General Discussion

Jilly_in_VA

(12,849 posts) Wed Aug 27, 2025, 04:57 PM Wednesday

Vaccine misinformation led to an officer's murder at the CDC - politicians' silence is deafening

A lie murdered David Rose.

Five hundred cops packed the pews of an Atlanta megachurch on Friday to bear witness in person, to have a memory of the slain DeKalb county police officer that could not be sullied by lies or debased by silence.

Slowly, an honor guard of police officers in formal uniform raised their white-gloved hands in salute as Lt Jason Sawyer handed a folded US flag to Rose’s toddler, sitting next to her grandmother in the front pews, wearing a shirt with the words “My Daddy Is a Hero”. Her mother was not there – could not be there: she is pregnant with Rose’s third child.

It was only in this moment that the stone-faced wall of police officers and health workers and politicians finally broke down to weep.

Two weeks ago, a man reportedly deceived by anti-vaccination disinformation opened fire with rifles on the Centers for Disease Control, near the campus of Emory University. Rose responded to the shooting immediately. The gunman shot Rose dead, then killed himself.

Then, the country moved on. Well, most of it.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/aug/27/atlanta-cdc-shooting-david-rose

Dumptruck has yet to say one word about this. RFK JR. hasn't said anything either. Figures, since they're the ones responsible.

5 replies

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Highlight:

Vaccine misinformation led to an officer's murder at the CDC - politicians' silence is deafening (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Wednesday OP

F45, the news media, and Rs spread disinformation, not misinformation. In other words in2herbs Wednesday #1

Thank you! littlemissmartypants Wednesday #4

Sadly another victim of misinformation that has been spread by our politicians. walkingman Wednesday #2

This officer was not killed by somebody "with a badge and a gun." Pinback Wednesday #3

You are right - I misread and thought the offender was the officer. However, I do walkingman Wednesday #5

in2herbs

(3,881 posts)

1. F45, the news media, and Rs spread disinformation, not misinformation. In other words

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Aug 27, 2025, 05:26 PM

Wednesday

their words and actions are deliberate.

littlemissmartypants

(29,252 posts)

4. Thank you!

Reply to in2herbs (Reply #1)

Wed Aug 27, 2025, 08:11 PM

Wednesday

It's Very important to make the distinction.

Disinformation (D for deliberate) is Propaganda. It travels faster and is more likely to influence decisions than the truth.

20 Fake News Statistics 2025 (Latest Worldwide Data)

By Naveen Kumar / June 7, 2025

In 2025, fake news continues to pollute the internet at an alarming scale, with 62% of online content now deemed false. A staggering 86% of global citizens have been exposed to misinformation, while 40% of content shared on social media is fake.

In the U.S., 80% of adults have consumed fake news, and 23% admit to sharing false stories, knowingly or not. Trust is eroding: only 32% of Americans trust new media, and fake news costs the global economy $78 billion annually.

In this report, I uncover key statistics on fake news from around the world, highlighting its spread, sources, and impact. Let us get into it!

Fake News Statistics 2025: Top Picks
●Approximately 62% of online information could be false.
●23% of surveyed Americans admitted to sharing a fake news story.
●9 out of 10 American adults fact-check their news.
●45% of UK adults report coming across a fake news item daily.
●On average, 40% of content shared on social media platforms is false.
●80% of adults in the U.S. alone have consumed fake news at one time or another.
●86% of global citizens have been exposed to fake news. https://www.demandsage.com/fake-news-statistics/

walkingman

(9,738 posts)

2. Sadly another victim of misinformation that has been spread by our politicians.

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Original post)

Wed Aug 27, 2025, 06:39 PM

Wednesday

I don't think this would exist at all were it not for the direct attack on vaccines by first the conservatives, and even being infiltrated into the religious community.

Two things stand out to me. First, we need to do a better job screening someone before we give them a badge and a gun. Secondly, this anti-science ideology by politicians and religious communities should be called out by everyone.

The reason I bring up religious communities is that my sister, a devout white evangelical, believes that "God" will protect her" from illness, specifically Covid. We grew up all getting our vaccines in school and there was never an issue. But I have talked, begged her to get her vaccine and she refuses. I don't care what her religious beliefs are but like I told her - Jesus will not protect you from getting sick or dying. Stop it and use your head. I worry about her, but there is absolutely nothing I can do. I do not know how she became so indoctrinated?

Pinback

(13,371 posts)

3. This officer was not killed by somebody "with a badge and a gun."

Reply to walkingman (Reply #2)

Wed Aug 27, 2025, 07:25 PM

Wednesday

I’m not following that part of your comment.

Otherwise, we agree. The ones I really can’t understand are the people who think vaccinated people endanger others when they “shed vaccine.” Unbelievable.

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2024/04/08/yet-another-anti-vax-doctor-claims-vaccines-shed-where-did-this-myth-originate/

walkingman

(9,738 posts)

5. You are right - I misread and thought the offender was the officer. However, I do

Reply to Pinback (Reply #3)

Wed Aug 27, 2025, 08:42 PM

Wednesday

think we need to better screening when we hire or rehire police officers. In Texas it is quite common for an officer to be dismissed for misconduct and then get rehired in another jurisdiction. Also too many veterans that came back from Iraq/Afgan are turned loose on the public without clearly understanding that they work for the public and need to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

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