Forget the Neti Pot, try hot coffee…

Warning!!  Do not read the following blog post by Mark over at Something Beginning With A if you have any liquid (I had hot coffee) in your mouth.  You have been warned.

Without further ado, I give you the funniest thing I’ve seen in a hell of a long time:

Monday, 12 January 2009

Testing for autism UK style

The UK Prof baron (the golden age of autism) Cohen fears that we will soon be able to “detect” autism in the womb and as a result will be able to terminate any children with “the autism gene” riding the world of piano plying maestros and maths geniuses

so I’ve come up with my own screening test in the form of a questionnaire for mothers using all the current Scientific “research” from the past year

autism screening test (a score 5 or more increases your chances

1) is there any history of autism in your family?
2) do you drink more that 2 units of alcohol a week?
3) are you a bit to old to be having children?
4) Do you like Startrek?
5) is either you or your partner Schizophrenic?
6) do you like older men?
7) is it raining?
8 ) are there lots of trees where you live?
8 ) would you like a beer?
9) are you irrational?
10) do people describe you as greedy?
11) are you or your partner a genius?
12) are you sure you wouldn’t like a beer?
13) mental illness?
14) do you think ethyl mercury is harmless when injected?
15) are you sure its not raining yet?
16) are you middle class?
17) do you live in Minnesota or California?
18) would you prefer a glass of wine?
19) you havn’t got big boobs have you?
20) do you think that all medicine is safe for everybody?

Mark, just so you know, I’m so, so, SO glad you did not shut down your site.  Keep at it brother! Oh, and hell yes I’d like a beer… make mine a Guinness!

FDA Admits Failure to Protect Public
By Gabe Pressman
NBCNewYork.com
Updated 11:18 a.m. ET Jan. 13, 2009

A government watchdog has confirmed what some of us have suspected for some time.

The Food and Drug Administration has done virtually nothing to monitor the conflicts of interests of doctors who do clinical trials of drugs and medical devices used on human subjects. This is disgraceful.

The physicians who conduct these trials are supposed to help decide whether or not a drug is effective in treating people. And now the inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department has concluded the FDA is falling down on the job. Indeed, the Times reports, FDA officials have told investigators that monitoring such conflicts of interest is not worth the trouble. (more…)

I struggle with my faith.  I’m just being honest with you guys.  Sometimes I’m jealous of those of you who have such strong faith.  But, each day brings me closer to… something I’m searching for.

I read this today… thought you all might enjoy it as much as I did:

http://jesswilson.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/crisis-of-faith/#comments

Have you ever wondered how long we’ll have to wait before the vaccine/autism/pharma crimes come to light for all who doubt?  Well, I think the time line just jumped ahead by a big chunk thanks to an incredible piece by Dan Olmstead running on Age of Autism this morning.

I believe with every ounce of my being that we will witness the truth being revealed.  I think we all know Dan Olmstead, David Kirby, Dr. Andy Wakefield, and many others, will be the catalyst of this great event.  It is only a matter of time; because if you give a criminal enough rope, eventually he’ll hang himself.

Please go directly to Age of Autism and read THIS by Dan Olmstead.

Confidential MMR vaccine files should be opened in the public interest, watchdog rules

Mail Online:

By Jenny Hope
Last updated at 1:23 AM on 13th January 2009

Confidential documents on the introduction of the MMR vaccine should be released by the Department of Health, says the Information Commissioner.

Richard Thomas ruled that their release was in the public interest, despite months of foot-dragging by officials. (more…)

Kim Stagliano is running a contest to win a free book on her blog…  But not just any book, a romance book about autism, biomed interventions, and the vaccine/pharma controversy… is that even possible?!?  You better believe I signed up to find out…  I hope you will too!  Go to Kim’s site and leave a comment to be entered to win a signed copy!

Here’s a blurb from Kim’s site (visit the site for an interview with the author):

Win A Signed Copy: Kay Thomas’ Harlequin Intrigue’s Better Than Bulletproof!

If you have a blog, please consider linking this post to help a fellow writer and/or autism Mom! Here’s the link: http://kimstagliano.blogspot.com/2009/01/win-signed-copy-kay-thomas-harlequin.html

When was the last time you uttered “romance, sexy and autism” in the same sentence? I never had either, until I read Kay Thomas’ novel from Harlequin Intrigue, Better Than Bulletproof.

Leave a comment to win a signed copy! (BTB features a 5 year old with autism who has just started speaking thanks to biomedical treatments. How cool is that?!) If you have an autism or writing blog please send your readers over to enter the contest!

By DINA CAPPIELLO, Associated Press Writer Dina Cappiello, Associated Press Writer Fri Jan 9, 7:18 am ET

WASHINGTON – Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.

An Associated Press analysis of the most recent Energy Department data found that 156 coal-fired power plants store ash in surface ponds similar to the one that collapsed last month in Tennessee.

Records indicate that states storing the most coal ash in ponds are Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama. (more…)

My 15 (on the 29th) year old son has informed me he’s decided on a college.  This decision was not made lightly, he’s been “thinkin’ on this” (as we say in the south) for the past few years.  He’s weighed the pros and cons of several schools and has decided on…

NYU!

How cool is that?  I told him I thought that was a great idea.  Then I described how cool it would be when I come hang out in NYC, sleep on his floor, hang out with all his cool friends… the look on his face was priceless!  I think he considered picking a not-so-cool school… but just for a nanosecond.

His grandfather has asked him to consider Columbia instead; but my son is convinced NYU is the best fit according to his desired major (music business and production).  See, this kid is somewhat of a musical prodigy.  He is self-taught on guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard.  I told him I’d get him a monkey for his b-day and he could be a one man band. 

I have some research of my own to do, to verify this is the best school for my son based on his desires; but, I thought I’d throw this out there to all of you and get your opinion.  So what do you think?  Do tell!  Email or post a comment, either way works for me.

I am happy to report our last Cinco De Linco Day raised $105.00 for Kosta’s loan on Lend4Health!!  Thanks to every generous soul who chipped in!  Did you know Kosta only needs $195 for his loan to be fully funded?!?

Remember, you can make every day a Cinco De Linco Day…

I still have family in town; but, they are leaving this afternoon – and will be GREATLY missed (I adore my sister, her husband and their cutie-patootie daughter).  I will be back online tomorrow morning.  Lots going on with Charlie.  Some good, some bad.  As usual.  Have a great day everyone!

This is Charlie at Memorial Gardens in Memphis.  We went to visit the graves of my paternal grandparents and to check out the cool crystal cave and reflecting lake (which the kids enjoyed a lot).