Latest news with #Gremlin
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a dentist suing Michigan over implicit-bias training — that says only some people can be racist
A former Michigan dentist is suing the state over an implicit-bias-training requirement for health-care professionals Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mandated after George Floyd's 2020 death — that declares only some people can be racist. 'Everybody needs to listen to Martin Luther King from way back in the day. It's who you are, not what color you are,' Dr. Kent Wildern exclusively told The Post. The Grand Rapids dentist of 40 years renounced his license in 2021 rather than take the ideological instruction required to keep it, explains the 14-page complaint, filed last week in the Michigan Court of Claims. Advertisement But he wants to return to the field. 'I like taking care of people,' he told The Post, noting he always provided free dental care to those in need. 8 Dr. Kent Wildern, who's suing Michigan, had to choose between his principles and his profession. Advertisement 'I'm 71. I've worked in the health-care industry since I was a boy. I worked at my dad's pharmacy at 9. I was an Eagle Scout by the time I was 13. I worked three summers as a lifeguard' at a Boy Scott camp. 'I worked at the pharmacy weekends and summers while I was in dental school,' he recalled. 'My wife and I had no money and no house. I drove a Gremlin that you couldn't get into except for the back hatch. I started my practice from scratch. That's just the way it was back then.' 8 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mandated all health-care professionals take the training after marching for Black Lives Matter. AP Advertisement Wildern is represented by the California-based Pacific Legal Foundation, a public-interest law firm that defends against government overreach. Wildern's lawyers believe the instruction required at every renewal is a classic example. On going to renew his license, 'state officials unleashed a proverbial kick in the teeth: a new implicit bias training mandate that forced Dr. Wildern to choose between his profession or his principles,' the firm said. 'This implicit bias training bothered me from day one, and I called the Michigan Dental Association and said, 'Why do we have to take this?' And they said, 'Because it's required by the governor,'' he told The Post. That wasn't good enough for Wildern: 'One day I said I've had it. I'm losing my license because I don't want to take this class.' Advertisement 8 One training module asks you these questions before — and again after — instruction. NetCE The suit targets Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which handles occupational licensing in the state. David Hoffa, a Pacific Legal Foundation attorney on the case, said the training rule goes beyond LARA's purpose and powers. 'We just don't find that there's any lawful authority granted by the Legislature to LARA to make that type of rule in any of the statutes that either the governor or LARA has cited,' he told The Post. In July 2020 — two months after Floyd died during his arrest in Minneapolis and one month after Whitmer marched with Black Lives Matter — the Democratic governor issued Executive Directive 2020-7, 'Improving equity in the delivery of health care,' to achieve 'racial justice.' It ordered LARA to make rules that 'establish implicit bias training standards' as a requirement for 'licensure, registration, and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals.' 8 The same module says only some people are capable of racism. NetCE Garrett Soldano told The Post he's been 'kicking and screaming' against the training requirement ever since. Advertisement The Kalamazoo chiropractor led anti-lockdown protests that year, opposing Whitmer's 'nanny government.' 'It's another example of government overreach,' he said, 'hanging our license over our heads.' Soldano felt so strongly about Whitmer's reign that he ran for the right to face her, competing in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary but falling short to eventual nominee Tudor Dixon. 8 'It's another example of government overreach,' chiropractor Garrett Soldano said, 'hanging our license over our heads.' Robert Killips | Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK Advertisement The trainings themselves — professionals have a few options to choose from, though they essentially stick to a standard script — treat bias as inevitable, only fixable with training. As one instruction module explains: 'Implicit biases can start as early as 3 years of age. As children age, they may begin to become more egalitarian in what they explicitly endorse, but their implicit biases may not necessarily change in accordance to these outward expressions.' But the training asserts only certain groups can be racist. 'Racism is the 'systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power . . . by members of the agent racial group who have relatively more social power,' begins an explainer. Advertisement 8 Another offered training module suggests Western medicine has a 'potential for bias.' 'It's freaking garbage,' Soldano said. 'You're basically telling every health-care professional in the state of Michigan that they're racist and accusing us that we base our care schedule on racist bias.' Soldano said he knows others who followed Wildern's path out of their professions rather than take the trainings. 'But people like me who need this for putting food on the table?' Soldano said. Advertisement 'It's hard as hell to just take it, and every two years when I have to take that class, it just brings up the insanity of the pandemic and what she did.' 8 That course demands health-care professionals 'take intersectionality into account.' The requirement on the state's 400,000 health professionals took effect June 1, 2022, and affects a wide range of career fields, from acupuncture to midwifery to social work. Available trainings include 'What Is Systemic Racism?' and 'Impact of Racism on the Health & Well-Being of the Nation.' Hoffa called the requirement an ideologically driven barrier to Wildern's re-entry to the workforce. 'There's a right to earn a living side of this as well,' Hoffa said. 'This type of ideologically driven training is not the proper use of licensing requirements for professionals.' 8 David Hoffa said the Legislature hasn't granted any 'lawful authority' for the state to mandate this training. Pacific Legal Foundation President Trump signed executive orders his first day in office dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs. But Wildern's case will be decided in the Michigan court system, not federal court — which at the highest levels is run by Democratic judges and justices. Appeals would go to the Michigan Court of Appeals and finally to the Michigan Supreme Court. The latter ruled most of Whitmer's COVID orders unconstitutional in October 2020 but didn't include the training directive. That was a 4-3 ruling — now Democrat-leaning justices control the top court 6-1. 'This is going to probably go all the way to the state Supreme Court, and I don't have a lot of faith in them, and so that's why I'm hoping that Michigan's next governor overturns this bad boy and gets rid of it,' Soldano said. Michigan has fined noncompliant professionals between $125 and $2,500 and suspended some licenses. LARA did not respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Least 'You' Cars You Have Owned
Being a car enthusiast can be tough, especially when you see yourself as the type of person who should be driving a Porsche but you're on a budget that only covers a clapped-out old Kia. Sometimes though, the stars align and you wind up in a car that fits your budget and your wants as a car enthusiast who likes the act of driving. Last week we asked you what car you've owned that was the least 'you,' and you all shared some awesome stories, actually. Some of your answers were logical choices that were dictated by necessity, while others ended up with some seriously unexpected and entertaining vehicles. There were two AMCs and one Geo that made the list, so y'all got some really obscure cars. I selected my personal favorites, but there are plenty of other great answers and stories that were shared that I didn't include here, so go read through the comments over there, or share your story in this post's comments. Read more: SEMA Was Full Of Wild Concepts In 2002 Following my first car purchase that all but blew up in my face, I found myself suddenly and desperately needing reliable transportation so I could commute to school. When I saw this brown 2003 Honda CR-V was the cheapest vehicle on the dealer lot I was at, I didn't have much choice, but I went for it. Initially my fragile 19-year-old ego was mighty bruised (just look at my halfhearted smile) when I had to surrender my catastrophically unreliable 2005 Saab 9-3 cabriolet that was my first car and buy a brown mommy crossover, but it was a humbling and necessary experience that served me very, very well. I needed to be knocked off my high-horse since owning my fancy Saab made me feel like king turd of poop mountain. But my Honda knocked me down a few pegs in my own mind, and gave me what every 19-year-old man needs, a dose of reality. Now I'll get into your answers to the least 'you' cars you've ever owned. It was 1980-something, my 1967 VW Bug was on it's last legs, I was working full time, and going to school at night. I bought an AMC Gremlin that was primarily a faded orange with brown and blue doors/hood. To make it extra special, the automatic transmission didn't have a working reverse gear and I was parallel parking in Philadelphia. I had the car for about six months and replaced it with a red 1967 Volvo P1800S (a proper car). I was dating my future wife at the time. We are married over 40 years now, and I love my MIL, but she still references the Gremlin from time to time. Submitted by: pbegley A Gremlin is so ironically cool. I'd love to drive one just to experience the lowest of the automotive lows. In the early Eighties, I had to bite the bullet and sell my '74 Z-28 to pay for my senior year in college. A neighbor lady was kind enough to give me her dead husband's '74 AMC Matador sedan. The good news was that it weeded out the girls who dated me only because I had a cool car. The bad news was that it weeded out the girls who dated me only because I had a cool car. Submitted by VABubba I remember the first time I saw a '74 Matador coupe. I was immediately obsessed with it because it was so weird and ugly I had never seen a car that looked quite like it. I bet the ladies loved your sedan. I had a string of vehicles that all worked for me, K20 Civic Si, 5 speed '01 VQ35 Pathfinder, 6 speed '12 Tacoma, 5 speed '06 Accord K24, even the '11 Silverado 4.8. Third kid was on the way, the wife already had a '15 Pilot (admittedly I'm OK with the boxy style and they can be made to look more interesting). It was decided that I needed a 3 row crossover and of course the ones I liked (full size or Durango R/T or the like) were out of our price range... enter the '14 Traverse. It did everything right and we took it on multiple 1,000 mile one-way road trips, but it did nothing for me as an enthusiast. So when it was ready for replacement I got a used Armada and was thrilled to have something I could play with, tow with and enjoyed I noticed the cold start engine tick and made Carmax take it back since it needed a new engine... and now I'm stuck in a 2021 Enclave Avenir. Nice vehicle, much more peppy than the Traverse, but absolutely boring as an enthusiast. Three row vehicles can be interesting, it hasn't worked out that way for me. Submitted by: cintocrunch Enclave Avenirs are nice but I hear your complaints loud and clear When my dubiously cheap 2001 Chevy Cavalier (don't laugh, Z-24, manual, it only broke down once in the nine years I had it!) got crushed on I-40 in 2017, I was in the process of scouting for a proper enthusiast car, as an addition to the unstoppable Cavalier, but I wasn't ready to pull the trigger yet. When a drunk Kia driver ended the Cavalier, my wife and I decided to replace her car (a grungy 2006 Civic) first, and I would drive her Civic until I found something to replace the Cavalier with. So the least "me" car I drove... wasn't really mine. Replaced it with a 2019 Miata RF. Still got it. Submitted by: Give Me Tacos or Give Me Death Honestly I fear the Civic is a better choice than the Cavalier despite the Cavalier's sporting intentions. But, glad you got a Miata! That's a good fun car. I think there is two cars that comes to mind. A 1997 Honda Odyssey (handed down by my parents) and the car didn't suite me since I was single and had no kids or need for a people carrier. The other is a 2005 Toyota Camry and that was the least "me" car since I am and still into cars (exotics and stuff like that) so owning a Camry and knowing that you like those of cars didn't match me at all. Submitted by: Russell These Odysseys were so intriguing to me as a kid who grew up in a Dodge Grand Caravan, a comparatively gargantuan "minivan." The first vehicle I ever bought (a green '93 Jimmy) lasted only a month before getting totaled in a rear-end collision. Took the insurance money and had to look for a set of wheels while still shocked and upset from the loss. That's how I ended up with a white '03 Elantra that looked exactly like Snoopy's head when seen in profile. Submitted by: Bogey the Bear I gotta say Bogey, I googled Snoopy to guess which bodystyle Elantra you had and as soon as I saw it I said, "oh it's the hatchback." Please confirm. After my exquisitly beautiful 1968 Fiat 124 Coupe blew its engine at about 30k miles, the only dealer who would take it was, of course, the Fiat guy. And the only car I could afford was a Fiat 850 we bought a very used Studebaker Lark for when we needed a "real car." Submitted by: Jerry Knight Two incredibly obscure cars, I love it. Back in my oh-so-dumb 20s I succumbed to my inner most desires and bought a 1971 Corvette with the LS5 454 V8. Everything that could go wrong did and it pretty much broke me financially. I sold it to a buddy who knew the trouble I had, but wanted it anyway. He even threw in a 1961 Chevy Bel Air 4-door in a bright teal and rust patina, so that I'd have transportation. Oh, how the mighty had fallen from Corvette to rusty Bel Air with no heat and a nail to replace the turn-signal stalk, but that old Chevy would start and go every morning even in below zero Chicago winters. Both those cars taught me a lot about what was important and how to buy a car that was right for my needs Submitted by: Jimboy Junio Jimboy, I couldn't find a usable photo of a four door, but it's actually kinda cool now. Definitely no Corvette, and I'm sure at the time it was uber dorky, but now it's a cool retro sedan! After 4 manual transmission sporty cars (MGB, Fiat 124, Mustang GT, Ford Contour) in the 1990s I decided to see what SUVs were all about and bought a 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition AWD V8. Two-tone white and gold, it had all the current bells and whistles like power everything, keyless entry, trip computer, etc. It drove well and was a great highway cruiser. Was really good in the snow with AWD, good power, and good ground clearance. But it wasn't as much fun in daily driving, not as good on curvy back roads and I just kept thinking how inefficient it was for me to be driving around this 20MPG vehicle by myself. Sold the Explorer after 6 months and got a new 2008 Mazdaspeed 3. Kept that 10 years, it was a lot of fun and practical too with the hatchback. Submitted by: Psycho78 What ever happened to Eddie Bauer? For me, a Ram Laramie Crew. There's nothing wrong with a big old luxury truck if you're a big old luxury truck person, but I'm most definitely not. I bought it because I was heading into retirement and losing my company car so I needed a driver. It just happened that this particular truck hit the trifecta for the aged inventory discount, regular rebates, plus my employee purchase price. I got slightly over 40% off MSRP. Too good to pass up, right? It was awesome on road trips and hauling stuff, but horrible for everything else, which unfortunately was the other 98% of my post retirement driving. The happy ending was that after 3 years, I sold it, made a small profit, and bought a certified pre-owned Macan S, which was much more my speed, (until I drove a Stelvio Veloce which was even more my speed). Submitted by: Factoryhack Sounds like despite the Ram's lameness you got a good deal out of it! I hope your Alfa is treating you well. This one is kind of left field: A new, custom ordered 2024 Mercedes EQA 250. How come a new car I configured has been the least "me"? Because I didn't need or want an SUV. But at the time because of a company lease deal, this was the cheapest way for me to drive a nice, capable EV. The lease conditions also didn't allow for me to pick an actual colour so I had to go with a boring silver one. Up until then I drove a blue smart EQ fortwo cabrio, so quite the contrast. My next one will be the electric CLA, which should be more my speed again. Submitted by: Nico I'm so jealous of your Smart ForTwo EQ Cabriolet. I was always a European car guy. Alfa Romeo. Porsche. Fresh out of college, engaged, and wanting our own home, I sold my E30 BMW 325is so our only car was her '91 Geo Tracker convertible. Slow, unrefined and enormously susceptible to crosswinds at the hint of the slightest breeze, that Geo handled New England weather in stride, and compared to my departed BMW, it cost nearly nothing to maintain. Submitted by: Baybrook Tom I fear I may be in the minority when I admit this, but I absolutely love the Geo Tracker convertible and it's a life goal to own one at some point. I think it's way cooler than an E30, though I understand it might not be quite as fun to drive. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health Experts Reveal How They Stay Informed After Trump's Government Cuts — And How You Can, Too
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency has started dismantling vital federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who has a history of spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories— is the secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees 11 operating divisions, including the CDC, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health. The public isn't receiving the same level of food recall alerts and timely information on disease outbreaks. If a staffing shortage means no one is available to respond to a health issue, then what should people do? When misinformation circulates and we can't trust our government institutions to be transparent, how do we navigate our health? 'Being informed is a radical act of self-care right now,' said Cynthia Plotch, a reproductive justice advocate and founder ofWinx Health. 'Misinformation is rampant and further being amplified to exhaust us and overwhelm us. By staying educated on the issues and actions that matter to you, you're not only advocating and protecting your own health but participating in a form of resistance. Knowledge is power and helps make empowered decisions for your health. This is not just a form of protection, but a radical act to stand up for your rights and wellbeing.' We talked to four health experts to find out how they're getting their information, and how we can use their strategies in our daily lives. So far, overhauls by Trump and DOGE have led to the layoffs of about5,200 CDC employees. The CDC announced it will no longer process data about transgender identity, and it will no longer fund theGlobal Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, aka Gremlin. According toBloomberg, Gremlin is 'a grouping of more than 700 international labs that test about 500,000 patient samples annually' and monitors the prevalence of pathogens like COVID-19, RSV, dengue, yellow fever and Ebola. In other bad news, the FDAcanceled its annual meeting to select the flu strains for next year's flu shot, and the United States has pulled out of the World Health Organization. As of early March, more than 100 people in Texas hadmeasles, and an unvaccinated child had died. New Mexico and New Jersey have also experienced measles outbreaks. 'Honestly, I'm pessimistic,' said David Williams, president of Health Business Group. 'I don't think the traditional approaches of requiring vaccination for school and work will be accepted in today's political environment. In fact, such requirements are likely to be reversed and we will even see state laws stating that mandates cannot be implemented at the local level.' Local public health officials and health care providers remain trustworthy, he added. 'Individual family physicians, nurse practitioners and pediatricians are also influential with their patients, regardless of political leanings,' Williams said. 'Public health officials communicate through local resources like town newsletters, local TV, radio and print media, and their own social media accounts. Individual providers communicate through one-on-one visits and are backed up by local community health centers and hospitals.' Lack of women's health information has become an issue, too. 'Access to sexual education and reproductive rights are being wiped from government health websites, exacerbating the problems that stem from the country's lack of sex education,' Plotch said. 'Fifty percent of women [who live in states with abortion bans] think emergency contraception isillegal, and even more —75% — believe it's the same as the medical abortion pill. It's not! Access to free information to combat common misconceptions and empower women to make informed decisions over their own health is more critical than ever.' She recommended reading free women's health articles onReal Talk and following writer Jessica Valenti. Katie Diasti, a menstrual educator and founder of Viv for Your V, acknowledged how essential government agencies are to women. 'Health reports, like that from the NIH this summer that revealedtoxic metals in tampons, allow users to make informed health decisions and hold brands and manufacturers accountable,' Diasti said. 'As government resources are slashed, especially in women's health, some might take it as an opportunity to cut corners. It's critical to find products and routines you trust with trusted materials, transparent reporting, and that help uplift your wellbeing. Be vigilant in reading product descriptions. Look for transparent materials and ingredients.' In just a couple of months, the government's actions have already done great harm to the public's trust. Praxis Pacisci CEO Stacey B. Lee, a professor of health care law at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, studies how policy decisions impact public health. 'What we're seeing right now is deeply concerning — not just because of who's in charge but also because of the long-term consequences of weakening public health infrastructure,' Lee said. 'RFK's past rhetoric has already emboldened anti-science movements. His leadership may translate that into actual policy.' Lee has been doing a lot to keep her family safe. She keeps a health preparation checklist based on emerging disease risks from the WHO, CDC and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and subscribes to real-life health alerts from Consumer Reports and University Extension Services. The best we can do is stay informed and not follow people who spread misinformation, especially from politicians. Trust local public health officials and global organizations like WHO, and stay on top of vaccines. 'This moment isn't just about RFK Jr. or the CDC cuts,' Lee said. 'It's about whether we allow science-based health policy to be systematically dismantled. If this administration continues prioritizing ideology over research, we will see rising disease outbreaks, eroding health care trust, and disproportionate harm to vulnerable communities. When federal health leadership falters, we need to build resilience at every other level, from our personal choices to our community engagement. This isn't just about surviving the current administration's health policies. It's about preserving the infrastructure of public health for generations to come.' RFK Jr. Performs Astonishing 180 On Vaccines After Years Of Misinformation RFK Jr. Suggests These Supplements Can Help Measles Treatment. Here's What Medical Experts Say. After RFK Jr.'s Measles Flip-Flop, Here's What Still Worries Doctors About The Current Outbreak
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Photos of the 1971 Small-Car Comparison Test
Read the full review We gather six small cars from AMC, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Simca and Volkswagen to assess the state of the small-car art, circa 1971. Three domestics take on three foreign machines in the battle for most-OK 1971 small car. At the drag strip, patience was a virtue. The Beetle needed 16.1 seconds to hit 60 mph. Traction was not a problem. There are a lot of ways to answer the small-car question. Our group included front-engine, rear-drive; front-engine, front-drive; and rear-engine, rear-drive. The Corolla liked to lift its inside rear wheel in corners. The Simca's suspension was surprisingly supple. Simca's 1204 is almost like a tiny station wagon. The 1204 interior is very high quality by the standards of its class. Voila! It's a wagon. The Super Beetle is super only in comparison to other Beetles. Strut suspension makes for more room in the front trunk. A familiar view, since 1938. The Corolla could corner harder if it used all four tires. This is an agreeable small car, except on the highway. At $1918, the Corolla was the lowest price car in the test. Go fast and don't get rear-ended in the Pinto. The Pinto was a clear disappointment to every member of the staff. With 75 hp, the Pinto ran 0-60 in 15.1 seconds. The Pinto seats are deep and upright, like a bathtub. The Vega exudes a sportiness we can't quite explain. Our favorite car, the Vega was also the most expensive. The Gremlin was the Hemi of the group, with 135 hp. Turning a Hornet into a Gremlin basically involves removing a large section of the wheelbase. The Gremlin was the only car to get less than 20 mpg. The Gremlin's 10.5-second 0-60 mph time was quickest by a wide margin. This was low-stakes fun. Understeer, ho! "Note to self: Go get that new T. Rex album." Our least favorite staffers were assigned to the Beetle for back seat testing. It takes a true professional to shoot a car without capturing extraneous reflections. It took a while, but things got better. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Bloomberg
02-03-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
The US Is Withdrawing From Global Health at a Dangerous Time
To keep an eye on some of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases, scientists rely on reports from the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. Known affectionately as Gremlin, it's a grouping of more than 700 international labs that test about 500,000 patient samples annually. Gremlin monitors the prevalence of a huge range of pathogens in addition to those in its full name, including Covid-19, RSV, dengue, yellow fever and Ebola. And it does so on a remarkably modest budget: just $8 million a year, or less than 10% of the price tag for a single F-35 fighter jet. Yet the program, which is managed by the World Health Organization, is suddenly on the brink of extinction. Gremlin depends on money from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flagship US public-health agency. Since its establishment in 1946, the Atlanta-based CDC has worked on the front lines of every significant infectious disease outbreak, and if any of the threats that Gremlin tracks become a major problem, the agency will be expected to play the same role again. But shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, the lab network's staff learned its future was in doubt, because the US had pulled its funding, prompting an urgent scramble to find alternative donors.
