Chicken Scratch http://askingforthirds.org/kristin/ en-us dan@askingforthirds.org Copyright 2004 2006-07-28T12:15:00-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Why is Public Breast-feeding Offensive? http://askingforthirds.org/kristin//13 I've seen the vast range of breast-feeding habits: from openly nursing wherever and whenever without cover of any kind, to covering breast and baby with a blanket or wrap, to heading out to the car or to a bathroom, to not breast-feeding at all. . . 13@http://askingforthirds.org/kristin/ Call it a slow news day if you wish, but CNN features a story today about a supposedly controversial photo on a recent cover of Babytalk magazine.  The picture shows part of a woman’s breast, in profile, nursing a baby.  Apparently, about 25% of the magazine’s readership (which we can assume is predominately made up of mothers of babies – well, we hope) found the cover offensive.

 

I’m always fascinated by this topic.  I’m not sure why, since I am not a mother and don’t foresee becoming one, but nonetheless, the topic interests me.  Maybe it’s because friends and acquaintances are now having children and thus I’ve seen the vast range of breast-feeding habits: from openly nursing wherever and whenever without cover of any kind, to covering breast and baby with a blanket or wrap, to heading out to the car or to a bathroom, to not breast-feeding at all.

 

In particular, I enjoyed a quote by one of the women interviewed for the CNN piece who recalled recently being scolded for nursing her child in a restaurant booth.  “My kid needed to eat,” she said, and she wasn’t about to go sneaking off to a dirty public restroom to feed her baby.  After all, she reasoned, “I don’t send people to the bathroom when they want to eat.”

 

I can’t argue with that.  Good for her.

 

CNN.com has a daily poll that touches on timely issues and today’s question was “Would you be offended by a mother breast-feeding in public?”  I voted “no” and checked out the results: 23% answered “yes”, 77% answered “no” with a total of 47,303 votes recorded at the time of this posting.  I think the 23% figure surprised me a little.  Probably I’d have guessed more like 10%.

 

I don’t get what is offensive.  I mean, sure, I’ll conceded that it’s slightly out of one’s ordinary daily routine to see a stranger’s exposed breast. But when that breast is feeding a woman’s child, an act I’d dare say 99.9% of all health professionals agree is the most healthy thing a mother can do for her baby, I just don’t get it.

 

Anyone have a different perspective?

 

 

]]> General 2006-07-28T12:15:00-05:00 I Have to Stop Reading the News http://askingforthirds.org/kristin//12 A Virginia judge yesterday ruled that a 16-year-old boy fighting to treat his cancer with alternative therapy must now seek traditional medical treatment . . . 12@http://askingforthirds.org/kristin/
A Virginia judge yesterday ruled that a 16-year-old boy fighting to treat his cancer with alternative therapy must now seek traditional medical treatment at a nearby hospital, according to an AP article.

Last year, he apparently went through three months of chemotherapy and complained that it made him nauseated and weak.  When doctors recommended that he seek a second round of chemo, the boy refused; with his parents’ support, he opted intstead for non-traditional treatment including a sugar-free, organic diet and herbal supplements supervised by a clinic in Mexico.

I suppose it isn’t enough of a tragedy that a teenager is battling Hodgkin’s disease in the first place; no, now someone has stepped in and essentially told this kid that he and his parents are incapable of deciding what’s best for him in the treatment of his cancer.

Chemotherapy is a remarkable and often highly effective weapon in fighting cancer and has saved many, many lives.  But I’ve witnessed first-hand the toll it can take on a person.  And so has this 16-year-old Virginia boy.  Sadly, it looks like he’s about to go through it again – all because a judge knows what’s best.



]]> In the News 2006-07-22T11:30:00-05:00 Playing House No Longer a Crime in North Carolina http://askingforthirds.org/kristin//11 A North Carolina judge has ruled our 201-year-old law barring unmarried couples from living together unconstitutional. 11@http://askingforthirds.org/kristin/ Whew!  Imagine our relief.  Ed and I officially no longer have to fear incarceration for our ungodly shacking-up.

 

Today’s Raleigh News & Observer  (and sadly, now CNN - I say “sadly” because our fine state has a nasty little habit of only making the national news when it’s something utterly humiliating like this) report today that a North Carolina judge has ruled our 201-year-old law barring unmarried couples from living together unconstitutional.

 

The ACLU of NC’s Executive Director Jennifer Rudinger said the ruling showed that “the government has no business regulating relationships between two consenting adults in the privacy of their own home.”  Hmm, what a concept!  And it only took us 201 years.

 

(And yes, our wedding is still on.  It’s just nice knowing that our government, on this issue at least, can no longer push its silly puritanical beliefs on us.)

 

  ]]> General 2006-07-21T00:00:00-05:00 What Are They Afraid Of? http://askingforthirds.org/kristin//10 Yesterday, 54 Republican Senators voted against establishing a bipartisan, independent commission to examine what went wrong after Hurricane Katrina. 10@http://askingforthirds.org/kristin/ Un-freaking-believable.  Yesterday, 54 Republican Senators voted against establishing a bipartisan, independent commission to examine what went wrong after Hurricane Katrina.  The measure (introduced by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton) was to be modeled after the 9/11 Commission, which you'll remember was STRONGLY resisted by Bush and other Republicans initially.

 

70% of Americans polled by CNN/USA Today support an independent panel to investigate our government’s response to Katrina.  But apparently the GOP couldn’t care less about the wishes of 70% of its people.

 

What are they afraid of?

 

I decided to call my Senators this morning, both of whom voted against the measure, to ask just that.

 

A staffer in Senator Elizabeth Dole’s office, (202) 224-6342, told me that Senator Dole “has not yet taken a position on the issue.”  Um, really?  I asked how that could be true, since I was staring at the US Senate vote webpage that listed Dole as voting “Nay.”  The staffer said that the Senator had not yet told her staff anything about her position or her reasoning behind her vote.  I pressed on – “Then what are you telling constituents who call about this?”  Her snappish response: “Just that!  That the Senator has not yet taken a position.”  UGH!  Resisting the urge to pull my hair out in frustration and/or yell at this staffer on the phone, I calmly asked when the Senator would make her position known, when I could get something, ANYTHING that resembles an answer or explanation.  I was told that should come within a week.

 

I’ll call back next week.

 

I then called Senator Richard Burr’s office, (202) 224-3154, and was transferred to the voicemail of a legislative aide.  I’ve left a message and am hoping for a call back.

 

If anyone reading this agrees that a “nay” vote on this bill is unacceptable, unconscionable, and un-American, please consider calling/emailing one, two, twelve, or all fifty-four of these Senators:

 

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN) Class II
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: www.alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Allard, Wayne- (R - CO) Class II
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: www.allard.senate.gov/contactme

Allen, George- (R - VA) Class I
204 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: www.allen.senate.gov/index.cfm?c=email

Bennett, Robert- (R - UT) Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: www.bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

 

Bond, Christopher- (R - MO) Class III
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: www.bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Brownback, Sam- (R - KS) Class III
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: www.brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm

Bunning, Jim- (R - KY) Class III
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: www.bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Burns, Conrad- (R - MT) Class I
187 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: www.burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Contact

Burr, Richard- (R - NC) Class III
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: www.burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Chafee, Lincoln- (R - RI) Class I
141A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: www.chafee.senate.gov/webform.htm

Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA) Class II
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: cwww.hambliss.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfm?pagemode=1

Coburn, Tom- (R - OK) Class III
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: www.coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Cochran, Thad- (R - MS) Class II
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: www.cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Coleman, Norm- (R - MN) Class II
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Web Form: www.coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Collins, Susan- (R - ME) Class II
461 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: www.collins.senate.gov/low/contactemail.htm

Cornyn, John- (R - TX) Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: www.cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Craig, Larry- (R - ID) Class II
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: www.craig.senate.gov/email/

Crapo, Michael- (R - ID) Class III
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

DeMint, Jim- (R - SC) Class III
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: www.demint.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

DeWine, Mike- (R - OH) Class I
140 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: www.dewine.senate.gov

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC) Class II
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: www.dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

Domenici, Pete- (R - NM) Class II
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: www.domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Ensign, John- (R - NV) Class I
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: www.ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Enzi, Michael- (R - WY) Class II
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: www.enzi.senate.gov/email.htm

Frist, Bill- (R - TN) Class I
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: www.frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorFrist.ContactForm

Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC) Class II
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: www.lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact

Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA) Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: www.grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm

Gregg, Judd- (R - NH) Class III
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: www.gregg.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm

Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE) Class II
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: www.hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

Hatch, Orrin- (R - UT) Class I
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: www.hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact

Hutchison, Kay- (R - TX) Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: www.hutchison.senate.gov/e-mail.htm

Inhofe, James- (R - OK) Class II
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: www.inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm

Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA) Class III
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: www.isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ) Class I
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: www.kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Lott, Trent- (R - MS) Class I
487 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
E-mail: www.senatorlott@lott.senate.gov

Lugar, Richard- (R - IN) Class I
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
E-mail: www.senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

Martinez, Mel- (R - FL) Class III
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: www.martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

McCain, John- (R - AZ) Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: www.mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home

McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY) Class II
361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: www.mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK) Class III
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Roberts, Pat- (R - KS) Class II
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: www.roberts.senate.gov/e-mail_pat.html

Santorum, Rick- (R - PA) Class I
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: www.santorum.senate.gov/contactform.cfm

Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL) Class II
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: www.sessions.senate.gov/email/contact.cfm

Shelby, Richard- (R - AL) Class III
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: www.senator@shelby.senate.gov

Smith, Gordon- (R - OR) Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: www.gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm

Snowe, Olympia- (R - ME) Class I
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
E-mail: www.olympia@snowe.senate.gov

Specter, Arlen- (R - PA) Class III
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: www.specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home

Stevens, Ted- (R - AK) Class II
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: www.stevens.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Sununu, John- (R - NH) Class II
111 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html

Talent, James- (R - MO) Class I
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: www.talent.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfm?pagemode=1

Thomas, Craig- (R - WY) Class I
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: www.thomas.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Thune, John- (R - SD) Class III
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: www.thune.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Vitter, David- (R - LA) Class III
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: www.vitter.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Voinovich, George- (R - OH) Class III
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: www.voinovich.senate.gov/contact/index.htm

Warner, John- (R - VA) Class II
225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: www.warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

 

]]> Politics 2005-09-16T09:35:00-05:00