You might have to read the title of the blog post more than once--it isn't complimenting Kennedy on what he claims will happen in a matter of months, but rather, if he gets an "answer' in that time, it won't be about the science. Mostly because everything he's saying is wrong.RFK Jr: "By September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we will be able to eliminate those exposures." pic.twitter.com/gSDVvsD9CH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 10, 2025
We don't have an autism epidemic; we have a diagnosis epidemic. We don't lack for research. There are multiple genes and epigenetic factors involved. You can't "eliminate" all potential exposures related to something that has multiple causes.
Also, and this is important: the way Kennedy speaks about eliminating exposure to a "cause" of autism makes me very concerned about what he thinks about autistic people, that the people expressing aspects of the autism spectrum are broken or less-then.
But here's a disturbing declaration for you:
Obesity, diabetes and heart disease have been called "epidemics", but there are strong genetic factors predisposing people to these conditions. Some people might point to the standard American diet, laden with unhealthy fats and sugar, as contributive, but a crappy diet isn't an environmental toxin. The idea that you "need" an environmental toxin for an epidemic is just bizarre: for traditional epidemics (bubonic plague, smallpox, measles, etc.) you don't need an environmental toxin--it just takes an infection by a bacteria or virus.RFK Jr on autism: "It is an epidemic. Epidemics are not caused by genes ... you need an environmental toxin." pic.twitter.com/ePQnNA81k3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 10, 2025
It's pure unscientific crap--said by a man who doesn't seem to understand germ theory or how the immune system works but already seems to have identified his "toxin"--probably vaccines.
You can only state with full confidence you can get to the bottom of a complex scientific issue if you feel like you can successfully demonstrate to enough people you were right all along. That's not how science is done--that's a put-up job.
I am contemptuous of the generalized and collective incompetence of the Trump Administration, but individually, RFK Jr's lack of competence in especially and particularly matters related to science is appalling unfitness that says loads about the scientific illiteracy of American culture, where some millions of people can hear what Kennedy said and think "That's great!" and not "Shit. That's problematic."
I really hate looking at Crazy Bobby;s face and seeing a future where we're sicker and dumber. Exposure to RFK, Jr.'s humbuggery is something I'd like to see us eliminate.
2 comments:
There's something in the water, that's what g'ma said, pointed to the back of the Fish & Game Guide: "Don't eat the fish ... " and they will go to great length, manufacture elaborate distractions ~ Free Bread and Circuses! ~ to keep you from finding out. There's something in the water
Yeah, I worry about my grandson, graduating high school in just a month, wonder what length they'll go to to cover that up ... and I've spent the past almost twenty years trying to figure out why. It ain't the vaccines ~ the Army hit me with everything they had, twice ~ there's something in the water
A lot of somethings in the water, I think--but this administration is the least likely to do anything about it. Vaccines have been tested, but meanwhile, we've got mercury, dioxin, we're probably brining back lead, tons of microplastics and assorted runoffs from fracking and oil leaks--that's the stuff that bothers me. And those industries don't mind throwing money around to not be investigated and to continue polluting.
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