Confounded

Can We All Stop Using the Kool-Aid Metaphor Now?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:50:02 -0800

Can We All Stop Using the Kool-Aid Metaphor Now?:

Seriously.
Using the phrase “Drank the Kool-Aid” is facile, dismissive, and utterly offensive.
I am a SF Bay Area denizen old enough to remember the day of the Jonestown Massacre, November 18, 1978,…

From NeuroLogica Blog: Some Muddled Thinking from Bill Maher

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:31:06 -0800

From NeuroLogica Blog: Some Muddled Thinking from Bill Maher:

Bill Maher has been getting a lot of heat lately and seems to be getting a bit defensive. He was particularly stung by Michael Shermer’s open letter in which Dr. Shermer thought it necessary to give Maher a basic lesson in germ theory.

Unfortunately, Maher has responded not by thoughtfully engaging his critics, but with a rambling defensive diatribe in which he simultaneously protests the criticism pointed his way while repeating and amplifying the pseudoscientific nonsense that garnered criticism in the first place.

From Better Health:Domestic Violence: More Common Than You Think

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:22:57 -0800

From Better Health:Domestic Violence: More Common Than You Think:

“The CDC estimates that 37 percent of women who sought emergency department care were victims of domestic violence.”

What? 37 out of every 100 women I have triaged?

Seriously?

“Domestic violence victims are more likely to seek treatment for chronic and psychological conditions.”

Okay. But no way have I been taking care of victims of domestic abuse – I mean, hello, wouldn’t it be obvious? The hovering, overbearing abuser who answers all the questions for the patient? The bruises that aren’t explained by the story?

You know, the stereotypical, classic scenario?

From Media Matters for America: Palin goes rogue on the facts

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:20:45 -0800

From Media Matters for America: Palin goes rogue on the facts:

In August 2008, when then-senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said the media had held her under a “sharper microscope” because she was a woman, Sarah Palin rose to condemn her, accusing Clinton of a “perceived whine” that would harm other female political candidates. “I mean, work harder, prove yourself to an even greater degree that you’re capable, that you’re going to be the best candidate,” Palin instructed Clinton.

From The Skeptical OB: Homebirth midwives don't want you to know

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:01:23 -0800

From The Skeptical OB: Homebirth midwives don't want you to know:

What would you think if the package insert for your new medication said the following?

“Our company, Drugs4All has tested this medication in 20,000 people and collected copious data about its effects. But we made a promise to Drugs4All shareholders that we will not let anyone see that data unless they can demonstrate that they will use it to promote the well being of our company.”

Stupak Amendment Demonstrates the Hypocrisy of Anti-abortion Politicians

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:24:18 -0800

Stupak Amendment Demonstrates the Hypocrisy of Anti-abortion Politicians:

“SEC. 265. LIMITATION ON ABORTION FUNDING
a) In General.—No funds authorized or appropriated by this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) may be used to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of…

For the Flowers of the Fields

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:32:05 -0800

For the Flowers of the Fields:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead….

In Praise of Sesame Street!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:12:11 -0800

In Praise of Sesame Street!:

Sesame Street debuted on PBS 40 years ago today.
It broke new ground in children’s television in a number of important ways. It was one of the first shows that didn’t talk down to kids; it presented…

Who Are You, Who Are So Wise in the Ways of Science?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:48:01 -0800

Who Are You, Who Are So Wise in the Ways of Science?:

Watching one of my favorite movies the other night, I was struck by a mysterious sense of familiarity. I’d seen this scene played out before, but not in the context of the Monty Python oeuvre.
Then…

Marriage is Dead! Long Live Marriage!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:22:36 -0800

Marriage is Dead! Long Live Marriage!:

So the the majority of voters in Maine have decided that certain civil rights should be based upon the collective chromosomal makeup of the pairs of its citizens wishing to exercise those…

Joyce DiDonato: Talent + Moxie=Sexy

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:33:30 -0800

Joyce DiDonato: Talent + Moxie=Sexy:

On the off chance that my fellow opera-loving readers (both of you) are not also consumers of “men’s” magazines, I’m quick-blogging an item you might have missed.
Mezzo-soprano extraordinaire Joyce…

From DoctorsGuide: "Vaccine Inoculations Show No Link to Autism, Other Health Problems"

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:34:54 -0800

From DoctorsGuide: "Vaccine Inoculations Show No Link to Autism, Other Health Problems":

PHILADELPHIA — November 1, 2009 — Vaccine inoculations show no link to autism or other health problems even in children with certain genetic disorders that might put them at risk for such problems, researchers stated here at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

A Tiny Victory for Reason

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:13:26 -0800

A Tiny Victory for Reason:

My daughter’s pre-school has a table for parents to exchange information about parenting-related topics and services.
About a week ago, among the flyers for private elementary schools, music teachers…

A “Union of Concerned Scientists” for Vaccines?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:57:01 -0700

A “Union of Concerned Scientists” for Vaccines?:

I’ve been thinking about the apparent permeation of anti-vaccination attitudes into mainstream culture, and how the scientific community and its supporters could better combat it.
What if we were to…

Gloria Lemay Discourages Pregnant Women from Getting “Swine” Flu Vaccine

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:43:05 -0700

Gloria Lemay Discourages Pregnant Women from Getting “Swine” Flu Vaccine:

In her latest two blog posts, private birth attendant Gloria Lemay discourages people—especially pregnant women—from being vaccinated against the H1N1 novel flu virus.
As a care provider for pregnant…

Marriage Equality: How Would You Feel?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:52:54 -0700

Marriage Equality: How Would You Feel?:

… if you had to ask millions of voters for permission to marry?

From NeuroLogica Blog: A Culture of Science-Based Practice

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:34:27 -0700

From NeuroLogica Blog: A Culture of Science-Based Practice:

The complementary and alternative (CAM) or integrative medicine phenomenon that has arisen over the last couple of decades primarily involves the creation of a separate subculture within medicine. The primary defining characteristic of the CAM subculture is a lack of dedication to a culture of science-based practice.

Jon Stewart on Swine Flu Vaccine Hysteria

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:00:34 -0700

Jon Stewart on Swine Flu Vaccine Hysteria:

more about “Jon Stewart on Swine Flu Vaccine Hyst…“, posted with vodpod Jon Stewart weighs in on H1N1 flu and vaccine hysteria.

From the Dept. of Overpromise and Underdeliver

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:30:08 -0700

From the Dept. of Overpromise and Underdeliver:

Seen next to my son’s occupational therapist’s office. E-mail this post

Science-Based Medicine » 9 Reasons to Completely Ignore Joseph Mercola

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:54:47 -0700

Science-Based Medicine » 9 Reasons to Completely Ignore Joseph Mercola:

Joseph Mercola has recently posted an excerpt from an individual he evidently holds in high regard, Bill Sardi. Bill published “18 reasons why you should not vaccinate your children against the flu this season.” Mercola chose his nine favorites (one would assume the nine best reasons), and re-posted it on Mercola.com. There are so many mistakes, so much misinformation in so little space, it’s almost a work of art. You know, like that crappy art that you might expect to find on the wall at an hourly motel. Without further delay, let’s examine Mercola and Sardi’s nine best reasons for you not to vaccinate your children against influenza this season: