[pyre]

So, the crux of your argument is, "You can't criticize me for not vaccinating my kids because other bad things happen that may or may not get the same amount of attention."

Also, you say this:

> I wonder what it is about tech folks that make them so brain washed.

But earlier you said this:

> My kids are breast-fed. That means they have a stronger immune system and spread less disease. Kids who are fed formula contract more diseases and are therefore putting infants at risk of developing complications of flu, for example.

Do you have a citation for any of this?

> Thousands of children die every year from obesity-related complications, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

How many children die from heart disease caused by obesity? How many cases of childhood cancer are linked to obesity?

[throwawayyyz]

I'm saying that people on HN are quick to judge parents who don't vaccinate as if it's about to bring armageddon. Meanwhile, they themselves contribute to more harm to themselves as well as their kids and other people's kids. I have many friends and acquaintances who criticize me on a regular basis for not vaccinating (I only admit to it or even bring up the topic when asked directly), yet see no problem in giving their 5-year-old kids soft drinks or smoking while strolling their baby, or giving their kids Tylenol at the first mention of them not feeling well, etc. In fact, it's taboo to even question their parenting style, yet they have no problems telling me I'm evil.

"There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect babies’ health. Flu can be very serious in young babies. Babies who are not breast fed get sick from infections like the flu more often and more severely than babies who are breast fed." - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm

As for the stats for obesity-related deaths, best I could find right now is this article includes some useful stats and citations from the CDC: http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/may/31/rob-e...

[darkarmani]

> I have many friends and acquaintances who criticize me on a regular basis for not vaccinating (I only admit to it or even bring up the topic when asked directly), yet see no problem in giving their 5-year-old kids soft drinks or smoking while strolling their baby, or giving their kids Tylenol at the first mention of them not feeling well, etc.

None of those things are infectious. At least those harmful things come with a benefit. Choosing to not vaccinate your children doesn't even come with a benefit.

[res0nat0r]

I think people on HN are quick to judge because we happen to be technically/scientifically inclined, and not vaccinating your kids and discounting a hundred years of scientific research by people who've gotten degrees and dedicated their lives to the subject, just because you read some articles on the Internet is the problem.

[pyre]

> "There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect babies’ health. Flu can be very serious in young babies. Babies who are not breast fed get sick from infections like the flu more often and more severely than babies who are breast fed." - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm

Talking about "babies" here is too generic. Babies get antibodies from breast milk for maybe the first 4 ~ 5 months, but they don't after that, which is when talk of vaccines start.