Seeking God Knows What

In this last year, the United States has passed an unprecedented law affecting the safety testing of items, including apparel, geared towards children 12 and younger.  While the intent of this law is good and much needed protection for the safety of our children, the law, in and of itself, works to eventually exclude small businesses and crafters out of the market due to the stiff regulations for testing and the high cost of said testing, leaving only mass manufacturers like Mattel and Hasbro, It also affects whether or not you, as a parent or consumer, can donate or sell or gift an item intended for a child without it being tested for certain chemicals.  See more here: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org 
One well-respected German company Selecta Spielzeug aready plans to end United States distribution of its quality children’s products due to the high cost of testing. http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6620437.html?industryid=47324
 
How You can Help:
Please write to your United States Congress Person and Senator to request changes in the CPSIA to save handmade toys.  Use Handmade Toy Alliance’s sample letter or write your own.  You can find your Congress Person here and Senator here.

Vote please.

Even if you aren’t voting for the same person I voted for, just go vote. 

It is that important.

As the presidential election draws closer, I am ignoring politics- something a bit odd for a political science major, wouldn’t you think?

I’ve been disillusioned since the 2000 election when Al Gore lost the electoral college vote but won the popular election vote.

It took me until McCain picked his VP to decide who I’m voting for.  Now, I have no doubt even though I’m not totally thrilled with either choice.

I don’t normally feel the need to blog about celebrities, but at the moment I am truly feeling sorry for Britney.  I know she has made some seriously bad decisions over the last few years.  I certainly acknowledge that but there is a small part of me that says she is young, she is desperate need of some real help emotionally, and she is probably terrified of permanently losing her children.  I have felt for a long time that she is either suffering from undiagnosed or undisclosed depression/bipolar disorder.  I can’t imagine going through mudslinging this custody battle has become, dealing with the impact of being a celebrity on your life, coupled with the recent revelation about her sister’s pregnancy at 16 and not having moments when you completely fall apart.  It certainly looked to me more like she was having a emotional breakdown in the photos of her recent incident than anything else.  Perhaps this hospitalization and evaluation will help her get started on a road to recovery.

I don’t think her ex is any sort of “better person” than she is.  He certainly dropped his other girlfriend and child extremely quickly when he became involved with Britney.  I would not be surprised to find out he used her for her contacts and her money, playing off her fame for his benefit.  He has always made me think this, ever since he came onto the scene.

Anyway, as odd as it seems, I am praying for Britney.

I’ve thought this since the very beginning.  I absolutely support our troops since they have no choice but to do their job there, I’m just hoping that maybe, just maybe, somebody can knock some sense into Bush’s skull about Iraq.

U.S. officials rethink hopes for Iraqi democracy

Click link to go to CNN or click more to read the story here

Read the rest of this entry ?

I am completely horrified and saddened by the shootings at Virginia Tech. Reports now say 32 people died, the majority in the second round of shooting.

I have been reading the news periodically but it seems no one knows yet why there was an opportunity for the shooter to cross campus and attack one of the engineering buildings.

Many, many prayers going out for the families and friends of victims plus all those connected with the school.

May God give you strength in this incomprehensible tragedy.