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Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy Things you never know about pregnancy until it's too late: 3 of 29
My first pregnancy was at 16, so needless to say, I knew nothing. I scoured the baby books up tile 6 weeks post-partum in my first trimester, but nothing prepared me for what I would experience. Mainly because each pregnancy is different and each baby is different. I didn't know my first trimester would pass so uneventfully.... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should smoking be allowed in public places?: 49 of 313
Absolutely, unequivocally, 100% yes. The basic premise of (and reason for) a ban on smoking in public places is to prevent innocent bystanders from inhaling toxic smoke. The first, and most obvious, issue that comes to mind is the right of the property owner. Say John owns a bar downtown. Literally owns it, building and all.... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Politics (Other) Should the Sangamon County Health Department be enforcing the state's indoor smoking ban?: 1 of 5
The Smoking Ban that's been in effect in Illinois since the beginning of this year has been proven to be utterly unenforceable. A single patron can "call in" a violation, the business owner can be visited by officials, but without proof of the incident the officials can do nothing. In more general terms, this ban has hurt bu... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should Congressional representatives be allowed to add earmarks to appropriations bills?: 1 of 5
$9,012,658,741,153.33 That's a really big number. That's the amount of money that our government currently owes in all areas, and it gets bigger every day. Want another big number? $13,200,000,000.00 That's the number of 'ear marks' (or, as we tax payers like to call it, wasteful government spending) in the Defense and Homel... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) Best Fourth of July desserts: 9 of 37
Like most other holidays, food is the cornerstone of Fourth of July events. Cultures around the world use food to solidify their communities and bring people together during celebrations. On the Fourth of July, Americans gather outdoors and spend their day on fireworks, informal team sports and, of course, meals with family ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development Teaching children ethics: 4 of 15
The quintessential analogy for children is "little sponges". As a parent, I'd go a step further and use "lumps of clay". Each child has their own distinct way of operating and reacting to things, but, on the whole, children will be molded into whatever image their parents provide. This holds true in nearly all areas, ethics ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Tips for the teen mother planning on keeping her child: 11 of 31
As a teenager, you're already (mostly) confused and uncertain of the future. OK, to be fair, most teenagers don't realize that they experienced those emotions until they hit the wonderful age of 21. Teenage moms, though, we got a full dose of the confused-scared-uncertain-anxious pill about 30 seconds after the stick told us... More..
Food & Drink > Tea How to brew tea: 4 of 9
Tea can be the most amazing thing you'll taste all day...or it can be absolutely awful. The difference between bad and good is all in the way you brew. What are you brewing? That's the first thing to nail down. There are two basic brewing methods : tea bags and loose leaf. You want to filter the water through the bag before ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Baby Accessories Top 10 must-have baby products: 17 of 38
Having a baby. It's such a wonderful time in most women's lives, as they anticipate the cute little bundle, the sweet clothes, the ooing, aahing, kisses and hugs. Around the time of your first ultrasound, you'll begin to do nothing but dream and wonder...and, the universal female passtime, shop. Walk into any baby store and ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Constitutional & Contract Law Can the government use tax issues to force churches to accept gays?: 8 of 17
Churches refuse to accept homosexuals and the government disapproves of this practice. Can they do anything about it? In all technicality, yes, they can. They are the government, the Big Man, Uncle Sam, after all. They can do just about anything they'd like until someone forces them to stop. From a strictly Constitutional st... More..