Better late than never? But all the damage caused by these so called “fact checkers” can never be undone. Jobs lost, characters assassinated, family relationships destroyed. My admiration for you two tenacious old geezers grows by the minute. What would we do without you?
Your last sentence strikes a chord for me. It’s exactly how I feel. If I could keep just one account subscription this would be it. Thank you Tom and Carl for helping us (kind of) retain our sanity over this crazy time. Where indeed would we be without you?
Wouldn’t it be nice to get an apology for the sort of treatment you received when appearing at the Covid Inquiry.
“I gave evidence at the inquiry last week. I had submitted a 74-page statement on what I thought it should discuss. Instead the main topic was rude words in old Whats-App messages. Was I the ‘f***wit’ referred to in messages from Dame Angela McLean, the chief scientific adviser? I replied that I had no idea but would never use such language about a colleague myself. The KC questioning me launched into an attack on my credentials. I’m a clinical epidemiologist and author of 450 peer-reviewed publications. During swine flu, I co-led the Cochrane neuraminidase reviews for preventing influenza in adults and children. I’ve advised governments and parliamentary all-party groups. The KC argued that, as a generalist, my work counted for little alongside the epidemiological modellers (who have been given a fawning reception by the inquiry). To me, part of the problem with the government’s response to Covid is that it was overly influenced by modelling, despite its well-known past failures. This was accompanied by a failure to consider the wider implications of policies such as lockdown.”CH 4 November 2023
Thank you both for your continued courage and integrity throughout the censorship and censuring you've received for speaking evidence-based truth. In 2020, desperate for information, I found the BBC article where Prof. Heneghan explained the cycle threshold, and why PCR tests were not an accurate indicator of disease, which I cited in a research paper, titled Manipulation of the General Population," and sent to state and federal authorities in the U.S.A.
Both of you, Professors Heneghan and Jefferson, are cited in my book, Mechanisms of Harm: Medicine in the Time of Covid-19, published by Brownstone in April 2024. The Cochrane review of face masks is addressed at p. 307-309 (Kindle) and the problems with PCR tests as an indicator of spread is at p. 311-312 (Kindle). https://www.amazon.com/Mechanisms-Harm-Medicine-Time-Covid-19/dp/163069262X
Sincere thanks to "two old geezers" from me, a citizen journalist, for whom you've made a big difference :)
Hey Martin and all, thanks for the comments. We debated whether to cite Sir Nick or not but we try and limit the number of personal citations. I am not and never have been a FB person, so what goes on in there I know not, as Master Yoda would say. However when we wrote about censorship we had scientific censorship in mind, no more. It takes many forms, as we have written. FB hit pieces is one of the many ways in which people were silenced, humiliated and trashed. However, we are still standing.
Covid censorship was only ever a small part of what a sewer FB is. When the powers that be wanted censorship, that is what happened. Now there is a new sheriff in town, Zuckerberg will sing a different song. I personally believe there are such things as facts, and I think there is a problem with unrestrained social media, especially on harmful content for children. Should they really have to rely on 'community notes' to point out sites on self harm, anorexia and suicide etc aimed at adolescent girls? Is it really OK to have FB used to organise ethnic cleansing in Myanmar? There is a problem, but what is the answer?
Thankyou for all you have done and continue to do, for following the scientific method when those in power at best followed a herd and at worst conspired to make it worse for their own reasons.
I also faced formal complaints and came within 2 weeks of being sacked for refusing a booster.
However, as others try to forget, I know I can hold up my little head with pride.
You two, who were at the tip of the spear, faced vastly more than I,and really can be justly proud.
thanks; power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely; (thinking of you, Zuck-bot); far too much power; he spent US$0.5billion against DT in 2020: loose change really for him
Zuck appeared to sense where things were going in Aug: frantic, last-minute switch of direction; I think the polite phrase is "sh*tting himself"; will his frantic appeasement work?
But might I slip in a mention of the egregious Uniparty (LimpDim) Beloved Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg?
What a "free-speech" stalwart he has been whilst assisting Zuckerberg's censorship regime!
The Master of the Metaburg!
He seems to have done quite well, with the Grauniad stating that "Clegg had sold some $18.4m (£14.8m) of Meta shares, while retaining a holding worth $21m".
Better late than never? But all the damage caused by these so called “fact checkers” can never be undone. Jobs lost, characters assassinated, family relationships destroyed. My admiration for you two tenacious old geezers grows by the minute. What would we do without you?
Your last sentence strikes a chord for me. It’s exactly how I feel. If I could keep just one account subscription this would be it. Thank you Tom and Carl for helping us (kind of) retain our sanity over this crazy time. Where indeed would we be without you?
Hi Carl,
Wouldn’t it be nice to get an apology for the sort of treatment you received when appearing at the Covid Inquiry.
“I gave evidence at the inquiry last week. I had submitted a 74-page statement on what I thought it should discuss. Instead the main topic was rude words in old Whats-App messages. Was I the ‘f***wit’ referred to in messages from Dame Angela McLean, the chief scientific adviser? I replied that I had no idea but would never use such language about a colleague myself. The KC questioning me launched into an attack on my credentials. I’m a clinical epidemiologist and author of 450 peer-reviewed publications. During swine flu, I co-led the Cochrane neuraminidase reviews for preventing influenza in adults and children. I’ve advised governments and parliamentary all-party groups. The KC argued that, as a generalist, my work counted for little alongside the epidemiological modellers (who have been given a fawning reception by the inquiry). To me, part of the problem with the government’s response to Covid is that it was overly influenced by modelling, despite its well-known past failures. This was accompanied by a failure to consider the wider implications of policies such as lockdown.”CH 4 November 2023
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/we-needed-a-covid-inquiry-but-this-isnt-it/
Thank you both for your continued courage and integrity throughout the censorship and censuring you've received for speaking evidence-based truth. In 2020, desperate for information, I found the BBC article where Prof. Heneghan explained the cycle threshold, and why PCR tests were not an accurate indicator of disease, which I cited in a research paper, titled Manipulation of the General Population," and sent to state and federal authorities in the U.S.A.
Both of you, Professors Heneghan and Jefferson, are cited in my book, Mechanisms of Harm: Medicine in the Time of Covid-19, published by Brownstone in April 2024. The Cochrane review of face masks is addressed at p. 307-309 (Kindle) and the problems with PCR tests as an indicator of spread is at p. 311-312 (Kindle). https://www.amazon.com/Mechanisms-Harm-Medicine-Time-Covid-19/dp/163069262X
Sincere thanks to "two old geezers" from me, a citizen journalist, for whom you've made a big difference :)
Can Tom and Carl sue Facebook for damages ?
Hey Martin and all, thanks for the comments. We debated whether to cite Sir Nick or not but we try and limit the number of personal citations. I am not and never have been a FB person, so what goes on in there I know not, as Master Yoda would say. However when we wrote about censorship we had scientific censorship in mind, no more. It takes many forms, as we have written. FB hit pieces is one of the many ways in which people were silenced, humiliated and trashed. However, we are still standing.
An old geezer.
And now? What will happen to the disciples of Hopkins the Facebook witchfinder general?
The Babylon Bee got it right: https://babylonbee.com/news/guy-who-said-facebook-was-not-suppressing-free-speech-announces-facebook-will-stop-suppressing-free-speech
Wait another year....you ain't seen nuthin yet......
Covid censorship was only ever a small part of what a sewer FB is. When the powers that be wanted censorship, that is what happened. Now there is a new sheriff in town, Zuckerberg will sing a different song. I personally believe there are such things as facts, and I think there is a problem with unrestrained social media, especially on harmful content for children. Should they really have to rely on 'community notes' to point out sites on self harm, anorexia and suicide etc aimed at adolescent girls? Is it really OK to have FB used to organise ethnic cleansing in Myanmar? There is a problem, but what is the answer?
Perhaps mr. Zuckerberg should have apologised to anyone who was hurt by his actions. We continue to wait for so many to utter the words “I am sorry”.
Thankyou for all you have done and continue to do, for following the scientific method when those in power at best followed a herd and at worst conspired to make it worse for their own reasons.
I also faced formal complaints and came within 2 weeks of being sacked for refusing a booster.
However, as others try to forget, I know I can hold up my little head with pride.
You two, who were at the tip of the spear, faced vastly more than I,and really can be justly proud.
To thine own self be true.
KBO.
thanks; power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely; (thinking of you, Zuck-bot); far too much power; he spent US$0.5billion against DT in 2020: loose change really for him
Zuck appeared to sense where things were going in Aug: frantic, last-minute switch of direction; I think the polite phrase is "sh*tting himself"; will his frantic appeasement work?
Another brilliant piece.
But might I slip in a mention of the egregious Uniparty (LimpDim) Beloved Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg?
What a "free-speech" stalwart he has been whilst assisting Zuckerberg's censorship regime!
The Master of the Metaburg!
He seems to have done quite well, with the Grauniad stating that "Clegg had sold some $18.4m (£14.8m) of Meta shares, while retaining a holding worth $21m".
There is a reason for being a lying toad....