Don't worry ladies, everything will be all right

Earlier this week, a government task force stated that most women don't need to start having annual mammograms until age 50. And now, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says women don't need a PAP every year. Having a PAP every other year is just fine.

How many women have been saved by these tests? How many women in their 40s would die if their insurance companies stopped covering mammograms before age 50?

While the studies show that most cancers can be caught under the new guidelines, what about those that would be missed until it was too late? Don't let the hoopla regarding the less stress, less false positives, and any inconvenience fool you. These findings are about cost effectiveness not about actual health care. How much are the lives of a few women worth I wonder?

Don't Worry Baby - The Beach B...

Unhealthy Women's Health piece

I subscribe to Women's Health Magazine. Generally, I find the articles to be useful and interesting. However, they ran a piece on The Little Black Dress this month that disturbed me.

Women's Health is not a fashion magazine. It's supposed to be about helping women make healthy choices in their lives. Does this woman look healthy to you?


I plan on contacting the magazine to share my feelings on this. Such images only encourage young women to strive for an unhealthy weight, doing unhealthy things to get there.

Skinny - Filter

World Toilet Day is no joke

When a friend emailed me that today was World Toilet Day, I thought he was sharing a joke. This is a serious organization attempting to promote sanitation in places where it is scarce. There are millions of people in the world who do not have access to toilets. These people are used to eliminating their wastes in open areas or directly into water supplies that are used for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

While this is a noble cause, it's difficult for me to get behind (er... sorry about that) an organization that wants its supporters to:

At exactly noon on November 19th, gather your family, friends, classmates, colleagues and everyone you know to squat in public for 1 minute in support of World Toilet Day.

This drives home the point "where would you go?" and how people without toilets are forced to go in public places.

Notify the press to attend. Upload a photo of you squatting to encourage others to join.

Mirror In The Bathroom - The E...

Why parents drink

The following is something my sister-in-law forwarded to me. She felt I might appreciate it after some recent melodrama with Grendel. One of his big arguments with me is that there were worse things he could be doing besides spending five or more hours every day playing video games. Enjoy!


A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an Envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad..'

With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom, and you.

I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant.

Stacy said that we will be very happy.

She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole
winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone.
We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live
nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.

In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it.

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself.

Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son John

PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I Just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than a Report card That's in my center desk drawer.

I love you.

Call me when it's safe to come home.

Parents Just Don't Understand ...

I'll have a Kamakaze and some aspargus

If you like to drink, but hate the hangover, I hope you like asparagus. Apparently, a compound in asparagus can help the liver metabolize alcohol faster, which may help ward off the effects of a hangover. Hollandaise sauce is optional.

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One B...