Fanning the Flames of the CDC Whistleblower Story
By Eben Plettner
The recent revelations of Dr. William Thompson of the CDC that have caused this firestorm on social media is spreading. Many people may not think it seem to be happening very fast, but have no doubt that is it spreading and many people are waking up. When Dr Thompson first came out there was just a group of parents on social media and a few select “secondary” media markets writing about it. Slowly the word has spread until now even mainstream media outlets are covering it, regardless of how they are framing it the word is getting out there and people are listening.
If there is any other sign of the power of these revelation you need look no further than that the mainstream media. They have started to talk about the CDC Whistleblower and even if they are trying to frame the debate in an unfavorable light, the word will spread even faster the more they talk about it. Any independent reader/listener easily sees through their feeble attempts to dismiss or divert from the truth that the CDC has been lying. If the approach that the mainstream media is taking bothers anyone just remember that any news is good news and so much better than no news.
A good example is the recent article on ABC, they tried to be dismissive of Brian Hooker's paper and repeat it's been debunked but they mention CDC scientist Dr. Thompson and even have used several of his quotes. That is a huge win for us, a major news organization telling the public that there is a Whistleblower in the CDC and that he fervently believes that they have been covering up a link with autism for over a decade. There's no way to whitewash that no matter how hard they scream.
It is now on CNN, ABC, MSNBC, Huffington Post and more. They have even had mothers on as guests who have done an amazing job showing a honest and true face to our movement. A logical and calm mother against a hyped up argumentative tv host goes a long way. We can no longer say mainstream media is not covering it as they are now and it will only come faster now as other networks will not want to be left behind. Eventually even the talk shows will need to cover it and then we start to get the real debate. As we keep talking the word will get out more and more and people will really start to listen. We may be considered the “fringe” for a quite a while more but the more our story is told the more we become accepted.
Even with the growing press it would only be natural to have some doubt on whether any real change will occur, especially to parents that have been fighting for this for so long and have been blocked before. Real change will only come from congressional action. There may not be much news from congress out there now but the movements and discussions with Congressman are not usually discussed publicly. Congressman would rather talk to each other and organize behind closed doors before stepping out into the light. Action will definitely be occurring, but change like this never happens fast. Wait for the election to end and then the news on the slow steps of a congressional investigation may start to come out.
Many of us have met with Congressmen and some have been receptive. Remember Autism affects so many people that almost all Congressmen know several people with a child with autism, whether it be friends or family. These revelation from Dr. Thompson have gotten the attention of many congressmen and some are concerned to the point where they will act on our behalf. Others may not act, but even staying out of the way is a win for us. As more and more hear about the revelations from the CDC Whistleblower they will realize what is happening and once the investigation starts it will come out that many at the CDC and other organizations have been complicit in allowing children to be gravely harmed at best due to callous disregard.
There are several congressmen on our side already and many more are slowly coming around, but most of them honestly understand yet. This is where the real effort needs to keep focused on. Even little things like taking action on the emails from the Autism Action Network and Canary Party make a big difference.
These efforts really do help make Congressmen listen. Get your friends and family to sign up for these groups and send out the emails or even calling your congressman's DC offices. No matter the reaction you get from their staff, just be nice and ask them to talk to Posey's staff for the real facts.
The implication of Dr. Thompson run beyond vaccines being a cause of autism or even why parents do not get compensated from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). The implications ripples all they way through the NIH, easily being linked to why the NIH funds medical research into Autism at less than 1/10 that of pediatric cancer and what else they have not been honest about.
These little efforts that take so little time really do make a difference. Our goal as a community should be that we inform every member of congress. If you have met with your office, we'd like to know.
Eben PlettnerCOO
AutismFreeBrain
[email protected]
Contacted my reps. In Ohio. Was told I would hear from their health person. Still waiting on all. Sherrod Brown is a huge disappointment. He sends the same boilerplate response all the time. This last time it was slightly more "tweaked" than last time.
Posted by: Andrea | October 15, 2014 at 07:00 AM
If they're going to cover the whistleblower story, shouldn't they have a principal player on? Isn't Brian Hooker the best person to talk about what William Thompson told him, the analysis Hooker did?
In order to replicate what the CDC did, Dr. Hooker obtained and used the same statistics software. People have the right to know this.
Posted by: Carol | October 15, 2014 at 04:44 AM
Thank you for posting the links to Autism Action Network and the Canary Party. Last week, the Autism Action Network sent an email to tell us to contact our Congressmen. I called both of my Senators and my local Representative in Ohio. I was encouraged when I spoke to a person in Sen. Portman's office. He told me that he received many phone calls to work with Rep. Posey and investigate the Whistleblower case. I rec'd a letter from Rep. Steve Stivers and he too will work on this. I was most disappointed in Sen. Brown. He has an answering machine and I have not heard from him via phone call, letter or email. Although I am a die hard liberal, I will be voting Republican in some races in my state.
Posted by: Jillba | October 14, 2014 at 04:40 PM
The "CDC whistleblower" event has helped some in my circle. I don't reach a lot of people, but I think you are right that this opens up more of a view of what has been happening than they can whitewash.
Posted by: Jeannette Bishop | October 14, 2014 at 04:16 PM
Per...........
"If there is any other sign of the power of these revelation you need look no further than that the mainstream media. They have started to talk about the CDC Whistleblower and even if they are trying to frame the debate in an unfavorable light, the word will spread even faster the more they talk about it. Any independent reader/listener easily sees through their feeble attempts to dismiss or divert from the truth that the CDC has been lying. If the approach that the mainstream media is taking bothers anyone just remember that any news is good news and so much better than no news.
A good example is the recent article on ABC, they tried to be dismissive of Brian Hooker's paper and repeat it's been debunked but they mention CDC scientist Dr. Thompson and even have used several of his quotes. That is a huge win for us, a major news organization telling the public that there is a Whistleblower in the CDC and that he fervently believes that they have been covering up a link with autism for over a decade. There's no way to whitewash that no matter how hard they scream."
Very true...I agree. Hopefully as time goes on the real truth will seep out even if it is a slow drip. Eventually the slow drip can become a cascading waterfall. We can all hope and pray for that as family members who have loved ones that have been affected by these horrible vaccines.....and have been vilified for speaking out.
Ray Gallup
Posted by: Ray Gallup | October 14, 2014 at 02:27 PM
It is interesting how Ebola is being treated "directly with antibodies" from a cured donor.
...and not waiting months or years for a vaccine that is supposed to do the same thing. I assume no mercury is added to this material.
Seems a few ounces of blood from a proper donor would create real immunity for many diseases. Of course, the proper people would not be able to make money from this simple procedure.
Posted by: cmo | October 14, 2014 at 01:56 PM
I hope you are right! The problem is that the attention span of a news cycle producers is really very short. Think how much time CNN spent on the recent airplane disasters. Let's hope that one scare doesn't totally overwhelm the airwaves and again forgets what is really important, i.e. the health of all people and that includes our autistic kids and adults.
Posted by: Birgit Calhoun | October 14, 2014 at 01:22 PM
Great article. let's keep the pressure on in DC. Thank you Eben
Posted by: Jennifer Larson | October 14, 2014 at 12:35 PM
the upside (if there is an upside) to the Ebola crisis is that the public is now totally pissed off at the CDC's weak response and Frieden. The majority of Americans want a travel ban from countries where Ebola outbreaks have happened. CDC seems to lack the backbone to make it happen. This anger toward the CDC works well for us because people are seeing for themselves how inept CDC is as an agency. Something we've know for years.
I also noticed how the press talks about Thompson but never talks to Thompson about his concerns about the CDC's data omission on two sensitive studies. He obviously makes them very nervous.
Posted by: Autismmom | October 14, 2014 at 11:27 AM
Bob, exactly, I think the major news networks are perhaps losing the battle to try and ignore these types of stories (such as CDC Whistleblower). They seem to be scrambling to cover such things as they see that other social media has/is covering it far more thoroughly, objectively and they have lost the trust of the people. It seems as though many people are very skeptical of both Ebola origins and solutions offered by the CDC.
Posted by: AH | October 14, 2014 at 11:06 AM
I wholeheartedly agree .. that at the very least .. the stunning allegation of CDC's whistle-blower Dr. William Thompson is being mentioned on various outlets .. which is far better than having it completely ignored.
However, the credibility of the CDC is already being questioned regarding their desperate effort to prevent EBOLA from becoming a threat to the U.S. .. and .. the absolutely last thing the media and public health officials need right now is a serious investigation to ascertain the CDC did as Dr. Thompson's alleges they did .. manipulate their research to remove a 340% higher risk of autism in black children given the MMR prior to 6 months of age.
Indeed, this allegation could not have come at a more critical time in history .. when public health officials will be asking citizens to "trust them" in their effort to contain EBOLA ..
Posted by: BoB Moffitt | October 14, 2014 at 07:25 AM