April 30, 2009
CNN Commentary: Plan B to children a bad idea?
The last thing I expected to find on CNN.com, an argument being made against Plan B becoming an over the counter pill for underage girls:
In a matter of weeks, teenage girls, just 17 years old, will be able to get their hands on the “morning after pill” without ever talking to a doctor and without their parents ever knowing or being a part of this major decision.
Think of a 17-year-old girl. Most of the time she’s a high school senior, still living at home with Mom and Dad. She still needs her parents in the tough times. But they will be cut out of a traumatic situation. All thanks to U.S. District Judge Edward Korman. Korman stated in his order, “The record shows that FDA officials and staff both agreed that 17-year-olds can use Plan B safely without a prescription.”
Now keep in mind birth control pills require a doctor’s prescription, but a drug that is more powerful doesn’t? The effective ingredient in Plan B is the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel and this is also found in daily oral contraceptives. Some forms of birth control that require a prescription have levonorgestrel, while Plan B has significantly more of the synthetic hormone. Do we really want our daughters putting something like this in their bodies without a doctor? I still want Mom and Dad in on this.
Some argue that a girl can get an abortion without parental notification in some states, so why not Plan B? But just because those states got it wrong by leaving parents out of the loop doesn’t mean others should follow suit. And the larger point is, society must help parents, not undermine their rights by keeping them in the dark on their child’s life-changing decision.
Here’s some perspective for you: In most states, minors can’t get a tattoo, body piercings or go to a tanning salon without a parent’s permission, but we are going to leave them alone to take Plan B.
You should really read the whole article. He makes some very good points and observations about the demographic that this ruling will impact, and the impact that ruling will have based on that demographic.
I know of a couple of girls that have used Plan B on more than one occasion. At a certain point, their doctors refused to prescribe it to them. I think they were allowed to use it three times. Then, they couldn’t get it prescribed. I don’t know why this is (sorry, I lack experience in this field and I’m not a doctor). I’m assuming that there might be some negative medical side-effects to aborting a baby preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg habitually.
Teenagers have a habit of overdoing it. They are teenagers. Psychologically they think they’re invincible. Their brains just haven’t developed completely, yet. Also, I’m assuming that just like condoms, Plan B being made available to those wise underagers will create a moral hazard.
Also, teenagers are prone to lying. Yes, they are supposed to take the pill (or series of pills) starting within the first 72 hours. How many teenagers, out of desperation, are going to buy the pill outside of that window and take it anyway? Once again, I’m not a medical professional, I’m just asking, but can that harm an unborn child? Can a pill designed to prevent pregnancy be harmless to an already conceived pregnancy? I find that doubtful.
Then there are all of the other issues you run into when dealing with teenagers, peer pressure, and the culture that is high school. The author of this piece covers this pretty thoroughly, though. I’ll leave it alone.
People should be outraged about this, especially parents. There is a way to fight back and parents should be doing so. Don’t let some federal judge take away your parental rights. Whether you’re pro-abortion or anti-abortion, that is barely the issue, here. This is about your rights as parents and your children’s health. As parents don’t you think you should have a say in your children’s health? I might not be a parent, but I think you should. If they started promoting “promiscuity as your duty,” would you have a right then?
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Did Joe Biden say something wrong?
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I watched The Today Showwith anticipation and excitment, this morning. Joe Biden was going to be a guest. When you hear that, you know that you’re going to hear something that Biden wasn’t supposed to say or some foolish gaffe. Of course, the Veep didn’t disappoint.
It’s funny because I knew as he said the words that there was going to be a call for clarification. In his desperation not to isolate Mexico and correctly identify the country as a top place to avoid, he warned Americans to stay away from all airplanes and mass transit systems. And, of course, has since issued a statment through a spokeperson to calrify what he meant:
On the Today Show this morning the Vice President was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the Administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico. If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways. This is the advice the Vice President has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week. As the President said just last night, every American should take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children home from school if they’re sick.
In short, instead of insulting Mexico, the VP insulted the airline industry and public transportation (so much for the environment!). In this clip, though, he shows his lack of undersanding of the people this administration supposedly represents. Do you know how many of the poor rely on mass transit to get to and from work? To get to and from their child’s daycare? To get their children to and from school? They don’t have the luxury of avoiding mass transit. I’m sure the adoring masses won’t pick up on that, though. He basically told the poor they are destined to be infected and die (based on what they claim to believe about this virus).
I’m not sure this flu is really the big deal everyone is making it out to be. Yes, people have died. People die every year from the common flu, too. It doesn’t dominate our press coverage. The number of confirmed deaths is not as high as was first reported. Have Americans become so weak they can’t handle a cough and sore throat? I’ve had both for about a week. Calm down, people! I’m guessing that I don’t have Pig Flu. Colds are common when the temperature is bouncing with a thirty-five degree difference from one day to the next. As any good American citizen should do, though, I have been washing my hands regularly, coughing into my elbow, and avoiding confined spaces. For good measure, I’ve also been avoiding Meixco, Mexicans, and pigs.
Back to Biden. He didn’t really say anything wrong, as far as I’m concerned. I was waiting for the next, “I remember hearing George Washington on the radio when the World Trade Center was hit,” kind of quote I have come to look forward to. Instead, he gave his honest opinion on what he would tell his own family members, which wasn’t that surprising. I just wish he was more willing to consider restricting entry at our borders (we can start with the Mexican border).
The only reason there’s even a fuss is because this administration prides itself on not offending anyone. This is why the emphasis on not calling it Swine Flu, it offends the pork industry. We can’t call it Mexican Flu or restrict travel to and from Mexico because it might offend Mexico. And, you can’t tell people to avoid airplanes and public transportation because it offends the transportation industry.
This is the problem when you cater to special interest groups. While playing to one group, you’re always bound to offend another. Good thing Obama has proved to be quite deft at apologizing when trotting the globe as our Apologizer-in-Chief. Looks like that skill will be put to good use.
As The Other McCain has noted, this will all be forgotten in a couple of weeks. One thing is for sure, RSM is correct when he states, “Turning an ordinary virus into a Code Orange national-security threat is political gold for Obama.” And, it has the added bonus for the administration of distracting the public.
Comments (0)April 29, 2009
Pig Flu, Budgets, and Tea Parties: Oh my!
Apparently Obama and the elitists he surrounds himself with still don’t get the Tea Party movement:
At his 100th-day town hall meeting in St. Louis Wednesday, President Barack Obama took direct aim at the anti-tax “tea party” demonstrations that have cropped up over the last month and took a veiled shot at the Fox News Channel, the cable news network closely associated with the protests.
Asked about fiscal discipline and entitlements reform, Obama seemed to be repressing a smile as he jabbed critics of his spending plans.
“Those of you who are watching certain news channels on which I’m not very popular, and you see folks waving tea bags around, Obama said, “let me just remind them that I am happy to have a serious conversation about how we are going to cut our health care costs down over the long term, how we are going to stabilize Social Security.”
“But,” Obama continued, “let’s not play games and pretend that the reason [for the deficit] is because of the Recovery Act.”
You’ve been in office for 100 days, now. It’s official! I know because that and the Pig Flu is all the MSM has been talking about for a week. And, speaking of the Pig Flu and the deficit, what about that $3.5 trillion budget plan Congress just passed?
Split badly along party lines, Congress approved a five-year budget plan Wednesday that gives President Barack Obama a big leg up toward health care reform but could severely crimp the rest of his domestic agenda unless new savings and revenues are found.
House Democrats lost 17 of their own members but easily prevailed 233-193 even without Republican support. Senate action followed on a mostly party line 53-43 vote just hours before Obama’s evening White House press conference marking the end of his first 100 days in office.
As a sidenote, notice that this wasn’t a bipartisan budget passed with bipartisan support. There’s one campaign promise Obama hasn’t bothered to keep. I guess that’s because keeping that wouldn’t cost the taxpayers billions or trillions of dollars. I guess it loses its allure when it’s free. Let me get back to the point, though.
The Tea Party demonstrations were real, genuine protestations against the current spend and, later when no one is looking, tax policies. They were organized across the country by the grassroots. Whoever said that they supported the deficit that Bush Jr. ran up, which, by the way, in eight years couldn’t try to compare to the debt you have managed to run up in just your first 100 days?
And, I’m not even going to mention the $1.5 billion you are now asking for to cover the Pig Flu “epidemic.” Another crisis, another opportunity. We know this is one administration that won’t let it go to waste.
Oh wait, there I go mentioning it. I really need to stop doing that. Since it’s out, though, let’s talk about it.
The World Health Organization has only confirmed seven deaths from the Pig Flu, or Mexican Flu, or whatever it is to be called. Don’t let me get distracted on the name, here. I know that there is something more important. Stay focused!
Or, perhaps we’re not supposed to stay focused; maybe that’s the whole point. I don’t know and I’m no conspiracy theorist. I’ll let the public be the judge, once they awaken from the panic caused by the 24 hour news coverage warning them of the coming pandemic.
Anyway, don’t mock the people who oppose you, Mr. Obama. The Tea Party movement wasn’t a fluke and it’s not going away. The more you spend, the more people that will become interested. People may like you, but at some point they are going to realize that you are taking advantage of their feelings. When that happens they will revolt against you.
There is a reason votes on the budget and stimulus package fell down party lines. It’s not because Republicans are being partisan. It’s because they realize something that Democrats can’t seem to grasp. The people will reject your tax and spend policies. Any politician supporting these policies will pay the price. Once the public wises up, the revolt will begin at the ballot box. The pendulum will swing back.
(Tripple H/T: Memeorandum)
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What Hotness Gap?
Matthew Archbold has come to wonder if the conservatives have come to dominate the hotter end of the spectrum.
S.Logan jumped in offering why she thinks conservative women are hotter. This time, there will be no fight, boys. I tend to agree with her. I am one of those feisty, outspoken women. A political debate will bring out a level of passion in me that couldn’t be considered anything but hot.
It’s Pundette that brings us back to Matt’s original question. He could list a bunch of conservative women, but what about conservative men that are hot?
Are you kidding me? In the age of Big Sexy and Aaron Schock? Of course we are the party that’s hot! And, sorry Pundette (is this how it starts? will I end up scheduled for another Jell-O wrestling match?), I’m putting Tom Selleck back on the list. Forget the Magnum P.I. days, everybody looked bad back then. The guy might be older, but he is definitely H-O-T!
Unfortunately, Hollywood is filled with good looking people who are idiots. They are naturally inclined to make political decisions based on their emotions. It’s one of the downfalls of the trade. They have to keep their emotions at the surface and accessible at all times in order to be good at their craft. And, the Democrats are all about emotions. That’s their whole platform, manipulating emotions with feel-good policies that destroy the very thing they are supposed to protect or save.
In addition, Hollywood is always producing liberal-leaning films that these actors star in. What kind of psychological affect do you think this has on them? Just look at how many costars who pretend to be in love in a film end up in love in real life (until, shortly after the movie wraps and they find themselves “acting” as if they’re in love with a new costar). They have tricked their brains. I can only assume that acting out ideologically left films would have the same affect on their political leanings.
Look at the Republican party, though, even John McCain, although arguably not conservative, was pretty hot in his younger days (like, a million years, ago). Young photos of him in uniform are reminiscent to Richard Gere in An Officer and A Gentleman, and it’s not just the uniform.
Rest assured, there are plenty of hot conservative men and women out there. In case you needed more proof, I offer one last picture.
Need I say more? I think not.
Comments (3)April 28, 2009
It’s H1N1, not Swine Flu. Get it right, people!
Federal Government: Please, refrain from calling it Swine Flu. At least, that’s the breaking news that Brian Williams led with tonight on NBC’s Nightly News. Apparently, they are afraid this might hurt the pork industry. Do you think they care I renamed it Pig Flu days ago? Oops! Don’t want to insult those pig farmers.
I guess I know why the federal government might be cautious with this. Remember when the beef industry sued Oprah? We should all expect the pork industry to sue the federal government next. Wait a second, though, I don’t remember there being a problem with calling Avian Flu the Bird Flu. What’s the big deal? Oh, never mind. Why do I try to get my brain around such complex issues?
How retarded does the government think we are? I don’t eat pork, generally, but at no point during this “health crisis” did I think that there was a problem with contaminated pork. Whatever this is, it is my understanding that it is a virus that mutated and is now spreading human to human. That’s the scary part.
Perhaps they should be more worried about intensifying their “passive surveillance” efforts? It would just seem to me that there is more important information to get out to the public and more important actions our useless federal government could be taking than to worry about renaming a flu virus.
Never mind. This is just another example of why the federal government should be shrunk down to size. No matter what the crisis, or which agency was designed years ago to solve it, as per usual, the federal government proves to be useless. Calling it H1N1 is really going to help address the issue.
UPDATE: I find this all so amusing. Apparently, Thailand is calling it Mexican Flu and Isreal said they are doing the same. Now, I know that our Mexican loving leaders would never support this plan. Possible pandemic? What should we do? Worry about what to call it, of course!
It’s Swine Flu. Too late in the game to rename it, now. Everyone is already calling it that. Except for me, of course, I’m still calling it Pig Flu.
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Breaking News? Specter becomes a Democrat.
So, he couldn’t take the Republican heat and finally decided to get out of the kitchen:
Veteran Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party on Tuesday, Sen. Harry Reid said.
The Specter party switch would give Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate majority of 60 seats if Al Franken holds his current lead in the disputed Minnesota Senate race.
Specter, a five-term Senate veteran, was expected to face a very tough primary challenge in 2010 from former Rep. Pat Toomey, who nearly defeated Specter in the Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary in 2004.
A Quinnipiac University survey of registered Pennsylvania voters released last month showed Specter trailing the more conservative Toomey in a hypothetical primary matchup, 41 to 27 percent.
A separate Franklin & Marshall survey showed Specter leading Toomey 33 to 18 percent. Another 42 percent, however, were undecided.
Arlen Specter is a RINO. He is not a “moderate,” as the press likes to hail him. In press-speak, the term moderate always means liberal. I say good riddance.
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Passive Surveillance: A case of political correctness?
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Is this possibly another case of political correctness putting Americans at risk? One country is scanning people for elevated body temperature as they come in, another is requiring pilots to alert authorities to passengers that appear sick, and here in America we are just “waving passengers through as they arrive from Mexico.” Don’t worry, I feel safe. Janet Napolitano reassures us with this idea of “passive surveillance.” We sure don’t need to worry about Pig Flu here.
Napolitano went on to say that we already have the virus pretty widespread here in the states. Since when does five states, with around 50 people confirmed as infected, constitute widespread? I mean, Ohio only has one case. New York, all contained to one school, has twenty-eight of the cases. I would say that it’s not widespread, but it has the potential to be if we continue our passive surveillance efforts.
I apologize to the “reporter” because I don’t know her name, but I like the fact that she brings Napolitano back to task about not doing more. Why can’t we do more to stop people at the border? Good question. It’s kind of sad that it took a health emergency for it to finally be asked, but at least it has finally been asked.
And, this is where my question about political correctness comes in. Are our public officials unwilling to highlight the facts because they are afraid of stereotyping Mexicans? Remember when they did this after 9/11? The fact that all of the highjackers were Arab, Muslim men was ignored because they didn’t trust American citizens to be able to differentiate between the terrorists and all Mulims and Arabs. It’s so insulting.
We know this administration loves it some illegal Mexicans. We know that Napolitano loves illegal immigrants so much that after she catches them she gives them working papers, thereby making them legal, and releases them back into society.
The problem here is that, as I have explained before, Americans are at risk. This isn’t about hating Mexicans, because I don’t. It’s about safety. We are simply not safe, especially not from the pandemic that is surely to come if proper precautions aren’t taken, which they apparently won’t be. We wouldn’t want to offend Mexico, now, would we?
So, people, practice good hygiene by washing your hands well and often. If you’re sick, stay home. Keep a distance of at least six feet from any one exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Oh, and if you see a Mexican, break out the disinfectant. Laugh with me, people! I’m just kidding on that last part, kind of.
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