It's time to open up a can of Streisand. The author of the autism blog Neurodiversity, along with many other blogs and other online entities, has been subpoenaed to produce what amounts to her entire life to aid in some frivolous autism suit. The only thing they didn't ask her to do was submit to a speculum exam (don't get any ideas, bastards!).
This is truly outrageous. It is a clear attempt by a group of (forgive me, please PP) demented fucking wackaloons to intimidate a humble New Englander who enjoys writing.
Time to get the word out!
Addendum:
Orac and others have pointed out that the lawyer involved is the real bad guy here. It's hard to blame devastated parents, but this Clifford Shoemaker guy should be ashamed of himself.
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Dear Mr. Kirby and Mr. Olmsted:
You are both journalists. I realize that neither of you at present work for the traditional press and that both of you seem to devote yourselves mainly to blogging (Mr. Olmsted at the Age of Autism and Mr. Kirby at the Huffington Post), but I have to believe that you…
You have got to be friggin' kidding me!?
Kathleen Seidel, blogger at neurodiversity.com, has been subpoenaed by Rev. Lisa Sykes and Seth Sykes to appear in their case against the Bayer company. Their case alleges that mercury additives to vaccines caused their son's autism.
Now Seidel is a…
Your Friday Dose of Woo has been interrupted to bring you an important rant. The previously scheduled installment will be delayed and will appear later on in the day.
This is more important.
A common characteristic of cranks and denialists, be they antivaccinationists or large corporations or…
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Kathleen Seidel, a blogger at neurodiversity.com, who was being intimidated via subpeona by a lawyer for anti-vaccinationists. The lawyer, Clifford Shoemaker, represents plaintiffs in a lawsuit against vaccine manufacturers alleging that mercury in their vaccines…
Unbelievable. This case is unbelievable. I wrote something about it here.
Let's spread the word.
It took the link out. Here's for try number 2:
http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2008/04/autism_cranks_attempt_to_i…
http://www.californiacoastline.org/images/2002/small/3850.JPG
So could we maybe we call up a certain lawyer and ask him politely if he knows the definition of the Streisand effect?
This is definitely getting out of hand... I hope someone can give Kathleen some good legal advice.
Thanks, y'all.
There is a poll available at the legal site asking:
Do you believe that thimerosol in vaccines has contributed to the autism epidemic? Yes NO
Currently at 75% in favor of NO.
Consider promoting the poll.
Science isn't a matter of public opinion.
Two sentence's at the Shoemaker & Associates site told me all I need to know about these people:
"If you believe your child developed autism as the result of vaccine received, there are certain things you should know. First, you need to determine whether you can file a timely claim..."
Really? I'd figure the first thing you would need to determine is whether or not that's a legitimate belief. The way that's phrased makes it sound like Shoemaker & Associates' motto should be "Litigate them all and let God sort them out."
I'm not sure which does the most harm to our society-- lawyers being allowed to advertise their services or pharmaceutical companies being able to advertise their pills.
They took the poll off the site. Damn. That was fun while it lasted.
Re Will K's comment: I see a bumper sticker...
A cartoon of a speeding ambulance followed by an attorney waving a legal paper:
Above: "Chase 'em all - let the courts sort 'em out"
Below: "Thank you for helping a lawyer buy his next Lexus"
Perhaps we could have a competition to find the most appropriate variant.