Remaining Omnibus decisions upheld.

The latest Consumer Health Digest has some great news about the Autism Omnibus. I'm just gonna quote the whole thing:

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has affirmed the Special Master's decisions that the families of Colten Snyder and Michelle Cedillo had presented no credible evidence that vaccination had caused him to develop autism. The decision is part of the Autism Omnibus Proceeding in which more than 5,000 families who claim that vaccines caused their children to become autistic are seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). In February 2009, Special Masters ruled in these cases and one other selected to test how similar cases should be handled. The decisions completely debunked the alleged vaccine/autism connection and implied that the doctors who promote them are acting unethically. Autism-Watch has posted key findings at
http://www.autism-watch.org/omnibus/overview.shtml

and links to the hearing transcripts and decisions at
http://www.autism-watch.org/omnibus/document_index.shtml

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Science-Based Medicine 101

Val Jones from the always-excellent Science-Based Medicine blog posts about how to judge the credibility of a medical study. This is good information for everyone, especially for parents of autistic children. There's a lot of garbage out there. Dr. Jones will help you weed it out.

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Positivity is the Ultimate Rebellion

Two of my favorite bloggers have written similar posts both inspired by an annoying Age of Autism rant (that I won't link to for the same reason that Emily didn't). Also, their reactions are great!

Emily's post on Anger Management exemplifies good parenting and a good attitude and everyone should read it.

Hammie's discourse about Shiny Happy Mummies does the same thing and has a link to a student who wants to study the positive perceptions of parents of children with autism.

The two bloggers above are among my role-models. They tell it like it is, the good and the bad and you know what? It's mostly good.

The Truth Behind 5 'Real' Monsters

Again with the reposting from Cracked.com: This time they show us how humor can be used in the service of skepticism with a report on The Truth Behind 5 ‘Real Monsters’ That Fooled the Internet

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The Secret

From Cracked.com's If Sarasm Ruled the World feature.

Autism/Vaccination News from Consumer Health Digest

The latest issue of Consumer Health Digest has three items of great interest:

1. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has upheld the decision of a Special Master that the family of William Yates Hazelhurst had presented no credible evidence that vaccination had caused him to develop regressive autism.

2. Autism not linked to GI disorders.

3. And my favorite: Huffington Post blasted for promoting crackpot theories.

Abstinence-Only Lunch Programs

Abstinence-Only Lunch Programs Ineffective At Combating Teen Obesity

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Oh, hey! I have a blog.

Looks like I'll start posting here again. Health update to follow. Until then, enjoy this report from The Onion:

Studies Show Alternative Medicine Ineffective


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George Hrab: Skeptical Rockstar

If you've been listening to the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast, you've heard the abridged version of George Hrab's "Far". Here's the even more awesome full version:



George is one of my favorite musicians. He's also wicked smart and one of the most fun critical thinkers around. He was at Dragon*Con last year and will return in 2009.

Homologous Links

Dallas Morning News columnnist Steve Blow has a piece on the eyebeams guy who won a Pigasus Award recently.


Speaking of James Randi, here's a link to the JREF website. Chances are, you already know about it but just in case. :)

Skeptico has an excellent piece on the non-excellent Melanie Phillips.

And to celebrate The Perky Skeptic's recent trip to the Memphis Zoo, I present cute, baby meerkats!

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