From Prensa Latina:
Maya Priests “Cleanse” Cancun of Bush Evils
Cancun, Mexico, Mar 31 (Prensa Latina) "People in Cancun, where tight security has been in force for the last two days, are breathing a clearer air Friday, after five Maya priests cleansed the city of “evils in US President George W Bush.”
"Members of the Ceremonial Center of Nuevo Valladolid made the “cleansing” at Las Palapas Park, where they erected an altar, burnt incense and drank a beer called the balche, which is used to purify the spirit.
“We are getting rid of Bush evils,” said Priest Romualdo May.
"The ritual is among actions held in Cancun and across Mexico to condemn the presence of Bush, who is attending the Mexico-US-Canada meeting opened today.
"Talks between Vicente Fox, Bush, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and their delegations are focusing on border security, regional competition and cooperation to fight diseases such as bird flu."
Friday, March 31
best game yet
No explanation needed, really. If he gets stuck, grab his sorry ass with the mouse and give it a good shove.
What a Great Idea
I hear the Army has lowered enlistment standards, so he should fit right in.
Hat tip to Kat, from whose blog I swiped this picture.
And you thought propaganda was only the tool of the commies
Well I was raised to believe that. When I grew up, I realized that the only difference between the US and the USSR was that the soviets knew they were being fed propaganda. Daddy, part of me wishes you were alive today to witness this.
The US has quite a propaganda machine as evidenced by our mass media. But there's even more: An article: The US Propaganda Machine: Oh, What a Lovely War over at Commondreams.org, describes the pentagon's propaganda in Iraq... and it's a whopper.
The US has quite a propaganda machine as evidenced by our mass media. But there's even more: An article: The US Propaganda Machine: Oh, What a Lovely War over at Commondreams.org, describes the pentagon's propaganda in Iraq... and it's a whopper.
They [newspaper reports for Iraqi's] were prepared by specially trained American "psy-ops" troops who paid thousands of dollars to Iraqi newspaper editors to run these unattributed reports in their publications. In order to hide its involvement, the Pentagon hired the Lincoln Group to act as a liaison between troops and journalists. The Lincoln Group was at the centre of controversy last year when it was revealed the company was being paid more than $100m (£58m) for various contracts, including the planting of such stories.You should read this after you've had your coffee.
The Pentagon - which recently announced that an internal investigation had cleared the Lincoln Group of breaching military rules by planting these stories - has claimed these new reports did not constitute propaganda because they were factually correct. But a military specialist has questioned some of the information contained within their reports while describing their rhetorical style as "comical". Furthermore, it has been alleged that quotations contained within these reports and others - attributed to anonymous Iraqi officials or citizens - were routinely made up by US troops who never went beyond the perimeter of the Green Zone.
Body Armor Debacle Continues
For god's sake, I can't believe we are going over this again.
The Marines reported that Interceptor OTV Body Armor cost lives back in January. There was a whole big hoo ha over the private purchase of body armor by soldiers. I just posted again on Sunday the story of the body armor debacle. The batmitzvahpalooza daddy, David Brooks, is the defense contractor responsible for making the Interceptor OTV Body Armor, which costs lives according to the USMC, and is being sued over numerous securities violations, but most of all, knowingly selling thousands and thousands of Interceptor OTV Body Armor defective vests!!!!
Remember, the US rushed into war in Iraq without even having enough body armor to go around in the first place. Many troops and their families purchased their own body armor because our fabulous military was not prepared for a pre-emptive war for oil based on shoddy intelligence. The families probably did research and bought the best body armor, but naturally that wasn't the crappy body armor that the military bargained for.
So what's in the news again? Army Bans Use of Privately Bought Armor
They say that troops are wasting their money on substandard stuff. Excuse me? Doesn't the Army read the reports about the substandard crap that the US defense contractors are making?
Do the Army and the Marines even speak to each other? The Marines have not issued such a directive. Is the Army just trying to use up all the shitty body armor in stock? What are they smoking in the pentagon and should it be deemed illegal?
If you ask any war mongers about this debacle, they will tell you that the troops "volunteered".
But wait, there's more...
Blackwater USA is ready to become an Army for hire. Their employees make about $1000/day for combat duty. Wait wait wait. What kind of body armor will they be wearing? Why is the government willing to spend so much having a private army? Why not spend more money on the US Army? How is Blackwater affiliated with the Bush crime family? My head is spinning. Help.
Wait there's more...
Our returning soldiers regret what they had to do in Iraq. A chilling account at antiwar.com
The Marines reported that Interceptor OTV Body Armor cost lives back in January. There was a whole big hoo ha over the private purchase of body armor by soldiers. I just posted again on Sunday the story of the body armor debacle. The batmitzvahpalooza daddy, David Brooks, is the defense contractor responsible for making the Interceptor OTV Body Armor, which costs lives according to the USMC, and is being sued over numerous securities violations, but most of all, knowingly selling thousands and thousands of Interceptor OTV Body Armor defective vests!!!!
Remember, the US rushed into war in Iraq without even having enough body armor to go around in the first place. Many troops and their families purchased their own body armor because our fabulous military was not prepared for a pre-emptive war for oil based on shoddy intelligence. The families probably did research and bought the best body armor, but naturally that wasn't the crappy body armor that the military bargained for.
So what's in the news again? Army Bans Use of Privately Bought Armor
They say that troops are wasting their money on substandard stuff. Excuse me? Doesn't the Army read the reports about the substandard crap that the US defense contractors are making?
Do the Army and the Marines even speak to each other? The Marines have not issued such a directive. Is the Army just trying to use up all the shitty body armor in stock? What are they smoking in the pentagon and should it be deemed illegal?
If you ask any war mongers about this debacle, they will tell you that the troops "volunteered".
But wait, there's more...
Blackwater USA is ready to become an Army for hire. Their employees make about $1000/day for combat duty. Wait wait wait. What kind of body armor will they be wearing? Why is the government willing to spend so much having a private army? Why not spend more money on the US Army? How is Blackwater affiliated with the Bush crime family? My head is spinning. Help.
Wait there's more...
Our returning soldiers regret what they had to do in Iraq. A chilling account at antiwar.com
"When I first got there, you could basically kill anybody you want. If you see anybody out here at night, shoot 'em. Just drop [plant] a shovel [i.e. evidence of an IED]."
Divine Strake
That's the name of the huge conventional bomb the pentagon plans to test in Nevada on June 2nd. Got a problem with that?
WAPO Such a bomb would be a conventional alternative to a nuclear weapon proposed by the Bush administration, which has run into opposition on Capitol Hill. The Pentagon for several years has sought funding for research into the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) -- also known as the "bunker buster" -- after the administration's 2001 Nuclear Posture Review stated that no weapon in the U.S. arsenal could threaten a growing number of buried targets. Congress, however, has repeatedly refused to grant funding for a study on a nuclear bunker buster, instead directing money toward conventional alternatives.I don't like the name.
The June test will detonate 700 tons of heavy ammonium nitrate-fuel oil emulsion -- creating a blast equivalent to 593 tons of TNT -- in a 36-foot-deep hole near a tunnel in the center of the Nevada Test Site, according to official reports. It aims to allow scientists to model the type of ground shock that will be created, and to weigh the effectiveness of such a weapon against its collateral impact.
"To my knowledge, this will be the largest open-air chemical explosion that we've conducted," said Darwin Morgan, spokesman for the Energy Department's test site. Larger blasts have been carried out at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, including the nation's biggest open-air detonation, in 1985, a Pentagon spokeswoman said.
The Republican Nemesis
Good Morning ALL - Happy Friday, Happy Day Light Savings, Happy Nice Day in the Northeast..... Oh and can't forget April Fools tomorrow!
I thought I would pass along some required reading (or re-reading) for the weekend. I am sure alot of you have read James Kroeger. Time for me to do a re-read. His website has now moved to http://nontrivialpursuits.org/
Time to forward this republican nemesis piece (again) to all the dems in public office that you know - not just to read, but to act upon.
The "Why are People So Mean" article is THE BEST explaination I have come across. It will provide you with many answers to this most common, ago old question.
Have a great weekend everyone.....
I thought I would pass along some required reading (or re-reading) for the weekend. I am sure alot of you have read James Kroeger. Time for me to do a re-read. His website has now moved to http://nontrivialpursuits.org/
Time to forward this republican nemesis piece (again) to all the dems in public office that you know - not just to read, but to act upon.
The "Why are People So Mean" article is THE BEST explaination I have come across. It will provide you with many answers to this most common, ago old question.
Have a great weekend everyone.....
Thursday, March 30
The Following is a Fake Headline (but not by much):
"America Bulldozes New Orleans Dwellings for Rich People"
The following is a fake paragraph (but not by much):
"This is not the first time the Neo-con regime has sacrificed a cultural treasure to the demands of modernity. The imposing city walls came tumbling down after the Neo-cons came to power in 2000, freeing up space for urban expansion and doing away with a symbol of the old society."
The REAL story: "Beijing Bulldozes Dwellings for Olympics"
(and)
"This is not the first time the Communist regime has sacrificed a cultural treasure to the demands of modernity. The imposing city walls came tumbling down after the Communists came to power in 1949, freeing up space for urban expansion and doing away with a symbol of the old society."
Somehow I just didn't see that much difference.
You can read the entire Beijing story in the (gag) Associated Press. Some of the neighborhoods and houses they're shitboxing date to the time of Kubla Khan and the Ming Dynasty. Ah, Progress!
The following is a fake paragraph (but not by much):
"This is not the first time the Neo-con regime has sacrificed a cultural treasure to the demands of modernity. The imposing city walls came tumbling down after the Neo-cons came to power in 2000, freeing up space for urban expansion and doing away with a symbol of the old society."
The REAL story: "Beijing Bulldozes Dwellings for Olympics"
(and)
"This is not the first time the Communist regime has sacrificed a cultural treasure to the demands of modernity. The imposing city walls came tumbling down after the Communists came to power in 1949, freeing up space for urban expansion and doing away with a symbol of the old society."
Somehow I just didn't see that much difference.
You can read the entire Beijing story in the (gag) Associated Press. Some of the neighborhoods and houses they're shitboxing date to the time of Kubla Khan and the Ming Dynasty. Ah, Progress!
Environmental Crisis
On Tuesday, March 28th,
Yesterday at Freedom House, bush was asked about global warming. The oilman says that we "got to invest in hybrid batteries". Here is the transcript from the WH website.
In a keynote speech opening the fourth biennial State of the Planet conference at New York's Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs, director of the UN Millennium Project, said ignorance, misplaced priorities and indifference were keeping the world firmly on a path to disaster.
...
"Politics is central," he said, condemning what he called the "scientifically antagonistic" policies of the current US administration under President George W. Bush.
"We're fighting all the wrong wars in this country," Sachs said, adding that what the White House really needed was a subscription to Scientific American magazine.
"Our political leaders do not have the training to understand these issues," he said, citing the crisis in Sudan's western region of Darfur which Sachs argued was primarily the result of water shortages that had prompted conflict.
"We view these crises first as political crises when we should view them as ecological crises," he said.
Yesterday at Freedom House, bush was asked about global warming. The oilman says that we "got to invest in hybrid batteries". Here is the transcript from the WH website.
Q From Australia. I've got a question about global warming -- in the Australian Parliament, Tony Blair called for greater action. And this seems to be something that the U.S. President could make a major difference on. There's a virtual consensus that the planet is warming. If you addressed issues like emissions, fuel efficiency, issues to do with alternative energy in your last few years as President, it could make a significant difference I think to the --No one asked any follow up questions to His Hubris. Where the heck was this man during the oil crisis of the 1970's? (Did anyone watch Southpark last night?)
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate you bringing that up.
Q -- and I suppose I want to know, what is your plan?
THE PRESIDENT: Good. We -- first of all, there is -- the globe is warming. The fundamental debate: Is it manmade or natural. Put that aside. It is in our interests that we use technologies that will not only clean the air, but make us less dependent on oil. That's what I said in my State of the Union the other day. I said, look -- and I know it came as quite a shock to -- for people to hear a Texan stand up and say, we've got a national problem, we're addicted to oil. But I meant what I said. (Is this man a master of stating the obvious or what?
Being addicted to oil is a problem for our economy. In a global economy, when burgeoning economies like India and China use more fossil fuels, it affects the price of gasoline here in America. In a world in which sometimes people have got the oil we need, or don't like us -- it's kind of a undiplomatic way of putting it -- it means we've got a national security issue.
I have -- much of my position was defined early on in my presidency when I told the world I thought that Kyoto was a lousy deal for America. And I tell you why it was a lousy deal for America. It meant that we had to cut emissions below 1990 levels, which would have meant I would have presided over massive layoffs and economic destruction. I believe the best way to put technologies in place that will not only achieve national objectives like less addiction to oil, but also help clean the air, is to be wealthy enough to invest in technologies, and then to share those technologies with parts of the world that were excluded from the Kyoto Protocol.
And so I guess I should have started differently when I first became President, and said, we will invest in new technologies that will enable us to use fossil fuels in a much wiser way. And what does that mean? Well, it means that we've got to figure out how to use ethanol more in our cars. Ethanol is produced mainly by cane and corn. But we're near some breakthroughs that we can use sawgrass and biomass to be able to produce ethanol
That means we got to continue investing in hybrid batteries. Ours is a country where many people live in urban centers, like Washington, D.C., and it's possible to have a hybrid battery breakthrough which says that the first 40 miles of an automobile can be used by electricity alone. Right now the hybrid vehicles, as you know, switch between gasoline and electrical power. But that consumes gasoline, which means we're still reliant upon oil. The idea is to get off of oil.
On the electricity front, we need to be using nuclear power more in this country, in my judgment. It is a renewable source of energy that has zero gas emissions. We've got a great natural resource here in America called coal. We have 250-plus years of coal reserves. But we also recognize that by -- burning coal causes environmental problems, and so we're spending billions on research to come up with clean coal technologies. And we'd like to share those technologies with other nations of the world that are beginning to grow so that they are good stewards of the environment, as well.
And so I got a comprehensive plan that uses technologies to help this nation from a national and economic perspective, but also will help improve the global economy -- the environment from those new, burgeoning economies that are -- like China and India, to be exact.
Activism: Call for censure
EITHER SPEAK OUT FOR CENSURE NOW OR YOU ARE A BUSH SUPPORTER
ACTION PAGE: http://www.millionphonemarch.com/censure.php
Why does George Bush feel he can just laugh off the laws passed by Congress and even the Constitution itself? He did it AGAIN by attaching a so-called signing statement to the renewal of the Patriot Act, reserving the right to DISREGARD even the minimal reporting requirements that Congress had the temerity to impose. Who is going to challenge him? He's not just laughing at the legislature. If you do not speak out now, he is laughing at YOU.
CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW TOLL-FREE: 888-355-3588 or 800-828-0498
Thanks for heads up to Auntie Roo
ACTION PAGE: http://www.millionphonemarch.com/censure.php
Why does George Bush feel he can just laugh off the laws passed by Congress and even the Constitution itself? He did it AGAIN by attaching a so-called signing statement to the renewal of the Patriot Act, reserving the right to DISREGARD even the minimal reporting requirements that Congress had the temerity to impose. Who is going to challenge him? He's not just laughing at the legislature. If you do not speak out now, he is laughing at YOU.
CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW TOLL-FREE: 888-355-3588 or 800-828-0498
Thanks for heads up to Auntie Roo
Cats or Dogs?
Since it is almost the weekend, I thought we might have some fun. This was inspired by a comment Liz posted in one of the threads below. So, how 'bout it, BlondeSensers, cats or dogs? And why?
Wednesday, March 29
Last "personal moment" of the week, I promise...
Calling Corporal Rainier...
Call either your dad or me, and SOON, bucky!
People on this side of the pond are worried about your ass.
Not kidding, Rene' --- clean out yer e-mail files and CALL PEOPLE.
Call either your dad or me, and SOON, bucky!
People on this side of the pond are worried about your ass.
Not kidding, Rene' --- clean out yer e-mail files and CALL PEOPLE.
One of the great things about America
A couple of profound quotes from dear leader in today's speech at Freedom House
and
"Free societies are peaceful societies. When governments are accountable to their own citizens, when people are free to speak and assemble, when minorities are protected, then justice prevails. And so does the cause of peace."
"The temptation in today's society is to say, it's not worth it. Or, certain people can't self-govern. It's really part of the debate in Iraq, isn't it, when you think about it -- is, can these people self-govern? And I can understand why some in America say they can't, because all they see is unbelievable violence. And we're a country of deep compassion. We care. One of the great things about America, one of the beauties of our country, is that when we see a young, innocent child blown up by an IED, we cry. We don't care what the child's religion may be, or where that child may live, we cry. It upsets us.The enemy knows that, and they're willing to -- they're willing to kill to shake our confidence. That's what they're trying to do."
Let Democracy Reign in Iraq
But only if we like who you stupid Iraqis chose as your leaders in those elections the current maladministration touts as proof that the war was a success. Otherwise, we'll just tell you you have to get rid of them.
Ah, democracy!
Ah, democracy!
Gay Adoption Debate Continues
"Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville, said she still believes homosexual couples should not be allowed to adopt children. In fact, in addition to e-mail correspondence with a master’s student at Vanderbilt publicized recently, in which she said as much, she has also said homosexual couples may molest the children they adopt.So a Vanderbilt student is the research? She indicates that foster children have been through enough? Where are all the heterosexual couples lining up to adopt foster children? Has she done any research on foster parents who foster many children for the money and the slave labor? Why don't they do extensive screening of any couples who want to adopt? Since when are some homosexual couples more dysfuntional than some heterosexual couples? I've seen some doozy stories about heterosexual parents abusing children. I want to see facts and figures.
"We also have seen evidence that homosexual couples prey on young males and have, in some instances, adopted them in order to have unfretted access to subject them to a life of molestation and sexual abuse," she said.
“I have strong convictions. I just feel kids in our foster have been through enough. They need the optimum family unit, and that is a mother and a father," she said.
In the e-mail with the Vanderbilt student, Maggart said research shows most homosexual couples have numerous emotional dysfunctions and psychological issues that may not be healthy for children."
hat tip to Think Progress
White Boys On A Rampage
Pinko Femnist Hellcat has the story about Duke Lacross Team who hired exotic dancers for their party on March 13th. The dancers turned out to be black women. The over-privileged boys proceeded to "bark" racial slurs and scare the women who stopped dancing and decided to get the hell out of there as they were scared. One of the boys raised a broomstick indicating that he planned to use it.
One of the women was stopped, dragged and brutally, raped, beaten, strangled and sodomized by 3 white boys. The entire Lacrosse team has kept silent and has refused to say who the pigs are. Fortunately the decent people of Duke and Chapel Hill have been protesting vigilantly. 46 of the team members have been DNA tested. The Lacrosse games have been cancelled. And how many weeks has it been before the school got on the stick? Viva community pressure.
Pinko has good commentary on the incident that I agree with. Watch the slut card get played. I'd use the rich, white, athlete card if I had anything to do with the prosecution to counter the slut attack.
This story reminded me of an incident here on Long Island in Merrick where HS football players raped and sodomized one of their own at training camp in Pennsylvania. A broomstick and pinecones were used as I recall. No one on the team came forward to do the right thing and identify the pigs. Interestingly 16 of the boys on the Duke Lacrosse team are from Long Island, quite a few from well to do neighborhoods. What is it with priveleged boys and broomsticks?
CNN is spending the morning talking about parents trying to get their kids into the best colleges. Oh those ivy league colleges. Land of opportunity- where they teach you to be a part of the exclusive and secretive, rich white boys club.
One of the women was stopped, dragged and brutally, raped, beaten, strangled and sodomized by 3 white boys. The entire Lacrosse team has kept silent and has refused to say who the pigs are. Fortunately the decent people of Duke and Chapel Hill have been protesting vigilantly. 46 of the team members have been DNA tested. The Lacrosse games have been cancelled. And how many weeks has it been before the school got on the stick? Viva community pressure.
Pinko has good commentary on the incident that I agree with. Watch the slut card get played. I'd use the rich, white, athlete card if I had anything to do with the prosecution to counter the slut attack.
This story reminded me of an incident here on Long Island in Merrick where HS football players raped and sodomized one of their own at training camp in Pennsylvania. A broomstick and pinecones were used as I recall. No one on the team came forward to do the right thing and identify the pigs. Interestingly 16 of the boys on the Duke Lacrosse team are from Long Island, quite a few from well to do neighborhoods. What is it with priveleged boys and broomsticks?
CNN is spending the morning talking about parents trying to get their kids into the best colleges. Oh those ivy league colleges. Land of opportunity- where they teach you to be a part of the exclusive and secretive, rich white boys club.
Tuesday, March 28
Calling all scientists...
I have this working thesis, and I want somebody to help me out with the research and/or acquiring of test subjects/human guinea pigs:
STRESS KILLS BRAIN CELLS.
The main support for this thesis is that, day by day, I can feel myself getting dumber and dumber and more and more stressed out because of that (and by the stresses that are making me dumber in the first place).
And I have another line of thought here, which is not exactly parallel, but might be more than coincidental, since I've been feeling the draining of my intellect most strongly since I've had to re-locate here to Hillfuck Hellhole (the exemplifcation of every single stereotype of redneck mouth-breathers and cousin-fucking bible-bangers, since the nouveau-riche white trash have run off all of the old hippies/musicians/original weirdos who used to make this place so cool):
STUPIDITY MAY BE CONTAGIOUS.
Any takers out there?
~~~~~~
P.S.: Last-ditch begging attempt, if it matters at all: I'm closing the "donor moment" this week for the Great Reconstruction Of Annti's Smile, so if anybody else out there wants to feel like a hero for a minute, here's the PayPal addy: joannaagain (at) hotmail.com
Many many thanks to Liz, Archie, RSB, Redcane, SBGypsy, Stinkeye and MoMule herself!
STRESS KILLS BRAIN CELLS.
The main support for this thesis is that, day by day, I can feel myself getting dumber and dumber and more and more stressed out because of that (and by the stresses that are making me dumber in the first place).
And I have another line of thought here, which is not exactly parallel, but might be more than coincidental, since I've been feeling the draining of my intellect most strongly since I've had to re-locate here to Hillfuck Hellhole (the exemplifcation of every single stereotype of redneck mouth-breathers and cousin-fucking bible-bangers, since the nouveau-riche white trash have run off all of the old hippies/musicians/original weirdos who used to make this place so cool):
STUPIDITY MAY BE CONTAGIOUS.
Any takers out there?
~~~~~~
P.S.: Last-ditch begging attempt, if it matters at all: I'm closing the "donor moment" this week for the Great Reconstruction Of Annti's Smile, so if anybody else out there wants to feel like a hero for a minute, here's the PayPal addy: joannaagain (at) hotmail.com
Many many thanks to Liz, Archie, RSB, Redcane, SBGypsy, Stinkeye and MoMule herself!
Weren't the fucktards making fun of the French a while back?
You know, "freedom fries" and all that bullshit? Well, the French people have a way of dealing with things that perhaps we could emulate when the bullshit level rises too high.
Here's the title of the article: Strike paralyses France.
Here's a quote: PARIS (Reuters) - "Hundreds of thousands of people marched in French cities and unions staged a one-day national strike on Tuesday, urging the government to scrap a youth jobs law in one of France's biggest protests in decades."
Here's another: "Villepin hopes the CPE will reduce youth unemployment from almost 23 percent, but union and student leaders say it will create a generation of "throwaway workers" because it makes it easier to dismiss employees under 26 in a trial two-year period."
Here's the title of the article: Strike paralyses France.
Here's a quote: PARIS (Reuters) - "Hundreds of thousands of people marched in French cities and unions staged a one-day national strike on Tuesday, urging the government to scrap a youth jobs law in one of France's biggest protests in decades."
Here's another: "Villepin hopes the CPE will reduce youth unemployment from almost 23 percent, but union and student leaders say it will create a generation of "throwaway workers" because it makes it easier to dismiss employees under 26 in a trial two-year period."
Is It Difficult To Remove By Logic An Idea Not Placed There By Logic In The First Place.
In my experience, it has been a waste of a lot of time trying to convince people to relinguish behaviors that make no sense, that are maladaptive, that appear "illogical."
It has been my experience that confronting deeply held, habitual feelings and attitudes with logic seldom works. The things we do, the prejudices that we hold, and the repetitive conflicts that afflict our lives are seldom the products of rational thought. In fact, many appear to operate in the world mostly on autopilot, doing the same things today that didn't work yesterday. One would think that a process of learning or maturation would cause us to alter our behavior in response to unpleasant consequences. Anyone who has watched an average golfer play knows this is not true.
In fact, it sometimes seems that we are so trapped in ineffectual life patterns that we are playing out the old military adage: If it doesn't work, double it.
The motivations and habit patterns that underlie most of our behavior are seldom logical: we are much more often driven by impulses, preconceptions, and emotions of which we are only simply aware of. Even an average salesperson knows this.
When struggling to overcome maladaptive behaviors by the use of logic, one is often confronted witht he fact that some ignornace is invincible. People can become wedded to their particular view of how things should work that they ignore all evidence that suggests that change is necessary.
When I was getting sober I heard the old adage about "Keep doing what you're doing and you'll keep getting what you're getting." Such a simple concept. There was no criticism to that statement. It did not beget anger on my part. The ball was in my court and my task was to pick it up and take a try a different game plan.
Why is it do you suppose that we try to rationalize with the irrational?
Is it just me or is that not an act of futility?
The Bible As A Text Book. Capital Idea!
They're talking about adding the bible as a text book to the high school curriculum in Georgia. I think it's a great idea. The bible will be taught objectively without any emphasis on religious beliefs. There is so much wisdom in the bible. There's lots of good stuff for children's edification. I think the dirty parts ought to be censored though.
Kids need to know just how much God loves them and looks out for them. They need to know that if they follow the Lord, there is a good chance that God will not smite them, unless of course they live in tornado alley or the hurricane belt where God smites everyone for the sins of those heathens in blue states.
Being that I am qualified to teach scriptures in an historic and literary sense, I have a few suggestions as to what parts of the bible would be wonderful for kids to read. I should apply for the job.
If you're a kid who's drinking and acting all stubborn-like, you may be put to death. Painfully.
That's sounds about right... how about this oldie but goodie and often overlooked in church:
Proverbs are just so full of wisdom. Children need to understand that their parents don't hate them when they beat them. They beat them because it is God's will. I beat you because I love you, sweetheart.
Ouch.
And if your dad is a piece of shit, it's you who will pay.
If your great great granddaddy was a sinner, you're not out of the woods! God is filled with mercy but he'll punish your ass for generations anyway.
God'll abort your babies if you don't practice the correct religion.
I really think that the next story ought to be in an illustrated children's book. How are little children going to learn to respect their elders and avoid name calling unless they are riddled with the fear of god's wrath? I mean, really.
What a great lesson. Forty two children massacred for name calling. That should be taught in pre-school. Many tears are shed. Many feelings are hurt when kids taunt each other. Teachers can use this lesson as reminder of the consequences of name calling.
What are your favorite children's bible stories?
-------
Update: Idiot ass quote:
I am going to see to it that those parts of "Faith" which are second rate superstitions and do not follow Jesus commandment to "love one another as I have loved you" will be called second rate superstitions. Indeed.
Kids need to know just how much God loves them and looks out for them. They need to know that if they follow the Lord, there is a good chance that God will not smite them, unless of course they live in tornado alley or the hurricane belt where God smites everyone for the sins of those heathens in blue states.
Being that I am qualified to teach scriptures in an historic and literary sense, I have a few suggestions as to what parts of the bible would be wonderful for kids to read. I should apply for the job.
If you're a kid who's drinking and acting all stubborn-like, you may be put to death. Painfully.
DT21:18-21 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
2Kings 6:26-29 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.Oh my god, that bitch tricked the poor woman into boiling her son for dinner. What a lesson. Make sure that you eat the other person's son first! And go home and thank your mom for not eating you.
And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son tomorrow.
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
Proverbs are just so full of wisdom. Children need to understand that their parents don't hate them when they beat them. They beat them because it is God's will. I beat you because I love you, sweetheart.
Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
And if your dad is a piece of shit, it's you who will pay.
Isaiah 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
If your great great granddaddy was a sinner, you're not out of the woods! God is filled with mercy but he'll punish your ass for generations anyway.
Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
God'll abort your babies if you don't practice the correct religion.
Hosea 13:16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
I really think that the next story ought to be in an illustrated children's book. How are little children going to learn to respect their elders and avoid name calling unless they are riddled with the fear of god's wrath? I mean, really.
2Kings 2:23-24 And he [Elisha] went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up that way, there came forth little children of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; Go up, thou bald head.
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood and tare forty and two children of them.
What are your favorite children's bible stories?
-------
Update: Idiot ass quote:
"Our faith has always been in direct conflict with the values of the world," DeLay said. "We are, after all, a society that provides abortion on demand, has killed millions of innocent children, degrades the institution of marriage, and all but treats Christianity like some second-rate superstition."
I am going to see to it that those parts of "Faith" which are second rate superstitions and do not follow Jesus commandment to "love one another as I have loved you" will be called second rate superstitions. Indeed.
Monday, March 27
Have I mentioned that Blogger hates me?
Moussaoui Says He Was to Hijack 5th Plane
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui testified Monday that he and would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid were supposed to hijack a fifth airplane on Sept. 11, 2001, and fly it into the White House. Yahoo news
This article makes for a lot of questions.
This article makes for a lot of questions.
Let's Put the Smackdown on Tom Tancredo
Someone mentioned in another thread that ginormous Piece of Shit Tom Tancredo. I believe Tancredo was mentioned in the context of being the Worst Person in the World, rather than that bloodsucker David Brooks, who Liz posted about below, the fucker who is provided our troops with defective armor so that he could give his little pookie the bat mitvah she wanted. But I digress. If you agree that Tancredo is a total piece of fecal matter (wink to Pissed off Patricia), here is your chance to do something about him.
A couple weeks ago, I signed up for email alerts from Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriot Fund. It is a fund Feingold started to provide money to a slate of progressive Democratic candidates running against incumbent Republicans. Email recipients were asked to vote on which candidate should get the money from the fund (not a huge amount, only $5,000). There were several interesting choices; I cast my vote for Tammy Duckworth, a war veteran who lost both her legs while piloting a helicopter in Iraq. She is running to fill the seat of Henry Hyde in Illinois. (How big would that be? Anyone out there my age or better will recall that it was Henry Hyde who first offered up an amendment to the budget prohibiting public funds from being used to provide abortion services.) Well, unfortunately, Tammy did not win the money. And while I am disappointed, I am pretty pleased at who was selected to receive the money. Here's the email I just got:
Dear Red,
I'm proud to congratulate Bill Winter as being the netroots' choice for our second Pick a Progressive Patriot event. Bill received thousands of votes from members of the Progressive Patriots Fund community, and we'll be sending him a contribution of $5,000 today to help his efforts.
Bill Winter, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran who views public service as a patriotic calling, is running against Tom Tancredo in the Colorado 6th District. To learn more about Bill, please visit his website and consider joining me in making a contribution to his campaign.
In addition to supporting Bill Winter, I'm happy to announce that the Progressive Patriots Fund will be sending smaller contributions to all of the other candidates who were featured in this latest event. All are worthy of our support, and I hope they will all join me in Congress in 2006.
The upcoming November elections are critical in our efforts to bring accountability to this President. I am determined to help elect more Democrats across the country and I want to thank all of you who have contributed to this effort and have taken the time to share with me your recommendations for which candidates are deserving of our collective support.
I look forward to our next "Pick a Progressive Patriot" event, to be held later this year. Please keep sending in those suggestions; everyone we've supported so far has been recommended through our candidate suggestion form, and this will continue to be the way the Progressive Patriots Fund chooses who to feature in our Pick a Progressive Patriot events.
Thank you for your support in the past weeks, and look forward to more events like "Pick a Progressive Patriot" in the future!
Sincerely,
Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund
You can contribute to Mr. Winter's campaign here. I will be sending check out today. I urge others to do likewise if they are able.
A couple weeks ago, I signed up for email alerts from Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriot Fund. It is a fund Feingold started to provide money to a slate of progressive Democratic candidates running against incumbent Republicans. Email recipients were asked to vote on which candidate should get the money from the fund (not a huge amount, only $5,000). There were several interesting choices; I cast my vote for Tammy Duckworth, a war veteran who lost both her legs while piloting a helicopter in Iraq. She is running to fill the seat of Henry Hyde in Illinois. (How big would that be? Anyone out there my age or better will recall that it was Henry Hyde who first offered up an amendment to the budget prohibiting public funds from being used to provide abortion services.) Well, unfortunately, Tammy did not win the money. And while I am disappointed, I am pretty pleased at who was selected to receive the money. Here's the email I just got:
Dear Red,
I'm proud to congratulate Bill Winter as being the netroots' choice for our second Pick a Progressive Patriot event. Bill received thousands of votes from members of the Progressive Patriots Fund community, and we'll be sending him a contribution of $5,000 today to help his efforts.
Bill Winter, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran who views public service as a patriotic calling, is running against Tom Tancredo in the Colorado 6th District. To learn more about Bill, please visit his website and consider joining me in making a contribution to his campaign.
In addition to supporting Bill Winter, I'm happy to announce that the Progressive Patriots Fund will be sending smaller contributions to all of the other candidates who were featured in this latest event. All are worthy of our support, and I hope they will all join me in Congress in 2006.
The upcoming November elections are critical in our efforts to bring accountability to this President. I am determined to help elect more Democrats across the country and I want to thank all of you who have contributed to this effort and have taken the time to share with me your recommendations for which candidates are deserving of our collective support.
I look forward to our next "Pick a Progressive Patriot" event, to be held later this year. Please keep sending in those suggestions; everyone we've supported so far has been recommended through our candidate suggestion form, and this will continue to be the way the Progressive Patriots Fund chooses who to feature in our Pick a Progressive Patriot events.
Thank you for your support in the past weeks, and look forward to more events like "Pick a Progressive Patriot" in the future!
Sincerely,
Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund
You can contribute to Mr. Winter's campaign here. I will be sending check out today. I urge others to do likewise if they are able.
I Can't take it anymore - for the moment anyway....
ANNTI - I'm stuck like you, -- But I can't seem to get the words out to post something - you can always find the words... Seems lately I can just pass along someone elses. This modern day cynic really feels like "going primitive" with all this nonsense that is going on around us.
Anyway, I'm going to pass along a few worthy reads by Mark Morford. They kinda put things in perspective -- for me, anyway. He's one of my favorites, and I gotta tell ya all -- alot of times your writing and comments are as good, if not better, than his.
For this one, I must include a disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage that may be inflicted upon your keyboards -- it's beyond hysterical
And for this one - a look at what journalists are supposedly up against if they were to write about highly sensative issues.
Well, I think I need a nap or something....
TTFN
Anyway, I'm going to pass along a few worthy reads by Mark Morford. They kinda put things in perspective -- for me, anyway. He's one of my favorites, and I gotta tell ya all -- alot of times your writing and comments are as good, if not better, than his.
For this one, I must include a disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage that may be inflicted upon your keyboards -- it's beyond hysterical
And for this one - a look at what journalists are supposedly up against if they were to write about highly sensative issues.
Well, I think I need a nap or something....
TTFN
God is rolling his eyes
Jesus wants you to have a cell phone with loads of entertainment features.
Allah wants your cell phone to remind you when it's time to pray.
Rabbi's claim they're not kosher. They want 'bare bones' phones.
After reading this story at WSJ.com, I can just see it now- the cell phone religious wars of 2006.
While orthodox rabbi's would like to see their flock using "kosher" (I'm not kidding) cell phones without oodles of features other than a ringer and the capability to call and receive calls, cell phone companies have also deemed that there is a niche market for all pious folks who need to let everyone else know just how holy they are with extra bells and whistles. My cell must be kosher.
T-Mobile and others for instance now offer christians, for only $5.99 extra/month, "a cellphone service that offers scriptures, Christian ring tones, and one-minute-long inspirational videos to subscribers who sign up on its Web site. The service's advertising slogan: "Have you talked to God today?""
Faith Mobile, originally called "godphone" will launch a service which will "provide subscribers sermons, news, movie reviews and other content."
There are all sorts of exciting ways for cellular phone companies to cash in on the faithful. They are creating a need for these services. We learned all about this in marketing. How about Christian Text Messaging where you can type in your special intentions and other subscribers can pray for you? Or text messaging 5 times a day to remind Muslims to pray? There are Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Hindu and Sikh ring tones available to download on the innernets.
"Choosing a religious phone is one way a person who gives high salience to his or her religious identity can assert that importance in a public way," says William Swatos, the executive director of the Religious Research Association in Galva, Ill.
Goodie.
Allah wants your cell phone to remind you when it's time to pray.
Rabbi's claim they're not kosher. They want 'bare bones' phones.
After reading this story at WSJ.com, I can just see it now- the cell phone religious wars of 2006.
While orthodox rabbi's would like to see their flock using "kosher" (I'm not kidding) cell phones without oodles of features other than a ringer and the capability to call and receive calls, cell phone companies have also deemed that there is a niche market for all pious folks who need to let everyone else know just how holy they are with extra bells and whistles. My cell must be kosher.
T-Mobile and others for instance now offer christians, for only $5.99 extra/month, "a cellphone service that offers scriptures, Christian ring tones, and one-minute-long inspirational videos to subscribers who sign up on its Web site. The service's advertising slogan: "Have you talked to God today?""
Faith Mobile, originally called "godphone" will launch a service which will "provide subscribers sermons, news, movie reviews and other content."
There are all sorts of exciting ways for cellular phone companies to cash in on the faithful. They are creating a need for these services. We learned all about this in marketing. How about Christian Text Messaging where you can type in your special intentions and other subscribers can pray for you? Or text messaging 5 times a day to remind Muslims to pray? There are Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Hindu and Sikh ring tones available to download on the innernets.
"Choosing a religious phone is one way a person who gives high salience to his or her religious identity can assert that importance in a public way," says William Swatos, the executive director of the Religious Research Association in Galva, Ill.
Goodie.
I'll Give Those Christian Adoption Agencies Something To Mull Over
This story in this morning's Newsday broke my heart. A loving foster mother warned social services that a child in her charge might be in danger if she returned to her family. Her calls were ignored. The child was killed by her parents.
Pro-birth, pro-life, or whatever you want to call them and those who vehemently oppose gay adoption can kiss my ass. How many Lord, how many already born children are killed and/or abused by their parents? Let's face it, it's pretty darned easy to get pregnant and have a baby even if you are criminally insane.
Is that the sign of a god who is actively watching over his creation? Would a perfect god insist that children only be raised by the possible psychos that birthed them? Where is the proof that a gay couple would make worse parents than birth parents?
Pro-birth, pro-life, or whatever you want to call them and those who vehemently oppose gay adoption can kiss my ass. How many Lord, how many already born children are killed and/or abused by their parents? Let's face it, it's pretty darned easy to get pregnant and have a baby even if you are criminally insane.
Is that the sign of a god who is actively watching over his creation? Would a perfect god insist that children only be raised by the possible psychos that birthed them? Where is the proof that a gay couple would make worse parents than birth parents?
Is This It? Finally?
I'm with Annti, I'm a bit overwhelmed by the antics of this administration, the extremes of Mother Nature and man's inhumanity in general. But oddly enough I found a bit of hope in the stranges of places today. HuffPo's blog has some very interesting headlines today, check it out quickly before they change.
But the OVERWHELMING sense I am getting is that SHEEPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP. I find it interesting that it took a large, mobile and determined group of NON-Americans (the anti-immigration bill) to get the ball rolling. It also seems that a sizeable group of staunch conservatives have finally gotten fed up with the neo-con and theocrat who have infiltrated their party, as many articles and even a few books are proving.
The DoJ is in up to their heads, and people are taking notice. The Administration and its flunkies are still lying, and people are FINALLY taking notice. The globe is warming up, both temperature and politically and people are finally figuring this out. Even the founder of Delta Force has had it with the administration.
Maybe, just maybe, this house of cards and smoke is finally coming down. We may just get out of the mire they've dropped us into, but ONLY if our fellow citizens stay alert and stay informed. Yes, Yes, I know Faux has too many studios to gremlinize them all, but hey, I'm just happy that enough major new outlets have actually carried stories and photos of the demonstration.
So can I get a show of hands, who thinks we might actually win this battle?
But the OVERWHELMING sense I am getting is that SHEEPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP. I find it interesting that it took a large, mobile and determined group of NON-Americans (the anti-immigration bill) to get the ball rolling. It also seems that a sizeable group of staunch conservatives have finally gotten fed up with the neo-con and theocrat who have infiltrated their party, as many articles and even a few books are proving.
The DoJ is in up to their heads, and people are taking notice. The Administration and its flunkies are still lying, and people are FINALLY taking notice. The globe is warming up, both temperature and politically and people are finally figuring this out. Even the founder of Delta Force has had it with the administration.
Maybe, just maybe, this house of cards and smoke is finally coming down. We may just get out of the mire they've dropped us into, but ONLY if our fellow citizens stay alert and stay informed. Yes, Yes, I know Faux has too many studios to gremlinize them all, but hey, I'm just happy that enough major new outlets have actually carried stories and photos of the demonstration.
So can I get a show of hands, who thinks we might actually win this battle?
Sunday, March 26
Forgive me if I seem trite or shallow...
But I've been so emotionally fucked-up lately, I haven't written anything of substance in many a moon. But photography has been a semi-productive outlet for me (even as my cheap-ass Samsung camera is dying a slow and agonizing death), and I wanted to share something pretty. It's silly and juvenile, I'm sure, especially after the three kick-ass posts today, but since I have nothing to offer in way of literature, I thought that I'd show "spring" in the parts of Louisiana that didn't have to deal with Katrina (where all of the rich white people of the Northshore & outer Jefferson Parish fled to until they got their satellite TV back online). Since I never got to do any investigative journalism in NOLA, and I don't have the money to volunteer with Habitat, I hope that somebody enjoys this meager contribution. Not to "forget" about NOLA or Katrina, but just as a pleasant reprieve for a minute. The formatting ain't worth a shit, but it beats looking at my nasty-ass Deliverance-looking mouth again, right?
If I had any other tattoos that were half as gorgeous as the mermaid, I'd post 'em, but then I'd have to explain 'em, and that takes all damned day, anyway. Soon as the checks arrive and the PayPal all clears, I'll be posting pictures of my new face, as soon as I can remember how to smile like a not-short-bus person again... wish me luck on that one...
Worst Person
Remember the nice Long Island daddy who threw a $10million bat mitzfah-paloozah for his little girl in the Rainbow Room last November with more celebrities than a hurricane Katrina fundraiser? He was only described as a multimillionaire defense fund contractor at the time, which was enough said... or was it?
In my column "Shitty Body Armor" from January 17, 2006 I reported a report that a "Pentagon study found that as many of 80% of marines killed in Iraq from wounds to the upper body could have survived if they had extra body armor."
Then I reported from another report that "The only body armor allowed in the Army/USMC is the Interceptor OTV which apparently is not that good." That is the body armor made by James Brooks, the millionaire-mitzfah guy. Not only that, soldiers who wanted to buy or already bought their own good body armor made by a different company, were forbidden to wear it because the only approved body armor was the shitty stuff and most of the soldiers who were killed in the wars on terror were wearing the bad stuff. Then it turned out that generals and higher ups were wearing the other company's body armor as "a test". Yeah right. They were wearing it because it was safer and they wanted their asses protected as well as their upper bodies.
Today in local business news I read that good old Mr Brooks' company DHB, does not only manufacture crap (in my home town, I'm sorry to say) for our troops but he is also an allegedly shady business man. Oh no, daddy, not you!
This guy sounds like he must be friends with Ken Lay. I have been writing about the body armor debacle since I started the blog. It doesn't get juicier and juicier as much as it gets bloodier and bloodier. War profiteering is heinous and to flaunt it with all eyes on your 13 year old daughter while allowing patriotic boys and girls to suffer and/or die because of it, is reprehensible. Tom Brooks is the worst person in the world today.
In my column "Shitty Body Armor" from January 17, 2006 I reported a report that a "Pentagon study found that as many of 80% of marines killed in Iraq from wounds to the upper body could have survived if they had extra body armor."
Then I reported from another report that "The only body armor allowed in the Army/USMC is the Interceptor OTV which apparently is not that good." That is the body armor made by James Brooks, the millionaire-mitzfah guy. Not only that, soldiers who wanted to buy or already bought their own good body armor made by a different company, were forbidden to wear it because the only approved body armor was the shitty stuff and most of the soldiers who were killed in the wars on terror were wearing the bad stuff. Then it turned out that generals and higher ups were wearing the other company's body armor as "a test". Yeah right. They were wearing it because it was safer and they wanted their asses protected as well as their upper bodies.
Today in local business news I read that good old Mr Brooks' company DHB, does not only manufacture crap (in my home town, I'm sorry to say) for our troops but he is also an allegedly shady business man. Oh no, daddy, not you!
The 19 lawsuits, now consolidated and under review by U.S. Magistrate Judge E. Thomas Boyle, contend that David Brooks "has a history of serious securities law violations" and that DHB has had four different accounting firms since 2002, which the combined suit says is "something hardly designed to boost investor confidence." By portraying DHB as a "tremendous success" with increased military sales, the lawsuit alleges, Brooks and other company officials gained "over $200 million in illegal insider trading proceeds."
The suit contends Brooks repeatedly painted a rosy picture for his company -- even as he was selling his own stock. "The future outlook for DHB appears outstanding given the continuing unstable geopolitical environment, the increased need for homeland security, and the continuing war on terror," Brooks said at about the same time as his large stock sale, according to court papers.
The suit contends that DHB executives knew then that "thousands and thousands of DHB Interceptor vests were defective," and it alleges that the investors lost millions because DHB didn't properly disclose problems with Zylon, a key substance used in some of the bullet-resistant vests that deteriorated over time.
Turning Back the Clocks
I got to thinking about Jaye's post below regarding Texas's attempt to limit abortion. Then I got to thinking about Liz's post from the other day about the textbooks the Heritage Foundation sent to Rhode Island with all their sexist stereotypes and abstinence only sex education. Then I got to thinking about the post the other day on the Mississippi law to ban the sale of sex toys. Then I got to thinking about the objections of the religious right to the availability of HPV vaccine to girls under sixteen on the grounds that it promotes promiscuity. Then I got to thinking about the various (brilliant) posters and commentators on BlondeSense who posit, rightly I think, that all these various efforts are NOT about a "culture of life" and "moral values"; rather, they are all about forcing women to conform to decades-old notions about a woman's place in life: a wife subservient to her lord and master husband, a baby making vessel, someone with no place outside the home, someone who is dependent upon having the basics of life provided for her. Then I got to thinking about my mother.
My mother was a teenager in Germany when World War II broke out. She never finished gymnasium, as they call school in Germany. Her mother and several siblings perished during bombings. She, her father and one sibling survived the war. With her fine facility for languages (she spoke, read and wrote five fluently), she was working as an interpreter when she met my father, who was serving in the Army with the occupational forces. She had already born (borne?) one child to an American soldier, and that child had been adopted by the soldier and his wife back in the US. She emigrated to the United States after her marriage and became a housewife and mother to two children. She miscarried three times. As an Army wife, she moved house 18 times in 11 years. She was 43 years old when her marriage failed and she "won" custody of my brother and me. (Truth be told, my father wouldn't have taken us.) In 1970, she re-entered the workforce with no education and marketable skills. I believe she made $3.15/hour. After working an full 8-hour day (on the clock) at a local orthopedist's office as a physical threapy assistant, she would work another 4 or 5 hour shift at a local nursing home for a similar wage.
My mother was 44 years old when my father stopped paying child support and disappeared from the state of Florida. In those days, before URESA (the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act) was enacted, she would have had to track him down and then sue him for the child support in what ever state he happened to be located in. If he moved again, she would have had to start all over again in another state. Obviously, she didn't have the money to do that, so we lived on the money she made, such as it was. Meanwhile, as the child support arrearages mounted into the thousands, my mother was holding on with both hands to the only thing that was ever truly hers, and that was the house we lived in at the time. Whatever we went without, she made that mortgage payment, month in, month out, without fail.
Then came that day: the property taxes were due and she didn't have the money to pay them. It was a tipping point in her life, I believe. She was working like a dog and still couldn't get her head above water. She could barely put food on the table. She had no creditworthiness to speak of. So she did what she probably believed was the only thing she could do to survive: she became a prostitute. Oh, I don't mean one of those standing-on-the-corner-in-fishnet-hose type of prostitutes. You have to understand, even in middle age, she was a fantastic beauty. No, no, my mom only serviced the "best men" in town. These guys considered her their special "friend". I'm sure she was very successful at what she did; our standard of living improved noticably, mostly in the amount of food we had in the house, and the occasional outfit she would buy me. She must have done it for 5 or 6 years, I'm not completely sure. Then, she went crazy. The mental illness was, I strongly suspect, the result of the cumulative effects of her life: war, bad marriage, economic insecurity. Ultimately, the mental illness robbed me of my mother. The lights are on but no one is home. I hope there is an afterlife, and I hope she enjoys a better one there, because her life on this earth has been a nightmare.
What's my point? While my mother's story may be uncommon, I do not believe that it is in any way unique. No, I'm pretty sure that many women have faced the same choices my mother faced. My point is that no woman should ever be in my mother's position, forced to choose between the necessities of life and her dignity. To all those out there who preach that we women should return to leading the life my mother lead, I say: Bite me.
We are not turning back the clocks. We won't get fooled again.
My mother was a teenager in Germany when World War II broke out. She never finished gymnasium, as they call school in Germany. Her mother and several siblings perished during bombings. She, her father and one sibling survived the war. With her fine facility for languages (she spoke, read and wrote five fluently), she was working as an interpreter when she met my father, who was serving in the Army with the occupational forces. She had already born (borne?) one child to an American soldier, and that child had been adopted by the soldier and his wife back in the US. She emigrated to the United States after her marriage and became a housewife and mother to two children. She miscarried three times. As an Army wife, she moved house 18 times in 11 years. She was 43 years old when her marriage failed and she "won" custody of my brother and me. (Truth be told, my father wouldn't have taken us.) In 1970, she re-entered the workforce with no education and marketable skills. I believe she made $3.15/hour. After working an full 8-hour day (on the clock) at a local orthopedist's office as a physical threapy assistant, she would work another 4 or 5 hour shift at a local nursing home for a similar wage.
My mother was 44 years old when my father stopped paying child support and disappeared from the state of Florida. In those days, before URESA (the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act) was enacted, she would have had to track him down and then sue him for the child support in what ever state he happened to be located in. If he moved again, she would have had to start all over again in another state. Obviously, she didn't have the money to do that, so we lived on the money she made, such as it was. Meanwhile, as the child support arrearages mounted into the thousands, my mother was holding on with both hands to the only thing that was ever truly hers, and that was the house we lived in at the time. Whatever we went without, she made that mortgage payment, month in, month out, without fail.
Then came that day: the property taxes were due and she didn't have the money to pay them. It was a tipping point in her life, I believe. She was working like a dog and still couldn't get her head above water. She could barely put food on the table. She had no creditworthiness to speak of. So she did what she probably believed was the only thing she could do to survive: she became a prostitute. Oh, I don't mean one of those standing-on-the-corner-in-fishnet-hose type of prostitutes. You have to understand, even in middle age, she was a fantastic beauty. No, no, my mom only serviced the "best men" in town. These guys considered her their special "friend". I'm sure she was very successful at what she did; our standard of living improved noticably, mostly in the amount of food we had in the house, and the occasional outfit she would buy me. She must have done it for 5 or 6 years, I'm not completely sure. Then, she went crazy. The mental illness was, I strongly suspect, the result of the cumulative effects of her life: war, bad marriage, economic insecurity. Ultimately, the mental illness robbed me of my mother. The lights are on but no one is home. I hope there is an afterlife, and I hope she enjoys a better one there, because her life on this earth has been a nightmare.
What's my point? While my mother's story may be uncommon, I do not believe that it is in any way unique. No, I'm pretty sure that many women have faced the same choices my mother faced. My point is that no woman should ever be in my mother's position, forced to choose between the necessities of life and her dignity. To all those out there who preach that we women should return to leading the life my mother lead, I say: Bite me.
We are not turning back the clocks. We won't get fooled again.
you don't have to go all the way to South Dakota
Texas is on the frontlines of the abortion culture wars. But we not only make it difficult for women to obtain abortion services, we go out of our way to deny women gynecological and birth control services.
Texas ranks 45th in family planning. Texas also ranks 1st in pregnancies in young women under the age of 13. Department of State Health Services says:
1 of every 11 eighteen-year-olds gets pregnant
1 of every 16 seventeen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 27 sixteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 58 fifteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 967 thirteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 5,280 twelve-year olds or younger gets pregnant.
There are literally millions of women in Texas who do not have access to abortion, family planning or gynecological health care because their counties do not have family planning or abortion clinics. These women do not have health insurance and if they did there is no guarantee that they can obtain an abortion if the hospitals in their area do not perform abortions.
So we have further reduced Texas women's access to family planning centers. According to a story in the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Legislature has funded so called crisis pregnancy centers while cutting funding to clinics that perform abortions and provide gynecological services.
Mind you, we don't do anything to increase spending for feeding, clothing, educating, and raising children. Not only do we want women to have more children, we don't want them to have access to medical care. OB/GYNs do not deliver babies anymore because they cannot afford to do so. Remember "tort reform?" We cut malpractice awards to plaintiffs so that doctor's insurance rates would go down. Did they go down? No.
This isn't about babies. Because if it were, women would have paid leave, insurance, pre-natal care, and every child would have insurance until they or their employers could pay for it themselves. It is about men controlling women. It is about wealthy people making damn sure that they can have sex and birth control and abortions because they can afford to and the poor can have children, drop out of school, have fewer educational opportunities because someone has got to cut madame's lawn and clean madame's toilet.
I blame men, but I also blame women. Republican women. Republican women who went to Planned Parenthood because they didn't want mommy and daddy to know about how they terminated their pregnancy. And they vote Republican because President Clinton got a blow job.
Oral sex is going to mean safer sex to American women because birth control pills and abortion is soon out of the question. The question is will it matter to women?
Texas ranks 45th in family planning. Texas also ranks 1st in pregnancies in young women under the age of 13. Department of State Health Services says:
1 of every 11 eighteen-year-olds gets pregnant
1 of every 16 seventeen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 27 sixteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 58 fifteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 967 thirteen-year-olds gets pregnant.
1 of every 5,280 twelve-year olds or younger gets pregnant.
There are literally millions of women in Texas who do not have access to abortion, family planning or gynecological health care because their counties do not have family planning or abortion clinics. These women do not have health insurance and if they did there is no guarantee that they can obtain an abortion if the hospitals in their area do not perform abortions.
So we have further reduced Texas women's access to family planning centers. According to a story in the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Legislature has funded so called crisis pregnancy centers while cutting funding to clinics that perform abortions and provide gynecological services.
Mind you, we don't do anything to increase spending for feeding, clothing, educating, and raising children. Not only do we want women to have more children, we don't want them to have access to medical care. OB/GYNs do not deliver babies anymore because they cannot afford to do so. Remember "tort reform?" We cut malpractice awards to plaintiffs so that doctor's insurance rates would go down. Did they go down? No.
This isn't about babies. Because if it were, women would have paid leave, insurance, pre-natal care, and every child would have insurance until they or their employers could pay for it themselves. It is about men controlling women. It is about wealthy people making damn sure that they can have sex and birth control and abortions because they can afford to and the poor can have children, drop out of school, have fewer educational opportunities because someone has got to cut madame's lawn and clean madame's toilet.
I blame men, but I also blame women. Republican women. Republican women who went to Planned Parenthood because they didn't want mommy and daddy to know about how they terminated their pregnancy. And they vote Republican because President Clinton got a blow job.
Oral sex is going to mean safer sex to American women because birth control pills and abortion is soon out of the question. The question is will it matter to women?
Saturday, March 25
The Washington Post Sux
A couple of days ago, I cancelled my subscription to the Washington Post. I am completely disgusted with the editors' efforts to turn a respected newspaper into Faux News Lite. For example, this past week, they hired some young kid to be a "conservative blogger" to balance out the supposedly overly liberal voices at the paper. Mayhem ensued among the liberal blogosphere, and the kid has now resigned after several instances of earlier plagarism were uncovered. Duncan over at Eschaton has been all over the story; you can read more about it here. (The Post can't get anything right, by the way, since I continue to receive the paper daily even though I have cancelled. I'm not paying if they send me a bill.)
So anyway, what caught my eye this morning was a story about Iraq. Did you have any idea that 50 people died yesterday in Iraq? Including two more American soldiers? I wouldn't have either if I hadn't perused the paper very, very carefully. I found it in a little small box titled "World News in Brief". It carried an AP byline.
This is what we have come to: a prominent national newspaper cannot even be bothered to write its own story when FIFTY people are killed in a single day. The Post cannot be bothered to put a story about FIFTY people dying on its front page, even below the fold. The Post apparently believes that the death of FIFTY people merits a story of maybe a hundred words.
What the hell is the Washington Post thinking?
So anyway, what caught my eye this morning was a story about Iraq. Did you have any idea that 50 people died yesterday in Iraq? Including two more American soldiers? I wouldn't have either if I hadn't perused the paper very, very carefully. I found it in a little small box titled "World News in Brief". It carried an AP byline.
This is what we have come to: a prominent national newspaper cannot even be bothered to write its own story when FIFTY people are killed in a single day. The Post cannot be bothered to put a story about FIFTY people dying on its front page, even below the fold. The Post apparently believes that the death of FIFTY people merits a story of maybe a hundred words.
What the hell is the Washington Post thinking?
The Sins of the Immigration Bill
More proof that a theocracy would never work in this country-- no one would ever be able to decide on which understanding of the scriptures is the correct understanding.
The other day, Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) remarked that the immigration bill "is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself," she said. "We need to sound the alarm about what is being done in the Congress." NY Times
Catholic Bishops also spoke out this week for the same reasons more or less. The Bishops called on the flock across America to oppose the bill.
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford, NY) came out swinging, calling the bill "God's work" and renounced the Catholic bishops saying that they should concentrate on pedophilia.
King's days are numbered.
Ethically speaking, making it a crime to aid illegal immigrants in any humanitarian way, is opposed to the American tradition of offering comfort to those huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, metaphorically washing up on our shores. Criminalizing those profiteers who smuggle aliens into this country without documentation should be a priority of the government in this post 9/11 world.
How many of us know how to check green cards and visas? Am I supposed to now check my landscaper's worker's visas (after I figure out what to look for) to make sure that they haven't expired, then put my rat fink hat on and report anything suspicious? Dare I eat in a restaurant without going into the kitchen to check the visas of the workers? Should I check visas at church on Sunday? Am I now an employee of the state? Why aren't I being paid? And then am I supposed to call Peter King to report people if their visa has expired, subjecting these people, many of whom have families to feed, to goddess only knows what... jail and extradiction? And just how much will that cost the taxpayers? Should we Americans just ask everyone with a foreign accent to show us their papers? In the name of God?
It's cruel and inhuman to criminalize those people who do charitable work in their community for giving a bag of groceries to possibly undocumented human beings. I worked in parish outreach for a while. I can't imagine doing charity work AND acting as a spy for the US government simultaneously. No, you can't have this box of pampers and bag of groceries that were kindly donated by parishioners unless I check your papers because I may go to jail if you're not legal enough.
In a secular country, our legislators have no business using the scriptures, which are highly debatable even in a religious context, to debate a bill before the house or senate. That is the biggest sin being committed. Even in the parish setting where we helped the local poor, we didn't ask anyone to produce their baptisimal certificates to assure that we were only feeding Catholics.
Off the record, Hillary was theologically correct and Peter King was wrong. This bill would criminalize "Good Samaritans" and stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. This argument however has no bearing on the morality on the immigration bill.
The other day, Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) remarked that the immigration bill "is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself," she said. "We need to sound the alarm about what is being done in the Congress." NY Times
Catholic Bishops also spoke out this week for the same reasons more or less. The Bishops called on the flock across America to oppose the bill.
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford, NY) came out swinging, calling the bill "God's work" and renounced the Catholic bishops saying that they should concentrate on pedophilia.
He said Catholic leaders opposed to the bill are politically correct liberals who "should spend more time protecting little boys from pedophile priests."
Thomas Wenski, the Catholic bishop of Orlando, Fla., was outraged by King's Wednesday comments. Wenski said he recognizes that comprehensive immigration reform is needed but maintains that the bill senselessly criminalizes millions of undocumented people by making it a felony for immigrants to overstay their visa.
King's days are numbered.
Ethically speaking, making it a crime to aid illegal immigrants in any humanitarian way, is opposed to the American tradition of offering comfort to those huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, metaphorically washing up on our shores. Criminalizing those profiteers who smuggle aliens into this country without documentation should be a priority of the government in this post 9/11 world.How many of us know how to check green cards and visas? Am I supposed to now check my landscaper's worker's visas (after I figure out what to look for) to make sure that they haven't expired, then put my rat fink hat on and report anything suspicious? Dare I eat in a restaurant without going into the kitchen to check the visas of the workers? Should I check visas at church on Sunday? Am I now an employee of the state? Why aren't I being paid? And then am I supposed to call Peter King to report people if their visa has expired, subjecting these people, many of whom have families to feed, to goddess only knows what... jail and extradiction? And just how much will that cost the taxpayers? Should we Americans just ask everyone with a foreign accent to show us their papers? In the name of God?
It's cruel and inhuman to criminalize those people who do charitable work in their community for giving a bag of groceries to possibly undocumented human beings. I worked in parish outreach for a while. I can't imagine doing charity work AND acting as a spy for the US government simultaneously. No, you can't have this box of pampers and bag of groceries that were kindly donated by parishioners unless I check your papers because I may go to jail if you're not legal enough.
In a secular country, our legislators have no business using the scriptures, which are highly debatable even in a religious context, to debate a bill before the house or senate. That is the biggest sin being committed. Even in the parish setting where we helped the local poor, we didn't ask anyone to produce their baptisimal certificates to assure that we were only feeding Catholics.
Off the record, Hillary was theologically correct and Peter King was wrong. This bill would criminalize "Good Samaritans" and stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. This argument however has no bearing on the morality on the immigration bill.
Friday, March 24
Friday Freak Night
I think we all would agree, more or less, that Tom has some rather absurd beliefs.
So I was thinking, since Tom believes himself to be the font of all things, why don't our absurd beliefs garner such attention. Ya know?
So here's my proposal. Let's all come up with our most absurd, oddest or most contrarian claims or views that we believe. Something others would be shocked to know you think. It can be about anything. It's Friday Freak Night. So get your Freak on!.
Here's a example of some of mine to get you started.. Have fun, let it rip, let it roll.
1) Telling children they can be whatever they want to be is bad advice.
2) I no longer believe most people mean well.
3) The hot guy at the feed store has a "thing" for me. (okay, maybe that falls under wild fantasies)
4) I know longer believe that hard work pays off.
5) There has to be life on other planets.
6) Psychatry is in no way a valid science and has done more harm than good over the history of the human race.
7)Fuck Capitalism
Fuck Socialism
There has to be a better way.
8) It's just a matter of time before we will began to colonizing the moon or some other planet.
9) A new Bible will be printed making it a sin to be poor, widowed, uneducated or ill.
10) All politicians should be paid the minimum wage to show their solidarity with the poor.
11) No desire, no matter what the subject, can manifest into your experience as long as there is a vibrational difference between the desire and your practiced vibration. You have to practice yourself into into vibrational alignment with our desires before they will be realized in your experience.
17 Years Later, It's Time to Pay
Can you believe it's been 17 years and Exxon Mobil still hasn't paid the money it owes to the Alaskan communities devastated by Exxon Valdez oil spill?Today, March 24th, please join us in commemorating the anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill by calling Exxon Mobil to demand payment.
It will only take two minutes to call. Just dial---1-972-444-1000
Jokes on them - more doomsday news
Looks like Chimpy and his administration have cleared out NOLA for no reason, a mere 3ft increase in sea level (likely within the next 50 years) will completely wipe NOLA off the map. (look at the graphics along the right hand side of the article)
By the end of THIS century, if the current trends continue, we can expect to see HUGE changes along the Southern and Eastern coasts of this country. I won't even go into the loss of islands and increased storms, etc.
Oh and it seems that Miami may take the plunge sometime during the 22 century as well. Now is the time to get that inland, soon to have a view, property while its cheap.
By the end of THIS century, if the current trends continue, we can expect to see HUGE changes along the Southern and Eastern coasts of this country. I won't even go into the loss of islands and increased storms, etc.
Oh and it seems that Miami may take the plunge sometime during the 22 century as well. Now is the time to get that inland, soon to have a view, property while its cheap.
Bird Flu Q & A
A simple, lovely site that gives basic low-tech answers to many questions regarding the bird flu. It seems the death rate has dropped from 80% down to 50% just by having basic healthcare available to those infected.
Includes info on pet cats, dogs and birds becoming infected, what to do if you come across a dead bird in your yard, etc.
Remember, knowledge is power; You need to know what is going on so they can't pull the wool over your eyes.
Includes info on pet cats, dogs and birds becoming infected, what to do if you come across a dead bird in your yard, etc.
Remember, knowledge is power; You need to know what is going on so they can't pull the wool over your eyes.
What century is this again?
Rhode Island abandoned its abstinence only sex education program.
Oh yeah, and all men are strong and courageous. Sure.
And women are all caring. Sure.
Why aren't these maroons who come up with this stuff exiled somewhere?
Lawyers at the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union first complained last year that a now-abandoned textbook used by Heritage of Rhode Island taught students that girls should wear clothing that doesn't invite "lustful thoughts" from boys. The book described men as "strong" and "courageous" while women were called "caring."Oh yeah, blaming the girls, as usual, for something that has been around since the dawn of time: Lustful thoughts. In the days not even that long ago when dressing like a prostitute was not the fashion, boys and girls were thinking lustful thoughts. I don't think a minute went by that I wasn't thinking about boys when I was in high school and vice versa. We wore ugly unsexy uniforms to school, like that stopped anyone from thinking about ripping the uniform off the girl or boy of your desire.
Oh yeah, and all men are strong and courageous. Sure.
And women are all caring. Sure.
Why aren't these maroons who come up with this stuff exiled somewhere?
Joe Quinn Wants To Know:
"When will it stop?
Of all the questions I would like answered, this one is the most pressing. How much longer are we meant to endure the incessant lies from government and media about the nature of what is happening in our world? How much more unbelievable do these lies have to become before that '100th monkey' syndrome kicks in and all 6 billion of us spontaneously 'get it' and fall down on the floor laughing at just how ridiculous the official story is?"
Check out Joe's essay at Armageddon Anyone? The Truth Behind The War On Terror.
Of all the questions I would like answered, this one is the most pressing. How much longer are we meant to endure the incessant lies from government and media about the nature of what is happening in our world? How much more unbelievable do these lies have to become before that '100th monkey' syndrome kicks in and all 6 billion of us spontaneously 'get it' and fall down on the floor laughing at just how ridiculous the official story is?"
Check out Joe's essay at Armageddon Anyone? The Truth Behind The War On Terror.
I Was Lucky
Well it's about time that someone came out of the closet and spoke out about what is right. Adoption Institute Supports Gay Parents so fuck Catholic Charities in Boston for getting out of the adoption business because it's 'immoral' to allow children to be adopted by gay people. You'd think the Catholic Church's Boys Club Hierarchy would be more tolerant.
Eventually with all this nonsense in legislation against abortions, birth control, day care, dildos, etc... there are going to be even more than the already half a million children shuffled through the horrific foster family program in the United States. It's enough to make Baby Jesus cry. Me too. Where are the pro-life people when it comes to foster care?
How wonderful it would be for these children to have the opportunity to be adopted by people or a person who wanted them, and who will love them and take care of them in a safe environment?
That is really all we adopted kids needed to know- that someone really wanted us- that we weren't just a backseat mistake on prom night.
All children want to be loved and to feel wanted, no matter what. It makes them better adults and possible future parents.
How many children grow up in their birth families and live with parents who tell them that they were a mistake? I knew quite a few in my life. Maybe it was a joke for the parents to tell the children that they were an "accident" or a "happy accident", but it has deep emotional ramifications for the children who grow up into unhappy adults.
How about finding out that your miserable unhappy parents "Had to" get married?
How many gay teens tell their parents about their sexual orientation and are then shunned by their so called loving birth families? You can bet your ass that one of the parents is gay and living a lie.
How many children grow up abused sexually or otherwise in their so called loving birth families? You can bet your ass that their parents were abused too. It takes one to know one.
The "What's Immoral" police can kiss my ass. These people hate the human condition and want you to hate it too.
I was lucky. I was a white female given up by my very Irish Catholic (but obviously horny, god bless her) 16 year old birth mom on the day I was born in 1955, so I was taken out of foster care at 7 months and given to a nice couple who really wanted children and couldn't have any of their own. My brother was lucky too and left a horrible foster family at 6 months old to join our family. We kids knew how much we were wanted from the get go. We knew we were adopted when we were toddlers but it didn't matter to us... well maybe a little bit when we were rebellious teenagers (and my parents blamed it on our birth parents), but it didn't come as shock, thank goddess.
I wanted to adopt children too but the legal fees were so exorbitant that we couldn't afford it. How many 20 or 30 somethings have an extra $25,000 kicking around after they have purchased their first house (if they were even lucky to buy a house)? Now I can afford to adopt children, but I'm too old. Perhaps that is another reason that there are still so many children in the foster care system.
So called "pro-life" people can go to hell.
/rant
Eventually with all this nonsense in legislation against abortions, birth control, day care, dildos, etc... there are going to be even more than the already half a million children shuffled through the horrific foster family program in the United States. It's enough to make Baby Jesus cry. Me too. Where are the pro-life people when it comes to foster care?
How wonderful it would be for these children to have the opportunity to be adopted by people or a person who wanted them, and who will love them and take care of them in a safe environment?
That is really all we adopted kids needed to know- that someone really wanted us- that we weren't just a backseat mistake on prom night.
All children want to be loved and to feel wanted, no matter what. It makes them better adults and possible future parents.
How many children grow up in their birth families and live with parents who tell them that they were a mistake? I knew quite a few in my life. Maybe it was a joke for the parents to tell the children that they were an "accident" or a "happy accident", but it has deep emotional ramifications for the children who grow up into unhappy adults.
How about finding out that your miserable unhappy parents "Had to" get married?
How many gay teens tell their parents about their sexual orientation and are then shunned by their so called loving birth families? You can bet your ass that one of the parents is gay and living a lie.
How many children grow up abused sexually or otherwise in their so called loving birth families? You can bet your ass that their parents were abused too. It takes one to know one.
The "What's Immoral" police can kiss my ass. These people hate the human condition and want you to hate it too.
I was lucky. I was a white female given up by my very Irish Catholic (but obviously horny, god bless her) 16 year old birth mom on the day I was born in 1955, so I was taken out of foster care at 7 months and given to a nice couple who really wanted children and couldn't have any of their own. My brother was lucky too and left a horrible foster family at 6 months old to join our family. We kids knew how much we were wanted from the get go. We knew we were adopted when we were toddlers but it didn't matter to us... well maybe a little bit when we were rebellious teenagers (and my parents blamed it on our birth parents), but it didn't come as shock, thank goddess.
I wanted to adopt children too but the legal fees were so exorbitant that we couldn't afford it. How many 20 or 30 somethings have an extra $25,000 kicking around after they have purchased their first house (if they were even lucky to buy a house)? Now I can afford to adopt children, but I'm too old. Perhaps that is another reason that there are still so many children in the foster care system.
So called "pro-life" people can go to hell.
/rant
Chilling
Who Is Killing New Orleans?
Behind the scenes, there is most certainly a concerted effort to 'Eff NOLA in the ass without any lube'. Makes you realize that these neocons are shrewder than you thought. They hide behind the guise of incompetency, but they know what they are doing.
Hat tip to oddjob
We figured out what was happening in NOLA as it was happening. Now read the details, the dirty details at the Nation. It's mind blowing. Bush's method of dealing with the poverty that he announced he'd take care of has been to get the po' folks out of there. I've seen that before.With each passing week of neglect--what Representative Barney Frank has labeled "a policy of ethnic cleansing by inaction"--the likelihood increases that most black Orleanians will never be able to return.
Behind the scenes, there is most certainly a concerted effort to 'Eff NOLA in the ass without any lube'. Makes you realize that these neocons are shrewder than you thought. They hide behind the guise of incompetency, but they know what they are doing.
Hat tip to oddjob
IRS and Mass Marketing, working together against YOU
Betcha you didn't hear about THIS little change to the tax code:
The IRS is quietly moving to loosen the once-inviolable privacy of federal income-tax returns. If it succeeds, accountants and other tax-return preparers will be able to sell information from individual returns - or even entire returns - to marketers and data brokers.The change is raising alarm among consumer and privacy-rights advocates. It was included in a set of proposed rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS published in the Dec. 8 Federal Register, where the official notice labeled them "not a significant regulatory action."
IRS officials portray the changes as housecleaning to update outmoded regulations adopted before it began accepting returns electronically. The proposed rules, which would become effective 30 days after a final version is published, would require a tax preparer to obtain written consent before selling tax information.Critics call the changes a dangerous breach in personal and financial privacy. They say the requirement for signed consent would prove meaningless for many taxpayers, especially those hurriedly reviewing stacks of documents before a filing deadline.
"The normal interaction is that the taxpayer just signs what the tax preparer puts in front of them," said Jean Ann Fox of the Consumer Federation of America, one of several groups fighting the changes. "They think, 'This person is a tax professional, and I'm going to rely on them.' "Criticism also came from U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.). In a letter last Tuesday to IRS Commissioner Mark Everson, Obama warned that once in the hands of third parties, tax information could be resold and handled under even looser rules than the IRS sets, increasing consumers' vulnerability to identity theft and other risks.
"There is no more sensitive information than a taxpayer's return, and the IRS's proposal to allow these returns to be sold to third-party marketers and database brokers is deeply troubling," Obama wrote.
Soooooo anyone want to bet where this is leading? And I just love how the administration and every other idiot loves to blame 'electronic' (ie, internet) for all these changes. MOST of us can easily set up an httpS site with just a bit of coding, but for some reason that seems to be too much trouble for the IRS. And trusting H&R Blok or god knows who to NOT sell my information to a third party? Yeh, sure, these asses would sell out their grandma's for a nickle.
The IRS is quietly moving to loosen the once-inviolable privacy of federal income-tax returns. If it succeeds, accountants and other tax-return preparers will be able to sell information from individual returns - or even entire returns - to marketers and data brokers.The change is raising alarm among consumer and privacy-rights advocates. It was included in a set of proposed rules that the Treasury Department and the IRS published in the Dec. 8 Federal Register, where the official notice labeled them "not a significant regulatory action."
IRS officials portray the changes as housecleaning to update outmoded regulations adopted before it began accepting returns electronically. The proposed rules, which would become effective 30 days after a final version is published, would require a tax preparer to obtain written consent before selling tax information.Critics call the changes a dangerous breach in personal and financial privacy. They say the requirement for signed consent would prove meaningless for many taxpayers, especially those hurriedly reviewing stacks of documents before a filing deadline.
"The normal interaction is that the taxpayer just signs what the tax preparer puts in front of them," said Jean Ann Fox of the Consumer Federation of America, one of several groups fighting the changes. "They think, 'This person is a tax professional, and I'm going to rely on them.' "Criticism also came from U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.). In a letter last Tuesday to IRS Commissioner Mark Everson, Obama warned that once in the hands of third parties, tax information could be resold and handled under even looser rules than the IRS sets, increasing consumers' vulnerability to identity theft and other risks.
"There is no more sensitive information than a taxpayer's return, and the IRS's proposal to allow these returns to be sold to third-party marketers and database brokers is deeply troubling," Obama wrote.
Soooooo anyone want to bet where this is leading? And I just love how the administration and every other idiot loves to blame 'electronic' (ie, internet) for all these changes. MOST of us can easily set up an httpS site with just a bit of coding, but for some reason that seems to be too much trouble for the IRS. And trusting H&R Blok or god knows who to NOT sell my information to a third party? Yeh, sure, these asses would sell out their grandma's for a nickle.
Thursday, March 23
Well, Blondie promised y'all nudie shots...
And as a thank-you card to my Sugar Mamas & Daddies who are helping me get my front toofus, here's the first volley in the Nudie Pix... Enjoy!
(And you can betcherass that those are "airbrushing" marks on the sides, to blank-out any incriminating evidence! I may not be able to photoshop for shit, but I can damned well hide some of the many flaws!)
(Anybody asking for specifics about the location of this tattoo will be summarily ignored. The artist, however, I am proud to reveal: Judy Parker of Pacific Tattoo is one of the most talented artists that I've ever known, and I am damned proud of this beautiful artwork!)
Support Charlie Sheen
Did anyone hear the interview on Showbiz Tonight? Glad to see some prominent people are opening their mouths. I understand CNN showed a clip of it also. Ever since I saw the collapse of the towers on that horrific day, I've felt that something wasn't quite right about the whole thing; and as time went on I became more and more suspicious of our government. Once in a while I would say to someone that I thought our own government had something to do with 911. Most people would react the same way -- how could you say such a thing - or - don't even say that - or -how could you think that? So, I shut-up. I can't keep quiet anymore.
I know you all have probably debated this to death over the past few years, and have subjected yourselves to much frustration in doing so. Two of my favorite sites to visit www.reopen911.org and www.stopthelie.com have only reinforced my suspicions. If you haven't checked these sites out yet, take a look. The mainstream media should be questioning this also - but as you know that hasn't happened yet. However, I have a feeling that pretty soon we will be seeing more of the Charlie Sheen's out there speaking up.
I've decided to take my little post-it pad with these two websites written on them and slap them up where ever they will stick. Maybe if we get enough people to question what really happened, we might get some answers - or - disappear in the middle of the night.
Liz, If you don't hear from me again please contact my family.
I know you all have probably debated this to death over the past few years, and have subjected yourselves to much frustration in doing so. Two of my favorite sites to visit www.reopen911.org and www.stopthelie.com have only reinforced my suspicions. If you haven't checked these sites out yet, take a look. The mainstream media should be questioning this also - but as you know that hasn't happened yet. However, I have a feeling that pretty soon we will be seeing more of the Charlie Sheen's out there speaking up.
I've decided to take my little post-it pad with these two websites written on them and slap them up where ever they will stick. Maybe if we get enough people to question what really happened, we might get some answers - or - disappear in the middle of the night.
Liz, If you don't hear from me again please contact my family.
Good God, I Hope Buzzy Holds Up
If you needed any more evidence that the American Taliban is now fully in charge here in Amurka, here you are. Last week, a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit asserting Mississippi's "sex toys" law is unconsitutional. The federal court refused to hear the case because two employees of a store selling the toys were arrested and charged under the Mississippi law, which was enacted in 2003, and the criminal case has to run its course. So, apparently, these guys (or gals) have to run the gauntlet of the criminal justice system before a freaking federal court will rule whether the statute passes muster under the US Consitution. You know, the Supreme Law of the Land.
Here's the relevant text of the statute:
"A person commits the offense of distributing unlawful sexual devices when he knowingly sells, advertises, publishes or exhibits to any person any three-dimensional device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs or offers to do so or possesses such devices with the intent to do so.”
Mississippi Code, Title 97, Chapter 29, Section 97-239-105
The statute was upheld by the Mississippi Supreme Court two years ago. I'm not sure whether it is now making its way to the US Supreme Court, but let's take a wager on how Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts will vote.
What's the deal? We can't have sex when we're married if we're not doing it to make babies. We can't have sex outside marriage because that makes us sluts and hos. Now, we can't have sex with ourselves because . . . I don't know, someone help me out here. I guess that means we're never, supposed to have an orgasm again. Never. Ever.
Say it with me, ladies: "They can have my vibrator when they pry it from my cold, dead hands."
Here's the relevant text of the statute:
"A person commits the offense of distributing unlawful sexual devices when he knowingly sells, advertises, publishes or exhibits to any person any three-dimensional device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs or offers to do so or possesses such devices with the intent to do so.”
Mississippi Code, Title 97, Chapter 29, Section 97-239-105
The statute was upheld by the Mississippi Supreme Court two years ago. I'm not sure whether it is now making its way to the US Supreme Court, but let's take a wager on how Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Roberts will vote.
What's the deal? We can't have sex when we're married if we're not doing it to make babies. We can't have sex outside marriage because that makes us sluts and hos. Now, we can't have sex with ourselves because . . . I don't know, someone help me out here. I guess that means we're never, supposed to have an orgasm again. Never. Ever.
Say it with me, ladies: "They can have my vibrator when they pry it from my cold, dead hands."
dunces
Fly Into a Building? Who Could Imagine?
by Maureen Dowd
The New York Times
March 22, 2006
Three little words:
Still employed there.
Of all the through-the-looking-glass moments in the last few days, the strangest is this: The F.B.I officer who arrested and questioned Zacarias Moussaoui told a jury that he had alerted his superiors about 70 times that Mr. Moussaoui was a radical Islamic fundamentalist who hated America and might be plotting to hijack an airplane.
Seventy? That makes one time for every virgin waiting for Mr. Moussaoui in heaven. Judging by how disastrously the prosecution is doing, the virgins will have to wait.
We could have cracked the 9/11 plot if the F.B.I. wasn't run by dunces....
What does it take to get someone fired around here?
Afghanistan: This doesn't sound like a democracy to me
UPDate: Judd at Think Progress has the latest BS from Scottie Mac at the WH this afternoon regarding the story below. What a load of hypocrisy.
----------
Our young men and women who enlisted after 9/11 in order to get bin Laden and free Afghanistan from tyrants didn't risk their lives and die for persecution of Christians.
Interfering is our middle name.
United Interfering States of America.
----------
Our young men and women who enlisted after 9/11 in order to get bin Laden and free Afghanistan from tyrants didn't risk their lives and die for persecution of Christians.
Courts in control of convert's fateUm, excuse me, but we don't want to interfere? What about the blue fingers?
KABUL, Afghanistan, March 22 (UPI) -- The government of Afghanistan says the courts will decide the fate of a man whose conversion to Christianity could result in his execution, a report said.
Abdul Rahman, 41, could be put to death under Sharia law for rejecting Islam and converting to Christianity 16 years ago, charges brought by his estranged family in a custody dispute over his two children.
While prosecutors, like the judge hearing the case, questioned Rahman's mental fitness to stand trial, a spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the courts are an "independent system."
"This is a case that the family of the person brought against him. We are watching it closely and Afghanistan also respects human rights," a spokesman for Karzai told the BBC.
Officials from Canada, Germany, Italy and the United States expressed concern about Rahman's case.
The United States asked that Rahman be allowed to practice his faith but also said it did not want to interfere, the BBC reported.
Interfering is our middle name.
United Interfering States of America.
Jesus wouldn't condone bill criminalizing illegal immigrants
So says Hillary Clinton.
"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures," Clinton said, "because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."
And let us not forget that Lady Liberty would cry too.
The New Colossus
Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame..."
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
An easy way to vote for the Koufax Awards
Don't have time to sit there waiting for the servers at Wampum to take you vote? Me neither and I want to vote in every category .
Send them an email (they do check IP addresses) wampum@nic-naa.net. (subject: Koufax)
Here's a list of categories to cut and paste:
Best Blog (non-pro):
Best Blog Community:
Best Blog (pro/sponsor):
Best Group Blog: BLONDESENSE
Best Post:
Best Series:
Best Writing:
Best Expert Blog:
Best Single Issue:
Most Humorous Blog:
Most Humorous Post:
Best state and local Blog:
More Deserving of Wider Recognition:
Best New Blog:
Best Commenter:
The blogs that are in the running for each category are listed here starting about a quarter way down the page.
Thank you.
Remember if we win, we will post nudie pictures.
Send them an email (they do check IP addresses) wampum@nic-naa.net. (subject: Koufax)
Here's a list of categories to cut and paste:
Best Blog (non-pro):
Best Blog Community:
Best Blog (pro/sponsor):
Best Group Blog: BLONDESENSE
Best Post:
Best Series:
Best Writing:
Best Expert Blog:
Best Single Issue:
Most Humorous Blog:
Most Humorous Post:
Best state and local Blog:
More Deserving of Wider Recognition:
Best New Blog:
Best Commenter:
The blogs that are in the running for each category are listed here starting about a quarter way down the page.
Thank you.
Remember if we win, we will post nudie pictures.
Wednesday, March 22
The Inheritance
A friend sent me this:
"When John found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a woman to enjoy it with.So one evening he went to a singles bar where he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. 'I may look like just an ordinary man,' he said as he walked up to her, 'but in just a week or two, my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars.' Impressed, the woman went home with him that evening and, three days later, she became his stepmother.
Women are so much smarter than men... "
Discuss:
1. Whether the final sentence is true;
2. Whether I should be ashamed of my blatant sexism; and
3. Whether the beautiful woman in the joke is the idealogical twin of "Concerned" in the post below.
"When John found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a woman to enjoy it with.So one evening he went to a singles bar where he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. 'I may look like just an ordinary man,' he said as he walked up to her, 'but in just a week or two, my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars.' Impressed, the woman went home with him that evening and, three days later, she became his stepmother.
Women are so much smarter than men... "
Discuss:
1. Whether the final sentence is true;
2. Whether I should be ashamed of my blatant sexism; and
3. Whether the beautiful woman in the joke is the idealogical twin of "Concerned" in the post below.
Voodoo Magic Stumped by Bird Flu
O.K. Folks -- I'm really trying to wrap my head around this one. I don't mean to "poke" fun at a person's way of life; after all this has been around for centuries. I'm thinking it might be fun for us to produce a few "voodoo dolls" ourselves. What do you think? Maybe some of you already have a voodoo doll of your own --- anyone? anyone? Here's the story
UPDATE: Here is Liz's Favorite Voodoo Doll
UPDATE: Here is Liz's Favorite Voodoo Doll
MoMule made me do it!
If anybody has actually seen my toofless post, MoMule hollered and said that we oughta put the PayPal info up here on the blog, so here it is:
joannaagain @ hotmail.com"
That's the account ID.
Now that I've done my useless-scumbag, pan-handling-lowlife bit for the day, feel free to go back to the actual news.
joannaagain @ hotmail.com"
That's the account ID.
Now that I've done my useless-scumbag, pan-handling-lowlife bit for the day, feel free to go back to the actual news.
Dear Psycho Bitch, Boo Effin' Hoo
This is not something I usually would post, but man oh man, this caught my eye in the morning paper. This woman is a piece of work
ASK AMY
True love covers sickness and health
Mar 22, 2006
DEAR AMY: Two years ago, I started an affair with a married man in my office. I never thought of doing such a thing. Everyone in our office thought the world of him and his wife, and thought what a wonderful husband and father he was. I flirted with him, and occasionally we would go out in a group. One evening he had a bit to drink and the next thing I knew he was confessing to boredom and dissatisfaction with his wife and his life. Well, I didn't think twice and we were involved in a full-fledged affair. He decided to leave his wife. She was devastated and fought to keep him, but we were so in love that she didn't stand a chance. She finally gave up. His three children barely speak to him. We are engaged and everything has been great, in spite of his estrangement from his children and the fact that his wife made out quite well in the divorce. Unfortunately, now he is sick and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. I have had to take care of him and it's exhausting. No one in his family is willing to step up to help me. His children refuse to talk to me. I still love him and all that, but honestly, I don't want to nurse him and watch him die. I want to break it off, but I hate leaving him with no one. What should I do?
Concerned
You can read what Amy has to say. You can probably guess what I have to say and I'll probably say so in the comments after I see what you would say.
ASK AMY
True love covers sickness and health
Mar 22, 2006
DEAR AMY: Two years ago, I started an affair with a married man in my office. I never thought of doing such a thing. Everyone in our office thought the world of him and his wife, and thought what a wonderful husband and father he was. I flirted with him, and occasionally we would go out in a group. One evening he had a bit to drink and the next thing I knew he was confessing to boredom and dissatisfaction with his wife and his life. Well, I didn't think twice and we were involved in a full-fledged affair. He decided to leave his wife. She was devastated and fought to keep him, but we were so in love that she didn't stand a chance. She finally gave up. His three children barely speak to him. We are engaged and everything has been great, in spite of his estrangement from his children and the fact that his wife made out quite well in the divorce. Unfortunately, now he is sick and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. I have had to take care of him and it's exhausting. No one in his family is willing to step up to help me. His children refuse to talk to me. I still love him and all that, but honestly, I don't want to nurse him and watch him die. I want to break it off, but I hate leaving him with no one. What should I do?
Concerned
You can read what Amy has to say. You can probably guess what I have to say and I'll probably say so in the comments after I see what you would say.
Once Again, the Low Hanging Fruit Gets Eaten
Another conviction in the Abu Ghraib debacle. Another conviction of an enlisted man.
Army Dog Handler Is Convicted in Detainee Abuse at Abu Ghraib
WASHINGTON, March 21 — An Army dog handler was found guilty Tuesday of tormenting detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraqwith his snarling Belgian shepherd for his own amusement.
snip
A jury of four officers and three enlisted soldiers rejected Sergeant Smith's defense that he was simply following orders and using a barking dog to keep prisoners in line. The prosecution asserted that Sergeant Smith treated inmates at Abu Ghraib inhumanely in late 2003 and early 2004, a period during which photographs depicted prisoners naked and stacked in human pyramids, or leashed and crawling like dogs, with soldiers posing alongside them. One of the most notorious images was of Sergeant Smith holding his growling dog straining on its leash just inches from the face of a cowering orange-clad prisoner.
Rest of the story here.
Same shit, different day. We're never going to see a single officer be held responsible.
Army Dog Handler Is Convicted in Detainee Abuse at Abu Ghraib
WASHINGTON, March 21 — An Army dog handler was found guilty Tuesday of tormenting detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraqwith his snarling Belgian shepherd for his own amusement.
snip
A jury of four officers and three enlisted soldiers rejected Sergeant Smith's defense that he was simply following orders and using a barking dog to keep prisoners in line. The prosecution asserted that Sergeant Smith treated inmates at Abu Ghraib inhumanely in late 2003 and early 2004, a period during which photographs depicted prisoners naked and stacked in human pyramids, or leashed and crawling like dogs, with soldiers posing alongside them. One of the most notorious images was of Sergeant Smith holding his growling dog straining on its leash just inches from the face of a cowering orange-clad prisoner.
Rest of the story here.
Same shit, different day. We're never going to see a single officer be held responsible.
Still Seeking The Truth
This is part of what I saw at Ground Zero on November 11th, 2001. I had to hold my camera up high to take the picture without capturing all the tourists and Asian vendors selling American flags and WTC postcards with American eagles on them. Free enterprise you know. NYPD lined all the police barricades on every street surrounding the site.
Move along. Move along. There's nothing to see here.
Wuddayoo kidding me? Wuddaya call that? I came here to pray, you Nazi!
Good article at New York Mag this month The Ground Zero Grassy Knoll Long, but worth reading.
I tried to make some sense of the pictures a friend of mine, Todd, took days after 9/11. 
The War on Birth Control
Pretty soon they'll be pushing for a ban on menstruation and masturbation.
Salon has got an article worth reading (and doing the free day pass thing) concerning the war on birth control. Yes, there is a war on it. We've covered it here before. The war on abortion is making great strides and the next part naturally is to eliminate birth control because apparently not allowing an egg to fertilize or attach itself to the uterus is in effect, abortion, say the hyperactive anti-sex zealots. And they are doing something about it.
Since birth control pills are now likened to having an abortion, it's no wonder that uninformed pharmacists and even doctors, god help us, have opposed Plan B emergency contraception (a large dose birth control pill). The anti-sex people believe that the very instance that a sperm meets an egg, a human life has begun. But when does it become a human being?
How do they address condoms, which prevent a sperm from reaching an egg? Why you attack condoms and say that they don't prevent STDs... you take it further and claim that it helps cause the spread of STDs!
You think it's laughable that all this 'abstinence only' stuff is being passed off as sex education? These guys are serious about making sure that people are not only abstinent, but will be punished with having to bring up a child they don't want because they won't be able to get birth control should they suddenly decide to not be abstinent, even in marriage.
The good thing about all this? The crackpottery of the "have babies whether you like it or not movement or just don't have sex even if you're married, you slut" makes it easier for pro-choicers to make a good stand for protecting women's rights overall. When you add anti-birthcontrol activism (even if you're married) and anti-daycare into the so called "pro-life" argument, you'll see former anti-choice women starting to wake up and smell the coffee. It will become pretty obvious once and for all why pro-choicers have been claiming that the anti-abortion movement is a slippery slope.
Salon has got an article worth reading (and doing the free day pass thing) concerning the war on birth control. Yes, there is a war on it. We've covered it here before. The war on abortion is making great strides and the next part naturally is to eliminate birth control because apparently not allowing an egg to fertilize or attach itself to the uterus is in effect, abortion, say the hyperactive anti-sex zealots. And they are doing something about it.
Many of the National Right to Life Committee state affiliates have opposed legislation that would provide insurance coverage for contraception. Iowa Right to Life even lists a host of birth control methods -- including the pill, the IUD, Norplant and Depo-Provera -- as abortifacients.
Since birth control pills are now likened to having an abortion, it's no wonder that uninformed pharmacists and even doctors, god help us, have opposed Plan B emergency contraception (a large dose birth control pill). The anti-sex people believe that the very instance that a sperm meets an egg, a human life has begun. But when does it become a human being?
How do they address condoms, which prevent a sperm from reaching an egg? Why you attack condoms and say that they don't prevent STDs... you take it further and claim that it helps cause the spread of STDs!
You think it's laughable that all this 'abstinence only' stuff is being passed off as sex education? These guys are serious about making sure that people are not only abstinent, but will be punished with having to bring up a child they don't want because they won't be able to get birth control should they suddenly decide to not be abstinent, even in marriage.
During the 2005 legislative session, more that 80 bills in 36 states were introduced that would restrict minors' access to birth control. On the federal level, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, currently being considered in Congress, would allow insurers to ignore state laws mandating contraceptive coverage. And then there is the matter of pharmacists and "conscience clause" laws. South Dakota, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi already allow pharmacists to refuse to fill contraceptive prescriptions. And at least 15 states have legislation pending that would allow not just pharmacists to refuse to dispense prescriptions, but would also protect cashiers who refused to ring them up.Overzealous anti-abortionists are really not all that anti-abortion as much as they are steadfastedly against women doing anything but breeding and staying home. There are some factions of the anti-choice movement who oppose child care too.
The good thing about all this? The crackpottery of the "have babies whether you like it or not movement or just don't have sex even if you're married, you slut" makes it easier for pro-choicers to make a good stand for protecting women's rights overall. When you add anti-birthcontrol activism (even if you're married) and anti-daycare into the so called "pro-life" argument, you'll see former anti-choice women starting to wake up and smell the coffee. It will become pretty obvious once and for all why pro-choicers have been claiming that the anti-abortion movement is a slippery slope.
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