Is Abby Johnson A Liar?

Is Abby Johnson a liar? Abby Johnson, if that's even her real name, was born circa 1980. She wrote "Unplanned" This is a book about her quitting Planned Parenthood. She is a spokesperson against abortion rights, but is she for real? She claimed to be the former head of the Planned Parenthood branch in Texas. She recently testified to the house hearing on Planned Parenthood. My first suspicion came when I saw a video of her speaking in a church where she confessed to having helped cover up the statutory rape of an underage prostitute and the murder of a woman as a result of a botched abortion. My question is: as the supposed head of this chain of clinics, why would she admit on tape federal crimes committed without fear of prosecution or jail time? The pro-life movement has been getting a lot of positive press and conversions since Abby spoke out. What better press for your movement than to have a former enemy convert? The right is always accusing progressive organizations of paying actors to play Occupy protestors for abortion rights, but maybe they're projecting.

So now that victims are white, it's bad.

In recent years there have been several videos posted on the Internet exposing police brutality and excessive force. Because of this police brutality is finally being addressed, but people are acting like it's a new phenomenon. The truth is, however, police brutality and other forms of repression among certain areas of the population is nothing new. Such is the case with a mentally challenged black man in Texas in 1916. He was accused of raping the daughter of his white employer. Despite no evidence after twenty minutes of deliberation, an all white jury found him guilty and sentenced him to execution. Fast forward to 1991, the Rodney King beating. Although this case shown a light on police brutality, it was eclipsed by the riots that followed. It was only after a well educated young white man in 2004 was unfairly tased at a John Kerry rally. It seems to me that even though black people have been going through this crap for decades, people are only now seeing police brutality out front. Could this be America's still internalized racism; the thought that when a black man gets tazed he automatically deserves. When a white man gets tazed it's a horrible crime in violation of his civil rights. The most recent issues have been with pepper spraying students at peace rallies, eerily reminiscent the Vietnam rallies. My point is: why are people now suddenly up in arms, because it's in all of our faces? It's been in black people's faces for decades.

Governer or Child Exploiter

Ever since the 2008 election i've been facinated with the former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin; although more for her whining than her actual qualifications, especially concerning, Trig, her son with down syndrome. Whenever some one makes a slightly tasteless joke about people with disabilities, Sarah Palin comes rushing in to save the day. There's always been an air of fake compasion that hangs around her, just like everything else about that woman. Let's not forget, she pulled her young daughter out of school so she could parade her on the national stage. There's some question as to if Trig is even hers. And according to a former family friend, she would often refer to Trig as "my retarded baby." All in all, I think Sarah Palin is more rediculous than a disability activist, but that's just my opinion.

Learning to Forgive Yourself

Recently, I heard of a group called Abortion Survivors for Life, which is a group of women who have had abortions but now regret their decision so much that they want Roe vs. Wade overturned. They've spoken at many pro life events around the country. My question: is the pro-life movement exploiting these women? For instance, there was one woman who had an abortion in 1980 and still speaks about it today. I'm not saying these women don't have the right to speak about their experiences, but is the pro life movement profiting from their guilt? Tell me what you think.

The Forgotten Minority

In this country today, we take great care to not offend minorities. Don't get me wrong: I care about minorites. But, it seems to me today there is one group no one seems to care about offending: the disabled. For example, take the people who are opposed to the Americans with Disabilities Act for whatever reason. I'm sorry if we "cripples" as you so like to call us are inconvenient to the poor business owners. But as an American, I believe that I am entitled to go where I want to go in spite of my limited physical ability. It also doesn't help that popular media makes fun of the disabled, most notably Family Guy creator, Seth MacFarlane. He gives Joe endless ridicule over things like his inability to climb stairs or have sex. While Joe usually gets his legs back in an episode, by the end they're taken away again. I for one think comedy can be a good way to humanize people, and that's what Mr. MacFarlane is trying to do. But endless ridicule is not the way. Also, when able-bodied people offend people with disabilities in media, do you hear the big outcry, no. Well, sometimes, but it's not acknowledged. In closing, I am not a sensitive person about my disability. I'm okay with comedy to a certain extent. But after a while, it's not funny, only offensive and asinine.

Christians, It's a Book. Get Over It.

You may remember a few years ago, a bunch of Christian groups getting their panties in a bunch because of a movie based on a book series written by a prominent atheist named Phillip Pullman. They claim it was indoctrinating children into atheist ways. But, like most hypocritical Christians, they have no problem with C.S. Lewis' blatant biblical references in the Chronicles of Narnia series. I guess for some Christians it all depends on the kind of indoctrination. And another thing: Christians, if your faith is so threatened by a book and a movie, then that tells me you don't trust your own faith or your kid's own faith for it to stay with them after watching a 113 minute film, or reading a book. Let's not forget that Nicole Kidman, a devout Catholic, who stars in this film, says that she saw no overt references to Atheism in the film. But, let's face it Christians, your time to rule over all of the poor heathens has passed. The American people and the world are finally seeing through your stupid guilt trips, and your litigious money making schemes.

Freedom of Choice for Children

Could sweets become the new drug of choice in many schools? Maybe, if the eight states that currently want to ban bake sales get their way. Actually seven states already have; Massachusetts has legislation pending. Now, am I greedy? No. I just hate the thought that kids  won't have any choice in what they eat or don't eat. If we don't give kids any alternative, how do they learn to make positive choices?

Personally, I think it's partly about regulating the underground economy as much as possible. There was an incident in Georgia recently where a young girl's lemonade stand was shut down by the health department. No kidding. I imagine that in the future, little children will come to school with cookies hidden in their pockets to sell to other children: "Hey, buddy, wanna buy some chips?"

If you can, please join the fight to take back freedom of choice in public schools. I'm going to start a petition that you can sign on facebook, which I will link to later.