What Dr. Keith didn't say is that he can cure H1N1 via spinal manipulation
November 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Anonymous said...
Is a Chiropractor the best spokesman you could find to speak to this movement? These people are wacky and find conspiracies everywhere but I do have a lot of friends who won't give their children vaccines.
November 20, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Anonymous said...
Consider looking here for some real information from an MD on just why the anti-vaccine crowd has no real evidence for what they claim...
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/
November 20, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Anonymous said...
When these anti-vaccine people live through whooping cough when the whites of their eyes turn bloody red because of the pressure of relentless coughing or when they see the birth defects visited upon infants whose mothers had rubella, or see rows of young people in iron lungs paralyzed by polio, maybe they will change their mind about the need for widespread vaccinations. Move to a third world country and they'll see exactly what lack of vaccinations do. You say the "other side" has compelling arguments? You mean the scientific side? A chiropractor as a source of medical information? Give us a break.
November 20, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Anonymous said...
What is this, Fox News? "Some folks" are linking swine flu and valley fever? Who are "some folks"? This may be a blog -- wait, let's call it what it is, a gossip column -- but for crying out loud, as the CEO of the only daily newspaper in this town, you ought to be more careful with the phrases you toss around and the people you quote as experts. You represent the paper and, like it or not, the gossip and innuendo that you spread in this blog and via its publication in the newspaper reflect upon the Californian's journalistic quality and veracity. For shame.
November 20, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Anonymous said...
I think this talk about vaccines is all hooey but there are a lot of people who believe it. At my daughter's office three of her co-workers aren't vaccinating their children. It's more prevalent than people think and some people act on very little information, which is a shame. I think Richard's post is accurate and people need to be educated.
November 21, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Anonymous said...
In what sense is Mr. Beene's post "accurate"? Accurate in that he ACCURATELY reports what an UNQUALIFIED CHIROPRACTOR has to say about the issue of vaccines using INACCURATE information? The chiropractor fails to note that thimerosal has been removed from routine pediatric vaccines since 2002, yet there has been no reduction in autism. It's still rising. Thimerosal was removed from vaccines in order to calm a hysterical public, yet it actually made vaccines safer because it preserved and kept vaccines sterile. It was removed with no evidence linking it to autism or mercury poisoning. So what exactly is Mr. Beene doing here, except spreading INACCURATE and possibly harmful information? Better that Mr. Beene should instead be encouraging people to vaccinate their children for the safety of the children and the rest of society. Unfortunately, out of ignorance or sheer laziness, he spreads more misinformation in the guise of offering "two sides" of an issue. Unconscionable.
November 21, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Anonymous said...
The debate on immunization is thought provoking. I appreciate that points of view are given on both sides. Richard Beene’s posting isn’t inaccurate or harmful information but presenting a reality that some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. Gossip, we wish! I disagree with Courtland Keith’s belief that immunizations cause autism. This is a very simplistic, unfounded belief. His ending question: “… why is (sic) there very little, if any adults over the age of 40 who have autism” can best be answered at the following link: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=95 This excellent article by Steven Novella, states, “What was previously diagnosed as language disorder is now being diagnosed as autism …” One of his hypotheses asserts that "increases in diagnoses of autism are offset with a corresponding decrease in non-specific language disorders.” I believe this is easy to understand. Medical advances have taken giant strides this last century and many diseases in the early to mid 1900’s were misdiagnosed. The anti-immunization trend is based on the mythical rise of autism – I believe this study explains powerfully how misguided this myth is. Unfortunately, the decision against immunizing children is far from harmless. The post comment illustrating whooping cough, rubella and polio, is a compelling picture of what our world would be like without immunizations. To most of my generation these diseases are only experienced through the telling of our parents. Thankfully, to most Americans they are nothing but a bad memory. People of other centuries could only dream of having had the luxury of keeping their children safe from deadly diseases. I find the decision to refuse immunizations, unsupportable and vastly uninformed - Becca C.
November 21, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Anonymous said...
I agree with Becca C.'s comments. Parents need to take responsibility and stop living in "dreamland" or we risk horrible consequences. I have lived in Bakersfield my whole life and Mr. Beene is simply reflecting how many people feel. I don't agree with that view but it's there and that doesn't make him wrong for pointing it out.
November 22, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Anonymous said...
The thing is, he's not just "pointing it out." If Mr. Beene were only pointing out that there are people who provide unreliable information about vaccines and that there are people in our community who are not vaccinating their children out of fear of autism, it would be fine. Instead, he provides a chiropractor's misguided and incorrect information as if it were gospel and then refers to real medical information as "the other side," as if this is a difference of opinion on, say, what's the best kind of dressing to serve at Thanksgiving dinner or where to buy a nice tie. These are lives at stake and Mr. Beene's cavalier reproduction of the ill-informed chiropractor's opinion is beyond the pale.
Thanks to you all for your comment. Here's my take: I wasn't advocating any position and don't think it is irresponsible to merely note what many people believe. I personally believe in evolution, but I have many friends who are creationists and simply noting it doesn't make one right and the other wrong. For the record, we have always vaccinated our two daughters and strongly come down on the side of science on this one. But noting an opposing view, even if one believes it has no scientific merit, is simply that. It's not dangerous, it's simply an observation. Thanks for the posts.
November 22, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Anonymous said...
LAT updates its social media rules November 22 2009 11:08 PM The Los Angeles Times has revised and reorganized its guidelines from last March that staffers are supposed to follow on social media networks. Political advocacy is still out, for instance, but the rules for Twitter et al are less ponderous than the ones issued at the Wall Street Journal earlier this year. "The Times is to be, above all else, a principled news organization. In deed and in appearance, journalists must keep themselves – and The Times – above reproach," says the memo co-signed by Editor Russ Stanton. Integrity is our most important commodity: Avoid writing or posting anything that would embarrass The Times or compromise your ability to do your job.... Even if you use privacy tools (determining who can view your page or profile, for instance), assume that everything you write, exchange or receive on a social media site is public....
Editorial employees may not use their positions at the paper to promote personal agendas or causes. Nor should they allow their outside activities to undermine the impartiality of Times coverage, in fact or appearance.
November 23, 2009 at 4:47 PM
[Image] * ... THE DEBATE OVER IMMUNIZATIONS: I'm intrigued by the number of people locally who are questioning the idea of immunizations in general and the new swine flu vaccine in particular. There has long been an emerging movement that has linked vaccines with autism and other ill effects, and it has a strong following in our community. And now some folks are even linking the onset of swine flu with valley fever. One of those questioning the need for immunizations is Dr. Courtland Keith, a local chiropractor who seems to reflect the general cynicism about drug companies and the potential ill effects of vaccines. I asked Keith (his practice is Keith Chiropractic over on New Stine Road) for some detail and he agreed to provide it, all with the caveat that he is not a medical doctor but does have some strong opinions on this topic. (Click here for a piece he recommended) In his words:
"If a new born infant has an under developed immune system at birth and depends upon the mother's breast milk to build that immune system, then why introduce an antigen to that system to try and create an immune response? What if just one of these known toxic substances is found in the vaccination (which most are found in every shot) that is being injected into the child is present? Thimerisol (mercury), aluminum, formaldehyde, squalene, ethylene glycerol and animal tissue/ DNA. Most of these products are used in every vaccination and are used as preservative for long self life and label adjuvants." "I also struggle with the American Medical Assn. and the government's position regarding vaccinations and the link to autism. What is the largest environmental, social, nutritional change that has occurred in the past 20 years that has created 1 in 100 children born to have autism? Their answer? We don't have a clue but we know without a shadow of doubt that it couldn't possibly by vaccinations? Then what has changed in the past 20 years? Your ability to diagnose and classify more accurately? Then why is there very little, if any adults over the age of 40 that have Autism?"
The other side has equally compelling arguments, most of them presented in an interesting article in Wired magazine. (read the entire piece here) Some excerpts:
"Consider: In certain parts of the US, vaccination rates have dropped so low that occurrences of some children’s diseases are approaching pre-vaccine levels for the first time ever. And the number of people who choose not to vaccinate their children (so-called philosophical exemptions are available in about 20 states, including Pennsylvania, Texas, and much of the West) continues to rise. "... That may not sound like much, but a recent study by the Los Angeles Times indicates that the impact can be devastating. The Times found that even though only about 2 percent of California’s kindergartners are unvaccinated (10,000 kids, or about twice the number as in 1997), they tend to be clustered, disproportionately increasing the risk of an outbreak of such largely eradicated diseases as measles, mumps, and pertussis (whooping cough). The clustering means almost 10 percent of elementary schools statewide may already be at risk.
One thing for sure is this debate is not going away. Stay tuned.
* ... MEMORIAL FOUNDATION SAYS THANKS: The Memorial Hospital Foundation held its annual meeting at Luigi's restaurant this week and used the time to say thanks to so many who are helping the hospital grow. Memorial President Jon Van Boening provided an update on the drive to create a Children'sMedical Center and gave special thanks to Marvin Steinert, the Bakersfield businessman who cut a check for $50,000 to help the effort. Marv, who is now blind because of the onset of an illness, was there with his wife Nadine and son Gary Steinert of Fresno. Also singled out for recognition were GaryMcElmurry and Tim Tunget from the local Costco warehouse stores, who presented a check for $110,000 to the Foundation.Lots of local folks were there, including Steve and Pat Loyd, Steve Clifford, Tom Smith, Tracy and Brian Walker, Greg Bynum,Mike Ansolabehere and Patti and Don Houchin among others.
(pictured in the photo from left to right are Jon Van Boening, Memorial chief development officer Sue Benham, Foundation board member Mike Ansolabehere, Costco's Tim Tunget and Gary McElmurry and Memorial's Janelle Capra.)
[Image]
* ... SHORT TAKES AROUND TOWN: Congratulations to Dr. Thomas H. Stewart, a local dentist who practices over off San Dimas Street and who has been elected head of the California Dental Association. ....Elsewhere, it's hard to believe it's been a full month since San Joaquin Bank was officially shuttered in a joint FDIC and state Department of Financial Institutions operation. The bank was closed on October 16 and at the same time taken over by Citizens Business Bank out of Southern California... And finally remember that this Saturday night is "Wine Fest," the annual gala put on by the Junior League of Bakersfield out at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $60 and you can pick them up at H. Walker's men's store on 17th Street or at Imbibe Wine and Spirits Merchant on Truxtun Extension. It runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
posted by Richard Beene at 2:40 PM on Nov 19, 2009
"The debate over immunizations and H1N1 and Memorial Hospital says thanks to its donors"
12 Comments -
What Dr. Keith didn't say is that he can cure H1N1 via spinal manipulation
November 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Is a Chiropractor the best spokesman you could find to speak to this movement? These people are wacky and find conspiracies everywhere but I do have a lot of friends who won't give their children vaccines.
November 20, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Consider looking here for some real information from an MD on just why the anti-vaccine crowd has no real evidence for what they claim...
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/
November 20, 2009 at 12:02 PM
When these anti-vaccine people live through whooping cough when the whites of their eyes turn bloody red because of the pressure of relentless coughing or when they see the birth defects visited upon infants whose mothers had rubella, or see rows of young people in iron lungs paralyzed by polio, maybe they will change their mind about the need for widespread vaccinations. Move to a third world country and they'll see exactly what lack of vaccinations do. You say the "other side" has compelling arguments? You mean the scientific side? A chiropractor as a source of medical information? Give us a break.
November 20, 2009 at 6:47 PM
What is this, Fox News? "Some folks" are linking swine flu and valley fever? Who are "some folks"? This may be a blog -- wait, let's call it what it is, a gossip column -- but for crying out loud, as the CEO of the only daily newspaper in this town, you ought to be more careful with the phrases you toss around and the people you quote as experts. You represent the paper and, like it or not, the gossip and innuendo that you spread in this blog and via its publication in the newspaper reflect upon the Californian's journalistic quality and veracity. For shame.
November 20, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I think this talk about vaccines is all hooey but there are a lot of people who believe it. At my daughter's office three of her co-workers aren't vaccinating their children. It's more prevalent than people think and some people act on very little information, which is a shame. I think Richard's post is accurate and people need to be educated.
November 21, 2009 at 9:27 AM
In what sense is Mr. Beene's post "accurate"? Accurate in that he ACCURATELY reports what an UNQUALIFIED CHIROPRACTOR has to say about the issue of vaccines using INACCURATE information?
The chiropractor fails to note that thimerosal has been removed from routine pediatric vaccines since 2002, yet there has been no reduction in autism. It's still rising. Thimerosal was removed from vaccines in order to calm a hysterical public, yet it actually made vaccines safer because it preserved and kept vaccines sterile. It was removed with no evidence linking it to autism or mercury poisoning.
So what exactly is Mr. Beene doing here, except spreading INACCURATE and possibly harmful information?
Better that Mr. Beene should instead be encouraging people to vaccinate their children for the safety of the children and the rest of society. Unfortunately, out of ignorance or sheer laziness, he spreads more misinformation in the guise of offering "two sides" of an issue. Unconscionable.
November 21, 2009 at 3:11 PM
The debate on immunization is thought provoking. I appreciate that points of view are given on both sides. Richard Beene’s posting isn’t inaccurate or harmful information but presenting a reality that some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. Gossip, we wish!
I disagree with Courtland Keith’s belief that immunizations cause autism. This is a very simplistic, unfounded belief. His ending question: “… why is (sic) there very little, if any adults over the age of 40 who have autism” can best be answered at the following link: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=95 This excellent article by Steven Novella, states, “What was previously diagnosed as language disorder is now being diagnosed as autism …” One of his hypotheses asserts that "increases in diagnoses of autism are offset with a corresponding decrease in non-specific language disorders.” I believe this is easy to understand. Medical advances have taken giant strides this last century and many diseases in the early to mid 1900’s were misdiagnosed.
The anti-immunization trend is based on the mythical rise of autism – I believe this study explains powerfully how misguided this myth is.
Unfortunately, the decision against immunizing children is far from harmless. The post comment illustrating whooping cough, rubella and polio, is a compelling picture of what our world would be like without immunizations. To most of my generation these diseases are only experienced through the telling of our parents. Thankfully, to most Americans they are nothing but a bad memory. People of other centuries could only dream of having had the luxury of keeping their children safe from deadly diseases. I find the decision to refuse immunizations, unsupportable and vastly uninformed
- Becca C.
November 21, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I agree with Becca C.'s comments. Parents need to take responsibility and stop living in "dreamland" or we risk horrible consequences. I have lived in Bakersfield my whole life and Mr. Beene is simply reflecting how many people feel. I don't agree with that view but it's there and that doesn't make him wrong for pointing it out.
November 22, 2009 at 7:58 AM
The thing is, he's not just "pointing it out." If Mr. Beene were only pointing out that there are people who provide unreliable information about vaccines and that there are people in our community who are not vaccinating their children out of fear of autism, it would be fine. Instead, he provides a chiropractor's misguided and incorrect information as if it were gospel and then refers to real medical information as "the other side," as if this is a difference of opinion on, say, what's the best kind of dressing to serve at Thanksgiving dinner or where to buy a nice tie. These are lives at stake and Mr. Beene's cavalier reproduction of the ill-informed chiropractor's opinion is beyond the pale.
November 22, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Thanks to you all for your comment. Here's my take: I wasn't advocating any position and don't think it is irresponsible to merely note what many people believe. I personally believe in evolution, but I have many friends who are creationists and simply noting it doesn't make one right and the other wrong. For the record, we have always vaccinated our two daughters and strongly come down on the side of science on this one. But noting an opposing view, even if one believes it has no scientific merit, is simply that. It's not dangerous, it's simply an observation. Thanks for the posts.
November 22, 2009 at 1:37 PM
LAT updates its social media rules
November 22 2009 11:08 PM
The Los Angeles Times has revised and reorganized its guidelines from last March that staffers are supposed to follow on social media networks. Political advocacy is still out, for instance, but the rules for Twitter et al are less ponderous than the ones issued at the Wall Street Journal earlier this year. "The Times is to be, above all else, a principled news organization. In deed and in appearance, journalists must keep themselves – and The Times – above reproach," says the memo co-signed by Editor Russ Stanton.
Integrity is our most important commodity: Avoid writing or posting anything that would embarrass The Times or compromise your ability to do your job....
Even if you use privacy tools (determining who can view your page or profile, for instance), assume that everything you write, exchange or receive on a social media site is public....
Editorial employees may not use their positions at the paper to promote personal agendas or causes. Nor should they allow their outside activities to undermine the impartiality of Times coverage, in fact or appearance.
November 23, 2009 at 4:47 PM