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This is one of the better sites I’ve found online that tackles much of the misinformation surrounding reproductive health. It’s from the RH Reality Check website, and it includes documented rebuttals to many of perpetuated myths surrounding contraception use.

A few of the different myths addressed include:

Restricting Access is the Best Way To Reduce Abortions, which shows how abortions in Europe (where there are less restrictions) are significantly less than procedures in Latin America, where access to abortion is limited or illegal in most countries.

Contraceptives, Including Emergency Contraception, Are Abortifacients: I can’t count the number of people I’ve talked to who think this is true. Their usual argument is that contraceptives prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg — this page explains how that function of contraception is at best a tertiary function (with its primary functions to prevent ovulation and fertilization).

Other myths addressed and debunked include Contraception Promotes Promiscuity & Disease and Abortion Causes a Variety of Health Complications, amongst others.

I’m impressed by the documented explanations on this site, and will point others to it in the future, especially when I’m confronted by misinformation regarding reproductive health.

I think I’m going a bit stir-crazy in this maternity leave o’ mine. Right now my life consists of:

Feeding baby.
Playing with baby.
Putting baby down for a nap.
Furiously trying to finish housework and squeeze in some personal time while baby sleeps.
45 minutes later, getting baby up.
Changing baby.
Repeat.

While I know motherhood is one of the “noblest professions,” I miss being able to write about political, social, and religious issues I care about. I miss having debates, and being able to entertain a thought in my head for longer than a couple minutes.

So, that said, I’ll throw out some ideas/links I’ve been stewing over, and maybe I’ll start feeling like my old self again.

• First, a new blog you must read: The Bad Idea blog. I found out about the author as I was commenting on another blog (which, ironically, will no longer allow me to comment. Apparently oppositional thoughts to theology are not welcome on some blogs). Read today’s post on Ism-isms and this post on tedious critics for starters.
• I finally went through and categorized all my delicious bookmarks. If you ever want to see what I’d like to blog about, if I had the time, then check them out. Usually I’ll bookmark links with intentions of doing a post about them later, but then I never get around to it.

• Finally, another blog post for you to read and ponder: Packaging Girlhood, “Bratz.” This is the blog for the book (which I have yet to read, but is high on my list to pick up SOON), Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers’ Schemes by Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown.

  If you’re note familiar with the realm of little girl toys, Bratz are these obnoxious plastic dolls who are dressed like little miniaturized prostitutes. They’re all the rage with little girls these days, replacing Barbie doll playing in most cases. My little Brownies really liked these dolls, and would bring them for our show-and-tell days, much to our horror.

  What is interesting about the post I’ve linked to above is the discussion it generates on the upcoming Bratz movie. Apparently the skankiness will be toned down a bit for the big screen: “The real life actors playing our least favorite dollz won’t be outfitted in anything remotely dominatrix or soft porn “esque” because let’s face it: if cute little dolls look sleazy in those outfits, real girls wearing them would look, well, obscene (and the producers would have to kiss the PG rating—and all the allowance money that comes with it–goodbye).”

  The post goes on to discuss the other horrifying aspects of these dolls (and the mentality that goes with them) in the upcoming movie. Now that I’m a mama to a little girl, I know these are issues I’ll have to face head-on. And, frankly, that’s one of the main reasons I really wanted to have a little girl. I want to be able to empower her to navigate the culture by encouraging her to question (everything!) and instill in her a confidence that others will try to beat out of her.

And with that, now my short attention span for the day is spent. That, and the baby’s awake from her nap.

Here’s the YouTube link to the third part of the series “God’s Warriors” — Part 1 of Christian Warriors.

So far, due to life with a teething time-demanding 7-month-old, I’ve only had the chance to watch the Christian part of the series. I *will* watch the other two sections though, if only to compare and contrast what fundamentalism looks like in all of its monothestic flavors.

My parents are due for a visit next week, and I can see some potentially interesting discussion being generated from watching these videos with them. (prepare yourself, pops!)

Has anyone else had a chance to watch this series yet? From what I’ve gathered, from watching the one report, I was fairly impressed by the balance of fundamentalist crazies to normal, somewhat liberal believers (read: Jerry Falwell vs. Jimmy Carter). I’m curious to see how this plays out when covering Jewish and Muslim warriors.

Right now I’m watching the Christian portion of “God’s Warriors,” a week-long special on CNN, featuring reporter Christine Armanpour (who I’ve always admired). Some of the evangelical groups represented here are pretty scary.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the YouTube link to the Christian Warriors segment — meanwhile, here are the preceding two segments of the program:

Part 1 of Jewish Warriors

Part 1 of Muslim Warriors

Watch, and tell me what you think. (I’ll be back tomorrow with my thoughts)

This commercial had me cracking up.

I’m reading The Golden Compass right now, and it turns out the film version of the book is due out this December. On the film’s website, I can find out which daemon best fits my personality.

So far I’m really enjoying the book — I love the main character’s name, Lyra.