As a doc, here: The only scientifically sound way to study the effects and efficacy of any pharmaceutical is a placebo-controlled, prospective, double-blind study, wherein control and treatment groups are matched for factors other than the medium under study, and in which neither the subjects nor the investigators know who’s taking what until it’s over. Drawing retrospective conclusions from pre-existing, uncontrolled data isn’t.
RFK, Jr, who’s ignorant of science and appoints only people who reject it, promised he’d discover the cause of autism by September. Having no ability to conduct a proper investigation, nor time enough and judgment, he unearthed a publication that aggregated prior Tylenol studies. That it challenged Trump’s ability to pronounce its generic name was likely unintentional.
The association between acetaminophen and neuro-developmental disorders, of which autism is one, was thin at best, and the authors so stated. Some of the included reports showed none at all. Nevertheless, desperate to have something, anything, by his promised deadline, Bobby regurgitated it, undigested. Lacking comprehension but not self-regard, Trump bought it like bitcoin. Since then, his Truthless Antisocial posts, reminiscent of his bleach, light, ivermectin, and hydroxychloroquine cures for Covid, esteemed physician that he is, have multiplied the recklessness. If it weren’t so dangerous, it’d be laughable.
With time running out, after years claiming vaccines are culpable, RFKJ, or the worm in his brain, grabbed whatever was handy. Curiously, before this clock-stopping breakthrough, he’d cut millions in funding for autism research. The last thing he wants is proof he was wrong.
More could be said, but there are other pressing matters.
Remember when America’s assiduous guardians of democracy, U.S. Reps James Comer and Jim Jordan, were rooting out “government weaponization” by President Joe Biden? When, after years of made-for-Fox shoutings (once known as hearings) they came up with nothing? Now, when Trump’s weaponization is as obvious as the bronzer border on his face, the silence from those justice warriors resounds throughout our democracy, the demise of which they’re pursuing with Trumpophilic zeal.
Blind to historical echoes and current implications, the Make America Gruesome crowd will cheer whatever Trump does. To everyone else, forcing the indictment of James Comey through the compliant hands of Pam Bondi should be recognized as step 999 on the journey of a thousand toward dictatorship. Also his pledge to go after others on his enemies list, including former Democratic presidents. His plan to redefine protest and disagreement, constitutionally protected in times past, as domestic terrorism takes it far past the line. The goal is to eliminate all forms of opposition, on the thinnest of pretenses. It ought to illicit revulsion in every thoughtful American. Among the FoxoMAGAfied, it’s received worshipfully.
The dire ramifications can’t be overstated. Absent pushback from conservatives-in-hiding, it could be the end. “The land of the free and the home of the brave,” indeed.
When Trump-appointed prosecutor Erik Seibert found no grounds to indict Comey and resigned instead, Trump chose a yes-woman with no prosecutorial experience who did as ordered, despite being advised against it by other DOJ prosecutors. Corruption? Weaponization? With Republican-controlled Congress and six-ninths of the Supreme Court scrambled-egging him on, he needn’t hide it. He just threatened federal funds to NYC if its citizens elect a particular mayoral candidate. Holy Mike Johnson refuses to seat a newly-elected Democratic representative who’d be the determinative vote to release the Epstein files. Respect for democracy and elections? Not in MAGAmerica.
Been to Portland lately? Our son and his family live there, happy and unafraid. To justify another military invasion, Trump called it “war-ravaged,” which, even when those few downtown blocks saw not-peaceful protests, it never was. Today, that’s as far from the truth as Trump always is. Local responses have been pure Portlandia, but it’s no joke. More than Trump’s election lies, this unwarranted show of military force augurs the end of freedom, and not just in blue states. His hunger for power is borderless. His aim is intimidation, leading to subjugation everywhere. Does anyone still wonder how it happened in 1930s Germany?
The master plan has been employed by dictators since history began. If Trump is ill-equipped to have studied it, the people truly in control, Project 2025’s Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, know it by cold-blooded heart. They’ve been grooming him as their figurehead since before he rode that escalator down. And downer.
Before the election, Trump made his anti-democracy intentions unmistakable. MAGA elected him because of it. The only surprise is how quickly American institutions, including media and universities, law firms, and congressional and red state Republicans flecked their genues. Do those hoary final words of the National Anthem still apply?
Will military leaders cave, too? After the embarrassment they were subjected to at Quantico by an obviously unfit Commander in Chief and a preening, peacocking “War” Secretary, maybe not. We can only hope.

This was a good one Sid. I feel we’re in crisis mode now. Especially after the meeting of generals. I can only hope they have the courage they’re supposed to have. In that speech Taco was basically calling for war on liberals. We the people have to be at the front of the line to prevent this and I hope there are true heroes in the military who will honor their pledge to the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteAs they sat silent, most looked kinda horrified. There might be some refusals to follow orders soon, and firing, and promoting people who are fine with breaking the heads of citizens.
DeleteI think there are plenty of service members who found the Pete and Donald circus abhorrent. I have faith in them.
DeleteI have read and enjoyed all your columns since I last posted a comment on your blog. This period of time has been a challenge for me, and I have struggled with ways to express my near despair at what we have become. I hate to admit it, but the MAGA tactic of flooding the zone has had its desired (on their part) effect in rendering me nearly silent and withdrawn. I keep up as best I can but concentrating on long articles or op-eds takes a toll on me.
ReplyDeleteI thought the silent military was a hopeful sign. I felt it showed their contempt for Pete and Donald. Another hopeful sign to me is that the Epstein 'files' are going to be released fairly soon, when the newest member of Congress is finally sworn in. I want the names of everyone--Democrat or Republican--who participated in the abuse of those girls who are now women. They all need to pay.
Sid, there was a letter in the Herald a couple days ago about healthcare and the medical community. It sat badly with me, and I wondered if you read it and had any thoughts.
I'm still here. I'm trying to live through this. I'm too old and cranky to go away.
Glad to hear from you, Mary Ellen. I share your sense of despair. It's wearing me down, too. I think the only reason I keep writing is, even tho the readership rounds off to nothing, that I don't want "them" to win. However, it sure seems they're winning, no matter who says what about it.
DeleteI keep waiting for the not-insane conservatives (who, in theory, still exist) to rise up in meaningful numbers. That militaristic and malicious attack in Chicago ought to horrify everyone who doesn't share Trump/Bondi/Vance/Hegseth pathology.
The only recent letter in the Herald I found about healthcare was urging approval of the long-term care bill. Is that the one that concerned you?
The author is Ted Neff. The title/ headline is "Clear warnings of failures of medical research". From September 29th.
DeleteAh, yes. I remember reading that and wondering why he feels that way. An anti-vaxxer, maybe.
DeleteGo to 1:05:00 to hear me speak. :O)
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