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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2019 12:37:37 GMT
I took time to read the Illinois bill and it said that they do allow third trimester abortions but only in the case of medical necessity. The problem is the definition of medical necessity. It covers everything from physical to emotional, financial, psychological etc. I think that part could be tightened significantly. The discussion did make me really think last night and while I am always going to be pro-choice because I truly believe that no government has a right to mandate morality, or even dictate what a person can, and cannot physically do, barring obvious criminal activity. I put criminal activity and laws there on a separate category than personal life, I was thinking about God (Nature) vs. Animal. Humans are, essentially animals. We do have bodies that are ruled by nature. Our minds allow us to change animal behavior but when is that a proper thing to do? When I look at history, imbalance will be taken care of, and not always in a manner that we, as humans, would find acceptable. War is one way. Disease is another. The dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteor hitting Earth. Overpopulation is a very real danger. China already has a one baby only policy. I do think humanity is reaching a cancer stage, when we are harming the planet and ultimately destroying it. I'm not saying abortion is part of the answer, because it isn't, but the discussion has led me to ponder other aspects.
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Post by bill on Jun 4, 2019 21:30:07 GMT
That's one of the problems I have with the New York bill, it leaves a lot more wiggle room than necessary if the only thing we're concerned about is protecting the woman's life (which I'm not against). When I talk about abortion I typically am not arguing from a "moral" perspective. I think murder and rape are morally wrong, but that isn't why I think they should be outlawed. I think we should have laws against murder and rape because the acts destroy the victim's right to life. Same for abortion for me. A woman can do whatever she wants to her body, but I don't think she should be able to destroy another body just because it's living inside of her.
If I understand you correctly, you are willing for the government to restrict abortions in the final trimester. So in truth, you're willing to let them restrict it to a point. The question we have to wrestle with is at what point does the life begin and deserve the protection of the government? It's hard to even get people to discuss that part.
I've gotten beaten up pretty badly today - called a lot of names. I've about had it because I keep sighting facts and am told that my facts are wrong (without proof) and that their facts are correct, when they don't list any verifiable facts. Ugh!
I'm not sure I agree (totally) with the overpopulation of the planet. I mean, we have more people now than at any time in history and yet we have the least amount of world poverty. I'll admit I haven't studied it much though, and I don't doubt there are pockets that are overpopulated.
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Post by Admin on Jun 5, 2019 0:23:45 GMT
I think of China and India and the poverty level they live in. Americans can't even begin to realize how poor some people are. I look at Africa and the bloated bellies of the children. They aren't fat. They are full of parasites and starvation. I wasn't thinking of just our country but the world as a whole. And how fast the developed countries are poisoning the air and water and depleting the resources without paying back. In this, I'm thinking of the rain forests and how important they are to take carbon dioxide out of the air and return breathable oxygen. We can't keep on the way we are without killing the earth.
It gets very depressing and as far as you getting beat up. At some point you have to just know you said your piece and back off. It takes two to fan the flames. You take away their target and they have nobody to rage against. Sue Marconi was my next door neighbor and I know when she chips in that she will not fight fair. She has a closed mind and no willingness to explore anybody elses side.
I do get what you're saying about destruction of another life. It's a dilemma. I think one has to figure out where rights begin and what one thinks a life entails. So many times, death is the kindest outcome. I've lived long enough, seen enough, to know that our children pay a harsh price. I would like to find my magic wand and make every child's life happy and safe but I can't do that. It breaks my heart to see infants abused, mistreated, enter our world already addicted. The list goes on without end. We cannot predict what that outcome is and its fine to say its up to God but if its up to God, then it is between the parents and God and not me getting in the middle. I am not supposed to alter somebody elses path. I'm only supposed to walk mine. I cannot decide what someone else should do. That is between them and God.
I watch your interactions with the others on facebook and I see a journalist. You ask questions to make people think. You gather both sides, without judgment, although you do state your side but I don't feel any pressure from you to believe your way. Only that you let others know your side. I don't respond to name calling except to acknowledge it and that I will not participate in a flame war and then I withdraw. I don't have time to argue.
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Post by bill on Jun 5, 2019 1:29:17 GMT
Thank you. I try to be reasonable and I want to learn, and I think my mind can be changed on a lot of things. Abortion is probably not one of them, but there are a lot of mini-issues to also consider, and many of those I am still learning. I like to discuss/debate/think, challenge and be challenged. Some of the conversation was that way, but boy did it get out of hand. I probably should have walked away earlier, but I figured at least anyone with any sense of objectivity will see who was being reasonable and who was being nasty.
It's almost laughable when we talk about poverty in America. I agree that it is nothing compared to the rest of the world. I think most of the time the poverty is a result of the ruling forces of a country, though admittedly there are many, many reasons for it. I wish I knew the answers, but I honestly don't know enough to have a strong opinion in most instances.
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Post by Admin on Jun 5, 2019 12:40:38 GMT
I hear you. I have lived a really isolated life and I choose not to read the newspaper, or watch the news. I don't need more negativity in my life. I have enough trouble dealing with life itself. But when I feel strongly about a topic, my first go-to is education. I study, I read, I listen, and I ask questions. Never do I just accept and I certainly don't accept hearsay which is what Facebook seems to be made up of.
A closed mind is never going to change but if we can crack it open, in even the most minute way, its a step forward. I've never known Sue to be bothered by facts. It's the world interpreted by Sue. I'm thinking I might just hide the post but there were good points made on both sides. I certainly see a little clearer on why they pro-life side is pro-life. I actually agree with their stance if all they are considering is the life of the baby. But they can't trade one life for another. And the life that is present is the mother. The baby, until the point of viability, is not a life. It is a possibility of life. I have no answer which is why I am pro-choice. I have no right to make the decision.
I woke up this morning thinking that life is not wrapped up in ribbons and pretty paper. It's messy, and sometimes wicked. Bad things can be done for very good reasons. A lot of what I right deals with this concept. The Cosmic series is my attempt to examine right vs. wrong. If something evil is done in the name of good, is it as evil?
If we addressed the items needed for a happy productive life, I think the abortion debate wouldn't be needed at all. People need jobs so they can have security. The children born need to come into the world and have food, clothing, health care, education, and most of all people who love them. If we can't give them that do we have a right to bring them into the world? I have no answers. Only questions. and a deep seated knowledge that life is between the individual and God. Not between the individual and millions of strangers. We fought a revolution to ensure that our freedoms are protected. I don't want to see them chipped away and that seems to be happening.
I'm depressed today. I've been cooped up too long and no time to pursue personal goals. Its taking me emotionally back to a time when I had no 'me'. I haven't lost 'me' yet but I'm angry and tired and I just want to write and paint. I can draw this morning and that should help. I need to start cleaning the house to get ready for house guests next week. I get to see my grandchildren and that makes me really happy.
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Post by bill on Jun 5, 2019 16:37:58 GMT
So glad your grandchildren are coming! There's nothing better to bring you out of the duldrums.
I like thinking and discussing issues, but I can only do it in small doses or I become depressed, frustrated, etc. I definitely overdid it the last two weeks with abortion talk. I'm taking a break so I can refocus on fiction, which has suffered. I'm at a hard point of revising my story so it's easy to step away, but my kids are out of town next week and this is an opportunity to really buckle down and make some progress.
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Post by bill on Jun 7, 2019 0:20:05 GMT
I thought you might find this interesting.
I've written a few articles about abortion for my churches website. The pastor has posted them on Facebook, but the last two he posted Facebook didn't allow because they contained abusive language. One was on the Georgia abortion law and the other was basically a list of the embryonic development from conception to heartbeat. It is literally one short sentence of opinion and the rest is scientific fact taken from either webmd or the mayo clinic website (or both, I would have to look).
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Post by bill on Jun 17, 2019 3:06:36 GMT
Overall a good week. I'm almost done with section one of A world Amongst. I had wanted to finish it by this weekend, but came up short. My goal is to finish the revision in the next 2-3 weeks so we'll see what happens.
I had to order a few more books. I got to Roswell in 3 weeks for the UFO Festival. I hope I can build on my success from last year.
A friend of mine, a local author, and I met this week and talked shop. I needed it and she helped me set some goals. I needed it more for the moral support and energy. I've been writing but had lost the spark. I think it's coming back. I realized I hadn't been writing down my goals, and I get a lot of satisfaction from marking out items from my list. I plan to get back to that.
Hope all is well! Will you be at the reunion this weekend?
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Post by Admin on Jun 17, 2019 15:24:25 GMT
Planning on it. I have grandkids here this week. So enjoying that. Hank has his walking boot and is more mobile than he's been. No writing goals, or art goals. I have them, just no time to implement them. I'm more focused on getting the house in Kansas moving. I have an appointment with the builder on Monday, the 24th.
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Post by bill on Jul 1, 2019 1:45:50 GMT
A World Amongst - I have one section in the middle to finish - maybe 2 or 3 scenes, and I'm stuck. I had hoped to get it done by this weekend, but it's like my brain can't figure out what to do. I'm going to step away for a few days and see if something comes, or if I can figure it out when I get back from my trip.
UFO Festival - I leave Wednesday for Roswell. I'll be set up at the UFO Festival Friday through Sunday. Last year I nearly made my entry fee back. Easily the best event I've done. I'm hoping for an even better showing with a new book and the new covers.
When the Time is Right - I have notes from a police officer and a former one, which I need to go through and takes notes for my revision. I need to add a character, words, and maybe beef up a couple of subplots. I don't know how much time I'll get to spend on it this week, but after my trip (and finishing A World Amongst) I want to dive in and get this revised so I can query it.
The Most Important Thing - This is my working title for my retired millionaire / inspirational story. I've started making some notes. I'm eager to get to this story, and will doodle with it when I need a short break, but it's 3rd in my priority list until A World Amongst and When the Time is Right are being queried.
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Post by Admin on Jul 9, 2019 13:43:38 GMT
Nothing met on my writing goals but good progress on my digital art. I'm moving from lesson work into my own work. I'll see where I'm at once I don't have something to look at except my reference picture. I know I need to work on layering color and controlling the opacity but I'm happy. I can see myself illustrating and creating the comic strip. I just need a consistent work week. I don't see that happening until after we get moved into the new house.
Everything is progressing as well as I can expect. I'm anxious for the house to enter production stage. I'm putting this house on the market the end of the month. I've already sent an email to the realtor. I'll see her tomorrow evening.
Joshua has surgery tomorrow to replace his feeding tube. the kids are here helping me purge the house. I'll put them to work in Josh's room tomorrow. Hank will stay home and make sure they eat. I'll handle the surgery. Its outpatient and I don't expect any problems. He's done this before.
I keep checking in here hoping for a Roswell update. I'm hoping you did really good.
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Post by bill on Jul 10, 2019 0:48:50 GMT
You may not be writing but you're getting a lot done. Busy and exciting time for you! I hope you're able to get rid of as much stuff as you hope.
Roswell was a fun trip. It probably always will be with family there, even if I never make a huge profit. I did about the same as last year - didn't quite make back my entry fee (which is $250 for this event). But I sold several sets of books, had great exposure, and talked to many people who seemed interested in my website and purchasing online. Now we'll see if any of them follow through.
I drove back after the festival on Sunday and got in at 1:15 Monday morning. I had to be up for an 8:00 phone interview. Today was production today so it's been nonstop since I got home. I hope to catch up on some sleep tonight and really catch up on rest this weekend.
I'm down to one chapter to revise and I'll send out A World Amongst to my last beta reader. Then one more revision/cleaning up/editing and I'll start querying it. I plan to start that process by October.
I put together a spreadsheet and organized my goals like I had done previously. There's something energetic about having quick access to and viewing my goals. I have them by month and by week. I've been struggling for a while with excitement about my writing and I think this is a big key I was missing. I think it's something I need.
I plan to make notes from my beta reader on When the Time is Right. Until I get A World Amongst back, the mystery will be my focus. I need to add a character so it's going to take some strategy of how to do that while adding to the story instead of detracting. I also want to start querying it this fall so I need to make some progress.
Hope everything goes well with Josh tomorrow. I'll be praying!
Oh, and I need some bank statements. I would think the time is coming soon for the report to be submitted, no?
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Post by bill on Jul 15, 2019 2:31:12 GMT
A World Amongst - I sent it off today to my beta reader. Now I wait...
When the Time is Right - I went through my beta reader's notes. This week I hope to make a plan for adding a character and several scenes.
Blog Hop - I've been using previously written stories for the blog hops because all my story ideas are for books, or longer stories. This weekend I went back through Holly's How to write flash fiction that doesn't suck and came up with several ideas. I picked one and got a rough draft written. Next week I plan to polish it so it's ready to go. Plus I have a few more ideas for the next blog hop.
Goals - I made a spreadsheet a couple of weeks ago and it's really helped me get focused and energized.
Hope all is going well with the house cleaning!
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Post by bill on Jul 21, 2019 19:58:59 GMT
When the Time is Right - Not as much time here as I would have liked, but I did get some brainstorming done and have a few ideas to expand the story. This next week I want to make specific plans how to add Eden's grandma into the story and what scenes (and where) I want to write. Then in August I want to do all my revisions for the story.
Blog Hop - I finished my story and have ideas how to make it several stories, which I think I'll write one for each blog hop for a bit. Vanessa Wells on Holly's site has offered to make me a cover for them, so that's turned out to be a nice surprise.
Events - Next Saturday is Smithville Christian Family Day, the music festival I've attended the last three years. I don't sell a lot, but some, and it's free and I get to listen to lots of different types of music. Should be a fun day.
Sydney - Sydney has been applying at airlines for a flight attendant position and she was offered and accepted a job with Republic Airlines this week. She flies to Indianapolis Aug 18 for 24 days of training, then will be assigned a home base from there. She's hoping for Kansas City but there are 12 total locations she could end up. She's also fine with a new city, but I would like to have her close. It's been an emotional few days thinking of her leaving Halstead, even though I'm excited for her and proud of her.
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Post by bill on Aug 12, 2019 2:52:28 GMT
I didn't get much done at all this week. I attended a conference and it was Old Settler's Days in Halstead this week/weekend. Sydney leaves next Sunday so I don't expect to get a whole lot done this week.
The new zebulun contest is opening on Sep 1 so I'm going to try to get things in line for it while I wait on my beta read for A World Amongst. I tried to work on my mystery but I need to wait until things settle down.
I saw your post about Hank. I'm so sorry! I hope the next bit of news is good. Praying for you guys!
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