you could try to protect EVERY life, or you could try to ensure that every child born could be given the best chance of being born healthy and loved, but you couldn't do both.

That is a great summation of the issue. Will have to remember this.

It's interesting, though, that "punishment" = "having a child." I mean, is that *really* the message they want to send about their view of children? They don't want women to not have access to contraception because having a child is a beautiful glorious thing; "punishment" /= "beautiful glorious thing."

This. For all the "Children are sweet wonderful joys to raise" rhetoric, they sure do seem to want the slutty slut sluts to be "punished" with them.

She came away from the paper with a much more nuanced view

What, you mean formal education really is useful? Who'd a thunk?

What do men have to do with raising children?

They provide the sperm. Then they get a job so they can be the sole breadwinner in the family.

And, according to the tv, sleep with their secretaries. I have no idea why the secretaries have paying jobs instead of making babies and letting their husband make the monies.

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What, you mean formal education really is useful? Who'd a thunk?

At least in some cases. I've had other student who come to see me all upset because all their research points in one direction but they want to write a paper that argues for the other. I've even directly asked, so why do you want to argue for X when all your research proves Y? The answer is always some variation of "I just don't like Y." It can be hard to see one's own ideological barriers.

I have no idea why the secretaries have paying jobs

So the mens have someone to sleep with!

I have no idea why the secretaries have paying jobs instead of making babies and letting their husband make the monies.

Duh. That's where they get the husbands. Unless they're dangerous radicals who want to become junior copywriters instead.

So my appointment today went fine, and they didn't have to do a biopsy! Phew. They're putting me on a different antibiotic, and I have a followup appt next week to see how it's progressing. The doctor didn't seem too worried, but it was a nice moment of validation to hear him say, while examining my lymph nodes, things like "Wow, that's really swollen! You must be in a lot of pain." Which, yes, and that's no fun, but at least now I have confirmation that I'm not just making a big deal out of nothing. Here's hoping this round of antibiotics does the trick!

Eek, amyth! I hope you start feeling better soon! Though it's awesome to know that you have excellent neighbors who can take care of you if you need it.

Fortunately, secretaries and stewardesses don't become pregnant.

My worst ever paper fail was when the instructor thought I was arguing for X when I wrote the paper arguing Y. He just thought I made a really bad argument for X.

they didn't have to do a biopsy!

YAY!!