“A song about vaccines. What would old-timey folks think about vaccination? If they knew then what we know now, what would they choose to do?”

I think I’m getting better at editing looooong videos into shorter ones.  First, I’m learning to make shorter clips by not running the camera for more than 30 seconds — I’m always worried that I’ll miss something cute, cool, or weird. During post, I’m often loathe to cut my precious babies’ scenes, but I have been better about following the 5-second rule — or at least the 10-second rule…

This one is Anita going down the waterslide…

And this one is the ever-charming Isa meeting with success…

Yet another parody using that old Hitler movie. This one’s about JB Handley (as Hitler) and the antivax kooks over at Age of Autism.

Coutesy of Heraldblog.

Wonders never cease! WorldNetDaily, the usually anti-science bastion of reactionary sensationalism has published a scientifically accurate article: “Don’t buy the vaccines-autism myth,” by Phil Elmore.

You will find very few rational, reasonable individuals who deny the proven technology of modern electrical appliances, or who think they are qualified to repair them without training. It is common knowledge and accepted practice that such devices are the purview of skilled professionals. Any citizen who takes a little time can become a reasonably educated amateur, of course. The technology is complicated, but not impossible to understand, especially at a general level. We may know that we are out of our depth when it comes to the specifics of how these devices operate, but we also know to whom we can go for assistance when something malfunctions.

For some reason, however, otherwise rational human beings seem to suspend their better judgment where medical technology is concerned. I refer specifically to the growing movement whose members are today spreading the false notion that getting your children vaccinated will somehow give them autism. Some frightened parents are reacting by applying lengthened vaccination schedules – or skipping certain vaccinations completely.

This hysteria would not be nearly so widespread if not for the fact that it is propagated within popular culture by celebrities, most notably Jenny McCarthy. This sometime actress, television “personality” and former Playboy model is a vocal activist within the anti-vaccination movement. It wouldn’t be quite so frustrating that people listen to what celebrities like McCarthy have to say, except that to fight the mindless propaganda repeated by these individuals, rational people must enlist celebrities of their own. They can’t rely solely on facts, research, or the testimony of professionals thoroughly familiar with the technology in question.

I thought the “appliance repair” analogy was brilliant!

The anti-vaccines folks are apparently too “out there,” even for WorldNetDaily, which published a whole series of articles about how “Soy is making kids ‘gay’.”

Strange times, indeed.

Hat Tip to Respectful Insolence.