autism

Autism seems to be the latest fad these days. Go autism, go.

Autism, today, is what ADHD was years ago: Every child had it. Every child needed to be medicated for it. No one questioned it. Thousands of children were unnecessarily drugged for it -- ADHD is waning, but autism is the new monster.

Every time I listen to the radio or watch the television, there're adds claiming that 1 out of 160 children is diagnosed with autism. It's 160 or 166. I'm close to what's being shoved down my throat. Regardless, it's a very low ratio.

Everytime I hear that statistic, I think to myself: If this were true, I should be tripping over autistic children everywhere I go -- the mall, in schools, and on the streets. But, I'm not.

I've worked in psychiatric hospitals with autistic children. They kind of stand out. It's a very unfortunate developmental issue. But, regardless of the visceral, emotional reaction to the word "autism" one may have, what I believe is happening is this: Mental Health is a business, a big business, plain and simple. The criteria for autism is being altered/lowered so that more children can be diagnosed with autism so that the parents of that child will seek out the specialists, the pharmaceutical companies [especially them], and the support services that, for a fee, (a rather large fee), will counsel, medicate, and/or rehabilitate the alleged autistic child.

Money. Money. Money.

1 out of 160 children is autistic; I think it's bullcrap.

Parents, please don't walk blindly into this.

Dollar's Short Stories

I don't know if anyone has read this blog. It is linked here, and for the last coule of months I have only had one entry. Well I just finished my second short story, tell me what you think.
I don't have a google group set up yet to notify those who want to read it. So I am using Link it or Sink it to promote it.

I have not wrote many short stories, maybe only these two, I can't remember. My participation in English class in school was very limited.

Other good news, I almost have a manuscript complete to send to the publishers for Behind The Glasses. Which I released 4 news ones on there over the weekend. I have been feeling pretty creative lately, and some really harsh dreams. Shouldn't fall asleep watching the Twilight Zone...

I'll try to get a google group set up soon for Dollar's Short Stories. I gotta get to bed, I have a 9 hour drive tomorrow.

Thanks,
TDK

2 Texas police officers killed

The suspected gunman, Larry White, 58.

Fired at police when they responded to a domestic dispute call.

I believe another White, Ron White, said on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. "I'm From Texas and if you kill someone in Texas. We will kill you back. We are working on a new law, so if 3 credible witnesses testify that you committed a murder you will not sit on death row, Jack. Other States are trying to abolish the death penalty. We're putting in an express lane."

It is not verbatim but pretty close. This man should be executed within 30 days of conviction. You know like those Iraqi's did with Saddam and his clowns. I don't see where there is much doubt of who dunnit. Fast and speedy trial along with a fast and speedy execution, and people won't be so quick to pick up a gun and start shooting.

you tell me
-TDK

Mattel Recalls

So, this is the second major recall for Mattel in two weeks. Over ten million toys have been recalled because of lead in the paint. That number may be high because a lot of toys were recalled because of issues with small magnets. However, lead paint has been a major issue with millions of toys. The source of the lead paint is China.

China is a communist country. China is not a friend.

Oh, I agree that we need to have stricter quality control inspections. But, all that hootin' and hollerin' by government officials ignores the true problem: China doesn't give a crap if there's lead paint on the toys.

We as a democratic society are a threat to communism, but we, the United States, continually do business with a country that is known to violate human rights more often than celebrities make asses of themselves. It's ridiculous. We can't trust China to give a shit if the products they are responsible for making and/or assembling are contaminated with lead or any other poison.

By no means am I an expert on world trade and economics, but this has to do with common sense. Why do business with a country that would love to see us decimated by nuclear attack? Every American man, woman, and child that dies is a blessing to the government of China.

I would go so far as to say: Mattel is being economically devastated by these recalls, but China isn't being appreciably hurt. I'm sure the factories have already received their monies for the work performed. I doubt the Chinese economy is going to be impacted by these recalls and the inevitable law suits.

I'm not saying that this was a deliberate contamination of paint, but I can't discount the possibility, that somewhere along the line, someone said, "Fuck it if there's lead in the paint; it's only those assholes in America. Ship those toys."

China is not our friend.

Whoopi Defends Vick

Ok, I am not a daily viewer of the "View". However I m traveling for work, and was sitting at an Applebees. And this clip comes on of Whoopi Goldberg defending Michael Vick. I was not and still not a Rosie O'Donnell fan. Never been that keen on Whoopi either. But this time she has done it, the stupid of all stupid.

Stating that this is a cultural issue, and dog fighting is common in the south where he is from. HE IS GUILTY! There is no more DEFENSE!

Smoking crack is common in the right neighborhoods across America. So the next athlete or superstar to get popped for smoking crack, is that too a cultural thing, because it happens where the star was raised? Ridiculous!

Is this where America is headed?