[stylist] Poem: Measles

[Jacobson, Shawn D]

I recently read a book "Reality Check" by Donald Prothero which you might like.  It talks about all kinds of anti-science nonsense (the anti-vaccination movement, aids deniers, climate change deniers,) and the like.  There is also some discussion of big tobacco and the attempt to deny the link between smoking and cancer.

As for the poem itself, I did like it.  Hooking up the measles epidemic with the blogger in Saudi Arabia was an interesting combination.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 12:15 PM
To: 'Bill Outman'; 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Poem: Measles

Bill,

As a mom with young children, this poem hits home. It's terrifying to read all the info out there that anti-vaccination people put online, but it's equally terrifying to read what these diseases can do. I like to go into things fully researched, eyes wide-open, but it can also make you a little paranoid.

Nice topical subject.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bill Outman via stylist
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2015 7:41 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Poem: Measles

Good morning again, folks.  

 

Who would ever believe a poem could be made out of the subject of measles, which has been in the news lately because of the recent epidemic.  There have been a minority of irresponsible doctors and celebrities who have been advocating against vaccinations.  As some background, I represent the other side of this story, having been affected by disease prior to the availability of the measles, mumps, rubella(MMR) vaccine.  My visual impairment was originally caused by congenital rubella syndrome.  

 

Also in the news of late is the case of the Saudi blogger who was trying to push his society in a more progressive direction and was sentenced to flogging and jail because of it.  That was the inspiration of my reference to flogging in the poem that follows my signature.  As some further background, my mother who is a career R. N. was working in a small town general practice in IL where I was born, and she got ill while carrying me, thus resulting in my circumstances.  

 

On the one hand, we have people here who have freedom and abuse it it so as to put others in jeopardy while others wish they had such freedom or wish they had some say in their circumstances either in the past, present or future.  

 

So here is what I have, below my signature.  

 

Bill Outman 

 

Measles 

 

I heard someone wrote a blog.  

It said, "Don't get the shot for measles." 

That person I'd like to flog, 

That person is one of the weasels. 

 

I came when there was no choice. 

It made me an odd fella. 

With nature I had no voice, 

Before my birth it decreed the damage of rubella. 

 

People listen to science that's bad.  

It really makes me mad.  

Paranoid worry about ebola 

While justifying vaccine ignorance that's crapola.  

 

For compassion and mercy we will not flog 

Those whose knowledge is in a gfog. 

I'll be your buddy 

If you at least do diligent study.  

 

 

 



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