Tonight’s angry, belligerent email is regarding our recent posts about the anti-vaccination insanity being promoted by the likes of Jenny McCarthy, from a reader in New York, titled “a love note of sorts.”

But there’s really not much love in this one.

Before you crap on people for being suspicious of vaccines, particularly the parents of autistic children, try walking a mile in their shoes, OK?

You may think they’re stupid, but frankly I wouldn’t wish autism on my worst enemy and don’t blame their suspicion— an explanation is all we really want.

I should know. All three of my kids are autistic.

You’ve turned into such a self important pusbag. Deal with your hostility or most of your audience will write you off as an asshole crank, if they haven’t already.

Autism is a horrible, debilitating condition that wreaks havoc on families, and something that no decent human being would want anyone to have to undergo.

I’m going to repeat a comment I posted earlier, to explain why there are several articles on this subject at LGF:

The reason kooks and hucksters gravitate toward this subject is because they’re vampires, feeding on the pain of parents with autistic children. They know that these parents are vulnerable, and looking desperately for answers, and they tap on the bedroom window and give them easy answers and people to blame. And far too many parents invite them in.

Am I “gleeful” about this? Am I “crapping” on families with autistic children?

No. I’m nauseated. This is one of the worst things human beings are capable of — exploiting the pain of vulnerable people for profit.

The anti-vaccinationists are promoting a hoax that has the potential to do enormous harm, both to our society and to the world in general, and they’re doing it despite the fact that study after study has shown absolutely no connection between vaccines and autism. Don’t let them take advantage of you. Use the most wonderful gift you have — your brain — to find out the facts and learn the truth. It just might set you free.

UPDATE at 4/1/09 8:11:49 pm:

On a related subject: State issues measles alert after suspected cases at Children’s Hospital.

State health officials are warning people whose children visited public areas of Children’s Hospital on March 10 and 11 that three people might have contracted measles there.

A Westmoreland County man, 33, and his two children, both under 5, were diagnosed Tuesday with having the respiratory infection, according to the state Department of Health.

Dr. Marian Michaels, a pediatric professor at Children’s, said the father and his children visited several health facilities during the period when they contracted the virus. The Oakland hospital is one possible source, Michaels said. “I don’t know why the state decided to say that, when I feel that we should only deal with what we know to be a fact,” she said.

Health Department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman acknowledged the investigation hasn’t pinpointed where the man and his children contracted the virus, and they did visit several health facilities during the likely incubation period. She would not say where, nor why, the state singled out Children’s as a likely source.

“We believe that it may be a probable source,” she said, but added, “I’m not going to detail the investigation for you.” …

Health officials hope the cases will persuade more parents to have children vaccinated.

“This is a totally preventable disease with vaccination,” said Jim Lando, a spokesman for the state Health Department.

Dr. Bruce W. Dixon, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, said neither child was vaccinated.

(Hat tip: Shiplord Kirel.)