Because what we really need is another celebrity-laced vaccine controversy

If you're considering getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu strain, there's something you should know: Billy Corgan wouldn't.

The Smashing Pumpkins' frontman recently wrote on his blog Everything From Here to There:

"I for one will not be taking the vaccine. I do not trust those who make the vaccines, or the apperatus [sic] behind it all to push it on us thru fear. This is not judgment; it is a personal decision based on research, intuition, conversations with my doctor and my ‘family’. If the virus comes to take me Home, that is between me and the Lord. I have put up some of these links to inspire the question in you, so that perhaps you can make a better decision for yourself."

He didn't stop here, or there, of course, weighing in about the choice of living or dying; fear's connection to love; and the potentially questionable existence of Robert Zimmerman.

Here's a Spinner.com post about the topic, complete with context involving Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and his views on healthcare reform.

Unable to resist, the blog Respectful Insolence reliably and pointedly weighs in:

"I actually used to like Smashing Pumpkins back in the 1990s. Unfortunately, its leader, Billy Corgan, has just revealed himself to be as medically ignorant as Jenny McCarthy in a recent blog post."

Still no word on what the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention thinks of that last album.

-- Tami Dennis  

Photo: Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins performs last December. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[eric]

Even if you don't agree with the man, you're still acknowledging that his opinion means something. Typical media.

See it, believe it, celebrity leadership.

[koo koo]

"I forgive myself for all the dumb, silly things I have done. I forgive myself for all the dumb, silly things I haven’t done. I could explain each mistake to you point by point, but it would only attach me to your judgment and forgiveness. I could defend myself of all I stand accused of, but that would only make me guilty. After all, why would I defend myself at all? The act of defense alone would indicate some form of acknowledgment, wouldn’t it? That is the way it works in a system that knows no justice and no forgiveness. You stand accused for crimes against humanity, and they barely have the time to tell you why.

God knows my heart, just as God knows your heart. So, what if God is nothing but a cold computer, calculating nothing but raw physics and karma? Wouldn’t you rather be worthy of Love than demanding of it? If you answer no to that last question, then you are in the wrong place. You would be better served going to your door, because there is a big wolf waiting for you there, and he is known to be quite impatient."

from his blog, need i say more? phil spector anyone?

[Stranger Rick]

People have a right to be intentionally stupid. This is a free country. Mr. Corgan doesn't much seem to care to be judged, but nature is an implacable judge and doesn't really care what Mr. Corgan thinks. And there is no appeal from that judgement, which is delivered without remorse or regret, sentence executed immediately. Rest in peace, Mr. Corgan.

[stanley craig]

He's 42 yrs old. He is outside of the "high-risk" age.

He shouldn't get the vaccine anyway. Children and young adults up to 24 yrs old are in the high risk group. Save the vaccine for them.

[Mark]

Hmm, I wonder if Billy could or should get the vaccine even if he tried, there is a shortage and he is not in the high risk group.

Nice comment Mark Hoppus of Blink!

Funny how this kind of "news" makes it into the Times.

[Maurine Meleck]

Smart fellow, Billy Corgan. Jenny McCarthy is not medically ignorant and neither is Mr. Corgan. Jenny had a vaccine injured child. I have 2 vaccine injured grandchildren. We know what we are talking about. The flu vaccine is dangerous. It has 25 micrograms of mercury and lots of other toxic substances. Your CDC runs the vaccine program in this country and also maintains the safety testing. A bit of a conflict of interest, don't you think?

[JenB]

I applaud him for making the effort to educate himself before making this decision. Something I wish I had done for my Hg/Al poisoned child.

[Lin]

Shake down... shots 2009

Cheers to the artist who can make great music and has a brain that he's not afraid to use. Ignore the comments from the sheeple who feel better about themselves by condemning independent thought and action....dissenting voices and opinions are what America is all about and those who speak up deserve respect - not stones.

I heard the vaccine safety movement is a modern day social movement. Interesting to think about that. Time will tell if historians put it in that league. Given the swine flu fiasco of huge wasted taxpayer dollars it seems possible.

[Missy]

"We are all individual expressions of the Godhead, incredible, magnificent manifestations of His brilliant creativity"

HIS? Quoted from his site
We are all individual expressions of the Godhead, incredible, magnificent manifestations of His brilliant creativity http://syndicated.livejournal.com/billiamcorgan/21498.html

I am all for his freedom of choice with the vaccine. I'm not taking it, BUT he's dangerously, cultishly, ignorant and nutters in most everything else he blabbers on about.