The Parasites Thank You, Amanda Peet

By J.B. Handley

If Every Child By Two and Paul Offit were hoping to get a Hollywood spokesperson who was the anti-Jenny, they got their wish and more. Where Jenny evokes immediate sympathy from millions for her story of a beautiful son who literally died in her arms, descended into autism, and then climbed from the abyss to resume life as the beautiful, articulate, loving child he was meant to be, Ms. Peet's public debut was a PR disaster that ended yesterday in her public apology to the hundreds of thousands of parents she outraged by calling them "parasites" for their decision to shun vaccination for fear they may cause their children neurological harm.

If her debut weren't good enough news for those of us interested in truth, Ms. Peet's explicit affection for Dr. Paul Offit, whom she characterizes as a mentor and guide, raised his profile to heights never before seen, and to a microscope that he has never before been subjected. As the famous Polynesian saying goes, "the higher up a tree a monkey climbs, the more of his ass you see." Truer words were never spoken.

Paul Offit defending vaccines is like Charles Manson arguing the merits of religious cults, and reporters and gossip columnists across the country are Googling away and learning about the extreme conflicts, Congressional reprimands, vaccine patents, paid spokesperson gigs, and underhanded book deals that characterize Offit's dealings.

Ms. Peet's "apology" began innocently enough:

"I wanted to address my COMMENT in Cookie magazine that "parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites." I believe in my heart that my use of the word "parasites" was mean and divisive; I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness. For this I am truly sorry. Since my mom has Parkinson's Disease, I know what it feels like to want a concrete cause, and a concrete cure, as soon as possible."

As I read the last sentence of her first paragraph above, I thought to myself, "here it comes." That patronizing tone we have all grown so tired of was settling in, and Ms. Peet didn't disappoint. Turns out her apology was actually a non-apology after all, and she used this opportunity to parrot the party line of Paul Offit and the AAP. If Offit and his cronies didn't ghostwrite the rest of her statement themselves, they at least hovered over Ms. Peet's keyboard and moved her hands to type the proper letters.

Ms. Peet writes:

"Fourteen studies have been conducted (both here in the US and abroad), and these tests are reproducible; no matter where they are administered, or who is funding them, the conclusion is the same: there is no association between autism and vaccines."

Paul Offit, in the Boston Globe wrote:

"Certainly there is plenty of evidence to refute the notion that vaccines cause autism. Fourteen epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of autism is the same whether children received the MMR vaccine or not, and five have shown that thimerosal-containing vaccines also do not cause autism."

Ms. Peet writes:

"In fact, although there are many more vaccine doses given today, the entire vaccine schedule contains far fewer antigens components of viruses or bacteria”than vaccines of the past. (In other words, it's more shots, but less vaccine.) Why doesn't anyone talk about this?"

Renee Jenkins, President of the AAP, wrote last month:

"The fact is, today's vaccines are safer than any in history. Current vaccines are more refined than older versions, so children receive fewer immune-challenging antigens overall even though they get a larger number of immunizations."

And, finally, to ensure a place in every parent's Hall of Shame, Ms. Peet writes:

"The real question is why the media and journalists are still presenting vaccine safety as a controversy. There are a few fringe medical groups and parent advocacy groups who claim that vaccines cause autism, or that they have too many "toxins," or "viral challenges" for our tiny babies' bodies to handle. Hopefully children do not have to die before people start to realize the cost of withholding vaccines."

Ms. Peet does us all a favor. Her insensitive language, her parroting of party-lines crafted by the Vaccine Industry's henchmen, her lack of any legitimate dog in the fight, they all serve as a microcosm for the battle we are all fighting today: hundreds of thousands of parents, emboldened by truth and steadfast in honoring their fallen children, fighting the Pharma whores, slick lawyers, and bureaucrats trying to save their own skin. Our mission is truth, our goals are clear, and our message is unwavering.

Ms. Peet, you are a worthy spokesperson for their side, welcome to our fight.

J.B. Handley is co-founder of Generation Rescue and Editor at Large for Age of Autism.

Comments

[Jack]

So, I try to unwind after writing a long letter to the NVPO by doing the USA Today crossword puzzle and I get this...

60 Across. Amanda of "The Whole Nine Yards"

Crap.

[Andrew]

While Jenny McArthur looks like a real honest concerned parent doing the right thing, Ms Peet looks a uncaring propaganda big pharma pimp in my opinion.

[Terri Yaekel]

How very sad it is to me that some people speak ignorantly injuring many. I am a mother of an autistic son. I am college degreed, went to Bible college and my parenting skills are fine. Those who haven't walked a mile in our shoes would do best to be silent until they have. The majority of the ignorant comments don't even dignify comment. Autism is a very real medical condition. I feel sorry for those who haven't experienced the joy we have of simple pleasures. I support every parent of disablilty and normalcy alike. In the end, every loving parent is doing the best that they can with what they've been given. My dad has a saying that fits " it is what it is and work what you've got".

[Jordans Mom]

Their ignorance disgusts me. Why is it that people that have no firsthand knowledge of something think they know everything about it? Granted, it is everyones right to believe what they want but when you choose the words that they have, it goes beyond some personal belief. Parasites? Brats? Inept parenting? Those are "personal attack" words. You can give your opinion without using words like that. Until they live the "autism life", they should keep their "personal attacks" to themselves. There is a way to discuss this controversy between Vaccines & Autism, or Discipline & Autism for that matter, in an adult manner without using denegrating language.

[Virginia]

To the person who wrote we should boycott Amanda Peet's next movie, it is out on July 25,2008, The XFiles I want to believe.

[Petra]

Here's what I wrote on my own blog to that idiot of a Mike Savage (yup, I'll be emailing it to him and the station/sponsors etc later today)

"I hereby invite you to spend a week in my house, preferably during a period when it's incredibly hot and muggy and preferably with a Full Moon during that same time period. Then you'll get to see how much of *autism* is due to inept parenting. You'll get to see what it takes to parent a 10 year old boy with ASD, NLD, several LDs, a slew of medical problems, an anxiety disorder, bipolar tendencies, who's entering puberty (want any fries with that?). My bet is that you'll be running from this house screaming within less than 24 hours (like most *men*), as it takes *balls* (which you obviously don't have) to be in the *war zone* 24/7/365/20+.

And then there are also several families with completely neurotypical children I'd like to introduce you, so you can really see what inept parenting looks like.

Mike, you're a donkey's behind."

I am 100% sure he won't take me up on the invitation.. as I said, it takes balls to take care of these kids...

[Hilary Butler]

What a wonderful strategic move by Amanda Peet's brother in law. Imaginary conversation might go like this. He rings his fave mentor, Dr Paul Offit and says:

"Hey Paul, I've got a fantastic idea for you. My sister in law is Amanda Peet, who admits she's totally neurotic. She also cries when she doesn't get a part. But look, she's REALLY neurotic about diseases and vaccines. Because her mother had polio at 6, here's your big opportunity.

"You know how we've been talking about how Hollywood is becoming so anti-vaccine?

"Well, here's my suggestion Paul. Have a series of phone calls with her, because you are SO PERSUASIVE with your voice. Hypnotise her with your words. Make her feel very SPESHUL. Make her believe she's so much more intelligent than her misinformed colleagues. Take your time, but hand all the answers to her on a plate, and make sure that she thinks she knows enough, not to go off on her own and look at studies you don't give her, or talk to people like Jenny.

"Make her feel VERY IMPORTANT, and to seal the deal and make sure she never thinks of reneging on the brainwashing, make sure you sign her up for the All Children By Two campaign.

"That way, like us, she'll be so deep in it, and have so much pride invested and repeating our mantra, we will have a convert for life.

"I'll see you on Monday Paul, and we can go over the details, okay"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nepotistic game set and match.

I bet Dr Paul Offit was absolutely over the moon, and jumping out of his skin at such a dead easy roll-over coup as this one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[More On Savage]

Please, use the "complaint" phone number at the end!!! We CAN NOT let people spew ignorance, and must continue to stand our ground!!

Parents of Children Diagnosed With Autism Demand Retraction and
Apology from Mike Savage

http://tinyurl. com/5t44kk

Radio talk show host calls autism a 'hoax,' refers to children
affected as 'brats'

NIXA, Mo., July 18 /PRNewswire- USNewswire/ -- The National Autism
Association (NAA) today joins thousands of parents around the country
in demanding an apology and retraction from radio talk show host Mike
Savage for his July 16 broadcast in which he stated that children
affected by autism are 'brats,' and that bad parenting is to blame for
a 'fraudulent' epidemic now affecting one in 150 children.

'Autism is a very serious condition that greatly impacts the lives of
those affected,' said NAA board member Lori McIlwain. 'Many children
with autism experience tremendous physical pain from underlying
pathologies, which accounts for the screaming this person callously
dismisses. To have an uneducated opinion about autism is perfectly
within one's right, but to earn a living by shock-value exploitation
of children's suffering, while suggesting they should be called
'idiots,' is disgraceful. '

While the symptoms of autism often include unusual or negative
behaviors, there are serious underlying medical issues that cause
these symptoms. 'To suggest that these kids and their parents are to
blame for autism is just plain ignorant,' said NAA vice president Ann
Brasher, who has a grandson diagnosed with autism. 'The devastating
emotional toll autism takes on families is unfathomable to those like
Mr. Savage who haven't lived with it. He owes an apology to children
and their parents for trivializing their pain.'

In addition to a public apology and retraction of his words regarding
children and families impacted by autism, NAA asks that time be
allowed on the Savage show for a truthful portrayal of autism, its
effect on families, and the advances in research that are offering
hope for recovery to those dealing with autism.

For more information on autism, visit http://www.nationalautismassociation.org

To lodge a complaint against Mike Savage, call Talk Radio Network at
541-664-8827.

[heather]

JB...thank you!

i am thinking we should design a parasite's club t-shirt! i would buy one!!

[Lin Wessels]

LOVE IT!! Thank you, J.B.!

The Wessels