Hey y'all...sorry it's been so long.

Things have been pretty interesting for me lately.  I've started going to OA meetings, and I've begun to work the program.  So far, it's been over two weeks without sugar and caffeine.  I feel much better physically already, but I'm going through some SEVERE emotional withdrawals that are making me CRAZY.  But it's all part of the process, and I have some really wonderful people, some new, some old, who know the program and can really help me through it.  I'd love to find a sponsor, but one step at a time.

Anyway...in my current state of agida, I figured this opinion survey that Emily had on her site might be worthwhile to tackle.  So enjoy!
 

Abortion: In my opinion, bringing an unwanted child into the world is much worse than not bringing a child into the world at all.  It is also our right as women to decide what is going to happen to our unborn child, and it should not be left in the hands of politicians who will use it to further their own agendas.  Too many young women are still having to seek out back-alley abortions with coat hangers because the law states that their parents have to be informed about the impending abortion.  However, there are also too many irresponsible women out there who are using abortion as birth control.  My solution: use a condom or keep your legs together.

Death Penalty: I'm usually  Hammurabi kind of girl.  You know, an eye for an eye...let the punishment fit the crime.  I believe in castration for male sex offenders, for instance.  However, this is one area where I don't think the punishment should necessarily fit the crime.  If you kill somebody, if you take a life, I think you should spend some serious time in jail considering it.  Then, you should be required to fulfill a stint in Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Heal and support a life, as a way of making amends for taking one.

Prostitution: If people want to have sex for money, let 'em.  It's their own lives their ruining.

Alcohol: I think our current alcohol laws are doing a pretty decent job.  People need to take responsibility for their actions and show some self control...unless they are alcoholics, in which case they should be in therapy and AA.

Marijuana: Legalize it.  Tax the shit out of it, but legalize it.  Regulate it, and make stricter safe driving laws, but legalize it.  It's much less harmful than alcohol.

Other drugs: There are some drugs that are really very harmful and damaging, and can cause good people to do bad things.  I support regulating and removing them.  However, mandatory minimums are clogging our jails.  Let's get people who are involved with illegal drugs into counseling and vocational programs where they can have productive and normal lives.

Gay marriage: It says in our Constitution: ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.  'Nuff said.

Smoking: My mother smoked for over 20 years.  It is horribly damaging to the body.  But it is incredibly addictive.  I say make it harder for people to smoke.  Have fewer and fewer indoor places where they can.  Tax cigarettes through the roof.  The harder it is, the fewer people will do it.

Drunk driving: I think our current drunk driving laws are pretty good.  If you drive druink, not only could you kill yourself and others on the road, you also risk getting in BIG trouble with the law.  Think before you drink.

Cloning:  I think cloning is an interesting proposition.  However, I do agree with Emily that there are more pressing matters.  What about finding a way for a woman with no eggs to have a child that is biologically linked to her?

Racism:  Racism goes hand in hand with stupidity and anger... a dangerous combination.  We are all God's children.

Downloading music: Yes, definitely, pay for the music you download.  The artists who create it need to eat.

The opinions expressed here are soley those of Maddy Scotto.  I certainly did not mean to offend anyone, but frankly, if you don't like what I have to say, you don't have to read it.  Thanks for listening! :)