On Faith's Sally Quinn talks with Rev. Barry Lynn

Rev. Barry Lynn talks with Sally Quinn about the danger of using religion on the campaign trail and other church-state separation issues.

National Polls on Palin No Surprise to this Feminist

Is anyone really surprised that the first two national polls find that adding Gov. Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket gains LESS support from women? I'm not, and neither are any of the women I've been emailing with over the weekend.

Editor & Publisher reports:

The first national polls on John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin yesterday came out today from Rasmussen and Gallup -- and contrary to what the GOP probably hoped, she scored less well with women than men.

Here's a finding from Gallup: Among Democratic women -- including those who may be disappointed that Hillary Clinton did not win the Democratic nomination -- 9% say Palin makes them more likely to support McCain, 15% less likely.

From Rasmussen: Some 38% of men said they were more likely to vote for McCain now, but only 32% of women. By a narrow 41% to 35% margin, men said she was not ready to be president -- but women soundly rejected her, 48% to 25%.

The Sunday morning talking heads had lots of theories about why McCain picked Palin. Some claimed it was to appeal to Clinton supporters, while others doubted that any serious Clinton supporter would embrace a candidate who is anti-abortion and pro-NRA.

Others claimed McCain did it in an attempt to "shake things up" and to "reclaim his Maverick status." This could be very true, as we all know how short-sighted Republicans tend to be! The buzz since Friday has been all about Sarah Palin.

But still others think McCain did it to shore up his support among evangelicals -- the base of his party that has not truly embraced him. Tony Perkins, of Focus on the Family, in an interview with a cable news network indicated Palin's conservative stance on social issues would make her a welcomed addition to the ticket.

So let's think about this for a moment. McCain needed help wooing the religious right ... and he needed help getting support from men. Could the MSM be wrong when they claim this selection was all about Hillary Clinton?

Gov. Palin did reference Sen. Clinton in her introduction speech on Friday. But when she mentioned Clinton's name during a campaign stop on Saturday it went over like a lead balloon. Those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling don't appear to carry much weight with a Republican crowd (of glass manufacturers!).

Let me share with you why I would not consider voting for Gov. Sarah Palin: 1) She's anti-abortion, 2) opposes marriage equality, 3) and thinks creationism should be taught in public school science classes (which probably means she also opposes stem cell research), and 4) she's a member of the NRA. That's enough to disqualify her in my opinion.

And as to whether or not she is qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency -- take THAT up with John McCain, and examine HIS judgement to lead. Does he really think -- as stated by Cindy McCain on This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning -- that Gov. Palin has national security experience because Alaska is next to Russia? Good grief!

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Sunday Funnies

Gov. Tim "raising" Kaine on Real Time

Is anyone besides me tired of hearing McCain operatives talk about Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine being on Obama's "short list" and how Gov. Sarah Palin has as much experience as Kaine? The quick response to that should be: "Obama didn't select Kaine."

I thought Gov. Kaine did an excellent job on Real Time with Bill Maher last night. I haven't been all that impressed with him in the past, but this appearance is making me rethink that. I still don't agree with some of his positions, but he hit all the right notes in this interview!

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Excitement Builds for VP Pick Gov. Sarah Palin

"Hummmmmmm ...."

"Sarah who?"

"oh, yeah ..."

"talk to the hand ..."

James Dobson and Tony Perkins of Focus on the Family react.

"... thank you Jebus"

"I'm voting Obama."


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Palin by comparison

Sen. John McCain chooses first-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. The Washington Post reports:

Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain introduced first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential choice here Friday at a raucous rally before thousands of his supporters, saying she is the "running mate who can best help me shake up Washington.''

The selection of the little-known 44-year-old governor shook up the presidential race as well. It was a startling choice that McCain said would reinforce his reputation as a maverick but that Democrats quickly criticized as not meeting McCain's stated goal of picking someone who would be ready to assume the presidency at a moment's notice.

"She's got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today,'' McCain said. "She knows where she comes from, and she knows who she works for.''

The selection of Sarah Palin guarantees one thing ... presidential politics will never be the same.

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Obama Knocks it out of the Stadium

One of my favorite lines of all the speeches tonight was delivered by a fellow from my home state of Indiana: "We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney."

One more thing: James Dobson and his Focus on the Family crowd (based in Colorado Springs) must be really upset. They have been praying for rain for months ... and the Goddess wasn't listening.

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My favorite Biden moment

... was when the Senator, talking about his mother, said "... and when I got knocked down by guys bigger than me, and this is the God's truth, she sent me back out and said bloody their nose so you can walk down the street the next day, and that's what I did." The camera cut to his mother and you could see her say "and that's true!"

In Memoriam - Del Martin

Today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin, 87, passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and spouse, by her side.

You simply cannot show a picture of Del (above right) without including Phyllis. They were partners for more than 55 years, and champions in the fight for basic civil rights for all of us.

In a press release from COLAGE they note:

Martin was one of the nation's first and most visible lesbian rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism, violence, and racism. She is survived by spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.

"Today the LGBT movement has lost a true community treasure and role model," reflected Beth Teper, COLAGE Executive Director. "I am reminded of the amazing chutzpah of Del and Phyllis. From an early age they recognized their right to love freely, to organize their community and to advocate for their rights. I have always appreciated Del and Phyllis' long-time moral, emotional and material support of COLAGE and their recognition of the importance of youth and adults with LGBT parents in our movement. Our thoughts are with Phyllis and Kendra during this time of grieving and with the entire community as we reflect on Del's amazing contributions to social justice and LGBT rights."

Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community. Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.

In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956, they launched "The Ladder," the first lesbian newsletter, which became a lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971, encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together.

"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del's life and commitment and to marriage equality through NCLR's No On 8 PAC.

The documentary "No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon" tells their powerful story. It was released on their 50th anniversary. I remember thinking as I watched the film with them, how many heterosexual couples make it to 50 years?

Del Martin was an amazing woman, and she will be greatly missed.

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The official wings of beginningtobird!

Here's how this birder's getting around during the autumn migration!

It's an awful lot of car, with bells and whistles all over the place. I'm still amazed by it all; I can press a button and see how much air is in each of my tires! Insanity. I'd never buy a car like this new, because it would cost too much and it would seem like I'd turned into a republican. But as a used car--I got a great deal, I got a warranty, and I got the freedom to go wherever I want whenever I want.

And I bought American, even!

Sen. Hillary Clinton Knocks it Out of the Stratosphere

"No way. No how. No McCain." ~ Sen. Hillary Clinton

Sen. Hillary Clinton gave an excellent speech tonight that should dispel all the pundits who have been saying she is only in this for herself.

She really nailed why John McCain must be defeated: "Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance."

On a night when we celebrate women gaining the right to vote, Sen. Clinton spelled out in no uncertain terms what is at stake for women in this election.

Chris Matthews asked Brian Williams if Obama must now take up the feminist cause of equality of opportunity for women. Williams responded:

"I don't think there's any way that he can avoid it. I think he must. Too many people came to the polls armed with hammers to break that glass ceiling ... [Clinton's] candidacy meant too much to too many people, especially American woman to let that go ... it's too important a subtext. A question I posed to Tom [Brokaw], Chuck [Todd], and Peggy Noonan, if not Hillary Clinton then who? If not now, when? It's been a generation since Geraldine Ferraro ... when you look at the percentage of the population, and look at the year we're having here, I think that is the part of the Barack Obama speech that had better be very, very well crafted for a mass audience."

Women are 60% of the Democratic party, and the party platform is much more woman-friendly than it's been in years -- even adding back in the platform support for the Equal Rights Amendment.

The bar has now been set for Sen. Joe Biden tomorrow, and Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday and beyond.

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The Media's Obsession with Clinton

Must read posts from the blogosphere:

Hillary Clinton speaks at convention. The press concocts a story
by Eric Boehlert

The Media's Clintonitis
by Taylor Marsh

Hillary Sexism Watch, #109
by Melissa McEwan

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Happy Women's Equality Day

On August 26, 1920 the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution was signed, finally giving women the right to vote! The amendment was first introduced in 1878. In 1971, Congresswoman Bella Abzug introduced legislation celebrating this day.

How fitting that as we celebrate 88 years of women having the vote, the woman who has come closest to leading this nation will take the stage tonight at the Democratic National Convention. I'm proud of the accomplishments of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and look forward to hearing what she has to say.

Gee, I almost forgot!

I've been so busy lately that I forgot my own anniversary! Well, just in case anyone is interested, Yikes celebrated its third anniversary on August 22. Yikes, how time flies when you're having fun!

Insulting Hillary Clinton Continues

First let's take a look at what Sen. Hillary Clinton recently said:


Now let's take a look at what CNN contributor Alex Castellanos has to say:


Sen. Clinton has forcefully said she supports Obama. She has campaigned with him, and for him. She has stepped up to the plate more quickly than have other presidential candidates in past elections, in support of her opponent. So when is the Hillary bashing going to end?

Taylor Marsh has an excellent post on this:

While Soledad O'Brien smiles sweetly and vacuously, but does absolutely nothing about the slur. Howard Wolfson posted on it earlier today.

At what point do cable anchors have a responsibility to, at the very least, call people like Alex Castellanos on this stuff instead of look on in silence?

CNN really should be better than this and we should demand it.

This is exhibit A for why Clinton supporters remain furious with the media over treatment of Clinton during the primaries. Obviously, we need to keep working, because on the first day of the convention we're still getting insulted with this stuff.

CNN should give Castellanos the hook.

Amen, sister!

Michelle Obama Knocks it Out of the Park

Teddy ... Teddy ... Teddy

It's Show Time

The Democratic National Convention just kicked off in Denver, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi welcomed everyone. It's amazing, however, listening to the MSNBC pundits -- would someone please remind me why I keep listening to these guys? They keep harping about Hillary and Bill Clinton, implying that Obama could win or lose the November election based on what the Clinton's say during the convention. How silly is that!

Hopefully, once the convention has ended these pundits will FINALLY turn their attention away from the Clinton's -- and in some cases Clinton bashing -- and focus their attention on the candidates.

Sen. Ted Kennedy may speak tonight -- I certainly hope he does. He has certainly been the liberal lion in the Senate for decades.

Michelle Obama is tonight's keynote speaker. Chris and Keith are actually acknowledging that Barack faced racism, Hillary faced sexism and Michelle has had to deal with both. One of them even asked the question "I wonder if the fact that she is tall intimidates people." These guys are too much!

Molting of old ideas

"What the heck is going on?"

Well, a lot of things changed over the weekend. The Corolla fell through (the credit union wouldn't loan me enough to pay what the dealer wanted, because their price was too far over NADA value). So the wings are still in a state of flux. However, I've got a line on some other cars at another dealer near here, so things are still moving in a forwardly direction (sorta).

Saturday and Sunday, I helped my friends Niki and Ian move from their apartment in Bellefonte into their new home in Tyrone, 45 minutes away from work. We were all exhausted, as the August heat has come back in full force. Still--we're moved in, and I have my own room and stuff. I get to hang out with them and their 10-month-old little girl baby, Sidney (aka Beanie), too:We're all riding into town together for work, so for the moment I have a nest to squat in (like a brown-headed cowbird egg), and I can get to work.

However, because the car fell through, and because I was freaked out of my gourd at the thought of having to figure out how to get to class AND how to learn all that crazy shite, I dropped my chem class. It was just too much. Next semester, I'll take the lower-level chemistry 108, in which I'll learn all the crazy shite I would need for Chem 110. Kinda disappointing, but it's also a RELIEF. It would've been too much to deal with this semester.

So I'm still looking at cars, and I'm supposed to go look at my new little nesting site tomorrow (I hope). Then (I hope) I'll move in there this weekend and finally get Niblet, and then set about preening my feathers and tidying my own little nest box.

Breeding, however, is OUT OF THE QUESTION.

Sunday Funnies

Biden his time

Well, it's official. Sen. Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate. The announcement was made early this morning, and Biden is on his way to an event with Obama in Illinois. Looks like the race for the White House is on.

Steven Parrish: Killed for being gay

The Baltimore Sun reports:

Two teenagers were ordered held without bail yesterday in the death of a Randallstown High School student who was stabbed and stomped to death after his fellow Bloods gang members found messages on his phone that suggested he was gay.

Steven T. Hollis III, 18, of Randallstown and Juan L. Flythe, 17, of West Baltimore - both of whom are members of the Bloods gang, according to police - were arrested and charged Thursday evening with first-degree murder. They are accused of killing a fellow gang member days before his high school graduation in May.

The body of Steven Parrish, 18, was found May 29 in a wooded area near his parents' home and Woodlawn Cemetery. "

It's awful," Baltimore County prosecutor William B. Bickel said in an interview after yesterday's bail-review hearing in Towson. "You're talking about a gangland-style execution because he was gay. They took him out back in a field and stabbed him to death."

An autopsy revealed that Parrish died of both blunt-force and stabbing injuries, according to court records. He suffered 50 superficial cutting wounds to his arms, neck, head, wrist and hands in addition to one stab wound to the chest that injured his heart and caused significant blood loss. He also had bruises on the left side of his neck.

Clearly these young men are not Boy Scouts, but Steven Parrish has paid a high price for not conforming to a macho culture. His fellow gang members deemed it necessary to kill Steven, least anyone think they were weak for having someone gay in their gang.

On the day before Parrish's death, several members of the gang met at his home, according to charging documents. There, Hollis and Flythe discussed finding what they believed to be "gay" text messages on Parrish's cell phone.

Angered by the messages and a photograph they found, they worried that their Bloods group would appear weak to others if word got out that they had a gay member, according to court records.

Carrie Evans, Policy Director for Equality Maryland, issued a statement about the tragedy.

When you work in the LGBT civil rights movement, you learn to construct a thick wall around your heart as a means to survive. Sometimes though an 18-wheeler comes crashing through that wall.

As I read the story in the Baltimore Sun about the killing of Steven Parrish, I kept re-reading the witness accounts. "...Parrish left his parents' home with another young man and walked toward the woods. About a minute later, the witness and other neighbors heard someone yelling and pleading, "Stop! Why are you doing this to me? I didn't do anything!" His wrongdoing? The insinuation (or fear) he was gay and the implications this had for the gang he was a part of. I kept on imagining the awful things that may have been going through his head as he was being led to his vicious death. Was it the fear of violence and death that many LGBT people feel when someone "discovers" our secret? Was it regret that he hadn't tried hard enough to be straight? Was it sadness that he could not live his life openly and honestly as a young gay man? Was it betrayal that his sexual orientation would trump any familial bonds with his gang brothers? Was it resignation that being murdered is the horrific price one pays for "not being a man?"

I will never know.

I do know that we do this work in hopes that we can create a world that embraces Steven and all of the young, old and in between people who are gay or don't fit into the rigid gender roles that society imposes. We must move out of our isolating silos, whether they are lesbian, black, Muslim, Lakota, or disabled. These silos protect us from nothing but living fully. We sit in our silos reading or watching stories about the murder de jour, the problems with our schools, the lack of affordable housing, the HIV/AIDS crisis and domestic violence, being thankful that our silo is "safe." Once in a while we may even feel a pang of empathy for someone in another silo but don't quite know where to go with that feeling. There is no doubt the societal conditions leading to Steven's death are not easily remedied. There also is no doubt the remedies are not cleverly hidden in our silos and only emerge when we leave the silo.

Commit to step out of your silo, start with small jaunts - tutor at your local public school, stop someone when they are telling a homophobic "joke," don't look away when you walk past a homeless person. Stepping out of the silo may be scary and intimidating, but I know when I step out of mine, I will think of Steven.

It is important for everyone to challenge the homophobia that exists in our culture. And homophobia is rooted in sexism, so we must continue to fight that battle as well. It hurts everyone when even one person is considered "less than" for simply being who they are.

A lot going on

As was not-so-subliminally communicated in my last post, life at beginningtobird is in a state a flux right now. Thankfully, I have wonderful friends both here and online who are making the transition a lot easier for me.

My new nesting site will be in the tiny burg of Bellefonte (pronounced Bell-Font, not like Harry Bellafonte). I'm in the process of securing a two-bedroom apartment about three miles from work, which I'm hoping will enable me to bike to work when the weather allows.

I'm also getting some new wheels--a Toyota Corolla (used), which is my favorite kind of car. I drove three of them before Kat and I bought the Saturn; it was wonderful to sit in it and feel like I knew where everything was. It's a luxe edition, with CD player and a zippy manual transmission, power everything. I'll miss having a moon roof like the Saturn did, but that moon roof always did threaten to make me have an accident, as I was constantly trying to check out birds overhead.

I start school on Monday, which is already making me nervous. It's a busy time for me, and school makes it even busier. I had to take a "pre-quiz" this morning to determine my fitness for this course (which is just the basic Chem 101, or so I thought!), and I scored a miserable 6 out of 20! Oh dear. Obviously, my days of non-stop studying are far from over, but at least it's not another math class! Still, here are some of the skills I'm expected to have already:
--Solve “word problems,” i.e., translate words into algebraic expressions
--Relate functions and graphs (rectangular coordinates)
--Manipulate logarithmic expressions and solve equations involving logarithms
--Manipulate algebraic fractions
--Manipulate algebraic expressions involving exponents and radicals
--Understand and use exponential notation
--Do numerical calculations involving these concepts with a calculator
--Understand and manipulate standard units of physics and chemistry, including unit conversions and dimensional analysis

Uh... I think I have the dumb again....

So it's going to be a long semester. However, fall migrants are already starting to fly through Pennsylvania, and I'm hoping to get around a little easier to see as many as I can. Just last night, Gretchen and I saw a flock of fifteen Canadas heading to the north. A bit early, isn't it? But maybe they're ... wait for it ... EARLY BIRDS!

Wow. Tough crowd.

Seven

Another Anniversary - Ben's Chili Bowl turns 50

Throughout the decades, Ben's has become a historical icon on U Street in Washington, DC, and 50 years later, remains more than a destination for chili half smokes and cheese fries.

Ben's opened on Aug. 22, 1958 at the height of "Black Broadway" on U Street. The restaurant remains in the same building today.

Nizam Ali, in window, and his brother Kamal are committed to keeping Ben's true to its roots.

D.C. residents clamored to celebrate Ben's 45th anniversary, and it was standing room only for those who wanted to order food at the grill.

Comedian Bill Cosby, left, joins Ben Ali, right, and Ali's wife, Virginia, during Ben's 45th anniversary. Cosby has been a long-time supporter of the restaurant.

Film crews make a set outside of Ben's to film for "State of Play," a movie staring Russell Crowe, which hasn't been released.

Crowe, left, and consultant R.B. Brenner, a Washington Post editor, on the movie set at Ben's.

Photos and text from The Washington Post.

Happy 20th Anniversary to DCup and her MathMan

This classic segment from The Cosby Show seem most appropriate for your special day. Fast forward a few years and imagine The Dancer, The Actor and Cupcake -- with their children -- singing this to the two of you!

Have a wonderful anniversary ... and many, many more!

Rep. Tubbs Jones Dies

UPDATE: It's been a confusing day regarding the status of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, but The Washington Post is reporting that she died at 6:12 pm this evening at a Cleveland hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

Rep. Tubbs Jones was a key figure in Ohio Democratic politics and chair of the House ethics committee.

This is a huge loss for progressives, and for women.
_________________________

Below is what was reported earlier:

The Washington Post reports on U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones:

Tubbs Jones' office has released a statement saying that she suffered an aneurysm while driving last night. "At the present time Rep. Tubbs Jones condition has stabilized and she is receiving the best care available," the statement says. Local news reports say she remains unconscious.

Tubbs Jones, 58, is the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress. She was a strong supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) during the Democratic presidential primary ... Like her fellow Democratic members of Congress, she is scheduled to be a superdelegate at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. [...]

An already sad story on the serious medical condition of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) was made embarrassingly worse today by Capitol Briefing and other news outlets, as conflicting information prompted several erroneous reports that the lawmaker had died. As of this writing, she remains in critical condition in a Cleveland hospital.

I would encourage everyone reading this to send positive thoughts to Rep. Tubbs Jones. She is a much needed voice in Washington.

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The poll ends (and subliminal messages are relayed)

So the singer poll closed on Monday (I forgot to check until now), and BIG SURPRISE! Joan Baez won! Not like she was in the lead from the beginning and no one else was even close or anything.

Who knows what we'll poll next? Favorite bird? Favorite ink color? It's all up in the air, as is my life. "What's this?" you ask. "What are you trying to say?" "Well," I answer, "life at the Marsh House is about to change in a drastic way." "How so?" you inquire. "I won't be there," I answer, with a look in my eyes that clearly says "you do the math." Next post: "A change of scenery" in which I describe my new surroundings, life without Kat, and the fact that sometimes things happen to us that we just can't understand.

Matty gets the job done

This past Saturday, I was honored to attend the graduation of my friend Matthew Callahan from Penn State with his doctorate in Social Psych. Flockers Susan and Laura met him earlier this year and got to witness his truly brilliant and biting wit and personality. He's my rock, my mentor, my friend, and now he's Dr. Matty McMatterson, aka Dr. Faggot, aka Dr. Gaaa-aaaa-aaaay! (He studies sexual prejudice and sexism, hence the nicknames.)

Congratulations, Matty!

Advisor Dr. Terri Vescio and Dr. Matthew Callahan

Kudos to Christina Applegate

Click image to play video
Christina Applegate, at 36, has dealt pro-actively with her breast cancer. Applegate's mother fought breast cancer, and Applegate tested positive for the BRCA1 breast cancer gene that made her a likely candidate for the disease. For that reason she has been tested every year since age 30. Cancer was detected a month ago in one of her breasts, but Applegate opted to have both her breasts removed in an operation known as a prophylactic double mastectomy.

Now cancer free, she credits the MRI screening with saving her life.

"My decision, after looking at all the treatment plans that were possibilities for me, the only one that seemed the most logical and the one that was going to work for me was to have a bilateral mastectomy," Applegate said. [...]

"I didn't want to go back to the doctors every four months for testing and squishing and everything. I just wanted to kind of get rid of this whole thing for me. This was the choice that I made and it was a tough one."

Though she will be undergoing breast reconstruction surgery over the next eight months, Applegate said the emotional toll has been heavy.

"Sometimes, you know, I cry. And sometimes I scream. And I get really angry. And I get really upset, you know, into wallowing in self-pity sometimes. And I think that it's all part of the healing," she said.

But Applegate is healthy and calm now, due to both her unflappible sense of humor -- "I'm going to have the best boobs in the nursing home"...

Working to turn a negative into a positive, Applegate is now raising much needed funding to give other high risk women the opportunity to have BRCA testing and life-saving MRI screening. The testing and MRI screening -- which is capable of seeing cells, can detect cancerous cells before a tumor forms -- is a costly procedure that is often not covered by insurance.

Applegate appeared on Good Morning American, speaking with Robin Roberts who is herself a cancer survivor. Click the image above to view the video on the GMA web site.

Kudos to Christina Applegate for her courage in coming forward so soon after her surgery to dispel the misinformation circulating around her very difficult, and personal decision. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
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