Definitions

Words mean things. Obviously this is true, but that fact seems to be lost these days. The whole gay marriage thing, for example; the word marriage means a specific thing; the union of a man and a woman. Activist judges and gay rights groups want to redefine it.

The word 'mom' has a specific meaning to me. My wife is about to be a mom. She is going to give birth to our child in February, God willing. Not that giving birth makes her a mom. I mean the coming years of raising and nurturing a child will make her a mom, as it will make me a father. Not just a sperm donor.

A little spat I saw on a blog seems to me to make it necessary to define the word. A woman has a family blog showing pictures of her two adopted children. One of the adoption reform/anti adoption crowd left a comment about the kids having two moms, and the mom responded, saying, no, they don't. The antis are in a minor tizzy over the comment. They seem to be in agreement that all adoptees have two moms.

No, they don't. I am not sure of the Wikipedia or Webster's definitions, and I really don't care; some definitions are pretty damn obvious. The instigator in this is claiming she was told she isn't a mother. No one said that. But she claimed the title of mom for the birthmother, and it just isn't so.

They have a biological mother, and a mom. Getting pregnant and carrying a kid to term do not earn you this title. Not killing the kid is appreciated by us pro lifers, and especially by us adoptees, but being a mom is more than letting biology happen. I understand how strong the connection is to a baby when a woman is pregnant, and we have covered ad infinitum how hard it is to give a child up for adoption. But you didn't nurse the kid. You haven't rocked it to sleep, or put on any bandaids and kissed the scars. You haven't helped with the homework, or hugged the grief of a dead pet away. You didn't change any diapers or give any baths. You didn't save any money for college. You did a courageous thing giving the child to someone who could give it a home, and that is honorable. It was probably the right thing. But you aren't a mom, at least not to that kid.

Go Vote (if you're not an idiot)

OK, we have been hearing about how critical this election is for months. And yes, it is important. We are at a crossroads.

What happens tomorrow will have consequences far beyond the day.

Higher Taxes (Family of 4, making $50k, will pay $2000 more a year in taxes.)

The Minimum Wage Increase (Which will price low capability workers right out of the market.)

The Judiciary (Go look up some 9th circuit rulings.)

Illegal Immigration (Who is more likely to stop it?)

The War.

Call it the war on terror, or The War Against Radical Islam, or The War In Iraq. Doesn't matter, whatever you call it, we have to finish it. Don't tell me we can't win it; all we have to do is decide to win it, and we will.

If we leave, before it is finished, the terrorists win. If we don't finish it, we reinforce the world's impression that we don't finish anything. Now, don't get me wrong, I could not care less what the world thinks of us; if they hate us, fine. But if they see us leave Iraq unfinished, and we flee back home, it means all that has be done to beat us is align with the opposition party, which is what our enemies have done. Before you tell me democrats aren't soft on Terrorism, tell me any terrorist who has a vote isn't hoping for a Democratic win tomorrow. Who is trying to give them rights? Democrats see this as a law and order issue. Conservatives see it as kill them, because they are trying to kill us.

So, if you are a single issue voter, and the right screwed you, get over it. I have tons of problems with the right, especially in the Senate. They want to get along, and protect their jobs, and send home the pork. But they do get it on the war, or at least they think it is in their interest to support it. Support them.

Orson Scott Card gets it

I have always counted Orson Scott Card's 'Ender' series as some of my favorite books. Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and several others. If you have not read them, go get them, if you like really good sci-fi.
His other writing is just as good - this article explains why he's voting the way he is. Go read it here. It is quite long, so take your attention span with you.