Weblogic

A federal court ruled Friday that the evidence supporting an alleged causal link between autism and a mercury-containing preservative in vaccines is unpersuasive, and that the families of children diagnosed with autism are not entitled to compensation. Special masters of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims released more than 600 pages of findings after reviewing three test cases and finding all the claims wanting.

"Petitioners' theory of vaccine-related causation is scientifically unsupportable," wrote Special Master Patricia Campbell-Smith in her conclusion about William P. Mead, whose parents, George and Victoria Mead, had brought one of the suits.

Question: Do you think there is enough evidence to support a link between autism and immunizations or do you agree with the recent rulings?

During Howard Stern's Sirius satellite show this week, co-host Robin Quivers commented that Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) should have looked around at the Oscars and noticed that none of the other working actresses looked like her. The comments made on Stern's show sparked a heated debate among moviegoers and industry observers, with some believing the shock-jock was simply saying what everyone else is thinking.

Question: Do you think that Sidibe will continue to get work in Hollywood or will her weight keep her from getting roles? And, should her weight have any bearing on whether she works or not?

A Mississippi county school board announced Wednesday it would cancel its upcoming prom after a gay student, Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior, petitioned to bring a same-sex date to the event. In addition to circulating a memo to the students banning same-sex dating, the district also refused McMillen's request to wear a tuxedo.

"Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this year," school board members said in a statement. In the announcement, the school board encouraged the community to organize a private prom. "It is our hope that private citizens will organize an event for the juniors and seniors. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this causes anyone."

Question: Do you think the school board was right or wrong in canceling the prom in order to avoid having a lesbian couple in attendance?

Now-former congressman Eric Massa posted on his web site: "Effective at 5 p.m. on Monday the 8th of March, I will resign my position as the Federal Representative of New York's 29th Congressional District in the 111th Congress. I do so with a profound sense of failure and a deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent as our Nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can possibly imagine." He would not seek re-election, he announced last week, because of health concerns (recurrence of cancer). He then denied reports that he had harassed Capitol Hill staff members.

Depending on who’s telling the story -- Massa confesses to using inappropriate, “salty” language, while several others accuse him of being a Capitol Hill predatory homosexual who groped male staffers working in his office – it’s fairly safe to say there’s been some kind of bad behavior from that office. From allegations dating back more than a year, Massa has been the subject of a House ethics committee investigation for possible harassment. Whether or not this behavior would have gotten him ousted from public office is a moot question, as he voluntarily resigned. He claims his decision to quit was brought about by heavy-handed pressure from the Democratic Party because he was a key roadblock to passage of the health care legislation.

Question: Do you think Massa was set up because he would not vote for health reform, that he resigned due to health reasons, or that he quit his office in order to protect himself and his family from the avalanche of bad publicity that is sure to follow?