About this blog.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 24 months. I created this blog to bring meaning to the often-confusing label. Sometimes I have answers. Other times, just more questions.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Just putting it out there, Part II

I see a pattern:

Each group is located in TX. The philosophy of each group is tinged with anti-government conspiracy theories. Each is led by a charismatic leader who inspires near blind faith in their respective followers. Is the biomed movement a cult? Draw your own conclusions.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

What an idiotic inference

Chuck said...

Using your logic:

Pueblo Indians live in New Mexico and the first atomic bomb was created in New Mexico, so Pueblo Indians are a nuclear power.

Your argument is as logically flawed as mine is.

Laura said...

Vicky, I resemble that remark.

Chuck, it was half in jest, but even so my analogy is stronger. Biomed is like a cult. Recruiting, check - its members try to convert the masses, using organizations like Generation Rescue. Profiteering, check - consider the cost of those supplements. Preying on the desparate, check. Devout faith beyond the point of reason - study after study has not supported the vaccine/autism link, yet the biomed movement is undeterred. etc etc

Chuck said...

Neurodiversity is a cult. Biomedical intervention is a cult. ABA is a cult. Mainstreaming is a cult. Federal support for parents is a cult. Your belief that your son’s diagnosis is correct is a cult. The belief that the APA has accurately defined ASD is a cult. All of these groups have profited in one way or another due to their followers beliefs.

Name anything that is related to ASD that ISN’T a cult according to your criteria.

Laura said...

Hi Chuck,
Biomed is distinct from the others in two material respects: charismatic leader + anti-government tinged philosophy.

Chuck said...

Proof that the government is a GOOD thing for the ASD community please?

IDEA has never been fully funded and the 06 Autism bill helps no one now.

There is no way to extol the virtues of the government since they have none.

And the government is FULL of charismatic leaders.

Chuck said...

Is the US government a cult?
Recruiting, check (welfare, social security, special interest, government contracting)
Profiteering, check (The government is not a business. It must take the money it spends from others)
Preying on the desparate, check. (see recruiting)
Devout faith in the government beyond the point of reason, check (Katrina as a small example)

Laura said...

When I use the term "anti-government", I mean fundamental distrust in our system of government.

Obviously, there's room for improvement in public policies, across the board, including ASD. Lobbying for change isn't "anti-government."

Look, I'm not saying that biomed is actually a cult. I'm just pointing out some eerie similarities. Present company excluded, many believers do seem a bit brainwashed.

Chuck said...

If you trusted the government, why would you need or want to change it?

Laura said...

First, I pointed out that lobbying for change in POLICY is not an indication of mistrust. PUBLIC POLICY and GOVERNMENT are distinct.

Second, the impetus for GOVERNMENT reform may be in part mistrust (e.g. campaign finance reform). But efficiency and elimination of waste are also reasons for government reform that have nothing to do with mistrust.

The bottom line is that "mainstreamers" generally have faith in the CDC and the mainstream scientific establishment. There's certainly room for improvement, but that's not an indication of "fundamental mistrust."

Chuck said...

How do you define "fundamental mistrust." of the government?

What government agencies do you "fundamentally" trust?

Laura said...

I have fundamental trust in the CDC.

Judith U. said...

LOL funny ... (And since I grew up in Texas, I can say that!)

Chuck said...

"I have fundamental trust in the CDC."

That is not a statement I have heard from CDC employees.

Mom26children said...

Problem is..no one has raided the Thoughtful House YET...

Laura said...

mom26children, LOL, tell me about it. g-d knows what he's doing to those kids. It might not be as bad as Jessup, but I would hazard a guess that hyperbaric oxygen chambers may be involved...

Chuck said...

"g-d knows what he's doing to those kids."
It isn't going to be nearly as bad, or remotely as many, as the known adverse reactions to prescription drugs given to children. The "mainstream" medical community has a monopoly on that.