When I wrote a response to the Age of Autism blog piece, Pass the Maalox: An AoA Thanksgiving Nightmare, I specifically left out mention of a particularly disgusting comment by Kim Stagliano, “managing editor” of AoA. If you wonder what I’m talking about, Orac, Skepchick and Countering Age of Autism have all discussed it.
I figured, well, Ms. Stagliano has coughed up a big enough hairball for now, she should be quiet for a bit.
Not so. In a recent blog post on the Huffington Post, Ms. Stagliano responds to the Amy Wallace piece in Wired with personal attacks. Does she take on Ms. Wallace? No. That would make too much sense. Besides, her fellow AoA blogger already embarrassed them with his efforts.
No, Ms. Stagliano attacks Dr. Paul Offit.
Does she use facts? Does she use science? Does she have anything of real substance to bring to the table?
No.
Here’s her opening paragraph:
I grew up in Boston, and am old enough to recall when the Catholic Church adamantly denied the sex scandal. Priests harming children? Sex abuse? No one wanted it to be true, and so it was easier to swallow the denials than to believe the children and adults whose lives were altered forever and who had the courage to speak out. That is, until the injured parties brought forth so much proof that the Church had to do its own digging and Catholics had to open their eyes and say, “My good God, the children and parents were right.” The Church has survived and programs are in place to avoid going back to those dark times.
(emphasis added by me)
Does this have anything to do with autism, vaccines or Dr. Offit?
No.
But, hey, a good smear job doesn’t need logic.
I’ll say it again: Dr. Offit isn’t your enemy. Your lack of science is your enemy. Kim Stagliano, grow up. The autism communities deserve better.
(note: minor edits were made shortly after this was published)
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