It is not clear that the 'chemical' ones are abortions, in the sense of involving embryo- or fetus-cide.

Hard to prove a murder without a body.

If you look into the science of all this, you'd know and you wouldn't be making bullshit rhetorical claims.

Go get farked by a giant panda!

TUESDAY, Jan. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Same-sex couples are as committed and happy in their romantic relationships as heterosexual couples, find two studies in the January issue of the journal Developmental Psychology.

The authors of the studies say their findings challenge the stereotype that same-sex relationships aren't as healthy or secure as heterosexual pairings.

In the first study, researchers at the University of Urbana-Champaign compared 30 committed gay male and 30 committed lesbian couples to 50 engaged and 40 older married heterosexual couples, as well as dating heterosexual couples.

The researchers found that all the couples had positive views of their relationships, but the more committed couples (gay or straight) resolved conflict better than the heterosexual dating couples.

The belief that committed same-sex relationships are "atypical, psychologically immature, or malevolent contexts of development was not supported by our findings," noted lead author Glenn I. Roisman. "Compared with married individuals, committed gay males and lesbians were not less satisfied with their relationships."

Roisman added that gay males and lesbians "were generally not different from their committed heterosexual counterparts on how well they interacted with one another, although some evidence emerged the lesbian couples were especially effective at resolving conflict."

The second study -- conducted by researchers from the University of Washington, San Diego State University and the University of Vermont -- examined how sexual orientation and legal status affected relationship quality among 65 gay male and 138 lesbian couples in civil unions, 23 gay male and 61 lesbian couples not in civil unions, and 55 married heterosexual couples.

The three-year study found that same-sex couples were similar to heterosexual couples in most relationship areas and that legal status didn't seem to be the overriding factor affecting same-sex relationships.

Regardless of civil union status, same-sex couples were more satisfied with their relationships, reported more positive feelings toward their partners, and reported less conflict than married heterosexual couples.

The researchers did find that same-sex couples not in civil unions were more likely to end their relationships than same-sex couples in civil unions or married heterosexual couples. This suggests that protections offered by a legalized relationship may have an impact on same-sex couples, said the researchers, who plan to examine that question in future research.

I've been committed, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Better than being committed.

Jury's out as far as I'm concerned.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wanted: rich older women interested in hot younger guys. Applicants must be over 35, earn at least $500,000 a year or have a minimum of $4 million in liquid assets, entrusted assets or divorce settlement.

That's the basis of a speed-dating event organized by a New York entrepreneur bringing together 20 "sugar mamas" and 20 "boy toys" vetted by an elite New York matchmaker.

"Symbiosis has allowed ugly rich men to attract young, gorgeous, money-hungry women for centuries; it's now the women's turn," proclaims pocketchangenyc.com, the Web site that Jeremy Abelson is using to promote the event.

Damn, I'd have been available for 125k.

I knew you'd respond.

Geography Surveyed: Los Angeles DMA
Data Collected: 03/03/2008
Release Date: 03/03/2008 10:30 PM ET
Sponsor: KABC-TV Los Angeles

Should same-sex couples who wish to get married be given ... No recognition at all? ... The right to civil unions? ... Or the right to marry? If same sex couples should be given ...

32% No Recognition
33% Right To Civil Unions
31% Right To Marry
5% Not Sure

Do you think same-sex couples should? Or should not? be allowed to marry in California?

49% Should
46% Should Not
6% Not Sure

DEAR MARGO: What do you say to your child when he gets a lot less money from the tooth fairy than other kids? My kid gets books and letters from the tooth fairy and just a small amount of money. (This applies to Santa, too.) Thanks.

--- WORKING ON AN EXPLANATION

DEAR WORK: I would tell your son that there are quite a few tooth fairies working the beat, and because the tooth fairy responsible for your neighborhood is one of the smarter ones, books and letters are the presents this fairy chooses. You could also mention that apparently the fairy believes your son to be bright, hence the decision to bring books, not money. It seems clear to me that this tooth fairy believes reading has greater value than a few bucks for candy or whatever. (Because we have some time, get back to me on Santa.) I find it admirable, by the way, that your particular tooth fairy favors rewards that encourage learning.


--- MARGO, ENTICINGLY

NEW YORK - American men still don't pull their weight when it comes to housework and child care, but collectively they're not the slackers they used to be. The average dad has gradually been getting better about picking himself up off the sofa and pitching in, according to a new report in which a psychologist suggests the payoff for doing more chores could be more sex.

The report, released Thursday by the Council on Contemporary Families, summarizes several recent studies on family dynamics. One found that men's contribution to housework had doubled over the past four decades; another found they tripled the time spent on child care over that span.

"More couples are sharing family tasks than ever before, and the movement toward sharing has been especially significant for full-time dual-earner couples," the report says. "Men and women may not be fully equal yet, but the rules of the game have been profoundly and irreversibly changed."

Some couples have forged partnerships they consider fully equitable.

"If a guy does housework, it looks to the woman like he really cares about her — he's not treating her like a servant," said Coleman, who is affiliated with the Council on Contemporary Families. "And if a woman feels stressed out because the house is a mess and the guy's sitting on the couch while she's vacuuming, that's not going to put her in the mood."

Sullivan and Coltrane predict men's contributions will increase further as more women take jobs.

"Men share more family work if their female partners are employed more hours, earn more money and have spent more years in education," they said.

Marriage equality is more elusive among blacks than whites, with black women shouldering a relatively higher burden in terms of child care and housework, said council collaborator Shirley Hill, a sociology professor at the University of Kansas.

"There's a generational shift that's quite strong," she said. "The younger set of dads have their own expectations about themselves as to being helpful and participatory. They haven't quite gotten to equality in any sense that a women would say, 'Wow, that's equal,' but they've gotten so much farther down the road."

Civil union has to be open to cross-sex couples as well if it is the functional equivalent of marriage.

In which case, 'marriage' should no longer be a civil relationship. All 'marriages', of either the traditional cross or of the same-sex variety would be, as far as the State is concerned 'civic unions'.

Don't believe the hype.

It's not just Flavor Flav's catchphrase, it's good advice for parents, teachers, police, and anyone else concerned about the threat of Internet predators.

According to a new study by researchers at the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, most of what you think about Web-based sex predators is probably wrong.

Much of the public's concern comes from fear-mongering journalism. While TV shows like NBC's "To Catch a Predator" and the "Today Show" gain high ratings scaring parents into thinking that threats to children lurk around every corner and abound on the Web, the reality is quite the opposite.

Among the study's findings:

Myth# 1: The sexual abuse of children has jumped, largely because of the surge in Internet predators.

Myth #2: Internet predators are a new threat to children.

Myth #3: Children should not interact with strangers online because of the potential for abuse.

Myth #4: Most Internet predators are pedophiles.

Myth #5: Internet predators often use deception to abduct and forcibly rape their victims.

(The article expands on what was learned about these myths. I just posted the titles to indicate what info was available, and to spare your scrollie.)

The reality is that Web predators rarely use deception; most victims are well aware that the person they are communicating with online is an adult interested in sex. The predators rarely trick or force their victims into sex; they don't need to because the victims often voluntarily meet with them, intending to have sex. Most Web predators are guilty of statutory-not forcible-rape because the victim is under the age of consent.

There is no doubt that Internet predators are real, and do pose a threat. But the real danger is the public's deeply flawed understanding of the problem.

"To prevent these crimes, we need accurate information about their true dynamics," said Janis Wolak, lead author of the study. "The things that we hear and fear and the things that actually occur may not be the same."

Until the news media start accurately characterizing child sexual abuse and the real dangers of Internet predation, America's children will remain at greater risk.

Civil union has to be open to cross-sex couples as well if it is the functional equivalent of marriage.

In which case, 'marriage' should no longer be a civil relationship. All 'marriages', of either the traditional cross or of the same-sex variety would be, as far as the State is concerned 'civic unions'.

Study Debunks Web Predator Myths



The more you know...

There may not be any more, they're just getting easier to sting with the internet.

Not to mention that effer with the TV show that drags them in to embarass on national TV. Baiting pedophiles has become a national TV sport.

As a former teacher , who was unable to have kids, except in my class, I worry about lack of time spent and the get your child to reflect that yo are a good parent by pushing her or him

NEW YORK (CNN) -- It's been a year since the parents of a severely disabled child made public their decision to submit their daughter to a hysterectomy, breast surgery and drugs to keep the girl forever small. Today, the couple tell CNN, they believe they made the right decision -- one that could have a profound impact on the care of disabled children worldwide

While unwavering in their belief in the treatment, Ashley's parents continue to insist on anonymity. In the year since Ashley's parents went public, not only did the hospital that sterilized Ashley admit it broke Washington state law, but also the doctor who treated Ashley committed suicide.

Ashley is now 10 years old and, at 4 feet 5 inches tall, has achieved her full height and weight, 63 pounds. The treatment permanently closed her growth plates and took more than a foot off her anticipated height.

"Ashley did not grow in height or weight in the last year, she will always be flat-chested, and she will never suffer any menstrual pain, cramps or bleeding," say her parents, who felt it important to publicly address their decision after repeated interview requests, in the hopes of sharing their experience with other families.

In 2004, Children's Hospital performed a hysterectomy, removed Ashley's breast buds and gave her high-dose estrogen to retard growth and sexual maturation -- a procedure that has risks, but to date has not harmed her, her parents say.

Some ethicists, too, remain staunch in their assessment that the "Ashley treatment" is a violation of not only human dignity, but also of a physician's oath to do no harm.

"I think mutilating surgery involving removal of breast buds is indefensible under any circumstances," says Arthur Caplan, the chairman of the Department of Medical Ethics and director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. "Growth retardation is not a substitute for adequate home aides and home assistance."

CHICAGO - Treffly Coyne was out of her car for just minutes and no more than 10 yards away.

But that was long and far enough to land her in court after a police officer spotted her sleeping 2-year-old daughter alone in the vehicle; Coyne had taken her two older daughters to pour $8.29 in coins into a Salvation Army kettle.

Minutes later, she was under arrest — the focus of both a police investigation and a probe by the state's child welfare agency. Now the case that has become an Internet flash point for people who either blast police for overstepping their authority or Coyne for putting a child in danger.

"It's sleeting out, it's not pleasant, I don't want to disturb her, wake her up," Coyne said this week. "It was safer to leave her in the safety and warmth of an alarmed car than take her."

So Coyne switched on the emergency flashers, locked the car, activated the alarm and walked the other children to the bell ringer.

She snapped a few pictures of the girls donating money and headed back to the car. But a community service officer blocked her way.

"She was on a tirade, she was yelling at me," Coyne said. The officer, Coyne said, didn't want to hear about how close Coyne was, how she never set foot inside the store and was just there to let the kids donate money, or how she could always see her car.

Coyne's attorney, Michelle Forbes, argued that Coyne did not break the law any more than a mother who parks in front of a school in a rainstorm and leaves an infant in the car as she runs a few feet to pick up another child.

Mom faces trial for leaving child in car



Personally I think this is totally off base. It was only for a few minutes and the mother was always in view of the car. What a waste of police and court resources.

Somebody lost a 4-month old baby here just the other day. Within a couple minutes the heat is suffocating. I'm not sure I'd want to see a trial, but a few minutes in AZ is enough to kill or cause brain damage, so there ought to be some sort of message sent.

Cars with children inside have been stolen while the owners stepped inside service stations to pay for gas, Fennell said. Children sitting in cars have choked on things they stuck in their mouths. On Tuesday in Houston, after a woman got out of her car to walk across the street to talk to someone, her toddler was killed after he climbed out and tried to follow her.

I'd easily vote to dismiss, but I understand how laws get made and enforced when I see some of the stuff that happens, so I'm not too up in arms against the police. If I were a prosecutor I'd settle for a stern lecture, but note some of the following in it:

I saw a lady leave a little dog in her car the other day at the grocery store. It was only 70 degrees but sunny and I figgered it could get hot in there. I was gonna give her 15 minutes or when the dog stopped barking. She came back in about 10.

a few minutes in AZ is enough to kill or cause brain damage

aHA!

CHICAGO - Charges will be dropped against a woman who briefly left her 2-year-old daughter alone in the car to take her two older daughters to pour coins into a Salvation Army kettle, prosecutors said Thursday.

Coyne's trial was supposed to begin Thursday, but prosecutors could not meet the burden of proof and decided to drop the charges, Cook County State's Attorney spokesman John Gorman said.

Her husband reacted with relief and anger. If convicted, his wife faced up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,500.

"We shouldn't have had to fight this long and this hard when my wife never did anything wrong," said Timothy Janecyk. The planned dismissal of the charges "only shows they tore my family apart for no reason."

Coyne, who was arrested in a loading zone near the entrance of a Wal-Mart store, contended 2-year-old Phoebe, who was sleeping, was safe inside the car after she locked it, activated the alarm system and turned on the emergency flashers.

She said she was never more than 30 feet from the vehicle, did not step inside the store and was gone for only minutes. And her attorney said because the car was always in sight, Coyne's daughter never was unattended.