bush will veto taking mercury out of vaccines

[proud2BlibKansan]

Bush Set to Veto HHS-Labor-Education Appropriations Bill Due to Provision to Remove Mercury From Infant Vaccines

SafeMinds and autism community call the White House declaration
'irresponsible and dangerous'

WASHINGTON, July 18/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the
Congressional Quarterly, the White House stated on Tuesday that President
Bush would veto the HHS-Labor-Education Appropriations Bill because of the
cost and "objectionable provisions" such as a measure to ban the use of
childhood flu vaccines that contain thimerosal, a mercury-based
preservative.

Autism advocacy groups are outraged because President Bush stated in a
questionnaire during his 2004 campaign: "I support the removal of
Thimerosal from vaccines on the childhood national vaccine schedule. During
a second term as President, I will continue to support increased funding to
support a wide variety of research initiatives aimed at seeking definitive
causes and/or triggers of autism. It is important to note that while there
are many possible theories about causes or triggers of autism, no one
material has been definitely included or excluded."

But since 2005, President Bush has steadfastly refused to issue an
Executive Order banning high amounts of mercury in vaccines that would
protect children and pregnant women despite repeated requests from the
autism community that he uphold his campaign promise. Under his current
administration, mercury has been and will continue to be knowingly injected
into the youngest of American citizens. The controversial
mercury-containing preservative thimerosal has been linked by thousands of
parents as being the cause of their children's mercury poisoning and
autism.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-19-2007/0004628856&EDATE=

[Yael]

1. What in the name of all that is holy

is his objection to this?

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Big pharma probably doesn't like it

And we all know he cares more about them than the US people.

[Stephanie]

13. If they agree to take it out, they are admitting that it's harmful, maybe?

And thus they're open to liability lawsuits?

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Could be

[Duncan]

34. Bingo.

[TZ]

38. Its OUT OF VACCINES

except for SOME flu vaccines and thimerosol free is AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

[CGowen]

47. Are you blaming me? Check next time you accuse somebody

Yes, there is another one of THOSE threads by the exact same woo who posted it in health and got the crap kicked out of them about it, except this time in GD.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=247x11292

My thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x23236

[spanone]

46. Bingo !

[jberryhill]

29. Depends on what you mean by "this"

The mercury thing is one amendment in a $607 billion package:

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1934712920070719

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a massive bill to fund U.S. health, education and labor programs next year, ignoring White House warnings that President George W. Bush would veto it as too bloated.

(...)

The bill would spend about $10 billion more than Bush requested. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat, said, "This is the bill that makes the investments that will make our country stronger economically, educationally and socially not just today but for the next 10 years."

Bush and Democrats agreed on $455.5 billion included in the bill for "mandatory" programs, such as the Social Security retirement benefits and the Medicare and Medicaid health-care programs for the elderly and poor.

Bush is threatening a veto over the remaining $151.5 billion for "discretionary" programs because it is more than he wants.


The OP is an "it's all about me" PR Newswire piece. The mercury amendment actually cut funding to the CDC.

[depakid]

49. Yep- always check the source...

There's more going on here than sitting up the vaccine pot.

[C_U_L8R]

2. the most pathetic president we've ever had

a truly bad bad person
awful

disgusting


hateful

[madokie]

4. he's just flat out 180 degrees out of sync with the rest of us

[supernova]

5. He's in pissy, stubborn, hunker down mode

He's going to veto things simply for the sake of vetoing them, no rationale about it at all, other than to be contrarian.

[young_at_heart]

6. How on earth does he sleep at night?

His actions have caused nightmarish consequences in so many areas of life that I find myself wondering how he manages to continue----something doesn't add up!

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. He's a fucking evil monster

and needs to be IMPEACHED ASAP.

[Stargazer99]

11. He sleeps quite well after all like Barbara Bush said

"why should she worry about the deaths of our soldiers?" Says it all

[diane in sf]

56. His behavior makes me think the David Icke giant alien lizard theory might have some merit

Cheney, Bush and the PNACers may not actually be human.

This also explains why they like global warming so much--they're trying to make Earth match their hot lizard temperature home planet.

[donsu]

8. neo cons must own mercury sources

nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Yep

[mzmolly]

24. See my post below.

:hi:

[jberryhill]

54. Then why did this provision's sponsor have an ACU 93% rating

The anti-mercury provision in this $607 billion appropriation bill is Dave Weldon (R-FL).

He has a 93% rating from the American Conservative Union: http://www.acuratings.org/2006all.htm#FL

The provision at issue would not ban mercury vaccines. It would ban the use of federal funds to administer any mercury-containing flu vaccine to children under 3 years old.

[Canuckistanian]

10. WTF is this? Is he bowing to the all-powerful mercury lobby?

I'm not one who subscribes to the theory that thimerosal causes autism, but any attempt to get poisonous heavy metals OUT of our medicines should be praised, not discouraged.

And since when is he concerned about the COST of medicines???

[Stargazer99]

12. He is only worried about the cost to the Corps...people

can go to hell

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. I don't follow that theory either

I am a special ed teacher and I have paid very close attention to this debate. There is still not enough scientific evidence to link thimerosol in vaccines to autism.

HOWEVER, it certainly can't be good to inject mercury into our children. This is such a no-brainer. I am really just stunned that bush will veto this bill. He is even more of a heartless bastard than I suspected.

[jberryhill]

43. So, you are in favor of federal funding of abstinence education?

And you favor cutting funding to the CDC?

This bill, which is a $607 billion dollar appropriations bill, includes a lot of stuff, such as a $141 million dollar appropriation for abstinence education in public schools.

The mercury amendment that was put into it by a Republican, included a $5 million dollar cut in funding to the CDC, not all of which was put back into the final draft.

[Stephanie]

14. I was under the impression that this was already done -

Can someone fill me in? I have a new little nephew now and I'm concerned. I thought they'd already taken the mercury out of the vaccines?

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. They took it out of all the vaccines except the flu vaccine.

So as long as your nephew doesn't get a flu shot, he won't be getting thimerosol. BUT you can request a thimerosol free flu shot.

[Stephanie]

21. okay thanks

:hi:

[BurtWorm]

15. "Autism is good for business,"

:patriot:

[AwakeAtLast]

18. "No Child Left With a Functioning Mind"

or -

"No Child Left Without Mercury in the Behind"

Take your pick.

:grr: :nuke: :grr: :nuke:

[MrMickeysMom]

20. It just shows he'd do anything to keep Amuraka stewpid

Plus, this is in keeping up his own image of being a stupid fucking liar.

By the way- have you called your congressional rep today in support of signing HR 333? Please do.

[sakabatou]

22. "Poisoning kids is good for freedom!"

"Heh, heh, heh."

[mzmolly]

23. Well, daddy was a big wig at Lilly and they make thimerosal, so

it's not puzzling to me personally. ;)

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/649/

The elder George Bush sat on Lilly’s board of directors in the 1970s, and White House Budget Director Mitch Daniels was a Lilly executive. Lilly CEO Sidney Taurel was named by President George W. Bush to the Homeland Security Advisory Council. In November 2002, Congress passed a provision, tucked into a spending measure for homeland security, to indemnify Eli Lilly from lawsuits and require families to seek compensation through the federally funded Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. It was repealed in February 2003 after public outcry. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) still hopes to pass a similar bill. Congressional consideration for Eli Lilly makes sense: In the 2002 election cycle, the company gave more than $1.5 million to federal candidates, with three quarters to Republicans, making it the fourth-biggest giver in the pharmaceutical industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In the current election cycle, the company already has given close to $230,000 (67 percent to Republicans) to federal candidates.

http://zmagsite.zmag.org/May2004/levine0504.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/12/eveningnews/main532886.shtml

This is why it puzzles me that questioning vaccines is considered a "right wing" venture. What a crock.

[w8liftinglady]

25. refer to this price list and who makes our vaccines

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/cdc-vac-price-list.htm

[antigop]

27. I think you may also find this chart helpful

http://opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=H04

[rucky]

26. I was told several times - right here on the DU -

that the RFK Jr. expose on Thermoseal was a load of crap and they don't put it in vaccines anymore and haven't for years. There were even articles cited.

As a parent, this misinformation really pisses me off!

[Canuckistanian]

30. All the studies ruled out direct causation

But it doesn't mean that mercury is not a factor. I believe that the autism increase is due to several causes at once, some genetic, some environmental.

Mercury MAY be a factor, but to hear RFK Jr., it was a world-wide conspiracy with doctors and researchers gagged and bought off all over the world. Sorry, I ain't buying that.

Still, getting PROVEN poisonous substances out of our vaccines should be a no-brainer.

But then, who's the most brain dead person in the country?

[mzmolly]

32. RFK Jr. doesn't say mercury is THE cause. He believes it's a factor. And considering the science

surrounding global warming is convoluted by "scientists" who claim it's a myth, at the behest of big oil, it's not a stretch to say that money talks. Especially if you know how the US FDA opperates today. The vaccine/drug approval process are loaded with conflicts of interest. Don't take my word for it, google Marcia Angell.

RFK Jr. is on the money with vaccination, and some day he'll be vindicated by scientific "consensus." However, that wont happen as long as mercury is making money for big pharma.

Still, getting PROVEN poisonous substances out of our vaccines should be a no-brainer. On this we agree.

Peace

[jberryhill]

28. This is not a "take the mercury out of vaccines" bill

That was one amendment to a $607 billion appropriations bill....



http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/76735.php

The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday by voice vote approved a $607 billion fiscal year 2008 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, CQ Today reports. The bill includes $151.5 billion in discretionary funds, exceeding FY 2007 discretionary spending by $7 billion and topping President Bush's FY 2008 spending request by $10.6 billion (Wayne, CQ Today, 7/11).

(...)

The committee approved an amendment by Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) intended to remove a mercury-based preservative from children's vaccines. That amendment also would have reduced CDC funding by $5.5 million, but $3.5 million of the funding was restored in a subsequent amendment by Committee Chair David Obey (D-Wis.). The House is expected to debate the bill next week.


The PR piece quoted in the OP makes it sound as if this bill is about mercury in vaccines. It's not.

[moc]

33. Don't try to be rational.

It's all a big damn conspiracy, didn't you know?

:eyes:

[mzmolly]

35. That's even worse.

The House bill would increase spending on health care for the uninsured by 9% above FY 2007 levels and Bush's request for FY 2008. Funding for the uninsured includes a 10% increase on spending for community health centers. The $2.2 billion in total funding for community health centers would be enough to expand services to one million additional low-income patients, CongressDaily reports. The bill also includes $1.1 billion to prepare for a potential avian flu pandemic. Earmarks in the bill total $565 million -- a 50% reduction from earmarked funds in the appropriations bill that was approved two years ago (Cohn, CongressDaily, 7/12).

The Bush family has a personal interest in keeping mercury in vaccines, see my post below for more info. Of course they also have an interest in keeping health care from the many Americans.

[MonkeyFunk]

36. which vaccines, other than flu, contain mercury?

[mzmolly]

44. Many contain what is deemed "trace amounts."

From the FDA - Scroll down here: http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm

A calculator from the NVIC - http://www.nvic.org/calc.htm

More info here: http://www.nvic.org/Issues/mercury.htm

I think the "mercury has been removed" propaganda campaign has been so effective, many are not aware that any vaccines contain mercury today? That said, the "there is no link" meme is still floating around quite nicely. :P

:hi:

[Cerridwen]

39. As noted in the title of the article linked in the OP as well as the first paragraph

in the article linked in the OP.

Bush Set to Veto HHS-Labor-Education Appropriations Bill Due to Provision to Remove Mercury From Infant Vaccines

SafeMinds and autism community call the White House declaration
'irresponsible and dangerous'

WASHINGTON, July 18/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the
Congressional Quarterly, the White House stated on Tuesday that President
Bush would veto the HHS-Labor-Education Appropriations Bill because of the
cost and "objectionable provisions" such as a measure to ban the use of
childhood flu vaccines that contain thimerosal, a mercury-based
preservative. (emphasis added)

[jberryhill]

42. The article implies that the veto threat is based on the mercury provision

It is a $607 billion spending bill which includes $10 billion more than Bush requested. It expands health insurance programs for the currently uninsured so, yes, of course Bush is against it.

Look, I'm no supporter of the administrations health care non-policy, but I'm mystified as to why someone would pay good money to put out a PR Newswire piece making it appear that the only thing in this huge appropriation bill has to do with mercury in vaccines.

The bill includes $141 for abstinence education.

So what is one to make of this, "Mercury Vaccine Opponents Seek To Promote Abstinence Education In Schools"

Would that also be an objective characterization of what is going on with this appropriations bill? No.

[Cerridwen]

48. And your previous post implied that the article in some way implied

that it was a "'take the mercury out of vaccines' bill" which it was not and which they did not; in short, sort of a conspiracy of conspiracy theorists trying to catapult a conspiracy theory.

I don't agree that they "made it appear that the only thing in this huge appropriation bill has to do with mercury in vaccines". The article clearly stated it was an appropriations bill and then went on to note that the threat of veto was due in part to "cost and 'objectionable provisions' such as a measure to ban the use of childhood flu vaccines that contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative."

It goes on to note that this is a recurring theme with the shrub. The PR people put out a release focused on their area of concern within the appropriations bill.

I responded to the implication of your post that the article had tried to mislead by stating, as you said, that it was a "take the mercury out of vaccines" bill; which the article did not, in fact say.

There are many characterizations that could have been made as to why shrub plans to veto; a group concerned with mercury and its relationship with medical health focused on its issue.

[jberryhill]

50. No, I don't accept that

Without a reference to the WH objecting specifically to that provision, which was introduced by a Republican, the PR article is misleading, as evidenced by the posters in this very thread who were led to believe that the WH objection is premised on the mercury thing.

The headline says that the WH objection is "due to" the mercury thing, and if the article is going to refer to "objectionable provisions such as X" then support is needed for the proposition that X is itself objectionable.

For example, it contains $141 million for abstinence education, is that another "such as" provision that is also objectionable.

Bottom line is that the bill contains 10.6 billion dollars more in funding than the WH requested, and for programs to which Bush has clearly and vocally objected, such as expanding insurance programs for the currently uninsured.

Even the "such as" dodge requires careful reading. The intent of the PR piece is to make others believe that WH objections to the bill are premised on the mercury amendment put there by a Republican.

a group concerned with mercury and its relationship with medical health focused on its issue.

By making an unsupported and misleading characterization.

[Cerridwen]

51. Then, we don't agree.

I read it one way, you another.

Okay.

[jberryhill]

52. It is an objective statement of causality, not a matter of opinion

The article says:

"Bush Set to Veto HHS-Labor-Education Appropriations Bill Due to Provision to Remove Mercury From Infant Vaccines"

That provision is either a stated reason for the threatened veto or it is not.

What the article objectively states is not a matter of opinion.

Furthermore, the amendment at issue, which was put there by Weldon (R-FL), does not ban mercury in vaccines anyway. Do you know what the actual amendment says?

[Yael]

41. Thanks -- that makes more sense

[Cass]

31. Unethical and immoral.

He is more concerned with big business interests than people. Pure slime.

[TZ]

37. Its ONLY in FLU vaccines AND you can get THIMEROSOL FREE ones

The whole bill is pointless since this is the case.

[mzmolly]

45. Nope, that's not the case.

See my reply to monkeyman above.

[PurgedVoter]

40. Bush doesn't want to eliminate autism

If we reduce autism, then only narcissists and co-narcissists will remain in his 'base.'

If baby's and young children can get enough affection, and thimerosal stops being used, his party would cease to exist in a few generations.

This also explains the anti-choice position. If you force parents to have children that they do not want and cannot take care of then you naturally set up an environment where narcissism has a high chance of setting in.

[seasat]

53. Heck, Mercury made him the man he is today.

Why would * want to ban it?

[Hubert Flottz]

55. Bush is always against anything that helps anyone but Wall St.