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May 25, 2005
Connections
Joplin, MO is about as conservative as you’d expect the Midwest to be. Four out of five cars have one (or more) of those magnetic ribbon decals proclaiming the driver’s support of our troops or asking God to bless America. When Nate and I came in December to find a place to live an alarming number of houses still had pre-election signage in their yards, perhaps a tribute to their leader’s victory. Not everyone here is a crazy NRA proponent, just as everyone in California isn’t a tree hugging hippy or part of movie industry. The overall tone in Joplin, however, does wax conservative more often than not. Welcome to the Bible Belt, right?
One of the funnier instances of the town’s traditionalist morality is a group of advertisements by a group called the Connection Institute. We first saw them at the movie theatre (part of the annoying pre-preview ‘entertainment’), then on posters at the mall, and now on billboards across town. The ads are poorly designed and all very similar to each other— pictures of 1950’s era teenagers looking wholesome (not unlike the picture above), headlined by a ridiculous statistic and the institute’s website. It’s the outlandish nature of the statistics that drove me to look into this Connection Institute and see what they’re all about.
First of all, entering “connection institute” in Google turned up a lot of non-related hits. So I googled “connection institute Joplin” and got a local listing. The Connection Institute is a division of an organization called Life Choices, a pro-life counseling and medical center whose mission is to “help women make healthy choices.” Organizations like Life Choices exist nationwide; they typically offer free pregnancy tests and if the test is positive it comes with lots of anti-abortion counseling. Think of it as the Religious Right’s answer to Planned Parenthood, except that at Planned Parenthood women and men can get a lot more than a pregnancy test (like gynecological exams, STD screening and treatment, free contraception and much more). Planned Parenthood also provides referrals for abortion services, and some locations perform abortions on site. For the record, Joplin does have a Planned Parenthood. It’s just not as well funded or active as Life Choices.
Besides putting up billboards, the Connection Institute hosts school seminars (both at the junior and high school levels). The title of the program is “Virtuous Reality.” One of their primary tactics is to show graphic slides related to sexually transmitted diseases, explain to the students that condoms don’t protect from STDs, and that the only safe sex is that which takes place in a monogamous marriage. There are some student quotes on the Connection Institute’s website that show the program to be pretty affecting, for example: “Risky sexual behavior is acting in any sexual activity with someone that is not your husband or wife. Our presenter seemed very caring… He was very motivated and wanted us to be informed. After seeing the STD slides and videos, and learning more about them, I know that I will wait for my significant other and we are married. I don’t want anything that will harm me or my future family.”
If the statistics students learn in the Virtuous Reality program are as screwy as those on Connection Institute’s advertisements then there is some serious misinformation happening. Let’s take a look:
The following statistics are from the Connection Institute’s website where each stat is listed with a link for its source, which is where I’ve gone for my information unless otherwise noted.
92% of teens believe abstinence is the best choice for themselves and their peers.
This comes from a 2003 report by the National Campaign to End Teen Pregnancy, a non-partisan organization. The report actually says that 59 percent of teens think abstinence is the best choice. The 92 percent comes from the number of teens who think that society should send a stronger abstinence message. This is in the same paragraph that shows the majority of teens (60 percent) would like more information about contraception AND abstinence.
92% of teens think that being a virgin is a good thing.
The link to this report, from the Kaiser Family Foundation, didn’t work so I went to the KFF website and did a search. I found a more recent one that shows the same results. Nice work, Connections Institute! But wait, there must be more…The KFF report goes on to say that 29 percent of teens feel pressure to have sex. And the report referenced by the first stat says that 26 percent of teens (and 33 percent of teenage boys) think that it’s embarrassing to admit to being a virgin. Also on the KFF website is a report titled “National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health, Attitudes, and Experiences,” 2003. This report says that the pressure to have sex in high school is second only to drinking, the “majority saying that while putting off sex may be a ‘nice idea nobody really does.’” So it would seem that virginity isn’t quite the rage a whopping 92 percentage would lead you to believe.
86% of teens respect their parents above anyone else.
This is from an online article about marketing strategies for today’s teens as opposed to the Generation X and Yers. Here’s a direct quote: “Today’s kids are more apt to trust parents (86 percent), teachers (86 percent) and the police (83 percent) than music celebrities (35 percent) and athletes (30 percent) (Applied Research & Consulting LLC).” Where does the ‘parents above anyone else’ come from? Especially considering teachers have the same trustworthiness percentage.
77% of teens believe a good marriage and family life is extremely important.
From the Rutgers National Marriage Project article, “Changes in Teen Attitudes Toward Marriage, Cohabitation and Children: 1975-1995.” While 78 percent of teen surveyed say marriage is extremely important (if you add those who thought it “quite” important you get 92 percent), only 61 percent actually believe their marriage will last their lifetime. And, as an added bonus- 60 percent think it’s a good idea for people to live together before they get married. That’s not very Christian of them.
73% of teens don’t use cigarettes.
This one’s accurate, from the CDC. An interesting side note: 58 percent have tried cigarettes.
56% of teens don’t use alcohol.
Another accurate use of CDC statistics. Interesting that so far the only true and fairly reported stats don’t directly relate to teens having sex. In case you were wondering here are a few more stats: 75 percent of teens have tried alcohol, 40 percent who’ve tried pot, 9 percent have tried cocaine, 12 percent have tried inhalants, 6 percent have tried steroids, and 8 percent have tried meth.
86% of teens are involved in volunteer work.
This one is so lame I’d like to know how they use it despite those pesky Christian consciences. The statistic is quoted from that same marketing article, and comes from a survey that UCLA took in 2001 of incoming freshmen. SO just to clarify: 86 percent of freshmen entering UCLA in 2001 had volunteered (probably just so they could put it on their college applications), not 86 percent of all teens.
72% of teens are confident in the future of their generation.
This comes from a survey taken of 655 eleventh graders in Fairfax County, Virginia in 2000. Need I say more? I’m actually relieved to have cleared this up because I was really wondering about the 14 percent of teens who participate in volunteer work but don’t feel good about the future of their generation.
67% of teens will graduate from high school.
This is accurately reported from the United Healthcare website, which uses statistical information from the National Center for Education. Am I the only person who thinks this is low? Also worth noting is that the percentage is down from 1998, when it was 71 percent (Manhattan Institute).
64% of teens who graduate will enroll in college.
This comes from a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and I had a hell of a time finding anything else on the matter- so the jury’s still out on this one.
One statistic that I think is relevant to this discussion (and one not brought up by the Connection Institute) is that 47 percent of teens have had sex, and by the time they reach their senior year that goes up to 49 percent (CDC). It looks like about half (45 percent) of the students who think virginity is the best choice for them and their peers aren’t actually virgins. This is why I think the Connection Institute’s aggressive abstinence only tactics are potentially dangerous. Scare tactics (graphic STD images), misleading information (condoms won’t prevent STDs), and religiously based propaganda (the only safe sex is between a married man and woman) might keep some teens from having sex. It might even get a few who are already doing it to stop. But what about the rest? Is someone who’s already sexually active going to feel more or less comfortable talking to her or his partner about condoms after sitting through a Virtuous Reality seminar? Especially considering the use of condoms has just been trivialized as ineffective against disease prevention. Now would be a good time to mention that 50 percent of newly reported cases of HIV in the US are from people under the age of 25 (CDC). Condoms, while not 100 percent effective, greatly reduce the likelihood of transmission of STDs, including HIV (CDC).
Christian groups like Life Choices and its spawn, Connections Institute are trying to save America’s youth by keeping them from having sex out of wedlock. I can almost understand where they’re coming from- teenage pregnancy and STDs are serious issues- until I remember that denying teenagers the information they need to make healthy, responsible choices is only going to keep them from being healthy and responsible.
Posted by April at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2005
Dare to Keep Your Veggies Off Drugs
A few days ago I began my new job as a plant watering maven at Lowes. In addition to sunburn, freaky tan lines, and dirt that will never come out from beneath my fingernails, I’ve acquired a new appreciation for organically grown, non GMO food.
I was watering the vegetable section and couldn’t help but compare my tomato plants (the left-hand photo above) with the ones available at Lowes (which are represented by the slightly exaggerated photo on the right). Then it occurred to me that every vegetable or herb for sale at Lowes, provided by Bonnie Plant Farms, comes with a tag advertising Miracle-Gro, Osmocote, or products manufactured by Bayer. That’s right—Bayer, the aspirin people. It’s no wonder that these-over fertilized, and (probably) genetically engineered plants are doing “better” than my own. It’s like the corporate plants are on steroids—and I’m not the first person to make this comparison:
“When pesticide-based agriculture was first developed, they hybridized what they called the Green Revolution. It seemed like a miracle, because we were suddenly doubling the crop yield. It’s actually similar to injecting some amphetamine into a human being. They are going to suddenly feel a tremendous rush of energy. If they don’t have some sanity and common sense they may think, “Oh this is incredible! I’ll just plug into the energy of the universe.” But a drug induced addiction is not stable and it’s not sustainable, and it’s not healthy. In agriculture we have become addicted to chemicals in the form of chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides.” John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America, as quoted on Marion Owen’s website, Plantea.com.
I poked around a bit online and found out that while Miracle-Gro, like many other synthetic fertilizers, may increase crop yields it actually diminishes food’s nutritional value and causes long-term soil damage. (You can get more detailed info on that here.)
I don’t want to go into a litany about the benefits of organic gardening, as there are so many sources already available that are more informed on the subject than me. The same goes for GMOs—genetically modified organisms. I will go over a couple basics: genetically engineered (GE) foods threaten biodiversity; they generally require greater use of pesticides- a terrible environmental and health hazard; once GE crops spread there is no containing or controlling them.
So- while my plants don’t appear as mighty as those available at Lowes, I can be confident that they’re better for me, and even better still, better for the earth.
Resources:
Victory Seeds. A small farm in Oregon that produces heirloom seeds the old fashioned way. Their website is full of wonderful gardening and activism resources. All the seeds I purchased this season from Victory Seeds are doing very well and I highly recommend them.
Organic Consumers Association. A website devoted to informing consumers who care about issues surrounding organic and GMO/GE food production. They have lots of news on the subject as well as ways you can help, including signing this petition.
Posted by April at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2005
Garden Update- I Have Pictures!!!
Here are some from the front yard:
This is the planter to the left of our front door. There are many more roses now.
This is the other planter. Behind the spiky bush are lots of wildflower sprouts.
Canna Lillies. They were already here when we moved in. I hope they grow really tall to improve the way the house looks from the street.
and now for some views of the back...
Raised veggie bed #1 The raised beds now have marigolds planted along the borders...I’ll tell you later. The lone plant not in a mini greenhouse is Nate’s cherry tomato.
The herb garden.
Geraniums. I got them at the local farmers market.
Sweet peas.
Trellis for the sweet peas. They’re taking their time growing up it. I will post more pictures as they do.
Posted by April at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2005
Wishing and Hoping
At Lowes the other day I heard one of my coworkers refer to “dandy-lions.” He wasn’t being cute, it’s just how he pronounces dandelion. I know I’m in the Midwest now, but this still really bothered me.
The conversation I overheard was pertaining to “dandylions” as lwan weeds that must be controlled. I might be a freak in this respect, but I kind of like dandelions. I like the bright yellow blossoms and have always enjoyed the fluffy white seed heads. I don’t mind them in my lawn, and particularly like the tradition of making a wish before blowing all the seeds from the stem.
As a kid I would use every dandelion as an opportunity to wish for a trip to Disneyland. Years later I got a job at the Magic Kingdom and spent at least one day there for each of those wishes.
The moral to the story? Dreams do come true, be careful what you wish for, and think twice before spraying herbicides on your lawn—whether you like dandelions or not.
Also- on the subject of wishing,
This is my Amazon Wish List.
Posted by April at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)
Alfred Hitchcock
Over the last year or so I’ve been trying to watch every Alfred Hitchcock film, getting only as far as the selection at my local video store will allow. Crown Video in Joplin has a decent classic section, within which is a good Hitchcock selection. Over the course of my journey through Alfred Hitchcock’s extensive catalogue I’ve discovered that while his reputation as a brilliant filmmaker is certainly deserved, some of his movies are less than brilliant.
The two that come immediately to mind (because they’re the two I’ve seen most recently, not necessarily because they’re the worst) are “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956) and “Torn Curtain” (1966). “The Man Who Knew Too Much” is a remake of a film by the same name, also directed by Hitchcock, which I haven’t seen.
The version I’m referring to stars James Stewart and Doris Day as loving parents whose vacation turns into a nightmare involving kidnapping, blackmail and espionage. I don’t take issue with the plot, characters, or the film as a whole. While it isn’t an edge-of-your-seater, like some of Hitchcock’s other films, there are some great moments. It’s Hitchcock’s treatment of the main characters, or rather the casting of those characters, that bothered me.
One of my favorite things about Alfred Hitchcock has been his ability to darken the otherwise wholesome filmography of James Stewart. Compare, for example, Stewart’s roles in “Rear Window” and “Vertigo” to “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Philadelphia Story.” I was hoping when I rented “The Man Who Knew Too Much” that Hitchcock would do the same for Doris Day. Unfortunately, she’s as sweet as ever (and gets to sing!) and Mr. Stewart is good ol’ Jimmy once again. I’ve heard that the original “Man Who Knew Too Much” is a better film, more noir. I think it’s the film noir factor that primarily leaves this movie wanting.
The other Hitchcock movie, “Torn Curtain,” is even more disappointing. It stars Julie Andrews and Paul Newman, two actors I normally love to watch. Especially Paul Newman. I get breathless when I just think of him in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or “The Long Hot Summer.” Unfortunately Mr. Newman’s performance as a physicist in “Torn Curtain” never gets past tepid. Much of this is due to the fact that there is simply no chemistry between he and Julie Andrews, whose characters are engaged. Maybe it’s because her haircut makes her look thirty years older than him.
“Torn Curtain” is slow-paced and failed to engage Nate and I to the point of putting him to sleep. He wasn’t too tired to watch three hours of VH-1 later that night, though—the movie was just that boring. On the second night we tried to finish watching and was more interested in playing with the cats and Nate had to tell me how it ended.
So, if you’re a true fan of Alfred Hitchock, James Stewart, Doris Day, Paul Newman, or Julie Andrews you might want to watch “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and “Torn Curtain” for thoroughness’ sake, which reminds me of something. I have a friend who began getting every single Bob Dylan album ever released, in chronological order. Then he got to Bob’s shitty Christian music phase during the 80’s and was forced to re-think his earlier commitment. He would never listen to these albums, and it was likely that their presence on his shelf, alongside masterpieces like Highway 61 Revisited would begin to tarnish the glory of said masterpieces. My friend wisely stopped buying records just because they had Bob Dylan’s name on them and began purchasing those that captured Bob’s and not God’s spirit. After seeing these two Hitchcock films I’m also rethinking my earlier objective to see all of his work. I’d rather stick with the great ones and have a better opinion of him as a whole in the end.
Posted by April at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2005
I like this image...
But I can’t figure out how to put it in my main title. In fact I haven’t figured out much at all. Except that the CSS For Dummies book I wanted sucks. I was about to order it but decided to read some customer reviews beforehand, and boy am I glad I did! The kindest reviewers said it was at times confusing, the harshest reviewers questioned the publisher’s sanity for ever printing it at all.
Posted by April at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
Garden To Date
The garden is finally on its way, though there is still a lot to do. At least the beds are built and the first round of veggies has been planted. We have two kinds of tomatoes- Pink Brandywine and Green Zebra, jalapenos, and lettuce (so far only the head lettuce is in, the spring mix will be soon). I just remembered that we have a third kind of tomato- a cherry tomato. Nate neglected to tell me when we were ordering seeds that he only like cherry tomatoes. So I got a starter plant, which is why I don’t really consider it the same was as those I started from seed.
We also have herbs: chives, parsley, tarragon, thyme, oregano, and sage. I only started the chives and parsley from seed, the rest of the herb garden is from starters. I don’t seem to have much luck getting herbs to grow from seed, as evidenced by the condition my parsley is currently in.
Not much in the flower department, which is a shame because those are always the most rewarding things to grow for me. The sweet peas are off to a good start and we bought marigolds to plant in the holes in our cinder-block vegetable beds. This weekend Nate will be creating one last bed for flowers and I have one of those wildflower mixes slated for the location, but I think it might be too late in the season to be planting seeds. And I’d rather have more control over what to plant.
Sorry there are no pictures yet—I took some yesterday but have to wait to get them on the computer.
Posted by April at 11:29 AM | Comments (2)