Anthrax Vaccine Network, Inc. - P.O. Box 844 - Missoula, MT 59806
PH: 1-888-411-3200 - FAX: (406) 542-0832
e-mail: contact@anthraxvaccine.net - web site: http://www.anthraxvaccine.net
 

 
March 8, 2002: 
Hello, everyone.  The news keeps coming at us so quickly that catching hold
of it on the way through is becoming something of an art.  We may send you
a second newsletter within the week!
 
 What's New?
 Many congratulations - and a standing ovation - to Lt. Col. Thomas S.
Heemstra (ret. U.S.A.F.) who will launch his new book, "Anthrax: A Deadly
Shot in the Dark - Unmasking the Truth Behind a Deadly Vaccine," and will,
at the same time, revealed the story of a recent anthrax-related accident -
and accident undisclosed by the FDA and the Dept. of Defense up until now -
at a press conference and book signing at noon on Wednesday, March 13, at
the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. 
 
 (And no, at this point, we have no inside scoop on what that
anthrax-related accident might be!) 
 
 Tom will also be appearing on Hardball with Chris Matthews at 7 p.m.
Eastern Time Tuesday, March 12, on MSNBC; and Common Sense with Oliver
North, on Radio America from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday,
March 13.  For more information about the book  - and to order your copy -
visit http://www.anthraxadeadlyshotinthedark.com
                                 
Recent Headlines
 About that IOM Report - one of the better white-wash jobs the Pentagon has
ever paid for - people are weighing in with rebuttals, and the AVN will
have its own response posted on the web site in the next few days.  In the
meantime, we're all asking ourselves the same question:  Are we talking
about the same vaccine here?  Has someone changed it yet again?  And
exactly what has been left out of this report?

 Meantime, enjoy checking out Dr. Meryl Nass' response when her regular
weekly column appears this Monday (March 10) on
http://www.redflagsweekly.com.  Here's a great quote from what she's
written:  "So despite the fact that data on long-term effects are very
limited, despite the concerns about the birth defect data and DMSS data on
diabetes, multiple sclerosis an dCrohn's Disease, despite the refusals of
further vaccine doses by many in the UK and the US, and despite the five
Gulf War Syndrome studies, the report specifically recommends against any
special efforts in vaccine safety monitoring for AVA, and wants to shut
down the one committee designated to perform this.  So much for the concept
of 'additional follow-up.'"
 
 Another response is provided by Sandy Mintz, writing in the March 1
Scandals column of Vaccination News, at http://www.vaccinationnews.com   One
of Sandy's excellent points is this:  "...when a 1986 study reported in a
prestigious journal finds that two harmless viruses recombined in the
bodies of mice and killed more than half of them and yet that study isn't
included in a review of the literature concerning the effects of multiple
vaccinations on the immune system (a study which they were publicly told
about almost 10 years ago), what does that say about the thoroughness and
thoughtfulness of their report?"
 
In Process at the Network
 Sonnie Bates, Kathy Hubbell and others are in the process of writing two
"how to" briefs which wil be posted in the web site:  1)How to proceed if
you think you have become ill from the vaccine (including preparing for a
Medical Board review and working with the VA to get your benefits), and 2)
How to proceed if you are thinking of refusing the vaccine.  There has been
no one source of information for this, and all of us who work online with
all of you find ourselves without a standard guideline - we end up giving
out advice in bits and pieces.  Once we have these briefs written, you'll
be able to get some comprehensive advice from those who have been there.
 
 An article attacking AVN appeared in an online magazine,
www.nursingpectrum.com.  Our wonderful Major Russell Dingle drafted a
reply, and that's now on our home page at www.anthraxvaccine.net.  

Also, we were interviewed by Andy Lightbody, a reporter on military affairs
from the Rick Fowler Radio Show (ABC) in Washington, D.C. - WMAL Radio.
Andy's first question, after reading the IOM report, had us both laughing:
"At what exact point is it determined that someone has been fully
vaccinated against anthrax?"  For some strange reason, he hasn't been able
to find anyone willing to answer that  question!  His story will run either
tomorrow, Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, or next Sunday, March 17, at
8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.  (Apologies for the late notice!)
 
Also, Redmond Handy reports: "The opportunity I had for an interview with
Melissa McDermott can be seen here -     CBS News | Refusing the Anthrax
Vaccine | March 8, 2002 02:12:51 - and at this web address:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/08/uttm/main503271.shtml.   The
entire 5 minute segment video is viewable with Real Player software."
 
 Barb Dunn, widow of Richard Dunn, a BioPort employee who died after his
11th shot, gave a TV interview on Feb. 27th, her first one since Richard's
death.  You can look for it online at www.woodtv.com.   Barb, we know it was
difficult to speak out, but you did a superb job.  Every single person who
speaks out may help to save a life.
 
 After being contacted by the Walter Reed National Vaccine Healthcare
Center, we have included their information and link on our home page.  We
feel it's important to keep those lines of communication open, and would
like to continue hearing from those of you who have received treatment at
the center.
 
 Member News
 Our wonderful AVN treasurer, Nancy Rugo, has successfully come through
major surgery this past week, and should now be back at home in Spokane.
You can send you good wishes to Nancy at camprugo@earthlink.net
 
 Among the worst things that happens to those of you who are ill is
someone not believing you.  This disbelief has been carried to the extreme
in at least two awful incidences. Tom Colosimo went through brutal physical
treatment while still in the Air Force when emergency responders who
arrived at his home thought he was faking.  Now we also hear from Karen
Dagget, whose husband, a Gulf War vet, was brutally beaten by cops thinking
that his seizure was a drug reaction.  Karen is working to change the laws
in her community and her state concerning police and emergency responder
procedures, and would love assistance and advice from anyone who might be
able to provide it.  Please contact Karen at KW57KD@aol.com
 
 
----------
 
And finally, Sandy Mintz has a great quote at the top of her "Scandals"
piece that we'd nearly forgotten about but that, in light of the IOM
report, seems especially apt:
 "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before
breakfast."
          - The Queen in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
 
 E-mail us at contact@anthraxvaccine.net with any questions, comments or
contributions! 

Anthrax Vaccine Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 844 - Missoula, MT 59806
PH: 1-888-411-3200
FAX: (406) 542-0832
e-mail: contact@anthraxvaccine.net
web site: http://www.anthraxvaccine.net