The mid-terms are almost in the rearview mirror. We’re on a bit of a campaign respite as we […]

I’m mellowing into our new political climate.  Perhaps mellowing is too sedentary a word.  This weekend I began to see some plus sides.  I’m not one to use the phrase, “all things happen for a reason,” or even “it must be God’s plan.”  However, I can see that people can be energized toward good when they see the unsavory side of human nature, and we can do God’s will in the wake of tragedy.  I love our new environment stimulates so many people to demonstrate, boycott, listen, discuss, get involved in local government, etc.[tweetthis] Each of us, no matter how small, can make a difference. [/tweetthis]Most of my sadness has abated and I can see sunshine in my days. I’m sure it helps that I literally see more sunshine and the days are getting longer, as well as warmer.

Here’s a few more things, in no particular order, that I am grateful for this Monday morning:

(GoCubsGo)

Just in care you missed, the beginning of this series of posts starts with my preamble,

The past few weeks, I dissected the Republican and Democratic Party Platforms.

Just so I can keep everything straight, I put the information into a simple chart, like I would for corporate goals.  This is also the way CoCo’s Individual Education Plans got laid out, too.  Pretty easy to understand; I think:  We will______________ by_____________ so that______________ happens.  I added a column for how the action will be financed, too.  Sadly that’s pretty empty.

You can find my other installments here:

Installment #1:  It’s all about the Jobs and the Economy

Installment #2:  The Democrats and Principled Centered Leadership

Installment #3:  The Republicans and the Constitution

Installment #4:  The Democrats and Bringing Americans Together

Installment#5:  Health, Education, and Safety

Installment #6:  The Environment

Should we encourage the uniformed vote?

[tweetthis]The President has seven roles*:[/tweetthis]

English: United States Supreme Court justice H...
United States Supreme Court justice Harry Blackmun. Photo from official public domain Supreme Court multimedia 

Every year, on the anniversary of Roe v Wade, I set out to research and read the Supreme Court Opinion and share my own opinion.  Every year I chicken out or I get lazy, or something else is more pressing.  I know my opinion is sure to anger both my pro-life and my pro-choice friends, many of whom see things through a black-and-white, all-or-nothing lens.  As in so many things in life’s journey, this issue a complex one.

But this is an election year, and many people will vote for their President based on his position on this issue alone.  So it’s high time I did the research.  But first the disclaimers:

You will find no pictures in this post of fetuses, babies, or demonstrators on either side of the divide.  I support Barack Obama; I tend to vote Democrat.  I am pro-life.

Harold Cole Watkins, PhD, overcome with remorse, killed himself one rainy night in late 1937.  A few months earlier, Dr. Watkins was on cloud nine. His new, sweet, raspberry-flavored, Elixir Sulfanilamide made it possible for parents to administer the bitter sulfa medicine to their children sick with Streptococcus infections, commonly known as strep throat.  A few months earlier, Dr. Watkins was on cloud nine. His new, sweet, raspberry-flavored, Elixir Sulfanilamide made it possible for parents to administer the bitter sulfa medicine to their children sick with Streptococcus infections.  Sore throats.

A pharmacist employed by S.E. Maassengil Co., Dr. Watkins met the company’s goal in response to public demand for a liquid form of the hard to swallow pill.  Now, over a hundred people were dead, most of them children.  Some children died in their mother’s