If the man never lays a hand on the woman except for a reaction to being struck is he an abuser?

The DH's ex has severe bi-polar disorder, and would not take her meds. When she was in a manic state, she would hit him and scratch him, hit him with books, etc. He didn't respond. Her doctor told her he HAD TO get physical with her to set boundaries for her. So ha had to push her or grab her wrists or slap her if the behavior was getting dangerous. He says it was a horrible situation and he only did it once. he still syas it was the worst moment of his life and he felt so bad he refused to do it again.

She left him a few years later and eventually was hospitalized. Since then, she takes her meds and is regulated and has a much happier life.

The government of Illinois, an an obvious attempt to distract America from Blagojevich’s hair, has declared that Pluto is a planet. ...

WHEREAS, Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of the planet Pluto, was born on a farm near the Illinois community of Streator

I understand that New Mexico has done something similar because Tombaugh was working there when he discovered Pluto.

ETA -- I mean New Mexico was declaring that Pluto is a planet. I don't think their legislature cares about our governor's hair. (Although it is a wonder.)

Epic, I hope your mother recovers as quickly and easily as possible.

Since we have politicians deciding what a planet is, I think next the major world religions should get involved. Like the Pope could say, "Pluto's a planet! If you don't think so, you're going to hell!"

Well, there's some precedent for that. The Catholic Church caused all sorts of trouble for Galileo.

Considering the Church only apologized 17 years ago for branding Galileo a heretic over that whole earth-revolving-around-the-sun thing, it's not exactly the institution I'd look to for breaking astronomical news.

I love my First Lady!

According to the pool reporter for the event:

The First Lady’s office arranged a White House-wide food drive that yielded almost eight cases of fresh fruit, delivered Wednesday evening, which should be enough to provide fruit for almost two weeks of meals, according to executive director Scott Schenkelberg, who introduced Mrs. Obama.

I've always wondered if his name were pronounced Tom-baw or Tom-boy.

Closer to Tom-baw. It's almost Tom-bo. Last syllable very short. NM is particular about him because he pretty much is the freaking founder of NMSU's astronomy department and was a major force in astronomy in the state.

He didn't move to NM until after the Pluto discovery, which was at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ.

Um, yeah. I'd say he's feeling better today.

(Currently home "sick" with a contagious-but-rambunctious little boy.)

Holy crap, Jess, he's going to outgrow that crib soon.