An open invitation to Bill Maher

Hi Bill!

I think Ive figured out why youve been… unresponsive… to the Skeptical communitys efforts to educate you on vaccines.

All the people addressing you have been cranky old men.

I hearby offer to give you a personal crash-course in immunology, virology, and why scientists are so ‘into’ vaccines.

In my bikini.

Skeptic community gets you to quit spouting anti-vaccine BS on TV (and ‘Twitter’), you get an out for admitting youre wrong (’34D! Id believe anything she said!’) and can put this topic behind you.

Call my people.

Yours in Christ,
Abbie

Comments

#1 red rabbit
November 18, 2009

Lol! That’s the spirit!
#2 Q
November 18, 2009

Perfect! Season premiere of Real Time, here we go…
#3 Cain
November 18, 2009

…um…I don’t believe in vaccines, and HIV doesn’t cause AIDS, and BSL should be the law of the land because Jesus would have wanted it that way…and…Jews brought down the towers to cover up the fake moon landings!!

Can I have a crash course too?
Please
#4 Anon
November 18, 2009

Gotta love your people…
#5 KristinMH
November 18, 2009

As long as Maher stays clothed. He’s all pasty and creepy.
#6 Protagoras
November 18, 2009

What, we don’t get a picture of the bikini? (I realize you’ll probably now post a link to a picture of it lying in a drawer).
#7 Jared
November 19, 2009

virology: the study of poisons?
immunology: the study of exemption from prosecution?
vaccine: something from a cow?
#8 Roadtripper
November 19, 2009

Why would Bill Maher want to wear your bikini while you educate him?

Rt
#9 eddie
November 19, 2009

I admit I’m stumped. I read BM’s post linked above and thought it was mostly sensible. There were a few points where he said something and i thought; he’s gonna have to explain that further and he didn’t, but I thought it was largely sensible. Maybe what he says here contradicts something he said elsewhere; he claims to be misrepresented.
#10 PZ Myers
November 19, 2009

“cranky old men”? Moi? I have been dissed!

I can match your offer: I’ll teach him developmental biology in a bikini.
#11 Joshua Zelinsky
November 19, 2009

There’s also the minor issue of his apparent racial preference according to the linked article. Sorry Abbie but it looks like his own racial issues/fetishes may trip this one up. Still, possibly worth attempting.

Also, I’d pay money to see both PZ and you together both wearing bikinis explaining something actually complicated, say epigenetics.
#12 David Estlund
November 19, 2009

Christ, I hope this works. I just admitted on Orac’s blog that I currently am more disgusted by Bill Maher than Bill O’Reilly. That hurts me. Deeply. Granted, I’ll always think he’s a douche, but a douche I agree with most of the time is better than one I agree with except for the batshit crazy junk science.
#13 David Estlund
November 19, 2009

eddie @#9,
ERV is just elaborating on something that has already been taken care of by PZ Myers (http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/bill_maher_makes_a_not-pology.php) and Orac (http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/11/bill_maher_flames_out_over_vaccines.php), and I assume other sources as well, but that is beyond my knowledge. The Huffington Post blog entry that inspired both of the previous rebuttals has avoided addressing the previous responses by deleting comments that link to these blogs. That (I believe) is the purpose of this post.
#14 Grant
November 19, 2009

I wrote a running commentary of his blog article (independent of Orac and PZ’s comments as I wrote it slightly ahead of them) and I’m a bit puzzled by the lack of comments on his blog too.

He says it’s a “conversation worth having”. OK… so how about having it?!
#15 D. C. Sessions
November 19, 2009

I’ll teach him developmental biology in a bikini.

Meh. The best biological developments happen outside of the bikini.
#16 BeamStalk
November 19, 2009

Pics or it ~~didn’t~~ won’t happen…
#17 dNorrisM
November 19, 2009

Slightly OTP, but I’ve been reading Darwin’s Children about an ATTACK OF TEH KILLER ERV’S!. I don’t know what to make of it yet- it’s not very plausible SF IMO, but here is a $”:

Q: “Why do your vaccines fail?”
A: “The vaccines don’t fail; the organisms that get them fail.”
#18 Spidergrackle
November 19, 2009

Meh. The best biological developments happen outside of the bikini.

Sez you…
#19 Optimus Primate
November 19, 2009

Umm… yeah, I’m with Cain. I’m suddenly finding Maher’s arguments very persuasive.

Can I audit this course?

Srsly, though, rumor has it that Maher dated Ann Coulter. The fact that he didn’t deny it on national TV at the earliest opportunity makes his taste in women suspect in my book.
#20 Optimus Primate
November 19, 2009

PS: Is it wrong that I keep clicking on ’34D!’ in the hopes that something will pop up eventually?
#21 Nick
November 19, 2009

I want to go to there.
#22 Prometheus
November 19, 2009

I would like to hear Maher explain how discouraging herd immunity and causing polka dot problems is remotely justifiable as a proposition in utilitarian ethics.

I am prepared receive his explanation wearing nothing but a Warner bra, boxers and my black and white wing tips (sock garters are subject to negotiation but sparkle pasties are off the table).
#23 Sigmund
November 19, 2009

His current girlfriend is a neurobiologist.
http://www.sciencehouse.com/imagegallery/csantamaria/photo-gallery_csantamaria.html
I doubt that she believes the sort of nonsense that Maher promotes about medicine or animal rights. She’s even written for the Huffington Post without showing the usual signs of woo-dom. If she can’t convince him, and his celebrity scientist friends like Dawkins can’t get through then I doubt anyone on scienceblogs will succeed (bikini or not!)
#24 Josh
November 19, 2009

34D? Really?
#25 qbsmd
November 19, 2009

When I read Maher’s article, I started thinking about one possible downside of vaccination: viruses evolving resistance to immunization. Obviously, if no one is immunized, there is no selection for resistance, and if everyone is perfectly immunized, such that the virus is eradicated, there is nothing left to evolve resistance. But for partial immunization, there would be a selection pressure for resistance. Has anyone analyzed how fast viruses would evolve for various levels of vaccination in the population? Could we determine, for example, that if we aren’t vaccinating more than 50% of a population, then it’s likely that a strain will evolve within x years that the vaccinated 50% would be susceptible to?
#26 Pdiff
November 19, 2009

Optimus Primate: “PS: Is it wrong that I keep clicking on ’34D!’ in the hopes that something will pop up eventually?”

Sounds like something already has …..
#27 Gabby
November 19, 2009

I just got back from the theater shop and you wouldn’t believe how much I paid for a Bill Maher mask.

So uh… ERV… I’ll be seeing you soon.
#28 ERV
November 19, 2009

… His current girlfriend is a neurobiologist… If she can’t convince him…
Shes super cute! She can come too!

But I dont honestly expect a neuobiologist to know much about immuno/micro/virology, unless their research is directly related, and it doesnt look like hers is. I mean, you all dont think I know a lot about neurology (Cara) or embryology (PZ) just because I study HIV/AIDS, right?
#29 ERV
November 19, 2009

… viruses evolving resistance to immunization…
Depends on the virus.

Virus like polio, no. The virus you get in the vaccine doesnt look like ‘wild type’ polio, but youre still protected from ‘wild’ polio.

Virus like HIV-1, yes. A vaccine might protect you 100% against one variant, and 0% for another.

The meat of your Q, I dunno! I dont know if anyone has looked at that! But it would be different for every virus (mutation rates, viral target of the vaccine, immune response to vaccine, how the virus is spread, etc).
#30 KemaTheAtheist
November 19, 2009

Why does the second a girl mentions a bikini, breast size, or anything of the sort immediately start wanting pictures and make ungentlemanly comments?

I’m not saying I didn’t think the same things, but you don’t just come out and say you thought those things… You send an e-mail to Bill with a link and hope he accepts.

That’s the rule: Be creepy behind her back, not in front of her face.

Wait… Did I just break my own rule?
#31 The Central Scrutinizer
November 19, 2009

You’re right, Kema. It is a sinful, sinful, wicked thing to express admiration for/attraction to the physical/sexual properties of a woman. Even in a situation where she herself has raised the issue of those properties. Those guilty should sit in a corner, duly chastized, knowing that your classiness and chivalry have truly shamed them.

Or maybe it’s up to Abbie to decide if someone is being creepy and crossing the line to bad taste, and to respond in the manner she feels is appropriate.

Thanks for your concern (trolling)! Have a swell one!
#32 Gabby
November 19, 2009

“Why does the second a girl mentions a bikini, breast size, or anything of the sort immediately start wanting pictures and make ungentlemanly comments?”

In our defense, she actually mentioned a bikini AND breast size. When you combine the two it becomes more than the sum of it’s parts.

I’m sorry, I’ll crawl away in shame. To the land of obvious and immature jokes… where my people thrive.
#33 Azkyroth
November 19, 2009

Have a swell one!

Pun intended?
#34 Firemancarl
November 19, 2009

Hey Kema, c’mon. Give us a break. Abby is not only totally like all hott and stuff, but she’s smart too!! So, bikini , brains , and a healthy dose of “Tits or GTFO” makes our testosterone world go ’round. Besides, once many moons ago I had a female friend ask me “Now that you work for the FD , are you gonna be a male whore like all the other firefighters?” Well…
#35 Badger3k
November 19, 2009

How are you going to get Bill Maher to wear a bikini?

@6 – I’d actually expect the picture to be of Arnie in a bikini – or at least him having it in his mouth or on his head.
#36 cooler
November 19, 2009

What are you guys harping about? Bill maher has all the science on his side. The Government admitted vaccines caused Hannah Poling’s autism and paid her family through the vaccine injury compensation fund. Monkeys injected with the Thimerosal laced vaccine get brain damaged while controls do not, there are several other studies that link vaccines to serious adverse affects. 3 studies show that autistic patients urine has abnormal poryphrin pattern consistent with mercury poisoning. The science has spoken.
#37 Firemancarl
November 19, 2009

Really fer realz Cooler? If mercury were truly the cause why doesn’t everyone who eats tuna have kids who have autism? As much tuna as I eat, my great great great great grandkids sister brothers cousin who is gonna marry Capt James Tiberius Kirk , should be born with a new species of humans who have 100% of their fully cloned genes clogged with autism.
#38 Firemancarl
November 19, 2009

Cooler *cough*cough* Bullshit! The girl had a problem with her mitochondria and that is the root cause of all of her problems. Read on
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=66
#39 Azkyroth
November 19, 2009

What are you guys harping about? Bill maher has all the science on his side. The Government admitted vaccines caused Hannah Poling’s autism and paid her family through the vaccine injury compensation fund. Monkeys injected with the Thimerosal laced vaccine get brain damaged while controls do not, there are several other studies that link vaccines to serious adverse affects. 3 studies show that autistic patients urine has abnormal poryphrin pattern consistent with mercury poisoning. The science has spoken.

You again?
#40 cooler
November 19, 2009

There is a difference between injecting mercury vs ingesting it, also infants and pregnant women are warned about eating high levels of fish, for an adult can more easily handle the toxic effects of mercury than a infant or fetus.

I meant to say in the above post monkeys injected with the hepatitis b vaccine with thimerosal get brain damaged while controls do not.
#41 David Estlund
November 19, 2009

Hi Cooler (#40):

Please see Orac’s blog for your ~~deprogramming~~ hours of enjoyment.
#42 Cain
November 20, 2009

@30 Kema
I seems to me that ERV is in on the joke but I may be wrong. If it will make you feel better I think everyone should proclaim that Abbie is not attractive; does not have, both, a great mind and great personality and, based on that personality would not be lots of fun in the sack.

She is little more then a sack of water who sometimes writes about puppies and virii.

Are you happy now? Can we get back to enjoying ourself on this blog? That would be super.
#43 Tezcatlipoca
November 20, 2009

Why is Cooler derailing the thread? Weren’t we talking about 34D’s, a bikini and Arnie?

Thanks, ERV/Abbie for your offer of self sacrifice. I do believe there is also this thing every year called a Skepchick Calendar…

p.s. Arnie rocks!
#44 Dustin
November 20, 2009

This isn’t fair. I write all of my comments while wearing a sheer, neon pink bong thong and nobody so much as bats an eye.

I want to be able to start a tedious conversation by talking about my revealing swimwear, too. *pout*
#45 Azkyroth
November 20, 2009

Hi Cooler (#40):

Please see Orac’s blog for your deprogramming hours of enjoyment.

Please see Orac’s blog’s comments section for hours of attempted deprogramming of the aforementioned boneheaded little asswipe.
#46 Brian X
November 20, 2009

Abbie, have you ever heard “BrainsBodyBoth” by George Hrab? Just sayin.
#47 Paul Lundgren
November 20, 2009

I think Abbie should title the next blog post “Bikini!” and the hit totals will be so high, the royalties will bankrupt Seed Media.
#48 llewelly
November 21, 2009

“Yours in Christ,”

What? I heard that guy was a zombie … and he never got vaccinated.
#49 llewelly
November 21, 2009

Hi Cooler (#40):
Please see Orac’s blog for your deprogramming hours of enjoyment.

Please see Orac’s blog’s comments section for hours of attempted deprogramming of the aforementioned boneheaded little asswipe.

If the people who typed all those replies to cooler on Orac’s blog (not including the replies he got on Tara’s blog, or on other blogs) in only hours, they’re awfully fast typists.
#50 KemaTheAtheist
November 21, 2009

@31, 34, 42

What I said:

I’m not saying I didn’t think the same things, but you don’t just come out and say you thought those things… You send an e-mail to Bill with a link and hope he accepts.

^—– Suggested we do something more creepy than just a post on her blog…

That’s the rule: Be creepy behind her back, not in front of her face.

^—– Making a blatently obvious reference to stalking…

Wait… Did I just break my own rule?

^—– Suggested I just did exactly what I was just telling people not to do…

Was that really not enough to convince people that I was joking or did you just read the first sentence of my post and ignore the rest? I know Poes and trolls are a problem on the interweblags, but I thought I had said enough to make it obvious I was joking. Next time I’ll put a disclaimer at the top AND bottom to warn you next time I make a joke:

*******************************************
THIS IS A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY JOKE SYSTEM! THIS IS A JOKE! ONLY A JOKE! IT IS MENT TO CAUSE A SMIRK, SMILE, CHUCKLE, OR LAUGHER. THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! I APPOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!
*******************************************
#51 llewelly
November 21, 2009

I will bet 2 beers that ERV will wear the bikini on the outside of some leotards, superhero style.
#52 Central Scrutinizer
November 30, 2009

Kema, in retrospect, the humor content of your original post should have made it clear that you were only funnin’. I have no explanation for my spontaneous failure to get the joke and hope you will accept my humblest of apologies.
#53 KemaTheAtheist
December 3, 2009

@Central Scrutinizer

Accepted.
#54 pornonymous
August 16, 2011

That is fucking bold,actually possible, and truly feminist(ala Steinem and the bunny suit), and kind of kinky -hot. What next? Coitus interuptis in a blender?

Very funny post.”(’34D! Id believe anything she said!’)”

Rare indeed.I believe you already.
#55 Justicar
August 17, 2011

To show my support for this pressing issue, Abbie, I’ll join you in the same outfight you’re wearing. I’m not sure how we grade our ‘cup’ size, but I’ll do my best to put in a good showing. (You know those old loud-mouthed types on the boob [teehee] tube have odd interests, right?)

Girl/gay power!