Dr. Bob Sears DR. BOBS DAILY: ARE YOU A GOOD NEIGHBOR? A shout out of support to Rob Schneider, movie actor and Saturday Night Live comedian, for his willingness to stand up for what he believes in, no matter what the cost. According to several reports, Mr. Schneider was fired from his spokesperson position with State Farm Insurance because of his vocal support of parents and organizations who are fighting for safer vaccines. The actor has been recently featured in some pretty funny State Farm commercials. He has also spoken and written extensively about the risks of vaccines, the need for safer vaccines, and the value of a parents right to choose. He apparently thought we was in good hands with State Farm - no wait, wrong company, sorry; he thought they were treating him like a good neighbor until they decided that freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and freedom to make health care decisions for your own child, are not rights which we should hold dear as Americans. Or rather, if you express yourself freely in a manner which goes against the mainstream, you will no longer speak for us. In other words, if you are going to be a really good neighbor, youll vaccinate your children - fully and unreservedly. And State Farm is exercising their own freedom to hire and fire whomever they choose, which they have the right to do. I was telling my child about this on the drive to school this morning, and he said, Hey, you should do one of your blog stories on this. The thing about writing vaccine blogs is that now I have to spend the next three days banning rude people from my Facebook. I welcome both sides of the debate, and many people post some valuable information. But some people are just rude and pointless and attack peoples character instead of their information. Ya, they have freedom of speech . . . and I have freedom of delete. Oh crap. Am I any better than State Farm? I was once advised to stick as close to the mainstream as I could. Its easier, its more lucrative, and youll maintain a better reputation. Did I listen? I wonder what type of commercials I could have been hired to do if I hadnt written The Vaccine Book. Funny thing is, those who know me know I am pro vaccine and provide vaccines in my office every day. I do it more slowly, but I do it. I also dont force it; I give parents the freedom to choose, and I happily accept those who choose not to vaccinate. So, the only two things I am anti in regard to vaccines is the full schedule as it is and the idea of mandatory vaccines. But because I speak and write about options, I am labeled anti-vaccine by those who DO promote those two ideas. So, thanks Rob for standing up for what you believe. Well miss those commercials, but I know well see you on the screen in plenty of other venues. I dont see why State Farm thought having Rob on commercials would hurt their brand anyway. When people see Rob Schneider, do they think - Hey, isnt he that anti-vaccine guy? Not a single one. They think SNL, makin copies, and comedy, and the commercials are funny. But I guess there was pressure from somewhere. Too bad. I wonder what spokesperson theyll bring on next. I can see the next commercial: Hi, Im Dr. Paul Offit for State Farm Insurance. Be a good neighbor - vaccinate your children. Dr. Bob
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:06:02 +0000