Re: On the demise of the Schafer Autism Report

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much, Lenny, for giving this another try. I will most

definately be one to subscribe with a paid subscription as will my

sister-in-law. She has no children with autism but has subscribed to your

news letters because of my Tyler. She has read so much on autism since he

was diagnosed that I think she knows as much as I do. Hence the reason

that if anything should happen to us my children will go to her and my

brother.

But anyway, I am not here to tell my life story. I just want to encourage

you to keep doing what you are doing. You truly have made a difference in

all of our lives and I just want to Thank You for that. I also want to thank

all of those that have offered to help you. They deserve a big round of

applause.

On the demise of the Schafer Autism Report

This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:

Debi

Maurine

A

Vicky

Alice

Rmoffi

H.H. Fudenberg

gerinowak

randy

Deborah

redhead60707

Sandy

Becky

hostler

Holly

nevergiveup883

mmoyer

sarah

Carolyn

Jeff

Dear Friends and listers,

It took me a few days to let some of the " dust " settle from my

hello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give a

response. It is hard to express how touching your comments of support

and appreciation are. The encouragement I received from those on this

list, and from my readers, is compelling.

In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if I

cannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. So

nothing is going to stop right now.

My comments were unplanned. I was going through the archives and

realized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up in

April. I started out making a light statement, with the inclusion of

something interesting reported in the early editions. But as I

started writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic.

Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments.

I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had been

accomplished. Many children and families had benefited from the SAR

effort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.

Some might not realize that the Schafer Autism Report is more than a

news and information source. The 20,000 readership has been a

backbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizations

have been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers in

states where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes out

regularly from the newsletter in support of those efforts. Many of

the groups organized are newly formed in their respective states and

do not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. The

newsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, gives

those activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise would

have taken months or years to build.

A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generate

a support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would have

taken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readers

base from which to organize.

Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to the

world of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and content

of the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators and

bureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raff

mindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some organizations

claim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the Schafer

Autism Report that has defined our community by accurately showing who

we are - our compassion for our children and for the truth, our

determination and our intelligence - day in, and day out, for ten years.

That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles like

the Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset where

information and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined and

constructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet can

bring, this environment was and is, the result of no small effort.

From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parents

into support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting place

where advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other's

knowledge and strengths.

Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a raw

feed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I just

described.

My thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.

And that's when I realized things needed to change - and I gave

myself a year to do it.

The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging.

Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to pay

for their subscriptions. My concern over this is that it is most

important that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possible

in order to support our grass roots organizing needed to sustain our

political successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leave

out those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.

I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work -

I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have a

two-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In other

words, paying for a subscription would be optional.

So this is what we're going to try first. Ed Arranga of Autism One

has agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-host

has agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. Vicky

Debold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paid

subscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,

offered to help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autism

offered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you make

a difference.

Notices will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set up

and we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There are

still other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.

Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantly

surprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. It

helps to better know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,

by their curious silence.)

Lenny

[Guest guest]

Hey Lenny,

Thank you for keeping your options open. I cannot imagine not having the

Schafer Autism Report and I am

not surprised that so many of your fans feel the same way.

I will be subscribing and will encourage everyone to

support the irreplaceable service you have been providing our community for

10 years.

I am not only looking forward to the continuation of the articles, but also

the wit and observations of our host.

Bobbie

On the demise of the Schafer Autism Report

This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:

Debi

Maurine

A

Vicky

Alice

Rmoffi

H.H. Fudenberg

gerinowak

randy

Deborah

redhead60707

Sandy

Becky

hostler

Holly

nevergiveup883

mmoyer

sarah

Carolyn

Jeff

Dear Friends and listers,

It took me a few days to let some of the " dust " settle from my

hello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give a

response. It is hard to express how touching your comments of support

and appreciation are. The encouragement I received from those on this

list, and from my readers, is compelling.

In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if I

cannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. So

nothing is going to stop right now.

My comments were unplanned. I was going through the archives and

realized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up in

April. I started out making a light statement, with the inclusion of

something interesting reported in the early editions. But as I

started writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic.

Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments.

I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had been

accomplished. Many children and families had benefited from the SAR

effort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.

Some might not realize that the Schafer Autism Report is more than a

news and information source. The 20,000 readership has been a

backbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizations

have been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers in

states where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes out

regularly from the newsletter in support of those efforts. Many of

the groups organized are newly formed in their respective states and

do not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. The

newsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, gives

those activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise would

have taken months or years to build.

A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generate

a support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would have

taken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readers

base from which to organize.

Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to the

world of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and content

of the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators and

bureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raff

mindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some organizations

claim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the Schafer

Autism Report that has defined our community by accurately showing who

we are - our compassion for our children and for the truth, our

determination and our intelligence - day in, and day out, for ten years.

That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles like

the Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset where

information and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined and

constructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet can

bring, this environment was and is, the result of no small effort.

From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parents

into support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting place

where advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other's

knowledge and strengths.

Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a raw

feed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I just

described.

My thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.

And that's when I realized things needed to change - and I gave

myself a year to do it.

The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging.

Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to pay

for their subscriptions. My concern over this is that it is most

important that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possible

in order to support our grass roots organizing needed to sustain our

political successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leave

out those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.

I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work -

I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have a

two-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In other

words, paying for a subscription would be optional.

So this is what we're going to try first. Ed Arranga of Autism One

has agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-host

has agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. Vicky

Debold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paid

subscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,

offered to help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autism

offered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you make

a difference.

Notices will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set up

and we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There are

still other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.

Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantly

surprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. It

helps to better know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,

by their curious silence.)

Lenny

[Guest guest]

DITTO.

[Guest guest]

You can count me in on the subscription side, Lenny. Your help in getting things moving here in Ohio has been invaluable. Janeschaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to: DebiMaurine AVickyAlice RmoffiH.H. FudenberggerinowakrandyDeborahredhead60707SandyBeckyhostler Hollynevergiveup883 mmoyersarahCarolynJeffDear Friends and listers,It took me a few days to let some of the "dust" settle from myhello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give aresponse. It is hard to express how touching your comments of supportand appreciation

are. The encouragement I received from those on thislist, and from my readers, is compelling. In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if Icannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. Sonothing is going to stop right now.My comments were unplanned. I was going through the archives andrealized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up inApril. I started out making a light statement, with the inclusion ofsomething interesting reported in the early editions. But as Istarted writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic. Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments. I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had beenaccomplished. Many children and families had benefited from the SAReffort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.Some might not realize that the

Schafer Autism Report is more than anews and information source. The 20,000 readership has been abackbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizationshave been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers instates where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes outregularly from the newsletter in support of those efforts. Many ofthe groups organized are newly formed in their respective states anddo not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. Thenewsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, givesthose activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise wouldhave taken months or years to build. A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generatea support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would havetaken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readersbase from which to

organize. Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to theworld of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and contentof the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators andbureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raffmindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some organizationsclaim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the SchaferAutism Report that has defined our community by accurately showing whowe are – our compassion for our children and for the truth, ourdetermination and our intelligence – day in, and day out, for ten years.That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles likethe Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset whereinformation and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined andconstructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet canbring, this

environment was and is, the result of no small effort. From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parentsinto support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting placewhere advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other'sknowledge and strengths.Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a rawfeed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I justdescribed.My thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.And that's when I realized things needed to change – and I gavemyself a year to do it.The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging. Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to payfor their subscriptions. My concern over this is that it is mostimportant that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possiblein order to support our grass roots organizing

needed to sustain ourpolitical successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leaveout those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work –I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have atwo-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In otherwords, paying for a subscription would be optional. So this is what we're going to try first. Ed Arranga of Autism Onehas agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-hosthas agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. VickyDebold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paidsubscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,offered to help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autismoffered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you makea difference. Notices

will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set upand we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There arestill other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantlysurprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. Ithelps to better know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,by their curious silence.)Lenny

Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

[Guest guest]

Lenny, I am what I fondly call a "lurker", I always read, and learn, but rarely say much. That does not mean that I don't support you, or that I wouldn't be more than happy to pay what I could toward a subscription. It simply means that as a military mom of 5 with 2 jobs as well as homeschooling that a moment to myself is RARE indeed. With the constant military moves, we get swamped as well. Please don't mistake silence for a lack of support, just take a moment to realize that silence can also be a heart that is just simply too busy most days to have time to take time for her/himself. I for one have a heart that aches constantly for my son Zachary. He is 16 struggles daily with simple things that the majority of the human race takes for granted. We are thrilled that he can read at a 5-6 year level now, and my 4 other children are a part of that. They give up time out of their day to read with him, and my 2 year old helps by cuddling up with him to

"read" her books, which in turn helps to build his self confidence. I truly wish that I could turn back that clock of time and take away his immunizations, for I am certain that the 5 MMR shots he had as a result of the military requirements were a major cause of his illness. My 2 year has never had a shot in her life, and if I can help, never will. It has been interesting to observe that she is so much more advanced than the other kids her age.....hmm...anyway, I am sorry that I don't speak out more, but please realize that time is short here, but I am a huge supporter of your report. JC and gangschaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to: DebiMaurine AVickyAlice RmoffiH.H.

FudenberggerinowakrandyDeborahredhead60707SandyBeckyhostler Hollynevergiveup883 mmoyersarahCarolynJeffDear Friends and listers,It took me a few days to let some of the "dust" settle from myhello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give aresponse. It is hard to express how touching your comments of supportand appreciation are. The encouragement I received from those on thislist, and from my readers, is compelling. In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if Icannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. Sonothing is going to stop right now.My comments were unplanned. I was going through the archives andrealized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up inApril. I started out making a

light statement, with the inclusion ofsomething interesting reported in the early editions. But as Istarted writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic. Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments. I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had beenaccomplished. Many children and families had benefited from the SAReffort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.Some might not realize that the Schafer Autism Report is more than anews and information source. The 20,000 readership has been abackbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizationshave been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers instates where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes outregularly from the newsletter in support of those efforts. Many ofthe groups organized are newly formed in their respective states anddo

not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. Thenewsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, givesthose activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise wouldhave taken months or years to build. A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generatea support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would havetaken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readersbase from which to organize. Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to theworld of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and contentof the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators andbureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raffmindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some organizationsclaim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the SchaferAutism Report that has

defined our community by accurately showing whowe are – our compassion for our children and for the truth, ourdetermination and our intelligence – day in, and day out, for ten years.That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles likethe Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset whereinformation and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined andconstructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet canbring, this environment was and is, the result of no small effort. From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parentsinto support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting placewhere advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other'sknowledge and strengths.Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a rawfeed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I justdescribed.My

thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.And that's when I realized things needed to change – and I gavemyself a year to do it.The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging. Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to payfor their subscriptions. My concern over this is that it is mostimportant that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possiblein order to support our grass roots organizing needed to sustain ourpolitical successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leaveout those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work –I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have atwo-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In otherwords, paying for a subscription would be optional. So this is what we're going to try

first. Ed Arranga of Autism Onehas agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-hosthas agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. VickyDebold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paidsubscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,offered to help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autismoffered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you makea difference. Notices will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set upand we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There arestill other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantlysurprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. Ithelps to better know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,by their curious

silence.)Lenny

Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

[Guest guest]

Lenny,

Great news Lenny! How nice for all of us and for you, to feel that

support.

/redhead

>

>

[Guest guest]

I will subscribe too. Verabobbie manning <bmanning83@...> wrote: Hey Lenny,Thank you for keeping your options open. I cannot imagine not having the Schafer Autism Report and I amnot surprised that so many of your fans feel the same way.I will be subscribing and will encourage everyone tosupport the irreplaceable service you have been providing our community for 10 years.I am not only looking forward to the continuation of the articles, but also the wit and observations of our host.Bobbie On the demise of the Schafer Autism ReportThis note

goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:DebiMaurine AVickyAliceRmoffiH.H. FudenberggerinowakrandyDeborahredhead60707SandyBeckyhostlerHollynevergiveup883mmoyersarahCarolynJeffDear Friends and listers,It took me a few days to let some of the "dust" settle from myhello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give aresponse. It is hard to express how touching your comments of supportand appreciation are. The encouragement I received from those on thislist, and from my readers, is compelling.In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if Icannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. Sonothing is going to stop right now.My comments were unplanned. I was going through the

archives andrealized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up inApril. I started out making a light statement, with the inclusion ofsomething interesting reported in the early editions. But as Istarted writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic.Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments.I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had beenaccomplished. Many children and families had benefited from the SAReffort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.Some might not realize that the Schafer Autism Report is more than anews and information source. The 20,000 readership has been abackbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizationshave been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers instates where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes outregularly from the newsletter in support

of those efforts. Many ofthe groups organized are newly formed in their respective states anddo not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. Thenewsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, givesthose activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise wouldhave taken months or years to build.A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generatea support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would havetaken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readersbase from which to organize.Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to theworld of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and contentof the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators andbureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raffmindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some

organizationsclaim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the SchaferAutism Report that has defined our community by accurately showing whowe are - our compassion for our children and for the truth, ourdetermination and our intelligence - day in, and day out, for ten years.That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles likethe Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset whereinformation and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined andconstructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet canbring, this environment was and is, the result of no small effort.From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parentsinto support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting placewhere advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other'sknowledge and strengths.Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a

rawfeed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I justdescribed.My thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.And that's when I realized things needed to change - and I gavemyself a year to do it.The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging.Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to payfor their subscriptions. My concern over this is that it is mostimportant that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possiblein order to support our grass roots organizing needed to sustain ourpolitical successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leaveout those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work -I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have atwo-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In

otherwords, paying for a subscription would be optional.So this is what we're going to try first. Ed Arranga of Autism Onehas agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-hosthas agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. VickyDebold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paidsubscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,offered to help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autismoffered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you makea difference.Notices will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set upand we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There arestill other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantlysurprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. Ithelps to better

know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,by their curious silence.)Lenny

[Guest guest]

Lenny,

You can count on us to do our part. One of the things that DH and I

value about your newsletter is your editorial voice. One that is

untainted by corporate interests, unlike our government, media, and

professional medical societies. It is very important to us that the

SAR retain its commercial-free bias.

I am concerned that perhaps a large portion of your subscribers are

corporate spies, who will, of course, never send in a dime. There are

many paid professionals whose full-time jobs are to hide the truth and

attack us parents. Let's hope they are a tiny portion of your

subscribers.

[Guest guest]

Lenny - we've been on vacation - sign me up on your 'subscriber' list.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

GREAT! Just pls let us know as soon as the subscription payment is

ready to be collected. I'm serious when I say you've been invaluable

to the autism community and many of us are ready to step up for you. I

would love to see us be able to support your family, you've helped us,

we need to help you.

Debi

[Guest guest]

Hi JC,

Thanks for delurking to offer your support. My comment about knowing

who my friends aren't, was refering to organizations and not to

individuals. The optional pay for subscription choice allows for those

who, for whatever reasons, cannot pay.

I do imagine that there are quite a few families such as yours who

took precautions with their subsequent children, potentially saving

them from the ravages of mercury -- many families who would otherwise

not know about it had it not been for the Schafer Autism Report. How

much more would it have costs those families had their subsequent

children become autistic? How much less of a chance would the first

child had to recover had parental energies and resources been divided

over one or more injured siblings?

The Schafer Autism Report didn't need a $35 million machine or a $300

million dollar public grant to have found, from the efforts of other

parents, a cause and treatments for autism. It took only a few dollars

squeezed from the disability pension of my autistic son. Money comes

from the good labor and productivity of those who live on this planet.

However, love is the the higher octane fuel of God that can create

miracles on a shoestring. Mostly the SAR runs on love, the same love

that brings us here together on this list.

It is not only the SAR that deserves our support, but also does the

National Autism Association and SafeMinds and A-CHAMP and many others

who are being effective in advocacting for our children in their

respective efforts. Nobody need bleed themselves dry; give where you

can, what you can -- not just your money, but your time and even just

your words of support count, too.

Our community must stop wasting so much time and money researching how

many autism genes fit on the head of a pin. The SAR gets this word out

to our community on a shoestring- a shoestring, as I mentioned, that

is my son Izak's adoption disability pension. It will soon run out and

he will no longer be able to support the SAR. Look what the pin money

from one autistic child can accomplish. It is good to see so many

stepping in to ante-up for the future of our children. Thank you, all

of you who have offered support both in pledges and in words. And

most of all, thank you Izak. May you someday come to know what you

have done, God willing.

Lenny

>

> Lenny,

> I am what I fondly call a " lurker " , I always read, and learn, but

rarely say much. That does not mean that I don't support you, or that

-snip-

[Guest guest]

Lenny: Please be sure to include information on how those of us who live outside of the States can subscribe, without using credit cards over the Internet. I have found your newsletter to be very thought-provoking and educational, and would like to see it continue, if at all possible. Aasaschaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to: DebiMaurine AVickyAlice RmoffiH.H. FudenberggerinowakrandyDeborahredhead60707SandyBeckyhostler Hollynevergiveup883 mmoyersarahCarolynJeffDear Friends and listers,It took me a few days to let some of the "dust" settle from

myhello-goodbye announcement to figure out what to do and to give aresponse. It is hard to express how touching your comments of supportand appreciation are. The encouragement I received from those on thislist, and from my readers, is compelling. In my note I did say that it would be my last year of publishing if Icannot get a handle on the costs of producing the newsletter. Sonothing is going to stop right now.My comments were unplanned. I was going through the archives andrealized that the 10 anniversary of the newsletter was coming up inApril. I started out making a light statement, with the inclusion ofsomething interesting reported in the early editions. But as Istarted writing, the words just started pouring out as if automatic. Ten years is a milestone and a time to make assessments. I started out feeling pretty good all-in-all. Much good had beenaccomplished.

Many children and families had benefited from the SAReffort and just as importantly, we are making great political progress.Some might not realize that the Schafer Autism Report is more than anews and information source. The 20,000 readership has been abackbone of the grassroots network A-CHAMP and sister organizationshave been laboring to create. Targeted action alerts to readers instates where parents are pushing for anti-mercury legislation goes outregularly from the newsletter in support of those efforts. Many ofthe groups organized are newly formed in their respective states anddo not have yet their own network in support of their efforts. Thenewsletter, through its targeted emailings to the readership, givesthose activists an instant grass roots network that otherwise wouldhave taken months or years to build. A-CHAMP, through its Capwiz website has been able to quickly generatea

support list of 5,000 members nationally. This too, would havetaken months, of not years to build without the newsletter's readersbase from which to organize. Additionally, the newsletter gives a positive visible image to theworld of the autism community on a daily basis. The tone and contentof the newsletter gives lie to the efforts of the Pharma predators andbureaucrat allies to paint parents as hysterical, litigious riff-raffmindlessly being lead around by greedy lawyers. Some organizationsclaim to speak or be the voice of autism. But it is the SchaferAutism Report that has defined our community by accurately showing whowe are – our compassion for our children and for the truth, ourdetermination and our intelligence – day in, and day out, for ten years.That effort has also lead to the creation of political vehicles likethe Evidence of Harm list. The EOH list has become an asset

whereinformation and ideas can be expressed in a friendly, disciplined andconstructive context. Given the potential chaos that the internet canbring, this environment was and is, the result of no small effort. From this very list is where we recruit some of the activist parentsinto support of our community projects. It is a daily meeting placewhere advocates and individuals can gather and draw from each other'sknowledge and strengths.Anyone can do a google news search on autism and come up with a rawfeed of daily items. But google won't get you any of the above I justdescribed.My thoughts then turned personal, to my son and my goals as a parent.And that's when I realized things needed to change – and I gavemyself a year to do it.The response to my announcement has been strong and encouraging. Many, if not most supporters suggested I start asking readers to payfor their subscriptions.

My concern over this is that it is mostimportant that the newsletter gets as wide a circulation as possiblein order to support our grass roots organizing needed to sustain ourpolitical successes. By charging for subscriptions, it would leaveout those who would not or could not pay and thus reduce circulation.I have come up with a compromise solution which may or may not work –I don't see any other publication doing this. It is to have atwo-track subscription rate, one paid, the other non-paid. In otherwords, paying for a subscription would be optional. So this is what we're going to try first. Ed Arranga of Autism Onehas agreed to help get this set up. King, my EOH list co-hosthas agreed to help on some of the production of the newsletter. VickyDebold of SafeMinds, as you read here, helped beat the bush for paidsubscriptions and donations. Kilpatrick, also of SafeMinds,offered to

help with promotion. Reynolds of Unlocking Autismoffered to help with advertising strategies. I love you all, you makea difference. Notices will go out as soon as the subscription website gets set upand we'll know fairly soon if this is the answer or not. There arestill other options for fundraising to explore before I close shop.Again, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I was pleasantlysurprised by so many who have responded with offers of support. Ithelps to better know who your friends are (and also who they aren't,by their curious silence.)Lenny

[Guest guest]

Is paypal easier for Canadians?

Lenny

> This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:

-snip-

[Guest guest]

Lenny and group,

Soon after our son, , was diagnosed with autism, I began searching the Internet for information and help. I quickly realized there are no road maps to dealing with autism. I told my family we had to figure this out as we went along. I firmly believed that, until I found The Schafer Report.

Your report has become, in ten years, the road map for people struggling through this maze. Sign me up for any subscription service you've got. If you run for dogcatcher in Sacramento, I'll donate. Whatever it takes.

I know a good mapmaker when I read one.

Harry Hofherr

[Guest guest]

Actually I was thinking of sending a sock full of loonies. The

loonies 'cause, well, they're just pretty cool. And the socks make

great puppets. Just don't take them with you to Washington or

[...insert joke here...]

The fact that you're willing to carry on is excellent news and a great

start to the week (just catching up on the theads today).

A huge " thank you " from to Izak for his outstanding

contributions.

-randy

> > This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:

> -snip-

>

[Guest guest]

Lenny: I believe that Paypal still involves the use of a credit card. Is there any way some of us could pay by certified cheque or money order? I don't trust the security of my computer. Aasaschaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: Is paypal easier for Canadians?Lenny>

This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to: -snip-

[Guest guest]

paypal takes checks too. it's the best e-commerce way to pay.

---- Aasa <penas7ar@...> wrote:

> Lenny:

>

> I believe that Paypal still involves the use of a credit card. Is there any

way some of us could pay by certified cheque or money order? I don't trust the

security of my computer.

>

> Aasa

>

> schaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote:

>

> Is paypal easier for Canadians?

>

> Lenny

>

>

> > This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to:

> -snip-

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info...that sounds hopeful. Aasamaximom@... wrote: paypal takes checks too. it's the best e-commerce way to pay.---- Aasa <penas7ar@...> wrote: > Lenny:> > I believe that Paypal still involves the use of a credit card. Is there any way some of us could pay by certified cheque or money order? I don't trust the security of my computer. > > Aasa> > schaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote:> > Is paypal easier for Canadians?> > Lenny> > > > This note goes out to the EOH list and specifically to: > -snip-> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Lenny, I would absolutely want to subscribe I can't imagine not having the Schafer Autism Report, I've learned so much and been kept up to date with your report. I have not posted on this list before but I must tell you that I am constantly in awe of all the wonderful people who are such great advocates for our children. I do what I can writing letters and such and am trying desperately to come to Washington on the 6th.but again I have to say you all are AWESOME!!! and I thank you from the bottom of my heart and most of all my children thank you!! schaferatsprynet <schafer@...> wrote: Hi JC,Thanks for delurking to offer your support. My comment about knowingwho my friends aren't, was refering to

organizations and not toindividuals. The optional pay for subscription choice allows for thosewho, for whatever reasons, cannot pay. I do imagine that there are quite a few families such as yours whotook precautions with their subsequent children, potentially savingthem from the ravages of mercury -- many families who would otherwisenot know about it had it not been for the Schafer Autism Report. Howmuch more would it have costs those families had their subsequentchildren become autistic? How much less of a chance would the firstchild had to recover had parental energies and resources been dividedover one or more injured siblings?The Schafer Autism Report didn't need a $35 million machine or a $300million dollar public grant to have found, from the efforts of otherparents, a cause and treatments for autism. It took only a few dollarssqueezed from the disability pension of my autistic son. Money comesfrom

the good labor and productivity of those who live on this planet.However, love is the the higher octane fuel of God that can createmiracles on a shoestring. Mostly the SAR runs on love, the same lovethat brings us here together on this list.It is not only the SAR that deserves our support, but also does theNational Autism Association and SafeMinds and A-CHAMP and many otherswho are being effective in advocacting for our children in theirrespective efforts. Nobody need bleed themselves dry; give where youcan, what you can -- not just your money, but your time and even justyour words of support count, too. Our community must stop wasting so much time and money researching howmany autism genes fit on the head of a pin. The SAR gets this word outto our community on a shoestring- a shoestring, as I mentioned, thatis my son Izak's adoption disability pension. It will soon run out andhe will no longer be able to support

the SAR. Look what the pin moneyfrom one autistic child can accomplish. It is good to see so manystepping in to ante-up for the future of our children. Thank you, allof you who have offered support both in pledges and in words. Andmost of all, thank you Izak. May you someday come to know what youhave done, God willing.Lenny >> Lenny,> I am what I fondly call a "lurker", I always read, and learn, butrarely say much. That does not mean that I don't support you, or that-snip-

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