Stephanie Powers

Today was the first day in about two weeks that hasn't felt crazy and off kilter. I felt like I finally had time to get everything done I had to. It is very nice to not be feeling stressed. I went on a walk with Isaac and Chester (there was actual sunshine involved) and he talked non stop about video games - my participation wasn't required much. It is such a weird feeling as my kids transition to being fully their own person..the whole separation process as a kid goes from being practically an extra limb to being independent is pretty interesting. We also got rid of a lot of their old toddler toys today. We have a lot of cool puzzles and stuff that are now to babyish for them - even Elias has outgrown them, sniff, sniff.
I read something exciting - Stephanie Powers, author of the excellent book "A Problem From Hell" that takes a deep hard look at American association with twentieth century genocide, is a foreign policy advisor to Obama. It wasn't exactly an easy book to read, but she does a great job of presenting human rights in a very straight forward practical matter. I am a 100% behind a foreign policy where human rights is supported in a clear, practical manner and isn't dismissed as being about soft, bleeding heart liberals. I believe America would be a much stronger country and the world would be safer if international human rights were at the core of our foreign policy. Then again, I am a bleeding heart liberal.