Obscanity: You'll know it when you see it

Joe. My. God.: Israel: Let’s Call It “Mexican Flu” Because “Swine” Is Religiously Offensive.

Okay, I know people are always itching to criticize Israel for breathing, but how about cutting her some slack on this one? Whatever its motivations, changing the name from “swine flu” to “Mexican flu” is actually a pretty smart move on their part, just from a public health standpoint. I’ve already spoken to at least one person who thought she wouldn’t get the swine flu because she didn’t eat pork and therefore wasn’t exposed to it. Since Jews and Muslims don’t eat pig products (in theory), calling it the swine flu could be confusing. People might think it’s similar to mad cow disease or something.

And let’s be honest – most of the cases and most of the deaths HAVE been in Mexico. You want to call something the American flu, how about Type II diabetes?

[Edit – I should read more closely; it wasn’t Israel’s policy, but rather the suggestion of the Health Minister.]

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