Politics and Autism

[Guest guest]

I have followed some of the recent threads on Red/Blue with interest and

while I am loathe to reignite the discussion I think we need to consider

our approach to it. Our politically active groups are doing an

absolutely stunning job and I feel that we DO need to consider our

approach but in a more complex way than just party lines.

The reason that we need to consider this is obvious as a short review of

the unbelievable strides in awareness and support amongst the broader

based populace shows. In fact I believe it is self evident we are

winning the argument and are reaching a tipping point in governmental

response. My position has always been get help for my twin sons (and

unfortunately in the last 3 months it has become plural) and make them

admit the cause. My focus has been so strongly on those two things that

now the second is becoming more likely I am at a loss as to where to go.

We are at a period of great danger for us as a broad church - that is -

should governmental bodies admit openly or tacitly that vaccine damage

has occurred/is occuring we are likely to split into a multiplicity of

views on what should happen next. That would be easy prey to the

efficient PR machine of those organisations involved. Our strength has

been in our unity of message and purpose and I for one would be keen to

know our answer if the question is " You were right, now what should they

do next? " The answers (and their priorities) must be as well understood

and supported within our community as our current messages are if we

want to succeed. We are on the verge of winning one of the most historic

and scandalous battles in the history of modern society but we are

fighting a type of war and we must not win the former and lose the

latter .....

SP

Rian and Ciarans father

[Guest guest]

And now I'm replying to my own posts which is very bad netiquette

(sorry Lenny :-) But if I was on their side I would

1. Cherry pick a study which shows that only 1% of autism is

thimerosal related (and we know that " they " have access to these type

of studies)and immediately complete the removal of thimerosal from the

rest of the vaccine stock - we know that this is not a major

logistical deal for them.

2. Put a token amount of money into a fund for treatment of those

heavily restricted cases

3. Not change the litigation processes

4. Pound out more studies of vaccine effectiveness and scare stories

of outbreaks of disease

5. Have some fall guy do some public hand wringing

6. Continue to use the AAP and associated groups to send out the

message that its a very very small number of cases and that this does

not change the thrust of medical treatment protocols

7. Keep heads down until it blows over and we can all go back to

running things the way we always did.

I really hope I'm wrong but this approach would blunt a lot of our

current arguments - imagine the " fall guy " on Imus saying " Yes but its

such a small number of cases " . Its then that we will need

organisational leadership and unity. But then if the last year is

anything to go by we are far more clever than they are:-)

I always thought that one paper/study/article would break it all open

but now I think its our drip drip drip thats irresistable. I also

thought that when it happened there would be an open admission and

everything would change - but now I'm not so sure ...

Someone cheer me up :-)

SP

Rian and Ciarans dad

[Guest guest]

Hi Simon!

Don't know if I can cheer you up, but I definitely agree with all

that you have said.

I also thought it would be one big BOOM but the drip..drip is

consistent and annoying the hell out of them.

If it keeps dripping, the ineffective plumbers and incongruent work

(their guys/their studies) will just make the drip turn into a small

stream (I actually think we are here, now)and nothing will keep that

water from roaring out.

Good analogy on your part!

So, we are on the right path or should I say, soon to be Niagra?

>

> And now I'm replying to my own posts which is very bad netiquette

> (sorry Lenny :-) But if I was on their side I would

>

> 1. Cherry pick a study which shows that only 1% of autism is

> thimerosal related (and we know that " they " have access to these

type

> of studies)and immediately complete the removal of thimerosal from

the

> rest of the vaccine stock - we know that this is not a major

> logistical deal for them.

> 2. Put a token amount of money into a fund for treatment of those

> heavily restricted cases

> 3. Not change the litigation processes

> 4. Pound out more studies of vaccine effectiveness and scare

stories

> of outbreaks of disease

> 5. Have some fall guy do some public hand wringing

> 6. Continue to use the AAP and associated groups to send out the

> message that its a very very small number of cases and that this

does

> not change the thrust of medical treatment protocols

> 7. Keep heads down until it blows over and we can all go back to

> running things the way we always did.

>

> I really hope I'm wrong but this approach would blunt a lot of our

> current arguments - imagine the " fall guy " on Imus saying " Yes but

its

> such a small number of cases " . Its then that we will need

> organisational leadership and unity. But then if the last year is

> anything to go by we are far more clever than they are:-)

>

> I always thought that one paper/study/article would break it all

open

> but now I think its our drip drip drip thats irresistable. I also

> thought that when it happened there would be an open admission and

> everything would change - but now I'm not so sure ...

>

> Someone cheer me up :-)

>

> SP

> Rian and Ciarans dad

>

[Guest guest]

I think we all agree that drug companies, federal public health agencies and corrupt politicians deserve most of our time and effort. However, we should not ignore those responsible for "administering" the mandates of federal public health bureaucracies , such as, local/state public health officials and especially the American Academy of Pediatricians.

I have written to my local/state public health officials, albeit with minimal success, other than having the satisfaction of forcing these individuals to defend, in writing, the same flawed analysis and research of the CDC/FDA. I want these individuals to know there is a very real possibility they will be held to the same standard of accountability as their federal colleagues should that ever-growing body of evidence incriminating our childhood vaccine policies become cause for criminal indictments. At the very least, these individuals should be forced to answer, in writing, if they have or have not implored federal bureaucracies to open their data banks so credible, independent scientific research can proceed without futher delay in ascertaining for parents if their children have been damaged by childhood vaccines. Indeed, such transparency, at the highest levels of public health, can only help local/state public health officials recover some vaccine credibility that has been lost the last decade or so.

Every pediatrician should be respectfully asked to defend the AAP's inconsistent policies on thimerosal.

Schools, on the other hand, are the "enforcers" and require a completely different approach. Unfortunately, school administrators view parents fearful of vaccinating their children as potential threats to the "herd immunity" they so desperately want to provide their school environment. Indeed, there is anechdotal evidence that some school officials have gone so far as recommending fearful parents to child welfare authorities for neglecting the health of their child. This "antagonistic-confrontational" relationship between schools and parents is a huge part of our problem in gaining support for greater safety in childhood vaccines. We should be natural allies, not enemies. Schools must be made aware that other developed countries, such as, Japan, have succeeded in protecting their 'herd" without experiencing the many childhood development problems our schools are enduring. This "better mousetrap" is the common ground that parents and schools share. In addition, federal education beaurcrats must be forced to defend their policies of enforcement for vaccines that are being administered where "cost effectiveness" is considered a higher priority than "safety". As the Education Secretary of EVERY administration says: "The children should come first".

I do wish that our community of activists had someone capable of adopting and willing to pursue the tactics used by Sheehan in her protest of the Iraq War. I am by no means suggesting I agree with her anti-war views, but, her tactic of establishing a protest site outside the president's summer retreat in Crawford Texas certainly proved successful. Such a "legally" established site, within the public confines of Washington D.C., would be far more effective than sporadic marches/rallies that are easily ignored by the major media. Imagine the awesome exposure such a site would provide for the thousands of tourists and federal employees who would pass by each and every day?

Just wishful thinking.

[Guest guest]

That may not happen.

Remember in the late 50's early 60's?

11 or 12 thalidomide children caused a complete overhaul of the FDA.

Re: Politics and Autism

And now I'm replying to my own posts which is very bad netiquette (sorry Lenny :-) But if I was on their side I would1. Cherry pick a study which shows that only 1% of autism is thimerosal related (and we know that "they" have access to these type of studies)and immediately complete the removal of thimerosal from the rest of the vaccine stock - we know that this is not a major logistical deal for them.2. Put a token amount of money into a fund for treatment of those heavily restricted cases3. Not change the litigation processes4. Pound out more studies of vaccine effectiveness and scare stories of outbreaks of disease5. Have some fall guy do some public hand wringing6. Continue to use the AAP and associated groups to send out the message that its a very very small number of cases and that this does not change the thrust of medical treatment protocols7. Keep heads down until it blows over and we can all go back to running things the way we always did.I really hope I'm wrong but this approach would blunt a lot of our current arguments - imagine the "fall guy" on Imus saying "Yes but its such a small number of cases". Its then that we will need organisational leadership and unity. But then if the last year is anything to go by we are far more clever than they are:-)I always thought that one paper/study/article would break it all open but now I think its our drip drip drip thats irresistable. I also thought that when it happened there would be an open admission and everything would change - but now I'm not so sure ...Someone cheer me up :-)SPRian and Ciarans dad

[Guest guest]

Whether or not the combating autistics bill dies and Santorum is utterly defeated in a Casey landslide, what exactly is your position on Thimerosal in childhood vaccines?

Politics and Autism

I agree with those suggesting we vote in upcoming elections for the candidate who best supports our position on childhood vaccines. I have family in Pennslyvania and I would like to know if this issue is being discussed between R-Santorum and D-Casey? I would also like to know which Pennslyvania papers provide the best opportunity to publish a letter asking both candidates to state their views on the Combat Autism Bill?

Personally, I think Santorum has been a "supporter" and I would be very interested to learn the position of his opponent.

[Guest guest]

Today's NY Post article indicates Conn. Senator Joe Lieberman is facing a strong Democratic primary challenge for his re-election bid. Follow up story indicates Lieberman may decide to run as an Independent if his challenger gains more ground.

Apparently, many Democrats are angry that Lieberman continues to support Iraq War and some are determined to use him as an example to regain that particular issue for the party.

I think Lieberman has been a good supporter of our issues. I would hate to lose him in the Senate and I would really reget his loss should the Democrats eventually regain control of the Senate.

Does A-CHAMP anticipate taking an active role in offering public endorsements of support for deserving candidates in upcoming primaries and elections?

[Guest guest]

A-CHAMP is a parent organization focused on politics but we are not a PAC [Political Action Committee] so we are barred from endorsing candidates. However, A-CHAMP will be closely monitoring the primaries and political winds over the next few months and will be offering observations about the way the candidates have said and how they have acted on the issues that are important to our children and our community.

There is no question Senator Lieberman has been a friend to our community and his office continues to communicate and demonstrate, through actions not just words, that he has a sincere interest in helping our children. Senator Lieberman has been willing to go where no other senator has been willing to go in order to get answers. It is because of Senator Lieberman's leadership that a meeting was held last month at NIEHS for the purpose of exploring a new VSD study. I think everyone on this list recognizes that without his leadership, it is doubtful that such a meeting would have occurred.

At the Autism One Conference, Bob Krakow announced our team of A-CHAMP state coordinators who will help us start organizing our community. Like the NRA, most of us have only one issue that will determine who gets our vote...our children. We have an amazing group of intelligent and inspirational parents who recognize the political power we could have if we start to seriously build a strong grass roots movement to advance our issues. We want to encourage everyone to watch for opportunities to engage the candidates this year. As Bob said during the Key Note address at Autism One, "We are everywhere...and we are not going away!"

In the next few weeks, A-CHAMP will be making some suggestions and seeking your help and leadership in several initiatives leading up to the November elections. Your state coordinators will help to organize these initiatives. Our success as a community depends on our commitment and I have every confidence in our community.

Bobbie

'As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist.' --Sitting Bull

Re: Politics and Autism

Today's NY Post article indicates Conn. Senator Joe Lieberman is facing a strong Democratic primary challenge for his re-election bid. Follow up story indicates Lieberman may decide to run as an Independent if his challenger gains more ground.

Apparently, many Democrats are angry that Lieberman continues to support Iraq War and some are determined to use him as an example to regain that particular issue for the party.

I think Lieberman has been a good supporter of our issues. I would hate to lose him in the Senate and I would really reget his loss should the Democrats eventually regain control of the Senate.

Does A-CHAMP anticipate taking an active role in offering public endorsements of support for deserving candidates in upcoming primaries and elections?

[Guest guest]

A-CHAMP is a parent organization focused on politics but we are not a PAC [Political Action Committee] so we are barred from endorsing candidates. However, A-CHAMP will be closely monitoring the primaries and political winds over the next few months and will be offering observations about the way the candidates have said and how they have acted on the issues that are important to our children and our community.

There is no question Senator Lieberman has been a friend to our community and his office continues to communicate and demonstrate, through actions not just words, that he has a sincere interest in helping our children. Senator Lieberman has been willing to go where no other senator has been willing to go in order to get answers. It is because of Senator Lieberman's leadership that a meeting was held last month at NIEHS for the purpose of exploring a new VSD study. I think everyone on this list recognizes that without his leadership, it is doubtful that such a meeting would have occurred.

At the Autism One Conference, Bob Krakow announced our team of A-CHAMP state coordinators who will help us start organizing our community. Like the NRA, most of us have only one issue that will determine who gets our vote...our children. We have an amazing group of intelligent and inspirational parents who recognize the political power we could have if we start to seriously build a strong grass roots movement to advance our issues. We want to encourage everyone to watch for opportunities to engage the candidates this year. As Bob said during the Key Note address at Autism One, "We are everywhere...and we are not going away!"

In the next few weeks, A-CHAMP will be making some suggestions and seeking your help and leadership in several initiatives leading up to the November elections. Your state coordinators will help to organize these initiatives. Our success as a community depends on our commitment and I have every confidence in our community.

Bobbie

'As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist.' --Sitting Bull

Re: Politics and Autism

Today's NY Post article indicates Conn. Senator Joe Lieberman is facing a strong Democratic primary challenge for his re-election bid. Follow up story indicates Lieberman may decide to run as an Independent if his challenger gains more ground.

Apparently, many Democrats are angry that Lieberman continues to support Iraq War and some are determined to use him as an example to regain that particular issue for the party.

I think Lieberman has been a good supporter of our issues. I would hate to lose him in the Senate and I would really reget his loss should the Democrats eventually regain control of the Senate.

Does A-CHAMP anticipate taking an active role in offering public endorsements of support for deserving candidates in upcoming primaries and elections?

[Guest guest]

I hope Joe Lieberman makes it back. His position on thimerosal made him a target for attack from the pro-mercury factions of his own party. The fact that nobody in the Senate stood up to combat Frist's experimental vaccine liability rider indicates that none of them have much of a spine or a lick of common sense.

Re: Politics and Autism

Today's NY Post article indicates Conn. Senator Joe Lieberman is facing a strong Democratic primary challenge for his re-election bid. Follow up story indicates Lieberman may decide to run as an Independent if his challenger gains more ground.

Apparently, many Democrats are angry that Lieberman continues to support Iraq War and some are determined to use him as an example to regain that particular issue for the party.

I think Lieberman has been a good supporter of our issues. I would hate to lose him in the Senate and I would really reget his loss should the Democrats eventually regain control of the Senate.

Does A-CHAMP anticipate taking an active role in offering public endorsements of support for deserving candidates in upcoming primaries and elections?