#59 September/October 2002
The Washington Free Press Washington's Independent Journal of News, Ideas & Culture
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Toward a Toxic-Free Future
compiled by Brandie Smith, Washington Toxics Coalition

Angry Clients Picket Spokane Lawyer
opinion by Communities Against Unethical Attorneys

Democracy, Plutocracy, or Hypocrisy?
Books on American government
list compiled by Roger Herbst

Global Warming Update
By Jim Lobe

PUBLIC TRANSIT USE DECLINES

Groups Say Vote 'No' on R-51

Learning More About Edward Abbey
Two biographies about "Cactus Ed"
commentary and book review by Bruce Pavlik

Military and Environment

Disobeying Orders
The military is deserting its environmental responsibilities
opinion by David S. Mann and Glen Milner

My Radical Parents
And am I sometimes too radical myself?
opinion by Doug Collins

Clergy, Concerned Citizens Challenge US Embargo of Cuba

Nader in Havana
US should let Cubans breathe
By Tom Warner, Secretary of Seattle/Cuba Friendship Committee

Adieu to French?
French--and Americans--should learn from the Swiss
By Domenico Maceri

Open Letter on Iraq
from the Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia

Scientists Alarmed at New Disease Epidemics
by Cat Lazaroff, ENS

SINKING TECHNOLOGY INTO YOUR TEETH
opinion by Glenn Reed

Redistricting Makes Losers of Us All
By Steven Hill and Rob Richie

name of regular

Medical opinion by John F. Ruhland, ND

Do you have health-related questions for Dr. John, the Naturopathic Doctor? Send them to the Free Press at 1463 E Republican #178, Seattle WA 98112, or email to WAfreepress@gmail.com. Please keep questions short. The opinions expressed below are on general issues of health. They should not be construed as personal medical advice. Readers should seek a variety of information about any health concern before deciding on a treatment from a personal physician.

Should Your Child Get Vaccinated?

Dear Nature Doc,
I noticed how many immunizations my doctor recommends for my child. It seems a lot more than when I was a kid, and I'm worried about side effects. What are your recommendations regarding childhood immunizations?

It's important for parents to seek a variety of resources in order to make a decision based on the what they feel is the best possible information.

Two excellent Internet sites on vaccinations follow.

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) at www.909shot.com has links to additional sources of information. It is a national, non-profit educational organization founded in 1982. It is the oldest and largest national organization advocating reform of the mass-vaccination system.

Another site is from the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), which two years ago called for an end to mandatory childhood vaccines: www.aapsonline.org. The following is an excerpt from an AAPS news release, available on the AAPS website. "'Our children face the possibility of death or serious long-term adverse effects from mandated vaccines that aren't necessary or that have very limited benefits,' said Jane M. Orient, MD, AAPS Executive Director. Forty-two states have mandatory vaccine policies, and many children are required to have 22 shots before first grade. On top of that, as a condition for school attendance, many school districts require vaccination for diseases such as hepatitis B--primarily an adult disease, usually spread by multiple sex partners, drug abuse or an occupation with exposure to blood. And yet, children under the age of 14 are three times more likely to suffer adverse effects--including death--following the hepatitis B vaccine than to catch the disease itself. [In some cases], parents are threatened by Child Protective Services with possible seizure of their children based on "education neglect". "'It's obscene to threaten to seize a child just because the parents refuse medical treatment that is obviously unnecessary and perhaps dangerous," says Dr. Orient.

About ten percent of children in the US now have learning disabilities. Many holistic physicians believe this is partly due to immunizations.

There are excellent alternatives to immunizations. If parents have done the basic research and want further information, they can discuss specific alternatives with a naturopathic physician, based on each child's unique circumstances.

For more information, contact Dr. Ruhland at mail@drruhland.com.


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