Breaching The Web

I guess you really can get a free lunch. Or at least free security at your inaugural celebrations. Federal officials have told DC to use Homeland security funds to pay for costs associated with providing security at next week’s coronation inauguration. Past administrations have reimbursed the District for expenses related to inaugurals, and Congress gave both Boston and New York $50 million this past year to pay for expenses related to the conventions.

DC is already one of the most beleaguered cities in the nation, and it’s a major terrorist target to boot. Forcing it to squander Homeland security funds that are already earmarked for other things is petty, short-sighted and dangerous.

Achy head & sore throat. I gues it wasn’t a paint hangover. I don’t want to be sick!

A study being published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that the sexual behavior of women who have easy access to the Morning After Pill is no different from the sexual behavior of women who have restricted access to it.

One of the key arguments made by opponents to the Morning After Pill (marketed under the name Plan B), which prevents conception, is that it would encourage risky sexual behavior among women — in particular young women.

This new study included women 15 to 25. The women were randomly assigned to three groups: one that was given the drug to take home, one that could get it at a pharmacy, and one that could get it at a clinic. Ideally, I would like to have seen a fourth group, one that did not get the drug at all, but who were followed the same way the other women were — but the study did not include such a group.

There were two main findings in the study:

1. Women with the easiest access to the drug were no more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than those with the hardest access.

2. Women with the easiest access to the drug were more likely to use the drug than those with the hardest access.

My conclusions? The Morning After Pill would decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies (and associated abortions), and it would have little or no impact on the risky sexual behaviors of women. It has previously been proven safe.

Why hasn’t it been approved for sale over the counter? I’m outraged by the FDA’s politically motivated decisions about an issue like this, that is so central to the physical and mental health of women. The Bush administration’s war on women may not have the fancy color-coded warnings that the war on terror does, but it is no less a war.

I feel terrible today. I’m exhausted and the idea of food is revolting. Even after sleeping an extra 2 hours, I’m still really tired and achy. I may be coming down with something (my husband does have a cold), but I’m wondering if I’m perhaps hungover from the paint fumes? There was clearly something volatilizing out of that primer, and it may be getting to me. When I walk into the townhouse, I still get a whiff of it. Or maybe it’s just the post-holiday blues.

We spent the long New Year’s weekend painting the basement of our townhouse. We first had to prime three of the walls. We quickly learned that primer is very smelly — the room reeked of amonia and other chemicals. We had to take several breaks to escape the stench. Luckily, Saturday was a nice day, with temperatures in the 60s and lots of sun, so we could easily open up all the windows in the house without getting cold. After we finished the walls, we left to get something to eat and let the place air out.

After sufficient airing, we painted one wall a pretty blue called “bleached denim.” The color looks like its name, which is a bit unusual for paint colors. We painted the other three walls a light greyish taupe called “wheat bread” which Mr. pointed out looks just like Bailey’s Irish Cream.

It was a lot of work — the Bailey’s unexpectedly required two coats of paint, which meant a quick trip back to Home Depot. Also, since we did not paint the white ceiling, we had to be careful to not slip and get paint on it. However, the results are lovely. We have a bit of touch-up to do, and we have to paint the door frames still, but all-in-all I’m very pleased with how the basement is shaping up.

Does anyone still participate in flash mobs?