Abby on the Oil Leak

During Coloring Time this week, Abby was asked to complete the sentence "The sea turtle saw some things in the sea.  It saw..."  I should tell you that I have rarely seen black crayon come home on the stuff she brings home from school - she tends to go for bright colors first.  This day, though, I guess she reached to her inner Tree-Hugger-To-Be and came up with this take on the Oil Leak:

 The only thing that I can gather from this is that the sea turtle saw blackness, and tar balls.

Think I'm reading into this too much (which I am, let's be honest!)?  Check out the one from the next day:

Lots more black stuff, all over the animals. 

The reason I know this is a crock is that we don't watch the news and her access to the horrors of what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico.  We used to watch the news in the morning, but got rid of the TV in our room in favor of clock radios, in part because of the stuff Abby was seeing.  I get my news online, and Anny does not check news to the best of my knowledge.

World Kidney Day is March 12

Got an email from the National Kidney Foundation today that I am posting here for all to see.

Support the World Kidney Day's Message to Congress
Join our Virtual Fly-In to Support Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage

Take Action!

On March 12, over 100 kidney advocates will be meeting with congressional offices on World Kidney Day, asking for support of legislation to extend Medicare coverage for life-saving immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the kidney transplant. If passed, patients could continue to receive these drugs under Medicare Part B. This is a big step forward to preserve the life of kidney transplants.

Organ transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the transplant to help prevent the body from rejecting the organ. Currently, Medicare pays for most kidney transplants but covers drugs for only 36 months post-transplant as part of the Medicare ESRD benefit. After that, kidney recipients must pay for immunosuppressive drugs through private insurance, public or pharmaceutical programs or pay out-of-pocket (Medicare covers drugs without a time limit if the patient qualifies because of age or disability status).

Immunosuppressive drugs are expensive, but the alternative is even more costly. Medicare spends $17,000 per patient to maintain a transplant, but if the kidney transplant fails, the person returns to dialysis at a cost of over $71,000 per year to Medicare. And quality of life often suffers too.

Similar legislation will be introduced in the House of Representatives on March 12. Click here for more information about the legislation. Click here to view the NKF's Immunosuppressive Drug Fact Sheet.

Please take a moment to write your Senators today and ask them to co-sponsor S. 565. Share your story, or the story of a loved one, about the experience with immunosuppressive drug coverage.

Links:
Nephcure - More focused on FSGS, my kind of kidney diseas
National Kidney Foundation

Taxes are Done!

It's tax time here in the US.  Anny and I finished up our taxes last night and filed electronically.  (which means that I finished our taxes while Anny got Abby into bed.)  I think it's the fastest we've ever submitted, mostly because I'm afraid of forgetting to do it later on!  I don't think that I have ever waited until April 10th or later, but I've sure waited until the 1st before... 

One year, when we lived in Manassas, we took our taxes to one of those use-us-in-the-K-Mart joints and ended up forking out $95 and sitting there for two hours or more while some guy who only does taxes as a hobby hunted and pecked into his trusty computer.  When he left to use the telephone I took a glance at his computer screen only to see that he was

We're getting a sizable return this year, again.  I guess when you fork out more than $15k each for childcare and mortgage interest the Feds look on you with some favor.  (Though the childcare credit was only $600, which is a mere fraction of our output.)

We have gotten big refunds for the last few years, really, and that works for me.  Anny has begun to ask me if we should change our witholding on our paychecks to have the money more consistently through the year or if we should continue to get the big refund at the end of the year.  Really, she just brought it up and we haven't had time to discuss since then. 

I know that there are two theories on taxation:
1 - Take a lot from my paycheck and I get a big refund in the spring
-or-
2 - Take less from my paycheck, leaving me more on a monthly basis, in exchange for a smaller refund, or even payment, in the spring.

I think that the reason I am okay with Uncle Sam having more of my money during the year is that I can do a little splurging once a year.  I also figure that if my money is in "the system" it's being used for things much more important than me - the money is what is used to fund the programs and such that the govermnent is providing.


So - what do you do with your taxes?  Are you in the keep-my-money or the take-my-money kind of planner?  Why?  (Have you always done it and just never changed, or do you have new reasoning for me to know?)

The Inauguration - A Different View

There are wonderful accounts and reflections about the historic Inauguration of Barack Obama on Tuesday.  There are literally millions of people that are more eloquent than I am.  Here are my observations as a resident of the suburbs of DC, as well as a person of faith.

On Our Experience:
We decided not to go into the city in the middle of last week because of a cold that both Abby and I are fighting.  Instead, we had some friends over to celebrate together.  Abby had friends to play with, and we got to share the experience in community.  Overall, a great day.

I found the speech overwhelming and inspiring, both at the same time.  I'm excited to see change happen at the national level, but am curious to see how it unfolds. 

I do have a minor qualm with the way that the whole service went.  I am a person of faith, but am very pluaralistic in my beliefs.  I was uncomfortable with the Lord's Prayer being recited during the service.  Many of our Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and non-believing friends and neighbors do not know such a recitation, and that is not going to help mend fences.  I know that Christians are a majority, but we need to continue to work toward being truly open.  I don't think that the service did that.

On Local Travel and Logistics:
There were road closures and metro station confusion all day long (and for days in advance), but it appears that things went off with nothing but praise. 

I know that the Metro system stopped collecting fares at some point during the day, which probably helped the whole day go more smoothly since we had so many people who do not know the system.  It will be intersting to see if they go to the Feds and ask for reimbursement, or if they really take one for the team.

It was a great weekend to play the Liscence Plate Game.  I swear to you that we saw at least 25 different states and territories represented on vehicles on the road. 

I have friends who made the trek down.  They said that it was totally worth it, but would only do it again if they know the President personally.  You can read Natalie's account HERE.

Our local NBC channel picked the wrong week to unveil their new website and slogan: For Locals Only.  Umm, this was not the week to be for locals only - this was a time to be from not-here.

All in all - I'm grateful to have watched, even if it was through the TV.  I'm hopeful for what lies ahead for me as an individual, but moreso what lies ahead for us as a people together.  I'm prayerful for all in power as they ramp up to work on the jobs they have been hired to do.

Divorce

I wanted to blog about this last week, but there are a lot of things going on, including a memorial service for a woman barely older than I am, that have made my computer time a little more limited. I'm okay with that. I think I have finally found a good online/real-life balance again.

On Monday night I told Anny that if divorce was not so expensive, I would push her for one right now.  Before you think that there is trouble in our little paradise, let me assure you that all is well in our lives, home and marriage.  It's that last word that is troubling me.

Last week California took away the legal rights that had finally been granted to the LGBT community - that of marriage - with Proposition 8.  I guess I had only been reading liberal websites, because it looked to me like it would be overwhelmingly defeated by what I could tell. 

I just can not wrap my mind around knowingly taking away someone's rights that you enjoy yourself. 

Please do not quote to me from the Bible - I can not believe that God wants for some of us to have freedoms that others do not.  Do not tell me that "God intended for marriage between one woman and one man" because that is not where marriage came from.  If you look, from the Old Testament, marriage was typically between one man and many women.  Not exactly something that would fly these days.  Later it was merely a way to unite two land-owning families.

Here is Keith Olberman's response to the vote.  He pretty much sums up my thoughts.



If you view it as protection for children, ponder this... Would it be better for a child to grow up in a loving household of two parents, regardless of gender, or to have a split home where parents are fighting all the time and calling each other names?  If you're against gay marriage for the sake of "the family" perhaps we should outlaw divorce too.

See more videos at Funny or Die

Here's another way to think about it: more marriages means more money for your state/county budget.  Yes, you can think about this issue in a number of ways, why not just make it about cashola?  If you are denying the rights of same sex couples from marrying, really you should be charged more in taxes to make up the difference, because getting married is not a cheap affair.  Not just the state/county fees, but think about all of the people being out of work that could be catering, singing and organizing more weddings.

Civil Unions does not do justice, either.  That's not true - how about make everyone do a Justice of the Peace Civil Union and not call it marriage.  The playing field needs to be leveled. 

I'm closing comments because I don't want to argue about this - and I know that I differ from some of your views.  I don't need more conversation.  I need for people to think differently - to be differently.

A Fundamental Difference

(Watching the end of the debate before heading off to work)


Mr McCain,


I can not think of a single person that I know that is "pro-abortion."  Please do not ever use such language again, for you hurt more people than you know.  While you're at it, please stop saying "young women having to make that choice" because it is not only young women.  What about the woman that is in her 50, thinks that she's beyond child bearing age (with good reason) and finds out that she's pregnant?  What if a woman's doctor lets her know up front that there will be a choice, because of disease, between her life and the fetus she's carrying?

Think before you speak,
-rob


************************
No one is pro-abortion.  A good post by a pastor friend that sums up the way I feel is HERE.  Abortion is a choice that no one wants to have to make, but the reality is that sometime's it's necessary.

I have been a part of such a decision, and it is not an easy decision that is made ever, and not one to be taken lightly.  (For the record, the pregnancy was not mine, I was dating her sister)  She was devastated to have such a decision to make, and was devastated afterwards, as is expected.

What is of much more value is education - conservatives need to open up to real, honest sex education.  It needs to start early.  I was astounded at my last church about the things that our Middle Schooler's did NOT know about sex and reproduction. I was more astounded to find out how much their parents did not know.  We need to reshape the curriculum and not go after school boards that try to make that happen.

I am obviously pro-choice.  Our country is based on choice and freedom.  You can probably glean my views on other issues like gay marriage, too. 

(Please, if you're going to leave comments, be kind and courteous.  Come back (or support) with knowledge and truth to facilitate conversation, not words of hate.  Thank you.)

I Cried a Little Yesterday

Maybe I'm just really on edge right now about the whole "financial meltdown" thing or the "I have a doctor appointment next week where I will be yelled at for not exercising."  Maybe I'm just overly emotional because I have not gotten enough sleep lately because Abby is breaking in two more molars.

Or maybe it is because I am really mad.  Genuinely outraged.

I spent many years in The South growing up.  I was friends with everyone.  Actually, the same is true of just about my whole life. I never would have won "most popular" but I knew and was friendly with just about every single person in my school.  I knew everyone just well enough to stay under the radar.  I fit in with the cool kids and could move lunch tables to hang out with the outcasts.  I'm a people pleaser, and have no qualms about that.

I love the South, in general.  But yesterday I remembered why I will not live there again.

I was listening to my favorite afternoon radio show and they were talking about the Presidential race.  Always interesting to hear a different perspective than you get on the mainstream.  (Which is not a knock on the "liberal" media, I happen to think that most of the coverage is balanced.)  A woman called in from North Carolina and told a story about a co-worker that had me so angry that I was fighting back tears when I saw my daughter, hoping beyond hope that she will not have to hear such words in her lifetime.

The story goes...

Co-worker goes to a womans house to provide service, which is believe is of the social-service variety.  While the two women are talking, man-of-the-house comes in.  All involved are white.  He says to social worker "there is no way that you're voting for that n***** Obama.  There is a reason thta it's called the White House."  He then proceeded to get his loaded shotgun and point it in her face while telling her just how bad things would be if a black person were elected to such an office.  Having feared for her life, she called the police.  When they investigated he said it was "just a joke" and nothing was done to him.

I guess that I like to live where I live because, while there is racism, there is tolerance and acceptance.  I work with 100+ churches that are diverse in every sense - conservative and liberal; black, white and Asiain; loud and quiet about their way of doing church; young and old.  But everyone gets along. 

It is my humble prayer that Abby never have to hear a story like this.  I hope that she never has to hear such racial slurs directed to people of any race.  I pray that she never thinks differently of her friends because of their socio-economic status, gender, race.  I hope that she learn to respect people as individuals.  I pray that Anny and I continue to model that behavior for her, and I think that we're on the right path. 

More directly related to this Presidential Race: I pray that we vote based on the issues that are important to us as individuals and as a nation.  I refuse to base my important vote on race, age, gender or political party.  I implore you to do the same.  Vote on all of the issues that are on the top of your list. 

A Cause Worth Supporting

Remember when I asked you how you choose where to give money?  Well, if you don't have any ideas for how to spend that money marked "charity" in your budget, let me point you in the direction of this years Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day and my crazy friend Charlene.

But first, why I will give my money to SGKomen.  I'm confident that most of you have been touched by cancer, either yourself or someone you love.  This is true for me and my family as well.  My grandmother died in the spring of 1999 of various forms of cancer, but it began with breast cancer.   I remember how hard it was for her every day.

My friend Charlene works in an Oncology office and works every day with patients in all stages of dealing with cancer.  I am not sure if even she knows this, but my Grandma Pat was a patient at the office that Charlene works at.  They do amazing things, but cancer is hard to beat, and every dollar toward the cause is valued.

This year Charlene is putting herself even more into their lives by walking 60 miles (!!!!) over the course of three days in order to raise money for the Susan G Komen fund. 

If you have a moment and a few dollars to spare, please visit her website HERE to donate.  (You will notice that she is a red head, and us "gingers" always look out for one another!)  Her goal is lofty, but I know she will reach it.  The walk is the first weekend in October, and you can bet that I will follow up with a post about how great she has done!  Since I'm a bad friend and have not replied to her numerous emails over the last two months, I'm heading over there now with my debit card in hand.  I hope you will too.

Ready for November

Is there anything that can be said between now and Election Day that will change who you vote for in the Presidential Election?   Vote in the poll on the right and comment below. 

It seems to me that there is so much riding on this one that folks have already made up their mind, and I'm okay with that.  I have.  We need change.  Our country needs something new, fresh and exciting.  Our finances are crap, and that might have something to do with morale.  Morale might have something to do with this little war that "we" have picked with two countries. 

But regardless of how you're voting, is there anything that can be said at this point to change your mind?  (Short of a scandal of donkey-rape proportions)

(Oh great, with "donkey-rape" in my post I'm sure my "G" rating is going to go WAY up!!)

Sometimes it IS Easy Being Green

Remember back to January when I blogged about how easy it is being green? If not, read it HERE.

In the comments of that it can be very expensive and just not worth the cost to benefit to make changes. I disagree with that deeply, but I respect that we all have opinions on the matter.

What you can not deny is that we all get too many catalogs and junk mail. For a long time it has been a fruitless effort to call each company, convince them that you only bought the one thing from them and it was a gift and you really don't want their catalog. I did it with a couple of companies, but got really lazy about it. And lets not forget that sometimes it's just really nice to thumb through the new Crate and Barrell when you're waiting for dinner to be ready.

The reality, though, is that most of us have computers.....okay, all of you reading this have a computer....and if you're looking for Christmas gifts you're really looking online because the selection is greater and the sales hit the web more quickly than the paper copy.

Let me introduce you to Catalog Choice (https://www.catalogchoice.org/). They have streamlined the process of getting off of mailing lists - and it works!

We love LLBean. Love. LLBean. We have been known to cross state lines just to pick up water bottles or some good clothes. We don't love their catalog. Or, more apropriately, we don't love the volume of LLBean catalogs. Take a look HERE to order any of the 16 catalogs for Fall 2008. I believe we were receiving five different catalogs from Bean, at least twice a year. That's a lot of waste.

We registered for Catalog Choice and Bean responded immediately! We still shop for their stuff, just not in paper form.

Companies have realized that they will save money if they print fewer catalogs, but without information from the consumer, i.e. you, they don't know that they should stick to the email and lay off of the paper. CChoice has caught on so well that a lot of companies have given them links straight to their sites, further encouraging you to use their services.

Bottom line is that this is a FREE step that you can do, that we can all do, to cut down on waste.

Election Season: On Energy

I try to ignore all that is happening in the race for President, I really do. One problem is that it's everywhere. Every. Where. Making it worse, I think (hope) is that we live in the middle of it. We are inside the infamous beltway. I spend a lot of time on it every morning and afternoon.

There are a lot of things that will be argued and debated in the coming months, and I think that discussion and debate is healthy. I don't think that many minds will be changed, and I honestly think that 90% or more of voters have already decided who they will vote for. No amount of campaigning is going to make me vote for McCain, and no amount of campaigning will make my father vote for Obama. With that in mind, I am choosing to believe that it's a time of great discussion, and that's okay.

Today my annoyance is Energy and Oil. (yeah, start small, eh?)

Yes, gas prices are high. It's not nearly as bad here as it is in other places. Apparently Norway is the worst place to pay for gas. I remember being repulsed at the idea of paying $1 for a gallon and how important that $10 was to my dating life. (yeah, right) Now that I'm paying almost four times that I realize how good it was back then, but also realize that we were living the good life and we will never get back there again.

One option is to drill off the coasts of the nation, and in the forests of Alaska. ANWR, I believe it is. If it would make a difference now, or anytime soon, I might be a little more inclined to support it, but it will take years for them to figure out exactly where the oil IS, and years after that to get it out of the ground, refined and into our cars and planes. There is no reliable information to even suggest that it would be worth our time and energy to drill in ANWR because we don't know how much there is in the ground.

If drilling is PART of the solution, then explore that, but it can not be the only thing on the table.

I am a supporter of the new movement being led by T. Boone Pickens and his Pickens Plan. Pickens is a former oil executive who has seen all of the facts and been on the inside of the industry. He is proposing moving forward with alternative energy sources. The video below lines out part of his plan:



My bottom line is that in order to get out of our energy "crisis" we need to be investing in things other than gasoline as we know it. Hybrids are a good idea, but there are too few on the roads to make a long-term difference so far. Solar energy is fairly expensive to get up and running (in a home) but the long term benefits and savings are incredible from everything I've heard.

I guess I want you to think about this the next time the "scare" ad comes on that says "Obama voted no to drilling in ANWR while you suffer." The reality is that we're in a jam right now that is not easy to get out of.

What we really need - and should demand - is a long-term plan from whoever ends up in office.

Father's Get the Shaft

We must start by looking back to May 8-11, 2008 before we can delve into the happenings of this weekend. What happened in May but not June? Mother's Day. It felt like everywhere we went we heard a grateful "Have a Happy Mother's Day" aimed in our direction. This happened at the Grocery Store (several times), the local (plant) nursery, even at restaurants.

I thought about how cool it was that Anny was getting this special attention and recognition for all that she has done over the last year, and even before that. She is so shy about that stuff that I think it's good for her once in a while to be showered with attention. Maybe that's because I'm an extrovert, though....

Anyway, when last week rolled around I was excited to be heralded in the same manner! Clear the streets, a father is making his way into your presence!

We went to the farmers market. Nothing.
We went to the same grocery store and saw the same clerk. Nothing.
We went everywhere and I got nothing.

Okay, that's not true. On Father's Day proper we went to TGI Friday's with the family. I did get some FD attention from our waitress. I would like to point out that it was mostly due to the fact that Ms Adorable was sitting there shamelessly making eyes at her, but whatever.

What's the deal with this? Did you notice this to be true in your ventures out as well, or is it just that people don't like to give me accolaides?

Give is to Us Straight

I understand "teasers" and I know why TV and radio channels use them for movies, concert promos and regular TV programs. I do not understand, though, holding certain information "hostage." Silly things, really.

"Is the heat going to linger or is there a hurricane on its' way? Find out tonight at 11."

'Two women robbed in a local neighborhood by chipmunks wielding sparklers. Find out where these furry-killers are tomorrow on Next Day News at 5."

Okay, I might have embellished the second one there, but I bet I'm not far off!

I believe that this is a sign that the industries have not realized that human beings are smart enough to find out the information in other ways. A sign of the "old" times of media, in a way. With our new programming I can get my local, updated weather and traffic with the touch of a button on the remote. Oh yeah, and there is the whole internet thing.

Teasers are of no use to you anymore, Newspeople. Do they really think that I will change from my regular morning news because you didn't give me information that they didn't give me?

What I really want from a news commercial is a summary of things that are important, maybe with a "find out more at 11." Try these on for size:

"Hot as hell today, but tomorrow will be nicer. I'll have a full forecast at 11."

"Rodents have mugged two women in Springfield, but we're working on details. We will have more in the morning."

I guess what I'm saying is that you have no power over me local weather-person or anchor-person. I will get my information, even if you won't give it to me. Why don't we save us both a little time and you give me more information rather than try to tease me.

Oh yeah, and promise me that those darned chipmunks can not cross state lines!

Giving to Charities: How do You Decide?

Okay, you've got an extra $100 earmarked for giving away. Can't buy anything tangible, it has to go to a charity of some sort. How do you decide where that money goes? It's something that we talk about from time to time.


The first part of ours goes to our church. We support the ministry that happens inside the building, and the ministry that happens outside of the walls. Our combined funds there help to fund everything from electricity for the building, to housing two families that need a place to live while they get their lives in order.


Exactly $0 goes to the county police, mostly as penance for arguing with me (!!) about the police department coverage. I didn't really need to write that, but it bothered me so much that I thought I should.


More than a year ago I implored you to help with Multiple Sclerosis. That is a disease that my mother deals with. We get a letter asking for support her in her yearly walk each spring, and we do what we can. We have given money, but it never feels like we're making a difference.


This year a friend is participating in The Breast Cancer Three Day walk. She has acknowledged that she is crazy for trying to pull off sixty miles in three days, but she's doing it because she sees women every day in her office dealing with cancer of all kinds. (Men too) My grandmother and several friends have been affected by breast cancer. Some have survived, and some have not. We will support Charlene in her walk, too.


Well, I just found out that there is a walk in May to raise money for studying kidney disease, particularly FSGS. Wait, I have FSGS! It looks like I can get a shirt if I bring them $100. That's a lot of money for a shirt. We've talked about it, but have not decided if we're going to participate. Is it weird to participate in an event aimed at helping you? Should I be allowed to have a shirt for free for being a patient? (kidding)


But there are still other great causes, some health related but lots that are not. How do you decide to split your money? Do you give to only one place? In these days of high gas prices and soaring grocery prices - have you stopped giving or cut back?

(Sorry, this post is generally all-over-the-place. It was in my head differently.)

World Kidney Day

It's World Kidney Day!

Please take a moment to become more educated HERE. Take the Quiz - it's very informative.

To read about MY kidney story, click HERE.

For those that have asked recently - I'm feeling really good right now. I'm feeling more run down from a sick baby than from my kidney's causing problems. I've gotten a lot better about laying off of the potassium recently, and am looking forward to continuing my afternoon walks with the girls of the house as the weather continues to get nicer.

The one thing that I wish everyone knew about FSGS (my type of kidney disease) is that sometimes I really just don't want to do anything but sit. A normal day does not take the wind from my sails, but some times I get really quiet if I'm doing a lot. That usually means that I'm pooped.

The other thing (I'm going with two, just for the fun of it!) that I wish folks knew is that, I'm not avoiding your mashed potatoes because I think they aren't good. I want banana pudding more than anything sometimes, too. I can't have potassium in quantity, and those two are the biggest culprits.

For Contest Purporses, I'm linking over to Krissy! You should check her out, and not just for the contest prizes!

Observations from the Last Few Days

Some Observations:

On the Abby Front:
A fat lip on an infant is both funny and cringeworthy at the same time. Sorry, no pictures. Can't have social services after me.
She is scooting toward her toy basket, but only when she can touch it already. She's gotten up on her hands and knees, but gets confused pretty quickly at that point. Hopefully a weekend with Ada will get her moving.

On the Sports Front:
I apreciated hearing Plaxico Burress after the SuperBowl. His comment was "This is the greatest feeling in professional sports." So often we hear that something in sports is the greatest thing in LIFE, and I just can't believe that.
Who really cares who the next Redskins coach will be? Aparently a lot of people. What I can tel you is that he, whichever he it is, will come in and change the system, personnel and feel of the team. Oh yeah, and it's not your decision, it's the decision of the guy that owns the team. He does not come to your office and tell you who to hire.

On the Political Front:
There are a lot of people in Virginia that don't know how to listen. Seems that they got almost 1,000 calls yesterday furious about closed polling stations. Yeah, Super Tuesday was not in your state. That's NEXT Tuesday, just like they keep telling you in the paper, radio and TV.
Because the folks in VA, MD and DC want to feel important they have dubbed next Tuesday, our TV Stations have dubbed it Chesapeake Tuesday. Get over it. It's just another Primary Tuesday. It started yesterday and I'm already annoyed with it.

On the Music Front:
When someone posts a new Celebrity Playlist on iTunes, check it out. Thanks to one list I have discovered Brett Dennen and what is now one of my top 10 songs to listen to. (Oh yeah, check him out based on my recommendation too!)

Who do YOU Turn To?

Okay - at this point it is inevitable to avoid the political world. It's been that way in our area for - well for years. New York may be the city that never sleeps, but we're the ones that hear about all of the crud on Capitol Hill and it does not matter what state folks represent. This time of this year is especially permeating.

All of our local news stations are hitting us with "We're Your Source for the Latest on the Campaign Trail." They don't mean their parent, they mean their own little sites. I'm confident that Fox5DC is not in touch with the rest of the country. Heck, they are fairly out of it when it comes to local stuff. (But, they do have a reporter named Wisdom. What a cool name!)

I know that Yahoo has coverage here.
I know that CNN is covering here.
NPR is covering here, though I have not looked at it.

Unfortunately, Colbert and Stewart are spotty at their coverage because of the writers strike.

Where do you go for your political news? Do you prefer a biased view (i.e. Fox News) or balanced (i.e. MSNBC)?

Better yet - do you care yet? Are you going to?

Is "Green" Just a Fad?

I had an argument last week with a co-worker about the current push for Going Green. His opinion is that it's just a fad, and we won't care about it in two years. I think he's way WAY off, and that it's a movement that has been working for a while and is now getting to the front of people's thinking.

I know that there are some people that are making small changes now, and others that are changing the world. We can't afford hybrid cars right now, but we can switch to cloth diapers. Next car purchase, though, will probably go hybrid. (We're waiting on word about the rumored hybrid minivan!)

In his defense, we were talking about Green as it relates to churches. I don't think that any church has ever sought to work against the environment, but when all of your buildings are older than most of your members, it is often true that there is waste. A lot of churches, though, are replacing old, busted things with new, green things.

I don't believe that any church that is built from this point forward will have the same low-on-environment standards, either. As our church investigaed adding onto our building last year, there was clear committment to do as much as possible to reduce our environmental footprint. I was actually amazed that folks were thinking about these things, and my eyes were opened wide to the opportunities for churches to take real steps to be leaders in this movement.

What is your church (or work, or organization) doing to make itself greener?

Or, better yet, am I way off to think that this is more than a fad that will pass in a couple of years?

No. Seriously. No.

Why is it that the President thinks that we should underfund health care for children that need it but continue to pour money into the war(s)?

My points -
1 - "Homeland Security" should in some shape or form focus on the land that is home. We are still fighting for someone else's homeland.

2 - I keep being threatened on TV and in print by Bush and his support staff about the SuperBugs that will wipe out masses, but flu shots, though finally back in stock, still cost money to everyone.

3 - Shouldn't we do everything we can to protect the young people, the ones with vulnerable immune systems.

The reason Bush gave for not fully funding the SCHIP program is that the money is for low income children, and that some middle-income families would take advantage of it. Oh, okay, so we are going to spend an extra hundred thousand treating a child that may be able to afford it themselves. Spend it!

I don't know if it's because of where we live in relation to the heart of politics, but I am finding myself being drawn into more political conversations now than ever before. I don't see it getting any quieter in the forseeable future.

The good thing, I think, is that people are talking. I know that I'm talking more now than in previous stages of my life. A friend of mine has directed me to an important website that seeks to facilitate these conversations.

http://www.howimvoting.org/

Talk people. Talk.