Friday, October 09, 2009

Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

I am so thrilled with the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama!

But for all the critics...

First, remember that the Nobel Peace Prize is NOT awarded for accomplishment (really, read the definition). It is awarded to encourage actions that work toward peace.

Obama has demonstrated this with his change in America's approach to the rest of the world (diplomat, instead of bully). He has also spoken often and throughout the world of bringing people together of all races, religions, creeds, etc. to work for common goals. And he has not only spoken about but acted to reduce nuclear proliferation. These are all things the Nobel committee wanted to encourage him to continue and encourage Americans and the world to support him in continuing.

Finally, all Americans who voted for Obama should accept this award because it shows we had enough sense to get us off the destructive path of the last 8 years.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Failure to Immunize is Child Abuse

Here's why:

The most important aspect of immunity is avoiding disease. When your body encounters a virus or a vaccine, it creates antibodies that help fight the disease, and the ability to call on those antibodies provides protection after the disease is gone. Vaccines result in the production of the same antibodies that an infection does without the substantial risks that come with disease.

"I can't imagine anything more tragic than a parent exposing their child to a disease and to subsequently have their child develop a life-threatening infection," says William Schaffner, M.D., chairman of preventative medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn., and president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "Exposing oneself to a 'wild' infectious agent exposes you to a risk of potentially serious consequences. It may be a small chance but believe me, it's real. You don't know that your child, or you, won't be one of the people to develop a grave infection."


Nothing irks me more than unscientific BS about immunizations.

Also, I think many of these people have not thought through the impact not immunizing has. Kids without immunization cannot attend public school (and most private schools) or go to public colleges (and most private colleges). And, no, I don't think home schooling is a viable option (don't even get me started on the negative aspects of home schooling).

Bad decision all around.