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Mr Medved, on 18 May 2012 - 04:16 AM, said:

Absolutely correct.
This is pretty much the strategy we used for our two kids.

The thimerasol that was generally considered to be the 'cause' of the alleged autism cases was phased out years ago.

But - it has to be a case-by-case basis from here on out.

In previous decades vaccinations were generally reliable and generally targeted to benefit both the individual (lower chance of individual adverse consequences of illness) and the broader society (fewer epidemics, lower healthcare costs, healthier & more resilient population).

However now there is now a new player - the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the vaccines. They are largely after profits and the turn-around time on the development of new vaccines is becoming much shorter. This means that consequences - both long and short term - are no longer as well known for all vaccines.

For example, there is some fairly good evidence that the chickenpox vaccine wears off as you age, which may well leave people vaccinated with it susceptible to the very painful related disease Shingles as they get older, and both their own immune system and the vaccine induced immunity start to weaken. This really can't be known with any certainty until the first Varicella vaccinated cohort reaches about 55/60.
And all for a bit of immunity from chickenpox, which is an annoying but mild childhood disease - but a painful and debilitating adult disease.

There are also increasingly frequent 'bad batches' of vaccines, which either don't take at all, or which sicken those vaccinated by them - like the flu vaccine used in Perth a couple of years ago that caused febrile convulsions in small kids.

Don't get me wrong - I love vaccinations for things like polio, tetanus and diphtheria.
Those diseases are killers, and I am grateful for the ability to protect my kids from them.

But I am somewhat concerned by the modern marketing that is trying to make out that all vaccines are equal. They aren't.

And I don't trust big pharma any further than I could kick them.


Re circumcision - I used to be mildly anti-circumcision - why fix it if it ain't broke?
But then I encountered a fellow who had undergone adult circumcision due to one of the several medical problems that can afflict uncircumcised men.
I'd strongly recommend infant circumcision now.

Last time I was in New Zealand some guy fishing for trout told me - with unassailable confidence - that 'Anything tastes good if you deep-fry it for long enough'.

Taking that idea to it's logical conclusion, here's a recipe for -

'Mermaids Tresses'

1 bunch bok choy (or silverbeet in this case)
oil for deep frying
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 pinches caster sugar
2 tablespoons very tiny dried shrimp (optional)

With a sharp knife cut away the white central rib of the leaves and set aside (or discard). Place 3 or 4 green leaves together and roll up tightly. Shred in very fine even slices, and separate the shreds.

Heat at least 2 cups oil in a wok or other deep pan, and drop in a large handful of the shredded leaves at a time. Stir-fry for about 60 to 80 seconds, scoop them out on a large perforated spoon and drain on paper towels. The colour should be brilliant green. If cooked for even a few seconds too long they will turn brown. (Trout-fishing guy wasn't quite right)

In a few minutes, when the leaves have cooled and crisped, sprinkle lightly with the merest pinch of salt and caster sugar. If using the dried shrimp, deep fry in the same oil, drain, and sprinkle over the fried greens. Serve while crisp, as an hors d'oeuvre or as a background for fried scallops or other delicate, unsauced foods.

staringclown, on 08 May 2012 - 10:29 AM, said:

Not everyone with multiple kids in school.

tor, on 05 May 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

I wouldn't really agree with that theory.

I've had - and enjoyed - both laphroiag and grange, and of the two, grange is way more accessible.
Anyone who likes a big red wine could easily appreciate grange, whereas you do have to kind of ease your way into laphroiag, no matter how much Johnny Walker Red you may have had previously.

I also think that SC is right about wines that are as good, or better, being available to those who are canny and/or patient.

I guess I'm fortunate to have had Grange three or four times, different vintages each time, courtesy of a relative with more money than judgement.

It's certainly a fine wine; well structured in the classic Penfold's style... but is it worth the outlay?

Nope.

Call me a heathen, but I would never actually shell out my own hard-earned in order to drink it again.
It's slightly old-fashioned to my palate, too, a solid old-school shiraz with a bit of cabernet added for good measure.

Penfold's make a number of good wines, all of them identifiably that SA/Penfold's style, and all much more affordable.
St Henri is less than $100, and Kalimna or Bin 128 are about $30 - vastly better value if you ask me.

Incidentally, the Penfold's flagship, the original vineyard, which still grows the original shiraz grapes even though it is now in a sea of suburbia, is only a few km from here.
They do tasting flights there, and tours for well-heeled tourists.