CARLOS F. NEGRETE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

27422 CALLE ARROYO

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA 92675-2747

Telephone (949) 493-8115 E-MAIL:

Fax (949) 493-8170 [email protected]

 

 

Dear Sir:

In response to your threatening letter concerning Terry Rondberg, I found many erroneous comments, mischaracterizations and misrepresentation of the facts that I feel compelled to respond to.

 

 

1. “We observe that your motives are transparent and not overlooked. It is of general knowledge that you, Dr. Smith, are a business competitor of Dr. Rondberg who has, in the past, displayed your proclivity to defaming and attacking Dr. Rondberg and his business interests for the purpose of advancing and enhancing your own business operations and interests.”
   1. Just what business do I compete with TR? I am a field practitioner, amateur writer, and blogger. I do not run an insurance company, a professional journal or any business that directly competes with TR.

 

1. “We are also informed that you operate web sites known as www.stoprondberg.org and www.galacticonlinealliance.org that are seemingly devoted to attacking my clients and harming their reputation and interests.”
   1. As a public and political figure in this profession, TR is fair game for criticism. Indeed, let me ask you if you will be suing the ACA for declaring TR and the WCA to be a shame organization? Will you be suing the 13 foreign national associations for demanding TR stop interfering in their internal affairs.

 

1. “Please be advised that you have not sought or obtained permission from Dr. Rondberg to use his name as a title to your website or in any other manner. Accordingly, demand is made that you cease and desist from using Dr. Rondberg’s name as the address of your web site.”
   1. As a public and political figure, it is commonplace to use his likeness, name or moniker in political debate or satirical criticism—Tricky Dick, Slick Willie.

 

4. Throughout, Dr. Rondberg is libelously characterized as a “Dictator of WCA,” a “yellow journalist,” a “journalistic fraud,” a “demagogue,” a “chiro sociopath,” “the most dangerous (and sick) man in chiropractic,” a “phony,” a “con-artist,” a“chirovangelist,” an “Evil Vendor,” a “crook,” a “charlatan,” a “crazed sycophant,”    “small minded,” and is compared to a “religious fanatic”;

• First of all, TR is the permanent, unelected, self-appointed president of the WCA. Can you cite any open election or anyone who has ever opposed him in an election for this office?
• I daresay my evidence in the articles concerning his yellow journalism and journalistic fraud speak for themselves considering the many slanted articles he’s written denigrating his political or economic rivals. For example, his attacks on Lou Sportelli or Reed Phillips  or upon me illustrate the unethical journalism that typifies TR.
• In regards to TR being the “most dangerous man in chiropracTIC,” as I recall, his response to his criticism was one of pride. He petitioned his followers to write to him in support and wrote a rather lengthy article praising himself for this tribute.
• In regards to him being a “phony or con-artist”, how would you describe someone who is an unelected leader of a fringe group who misrepresents himself as a “president” of a “major organization” when, in fact, neither is true. It reminds me of Fidel Castro calling  himself “president of Cuba” when, in fact, he’s a dictator.
• A sociopath is someone who causes harm to others but has no shame or guilt. This aptly describes the many acts by TR to harm his rivals, to misrepresent political events to his readers, such as the VA inclusion of chiropractic, but when proven wrong, he never has corrected himself for misleading his readership. Similar to the NY Times when its reporters like Jason Blair committed journalistic fraud or errors, at least the NYT had the honesty to apologize—something TR has never done in his 20 years of printing skewed articles about events or people in this profession.
• I daresay TR wears with pride the mantle of an Evil Vendor, someone with obvious conflicts of interest with a radical political agenda, who stops at nothing to mislead this profession. Oddly, in his 20 year career, his WCA membership is still unknown to this profession despite his recruiting efforts in every edition of his free tabloid.

1. Dr. Rondberg is accused of having “conflicts of interest,” of engaging in “unethical” conduct and “dirty dealings,” of misrepresenting facts and mis-characterizing “rival political personalities,” of using a “poison pen” to “vilify” opponents and “incite passions/prejudices among his readers,” of “sanctimonious and evil spewing,” of disseminating “false information,” and of leading “radical insurgents”;

• FYI: the following article describes TR’s attack on his rival, Lou Sportelli. Just as TR attacks Dr. Sportelli, he has also attacked other rivals, myself included, without the courtesy of feedback or counterpoint. This issue clearly shows the false information from TR’s poisoned pen to vilify his opponents and to incite passions/prejudices among his readers. Again, this is just one of many such character assassinations done by TR in his TCJ to denounced his rivals.

The Chiropractic Profession Has Been Defrauded!

Ethical journalism requires that every effort be made to establish the veracity of potentially libelous and/or questionable accusations or statements before they are published. It is for this reason that the average reader is able to trust that what they read is the truth.

In the August issue of The Chiropractic Journal, a letter to the editor was printed, presumably from a chiropractor in Los Angeles by the name of Robert Marsh. In this letter, Dr. Marsh made numerous allegations questioning the integrity of Dr. Louis Sportelli.

The basis of these allegations was Dr. Marsh’s claim, “Reliable sources who attended the recent ACA convention in Alaska, were stunned to hear past and present ACA leaders privately admit that Dr. Louis Sportelli owns a controlling interest in Dynamic Chiropractic.” The letter went on to allege that Dr. Sportelli is “secretly” trying to libel and destroy PMA.

Upon being made aware of these allegations, Dr. Sportelli attempted to contact Dr. Marsh personally to discuss their implications. His extensive search, which included the ACA, ICA, and Los Angeles telephone directories, proved fruitless. Ultimately, Dr. Sportelli contacted the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

A letter from Vivian Davis, executive director of the California Board confirmed Dr. Sportelli’s suspicions by stating, “I do hereby certify that a thorough search of the above (official records reflecting chiropractors licensed to practice in California) shows that Dr. Robert Marsh of Los Angeles, California is not licensed to practice chiropractic in the state of California.”

The fact that Dr. Marsh is not able to be located leads one to conjecture that he does not really exist. In a response to Dr. Marsh’s letter, Dr. Sportelli wrote to Rodney K. Platt, editor of TCJ questioning the publication of the apparently fraudulent letter. In his letter, Dr. Sportelli stated, “The publication, which claims to be ‘dedicated to fairness in communication’ on its masthead, violated some cardinal rules of truth and propriety in its carrying of the so-called ‘letter’; investigation points to the fact that the critical letter was probably a malicious concoction by the publication (The Chiropractic Journal) or parties unknown.”

In reply to Dr. Sportelli’s letter, Dr. Terry Rondberg, publisher of The Chiropractic Journal wrote: “After we received your letter, we confirmed that there is no known chiropractor by the name of Robert Marsh practicing in the Los Angeles area. Apparently, the person who wrote the letter and signed it with a false name had a strong opinion for which he was afraid to take responsibility. TCJ condemns such cowardice and deceit and requests that no doctor ever again engage in such outright deception.”

 

Two very important questions need to be asked:

Why was it so easy for a “fictitious” person to have a character-defaming letter printed in a chiropractic publication?

What person or parties are actually involved in the defrauding of the chiropractic profession?

The Society of Professional Journalists’ (an organization whose membership is comprised of publishers, editors, and journalists) code of ethics epitomizes the fundamental responsibilities of every journalist, everywhere. This list of noble objectives begins with a statement which reads, “The duty of journalists is to serve the truth.”

Other important elements of this code of ethics to which all journalists should adhere are:

“So-called news communications from private sources should not be published or broadcast without substantiation of their claims to news values.

“The news media should not communicate unofficial charges affecting reputation or moral character without giving the accused a chance to reply.

“Journalists who use their professional status as representatives of the public for selfish or other motives violate a high trust.”

Letters to the editor in any professional publication must meet certain guidelines. Letters to the editor must be signed by the author, submitted on professional letterhead, and when serious implications are made, the author’s existence should be verified. Furthermore, letters to the editor in which the authors ask that their “name be withheld by request” should follow these same guidelines even more stringently.

If the above guidelines had been met, this fraud against the chiropractic profession would not have occurred. A mere phone call by TCJ to Dr. Sportelli (or the California Secretary of State) would have revealed that “Dr. Marsh’s” allegations were completely without basis in fact. As stated on page three of “DC,” “Dynamic Chiropractic is the solely owned publication of the non-profit Motion Palpation Institute.”

It is highly unlikely that the person or persons who perpetrated this fraud against the chiropractic profession (by authoring the Marsh letter) will ever come forward and confess. The content of the Marsh letter demonstrates that these deceptors have a very specific agenda which they have already attempted to force upon the chiropractic profession. Should similar actions occur again, a watchful eye will be able to recognize them for what they truly are.

For the chiropractic profession, these are critical times. We need to be able to trust that what we read is the truth. Every publication in our profession must uphold the highest editorial standards in order to be perceived as credible.

According to The Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics, “Partisanship in editorial comment that knowingly departs from the truth, violates the spirit of American journalism.”

Kelli M. Price
Assistant Editor

 

·      Phony Letter in The Chiropractic Journal

 

Dynamic Chiropractic
21541 Surveyor Circle
Huntington Beach, CA. 92646

Dear Don:

The August issue of The Chiropractic Journal, which is published by Dr. Terry Rondberg, contains a letter to the editor which attacks my integrity. The publication, which claims to be “Dedicated to Fairness in Communication,” on its masthead violated some cardinal rules of truth and propriety in its carrying of the so-called “letter,” for investigation points the fact that the critical letter was probably a malicious concoction by the publication or parties unknown.

Let me give you the basis of my accusation.

When I read the “letter” in The Chiropractic Journal which stated falsely that I was an owner of a competitive publication, Dynamic Chiropractic, and the perpetrator of some kind of imaginary plot to destroy Dr. Peter Fernandez’ operation, I decided to call “Robert Marsh, D.C.” of Los Angeles, the purported writer of the letter.

In an effort to reach the good doctor, I found that I could not find him in either the ACA or ICA directories. So I called the Los Angeles area phone company and checked with information operator, only to learn there is no Dr. Robert Marsh listed. Next, I attempted to locate the chiropractor by contacting the California Board of Examiners, but then I learned to my surprise (really no surprise at all) that there was no Dr. Robert Marsh licensed in the state of California. (See letter from the director of the California Board of Examiners).

Now, this looks very suspicious, doesn’t it?! A highly critical letter in The Chiropractic Journal defending Dr. Fernandez, making libelous charges against me — and the writer can’t be found! Highly unusual, isn’t it?!

Can it be that Robert Marsh, D.C. of Los Angeles doesn’t exist? Not a pretty picture for the publication, is it?

I submit that The Chiropractic Journal has a responsibility to not only PRINT THE TRUTH, but and obligation NOT TO MANUFACTURE STORIES, INVENT DOCTORS, PERPETRATE A PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN TO ATTEMPT TO DESTROY THE CREDIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS, and finally, BE RESPONSIBLE AND HONEST WITH ITS READERS.

Could it be that there never was a letter to the editor? Could it be that the entire matter was fabricated in an attempt to deceive the profession? Could it be that The Chiropractic Journal feels the heat of consensus building across the profession which is counter to its sponsors’ goals and objectives? Could it be that the self-interest of The Journal OWNERS… (who reap the profit of their enterprises) is at stake and they are trying to re-direct criticisms which have begun to build around some of their positions on various issues? Or, giving The Journal the benefit of the doubt, could it be that some outside individual or group is behind this “plan” and are manipulating The Journal into publishing this type of manufactured “letter to the editor” knowing that The Journal does nothing to verify the facts or assertions of these letters? Regardless of the reasons for why things are done, there needs to be some accountability for the actions of a “publication” which purports to bring news to the field.

The Chiropractic Journal accused me of owning Dynamic Chiropractic. That’s pure rubbish; it’s the typical type of lie used to smokescreen the truth; it’s an age-old tactic, the same used by the AMA when it accuses chiropractic of “quackery”.

Anyone with even sub-marginal intelligence would know that Dynamic Chiropractic is a wholly owned entity of the Motion Palpation Institute, which is a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. Therefore, any reasonable person would conclude that it would be impossible for an individual to “OWN” controlling interest in that publication. This is not the first time that this tabloid has attempted to insinuate that I own Dynamic Chiropractic. If anyone is interested, all they have to do is check with the California Non-Profit Corporation Bureau, and the facts will demonstrate that I, nor any “individual,” OWNS Dynamic Chiropractic. But why would a publication that calculates to twist the truth bother to obtain the real facts?!

Secondly, in an attempt to build a case where none exists, this “fictitious” doctor (or publication) states that I have attacked Dr. Fernandez. Is the unknown writer who is defending Dr. Fernandez suffering from a guilt complex? Please have the anonymous writer show where I or the ACA has in any way attacked individual practice promoters? The ACA and I have spoken out with vigor and determination to expose those practice consultants who are exploiting young, impressionable students with contracts they can ill afford and are unprepared to evaluate from a true business perspective. Unfortunately, also many DC’s in practice are enticed with “million dollar promises” and end up giving a percentage of their yet to be earned gross to the “consultant.” By the time they realize they made a mistake, they also realize that they signed a non-cancelable legal contract.

I have my opinions about some of the abusers. But attack specific promoters — no, I have not done that; their actions speak for themselves.

While I have never pointed to anyone specifically, I have sounded a warning to students and doctors in an effort to help insulate them from possible financial ruin. As a service to the profession, I have asked them to self-discipline, to keep from tarnishing their professional image. I have cautioned them against getting into situations which may cause personal stress and despair.

My efforts are not directed against individuals. Rather, they are to motivate state and national journals to print editorials supporting the leaders of our profession who have the courage of their convictions to speak out against those procedures which may be profitable for the individual entrepreneur, but destructive for the profession. And don’t let anyone tell you I am against practice education and development counsel. What I am against are promoters who teach unscrupulous methods to victimize patients and/or victimize the doctors who sign up for their courses.

We need to support those individuals who are trying to create awareness in the profession; to motivate practitioners to refrain from, as Mark Twain so ably stated, “taking the path of least resistance which makes men and rivers crooked.”

When are all the chiropractic journals going to issue serious challenges to the exploiters who cause the entire profession to retrogress and be stigmatized by procedures and promotions which cannot withstand close scrutiny?

It seems to me that an ethical standard among journals might be in order. I believe that every journal has a responsibility to check out as thoroughly as possible each and every story. In those instances where character assassinations are part of the story or letter to the editor, then the journal should at least provide the individual with an opportunity to respond, if so desired. Surely, The Chiropractic Journal could have inquired as to the validity of the comments on ownership, as well as having checked on the facts relative to the other issues, if the publisher had wanted to (as if they did not already know the truth).

It seems to me that The Chiropractic Journal is the worst offender of all the publications in chiropractic. It thrives on THE DOUBLE TALK SYNDROME. It speaks of “Live and Let Live,” then spends the greatest part of its tabloid space denigrating, denouncing and disparaging individuals who do not agree with its philosophy or position on issues. It is hard for an individual to win in a battle against a publication which is determined to present its viewpoint. Unquestionably, the pen is mightier than the sword, but one publication such as The Chiropractic Journal will not be successful in its yellow reporting if the remaining publications seek to print the truth and editorialize the issues for the entire profession to judge on their merits.

This letter, which is being sent to all journals, will in no way change the situation relative to The Chiropractic Journal, but hopefully the clear and undisputed fact of knowing that The Chiropractic Journal had to know that the letter was from a fictitious doctor, and that the content was totally and completely without validity make it clear to all the other chiropractic publications that there is more to this than meets the eye. It is one thing to make an honest error; it is quite another to undertake a deliberate campaign to discredit someone. In this case, the facts should be patently clear to anyone who is knowledgeable about the INTENT, OWNERSHIP, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POSITIONS of The Chiropractic Journal.

It is clear to me that The Chiropractic Journal’s publishers want to create:

A third chiropractic organization, which in my opinion is destructive to the entire profession — a move which is ego- motivated.

A national tabloid which is dedicated to publishing a jaundiced view of chiropractic, supportive of FSCS, SCASA, and the “straight movement.” (That is their prerogative, but they should not try to hide behind a banner of “UNITY AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.”)

A method of patient recruitment which will not only generate significant dollars for its OWNERS under the guise of research … but thank goodness is currently being questioned and challenged in many states.

Be that as it may, the issue is not that they are doing whatever they are doing, but an attempt is being made to cover up these questionable activities. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion; I have mine, they have theirs. However, mine is stated clearly with my signature, theirs is masqueraded as a “letter to the editor” or as a majority opinion and objective editorial, when it is neither. It is all a charade, and should be recognized for what it is.

For me, I will stand on my record of accomplishment for ACA and the chiropractic profession. I will continue to speak out when issues of ethics and exploitation are uncovered. I will continue to bring to the forefront those procedures and scams that will undermine the credibility of the entire profession for the sake of the financial gain of the exploiter.

The mere fact that my position is causing some distress to those who might be “uncomfortable” about exposed, could cause them to alter their programs so as to lessen their vulnerability and exposure. I hope so.

Those practice consultants who are honest and ethical are not screaming “FOUL” … rather, they are trying to develop guidelines which practice consultants can follow in order to avoid the possibility of misunderstanding. They should be given credit for their courage in beginning this professional cleansing, which has been needed for so long. Haven’t we learned from the lessons of the antitrust trial, where we initially lost not because the AMA was any less guilty, but rather because a JURY who heard the same evidence was so outraged by the practice management procedures (which were not even part of the legal issue) that they found in favor of the AMA.

In conclusion, I offer the following challenge to those detractors who delight in yellow journalism: Let’s take our cases to a jury of our peers. You defend your position and I will defend mine; I am willing to risk it … are you? The jury selection should be determined by random selection of field practitioners who are the ultimate victims of the guest for money by exploitation, dollars be deceit, and patients by propaganda. I believe that the vast majority of our profession is composed of honest, ethical, and clinically competent practitioners who feel frustrated because they are incapable of doing anything to change this course of destruction, which has been charted by those with less than honorable intentions.

In the final analysis, the court of public opinion will determine who are the guilty, who are the innocent and who have had the integrity to speak up.

Sincerely,

Dr. Louis Sportelli

• In regards to my claim that TR is a demagogue, let’s be clear what this means: “a political leader who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions and prejudices of people.” This is undoubtedly the easiest claim to defend inasmuch as TR has practiced demagoguery throughout his career by misrepresenting the facts on nearly every political issue. To wit:

Rooting for the Enemy Within

by

JC Smith

 

In the evolution of the chiropractic profession, it’s been a tough journey not only fighting our medical/insurance/media foes at every turn, but more frustrating has been the in-fighting among our own factions. Encouraging, however, is the fact that some organizations are striving to overcome the dissension and misunderstandings that have kept our profession splintered such as we’ve seen with the efforts of COCSA and the WFC, two groups bringing chiropractors together rather than tearing this profession apart was we’ve seen with the WCA, ICA, and the Chiro Coalition. 

 

Sadly, there are some within our ranks who work against unity not only because they are chirovangelists who are groomed like radical Islamic insurgents to automatically fight against any overture by the infidel mixers, but also because they’re vendors with a lot of money at stake. Whether it was Big $id dumbing down chiro education to sell more diplomas, or Riekeman at Palmer/Life letting his vendor friends swamp the campus hunting for consumers, err, students, or Terry Rongberg manipulating legislation to suit his financial interests, this profession has a history of those–the enemy within–who work to foment discord in order to personally profit.

 

A not-so-recent example of working against the best interest of this profession was evident when the ACA and ICA made overtures concerning merger to consolidate our power, staff, and revenues, an attempt voted on and approved by the majority of ICA members led by Mike Pedigo back in the 1980s. Regrettably, vendor-politicians who have nothing to gain if merger were to occur eventually thwarted it–like the “dead enders” in Iraq fighting against democracy. While credible groups work to bring DCs together in a democratic process, these vendor-politicians work to keep DCs apart for their personal profit and political ideology.

 

These confidence men portray themselves as “defenders of the chiropracTIC faith” when, in reality, their hidden agenda is to profit personally by disseminating propaganda to fan the flames of our differences rather than our common goals. They use their free tabloids to slant the news, foment discord, and to promote themselves as spokesmen when, in fact, they are primarily vendors selling products.

 

It’s been a ruse that has festered for too long, but one that must be dealt with immediately if the next century is to be better than the last one. And dealing with true intra-professional harmony means confronting those evil vendors who work to destroy it.

 

The Power of the Poisoned Pen

Columnist John Ziegler (www.johnziegler.com/) wrote in a recent online commentary about his frustration of the obvious double standard by many in the media over the murder of Nick Berg in Iraq, and it reminded me of the same problem in the chiropractic press.

 “Like millions of other Americans, over the past few years I have become increasing cynical about the nature of this country’s news media. However, up until yesterday, I never thought that our fourth estate was actively (though I still believe, perhaps naively, unconsciously) working on behalf of our enemies.

“That all changed with the disgraceful coverage (or lack thereof) of the slaughter of Nick Berg, the American civilian whose horrific murder was carried out by elements of Al Qaeda and videotaped for dissemination on a website.

“…After watching how the world has largely failed to react to the murder of Nick Berg, it is difficult for me to envision how we can possible win this war on terror. After all, those who control the information we receive seem to be rooting for the enemy.”

 

May I add that the few chiropracTIC vendor/publishers are also rooting for the enemy of disunity within our profession—those “naysayers, wild-eyed philosophers, freaks, and cultists” who former ACA lobbyist Mark Goodin and attorney George McAndrews so eloquently chided years ago? My favorite McAndrews quote is: “5% of your are cultists, 5% of you are freaks, and the rest of you…keep your mouths shut.” And I think everyone knows to whom George is referring and, regrettably, the fringe publishers of free tabloids have NOT kept their mouths shut.

 

While reputable DCs are silently hard at work helping patients, and reputable associations like the ACA, ACC, WFC, CCE, COCSA, FCER and FCLB are working to expand our markets, improve our parity, raise our educational standards and, most of all, to improve our identity and image, saboteurs like Terry Rongberg and his Chiro Coalition of the Misguided Vendors are hard at work undermining these efforts.

 

Without question, “The Chiropractic Journal,” his free advertising rag impersonating a peer-reviewed medical indexed journal has done more harm than any other tabloid ever printed in this profession since the days when Big $id controlled his free magazine, “Today’s Chiropractic,” a classic example of slanted journalism and political demagoguery if ever there was one! Hopefully under new management now, Today’s Chiropractic will reflect a modern viewpoint rather than the ol’ time chirovangelism that fueled the dissension that Big $id needed to keep an audience. Just don’t hold your breath that anything emanating from Sydneyland will be objective!

 

Now that Big $id is gone, obviously TR is the main enemy within our ranks today who roots for failure as we’ve seen with his negative accounts of the VA and Medicare legislation in his TCJ. TR also heads the list of yellow journalism as a vendor/publisher with a self-serving agenda (CBS insurance brokerage) posing behind his so-called “journal” that consists of inflammatory editorial commentaries written by him or his columnists/vendors who “pay to play.” 

 

If that’s not bad enough, his editorials abound with slanted information that are aimed solely to vilify his financial opponents like NCMIC insurance and political stalwarts like the ACA and WFC. TR has taken cheap shots at Lou Sportelli of NCMIC, Don Petersen of Dynamic Chiropractic, Jim Edwards of the ACA, David Chapman-Smith of the WFC, and even at lowly me, a mixer from middle Georgia.

 

Indeed, TR has become the Jason Blair of the chiropractic press—you simply cannot trust anything he writes to be accurate, fair or balanced—that’s just not TR’s style. His TCJ is a literary blight on our profession as he disseminates misinformation that eventually translates into intra-professional dissension, distrust and disunity. Indeed, he is the fly in the ointment on our profession’s complexion and image, and the biggest threat to our collective progress.

 

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

A clear example of TR rooting for the enemy was evident at the ACA’s legislative success when Sec. Principi approved 36 of 38 recommendations from the CAC. The inclusion of chiropractic care into the VA and military health systems is a huge breakthrough for this small profession (and the first inclusion of any new service in the last 25 years), but TR in his own dementia belittled the VA’s policy in order to put down the ACA’s success to the profession.

 

TR couldn’t understand why DCs were not considered PCPs for direct access despite his incredulous and outdated position that “chiropracTORs only detect and correct VSC.” Although everyone on the CAC understood why DCs were cast as NMS specialists and not PCPs, he had the temerity to write to Sec. Principi suggesting to kill the entire program:

“I would rather see chiropractors excluded from the entire program rather than included for the wrong reasons.   I am respectfully requesting that you reject this recommendation and accept the ‘minority recommendation’ which represents the wishes of the majority of doctors in my profession and respectfully request you allow DIRECT access for VA beneficiaries to doctors of chiropractic.”

 

Can you believe that TR would write to the Sec. of the DVA to scold him and recommend the entire program be scuttled only because it didn’t suit him? This saboteur and self-appointed fringe spokesman is incorrigible and an outright danger to this profession. Rather than giving credit and applauding that chiropractic now has both feet in the VA door for the first time in history, TR is willing to cut off his nose to spite the face of chiropractic, especially the ACA, because the CAC didn’t follow his WCA agenda! 

 

Undoubtedly if his phony WCA had achieved this victory of chiropractic inclusion, he would have beamed with pride, but inasmuch as he wasn’t responsible for its success and his ideas were soundly rejected by the CAC, all he could do was misrepresent the facts to disparage the outcome. He refuses to admit his non-diagnostic rap was nonsense to the CAC nor does he understand a PCP in the VA system is looking for a lot more than VSC. Indeed, his simple-mindedness is just too embarrassing, yet he persists pushing it.

 

This autocrat of the WCA also snubs the democratic process by requesting the “minority recommendation” from his WCA and ICA reps be accepted instead of the majority’s recommendations. He also lies to the Secretary by suggesting the he “represents the wishes of the majority of doctors in my profession.” He mistakenly portrays anyone who considers himself or herself as “subluxation-based” to be in his camp, which is simply untrue. I know too many subluxation hunters who vile TR’s demagoguery, and I know many “patient-based” DCs who have total disdain for his deceptive journalism. In fact, there are more “straights” in the ACA than there are in both the ICA and WCA combined, yet you don’t hear such nonsense from the ACA that DCs should only detect and correct VSC.

 

Tell me, does TR represent your point of view on anything, let alone the VA issue? (Okay, stop laughing)

 

Indeed, TR just doesn’t get this democracy thing like Big $id, ya folla, and he again misrepresents his political base to the VA as he did to Congress on the Medicare issue. As far as I can find, TR represents 240 people that is 0.004% of this profession, yet he makes it appear that he is our leading spokesman! What gall and outright diplomatic fraud!

 

Adding more stink to TR’s situation, when Sec. Principi shared TR’s sentiments with his aide, Sara McVicker, who then shared it with the CAC, TR flipped his lid that his cover of deceit had been blown and wrote another nasty letter to Sec. Principi:

“Of course I understand you can share a private letter with anyone on your staff, however it seems highly inappropriate for your assistant to hand it out to the committee and ask them how to respond. 

“There are several people serving on the committee who represent other political groups and she is well aware of these circumstances and the harm it can do to my self when if it is publicized in the chiropractic media by my adversaries.”

 

So, it doesn’t matter than TR sent the same online letter to his minions asking them to send a spam form letter to his office in protest, but when Principi shares the same letter to his staff and committee people for review, suddenly it’s “highly inappropriate” according to the double standards of TR. One can only shake your head in disbelief.

 

TR did hit the nail on the head when he said, “…the harm it can do to my self when if [sic] it is publicized in the chiropractic media by my adversaries.” Geez, TR, what’s the problem? You make a big stink over the VA decision even asking for its revocation, but when your meddling is revealed, you run for cover to hide once again! Why? I thought you represented the majority of DCs in this profession, so what’s the worry, mate?

 

Diplomatic Fraud

Except for the wily Sen. Ted Kennedy and a few other unsavory ideologues on Capitol Hill, the election of representatives with integrity and ethical behavior is of the utmost importance to those voters who don’t just vote along a party line. Like our Congressmen, the ACA and WFC are stringent that its reps and committee members have no conflicts of interest that would invalidate their integrity as may have happened in the past, yet the ICA and WCA have no qualms about their leadership having financial conflicts and hidden agendas.

 

The diminished ICA, after 28 years under the repressive dominance of Big $id, the Evil Vendor Extraordinaire, remains today just as unseemly with its newest vendor/prez, CJ Mertz, who owns and still operates his WLP seminar and selling Chiropractic USA franchises—a clear conflict of interest that is totally ignored by the ICA. It’s become so commonplace that their “leaders” have a financial stake as well as a political agenda that no one in their membership even bats an eye!

 

Just like the BOT at Life, the ICA board turns a blind eye to these obvious conflicts of interest, but since many of the board members are vendors themselves, it’s a situation of scratching each other’s backs, such as past or present vendor/board members like CJ Mertz, Bob Braile, Dan Murphy, Big $id, and his sidekick, DD Humber. The WCA board is just as full of cronyism as the ICA loaded with vendors such as TR, Chris Kent, Matt McCoy, and TR’s wife, Cindy, and his son-in-law, Tim Feuling, VP of the WCA and president of TR’s own CBS insurance brokerage.

 

Sometimes I wonder if anyone in the WCA and ICA leadership is not a vendor! Can anyone explain to me why neither the ICA nor WCA enforce a code of ethics that prohibits such unethical conduct? Since the WCA is an “alliance” owned by TR and not accountable to a voting membership, he can do whatever he wants, but the ICA does have an written ethical code to follow, albeit obviously not enforced.

 

According to the ICA’s Code of Ethics for practitioners, CJ Mertz may have violated two statues: http://www.chiropractic.org/ica/ethics.htm

 

PRINCIPLE 1K. PRACTICES OR QUESTIONABLE PROPRIETY
The doctor of chiropractic shall avoid participating or assisting in all practices of questionable propriety either with his/her patients, colleagues, family or other business associates.

PRINCIPLE 2A. DEMANDS UPON THE PROFESSION
The doctor of chiropractic who is also a public official, either elected or appointed, full or part-time, should not engage in activities which are, or may be perceived to be, in conflict with their professional duties.

 

Certainly in the world of professional associations, such conflicts of interest among elected officials would cause immediate denunciation and the call for their resignations, but in the chiropracTIC sect, this is simply a pattern that has existed since BJ himself selling NCMs, followed by Jim Parker, Big $id, TR, Big Guy, and now CJ.

 

Politically Incorrect

Not only has TR violated numerous ethical issues with his many impersonations, he also misrepresents his power base, he misleads legislators, and he toys with the minds of impressionable students and grads with his ideology of “separate and equal,” a social construct that the Warren Supreme Court unanimously rejected in the historic Brown vs. the Topeka Board of Education, but a concept that TR and his Chiro Coalition still expect our profession and legislators to embrace.  Does TR not realize that “separate and equal” is illegal whether or not you call it “separate and distinct,” it’s the same concept?

 

Not only is he politically incorrect in his political science, but I also wonder if he disclosed the truth about himself to Sen. Ted Kennedy or any of the Congressmen who spoke at his Summit. For example:

        Although he introduces himself as the president of the WCA, implying that it is equivalent to the ACA as a professional member-driven, democratic “association,” this impersonator fails to reveal that he is an unelected dictator-for-life of a small “alliance” that comprises 0.004% or approximately 240 members.

        Although he may say he’s the publisher of a chiropractic journal, this impersonator refuses to reveal that he’s simply a vendor who publishes a lowly regarded free advertising rag, not a real medical indexed professional journal such as the JMPT or NEJM. 

        Although his Summit took place in the capital of democracy, I wonder if TR explained to anyone why he says his Chiro Coalition represents “3 of the 4 leading chiro orgs” when, in fact, this small band is outnumbered by many state and national groups or why he refuses to abide by the democratic process of majority rule within his own WCA or within the profession as a whole?

        Although he prides himself that his WCA is an NGO at the DPI in the UN, he hides the fact that he refused to participate in the most recent international meeting—the WFC’s Identity & Image conference—a direct violation of the spirit and criteria of the UN for international cooperation.

 

Inexplicably, I just don’t think he revealed any of these facts to the Congressmen because if he had, they would have laughed him out of their offices. Instead, this Great Impersonator bobbed and weaved his way around Washington like chiropracTIC Jehovah Witnesses screaming their doomsday chant, “We’re right and everyone else—the ACA, WFC, VA, CCE, FCER, AMA, FCLB—is wrong!”

 

More Yellow Journalism

Indeed, TR has learned he can fool some of the people all the time with his journalistic and diplomatic fraud, but that may be quickly coming to an end. While it’s very difficult to read his drivel knowing his standard editorial embellishment of the facts, one rather poignant remark clearly illustrated the depths of his duplicity to lie to the profession in a recent recap of his Summit when he cast himself as the Abe Lincoln of chiropracTIC:

 

“‘However, perhaps just as important was the fact that we proved chiropractic organizations could work harmoniously together for the good of the profession and the public it serves. Our three organizations work to complement each other, not dominate each other. We act with a united cause without sacrificing individual autonomy or demanding mergers. We respect each other and help each other succeed and grow. In this way, the entire profession will succeed and grow.’ ICA Legislative Committee Chairman Dr. Michael S. McLean agreed.”

 

Let’s be frank: the WCA is not a worldwide alliance of reputable orgs nor is the ICA truly international in its structure or mission. These are two small wannabe orgs run by self-serving entrepreneurs willing to misguide this profession to suit their financial scheme and political thirsts. Perhaps this is why neither will reveal their memberships since both orgs are small and ineffective, but they both bank on perception as their ally to mislead the profession and legislators. Indeed, this is clearly a situation of the tail waggin’ the dawg.

 

TR continues with his lies when he writes, “We proved chiropractic organizations could work harmoniously together for the good of the profession and the public it serves. Our three organizations work to complement each other, not dominate each other.”

 

First of all, his WCA is not equivalent to any member-driven org as he implies. And his suggestion that they “work harmoniously together” flies in the face of reason after his phony WCA refused to attend the WFC’s identity & Image conference held at Life-West in March. Apparently TR is unwilling to attend any conference that he cannot dominate, so when his little illegitimate group of vendors is just one among many legitimate international groups, he refuses to attend and then has the gall to denounce the WFC’s outcome as not representative of the profession’s wishes. How ironic is that—an autocrat denouncing a democratic body as not representative?

 

Realistically, TR and his vendor cronies are the problem with our identity with their constant anti-establishment attitude and his ridiculous non-diagnostic, non-therapeutic, anti-medicine, anti-education stance. No wonder he was afraid to show up at the WFC! Imagine this autocratic vendor explaining himself to the 80+ members of the WFC! I’d pay money to see him and Kent sweat in front of this body of democratically elected DCs from around the world, especially those from the 14 countries that have accused him of meddling in their affairs.

 

Interestingly, the WFC conspicuously left an open chair for TR at its Image & Identity conference just to show that the WFC is willing to hear all sides and suggestions even if TR was afraid to show his face or sit on the hot seat in front of his peers. Could you imagine TR explaining his many years of misdeeds to this august body of international DCs? (Okay, stop laughing again).

 

When his outdated chiropracTIC advice is followed by such as disciples like Joanne Gallagher, they ruin our image when their radical methods lead to tragedy! I daresay every one of her gurus should have been indicted as co-conspirators for their encouragement of her irresponsible behavior since she simply did as she was taught to do. I understand that Sherman College, her alma mater and to which she had been a trustee for nearly 20 years, has now distanced itself from Gallagher, but her “subluxation-based” mentors–Riekeman, Rongberg, Big $id, Tedd Koren, et al. have not accepted any responsibility in this case, no doubt hoping it will blow over.

 

Interestingly, TR’s own tabloid, TCJ, as yet has not printed one story about this travesty in an obvious cover-up.

 

But how many other Joanne Gallagher’s are there in practice that remain a risk to their patients as they spout the non-diagnostic, non-therapeutic, anti-medicine “the body needs no help, no medication, just no subluxation, ya folla” chirovangelism? Indeed, everyone in the Chiro Coalition will be suspected of this irresponsible practice that led to the death of an innocent woman–guilty by association.

 

Who’s Terry Fooling?

TR continues with his deception when he wrote, “We act with a united cause without sacrificing individual autonomy or demanding mergers.” Coming from the Axis of Evil Vendors, this comment is ludicrous.

 

First of all, the previous talks of merger have been between the ACA and ICA, not the WCA that has never been included because the ACA is well aware of its bogus nature and dictatorial structure comprised of vendors—TR, Kent, and Gentempo. Asking the WCA to merge is equivalent to asking al Qaeda to join forces with the good people in a democratic Iraq, then masquerading to the world that it’s the peacemaker! How ironic that TR of all people now positions himself as a unifying agent in this profession! If pigs could fly…

 

Secondly, his idea of “autonomy” is undoubtedly skewed inasmuch as what he’s really referring to is his Supreme Court-styled appointment for life. Indeed, TR wants no oversight from a reputable board or voting members who may actually vote him out of office. His idea of autonomy is similar to Saddam’s idea of democracy—vote for him or else–kinda like Big $id’s spineless BOT that ignored his many machinations that led to Life’s loss of accreditation! Autocracy has obviously replaced democracy in these fringe chiropracTIC organizations run by vendors posing as politicians.

 

Lastly, the irony of his yellow journalism speaks for itself when he wrote, “We respect each other and help each other succeed and grow. In this way, the entire profession will succeed and grow.” (Okay, stop laughing again) How quickly CJ has forgotten that TR endorsed DD Humber in the last ICA election.

 

This statement is too absurd to read coming from a vendor/publisher who has used his tabloid as an avenue to attack his personal, financial, and political foes at every turn without any chance of rebuttal, which is standard ethics in reputable journals, but not for TR with his hit-and-run version of yellow journalism.

 

As well, he has lobbied for years to limit our profession to CMT only, and he asks Sec. Principi to veto the CAC’s recommendations, but now he talks of this profession “growing and succeeding”? Never has he encouraged a broad scope that the majority of DCs use; in fact, he has fought against it as we saw in the Medicare and VA legislation. He fights against majority rule, and he lambastes the ACA and WFC at every turn with his journalistic fraud suggesting these truly democratic orgs will somehow “dominate” the minority groups. Again, his non-cooperative response to the WFC’s Image & Identity conference was proof of his autocratic nature and his lack of respect for this international org that has done more for chiropractic worldwide than TR can ever dream of doing with his phony WCA.

 

He now speaks with a fork tongue so often that he forgets his own track record, and he hopes the rest of us will forget too. Lest I remind him that of date 14 countries have told him to stop meddling in their affairs, but he continues to interfere as we now see in Germany. Indeed, TR is the most dangerous man in chiropractic because he’s a political fraud and accountable to no one. He hides his conflicts of interest, he misrepresents his WCA as a member-driven association, he deceives legislators with his diplomatic fraud, and his poisoned pen as publisher of a free advertising rag, TCJ, is perhaps his greatest danger disseminating yellow journalism throughout this profession.

 

TR has no respect for any democratic process or the concept of unity since his minority position would not prevail in majority rule, which he refuses to follow. This was exactly the problem with Big $id when he killed the Pedigo attempt at Merger back in the 1980s with his own brand of misinformation that was shocking to say the least. But it did reveal how one autocrat can undermine the democratic process via propaganda and demagoguery if the voting body remains unaware of the facts and hidden motivation of vendor-political hacks.

 

Imagine if Gov. Howard Dean and his Deaniacs behaved in the same fashion and refused to abide by the electoral process. Even as radical as Gov Dean appeared, he still had the decency to play by the rules and not spit up his milk when he was defeated. He didn’t go off and start his own rogue political party with him as the unelected dictator for life, nor did he begin his own free advertising rag to promote his own financial services, nor did he cast aspersions against the mainstream Democrats with yellow journalism because, if nothing else, Gov Dean is an ethical player even when he loses. But not Big $id or TR–both of these autocrats have no interest in democracy or unity if it means they will be voted out of power by majority rule.

 

Instead of taking a similar stance as merely another minority political figure with too few votes, TR has become the leading source of dissension and fragmentation in this profession illustrated by this silly Summit itself. Indeed, if TR wants brotherly love and respect, why didn’t he show up at the ACA’s NCLC, the real lobbying effort on Capitol Hill? He failed to show up undoubtedly because he would not be in charge since the ACA understands that he’s a political fraud with a pitifully small gang of gullible WCA chiropracTORs.

 

The Great Debate

Just as TR is afraid to show his face at the ACA’s legislative conference and its legion of members, he’s also afraid to face my panel of colleagues in a Great Debate that I have constantly challenged him to attend in front of the COCSA assembly. Now I’m told by one COCSA rep that TR would never attend a debate, just as he avoided the previous debate at COCSA and the WFC conference since a case against him would be a slam dunk.

 

Plus, COCSA, which considers itself “apolitical,” is afraid of another fiasco similar to years ago when the ACA-ICA-WCA discussion ended in chaos. In its attempt to be neutral, I’m afraid COCSA simply comes across as afraid to handle the big issues facing this profession, and that includes weeding out the evil vendors who are manipulating this profession for their profit and our demise. 

 

It also appears TR will only speak when he’s in control. Obviously the man is a coward who is afraid to come before an impartial jury of peers to answer a few questions about his conflict of interests, his diplomatic fraud, his yellow journalism, and his bogus alliance. Whether or not this Great Debate occurs at COCSA, Parker, the FCA conventions, or in the parking lot at Life (which is still a dumb name for any college), it must happen somewhere to address this loose cannon. It’s time to hold his feet to the fire of inquiry.

 

As John Ziegler mentioned, “…those who control the information we receive seem to be rooting for the enemy.”

 

In this case, our enemy is comprised of self-serving vendors/publishers disguised as journalists, charismatic/untrained educators, cultish vendor/chirovangelists, and the wild eyed philosophers who extol the virtue of chiropracTIC as they promote their “see a thousand patients a day” seminars and then chant the Money Hum all the way to the bank.

 

If you are among the many mainstream DCs and students who resent of the constant stream of corrupt vendors-political hacks who are exploiting this profession for their financial goals, I urge you to join me in the Galactic Online Alliance to fight the Axis of Evil Vendors. The evidence is clear, the need is paramount, and the future of this profession may depend upon “isolating the rascals” as George McAndrews declared.

 

You can join in this fight to clean up our profession, to boycott the advertisers in his TCJ, to expose the corruption within the WCA and ICA, and to end his demagoguery and political obstructionism that has held back the esprit de corps of this profession for too long.

 

7. RCS is labeled a “bait-and-switch” operation, a “scam,” “phony,” “bogus,” a

“delusion,” a “money-making scheme,” and labeled as a “for-profit solicitation

scheme under the guise of research”;

• Not only have I denounced the RCS as bogus, for-profit “research”, but so has the ACA and ICA.

More Junk Science

 

Rongberg’s Research Ruse

By

JCS

 

The ability of just one man to manipulate the entire chiropractic profession to his profit has always amazed me. Since this profession has no vertical chain of command with oversight abilities, we’ve seen how one evil genius, persistent personality can mold this profession to his own profit, usually at the expense for the rest of us, ya folla?

 

For example, we’re still living with the philosophical machinations of BJ Palmer whose Innatism still haunts our image to this day with unsupported dogma that makes DCs appear to be quasi faith-healers as we’ve heard once again in the FSU flap. We survived the academic reign of terror after 28-long years of Big $id and his gang of imposters who made millions off the backs of unsuspecting students, but not until our collective image was soiled and a lot of students’ lives and faculty members’ careers were disrupted.

 

This embarrassment is beginning to sound like a scratchy record with yet another impending issue. Now the leading obstructionist to progress in this profession is the Impersonator and Yellow Journalist, the Evil Vendor Terry Rongberg who is up to no good once again. This self-appointed charlatan has proven the power of the poisoned pen and that you can fool some of the people all the time with his many ruses, such as:

• Presenting himself as the president-for-life, aka, dictator, of the phony WCA, an “alliance” of his Evil Vendor friends with about 250 non-voting sycophants who pose as an international chiro organization comprised of 13 individuals, not national orgs that, in fact, has been denounced by the ACA and numerous foreign national associations for meddling and misrepresentation. To learn the actual facts, logon to: http://www.stoprondberg.org/Taming%20of%20the%20Shrewd.htm
• Conflict of interest and journalistic fraud as publisher of the free, supermarket-styled tabloid, The Chiropractic Journal, that is the antithesis of a credible professional journal where he sells column space to advertisers, reportedly takes a percent of their sales, hides his own vested interests in CBS malpractice insurance run by his son-in-law, and routinely commits journalistic fraud when he positions his skewed opinion as front page articles to blast his financial and political opponents. To learn more, logon to: http://www.stoprondberg.org/JournalisticFraud.htm
• Obstructionist to CCE and FCLB, the two national orgs dedicated to improving the educational status of chiropractic. While TR objects to any improvement these two orgs suggest, he participated in the phony weekend chiro course in Germany promoted by a WCA member there. Apparently if TR can make money, he’s willing to sell diplomas that are unaccredited and worthless. Like Big $id, his goal is not to improve chiro education as much as to keep requirements low in order to sell diplomas to anyone who can meet minimum standards, ya folla?
• Indeed, it’s sounding like a broken record to reiterate the many con-jobs by TR, so to learn the full extent of this Evil Vendor upon this profession, logon to www.StopRondberg.org and read until you’re convinced this man is dangerous.

 

The impact of this single sociopath is remarkable in that he’s never accomplished anything of profession-wide value, but he, like Tom Daschle, will automatically obstruct any program offered by the mainstream within our profession. Although the voters threw Daschle out of office for his constant obstructionism, we DCs don’t have the opportunity to throw Rongberg out of power except to boycott his advertisers. As I’ve written before, TR is now the most dangerous man in chiropracTIC, ya folla? http://www.stoprondberg.org/MostDangerousMan.htm

 

Fortunately, most everything he does ultimately backfires as in the legislative failings of the Chiro Coalition; nonetheless, ultimately it does benefit his pocketbook. His apparent objective is to be the fly in the ointment to keep himself in the news to promote his own business interests at the expense of this profession as he foments discord, obstructs legislation, and disseminates misinformation. His modus operandi is to gain your trust as he stabs us all in the back.

 

His hidden agenda is obvious to most rational DCs, which may explain why after 20 years of self-promotion, his WCA hovers at just 250 naïve members from the 60,000+ members of this profession who’ve been burdened by his free propaganda rag. It also may explain why nearly all chiro colleges except Life and Sherman, two Innatism church/colleges of chiropracTIC, have banned him, his rag, and his student WCA from their campuses. Even Palmer-Davenport, the Fountainhead of Innatism, has banned TR from its campus. Like the Jehovah Witnesses, TR is a pain in the neck to “normal” folks and his solicitation methods are not welcomed.

 

Chiropractic Works, Enuf Sed

Now we read where he’s soliciting the “gold standard” of research that will definitely prove chiropractic cures all, or so he contends. Apparently he and his 3 cohorts will do what 40+ active chiro researchers around the world haven’t done, and you too can participate for a price, of course. Geez, I wonder why Big $id didn’t think of this ruse, but apparently TR’s lack of ethics is even worse than his, which is hard to believe!

 

Perhaps it’s a case of memory loss for Terry Rongberg, but his latest money-making scheme smacks of his failed Vertebral Subluxation Research Institute’s (VSRI) controversial Outreach 2000 program scam that was exposed years ago in 1990 as a patient acquisition effort hidden behind so-called research that was denounced by reputable chiro organizations. http://www.chiroweb.com/cgi-bin/chirosearch/chirosearch.cgi?keys=VSRI&searchtype=a&r=d&Submit=SEARCH

 

Either TR’s trying to revive a dead horse or maybe he thinks he can fool this profession again after 15 years with another money-making con-job hidden beneath of the veil of hoped for research that will “prove chiropracTIC works.” Sadly, too many well-meaning but misled DCs may support this effort that reminds me of the notorious Mario Vitelli, PhD, who convinced both Thom Gelardi and later Bid $id that he would “prove chiropractic” back in the mid-1970s, only to become a huge scandal at both colleges.

 

Dr. Vitelli was middle-age, slovenly man originally from El Salvador who convinced people he was an MD when, it was later discovered, he was actually an entomologist. In the meantime, both at Sherman and Life, he began so-called “research” that chiropractic care could cure venereal disease and female disorders and proceeded to perform pelvic exams and adjustments on female students and employees. When Gelardi discovered this con, Vitelli suddenly left Sherman to enroll at Life to perform allegedly more sexual abuse upon unsuspecting victims, including female prisoners he recruited locally for his so-called research. I’m not making this stuff up, and it only gets worse since my ex-wife, aka, “the plaintiff,” was one of his victims.

 

While at Life, another instructor suspected Vitelli was up to no good and discovered he lack any medical credentials; in fact, he was a bug doctor! After this sexual predator was exposed and reported to Big $id, nothing happened! When the female students complained to Big $id during the same time when CCE was deciding the fate of Life’s first accreditation review, he covered it up by threatening to kick the women out of his diploma mill if they went to the press or CCE with this black eye.

 

It was a rude awakening to these women who looked upon him as their great leader–apparently Big $id suffered from situational ethics where his accreditation effort superceded the integrity of his female students who had been conned into compromising positions by Vitelli. I still wonder if Dim Kim had been a victim if $id would have been so negligent to defend these students, ya folla?

 

The Great Con

It appears the con-job of anyone offering to “prove chiropracTIC works” is still alive in some chiropracTIC circles since TR’s latest scheme sounds just as fishy as Vitelli’s sales pitch, ya folla? Obviously TR hopes his readers are either too dumb or too young to recall his first attempt to ensnare clients who wanted to use research to lure new patients, which was condemned by many state attorney generals as well as both the ICA and ACA according to this news release found in the Dynamic Chiropractic a few years ago.

 

ICA and ACA Adopt Positions Against Using Research to Recruit Patients

VSRI-Type Programs Inadvertently Bring Unity to the Chiropractic Profession

“While there are many issues over which the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the International Chiropractors’ Association (ICA) disagree, the use of research to recruit patients is not one of them. In an almost unprecedented event, both associations independently established their own positions against this type of program.

“Both the ACA and the ICA established their positions against research/recruitment during their respective board meetings in the month of October, only three weeks apart!”

Never one to adhere to ethics, TR and his WCA cronies are at it again. The following article in the WCA News shows all that this con-artist continues to delude his readers about this new patient acquisition scheme thinly veiled as research. TR has a double barrel approach to prove “chiropracTIC works” as field docs gain new patients! Such a deal, ya folla?

“Although the research will greatly benefit the entire profession by silencing the critics who claim it is ‘unscientific,’ there are definite advantages for individual doctors who participate in the program. Many volunteers who receive their free chiropractic evaluation, consultation and report of findings will be introduced to chiropractic and may be interested in continuing as paying patients.”

Read in disbelief as TR supposedly comes to the rescue of this profession once again. Enjoy his constant hyperbole and misinformation, and then ask yourself if this is something that sounds just as phony like his many con-jobs.

RCS to recruit ‘army’ of researchers

Will conduct massive global research program

Renowned chiropractic leader David Jackson, DC and two highly respected chiropractic researchers  ‑‑ Matthew McCoy, DC and Robert Blanks, PhD ‑‑ [If these guys are so “respected,” why does a simple search of their work not appear in JMPT? Why haven’t any presented at FCER or ICSM or ACC-RAC seminars?] have founded a private‑sector research company that will conduct a massive syndromic surveillance project, with vertebral subluxation as the dependant variable. [I do hope their research skills are better than TR’s writing skill.] The three formed RCS (Research and Clinical Science) [What? Not one reference to “chiropractic”? What are they trying to hide?] in order to provide the scientific research needed to validate chiropractic as a wellness discipline. [Oh, boy, this otta be good. It’s amazing how TR can write such lies with a straight face: “to provide the scientific research needed to validate chiropractic as a wellness discipline.” Plus, these 3 unknowns have come from nowhere to save this profession with validation that chiro college researchers haven’t done, eh? Gimme a break!]

An International Scientific Advisory Panel comprised of DCs, MDs, PhDs, university professors, medical researchers, and other reputable scientists [yet to be named because they don’t exist] will compile, analyze and interpret the data collected from hundreds of thousands [if not millions, nay, billions!] of chiropractic patients around the world. [If the actual numbers reflect the WCA membership, it might reach 250 people.] This data will provide answers concerning the direct and distinct correlation between subluxations and states of wellness, stated David Jackson, DC, CEO of the new company. [“states of wellness”– Does this mean wellness varies by location or what? Being well in California is different than being well in Georgia, that’s for sure. Plus, don’t they have it backwards? Isn’t your data supposed to determine your findings rather than stating your conclusion beforehand then trying to find data to support it? Is this really research or junk science or, perhaps, just more Rongberg propaganda?]

“There’s little doubt that chiropractic is more beneficial for wellness than drugs. [According to whom and for what conditions? I doubt someone with spinal meningitis needs an adjustment more than medicine, but that’s just the little ol’ mixer in me.] Yet, that remains just an opinion without the research to prove it,” Dr. Jackson explained. [That’s never stopped these chiropracTORs before from preachin’ the Big Idea that chiro cures all, ya folla?] “The data collected by RCS could lead to ground‑breaking and powerful conclusions as to the effect of subluxations and chiropractic on the human nerve system ‑‑ and their repercussions on health.” [Okay, what are these guys drinking; more purple Kool Aid or what? Comparing chiro care to drugs for wellness is comparing apples to oranges. I daresay comparing chiro care to nutrition, supplements, exercise, and a PMA would be more valuable since drugs per se are not intended for wellness care. In his 28-year reign of terror, Big $id with his million dollar budget failed to prove this very premise, so how are these 3 stooges gonna do this “massive global research program” on a shoestring and hyperbole?]

Applicants are now being accepted [Like Life College, anyone with a heartbeat and money will be accepted] for the first of RCS’s intensive two‑day training sessions, to be held on the campus of the University of California‑Irvine, for the weekend of April 30‑May 1, 2005. [What a misrepresentation: renting a room is much different than suggesting UC Irvine is sponsoring this event.]

Doctors who enroll and are accepted into the program pay a fee to participate as an Authorized RCS Research Site for three years. [How much is this fee and why would do they have to pay a fee if this is real research? Or is this simply TR’s fee for free PR? Will these participants also be required to buy CBS insurance or the Sub Station? Just where does this conflict of interest begin and end?]

During the training session, DCs will learn to use the PDA and computer provided by RCS to collect and pool patient data into a central, internet‑based network, to be analyzed by RCS. [Sounds a lot like the plan FCER revealed at its December seminar at SoCal UHS that TR attended himself before he ran off after I challenged him again to an open debate before our peers.]

RCS also provides all support materials needed to successfully publicize the research effort locally, recruit volunteers, and integrate data into the web‑based research network. [Ahh, here comes the bait-and-switch: to advertise “research” when this is actually a patient recruitment program.]

In addition to the RCS training, participants must complete the National Institutes of Health Office of Human Subjects online training course. [Now he’s implying that NIH is affiliated with this scam.]

With this data, RCS is hoping to formulate the definitive gold standard for lifetime, scientific, subluxation‑based chiropractic care for families and demonstrate the advantages of regular chiropractic care ‑‑ improved function and performance, enhanced immune function, improved quality of life, etc. [Geez, in one project they will prove EVERYTHING and cure the world of all disease, ya folla? Such a deal, eh? What a bunch of crapola! If this is so true, why did Fred Barge and Joe Flesia die while middle-aged? Why is Big $id suffering from so many degenerative disorders? Why did Rev. Reggie stroke out? Why did BJ die from colon cancer? Someone should tell these chiro-idealists that CMT is not a panacea, ya folla?]

RCS will seek publication of seminal studies in key [JVSR is the only rag that will print such junk] peer‑reviewed scientific journals [okay, stop laughing], and broadly publicize those papers over the internet and through press releases and articles directed at the mainstream print and broadcast media. [TR will shout this from the tallest mountains via his WCA rag—at least that’s the come-on to this scam. This sounds similar to his recent phony research article he circulated on the news wire by Erin L. Elster, DC from the August edition of JVSR that suggested upper cervical chiro care helped patients with MS and Parkinson’s. In the December 2004 edition of JACA, Marion McGregor, Jay Triano, Al Adams and Dana Lawrence all gave their analysis of this paper by Elster—a collective thumbs-down rejection—and criticized Matt McCoy for his editorial oversight in releasing this junk science.]

“This approach will finally and forever [sounds a bit exaggerated, don’t you think?] put to rest the objections of those who deny that vertebral subluxation can be defined,” explained Dr. Blanks, RCS president. [So, these 3 rookies of unknown reputations guarantee what present and past chiro researchers have attempted by stating a foregone conclusion before the research is even completed—is this junk science or what? I thot you had to do the trials before you jumped to conclusions, ya folla?]

One of the strengths [con-jobs] of this company is that the RCS Board and its International Scientific [Sycophant] Advisory Panel [of Evil Vendors] is made up of researchers from within [Will this include Haldeman, Meeker, Triano, Haas, Hawk, Gatterman, Mootz, Phillip, Perle, Seaman, Rosner, Bronfort, Evans, Cramer, Killinger, Nelson, just to name a few of the notable researchers? I doubt it very seriously that any of them will associate with this junk science RCS project.] and outside of chiropractic who hold impressive credentials. [Then why has no one ever heard of them? None have spoken at FCER, ICSM or RAC, yet these 3 stooges will prove that chiro cures all? They are simply the same old WCA cronies now being recycled as so-called, self-proclaimed experts. And, for a small fee, TR will name you to his advisory panel too. Indeed, for only $23,995, he will name you Researcher of the Century!]

Dr. McCoy, RCS vice‑president, is one of the founding members of the Council on Chiropractic Practice [FYI: the CCP was comprised of Evil Vendors and WCA ideologues, not legitimate educators or researchers.] and has been instrumental in the development of the profession’s most widely accepted [nay, ridiculed] set of chiropractic guidelines. [Absolutely wrong: the CCP are well known as vendor-driven guidelines, not evidence-based whatsoever. In the June 2003 edition of JMPT, an article authored by Jeffrey Cates et al. titled, “An Independent Assessment of Chiropractic Practice Guidelines” revealed “…that the ICA guidelines received slightly higher scores than the CCP guidelines but substantially lower scores than the Mercy guidelines for all dimensions.”] He’s also editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research [the lowly regarded rag that prints junk science with hidden political agendas like the Elster article.] and has extensive practice, research and educational experience. [Wrong: just name his so-called “research background? What RCTs has he done? Does he have a PhD or credentials to constitute expertise? None whatsoever—his sole role is the head propagandist of junk science articles for the hate-straights at the vendor-driven Life Diploma Mill and the WCA.]  He gained international acclaim when he helped introduce chiropractic to the Russian medical community by developing a chiropractic spine treatment, teaching & research center in Vladivostok, Russia. [“international acclaim’? Okay stop laughing!] He is currently the Director of Research at Life University. [Now that’s an oxymoron! In its first 25 years, Life’s faculty produced a grand total of 7 peer-reviewed papers compared to National’s 220 papers, yet McCoy is suddenly an “acclaimed” researcher? Gimme a break.]

McCoy’s post graduate training covers Applied Chiropractic Science, spinal adjusting technique, spinal trauma, rehabilitation, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electroneurodiagnostics, Spinal Outcome Assessment, and Impairment Rating. [Geez, what doesn’t he do? He must be the Chiro-Superman! Does he fly faster than a speeding bullet too?] He’s a Certified Independent Medical [“Medical”–that evil word?] Examiner and a Candidate for Diplomate Status in Applied Chiropractic Science through the International Chiropractors Association. [Geez, he must be really smart if the ICA approves of him, eh?] He serves as a member of the WCA Board of Directors [Big f**king deal, ya folla?], chairs the WCA Chiropractic Advocacy Council  [and for a small fee and your professional soul, you too can be a WCA crony, ya folla?] and was a liaison member of the National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Alternative Medicine. [More bogus positions that don’t mean crap, just like the WCA’s NGO status—it’s simply another marketing scheme that rings hallow since the WCA has never done anything to help anyone except themselves. For example, did the WCA send DCs to Iraq or to Indonesia to help? Not at all.]

Dr. Blanks is presently a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Florida Atlantic University. Previously, he was a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine and visiting scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany. [Why then has no one ever heard of him? Is he a flunky who couldn’t make it in the real world of research so he now teams up with the WCA $idiots to make a buck?]

Blanks is on the Advisory Board of the International Spinal Health Institute, a Board Member of the Council on Chiropractic Practice [Well, there goes his credibility down the drain!] and actively involved in chiropractic research. [Then why has no one ever heard of him?] His list of publishing credits includes 56 manuscripts, 11 books or book chapters, and 82 abstracts [and a partridge in a pear tree.]. His paper, “A Retrospective Assessment of Network Care Using a Survey of Self‑Rated Health, Wellness and Quality of Life” was the largest, multi‑center study in the history of chiropractic, addressing health‑related quality of life. [Again, why hasn’t anyone ever heard of him? Why hasn’t he spoken at any legitimate chiro symposium?]

The Advisory Panel includes a PhD researcher from the National Cancer Institute, six university professors and assistant professors, a neurology resident at a university hospital, a long term care insurance specialist, and a researcher with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. [More hyperbole typical of TR when he fraudulently wrote in his TCJ that the AHCPR was on board with his WCA. However, the Chief Medical Officer of the AHCPR states: “We don’t have any intention of supporting them (WCA) or giving them guidance or leadership.” A second article has appeared in the WCA’s Chiropractic Journal regarding a “Subluxation Panel.” In the August issue, a front-page headline story declared: “WCA to chair AHCPR subluxation panel.” A subsequent interview by Dynamic Chiropractic staff with the director of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), J. Jarrett Clinton, M.D., revealed that there was no such panel sponsored by the AHCPR (please see “AHCPR Responds to WCA’s Misleading Announcement” in the September 1, 1992 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic). Logon to http://www.stoprondberg.org/Taming%20of%20the%20Shrewd.htm  Are you now getting the idea that TR will lie and commit journalistic fraud any time on any issue in order to make a buck? His history is replete with such crimes, yet he continues unabated hoping stupid DCs will respond to his bait.]

Representing chiropractic on the panel is Christopher Kent, DC, president of the Council on Chiropractic Practice.[The totally invalidated guideline headed by Evil Vendors, not educators or researchers.] Dr. Kent was named “Researcher of the Year” by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) in 1991 and by the World Chiropractic Alliance in 1994. He also received the ICA “Chiropractor of the Year” designation in 1998. [Again, big f**king deal. These “sock puppet” guys endorse each other constantly to sway naïve DCs. To learn more of these sock puppets, logon to http://www.stoprondberg.org/SockPuppets.htm  Plus, can Kent show us just one credible peer-reviewed research paper he has authored to deserve these ICA/WCA accolades? His largest claim to infamy is selling his Sub Station, the latest Innatometer, ya folla?]

Kent is director of research at and a co‑founder of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. [Another money-making venture where he sells his Sub Station] With Dr. Patrick Gentempo, Jr. [who inexplicably now sells for $20,000 a wellness program for naïve DCs], he produces a monthly audio series, “On Purpose,” [or “how to exploit DCs with hyperbole and junk science.”] covering current events in science, politics and philosophy of vital interest to the practicing chiropractor. [Anything Kent has to say is of no interest of mine or most ethical DCs, unless they want to use his Sub Station to rip off patients for $45 a hit.]

RCS’s innovative concept [research ruse] involves training thousands of DCs around the world to recruit volunteers willing to complete a Self Reported Quality of Life (SRQOL) survey [but first they need to have their heads examined, ya folla?] and undergo a complimentary chiropractic examination. [Now we are back to the Free Spinal Exams, the most unethical patient gimmick ever done.] Doctors input their usual adjusting and patient care procedures into the RCS database via a personalized PDA and computer system supplied by RCS. Volunteers receive a “Vitality Wellness Index” report showing their relative wellness factor compared to all others in the database. [Just how will they measure your vitality? Will this be the same as measuring your Innate Intelligence? Geez, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale too.]

RCS officials hope to use the data to explore specific subluxation‑related issues, including the impact of chiropractic on the human immune system as well as on a broad range of health and wellness concerns. [Without checking your body chemistry, blood profile and hormones, there is no way they can determine your immune level] According to Dr. Jackson, some of the questions RCS could explore include how effectly chiropractic can:

	have a positive effect on quality of life [since TR renounces pain control, will this be excluded?]
	help reduce the dependency on drugs and hospitalization [junk science like this will drive DCs to drugs.]
	decrease health care spending [this has already been shown in real studies]
	be used in ‘stop smoking’ efforts [an adjustment will stop smoking?]
	make anti‑addiction programs more effective [I thot Sir/Dr/Deity Jay Holder used this scam already?]
	trigger additional lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise [those evil mixer things?]
	strengthen the immune system [I recommend a good diet, exercise, and supplements instead.]
	help raise healthier children [let’s get kids off junk phoods and computer games first, ya folla?]

“The research will set the ‘gold [baloney] standard’ for [marketing con-artistry] measuring wellness [new patient stupidity] and it will provide the hard evidence we need to prove to the world that chiropractic has a positive impact on human health and wellness,” he noted. [and if it doesn’t prove all these claims, will they also admit it? Do they have a problem with NMS disorders too, or is that too mundane for their project?]

Jackson emphasized that RCS does not focus on any particular technique or philosophical approach. [Of course, any chiro shyster can play this con-job game.] Separate protocol templates have been designed for each chiropractic technique, permitting data from practitioners using each technique to be pooled and analyzed separately. [how about the voodoo experimental methods like BEST, Network, Activator or Big $id’s Remote Innate Adjustments?]

RCS has also been designed so its web‑based data collection system will be able to interface with most diagnostic tools currently being used in the profession, such as surface EMG, thermography, digital muscle testing, and computerized postural studies, he added. [all of which are non-essential gizmos of no clinical value like the Sub Station as the DVA committee repeatedly told the WCA rep, Leona Fisher.]

“We have a crisis in this profession regarding research and the evidence that supports our contentions. We can choose to ignore it [excuse me, but the legitimate chiro researchers have been working on this for years now. Just where have these 3 stooges been?]  until some other profession takes on the responsibility or we can do what needs to be done to start gathering and analyzing the data being generated by thousands of chiropractors every day. RCS fills that need [and hopefully will make them a lot of money, ya folla?],” stated McCoy. [Just what the hell does McCoy think the FCER has been doing for decades? This is no need for this phony RCS as long as FCER exists.]

Although the research will greatly benefit the entire profession by silencing the critics who claim it is “unscientific,” there are definite advantages for individual doctors who participate in the program. [Such as another unethical patient recruitment scheme that TR will profit by, ya folla? The reason why some critics call this profession “unscientific” is due to the chiro cultism espoused by our chirovangelists, not due to the real research from around the world that shows SMT works well for many NMS disorders.]

Many volunteers who receive their free chiropractic evaluation, consultation and report of findings will be introduced to chiropractic and may be interested in continuing as paying patients. [This is the classic bait-and-switch that will besmirched all of us when the media and our medical detractors realize this scam. While TR may fool these WCA sycophants and $idiots, he won’t fool our medical and media nemesis with this scam.]

When they choose to continue care, all daily notes and examination results will be analyzed for the duration of their care. They will be asked to fill out an SRQOL survey every 24 visits. There is no obligation for any volunteer to become a paying patient and continue care. [Of course, they will be taught to offer the patients NOOPE as an incentive to begin and scare these patients with death if they don’t agree to lifetime care, ya folla?]

Current patients will also be asked to participate in the research program. [Of course—the more pigeons, err, patients, the better.]

Becoming an Authorized RCS Research Site will also help create greater awareness for the doctor, Jackson noted. In addition to the computer system and PDA, RCS doctors receive all the support materials needed for the program, such as window decals, posters, sample press releases and other tools to help them gain recognition as an Authorized RCS Research Site. [Sounds totally unprofessional to me! Do normal researchers stoop to window decals and posters too?]

As a result of the RCS public awareness campaign, people around the world will begin seeking out RCS doctors. [Or they will run away once they realize this is the same VSRI scam from the 90s.] According to Jackson, “There is a growing recognition of the need for scientific, evidence‑based care. [Evidence-based care is not WCA guys using junk science and research scams to promote themselves. It is a best practices using proven clinical methods that fall far out of the realm of these chirovangelists.] People will look for the RCS logo when they’re choosing a DC for themselves or their family. Knowing your ‘Vitality Wellness Index’ will be as common as knowing your cholesterol level or blood pressure.” [This is exactly the type of hocus-pocus that our critics like Raymond Bellamy at FSU will use to show all the nonsense and scam methods used by some chiropracTORs to con patients.]

To apply or obtain more information about the RCS program, call 800‑909‑1354 (US) or 1‑480‑303‑1694 (outside the US). [May I urge all to phone them to state your disapproval of this obvious scam?]

Epilogue:

Obviously this RCS is just another research ruse begun by TR and his cronies that every state board should investigate. It’s simply a patient acquisition program thinly veiled as so-called research with pre-determined conclusions. I would hope every state and national association would once again issue a warning to its members to avoid this ruse.

 

The FCLB might take into consideration the ethics of patient recruitment under the guise of research for financial gain and I encourage every licensing board to investigate this obvious scam. HIPPA and Informed Consent laws are also at stake here that may ensnarl any DC who mistakenly decides to join these charlatans.

 

Once again, this loose canon and his cohorts will soil our image in order to make money for themselves. Just as Mario Vitelli used the hope for proof of the Big Idea, he was just a con-artist using it for his alleged sexual abuse. Big $id also used this hope for research proof but never attained it despite his power and money. BJ had his own research center, but can anyone name just one substantial project that has withstood the test of time?

 

For those serious science-minded DCs who want to believe in science rather than Innatism, and for those who want to see and hear the reputable chiro researchers and educators in our field, I urge you to attend the upcoming ACC/RAC seminar in Lost Wages from March 17-19^th. Logon to http://www.c3r.org/accrac05/default.asp for more details. This year’s theme is “Emerging Research and Training Opportunities.”

 

From this website:

“ACC-RAC 2005 is the ongoing collaboration between the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) meeting, which emphasizes educational structure, administration, and teaching, and the Research Agenda Conference (RAC), which focuses on the development of scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The combination of the two programs continues to enhance and nurture the natural relationship between chiropractic scholarship and education.”

 

I guarantee you that no one will offer any bait-and-switch deals disguised as research to recruit new patients. No one will urge this profession to dumb-down research or education standards in order to uphold the 33 tenets of chirovangelism. No one will chant the Money Hum, offer phony research projects or tell you they’re communicating with the dead as was supposedly stated recently at the Parker seminar.

 

Like the ICSM and FCER seminars, you will be impressed by the progress made by the true intelligentsia within our profession—those folks who seek the truth, not dogmatists trying to fit the world to their scheme of things or Evil Vendors masquerading as spokesmen for this profession.

 

If you want to meet the best and the brightest, forget about the phonies at the vendor driven WCA-ICA coalition who have impersonated as so-called leaders for too long as they all try to sell you something so you too can be a “principled” chiropracTOR, ya folla? If you’re sick and tired of being conned by charlatans, I urge you to join the best at the upcoming ACC/RAC seminar.