A Bipartisan Attack on Vaccines
A Bipartisan Attack on Vaccines
An inspiring story from capitalist Hell, the worst candle in the world, and more.
Much respect to HBO for concluding the highly acclaimed Chernobyl two days before my subscription ended. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking my fancy science degree to my new job at the nuclear power plant.
THE FREEDOM TO BE KILLED BY 19TH CENTURY DISEASE
Most voters only care about who resides in the Oval Office, and that means state legislatures are some of the dumbest people in America. That’s true in Ohio, where two back-benchers have united to make life easier for idiots who read a Facebook post and now think vaccines cause autism.
From Laura Hancock of cleveland.com:
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Employers cannot refuse to hire, fire or “discriminate” against employees who have not and will not be vaccinated, under a newly introduced bill in the Ohio House.
House Bill 268 allows people to sue employers if their employment is affected by their lack of vaccinations. It’s the latest bill in the Ohio General Assembly that gives deference to the theories that immunizations are harmful, amidst a measles outbreak that is in part blamed on people believing misinformation about vaccinations.
HB 268 is sponsored by Reps. Ron Hood, a Pickaway County Republican, and Bernadine Kennedy Kent, a Columbus Democrat.
“It’s a freedom bill for people who are being coerced into having a vaccination, as a condition of employment,” Hood said.
Ohio Republicans love using the word “freedom” in their arguments, even if it’s the freedom to die from a disease America eradicated 50 years ago.
Hood is one of the kookier members of the Ohio House, and one I had not paid much attention to him until I saw a video of him ranting about the Satanic enemies he battles against against in the cozy confines of his chimpanzee brain.
I recommend clicking through to watch the video, even if Right Wing Watch misidentified their target as a Matt (to be fair he does look like a Matt):
Alas! You might have noticed this is a bipartisan bill, and it’s no surprise to find my least favorite Democratic representative has hitched her name to the crazy train.
It’s par for the course for Bernadine Kennedy Kent, who announced earlier this week she’s going on strike after the Democratic Caucus wouldn’t let her into meeting on account of previously evicting Kennedy Kent from the Democratic Caucus.
From Jim Siegel of dispatch.com:
A Columbus Democrat says she will not return to the Statehouse or her legislative office until Ohio House leaders address what she calls the “disorderly, egregious and disrespectful actions of two rogue employees.”
Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent, who has had a troubled relationship with the House Democratic caucus and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, filed a four-page complaint with the House this week alleging that caucus legal counsel and the minority deputy chief of staff prevented her from entering a caucus meeting. Kent said she was “forcibly pushed back” by Sarah Cherry and Andy DiPalma.
“I believe Cherry and DiPalma intentionally conspired to set me up to be arrested and charged with a crime,” Kent wrote in her complaint. “I also consider Cherry and DiPalma’s conduct to be racially discriminatory and a violation of my constitutional rights.”
Just embarrassing for everybody involved, including our great state. Again, why are educated young people fleeing our state? It’s a question that confounds our leaders. Maybe one day we’ll figure that out.
IT’S ONLY A HEARTWARMING TALE IF YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT IT
One cool thing about living in the only developed country without universal healthcare is seeing hellacious stories presented by local media as heartwarming tales of kindness.
The tornados that wrecked Dayton last week claimed the insulin supply of 15-year-old Kelsey Belcher. In a normal country, that would be no big concern because insulin is cheap and readily available.
In America, the land of the free and home of the brave, it’s more complicated. Thankfully for Belcher, a wealthy benefactor saved her life.
From Bryn Caswell of abc6onyourside.com:
When rummaging through the aftermath, Kelsey found all 15 of her cancer related medicines and insulin supply contaminated, making $4,000 worth of vital, monthly medication, unusable.
“They are just child proof lids and they were just taken off and debris was sitting inside of them,” said Shana. “It was just we had nothing, nothing.”
…
Dayton Children's Hospital, stepped in, the Belcher's said giving Kelsey all new medicine for free.
“The grace of God,” Kelsey added. “That’s who's been keeping me strong and going through it.”
Kudos to Dayton Children’s Hospital, but I envision a world in which the charity of wealthy hospitals isn’t needed to help disaster victims replace vital medicine.
OHIO STATE AND THE POINTS AGAINST MICHIGAN? DID I DIE AND GO TO HEAVEN?
Calling my accountant today to justify applying for a $500,000 loan to travel to the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and bet on Ohio State (+3.5) vs. Michigan.
From Nathan Beighle of usatoday.com:
Different year, same story. The Ohio State Buckeyes will open up as 3.5-point underdogs against their most hated rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. But, considering the disrespect they’ve been receiving nationally, this doesn’t come as a shocker.
Yes, the Buckeyes lost Urban Meyer. Yes, they lost Dwyane Haskins. But, we’re talking about the Ohio State, a team that’s beaten the Wolverines seven-straight times, and fourteen of the last fifteen – the last three of which have been in Ann Arbor.
The odds-makers just never learn.
What I love about these stories is knowing that some Michigan Man is out there, right now, reading the same article, nodding his jelly face, and saying, “You know what? This is our year, baby!” before placing a big boy bet that will land him in divorce court before the year is out.
THE WORST CANDLE IN THE WORLD
Listen here, Simple Nature of Fort Wayne, Indiana —
Ohio ain’t perfect. Lord knows I talk about its imperfections too much in my humble newsletter. However, you’ve got me twisted if you think I’m going to stand on the sidelines while bumblefuck Indiana trashes our state.
Indiana is a worse version of Ohio in every way. The only thing to do in Indiana is get the hell out. If we made a candle called Indiana, it would smell like burning trash.
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