| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Why I'm tired of the GOP
By Julie Marsh
There's no doubt (except perhaps among loyal listeners of Rush Limbaugh) that the Republican party is splintering. From the emergence of the Tea Party movement to the backlash against RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) to the political odd couple on the...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The rise of the "Birthers"
By Julie Marsh
I hadn't been paying much attention to the Birthers. Of course, I knew of the movement and its assertions, but I saw little coverage. It seemed that Camille Paglia was correct when she wrote last fall: "Thanks to their own blathering, fanatical overkill,...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Do you really know what the No Child Left Behind Act is all about?
By Julie Marsh
“I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way”
- “Greatest Love of All”, Whitney Houston, 1985
It’s easy for Whitney to sing about it. It’s even relatively easy for politicians...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Mortgage modifications still uncommon? Good.
By Julie Marsh
One of my greatest reservations when I voted for President Barack Obama was his plan for addressing foreclosures specifically, that bankruptcy courts could determine new home values for those in danger of foreclosure. From my October 7, 2008 column:
Case...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Friends and Politics
By Julie Marsh
In my writing, I'm quite open about exactly what I think. I endeavor to state my views respectfully and with a modicum of substantiation (I'm not the only person who thinks so, see?), but I don't shy away from sharing them even when I know I'll be in...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The defection of Arlen Specter.
By Julie Marsh
Senator Arlen Specter has left the Republican party and joined the Democrats. But don't be fooled - his defection is neither an endorsement of the Democratic platform nor a rejection of the GOP. It's a matter of political survival, which he stated quite...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Green Up Your Act on Earth Day
By Julie Marsh
Tomorrow is Earth Day. I'm aware of that fact primarily because my daughter came home from school last week and asked me if we were "green".
"Sort of," I replied.
It sounds like a wishy-washy answer, but it's true. Like turquoise...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Could Michelle Obama save the fashion industry?
By Julie Marsh
There’s an old song by Depeche Mode, "New Dress", with lyrics that go like this:
"Jet airliner shot from sky
Famine horror, millions die
Earthquake terror figures rise
Princess Di is wearing a new dress"
It's a jab at the...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
What the White House garden can teach the rest of us.
By Julie Marsh
Last summer, my husband spent countless hours in our backyard, putting down new weed control tarp, digging up aspen shoots, and planting a garden.
We don't have a particularly large backyard, but we had enough space to grow sugar snap peas, cilantro...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Was Lisa Pagan just trying to make a point?
By Julie Marsh
When I left active military duty, I fully intended to find a reserve position and continue my military career in conjunction with my private sector job.
Then I got pregnant. Two months later, the attacks of September 11 happened.
For both reasons, I...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Questions about the economic stimulus bill
By Julie Marsh
The economy took center stage in the weeks leading up to the presidential election, and not much has changed since then. It's still a hot topic on Capitol Hill, where - in spite of President Obama's inclusive approach to discussing the details of his...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act worth it?
By Julie Marsh
Imperfect or not, if you're a parent of young children and you spent even a few moments online in the last eighteen months, it's inevitable that you heard about the toy recalls.
From lead-based paint on toys made in China to beads coated with a chemical...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The Historic Inauguration of Barack Obama
By Julie Marsh
The inauguration of the 44th president of the United States is one week away. It's a momentous occasion that's all the more groundbreaking because Barack Obama, our President-Elect, is African-American.
For those who lived during times of segregation...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Did Gov. Rendell Insult Gov. Napolitano?
By Julie Marsh
When I was in the Air Force, I lived alone. I had a one bedroom apartment in a building that was about a football field's length away from the Pentagon South Parking lot. I also held demanding positions that required long hours. And I spent two nights...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
It's My Party, Too
By Julie Marsh
The recent elections - not only the Presidential election, but many state and local races as well - underscored just how much the Republican party has narrowed. Even the commentary leading up to the elections, particularly on conservative talk radio programs,...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Election Day!
By Julie Marsh
Today is Election Day, on which perhaps one of the most significant elections in many decades will be decided. Maybe we'll know who the next president will be before we go to bed, or maybe we'll have to wait until morning (or longer than that). Regardless,...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The silly season leads to lousy sportsmanship.
By Julie Marsh
As the negative campaigning reaches fever pitch, as much as I'd like to tune out of the ongoing political discussion, I can't. I'm still (yes, really) undecided as to where to cast my vote next Tuesday -- McCain, Obama, or Barr. It's possible, though...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Do Endorsements Matter?
By Julie Marsh
This past Sunday on Meet the Press, retired Army General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama. Reasons Powell cited for his endorsement included both positive views on Sens. Obama and Biden, and negative views on Sen....read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The case for Electoral College reform.
By Julie Marsh
When I learned about the Electoral College in the weeks leading up to the 1980 Presidential election, it was a nastier shock than when I found out that Santa Claus didn't exist.
The people don't elect the President? I asked my father incredulously. ...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Should you be responsible for your neighbor's mortgage?
By Julie Marsh
As bothered as I am by the socially conservative viewpoints of the Republican ticket, the economic policies of the Democratic ticket concern me greatly as well.
Case in point, a statement made by Sen. Biden in last Thursday night's vice-presidential...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
An Open Letter to Sarah Palin
By Julie Marsh
Dear Gov. Palin,
Yes, it's me again. I told you I'd be back in touch.
I read Kathleen Parker's piece at the National Review Online in which she admits that she was at first delighted by Sen. McCain's selection of you as his running mate. She's been...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who will find Osama bin Laden?
By Julie Marsh
On September 11, Salon.com published a piece by Philadelphia radio talk show host and columnist, Michael Smerconish, in which he described his continued frustration with the apparent abandonment of the mission to hunt down Osama bin Laden:
"We're...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who is Sarah Palin?
By Julie Marsh
Judging from the scarcity of information about Sarah Palin's political positions, it's not surprising that most voters don't have a clear picture of the recently announced GOP vice-presidential nominee.
Based on the information at On the Issues, culled...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
The ins and outs of sex offender notification.
By Julie Marsh
Are there any sex offenders living in your neighborhood?
Of course not, you think. Not in my neighborhood.
But how do you know? Have you checked your state's registry? Do you check it regularly? Or are you expecting to be notified by law enforcement...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Politcal
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
By Julie Marsh
I worked outside the home for more than ten years - three of those years with a child of my own at home (or, more accurately, in day care). I was an officer in the Air Force, and then I was an IT project manager in the private sector. My resume has length...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Barack Obama's "Fight the Smears" Campaign
By Julie Marsh
Barack Obama's campaign recently launched a new site called Fight the Smears, intended to debunk the rumors and mischaracterizations that are so easily spread via the Internet, and then given unwarranted credence through mainstream media inquiries.
I...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
What are your "carbon offsets"?
By Julie Marsh
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a conference call with Bill McKibben.
From the background information provided before the call:
Bill McKibben is one of the most vocal and visionary leaders in the climate movement. Now he and his crew...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Why Can't Obama Win Over Working-Class White Voters?
By Julie Marsh
Although it's been amplified recently by the coverage of Barack Obama's remarks in San Francisco (the so-called "Bitter-gate") and the statements of his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the issue of appealing to white working-class voters...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Having Their Cake and Eating It, Too
By Julie Marsh
An article in the May 2008 issue of Reason Magazine presents some surprising information about the financing of the Iraq War. In short, funding for operations in Iraq does not come from the annual defense budget. Instead, "a series of emergency supplemental...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: John McCain
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
John McCain
John McCain is the senior Senator...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
A look at Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary: Reflections by Women Writers, edited by Susan Morrison
By Julie Marsh
Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary: Reflections by Women Writers
Edited by Susan Morrison
Harper; $23.95
272 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-0061455933
I had high hopes for this book.
I looked forward to an analysis of the substantive aspects of Hillary Clinton's...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is the junior...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: John Edwards
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
John Edwards
John Edwards is a former Senator...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: Fred Thompson
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson is a former Senator...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: Bill Richardson
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
Bill Richardson
Bill Richardson is the current...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates: Ron Paul
By Julie Marsh
Who's Who Among Presidential Candidates is a series of distillations of individual candidates' views on 24 topics loosely grouped into four categories, as presented on non-partisan website On The Issues.
Ron Paul
US Congressman Ron Paul represents...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Can conservatives trust Mitt Romney?
By Julie Marsh
In a rare opportunity to watch Sunday morning news programs in their entirety -- I've got kids; even if Tim Russert's on, I'm usually interrupted a dozen times during his intro alone -- this past weekend, I listened to The Chris Matthews Show uninterrupted...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
A look at Bill O'Reilly's new book, Kids Are Americans Too
By Julie Marsh
"You, kid, are an American. You have an obligation to be a good citizen. That means that you should be honest and pay attention to what happens in the United States and in the rest of the world too."
- Bill O'Reilly, Kids Are Americans Too
Bill...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Children and online safety.
By Julie Marsh
With all the focus on the social networking site Facebook lately -- in terms of their deletion of breastfeeding photos, tacit approval of pro-ana groups (and other truly objectionable content), and their inaction regarding multiple instances of sexual...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Breastfeeding: Public Nourishment or Public Indecency?
By Julie Marsh
Breastfeeding promotion has increased significantly over the past decade. Starting with a CDC-administered Lactation Support Program initiated in 1996 to facilitate pumping and storage, the US Department of Health and Human Services then teamed up with...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
What's happening to the housing market?
By Julie Marsh
What's happening to the housing market?
An August 16 article in Forbes sums up the situation quite succinctly: The market's troubles began with rising defaults on subprime U.S. mortgages, home loans made to borrowers with questionable finances. Most...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Facing new political responsibilities as a parent.
By Julie Marsh
What do I know about politics? Certainly not as much as I used to, back in the days when I was free to watch “Meet The Press” on Sunday mornings. Now my girls clamor for cartoons instead. Perhaps if NBC were to animate Tim Russert...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Will Hillary Clinton inspire Republican voters?
By Julie Marsh
As the 2008 presidential race heats up, I'll start including columns that touch upon recent political developments and the resulting editorial commentaries found in the mainstream press.
This past weekend, an AP article was published concerning Democratic...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Tax information and strategies to help ease your family's financial burden.
By Julie Marsh
Taxation has long been a hot topic of debate in the United States. In fact, one of the most well-known demonstrations was held in opposition to taxes levied on our colonists – the Boston Tea Party.
People generally view taxation as a fait accompli...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Stem cell research -- what do you know about it?
By Julie Marsh
Stem cell research is perhaps second only to abortion as the most widely-discussed political topic pertaining to the sanctity of human life. While neither of these issues will likely be at the forefront of the 2008 presidential campaign, stem cell research...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Jerry Falwell may have died, but his fundamentalist political agenda will live on.
By Julie Marsh
Jerry Falwell may have died, but his fundamentalist political agenda will live on. Unfortunately.
I’m using the term fundamentalist as it was used in this recent USA Today article, in which Falwell was described as “a buoyant fundamentalist...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Flag burning: merely incendiary, or downright illegal?
By Julie Marsh
With Memorial Day a week ago Monday, Flag Day coming up a week from Thursday, and Independence Day next month, it's an appropriate time to talk about demonstrations involving the United States flag - most notably, flag burning in protest of US policies....read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
What do vaccinations have to do with politics?
By Julie Marsh
Recently, several bloggers at The Parent Bloggers Network reviewed the new book by Paul Offit, MD, Vaccinated: One Man's Quest to Defeat the World's Deadliest Diseases. Not only did the book chronicle the vaccine development efforts of Maurice Hilleman...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Politics along the racial divide.
By Julie Marsh
In college, I remember seeing African-American students wearing t-shirts and carrying tote bags emblazoned with the words "It's a Black Thang. You wouldn't understand." And I remember wondering, "Why are you so sure?"
Slavery was...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Thoughts on Elizabeth Edwards at BlogHer 2007
By Julie Marsh
Last year after the closing keynote address at the BlogHer conference -- at which Arianna Huffington was one of the speakers -- a close friend of mine asked if it bothered me to be politically distant from so many of my fellow conference attendees. I...read more |
