Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Finally Blogging Again... Please Follow Me

2010-09-04T13:13:00.001-04:00

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde now has a permanent, new home at Wordpress.

Click below to follow me!

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Thanks,

Lindsey

Another Amazing Comment on Turners Syndrome

2009-06-08T20:33:00.003-04:00

Sometimes A Comment Can Make You Stop and Think « Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

The above link leads to an amazing discussion on Turners Syndrome and sex. Quite frankly, I had forgotten just how amazing that conversation was. Today I received another eye-opening comment on our conversation.

The comment is as follows:

I'm actually surprised to read this. I feel like a Turner's Syndrome woman coming out the woodwork, having never spent much time thinking about or feeling affected by it since I stopped taking growth hormone until 10 years later when I married and decided to let myself hope I could have a baby. And was unsuccessful for 3 years, and was just getting ready to start working towards adoption.

But just today a friend of mine said she was sure she'd read that Turner's Syndrome have a high case of mental retardation. I had never heard that before from my doctors or from anyone. And TS being an "intersex" condition is also a new one for me. Both sound completely preposterous.

The same friends who thought there was a high rate of retardation have inspired me to start a blog talking about my own experiences. I recently got pregnant without IVF and I am calling this my miracle baby. They encouraged me to share my story, which also baffled doctors growing up (I was labeled non-mosaic, yet I started having all the usual sexual development at 17.)
So, I'm inspired and just set up a blog at turnersbaby.blogspot.com
While I hesitated a long time to share and talk to other women with TS because I always felt like I didn't belong (having less symptoms than most women - I think), I think it's time to share my case and learn from other woman as well, since I've actually never met or spoken to another woman with TS in my life.

A couple of observations: First and foremost, this is exactly why I write about and discuss Turners Syndrome. For so many years I was incredibly ashamed to have it. I felt like a freak, as though no one, no matter how understanding (including my own Mom), could understand what I was going through growing up. Then my parents made the best decision possible. They provided me with the opportunity to go to a camp out in Colorado for girls with Turners Syndrome. For the first time in my life, I felt as though I could honestly discuss some of the issues I was facing. It was simply amazing to finally realize that I was not the only one. Nothing could have been better at ages 14 and 15.

While other girls where thinking about dating, kissing, sex, etc., I was wondering if I would ever be able to have children, and trying to figure out where I fit into the scheme of things. It was very lonely. I had always wanted to eventually be a Mom (I still do), and I had to come to term with my physical limitations.

Second, this comment gives me a lot of hope. I am not such an optimist as to think that I will one day too have my miracle baby, but it is a possibility. This comment just adds to a growing feeling I have that I need to know more about my actual diagnosis and Turners Syndrome in general. For quite some time now I've had this growing suspicion that Turners Syndrome has been used as a blanket term for several related genetic disorders affecting the X chromosome. For example, there are several types of cancer. There indeed may be several different types of Turners Syndrome as yet to be identified. They don't even know if there is a chance as to whether or not it can be inherited or not. There are so many questions out there, and I wish I knew how to go about getting answers.

Much more on this later.

Lindsey

Does It Get Any Better Than Google?

2009-01-25T23:50:00.002-05:00

FOXNews.com - Google's Rumored GDrive May 'Kill' the PC

Personally, I can't wait! I do most things online anyway. I seriously can't wait until this comes out (if it is true). It is amazing how far technology has come, even in the last five years.

Amazing.

Lindsey

Sometimes A Comment Can Make You Stop and Think

2009-01-22T21:51:00.006-05:00

Turner Syndrome and Sex - Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

The above link actually goes to a "shadow" blog I use on Wordpress. Essentially, I import all of my posts from blogger into my Wordpress account. There are several reasons for this. 1. I can reach more people. 2. I have a back up version of my blog if something ever happened to Blogger. 3. I wanted to learn how to use Wordpress.

Well, from time to time, I get an e-mail saying that I have a comment on the Wordpress version of my blog. Sometimes it is spam, sometimes it is a nice note. This time, it was a revelation.

Here is the comment I received from Actorgirl:

"As someone who also only recently found out that some people are calling TS an 'intersex' condition, I'm with you. Not only puzzled, but really kind of offended. I am female, as is every other woman I know with TS. It's bad enough having my doctor (who I really do love, but she occasionally blew me away when I first starting seeing her) say, "You know, you've really changed my mind about TS." She had also been under the impression that women with TS were mentally retarded. This bothers me even more than that-- almost as much as the 'professor' in the graduate level Child Development class who called girls/women with TS 'creatures.' ::SIGH::

You are SO right about the questioning whether you are a 'real' woman, and it does NOT make it any easier to be told that you really aren't even FEMALE. Particularly for those of us who are mosaic or who are not 45X but who have one partially missing or partially repeated X chromosome... as you stated, no confusion about genitalia, no confusion about chromosomal gender. But a LOT of possible gender identification issues when you're told you're NOT what you ARE. I really honestly don't think TS meets the definition of an intersex condition, and we are all most assuredly females!"

This is what I wrote in response:

"Actorgirl, thank you so very much for commenting. I couldn't agree with you more. It seems to me that the most likely people to treat us (Turners women) as anything other than the women that we are are in fact doctors. It seems as though all too often doctors can’t get past the diagnosis to see that a human being is there right in front of their eyes.

How on Earth anyone could characterize Turners women as retarded is beyond me. Quite frankly, I don’t know any Turners women who haven’t at least earned a bachelors degree. I say that because it means that despite the fact that some may have learning disabilities, they are more than capable of managing the educational system.

Lindsey"

(You can read the original post here.)

As you can see, I have some definite views on the subject of intersex conditions and how Turners Syndrome is perceived by many people. What angers me is that there are so many people who want to label it a disability. A disability? What has it prevented me from doing in my life, besides reaching things on high shelves and having children the old fashioned way?

1. There are a lot of short people out there who don't have Turners Syndrome. Are we going to consider everyone who is short disabled?

2. The same thing goes for men and women who are dealing with infertility. There are many, many people who are unable to have children naturally.

I realize that there are a whole host of issues that can arise with Turners Syndrome, but most of the women and girls affected do not have serious physical disabilities (if any). With regards to mental disabilities, aside from very specific learning disabilities related to math and spatial reasoning (which are not always present), the rate of mental disability is comparable to the rest of the population.

Why then do we try to put artificial limitations and labels on individuals because we perceive them as different? I know that it is a human trait, but it has serious consequences. It just goes to show you that a simple comment can make a person angry all over again. I just wish that there was something constructive that I could do about it (aside from correcting misinformation when I see it).

Lindsey

File This Under "Why Didn't I Think of That?"

2009-01-15T17:13:00.002-05:00

Reading is believing. Some obsessed Beatles fan (and I promise that it was not me) ranked 185 songs in the Beatles catalog (most, if not all, of their work as the Beatles). He even took the time to write about each individual song! Of course, everyone has an opinion. I happen to agree with picks for song #185 and song #1. Check it out!

Playing The Beatles Backwards: The Ultimate Countdown | JamsBio Magazine

Contrary to Popular Belief; No, I Never Flashed Bob Schneider!

2009-01-14T00:06:00.002-05:00

It is funny how you forget certain things, even regarding very important times in your life. After talking to my pal Cheryl last night (Cheryl is one of my best buds from Austin, Texas), she brought up a cruel joke that we played on our friend Andy (excuse me, Andrew).

Back in 2002, Cheryl, Andrew, and I attended the First Annual Austin City Limits Festival. A wonderful hot summer weekend under the Texas sun listening to great music with great friends. At one point, Cheryl lost her cell phone. As the three of us split up looking for it, somehow Andrew and Cheryl were convinced that they saw me near the stage, if not on it. Cheryl and I were then alone for a minute, and we decided that we were going to play a little trick on Andrew.

You see, Bob Schneider, a famous Austin musician who not only has a solo career, but fronts several great bands, was on stage. I had only recently become acquainted with Bob and his bands thanks to my roommate Karen. Bob's set at ACL Fest was one of the acts that I did not want to miss.

It was conceivable that Andrew and Cheryl thought that I had worked my way up to the stage. Cheryl's idea was this (and yes Cheryl, it was YOUR idea): Hey, let's tell Andy that you flashed Bob Schneider. So, we did. I have never in my life flashed anyone (except maybe my boyfriend Brian). Up until 2006 when Cheryl broke the news to Andrew, he was convinced that he had corrupted me all those years ago.

The sad thing is that I forgot all about this, and I am not even 30 yet! What am I going to remember about my days in Austin when I am 80? I am just glad that Cheryl reminded me, and that we were able to pull one over on a very smart guy for so long. I will never ever forget how much fun I had in those few short months of hanging out with Cheryl and Andrew. And yes, I still listen to Bob Schneider's solo work from time to time.

Lindsey

Technorati Profile!

2009-01-13T14:45:00.001-05:00

Technorati Profile

Issues with Technorati

2009-01-13T14:41:00.001-05:00

I am hoping that I have finally resolved any issues with Technorati. Cross your fingers please!

Lindsey

Is This Some Kind of Cruel Joke?

2009-01-06T20:43:00.000-05:00

The fact that Jennifer Granholm would be mentioned for any kind of federal position would be cause for concern, but Commerce secretary? Wow. She would be asked to do on a national level what she has failed to do in Michigan: create new opportunities for business as well as labor. She has been asleep at the wheel for years, and she'll be rewarded? I know that she had a very hard job in front of her, but can anyone please tell me what she has actually done for Michigan, other than cause us to bleed jobs at an unprecedented rate? I bet there are many more Michiganders in Arizona, Texas, and California now than at any other time in our state's history. There are no opportunities here for people under the age of 50 (unless you want to go into health care).

I apologize if I seem angry, but I am. The economic depression of this state has profoundly affected me personally. I hold Granholm at least partly responsible. She certainly hasn't stepped up to the plate. I have no idea how she was even reelected governor, much less became known at the national level.

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm mentioned for Commerce secretary

A New Website!

2009-01-01T22:40:00.002-05:00

Regular readers know that when I come across great websites, I love to share them. Thanks to Brian, I came across a great music site this evening. Check it out here.

I am planning on writing an in depth, personal post regarding the current economic state of Michigan, but it will have to wait until tomorrow or Saturday. I have too many raw feelings on the subject and I need to collect my thoughts. In the days, weeks, and months to come, I plan on launching a new website for myself. Stay tuned.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful 2009!

Lindsey

Taking Social Networking to the Next Level

2008-12-31T23:15:00.002-05:00

I spent some time this evening finally filling out my LinkedIn profile. If you are currently in touch with me on Facebook, please link to me on LinkedIn. I have yet to find a way to look up all of my Facebook friends on LinkedIn.

I hope to have all of my social networking information in one place very soon.

Happy New Year 2009!

Lindsey

Facebook Profile
LinkedIn Profile

Still Celebrating... and Waiting

2008-12-30T22:46:00.002-05:00

Why does it seem as though this Christmas season won't end? It just seems to drag out. I know that it hasn't been perfect, and that I am frustrated that nothing appears to be on the horizon. Yet, I am trying to make the most of things and move on. I only hope that I will be able to stay on at Best Buy.

I'm not in a very "talkative" mood. Much more later.

Lindsey

This Is Where I Plan to Get Married, Eventually!

2008-12-29T14:18:00.002-05:00

This church is just a couple of blocks from where I am currently living. Brian and his family have been members since his ancestors came from Poland in the late 19th century. It is just beautiful.

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Twin spires, ornate detail lend magnificence to St. Stanislaus

Lindsey

It Is Time to Move On ... Literally and Figuratively

2008-12-29T12:04:00.005-05:00

I realize that it has been months since I've last posted. After Obama won the Presidency in November, there didn't seem to be much to say. I hope that he does well, if nothing else, for the sake of the country. It appears that no one is truly in charge anymore, or that anyone has the answers to both the financial crisis, and the deep political divide that still haunts this country. This country desperately needs responsible leadership, and I don't believe that Obama is the right person to provide it. I sincerely hope that I am wrong. That said, it will be amazing to watch history be made once again. At 28, I've already watched so much history be made. I wonder what things will be like when I am 90!

On a personal note, I've been working for Best Buy during the holiday season. I really enjoy it, and I hope that it continues, although that is out of my hands. I'm still very much trying to get my career going. If it is in the works for me to pursue a career at Best Buy, I would certainly welcome it. I enjoyed working there that much. More than anything else, it was the people that I worked with that made (make) it great.

I wish that I could say that 2008 was a great year, but quite simply, it wasn't. Economically, things have only gotten worse in Michigan, especially the tri-city area. Once again, I've been extremely close to getting my career going only to have things slip through my hands. I can't gain more experience if no one is willing or able to provide me with the opportunity to work. I'm certainly hoping that 2009 will provide me with a fresh start career wise.

Lindsey

Teenage Sex and Marriage in America

2008-09-17T23:39:00.003-04:00

Just like everything else surrounding Sarah Palin, the announcement that her 17 year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant caused quite the stir. Obviously, it would be controversial no matter whom the 17 year-old, but this is different. Sarah Palin’s parenting skills are being called into question, and many have suggested that Bristol’s parents are forcing her to marry the baby’s father. I sit back in awe and disgust. Hopefully this whole scenario will highlight our deep hypocrisy when it comes to teenagers, sex, and marriage.

There are a few things that I know that no one seems to want to acknowledge:

1. Contraception is never fool-proof. The talking heads can suggest that more sex education is needed all they want, but the larger point is ignored. No matter how much you teach teenagers about contraception, there isn’t a form out there, short of abstinence, that is 100% effective. Condemns break, the pill can easily be rendered ineffective (much to the horror of some young couples I know), so on, so forth. I don’t agree with abstinence only education, but I also wish that more attention was paid to actual facts of contraception and sex in general.

2. Our society is hyper-sexualized. This would be OK if it was only focused on adults, but younger and younger children are being exposed to sexual themes. As a result, teenagers need more accurate information earlier and earlier in order to make truly informed decisions regarding sexuality. There has long been lots of peer pressure to have sex in high school, if not earlier.

3. You can’t fight nature. Let’s face it: our bodies are designed for reproduction from puberty on. As puberty comes earlier and earlier in life, younger and younger kids are asked to fight their hormones. A lot of self-restraint and information are needed to ensure that kids going through puberty understand what is going on and the true consequences of their actions.

4. Some people actually do fall in love at age 17. I have a wonderful example of this in my extended family. I have a great aunt who married at age 17 (he was 17 too). She never went to college, but she and her husband raised three children who all went on to receive Ivy League educations. My great uncle went on to have a successful career with Coca-Cola, my great aunt went on to serve her community in innumerable and invaluable ways, and all of their children went on to become very successful. Quite frankly, my great aunt was the very last person in the world I would suspect not have a college education. Obviously, their story has the best possible ending. That isn’t the point. The facts that Bristol is pregnant at 17, decided to marry the baby’s father, and chose life over an abortion does not mean that she ruined her life. It just means that she will have more challenges than most.

5. Forcing a 17 year-old girl to do anything, much less marry, is a challenge to say the least. I’m only 27, and I remember vividly what I was like at 17. I thought that I knew everything. I couldn’t wait to go to college and leave home. I fought with my Dad. There was no way that my parents were going to force me to do anything. It is from this understanding that I conclude that Bristol Palin probably really wants to get married. She probably truly does love the baby’s father. It doesn’t mean that it will work out in the end.

6. No one’s life is perfect. Everyone has challenges, and this is probably one of the Palin family’s.

7. No child is a punishment. All life should be cherished. I commend Bristol for making these tough adult decisions.

I could go on and on, but I think that you get my point. Our society certainly has a double standard when it comes to sex and teenagers, especially when it comes to women.

Lindsey

Book Reviews

2008-09-17T22:15:00.003-04:00

Since I began utilizing Library Thing back in July, I have written several book reviews and have snagged several advanced reading copies of books that have yet to be published (or have just recently been published). I'm debating whether or not to start another blog dedicated to book reviews. Until then, I will post them here. Below is a link to my reviews thus far:

My Library Thing Reviews

Lindsey

Sarah Palin and the Book Burning Snit

2008-09-17T21:30:00.003-04:00

There has been so much said about Sarah Palin these last few weeks, but there are some "scandals" that have really gotten under my skin. First and foremost, it was discovered that Sarah Palin asked about whether or not books could legally be banned. All she did was ASK (as Alaska governor, it was her JOB to know whether or not it was legally possible). Note: During Sarah Palin's entire career, she has not once tried to ban any books. This is an important distinction.

In light of this non-controversy, I soon learned that the reported "list" of books that Sarah Palin "tried" to ban actually has been cirulating online for years. It is a list of all of the books that have been banned (or people have tried to ban) across the United States. In fact, several of the books on the list weren't even published at the time that Sarah Palin sent the e-mail.

Included on the list were several books books that caught my attention. In fact, several works by Roald Dahl were mentioned. Many of his books were read aloud by my teachers during my elementary school days, and I consider them among my favorite children's books. When you add books by Mark Twain and Harper Lee, a significant part of my early education would have been banned by certain people.

If there was one thing that would cause me to lose respect for Sarah Palin, this would be it. Quite simply, there is no evidence that she ever tried to ban books. However, as a bibliophile, my right to read what I want is sacred. I will not tolerate people trying to ban books. Recently, this issue was broached on LibraryThing. I wanted to respond badly, but was unsure of how to do so. Those who believe such things about Sarah Palin can't be reasoned with at all; they will deny everything even in the face of hard evidence. It is truly disgusting.

Lindsey Russell

My Library Thing

A Few Notes from My Desk

2008-09-17T21:18:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to thank readers who still haven't given up on my blogging efforts. There are a few things that I need to address.

1. This blog is once again political. I know that I said earlier this summer that I was going to refrain from discussing politics. Quite simply, Sarah Palin changed all of that for me. End of story.

2. You will see changes soon. I'm not going to outline them yet, but there is a lot in the works.

I just wanted to clear that all up!

Lindsey

Sweetness & Light

2008-09-17T21:01:00.001-04:00

Another great political blog. Brian brought it to my attention. He really does have a good eye.

Sweetness & Light

Lindsey

Bazaar Season in Mid-Michigan Begins!

2008-09-17T20:35:00.003-04:00

The other day the Bay City Times published its annual bazaar guide. I'm not sure how it is in other parts of the country, but bazaars are a tradition in Mid-Michigan. Fall bazaars in Mid-Michigan include homemade baked goods, handcrafted goods, and lots more. When I come across the online version of the guide, I'll post it here. Most are held in churches, community centers, and even schools. Due to the fact that most bazaars are held between October and December, it is also a great place to find unique Christmas gifts. Bazaaring is kind of like garage-saling; it is a great way for women to get together and have some fun on the weekends.

Lindsey

Ms. Meghan McCain!

2008-09-17T19:38:00.003-04:00

McCain Blogette

This blog is great. Even though it is written and maintained by John McCain's daughter Meghan (with the help of her brothers and sisters), it really isn't all that political. It does document her time on the campaign trail and the promotion of her children's book about her dad. It is a lot of fun. Check it out!

Lindsey

How to Field Dress a Donkey

2008-09-16T23:37:00.002-04:00

Priceless, simply priceless. Check it out here.

My Definitive Sarah Palin Post

2008-09-16T22:12:00.004-04:00

This particular piece has been in the works for nearly two weeks, but like the rest of the country, the selection of Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, as John McCain's running mate blew me away. It is fair to say that people on both the right and left were shocked. While I was shocked, I was also ecstatic. For the first time in my life, there may be someone a heartbeat away from the Presidency with whom I can identify. There has never been a truly viable national female conservative candidate in the United States (Lizzy Dole never had a chance). Period. I now have a political role model for the first time in my life.

While I claim that Sarah Palin is a role model in my eyes, let me be clear. I don't agree with her on everything, but I never expected to either. Take abortion, for example. I am not nearly as staunchly right to life as Palin (I believe that ultimately a woman - in fact, all people - should have control over her own body). However, I could never make the decision to have an abortion. In almost all cases, I believe that adoption is the best answer to unwanted pregnancies. That said, I've never had much of a stomach for some of the antics of the right to life movement.

Then came Sarah Palin, who is very much pro-life. How can you look at her baby Trig and not see the unconditional love created by his life? It is real. There are many, many people all across the United States who can identify with making the decision that Sarah Palin made to have Trig, despite the challenges of Down Syndrome.

Before I go further, I need to clarify something. You see, technically I'm a "special needs" person myself due to the fact that I have Turners Syndrome. Fortunately for me, I grew up in an era where such terms as "special needs" weren't used, and to look at me, you wouldn't suspect that I have a genetic disorder (I'm just shorter than average).

All of that aside, I attended national Turners Syndrome conferences in 1999 and 2000. I attended to meet up with an old friend of mine, Brenna, who also happens to have Turners Syndrome. Quite simply, my experiences at the conferences changed the way I view pregnancy, motherhood, adoption, and myself. Unfortunately, much of the conferences involved a lot of parental hand-holding. Parents of girls with Turners Syndrome want more information about their daughters' condition. It is all well-meaning, but it also can lead to a certain over-protection of women and girls with Turners Syndrome. In some cases, I almost wonder if Turners Syndrome isn't worse for the parents than it for the women and girls who actually have it.

It was against this backdrop that I happened to meet a couple who were expecting a little girl with Turners Syndrome. That's right; Turners Syndrome, along with genetic abnormalities such as Down Syndrome, can now be diagnosed in the womb through amniocentesis. I can only imagine what the couple was going through.

Imagine that you are a pregnant woman whose unborn child was just diagnosed in the womb with a serious genetic condition such as Turners Syndrome. The doctor may provide you with the worst case scenario (serious heart and kidney abnormalities), little or no information, or worst of all, outdated information. You read, hear, and expect the absolute worst. You realize that your child will face physical and emotional challenges. She will most assuredly be short and infertile. Outdated information will say that women and girls with Turners Syndrome show signs of mental retardation (this has been disproven and literally all of the older Turner Syndrome women I've met have at least a bachelors degree). In essence, a lot of rational, well-meaning people would understand if you decided to have an abortion. It has most certainly happened and will continue to happen.

In fact, I have to give the couples that I met at the conferences a lot of credit. They took the time to put a human face with the condition. They got to meet women and girls with Turners Syndrome, many of whom lead surprisingly ordinary lives. They got to see the achievements, the challenges, the adoptions, the successful outcomes of in vitro fertilization, etc. I will never forget the speech that one expectant mom of a little girl with Turners Syndrome gave before the entire conference. She simply stood up and thanked everyone. She had been considering abortion, but decided to learn more. She was overwhelmed by the experience of actually meeting those with the same condition that inflicted her unborn daughter.

It is quite simple. Sarah Palin's candidacy has brought that all back for me. She has lived with and through the life altering decisions faced by moms with "special needs" kids, especially those whose children are diagnosed in the womb. In a broad sense, these were my first impressions of her - an authentic human being who shares many of my values and who has been tested by life in a variety of ways. She has stuck by her convictions.

Then, almost as soon as the announcement was made, the attacks began. I've never witnessed anything so destructive in my entire life. The rumors regarding Trig, Bristol, and Sarah were largely put to rest after the announcement was made that Bristol is pregnant (the most vicious of rumors would have been biologically impossible). Bristol's pregnancy is a whole other topic in and of itself (it is very telling of how we view sex in the United States), and I do want to discuss it in another post. However, rumor after rumor came spewing from a dinosaur mainstream media that would never treat a women on the left the same way. As a woman who grew up in a small town and who shares many of the same values as Sarah Palin, I have no choice but to assume that the mainstream media would treat me with the same disdain and disrespect (in fact, contempt). In fact, there are probably people on the left who probably think that my life isn't worth living. I happen to know for a fact that some conservative men don't even get why women like me would feel this way (again, another post). It is brutally ugly and says a lot about our society.

You can bet that you will hear a lot more from me as election day draws near.

Lindsey

Silence

2008-09-16T10:53:00.001-04:00

I've been quiet for the last few days or so. I've watched as my former home, Houston, was devastated by Ike. There has been a lot going on in my family too. My silence hasn't been due to lake of material!

There are several things that I want to discuss here, and I hope to get started tonight.

Lindsey

Conservative Reading List for 2008!

2008-09-05T14:06:00.002-04:00

I thought that I would share a reading list with you today. Actually, a friend of mine over at Rose City Reader wanted me to put it together. Not all of the books are partisan and many deal with education and the future. Enjoy!

Summer political reading (June - August 2008):

Liberal Fascism - Jonah Goldberg
The UNTIED States of America - Juan Enriquez
As The Future Catches You - Juan Enriquez
American Evita - Christopher Andersen
Indoctrination U - David Horowitz
End of Education - Neil Postman
Hell to Pay - Barbara Olson

Books I have yet to read:

America Alone : The End of the World as We Know It - Mark Steyn

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business - Neil Postman

Boom!: Voices of the Sixties - Tom Brokaw

Building a Bridge to the 18th Century: How the Past Can Improve Our Future - Neil Postman

Destructive Generation: Second Thoughts About the Sixties - Peter Collier, David Horowitz

The Disappearance of Childhood - Neil Postman

Fleeced: How Barack Obama, Media Mockery of Terrorist Threats, Liberals Who Want to Kill Talk Radio, the Do-Nothing Congress, Companies That Help Iran, and Washington Lobbyists for Foreign Governments are Scamming Us-- and What to Do About It - Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Illegal Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints - Margaret Haerens, Book Editor

Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals, and Other Foreign Menaces to Our Shores - Michelle Malkin

John McCain : An American Odyssey - Robert Timberg

Left Illusions: An Intellectual Odyssey - David Horowitz ; Edited, With an Introduction by Jamie Glazov

One Nation: Patriots and Pirates Portrayed by N. C. Wyeth and James Wyeth - Introduction by Lauren Raye Smith, Essays by Tom Brokaw and David Michaelis

The Politics of Bad Faith: The Radical Assault on America's Future - David Horowitz

Teaching as a Subversive Activity - Neil Postman, Charles Weingartner

Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology - Neil Postman

The Uncivil Wars: Ireland Today - Padraig O'Malley

Uncivil Wars: The Controversy Over Reparations for Slavery - David Horowitz

Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life - John McCain with Mark Salter

Unhinged Sexism

2008-09-02T10:00:00.005-04:00

I simply can not believe the blatantly sexist attacks thrown at Sarah Palin. As a women, I'm beginning to wonder if I've been sold a huge pack of lies. What angers me the most is the suggestion that Sarah Palin isn't a good mother simply because she is running for national office and she happens to have five children. She would not be facing this criticism if she was a father of five children.

What about her husband? He reportedly spends most of his time at home running his businesses. I wouldn't be surprised if his commercial fishing business is largely seasonal. Does this sound familiar? It should to those who know me and my family. My Dad was around much more than most during my childhood due to similar circumstances (he owns and operates a seasonal business).

In fact, during my first nine months of life, my Dad took me everywhere. My Mom decided to go back to teaching and my Dad was my caregiver during the day during the school year. There are stories of how he took me with him when he would take care of business for the canoe livery. One of my Grandfather's best friends talked about it for years. This man, who decidedly came from a very different generation, happened to own our small town newspaper and provided many printing services for my Dad's business. He couldn't get over a businessman caring for his infant daughter, taking her everywhere with him.

My point is this. Gender still does matter a great deal to Democrats when it comes to powerful Republican women. A commentator, a female at that, had the gull to suggest that conservative Republicans are the ones who have issue with a mother of five as the Vice Presidential candidate. Hello? Has this woman met many modern conservatives?

Due to family and societal circumstances, I happen to know roughly an equal amount of conservative Republicans, so-called progressive Democrats, and what I'll term "old school" Democrats (Roosevelt Democrats). Of all of the conservatives I know, there are maybe three out of several dozen that I'd term sexist. They are unlikely to support any female candidate for high national office. Actually, one of the three actually called me almost as it was announced that Palin was the choice. She was upset (yes, women can be some of the most ardent sexists), but as soon as I told her what I had heard about Palin, she was happy (although still disappointed that it wasn't Romney). In my experience, sexism is less prevalent in conservatives than in other camps.

On the other hand, some of the most hypocritical, sexist people I know term themselves progressive Democrats. Many like to term sexual equality in terms of brute sexuality. Women are now able to express themselves sexually. In those terms, many progressives think that that is all that is needed. Yet, they hold women to a double standard. If a woman sleeps around, she is a slut. Think of the portrayal of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears by supposedly PROGRESSIVE Hollywood. Women can have choice, but there is hell to pay if it is the wrong choice.

What about true opportunities, specifically job opportunities? What about what really matters? I, for one, am much more than just a sexual being. This is exactly why this garbage hurled at Palin just leaves me reeling.

I can't help but think of my Grandpa. According to the traditional progressive Democratic party line, he would seemingly be the most sexist person around. He was a lifelong conservative Republican businessman, a father of five daughters, and his wife was a stay-at-home mom. Why then did he win an award from a women's group for his work in supporting women in business? Why did all five of his daughters receive college educations and go on to successful careers, in spite of the fact that all of them are mothers too? Why did four out of five of his granddaughters (of college age) pursue business degrees? He never fit the mold and he never doubted the talents of smart, independent women. My Grandma is the one who made the decision to stay home to raise her five daughters. She may have regretted not pursuing a teaching career, but my Grandpa had nothing to do with her choice (those who know my Grandma know that she is nothing if not her own woman). He would be appalled at what the press is doing to Palin.

Hopefully it is clear just why I am so angry with the treatment of Palin thus far. She is certainly becoming a role model for me. I hope that she continues to inspire a whole generation of women, not just conservative women. She certainly represents a strain of American culture.

Lindsey

The First Day of School

2008-09-01T12:50:00.003-04:00

Due to a relatively new law in Michigan (schools must start after Labor Day), tomorrow will be the first day of school for most students in Michigan (K-12). Quite frankly, I would be kidding myself if I didn't admit that I truly miss school, whether k-12 or college. It was always something to look forward to after a summer of fun, sun, swimming, relatives, and work. Growing up, our household had two very distinct seasons, the school year and the canoeing/camping season.

Most families with children divide their year into the school year and summer; not our family. My parents' campground and canoe livery brought much more work and responsibility to summer. Don't get me wrong, I adored growing up around the canoe livery. It meant seeing my paternal grandparents everyday, time on the river, lots of people everywhere, and learning useful skills. It also meant that I could spend time with my Mom shopping for supplies in Saginaw. Inevitably, we would run to the mall too. I loved having an opportunity to spend time alone with my Mom alone. It was relatively rare.

As much fun as summer always was, it also meant eight to ten weeks of hard work for my parents. Both were always eager for Labor Day weekend. I always looked forward to going back to school. Of course, I would be nervous too, but there was always much more excitement within me. During the weeks before school would start, I would have crazy dreams of the first day of school. It started right before I started 4th grade (I was changing elementary schools that year) and occurred faithfully every year until I graduated from high school. There is a deep part of me that would love to become a teacher, but I'm just not sure if it is meant to be.

Best of luck to all the students and teachers who are going back to school tomorrow. My Mom and sister will be going back as elementary school teachers, and my little brother will be entering his senior year of high school.

Lindsey

More on Palin

2008-09-01T12:29:00.001-04:00

Palin: Bad Mother, Bad Woman | The Anchoress

I have so much to say on Palin being selected as running-mate. I'm still working out exactly what I will say. There are just that many layers to this. However, after reading this particular post by one of my favorite bloggers (even though I'm not Catholic), I needed to share it here. She addresses some of my anger at just how the Democrats have handled this so far.

As far as I'm concerned, ALL women, not just Democratic women, should have a right to speak their mind, to stand up for what they believe in (even if it goes against the Democratic party platform), and to pursue career and personal happiness. She would be hailed as a hero if she were a Democrat. Instead, we see people questioning whether or not she is a good mother just due to the fact that she is now on the national stage.

My anger runs so very deep on this one, but at least now I have someone to admire in politics.

Lindsey

It's Alaska Governor Sarah Palin!

2008-08-29T11:29:00.002-04:00

I simply couldn't be happier with McCain's Vice Presidential choice. Just from what I've learned about her over the last few months, I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. She supports the right to bare arms, what she has done with the energy policy is admirable, and her stance on abortion is supported by her personal decisions, even if I don't wholly agree with her views.

While I support a woman's right to chose, I can sympathize with those who are adamantly opposed to abortion. Just from what I heard after the announcement, she is pro life. In fact, she has five children, one of whom has Down Syndrome.

There is much, much more I want to write about this, but I will do so after hearing her speak. The more I hear about her, the more I like.

Lindsey

"The Incubus Files"

2008-08-24T11:52:00.002-04:00

"The Incubus Files" was a improv Halloween performance put on during October 2002 in Austin, Texas. For whatever reason, I thought about it the other night. Quite simply, it was one of the most chilling theatrical experiences of my life. While it was supposed to be lighthearted Halloween fun, the fact that it dealt with real life horrors such as the murders supposedly committed by Lizzy Borden, as well as the impossibly dark visions of Aldolf Hitler, made it something else.

Before I go any further, you have to realize that Cheryl (my best friend while I lived in Austin) and I were always up for strange, unique theatrical or musical performances. While Andy was usually willing to go along, he thought that this just seemed a little too off-beat for him. Indeed, there are some very good reasons why "Keep Austin Weird" is a popular movement there (and the off-beat gives the city a lot of its appeal).

Well, "The Incubus Files" was held in an old warehouse in a relatively seemy part of Austin. Actually, the setting was perfect. The premise of the show was that certain items from horrific crimes in the 19th and 20th centuries hold a certain fascination with the public. The question remains whether the objects held power over the killers or whether the killers imposed their will on the objects. For example, the entire building was set up as a "museum" to showcase items such as Hitler's pillow and Lizzy Borden's ax (there were several others as well, but those were the most famous). In other words, it was a shrine to the macabre.

The warehouse and audience was divided into three or four different "rooms" or "scenes." Each room contained a different macabre item showcased in an elaborate set. Actors would then come and tell various tales surrounding the items and interact with the audience. The actual show depended on the audience, and if one were so inclined, he or she would have had a different experience each time they saw the show. In order to keep audiences and actors moving along, a chilling buzzer would sound. Audiences would then move on to the next horror.

Actually, the fact that the horrors touched upon in "The Incubus Files" were real, along with the creepy buzzer, was what truly terrified me. In fact, the buzzer reminded me of a strange experience I had in a hostel in the Costa del Sol, Spain (after my experiences studying abroad, the movie "Hostel" particularly disturbed me; it simply made me realize just how easily it could happen). In the end, Cheryl and I spent an evening getting downright scared.

True lovers of the macabre, Cheryl and I went on a "ghost tour" of Austin during the fall of 2004 (after I moved to Houston in 2004, I visited her one weekend in Austin, and she then came to visit me in Houston one weekend). It was pretty predictable and not very scary, but there are a few things that stand out from that night. First of all, the tour was tied up with an exhibit on the supernatural at the downtown arts center. The exhibit was actually much better than the "ghost tour." In fact, there was a tribute to those who died on September 11, 2001 that I will never forget. It was titled "September 12, 2001." It started out with a moving panel showing a busy, lively New York street scene with many, many people. Then, it changes and the panel then just shows shadows of the people who were in the original piece. The implication was that New York City had thousands of new ghosts on September 12, 2001. It was moving and chilling all at the same time.

In addition, there were personal testimonies of paranormal. One of the most chilling was an audio recording of someone telling of their experience of seeing a ghost van (as in a van similar to that used in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"). Supposedly "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was filmed in north Austin (north Austin is actually now a mecca for those wishing to make low-budget films). According to the audio recording, the ghost van was seen on what is now a relatively well-traveled north Austin road. At the time, there wasn't much development there at all (late 70s, early 80s). For whatever reason, the telling of this tale was incredibly terrifying. I happened to know the exact area he was talking about. That fact, along with my all too active imagination, sent chills down my spine.

It is true that you can find horror, terror, and ghosts in any city, but for whatever reason, Austin has more than its share (not to mention Texas itself). The history of Texas and Austin (as well as San Antonio) are passionate and filled with hope, despair, and reinvention. Every group that has claimed Texas as its own has left an indelible mark on its history and culture.

Lindsey

You Just Have to Read This to Believe It

2008-08-19T21:49:00.002-04:00

Michelle Malkin » Hollyweird tantrum of the day

UGH! The article mentioned here pretty much dredges up everything I hate about Hollywood. There used to be a couple of redeeming things about the "Roseanne" TV show (most of which still aren't appreciated by most people), but there are no redeeming qualities to Roseanne's personality.

Like someone said earlier, at least now there is a reason to support Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Denver should be fun to watch.

Lindsey

All About Austin

2008-08-14T13:28:00.005-04:00

For whatever reason, Austin has been on my mind a lot lately. I look back on my six months in Austin, Texas (from June to December 2002) as one of the best times of my life, but it is important for me to remember (especially right now) that it didn't start out that way.

As strange as it sounds, things didn't start going right for me in Austin until after my car accident on July 24, 2002. The car accident, which occurred on my way to work, wasn't my fault (a large moving truck made a left hand turn in front of me while I had a green light) . I easily could have been severely injured or even could have died; instead, I broke my big toe from slamming on the brakes so hard. I also had bad bruises from the seat belt and a cut behind my ear (the molding of my car somehow struck me there). If I had had a passenger, he or she probably would have been severely injured or dead (all I could think of was my little brother, whom I used to cart around a lot).

After the emergency room visit and the visit from my Mom (she flew out to Texas to help me get a lawyer and a new car), I was banged up, but OK. Then, and only then, did the University of Texas college students who were my roommates inform me that my sublease was only for two months. I had to find another place to live. Quick. It didn't help that I still didn't know many people or that I had a walking cast (doctors were worried about the metatarsal, the larger bone in my foot).

In the end, the weekend before I had to move, I found the perfect roommate. I utilized the internal classifieds at Applied Materials and met Karen. Karen literally graduated from high school the year I was born, 1980. She is a single mom (her son was three at the time) who was feeling lots of financial pressure at the time, despite her good job at Applied Materials. She happened to have an extra room and bathroom. We hit it off right away. She never seemed that much older than me, and it was as if I lived with a fun aunt for four months. Better yet, it was only eight minutes from work.

Around the time I moved, my personal life got much, much better. During my initial training, I befriended a woman who used to work at Motorola. As we got to know each other during that week, she became determined to set me up with a former coworker of hers. The problem was that he had taken an extended vacation in Peru, and after I got to know him, I realized just how busy he was.

Well, it was through Melissa that I met Andy. I still had a walking cast on our "blind date," but I will never forget it. We went to a place call Flipnotics in a trendy part of Austin. On the bottom floor, there was a clothing store (closed at night), and above, there was coffee/traditional bar with a nice patio. I was incredibly embarrassed having to slowly walk up the stairs in my walking cast. I think that Andy felt bad about it. Flipnotics served as a small venue for local musicians, which is exactly why Andy and I were there. Ever the pragmatist, he not only was meeting me for a drink or two, he was checking out a new act for his community radio show - ATX Live. If I only had known the role that that show would play during my time in Austin.

That was the thing about Andy. He was and is an enigma. Professionally, he is an engineer, but his real passion was radio and music. He later became the president of Austin Community Radio - KOOP. It was through the co-op that he met Cheryl. Cheryl was a good friend of his who was incredibly fun. In fact, she became my best friend while we were there. She wanted Andy and I to get together (i.e. really date) badly, but it wasn't meant to be. Andy saw me as a kind of little sister (he is seven years older than me), and the three of us ended up having a lot of fun together.

That fall, Andy had laser eye surgery, and it didn't end up going well - at all. He was functionally blind for a week or longer. When he could finally truly see again, Cheryl and I decided to throw him a "dress to be seen" party (it happened to be close to his birthday too). I have so many outrageous pictures and memories from that party at his house. Cheryl, the eternal match-maker and optimist, made excuse upon excuse for me to head to Andy's house alone to help set up. I was spending the weekend with her in San Marcos, and she purposely didn't show up at Andy's until much later.

Well, it was strange being there alone with Andy getting things set up. It was homey, domestic, and felt all too natural. Not long before the party started, a bunch of his friends from work showed up (one happened to have graduated from Michigan State too). Anyway, everyone seemed to think that I was Andy's new girlfriend. At the time, it broke my heart that I wasn't. As I said earlier, I have many memories from that fall. That night during the party, Andy and I ended up dancing drunkenly around his kitchen. Andy, Cheryl, and I cemented our friendship that night.

Towards the end of the summer, the First Annual Austin City Limits Festival was held. I love to describe it as a techie Woodstock, and in many respects, it was. Not many people realize this, but Austin, Texas has a strong hippie contingent that never really grew up or left. I was treated to people older than my parents acting as though they still lived in the 1960s. You also had many, many young professionals in the technology industry (Samsung, Applied Materials, Motorola, and of course, Dell are all huge employers in Austin) in their 20s and 30s (people like Andy, Cheryl, and I) who loved music. Of course, Andy and Cheryl wanted to go in order to promote ATX Live too.

Well, Cheryl was at it again. She decided that she was only going to go one of the two days. I ended up spending the night in Andy's guest room and spending the last day of the festival with him - alone. It was funny. All it did was reinforce the idea that he looked upon me as a little sister. In fact, he insisted that I get a cowgirl hat so that I didn't get sunburned. As we sat on the grass waiting for the next performance (it might have been Shawn Colvin), we were treated to the lively conversations of young soldiers from Fort Hood. They were angry that they couldn't enjoy a cold beer, but it was very likely that they would serve in Iraq. Remember, this was during the summer of 2002. It was not long before those 18 - 20 year olds (not much younger than me at the time) were sent to Iraq. Every time I hear of someone from Fort Hood becoming a casualty or dying, I always think back to that summer before the war in Iraq.

Andy, Cheryl, and I went on to have a lot of fun that fall. I ended up going to a Halloween Party with Andy. It turns out that it was at the house of a friend of his, Chelle Murray. Like many in Austin, she is/was a musician. I ended up buying her CD. Her Midwestern roots showed through on the CD (she is from Ohio), and it quickly became my favorite. By the time Karen and I planned my going-away slash birthday slash Christmas party, I didn't want to go back to East Lansing. In theory, I had to go to complete my education. Yet, there was a very large part of me that wanted to STAY in Austin permanently.

As I drove away that foggy December morning, I cried listening to Chelle's CD. By the time I arrived home for Christmas, I was a different woman. I wasn't the same college kid who had left six months before. I was older, wiser, had had my heart broken, almost died, and for one of the first times in my life, had found my place. Things happened fast once I was back on campus at Michigan State, and before you know it, I was looking for a full-time job.

Naturally, I was drawn to Dell and Applied Materials. I was devastated when I didn't get those jobs after two rounds of interviews. I even got an opportunity to travel back to Austin on Applied Material's dime. Of course, I saw Andy, Cheryl, and Karen once again. When I found out that I didn't get the job, I felt as though my life was falling apart.

In the end, I started a relationship with Brian and ended up moving to Houston. While there were reasons for me living in Houston, it was a serious mistake. Houston will never be Austin. As much as I love Bay City and Michigan, Austin will always hold a very special place in my heart, as will Andy, Cheryl, and Karen. In my mind, Bay City has the potential to be another Austin (just smaller), but people would have to embrace progress, the arts, technology, and Saginaw Valley State University.

You may wonder why I've been going on and on about my experiences. It is relative to what is going on in my life right now as most of the great things that happened in Austin were born out of personal crises. It wouldn't take much for my life here in Bay City to completely change for the better; I just need to go after exactly what I want. Things have not been easy since Brian and I moved back to Michigan in 2005, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

Lindsey

PS - Prior to my relationship with Brian, I finally got up the nerve to tell Andy how I felt about him. He basically reconfirmed what I thought all along - that he looked at me as a little sister of sorts. He essentially told me that the age difference was too much, and that I'd understand someday. Well, he was right. Now that I'm pushing 30, I understand what he meant. It isn't the difference in age so much as it is stage of life. There are big differences between a 21 year old and a 28 year old.

Austin Calling

Anonymous

2008-08-14T13:17:00.002-04:00

Last week, I had an incredibly interesting experience. Someone who seems to know me started posting anonymously, and intelligently, on my blog. I enjoyed the nearly week-long conversation so much that I compiled it into its own static page.

I'd love to know what others think about the conversation. I have a strong inclination as to whom posted these comments anonymously, but I'd rather NOT know. I love the mystery of it all.

Lindsey

Anonymous

Interesting Developments

2008-08-10T22:40:00.003-04:00

I received some interesting news today. In my inbox this morning, I received an e-mail from a gentleman compiling an anthology of myths and legends surrounding the mid-Michigan area. He thinks that my little piece on the Witchy Wolves of the Omer Plains would work well. I sent him a reply and am anxious to hear back. I'll post what becomes of the little piece I put together as soon as I know.

You can find it here and here.

Lindsey

Driving Individualism

2008-08-10T11:05:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned earlier, I've been reading way too much lately (as Brian can attest), but it can be surprising where books can take you intellectually (for me, that is where their power lies). Anyway, I'm currently in the middle of Jonah Goldberg's Liberal Fascism. As one would imagine, it is a relatively conservative book. I say relatively conservative due to the fact that I was expecting it to be much more partisan that it actually is. It was a pleasant surprise that the book is so well-grounded in research and historical fact.

Well, I'm becoming much more aware that the central fault line in American politics today is collectivism versus individualism. I believe that both are needed, though I tend to favor individualism. I was thinking about this when something occurred to me. If a set of preconceived notions are placed upon individuals, as it was during classical fascism and to a lesser extent in liberal fascism, where is the will to overcome personal obstacles or become more educated?

For example, most women with Turner Syndrome do not receive their driver's license as soon as allowable by law. Many women with Turner Syndrome have issues with depth perception that make driving more difficult. While I grew up knowing issues surrounding depth perception were a real possibility for me as a result of my diagnosis of Turner Syndrome, I was somehow relatively unaware that that may affect my quest to receive my driver's license at age 16.

While it isn't that uncommon for people who grow up and live in large cities (where good public transportation options are available) to delay obtaining a driver's license until their 20s, that just isn't the case in most of rural America. Growing up in Omer, Michigan, a driver's license means one thing: Independence. It is that simple. Any delay in obtaining a driver's license or vehicle is agony for most teenagers in the area. It simply wasn't something that I thought about. I just assumed that I would be able to get my driver's license on my 16th birthday. In preparation, I even spent hours getting my car ready (it was my Mom's old vehicle, which my parents stored for a year).

For a variety of reasons, I did not enjoy driver's ed. In the end, I needed more time behind the wheel, and even after obtaining my driver's license on my 16th birthday, I was a very timid driver. It didn't have anything to do with Turner Syndrome; it had everything to do with the fact that my older cousin (who is only ten months older than me) was almost killed by a drunk driver the very day I started driver's ed. It would take years for me to feel entirely comfortable behind the wheel, but that is exactly what happened in the end.

During a doctor's visit after my 16th birthday, the nurse practitioner was incredibly surprised that I had obtained my license on my 16th birthday. She told me that it was almost unheard of among teenagers with Turner Syndrome. In fact, I have friends with Turner Syndrome who are approximately my age (27) who still do not have their licenses. What if she had told me that at age 13 or 14? Would I have been too timid to even try?

My Dad has always told me that I have a tendency to do things the hard way. Brian is noticing it too. My question is this: Does it really matter as long as everything comes out all right in the end? I learned some incredibly valuable lessons from doing things "the hard way." Nothing worth having is easy per se. I learned a lot while overcoming my fear of driving (again, it was almost exclusively driven by my cousin's brush with death).

If collectivism is to be pursued exclusively without any regard to individualism, it is my opinion that humanity would be selling itself short. I doubt that we would have had Einstein, Darwin, Freud, Ford, or Michael Jordan. There is normally a purpose to struggle, and collectivism doesn't seem to acknowledge it.

I'm sorry that this post was so deep, but it is something that has been bugging me for a while now. It seems all the more pertinent in light of the upcoming election. It truly scares me that classical liberalism is getting such a bad rap (by the way, we would call classical liberals conservatives today).

Lindsey

Political Extremism

2008-08-09T09:05:00.002-04:00

I've been reading too many political books lately, and as a result, it is inevitable that it would spill onto my blog. The books seem to have a common basis and have greatly helped me understand the intellectual basis of both liberals and conservatives.

Why does this matter? Unfortunately for me, all of this reading made me realize just how deep the schism is in this current national election. It isn't pretty, and I can't see much good coming from it. It is becoming ever more clear that there is indeed nothing new under the sun.

Lindsey

Flatlanders

2008-08-07T21:09:00.004-04:00

The first time I realized just how geography affects a person's frame of reference, or world view, had to be in late December 2001. My parents had just picked me up from the Detroit Metro Airport; I had just completed a semester studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador at La Universidad de San Francisco del Quito (a small, private university). The story of my trip traveling back to Michigan from Ecuador that December is a story unto itself, but that will have to wait.

As my parents and I were traveling north on I-75, it struck me just how flat the landscape was. I even made the comment to my Mom, who then made an obvious comment of her own, "I suppose that is why they call us flatlanders." Still, the contrast of the Andes Mountains and the flat terrain of the Saginaw Valley can't be overstated. Inevitably it changes how people who live there view the world.

For whatever reason, the inherent flatness of mid-Michigan struck me again last Saturday. Brian and I were traveling along US 10 from Bay City to Midland in his truck. It was a beautiful summer day with only a few puffy white clouds in the sky. I don't know why the flatness stuck me then, but it did. There was nothing to break the horizon besides trees and grass, along with the occasional house or overpass.

So what does this have to do with how people view the world? I can only answer that by sharing how the geography of where I grew up shaped how I viewed my world. Growing up between Standish, Sterling, and Omer, it was always almost exactly six miles to the nearest small town in various directions from our home. If you traveled along US-23, there were always approximately seven miles between small towns. There are seven miles between Pinconning, Standish, Omer, and AuGres. As a child, if I wanted to see a movie, do any kind of shopping, or eat at a chain restaurant (other than fast food), I had to travel roughly thirty miles either north or south to either West Branch or Bay City. Growing up, Bay City was my idea of perfection. Imagine - a mall and movie theater nearby! Now that I'm older and have lived in suburbia for nearly a decade, I don't enjoy malls much anymore and never have the desire to go to movies (we have Netflix). Even though my priorities have changed, I now love Bay City for other reasons, namely Saginaw Bay and the Saginaw River (not to mention the people, the sense of community, and its history).

In Ecuador, it was quite a different story. While everything is spread out here in mid-Michigan, that just isn't the case in Quito, Ecuador. In Quito, houses and businesses are closed behind walls. Everything is created to make you feel enclosed, secure. Even in small towns, buildings are clustered together in European style. The effects of colonialism are everywhere. Yet, when you get get beyond the cities, drive the mountain roads, and visit the open haciendas, you feel as though you are transferred to a mountainous Texas. There are truly wide open spaces so wide that you feel as though you are about to travel to the end of the Earth. The mountains are in the background and its foothills serve to open up the space before you. There is no human need for enclosure in mid-Michigan, but there certainly is in the Andes. Most people want to experience mountains from a safe vantage point (that, however, does not explain the nature of the mountain roads).

If you study the geography of Ecuador, you quickly realize that it is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Latin America. It contains wide plains, the Andes Mountains, tropical rain forests, and the Galapagos Islands, not to mention Pacific beaches. I experienced it all to some extent while I was there, but I was especially drawn to water. Growing up along the banks of the Rifle River and near Saginaw Bay, I suppose I've always been drawn to water. As a child, some of my favorite memories were of family dinners at restaurants along Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, namely the Point AuGres Hotel (great pizza) and the Bear Track Inn, both of which have long since closed. As I grew up and moved away, I don't think that it was a coincidence that I chose to study at Michigan State University. While the Red Cedar isn't all that spectacular, it does a lot to add to the park-like feel of campus. During my time in Austin, Texas, I gravitated towards Lake Travis (a river by Michigan standards). In the back of my mind, I partially attribute my dislike of Houston to a lack of water. Brian and I drove to Galveston a few times during our year in Houston, but it just didn't seem close enough. Neither of us could get enough of Galveston.

Like many others, I often wonder if our geographic preferences are imprinted upon us from birth. No matter where I go or where I live, I will always gravitate towards lakes, rivers, and flat land. I'm beginning to think that I'm becoming too influenced by what I read. Is that really such a bad thing?

Lindsey

Bruises, Dead Cats, Friendly Campers, and Old Friends

2008-08-05T20:37:00.005-04:00

I haven't posted in a few days for a few very good reasons. I knew that I wouldn't be home much this week due to the fact that I agreed to essentially run my parents' campground and canoe livery business while they went to their cabin in Canada with one of my aunts and uncles, my brother Garrett, and his girlfriend Arika. It was supposed to be easy. I wasn't having to fully run it, just supervise a relatively seasoned staff, watch my parent's house (and the campground), etc.

Somewhere along the line, it all changed. As I was taking care of a few last-minute things on Sunday (I was trying to get a few personal things out of the way), I received a frantic call from my Grandmother, the Grandma With Whom I Lunch (my Dad's Mom). She had had a bad attack of vertigo and needed my help right away. I had never heard her that talk way, ever. I panicked and fought the urge to speed while heading north on I-75. I had no idea what I'd find.

It turns out that she became so dizzy that she fell and hit her cheek on her kitchen chair. It happened during the middle of the night, and she ended up spending the rest of the night on the floor. She wasn't able to call me until 12 PM the next day (she had made her way to her bed and called me when she woke up several hours later). In the end, she was extremely lucky and is now doing much better. I ended up spending the night with her Sunday night, just to make sure that it wouldn't happen again soon (the best I could, I suppose). That set up things for the next round on Monday.

Monday morning I called my other Grandma, who lives nearby, and went to help her with some errands, etc. She fell almost a week ago, breaking her nose, blacking both eyes, and hurting her knee. Well, we went through her ER discharge paper and it stated that she needed to get her wounds rechecked. She finally did that today, but it doesn't sound good. Her knee is one of the most painful things I've ever seen. I'm going to help her much more tomorrow. Of course, each Grandmother was worried about the other.

Also, the eight year old cat of an elderly family friend of Brian's died recently. It is hard enough to lose a pet, but doing so when that cat was a direct tie to your deceased husband, not to mention your one constant companion after he passed away, has to be infinitely harder. Over the last few years, I have grown to know this woman and her cat well. Brian and I paid her a visit, but what can you say?

All of this took place against the backdrop of dealing with the day to day business of the campgrounds and canoe livery. I swear, my parent have some of the best customers. Most of the business is built on groups of people who come year after year. Many have come for decades. This was the case with a group I dealt with this morning. The woman who organizes this particular group looks no older than her mid-40s, but she informed me that she has camped with us for 19 years. After she found out that I was Bob and Leslie's daughter, she insisted that I must have been one of the little kids running around when she first started coming. Quite frankly, it made me feel old, even at 27.

As if I didn't feel old enough already, I headed to the main location in Omer to see just how things were going and to see an old friend. A childhood friend of mine, who is now 26, now comes camping not only with her parents, but her infant daughter as well. We became good friends (indeed, at one time I considered her my best friend) through the canoe livery. Her family camped with us every year pretty much from the time she was born. As we sat, reminisced, played with her daughter and the baby girl of one of the canoe rental employees (also in her mid-20s), etc., I couldn't help but wonder, exactly when did we became the adults? When did it happen? The mothers shared stories of birth, labor, and future baby plans (and/or lack thereof). I sat in awe. At 27, I am nowhere near ready to have kids, as much as I love and want babies. It amazes me that my Mom already had two kids by the time she was 27; both of my Grandmas had had three by age 27.

All of a sudden my childhood friend started talking about all the things we did as kids. We swapped baseball and football cards (she still has the ones I gave her), she was there when I got my braces off, and she once snuck out of my bedroom (she once spent a week at our house one summer) to hang out with older boys in the campground. We used to tube, canoe, and sit around campfires. I was hurt when she and her family stopped coming for a while, and she changed into a moody teenager (to put it mildly).

I now realize that she was hurting too. She lost her best friend back in Windsor under extremely tragic circumstances. In many ways, it still affects her. Today, however, what struck me was just how selective memory can be. I don't remember ditching my little sister or playing in the display case in Omer (we had to be all of five years old). She probably doesn't want to remember sneaking out and defying her parents. She found it strange that "baby" Garrett (my now 6'3 17 year-old little brother) is now the one taking her canoeing.

There is so much to take away from all of this, but I have to admit, I'll be glad when my parents come home.

Lindsey

A Few Relatively Political Mentions

2008-08-01T21:16:00.002-04:00

On the White House - The Political Revival of George Herbert Walker Bush

Tim Russert’s Son to Cover Conventions for NBC News - America’s Election HQ

I realize that just the other day I stated that I would leave politics alone for a while. Well, I'm already backtracking, in a way. The two pieces included above are not overtly political, but they do involve politics. I thought that they were both interesting and worth a mention. Of course, Tim Russert is greatly missed.

Lindsey

Germany and Poland At It Again!

2008-08-01T14:09:00.001-04:00

You have to read this to believe it. VERY funny stuff indeed. Maybe I should start a blog on things that Brian sends me. He always sends funny, funny stuff.

Beach Border War

Lindsey

Lunch with Grandma - Again

2008-08-01T11:38:00.003-04:00

Long time readers may know that I often go out to lunch with my Grandma and/or head north to Standish to see both of my Grandmothers. The Grandma with whom I lunch is one of the most important people in my life. It isn't that I don't have a great relationship with my other Grandmother - I do, and we have rituals of our own. It is simply that my Dad's Mom and I have such history.

When I was in preschool, she would often pick me from school and take me with her on the road. For nearly 40 years she sold women's clothes door-to-door. Well, not really door-to-door. She had repeat customers upon repeat customers. Often, her customers would be the wives and daughters of farmers and small business owners. It was always an adventure to go with her to see her customers. It wasn't that my parents even needed someone to pick me up from preschool or a babysitter. She wanted to be with me and I loved being with her; I still do.

Add the fact that she and my Grandpa (my Dad's step-Dad; my Dad's Father passed away in his 40s) spent nearly everyday during the summer working at my parent's business, and it becomes apparent why I was always so close to them. During my high school years, I spent hours upon hours during the summer working with my Grandma. Many times when I would spend the night at her house, my Grandpa would have long since gone to bed. He'd always leave a note for us and often called us "his gypsies." It was true too. She was always going somewhere and I was never too far behind. In the years since he passed away, I've missed him terribly, and I know that my Grandma does too.

There are times during my lunches with my Grandma when I get a glimpse of the active, busy woman I have known most of my life. Truth be told, she is still very active at age 83. That said, she has slowed considerably in the last five years or so. For example, I thought that she would be in a great mood yesterday. She just had had a very full weekend of company and a family wedding, among other social engagements. Unfortunately, she just seemed lonely and tired. Then again, I suppose I would be too if I lived on my own at 83, spent the weekend entertaining family and friends, and then had an empty house at the end of it all.

During my childhood and well into my college years, it seemed as though she'd entertain various members of her family (she comes from a very large Ukrainian farm family) every other weekend during the summer. As a result, I got to know my Dad's extended family very well. I imagine that she misses it now that great nieces and nephews have moved away and started families of their own.

Despite my worries about her health and the inevitable, I deeply cherish the time we spend together. I might just have to write down some of those unforgettable conversations, many of which have taken place this past summer.

All in all, I'm glad that I will get to see her quite a bit next week.

Much more later, as always.

Lindsey

Wife in the North by Judith O'Reilly

2008-08-01T11:01:00.002-04:00

I meant to post this yesterday evening, but I ended up getting sucked into yet another great book. I'm beginning to think that my idea of heaven is a beautiful beach with a comfortable lounge chair and endless piles of great books. Of course, Brian and all of our family would be there too. I just wish that I could trade sleep for reading. That way I could get thing done during the day and read all through the night. Anyway, the review is included below. You can find it here. The author, Judith O'Reilly, has a blog of her own, which features prominently in the book. You can find it here.

Early Reviewer Program - Wife in the North by Judith O'Reilly

Even though I'm not a mother, I could identify with the author in innumerable ways (sometimes a little too closely). I, too, have been a fish out of water and can understand why she had difficulty adjusting to her new environment; I also understand why she moved in the first place. Quite frankly, this was one of the more nuanced books I've read lately. There is a depth to her memoirs that let her humanity shine through; unfortunately, I find that rare in similar books. For me, the book built and further developed Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones. No, this book isn't about Miss Jones, but I have a feeling that Mrs. O'Reilly might have gotten along well with her (a more grown-up version) if Bridget wasn't a work of fiction.

I particularly liked her frank discussions on bullying, making friends, and the chaos that is (or was?) her life. These are private issues that are rarely discussed in public. If there was more candid discussion of such subjects, especially in early childhood, I believe that the world would be a much kinder place. I give her credit from not backing down from her blog.

The one difficulty I had with the book was language at times. Yes, it is English, but the British have many different terms that aren't used often in the United States. Many I knew from popular culture and travel to the United Kingdom; yet, there were a few that eluded me. Overall, a highly recommended book IF you like reading about the daily struggles of ordinary people.

Much more to come later. You can find my library here.

Lindsey

Summer Reading and Library Thing

2008-07-30T12:40:00.003-04:00

I realize that I've been absent from blogging far too long. Once again, I'm struggling with the direction of the blog. It isn't even August yet, and I'm already very tired of the campaign season. For now, I'm going to lay off of politics.

So what have I been up to lately? I've been reading quite a bit lately, and I came across a website called Library Thing. You can find my profile here. Brian and I entered nearly 200 of our books over the last few weeks, and it is pretty amazing to see our personal library online. There are a lot of features to the website, my personal favorite being the Early Reviewer Program. I already snagged an advance copy of a book set to hit shelves in August. Get this, it was free! All I have to do is review it. I'm half way done with the book (actually closer to two-thirds of the way done) and will post the review here when it is completed. It's been a lot of fun thus far, and the book is great. Bridget Jones all grown up.

I've also visited my local library a few times as well. It is amazing that despite all of the financial issues, all of the politics, all of the mismanagement Bay City, Michigan is left with a beautiful new library. You can find the website here. I found out that even my home town library (Omer, Michigan) has a website. It is amazing that a town of 300 has a library at all.

Books, books, and more books. I'm in love.

Much more later, as always.

Lindsey

Dearborn, Michigan and Radar Site

2008-06-09T20:52:00.004-04:00

I stated earlier today that I've experienced unusual traffic on my blog ever since commenting on an important piece written by Roger Gardner at Radar Site (see blog entry below). The piece made it clear to me that Michigan, and much of the United States, is painfully negligent on counter terrorism efforts.

For whatever reason, the description of what is currently taking place in Dearborn, Michigan made me think back to a story I heard (from a reliable source) about Michigan during 9/11. Prior to 9/11, a list of terror targets in the U.S. was published online. I'm not sure what the intention was, but it did include a location in Michigan. It was rumored that this location may have been a secondary target on 9/11. I won't go into greater detail, but since 9/11, there were a few incidents in Michigan that may have been tied to terrorism.

There was a supposed plot to blow up the Mackinac Bridge. Suspects that were apprehended, and later released (to the best of my knowledge), all had ties to Dearborn. However, every time the Muslim community of Dearborn, Michigan is portrayed, whether in the local or national media, it is always in a positive light. My question is simple. Why aren't more questions being asked? Why are we allowing the possibility of a terror cell in our midst? Better yet, why are we not ensuring that one doesn't exist?

Yet, there appears to be a decided apathy towards going after legitimate suspects if they are Muslim. No one wants to come out and name the threat of Islamofascism, but it is real. It is my greatest fear that we will one day wake up again to find that it is too late, just as we did on 9/11.

I realize that there are many who may believe that I'm being xenophobic or racist in naming the threat. I realize that there are many Muslims living in Michigan and the rest of the United States who wish the rest of us no harm. However, why won't they stand up and help name the fanatics? Why are they letting their religion be ruined by extremists? Those questions all need to be addressed, but due to an absence of leadership (it is particularly absent in Michigan at the moment), people tend to want to believe that it will just go away.

Every day, I find that is it is becoming more unacceptable to be Christian; freedom of speech is being severely eroded in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and even (perhaps especially) Canada; and it is becoming increasingly impossible to directly and openly discuss the most pressing challenges facing our country.

I took a leave from blogging in order to decide just how political I wanted it to become. While I don't want it to become a partisan slug-fest, I'm completely baffled at just how blind so many people in the United States are to the threat facing this nation. I haven't given up on Michigan or the United States yet. Somehow, in some way, those who see what I see will have to be noticed and taken seriously.

RADARSITE: The Serpent is in the Nest: The Islamification of Dearborn, Michigan

Unsettling Traffic and Posts

2008-06-09T16:32:00.003-04:00

A few days ago I read a blog post about Dearborn, Michigan that really upset me. It brought up a few things that I had forgotten, overlooked. I made a couple of comments on the article (more on it later, much more) and e-mailed the contributor. Well, ever since then, I've noticed a strange blog daily traffic pattern. I'm not exactly sure what to think.

Lindsey

Lord Stanley Returns to Hockey Town!

2008-06-04T22:53:00.004-04:00

Most people wouldn't guess this about me, but I love hockey. I love watching professional hockey, especially the playoffs. Then again, I've spent almost my entire life in Michigan, so I suppose it isn't much of a stretch.

Well, the Detroit Red Wings just won the Stanley Cup again! Some of my best memories of high school are of the hockey playoffs in 1997 and 1998.

1997, 1998, 2002, and now 2008. Detroit really is Hockey Town! We have to put up with the Tigers and Lions, so I suppose we need something.

Lindsey

If You Care About America and Its Freedoms at All...

2008-05-31T14:29:00.001-04:00

This is one of the most poignant messages I've ever read. I agree with it wholeheartedly and couldn't have said it better myself. It is nothing less than statement of all I believe in. I urge you to take a minute to read it. At this late stage in the game, I can't understand how anyone can deny the threat.

RADARSITE: A Message to my Readers

Lindsey

I'm Back

2008-05-30T18:10:00.002-04:00

I really missed blogging. Over the last month or so, I've resolved some long-standing issues in my life, and hopefully addressing those issues head on will ultimately lead me to a career (and eventually career success). It is a long, complicated story, but unfortunately, not an uncommon one in Michigan right now.

Cleaning out the office I share with Brian, I came across many of my files from college. There were a couple of projects of which I am proud. I also spent a lot of time going through all of my paperwork - bills, insurance papers, letters, cards, note-worthy newspaper clippings. It feels great to actually have a nice working space once again.

A couple of things happened through this entire process (there are still a few things I need to do) of organizing things in my life, including relationships (long story), that made me realize that I'm really not that far from achieving my goals. It is good to know and motivates me to finally find a permanent solution to that overriding question that has plagued me for three years and caused so much destruction in my life - the question of a career and a job.

As I said earlier, I'm far from the only well-educated young professional in this situation in Michigan. I'm tired of everyone focusing on everything but bringing new jobs to this state. We are instead focusing on educating the workforce of Texas, California, Arizona, and pretty much the rest of the country. I really wish I knew how to get involved in helping to turn this sorry state around. Any ideas? I'm tired of just talking about it and feeling powerless.

Lindsey

Prolonged Absence

2008-05-24T14:33:00.003-04:00

I've decided to take a couple of weeks off from blogging. There are several issues that I need to address here when I come back. In fact, there is so much that I need to do and say that I want to plan it out well. The latest I'll be back will be June 1st. Thanks for all of your patience and support. I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

Lindsey

Actual News from the Middle East

2008-05-15T00:53:00.002-04:00

If you are looking for some perspective on what is going on in the Middle East currently, look no further than the link below. It includes a lot of great resources. I will be writing much more on the subject very soon.

Lindsey

GLORIA Center

Where Do I Go From Here?

2008-05-15T00:15:00.006-04:00

Long time readers know just how much I love the musical "Evita." For whatever reason, I can't stand the politics of the real Eva Peron, the Peronists, or any of their cronies in Latin America or Europe. Yet, I love the musical based on the story of her life. I have my own ideas as to why I'm drawn to the story of Eva Peron, as well as that of Frida Kahlo, but that is a separate post (hint: it deals with issues discussed in my "Extended Silence" posts). For those who don't know, "You Must Love Me" is a beautiful song in the movie version of "Evita" (I'll include the lyrics at the end of the post). The song asks where do we go from here?

So why even mention the song? Well, the lyrics have a lot of personal meaning for me right now. I'm certainly at a crossroads in my life (and have been the last three years). Yet, I finally feel as though I'm actually moving ahead for the first time since I moved back from Michigan. That said, I have several decisions to make. I just hope that I'm able to get through it and taste success once again. I've been feeling sorry for myself and dwelling on the past for far, far too long. I need to put it behind me.

You see, I've always had something else on the horizon my entire life. It just isn't there right this moment, but I'm beginning to realize that I have to make those opportunities for myself. I may not have the formal structure in place (i.e. school), but that doesn't mean that there aren't opportunities here (yes, even in mid-Michigan). There is so much negativity in this area right now, I have to move beyond it. Brian did long ago, and he's fine.

I apologize for all of the silence lately, but I'm trying to resolve these huge issues in my life once and for all. It is time to truly grow up. In many instances, I did long ago. I now can't hide myself away from the world as I have the last three years. The songs accurately reflect how I feel about my relationship with Brian right now.

You Must Love Me

lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
vocals by Madonna
-------------------------

Where do we go from here?
This isn't where we intended to be
We had it all, you believed in me
I believed in you

Certainties disappear
What do we do for our dream to survive?
How do we keep all our passions alive,
As we used to do?

Deep in my heart I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away

You must love me
You must love me

Why are you at my side?
How can I be any use to you now?
Give me a chance and I'll let you see how
Nothing has changed

You must love me

More Extended Silence

2008-05-13T12:14:00.003-04:00

I apologize for getting on such a tangent the other day. Sometimes you need to just get things out in the open, and that is what happened the other day. I can't thank those who commented on the entry enough.

One male commentator asked whether or not I've considered adoption. Quite frankly, I've spent the last 18 years weighing the pros and cons of in vitro fertilization and adoption. I've known about my infertility since I was nine years old (my parents were pretty much backed into a situation where they had to tell me what was going on). Even though I'm a proud supporter of adoption, it doesn't really change the situation.

There are a couple of things that need to get out in the open. First and foremost, my Mom spent years telling me that I really shouldn't worry about it much. By the time I was ready to have kids, the technology would catch up. In a sense, she was right. Physically, there is nothing preventing me from going through in vitro fertilization. That said, the more I learned about it, the more I thought about the implications, the more I researched it, the less appealing it became. I've read personal accounts of women who have successfully and unsuccessfully gone through the process.

There is no guarantee that it will work on the first try or even the hundredth. In addition, I'm in a position where I would need a donor egg (I do not have ovaries due to Turners Syndrome, hence the issue of infertility). I've thought about it long and hard. At one time, I considered asking my sister to be the egg donor, but how do you ask someone something like that? Then, I truly sat down and thought about what that meant. I would have a child that was genetically my sister's and my husband's (Brian's). It would be way too weird. That said, I've learned that some Moms of girls with Turners Syndrome are seeking to gain permission to freeze their eggs for eventual use by their daughters. I see nothing wrong with it. It is a loving gesture from a Mother to a daughter, although it would be way too creepy for me to consider if it was an option. Even with an unrelated egg donor, it would be strange to think of the child as genetically the product of my husband and some random woman.

As many issues as there are with in vitro fertilization, it was the emotional roller coaster described by women who have had the procedure, successful or unsuccessful, that really did me in. I'm the first to admit that I don't think that I could handle it. I don't know how I could get through the devastation of having to go through the procedure two or three times and still face the probability that I may never get pregnant. I don't want to put myself or my family through that.

You may be asking yourself why I'm concerned at all as it seems clear that adoption in the obvious choice for me. In a sense, adoption is the obvious choice, and I have no real qualms about it. I grew up around adoption, and I don't believe that there is less of a bond there. That said, as selfish as this sounds, I want to experience being pregnant. I really do, as stupid as that sounds. I mean, who wants to willingly go through the process of gaining lots of weight, having mood swings and cravings, only to later experience lots of intense pain? Well, millions of women do it every year. Life is precious (although we are rapidly losing sight of that in the current word), and what could be greater than creating new life? That's what bothers me. I want to experience a new life growing inside of me. It really is as simple and as complicated as that.

There is an old episode of "Roseanne" where the men pretend that they are upset that they can't have babies. It was funny, but far from the truth. The way I look at it, men get to be a part of the process once they become fathers. No matter how far the Far Left goes in trying to make men obsolete, they are still very much needed as part of the process. This may be politically incorrect now, but they are needed in the entire process of raising children.

So where does that leave people like me? From time to time, I do feel left out. One day, I imagine that Brian and I will adopt. It will probably help me deal with all of these issues. That said, I'll always wonder what it is like to be pregnant.

Lindsey

Extended Silence

2008-05-12T00:25:00.004-04:00

Things have been rough lately, but I have resolved quite a few issues in my life. Sometimes I wonder how things could have ever gotten so screwed up in the first place. Once it is all over, I plan to write several blog posts regarding what I've been through the last few years.

Most people don't realize it, but Mother's Day is extremely difficult for me. Sometimes I don't know how I'll ever "get over" my infertility. It hurts. Over all, I am fortunate to have such a wonderful Mother and a two loving Grandmothers still in my life. I don't know what I'll do when they're gone. That said, having those strong women in my life almost makes things worse. I want to one day be a role model like them, but how will I ever get a chance? My Grandma recently tried to explain to me how wonderful it is to have grandchildren. It just made me want to cry to realize that I'll never have that experience. I've always been told "just wait until you have children someday." Why didn't anyone stop and think that that is probably out of the picture for me?

For whatever reason, I've been thinking a lot about two particular TV series finales lately. Both the series finales of "Roseanne" and "Six Feet Under" left viewers with much to think about. Both dealt with issues of life and death, purpose, and family relationships. I just finished watching the "Six Feet Under" finally again. It drives right to the heart of what has been bothering me, plaguing me even, over the last three or four years. What is my purpose here?

Seriously. Why was I put here on this Earth if I am unable to have children? That simple question has haunted me ever since I found out I have Turner Syndrome. I'm now watching the people I grew up with start careers, get married, and have babies. I have none of that yet at 27. It hurts deeply, much more that I would ever care to admit. My little sister is getting married this fall, and how long will it be before she is pregnant? I'll be ecstatic for her, of course. However, I'll also be a little sad. She and her family will live on the other side of the state. I won't be able to dote on my nieces and nephews.

Believe it or not, I am convinced that my career difficulties (to say the least) are tied to the fact that I will never have children. When you are trying to substitute a career for having children, you are bound to be bitterly disappointed. Nothing has enough meaning. As a result, you quickly begin to be apathetic. I long for something meaningful in my life (in addition to my family relationships and my relationship with Brian), but I've been unsuccessful. I'm severely disillusioned.

Thank you for putting up with my little rant. I deal with these issues every single day, and it is hard for me to articulate just how deeply they hurt. I hope to resume normal blogging soon.

Lindsey

Interesting Observations on the Economy

2008-05-01T23:44:00.003-04:00

I'm incredibly happy that I'm too young to have lived through the 1970s (I was born in 1980), but it was interesting reading this observation comparing what we are going through today to 1973.

This economy feels like Easy Street, compared to 1973 - Columns & Opinion - The Bay City Times - MLive.com

Lindsey

Third Year Anniversary of Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

2008-05-01T23:29:00.004-04:00

I still can't believe that I've been blogging for three years now. So much has happened in my life in those three years, it is unbelievable. There have been many struggles, but I'm beginning to think that life is finally going to be getting better soon. It is hard to believe that I didn't know much about blogs at all before I started writing. I've come across some great blogs in the last three years, and I'm amazed at what insightful dialog can develop on a blog. There is so much more I need to do with this particular blog, blogging in general, and Internet writing that I'll be here for years and years to come.

Lindsey

Evita and Hillary

2008-04-28T01:10:00.002-04:00

Before I make the connections, there are a few things that readers need to know. First off, I've loved the movie Evita ever since it came out in 1996. I was a young, impressionable teenager then who happened to be studying Spanish and Latin American culture. I'm also fascinated by history, especially the history of the World War II era. Add in the fact that I was a huge Madonna fan (even though I'm under no illusion that she can act), and one can understand why Evita is one of my favorite movies of all time. While I've never had the pleasure of seeing it on Broadway, I did see a production of Evita on the campus of Michigan State University while I was an undergraduate there. I treated myself, I ended up with a front row seat, and it became one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had at the theater.

Before I get into the politics, there are a couple of things that I'd like to say about the movie. Admittedly, it isn't for everyone. In order to truly enjoy it, it is necessary to love musicals and to know a little bit about the history of Argentina and Latin America. In addition, it helps if you know some Spanish as well. It also doesn't hurt to love the era of the 1940s, history, and politics either. For example, as a 15 year-old, I loved the movie so much that I wanted to share it with my Mom. If it wasn't for me filling her in on the history (no matter how skewed), the language, the culture, etc., she wouldn't have enjoyed it much.

That said, I realize that many fans of the Broadway production and many Argentinians were appalled that Madonna was going to portray Eva Peron on the big screen. I can understand why as Madonna can't act. What people failed to realize is that Madonna didn't have to act much in the movie; her life story is and was that similar to that of Eva Peron. As a result, it comes across as her best performance. The fact that she belted out "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from the Casa Rosda is simply amazing.

Now it is time to discuss the politics. Encore Love has been playing Evita recently, much to my delight (I just finished watching it again). Once again, I found myself wondering why I'm so drawn to the story of a woman who embodied everything I find wrong with politics, Latin American politics in particular. Even though Peronists are portrayed as aligned with the Right, that couldn't be further from the truth. Quite simply, Eva and Juan Person were socialists first and foremost. There is no denying the connections with fascism in Germany and Italy. Juan Peron reportedly modeled himself after Mussolini, and it is well known that Nazis took refuge in Argentina after the war when Peronists were still every much still in power.

There are many bloggers out there much more adept at disclosing the relationships of national socialism of the 1940s (Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Germany) to current Leftist thought throughout the world today. I'm not going to point it out here, but it is fair to say that Hillary Clinton shares many of the same goals, aspirations, and dreams of the socialists on the Left.

Many people may not know this, but Eva Peron aspired to be Vice President under her husband's administration. There appears to be a political partnership within their relationship. It is no secret that the Clintons' political partnership is at least a factor in their marriage. That said, one can't help but wonder what Eva would have done if she had not died so young. I bet that she would have run for President (in fact, another of Juan Peron's wives became President of Argentina later on). There truly isn't anything new under the sun.

I wonder if Hillary will be singing the following song if she doesn't get the nomination:

Another Suitcase In Another Hall

I don't expect my love affairs to last for long
Never fool myself that my dreams will come true
Being used to trouble I anticipate it
But all the same I hate it, wouldn't you?

So what happens now?
Another suitcase in another hall
So what happens now?
Take your picture off another wall
Where am I going to?
You'll get by, you always have before
Where am I going to?

Time and time again I've said that I don't care
That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through
But every time it matters all my words desert me
So anyone can hurt me, and they do

Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know
Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow
I won't recall the names and places of each sad occasion
But that's no consolation here and now.

Don't ask anymore.

The more I think about it, the more I truly feel sorry for Hillary if she doesn't get the nomination. Her whole life has been centered around this dream. Maybe she read one of the many biographies of Eva Peron before Evita was even written? I may be fascinated by the story of Eva Peron, but I detest her politics.

Lindsey

Iran: Are the Pieces Being Put Into Place?

2008-04-28T01:05:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to post this update for quite some time, but it seems as though a day doesn't go by without new developments concerning Iran. You can read what I've written previously here. It appears that all of the necessary pieces are in place for action. It is getting to the point where I'd be surprised if something doesn't happen before the end of the summer.

I'm not afraid to say this, but I do believe that going into Iran will set off a chain of events that will quickly turn into World War. Until recently, I wouldn't have gone so far as to say that. However, developments regarding Syria, North Korea, and several countries in Africa are leading me to believe otherwise. Sadly, I believe that there might be more going on behind the scenes that the public doesn't know about (probably couldn't know). We are indeed living in frightening times.

Lindsey

Wolf Howling: Petraeus, Odierno, Iraq and Iran

Wolf Howling: A Step Closer To A First Strike Against Iran

Wolf Howling: Acts of War by Iran, Acts of Perfidy by the Left

J O S H U A P U N D I T: Head Of Israeli Air Force: "Israel's Air Force Is Ready For Any Threat, Especially A Nuclear Iran"

J O S H U A P U N D I T: Iran Moves Into Central Africa

FOXNews.com - Iran Says U.S. Attack Unlikely Due to Iraq, Afghanistan Problems

Strange Days

2008-04-24T23:52:00.002-04:00

I've had a few personal things going that are, well, just strange. For example, I've been involved with an online Facebook game called Knighthood. It's been a lot of fun, but the woman who was my 'liege" in the game literally died a few days ago. I never met her, but I just spoke to her online not even a week ago. It is just, well, sad.

In addition, I went to lunch with my Grandma Reid today. She had a doctor's appointment. She is a very independent woman and has never asked that I go with her to such appointments before. Well, today she did. She wanted another set of ears there (I can understand it due to the fact that her hearing is shot and has been for decades). I just can't help but wonder "why now?"

There is also a personal situation with my other Grandma, Grandma Buttrick, that has come up within the last few days. It directly affects me, and I have some decisions to make. It isn't easy. It isn't pretty. I just wish I knew where to go from here.

Once again, I have this deep seated feeling that the world is turned on its head. We certainly live in strange times.

Lindsey

Something to Think About

2008-04-23T19:56:00.001-04:00

The gentleman who runs this blog commented on mine the other day. The article below raises some very good political questions. Read it before you vote.

The Panday's Gazette

Lindsey

A Look At Bill Cosby's Place in the African American Community

2008-04-23T19:43:00.004-04:00

This analysis of Bill Cosby's activism, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, left me with more questions than answers. There is much that I agree with in the article; at the same time, I'm at complete odds with some aspects of Coates' point of view. First off, I just want to say that I believe that Cosby's message to the black community needs to be heard. I'd even go further to say that our country, all of us, need to take Cosby's message to heart. There does need to be more focus on education, responsibility, and productivity. Father's need to take a more active role in raising their children. That said, I believe that we as a society need to ensure that the rights of fathers are protected.

Within the article, Coates stops just short of praising Cosby's efforts, and in my opinion, that's unfortunate. I have yet to find fault with Cosby's message. Coates, on the other hand, doesn't seem all that concerned with anyone outside of the African American community. That's unfortunate. Until we get rid of labels, we are never going to truly come together. The article is extremely long, especially for Internet writing, but it is a good read.

This Is How We Lost to the White Man

Lindsey

St. Stan's Church

2008-04-23T19:24:00.003-04:00

Many readers know that Brian and I have been planning to get married for years now. Our plans include getting married at St. Stan's in Bay City, which is literally right around the corner from the house we are currently renting. The pictures are beautiful. St. Stan's Parish recently built a brand new Parish Center. There is now a wonderful full view of the church from 22nd street now that the old Parish Center is gone. The new Parish Center ties in much better with the church.

Picasa Web Albums - St. Stan's Parish - Church Pictures
Picasa Web Albums - St. Stan's Parish

Lindsey

Weight Issues and High School... Sigh.

2008-04-23T00:21:00.002-04:00

I spent a chunk of this evening watching a TV movie, which is extremely rare for me. Normally I watch certain reruns of old sitcoms with Brian, and that is about it. Well, this movie really struck a chord with me. You see, I was the "fat" girl in high school (elementary school and junior high too). The incredibly sad part of it is that I wasn't nearly as big as I am now (more on that later), and I doubt that I would have been that big in high school if I hadn't listened to my classmates when I was a small child. It is sad how if you hear something long enough about yourself, you tend to start to believe it, no matter how strong you are. Some may disagree with that statement, but I stand by it. How it is possible to hear someone say something about you day after day and not begin to believe it, especially when you are a small child (five to ten)?

Before I go any further, i want to provide a little bit of background. When I entered kindergarten in 1986, my biggest concerns were spending time with my Dad (I loved going to watch him play basketball and men's softball), learning (I loved being read to by my Mom, and by all accounts, I loved my two years of preschool), and playing with my little sister (who would have been two at the time). I don't remember ever thinking about my appearance or popularity. Quite frankly, I spent much more time with adults as a small child than I did with other kids. My family lived out in the country; my sister was my primary playmate and friend. Most of my interaction with other kids outside of school took place in very structured settings such as sporting events, summers spent with my parents and grandparents at the canoe livery (my parents' business), or family gatherings (I adored my older cousins). It is safe to say that I wasn't prepared to be compared to others on the basis of my physical characteristics.

I don't really remember if I was picked on about my height and weight during kindergarten, but I do remember being teased from first grade on. My teacher, Mrs. Balton, told me "good things come in small packages" (I clearly remember her telling me that as I was about to leave for Easter vacation, a trip to Walt Disney World). It is a very nice thing to say to a small first grader, but it isn't exactly ammunition against certain kids who insisted that my entire physical being was just wrong.

As I grew older, the issues grew. I was constantly being teased about my height and weight on a daily basis. I'm tempted to write some of what kids said to me here as I still remember them nearly twenty years later, but that would just give them legitimacy. Things became so ugly that I changed elementary schools. It wasn't the only factor in changing schools, but it was one. Of course, it didn't resolve the issue. In some ways, as the rest of the class approached puberty (remember, I have Turner Syndrome, so my "puberty" was carefully planned out by doctors without any input from me), things became worse. The height difference grew and I gained weight as I began to believe what those kids were telling me.

Well, as so often happens, I began to find my niche during the later half of high school. By then, I was content to focus on academics and bide my time until college (and yes Mr. M, it was well worth the wait). My weight stabilized and I even began to exercise regularly for lengths of time thanks to a very understanding gym teacher (he was a great guy, and it is too bad that there aren't more like him). Again, I was biding my time. One of the few incidents of all out hatred towards me came one day as I was walking out of the women's locker room, heading to another class. For whatever reason, this girl (I don't even remember who she was) shoved me head long into a cement wall. My head was about an inch from hitting the cement wall. Well, karma is a b*tch. This occurred all outside the office of the female physical education teacher's office. Guess who happened to be right in her office? Well, the girl who shoved me from behind, unprovoked, ended up getting hauled off to the office.

As painful as some of those memories were, I truly felt as though I left it all behind when I went to college, and in many respects, I did. My senior year I lost quite a bit of weight and actually came within 15 to 20 lbs. of actually being my "ideal" weight. Well, due to career issues, moving, and financial issues, I gained it all back and then some over these last four years. I'm not talking about merely gaining an additional 20 lbs. on top of what I weighed back in high school. No. I'm talking about gaining 80 lbs. or more in those four years after college (for those who know me and haven't seen me in a while, it doesn't look as though I gained 80 lbs., but it is certainly noticeable).

I'm now much larger than I've ever been in my entire life. It is a lack of exercise and poor food choices. Intellectually, I know all of that. Emotionally, food is a comfort to me. It is sick, I know. I know that I need to do something about it, but right now, I find it difficult to care very much. You see, I'm in the midst of dealing with feelings of rejection all over again now that I'm out of college. I've been unemployed for over two years (I briefly worked for a cemetery last year), and it brings up the feelings of rejection all over again.

I keep wondering exactly what is wrong with me and why good job opportunities keep slipping through my fingers, but I keep placing that blame on myself. A lot of the career issues are related to the fact that I want to live in Mid-Michigan and the fact that my background in supply chain management and Spanish isn't in demand right now here. Professional manufacturing is losing so much ground here, it is truly tragic. Yet, I place all of the blame on myself. I'd love to move, but that would mean that I'd lose the wonderful relationship I have with my fiance, whose career here is going well. I know that my background is demand elsewhere, but I've already left Brian for a job once. I simply can't do it again. I want a life with him, here in Bay City. In fact, I'm close to achieving my childhood dream of settling here in Bay City. I just need a job.

Unfortunately, all of this - the job, the weight situation - has strained my relationships with my family somewhat. My Mom, my Dad, and my Grandma Reid (with whom I'm very close) are all extremely concerned about my weight. My parents didn't say much, at first, but other things have occurred recently that really hit home as to how they really feel. My Grandma Reid (again, remember that I love her dearly and that we're close) has brought it up nearly every time I've met with her since I returned from Texas during the summer of 2005. It got to the point where I had to tell her how it made me feel. She honestly thought that bringing it to my attention would help me.

This is where I get angry. Believe it or not, there may be people out there who actually think that discussing a weight issue will help the person who has it deal with it. As well meaning as my Grandma was, it deeply hurt me. I can certainly see the issue for myself, and the last thing I need is a reminder of it. I made the point with her, and she's been great about it since. That said, I don't think that people who have never struggled with their weight could ever understand the stigma that weight has in this society. It closes all kinds of doors, and it is still acceptable to discriminate on the basis of weight and height. That, in a nutshell, was the entire point of the movie. The movie made it very well. I wanted to share my experiences not to point out how cruel kids can be (that's be demonstrated time and time again), but to ensure people that everyone has their issues. There are several stories I could have included here regarding how I was treated by classmates. I didn't though. They were going through their own issues.

There is always someone who has it worse than you. Everyone has some mountain to climb. Our world would be a much better place if we all remembered that.

Queen Sized | myLifetime.com

Lindsey

PS - The picture included in my profile is my first grade school picture.

Does This Really Surprise Anyone?

2008-04-22T16:13:00.001-04:00

Pajamas Media » Blog Archive » Conservatives Have It Rough in Hollywood

It doesn't bother me so much that Hollywood is almost entirely Liberal; it bothers me more that Hollywood uses its vast influence to further political causes. It is the same in much of academia too (much, much more on that later this evening).

I wonder how many true Conservatives there are in Hollywood. Think about it. If your career was at stake, wouldn't you keep your political beliefs to yourself? Personally, that would be impossible for me.

Lindsey

Another Great Political Blog...

2008-04-22T00:56:00.002-04:00

I just quickly wanted to highlight this blog I discovered this evening. There are already two pieces that I plan on highlighting very soon. You can expect to hear much more from Joshua Rocks.

Order Vs Disorder

Lindsey Russell

Grow Up! Men Are Not The Enemy

2008-04-22T00:49:00.002-04:00

I absolutely can't stand it when women find it necessary to put down all men. I've been reading a lot of Rachel Lucas and Dr. Helen lately, and both are among the first to highlight feminist screeds. Well, there is a piece that was published that really is hard to believe if you don't read it for yourself. Can you imagine chastising your spouse in public? Now can you imagine what would happen if a husband chastised his wife in public? The sheer gull of this woman (and I use that term loosely as I don't want to be associated at all with the likes of her; I just don't) is mind-bending. I planned to comment extensively on the topic, but The Anchoress does a wonderful job of commenting on the original article, and she dissects the reactions of Rachel and Dr. Helen. I'm quite surprised that DADvocate hasn't weighed in on the subject yet, but I'm sure that he will (I'm counting on it!).

I've been meaning to write a post honoring some of the men in my life, past and present. Now I'm even more determined to do so. I truly sympathize with men in our society. I'm just glad that there are many others, male and female, that think the way I do about this particular subject. It is always nice not to be alone.

Lindsey

My husband is a gem, a jewel! | The Anchoress

Prophetic Words on Iran?

2008-04-22T00:08:00.002-04:00

FrontPage Magazine - The Threat of Iran

An amazing interview with Benjamin Netanyahu. If you have any doubts as to what is occurring with regards to Iran, the interview above explains it better than I ever could. I wish things were as clear cut here in the U.S. According to Netanyahu, there is essentially consensus on not allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. We are far from recognizing the threat here. It is time to wake up. We are quickly approaching the point of no return.

Lindsey

Nextbook Interview with Sarah Horowitz

2008-04-22T00:01:00.002-04:00

Over the last few weeks, I've been fascinated by what I've learned about Sarah Horowitz. You can read what I've written here. While I just learned of her existence, and unfortunately, her death, I've already learned much from the example she set. She and I would have been at complete opposite sides of the political spectrum, as she was with her famous father, David Horowitz (much more on him later), but I can't help but think of how much we could have learned from each other. Fortunately, we all have her example to learn from now. It is just too sad that her life ended so soon.

Nextbook: Vision of Unity

Lindsey Russell

Final Update on Michy

2008-04-21T21:48:00.003-04:00

The title might be cryptic, but Michy is doing much, much better. She's been home for some time now. I can't tell you how happy I am for her! She has battled this infection for so long; it is amazing that it might actually be gone now. I'm looking forward to reading Michy's new work.

Please note that this will be the last medical update I do on Michy (unless, of course, she ends up in the hospital again). You can read previous posts here. If you want to keep up Michy, you can do so here. I recommend that you do. She is quite funny (just look at some of her older posts).

That's about it!

Lindsey

Myspace.com Blogs - Infection Free? - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - Work? - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - Life Outside - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Dear Mr. President...

2008-04-21T20:07:00.002-04:00

RADARSITE: Dear Mr. President: a letter from the Homefront

This simply has to be read to be believed. It is quite simply nothing less than an outline of what needs to be done in order to bring this nation together to fight a truly global war (I refrain from using "War on Terror" here due to the fact that it isn't truly a war on terror; terror is just a weapon that our enemies have used against us). I just hope that more people understand what we are up against as a nation before it is too late. Many on the Angry Left portray the United States as the enemy. They fail to realize that our true enemies simply want nothing less that our total destruction, including the destruction of those on the Left. There is a definite need for self-preservation right now, as much as I hate to say it.

Lindsey

On A Personal Note... The Profile of a Writer Series and Much More

2008-04-21T19:34:00.005-04:00

Many readers may have noticed the change in tone of this blog over the last few weeks. There is no doubt that it has become more political and less about the art of writing. As a result, the Profile of a Writer feature has been put on hold for now.

While I do hope to highlight other authors soon, as well as conduct interviews with a few of my favorites, I'm not sure exactly when that will be. At this point, I'm truly concerned about the state of Michigan, as well as the country. As a result, I'm slowly finding my voice in the political sphere. In addition, I finding it easier and easier to write about Turner Syndrome and other gender issues. As much as I don't like to admit it, Turner Syndrome affects me in a profoundly personal way each and every day. It is a part of who I am as a woman. There is little out there with regards to writing for Turner Syndrome girls and women written by women and girls who have Turner Syndrome. There may be a lot of information on the clinical features, but there is little regarding what it is actually like to live with the disorder. As a result, I feel as though I'm fulfilling a need.

There are so many issues to discuss and so little time. Please know that even though you may disagree with my viewpoint, my perspectives on world events, politics, gender issues, Turner Syndrome, and more are shared with the utmost conviction. In other words, when I share my perspective with readers, it is almost always due to the fact that I have very definite thoughts and/or beliefs on the subject matter.

Now that I have all of that out of the way, I also want to state that I do want (and need) to have fun with this blog! There are good things happening in the world, and they need to be acknowledged.

Lindsey

All Too True Cartoon

2008-04-21T19:29:00.002-04:00

Cartoon courtesy of Red Planet Cartoons.

Unfortunately, this is the road multiculturalism, in its most biased form, is leading us down. We live in a world turned upside down.

Lindsey

Second Amendment Rights

2008-04-19T22:34:00.002-04:00

Gun-related issues are once again in the forefront of American politics. Readers know how I stand on the issue, but I wanted to share a couple of interesting pieces (see below). While I normally find Ann Coulter too shrill for my tastes, I find her article in Human Events interesting and quite funny.

I've mentioned before that my sister's fiance is a cop and that I've known him for quite some time now. I can honestly say that I've learned more about gun ownership, gun laws, etc. from him than any other source. Dr. Helen's take on the issue fits in nicely with what Justin has told me. Personally, I hope that I don't ever need to know anything about guns. That said, I want guns in the hands of responsible gun owners, not the criminals (the crime situation in Australia is a good example of what can happen when guns are taken out of the hands of responsible gun owners).

Dr. Helen: Are Gun Owners Really Trigger Happy?

Obama Woos Gun-Toting God Nuts - HUMAN EVENTS

Lindsey

Sarah Horowitz

2008-04-19T21:33:00.002-04:00

I recently learned about Sarah Horowitz as a result of a blog called The Other McCain by Stacy McCain (you can read what he wrote regarding Sarah Horowitz, Turner Syndrome, and abortion here). It is one of the most compelling pieces I've come across regarding a specialized topic I'm passionate about, Turner Syndrome and abortion. It was this particular article that led me to one of the most moving eulogies I've ever read (please click on the link below).

Coincidentally, I've read some of David Horowitz's work over the last few months, but I was not aware that he lost his daughter Sarah recently (March) or that Sarah had Turner Syndrome. As you can gather from Stacy McCain's post, as well as David Horowitz's profoundly moving eulogy of his daughter, Sarah was a woman of uncommon strength and personal conviction, even if it put her at odds with her Father at times. The lessons outlined in both pieces are timeless and are needed now more than ever. I will be writing much more on Sarah Horowitz in the near future.

FrontPage Magazine - Remembering Sarah by David Horowitz

The Other McCain: 'The dignity of living'

Lindsey Russell

Thoughts on Iran

2008-04-19T20:35:00.002-04:00

As you know, I've come across a few blog posts that suggest that a war with Iran is clearly on the horizon, whether it is started by Israel or the United States. You can read my original posts on the subject here.

This particular post isn't to highlight evidence of a coming war or dispute claims made by other blogs. It is simply to speculate on what would happen if the rumors of war turn out to be true. Whether there is a war with Iran now or later, it will undoubtedly have many consequences here in the United States. In my opinion, they will be much greater than any felt during any other war in my lifetime (the first Iraq War, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan).

Personally, I believe that War with Iran will be necessary one way or another. I don't know how we as a nation can let Iran develop nuclear weapons. Personally, I see this time period as analogous to the 1930s. If concerted steps had been taken at that time, there is a good chance that the lives of millions taken by Nazi Germany would have been saved. Unfortunately, I don't know if we have the political will now, just as we didn't back then.

For example, the other day I had an interesting conversation with an old college friend of mine. He and I studied the exact same things during our college careers, spent much time studying abroad (I spent more time with him outside the country rather than in, even though we are both Michiganders by birth), and more. You'd think that we'd have similar thoughts on politics; hardly. He is quite Liberal, although he is much more rational than many hardcore Liberals I know, while I am quite Conservative.

The nice thing about our friendship is the fact that we can have rational conversations regarding politics without resorting to name-calling, getting angry, or worse. Unfortunately, such conversations are becoming more rare as both sides are moving further apart. After having an interesting discussion regarding Iran, which I will get to in a minute, we both agreed that we valued the friendship simply due to the fact that we actually agree to disagree. We actually listen to each other.

Regarding our conversation with Iran, he was surprised at what I had discovered regarding a possible strike. Then he exhibited Bush Derangement Syndrome. He stated "I don't mean to offend politically, but we need to get this dude out of there QUICK!" Unfortunately, he pretty much proves my point. If we as a nation are going to confront Iran before Iran has nuclear capabilities, there is precious little time to do it, as awful as that reality might be. Does anyone really think that a President Clinton, President Obama, or even President McCain would attack Iran? We have little time to take care of this growing threat.

Am I a war monger for believing this? No, I don't want my nation to be at war at all. I grew up during a time of relative peace (the first Iraq War really didn't affect people much at home), and I don't want to see anyone killed. That said, I see a real threat to our country. I personally believe that if we don't confront this threat now, on our terms, the cost will be that much greater when we are forced to deal with it in the future. I don't see how we have the choice to ignore it. Islamofascists have called for our destruction; just watch "Fitna." It is foolish to think that they don't really mean it just as it was foolish to not believe that Hitler meant what he said in Mein Kampf.

While I believe that war with Iran is necessary and inevitable, it truly frightens me. Will it truly turn into World War III? How many soldiers will die? Will there be new terrorist attacks in the U.S.? All of those questions are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Below are a few additional pieces that I believe lend credence to earlier conclusions stating that war with Iran is imminent. I'll leave it for all of you to put together the pieces.

Lindsey

A Blog For All: Hamas Terrorists Storm Border For Fifth Time This Week

Who's Behind the Proxy Wars by Pat Buchanan on Creators.com - A Syndicate Of Talent

FOXNews.com - Al-Sadr Threatens Uprising in Iraq if Crackdown Continues

FOXNews.com - Israelis Celebrate Start of Passover Amid Higher Security

FOXNews.com - South Korean President Meets Bush, Urges 'Persistent Patience' on North Korean Nuke Program

More News on Impending Showdown with Iran

2008-04-18T00:14:00.002-04:00

Radar Site picked up on what could be War with Iran. An interesting Fox News article comes along just as whispers of war are getting louder. The last link sent chills down my spine. It is a piece of fiction written about the first day of a War with Iran. I will cover my thoughts and feelings on the entire subject, which are very complex, in another post.

RADARSITE: Day of Reckoning?

FOXNews.com - Bush, British PM Pledge Tough Stance on Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Day One - The War With Iran

Lindsey

Are We About to Open Another Front in Iran?

2008-04-17T11:34:00.003-04:00

When I came across Joshua's article yesterday, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it. We should have taken care of Iran a long time ago, but there just wasn't the political will to do so. I begin to wonder if it isn't already too late. In addition, I worry about how the next President will deal with a War with Iran. McCain is certainly the only one with enough true experience to deal with a war on three fronts.

What concerns me most is how a War with Iran would affect the U.S. as a whole. Would we finally be forced to take certain measures and acknowledge that we are truly at war? Would we finally begin to see mobilization at home (on a lesser scale of that which took place during World War II)? One could only hope. I'm afraid that a War with Iran would fail to unite us here at home. Even though I can't imagine it, I believe it would further drive a wedge between Left and Right. I always wanted to live during an interesting time period; it looks as though my wish was granted in spades.

Joshua's article does a wonderful job of citing evidence of possible military action against Iran. The post below it summarized Joshua's post; however, there are even more pieces of evidence cited in the comments. More than anything, I added the second article for its comments. I will be watching this situation closely.

J O S H U A P U N D I T: Iran: Is A Strike Imminent?
Pat Dollard | Young Americans | Blog Archive » Is A Strike Upon Iran Imminent?

Lindsey

Living Under a Rock

2008-04-16T14:24:00.002-04:00

There have been several mind-boggling articles written on the subject of women and feminism this past week. I've been meaning to write about them, but most have not even warranted comment. They are stuck in the 1960s. Sometimes I truly wonder what world some of these people live in. It is very different from mine.

The article below dissects one of the most appalling pieces. The author of the original piece, not the author of the article below, dared to compare the "plight" of Western women today to the true oppression faced by women in the Muslim world. It is truly disgusting. While we do nothing about the real oppression, so-called activists fight for largely imagined grievances. Yes, we have our issues here. That fact doesn't excuse us from fighting the real oppression in the Muslim world though. While we sit here in freedom, there are millions of women who live in fear of death, disfigurement, rape, etc. I will call myself a feminist when they start addressing the real issues.

Pajamas Media » Blog Archive » Are Privileged Western Women Being Crushed into Silence?

Lindsey

No Wonder There Are Few Openly Conservative Professors In Academia

2008-04-16T14:21:00.002-04:00

I can't believe the gull. I had to read it to believe it. At one time, I had aspirations to continue my education and become a professor. Now I ask myself if I'd ever fit in. I don't believe that I would. I'm not one to keep quiet when it comes to politics. Not at all. Why should I waste thousands upon thousands of dollars to be told that what I believe and what I believe in are completely wrong? I can't stand it when liberals act as though all conservatives are uneducated hicks. The same thing goes for people who happen to live in small towns; many liberals, like Obama, like to portray us as hicks who are out of touch with reality. Many academics (but not all) and elitists like Obama are the ones who have lost touch with reality. "Bitter" proves it.

FrontPage Magazine

Lindsey

Breath of the Beast

2008-04-16T13:56:00.002-04:00

I came across the website below quite some time ago, and the author contacted me. He enjoyed a post I wrote about multiculturalism. He suggested that I write my own story of when I first felt the breath of the beast. I plan to do so, but not quite yet.

Currently, I'm having a hard time figuring out just when I first was aware of just how great the threat of Islamofascism is to my way of life, to the United States, and in general, to Western ideology. There were several experiences I had while an undergraduate student studying in Spain for a semester that tipped me off. The experiences hinted at the growing anti-Semitism in Europe, as well as the general Islamic disdain of anything non-Muslim (particularly American women).

In addition, while the liberal bias at Michigan State University wasn't quite as bad as it is now at some other institutions, it still made a conservative student think twice about what he or she had to say. That, too, is a sign of the breath of the beast. The success of Islamofascism depends on self-censorship, as well as a double standard for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion.

I will be writing much more about the Breath of the Beast in the days to come. It is too important of a topic. People need to fully understand what we are up against as a nation.

Breath of the Beast

Lindsey

Michy Update - Home from the Hospital

2008-04-16T13:48:00.002-04:00

Michy is now home from the hospital. You can read about her hospital stay here. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Myspace.com Blogs - First Night Home - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Lindsey

Rape and College Sex

2008-04-16T13:47:00.004-04:00

This article and the article that it dissects brings up an incredibly complicated topic. When does drunken sexual mistakes become rape? Let's face it: most of these occurrences take place during the college years. There is entirely too much drinking going on, and there is a lot of peer pressure to have sex.

So where is the line between rape and a sexual mistake drawn? Personally, I don't have the answer. There are a couple of points that need to be made though.

1. No matter how you look at the whole issue, the entire system is stacked against men. What happens when a man feels sexually used and abused? I have a feeling that there are quite a few men out there who are afraid that rape charges will be made against them if they come forward. There are two sides to every story.

2. There is entirely too much pressure on young men and women to have sex and to drink in college. It is pretty much expected of everyone, and it takes a strong person to make those decisions for him or herself. There needs to be more room for individual decision-making. As much as everyone claims that college is all about independence, the peer pressure to conform can easily overwhelm people not accustomed to making decisions on their own.

3. Personal responsibility is not stressed nearly enough. All too often the wrong people are punished and the worst users and abusers are running around free. We need to get back to a deep sense of personal responsibility in our culture, but currently, it is almost non-existent. Personally responsibility would go a long way to prevent the drunken sexual mistakes made in college.

The three issues mentioned above may seem obvious to some, but no one seems to be doing anything to rectify the situation. I dare say that it is getting worse each and every day.

Pajamas Media » Blog Archive » Common Sense and Double Standards in ‘Campus Rape Myth’

Lindsey

PS - I may share a personal story on this topic later.

Is Being Conservative An Illness, a Mental Defect?

2008-04-16T13:04:00.003-04:00

Pajamas Media is always entertaining, but I could identify a little too closely with the article below. I can't count how many times I've been simply told that my point-of-view is wrong due to the fact that it was conservative, especially while I was in college. I may not face the day-to-day critique I did in college, but I still remember it well. Donkeys need to remember that Elephants have long memories (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Even though I'm just having a little fun with this post, I'm seriously beginning to wonder how long it will be before being conservative is labeled a mental defect, especially in light of what is taking place in Canada and Europe.

I’m tired of being called irrational

Lindsey

Turner Syndrome and Abortion

2008-04-16T13:00:00.005-04:00

I came across this blog the other evening, and I couldn't believe my luck! Here was a conservative male blogger discussing Turner Syndrome. Not only was he discussing Turner Syndrome, he discussed some of the reasons why any discussion of Turner Syndrome and abortion together makes me sick. Yes, there are people out there who would consider it best to abort a fetus diagnosed prenatally with Turner Syndrome. This is exactly why more accurate information on Turner Syndrome, and other genetic disorders like it, needs to be common knowledge. I've met quite a few girls and women with Turner Syndrome in my life, and I have yet to met one who didn't have something wonderful to offer the world. You can bet that I'll be keeping up with this blog.

The Other McCain: 'The dignity of living'

Lindsey

Attempted Censorship Comes to Associated Content

2008-04-16T12:29:00.003-04:00

In case you think that censorship can only be found in Canada, Europe, Australia, etc., read the articles below. Conservative thought, actually anything other than supposed "mainstream" thought, is being attacked on a website called Associated Content. Those that know me know that I write for this website. I've had my share of attacks over the years too. Once again, it just angers me that no honest discussion can take place. I sympathize more than the author could ever know.

Why I Hate America by Anonymous - Associated Content

Attack of the Shadow People! - Associated Content

Lindsey

Turner Syndrome and Sex

2008-04-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

Before I get started, let me clarify that this post is about gender rather than sexual intercourse. I apologize if I disappointed anyone. I discovered some fascinating information regarding Turner Syndrome the other day. This may seem strange, but even though I have Turner Syndrome myself, I did not know that it is considered an intersexed condition. It came as a complete surprise.

Why did it come as a surprise? Well, you see, I'm female in every sense of the word, and so are all other girls and women with Turner Syndrome. We either have a 45 X or 45 X with part of the other X chromosome (mosiac) karyotype rather than the "normal" 46 XX female karyotype. There is no Y to be found (Y determines the sex of a baby). All patients with Turner Syndrome are female. Yes, there are conditions similar to Turner Syndrome that affect males, but there is always at least a partial Y chromosome involved. That is why the label "intersexed" confuses me when it comes to Turner Syndrome.

It might not mean much, but when you are a teenager dealing with Turner Syndrome (and I plan on discussing this particular topic much more in the days and weeks to come), you already question whether or not you are a "real" woman due to the fact that most women with Turner Syndrome are infertile. My experience growing up with Turner Syndrome and my understanding of the perceived gender issues that it entails lends me to question why it is labeled as "intersexed" at all. Intellectually, I understand that any variation of the 46 XX or the 46 XY norm is labeled as "intersexed," but as a woman who has lived with an "intersexed" condition, I question why the medical community has to split hairs in this case. I find it unsettling.

The article below is thought-provoking. In my post I didn't even address how the intersex movement is being co-opted by the transgendered movement. Quite frankly, I don't need to right now. The author of the article below, who has an intersexed condition herself, does it well.

Trans and intersex - a forced marriage of inconvenience? « you know that I’ve been drunk a thousand times

Lindsey

No Free Speech in France Either

2008-04-16T12:05:00.003-04:00

I don't know why I found this particular piece surprising, but I did. I might not agree with Ms. Bardot on much, but I do love the fact that she is fighting for Freedom of Speech. Can you imagine if millions of Europeans did the same? Sometimes I wonder if Europe is too far gone.

Brigitte Bardot on trial for Muslim slur | U.S. | Reuters

Lindsey

The True Meaning of Religious Freedom

2008-04-16T09:40:00.006-04:00

The other day I wrote a post called "The Sensitive In-Law Post - Religion," and this morning, I received a thought-provoking comment on it from Aurora at The Midnight Sun. She commented on what a religiously diverse family I have. Quite frankly, it never really crossed my mind, and she doesn't even know that my religious ancestry is even more diverse.

The point is that Aurora, who lives in Australia, felt that it was unusual enough to make the observation. The thing is that my family is far from unusual in the United States. I'll give you an example. The small town I grew up in is predominately Catholic and my family is United Methodist. That said, our neighbors (who still live next door to my parents) are Roman Catholic. They are essentially extended family to this day. As Joyce (one the neighbors mentioned above) was our babysitter, we (my siblings and I) grew to love her and her husband Carl as adopted Grandparents (they are substantially older than our parents).

When I was a child, given that I'm the oldest child and my parents married quite young (my Mom was 21 and my Dad was 24 when they married in 1977; I was born in 1980), they still enjoyed a social life (whatever that means in a small town) on Saturday evenings. There was one issue. Joyce, the trusted babysitter, and her husband attended Mass with their two children most Saturday evenings. The solution was simple; Joyce simply asked my parents if they minded if my sister and I (my brother came along much later) went to Mass with them. My parents didn't care, and quite frankly, I learned a lot about the Catholic Church as a result. My Grandma found it quite amusing as many of her Catholic friends would comment on seeing her small Granddaughters in Mass on Saturday evenings. I'm bias, but I can't help but note that her friends mentioned how well-behaved and cute my sister and I were (just look at my profile picture; ha ha!).

The result was that I spent just as much time attending Catholic Mass as I did attending our United Methodist Church. As I was an intellectually curious child who loved watching the news, I couldn't help but here about issues between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Even at a young age, it hit home. How could there be any rift between our beloved neighbors, many of my classmates, and my family over religion? I didn't get it. Our Church and the Roman Catholic Church used to hold joint Bible Camp for kids during the summer. None of this would have ever happened in Ireland. Not only did it happen in a small town in Michigan, no one questioned any of this or found it strange. It would have seemed strange to question the connections between various Churches in such a small town, whether the Churches were Protestant, Catholic, or even non-denominational.

None of this even mentions the fact that I have several cousins (first, second, and third) who were and are Catholics as well. In fact, my Dad's maternal Grandparents were Eastern Orthodox Catholics from the Ukraine. Somewhere along the line, some of their children became Roman Catholics as a result of marriage, etc. My paternal Grandmother grew up Catholic, married my Grandpa Russell, who was the son of members of the Church of Latter Day Saints (I just found this out), and later became Protestant without ties to one specific denomination. Personally. I find her religious history fascinating. She is one who taught me my prayers as a child, and she has the strongest belief in God of just about anyone I've ever met. I believe that she is largely the reason why my family puts preference on belief in God rather than organized religion.

So what point am I trying to make? My point is this: Where else on Earth could all of this taken place out in the open, without fear of reprisal, retribution, or fear of being disowned by family? It is an uniquely American idea that religion is an intensely personal issue. I know many people who stress the fact that they want their children to come to conclusions on religion on their own. My parents, my Mom specifically, viewed things differently. It wasn't that they wanted their children indoctrinated into a specific organized religion, they simply wanted their children to have some idea of what organized religion offered. It was important to my Mom that her children had some religious education. My sister, my brother, and I were all confirmed in the United Methodist Church.

I know for a fact that it wasn't necessarily important to my Mom that we were Methodist, or even Protestant. I think that she had the idea that she wanted her children to be able to make up their own minds regarding organized religion when we were older. I thank her for that. Thanks to my parents' openness, I learned religious tolerance at a very young age. That said, she recently told me that she found it interesting that her daughters (again, my brother is still very young, 16) are choosing to spend their lives with men who don't have much use for organized religion either. It is interesting. We are following our parents' example, for better or worse.

When and/or if Brian and I have children someday, I want them to have religious education in both Catholicism and the United Methodist Church. If nothing else, I want them to understand their religious heritage. That said, I want them to use that understanding to better understand religious freedom, respect other religions, and better understand religious influence across the world.

The one notable exception to all of this is Islam. It saddens me to come to come to this conclusion, but I don't see how Islam can coexist with the Jewish faith and Christianity. For all of the rhetoric of "moderate" Muslims, there is nothing in the Koran that calls for peace and understanding among people of all religions. Some may say that there are violent parts of the Bible too. That is true. However, from my standpoint, and the standpoint of millions of people, there is one big difference: whereas in the Koran there is only death and violence (it specifically calls for the destruction of non-Muslims), the Bible offers hope, peace, and redemption.

Lindsey

Michy Hospitalized - UPDATE 1

2008-04-14T14:47:00.002-04:00

The latest two updates on Michy are included below. You'll find the original post further down. It looks as though Michy will be in the hospital for quite some time.

Lindsey

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day Three - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day Four - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

There has been a lot going on in my life recently. The father of a family friend passed away (I didn't really know him, but I knew one of his daughters and her family well), I found out that two teachers from my childhood have cancer (one is terminal), and the son-in-law of dear family friends (my parent's neighbors, who are essentially like adopted grandparents to me) passed away too. Then, last night a couple of things happened. First, I found out that a house down the street was robbed close to a week ago. Not only that, but some neighbors saw four men trying to break into another house last night. It was a little disconcerting to say the least (our neighborhood is normally very quiet). After making sure that all the doors were locked (twice) and making myself something to eat (I couldn't sleep), I learned that one of my oldest and dearest online friends is in the hospital.

She is a wonderful writer and has inspired me more than she'll ever know. You can read all of what I've written about Michy here. She is doing well enough (at least at this point) to write from her hospital room. She's already blogged her first two days. I will be adding to this post as she continues to write about her ordeal. I encourage everyone to read her writing. It is funny, pertinent, witty, and informative. She is the most prolific writer I know.

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day One - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day Two - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Lindsey

The Sensitive In-Law Post - Religion

2008-04-13T15:24:00.005-04:00

I just want to reiterate what I stated in my previous post on In-Laws and Politics:

Before I go any further, I just want to say that this is written in good humor. If anyone mentioned here happens to come across this post, I mean no harm. I simply want to share some very personal experiences of mine.

Now that that is out of the way, I can give a little background. As I stated many times here, my little sister is getting married this fall to a wonderful young man named Justin who is a cop with Kalamazoo Public Safety. I was there when they started dating (prior to that, they had been friends for a couple of years), and I couldn't ask for a better future brother-in-law. That alone speaks volumes for his parents.

Last fall, Erica and Justin purchased a home. As my Grandma was no longer interested in having Thanksgiving, my Mom entertains for Christmas, and Brian and I don't own a home yet, Erica and Justin had Thanksgiving at their new home. It was then that I met his parents.

While Justin grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he isn't a typical Yooper. For those who don't know, Yooper is a Michigan term for those residing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula who exhibit certain characteristics. Yoopers tend to be of Scandinavian ancestry (especially Finnish), easily identify with Canadians, etc. Essentially, to be a Yooper is to be a caricature of residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with Finnish ancestry. It just doesn't apply to Justin.

Justin grew up near the Michigan and Wisconsin border. Northern Wisconsin tends to be very different from extreme Northern Michigan. In fact, Justin's Mom makes a point of mentioning that she teaches school in Wisconsin, not Michigan. Justin's Dad is an easy-going retired cop. Justin's Mom is Jewish, and Justin's Dad is Christian. That is where the real debate comes in.

While I would describe Justin's Mom as Jewish, I wouldn't describe Justin as Jewish (even though my sister does, but that is another story). His Mom, even though she tried to introduce him to aspects of her Jewish faith as a child, never really made it a point for Justin to be raised Jewish per se. However, that is changing as he and my sister are getting married, setting up a home, etc. It appears as though she's trying to put up a good front for her family as the wedding approaches.

For example, she has tried to give certain Jewish gifts to Justin and my sister. My sister is handling it with good grace; it is Justin and his Dad that get upset. As Justin said, "she hasn't pulled this on me since I was seven years old." Again, realize that I'm getting this information from my sister and Justin. According to Justin and his Dad, her desire for Justin and Erica to appear Jewish doesn't come from any particular religious belief, it comes from wanting to look good in front of her family (the wedding will be held near Erica and Justin's home). Erica and Justin both stated that they would be more open if it came from true religious or spiritual belief.

One of the biggest points of contention is the actual wedding ceremony. Erica and Justin will be married by one of Justin's cousins, who is a Methodist minister. Justin's Mom reportedly asked that no mention of Jesus be made in the ceremony. Justin and Erica are both in agreement that they want Jesus to be mentioned in the ceremony. In fact, from the conversations I had with Erica and Justin, they now want to ensure that Jesus is mentioned prominently in the ceremony. In fact, it was this debate that gave me the idea to write this series of posts. A post on Michelle Malkin's blog brought the debate to mind. You can read it here. While you'd have to know Justin's Mom to fully understand the situation, Erica and Justin's reasoning goes something like this:

If you have such issues with the mention of Christianity, why did you marry a Christian in the first place? They are our wedding vows; why do you feel that you should have this say? If you were so eager to pass along your Jewish faith to Justin, why didn't you insist when he was a child? If these requests are coming from a place of true religious and spiritual conviction, why does it appear as though you are simply trying to appease your family?

In my opinion, they have some very valid questions. I can also see why Justin's Mom would want her heritage acknowledged too though. Quite frankly, it appears as though it certainly would have been if it didn't seem so insincere. Justin's parents are wonderful people, but I can see where this issue would get tiresome for Erica and Justin.

As an outsider to the situation, the whole thing makes me want to elope. Brian is Catholic and I'm Protestant. We plan on getting married in the Catholic Church, even though my Grandma insists that it wouldn't be possible. I have a feeling that my Grandma is mistaken, but I have no plans to convert to Catholicism. I don't expect Brian to "convert" either. In fact, we have incredibly similar religious beliefs (Erica, Justin, Brian, and I all do, despite the varied religious backgrounds, so it would appear). Neither of us have much faith in organized religion. The story above is the exact reason why! Then again, St. Stans Church is beautiful. Brian's family helped found the church when they immigrated from Poland. The family history, on Brian's part, associated with St. Stans is a main reason why I'd like to get married there. We'll see what happens.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus indeed.

Lindsey

PS - I was pleasantly surprised to see that many people believe, as Brian and I do, that having faith and going to Church or Mass every Sunday are two very different things. You can read more about it here.

The Sensitive In-Law Post - Politics

2008-04-13T14:15:00.005-04:00

Most readers know that my little sister is getting married this fall. In addition, Brian and I have been in a serious relationship for over four years now (yes, we eventually do plan to get married). Of course, this all means that my sister and I have had to deal with the inevitable prospective in-law issues. Some of the issues are quite funny while others hint at larger issues in society. It has never been easy to combine families and adjust to the family dynamics of a significant other. In some instances, my sister and I are finding out that we come from quite an extraordinary family in the sense that our parents allowed us much more freedom than many of the parents of our peers. We certainly do not have helicopter parents.

Before I go any further, I just want to say that this is written in good humor. If anyone mentioned here happens to come across this post, I mean no harm. I simply want to share some very personal experiences of mine.

Where do I start? Well, Brian's parents are great. I truly enjoy their company. As Brian and I live approximately a mile from their house, we have dinner at their house a few times a week, every week. For the most part, this allows us to catch up with Brian's brother Todd and Todd's girlfriend Rachel (Todd is a commuting college student living at home). While we don't discuss politics much with Rachel (she's not that interested and only 16), the rest of us get into the middle of it. Here is where the confusion comes in.

In Michigan, as in many union states, there is a general bias towards Democrats that truly is out of touch with the reality of today's Democratic Party. For the sake of argument, I will call this group Blue Collar Democrats. The average Blue Collar Democrat owns his or her own home, has two or three children, works a union job, tends to be Catholic (and is still married, or annulled the first marriage and remarried), and is more or less socially conservative. They tend to support the Democratic Party not out of a blind loyalty to unions, but due to a deep sense of tradition. From my perspective, some Blue Collar Democrats appear to believe that it is almost un-American not to support the Democratic Party (again, this certainly doesn't reflect the current Democratic Party which is turning anti-American).

I grew up in a small town that was predominantly populated by Blue Collar Democrats. The irony here is that for all intents and purposes, Brian's family (especially his Dad) fits the profile of Blue Collar Democrats perfectly. In fact, my parents pretty much assumed that his parents were Democrats, despite the fact that Brian and his brother are very conservative. Well, when you actually talk politics with Brian and Todd's parents, you find a general disdain for politicians in general (which is certainly to be expected). In addition, they tend to be conservative on most issues, and while they might occasionally support a Democrat, it is the exception, not the norm.

As a result of Brian's parents not following the Blue Collar Democrat script, I've found myself having some very interesting political conversations with my own family. No matter how you look at it, after getting past the stereotypes, it is easy to see how Brian and Todd formed their political views. I don't always agree, but I find myself agreeing more often than not.

This entire experience helps illustrate something I had a hard time understanding as a child. Growing up, I often heard my Mom lament that many Blue Collar Democrats didn't fully understand just how much they think like conservatives. I now understand. Why should Blue Collar Democrats vote for a party that is working against families, against religion, and against just about everything most Blue Collar Democrats hold dear? I didn't even mention the growing anti-Americanism and self-loathing taking over the Democratic Party (case in point, Obama, who last week alienated the very people he needs to win the nomination and election with elitist comments). I'm just glad that Brian's parents get it. My Grandma doesn't, but then again, she doesn't vote.

I'll cover religion in the next post.

Lindsey

The Legacy of the 60s is Still Very Much With Us

2008-04-13T13:31:00.005-04:00

Pajamas Media » Blog Archive » Viewing the 1960s From My 60s

This particular piece written by Burt Prelutsky alludes to some of the major hypocrisies of the Baby Boomer generation. While I personally feel that Mr. Prelutsky comes across as a bit bitter in this particular article, he brings up some very valid points. I especially enjoyed his discussion of how subsequent generations have used "Free Speech" as a way to silence the opposition. That is exactly what is happening across the world today.

One of the biggest revelations for me came from one of the comments attached to the piece:

As a teen in the 70s, I could never get my head around the concept of conforming to non-conformity. The self-indulgent behavior of those around me seemed immature and ultimately self destructive. I saw a lot of young people from the neighborhood wrecking their lives with sex and drugs and alcohol; some of whom ended up on or welfare or Disability Insurance, or in jail; a few who died prematurely.
The negative repercussions of the irresponsible embrace of immaturity reverberate to this day in many poor communities. Would some of the people I knew have destroyed their lives anyway had the 60s never happened? Undoubtedly so. But the unfortunate legacy of the 60s was to make self destruction look cool, acceptable and desirable, and thus an easier choice for them to make.

If I had changed "70s" to "90s," I certainly could have written that comment (minus the issues with punctuation and sentence structure). I never could grasp the concept of conforming to non-conformity either. It became especially glaring while I was in college during the earlier part of this decade. I could never understand why people ascribing to multiculturalism, free speech, and the like never wanted to hear the other side of real issues. I understand now that it is a means to hang on to power. I still can't quite get over the sheer hypocrisy though. Now I know why Idol Gives back bothered me though. More on that here. It all leads back to hypocrisy. In most cases, I can't stand Hollywood simply due to the arrogance, hypocrisy, and moral relativism present in that particular fishbowl.

Lindsey

If I Had $1,000,000 - BNL Flashback

2008-04-13T02:13:00.003-04:00

small dead animals: Y2Kyoto: If I Had Some Global Warming

I just wanted to give kudos to Kate at Small Dead Animals. She's the reason I came across the priceless video I posted earlier. I watched it a couple of times; it was that funny. For your viewing and listening pleasure, I've included the Barenaked Ladies If I Had a Million Dollars video and lyrics below. They've always been a favorite of mine. Thanks Emily!

If I Had $1,000,000...

Words and Music by Steven Page & Ed Robertson

If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you a house (I would buy you a house)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you furniture for your house
(Maybe a nice chesterfield or an ottoman)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you a K-Car (a nice Reliant automobile)
If I Had $1000000 I'd buy your love.

If I Had $1000000 I'd build a tree fort in our yard.
If I Had $1000000 You could help, it wouldn't be that hard.
If I Had $1000000 Maybe we could put a refrigerator in there.
[Wouldn't that be fabulous]

If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you a fur coat (but not a real fur coat that's cruel)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you an exotic pet (Like a llama or an emu)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you John Merrick's remains (All them crazy elephant bones)
If I Had $1000000 I'd buy your love

If I Had $1000000 We wouldn't have to walk to the store
If I Had $1000000 We'd take a limousine 'cause it costs more
If I Had $1000000 We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner.
(But we would!)

If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you a green dress (but not a real green dress, that's cruel)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you some art (a Picasso or a Garfunkel)
If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000)
I'd buy you a monkey (haven't you always wanted a monkey?!)
If I Had $1000000 I'd buy your love

If I Had $1000000, If I Had $1000000
If I Had $1000000, If I Had $1000000
I'd be rich.

[If I Had $1000000 Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/]

If We Had Some Global Warming... I'd Be HOT

2008-04-13T01:25:00.003-04:00

You've got to love Minnesotans. They are just slightly heartier than many Michiganders. This video is a must-see, especially in light of the winter we've had. It still isn't warming very quickly.

Too bad this idea wouldn't fly in Liberal Michigan... Ah well. Enjoy. If I Had a Million Dollars is one of my favorite Barenaked Ladies songs... Gotta love those Canadians.

Lindsey

A Candidate for the Darwin Award

2008-04-12T23:39:00.002-04:00

For those unfamiliar with the Darwin Awards, it is a tongue and cheek award bestowed on people (in most cases, posthumously) who remove themselves from the gene pool as a result of death or inadvertent sterilization due to extremely poor judgment. You can get the gist of the awards here.

The woman described below is certainly a candidate. I can't even imagine the thought process that led to this decision.

S. Weasel

Lindsey

All Too True - Liberal Bias in the Media

2008-04-12T14:04:00.004-04:00

The credit for this great cartoon goes to RedPlanet. I originally found it on Anchoress Online. What really angers me is that it is turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. It already happened in Michigan. There is no reason why it can't happen across the country. Would you want to hire if you owned a business and kept hearing how awful the economy is? If people are unemployed, how are they going to support businesses? It is a dangerous spiral. I've witnessed it first-hand.

Lindsey

Michy Hospitalized

2008-04-12T13:44:00.003-04:00

There has been a lot going on in my life recently. The father of a family friend passed away (I didn't really know him, but I knew one of his daughters and her family well), I found out that two teachers from my childhood have cancer (one is terminal), and the son-in-law of dear family friends (my parent's neighbors, who are essentially like adopted grandparents to me) passed away too. Then, last night a couple of things happened. First, I found out that a house down the street was robbed close to a week ago. Not only that, but some neighbors saw four men trying to break into another house last night. It was a little disconcerting to say the least (our neighborhood is normally very quiet). After making sure that all the doors were locked (twice) and making myself something to eat (I couldn't sleep), I learned that one of my oldest and dearest online friends is in the hospital.

She is a wonderful writer and has inspired me more than she'll ever know. You can read all of what I've written about Michy here. She is doing well enough (at least at this point) to write from her hospital room. She's already blogged her first two days. I will be adding to this post as she continues to write about her ordeal. I encourage everyone to read her writing. It is funny, pertinent, witty, and informative. She is the most prolific writer I know.

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day One - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - Michy @ the Hospital - Day Two - Michelle L Devon (Michy)™ MySpace Blog

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Lindsey

I'm Proud to Be A Small Town Girl You Arrogant ....

2008-04-11T23:22:00.005-04:00

This just made me absolutely furious. If Obama gets anywhere near the Office of the President of the United States of America, he will in no way, shape, or form represent me. I grew up in the smallest city in Michigan (literally) and still live in a relatively small town. I like it that way. I've spent my entire life defending small towns, my politics, etc., and I can't believe that this arrogant, racist (sorry, but anyone who supported the church of Wright for 20 years or more IS racist), elitist, intellectually and morally bankrupt fool is a contender for the most powerful position in the world. How can you look down on most of America with this much contempt? I'm livid. Ab.so.lute.ly livid. You can bet that I will be blogging MUCH more on Obama (once I calm down, of course).

Oh, and did I mention ignorant? He is completely ignorant of small town America. He doesn't even remotely know how to relate to most people. This is the exact reasons why I could never live in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Houston (11 months was MORE than enough). It amazes me how many ignorant elitists there are in the world. It is no wonder most of the country is referred to as "fly-over country." This truly makes me want to throw-up.

Infidel Bloggers Alliance: You forgot to mention clinging to family also, you total fool
Obama Draws Fire for Comments on Small-Town America - America’s Election HQ

Lindsey

Those Who Forget History Are Doomed to Repeat It

2008-04-11T22:58:00.003-04:00

Is this the reason why so much history is re-written today? Is it as simple as people have simply forgotten the lessons of World War II and World War I? Maybe it is time of for a global history lesson. We are certainly going down a slippery slope with regards to anti-Semitism. You can read more here. I will be doing a piece on anti-Semitism and what I experienced in Spain in 2002 soon.

The Great Forgetting - New York Times

Lindsey

University of Michigan Gets What It Deserves

2008-04-11T22:18:00.003-04:00

I can't believe that David Horowitz was actually allowed to speak on one of the most Liberal college campuses in the country. It is astounding really. I really hope that he got the message out. It is too important. Sadly, it sounds as though he had less than 100 people in the audience. Read more below. This is a small victory for Freedom of Speech. At least the University of Michigan let him speak. There is no denying that anti-Semitism is on the rise, especially in Europe. Read more here.

FrontPage Magazine : Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week Comes to the University of Michigan

Lindsey

iGoogle

2008-04-11T22:03:00.002-04:00

I just spent some time this evening redoing my Google homepage. This is now known as iGoogle (for those not in the know). I added a page for all of the blogs I monitor daily. I can now take one look at my iGoogle page and see which posts I want to read on my favorite blogs. There is nothing groundbreaking there, but it is nice (thanks to RSS technology). I just never realized how easy RSS is to use in conjunction with Google. No need for the little "add to Google" button anymore (it is still helpful though).

In other words, if you are looking for a convenient online desktop to suit all of your needs (and I do mean ALL of your needs), iGoogle is perfect. What you can't get through iGoogle, you can get through other Google applications (you can see them all when you look at your Google account). It is just incredibly easy. I'm a true Internet junkie.

Lindsey