One of my reality-deprived Myspace friends just sent out a bulletin they’d reposted that already had several degrees of separation from the original poster. That bulletin was concerning the most recent news concerning flu shots:
—————– Bulletin Message —————–
From: byronsabird (94750170)
Date: 9/28/2009 10:30:45 PM
Subject: NY Times Says Some People Who Take The Vax WILL DROP DEAD!
-..-..-..————– Bulletin Message -..-..-..————–
From: Margaret (294247991)
To: (94750170)
Date: 9/28/2009 9:00:02 PM
Subject: NY Times Says Some People Who Take The Vax WILL DROP DEAD!-……..-……..-……..————– Bulletin Message -……..-……..—————
From: Guy (160998170)
To: (294247991)
Date: 9/28/2009 7:45:16 PM
Subject: NY Times Says Some People Who Take The Vax WILL DROP DEAD!
THE VAX! OH THE HOLY VAX! THE VAX IT FREAKIN POISON THAT MAKES SOME BIG MONEY MEN BIGGER MONEY!! THAT IS THE FACT JACK!! WHY ARE THEY SAYING WE SHOULD NOT BLAME THE VAX WHEN IT IS UNTESTED AND MADE WITH KNOWN CARCINOGENS??
Oh no! That sounds scary!!
Cue the dramatic prairie dog:
Apparently though, none of the posters of this bulletin or the originator of it bothered to actually read the article. . .or you know, the very next sentence:
As soon as swine flu vaccinations start next month, some people getting them will drop dead of heart attacks or strokes, some children will have seizures and some pregnant women will miscarry.
But those events will not necessarily have anything to do with the vaccine. (NY Times – “Don’t Blame Flu Shots for All Ills, Officials Say”)
[...] far heavier than this particular instance on ad hominem attack and dishonest reporting here, here, here, here (also from Adriana Gamondes who’s responsible for the latest offending article), here, [...]