Come On! They're Just Boobs! or, What's Your Problem with Breastfeeding, You Repressed Wackadoodle!

Seriously, get over it.  They're boobs, big deal.  I just can't understand why there is such a controversy over breastfeeding.  Honestly, how in the hell do you think any of our ancestors managed to get past infancy in times past?  In the scheme of things, formula and bottles are relatively new inventions.

Ok.  This is my take on it.  In my opinion, the only reason anyone has any problem with public breastfeeding is because for a very long time, a select group of men have run the world.  And to those men, breasts are purely a sexual thing.  Yes, I understand that breasts do serve a sexual purpose.  But ultimately, that sexual purpose serves the higher purpose of nurturing the life that was created.  We have all heard the same thing; males are hardwired to seek out a mate that is capable of procreating and sustaining the next generation.  And that, folks, is where breasts come into the picture.  And yes, I am well aware of the fact that females are hardwired to seek a mate based on his physical characteristics.  But somewhere along the line, some men got obsessed with breasts on a level that goes beyond mere procreation.  And therein lies the problem.  Since men usually made all the rules in times past, I could assume that they made the rule that it was somehow improper for women to feed their babies where anyone could see.  Or, I could assume that since somehow it became impossible for some men to exercise any self-control over their obsession, women began placing these restrictions on themselves.  Either way, its completely ridiculous.  They are just boobs, and everybody has em.  Even men have them, duh, although I do realize they aren't exactly the same.

I guess what I am trying to say is grow up people.  The human body is a natural part of the world, and if women weren't supposed to feed their babies naturally, they wouldn't have been born with that ability.  So why do you care if the woman sitting next to you in a restaurant is breastfeeding?  Maybe we don't want to watch you eat your double cheeseburger either, but we aren't bitching about it.  Oh, and another thing, why should breastfeeding women be relegated to a bathroom?  You wouldn't want to eat that cheeseburger while you're sitting on the john would you?

This issue has been stirring around in my heart and mind for a few weeks, ever since I saw an article about the National Guardswomen who were to be reprimanded for allowing pictures of themselves breastfeeding their children while they were in uniform.  Now, officially, the only reason they are in trouble is because they allowed their picture to be used for a civilian cause.  Ok, I can buy that.  But what really set this off was the Toyota commercial I saw on tv last night.  They showed picture after picture of military folks in uniform.  TO SELL CARS.  How is that any different?  To me, this just smacks of some fanatic wackadoodles seeing the picture, getting pissed off (how dare they breastfeed, and let everyone see them!) and pulling out the rule book to stop this behavior that somehow threatens our society IMMEDIATELY!  I could be wrong, I have been before and I'm sure I will be again.  But I'm like an umpire, I call em like I see em.

If I am incorrect in my assumption, hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself concerning the rules of the military/National Guard will correct me.  In fact, I left the following comment on a post made by someone in the military, in the hopes that person could educate me if I truly am misguided in my assumptions:

"Perhaps I don’t understand the rules completely, since I have never been personally a part of the military/National Guard, but I am confused. These mothers will be reprimanded for allowing a picture to be taken of them that furthers a civilian cause, but what about the Toyota commercial I saw last night on tv that showed a lot of pictures of military women and men in uniform? Am I to understand that the rules only apply to causes, and not to a blatant marketing attempt by a corporation to use our sense of respect for our brothers and sisters in uniform to sell cars? Or is it simply a case of pulling out the rule book because the good ol’ boys don’t like the fact that these women were proud of the fact that not only are they putting food on the table, but also in their children’s mouths?"

In closing, I say women, be proud of the fact that you can sustain life, and don't let anyone push you into a closet or a shithouse to do it.  Women who try to oppress other women in their quest to nurture their children, SHUT UP!  Men who appreciate the beauty of the natural world, including the human body, keep up the good work!  And to the men who only appreciate breasts for their own obsessive fantasies, grow up.  They are just boobs you know.

That is all.

Since When Did Animals Become Human, and Subject to Our Rules?

In the county where I live, there was a recent case where a 6 month old child was left alone in a room with a dog.  All the adults in the house at the time, including the child's mother, were in another room.  The dog bit the child on the head, and the poor baby died.  The whole situation is just horrible.  My heart breaks for the baby.  And for the mother.  Granted, I really don't think I would leave my baby in another room with any animal, no matter how well-behaved and domesticated it may be.  But that doesn't mean that we don't all make mistakes at some point or another, and I can't imagine the pain she has to suffer with every day of her life, always thinking to herself, "If only I didn't leave him in there, even for a second".

Now, I'm not exactly a card-carrying member of PETA, but I do have feelings for animals (except for spiders, they are icky!).  I guess that's why I'm surprised that so many people seem to think that putting the dog down was the right thing to do in this situation.  First of all, this dog was an animal.  Animals are part of the NATURAL world.  In other words, they aren't human, and they do what is natural to them.  I think that people in general are very presumptuious in assuming that just because they bring an animal into their home, and love it, and feed it, and take care of it, that their "pet" is just another human roaming around the house.  They aren't.  Animals can be very companionable, and loving, and even so protective of their human companions that they would lay down their lives.  But they are still "natural" beings.  Second of all, although the dog in question was rescued from an abusive home, he had never shown any sign of being aggressive.  He was also deaf, which may have played a part.  Unfortunately, no one will ever know for sure.

So was it right to put him down?  Part of me says no; based on the fact that there were no prior incidents, perhaps there could have been another alternative.  But the other part of me, the one that would kill anything with her bare hands should her children be in danger, says that I'm just not sure.  I'm just thinking that us humans have tried to control Nature for so long, we expect everything in nature to adhere to our rules.  And I think that is a mistake.  

A comment on an article discussing this case is what got me thinking about all this.  In the comment (we'll just say it was written by Bob to make things easy), Bob states that if a human being had killed the baby, they would be charged with murder.  Well, according to Bob, even though the dog carried out the evil deed, it is still murder, and the doggie got his just desserts.  Wow.  Really?  I know dogs are really smart, they learn all kinds of stuff, and can even be trained, but honestly, I think that the belief that a dog understands what murder is, and that it is wrong, is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard in my life!  What next, are we going to put the snakes on trial for killing and eating the mice?!

That is all.

Guns Dont Kill People, People Kill Other People With the Use of Guns (and Knives, Cars, Bombs, Poison....)

I've been reading some things lately concerning our right to bear arms in the United States, and I have to say, it's all been a real head-scratcher.  I'm trying to figure out how restricting my right to own a gun is going to stop terrorists and criminals from doing their thing.  When people want to do something wrong, they will find a way to do it.  I mean, come on folks, they are already doing illegal shit to begin with.  Do you really think that more gun control laws will put them out of business?  These folks apparently lack any respect for common decency, as well as the lives of decent people who are just trying to live their lives.  So what makes the gun control advocates think that changing the laws will have any kind of impact on the criminals?  That they will just retreat with their tails between their legs, change their ways, and become hardworking, productive members of society?  Yeah, ok.  When rainbows start shooting out of my butt!

Another thing that makes me scratch my head is the opinion of Garry McCarthy, Superintendent of Chicago Police.  Apparently, he recently made a speech that suggested that the government is perpetuating racism by not having stronger and more restrictive laws for gun control.  What the hell is that supposed to mean?  Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but if I were a black person, that statement would completely piss me off.  To me, this guy is saying that black people are no more discerning than children, and that they need the government to tell them what is right and what is wrong.  That maybe they can't handle the heady rush of freedom and power over their own lives.  What a crock of shit!

Well, all that being said, I'll leave with this little tidbit:  Maybe it's about time people started learning how to be responsible, and the government started learning how to make each individual accountable for their actions.  Taking freedoms away from all just because a few dumbasses don't know how to behave doesn't work.  It will just leave the law-abiding citizens vulnerable, and the dumbasses will still be up to their criminal, no-good ways.

That is all:)

Gay Marriage, or, Don't People Have Enough to Concentrate On in Their Own Lives Without Sticking Their Noses in Other Peoples Business

Yes, I've been reading a few articles today on this subject.  And once again, I thought to myself "why are so many people in an uproar over this?"  Ok, I understand that to people on certain spiritual paths, homosexuality is a giant no-no.  That's cool, if your code book says hey that's bad, and you've thought it out for yourself and you feel it's not right, then great.  But does that mean that's not right for someone else?  And why should it bother you?  Granted, if somebody put a gun in your face and told you that you had to be a homosexual when you aren't and it's not the right thing for you personally, then yeah, be pissed.  Otherwise, how is it hurting you that someone else is living their life by their own code, when they aren't forcing anyone else to do something they don't want to do?

Not to minimize the issue, but think of it this way.  I absolutely hate liver.  If someone came up to me and said, you have to eat that liver or die, I really might would consider the dying part.  Honestly, is it hurting that person that I refuse to eat liver?  Nope.  So what's the damn problem here? 

I would like for someone to give me one, just one, rational argument to how gay marriage is going to ruin everybody else's quality of life.  How it is going to completely damage the lives of us heterosexual folks.  I have yet to run across that arguement, and I'm still searching.  I guess because it doesn't exist.  If folks think that a homosexual person is going to hell because of that, well fine, because everybody has an opinion.  But here is a news flash for ya:  IT'S NOT YOUR CALL, EVEN IF THAT WERE TRUE.  If I'm not mistaken, it even says something like that in the code books.

Chill out folks, and worry about the important stuff.  Being happy, nurturing your children, supporting your spouse with love, helping our fellow brothers and sisters in our communities.  Basically, spend a little more time concerning yourself with yourself.  Trust me, you will be happier, and a lot less stressed.

That is all:)