This is an interesting piece -- and a topic worth investigating -- although I can't help but shake the itch of selection bias in sampling here (acknowledging you do make the point that this is not a systematic review). Investigations and prosecutions are largely going to be a local issue -- especially when the costs are as high as hiring/allocating undercover agents in sting operations. And will be pursued for individual political goals of local offices. Being in New York City here, it's patently obvious to me that the force of law is applied unequally depending on Alvin Bragg's opinions on a matter and his political goals.
In deep-red America, I imagine there was not much political will for police/prosecutors to investigate and prosecute vaccine fraud. Long Island, Albany, Colorado (technically that case seems to be brought in Seattle against Van Camp) strike me as places where there's perceived political gain for pursuing these cases (Salt Lake City is an aberration I suppose, although Mormons' are very big on complying with rules I think). Local sheriffs took public and political stances in defiance of mandates (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-coronavirus-face-masks-sheriffs-refuse-enforce-governor-abbott-order/) and I imagine there would be even less will to investigate vaccine fraud.
I would be interested for a full accounting of vaccine fraud -- not because I want anyone prosecuted (particularly because I believe the mandates were morally abhorrent), but because I think it is an interesting bit of information on how people react to incentives, risk, and criminality. It's also a testament to how challenging in our hyper-partisan society it is to be a political minority in your locale -- a conservative in New York City just trying to practice their constitutional rights to worship were out of luck during lockdowns, just as a progressive in deep red Texas could be losing their minds at their policies being ignored and flaunted by their Sheriffs over whom such a progressive would have little political power to oust.
Many thanks for a fascinating peek into a largely uninvestigated Covid corner. The next step is to add up all the resources spent by law enforcement/intelligence/military in planning, implementing and enforcing the entire Covid response to see how much we paid to have a biodefense dictatorship and martial law imposed on us.
The cost of our own subjugation is truly mind boggling. And of course, as you point out, has absolutely nothing to do w right-left politics
I know a lot of people with fake cards. At times during the mandate era, I regretted not doing that, and avoiding all of the pain and isolation that accompanied standing up for truth, medical freedom and bodily autonomy. Now that we are here, basking in the light of all the truth that has come out, I am very happy to be on record from March of 2020 as someone that never was scared and that never capitulated to the authoritarian mob. I hold my head quite high these days. I wish all of the people that got the fake cards would have joined us in the fight for freedom. It would have made it easier on my family, but they could also be here sharing this feeling with me, which, aside from all the dead and injured friends we are contending with, is quite nice. I wonder if they learned?
As for him who lacks the courage to defend even his own soul: Let him not brag of his
progressive views, boast of his status as an academician or a recognized artist, a
distinguished citizen or general. Let him say to himself plainly: I am cattle, I am a coward, I
Fauci, Biden, and others in the 70+ age group should have clear memories of draft resisters in the Vietnam War and the general tradition of an anti-authority bent on the left. It'd be no surprise to them that resistance to showing your medical papers to access public facilities or keep your job could come from older liberals.
"... the mandates were so feared and loathed by significant and diverse numbers of citizens that they were willing to become criminals rather than comply." Exactly.
Oppressive government mandates produce black markets. Great report!
This is an interesting piece -- and a topic worth investigating -- although I can't help but shake the itch of selection bias in sampling here (acknowledging you do make the point that this is not a systematic review). Investigations and prosecutions are largely going to be a local issue -- especially when the costs are as high as hiring/allocating undercover agents in sting operations. And will be pursued for individual political goals of local offices. Being in New York City here, it's patently obvious to me that the force of law is applied unequally depending on Alvin Bragg's opinions on a matter and his political goals.
In deep-red America, I imagine there was not much political will for police/prosecutors to investigate and prosecute vaccine fraud. Long Island, Albany, Colorado (technically that case seems to be brought in Seattle against Van Camp) strike me as places where there's perceived political gain for pursuing these cases (Salt Lake City is an aberration I suppose, although Mormons' are very big on complying with rules I think). Local sheriffs took public and political stances in defiance of mandates (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-coronavirus-face-masks-sheriffs-refuse-enforce-governor-abbott-order/) and I imagine there would be even less will to investigate vaccine fraud.
I would be interested for a full accounting of vaccine fraud -- not because I want anyone prosecuted (particularly because I believe the mandates were morally abhorrent), but because I think it is an interesting bit of information on how people react to incentives, risk, and criminality. It's also a testament to how challenging in our hyper-partisan society it is to be a political minority in your locale -- a conservative in New York City just trying to practice their constitutional rights to worship were out of luck during lockdowns, just as a progressive in deep red Texas could be losing their minds at their policies being ignored and flaunted by their Sheriffs over whom such a progressive would have little political power to oust.
Your articles are well worth waiting for!Excellent writing and reporting.
Many thanks for a fascinating peek into a largely uninvestigated Covid corner. The next step is to add up all the resources spent by law enforcement/intelligence/military in planning, implementing and enforcing the entire Covid response to see how much we paid to have a biodefense dictatorship and martial law imposed on us.
The cost of our own subjugation is truly mind boggling. And of course, as you point out, has absolutely nothing to do w right-left politics
I know a lot of people with fake cards. At times during the mandate era, I regretted not doing that, and avoiding all of the pain and isolation that accompanied standing up for truth, medical freedom and bodily autonomy. Now that we are here, basking in the light of all the truth that has come out, I am very happy to be on record from March of 2020 as someone that never was scared and that never capitulated to the authoritarian mob. I hold my head quite high these days. I wish all of the people that got the fake cards would have joined us in the fight for freedom. It would have made it easier on my family, but they could also be here sharing this feeling with me, which, aside from all the dead and injured friends we are contending with, is quite nice. I wonder if they learned?
As for him who lacks the courage to defend even his own soul: Let him not brag of his
progressive views, boast of his status as an academician or a recognized artist, a
distinguished citizen or general. Let him say to himself plainly: I am cattle, I am a coward, I
seek only warmth and to eat my fill.
Live not by Lies (excerpt)
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2024/01/fr-emmanuel-mccarthy/live-not-by-lies/
Fauci, Biden, and others in the 70+ age group should have clear memories of draft resisters in the Vietnam War and the general tradition of an anti-authority bent on the left. It'd be no surprise to them that resistance to showing your medical papers to access public facilities or keep your job could come from older liberals.
"... the mandates were so feared and loathed by significant and diverse numbers of citizens that they were willing to become criminals rather than comply." Exactly.
Oppressive government mandates produce black markets. Great report!
Sterling article, David. Thank you. What on earth have we become?
( also noteworthy, the CLIENTELE of those being prosecuted. As left as they come)
Im sure the black market made a fortune. Well done.
"This isn’t to say the government does not have an obligation to prosecute fraud."
Even if the cost were $5 Billion, they should have let these cases slide.
I assumed some fraud was going on but the extent of it is alarming. Not that I agree with the mandates.
Using paper vax cards was always problematic.