Today’s political climate and attitudes on social issues seem to be more “divided” than ever. People on both sides have taken positions that leave little room in the middle and therefore for compromise and discussion.

The upcoming Focus on the Family/Teebow ad during the Superbowl sheds light on the issue of abortions.

Side A says that abortions are bad/wrong and should be illegal.

Side B says that abortions are and should remain legal.

Neither side seems willing to even communicate, let alone compromise.

Where do I fall? In the gray area. I would be happy if there was never another abortion, but at the same time as a male who will never have to endure the hardship of pregnancy I  support a woman’s right to choose. As someone with a scientific background, I define “life” as the point at which offspring can sustain life (functioning organs, can breathe and metabolize nutrients) outside of a mother’s womb.

Here are my suggestions to reduce unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortions:

1. Instead of wasting 3 million dollars on an ad that omits significant information, use it as a seed to sponsor research in neonatal transplants. There are many women who either have damaged eggs or don’t produce eggs, but could still be able and willing to carry the zygote through the fetal stage to birth.

2. Insure that all willing and able individuals who wish to adopt children are able to free of restraints mostly based on religious beliefs.

3. Massive spending on comprehensive sex education programs and condom distribution programs.

4. “Saying you are pro-life doesn’t end at birth” Unless individuals who are against abortions are willing to financially and emotionally support children who are unwanted and/or the mothers are unable to provide for them, then they with all due respect need to shut the fuck up. Forcing a child to be born into poverty and/or an unwanted familial relationship as a way to punish women for having sex is wrong.

Most people on Side A rarely make the connections between the failure of abstinence-only education programs and teen pregnancy rates and abortions.

There is no right answer for the question, but asking and discussing the question moves us in the right direction.

(via iwasjustsayin)

There is always google wave.

I’m not saying that Democrats didn’t do it during Bush’s terms, but is it too much to ask that elected officials remain in the chamber until the President has left the House well? I’m not saying they have to remain in the chamber until he leaves completely, but at least until he has left the well and reached the floor. I would expect the Democrats to do the same thing for a Republican president.

So, the big “gay” moment of last nights SOTU address was the repealing of DADT. And while I know some people wanted more specifics and unless I’m wrong, it was the first time that Pres. Obama has called for a repeal of DADT in an address to Congress. I know that its a promise that was made during the campaign and during the photo op… I mean reception last June, but announcing it from the pulpit of the well of the US House of Representatives is something entirely different.

One thing to keep in mind is that “This year” means by the end of July basically. I say that because once the August recess begins, the House will basically be in heavy reelection mode and I doubt any significant legislation will even be debated then.

Lastly, the repeal of DADT isn’t just Pres Obama’s and the Democratic “leadership’s” fight either. Those of us “blue” dots stuck in red states (I’ve got a democratic rep who is as red as they come) have to contact our representatives as well to garner support. This is a battle that is only being fought between those in Congress. Over 3/4’s of the American people support the repeal. Most of not all of our major industrialized allies already allow openly gay service members (England has recently even allowed theirs to march in gay pride parades in uniform.

I’m going to be preparing a letter to one of my senators (the older, sane one) including a paper I wrote for a Poli Sci class comparing military inefficiency during the racially segregated military of WWII to the DADT military of the Iraq war. How do you plan to help?