Another October is almost upon us, which means it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thousands across the country will participate in local Race For The Cure events and the very recognizable Pink Ribbons will be seen on merchandise ranging from a pin to shirts to shoes to makeup to iPod Shuffles.

But before you buy that stuffed animal with a pink ribbon attached, stop to think. How much money is actually going to be donated from each sale? Or has the company reached their maximum pledged donation, thus only making a profit from each unit sold? No matter how philanthropic a company claims to be, they are still a company in business to make money.

Let’s look at an example. The pink iPod Shuffle offered by Target sells for $79, yet they will only donate “up to $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation”. That equates to 314 units, if they gave all of the $79. Anything over that amount sold, they keep. As much as they give to charities, why cap the amount? Why not say $5 of each unit sold instead?

Well, even if they just say “a portion of the proceeds” will go to the stated charity, it makes the company look like they care, and gives the consumer something to feel good about.

Just like buying something with a pink ribbon, participating in the Race For The Cure isn’t as good as donating to a charity directly. Not much of the entry fee will end up going toward the actually fight against cancer after you factor in marketing and administrative costs.

There are many things to consider when you’re going to do something pink in October. Before you plop down your money, Think Before You Pink and ask critical questions. You may do better finding a place that is in greater need for your money.

There have been many news stories blog worthy, like Congress spending time overwhelmingly approving a condemnation against MoveOn for an add, but other places covered it much better. This morning when I checked my email, I found something that just really pissed me off.

Those who get the Planned Parenthood emails know that they have had a lot of protestors and people wanting to block the opening of their newest clinic in Aurora, Illinois. It appears yesterday that anti-choicers were successful in getting a federal judge to delay the opening. Was it because the building was unsafe? Or their doctors didn’t have licenses? Oh no, nothing like that. Anti-choicers claim the reason was they lied when they acquired the building permits, hiding the fact they were building a Planned Parenthood in the nice, suburban area.

Gee, I wonder why? Couldn’t be because of the around-the-clock protesters. They wouldn’t have tried to stop them building it and harassed the workers, now would they?

Besides the usual anger that comes up when I hear stories like this, related to the general “Hands off my body! It’s my choice!” stuff, this time I have something else to be pissed about.

For one, this story is being ignored by most of the MSM. I only heard about it because I get emails from Planned Parenthood’s action items. The decision yesterday may change that though, as I do see more news hits now that it’s later in the morning. But if you do read the stories out there, the focus is on this being an “abortion clinic”. Not a women’s health clinic. The wording is definitely on purpose, making the image of pregnant girls streaming in and aborting babies all day, all willy-nilly! They won’t use the multi-million large facility to do pap smears, offer contraception and other needs for general women’s health to women of any income level. Nope, just a huge abortion factory!

For example, check out this story in the LA Times, and their constant use of the word “abortion”. If you look at the headlines of many other stories, you see the trend. Yes, they do provide abortions to those who want one, but last I checked it was a LEGAL medical procedure. Even stories that focus on Planned Parenthood’s side have the words in their story titles.

I think a big part of the issue is like what was brought up at Feministing. This clinic is right in the middle of a suburban area. No longer will the middle-class associate abortions with dirty, urban areas that are out of sight. They’ll have it right in their own back yard.

I’m hoping they win their case. It’s really so frustrating that the anti-choicers get their way so much. They’ve managed to shut down so many clinics all over the nation, there’s only two in my state although in Mississippi there’s only one left, despite the majority of Americans believing abortion should be available and not restricted.

If I wasn’t afraid my car would be vandalized, I’d put on a bumper sticker I used to have many years ago. It said:

Against Abortion? Then Don’t Have One

Today, hubby and I took Baby Grrl down the road to Pauls Valley, home to the Toy and Action Figure Museum. We got some free passes a few months ago when we went to SoonerCon, and heard from our friend David that it was a pretty good place. (Click on any picture to embiggen and check out more not shown here.)

The curator was just opening up the place when we got there, and hubby talked to him for a few while I shuttled Baby Grrl inside. She was excited and loved seeing all the toys! She really wanted to get into The Adult Collector’s Bedroom:

We walked around, amazed at the variety and quality of some of the toys. There had to be a million dollars worth of collectables there. From classic, mint in box Star Wars, to collectors models, to a life size Spider-Man:

Baby Grrl had a blast, and really enjoyed the playroom (where kids and adults could actually play with toys) and where she could get dressed in her own Spider-Man costume:

Although it’s a tough call when you bring in a rideable Batmobile. That plays the classic TV show theme. She went through three rides.

We’ll have to go back there again, maybe when she’s a little older. Or maybe do one of her birthday’s there, since they host parties. Wait, why do just her party? They’ll do it for hubby’s or mine!

If you’ve ever got a couple of hours to kill, head on down to Pauls Valley and check them out!