Contraception Compromises Continue

MoonHowler

Sandra Fluke weighs to this lastest leg of the controversy:

What else has happened? How could the President compromise any more?  Its hard to imagine.

Nytimes.com:

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday proposed yet another compromise to address strenuous objections from religious organizations about a policy requiring health insurance plans to provide free contraceptives, but the change did not end the political furor or legal fight over the issue.

The proposal could expand the number of groups that do not need to pay directly for birth control coverage, encompassing not only churches and other religious organizations, but also some religiously affiliated hospitals, universities and social service agencies. Health insurance companies would pay for the coverage.

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Barney Bush, RIP

MoonHowler
A painting by George W. Bush of Barney, courtesy of the Bush family.
A painting by George W. Bush of Barney, courtesy of the Bush family.

President George Bush and Laura Bush have released the following statement:

Laura and I are sad to announce that our Scottish Terrier, Barney, has passed away.  The little fellow had been suffering from lymphoma and after twelve and a half years of life, his body could not fight off the illness.

Barney and I enjoyed the outdoors.  He loved to accompany me when I fished for bass at the ranch.  He was a fierce armadillo hunter.  At Camp David, his favorite activity was chasing golf balls on the chipping green.

Barney guarded the South Lawn entrance of the White House as if he were a Secret Service agent.  He wandered the halls of the West Wing looking for treats from his many friends.  He starred in Barney Cam and gave the American people Christmas tours of the White House. Barney greeted Queens, Heads of State, and Prime Ministers.  He was always polite and never jumped in their laps.

Barney was by my side during our eight years in the White House.  He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend.  Laura and I will miss our pal.

 

Maybe things here in Virginia aren’t so bad…there is always Arkansas

MoonHowler

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

There apparently is no end to ignorance. I think Verizon should probably get a letter from anyone who uses their cell phone service or Internet. Senator Rapert is certainly showing signs of being ignorant, racially and ethnically prejudice, and a misogynist.

Somehow though, its good to know that Arkansas has these kinds of politicians. It makes our look not quite as bad, even Cuccinelli. It must be that UVA education that softened him up.

Maddow gives a list of companies that supported Senator Rapert financially.  Eli Lilly?  Verizon?  Now Verizon hurts.  That is way too close and I give them too much business for that silliness.  They need to be careful whose campaign they help finance.

I will write to them as both a stock holder and a customer.  Too bad I am in a contract with them.  I guess they have me…at least partially.  I’ll let you in on a little secret also–I don’t have enough stock to tell them what to do.

Punxsutawney Phil prognosticates again

MoonHowler

ground hog day 2

A little history of Ground Hog Day:

pennlive.com:

The Punxsutawney pilgrimage has begun. Thousands are steaming into this otherwise small, sleepy Western Pennsylvania town. Come the wee hours of Saturday, some 35,000 shivering spectators are expected to be gathered in nearby Gobbler’s Knob for the grand awakening. That magical moment when Punxsutawney Phil his pulled from hibernation by handlers clad in top hats and tuxedos. All to inform the world of winter’s duration.

Will it be six more weeks of slogging through snow, wind and cold before the welcome respite of spring? Only if Phil’s shadow says so. Or, will we get a welcome reprieve from the all-knowing weather rodent, who kindly predicts an early spring? If so, one better hope for clouds.

At least that’s the stated reason for this unique, mid-winter night’s gathering. What it really is — what it’s been from almost the beginning — is one big party. A wildly fun, downright silly excuse to get out in the elements and submit to the power, mystery and majesty of nature.

This winter rite of passage has been going on for the past 126 years.

So what will it be?  Is spring just around the corner or will there be 6 more weeks of winter.

Perhaps Phil hasn’t heard about climate change.  I am better on 6+++ more weeks of winter, regardless of the evidence.

Maybe Phil also knows who will win the Super Bowl.  Go Ravens!!!

 

Gayle Trotter’s Big skeery gun

MoonHowler

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Gayle Trotter appears about minute 4.

“An assault weapon in the hands of a young woman defending her babies in her home becomes a defense weapon,” said Trotter, a mother of six. “And the peace of mind she has … knowing she has a scary-looking gun gives her more courage when she’s fighting hardened violent criminals.”

For all her concern over the little woman, it seems that Gayle Trotter didn’t even get the right weapon. The Little Woman fired a shotgun, not an AR-15. Additionally, Trotter has worked against the Women Against Violence Act WAVA) that is before Congress now.
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Bill passes VA senate to prohibit smoking with kids in the car

MoonHowler

smoking man

UPDATE 2/11/13

BAN ON SMOKING WHILE DRIVING WITH CHILDREN DIES

manassaspatch.com:

The Senate today passed a bill to prohibit smoking in a vehicle when a child under 15 is present.

Senators voted 30-10 for the bill, which now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration. All Democrats — including Manassas Park and Manassas Sen. Charles J. Colgan— supported the bill, along with half of the Senate Republicans.

Under Senate Bill 975, proposed by Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Virginia Beach and Norfolk), people who violate the proposed law would face a civil penalty of $100.

Have you ever run into a law that you know is for the good but you also feel goes overboard? My common sense tells me this is a good law and that I should hope it passes. My old smoking self jumps into over-drive and starts thinking about those long car trips and how the kids would just have to stay home.

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