Dude, I’m all about the herbal remedies, but these people need to vaccinate their damn kids. It affects the rest of us.

Posted by Tim McCormack on 27 July 02010 @ 7pm

What is the foundation for this fear of “chemicals”? Isn’t EVERYTHING a chemical compound? The air we breathe, water, etc.? Everything in the world is built out of pieces of the periodic table of the elements, isn’t it? What do these people mean when they say they don’t want to put “chemicals” on or into their child? Are they not aware that the homeopathic cough drop is just as “chemical” as the chicken-pox vaccine?

Posted by Cecil on 27 July 02010 @ 9pm

FWIW, Tim, I also think that herbal remedies absolutely have their place. There are a lot of naturally occurring medicinal treatments (marijuana being the obvious example) that are well worth pursuing. But there’s a point where giving a kid herbs is basically the same as praying over him and hoping that God will heal the gaping wound in his skull. We have better medical solutions to such problems.

Remember, Cecil, chemicals are things people make. If it occurs in nature, it’s healthy. (Uranium need not apply. :)

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 27 July 02010 @ 10pm

The only good option for the Volt is a lease. You don’t want to have to replace the batteries in a couple of years or be stuck with a car that could crater in value if the technology doesn’t work out. Plus the technology will be more proven in 3 years.

The lease numbers I saw look quite affordable as well. The 3 year 36 month lease payment will be $350 per month with $2500 down payment.

Posted by perlogik on 28 July 02010 @ 9am

I was nearly certain that the Volt would always be vaporware used to help slow the sales of competitor’s hybrids…

Wow, they really will have one for sale soon? Amazing…
at that price it will not have much impact on the market though (perhaps through affordable leasing it might)

Posted by Scott Nolan on 28 July 02010 @ 2pm

It has an 8 year/100k battery warranty. If you’re an urbanite it buys you a ticket to ride the HOV. If your commute is less than 40 miles it takes volatile gasoline pricing out of the picture. And between the $7,500 tax credit and much reduced gas tax expenditures, all those gas guzzlers get to subsidize your good sense, and mother-earth loving style!

Posted by Bubby Hussein, Hillbilly Sheikh on 28 July 02010 @ 2pm

On the vaccine issue, I think the parents should be held criminally liable. I would think now these folks could be open to civil liability.

Posted by tx2vadem on 28 July 02010 @ 6pm

Cecil: There’s a certain correlation between the infrequency with which compounds are found in our natural environment, and the toxicity of those compounds. Synthetic compounds tickle our chemistry in new and exciting ways, sometimes leading to Cancer Surprise. That’s roughly where the fear comes from.

Posted by Tim McCormack on 28 July 02010 @ 10pm

I can’t imagine then how anti-vaccine folks live in regular houses or communities if they fear synthetic chemicals. Synthetic chemicals are all around these people. How are they not paralyzed with fear?

Also, where is the study that points to toxicity being any different in synthetic chemicals than chemicals that are naturally occurring? That would not appear to make a lot of sense.

Viruses help to cause certain cancers. If their fear is cancer, you’d think they would want immunizations from HPV and Hepatitis B.

Posted by tx2vadem on 29 July 02010 @ 3pm

http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/August-2010/Using-Fear-Prejudice-to-Attack-Vaccine-Exemption.aspx

Posted by brian on 5 August 02010 @ 5pm

Not about vaccines, but a good article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/029350_doctors_patients.html

Posted by brian on 6 August 02010 @ 4pm