Alan: Science is about statistical probability, not anecdotes.
It is selfish -- quintessentially selfish -- to "count one's lucky stars" when science "knows the numbers."
Anyone stupid enough (or ignorant enough) to impute political virtue to dumb-luck does not know enough about the workings of material life to make wise decisions on behalf of The Common Good.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican freshman congressman from Georgia, hosted his first town hall meeting last week. When the topic of vaccines came up, he told the crowd:“I believe it’s the parents’ decision whether to immunize or not. And so I’m looking at [my] wife – most of our children, we didn’t immunize. They’re healthy. Of course, home schooling, we didn’t have to get the mandatory immunization.”It gets worse. This guy was recently named to the Science, Space and Technology Committee. He served as chair to the Senate Science and Technology Committee when he was a state senator in Georgia. He has a Bachelor of Science degree.
The woman's question was specifically about whether or not there's been a cover-up in certain studies about the link between autism and the MMR vaccine. Other than his very scientific anecdote about his healthy, unvaccinated children, he responded:
“The Committees on Energy and Commerce and Government Oversight are already looking into this issue, and we’ve been assured they will continue to investigate the matter fully. We look forward to hearing the findings of both committees.”Even some Republicans are upset by Rep. Loudermouth's comments. GOP media strategist Rick Wilson called for his resignation on Twitter.
Hop below the fold to watch video of the town hall meeting.
(The vaccine question comes up at 1:26:00)
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