Sorry, Thoughtful House
A friend recently emailed asking my take on the upcoming Dateline program that addresses autism and vaccines.
Here's my take. It will not make much of a difference one way or the other. Let me rephrase that. It will be a feel-good piece for NBC that portrays them to be a "hard-hitting news organization" while at the same time helping advance the pharma mantra of “don’t hesitate – vaccinate!”
I saw Thoughtful House’s piece about why they are doing it and one of the reasons given was that Matt Lauer was a fair and balanced journalist. Dear god, what stories did Lauer ever break? He is a talking corporate head put in place for exactly the reason that people believe him to be fair and balanced.
Fair and balanced is the nonsense that got us into this trouble to begin with. One doesn’t arrive at the truth by giving each side equal access to the bully pulpit. A story has to have a point of view to mean anything. A story needs to begin with a premise and work to establish why one side speaks truth and the other side does not.
If anyone thinks NBC as part of GE is going to create a maelstrom that causes the vaccine tsunami any serious problems that person has got their head wrapped in aluminum foil and needs to stick it in the oven and cook it along with the baked potatoes.
GE has a fiduciary duty to its stockholders to constantly work to increase the value of the stock – not begin a campaign that halves its value. GE is so deep in bed with various pharma companies not to mention the amount of advertising pharma spends on NBC that one could better expect the Pope to declare himself agnostic than for NBC to do anything more than provide a spit and polish finish to the lies that are already out there.
It’s much ado about nothing; a red herring; a bone to the masses. We will not change anything until we have economic and political power.
It’s sad because many parents expect one story or one movie or one song to be the catalyst that is going to change everything. It’s not going to happen.
Pre-packaged, pre-digested and pre-approved Dateline stories are good for you the same way McDonald’s is. Spend millions promoting your product and in the end provide nothing of nutritional value, but people feel good for awhile after consuming it.
- Ed Arranga's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Dateline story
Well, Ed, it went pretty much as a lot of us expected. NBC put enough polish on the apple to give it the indicia of fairness, without actually being fair. Although it was nice to see them give Dr. Wakefield enough time to tell his side (and he certainly was more articulate than either Deer or Offitt), there was no effort to look into what he said. NBC (and I agree we need to look at this as a NBC story and not a Matt Lauer piece) graciously let Dr. Wakefield begin to explain the confusion over his two separate studies and how there was no conflict of interest to report on the published one, there was no follow up -- only a sound bite from the Lancet editor delivering the impression that he certainly thought there was a conflict. There was no examination of Deer's background (or as Lauer kept calling him in an ever-so-solicitous manner, "Brian"). And I've given up hope that anyone in the media not named Sharyl will ever take a hard look at Paul Offitt and his exaggerations. They included a hint of what Dr. Wakefield had to say about other scientists coming to the same conclusions he had -- and I have no doubt he gave them a healthy list -- but they just let that one sit there.
At the end of the day, this was just another "wacky parents vs. overwhelming science" story.
Dateline story
Well, Ed, it went pretty much as we all expected. NBC put enough polish on the apple to give it the indicia of fairness, without actually having to be fair. Although it was nice to see them give Dr. Wakefield enough time to tell his side (and he certainly was more articulate than either Deer or Offitt), there was no effort to look into what he said. NBC (and I agree we need to look at this as a NBC story and not a Matt Lauer piece) graciously let Dr. Wakefield begin to explain the confusion over his two separate studies and how there was no conflict of interest to report on the published one, there was no follow up -- only a sound bite from the Lancet editor delivering the impression that he certainly thought there was a conflict. There was no examination of Deer's background (or as Lauer kept calling him in an ever-so-solicitous manner, "Brian"). And I've given up hope that anyone in the media not named Sharyl will ever take a hard look at Paul Offitt and his exaggerations. They included a hint of what Dr. Wakefield had to say about other scientists coming to the same conclusions he had -- and I have no doubt he gave them a healthy list -- but they just let that one sit there.
At the end of the day, this was just another "wacky parents vs. overwhelming science" story.
Hi Mary,SavingGabe and Pierre
Hi Mary,SavingGabe and Pierre -
Thanks for the feedback. It helps clarify my thoughts.
I didn't get a chance to see the show. We don't have a TV in our house. I don't want to expose my boys to its fear, fads, and endless violence.
The whole idea of Dateline is “news” as theatre. Matt Lauer plays the part of a journalist. Good theatre takes a moral stand. Dateline is bad theatre - find something controversial, prep the players, feed the publicity machine and pretend you have operated in the public interest. Then high-fives all around as you head home to the Hamptons.
I'm sure Offit, or as I like to call him, numb-nuts, and Deer came off badly - they are after all two of the creepiest individuals around. Granted, they were born funny, but even so, one can only lie for so long before the tongue begins to loosen from all rational thought. They have taken the road traveled by so many for so long and it always turns out badly.
Deer, will undoubtedly, spend his last days in a mental ward as the syphilitic infection runs its course. Offit will murmur to his grandchildren, consisting of a sprocket and a wheel, how he never imagined his name would one day be synonymous with poisoning children for profit.
As creepy as Offit and Deer are they are still only symptoms of a much-deeper problem and as soon as they outlive their usefulness pharma will quietly distance itself and trot out new smiling faces with the same dead eyes and DNA-damaged souls.
The problem is the thick-fingered politicians who would sooner stuff a powdered donut in their mouths while signing another pharma give-away than take the time to learn they are the problem.
The immediate upside is I’m sure Thoughtful House will be inundated with calls tomorrow from parents looking to help their children. And until battle lines are drawn and we begin to see sustainable progress and justice prevail helping one child at a time will have to do.
say what?
Did anyone buy that Birthday party story?! That is all they can come up with? It was so bad I found humor in him trying to sell it.
Ed,I just watched the
Ed,
I just watched the segment on NBC and can only agree with you wholeheartedly. I believe Wakefield handled himself well but in the end it will not matter. I do wish more coverage was paid to the "desperate" parents who found the answers that did make a difference for their children. It was mentioned as almost an afterthought and one that was too incredible to believe.
Dr. Offit came across as an ass to me (biased opinion of course). While in one breath he admonished the physicians like Wakefield who are providing information and a sense of HOPE, he did not offer anything from a traditional medicine view point in the way of answers.
Brian Deer came across as an opportunist himself.
No mention of the cost of legal fees to Dr. Wakefield, much less to what they have tried to do to his reputation.
I just hope at least parents of children with autism will start to look into treatment options, not just a cause.
Mary
Hi SavingGabe and Pierre
Hi SavingGabe and Pierre -
Thank you both for your comments. I relish the exchange of ideas.
I see your point of getting past where we are, SaingGabe, but I also think it's mightily important to understand the history of the movement to better construct the future. To do otherwise comes at our own peril.
Pierre, yes we have made progress. Yes, it's a good thing to finally have Dr. Wakefield on national TV, speaking for himself. I do not, however, believe it will start a feeding frenzy among TV news organizations seeking to find answes, They are more interested in ratings than in truth.
We need economic and political power. We have them, we just have to marshall them effectively.
Best, Ed
Hi saving Gabe & Pierre
Ed
To your point
Do not, however, believe it will start a feeding frenzy among TV news organizations seeking to find answes, They are more interested in ratings than in truth.
I am not as sure , if people that viewed this telecast and we are talking million , start asking question , these news media
for rating will push its journalist to start asking question and writing and presenting stories on the subject .
Do not forget that in the last 24 hours , ABC and NBC presented in prime time news cast about vaccine safety.
Secondly we can just imagine what happening right now in the executive suit of CBS news and CNN news ,for them , this was two black eyes , they missed the game run on there rating .
The nelson rating tomorrow wll give us an idea , but do not be surprise that in the next 3 days that big pharma will counter with a public relation attack .
Secondly do not be surprise , if Offit and Deer go into low profile mode , I beleive that neither one will ever be permitted to be on TV again ,
I called my big sister , and ask her opinion , she is vice president of Public relation and marketing for a big outfit
It was funny , she gave the same response as my wife
- Wakefielf look like a nice doctor with a lot a courage
- Deer look "Creepy"
- Offit , both my wife ans sister reacted to offit last response
very negatively
- Dr.Healy came off real good , and for both of them
where certain that she backing Wakefield theory .
It is notable to mention that my wife and sister have seen
wakefield , Deer , Offit and Healy , so we are looking at first impression .
now just imagine that this was multiplied by 10 or 20 million .
viewers .
My sisters made a interesting comment , that wakefield will come off better with women , than men
It will be very interesting to see , how big Pharma react in the next 24 to 48H , I would not be surprise that they try to counter or go into damage control .
It should be very interesting
When you state
We need economic and political power. We have them, we just have marshalled them effectively
I can not agree more , but to be more specific , we need take control away of the scientific agenda in regards to autism research from Big Pharma ,
That is where the battle lines are ,and it will not be a easy fight , that I have learn in regards to Dr.Fombonne
Pierre
ED
I agree 100% that find out how this happened is important. I do not want anyone to think I mean otherwise. I also fear what will happen when all is revealed. The firestorm that follows is going to be huge. The longer we go with the medical community saying its not vaccinations, the more people will doubt our own system. I don’t see this ending well either way we go.
I will standup with all those other moms and dads in my shoes to make a change! Someone has to do it because we already know where the political power in this holds no ground. 1 in 150 has kids has Autism. = 300 mothers and fathers+ siblings+ extended family members. If we look at a battle with numbers my calculator says we have them!
the MATT report
Dear Ed
I just viewed the one one hour special , overhaul it is not bad reporting , fairly balance .
It gave a chance to Dr.wakefield to present his case without the static ..
I have a funny feeling that Matt adjuted his report ,Our friend Offit ran into big problem with the last question , boy did he sound just a little bit insensative .
I am not sure how American will perceive Mr.Deer , his presentation sounded a little off , I do not beleive that machine gun attack came off to well ,
I have been working in marketing and communication for 30 years , If I was working for big Pharma and I viewed this news piece , I would be nervous ,
Then I would ask , what the name of the public relationship guy behind Wakefield .Everything is perception , boy did nail just right
If you have a rush in new membership of this great Autism one site , then we will have our answer
Your friend from Montreal
Pierre
Dateline
I missed the first 20 mins but what I seen wasn’t anything new to me. Then again, I am a mother with a child that has autism. If I had seen this prior to having Gabe I would had done everything different. I can only say I could’ve/should’ve/would’ve so many times. The past has passed. I believe in time the truth will come out. The “Soccer Moms” we have today are starting to see something wrong. I already know you don’t mess with any “Mom” or their baby.
Sorry, Thoughtful House
Dear Ed
I am not as certain , the presence of Wakefield on NBC is not a negative , for 10 years they never talk to him or requested an interview .
Now they are asking , peope are not sure , they want to no more .
With the recent investigative work by Sharyl Attkisson Investigates Vaccine Advocates Taking Funding From The
Companies Whose Vaccines They Endorse.
http://bit.ly/1JozLT
This lady , on the same day that ther going presence this news magazine report , just put a major hook in Dr. Offit (For Profit) about his direct conflict of interest .
It s quite clear Sharryl put her teeth on Matt presentation , he will have to adjudt accordinly his presentation .
I think we might be seeing a war between the news network about autism ,
now we need to find a way of getting 60 minutes into the picture , and get these organisation feeding on each others stories .
The more we talk about autism and its possible cause the better ,
this could get interesting
your friend from montreal
Pierre
Beating a dead horse
The past has passed. Too much time has been spent worrying about what happened. We need to focus on what we need today and where to go from here.
No mention of the cost of
No mention of the cost of legal fees to Dr. Wakefield, much less to what they have tried to do to his reputation.
I just hope at least parents of children with autism will start to look into treatment options, not just a cause. http://www.club-penguin.org/ Club Penguin Cheats