No Autism-Immunization Link After All

I have to first say thanks to Josh for the link to this article. I know it will probably get heated reactions from some, but it makes me nuts that a retraction doesn't get the buzz that the front page stories do. In short, The Lancet states that no large study could recreate the same result as Dr. Wakefield's study did. Of course, the Dr. disagrees. The General Medical Council in the UK says that the Wakefield study can not be trusted. You can watch the Today Show story here for the full report:

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Book Review: The Green Book

I don't usually find myself reading kid fiction, but at my child's insistence (and he was extremely persistent) I found myself reading The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh. My son loved it and it has a very fun twist at the end. If your child is at all into mystery or science fiction books, this is a quick read along those line. Fun, futuristic and fair.

Among The More Ridiculous...

I saw this story on a blog site and couldn't believe it was true. So I tracked it down to an ABC affiliate in Michigan (WZZM). It's true. I CANNOT believe it has come to this. Seriously.

MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) - A West Michigan woman says the state is threatening her with fines and possibly jail time for babysitting her neighbors' children.

Lisa Snyder of Middleville says her neighborhood school bus stop is right in front of her home. It arrives after her neighbors need to be at work, so she watches three of their children for 15-40 minutes until the bus comes.

The Department of Human Services received a complaint that Snyder was operating an illegal child care home. DHS contacted Snyder and told her to get licensed, stop watching her neighbors' kids, or face the consequences.

"It's ridiculous." says Snyder. "We are friends helping friends!" She added that she accepts no money for babysitting.

Mindy Rose, who leaves her 5-year-old with Snyder, agrees. "She's a friend... I trust her."

State Representative Brian Calley is drafting legislation that would exempt people who agree to care for non-dependent children from daycare rules as long as they're not engaged in a business.

"We have babysitting police running around this state violating people, threatening to put them in jail or fine them $1,000 for helping their neighbor (that) is truly outrageous" says Rep. Calley.

A DHS spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the case but says they have no choice but to comply with state law, which is designed to protect Michigan children.