Resistance to any and all evidence against vaccination - it is among the most confounding and consequential of the obstacles hindering meaningful pursuit of the truth about vaccines. 

Perhaps the most puzzling resistance can be found among some parents whose children may have been harmed by vaccines. 

For instance, it is understood that many SIDS parents and support groups are adamantly opposed to the notion that vaccines could have led to this death of "unknown cause".  It has been speculated that the reason for this opposition is simply huge relief over no longer being blamed. 

While this reluctance to entertain the possibility of a vaccination connection may be understandable, it begs the question how it could occur when coming forward might well prevent additional infant deaths. 

This suggests a powerful force is operating.  The particulars of an interesting legal case may well provide insight into just how powerful.

Sally Clark, a mother of three, had two of her babies die.  One died just hours after being vaccinated, the other a few weeks following.  She was charged with murder and sent to jail.  And she was recently exonerated and released.

We can all celebrate the release of an innocent mother.  But if recent reports of the reversal are representative and complete, the fact that both her babies died shortly after being vaccinated, although mentioned by her father and on her website, seems to have played no part in her legal defense. 

If true, how could that be?  Wouldn't someone who has been unfairly jailed normally use every reasonable means to achieve freedom and justice, particularly one who still had a child at home?  Or could it be that this mom would rather spend her life in jail, than consider herself responsible in any way for the deaths of her other two children, no matter what? 

Could it be that she would rather be guilt-free and in jail, than "guilty" and free?

If so, that is one powerful influence.

The "Sally Clarks" of the world, those facing similarly terrible predicaments, deserve nothing less than our compassion and support. 

But in all fairness, it is hard not to be disturbed and perplexed about the apparent official omission of an obvious possible connection between vaccination and these baby's deaths.  It is also hard not to question the general failure to consider vaccinations as a possible cause in SIDS deaths, especially those within hours or days of vaccination, and not to wonder why that would be.  Are vaccinations not being considered because of a need to avoid responsibility, no matter what the consequences?

Is this factor operating in the case of doctors' resistance as well?

Parents and doctors must choose responsibility to living children over avoiding guilt about children who have died.  More parents and doctors need to publicly come forward, as some parents and doctors have already done, with the goal of preventing harm to any more children.  Guilt over the past must not prevent us from living in the present.  Guilt over the past must not prevent our taking responsibility for it.

Sandy Mintz               

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." - Wendell Phillips (1811-1884), paraphrasing John Philpot Curran (1808)