I am prompted to write this post after watching this video report that the NY Times has just published taking issue with Donald Trumps take on vaccines, and their relationship to autism.
While I may disagree with Trump on many many issues, and agree with the NY Times on perhaps many more issues, based on my own life experience with polio, I could not help but be more sympathetic to Trump's arguments during that debate, especially as there has been recent speculation that Trump's youngest son, Baron, is autistic. This may also explain why this may be a side issue that is emotionally very resonant and for which the pain is personal. I know this firsthand having written about how skeptics of polio vaccines are being treated, and proposing solutions for those who end up being harmed by vaccines in general. This is a complex debate, and the arguments for vaccines are overwhelming. Indeed, I am all for vaccines, done safely. I also believe means for the very small percentage who get harmed by those vaccines so that the greater number shall live safe must be cared for and their sacrifice acknoleged and somehow compensated.
Having watched the debate where Trump actually made those remarks, (see above) and the full context within which those remarks were made, I do find that the NY Times segment unfairly caricatures Trump's positions on the issue, and fails to put them into the context Trump clearly explained at the debate.
This is in my view one more instance where the mainstream media -- which failed to take Trump seriously even when our analysis as early as the spring based on our theory of Humor in politics showed clearly that he might win an upset victory -- does itself disservice, and fails to capture "reality," and is very intolerant of dissenting opinions, self righteously -- but perhaps ultimately wrongly -- out-casting them.
To note, in France on this February 8, 2017, the "Conseil d'Etat," the highest court that decides disputes involving the French Government just issued a ruling compelling the governemnt to swiftly make availble unbundled vaccines that separate the mandatory vaccines in France, those against Diphteria, Teanos and Polio (DTP) from the optional ones (i.e against Whooping Cough (Coqueluche), Hepatitis B, and Influenza type B. Due to some allergic reactions, the pure DTP vaccines had been withdrawn from the market, so that everyone was compelled by default to have their child vaccinated with the six vaccines at once. Two of my very close childhood friends who live in France have minor children who have been diagnosed as autistic. Actually one has both of his children who are autistic.
Anyone who follows the history of medicine, would know that today's medical prescription may well be tomorrow's medical proscriptions. Like anything in life, too much of anything, or anything taken the wrong way-- antibiotics, vaccines -- is potentially harmful.
Saying so should not lead to opprobrium. Alas powerful interests!
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