SIW notes Agudath Israel has now endorsed the flawed circumcision deal with NY State. This is the deal that former health commissioner Novello (A Pataki-Bush crony) said was based on specific scientific data. The problem? The authors of those scientific studies do not endorse the deal or the way their research was clearly misused.
Agudah had refrained from endorsing the deal, holding its party line that the state has no right to "interfere" with religious matters (even if those religious matters kill babies). But NY State's new governor, Elliot Spitzer, is said to be favoring the appointment of NYC's health commissioner, Thomas Friedan, to the State post. Friedan has been the only public health official acting responsibly in this matter. That scares Agudah, hence the endorsement of the C deal months after its brokering.
Metzitza b'peh (the oral to genital contact during circumcision practiced by hasidim and other haredim) needs to be stopped. Let's hope it is – quickly.