Support

I've posted about this previously but I feel it is necessary to revisit the topic.

Why must we compete with one another? Why are we incapable of working together and supporting each other? There are several websites out there for support. You name the topic and there are circles of people that band together for support. <-- Well, that was the original intention. There are communities where people feel the need to be sanctimonious about their ideals. For example, I have a friend who we'll call, Rita*. She called me the other day, nearly in tears, because she was being assaulted for not breastfeeding her first child. I won't go into all of the gory details, but this was not an option for her and it was upsetting to her to not be able to. Instead of banding together, in this instance, as mothers, people chose to attack her for this "decision". 

If you really think about it, as a society, we do this often to our peers. It's one thing to disagree but it's an absolutely different thing to assault those who disagree or make other choices. When did we stop debating/discussing/conversing and start being disrespectful? Stop bullying your peers. I feel sad for our society sometimes.

Vaccination Rant

As usual, I've decided that people are dumb. What's so infuriating is that they don't have to be so dumb. They let idiots sway their decisions. Fucking sheep.

At least this sheep is cute.

Sorry. I'm currently enraged about the hype around not vaccinating your children. 

There are several things that make this unfathomable to me. 

1. I don't know about you but I don't want my kid to get:

• smallpox
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• fucking polio.
• others

2. The rest of us like herd immunity. This happens when the majority of a group receives a vaccination. Then, if a horrible virus/bacteria spurs up, it will not run amok because of a lack of susceptible hosts. 

3. If you are worried about Autism and its possible link... Why? Where are you getting your information? Is it a credible source? 

I'm going to pause here. Please take a moment to read this: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/autism.vaccines/index.html

Wakefield was stripped of his license. He was accused of intentionally skewing results because of an employer. He selected cases that would benefit his agenda. He used no control. Here's a wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield Seriously, Google him. Plug his name into JSTOR. This man's actions are still imprinted in people's minds. 

If you have concerns with the preservatives in vaccines, opt to break up the shots. Sure, it's more shots but the doses are greatly reduced. Whatever your reasons, I strongly believe that vaccines should be required for children. As an adult, feel free to screw yourself up. You then have a reasonably strong immune system. 

I'm so tired of semi-celebrities waving their flags for causes that they haven't researched. If autism has affected your family, I'm truly sorry, but quit pointing fingers. Vaccines save lives. That's all there is to it.

Even Autism Speaks does not recognize this as information. Please see: http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/policy-statements/information-about-vaccines-and-autism

Whatever your decision, for the love of [insert spiritual religious/whatever figure here], please please please please research it for yourself. The internet and the *gasp* library are resources to be used to educate yourself. Be wary of your sources. Don't believe what you see a "celebrity" just because of their star power. Make sure that they can back their shit up. Educate yourself.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the smallpox virus has been 100% erradicated because of the smallpox vaccine?