PARENTING FREEDOM

.: attachment parenting, homeschooling, gentle discipline :.
  • .: Favorite Quotes :.


    “The world is a dangerous place to live;
    not because of the people who are evil,
    but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
    Albert Einstein (1879-1955, German born American Physicist)
  • .: Waiting for Baby :.

  • Political Links that Interest Me

    carol | July 12, 2010

    Charts of the Day: Employment
    http://hotair.com/archives/2010/07/10/charts-of-the-day-employment/

    “The financial collapse also battered our northern neighbor, Canada, although not quite to the same extent it did us. (Canada has more conservative banking and lending policies, which shielded them from the worst of the problems.) Instead of using a blizzard of government spending to correct a downturn in unemployment, Canada tightened its belt and rode it out.”

    Christie looks to privatize motor vehicle inspections, other services
    http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/070910_Christie_looks_to_privatize_motor_vehicle_inspections.html

    I would love to see a move toward less socialism in Canada.

    Announcing Beck University
    http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/42502/

    My sons (11 and 16) wanted to listen to these lectures, so we joined Glenn Beck’s Insider Extreme last week. They were impressed with the first lecture, and also enjoy watching the live webcam of the Glenn Beck program. Fun(ny) stuff!! 

    The 100 Americans the Left Hates Most
    http://media.glennbeck.com/docs/100americans-pg1.pdf

    Mama Grizzlies

    Levi Johnston Apologizes to Palin Family for ‘Youthful Indiscretion’
    http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20399773,00.html

    “Last year, after Bristol and I broke up, I was unhappy and a little angry. Unfortunately, against my better judgment, I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize.”

    I wonder if he is getting big bucks to get back in the good graces of the Palin family in order to give the media dirt.

    ‘Tan tax’ discussions include allegations of reverse racism
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070804488_pf.html

    TSA to Block “Controversial Opinion” on the Web
    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20009642-10391695.html

    They are testing…

    “Mommy, what is Canada’s debt?”

    carol | June 3, 2010

    I hardly have my eyes open in the morning when B11 comes downstairs with the questions (that I have to Google)… “Mommy, what is Canada’s debt?”… Canada certainly can’t afford to continue on this track… But people think they are entitled to having everything for free…

    Canada’s Federal Debt
    http://www.debtclock.ca/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=1

    Where does the money go?
    Soaring costs force Canada to reassess health model
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100531/hl_nm/us_health_3

    Pregnancy/Family Update… Baby Names Suggestions Welcome

    carol | May 11, 2010

    I used to post more of my own material for my website, but for the past long while, it seems I only link to other articles with the occasional personal comment here and there. I am sorry that I haven’t had the strength nor the inspiration for creative writing during the past six months. I haven’t been able to blog the story of this pregnancy either because it’s been just too emotional and difficult.

    I apologize for either not responding at all or only half-heartedly to the encouraging comments and emails I have received during the past several months. I used to reply every time, but lately it has been exhausting, and sometimes I just don’t know what to say. I do appreciate when you take the time to write to me, and I will try to do better in replying. Thank you!

    I am doing better healthwise. I still get extremely fatigued, but unlike the first 20 weeks of this pregnancy, I have been improving instead of getting worse. That was so scary. I can finally cope and even do things which makes me very encouraged and hopeful. I am also beginning to stop worrying about miscarrying.

    I went to my first (and only so far) prenatal appointment and heard the baby’s heartbeat. I get Braxton Hicks contractions. I feel the baby kicking some. The hiccups seem to indicate that baby’s head is down. If that is the case, I pray it stays that way.


    Me – Almost 25 weeks pregnant
    (I can’t get Derek to stop taking worm’s eye view pictures.)

    I stuck to the vegan diet for about six weeks, but since I kept getting more sick, I made some changes. I still make vegetable smoothies, almond/grape milk, take all my supplements, and continue to make better choices and avoid most unhealthy foods. I have continued to make Sunday night fruit smoothies for the family, and I bought quite a few containers to make homemade smoothie popsicles, both of which the children love.


    Vegetable smoothie that turns into a bubbling crude


    Vegetable smoothie and fruit salad


    Fruit smoothie ingredients


    Homemade smoothie popsicles in the freezer

    I haven’t scrapbooked for 3 1/2 years, so I felt bad that I was so far behind with a little baby on the way. Just because this baby is the fifth child shouldn’t mean he or she doesn’t get pictures in an album. Inspired by the very talented Kelle of Enjoying the Small Things, I have discovered the wonderful world of photobooking. Kelle does digital scrapbooking and then has her beautiful pages collected in photobooks. I would love to do digital scrapbooking, yet I can’t figure out how to get started at all. Photobooking has been wonderfully easy with delightful results (not magnificent like Kelle’s, but satisfactory to me right now). I finally feel productive after many months of getting nothing done. That has been very hard on my head since my mind wants me to go, go, go. Just during the past few weeks, I completed three albums (January – June 2009, July – December 2009, January – June 2008), and I almost have July – December 2008 finished. Hopefully all of 2007 will fit in one album. I will then have only January – June 2010 to finish before the baby!  Lovely. I look forward to taking family pictures this fall.

    We thought we had our baby names, but it seems there are too many people with the same names. I would welcome any baby names suggestions (in the comments below). I can’t find a good baby names website, so I would appreciate any tips in that area as well.

    It has been a sad week in our community with the tragic death of a fourteen-year-old girl who lived up the road from us. She died in a car accident. Her mother is one of the sweetest, friendliest people I know. She is the kind of person who would get voted Miss Congeniality in the real world. What a devastating loss to their little family. Unbearable. http://nethymnal.org/htm/b/e/bestill.htm

    The children are continuing to do their school work. Usually they have most subjects finished by mid-May, but this year, most subjects will likely go until the end of June. The 3 R’s will continue throughout the summer because of the baby and Derek’s job situation. The older boys have been dipping into their next year’s book stash. They just can’t help it – especially those Glenn Beck recommendations. They also received a new box of books with Canadian content yesterday. http://www.freedompress.ca/

    Jean Chretien: A Legacy of Scandal ~ Paul Tuns
    As I See It ~ Michael Coren
    Standing on Guard for Thee ~ Michael Wagner
    Loyal to the Core: Stephen Harper, Me and the NCC ~ Gerry Nicholls
    The Great Canadian Comedy: From Laughter To Tears ~ Joe Campbell
    Stop the Presses! ~ Joseph Farah

    I bought another Willow Tree ornament because of the new baby. This will be our family in August. :-)

    I would love to hear from you. Certain blogging decisions I have made over the past couple years has resulted in less reader feedback, so it is encouraging to hear from those of you who still visit my website.

    Now, back to politics as usual… ;-)

    Healthcare Thoughts :-(

    carol | March 21, 2010

    “The problem with socialism is you run out of other people’s money.”
    Margaret Thatcher.

    RIP capitalism in America 1776-2010. They say an empire only lasts 200 years, so I guess it was on borrowed time.

    Stupak – didn’t think there was such a thing as a pro-life Democrat.

    If all this completely passes, there will be no going back. The sense of entitlement becomes entrenched even if the healthcare is terrible, and the country is going bankrupt.

    Very few Canadians care that we pay for the slaughter of 100,000+ unborn babies every year.

    Edited to add:
    How Liberty Dies

    Conservative Party of Canada showing a little social conservatism on daycare and family planning – or maybe not

    carol | March 18, 2010

    Prime Minister Harper Addresses Marijuana, National Day Care
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10031708.html

    “Turning to a question on his government’s decision not to embark on a national day care plan, Harper said that the existing measures for helping parents with the cost of child care – whether it be through institutionalized care or by looking after their own children at home – are approved by most Canadians.”

    “‘There are a range of things we do in Canada to support the childcare choices of Canadians. I think our approach has been well received by Canadians,’ Harper stated.”

    “Enumerating the various measures in place to assist parents, the PM remarked that ‘a lot of Canadians have a lot of different childcare needs.’”

    “‘Canadians want to make their own childcare decisions,’ the PM stated, observing that ‘we had a previous government that promised to create a national childcare system for many years. They spent billions of dollars. Canadian parents never saw any of that. So we took that money, put it into direct support for Canadian parents so they can make their own childcare choices.’”

    Maternal Health Plan about Saving Lives, not “Family Planning”: Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10031710.html

    “Family planning and contraception are not included in Canada’s new maternal and child health initiative, insisted Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon Tuesday.”

    “‘This [initiative] does not deal in any way, shape, or form with family planning,’ he told the House of Commons foreign affairs committee. ‘Indeed, the purpose of this is to be able to save lives. Too many people are losing their lives on a yearly basis…’”

    “The Conservative government has since stated that abortion is not part of their plan…”

    “In an interview with Canwest after the meeting, Cannon, who favours the “right” to abortion, appeared to distance himself from the government’s position, but reaffirmed that position nevertheless.”

    “‘Everybody knows what my position is but from a government position, this policy, this announcement by the prime minister has nothing to do with what you’re raising,’ he said. An aide confirmed to Canwest afterwards that Cannon was referring to his ‘pro-choice’ stance.”

    Edited to add:
    PM Harper “Caves”: “Not Closing the Door” on Contraception in G8 Maternal Health Push
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10031911.html

    No Babies = No Money

    carol | February 19, 2010

    Parliament Report Sounds Alarm: Low Birth Rate + Aging = Financial Crisis
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/feb/10021809.html

    “Taking into account Canada’s steady 1.5 birth rate, far below the 2.1 replacement rate, along with the accompanying ageing of the population, the report warns that ‘a major demographic transition is underway.’”

    “In order to compensate for the low birth rate the report says there must be very substantial increases in taxation and major cuts to government services, amounting to 14 to 28 billion dollars.”

    “The key to solving the problem lies in increasing the fertility rate. And beyond making abortion illegal, which will help, Dr. Sassone said, ‘we must change the attitudes of people towards having babies.’”

    THE DEMOGRAPHIC TIME BOMB: MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN CANADA
    http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/bank-e/rep-e/rep03jun06-e.htm

    “‘With an older population, spending pressures in areas such as health care and elderly benefits are projected to intensify. At the same time, slower labour force growth is projected to restrain growth in the economy, which will in turn slow the growth of government revenue.’”

    “‘The Government’s current fiscal structure is not sustainable over the long term.’”

    Canadian Premier Heading to United States for Surgery

    carol | February 2, 2010

    Premier Danny Williams going to U.S. for heart surgery
    link changed – try this one
    http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100203/williams_health_100203/20100203?hub=Canada

    Maybe I should go there, too (before they pass Obamacare.)

    The True North (not so) strong and (not so) free!

    carol | December 21, 2009

    Canada : Hijacked by Big Brother – The Surveillance State

    “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin

    Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Singing Beatles Song

    carol | October 4, 2009

    Stephen Harper sings Beatles song with Yo Yo Ma

    Sounds like somebody has Beatles Rockband. ;-)

    PLEASE, Prime Minister Harper, give your Members of Parliament the freedom to speak up for the right to life for everyone in Canada from conception to natural death.

    Please find it in your heart to care about the thousands of unborn Canadian children who are being slaughtered in our hospitals and abortion clinics. It has been forty years of open season on unborn babies in Canada.

    As Prime Minister, you have been given the power to make changes that would protect the lives of these innocent human beings. It will be a heavy burden to carry if you continue to ignore the cries of Canadian unborn children.

    “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
    James 4:17

    “Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
    And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
    If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’
    Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
    He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
    And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”

    Proverbs 24:11-12

    “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
    2 Chronicles 7:14

    "Why People Like Sarah Palin"

    carol | October 4, 2009

    Raphael Alexander: Why people like Palin

    http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/10/02/raphael-alexander-why-people-like-palin.aspx

    Sarah Palin: “…So alluring to millions of Americans, and a fair share of Canadians…”

    “Sarah Palin is a classic populist politician. What makes her so popular is her very nature. She is the definition of ‘grassroots‘, a working mother who successfully entered politics at the municipal level and worked her way up to the governorship. She didn’t manage this by impressing people with her five different institutions of education, or how many books she had written on Russian foreign policy. No, she managed it because she inspired Americans who felt that Sarah was ‘one of them’…”

    For every housewife who dreamed of being more, but had to contend with the responsibilities of raising a family, Palin inspires a strange kind of anti-feminism. There is a perceptible sense of pride that one can be “just average”, with all of the same human failings and shortcomings as everybody else. Of course Palin isn’t just your average woman, since her attraction is based on the conglomeration of attitude, personality, and prerogative…”

    “Her supporters continues among the same people who aren’t going anywhere soon: the average American with 2 cars, and 3 or more kids, football practice during the week, hunting and fishing on the weekends, and the ‘down home’ family values that seem to say ‘we’re not perfect, but we’re trying’. You can’t buy that kind of ‘in’ with the people. It has to come naturally, and that’s why Sarah Palin fits the bill.”

    Canadians on Health Care: "Don't do what we've done. We will lose our escape valve."

    carol | September 30, 2009

    The Real Canadian Health Care Field Trip 2009
    http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/09/real-canadian-health-care-field-trip.html

    Oh, No, Canada, Not Legalized Euthanasia

    carol | September 28, 2009

    I remember my eighth grade teacher telling me I was completely WRONG when I told the class about abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. Abortion? Teacher was pro-choice. Infanticide? He said it did NOT exist. Euthanasia? Nope…. But HE was wrong.

    2009 marks the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion in Canada. At this point, only partial infanticide is legal – as long as the baby’s head is still inside. And ask any Canadian palliative care doctor about euthanasia. It happens, but is not “legal” yet. But they are working on it…

    http://www.stopbillc-384.com/

    • Bill C-384 would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. (For the purpose of the analysis, euthanasia and assisted suicide will be referred to as “intended death”.)

    • Bill C-384 does not restrict intended death to Canadian citizens. (The bill could make Canada a destination for Suicide Tourists and Suicide Clinics).

    • The individual would need to be at least 18 years old.

    • Bill C-384 does not limit intended death to the terminally ill and it does not define terminal illness.

    • The individual may refuse appropriate treatments and still die by an intended death.

    • Bill C-384 allows intended death for people who experience depression or other chronic mental conditions.

    • Bill C-384 measures competency based on “appearing to be lucid”. The term “appearing to be lucid” does not assure that the individual is actually lucid.

    • Bill C-384 would allow intended death for incompetent people who stated their intentions while still competent.

    • The language of the bill is not clear whether medical practitioners are the only individuals who can intend the death of an incompetent individual.

    • Bill C-384 would require at least two medical practitioners to confirm the diagnosis in writing.

    • Bill C-384 would require that all requests for intended death be made free of duress. (However, no assurances are built into the bill)

    • Bill C-384 would require the medical practitioner to inform the individual of all alternatives. (There is no requirement to try effective treatments).

    • Bill C-384 would require the medical practitioner to provide confirmation of the diagnosis to the coroner. This is a form of after-the-fact reporting. The medical practitioner is only required to file a report after the individual has died. This is to protect the medical practitioner and not the individual who is dead.

    • The definition of medical practitioner is not limited to a physician.

    Euthanasia Quotes:

    Condemned German: “But we didn’t think it would go that far.”
    American judge: “It went that far the very first time you condemned an innocent human being.”
    Conversation in the American motion picture “Judgment at Nuremburg.”

    “I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel.”
    The Hippocratic Oath

    “I have yet to hear of a set of guidelines for euthanasia which would not lead to terrible abuses even in the opinion of those physicians who are sometimes willing to practice it. Inevitably, this form of ‘therapy’ would spread to situations in which at present it would be unthinkable.”
    Jonathan H. Pincus, M.D., Yale University

    “You matter because you are you.
    You matter to the last moment of your life,
    and we will do all we can,
    not only to help you die peacefully,
    but also to live until you die.”

    Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of Hospice

    “A man, even if seriously sick or prevented in the exercise of its higher functions, is and will be always a man … [he] will never become a ‘vegetable’ or an ‘animal… The intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change depending on their circumstances… Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person.”
    Pope John Paul II

    Good News for Freedom of Speech in Canada!

    carol | September 2, 2009

    Hate speech law unconstitutional: rights tribunal
    http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1954734

    Free speech wins in Canada
    http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/02/free-speech-wins-in-canada/

    "Politicians are absolutely terrified of touching any of these issues."

    carol | August 30, 2009

    Seizing newborns an ethical minefield
    Protection Province has means, but using them controversial, ethicists say
    http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/775621

    “McGill University ethicist Margaret Somerville believes governments should consider laws to identify unborn children as human beings with the right to protection…”

    “The Supreme Court of Canada has consistently ruled that, under current laws, the fetus does not exist as a human being needing protection, and the Criminal Code holds that a child becomes a human being for the purposes of a homicide offence only after it is born alive.”

    Just Like Canada

    carol | August 1, 2009

    ABC 20/20 Takes on Health Care Reform
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdx_2cuPgQQ

    Ten reasons why America’s health care system is in better condition than you might suppose.
    http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/49525427.html

    Bad Advice From Maclean's Magazine

    carol | July 25, 2009

    I rarely remember being in an office of a Canadian doctor/dentist/eye doctor/etc. without this leftist magazine sitting there waiting to be browsed by patient after patient. I would NEVER buy it myself.

    Maclean’s helps Canada rid itself of those thorny liberal pests: children
    http://www.proudtobecanadian.ca/index/weblog/17497/

    “Our ample 100,000+ yearly taxpayer-paid abortions in this country aren’t enough.  So as if to ensure that they cover every single liberal-left-wing talking point, Canada’s pretend “news” magazine, Maclean’s, this week loudly provides Canadians with yet another set of arguments for, ultimately, one way or other, not having kids.”

    Just what Canada needs.  Fulfilling every liberal-left and environmental extremist nutball dream come true, Maclean’s seems to thrive in appeasing the left, and driving Canada as we know it off a cliff…” 

    Third Party Won't Work

    carol | July 17, 2009

    I don’t believe third party is the way to go. There are a lot of liberals, and dividing the conservative/moderate/libertarian vote will make you LOSE. Americans need to work on making the Republican party represent good, hardworking, honest, low-tax paying, freedom loving people who believe in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    In Canada, we have a few liberal parties and one Conservative party. Unfortunately, none of them are socially conservative. If the liberal parties got together, they would win every time, but I don’t suppose the liberals really care (except for personal interests) since the Conservatives act like liberals anyway. There have been attempts at creating other conservative parties (Reformed party, Christian Heritage Party), but it doesn’t work because the conservative vote is then split. There is no conservative movement in Canada, even though there are a lot of regular folks, but they seem to want to just live their lives and not get involved. Our radical leftist government-run media and government schools have done a lot of brainwashing over the past thirty years.

    Anyway, the point of this post is to say that I don’t believe Sarah Palin will work on building a third party. I think she will make the Republican party better. There are other good leaders who also have the best interests of the country at heart (thinking of Newt Gingrich). The media will let us know about other possible leaders when they are strong enough to be a threat to them.

    We need to start doing what the liberals have done for years. Become politically active and infiltrate all the parties and make a real change!

    I am Canadian. I know about socialized medical care.

    carol | July 14, 2009

    ObamaCare Yay Or Nay? The Truth About Canada!

    MOST of the time, in our family, we pay for alternative healthcare. We do not have alternative maternity care, so we do use the government system for that, but not by choice.

    I could ignore the inefficiency, long waits, and incompetence of our socialized health medical care, but the fact is that I don’t even want their answers anyway. I don’t want drugs or operations. I want HEALTH care, not medical care.