military administrators responded to criticisms in the past. Nyako's conduct, even in its present form, is deplorable. The high office that he occupies requires maturity and self-control. Throwing tantrums, swearing and cursing and staging a walk-out like an aggrieved baby is unbecoming of his high office. Are his wives putting him under pressure?
Is he having problems dealing with the negative exposure that his four wives have now brought him? Is he helpless, angry and frustrated? He should learn to control his emotions. Why should God punish journalists? For doing their job? Those who have chosen to take up public positions must learn not to complain when the media focusses attention on them. It is the least price that they can possibly pay for the privilege of their pre-eminence. If they feel that they have been maligned, they can write rejoinders or go to court.
Nyako had earlier described himself as a true Muslim. What kind of Muslim is he, swearing and cursing in the Holy month of Ramadan, and walking out on his fellow men, rather contemptuously? During this month, Moslems are enjoined to be in their best behaviour, to eschew all vices - greed, use of intemperate language, violence, alcholism and to remain chaste. Ramadan is the month when Moslems are reminded of their duty to fellow human beings: to show love and understanding, to assist the needy, and to seek the Grace of God. Nyako pushed all this aside when he chose to swear and curse. If this were not the month of Ramadan, how else would he have treated his guests?
His conduct is however not peculiar. It illustrates the gap in our society between private and public morality. Most Nigerians are very religious. They can quote the Holy Books correctly, and make a passionate show of piety. But in their relationship with other human beings, they do not obey the commandments of the faith that they profess. Nyako had just finished breaking his fast before he called on God to "punish" his fellow human beings. He does not owe those journalists an apology, but he owes God an explanation. Let him atone for his sins by chanting "God bless journalists", a hundred times. And hopefully, when next Nyako invites journalists to dinner, they would learn to stand by the truth, even after eating... God bless Nyako.
GOVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state keeps showing up in the news for the wrong reasons. He needs to pull himself together and begin to focus on the urgent task of providing leadership. For eight years, Adamawa state was a centre of acrimonious politics. This was particularly so in the last four years of the Obasanjo administration, largely on account of the feud between President Obasanjo and his Vice President Atiku Abubakar. At a point, Adamawa, the latter's home-state was described as one of the hot spots of Nigerian politics. The then Governor, Bonnie Haruna was quick to announce that he was "Atiku's boy" and he diverted so much energy that should have gone into the business of governance to the protection of Atiku's interest on the home-front. Expectedly, the people of Adamawa were short-changed.
When Nyako showed up as Governor in 2007 many progressives across the nation heaved a sigh of relief. Nyako was generally regarded by the public as an officer and a gentleman: polite, urbane and well-behaved. A former Naval officer, he rose to the rank of a Rear Admiral. He had also served previously as Governor of Niger State and Chief of Naval Staff. Unlike many of his contemporaries, there was no whiff of scandal around him. In retirement, he had shown much capacity for continued hardwork with his public-spiritedness and investments in farming. Nyako in the last few weeks, unfortunately has been burning his bridges and squandering his goodwill.
While other state Governors have been busy showcasing their achievements in 100 days, and their plans for the future, Nyako has been caught up in a sordid drama of his own making. It is best described as an unwanted distraction from which he should extricate himself. It is the drama of his four wives - Binta, Halima, Zainab and Asamau. The press had reported that Nyako in an attempt to treat his wives equally had chosen to democratise the office of the First Lady by parcelling out the office to his four wives, with assigned responsibilities: (a) Political Affairs and Social Mobilisation (b) Abuja Affairs; (c) Health, and (d) Home Front. In its September 12, 2007 edition, The Guardian published a story: "Nyako's wives at war over office", indicating that Nyako's method of managing possible conflict over the First Lady office was in fact, now, a source of friction among his competing wives and their supporters.
The politics of First Ladyship, and its history as a source of wastage and undue self-promotion has been a vexed issue among Nigerians. The media immediately began to feast on the story with the notorious refrain that Nyako should call his wives to order. Thus, Nyako and his four wives became the main news from Adamawa state. The Governor and his team had tried to do some damage control. They used public funds to place full-page advertorials in the press specifically to accuse The Guardian of "immoral calumny" - being their response to the newspaper's editorial: "Nyako and his four wives" (September 17, 2007). The rejoinder contained more fog than light. In the future, Nyako should pay for such advertorials from his own purse, using public funds to fight his private battles is indecent.
Obviously unhappy, Nyako was also reported as having defended himself as follows: "I want to clear the air. I am a Muslim and as such, all wives have equal status and so far I have not declared any one of them as First Lady. You know during my tenure as a former governor, my wife was never referred to as a First Lady, even though she was the only one then. So as far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a single first lady. You know that they are very talented, they have doctorate degrees, one in medicine, one in education, one in law, and even the fourth one is highly educated too. So, in the programme of government, any one of them who shows interest will be entitled to contribute."
Nyako had obviously missed the point. Nobody has questioned his right to have four wives. If he so wishes, he could have 50 wives. Nobody is also against the idea of his "well-educated and very talented" wives being encouraged to express themselves and make useful contributions. But the point is that the people of Adamawa should not be made to maintain four First Ladies, either directly or by default. And that the rivalry among the four women should not become a source of hardship to government.
In fact, my position is that since Nyako has a four-year tenure and he has four wives, he should consider the option of rotational First Ladyship with the wives serving a term of one year each in their order of seniority! The "Nyako and his four wives" debate nonetheless served the useful purpose of drawing public attention afresh to the First Lady syndrome and the challenges of polygamy. No one should overlook the simple truth that in this matter, Nyako had to find a way of maintaining peace in his home!. Every other argument is mere spin..
Matters such as this tend to have a short life-span, once the themes have been analysed and indeed, the media was beginning to focus on other issues. But last weekend, Nyako poured petrol into the furnace when he allegedly chose to call on God to punish Nigerian journalists. The report which Nyako is yet to deny, appeared in The Vanguard newspaper of October 2, at page 5, written by Umar Yusuf. It is worth quoting at some length: "Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State weekend rained curses on the media over what he considered unfair reports on the activities of his wives and the jostle among them over who should be the first lady."
We are told that the Governor through his media team had invited journalists in the state to his residence to join him during the breaking of the Ramadan fast in the evening. The Governor and the journalists prayed and ate together. Then, the Master of Ceremony, Chief of Staff to the Governor and former Deputy Governor in the state, Alhaji Bello Tukur invited the journalists to "nominate one of them to speak on their behalf." The lot fell on one Comrade David Molomo, Secretary of the local branch of the Nigerian Union of journalists (NUJ), who apparently swooning over whatever he had been given to eat "apologised to the Governor for publications concerning his wives. The Secretary (He) appealed to the Governor to use the period of the Ramadan fast to put behind him the issue of his wives and the First Lady's position."
Molomo has the right to express a personal opinion but he was obviously talking nonsense. He is not in a position to apologise on behalf of the media. And why apologise? Is it not true that Nyako has four wives? Is it not true that these four wives have shared among themselves the First Lady portfolio as if they are sharing the family heirloom? Nyako does not need to put anything behind him; he should have been told to learn the right lessons from the media drubbing that he has received. Molomo spoke as if he could offer any guarantees. When journalists go to Government House to eat free food, they should watch their tongues. And of course, Molomo and his colleagues got what they did not expect. The Vanguard report states that Nyako was enraged. His aides had to appeal to him; eventually he was persuaded to say a word or two. When he obliged, he chose to speak in Hausa: "Allah Yai Sa! Allah Yar Sa! Allah!" which the newspaper translates as meaning "God punish the press, God punish the press, God punish the press." If he added other expletives, the Vanguard reporter, Umar Yusuf did not indicate. But we are told: "He then stood up and headed to his inner rooms to the surprise of the journalists and other top government functionaries present."
It serves those journalists in attendance right. If Nyako had been a military Governor, he could have ordered all the journalists arrested and direct that they should be caned. This was how intolerant military administrators responded to criticisms in the past. Nyako's conduct, even in its present form, is deplorable. The high office that he occupies requires maturity and self-control. Throwing tantrums, swearing and cursing and staging a walk-out like an aggrieved baby is unbecoming of his high office. Are his wives putting him under pressure?
Is he having problems dealing with the negative exposure that his four wives have now brought him? Is he helpless, angry and frustrated? He should learn to control his emotions. Why should God punish journalists? For doing their job? Those who have chosen to take up public positions must learn not to complain when the media focusses attention on them. It is the least price that they can possibly pay for the privilege of their pre-eminence. If they feel that they have been maligned, they can write rejoinders or go to court.
Nyako had earlier described himself as a true Muslim. What kind of Muslim is he, swearing and cursing in the Holy month of Ramadan, and walking out on his fellow men, rather contemptuously? During this month, Moslems are enjoined to be in their best behaviour, to eschew all vices - greed, use of intemperate language, violence, alcholism and to remain chaste. Ramadan is the month when Moslems are reminded of their duty to fellow human beings: to show love and understanding, to assist the needy, and to seek the Grace of God. Nyako pushed all this aside when he chose to swear and curse. If this were not the month of Ramadan, how else would he have treated his guests?
His conduct is however not peculiar. It illustrates the gap in our society between private and public morality. Most Nigerians are very religious. They can quote the Holy Books correctly, and make a passionate show of piety. But in their relationship with other human beings, they do not obey the commandments of the faith that they profess. Nyako had just finished breaking his fast before he called on God to "punish" his fellow human beings. He does not owe those journalists an apology, but he owes God an explanation. Let him atone for his sins by chanting "God bless journalists", a hundred times. And hopefully, when next Nyako invites journalists to dinner, they would learn to stand by the truth, even after eating... God bless Nyako.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Bits
All the talk out there seems to be about Brittney making a fool of herself....again.Surprise,surprise!What did the VMA awards guys expect?I mean this chick has had 2 kids...these things take their toll.I think its time for Brittney Spears to find another baby daddy.Something tells me it's curtains on her career now.
I am all for the 'cruising' button everyone's pushing these days to conserve gas....not with the ever skyrocketing gas prices....but it's what people are doing with their hands and feet when the vehicle's on cruise mode on the highway that has got me bewildered these last few days.First,i saw a bloke eating like 3-course meals in free-flowing traffic....then some chick reading a soft sell magazine with her 2 feet on the dashboard in somewhat calmer traffic...but it was last week's experience that took the price....this young couple only stopped short of having sex behind the wheel! Now,i know none of these should be any of my business(i know i've been using my i-phone behind the wheels too)but somebody might get really hurt pretty soon!!Ask senator Larry Craig...although his type of 'cruising' is so different from the above examples...he likes other men(so?)..and he knows exactly where to find them....now i won't look at those airport toilet cubicles with quite the same eyes again.
I try to watch Glenn Beck on 'CNN Headlines news'..just because there's still something eerily amusing about these effete conservative show hosts who only think with their mouths...Glenn,Neil Cavuto,Bill Oreilly and even Lou Dobbs.Well,I'm also not a populist...that's why i came to America...so people like Michael Moore don't impress me neither.His Sicko Docudrama is the most laughable and under-researched piece of unintelligent humour i've ever seen.The concept that either Hillary or Obama can glide to the white house by simply promising a 'free' universal healthcare smirks of sensationalism.Even countries that currently have some form of universal health care...UK/Canada have their own doubts....as a matter of fact,the NHS was already cracking at the seams before i left the UK last year.
Whatever my admiration of Warren Buffet's successes,it's the guy's focus and discipline that earns my reverence.He still applies the same principles he did in the 70's...stuck in far far away Omaha,Nebraska leaving in the same old town-house.Only the very exclusively rich are Berkshire Hathaway shareholders now...i mean each share trades for $120,000 these days.But the fact he still drives himself around Omaha unescorted is remarkable..this is in a weaponized society where some dude got shot in Idaho last month just for pulling in ahead of some looney driver during rush hour traffic!
....recently my wife observed that it appears we are the only ones in the neighbourhood without a gun.Even our close family friends display a 'carrying concealed weapon'(CCW) tag on their vehicle.As long as the NRA maintains a stranglehold on who winds up in the white house,this trend will continue
...my pastor shocked the congregation last sunday by announcing that his security details carry 'more than bibles' in their pockets.Now i remember the complex security arrangements that enveloped Bishop Oyedepo before i left Nigeria.The point remains though that Jesus Christ never needed armed guards....i agree times have changed..and there are several crazy guys out there,or JFK and MLK would still be alive with us today!
Maclaren(the manager)had better stop this Hesky thing if it's an expensive joke.This guy is no Drogba and should be left in his wilderness.Some of us have been unimpressed by his "contribution" against Isreal and Russia.Even if Rooney remains injured,England can do better than partner Hesky with owen.
So Maclaren(the formula one company) has been spying on Ferrari's secrets...so what?i suspect neither Lewis Hamilton nor Fernando Alonso would mind very much...I hear hamilton may leave maclaren soon though.Watch this space.
OMC
I am all for the 'cruising' button everyone's pushing these days to conserve gas....not with the ever skyrocketing gas prices....but it's what people are doing with their hands and feet when the vehicle's on cruise mode on the highway that has got me bewildered these last few days.First,i saw a bloke eating like 3-course meals in free-flowing traffic....then some chick reading a soft sell magazine with her 2 feet on the dashboard in somewhat calmer traffic...but it was last week's experience that took the price....this young couple only stopped short of having sex behind the wheel! Now,i know none of these should be any of my business(i know i've been using my i-phone behind the wheels too)but somebody might get really hurt pretty soon!!Ask senator Larry Craig...although his type of 'cruising' is so different from the above examples...he likes other men(so?)..and he knows exactly where to find them....now i won't look at those airport toilet cubicles with quite the same eyes again.
I try to watch Glenn Beck on 'CNN Headlines news'..just because there's still something eerily amusing about these effete conservative show hosts who only think with their mouths...Glenn,Neil Cavuto,Bill Oreilly and even Lou Dobbs.Well,I'm also not a populist...that's why i came to America...so people like Michael Moore don't impress me neither.His Sicko Docudrama is the most laughable and under-researched piece of unintelligent humour i've ever seen.The concept that either Hillary or Obama can glide to the white house by simply promising a 'free' universal healthcare smirks of sensationalism.Even countries that currently have some form of universal health care...UK/Canada have their own doubts....as a matter of fact,the NHS was already cracking at the seams before i left the UK last year.
Whatever my admiration of Warren Buffet's successes,it's the guy's focus and discipline that earns my reverence.He still applies the same principles he did in the 70's...stuck in far far away Omaha,Nebraska leaving in the same old town-house.Only the very exclusively rich are Berkshire Hathaway shareholders now...i mean each share trades for $120,000 these days.But the fact he still drives himself around Omaha unescorted is remarkable..this is in a weaponized society where some dude got shot in Idaho last month just for pulling in ahead of some looney driver during rush hour traffic!
....recently my wife observed that it appears we are the only ones in the neighbourhood without a gun.Even our close family friends display a 'carrying concealed weapon'(CCW) tag on their vehicle.As long as the NRA maintains a stranglehold on who winds up in the white house,this trend will continue
...my pastor shocked the congregation last sunday by announcing that his security details carry 'more than bibles' in their pockets.Now i remember the complex security arrangements that enveloped Bishop Oyedepo before i left Nigeria.The point remains though that Jesus Christ never needed armed guards....i agree times have changed..and there are several crazy guys out there,or JFK and MLK would still be alive with us today!
Maclaren(the manager)had better stop this Hesky thing if it's an expensive joke.This guy is no Drogba and should be left in his wilderness.Some of us have been unimpressed by his "contribution" against Isreal and Russia.Even if Rooney remains injured,England can do better than partner Hesky with owen.
So Maclaren(the formula one company) has been spying on Ferrari's secrets...so what?i suspect neither Lewis Hamilton nor Fernando Alonso would mind very much...I hear hamilton may leave maclaren soon though.Watch this space.
OMC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Syndrome of the week
Othello syndrome:
Delusional jealousy, Morbid jealousy, or Othello syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful.
The name Othello syndrome comes from the character in Shakespeare's play Othello, who murders his wife based on his false belief that she has been disloyal.
An affected person typically makes repeated accusations of infidelity based on insignificant or minimal evidence, often citing seemingly normal or everyday events or material to back up their claim. They may also take great pains to test their partner's fidelity and can go to considerable lengths to monitor their behavior and movements. This may be taken to extremes, such as waiting outside of the partner's workplace during their working day, following them into the bathroom in case their partner has an illicit meeting or even hearing the voice of the perceived lover.
Delusional jealousy is more often found in males than females, and it can occur regardless of an individual's sexual orientation.
Unlike other delusional disorders, delusional jealousy has a strong association with violence and in some cases stalking behavior. At the very least affected individuals tend to be irritable and confrontational.
It can be found in the context of schizophrenia and delusional disorder but is also associated with alcoholism and sexual dysfunction and has been reported after neurological illness.
Delusional jealousy, Morbid jealousy, or Othello syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful.
The name Othello syndrome comes from the character in Shakespeare's play Othello, who murders his wife based on his false belief that she has been disloyal.
An affected person typically makes repeated accusations of infidelity based on insignificant or minimal evidence, often citing seemingly normal or everyday events or material to back up their claim. They may also take great pains to test their partner's fidelity and can go to considerable lengths to monitor their behavior and movements. This may be taken to extremes, such as waiting outside of the partner's workplace during their working day, following them into the bathroom in case their partner has an illicit meeting or even hearing the voice of the perceived lover.
Delusional jealousy is more often found in males than females, and it can occur regardless of an individual's sexual orientation.
Unlike other delusional disorders, delusional jealousy has a strong association with violence and in some cases stalking behavior. At the very least affected individuals tend to be irritable and confrontational.
It can be found in the context of schizophrenia and delusional disorder but is also associated with alcoholism and sexual dysfunction and has been reported after neurological illness.
OMC
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Message from blogger
I would like to hear from you if you are a regular visitor on this blog.Comments from my readers will be appreciated,it helps me know people are reading.You are free to identify yourself although anonymous comments are also welcome.
Also,if you don't like what you read here,tell me.If you like what you see,tell others.
OMC
http://www.charlesayanleke.blogspot.com
Also,if you don't like what you read here,tell me.If you like what you see,tell others.
OMC
http://www.charlesayanleke.blogspot.com
Age-group Soccer and integrity
Today in Korea,the Nigerian under-17 soccer team defeated Spain to lift the trophy.It was the 3rd time lucky as Nigeria had previously won twice:1985 and 1993.I personally think that these age-group competitions have never been able to capture the imagination or attention of the viewing public.It's even worse than college basketball or college football as compared to the NBA or NFL in the US.
What this article is about is not the skill of the finalists in this 'epic' final,rather it's about it's continued relevance or otherwise given the less than honest attitude of several participating countries towards team selection and age verification.
I can definitely talk about the Nigerian team where there is no way even half of those lads can be younger than 20 years old.Anyone born and raised in Africa will be able to tell you that neither Nigeria's Macaulay Chrisantus nor Ghana's Ossei are likely to be teenagers...and that's without recourse to carbon-dating techniques.It's perhaps illuminating to find that these two pocketed 2 of the top awards at the closing ceremony.I suspect the voters for the MVP award also had similar sentiments as they unanimously voted German captain Tony Kroos as best player in the tournament ahead of the above mentioned duo.I gather votings were pretty close though...Kroos beat Christansus by 25 votes to 24!
This brazen dishonesty is why Nigerian football stars have an ultra short career.Samson Siasia was at the 1983 U-21 championships in Mexico with Romario...and while the dimunitive brazillian striker was not particularly an epitome of discipline throughout his career,yet when he was ruling the world in 1994,Siasia and Co had to be content with the African Nations Cup.These days,Romario is still playing for Vasco after age 40,recently scoring his much disputed 1000th career goal.Needless to say that Siasia,Yekini and all the guys in Nigeria's 1994 world cup squad never made it that long,in fact Siasia recently took to management and led his U-20 team to defeat by Argentina in 2005.
One of the guys in this victorious Nigerian team is registered as an HND student in a Nigerian Polytechnic.In a country where kids spend forever to pass exams to enter college,coupled with ceaseless strike action by University and Polytechnic staff,claiming that this lad is U17 is a laughable prank.FIFA needs to do more to verify the sincerity of its member confederations and nation members to restore the public's trust in these events or we will continue to witness less than 35,000 spectators at the finals(like today's)....about the same number that paid money to watch the senior Brazil national team TRAINING in Croatia and Hungary weeks ago.
Enough said.
OMC
What this article is about is not the skill of the finalists in this 'epic' final,rather it's about it's continued relevance or otherwise given the less than honest attitude of several participating countries towards team selection and age verification.
I can definitely talk about the Nigerian team where there is no way even half of those lads can be younger than 20 years old.Anyone born and raised in Africa will be able to tell you that neither Nigeria's Macaulay Chrisantus nor Ghana's Ossei are likely to be teenagers...and that's without recourse to carbon-dating techniques.It's perhaps illuminating to find that these two pocketed 2 of the top awards at the closing ceremony.I suspect the voters for the MVP award also had similar sentiments as they unanimously voted German captain Tony Kroos as best player in the tournament ahead of the above mentioned duo.I gather votings were pretty close though...Kroos beat Christansus by 25 votes to 24!
This brazen dishonesty is why Nigerian football stars have an ultra short career.Samson Siasia was at the 1983 U-21 championships in Mexico with Romario...and while the dimunitive brazillian striker was not particularly an epitome of discipline throughout his career,yet when he was ruling the world in 1994,Siasia and Co had to be content with the African Nations Cup.These days,Romario is still playing for Vasco after age 40,recently scoring his much disputed 1000th career goal.Needless to say that Siasia,Yekini and all the guys in Nigeria's 1994 world cup squad never made it that long,in fact Siasia recently took to management and led his U-20 team to defeat by Argentina in 2005.
One of the guys in this victorious Nigerian team is registered as an HND student in a Nigerian Polytechnic.In a country where kids spend forever to pass exams to enter college,coupled with ceaseless strike action by University and Polytechnic staff,claiming that this lad is U17 is a laughable prank.FIFA needs to do more to verify the sincerity of its member confederations and nation members to restore the public's trust in these events or we will continue to witness less than 35,000 spectators at the finals(like today's)....about the same number that paid money to watch the senior Brazil national team TRAINING in Croatia and Hungary weeks ago.
Enough said.
OMC
Doctors,opportunities and mobility of labour
In september 2002,I resigned my position as Medical Registrar at the University College Hospital,Ibadan Nigeria.Two weeks later,I was on a plane to Dublin unsure of what fate had in stock for me.All I knew was that several other young doctors like me were embarking on the same voyage.The script was simple:write the TRAS exam,attempt the MRCPI part 1 and start applying for jobs.
As often with many other things in life,the reality couldn't be further deviant from the script.Several young doctors mostly from the developing world(India,Pakistan,Sudan and Nigeria) suddenly found themselves out of job,out of cash and out of hope.Many were forced to take up the less prestigious means of livelihood from flipping burgers at Mcdonald to kitting up as security guards and perhaps the luckiest ones were the select few that got posts as care attendants in the bigger hospitals.
I take the pain to paint the picture above so that readers might be able to understand better some of the issues i plan to raise in subsequent paragraphs.It wasn't much rosier for the 'lucky' ones that ended up in the overcrowded East Ham flats in London hoping to scale through the PLAB exams as a gateway to the NHS....needless to say this has somewhat mellowed down now owing to the MMC restructuring currently being forced through in that country.
I also need to mention the Yankee hopefuls some of whom had to endure inhuman treatment at the hands of factory bosses content to exploit loopholes in the immigration policy in the US to employ these hapless aspiring docs in grossly underpaid "long-hours" factory jobs.Many of these doctors never got enough time to study for the USMLEs,subsequently failing several times.I know at least one such frustrated doc who is now a physician assistant...he was a plastic surgery resident in Nigeria!.
Those who managed to find caring relatives or friends willing to extend a hand of charity quickly discovered that human kindness had limits.Stories abound of some docs arriving at their relatives/friends homes where they had hitherto been squatting to meet bolted doors with their belongings left out in a 'Ghana-must-go' bag in the snow.
Now it was customary in this emerging subculture for young doctors to both envy and celebrate each new person that broke the code and secured a job...usually in far removed remote areas naturally underserved by indigenous phycisians.These 'lucky' ones almost invariably quickly recognized that 'all animals are equal but some are more equal than others'.In the very occasional instance that the exceptional foreign doctor got into a big center,training opportunities were at a premium and invariably exclusive to local grads.I know at least two compelling examples:the elder brother to a friend of mine has held cardiology registrar positions in Ireland since the mid '90s....he's still looking for an sPR post today.There is also a middle aged surgeon based in Co Kildare.Nurses and medical colleagues alike would testify to his superior surgical skills....but today,his consultant supervisor is a kid who was his intern 12 years ago!
But the picture is not all grim.Recently I learnt that a brilliant young Nigerian surgeon was confirmed as permanent consultant surgeon in Tallaght Hospital,Dublin.It is however pertinent to mention that he broke the all-time record in the FRCSI exams and has been widely acknowledged as an exceptional scholar.There are several other foreign (asian and african) doctors currently filling the 'locum consultant' posts springing up all over UK and Ireland especially in Psychiatry.Now this 'locum' epidemic can only last so long,so it's instructive that those fortunate to get in early are trying to put enough money away before the door closes.In 5 years or so,it's only natural that these locum doctors will find themselves surplus to requirements without specialized training and some real questions to answer to themselves.That is why several foreign grads are queueing up at interview centers for Family Practice training schemes in the UK.This is the closest path to what obtains in the US where residency graduates ,increasingly finding themselves short on fellowship training options, at least have a safety net in building their own individual practices as general internists.
Finally,let me put this whole thing in context for you.Few weeks ago,the world was shocked to realize that many of the airport bombing suspects in Scotland were doctors.Insiders and close industry watchers would not have been in the least surprised....this was always coming.The human mind,like the heart also obeys Starling's law...up to a point,then it switches to Laplace's law.It can only take so much frustration before reaching breakpoint.
I suspect that policy makers in the more affluent societies are by now reviewing their startegies towards medical recuitment.The current situation where close to 50,000 young doctors roam the streets of London,Dublin and Sydney jobless and out of visa status cannot be said to be serving anyone's interests...not in the least that of their home countries where ordinary people continue to die daily from a combination of incompetent governance,non-existent medical infrastructure and an unabating trend to brain drain.
OMC
As often with many other things in life,the reality couldn't be further deviant from the script.Several young doctors mostly from the developing world(India,Pakistan,Sudan and Nigeria) suddenly found themselves out of job,out of cash and out of hope.Many were forced to take up the less prestigious means of livelihood from flipping burgers at Mcdonald to kitting up as security guards and perhaps the luckiest ones were the select few that got posts as care attendants in the bigger hospitals.
I take the pain to paint the picture above so that readers might be able to understand better some of the issues i plan to raise in subsequent paragraphs.It wasn't much rosier for the 'lucky' ones that ended up in the overcrowded East Ham flats in London hoping to scale through the PLAB exams as a gateway to the NHS....needless to say this has somewhat mellowed down now owing to the MMC restructuring currently being forced through in that country.
I also need to mention the Yankee hopefuls some of whom had to endure inhuman treatment at the hands of factory bosses content to exploit loopholes in the immigration policy in the US to employ these hapless aspiring docs in grossly underpaid "long-hours" factory jobs.Many of these doctors never got enough time to study for the USMLEs,subsequently failing several times.I know at least one such frustrated doc who is now a physician assistant...he was a plastic surgery resident in Nigeria!.
Those who managed to find caring relatives or friends willing to extend a hand of charity quickly discovered that human kindness had limits.Stories abound of some docs arriving at their relatives/friends homes where they had hitherto been squatting to meet bolted doors with their belongings left out in a 'Ghana-must-go' bag in the snow.
Now it was customary in this emerging subculture for young doctors to both envy and celebrate each new person that broke the code and secured a job...usually in far removed remote areas naturally underserved by indigenous phycisians.These 'lucky' ones almost invariably quickly recognized that 'all animals are equal but some are more equal than others'.In the very occasional instance that the exceptional foreign doctor got into a big center,training opportunities were at a premium and invariably exclusive to local grads.I know at least two compelling examples:the elder brother to a friend of mine has held cardiology registrar positions in Ireland since the mid '90s....he's still looking for an sPR post today.There is also a middle aged surgeon based in Co Kildare.Nurses and medical colleagues alike would testify to his superior surgical skills....but today,his consultant supervisor is a kid who was his intern 12 years ago!
But the picture is not all grim.Recently I learnt that a brilliant young Nigerian surgeon was confirmed as permanent consultant surgeon in Tallaght Hospital,Dublin.It is however pertinent to mention that he broke the all-time record in the FRCSI exams and has been widely acknowledged as an exceptional scholar.There are several other foreign (asian and african) doctors currently filling the 'locum consultant' posts springing up all over UK and Ireland especially in Psychiatry.Now this 'locum' epidemic can only last so long,so it's instructive that those fortunate to get in early are trying to put enough money away before the door closes.In 5 years or so,it's only natural that these locum doctors will find themselves surplus to requirements without specialized training and some real questions to answer to themselves.That is why several foreign grads are queueing up at interview centers for Family Practice training schemes in the UK.This is the closest path to what obtains in the US where residency graduates ,increasingly finding themselves short on fellowship training options, at least have a safety net in building their own individual practices as general internists.
Finally,let me put this whole thing in context for you.Few weeks ago,the world was shocked to realize that many of the airport bombing suspects in Scotland were doctors.Insiders and close industry watchers would not have been in the least surprised....this was always coming.The human mind,like the heart also obeys Starling's law...up to a point,then it switches to Laplace's law.It can only take so much frustration before reaching breakpoint.
I suspect that policy makers in the more affluent societies are by now reviewing their startegies towards medical recuitment.The current situation where close to 50,000 young doctors roam the streets of London,Dublin and Sydney jobless and out of visa status cannot be said to be serving anyone's interests...not in the least that of their home countries where ordinary people continue to die daily from a combination of incompetent governance,non-existent medical infrastructure and an unabating trend to brain drain.
OMC
Thursday, September 6, 2007
wetin?
Omo,this job don tire person.
what?!you no even thank God...some of your mates never get job
I mean i don old pass all this "patient was apparently well" business
so wetin u wan do now?
look,i go like make real wad...enough of this paycheck stuff
ehn ehn,i understand your problem
which problem?
you are an ingrate
how?
God for don leave u for lasgidi dey jump from one PP to another
At least person go don make contacts for government
Oh,so thats wat this is about?your aunty bunmi never escape im own mess.
look,can't u see the hand of esau and voice of jacob in this nonsense?
who's jacob and who's esau?
i dont know why you people wont leave bunmi etteh alone..na only she dey chop?
ehn ehn,but you yoruba people own dey too much,haba!
haven't you wondered why aso rock has maintained a deafening silencein this quagmire?
i know now...umaru dey fear..small time una go talk say na because she be yoruba!
thats why we no go gree progress...since doctor like u still dey see issues thru ethnic prisms.
so u wan dey defend am?
u know my stand on all existing politial structures in naija.
nothing dey impress u..i no know who worse pass from u and Gani?
take your time o!...at least i fine pass am!!..remeber say ngozi been get tight world bank job..before dem tempt amwith finance portfolio...now she's gone back to her first love.
but not without some indelible stains on her legacy
i've told u guys many times..expect no saints in thisbusiness.there's no smoke without fire...she sef for don chop blind!no be this country we dey with late solarin,wole soyinka,olu agunloye,olu falae,bolaji aluko....na only Gani never accept poisoned chalice.
wo, i no get power for naija politics again abeg....see your eaglets dey tap soccer...
where?
see..you don turn oyinbo finish!
ah...all those yeye age group football no gum me o...nobody dey watch dem for here.
wat about US open?
maybe the girls section....where there's actually some contest.serena lose to henin..again...the chic don finally finish!
i trust my guy federer
any of you folks who still enjoy seeing federer pummel the opposition had better go watch michael vicks dogfights...because federer is even worse than tiger woods...at least phil still kill tiger last week.
but nadal dey beat roger for clay now
...pssshhhh...abeg,i just dey wait make Novak Djokovic begin show those 2 pepper...the serbian is the awaited messiah in tennis!..and thismay be his grand slam.
go siddon.
ok i dey zap...as you no gree buy beer for boys!
omc
what?!you no even thank God...some of your mates never get job
I mean i don old pass all this "patient was apparently well" business
so wetin u wan do now?
look,i go like make real wad...enough of this paycheck stuff
ehn ehn,i understand your problem
which problem?
you are an ingrate
how?
God for don leave u for lasgidi dey jump from one PP to another
At least person go don make contacts for government
Oh,so thats wat this is about?your aunty bunmi never escape im own mess.
look,can't u see the hand of esau and voice of jacob in this nonsense?
who's jacob and who's esau?
i dont know why you people wont leave bunmi etteh alone..na only she dey chop?
ehn ehn,but you yoruba people own dey too much,haba!
haven't you wondered why aso rock has maintained a deafening silencein this quagmire?
i know now...umaru dey fear..small time una go talk say na because she be yoruba!
thats why we no go gree progress...since doctor like u still dey see issues thru ethnic prisms.
so u wan dey defend am?
u know my stand on all existing politial structures in naija.
nothing dey impress u..i no know who worse pass from u and Gani?
take your time o!...at least i fine pass am!!..remeber say ngozi been get tight world bank job..before dem tempt amwith finance portfolio...now she's gone back to her first love.
but not without some indelible stains on her legacy
i've told u guys many times..expect no saints in thisbusiness.there's no smoke without fire...she sef for don chop blind!no be this country we dey with late solarin,wole soyinka,olu agunloye,olu falae,bolaji aluko....na only Gani never accept poisoned chalice.
wo, i no get power for naija politics again abeg....see your eaglets dey tap soccer...
where?
see..you don turn oyinbo finish!
ah...all those yeye age group football no gum me o...nobody dey watch dem for here.
wat about US open?
maybe the girls section....where there's actually some contest.serena lose to henin..again...the chic don finally finish!
i trust my guy federer
any of you folks who still enjoy seeing federer pummel the opposition had better go watch michael vicks dogfights...because federer is even worse than tiger woods...at least phil still kill tiger last week.
but nadal dey beat roger for clay now
...pssshhhh...abeg,i just dey wait make Novak Djokovic begin show those 2 pepper...the serbian is the awaited messiah in tennis!..and thismay be his grand slam.
go siddon.
ok i dey zap...as you no gree buy beer for boys!
omc
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Syndrome of the week
This week's syndrome comes from the realm of critical care:
"The propofol infusion syndrome".
The propofol infusion syndrome is a rare and often fatal syndrome originally described in critically ill children undergoing long-term propofol infusion at high doses. Recently several cases have been reported in adults, too. These adult cases were mostly patients with acute neurologic illnesses or acute inflammatory diseases complicated by severe infections or even sepsis, and receiving catecholamines and/or corticosteroids in addition to propofol.
The main features of the syndrome consist of cardiac failure, rhabdomyolysis, severe metabolic acidosis and renal failure associated with hyperkalemia. Central nervous system activation with production of catecholamines and glucocorticoids, and systemic inflammation with cytokine production are priming factors for cardiac and peripheral muscle dysfunction. High-dose propofol, but also supportive treatments with catecholamines and corticosteroids, act as triggering factors.
At the subcellular level, propofol impairs free fatty acid utilization and mitochondrial activity. Imbalance between energy demand and utilization is a key pathogenetic mechanism, which may lead to cardiac and peripheral muscle necrosis. The syndrome can be lethal if not identified early, and caution should be exercised when using prolonged (>48 h) propofol sedation at doses higher than 75 μg/kg/min, particularly in patients with acute neurologic or inflammatory illnesses.
see also this link for a related abstract:
http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/9/1453
Ref:MKSAP14
omc
"The propofol infusion syndrome".
The propofol infusion syndrome is a rare and often fatal syndrome originally described in critically ill children undergoing long-term propofol infusion at high doses. Recently several cases have been reported in adults, too. These adult cases were mostly patients with acute neurologic illnesses or acute inflammatory diseases complicated by severe infections or even sepsis, and receiving catecholamines and/or corticosteroids in addition to propofol.
The main features of the syndrome consist of cardiac failure, rhabdomyolysis, severe metabolic acidosis and renal failure associated with hyperkalemia. Central nervous system activation with production of catecholamines and glucocorticoids, and systemic inflammation with cytokine production are priming factors for cardiac and peripheral muscle dysfunction. High-dose propofol, but also supportive treatments with catecholamines and corticosteroids, act as triggering factors.
At the subcellular level, propofol impairs free fatty acid utilization and mitochondrial activity. Imbalance between energy demand and utilization is a key pathogenetic mechanism, which may lead to cardiac and peripheral muscle necrosis. The syndrome can be lethal if not identified early, and caution should be exercised when using prolonged (>48 h) propofol sedation at doses higher than 75 μg/kg/min, particularly in patients with acute neurologic or inflammatory illnesses.
see also this link for a related abstract:
http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/9/1453
Ref:MKSAP14
omc
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Dress Sense
The mayor of Atlanta recently started a dress code war against baggy beltless pants...you know,those ones that flash your ralph or gucci boxers...and sometimes more stuff too!
Already,minority rights groups are jumping on this as discrimination against young African-Americans.The major fear is that this may provide legislation to target a select group unfairly.Well the truth of the matter is that this code is now vogue,and young guys from black to white to hispanic are mainstreaming it.(see DJ Khaled,TI,Justin Timberlake and Sean Paul).
It might surprise many to learn that the origin of this curious dressing can be traced to the prisons.I have unconfirmed reports that the craze started with young men released from jail where belts were banned to discourage suicide attempts.In certain groups in the hood,doing time for your first crime is celebrated as an important milestone(listen closely to the lyrics of sean kingston's hit track "beautiful girls").
I haven't been to Africa in a while but I am dead sure boys are wearing these things on Lagos streets by now.I have made it clear to my son this is unacceptable in my house.
You know,it's funny how heroes turn to zeroes very quickly.I heard Fashola's Government may be at loggerheads with young Lagos chics these days for his strong stance against revealing dressing.Several College girls and daughters of 'big men' have recently been arrested for indecent dressing...sometimes treated as prostitutes.
Whatever my personal reservations about these outrageous dress codes,I strongly believe it's wrong for any government to legislate for or against the dressing mode for its citizens..as long as such dressing does not directly offend other law abiding citizens.Now it is another matter what different people consider offensive dressing...I don't think we can come to a reasonable concessus on that one!
OMC
Already,minority rights groups are jumping on this as discrimination against young African-Americans.The major fear is that this may provide legislation to target a select group unfairly.Well the truth of the matter is that this code is now vogue,and young guys from black to white to hispanic are mainstreaming it.(see DJ Khaled,TI,Justin Timberlake and Sean Paul).
It might surprise many to learn that the origin of this curious dressing can be traced to the prisons.I have unconfirmed reports that the craze started with young men released from jail where belts were banned to discourage suicide attempts.In certain groups in the hood,doing time for your first crime is celebrated as an important milestone(listen closely to the lyrics of sean kingston's hit track "beautiful girls").
I haven't been to Africa in a while but I am dead sure boys are wearing these things on Lagos streets by now.I have made it clear to my son this is unacceptable in my house.
You know,it's funny how heroes turn to zeroes very quickly.I heard Fashola's Government may be at loggerheads with young Lagos chics these days for his strong stance against revealing dressing.Several College girls and daughters of 'big men' have recently been arrested for indecent dressing...sometimes treated as prostitutes.
Whatever my personal reservations about these outrageous dress codes,I strongly believe it's wrong for any government to legislate for or against the dressing mode for its citizens..as long as such dressing does not directly offend other law abiding citizens.Now it is another matter what different people consider offensive dressing...I don't think we can come to a reasonable concessus on that one!
OMC
Monday, September 3, 2007
Premier league round-up
It was painful seeing chelsea crash at villa park,but hey,it hasn't been a particularly happy hunting ground for Jose since arriving stamford bridge.The sight of Abrahamovich leaving early may be a lil worrying to the special one though,especially since we all know that Sheva is fit again and was not even among the 16 that travelled to Villa.It's no secret that the 'czar' prefers to see his Ukrainian talisman striking for chelsea week in,week out.
That demolition job by liverpool against a very poor Derby side cannot be a reasonable measure of their title ambitions,but it must definitely have flattered the Kop faithful especially when you see El Nino burying two and Ryan Babbel planting a beauty.There's no running away from the fact that L'pool are much stronger this year and are genuine title contenders for the first time since 1990.
Arsenal finally squeezed thru a hapless Pompey who appeared uninterested at times.The Prof's boys are displaying more discipline in front of goal and Fabregas seems to be leading the charge...I think he should be captain....he's mature beyond his years!
Man Utd struggled again against a determined Sunderland side.Roy Keane's attitude shines through this side like a million stars.I think Utd will be more ruthless in the coming weeks as Saha starts and Rooney/Ronaldo return.Please keep these andersons/nanis/tevezes on the bench for a while.
The Geordies must be feeling there is a new wave of good fortune smiling on St James' Park since Big Sam took over.The much maligned playing surface have stopped breaking bones and rupturing ligaments(ask Souness) and the team is actually keeping clean sheets and scoring late winners nowadays!
Martin Jol must be wondering what he needs to do to start winning football matches.I mean he's got the best striker in England(Berbatov) and Keane isn't bad either.His defenders are much better than some of those playing for the so called big four....so what really is the problem?
Man city endured their 2nd defeat in 2 weeks.Now Sven knows there will be many battles like that at Ewood park in the weeks to come.Most managers would agree with Benitez that it might take less than 70 points to win the league this year...there are just sooooo many pretty teams...so bring it on!
OMC
That demolition job by liverpool against a very poor Derby side cannot be a reasonable measure of their title ambitions,but it must definitely have flattered the Kop faithful especially when you see El Nino burying two and Ryan Babbel planting a beauty.There's no running away from the fact that L'pool are much stronger this year and are genuine title contenders for the first time since 1990.
Arsenal finally squeezed thru a hapless Pompey who appeared uninterested at times.The Prof's boys are displaying more discipline in front of goal and Fabregas seems to be leading the charge...I think he should be captain....he's mature beyond his years!
Man Utd struggled again against a determined Sunderland side.Roy Keane's attitude shines through this side like a million stars.I think Utd will be more ruthless in the coming weeks as Saha starts and Rooney/Ronaldo return.Please keep these andersons/nanis/tevezes on the bench for a while.
The Geordies must be feeling there is a new wave of good fortune smiling on St James' Park since Big Sam took over.The much maligned playing surface have stopped breaking bones and rupturing ligaments(ask Souness) and the team is actually keeping clean sheets and scoring late winners nowadays!
Martin Jol must be wondering what he needs to do to start winning football matches.I mean he's got the best striker in England(Berbatov) and Keane isn't bad either.His defenders are much better than some of those playing for the so called big four....so what really is the problem?
Man city endured their 2nd defeat in 2 weeks.Now Sven knows there will be many battles like that at Ewood park in the weeks to come.Most managers would agree with Benitez that it might take less than 70 points to win the league this year...there are just sooooo many pretty teams...so bring it on!
OMC
Sunday, September 2, 2007
The true essence of life
Two key events inspired this article.First,a former classmate of mine lost her dad recently....it turns out our dads are around the same age.Second,i recently had an eye-opening experience with a dying woman.
First though to my former class girl who must be absolutely devastated at the moment as most people are when we lose a loved one.Sure enough the condolences will fly in and the family will be inundated with fond thoughts of support from well-wishers.The bottom line though is the cruel finality of death ensures those loved ones would never again be those things they've always been to different people.The fact that people die everyday in every part of the world has failed to take the sting out of the event when it knocks on one's door.Our self-preservative instincts are the very traits that blind us to our own ultimate mortality.
Take the case of the victims of the Minnesota bridge collapse for example.Several of those folks have driven on that stretch of the bridge for as long as they can remember.For many it has turned into a conditioned reflex...something you do without thinking about it....like brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.The last thing on their minds would be the possibility of a bridge collapse as they tore through the traffic that fateful morning.
There have been several great thinkers of the past that have tried to explain different aspects of death.Some even practice augury and necromancy...some bloke was billed to appear on 96.5 kiss FM's hit show "valentine in the morning" last week who claims the ability to contact souls "on the other side".I missed that particular show...not that i was that keen on hearing what the guy had to say.These things are creepy at best.
Now to my short encounter with a young lady dying from cancer.She was surprisingly cool about the whole thing.My previous experience in psychiatry taught of 5 major stages of bereavement or the death process:denial,anger,bargaining,depression and acceptance.It was all too difficult to place what stage this lady was at...maybe acceptance.But if she did accept the fact she was going to die,it was her one remaining wish that got me thinking.
She is of Irish descent.All her life she had hoped to save enough to visit Ireland someday...that was even before her diagnosis.Now this was the same Ireland where I have spent the last 5 years travelling the countryside from one post to the other.This I had taken for granted.The beautiful green hills on the twisted Sligo roads,the carlow mountains and the calming plains of Dundalk and Drogheda.The farms in Letterkenny,St Patrick day parade in Dublin and the Jazz festival of Cork.If this woman had 2 weeks to enjoy these sights and sounds,she would be fulfilled.
I left all that behind and relocated to her country...in search of the proverbial greener pasture in pursuit of the american dream.Isn't it said that the grass is always greener on the other side?How true!
Did i say that she had one remaining wish??..well maybe not.She had another wish.She didn't want her dog to suffer.She was convinced no one would take care of the pet like she does,so she was going to have him put down before any trip to Ireland.For those that have expressed their outrage at my previous article titled "animal rights",I apologize.You may find that not everyone believes in this pet-worship craze so prevalent in western societies.But heck,if it makes my dying friend die happier,by all means!
OMC
First though to my former class girl who must be absolutely devastated at the moment as most people are when we lose a loved one.Sure enough the condolences will fly in and the family will be inundated with fond thoughts of support from well-wishers.The bottom line though is the cruel finality of death ensures those loved ones would never again be those things they've always been to different people.The fact that people die everyday in every part of the world has failed to take the sting out of the event when it knocks on one's door.Our self-preservative instincts are the very traits that blind us to our own ultimate mortality.
Take the case of the victims of the Minnesota bridge collapse for example.Several of those folks have driven on that stretch of the bridge for as long as they can remember.For many it has turned into a conditioned reflex...something you do without thinking about it....like brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.The last thing on their minds would be the possibility of a bridge collapse as they tore through the traffic that fateful morning.
There have been several great thinkers of the past that have tried to explain different aspects of death.Some even practice augury and necromancy...some bloke was billed to appear on 96.5 kiss FM's hit show "valentine in the morning" last week who claims the ability to contact souls "on the other side".I missed that particular show...not that i was that keen on hearing what the guy had to say.These things are creepy at best.
Now to my short encounter with a young lady dying from cancer.She was surprisingly cool about the whole thing.My previous experience in psychiatry taught of 5 major stages of bereavement or the death process:denial,anger,bargaining,depression and acceptance.It was all too difficult to place what stage this lady was at...maybe acceptance.But if she did accept the fact she was going to die,it was her one remaining wish that got me thinking.
She is of Irish descent.All her life she had hoped to save enough to visit Ireland someday...that was even before her diagnosis.Now this was the same Ireland where I have spent the last 5 years travelling the countryside from one post to the other.This I had taken for granted.The beautiful green hills on the twisted Sligo roads,the carlow mountains and the calming plains of Dundalk and Drogheda.The farms in Letterkenny,St Patrick day parade in Dublin and the Jazz festival of Cork.If this woman had 2 weeks to enjoy these sights and sounds,she would be fulfilled.
I left all that behind and relocated to her country...in search of the proverbial greener pasture in pursuit of the american dream.Isn't it said that the grass is always greener on the other side?How true!
Did i say that she had one remaining wish??..well maybe not.She had another wish.She didn't want her dog to suffer.She was convinced no one would take care of the pet like she does,so she was going to have him put down before any trip to Ireland.For those that have expressed their outrage at my previous article titled "animal rights",I apologize.You may find that not everyone believes in this pet-worship craze so prevalent in western societies.But heck,if it makes my dying friend die happier,by all means!
OMC
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Things fall apart
Now Umaru is embarking on a demolition exercise.The monster called NNPC will now be broken up into 5 smaller parts.The committee charged with this humungous responsibility is headed by the C-in-C himself.Does this bring back memories of the last administration?OBJ was petroleum minister for long periods during the last dispensation.
What benefits will accrue from this brave but patently symbolic gesture is left to be seen.One thing is sure though....it doesn't matter how many fragments we break up the NNPC into,something has to be done about the Niger-Delta problem.
Today the curfew in Port-Harcourt has been extended indefinitely.If this does not warrant a state-of-emergency declaration,then i don't know what does.I mean the place looks like Iraq...with corpses littering major streets and masterminds of these criminal gangs,while widely known,still roam free.
A state where the governor does not dare travel in broad daylight on the roads of his own state capital cannot be said to be safe for common citizens...especially when hungry,impoverished and sex-starved federal soldiers roam the streets to enforce a fractious curfew.
Security is an issue nation wide,but few major cities have ever witnessed in their modern history the kind of desolation and fear currently ruling in PH.
I hope the federal government can bring back some semblance of sanity to this once glorious city while they are busying themselves with restructuring the NNPC monster.
omc
What benefits will accrue from this brave but patently symbolic gesture is left to be seen.One thing is sure though....it doesn't matter how many fragments we break up the NNPC into,something has to be done about the Niger-Delta problem.
Today the curfew in Port-Harcourt has been extended indefinitely.If this does not warrant a state-of-emergency declaration,then i don't know what does.I mean the place looks like Iraq...with corpses littering major streets and masterminds of these criminal gangs,while widely known,still roam free.
A state where the governor does not dare travel in broad daylight on the roads of his own state capital cannot be said to be safe for common citizens...especially when hungry,impoverished and sex-starved federal soldiers roam the streets to enforce a fractious curfew.
Security is an issue nation wide,but few major cities have ever witnessed in their modern history the kind of desolation and fear currently ruling in PH.
I hope the federal government can bring back some semblance of sanity to this once glorious city while they are busying themselves with restructuring the NNPC monster.
omc
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Yakubu's Nemesis
Now we know why Yakubu Aiyegbeni's move from Middlesbrough was temporarily held up,causing all sorts of jitters at Goodison park.
Apparently,he didn't satisfy a key requirement for his work permit...namely playing a prescribed number of games for his national team(in his case Nigeria).
This no doubts re-directs the searchlight on the club Vs Country debate.Now the likes of Mikel need to be more humble when Berie Vogts makes a phone call.
However,Club managers would still tell you they have the raw end of the deal....since football is now a multi-billion dollar venture and national teams are not responsible for the salaries,healthcare and sign-on fees of these players.What i suspect is we will continue to see more young players like Jamie Carragher retiring early from international football.
omc
Apparently,he didn't satisfy a key requirement for his work permit...namely playing a prescribed number of games for his national team(in his case Nigeria).
This no doubts re-directs the searchlight on the club Vs Country debate.Now the likes of Mikel need to be more humble when Berie Vogts makes a phone call.
However,Club managers would still tell you they have the raw end of the deal....since football is now a multi-billion dollar venture and national teams are not responsible for the salaries,healthcare and sign-on fees of these players.What i suspect is we will continue to see more young players like Jamie Carragher retiring early from international football.
omc
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)
The football world lost another young player to sudden death in Spain last weekend.A seperate incident in the Leicester game could easily have made it a double jeopardy weekend.
These stories have brought memories of similar deaths in the past:Mark Vivien Foe and Sam Oparaji readily springs to mind.Let's not forget the Kanu Heart foundation....and Kalilou Fadiga still wears an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator(ICD).
Today,I dug up a little information on this dreaded killer.
Sudden cardiac death remains a leading cause of death in the United States. The annual incidence has been estimated at approximately 450,000 cases annually, which translates to about half of all heart-related deaths . These estimates are based on death certificates, however, which can be inaccurate. The true number may be as low as 184,000, but this still represents a significant cause of death. As total cardiac mortality has decreased over the past decade, sudden cardiac death has increased by about 12% as a proportion of all cardiac deaths. Coronary artery disease is by far the most common cause, accounting for approximately 75% of cases, with cardiomyopathies and primary electrical disturbances making up the remainder.
The most important risk factors for sudden cardiac death, in descending order, are left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%, congestive heart failure, frequent PVCs, ischemia, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Inherited disorders associated with a high risk of sudden death include the long QT syndromes, Brugada syndrome, and exercise-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Most cases of SCD occur in patients with structural abnormalities of the heart, related to either a prior myocardial infarction (MI) or a congenital abnormality. Acute thrombosis in an atherosclerotic coronary artery may present as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction (MI), or SCD. Although more than 80% of SCD events occur in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), evidence of acute MI is far less common. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) both are associated with increased risk of SCD. Heart failure and various valvular diseases such as aortic stenosis are associated with increased risk of SCD. The strongest predictor of SCD is left ventricular dysfunction of any cause. Acute illnesses, such as myocarditis, may provide both an initial and sustained risk of SCD due to inflammation and fibrosis of the myocardium.
Less commonly, SCD happens in patients who may not have apparent structural heart disease. These conditions usually are inherited arrhythmia syndromes.
At the molecular level, VT and VF can be caused by altered Ca hemodynamics, neurohormonal changes, altered K hemodynamics especially in ischemia, or mutations resulting in dysfunction of a sodium channel (Na channelopathy) resulting in enhanced automaticity or reentry with unidirectional block. In patients who survive a myocardial infarction (MI), it has been demonstrated that the presence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), particularly complex forms, such as multiform PVCs, short coupling intervals (R-on-T phenomenon), or VT (salvos of 3 or more ectopic beats), reflect an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
ref:MKSAP14 and emedicine.com
OMC
These stories have brought memories of similar deaths in the past:Mark Vivien Foe and Sam Oparaji readily springs to mind.Let's not forget the Kanu Heart foundation....and Kalilou Fadiga still wears an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator(ICD).
Today,I dug up a little information on this dreaded killer.
Sudden cardiac death remains a leading cause of death in the United States. The annual incidence has been estimated at approximately 450,000 cases annually, which translates to about half of all heart-related deaths . These estimates are based on death certificates, however, which can be inaccurate. The true number may be as low as 184,000, but this still represents a significant cause of death. As total cardiac mortality has decreased over the past decade, sudden cardiac death has increased by about 12% as a proportion of all cardiac deaths. Coronary artery disease is by far the most common cause, accounting for approximately 75% of cases, with cardiomyopathies and primary electrical disturbances making up the remainder.
The most important risk factors for sudden cardiac death, in descending order, are left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%, congestive heart failure, frequent PVCs, ischemia, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Inherited disorders associated with a high risk of sudden death include the long QT syndromes, Brugada syndrome, and exercise-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Most cases of SCD occur in patients with structural abnormalities of the heart, related to either a prior myocardial infarction (MI) or a congenital abnormality. Acute thrombosis in an atherosclerotic coronary artery may present as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction (MI), or SCD. Although more than 80% of SCD events occur in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), evidence of acute MI is far less common. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) both are associated with increased risk of SCD. Heart failure and various valvular diseases such as aortic stenosis are associated with increased risk of SCD. The strongest predictor of SCD is left ventricular dysfunction of any cause. Acute illnesses, such as myocarditis, may provide both an initial and sustained risk of SCD due to inflammation and fibrosis of the myocardium.
Less commonly, SCD happens in patients who may not have apparent structural heart disease. These conditions usually are inherited arrhythmia syndromes.
At the molecular level, VT and VF can be caused by altered Ca hemodynamics, neurohormonal changes, altered K hemodynamics especially in ischemia, or mutations resulting in dysfunction of a sodium channel (Na channelopathy) resulting in enhanced automaticity or reentry with unidirectional block. In patients who survive a myocardial infarction (MI), it has been demonstrated that the presence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), particularly complex forms, such as multiform PVCs, short coupling intervals (R-on-T phenomenon), or VT (salvos of 3 or more ectopic beats), reflect an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
ref:MKSAP14 and emedicine.com
OMC
The Premiership:Early days.
Its the 4th round of games completed....and you can say we aren't even started yet.However,we've seen enough to know that it's not going to be easy for anyone this year.Just watch the old trafford giants struggling to haul themselves out of the early relegation mangrove swamp last weekend against an enterprising Spurs side.
If anyone thought the initial Man City surge to the summit of the 3rd week table was a fluke,just watch their game against Arsenal again.This team is not going to lie low for anyone this season.They have a seasoned manager(at least at clubside level) and a club owner with his pockets linked to the Thai treasury.I for one have fallen in love with some of their players:Elano,Petrov,Bianchi,Schmeichel,Richards....
And what do you think about that Ronaldinho story?I know they say there's no smoke without fire...but please chelsea doesn't need another big ego in our already packed midfield.The special one will have some picking to do when Ballack is back fit since Belleti expectedly should release Essien to compete for his preferred central midfield role from now on.The choice will no longer be as straightforward as it was last season because the young Nigerian ,Mikel has finally come of age and has been an absolute sensation so far.
Has anyone noticed how well Kanu and Utaka link up in pompey's attack these days?Little wonder then that David Nugent has been told to talk to Derby....notice Harry still hopes to sign Anelka before close of business this weekend.
It doesnt take a genius to guess how eager Sir Alex is to get both Rooney and Ronaldo back on the pitch now....expecially since wonderboy 'calitos' Tevez has not exactly set the league ablaze since his debut.....and there will be no babyface assasin to rescue United now....Ole Gunner Solskjaer finally bids farewell.But heck,take nothing away from that beauty from Nani last weekend....these portuguese boys can hit 'em!!
I like what I've seen so far of 'El nino' in the liverpool attack...but it was Andrei Voronin grabbing all the headlines in europe midweek.
I dont see Arsenal surviving Spurs this weekend...and wait a minute...is that Henry warming the bench at the Nou Camp?
OMC
If anyone thought the initial Man City surge to the summit of the 3rd week table was a fluke,just watch their game against Arsenal again.This team is not going to lie low for anyone this season.They have a seasoned manager(at least at clubside level) and a club owner with his pockets linked to the Thai treasury.I for one have fallen in love with some of their players:Elano,Petrov,Bianchi,Schmeichel,Richards....
And what do you think about that Ronaldinho story?I know they say there's no smoke without fire...but please chelsea doesn't need another big ego in our already packed midfield.The special one will have some picking to do when Ballack is back fit since Belleti expectedly should release Essien to compete for his preferred central midfield role from now on.The choice will no longer be as straightforward as it was last season because the young Nigerian ,Mikel has finally come of age and has been an absolute sensation so far.
Has anyone noticed how well Kanu and Utaka link up in pompey's attack these days?Little wonder then that David Nugent has been told to talk to Derby....notice Harry still hopes to sign Anelka before close of business this weekend.
It doesnt take a genius to guess how eager Sir Alex is to get both Rooney and Ronaldo back on the pitch now....expecially since wonderboy 'calitos' Tevez has not exactly set the league ablaze since his debut.....and there will be no babyface assasin to rescue United now....Ole Gunner Solskjaer finally bids farewell.But heck,take nothing away from that beauty from Nani last weekend....these portuguese boys can hit 'em!!
I like what I've seen so far of 'El nino' in the liverpool attack...but it was Andrei Voronin grabbing all the headlines in europe midweek.
I dont see Arsenal surviving Spurs this weekend...and wait a minute...is that Henry warming the bench at the Nou Camp?
OMC
Soludo's currency re-denomination
I do not understand the excitement around the re-denomination fiasco.we all should be perplexed by the apparent lack of direction of soludo'sCBN rather than indulge in this puzzling nationalistic gangsterism.
Barely a year ago,the CBN introduced a new 1,000 naira bill...at thetime,one can only presume that charles soludo had not yet realized hewas going to cut off 2 zeros in just over a year.Erudite economists have failed this country before i.e SFEM/FEM/Austerity measures and Falae's infamous SAP.Through all of that, the naira continued to take the plunge.I cannot fathom how economists went blue in the face in the 90s to explain how devaluation injects foreign investments into the economy only for the likes of soludo to invent this new diametrically opposed philosophy..all i can see is massive disinvestment and huge capital flight.
This soludo guy is a college professor...and Nigeria,my friends,is nobody's typical classroom.If all the CBN proposes to do is to play copycat with Ghana where thecedis now exchanges for 90cents(yes,the cedis!),then we are headed forserious trouble.the fiscal discipline in accra is light years ahead ofabuja's,and ghana recently struck oil...only to supplement other welldeveloped sectors in the economy.nigeria's is export dependent...andthis whole 1:1 business will tank our oil revenue.
Brazil has tried this several times in the past and dumped the idea.China is the fastest growing economy in the world, yet their currencyis so weak...in fact the US is knee deep in trade deficit with china and now has to resort to a proxy economic war thru the like of fisher-price and mittel to recall billions of dollar worth of kiddy toys.Japan is the 2nd largest economy,yet the yen sucks.i simply dont see how this can work..and its obvious Umaru is not convinced either,because as i write this,an advisory panel has been rapidly constituted by the presidency with no CBN representative included.so there's economics and there's politics.
OMC
Barely a year ago,the CBN introduced a new 1,000 naira bill...at thetime,one can only presume that charles soludo had not yet realized hewas going to cut off 2 zeros in just over a year.Erudite economists have failed this country before i.e SFEM/FEM/Austerity measures and Falae's infamous SAP.Through all of that, the naira continued to take the plunge.I cannot fathom how economists went blue in the face in the 90s to explain how devaluation injects foreign investments into the economy only for the likes of soludo to invent this new diametrically opposed philosophy..all i can see is massive disinvestment and huge capital flight.
This soludo guy is a college professor...and Nigeria,my friends,is nobody's typical classroom.If all the CBN proposes to do is to play copycat with Ghana where thecedis now exchanges for 90cents(yes,the cedis!),then we are headed forserious trouble.the fiscal discipline in accra is light years ahead ofabuja's,and ghana recently struck oil...only to supplement other welldeveloped sectors in the economy.nigeria's is export dependent...andthis whole 1:1 business will tank our oil revenue.
Brazil has tried this several times in the past and dumped the idea.China is the fastest growing economy in the world, yet their currencyis so weak...in fact the US is knee deep in trade deficit with china and now has to resort to a proxy economic war thru the like of fisher-price and mittel to recall billions of dollar worth of kiddy toys.Japan is the 2nd largest economy,yet the yen sucks.i simply dont see how this can work..and its obvious Umaru is not convinced either,because as i write this,an advisory panel has been rapidly constituted by the presidency with no CBN representative included.so there's economics and there's politics.
OMC
Syndrome of the week
Our syndrome of the week is :
"Couvade syndrome"
The term couvade is derived from the early French word (Couver "to hatch") and originally referred to the medieval Basque custom in which the father, during or immediately after the birth of a child, took to bed, complained of having labour pains, and was accorded the treatment usually shown women during pregnancy or after childbirth. The medical term for this rare condition is sympathetic pregnancy.
Couvade "involves a father experiencing some of the behavior of his wife at near the time of childbirth, including her birth pains, postpartum seclusion, food restrictions, and sex taboos" .
Western medicine has tended to see the couvade as a medical syndrome or pathology.
ref:wikipedia
omc
"Couvade syndrome"
The term couvade is derived from the early French word (Couver "to hatch") and originally referred to the medieval Basque custom in which the father, during or immediately after the birth of a child, took to bed, complained of having labour pains, and was accorded the treatment usually shown women during pregnancy or after childbirth. The medical term for this rare condition is sympathetic pregnancy.
Couvade "involves a father experiencing some of the behavior of his wife at near the time of childbirth, including her birth pains, postpartum seclusion, food restrictions, and sex taboos" .
Western medicine has tended to see the couvade as a medical syndrome or pathology.
ref:wikipedia
omc
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