Annette responce on X Rx blog

[LJS]

This was just posted in the comment section over at the X Rx blog

http://treatingxmrv.blogspot.com/20...howComment=1317782063615#c5195120084018440543

Dear Patients and Friends,
While I can't speak for Judy I can tell you how I feel. I feel terrible that our relationship is ending this way. It's easy to understand why you might think of our separation as a divorce. Judy has been with me since 2006 when we first began the institute. I hired Judy to work with me to help solve the problems that are affecting millions of people like yourself. You are now personally invested in the outcome, just as we are. Judy has been a valuable member of a team that many of you have never met. I have asked her to speak on behalf of the scientific efforts of this entire institute and she has done so with great enthusiasm. In the course of her travels she has offered her hand to patients, in friendship and support, and for that we are all very thankful. However, Judy had another important job to do as an employee of the WPI. She knows that she, like everyone else at the institute, has to abide by a common set of rules that apply to one's conduct. Without those rules there would be anarchy and injustice in the work place. Judy chose a course of action which I had to respond to. I am deeply disappointed by her choices. Now we have to move on. As adults, we can chose to lash out with hatred against one another or try to make the best of a difficult situation and minimize the damage to the innocent bystanders like yourself. You are part of a caring group of people who must feel awful about having to watch this public display of cruel mud slinging on the internet. You are right though, it isn't fair to anyone to be forced into taking sides. I believe we have a better choice and that is to get along with each other and truly wish each other well. Because you asked. I will tell you how I am feeling about Judy leaving. I'm sad for me for you and for Judy. I will miss Judy's friendly smile and her enthusiasm for the science. I have learned so much from her. I will miss our discussions and our trips together to various conferences and meetings. But I have a job to do. As the leader of this institution I have to continue to do all I can to keep our team focused and moving forward; building on the progress that we have already made in science and advocacy. I'm lucky that I am not alone in these important efforts. WPI has a wonderful team of researchers, doctors and administrators who are working hard every day on your behalf. They are dedicated and passionate about making a difference in some one else's life. Your lives. I hope that Judy will keep building, as well. Just like a dear friend who is moving away, I wish nothing but good things for Judy. I hope that everyone will soon begin to understand that they do not have to take sides to care about either one of us, because in the end we all want the same thing; answers and healing. I hope too, that before long, Judy will feel the same way. Thank you for caring, Annette

I know many disagree with my views here but this statement seems something I would expect to hear form a politician then from a research organization. Reading it, it just felt disingenuous. In one sentence she is parsing Mikoviots and in another she is throwing her under the bus because she "chose a course of action which I had to respond to", whatever that means. If Mikovits did something really wrong that you had to fire her then Annette should not say how great she is, own your actions. If it was irreconcilable personal issues then Annette should not insinuate that she did something horrible. I personally feel if they want to have any change of saving face and be taking seriously in the scientific community in the future they have to lay it all out with no BS, say what really happened, admit to any mistakes, and wipe the slate clean. This is just getting ridiculous at this point.

What do you guys think of this??


Update: This is also on WPI's facebook, http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150320662908026

 

[Andrew]

As leader of an institution she is obligated to be part politician. The only other thing I can see her doing besides this is saying nothing.

I actually see some things I think Whittemore, Mikovits, and Deckoff-Johns could have done better. I'm not going to list them now, because things are too polarized right now. But I wish them all well.

 

[Enid]

At least it appears they are all moving on that is with continuing investigation into the causes of ME. All very sad though.

 

[Daffodil]

LJS.....i think it was posted on this board that Dr. Mikovits refused to give up cell lines or something...sorry bad fog cannot remember details.

 

[floydguy]

This was just posted in the comment section over at the X Rx blog

http://treatingxmrv.blogspot.com/20...howComment=1317782063615#c5195120084018440543


I know many disagree with my views here but this statement seems something I would expect to hear form a politician then from a research organization. Reading it, it just felt disingenuous. In one sentence she is parsing Mikoviots and in another she is throwing her under the bus because she "chose a course of action which I had to respond to", whatever that means. If Mikovits did something really wrong that you had to fire her then Annette should not say how great she is, own your actions. If it was irreconcilable personal issues then Annette should not insinuate that she did something horrible. I personally feel if they want to have any change of saving face and be taking seriously in the scientific community in the future they have to lay it all out with no BS, say what really happened, admit to any mistakes, and wipe the slate clean. This is just getting ridiculous at this point.

What do you guys think of this??


Update: This is also on WPI's facebook, http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150320662908026

I think WPI will have a hard time continuing unless Annette steps down. They need immediate credibility and this letter isn't a very good start.

 

[Nielk]

All you are left then with is an empty building with a big lab.

 

[Andrew]

Well, WPI is in a very difficult position. Aside from everything else, there is a very limited pool of people to draw from the fill her top positions. For example, how many neuroimmune specialists are there in the world? How many would want to move to a new situation where they are under even more pressure than they are now.

 

[justinreilly]

there are tons of retrovirologists out there from all the AIDS funding. so there are tons of people who can do the job. but probably very few who want to work on ME and for WPI- to me this reflects badly on the scientists, and also all the pressure that science has brought to bear on WPI, not so much reflecting badly on WPI.

I thought Annette's message was fine.

 

[Wayne]

I thought Annette's message was fine.

Ditto. I thought it reflected a certain grace that I've always admired in the various news clips I've watched of her.