"Hegseth: Flu Vaccine Optional"

[The Bread Guy]

Would you agree that there are forces on “both sides of the aisle “ (but not to say in the US only) to are deliberately trying to pit us against each other in order to further their own ends?

That's why this still seems pretty relevant, especially with social media commentary ...

#PoliticalRorschach

 

[Brad Sallows]

With X in particular, it's best to wait a while before latching onto something.

If you post an X "gotcha" before the "Community Notes" have had time to pass through the gate, you risk looking like a fool.

 

[mariomike]

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When cornered or cooped up with someone on the ( political ) spectrum , or any spectrum, I nod and say, "ok".

That gives them their "win".

Which, usually, seems enough to satisfy them.

 

[OldSolduer]

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the USA is a foreign nation with an elected government.

It’s their choice.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the USA is a foreign nation with an elected government.

It’s their choice.

And this decision is very similar to our current policy.

 

[brihard]

With X in particular, it's best to wait a while before latching onto something.

If you post an X "gotcha" before the "Community Notes" have had time to pass through the gate, you risk looking like a fool.

Which is why it’s so important, when using X, to treat it like an aggregator and not a source in and of itself unless the person posting original content is already proven reliable or speaks with some particular authority they themselves hold. Even the knowledgeable experts are still usually building off something else they’ll cite.

 

[lenaitch]

I support and will fight for your right to make that choice. All I ask is just leave it a choice and we don't hinder freedoms for making that choice.

Agreed, so long as people who are potentially contagious exercise the requisite protection or discretion in public or congregate settings. I grew up with a kid who had polio - crippled for life, my dad had TB and lived with one lung and know a family who's kid died of meningitis. Having said that, I don't want to re-kindle the vaccine debate.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Agreed, so long as people who are potentially contagious exercise the requisite protection or discretion in public or congregate settings. I grew up with a kid who had polio - crippled for life, my dad had TB and lived with one lung and know a family who's kid died of meningitis. Having said that, I don't want to re-kindle the vaccine debate.

Fair all I will add from my position is:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Ben Franklin

 

[mariomike]

Agreed, so long as people who are potentially contagious exercise the requisite protection or discretion in public or congregate settings.

On some departments, no vax = full PPE.

Big change for the U.S. military after 80 years. Some might call it progress.

As far as Liberty / Freedom goes, some might say that when it comes to public health, personal freedom / liberty can endanger others.

"Safety" (the preservation of life) is a necessary precondition for the exercise of liberty / freedom.

I think most of our readers understand the difference between defending one's country and supporting public health.

If quoting Benjamin Franklin,

Benjamin Franklin was a vocal advocate for smallpox inoculation (a primitive form of vaccination) later in life, using his newspaper to promote it as a "safe and beneficial Practice". He strongly regretted not inoculating his 4-year-old son, Francis, who died of the disease in 1736, and advocated for others to choose the safer option over the risk of natural infection.

'I Long Regretted Bitterly, and Still Regret That I Had Not Given It To Him'

Benjamin Franklin's writing about losing his son to smallpox is a must-read for parents weighing COVID-19 vaccines today

time.com