From the Bolen Report: Jake Crosby on Congressional Autism Hearings
Not long ago, Jake Crosby, one of our Contributing Editors,
submitted an article about the background of the Congressional hearing on
autism late last year. I rejected the article because, as I told Jake, it did
not meet the standards that I try to apply to everything submitted to Age of
Autism. Jake then submitted the piece to The Bolen Report, which, adding to the
strangeness of this situation, posted it but did not technically
"publish" it, according to Tim Bolen (see my "Tough Tim
Bolen" satire below). Some of our worst critics have now had plenty of
time to relish its attacks on our friends while the rest of us could only watch
in distress.
Now Bolen says he will publish it, which is certainly his right. So, as a reader service, here is the link.
Jake is someone I have long admired for his autism advocacy and writing for Age of Autism. He remains a Contributing Editor. However, this article does not stand up to scrutiny on a number of levels. The invasion of privacy of a number of SafeMinds board members here is unconscionable and, really, inexplicable given the far less-than-critical issues involved. Furthermore, based on preliminary inquiries, the facts do not seem to be as described in this article; certainly, SafeMinds has denied them vigorously. It's bad journalism, glaringly unsourced and without giving the "targets" an opportunity to give their version of events. I stand by the choices I've made in dealing with this unfortunate situation, and will be following up in the near future. -- Dan Olmsted
Thank you! I do remember the article in the WaPo, I do remember writing to the Post and pointing out that this could be considered an example of economic and/or racial discrimination- in more affluent communities such as Montgomery County parents who opt out of shots are not treated as though they are subjects of a fascist regime.
My concern was related to the concept of forced vaccination at the point of a gun here in United States, I stand corrected, I agree that this is an example of exactly such a practice.
Posted by: ottoschnaut | February 20, 2013 at 09:36 AM
re Maryland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHRceEUz8w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Vj0EX_STU
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111301408.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/us/18vaccine.html
Posted by: Jeannette Bishop | February 20, 2013 at 02:52 AM
@ottoshcnaut: It happened in Prince George's county. It is in the Greater Good movie.
Posted by: Cassandra | February 19, 2013 at 08:13 PM
ottoshcnaut
Parents were threatened with jail if they didn't deliver their kids and line up nice and neat for their vaccines. Was on the national news some years back.
Posted by: Linda | February 19, 2013 at 03:40 PM
@Letthembegot:
I live in Maryland. I have never seen armed gurads escorting kids to vaccinations. Have you got any proof?
Posted by: ottoshcnaut | February 19, 2013 at 03:13 PM
@ Angus Files, I applaud you but have you seen the pictures of the armed guards taking children for Varicella vaccines in Maryland..... I believe there is plenty to fear.
Posted by: Letthembegot | February 13, 2013 at 08:19 AM
Angus Files;
There is no part of England,Scotland or Ireland where you will go to jail and/or be forced to vaccinate your kids.
In the U.S. there are two states where not vaccinating is illegal.
Some of us do not want to be on a list if the state we are in decides to change.
Did you hear about the case where the judge forced kids to get vaccinated because their lack of the latest vaccine counted as "truancy"?
Why do you want our names?
Posted by: Anonymouse | February 13, 2013 at 12:06 AM
Letthembegot, maybe I'm naive but I don't think anybody is trying to infiltrate the autism community to change any minds or cause dissent. They know darned well they can't mess with the autism community in that way. However, they sure have learned to try and "steer" things and have some influence on some MS/CCSVI blogs. I noticed one poster making subtle disses on certain treatments on one of them- I checked out all their comments (not many, really) and they were all very reminiscent of "Science"blogs talking points and I called them on it. The poster didn't respond, unsurprisingly. I think they have realized the cat is out of the bag with autism and vaccine safety issues. They are like the little boy with a finger in the dike. The same thing is happening with MS patients- too many of them have gone rogue (in the form of interventions other than drugs and have seen real, albeit sometimes short- lived, improvement. They are sick of the pharma and neuro BS.
Posted by: Jen | February 12, 2013 at 10:15 PM
Letthembegot...overcome your fear been done it here i am..up em!
Posted by: ANGUS FILES | February 12, 2013 at 07:29 PM
Letthembegot..
Scoosh!me ! away! is that yer real name??or summit ye made up from Robbie Coltrane,verse ya numptie..
Angus
Posted by: ANGUS FILES | February 12, 2013 at 07:13 PM
GEE Angus we all are not fearless, raging Scotsmen though!
Wow!
I am impressed!
Posted by: Benedetta | February 12, 2013 at 07:07 PM
Glad to see the nameless, as i thought... have gladly, shipped out ...rather than ship-up, providing no real names to the comments made (any takers) dont think sooo!!! ..anybody putting real names to comments said ??POST IT..
Argh!waste of web space ..
Close community`s such as autism is ..we deal with these problems day,to day, such is life...we just move on ..whatever it takes..
God Bless all
Angus Files
Oban
West Coast Of Scotland
Posted by: ANGUS FILES | February 12, 2013 at 05:57 PM
I am not surprised by the idea of infiltration as an attempt to dumb down the community although as someone here already said our strength is our numbers and we will continue to fight regardless.
@Angus Files - I wont post under my real name because of fear. If governments have knowingly injured and even killed a proportion of our generations children why should I not be scared ?
Posted by: Letthembegot | February 12, 2013 at 02:08 PM
BENDETTA, and others who might want to know..
http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1-21-12-OGR-Committee-Rules-for-112th-Congress.pdf
Rule 2— Meetings Page 1)
(The regular meetings of the full committee shall be held on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m., when the House is in session. The chairman is authorized to dispense with a regular meeting or to change the date thereof, and to call and convene additional meetings, when circumstances warrant. A special meeting of the committee may be requested by members of the committee pursuant to the provisions of House Rule XI, clause 2(c)(2). Subcommittees shall meet at the call of the subcommittee chairs. Every member of the committee, unless prevented by unusual circumstances, shall be provided with a memorandum at least three calendar days before each meeting or hearing explaining: (1) the purpose of the meeting or hearing; and (2) the names, titles, background and reasons for appearance of any witnesses. The ranking minority member shall be responsible for providing the same information on witnesses whom the minority 15 may request.
Rule 7 — Subcommittee Scheduling (page 6)
(d) Each subcommittee chair shall notify the chairman of any hearing plans at least two 11 weeks before the date of commencement of the hearings, including the date, place, subject matter, and the names of witnesses, willing and unwilling, who would be called to testify, 13 including, to the extent the chair is advised thereof, witnesses whom the minority members may request.
Seems pretty clear who is responsible for selecting witnesses. I don't see Safeminds in there anywhere. Maybe someone could ask the Chairman and ranking minority member why they made their choices and clear this all up.
Posted by: Tim Kasemodel | February 12, 2013 at 12:35 PM
I have not seen too many sub committees at work so I am a little bit in the dark how they work???
Step ONE: The Senators had been presented with some facts before hand and shown a problem.
STep Two: the Senators presented "Some" of the problems that had been brought to their attention.
Step Three: The Senators called in experts and in this case it was the CDC and NIH and perhpas it should have be Dr. Brian Hooker too.
Perhaps Brian Hooker was there inside the minds and on the lips of the Senators as they asked hard questions to the NIH and CDC?
Step Four: At the end of he meeting they had speakers who were the heads of Autism Organizations to speak ofabout the problems.
Is that how it was organized??????
Does that seem right to all of you?
Posted by: Benedetta | February 11, 2013 at 11:33 PM
I read the article in question and the issues seem to me to be really critical rather than far less than critical. I admire Mr. Crosby for raising them. It sounds to me like the article critical of this article and its author required a declaration of personal interest.
Posted by: Vicki Ward | February 11, 2013 at 11:32 PM
I am very discouraged to see the personal attacks on Jake. I would have thought that having suffered at the hands of that, we wouldn’t do it to someone else. (But I am sadly wrong.)
Keep your chin up, Jake
Posted by: L Land | February 11, 2013 at 08:40 PM
Doodle sorry
Sorry to DR Brian Hooker too.
I meant not disrespect
Notice I thought he should have been sitting beside the two CDC and NIH reps.
Posted by: Benedetta | February 11, 2013 at 08:21 PM
@"Power Corrupts"
Dan did not mock Jake. He disagreed with Jake. He mocked Tim Bolen.
Posted by: Twyla | February 11, 2013 at 07:52 PM
@ Angus Files - I've been instructed by my ASD adult child that I am not to write/post in public about them and their diagnosed medical condition. I understand that it is a legal obligation on my part to comply with their request. So, anything I post has to be very, very carefully phrased and, sadly, I have to remain anonymous. I can't even make helpful suggestions on Facebook pages because I and my adult child would be identified.
Posted by: Someone, somewhere in the British Isles | February 11, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Fascinating as it is ,why is it that more than 70% of the comments come from fake names...stand up or shut up...
Posted by: ANGUS FILES | February 11, 2013 at 04:09 PM
I have never doubted that vaccines cause autism, but I think they cause other forms of damage as well. I wonder if there are other advocacy groups out there who also blame vaccines for the health conditions that they represent...like ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, PDD, bipolar disorder , MS, MD, childhood leukemia, diabetes, asthma, obesity...the list goes on and on. If everyone focused on the issue of VACCINE DAMAGE as a cause for these illnesses, we might get somewhere. The more people calling for studies looking at the health outcomes of COMPLETELY unvaccinated individuals, the more their voices will be heard. I think that expanding the movement might help. Also, I don't think that focusing on a single ingredient in vaccines as THE cause of autism will get us anywhere. Right now, trying to focus on HOW vaccines cause autism divides the movement, because each person has his or her OWN pet theory about HOW vaccines cause the damage. The emphasis should be on proving that they DO cause damage, and not just autism, but many other disorders as well.
Posted by: CT teacher | February 11, 2013 at 02:58 PM
I think Gavrillo brought up an important point:
"There will be infiltrators amongst our campaigns trying to corrupt our direction. Schisms and fractures in our unity will definitely suit the Pharma Harma brigade so it looks like they have been working towards that end ."
I think that this is a real possibility.
Heck, when you think about it, the "Pharma Harma brigade" must be getting AWFULLY nervous, given the recent events (the quashing of the findings against Dr. Walker-Smith, the fact the both Italian and US courts have admitted and compensated MMR-caused autism THIS YEAR, the fact that more and more parents are opting to delay or reject vaccines, and, of course, the fact that they looked REALLY BAD at the Congressional hearing, even without Dr. Hooker).
What do they have left? Well, let's see, they've stepped up the media vaccine campaign even more, they are working hard to eliminate philosophical, religious, and even medical examptions from vaccination, and they have mounted a so-far successful campaign to vaccinate all health-care workers with the useless flu vaccine, firing those who refuse.
But somehow the truth still keeps coming out--from places like AoA.
So OF COURSE they will want to destroy AoA. "Divide and conquer," right? And if they can somehow manage to get us fighting each other, then it looks like we brought it on ourselves, and that we are so stupid, we can't even agree on what it is we're fighting against. And then they WILL have conqured us.
Then where will we be?
Honestly, we'll be somewhere where we can't even get medical exemptions for our already-vaccine-injured children, and for our other children who are at risk for vaccine reactions.
As has already been stated, we can't afford to get so caught up in one little battle that we lose the whole war.
And right now, we are losing what we--and you--have fought so hard to gain, like respect for our position.
Posted by: Taximom | February 11, 2013 at 02:57 PM
If AOA is going to weigh in on this issue, it needs to disclose its own financial conflicts. Is the article really "bad journalism" or just inconvenient journalism? Do SafeMinds or Mark Blaxill pay salaries at AOA including Dan's? If so, how can he be objective about an article that's harshly critical of them? It's one thing for Dan to not run an article, but quite another thing to mock and attack the author of that article because he chose to express his views elsewhere on the internet. "Lil ol' Age of Autism" indeed. You're starting to look like schoolyard bullies, and the dog ate your moral compass.
Posted by: Power Corrupts | February 11, 2013 at 01:09 PM
VACCINES CAUSE AUTISM
As usual good work Jake. Actually as usual great work Jake!!!
You and your work are by far the most trusted and courageous presented here on AOA that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. There are many authors and journalist and contributors here whose work I enjoy I respect and admire: Teresa, Anne, and Cathy to name a few however your work simply stands out to me.
Transparency and high visibility are the hallmarks of integrity and ethics. All disciplines of medicine require transparency, visibility and ethics and there has been a clear breach of these fundamental principles. This is exactly what we criticize the pediatricians, vaccine makers and their government lackeys for their willful lack of these same qualities that they demand from everyone else. I demand it and give it in my medical practice. Every state medical board demands it prior to giving a potentially qualified person a medical licensure to practice medicine. Your past track record as to your practice of medicine and conduct and your future intentions are not only relevant to any discussion about medical licensure they are central and key to your admission.
I admire you Jake because you are truly fearless and yet maintain a very cool demeanor. You see Jake you go and root out the pretenders the fakes the phonies the charlatans and spies no matter who they are or where they reside. You go to their conferences and face them down in their own backyard and even while being thrown out.(I would handle that part differently- I was a linebacker at Michigan and some things never leave you)
You Jake Crosby find a way to confront their champions and face them down whether it be Paul Offit or the excrack head extraordinaire turned "science journaloist"Seth Mnookin and get them to apologize to you for their unspeakable crimes. You pulled the sheets back on the Orac and his lot. Time after time event after event you have come through and this piece of work is no exception.
There is a reason that every time I post I start with the phrase VACCINES CAUSE AUTISM that is because it is true and that is a medical fact.
People who do not believe this, that vaccines cause autism, are fighting a different fight than you and I are and it really is just that simple. A house divided cannot succeed and we are a house divided. The enemies of our children and families are loving this dissention because this is exactly what they planned.
Do not be cowed by any one Jake keep fighting the good fight I stand by you as do many others here.
VACCINES CAUSE AUTISM
Posted by: WILLIE | February 11, 2013 at 12:48 PM
In reading all of the above, I've a question. Suppose Dr. Hooker had been able to present his testimony at this hearing, in exactly the form as it was originally written.
Do you honestly believe that these political figures - after the hearing - would have truly DONE SOMETHING about the CDC cover-up?
I don't. I find it impossible to believe that anything would have been done.
How many hearings does one need to realize that something is horribly awry here? Dan Burton's chaired how many of these type meetings? Has the status quo regarding the cover-up CHANGED since Burton's hearings?
In reading through the various comments, I recall someone stating that a new strategy needs to be employed here. I will profess and state that I don't think I know what that strategy would be, but my first hunch would be for the numerous physicians' groups that KNOW there is an issue with our vaccine schedule, be the first to step up to the plate and TELL THE TRUTH. There is an appalling sound of SILENCE in our mainstream healthcare industry. In all my years of research and in person-to-person discussions with some of these physicians, it seems to me that a large group of researchers, physicians and other healthcare workers could push this mountain in a big way if only they had the courage to do so.
Posted by: Bayareamom | February 11, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Excuse me , everyone ! I havent yet read the damaging document but it seems to me , that nothing has changed .
I too believe in airing everything , secrecy is what this whole vaccine autism holocaust is all about . Everything needs to be brought out into the open , everything needs to see the light , everything needs to have oxygen .
Please dont be naive . There will be infiltrators amongst our campaigns trying to corrupt our direction .
Trying to bring about infighting amongst us . Schisms and fractures in our unity will definitely suit the Pharma Harma brigade so it looks like they have been working towards that end . I dont really have enough detail to comment on who is right and who is wrong . This row has likely occurred because we are successful , because we are inflicting victories and we do have the "guilty" more than worried . I dont like to see anyone on our side ever criticised . And moreover sometimes a good punch-up amongst ourselves is good to clear the air too , after all I'm living the Vaccine-Autism dream for the rest of my life , I love AoA but if it didnt exist , I would still be here .It doesnt matter to me who fell out with who , or if an infiltrator has managed to mis-direct us , or cause in fighting ..... the fight will continue regardless , either as a lone guerilla style protestor or as part of a cohesive group . And I fancy that is true for everyone else . Its our damaged kids that we have in common otherwise none of us would be here . Ultimately we will be inflicting a killing blow of the Pharma Criminals , yes it may come later than I hope but its inevitable , our numbers are our strength , and they know that !
Posted by: gavrillo | February 11, 2013 at 12:06 PM
But Doodle, SafeMinds says, "At no time did SafeMinds or any of our affiliates seek the recision of Brian Hooker’s invitation to testify before the COGR. While we enjoy a mutually respectful working relationship with staff in the COGR, SafeMinds did not seek any influence on the selection of witnesses called before the committee on November 29th beyond a request allowing SafeMinds to testify on the panel."
http://www.safeminds.org/news/response-to-false-allegations.html
There seems to be an assumption that SafeMinds has more power than it actually has. Apparently SafeMinds requested to testify, but did not determine who else testified.
COGR=House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Posted by: Twyla | February 11, 2013 at 11:23 AM
MOVETOAMEND's "We The People" amendment to be introduced in congress today!
https://movetoamend.org/big-news-we-people-amendment-will-be-introduced-monday
Posted by: eyeontheprize | February 11, 2013 at 07:11 AM
Jake Crosby is young and idealistic. He reminds me of my autistic grandson, a couple of years younger, who also has a very 'black and white' attitude to the world's injustices, neither of these admirable young men yet understand that sometimes compromises must be made behind the scenes in order to 'get things done'.
The following is from one of my former AoA posts, 11-08-12. Safeminds have 'put their money where their mouths are' in order to properly investigate the effects of mercury preservative on the body. Matthew Carey wrote a piece on Left Brain Right Brain extolling the IACC research initiatives. This is from my AoA response:-
"In fairness to Mr Carey he DID mention the four projects funded by Safeminds, although he was dismissive about the Safeminds mercury-autism hypothesis:-
https://iacc.hhs.gov/apps/portfolio-analysis-web-tool/search?fy=2010&q=mercury
An investigation on the potential harmful effects of mercury in the nonhuman primate environmental
Investigating the effect of mercury on ASD, AD and ASD regression
The effect of mercury and neuropeptide triggers on human mast cell release of neurotoxic molecules
Does mercury and neurotension induce mitochondrial DNA release from human mast
cells and contribute to auto-immunity in ASD? (all Safeminds funded)
The other mercury research projects were described as “Gene-environmental” –the ‘environmental’ element appeared to be about general pollution rather than anything injected into the child!!
Analysis of developmental interactions between reelin haploinsufficiency, male sex, and mercury exposure
Etiology of autism risk involving MET gene and the environment (both Autism Speaks funded)”
Yes we need to 'move on' hopefully together. It's a sad fact that the political/corporate/medical establishments can cover up or 'spin' their corruption and blunders, but if we make mistakes they get magnified out of all proportion, by an army of paid trolls using internet blogs and compliant press outless.
Posted by: Jenny Allan | February 11, 2013 at 05:04 AM
"Brian Hooker is different, not a head of an autism organization but a hard worker, - done some very important work."
Let's get this thing straight, as this is a very simple thing. He is Dr. Brian Hooker. He has a PhD.
He should not be referred to like an intern, or thought of as someone who could be pulled out just in case Mr. Blaxill needed to confer with when countering Pharma reps. This is a critical mistake, marginalizing someone with actual credentials that other scientists, journalists and government officials will recognize. Not only did Dr. Hooker do the research, he was ready to be taken seriously, and he would have been.
Posted by: Doodle | February 11, 2013 at 12:38 AM
National Geographic should be very embarrassed by "Science"blogs. God, to think I ordered gifts from their catalogue in the past. I won't be doing that anymore!
Posted by: Jen | February 10, 2013 at 10:17 PM
You are so right, Linda! They can make one feel sick to their stomach with their juvenile bullying. They really go so out of their way (mounting hate campaigns like "ditchJenny" etc. etc. and this is why I honestly doubt their "Oh we're not paid shills," claims. Real, open minded science people wouldn't be so militant and many scientists/doctors actually disagree with them anyways! Someone mentioned that most of them are either young, impressionable types or older has-beens who get off on bashing others with social media. The more that I think about it, they're above all, bullies, not pro-science people. I have several friends with MS and it makes me sick as to how they malign anything to do with CCSVI (when MS drugs have killed SOOO many more people than angioplasty ever will) - I believe 3 people have died due to angioplasty- mostly due to having been given stents which they don't even put in veins anymore. There's a jerky journalist in our town who actually uses "Science"blogs as his source of information to write on health topics which is really scary (and lazy). It is beyond pathetic that grown up people waste time trying to prop up the status quo in healthcare when it is so obvious that there are serious questions that need to be asked and answered to do with vaccines and questions also to issues of MS cause and treatment. Probably the neurologists love "Science"blogs but to me they are one of the most irresponsible form of docs out there (them and the Peds). I wonder how they liked the study that showed 1 out of 3 docs question vaccine safety studies?
Posted by: Jen | February 10, 2013 at 10:06 PM
I went to look at this Orac guy's site. It made me sick to my stomach. While I didn't hang around too long (and I have no plans to ever go back), the comments seemed mostly juvenile name calling and bullying. This is supposed to instill confidence in the medical profession? There is nothing more disgusting than a physician who gets his jollies ridiculing the parents of sick children.
Whatever has gone on at AOA will pass. You are all good people working passionately for the same cause who have had a public disagreement. I know you will work it out. Please don't be distracted by MDs who instead of spending their time trying to help sick children spend their free time attacking their parents.
Posted by: Linda | February 10, 2013 at 09:04 PM
C'mon people!!! What about working TOGETHER AGAINST the drug pushers? We are all on the same side. We know the truth. YOU all carried on about how this was THE opportunity to get it into the public record and then YOU didn't! When will there be another chance???
Posted by: JPower | February 10, 2013 at 07:35 PM
Focus people! Re-group. Agree to disagree on this one and move on. This is not a short race. We have been on this road for a long time Breathe. Keep the lines of communication open. The other side will absolutely use this to divide our cause. A house divided will not stand. Our journey is too important to let this become something bigger than it is. Staying focused will help us all continue to hold hands. Remember this is about our kids. Together we can do it - together!
Posted by: Jill | February 10, 2013 at 07:02 PM
Cherry- "Why do you care about Orac?" You're right! You know I just went "slumming" over there ("Lilady's term for lurking ; ) and there are about 14 commenters there making multiple posts at RI and easily more than double the commenters at AoA with fewer overall comments (obsessing ; ) The basement dwellers (probably neuros, drug researchers) are busy defending their beloved industry, probably to no avail.
Posted by: Jen | February 10, 2013 at 01:37 PM
Jake,
When you state, "JB, Are you not going to respond to emails from Dan Olmsted either since he published Tim Bolen's email without his permission?"
Do you not realize that there is a big difference between an email by Mr. Bolen to Dan "threatening" to publish something (yet by virtue of it already existing on his blog, he had already published it) and your releasing confidential information by virtue of being on a committee that "strategizes" the best way to approach a problem?
There are unwritten but expected "rules" when you are involved on a committee, a family or are part of a "group." Disagreements within the group are to be expected and necessary however, one does not publicly air such disagreements. Without following these unwritten but expected "rules," families, communities and empires fall apart.
Email, internet and the ability to send messages to mutliple people rapidly is clearly a dangerous proposition if all people involved do not follow these rules.
Perhaps the new "organic" will be written letters.
Posted by: asadday | February 10, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Gee Greg! Where have you been all this time!
Exactly -- nothing could have been said more true!
And Twyle also said:
"we are up against formidable adversaries."
Posted by: Benedetta | February 10, 2013 at 12:34 PM
To Sarah, why do you care about Orac? - a person who has no sience behind him- just opinions. He's just a little gnat. Ignore him
Posted by: Cherry Sperlin Misra | February 10, 2013 at 11:14 AM
to nd - Would you explain to us your definition of credible. As I understand it, Brian Hooker has copies of emails from the CDC showing that autism rate and incidence were falling in Denmark from a few years after they removed mercury from Danish vaccines in 1992. If those emails are genuine, this is more of a smoking gun- Why would you call Mr. Hooker not credible ?
I am surprised that we have not heard more about him on AOA. He should be considered one of the great heroes of the autism era. He has devoted at least 6 years of his life to finding the truth about autism.
Posted by: Cherry Sperlin Misra | February 10, 2013 at 11:09 AM
I think Tim Bolen has caused more harm than good.
Posted by: AnneS | February 10, 2013 at 10:14 AM
This dispute is both bewildering and demoralizing. Please wrap it up soon: it is only providing fodder for supercilious psychopaths like David Gorski, Brian Deer and other useless popcorn eaters.
http://bit.ly/WPvQNR
Posted by: Mark Struthers | February 10, 2013 at 09:33 AM
Some have mentioned that as a movement we need to decide how to proceed. I could not agree more. Let me say though that I do not believe it would have been wise to argue Thimerosal argument at the Hearing. Boyle and Guttmacher would have simply rehashed their 16 Studies ‘debunking’ this theory and it would have been KO for them and we left looking like ‘quacks’, and suffering a monumental missed opportunity. By all counts the Hearing was a success for us. This new rift in our movement is exposing the peril of fighting from the front of assuming the onus of proving that their vaccines are not safe and then speculating how they are not. Seriously, let’s consider: Is it mercury, or aluminium, or formaldehyde that’s doing the harm? Is autism the result of toxic poisoning or autoinflamation? Is it mainly MMR that’s the villain or all of them? Do any of this really matters? Folks, we are making life too hard for ourselves by assuming the onus of proving how their vaccines are not safe, never mind getting into discussions about a cover-up. It should be their onus, never ours! Period! If our fight with the other side were a legal proceeding our lawyer would long ago pull us aside and blasted us for talking too much. We need to keep things simple. We start with the facts and proceed from there. We know thousands upon thousands of parents complain that their normal developing children regressed into autism after vaccination. We know that the Autism spike corresponded precisely with the expanded vaccination schedule. We know that autistic individuals commonly have seizures, brain inflammation and other autoimmune issues that vaccines are also known to cause. Let’s keep the pressure on them to produce studies that show if vax and under-vaxed children have the same health outcomes, or if the cumulative effect of the vaccination schedule is safe. Dan, you more than any other individual have pushed the Thimerosal argument and perhaps its only natural that Jake would have expected you to defend Dr. Hooker more. Many of you also have your convictions and I am sure it’s frustrating to not have them heard. Still, we need to stop acting so rash and undisciplined when confronting the other side, and especially at a Hearing. We can discuss many things amongst ourselves including here on AoA, but when we challenge them directly we need to always attach where they are most vulnerable.
Posted by: Greg | February 10, 2013 at 07:32 AM
This makes me sad. I guess conflicts are part of the human condition - whether in the PTA, Congress, rock bands, civil rights movements, political parties, or autism groups. I have always had so much respect for the work of both Mark and Jake. I would have loved for Dr. Hooker to speak to congress, but I don't know anything about what went on behind the scenes, so I cannot form an opinion on Sallie Bernard's statement that it would be best to get "ducks in a row before it is presented in a public hearing". I have confidence in the competence, intelligence, and principles of SafeMinds.
Some have called Beth Clay a "lobbyist" but I would like to mention that she is much more than that. She has been an advocate on the autism-vaccine issue for years. For example, here is an eloquent letter she wrote to the Wall Street Journal in 2004:
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/2004/January/BethClay5.htm
In March 2010 Beth Clay authored a survey to "seek current perspectives from individuals in the autism community as it relates to the United States (US) government’s handling of autism research"
"Conclusions: It has been ten years since Congress launched an in depth inquiry into what the CDC and NIH were doing to investigate the epidemic increases in the rates of autism spectrum disorders. This national survey shows major dissatisfaction by the autism community with the amount of resources committed to the investigations as well the focus and quality of much of the research. The community wants research looking at environmental toxins and their potential relationship to the autism epidemic and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The autism community also wants to see a study comparing diagnoses between vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The autism-vaccine injury question is far from settled science.
"Furthermore, the autism community overwhelming desires for parents to have a greater say what the government funds. Autism remains fastest growing disability in the country. The rates of autism continue to skyrocket.
"The overwhelming requests from the autism community: 'Listen to Us!' and 'Help Us!'”
http://www.rescuepost.com/files/autism-survey-report-april-2010-bethclay-final-2.pdf
At any rate, in the words of Rodney King, "Can we all get along?" I hope so, because we are united in believing that the autism-vaccine link must be addressed, and we are up against formidable adversaries.
Posted by: Twyla | February 10, 2013 at 02:59 AM
Hang in there, Big Jake.
Keep your friends close, and your "friends" closer.
The vaccine industry has plenty of useful idiots taking money and pretending that it doesn't affect them.
It's just another check to bank. No matter where it comes from.
Posted by: kerboblog! | February 10, 2013 at 01:36 AM
I was hoping AoA would take the high road in this situation and maybe at least apologize to Brian Hooker for undermining his long and hard efforts to secure the Congressional Hearings which is way more than Safeminds has been recently able to accomplish. (Now, they owe Jake Crosby an apology as well) If I had known while watching the Congressional Hearings what had been done to Brian Hooker and how he was treated prior to the Hearing, I would have been very sad instead of happy and hopeful.
"...it did not meet the standards that I try to apply to everything submitted to Age of Autism."
Do your "standards" include being truthful? Jake Crosby did the right thing and simply told the truth, you don't deny that by what you said here, you're just clearly angry that he had the integrity to document and quote accurately:
"The invasion of privacy of a number of SafeMinds board members here is unconscionable..."
You folks are shooting the messenger here. If the shoe was on the other foot and one of you had painstakingly laid the groundwork over the span of more than a year to have your efforts hijacked in such an underhanded way, I'm sure you'd feel an apology was in order at the very least, not for more insults to be heaped on injury.
For people who seem to think they're so "up to speed" on the latest "PR" techniques, you have unfortunately fallen woefully short in this situation and we expect better from grown adults. Man up and apologize to Brian Hooker and Jake Crosby, and don't try to punish people for being truthful which only throws you into the same dishonest boat as Orac and his ilk defeating the entire purpose. Wallowing in the mud hole you created is only getting you more dirty, I'm sure even the most pricey PR person would agree.
Posted by: Diane | February 09, 2013 at 11:03 PM
To Jake, Dan, Mark, and everyone else:
I can think of no better words than those of AutismDadPa's, only I think they apply to ALL OF YOU:
"I do hope you continue to write very good and informative articles... but i also advise that you show much discretion in sensitive areas.... try not to give Gorski something "insolent" to write, if possible.
Heed the Klingon proverb: "To lose a war in order to win a battle is no victory." Proceed as if you're on thin cracking ice.... and know when not to take the next step."
Can all of you please remember who the real enemies are?
Posted by: Taximom | February 09, 2013 at 10:56 PM
JB,
Are you not going to respond to emails from Dan Olmsted either since he published Tim Bolen's email without his permission?
Posted by: Jake Crosby | February 09, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Tom Insel
has always been full of surprises!
He stood up at a Congressional Hearing in front of Senator Harkin a couple of years back, and started babbling on about how Hib was a very safe vaccine. Then we find out his brother was in on making that particular vaccine.
Then there was the time Tom Insel stood up and said we have always had mental retardation caused by diseases, so no big deal that we now have mental retardation caused by vaccines.
So, at the last IACC meeting what was Strange Tom Insel's strange comment this time.
He compares Jake Crosby's comment to Mark Blaxill's comment.
He gets into a teaching mode that Tom Insel does. He is going to teach some one that has been harmed by vaccines how to communicate, how to say it in a different way - not to be so blunt-- how to say it in a better political savvy way.
I watched both of the speeches and to tell you the truth they both were raking 'em over the coals. Jake is more for listing facts and Mark appealed to the soul. So, why is Tom Insel so offended by Jake and not Mark?
Tom Insel might be a pretty smart cookie.
And he is not the only one that plays games with people's feelings and souls - there are a lot of experts up there in Washington D.C.
Why didn't they let two speakers like Brian Hooker and Mark Blaxell speak-- time -- I bet not -- it was a game -- a game.
All the heads of all the big autism organizations spoke, so why not Mark.
Brian Hooker is different, not a head of an autism organization but a hard worker, - done some very important work.
Brian Hooker should have been given a slot somewhere. Maybe right beside the reps of the FDA and NIH. When they would not answer a question he might have been helpful.
The Senators said -- they said -- OHHHHH THEY SAID -- This was not the last of this to be HEARD. THAT IS WHAT THEY SAID. So I will wait to see if their word is any good.
Posted by: Benedetta | February 09, 2013 at 09:03 PM
When Jake writes about Beth Clay as just another paid lobbyist and suggests she doesn't have a dog in this fight, he is wrong. I have known Beth for many years and have spoken with her at autism conferences. She is eloquent, forthright and full of purpose on the autism/vaccine debate. I remember when she asked Dr. Bernier at the 2004 Autism One conference how he would justify the safety of the vaccine schedule when it had not been tested for safety. To which Bernier had to sheepishly admit that they have never looked at the vaccine schedule holistically.
To suggest that Beth or Mark has any ulterior motive in this matter is nonsense and not at all reflective of the nature or character of these individuals.
I admire Jake tremendously. But this is not reflective of what I perceive to be your best work.
Posted by: Mary R. | February 09, 2013 at 07:21 PM
This is a complete waste of everyone's time. Every person involved in the dust-up has been a champion of our kids and they all deserve our respect. This is a movement fraught with tension, stress, and confusion. Time for everyone to grab their toys, leave the playground, take a deep breath, and get back to the task at hand.
(Jake, you shouldn't use people's private emails without heir permission, I wouldn't respond to an email from you if I thought that was a risk)
JB
Posted by: JB Handley | February 09, 2013 at 06:29 PM
To prevail in a public debate, we need to be credible.
Jake's association with Tim Bolen is not helpful. Jake's association with Brian Hooker is not helpful. Age of Autism's association with Jake is not helpful. Age of Autism's association with Brian Hooker is not helpful.
We have to do better.
Posted by: nd | February 09, 2013 at 06:03 PM
We just move on ,we will get the job done one day..well done Jake for bringing the matters up..no fall out we just move on..
Posted by: Angus Files | February 09, 2013 at 05:42 PM
Some have mentioned that as a movement we need to decide how to proceed. I could not agree more. Let me say though that I do not believe it would have been wise to argue Thimerosal argument at the Hearing. Boyle and Guttmacher would have simply rehashed their 16 Studies ‘debunking’ this theory and it would have been KO for them and we left looking like ‘quacks’. This new rift in our movement is exposing the peril of fighting from the front of assuming the onus of proving that their vaccines are not safe and then speculating how they are not. Seriously, let’s consider: Is it mercury, or aluminium, or formaldehyde that’s doing the harm? Is autism the result of toxic poisoning or autoinflamation? Is it mainly MMR that’s the villain or all of them? Do any of this really matters? Folks, we are making life too hard for ourselves by assuming the onus of proving how their vaccines are not safe. It should be their onus, never ours! Period! If our fight with the other side were a legal proceeding our lawyer would long ago pull us aside and blasted us for talking too much. We need to keep things simple. We start with the facts and proceed from there. We know thousands upon thousands of parents complain that their normal developing children regressed into autism after vaccination. We know that the Autism spike corresponded precisely with the expanded vaccination schedule. We know that autistic individuals commonly have seizures, brain inflammation and other autoimmune issues that vaccines are also known to cause. Let’s keep the pressure on them to produce studies that show if vax and under-vaxed children have the same health outcomes, or if the cumulative effect of the vaccination schedule is safe. Dan, you more that any other individual have pushed the Thimerosal argument and perhaps its only natural that Jake would have expected you to defend Dr. Hooker more. Many of you also have your convictions and I am sure it’s frustrating to not have them heard. Still, we need to stop acting so rash and undisciplined when confronting the other side, and especially at a Hearing. We can discuss many things amongst ourselves including here on AoA, but when we challenge them directly we need to always attach where they are most vulnerable.
Posted by: Greg | February 09, 2013 at 05:29 PM
Keep fighting to expose the truth, Jake. Don't ever stop trying to get the word out about the vaccines that are destroying the minds of our children. Don't let anyone or anything silence you. My son and myself are counting on you.
Posted by: Patti | February 09, 2013 at 03:48 PM
I pretty much agree with what Maurine had to say. I get that sometimes "less is more" but maybe it was the chance to really hit them with what Dr. Hooker knows. Will we get another chance to do that?
Posted by: Jen | February 09, 2013 at 02:24 PM
The fulcrum on which the success or failure of an organization or community pivots is the ability to tolerate, reconcile and progress from their disagreements.
Posted by: skelter | February 09, 2013 at 11:42 AM
How big is this community ? You AOA Mark, Dan, Jake did nothing to keep a lid on this and contain the damage. The damage I refer to is that which now leaves me reeling, wondering, questioning and worrying about whose purpose is being served by AOA, Safeminds and the Autism hearing.
Until today you had me a ready and willing foot soldier - You have done a poor job all of you at keeping a common purpose for those people like me fighting for justice for vaccine injured children - that is the purpose there is nothing else.
I dont care a jot about the other loons on other blogs I am only interested in exposing the truth to get justice for those children. AOA for me was a community, a growing community which when it worked together was powerful and had a voice.....I actually believed more than once that progress was being made - you all just undone a shed load of goodwill, good work and trust.
Posted by: Letthembegot | February 09, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Dan,
Thank you for clearing up some details. Ironically, the unpublished article is published over at Mr. Bolen’s website. I have to say it was shocking to see such a thing appear on a blog but then again, we don’t do facebook and are decades beyond high school backstabbing.
What Jake did cannot be excused as simply a "young journalist." When Jake released private conversations (without permission to do so), he essentially killed any chance that he has to be a "trusted" journalist. Whether one wants to admit it or not likely anyone who has ever corresponded directly with him or even including Jake, is now having to think back whether they ever ever said anything about someone that Jake may decide at some point, to release to the world.
"Theory of the mind" is a big issue in ASD and the current situation amply demonstrates why we cannot have people like Ari trying to represent the autism community. Using the current defining characteristics of autism, by definition, a truly autistic individual would be incapable of representing/comprehending any view that differed from their own. As we know, if you have met one person with autism, you have met one person. Their actual needs/requirements vary drastically.
With respect to the congressional hearing issue in general…this kind of political bs happens all the time--if there was a problem regarding “stealing the show” it should have been solved between the particular parties and certainly not aired to the public, especially public enemies. The Obama’s and Clinton’s love for eachother should be proof enough of that.
While there is no question that it would cause hurt and anger to work tirelessly on an issue only to have it yanked away and not receive any credit for the hard work put into it. It needs to be pointed out however, that “sour grapes” and/or an inability to “see” what may or may not “work” as an argument could have well been the reason the original speakers were cancelled. A strong indication that this may have occurred: being able to read about the disagreement in public. A simple question must be asked: Why on earth, would you waste five minutes discussing the argument, “thimerosal in vaccines causes autism” when the last 100 times this argument was used, it went nowhere? Why is it that we think giving the same argument over and over will somehow result in a different outcome? Even the CDC and the likes of Paul Offit and the Profiteers know this doesn’t work. If the current rhetoric isn’t working, change it and find something that does. The point here is to save as many children and adults as possible as soon as possible--not to pat ourselves on the back for ridiculing, exposing corruption, and backstabbing eachother.
For example, remember when the government tried to force H1N1 or “swine flu” vaccines a couple years back? Well, there was a huge backlash and even the nurses and doctors (or especially the nurses and doctors) were refusing to get the shot. Did the CDC push it? No. The use of the word “swine” didn’t work and if they tried to push, they would have lost and a lot more than just the swine flu shot battle. What did they do instead? The next year when flu season came around, the CDC called the new flu shot, “the triple protection Flu shot.” What did it have in it? H1N1 or “swine flu” vaccine (along with two others) Never did you hear the term swine flu vaccine again. It is H1N1 and people, including the doctors and nurses who refused it the year before, got their shot. Where do you think they learned to do this? The marketing departments at PR firms and Pharma. And they laugh all the way to the bank.
So, does this mean that thimerosal in vaccines does not cause autism? Of course not. But, if you start your argument with this again, you have lost 50% of your audience before you get past the first sentence. You must find another way for your audience to get to the conclusion that you want them to get to---and that is clearly not the way. In fact, you may have to find several ways to get to the same conclusion.
Finally, some times we can get so close to an issue that we cannot see or understand why everyone cannot “see it.” When this happens, it is time to step away from it for awhile and regroup.
Posted by: asadday | February 09, 2013 at 11:17 AM
@ Maurine ... "I don't know where all the truth lies, but we must be free to allow everyone to speak and iron out the issues after, if that's possible. To expect everyone to agree, even in the autism community, is ridiculous."
@ Mike .. "Dan, and Mark, and Jake .. Let's put this behind us and keep moving forward."
@ Greg .. "Dan and Jake, I implore you to not let ego and self-centered thinking get in the way of your positive work. You owe it to the autistic children which you serve."
@ Oracisaquack .. "We need to forgive, put this behind us, and move forward. Everyone makes mistakes, and part of being a community is learning to forgive those mistakes."
@ Adam M .. "Our community needs to be filled with peace makers who are forgiving of each other. You guys can do a lot more good together than apart. Give each other the benefit of the doubt and if you're wrong admit it and the other one forgive it"
@ Bennysmom .. "This is all very unfortunate and disturbing but we will move on, we have to, there are too many lives at stake and I mean that literally."
@ AutismDadpa .. "Heed the Klingon proverb: "To lose a war in order to win a battle is no victory."
@ Julie .. "If our movement degenerates into factionalism and infighting, we are done. Please."
@ Susie .. "Stop the nonsense."
@ Jim Thompson .. "Ok, let's stop the whiz contest and get back to work"
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed above.
I have far too much respect and admiration for everyone involved in this controversy to "take sides" .. so .. I hope and pray all involved will take a moment to consider a modified version of Friedrich Nietzsche's wise advice:
"That which does not destroy US .. will strengthen US"
To all involved .. please .. let wisdom prevail .. MAKE OUR FAMILY STRONGER BECAUSE OUR CAUSE IS JUST!
Posted by: Bob Moffitt | February 09, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Hi everyone;
Dan I'm glad you wrote this as your previous article relied on inside knowledge that most of us did not have.I did not think it was one of your best pieces, but there have been many other things you wrote that were absolutely terrific.
Jake, you have made many great contributions that are terrific, you are a great researcher, and I hope you will continue to do so here.( I can understand also that Dan may have felt hurt when you criticized people he cares about who have helped a lot in the past.Sometimes phrases in emails like "poorly researched" are emotional code for "I'm very hurt by this")
It sounds like it would be helpful if next time several different vaccine autism link organizations got to have their say.People say things differently;and thats ok because congressmen and others will also respond to different approaches.
Safeminds getting a lobbyist is a great idea: thats how things work in Congress.
Next time we need someone who knows how to help Dr Hooker and Jake Cosby testify also.
The great thing is though,is that this congressional hearing seemed to have more effect than any previous one,with the cdc actually having to answer hard questions.Yay!
i hope you two will maybe just agree to disagree. Both of you have made ( and hopefully will continue to make) great contributions.Its ok if you see things differently or want to advocate differently sometimes..
And Safeminds has also done a lot of good. And I am very grateful to them.It sounds like Dr Hooker has great ideas also.
Re the idea of people getting a chance to reply to comments made about them; that is an excellent idea, and perhaps something that should be taken on board whole heartedly here.
Response from those criticized is always helpful and interesting,and also gives them a chance to say how they see things.( I'd love to see the response from the cdc to the recent Somali study article, for example)
Both you guys have done great things; please keep doing them!!
Posted by: Hera | February 09, 2013 at 10:51 AM
I'm not going to get into the right or wrong of this, nor set blame. However, there are some facts that one should know. As I understood it, the Congressional hearing was supposed to be about the role of vaccines in the rise of autism, the lack of independent studies, the role of Thorsen etc. Somehow along the line it turned out to include a lot of other subjects about autism which clearly took away the importance of the hearing and watered down its significance. It also throws some light on whether or not any further hearings will ever reach our goals. Many of us have been at this too long to wait another twenty years for change. For me, jake represents the ultimate honest journalist if ever there was one. His truth won't wait 20 years. Dan has a different role
in this controversy that is understandable. I don't know where all the truth lies, but we must be free to allow everyone to speak and iron out the issues after, if that's possiblle. To expect everyone to agree, even in the autism community, is ridiculous. That doesn't make us any more likely to move ahead. And to move we must. I'm getting really tired of walking on eggshells in this country of ours.
Maurine
Posted by: Maurine Meleck | February 09, 2013 at 09:44 AM
It took courage and conviction for Jake to release his paper. Airing dirty laundry in public can be a good thing as it makes one question where we are going and whether or not we need to "force" a course correction. Obviously, Jake believes ending the autism epidemic is more important than the comfort of our leaders or even his own position as a contributing editor at Age of Autism. Thank you Jake!
Posted by: Charlie Hoover | February 09, 2013 at 09:33 AM
Cutting through all the BS, the real story for me is why the wonderful statement of Dr. Hooker was not part of the hearing? Everything he put forth needs to be said to those in power. I understand the need to be strategic in our approach and the nuances in working through the political process, but his statement summarizes the issue that finally and fairly needs to be brought to the front of the debate. I still have confidence that advocates like Dan, and Mark, and Jake can make that happen. Let's put this behind us and keep moving forward.
Posted by: Mike | February 09, 2013 at 09:31 AM
After working over the years with special needs clients, some high functioning and some low, and reflecting on one thing they all have in common, I have to say this: They are all to some degree self-centred, egocentric individuals and this encompasses their impairments. This same selfishness and egocentricism is not limited to them and is rampant in a world that has gone off track. For instance, its selfishness and egocentricism that brought on the autism crisis in the first place. The 'bigwigs' in Pharma, Government -- the scientists and pediatricians, all such parties with important initials to the their names consider they are so important and awesome and never stop to think that they are doing more harm than good. Dan and Jake, I implore you to not let ego and self-centred thinking get in the way of your positive work. You owe it to the autistic children which you serve.
Posted by: Greg | February 09, 2013 at 08:49 AM
I agree 100% with Adam M below. We need to forgive, put this behind us, and move forward. Everyone makes mistakes, and part of being a community is learning to forgive those mistakes.
We don't need to be anything like Orac and his losers (who are right now hypocritically accusing Jake of stalking and then turning around and acting like stalkers themselves, bringing up information about his parents, etc), who turn on each other like rabid dogs when one of them doesn't tow the line.
In all honesty, this was handled poorly by both sides. However, we're all friends here, so let's move on, please.
Posted by: OracisaQuack | February 09, 2013 at 08:26 AM
I either read or watched Mark Blaxill's testimony. I don't remember which. I do remember that my response was, "That's it??"
I just read Dr. Hooker's prepared statement, the one he would have given. I wish he had.
Posted by: Carol | February 09, 2013 at 07:43 AM
My son still has autism, PANDAS and Lyme Disease... this is a waste of my precious time. I recently left a support group due to infighting and intolerance... my energy is needed elsewhere. Everyone should "Know your Enemy"...
Born with insight and a raised fist
A witness to the slit wrist, that's with
As we move into '92
Still in a room without a view
Ya got to know
Ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go
Amp up and amplify
Defy
I'm a sister with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don't need the key
We'll break in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoiS7XW92JA
Do you know yours???
Posted by: Son in Recovery | February 09, 2013 at 01:54 AM
So let me get this straight, Jake is upset because Dr Hooker was supposed to give a very "to the point testimony" about the real cause of the autism disaster and the real reason the government isn't doing anything about it in hopes that maybe this hearing would lead to the CDC being investigated and maybe finally have justice served. But instead, Mark Blaxill got selected to give testimony and didn't use it as a an occasion to raise the truth about the malfeasance of the government in covering up their monumental blunder. He simply showed that there is an epidemic of autism coinciding with the increase in mercury containing pediatric vaccines in the early 1990s but didn't really go into what the government knew and when they knew it and how damning that evidence is. What was the Hearing supposed to be about? Establishing if there is an epidemic or not? Has there been a recent dramatic increase in the rate of autism? Is autism a fairly new phenomenon? If it was then Mark did a fine job. But if it was supposed to be about the CDC covering up a monumental disaster of its own making with help from its pharma friends then Mark missed the point almost entirely and should have given a testimony similar to Dr. Hooker's. What were we trying to accomplish there? Yes the federal response has been abysmal. That's established. Dr Hooker's testimony would have explained why that is with specifics. So, anyway, I get Jake's frustration. But is this worth it? Our community needs to be filled with peace makers who are forgiving of each other. You guys can do a lot more good together than apart. Give each other the benefit of the doubt and if you're wrong admit it and the other one forgive it. If Safe Minds handled something the wrong way then admit it, confess it and the others forgive it and vice versa. Understand each other, don't dismiss each other. I hope you guys and gals can sort this out. We don't need a civil war.
Posted by: Adam M | February 08, 2013 at 11:53 PM
This is a serious question, which must have already occurred to Dan Olmsted and Mark Blaxill:
What are the probable positive versus negative effects of having Jake Crosby continue as a contributing editor to this site? (Will you ever trust him again?)
Posted by: nd | February 08, 2013 at 11:43 PM
If I had a nickel for every time I said something I shouldn't have, hurt someone, crossed a line, poked a sleeping bear, swung and missed, stuck my foot in it, stunk up a room, fought with a best friend, felt unappreciated, rejected, had a pity party, thought it's the end of the world, that my son would would be better tomorrow, or the day after that, that this is all a dream, if someone gave me a nickel every single time, well then I would be out of debt and might even have enough money left over to buy an island somewhere.
Sh*t happens.
The one thing I know is that AoA has given me a family, we all share a common thread, a need, a hope. I don't know where I would be without the guidance and love I received early on in my walk with my son without most of you. Your insight and determination and strength have not only comforted me but encouraged me. I also recognize that we are all different. Each of us laugh at different things, are touched by different things, we accept this difference because of the common bond, how each of us would fight with everything we have to protect and save our children from harm.
This is all very unfortunate and disturbing but we will move on, we have to, there are too many lives at stake and I mean that literally.
Jake, you screwed up, you're still screwing up, you have been a champion so many times, I watched you stand up to the IACC seeking balance, it was an extremely brave moment. You've been a good soldier but this thing, this whatever it is and/or has become has hurt my son and many others and it pisses me off. I know you are convinced you are right, been there done that many times myself but it is bad form to do what you did, the way you did it. Take some time, rethink the war plan and suit back up another day, we're going to need you later on.
Posted by: bensmyson | February 08, 2013 at 11:19 PM
Dan,
When I asked you if there would be repercussions from Age of Autism if I posted my article elsewhere, you just said you wouldn't can me. What you should have said was yes, there would be repercussions from Age of Autism - like what you wrote about me in this blog post.
Posted by: Jake Crosby | February 08, 2013 at 11:14 PM
I tell you who took in air of the room that did not belong to them and that was Ari Ne'eman and that Carney what ever.
Useless bunch of -----
That way tough choices of wether Brian Hooker or Mark Blaxill would testify.
Ge together and see what is needed to be said.
Jake walk the halls, do you have trouble with flat feet?
My son does and he has spent 12 hour days on his flat feet standing on concrete.
I massage his feet this evening for about an hour. We are lucky he has a job. A job that does not have benefits, or insurance or pays much --
In 198 something -- I got to see handsome pharma jiggloes escort Ms. Fisher in --- pulling back the chair for her so she could sit down. They bowed to her and motioned her to go before them. The bent down at her table and said something charming and smiles and of course she smiled back.
vaccine compensation plan/rights taken away for saftey -- we got neither nor the right to sue - we lost both on that one.
YOu all just keep that in MIND!
Every LAST ONE OF YOU!
Posted by: Benedetta | February 08, 2013 at 10:26 PM
This really sucks, just pathetic.
BTW, since when is SafeMinds hiring Washington lobbyists? Pharma does it so we have to also? That really inspires confidence. Maybe our side should start falsifying studies, too. Fight fire with fire and all that.
Someone better pick up the phone and apologize now.
Posted by: Jeff C | February 08, 2013 at 10:15 PM
This is pathetic.
How does the inability to understand that quote mining and posting snippets of private conversations (including private e-mail conversations) is wildly inappropriate help convince anyone at all?
Posted by: nd | February 08, 2013 at 09:55 PM
I'm not sure whether Jake went too far or not.... sometimes young journalists can do that... whether he did... I don't know. Yet, I do agree that the main issue is about someone from safeminds pushing Brian Hooker out of his spot and changing the hearing topic. Is there so much fear (of broaching the vaccine subject and mentioning names) on Safeminds part that it possibly caused one of their reps to misrepresent herself?
As much as i like and respect that organization, I really think they dropped the ball on this one.
To Jake, I do hope you continue to write very good and informative articles... but i also advise that you show much discretion in sensitive areas.... try not to give Gorski something "insolent" to write, if possible.
Heed the Klingon proverb: "To lose a war in order to win a battle is no victory." Proceed as if you're on thin cracking ice.... and know when not to take the next step.
Posted by: AutismDadPa | February 08, 2013 at 09:54 PM
I don't think it means our movement is done at all. I'm not an expert but it may be that most movements, end up having growing pains once they reach a certain size. It might even be a good sign (oddly enough). Those "Science"blogs had "Pepsigate" and the Bhopal controversies. They also seem to have a very few regular posters with a lot of time on their hands.
Posted by: Foster parent to child in Africa | February 08, 2013 at 09:25 PM
HELLL!
Posted by: Benedetta | February 08, 2013 at 09:08 PM
If our movement degenerates into factionalism and infighting, we are done. Please.
Posted by: Julie | February 08, 2013 at 09:04 PM
This is worse than the Thanksgiving baby piece, which the pro-vaccine bloggers made hay out of. What on earth were you thinking to give publicity to this tempest in your teapot? Orac is already onto this. I am sure he is already writing tomorrow's blog post. And it's not going to be pretty.
Posted by: Sarah | February 08, 2013 at 08:59 PM
"...it did not meet the standards that I try to apply to everything submitted to Age of Autism."
Might those standards include not being critical of AoA's sponsors?
"The invasion of privacy of a number of SafeMinds board members here is unconscionable..."
Dan, what's so unconscionable about transparency? Why shouldn't SafeMinds be transparent unless it has something to hide?
Those emails were about SafeMinds' involvement in the congressional hearing, which SafeMinds hijacked by hiring a lobbyist who pretended to represent Dr. Brian Hooker to congressional staff. THAT is unconscionable!
"...and, really, inexplicable given the far less-than-critical issues involved."
What, exactly, is far "less-than-critical" about the thimerosal cover-up?
"Furthermore, based on preliminary inquiries, the facts do not seem to be as described in this article..."
Tell that to Dr. Brian Hooker, who SafeMinds pushed out of the hearing.
"...certainly, SafeMinds has denied them vigorously."
Certainly, SafeMinds has not denied them vigorously at all.
"It's bad journalism, glaringly unsourced and without giving the "targets" an opportunity to give their version of events."
You never made any of these criticisms about my piece when I first submitted it to you. Did Mark Blaxill tell you to say this? I gave him plenty of opportunities to give his version of events - he sent me 14 emails. In the last one he cut me off with:
"...it’s not worth arguing with you anymore. So I won’t."
(and Mark copied you on it)
Posted by: Jake Crosby | February 08, 2013 at 08:33 PM
Depressing guys. :(
Stop the nonsense.
Posted by: Susie | February 08, 2013 at 07:59 PM
Ok, let's stop the whiz contest and get back to work.
Posted by: Jim Thompson | February 08, 2013 at 07:54 PM
"It's bad journalism, glaringly unsourced and without giving the "targets" an opportunity to give their version of events."
Oh, 'cause you guys always give your targets an opportunity to give their version of events? For crying out loud, Dan, you don't even let them comment! How detached from reality are you?
Posted by: Reuben Gaines | February 08, 2013 at 07:22 PM