Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIH functionary since 1968 and multimillionaire, a corona virus celebrity who became the face of the establishment during the pandemic. In Nov. 2021, he made the impressively grandiose statement in regards to criticism directed at him, “But they’re really criticizing science, because I represent science”
by Reid Fitzsimons
I have some friends who are into natural remedies. Sometimes they ask my thoughts, as a retired medical practitioner (PA), about various substances and treatments they might have heard about. When I was younger, I probably would have repeated the standard line- there is no scientific evidence it provides any benefit- but now I’m more, “what the heck, if it’s harmless, give it a try.” Recently they asked about tree-derived substance from Southeast Asia called kratom, something that has been used indigenously for centuries and said to be an analgesic, stimulant, antihypertensive, and to enhance sexual functioning, among other things. In researching this substance I realized it has actual drug properties, including opioid components. It is not illegal at the Federal level, but has been made illegal in several states and other countries. It has a number of potential adverse effects, and is not something I would take lightly. In fact, the FDA notes it has no scientific data that would support the use of kratom for medical purposes and warns the public NOT to use any products labeled as containing kratom, due to reported deaths. And the FDA can be trusted……….correct?
Something happened just shy of three years ago, something that effected the world and perhaps forever changed the relationship between people and governments (or at least traditionally free and democratic governments), this being the corona virus pandemic. Three years later, it’s both fascinating and deeply disturbing to look retrospectively at actions taken by governments and, equally troublesome (if not previously inconceivable), the scientific and medical establishment. Up until 2020, I was pretty much all in for standard, allopathic medicine. Certainly over the years I had been aware of that some study was the ultimate study that proved this or that medicine or treatment was perfect, until the next ultimate study refuted the last ultimate study and the new finding became the gold standard that could never be refuted...until the next study: it truly is necessary to understand that science and medicine are NOT infallible by any means, because in the end science and medicine are products of people who are fallible, and may well have selfish and self-interests influencing them. Nevertheless, within context, I embraced and supported the orthodoxy.
Alfred
You should submit this article to the press. There are some who would print it with glee.
Carole Ann Milljour
Wonderful write-up, Reid, and I certainly agree with Alfred on having this article submitted to the Press and maybe too, Letters to the Editors whom you feel would have the most impact on John Q. Public. (If they don't place limits on words...not sure how that works anymore!) You certainly bring to light so many various aspects of what transpired throughout our unfortunate COVID years!
I have to tell you, if Donald Trump had not been President at the time this country got affected/infected, I doubt any of us would have survived. He did a marvelous job considering all he had to deal with and that went beyond COVID. He did not shut us down or shut us up! He also kept us informed almost daily!
When Biden took over (I don't mean got elected either ... I still feel that was a farce) but none-the-less restrictions became his power (or Obama's I should say). We were then under so many mandates it was pathetic. Were we still considered a "free country" - that was certainly up for debate and still is now that the left has done so much more damage. I do believe it will end well for this country, but not for those who stifled our lives and well-being(s).
Like you said, Reid, about George Floyd and what ensued afterwards, the left will use any catastrophe to control which can destroy the fabric of our society as we've come to know and appreciate it. So much damage and so many people that are still not aware of what is really going on.
I met a professor in Potsdam, years ago, (about 1993 I believe) who held a lecture for a history class at Potsdam State and was trying to enlighten those students about WWII and what Hitler did to the Jews and they didn't understand or care to. He told me that the class didn't believe a word of it. Hard to believe, I know, but it did come from him, after holding that lecture, and to say the least was truly downhearted that same day that I ran into him.
So, if it was that bad then, and people didn't know what went on and didn't care to, it is even worse now. ...but now we are facing that possible reality in our own country. COVID was one of the contributing factors to this possible downfall, but throughout the years, many other problem situations worked up to this as well. Take away a person's freedom to speak, their religious beliefs, their guns, their jobs (without the booster lots lost them), along with adding confusion and descension to the mix, etc., etc. it can be catastrophic! I think now more people are beginning to wake up (but not as many as should be the case) and are standing up against this bureaucratic bullshit (pardon my French) that's been slung around the country far too long.
We are no longer a free nation when we give up our rights to those fools who just want to scare us and take them away. Great job, Reid, you brought out so much that most people would never realize if they didn't see it in such a clear cut and intellectual format. I hope you do decide to send your article along! ...as I said before, too, you should do a book to include all your articles. That certainly would be a truly wonderful asset to all Conservative minded individuals (and hopefully others as well) throughout the years beyond us.
Anything anyone of us can do to make people stand up and take attention is a good thing for each and every citizen of this great nation! In God We Trust and as my mom use to say, "God helps those who help themselves"! We need to help ourselves maintain our freedoms and one of the best ways to accomplish this oftentimes is to bring things to light. We have been stifled far too long and far too often! Love your articles and website! Great job as per usual!