Ex-Surgeon General: Bush Muzzled Me

Dr. Richard Carmona Accuses White House Of Censoring His Speech On Sex Education, Stem Cell Research

(CBS/AP)  President Bush's most recent surgeon general accused the administration Tuesday of muzzling him for political reasons on hot-button health issues such as emergency contraception and abstinence-only education.

Dr. Richard Carmona, the nation's 17th surgeon general, told lawmakers that all surgeons general have had to deal with politics but none more so than he.

For example, he said he wasn't allowed to make a speech at the Special Olympics because it was viewed as benefiting a political opponent. However, he said was asked to speak at events designed to benefit Republican lawmakers.

“The reality is that the nation's doctor has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget, and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas,” said Carmona, who served from 2002 to 2006.

Responding, the White House said Carmona was given the authority and had the obligation to be the leading voice for the health of all Americans.

“It's disappointing to us if he failed to use his position to the fullest extent in advocating for policies he thought were in the best interests of the nation,” said Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto. “We believe Dr. Carmona received the support necessary to carry out his mission.”

Politicians trying to control the message is nothing new, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. President Clinton axed Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders after she expressed liberal ideas about sex education in schools.

Confirmation hearings are scheduled to be held Thursday for Dr. James. Holsinger Jr., the Kentucky cardiologist Bush nominated as the nation's 18th surgeon general. The nomination has been criticized by gay rights groups.

Carmona testified Tuesday at a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Also appearing were Drs. C. Everett Koop, who served as surgeon general from 1981-1889, and David Satcher, who served from 1998-2001.

“Political interference with the work of the surgeon general appears to have reached a new level in this administration,” said committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.

Koop is probably the most recognized former surgeon general. He talked about AIDS as a public health issue rather than a moral issue, which won him many admirers and some critics. He said President Reagan was pressed to fire him every day, but Reagan would not interfere.

Koop said that after he left office he had more access to the secretary of Health and Human Services than his successor, Satcher, and that embarrassed him. “Dr. Carmona was treated with even less respect than Dr. Satcher,” Koop said.

A report condemning secondhand smoke was a hallmark of Carmona's tenure.

Another report, on global health challenges, was never released after the administration demanded changes that he refused to make, Carmona said.

“I was told this would be a political document or you're not going to release it.” Carmona said. “I said it can't be a political document because the surgeon general never releases political documents. I release scientific documents that will help our elected officials and the citizens understand the complex world we live in and what their responsibilities are.”

He refused to identify the officials who sought the changes.

Carmona said he believed the surgeon general should show leadership on health issues. But his speeches were edited by political appointees, and he was told not to talk about certain issues. For example, he supported comprehensive sex education that would include abstinence in the curriculum, rather than focusing solely on abstinence.

“However, there was already a policy in place that didn't want to hear the science, but wanted to quote, unquote preach abstinence, which I felt was scientifically incorrect,” Carmona said.

[kansas1946]

Oh, and this is a surprise. Mr. "I never met a science text book that I didn't try to burn" Bush. The only thing we can do is get through the next year and a half and then maybe America can get back to some sort of sanity. This administration has truly bordered on insanity and centered on evil. If we can just hold out...

[williamfold]

the best thing that could happen to this country is a nuclear holocaust and the small group of survivors could start all over, provided they learn from our mistakes. can i start smoking now? lol.

[randalds]

%u201CThe reality is that the nation's doctor has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget, and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas.%u201D

Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona

This doesn't surprise anyone I hope? The only people Bush kisses the as*ses of as much as defense contractors and oil companies is the big pharmaceutical companies, so it makes sense that he'd turn the Surgeon general into just another republican political operative just like he has with the Pentagon, the EPA, the Justice Department, etc. As soon as Bush took office the FDA (under his newly appointed minions) changed what's considered having high blood pressure and there was a surge in the sales of expe3nsive high blood pressure medicines. They did the same with the standards of what's considered obese so the average athlete is now under that label and the sales of diet pills skyrocketed. Neither of these problems actually increased, but the sales and profits of the drug companies sure did. Bush and his as8s kissing followers use this nation as an ATM to suck more money off from all of us. They throw away our soldiers lives for money, so it's no surprise that they'd do the same for our health or environment.

[williamfold]

RandalDS,

i have to agree. i think the US is the poster-child example of how Capitalism has failed. unless of course you are part of the top richest 1% of the nation.

[bareemperor]

Has anyone else noticed that the Bu$h administration was built on greed and dishonesty?

Please hang in there, folks - it will just be another year and a half before he goes away...

[rushlimpdrug]

Richard Carmona - go away. you're a has-been.
-We have heard that tune from all of bush's ex's
-you're just a bitter piece of puszy
- to bad you didn't have the balls to speak up when it mattered.
I'm tired of hearing these cowards speak up AFTER they leave their positions.
Who will be the next pussyy after Richard Carmona

[mizpah63]

Dr. Carmona deserves no sympathy. If he didn't know what a controlling president he went to work for, shame on him. Double shame on him for not resigning as soon as his first reports were censored. Or, in the alternative, turning his work over to the press, JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, etc., and let Bush fire him. There is no honor in whining after the fact.

[Syndicate]

rushlimpdrug: I agree if they were honorable they would have spoken up sooner instead of trying to protect there a$$es. I wonder if he isn't just telling congress what he thinks they want to hear in order to get a better job. Anyways he sounds like a mid level bureaucrat winning about how his job was hard.

[randalds]

RandalDS,

i have to agree. i think the US is the poster-child example of how Capitalism has failed. unless of course you are part of the top richest 1% of the nation.
Posted by williamfold at 06:12 PM : Jul 10, 2007

I think it's deregulated capitalism that's failed, not Capitalism itself. The concept of capitalism is sound and can be made to work for the benefit of all, but not is it's unregulated and run by the capitalists themselves. Big business has no soul and will crush all who get in it's way, so it's up to the people to force a form of soul on it by regulating it via a strong government. Contrary to what those on the right will tell you government is NOT the problem, only bad government is.

[l8c6]

I heare a twist on this I hadn't thought of. It was incredibly frustrating knowing something was terribly wrong in this country and no one in positions of authority were saying or doing anything about it.

He is another Bush casualty that was peeved once he got the stick. Most of us perhaps cannot understand the situation. As he said, he tried to understand the system and if what he was going through was typical. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he wanted to write by americas health care. He wants to see it depoliticized. Privatization and politics need to be removed from parts of our government. Supreme court justices should never be selected in the manner in which they are.

There were so many members of the nazi party who had some 'splainin' to do after the fall of the 3rd reich. While it's not quite that bad in these instances it certainly has a resemblance.

[jdubs63]

I happen to know that Rich is a wonderful person and MD. I know this because I worked with him when he was a medical student and Resident so please be kind and respectful

[l8c6]

I think it's deregulated capitalism that's failed, not Capitalism itself. The concept of capitalism is sound and can be made to work for the benefit of all, but not is it's unregulated and run by the capitalists themselves. Big business has no soul and will crush all who get in it's way, so it's up to the people to force a form of soul on it by regulating it via a strong government. Contrary to what those on the right will tell you government is NOT the problem, only bad government is.
Posted by RandalDS

Thanks---I hope more people begin to see this. We have had a gifted balance in the past and Reagan began the overt promotion of privatization, deregulation and "free market" and the assault on representative government. There is nothing in this world that can be trusted to a lack of opposing concepts and ideals to bring a healthy balance that serves to the greatest common good. All should find it satisfying when the greatest common good is being served except for sociopaths, this type of human anomaly is the exception.

btw, I am feeling a little different about the immigration thing, but still find it needs work.

[l8c6]

I happen to know that Rich is a wonderful person and MD. I know this because I worked with him when he was a medical student and Resident so please be kind and respectful
Posted by JDUBS63

I don't know him but I appreciate he is speaking out in a manner that I hope becomes the voice of this country once again.

[pwrslm]

He refused to identify the officials who sought the changes.

What a bag of hot air.

[randalds]

What a bag of hot air.

Posted by pwrslm at 07:37 PM : Jul 10, 2007

Relative of yours then?

Cousin? Brother? Father?

[peacethinker-2009]

Right-wingers will do that, gotta be in lock-step and close your mind.

[cdfoxtrot]

It would have been nice if he'd had the ba*ls to say all this while he was in the job. Just like that CIA guy who sat behind Powell at the UN Security Council knowing that the presentation on Iraq was bogus and full of lies and inaccuracies. Why could these people shown some integrity when it might have made a difference??

[hypnotoad72]

RandalDS - gotta agree with you.

And for Revelation 18:11 too, which may explain why small businesses are failing... (Dunno about you but I'm seeing more closed businesses...)

[forthepeopl1]

BUSH,CHENEY,ROVE,RICE,RUMSFELD IS STILL RUNNING THE WORLD THE WAY THEY WANT..

TIME FOR A REVOLUTION OF THE PEOPLE TO BUT US BACK IN CHARGE

[forthepeopl1]

It would have been nice if he'd had the ba*ls to say all this while he was in the job. Just like that CIA guy who sat behind Powell at the UN Security Council knowing that the presentation on Iraq was bogus and full of lies and inaccuracies. Why could these people shown some integrity when it might have made a difference??
Posted by cdfoxtrot at 07:43 PM : Jul 10, 2007

HE HAD A GUN ON HIM THE WHOLE TIME..THATS WHY. HE THEN RESIGN AFTER THAT, BUT SHOULD OF SAID SOMETHING BY THIS TIME. HE HAS JUST STARTED TO COME OUT AND SAY HOW MUCH BUSH AND CHENEY AND RICE RAIL ROADED HIM AMD ALL AMERICANS ABOUT THIS WAR(OCCUPATION) FOR THEIR PROFIT.

[ioweign]

Richard Carmona was covered by the Hatch Act and had a number of Federal Service years under his belt. I can understand why he has remained quiet. Then you have Powell and Tenet!

[gkc99]

"For example, he said he wasn't allowed to make a speech at the Special Olympics because it was viewed as benefiting a political opponent. However, he said was asked to speak at events designed to benefit Republican lawmakers. "

So what was stopping him from showing up at the Special Olympics and making the speech anyway and daring the Bushits to fire him, and telling those who asked him to benefit Repugniscum lawmakers to f88k off? Afraid he might get fired? A little late to be showing any guts, eh Carmona? Well maybe he can write a nice book about his tribulations.

[elz523]

Another disturbing look at how Bush and the religious right are trying to move us back into the dark ages. It is amazing that today these people think that truth can be what they say it is.

[nyckate]

He was REQUIRED to mention Bush's name at least 3 times on each page of speeches??

Hypnosis techniques implemented by Bush Regime -- scary how evil yet brilliant Rove us.

[taylpatr]

Yep, just like Hitler! Read "Adolph Hitler: A portrait of Tyranny." I swear, it reads like it was written by Karl Rove. This man has turned into a little Hitler. Secret Prisons, wiretapping, spying. And just as many of us feared, they are using these tactics to control the American people, not just to catch terrorists. With the largest percentage of incarcerated citizens in the world, doesn't this strike anyone else as an oddity?

[drinuk]

Irony Oh! Irony, the people he is talking to are the same ones taking graft from the Big Pharma Barons and the servants of the Illuminati. They are the people running the show and pulling Puppet Bush's strings.

China shot the crooked guy running their food and medicine agency for taking graft yesterday. We should bring that law in here, there would be a few squeeky backsides in Washington.

FUNNY how CBS have not allowed comment on that story....

[hsinco-2009]

Bu$h has never let facts get in his way.

[ourtomorrows]

Sounds to me like the former surgeon general regrets aspects of his tenure and is now finding the nearest scape goat for his lack of backbone. How easy to go and run and cry to Congress. Here is a thought, maybe he should have tried standing up for whatever it is he wanted to do and not turn into a bowl of jello because someone didn't agree with him.

The President is an easy scapegoat to blame everything on, how sad. Fortunately, history will judge him more kindly.

[roger_inkart]

Fortunately, history will judge him [Bush] more kindly.
Posted by ourtomorrows at 10:45 PM : Jul 10, 2007

You just keep telling yourself that, oh deluded one.

[likeitis5050]

The President is an easy scapegoat to blame everything on, how sad. Fortunately, history will judge him more kindly.



Bwhahahahahahahah!

[rushlimpdrug]

happen to know that Rich is a wonderful person and MD. I know this because I worked with him when he was a medical student and Resident so please be kind and respectful
Posted by JDUBS63

sorry but I fee the guy is just a coward coming out now with "protection". If the guy doesn't speak up he is part of the problem.

[l8c6]

Today in Ohio Bush spoke before a group of loyalists in Ohio. His privatized health care message was sickening.

In Europe people are freer to quit a job and look for another knowing that should in the unfortunate event something bad happens to their health they won't have to worry about being uninsured.

Bush speaks to the american people on healthcare as if we're all multi-millionaires like he and his royal elite friends who can whip out a $300,000.00 dollar check to cover a heart transplant if so needed. He speaks of health care as though it is a commodity.

He places all blame on the american people instead of a government that finds the funds to engage in illegal wars for multinational private corporate and political interests but offers blame and nothing else to tax paying working americans.

Bush on Health Care: It%u2019s All Your Fault
By: John Amato
Bush spoke in Ohio today and blames YOU for lawsuits on doctors, not choosing the correct health plan, being in poor health%u2026it goes on and on. His new talking point is the %u201CFederalization of health care.%u201D The medical industry is freaking since Moore%u2019s movie just came out. They need you dumbed down and Bush tries to do that for them. Having a health savings account won%u2019t help you when your HMO refuses treatment or won%u2019t let you see the doctor of your choice. Sorry, I shouldn%u2019t bother trying to discuss the merits. It%u2019s a waste of time%u2026

[gogam]

I agree with airtomorrows...Carmona should have had the balls to stand up and resign JUST to show the flagrant religious overtones that were enforced upon him and his department by the B.S administration.

He should just resign and write a book...let the world know that Bush is a dangerous mix of religious zealotry and vested power sprinkled with mind-boggling incompetence.

He should have stood his ground and just tell the American people that "the leader of this free country is not wearing presidential clothes but a clergyman's collar"

He should have spoken up about it, should have done that, something should have been done...sounds oddly familiar in retrospect - didn't they say that about Hitler?

[alphaa10-2009]

nyckate said, "Hypnosis techniques implemented by Bush Regime -- scary how evil yet brilliant Rove us."
---
Not particulary brilliant when Rove has been caught repeatedly with his considerable posterior showing. What did Bush think Carmona would do-- take a loyalty oath never to reveal the "Three References Rule"?

The real phenomenon here is a change of seasons in the federal bureaucracy. With 2008 approaching, the wiser managers are dusting off their resumes, and the scarred veterans are revealing their tales of horror.

Now that the federal government is so ridden with FEMA-like, incompetent Bush political cronies it barely can function at all, we hear parallel stories like NOAA's Proenza, who was "reassigned" after half of his employees supposedly requested his ouster. Proenza's offense? He had protested the Bush decision to cut funding for weather satellites in advance of the hurricane season!

Heckuva job, Bush/Rove! Walt Kelly offers a motto to the Bush troops, "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"

[l8c6]

He places all blame on the american people instead of a government that finds the funds to engage in illegal wars for multinational private corporate and political interests but offers blame and nothing else to tax paying working americans.

The message? Don't hate our governement...TAKE IT BACK to the hands of a people who democratically chooses it's leaders !!

End lobbys and end money as being the determining factor of who will lead.

Power to the People who must make this the United States of America, a country of laws, morals and accountability again.

We the people, our government, not the government of wealthy multinational privatized corporate interests.

Someone will rule, that is a given. Who will it be? Democratically elected representatives of all americans or the private interests of elite multinationals?

[l8c6]

Bush's incompetence has been a blessing. His bumblings have exposed the evil, deceiptful greed and tyrannical intent of the neo con right wing fascist movement that began with the overt calls of Reagan for deregulation, privatization of the commons and push for the "free (unregulated) market" accompanied with an assault on representative democracy labeled by the fascists as "big government."

Sociopaths don't like laws that apply to them but rather laws that apply to all those they view as their subjects. That's who has been winning in the neo con world, sociopaths and greedy narcissists. The old european world proved this was a failed pathway for humanity so the enlightened framers of the United States had a different plan and it has proved a successful nation no thanks to the pigs along the way who have exploited this nations vulnerabilities in the form of cotton plantations and multinational corporations parading as U.S. entities having more rights and righteousness than individual U.S. citizens.

[wiredwilly]

1 ) See Mike Moore's movie " SICKO".
2.) Demand National Health Care - NOW
3.) Read George Washington's Farewell Address to the Nation and remember what a REAL President is like.

[l8c6]

Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed." ---Is this part of an Abe Lincoln quote?

[incog-nito]

There are some people who are sold on Bush and will always support him no matter what. There's no point convincing them otherwise.

[misands]

It is amazing truly how horrible this President is. This story is going to have some legs to it, and I think it's going to continue to harden the absolute dislike the overwhelming majority of the people feel towards Bush.

[ubrew12]

Science being muzzled by Politics by the Bush administration?

This has GOT to be a first!!!

[brianbwb-2009]

(AP) China executed the former head of its food and drug watchdog on Tuesday for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash, the strongest signal yet from Beijing that it is serious about tackling its product safety crisis.

Now THIS is how we should deal with Bush and his klan, it is proven that this is the only message corruptors will listen to.

[ubrew12]

White house lap dog: "It's disappointing to us if he failed to use his position to the fullest extent in advocating for policies he thought were in the best interests of the nation"

He added: "We don't want to talk, of course, about his wife's employment as a top-secret CIA agent, and hope this didn't influence his decision to do a less than admirable job in advocating his policies"

[inventagod]

Cheney and Bu$h are still traitorous crooks.

Next news story, please....

[l8c6]

(AP) China executed the former head of its food and drug watchdog on Tuesday for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash, the strongest signal yet from Beijing that it is serious about tackling its product safety crisis.

Now THIS is how we should deal with Bush and his klan, it is proven that this is the only message corruptors will listen to.
Posted by brianbwb

They certainly have no problem doing business with them....cause it's business and business is absolved of any social responsiblity in the neo con corporatist world.

[mayihavemore]

He refused to identify officials who sought changes. Only tell part of the story. You sir,
are a doctor. Heck of a job Richy!

[antoniof123]

The President is an easy scapegoat to blame everything on, how sad. Fortunately, history will judge him more kindly.



Bwhahahahahahahah!
Posted by likeitis5050 at 11:06 PM : Jul 10, 2007

The only way history will judge him is how the blogs are being written. The only way he can move from the wrost is if some one who is even worst gets elected.

So I guess Nixon is happy he moved up a notch. The sad reality is this is within my life time. American say awake for the rest of my life I don't want this type of government again.

[jjp735i]

If he has something to say and proof to back it up, he needs to do it now. He is no longer under Bush's thumb. Name names and actions taken. Why bother stating anything other wise?

[getit1776]

Fortunately, history will judge him [Bush] more kindly. -- ourtomorrows

History is going to barbecue his @ss in molasses.

[skyk-2009]

In my 60 years on this planet I have NEVER heard from citizens this level of hatred toward any leader this nation has had. Even with Nixon and the OBVIOUS Crimes he committed was there this level of disgust and shear hatred. I can't understand why someone who grew up in the South and all it's hatred could even try to move that Fascist Mentality to the White House. Bush is just plain Stupid folks, a puppet of Cheney and Rove, but he IS hated by the vast majority of the people of this nation. Don't think so? Go out and listen to people around you, it's there!