After a state employee nearly has the vapors about the possibility that the dozens of shots he is trying to force on parents might be bad for their children, St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Craig Westover kicks him while he’s down:
So, what is Dr. Hull’s evidence that my sources are not objective and unbiased? They have looked at the facts and drawn a conclusion. Is that the new definition of biased? To make a judgment?
No, I have not looked at all the information, but I have looked at the boxes full of information that litter my office — information on both sides of the issue, for, as I wrote, I was very skeptical going into the research that there was a connection outside the mind of a few conspiracy theorists.
No, not all, but I have looked at enough to know that there is good science that has forced even the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to admit there is “biological plausibility” for a connection and there is virtually no hard scientific evidence and certainly no overwhelming body of scientific research that disproves a connection between mercury and childhood vaccines and autism. What there is are a plethora of denials and studies attempting to discredit the science of honest researchers painstakingly working along the path from hypothesis to theoretical justification to hard science plausibility to (and not there yet) definitive causal connection.
Westover is apparently on the verge of becoming an anti-vaccine convert, as I have been for years. The fact that the pro-vaccine lobby absolutely refuses to look at the facts but instead waves its hands and shouts louder makes anyone with half a brain extremely suspicious as to what they are trying to hide.
But that’s not why I am absolutely radical on this subject. To discern the truth, you need only follow the money. Have a look at how difficult it is to prove that a vaccine damaged a child, then look at how much money the organization set up by the US Congress to compensate the parents of vaccine-damaged children has paid out. Furthermore, if these little polls of scientists assuring all and sundry that vaccines are actually healthier than spinach actually meant anything, then there would be no reason at all for Congress to protect vaccine manufacturers and those administering the shots from being liable for their products and actions. The money trail never lies.
And let’s face it. Since the government insists they’re good for you, what are the odds that they’re actually right for once?