Female political bloggers

McCain Fumbles Pizza Purchase

Kelley Wenzlaff, The "Mom" for the House! — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:14:40 EDT

The lead story in today Columbus Dispatch newspaper slices the hard breaking news story that Republican presidential candidate John McCain does not know how to purchase pizza.

The article states: "McCain stopped yesterday for a 20-minute photo op and tour of the main fire station, carrying two large pizzas. As he glad-handed his way down a line of 24 firefighters, he told an aide, "I don't think I brought enough pizza for everybody. We'll have to send out for some more."

Clearly this is an issue of great concern for all den mothers and little league dads who routinely purchase pizzas. These parents know full well that two large pies will not even begin to satisfy the feeding frenzy of even a small group of half a dozen pint sized pipsqueaks, let alone 24 full grown macho men.

*The ratio of pies to people is a half a pie per person for thin crust and a quarter pie for thick if the eaters are male and over the age of 12. The ratio can be cut by a third for women, picky eaters, and parties involving ice cream and cake. Every parent knows this.

As a result of this story, voters across the nation are rethinking their position on a McCain presidency. Can a man who has never ordered pizza for his family or football team really lead the free world? What will happen when he invites heads of state to the White House and they run out of food in the middle of tense negotiations? The results could be catastrophic, even if he does remember to hold the anchovies.

In conclusion, I must commend the main stream media for it's in depth coverage on this event, as clearly this is the type of hard hitting analysis the American People look for when casting their votes...

OhioStateFairphilia

Average Jane — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:06:55 EDT

Like drones, spouse and I attended the fair yesterday. We didn't expect any surprises and we weren't disappointed.

The fair is all about rural life, and that means animals. That's cool. The ODNR park has a good collection of birds, fish, butterflies and native mammals, as well as an automaton Smokey the Bear. Maybe because it rained, the owls, bobcat, river otter and fox were unusually alert in their small cages. (Except for an occasional gray fox, I've never seen any of these animals in the wild, have you? I guess we just have to take ODNR's word for it that these are Ohio natives.)

From the gigantic cardinal and butter cow sculptures to the impressive and so-still Budweiser Clydesdales, animals rule the fair. There's even a decent petting zoo. (I believe it's from Missouri.) I wonder about this international collection of docile beings. Isn't the giant tortoise bugged by the constant dromedary bleating?

Speaking of drones, one thing I miss about the Ag building of yesteryear is the Wall of Bees display. It was interesting and kind of empowering as a kid to see those worker bees doing their thing under glass. (The bee wall was abandoned, I suspect, when we fell victim to Big Ag Commercialization Syndrome.)

Then there's the animals you eat (I do, anyway). The fair is my opportunity to look my food sources in the eye. We sat in the arena bleachers for awhile and watched 10-year-olds handling 250 lb. sheep with ease. It's like a countrified Westminster Dog Show.

The fair is where I realize how ignorant I am about farm life. For example, the Ohio Cattlemen's Assn. offers this advise to breeders in The Ring magazine: "Use Expected Progeny Differences (EDP's) when making sire selections. I have heard of many heifer owners that are unwilling to use a calving-ease sire on a first-calf heifer because they believe they are 'wasting' their first calf because it will probably not be thick enough to merchandise or show...." What the....?

You hear ag people (as opposed to actual farmers and ranchers) talk about "checkoff" programs a lot. I've finally figured out what this means, thanks to a large amount of literature offered by the Ohio Beef Council. For every head of cattle sold, $1 goes to a national beef PR campaign. One of the results is BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. (Warning: vegetarians may find the "Beefscapes" in the aforementioned link objectionable and possibly nauseating. Me, I like the seascape made of kabobs. Is that sand garlic?)

I also picked up a lot of government literature at the fair. The new and very fine State of Perfect Balance logo and slogan was much in evidence. Here's a random selection of Ohio bureaucratic factoid finds:

-- From the Department of Health's Pocket Size Plan: "Experts believe a worldwide outbreak, or pandemic, of influenza will happen someday (sic). The exact timing is not known, but it is certain our everyday live will change drastically during a pandemic. These changes may include temporary closing of schools or cancellation of events, disruption of normal service such as utilities and some shortages...."

-- From the Division of Wildlife Hunting & Trapping Regulations: "It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a wild turkey while it is in a tree."

-- From Department of Commerce Division of Labor & Worker Safety poster: "Prohibited Occupations for Minors 14-17 Years of Age: Power-driven bakery machines...Coal mines...Motor vehicle occupations (?)....

-- Division of Liquor Control brochure How to Object to the Issuance or Renewal of a Liquor Permit: "A general objection based on location of an institution, moral beliefs, institutional policy, adequate number of permit premises currently in the neighborhood, inadvisability, or economic and social consequences of drinking do not constitute reasonable bases to reject a permit."

Fascinating stuff found only at the fair!

Oh yeah, we also really liked the old pictures of Great Western Shopping Center's Walk of Wonders, provided by the Ohio Historical Society, I believe. By the time I saw "the Wonders," they looked like a lame mini-golf course.

The fair was exactly like we expected it to be. This year, I didn't even frighten any Amish boys with my short hair. Unless you're a native-born Ohioan, you may not fully appreciate the fair and our need to embrace the dull.

Out the gun owners

Average Jane — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:50:12 EDT

My neighbor needs my permission to build a gazebo, but he can keep an arsenal of hand guns and not tell anyone. What kind of BS is that?

That worn-out Second Amendment seems to be my nemesis. Right to bear arms, huh? How about nukes? Explain that to Iran, NRA.

Why is it OK to secretly keep a gun collection in an urban area? We have the right to know if our neighbors are sex offenders or industrial polluters. Why not gun owners? This doesn't infringe on my neighbor's right to self-defense -- in fact, it may make him safer.

A couple of hand gun owners I know fancy themselves as defenders of their neighborhoods. To them I say, No Thanks. If anyone has a gun around my home, I want them to have a badge and ID.

Near Extinction

Average Jane — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:10:51 EDT

Here are some things I miss from my youth (I'm over 50):
1. Drive-In Theaters
2. Monarch butterflies
3. The deep croak of a bullfrog on a summer night
4. Lightening bugs (still around, but not nearly as many)
5. "Miss Citizen Fair" contest
6. Large spice racks & the smell of Allspice
7. Banana Flips
8. George Carlin
9. Free TV
10. Occasionally cracking open an egg to find a double yolk -- twins!

Mostly, it's my memory that's missing (not altogether undesirable -- happiness requires some memory loss, I believe). At any rate, I can only think of ten things.

Some things I don't miss from my youth include: acne, the 5th Grade Fashion Police, bleeding madras, sexist dress codes (Why did it take so long for educators to realize that you can't use most playground equipment if you're wearing a dress?), pit toilets at rest stops, garter belts, and the frequency of skunk roadkill.

I'd be interested in hearing what 40-, 30- and 20-somethings feel nostalgic about. Does a pre-internet & cell phone world seem primitive to them? Me, I'm still trying to negotiate what we quaintly called the "Information Superhighway."

Help! I'm trapped in a Hitchcock movie

Average Jane — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:56:56 EDT

Seriously, maybe you can help me with a pest control problem. My computer is located next to a chimney (a WBFP, as the real estate people say). Birds are constantly flying down the two-story+ chimney and squawking through the wall. I bang on the wood paneling. They fly back up the chimney in a flutter. Repeat. Every hour. Drives me nuts.

The flue is encrusted with feathers and bird poop, so I'm reluctant to open it. It doesn't smell bad, so I don't think there are any dead birds in there.

We had the chimney inspected and cleaned when we moved here a decade ago. Because of its location and small size, we've never used the fireplace.

My question is this: Do I need to call professionals to put a screen or some kind of plugging device on the chimney top, or is there some other humane way to deter birds? (I tried shining a light through the cracks of the flue, but this just seemed to attract them.)

I like birds. Since putting a feeder up a few months ago, I've gotten to know our regular visitors. It's charming how the finches and cardinals show up in monogamous pairs. Sparrows, however, come in mobs. They are the trailer-trash of the bird world.

I bought my birdfeeder at a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise. I've been in the store a couple times and was surprised at how crowded and thriving it seemed to be. (Entrepreneurs take note: maybe bird-watching is recession-proof. Hell, they got me to spend $20 on a Squirrel Baffle.)

I don't know what kind of birds keep flying down my chimney. (Chimney Swifts? Nah, smaller than that.) They could even be bats.

Whatever they are, they probably won't pluck my eyeballs out. But you never know.

2 Big D's & a Birthday

Average Jane — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:57:41 EDT

Monday August 4, Barack Obama turns 47 and Gov. Ted will be 67 -- my two fave pols share a birthday!

Here's my birthday tribute to both of them, sung to the tune of We Love You, Conrad from the musical Bye, Bye Birdie (hey, it ain't MAD Magazine quality, but it's heart-felt):

We love our Gov. Ted

Oh yes we do

When he's not near to us

We vote non-Blue

He gave us Keno

And Clinton too

Oh Strickland we love you!

We love Obama

Oh yes we can!

If he's elected

We'll forget Marc Dann

We like his policies

And family too

Obama, we need you!

Finally, a Guv who looks good in jeans

Average Jane — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:53:43 EDT

Is this guy good or what?

Gov. Ted Strickland says he loves horses, having grown up with them at home on Duck Run in southern Ohio.

That was evident yesterday, when Strickland stopped three times on a tour of the fairgrounds to meet four horses -- and their owners -- after officially opening the 155th Ohio State Fair. It runs through Aug. 10.

"We always had work horses," Strickland said. "I love horses. They're beautiful animals."

Zoey, a 10-year-old paint competing with 17-year-old Courtney Hesse of Springfield in Western showmanship, seemed to like the governor just fine as well, raising her head appreciatively as Strickland scratched it.

It's tradition for the governor to open the fair, and Strickland took his turn visiting exhibits, greeting fairgoers and even serving up ice cream in the Dairy Products Building near the famous butter cow and a new 2,500-pound butter sculpture of Ohio's presidents.

Strickland is varying another tradition by not spending a night in a livestock barn with a farm family. Instead, he plans to stay overnight Thursday in a tent with an Ohio family to promote state parks.***

Unlike Gov. Taft, Strickland actually has spent time sleeping on dirt floors, so spending the night in a cow barn is no BFD. The Strickland family was so poor, they probably couldn't afford to attend the big city Ohio State Fair:

Strickland said he didn't attend the state fair growing up but looked forward to the Scioto County Fair, which took place around his Aug. 4 birthday. He also recalled attending a county fair each day for six straight weeks in the 1970s while campaigning for Congress in a 14-county district.***

Spouse and I will be attending the fair this year, as we do every year. We suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Fairgoer Disorder. It's exactly the same every year! (Although the butter display this year sounds a lot better than the Trans-Fat Tribute to The Crew of years past.)

Sunday at the fair is "Jewish Tablescaping Demo" at 2 pm in the DiSalle Center and "Masters of the Chainsaw" is an ongoing attraction. Perhaps we should go Monday, Aug. 4: NBC Family Value (not Values) Day and Gov. Ted's birthday. Eeehaw.

Stream of consciousness Washington DC vacation

Average Jane — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:44:26 EDT

"Aggressive Driving Imagery Used" I-495 West....How'd ya like to live in Beltville?....Taxation Without Representation DC license plates -- lots of them....

Beautiful Washington National Cathedral....Flying buttresses, awesome stained glass....Love the gargoyles -- even Darth Vadar can find a church home here...."Today, the Cathedral is a church for national purposes, an Episcopal cathedral welcoming to people of all faiths and none." That's me!.... We've spent the entire morning in Washington and haven't spent any money yet. Cool....

Toney Georgetown shops and restaurants....Sweltering humidity....Lovely Victorian architecture....Cupola City....Except for political signs wrapped around classic lampposts, Georgetown is elegant and understated....

The Embassy of Barbados is located across the street from our nice, small hotel....International feel to this city, as one would expect.... We eat at a yummy Ethiopian restaurant where we Ohioans are compelled to ask for forks....Almost all the service people of Washington appear to be Hispanic....

Cabs, buses and subway are readily available....Steep escalator ride down to the Red Line evokes creeped-out childhood memory....Subway is a good way to get around, but seems unusually dark to me....

Many homeless people and their possession bundles in small urban parks -- more visible than homeless in NYC or Chicago....Tons of security people and dogs in Washington, but they don't seem to harass the park-bench sleepers and dumpster divers -- unless they decide to camp-out in front of the White House....There, one beared old guy with his dog and "Ban Nukes" sign....Cop in his face....Mr. Ban Nukes is pleased that I snapped his picture and we exchange peace hand gestures....He is the one and only individual we encounter in Washington who appears to be peaceably assembling and petitioning the government for redress of grievances....And the cop is hassling him....

WWII Memorial: grand and watery, but designed by committee....The reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial: covered in duck poop....Big Abe in his chair: his eyes seem to follow you....Vietnam Vets Memorial: smaller and more emotional than we expected....

We visit the excellent and moving Newseum and the National Museum of Crime & Punishment ....the latter is where they film portions of America's Most Wanted....The museum's association with the AMW TV show gives it credibility, but at the same time makes it seem a bit hokey....I can't explain this....

Pennsylvania Ave. is shut down; minutes later a black SUV drag race with motorcycle escorts comes roaring through....A dignitary, oooh!....Turns out Dubya greeted the PM of Pakistan on the South Lawn, where we just were....Oh, the thrill of inclusion....

420-mile drive home is uneventful....Frequency of cell phone towers along the highway reminds me of lesser Washington Monuments....

Training on nonprofit technology NEXT WEEK

User from Columbus, OH — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:32:35 EDT

The New Organizing Institute is excited to announce a one-day "Organizers Summit" training on online organizing and political technology coming up *next week* on July 28 in Columbus, Ohio! This state-based training will help organizations build on a core set of skills that are fundamental in a new, more technology-focused world -- including organizing, communications, field, and evaluation.

Whether you are a new online organizer or a seasoned professional with traditional field experience, the Organizers Summit will focus on how to use new technology and the internet to make all aspects of traditional field and communications more efficient and effective for organizational staff.

Event: NOI Organizers Summit in Columbus, OH
Date/Location: July 28 at The Ohio State University's Fawcett Center
Cost: $125 per person (includes two meals, and training materials)
Register at: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1095/t/6780/content.jsp?content_KEY=4184

The training will feature two tracks for attendees: field/data and organizing/communications. Sessions and workshops at the Organizers Summit will focus on developing skills in the following areas:

- Introduction to Online Organizing, Communications, and New Media
- Advances in Field Technology and Technique
- Testing and Evaluation: How, When, and Why
- Recognizing "Moments" for Strategic Online Organizing
- Effective Email Writing and Campaign Design
- Working with Blogs and Bloggers
- Online Fundraising, Marketing, and Advertising
- Organizing Through Social Networks
- Integrating Video Into Your Online Strategy
- And much more!

NOI is working with a wide array of state-based partners across the country to organize this training, along with nine other trainings in other regions of the country. This is an amazing opportunity to share some of the lessons, strategies and techniques being used by organizations on the forefront of online organizing and political technology all over the country and to build your network.

Find registration information and more details about the Organizers Summit at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1095/t/6780/content.jsp?content_KEY=4184

We look forward to seeing you there!

Push for pay equity for women

Average Jane — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:16:16 EDT

MomsRising.org concludes women -- especially moms and minorities -- are disproportionately underpaid:

Earlier this week the headline on the front page of the New York Times declared, "Women Are Now Equal as Victims of Poor Economy." "Equal"? Really?

While it's true that both men and women are suffering in this economic downturn, women still bear the lion's share of the burden. Women in the U.S. are still paid only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men -- mothers only 73 cents, and single mothers about 60 cents.

For women of color, the numbers are even worse -- African-American women earn 63 cents and Latina women earn 52 cents for every dollar paid to white men. With numbers like these, it's easy to see why protection from wage and other job discrimination is a critical component of economic security for women and families, especially in times of economic downturn.

Tell your Senators to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act now! http://www.momsrising.org/FairPay_Yes

This Act, which provides job discrimination protections, has already passed the U.S. House, nearly passed the U.S. Senate--but is currently stalled. Your voice is needed to get the bill moving forward again and to remind the Senate that the women of America are waiting for their vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and that this is the only bill that would fully restore women's civil rights.

Forward this email to your friends and family so they can contact their U.S. Senators too. The more people the Senators hear from, the more likely they are to pass this bill in the Senate.

More About the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: Lilly Ledbetter, a manager at Goodyear Tires, endured pay discrimination (and thus the loss of significant wages) during her 19 years of employment--just for being a woman. She won a substantial settlement in a lower court and then the the Supreme Court ruled against Ledbetter, saying that pay discrimination claims must be made within 180 days after the pay is initially set. This effectively guts the ability to hold employers accountable when they pay women less than men--even if the discrimination continues for years.

Most people don't know how much their coworkers make, and so would have no way of discovering pay discrimination in time to meet this new requirement. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would fix this Supreme Court decision and restore the right of women and minorities to recover lost wages due to discrimination, as originally protected by the Civil Rights Act.

Rejected New Yorker cover

Average Jane — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:17:47 EDT

Pope ignores overpopulation threat

Average Jane — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:34:04 EDT

At the risk of confronting a self-flagellating albino hitman from Opus Dei at my front door, I've just got to say Pope Benedict XVI has been a bit disingenuous lately.

Pope in Australia will highlight climate change

DARWIN, Australia (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI began a pilgrimage in Australia Sunday, saying he wants to use his visit to raise awareness about global warming and to address the crisis of clergy sexual abuse.

Benedict's plane landed in the northern city of Darwin in the morning after a more than 20-hour flight from the Vatican. His plane was making a brief refueling stop before flying to Sydney, where he will lead celebrations at the World Youth Day festival.

Benedict, 81, will spend three days resting at a retreat in Sydney before taking part in the festival, including a vigil service with thousands of young people and an outdoor Mass....

Benedict said politicians and experts must be "capable of responding to the great ecological challenge and to be up to the task of this challenge."***

Is there any possible way to address environmental threats without also discussing human population growth?

No. As WOA! explains:

"Overpopulation is a serious problem getting worse every year: if we continue at the current rate, population will double to over 11 billion by 2035. Overpopulation is the root of most, if not all, environmental and many economic issues, timber overharvesting, loss of arable land, ocean depletion, food shortages, water shortages, air pollution, water pollution, flooding, plant and animal habitat loss, global warming and immigration."

As long as the Catholic Church prohibits birth control, it can't effectively respond to "the great ecological challenge." People cause pollution, and there's no getting around that.

It's our American tradition to allow people to practice their religion freely, as long as they don't affect nonbelievers adversely. I've merely been annoyed by Jehovah's Witnesses, but Catholic policies have caused me personal tragedy.

I don't think it's out of line to criticize the pope for choosing to overlook world overpopulation and the negative effects that it certainly will have on my children and grandchildren.

And, oh yeah, don't forget to apologize to those thousands of Australians who were molested by priests, XVI. I know you've got a lot on your 81-year-old celibate mind.

When will state legislators stop pretending to be doctors?

Average Jane — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:29:06 EDT

Got this email today from Gary Dougherty, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio: Will the Ohio General Assembly Give Men the Final Decision about a Woman's Reproductive Health Care Choices?

One year ago, State Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) introduced one of the most outrageous pieces of legislation we have ever seen.

House Bill 287 would require a woman to have the written informed consent of the prospective father of her fetus before being allowed to have an abortion.

That's right...If the man says "No," there will be no abortion. Period!

This bill may actually be scheduled for hearings in the coming weeks.

To raise awareness about this offensive bill, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio is partnering with ProgressOhio, an outreach organization that builds awareness of legislative issues.

You're not going to believe this...

HB 287 also requires that, if the identity of the prospective father is unknown, a paternity test must be performed to determine his identity so that his consent could be obtained prior to performing the abortion.

What is left unsaid is that prenatal paternity testing:

cannot be performed until at least the 10th week of pregnancy, near the end of the first trimester,
is an invasive procedure using a long needle through the abdomen to collect fetal cells,
is expensive – up to $2,000 per test, and
poses a potential medical risk.

The practical effect of the paternity test requirement would prevent some women from obtaining an abortion during the first trimester.

Once paternity is established, if the man says "No," there will be no abortion.

Even worse...

If the pregnancy resulted from rape, the woman would be required to provide a police report proving it.
If the pregnancy resulted from incest, the woman would be required to provide a paternity test or a police report.
If the woman chooses not to identify the prospective father (perhaps out of fear for her own physical well-being), her only recourse would be to continue the pregnancy against her wishes or have an illegal abortion, a first degree misdemeanor.

Help ProgressOhio and Planned Parenthood "veto" this bill now! We Can't Let Them Get Away with This!***

You're right, Gary, we can't let them get away with this. Furthermore, we need to get Republican noses out of our gynecologists' offices. This control-freak Big Brother attitude has got to stop.

Rep. Adams is not qualified to even vote on this bill, let alone introduce it. He apparently has no medical background whatsoever. "Attended Mesa Community College" is his only education credential.

It's like sponsoring a farm bill without bothering to talk to farmers about it. House Bill 287 is horrendously bad legislation. Please join me in signing Planned Parenthood's petition against HB 287.

170 Posts and counting

Average Jane — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:36:04 EDT

It's been almost a year since I started blogging my little heart out on ProgressOhio. I'm still no good with the visuals, but if I do say so myself, my writing has improved immensely with near-daily practice. Occasionally, I can produce a whoop-ass 300 word essay.

In commemoration of my almost-year of blogging and actively commenting, I have some observations:

1. Make lists. People like lists. 5 Edgy Ohio Women, 10 Superficial Reasons to Go Obama, 16+ Reasons R's Should Shut Up about Abortion

2. For ProgressOhio, you want to keep it timely and Ohio-oriented. Nostalgic topics are OK, as long as they're political and/or funny. The Pie-Man Platform

3. Politics is a very broad topic. I like to write about cultural politics -- just about anything involving human interaction. If nothing else, it's Arts and Culture.

4. Don't let the fact that you're not a good writer keep you from writing. Express yourself. (Do not post after two or more glasses of wine, however.)

5. If you're a WASP like me, avoid terms such as fo' shizzle and chutzpah.

6. Humor is tricky. Best to leave it to the professionals.

7. Brevity and sexual innuendo improve readership.

8. Just because no one comments on your post doesn't mean people aren't reading it. Some topics don't invite comment.

9. It's good to stick with topics you know (except your kids -- they are boring to everyone else). But don't be afraid to branch out. Our Environment, for example, is a subject we can all have an opinion about.

10. Think of blogging as performance art -- expression for art's sake.

I think I became a better writer after I gave up on the idea of getting paid as a writer. My blog posts are unedited, poorly researched and often sloppily written in first-person, but nevertheless, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy about the whole blogging thing.

NBC 4 suffers from uromediaphilia

Average Jane — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:35:06 EDT

Is it just me, or is our Columbus NBC affiliate obsessed with the story of Allan Patton, the guy caught repeatedly trying to collect and drink the urine of young boys? The story broke Friday and they've had team reporting on the urine-fetish beat every newscast since then.

On Saturday, Mike Bowersock told us in earnest that Patton's mental condition is known as "urophilia." How educational. Today the NBC 4 Survey Question is: "Do you think Allan Patton should have been arrested for being in a public restroom, even though no crime was committed?"

Hmm. Let's rephrase that question: Do you think it's a good idea to arrest people without cause?

The poll results -- 828 votes at last count -- indicate 71% FOR Patton's arrest. The Reader Reaction comments are a mix of disgust and desire for vigilante justice. This from Sickofit: "What is it going to take for the system to put this man way (sic)? Another innocent child's life destroyed by him?"

Sheesh. The guy didn't touch anyone in this incident. It's hard to believe he destroyed a boy's life by collecting his urine. Yes, he's a perv, but he's not harming other humans.

Live and let live and let drink urine, I say.

Right-to-Lie kooks want 'personhood' for zygotes

Average Jane — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:55:28 EDT

If you thought government in the bedroom was bad, just wait until they start inspecting your toilet bowl. That could happen if right-to-life zealots in Colorado get their way. Washington Post:

LOS ANGELES -- A proposal to define a fertilized human egg as a person will land on Colorado's ballot this November, marking the first time that the question of when life begins will go before voters anywhere in the nation.

The Human Life Amendment, also known as the personhood amendment, says the words "person" or "persons" in the state constitution should "include any human being from the moment of fertilization." If voters agreed, legal experts say, it would give fertilized eggs the same legal rights and protections to which people are entitled.

The ballot initiative is funded by Colorado for Equal Rights, a grass-roots antiabortion organization. Its purpose, initiative sponsor Kristi Burton said, is to lay a legal and legislative basis for protecting the unborn. Its passage would also open the door to modifying other laws for the same purpose, she said.

As to what laws could then be modified, Burton would not elaborate. "We try not to focus on some of the issues that will be taken care of later on," she said, repeatedly saying that the amendment is not aimed at outlawing abortion....

"If we give fertilized eggs legal rights, abortion could be considered murder and a woman could be sent to jail for making the difficult life decision to terminate a pregnancy," said Crystal Clinkenbeard, spokeswoman for Protect Families, Protect Choice, a coalition of medical professionals, community groups and religious leaders who oppose the amendment.

The measure also could expand the reach of the law into other arenas, legal experts say. For instance, if a woman miscarries, she could be held responsible if it were found she caused it, even unintentionally. If she smoked or drank while pregnant, her behavior might be considered negligence. Damaged eggs might be eligible for monetary damages. The use of fertilized eggs at fertility clinics or in medical research labs would come into question because the disposal of unused eggs could be considered homicide.***

This Colorado ballot initiative is so absurd, it's bizarre. Putting something as deeply personal as family planning in the hands of voters is just dumb. Like John McCain says, people don't like government making decisions for them. This is like Big Brother watching you, except he's a control freak and misogynist.

As many as 40% of pregnancies end in miscarriage -- natural abortions. How is the government going to sort out which miscarriages are unintentional and which are induced abortions? Body Fluid Police?

That's only the beginning of the legal morass this legislation would cause if passed. If a pregnant woman is legally two people can she vote twice? Would Angelina Jolie get to vote three times?

Get a grip, Colorado.

21 Reasons R's should shut up about abortion

Help undo the mess left by abstinence-only education

Hamms sandwich Olympics

Average Jane — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:54:59 EDT

Twenty-five days until the Beijing Summer Olympics. Can't honestly say I'm psyched up, but the Olympics are a unique international event. There's always a controversy or inspirational story (the 41-year-old mom competitive swimmer, for example) to talk about.

This year, the host itself seems to be the main topic of conversation. China's air and water pollution and free-speech suppression overshadow the athletic competition. But we get the impression that the Chinese want to impress the rest of the world so very, very badly. So, what the heck. Let them host this global frat party for once. We can trash their place and they'll hardly notice.

I'm sure there are other Ohioans competing in the Olympics this year, but I only know of two: gymnasts Paul and Morgan Hamm. These twin young men are really natives of Wisconsin, but they chose to make Columbus their training home. Both graduated from Ohio State last year.

Men's gymnastics has got to be extremely competitive on the international level. I wish the Hamm brothers best of luck. I feel a personal connection with them, however remote, having spotted them recently at Lennox Town Center. As someone who appreciates a compact athletic body (as opposed to a hulking football-player type), may I say, two is better than one!

To paraphrase Paris Hilton, these boys are hot.

Lies and the Lying Lenders Who Tell Them

Daily Outrage — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:34:20 EDT

I know I get outraged daily, but I think this is the most outraged I've been. I found a story in the Portsmouth Daily Times on the payday lenders.

It liberally quotes payday spokesperson Kim Norris peddling some of the biggest lies I've seen in a long time.

The lies aren't the worst part. The worst part is that she peddled it to a newspaper in one of the poorest regions of the state because she knows that the bigger papers have the staff necessary to call her out on her BS. Let's look at some of the bigger lies:

"In a nutshell, it (the proposed referendum) repeals Section 3 of House Bill 545, but still allows for short-term loans at 28 percent," said Kim Norris of the Reject House Bill 545 Committee.
Norris said Rogers rejected the organization's first two proposals - saying the first was too short and the second, too long. "It felt like the three little bears," Norris said. "But she did accept our third proposal." ...
"We have to go out and get signatures, but an attorney general cannot impede the process. That argument is still under way," she said.
"Yesterday, she rejected that one but approved this other summary, so we're moving ahead with our summary that she approved."

In a nutshell, here is what they are REALLY doing: They are trying to kill the part of the reform that banned them from charging you 391% interest. In other words, they want to keep screwing the poor by charging them 391% interest when they are so desperate that they take out a payday loan.

Now about the Three Bears comment. Nancy Rogers did not say one was too short and one was two long. She said neither was a "fair and truthful'' statement. In other words, each was UNFAIR and NOT TRUTHFUL.

Having the state's top lawyer accuse you of lying is a lot different than having her accuse you of being too wordy or too brief.

And finally, the attorney general is NOT impeding the process. She is doing her job.

Ohio law REQUIRES the attorney general to decide if a petition summary is fair and truthful.

If the payday guys don't want to slow down the process, they have the option of writing a fair and truthful summay. They control their own destiny.

These guys are amazing.

Veterans' Council National Kickoff in Dayton Yesterday

User from Columbus, OH — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:43:33 EDT

Yesterday at noon, union veterans gathered at Memorial Hall in downtown Dayton. This event was one of a number around the country that marked the kickoff of the AFL-CIO's new Veterans' Council.

In addition to mobilizing leaders at the top to develop a national strategy to make sure veterans' voices are heard this year, and mobilizing grassroots union veterans to get involved to protect veterans' interests, the Council marks its kickoff with the debut of a tv ad featuring IBEW member and Vietnam Navy combat veteran Jim Wasser.

John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, spoke at the veterans' event in Dayton today, as did Mark Ayers, President of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, Vietnam veteran, and chair of the Veterans Council. Other speakers included Joe Rugola, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, and Wes Wells, Executive Secretary of the Dayton-Miami Valley Labor Council, whose son is currently serving in Iraq.

Why isn't the Veterans' Council supporting John McCain, who served in Vietnam, instead of Obama, who was never in the military? Material from the Veterans' Council says:

We support the candidate who has the strongest record in standing up for working people’s and veterans issues. Obama supports seriously reforming our nation’s broken health care system. McCain does not. Obama supports ending tax breaks for companies who send jobs overseas. McCain does not. Obama supports full funding for the GI bill and increased funding for veterans health care. McCain does not.

We've got a great one-minute video of John Sweeney speaking at the event, as well as two union vets talking about John McCain available from the Ohio Labor 2008 YouTube site.

Help undo the mess left by abstinence-only education

Average Jane — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:09:01 EDT

One in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control. One in four! "Additionally, teen birth rates are going up and the cost of birth control is skyrocketing," said Gary Dougherty, State Legislative Director, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio.

On May 30, 2007, the bi-partisan Ohio Prevention First Act was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. This landmark legislation will reduce unintended pregnancies through:

Realistic sex education and teen pregnancy prevention programs
Funding for family planning programs
Guaranteed access to birth control prescriptions
Contraceptive equity
Emergency contraception access and education

It is critical that this commonsense legislation be scheduled for a hearing before the end of the year. You can help make that happen.

Sign the petition urging the Chairman of the House Health Committee, Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon), to schedule a hearing on the Ohio Prevention First Act.

PPAO and I appreciate your support. I can't think of any legislation the General Assembly could undertake that could benefit more Ohioans more positively health-wise.