Cesarean rates rising

I have, myself, had a c-section. Knowing what I know now, I'd have held off getting pitocin...oh well.

In any case, read the article on it from AP.

The Washington Post has another article on the rates, which does a lovely bit of putting the blame on moms. Let me tell you, one reason I didn't push (ha!) for vaginal childbirth is because my employer automatically gives 8 weeks off if you get a c-section, and only 6 weeks if you have vaginal.

Doctors tend to prefer c-sections because they get reimbursed at higher rates.

So let's all accept that there is more going on with this than "convenience" and "scheduling".

Tarina Keene on Rachel Maddow

The Executive Director for NARAL Prochoice Virginia was on the Rachel Maddow show last night to talk about Cuccinelli and his opinion that abortion providers can be regulated far more than an ordinary OB/GYN's office. Abortions are already hard to get in Virginia, especially if you live in a rural area.

I am on the NARAL Prochoice Virginia Board, and I'm proud of it, and of Tarina.

The Perils of Listening to NPR in the car

"Mommy, what do they mean by 'the N-word'?"

Oh dear.

Can't I have a cup of coffee first?

Okay.

"'The N-word' is a word that is completely not okay to say. It's so not okay, that when people talk about it, they use its initial instead of saying it. The word is " (and here I said the word) "You are not to ever use that word. It is a mean, vile word that has a lot of terrible history behind it."

"But, Mommy, what does it mean?"

"It's a mean word for people with brown skin. Don't ever say it. Not in anger, not in conversation, never. Even if you hear other people using it, you don't use it. And IF you hear other people using it, you tell them to stop, or you tell a grown-up so that they can tell them to stop."


As an aside, I want to let you know that the NPR piece we were listening to at the time was excellent. I hope you'll listen to it. (I came in after the Dr. Laura clip)

Just Read It

Reproductive Justice is for Everyone, Even People You Don't Like.

Denial of reproductive rights to people with disabilities is ableism. Denial of our needs in the reproductive justice discussion is also ableism. Telling us we don’t belong at the table is ableism. We deserve reproductive justice too, and we have needs that are not being addressed by the current reproductive rights movement.

If Equal Rights doesn't apply to everybody, you soon find it doesn't apply to anybody. Reproductive justice doesn't just apply to the right NOT to have children. It applies to the right TO have them if you want them. That is a right that is all too frequently denied people. No-one should be forced to have a baby...and no-one should be forced to not have one.

It's a small county

For the folks who are agin anyone building a mosque on "hallowed ground"

Via my friend, Peter Rothberg, Instructive photos of places the same distance from the World Trade Center as the “Ground Zero Mosque.”

And a song.

I just LOVE the Daily Show.

But I do wish they would stop using the word, "retarded". Seriously.

ht DaveRunner

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Deductible Me
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Loudoun County's CSB Seeks Board Members

From my inbox:

The Loudoun County Community Services Board (CSB) is seeking applicants to serve as representatives from the Dulles, Potomac, Sterling and Sugarland Run Districts.

The Loudoun County CSB is appointed by and accountable to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to set policy for, and to administer the provision of, community-based services for people experiencing mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. That responsibility includes oversight of the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services.

CSB members are drawn from the greater Loudoun community, and may represent a variety of backgrounds and interests, personal, professional or civic, that may give them insight into the issues that concern the CSB. The CSB is particularly interested in seeking members who have experience in the area of children's services and communications, and who have multi-lingual skills. Each new appointee would be eligible to serve up to three, three-year terms.

By law, one third of the members of a Community Services Board must be self-identified as active consumers of a mental health, substance abuse, or developmental service (though not necessarily one provided directly by the CSB) or be the family member of someone actively receiving a service. No member of a CSB may be anyone who is employed by a CSB or by any agency that receives funding from a CSB.

CSB members are responsible for attending monthly CSB meetings, and each CSB member is expected to serve on one or more committees and to attend the meetings monthly of the groups on which they serve.

The Community Services Board will interview prospective members and will recommend qualified applicants to the Board of Supervisors for terms beginning January 1, 2011. The Board of Supervisors will make the final determination of who is appointed.

Interested applicants should visit the Community Services Board page of the county website at www.loudoun.gov/csb and click on the link under “Members” for an application and a summary of CSB roles and responsibilities.

The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, August 20, 2010.

I sit on the Board of the CSB, and have found it to be an interesting, challenging, fulfilling experience.

Crossposted at Loudoun Progress

Farmers Market Round Up

It was a fun time, but short. The Ashburn Farmers market is open from 8 to noon Saturdays. Produce, eggs, meat, DELICIOUS cupcakes (also available at a kiosk in Dulles Town Center), beautiful breads and pies.

I saw a woman who was toting a Chico bag, and complimented her on it.

Had several great conversations - with vendors, with shoppers, and with Catherine.

There wasn't much of a crowd there, so from a leafleting POV, Leesburg's market is a better bet, but the people were great.

On my way to hand out lit with Catherine Barnett

At the Ashburn Farmers Market!! It's on the corner of Farmwell and Ashburn Village, behind the Fuddrucker's.

Come by and say hi!

Today, I'm just happy. Very happy.

Yesterday, Judge Walker Vaughn overturned Prop 8 in California. Yesterday, my Twitter feed exploded with joy, laughter, and relief.

Today, I'm sending out love to all my gay and lesbian friends and family members, and hope - such a big hope - that this verdict will be upheld by the 9th circuit and by the Supremes. And thus overturn my own state's Jim Crow amendment.

I can't wait to live in a country where any two consenting adults can marry each other.

PROP 8 RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!

WOOT!

Analysis at Prop 8 Trial Tracker

72 doors and the Skechers were not up to it. (one from the vault)

They're cute as all get out, but they're not ready for prime time campaigning. Three blisters. Not Cool, Skechers. Not cool. I finished the doors, but my feet were Officially Pissed Off. And my hourly door rate went into the cellar. 24 doors/hour? What am I? An amateur?

I've got my trusty Liz Claiborne sandals on today (can't find a link). I think I've got 80+ doors to do this evening.


Originally posted August 4, 2009 on my other blog.

Wardrobe

One side-effect of being a canvasser is you get t-shirts. Lots and lots of t-shirts.

I've got t-shirts from my husband's two campaigns (I like this one better than the one in my banner)


I've got a Poisson one, a Herring one, an Obama (no Warner or Feder, but I have their buttons). Let's see, I've got an LCDC one, and an FCDC one. Political t-shirts? I've got 'em. I've got buttons too. I chose to stick with buttons for Barnett, 'cause I'm not a big fan of wearing orange.


I wore three different political t-shirts the weekend I spent with my sister. None of them for candidates that people in Vermont could have voted for. No, I lie. I wore my Obama tee up there. Got a few compliments.

I've also got t-shirts for donating blood, for walking in the Relay for Life, for working at Murder Ink, for graduating from GMU, and for sending my son to the kindergarten he went to.

But my favorite t-shirt is this plain red one with the silky neck band.