Hope vs Faith

I cant get it out of my mind. The obama campaign and the Bill Clinton campaign for the presidency was all about hope. having hope. communicating hope. Give hope to the american people. It seems to me that this so called hope is a mere bauble to the precious act of faith. I would rather a president or anyone for that matter be about Faith. Having faith. Communicating faith. The meaning of faith as expound in fear and trembling that I referenced previously consumes my thoughts. So in the way I have to understand faith, I would like to compare it to hope.

Hope is easy. Faith is difficult.

Hope makes no demands on the hoper calls for no sacrifice or silence. Hope requires speech to spread the hope.

Faith makes demands and asks for sacrifice. Faith requires silence.

Hope is safe Faith is dangerous.

Hope is passive Faith is active

Hope can be given Faith springs from within. It cannot be given

Hope is affirmation of status quo(that it is all right ie ethical or everything can be ethical) Faith is affirmation despite of the status quo(ie taking your son to be murdered)

Hope is leader centric Faith is multitude or one centric

Hope is ethical universal Faith is subjugation of ethical and universal to a higher principle

it would take a pitiful excuse for an human being to hope for the unethical.

Hope is public Faith is private

Hope is the aspiration of the adherence to the universal.

Hope is the guilty is punished Faith is the guilty is redeemed in the end. the "sin" or misdeed is wiped out. Salvation seems to be related to this. You have faith that the sin or misdeed as Abraham would have done would be "undone" IE he would get Isaac back the sinner would cleansed as if the sin never happened. He would get his "Isaac" back.

Clinton said he was a man from hope. What we need is not a man from hope, But the multitude to realize their meaningful existence comes from a place called Faith.

Hope is vacuous /does not give meaning or purpose nor direction Faith is meaningful purpose driven.

Hope is unnecessary for human life to be worth living. While Faith for a life worth living is absolutely necessary.

The confused Disabilities rights movement

The disabilities rights movement as such is a confused point of view. It was not well thought out. In fact It is inconsistent.
It confuses the fact of being disabled or different with the way to live one's life or act as being someone others would classify as disabled.
It muddies the water as someone who should desire to be more like others or even recognize their difference or a difference of theirs as a possible disadvantage with their attitude about themselves and their place in the world. It also makes this artificial and damaging absolute distinction between the disabled and the so called normal. We all live in the confines of the facticity of our existence.
The worst part of the whole issue of disability and the word is that it gives some the license to think themselves better than those with that label that really have no business thinking themselves better than anyone.
This disabilities movement while inducing people to take pride in who they are in spite of or because of their disabilities has a horrible side effect. This side effect of wallowing in their disability even retaining their disabilities in the face of a cure or minimalization. A good example is deaf people. They are wrong not to want to hear. By virtue of not hearing they are deaf. But to be on the spectrum they are not by its very nature alone or friendless. Minimalization does not apply.

If you are in a wheelchair and you dont desire to walk or deaf to hear or an amputee and dont wish for your limb back, you are a fool or someone who has deceived themselves to the point reality is a distant memory. A house cat is a not a disabled lion. But a lion that is blind or crippled is disabled and its only salvation it minimalization or erasure of its condition to be like the standard lion. A house cat that is dressed up to look like a lion is costumed boofonery.

The notion of a social disability is abused to a great extent nowadays. It used to put all differences and anyone who is outside the mainstream of society as a disable person.

The disability right movement is no civil rights movement. It a movement of muddled thinkers and addled brains.

I think an existentialist view of disability is far more appealing. The model of Sisyphus by Albert Camus is one good example. It is important to get beyond this disabled v non-disabled. The distinction in many cases is not clear. I have seen those who advocate prenatal tests to prevent unfortunate people being born or to suffer. Really need to take a hard look at themselves if they would really pass muster in the quest for a perfect world.

Autism Speaks is anti-Parent

Autism Speaks is antiparent despite its marketing efforts. It fosters anger and self pity among parents. It encourages them to wallow in "my oh my how could this happen to me?" and "Why? I dont deserve this".

A real organization for parents would forster independence, self-education, faith in themselves and a better not some empty hope found in an obama bumpersticker.

This is just another reason why you should support ASAN's protest this coming tuesday. Here is the faxebook page. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=205191180125.

Link to ASAN's Joint Letter Against Autism Speaks, signed by over 60 Disability Rights Groups: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=61

Donor X

Donor X is an inconvient truth. The CNN story can be found here. It just without malice illustrates the lies we are told about autism.

The first conclusion that is readily apparent is that autism is *strongly* genetic. Another pointed fact is happened in different environments and different mothers. So this so called environmental trigger was on overtime searching the disparate parts of the country making sure Donor X's children gets autism. I dont believe it.

I loved this part. "Jackaway decided on "Donor X" because he appeared philosophical and intelligent on paper. He liked music, loved to travel and had a high IQ and a degree in economics." What are the odds this guy has autism but was never told he was broken??

I would like to make one point that I feel is crucial. When people select someone to be their mate a host of factors comes into play including behavior,pheromes etc. These woman who selected Donor X might have never been selected by Donor X or them to be a mate had it been "in person".

This shows we are a *people* in our own right. Edan had it right, all the kids labeled severely autistic are nothing of the sort - they are halfbreeds that are not autistic enough. Edan told the story how the vacant look and nonverbalness etc came from intermarriage. So if you disagree please reread the story. ANd if you find this offensive too bad. I am offended by people calling me disabled. I am offended by autism speaks. I am offended Dr. Insel's remarks. I am offended by the so called professional and their sadism in the name of therapy.

Donor X perhaps has children but he and the woman picked each other because their was a compatibilty that science simply overlooks.

They have now removed his sperm. How is it not that our lives are less valued? Dylan sounds bright. He laughs. How can any parent not want a kid like that?

So all the damage being done by Ari Ne'eman and others calling being on the spectrum a disability needs to be undone. We are not by virtue being on the spectrum disabled. Of course people like Ari who are by their wn admission are cognitively disabled will fail to see the point due to impaired thinking.

IACC Statement that was to be given today

I am not here to give some trite simple minded verbiage about autism being a blessing. Nor am I given to preach the hopelessness and devaluation of autistic lives that curbie groups promote. Soren Kierkegaard, The danish existentialist wrote "God blesses those he damns in the same breath". Much of my thoughts here today are informed by the story of Abraham as presented by Kierkegaard in "Fear and Trembling".

Not all awareness is good awareness. It is simply not enough to support awareness. I am very much against the dis-abling attitude promulgated by Autism speaks and others. On one level, It feeds into the despair and initial hopelessness. Parents who don't know what autism is when faced by this unknown are disoriented breeding fear and anger. They are ripe targets for any snake oil salesman that comes by. On another level, It contributes to the disrespect and devaluation of autistic lives. It does not promote understanding of stimming and comorbidities. It even promotes lies how autistics do feel about themselves.

Autism cannot speak. just like Abraham could not speak. How intelligible, is it for a father to kill his son that he adores? If Autism did speak it would be unintelligible as well. For it is fantastic to have friends, to be loved and respected and admired. But the paradox of autism and it is really is a paradox or it would be done for as much as Abraham would be done for if faith was not a paradox.If it was not a paradox, It would be on the order of a disease, Such that only an evil person would oppose a cure. But Autism is so much more than simply that.

The Greek tradition that threads itself throughout our society, is the poison that we are in need of a cure from. A priori goodness, beauty. Also what it means to be human. All absolute standards any deviation from which is sickness, disease and death. Kierkegaard wrote about what it means to be not in alignment with the universal in the discussion of the book of Tobit. He relates this to being born different. To be someone out of alignment with the universal from the start. This is about all of us who are born not in alignment with the universal whether they are autistic , down syndrome,cleft lip or just clearly not the same as most people.

We must value autistics on their own terms. Many autistics have made huge contributions to our society. Browbeating an autistic to give up his arcane and narrow interests in the quest of being social as his focus is no victory. An autistic will always be autistic. To have him to give up his gift of being unintelligible is a terrible price to pay. We all know that this social acceptance and social conformity is an artificial construct foisted upon him. As it is, a violation of his nature it will never be truly his. Condemned to be ordinary. Kierkegaard relates how it is a mockery to say to Sarah - "Why don't you express the universal and get married." It is a mockery too to say to those on the autistic spectrum for example, "Why don't you express the universal and get married, enjoy sports, sit still, stop it with arcane facts on medieval pottery that Nobody wants to hear".

Bram Cohen when he invented bit torrent, he was alone not managing a team. Was he intelligible? Did others see the value of his work before it was finished? When Vernon Smith received the Nobel prize, He stood alone. When did his colleagues see the value of his work? If they really saw the value and the forthcoming Nobel prize it is hard to imagine that they would not jump in with both feet right away. No, They were unintelligible. Aligned with universal in the end on the basis of faith on the strength of the absurd or paradox.

So here is the reason why the puzzle piece is so pernicious. It truly represents the fact autistics being out of alignment with universal are an enigma. It is condemnation from a society that praises social recognition and clarity. It has no room individual unintelligibility to the whole. Without which you cannot have individuals rise above and achieve what the society thinks and deems impossible.It mocks the very foundation of autistic existence. It is worn by those that imagine their lives have a value and meaning autistic lives don't because those lives and their meanings are unintelligible in the immediacy. It must be remembered that to truly mock Jews, they made them wear the star of David as it is a symbol of their Jewishness.

When it comes to formulating public policy on autism it should be about letting autistics be comfortable in their own skin, unintelligible to society but en-passioned with their goals. Allowing them to be them. Anything less is disrespectful and unacceptable. Autism is only a tragedy in society that cannot understand the true worth of an individual. Autism is a challenge, something to get through not overcome.

Twas the night before awareness

Twas the night before awareness Nary an Ari stirred.
The distinction of NT and autie blurred.

lovaas giving tots a poke
before Autism allegedly spoke

Before'
What is right made wrong
And wrongs made by Wrights.

Twas the night before awareness

Before':
Joey protested
Ari United
And pride day by Gareth celebrated.
Twas the night before awareness

The katie McCarrons of the world were appreciated and knew love
May her family and her know the peace of a dove.
Hand flapping, clicks and hums pervade.
Inventions and discoveries made.
No one questioned why.
There was no outcry.
Twas the night before awareness

Then came what was to be a daybreak of wonder and promise.
Instead the night of awareness descended and ensued crisis.

Registries created to watch and track
Autistic children are now with praise wacked
Blood collected and samples
People cried out "my god some use pampers!"
Doctors are looking for prenatal tests
At JRC , on the vests are crests.
If not prim and proper then a shock
Autistics solitary and alone do not together flock.
Autistics solitary and alone are mocked.
Tis the night of awareness

Fear and shame pervade
Blame and charges made
Every one questioned why
They with self pity did cry
Tis the night of awareness

tis the night of awareness that scares us all.

Why the Disability Movement is not Our Movement

The cause for us Autistics is not the disability movement but the civil rights movement. You are *not* disabled for simply being on the spectrum. You may be disabled and be on the spectrum but that is another matter.

I want to layout in this post why ours is not a disability movement but a real civil rights movement. But a civil right movement based on a wholly different premise. I deny this collective group think worship of our times its power. I celebrate the one, the individual. It is the individual that matters most and being one's own person to own the skin you live in. I am very comfortable with the existentialist way of thinking, we are responsible for value and meaning in our lives. God is irrelevant in that regard. It is my contention that fundamental human rights is much the same. Rights do not come from God, but from individuals making choices. The weight of so many individuals making the same or similar choice and thereby being recognized by the collective group is what most people call a right. God had nothing to do with it. Human nature had nothing to do with it. There is no universal Human nature per se. There is nothing a priori. Anything said to be a priori is shorthand for the supremacy of the group over the individual.

I know of and support some the recent successes of a coalition of disability groups spearheaded by ASAN and Ari Ne'eman. They *are* doing important work. I wish them success in every way. However, I still feel while disability with the autism community is important, it is a fringe issue. The main issue I and many others feel is empowerment or self-empowerment. We are just as good if not better than others.

Those who support the disability view would say self-empowerment. "Yes that is what we are after!". They would argue with me back and forth. They will never see or accede to my point because as they clearly admit they are disabled. If they werent disabled they would see my point. They then would claim I am deficient in some manner here or there. While that may be the case, clearly it is not as bad as theirs (if I have any impairment at all) since I was never forced to acknowledge it as disability as they were. I was never to blind to the fact however I am different.

If you are disabled then you seek minimize your difference with non disabled people. But if you are for example black or autistic or American, you do not seek to minimalize your difference but embrace it, celebrate it and nurture it. I am persecuted like those pygmy people or the Neanderthals for the sake being different. Like the Jews for their differences or black people. I am not disabled. I do not know what disabled people feel like.
The battle cry of the disability movement is simply - "We are the same as you". Wheelchairs, seeing eye dogs prosthetics etc. All to minimalize the difference. I think for those of us on the spectrum we want to highlight and showcase our difference for it makes us us.

The problem for those who see this as a civil rights movement is that the basis of civil rights is was on the fact ultimately we are all the same. How can this be our model when in fact we are not the same?

I think that the understanding where "rights" and living a "meaningful life" come from is flawed. The notion of "Existence precedes Essence" by Jean Paul Sartre is essential. We must create our nature. It doesn't exist a priori. We bring it into being. We create meaning. It does not come from a God who might or might not exist. God is not responsible for us to live meaningful lives that responsibility is ours alone. By acknowledging, "Existence precedes Essence" , we are taking charge of our own fate and the value of our lives. One important point that Sartre makes in his works (specifically Existentialism is a Humanism) that when we choose for ourselves we choose for others as well. Existentialism as he says is a call for action.

If we are free beings how can it be any other way? Sartre points out this freedom cannot be abrogated. Even not choosing is a choice. Hence "existentialist anguish". By living a life full of meaning, living a creative life how can we not assert our "rights" in the act of doing so? of course you cant. There will be always time to time people who will thwart what you deign to do/to create/to be. Your response in dealing with this is essential. If you choose to accept the limitation then you accept the limitation for yourself and for all people. You choose to exercise rights. All acknowledged rights are exercised rights. Indeed, what people call a right and often canonized into a law is path well worn that was initially hack out by a few or the one. An unexercised right is no right at all. If you don't exercise your right then either you were the wrong gender, the wrong color, the wrong background but that wasn't your right and you acknowledged it as such. And you chose for all who are like you. One cannot escape their responsibility to others. You cannot escape the damnation of being a free being. It is the individual who "discovers"(really creates) rights and it is the individual who asserts rights. The assertion of rights may be done by many but it is still each individual making a choice. Only when an individual chooses this right for himself and then others choosing this right as well does the dumb and blind and stupid group goes and "canonize" said right. The irony is the group might have been through the might of collective stupidity punishing those who chose this right before. You can almost hear the pomposity, the absurdity of the echoing of the collective refrain -"The Law is the Law".

So rights have nothing to do with people ultimately asserting that they are same as the people in power regardless of some difference - color,religion,or heritage. It was individuals making choices, choosing the meaning of their lives and choosing what constitutes human rights and thereby choosing for others like themselves by the very act of choosing for themselves. Autistics have rights because they assert those through words and actions, through the power of being a free being not NTs in disguise as in protests, standing up for themselves and others when they see a wrong. Rights in this respect is something that cannot be taken away. You assert your worth and value or you don't in response to a situation. You cannot control the situation, you are in but you can always choose your response. Hold up your head high and don't take any shit.

The Autistic Civil Rights Movement

It is a new year! I am making it a point to be more active and involved in Autistic Civil Rights this year. The past 3 years I was dealing with unforeseen circumstances. That is now past. Here is 2 videos that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

The Big Push

I have been quietly contemplating some disturbing events. I am seeing some very frightening ways they can create what is known as a "Perfect Storm".

It started when I noticed the cataloging,identification of Autistic People. The so-called "Autism Registries". The rationale is that they need to figure out how this non-disease disease is spreading. The Bush administration wanted to screen everybody for signs of ASD. All I can do is think of Nazi Germany. They screened people for signs of Aryan heritage or not. Looked for the hook nose or the circumcised penis. Of course we are more sophisticated. Just don't whatever happens, let people see your child lining up blocks or chatting endlessly on some obscure subject. He will be cataloged and processed for the greater good.

I noticed there were interviews from "high functioning" autistics in the "group homes" run by organizations such as ACLD. Now, has anyone met anyone IRL or online that be shown from one of the group homes? They can talk. But what crimes have they committed to scurried away only able to talk to approved people like reporters. These autistic ghettos need scrutiny.

I notice that as the autistic/aspergian movement gets stronger stronger, there is a push to tell people they only have the symptoms of ASD but psst it is really something else. A lot of us desperately want that promise land of living NT. Oh , to have friends, job, money and Yes! even girlfriend. All very seductive. All that is required is to deny who you are. I have no problem with the term autistic but I would rather a term that has no bearing on any professionals talk about. Hence I use the word aspergian. I have seen even within our own community an over emphasis of "getting a diagnosis". That empowers professionals. How can our community be effective when we are not even the gatekeepers? It is simply wont work. Anyone who feels they should be part of this community then they are. Official diagnoses be damned.

I notice professionals now talking about ASD as a "mental health" issue not neurological. I guess people are okay with it just as long as we don't blame mother, the mental illness fell out the sky as if some evil wrought by the devil. You don't think it is all that bad?? seen this article on msnbc.com. Once they officially and incorrectly identify ASD as a mental illness then we would have lost. They can round us up and medicate.

Our only hope is to disempower the so called professionals and that wont happen by working with them.

Myth of Prometheus

Creativity. There has some much written about creativity. It is often within the context of its relation to madness and (perhaps contradictorily) how to be more creative(nobody writes or reads books on releasing the inner madman). However increasingly there is an upsurge on the subject of autism and creativity. For instance, There is a book by Mich Fitzgerald Autism and CreativityThat explores this in depth. Creativity does seem a defining aspect of us on the spectrum. This was clear to me in a striking way reading passages from Rollo May's Man's Search for Himself. It is in the section entitled "Adam and Prometheus".

Speaking concisely, Prometheus (meaning foresight in Greek)was a titan that against the orders of Zeus, gave man fire. Fire being symbolic for creativity. Zeus punishes Prometheus by chaining him to a mountain. Zeus commanded a vulture to feast on his liver. Also when the liver regrows during the night the vulture returns everyday to eat the liver again. Dr. May related the torture that Prometheus endures is symbolic of the "anxiety and guilt to which-as creative figures like Michelangelo, Thomas Mann, Dostoevsky and countless others have told us-the man who dares to bring mankind new forms of life is subject". Tho perhaps Prometheus should have his gut eaten to be even more consistent. Zeus here in his punishment for the audacity of Prometheus can be seen to represented by the group that so often punishes us for being different. I looked up some associations to Zeus. I saw one entry was intestine/liver so perhaps we are making a distinction an ancient would not.

Zeus punishes man by sending a box and Pandora. According to the myth Man was created by Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus (hindsight) which was breathed into life by Athena.The box was opened thereby releasing disease and now man has to work for his living. The upshot is that while we enjoy the benefits of creativity the "punishment" isnt all that far away.

It is significant that Prometheus is tied to a mountain. Zeus comes from the mountain. A word for god in Hebrew (there are a few) is Shaddai el Chai. I quote a website. Shaddai El Chai has been translated as Almighty Living God. Interestingly, Shaddai translates literally as Breasts or Mountains, El translates as God (without gender affiliation so read Godhead or Divine One) and Chai is Life.
There is a tradition not popular for a few reasons. It stands the traditional view of Yahweh on its head. The imagery of a goat leaping to and fro effortlessly on a craggy mountain represents the same freedom from an all powerful or so it seems being. The to and fro representing mastery of one's situation. Of course I cannot let this go, In the tarot the magician is sometimes represented by the fool. And No there is no conflict in meaning here. The Magician is the goat. Look its picture in by a popular Deck.

The wand is symbol of the thunderbolt of Zeus among others things. All these myths talks about how either Yahweh or Zeus are angry that man is now like them. All part of the symbolism of this card.

Perhaps one day I will delineate my own spiritual journey, my quest for meaning.

Cultural Capital

I do see the inevitability of a cure as in pre-natal test. We simply do not have the resources at this time to stop it. It is a shame the internet wasn't around longer before the curebies got so powerful. Our culture or "communitude" (if you will) is in its infancy still. Our survival may rest on one powerful commodity, however - "Cultural Capital". I borrowed this term from Thomas Sowell from his last book in a trilogy -Conquests and Cultures. While I do not agree with him on many things. His notion of "Cultural capital" is invaluable. Cultural capital is the reason why even after 2,000 years there is a state called Israel. The common bonds of history, religion and language held this community together and enabled it to survive. They had tremendous reserves of cultural capital to draw upon. Cultural capital can be translated into other resources. We need to build and create our own vast reserves of cultural capital. It is imperative.

A vibrant community of autistics would preclude many from having a prenatal test. It would encourage autistics to have children with each other. Thereby growing the community. I have seen how Kwanzaa invented in academia has become such important part in the cultural lives of many black people in the US. We need a Kwanzaa for ourselves. A holiday celebrated around the solstices or equinox at the end of the year. It will be small at first. But this along with autistic pride day is key to our survival, the survival of the autistic distinction.

I know I say this a lot but Autistic Pride Day is and can be more than a PR campaign. It can serve as one of building blocks for our vast reserves of cultural capital.

The First Protest and Protest Diary

====As I posted on AFF after the walk=====
On Sunday October 24, 2004, I protested the NAAR walk here on Long Island. I was nervous. I am fairly sure I was the first person with aspergers to challenge their beliefs openly. They all see themselves as the autistic community. We are the *REAL* autistic community and it is time to set the record straight.

At first I was hesitant. Why walk?. A majority of people doing the walk Have LFA Children. But as I read thru NAAR's web site,I became even more convinced that to protest was the right thing to do. For Example here is a link:

http://www.naar.org/walk/why_walk_letter_alex_benny.htm

The article supposedly takes the viewpoint of a younger brother of a child who has aspergers. The tone and character of this so called letter was disgusting. It describes the horror of the parents realizing their child has aspergers. How they dread that the younger one might be as well. You see NAAR groups us all as the same, whether you are LFA, HFA, aspergers as defectives not humans. NAAR will point to us and say "see they are crazy, they want your child to be LFA" Which is far from the truth We are protesting lumping HFA/AS as something to be cured along
with LFA. Totally off the wall.

This event was held on jones beach which is on a very small island off of Long Island.

There is a 4 lane highway (with a median) that stretches across the islet. It is very long with a small width. The beach is on both sides. There various underpasses that connect both sides.

I had three large posters. And small number of leaflets. The posters were the following

Say NO to NAAR

www.aspiesforfreedom.org

================================

Autistics Are Intelligent

NAAR is NOT

www.aspiesforfreedom.org

==================================

NO CURE FOR AUTISM

NO CURE FOR EVOLUTION

"Theory of Mind" is the new appendix.

www.aspiesforfreedom.org

==================================


I held them up switching between them. I was first all very concerned with my safety.

I decided to protest from outside the fence. I went to a place where I could be seen by a number of people. Most importantly I was facing the stage. The Co-Chairs of the event saw me. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and a local celebrity Jim Watkins. They saw all of my signs. One guy gave me "the finger"- A gestural obscenity. One lady came by. She
mentioned she was a nurse at a hospice. She tried to convince that "why wouldn't some body not want a cure?". She also said now if a cure was available Why shouldn't they take? Dont you want to be normal?". She was looking at me and talking to me like "oh you poor thing". I told her my position. She would not listen. The typical arrogance of the self righteous. I finally told her bottomline I am drawing a line in the sand. "This far and no father". I held up sign between me and her until she went away. A couple guys came up . Remember there was a fence in between us. They told me to get out of here. They refused to take a flyer. The previous lady told them to leave me alone. They grudgingly left. They called me a couple of obscenities.

When the walk started I found an excellent location from which all the walkers could see my signs and yet help ensure my safety. (safety is key folks!). I stood at the edge of one the underpasses where the walk went thru. I waved the signs. I was given the finger yet again a few times. I was told to "go home", I responded - "I am home, This is my world too" .I was called countless obscenities. "Get a life". "Get a job".That one puzzled me. What do they know about my situation?. I looked all around constantly. I did not want someone to sneek up and hurt me. Remember they are looking for an excuse to call you "handicap" so do not act on any agressive displays. They are trying to get you to do something that they can use against you.

In America, Protesting is a protected right. Be peaceful and cooperate with the police. The idea is to be heard and be noticed not to earn a police record. DO Not be araid to run away if you feel threatened, I know was ready to run if I had to. Be aware of your surroundings.

At the end of the walk I stood at the exit when they were leaving. I stayed there till the lot was almost empty and the park workers had shutdown all but one exit. I had a few cars come by stop and ask me questions. When they stop I was nervous and ready to run. I again was
called names and obscenities. Twice a car stopped , and the guy in the driving seat tried to spit at me. NAAR knows www.aspiesforfreedom.org now. Dont think they are not thinking about what happened. They are preparing to prevent it again, if they can.

Minor Annoyances

I wonder how many of us experience these minor annoyances?
I sometimes watch the music video channels or listen to music (audio only) channels. They present the information for each song imo haphazardly. Usually like this :

Song
Artist
Album

or

Artist
Song
Album
To me this is a mess. It should range either from most inclusive to least inclusive or vice versa. Song < Album < Artist or Artist > Album > Song. Like the below.

Song
Album
Artist

In the 1980s when MTV was new, They used have a solid tilting triangle that spun. A triangle has only 3 faces. But yet this thing displayed 2 images one after the other. An impossible object. A rotating object of even number of sides is required. It was MTV with the little space man and the other was the words NEWS. It annoyed me.

ArcheTypes and Social Learning

Carol Gray's social stories have been widely acknowledged as successful. I don't really think anybody has stop and given them a critical look. After all it is helping autistic children how could anyone decent critique it? Nevertheless, I think it is prudent.

At first blush, it is simply brilliant. Parents, professionals create made up stories that deal with everyday life. These stories outline appropriate and inappropriate (all judged by our culture and the story writer)reactions to these made up situations. Children read them , learn them and refer back to them as necessary. It does what good piece of literature does expose the reader to novel situations and lets them see how the writers sees the characters deal with it, thereby we learn hopefully something about the world and ourselves.

The private nature of these stories is a big liability. The situations may be universal but professionals and parents will invariably draft different responses to the same situation, unless the story revolves around some trivial and if that is the case why bother with the story in the first place?
{Notes delinate more here}

A better and more sophisticated solutions is available. It is hinted at in this news story. Substitute Stereotype with symbol or archetype. There are traditional or archetypal roles for men and women. Perhaps if they saw it like that they could teach and add more sophisticated stereotypes for more abstract categories as they get older. A long time ago, I devoured books on Taoism and the I Ching. At the basis there is a similar idea that the ancient Greeks had of 4 base elements. In Asian thought, There are 5 elements. Earth, Metal, Fire,Water and Wood. I don't know if you remember the game called rock, paper, scissors. No one element is primary. It all depends on the relationship with others.
For example, Wood feeds fire. In ancient China the 5 elements were associated with emotions positive and negative. Like fire - negative rage water- positive calmness. Water quenches fire by the traditional diagram. So to handle rage become calm or symbolically throw water on the fire. I dont see why many autistic children couldn't be taught the "stereotypes" of fire (positive- passion, negative-rage,anger) or water etc. To provide them with more sophisticated tools to reason and adjust to novel situations. It would be better than highly specific social stories.

I like this quote(not) from frith tho:
Professor Frith said: "Autistic children's knowledge of race and gender stereotypes is astonishing given that they lack interest in people."
Is it really that astonishing? First autistics many not all *do* have an interest in people, they just don't understand the social structures (frith knows better too). These stereotypes that are learnt may merely mean autistic children are not dumb, just clueless to what others take for granted.

Combating Autism Act Video

This is my favorite video with respect to the act. It is fantastic.

Autistic Pride LLC Hosts ChristSchool Video

Here is the video.

The Myth of Race

Race is a construct fostered by history and convenience. There is scientifically speaking nothing to the concept of Race. In fact it was the WHO (World health Organization) that recommended dropping race from its queries. What race is- is a set of inherited genes that may or may not depend on each other. The genes for leukemia present at a high rate in the black population has nothing to with the melanism. There are people in parts of china who live in areas with high rates with malaria who pass on and have leukemia at higher rates.

So if I call the collection of inherited autism genes a race it is every bit as valid. The only context you could argue is historical. So Even if you eliminate environmental triggers that may or may not exist the child or adult is still autistic.

I have included an Amazon Link to one of the seminal works in this area below

RaceMyth

Henry & Victoria

Henry worked in the market. He sold fish. Every morning victoria would bring him the fish to sell. Victoria was once a happily married woman. Long flowing blond hair once graced her head. A lovely rounded face that beamed. Now all long gone. Victoria worked with edward at the docks. She wears a bandanna catching the sweat from her forehead. At times, the random fishhook placed there for expediency would catch and blood would trickle. The twins blood and tears founded her world. Wrinkles layed their claim to her beauty. She ached.
Henry would setup his tent at dawn. He would wait until victoria came by with the morning catch. He would sometimes see her far up the walkway coming into view. She was hunched over. The basket of fish carried on her back was heavy. The old women who were once jealous, were now quite satisfied. They would jeer as she made her way down the main walkway of the market past them. They were cruel in way only another woman could be. Henry would watch her as she made her way down. The sun rose from behind her. She walked in light. The morning light would glisten off the sweat and blood. She was beautiful. Henry knew she was even more beautiful now than she ever was.
Victoria's husband was a fisherman just like edward. The fishermen fed the village. They braved the seas. They were heroes in the eyes of the village folk. Only the bravest and strongest worked the nets. The village's main staple was fish with assorted vegetables and the occasional meat.
Henry dreamed the dreams of heroes. He was the mighty fisherman that fed the village. They would have starved without him. He would come home to his beautiful wife. She would be hunched over such that in order to kiss her he had to sit down first. In his dream, He could even pick up the child in arms despite the child's size.
The rock that gouged her husband's head was huge. Despite the blood loss he survived. Ever since then she worked for edward. She would prepare the lines. She would untangle them adding hooks and sinkers if necessary. She enjoyed these tasks at the start of her day. It was the easiest on her. Later she would reel in the lines. She had deep well worn grooves in her hands. "The fish line cuts cleanly." She said aloud. No response was required. "The salt water naturally heals the wounds."
Henry had a gentle face everybody enjoyed. He worked until the fish was gone, sometimes till dusk. He was always amazed to realize that at the end of the day, the very people he knew his whole life would mistakenly miscount their change or hand the wrong money or foreign currency. They went to school together in many cases. He imagined the rocks that hit their heads must have been very small. "Victoria was smart. She never made a mistake." he thought. Everyday he wondered if edward was to make his way down today. He never met edward.
Victoria's day started when most people's ended. It was a ritual. A ritual that validated her love, their marriage. She fed him.She faithfully clothed and washed her husband. No man should know the humiliation of being changed like a baby. Her husband didn't know. She would smile with bitter tears watching her husband play with the toys meant for their child. She has the child she never wanted. She never thought of throwing him off the bridge killing him. She loved him. His love for her though now un-nuanced and simple, was strong as it ever was. The pain of what could have been is integral to the purity of the love she practiced everyday. They are inseparable.
Henry loved victoria. He understood her love for her husband. He imaged them together with her child. Henry knew he could be a good father. He made a place for her in his home. The extra bed next to his was always clean and untouched. It was adorned with flowers for her time to time. Henry knew she would never abandoned her child. Henry knew patience. The bed next to hers was extra long with walls affixed to both sides.
She never did move in. She understood the love henry offered. She already had that kind of love.
Henry knew pain. There were days victoria never showed.
Many years later henry still dreamed of being a fisherman capturing fish. The place set aside for victoria was ready as it ever was to receive his love. He, one night after capturing his mighty fish, in his sleep died happy. He lived happy.

Protest at autism speaks TGIF event

I heard that autism speaks was holding events at TGIF's .
I went there last night (riverhead, NY location) with a lady friend. We had dinner. I explained to our waitress a couple of salient points about autism speaks. The rash of murders of autistic children, and how the rhetoric of autism speaks could be a contributing factor. She had a family member who was autistic. She was very receptive.

After we finished our dinner, I went into the enclosed bar area, where the bartender olympics was being held to support Autism Speaks.

I held up my protest signs. I brought all my greatest hits. Especially the autism speaks doesnt speak for me. Now Remember that this bar area is crowded and noisy. so noisy that Only in a lull , there was 2 of them in 20 min, that people could hear me. I said "autism is a difference not a disease". I also told the autism speaks lady that autistics are part of the natural diversity of human beings. She was asking me why. She also with some righteous indignation asking me about what is my connection to autism. as if trying to say or imply I dont have right to speak on autism unless she or they approve it. I spoke about some autistic role models such Bram Cohen. She then said well a lot of children suffer from it. As if, if someone is suffereing then it is ok to put them out of their misery.

The people who run autism speaks came to me. Michael giangario told me that I had to go no sign he was the owner of the building.(probably a lie but being NT very natural for him) He actually grab and held my arm. tried to get at the signs. I told him I paid to be here. I bought a meal. I was being no louder nor disruptive as the drunk people in the bar. they has some really big guy with tattoos grab me by the arm. When he started to be really forceful, the lady from autism speaks stopped him.

A young woman who came up stated that she helps autistic children at school. She then stated that one of the things she did was help them make eyecontact. I asked why. she was flabbergasted. I dont think she heard anyone questions the value of making autistics into NT clones. I told her that is important to her, implying not important to everybody else as per her assumption.

I got some angry looks and gestures to leave from some in the crowd. Also giangario threatened to call the police 15 minutes ago and he was gone by now. Now I know from experience that the police would since all I did was hold non obscene signs would just ask to me to leave if that. Remember it was autism speaks telling TGIF employees to get rid of me not the TGIF manager.

I handed the autism speaks lady my business card. I said if people like you had your way then I wouldnt be here. I then decided it was time to leave. I headed with a couple of people before me and behind me. I walked out signaled to my lady friend - it was time to leave. When I was out the door I turned to them and told them they were on the wrong side of history.

Was Adolf Hitler autistic?

People have been trying to understand Adolf Hitler for decades. All kinds of theories from being gay to being schizophrenic etc.

Well I have my own pet theory with facts to back it up. I think that Hitler was on the autistic spectrum. It explains a great many things both positive and negative not to mention neutral about him.

His unrelenting zeal for what he called his "mission". He did not smoke, drink nor gamble.He never apparently consummated his relationship with Eva Braun. He too focused on his goals.

This apparent lack of interest in her lead, I believe , some to mistakenly to conclude that he was gay. It is my supposition that like many on the spectrum he had very little sex drive. Anyone who is familiar with those on the spectrum, they could tell you that it is all about extremes.


When read some of his words. I took them seriously. He wrote how he studied jews and their faces. He remarked how he could not read their faces, nor intuit their emotions. He never studied non jews with such scrutiny. It was very unfortunate. Maybe he would realized it wasn't just jews that he could read.

One thing that has puzzled everybody that nobody ever offered an explanation for, was the fact Hitler had his hometown demolished and everybody killed. It is now overgrown forest. If you are on the spectrum, there could be many potential embarrassing stories as you are growing up. If he was on the spectrum, he might not have been able to control his bowels until 8 or 15. He might have made very embarrassing mistakes in dealings with the opposite sex as well.

When they were in the bunker at the end. It was observed that his hands shook. People surmised he must have been poisoned. Well the fact is, If he was under stress and autistic, He might have been just stimming.