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Williams pushes back on faulty claims that Obama administration is to blame for shortage of H1N1 vaccines

November 01, 2009 10:21 am ET

From the November 1 broadcast of Fox News Sunday:

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Previously:

Breitbart, Examiner editor use H1N1 vaccine projections to attack health care reform

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    • Author by The_Cat (November 01, 2009 10:31 am ET)
      4  
      Mr. Kristol? The H1N1 vaccine shortages are occurring under our current health care system. One the government has not yet 'taken over', not that taking over the entire system was ever the plan, anyway. This rationing is being brought upon that pregnant mom and her toddlers by private companies, sir, not by the government. You have pointed out a flaw in our current system, and blamed it on a system that has not even been voted upon, let alone passed. With your ability to project, you should really being working as a four screen drive in movie theater.

      Thank you for pointing out that we currently have rationing in this country with the health system in private for-profit hands. I'm sure it will be a spur to the public to demand that, at the very least, there is a robust public option to keep the private companies honest about their costs. I know you didn't mean to help, Mr. Kristol, but thanks just the same for doing exactly that.
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      • Author by Bad News (November 01, 2009 10:43 am ET)
        2 1
        Bill Kristol, The Warrior that never Served.
        He attacks the Obama Administration because they are showing a little more Nerve?
        Go to a Military Recruiters Office Mr. Kristol and sit in that Chair?
        It will change your outlook & stop you from being so Miserably Unfair.

        Speak truth to power.


        Mr. News
        Report Abuse
      • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 8:02 am ET)
          2
        The first outbreaks of the H1N1 in the US where in March-April of 09, the government didn't order the vaccines until the end of July of 09 (160mm doses). What the hell where they doing for those 4 months?? There is a shortage NOW because they failed to act in time, not because of "private companies". You don't program a flu vaccine into a replicator and two days later you have all the shots you need.

        There is only a million examples of government failure to do things effectively and efficiently, but you just not sure yet....right?
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        • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 9:50 am ET)
             
          Oh, I see. So, the private companies knew about the outbreak in spring of this year, and sat on their thumbs until the government told them to start working on a vaccine? Really? And that's supposed to make me feel better about a private health industry? How, exactly?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 10:13 am ET)
              3
            The government is calling the shots with the vaccines, they dropped the ball....the call is theirs and theirs alone. The government is distributing the vaccine, not private companies. Deny all you want and stop deflecting from the responsibility of your beloved government.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 10:29 am ET)
                 
              So, you're saying I can't get it at Walgreen's? Because I can, for a fee, of course.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 12:15 pm ET)
                  3
                Seems like the private company "walgreens" was prepared, but not the gov. Thanks for admitting it.
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                • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 12:25 pm ET)
                     
                  Walgreen's doesn't make vaccine, they are only an outlet. You claimed the government was distributing it, and my reply was that, no, it is in fact available publicly from Walgreens, which, last time I checked, was not a part of the government.

                  It is 'my government', since I am an American citizen, but it is not 'beloved'. When facts fail you, get personal, right, gs-425?
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 12:28 pm ET)
                      2
                    If you consider that a personal attack, there is nothing I can do to help you.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 12:46 pm ET)
                         
                      Are you a resident alien or a citizen? If you are a citizen, is it not your government as well?

                      Why do I consider it personal? Well, it's like in any household with kids. One kid acts up or does something bad, and one parent turns to the other and says "Did you see what your child just did!" as though they had no responsibility at all. This is exactly what you tried to do just now.

                      Never really have trusted government, not since I was old enough to think for myself.
                      Report Abuse
            • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 10:34 am ET)
                 
              By the way, gs-425, you're absolutely sure it's the government's fault, and not because of overly optimistic estimates of how long it would take to create and ship the vaccine given by the private companies involved?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 12:11 pm ET)
                  2
                yes
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                • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 12:22 pm ET)
                     
                  Well, you're partly right. The government did have some trouble with testing the new vaccine, but production is all the fault of the private companies who actually make the vaccine. They were, it turns out, a bit optimistic about how quickly it could be produced. Guess who is funding research into faster ways of producing flu vaccines?

                  Is it drug companies, who falsely claim they're profits are necessary to fund expensive research? No. No, it's the federal government who is underwriting investigation into faster methods of producing vaccines, because the private companies are too tight-fisted to bother. Still think you can trust private health companies, gs-425?
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                  • Author by gs-425 (November 02, 2009 12:27 pm ET)
                      1
                    Walgreens has it....them must have ordered it in time. Government....not so much. They missed, just like CfC estimates.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by The_Cat (November 02, 2009 12:42 pm ET)
                         
                      Wait a minute, gs-425. Didn't you just say that the vaccine couldn't be produced because the government didn't order it? Now you're saying Walgreens got the ball rolling before the federal government even got involved? You just going to keep trying different stories until one of them works?
                      Report Abuse
    • Author by cugagcmu805031 (November 01, 2009 10:33 am ET)
      5  
      Even Bill laughed after Williams made his comment. An obvious sign that Kristol knew that Williams had revealed the basis of Kristol's comment, which was intended to undermine Obama and the attempt to reform the health care system. Epic Fail, Kristol.

      As usual.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© (November 01, 2009 10:34 am ET)
      2  
      The Washington Poop must be very proud of their boy, Billy K.
      ~
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mk3872 (November 01, 2009 10:34 am ET)
      4  
      But we all know the current media theme by now, right?

      EVERYTHING is Obama's fault!!

      For instance, if Obama hadn't removed the HIV travel restrictions last week, I am CERTAIN that Ryan Howard would not have struck now in 7 out of his last 8 at bats ...

      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (November 01, 2009 1:37 pm ET)
        2  
        Charles Krauthammer had an op-ed in my local newspaper today saying that Obama needs to stop blaming Bush for everything.

        I don't think the Obama Administration intends to blame Bush for anything UNTIL people on the right start blaming things that Obama isn't responsible for on Obama!

        Once someone falsely accuses Obama, then there comes the 'it's really Bush's fault.' I believe it's a planned "trap", where they plan on making it look like Obama is simply out to refuse to accept responsibility. He's not.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Bronwyn (November 01, 2009 10:44 am ET)
      2  
      Bill, Halloween is over, so what's with the witches laugh? Lies, snide remarks and your rude laughing, at Williams remarks, is the best you can come up with, to argue against Health Reform?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by liberalXtian (November 01, 2009 10:55 am ET)
      3  
      I thought the talking point was that H1N1 was a radical, socialist hoax and that the H1N1 vaccine was dangerous. Now they are upset and blame Obama for the shortage of the vaccine? That's the ticket! Lie and attack Obama, even when it contradicts previous lies and attacks.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eb (November 01, 2009 11:11 am ET)
        1  
        Maybe Obama is not being evil enough to fit the narrative that Obama is the devil incarnate
        Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (November 01, 2009 1:43 pm ET)
        2  
        No, the talking point is that you can't trust the government.

        You can't trust them when they tell you how dangerous the flu is, you can't trust them when they tell you how safe the vaccine is relative to getting the flu or infecting someone else who might get really sick or die becuase you didn't get the vaccine and instead got sick. And you can't trust the government when they tell you how many doses of the vaccine we'll have.

        And if you can't trust the government on this, how can you trust them on taking care of health care reform. That's why they are so invested in labelling it the "government option"!!!

        I believe that every single bit of the opposition from rightwing pundits to the flu vaccine is 100% related to their attempts to instill fear of government control over healthcare reform.

        That's why Rush, et al says that the Obama White House is using the H1N1 flu to help with healthcare reform - it's because Rush, et al are using the flu to HURT healthcare reform. They see their corrupt behavior and they imply that everyone must be acting corrupt with regard to how they deal with this public health emergency. But there's no real evidence that Obama is managing this in a corrupt or political way.
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    • Author by mjsomme (November 01, 2009 10:56 am ET)
      6  
      Bill, exactly when was the last time you were correct? Yeah. I don't remember either.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by juliajayne1 (November 01, 2009 11:51 am ET)
        5  
        Bill doesn't need to be correct on anything. He is an apparatchik of the Republicans, working undercover as a "journalist". He was one of the strategists that opined that the Clinton's healthcare plan be destroyed, much as he is doing now with Obama. For he sees defeat on this issue, as defeat for the administration and Democrats.

        The guy is a sherpa for the Republican party. He has no moral underpinnings whatsoever. The neocon chickenhawk is only interested in one thing: power.

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        • Author by juliajayne1 (November 01, 2009 11:57 am ET)
          6  
          I should add that Kristol has no interest in the merits of any healthcare reform program, and doesn't care one whit about people not having access to healthcare.

          Ah, maybe that's self evident, though, eh? So thanks to Juan for pointing that out.
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    • Author by SLRTX (November 01, 2009 11:48 am ET)
         
      Well, that segment looked more "fair and balanced". I'm serious.

      Thank you, Juan Williams.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by draftedin68 (November 01, 2009 1:19 pm ET)
      2  
      Whew! That was close!

      When Chris told Bill: "It's a good debating point for your side,...", he damn near forgot the "y" in "your."

      .

      A common theme in the righties' barrage of B.S. in the debate over our too-frickin'-greedy-to-fix-ya healthcare system is rarely exposed by the teleprompter-reading bobble heads: Rush, Sean, and every single (R)rsehole on the Hill scream about what horrible things are in "the bill" and within an hour, they're screaming that the bill is "too big to read"!

      Uhhh... which is it guys?

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      • Author by blk-in-alabam (November 01, 2009 4:01 pm ET)
        1  
        That's just legal mumbo jumbo republican party media uses.They say they are conservative media.They campaign for the republican party.The NY 23rd race is also being used as a lame attempt to cover up the real mission of republican party media.The only evidence of the existence of the republican party.
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    • Author by Boxer1979 (November 01, 2009 1:21 pm ET)
      2  
      Bill Kristol knows nothing. That is why he rely laughed at what Juan Williams said. Now I must say that was fair and balanced!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by I Hate ClusterFOX NEWS (November 01, 2009 4:49 pm ET)
         
      We have rationed health care right now. If the obstructionist (such as Juan Williams) were to get out the way, we'd have health care right now. And now we have a surgeon general after what four months of hearings. The conservatives want the country to fail and here's a good example. Thanks MMFA!!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by wheezy (November 01, 2009 5:21 pm ET)
         
      The Republicans have a "hold" on the Surgeon General Appointment submitted by the President. It would help the nation during this H1N1 crisis to have the Surgeon General position filled, but the Republicans won't budge on the issue. They want to play politics. They are hoping to use up time on the Senate floor during the healthcare debate with the Surgeon General appointment, and thus be able to delay the vote. Politics over people again.
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    • Author by spooky3 (November 01, 2009 8:09 pm ET)
      3  
      Was there ever a grin that ate more sh** than Bill Kristol's? Lest you RWers perceive this as an ad hominem attack, let me hasten to add that his appearance is superior to the insipidness and fact-free nature of his argument.
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