Senate Candidate Legally Changes Name to "Pro-Life"

This is ridiculous.

Via Daily Women’s Health Policy Report:

Idaho U.S. Senate Candidate Changes Name to Pro-Life

An Idaho candidate for the U.S. Senate has legally changed his name to Pro-Life, the AP/CBS News reports. The man attempted to appear on a 2006 ballot as Marvin Pro-Life Richardson when he unsuccessfully ran for governor, but the state’s policy prohibits slogans from appearing on the ballot. However, officials in the Idaho Office of the Secretary of State have said they have no choice but to allow Pro-Life to be on the 2008 ballot because it is now the candidate’s full legal name (AP/CBS News, 3/18).

Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa (R) at a state Senate committee hearing Monday advocated for legislation (S 1514) that would require candidates who change their name to a political slogan to have a parenthetical note after the name on the ballot that states "A person formerly known as ..." Ysursa noted that other states have sought to remove slogan-names from the ballot, adding that the Idaho Supreme Court has ruled that the "ballot is not to be used to try to express a particularized political message." Ysursa said including Pro-Life on the ballot could cause some voters to be confused and vote for both Pro-Life and the candidate of their choice. The measure passed the Senate by a 33-0 vote Tuesday and is headed to the House.

Pro-Life, who is running for the seat of retiring Sen. Larry Craig (R), said the qualifier measure is being pushed by Lt. Gov. Jim Risch (R), who also opposes abortion rights and is running for the seat. "It’s pretty stupid, really, to say that a voter doesn’t know what he’s doing," Pro-Life said. Risch said that he does not have "input on this matter" and is referring questions to the Legislature.

Thirteen candidates are running for the U.S. Senate seat -- eight Republicans, two Democrats, one Libertarian and two independents (Russell, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 3/25). Pro-Life has said he will run for the highest state office as an independent every two years and will advocate murder charges for physicians who perform abortion, as well as for women who undergo the procedure (AP/CBS News, 3/18).

Lovely Day

Sometimes you can just tell it’s going to be a good day. Sometimes the little things like walking up to the platform as the metro is arriving just set your day on the right track and you know it’s gonna be a lovely day. Today is one of those days. I have lots to smile about:

--one of my closest friends came to visit me over the weekend from San Francisco;
--the weather was absolutely gorgeous all weekend and there was no rain at Shamrock Fest;
--I got to enjoy Bloody Marys and Sunday brunch with good friends;
--my Aggies made it to the Big Dance;
--the Rockets continued their 22 game winning streak and advanced to first place in the Western Conference;
--it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I have an excuse to booze on a Monday (like I need one?); and
--I am having a pretty rockin’ hair day.

All in all life is good.

This weekend I had my first out of town guest: my friend Kinsey who recently moved to SF. She arrived Thursday night and I took her to the airport (and Dulles at that!) today at 5:30am. For those of you who know me well, it is amazing that I am in such a good mood after getting up so early, but I am!

It can really be nice when different spheres of your life collide. I am truly lucky to have such wonderful people in my life and even luckier that they all seem to get along. It was an amazing weekend and I think I can safely say a good time was had by all that joined us on our tour o’DC. To those of you that joined us for any or all of this weekend, thank you for showing my friend such a great time.

Now it’s time to get geared up for March Madness! Gig’em Aggies!

Stuff White People Like

Thanks to my friend Angie for passing along this hilarious blog: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

So what do white people like? According to this blog, so far 70 things including: difficult breakups, Mos Def, sushi, the movie Juno, recycling, living by the water, irony, Apple products, breakfast places, David Sedaris, wine, yoga, tea, Barack Obama, and film festivals. No argument from this white person on any of the above.

As someone commented: "this site is only funny to white people. White people love to think they are cute and funny in some way." Well, I think the blog is freakin' funny, and yes I love to think I am cute and funny in some way too.

Barack the Vote

So last night, I decided to not be lame and brave the ice to meet a friend for a networking happy hour. The event was nice, at a fairly new bar that I had been to before and liked, and I met some cool people. In the true spirit of networking, I ended up leaving and going with a friend of a friend to the Obama for America party to celebrate his sweeping victory in the Potomac Primary.

Even though Obama himself was not there (he was already in Wisconsin), Mayor Fenty spoke and it was a great and different event. In addition to basically being at a huge political pep rally and getting all caught up in the momentum and unity of this historic campaign (who could get tired of watching the "Yes we Can" video...not me!), my friend and I were on the news! It was just the local NBC newscast, but you could tell it was me. Not my typical Tuesday night, nor what I had planned when I set out for “just 1 drink”…I love this city!

Six-Word Memoirs

I am very intrigued by this new book: Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. While it does seem pretty daunting to sum up one’s life in six words, I am fascinated with this project, and want to try it myself. I guess I can blame the same part of me that enjoyed writing haiku as a child.

I really want to take a few minutes and craft one for my own life…although knowing me, I will not be able to settle on just one, and given that I’m still at the office, it will have to wait. You can submit your own six-word life story at http://www.sixwordmemoir.com/ and be considered for SMITH Mag's next book. If you are feeling so inspired, I would be interested to read your story as well!

View their trailer below showing some of the highlights from bestselling authors and ordinary people. I like these two: “Quietly cultivating my inner Linda Carter,” and “Brought it to a boil, often.”

Via AlterNet:

When Ernest Hemingway famously wrote, "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn," he proved that an entire story can be told using a half dozen words. When the online storytelling magazine SMITH asked readers to submit six-word memoirs, it proved that a whole, real life can be told this way too.

Six-Word Memoir book preview from SMITHmag on Vimeo.

Celebrating 35 years

After a fabulous weekend followed by a much-needed extra day to recover, my week has gotten off to a great start. As you can imagine, my work day was a little hectic since today was the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but it's days like today that remind me how lucky I am to have a job I love.

Here are a few highlights from Roe day 2008:

--As usual I stayed up too late, but once I got my ass out of bed, I was very pleased to see my boss quoted in a front-page story in the Post.

--Last week I worked with one of our members in Pennsylvania to write an op/ed and have it placed in their local paper. Not only was the member thrilled, but also the paper liked it and agreed to print it today as part of their Roe coverage.

--In addition to handling press calls, I was able to break up my day by accompanying my boss to FOX News to tape a segment for their evening news broadcast. Usually my boss goes on these calls alone so it was a really unexpected outing, but a lovely learning experience.

--I wrapped up my night catching up with friends and toasting each other and the day at a happy hour in Adams Morgan. Walking home, I couldn't help but be thankful for all the blessings in my life and the wonderful week ahead.

Don't drink and dial...or text...or email...

So tragic...so true.

I. FEEL. HER. PAIN.