Anti-Spanking in California

As a political junkie, I've heard of my share of controversial, wacky and downright stupid bills in the California legislature. But this one, from California State Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D) of Mountain View, might actually cause hemorrhaging in my brain.

Her bill would make California the first state to explicitly ban spanking for children younger than 3. Lieber said her measure would make spanking a misdemeanor, subject to a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine. Thomas Nazario, a University of San Francisco Law School professor who has helped develop the bill, said the goal is to change behavior -- not incarcerate parents or remove children from homes. "My guess is that people would get a citation," Nazario said. "They might go to court and, as a result of that citation, have to take a parenting class."

She says, "there's no amount of physical force that's appropriate on a child 3 years old or younger." True or not, critics blasted Lieber's proposal last week as silly and excessive, or "nanny government" that would step on parents' toes and force judges to decide whether a swat was a spank, a nudge, a push or a "love tap."

As of right now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the measure.

I don't, by any means, condone abusive practices or spankings using excessive force, but I also respect each parents' right to discipline their child as they see fit and have the right to deliver a well mannered spanking when needed. Whether some parents' choose to use the time-out method, the psychological right-and-wrong talk, or the spanking method, it's their prerogative. We each have our own viewpoints on how to raise and discipline a child, but once you start trying to implement your viewpoints onto others or try to regulate other peoples' actions based on your opinion, is when you cross the line. As for me, I don't know how much you can reason and teach a 3-year-old about right and wrong with just a stern chat, since 3 year-olds barely understand the concept of even talking and listening in the first place. So when a well deserved spanking is administered, I believe it sends a more enforced message of boundaries and respect at a very early age.

And another thing, aren't there more important issues than policing parents' spanking practices in California that need our attention?

State of the Union address

Did anyone watch the State of the Union address last night? Anyone? Hello? Is this microphone even on? You in the back…? Crickets? Anyone?

Well, you didn't miss a whole lot. Bush took a defensive stance this time around, repeating all his usual talking points. But mainly he asked for people to give his new Iraq plan a chance, which, if public opinion is any indication, he will not get. A showdown has been brewing over this all last year, probably coming to a head this fall.

The only other thing he said that was of any interest was his energy proposal - using a variety of means to cut gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next decade. Seems decent enough, right? Gasoline consumption…a topic that was probably added in the address to keep political opponents on their toes. The environment, natural resources and dependency blah blah blah, always a topic to fall back on. Everybody cares about the environment, right? Even better, everyone cares about rising gas prices, right? Who would want to talk about all this war stuff? Let’s chat about our dependency on gasoline consumption and rising gas prices and fuel efficiency and…and…Anyway, Congress could probably use this as a basis for legislation, pass a few related measures, then just continue to amass evidence of climate change and global warming, let other enviro groups take the lead, and wait for a more eco-friendly president to try and pass sweeping reforms. Brilliant!

So all in all, it was an exciting night. *sigh*

Beckham, Baby

So have you heard the good news? David Beckham, the hottie with the naugthy body of the soccer world and European megastar, is coming to play for the United States!! Oh yeah, that’s the best news I’ve heard all week!! But man, Dave-‘ol-buddy, you are going to be disappointed with our apathetic soccer fans, horrible international standings within the soccer world, and a government that doesn’t give a damn about soccer. But jolly good job, mate, hopefully you can turn things around!

But really, can you believe this? What are the odds that David Beckham…DAVID BECKHAM…would wind up in L.A., playing with fellow hottie (but big douche bag) Landon Donovan? And that his big ass $250 million contract would already include endorsements? Slim to none, from what I thought. In any case, David, I look forward to meeting you, teaching you about our American customs, and screaming at you when you come to play. Beware of the major differences between here and Europe. You see, here we call "football" "soccer," David. And we call "American football" just "football." Still with me? And instead of saying "Becks" we say "David Beckham." Welcome to America! You've got a lot to learn, my friend.

Now that we will reside in the same country and in the same state, much less, I look forward to hearing from you.

Go Patriots

So the NFL playoffs are here. For as much as I love football, I am crushed (although not surprised) that my team (the San Francisco 49ers) did not make the playoffs. So in order to make the next few weeks bearable, I must find another team to bandwagon on. My team is, of course, the New England Patriots. Not because they have won three Super Bowl titles in the last five years or their namesake was a lightening rod during Sept. 11, but because their hottie of a quarterback is San Mateo County native Tom Brady. And I must reinterate, hottie. Oh yeah.

With that said, I can’t stand it when I tune into ESPN and hear commentators spouting…that the Patriots will win the Super Bowl, New England is the only team that deserves to even be in the Super Bowl, and blah blah blah. And I'm also tired of people saying "it may not be pretty, but you have to love the Patriots." Well....why? Why, exactly, do I have to love the Patriots? I'm not writing a research paper on football strategy. I'm just trying to be entertained for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. I want to say "whoa, what a play!" Not, "wow, this game plan is sublime." After all, what do I care? I work hard all week, and I like to be entertained over the weekend. Is that too much to ask? I can't just enjoy sports on TV, now I've got to "appreciate" it? In the words of Aristotle, screw that.

As Belichick and other high-horse coaches are so quick to point out, fans like me are stupid, and don't understand the extremely complex nuances of this game of football, which apparently is on par with quantum physics in degree of difficulty. So I'm going to root accordingly.

Go Patriots. Move that…what is it called now? Ball, down the field and…um…score. Right. I think I almost had it that time.

Bring on 2007

It’s a brand new year and I hate to start my blog off on a downer, but I just can’t help it. Ugh. After three solid days of snowboarding, four days of relaxation, and not enough time away from work, I am feeling rugged. I just want to say that I really do hate these post-holiday back-to-work days. We are back to the grind of the mindless commute, daily work strain, and a period with just not enough holidays.

But you know what I dislike most? It's not actually being back in the office or having to do work again or saying good-bye to another one of life's fleeting moments of carefree fun. What I dislike most are those perky people in the office who seem so happy to be back. What I want to know is, why are you so happy to be back, and how can I get you to leave me alone?

I know not everyone celebrates the holidays and/or hates holiday crowds but still. How can you be so happy your first day back? Didn't you enjoy the holidays? Aren't you a little sad to see them go? Aren't you going to miss - just a little - all the friends and family and fun you had over the holidays? Can't we please have a small adjustment period?

On behalf of all of us who actually enjoyed the holidays and our time away, I beg you to give me just a little ease-back-in time. I don't need a lot. Just a little. Tell you what, I’ll do work, I’ll even try to be happy about it. But please, stay out of my way and get your chipper ass out of my face. That's all I ask.

Thank you.