Last summer, The Center for Medical Progress released a video - on YouTube - of "PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S TOP DOCTOR, PRAISED BY CEO, USES PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS TO SELL BABY PARTS."
I wrote about it then. You can see that little ditty here.
At that time, my thoughts were: 1) The Center for Medical Progress wasn't a trustworthy source. 2) There was no concrete evidence in the heavily edited video. 3) It was all a political stunt. 4) An investigation needed to happen.
Well... I don't mean to toot my own horn, but.... HONK FRICKEN' HONK HONK.
In September, a month after the video was released, the Republican driven U.S. House of Representatives gave into conservatives threatening to shut down the government by passing a bill that would strip the funding for Planned Parenthood for a year. The move was simultaneous with the consideration to create a special committee to investigate the allegations against Planned Parenthood. This means politicians took this video as fact and claimed Planned Parenthood guilty before having any chance of being proven innocent. Sounds pretty American to me.
For the record, I'm going to remove the facet of pro-choice or pro-life or whatever other stances there are on abortion. I'm also going to remove the political facet of it. Even with those two (major) factors removed, the act of moving to completely defund an organization based on a YouTube video, without any sort of investigation at all, doesn't make sense. Hang first, ask questions later. And yet, it gained overwhelming political and social support.
This move was explained by a Republican Representative from Tennessee as common sense since apparently Americans have stated for a long time that they don't want abortion funded by federal dollars. I'm just gonna leave that little tidbit right there to simmer for a minute...
Side Note: One of the bills passed would have taken any of the funding
Planned Parenthood received and redirected it to clinics that don't
offer abortions. That's a pretty clear statement on choosing a side.
{Also, dear government, unless you're going to find a way to make me not
bleed and turn into a rabid werewolf with a murderous need for chocolate
each month, get out of my uterus.}
It seemed like a slam dunk for Republicans. They (dare I say it?) staged a witch hunt and were ready to execute. Then comes President Obama, who decided to go against popular opinion and stick up for the justice system by vowing to veto any such bill that crossed his desk.
The bills hit the wayside as the Republicans decided to focus on different political issues. As promised, a committee was created by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), consisting of eight members, all Republicans. The process of the investigation can be read on the GOP's government website, here. It's pretty interesting, albeit boring. I particularly liked one of the entries for September 9 where "The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled, “Planned Parenthood Exposed: Examining the Horrific Abortion Practices at the Nation’s Largest Abortion Provider.”" Whew. Good. Here I was all worried that they wouldn't be practical and open minded and actually investigate if there was any wrong doing and instead just continue manipulating their power to get the outcome they want for political and financial reasons. Glad the justice system dodged that bullet...
Seriously.
More ammo was needed, however, as during this "investigation," the media had somewhat forgotten about the atrocity that is Planned Parenthood. I mean, after all, Kimye had another baby and the Democrats were on the up and up in the debates and campaign. Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are political media gold, spreading warm thoughts and feelings like hippie fairy dust across the nation.
The Republicans got their wish when, on November 27, Robert Dear walked into a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs and opened fire. Three people were killed, including a police officer, and nine others injured. His reasons? Religion and to protect the babies. Too bad he's currently undergoing mental competency evaluations. That could have been one hell of a political endorsement speech.
Before Dear was even seen in court, Senate Republicans were again voting to defund Planned Parenthood based on the tragedy in Colorado. Because it's human nature to turn every negative into a positive.
Which begs the question of how human they are and at what point they had to sell their souls.
But I digress.
Eleven states also held their own investigations, including Texas. In a small victory this week, a grand jury in Texas cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrong doing. Instead, they accused The Center for Medical Progress of tampering with government records. The founder, David Daleiden, was also charged with buying human organs. Apparently, he's been posing as BioMax for years and trying to buy baby parts from Planned Parenthood, which the organization has previously called disturbing and never responded to.
He defends his actions as using the same undercover techniques used by journalists for years. Which is weird because no where does it mention that he used to work for Fox News. Or CNN.
Out of the eleven states holding investigations, nine have determined that Planned Parenthood is innocent. Two other states are still investigating.
Nine states have independently found that Planned Parenthood has done none of which they are being accused. Meanwhile, the government committee that is supposed to uphold justice for the better of the American people is trying to take away their funding while holding seminars about exposing the horrific abortion practices.
Just to review: 1) The Center for Medical Progress isn't a trustworthy source, as documented in a court of law by their investigative practices and the fact that they have been charged with the very illegal activity that they targeted Planned Parenthood for. 2) There is no concrete evidence in the heavily edited video, confirmed by preliminary investigations into the practices of Planned Parenthood on both the federal and state levels. 3) It is all a
political stunt. Because really, using a shooting by a religious maniac to tout your political stance on abortion is repulsive. However, good luck in the next term since you'll probably be voted into office again.
The other good news in all of this? People are standing up for Planned Parenthood. People are voicing their opinions, with words and positive actions. We're making our voices heard. We're using our brains and listening to the facts. We're asking questions and making sure things are done right. Does this mean that Planned Parenthood is completely innocent? Maybe not. There are still ongoing investigations. In reality, this issue will most likely never be solved because the root cause - abortion - isn't a factual topic, but a moral and spiritual one. You can't fight a person on their moral and spiritual beliefs. There is no right or wrong answer with that one.
It is easier, however, when political corruption and financial kickbacks aren't involved.
Oh good, I did say that out loud.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
Loch Ness Mommy
I visited the doctor yesterday. Not just any doctor. A specialist. A gastroenterologist.
A little background: colon and rectal cancers run in my family. Well, all cancers fun in my family, but that one has the highest prevalence. {I was going to make a joke about a death count and relate it to George R.R. Martin, but realized that not all will appreciate my dark humor as a coping method. You're either welcome or I'm sorry.}
Anyway, it strikes young in my family, and I have three beautiful babies to think about. I take my digestive health seriously.
Not serious enough. Apparently, I don't take any part of my health serious enough. While I knew that it most likely wasn't anything serious to be worried about, I still wanted to check it out. Turns out I simply don't take care of myself.
Huh. A stay-at-home mother to three littles who doesn't eat enough, doesn't drink enough fluids, doesn't sleep enough and has too much stress in her life. Who woulda thunk....
Here's the deal: I'm not important. That has been my mantra all my life. My children, husband, family, and friends all come before me. I'm okay with that. I carve out time for myself when needed. I do little things for myself when I feel like it. This has always been enough for me.
My tummy, however, disagrees. Loudly. Uncomfortably. In a life-impacting way.
I'm tired, all the time. I don't want to eat because it means I have to 1) stop what I'm doing, 2) hide and scarf it down in record time before my absence is noticed, or 3) share my food and therefore only eat about half. I don't drink anything besides cold coffee. No, not iced. Cold. As in, it's been sitting in a cup next to the coffee maker for the last 30 minutes, just waiting. I could microwave it. Again. But I don't have an entire minute to stand and wait for coffee, so I drink it cold. Yum.
I'm running all day long, whether I leave the house or not. I'm constantly cleaning, doing, catering.
I know, this is of no surprise to anyone. This is the life, the one I chose. No complaining, honestly. Like I said, I always find little pockets of time for myself and little ways to treat myself. I don't need much.
I didn't, anyway. Now, on doctor's orders, I need to start taking care of myself. Focusing on myself.
Not sure if I know how to do that.
I woke up with a mantra in my head this morning: I AM IMPORTANT.
I've always known this, not always felt it. It's easy to get caught up in the daily service of others. I know I'm important in the aspect that if I don't do something, it might not get done. The well oiled machine I have created might have a little setback. No, it won't break down and life will go on just fine. At least, I think so, but why take the chance?
The problem is that I've built all this pressure on myself. Others didn't do that to me. I did. I became crazy with my own power and began believing that if I faltered for even one second, the world would crash.
I'm not the only with this delusion, right? RIGHT?!?!
Phew. Breath. I AM IMPORTANT. Important enough to ME. Not just to others.
This might be the hardest thing I've ever done.
I already feel selfish for buying special cereal that the kids can't eat and then using the milk they love so much to eat said cereal.
Because I'm a mom and we feel guilty about shit like that...
I'll start, one day at a time. I'll eat when I get hungry. I'll drink more water and milk. I'll take some time for myself every day. Isn't this what a person is supposed to do, anyway? Have I ever done this? Did I just stop or is it like the Loch Ness Monster where everyone knows about it but no one has actually seen it? Do I just say that I do these things but they never really happen?
Probably.
Definitely.
Ugh. I hate change.
But I hate gas and constipation more. {TMI? Sorry, I'm a mom. I think it's normal to talk about poop.}
I am important.
Whether I fully believe that or on what level it's accepted is debatable. However, I will eat more. I will drink more fluids. At least for today.
We'll see about tomorrow.
A little background: colon and rectal cancers run in my family. Well, all cancers fun in my family, but that one has the highest prevalence. {I was going to make a joke about a death count and relate it to George R.R. Martin, but realized that not all will appreciate my dark humor as a coping method. You're either welcome or I'm sorry.}
Anyway, it strikes young in my family, and I have three beautiful babies to think about. I take my digestive health seriously.
Not serious enough. Apparently, I don't take any part of my health serious enough. While I knew that it most likely wasn't anything serious to be worried about, I still wanted to check it out. Turns out I simply don't take care of myself.
Huh. A stay-at-home mother to three littles who doesn't eat enough, doesn't drink enough fluids, doesn't sleep enough and has too much stress in her life. Who woulda thunk....
Here's the deal: I'm not important. That has been my mantra all my life. My children, husband, family, and friends all come before me. I'm okay with that. I carve out time for myself when needed. I do little things for myself when I feel like it. This has always been enough for me.
My tummy, however, disagrees. Loudly. Uncomfortably. In a life-impacting way.
I'm tired, all the time. I don't want to eat because it means I have to 1) stop what I'm doing, 2) hide and scarf it down in record time before my absence is noticed, or 3) share my food and therefore only eat about half. I don't drink anything besides cold coffee. No, not iced. Cold. As in, it's been sitting in a cup next to the coffee maker for the last 30 minutes, just waiting. I could microwave it. Again. But I don't have an entire minute to stand and wait for coffee, so I drink it cold. Yum.
I'm running all day long, whether I leave the house or not. I'm constantly cleaning, doing, catering.
I know, this is of no surprise to anyone. This is the life, the one I chose. No complaining, honestly. Like I said, I always find little pockets of time for myself and little ways to treat myself. I don't need much.
I didn't, anyway. Now, on doctor's orders, I need to start taking care of myself. Focusing on myself.
Not sure if I know how to do that.
I woke up with a mantra in my head this morning: I AM IMPORTANT.
I've always known this, not always felt it. It's easy to get caught up in the daily service of others. I know I'm important in the aspect that if I don't do something, it might not get done. The well oiled machine I have created might have a little setback. No, it won't break down and life will go on just fine. At least, I think so, but why take the chance?
The problem is that I've built all this pressure on myself. Others didn't do that to me. I did. I became crazy with my own power and began believing that if I faltered for even one second, the world would crash.
I'm not the only with this delusion, right? RIGHT?!?!
Phew. Breath. I AM IMPORTANT. Important enough to ME. Not just to others.
This might be the hardest thing I've ever done.
I already feel selfish for buying special cereal that the kids can't eat and then using the milk they love so much to eat said cereal.
Because I'm a mom and we feel guilty about shit like that...
I'll start, one day at a time. I'll eat when I get hungry. I'll drink more water and milk. I'll take some time for myself every day. Isn't this what a person is supposed to do, anyway? Have I ever done this? Did I just stop or is it like the Loch Ness Monster where everyone knows about it but no one has actually seen it? Do I just say that I do these things but they never really happen?
Probably.
Definitely.
Ugh. I hate change.
But I hate gas and constipation more. {TMI? Sorry, I'm a mom. I think it's normal to talk about poop.}
I am important.
Whether I fully believe that or on what level it's accepted is debatable. However, I will eat more. I will drink more fluids. At least for today.
We'll see about tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The Messy Slate
The New Year.
That magical time where everything changes. Hopes, promises, drive, and determination are renewed. The champagne overflows as we learn from the bad, celebrate the good, and make lists on how to reinvent ourselves.
It's a clean slate. A new book just waiting to be written.
And it's all bullshit.
BULLSHIT.
What if I don't want a clean slate? What's wrong with an old, used, unclean slate? What if I want my slate to remain like my house, my hair, and my life in general - messy?
What if I don't want a shiny new book? What if I want to keep the same old, boring, scribbled and scratched story? What if I have a lot more to add to the story I'm already working on?
What if I don't want to make resolutions or plans or lists for how to improve my life? What if I want to keep the same old goals that I've already been working towards? What if I (gasp!) actually like myself and all my faults and all my okay characteristics?
What if my life - and me - don't really need improving?
And DON'T say that's a resolution. That's a cop-out.
I think that 2016 will happen how it will, regardless of plans or resolutions. I think that things will happen that will be out of my control and I'll just have to deal with it. I think life will happen, just as it did last year and the year before that, regardless of what I have written on some list somewhere. I think intentions are great, but actions hold more weight, and success is a variable that constantly changes.
I don't think a certain day will change any of this, and I don't need a special holiday to help me evaluate my life. It doesn't matter to me that there is a last day of the year or a first day of a year because focusing on the first and the last draws attention away from the middle, which is just as important.
Because every day is important.
Every day is a new day, and waiting for a certain time of year to make plans and think about life and the future and what you've learned is a waste of time. The person you are on January 1st might be a completely different person on March 25th or July 30th or December 2nd. Or you might be the same. There's no way of knowing. A year is a long time. I don't even know what tomorrow will be like so why the hell do I think I can plan for the next 365 tomorrows?
I can't. So I won't. Instead, I'm just going to live them. I'm going to wake up every day and do my thing. Maybe tomorrow will be the worst day of my life. Maybe the best. Maybe it will be just another day filled with amazing moments. I don't know.
I'm just going to be thankful that I'll get to find out.
I'm going to take each day as it comes. I'm going to watch the sunrises and sunsets and not count them. I'm going to get lost in the seasons without worrying about the next one. I'm going to enjoy what I have, work for what I want, and be happy about it.
I'm going to do the same thing I've been doing. Today, tomorrow, yesterday and next year.
I'm going to keep my messy slate and make it messier.
That magical time where everything changes. Hopes, promises, drive, and determination are renewed. The champagne overflows as we learn from the bad, celebrate the good, and make lists on how to reinvent ourselves.
It's a clean slate. A new book just waiting to be written.
And it's all bullshit.
BULLSHIT.
What if I don't want a clean slate? What's wrong with an old, used, unclean slate? What if I want my slate to remain like my house, my hair, and my life in general - messy?
What if I don't want a shiny new book? What if I want to keep the same old, boring, scribbled and scratched story? What if I have a lot more to add to the story I'm already working on?
What if I don't want to make resolutions or plans or lists for how to improve my life? What if I want to keep the same old goals that I've already been working towards? What if I (gasp!) actually like myself and all my faults and all my okay characteristics?
What if my life - and me - don't really need improving?
And DON'T say that's a resolution. That's a cop-out.
I think that 2016 will happen how it will, regardless of plans or resolutions. I think that things will happen that will be out of my control and I'll just have to deal with it. I think life will happen, just as it did last year and the year before that, regardless of what I have written on some list somewhere. I think intentions are great, but actions hold more weight, and success is a variable that constantly changes.
I don't think a certain day will change any of this, and I don't need a special holiday to help me evaluate my life. It doesn't matter to me that there is a last day of the year or a first day of a year because focusing on the first and the last draws attention away from the middle, which is just as important.
Because every day is important.
Every day is a new day, and waiting for a certain time of year to make plans and think about life and the future and what you've learned is a waste of time. The person you are on January 1st might be a completely different person on March 25th or July 30th or December 2nd. Or you might be the same. There's no way of knowing. A year is a long time. I don't even know what tomorrow will be like so why the hell do I think I can plan for the next 365 tomorrows?
I can't. So I won't. Instead, I'm just going to live them. I'm going to wake up every day and do my thing. Maybe tomorrow will be the worst day of my life. Maybe the best. Maybe it will be just another day filled with amazing moments. I don't know.
I'm just going to be thankful that I'll get to find out.
I'm going to take each day as it comes. I'm going to watch the sunrises and sunsets and not count them. I'm going to get lost in the seasons without worrying about the next one. I'm going to enjoy what I have, work for what I want, and be happy about it.
I'm going to do the same thing I've been doing. Today, tomorrow, yesterday and next year.
I'm going to keep my messy slate and make it messier.
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