Let’s Make a Deal

Step right up folks! You too can play God!

Couple Let's you Vote on whether they get an abortion

(I have attempted to go to the website birthornot.com but have not been able to access it. I have found this story on numerous news sites; I don’t believe it is a hoax)

The value of a human life has now become so cheapened that people are actually letting others decide on their reproduction plans. I can’t tell you (although I’m sure you can surmise) how much even the thought of this sickens me.

The couple above (in case you don’t want to read the article) have become pregnant, and unfortunately miscarried three times. They have chosen to become pregnant a fourth time. Instead of allowing the pregnancy to be a private matter, full of the anticipation, and possibly sadness of the outcome; they have chosen instead to allow outsiders to determine the fate of their child.

The child in this case is not referred to as a fetus or embryo; it is “an unborn baby boy”. They have posted ultrasounds, videos and health updates on their website. At this writing the pregnancy is in its 17th week; the baby has begun forming pads on fingertips and toes; this is the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Cartilage is beginning to harden into bone, the baby is about 5 ounces and 5 inches long. He can hear the heartbeat of his mother. His urinary tract, brain, muscles nervous and circulatory systems are functioning.

According to the Guttmacher Institute http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf, 38 states prohibit abortions, generally except when necessary to protect the woman’s life or health, after a specified point in pregnancy, most often fetal viability. Fetal Viability varies, but is usually accepted at 24 weeks.

So although this couple is calling their boy a baby, he is not a viable pregnancy in terms of medical definitions. Does that make it acceptable for them to leave his life – or death – at the hands of strangers based on the click of a mouse? Have we become such slaves to the reality show mentality that the life of another is only based on a lottery of votes?

Many people say a child is not a child until they are born. Anything inside the mother’s uterus is her choice to end or continue. Without attempting to judge (which many of you will say I am), how can something that is growing, breathing, moving and consuming energy not be alive? We as a “human” race spend so much time trying to save whales and trees and owls and other endangered species, yet look so derisively upon a collection of cells that will, through the miracle of pregnancy, become a human being.

So let’s consider the possible outcomes of this scenario (provided someone with legal prowess doesn’t derail the freedom of choice of this couple).

Outcome 1: The Arnolds decide to abort the baby (aka ‘terminate the pregnancy’).

Abortion is legal in many states (probably theirs). Many states don’t outline that the mother’s health or the health of the baby must be factors for abortion. Abortion is their choice.  My question here is why did they get pregnant in the first place? If abortion were legally considered murder, are the voters that chose abortion co-conspirators? Should they be held to the same legal standards as criminals who conspire or take part in the murder of another human?
Outcome 2: The Arnolds have a miscarriage.

They will have a public ready and willing to support them in their time of sadness. The publicity and endorsement of all kinds of products could be at their doorstep.

Outcome 3: The Arnolds carry the baby full-term and deliver a healthy baby boy.

This is not necessarily the happiest of outcomes. Given our penchant for publicity and making a buck at others expense, imagine this boy in school just a few years later. Some know-it-all kid or parent will spout off the true details of his birth. It’s on the internet. He or any number of other people could look it up at will for the rest of forever. (Don’t think it will happen? Ask me how many times in my childhood I was told that because I was adopted my parents didn’t want me; that I was dumped or given away. That’s not the truth, but it hurt nonetheless as a child.)

Abortion is not a crime (unfortunately in my opinion). Publically declaring your pregnancy is not a crime. Becoming a reality-show wanna-be is not a crime. But allowing others to determine your child’s future should be.

Banning Bacon

Imagine if you will a world with no bacon. For some people the mere thought of no bacon for breakfast sends them into a quasi-withdrawal state complete with shakes and delirium. For others, who have never had pig products, the thought is not so horrifying.

A (not complete) list of things made from pig:

• Bacon

• Ham
• Pork Roast
• Ribs
• Pork Chops
• Sausage
• Hot Dogs
• Heart valves
• Insulin
• Skin (for burn victims)
• Cellophane
• Floor waxes
• Insulation
• Matches
• Glue
• Plastic
• Antifreeze
• Pistons
• Rubber
• Wiper Fluid
• Buttons
• Fabric Dye
• Fertilizer
• Insecticide
• Weed Killers
• Artist brushes
• Chalk
• Crayons
• Dartboards
• Joysticks (game controller)
• Pool Balls
• Pig Ears/Hooves (dog chew toys)
• Lipstick
• Jello
• Suede

What about these “pig” items:

• Toy Farm Sets

• Jones Bacon Flavored Soda

• Piggy Banks

• Footballs

Famous Pigs in History:

• Miss Piggy

• “Babe” (pig Movie)

• Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur)

• Piglet

• Olivia

• Napoleon (Animal Farm)

• Three Little Pigs

And the lists go on and on. So let’s consider for a moment this article from the Daily UK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1329897/Early-Learning-Centre-toy-pig-banned-farm-set-avoid-offending-Muslims.html

Basically, a few people, presumably from the religion of Islam, complained about the pig in the farm set. The store decided to remove all the pigs from any sets they sold so as not to offend “Muslims and Jews”.

So the lesson to be learned here is that pigs are bad – all pigs – for all people. The offense of a few is more important than the good as a whole.

I’m wondering when this lesson will transfer to other things such as fashion, housing, and other foods. For instance, I hate liver. And there are some religions that don’t believe that animal organs are acceptable to eat. So should all animal organs be considered banned? No chicken hearts or haggis or blood pudding?

What about books? Movies? Tattoos?

What about when someone finds cows or dogs offensive? Will I be required to get rid of my pet? Stop drinking milk? Give up my surf n turf? Destroy all service animals?

History would have to (once again) be revised to delete the “Pig War” and the “Bay of Pigs Invasion”.

When something is offensive to a group of people, whether for religious reasons or personal ‘taste’; is it necessary that the entire community (world, city, country) relinquish their rights and traditions for the beliefs of a few?

A few words of instruction: If you don’t want the pig, don’t buy the farm set. Or, toss the pig (and the oinker and trough) into the garbage. If you don’t believe in eating pork, then don’t go to the baseball game or the work BBQ. If pigs are unclean, then don’t live in a rural (farm) area. Shop in a halal or kosher store instead. Don’t read books or watch movies that might possibly include pigs.

But, while you’re avoiding all pig products, don’t get diabetes, have heart issues or get burned. Don’t drive cars, color with crayons, wear lipstick or watch re-runs of “The Muppet Show”. And for heaven’s sake, don’t use matches or buttons or wear shoes. Because you’ll be breaking your own ban.

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-2961_2971-72781--,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pigs

Totally Random Trivia about me:

• I will not drink by myself; not even a glass of wine if my husband isn’t home.

• I will not take more prescription meds than I am decades old (I am 47, so I will only allow myself 4 prescriptions)

• I won’t call people before 8 AM or after 10 PM; even if they tell me it’s okay.

• I can’t sleep with socks on.

• I don’t like to change my clothes more than once a day.

• I can’t watch or listen to performers with strange facial or vocal inflections.

• I can’t drive with my coat on.

• I get irritated by “spam” postings (please post this or email this if you support this)

• I am equally gullible and skeptical about many things.

• I grocery shop one aisle at a time even though I have a list.

• I will not buy a CD unless there are at least two songs on the album that I know and like.

• I don’t like to watch a movie of a book I’ve read because I’m always disappointed in one or the other.

• I don’t like to start a project I can’t finish. But I rarely, in reality, ever am able to finish anything anymore.

• I hate gardening with gloves on.

• I think flossing is over-rated.

• I believe animals understand human language, not just tone and mannerisms.

• I think conspiracy theorists may not be as crazy as we think they are.

• Animals should never have human names.

• I’m not good at remembering where people live when I’m driving there, unless I’ve driven there several times.

• I have absolutely no concept of street layouts and get lost unless I drive by map or landmarks.

• I’m horrible at remembering birthdays. I’m even worse at choosing, buying, addressing and mailing cards to those with birthdays.

• I have always wanted to be a drummer

• I don’t want to live past 70 years of age.

• I believe there is one true love for every person on this earth; but I believe that some people can have more than one true love. I also believe that some people never find their one true love.

• Bagpipe music makes me weepy, happy and want to dance at the same time.

• I am a frustrated writer.

• I have a list of celebrities I would love to have dinner with but would never walk up to them at a table and ask for their autograph or express my appreciation of them.

• I am as equally shy and retiring as I am opinionated and sociable; but it’s hard to tell what will come out when.

• I can eat an entire box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese by myself.

• I hate liver, but love liverwurst and pate’.

• I love salami and blue cheese sandwiches (sourdough bread and mayonnaise)

• I don’t buy movies that make me cry or watch movies about horses.