Astoria Preamble
A Journey Through Memory and Narrative
What you're about to read, hear and watch is more than a story. It's an invitation, a window into a meticulously crafted process of memory reconstruction, historical reclamation, and personal narrative. Over the next several months, I'll be sharing fragments of a larger work: Astoria, a narrative that has been brewing within me for decades.
This series is not a linear autobiography. Instead, it's an excavation. Each post will be a carefully unearthed layer, a piece of a complex mosaic that slowly reveals a broader truth about place, identity and transformation. Some entries will be deeply personal, others more reflective. Some will read like vivid memories, others like historical investigations.
The posts that will follow are drafts, explorations, conversations. They are not final. They are alive.
Join us as this fascinating narrative unfolds.
Welcome to the first step of our journey together.
Deep Dive: Robert F Kennedy, Jr and Vaccines
A friend recently texted me some articles about RFK, Jr. He was hopeful that Kennedy's nomination to head the US Department of Health and Human Services would as a "truth teller" bring a positive voice that would challenge "big pharma." Judging by the McDonald's pic I wouldn't hold my breath. The persona of truth teller is largely due to his decades long anti-vaccine advocacy.
Are there any merits to his arguments, are the differences in reporting on vaccines simply partisan, are any of the conspiracy theories true?
Having had a career of consuming peer-reviewed research, I decided to bring some of those techniques to answer these questions. This Off Script deep dive serves as a vital resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complex world of vaccine science with clarity and confidence. It combines a rigorous examination of scientific evidence with thoughtful discussion. We emphasize the critical need for decisions based on sound science.
We scrutinize Kennedy's pattern of making misleading claims1 2 3 and his tendency to cherry-pick4 5 data, juxtaposing this with solid, evidence-based insights from reputable scientific sources. We highlight the comprehensive report6 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), commissioned by the US Department of Health and Human Services, which provides an exhaustive review of vaccine safety practices in the United States.
While I compiled all the research for this deep dive podcast, I used AI, NotebookLM, to create the audio. Technology is very cool and a little scary. If you want to know more about how this is done, leave me a comment.
College Football Playoff RankingsTop 20
Tulane defeated 7-2 Navy 35-0 on the road. The quest for a playoff berth continues! Next up 9-2 Memphis on Thanksgiving.
This is fantastic! Can’t wait to hear more. So glad Harold is telling his stories!!