Does the H1N1 vaccine contain mercury?
September 15th, 2009 By Jenn Savedge In the words of President Obama "don't be alarmed, be prepared" for the swine flu (or, officially, the H1N1 virus). But what if the preparation is more alarming than the flu?

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It turns out, the new H1N1 vaccine (the one that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and even President Obama have been pushing so strongly) contains an ingredient that may have some parents worrying. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been phased out of childhood immunizations since 2001 due to concerns that the preservative MAY be linked to autism. But thimerosal (which is about half-mercury) will be found in most vials of the H1N1 vaccine. However, it may be possible to find doses that are thimerosal-free if you ask for single-dose shots. According to the CDC, "Single-dose syringes will be thimerosal-free, which will address concerns about this additive, especially regarding pediatric and pregnant vaccine recipients (inhaler sprayer vaccine products also will be thimerosal-free)."

The sheer amount of news stories, studies, interviews and papers released on the potential link between childhood vaccines and autism is nothing short of mind-numbing -- as is the amount of finger-pointing, contradictions and paranoia that exists on both sides of the debate. For every study that you find that either proves or disproves the connection between vaccines and autism, you will find a laundry list of concerns regarding the way the studies were set up and who funded them.

http://www.physorg.com/news172252051.html

Fox Host/Guest Dismiss Concerns Flu Vaccines Autism Controversy

Fox News morning host interview of guest discussing the controversy over the swine flu vaccine stated it's unproven there is any relationship between flu vaccines given to children and autism...

The guest didn't challenge and said parents have to weigh the "risks" of a vaccine and the potential benefits of the vaccine.

Host then cited many celebrity parents who warn about dangers of flu vaccines and autism. Are they to be believed, or listened to regarding flu vaccines

Guest replied listen to your doctor not celebrities...

Unfortuately, the pair made it seem as though celebrities who raise concerns about flu vaccines for children are to be taken with a grain of salt, just because they are celebrities.

Last time we checked, celebrities have as many rights as anyone else and in particular have the right to want all of the facts and information about medical products as the rest of us.

Unfortunately, Fox News did not do the public a service by having guests on who might have included any celebrity parents or doctors who might have supported claims of potential connection regarding autism and a preservative known as "thimerosal" contained in children vaccines of the past.

Our site only wants the truth, and Fox News didn't provide a balance on the controversy surrounding flu vaccines containing "thimerosal" for children and pregnant women.

Of course, medical decisions are best made by the consumers and parents should have all of the factual information they can acquire and make decisions based on as much information as possible.

Fox News hasn't given us a balance of information, hopefully that will be corrected in follow-up segments...

the following are all for informational purposes only

Net the Truth Online

Allegheny General physician to work on study of swine flu vaccine
By Allison M. Heinrichs
Publication: Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Date: Friday, September 11 2009
You are viewing page 2
An Allegheny General Hospital physician will weigh in on a national clinical trial that began Thursday to determine the safety and potency of H1N1 swine flu vaccine for pregnant women.

Dr. Sharon Kiely, medical director of quality and patient safety at Allegheny General, will help analyze the rush results of the clinical trial, meant to protect pregnant women and unborn babies, both of whom are among the most vulnerable to the novel flu strain. The vaccine is expected to be released to all pregnant women and other priority groups by mid-October.

"Pregnant women do have a higher incidence of hospitalization with the flu," said Kiely, a member of the advisory council to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "If you get into the hospital, then you must be very sick, and obviously pregnancy is a vulnerable time in a woman's life. You want to do everything you can to protect the woman and her unborn child."

Though pregnant women make up 1 percent of the population, they account for 6 percent of swine flu hospitalizations. Their compromised immune systems make them more susceptible to any disease, and their lungs and hearts are under added stress from pregnancy, said Dr. Tony Fauci, director of the institute.

"It's very important for pregnant women to take very seriously any illness they get during this flu season," Fauci said.

Other groups who will get first access to the swine flu shot include health care workers, people 6 months to 24 years old, caretakers of babies younger than 6 months, and adults ages 25 through 64 with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes.

The vaccine is made with a dead, inactive virus, so people cannot get swine flu from the shot, Kiely said. It doesn't include thimerosal, a preservative that can cause an allergic reaction and that some believe is associated with autism, though no convincing scientific evidence exists of such a link. The vaccine manufacturing process and the formulation is similar to that of the seasonal flu shot.

A total of 120 healthy women who are 14 to 34 weeks pregnant and 18 to 39 years old will enroll in the clinical trial at six medical centers nationwide: St. Louis University; Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.; Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville; Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, and Group Health Cooperative Center for Health Studies in Seattle.

http://www.allbusiness.com/medicine-health/diseases-disorders-infectious/12912230-1.html

Autism activists question H1N1 vaccine
By Ben Wermund

Daily Texan Staff

Print this article
Share this article Published: Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Health experts are warning about the serious long term effects of a vaccine expected to become available within the next few months that would combat Swine Flu, a virus associated with more than 430 deaths this year.

Doses of the vaccine could contain two controversial compounds: thimerosal and squalene, said Peter McCarthy, chair of the Texas Health Freedom Coalition, a natural health lobbyist organization.

A growing number of scientists and researchers believe that a relationship between the increase in cases of autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and speech or language delay and the increased use of mercury-containing thimerosal in vaccines is plausible and deserves more scrutiny, according to the National Autism Association.

According to the association, the U.S. Department of Education data from 1992-1993 in comparison to 2000-2001 indicates that there has been an a 644 percent increase in autism cases among all U.S. children.

McCarthy said thimerosal has been included in the H1N1 vaccine despite protests by public health officials.

“It’s the same path that’s been trod multiple times before,” McCarthy said. “Why are we including a compound that includes mercury?”

But the risks associated with Swine Flu far surpass those associated with the vaccine, making the vaccination a necessity, said Dr. Pat Crocker, emergency medicine chief at Dell Children’s Hospital.

“All in all, even if the severity of the illness doesn’t get any worse than it is now, and it’s still a relatively mild illness, you’re still better off getting the vaccine than not,” Crocker said. “Even when you consider the side effects, you’re several times safer getting the vaccine, particular if you’re 24 years and younger.”

McCarthy said squalene, another compound included in the vaccine, contains aluminum.

Overexposure to squalene, which already exists in the human body, could potentially lead to autoimmune disorders, said Matt Baral, an associate professor at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/top-stories/autism-activists-question-h1n1-vaccine-1.1815379#5

Some swine flu vaccinations contain thimerosal many link to Autism
September 27, 11:50 AMBirmingham Autism & Parenting ExaminerJennifer Terry

http://www.examiner.com/x-21398-Birmingham-Autism--Parenting-Examiner~y2009m9d27-Some-swine-flu-vaccinations-contain-thimerosal-many-link-to-Autism

The Trouble with Vaccinations
Debating Thimerosal, Mercury, Viral Mutations


Read more: http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/trouble_with_vaccinations#ixzz0SRkrhrrk

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/trouble_with_vaccinations



Why Does the Vaccine/Autism Controversy Live On?
Research has soundly disproved the alleged connection, yet fears about vaccines continue to be a major risk to public health.

by Chris Mooney
From the June 2009 issue, published online May 6, 2009

http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-why-does-vaccine-autism-controversy-live-on

Swine Flu Thimerosal Timeline

http://www.scribd.com/doc/18179558/Swine-Flu-Thimerosal-Timeline

I WANT HEALTHY KIDS AUTHOR OPINION ON FLU VACCINE

Swine flu vaccines - the case against them By Alia Almoayed, Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009


http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=260781

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The Great Vaccine Debate: Why Some Parents Just Say No
The arguments on both sides
The arguments on both sides
Stepping up research efforts; parents' rights
Vaccination precautions

Vaccine additives include a number of potentially toxic substances, including formaldehyde and 2-phenoxyethanol (both known carcinogens), aluminum (associated with asthma, seizure disorders, and cognitive dysfunction), and monosodium glutamate (associated with neurological effects). Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, was removed from most childhood vaccines in 2001. For many years, parents of autistic children have believed that it was thimerosal in vaccines (particularly the MMR vaccine) that precipitated autism in their children. While the CDC maintains that there is no convincing scientific evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, Public Health Service agencies, the AAP, and vaccine manufacturers agreed in 1999 that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure. However, it is still used in flu shots, tetanus boosters, the hepatitis B vaccine, and the meningitis vaccine, to name a few...

http://life.familyeducation.com/health-and-safety/disease-prevention/58766.html

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Neurology Today:
3 July 2007 - Volume 7 - Issue 13 - pp 1,10
doi: 10.1097/01.NT.0000281158.49315.1f
Article
Federal Vaccine Court Opens Controversial Autism Proceedings
Samson, Kurt

Back to Top | Article Outline
ARTICLE IN BRIEF
✓ A current legal challenge by parents alleging that the thimerosal in the MMR vaccine caused autism in their children is compared to an earlier case involving the 1976 swine flu vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

After more than a decade of controversy, parents of autistic children who blame mandatory vaccines for causing or exacerbating pre-existing neurological symptoms are finally getting their day in court.
On June 11, the US Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., began three weeks of proceedings to hear arguments on both sides of the issue - whether parents should be awarded compensation for their autistic symptoms they charge were caused by the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine - part of the standard immunization package required for school admission.

http://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/Fulltext/2007/07030/Federal_Vaccine_Court_Opens_Controversial_Autism.1.aspx

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updated 8:24 a.m. EST, Sat February 14, 2009
Autism ruling fails to convince many vaccine-link believers

By Madison Park
CNN

A special court's Thursday ruling that no proven link exists between autism and certain early childhood vaccines seems to have done little to change the sometimes-passionate opinion fueling the debate.

Thousands of parents have sought compensation saying, early childhood vaccinations triggered their children's autism.

Amanda Guyton, a mother of a 6-year-old boy with autism, was "incredibly happy" with the decision and said it reaffirmed her belief that her son's autism has nothing to do with vaccines.

"We're ready for them to get on real research like educational strategies and help for kids," she said. "An awful lot of money and effort and time were spent on vaccines when three or four studies said no, there isn't a link."

Meanwhile, John Best, the father of a 12-year-old boy with autism, said: "The whole thing stinks."

Guyton and Best were not involved in the cases, but were following the news because of their interest in autism.

Three families -- the Cedillos, the Hazlehursts and the Snyders -- had sought damage awards from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program for their children who have autism, a disorder that the parents contend was triggered by the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Watch Campbell Brown's take on the controversy »

The panel of "special masters" ruled that these petitioners had not presented sufficient evidence to prove that the childhood vaccines caused autism in their children.

A vocal segment of autism parents has contended that childhood vaccinations recommended by the government cause the disorder. Health agencies and the scientific community have disputed that notion. In defending its conclusion that no link exists, the Institute of Medicine cited five large studies that have failed to prove any connection between autism and thimerosal and 14 large studies finding no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/court.autism.reactions/index.html

Swine Flu Vaccine Controversy

Being aware of all sides... and differing info...

Net the Truth Online

Disturbing: Read comments closely see excerpt

Should Parents Fear Giving Kids Swine Flu Vaccine?By Opposing Views Editorial Staff , To Protect and Serve Opposing Views - September 18, 2009


Related ArticlesFive Delicious Foods You Can Actually Eat Does "Save the Boobs" Breast Cancer PSA Go Too Far? Successful Dieters Show Unique Brain Patterns You Can Either Have Sex or Immortality; It's Your Choice Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the long awaited vaccine for H1N1 swine flu. The government has ordered 195 million doses of it, with the first supplies expected to arrive in early October. It's recommended that the elderly, pregnant women and children get the shot because they have higher death rates from swine flu. But some parents may be hesitant to vaccinate their children due to fears of a rare but very serious side effect.

One of the ingredients in the vaccine is thimerosal, which is a preservative commonly used in vaccines. But thimerosal is a form of mercury, which can be toxic, especially for pregnant women and young children, Baylor College of Medicine vaccine expert Carol Baker told USA Today. But Baker, a member of the government’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, was quick to point out in a Q & A with the paper:

...thimerosal, made of ethyl mercury, is different from the methyl mercury found in fish. Methyl mercury can cause congenital problems in fetuses. The ethyl mercury used in vaccine isn’t thought to pose a problem, especially because it’s used in trace amounts.

Indeed, most studies have found that thimerosal is harmless. "We have yet to find any evidence that thimerosal ever hurt anyone," said Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah told ABC News.

But there is still serious concern. This fear mostly stems from the the 1976-77 flu season when a vaccine developed to prevent the spread of a strain of the swine flu was linked to a still-unexplained increase in cases of a rare neurological condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome in those who received immunizations.

Many groups opposed to current vaccination practices continue to condemn thimerosal as a toxin responsible for the development of autism and related ailments in children. "We don't have adequate safety studies on this vaccine before we are moving forward to market," said Lyn Redwood, president and co-founder of the group SafeMinds. "I'm really not convinced that we know for sure that the risk of the disease outweighs the risk of the vaccine, especially since this is a brand new additive that we have never used before in combination with thimerosal."

But medical experts say the fear is unfounded, pointing out that that is the reason why we have the FDA.

"I see no reason to anticipate major safety concerns with this vaccine," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine at George Washington University. "The vaccine will be tested and licensed, and the FDA will not allow it to go forward unless the vaccine is shown to be safe and elicit an effective immune response."

The maker of the vaccine, Sanofi-Aventis, insists it is safe. Even still, spokeswoman Donna Cary says the company is anticipating making two versions -- one with thimerosal, and one without. So parents who still have concerns about thimerosal should have an option.

http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-should-parents-fear-giving-kids-swine-flu-vaccine

Excerpt Post Comment

If you like results in smaller bites, consider this. In 2003, Bayer petitioned California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to take thimerosal off the list of reproductive toxins. The OEHHA responded

"The scientific evidence that PMA and Thimerosal cause reproductive toxicity is CLEAR and VOLUMINOUS."

"The evidence for its reproductive toxicity includes severe mental retardation or malformations in human offspring who were poisoned when their mothers were exposed to ethylmercury or thimerosal while pregnant."

It's online at http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/CRNR_notices/pdf_zip/hgbayer1.pdf

Thimerosal in swine flu vaccines stirs fresh controversy

Read more: http://www.fiercevaccines.com/also-noted/thimerosal-swine-flu-vaccines-stirs-fresh-controversy-transplant-vaccine-combo-may-be-best-bet#ixzz0SFN7iySL

http://www.fiercevaccines.com/also-noted/thimerosal-swine-flu-vaccines-stirs-fresh-controversy-transplant-vaccine-combo-may-be-best-bet

Prepare for a Vaccine Controversy

...Public health officials had already stockpiled millions of doses of antiviral drugs, created diagnostic kits that detected the virus as soon as it appeared in California in April and enrolled five companies to make vaccine. By mid-October we may have as many as 80 million doses ready for a mass immunization program.

But if there’s a weak link in this chain of preparedness, it is the federal bureaucracy’s torpor in explaining the risks of the vaccination program to the public. There is a chance, for example, that the H1N1 flu will sweep through cities before the vaccine is ready, causing serious illness and many deaths. (By the same token, H1N1 may turn out to be so mild as to seem harmless.)

And there is a possibility that the vaccine itself might provoke side effects; for example, about one in 100,000 people who received the 1976 swine flu vaccine developed Guillain-Barré syndrome, a crippling nerve disorder.
Public health officials have grown more vigilant since then. In 1999, for instance, doctors reported cases of intussusception, a sometimes deadly intestinal disorder, in a few infants given a new vaccine against rotavirus. After a causal link was confirmed, the vaccine was withdrawn.

Six years later, there were more reports of Guillain-Barré, in patients who had received a new vaccine against meningococcal bacteria. This time, vaccine safety sleuths found that the association was rare or even coincidental, and the Food and Drug Administration kept the vaccine on the market...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/opinion/02allen.html

Why is the swine flu vaccine creating controversy?

Flu season is approaching, and fear is riding along. Many people are aware that the H1N1 virus could re-emerge with a vengeance once the time for seasonal flu is upon us. Thankfully, a vaccine is currently being tested for potential release before “traditional” flu and the H1N1 virus or “swine flu” have a chance to hit us with a double whammy.

However, there are still other people who are afraid of the vaccine itself. In fact, fears surrounding the swine flu vaccine are growing by the day. First we heard from groups concerned that there may not be enough of the vaccine to go around (some estimates put the total number of ready vaccines at the start of flue season somewhere around 60 million doses, a far cry from what is needed) — now, people are pointing to the 1976 swine flu epidemic, also treated with a vaccine. The problem then? After receving vaccinations, hundreds of people came down with Guillain-Barre syndrome allegedly related to that vaccine.

I say allegedly because nothing has ever been proven. Sure, the illnesses lent bad publicity to the creators of that vaccine, and the program was halted only after an estimated 40 million Americans received the vaccine, but no scientific proof exists to link the 70s era swine flu vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Regardless of any medical “proof”, many people are remembering what happened over 30 years ago and voicing their concerns about what might happen with the current round of planned vaccinations. Also, there’s a new buzz word in the game of vaccine fear — “adjuvant”. What is “adjuvant”, and why are people angry about its addition to the proposed swine flu vaccine?

An adjuvant is “something that allows the immune system to respond with higher levels of effectiveness,” according to the pharmaceutical company Aventis Pasteur. Basically, an adjuvant is an additive that could eventually lower the amount of vaccine needed per person, opening up the door for more individual doses to be available.

Consumers are most likely concerned about adjuvants because they haven’t heard of them before. However, adjuvants (which are mostly made of different forms of aluminum) are already in use in the United States, and if you’ve had a vaccine in the past twenty years, you’ve already been in contact with them. Adjuvants are currently used in vaccinations for everything from hepatitis A and B, to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines...

http://www.askdeb.com/blog/health/why-is-the-swine-flu-vaccine-creating-controversy/

Doctor plans novel treatment for autism

Sunday, May 11, 2008
By Timothy McNulty, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
With childhood autism cases skyrocketing and no cure in sight, doctors at the Children's Institute in Squirrel Hill are planning on a Hail Mary pass approach to the mysterious disorder -- housing young patients for weeks at a time in a pollutant-free "clean room," in an attempt to detoxify their bodies.

No cause for autism has been found, and debates rage as to whether the brain development disorder is purely genetic or caused in part by environmental factors, including air and food-borne chemicals.

With roots in autism treatment theories that until now have lived mostly on the Internet, the pediatric clean room plan would be the first of its kind in a mainstream American hospital environment.

The Children Institute's Scott Faber, a pediatrician with several hundred autistic patients and a waiting list six months long, is one of the believers in toxic causes, and the institute is trying to back him with a multimillion dollar test of the novel theory.

Under the plans -- developed with help from Duquesne University -- autistic patients would live for more than six weeks in a 1,000-square-foot room kept mostly free of harmful chemicals and pollutants, using special air-filtering systems, ultraviolet lights and air locks on doorways.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08132/880873-114.stm

CNN Report Vaccine Could Have Triggered Autism in Girl's Predispostion

Explosive and upsetting report... important decision by federal court on claims vaccine may have injured girl... triggered autism... within 48 hours developed fever, and within several months diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder... does thimerisol cause autism, no linkage one theory, another theory is the child had an underlying mitochondrial situation... after vaccine, the underlying situation was aggravated by the vaccination...

from Sanjay Kupta report)

Parents, grandparents, all family members pay attention to the CNN Reports beginning with American Morning today.

Late morning CNN press conference Hannah's family speaks.

Don't miss the transcripts.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2008.03.06.html

Larry King Live
Aired March 6, 2008 - 21:00 ET
Could Autism be Caused by Child Vaccinations?

Plus, a first -- federal health officials concede vaccinations contributed to a child's autism like symptoms...

...KING: The statement from -- the Health Resources and Services Administration has issued this statement on autism and the vaccine injury program; it says, in part, "HRSA has reviewed the scientific information concerning the allegation that vaccines cause autism and has found no credible evidence to support the claim. HRSA has maintained and continues to maintain the position that vaccines do not cause autism and has never concluded in any case that autism was caused by vaccination."

So, there they are disagreeing with the opinion stated by the vaccination group the government had look at it. What do you make of that, Cliff?

SHOEMAKER: Well, Larry, I think that we might be dealing with semantics here. Certainly, this was a case that was planning to go ahead as a test case in the Vaccine Compensation Act. It was one of the cases that was selected to go to a hearing in May of this coming year, on the theory that the vaccines caused autism. It did not go to hearing because of this concession.

You can say all you want about what the reasons are for it, and we aren't really at liberty to talk about what is actually in the document, the concession that was made. But it was a case involving vaccines and clearly this child does have autism.

I think we had two theories of causation which Dr. Poling can probably describe to you better than I can...

READ THE ENTIRE EXCHANGE

...SHOEMAKER: Thank you, Larry. I might add that one of the theories we were prepared to present in this case is the fact that mercury in the vaccine that were given back at that time can also lead to Mitochondrial dysfunction. In this case, we do not believe it was a genetic cause. We do not believe it was a cause.


http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/06/lkl.01.html

CDC Statement on Autism and Thimerosal

http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/concerns/thimerosal.htm

Thimerosal
A press release about Mercury in Thimerosal from the National Vaccine Information Center in July of 1999 press points out that, "The cumulative effects of ingesting mercury can cause brain damage." During this same month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerted the public about the possible health effects associated with thimerosal-containing vaccines. These health-related organizations strongly recommended that thimerosal be removed from vaccines as soon as possible. Under the directive of the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, the Food and Drug Administration also determined that infants who received several thimerosal-containing vaccines may be receiving mercury exposure over and above the recommended federal guidelines.

http://www.thimerosal-news.com/

CNN Newsroom
Aired March 6, 2008 - 09:00 ET

COLLINS: Important health news to tell you about today. The family of a Georgia girl speaking out about autism and vaccines a little bit later this morning. They believe a preservative in vaccines caused their child to develop autism-like symptoms. The parents took their case to a special federal vaccine court. It says they deserve compensation.

Here to sort this all out, chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Sanjay, the government isn't actually saying that vaccines cause autism, are they?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: They are not saying that. They are being very specific. Well, this week with regards to this particular girl, 9-year-old Hannah Polling, they talk about her case specifically as someone who received vaccines around the age of 18 months old. And within 48 hours after that started to develop high fever, inconsolable crying, and then over a period of months, subsequently was diagnosed with symptoms that are consistent with autism spectrum disorder.

A lot of this is going to come out at a press conference later on this morning, but this may be the first case where there's actually compensation given to the family of the girl based on vaccines specifically.

I wanted -- you know, we've been looking into this for some time. I want to make sure you have a couple of important facts about the autism vaccine case specifically. This is what they're saying. "The facts of this case meet the statutory criteria demonstrating that vaccinations significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder which manifested as regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder."

That's a mouthful, Heidi. COLLINS: Yes.

GUPTA: But I think what's important to point out here, is this particular girl as they tested her, they found that, in fact, she had the gene for a mitochondrial disorder. These are this sort of power houses in your body cells. She had the gene for that. So the question is: did this vaccine somehow worsen an already existing condition?

COLLINS: Sure.

GUPTA: And exactly what happened. This may all raise more questions than answers. But this is sort of what we're talking about this morning.

COLLINS: Yes. And it's very, very important to make that distinction between every child out there who may or may not have this sort of, I don't want to call it dormant, but this underlying condition that parents just don't know about, and then you get the vaccine and it comes out or, as they said in the ruling, it's exacerbated.

GUPTA: That's right. And as you point out, I think it is important to be very careful here. This is just one particular case that we're talking about. We don't even know all the details yet. They're going to come out later on this morning probably, but we do know that she had this underlying condition, she got the vaccines, and the time sequence was that she started to have some troubles.

Are they related? Did the vaccines contribute? Did the underlying condition have anything to do with this? These are questions we don't know the answers to for sure, but people are still trying to piece this all together.

COLLINS: All right. Forgive me, Sanjay, because everybody is talking about this, this morning...

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/06/cnr.04.html

Family of Girl in Autism Vaccine Case Holds News Conference
Aired March 6, 2008 - 11:00 ET

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/06/cnr.02.html

"No early signs," says father. Mother says Hannah bright before several vaccination shots in one day...

Parents go over details. Do not miss if you have children, grandchildren under the age of two-years old.

So, if you are a parent and you are about to have a baby or you are about to consider going through the next round of vaccinations, what do you do?

IMUS: Again, I'm not anti-vaccine. I want to make that clear because again, a lot of people that speak out on this issue, they try to corner us and say we're anti-vaccine. We are not. What we're saying is, again, like everything, cleaning products or any products you use in your home, with your child, you want to do things safely.

So, when you go to your pediatrician with your baby, you want to make sure that those vaccines, that you look at the packaging, discuss it with the doctor and that they do not contain any amount of Thimerosal mercury at all.

COLLINS: Yes, and that is something that I think a lot of us tend to take for granted. We go to the doctor and we do what we're supposed to do or what we're told to do. So, certainly worth a lot more questions indeed. Deidre Imus, we certainly appreciate your time with the Deidre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology. Thanks so much.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/06/cnr.02.html

Government Concedes Vaccines May Have Injured Georgia Girl
POSTED: 5:30 pm EST March 5, 2008
UPDATED: 11:01 am EST March 6, 2008
Government health officials have conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare, underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in a Georgia girl, and that she should be paid from a federal vaccine-injury fund.

Medical and legal experts say the narrow wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception -- not a precedent for thousands of other pending claims.

The government "has not conceded that vaccines cause autism," said Linda Renzi, the lawyer representing federal officials, who have consistently maintained that childhood shots are safe.

However, parents and advocates for autistic children see the case as a victory that may help certain others. Although the science on this is very limited, the girl's disorder may be more common in autistic children than in healthy ones.

READ: Notes On Joint Statement On Autism/Vaccine Settlement Case

"It's a beginning," said Kevin Conway, a Boston lawyer representing more than 1,200 families with vaccine injury claims. "Each case is going to have to be proved on its individual merits. But it shows to me that the government has conceded that it's biologically plausible for a vaccine to cause these injuries. They've never done it before."

A lawyer for Hannah Poling, 9, and her parents has scheduled a news conference Thursday in Atlanta.

In an interview Wednesday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hannah's parents, Jon and Terry Poling, said the government's concession in the case will help pay for the numerous therapists and other medical experts their autistic child needs — now and for the rest of her life.

"At least we have some commitment from the government to take care of Hannah when we're gone," said Dr. Jon Poling, a neurologist.

Nearly 5,000 families are seeking compensation for autism or other developmental disabilities they blame on vaccines and a mercury-based preservative, thimerosal. It once was commonly used to prevent bacterial contamination but since 2001 has been used only in certain flu shots. Some cases contend that the cumulative effect of many shots given at once may have caused injuries.

The cases are before a special "vaccine court" that doles out cash from a fund Congress set up to pay people injured by vaccines and to protect makers from damages as a way to help ensure an adequate vaccine supply. The burden of proof is lighter than in a traditional court, and is based on a preponderance of evidence. Since the fund started in 1988, it has paid roughly 950 claims -- none for autism.

Studies repeatedly have discounted any link between thimerosal and autism, but legal challenges continue. The issue even cropped up in the presidential campaign, with Republican John McCain asserting on Friday that "there's strong evidence" autism is connected to the preservative.

The girl has a disorder involving her mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. The disorder -- which can be present at birth from an inherited gene or acquired later in life -- impairs cells' ability to use nutrients, and often causes problems in brain functioning. It can lead to delays in walking and talking.

Federal officials say the law bars them from discussing the case or releasing documents without the family's permission. However, The Associated Press obtained a copy of the concession by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials.

According to the document, five vaccines the girl received on one day in 2000 aggravated her mitochondrial condition, predisposing her to metabolic problems that manifested as worsening brain function "with features of autism spectrum disorder." In the 1990s, the definition of autism was expanded to take in a group of milder, related conditions, which are known as autism spectrum disorders.

The document does not address whether it was the thimerosal -- or something else entirely in the vaccines -- that was at fault.

The compensation fund lists problems with brain function as a rare side effect of certain vaccines. Such problems are enough on their own to warrant compensation, even without autism-like symptoms, and the fund has made numerous payouts in such cases.

The Health Resources and Services Administration, which is in charge of the fund, said: "HRSA has maintained and continues to maintain the position that vaccines do not cause autism."

A Portuguese study suggested that 7 percent of autistic children might also have the mitochondrial disorder, versus one in 5,000 people -- or 0.02 percent -- in the general population, said Dr. Marvin Natowicz, a Cleveland Clinic geneticist.

"Even if they're off by a factor of seven" and only 1 percent are afflicted, "it's still a striking statistic," he said.

Others said they doubt the Georgia case will have much effect.

"No link between mitochondrial disorders and autism spectrum disorder has been made in mainstream medicine," said Dr. Michael Pichichero of the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., who has consulted for the government on vaccines and has received speaking fees from vaccine makers...

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15505545/detail.html

Review of article Vaccines and Autism Myths and Misconception

http://www.hbotnm.com/mercuryfree/071218_PGKrevuVaccinesAutism_MythsMisconceptionsByNovellaSb.pdf

Here's a site that appears to be disappointed with David Kirby's rundown of the case.

reference to other studies...

http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/forums/archive/index.php/t-4044.html

Includes some of same info word for word (maybe a press release)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2215580/US-Gvpt-Concedes-Vaccines-Cause-Autism

same wording

http://www.newsmax.com/health/vaccines_cause_autism/2008/03/03/77315.html

Government Concedes Vaccine-Autism Case in Federal Court - Now What?
Posted February 25, 2008 | 12:42 PM (EST)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/government-concedes-vacci_b_88323.html

First Autism vaccine link - How Hannah made history

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/03/06/autism0306b.html

http://thimerosalthoughts-bb.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-autism-vaccine-link-how-hannah.html

Will be on Larry King Live

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/hanna-will-be-on-larry-king-tomorrow.html

More

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=160&a=3482

Lists the studies

Developmental Regression and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Child With Autism
Jon S. Poling, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore, MD

Richard E. Frye, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA

John Shoffner, MD
Horizon Molecular Medicine Georgia State University Atlanta, GA

Andrew W. Zimmerman, MD
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins Hospital Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore, MD, zimmerman@kennedykrieger.org

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/developmental-regression-and.html

Poling study
Developmental Regression and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Child With Autism

http://jcn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/2/170

More

Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Developmental Regression and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Child With Autism
After David Kirby's disclosure of the court papers in the Hannah Poling case last week, it became clear that the child in this study was the same child whose autism claim was conceded by the DOJ to be paid by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund.

What I didn't know until today was that her father, Jon Poling, MD, PhD, was the lead author on the paper...

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/developmental-regression-and.html

Note in following article:

Jumping in for my readers... this is not true. Thimerosal began being taken out in 1999, but is not yet fully removed...

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/

This article is from Atlanta Constitution


In a move autism family advocates call unprecedented, federal health officials have concluded that childhood vaccines contributed to symptoms of the disorder in a 9-year-old Georgia girl.

While government officials continue to maintain that vaccines don't cause autism, advocates say the recent settlement of the girl's injury case in a secretive federal vaccine court shows otherwise.

Hannah Poling requires one-on-one care at all times. Her family is trying to get details of her case opened for public review.

Jon and Terry Poling with 9 year-old daughter, Hannah. They couple says the symptoms of autism began in Hannah after shots she received during a doctor visit when she was 19 months old.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has concluded the family of Hannah Poling of Athens is entitled to compensation from a federal vaccine injury fund, according to the text of a court document in the case. The amount of the family's award is still being determined.

The language in the document does not establish a clear-cut vaccine-autism link. But it does say the government concluded that vaccines aggravated a rare underlying metabolic condition that resulted in a brain disorder "with features of autism spectrum disorder."

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/meet-hanna-poling.html

Government concedes... David Kirby

The claim, one of 4,900 autism cases currently pending in Federal "Vaccine Court," was conceded by US Assistant Attorney General Peter Keisler and other Justice Department officials, on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, the "defendant" in all Vaccine Court cases.

The child's claim against the government -- that mercury-containing vaccines were the cause of her autism -- was supposed to be one of three "test cases" for the thimerosal-autism theory currently under consideration by a three-member panel of Special Masters, the presiding justices in Federal Claims Court.

Keisler wrote that medical personnel at the HHS Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (DVIC) had reviewed the case and "concluded that compensation is appropriate."

The doctors conceded that the child was healthy and developing normally until her 18-month well-baby visit, when she received vaccinations against nine different diseases all at once (two contained thimerosal).

Days later, the girl began spiraling downward into a cascade of illnesses and setbacks that, within months, presented as symptoms of autism, including: No response to verbal direction; loss of language skills; no eye contact; loss of "relatedness;" insomnia; incessant screaming; arching; and "watching the florescent lights repeatedly during examination."

Seven months after vaccination, the patient was diagnosed by Dr. Andrew Zimmerman, a leading neurologist at the Kennedy Krieger Children's Hospital Neurology Clinic, with "regressive encephalopathy (brain disease) with features consistent with autistic spectrum disorder, following normal development." The girl also met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) official criteria for autism.

In its written concession, the government said the child had a pre-existing mitochondrial disorder that was "aggravated" by her shots, and which ultimately resulted in an ASD diagnosis....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/government-concedes-vacci_b_88323.html

More

While government officials continue to maintain that vaccines don't cause autism, advocates say the recent settlement of the girl's injury case in a secretive federal vaccine court shows otherwise.

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/meet-hanna-poling.html

Thimerosal Content in Some US Licensed Vaccines
updated January 28, 2008

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

Current vaccine products
As stated above, nearly all vaccine products used in the recommended pediatric immunization schedule (for children 6 and younger) contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Trace amounts are defined as 1 µg or less of mercury per dose, resulting from manufacturing processes. These vaccine products have been reformulated with other preservatives or reformulated as single-dose products only.

Products containing only trace amounts of mercury include Tripedia (DTaP, Sanofi Pasteur) with <0.3 µg per 0.5 mL dose; Pediarix (DTaP-HepB-IVP, GlaxoSmithKline) with <0.0125 µg per 0.5 mL dose; Engerix B (hepatitis B, GSK) with <0.5 µg per 0.5 mL dose; and Fluvirin Preservative-Free (inactivated influenza, Chiron Evans) with <1 µg per 0.5 mL dose.

Only two products for use in infants and children, both inactivated influenza vaccines, contain thimerosal: FluZone (Sanofi Pasteur) with 12.5 µg per 0.25 mL dose and Fluvirin (Chiron Evans) with 25 µg per 0.5 mL dose. FluZone with thimerosal is available as a multidose vial and is labeled for use in children aged 6 months and older. FluZone is also available as a thimerosal-free product, as 0.25 mL unit dose syringes for use in infants 6 to 35 months of age and 0.5 mL unit dose syringes for children 3 and older. Fluvirin, also available thimerosal free (containing trace amounts), is available as 0.5 mL unit dose syringes and is labeled for use in children aged 4 and older. Both of these thimerosal-free inactivated influenza vaccine products may be less available this year than the similar product containing thimerosal. Live-attenuated influenza virus vaccine (FluMist, MedImmune) is thimerosal free. The FDA maintains an Internet site listing all vaccine products and thimerosal content (www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm).

http://www.idinchildren.com/200510/pharmconsult.asp

Thimerosal in Vaccines
See also "Mercury in Plasma-Derived Products"

** Thimerosal is approximately 50% mercury (Hg) by weight. A 0.01% solution (1 part per 10,000) of thimerosal contains 50 µg of Hg per 1 mL dose or 25 µg of Hg per 0.5 mL dose.

*** The term "trace" has been taken in this context to mean 1 microgram of mercury per dose or less.

1 HibTiITER was also manufactured in thimerosal-preservative containing multidose vials but these were no longer available after 2002.
2 Children 6 months old to less than 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.25 mL; children 3 years of age and older receive 0.5 mL.
3 A trace thimerosal containing formulation of Fluzone was approved on 9/14/02 and has been replaced with the formulation without thimerosal.
4 FluMist is not indicated for children less than 5 years of age.

http://www.fda.gov/CBER/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1

Rare genetic glitch hikes risk of autism
Finding instills hope for better understanding, treatment of disorder
AP

A rare genetic variation dramatically raises the risk of developing autism, a large study showed, opening new research targets for better understanding the disorder and for treating it.

Research into the causes of autism has focused on genetic causes because so many families have multiple children with the disorder. Thus far, only about 10 percent of autism cases have a known genetic cause. Boston-area researchers estimate the gene glitch they’ve identified accounts for another 1 percent of cases.

They found a segment of a chromosome which has genes linked to brain development and various developmental disorders was either missing or duplicated far more often in autistic people. The defect was inherited in some cases, but more often the result of a random genetic accident.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22577335/

Don't miss Larry King's discussion with panelists on recent pediatric society/association's recommendations to screen infants for autism at 18 months and 24 months of age.

Panelist Holly Robinson Peete noted a bracelet being sold to benefit autism-related research and help families...

Search results

Holly Robinson Peete Autism Bracelets

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-40%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=robinson+peete+autism+bracelets&btnG=Search

Autism Speaks

http://www.autism-in-children.info/autism-speaks.php

larry King Live

Autism: Groundbreaking Development

Aired October 29, 2007 - 21:00 ET
Help could be on the way for moms and dads who have worried their child may have autism. Two groundbreaking reports that could help diagnose it earlier were released today by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group is making its strongest push ever to have all kids screened for autism by age two. It also details warning signs that parents should watch for, the goals and earlier diagnosis, and more effective treatment.

There is no cure for autism, but experts say an early treatment can lessen its severity.

Our panel members are Gary Cole, the multi-talented film and TV actor. His teenage daughter, Mary, was diagnosed with autism when she was 18 months old.

Dr. Ricki Robinson, M.D., pediatrician, founding member of Autism Speaks, co-founder and director of the Descano Medical Center for Development and Learning.

Holly Robinson Peete -- a return visit for Holly, the actress. Her oldest son, R.J., diagnosed with autism in the year 2000, when he was three. She and her husband, the former NFL quarterback, Rodney Peete, went public with their son's story this summer. She is founder of the HollyRod Foundation.

John Schneider, the actor and singer. He performed the national anthem before last night's NASCAR race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. His teenaged son, Chasen, has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a form or a part of the autism spectrum.

And in Boston is Nancy Wiseman, the founder and president of First Signs, a nonprofit national organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism, the author of the book "Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0710/29/lkl.01.html

Pediatricians urge early autism screening
By Elizabeth Cohen
CNN

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- From the time her daughter was very young, Briana Vartanian knew something was wrong.

Lola didn't smile. She didn't laugh. When she and Lola took walks in the park, Vartanian noticed how the other babies loved to be held by their mothers. Lola hated being touched and even more being held. But there was something even more devastating to Vartanian, who lives in Ladera Ranch, California.

"Lola never looked at me -- she looked through me. She had no idea who Mommy was," Vartanian said. "And other kids love it when someone comes up to them and smiles. She'd freak out if someone approached her -- even if it was me or my husband."

Vartanian told her pediatrician she was worried, the doctor told her Lola was fine. "She kept telling me wait and see, wait and see, and that really annoyed me," Vartanian said.

At first she took the took the doctor's advice but then decided to seek a second opinion. A couple of months ago, when Lola was 14 months old, she saw a pediatric neurologist, who diagnosed autism. Lola immediately started receiving special therapy.

"You always wonder if it would have made a difference if they'd caught it earlier," Vartanian said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is making a push to have every child screened for autism twice by age 2. The academy's new report gives explicit instructions for the warning signs of autism at various ages.

Parents should watch for signs, including not making eye contact, not recognizing a parent's voice, not babbling by age 9 months and not using pre-speech gestures such as waving, pointing and showing...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/10/29/autism.signs/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

PA Speaker of the House elected

January 3, 2007
New state House leader calls for reforms
Bucks, Montco lawmakers will lead study panel on issue.
By John L. Micek and Christina Gostomski Call Harrisburg Bureau | Newly elected state House Speaker Dennis O'Brien said he wants to put legislative reform front-and-center and make sure that children with disabilities have a seat at the state's budgetary table...

In one of his first acts as speaker, O'Brien oversaw creation of a special legislative commission to travel the state holding hearings on reform proposals and producing recommendations within months. The panel will be headed by Reps. David Steil, R-Bucks, and Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery. Shapiro spearheaded the effort to woo O'Brien...

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/state/all-a3_5pahousejan03,0,5028229.story

Keep watching who wants a PA Constitutional Convention and for what?

PA House Panel To Make Reform Recommendations. ALSO: Everyone A ‘Reformer’. AND: Convention?

Caltagirone To Switch? Dem Sits In On GOP Caucus…

After the speaker’s election, Mr. Caltagirone sat in on the House Republicans’ caucus, a sign that he might jump parties. That would give the Republicans a 102-101 majority unless the Democrats can convince a Republican to switch.

Posted by Chris on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at 11:59 pm

http://www.grassrootspa.com/blog/archives/12355

Update: What is sad, because of articles wherein reporters don't really ask any tough challenging questions, the people will actually start believing this move by the Democrats - nomination and support of a Republican other than Perzel for Speaker of the House - was about "reform" and "nonpartisanship," not about H. William DeWeese.

House Democrats elevate Republican to speaker's post
By Alison Hawkes, Herald-Standard
01/03/2007

HARRISBURG - In a dramatic move that caught many by surprise, House Democrats orchestrated the appointment of a new Republican Speaker to lead the chamber for the next two years.

The presumed House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese, who had set the stage to become speaker himself, made a stunning reversal by dropping his ambition under a new Democratic majority. Instead, he backed Philadelphia Republican Dennis O'Brien for the post.

Former GOP House Speaker John Perzel lost his bid when six GOP lawmakers crossed sides - including Bucks County Rep. Dave Steil - and voted with Democrats for O'Brien.

The move came shortly after swearing-in, when 50 new members, roughly one-quarter of the House, took office for the first time, many touting the need for government reform.

It was the largest turnover in recent history, sparked by a record number of retirements and two dozen upsets at the polls.

But the flowers and well-wishes of family quickly turned into a political brawl lasting more than an hour on the House floor. It all started on Saturday with the news that House Democratic Rep. Tom Caltagirone, of Berks County, would vote for Perzel. Doing so would have upset the fragile 102 to 101 majority that DeWeese, of Greene County, needed to become Speaker.

When DeWeese realized he didn't have the votes, he turned to making sure Perzel didn't get the post.

This may be the first time in Pennsylvania history that the House has a Speaker from a different political party than the chamber's majority. O'Brien, a 30-year lawmaker from a heavily Democratic district in northeastern Philadelphia, would only answer questions about a possible switch to the Democratic Party with the words: "I am a Republican."

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17661302&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Local Democrats support GOP speaker
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/04/2007

Following the lead in a historic strategy devised by state Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, local Democratic legislators supported Republican Dennis O'Brien of Philadelphia for Speaker of the House, saying they believe a reform agenda will still be top priority this year.

Locally, longtime state Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, and freshmen legislators Deberah Kula, D-North Union, and Timothy S. Mahoney, D-South Union, supported O'Brien's election as speaker on Tuesday when it became apparent that a Democrat could not win.

Democrats hold a 102-101 majority over Republicans in the House, but Democratic Rep. Tom Caltagirone, of Berks County announced over the weekend he would vote for John Perzel, a Philadelphia Republican who had held the speaker's chair since 2003, and not DeWeese. Daley said he knew something was in the air New Year's Day, but did not know exactly what it was until DeWeese nominated O'Brien on the floor of the House.

Daley said the Democrats were going to go into caucus at 11 a.m. but decided not to do that because they "didn't want to show their hand." He said after the deal was made, the members finally went to the floor and revealed their plan.

Mahoney said Wednesday that he voted for O'Brien because it was the "only way to get true reform." He said he looks for O'Brien to work with the Democratic Party closer than any other Republican would. He said rumblings were heard among the members that "something extraordinary" was about to happen, and it did when nearly every Democrat and several Republicans supported O'Brien to wield the gavel for the next two years.

Mahoney said for Perzel, who started taking about reform in the last few days, it was too little, too late. "He wanted to start talking about reform but it took too long. The Republicans were in charge for 12 years and they did midnight pay raises and everything else. There was no reform," Mahoney said...

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17667643&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

January 2, 2006

New slogan for state of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania: State of Stultification

In developments that are continuing to be discussed across the internet in Pennsylvania lala land, state Representative Dennis O'Brien, a Republican was nominated by state Rep. Bill DeWeese, a Democrat to be Speaker of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile Republican John Perzel was nominated by Richard Geist, a Republican according to a 2 PM news report and follow-up information.PCN reports O'BRIEN 105 PERZEL 97 LIVE 1-877-PA6-5001

http://www.pcntv.com/PCNOnline.htm

Nice place...


New Members

Find your legislator

Now we're tracking how our local district representatives voted, particularly Timothy Mahoney, who pre-election win offered that he would not vote for Rep. Bill DeWeese for a leadership position, then after the election, when Dems captured the House, stated he would support DeWeese for Speaker of the House. In light of Majority Leader DeWeese's action today, it will be interesting to see what Mahoney thinks of the politics of DeWeese, who he would have voted for as Speaker of the House, but DeWeese didn't give him a chance!

Mahoney will have to explain to constituents why if he did he voted for a Republican for Speaker of the House - per the leadership maneuverings of Majority Leader Bill DeWeese!

102 Dems 101 Republicans

Meanwhile, as we watch PCN now to see what in the PA polluted Harrisburg happened, we find the PA Publishers' Newspapers Association project Brighter PA

http://www.pa-newspaper.org/web/2006/09/brighter_pennsylvania_supporters.aspx

fascinated by PA politics says a caller has first hand knowledge of DeWeese, surprised he was re-elected, a small majority of Fayette County, says caller, put him back... she has one great fear DeWeese could not be re-elected (as Speaker) thinks there is some deal where Philadelphia and that eastern part of the state will come out better... skeptical that there will be an evening out of handing out the "goodies..." the southeastern part will come out with the goodies...

wayesburg county - caller says DeWeese knew he couldn't be elected speaker with Dem Caltilione planning on casting his vote for a Repubican.

Rendell and DeWeese press conference - O'Brien being elected a good thing for PA...

Fun stuff. Are we in the Twilight Zone of Pennsylvania?

Mario F. Cattabiani: all came together at the last minute...3:20 p.m.

From my colleague Angela Couloumbis:

Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.) said O’Brien’s ascent to speaker only came together in the last three days.

He said Rep. Josh Shapiro (D., Montgomery) first approached O’Brien about the job on New Year’s Eve, and that initially, O’Brien was hesitant about being nominated by Democrats.

So on New Year’s Day, Evans said he and other top Democratic leaders met with O’Brien at the Marriott in West Conshohocken for three hours. Gov. Rendell later got on the phone. The meeting resumed today at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, and later at Evans’ office...

http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/it-all-came-together-at-last-minute.html

Continuing at the press conference, PCN TV televising, about 4 pm, O'Brien is asked whether he will sit with the Democrat or Republican caucus.

He said he is a Republican.

Rendell says, he, Denny, didn't approach us, we approached him.

DeWeese interjects, unlike Caltagirone...

DeWeese is acting odd, odd, odd... he shouts out Democrat Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone's name several times now. Whew, just think, had Tim Mahoney held his ground, DeWeese could've been shouting out two names (even though Mahoney could have also held his ground and said he'd vote for a Democrat for speaker, anybody but DeWeese)

Governor Rendell makes a statement regarding Caltagirone setting this process this mechanism in motion! What power. We are tickled that one individual can truly make a difference there in that power-infested place.

DeWeese says... we've had speaker Perzel who has stultified things for the past 12 years...

Host asks if that's a word: stultified...

stultify
verb stultifies, stultified, stultifying

1. To make someone or something appear absurd, foolish, contradictory, etc.
2. To cause something to be useless, worthless, futile, etc.

Thesaurus: prevent, frustrate, check, stop, repress, thwart, stifle, smother, negate, nullify, blunt; Antonym: encourage, boost.

3. To dull the mind of someone, eg with tedious tasks.
4. law. To allege or prove someone or oneself to be insane and so unfit to plead or to be regarded as legally responsible, etc.

http://www.allwords.com/word-stultified.html

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/stultified

Caller notes, why wasn't the Minority Leader asked to be present...

Whatever happens, O'Brien has made the political history of Pennsylvania much more interesting.

pagavel noted in the how he did it post http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-he-did-it.html

Rep. Dennis O'Brien became speaker by defeating former speaker Rep. John Perzel in a 105-97 vote.

He has six Republicans, who broke ranks with their leadership, to thank: Reps. Kerry Benninghoff (R., Center), Jim Cox (R., Berks), Brad Roae (R., Crawford), Sam Rohrer (R., Berks), Curt Schroder (R., Chester) and David Steil (R., Bucks).

They outnumbered the three Democrats -- Reps. Thomas Caltagirone (D., Berks), Angel Cruz (D., Phila.) and Rosita Youngblood (D., Phila.) -- who voted for Perzel.

http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-he-did-it.html

Catch me if I'm wrong - all the Democrats except for 3 voted for O'Brien. (102-3 = 99) O'Brien got 105 votes. 6 Republicans voted for O'Brien. = 99 plus 6 = 105

All but 6 Republicans voted for John Perzel. (101 - 6 = 95. Perzel captured 3 Democrat votes. 98. But the tally says 97. 105 O'Brien and 97 Perzel.

That only adds up to 202. Somebody didn't vote as it was noted on PCN 102 Democrats and 101 Republicans. It must have been a Democrat who didn't vote. 101-3 = 98 OK it was O'Brien - he abstained!

Well, whatever - Democrats - all but 3 of them apparently fell behind H. William DeWeese's nomination of a Republican for Speaker of the House of PA. That is very revealing of DeWeese's gamesmanship, and the rank-and-file who well, were ranked and filed, or else, we guess.

A new slogan contest should ensue. I nominate Pennsylvania: State of Stultification!

This Democrat election of a Republican Speaker of the House should make for some fun interviews back home as well as town hall meetings!

At any rate, why'd DeWeese nominate a Republican, even over another Democrat?

All we can figure at this end of PA is DeWeese must have heard there are going to be two or even three Democrat defections to the Republican side of the aisle - not just those speakership votes - thus placing the Republicans in the majority and the Democrats in the minority of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

It's possible O'Brien could switch to Democrat, but why if two or three Democrats are going to switch to Republican. Then O'Brien has the status to hold to his Republican ideals intact, yet reach out to the now minority Democrats who put him in the speakership spot!

This was posted after 6 PM
Dennis O'Brien is new Pa. House speaker; Perzel is out
1/2/2007, 6:08 p.m. ET
By MARK SCOLFORO
The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Newly seated members of the state House of Representatives, in a surprising turn of events, replaced Speaker John Perzel with another Philadelphia Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien, after Democrats were unable to maintain unity in their fragile majority.

O'Brien has served in the House for nearly 30 years and chaired the House Judiciary Committee in the last session. He was nominated by Rep. Bill DeWeese, a Democrat who hailed him as "a fine-hearted idealistic Republican" who is well-suited to lead "a clean slate" in House leadership, which Republicans have controlled for 12 years.

Perzel, who had served as speaker since April 2003, lost the vote 105-97. O'Brien was the lone member to abstain, but later said he had intended to vote for himself...

Joining 99 Democrats were six Republicans — Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County, Sam Rohrer of Berks County, Curt Schroder of Chester County, David Steil of Bucks County and two freshmen, Jim Cox of Berks County and Brad Roae of Crawford County...

http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/news-44/1167744546172380.xml&storylist=


Friends of Denny O'Brien

http://www.friendsofdenny.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B78BBC8AC-EACC-45FB-A322-75C274094569%7D

Dennis O'Brien

PA Legislative Autism Caucus

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=213

See Phila Inquirer and Inquirer blogger

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/

blogger Mario F. Cattabiani posting at Pa Gavel for interesting updates on this development

http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-he-did-it.html

Note by Net the Truth Online see bio pagavel

Mario F. Cattabiani covers state government and politics for The Inquirer from Harrisburg. He is blogging about the bitter tussle over who will become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives...

http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/caltagirone-in-house-on-wrong-side.html

Philadelphia Republican Dennis O’Brien speaker of state House
By Brad Bumsted Tribune Review
STATE CAPITOL REPORTER
Tuesday, January 2, 2007

HARRISBURG --

Members of the state House have elected Philadelphia Republican Dennis O’Brien as speaker.

O’Brien was nominated by Rep. Bill DeWeese, a Greene County Democrat who put forth O’Brien’s name after acknowledging he did not have enough votes to win the top leadership position himself.

Former House Speaker John Perzel, also a Philadelphia Republican, congratulated O’Brien after his election by a 105 to 97 vote. Perzel held the position for almost four years.

O’Brien chaired the House Judiciary Committee last session. A moderate Republican, he is considered by many to be on good terms with Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and largely supportive of the governor’s programs...

Since the November election, there has been speculation that O’Brien might switch his registration to the Democratic Party, but he gave no immediate indication today that he might do so...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_486731.html

Also see discussion

Penn Live Capitol forum

http://www.pennlive.com/forums/capitol/index.ssf

Rep. O'Brien of Philadelphia elected speaker
Tuesday, January 02, 2007

By Tom Barnes and Tracie Mauriello, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- Philadelphia Republican Dennis M. O'Brien has been elected speaker of the House.

Mr. O'Brien, who has served in the House for nearly 30 years and chaired the House Judiciary Committee in the last session, received 105 votes over Republican John Perzel's 97.

This sets up the unusual situation of having a Republican speaker in a Democratically controlled House.

Democratic Rep. H. William DeWeese nominated Mr. O'Brien, a longtime rival of incumbent Speaker John Perzel, also a Philadelphia Republican.


The Democrats have a one-seat majority in the House but the speakership was thrown into question because of Democrat Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone's intention to cross party lines to support Mr. Perzel...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07002/750660-100.stm

Bloggers on the developing news

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

And the winner is...

1:35 p.m.

Dennis O'Brien, 105 votes to Perzel's 97...

http://pagavel.blogspot.com/2007/01/and-winner-is.html

It's Dennis O'Brien!
by phillydem on Jan 02, 2007 - 01:36 PM in State House
105 O'Brien, 97 Perzel. YoungPhillyPolitics reports O'Brien is switching parties.

http://www.keystonepolitics.com/Article5089.html

Listing of informative items and live updates

Perzel Out New State House Speaker Elected

http://voicepa.blogspot.com/

http://voicepa.blogspot.com/2007/01/live-updates-from-perzel-vs-deweese-pa.html

O’Brien, Not as Bad, but Good? January 2
Filed under Pennsylvania, Pa House by Bill Fitz

I don’t know about O’Brien, He is better than Prezel and better than DeWeese I want to see the Roll Call; it is a crock of you know what that each member does not publicly vote yes or no for Speaker. I just hope O’Brien pulled the wool over DeWeese’s eyes

...

Party Change? January 2
Filed under Pennsylvania by Ben Wren

Brett Lieberman is reporting unconfirmed rumors that O’Brien will switch parties.

http://www.pawatercooler.com/

SHOCK: Dems Nominate Rep. Dennis O’Brien (R) For PA House Speaker. Denny Tops Perzel 105-97...

http://www.grassrootspa.com/blog/archives/12333

Comments

http://www.grassrootspa.com/blog/archives/12333#comment-24153

Follow along chronology from (PCN) eyewitness blogger (thanks)

LIVE: Speaker Drama January 2
Filed under Pennsylvania by Ben Wren | 1 comment / trackback

LIVE BLOG HERE

(below is a chronological account that I made during the proceedings. It is incomplete because my feed of pcntv.com went in and out but I think it is more or less complete)

Deweese has nominated Philly Republican Dennis O’Brien as Speaker!

Calling for a Tabula Rosa, or a clean slate, he nominates an ‘honorable, idealistic Republican Dennis O’Brien.’

Richard Geist of Blair County nominates Perzel and Katie True of Lancaster County seconds it.

A point of inquiry was made to determine the number of votes needed. The Master Roll call showing all members being present, 203, 102 votes would be needed...

http://www.pawatercooler.com/

Rep. Thomas Caltagirone was present, pagavel's Mario F. Cattabiani reported in a post entitled Caltagirone-in-house-on-wrong-side

This was noted in a reference at pawatercooler.com

While we are on break in Harrisburg I’ve been checking some other websites and interesting note over at the PA Gavel :...

There is a spotting of Rep. Thomas Caltagirone. The Democrat was tough to spot because he is sitting on the Republican side of the House.

http://www.pawatercooler.com/

Dennis O'Brien is new House speaker; Perzel is out
1/2/2007, 1:45 p.m. ET
By MARK SCOLFORO
The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Newly seated members of the state House of Representatives, in a surprising turn of events, replaced Speaker John Perzel with another Philadelphia Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien, after Democrats were unable to maintain unity in their fragile majority...

O'Brien, who has served in the House for nearly 30 years and chaired the House Judiciary Committee in the last session, was nominated by Bill DeWeese, a Democrat

...

http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/news-44/1167744546172380.xml&storylist=

Philadelphia’s O’Brien is House speakerBy Angela Couloumbis and Amy Worden
INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU
HARRISBURG - In a stunning development, Philadelphia Republican Dennis O'Brien was elected the new speaker of the House, edging out Philadelphia Rep. John Perzel after weeks of political maneuvering by both Democrats and Republicans for control of the House.

The vote was 105 to 97.

In a bizarre twist, O'Brien's nomination actually came from the Democratic side, no less from Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D., Greene), who had been considered the front-runner for the speaker post.

O'Brien has been recently targeted by Democrats, to get him to switch parties or to garner his support...

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16367745.htm

Past articles

http://www.post-gazette.com/election/state_sh.asp

Net the Truth Online: A destiny

Authors Marian Salzman and Ira Matathia highlight the future in their book NEXT NOW, on Fox 'n Friends early this morning. Then the trio of Fox anchors, including Kiera and Alyson, and Brian Kilmeade were on to Rosie vs Trump... then they were on to Senator John Kerry...

Depressing stuff, Next Now authors revealed... terrorism grows in USA... global warming is here to stay...

Yep, my ears picked up on the prediction "global warming is here to stay" since finding just yesterday Ronald Bailey, who for decades wrote about the global warming over-the-edge-of-reason hype, penned EcoScam and edited Global Warming and Other Eco Myths How the Environmental Movement Uses False Science to Scare Us to Death, totally reversed his opinion on global warming.

In We're All Global Warmers Now
Reconciling temperature trends that are all over the place August 11, 2005, Ron Bailey announces:

"Anyone still holding onto the idea that there is no global warming ought to hang it up..."

People who have doubted predictions of catastrophic global warming (and that includes me) "...

If the likes of Bailey can admit he's been wrong on global warming, what is next? Will we be able to discover all the truth - on the internet?

Since nobody else is doing this, we will.

Compare after Bailey's "epiphany," conversion to what has been called a religious movement...

http://www.reason.com/search/?terms=ronald+bailey+global+warming&submit=Go

and before his conversion

Rush to Judgment Ronald Bailey | April 2000

http://www.reason.com/news/show/27654.html

Back to the future, for now. As we are on a need to know everything about everything before we kick off this third planet from the sun, well, we need to review the future, in the present.

7 years from now, 70 years from now... why worry about today when we can worry about tomorrow.

Happy New Year 2077!

Actually, why worry about today, or tomorrow, or the year 2700?

Will have to make a trek to the library to reserve NEXT NOW.

In the meantime, check out the status of Google's book print project (see Googlepedia,) Google's massivedigitalized texts online project .

This post is a highlight of those issues of particular interest to Net the Truth Online into the future:

For posts concerning any of these topics, please conduct a search using the blogger feature at the top left corner of the site.

is the USA a republic or a democracy and why does it matter (this is not mere semantics - the difference matters)

global warming theory (despite Ron Bailey's reversal, skeptics remain, see those posting to Bailey's 2006 column: Global Warming Data Sets Reconciled Ronald Bailey May 3, 2006, 10:44am)

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/113722.html

the most astonishing statement to be made in the exchanges is one made by Bailey in response to Matt:

Matt L | May 3, 2006, 11:14am | #

From the NOAA press release...

One issue does remain however, and that is related to the rates of warming in the tropics. Here, models and theory predict an amplification of surface warming higher in the atmosphere. However, this greater warming aloft is not evident in three of the five observational data sets used in the report. Whether this is a result of uncertainties in the observed data, flaws in climate models, or a combination of these is not yet known. Using the evidence available, the author team favors the first explanation.

So since the data doesn't support their models, the data is wrong, not the models? Is that what they are saying?

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/113722.html

Ron Bailey May 3, 2006, 11:20am | #

Matt: I believe that they are inclined that way because as new data from the polar and temperate portions of the globle came in and was corrected, they tended to become consistent with the models. The majority of the NOAA panel obviously expects the same thing to happen with tropical temperatures--we'll see if they're right. Still, you ask a great question.

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/113722.html

Doesn't Bailey realize he's used the same terminology that clarifies nothing.

tended to become consistent?

NOAA panel obviously expects the same thing to happen?

we'll see if they're right?

Bob Carter writes: There IS a problem with global warming... it stopped in 1998 by Bob Carter Filed: 09/04/2006)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/04/09/do0907.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/04/09/ixworld.html

So that issue will continue to be pursued here.

natural hormone replacement (bioidenticals vs synthetic hormone replacement therapy)

electronic voting machines voter verified paper audit trail (malfunctions vs human error)

voter identification card (privacy concerns vs fraud prevention)

NAFTA superhighway (details hidden)

Article V Constitutional Convention

one world order/one world government

9/11 official government conspiracy theoryvs 9/11 truth movement, 9/11 scholars, conspiracy theorists

illegal immigration and Hazleton, Pennsylvania's sovereignty (status lawsuit/resolution)

danger Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention 2007 and beyond

Pennsylvania Keystone Opportunity Zones (how are KOZs constitutional?) related issues including eminent domain

autism and thimerisol controversy health related issues men, women, and our precious children

get the US out of the UN (John Birch Society, World Net Daily)

is the gifted program rigged?

what does No Child Left Behind Act have to do with public education?

will Americans remember the No Child Left Behind Act was unveiled by George W. Bush during his Florida trip to the Booker Elementary School September 11, 2001?

does the Patriot Act apply to US citizenswhen it was supposed to apply to foreign terrorists

The reason Net the Truth Online continues is because of a personal obsessiveness to find truth, and a mission to share findings with readers like you. You want to know, we want to know as much as possible that is factual and true.

Fox 'n Friends chatting now, not about Next Now... John Kerry eats alone in Iraq??

"tell us the true story," says Brian Kilmeade...

Exactly!

Kilmeade gets immediate response to his query... emails from a father whose son is in Iraq... confirms Kerry ate alone, only two reporters showed up for a press conference...

"We only want to know the truth," says Kilmeade.

Hey that's what Net the Truth Online unabashedly wants for the new year, and beyond...

Truth in 2007... drink a cup of green tea to that (subliminal suggestion)

For more information on this issue use the search feature on this site located at the top left corner

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/search?q=global+warming

Autism cure?

Caught this brief report on Fox 'n Friends previously

Autism Cure? Pregnancy Hormone Offers New Hope
Thursday, December 07, 2006 By Dr. Manny Alvarez

Excerpt

This week, a new study presented at the meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, conducted by Dr. Eric Hollander and Jennifer Bartz of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, offered some new encouragement. In the study, adult patients with autism were given Pitocin, the pharmaceutical name for oxytocin, a naturally occuring hormone in the brain that women are often given during childbirth to speed and regulate contractions.

In its simplest explanation, autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can impair, to varying degrees of severity, a child's socialization--to communicate through language, to experience or express emotions, or to connect emotionally with other people or the world around him or her. Studies have linked oxytocin (not to be confused with the addictive painkiller oxycontin) in altering the pathways of social behavior in animals, and is believed to contribute to the intense feelings of bonding that new mothers feel toward their babies. The autistic adult subjects in the study who received Pitocin retained their ability to asses emotions, and showed a reduction of repetitive behaviors, which is one of the hallmarks of autistic spectrum disorders.

The clear implication of the study is that we are getting closer to understanding some of the chemical pathways of behavior, and getting closer to a possible cure for autism.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,234958,00.html

Interesting PA Political News

May 27, 2006
Voter outrage may be only a sometime thing''I would love to think they punished them because they were on the wrong side of every issue.''

An electorate that finds itself more interested in voting for the ''American Idol'' on Fox TV has finally encountered an issue that has shaken it out of its complacency. The Pennsylvania Legislature has been a disgrace for decades, yet no one has ever really cared. No one bothered to examine the transgressions of this substandard legislative body. Legislators were re-elected year after year, notwithstanding abysmal voting records. Gov. Huey Long (the ''Kingfish'') of Louisiana, was reputed to have made the comment in the 1920s that in order to get voted out of office, he would have to be found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy. Long's comment was a not-so-veiled slap against an electorate that just didn't care what he did, or, at the very least, tacitly approved of everything he did. The Kingfish, arguably until this May's Primary election, would have admired the accommodating and accepting voters of Pennsylvania.The legislators eventually became so contemptuous of the people who kept voting them into office that they gave themselves an outrageous pay hike last year. They assumed no one would care. After all, this pay hike was merely one of a series of outrageous votes, and no one ever seemed to notice anything they did.

The Legislature had become a safe one-party body, run in recent years by Republican bosses.

But the pay hike backfired, and as a result, there has been a bloodletting. Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, Senate Majority Leader David Brightbill, and Rep. Paul Semmel of Lehigh County are among the most notable victims of the voter backlash and booted out of office.

Many incumbent legislators still have to worry about what is going to happen in the November General Election.What happened in Pennsylvania was written about in The New York Times on May 18. It said this ''revolt'' among Pennsylvania conservatives gained national attention after challengers toppled at least 12 state lawmakers they ''deemed insufficiently committed to small government and fiscal restraint.''

The Times article characterized the Pennsylvania Primary Election as a development that does not augur well for the Republican Party nationally. Conservatives still demand fiscal restraint from Republican elected officials. They feel they have not been getting that from their party of late.

According to The Times, this resentment among Pennsylvania conservatives began last summer when the Republican-controlled Legislature approved pay increases of up to 54 percent for elected officials in all three branches of government.Although President Bush and the new brand of evangelical conservatives he leads may find it hard to realize, old-fashioned Republicans in the hinterlands still see themselves primarily as fiscal conservatives.

Although I am overjoyed about this voter revolt in Pennsylvania, it perplexes me nonetheless. With the exception of this one particular pay raise issue, voters remain almost entirely apathetic, and find it difficult to get up out of their easy chairs and go to vote in the typical primary election or general election.

There is something fickle about the pay raise revolt that is disturbing. It merits a much closer look into what happened. Perhaps the question can be posed from a different angle: What if, let's suppose, we had excellent legislators?...

http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/all-columnmay27,0,1080858.column?coll=all-opiniontop-hed

Diven appears to have won GOP write-in for House race
Friday, May 26, 2006By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Setting the stage for another act in a protracted political melodrama, state Rep. Michael Diven, R-Brookline, appears to have succeeded in a write-in campaign to win the GOP nomination for another term in his South Hills district...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06146/693373-179.stm

Ruffing's charity began at home
Lawmaker admits 'donating' raise to son
Saturday, May 27, 2006By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

During a hard-fought primary battle, state Rep. Ken Ruffing insisted that he donated a controversial pay raise to an autism organization he would not identify. Now the legislator says he actually used the money for his son, who is autistic.

The West Mifflin Democrat, who lost his re-election bid to a political newcomer campaigning in part against the pay raise, said two weeks ago that he gave the money, approximately $4,000 in all, to an autism organization. But he refused to identify it despite claiming to have documentation.

In interviews Thursday, Mr. Ruffing, a four-term incumbent, acknowledged that was not the case.

"I gave it to my son Alec. I have to send him to a special school with special needs. And that's where I spent the money. And that's the truth," he told KDKA-TV.

In a separate interview with the McKeesport Daily News, the legislator said the money went to pay his son's tuition. According to the newspaper, Alec currently is enrolled at St. Colman Catholic School in Turtle Creek.

While acknowledging to the Daily News that he should have "come clean" earlier about the actual use of the pay raise, he insisted he "did not lie to the public about this." In the KDKA interview, Mr. Ruffing also justified his earlier statements by saying that "the autism society is Alec Ruffing."

Repeated attempts to reach Mr. Ruffing yesterday were unsuccessful. At his home in West Mifflin, a woman said from a window that the legislator wasn't there and ordered a reporter off the property.

In the primary election, Mr. Ruffing was defeated by political newcomer William C. Kortz II, who was affiliated with PA CleanSweep, the nonpartisan group formed to oust General Assembly incumbents who accepted the late-night pay raise, which was later repealed...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06147/693649-179.stm