Saturday, June 30, 2007
Savings
I heard on the radio that last year, Americans spent more money than they saved. This is rather depressing news. On a personal note, I am glad to say that I am starting to save more money myself. I am starting to save for retirement. I have not yet figured out how much I need, but since I am almost 40, I figured that I had better get on the ball. Speaking of savings and money, I keep hearing about this new iphone that Apple is coming out with and that it costs around six hundred dollars. I wonder what kind of person would pay SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for that? An insane person! I refuse to pay that kind of money for that. Hell, I hate spending money , period. I wear t-shirts, sweats, and shoes until they are full of holes and with threads hanging off of them. Not because I want to wear them and not because I cannot afford new clothes. I can. I just hate spending money!I hate shopping . And I hate paying redicoulus sums of money especially on something like an iphone that is probably going to be out of date in about six months anyway.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Life goes on..
I have quit posting on the Abortion boards. Totally quit. Seems that some of the other ProChoicers and I had a disagreement. I won't go into great detail except to say that it was on the subject of the Iraq war, of all things. They said that they thought that Iraq was better off under Hussein's reign. I disagreed. I was very polite in my responses, but then I got called an idiot a few times. I just decided that at that point, I needed to leave the board. I thought that I stated my opinions fairly well and I stand by them. If they don't like it, then oh well. I am not going to change my opinion because they do not like mine. Because we agree on the subject of abortion, does not mean that we have to agree on everything else. But like I said before, Oh well. Life goes on. I have plenty of other boards I post on. Mostly they are financial boards, and I have made plenty of friends there. I think I will just post on those boards. I had the baby Zorn that I had to baby sit for the past 5 nights, and though I love him dearly, I am glad that my folks got home safely and that he is back with them! That boy is 63 pounds and he is HUGE!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Memo from the cave
I found this at snopes.com. It is HILARIOUS!:A memo from Osama bin Laden to his cavemates decries the theft of a box of Cheez-Its.
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2001]
From: Bin Laden, Osama [mailto:osama@taliban.com]
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 8:17 AM
To: Cavemates
Subject: The Cave
Hi guys. We've all been putting in long hours but we've really come together as a group and I love that. Big thanks to Omar for putting up the poster that says "There is no I in team" as well as the one that says "Hang In There, Baby." That cat is hilarious. However, while we are fighting a jihad, we can't forget to take care of the cave. And frankly I have a few concerns.
First of all, while it's good to be concerned about cruise missiles, we should be even more concerned about the scorpions in our cave. Hey, you don't want to be stung and neither do I, so we need to sweep the cave daily. I've posted a sign-up sheet near the main cave opening.
Second, it's not often I make a video address but when I do, I'm trying to scare the most powerful country on earth, okay? That means that while we're taping, please do not ride your razor scooter in the background. Just while we're taping. Thanks.
Third point, and this is a touchy one. As you know, by edict, we're not supposed to shave our beards. But I need everyone to just think hygiene, especially after mealtime. We're all in this together.
Fourth: food. I bought a box of Cheez-Its recently, clearly wrote "Osama" on the front, and put it on the top shelf. Today, my Cheez-Its were gone. Consideration. That's all I'm saying.
Finally, we've heard that there may be American soldiers in disguise trying to infiltrate our ranks. I want to set up patrols to look for them. First patrol will be Omar, Muhammed, Abdul, Akbar, and Richard.
Love you lots.
Osama
Origins: We
know of no one who is taking the "memo" at face value, but it is a fine example of the use of humor to defuse anxiety about a menacing foe by transforming him into a figure of fun, so we feel honor-bound to include it in our round-up of "Attack on America" rumors. It's difficult to continue to fear a dread enemy when we picture him waxing poetic about the "Hang in there, baby!" poster or meaningfully pointing out to his terrorist cronies, "There is no 'I' in 'team.'" Likewise, the thought of bearded al-Qaeda members whizzing through the background of bin Laden's televised interviews on their razor scooters charms us, just as imagining The Contractor fretting over a missing box of Cheez-Its makes him over into someone we feel we can handle. Trivialisation is a powerful tool to employ during times of conflict, so it's small wonder bin Laden is the butt of it.
We've the nationally syndicated news-satire National Public Radio show Rewind to thank for this humorous offering. John Moe, one of the writers for the show, is the author of the piece, which was performed on-air on 12 October. Mr. Moe is also responsible for "Taliban Pizza," another lampoon of the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, which aired on Rewind on 5 October:
[Phone rings]
Man with middle eastern accent: Hello. Taliban Pizza.
Customer: Uh, yeah. Hi. I ordered a large mushroom and green pepper, like, two hours ago.
Middle eastern accent: Yes, we are proud to say we made the pizza. We will honor and defend the pizza.
Customer: Yeah, that's great. Um, where is it?
Middle eastern accent: To find you, our driver went down the big road, the one that goes by the Rec Center. He took that down about a mile and a half, past the market, until he got to the Circle K.
Customer: Okay, so he went past the Rec Center?
Middle eastern accent: No, he went nowhere near the Rec Center! Why are you talking about a Rec Center?
Customer: I thought you said he went by the Rec Center.
Middle eastern accent: No; you said that. I didn't say that. We're not even sure there is a Rec Center.
Customer: Okay; fine. Let's start over — I just want the pizza.
Middle eastern accent: It is our policy that you did not order any pizza.
Customer: What? Yes, I did!
Middle eastern accent: We demand proof. You can't intimidate us with your pizza talk.
Customer: Oh, man! Come on! What do I got to do to get my pizza? I'm hungry!
Middle eastern accent: Please hold.
Customer: Now I'm on hold. Man! I can't believe this! Should have ordered from Pakistan.
Middle eastern accent: This is not Taliban Pizza. You have the wrong number. [Falsetto voice] This is Judy's Beauty Shop. In Pasedena. [return to middle eastern accent] Also, there is no such thing as pizza.
Customer: Come on, man! When am I going to get my pizza!
Middle eastern accent: We have placed the pizza in a neutral location.
Customer: Okay.
Middle eastern accent: Go down the dirt path by the Rec Center. Turn left at the goat and look for the new condos. Someone who is certainly not named Omar may be there and give you the pizza, but he may not be. Please bring Jesse Jackson with you. There are no condos there. You never ordered mushrooms so there will be plenty of mushrooms. We do not recognize mushrooms... [fade out]
_________________
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2001]
From: Bin Laden, Osama [mailto:osama@taliban.com]
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 8:17 AM
To: Cavemates
Subject: The Cave
Hi guys. We've all been putting in long hours but we've really come together as a group and I love that. Big thanks to Omar for putting up the poster that says "There is no I in team" as well as the one that says "Hang In There, Baby." That cat is hilarious. However, while we are fighting a jihad, we can't forget to take care of the cave. And frankly I have a few concerns.
First of all, while it's good to be concerned about cruise missiles, we should be even more concerned about the scorpions in our cave. Hey, you don't want to be stung and neither do I, so we need to sweep the cave daily. I've posted a sign-up sheet near the main cave opening.
Second, it's not often I make a video address but when I do, I'm trying to scare the most powerful country on earth, okay? That means that while we're taping, please do not ride your razor scooter in the background. Just while we're taping. Thanks.
Third point, and this is a touchy one. As you know, by edict, we're not supposed to shave our beards. But I need everyone to just think hygiene, especially after mealtime. We're all in this together.
Fourth: food. I bought a box of Cheez-Its recently, clearly wrote "Osama" on the front, and put it on the top shelf. Today, my Cheez-Its were gone. Consideration. That's all I'm saying.
Finally, we've heard that there may be American soldiers in disguise trying to infiltrate our ranks. I want to set up patrols to look for them. First patrol will be Omar, Muhammed, Abdul, Akbar, and Richard.
Love you lots.
Osama
Origins: We
know of no one who is taking the "memo" at face value, but it is a fine example of the use of humor to defuse anxiety about a menacing foe by transforming him into a figure of fun, so we feel honor-bound to include it in our round-up of "Attack on America" rumors. It's difficult to continue to fear a dread enemy when we picture him waxing poetic about the "Hang in there, baby!" poster or meaningfully pointing out to his terrorist cronies, "There is no 'I' in 'team.'" Likewise, the thought of bearded al-Qaeda members whizzing through the background of bin Laden's televised interviews on their razor scooters charms us, just as imagining The Contractor fretting over a missing box of Cheez-Its makes him over into someone we feel we can handle. Trivialisation is a powerful tool to employ during times of conflict, so it's small wonder bin Laden is the butt of it.
We've the nationally syndicated news-satire National Public Radio show Rewind to thank for this humorous offering. John Moe, one of the writers for the show, is the author of the piece, which was performed on-air on 12 October. Mr. Moe is also responsible for "Taliban Pizza," another lampoon of the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, which aired on Rewind on 5 October:
[Phone rings]
Man with middle eastern accent: Hello. Taliban Pizza.
Customer: Uh, yeah. Hi. I ordered a large mushroom and green pepper, like, two hours ago.
Middle eastern accent: Yes, we are proud to say we made the pizza. We will honor and defend the pizza.
Customer: Yeah, that's great. Um, where is it?
Middle eastern accent: To find you, our driver went down the big road, the one that goes by the Rec Center. He took that down about a mile and a half, past the market, until he got to the Circle K.
Customer: Okay, so he went past the Rec Center?
Middle eastern accent: No, he went nowhere near the Rec Center! Why are you talking about a Rec Center?
Customer: I thought you said he went by the Rec Center.
Middle eastern accent: No; you said that. I didn't say that. We're not even sure there is a Rec Center.
Customer: Okay; fine. Let's start over — I just want the pizza.
Middle eastern accent: It is our policy that you did not order any pizza.
Customer: What? Yes, I did!
Middle eastern accent: We demand proof. You can't intimidate us with your pizza talk.
Customer: Oh, man! Come on! What do I got to do to get my pizza? I'm hungry!
Middle eastern accent: Please hold.
Customer: Now I'm on hold. Man! I can't believe this! Should have ordered from Pakistan.
Middle eastern accent: This is not Taliban Pizza. You have the wrong number. [Falsetto voice] This is Judy's Beauty Shop. In Pasedena. [return to middle eastern accent] Also, there is no such thing as pizza.
Customer: Come on, man! When am I going to get my pizza!
Middle eastern accent: We have placed the pizza in a neutral location.
Customer: Okay.
Middle eastern accent: Go down the dirt path by the Rec Center. Turn left at the goat and look for the new condos. Someone who is certainly not named Omar may be there and give you the pizza, but he may not be. Please bring Jesse Jackson with you. There are no condos there. You never ordered mushrooms so there will be plenty of mushrooms. We do not recognize mushrooms... [fade out]
_________________
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Diabetes news from Yahoo!
Skipping insulin for weight risky By JIM ELLIS, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 18, 10:00 PM ET
Like many teenage girls, Lee Ann Thill was obsessed with her appearance. A diabetic, she was already suffering from bulimia — forcing herself to throw up to lose weight. But it wasn't enough, and she'd recently put on 20 pounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Then one day at a camp for diabetic teens, she heard counselors chew out two girls for practicing "diabulimia" — not taking their insulin so they could lose weight, one of the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.
Don't you realize you could die if you skip your insulin? the counselor scolded. Don't you know you could fall into a coma or damage your kidneys or your eyes?
But that's not what registered with Thill, who has Type 1, or juvenile diabetes. Instead, she focused on this: Skipping insulin equals weight loss. For the next 17 years, diabulimia was her compulsion.
"I took just enough insulin to function," said Thill, now 34, of Magnolia, N.J.
Today, she worries about the long-term damage that may have come from her weight obsession. At 25, a blood vessel hemorrhage in her eye required surgery. At 28, doctors told her she had damaged kidneys.
"I'm fearful for the future," Thill said. "I feel very strongly that had I taken care of myself, I could have lived as long as anyone without diabetes. I don't think that's going to happen now."
Diabulimia is usually practiced by teenage girls and young women, and it may be growing more common as the secret is exchanged on Internet bulletin boards for diabetics and those with eating disorders. One expert who has studied the phenomenon estimates that 450,000 Type 1 diabetic women in the United States — one-third of the total — have skipped or shortchanged their insulin to lose weight and are risking a coma and an early death.
"People who do this behavior wind up with severe diabetic complications much earlier," said Ann Goebel-Fabbri, a clinical psychologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
The American Diabetes Association has long known about insulin omission as a tactic to lose weight. But "diabulimia" is a term that has only cropped up in recent years and is not a recognized medical condition, said Barbara Anderson, a pediatrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the body's own immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with this disease produce little or no insulin, so they take shots of the hormone daily.
It differs from Type 2, the form associated with obesity and which accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes.
Insulin is vital for delivering glucose from the bloodstream to the body's cells. Without insulin, cells starve even while the bloodstream becomes burdened with too much glucose.
When Type 1 diabetics skip or reduce their insulin, they risk falling into a coma or even dying. Blindness, amputations and kidney failure are some of the long-term complications that can develop.
Warning signs for diabulimia include a change in eating habits — typically someone who eats more but still loses weight — low energy and high blood-sugar levels, Goebel-Fabbri said. Frequent urination is another signal. When sugars are high, the kidneys work overtime to filter the excess glucose from the blood.
This purging of sugar from the body through the kidneys is similar to someone with bulimia, who binges and then purges, or vomits, Anderson said.
Studies show that women with Type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder. Ironically, good diabetes management, which requires a preoccupation with food, counting carbohydrates and following a diet, may lead some to form an unhealthy association with food, Goebel-Fabbri said.
Jacq Allan, 26, of London, is a diabulimic. When recently interviewed, she said she had not taken her insulin shots for two weeks and rarely takes them regularly. She weighs 42 pounds less than she did a year ago.
Allan is stuck between two fears: taking insulin, which may lead to weight gain, and the damage her destructive compulsion is doing to her body.
"I'm terrified of insulin," Allan said. "Every morning I wake up and think maybe I should go to the hospital."
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes nearly three years ago, Allan said she can feel the constant, sky-high sugar in her blood. Her list of ailments — chest pain, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, bacterial infections and lower back pain — are not the usual health problems of a twenty-something.
"I'm constantly worried that my eyes are going to go, but they seem relatively OK for the moment," she said. "I always wonder if this will be the day that some major organ fails. I kind of want something to happen because then maybe I'll stop."
Gwen Malnassy, 21, of Santa Monica, Calif., detailed her struggle with diabulimia for three years in a diary she posted on the Internet.
"If you don't think it will happen to you, don't fool yourself," writes Malnassy, diagnosed with diabetes at 9, in her final entry 11 months ago. "I believed the same."
Doctors diagnosed Malnassy with both anorexia and bulimia at 13, she said.
"I would look at magazines and think that if I looked like the models, I would have more friends and be more popular," Malnassy said in a recent interview.
She began withholding insulin at 17 after learning of the practice during a doctor's visit and continued withholding insulin off and on until last year.
Malnassy continues in her online diary: "I will say it again. Reach out; get help. Do not fall; do not let the disorder consume you. It's a miserable way to exist."
___
On the Net:
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/12/1956
Mon Jun 18, 10:00 PM ET
Like many teenage girls, Lee Ann Thill was obsessed with her appearance. A diabetic, she was already suffering from bulimia — forcing herself to throw up to lose weight. But it wasn't enough, and she'd recently put on 20 pounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Then one day at a camp for diabetic teens, she heard counselors chew out two girls for practicing "diabulimia" — not taking their insulin so they could lose weight, one of the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.
Don't you realize you could die if you skip your insulin? the counselor scolded. Don't you know you could fall into a coma or damage your kidneys or your eyes?
But that's not what registered with Thill, who has Type 1, or juvenile diabetes. Instead, she focused on this: Skipping insulin equals weight loss. For the next 17 years, diabulimia was her compulsion.
"I took just enough insulin to function," said Thill, now 34, of Magnolia, N.J.
Today, she worries about the long-term damage that may have come from her weight obsession. At 25, a blood vessel hemorrhage in her eye required surgery. At 28, doctors told her she had damaged kidneys.
"I'm fearful for the future," Thill said. "I feel very strongly that had I taken care of myself, I could have lived as long as anyone without diabetes. I don't think that's going to happen now."
Diabulimia is usually practiced by teenage girls and young women, and it may be growing more common as the secret is exchanged on Internet bulletin boards for diabetics and those with eating disorders. One expert who has studied the phenomenon estimates that 450,000 Type 1 diabetic women in the United States — one-third of the total — have skipped or shortchanged their insulin to lose weight and are risking a coma and an early death.
"People who do this behavior wind up with severe diabetic complications much earlier," said Ann Goebel-Fabbri, a clinical psychologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
The American Diabetes Association has long known about insulin omission as a tactic to lose weight. But "diabulimia" is a term that has only cropped up in recent years and is not a recognized medical condition, said Barbara Anderson, a pediatrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the body's own immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with this disease produce little or no insulin, so they take shots of the hormone daily.
It differs from Type 2, the form associated with obesity and which accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes.
Insulin is vital for delivering glucose from the bloodstream to the body's cells. Without insulin, cells starve even while the bloodstream becomes burdened with too much glucose.
When Type 1 diabetics skip or reduce their insulin, they risk falling into a coma or even dying. Blindness, amputations and kidney failure are some of the long-term complications that can develop.
Warning signs for diabulimia include a change in eating habits — typically someone who eats more but still loses weight — low energy and high blood-sugar levels, Goebel-Fabbri said. Frequent urination is another signal. When sugars are high, the kidneys work overtime to filter the excess glucose from the blood.
This purging of sugar from the body through the kidneys is similar to someone with bulimia, who binges and then purges, or vomits, Anderson said.
Studies show that women with Type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder. Ironically, good diabetes management, which requires a preoccupation with food, counting carbohydrates and following a diet, may lead some to form an unhealthy association with food, Goebel-Fabbri said.
Jacq Allan, 26, of London, is a diabulimic. When recently interviewed, she said she had not taken her insulin shots for two weeks and rarely takes them regularly. She weighs 42 pounds less than she did a year ago.
Allan is stuck between two fears: taking insulin, which may lead to weight gain, and the damage her destructive compulsion is doing to her body.
"I'm terrified of insulin," Allan said. "Every morning I wake up and think maybe I should go to the hospital."
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes nearly three years ago, Allan said she can feel the constant, sky-high sugar in her blood. Her list of ailments — chest pain, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, bacterial infections and lower back pain — are not the usual health problems of a twenty-something.
"I'm constantly worried that my eyes are going to go, but they seem relatively OK for the moment," she said. "I always wonder if this will be the day that some major organ fails. I kind of want something to happen because then maybe I'll stop."
Gwen Malnassy, 21, of Santa Monica, Calif., detailed her struggle with diabulimia for three years in a diary she posted on the Internet.
"If you don't think it will happen to you, don't fool yourself," writes Malnassy, diagnosed with diabetes at 9, in her final entry 11 months ago. "I believed the same."
Doctors diagnosed Malnassy with both anorexia and bulimia at 13, she said.
"I would look at magazines and think that if I looked like the models, I would have more friends and be more popular," Malnassy said in a recent interview.
She began withholding insulin at 17 after learning of the practice during a doctor's visit and continued withholding insulin off and on until last year.
Malnassy continues in her online diary: "I will say it again. Reach out; get help. Do not fall; do not let the disorder consume you. It's a miserable way to exist."
___
On the Net:
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/12/1956
Sunday, June 17, 2007
I love Planned Parenthood
Abortion bill could force changes at Planned Parenthood
DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press Writer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — When lawmakers passed new regulations for some abortion providers last month, Planned Parenthood claimed the "onerous requirements" would force it to halt abortions in Kansas City and Columbia.
But that may not be the case.
Rather than quitting its Missouri abortion business, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri now is studying how it could comply with the new requirements. A preliminary review shows it would cost substantially more than $1 million to make the necessary changes at each of its abortion clinics, Chief Executive Officer Peter Brownlie told The Associated Press.
In contrast to his May 18 assertion that the legislation "will shut down abortion services," Brownlie now says "our intent is to continue offering that service, if we can."
At issue is a measure that would require any facility that performs more than five first-trimester abortions a month, or any second- or third-trimester abortions, to meet the state licensure requirements for an "ambulatory surgical center."
Republican Gov. Matt Blunt supported the bill and is expected to sign it into law, meaning the new requirements would take effect Aug. 28.
The state already requires abortion facilities to be licensed, setting forth specific standards for their staff, operations and buildings. But because of the definition of an abortion facility — requiring abortions to generate half its revenues or patients — a St. Louis Planned Parenthood clinic is the only facility in Missouri actually regulated as an abortion clinic.
The Department of Health and Senior Services said the new language about ambulatory surgical centers would cause three additional abortion facilities to fall under its licensure. The department declined to identify those facilities.
But Planned Parenthood confirms its offices in Columbia and Kansas City both would be affected.
Brownlie estimates the Columbia facility performs 600-700 abortions a year. The Kansas City office performs about 100 abortions induced only by medication; the area's surgical abortions are performed a few miles west at a Planned Parenthood facility in Overland Park, Kan.
To comply with the specifications for an ambulatory surgical center, the Columbia and Kansas City clinics likely would have to be remodeled, Brownlie said. For example, state regulations require halls to be at least 8 feet wide leading to operating and recovery rooms and at least 5 feet wide elsewhere. Doors to exits, operating rooms and recovery rooms must be at least 44 inches wide while other doors must be at least 32 inches wide.
Ambulatory surgical centers also must meet requirements for emergency equipment, infection control, medical staffing and numerous other things.
"There's no question that it imposes considerable expense and considerable difficulty in maintaining access to that service," Brownlie said.
Following the ambulatory surgical standards at the Kansas City office is particularly "ludicrous," Brownlie said.
"There is no surgery there," he said. "It's literally a matter of doing an exam and giving pills" that later induce an abortion.
While Brownlie contends abortion is generally safer for women than live birth, abortion opponents point to cases of complications with both surgical and pill-induced abortions.
Bill sponsor Rep. Therese Sander, R-Moberly, said a lot of first-trimester abortions use a "dilation and curettage" procedure similar to what's performed in hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers after miscarriages or for other women's health treatments.
"Because they're doing the same kinds of procedures, they should have to operate under the same kinds of safety standards, inspection standards, staffing standards (and) keeping adequate medical-record standards," Sander said.
She added: "We're simply taking steps that are necessary to protect the safety of the women undergoing these procedures."
Health department records show almost half of Missourians already travel out of state for abortions.
In 2005, Missouri residents had 7,340 abortions performed in-state. But the department estimates the total number of abortions performed on Missourians at 13,955, when counting those who traveled to Kansas, Illinois and a few other states. Figures for 2006 aren't expected to be available until July.
Planned Parenthood said it is still weighing whether to challenge the legislation in court, comply with the ambulatory surgical center standards or simply stop offering abortion services at its Columbia and Kansas City clinics.
Halting the service could force more women to drive out of state for abortions, or perhaps cause some to reconsider whether to actually get an abortion.
Planned Parenthood asserts the result of the bill is to make it more difficult to perform abortions in Missouri. The bill's backers might not mind that, though they insist the intent is simply to ensure safety.
———
EDITOR'S NOTE: Capitol Correspondent David A. Lieb covers Missouri government and politics for The Associated Press.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press Writer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — When lawmakers passed new regulations for some abortion providers last month, Planned Parenthood claimed the "onerous requirements" would force it to halt abortions in Kansas City and Columbia.
But that may not be the case.
Rather than quitting its Missouri abortion business, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri now is studying how it could comply with the new requirements. A preliminary review shows it would cost substantially more than $1 million to make the necessary changes at each of its abortion clinics, Chief Executive Officer Peter Brownlie told The Associated Press.
In contrast to his May 18 assertion that the legislation "will shut down abortion services," Brownlie now says "our intent is to continue offering that service, if we can."
At issue is a measure that would require any facility that performs more than five first-trimester abortions a month, or any second- or third-trimester abortions, to meet the state licensure requirements for an "ambulatory surgical center."
Republican Gov. Matt Blunt supported the bill and is expected to sign it into law, meaning the new requirements would take effect Aug. 28.
The state already requires abortion facilities to be licensed, setting forth specific standards for their staff, operations and buildings. But because of the definition of an abortion facility — requiring abortions to generate half its revenues or patients — a St. Louis Planned Parenthood clinic is the only facility in Missouri actually regulated as an abortion clinic.
The Department of Health and Senior Services said the new language about ambulatory surgical centers would cause three additional abortion facilities to fall under its licensure. The department declined to identify those facilities.
But Planned Parenthood confirms its offices in Columbia and Kansas City both would be affected.
Brownlie estimates the Columbia facility performs 600-700 abortions a year. The Kansas City office performs about 100 abortions induced only by medication; the area's surgical abortions are performed a few miles west at a Planned Parenthood facility in Overland Park, Kan.
To comply with the specifications for an ambulatory surgical center, the Columbia and Kansas City clinics likely would have to be remodeled, Brownlie said. For example, state regulations require halls to be at least 8 feet wide leading to operating and recovery rooms and at least 5 feet wide elsewhere. Doors to exits, operating rooms and recovery rooms must be at least 44 inches wide while other doors must be at least 32 inches wide.
Ambulatory surgical centers also must meet requirements for emergency equipment, infection control, medical staffing and numerous other things.
"There's no question that it imposes considerable expense and considerable difficulty in maintaining access to that service," Brownlie said.
Following the ambulatory surgical standards at the Kansas City office is particularly "ludicrous," Brownlie said.
"There is no surgery there," he said. "It's literally a matter of doing an exam and giving pills" that later induce an abortion.
While Brownlie contends abortion is generally safer for women than live birth, abortion opponents point to cases of complications with both surgical and pill-induced abortions.
Bill sponsor Rep. Therese Sander, R-Moberly, said a lot of first-trimester abortions use a "dilation and curettage" procedure similar to what's performed in hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers after miscarriages or for other women's health treatments.
"Because they're doing the same kinds of procedures, they should have to operate under the same kinds of safety standards, inspection standards, staffing standards (and) keeping adequate medical-record standards," Sander said.
She added: "We're simply taking steps that are necessary to protect the safety of the women undergoing these procedures."
Health department records show almost half of Missourians already travel out of state for abortions.
In 2005, Missouri residents had 7,340 abortions performed in-state. But the department estimates the total number of abortions performed on Missourians at 13,955, when counting those who traveled to Kansas, Illinois and a few other states. Figures for 2006 aren't expected to be available until July.
Planned Parenthood said it is still weighing whether to challenge the legislation in court, comply with the ambulatory surgical center standards or simply stop offering abortion services at its Columbia and Kansas City clinics.
Halting the service could force more women to drive out of state for abortions, or perhaps cause some to reconsider whether to actually get an abortion.
Planned Parenthood asserts the result of the bill is to make it more difficult to perform abortions in Missouri. The bill's backers might not mind that, though they insist the intent is simply to ensure safety.
———
EDITOR'S NOTE: Capitol Correspondent David A. Lieb covers Missouri government and politics for The Associated Press.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Epiphany
This afternoon, while I was sitting at my workdesk, I had an epiphany. I was deep in thought about the documentary that I saw last night called 'Maxed out.". A very thought provoking, yet slanted film. One of the ideas that the film tried to push was that Credit Card companies are evil. While I do not agree with this, I will agree with the film in that SOME credit companies are what are known to be predatory lenders, but the credit card companies are a business. They, like Casinos, are in the business to make money.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Update
I have become addicted to watching the Discovery Channel. They are having some great true crime shows on right now, about The Whitechapel murders, aka Jack The Ripper, New York's Son of Sam killings, The BTK case in Wichita, Kansas, and one interesting story of a man, by the name of Mc Millan who is falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. That show about McMillan was by The Innocence Project. He eventually goes free after about 22 years in prison. All very interesting cases. I love true crime tv.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Paying bills.
This week, I put in 56 hours of work. The overtime is nice, but I need to work 65 hours, so I can get my bills paid off even faster. No time off until I have everything paid. Well, I have this coming Sunday off. Was supposed to have today off, but I had to work for someone who had to attend a funeral. That is the way life goes, I guess. Being in a family business, sometimes those things just happen. Not much I can do. I have no men in my life right now. I just work work work, and I get the 'gazelle like intensity ' that Dave Ramsey says, and I make extra payments when I can. My house is all paid off. The ONLY things that I owe money on are my Toyota , and just a wee bit of credit card debt. The Toyota nd the 2 credit cards total about 1,200.00 left to pay off and then I will be completely debt free. Then I start saving my money like a madwoman for retirement!In the past I have invested in Roth IRAs and I look forward to putting more money in there and more money in a regular savings account for emergencies.Yes, I know, I know, I have no life outside of work and home, but , I believe, that when it is all said and done , at the end of the day, I will be debt free!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Why oh why do idiots breed?
Mother of emaciated girls sentenced to 44 months
The Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita woman whose two stepdaughters were discovered last year in what was described as an advanced state of starvation has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
A judge Friday sentenced Jennifer Wood to three years, eight months in prison. Wood's abuse of the two girls, ages 6 and 7, was so severe that they could have died if there had not been intervention, District Judge Douglas Roth said.
On May 2, Wood pleaded guilty to two counts of felony child abuse and one count of aggravated battery. Falk and Roth noted that the guilty plea spared the two children from having to appear in court.
Wood, now 28, could be released from prison in about 27 months. Roth said she would receive credit for the 11 months she has been held in the Sedgwick County Jail, and she could receive credit for good behavior in prison.
The girls were removed in July 2006 from the south Wichita home where they lived with Wood and her husband, Alex Wood, and Jennifer Wood's two biological children, who were 4 and 8 years old.
Alex Wood, who has pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse, faces sentencing Thursday.
A social worker called police after finding the emaciated girls. Temperatures at the time topped 100 degrees, but a doctor who examined the girls said it appeared they hadn't had anything to drink in three days and had not eaten in six days.
Police said the home was well-stocked with food. Jennifer Wood's two biological children were adequately fed but were also removed from the home.
Alex Wood traveled frequently for business, and his two daughters told police they ate only when he was at home.
School officials said they had reported concerns about the girls to social workers starting 10 months before the father and stepmother were arrested.
The case prompted an investigation that led to reforms in the way state workers look into reports of child abuse, and several people in the Wichita child-protection office were disciplined for their handling of the case.
———
The Associated Press
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita woman whose two stepdaughters were discovered last year in what was described as an advanced state of starvation has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
A judge Friday sentenced Jennifer Wood to three years, eight months in prison. Wood's abuse of the two girls, ages 6 and 7, was so severe that they could have died if there had not been intervention, District Judge Douglas Roth said.
On May 2, Wood pleaded guilty to two counts of felony child abuse and one count of aggravated battery. Falk and Roth noted that the guilty plea spared the two children from having to appear in court.
Wood, now 28, could be released from prison in about 27 months. Roth said she would receive credit for the 11 months she has been held in the Sedgwick County Jail, and she could receive credit for good behavior in prison.
The girls were removed in July 2006 from the south Wichita home where they lived with Wood and her husband, Alex Wood, and Jennifer Wood's two biological children, who were 4 and 8 years old.
Alex Wood, who has pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse, faces sentencing Thursday.
A social worker called police after finding the emaciated girls. Temperatures at the time topped 100 degrees, but a doctor who examined the girls said it appeared they hadn't had anything to drink in three days and had not eaten in six days.
Police said the home was well-stocked with food. Jennifer Wood's two biological children were adequately fed but were also removed from the home.
Alex Wood traveled frequently for business, and his two daughters told police they ate only when he was at home.
School officials said they had reported concerns about the girls to social workers starting 10 months before the father and stepmother were arrested.
The case prompted an investigation that led to reforms in the way state workers look into reports of child abuse, and several people in the Wichita child-protection office were disciplined for their handling of the case.
———
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Tattoos and piercings
I have seen some disturbing things on the net as of late. People that have their entire bodies tattooed and pierced. Why do people do this? It looks incredibly painful to me! I have no tattoos and the only piercings I have are my ears. I have see some people get their eyes, nose, lips, belly buttons and even their genitalia pierced. Why? It does not make any sense to me. And I do not thinkl that tattoos all over the body are attractive at all. Even the tattoos all over the arms do not look attractive to me. I can understand getting a tattoo as long as you can keep it covered, but all over? Nope. Not for me. I understand that others may like it, but it just is not my cup of tea. I have not nor will I ever surgically alter my body unless I need it. I feel the same way about facelifts and breast implants. I don't need them and I wont get them. My decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
