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"Wise politicians will be cautious about fettering the government with restrictions that cannot be observed, because they know that every break of the fundamental laws, though dictated by necessity, impairs that sacred reverence which ought to be maintained in the breast of rulers towards the constitution of a country."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 25, 1787

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PostHeaderIcon Maine Coalition for Vaccine Choice

PostHeaderIcon Campaign for Vaccine Choice, Review

 

My brain gives me no peace. Every issue that calls for engagement has many areas to learn about and this issue, this Bill to Prohibit Mandatory Vaccinations, has a myriad of layers and connected areas of concern and possible impact. We want to educate and inform. We want people to recognize the nature of the beast, so to speak. Communicating effectively has to be one of our goals and seeing the pattern of response is key.

Looking directly at this bill we find present laws in the State of Maine. Many of you have forwarded to me your letters with the responses you have received from Legislative Council Members and other legislators. The media list was expanded with the help of Pete Harring from Paint Maine Red. 67 media contacts received the 2 Press Releases sent out in Round 1, before the Council’s decision and Round 2, after the Council’s decision.

5 newspapers, 2 tv stations and 2 radio programs responded directly. The Fort Fairfield Journal has been covering this. 2 of the papers, The Ellsworth American and the Kennebec Journal followed up with phone calls and print. Channel 6 called as well and Channel 5 actually showed up at the hearing. Ray and Ted had Rep. Thomas on their show and Aroostook Watchmen had me as a guest early in this campaign and will have Rep. Thomas as a guest on the 29th. They have spent much time focused on this issue. From what I have been told a small number of papers did print a few letters to the editor that you sent in.

The lady from Channel 6 did not believe that they could force vaccinations and I have no idea if she followed up after that. The Scarborough Leader told me they only report on items that directly affect people in the Scarborough area, as if they are somehow exempt from Augusta or D.C.

Few members of the Council have responded thus far. Hannah Pingree insists our present laws adequately protect us and gave reassurances that nothing is in the works to enforce mandatory vaccinations. Libby Mitchell, a gubernatorial candidate, not only states “This bill is not needed because Mainers already are protected from unnecessary vaccinations,” but also details the vaccines that are mandatory but have ‘opt outs’. Rep. Cleary, the Rep. I had asked if you would send him an e-mail about this responded that he spoke with the “Speaker's Office and Speaker's counsel, legal analysts at the Statehouse...They indicate there is no law, plan or executive order authorizing mandatory vaccinations.”

While these are the responses from the lawmakers, one lawmaker tells the truth. Channel 5 reported it. This link will take you to the Channel 5 website where Senator Lisa Marrache, Council Member who voted against vaccine choice, confirms that state officials have the power to mandate vaccines and that the 6 Council Members voted down a bill that would take away that power. Senator Marrache insists that they must have that option just in case. http://www.wabi.tv/news/8071/vaccine-debate-wages-on

They have authority to stick a needle in my body and inject me against my will.

Maine has a Health Emergency Statute which seemingly allows an incredible amount of power. Upon the declaration of an extreme public health emergency, the department has the powers to take a person into custody, without a court order, and order prescribed care of that person. Without a court order required who approves that there is reasonable cause to take that person into custody? Where is the oversight? Also, prescribed care is not defined and therefore is wide open to include vaccinations, drugs and quarantine. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/Statutes/22/title22sec820.html

So either the other legislators are uninformed or they are complicit and dishonest. Either one is not acceptable. I would think that the leaders of the legislature who decided to throw this in the trash should be informed. And if they are complicit and dishonest, well, that I do not need to elaborate on. Many of the snail mail letters that were sent after the Council’s decision included that information above about Maine’s Health Emergency Law, so they cannot claim ignorance of the law.

What makes any one of them more qualified to decide what should be put into my body, than I? That they are legislators, that they were elected? Anyone of us can run for office and get elected, so it cannot be that. And actually, I believe it is the Governor who has that power or "the director". HOWEVER, it is the legislators who have the power now to allow this bill forward, to stand up for vaccine choice.

Are the qualifications based on making decisions relying on the experts; the scientists and the CDC, or the WHO? The CDC confirmed on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that the Novel H1N1 vaccine was fast tracked with insufficient testing done yet they stated they believe the vaccine is safe because the methods are the same methods as with the “normal” flu. (They also speak to how the U.S. might address pandemic flu vaccine matters in the future including the instituting federally mandated vaccinations.)

Webcast http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=2613

The FDA inserts for the H1N1 vaccine are now available on the FDA’s website. They list possible adverse reactions as do all pharmaceuticals. And through guidance between you and your doctor you get to make your decisions; so long as that right has not been taken.

The WHO honestly stated that it was through mass vaccinations that the safety data would become available.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_safety_vaccines_20090805/en/index.html

The ‘experts’ have declared that this ‘pandemic’ warrants this kind of treatment of the vaccine; the approval before substantial testing can be done.

CBS just aired their investigative report that reveals some interesting facts about the way this ‘pandemic’ has been treated by the CDC. They stopped counting incidences, they refused to produce information so CBS had to file under the Freedom of Information Act, and their testing was negligent for such an issue as serious as a pandemic. The government declared a pandemic! President Obama invoked National Emergency powers through his declaration last Friday. Based on what? Go read the CBS report.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/21/cbsnews_investigates/main5404829.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesArea

The experts apparently are not to be solely relied upon for their dubious expertise. Yet the lawmakers believe they should keep the option of mandatory vaccinations open to them, even if it means that they listen to the experts who approve the use of experimental pharmaceuticals upon the populace. .

So again, what qualifies the government; governor, legislators, Director of Health and Human Services (appointed), to make the decision to inject something into someone else against their wishes? And where are those qualifications established? How can anyone have that authority? The government is not to do to me what I cannot do to them. They are just like us, coming from ‘of the people’ who have been elected to office.

Did you, upon voting for these lawmakers, vote to give up your rights to your body?

Any more letters and calls that get made need to include the facts that our State’s Emergency Health Statute allows for mandatory vaccinations. They can no longer pretend that they do not have that power. It is now common knowledge.

They know we know this

The next few days I am spending beefing out the details to the list of gubernatorial candidates from every party. This is a good litmus test. “Are you, gubernatorial candidate who is running for the highest office of our state, willing to Stand Up for this?” When that list is complete, I will be sending another e-mail asking you to contact some of them to invite them to Stand Up with us.

We need as many bodies on November 5th at the appeal. The Council and the media need to see this. This is no longer an issue that can continue to be only discussed in the comfort of an e-mail. Or decided by these 6 legislators.

Right now please get as many people as you can aware that:

Maine has a law that has given power to the lawmakers to inject you against your will. The Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Marrache confirms this on camera, to Channel 5; that they have this power and they mean to keep this power. That we need as many bodies at that appeal as possible. The rule-makers need to know without a doubt that we DO pay attention to what they do, and that we do care enough to do something about it. That we will no longer stand by and allow them to do whatever the heck they want. That they are NOT invisible. They need to be under the magnifying glass of the people, en mass, with the TV cameras watching.

These ARE the front lines. Right now. They cannot be left to go unopposed. 

Maine Statute supports Marrache's statement. That statute above defines nothing so therefor is wide open to everything.

You, who are reading this, who have not plugged in yet,

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

What line needs to be crossed for you to stand up?

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands, which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." -Samuel Adams

In Liberty,
Cynthia Joy Rosen

Last Updated (Monday, 26 October 2009 20:28)

 

PostHeaderIcon CDC Intends to Issue National Vaccine Mandates

On September 29th,Thomas R. Frieden, head of CDC appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to testify on H1N1 and in a response to a question from Congressman Darrell Issa, said that the CDC would like to create federal mandates forcing vaccination.

Issa asked about the "push back" from the New York medical professionals to the states mandate that they receive the H1N1 and seasonal flu shot and the case that the state has for forcing the vaccines. Frieden expressed the opinion that he believed that the state mandate is warranted, and that he thinks such mandates should take place at a federal level, although not this year.

This echos Julie Gerberding's comments to the New York Times last week in regard to the NY manndate that CDC wanted to implement forced vaccines while she was there.

"The unions do not oppose vaccination “but we oppose a mandatory program,” he said. “This is: ‘You don’t get the shot, you’re fired.’ ”

Some prominent health experts, however, were delighted.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called New York’s move “a big deal.”

She had pushed for years for mandatory vaccinations — not just to protect health care workers, she explained, but to protect their patients, who are often aged, have weakened immune systems or are bedridden after surgery, which increases pneumonia risks.

“We tried to market the idea, to push people, to educate,” she said. “But looking back, broadly speaking, we failed. It’s time to look at a more aggressive approach.”

By contrast, her successor, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, said last month that even though he expected a surge in swine flu deaths this winter and even though C.D.C. guidelines give health care workers first priority for the new vaccine, he would not push to make vaccinations mandatory."


Apparently the NYT was only partially right that Frieden wouldn't push for forced vaccinations. He wants to force them, just not this year.

Video can be found here, Issa/Frieden discussion starts at 43:20.

Last Updated (Thursday, 22 October 2009 15:42)

 

PostHeaderIcon PRESS RELEASE: Maine Legislative Council Excludes Bill to Prevent Forced Vaccination

Maine Coalition for Vaccine Choice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ginger Taylor

Tel. 207-729-6757

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MAINE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EXCLUDES BILL TO PREVENT FORCED VACCINATION

The Maine Coalition for Vaccine Choice is disappointed with the members of the Maine Legislative Council who prevented Mainers from securing their right to decline vaccination if they so choose.  Rep. Doug Thomas' proposed bill to prevent forced vaccination in Maine was stuck down by the Council today, with out discussion, and the MCVC supports Rep Thomas in his appeal the decision at the next meeting on November 5th.  In the mean time, we hope to educate the members of the council on the need for Mainers to be able to decline any given vaccine, and encourage members of the public to voice their concerns with forced vaccination.


Vaccination is an invasive medical procedure and as such, decisions on vaccinating should be made on a case by case basis according to the health needs and risks of the individual.  Your vaccination decisions should be made in your doctor’s office between your and your physician, not in Augusta, Atlanta or Washington by legislators and non-elected officials.

Rep. Thomas will be appearing Monday October 19th at 7:04am on the George Hale and Ric Tyler Show, on WVOM 101.3 and 103.9, to discuss the bill.

For more information on vaccine choice, please visit http://MaineVaccineChoice.org.

# # #

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ginger Taylor, please contact Ginger Taylor at 207-729-6757 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Last Updated (Thursday, 15 October 2009 20:20)

 

PostHeaderIcon Maine Legislative Council Excludes Thomas Bill

This morning Maine Legislative Council, which decides which bills will be brought before the legilsature and which will not, voted six to four to exclude the proposed bill by Rep. Doug Thomas that would prevent Mainers from loosing the right to decline a vaccination.

The vote was split on party lines.  Rep. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of North Haven, Sen. Elizabeth H. Mitchell of Kennebec Co., Sen. Philip L. Bartlett II of Cumberland Co., Sen. Lisa T. Marrache of Kennebec Co., Rep. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Unity, and Rep. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Bowdoinham voted no on including the measure, Sen. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Washington Co., Sen. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of York Co., Rep. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Newport, and Rep. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Madison voted yes.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it has made clear that his is vehemently opposed to forced vaccination and that no government should hold the power to forcably inject anything into their citizens.  We stand with Rep. Thomas and are happy to hear that he will be appealing the decision on November 5th.  We hope that Mainers will contact these legislators and make their voices heard.

No Forced Vaccinations.

Last Updated (Thursday, 15 October 2009 20:44)

 

PostHeaderIcon October 15th Legislative Council Meeting

The Legislative Council meeting begins at 10 a.m.on this Thursday, October 15th. Here the tentative schedule and the grouping of the bills. Rep. Thomas' Bill, An Act To Prohibit Mandatory Vaccinations, is labeled LR 2136 and can be located on pg 9 of 29 of the doc titled "lrsbysubject2010". You will notice that the tentative schedule does not specify the order of the bills or when they will be up.

When you enter the State House, go to the 2nd Floor. Walk passed the Governors Office, to the stairs. Go up that flight of stairs. Turn right or left and go up the next set of stairs to the next landing. You will be on Floor 2 1/2. The Legislative Council room has a sign on the door identifying it. It is Rm #334

We will be taking the opportunity to meet as a group to map out our future direction. 

If any of us have cameras and video cameras, please seriously consider bringing them and taping this. I want that Council to have no doubt that they are being watched and that their proceedings will be broadcasted.

I have to take a few minutes here to attempt to express my gratitude to all the help from everyone. The e-mails and phone calls, to the council and the media, the letters to the editors, the copying of the flyers, the dissemination of the flyers, the rides to events, the web posting and website creation, the calls that many of you have had with me, your patience, everything. I am so thankful to know that there are so many of you who care enough to act. I cannot express how much I need to know others are fighting too. Thank you.

And if you feel like it, these 2 can't get enough phone calls. Hannah Pingree (867-0966) and Elizabeth Mitchell (622-2629)






LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OCTOBER 15, 2009

10:00 A.M.

PRELIMINARY AGENDA


Page

Item

Action

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

1

SUMMARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 MEETING OF

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Acceptance

REPORTS FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF OFFICE DIRECTORS

  • Executive Director’s Report (Mr. Boulter)

Information

  • Fiscal Report (Mr. Pennoyer)

Information

  • Status of Legislative Studies (Mr. Norton)

Information

REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES

  • Personnel Committee (Speaker Pingree, Chair)

(No Report)

  • State House Facilities Committee (Rep. Piotti, Chair)

(No Report)

· Budget Subcommittee (Senate President Mitchell, Chair)

(No Report)

· CSG Annual Meeting Planning Subcommittee

(Senator Bartlett and Representative Nancy Smith, Co-chairs)

OLD BUSINESS

(No action required)

NEW BUSINESS

11

Item # 1: Suggested Procedures for Deciding Legislative Bill Requests

Decision

Item #2: Consideration of Legislative Bill Requests for Introduction

In the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature

[Attached Binder]

Decision

13

Item # 3: Notification from the State of Maine Department of Audit that the

Single Audit of the State of Maine for the year ended June 30, 2009 is

being performed

Information

Item #4: Collective Bargaining Matters (Executive Session)

[If Needed]

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMARKS

ADJOURNMENT

Last Updated (Wednesday, 14 October 2009 19:30)