A plucky Ontario doctor, Tom McGowan, has had the effrontery to tackle Canada’s lengthening waits for cancer radiation treatment by running his own for-profit radiation clinic. Under Canada’s socialized healthcare system, it’s getting harder and harder to get prompt radiation therapy, because like all good socialist systems, rationing is the main means to keep a lid on spending. Canadians who don’t want to die have had to go to the U.S. to get treatment before their cancer does irreparable damage. But thanks to Dr. McGowan, waiting lists in Ontario have now been cut from 16 to around 4 weeks, since excess demand has been mopped up by the private sector. McGowan’s reward? A notice pinned to his door with the words “Radiation Mercenary” written on it. A photo of the cancer doc was also pinned to the hospital bulletin board, with a devil’s horns and tail added, according to a story in today’s Wall Street Journal (sorry, it’s only for paid subscribers). Of course, what Dr McGowan is doing is not illegal in a free country. It’s just a recipe for social ostracism and hate mail.
HATE CRIME LUNACY I: Why would what appears to be a stupid prank by some kids who used some left-over white paint from a church renovation become the catalyst for a hate crimes law in Texas? A recent story from the Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Observer is a classic. One night, a predominantly black church had some graffiti daubed on it, including a swastika. The paint used is a paint that matches some on a renovation project thrown into a dumpster near the church. The only witness of what might have happened has identified the culprit as a young black kid, and, according to the Morning News, “authorities have no evidence to suggest the vandalism was a hate crime.” But the “hate-crime” label stuck, legislators in Austin used the case as a reason for passing a law criminalizing bigotry, and were it not for some simple reporting, this particular prank would have been recorded for posterity as yet another example of indelible racism in America today.
HATE CRIME LUNACY II: A gruesome alleged murder by some young thug who allegedly targeted an older man because “he liked boys” just happened in Baraboo, Wisconsin. An evil crime which, if proved, should be punished. But a hate crime? Wisconsin authorities are apparently considering this measure under state law because, according to the local district attorney, “One of the areas for the hate crime is sexual orientation, and certainly an allegation that someone is a child molester goes to their sexual orientation. We believe that may support a hate crime enhancer.” Child abuse a sexual orientation? Excuse me?
DERBYSHIRE AWARD NOMINEE: “You lock the door and she [Hillary] comes through the window, you lock the window and she comes up the floor boards. This is like “Alien” – she lives in Tom Daschle’s stomach. Just as the music gets soft and the scene winds down you hear the wild “Eeek! Eeek!” and she bursts out of Tom and darts through the room.” – Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, Tuesday. But who, one wonders, controls the mothership?
The Dish 