Our Parental Rights in Jeopardy?

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Barb

Back in the days of the Clinton administration, an ugly idea was born, and it grew. It was called the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The stated purpose of this, as posted at the U.N.’s website, is “to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.”

Sounds good, right? No sane person wants to see children hurt. But, in this case, there’s a catch. Again in the words of the U.N.:

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights-civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights….By agreeing to undertake the obligations of the Convention (by ratifying or acceding to it), national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children’s rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community.

Here’s where things get sticky. By ratifying this, the U.S. would be handing over its authority to the U.N. Their rules would supersede our laws.

To make matters worse, those who are the driving force behind this often view children’s rights differently than we do. Parents who spank could be found in violation of it. So could parents who homeschool.

Bottom line: this stinks. It first reared its ugly head during the Clinton administration (new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is a big proponent of this). Fortunately it was not ratified by our Congress at that time. Not surprisingly, the Bush administration did nothing to promote it.

But now the Obama administration is in charge, and many of its members are on the U.N.’s side on this issue. In fact, the Senate is scheduled to vote very soon on the confirmation of Deputy Attorney General nominee David W. Ogden, who actually believes we should already be following the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Learn more about him here.

As parents, we need to stay on top of this, and to call our legislators as the need arises.

HT: Kim D.

They’re Indenturing Our Children….With A Bill They Haven’t Even Read

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Barb

This is wrong on so many levels. The stimulus bill (or “Porkulus,” as it’s been more appropriately declared) was rushed through the House today because Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in a hurry to leave on a trip. At least that’s the excuse they’re giving. But the bottom line is that they’re handing out pork left and right and claiming it will help the economy. But how can they know this when they haven’t read the bill?

I’m proud to say that our former congressman, Illinois representative Don Manzullo, voted against this bill and the bailout bill that was passed in the fall. Rep. Manzullo was a homeschooling dad, btw (his kids are grown now). Wish we had a lot more like him in the House and Senate.

This bill, btw, hands out money that the U.S. does not have. But we’re printing it as fast as we can. Meanwhile, our founding fathers spin in their graves.

The 1970s: When Simple Living Was The Norm

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Barb

James Garner

The detective shows of the 1970s hold a special place in my heart. There were several that I really enjoyed. Now that so many shows are available on dvd, I can relive those days pretty easily.

One thing I’ve noticed is that people’s homes in these shows were actually pretty basic compared to today’s homes. The typical house shown in “The Rockford Files” (watch for free at this link) or “The Streets of San Francisco,” to name just two series, was modestly decorated in mostly functional furniture with some pictures on the wall and, of course, the requisite large console television.

Even the depictions of wealthy people’s homes weren’t nearly as packed full of expensive furniture and decorations as what you see on television and in movies these days. Back then, we didn’t keep up with designer furniture, if there even was much of it. Now, most everyone has to have the latest of everything.

I think things began to change once “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” became popular. Until then, I doubt most people cared about what celebrities had in their homes. Not that no one ever cared, but the focus that we’ve seen in recent years on who’s got what wasn’t an issue until around the time that show came on. I guess it created a lot of envy.

I like to watch the 1970s shows because they reflect a simpler time, when people weren’t so hung up on having things. You see people dressed normally but not in anything spectacularly eye-catching. Designer duds had not caught on yet. I like the casual way Jim Rockford threw on his sports jacket if he had to go to police headquarters, or the old clothes he wore to go fishing with his dad Rocky. No flash, that’s for sure. Even his home, an old trailer on the beach, reflected utility rather than impressive design.

When I drive through areas with McMansions built over the past decade, empty all day while their owners work to make the massive house payments that came with the houses, I think about how most people used to consider their homes shelter, not something to impress people. They wore clothes for practical reasons rather than to make a statement about their wealth.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but I think life was a lot simpler then. That might be why I like those 1970s television shows so much.

50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Barb

U.S. News and World Report recently came up with “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009.” I don’t agree with everything they’ve put on their list, and a few of them are things I already do, such as “Put Your Cash in Safe Accounts” and “Watch TV Free Online.”

A couple of others are already long-time habits of mine, such as “Lose the Microwave Mentality” and “Air Dry Your Laundry.”

But there are just two that I would like to try this year: “Keep a ‘Clothes Hanger’ Journal” and “Get Fit as You Get Older.”

How about it? Do any of them strike a chord with you?

No, Not Money-Laundering….Honey-Laundering

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Barb

Once I learned about the prevalence of high-fructose corn syrup in the foods we eat, and how it makes people fat, I began making even more foods from scratch using sugar or honey. I also like honey in my tea.

Now I find out that some of the honey being sold here in the U.S.A. is actually made in China and then labeled as coming from a different country. Yes, the process really is called honey-laundering, and it’s becoming a real problem.

China is finally getting the negative attention it deserves for allowing all sorts of awful things in the foods it exports (see my recent post on fish), and is responding by sneaking its foods into this country using the subterfuge of mislabeling.

I’m going to have to find a local resource for honey, that’s for sure.