This post on Irish blog Blogcrumbs states categorically that:

The links between vaccines and autism is real

This is a highly dangerous statement and simply not a true reflection of the facts. The poster is linking to a natural health site; this article. It is written by Mike Adams. He is a journalist and says he is also a natural health researcher and author. He is not a medical doctor.

Let’s compare that with the following organisations who have said that there is no evidence for a link:
The United States Centers for Disease Control
The United States Institute of Medicine
The National Academy of Sciences
The UK National Health Service

For anyone who reads this who is concerned about the risk of autism from immunisation: The risk of developing autism is far far less than the risk posed by not getting immunised. Scientists and medical professionals have spent a long time on this issue, and it is important to put across how vital it is for your child’s safety that you get them immunised. Don’t take my word for it, go and see a doctor.

I’d like to say to Blogcrumbs that I do hope that you go and seek the advice of medical professionals and continue your research into this issue and come to a more informed conclusion. This is not just a case of conforming to my point of view, this is an issue of child protection.

I’d recommend you a) amend your post to cite several links to medical resources refuting your claim and b) point out that it is just an opinion.

Wow. The shite falling from the sky [it's not snow, it's not sleet and it's not rain] is fucking insane in Dublin right now.

Picture above taken from the MET Eireann satellite imagery page from 12pm today. There’s a severe weather warning out for today. No shit!

Back in November, The UCD Literary and Historical Society held a debate on scientology. They had a pretty impressive array of guests:

Prof. Stephen Kent - Scientology specialist of the Sociology Department, University of Alberta.
Gerard Ryan - Director and member of Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin Ltd.
John Duignan - Former Scientologist.
Mike Garde - Representative of Dialogue Ireland and anti-Scientology Campaigner.
Andreas Heldal-Lund - Founder of Xenu.net, an anti-Scientology website.

The great news is that they created recordings of the whole thing and it’s all available in mp3 format. Take a look: UCD Literary and Historical Society debate on Scientology.

And lo, a new Irish internet legend is born. Go CARL!

Someone I know actually saw this, and hadn’t a clue what was going on.

It was for the Nokia Young fashion Designer competition.

Dublin based band Prince Kong, if this music doesn’t brighten up your lunch time; nothing will. Here is there myspace page. More about them here too.

It’s ridiculous that because of the internet, I’m more aware of the US elections in a lot of ways than I am Irish politics - it’s mainly down to digg, as the users there are currently digging the fuck out of everything election related because of the close nature of the primaries.

Obama for the win of course. Why?

Superficially because you can say the following things: Obamarama, Total World Obamination, Let’s get Obam08ted, and everyone’s favourite, GOBAMA!

Racially, because it would do the world good to see a black guy get the world’s most powerful position.

Politically, it would be fantastic to see a non-establishment president get elected. It’s a bit twisted to have two families dominate the presidency for so many years.

Humanely, because he actually seems like a nice person.

More: barackandroll.com, pun-tastic t-shirts.

So there it is, Jazz Biscuit nominates Barack Obama.

This post was somewhat inspired by a guest post this morning about Hilary Clinton over on Mulley.net. The poster worked with Hilary, and has nothing but the highest respect for her. She’s too cool, too calculating. But then, there is this sort of thing, so I still think she’s a very worthy candidate.

He’s in talks with the FAI at the moment, and there’s positive noises from all concerned right now. See this Sky sports article about him. Some great anonymous wikipedia updating on the subject:

He is one of the 18,000 or so former footballers widely tipped to be the next Republic of Ireland manager. Primarily by bored message bored posters and bookmakers.

Is it all just bookie fuelled mania? There’s a post about it here at blog.bookies.com. At least it would be someone with a bit of experience. See the full wikipedia article for the details of his impressive career.

Did you know there’s a Belfast in Second Life? Do you know what Second life is? It’s an online virtual world, where you can login and create an avatar, and generally wander about the place in 3D creating things and talking to people.

Someone went to the trouble of walking around the virtual Belfast and posting it on YouTube:

And did you know that a few months ago Discover Ireland held an event in the virtual Dublin? (News article.)

It seems to me these things have a bit of a ways to go before they become good enough to be mainstream.

The TED [Technology Entertainment Design] conference brings together loads of interesting speakers for inspirational talks. The one I’m linking to is J.J. Abrams, creator of Lost, Cloverfield et all. See his Wikipedia for more.

There’s hours of worthwhile and genuinely inspring viewing over at the Talks page.