AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

[Guest guest]

NAAR needs to have their funding cut off completely.

[ ] AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy Shih,

Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for Autism

Research (NAAR).

Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

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

[Guest guest]

Well I disagree. Listen to Dr. Shih, you may change your mind. I know

that many parents are unhappy with NAAR because of their lack of

biomedical research, but we asked him about it in the podcast.

Go listen.

> NAAR needs to have their funding cut off completely.

> [ ] AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

>

>

> Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy Shih,

> Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for Autism

> Research (NAAR).

>

> Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

> funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

> mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

>

>

>

>

> =======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy Shih,

Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for Autism

Research (NAAR).

Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

[Guest guest]

Not a chance.

[ ] AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

>

>

> Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy Shih,

> Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for Autism

> Research (NAAR).

>

> Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

> funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

> mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

>

>

>

>

> =======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

What went wrong with the Montel Show? Sounded fine to me.

NAAR's position is indefensible. How can anyone defend injecting a

known potent neurotoxin into children? When I called them 3 years ago

questioning their lack of funding of research regarding thimerosal

and

autism, I was told that no one has ever submitted to NAAR a proposal

for such a study which meets their quality standards. I have a gut

feeling that as long as they accept money from the CDC to run their

organization, no one will ever meet their quality standards.

Charlie

> Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy

Shih,

> Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for

Autism

> Research (NAAR).

>

> Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

> funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

> mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

[Guest guest]

I listened to this entire broadcast hoping to hear something positive.

However it only confirmed my stance on NAAR. I will not be raising

another dime for them.

My efforts will go towards organizations that are are non-biased and

working to do something for my child right " now " not maybe some time in

the future.

[Guest guest]

Always keep your friends close, but your enemies keep closer.

J. Wallace Day

> > Hmm - What went wrong on the Montel show... maybe the truth

snuck

> out...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> And give me a good reason why I want to listen to Andy Shih!

You have to know the arguement in order to argue against it.

If Sallie Bernard has joined recently, I think it merits attention.

Maybe things are changing.

[Guest guest]

Sallie Bernard is with CAN, and has been for several years. Andy Shih

is with NAAR.

> > And give me a good reason why I want to listen to Andy Shih!

>

> You have to know the arguement in order to argue against it.

>

> If Sallie Bernard has joined recently, I think it merits attention.

> Maybe things are changing.

[Guest guest]

I did listen and it just confirmed my stance with NAAR. I am not

raising another dime for them.

> > And give me a good reason why I want to listen to Andy Shih!

>

> You have to know the arguement in order to argue against it.

>

> If Sallie Bernard has joined recently, I think it merits attention.

> Maybe things are changing.

[Guest guest]

Just playing devil's advocate here, because in reality, I do think

that the mercury issue is very plausible (probable)...

Why would you fault the man for doing what he thinks is best. He

said, in the podcast, for you to do what you think is best, as he did.

So why would you fault that?

I think people are kind of hard on NAAR sometimes. They believe what

they believe, I guess. I didn't get the feeling in interviewing Dr.

Shih that they were absolutely 100% against the mercury issue.

And, by the way, before everyone starts going off on AutismLink -- we

are completely unbiased in our interviews. Our personal feelings have

absolutely no bearing on the questions we ask or the guests we have on

the show. In reality, both Jillian Duhl and I believe the mercury theory.

Waeltermann

Director, AutismLink

....who incidentally hasn't vaccinated either of her kids since the

diagnosis.

> > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy

> Shih,

> > Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for

> Autism

> > Research (NAAR).

> >

> > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

> > funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

> > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

>

>

>

>

> =======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

You know you are worse than a " grief counselor " . The only thing that happened on

Montel is a good portion of mainstream America got to eye-witness the type of

closed-minded arrogance we families battle every single day.

God Bless Lyn Redwood for having to go toe to toe with the Andy Shih's of the

world.

Skip the damage control. These charities are do-nothing fronts funded by Pharma

dollars. In exchange the charities provide innocent little children for quacks

like Shih to " practice " on.

Drop the drug money and what are they?

Nothing

[ ] Re: AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

Just playing devil's advocate here, because in reality, I do think

that the mercury issue is very plausible (probable)...

Why would you fault the man for doing what he thinks is best. He

said, in the podcast, for you to do what you think is best, as he did.

So why would you fault that?

I think people are kind of hard on NAAR sometimes. They believe what

they believe, I guess. I didn't get the feeling in interviewing Dr.

Shih that they were absolutely 100% against the mercury issue.

And, by the way, before everyone starts going off on AutismLink -- we

are completely unbiased in our interviews. Our personal feelings have

absolutely no bearing on the questions we ask or the guests we have on

the show. In reality, both Jillian Duhl and I believe the mercury theory.

Waeltermann

Director, AutismLink

...who incidentally hasn't vaccinated either of her kids since the

diagnosis.

> > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy

> Shih,

> > Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for

> Autism

> > Research (NAAR).

> >

> > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching, criteria for

> > funding, biomedical research currently being funded, thimerosal and

> > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

>

>

>

>

> =======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

I've heard there are two side to every argument, but when both sides are emanating from the same mouth...what does that tell you about the character of the person?

RE: Re: AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

I personally think it is good to listen to people who are speaking on behalfof our community. It is hard for me to hear the things he says - but thenext time someone says to me blah blah blah NAAR - I can honestly say - YesI have listened to their spiel and they are wrong and here is why.Jenn -----Original Message-----From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of R.Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 11:07 AMEOHarm Subject: Re: AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAARAnd give me a good reason why I want to listen to Andy Shih!> Hmm - What went wrong on the Montel show... maybe the truth snuckout...

[Guest guest]

> Why would you fault the man for doing what he thinks is best.

Because " what he thinks is best " is dangerous and wrong. Because the

peds who damaged our children were doing what they thought best, and

look at the result.

Nell

[Guest guest]

A little hostile, aren't we? We're not doing " Damage control. " FYI

-- we had one of the best interviews with Kirby (his words) that

he's had yet.

You know nothing about AutismLink. We are trying to be fair,

something that obviously escapes YOU.

> > > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy

> > Shih,

> > > Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for

> > Autism

> > > Research (NAAR).

> > >

> > > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching,

criteria for

> > > funding, biomedical research currently being funded,

thimerosal and

> > > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > =======================================================

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the compliment , we do work hard.

I've been involved with Walk FAR for NAAR in Pittsburgh since the

get-go...six years now. This year we raised over $12K. I wanted to

hear the answers from Dr. Shih because I know that many parents are

disheartened with NAAR's policies. In some cases, I agree, some I

don't. I mean, clearly there's a genetic component to autism, I have

two kids on the spectrum and my husband is definitely somewhere on the

spectrum (I diagnosed him myself..LOL). I guess they have chosen to

put the bulk of their dollars into genetic research in lieu of other

areas because maybe at the moment, to them, it seems like that's the

most plausible thing.

It has taken me a long time to come around to believing the whole

mercury thing. Bells went off at the homeland security act

(something's not right here...hrm...), and then the more I looked into

it the more it seemed so very plausible and true. And all of these

parents CANNOT be wrong. I believe the parents -- we know our kids.

So, in the end, I'm not defending anyone. Just as I wasn't defending

Kirby when we interviewed him. (I got ALOT of flack from some

people over that one too...) It's very simple, you either like what

they said or you didn't. You either give your money, or you don't.

W.

> What bothered me is that with everyone's hard work, hard lives,

slaving away at family and awareness of autism and mercury/thimerosal,

he said he would have no problem giving his 2 month old thimerosal

vaccines. I just don't get it. He could have at least said he was glad

it was being removed. But I guess I, like many others, didn't get it

until it happened to my child.

>

> By the way, I think autismlink is great, have sent it to everyone I

know (who has children with asd)

>

>

[Guest guest]

I caught the last half of the Montel show. I actually thought that Dr. Shih

was absolutely adamant, and repeated several times, that studies don't back

VACCINES causing autism. Lyn Redwood looked exasperated, again stating that it

was the mercury/thimerosol factor, not the vaccine per se, and that she was

for safe vaccines. Dr. Shih just resolutely ignored this distinction, repeating

almost robotically, that there were no studies showing VACCINES caused

autism.

Montel asked Dr. Shih, given the choice between a thimerosol-free

vaccinination, and one with thimerosol, in light of the explosion of autism and

emerging

evidence of toxic harm, would he still feel comfortable with recommending

shots with thimerosol to parents. He said he would.

It was like arguing with the Flat Earth Society, who insist those satellite

pictures mean nothing.

[Guest guest]

IMO, the doctor wasn't convincing espousing his conviction that he

didn't " think " there was a connection between vaccine mercury and

autism.

He very cleverly eluded references to such and droned on and on about

genetics and rigorous scientific procedures, methodologies, as well

as the wonderful support from such " esteemed " institutions as the CDC

& NIH.

The only time he mentioned mercury was in the context

of " environmental factors " ...along with environmental aluminum,

environmental pesticides, etc. in order to introduce as many " red

herrings " as possible and exonerate vaccines.

Seemed to me his double talk was an attempt to examine the minutia of

many " trees " ; ANY agent that could remotely be associated with

neurological injury, in order to obscure the general public's view of

the " forest " ; the mercury poisoned masses.

Ultimately, this does further damage to our children. Precious time

is lost for many children as parents and clinicians have to wade

through " propaganda " .(ie, mercury is good, no evidence of harm from

injecting good mercury, I would happily inject my own child with

mercury, and lastly, government agencies aren't capable of being

influenced by conflicts of interest)

Vaccine injured children would be better served if time, effort, and

financial resources were directed supporting ethical biomedical

treatments and not squandered by countless committees.

> You know you are worse than a " grief counselor " . The only thing

that happened on Montel is a good portion of mainstream America got

to eye-witness the type of closed-minded arrogance we families battle

every single day.

>

> God Bless Lyn Redwood for having to go toe to toe with the Andy

Shih's of the world.

>

> Skip the damage control. These charities are do-nothing fronts

funded by Pharma dollars. In exchange the charities provide innocent

little children for quacks like Shih to " practice " on.

>

> Drop the drug money and what are they?

>

> Nothing

>

[Guest guest]

Not that type at all.

Will you continue to refuse to accept that Dr. Shih intentionally appeared on

Montel intending to be a mouth-piece for pro-mercury, when it mattered most, on

a nationally syndicated TV program?

The man has no credibility. He made unfortunate statement after unfortunate

statement.

If you continue to insist upon it, I should doubt your intentions.

[ ] Re: AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

A little hostile, aren't we? We're not doing " Damage control. " FYI

-- we had one of the best interviews with Kirby (his words) that

he's had yet.

You know nothing about AutismLink. We are trying to be fair,

something that obviously escapes YOU.

> > > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with Dr. Andy

> > Shih,

> > > Director of Research and Programs at the National Alliance for

> > Autism

> > > Research (NAAR).

> > >

> > > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching,

criteria for

> > > funding, biomedical research currently being funded,

thimerosal and

> > > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show, and more!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > =======================================================

> >

[Guest guest]

Yep, I refuse that. I don't think he's a bad guy.

> > > > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > > > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with

Dr. Andy

> > > Shih,

> > > > Director of Research and Programs at the National

Alliance for

> > > Autism

> > > > Research (NAAR).

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching,

> criteria for

> > > > funding, biomedical research currently being funded,

> thimerosal and

> > > > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show,

and more!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > =======================================================

> > >

[Guest guest]

As you please.

[ ] Re: AutismLink Radio -- Dr. Andy Shih of NAAR

Yep, I refuse that. I don't think he's a bad guy.

> > > > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > > > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with

Dr. Andy

> > > Shih,

> > > > Director of Research and Programs at the National

Alliance for

> > > Autism

> > > > Research (NAAR).

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching,

> criteria for

> > > > funding, biomedical research currently being funded,

> thimerosal and

> > > > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show,

and more!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > =======================================================

> > >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/23/2005 3:26:54 PM Central Daylight Time,

cindy@... writes:

If mercury CAUSED autism,

everyone who had a shot with mercury in it would be autistic. That's

not the case.

Some kids, IMHO, are predisposed genetically and immunologically and

that, combined with mercury, made for a deadly mix

So....thimerosol then more likely than not causes autism, in those

genetically susceptible, isn't that what your are saying? And it looks from

the

numbers--1 in 166 kids--that's a pretty sizable population.

Doctors don't have the slightest problem pointing to lead poisoning as the

reason for myriad neurological issues, including significant learning

disabilities--especially when there has been a known exposure (peeling

lead-based

paint). Nor is there any question, when fetal alcohol poisoning is exposed,

knowing that a baby will most likely have many learning and behavioral

issues--hence warnings on every bottle of alcohol for pregnant moms.

But when we are talking mercury--the second most toxic substance known--and

talking about injecting ANY amount, no matter how miniscule, into babies and

toddlers (and we sure as heck aren't talking minuscule), it boggles common

sense that any entity would attempt to minimize the effects and insist it's

okay--and not related to all those autistic diagnoses. The only difference

between the first two examples of lead and alcohol, is that those don't occur

at

the hands of the medical and pharmaceutical establishments.

So you know what--mercury does cause autism, in some kids. It fact, it

causes autism in A LOT.

[Guest guest]

Not everyone is out to get us, you know. I think the guy does what he

thinks is right. Do I think he's some kind of pathological liar in

secret deals with big pharma and government agencies? No. Do I think

NAAR is some fabulous organization beyond reproach? No.

As for my motives, you can think whatever you want. I know that I'm

fair, and so do many others, and that's what matters.

W.

P.S. -- Anybody have any ideas for our next radio show? We asked

Kennedy, but he's too busy. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Doesn't have to be regarding the mercury issue.

> > > > > Tune in to AutismLink Radio's newest podcast at

> > > > > http://www.autismlink.com/radio for our interview with

> Dr. Andy

> > > > Shih,

> > > > > Director of Research and Programs at the National

> Alliance for

> > > > Autism

> > > > > Research (NAAR).

> > > > >

> > > > > Dr. Shih discusses what NAAR is currently researching,

> > criteria for

> > > > > funding, biomedical research currently being funded,

> > thimerosal and

> > > > > mercury, what went wrong on the Montel show,

> and more!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > =======================================================

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Just because a family has more than one child on the spectrum doesn't

mean it must be genetics only. It still could be the vaccines combined

with genetics.

Genetics may play a role in that some children are " genetically " unable

to handle heavy metals like mercury. In the same way as some children

are " genetically " pre-disposed to allergies, asthma etc.

I think it's foolish to waste money trying to figure out what gene is

causing the problem, when the simple solution is to just get rid of the

mercury! Let's try that and in 3-4 years or so we should see if it made

a difference or not. I believe the the health organizations are afraid

to do that, because they are worried that we just may be right.

I didn't do the walk for the first time this year. And I don't plan to

walk in 2006. I would rather my money go towards organizations who are

doing something to help my child now. Or who are more open than NAAR

about studying this issue.

[Guest guest]

Hopefully a lot of these do-nothing charities will get some exposure. Do you

know where the dollars come from?

Do tell.

>As for my motives, you can think whatever you want. I know that I'm

>fair, and so do many others, and that's what matters.

> W.