I don’t think I’d call him restrained by any stretch. He compared public health measures to attempt to contain covid to the holocaust (which even his wife, Cheryl Hines, criticized him for). He’s been the public face of the antivax movement since the early 2000s. He also promotes other baseless conspiracies, like 5G being a means to control the public’s behavior. This story gives some good background (gift link, in case you don’t have an NYT subscription).

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Gregor's avatar
Gregor 2 years ago
I read the article, thanks for the link. In regard to the Holocaust reference, I also found this CNN interview video while actually looking for a copy of his BTC Conference speech yesterday, which only eventually started coming out long after the livestreams for some reason, and from the actual speech excerpt to his own explanation provided, he seemed to have only invoked it in regard to mass surveillance technologies, and with no direct or implied connection to vaccine policy or mandates. Again, judging from the actual clip from his speech, as he continued his line of thought into mentioning post-war East Germany, he seems to exclusively refer to the abuse of surveillance infrastructures. He also explained why and for what he subsequently apologized. His remarks on 5G seem again much more connected to an arguably technologically valid concern about interconnecting high speed data networks with surveillance devices. I see nothing in these sources, including the linked NYT article, that makes him seem blatantly deceptive, manipulative, or completely unrealistic. At the same time, I just find it impossible as a layman to access, process and understand the necessary information to make full judgements on the full efficacy and symptom range of vaccines. From a layperson perspective I see any judgement mostly based on existing trust or lack thereof in publicly accredited institutions. I found it reasonable to do more than nothing in regard to a highly infectious virus, and social distance, wear masks, and get vaccinated. However, I have heard nothing said by Mr. Kennedy, that seemed as outrageous as the third party characterizations of it. I also have seen no evidence for him holding these views for profiteering reasons. This stands in contrast to transparently financially motivated charlatans like this self professed mRNA technology inventor. If you have sources, with direct, first hand quotes, that show Kennedy obviously, deliberately lying or misrepresenting facts, I revise my position, but with the articles and interview mentioned so far, I see his mass surveillance concerns as valid, his vaccine concerns as unrelated to the surveillance matters, and his remarks taken out of context by third parties on all sides for ulterior motives, or misunderstood, misconstrued by thoughtless people.