Διεύρυνση σε Κρύα Βρύση......Χιλής

Ο Κ. Καραμανλής με την θέση του μονού veto κέρδισε και πέρασε στην ιστορία σαν εκπρόσωπος του Ελληνικού κράτους με υπεύθυνη και δικαιη στάση. Οι ΗΠΑ με τις διαιρετικές και διχαστικές για τα Βαλκάνια πολιτικές έδειξαν πόσο αφερέγγυοι σύμμαχοι είναι. Αλλωστε οι πιεστικές τους πρωτοβουλίες εξαντλούνται όπως απεδείχθη και στο μπάσκετ, και στην μη επαρκή τέλεση δύο ταυτοχρόνων πολέμων και στην ασταθή εξωτερική τους πολιτική. Ο Κ. Καραμανλής με το να μην θέσει τριπλό veto στη διεύρυνση του ΝΑΤΟ έχασε την ευκαιρία να κυριαρχήσει στις ελπίδες και σκέψεις του Ευρωπαϊκού και Παγκόσμιου στίβου σαν ένας νέος νηφάλιος και νουνεχής ηγέτης με παγκόσμια ακτινοβολία.

Το ΝΑΤΟ που ψάχνει σκοπό υπαρξης γύρω από δρόμους ενέργειας και πολεμικών επιχειρήσεων ώστε να δημιουργεί συνεχώς αγορές κερδοφόρων προϊόντων για τους πρωταγωνιστές του ας αναζητήσει προς το παρόν εκτός από Κροατία και Αλβανία τον τρίτο και μακρύτερο............... ρόλο του στο μακρύτερο κράτος του κόσμου ....την Χιλή.

UPDATE από τον ιστιολόγιο του Αντίβαρου.

Ανακοίνωση της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών για το Μακεδονικό
Ιστορικό σκιαγράφημα του Μακεδονικού από τον Ευάγγελο Κωφό στην Καθημερινή
Το Μακεδονικό (δια χειρός Βασίλη Βασιλικού) στην Ελευθεροτυπία 23-02-2008
Αρθρο του Χρύσανθου Λαζαρίδη στο Δίκτυο21 - Υπέρτερη Στρατηγική: Νίκη δίχως σύγκρουση - Ειρήνη δίχως Συνθηκολόγηση
Το Συμβούλιο Αποδήμου Ελληνισμού έστειλε πληρωμένες καταχωρήσεις στις 2 Απριλίου 2008 εξηγώντας τις ελληνικές θέσεις στις εφημερίδες FINANCIAL TIMES Global, INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE Worldwide, LE MONDE, LE FIGARO (3/4/2008), FRANKFURT ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG, HANDELSBLATT, ZIUA (Βουκουρέστι), THE TIMES (UK), NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST. Δείτε την καταχώρηση (1.6Μβ)
Αρθρο της Υπουργού Εξωτερικών Ντόρας Μπακογιάννη στην International Herald Tribune
Αρθρο του Επικ. Καθηγητή Αριστοτέλη Τζιαμπίρη στην εφημερίδα Washington Post
Η οφθαλμοφανής κοροϊδία των απαράδεκτων προτάσεων ΝΙΜΙΤΣ επί του Σκοπιανού και ο κατ’ εξακολούθησιν εμπαιγμός της Ελλάδος [Του Χρήστου Σαρτζετάκη]

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Autistic Self Injury - Study Confirms Self Injurious Tendencies of Children with Autism Disorders

In Injury propensity among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical Psychologist and blogger Nestor L. Lopez-Duran Ph.D., host of Translating Autism, reviews a study which , in Nestor's words, "provides some compelling evidence indicating a higher risk of injury in children with autism as compared to typically developing children. "

The study - McDermott, S., Zhou, L., Mann, J. (2008). Injury Treatment among Children with Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(4), 626-633. DOI 10.1007/s10803-007-0426-9 provides information which confirms what many parents already know - children with autism are more likely to be injured than typically developing children. Generally children with autism disorder are 21% more likely to be injured than their typical peers. Two specific injuries that jump out by their magnitude - children with ASD's are 760% more likely to suffer a poisoning injury and 762% more likely to suffer from a self inflicted injury than their neurotypical peers.

I am no fan of the thinking of those who assert that autism disorder is not in fact a disorder; that it is just a natural variation that should be embraced, but any condition which results in such serious levels of self injury is obviously a disorder. Period.

Interestingly, despite the extreme rhetoric of the "autism is beautiful" crowd which tries to smear parents seeking to cure their autistic children by insinuating that such "curebie" parents are responsible for atrocities like the murder of Katie McCarron the study provides no assistance to their argument - children with ASDs are not more likely to be injured by peers or adults.

As a parent controlling and minimizing self injurious behaviors is one of the several reasons why I use and seek ABA intervention for my profoundly autistic son. His reality includes self aggression. The Michelle Dawsons and Amanda Baggs can ignore that reality. As his father I can not and this study is a perfect indicator of why I can not.

Many thanks, again, to Nestor L. Lopez-Duran for highlighting and explaining this study.

autism

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Peter's Churrasco Chicken and Francie's Rice

Sounds like I don't have any original ideas huh? I do, really but with so many great recipes that I see on other blogs every day I don't really have to come up with original things all the time! Also I am a busy Mom with 2 crazy kids in 2 different schools with laundry, errands, and the job of finding the very best local produce for this crazy family which doesn't leave a whole lot of extra time for being creative. At least not during the week! What with skating and karate eating up all the spare time!

I found the Churrasco Chicken recipe on Kalofagas-Greek Food & Beyond by Peter Minakis. I saw the recipe and loved the idea of the ground bay leaves, onions, lemons and whiskey all together. The only problem was that Peter had used a whole chicken with skin on and I had 2 boneless, skinless breasts and 4 skinless thighs! I figure it would still work okay and I was right. This was such a delicious dish I urge you to try it. I can't wait to try it again but this time with a whole chicken!!!

With the chicken I made some Arroz Verde con Poblanos. I had gotten this recipe from Francie's blog - Ramblings of a Frantic Home Cook. I had made this a couple of weeks ago and T. was asking for it every night! I thought that it would go good with this chicken and a nice fresh salad!
I was right again! This rice is fresh tasting and very quick to make. I had to use brown rice this time and it was delicious like that as well!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Run the Dream Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day

RUN THE DREAM LAUNCHES "THEIR STORIES" INITIATIVE

IN CELEBRATION OF UNITED NATIONS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

Internet-enabled video interviews with parents, family members, caregivers, and persons with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will be recorded and made available for the public on the Run the Dream website.

April 2, 2008 is the first annual United Nations (UN) World Autism Awareness Day, fulfilling the UN resolution which encourages all member states to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society. In support of this resolution, Run the Dream is launching Their Stories, web-based video interviews with the persons most affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who can best describe what it means.

Run the Dream invites parents, family members, caregivers, and persons with ASD to share their stories, via a video interview which can be recorded on the Run the Dream web site, http://www.runthedream.ca/stories.html#stories, starting immediately, and viewed on the same web site starting on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day. Stories will be recorded and shared with the public on the Run the Dream website until the run is completed at the end of November this year. Run the Dream will continue to share these stories by then compiling the videos from each province and presenting them to the respective Premier, and likewise will present all videos from across Canada to the Prime Minister. The Their Stories initiative is the very first of its kind in Canada using an automated web-based structured interview process, and based on our research, is a global first as well. This innovation is possible through the generous sponsorship of Minavox ( www.minavox.com) and the use of their ground-breaking Canadian-developed technology, Savisys.

In the few days since Jonathan Howard started his run, stories from across Canada have flooded Run the Dream's e-mail inboxes, "Jonathan Howard, created the concept of Run the Dream and started a cross-Canada run in support of ASD on March 25. Even though we're only in the beginning days of this journey we've already received touching stories and offers of support from a large number of Canadians who want to tell their story, and who want to help in making Run the Dream a success. In our view these stories are worthy of sharing with every Canadian. We're delighted that Minavox is making their software and service available to Run the Dream for this purpose," says Bill Robertson, Chairman of Run the Dream's organizing committee.

Working with Autism Society Canada (ASC) http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/Run the Dream wants to ensure all voices are heard. Those people who do not have access to a computer or a webcam can share their stories using any PC with a webcam, including those of ASC's community partners, through the Their Storiesweb portal. "ASC represents a very large collective voice of the autism community in Canada; we applaud this opportunity to tell Their Stories", says Kathleen A. Provost, CFRE- Executive Director, Autism Society Canada.


This innovation is possible through the generous sponsorship of Minavox (www.miavox.com ) and the use of their ground-breaking Canadian-developed technology Savisys. "Minavox is proud to be associated with Run the Dream and Autism Society Canada, and to be able to provide its services to let Their Stories be heard." said Todd Nowensky, Managing Director and Vice-President of Business Development for Minavox Inc. Added Geoff Kushnir, Managing Director and Vice-President of Technology: "In our view this is one of the best illustrations of what is being described as the new era of the internet, Web 2.0."



Jonathan Howard, 24, McMaster University alumnus, and accomplished athlete developed the Run the Dream campaign to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with ASD and their families. Run the Dream is an eight month solo run across Canada, starting in St. John's, NL on March 25 and finishing in Victoria, BC on or about November 21. The run will cover approximately 9000km, crossing 10 provinces and more than 650 communities across the country. The campaign is targeted to raise $2.5 million to benefit children affected by ASD and their families. Jonathan appreciates the groundswell of support that has already formed behind his effort and would particularly like to acknowledge the contributions of the sponsors (listed below) of Run the Dream.


# # #


For more information on Run the Dream or to schedule an interview

with Jonathan Howard please contact

Alex Bittner at: alex.bittner@runthedream.ca, 888-507-5885 ext. 4.

For more information on Autism Society Canada please contact:

Lynn Andrews, Director of Communications:

lynn@autismsocietycanada.ca

For more information on Minavox please contact:

Ada Nowensky, VP of Marketing
anowensky@minavox.com


Run the Dream would like to thank their sponsors:

Telus – Official telecommunications sponsor for Run the Dream

Gatorade

Landmark Sport Group

Mariposa Cruises

Minavox

Evolution Rehabilitation and Personal Training Ltd

Whitewater Web Solutions

Brightworks

Spa Sensations

Lauren Canzius
General Manager, Media Relations & Communications
Run The Dream
lauren.canzius@runthedream.ca

autism

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On World Autism Awareness Day Have Hope But Do Not Sugar Coat Autism Realities

History is being made today; the first World Autism Awareness Day as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. Qatar led the international effort to being about this result and that effort should not be overlooked or diminished. In North America and Europe there is a movement which has tried to romanticize and glorify "autism"and which actively attempts to suppress discussion of the harsher realities faced by many autistic people. Governments, particularly the Canadian government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, have been quick to point to the views of people in this movement as an indication of lack of agreement on what should be done to help persons with autism thus justifying the Harper's government refusal to take serious steps to address Canada's autism crisis.

Almost everything about autism is controversial in the extreme. Debates roar on over the causes of autism. Even Applied Behavior Analysis, ABA, a well documented, well researched autism intervention is criticized relentlessly, often by people who have had no experience with ABA. Some of these people know nothing more about ABA beyond the extremist rhetoric of anti-ABA activisits who themselves generally have no experience and little real knowledge of ABA. The ABA critics ignore the millions of parents, thousands of autism experts, hundreds of studies and numerous professional reviews by responsible expert agencies which have endorsed ABA for decades as the educational and health intervention of choice for autism, an intervention documented by years of study as effective at making real gains in intellect, behavior, communication and socialization skills for autistic children

Even the mention of the existence of severely autistic or low functioning autistic persons offends some people. Within the world of autism there is an ideological group sometimes self referenced as Neurodiversity, which perverts logic and common sense and asserts that Autism Disorder is not in fact a disorder, that somehow it is a good thing that some children develop the limited communication, social and intellectual and behavioral characteristics that lead to diagnoses of Autism Disorder. Mention the reality, the FACT, that some autistic people hurt themselves very seriously by self aggression or that they lack understanding of the world such that they require 24/7 supervision and care, in some cases for the duration of their lives and the Neurodiversity ideologues react with sarcasm, hostility and anger.

While they are quick to search history and speculate that every known genius in history was an "Aspie" or an "Autie" the Neurodiversity ideologues do not want parents of children diagnosed with actual Autism Disorder with profound developmental delays to talk about their children's existence and challenges; challenges not shared by the ND cult. Mere mention of 14-year-old Kristi Jansen the severely autistic young lady featured in one of the Vancouver Sun's excellent Faces of Autism series is enough to set off anger and hostility on autism discussion forums like Autism Speaks now dominated by Neurodiversity advocates.

Accepting autism should not mean the kind of autism acceptance which views autism as a joy. Autism is a disorder. The people diagnosed with Autism Disorder who have limited communication and social skills, serious behavioral challenges and in some cases intellectual deficits, should not be ignored in shame and denial. Their realities too must be accepted. There is no "joy" in knowing that your child, diagnosed with Autism Disorder and profound developmental delays, will never know a life of independence, that he will be cared for by strangers long after you are dead.

My son Conor, diagnosed 10 years ago with PDD-NOS, subsequently changed to Autism Disorder with profound developmental delays. lifts my spirits every day and makes my experience of life richer and more meaningful. Although I do not find joy in my son's Autism Disorder I take great joy and find great happiness in him. I accept him and the fact that he has an Autism Disorder but instead of surrendering to the seductive logic of the Neurodiversity movement, instead of embracing his autism as a "good thing" I try to help him overcome the deficits which mark his Autism Disorder. That to me is true autism awareness and true autism acceptance. That to me is being a responsible parent.

Today I will be aware of Autism and I will discuss it with many people in my daily life. I will be of service to my son and other persons with autism by speaking the truth about Autism Disorder. I will tell people there is hope for improvement by intensive early ABA intervention and the incredible explosion of autism research, the Autism Knowledge Revolution know taking place, but I will not sugar coat the realities of autism disorders to make others .... or me .... feel better.

autism

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What to post, what to post?

Soft Tacos with Pico de Gallo and Oven Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde

I have been so busy lately - yup all my own doing - trying to get all of the things that I wanted to do for the end of the month challenges. For the Daring Bakers I made Dorie Greenspan’s Party Cake and for the Royal Foodie Joust I made Fresh Coconut Fried Shrimp. Aside from that we still ate some really great meals over the weekend and I just couldn't decide what to post. Then I downloaded all of the pictures and I knew I had a winner!

As most of you know I am sadly on the hunt for a new Farmer's Market to go to. The Worden Farm Farmer's Market is done for the year and won't be back again until November???!!! On Saturday I thought I had found my replacement but as we pulled up I saw the great big huge tractor trailer unloading boxes of produce. There were several things there that they did grow themselves and it is a small family run business but I really do want something that is local if not organic. We did buy some tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, tomatillos, and some limes...Can you guess what we were having for dinner???

We made tacos with fresh Pico de Gallo and Oven Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde. I love fresh tasting food and this certainly fit the bill! The taco meat was pretty normal. Ground beef with taco seasoning. But the toppings are what made it incredible!


Pico de Gallo

1 bunch of cilantro (cleaned, stems removed and rough chopped)
2 tomatoes (seeded and diced)
2 jalapeños (seeds and membrane removed, finely chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
juice of 1 lime
1 Tbsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and allow to sit for about 30 minutes before serving.

Oven Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde

1 quart basket of tomatillos
1/2 cup onion (chopped)
1 bunch of cilantro (cleaned and picked)
juice from 1 lime
1/4 tsp sugar
2 jalapeños (seeds and membrane removed and chopped)
salt to taste

• Remove the papery husk from the tomatillos and rinse well. Cut each one in half and place cut side down on a foil lined baking sheet. Broil for about 5-7 minutes or until the skin is lightly blackened.
• Place the blackened tomatillos, lime juice, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and sugar in a food processor or blender and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Season with the salt to taste.
• Allow to cool in the fridge before serving.

These fresh ingredients made for a great, fresh tasting dinner. Even the girls liked this one (with lots of water!)

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Faces of Autism on World Autism Awareness Day

I do not hide my contempt for CNN's coverage of autism issues. CNN's coverage is, at best light and fluffy feel good stuff with little influence in the discussion of autism issues by people trying to actually help the many children and adults with autism disorders. At worst CNN coverage misrepresents the nature of autism and autism interventions. But there is some good media coverage of autism available. For World Autism Awareness Day I personally recommend that anyone interested in getting a realistic picture of autism try reading the Vancouver Sun's outstanding six part series Faces of Autism by columnist Pete McMartin with photos by Glenn Baglo.

Faces of Autism provides gritty, coverage of persons with autism, their life prospects and the impact that autism has on many families. The photos by Glenn Baglo are an honest portrayal of autism, particularly those of autistic 14-year-old Kristi Jansen who swings from crying to laughing to screaming in a matter of seconds. Kristi lived at home at the time of the series publication in April 2007. "Her body, home and family members -- especially her mother -- bear the scars of her violent outbursts that have only been calmed through years of expensive therapy."

Glenn Baglo's pictures of Kristi are very moving and strike a realistic chord for me as the father of a severely autistic 12 year old. She is shown smiling, laughing, crying and screaming. But she is never presented as the only face of autism. Faces of Autism emphasizes the range of autism realities. It is respectful, responsible and well informed coverage of autism and well worthing reading on World Autism Awareness Day - or any day.

autism

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