The Tradicat Fact Checking Method

JMJ

I've had some interesting in-person conversations lately regarding my perspective on:

COVID-19:

Yes, I believe it is a pandemic and ...
I am researching whether or not it is on the same order of magnitude as the 1918 pandemic.

Morality of getting immunized

Yes, it is moral with the appropriate conditions
No, I don't care what ++Vigano and + Schneider say on the matter. I've done the research and they're wrong.

Safety of the vaccines

NO, I don't believe that I will die in 15 to 21 months because of the vaccine.

Efficacy of the vaccines

Yes, I believe they evoke an immune response.
For the record the Moderna response was found to be greater than that of the Pfizer.

What no one has asked is how I arrived at these perspectives.

Tradiate mentioned that I should, for your benefit, outline how I approach these topics.

Experience: I am familiar with the scientific process and environment.

I have the benefit of decades of experience working in a science environment on medical devices with scientists, engineers, software developers, technologists and trades people.
I have published my own research and also been author on other scientific papers.
I am familiar with how scientific papers are structured and presented. I've read hundreds of scientific papers in my career - dry reading but very necessary to try to build an understanding on a topic.

Study: I am curious about many things, so I read and study things that interest me.

Regular readers of this blog know that I will do deep dives into topics that interest me to gain an understanding. In many cases I present my findings here on this blog.
Right now I am very curious about comparing the 1918 Pandemic (Spanish Influenza) with the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.
I will read the source material in order to draw my own conclusions.
I have read a number of scientific documents on masks, vaccines, pandemics and pandemic responses.

Media: In general I avoid all talking heads on YouTube etc because after numerous checks I have found them to be promoting their own FUD invoking narrative. This has created a new classification: Fud-Muckers.

When a friend asks me to investigate or I come across an interesting article / video, my first step is to download the article or transcript of the video.

Time is too precious to waste on listening to someone with hair like Michael Voris drone on about how bad it is etc.
By downloading the text / transcript I can scan it for the important elements - such as their actual 'assertions' and any supporting information. These videos have a lot of hand waving and wringing so I go for the written word.

I cross check the person speaking / author of the "Media Article" to see if they "should" know what they are talking about.

The internet is a breeding ground for snake-oil salesmen / women and the SARS-CoV-2 has created an exponential explosion.
If the person doesn't have applicable credentials then I look for reputable information sources cited by the persons. If these are absent, they get an automatic fail because I have no confidence that they know what they are talking or writing about.

I look for any and all original articles that are referenced in the video or written article.

Are the sources from reputable journals or organizations?
I read the paper to see if I can understand the basic science and approach.
What are the conclusions of the study?

I compare the "Media Article" with the conclusions of the original

Are the conclusions made in the original article or by the video personality consistent with those of the study?
If not, then in most cases the article is just added to recycle bin and I move on. In some cases, I will save it for the basis of an article (one is in the hopper now).
If yes, well then I have to adjust my assessment ... but [spoiler alert] ... in the cases that I have fact checked - not one has passed the test.

Fact-checking articles typically take about three hours of research and at least one hour to write up my findings. Most of my articles on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic take at least one to two hours and many could use more editing.

So, as you can see, this process takes time and time is a scarce commodity.

Once I have satisfied myself on a topic I don't keep searching, unless new verifiable information is brought forward in one of my scans.

So there you have it, I hope this helps people to understand that my conclusions are based on a reasoned process following Catholic principles. To change my mind, I need facts and references to original research, not hand wringing or waving.

Nota Bene: Not all comments are of the hand wringing / waving nature.

P^3

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too thin

Thirty Days Prayer to Our Lady -

+ JMJ Providence has cast this prayer in my path twice in the last week. I decided to post it here in order to have a copy handy. P^3 Prayer Penance Patience Source Intro Prayer With the condition of affairs in the cultural, political and physical world in a state of disarray we enter Lent - Ash Wednesday - February 25th - 2004 - more compelled then ever to pursue, diligently and faithfully, our personal road to holiness. It is a long, difficult path each of us treads, however, we do know the journey can be sweeter and more blessed if we travel it with others. Jesus has told us: "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am with you." And there are many other biblical passages, as well, that urge us to love and help one another. A 'Thirty Day Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary ' was said by many Catholics during troubled times in their lives up until Vatican II. While looking through old stored away boxes, I came across a small white prayer b

Cathinfo and the 'resistance' perspective (updated with response to comment)

+ JMJ Matthew, the owner of Cathinfo - a resistance forum has posted a response to a person that indicated his reasons for continuing to go to the SSPX.

Fr. Burfitt on Fr. Pfeiffer's Attempted Consecration

+ JMJ Amidst the shadows cast by the publication of Traditionis Custodes, I am working on a map of the 'resistance' splinters to put their reaction in contrast with that of the SSPX. In the midst of this, I just came across Fr. Burfitt letter on the attempted consecration. Breaking it down (see below) items 2 and 3 are key. Just as the consecrating bishop is 'doubtful', even if he hadn't muffed the first attempt, Fr. Pfeiffer remain doubtful and therefore this impacts those men is attempts to 'ordain'. There were rumours that Fr. Pfeiffer was seeking episcopal consecration for years as he cast about for various bishops (also doubtful) to help him achieve this goal. I wonder how he convinced the 'doubtful' bishop to provide (twice) the doubtful consecration. What a mess! This creates a danger to the souls of his followers and wonder where it will end. Will he go full sede and have himself 'elected' pontiff as others have done before him

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Tradicat

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