# New movie "Vaxxed" reopens discussion about the link between autism and vaccines **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 15, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420 "2016-06-15T13:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/361 "2016-06-25T14:03:19Z")
Update on the Canadian couple whose 19-month-old son died from meningitis due to their neglect (and who were praised as “wonderful” people by the producer of the movie “Vaxxed”): light sentences were handed down yesterday. [http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/06/24/four-month-sentence-for-father-in-sons-meningitis-death](http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/06/24/four-month-sentence-for-father-in-sons-meningitis-death) Apparently it was not a good idea for the couple to let themselves be interviewed by Del Bigtree and Polly Tommey of the “Vaxxed” team, as the judge indicated he was appalled by dad’s attitude\* (he blamed the ambulance crew called when the child stopped breathing at home (rather than the useless potions he and his wife gave the kid during the two weeks he was suffering) and framed the case as a parental rights issue). \*if the father hadn’t come across as such a self-centered and clueless prig in the interview, he might’ve gotten off with a brief period of house arrest like his wife. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/362 "2016-06-25T16:15:32Z")
“In the interest of promoting facts…”? What facts did I get wrong? I neither said, nor implied, that case was about immunizations. But the Dad, didn’t “feel” it was likely meningitis, even in the face of a nurse suggesting it might be. (My point, for those who found it unclear.) ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/363 "2016-06-25T17:31:57Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > My final thoughts. Bullshit. Your mind is obviously not capable of forming cognizant thought. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/364 "2016-06-26T00:00:56Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > “In the interest of promoting facts…”? What facts did I get wrong? > > I neither said, nor implied, that case was about immunizations. > > But the Dad, didn’t “feel” it was likely meningitis, even in the face of a nurse suggesting it might be. > > (My point, for those who found it unclear.) In the interest of further promoting facts: 1. Ezekiel Stephan died of bacterial meningitis. 2. The most common cause of pediatric bacterial meningitis prior to development of an effective vaccine was Hemophilus influenzae type B. 3. Hemophilus influenzae (which wasn’t or couldn’t be specifically subtyped) was detected in Ezekiel Stephan’s postmortem exam. 4. Ezekiel’s parents didn’t get their children vaccinated. Bottom line: this child may well have died as a result of his parents’ antivax views\*, but we don’t know for sure. What we _can_ say is that the child died due to use of quackery and neglect on the part of his parents, and that members of the “Vaxxed” team were highly supportive of the parents in spite of this. \*David Stephan tried to blame his prosecution on a government conspiracy to bring about universal forced vaccination. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/365 "2016-06-26T00:22:13Z")
Or we could say, as with the OP, this father let his ‘feelings’ override sound science. Sheesh, why’s that so hard to see or understand? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/366 "2016-06-26T01:22:14Z")
I should be upfront saying I got the equivalent of the ‘DPT’ shot the “natural” way. I wish I hadn’t. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/367 "2016-06-26T06:49:28Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > “In the interest of promoting facts…”? What facts did I get wrong? > > I neither said, nor implied, that case was about immunizations. > > But the Dad, didn’t “feel” it was likely meningitis, even in the face of a nurse suggesting it might be. > > (My point, for those who found it unclear.) My bad, and point taken. Given that the thread had been focusing upon vax vs no vax, I wrongly assumed the wrong inference in your post. Apologies **elbows**. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/368 "2016-07-19T01:46:03Z")
The co-producer of “Vaxxed”, Del Bigtree is now calling for armed resistance against the government over vaccines. From a video of a QA session after a showing of the movie: - “Anyone who believes in the right to bear arms. To stand up against your government. I don’t know what you were saving that gun for then. I don’t know when you planned on using it if they were going to take control of your own body away. You can see the video [here](https://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2016/07/19/del-bigtree-crosses-the-line-tells-vaxxed-audience-nows-the-time-for-guns/). Bigtree and two cohorts met with a Utah congressman (Republican Jason Chaffetz) last month to call for Congressional hearings into the “CDC whistleblower” affair. Wonder how badly Chaffetz wants to ally himself with someone this corrosively nuts. Bigtree (in the video): “At some point, we have gone too far.” Yes, Del. You have. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/369 "2016-07-19T02:01:37Z")
I think Del Bigtree should bring his “armed resistance” into the currently running Republican convention. They already have a bunch of ex-wrestlers and reality stars and most of the Trump clan giving speeches – a few gun-totin’ anti-vax lunatics will fit right in. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/370 "2016-09-10T08:14:41Z")
And [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=803776) you go again being a fact-resistent dumbass of the worst kind. I’d add you to the “troll” thread, but I really think you are this incapable of rational thought and genuinely think you’re raising valid concerns. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/371 "2016-09-10T22:00:46Z")
You talkin’ to me? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/372 "2016-09-10T23:26:15Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > You have based your conclusions on bullshit. Worse, easily debunked bullshit. > Let me help. > > When a scientist _falsifies data_ in a report, then that scientist cannot be trusted about science issues. _Ever again._ Never again can you count on anything this ‘scientist’ has to say. Period, full stop. That person’s integrity is gone. It cannot be gotten back. > > If a child caretaker is proven to have molested a child, then you can never let that caretaker watch another one of your kids. EVER. Doesn’t matter that they say they have repented their sins or served their time. Would you leave your kids with him\her? Even if this person says the words you want to hear? No. They are forever out of the child care business. Anyone who leaves their child with this person is an idiot. > > Same with Wakefield. Anyone who listens to him on science matters is an idiot. > > Which brings us to you. You stroll in with a stupid OP. Nothing wrong with that. Ignorance is not a crime or anything. But lots of folks have brought you truth. They brought facts. They have brought _knowledge_! And you have discounted it. Your ignorance is _willful_. So you are an idiot. **Or you are a troll**. Bolding mine. I decided long ago the OP’s a troll. He’s that or unbelievably uneducated, and someone uneducated to the degree he comes across as simply would not be spending time on this Board. No, just another troll. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420/373 "2016-09-11T12:21:03Z")
I do not understand why, in a country as lawsuit-happy as the United States, no one has brought a civil suit against the people who tout this kind of idiocy? I suppose it would involve admitting to yourself that you were harming the kid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-movie-vaxxed-reopens-discussion-about-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccines/757420.md?page=18)