Doctor Giuseppe Delicati is a retired physician in the northern Italian Piedmont region near Turin (Torino) who has made a controversial video in which he expresses concern over the vaccination process as it concerns Covid-19. This video has caused enormous controversy in Italy and resulted in blowback against Delicati. He is actually under police investigation, and the video has been removed from several platforms. Among other things, Delicati claims there may be a link between anti-flu vaccines and Covid. He also quotes the findings of other scientists who have raised controversy in their own right as it pertains to the Covid issue. In referring to the massive loss of life attributed to Covid in the northern Italian town of Bergamo, Delicati claims that virtually all of the deceased had received anti-influenza vaccinations.
The scientific information discussed by Delicati is, obviously, way over my pay grade, but we are presenting the video with translation by Fousesquawk. (Editing and sub-titling by Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes respectively. The translation was done per the request of RAIR Foundation.)
Whether Delicati is correct or not, the reaction against him is disturbing. One can question his facts, and other sources have done so in rebuttal. To censor him and investigate him is another matter. It has also been reported that his pension has been reduced 20%. This is all a further reminder that in Europe, free speech rights are not what they are in the US.
One could make the argument that when one uses his position to propagate misinformation about a pandemic, it's the equivalent to yelling fire in a crowded movie theater.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteWell, perhaps. I am trying to keep an open mind about this Covid mess. Maybe, on the other hand, if he's yelling, "It's a crummy movie". Would that be a crime too?
How about when Kamala Harris said in one of the debates (I think it was during the debate) that she would take the vaccine if the doctors said to but not if Trump recommended it.
Where do we draw the line on free speech especially when it concerns a topic of universal importance and interest?
I think that Harris's assessment is prudent considering that Trump recommended hydroxychloroquine (funny how he stopped talking about it when he actually contracted Covid), direct sunlight, and bleach. I wouldn't take it if Trump recommended it either.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if Trump AND the majority of the doctors, epidemiologists, etc. recommended it, I wouldn't let Trump's recommendation stop me, and I doubt that Harris would either. Her point is just that Trump's opinions have a record of being out of step with reality.
But it's a good question as to where we draw the line, which is why I bring up the yelling fire example. Saying that it's a crummy movie harms nobody. Yelling fire could harm lots of people.
This whole thing is a disaster mainly due to all of the false information going on out there. How many more anti-maskers are we going to see catch this thing (and even die) until we realize that there's a certain narrative that's leading to more cases?
Unfortunately, there are those who would argue that yelling, "It's a crummy movie" is harmful and hurtful to some and therefore should be silenced.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I plan to take the vaccine based on the rec ommendation of my doctor.