Never in my quarter century on this earth did I ever think this society would have to fight so hard for science, fact, and data to be respected. Today was a victory, but it is bittersweet that there even needed to be a “victory” when it comes to something like this. Must be the lasting effects of lead exposure or something… I just can’t understand?
Dr Angela, The abhorrent comments & harassment you have received are beyond sad. I cannot truly appreciate the gravity of these disturbing assaults upon your personal life & professional capacity.
These attacks cannot & should not be ascribed to a deranged individual(s).
Thankfully, the one individual you referenced was identified & being addressed by the police &/or the RCMP.
I lost it at “crooked tooth rednecks, ostrich truth squad and itinerant unshorn, slack-jawed Facebook Live extremists”. You have a wonderful way with words, Doc!
But on a serious note, I agree. This is the same atrocious behavior and mindset that got the US where it is today. I have friends and family in Nova Scotia and I just always thought of Canadians as so logical and rational that they were above the redneck rabble rousing we have here. But ignorance knows no boundaries. It really is disturbing the hate you’re getting. It’s so senseless and ugly. Reason, intelligence and decency have left the building and it’s spreading.
I hate the ostriches have to be culled but I know it’s what has to be done. I wonder if they’d have the same reaction were it to be a case of a rabies outbreak at a dog breeding facility? Would they think it was righteous and moral to protect the dogs at the risk of humans? I fear they probably would. It really is so disheartening to see what we’ve come to. You take special care up there. We need you!
CBC’s coverage of what happened today is awful … <https://youtu.be/cAZN70NVo7s?si=D1fzQisrdxsVBdCH>. They wanted your expertise and opinions during the COVID pandemic. It would be great if you could offer your virology expertise regarding H5N1 to CBC now to insert a bit more actual science into their coverage and not just focusing on the crazies. Love and respect your perspectives. … Just read the remainder of your post. (Things have to be read a bit at a time sometimes … life gets in the way. 🤷♂️) Very sorry to read about the threats and harassment you are being subjected to. It is abhorrent. I really can’t understand these people. Do what you need to do for your personal safety. Very sorry it comes to this these days. …. Just watched The National and they *did* feature a clip of Dr Rasmussen although it was very short, basically saying how serious the virus is but no details. Better than nothing but not by much.
The messaging from the CBC screams bias. Look no further than the title. I lost a sizeable amount of respect for them as an org today due to this, and I honestly am shocked because at least based of how I perceived them I found it to be rather uncharacteristic of the CBC as an org to align with a non-neutral narrative.
I sincerely appreciate your detailed and clear-eyed reporting on this situation. I am so sorry that you have been the subject of such horrible harassment.
Dear Dr Rasmussen, Thank you for your persistent resistance to these ostrich "lovers" actions. This post was eloquent & snarky, with so much colorful, important detail on what's happening in BC ostrich-world. I laughed out loud several times. I have been following you for years on Twitter and now Bluesky......mostly about Covid and bird flu. I'm so sorry you're getting this hateful response from the ostrich-rightwing in Canada. Just know that there are others like you here in the US (as you know!) that support your work in keeping us informed about the reality of bird flu. Keep up the excellent work! ---a long time supporter in Portland, OR, Karen Pollach
A group of us are working to put together evidence to prove Maple MAGA is a terrorist entity and should be recognized as such under the criminal code. We’ve been collecting evidence on their group for months. We have screenshots of them calling for war, wishing death upon government workers and officials, doxxing them, harassing them, conspiracy to commit arson, and likely actual arson (I’m sure the police are investigating). Your folder of hate messages might be helpful in this endeavour. But I understand if you’d rather just try to forget. It’s all been awful and you didn’t deserve any of it. I just want to do something to ensure this group can’t cause any more harm.
Expanding the list of terrorist entities is not the answer, don't forget : Maple MAGA probably want to do the same to you. What they are doing *is illegal* (calling for war included) -- that is treason/sedition and punishable already under the criminal code without terrorist law being involved. That law just needs to be enforced.
Never in my quarter century on this earth did I ever think this society would have to fight so hard for science, fact, and data to be respected. Today was a victory, but it is bittersweet that there even needed to be a “victory” when it comes to something like this. Must be the lasting effects of lead exposure or something… I just can’t understand?
Dr Angela, The abhorrent comments & harassment you have received are beyond sad. I cannot truly appreciate the gravity of these disturbing assaults upon your personal life & professional capacity.
These attacks cannot & should not be ascribed to a deranged individual(s).
Thankfully, the one individual you referenced was identified & being addressed by the police &/or the RCMP.
JJF Phm 🇨🇦
I lost it at “crooked tooth rednecks, ostrich truth squad and itinerant unshorn, slack-jawed Facebook Live extremists”. You have a wonderful way with words, Doc!
But on a serious note, I agree. This is the same atrocious behavior and mindset that got the US where it is today. I have friends and family in Nova Scotia and I just always thought of Canadians as so logical and rational that they were above the redneck rabble rousing we have here. But ignorance knows no boundaries. It really is disturbing the hate you’re getting. It’s so senseless and ugly. Reason, intelligence and decency have left the building and it’s spreading.
I hate the ostriches have to be culled but I know it’s what has to be done. I wonder if they’d have the same reaction were it to be a case of a rabies outbreak at a dog breeding facility? Would they think it was righteous and moral to protect the dogs at the risk of humans? I fear they probably would. It really is so disheartening to see what we’ve come to. You take special care up there. We need you!
CBC’s coverage of what happened today is awful … <https://youtu.be/cAZN70NVo7s?si=D1fzQisrdxsVBdCH>. They wanted your expertise and opinions during the COVID pandemic. It would be great if you could offer your virology expertise regarding H5N1 to CBC now to insert a bit more actual science into their coverage and not just focusing on the crazies. Love and respect your perspectives. … Just read the remainder of your post. (Things have to be read a bit at a time sometimes … life gets in the way. 🤷♂️) Very sorry to read about the threats and harassment you are being subjected to. It is abhorrent. I really can’t understand these people. Do what you need to do for your personal safety. Very sorry it comes to this these days. …. Just watched The National and they *did* feature a clip of Dr Rasmussen although it was very short, basically saying how serious the virus is but no details. Better than nothing but not by much.
The messaging from the CBC screams bias. Look no further than the title. I lost a sizeable amount of respect for them as an org today due to this, and I honestly am shocked because at least based of how I perceived them I found it to be rather uncharacteristic of the CBC as an org to align with a non-neutral narrative.
I sincerely appreciate your detailed and clear-eyed reporting on this situation. I am so sorry that you have been the subject of such horrible harassment.
Dear Dr Rasmussen, Thank you for your persistent resistance to these ostrich "lovers" actions. This post was eloquent & snarky, with so much colorful, important detail on what's happening in BC ostrich-world. I laughed out loud several times. I have been following you for years on Twitter and now Bluesky......mostly about Covid and bird flu. I'm so sorry you're getting this hateful response from the ostrich-rightwing in Canada. Just know that there are others like you here in the US (as you know!) that support your work in keeping us informed about the reality of bird flu. Keep up the excellent work! ---a long time supporter in Portland, OR, Karen Pollach
Thank you for speaking out. I'm sorry to read about the vile harassment.
Angie, clear presentation and analysis of this sordid MAGA initiative. Glad the Supreme court declined to consider the appeal.
Dr. Angela Rasmussen,
A group of us are working to put together evidence to prove Maple MAGA is a terrorist entity and should be recognized as such under the criminal code. We’ve been collecting evidence on their group for months. We have screenshots of them calling for war, wishing death upon government workers and officials, doxxing them, harassing them, conspiracy to commit arson, and likely actual arson (I’m sure the police are investigating). Your folder of hate messages might be helpful in this endeavour. But I understand if you’d rather just try to forget. It’s all been awful and you didn’t deserve any of it. I just want to do something to ensure this group can’t cause any more harm.
I have forwarded to my security team and law enforcement where appropriate. If you'd like to talk more, please email me.
Expanding the list of terrorist entities is not the answer, don't forget : Maple MAGA probably want to do the same to you. What they are doing *is illegal* (calling for war included) -- that is treason/sedition and punishable already under the criminal code without terrorist law being involved. That law just needs to be enforced.