Because we're expecting a child of our own, Fabulous Husband & I tend to pay a bit more attention these days to all-things-kid-related.  Recently, we overheard a radio show in which someone was discussing which shows she considered to be appropriate for her kids to watch. 

Somehow, in spite of the fact that we don't have kids, Fabulous Husband & I are somewhat aware of the cartoons that are currently out there, such as Dora the Explorer, Jimmy Neutron, Dexter's Lab, SpongeBob Squarepants, and Sagwa the Siamese Cat.   And here's the thing: frankly, none of these shows seem to be communicating a great message to kids about their future.

Do you really want your child to model their future on a Short Order Cook or an Explorer?  Sure, on the surface "Explorer" sounds kind of noble and exotic: "Our child? Oh, yes, he's  an EXPLORER. He's off EXPLORING the world."  But practically speaking?  Think about it: first, they'd have to afford a progressive university that allows students to pick an independent major. Then they'd have to piece together a curriculum that would give them the skills they would need to, um, explore the world.  Once they graduate, well, let's be honest. What's the job market like for Explorer? Hello, let's face it: they will be exploring their old room in your house for most of the rest of their twenties.
 
So here are some alternatives:

1. Dora the Lawyer.  Come on, that would still be fun.  She could explore women's rights, or become a board member of the Southern Poverty Law Fund.

2. Dr. SquarePants.  He can still live in a Pineapple and all of that.

3. Sagwa, UNHCR Mediator.  Mediating refugee issues on behalf of the UN is truly a golden, cross-cultural opportunity for a cat, and could make for endlessly zany plots.

4. Dexter's Alternative Natural Fuel Lab.  Not too many changes necessary here; just have him invent some stuff that's relative to the world as we know it.

That's all I've got today.

Hello all, and sorry for the disappearance. 

I've just finished learning that when you get a cold AND you're pregnant, the cold is twice as harsh, and recovery takes twice as long.  The doctor says it's due to immuno-suppression, which makes no sense to me.  Wouldn't you think that when your pregnant, your immune system is on Orange Alert?  It really doesn't make sense, and I think the doctor made it up.  In any case, the last week or so was pleasant.  Not.

I've lots to say (as usual), but I'm sneaking this entry in before we leave for the day for the in-laws in CT.

Contractors came.  House painted.  Wife happy.  Thanks to you all for commiserating.  I wish I were showing, because I am totally not beyond using pregnancy as a tool to get a contractor in the door faster.

I have to switch back to politics for a minute.

So all this talk about the election vote being "values-based", and some recent rumblings in my local blog-o-sphere has gotten me interested, again, in the topic of gay marriage. Because I just cannot conceive that the slight majority of Americans are so innately homophobic as to enact counter-civil rights legislation against homosexuals, I put on my Google Goggles and spent some time researching any legally legitimate concern that the other side might have against gay marriage.

I started to summarize my findings, but it turned out to be a super-long and super-boring entry.  It appears that the most "viable" argument against gay marriage is the "slippery slope" argument.

So here you go: the absolute best (if slanted, fine) summary of the gay marriage rights arguments and counter-arguments that I have found are listed here, in a Slate magazine article:  http://slate.msn.com/id/2100824/