Obama Names Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General

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because of the swine flu??

as a member of the board of the ama she is a shill for big-pharma, big-insurance and everything else that's wrong with u.s.health care...

and the author of this article shows what's wrong with u.s. "journalism:...

sister madly of CA 10:13PM July 13, 2009

Your statement, Brian of WA, implies that people from AL are all black, dumb and nonprofessional. Many are black to be sure. Black and brilliant. Black and professional. Some are white. It smacks of a certain lack of exposure that you would make such a statement. Or perhaps you have lived in a big city too long? It isn't where you are from or what your race is. Its how well you are trained. And this is someone extraordinarily trained. The MacArthur "genius" grant does not go to very many people of any stripe. I, for one, will be delighted to have someone compassionate enough to build a clinic three times so that her community could be cared for speaking on behalf of the nation's public health. I hope that you, too, are taking the gifts that you have been fiven and using them to the best of your ability.

SeattleSlem of WA 8:57PM July 13, 2009

This woman is obviously highly qualified for the job, but the choice seems a little awkward given that she's apparently overweight. We live in a society that has 60% obese adults and kids which add a huge burden to the health care system. What happened to personal responsibility when it comes to weight control and associated health care cost as a result of obesity related conditions? Think about premature strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, joint and spinal conditions to name a few. Hopefully this doctor will set an example for the rest of us with personal attempt to control her weight.

KoolYo of AZ 5:53PM July 13, 2009

gave her the highest possible honor for non-clergy (Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice).

Summers of NY 4:57PM July 13, 2009

With so much buffoonery on here I felt the need to just state the facts.

Regina Benjamin received a B.S. (1979) from Xavier University of Louisiana, attended Morehouse School of Medicine from 1980 to 1982, and received an M.D. (1984) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; she also holds an M.B.A. (1991) from Tulane University. She completed her residency in family practice at the Medical Center of Central Georgia (1987). The CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic since its founding in 1990, Benjamin has also served as the associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama’s College of Medicine and as president of the State of Alabama Medical Association (2002-2003).

First 21 cabinet picks:

Overall, Obama has picked five women, four blacks, three Hispanics and two Asians as Cabinet-level appointments.

President Bush's first Cabinet in 2001 had four women, two blacks, one Hispanic and two Asians.

President Clinton's first Cabinet in 1993 had four women, four blacks and two Hispanics.

Sean Anderson of MD 4:06PM July 13, 2009

Hey Ken. Welcome to 2009. Us people who live in the present don't worry about color of skin..

Ed 4:05PM July 13, 2009

You don't get that for being black. And we have enough blacks? Are you kidding me. I bet blacks think we have enough whites. Ignorance must be bliss.

Amanda of CA 3:58PM July 13, 2009

Come on, a rural Alabama doctor selected to be the surgeon general? Obama is obviously choosing based on race and not credentials.

Brian of WA 3:10PM July 13, 2009

For background on Dr. Benjamin's work, see http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1568.

Jeff Jakeman of AL 2:44PM July 13, 2009

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