Comments on: Omnibus: the decisions are decisive

By: Science-Based Medicine » 2009: Shaping up to be a really bad year for antivaccinationists

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:02:02 +0000

[...] Since the decisions together run hundreds of pages, this article has become quite long, and other bloggers have posted excerpts, I will be judicious in selecting key [...]

By: David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction)

David N. Andrews M. Ed. (Distinction) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:44:13 +0000

“For TACA to now spin the delay like this is just disgusting.”

Indeed. But isn’t it just SO them?!

By: Sullivan

Sullivan — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:04:30 +0000

The decisions were delayed because the petitioners were attempting to obtain information from the UK. They only gave up that quest in September of 2008.

The special masters couldn’t really make a decision until they had all the potential evidence, now could they?

For TACA to now spin the delay like this is just disgusting.

By: ebohlman

ebohlman — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:38:42 +0000

Of course, if the court “produced a negative decision very quickly” the cranks would be citing it as “evidence” that the decision was bought and paid for.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:34:52 +0000

Joseph…

Sadly, I think you are correct about Autism Speaks. My husband and I used to be big supporters of NAAR/AS specifically because it was the only autism organization dedicated to science. And they’ve had some top notch scientists on their board. But they clearly have turned to the “dark side,” and now I can no longer support them. I think Alison Singer’s exit will be the first of many.

By: zeno

zeno — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:33:34 +0000

Sullivan

An excellent summary. They are, indeed, utterly damning.

As you imply, the anti-vaxers will be trawling through these judgements for any grain they can pull out, twist around, quote out of context, etc, etc. And a few ad hominems to boot. Expect to be amazed at their contortions.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:44:41 +0000

I think it’s time to state the obvious: Autism Speaks is an anti-vax organization. That’s what they are, and they should not hide it or pretend this is not the case. Nor should anyone else pretend or hope this is not the case.

By: Tsu Dho Nimh

Tsu Dho Nimh — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:47:33 +0000

The reason the decisions took so long is that they were written to be extremely clear, and there was a lot of science as well as smoke and mirrors to examine.

And then the cites to laws to look up … a decision may be “made” mentally, but the paperwork takes a long time.