Senator McCain: "Strong Evidence" of Autism-Vaccine Link

Dear Senator McCain,

It was with some amazement that I read about your comments, made tonight while campaigning in Texas, about a possible link between mercury in vaccines and autism.

According to Jake Tapper at ABC News, a Texas mother of a child with autism asked you about the Federal Court document, first reported on Huffington Post last Monday, in which Justice Department officials conceded that vaccines had aggravated one child's underlying medical condition, resulting in a diagnosis of autism.

Your courage -- some would (and will) call it lunacy, or at best political suicide -- to step into this quagmire, while running for President, no less, is an inspiration and comfort to those of us who continue to ask such discomfiting questions in the public realm.

It's not the nicest place to be, but welcome to our world anyway. Given your war record, you are much better prepared than anyone I can think of for the incoming missiles of vitriol that are about to come your way.

"Why are you trying to scare parents away from vaccinating their kids?" some will demand. "Don't you know that children will get sick and die, because of your reckless questioning?" others will say. "Are you really so stupid that you believe this issue hasn't been put to rest by the best science money can buy? Who the hell do you think you are, anyway?"

Oh that's right: War Hero. U.S. Senator. De Facto Presidential Nominee.

Well, Senator, if you are unafraid to ask the tough, unpopular, and, yes (gasp!) controversial questions about what you aptly call the "indisputable" increase in autism cases - and to be so bold as to suggest that "there's strong evidence that indicates that it's got to do with a preservative in vaccines" -- then no one in America, least of all journalists, should fear asking the same questions.

In the meantime, get ready for a whole new sub-species of infantile sloganeering that will be heaped upon you with tedious repetition.

You, Senator, like it or not, are now a card-carrying member of the "Mercury Militia." You are a tin-foil hatter, a "denialist dead-ender," and an "anti-science" nut job grasping at emotional, litigious straws.

You, Senator, in the raw vernacular of your newfound enemies, are one of those awful, ragtag "anti-vaxers" who just want to see kids get sick from preventable diseases and die.

Yet, when you raise questions in the US Senate about aviation safety, no one angrily labels you "anti-airplane," do they?

Inquire about reducing highway accident rates? Nobody runs around calling you "anti-car."

But raise a question about the Federal Government conceding a vaccine-autism case; or ask why more and more studies from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, the University of California and elsewhere continue to show a potential link between mercury (from the environment and, yes, from vaccines) and autism, or even call attention to the fact that autism is epidemic (and thus not purely genetic), and suddenly it's battle stations: Prepare to fend off the overheated wrath of indignant health officials and their blogger allies, who, to be honest, aren't always that adept at turning an original phrase against their foes.

Sir, I only hope that your Democratic opponent will be equally unafraid to address these admittedly thorny issues up front and honestly. (My sources tell me that one indeed will. The other one, not so much).

Whoever wins the White House, let's pray that he or she gets to the bottom of this national emergency while funding vital new treatment research on a Manhattan Project scale. And let's hope their Administration is remembered for presiding over the waning days of the Great American Autism Epidemic.

-------------

PS: Senator McCain's statements did not happen in a vacuum. Many parents, especially members of A-CHAMP (Advocates for Children's Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning), met with McCain last year, prompting this letter sent by McCain and Joe Lieberman to Ted Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committe, asking for hearings on the cause and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

"We have heard the concerns of many Americans," they wrote, "that a number of environmental exposures, such as thimerosal, pesticides, metals, organic pollutants and other ambient factors may be linked to autism."

I am not aware of any response from Senator Kennedy's office, but will try to get one and post it ASAP in this space. - DK

Comments

[AutismNewsBeat]

David, are you sure Hannah has an autism diagnosis? My reading of the purloined court document is that some of her symptoms mimic autism. But a real autism diagnosis requires more than that.

You're "litigious straws" comment raises an interesting point. McCain has been a strong voice for tort reform over the years, yet seems oblivious to how much of the anti-vaccine activism is driven by trial lawyers. Read Kathleen Seidel's investigation of shady vaccine court "experts", and the rogue's gallery of plaintiff attorneys who have been cashing government checks for the last 20 years. My hunch is that once Sen. Straight Talk finds out he's getting in bed with the same ambulance chasers he's been excoriating for the past two decades, he'll say he was misquoted, and meant to say he's a supporter of artistic children.

BTW. I've always voted Democrat, and look forward to President Obama's inauguration next January.

[chombo]

If the vaccines were causing autism, how come the rate of autism kept going up after the mercury compound was removed?

Really, this is pathetic. Quit taking medical advice from Jenny McCarthy. There is absolutely no evidence of the vaccine - autism link. Period.

[CraigWilloughby]

It may not just be the mercury, but there are a multitude of poisons that are being injected into our babies' immature immune system.

Perhaps you should read this post here:

http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/independence-of-cdc

One particular quote that I found very interesting states, "Some departing scientists and outside experts have charged that senior CDC officials are failing to give the office the independence it requires to investigate possible harm from vaccines. "

Can you say "Uh Oh?"

[chombo]

All vaccines have some risk. It is a good idea to have strong oversight and research. That doesn't mean there is any link between autism and the measles vaccine (or any other vaccine). There is just no evidence. Obviously, that doesn't bother you since you continue with the "multiude of poisons" wag. The fact that some CDC personnel want more oversight doesn't mean anything except they want more oversight.

Can you say, "Get a clue!".

Try this link: http://skepdic.com/refuge/harm8.html

[CraigWilloughby]

We aren't taking medical advice from Ms. McCarthy. She just happens to have the resources available to make our views known. The medical establishment has infinite resources to debunc the autism-vaccination connection, and all we have is Jenny McCarthy, Holly Robinson-Peet and Tony Braxton. They speak for thousands of parents who have children with autism, but somehow have come under the mass delusion that their children got a vaccination that caused autism.

Is it a coincidence that all of these parents can pinpoint when it happened? So I guess thousands of parents share the same insanity. If so, then perhaps we need to investigate this, because you will see more and more of us in the next few years if something is not done to stop this.

Or maybe its a new plague, and all of us parents need to be vaccinated against it. Then we'll need drugs to counteract the side effects. Then we'll need more drugs to counteract the side effects of that, etc. etc.

[AutismNewsBeat]

The medical establishment does not have infinite resources, but it does have empirical evidence, and specialized education and experience, and peer review journals. And all you have is Jenny McCarthy and some over D-list celebrities. So I guess I have to concede your point.

Is it just coincidence that the sun comes up after the rooster crows? Think about. Or better yet, ask Jenny.

[TruthWins]

Wait until the Autism hits your town, street, home and family. Then you will realize how the toxic ingredients (not just Mercury, but also Aluminum, preservatives, the Vaccine Virus itself) ruined your child's life.

Just explain me one thing. The Autism rate was 1:10, 000 in 1990 (number of childhood shots were about 10). Now in 2008, it is 1:125. Why is that? What changed?

[UndercoverLawyer]

@Momof3au

You or anyone else have a link or more info about the rally at the CDC in June, organized by Jenny McCarthy?

@darker

That's crazytalk. McCain coming out in support of investigating the vaccine-autism link shows that Republicans "don't mind killing your baby..." Um, I'm just not following your logic on that one.

autismfathers.com

[TruthWins]

Here is the link
http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/video/cdc-rally-video.htm

[CraigWilloughby]

I will admit that his response surprised me; pleasantly, but a surprise nonetheless. I am a card carrying member of the Disgusted Party (our symbol isn't isn't a donkey or an elephant, but a raised finger...I'm sure you can guess which one). The government, both republican and democrat, has a long-standing tradition of sweeping the Autism-Mercury debate under the rug and forgetting about it. Honestly, I've only been keeping a moderate interest in the primaries, so when I heard McCain's response, it got my attention.

Our latest administration, and the monkey who runs it, has come under a lot of fire in the recent years from parents of autistic children because of both their ignorance and because they ignore it. Having a republican nominee echo such a contriversial subject, in favor of the parents, gives me cause to admire Mr. McCain because it may well be political suicide when his opponents get ahold of his response. However, I sadly must take his response with a grain of salt and wonder if he had an underlying agenda in what he said.

The fact of the matter is, very few members of our government understand what it is like for an autistic family. Like you, I am currently exhausted and stressed after my 6 year old son went into one of his screaming fits...3 hours of extremely loud, ear-piercing, high pitched shrieks while trying to beat his head against the wall. Myself, my wife, and my 2 other children (my 8 year old daughter, btw, has mild Aspergers. My youngest, she's 4, is the only one who didn't get vaccinated and the only one not exhibiting signs of ASD) have had the police called on us numerous time by our neighbors (I live in a duplex). Fortunately, my local police are very understanding and just check to make sure we are ok. Stagmom, I'm right there with you and I know what you are going through.

[AutismNewsBeat]

I'm not surprised. Both parties are also pretty darn dismissive of Big Foot, and Area 51, and Alien Elvis. How dare they!

[CraigWilloughby]

I won't even respond to the immaturity of this statement. Have a nice day.

[LoveFreedom]

Don't be fooled by McCain's efforts to win your votes! McCain, Huckabee, Obama, & Clinton are all members of the Council on Foreign Relations, which wants a one world govt - a vote for any of these candidates is a vote for Bush! RON PAUL IS THE ONLY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT CFR. RON PAUL is an OBGYN, who is HOLISTIC, who's been in CONGRESS for 10 TERMS representing Texans, who LOVE him! PAUL OPPOSES MANDATORY VAX legislation. Become a delegate to the National Republican Convention to cast your vote for the Love of America, for Freedom - Vote PRINCIPLE over party - VOTE FOR RON PAUL! Restore America to its founding Constitutional Principles!

http://www.cfr.org/
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/health-freedom/
http://www.rpv.org/?q=faq
http://www.gopconvention2008.com/Default.aspx
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

[robotsworld]

I COMPLETELY agree with LoveFreedom. I am a mother of 2 little girls with autism. One of many reasons why I support Dr. Ron Paul is because he voted AGAINST the Patriot Act. And what was included in that Patriot Act? The MANDATORY VACCINATION ACT.

McCain voted for the PATRIOT ACT...check it: http://www.knowbeforeyouvote.com/

Now to get the votes (by any means necessary) he'll talk about the vaccinations and autism. As a mother who deals with 2 young girls with autism, I'm disgusted.

Dr. Paul was an original co-sponser for the bill to study vaccinated populations versus unvaxed for the link in autism. You know he is an OBGYN, and has taken his oaths (in every right) very seriously. He believes that the combinations and/or preservatives have caused autism.

This guy is for real. I do wish the autism community would embrace him.

READ: http://www.infowars.net/articles/january2008/230108Vaccines.htm

Here's a Ron Paul quote from the above link.
"I don't think anything should be forced on us by the government, [and] immunization is one thing that we're pressured and forced into," he said.

"A responsible parent is going to say, 'Yeah, I want my child to have that,' [but] when the government makes a mistake, they make it for everybody. You know, that's what worries me. They don't always come up with the perfect answer sometimes... and people have had some very, very serious reactions from these immunizations."

[linwessels]

Thank you, Mr. Kirby, for all you've done and continue to do with your apposite journalistic integrity. Thank you for joining our plight and continuing to fight with and for us. We"d not be where we are today without the David Kirby"s of the world. And where we are today, is a bit closer to the truth and to freedom from vaccine-induced autism.

My highest respect, regards, and gratitude also goes out to the many, many parents who dared to trod before us; those who blazed and paved the trail. They dare go where no man had gone before; unlocking doors, opening ears, minds and hearts along the way! Words cannot properly convey my appreciation to each and every one.

For those who continue the fight, no matter the manner, you are all as equally imperative and held in the highest of esteem. Those who help others through their words, experience, kindness, compassion; to you I am also obliged. And for those of you who are only able to muster the strength each day to get out of bed and search for answers and assistance for your loved ones, we are here for you, too. There is hope and we fight as equally diligently for your child, grandchild and loved one. Don"t give up; reach out when need be. We are here for you, too.

Now, as for the political allegiances; which party is better than the other, I say POOH!! That"s right, just POOH! Given that Senator McCain has shown to us that he is willing to stand with us; then I say, THANK YOU, SENATOR JOHN McCAIN!!! I PROUDLY STAND WITH YOU, SIR, WITH HONOR, RESPECT AND ADMIRATION!!

Sam's very, very proud MAMA

[Boobaloo]

Sorry David I misread the article ... I guess you and I are saying the same thing!

My apologies.

[Landruajm]

Wow. Do the straw men cry out when you beat them?

And for those of you proclaiming your newly found intent to vote for Senator McCain: you'd have ended up there anyway. The Republican Party and its candidates exert a natural gravitational pull on those who favor anecdotes and heart-twanging over science.

[Boobaloo]

There is something wrong with the vaccines being given to kids, it's literally frying their brains and if its not the mercury/preservative than what the hell is it?

Ultimately, that is all parents are saying: there is something wrong, help us find out what it is. The medical community, as per usual, stone walls, belittles, attacks and name calls rather than listen and do research to find out what is wrong with vaccinations.

Stop calling people names David and dedicate your time and energy to trying to find answers rather than telling people they're 'crazy' or that they hate science.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Literally frying their brains? Really Boobaloo? Because I never notice smoke coming out of my son's ears.

I appreciate you trying to speak for all parents, but you really aren't. Some, like me, are skeptical of the way anti-vaccine extremists try to demonize children with autism, like these kids with fried brains were no different than your average tweakers. Some parents are sure it's the thimerosal, others the aluminum. Different anecdotes for different folks.

[CraigWilloughby]

Where do you get the idea that we are demonizing our autistic children? I don't understand what you're saying with that statement. My son is the center of my world, so much so that my 2 daughters sometime have to do without so that we can help him. If what you mean is that we are demonizing our children by wanting to find the answer to what happened to them so suddenly, then you may want to look up the definition. Here is is for your convenience.

Demonize:
1. To turn into or as if into a demon.
2. To possess by or as if by a demon.
3. To represent as evil or diabolic

[carolh]

David,

Thank you so much for keeping this topic alive. We need to keep urging another look at the vaccine link to autism and determine EXACTLY what it is in the vaccines that is causing the problem. Keep fighting the good fight. You ARE winning.

[keytohealth]

Is it really tough to know what to believe? Here let me help!
Children are vaccinated to EXTREME. According to the CDC
Mandatory Vaccine Schedule n 2008 - 36 Injections = 121 Vaccines by 6 years Old
Influenza (Prenatal), Hep B (Birth), Hep B, DTaP, Hib, IPV*, PCV, Rotavirus, Hep B, DTaP, Hib, IPV*. PCV, Rotavirus, Hep B, DTaP, Hib, IPV*, PCV, Influenza, Rotavirus, Hib, MMR*, Varicella, PCV, Hep A*, DTaP, Hep A*, Influenza, Influenza, Influenza, MMR*, DTaP, IPV*, Influenza, Influenza
* Vaccines made with Aborted Fetal Cell - will childs DNA ever be the same?
Bottom line it is about freedom of choice, empowerment, and investigating before you vaccinate. Did you know that SIDS is listed in the pHarmaceutical documents as an adverse reaction.

[sandygottstein]

Thanks, David, as always.
We should not forget the incredibly courageous stance Sen. McCain took when vaccine liability protection was snuck into the Homeland Security Bill at the last minute. Here is one of the articles that dealt with it:
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/November2002/McCainWithDemos18.htm
All the best,
Sandy

[foe2Hg]

What a historical event this is. Thank you David Kirby for continuing your mission of reporting on the good, the bad, and the ugly in the autism epidemic!

I hope Sen McCain can take the heat and is prepared for the ugliness to come. Since my ballot usually goes across the aisle, I am wondering what the other side is planning to do. This may be a significant turn of events for many voters who have loved ones with the infamous autism diagnosis. Using the "vaccine" word in the same sentence as "autism" takes great courage and integrity. It's about damn time. Thank you John McCain. Let's see if Obama and Hillary ignore, attack, retreat, or investigate. Our children are waiting.

Teresa Conrick

[AutismNewsBeat]

Hillary and Barack are lawyers, and understand that important public policy matters need to turn on evidence, not emotion.

[MomOf3AU]

I think my vote's just been decided. I'd like to offer the Senator a ride to Jenny McCarthy's rally at the CDC in June.

[Stagmom]

I have great respect for John McCain the military hero. I gave up my Independent status in 2000 to register as a Republican so I could vote for him over Bush. I'm still an independent voter, although I now have a D after my name. I don't think Hillary Clinton has give our kids a glance, and she's definitely a proponent of vaccination. Perhaps she just needs some education. I've no idea Obama's stance. I hope he takes on the topic too.

Perhaps John McCain has met enough children with full blown autism (I hope that that calms the folks with Asperger's and HFA who are comfortable in their own skin) that he sees the parallel between the prison of the tiger box and the prison of autism, for some folks on the spectrum.

If you could see what one of my sweet daughters (with autism) has gone through for the past hour - a monster tantrum where she was is full fight or flight mode over the sensory agony of a female situation, you'd know why I fight alongside David every day. It breaks my heart to see her in such obvious distress.

Kim Stagliano
HuffPo blogger
Managing Editor Ageofautism.com

[usna73]

There is something that stays with you forever when you take the oath to enter the United States Naval Academy. Regardless of your politics, and I have many policy disagreements with Capt. McCain, he is duty bound on subjects that require: "I will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate anyone among us who does."

Honor, courage, committment. You have it as well Mr. Kirby.

[DemandTruth]

Asked whether the use of Obama's middle name"the same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein"is proper, McCain said: "No, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is totally inappropriate."

McCain said he didn't know who decided to allow Cunningham to speak but said he was sure it was in coordination with his campaign. He said he didn't hear the comments and has never met Cunningham, but "I will certainly make sure that nothing like that happens again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
USNA, let's pay close attention to how McCain runs the rest of his campaign, and see if that "I will not lie...nor tolerate those among us who" do - oath stays with him as long as it stays with you. Deal? Oh, wait. We've already heard from Cunningham that they've met at least TWICE. So much for that no lying thing. Nevermind.

[linwessels]

Demand Truth~
Have you listened to Cunningham's response??? He rants and raves!! Comes across as, well let's just say, less than credible. Why is it you choose to believe Senator McCain is the one lying about their having met versus Mr. Cunningham? Do you really demand truth as your user name implies, or selectively choose what you desire to be true?

Sam"s MAMA

[AutismNewsBeat]

McCain is pandering for votes. Don't you get it? As soon as one of his smart advisor explains the facts about autism and vaccines, he'll backpeddle. There's no way he's going to take a bullet for the biomedical equivalent of the Flat Earth Society.

[Stagmom]

I have a profound respect for John McCain the military man, the man who survived the horror of being a prisoner of war. I actually registered as a Republican in 2000 to vote for him over George Bush. I've since cast off that R like a help shirt.)

I can't help but wonder if John McCain has met some children with severe and full blown autism (hoping that calms the Asperger's/HFA folks) and drawn the parallel of the tiger box he was held captive in for so many years and the prison of autism for some folks on the spectrum?

I wish you readers could see the uncontrolled tantrum one of my beautiful daughters had for the last hour and the stress it put on all five of us here, most of all on HER. She does not like being out of control. She even says, "No screaming. It's OK. No screaming-- as she escalates in fight or flight terror. The tantrum had to do with a monthly female situation and the sensory agony it brings to my sweet child. For her, autism is a prison. No doubt about it.

Kim Stagliano
managing editor ageofautism.dom
HuffPo blogger
Tired Mom who just wants to help her kids




"

[CraigWilloughby]

I will admit that his response surprised me; pleasantly, but a surprise nonetheless. I am a card carrying member of the Disgusted Party (our symbol isn't isn't a donkey or an elephant, but a raised finger...I'm sure you can guess which one). The government, both republican and democrat, has a long-standing tradition of sweeping the Autism-Mercury debate under the rug and forgetting about it. Honestly, I've only been keeping a moderate interest in the primaries, so when I heard McCain's response, it got my attention.

Our latest administration, and the monkey who runs it, has come under a lot of fire in the recent years from parents of autistic children because of both their ignorance and because they ignore it. Having a republican nominee echo such a contriversial subject, in favor of the parents, gives me cause to admire Mr. McCain because it may well be political suicide when his opponents get ahold of his response. However, I sadly must take his response with a grain of salt and wonder if he had an underlying agenda in what he said.

The fact of the matter is, very few members of our government understand what it is like for an autistic family. Like you, I am currently exhausted and stressed after my 6 year old son went into one of his screaming fits...3 hours of extremely loud, ear-piercing, high pitched shrieks while trying to beat his head against the wall. Myself, my wife, and my 2 other children (my 8 year old daughter, btw, has mild Aspergers. My youngest, she's 4, is the only one who didn't get vaccinated and the only one not exhibiting signs of ASD) have had the police called on us numerous time by our neighbors (I live in a duplex). Fortunately, my local police are very understanding and just check to make sure we are ok. Stagmom, I'm right there with you and I know what you are going through.

[Kent Heckenlively]

HuffPost's Pick

Dear David:

As probably one of the few people who has read and commented on all 4,665 pages of the Autism Omnibus Proceeding I can only say John McCain is responding as any intellectually honest person must when they review this evidence. I have long believed as Lincold did that when you give the people all the facts, the majority of them will make the right decision.

The evidence of the three cases was compelling and clear. Something has happened to our children, and the government doesn't have a reasonable answer. By contrast, the bio-medical community is recovering many children. The difference could not be more profound. I don't understand the reticence of the medical community to look at these recovered children.

It's a little like General Patton in World War II, who after taking the city of Messina in Sicily from the Nazis received an order from headquarters telling him not to take the city. He turned to his aide and remarked, "What the hell do they want me to do? Give it back?"

We've got some of our children back. We're not going to stop until we've got them all back.

All the best,
Kent Heckenlively
Legal Editor, Age of Autism

[HRoger]

I love this article and your last paragraph gives me goosebumps! thank you again!
xo,
Heidi