Category Archives: Soapbox

Emails, life events, and things in the news that catch my attention and annoy me enough to rant about or interest me enough to comment on yell and scream about. Usually things regarding religious and political groups that insist on regulating the lives and lifestyles others with stupid laws and random taxation.

TSA Boob Security

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I was nervous all day Thursday and the night before about going on a trip without Sophia. I know she’s fine during the day with Kurt but because I’m the one with the functioning boobs I’ve always been the sole nighttime caregiver, and to top it off Kurt will be feeding her formula because after having her in daycare my freezer supply is depleted and it’s hard to build an excess when she’s always draining me. I tried weaning her onto solid food for one meal a day so that I could pump and save some, but aside from going to bed at 7pm I can’t get her to do anything consistently. It’s just not in her nature.

The other thing that worried me was not the flight like it might be for some people but airport security. I’m not afraid of the uniform, I mock all uniforms, it’s the arrogance and curt manner with which many of them address passengers. Some of them really take their rent-a-cop job much too seriously. They aren’t there for our safety. They’re only there for an illusion of safety. If you really think that making us all look foolish walking around in our stocking feet while ensuring our shoes go in a separate bin from our laptops and reducing our cosmetics to three ounce bottles all contained in a bag no bigger than a quart size, you’re really fooling yourself.

No one seems to question that prior to 9/11 airport security used to make passengers turn on their cell phones and laptops to make sure they function and aren’t just cases for something more sinister than Tetris. They don’t do that anymore. Instead, they tell us tweezers and nail clippers could be used as weapons of mass destruction, no wait, they’re ok. It’s the various liquids consumed internally for nourishment and the viscose liquids used for external personal cleansing and moisturizing that will invoke the wrath of the board-to-tears-wanting-something-exciting-to-happen-team. Oh but it’s for our safety you say. “Whatever it takes to be safe” Really? What if that retarded ‘shoe bomber’ had hid his matches in a plastic bag up his ass? Would a cavity search be ok with you? And don’t answer with, “Oh, but that’s over the top no one would require that of us.” It does give an indication of where your limit is, but it’s not an answer. I’d also like to point out that after the ‘shoe bomber’ incident that it was lighters that were banned not matches. Carrying matches was still ok. And now out of the blue, lighters are no longer a threat, but ‘loose’ lithium batteries are a no-no in checked baggage. I’m at your assistance, so here is how to carry your ‘loose’ lithium batteries. *eye roll*

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. – Quote generally attributed to Benjamin Franklin but probably by Richard Jackson.

Obviously, I’ve informed myself with the most current random rules, so why was I worried? I didn’t want to pay to check any bags nor risk loosing my one very important bag for my very short trip. Without that one large camera-case-like square black bag my boobies would explode! Oh, wait, sorry I didn’t use the “E” word. Note to self not to use the “E” word in an airport even in whispered conversation.

Kurt assured me that I was not the only on to ever carry a breast pump through security. But I try to never underestimate human stupidity and who knows what a square-ish non-descript black bag with a pump and air tubes may look like to them on those scanner thingies. It may very well look like a bomb. OHMYGOD – I didn’t just use the “B” word. I’d never use the “B” word, ever! Note to self – don’t carry an oddly square black bag and utter the “B” word within a ten-mile radius of any airport, even one that only caters to Cessnas and Pipers.

As Kurt drove me to the airport, I played the possible airport security scenarios in my head. The one that stood out went something like this:

After spotting me in line juggling a square black bag, shoes, quart size clear plastic bag filled with mini bottles of various viscose liquids, a laptop (because I’m physically attached to it and must carry it with me at all times much like a security blanket), and a regular carry on bag I reach the front of the line and place all of my items on the conveyor belt. My square black bag that was made to be discrete for taking to work is now scrutinized by airport security. “Ma’am, can I ask what’s in the bag?” I bite my tongue to keep from answering that type of question in my usual smartass manner. “It’s a breast pump.”

There is snickering from the two TSA girls that are now behind him. “Can you open the bag for me ma’am?”

MYGOD it’s so tempting to give a quip that would instantly emasculate him. I keep reminding myself that it isn’t the time to be a smartass. There is no freedom of speech in an airport – the humorless bastards. “Of course” I say. The pump I use is an old Medela model that I bought on eBay. You may think it’s gross to buy such a personal item used but I replaced the personal parts and anything that typically is exposed to the breast milk. I open the flap that covers one zippered pouch in the front and two on the top, and then unzip the two top compartments. One is insulated for keeping pumped milk cool and the other houses the personal things that attach to my person and make me feel like I belong in the barn at a dairy farm. I open the small front pouch that reveals the air tubes and control panel. This is when my warped mind flies way off the deep end.

In my ultimate TSA attitude scenario, Mr. TSA realizes that the compartments don’t reveal the entire inside of the bag. He becomes a little twitchy. I explain that the area not exposed by the compartments houses the pump part of the breast pump. He doesn’t care and asks how he can know for sure. Cringing at the thought of him possibly wanting a demonstration of the pump at work, I suggest that I could plug it in. This actually causes further aggravation because he now believes my black bag is going to take out the whole terminal. At this point relying on a hand pump doesn’t seem so bad. I have a hand pump that came with the electronic one and I’ve used it a couple times. I don’t like it. It takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R and I’ve never wanted to build my forearms up like a lonely man with a bottle of lotion.

I abandon the airport scenario here because I’m sure you’ll wave the bullshit flag when I mention the bomb sniffing dogs, S.W.A.T team repelling down the walls, the helicopters, and the acrobatic way in which they combined their efforts to whisk my bag into a blast proof room and detonate it.

The way to my destination was relatively uneventful except for the new annoying recording they play while going through security.

Transportation security officers need to quickly determine whether or not a bag possibly contains a threat. You already know you’re not a threat, show us by packing smart. Think layers. One layer of clothes, one layer of electronics. That way, it’s easier for us to determine what’s in your bag. Mam, boarding pass and id. Also, being prepared when you approach the checkpoint will make the whole process a lot faster. Lastly, don’t forget to carry only three ounce, travel-sized liquids, gels and aerosols when taking them in your carry-on bag and remember to put them in a clear, quart-sized, resealable plastic bag and place them in the security bin. So next time, simplifly your bags and you could get through security a little faster.

The, “show us” bit really bothers me. Does it sound like innocent until proven guilty to you? Or maybe the other way around?

I only had a tiny issue with carrying 4 ounces of sun block instead of the allowed three ounces within a bottle specifically labeled as 3 ounces, four being right out! Yep, they’re that anal. The nice TSA person let it slide, which confirms for me that the rules are truly unimportant and just plain retarded.

My breast pump didn’t cause any problem whatsoever until the way back. I swear the technician radiated the hell out of it trying to figure out what was in the bag. As I looked down the conveyor to grab my other bag he sized me up, just stared at me. I could see the little hamster running on its wheel. He was trying to decide whether to inspect further. I started to get nervous all over again, but it either, didn’t show (yeah right), they have no clue how to identify body language, or the only reason he was eyeing me was that he just wanted to know what that damn thing was, and I wasn’t about to tell him.

It’s not that I’m embarrassed about carrying a breast pump. I loathe having to explain myself. Obviously I don’t mind writing about me, but this is on my terms. So if I had been forced to explain it would have come out something like, “It’s a FUCKING breast pump, okay?” Yes, I retain all the qualities of a defiant teen except the wheelie shoes. He finally said, “I have to let this one go.” Thankfully the wiring for a breast pump is all wrong for a bomb (damn, there’s that ‘B’ word again). They also paused on the sun block and let it go, again.

I walk away feeling like I got away with something because I had an extra ounce of sun block in my bag, but you can carry scissors with blades shorter than four inches. There is no length restriction on Knitting and Crochet Needles, but “tools” must be less then seven inches. In there link about matches and lighters they write,

Lifting the lighter ban is consistent with TSA’s risk-based approach to aviation security. First and foremost, lighters no longer pose a significant threat. Freeing security officers up from fishing for 22,000 lighters every day (the current number surrendered daily across the country) enables them to focus more on finding explosives, using behavior recognition, conducting random screening procedures and other measures that increase complexity in the system, deterring terrorists. The U.S. is the only country in the world to ban lighters – all other nations, including Israel and the U.K., do not.

I find it amusing that they’re telling us how tedious the ban on lighters was and for some reason felt that it was necessary to mention that no other country had the retarded rule.

I laughed when the ban of liquids came into place. We’re made of mostly water and do I need to empty my bladder before going through security, were my thoughts. Though I knew it was an absurd rule it didn’t really bother me until now. Airlines don’t serve free drinks anymore. Even prisoners get free water, but for an airline passenger it’ll cost $2.00. Of course you can buy it in the secured areas of the airport, but where I was, it was $2.00 plus tax. Tell me the system ain’t stupid. By the way, if you’re traveling with a children you are allowed to bring breast milk, formula, and juice. And nursing moms are allowed to carry breast milk even when traveling without their baby. You just have to have it out and warn them before they see it or they may freak out and bleed from the eyes.

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55 Flash non-Fiction Friday: Secrets

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It leaves no marks so no one sees the abuse. It’s all in her head and no one can know. She was happy to know secrets from an adult. It made her feel important to be worthy of such information. Soon it became too much and tore her up inside as the manipulation became apparent.

55 Flash Fiction Friday
Flash Fiction Friday is hosted by g-man.

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55 Flash Fiction Friday: Obligations

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“You don’t have to have sex with every man you meet.” I didn’t bother explaining that spending the night doesn’t necessarily equate to sex. “Why not?” I asked, “I enjoy it.” The notion shocked her which in turn shocked me. There are women that only have sex out of marital obligation? How sad is that?

55 Flash Fiction Friday
Flash Fiction Friday is hosted by g-man. You may also visit Flash Fiction Friday 55′s, a blog dedicated to hosting 55 Flash Fiction Friday posts.

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Keeping up with the recalls – Jardine Cribs

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A couple days ago I was sorting through all of my links and some blog roll-y stuff and I came across a crib recall post from Play at Home Mom. I probably wouldn’t have paid any attention to that particular post it if she hadn’t added a picture of a crib that looks EXACTLY like Sophia’s.

We bought Sophia’s crib used off of a Craigslist ad. That alone sets many people off because we’re told not to trust used baby items, “You never know if they’ve already been recalled or if they’re missing parts”. I still say ‘used’ is a great way to go just be smart about it. Usually it’s obvious if there are missing parts, so that part is simple. Don’t buy that one. Make sure all of the manufacturer’s stickers/labels and “do not remove” tags are still in place, and stick with newer looking models. Besides, the crib Sophia is using has been on the market since 2002 and it was just recalled in June of 2008. How pray tell does that make a NEW crib a safer bet? Anyway, Sophia will be getting a new crib at a used price.

If you have one of these cribs:

Crib Styles:
- Berkley
- Hilton
- Positano
- Spindle
- Windsor

Only the Following Crib Model Numbers are Included:
BC-23, BC-36B, BC-36G, BC-36P, BC-007, BC-010, BC-010C, BC-010HP, BC-010W, BC-017, BC-107C, BC-107CR, BC-110C, BC-110HP BC-110W, DA617BC, DA620BC, DV730N, DV730W, DA770BC, DV830-N, DV830-W, 0113B00, 0113K00, 0303C00, 0303G00, 0303B00, 0309K00

Then you can go to the Jardine Crib Recall site for a voucher on a new crib (which will probably be recalled six years from now *eye roll*).

Detailed instructions for what you’ll need to do to receive a voucher for a new crib can be found here. Make note of step #2 and #3…

2. Remove mattress support hardware and identification label using the enclosed instructions and Allen key that is provided.

3. Place the bolts, mattress support plates, identification label and signed acknowledgment form in the prepaid shipping envelope provided.

If you’re going to buy a use crib, MAKE SURE the label on the base that holds the mattress in place is still there. If it’s missing, that’s a BAD SIGN.

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Finally a democratic politician with balls!

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Finally someone brave enough to point out that Christians can’t agree amongst themselves about various points of their religion.

Dobson accuses Obama of ‘distorting’ Bible
By ERIC GORSKI, AP Religion Writer

“Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?” Obama said. “Would we go with James Dobson’s or Al Sharpton’s?” referring to the civil rights leader.

I think I’ve heard Obama’s original speech that this was pulled from, and I don’t think that he cited examples of Christians that wanted other forms of Christianity removed from schools because their children were being pressured to convert. If he didn’t, I really think he should have. Because many scream out “oh! oh! evil atheist!” when separation of church and state comes up, I think it’s important to understand that keeping religion out of public school is not just a benefit to non-religious people. In a rant I wrote about a chain letter, I cited two examples of Christians who wanted other Christians to back the hell off.

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy — chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, “a passage that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application.”

Woo!

“Folks haven’t been reading their Bibles,” Obama said.

Woo Woo! You tell ‘em Obama! ;-)

Dobson and Minnery accused Obama of wrongly equating Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.

What, you’re throwing out the old Testament? Does that mean the Ten Commandments are no longer followed either? Ok, fine. Let’s stick with the New Testament.

1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3 both say women may not braid their hair, wear gold, pearls, or expensive clothing.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 Says vegetarians are heeding the devil by not eating meat.

Luke 14:26 – If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 15:4 – God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

“I think he’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology,” Dobson said.

If there was just one traditional understanding of the Bible there wouldn’t be so many denominations within Christianity.

“… He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter.”

It could use a good analytical review.

Dobson reserved some of his harshest criticism for Obama’s argument that the religiously motivated must frame debates over issues like abortion not just in their own religion’s terms but in arguments accessible to all people.

He said Obama, who supports abortion rights, is trying to govern by the “lowest common denominator of morality,” labeling it “a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution.”

No, dumbshit. He’s saying that in order for something to be Constitutional, a law or public act must have a secular purpose, have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion, and not result in excessive governmental entanglement with religion. It’s called the Lemon test. And if fruitcakes can interpret the Constitution then I need to move them WAY up on the evolutionary chart from your knuckle-dragging self.

“Am I required in a democracy to conform my efforts in the political arena to his bloody notion of what is right with regard to the lives of tiny babies?” Dobson said. “What he’s trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe.”

That’s right, appeal to the emotion. Oh, but I must protect the tiny babies. It’s my job to protect the unborn. No, it’s a politician’s job to serve the living people. People should be able to do as they wish with their own body. If you don’t believe in abortion – don’t have one!

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Uncle George Died

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Mr. George CarlinHe’s not really my uncle, but I wish he had been a relative of mine. I seriously almost cried this morning while I was in line for my daily mocha fix. I heard the news before I left home, but I guess I was just stunned. It didn’t really sink in until I sat in line waiting for my not-really-coffee even though I had made the joke to Kurt that I should call in sick.

I’m not one for collecting things. I’m well aware that any stuff I choose to collect most people would view as shit. That’s ok. At least they wouldn’t steel it. I do wish I had some shit signed by Mr. George Carlin though. Not too much shit mind you, I don’t want to have to buy a new house for my stuff. I think it would be really cool to have something tangible to remember him by. Not that it matters, but I’ll really miss him. Gee, he was just here a minute ago.

GEORGE CARLIN
His view of The 10 Commandments from the HBO special “Complaints and Grievances”

Here is my problem with the ten commandments- why exactly are there 10?

You simply do not need ten. The list of ten commandments was artificially and deliberately inflated to get it up to ten. Here’s what happened:

About 5,000 years ago a bunch of religious and political hustlers got together to try to figure out how to control people and keep them in line. They knew people were basically stupid and would believe anything they were told, so they announced that God had given them some commandments, up on a mountain, when no one was around.

Well let me ask you this- when they were making this shit up, why did they pick 10? Why not 9 or 11? I’ll tell you why- because 10 sound official. Ten sounds important! Ten is the basis for the decimal system, it’s a decade, it’s a psychologically satisfying number (the top ten, the ten most wanted, the ten best dressed). So having ten commandments was really a marketing decision! It is clearly a bullshit list. It’s a political document artificially inflated to sell better. I will now show you how you can reduce the number of commandments and come up with a list that’s a little more workable and logical. I am going to use the Roman Catholic version because those were the ones I was taught as a little boy.

Let’s start with the first three:

I AM THE LORD THY GOD
THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME

THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN

THOU SHALT KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH

Right off the bat the first three are pure bullshit. Sabbath day? Lord’s name? strange gods? Spooky language! Designed to scare and control primitive people. In no way does superstitious nonsense like this apply to the lives of intelligent civilized humans in the 21st century. So now we’re down to 7. Next:

HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER

Obedience, respect for authority. Just another name for controlling people. The truth is that obedience and respect shouldn’t be automatic. They should be earned and based on the parent’s performance. Some parents deserve respect, but most of them don’t, period. You’re down to six.

Now in the interest of logic, something religion is very uncomfortable with, we’re going to jump around the list a little bit.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

Stealing and lying. Well actually, these two both prohibit the same kind of behavior- dishonesty. So you don’t really need two you combine them and call the commandment “thou shalt not be dishonest”. And suddenly you’re down to 5.

And as long as we’re combining I have two others that belong together:

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTRY

THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE

Once again, these two prohibit the same type of behavior. In this case it is marital infidelity. The difference is- coveting takes place in the mind. But I don’t think you should outlaw fantasizing about someone else’s wife because what is a guy gonna think about when he’s waxing his carrot? But, marital fidelity is a good idea so we’re gonna keep this one and call it “thou shalt not be unfaithful”. And suddenly we’re down to four.

But when you think about it, honesty and fidelity are really part of the same overall value so, in truth, you could combine the two honesty commandments with the two fidelity commandments and give them simpler language, positive language instead of negative language and call the whole thing “thou shalt always be honest and faithful” and we’re down to 3.

THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR”S GOODS

This one is just plain fuckin’ stupid. Coveting your neighbor’s goods is what keeps the economy going! Your neighbor gets a vibrator that plays “o come o ye faithful”, and you want one too! Coveting creates jobs, so leave it alone. You throw out coveting and you’re down to 2 now- the big honesty and fidelity commandment and the one we haven’t talked about yet:

THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Murder. But when you think about it, religion has never really had a big problem with murder. More people have been killed in the name of god than for any other reason. All you have to do is look at Northern Ireland, Kashmir, the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the World Trade Center to see how seriously the religious folks take thou shalt not kill. The more devout they are, the more they see murder as being negotiable. It depends on who’s doin the killin’ and who’s gettin’ killed. So, with all of this in mind, I give you my revised list of the two commandments:

Thou shalt always be honest and faithful
to the provider of thy nookie.

&

Thou shalt try real hard not to kill anyone, unless of course
they pray to a different invisible man than you.

Two is all you need; Moses could have carried them down the hill in his fuckin’ pocket. I wouldn’t mind those folks in Alabama posting them on the courthouse wall, as long as they provided one additional commandment:

Thou shalt keep thy religion to thyself.

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Happy Father’s Day

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My father doesn’t say a lot, but when he does, I listen. As a teenager, it may not have seemed like it, but I did pay attention. There are two occasions permanently ingrained in my mind where seemingly unexpectedly my dad calmly gave his words of wisdom. I’m not being sarcastic – he does give his words of wisdom calmly, and he only ever gives it once.

When I was going from elementary school to junior high – Major side note – Back in my day we didn’t have stupid graduations after every blasted year/quarter/test. We just got our grades and moved on. Our only f$#%@ graduation was the one at the end of TWELVE YEARS of HELL and that’s the way we liked it! *mumble* Fricken’ pansies with their stupid yearly graduations. And our teachers weren’t afraid of hurting our feelings or stressing us out by using a red pen to give us a big fat “F” if we didn’t study. “F” is for failure and those that deserved it go it. If you can’t learn to accept a little failure once in a while your going to have a really really hard time at life in general. On the up side therapists will love you.

Not every child is a genius and not every child will pass the mustard. If you feel that your contribution to society deserves better than a RED “F” then maybe you should spend some time with the little prodigy and help them with their homework. I don’t like the “no child left behind” crap. Lowering the bar with this “no child left behind” BULLSHIT makes the smart kids BORED AS HELL!!! *stomping away from the soapbox with furled eyebrows*

Anyway, going from elementary school to junior high my dad told me, “If someone hurts you it’s ok to fight back.” I knew exactly what he was talking about, and it’s a very good thing he told me it was ok too. I was a VERY shy kid. I finally opened up my freshman year of high school, but I had been so painfully shy previously that in my yearbook someone wrote that she thought I was literally retarded. I simply did not speak. It’s good that my dad gave me the ok because unfortunately it’s not a matter of “if” for many girls, but “when” they will need to have the confidence to stand up for themselves.

Three days after graduating high school, I was on my way to Michigan to live with some friends, one of which paid for my flight. Before I left my dad said, “Don’t feel like you’re obligated to do anything.” His words made me always make sure I only did things because I wanted. After all a gift isn’t a gift if something is expected in return. That makes it a bribe.

Kurt is a lot like my dad – except the part about being a man of few words. I’ve shown the word “concise” in the dictionary to Kurt. He still doesn’t get it. In the thesauruses, his picture shows up in the list of antonyms. But when the buzzing of his voice switches to a serious tone, I know Sophia will pay attention. It may seem like she only ever wants me right now, but she loves you. You make her laugh. You’ll be a great dad Kurtie. Just don’t try to limit her time on the phone when she’s a teenager.

My dad to me: You can only be on the phone for ten minutes
Me to my friend on the phone: Ok, I’ll call you back.
(I hang up and dial the phone to my friend immediately)
My dad to me: You can’t call them back!
The next time I’m on the phone to my friend: Ok, it’s been ten minutes – YOU call me back.
My dad: You have to have ten minutes between each call!
Me: damn it!

Happy Father's Day Kurtie

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Summer Safety – Swimmers Giveaway

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A few months ago when I was looking for a local pool with an infant swim class I came across the Infant Swimming Resource. The the video on their website just amazed me. They teach infants as young as six months old to be able to roll from stomach to back in the water fully clothed! They’ve had a lot of news coverage including a King5 news story from November 2007 from my local area (link no longer available). They don’t hide the fact that the babies are going to cry.

Her little-known program focuses on a child’s ability to self-rescue. Through repetition, instructors teach infants to roll on their backs and float – eventually calling out for help. Success requires resolve. Class is five days a week and there are lots of tears.

“Crying is their primary means of communication,” Patterson said.

Even though Sami seems decidedly unhappy, his parents say he’s making clear progress.

“You just want to have him as prepared as possible, so you’re willing to live with having him cry – he cries all the time anyway, so it’s okay,” said Marwan Dalle, Sami’s father.

Patterson says, because the training utilizes gross motor skills, the lessons are lasting.

“They’re going to retain it, the way they’re going to retain the ability to crawl or walk,” she said.

I know I couldn’t sit through the tears, but I think this class is a great idea. If I had a pool or water front property I think I would find a way to power through a class like that for Sophia, but since I don’t, I’ll settle for gently getting her comfortable in the water and watching her like a hawk!

I love the water and regardless of whether or not you choose to go through a self-rescue class with your infant or toddler I think it’s important to get them comfortable in the water for future swimming classes. The ability to swim is a great skill to have, so in the spirit of water safety I’m hosting a Huggies Little Swimmers Giveaway!

I am giving away TWO Huggies Little Swimmers fun in the sun kits*. Each kit includes a pack of Huggies Little Swimmers disposable swim diapers (I have one pack size medium and one pack size large), Moisturizing sunscreen lotion (SPF 50), Mild sunscreen clear mist (SPF 50), Sun sensors (stickers that monitor UVB exposure by changing color), 4-ounce bottle of bubbles, a little bucket for playing in the sand, and a mini sand farming implement (rake or shovel).
Huggies Little Swimmers Giveaway packs

Anyone can enter, but fellow bloggers will have an advantage. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. That’s it. Just leave a comment on THIS POST and you’ll be entered once**. Bloggers, write a post on your blog about summer safety whether it’s sun safety or water safety – it can be a tragic story, cautionary tale, or tips and guidelines – and link back to THIS POST you will get TWO entries***. The total number of entries allowed for a person is TWO****.

Please indicate in your comment/post which size you prefer for the swim diapers (medium or large). The deadline for comments and posts is June 19th, 2008 at 7pm Pacific time. I’ll write all the email addresses/urls on a pieces of paper and have Kurt draw two out of a hat.

*Only one prize (kit) per household.
**Multiple comments do not increase odds of winning. Only one entry is granted for commenting regardless of the number of comments left by an individual.
***Multiple posts do not increase odds. Only two entries are granted per blogger for linking to this post regardless of the number of posts or links left.
****Combination of leaving a comment and linking to this post will result in two entries. Total possible number of entries is two. Two being the total number of entries, three entries is right out!
*****This is the last of the fine print, really, I promise :P

Oh and if you happen to have any first hand experience with the Infant Swimming Resource classes let me know how they went and if you would do it again.

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Directer of homeland Addams Family

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Someone in the IRC room I hang out in posted a link to a huge picture of the directer of homeland security that took FOREVER to display even though I have “high speed” internet. I clicked on it because everyone was talking about how creepy he looks and I’m a sucker for, well, just about anything. My reaction was, “OHMYGOD it’s Lurch!” Then someone else said, “He’s creepy and he’s Kookie, mysterious and spookie, He’s altogether ookie…The directer of homeland security *snap snap*” I just had to blog about it and here we are. No better off really. But seriously, doesn’t Michael Chertoff look like good ‘ol Lurch (Ted Cassidy) from Addams Family?

Chertoff - Lurch from Addams Family?

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BPA food-storage containers

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I bought AVENT bottles because the classes I took at the hospital strongly suggested that breastfeeding mom’s should use the AVENT nipples when bottle feeding because those nipples force the baby to suck in the same manner as if they were breastfeeding. This way there wouldn’t be very much confusion going between the two.

I’m generally leery of plastics to begin with. I’ve been systematically fazing out our plastic storage containers for glass. So a few weeks ago when I started seeing news reports about bisphenol-a (BPA) in baby bottles I blew it off as a rehash of the old story years ago about a girl that discovered di(ethylhexyl)adepate (DEHA) was found in plastic wrap and wanted to know the affect of microwaving it. I don’t own a microwave, but I know that acidic foods like tomato sauce will eat away at plastics as it’s microwaved, that alone is enough to make me not want to do it. Plastic ain’t natural ergo plastic deposits, no-matter the quantity, in my food makes me unhappy.

I did a preliminary search on BPA (yeah I know I just said I blew it off, that just means as I searched I wasn’t worried) and came across a blog dedicated to it. It seemed fanatical and all of the bad brands seemed to be the most common big time brand name ones while the good brands were ones I had never heard of and couldn’t find in stores. Surely, a hospital wouldn’t recommend a brand that was unsafe. Granted they only specified using ADVENT nipples not bottles, and classes I took were almost a year ago. Also, things change constantly. I have no idea how long BPA has been in the news. I tried to learn as much about baby stuff as I could before Sophia arrived, but because I intended to breastfeed types of bottles never made it to the top of the list. And there are too many products and recalls to keep up.

BPA showed up on the local news one night and then I came across this article:

April 22, 2008 By TARA PARKER-POPE – A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions

While most of the focus is on products for children, including clear plastic bottles and canned infant formula, the chemical is also used in food-storage containers, some clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

Holy crap it’s in can food too?!

Rat pups exposed to BPA, through injection or food, showed changes in mammary and prostate tissue, suggesting a potential cancer risk. In some tests of female mice, exposure appeared to accelerate puberty.

All the chatter about accelerated puberty in humans I always chalked up to hormones in milk and meats, but it could be this too.

The main concern is the possible risk to infants and pregnant women, although Canada has begun a study to monitor BPA exposure among about 5,000 people to assess any danger to adults.

Really Canada has just *begun* a study to monitor BPA? Funny because an article in the Kansas City Star that came out on the same day said that Canada BANNED PBA on the 18th of April. (2/21/2011 the article from the Kansas City Star is no longer available but there is an article from the New Your Time from the same day that stated Canada intends to declare BPA as toxic and an article from the Washington Post dated 4/19/2008 that states Canada banned BPA from baby bottles)

But back to the NYTimes,

Virtually every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA.

That’s really scary.

Many of us put our faith in the FDA to keep the bad stuff of the shelves. The FDA’s stance as four days before Canada banned BPA was that they were going to think about it, but don’t stop using it until further notice – unless of course you’re concerned then go ahead and find something that doesn’t contain BPA. Gee thanks. You’re such a big help.

April 19, 2008 By Lyndsey Layton and Christopher Lee – Canada Bans BPA From Baby Bottles

“We have immediately taken action on bisphenol A because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical,” Tony Clement, the minister of health, said in a statement.

Clement said the action was based on a review of 150 worldwide studies. “It’s pretty clear that the highest risk is for newborns and young infants,” he said in a telephone interview.

150 worldwide studies seems like a legitimate basis.

The debate over BPA, which has simmered for a decade, grew intense this week after the National Toxicology Program, an office within the National Institutes of Health, acknowledged in a draft report that the chemical might cause cancer and other serious disorders. The chemical mimics estrogen in the human body, scientists say.

Although the office does not regulate BPA, its findings are used by other federal agencies such as the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency, which set safe exposure limits for chemicals.

On April 30, 2008 By Lyndsey Layton – Senators Propose Ban on Chemical in Plastics

This month, the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, was the first federal agency to raise concerns about the effect of the chemical on fetuses, infants and children. “The report earlier this month was an eye-opener,” Schumer said. “Now we want to get one final, indisputable ruling, once and for all, on the effects of BPA on adults, and pregnant women in particular.”

But the chemical industry and the agencies that regulate the use of BPA, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, have deemed the chemical safe.

The FDA’s handling of BPA is being investigated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chairman John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) said he is concerned that the FDA based its safety rating on two studies, both funded by the chemical industry. More than 100 studies performed by government scientists and university laboratories have found health concerns associated with BPA; the industry-funded studies say it is safe.

May 2, 2008 By Susan DeFord – Nutrition Program Spurns Bottles, Cans With Chemical

Talks about the health department of Howard County Maryland not waiting for the federal government to take action.

Beilenson said there is “mounting evidence” that BPA exposure may be linked to conditions including cancer, diabetes and hyperactivity, as well as early onset of puberty, because it mimics the effects of the hormone estrogen. Last month, Canada banned the chemical’s use in baby bottles.

I find it odd that a chemical that’s been widely used in food cans and food storage containers since the 1950′s is suddenly hitting the news with such force. I question when politicians get behind a popular movement, especially when elections are coming up *ahem* Clinton. But with my already natural tendency to try to keep things natural I’d rather play it safe and get rid of the BPA plastics that are used for food storage. Making my gut feeling stronger, a friend sent me a link to CNNMONEY…

May 14, 2008 –
Former FDA Official Says FDA Approval Shouldn’t Bar Lawsuits

Food and drug companies, along with the FDA, have advocated before the Supreme Court a legal doctrine that would bar states and consumers from suing companies for products that have received FDA approval. This legal doctrine is known as “preemption,” and has gained favor during the Bush administration.

House Government Reform and Oversight Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D- Calif., said in an opening statement that preemption would take away “one of the most powerful incentives for safety – the threat of liability.”

This has nothing and everything to do with BPA.
(2/21/2011 The link to the CNNMONEY article has been taken down, but from the same date on the FDA’s own site, “FDA believes that the important decisions it makes about the safety, efficacy, and labeling of medical products should not be second guessed by state courts.”)

American Chemistry Council insists that bisphenol A is safe and urges us to have faith in the underfunded FDA.

While consumers should have confidence in the safety of these products, we have called on the US Food and Drug Administration, as the premier authority on food safety in the US, to re-review the safety of bisphenol A for additional reassurance to the public on the safety of consumer products.

Yeah, uumm I don’t think so! I’m going to make my move away from plastics in my food containers a bit faster. That includes a move to less canned food!

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