Grandma Got Ran Over by Black Friday Shoppers

No, the title has never happened to me personally. I just thought it was eerily fitting.

Tomorrow I am taking a friend on a casual date. A trip to the mall, maybe lunch afterwards, time (and boredom) permitting. It's nice to know there are girls out there who share my view of the craziness that sometimes happens. And crazy is something there's not a shortage of.

Black Friday has been around now for ages. But for the first time, it's getting a massive amount of attention. Whether it be South Park's three part trilogy, or a shorter shopping season for Christmas (all I need this year is my family home), America has gone berzerk. HINT: you could have started shopping weeks ago!

And here are some of the stories: a stun gun attack at a Philadelphia mall, a brawl breaking out at the Danbury Fair Mall (a mall I braved many Christmas shopping seasons with my folks when I was a little squirt), Walmart protestors (but then again, most retailers have a rough history with their employees). And there's a site that details all this: Black Friday Death Count. Five by their records, and who knows if that count will increase.

I know this, says my sick and twisted side: I'm going to sit back and enjoy the free entertainment of people fighting over commercialism! There's a war on Christmas, and it's being fought in our nation's malls.

Autistic militarism: turns out I'm not alone in believing in such a thing

I've argued that some on the autism spectrum are so extreme in their views that they would rather live on a different planet (how the Wrong Planet website got it's name). Although I have far from a problem with the autism pride movement (same goes for any pride movement that doesn't hurt anyone or any group, which includes deaf and LGBT pride movements), there are some in the autism community who I have encountered over the years whose views on autism are on the verge of arrogance, both from a neurotypical (NT) and self-autism standpoint. I think there are more than three types of paths one on the spectrum/an individual personally affected by autism. I see myself as an autistic moderate, mostly because I have both NT and autistic traits. Although this blogger in this post is more arguing autistic cohesion (like I support myself) he more argues the view that many have, that autistics are serial killers and psychopaths. I guess the problem is I agree with this individual more than disagree, even though his blog is just creepy.

But it's true: there are plenty of autistics that are more militant in their view on autism: that all NTs are wrong and that's the end of it. However, as of recent, the autistic militants have gained validity in their views. When John Elder Robison resigned his advisory post with Autism Speaks, it was a sign that even for those on the spectrum willing to work with Autism Speaks, the organization had jumped the shark. But I also view Autism Speaks as more of a group that focuses on those on the spectrum with larger challenges than my own. The sad thing: Autism Speaks spends almost none of its money on these individuals. And there are plenty of people who believe that Autism Speaks has misused their funding: news stories included, heck this one made it look like Autism Speaks is the Mafia! NOTE: I will update this entry if I can find something specific on how much of their funding goes, as this article just ain't cutting it.

My experiences with the organization have went like this: pushy, cold and believing that autistics don't want to include neurotypicals in their endeavors. When I tried bringing Autism Speaks U to SUNY Potsdam, I felt like I was trying to reason with Goliath. Looking back, had Autism Speaks U come to Potsdam, our required SGA group constitution would have come into direct conflict with what Autism Speaks requires of its collegiate outreach groups. Looking back, me and my friends dodged a bullet.

Funny I should say this: I wrote to Autism Speaks earlier this year. Several months later, I have yet to get a reply.

Does autistic militarism exist? Seeing things now, yes. Sure, I will see a problem with autistics trying to corner themselves off from the rest of the world, but with the way things are, I can see why they would want to. And the world for autistics is changing, and now we need to hold Autism Speaks accountable for any of their misleading actions.

But then again, I don't tend to be the average autistic individual.

My AQ score is 36 on Simon Baron-Cohen's scale, and according to the group at the Aspie-Quiz website, my Aspie score is 119 out of 200 and my NT score is 113 out of 200. So I am one of those fringe Aspies, I guess.

*I might not have made my post on autistic militarism public, but this one comes close.

Autism Speaks Just Jumped the Shark

...and pretty much told most of the autism community to take a hike!

I've made no secret of my issues with the organization, which have included launching an Autism Speaks U chapter at SUNY Potsdam that I now thank God that it never really got off the ground.

This past week, Autism Speaks finally jumped the shark. Suzanne Wright posted a note on the Autism Speaks website about their autism action summit, and put it in harsh words, like "We will demand a national response" and "These families are not living" and, quoting both the not and a Fortune article, our families are living "… moment-to-moment. In anticipation of the child’s next move. In despair. In fear of the future." And it's true. I believe that Autism Speaks has a bias slant towards non-verbal autistics and their families, the stereotypical "hand flappers". Autism Speaks ignores the fact that individuals on the spectrum make HUGE contributions to their communities. Chris Tuttle is a perfect example of one of these individuals, although how severe his Asperger's is I'm wondering, but I don't know him, so I can't tell, but if people are in an uproar that a customer insulted a really nice person for being a little slow, well, he has a great group of supporters. It's people like Chris who help make up the fabric of our society.

How bad were things? John Elder Robison, one of my heroes, decided that it was time for him to leave his advisory position. He's a true role model, not Bob and Suzanne Wright. So does this mean I can't go on MSNBC now? (Bob Wright was the head of NBC Universal for a while). Robsion has made his move (which I agree was a good one), so I expect our good friend Alexis of Cut Bank (Wineman) to make the same move and speak out on the harsh words said by Suzanne Wright. Some of us might not be able to speak and others not able to speak much, but we can hear every single word you have to say (and I had to restrain myself from using the f-word in that sentence). Autism for me has not been complete misery, just a significant inconvenience. (Also, I really need to learn to spell "inconvenience" without spell check, I really do!). Being on the spectrum has instead given me a drive to show the world that there's not much we can't do. If Autism Speaks was trying to make progress, they went back not several steps, but several miles. The people who lead Autism Speaks truly have their head in the clouds.

And how about this one: "This is a national emergency. We need a national autism plan – NOW". Relax Mrs. Wright! It's not an emergency. People dying mysteriously, now that's an emergency. With any disorder, I take one day at a time, even if I don't take my overall life one day at a time. I find it easier to take one day at a time when I don't have a job. And just like what John said, I embrace the gifts I have with autism: a gift for politics and my ability to solve political issues (well, need to put that into practice!) through compromise and careful analysis. Let's help everyone on the spectrum, and not judge someone who might be on the spectrum just because they might not appear to be. They might be fighting a tougher battle than you are. And that's another thing: autism comes in all shapes and sizes.

And Autism Speaks has given voice to people whose positions can be seriously questioned, the best example being Jenny McCarthy. There's going to be a good chance that a serious epidemic will be the result of a few parents watching her on television discuss how autism is caused primarily by vaccines.

And finally, also recently, with my own bout of stomach issues, I wonder if I might have fallen susceptible to the stomach issues that us on the autism spectrum deal with day in and day out. But a connection with anxiety? My ears are open.

I'm going to partly quote Karl Marx's famous "Workers of the world, unite!" slogan with my own: AUTISTICS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!! And let us stay classy while uniting! :P

UPDATE: January 15, 2014: 

Yet, we seem to have forgotten our children - and our children are our future.
Each day across this country, those three million moms, dads and other care-takers I mentioned wake to the sounds of their son or daughter bounding through the house.  That is - if they aren’t already awake. Truth be told, many of them barely sleep—or when they do – they somehow sleep with one ear towards their child’s room—always waiting. Wondering what they will get into next. Will they try to escape? Hurt themselves? Strip off their clothes?  Climb the furniture? Raid the refrigerator?  Sometimes – the silence is worse.
These families are not living.
They are existing. Breathing – yes.  Eating – yes. Sleeping- maybe.  Working- most definitely - 24/7.

When I read the thing closer, I realized how much more nauseating the op-ed was. Of course, this IS MY OWN OPINION, and I stress this. So apparently us autistics stress out marriages and make families not thrive? I call malarkey. My mom, stepdad and other relatives have enjoyed seeing me blossom into the person I am today. Yes, I had my share of meltdowns. But the quality of life improves, at least it has for me. (The same can't be said about my dating life and relationships!)

Sasha's Commentary for November 14, 2013

As I argued last night in a Facebook post (which I'll later regret), the nation's anti-union mentality has gotten to the point where our nation's well-being is at stake. Even after-school activities are only exacerbating the problem. I'm glad there are groups that fund after school activities in lower income areas, as these groups are crucial in helping youths avoid making bad decisions that might cause their futures to turn sour. But in general, being a youth in today's generation is as hard as anything. I'll agree that being a youth has always been a financial nightmare, but I've heard horror stories about friends having to move out of the area to find work. I don't have money up front to do such an endeavor. I'll still argue that something needs to be done with corporate pay and wealth inequality before more people lose their jobs. For instance, Heinz is closing a plant in Canada. We need processing and manufacturing jobs in the Western Hemisphere. 740 jobs is a lot.

I must say, Janet Yellen's move to be the Fed Chair might be good. Although inflation should ALWAYS be a concern, I learned in macroeconomics that it's good to have low interest rates when the economy is good and higher interest rates when the economy is on full cylinders. Her view has been full employment is more important than inflation. Even if it does take ten years for the economy to continue to recover, it might be worth it if financial regulations can return AND job growth is slow and steady. No more financial roller coasters. But as I've said earlier, I'd rather have Paul Krugman or Robert Reich serve as Fed Chair. Or even head of the Treasury.

Part of the bigger problem (and I think this is a global issue) is that population growth is outpacing job growth. No one needs to have a thousand kids (why I'm no fan of the Duggar's) and to parents out there who are begging their kids, who don't want to have kids, have kids of their own? Don't nag. Your childless children are doing the world a small favor, as extreme as that sounds. My argument is like a few others: more people are scrambling after fewer jobs.

Mother's right: the soft sciences are still important. Good science also involves a little bit of good writing. Even the late Steve Jobs got it:

Focusing our educational resources toward any one endeavor in narrow isolation creates a destructive imbalance. We must correct this imbalance now, before it is too late.
This, then, is a critical "teachable moment" and we as a society must embrace it. We must enthusiastically support and fund the study of the arts and humanities as the building blocks of a successful global future. And for everyone concerned with how this translates into a sound economy and a sound financial future, simply recall what Steve Jobs told graduates of Stanford University in 2005: One of the most influential experiences in his brief time at Reed College was his exposure to the fine art of calligraphy. It taught him the important lesson of the relationship between discipline and creativity.

If it weren't for that calligraphy class we wouldn't have clean computer interfaces like we do today. And when "The National Assessment of Educational Progress test shows that less than a quarter of eighth- and 12th-grade U.S. students are proficient in reading, writing and civics", I am concerned. Civics are important, as we need an electorate that is at least well-informed and making sound judgements at the polls.

And it is indeed worrisome that our nation's union membership is declining. Unions are why we have a forty-hour work week, that holiday that marks the end of the summer season, safer work environments. I still believe substitutes aren't quite cutting it. I do applaud companies that do treat their employees fairly, like Starbucks or even Southwest Airlines. Blame this nation's fear of socialism? Yeap.

Stupid question on this one, but is this contraption homebirth friendly? The Odón device seems cool, but will it do more damage, like cut off air to a newborn taking his/her first breath? At least they've done safety tests, and everything checks out. Here's another tip: if it's safe enough to, have a child at home, if you can.

I don't think it's a bad thing for twenty-somethings to get married. I'm even more glad that there are good reasons to get married in your mid-twenties.

Speaking of the twenty-something, some of the recommendations in this article I should really take up. I'm going through a quarter life crisis, no doubt about it. Number 8 is a big one for me: "Approaching your life from a “one day at a time” perspective will keep your sails blowing longer than if you’re fretting about what you’ll be doing five years from now."

While I'm at it, I should bring fresh blood to Sullivan County, as it turn it into another Ulster County. What does Ulster County have that Sullivan doesn't? And if that doesn't work, there's always either Columbia County or somewhere else near Albany!

Note to self: take personality test.

And on a funnier note: Chuck Lorre is hilarious!

And as a reminder

These blog entries are my opinions only and not the opinion of any employers are are more commentary than anything else. If anyone who views this blog takes offense to something not only will I remove what is offensive but clarify why I wrote what I did and why I took an particular opinion on a given issue.

Sasha's Commentary for November 12, 2013, Part II: Still Need A Life

...brought to you by Dr. Steven Brule's trigger happy replacement. If you haven't seen Brule's Rules, I suggest you do so. John C. Reilly is a character. Just a character.

Google has been building mystery barges for the longest time (the last few months). Turns out they are going to be mobile interactive learning spaces, although they seem more like interactive learning centers.

When 49% of Texan GOP voters think that Senator John Cornyn isn't conservative enough, something isn't quite right. Here's an idea: elect Wendy Davis and improve schools in Texas. Nonetheless, the Texas GOP, which seems to be steering the national party, is scary.

While we're on the Google topic, they might track your moves, but they want to be the only ones tracking your moves. Thanks Google, now I'm not so scared of you. But seriously, it's nice to see the company screw over the NSA. And it appears that the feds have been hacking Google, but why it's low-key is beyond me. The NSA has been recording Google's data movements between servers, and now the company is encrypting the transmitted data to prevent eavesdropping. I thought they already did that.

As my current crush (and future girlfriend, as it's going in that direction) has a couple of weird pets at home, the words "this article is enlightening" pretty much applies. This one is funny: "Cats are literally trained to shit in the house and live 20 years. I’ll pass." Nope, I'll take it!

Poor Jeff Wagner. He didn't get elected. On the upswing, 35 candidates? Neato! And to make it better??

Rybak’s decision, along with the city’s paltry $20 filing fee, led to a massive ballot of 35 candidates, many of them gadflies. Voters were confounded further by the first real test of ranked choice voting, which eliminated the traditional primary that would have thinned the field.

Minneapolis, thanks for being a national guinea pig!

I have condolences to the family of the state police offer who was killed while a truck driver was browsing the internet while driving. Truck drivers should know better. Also, this same guy was apparently masturbating at the same time. Can't find proof of that now.

I question Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's anti-high speed rail policies when the state desperately needs the new Talgo equipment. Want more Hiawatha frequencies? Can't do it, as there's a lack of equipment. And Madison needs rail service BEFORE the thought of high speed rail even happens.

President Obama, I'm with your most recent Democratic predecessor on your healthcare law. Something needs to be done. Delay something, extend the enrollment period!

Working conditions in China are beyond deplorable, thus why I'm proud to build my own computers out of, sadly, Chinese-made parts. My flash drive surprisingly was assembled in the States. So where are all these manufacturing jobs? Something's a concern when our household goods are being assembled by slave labor. I'd rather pay more and know that an American is assembling that thing, because in the end, that manufacturing job might be mine.

Something about the hookup culture actually makes me a little uncomfortable. Then again, sex in general makes me slightly nervous. Actually, how do you get to a point where you can sleep with anyone? Are there levels of social ability? Well, it's nice to know that casual sex is terrible for trying to achieve an orgasm. In my view, sex is supposed to be an emotional tie.

Anyone remember this woman? (Link is from Current's version of Countdown with Keith Olbermann when he did a quick segment on the crazy lady).

And this is why I need a life: I spend too much time blogging.

Sasha's Commentary for November 12, 2013: Need A Job and a Life

These blog entries are perfect reason why I need a life. I will work for food and money to pay off my college loan!

"Driving may damage your ovaries." Why I don't plan to visit Saudi Arabia anytime soon. There are women truck drivers in the United States, and I've had a few women who were my school bus drivers. Also, women have been known to be safer drivers.

As of recent, many governors are not living in their state-owned homes is becoming a common trend. And it's entirely understandable. You don't own the house, in fact, nothing in the house is yours. California went as far as selling its governor's mansion in the 1970s. At least New York's current governor takes fair advantage of the home.

Thank God I didn't go to college in Alabama. I've made no secret of my dislike for Greek life. It's too elitist. And it seems in Alabama nearly 1/6th of the University of Alabama's student body is a member of one. Let's keep in mind that Alabama tragically was where Natalie Holloway was from.

A study conducted last academic year by Phired Up Productions, a fraternity and sorority consulting company based in Carmel, Ind., ranked Alabama's Greek system as the nation's largest by membership. This year, the campus has more than 7,200 fraternity brothers and sorority sisters.

That's a lot of Greek if you ask me. Spending $200 million on Greek house improvements? Well the upswing is that the construction industry does well.

Although this article is a little old, it does show how in some states being a governor is a path to a decent paycheck. Heck, being in Congress pays more. The problem? I think our governors are more important than our Congress. Our governors are state presidents, state executives.

Modesty and beauty pageants don't usually mix, but for the girls who pull it off, hats off to them.

Cuomo has one bill to sign to help out the transit systems in upstate New York. And upstate voters would be indebted to him, at least the ones in the metro areas.

Co-sleeping. Isn't that what Mayim Bialik invented? Just joking, she's an advocate of attached parenting, but co-sleeping falls into that same category. If you're going to co-sleep, be smart about it. And there are some who are just understandably against the practice. And kids need to know that there's no such things as underbed monsters.

Virginia Tech is working on designing new Amtrak stations. As long as they don't look like total crap, that's what matters. Or like the bus station in Monticello.

There are, according to this article, thirty-five things that every couple needs to agree with before getting married. I'll need to run this by my mom. For me, cold pizza is a must, although rare with me. Mayo is the way to go, along with the train.