Recently the Illinois Legislature amended a law permitting the observation of a moment of silence in the classroom "may observe" to "shall observe". Now, schools are required to have a moment of silence for prayer or personal reflection. Unsurprisingly someone has already filed suit on the basis that this law now violates the First Amendment.

Last I checked, the First Amendment says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." So, which part of this is being violated? I don't see any religion being established, I don't see anyone being prohibited from practicing their religion, in fact, it looks like quite the opposite to me. Is silence only to be found in religion? Is personal reflection? Does 30 seconds of quiet time in any of our lives constitute a negative thing? If you don't believe in God, you're more than welcome to think about something else during that time. And if, by some chance, you're part of the population of this country that believes that there is some sort of higher power in this universe, maybe the chance to take a break and think about that for a few seconds is okay.

Maybe, just maybe, there might be some benefit to slowing down, and thinking during the school day. God knows that happens far too infrequently.

Is a moment of silence specifically religious? And is acknowledging religion the same as condoning it?

So, I realize that I'm a cross between a pack-rat and a turtle. I not only have to hang on to more crap than is reasonable, but I have to carry large quantities of that crap with me at all times. So, Here's a complete inventory of everything I brought to work today, that I wasn't born with:

Boots, socks, pants, underwear, shirt, wedding ring, earring, pocket watch, silicone Aiden Thomas bracelet, cell phone, small notebook, pocket knife, pen, keychain with 7 keys, a bolt with nut and 2 washers, a small multi-tool, a flash drive, cigarette case (serving as a wallet), photo of Nicole and Aiden, Drivers License, Work access card, CTA Card, Debit Card, Credit Card, Library Card, Medical Insurance Card, Dental Insurance Card, Camera bag, Camera, lens, lens cap, memory card holder, 4 memory cards, camera strap, usb cable, hair tie, Backpack, mini sharpie, 2 flashlights, pen, Cubs "Believe" bracelet, LiveStrong bracelet, 2 United Way pins, Peace Sign Button, Nixon Now button, Cat collar, Toothpaste, deodorant, microSD adapter and case, cell phone headset, CD player, headphones, Metra Northwest Line schedule, notebook, sharpie, open enrollment paperwork, budget paperwork, GPS, WD-40 pen, Altoids tin, Pepto tablets, Dayquil, 6" C-Wrench, flower from Dad's wedding, Collapsable Guinness frisbee, 4 AA batteries, 13 CD's, 2 hardback books, 2 lbs. baby carrots, 2 frozen burritos, lunch bag, one item of mail to send, and 1 item of paperwork to fax.

Oh, and this isn't what I'd consider a day that I'm carrying that much stuff. I don't have the laptop, and it's not library day. So, what do you carry around with you?

Not the first one. Not that that was a good idea really. At least GWB told us what he was planning before he got us in a war. No, I'm talking about Hillary. I'm not going to argue a position based on her qualifications, her positions, her claiming to be a Cubs fan but running for office in New York (seriously, if you're going to be senator of somewhere you don't live, at least have some loyalty to your baseball team). My position is simply this. She's female.

Oh my god! He's a misogynist bastard!

No, I'm simply aware that the biggest international issues facing this country right now are primarily centered around parts of the world that haven't bothered to notice that the last few hundred years have happened. The ruling bodies of not only our "enemies" but our "allies" run countries where women aren't even allowed to drive. There is no way on earth that they're suddenly going to accept mandates from a woman, or from a country "so weak" that they "allow" a woman to rule them.

Yes, it's wrong, and it's stupid, and most of the world (I'd be willing to say most of the population of even the countries I'm referring to) would, at worst, not care, and at most applaud the change. We're not getting out of the Middle East before the next president takes office. They're going to be inheriting a mess, and an already-in-progress war. If the next president is female, she's going to have to be a war president.

Ignoring the reality of the response of the extremists to our actions is what's gotten us where we are now. We can't afford to continue to do so.

Whereas each year, approximately one million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn baby;

Whereas it is a great tragedy to lose the life of a child;

Whereas even the shortest lives are still valuable, and the grief of those who mourn the loss of these lives should not be trivialized;

Whereas during the past 3 years, Governors of all 50 States have signed proclamations designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day;

Whereas the legislatures of the States of Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and South Dakota have passed concurrent resolutions recognizing October 15th of each year as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day;

Whereas the observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day may provide validation to those who have suffered a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or other complications;

Whereas recognizing Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day would enable the people of the United States to consider how, as individuals and communities, they can meet the needs of bereaved mothers, fathers, and family members, and work to prevent the causes of these deaths; and

Whereas October 15th of each year is an appropriate day to observe National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate programs and activities.

Having lost two children, one on each side of birth, I feel that I have a responsibility to remind people just how frequently this occurs. And the grief does not diminish with time, it merely changes form. For those of you who have experienced this pain, I offer my tears. When I cry for Aiden, and our other child, my tears are also for everyone who is missing that part of their life. For those who have not, remember that if you know someon who has, silence doesn't make the pain go away. We need your support.