Judge denies dismissal motions in anthrax vaccine case
Wednesday,May28,2003,2:58 AM
Fort Drum, New York-AP -- A military judge has upheld the legality of the
military's anthrax vaccination program.
The judge refused to dismiss the charge against an Army reservist facing a
court martial for refusing the vaccine.
Attorneys for Private Kamila Iwanowska argue the vaccine has never been
properly licensed by the government -- and is being used by the military even
though it isn't intended to treat inhalation infections.
They also contend she has already been punished by her company commander.
Iwanowska says she considers the anthrax shot medically dangerous to children
she might have in the future. She also cited religious reasons for refusing it.
The Pentagon says the vaccination is safe.
If found guilty of disobeying an order, Iwanowska could face a maximum of 12
months in jail and a bad conduct discharge.
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"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"