CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, who is well known for spreading untruths (falsely claiming two college degrees and plagiarism) is again practicing her dark arts. This time, the Mistress of Prevarication is circulating a fundraising letter that claims her opponent's "contempt for the culture of life has even led her to participate in grotesque medical experiments." But that is not factual. It is a smear aimed at Democrat Vic Wulsin, the physician who opposes Schmidt in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.
Wulsin has her critics. And Dr. Robert S. Baratz might be at the top of the list. His complaint of unethical practices was recently dismissed by the Ohio State Medical Board. In fact, Baratz was clear the experiments cited by Schmdit were conducted by Henry Heimlich. Repeat -- Henry Heimlich. Here's a portion of a press release Baratz issued earlier this year:
"The experiments were conducted in Africa by Henry Heimlich, MD (popularizer of the 'Heimlich Maneuver' for treating choking.) These experiments were either conceived, coordinated, devised, supervised, funded, or managed by Heimlich and/or The Heimlich Institute in Cincinnati."
Wulsin did do some consulting work for the Heimlich Institute. But Schmidt's fundraising letter falsely portrays Wulsin as a mad scientist: "Wulsin was paid for her work in medical 'studies' where victims of AIDS in Africa and China were, without their consent, injected with the malaria virus, all in the name of 'scientific inquiry'."
How can we prove Schmidt doesn't know what she is talking about? For starters, Schmidt's claim that victims in China and Africa were injected with the "malaria virus" is freighted with intent to deceive because a "malaria virus" does not exist. Malaria is caused by a parasite of the Plasmodium genus. And Baratz, who filed the medical board complaint, says Wulsin didn't inject anyone in China or Africa:
"In 2004, Heimlich engaged Dr. Wulsin to review his work on 'malariotherapy' and write a business plan for promoting it. Wulsin concluded "the preponderance of evidence indicates that neither malaria nor immunotherapy will cure HIV/AIDS and that the Heimlich Institute had been too secretive about its work. Despite claims by Heimlich that no active work on malariotherapy was being done, Wulsin's report shows that it was."
Baratz contends Wulsin should have condemned the Heimlich Institute's work and turned "in the individuals involved to regulatory and other authorities."
[UPDATE: Jeff Coryell has weighed in at Ohio Daily Blog and says Schmidt is engaged in a poltical smear. Meanwhile, Buckeye State Blog says Schmidt's tactics smack of desperation and notes that she made light of the horrendous conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital as overblow by the media. And Tim Russo wonders why Schmidt is obsessed over experiments "nobody has ever heard of."]
[UPDATE: Does Schmidt have a motive to stretch the truth? Schmidt's fundraising letter does state that Democrats "are energized and united." It acknowledges she faces a fight to hang onto the Republican House seat. Schmidt says: "With this election likely to be so tight, we can't take any chances Vic Wulsin's campaign will be successful in fooling the voters. We desperately need to finance the highly expensive media campaign and get-out-the-vote efforts that will bring us victory."]
Bill - Thanks for running this item. Bellwether readers may click here to read Dr. Baratz's letter to the State Medical Board of Ohio. Readers may click here for additional documents including "Immunotherapy and Beyond," the report Wulsin wrote for the Heimlich Institute.
ReplyDeleteBill --
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, Dr. Baratz said in his complaint (see comment above) to the Ohio Medical Board that Dr. Wulsin was a participant in the Henry Heimlich experiments. The board dismissed the complaint. There was no ruling Wulsin was a participant. As you say, Schmidt is a prevaricator. Isn't that a fancy word for being full of crap?
Baratz contends Wulsin should have condemned the Heimlich Institute's work and turned "in the individuals involved to regulatory and other authorities."
ReplyDeleteBill - When you were at the Plain Dealer, you and Keith Epstein wrote extensively on the subject of violative human subjects research. Therefore your opinion should be worth something.
According to Dr. Wulsin's report, the Heimlich experiments continued after she stopped working for Dr. Heimlich. (They may still be ongoing. If a reporter would start making some calls, hint hint, maybe we'd get the answer to that one.) Therefore it's reasonable to suggest that the experiments might have been halted if she had blown the whistle.
Here's my question, Bill.
As someone who knows a thing or two about the subject, do you think she had an obligation to report the Heimlich Institute to oversight authorities? Please explain your reasoning.
I look forward to your reply.
Didn't Steve Black pound Vic during the recent democratic primary regarding her involvement in these illegal experiments? Also the OMA report, that no one has seen, supposedly dismissed an anonymous complaint. Dr. Baratz complaint was not anonymous therefore it has not been dismissed. Lets see Vic post the "entire" OMA release.
ReplyDeleteOMA? Anybody have a clue? Something to do with tinfoil and the full moon? "Overwrought Moon Affliction."
ReplyDelete"Didn't Steve Black pound Vic during the recent democratic primary regarding her involvement in these illegal experiments/"
ReplyDeleteWhat illegal experiments? The Ohio Medical Board threw out the complaint. And where's Steve Black now. Oh yeah, he's supporting Wulsin. He endorsed her after losing in the "recent democratic primary." Go Wulsin!!! Kick Schmidt's butt. These commenters are clinging to a fantasy the way a pervent clings to a plastic blow up doll. They think fake is real. Dumbasses.
Bill - Why not move the story forward by making some calls to the missing persons in the story?
ReplyDeleteOne is former county commissioner Phil Heimlich, the longtime vice president of the Heimlich Institute. Presumably he has access to all records, including Dr. Wulsin's employment records. He could certainly help clear up some of the questions you and others have raised. Given that you were the premiere guest on his radio show, presumably you can get a callback.
Given the enthusiasm you've expressed here and also your history of reporting on the Heimlich malaria experiments, no doubt you'll jump at this opportunity to be the first reporter to get Phil on the record about all this.
We look forward to your future reporting on the subject, perhaps even complete with some expert quotes. I understand these may be obtained by picking up a telephone and calling someone.
Hi Anon --
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that Phil Heimlich is injecting people with malaria to cure AIDS? Isn't that his father's game? I'm not clear on what questions he could clear up about Wulsin. Are you not free to call Phil yourself? You can probably easily find his number, or his address to write to him. And the state medical board is in the phone book and online. Perhaps they would be willing answer your questions about Wulsin's culpability and complicity, and why they decided to dismiss the complaint. Yes, I was a guest on his radio talk show. But I haven't spoken to him since, nor have I listened because it is not on the air here. And I have better things to do on Saturday afternoons than listen to Phil Heimlich or other radio talkers. Anyhow, how is Phil doing? You certainly seem to have a great deal of interest in his career, perhaps more interest than most.
However, there is a possibility this Schmidt story could move forward. Wulsin may be inclined to file a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission against Schmidt. That could entail a hearing, with subpoenas etc., about a lot of this, particularly the allegation that Wulsin participated in the Heimlich experiments. If Wulsin does file a complaint, people could be compelled to testify under oath, either in person or by deposition. I suppose they could even seek records about who the commenters on this blog and other blogs were, the ISP's, if they suspected there was any link or connection to the Schmidt campaign or political conspiracy to smear her. I don't know if I would be able to legally stop them, though I would try. If there was some kind of election complaint, there likely would be a sworn record about Wulsin's role in malariotherapy, and who and what are behind the allegations against her. I would also like to hear what Steve Black has to say. Does he think that Schmidt's attack was over the line now that Wulsin has been cleared? I hear that Black is supporting Wulsin.
Are you saying that Phil Heimlich is injecting people with malaria to cure AIDS?
ReplyDeleteOh, stop playing dumb, Bill. Phil's been on the board of the Heimlich Institute forever and he has access to all the financial and employment records.
You certainly seem to have a great deal of interest in his career, perhaps more interest than most.
Absolutely. I think he's a fascinating character. He also has plenty of information to share about an important story. One of these days a good reporter may come along and report it. If so, I'll forward the link to you, Bill.
Wulsin may be inclined to file a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission against Schmidt.
That sounds good to me and probably to others who are interested in digging up the facts rather than trying to bury them. As for the likelihood of Wulsin filing such a complaint, don't make me laugh. Care to make a friendly wager?
I suppose they could even seek records about who the commenters on this blog and other blogs were, the ISP's, if they suspected there was any link or connection to the Schmidt campaign or political conspiracy to smear her.
Again, sounds good to me. I'd love to have the opportunity to see all the dirty laundry get hung on the line.
Bill, speaking of dirty laundry, you sound like you can't wait to hand over those ISP numbers and to reveal information about commenters on your blog. If I were a source with a sensitive story who was thinking about pitching it to you, I'd think twice about trusting you.
Yes, I was a guest on (Phil's) radio talk show. But I haven't spoken to him since
ReplyDeleteWell then, what about Chris Finney, Dr. Henry Heimlich's attorney since at least Spring 2003, when Finney represented Dr. H in a meeting with the Enquirer's editorial board?
Isn't Finney (co-founder of COAST, which considers Jean Schmidt to be Public Enemy #1 and might even go so far as to cross party lines and help a Democrat to defeat her) a source of yours, Bill?
Tell us, Bill, when was the last time you heard from fanny-slappin' Finney?