Happy Day, Earth!

Stolen from the best

I'm too tired to post anything original today, so here's a great post from one of my favorite bloggers. Just wow, is all I'll say. Wow.

Saving Face

This economy is making us ugly. Which is precisely why you should be considering plastic surgery despite the fact that you have absolutely no money or credit. Because even the beautiful people are having a tough time getting jobs and if they’re having a tough time getting jobs, then you probably need all the help you can get. Over the last couple of weeks, my crow’s feet have started to take over my entire face. There’s nothing more unsightly than crow’s feet that extend past your cheekbones.

In 2008, cosmetic surgeries were down nine percent but now there seems to be an increased interest among people wanting to look “younger” and “fresher” before reentering the job market. Especially if you’re trying to get your old job back by posing as someone else. NOW who’s laughing?!

“I’m 56 and I’ve been in the music business for 35 years. We’re not having a good year and I know I’ll soon have to interview,” said Jeff Grabow, who recently spent $17,000 on a facelift. Seriously? 17 grand? I’ll show you a bad year.

Of course, women are more susceptible to this latest trend given that they can’t rely on “skills” so much as a “nice ass” to get that elusive competitive edge. According to a poll conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 13 percent of the women surveyed between the ages of 18 and 64 say they would consider having a cosmetic medical procedure to increase their confidence. Well, how do you think Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House?

In order to capitalize on the sheer desperation and misery of the unemployed, Manhattan plastic surgeon Stephen Greenberg recently began promoting a “Job Fighter Package.” (Resume enhancement not included.)

Dear Senator Patrick

People named Katie are so smart!

Here are some excerpts from this great blog entry, posted on RH Reality Check.

Dear Senator Dan Patrick,

Didn't we just do this? Two weeks ago, the State Affairs Committee of the Texas Senate heard testimony regarding another one of those abortion-related bills that pop up like clockwork every legislative session. This one, sponsored by you, was a mandatory ultrasound bill; the original text of the bill would require not only that ultrasound images be taken and displayed to the patient two hours before an abortion took place, but that the physician provide an audible heartbeat and "a simultaneous verbal explanation of the results of the ultrasound images, including... the presence of external members and internal organs."

But this letter isn't about that bill, not really. It's not even about the 85,000 women who receive abortions in Texas each year (and will continue to be subjected to a 24-hour waiting period and state-endorsed misinformation linking abortions to breast cancer, whether or not the bill passes). This article is actually about Rachel in Bexar County, whose mother is 73 years old and hasn't been able to afford to see a doctor for the past ten years, even though she found a lump in her breast several years ago. It's about Ivonne in El Paso County, a single mom who can't afford health insurance for herself and drives to Mexico when she needs to see a doctor or fill a prescription. It's about Anjail in Bell County, who "was never educated that no means no" and didn't realize it was rape when her partner forced her to have sex with him.

Senator Patrick, if I've done my math correctly, it seems to me that each year there are at least 11 million women and girls in Texas who AREN'T getting abortions.

If you're really passionate about women's reproductive health (and here I will perform a gross suspension of disbelief and claim that you are), why do you choose to ignore everything that doesn't have to do with preventing abortion?

I have listened to you and other legislators discuss in great detail the nuances of a clause about whether or not the patient may avert her eyes when her doctor displays the ultrasound. Meanwhile, Cheryl hasn't had a pap smear in over five years. And Sharon needs transportation to another town for a breast cancer screening, since she can't afford any of the clinics in the city where she lives.

I wish you would join the Healthy Women, Healthy Families coalition, Senator Patrick. I know we have diametrically opposed viewpoints on abortion. But that's okay. Because sometimes, reproductive health really isn't about abortion.

Signed,

Katie Mahoney

HB 36/SB 182 would stipulate that a woman must review her ultrasound image with her doctor at least two hours before an abortion can be performed, even for victims of rape or incest or women who have chosen to end a pregnancy due to fetal abnormalities or to preserve their health. Let's be real clear about the purpose of this bill: there are no medical reasons for imposing this requirement. Rather, this is a not-so-subtly veiled attempt to shame women into not getting abortions, regardless of their doctor's opinion about what is best for their health. Period.

Leading medical organizations - run by doctors, not lawmakers (shocking, I know), are opposed to this measure. The American Medical Association and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists oppose requirements that use specific procedures for informed consent because they compromise a physician's ability to decide what information or treatment is in the best interest of the patient.

As a point of fact, all Planned Parenthood clinics do perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions. This is done to date the pregnancy so that the doctor can decide the best course of action for the patient. Patients are given the opportunity to view the ultrasound, but are certainly not required to do so.

There's a common misconception held by those opposed to abortion that Planned Parenthood clinics (and presumable all abortion providers) for some reason want women to have abortions, that they run abortion factories and just love aborting little fetuses. Oh boy, guess what I got to do today! Sadly, they grossly misunderstand the vital services that PP's and other women's health clinics provide - necessary health care for women. Mammograms, pap smears, cervical cancer screening, STI treatment, and yes, sometimes abortions. The wonderful physicians who work at PP clinics do so because they have the best interests of their patients at heart, just like any other doctor. Shouldn't we let them decide how best to treat their patients, and not Senator Patrick or Representative Corte?

But as Katie Mahoney says, let's ignore abortion for a moment. Let's not focus on the fact that the vast majority of women getting abortions are already mothers, or intend to become mothers at some later point. Let's move beyond the fact that when women have made the decision to seek an abortion, they have already done the necessary critical thinking and soul-searching and have reached their decision with the help and guidance of friends, family and faith leaders.

Let's ignore all that and face the fact that healthcare in Texas is lacking. Women aren't getting the vital, life-saving screening and treatment they need. If we were all truly more concerned about women's health, as Senator Patrick says he is, then we would focus on increasing access to the healthcare services that Planned Parenthood provides.

Am I too old to play with stuffed animals?

Because these are awesome...

Food Chain Friends



These guys are hilarious/slightly scary - a winning combination! Hey, it's never too soon to teach your kids about nature!

Texas Schools Fail Teens

Today, the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund released the results of a study showing exactly what public schools in Texas are teaching teens about sexuality.

The results are frightening: Out of more than 1,000 school districts in Texas, only a handful – less than 40 – include even basic information about responsible pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention, including various contraceptive methods. Even worse, the information students do receive is often grossly distorted or completely inaccurate.

The report, called "Just Say (Don't) Know: Sexuality Education in Texas Public Schools" is the culmination of more than a year long examination of sexuality education in the state of Texas.

To view the report, click here.

Our kids deserve to know the truth about sexuality. Like it or not, kids are having sex, or they're at least exploring. As much as I think a 14, 15, 16-year-old should wait til s/he's older to have sex, well, let's get real. Shouldn't they be protected from potentially life-threatening STIs? Shouldn't they learn how not to get pregnant?

Poll after poll confirms that a vast majority of parents want their kids to learn about sexuality, contraception, and how to protect themselves from STIs. In fact, most parents think their kids are learning the facts. Sadly, this report shows that they are not - at least, not in public school.

Don't we owe more to our kids? We Texans have enormous pride in our great state. Let's make sure we really deserve to. JUST SAY KNOW!

Definitely NSFW

**Seriously, turn the volume down if you're listening at work...

Happy Darwin Day!

Here's some sobering food for thought:

On Darwin's 200th birthday, only 39% of Americans believe in evolution.

Anyone else fear for humanity?

*Source