Because I knew he was going to do this. Sigh. (btw, there has got to be a better way to provide basic medical assistance in the world without me having to pay for abortions abroad. Because "me"="taxpayer." I'm just saying)
From Reuters:
Obama to lift restrictions on abortion funding
Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:05pm GMT By Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday will lift restrictions on U.S. government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counselling abroad, reversing a policy of his Republican predecessor George W. Bush, an administration official said.
"It will be today. He's going to make an executive order (lifting the global gag rule)," the official said.
The Democratic president's decision is a victory for advocates of abortion rights on an issue that in recent years has become a tit-for-tat policy change each time the White House shifts from one party to the other.
When the ban was in place, no U.S. government funding for family planning services could be given to clinics or groups that offer abortion services or counselling in other countries even if the funds for those activities come from non-U.S. government sources.
It has been called the Mexico City Policy because it was unveiled at a United Nations conference there in 1984 and became one of the centrepiece social policies of the conservative administration of former President Ronald Reagan, a Republican.
Critics call it the "gag rule" because it also cuts funds to groups that advocate or lobby for the lifting of abortion restrictions, so they say it infringes on free speech. They also say it has reduced healthcare for some of the world's poorest women.
Former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, rescinded the rule when he took office in January 1993 and his successor, Republican George W. Bush, reinstated it in January 2001.
When he reinstated it, Bush said taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for or advocate abortions.
Anti-abortion activists agreed with Bush and criticized the move to lift the ban on funding.
"When we wake up every morning to a deepening financial crisis, it is an insult to the American people to bail out the abortion industry," said Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life.
"Planned Parenthood is a billion dollar company and they do not need additional resources to burden the American taxpayer," she added.
The United States spends more than $400 million (293.2 million pounds) on overseas family planning assistance each year.
Critics of the funding ban say the anti-abortion restrictions have resulted in huge drops for funding worldwide to organizations that provide family-planning services and basic healthcare. They say this means many women are deprived of contraception and other health services in poor countries, leading to back-alley abortions and deaths.
The Centre for Reproductive Rights says, for example, that in Ethiopia and Lesotho, some non-governmental organizations are no longer able to offer comprehensive and integrated healthcare services to patients suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Abortion rights opponents and groups who support the Mexico City Policy contest the view that it has led to an increase of illegal abortions or deaths overseas.
Unlike Clinton and Bush, Obama did not act on the rule on the January 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that made abortions legal throughout the country.
(Additional reporting by Deborah Charles and Ed Stoddard, editing by Vicki Allen)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday check-in
I will officially begin my walking regime on Monday, but I walked again today for 10 minutes, just to get back in the swing of things (I actually walked 11 minutes because that took me to a half mile).
So, we start officially on Monday, but I wanted to just check in and see how everyone did. Remember, we are not trying for speed or distance, just DOING. Next Friday, I'll post my results for the week and hope you will join me in the comment section.
So, we start officially on Monday, but I wanted to just check in and see how everyone did. Remember, we are not trying for speed or distance, just DOING. Next Friday, I'll post my results for the week and hope you will join me in the comment section.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It's On!
Yay! Here's the "push" for some of you to get going, at your own pace wherever you may be (and no gloating, Bethany! It'll just make me more jealous of your nice weather! ;) ). At the end of the week, I'll post my progress and would love for you to do the same in the comment section. ...and I'm serious about all of us meeting in October to do that 5K. We can do it!!!!
ps. I need to tell you that Super J said that this was not the time for me to try to diet while working out...just get the exercise part of it down and into a habit. I can do that (and so can you!). The change of eating habits comes later.
Also, I agree with this, as I'm also nursing, but I'm excited to get started by getting more active, even while it's nasty cold outside. Also, Miss Q isn't even at her 6 month anniversary, so I'm really happy to be begining so early, because normally I wouldn't start until after I'd weaned my baby and then I'd end up pregnant after a few months. So, that's progress.
Plus, let's be honest...I was trying to find a picture to put on my facebook profile and I thought, Yegads! There were none I wanted to post. I was embarrassed that I had no jaw line in some of them. Seriously. Fat cheeks, no jaw. Ugh. I thought, my kids won't know what I looked like when they were babies because I'm too embarrassed to get my picture taken.
Well. That's gotta change.
If I don't want to saddle them with my own weight issues; they need to know that you are just fine wherever you are. All of us make choices, so you just need to make healthier choices. *I* need to make healthier choices, so that's another reason I'm doing this. Plus, I need to get over that so that they know that your body might change and whilst it will never be the same (my poor boobs!), I can be healthy and strong and have energy. This is my goal.
And I'm excited to be getting started. Yay! Oh...and I've already walked for this morning. :)
ps. I need to tell you that Super J said that this was not the time for me to try to diet while working out...just get the exercise part of it down and into a habit. I can do that (and so can you!). The change of eating habits comes later.
Also, I agree with this, as I'm also nursing, but I'm excited to get started by getting more active, even while it's nasty cold outside. Also, Miss Q isn't even at her 6 month anniversary, so I'm really happy to be begining so early, because normally I wouldn't start until after I'd weaned my baby and then I'd end up pregnant after a few months. So, that's progress.
Plus, let's be honest...I was trying to find a picture to put on my facebook profile and I thought, Yegads! There were none I wanted to post. I was embarrassed that I had no jaw line in some of them. Seriously. Fat cheeks, no jaw. Ugh. I thought, my kids won't know what I looked like when they were babies because I'm too embarrassed to get my picture taken.
Well. That's gotta change.
If I don't want to saddle them with my own weight issues; they need to know that you are just fine wherever you are. All of us make choices, so you just need to make healthier choices. *I* need to make healthier choices, so that's another reason I'm doing this. Plus, I need to get over that so that they know that your body might change and whilst it will never be the same (my poor boobs!), I can be healthy and strong and have energy. This is my goal.
And I'm excited to be getting started. Yay! Oh...and I've already walked for this morning. :)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My 5K...and maybe yours????
So, it's not really a new resolution, but I'm going to run a 5K in October. That's the plan. Who's with me????
Here's my training schedule for a month in case anyone wants to join (and Super J says that I really do need someone to join me, so who's it gonna be, Oh Lucky Gentle Reader?)
We start by walking on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (yes, walking...on a treadmill for me because, as stated earlier, I am a weather sissy pants! That, and it'll help me get caught up on my West Wing, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Mentalist, FNL, and Fringe viewing addiction...and that's before Lost starts up!)
Week: Mon ---- Wed ------- Fri
#1: 10 min --- 10 min --- 10 min
#2: 15 min --- 15 min --- 15 min
#3: 15 min --- 20 min --- 20 min
#4: 20 min --- 20 min --- 20 min
The goal is, obviously, to be walking for 20 minutes 3 times a week by the end of four weeks. This I can do. Can you?????? I'll let you know how it goes (I'm actually going to start this week on Wednesday with 10 minutes and then on Friday with 10 minutes, etc.).
Super J is going to do this with me...his goal: Go Slow and run the 5K with me in October (though, he says, "Don't be mad, but I'll probably squeeze in a 10K sometime before that"...I'm not mad; I'll take a mercy run when I can get it). However, he can't train with me because, well, he likes his alone time and with 5 girls in the house, who can blame him. So, I really do need a training partner, even if you live in Utah (ahem!!!), and even if you are doing a different training plan (not many of you need to start at a 4 child post-partum starting point).
Just let me know! You know you wanna.
Here's my training schedule for a month in case anyone wants to join (and Super J says that I really do need someone to join me, so who's it gonna be, Oh Lucky Gentle Reader?)
We start by walking on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (yes, walking...on a treadmill for me because, as stated earlier, I am a weather sissy pants! That, and it'll help me get caught up on my West Wing, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Mentalist, FNL, and Fringe viewing addiction...and that's before Lost starts up!)
Week: Mon ---- Wed ------- Fri
#1: 10 min --- 10 min --- 10 min
#2: 15 min --- 15 min --- 15 min
#3: 15 min --- 20 min --- 20 min
#4: 20 min --- 20 min --- 20 min
The goal is, obviously, to be walking for 20 minutes 3 times a week by the end of four weeks. This I can do. Can you?????? I'll let you know how it goes (I'm actually going to start this week on Wednesday with 10 minutes and then on Friday with 10 minutes, etc.).
Super J is going to do this with me...his goal: Go Slow and run the 5K with me in October (though, he says, "Don't be mad, but I'll probably squeeze in a 10K sometime before that"...I'm not mad; I'll take a mercy run when I can get it). However, he can't train with me because, well, he likes his alone time and with 5 girls in the house, who can blame him. So, I really do need a training partner, even if you live in Utah (ahem!!!), and even if you are doing a different training plan (not many of you need to start at a 4 child post-partum starting point).
Just let me know! You know you wanna.
Historical Day for our 44th President
Regardless of your political leaning, I have to say President Obama can give a speech. Seriously.
I'm so nervous for him! Talk about expectations--how on earth do you even begin to meet them?--and, for all the people who are "for" you (and he has many, don't get me wrong. It kinda also makes me nervous how many people act like he is The One), so many many are against you when you are president. Just witness the crowds who were chanting and booing at President Bush as he left his job of 8 years, which I firmly believe he did to the best of his ability.
Anyway, I listen to President Obama's address and was moved by it. Then I went to go pick up Miss A from school and was listening to the radio and ohhhhh, the cynicism. Maybe they have a point or two, but couldn't we wait, even a little while and let him have his day and get settled into office before blasting him or something related to him? Nope. Could not do it.
So, indeed. I could not and would not want this job. I guess there goes all my political ambition. Yep, I like people to like me too much and don't have the disposition to knowingly put myself in the path of those who, without really even knowing me, HATE me because they *think* they know me. Ugh.
Good luck to you, Mr. President--both incoming and outgoing. You'll be in my prayers.
I'm so nervous for him! Talk about expectations--how on earth do you even begin to meet them?--and, for all the people who are "for" you (and he has many, don't get me wrong. It kinda also makes me nervous how many people act like he is The One), so many many are against you when you are president. Just witness the crowds who were chanting and booing at President Bush as he left his job of 8 years, which I firmly believe he did to the best of his ability.
Anyway, I listen to President Obama's address and was moved by it. Then I went to go pick up Miss A from school and was listening to the radio and ohhhhh, the cynicism. Maybe they have a point or two, but couldn't we wait, even a little while and let him have his day and get settled into office before blasting him or something related to him? Nope. Could not do it.
So, indeed. I could not and would not want this job. I guess there goes all my political ambition. Yep, I like people to like me too much and don't have the disposition to knowingly put myself in the path of those who, without really even knowing me, HATE me because they *think* they know me. Ugh.
Good luck to you, Mr. President--both incoming and outgoing. You'll be in my prayers.
Monday, January 19, 2009
And so it begins
Misses A and E had a play date at some friends this morning. They got to play over two hours before I came to pick them up. Of course, Miss E greets me with a stamp of her foot and much pouting, whining and, "I don't want to go!" phrases.
Later, once we are home, she announces to me, "Sometimes I love you," then a pause, "and sometimes I don't."
Hmmmmmmm. I thought this was supposed to be something I heard when she was a teenager, not FOUR! ugh.
Also, anyone have any good ways that you've used to keep your kids in bed at night? Bribing doesn't seem to be doing any good and I'm getting kinda worried about Super J and his increasing lack of sleep. Seriously, again all three girls got up. I finally got up and chewed the older two girls out, which I'm SURE will be oh so effective. Still, we are going to discuss this in a family council tonight and I was just wondering if you had any pearls of wisdom, Gentle Reader.
Later, once we are home, she announces to me, "Sometimes I love you," then a pause, "and sometimes I don't."
Hmmmmmmm. I thought this was supposed to be something I heard when she was a teenager, not FOUR! ugh.
Also, anyone have any good ways that you've used to keep your kids in bed at night? Bribing doesn't seem to be doing any good and I'm getting kinda worried about Super J and his increasing lack of sleep. Seriously, again all three girls got up. I finally got up and chewed the older two girls out, which I'm SURE will be oh so effective. Still, we are going to discuss this in a family council tonight and I was just wondering if you had any pearls of wisdom, Gentle Reader.
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