Topic of the week: Death

Death has been our minds quite a bit this week. On June 7th the son of a good friend of ours died after seven weeks in a coma. The cause was accidental overdose. I went to his Buddhist funeral last night. It was said at the service "How many of us made a mistake in our twenties and were lucky enough to get a second chance. Ryan didn't get a second chance." He was only twenty years old. None of us know "the hour of our death."

What was especially beautiful of this service was how clear it was that Ryan was not just "a warning to others." I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but my sons did. We know Ryan's family because his mother and husband provide services for people with autism. They have been some of the most supportive people we have had the pleasure of working with on our own journey. It was said at last night's service that Ryan had the type of personality that attracted young children to him. It was so clear how much he had touched other people on his twenty year passage through our world.

Week in Review

· Winona bridge over Mississippi River reopens

"Pedestrians and bicyclists are also restricted from crossing, but a cab service will be available for 75 cents per person each way" That doesn't seem to make a lot of sense--I wonder what the reason is for this.

· Playbill News: New London Musical Is Gone with the Wind June 14

Plans for NY production are currently on hold... played a total of 79 performances

· Woman brands thoughtless date with hot iron - CNN.com

Caban's lawyer, James Friedman said, "She's a good kid, despite the picture painted of her, who exercised poor judgment and got herself into a bad situation. She is not the monster the prosecution made her out to be." HUH???

· CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Where has Clinton gone? « - Blogs from CNN.com

Senator Clinton takes a vacation. I get it--she needs a break.

· Fighting the Army . NOW on PBS

I'm watching this right now. These soldiers deserve better. They go for help and and instead get benefits taken away.

· The White Flag?

“Autism is not the enemy, but ignorance and prejudice, and misunderstanding about what autism is.” Great quote.

· Wait, What Did He Just Call the Pope? - The Lede - Breaking News - New York Times Blog

“...So are you, Governor.” Bush screws up addressing the Pope. Raise your hand if you're surprised.

· Poll: Republican support, enthusiasm down - CNN.com

"Bottom line: After eight years of the Bush presidency, Republicans are demoralized," said Bill Schneider, CNN senior political analyst.

· MinnPost - Doug Grow: Jim Johnson, Minnesota's 'Mr. Inside,' finds himself on the outside now of Obama campaign

I like that the Obama campaign deals with this quickly. Now before the Republicans talk, maybe we should spend some time reviewing the Keating Five [http://tinyurl.com/8nyvf]

· Bush Loyalist Fights to Save ‘No Child’ Law - NYTimes.com

Let it go. Or at least balance it and get rid of the name which is doublespeak at it’s worst.

· Music Review - Opera and Theater Stars in ‘Show Boat’ at Carnegie Hall - Review - NYTimes.com

Interesting discussion of using a microphone in Carnegie Hall.

· MPR: Singing in Grover's Corners

Heard this piece on the radio this morning. Got to be honest--the excerpts they played really didn't knock me out. Makes me question why turn this into an opera--the theatre experience is wonderful to begin with. I doubt we're going to get to see it.

· Fox News Calls Michelle "Obama's Baby Mama" - Media on The Huffington Post

Beyond the poor choice of words: FOX ran a banner saying "Outraged liberals: Stop picking on Obama's Baby Mama!" Hmmm, could you please name these "Outraged liberals"? Did FOX go out on the street and find one person who said they were liberal and get this quote?

· Christian leaders meet privately with Obama

You got to respect this Daniel—pity my first thought is of a lion’s den.

· PBS Goes Commercial on Hulu - Bits - Technology - New York Times Blog

PBS on Hulu--Oh brave new world, oh brave new world...

· The ADHD Advantage (for nomadic tribesman)

Hmmm… interesting.

· I Don’t Feel That I Suffer

This is a really interesting question--suffering: on the part of the person with autism and the people that love him/her. I want to think about this a bit.

· Online, Obama Outpaces McCain by Miles | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

But will it turn into votes? I sure hope so.

· NYC Mayor: I'd Ban Bikes on Subways | Autopia from Wired.com

That's why cyclists in the Big Apple were outraged when Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that, if it were up to him, he'd ban bikes from trains.

· Anderson Cooper 360: Blog Archive - A code of ethics for politicians « - Blogs from CNN.com

“Do No Harm, Make Things Better, Respect Others, Be Fair, and Be Loving”

· Posting stupidity on YouTube means having to post you’re sorry : Good Morning Silicon Valley

Punishment or more fame?

· MinnPost - Doug Grow: Fore! Could a Ventura Senate candidacy hang on Wednesday's golf game?

OMG

· ABC News: 'Autistic and Proud' Movement Spurs Debate

Interesting. They don't totally get it--but at least it is getting attention. (Questioning "Cure" does not mean against progress. )

· The Comeback Id: Politics & Power: vanityfair.com

Drive-by journalism or intervention-by-magazine?

· iPhone 3G is finally official! - Engadget

mmmmmm…. iPhone…. mmmmm…

· MinnPost - Republicans still need 6,000 volunteers for convention

Not me.

· Thirteen new Gmail features | Googling Google | ZDNet.com

I need to try this out.

· Gay Anglican U.S. bishop enters into civil union - washingtonpost.com

Good for him.

· Playbill News: It's Possible! Revised Seussical Will Get New Cast Recording

Way Cool!

· MPR: Pawlenty says he is open to being McCain's running mate

"...Pawlenty has repeatedly said that he has no interest in being vice president. When he announced his reelection bid in 2006, Pawlenty said he is committed to serving his full term."

· Producer Of Infamous Willie Horton Ad Now Targeting Obama - Politics on The Huffington Post

As always, the politics of fear from these people. We as a nation need to send a clear message that we are not going to let fear choose our leaders.

· Military Supercomputer Surpasses Petaflop Milestone - NYTimes.com

There was a time when these headlines went to Cray Research. But all things change.

· eHow | How To Do Just About Everything!

A how-to site: sounds helpful.

Review: Kung Fu Panda

I have a new personal hero: Po.



This movie is truly great for the whole family. Great story telling and great life lessons to learn. Both the voice work and the animation is terrific.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. (It didn't change my life, but it was a wonderful movie.)

The Week in Review

I have to get better at cleaning out my list of interesting links for the week. I'm going to try doing this every Sunday where I just go through my list of links from the week that I want to blog about. Here's the set for this first week:

1. wcco.com - Mpls. Motorists Restricted To Idling For 3 Minutes

   HUH? It takes only a minute to warm up a car in the winter? Not in MN. Although the intention may be good (save gas), this is a stupid law--over regulation at it's worse.

2. E. J. Dionne Jr. - For an 'Obamacon,' Communion Denied - washingtonpost.com

   A priest denies communion because a Catholic has publicly said they support Obama--who is pro-choice.
   
   This is wrong. Yes. A priest is wrong. And the bishops are wrong too.

3. Harold Perrineau Dishes on his Lost Exit (Again) - Celebrity and Entertainment News | TVGuide.com

   Perrineau claims Michael not reconnecting with Walt is a stereotype. But on LOST all the sons have Daddy issues.
   

4. Bill Clinton: 'Cover up' hiding Hillary Clinton's chances - CNN.com

   This just reinforces the idea of Clinton as the Democratic candidate of fear. What is with Bill? It is unfortunate that the Clintons choose this route. But to be honest this type of talk is a big part of the reason I chose to support Obama.
   

5. Spirit in the House » The Diary of Adam and Eve

   Before seeing it: What a great cast! I bet this is going to be excellent!
   
   After seeing it: It was a great cast. This is not my favorite show, but the skill of the performers saved the hour for me. Would I go out of my way to see this show again? Probably not.
   

6. Mother of autistic teen gets symbolic support as she prepares for court

7. Excluded?: On Keeping the Faith

   These past two links address the integration of individuals with autism within society. For the most part I think we have found a balance with this, but I have been to public events which I thought went OK. A day later I find that someone had complained that one of my boys had supposedly touched (or bumped or hit into) someone else when I was gone for a moment (leaving him in care of someone I completely trust). Nothing was said to me at the time when I returned, and the comment at times gotten back to me after passing through 4 other people. It is still frustrating.
   

8. Study Suggests Math Teachers Scrap Balls and Slices - New York Times

   I've seen this issue at work with my own kids. I always think the word problems were designed by English majors, not math majors.

9. THE Tunnel Project

   Great article about new tunnels for railroad into NYC. Great follow-up for reading Conquering Gotham.

10. Psychoanalysis Helps Kids With Autism, Researchers Say Psychoanalysis Should Be Part of Treatment for Children With Autism - CBS News

    Sounds great at beginning, but there is a hint of "blame the parent" in here.

WAKE UP ALREADY!!! (Or how to use Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth as a psychological weapon.)

“…Don’t you think that was your ego speaking?”

“…My, your pain-body must be really active today.”

“…I understand. You’re just not in the moment right now.”

I've been reading A New Earth (Awakening to Your Life's Purpose) and for the most part really enjoying it. But I do have a tendency to find parody in the things I love most. That applies both to books and my spouse. So reading the book has given me a number of passive/aggressive questions and statements that I can use as demonstrated above (which Wendy has pointed out to me).

I think I might have hit the snooze button again, but I’ll wake up in 5 minutes…. really….