Strollerderby : support

Dudes for Palin: Vote for the Hot Chick!

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:30:00 GMT

It may not surprise you to learn that, according to the New York Times, “dudes” constitute Sarah Palin’s most vocal supporters. But it may disturb you to learn what these men have to say about her.

Although Palin was ostensibly chosen for her anticipated appeal to women, the former beauty contestant has (gasp!) won over far more men than women, with her initial approval ratings at 44 percent among men and 36 percent among women. (Those numbers have since dropped considerably, down to 31 percent among men.)

Even as many conservatives fault Palin for being, to put it nicely, not “serious” enough, Joe Sixpacks can’t get enough of her. One of Palin's female supporters acknowledged that Palin rallies are about “70-30, maybe 65-35, men to women.” Among the shout-outs that Palin routinely receives at her rallies are cries of, “You tell ‘em babe!” and “You rock me out, Sarah!” Some men sport “Proud to vote for a hot chick” buttons, while others carry “Dudes for Palin” signs.

Palin apparently loves the testosterone-charged rock concert atmosphere of her rallies. After entering a rally to the heading-banging tunes of AC/DC, she told the crowd, “That was kinda cool.” She has also introduced her husband as “Alaska’s First Dude.”

At least one Palin supporter interviewed by the Times admitted that he came to a Palin rally “just to look at her.” He wisely chose to remain anonymous. Let’s hope he realizes that, just as it’s embarrassing to admit to supporting a political candidate simply because of her appearance, actually voting an inexperienced, scandal-plagued woman into the White House simply because she’s “beautiful” at a time in which our country is engaged in two wars, is widely hated throughout the world, and is in the early stages of widespread economic collapse, would be an unforgivably inane decision.

Dudes, if you want to stare at hot chicks, watch Desperate Housewives.

Photo: New York Times

Palin: Women Who Don't Support Other Women Go to Hell

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:49:00 GMT

It's not a good sign when a potential president fouls up a famous quote, particularly when she's reading it off of a piece of paper and when she picked it up from a Starbucks cup earlier that morning. At a California rally yesterday, Sarah Palin told an enthusiastic crowd, "There's a place in Hell reserved for women who don't support other women."

She was misquoting Madeline Albright, who once said, "There's a place in Hell reserved for women who don't help other women." In this case, "help" and "support" may be polar opposites.

Palin goes on to wonder how "a comment like I just made, how it will be turned into whatever it will be turned into tomorrow in the newspaper." Well, I'm going to let you, the people, turn that comment into whatever you turn that comment into after you watch this video.

Photo: mlive.com

National Organization for Women President Endorses Palin

One More Reason To Be Jealous of California

Kelly Mills — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:02:00 GMT

I love my state. And really, aside from a few righteous a-holes in Orange County and the fact that both Madeline and Mike live here, what's not to love? We Californians enjoy awesome weather almost year-round; we are pretty dang diverse in many ways; the food in our urban centers rocks the party; and we have some of the most gorgeous scenery ever. Sometimes people from other places talk about us like we are the biggest fruit loops on the planet, and that's just fine by us, because it's just too pretty and laid-back here for us to really care. Oh, and now we have yet another thing going for us.

See, I don't know if you heard, but our state has had some kerfuffles over gay marriage lately, and the latest news, following the Supreme Court ruling, is that a majority of Californians now support gay marriage. Ha ha. We rock! Okay, so that's just the finding of one poll, and the margin is slim, but still, it's a start. Hey, I don't even believe rights and benefits should be tied to marriage and I'm excited, just because it says something about equality and discrimination. And really, what more perfect place for queer couples to tie the knot than a state where you can have a gorgeous outdoor wedding in November?

Gay marriage suddenly legal in California

Breaking up is hard(er) to do

Gay means happy when it comes to fatherhood

Padded Bras for Eight-Year-Olds

Kelly Mills — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:31:00 GMT

You remember Tesco: The people who brought you the pole dancing kit for kids (later pulled following protestations from many groups,) and the onesies for babies who need to be anxious about their weight. Now Tesco is getting flack for a new item: Padded bras for kids. The plunge cup bra is being sold next to undershirts for seven- and eight-year olds, and when they say "pre-teen" they apparently mean "pre-pre-teen". After all, bras for kids that young would have to be padded because the majority of those children don't even have boobs yet. Teachers and kids' rights groups are criticizing the bra, saying it's inappropriate and adds to the pressure girls have to be sexually alluring, even in childhood. Ya think?

And how does Tesco defend the controversial bra? A spokesperson says it's actually designed for "girls at that self-conscious age when they are just developing. It is designed to cover up, not flatter... It is described as a padded bra for trade description reasons." I'm guessing they mean the bra is supposed to keep budding girl breasts from showing--this is the best design they could come up with for that? Gawd, how depressing is it that we even have to discuss this. My favorite quote though is from the fashion guy who oposes the bra, and says, "The bra is modelled on a plunge style--it has a very low bridge connecting the cups. It means the shape and position is lower to expose the breast tissue." Expose the breast tissue? Uh huh. Remind me to throw all my demi-cup bras away immediately.

Anxiety Affects Breastfeeding. Duh.

Karen Murphy — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:33:00 GMT

How many different ways can that amorphous "they" tell us we're doing things wrong? What about in breastfeeding? Already hard enough to do "right", at least in those first crazy weeks/months (unless you are one of the blessed women who just take to such things naturally and easily, and part of me still wants to believe you exist), now we hear that one of the things we do "wrong" leads to further problems, a never-ending cycle of worry and anxiety.

That's right, if you're anxious about breastfeeding, it makes the whole thing harder. Like I say up top: duh.

Ummm...who isn't anxious about breastfeeding? Unless you're one of those magical people, I mean. But 28,000 Norwegian women were queried during pregnancy and post-partum, and it was found that the women who worried about breastfeeding (am I doing it right? Is the baby getting enough?) tended to breastfeed less than their less-anxious peers. Well, duh. If you second-guess yourself and have little support to tell you differently, you're going to turn more readily to other sources of nutrition for your baby. At least, that's how it worked for me.

And creating even more of a downward spiral, the more you worry about anything, like breastfeeding, the less milk you are likely to produce. Which makes you worry more. Which makes you produce less.

Solution?

A. Give up before you start.

B. Hire a wet nurse.

C. A hot manny will do it.

D. Move out of Norway; all that snow produces anxiety!

E. Become perfect. It's easy!

Photo: lifedynamix.com

Breastfeeding: How to Do It "Right"

Karen Murphy — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:06:00 GMT

Yesterday reminded me of just what online communities really can be. We were talking about breastfeeding and the trials and tribulations of trying to nurse successfully in early motherhood despite the judgment and misinformation that abounds regarding what's really "successful" in breastfeeding, when something magical happened. At least it did for me. I get kinda teary about these things.

Anyway, a bunch of women (though men were welcome too, but few have first-hand breastfeeding stories to share for some reason) came together and talked about their difficulties with breastfeeding in those early crazy weeks of newbornland. And I've got some great information to share with you as a result:

1. Cut yourself some slack. It may not be easy at first. It's not your fault despite what your lactation consultant/pediatrician/mom/friend/book says. It might take longer than you think to really get it going, but in most cases it really will work, and we're going to tell you how.

2. Get your pedi on board. If your pediatrician isn't really, really pro-breastfeeding, find another who is. It helps if you know this in advance, but sometimes it's hard to tell until it's crunch time. There are doctors who will support you in your choices and will help you find resources to make it work instead of advising you right away to supplement. And the right doctor will also tell you honestly when there's a real problem.

3. Get your partner on board. You may be breastfeeding non-stop for awhile. I'm serious. If there is a dehydration issue, a jaundice issue, a sleepy baby issue, a weak-suck issue, a low milk issue, or a just plain hungry baby issue, then you may be spending a few weeks JUST breastfeeding. It's hellish but it's temporary. But have someone else do the laundry and the cooking. Get a doula, a mom, a friend to help. Your job is to feed that baby. Yes, you'll feel like a lactation machine, but I promise that it's temporary.

4. Round up a support group. Find women, REAL women and not just lactivists (though I love them too!) who you can talk to and share/laugh/cry/commiserate. Even just one will help. Beyond that, there are some awesome online resources like Kellymom. And find some books that don't just tell you how "easy" and "natural" breastfeeding is. Because while it IS easy and natural, it often doesn't start out that way, and if you buy into that expectation you will only feel you're doing something wrong if it's not as easy as the books like you to think. Try "The Nursing Mother's Companion" and "The New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding".

5. Take a deep breath. It's going to be okay. Even if you decide to go with formula at some point. It really is okay and you haven't failed and your baby will be fine.

6. Love your baby. If it feels like work, if you're not having any fun, and if it comes between you and enjoying your baby, take a break. It really is just about your baby. And you. Give that precious baby a hug and give yourself one too. You deserve it.

7. Share the love. You'll have some wisdom to share with other mamas one day. Let others learn from your experiences. Blog it, talk it, share it. Keep the community going.

Weekly Check-Up: Your Boobs Need More Support

Kelly Mills — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:02:00 GMT

There can never, ever be too much boob news. In the "researchers prove something we already know" department, were you aware that your tits move when you run or do other bouncy exercise? Like, a vertical distance of up to 8 inches? That would be 8 inches of not feeling so happy. See, the connective tissues in our girls aren't that good at limiting movement, so boinging around can actually cause damage. And when you've been through pregnancy and breastfeeding and that connective tissue has already been stretched to certain limits (i.e. your boobs try and kiss your knees) then the need to minimize this damage feels paramount.

And it gets worse. When study participants went from walking to jogging, movement changed. "More than 50 percent of the total movement was in the up-down direction, 22 percent side-to-side and 27 percent in-and-out. The overall pattern of the movement resembled a figure-8." That's a nice thought, isn't it? And most bras are designed to limit up-and-down movement, so there's a range of motion that isn't covered. The end result is that running, jogging, and otherwise bouncing hurts some of us. A LOT.

Hopefully the nice folks at Adidas or NASA or something will work on getting us better support bras, but in the meantime, those with big (original issue) tats have told me the Last Resort bra works well. Another fit-chick told me she doubles up on the sports bras. Either way, we gotta strap em in good to go that extra mile.