March 31, 2023

"DeSantis snoozes, loses to Disney" -- LA Times today, page 1 below the fold

Michael Hiltzik explains it so well I had to write a Letter to the Editor:

Thank you, Mr Hiltzik for explaining DeSantis vs Disney

Anyone following the career of the ambitious Governor DeSantis can tell he fancies himself a right-wing autocrat.
However, he put his wanna-be autocracy up against a kingdom — a Magic Kingdom.
I am still chuckling over my morning coffee.

From the opening of the article:

Did you really believe that Florida’s arrogant Gov. Ron DeSantis would get the better of Walt Disney Co. in their fight over Disney’s supposed “wokeness”?

If so, you don’t know your Disney.

DeSantis handpicked a board of cronies to take over control of Reedy Creek Improvement District — the quasi-governmental entity that Disney and Florida established more than 55 years ago to control development and management of the land on which Walt Disney World, Epcot and the company’s related enterprises sit.

DeSantis’ board has now revealed that, while they were snoozing, Disney executed an agreement with their predecessors that strips the new board of all its powers except the authority to “maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure,” according to one of the new board members.

Hilariously, the agreement Disney reached will remain in effect at least until 21 years “after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, King of England,” currently living. More on this delicious provision in a moment. First, let’s get a legal commentator’s opinion of where the Disney-DeSantis battle stands.
…….

https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/latimes/default.aspx?token=42e23962a5d74614be16bae3d62d13e7&utm_id=91865&sfmc_id=1778350&edid=1f31b2b9-9a0f-4669-af5a-b8caeb80a1d8

March 23, 2023

I am Pro-Choice. However as of the heinous Dobbs decision, I'm now emphatically Pro-Abortion...

It was not I who decided to change the definition of every OB/GYN procedure to “abortion” and outlaw it.

We all know that women are now dying from blood loss and sepsis because doctors are scared to death for themselves if they interfere with with what’s going on in a woman’s uterus.

It was only this level of barbarism that finally made me say: I am Emphatically Pro-Abortion. It is Part of Women’s Necessary Health Care.

March 16, 2023

Have you done your part by eliminating all petroleum products from your life?Contact lenses, glasses

Many of our personal care products are derived from petroleum including perfume, hair dye, cosmetics (lipstick, makeup, foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner), hand lotion, toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, panty hose, combs, shampoo, eyeglasses, and contact lenses.

Also, Tylenol. And aspirin. And chewing gum. No willow-bark. No chicle.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs and medicinal products are made with the help of petrochemicals—these include antihistamines, antibacterials, suppositories, cough syrups, lubricants, creams, ointments, salves, analgesics and gels (like hand sanitizers).

All I did was google “what common household items are derived from petroleum” and an amazing assortment of articles came up.

Next I’m going to google “what medical devices are derived from petroleum” and see what comes up. Bags for saline solution and blood. The tubing to convey them into the patient’s body. Non-latex gloves. That's just off the top of my head.

March 6, 2023

I don't know where to post this, but a close friend is passing soon & I'm asking for positive vibes

Usually I post everything in GD, but lately it’s chock-full of really bad news. The Lounge is home to a lot of people, but not really me. So I’m dropping this here…

Leona is 80 this year, and we met 30 years ago when we entered an academic program in Mythological Studies with a degree emphasis in depth psychology. It was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done, and of all the people I met there, Leona became a friend for life, a treasure.

Leona lived her life with intention — decisively, and with courage. She changed her name and chose Volition as her middle name. And now she is choosing to die with intention — decisively, and with courage. She’s done. She’s in hospice and refusing water and food. She is leaving before she loses her Self to another stroke.

When I met her the first day of classes I was warmed by the sparkle in her eyes. Each in the class were asked what mythic creature had brought us here, and I was so serious in my answer. Leona said, “The Little Red Hen, because she said ‘I will do it myself,’ and she did.”

When her daughter decided to transition to be a man, from that moment Leona changed pronouns and used his chosen name. (He was still a pill to his mom, but my own family relations are enough of a mystery to deal with so I can’t judge. ) Then he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and wasn’t expected to live more than a couple of years. That was over 25 years ago, and he died a only few months ago living in another state, still estranged. This was only one painful thread running thru the tapestry of her life, but she met it all with intention and courage.

The tapestry Leona wove for herself was rich with experience. She lived frugally in a vacation cabin in the national forest for decades so she could do what really mattered to her, like travelling just about everywhere, and studying for a degree that makes most people say, “What?” She described the rigors of her journeys in vivid detail — in Antarctica a penguin fell madly in love with her (well, who wouldn’t? I thought ) . She was slip-sliding up a slope, the ice all covered in penguin poop, when she found herself on her knees nose to beak with a penguin. He bowed to her. Well what would you do? So she bowed back. He bowed again, so did she. At some point he waddled away, but soon returned with a rock in his beak, which he dropped at her feet with a soulful look. At that point she realized his intentions were serious, so she left to rejoin the humans. When she told me the story I laughed like hell.

Leona’s the reason our little group of friends sought out tiny local museums across the counties, and made day-trips to Los Angeles to visit special exhibits at their great museum, LACMA. So much, so much.

She took little part time office jobs at Adult Ed, and saw they needed a nude model for the art class. She was about 70 by then. She thought, why not? She thought, oh dear that's scary. She decided, I will do it. And she did. After one session she asked a student if she could have his sketch — she had it beautifully framed, and by the Goddess she looked like a Neolithic queen with her belly and long breasts, and head held high.

Whatever will I do without her?

Gentle crossing dear friend.

March 3, 2023

First, I would suggest communicating with AARP. It can't hurt & might help, if enough people do so

One issue that will actually pertain to our age group is that the drugs in question are used for other, non-pregnancy related, conditions.

This came up on a quick google search:

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/abortion-bans-may-limit-essential-medications-for-women-with-chronic-conditions/

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and send the decision to ban or permit abortion back to the states will likely have health implications beyond banning abortion in many states. There have already been reports of clinicians and pharmacists denying women access to medications like methotrexate and misoprostol to manage their chronic conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and gastric ulcers, because the drugs are also used for medication abortions and treatment of ectopic pregnancies. In these reports, pharmacists have denied or delayed filling prescriptions unless specific codes for non-pregnancy related conditions are given. Some providers are also requesting patients take a pregnancy test to confirm a non-pregnant status before they will prescribe the medications. This analysis finds that the majority of those who use these drugs are women who are not pregnant but have diagnoses for other chronic conditions and rely on these medications to manage their health. Consequently, women of reproductive age with chronic conditions will be most impacted by these actions.

Methotrexate is indicated for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases that disproportionately affect women. The drug works by suppressing the immune system. Additionally, many chemotherapy regimens include methotrexate for treatment of adult and pediatric cancers, such as leukemia and breast cancer, where it works to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. It also has some off label uses for common conditions like Crohn’s disease, lupus, and eczema. The drug is also a common treatment for ectopic pregnancies where it stops cells from dividing by interfering with the folic acid in your body.

Beyond methotrexate, another drug that may be limited because of its use in pregnancy terminations is misoprostol. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that causes cervical softening and dilation, as well as uterine contractions. It is frequently used in obstetrics and gynecology for procedures like the medical management of miscarriage, induction of labor, cervical ripening before surgical procedures, and the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. It is also indicated for reducing the risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen) induced gastric ulcers in patients at high risk of complications from gastric ulcers. In combination with mifepristone, misoprostol can be used to terminate an intrauterine pregnancy through 70 days gestation. Access to methotrexate and misoprostol is essential for patients, especially women, with these cross-cutting conditions.