Comedy gold: Bill Maher mumbles about vaccinations for six minutes
posted at 9:57 pm on October 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
Deep thoughts about swine flu and the mercury in your fillings from an anti-vaccination crank of longstanding. If anyone took him seriously, his peddling of this stuff would be worrisome. Fortunately, no one does.
Mr. Maher questioned letting someone stick “a disease into your arm,” wrongly implying that the flu shot contains a live virus. The flu shot is a killed vaccine. (Only the nasal mist vaccine contains a weakened live virus.)
He said he did not believe that healthy people were vulnerable to dying from the new H1N1 virus. This contradicts statements from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that young, healthy people from ages 5 to 24 appear particularly vulnerable to this flu. About a third of the 76 children who have died of H1N1 since April have had no underlying health problems.
Mr. Maher also discouraged pregnant women from getting vaccinated. Studies show pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to serious complications from H1N1.
How FUBAR is this clip? Chris Matthews serves as the voice of reason. Enjoy.
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The clip should be titled “Maher Still ‘Crazy’”
JohnJ on October 19, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Typical of a career going downhill.
The focus becomes the self.
ckoeber on October 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Evan Sayet was wrong. Bill Maher is a stupid man.
JohnJ on October 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Gosh, what a shock. Maher is not armed with facts, just ignorance. I’m shocked…..really.
NC Cop on October 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I wanted so desperately to comment, but something restrains me writing disparaging remarks about a poor soul whose mind is obviously failing. The lack of reasoning ability displayed by leftists such as Mr. Maher is to be pitied.
oldleprechaun on October 19, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Behold, the power of weed!
AUINSC on October 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Wow. Intelligent and civil debate?
I couldn’t find any information stating that mercury is in the vaccine.(Maher repeatedly refers to it as ‘inoculation’) However you shouldn’t get the vaccine if you are allergic to eggs.
daesleeper on October 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM
He must have got a hummer at The Mansion from New Mom Saint Jenny McCarthy and now she’s calling in her marker…..
BigWyo on October 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I refuse to listen to his voice, but if that caption quote was true
and he actually said that, he’s a moron.
Actually it’s quite sad. The H1N1 vaccination, due to it rampant development, does not have to undergo as stringent testing as other vaccines. And yet, it has undertaken more scientific scrutiny that global warming.
AGW is based on nothing but climate model extrapolations, which is another way to say predictions, which is still another way to say guesses.
xax on October 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Intellectual elite of the Left. We lost to these guys?
ronsfi on October 19, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Hey! How bout a heads up! You could have mentioned Alec Baldwin was on the panel too so I could quickly pass
road2utopia on October 19, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Amazing: another Badly Damaged Leftoid whose decades of Overmedication is catching up with him
maybe all these People have the same disease…
Janos Hunyadi on October 19, 2009 at 10:07 PM
interesting debate
fact finding and pummeling conversationnot
not
Hollywood Weirdoplex bullshit finding itself on HA
seesalrun on October 19, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I googled bill mayer and hpv vaccine just for kicks…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxzr6qpL0aQ
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jun/09062405.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/027017_HPV_HPV_vaccine_blood.html
Now I don’t think the hpv vaccine is going to make anyone more promiscuous… it will save the lives of the more promiscuous… but the risk of adverse side affects is pretty high and this thing is pushed hard on tween/teen girls…
ninjapirate on October 19, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Bill’s spent so much time cruising Hef’s pool at the Playboy Mansion he doesn’t need vaccinations — he’s built up an immunity to the point that H1N1 virus can die from contracting the Maher flu.
jon1979 on October 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM
There is mercury in the multi-use bottles used for shots but not the nasal mist, though the single issue, preloaded syringes also do not contain mercury.
Bishop on October 19, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Doesn’t Beck say some of the same nonsense?
Sorry Beck fans, but sometimes old Glenn is a little dicey wtih things.
SteveMG on October 19, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Re mercurcy in vaccines: I thought it had been removed from nearly all vaccines? It’s no longer needed to preserve the vaccine?
Too lazy to look it up.
SteveMG on October 19, 2009 at 10:13 PM
But gosh, religious people are ridiculous, right Mr. Maher?
herrevery on October 19, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Try phrenology Bill.
That thing on your neck? Your little pinhead? A phrenologist could tell you what it means.
SteveMG on October 19, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Bill Maher … Vaccination Denier
Oh .. how 18th century
J_Crater on October 19, 2009 at 10:17 PM
the line “this isn’t settle science like gobal warming is settled science” line drives me off the wall
espn is evil on October 19, 2009 at 10:19 PM
That’s DR. Maher to you, thank you very much!
GoldenEagle4444 on October 19, 2009 at 10:19 PM
This from the CDC:
“Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal (preservative with mercury)?
Yes, the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States currently contain thimerosal as a preservative.
However, some contain only trace amounts of thimerosal and are considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be preservative-free. Manufacturers of preservative-free flu vaccine use thimerosal early in the manufacturing process.
The thimerosal gets diluted as the vaccine goes through the steps in processing. By the end of the manufacturing process there is not enough thimerosal left in the vaccine to act as a preservative and the vaccine is labeled “preservative-free”.”
Bishop on October 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Angry little perv. Apparently even the hookers are no longer returning Billy’s phone calls.
viking01 on October 19, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Wow, now that Ted kicked the bucket we’re having B & C list liberasl shown in here to comment about. Seriously, I don’t think he’s worth our time.
Jeff from WI on October 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM
It is rare when I agree with Chucky Johnson, but Bill Maher has the vaccine heresy bad.
Mr. Joe on October 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM
This is what happens when the cryptkeeper has lost his marbles.
StevefromMKE on October 19, 2009 at 10:26 PM
exception on October 19, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Short, balding, ugly, ignorant, arrogant, sanctimonious, and smarmy.
What’s not to like?
AZCoyote on October 19, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Oh, he said it. And he said it arrogantly, which made it truly hysterical.
But, The Precedent still beat Maher, in terms of leftist stupidity that is, strangely, arrogant at the same time, when he mockingly laughed, “What do you think stimulus is? Spending IS stimulus.” He said this thinking that he was taunting conservatives and under the strange illusion that he sounded like he had any idea what he was talking about. It was one of the most humilisting public displays of all time, but people still let that obvious imbecile bully them into passing the Porkulus. Now, that was truly sad.
progressoverpeace on October 19, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Bill I’m Smart! Maher
Mr. Joe on October 19, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I think the IQ of the entire panel is about 3.
txag92 on October 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Actually, more and more it looks to be intentionally manufactured cr$p.
Dusty on October 19, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Then Maher added, “or evolution.”
Oh, totally. I totally agree with the headline! Comedy gold!
apacalyps on October 19, 2009 at 10:37 PM
It’s a mystery to me as to why people pay any attention to an imbecile like Bill Maher.
Honestly, who cares what he says?
jjrakman on October 19, 2009 at 10:37 PM
…“or evolution.”
[apacalyps keeps laughing]
apacalyps on October 19, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Well sure, but at least he is extremely obnoxious.
You have to give him that.
justltl on October 19, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Who pays attention to this guy?
HAnthonyWayne on October 19, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Thanks Bishop Re: mercury. I read about the Thiamersol or whatever it is called, but didn’t see that it contained mercury.
I wonder what the amount of mercury in the vaccination is relative to the light bulbs we are mandated to have.
daesleeper on October 19, 2009 at 10:47 PM
OK, so according to Maher –
1. Global Warming debate is settled (assume he means anthropologic as the cause)
2. Health Care reform debate is settled
3. Vaccines good outweighs potential bad – debate NOT settled
How can anyone take him seriously? Echo-chamber I suppose.
mdenis39 on October 19, 2009 at 10:57 PM
I guess that the blog that must not be named must be crestfallen about this development and has to throw Maher under the bus.
Lance Murdock on October 19, 2009 at 10:58 PM
It bears repeating.
Bill Mahar, as funny as DC Cab.
As relevant as… DC Cab.
rihar on October 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Bill Maher has a show? He was great in Caddy Shack!
R Square on October 19, 2009 at 11:13 PM
This just kills me. As a former NASA scientist, I can state that Global Warming has never been settled, and will not be for the foreseeable future!
stonemeister on October 19, 2009 at 11:15 PM
My favorite moment is when Maher said that Michael Jackson looked a little pale before he died, it cuts to the panel and Alec Baldwin sits there shaking his head in disbelief. One of the rare occasions I found myself in agreement with Baldwin.
Doughboy on October 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Watched this earlier, and I fully believe that Maher has been heavily subject to mercury poisoning and other toxic materials. It’s the only thing that could explain his unmitigated douchebaggery.
MadisonConservative on October 19, 2009 at 11:25 PM
I wonder how many vaccines this feeble minded french fart has had.
bloggless on October 19, 2009 at 11:34 PM
He also pisses on Letterman in a weird aside. What’s that about? Is there a “thing” between those two blowhards?
EMD on October 19, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Good thing Maher and co are saving America from that Rethuglican War on Science (TM).
In fact, I think that we should spread Maher’s love of the consensus school of science – where AGW is indisputable and vaccines are quackery far and wide…
18-1 on October 19, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Oh, and another point.
Whether or not AGW is real, the environuts have it within there capabilities to resolve the issue at any moment – simply stop using fossil fuels and their by products. Based on population that would give us between a 10-50% reduction immediately depending on which polls you believe – which would be an order of magnitude better then anyone has done so far.
With vaccines, on the other hand, if these intellectuals do manage to get a significant number of people to stop using them, it will dramatically reduce the medical establishment’s ability to control them and we WILL start to get regular pandemics again.
18-1 on October 19, 2009 at 11:42 PM
It will be interesting to see how he likes mandatory vaccinations under Obamacare. If the government nanny state is paying for health care they have an interest in everyone being vaccinated.
Aviator on October 19, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Wait till Maher finds out that H1N1 was invented by ACORN.
LOL
J_Crater on October 19, 2009 at 11:57 PM
He needs to find God. I think he’s on the verge, but then again it’s wishful thinking on my part. I pray for his soul, though.
TwilightStruggler on October 19, 2009 at 11:57 PM
He’s mad because he didn’t know that Don’t Shtup the Interns was a breakable rule.
He doesn’t know that you have to own a company and call it something like “Worldwide Pants” in order to break it.
silverfox on October 19, 2009 at 11:58 PM
If you had actually watched Glenn’s show about vaccination, you would know that he did not ever suggest that one should not receive it. He asked a lot of questions that any one of us with at least half a brain might have. Oh wait, I forgot, if you ask sane and logical questions these days, you are an imbecile with a racist streak a mile wide; sorry.
On another note, my concern is that the injections have Thimerasol in it. Not something I want in my body; however, each one of us must weigh the risks of Thimerasol vs. flu.
fullogas on October 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Travolta’s twin.
unclesmrgol on October 20, 2009 at 12:01 AM
You gotta stand for something or you’ll fall for anything, and atheists are no exception to the rule. They are more likely than Christians to believe in impossible supernatural and paranormal phenomena like UFO’s, Bigfoot, and free universal health care.
I may have made that last one up.
Maybe.
ExUrbanKevin on October 20, 2009 at 12:09 AM
What is it stupid Al Gore said about Global Warming.
“The debate is over” or something like that.
What is the difference between that and this attitude you have about vaccinations?
Same closed off attitude, the debate is over, right?
jjjen on October 20, 2009 at 12:27 AM
I may be the only one on here that agrees with Maher on this vaccination deal. So be it.
Livefreeordie on October 20, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Sorry, but I only have this one, relatively large, brush. I’ll do my best.
This is fairly representative of the level of intelligence that Bill Maher brings to every public policy discussion. He’s an idiot.
Jaibones on October 20, 2009 at 12:47 AM
fullogas on October 20, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Let me be clear:
This is what O’Bozo calls “returning science to its rightful place”, or something.
Jaibones on October 20, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Maher who?
JeffB. on October 20, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Could this be manifestations of the latter stages of syphilis?
/
chewydog on October 20, 2009 at 1:28 AM
His mind is wandering more and more these days-most likely from all those BJs he’s getting by hanging out at Heffner’s mansion.
Goodale on October 20, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Hmmm, maybe this is the reason prison inmates will get it first.
mrt721 on October 20, 2009 at 2:05 AM
Looks like there are at least a handful of us.
jjjen on October 20, 2009 at 2:18 AM
I have to admit that I have watched Bill Maher’s show for many years but reached a point where I found Bill to be nothing more than a tiresome moron. That point was when I ended up feeling sympathetic to a uberdouche like Andrew Breitbart after his appearance on Real Time.
His opening monologues are just plain unfunny, yet he gets upset at his audience who either don’t laugh or don’t seem to notice the punchlines. I’m pretty sure there is canned laughter in the audio mix if they haven’t already blown the bulb on the “LAUGH NOW” sign.
The three person panel concept was similarly lame as more and more time each week seemed to be devoted to the comedian/celebrity-with-political cause. He also seemed to struggle when it came to finding guests that presented conservative views.
bileduct on October 20, 2009 at 2:56 AM
The interesting thing is that Global Warming and Evolution are “settled science” because the vast majority of people in that field say that they are–this despite that that there may be dissenters and layman who find a problem here and there.
But vaccination ISN’T settled science despite those same factors–because Maher is disquieted by the nettlesome facts and perhaps a dissenter here and there.
Meanwhile, he fails to see how the impatience that his guests show him is simply similar to the impatience they would show somebody who doesn’t get along with the program–perhaps you just have to be dragged to it Mr. Maher. Perhaps we just need to stick you with a vaccination in the middle of the night and wait until you thank us for the cure.
Axeman on October 20, 2009 at 3:38 AM
Allah thinks Chris Matthews serves as the voice of reason.
Ugly on October 20, 2009 at 4:25 AM
This man is simply crazed. His ignorance is so profound that it’s impossible to engage with him. Talking to Maher about vaccination is like trying to explain differential calculus to someone who can’t count beyond two. It cannot be done.
Bartrams Garden on October 20, 2009 at 4:50 AM
Uh, no. The tack that Glenn Beck takes is that the decision should be an informed one, one way or the other. What he has said is that he does not intend to get the H1N1 vaccination just because a government bureaucrat tells him to.
gryphon202 on October 20, 2009 at 6:36 AM
Yeah…sort of, ever so *slightly* agree with Maher on this one…(I’m going to die now, aren’t I? I don’t know how to deal with the fact that I agree with him.)
While I am skeptical of any new vaccine (I am for vaccinating against major diseases-polio, mmr, etc.) and am skeptical of any government mandate requiring new vaccination, I extend that to any government mandate.
It is true that some of these new vaccinations/immunizations are pushed onto the market without proper testing. We should not blindly trust any company or government without doing research which satisfies our conscience and curiosity. Then, if you are pro vaccination, fine. If against, also fine.
Of course he ruins it all by his lunatic-fringy other views which, he then hands the government full control. What exactly does he think will happen to debate and choice within healthcare CONCERNING vaccinations when we are all in one government system? Or any other system the government seeks to absorb?
Too early for this…
Diane on October 20, 2009 at 6:47 AM
Leave Bill alone, he is only worried about the introduction of harmful substances into our Precious Bodily Fluids. Just keep him away from any Air Force bases and he’ll be harmless.
Kafir on October 20, 2009 at 6:49 AM
Mr. Maher just won some Richard Dawkins Atheist of the Year award.
pearson on October 20, 2009 at 7:38 AM
Um, I believe both polio vaccines and small pox vaccines contained live, albeit weakened, viruses. Those two alone have saved millions, if not tens of millions of lives.
rbj on October 20, 2009 at 7:48 AM
Chris Mathews…”Well FDR would have wanted a Polio vaccination, Sir…”
Caper29 on October 20, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Can’t watch this man. His holier-than-thou attitude is infuriating. Plus, he is very angry-about what I don’t proclaim to know. Perhaps CNN’s psychiatrist should should analyze….
Alfresco on October 20, 2009 at 8:11 AM
The episode with Sarah Silverman was the last for me. As for Maher, figure it out. He’s 5’6″, ugly as all hell, unable to use logic and has to pay to have female companionship…Similar to Jon Stewart, who I believe is 5’4″, little man complex….
adamsmith on October 20, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Maher has strayed into Alex Jones territory with this one. His career is teetering…amusing to watch.
Dino64 on October 20, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Considering it was used for most vaccines for well over 50 years in concentrations much greater than now, I fail to see what the problem is with thimerosal.
Do you eat seafood?
Tomblvd on October 20, 2009 at 8:29 AM
FIFY
PROVING defined as ‘Exactly HOW many trees were sampled? 12? Really? Well where is THAT data? Missing? Really? Where could it have gone? It was on one of the computers that were discarded a few years back? Gosh, I wonder why.’
Blacksmith8 on October 20, 2009 at 8:32 AM
I don’t care you are, science jokes is funny.
Blacksmith8 on October 20, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Steve, AGW and the mortality rate of R2D2 vaccine are nonsense? You heard this from Glenn Beck?
I’d say dicey is YOUR MEMORY.
Please provide a reference to Glenn Beck EVER agreeing that Al Gorbal Warming was ‘settled science’.
Alternatively, please provide a reference to Glenn Beck EVER agreeing that (Swine Flu is more deadly than regular flu) was ‘settled science’.
Failing either of those STFU and STFD
Blacksmith8 on October 20, 2009 at 8:41 AM
My favorite is Razor’s Edge.
Blacksmith8 on October 20, 2009 at 8:44 AM
That B.A. in Art and History sure is coming in handy, isn’t it, Dr. Maher?
cs89 on October 20, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Yup, no reason to be concerned about the flu vaccines. Jab away!
alteredbeat on October 20, 2009 at 9:02 AM
What is that based on?
Itchee Dryback on October 20, 2009 at 9:05 AM
The same thing is true about many medical substances.
The exception is not the rule. Vaccination hysteria is irrational imo, its like certain beliefs that cause people to try and pray away diabetes or cancer.
Itchee Dryback on October 20, 2009 at 9:16 AM
I think Chrissy is wrong about other countries requiring shots before you travel. Is he suggesting that countries like Somalia are even smart enough to require shots before allowing sickly Americans, etc. from coming there? Is he seriously that stupid?
Shots for travel are suggested or required by the CDC, which is a US Federal Agency, and without paperwork proving that you have not gotten the required shots (as per the CDC), you don’t get the visa.
Is this not correct?
JeffinOrlando on October 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Um…people dying, getting guillain barre syndrome (my dad), basically a good five years of steady research after my little boy had severe reactions to his vax. I’m not against long-standing vax for severe diseases. I am against the H1N1 vax, the flu vax, the hpv vax and most of the more current vaccinations. I am particularly against a government telling me that I must do basically anything to my body and children.
Diane on October 20, 2009 at 9:30 AM
You may call it hysteria. I call it self-preservation instinct.
Actually it’s not like that at all.
alteredbeat on October 20, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Actually, I agree that was a poor analogy. The people who try to pray away illness are counting on an external mechanism to heal an already existing illness.
I still hold that vaccination hysteria is just that..an irrational fear that has no basis in real world facts.
Itchee Dryback on October 20, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Wrong. It’s not hysteria in my case. It’s an evaluation of the contents of every vaccination that enters my own body and the bodies of my children. Seems sober minded, in my opinion. I realize there are nut jobs. Dude, those are EVERYWHERE. I am a subscriber of both traditional AND holistic medicine and will research any treatment case by case to see what will best serve my medical needs. (Nope, not against chemo. sheesh.)
Diane on October 20, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Dead people and people with severe reactions to new vaccinations would beg to differ. I am not saying that they are in the majority. But, with any new vax, we are the guinea pigs…you can only do so much lab testing before releasing it to the public. Most of our standard immunizations have gone through many, many revisions because of early side effects when they were first introduced. Granted, science has gotten much better and we know more. Still…worth it to research and have some healthy skepticism. IT’S YOUR BODY.
Diane on October 20, 2009 at 9:49 AM
That provides no evidence to support your claim.
You’re just restating the claim using different words.
There are always exceptional reactions to any medication or vax. If what you believe is true, shouldn’t there be large number of people with these conditions?
As to your years of research…how was it conducted to insure the research you looked at was not biased to a particular conclusion based on your individual experience?
That I agree with…but it has absolutely noting to do with this particular topic.
Itchee Dryback on October 20, 2009 at 9:51 AM
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