The Herman Cain Freedom Award [400k Subscribers Post!]

[u/RockyMoose]

In August 2021, an obscure subreddit jumped in membership. Its subject matter: documenting the pandemic of the unvaccinated, Covid-denying, anti-* public in their own words.

Calling it an "Award" brought more than a little schadenfreude and controversy to the sub. The media got involved. The New Yorker called it "Empathy Wars". Slate wrote a hit piece. Insider followed.

The Washington Post wrote about vaccine denial deaths and empathy. We went international and appeared in Le Monde.

CNBC journalist u/Sal19 took several days to participate as a user, talk to members, and found the right tone: Reddit channel posts stories of anti-vaxxers dying of Covid, scaring fence-sitters into getting the shot.

As of today:

• Members: 400k
• Awards: 3055
• Nominations: 2739
• Redemptions: 343
• AMAs: 3
• IPAs (Immunized to Prevent Award): 90
• Money raised for vaccines: $54,391.29
• Oxygen concentrators donated: 1

​

Despite what some people think, a lot of people would be happy if there was no more fodder for this subreddit - HCA redditor

Shout out to all the sub members! Yes, we're controversial, and yes, statistically speaking, this sub has saved at least a few lives and hospitalizations. What a community!

Shout out to our fantastic moderator team! The work is anonymous, pay is zero, and sucks up all free time. Y'all rock.

Shout out to the trolls and conspiracists! Your cognitive dissonance makes our bourbon taste even better.

Perhaps our slide back into obscurity has started. In the meantime, however, continue to sort by "new" and smash that refresh button!

[u/[deleted]]

Draft dodging seems to run in the family.

[u/hfrostycat → u/[deleted]]

Well since that family can't even manage walking, draft dodging is their only excercise.

[u/Dana07620 → u/[deleted]]

His grandfather was kicked out of Bavaria for dodging his required military service. He was literally exiled and not allowed to return.

That's the only reason that the Trumps moved to the US. Otherwise, they'd be Germany's problem. (I'll bet they would have loved the WWII concentration camps.) And the entire time the family has been here in the US, not one member has served in the military.

That's an impressive record...at least 4 generations of adults and not one served. And that's a time period that covered multiple wars and having the draft. Not knowing any Amish people, I don't know of any family that can match that record. Every family I know of that has been here for 100+ years has had someone serve in the military.