Where do you stand on the vaccination debate?

Neil Young had a hit with the tune "Needle and the Damage Done," but it seems like the Booster Shots blog struck a nerve after The Times interviewed author Chris Mooney about his book, "Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future."

Apparently the use of vaccinations and their relationship (or lack thereof) with autism is still a hot topic. One in which emotions run high as people debate science.

While some readers like George Harvey don't think that vaccines cause autism, "I don't think that vaccines cause autism. There are several toxins in our common environment that are far more powerful in their possible effects than those in vaccines"; others, like OZ, said that science is not blameless, "Bad science has as much a role to play in Americans' distrust of 'big science' as any other reason given."

Over 50 comments have been submitted to the Booster Shots post, including this one from someone who seems quite well-versed on the topic:

I am a former scientist (molecular geneticist) and now a parent to a son with autism, who had speech and eye contact and several words until age 18 months. He received 5 vaccines on one day, and then became ill, lethargic and irritable. He lost all speech and eye contact. I question the live viruses given in both the Varicella and Measles vaccine (MMR) in that they cause neuro-inflammation in a subset of genetically predisposed children. I am really tired of listening to those in my (own) scientific community take an authoritative stance that there is absolutely no connection between autism and vaccines. I have studied those 'studies' and they are either paid for by the very vaccine companies themselves or filled with flaws in sample size, testing methods, conclusions. No researcher has studied the neuro-inflammation in infants when given 36 vaccines before their 2 year birthday. No researcher has studied all vaccines or combinations of vaccines. Safety studies/clinical trials on single vaccines- yes- but we aren't giving our children just one vaccine are we? No, in fact, we have 150+ vaccines in clinical trials just waiting to release to the pediatric population. I am not anti-vaccine. I believe in vaccines for life threatening illnesses. However, are we going to have vaccines for every infectious pathogen?

So what are you thoughts on this sensitive, but very important matter?

-- Tony Pierce

Photo credit: Tim Sloan / AFP/Getty Images

Would you buy Sarah Palin's memoirs?

From debating the price of her government-sponsored shopping spree to her comments on her foreign policy with Russia, Sarah Palin was arguably the toast of the political limelight this past election. It seems Palin is creating her own "cabinet" -- notably Washington attorney Robert Barnett -- to help manage her popular public persona. (If Barnett's name sounds familiar, it's probably because he has micromanaged political biography book deals for both the Clintons and President Obama, to name a few.)

With word that the Palin might be penning her memoirs, our readers left some interesting comments.

Sam wrote: If you people would listen to something Gov Palin has said other than to Couric you would see Sarah being herself, intelligent, articulate, genuine, no political rhetoric.

El wrote: I'm guessing that anyone that thinks that Sarah Palin has something intelligent to share with the world via writing a book.........probably can't read anyway. Maybe she could focus her energies on a book geared at toddlers. The kind with a little battery operated button that causes the book to make silly little noises to go along with each illustration. Page one could have her winking.......page two might be a little recording of "you betcha!"

Diaa wrote: I look forward to reading it! Sarah Palin doubtless has a very cool story to tell. Hint for our adolescent media:Try to think of her as a very pretty Margaret Thatcher. I know it won't be easy for you but maybe that would help you absorb the fact that she is a REAL person with intelligence and experience on many levels.

Susan Jacobs wrote: Sarah Palin is probably the most unqualified person to run for high office in the last century. She appeals to uneducated people and the Far Right who feel that the country can only be run by wealthy, white, Protestant people from small towns. She was as sussessful because she tries to discredit her competition and has no problem being dishonest. She herself said that God would decide the election and she would abide by God's decision. I guess God is a Democrat.

What about you? Will you save up some cash to purchase Palin's book? Or, is it time to let the sun set on the Alaskan governor?

-- Michelle Castillo

Photo: Daniel Acker / Bloomberg News

Hero Complex: 'Twilight' fans get emotional

Quite a few Hero Complex readers have more respect for the characters in the "Twilight" series than for the author who created them.  Author Stephenie Meyer has taken a lot of flack from fans for her decision to discontinue writing "Midnight Sun," "her planned retelling of 'Twilight' from the teenage vampire Edward's perspective," after a draft leaked on the Internet. Judging by the reader comments, it seems that the series must be especially popular among the preteen girl crowd.

puh shaw called Meyer "a frakkin' drama queen!!"

Brooke agreed: "i think she is being a little over dramatic. she needs to chill for a while, but get back to writing! she cant just say, sorry guys, my life is to depressing, im just not gonna do it."

Amirah had a creepy suggestion: "Can someone please call, email, stalk her and tell her she must write Midnight Sun...I think Im gonna cry, we just want to know what edward is thinking when he is in the Meadow with Bella and then when he stays at her house. I'm gonna cry!"

cat wrote: "Her temper tantrum doesn't make me sorry, it makes me think less of her. Fall Out Boy had a whole album released early on the net, did they throw a hissy fit and refuse to finish and release the album? No."

Hero Complex reported that it has been a rough year for Meyer, especially after the backlash to the final book in the "Twilight" series, "Breaking Dawn." The mere mention of this backlash caused Twilightfan's denial to kick in: "SHUT UP THEIR WAS NO BACKLASH ON BREAKING DAWN ! LA TIMES YOU CAN BE STUPID SOMETIMES ! AND YES I'M SAD BUT I HAVE FAITH STEPHENIE WILL WRITE IT EVENTUALLY JUST GIVE HER TIME AND REST !"

Many of the readers acted as if they knew Meyer personally, leaving the kinds of snotty comments usually reserved for schoolyard bullies. 

Steven wrote: "Stephenie is too full of herself."

jenn would make for a tough publisher: "what a big baby! she should grow up and do her job as a writer and write."

Melanie wrote: "Me=going through shock.*Cry*Come on, Stephenie, you can't do this to us! I apologize, but my opinion of you just dropped :(" 

But Desiree had a more intelligent tactic. Instead of insulting Meyer, she tried flattery: "I really don't believe she would start something and not finish it! I don't think she would really dissipoint her fans like that either! I LOVE ALL HER BOOKS!! Stephanie Meye is a wonderful writer! STEPHANIE WE ALL LOVE YOU!!! <3"

Smart move, Desiree. Want to weigh in? Share your thoughts here or in the original story. 

-- Amy Silverstein