So Barack Obama is full steam on vaccinations:
Obama: "I am not for selective vaccination."
In Obama's Science Debate questionnaire he extols the virtues of vaccines (consistent with the 'vaccines are only good' stance).
Obama also takes by far more money from Pharma.
So the question is now, if he is against selective vaccination, will he force all vaccines on all children, or will he treat vaccination like abortion and say "I may disagree with it, but it is a personal choice"?
8 comments:
I dunno - every day I see more and more that makes me dislike him more and I don't agree with alot of McCain but sometimes I am at a loss on this campaign and find myself ready not to vote because I do not have much of confidence in ither one! I am trying to find the lesser of 2 evils but cannot.
No offense, but I consider a second-hand story from a confirmed life-long Eepublican about what Obama may have said in a personal meeting to be far less reliable than the video footage in which Obama says that he believes the link between vacinations and autism needs to be further studied.
From The Washington Post: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/04/dr_obama_and_dr_mccain.html
"We've seen just a skyrocketing autism rate. Some people are suspicious that it's connected to the vaccines. This person included. The science right now is inconclusive, but we have to research it." --Barack Obama, Pennsylvania Rally, April 21, 2008.
There's more, as well...
From Obama's Health Care Plan: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/
"Support Americans with Autism. More than one million Americans have autism, a complex neurobiological condition that has a range of impacts on thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. As diagnostic criteria broaden and awareness increases, more cases of autism have been recognized across the country. Barack Obama believes that we can do more to help autistic Americans and their families understand and live with autism. He has been a strong supporter of more than $1 billion in federal funding for autism research on the root causes and treatments, and he believes that we should increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind."
Official Policy On What He Will Do To Help Americans On The Spectrum If Elected: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/AutismSpectrumDisorders.pdf
"As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama sponsored
legislation that became law to create an ASD diagnosis education program, an initiative designed to promote the
implementation of evidence-based practices. The goal of the project is to offer educational opportunities at all
levels of care, including physicians, early intervention (EI) specialists, psychologists, teachers, day care
providers, parents, respite workers, and speech and language therapists. Obama has personally worked side-byside
with Illinois families affected by ASD to support efforts to build the Therapeutic School and Center for
Autism Research. This school and research center will bring together education, academic research, early
intervention programs, and training to prepare its students for independent living.
In the U.S. Senate, Obama is a cosponsor of a measure that would expand federal funding for life-long services
for people with ASD, authorizing approximately $350 million in new federal funding for key programs related
to treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD."
Matt,
The things that you are posting have already been reported here and on Age of Autism. I am just posting the new stuff.
As I have mentioned, I am not making an endorsement yet, we are in the middle of the story and there is still time.
You have apparently made up your mind.
If you don't consider me a credible source, then show me where I have reported something that is inaccurate and not printed a retraction.
This is not a "second hand story". I am referring you to the report of a primary source.
Just because I am a Republican does not mean that I am married to McCain.
I have said that if a week or two before the election Obama has committed to the things that are important in autism, not just lip service, I will endorse him.
I would encourage you to stop being so partisan.
Ginger,
I do consider you a credible source on autism news. However, until now you have failed to respond to any of my replies regarding...
* how McCain, as a Senator, voted to cut funding for numerous programs to help special-needs adults, including the autistic as well as backed pResident Bush's plan to cut government programs providing insurance to special-needs children.
* how the "special needs" program Sarah Palin increased funding for is actually a "scared-straight" military academy for juvenile delinquents.
*how Obama, as a Senator, voted to increase funding for services for Autistic people AND to increase research into the causes of autism.
... I just presumed that you had not read any of my replies to your previous posts or any of the information I had linked to.
The information regarding Obama's position, statements and voting-record I'm posting (and in some cases re-posting) may have been reported elsewhere. Forgive me for wanting to make certain you got all the facts but when your blog posts are universally about McCain's alleged positives and Obama's alleged negatives - all while seeming to ignore the comments of your readers... well, I had just assumed that you hadn't been reading the comments.
In response to Ginger Taylor's posting..."Will [Obama] force all vaccines on all children, or will he treat vaccination like abortion and say "I may disagree with it, but it is a personal choice"?"; you can look right at his in-depth responses from the A-CHAMP Autism Issues Questionnaire published in the Age of Autism on 3/3/08.
When asked: "Would you support a federal right for families and individuals to choose for themselves which vaccines they will use?", he responded:
"I believe that every American has the right to access these screenings, and I believe that every American has the right also to refuse these screenings voluntarily if they so choose. I also support a thorough
and independent review of our nation’s vaccination policies."
As far as I can tell, McCain never even responded to the questionnaire...guess it wasn't that important to him.
Matt,
I have not answered because I have not researched it enough yet to answer.
again... not really actively blogging right now... have a huge work load... just posting the important stuff.
I will have to look at those issues another day.
Jennifer,
post your comment on AOA. I don't think that anyone has pointed to that response yet.
Ginger,
Fair enough.
Matt
The same discussion is going on age of autism. I posted the following and have the same question here (and respect for all on this blog) as follows:
“[Posted by: Wendy Fournier | September 08, 2008 at 10:14 AM]
’How disappointing. Sounds like Obama may have stopped by Dr. PrOffit's house on his way to the party.’
[Posted by Sdtech]:
Good one. And most likely Offit really has been trying to get to him. Looking at your articulate and informed responses on this blog and the associated web sites, one question is - what more can be done to all work in concert over the next two months (and after) to override the corporate special interests?”
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