Current Events > Texas Republican says Vaccines are 'Sorcery'

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https://www.newsweek.com/anti-vaxx-texas-republicans-sorcery-jonathan-stickland-parental-rights-1418960

An anti-vaxxer Texas lawmaker is facing criticism for attacking a prominent vaccinologist and branding inoculations "sorcery."

Republican Rep. Jonathan Sticklandwho left the hardline conservative Freedom Caucus last weekbegan a Twitter spat with Peter Hotez, a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine, on Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Hotez had been lamenting an increase in vaccine exemptions, which he said put children "in harm's way for the financial gain of special and outside interest groups." But Stickland accused Hotez of hypocrisy and suggested that parental rights to reject vaccinations were paramount.

"You are bought and paid for by the biggest special interest in politics," Stickland wrote to Hotez. "Do our state a favor and mind your own business. Parental rights mean more to us than your self enriching 'science.'"

Hotez rejected the assertion. "I don't take a dime from the vaccine industry," he wrote. "I develop neglected disease vaccines for the world's poorest people. And as a Texas pediatrician-scientist it is most certainly my business." Hotez also said that such an outlandish accusation was "impressive, from a member of the Texas House of Representatives."

But Stickland stuck to his guns. "Make the case for your sorcery to consumers on your own dime," he replied. "Like every other business. Quit using the heavy hand of government to make your business profitable through mandates and immunity. It's disgusting."

Other Twitter users began sending messages of support to Hotez, who later thanked all those who rallied around him. "Never thought I would see a Texas legislator launch an unfounded personal attack. Time for some House ethics rules (and some adult supervision)," he wrote.

Hotez told Newsweek that Texas is in a "dire situation," with more than 64,000 children denied vaccinations "due to an aggressive anti-vaccine lobby here tied big dollars in PAC funds." He noted anti-vaxxers are being given momentum through the advocacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.the son of assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedywho heads up the anti-vax Children's Health Defense organization.

"It looks as though there are a few bad apples in the legislature who will do almost anything for those funds and recognition, including the endangerment of children and attacks on pediatricians and medical school professors," Hotez added. "Hopefully order and decency will be restored soon."

Stickland, whose Twitter profile says he is a "Christian Conservative Liberty Loving Republican," engaged in arguments with several other Twitter users off the back of his debate with Hotez. In one, the representative asked a user, "Vaccines are dangerous,don't you agree?" and in another attacked "another guy in a white coat who thinks he's a better parent than everyone else!"

"I will fightwith everything in meagainst the big government you desire," he wrote to another doctor. "One where you can force me to do things against my will. One where the state owns my children. Take a hike communist."

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the gov. doesn't own your children.

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myzz7 posted...

the gov. doesn't own your children.

This is a weird anti-vaxxer reaction.
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DeadBankerDream posted...

This is a weird anti-vaxxer reaction.

He's not too good at this.

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Unfortunately there's no vaccine for idiocy

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they can call it what they like. but it sure saves my ass from getting preventable childhood diseases. everyone should get vaccinated against those diseases unless they're medically exempt.
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Why do I get the feeling she's said the same thing about basic algebra, phones made after 2002 and modern medicine in general?

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Unspecified_NPC posted...

Unfortunately there's no vaccine for idiocy

That wouldn't work either. The people who need it don't take vaccines.
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I knocked up an anti vaxxer chick.

Good thing I only have to pay child support for 5-6 years.

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TreyFlowers posted...

I knocked up an anti vaxxer chick.

Good thing I only have to pay child support for 5-6 years.

Well that was dark.
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DeadBankerDream posted...

That wouldn't work either. The people who need it don't take vaccines.

Fair point lol

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TreyFlowers posted...

I knocked up an anti vaxxer chick.

Good thing I only have to pay child support for 5-6 years.

lmfao

DeadBankerDream posted...

Well that was dark.

Well they say anti vaxxer jokes are like anti vaxxer children.

They don't get old.

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People say that anti vaxxers come from all sides of the political spectrum but I've only ever encountered right wing ones IRL, online, or articles like this.

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Umbreon posted...

Well they say anti vaxxer jokes are like anti vaxxer children.

They don't get old.

Hiyooooooo

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Umbreon posted...

Well they say anti vaxxer jokes are like anti vaxxer children.

They don't get old.

I feel bad for laughing at all of these.
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Hotez bodies dumb politician
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DeadBankerDream posted...

I feel bad for laughing at all of these.

I don't, lol.
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Anti vaxxers are fucking crazy and they will be the death of all of us

CADE FOSTER posted...

Anti vaxxers are ******* crazy and they will be the death of all of us

Not if you're vaxxed, obviously.

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But they'll be the death of those who can't be vaccinated :/

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Texas Republican Says should be a meme
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Villain posted...

People say that anti vaxxers come from all sides of the political spectrum but I've only ever encountered right wing ones IRL, online, or articles like this.

Really?

Majority I've met are definitely more left leaning.

Look at the prominent actors who spout off about anti-vax stuff like Robert De Niro or Jim Carrey.

Could be that they are just more likely to bring it up though.

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Unspecified_NPC posted...

Unfortunately there's no vaccine for idiocy

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Vyrulisse posted...

lol is that him?
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Vaccines should be legally mandated. At this point, we have to put our foot down on this idiocy.

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Solar_Crimson posted...

Vaccines should be legally mandated. At this point, we have to put our foot down on this idiocy.

agreed. its biological terrorism; plain and simple.
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myzz7 posted...

the gov. doesn't own your children.

i bet the kids in question aren't thrilled

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How are time travellers from the Middle Ages getting elected to government?

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so this idiot who thinks vaccines are "sorcery" uses a magic box that can talk to other people without even using wires or other mechanical means, can harness the power of the sun to illuminate his house, and probably owns hand held weaponry that can throw small pellets with such a force and thunderous noise so as to kill a human at a distance even through metal armor.

but he draws the line at vaccines. adds up

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