I was young and ignorant once...

There was a point in my life when I tended to believe what the public majority told me. I guess you could say that I willingly (or rather ignorantly) drank the kool-aid. When I was told abortion was bad, I called it grape kool-aid and swallowed every bit of it. The horrible pro-life propaganda pictures, the lies about women's health, all of it. At the time, I was about 12 and it is understandable that I would drink the kool-aid. I mean isn't that what most 12 year-olds do? But then guess what? About the time I started questioning the Christian faith that everyone was trying to shove down my throat, I started questioning everything they told me was absolute. What started me questioning in the first place? Members of the Christian faith refusing to answer my questions. Now that I think about it, maybe they weren't refusing to answer my, but unable to. Maybe they didn't understand things themselves, or maybe they saw that at thirteen if I was questioning them now, I would see through all of the lies. But that is neither here nor there. My point is, around the same time I started questioning the Christian faith, I started questioning everything else. I looked at the abortion issue extensively and I started noticing a recurring theme within the pro-life movement. Many of those within the pro-life movement resort to theatrics (no matter how utterly absurd it is) rather than reason. There are a quite many that resort to outright lying (such as the claim that abortion causes breast cancer which in fact there is no direct link between the two as stated by the National Cancer Institute and other like organizations). There are also a good many that resort to name calling and outright harassment of abortion providers, obtainers, and seekers. Within this last group there are a few that even resort to violence and murder. How can one be pro-life but actively seek or support the murder of an individual based on the sole fact that s/he performs a service to women that is legal? I, at 13 years old, actively asked how these people could call themselves pro-life. They didn't seem to care about why a woman needed an abortion. They didn't seem to care that just because a woman goes to a clinic that provides abortions doesn't mean she is obtaining an abortion. And most importantly, they didn't seem to care that a woman's body is hers and hers alone and that she should not be told what to do with her own body. I had these thoughts at 13 years old. If I could see this at 13, then why are there still adults that can not see this? I saw straight through the pro-life propaganda, lies and theatrics. Today, I fight for the rights of the people around me. A woman should not be denied an abortion for any reason because it is her choice and her choice alone. If the pro-life movement would look at the larger picture (i.e. financial burden, physical burden, emotional burden, etc.) then I am sure they would see the need for abortions at this juncture in time. In fact, they don't care about the big picture. If they did, they would not support the countless "pro-life" bills out there that seek to make contraception, emergency contraception, and medically necessary abortions illegal. They would not support the bills that call for things such as the "uterus police" or the IRS audits of women's health. I have had many pro-life tell me that they don't support these bills, but I beg to differ with them. By continually voting for the men that push these bills you support them. So what is the real reason pro-life pushes its agenda? Control. They wish to enact control over the masses, and they aim to start with women's basic rights to her own body. I ask you this, pro-life, why can you not see the larger picture, when a thirteen year old girl could?

I don't think this was the answer he was looking for...

First and foremost, why is pro-life still using Terri Schiavo as a tool to further their agenda? And second, in using Terri Schiavo to further their “pro-life” agenda, do they even know the entire story?

Everyone (unless they have lived under a rock for the past ten years) involved in the pro-choice/pro-life debate (if you can even call it that most times) should know who Terri Schiavo is. If for nothing else than the fact that pro-life agitators used her to further their agenda, and apparently still do to this day. However, most people do not know the whole story. They only really get the “pro-life” side of the story instead. The fact that most of the nation gobbled up this “pro-life” spin on the story does not say a whole lot for the masses. That is beside the point, however.

February 25, 1990- Terri Schiavo collapsed in her home early that morning. She was in full cardiac arrest. She was taken to an area hospital where she was initially diagnosed with severe brain damage and about a year after her initial cardiac arrest was diagnosed with PVS, or Persistent Vegetative State. Look at that date, and keep that date in your mind.

That November, her husband Michael Schiavo took her to San Fransisco, California, (a long way from their home in Florida) to the University of California for experimental nerve stimulation. This treatment took several months and was ultimately unsuccessful. In January of 1991 he took her back home to Florida and admitted her to Mediplex Rehabilitation Center in Bradenton, Florida. Now don’t think he just dropped her there and forgot about her. He claimed that he often took “her to parks and public places in hopes of sparking some recovery” during her time at the center. In July of 1991 she was moved to Sabal Palms Skilled Care Facility where she received neurological testing, and regular speech and occupational therapy until 1994. Let’s look at this. Feb. of 1990 Schiavo goes into cardiac arrest resulting in PVS. Her husband takes her across the country to try a treatment that he believes will help her, but it is ultimately unsuccessful, he then brings her home and tries himself to spark some recovery in her, then he moves her to a care facility where she receives neurological testing and therapy for 3 more years. Count them, 3 years!! She had lived in the same vegetative state for 4 years already and received therapy for 3 years all the while showing NO signs of recovery. Forgive me if I am wrong, but that sounds like he tried to get her the help she needed.

It was not until May of 1998 that Michael Schiavo petitioned the court to remove Terri’s feeding tube. That is 8 years after the cardiac arrest that caused her PVS. Count them again. 8. YEARS. IN. A. PERSISTENT. VEGETATIVE. STATE. No changes in her condition. Nothing. You would think that the right thing to do would be to let the poor woman die and meet her maker. I mean after all she could not do anything for herself, she showed no cognition and she was living with a feeding tube down her throat.

After an extensive court battle, her husband was finally able to remove the feeding tube and allow his wife to die in March of 2005. Granted she died a horrible death via starvation and dehydration, but it was really no better than the non-life she was living. 15 years of a life confined to a bed. 15 years of a life unable to do anything for herself. 15 years of a life with no cognition. 15 years of a life as a burden to all of those around her. 15 years of a life she had no recollection of. 15 years of a life that she did not know was going on.

When her autopsy was performed in April of 2005, it was determined that she would never have been able to swallow on her own. Her brain weighed a mere 615g. That is half the size of a normal brain for a woman her age and size.

Microscopic examination revealed extensive damage to nearly all brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, the thalami, the basal ganglia, the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and the midbrain. The neuropathologic changes in her brain were precisely of the type seen in patients who enter a PVS following cardiac arrest. Throughout the cerebral cortex, the large pyramidal neurons that comprise some 70% of cortical cells – critical to the functioning of the cortex – were completely lost. The pattern of damage to the cortex, with injury tending to worsen from the front of the cortex to the back, is also typical. There was marked damage to important relay circuits deep in the brain (the thalami) – another common pathologic finding in cases of PVS. The damage was, in the words of Thogmartin, “irreversible, and no amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons.”

With all that said, why do pro-lifers use Schiavo as a tool to further their argument? Are these people honestly going to tell me that they would want their families to keep them alive in a situation like this? And they have the nerve to call me selfish for being pro-choice? I would rather die, even if it means starvation and dehydration, than live a life the way that Schiavo was “living”. To all pro-lifers out there who continue to use Schiavo as a tool to further your argument, do not, and I repeat, DO NOT exploit her anymore to me. You are not going to like the answer I give you! My family is fully aware of my feelings on the matter. And remember in this case it is about QUALITY of life not QUANTITY!

You are not alone!

No I am not trying to quote the lame 90's Michael Jackson song, although it does have some valid messages in it. I was on Tumblr yesterday and one of the people I follow reblogged the following screen capture:



Now the name of the person who received the message has been blocked out because they did not want to receive any "publicity" (sorry I could not think of a better word to use)because of the matter. Now, I reblogged it on Tumblr and said what I thought at the time was my peace, but this horrendous message was all I could think about last night. There is more that needs to be addressed on this matter.

First and foremost, I would like to point out that saying, "If you lived in my town, I would kill you. I would find you at school and beat you to death." is crime number one. A felony in most states. Again, it is a felony in most states to threaten someone with death. F-E-L-O-N-Y! Guess what that means? Yup, you guessed it. Jail time! And don't think that just because you are a coward and post behind an "anonymous" or a fake moniker, that no one can find out who you are. A prime example of this? Here in Georgia, a man was awarded a $404,000 judgement against a woman who posted that he was a drug addict, criminal, and pedophile, amongst other things. The woman posted under several different "names", at times even posting to herself using different names, to make the story more believable. Granted, the website that the posts were made on (Topix.com) was willing to give up the name of the individual, but they still found out who she was. I am sure if the person who received the above message was willing to press charges, that Tumblr would more than be willing to provide "Anonymous's" IP address. After all, it would look really bad on the company if they didn't and what company wants to look bad in a situation like this?

Now this brings me to cyber-bullying. This message is a prime example of cyber-bullying. Now I might be taking this message out of context, but I could give a flying rat's ass if I am. There is nothing that the person who received this message could have said to warrant such a message. Not only is "Anonymous" castigating her, but he is going out of his way to make her feel like she is somehow less human because of who she may or may not love. Homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender ism, and the like are NOTHING to be ashamed of. "Anonymous" would have you think different. He also posts, "That just makes you a whore and a sinning bitch." which leads me to believe that he is either Christian, or follows one of the main Abrahamic religions since these are the only religions that I know of that speak of "sinning" and homosexuality in the same sentence. If I am correct in my assumption, then "Anonymous" is not a very good Christian. The post is full of sin and in God's eyes ALL sins are created equal. So just remember that before you post some atrocity like this.

Keep in mind that when you post something on the internet, it is ALWAYS there. Just like in real life. Once you say something, you cannot un-say it. I do not care what your opinion on the LGBTQ community is, no person, gay, straight, transgendered, or Martian, should EVER receive a message like this. If someone is a member of the LGBTQ community and you don't agree with it, guess what? A little closer..... IT IS NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS! You cannot tell someone who they can or cannot love! And I will be damned if I sit by and let you or anyone for that matter, belittle someone just because they happen to love someone of the same gender! I will ALWAYS stand up for someone I see being treated like this. It does not matter if I know them or not. It does not matter if I agree with their choices. Because guess what? Those choices are theirs to make and no one else's. As long as those choices do not break the law, then no one has the right to do anything about it.

That brings me to an important question, that no one can seem to answer for me. Why in the hell does it matter who someone loves? It doesn't affect you in any way shape or form if, Bob and Joe are in a committed relationship and want to get married. So why? Why speak out against it? Why send messages like the one above? Why beat the living dog-shit out of someone over it? Are you that insecure with who you are as a person that you would have to belittle someone so badly? That is all I see when I look at this message. "Anonymous" is just an insecure little person who thinks that the only way to make himself feel better is to post hateful things to someone based on their sexuality. He is so insecure with himself that he resorts to committing a felony just so he can feel better about who he is. Well I got news for you, "Anonymous", you should feel insecure. If you don't understand that who a person loves is none of your business, then you should feel insecure. If you don't understand that hiding behind an anonymous tag instead of owning up to what you have said, is just being a coward, then you should feel insecure. If you don't understand that belittling someone in the way you just have is not only horrendous and ignorant, but one of the worst forms of bigotry in the world, then guess what sir, you should feel insecure.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
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Now before I leave you all to think about this and what we can do, I want to say something to all the teens that are either Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning. You are not alone. Many members of the LGBTQ community have been right where you are. We have have been in similar situations. We want to be here for you. We are here for you! The Trevor Project is a great resource! They have a 24/7 hotline (866-4-U-TREVOR) that you can call, guess what? That's right 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Suicide is never the way to go. If you are thinking about suicide then please, please, I beg you, seek out help. I am also going to take this one step further. ANY person who just needs someone to talk to about the tough things, and you feel you have no one to turn to, message me. You can message me here, you can message me on Twitter (@MsTashers), and you can find me on Tumblr (also MsTashers). Do not hesitate to message me! I will be here for you. I will listen. If warranted, I will give you advice. Do not listen to people like "Anonymous". They are not worth your time or effort.

Good & Evil

** I posted this on tumblr where I will also be posting. I will post all of my longer blogs both here and there, but my http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifreally short snippets or thoughts will remain on tumblr as not to clutter up this blog. So why not read both and follow me on both?**
Before you read any further, keep in mind that I was raised Christian, I have read the Bible, but I am no longer Christian and have not been for sometime. I will, however, for this article, treat God and Satan as if I did believe they were real, just to make it a little easier for some of you to follow. I am only using God and Satan as examples! I do not believe in the Christian path.

@eeeegads posted an entry earlier speaking of the violence in the Christian Bible and God (if you haven’t read it yet, you should head over to her page and give it a quick read. It is an amazing piece, researched, sourced, the whole she-bang). It really got me thinking about something that I have always had in the back of my mind. The concept of Good and Evil in many of today’s cultures is a black and white argument. Something or someone is either good or evil. It cannot be both. I feel that is flawed. While ultimately I believe that if there is good in this world there has to be evil. Yin-yang. The world has to keep a proper balance. A lot of people feel the same way, however, most religious belief systems equate this to mean that there is a force that is inherently good (i.e. God, Jesus Christ, Yahweh) and a force that is inherently evil (i.e. Satan, Lucifer). Even before I read @eeeegads paper, I knew this was completely off base. In the Bible, God was (as she said in her paper) very violent and unforgiving. Although Christians claim that he is loving and forgiving, I did not see much of that when I read the Bible. Christians do not question God nor do they question whether Satan is actually deserved of the “evilness” that is attributed to him. I see it like this, God is not completely good nor is Satan completely evil. God has certainly proven (if the Bible is to be believed) that he is capable of horrific acts therefore giving him the capacity for evil. If we were to believe that God holds the capacity for evil, then it would only be logical to assume that Satan would have to hold the capacity for good as well. Now, again if the Bible is to be believed, humans were created in God’s image. Take a look at human beings as a whole. Persons have the capacity for both good and evil. They can commit good acts and then turn around and commit evil acts and vice versa. No human being is inherently good nor inherently evil and if we were created in God’s image, then why should he be considered so? Christians are raised and taught that they are not supposed to question their religion, but follow it blindly. They are taught that God is good and Satan is evil. There are no concessions to this. It is black and white. There is no blurring of the lines. It is wrong and dangerous to think this way. If Satan were as evil as the Bible made him out to be, then why is it, as @eeeegads clearly pointed out (with her sources mind you), most of the acts of violence and horror are committed by God? God demands you follow him and worship him, and no one else. God committed horrendous acts on the people he supposedly created and loved because they dared to defy him or because he wanted to “test” his followers faith. Honestly, does that sound like someone who is inherently good?

What's with all the hate?

I am dumbfounded. I came across a page on Facebook over the weekend (the page has since been removed due to the diligence of many members of Facebook pushing for its removal) that astounded me. I sat here looking at the words on the page with utter disdain. I honestly did not think that, in this day in age, people could be so hateful to one another. The racial slurs being thrown back and forth between all parties involved had me in tears. Not because they were directed at me, but because people honestly thought that they could say such hateful things to one another. There were African-Americans calling Caucasians "Cracker" and "Honkey" amongst other names, there were Caucasians calling African-Americans "N----r". Both groups were slopping these words back and forth like they use them every day. Racism is alive and well. I could kick myself in the ass for thinking that in 2011 there wouldn't be so much hate, but that page single-handedly brought my ideas of the world crashing down.
I was raised by one of the most loving and compassionate people in the world. My Marmie. She raised me not to judge someone by the color of their skin, but by their actions. She raised me to stand up for what I believe. And most importantly she raised me to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" before I judge them. Understand where they are coming from first. I try my best to do that. I am not going to lie sometimes it is really hard, especially with people like those mentioned above. But I do my best. I try my hardest to help other people see where I am coming from, but it is like people are so wrapped up in their own views and what is right for them, that they refuse to see another person's point of view for anything. Trust me. If you actually listened to another person's point of view you might actually learn a thing or two about your own point of view. Now I am not saying that you have to agree with the other person. Far from it actually. Listening to another person's point of view may actually strengthen your belief.
Resorting to hate to "win" an argument is not winning at all. In fact it is quite the opposite. Resorting to "bashing" someone during an argument just makes you look ignorant. It makes you seem like you have no facts or credible arguments so you just "bash" the other person to distract from that fact. So I leave you with this. No matter what another person's view is, listen for one minute, then calmly explain your view. If they start speaking in circles, "bashing", or do not seem just as willing to listen, then quit wasting your time with them. Move on to someone that will actually listen to your point of view.

Jeremiah's Footprints

Imagine this. You are a mother and you just gave birth to your second son. He is beautiful and everything you could ask for in a child. Then your world comes crashing down around you. There is something wrong with your beautiful baby. The doctors tell you that he has SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. You are scared to death, because you have never heard of SMA, let alone ever knew someone who had been diagnosed. Now your wonderful son has this mysterious condition. You frantically hit the internet in search of answers.
This very thing happened to a dear friend of mine, Nathalie. Her second son Jeremiah was born July 18, 2010. In October of the very same year, Jeremiah was diagnosed with SMA. What is SMA, you ask?

SMA is a rare, inherited disease characterized by muscle atrophy and loss of motor function, caused by the absence of or defect in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The SMN1 gene encodes for survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein. This protein is critical to the survival and health of α-motor neurons, which are nerve cells in the spinal cord responsible for muscle contraction. As the motor neurons become unhealthy due to the reduced SMN levels, muscles weaken and become atrophic. For more information about SMA, please click here for a more complete introductory discussion about Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
-from Spinal Muscular Atrohy Foundation

Symptoms of SMA include "progressive loss of muscle control and movement and increasing weakness due to the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord." According to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation the muscles closest to the center of the body (i.e. those in the trunk and neck) are more severely affected than those furthest from the center of the body (i.e. those in the hands and feet). The normal growth and development of a person can also place addition demands on the already weakened muscles. Even in the most moderate form, SMA can limit function and mobility. There is also a wide range of severity of SMA. It varies in age of onset, however most patients start to develop symptoms during infancy or as toddlers. People with SMA often "develop bone and/or spinal deformities" according to the SMA Foundation. They also warn that respiratory illnesses may be more common and can be very severe for those living with SMA.
Now that I have told you about SMA, let's go back to Jeremiah and his wonderful family who cared for him deeply every day of his short little life. His mother, whom I briefly attended high school with when our fathers were both stationed in Germany, is a wonderful doting mother and wife. Her husband serves our country in the military, and their oldest son Noah is the most adorable little boy. They all loved Jeremiah deeply and did everything they could to make his life, no matter how short, one that would be remembered. Nathalie's one request when all of this was going on, was to spread the word of SMA. She wanted to get the word out to people who may not know what it is. Even in her time of crisis she was thinking of other families. For Nathalie and her entire family, all of those out there who love Jeremiah, I write this for you. I am also going to add any family who has ever been rocked by a diagnosis of SMA. Just know that you are not alone. There are other people out thttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhere who are going through or who have been through the same thing as you. Keep your heads up, pray, and live the best way you can. There are others like me that are here for you. Do not hesitate to ask!

In Memory of Jeremiah 07/18/2010 - 11/01/2010

Please like his page on Facebook: Jeremiah's Footprints

Mass Effect 3 Trailer- Yes I am Gamer Chick

As anyone who has played the previous installments of Bioware's Mass Effect franchise (or hell even the hardcore players of Dragon Age: Origins. Dragon Age II comes out Tuesday by the way! w00t w00t!!!!) can tell you these games are frackin (see i am just proving my nerdity to you by using words created by Battlestar Galactica! Grrr!) addictive! I have just started yet another play-through on the first one, since my friends at GameStop informed me that I could already pre-order ME3. I started getting excited just thinking about it! I am going to do a couple of play-throughs on ME then move on and do a couple on ME2 before 3 comes out. That is if I can pry the 360 away from my husband and Red Dead Redemption for a while. We really need 2 360s... It really would save a lot of our arguments! But hey I guess that says a lot for our marriage. The main thing we argue about is who is going to play the 360! LOL.

Open Letter to Politicians Concerning Budget Cuts

Dear Mr. Politician-that-I-most-likely-did-not-vote-for-but-still-says-he-is-speaking-for-me,

I understand that there is a budget crisis in almost every state of the union right now. As with many other informed Americans, I understand that something must be done about this and am more than willing to help. I think we should look over what is actually happening in the name of "cutting budgets" and "lowering the deficit" before you start thinking that I am actually going to vote for you in the next election. (I am sorry, I only vote for those that I think are actually trying to make a difference and if you are reading this then odds are you don't make the cut.)

First, you are proposing budget cuts in some of the most key areas of society. Education cuts, Emergency Department (Fire Department, Police, EMT, etc.) cuts, State Worker cuts, etc. I can understand making cuts, but why are you politicians always so quick to cut the money where it is needed most?

Last time I checked educating our children for tomorrow was essential to a successful and long lasting government. By cutting the budget by millions of dollars (per state) you are taking away the education that our children should be getting. And when I say education, I mean a well rounded education. Our children should be exposed to not only the proper teaching of reading, mathematics, science, and history, but the arts, health sciences (not just teaching abstinence either), and extra curricular activities. A well rounded education is essential to the growth of our children. By cutting the budget in education, you not only increase class sizes (because budget cuts usually mean teachers losing their jobs) but you also have to make cuts by taking away some of the classes that many feel are essential. How does this equate to our children having a well rounded education?

You are also proposing budget cuts to Emergency Systems. I don't know if you have noticed the statistics, but when the economy goes down the toilet, crime tends to rise. By cutting the budget of the police, prison systems, fire departments, EMT stations, etc. you are not protecting the citizens that vote for you very well. No matter how many cuts you make to these areas, that does not change the fact that they are a NECESSITY! Just because you cut their budget does not mean that crime, fires, and accidents will go down. If that were the case then why are we giving them any money anyway? Oh yeah that is right, I would like to have them there on the off chance they are needed so I don't, you know, DIE, or something like that.

Okay I can kind of see cutting the budget of state workers, but that means YOU as well. Yes, you heard me right. All that money that you get paid by me, the taxpayer, you're going to have to cut the budget for that too if you expect to cut the budget for all state workers. I know, I know, I just spoke political blasphemy. How dare I expect YOU to take a pay cut like you are expecting everyone else to do? The nerve of me and just about every other person I know. You work hard and should be compensated appropriately, right? Hold on a sec, I think I might have some spare change in the couch cushions.

I am sure I speak for the majority of people that think like I do when I say that I wouldn't mind paying a little more in taxes. Provided that money is going to what it should. For instance, if you increase the school tax, all of that money better go to the education system. As long as it is used within the education system (like for books, new facilities, class room necessities, etc.) I don't mind giving a little extra money. I don't want to see my tax dollars go to paving the road that the county commissioner lives on when the county can't even seem to take care of the huge ass pothole that has been on my road since I moved here 6 years ago. You know who I am talking about.

You know what? You claim to speak for the average American, then hell, this might be a concept a little over your head, but why not try reading a web forum like a newspapers or similar to Athens Talks! and see what the people really have to say about the job you are doing. Be anonymous. Trust me, you may get a shock to the system hearing just how many people are not happy with your job.

I think I have said enough for now. But I am sure that you will do something to piss me off again and I will have to write you another letter, so you might as well just keep your mailbox open.

Sincerely,
Your-TRUE-average-American-that-you-do-not-necessarily-speak-for.

The New Tasha Pt.3

Okay, okay, okay. I know what you are thinking. "Does this girl ever shut up?" Well the answer to that is, "No I don't ever shut up, but if you don't like it, tough cookies hun!" Now I will get back to my stance on certain things that are going on in this world today.

American Politicians
As I am an American, I can only speak about American politicians, but I am sure they share some similarities with politicians in many other areas of the world. The point is that I think that most all of the politicians of today are crooks. They lie. They cheat. They steal. They are out to line their pockets with as much money as they possibly can. They pass bills and try to pass bills saying that they have the best interests of the American public in mind, but in fact, they could care less about what is best for the American people or what the American people even want. For instance, take the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Republicans voted to defund a program that provides health care, sex education, and other like things to people who cannot afford it otherwise. Many of the people they provide care for reside in urban areas and tend to get over looked by the majority. Do those politicians that voted to defund Planned Parenthood and other like organizations care about that? No they don't, because if they did it would have never happened. These politician's make all these promises to get us to vote for them, and when we vote them into office, they do a complete 180. Yes, they may get some of what they promised accomplished, but for the most part, they don't. I wouldn't care if we fired them all, ran elections again, and let any person that wanted to run run. I have met people on internet forums that could do a better job than over half of the politicians out there today. It is real sad.

Illegal Immigrants
First, let's get one thing straight. I have absolutely no problem with immigrants that come into this country legally. My step-mother, step-brother, and step-sister happen to be legal immigrants from El Salvador. My problem lies with those that come to this country illegally. Don't tell me they take the jobs that Americans don't want, because that is a bunch of bullshit. The truth is they take the jobs that employers don't want to pay Americans for. Illegal immigrants don't pay taxes, they use resources, and then complain when people speak out against it or try to enforce laws regarding illegal immigration. I understand that it is hard to go about it legally, but that does not give anyone the right to a free pass. If one comes here illegally, they undermine everything those that came here legally worked hard to accomplish, and in my opinion that is just wrong! Come here legally and I have no problem with you. Our government needs to start doing its job and taking care of the illegal immigration problem as well. Just ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away, it will just make it worse.

Religious Tolerance
It is sad that people treat others different just because of their religious beliefs. Most of the world, from my point of view any way, looks down on Muslims, and it is real sad. I know a lot of Muslims that are wonderful people. Then you have certain members of the Christian religion that feel that the Christian religion is being persecuted and discriminated against, when in fact they do most of it. Most everyone looks down on Pagans (Wiccans and the like) saying that it is not a religion. I mean what does it really matter what your religious belief as long as you live your life as good as you can? Can't we all just agree to disagree on our religious beliefs? No one is really going to know who is right and who is wrong until they die anyway, so what is the point in arguing about it now?

Racism
I do no stand for racism of any kind. And just to be clear, white people, Hispanic people, Asian people, Native American people, and black people can all be victims of racism as well as racists themselves. There seems to be an open opinion in this country that white people cannot be discriminated against and that black people cannot be racists. That just so happens to be false. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr had a "dream that we would all one day be created equal". He was a smart man and if more people would actually take to heart the words he said then they would understand what he was all about. You are no better nor worse than I am just because you are a different race than I. So instead of hating someone because of the color of their skin, why not try to get to know them, and hate them for a more plausible reason?

Well I hope I have given you some insight to who I am before I start blogging on a regular basis. If you continue to read, that is great and I promise you won't be disappointed. If you decide not to read any more, I understand, and I don't hold it against you, but I will be here if you change your mind one day.

The New Tasha Pt. 2

Okay, so I basically told you my stance on a lot of things in my last entry. I am going to take a break from that. I have some goals that will enable me to not only become a better person, but get some things accomplished. I have always had a few things I wanted to do with my life, and this is the time to get them done. I am going to use this entry to state my goals. I know not many people out there read this, but I guess I write more for myself than I do you. If you are out there reading, then thank you and keep reading, but if you don't that is okay too.

Writing
Not only am I committed to keeping this blog going, but I want to finish my novel. I love to write and I have great stories to tell. I just need to stop procrastinating and get them done. Writer's block is a bitch, but I will overcome her! My novel is so freaking good in my head and I want to share it with the world, I just have to get it on paper. I will even self-publish it if I have to! I have a great start to it, and may even post the rough draft of the prologue for you all if I think about it. My goal is to hopefully have at least the rough draft done by this time next year. With two children and a husband that sometimes acts like one of my children, this may be uber hard, but I think I can do it. I also plan to add at least 3 new entries to this blog a week. Not too much, but not too little either. That way I can hone my writing skills in a looser environment, if you know what I mean. I may add short stories, poems, random entries like this, or essay type entries like my Gay Marriage entries. Its just going to depend on my mood at the time. Which reminds me, I need to do something about the layout of this blog. I think I will do that when I am done writing here.

Health and Fitness
I went to the doctor today. I have been having some stomach issues that my doc thinks could be my gall bladder, but that is not the point. I stepped on the scale and wanted to go hide in shame! I have been half-assed trying to lose weight for the last month, but after seeing 174 on the scale today, I decided to get to working on it hardcore. My goal is between 120 and 125, which is what I weighed when Brian and I got married. I don't think that is too outrageous to think that I can get there. I have faith in myself. Especially after the doc gave me the go ahead to cut my caloric intake to about 1200 calories a day. Not only am I going to diet, but I will also be doing some exercising as well. As of right now I am doing the Jillian Michaels Yoga vids, but I have heard good things about her 30 Day Shred so I might try that as well.

Faith and Spiritual Path
I don't know if I have told you all this yet, but I am Pagan. I am very happy with my faith and spiritual path, but I have to say that I have not given it the "devotion" it deserves. This year is going to be different. I am going to take time everyday to my own religious reflections. Even if it is just meditation, I think that will be good enough. I am going to take time during each of the Esbats and Sabbats to reflect as well. And this year at Yule, I will even burn a yule log. I am going to develop my relationship with the Goddess more so than I already have. This is more for me and my well being (spiritually) than it is anyone else, but I still feel it needs to be said. I also think that it may help me with my slight temper problem.

Politics and the World beyond my backyard
I am going to take more of an interest in politics and the world around me as well. My kids aren't going to be kids forever. I don't want to send them out into a world that I didn't at least try to make a difference in. I am going to go further with my recycling. I am going to be a more informed voter (not that I wasn't already). I am going to watch, donate and help others in any way I can. Even if it is just getting their story out. Sometimes even if you cannot do anything but get a story out there, that is enough to get others to do something. Remember that the world is bigger than just your backyard!

School
I am going to go back to school this year. I want a college education. I have already decided to go back and do a Biotechnology course (heavy in the chemistry department just because I LOVE chemistry). I plan to at least start in the fall. So keep your fingers crossed that I don't fall flat on my face in this endeavor!

Well for now, I am going to leave all of you to your own devices. I shall add Part 3 to The New Tasha tomorrow (hopefully), so keep an eye out for that! Good night! And remember as Les Brown said, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars!"

The New Tasha Pt. 1

I guess the title is somewhat deceptive. This really isn't about the new me. I have always been this way. I have just decided that I am no longer going to care what other people think when I express my opinion.
In the past few weeks, I have had several people say things to me, that were not only pretty hateful, but made me do a lot of thinking. These several people were looking down on me for expressing my beliefs and feelings. I have decided that I am no longer going to take any of it! This is who I am. I am damn proud and happy of who I am. My husband, while he may not always agree with me, is proud of who I am. My mother is proud of who I am, and I am sure there are others, but they have not expressly told me that they are proud of me. Therefore, with the most important people standing by my side, I am going to speak out. I am going to let the world know who I am and that I don't care what they think of me!

First and foremost, I am a mother. And a damn good one at that. My children are among the most important people in my life. I constantly and consistently put my children before myself. Their happiness is my happiness.
That said, let's get down to the nitty gritty. The rest of my stances on things are bound to piss some people off, but guess what? I could really care less. As long as I am happy with myself, why should I care what anyone else thinks?
Homosexuality
I think I have made it very clear where I stand on homosexuality, but just in case you missed the memo, I am very pro-love! I think that every person deserves the same respect. Everyone should be allowed to love the person they love without ridicule. A man should be allowed to love another man. A woman should be allowed to love another woman. If you are against homosexuals, fine, but to speak out against them when their homosexuality does not directly affect you is just asinine.
Abortion
I am pro-choice. But let me clarify what exactly pro-choice is for you people out ther who think that all pro-choice is pro-abortion. Pro-choice is not pro-abortion it is about the ability to make the choice. It is about the fact that no one can tell a person what they can or cannot do with their own body. I may not choose abortion for myself, but I am not going to condemn another woman for making that choice because it is her body. I can go on and on about abortion and pro choice but that is not what this blog entry is about, so I will save that for another day.
Planned Parenthood
Some of you may think that this falls under the abortion category but that is not so. Planned Parenthood provides more than just abortions. In a lot of cases it is the only access some women to have to health care and prenatal care. It is a great resource for birth control and sex education for young people who could not otherwise talk to their parents. It provides testing for STDs. It also happens to provide medical access and treatment to those with HIV/AIDS that cannot otherwise afford to go to a regular doctor or clinic. Senate (mostly votes from the Republican majority)voted to defund Planned Parenthood. Now will someone please tell me how in the world this helps?
Protests in the Middle East
For a few months now, the people of many middle eastern countries have been taking to the streets and protesting their oppressive regimes. Many may say it is none of our business. "It isn't the US so why do you care?" Well you are right, it isn't the US, but that does not even mean that we shouldn't care. I saw a video earlier today ( it has most likely since been removed) that showed several dead bodies in a row. The victims had been restrained with their hands behind their backs and then executed. These victims were protesters in Libya. They were not the first victims of the Libyan regime and mercenaries, and they weren't the last. People in these countries are being oppressed and have decided that they are unhappy. Don't you feel that they deserve the same freedoms that we have? Especially if they want them, ask for them, and came to these decisions on their own without any interference from democratic countries like the US. They deserve support. They need to know that there are people out there who support them and that are going to be there for them if they need us.

There will be more tomorrow because it is getting late and I need to get some sleep.
(To be continued....)

"This Violence Must Stop!" Pres Obama

President Obama speaks out against the turmoil in Libya. Many people are asking why he is talking about Libya instead of dealing with issues within our own country. To those people I say he has been dealing with the issues in our own country! Today he also condemned the Defense of Marriage Act, saying he would not back it and that it was unconstitutional. I may not always agree with our President, and I did not vote for him. But he is still our president and I have to commend him for speaking on these two issues. Protesters in Libya are being executed for peacefully protesting. Libyan forces are not allowing us to extracate American citizens from Libya. The people of Libya have spoken and they want to be treated like human beings! I feel that if we can help then we should! No person should be executed for standing up for their beliefs no matter where they live! To the Libyan people, I stand beside you! You deserve better than what you have! You deserve the basic rights such as freedom of speech and freedom from oppression!

I may just be a stay at home mom, but that does not mean that I shut the world around me out. That does not mean that I do not feel for these people, and other oppressed people around the world. We can no longer shut the world around us out. To make this world a better place for our children, we must do something! Stand for what you believe in. Let the powers that be know you are not happy with something if you are not happy with it. Let the powers that be know that you will not stand for oppression or denial of rights! One voice may not be heard, but if we stand together and shout as loud as we can, I assure you, someone will hear us!

DeBunked: Arguments Against Gay Marriage (Pt.2)

Now that I have had a good night's rest, I feel that I can continue what I was doing. Basically I was responding to why I feel that many arguments against Gay Marriage are wrong or how they can be disproved.

Argument Six:
"They have Civil Unions. Those are the same thing. They can just sign a piece of paper, and have it notarized saying that their partner has the rights of a spouse."
Yes, I have actually heard this argument. More specifically it was worded like this

...other than maybe like someone said on here u wouldnt b able to make important disisions about who ever u luv but something can b wrote and noterized for that there is always a loop hole some where...

I will concede that yes there are Civil Unions. And yes these do afford homosexual couples some of the same rights as married couples. But a civil union is not the same as marriage and just because the state equates the two, doesn't mean that it is right. It is basically a slap in the fact to the LGBT community by saying "Hey you can be together in the eyes of the law, but we are going to call it civil union because it isn't really marriage. That can only be between a man and a woman". A civil union is not recognized by other states as marriage is. Civil Unions are only on the state level and not recognized by the federal government either. A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. A United States citizen who is engaged in a civil union are not afforded the same rights. Filing joint tax returns? People who are married are afforded these rights, but not those who have a civil union. There are other benefits such as spousal insurance, survivor's benefits, FMLA enactment to care for a sick spouse, making medical decisions for your spouse if need be, etc. that civil unions do not provide, but marriage does. Marriage laws seem to be universal, but the rules and regulations of civil unions are not. Is it really too much to ask that LGBT persons be afforded the same rights? After all, it is a state and federal issue, not a religious institution.

Argument Seven:
"It destroys the institution of marriage."
Ha ha ha ha! No I think that people like Britney Spears who get 55-hour quickie weddings in Vegas, or Elizabeth Taylor who just announced that she would be getting married for the ninth time, have done a fine job at ruining the institution of marriage all by themselves. How can two people who love each other and have been together for years destroy the institution of marriage? That is just laughable.

Argument Eight:
"Gays shouldn't be allowed to get married because they cannot procreate."
It is real sad that some people think that marriage is only about procreation. But furthermore, there are heterosexual couples who cannot or will not have children. Should they be denied the right to marry as well? After all they are not procreating. Marriage is about more than procreating and having sex. Marriage is about spending the rest of your life with the person you love. It is about developing a relationship that was once two but now one. It is about being there for that person in their time of need. It is about loving them through thick and thin. Marriage is about a multitude of things. Procreation/children are only a part of it and not a necessary part either.

I have yet to have any one person give me a logical and fact based reasoning as to why homosexuals should not be allowed to marry. Homosexuals are people just like everyone else and deserve the same rights. I support the LGBT community with everything I have and will continue to do so!

DeBunked: Arguments Against Marriage Equality

As many already know, I am a huge proponent of homosexual marriage. I have strongly believe that homosexuals should be given the same rights as heterosexuals when it comes to marriage. With that said, I seem to hear the same arguments over and over, and quite frankly, get real sick of repeating myself over and over. So I decided to go ahead and try my hand at explaining why those theories and arguments consistently have absolutely no bearing on the institution of marriage in the first place.

Argument One:
"Gays do have equal rights. They can marry a member of the opposite sex just like I can. I can not marry a member of the same sex so this is equal."
This happens to be one of my favorite arguments. Why you ask? Because it just so happens to be one of the most asinine things that I have ever heard. When I hear this argument, I cannot help but shake my head and laugh. Those arguing this point don't take into consideration that they are not homosexual and therefore do not love a member of the same gender. The person is heterosexual and more than likely loves and wants to marry (or is already married to) a member of the opposite sex. They are not being asked to ignore the fact that they are told to be someone they are not. They are not being asked to marry a person that they don't love, or being told that they cannot marry the person they love (that also reciprocates the feelings). A homosexual couple is basically being told "I don't care if you love each other. I don't care that you have been together for thirty years. You cannot marry another man and that is not a problem because I cannot either, so it is Even Stevens." Think about it like this, if homosexuality were the norm and heterosexuality were the abnormal. You (obviously) are the heterosexual. Would you like it if you were told "I cannot marry a member of the opposite, so neither can you!" Thinking about it like that, it doesn't make much sense does it? It doesn't mean that there is equality because a heterosexual person can marry another heterosexual person because that is not the problem in question. The problem in question is the fact that you are entirely free to marry the person you love while a homosexual person is not.

Argument Two:
"If we allow Gays to marry then it will all go down hill from there. People will be allowed to marry animals, or children, or multiple partners. It will never end."
Ummm... no that is not how it works. A marriage can only be between two consenting adults. Last time I checked, animals nor children were consenting adults and could not legally sign a contract, which is what marriage is. Last time I checked multiple partners were not just two people. This argument happens to be one of the most facetious things I have ever heard. I don't even understand how one would come up with this argument in the first place. How in the world does allowing homosexual couples equate to allowing people to marry animals, children or multiple partners?

Argument Three:
"It is unnatural. A man wasn't meant to lie with another man. You don't see homosexuality in animals. Humans are the only ones with homosexual relationships."
EHHHHH Wrong. In 1999, researcher Bruce Bagemihl observed instances of homosexuality in over 1,500 species of animals ranging from primates to gut worms, 500 of which itis well documented in. And a new 2009 review noted that homosexuality was a universal phenomenon within the animal kingdom. That completely and out rightly disproves half of that argument. And as for the unnatural part, if it were unnatural, then why would it have been observed in most if not all species within the animal kingdom? Humans are basically animals, we just have intelligence and speech, but still the most basics of instincts and behaviors remain. Homosexuality is just as natural in humans as it is in the animal kingdom. It may not be observed within the majority of the members of one species, but it is observed in the species none the less.

Argument Four:
"It's against God, Allah, Yahweh, Jesus, etc. Homosexuals are against what the Bible, Torah, Quar'an, etc. teaches."
Well, if marriage were strictly a religious institution then this argument might hold weight, but guess what? It is not a strictly religious institution. Here in the U.S., we have separation of Church and State. That means that nothing the "church" says has an impact on law (unless it is the freedom of religion amendment within the Bill of Rights). Marriage, as it pertains to law, is a state issue. To be legally married you have to have a marriage license issued by the state and your marriage has to be presided over by at the very least a justice of the peace (who is not ordained by any religious institution, but allowed the rights to perform a ceremony). Religion within a marriage ceremony is strictly an optional additive. Marriage existed long before many of today's religion. In fact, marriage predates recorded history, so guess what this means? Yes, no religion of today predates recorded history, not even the neo-Pagan religions. Therefore that in it of itself is proof positive that marriage is not a religious institution.

Argument Five:
"It's gross. It's just wrong, because I am not like that."
Let's see. How in the world is that at all logical? I don't like spinach, but that does not mean I am going to start marching on Washington seeking the revocation of the legalization of spinach or other likely greens. I do not like sleeping with socks on, but that does not mean that I am going to say that no one can wear socks to bed. It think that a feather holds more weight than this argument and I am not speaking of a vacuum instance.

Now, I am sure that there are many rebuttals to what I have said, but I am not here to answer every possible rebuttal to anything and everything I say. The point is that I feel that everyone has the essential right to marry the person they love (provided that it is a legal, of age adult that is capable of making the decision legally). I feel that a friend of mine should be allowed to marry the person he loves and has been with since high school regardless of either gender. And I know there are many more arguments, but it is getting late and I need to go to bed before I start spouting nonsensical rhetoric. I will revisit this a little later.