Watching Eleanor McCullen stride towards (or away from) the Supreme Court building last week, one is struck by her words, something like: "I speak with love..."
Really? Who says? Ms McCullen? The person seeking a legal medical procedure or someone accompanying her?
Ms McCullen's "love"--in case the Person doesn't feel it or want it or need to hear about it, what is she to do?
Not for an instant is it a question of Eleanor's right to speak her love; the question not being asked is whether or not Person has the right not to listen to Eleanor nor to have Eleanor harass her on her way to a medical appointment.
Pregnant women seeking an abortion should be protected from the Eleanor McCullens of this world. Surely the decision to seek the procedure is difficult enough without some termagant driving knives into the psyche of a woman in distress.
Eleanor might look elsewhere for a target to harass:
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage.
Maybe Eleanor should look to nature to harry.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Eleanor McCullen--Saintly Grandmother or Harasser?
Friday, March 22, 2013
He died in my sleep
Sphere: Related Content50 years ago, an elderly couple lived next door to my parents. One day my mother told me that the woman had awoken that morning to discover her husband, lying next to her, had died during the night. “He died in his sleep.”
Some 20 years later, mother was in the last stages of Parkinson’s disease. Her breath was labored to the point that early one morning, around 3 a.m., my father was awoken by the silence which filled the room when she had stopped breathing. My father never, to my knowledge, said, “She died in her sleep.”
Interesting concept that, “died in sleep,” isn’t it?
How do we know that either my mother or her neighbor died without awakening? Surely the possibility of a last second awareness of the finality of the process exists? Surely the brain, responding to diminishing stimuli could/does/must trigger an alarm to itself that something major is amiss?
Surely there’s a good chance of a last “Ah,” “Oh,” “Hmm,” “No,” or “Yes, thank you.”
“He died in his sleep” is such a nice euphemism; it’s comforting. It allows an escape from dealing with the problem of final moments and how they should be—must be?—faced.
It would also be more accurate to say, as my father implied, “She died in my sleep,” and more realistic.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Euphemisms
How can we not like euphemisms? Shoot! Fudge! Heck! Oedipus Rex!
A friend of mine came up with a new one recently.
He’s a person who loves to spend money, occasionally to the point of being unwise, occasionally needing a small boost from an acquaintance.
Here’s his latest: “On Friday, could we exchange checks for $200.00? Mine will be good next Wednesday.”
“Exchange checks.” Excellent.
Sphere: Related ContentFriday, November 16, 2012
Brooks to the non-rescue…again.
Poor David Brooks. He just can’t seem to let go of the past.
Here’s a link to his latest The New York Times mini-screed. In it, Brooks bemoans the individualistic times in which we live and years for a return, as Republicans these days are wont to do, to the 1950s.
Brooks longs for a return to “…commitments to family, God, craft and country.” Hm. Well, three out of four “ain’t bad.”
Family, craft and country one could understand. God? The anthropomorphic God of the “Book?” Really?
We should commit to the metaphors of people who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago? Who dealt with life-threatening natural conditions the likes of which we have come to understand and deal with them successfully? The metaphors which wouldn’t stand the scrutiny of a skeptical analyst? Ask the families who are survivors of religious sectarian killings; what would they say about commitment to God? (Other people keep getting in the way that commitment, and no one can rationally explain why.)
Change the metaphors; use metaphors which fit the intellectual evolution of the species.
Then talk about commitment.
Otherwise, Mr. B., deal with the status quo, not the status quo ante.
Sphere: Related ContentFriday, August 31, 2012
J’accuse!
Sphere: Related ContentTechnorati Tags: Bush Administrations,Republican PartyA very simple indictment of the current Republican Party can be found in two elements, both provided by the Party establishment itself.
1). The “We Built It” logo
2). The absence of reference to Pres. George W. Bush
“We Built It” is in the past tense. So, the question is What is the “it” the Republican Party has built? Whatever it is, it must exist now, because they speak of its completion. They must be speaking of the legacy of past Republican administrations.
There is an odd leap, however, between today’s Republican claims and the previous administration most called-upon today. And that leap is from 1989 to 2010.
Missing from Tampa’s Republican history are the administrations of Bush père et fils, one of which raised taxes in order to have a legitimate, responsible history, the other…well, you know: he vastly enlarged the size of government, government spending, and presided over an illegitimate war which was the offspring of a matrix of lies.
WE BUILT IT Indeed, you did. And you’re ashamed of it.
As well you ought.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Does Dave read his own work?
Poor David Brooks. He tries so hard, yet so often shoots himself in the foot during the effort.
Take this quote from his column today:
[Obama’s] economic advisers have generally touted the benefits of globalization even as they worked to help those who are hurt by its downsides.
All of Brooks’ argument in this column can be refuted by taking the final two clauses of the quote as a basis for your argument’s construction.
The difference between the visions of capitalism of Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney which we see in today’s political arena is exactly that Mr. Obama is working to help those who are hurt by various policies which might or might not be necessary in a capitalistic system.
As Brooks writes, “[Romney’s] an efficiency expert.” He does best what is best for the business plans under which he works. His vision with Bain had not been broadened to include helping those who might fall to the dictates of a theory.
We live in a society with a social contract which demands we all take responsibility for our actions. Sometimes it means giving a helping hand to a person we knocked down.
Brooks knows that, and, in that quote, he inadvertently gives the strongest possible negative take on Romney he could have given. The question remains, Why didn’t Dave realize that when he published?
Trust, but verify.
Sphere: Related ContentMonday, June 04, 2012
To earn the right to give away
Wouldn’t it be nice if P Diddy’s son, Justin Combs, were to be taken aside and given a quiet lesson on class?
Someone in the organization might take the boy aside and tell him that he did, indeed, earn the sport scholarship to UCLA; and that he is justifiably proud of his accomplishment.
To torture the adage, though, the conversation might also remind Combs that much is expected from those to whom much is given. A gesture of humility at the time of his accomplishment is in order, and such a gesture could well consist of the young man donating an equal amount of money to another scholarship fund at UCLA—one which would benefit students of need, perhaps.
The Combs’ family fortune is, after all, derived from the pockets of many needy students and their families.
Such a gesture would go a long way to further enhancing the young man’s aura of success. And be a touch of class.
Sphere: Related ContentSunday, June 03, 2012
The Sins of the Father
A recent reading of The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer indicates that it is time for Mr. Archer to take a break from writing for a while.
The story is not engaging. The plot is a soap opera. The denouement leaves this reader thinking, “Meh.”
Yawn.
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, April 04, 2012
Language and part of the problem
Watching an old episode of How I Met Your Mother last night and noticed this line said by aa teen boy to the woman who is Canadian: Boy, "Am I going to get lucky tonight?"
Why is it that the male is going to "get lucky" and not the woman, or why not "Are we going to get lucky tonight?"
Has it ever been thus, women have no sexual appetites? Girls don't seek "luck?"
How long will it take for this type of sexual programming to disappear?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Hey, Wayne!
Here's a question for you and your NRA cohorts:
What's to be done with that 9-year-old alleged shooter in Washington?
Only criminals with have handguns, right?
Nice job, guys.
[tagname]
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Sly Puss
It’s too good to let pass.
In writing about Topic X, authors often manage to slip in a little elbow about Topic Y to the ribs of the body politic; and those little nuggets should be identified and celebrated.
To wit: In Salon.com you will find an article by Glenn Greenwald discussing Iran as the source of some discomfort, alright—evil—and you will also find this: “while the Face of American Meritocracy, NBC News‘ Luke Russert…”
Think about it. Meritocracy, rising on the merits of one’s efforts; and Luke Russert, elevated to a job with a major news organization upon the death of his father, Tim.
Also think about using upper case: Face of American Meritocracy.
Then dedicate an appreciative chuckle to Greenwald.
You’re welcome.
Sphere: Related ContentSaturday, December 24, 2011
Um…well, I guess…
Here’s a little surprise; guess who’s included in this year’s Religion & Ethics Newsletter’s “In Memoriam 2011?”
Jack Kevorkian and Christopher Hitchens.
Along with unsavories, or, at least, once unsavories, such as Cardinal Foley—maybe he found God, or at least heard the snapping of growling watchdogs and contributors after his AIDS comments—we find these two who aren’t usually listed in the category of “Prominent Religious.”
Although, upon reflection, they both were certainly spiritual, and, in their own ways, pastoral. There’s also an environmentalist listed, probably the most spiritual of them all.
There’s also a Jewish songwriter, which is a nice gesture, because songwriters are also quite spiritual.
The others are/were (?) luminaries of various Christian sects. And now they know whether Hitchens was/is (?) correct, don’t they?
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, October 12, 2011
Um…Not really
The Hank Williams, Jr./ESPN brouhaha is mildly diverting on a few levels, but it is also a sad commentary on one: understanding the Constitutional right to free speech.
Williams’ Constitutional rights were not affected by ESPN’s action. The Constitution is silent on the right of company censorship of employees’ speech.
“Congress shall make no laws…” is the way the First Amendment begins. There is nothing in it which limits any other instance of speech restrictions. Most states also limit “freedom on speech” similarly in their state constitutions.
Williams should know better. We all should know better.
Sorry, Mr. Williams, Jr., your Constitutional free speech rights were not offended, and you have none otherwise.
Sphere: Related ContentTuesday, October 11, 2011
Silliness
“Reverse racism” is such a silly phrase.
What could it possibly mean?
A racist is a racist, regardless of skin color, and “reverse racism” is just an example of unthinking writers who waste electronic ink.
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, September 21, 2011
Fraternal Quip
This from my older brother: Yesterday we could not spell third-world country; today we are one.
(I wonder if it’s a joke which has been going around. Regardless, I like it.)
Sphere: Related ContentSaturday, September 10, 2011
So, I’m a smart ass…So sue me
Not really…the suing part.
The local newspaper, The Desert Sun had a piece today indicating disapproval of those protesting Chaz Bono’s upcoming appearance on “Dancing with the Stars.”
I liked it except for the use of “sexual preference.” Now, since I am of the opinion that virtually everyone who is protesting against Mr. Bono’s appearance has participated in his sexual preference activities in one way or another, I doubt very seriously they are protesting that/those preference(s).
So I wrote the following to the “Community Conversations Editor” at the paper. I got carried away.
It was such fun and became so silly that I thought I’d share it. Have fun.
xoxox
Dear Mr. X:
Today your editorial page gave a well-deserved “Thumbs Down” to those who are protesting against Chaz Bono’s appearance on “Dancing with the Stars.”
There would be disagreement only from those who are unwilling to learn.
There is, however, one phrase with which others might quibble; it is “sexual preference.” It might be good to take a few moments to educate your writer about the more accurate “sexual orientation” for use in this type of discussion.
To personalize the point, Sir, might I suggest that your sexual preference is what you prefer to do during sexual incidents. Everyone has sexual preferences which are unique and of no concern to others.
Sexual orientation, on the other hand, is how you “lean” when choosing a partner with whom to participate in mutual sexual preferences.
Absent a declaration from a person, sexual preference is unknowable; sexual orientation is somewhat easier to discern. Since most of the protesters against Mr Bono themselves probably engage in whatever sexual activities they might imagine he participates, they are more than likely protesting his orientation than his preference.
Please discuss this with your writer.
Sincerely,
gene touchet
Sphere: Related ContentTuesday, September 06, 2011
From BRAAACK to lowercase 8 point “poo”
My brain farts (How I dislike the word!) have been reduced to a negligible poo.
They have been replaced by brain black holes. It’s possible to stand (albeit metaphorically) on the edge of the hole and virtually see the nothingness to which thought and memory are reduced, especially memory.
“I’ll have the Country Benedict.”
20 minutes later, after having the plate placed before me, I am asked, “Looks good. What is it?”
“Country…”
Nothing.
Blankness.
(Is “blankness” truly “nothing?”)
A strain to come up with the words and some babble…”It’s a famous breakfast dish…some kind of sauce…English muffins…”
“Eggs Benedict?”
“Yes.”
Crisis over. The memory, however, of the lack of memory lingers.
Sphere: Related ContentMonday, September 05, 2011
Actually, God’s punishment…
Every wonder why God doesn’t punish those people who behave antithetically to the “teachings of the ages?”
For instance, it seems obvious to clear thinkers that the wildfires in Texas are punishment for supporting Rick Perry.
Doesn’t it?
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, August 24, 2011
Alas! A crisis of conscience!
From Box Turtle Bulletin:
Shocking, simply shocking! A new study has determined that some men are attracted to both male and female persons. Or, at least, sexually stimulated by watching them have sex.
This new finding contradicts and earlier one which denied evidence of existence of bisexuals, but was flawed in its population selection. (NY Times)
For many, many years, I’ve been skeptical about discussions I’ve had with certain serial-one-night-stands.
“How can you date/marry her? What’re you doing here if you’re going to be there?”
“I guess I just like you both.”
Skeptical. Mighty skeptical.
Now some researchers tell us that X and Y, and a couple of other less-frequent Alphabet Letters were correct about themselves after all?
Well, after the brachytherapy, it’s pretty much moot. Still, it does give pause.
Do I apologize?
Or do I wait for the next “study” to give us another way to look at ourselves?
Sphere: Related ContentSunday, July 24, 2011
Great Quip
From today’s New York Times we find this little nugget in a column by Frank Bruni which puts l’affaire Bachmann in its place:
I once tried to pray away the gay. But sometimes a houseguest just won’t leave.
Quel drole!
Sphere: Related Content