Tune of the Week

http://tinyurl... my tune of the week. (mp3 file)

[This is a cross-post from http://notehead.blogspot.com/]

The Week(s) in Review

My summer weeks in review are not really a week long I’m noticing. Oh, well.

1. The Disability Community Unites Against Michael Savage's Remarks on Autism Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

A petition to sign against the hate of Michael Savage.

2. Network Defends Dr. Savage

This man has freedom of speech. Does that mean he can misinform? To me a network that does not take action against such comments is tacitly agreeing with them. Therefore I’m not going to listen to this network.

3. For many, digital switch brings in 'can’t-see TV’

Oh great!

4. Children with autism called ‘brats,’ and nobody blinks: The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.

Sad... there hasn't been the type of outrage.

5. Slashdot | The Death of Nearly All Software Patents?

Has anyone else seen this?

6. wcco.com - New Coleman Ad Takes Personal Swipes At Franken

Ole' Norm--so he thinks it is negative to associate him with George W Bush? Well! That's a fact--look at his voting record. Of course that's the purpose hear--misdirection!

7. S.F. mayor secretly negotiates safe release of captive password | Good Morning Silicon Valley

Control freak or protector of the city's infrastructure?

8. Playbill News: Fergie Will Join Cast of Marshall-Directed "Nine" Film

This movie just sounds like it is going to be great. I can definitely see Fergie as Saraghina! (Be Italian!!!)

9. Unrepentant on Facebook? Expect jail time - CNN.com

Guy charged in drunken driving crash goes to party as "Jail Bird" 2 weeks later. The Facebook pictures were used an evidence. See--social networking at work!

10. Bush, Maliki Agree on 'Time Horizon' for U.S. Troop Withdrawals - washingtonpost.com

So if they call it a "Time Horizon" it makes it sound better?

11. Steve Young: A Savage Betrayal Of Humanity: Radio Host Michael Savage Says Autistic Kids Aren't Sick..."Just Brats"

I've never listened to Mr. Savage, and now I never will.

12. Maybe the password is “d1sgruntl3d” | Good Morning Silicon Valley

edit / delete

13. San Francisco Admin Charged With Hijacking City's Network | Threat Level from Wired.com

So what is he trying to hide by not giving out the password? Does he have a gripe with the city and this is his way of getting back?

14. Indictment: 'God wants me to destroy the judge,' tax protester said

And a former police officer was involved too! What an extreme case of "With Jesus on my side, how can I be wrong?"

15. Online grocer SimonDelivers to shut down

The gas companies get rich--the rest of us suffer. This was a really great service.

16. School Placements and Parental Rights

In Britain a Local Education Authority tries to force child into school placement because of "right price tag."

17. MPR: Classical Notes: Suing Over Bad Reviews

Wow! Talk about thinned-skinned.

18. At Kodak, Some Old Things Are New Again - New York Times

An interesting lesson in not becoming too attached to any one technology. Part of the reason I keep a portable typewriter in my office to remind me how things can change.

19. It's Funny How Humor Is So Ticklish - washingtonpost.com

Interesting article--"Call it the attack of the Jonathan Swiftboaters."

20. Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media]

Wow--this guy has a great voice! The songs are beautiful and his stories of the songs and their context are excellent.

21. Music - Billy Joel Brings a Long Island Attitude to Shea’s Goodbye Concert - NYTimes.com

This was the music that first got me interested in composition--along with Bernstein and Sondheim.

22. Library budget ax falls on INFORM | Twin Cities Daily Planet | Minneapolis - St. Paul

I don't know much about INFORM, but if it doesn't cover its costs in this web centric age, I can understand why it is being considered. However, you feel sorry for the people who staff it.

23. BBC NEWS | UK | Bishop 'ready to defect to Rome'

All this fighting over such a simple thing. I believe the gender of a priest does not matter. Simple as that.

24. An Evolving Understanding: New Study About Autism Genes

Interesting study--can the genes be turned back on?

25. The Associated Press: Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify on Hill

Rove thinks he is above the law.

26. As new bridge takes shape, let's not forget fate of the old

The lesson is clear: Politicians are quicker to spend money to cover their embarrassment than to ensure public safety. ...let's recall just how cheap we used to be, before 13 died on Aug. 1, 2007. How cheap were we?

27. Fewer students, fewer dollars – blame the charters? | Twin Cities Daily Planet | Minneapolis - St. Paul

Interesting points about relocations and the busing of students to front doors.

28. Tan Dun - Profile - Classical Music - Opera - Motion Pictures - China - New York Times

Some really interesting things to think about.

29. Peter Mark Roget, the Keeper (See: Steward, Caretaker) of Synonyms - New York Times

"The Man Who Made Lists"--anyone who understands autism will understand what this means.

The demise of Midtown Plaza, Rochester, NY

Midtown Plaza (Rochester, NY) is closing and then going to be torn down. Here's a a video about it:



If you ever spent any time in downtown Rochester, NY you had heard or seen the Clock of Nations and the Christmas display. Going to school at Eastman it was the place to go to get lunch away from the school and the practice rooms. I still hold a place in my heart from a Rubino Sub from their location in the food court--which I believe closed a few years back.

Heavy Metal Monk... Rock on, man!

The power of music:

The Week(s) in Review

My week(s) in review: I missed last week, so here is a double dose.

· Fake priest infiltrates St. Peter's - CNN.com

Wow, this must be a really slow news day. There are so little facts given in this story. It probably happened, but it is not news worthy of the front page of CCN website.

· Jason Burnett, Bush Official Who Just Resigned, To Aid Obama - Politics on The Huffington Post

· Op-Ed Columnist - Wall-E for President - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com

· Construction workers cross river as bridge nears end

· CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Obama insists he’s ‘been very consistent’ on Iraq « - Blogs from CNN.com

He's been consistent. This is just a ploy from his opposition.

· Court sides with church on its ban of autistic teen

Robertson pointed to part of state law that defines harassment as: "repeated incidents of intrusive or unwanted acts, words, or gestures that have a substantial adverse effect ... on the safety, security, or privacy of another."

· Judge OKs keeping autistic Minn. boy from church

· Judge: Disruptive autistic teen can be barred from church

· wcco.com - Judge Upholds Church's Order Against Autistic Boy

This is just sad—and sad to see the responses in the comments on the Star Tribune about this. For me I guess I am more inclined to believe Carol Race and to think some of this is being blown out of proportion. Many point to the video hook up in the basement as being a solution. It is not. In that case Adam Race can stay at home and watch a service on TV.

I remind myself I am not at this church and I don’t personally know these people. What I do know is that I was once involved in my Catholic church. Since having children with autism I am less involved and it is directly related to how the church as a whole has dealt with our family’s special needs. I had the naive belief that of all the public institutions that we deal with the church would be the easiest because they would want to help. For us the church was the toughest. I was wrong. This has not changed my belief in God, but it has changed my approach to church.

· Obama Wants to Expand Role of Religious Groups - NYTimes.com

“Mr. Obama made clear, however, that he would work to ensure that charitable groups receiving government funds be carefully monitored to prevent them from using the money to proselytize...”

· The push for conformity shoves away parishioners

Ironic that the "precious metal" chalices were stolen from the Bishop's residence. (see http://tinyurl.com/6qezao)

· Some sacred loot found in box in archbishop's bedroom

· WWdN: In Exile: the pretty white ships that i've been dreaming of

Good advice to remember: Your "best" will vary from time to time.

· CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Bush heckled during July 4 speech « - Blogs from CNN.com

· Commercial Property

The theater in my home town is up for sale ($50,000). Hmmmm....

But not seriously. I was emailing with another person from my hometown who told me the place has been sub-divided into apartments. Also the building is in really bad shape. (Hence the price.)

I have never understood why my home town of cannot support a movie theater of some kind since we have a state university—tons of customers.

· The Day The Beatles Fled Imelda Marcos | Listening Post from Wired.com

I had never heard about this one.

· Va. Bishop Apologizes Over Girl's Abortion - washingtonpost.com

· One vote: Going once, going twice, charged!

This kid should know better. My liberal bleeding heart thinks he needs to be taught a lesson.

· Jesse Helms, Conservative Force in the Senate, Dies at 86 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

I didn't know that he and his wife had adopted a disabled child.

That still doesn't excuse the hate that he spread.

· Thwarted « The Traveling Monkey

· shawleyphoto.com - look, click and share

My friend took these pictures. Wow--it is so cool. Goodbye coal plant.

· Assessing Jeune Leune

Interesting article. I'm reading all this and somehow my mind is wandering to the breakup of the Beatles. I've seen beautiful work at the Jeune Leune. I've seen work I didn't connect with. Selfishly, I hope the artists stay in the Twin Cities. After all the rumors of the infighting perhaps it is best to go in separate directions. I hope we don’t lose the stage. I was OK (for the most part) with seeing the old Guthrie go because it was such an old shape and size—no other company in town would really use it. But the Jeune Leune building could be used by a number of companies.

· Doctor: 'It's amazing' autistic man survived for seven days

Wow! This is such good news.

· McCain attacks Obama for opting out of public financing - CNN.com

"They like the idea of financing campaigns through small contributions from a lot of individual contributors, which is what Obama has done,"

Wasn’t this a flip-flop on McCain’s part? Didn’t he say something about not taking public financing, but is doing it anyway?

· The Love Guru - Movie - Review - The New York Times

“...by the time Guru Pitka (Mr. Myers) says “Mariska Hargitay” to Ms. Hargitay herself, it’s somehow less amusing than it should be. Which might sum up “The Love Guru” in its entirety…”

It’s a pity. I think Mike Myers can be really funny—but I had NO interest to begin with to see this movie.

· Roadguy » Blog Archive » The new 35W bridge: An inside look (literally)

This is a really fun set of pictures from the new 35W bridge construction site. The bridge is going up so fast. Last time I drove by the site they almost had one side half way over the river.

· McCain wants to lift ban on offshore drilling - CNN.com

McCain, the next Bush president? It would be just more of the same.

Obama, Obama, Obama!

· MinnPost - Franken shouldn't have to apologize for his past satire or 'bad' words

I agreed with the headline. And the thesis that this attack mode is based on the opposition thinking that the public is stupid.

· MinnPost - Enleiten: A social 'getting things done' system

What is this? Must read. (In high school my answer to any question about whether or not I was working on something was "I'm organized!") I took a look at the website. I may try this out.

· MinnPost - Norm and Jesse: together again?

Oh no... not again... (However, I did prefer his DHS policies over Pawlenty's)

· Bishop orders gay priest 'wedding' inquiry - CNN.com

When does Lambeth begin?

· Dispatch: We are Pennsylvania, hear us roar

But like most people I know from Pennsylvania, he left. (Although he does come back on weekends.) (I'm catching up on my reading)

· The Thinkers: Theologian's mission is to interpret violence in the Bible

"And while that seems plain enough, early interpreters and the Bible itself raise a lot of questions about how literal the meaning of the passage is."

Ahh, we are back at figurative vs. literal.

Down she comes...

While we were on summer vacation the big smoke stack at the St. Paul power plant came down. Here is some video of it from "The Uptake"

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….

Fortune Cookie

I'm cleaning out my man-cave office today and came across the following from a fortune cookie:

"You will live a long time,
long enough to open many, many fortune cookies."

It's the class sizes...

There was recently a MinnPost Article about Minneapolis Public Schools looking for more money just to keep the status quo of class sizes (and other things). My first reaction to hearing about all this was exactly what is brought up in the article--why can't the class sizes being reduced? Of course I know the answer: money.

Boy with autism barred from mass

This is just sad. So much for the concept of "The Good Shepherd". I'm going to post the article from the Star Tribune as well. It goes a bit more into the behaviors at issue and how they can be misinterpreted by people who do not understand autism. Please read the Star Tribune article, because the WCCO-TV pieces leave out any discussion of what the mother's response to the church's concerns.

WCCO-TV:
Article, Video

Star Tribune:
Article

My favorite quote from the mother is "I can't discipline him out of his autism, and I think that's what our priest is expecting." The church points out offensive behaviors--but the parents also point out how such behaviors can be misinterpreted. Speaking from experience, behaviors can be blown out of proportion by people who know very little about autism.

I'm really curious to see how this turns out. My own experience has been that a church does not like for it to be told that it is wrong. From what I've read so far, I think this case clearly violates the hospitality that Jesus Christ calls all of us to practice.

Busy, busy, busy...

Tommy is on my case because I haven't posted a blog entry for a long time. Life has been busy!

However, I did find this slide show on the NY Times website, which is very interesting.

Recently I've changed jobs. Wow--that takes a lot of time and effort to go through the whole process. The first two weeks have been busy, intense, and ultimately fun at the new place. I'm using technology that I haven't really had reason to do much work on since college.

One fringe benefit of the new place is a mile long walking trail through the woods around the building and parking lot. It is a bit bitter sweet, since we're moving to a new building in August. However, I hear that the new building will have walking trails as well--plus it is next to a public lake. Although there were many things about my old job I loved, the only walking you could do close to the building was through the business park in which it was located. Just blah buildings surrounded by blah parking lots.

I'll have to take pictures of the trails at my present building and post them.

Rainy day

After a few days of sunny Spring weather, we're getting the April Showers. Took a day off just to do a few things around the house. (Mainly, get the molding around the upstairs bedroom off the walls so we can get the last of the ugly wallpaper off.) And tonight, a new episode of LOST. We've also been watching DVDs of Freaks and Geeks. We have one last episode of that to watch. That show was so cool, pity it didn't even last a season.

As I'm typing this I got a recorded message from Minneapolis Public Schools about an event at school. I'm really starting to hate these reminders. I much rather get an email about these than have to sit through a recorded phone message. Are they worried I won't read the email? Then they should know that I've been hanging up on the recorded message after the first 2 seconds. I much rather have a place to choose my preference (phone or email)--but I know of no such option on the Minneapolis system.

Oh, well. Back to my mental preparations for LOST. Ommmmm!

When Hillary Clinton came to my hometown

Although I am a supporter of Obama, I was happy to hear that Senator Clinton came to my home town to speak at California University of Pennsylvania. (I'm not making up the name.)




There has also been some coverage in the local newspapers: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Uniontown Herald Standard.

I like the Youtube clip here because she is talking about the issues and talking about Bush. That's what I want to hear from both Clinton and Obama.

Martini, the Greek

People who know me know that I am not much of a drinking man. However, tonight I had a Greek Martini at Longfellow Grill. It was great--though I have to admit it is somewhat like drinking a salad. Then it was time for another long walk along the Mississippi West River Road.

Long walks

Tonight Wendy and I had some child care tonight, so we went out for dinner. Nothing fancy--just Davani's Pizza. Afterwards we drove up to the 35W Bridge site, parked the car, and walked across the 10th Ave. Bridge that's next to the site. It is amazing watching the new bridge go up. I think I'm going to try to get back there this weekend with my camera and take some pictures. We then walked through the U campus and ended up crossing the river across a pedestrian/bike bridge that use to carry the railroad across the river. From that bridge you could see where all the pieces of the old 35W bridge have been placed in a U parking lot for inspection.

Back in 1992 when I was interviewing for a job at Cray Research here in MN, I was also interviewing for a job with Cray Corporation in Colorado Springs, CO. It was finally a long walk around Lake Harriet that helped us decided that where we belonged was here in the Twin Cities.

Human Tetris