Another Rant about Vaccines

I decided at the beginning of season 15 of The View that I'd watch the show to see what the co-hosts are up to. Believe it or not, I want to give the program a good review. I am a friendly watchdog. I have compliments for Barbara and Elisabeth, and I think Sherri might be a wildcard. She has frequently made statements without thinking first. But I see a glimpse of maturity. Joy and Whoopi are a part of the "over-the-hill gang." Whoopi is stuck in her ways of doing things; Joy is stuck in her ways of thinking.

On the other hand, who is full of life when the co-hosts parade out everyday at the beginning of the show? Barbara Walters. I would love to have half her pep or her spunk. Yes, she gives thoughtful answers, too thoughtful sometimes; she can be difficult to read. But Barbara doesn't talk to hear herself talk or to get the last word or to impress the audience.

Believe it or not, I tend to be "liberal" in my politics, but I don't follow a particular party line. I often find myself siding with Elisabeth on practical matters, and matters of the heart.

I lay the groundwork for today's bitch. Joy the liberal doesn't veer away from her political party. What's worse is that she doesn't question the "experts." She has found a safe way to think: don't you dare consider criticizing the powers that be.

We revisited "vaccines" again on today's show. One "Hot Topic" was the dangerous level of arsenic that is found in applejuice. I'm not sure why this study put forth on applejuice by Dr. Mehmet Oz seems to offend people. There's no reason to be alarmed about this new idea, whether Dr. Oz is correct or not. We may each read research on the topic and perhaps cut back on the applejuice we give our children. I actually laughed outloud at Joy's reaction. This quote is almost verbatim but it is from memory. She said, "This applejuice scare could be just like what happened with vaccines. Some people claimed that it causes autism, but that idea has been completely discredited. Kids were going to school without vaccines and spreading diseases to other kids."

Joy got so emotional that she frightened me. She is mistaken on so many levels. First, if you don't know what to think about vaccines, continue to do your own research. Read what is written on the topic from both sides of the argument. If you have children that lawfully need to be vaccinated before going to school, you don't have a lot of choice. Pay attention to how many vaccines your child has received since birth to be informed. Look for any possible reactions to each vaccine. Do your own research on flu vaccines and on the HPV vaccine. There is no definitive answer on the questions of vaccines....exactly. Keep reading. Keep paying attention to the research. Keep an open mind.

I'm not sure what school situation Joy refers too, but if the vaccines work--and I assume they do--then the children who get them before coming to school cannot be infected. I personally don't want a flu vaccine,* but my brother says, "Let everyone else get them. (In other words, don't fret about your position, either way.) You are less likely to get the flu when the "pro-vaccine" people are all vaccinated.

Joy's demeanor on this topic was that of sheer panic. She was upset and frustrated and dangerously sure that her position is correct. She is one funny woman with a terrific comedic wit; I'd love to see her stand-up act. But I choose Barbara, or possibly Elisabeth, if I want accurate information from one of the co-hosts.

Co-hosts Know Nothing about Taylor Armstrong

What a boring show. A guest must have canceled.  A whole segment was presented on "interesting" Tweets by celebrities, like Jessica Simpson who "loves her boobies," or Lindsay Lohan who thinks her sister is beautiful. The Lohans claim that Lindsay's sister Ali has never had plastic surgery.

What do you think? Frankly, I see no surgery except maybe her nose. I see a young woman who is unusually thin.

Then there was a real yawner about current legal cases. Seriously. This segment featured legal pundits, Jeanine Pirro and Sunny Hostin, who gave their two cents about the Dr. Conrad Murray trial and other cases that get more than enough news coverage. But I was happy to find out that the tide is turning for Amanda Knox who was convicted in an Italian court of murdering her roommate Meridith Kercher. Amanda may win her appeal..

Negative people find fault with everything. For that reason, I hate to bitch about The View every day, but when I ponder over blog material, I spend all of 30 seconds coming up with something to write. Usually, I'm already steaming about something stupid that I saw on the show. I could probably watch "Hot Topics" each day and skip the remaining show because the co-hosts opinions are infuriating.

Why? Because they will offer an opinion whether they're familiar with the topic or not. Case in point: The Real Housewives of New York and the suicide of Russell Armstrong. The panel disapproves of the show and its portrayal of Russell Armstrong in the days leading up to his suicide. I CAN GUARANTEE THAT NONE OF THEM HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW THIS SEASON.

Toward the end of last season, the Real Housewives of New York featured much about Taylor Armstrong and the loneliness she felt in her marriage. Russell Armstrong worked many hours; he wasn't physically or emotionally available to his wife. When he did make an appearance, he seemed preoccupied. Taylor talked about leaving the marriage but she wanted to make it work. She loved her husband.

The first few episodes of this season were filmed before Russell killed himself. Let me add that Russell wasn't a star of the show by any means. He was featured occasionally as husband to star Taylor. To honor Russell, the show filmed a short tribute at the beginning of episode one, and then the show resumed the story from last season that had already begun taping before the suicide.

The subject of Taylor's marriage is sad. During a dinner party at Adrienne Maloof's house, someone asks Taylor how her marriage is going. She says she and Russell have been in counseling--and she's sick of thinking about herself. In the next episode, the housewives go to Beaver Creek, CO to visit Camille Grammer's lovely home in the snow. (Incidentally, Camille must give up this home as a result of her divorce from Kelsey.) After the ladies ski one day, Taylor and my favorite housewife Kyle, relax in a sauna that is nestled outdoors in a pristine snowy glen. The two friends discuss Taylor's disintegrating marriage. Kyle, who seems to have it all, including love and respect of her husband, tries to understand her sad friend. Kyle is concerned because Taylor has lost so much weight. She asks Taylor a few questions without pressing too hard. Taylor seems sad that she has spent eight years with her mouth shut, instead of sticking up for herself. She says she's having difficulty forgiving Russell, but she never gets specific. Then she begins to cry and she says she doesn't want a divorce; she loves Russell, and she's afraid to be alone.

This touching scene does way more than attract viewers and raise ratings. The audience gets to know Taylor, the same person who spent a reportedly $60K on daughter Kennedy's birthday party.

Why would several co-hosts object the airing of this show? They didn't watch it; they have no idea what they're talking about.

I bring this up to emphasize my point. Giving an opinion is not necessary if you're not familiar with the topic, whether it's Real Housewives or Human Papillomavirus, let somebody else talk until you do some research on the topic.