Today's problems aren't stand-alones

"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all."

Ban Ki-Moon

I agree with most of this. The one part I don't agree with is the part about advancing economic growth. I don't believe that we NEED more economic growth. I think that we need to be more socially responsible within the current economy.

The ultra rich don't need all money they are currently hoarding. It can be put to much better use by making sure everyone has a safe place to live, nutritious food on the table, all necessary health care, and a healthy work/life balance.

The mega-banks and multi-million corporations don't need more profit, they need more focus on their employees job satisfaction and personal growth. They need more innovation, more independent thinking, and less of a focus on walking in lockstep just because "we've always done it that way".

Governments need less posturing and more cooperation. They need smaller militaries and bigger focus on the environment.

None of this needs MORE money. It all just needs the money that exists to be put to better purposes.

The world as a whole needs more community and less selfishness.

The Abortion Debate from My Perspective

It's been a while, hasn't it?  Life has gotten rather busy.  But there comes a time when a person can't stay silent any longer.

I made this post on my Facebook page, and it seems to be getting fairly popular, so I'm re-posting it here to make it easier for people to access.  This is how I feel.  If you have different opinions, go you!  That's what we're about in the United States, having different thoughts and ideas then working together to resolve them.

Note, however, that comments ARE moderated by me, so if you present an alternative viewpoint in a respectful manner and take the time to listen to others, that's cool.  If you are abusive, trollish, or otherwise cannot seem to manage an honest, civil, and adult conversation, your comments will never see the light of day.

Thank you.

My thoughts on the current chaos.

First, be aware that, like many women, I am barely holding onto the rage and fury inside me. Now is not the time for jokes or attempting to lighten the mood. That reaction, whether well-meaning or not, will lead to someone being caught in the flames that are unleashed.

It is time for this ridiculousness to end. Power needs to be wrested away from those who are abusing it. The irony is, of course, that they abuse it out of fear. They fear losing control, and as such they end up taking the actions that lead to those they oppress doing what the powerful fear the most. It leads to their power being stripped from them.

Before that can happen, we need to take the discussions back. Tonight I address the discussion of abortion, women's rights, and the debate about when abortion is 'acceptable'.

All of this is irrelevant to the issue. It is illegal to force an American citizen to give up their life or any part of their body, even if it is to save another life. These laws are even in effect after death. If someone chooses not to donate an organ, the government cannot force them to do so even to save a life. If someone chooses not to donate any organs upon their death, the government cannot legally force the donation.

The government cannot legally violate bodily autonomy, no matter if it is to save a life or not. That is what the real point is, and the whole ‘when does personhood begin’ argument is a willful redirection of the argument that is being unwittingly aided by the Pro-Choice movement.

Anti-Choice supporters are shifting the argument to where THEY want it to take place. Their argument is a smoke screen. It is not the true point. Quite frankly, it doesn’t matter if the mass of cells in the womb is viable or not, alive or not, or at any particular stage of development at all. The point of the matter is that every woman has bodily autonomy, and cannot be charged with murder when withdrawing consent for their body to be used by another.

This is my response to anyone attempting to make it about what is inside the woman getting an abortion. It is irrelevant. The only salient point is that EVERYONE has the right of bodily autonomy. Legally no one can be forced to give up their body or ANY part of it (including their womb) to another either permanently or temporarily. End of story.

Take the discussion back. Don't let them frame the narrative that way. Take. It. Back.