"The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice." - Barack Hussein Obama
"The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master." - Ayn Rand (Via Facebook friend, JW)
One of the free articles available in this month's Objective Standard is well worth a look whether you're for or against the right of a woman to have an abortion. It should give any freedom-loving American some food for though.
"The Assault on Abortion Rights Undermines All Our Liberties"
Here's the opening paragraph:
In recent years, antiabortion activists have stepped up their attacks on a woman’s right to abortion and have achieved a series of victories in their efforts to outlaw the procedure. This increasing assault poses a major threat not only to women’s right to abortion, but, more broadly, to individual rights as such. Rights form a logical unity, and to the extent that any are threatened, all are threatened. The antiabortionists’ war on a woman’s right to her body is ultimately a war on all our rights, including our rights to property, free trade, and freedom of speech. To demonstrate this, we will briefly survey the goals, methods, successes, and rationale of today’s antiabortion movement; we will then turn to the reasons women seek abortions, to the nature of rights and the positive case for a woman’s right to abortion, and finally to the reasons why any restriction on abortion rights necessarily clears the way for violations of other rights.
I thought I had posted about The Undercurrent's fund raising activities and Paul and Diana Hsieh's generous offer to match funds, but now I don't see the post anywhere. The good news is, there's still time to donate and have your funds matched! From Diana:
Back in August, I posted about the exciting new programs planned by The Undercurrent. Paul and I are enthused about these efforts -- particularly because TU has such a great track record. In our original announcement, Paul and I offered $1000 in matching funds to anyone who donates to them using our links.
Here's the unexpectedly awesome news: as of last Monday, we'd raised $1075! Thank you, thank you to every donor! You rock! We're delighted that you've cost us so much money already!
I never imagined that we'd raise more than $1000 so quickly, and I'm so thrilled that we've done so. Since we want to encourage more donations, Paul and I are pleased to raise our matching funds to $1500.
So if you've not yet donated, please consider doing so. Even just $25 or $50 is money well-spent to promote Ayn Rand's ideas on college campuses.
Here's a link to Diana's previous post which includes the PayPal link so you can contribute!
I noticed yesterday that the temporary plates on my new Ford Edge were going to expire at midnight, so I called the dealership to find out what was going on. I was told that the state had just rejected my paperwork (despite having had it for two months) because the name on my driver's license, Kelly McNulty Valenzuela, did not match the dealership paperwork, Kelly M. Valenzuela. Really, Colorado?
The dealership said the quickest way to get my plates would be to take the paperwork to the DMV myself. They FedEx'd me all the forms (including a one and the same signature form), I requested and received time off work and took everything to the DMV earlier today.
Upon arrival, the place was bursting at the seams. I drew number 103 and they were serving number 68. Fortunately, Santiago wasn't busy this morning, so I'd scooped him up on my way over to keep me company. He'd wisely packed us a lunch, which we sat outside and ate.
After lunch, I noticed the back parking lot (where we were waiting) wasn't nearly as crowded, so I moved my car around, cracked the windows and put up the sun shade. No sooner had I gotten out of the car, than the old lady running the barber shop next to the DMV comes out and starts complaining to me about parking in front of her store. There were no signs indicating that I couldn't park where I was, and I was there to shell out a bunch of money to the state, so I sure as hell didn't feel guilty for parking right up front in a mostly-empty back lot. Plus, the lady was less than friendly to me, so I told her I wasn't moving again. She muttered something about the fact that I'll be in there for hours and shuffled back into her shop.
Santiago came back from getting coffee just as the scene was ending, so I told him what happened. He said he didn't mind moving the car, so he moved it, literally 20 feet to another spot.
Later, the old lady came out again and explained that she's been there 40 years and the DMV has been a constant headache since they moved in. She said they lock the hallway doors at 4:30 which is not only an inconvenience to her customers, but is a fire hazard (which she reported and now the doors are unlocked), and some days they do take up all the parking for hours and her customers, many of which are elderly, have to walk quite far. She also explained that building management won't allow her to put up two signs marking the two spots in front of her shop.
Now this I can sympathize with! Had she been polite to me in the first place, I would've moved my vehicle, but I can certainly sympathize with her frustration at the state (for running its shoddy operation) and with her building management for not allowing her to have two lousy parking spots after 40 years! The whole thing is ridiculous and I felt her frustration. Basically, we apologized to each other, complained mutually about the DMV for a moment and she went back inside.
Just when I was thinking things couldn't get more frustrating, they did. They were displaying numbers in the upper 90s now, so Santiago and I decided to go inside and keep an eye out for number 103. I found myself getting excited as the numbers got higher and higher, then I became disgusted. How sick is it that I'm feeling happy and excited that it's almost my turn to give the government a bunch of my hard-earned money, after having already waited nearly two hours?!
Finally, it was my turn. I went to the counter, gave the man the papers from the dealership and told him what happened. He started processing all the forms, asked to see my insurance and driver's license, then asked for a check in the amount of $660. $660?! What for?!
Before now, I'd only purchased new vehicles in Texas. In Texas, a new car registration is less than $100 (I think around $65-80 or so.) It's all part of the new car paperwork and the dealership calls you once your plates are in, you go over, they take off the temporary plates, install your new ones, thank you for your business and you drive away.
The man at the window tells me it's otherwise in Colorado. He tells me that had the paperwork been processed, I would've received a post card in the mail telling me my plates were ready to be picked up at the DMV. The dealership included a check for my sales tax, but no registration fee had been paid, so I now owe them $660 or I don't get my plates. Furious, I wrote the check for $660 as another sickening thought entered my head.
When I first moved to Colorado with my one year-old Ford Explorer, it cost me $585 to get Colorado plates. The next year, it went down a little to $535, and it went down a little each year until 2009 when the governor (in the middle of the economic downturn) increased the registration rates. Gee, thanks. So my 2009 registration was about the same as my 2008. Each year, as the value of your car decreases, so does your registration, usually.
After buying this car, my husband and I speculated the registration fees could be upward of $800-$900 since this car is worth a bit more than my Explorer and is newer. We knew we wouldn't have to worry about this until next summer though. Or so we thought.
Anyway, as I was writing the check for $660, it occurred to me how that amount was less than we were anticipating, so I guess that's good news!? How sick is that?!
So after writing the check and getting my plates, I left in disgust. I told Santiago what happened in the car, then he too was disgusted. Now we're both in a foul mood, much like the barber shop lady.
THIS is precisely why people treat each other with disrespect. THIS is why people can barely make a living when they make what should be plenty of money. THIS is why statism sucks. THIS is why people start to buy into the malevolent universe premise. THIS is unhappiness.
Capitalism creates incentives for people to treat each other with respect. Capitalism creates jobs and allows people to earn enough to not only survive, but thrive and save money for a rainy day, pay for their own health care, retirement, etc. Capitalism means freedom and it encourages the benevolent universe premise. Capitalism is key to men pursuing their own happiness.
After returning to work, my coworker and boss told me they've never had to go pick up or pay for their plates like this. Maybe the law has changed in the two years since they bought their vehicles? I left a message for the dealership to call me back, because I certainly don't want to pay $660 to the damn government twice! Maybe I'll get it back. Who knows? And who could do anything about it if it was a state error? The state is only there to restrict my freedom and steal my money. It's certainly not interested in my well-being, much less justice.
Tori Press is selling a limited edition run of "Life Lessons from Ayn Rand" posters. These posters are professionally designed and printed, with six quotations from Ayn Rand laid out in beautiful typography. The poster is 11" x 17" and suitable for framing.
Quotations featured include:
"A is A."
"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values."
"Man is an end in himself. As man is a being of self-made wealth, so he is a being of self-made soul."
"Productive work is the central purpose of a rational man's life."
"To say 'I love you' one must know first how to say the 'I.'"
"The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live."
The cost of each poster is $15, plus $5 shipping unless you are in the Atlanta area. 20% of the sales price of each poster will be donated to ATLOS, the Atlanta Objectivist Society, to help fund its events and outreach.
Please contact Tori at tori@redqueenstudio.com if you are interested in purchasing a poster or would like more information.
I think so, but I meet many people who don't. As evidence, I point to examples such as toll roads and private charities. As further evidence, I saw this blog post over at Carpe Diem today about New York City's Central Park.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about Central Park is how little tax money goes into maintaining it. Though it is still ultimately the city’s responsibility, the park has been managed since the 1980s by the nonprofit Central Park Conservancy, and it relies on private donations for most of its budget.
In my best Johnny Carson voice, "I did not know that!" Click through to read the whole story. It's very interesting!
In response to my blog post, Pregnancy (and Rights) Lost. My Experience with Miscarriage, Planned Parenthood and the Government, I received the following emails from Planned Parenthood. (Posted with permission.)
Dear Ms. Kelly McNulty Valenzuela:
As President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, I was deeply touched by your recent blog post detailing a personal and emotional experience you had at one of our health centers. I’m glad you found our staff welcoming, professional, comforting, and accepting during a time of great need.
I’d also like to commend you for recognizing that Planned Parenthood is pro-family and pro-life – everyday we work to ensure that women have access to affordable health care and are able to plan their families for when they are ready. We also recognize that each woman’s circumstance is unique and we are here to support any choice she makes.
I would, however, like to clarify a common misperception. In Colorado, Planned Parenthood does not receive state or federal family planning grant funds. Rather, we provide preventive family planning services to those who need our services with support from private donations. As a Medicaid provider, we also are able to provide preventive services to Coloradoans most in need of affordable health care. Simply put, we do not receive government subsidies. Furthermore, we strictly follow state and federal laws that prohibit public funding of abortion (with exceptions only made for cases of rape, incest or the life of the woman).
Again, I thank for your support of our mission and please feel free to personally contact me if you would ever like to get more involved with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. In the meantime, I encourage you to sign up for our free political affairs email newsletter to stay up to date on local news and events impacting reproductive health.
Again, thank you for your remarks in support of Planned Parenthood and the women we serve.
Vicki Cowart
President & CEO
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
7155 E. 38th Ave | Denver, CO 80207 | 303.321.7526
Someone you know counts on Planned Parenthood.
Please consider supporting Planned Parenthood today by visiting www.pprm.org.
I thanked Vicki for emailing me, clarifying the government subsidies aspect and asked for her permission to post her email, which she graciously gave. In her response, she also included the following:
One other thing – while I was speaking from the perspective of PPRM [Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains], which receives no public funding for family planning in Colorado, I also know that across the US, even if they receive public funds, all Planned Parenthood affiliates “strictly follow state and federal laws that prohibit public funding of abortion”. That strict compliance is something we have in common in all of our locations.
Again, I thank Vicki for this clarification and for writing to me, and I thank Planned Parenthood for helping me when I needed help.
As some of you may already know, I lost my first pregnancy. They say you should never get too excited during the first trimester and you shouldn't announce your pregnancy to anyone because so many things can go wrong, but that's just not how it works. Not for me anyway.
My hormones were raging, I was endlessly tired and hungry, my boobs got huge and hurt, and I was nauseated. Basically, I tested positive, I felt pregnant and I was pregnant. I dreamt baby, I thought baby, I wondered and worried about the future, and I was basically obsessed whether I wanted to be or not. Never mind the fact that I'm an extrovert and could never keep something like this secret anyway.
Anyway, at eight weeks, Santiago and I went to my OBGYN's office for my first ultrasound. They say you will see something (I assumed a blob of some sort) and you'll be able to hear the heartbeat. How can you not get excited about that?!
As the ultrasound began, we watched the screen anxiously. The woman doing the ultrasound told us she'd look around, take some measurements and then explain to us what we were seeing. She kept coming back to this dark blob, measuring it, then moving around again. After a few moments, she said, "Well, I'm afraid I don't have good news."
I was diagnosed with a blighted ovum. Basically, fertilization and implantation had occurred (thus triggering hormones and all the pregnancy symptoms), and the gestational sac had been growing, but there was no embryo growing inside. I can't say I was devastated because I knew this was a possibility, especially with my age, but I was more upset than I imagined I would be. We consulted with the doctor, they did some blood work and we left the office feeling a little bit shocked and ripped off.
A week later, I was feeling much better about everything, but there was no sign of the inevitable miscarriage. Since I'm almost 38 years old and because I'm generally impatient, I decided to wait no longer for the miscarriage to happen naturally.
My doctor had two options for me. First, she could prescribe me a cream to try and bring on the miscarriage. It has a 75% success rate, but is quite messy, painful, could last a week or more and you may have to use two doses. Second, I could have a D&C procedure at an out-patient surgical center. Santiago and I decided we'd rather have this taken care of sooner rather than later, and with as little discomfort as possible, so I called my health insurance company to find out if the D&C would be covered.
The insurance company told me the D&C would be covered, but only after I met my $3000 deductible. Then they'd cover 80% of everything after that, and that's assuming all providers involved are in-network. I know from experience that they'd find plenty of out-of-network expenses, so I'm certain to be out more than the $3000 deductible. I also learned a D&C runs about $5000.
Not wanting to wreck our savings account over a failed pregnancy, I wondered what the difference was between an abortion at Planned Parenthood (PP) and the D&C procedure. After calling PP, I learned, not much.
I told my OBGYN of my plans to use PP, she had no problem with it, and in fact, was all for me saving the money since the procedures essentially provide you with the same end result and have equal risks. I called PP to make the appointment.
Despite having already had two ultrasounds in two weeks and all the appropriate blood work, PP was required to do both by law and could not accept a transfer of my OBGYN's records. That got me thinking, the government has been involved in my choices from the beginning of this mess!
If the government weren't regulating the health care and health insurance industries, not only would my monthly premiums be less, but I wouldn't have to opt for such a high deducible. Furthermore, my health providers wouldn't have to charge so much for their services and my health insurance company would likely cover more procedures. I'd likely be able to afford the D&C my doctor wanted to do in the first place.
Now I find myself going to PP for an abortion procedure which is subsidized by the government with our tax dollars, plus I'm being forced to pay for yet another ultrasound and blood test because of stupid laws! If the damn government would've just stayed out of it, I could've made the choice that was best for me and paid for it all myself!
I was also a bit worried about subjecting myself to the protesters at PP. They're horrible people with horrible beliefs and they literally want to violate my individual rights and tell me how to live. I was told the protesters are there from about 9:30am - 1:30pm every day and that PP's policy was to not engage them. That'd be hard for a loud-mouth like me not to do! (I later learned from PP staff that the protesters are paid by various anti-abortion groups and churches. Ugh!)
When I was a conservative (yet not very religious) Republican, I was pro-choice, but I thought using abortion as a birth control method was immoral and irresponsible. After reading my friends' awesome paper about the Personhood Amendment being proposed in Colorado a few years ago, all of that changed. Here is a link to that awesome paper and I highly recommend everyone, on both sides of the issue, read it. It's very informative and covers many aspects of the abortion debate. I'm so thankful to Diana and Ari for writing this paper and opening my eyes. Particular the section called The Morality of Abortion. It's powerful stuff!
We arrived a little early for my appointment and were very pleased to find NO protesters! Yea!!! The facility was very nice and appeared relatively new. There was lots of thoughtful landscaping such as trees lining the fence to provide privacy and flowers. Inside, the front desk was staffed with armed security personnel who buzzed us in. As we entered, I noticed the following awesome quote painted above the entry way:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
The receptionist was behind bullet-proof glass, we signed in, she confirmed we had an appointment, then she buzzed us into the main clinic waiting room. There was only one other couple there with us so far, but as we waited for about 15 minutes or so, several others arrived.
The demographics were interesting to me. Some people looked clearly impoverished, but most looked like those of middle-class means. I couldn't help but wonder why they were there. Were they being tested for STDs perhaps? Maybe some of the men were getting their HPV vaccines? Perhaps some women were there with wanted, yet nonviable pregnancies like me? Perhaps others were desperate to get rid of their viable pregnancies? Who knows? PP sees many people for a variety of reasons, which is yet another reason the protesters are so ignorant, foolish, cruel and evil.
Once my name was called, I said goodbye to Santiago who had waited with me, but was not allowed into the rest of the facility. I would have plenty of time to call him from recovery when it was time to come pick me up.
(As an aside, when Santiago left the clinic, he saw the small group of pitiful protesters. He said they'd taken baby dolls, dismembered them and strewn their body parts about the sidewalk. Then they had their standard issue gross signs and were chanting and yelling stupid slogans that were, of course, totally inappropriate.)
Back inside, a nurse took me into the ultrasound room where she again apologized for making me have another ultrasound. I told her it was no problem, not her fault and I understood she was just abiding by some really stupid laws. She said she had to ask me, if she saw evidence of twins, would I like to know. I told her, "If you see anything alive in there, please let me know right away and I am so out of here!" We both laughed and she proceeded with the ultrasound which, for the third time, confirmed my blighted ovum.
I was then taken to a smaller waiting room in the back of the facility. Through the windows, I could see the beautiful, warm, sunny day. The breeze was blowing all the lovely trees along the fence and a nice patio area had been set up with tables, chairs and umbrellas. I could see no way to access it from where I was, so I just waited inside and read my book.
After another few minutes, a nurse came out and took me in for a consultation. She apologized, but said she was required by law to ask me a lot of questions that she realized did not pertain to my situation. I was asked whether or not I needed birth control education, birth control, STD education, STD tests and a bunch of other silly, irrelevant stuff. I then filled out some forms, consented to the procedure and the nurse told me about all the details and the risks. She was very nice, informative and professional, as everyone else had been.
We also talked about pain medication. I could opt for nothing, which would mean the procedure would feel like anything from mild to very strong, awful menstrual cramps (no thanks!), or I could opt for IV or pill pain medication. Since I hate needles and am pretty tough, I opted for the pills.
After the consultation, we went to the lab where she took my blood for the unnecessary-but-required-by-law-at-my-own-expense Rh Factor and anemia tests which I'd already had at my OBGYN's office. As we already knew, I was Rh positive and my iron levels were awesome (thanks to the paleo diet!)
I was then taken to the payment desk where I paid $425 for the entire appointment, then I was sent back to the smaller waiting room again. I sat there for a long time.
About an hour and a half later (perhaps a legally required wait time, I'm not sure??), a nurse arrived with a cup of water and a cup of four pills. There were two valiums and two pain pills. She said she had to watch me take them, which I did, and said she'd be back in about 20-30 minutes. After about 15-20 minutes, my crossword puzzle started getting very difficult to focus on and within another minute or so, the nurse arrived to take me back for the procedure.
Feeling pretty loopy and dizzy, I disrobed from the waist down and sat on the bed with a blanket. The doctor came in, introduced himself and started the procedure. The whole time, the nurse kept making small talk with me about whether or not we planned to try again, where I got my hair cut and who knows what else?
The procedure felt weird, but not too bad. It felt like moderate menstrual cramping. After only 5-10 minutes, the doctor announced, "You're all set!" and told me to follow the discharge instructions, take it easy and on his way out the door, wished me luck. And that was it. The nurse helped me off the table and I dressed.
I was then led to the recovery area which consisted of some reclining chairs, heating pads and blood pressure monitoring equipment. Since I was having some pretty good, but very manageable cramps, I put the heating pad on my abdomen and tried to relax and breathe slowly. (Thanks yoga classes!) The nurse checked my blood pressure, which was excellent and said it was okay for me to call Santiago.
After about 20 minutes or maybe a bit more, she had me go to the bathroom to check my pad. I was bleeding, but not an alarming amount and I was definitely on the lighter side of what the chart in the bathroom indicated were my choices. After about another 15-20 minutes, the nurse again checked my blood pressure, then said I was okay to go.
She escorted me out to a very small waiting room, opened another door and called for Santiago. He was next to me before I had time to turn around and I don't think I've ever loved him more than I did in that moment.
Not only do I have a deeper connection with him than I've ever had with any other human being, but in that moment, there was just no doubt whatsoever about how we feel for each other or that our decision to have a child together is the right choice. As difficult as this situation has been, he's been there for me every step of the way, making me laugh when I needed to laugh, allowing me to cry when I needed to cry and constantly providing me with love and hope.
And he had brought the apple I'd asked for. I was hawngry! =)
We left through a discreet side door that went straight out to the parking lot. My cramping was feeling much, much better already and although still loopy and a little dizzy, the drugs were starting to wear off. I called my mom to let her know that everything went fine and I was heading home, as I'd promised. I ate my apple as Santiago drove us home.
I felt really good! I felt happy and ready to start anew. I also felt really thankful that PP exists and that there are people in this world who are rational and intelligent and willing to do the right thing even when it's not the popular thing to do. Planned Parenthood is definitely PRO-LIFE!!!
That being said, it is important to note that I don't think PP should be government-funded or regulated. I'm a capitalist and I know people will voluntarily pay for things that are of value to them. I certainly would've paid PP more for the services I received, and I will also voluntarily donate money to their cause on a regular basis now. (Of course, it would be nice if the government allowed me to keep more of my income to spend or donate as I see fit.)
Two days later, I'm back at work, I'm feeling really good, really strong and really hopeful. I'm ready to get back on the bull that threw me and take life by the horns. If this experience has reminded me of anything, it's that I'm tough and I can overcome adversity. I'm confident, rational, intelligent, principled and not bad looking either.
And you know what? I think I'll make a great mom. ;-)
From their website:
The Chicago Objectivist Society is pleased to announce the presenters and presentations planned for our inaugural Chicago Objectivist convention, which will take place over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd & 4th). If you can join us, please preregister here.
I wish we were able to go, but we already have other travel plans this summer. That being said, I was fortunate enough to go to OCON last summer and SnowCon in January, and these Objectivist conferences are a great way to mingle with other like-minded people, learn new ideas and learn how to apply Rand's philosophy to your daily life. If you aren't able to make it to AtlosCon or OCON, try it make it out to one of these other mini-conferences that are popping up all over the place. It's an exciting time to be an Objectivist! =)
File this under, "And you expected…what?!"
Today, Ms. Smochek is among a growing group of former Peace Corps volunteers who are speaking out about their sexual assaults, prompting scrutiny from Congress and a pledge from the agency for reform. In going public, they are exposing an ugly sliver of life in the Peace Corps: the dangers that volunteers face in far-flung corners of the world and the inconsistent — and, some say, callous — treatment they receive when they become crime victims.
Front Range Objectivism (FRO) is pleased to announce supper talk with historian John Lewis on "Government Medicine: The Metaphysical Attack on a Profession" on Saturday, May 14th. If you'd like to attend, you must register by this Monday, May 9th!
Many people agree that government control of medicine is a vicious attack on individual rights, and that the use of force against doctors is immoral as well as unconstitutional. But, this talk will maintain, the attack is far deeper: it is directed at the very nature of man as a thinking, goal-directed being. Government control of medicine undercuts the ability of doctors to use their minds in a first-handed way, and makes it impossible to project long-range goals on every level. This hard-hitting talk, motivated by first-hand personal experiences in medicine, will ask every thinking person to consider whether they want the United States to stay on a path leading to government control of their own personal health care.Space is limited, so register now! The deadline for registration is Monday, May 9th. After that, we may or may not be able to squeeze you in!
Dr. Lewis is visiting associate professor in the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program at Duke University. He is an Anthem Fellow for Objectivist Scholarship, and adjunct associate professor of business at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His recent book is Nothing Less than Victory: Decisive Wars and the Lessons of History (Princeton University Press, 2010).
I am so in love with this story I found on Twitter today. It's full of heroic gems such as:
Whereas many Japanese have adopted the nation's unofficial mantra: Shou ga nai, or, more politely, Shikata ga nai, loosely translated as, "What can you do?," "It's beyond our control" or "It's out of my hands," Akaiwa stands out as a virtual live-action hero.
And this:
Not willing to wait until the government or any international organization did, or did not, arrive to rescue his wife of two decades — whom he had met while they were surfing in a local bay — Akaiwa got hold of some scuba gear. He then hit the water, wended his way through the debris and underwater hazards and managed to reach his house, from which he dragged his wife to safety.
And this:
Finally, he adjusts the grip on his bicycle and heads off in search of other trapped survivors.
"Sorry, I have to get going," he says as he navigates around the dead fish, through a puddle and around the corner.
Click here to read the whole, awesome story.
Today is your last chance to register for SnowCon -- or just its keynote FROST Supper Talk on Saturday, March 12th.
At the FROST Supper Talk, you'll learn valuable skills for managing your relationships with friends, family, and co-workers better. (I know that from personal experience... their techniques have even helped me train my dogs better too!)
The FROST talk is by Jenn Casey and Kelly Elmore on "Effective Communication: How Objectivists Can Use Positive Discipline Tools In Their Adult Relationships." Here's the abstract:
In our talk, we will present a set of parenting principles called "Positive Discipline" that is compatible with teaching our children to use the Objectivist virtues while behaving virtuously ourselves. Positive Discipline techniques include respectful communication, problem-solving skills, and limit-setting that is both kind and firm. Positive Discipline techniques do not include reward systems, praise, punishments, behavior modification techniques, emotional manipulation, shaming, or logical consequences.
The focus of the talk will be on the communication and problem-solving tools used in Positive Discipline, tools that are essential not only to parenting but to all healthy relationships, at work, at home, with friends, with romantic partners, and on the phone with the customer service representative at your credit card company. The talk will be dynamic and interactive, and you will walk out with at least one new skill to try the next time you are in a difficult situation with your spouse, your coworker, or your child.
If you're unsure about attending, we recommend that you listen to their podcast about the lecture, available here.
We must give the final head count to the Rio Grande restaurant tomorrow morning, so you must register for either SnowCon or just the FROST talk today, preferably by noon.
Register for FROST here:
http://www.frontrangeobjectivism.com/snowcon/frost.html
Register for SnowCon here:
http://www.frontrangeobjectivism.com/snowcon/registration.html
If you attend the FROST lecture, and you'd like to attend another SnowCon event or two à la carte, just send Diana Hsieh an e-mail.
(Note to students: Thanks to contributions from generous FRO supporters, we can offer deeper student discounts than just the student rate. Please e-mail Diana -- ASAP! -- if you'd like to attend but you can't afford the regular student rate.)
Also, everyone is welcome to join us for Friday night's SnowCon Happy Hour at Landry's. It's free, but you'll be responsible for your own food and drinks. Please RSVP via e-mail to Diana if you plan to attend.
SnowCon and FROST welcome all friendly people with a serious interest in or honest curiosity about Ayn Rand's philosophy, regardless of their level of knowledge.
Please e-mail Diana Hsieh if you have any questions!
This story coming out of the NFL today makes me sick.
…McElroy's brainpower still has the potential to be taken as a negative around the league, as explained by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio:
That said, scoring too high can be as much of a problem as scoring too low. Football coaches want to command the locker room. Being smarter than the individual players makes that easier. Having a guy in the locker room who may be smarter than every member of the coaching staff can be viewed as a problem — or at a minimum as a threat to the egos of the men who hope to be able when necessary to outsmart the players, especially when trying in some way to manipulate them.
So while McElroy, who was unable to work out due to injury, may be really smart, he perhaps would have been wise to tank a few of the answers.
What kind of sick and distorted society do we live in where people are so stupid and insecure as to be intimidated by someone smarter than they are?! Smart people still need to be managed and still have new things to learn, so why would a coach be intimidated by a player like this?! Then to suggest that the player should've lied on the test to pretend he's dumber than he is takes the story from disgusting to pure evil, as if being dishonest and dumb are some sort of virtues! Ugh!
I embrace those who are smarter than I am, and I try to learn from them. I look up to and respect them and desire to work with them. And if my job is to manage or coach them, well, all the better for me! Hopefully, they'll make my job delightful and easy!
Front Range Objectivism is pleased to announce the full schedule and to open registration for SnowCon -- our March mini-conference. The core of the conference runs from Friday, March 11th to Sunday, March 13th in Denver, but you can also join us for three days of winter play in the beautiful Colorado Rockies beforehand.
You can view the full schedule of lectures and events on the SnowCon web site: http://www.frontrangeobjectivism.com/snowcon/
Or you can watch/listen to my preview of it: http://www.frontrangeobjectivism.com/snowcon/webcast.html
Colorado is a wonderful state to visit, and SnowCon will be good intellectual fun! So please join us!
To attend SnowCon, you must register by noon on Thursday, March 3rd. If you register by noon on Thursday, February 24th, you'll save $20, paying only $140 rather than $160. (That price includes two buffet meals.)
Here are some more details from the SnowCon web page:
The core events of SnowCon will be held in Denver on Saturday and Sunday. Lectures include Dr. Paul Hsieh on the morality of carrying firearms, Dr. Diana Hsieh on moral character, Santiago Valenzuela on immigration, and Joe Collins on America's founding. Saturday night's keynote FROST lecture will feature Jenn Casey and Kelly Elmore on applying the principles of positive discipline to adult relationships.
SnowCon also offers a workshop on activist writing with Ari Armstrong, a discussion and performance of Beethoven by pianist Hannah Krening, a workshop on Atlas Shrugged Reading Groups, a demonstration of Liberty Toastmasters, and more. Other optional events include a tour of Denver microbreweries, a hike in Roxborough Park, a tour of the Denver Museum of Art, and a trip to a local shooting range.
For details, see Denver Activities and Schedule.
In addition, SnowCon attendees can enjoy three relaxed days of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter activities together in Breckenridge before the weekend in Denver -- from Wednesday to Friday.
For details, see Breckenridge Activities and Schedule.
SnowCon welcomes all friendly people with a serious interest in or honest curiosity about Ayn Rand's philosophy, regardless of their level of knowledge.
Santiago and I will be attending the Breckenridge and Denver conference days and we hope to see you there!
If you haven’t checked it out already, now is a great time to follow my immigration blog, Mother of Exiles. My husband, Santiago, has been on a roll lately, uncovering and exposing the immigration reform groups FAIR, Center for Immigration Studies and Numbers USA for what they really are, neo-Nazi, white supremacist hate groups! His first two posts of a multi-part series can be found here and here.
When I was a conservative Republican, I used to forward around Numbers USA’s scary videos and emails. I’m so glad that I now know better! Not only have I learned more about individual rights and immigration, but I’ve learned more about who is behind these evil groups trying to stop immigration to the US.
Please take the time to educate yourself on the issues and make sure you’re not parroting the evil, racist trash of these hate groups! We all need to think for ourselves, make up our own minds and understand the nature of individual rights.
James Madison writing in Federalist 62 (1788):
In another point of view, great injury results from an unstable government. The want of confidence in the public councils damps every useful undertaking, the success and profit of which may depend on a continuance of existing arrangements.
What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not but that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed? What farmer or manufacturer will lay himself out for the encouragement given to any particular cultivation or establishment, when he can have no assurance that his preparatory labors and advances will not render him a victim to an inconstant government? In a word, no great improvement or laudable enterprise can go forward which requires the auspices of a steady system of national policy.
The Objective Standard’s Fall Issue is now available and Craig Biddle’s excellent article The Ground Zero Mosque, the Spread of Islam and How America Should Deal with Such Efforts is not only fantastic, but available for free! Here’s an excerpt:
If we want to protect civilized society, we must unwaveringly uphold the principles of civilized society—no matter how justifiably outraged we may become about the irrationalities and injustices perpetrated by our enemies. If, in an effort to stop Muslims from destroying America, we trample individual rights and the rule of law, we will have surrendered the very thing we were supposed to be fighting to protect.
I've been using Oh Life for a few weeks now with great success. It's very easy to use. They send you an email each evening (or whatever time you specify) that basically asks, "How'd your day go?" and you reply to the email. It then keeps everything in chronological order and you can log in any time to read past entries.
Today, I thought of putting a twist on it that some of you may find helpful in trying to achieve your fitness and diet goals (or any other goals for that matter.) In the spirit of Atul Gawande's awesome checklist article, I'm going to leave a checklist near my computer so I can respond to the following each day:
1.) What happened today?
2.) What did I eat?
3.) Did I work out? If so, how and for how long? If not, why?
4.) How were my emotions and my psychological state today?
5.) How much money did I spend today and on what?
6.) Any other specific questions about long-term goals or projects I'm working on
I think this will be a great way to kill several birds with one stone. Experts always say to journal about this or that to introspect, stay on target, stick to your diet, watch your spending, etc. Why not do it all at one time and in one place?
