Autism and Vaccines - Eliminate the Variables

It seems like the easiest thing in the world to do would be to compare autism rates in vaccinated populations vs unvaccinated populations in the U.S.  There are about 18 million children in the U.S. under the age of 5.  Of those, the best guess is that about a million are not vaccinated (about 6%).  What percent of those children are autistic?  Why hasn't this been checked?  Their argument against doing this kind of study is it wouldn't be ethical to deprive anyone of vaccines.  But these people do not want vaccines.

The only other reason is that they know they would find little or no autism in the unvaccinated and that would wipe out billions of their dollars if word got out.  I believe the vaccine makers already know the answer, which is why they won't do the study.

The solution is for some organization to try to reach every family that does not get vaccinated and check if there are any cases of autism.  If there aren't, that would mean that the rates of autism in vaccinated children is an even higher percent than the current estimate.

Vaccines are one variable.  Other variables - herbicides/pesticides (like round-up/glyphosate) and other environmental neuro-toxins, like Naled that is used for spraying for Zika.

We do know this - the U.S. is, by far, the most vaccinated population (in number of vaccines being given to each individual), has the highest infant mortality rate, and is at the bottom of the list for developed nations in health and longevity.  And spends the most on health.  These statistics should tell you something!

Beware of MUFG Union Bank (Union Bank of California)

I try to post positive things, but occasionally a business does something so wrong, that it cries out to be reported, although there is a positive ending....well, a few.

If you Google "Union Bank," this is what comes up first:  "Union Bank personal banking services are exclusively designed to meet your financial needs, because you deserve more."

The reality is a bit different.  Here is my story regarding Union Bank.  I had my personal account with them for around 22 years, and also my business account (when I owned a vitamin store in Santa Monica) for several years.  During that time, never had a bad check, and my account was never overdrawn.  In other words, never a problem.

Recently, a friend of mine had been arrested and was in a federal detention center.  Her sister was in Australia at the time, and so the sister was not able to wire money to her in prison, so she asked if I would be willing to act as the go between - her sister would wire me the money, and I would wire it to my friend.  Of course, for her to wire me money, I needed to give her my account info.  I did, and everything went smoothly.  I received the money and transferred it to my friend, less the fees.

My friend, being in prison, didn't have access to her bank to get money when she would need it, for various things (retainer fees for an attorney, things she needed while at the detention center, etc.).  So she asked if she could send me money to hold for her, and distribute to others as she requested.  I said OK, and she sent me two checks to deposit into my account.  I went to Union Bank and deposited the two checks, was told they would be put on hold, as expected, and I thought that would be the end of it.  It wasn't!

A few days after depositing the funds, there was a Fed Ex envelope at my door.  Inside was a notice that Union Bank froze my account.  No prior mention that this might happen, no warning, no phone call, and no access to my own funds or her checks.  I had, at that time, three payments I had already sent, including one to my credit card for around 79 cents - which the bank didn't pay.  I was told to call the fraud investigation center of Union Bank, but was too late that day.  When I called, they said they suspected fraud.  I told them there was no fraud, explained that the checks had been sent to me by my friend's court appointed federal defender, that my friend was a public figure, in jail, etc., and who in their right mind would commit fraud while in jail?  When I told them I had given my account info to my friend's sister, and she had deposited money into my account, they were sure there was fraud.  If they think like this, how can anyone write a check, as all that info is printed right on the check?  If someone commits fraud by depositing money into my account, I'll take that fraud all the time!  I guess that tells you a little about this bank's logic (or lack of it).  Anyway, two weeks later, they realized there was no fraud and finally unfroze my account.  During that time, my friend asked if I could use some of the money to pay the balance of an order she had pending in China.  When I went to wire the money, they closed my account at Union Bank.  When I went to see the manager at the branch where my account was located, I was told my account had too many problems.  Union Bank made the problems when there weren't any....and never apologized!

They say "you deserve more," but after 22 years they closed my account.  I guess they are right - I did deserve more.  Now I'm at another bank getting more!  The other bank offers veterans free checks and a free safe deposit box.  The other good thing - my friend is now free and enjoying life again and the money she sent me has been returned to her and her attorney.

Calcium in the News Tonight (10/11/2016), and Some Related Comments

On the world news  tonight on NBC, they talked about the dangers of calcium supplements, how it could lead to heart problems.  If all you take is Calcium by itself, they are probably right.  And they mentioned how getting calcium from your food has the opposite effect and is good for your heart.  So far, so good, right?  But why the difference between food and supplements?  Food has other things in it that should always be taken with calcium, whether in supplement or food form.

I used to own a vitamin store in Santa Monica and have worked at several other vitamin stores.  People used to come in and tell me their doctor told them to get calcium.  I used to ask if that was calcium with magnesium and vitamin D.  No, they would say, my doctor just said calcium, sometimes asking for Citrical.  And that was the problem.

Tonight, I kept waiting for the news report to mention that calcium supplements should always be taken with magnesium, vitamin D and Vitamin K (I take a combination of magnesium oxide and citrate, and vitaminK1 with K2 - MK7).  Perhaps with zinc, too.  Never take a high dose calcium supplement by itself.  In addition to helping get the calcium where it belongs, vitamin D supports your immune system and has many other benefits.

The problem with the news is that it seldom gives complete information about supplements.  And never gives a balanced report about vaccinations.  I've never heard anything negative about vaccines, and yet they kill and injure thousands, perhaps a lot more.  And I seldom hear anything positive about supplements, although they have done wonders for my health. 

I will say this time and again - for your health, do your own research from independent sources (those not collecting money from the drug companies, which includes most doctors and the government.  Make sure the articles have references and check those.  

To your health!

Photography - What is the Fairest Way to Charge

The vast majority of photographers will charge a fee to photograph you.  It may be called a creation fee, a session fee, a sitting fee, etc.  Some will offer you a guarantee of some kind.  Maybe a free re-shoot if you are not happy with the results, maybe even a partial or full refund.

A short time ago, I read about a photographer who doesn't charge this initial fee, and I thought, wow, what a great idea.  If I start a photography business again, this is what I would do.  No charge for a consultation, no charge to actually shoot the photos.  If you are not happy, no worries about getting your money back.  Of course, if you do love the results, the final image is not cheap.  But you have nothing to lose, no risk, no obligation of any kind.  If the results are not exactly what you had wanted, and you don't order anything, you don't pay a penny.  And no hard feelings.  I had originally thought I would charge for the session ahead of time and offer a 100% money back guarantee or free re-shoot, or both, but like this idea better.  I think potential clients would, also.

One photographer sells these portraits for $10,000 or more.  If I did this, what would you get for that price?   Perhaps a 3 foot by 5 foot full length portrait, in a museum quality frame, with oil painting overlay - sort of a combination of photography and oil painting portrait.  And the single digital file that was used to produce it, retouched the same way as the finished product.  In short, a masterpiece that you loved and totally approved.

The photographer I would base my business on is this one (link).   Not exactly the same, but similar.  Different backdrop, different poses, but same quality.

Below are photos of one of my backdrops, plus a selfie in front of it.

Photos shot with Nikon D600 with 24-85mm lens at f5.6, 1/60, ISO 250 on 9/20/2016

If I start my photography business, don't worry, I won't charge $10,000 for a while, but I will use the oil coloring and beautiful frames, so it will cost a bit.