Oops- Drug Company and Psychiatrists in Collusion to Push Drugs- says Researchers, Profs, Ex-Drug Company Reps and Other Experts

(After being informed that the online video I linked to was made by an organization perhaps sponsored by Scientologists, I deleted the link. But then I looked at the video again and there were so many experts in the field and it was compelling enough that the link is here again.)

Did not realize the last post linked to a scientology sponsored video….it is deleted….oops now it is here again, (my woman’s prerogative!): YOU DECIDE!!!!….YOU ARE FREE TO  CHOOSE!

 

http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-side-effects

http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction

 

 

 

Ben Goldacre and His AIDS Theory

I for one, am glad that Ben Goldacre has come out with a new theory about the AIDS epidemic: “Homeopaths Cause AIDS!”.

I’m glad because his shrill rhetoric has gotten to the stage of hysteria such that pragmatic and good people will now see it for what it is: baaaad science cult hysteria.

Of course everyone knows what really caused the AIDS epidemic- the pharmaceutical industry!!!!

Check this horrific video of an interview with the former head of Research for Merck:

Click here to go to the goodscience.wordpress.com blog and see the discussion and a link to the video.

Of course, maybe, just maybe, a widdle biddy virus might be causing it. (I put this in the language that I think, but of course I can’t scientifically prove, that Ben Goldacre and his bad science cult members might understand).

The Defenders of a Bad Scientific Outcome

OK, I get it. Finally. I was wondering why the bad science members defend modern conventional medicine with such vigor. And why they minimize serious side effects including death and a very high rate of iatrogenic disease.

I even see that for every barrage of news reporting some deficiency or dangerous discovery about the effect of some conventional medication(s) THEY do the damage control. Why is that?

Here’s one of the reasons: if you actually admitted that the problems with modern medicine are on such massive proportions as they appear to be then you would have to admit that the scientific methodology that underpins it is also seriously FLAWED.

With recalls of medications on such massive scales it appears to the more pragmatic amongst us that the double blind placebo controlled trial is NOT a good predictor of efficacy nor safety.

Vioxx

Sinusitis

Cough

and so much more!

How Do You Get Anything Dark and Heavy?

 

How Do You Get Anything Dark and Heavy?

Get baad science cult members to swarm and comment on it.

“A sense of humor is not scientific”

OK, Swarm that comment….

For those of you new to this scene: Why do I call them a cult of quackbusters, debunkers and bad science?

Because…

they definitely fit the definition of a Cult:

1. followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
2. an interest followed with exaggerated zeal

But also, my apologies to you of lightness and mirth because if you want to see how to make something light heavy read some of the comments here in- but only if are on a strong chair because eventually you will get heavier and heavier and heavier and heavier…

Because….

response Mode of major cult members epitimized by Simpson/Gimpy et all can be summed up in one word-

Pedantic

Definition of pedantic:

1. ostentatious in one’s learning.
2. overly concerned with minute details or formalisms

 

 

Cheap Theatrics + Ben Goldacre= Null Bad Science Hypothesis= Null Balance, Null Fairness

Ben Goldacre has learned well from his teacher, the great Randini. Goldacre has learned how to debunk with flare and loss of scientific balance and fairness, (mind you Randini, a professional entertainer, magician and the grandfather of debunkers didn’t have any science in the first place). And my, my all the fame Goldacre has gotten which has emboldened those with similar aspirations but with the same level of training as Randini, to become instant experts and scientists.

To be fair and balanced, though, I have to mention the theatrics here on this blog which have certainly garnered a dramatic increase in attention and traffic. It may be that Andy Lewis will have to programme his own name into his censor-meter.

But here is the homeopathy Null Balance, Null Fairness tally:

Goldacre does an opinion piece under the guise of scientific inquiry.

Null Balance, Null Fairness.

Goldacre includes all the studies that come to negative conclusions about homeopathy but FAILS to include THE study, (from Lancet itself!) that comes to a positive conclusion about homeopathy.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.
Goldacre bases the majority of his opinion on one study which has been severely criticized for bias, poor methodology, lack of transparency. Lancet editors responded about Egger, the main author, “He admitted bias therefore there is nothing wrong with the study.”

Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In futher articles, Goldacre fails to mention that much of current medicine is the art of the practice of medicine and not the science. Many techniques used in medicine especially surgery has not gone through the double blind evaluation.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In a sidebar to Goldacre, Lancet in an attempt to bolster its “science” that homeopathy is dangerous includes the fact that there is 1(!) malpractice suit against a homeopath in India. It fails to mention that there are 250,000 homeopathic doctors there. Lancet also fails to mention the dramatic and abysmal state of conventional medical malpractice issues and successful wrongful death suits in conventional medicine.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

Goldacre fails to interview or converse with the thousands of level-headed homeopaths who would not dangerously stop conventional medications or prevent patients from getting conventional medical attention especially for emergency situations.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In evaluating and debating homeopathy can we have some balance and fairness?

Debating Homeopathy in a Vacuum

I’ve noticed in the ‘debunking of homeopathy debate’ that so many things are missing and ignored as if this discourse should not take place in real time.

The debate process has been one where any general observation or experience except for the double blind argument has the oxygen sucked out of it. It becomes an argument for pure science without bringing into the debate the reality that medicine is not a pure science and that the incidence of acute and chronic disease overall has not really diminished in spite of trillions thrown at it. Its as if this is all about a laboratory test without human contact.

What is ignored:

1. Modern medicine has many techniques that have not passed the double blind standard; least of which is many surgical techniques.

2. The double blind has not brought us a scientific predictability of side effects, (who and when) even though some cause death. There is continual re-qualification of double blind and clinical studies.
3. Iatrogenic disease is responsible for a significant percentage of hospital beds and injuries, deaths.
4. There are over 250,000 homeopaths in India and many homeopathic hospitals.
5. Significant numbers of practitioners of homeopathy have gone through traditional medical school and opted for homeopathy. Homeopathic professionals are located all around the world.
6. Medical doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are one of the most sued individuals and corporations in the world.
7. In contradistinction, the number of deaths and injuries from homeopathic remedies or from attempting homeopathic modality exclusively is minute in comparison, particularly if you factor in 250,000 Indian homeopaths. Lancet was careful to point out that there was one malpractice suit against a homeopath in India but failed to give a figure of the number of malpractice suits against medical doctors there or in England for that matter.
8. Many extremely intelligent professionals have opted for homeopathic care with a high degree of satisfaction.

9. The level of homeopathic patient satisfaction is extremely high and we are talking about MILLIONS of satisfied individuals.
Unfortunately, the bigotry against homeopathy has also evolved in a vacuum, where only skeptics have had sway and where homeopaths have had to defend themselves against a cacophane of shrill voices yelling “danger”.

I do think that modern medicine provides many valuable and important services and that homeopathy can enhance the modern health consumer needs.

The Positive Benefits of Homeopathy

This post is to extoll the wonderful benefits of homeopathy that my family, friends and myself have experienced.

Homeopathy works with the body’s own healing mechanism rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

Here is a description of Homeopathy from the Society of Homeopaths Website:

Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.

• Homeopathic treatment works with your body’s own healing powers to bring health and well being.
• Patients are treated as individuals, not as a collection of disease labels.
• Homeopathy treats all your symptoms – mental, emotional and physical.
• Homeopathic remedies are gentle, subtle and powerful.

Also this is an interesting quote from the National Center for Homeopathy’s web site:

Charles Frederick Menninger, MD (1862-1953)
Charles Frederick Menninger, MD was the original cofounder (with his son, Karl Menninger, MD) of the famed Menninger Clinic, the internationally respected mental health clinic, initially located in Topeka, Kansas. He was a homeopathic physician and the head of his local homeopathic medical society. He also authored numerous articles published in homeopathic medical journals. In one of these articles, he stated with vigor, “Homeopathy is wholly capable of satisfying the therapeutic demands of this age better than any other system or school of medicine.” He goes on to assert, “it is imperative that we exhaust the homeopathic healing art before resorting to any other mode of treatment, if we wish to accomplish the greatest success possible.”

Great New Homeopathy Blog

Here’s a great new homeopathy blog-

Homeopathy 4 Health

Add that to some other wonderful homeopathy blogs on the right under “links” and we see that homeopaths are justifiably taking a lead in describing the wonderful health giving aspects of homeopathic treatment.

“Honey Beats Cough Syrup”

I know, I know I was a uneducated nitwit according to those advocating only science based medicine. I always gave my kids and myself honey for coughs instead of pharmceutically engineered cough syrups. And there was no scientific proof for this honey thing and it was just an old wive’s tale.

Well, look now there is scientific proof.

Link here to Guardian Article “Honey Beats Cough Syrup”

Well before I was a nitwit and now I’m a “scientist”. Well, how do you like that?

Homeopathy is in the Bible

Unlike conventional medicine, homeopathy has as a consistent basic principle similar cures similar which is applied to every case. There are some very interesting examples of this principle of similars in the Old Testament. It has led many religious leaders and scholars of the Old Testament such as Schneerson, to believe that the principle of homeopathy is biblically ordained.

…but they could not drink any water there because the water was bitter…and the people complained to Moses. “What shall we drink?” they demanded. When [Moses] cried out to God, He showed him a certain tree. [Moses] threw [a small branch of] it into the water, and the water became drinkable.

It was there that [God] taught them a decree and a law, and there He tested them. He said, “If you obey God your Lord and do what is upright in His eyes, carefully heeding all His Commandments and keeping all His decrees, then I will not strike you with any of the sicknesses that I brought on Egypt. I am the God Who heals you. (Ex. 15:23-25)

And they brought it to him. And they went out to the spring of waters, and cast salt in there, and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; there shall not be from there any more death or miscarriages.” So the water was healed to this day, according to the saying of Elisha… (II Kings 2:19-22)

” Human beings heal bitterness by sweetening it, but God heals bitterness with bitterness.”