Rep. Robin Hayes (NC-R) is perturbed. The Concord, N.C. representative wants to know why Homeland Security required congressional staffers to be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza before attending a NASCAR race.In a letter to House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-D), Hayes wrote:
"I have never heard of immunizations for domestic travel, and as the representative for Concord, North Carolina, I feel compelled to ask why the heck the committee feels that immunizations are needed to travel to my hometown. I have been to numerous NASCAR races, and the folks who attend these events certainly do not pose any health hazard to congressional staffers or anyone else."According to a committee member, Republican staffers have declined shots, but two Democrat staffers got their immunizations prior to attending the race in Talladega last weekend.
So, yeah. I get the "public health issues at events involving mass gatherings" thing, but really? When I think of the hazards race attendees are exposed to at the track, diseases aren't at the top of the list.
Nothing like total disregard for the fans, huh? Where are our shots? The ones that immunize us against rabid politicians pandering to us on our own turf?!
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Duh, it wasn't so they would not catch anything, it was so they would not spread anything.
Mike LeVan
Posted at 8:03PM on Oct 10th 2007 by Mike
2. looks like the terrorists have already won... the Nextel/Sprint/Winston/Bud/Skoal whatever it is cup chase thing. they can have it.
Posted at 11:57PM on Oct 10th 2007 by naz
3. Agree, if anything, we should have been warned they were coming so at least we could have worn ear plugs and protective clothing.
Posted at 1:09AM on Oct 11th 2007 by Don Emerson
4. Althought tetanus and diptheria shots are not required, all people in healthcare and the armed forces are required to receive hep shots, and pneumonia. But, once the Gov't decides they need more control on issues, the more our freedom flies right out the window. That's the REAL issue here, What next? Protect them all from Cervical Cancer, too...
Posted at 10:52AM on Oct 11th 2007 by Laurel Bucher
5. The diseases Congressional staffers have to worry about catching in Talladega are ones they have probably already been exposed to on Capitol Hill. They should have been issued condoms, not immunizations.
Posted at 10:52AM on Oct 11th 2007 by CC Rider
6. I'd be more worried about coming back engaged to my cousin with three teeth in my head...
Posted at 10:52AM on Oct 11th 2007 by JP
7. I do not know why you would be engaged to your cousin. I am sure you are already banging her like a gong, why marry her? But I am sure you would only have three teeth left because you would say something you think is smart and wake up on the floor without most of your teeth on the floor beside you.
Posted at 11:34AM on Oct 11th 2007 by Mike
8. YOU GO MIKE!!!!
Posted at 2:17PM on Oct 11th 2007 by LOULOU
9. It is offensive that the Democrats choose to be vaccinated from Nascar fans. I thought they claimed to be inclusive of everyone and they blame Republicans for having stereotypes. If they went to a football, baseball, or basketball game would they have been vaccinated? NO. It's when they go to a Nascar event that they are vaccinated. Obviously they consider Nascar fans to be a group of rednecks, southerners and Christians that are apparently disease ridden.
Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Tanner
10. Great summary Tanner! And yes, I belong to all three groups listed- redneck lady, southerner and a Christian.
Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 11th 2007 by mckendree
11. Have you seen some of the skeezy Nascar fans??? You can never be too safe when dealing with those red-necks.
Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 11th 2007 by suzy in sc
12. Tanner, I would rather catch all three of the deseases you listed than "democratitus".
Mike LeVan
Posted at 3:11PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Mike
13. DEMOCRATS REQUIRE IMUNIZATION EVEN WHEN THEY ARE IN BED HAVING SEX BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE. SO ,NOTHING NEW ABOUT IT.
Posted at 4:06PM on Oct 11th 2007 by annaseitter
14. The 2 Democrats were immunized from Nascar fans and the 2 Republicans chose not to be immunized from Nascar fans. I saw it on the news and I also see that it is on several web sites. I do not understand why Democratic should be used instead of Democrats. It is what it is. How about 2 liberals were afraid to go to a Nascar race without being immunized with the same shots that are recommended when you go to a Africa and some parts of Asia? Does that sound better?
Posted at 4:37PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Tanner
15. I just read in the Washington Times where House Homeland Security Committee staffers are on a peculiar mission to study "public health issues at events involving mass gatherings," the event being a NASCAR race. The requirement that the Democrat and Republican staffers attending a NASCAR race first be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza. I find this offensive and almost certainly a politically driven project. These people should be identified immediately and relieved of command. Reparations should also be given to all NASCAR fans. If they/you really wanted to stop the spread of Hepatitis they would outlaw gay bath houses, gay bars and require immunization for all food service workers. Remember that the next time some guy sashays up and lisps "may I take your order", you may end up on a liver donor list.
Posted at 4:37PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Tony tubbs
16. Hey suzy in nc, I think you meant sleazy instead of skeezy. But just to make sure, why don't you go look in the mirror.
Posted at 9:34PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Don Emerson
17. These are the people in charge of our security! I just watched the interview of House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-D, on CNN/Lou Dobbs. What a buffoon! If its so neccessary for his special staff, what about the public? Who cares about them. These are the same people who dont xray cargo going on airplanes, but make us take our shoes off, and have left us dying in Iraq and draining our treasury, for the last 4 years. Terrorists, you've won :(
Posted at 9:34PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Steve C.
18. just give us names so the people can voice their opion at election time
Posted at 9:34PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Mark Barnes
19. i've seen only the above blog and the article about it on nascar.com. i was completely offended.
of course!...if u wanna witness the epicenter of a potential epidemic, find the sport which has the lowest human form of a fanbase. NASCAR.
are these politicians stupid enough to believe the asinine cliche regarding nascar fans?
if so, they shouldn't be in a leadership role whatsoever.
with knowing little of the whole story behind this, i can only hope they chose a nascar event because of it having the largest amount of fans at the venue.
god i hope so.
then i really figured it out...
when the person heading this whole deal up, they asked the participants where they'd like to go and they all of course shouted...
"TALLADEGA BABY!!"
yup...that's it
Posted at 10:00PM on Oct 11th 2007 by matt
20. It's totally understandable, especially to anyone who's ever traveled to a third-world country like Alabama. Redneck a-holes! Forget the fence at the Mexican border. Build it around 'bama instead!
Alabama? It's not a state; it's a medical condition.
One that penicillin won't touch.
Posted at 10:03PM on Oct 11th 2007 by Gary