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If you are new here, I wanted to let you guys know, we take off any major bank holidays… The OG’s know how it works, but essentially because I record the day before, if a holiday falls on a certain day, that would effect the follow day’s episode. So that is why, with Easter on Sunday, we did not have a Monday episode! Just in case you’re ever looking for an episode from us and it’s not there 9x out of 10 that will be the reason behind it! As I do not have the ability to plan in advance with a news show, it’s really important for me to take breaks from time to time so that is why I make sure to take off bank holidays. Gives you guys predictability but also gives me breaks here and there! Thank you so much for your support and understanding!
This week is set to be a BIG week for the Oklahoma Senate Bill we have been following. As you guys know, it has passed Senate committee, Senate floor vote, and House committee… Now it *most likely* will head to House Floor today, tomorrow, Thursday… We are very nervous, but with the Senate vote being 45-0 and the House committee vote being 8-0, we feel good about where we are at. We would REALLY LOVE to have anyone and everyone present at the House vote – as many people as possible – to let our lawmakers know how much this bill means to everyone, and probably go celebrate afterward! If you are interested in joining us, please stay tuned on my personal social media, @itsanniebowles on Instagram, to find out the time and date asap. I hope you guys have enjoyed following along with this bill, and having a little deeper look at the process of how a piece of proposed legislation becomes law. Nothing would make me happier than to hear one of you guys wrote your own law one day because this process showed you how it’s NOT rocket science, as they so badly want you to believe, but rather part of our intrinsic right to self determination.
And speaking of our rights… You guys, I toured the newly opened Mercy Women’s Center on Friday… And giving birth in THIS type of state of the art facility should ALSO be a right for all life bearers. It’s the first facility I have toured that felt like it was designed BY women, FOR women. And it’s right here in Oklahoma! Here are some of the features that really stood out to me as a human who has given birth:
- Jacuzzi tub in every room
- Queen sized beds so the whole family can snuggle / bond
- Shower jets pointed right at your lower back (if you know, you know)
- ER specifically for pregnancy (extremely important in emergency scenarios)
- ROUND THE CLOCK LACTATION SPECIALISTS (I really could have used this! I tried scheduling with many different lactation specialists and could never get in front of one… It might have been helpful in diagnosing August’s Floppy Box syndrome earlier if we had been able to connect with one)
- Pelvic floor personal trainers on site
- Massage therapists on site for every one – even for basic appointments
- Amenities that I had to bring are complimentary (nature sound machines through TV, nipple creams, etc.)
- Respect for the moms who want a natural experience!
- Loss / bereavement taken VERY seriously with many specialized featured to support families experiencing a loss
THIS IS THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S HEALTH! And we have this state of the art facility, right here in Oklahoma thanks to Mercy! cannot wait to see how the expand to improve other areas of women’s health in the coming years… Thank you for making live bearers a priority, Mercy! We see you.
Now, this is the final thing I want to say before we jump into our episode. Over the weekend, I had an Op Ed published in The Oklahoman. It is on the subject of SB1470, so it was really important to me that you guys hear it. I went ahead and read this Op Ed in my own voice as a BONUS episode for you guys. So that should also be in your feed today. I would really appreciate if you guys would take a listen, because I think it underscores the need for this bill. Thank you guys in advance!
Mini stories:
- There is a heart pump on the market that has now been linked to 49 deaths, and the FDA is putting out warnings about this device called Impella pumps. They issued their HIGHEST level alert for this pump, seeing as they have been perforating through the walls of heart. The pump is used only temporarily during procedures, but like I said, they have now killed 49 people and injured dozens more, according to The Today Show. Just something to be aware of… If you or a loved one is having a heart procedure, maybe as your doctor whether or not they plan to use this pump and steer clear of it if you can… At least for the time being!
- Biden, Obama, and Clinton all show up together in a show of force
Three Presidents on one stage… Can you imagine the secret service chaos needed to coordinate THAT effort? Presidents Biden, Obama, and Clinton came together at Radio City Music Hall, projecting party unity, and raising $25 million for Biden’s re-election campaign.
The fundraiser was celebrity studded, with performances by the likes of lizzo, Lea Michele, Mindy Kaling, Stephen Colbert… Who joked that three Presidents had come to town, and QUOTE “not one of them is here to appear in court” END QUOTE, a dig at President Trump’s many legal issues.
Afterward, a more intimate group took to a private room with the President. 175 of Biden’s closest financial allies… to get into that inner circle, donors were expected to fundraise no less than $2.5 million… This event went down right at the TAIL END of the first quarter, which, according to the New York Times, is a key fundraising deadline. Sources have also told The New York Times that former President Obama has been on the phone regularly with President Biden, guiding his reelection campaign from the wings, and even hopping on Air Force One for a ride to the event.
Together, everyone made the case for Biden, emphasizing that they believe the fate of our Democracy is on the line, in potentially electing a man who denies election results, and who’s supporters took to the Capitol violently to try to keep him in power.
While the three Democrats were sharing a stage with Queen Latifah, just a ferry ride away, Trump was on Long Island holding a rally at the site where a police officer was killed. This obviously draws into stark contrast, the differences between the two platforms right now.
- New Florida law prevents kids under 14 from having a social media account
A bill was just signed into law in Florida (the SAME process we are following along with here in Oklahoma with SB1470, I might add). And it will have strong effects on minors under 14 years old as it bans social media for people under this age. Both Democrats AND Republicans came together to pass this bill, and it garnered overwhelming support.
According to the AP, original bill had stronger language… As we have talked about quite a bit with SB1470, language gets tested and kicked around quite a bit through this process, and for good reason. Everyone gets a chance to weigh in, but not everyone’s changes get made. It depends on so many factors. But in this instance, DeSantis thought the 16 cut off was too harsh, so he vetoed the bill. But when they came back with an age 14 cut off, he agreed, and signed the bill into law yesterday.
Florida is not the only state considering such legislation, either. In light of what we are learning about young minds, and the addictive nature of social media, these are prudent changes, designed to protect young minds. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of these sorts of changes made in the near future.
- Content warning: this story involves war
- Israel / Gaza updates
+Thousands protesting Netanyahu
Protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gathered speed as of late you guys… thousands took to the street to demand elections to try to replace Netanyahu as the leader of Israel. Many feel he does not represent the true will of the people in Israel, or what they want from this war or their future. Some of the protestors had signs that read QUOTE “immediate removal” END QUOTE, and QUOTE “those who destroyed can’t be the ones to fix” END QUOTE and QUOTE “hostage deal NOW” END QUOTE. We will definitely keep you guys posted on what happens with him.
+Hospital raids
Israel has spent the past two weeks, raiding hospitals where Hamas has been hiding out. Al Shifa, one of these hospitals, was raided before, but Hamas reportedly returned there to regroup and gather what was left of their plans and belongings, according to Israel. They have reported killing over 200 militants and detaining “hundreds more”, according to the AP. Palestinians have accused Israel of killing many civilians in the process of hunting down Hamas in these hospitals, but Israel claims no civilians were harmed in the raids. In fact, Israel claims to have evacuated 200 patients themselves, providing water and medical supplies. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in the raid.
+Facial recognition
According to anonymous sources from the Israeli military for The New York Times, facial recognition software is being used to locate and target Palestinians in Gaza. And this source is also backed up by accounts from Palestinians, including a poet, who have been picked out from crowds, using their full names, and they wondered how the Israeli military could have known their first, middle, and last names. Israel reportedly was initially using the technology to try to locate the hostages… But as we know, Israel is in hot pursuit of specific military leaders of Hamas… So they are almost certainly using this technology to pursue these individuals as well. Critics are obviously worried that this will lead to further dehumanization of the Palestinian people… But even the Israeli sources who were coming forward were saying that they are coming forward in the first place because they feel this is a waste of time and resources by Israeli leadership.
+Israel and US DID meet about Rafah
So this past Tuesday, Israel and the U.S. DID actually meet about Rafah, as was originally intended. I am sure it wasn’t the most warm and fuzzy of meetings, though, given the lead up to it with the U.S. abstaining for a vote at the UN, allowing for the resolution for a temporary ceasefire to pass. That said, for obvious reasons, we don’t know a ton about what was said in the meeting. These are high level classified subject matters… With literally millions of lives at stake. If you guys remember, the US has been saying that while security in Israel is a big priority, they do not see a way to logistically invade Rafah in pursuit of Hamas, without harming mass amounts of civilians… Which has been happening since the start of this war, but Rafah would be the deadliest part of the war, bar none, should Israel invade.
And that, is the News Du Jour!
Today, I wanted to leave you guys with the quote:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”