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Rat population has ‘exploded’ around Occupy D.C. camps
Washington Post ^ | 02:36 PM ET, 01/09/2012 | By Annie Gowen

Posted on 01/09/2012 4:15:49 PM PST by DeaconBenjamin

The rat population around the two Occupy D.C. camps at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza has “exploded”since protesters began their vigil in October, according to Mohammad N. Akhter, the director of the District’s Department of Health.

Akhter said in an interview Monday that city health inspectors have seen rats running openly through both camps and spotted numerous new burrows and nests underneath hay-stuffed pallets occupiers are using for beds. Both campsites had working kitchens for weeks until last week, but protesters at McPherson Square voluntarily closed down theirs after health inspectors pointed out unsanitary conditions during an informal monitoring visit.

Akhter said his concerns about the health and safety at the camps prompted him to order a city-wide review of conditions there, including input from health inspectors, mental health professionals, experts on the homeless and others. He is reviewing their findings this week.

“I’m very supportive of their rights and ability to demonstrate but I have concerns about their personal safety,” Akhter said.

Akhter, who is originally from Pakistan and has worked for the District government for over 20 years, said that the situation in the two parks is reminiscent of refu­gee camps he has toured overseas in the Middle East and Africa during his public health career. He said he fears disaster could strike during a severe winter storm.

Going down to these camps, it’s no different than refu­gee camps,” Akhter said. “People are living in very primitive conditions and they’re doing it by choice. They are very brave and thoughtful people, but my concern is that they should also take care of themselves. When the weather goes bad suddenly we’re watching a tragedy unfold in the middle of Washington, D.C. ”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: District of Columbia
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To: luvbach1

And every one of them an Obama voter...


21 posted on 01/09/2012 4:55:59 PM PST by Chainmail
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To: DeaconBenjamin

But of course: democRATS


22 posted on 01/09/2012 4:58:58 PM PST by jobim (.)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

4 leg rats...or 2 leg?


23 posted on 01/09/2012 5:02:57 PM PST by moovova (Report my sarcastic, fear-mongering, hate-filled lies to www.AttackWatch.com by clicking HERE.)
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To: jobim

http://www.motifake.com/demon-rat-scary-demotivational-posters-104855.html


24 posted on 01/09/2012 5:05:54 PM PST by mamelukesabre
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To: DeaconBenjamin

Actually McPherson square had a decent chipmunk population before the OWS moved there. They would grab an acorn or two and dash into their burrows at lightning speed. After the OWS dirtbags came, they left so much garbage that the rats took over.


25 posted on 01/09/2012 5:10:28 PM PST by palmer (Before reading this post, please send me $2.50)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

I would suggest that the DNC lady named after the syphilis test not go near the Occupy DC camps .... she’d be easily mistaken for vermin!


26 posted on 01/09/2012 5:13:46 PM PST by RetiredTexasVet (There's a pill for just about everything ... except stupid!)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

Rat’s on a stick get your fresh rat on a stick!


27 posted on 01/09/2012 5:15:24 PM PST by guitarplayer1953 (Grammar & spelling maybe wrong, get over it, the world will not come to an end!)
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To: RetiredTexasVet

I think she is the official head rat for the dims .... sooooo appropriate.


28 posted on 01/09/2012 5:15:45 PM PST by RetiredTexasVet (There's a pill for just about everything ... except stupid!)
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To: DeaconBenjamin
They are very braveinsane and thoughtful incredibly stupid people, but my concern is that they should also take care of themselves. When the weather goes bad suddenly we’re watching a tragedy comedy unfold in the middle of Washington, D.C. ”

Jeez. Doesn't the Washington Post have an editor?

29 posted on 01/09/2012 5:24:25 PM PST by Grizzled Bear (No More RINOS!)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

Well, water does seek its own level.


30 posted on 01/09/2012 5:24:45 PM PST by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

It’s time to tell the Occupiggies to either go home to mommy’s basement or go to jail. Be sure to give them a “choice”. They love “choice”.


31 posted on 01/09/2012 5:33:33 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Stop BIG Government Greed!!!!!)
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To: DeaconBenjamin
Where's Captain Obvious?

You don't need the keen eyesight of Captain Obvious.

Also scurrying around are White House press corp rats, network newsanchor rats, the NYSlimes rats, the WaCompost rats, other assorted MSM rats and ratettes, Pentagon rules-of-engagement-writing lawyer rats, Fast and Furious rats, the U.S. DEA helping-Columbian-cocaine-traffickers-launder-money-and-smuggle-cocaine-into-the-U.S. rats, Senatorial rats, Congressional rats, and even some near-flatlining SCOTUS rats...

... enough for a blind man to easily see on a foggy night, with no moon, during a power outage, in a coal bin, with the door closed.

32 posted on 01/09/2012 5:37:36 PM PST by Carl Vehse
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To: DeaconBenjamin

It has to be George Bush’s fault.


33 posted on 01/09/2012 5:50:15 PM PST by ncfool (The new USSA - United Socialist States of AmeriKa. Welcome to Obummers world or Obamaville USSA.)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

Too easy....


34 posted on 01/09/2012 6:07:19 PM PST by Trod Upon (Obama: Making the Carter malaise look good. Misery Index in 3...2...1)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

“He said he fears disaster could strike during a severe winter storm.”

What disaster? The brats don’t survive. Awwww.


35 posted on 01/09/2012 6:33:09 PM PST by BobL ("Heartless" and "Inhumane" FReepers for Cain - we've HAD ENOUGH)
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To: DeaconBenjamin

When I first saw the headline I figured the Senators and the Reps from the dim party had decided to camp out....still don’t know if I am wrong.


36 posted on 01/09/2012 6:36:32 PM PST by Nifster
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To: DeaconBenjamin

——we’re watching a tragedy unfold in the middle of Washington, D.C. ”——

The White House...fits the bill ....as well

....and full of rats and vermin too !!!


37 posted on 01/09/2012 6:56:53 PM PST by Popman (Obama is God's curse upon the land....)
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To: guitarplayer1953

———Rat’s on a stick get your fresh rat on a stick!-——

LOL !!! Capitalism !!!

Someday a filmmaker will make a parody of this “ movement” and that scene will be in it.....


38 posted on 01/09/2012 7:02:49 PM PST by Popman (Obama is God's curse upon the land....)
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