Guest guest Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 My comment to this article is below - I don't know if it will get printed or not. We would love to turn that poll around though we know that the skeptics do play dirty with online polls. If you can share this with your friends, associates and email/facebook/twitter/other social networking lists, that would be really appreciated!If we stop people who we disagree with from speaking, who will defend our rights when we have something important to say? Democracy is about freedom. Australia is a democracy. If you disagree with a viewpoint, that is your right. But it is not your right to suppress information - even if you disagree with it. To learn more about this issue, I recommend you download and read the article by Dr of Whistleblowers Australia entitled "Debating Vaccination" - http://www.avn.org.au/pdfs/LW8_debating_vaccination.pdfThe AVN believes that all parents have the right to access full and transparent information on all health issues. We advise anyone who wants to make a decision about this medical procedure to make up a list of questions and concerns - ask your doctor or council clinic and then, come to our organisation and ask the same questions. Compare the answers. Do your research. Then, make the best possible choice you can for your individual children. You are their advocates and protectors. Take responsibility to making a choice - not just doing what you're told.Meryl DoreyAustralian Vaccination NetworkAnti-vaccination activist Meryl Dorey needles opponents of her speaking at Woodford Folk festivalby:Janelle Miles From:The Courier-Mail December 15, 2011 12:00AM http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/anti-vaccine-activist-needles-opponents/story-e6freon6-1226222416563A STORM is brewing over controversial anti-vaccination campaigner Meryl Dorey being given a platform at the Queensland Government-sponsored Woodford Folk Festival.Chrys son, a member of the Australian Skeptics, said she was opposed to Ms Dorey being included on the Woodford program, given it was supported by the taxpayer. Ms Dorey is the Australian Vaccination Network president.The NSW Health Care and Comp laints Commission last year ruled that information on the AVN's website was misleading and inaccurate. Ms son, who lives at Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, said she was concerned that Ms Dorey, who will speak about vaccination, autism and toxicity, was putting babies' lives at risk by preaching misinformation.Despite the controversy, Queensland Arts Minister Nolan, whose department is sponsoring the festival, said it supported jobs and tourism."The Government, and I, as Arts Minister, are not going to be some kind of moral censor," she said. "Who is contracted for the event is a matter for the festival."The Government's position has not changed. We support the vaccination of all Queenslanders."Ms Dorey said security guards would be on hand for her appearances at the festival on December 29 and 30.She accused the A ustralian Skeptics and a Facebook group, dubbed Stop the AVN, for being behind a campaign to have her pulled from the festival."They've been attacking us for over two and a half years now. Those attacks have included death threats," Ms Dorey said."Every time I go to a seminar anywhere, the Stop the AVN try to get the venue to cancel."I find it quite disturbing that there isn't an outcry. People are not considering the implications of allowing someone to interfere with the discussion of a political issue. Freedom of communication is guaranteed in Australia."Public health academic Jon Wardle, of the University of Queensland, said although he disagreed with Ms Dorey's vaccination message, she should be allowed to present her views at public forums.Dr Wardle said he believed criticism by the pro-vaccination lobby of Ms Dorey's festival appearances had been counter-productive.Australian Medical Association Queensland president Kid d said he respected freedom of speech but called on Woodford organisers to ensure all sides of the vaccination debate were presented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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