Many people are hearing things about Asperger's Syndrome and autism in the media and I want to address some things from a personal perspective. My son is an "aspie"- and we love him dearly and understand his challenges. It hurts to read or hear some of the erroneous information that is in the media.

One caveat: one cannot assume that a person diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome will have ALL of the most common attributes. For example- my son is very athletic and well-coordinated, which is unusual. It is often said that if you've met one aspie, you've met….. one aspie…:)…

First, let me state clearly: People diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome suffer at the hands of others every day. For them to be somehow lumped in with deranged individuals who commit heinous crimes is unconscionable.

It is often said that Bill Gates has Asperger's . And so does my son.

Many successfully independent people with Asperger's overcome the inherent challenges by first recognizing and accepting the specific nature of those challenges.

Fact: People with Asperger's are set up for constant frustration as they seek to understand what others do not struggle with– body language, facial expressions, tone of voice or vocal…

–a good friend sent me this story and I thought I would pass it along.

Hi John,
I thought of you when I read this and thought I should warn YOU….Don't Do It!

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest…
The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie.
What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized Tazer. The effects of the Tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time…

Let's get real here.

I condemn the actions of the people who are responsible for the death of our ambassador and other Americans, and those who are attacking our embassies around the region. There is no justification for these actions. Those responsible should be stopped, period. But just how is that done? We have seen the results of our own wrath being pursued, and it is not pretty, or feasibly attained.

The fool who produced that video does not in any way represent the United States government or its people. Singularly, he is not a threat to the region or…

I received an interesting question about Texans.

"Hello John, thanks for your kind words. There seems to be much to discover in your library. I don't want to sound rude but are open minded guys like you usually hanging out in Texas? ;)"

http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo28.gif hmmm… Since that came from someone who lives in Germany, I imagine he knows all too well about the stereotypes we sometimes have to live with. http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/48.gif

My reply:
"Texas is like any place else- but we especially love and appreciate people with the confidence and courage to stand up for what they believe. We may…

Re: Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas-

A few days back they were the darling of the nation in many ways. Academics, a sterling education, athletics, Christian principles. Any parent would be thrilled to have their child attend there during the critical formative young adult years.

Why is it that the media just loves to watch anyone or any institution twist in the wind when something goes awry? It takes years- decades- sometimes even centuries to build up a solid reputation. And it all comes crashing down in days when a few wayward miscreants wander too far off the…

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Byrds/_/The+Byrds+-+Wasn%27t+Born+To+Follow
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSprasynlvi7yzI85dUMwM0558RrnvgYl_v21l-h9Tuta43kU25
ahhhh… what I could do with a fresh pair of socks on this floor…..

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaIpNgOyayyIhNrjkIuk3JPczZ7X9Po0asqEBWsbhmejIAk0PEjg I think they were ready for me to leave…

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQzh7W0cxwdnXUcRZEtqs_gzGk3tSy4_xFBbhkQu2Le1R5fEf33 What? Cream of Wheat again???????

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTl3FnCEfmWo3shGJz8fteC6aZnYqcCNTMD3rHXrJraodojfAfA

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Byrds/_/The+Byrds+-+Wasn%27t+Born+To+Follow

http://www.last.fm/music/Steppenwolf/Born+to+Be+Wild/Born+To+Be+Wild

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL72A28BD5155729A7

GREETINGS from a big dang hospital in Arlington:

Busted!

Not exactly an Easy Rider outing with the boys… but when I had a stroke recently I was so elated just to be alive and kicking that I went for a little walk down the hall and enjoyed it- so I just kept on walking. I got out of range for the portable heart monitor…

Compassion
Empathy
Perspective
Boundaries
Reality
Priorities
Moderation
Compromise
Acceptance
Dedication
Patience

<Grace>

…and that has made all the difference…..

http://www.last.fm/music/The%20Byrds/_/Turn!%20Turn!%20Turn!%20(To%20Everything%20There%20Is%20A%20Season)?ac=the Byrds

God places people in our paths for a reason.

****************************************
****

I am going to take several minutes to tell you a story- a true story- that was just revealed to me in it fullest extent.

When I was in college in Austin I managed 9 apartment complexes (small, mostly) which got me free rent and a few other benefits- plus the hours were very flexible- which I needed.

There was a girl in the complex I lived in (The Pepper Tree) named Deejay Higgs (Deborah Jean). She was very sweet- and we talked often in the parking…

http://www.last.fm/music/Valdi+Sabev/_/Painting+The+Sky
(soundtrack…:)

THE DIFFERENCE

I sense a sadness… so oppressive.

Despite the many joys that unfold before us
some prevail with attitudes of despair and pain,
recognizing only the negative things that surround us all.

Granted- there is much pain and suffering out there.
Too much, indeed.

I see it, I hear it, I feel it.
There is no denying its existence.
Nor would I try to do so.

Since the beginning of time man has suffered
the indignities of occurrences
far beyond his control.

Catastrophic events rip the foundation of trust
and destroy our peace of mind.

As much…