November 07, 2011

A whole lot of crazy in politics

Voters in different states will make history this month, and I hope they make the correct decisions.

In Ohio, there is SB 5 Issue 2, which removes collective bargaining power from public safety and union workers like the fire fighters and police. The bill is being touted as fiscally responsible, as every(Republican)one knows that the overpaid public union workers are why the economy is sputtering. I mean, it has nothing to do with the reduction in tax revenue (from tax-free holidays or loopholes exploited by large corporations) or businesses that happily send jobs overseas. Nope, that's not it.

And then in Mississippi there's Amendment 26, which outlaws abortion, certain types of birth control, and even in vitro fertilization. The bill seeks to define personhood as beginning at the moment of conception, so miscarriage and the morning after pill (which is just a stronger dose of the regular birth control pill) would both be considered murder. Amendment 26 replaces a woman's rights to her own body with her unborn fetus' even though the fetus is totally dependent on the pregnant woman. And what about women who are victims of rape or incest or have life-threatening ectopic pregnancies? Sorry -- your suffering and/or death is not Mississippi's concern.


I really hope voters vote no in both cases. But either way, it is a scary time to be alive.

November 05, 2011

A sign of the times?

I was flipping through the Toys 'R' Us holiday catalog recently ... you know, to see what the latest kid craze is ... and found myself staring at a toy garbage truck with trash can accessories. Based in Australia, "The Trash Pack" is geared toward boys as the trashies (collectible garbage-related critters) have gross names, appearances, or are squishy. Is this a sign of the times? That kids pretend to be garbage collectors and swap disease-carrying insects (blow fly) and rotting food (putrid pizza)? I thought make believe was to encourage kids to aim high and dream big? I guess make believe has been replaced with reality. Thanks, housing bubble (and sluggish economy) for reminding people that your job opportunities are severely limited with just a high school diploma.


Official Trash Pack website:
http://www.trashpack.com/en-au/info/