For the last eleven years, Beloit College has been publishing a “Mindset List” that takes a look at the “cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college.” This year, number one rings totally true for my son:
Interesting convergence this week. Both my mom and the singer Daughtry talk about the importance of one vote.
CNN teams up with singer Daughtry in support of its “League of First Time Voters.
The Democratic Party Platform has this to say about women’s health:
“The Democratic Party strongly supports access to affordable family planning services and comprehensive age-appropriate sex education which empowers people to make informed choices and live healthy lives. We also recognize that such health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions.”
While I understand that Republicans are (almost evenly) divided on the issue of abortion, can’t we all agree that it is best when individuals take responsibility for their own health care and have the tools they need to make the best decisions for their families?
Just a woman and her family and her doctor. Don’t invite the congressman into the equation.
President Bush’s administration has proposed some new rules that would redefine birth control as abortion and strip states of federal HHS funding if they don’t get on board. This administration wants to go out swinging, and this rule takes a sledgehammer to women rights and states rights.
Of course, Reno’s own discontent Myrna explains it perfectly.
And then there are Senator McCain’s votes against birth control and sex education. Here’s a funny, but chilling, look at what a future under McCain might hold.
If you missed out on Reno AIGA’s showing of Helvetica at the museum, here’s a quick font film fix for you!
One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes the most interesting political moments are those caught on tape but edited out of the sound bite. There are a lot of different versions of McCain’s response to the question about the fairness of insurance companies covering Viagra but not birth control (McCain voted against requiring companies to cover contraception by the way) on YouTube. But I think the ones that include more of the back and forth are the most telling.
What’s interesting is that, as Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank points out, this all started at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor: Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard chief who is now the Republican National Committee’s “Victory Chairman,” was discussing consumer-driven health insurance at a breakfast with reporters when she proposed “a real, live example which I’ve been hearing a lot about from women: There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won’t cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice.” For effect, the woman frequently mentioned as a possible McCain running mate repeated: “Those women would like a choice.”
Apparently Fiorina didn’t realize that Senator McCain had voted against requiring insurance companies to cover birth control. At least twice!
And for the record, yes … we’d like a choice!
A survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has some interesting findings:
Doesn’t always feel that way in my line of work … but it’s nice to know the spirituality is free-flowing.
One of my favorite turns in the wheel of the year! Spring equinox! In Reno, we know the lilacs are still a month or two away from blooming, but we’re getting tantalizing previews of the weather to come (just don’t plant anything yet!). And let’s not forget that great Sierra Spring skiing - corn! Check out these spring options!
The Washoe GOP County Convention is over. I chaired the Credentials Committee, and given the record turn out we’re seeing everywhere this year, that caused a few sleepless nights, I can tell you.
Good news is that I had a great crew of dedicated and hardworking volunteers and we were able to get everyone registered and in the door by 10:30 a.m. Prelim credentials report at 11:30 - final report before lunch. Over 1,200 people at the Peppermill in all.
The more libertarian-minded Republicans in the room tried hard to get a platform that was a little more “hands off” in terms of government dictates, the platform ended up being adopted pretty much as written.
Even though 52% of Republicans in Nevada describe themselves as “pro-choice,” the County Party’s platform completely ignores the wide range of views party members have on this issue. What was it Ronald Reagan used to say about “the big tent?”
