Egyptodd

Planned Parenthood's federal funding has been saved for now, thanks in large part to Obama's unwillingness to bend on the issue. However, count on this to be a contentious issue in next year's budget and election. PP uses private funding for abortions and uses federal monies for pregnancy prevention, STD screening, and women's health issues. The debate in Washington is silly and polarized over the least relevant portion of what PP does. I encourage all supporters of reason to visit plannedparenthood.org and take action. More on the subject later.

I remain hopeful for the new season. Why? Because, despite all the legal wranglings going on, the NFL continues to speak of draft choices and team prospects for the coming season. Additionally, the judge overseeing the current case is willing to take apart the dispute, issue by issue. This is important because some issues are more flexible than others. In some issues the parties are closer to agreement than in others. This may bring about a quicker resolve. Fingers crossed, fans! There will be an NFL season this year!

I just heard a very interesting interview on NPR with Peter Godwin, author of The Fear:The Last Days of Robert Mugabe . His is an interesting perspective on the liberation, current affairs, and future of Zimbabwe. It is a very powerful story and I hope to soon get my hands on the book. Amongst the questions about Zimbabwe, the lack of resources were discussed. When Peter's father passed, Peter himself had to cremate him. This was due to lack of fuel for proper crematoriums. Odd combination of mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, it would seem to be quite a gruesome thing to do. On the other hand, it is very intimate and that is why the Hindus still do it. The burning of the body by the eldest son is a rite of passage for both father and son. ( interview highlight at end of blog ) I encourage all to check out the highlights of the interview at:  http://www.npr.org/2011/03/30/134955995/a-journalist-bears-witness-to-mugabes-massacre I also encourage all to seek out his book, as I ...

I have been told by my many friends who do not vote and wish to never discuss politics that I should focus on "real life". Politics is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a: the art or science of government b: the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing government policy c: the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over government -Part a references the discussions we all have (in person and through all forms of media) over what our government is doing, what we would like them to do, and how they should do it. This would also include discussion of government in states/countries other than the one in which one resides. -Part b references voting, our choice of representatives and hence our voice in the process. It also references our direct contact with the process, through petitions to our representatives as well as letters and other direct appeals to influence their decisions. -No doubt that part c, third in the order, is the unpalatable part to ...

In my time of woe, at my lowest point ever, I find soooo many things to be thankful for. Count your blessings as I do, please. - I am thankful for my little niece Lizzy's habit of snuggling with me...any hour, any day, whether I think I want it or not. OK, so she does this with everyone. But with Lizzy snuggled by my side, in my armpit, rested on my chest, playing her DSI......it is like I am the Queen of Everything! - I am thankful for my cat, Cleopatra. My friend Chris took care of her while I couldn't. My brother continues to help me care for her. But, after 5 months of not living with her, I am still Tha Momma. She and I have been together most of her life. And her love is the first unconditional love since Jason. - I am thankful for my sisters and brothers. Though they still expect me to one day be fixed, and I have yet to believe in that day, their support and love is infinite in the face of my numerous continued personal disasters. - I am thankful that I am alive. In...

OK. So, today's blog is inspired by a soap opera. So what? They dramatize life, but they start from a point of real life. So, Kendall Hart Slater lost her husband last week on All My Children. What she is going through right now is so real I find myself yelling at the screen through tears. Here's the thing. Without being insensitive to others' grief, losing a spouse is unique. You can "get over" losing friends, grandparents, even parents. Losing a spouse affects you in such a profound way you can feel it in your skin and teeth....forever. When it happens you just want to be alone. The sound of your loved ones' voices, their comforting touch, the help and support they provide.......though you appreciate it, it all stings. The problem is that in those times you want to be alone. After that you really are. You reach out to people.....you "move one" with your life. All of it feels like a story, like someone else's life. You are still, truly, alone....