Articles written by Emily Johnson

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About me - Emily Johnson

With a background in Political Science and International Relations, Emily has worked in politics and government for nearly 20 years as a legislative director, lobbyist, writer, administrator, public relations specialist and business owner. While her passion

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Autos > Driving & Safety Driving in snow, ice and rain: 1 of 32

The first snow moves into town and news reporters appearing too young to drive tell us to keep kitty litter, charged phone, emergency water, snacks, flares, chains, sleeping bag and coffee-can-with-candle-and-matches in our car to use for heating spam. I've used the shovel, kitty litter and phone. But the reality is that in ...
Style & Beauty > Style & Beauty (Other) Is real beauty on the outside or the inside?: 7 of 146

I hope my female friends won't quit on me after the next sentence because things will improve, I promise. Now here goes: Our husbands or partners who (hopefully) love us more than life itself, do too wish (in their very weakest moments) and not all the time but just every now and then, that we could be the Hollywood bombshel...
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Is the presidential veto helpful to democracy?: 2 of 10

Yes, the power of the President to veto legislation is not merely helpful; it is a founding principle that goes to very heart of American democracy. Without the veto, we wouldn't have true separation-of-powers and would be at the whim of the Congress. Some people are surprised to learn that the constitutional "veto" provisio...
Food & Drink > Cooking (Other) Are printed cookbooks a thing of the past?: 19 of 44

When my 96 year old grandmother died a few weeks ago and we gathered in her kitchen after the funeral, family members shared memories of holiday gatherings, greedily eating everything she put in front of us and fighting over her mashed potatoes. A farm wife, she had comfort food down to a science. Her meatloaf and hot dishes...
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections Should members of Congress be allowed to add earmarks to appropriations bills?: 1 of 2

Just out of curiosity, one day I went on-line to see if I could find even one United States Senator who has not expressed shock over Governor Blagojevich's pay-to-play philosophy with regard to the vacant senate seat in Illinois. I came up empty. Every single Senator seemed astonished that there could ever be a connection be...
Society & Lifestyle > North American Culture Native mascots: Right or wrong?: 8 of 15

I have a love-hate relationship with the topic of America's use (abuse) of Indian mascots and names. I'm always amused by those arguing that use of tribal names or identities as team mascots is strictly intended to "honor" Indian people. Nearly everyone asserting that position will usually boast to have some degree of "nativ...
Style & Beauty > Makeup How young is too young to wear makeup?: 16 of 26

For many children there's something special about that moment when the lights have just turned out, they're tucked warmly under the covers and mom or dad is snuggled up sharing the last whispered words of the day intended to bring about happy dreaming. They feel very safesafe enough to tell you things that may be harder to t...
Religion & Spirituality > Pagan & Earth-Based Religions How to use a Native American medicine wheel: 2 of 2

The answer to the question of how to use an American Indian medicine wheel is that, if you have a medicine wheel and you don't know how to use it, then it was not intended for you and you should not use it at all. New age spiritualism that borrows from Native religions has become very trendy among many non-Indian people, but...
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should elected officials be allowed to take trips on corporate jets?: 2 of 2

The drama which unfolded in December when Members of Congress castigated auto industry CEO's for flying corporate jets to Washington was spectacular. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) stole the show when he asked CEO's if they would be willing to sell their private jets the next day and fly back to Detroit commercial. "Let the record...