When you first start making soap, you're not really "in the know" on your ingredients. You start with vegetable oils from the grocery, and perhaps castor oil and shea butter from the health food store or pharmacy. Lye from the hardware store. And your soap is awesome. But it's an addictive hobby, and you find yourself cruising the internet, cruising to score a sweet bucket of babassu oil for less than $10.00 a pound. And like any other addiction, you eventually have to start dealing just to support your habit. This is the point at which most soapers start to examine the moral and ecological effect of their business. The quality of your ingredients also starts to be a much larger concern. A plain olive and coconut oil soap beats the heck out of anything on the shelf at a big box store, for personal use. But when you're competing against Stan's Super Sustainable Organic Soaps, does your soap measure up? And are you killing off the last orangutan with your palm oil?
I'm a vegetarian, recently having reintroduced eggs to my diet - my chickens you see, they keep making them. Delicious. Way better than factory eggs. The eggs hold the answer to part of the quality question. Of course fresh eggs from my free range chickens are better. I prefer not to use animal fats in my soap, but local, organic lard is inexpensive and plentiful in my community. A way better alternative than palm oil. Palm oil may be sourced from a member of the RSPO, but even members may not have a great score on the RSPO scale. Do I want an organic soybean oil that has to be shipped here from Canada, or a local tallow?
After really analyzing these questions, keeping in mind that my ingredients are for very temporary application to the skin, and not for consumption, these are my conclusions. Local first. Buy local, and sell local. Use fresh ingredients - no 50# pails of oils that I can't use in a couple of months. Organic and environmentally friendly next. The biggest impact that I can have on the environment is to encourage my customers to use my products as quickly and as infrequently as possible. Don't waste water. Don't use soap with every shower (really, it's not as necessary as we think). And when shipping, I use only recycled shipping materials. Offices and warehouses will save them for you, and hand them over for free, if you ask. And now my soaps, let me show you them.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
To You New Soapers:
As I decided to move my little hobby into business mode, I thought it might be a good idea to find out more in the big world of soaping. I joined a couple of Yahoo Groups, and a group on Ravelry. Thinking I might learn something. What I did learn, is that I'd much rather hang out with knitters. They're very nice people, the crocheters as well. Anything you want to learn, they'll teach you. Nicely too, not like you're an ignorant peon who should have already known.
Not so much with the soapers. I've met a few IRL and online who are super nice, but that's the minority. I've actually been told that hot process soap is unpleasant, that the oils are ruined, that the texture is gross. That whatever method I wanted to try EXCEPT cold process was wrong. If I was a newby, I probably would just go along. If I didn't have a degree in Physics and a bit of experience as a chemist, I might believe their naysaying. Naysayers.
So here's my two cents for the newbies. Lye + oil = soap and glycerin. When you mix them, that's what happens. It happens at nearly any temperature. You can speed it up by adding heat. Just like baking a cake, you need to have good measurements or it won't be perfect. If it's not perfect, you can nearly always still save it. Just like cake. You need to be careful with lye, it can burn you. But also remember, that lye you buy at the hardware store is normally used by guys who can't seem to get their pants pulled up over their butt crack to clean drains. You should be careful, but you don't need to be fearful. Dry hands are as good a protection as gloves. Seriously. Wear goggles. If you get a speck in your eye, flush with tons of water. Tons. You'd have to pour some into your eye to cause serious damage, but even a speck will hurt like the devil.
And I don't know it all. Nobody knows it all, but everybody hates a knowitall.
If you've got a question, and I have the answer, I will happily share, without any attitude. Because I'm really a knitter, not a soaper.
And now, my soaps let me show you them:
Recipe:
14 oz. olive oil
10 oz coconut oil
6 oz soy oil
3 oz palm oil
1 oz each cocoa butter, shea butter, and castor oil
5.1 oz lye (actually 5.07, but if you carefully measure until your scale just hits 5.1, that's actually 5.05, and that's as close as you can get with an inexpensive scale.)
13.7 oz distilled water
3/4 tsp. activated charcoal in 2 tsp. canola oil
3/4 tsp orange oxide in 2 tsp canola oil
1.5 tsp spicy fragrance - pumpkin pie, or use 1/4 tsp clove oil and 1/4 tsp cinnamon oil
Preheat oven to 150 to 175 degrees farenheit. Carefully add your lye to water, and mix well. It heats. Set that aside (your sink is a good place). Melt your solid oils, low heat, stainless pot. When they are mostly melted, remove from heat and stir until they're totally melted. I do this in a crock pot. Add the liquid oils. Get your big plastic spoon and stick blender ready. Slowly pour in the lye water while stirring. Stir a bit. Blend on low a bit. Stir a bit. Blend. You'll do this until it looks creamy and is well mixed, but still liquid, not pudding. Have your colors ready, I use cheap plastic tumblers from the discount store. Add your fragrance, blend until it's incorporated. Add one cup of scented raw soap to each cup. Blend your white some more until it's runny pudding. Blend the orange until the color is all mixed in. Then mix the Black until it's smooth. Pour your uncolored soap into a wooden mold, parchment lined pyrex baking dish, or silicone baking pan. Pour the orange in lines over that. Repeat with black. Use a chop stick or knife to make swirls in the soap. Put your soap in the oven, one hour. Turn off the oven, but do not open or remove the soap. Leave it off for an hour. Then turn it back on to 175 for an hour. Then turn it off, and leave it overnight. In the morning, you have soap, cut into bars. It improves with a bit of age, but it is fine to use immediately.
Not so much with the soapers. I've met a few IRL and online who are super nice, but that's the minority. I've actually been told that hot process soap is unpleasant, that the oils are ruined, that the texture is gross. That whatever method I wanted to try EXCEPT cold process was wrong. If I was a newby, I probably would just go along. If I didn't have a degree in Physics and a bit of experience as a chemist, I might believe their naysaying. Naysayers.
So here's my two cents for the newbies. Lye + oil = soap and glycerin. When you mix them, that's what happens. It happens at nearly any temperature. You can speed it up by adding heat. Just like baking a cake, you need to have good measurements or it won't be perfect. If it's not perfect, you can nearly always still save it. Just like cake. You need to be careful with lye, it can burn you. But also remember, that lye you buy at the hardware store is normally used by guys who can't seem to get their pants pulled up over their butt crack to clean drains. You should be careful, but you don't need to be fearful. Dry hands are as good a protection as gloves. Seriously. Wear goggles. If you get a speck in your eye, flush with tons of water. Tons. You'd have to pour some into your eye to cause serious damage, but even a speck will hurt like the devil.
And I don't know it all. Nobody knows it all, but everybody hates a knowitall.
If you've got a question, and I have the answer, I will happily share, without any attitude. Because I'm really a knitter, not a soaper.
And now, my soaps let me show you them:
Recipe:
14 oz. olive oil
10 oz coconut oil
6 oz soy oil
3 oz palm oil
1 oz each cocoa butter, shea butter, and castor oil
5.1 oz lye (actually 5.07, but if you carefully measure until your scale just hits 5.1, that's actually 5.05, and that's as close as you can get with an inexpensive scale.)
13.7 oz distilled water
3/4 tsp. activated charcoal in 2 tsp. canola oil
3/4 tsp orange oxide in 2 tsp canola oil
1.5 tsp spicy fragrance - pumpkin pie, or use 1/4 tsp clove oil and 1/4 tsp cinnamon oil
Preheat oven to 150 to 175 degrees farenheit. Carefully add your lye to water, and mix well. It heats. Set that aside (your sink is a good place). Melt your solid oils, low heat, stainless pot. When they are mostly melted, remove from heat and stir until they're totally melted. I do this in a crock pot. Add the liquid oils. Get your big plastic spoon and stick blender ready. Slowly pour in the lye water while stirring. Stir a bit. Blend on low a bit. Stir a bit. Blend. You'll do this until it looks creamy and is well mixed, but still liquid, not pudding. Have your colors ready, I use cheap plastic tumblers from the discount store. Add your fragrance, blend until it's incorporated. Add one cup of scented raw soap to each cup. Blend your white some more until it's runny pudding. Blend the orange until the color is all mixed in. Then mix the Black until it's smooth. Pour your uncolored soap into a wooden mold, parchment lined pyrex baking dish, or silicone baking pan. Pour the orange in lines over that. Repeat with black. Use a chop stick or knife to make swirls in the soap. Put your soap in the oven, one hour. Turn off the oven, but do not open or remove the soap. Leave it off for an hour. Then turn it back on to 175 for an hour. Then turn it off, and leave it overnight. In the morning, you have soap, cut into bars. It improves with a bit of age, but it is fine to use immediately.
Monday, September 13, 2010
New Etsy Shop
I have opened a shop on Etsy, www.etsy.com/shop/sweetsnthings, and I'm happy to say it's totally open. Buy something.
I originally wanted to sell my AWESOME handmade candies. Toffee, divinity, fudge, you name it, I have the mad chemistry skilz. But the State of New Mexico only wants to crush my dreams. No online sales of home prepared edibles. NONE. I can sell them out of the back of my truck on the side of the road, but not on the intertubes. State of New Mexico, you suck. But I was not to be thwarted. I have been honing my chemistry skilz on other things. Soap. Those who have tried it are hooked, and that makes me happy. I am determined to dominate the homemade hot process soap industry. Now, my soaps, let me show you them.
I originally wanted to sell my AWESOME handmade candies. Toffee, divinity, fudge, you name it, I have the mad chemistry skilz. But the State of New Mexico only wants to crush my dreams. No online sales of home prepared edibles. NONE. I can sell them out of the back of my truck on the side of the road, but not on the intertubes. State of New Mexico, you suck. But I was not to be thwarted. I have been honing my chemistry skilz on other things. Soap. Those who have tried it are hooked, and that makes me happy. I am determined to dominate the homemade hot process soap industry. Now, my soaps, let me show you them.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Back to the blog...
Returned to the evil world of the blog. I will probably post more (some) knitting content, I may just drift away again. Who knows.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Seems Like Old Times
Just these last three or four weeks, I've been in contact with many of my old friends from high school. It's been awesome. It's funny how, in twenty years, people change, and they don't. Everyone is different, but you still kinda know what to expect. Rae is still nuts, but I'm really surprised that Robin is one of those homeschooling moms. Oh, and it appears the guys are mostly still horny teenagers, deep inside. So no real surprises.
So I can really relate to how older Republicans feel these days. Even though I normally have no idea what they could possibly be feeling. I know today. It's nostalgia.
Remember that time radical extremists were bombing things, when they were a threat to our government, and so the president started just listening to their phone conversations, without even telling, much less asking a judge?
Remember when we were involved in a war for no good reason, other than we didn't want to look like losers, and military contractors were making a ton of money?
Remember when lots of people who worked at the White House were crooks, and they started to get caught, and so they ratted out everyone else?
And remember when the economy, by some standards, was looking pretty good, but really, we had more poor people than ever, gas prices were up, and "Made in America" didn't mean anything great anymore?
For me and for most of those who haven't seen a 20th high school reunion yet, we think these are just current events. We don't remember. But anyone who was an adult in 1975 should remember. Because all these things actually happened before, in the early seventies. And those people aren't that old. Not enough to have lost their memories yet. But that group of people, aged 45 to 70, are a group of people who tend to vote republican. So, if they aren't looking at current events with horror, they must be looking with nostalgia. Like some awful high school reunion, where no one changed, everyone looks and acts exactly the same. And if they continue to vote republican, they must think it's just great.
As I look at pictures of my old friends, and get to see how their lives moved along, I can see that people can change radically, and it is a good thing. It would be tragic if we get together for our 20th reunion next year, and nothing good or bad had happened, if we all looked and acted the same. It just wouldn't be any fun. But I guess there are some people who just love the past so much, they actually have to recreate it, instead of just visiting in memories. And those guys suck.
So I can really relate to how older Republicans feel these days. Even though I normally have no idea what they could possibly be feeling. I know today. It's nostalgia.
Remember that time radical extremists were bombing things, when they were a threat to our government, and so the president started just listening to their phone conversations, without even telling, much less asking a judge?
Remember when we were involved in a war for no good reason, other than we didn't want to look like losers, and military contractors were making a ton of money?
Remember when lots of people who worked at the White House were crooks, and they started to get caught, and so they ratted out everyone else?
And remember when the economy, by some standards, was looking pretty good, but really, we had more poor people than ever, gas prices were up, and "Made in America" didn't mean anything great anymore?
For me and for most of those who haven't seen a 20th high school reunion yet, we think these are just current events. We don't remember. But anyone who was an adult in 1975 should remember. Because all these things actually happened before, in the early seventies. And those people aren't that old. Not enough to have lost their memories yet. But that group of people, aged 45 to 70, are a group of people who tend to vote republican. So, if they aren't looking at current events with horror, they must be looking with nostalgia. Like some awful high school reunion, where no one changed, everyone looks and acts exactly the same. And if they continue to vote republican, they must think it's just great.
As I look at pictures of my old friends, and get to see how their lives moved along, I can see that people can change radically, and it is a good thing. It would be tragic if we get together for our 20th reunion next year, and nothing good or bad had happened, if we all looked and acted the same. It just wouldn't be any fun. But I guess there are some people who just love the past so much, they actually have to recreate it, instead of just visiting in memories. And those guys suck.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
State of the Union Address Drinking Game
As a younger woman, I confess, I regularly played drinking games. As a woman with lots of extra "junk in my trunk", I regularly won. However, given many years without practice, when I played the State of the Union Address Drinking Game last year, I missed everything after about the first ten minutes. My oldest son consoled me, "You didn't miss a thing." It seems that Bush really did just come out and say the same things over and over again, putting me in serious danger of alcohol poisoning. But I wanted this year to be different. So, I have designed my own State of the Union drinking game, with "easier" rules, for the old, weak, and out of practice. After all, part of being the mom is being responsible.
Materials:
(1) Enough shot glasses for everyone in your party. Independents and Green Party guests can have paper cups. The Republicans can drink from the dog's water bowl.
(2) An American lightweight drink - domestic beer, Zima, wine coolers, Arbor Mist.
(3) Clear Tequila, limes and salt.
(4) Blue liquor - Island Blue Pucker is a good choice.
(5) Red liquor - something cinnamon, or fruity
(6) Cheese, and the foods that go with cheese - crackers, sausage, mustard, etc.
Mom's Rules:
Every time GB says security, safety, protect, spreading democracy, vote, Al Queda, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, 9/11, terrorists, or social security, drink a lightweight shot. He's probably going to pound you with these, and you don't want to pass out too early.
Every time he mentions the military, our brave soldiers, or their sacrifice, stab a piece of cheese and eat it. Cheese is also appropriate anytime he points out an audience member to inspire us.
Every time he says the phrase, securing our nation's borders, or mentions Mexico, or illegal immigration, drink a shot of tequila.
If he mentions Abramoff, Rove, DeLay, Cunningham, partisan attacks, corruption, Judge Alito, or claims that the program is legal, drink a red shot. When he claims that the program is legal, you must also yell, "Bullshit!" or you must drink two shots.
Every time the camera shows the members of the military not applauding when the members of his party are, drink a blue shot.
Every time the camera shows an audience member looking exasperated, or rolling their eyes, drink a blue shot.
Any time GB mispronounces a word or uses poor grammar, yell, "Moron!", and drink a blue shot.
When he says the economy is strong, home ownership is up, or unemployment is only 4.9 percent, yell, "Truthiness isn't truth!"
Don't kill too many brain cells, we have midterm elections coming up, don't drink and drive, and don't serve alcohol to minors. With that said, party on.
Materials:
(1) Enough shot glasses for everyone in your party. Independents and Green Party guests can have paper cups. The Republicans can drink from the dog's water bowl.
(2) An American lightweight drink - domestic beer, Zima, wine coolers, Arbor Mist.
(3) Clear Tequila, limes and salt.
(4) Blue liquor - Island Blue Pucker is a good choice.
(5) Red liquor - something cinnamon, or fruity
(6) Cheese, and the foods that go with cheese - crackers, sausage, mustard, etc.
Mom's Rules:
Every time GB says security, safety, protect, spreading democracy, vote, Al Queda, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, 9/11, terrorists, or social security, drink a lightweight shot. He's probably going to pound you with these, and you don't want to pass out too early.
Every time he mentions the military, our brave soldiers, or their sacrifice, stab a piece of cheese and eat it. Cheese is also appropriate anytime he points out an audience member to inspire us.
Every time he says the phrase, securing our nation's borders, or mentions Mexico, or illegal immigration, drink a shot of tequila.
If he mentions Abramoff, Rove, DeLay, Cunningham, partisan attacks, corruption, Judge Alito, or claims that the program is legal, drink a red shot. When he claims that the program is legal, you must also yell, "Bullshit!" or you must drink two shots.
Every time the camera shows the members of the military not applauding when the members of his party are, drink a blue shot.
Every time the camera shows an audience member looking exasperated, or rolling their eyes, drink a blue shot.
Any time GB mispronounces a word or uses poor grammar, yell, "Moron!", and drink a blue shot.
When he says the economy is strong, home ownership is up, or unemployment is only 4.9 percent, yell, "Truthiness isn't truth!"
Don't kill too many brain cells, we have midterm elections coming up, don't drink and drive, and don't serve alcohol to minors. With that said, party on.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Hello again!
Howdy! It's been a long while since I posted, but I'm still out there - just been spending more time knitting, less time watching the news. If you've been missing the news, I can update you real quick like: the war's still going (not well), the republicans in power are still evil (but more of the mainstream media is noticing), and there were a few big ass natural disasters (but this time in our country). Al Franken, my hero, has a new book out, and it's AWESOME. Word from a muther.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
George Bush: "Blah Blah Blah"
I really tried to pay attention to the President's speech tonight, to listen carefully, but it was hard. My ears kept hearing, "blah blah blah, terrorists, blah blah, 9/11, blah terrorists, blah blah...", and so forth. My mind wandered a lot. So what did I get from his speech? I now have a strong suspicion that Mr. Bush doesn't know anything about terrorists. Terrorism is the last resort of a desperate struggle. He obviously doesn't know that terrorism in this country did not start in September of 2001. It didn't start with the Weatherman attacks in the 1970's. Or with those who resorted to violence in the struggle for civil rights. Or with the labor movement. Or John Brown. Terrorism in this country began with the colonial insurgency. It always begins with desperate people fighting for a desperate cause.
The terrorists in Iraq don't hate freedom, or democracy. They hate foreign invaders. So in dealing with them, it might help to look to our own history, to see what will make the terrorists stop their indiscriminate violence. They stop when the change they want happens, when they're no longer desperate. They want us out of Iraq.
I heard many commentators after Bush's speech who agree with me that we should have a plan to leave Iraq. I heard them also say, we shouldn't "cut and run". I say, if they can't build a government without our soldier's blood, they don't deserve peace, democracy, or freedom. We did more than enough already. We can make some war reparations, but the insurgents are fighting against us. They will continue to fight us as long as we're there. It does not matter that we have the greatest military in the world, we can never win. Just ask the British. We beat them with soldiers that were barefoot and starving. There will never be peace in Iraq until we leave. Having a plan for the withdrawal will not strengthen the insurgency, it will be the end of the insurgency. The sooner we leave, the more legitimacy their own government will have. It will be theirs, built by them, deriving it's power from the consent of the governed - not built on the bones of American soldiers.
Unfortunately, when given history, and the facts, all Bush seems to hear is, "blah, blah, blah."
The terrorists in Iraq don't hate freedom, or democracy. They hate foreign invaders. So in dealing with them, it might help to look to our own history, to see what will make the terrorists stop their indiscriminate violence. They stop when the change they want happens, when they're no longer desperate. They want us out of Iraq.
I heard many commentators after Bush's speech who agree with me that we should have a plan to leave Iraq. I heard them also say, we shouldn't "cut and run". I say, if they can't build a government without our soldier's blood, they don't deserve peace, democracy, or freedom. We did more than enough already. We can make some war reparations, but the insurgents are fighting against us. They will continue to fight us as long as we're there. It does not matter that we have the greatest military in the world, we can never win. Just ask the British. We beat them with soldiers that were barefoot and starving. There will never be peace in Iraq until we leave. Having a plan for the withdrawal will not strengthen the insurgency, it will be the end of the insurgency. The sooner we leave, the more legitimacy their own government will have. It will be theirs, built by them, deriving it's power from the consent of the governed - not built on the bones of American soldiers.
Unfortunately, when given history, and the facts, all Bush seems to hear is, "blah, blah, blah."
Monday, June 13, 2005
No, Dick Cheney, You Suck!
Dick Cheney, you have some nerve. Howard Dean is exactly the kind of person, the kind of human, that any of us should want to represent their party. He's honest. He's passionate. And while you and yours have tried to paint him as some loose cannon psycho, he has more than shown that he can at least keep vulgarities from spewing out of his mouth. So since I know he won't, I have to say it. Go fuck yourself.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Hillary Doesn't Suck!
I listen to liberal talk radio every day. I love it. This morning, the hosts and callers were debating the pros and cons of a Clinton '08 presidential run. I love Hillary, but I think an important lesson of the last election is that this country is split pretty much down the middle. 50-50. So for any candidate to win, they must suck voters from the other side to their side. And as much as I love Hillary, I know that she doesn't suck.
How do I know? Well, I have my very own "Center for the Study of Republican Minds". I also call it "My Parent's House". While George Bush blew hard enough to keep my dad from voting for him, John Kerry didn't suck hard enough to get that vote. It went to the Libertarian candidate. But my dad isn't typical of most republican voters. He's all about gun control and fiscal responsibility. My mother is a very typical woman republican. The only way to get her to vote for a democrat is to run Jimmy Carter. A Southern church-goer. They both agree, they would have voted for John Edwards if he had been the presidential nominee. But never, in a million years, not even if the republicans run a baby-eater, will they vote for Hillary. And these are people who are open to being sucked.
So, to liberals who think we should run Hillary, that she's the best candidate, that we're just being cowardly not to turn her out, I say, she is great, and good, and she would make a great president. But she won't, because she cannot get elected. Not in 2008, and maybe not ever. For now, we need to be focusing on 2006, on getting more of the good guys into congress. Having a democratically controlled congress will give us the opportunity to show what we will do, given the power. Which will make it easier for any of our potential presidential candidates to get elected. When the time comes, we should select a candidate from the large group of people who have a real chance of taking the White House. Which, unfortunately, does not include anyone who has already lived there.
How do I know? Well, I have my very own "Center for the Study of Republican Minds". I also call it "My Parent's House". While George Bush blew hard enough to keep my dad from voting for him, John Kerry didn't suck hard enough to get that vote. It went to the Libertarian candidate. But my dad isn't typical of most republican voters. He's all about gun control and fiscal responsibility. My mother is a very typical woman republican. The only way to get her to vote for a democrat is to run Jimmy Carter. A Southern church-goer. They both agree, they would have voted for John Edwards if he had been the presidential nominee. But never, in a million years, not even if the republicans run a baby-eater, will they vote for Hillary. And these are people who are open to being sucked.
So, to liberals who think we should run Hillary, that she's the best candidate, that we're just being cowardly not to turn her out, I say, she is great, and good, and she would make a great president. But she won't, because she cannot get elected. Not in 2008, and maybe not ever. For now, we need to be focusing on 2006, on getting more of the good guys into congress. Having a democratically controlled congress will give us the opportunity to show what we will do, given the power. Which will make it easier for any of our potential presidential candidates to get elected. When the time comes, we should select a candidate from the large group of people who have a real chance of taking the White House. Which, unfortunately, does not include anyone who has already lived there.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Treating Children Like Adults
On Monday, jury deliberations in the trial of Christopher Pittman, of South Carolina, will begin. He is on trial for the murders of his grandparents, which he committed when he was twelve years old. He is being tried as an adult, and could be sentenced to life in prison, if convicted. His defense is that he was not responsible because of Zoloft. I have big problem with this situation. I have a child who is twelve, a child who had a bad reaction to Zoloft. He has Aspergers Syndrome, and was prescribed Zoloft to help regulate his mood. We were warned by our doctor to watch him CLOSELY, and if he became more agitated, more prone to anger, or unable to sleep, to stop giving him the medication. So after just after a couple of weeks, it was very apparent to his teachers, and myself, that this was happening, and we stopped the Zoloft, and tried another medication, Depakote. It worked beautifully. So I have personal experience with the good and the bad of a drugged child.
But back to young Christopher Pittman. I don't know if a bad reaction to his meds is a defense for murder. But I do know that murder is an adult action, and a twelve year old is not an adult. If a twelve year old can be held responsible for his or her behaviour by the same standard as an adult, then they should have the whole adult package. Let's let them vote. If they can commit murder as an adult, then they can certainly make an adult decision on who they want to vote for. If they meet the physical standards, let them join the armed forces. We could also get rid of all those pesky child labor laws - if they want to work eight hours a day, let them. Also, if they can with an adult's judgement, commit a murder, they can surely be adult enough to consent to sexual relations. So why are there so many people in prison for sex with twelve year olds? Because a twelve year old is not able to make an adult decision about sex. Or voting. Or career choices. Or killing.
If an adult commits a murder, or any other crime, then yes, they're responsible. Responsibility is what separates a child from an adult. In any other situation, like work, driving, voting, sexual consent, drinking, no one would consider a person under the age of sixteen an adult. And there are some responsible adults than can be held accountable for this crime. His parents who were not acting responsibly for him - they left him in the care of an abusive grandparent. Teachers who failed to watch for that abuse and report it. The doctor who prescribed him a drug known to have adverse effects, and failed to monitor his health. But in this case, the responsible adults have decided that a twelve year old has the blame.
But back to young Christopher Pittman. I don't know if a bad reaction to his meds is a defense for murder. But I do know that murder is an adult action, and a twelve year old is not an adult. If a twelve year old can be held responsible for his or her behaviour by the same standard as an adult, then they should have the whole adult package. Let's let them vote. If they can commit murder as an adult, then they can certainly make an adult decision on who they want to vote for. If they meet the physical standards, let them join the armed forces. We could also get rid of all those pesky child labor laws - if they want to work eight hours a day, let them. Also, if they can with an adult's judgement, commit a murder, they can surely be adult enough to consent to sexual relations. So why are there so many people in prison for sex with twelve year olds? Because a twelve year old is not able to make an adult decision about sex. Or voting. Or career choices. Or killing.
If an adult commits a murder, or any other crime, then yes, they're responsible. Responsibility is what separates a child from an adult. In any other situation, like work, driving, voting, sexual consent, drinking, no one would consider a person under the age of sixteen an adult. And there are some responsible adults than can be held accountable for this crime. His parents who were not acting responsibly for him - they left him in the care of an abusive grandparent. Teachers who failed to watch for that abuse and report it. The doctor who prescribed him a drug known to have adverse effects, and failed to monitor his health. But in this case, the responsible adults have decided that a twelve year old has the blame.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
The Creepy Puppet Show
Most of my friends consider me rather fearless. Reckless actually. I'm the mom who sometimes puts a snake in the cookie jar, because hey, that's hillarious. But I have to admit, I have a little phobia. Puppets. Not to be confused with Muppets, who taught me how to read. No, I get the willies big time when there's puppets around. Especially marionettes. And those ultra creepy ventroliquist dolls.
So, you might be able to understand my horror at the "free" Iraqi elections this weekend. I know, they haven't counted the votes yet, but is there really any doubt about which group of individuals is going to control Iraq? That's right. The Puppets.
If I'm wrong, then I will totally apologize for insinuating that maybe these weren't entirely honest elections. However, I have a history book. So I have seen a trend. Unfortunately, my government hasn't noticed the success rate of the puppet governments. It's not very high. See, any government gets its authority from the consent of the governed. (Props to Jefferson). And I've heard so many people on the right and left cry that we just can't leave Iraq now. We have to see this through. We have to guide them through the process of democracy. Maybe that's exactly what we shouldn't be doing. We certainly owe them, big time. And we should continue to rebuild, and funnel cash into their infrastructure, that we ruined. Usually (always), people don't feel free unless they take that freedom for themselves. Even if we force the greatest, most benevolent government on them, it will still be forced. Some people love the puppet show. I think it's creepy.
UPDATE: I'm wrong, and I am totally apologizing. It appears that our puppets are not leading in the Iraqi elections. The Shi'ite Islamist groups are leading. And I'm sure that our government didn't rig the elections so that our puppets would lose power to groups that could possibly (probably) align themselves with Iran (also ruled by Shi'ites). So these elections must have been honest. And I'm sure this whole democracy in Iraq thing is going to work out great for us.
So, you might be able to understand my horror at the "free" Iraqi elections this weekend. I know, they haven't counted the votes yet, but is there really any doubt about which group of individuals is going to control Iraq? That's right. The Puppets.
If I'm wrong, then I will totally apologize for insinuating that maybe these weren't entirely honest elections. However, I have a history book. So I have seen a trend. Unfortunately, my government hasn't noticed the success rate of the puppet governments. It's not very high. See, any government gets its authority from the consent of the governed. (Props to Jefferson). And I've heard so many people on the right and left cry that we just can't leave Iraq now. We have to see this through. We have to guide them through the process of democracy. Maybe that's exactly what we shouldn't be doing. We certainly owe them, big time. And we should continue to rebuild, and funnel cash into their infrastructure, that we ruined. Usually (always), people don't feel free unless they take that freedom for themselves. Even if we force the greatest, most benevolent government on them, it will still be forced. Some people love the puppet show. I think it's creepy.
UPDATE: I'm wrong, and I am totally apologizing. It appears that our puppets are not leading in the Iraqi elections. The Shi'ite Islamist groups are leading. And I'm sure that our government didn't rig the elections so that our puppets would lose power to groups that could possibly (probably) align themselves with Iran (also ruled by Shi'ites). So these elections must have been honest. And I'm sure this whole democracy in Iraq thing is going to work out great for us.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Bush: Really an Evil Genius
I've read a lot of articles, seen serveral documentaries that support the claim that George "the shrub" Bush is a simpleton, being led to evil policy by evil genius henchmen, and henchwomen. We'd like to think that, a little. After all, one time when he was elected, it was by a popular majority. Probably. He's so likable, it would be a shame if so many of us could be fooled by his charm into electing an evil psycopath to be president of our country. It would be tragic. But I think it is exactly what happened. Hitler didn't become evil because he listened to evil advisors, he listened because he was evil. Bush is listening to people who tell him what he likes to hear. Evil.
But he's a great Christian, born again, ya da ya da. Whatever. When we watch a movie, and there's torture, we know who the bad guy is. Even if it's not gross torture, just a little tying them up in an uncomfortable position, keeping them cold, scaring them with vicious dogs. We know who the bad guy is. The neocons would have us believe that this is justifiable against terrorists. Really, I have to agree, if bad things happen to bad people, that's justice. But if we're the ones doing those bad things, then we're the bad guys too.
So I wonder, who let us become the bad guys? America used to stand for something. When the U.S.S.R. put people in jail just for their beliefs, we thought that was wrong. When Timothy McVeigh, the terrorist, was caught he was tried, convicted, and humanely executed. His rights were never violated by America. But that was a long time ago. Like, ten years. Things are different now. Because the terrorists are brown and heathen. So the rules are gone. The rules we founded our nation on.
So how do I know that George Bush is THE GUY who made us the bad guys? The guy who likes a little (alotof) mild torture. The guy who doesn't love the Constitution. The guy who decides to make war on unarmed nations. The guy who wants to give old people and orphans a chance to starve so there will be more money in the stock market. I know because he's the guy who had, and has the power to stop all this evil. If he liked the Constitution, he would have never nominated John Ashcroft in the first place. Suspected terrorists wouldn't be detained in secret for years with no indictments, no lawyers. If he thought torture, in any form is wrong, he wouldn't have nominated Alberto Gonzales, another evil guy who thinks that the Geneva Conventions are "quaint". If he hated war against the helpless, he would have made sure that Iraq really was a threat before he started killing their citizens and our soldiers. Maybe give the U.N. inspectors a couple of months, especially when THE WHOLE WORLD wanted us to wait. Maybe give our military a little more time to gear up for war. And if he wanted to protect the security of the empoverished elderly, widows, and orphans, maybe he wouldn't be wouldn't be telling us to act now, without thinking, on the Social Security "crisis". Which might hit in about 40 years. So he's evil, for sure.
But how do I know he's an evil genius, not just a dupe? Come on. I have children. They're just like me. His parents are smart. No one doubts that. So unless that good Christian lady, Barbara Bush, partied like little George when she was pregnant, yeah, he's smart. And he looks like his dad, so I know there was no retarded milk man involved. So he's smart. And evil.
But he's a great Christian, born again, ya da ya da. Whatever. When we watch a movie, and there's torture, we know who the bad guy is. Even if it's not gross torture, just a little tying them up in an uncomfortable position, keeping them cold, scaring them with vicious dogs. We know who the bad guy is. The neocons would have us believe that this is justifiable against terrorists. Really, I have to agree, if bad things happen to bad people, that's justice. But if we're the ones doing those bad things, then we're the bad guys too.
So I wonder, who let us become the bad guys? America used to stand for something. When the U.S.S.R. put people in jail just for their beliefs, we thought that was wrong. When Timothy McVeigh, the terrorist, was caught he was tried, convicted, and humanely executed. His rights were never violated by America. But that was a long time ago. Like, ten years. Things are different now. Because the terrorists are brown and heathen. So the rules are gone. The rules we founded our nation on.
So how do I know that George Bush is THE GUY who made us the bad guys? The guy who likes a little (alotof) mild torture. The guy who doesn't love the Constitution. The guy who decides to make war on unarmed nations. The guy who wants to give old people and orphans a chance to starve so there will be more money in the stock market. I know because he's the guy who had, and has the power to stop all this evil. If he liked the Constitution, he would have never nominated John Ashcroft in the first place. Suspected terrorists wouldn't be detained in secret for years with no indictments, no lawyers. If he thought torture, in any form is wrong, he wouldn't have nominated Alberto Gonzales, another evil guy who thinks that the Geneva Conventions are "quaint". If he hated war against the helpless, he would have made sure that Iraq really was a threat before he started killing their citizens and our soldiers. Maybe give the U.N. inspectors a couple of months, especially when THE WHOLE WORLD wanted us to wait. Maybe give our military a little more time to gear up for war. And if he wanted to protect the security of the empoverished elderly, widows, and orphans, maybe he wouldn't be wouldn't be telling us to act now, without thinking, on the Social Security "crisis". Which might hit in about 40 years. So he's evil, for sure.
But how do I know he's an evil genius, not just a dupe? Come on. I have children. They're just like me. His parents are smart. No one doubts that. So unless that good Christian lady, Barbara Bush, partied like little George when she was pregnant, yeah, he's smart. And he looks like his dad, so I know there was no retarded milk man involved. So he's smart. And evil.
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