Rick Perry's HPV Stance Grounded in Case of Heather Burcham, Who Died of Cervical Cancer

ABC News ^ | September 15, 2011 | GINA SUNSERI

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Heather Burcham died in 2007 when she was 31. Cervical cancer killed her. She was misdiagnosed at age 26, and by the time she knew she had cancer, it was too late for effective treatment.

But she changed lives by living hers so passionately.

She was deeply religious, quick-witted, loving, with a quirky sense of humor; and she was determined to save other young women. Her passion for a cause made her a "Person of the Week" on ABC's "World News" program in 2007. Heather likely would have been shouting from the rooftops in frustration, listening to the current political debate about the HPV vaccine.

For her, the HPV vaccine was about saving lives, not politics, not campaign donations. She probably would have been heartbroken to hear Texas Gov. Rick Perry backtrack from his commitment to have girls vaccinated against cervical cancer.

Perry made her the poster child for his HPV executive decision, and spoke eloquently at her funeral. What a difference four years later as he debates the topic with other Republican candidates.

Her words to ABC News in 2007 still resonate, in light of the current debate in which this one face of the disease has been lost amid the political rhetoric.

"I don't want to have died in vain," she said. "I don't want my life to have no purpose whatsoever, and if I can help spread the word about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, then I haven't lived in vain."

[GunRunner]

Michelle Bachmann repeated a lie. While she may have the "right" to regurgitate lies, we also have the right to point out what she was doing.

If you don't like it, too bad.

[Just mythoughts]

Michelle Bachmann repeated a lie. While she may have the "right" to regurgitate lies, we also have the right to point out what she was doing. If you don't like it, too bad.

As I have the same 'right' to point out who the real luddites are in this so called modern era... you don't like that too bad.

[GunRunner]

You really need to research to the term Luddite. You still don’t know what it means.

[GunRunner]

I own several coin-op laundries and get the bullitens.

Is that a good business? Seems recession proof. People are always going to need to wash clothes.

[Outlaw Woman]

I'd like to thank the Republican candidates for taking the focus off my destruction of America.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

No kidding.

[Carling]

You really need to research to the term Luddite. You still don’t know what it means.

The funny thing is that even the "slang" definition of luddite refers to being anti-technology. In effect, Just mythoughts is the one railing against the new vaccine (i.e. new technology), making him the "luddite".

I believe this is called being "hoisted by your own petard"! :). It's quite comical to see someone continually use a term as an insult that actually pertains to their own written words.

luddite

1. One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are...why can't everything just be the same?)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=luddite

[presently no screen name]

I simply remarked that the true RINO was not attacked...

Did Cain, Newt, Ron attack him? They were on stage with him, not Sarah. MB won't, she's his side kick.

But she’s a private citizen that nearly has a bully pulpit.

She earned it!

Up until the race got serious, she used it wisely.

What you consider wise and what Sarah considers wise are miles apart. Her success and her accomplishments were done with her God-given wisdom, not yours or anyone else's.

[Outlaw Woman]

Oh I remember you...lol..You’re the one ready to lose your mind over Palin.

[Just mythoughts]

The funny thing is that even the "slang" definition of luddite refers to being anti-technology. In effect, Just mythoughts is the one railing against the new vaccine (i.e. new technology), making him the "luddite". I believe this is called being "hoisted by your own petard"! :). It's quite comical to see someone continually use a term as an insult that actually pertains to their own written words. luddite 1. One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are...why can't everything just be the same?) http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=luddite

Yes just like 'gay' use to mean something else. OR that word 'marriage' meant the union of two into one male and female. Perversion of words and their meaning is NOTHING new.

[so_real]

Are claims of Gardisil causing mental retardation a part of that Judicial Watch report?

No. The Judicial Watch report does not reference 'mental retardation'. And it would have been better for Bachmann if she had not as well. However, for sake of fairness and intellectual honesty, Bachmann did not make the claim that Gardasil caused mental retardation either. She relayed the story of a crying woman after the debate who indicating it had done so to her daughter. If Ron Paul, a doctor, had repeated such a story I might admonish him for it. I'd expect him to be skeptical. But I can't vilify Bachmann, with no medical background I am aware of, for repeating it. I will, however, watch for her to own up to the misstep publicly. That act will make more of a statement about her than the initial error, in my opinion. All people make mistakes -- it's what we do about them that weighs for or against us.

[Eva]

Hmm, that sounds suspiciously like the ILWU, except they use other methods to oppose mechanization.

[Grunthor]

by my count your non-candidate backed McCain twice.

[GunRunner]

Like hostage-taking and threatening cops and reporters.

[Just mythoughts]

by my count your non-candidate backed McCain twice.

And then there is the algore/Rudy baggage so many work over time to eliminate the stink.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

I still wonder how many of the Perry attackers were Romney attackers for Huckabee.

Three candidates that I just don't get. A bunch of my 'church' friends were Huck fans, my precinct went for (and will again go for) Romney. I don't think Perry is as bad as either of them, but I don't get the excitement on this website for the guy.

[GunRunner]

I will, however, watch for her to own up to the misstep publicly

We'll see. There's been plenty of time, but I haven't seen anything from her.

Like I said, a tremendous amount of respect lost for her in my eyes. It was almost inexcusable to make such an error about such a serious charge. Demagoguery knows no limits.

[Grunthor]

“And there have been many on these threads implying and saying that proper morals is all you need to save you getting exposed to the HPV virus.”\

What it is is people trying to make sure that government is in the business of making people choose a more moral path when (if the Bible is to be believed) that choice has GOT to involve free will. It is not our place to stop people from sinning and it is not our place to keep medicines from people. I say these things as a twice a week church-goer.

[pgyanke]

How is transmission relevant?

Are you dense or just trying to be obtuse? We vaccinate our children in school because the close proximity is an easy vector for airborne diseases. HPV is not one of those, it is spread by very specific actions that go well beyond casual contact. Considering the large number of things we spread that way, the list of vaccinations would get to be a mile long if we intend to inoculate everyone against everything.

As I pointed out earlier, if a vaccine came out for AIDS would you be in favor of forced vaccination given the ways it is transmitted?

[traderrob6]

It’s by no means the majority of Palin supporters but a small group of squeeky door malcontents.