“Surprise” US Senate Hearing on Environmental Factors & Autism
So I was bored over lunch looking for something to watch while I ate my grilled “gourmet sausage” and veggies. I happened across Cspan coverage of a hearing on Autism and figured it was run of the mill, but it was pretty engrossing, so I watched the whole thing, and couldn’t keep my eyes off Max, the one autistic person (we know of) in the room, as the camera followed him after the hearing finished and the calm, orderly room became a crazy mess of people standing, shaking hands, pacing, mingling. I could relate with how lost he looked at that moment.
But the problem is I can’t relate with how lost he may be feeling the rest of the time, and here’s what the hearing had to say about that:
Video of Hearing
Here’s the top Google result, a group of concerned parents and practitioners. It’s short enough to be readable.
US Senate Hearing on Autism: It’s The Environment Not The Gene Pool
Reversing Autism
My naturopath also specializes in treating children with Autism. Here is her explanation of why she thinks there’s a rise in Autism and what we can do about it.
Somalians+Minnesota = Autism?
This was referred to in the hearing I saw today on CSpan from this past Tuesday:
Sarah Palin Pains
My favorite blogger finishes an excellent reaction to the VP debate with this:
What my mother doesn’t seem to understand is that Palin has to overcome the towering, elitist expectations of the elite media, like the New York Times, where elitist eggheads can elitely demand elite accoutrements like subjects and verbs. Well, Elite Media, I come from Regular America. I went to a university far away from the ocean that didn’t have the gall to judge me on “actual meaning.” If I showed up to class looking good, calling people by their first names, and giving shout-outs to those who deserved shout-outs, I did just fine, thank you very much. I may not have answered all of life’s questions the way that life or life’s moderators wanted me to. But goshdarndogit, I think I’ve done pretty well. (Glancing down to index card.) I love Israel, and I like energy, and I think that’s naive and this is dangerous, and I don’t want to surrender, and maverick, and I’ve been at this for five weeks, and … no more questions, please. I have to catch a plane.
Whither Jesse?
I was at Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign rally at the University of Oregon in 1984. I was 10. I still remember the stomping and shouting that moved me to the bone, literally and spiritually. He inspired me to think outside of my white-bred box, changing the way I think. Hopefully he won’t be having that effect on anyone today. This article by Jack White at The Root helps explain how things could be playing out this way:
Sure, Jesse is an old fool who doesn’t know how to act. But his latest gaffe shows how none of us is really ready for this moment….
….his stunningly inappropriate comments symbolize the social, political and psychological vertigo that all of us, and especially black Americans, are experiencing because of Obama’s success. We are all, including Obama, in a place we never really thought we would be, and it has knocked us off our feet. We don’t know how to act. We don’t have a plan. We’re searching for our equilibrium. And until we regain our footing, we can expect all sorts of bizarre behavior from people who ought to know better. Hold on to your hat.
It’s happening!
Good news I caught on The Daily Dish today: Obama is catching up–actually he’s even with McCain in the demographic he wasn’t supposed to win.
The Truth About Obama
Christopher Beam suggests an email the Obama campaign could circulate to create their own rumors:
From: [Redacted]
To: [Redacted]
Subject: WHO IS BARACK OBAMA?
There are many things people do not know about BARACK OBAMA. It is every American’s duty to read this message and pass it along to all of their friends and loved ones.
Barack Obama wears a FLAG PIN at all times. Even in the shower.
Barack Obama says the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE every time he sees an American flag. He also ends every sentence by saying, “WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.” Click here for video of Obama quietly mouthing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in his sleep.
A tape exists of Michelle Obama saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE at a conference on PATRIOTISM.
Every weekend, Barack and Michelle take their daughters HUNTING.
Barack Obama is a PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. He has one HAND over his HEART at all times. He occasionally switches when one arm gets tired, which is almost never because he is STRONG.
Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It’s upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.
There’s only one artist on Barack Obama’s iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Barack Obama is a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN. His favorite book is the BIBLE, which he has memorized. His name means HE WHO LOVES JESUS in the ancient language of Aramaic. He is PROUD that Jesus was an American.
Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.
Barack Obama’s new airplane includes a conference room, a kitchen, and a MEGACHURCH.
Barack Obama’s skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.
Barack Obama buys AMERICAN STUFF. He owns a FORD, a BASEBALL TEAM, and a COMPUTER HE BUILT HIMSELF FROM AMERICAN PARTS. He travels mostly by FORKLIFT.
Barack Obama says that Americans cling to GUNS and RELIGION because they are AWESOME.
“Ya gotta getch’r emails.”
Everything you need to know about the internet.
Make my day
The best thing about slate.com Friday was the weirdness on the “right” brilliantly joined by weirdness on the “left”. Can I remember a moment when I’d just read, in the same mag, of the loopy extreme of tree huggers (of which I’m usually one) …AND some mindnumbingly silly search for anti-Christ and pro-communism symbols in the media? Well, today’s the day, friends. Click below for the linkage:
