Bittersweet irony

John Burt, a 67 year old anti-choice psycho, is clearly confused about what it means to save young girls from moral decay: the man's going to jail for molesting the teenage girls he claims to be saving. An activist with ties to anti-abortion violence has been jailed after losing an appeal of his conviction and 18-year prison sentence for molesting a teenager at the home for troubled girls he operated. Does it really get more ethically complicated than this? I would LOVE to hear this guy's rationale behind ALL of his actions. But perhaps what's more bothersome, is that he's in good (bad) company: Burt has been a key figure in anti-abortion protests and violence in nearby Pensacola. He had associated with Michael Griffin, now serving a life sentence for fatally shooting an abortion doctor in 1993, and Paul Hill, executed in 2003 for the shooting deaths of another doctor and clinic escort in 1994. Really, what can I say that you're not already thinking?

Bush gets personal

President Bush is taking extreme measures to convince Congress to pass CAFTA tonight. President Bush appealed personally to fellow Republicans Wednesday to close ranks behind a free trade agreement with Central America that faces a very close floor vote. The president reminded Republicans that while some might oppose CAFTA for parochial interests ''we are here not only to represent our districts but to represent the nation,'' House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said after the meeting that lasted more than an hour. DeLay predicted a tough vote, but ''we will pass CAFTA tonight.'' Based on NAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is the latest effort to liberalize trade between the U.S. and six Central American countries: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under the banner of democracy and economic freedom, the U.S. is aggressively engaged in neoliberal economic strategies that have very real and devastating impacts on women and communities worldwide. Check out some facts: Free trade agreements, including NAFTA and CAFTA, historically offer limited to no universal labor regulations and instead allow —national and transnational corporations to follow the notoriously dangerous and abusive labor laws of the host country. The Central American countries of CAFTA have repeatedly been criticized by the UN's International Labor Organization (ILO) and the U.S. State Department. (2004, www.globalexchange.org) The two poorest groups in Central America consist of indigenous people and women, many of whom reside in rural areas and rely on farming and agriculture as the primary means of existence. (2004, from http://www.wola.org/economic/cafta.htm) The passage of CAFTA will mean a significant increase in cheaper U.S. farm products that will devastate rural farming communities in Central America. Rural women will experience the brunt of these consequences because eight to ten million rural households are headed by women. (2004, from http://www.wola.org/economic/cafta.htm) 1.5 million Mexican farmers and farm workers have been forced off their land under NAFTA. Central American farmers can almost guaranteetee a similar future under CAFTA. (2004, from http://www.wola.org/economic/cafta.htm)

Bush relents, some Roberts papers released

The Bush administration will release some of the mysterious Roberts documents which could give insight into the kinds of decisions the man will make as a Supreme Court justice. While the Bush team refuses to release documents from Roberts tenure as Deputy Solicitor General (1989-1993), they will make public papers from his work with the White House counsel's office in the mid 1980s. The administration officials said the White House's intention was for all the documents from Judge Roberts's time in the counsel's office, except those held back for reasons of national security or personal privacy . . . . (NYTimes) National security my ass. The unreleased papers are from his work with the notoriously controversial and uber-partisan, Kenneth W. Starr. . . . not covered by the Presidential Records Act, [those papers] record "sensitive, deliberative, confidential" conversations among administration lawyers in developing legal cases for argument before the Supreme Court and therefore should not be released publicly, one of the officials said. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if they're directly related to the Supreme Court and they are historical records, doesn't that make them all the more RELEVANT for review and analysis? My friend Rosalie had some really good thoughts on the whole matter: The thing that really gets me about the protection of "personal" documents written by John Roberts, is that these "personal" documents are memos on cases which might--and because they are being protected--probably do reveal important information on how Roberts personally feels about certain legislation and court rulings. The current government has become hyper-protective of it's own writings even as it is becoming hyper-watchful of what others write. To me this clearly signals that the current government is aware of what others might be hiding since it, in turn, is hiding so much. Well put, my dear.

THURSDAY--National Call In Against Roberts

Help stop the confirmation of anti-choice Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts: On Thursday, July 28, NARAL is asking you to call your Senator and request that they vote NO to anti-choice laws that violate a woman's right to safe reproductive choices. We NEED to send a clear and overwhelming message to U.S. Senators that U.S. women WILL NOT have their rights and freedoms taken from them. Call on Thursday! To find your Senators and their contact information, click here. Visit NARAL Pro-Choice America to learn more.

Why, oh Y?

In a bizarre twist on logic and reality, the University of Washington has hired a male to head the Women's Studies department. Professor David Allen will be the only man in charge at the 10 major universities that offer doctoral programs in women studies. While this may seem controversial, Professor Allen claims he is completely committed to feminist causes and empathizes with the discrimination, violence, and injustices that women face every day. Allen is also a nurse and knows about gender stereotyping. He says his father thought it was an "outrageously bad idea" that he became a nurse. Oh, well that definitely qualifies him for the job! Am I just being a cynical, man-hating dyke or is this NOT the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? Thanks Amber, for the link.

Gone adventuring.

Take care my pretties, and enjoy your weekend. I'll be busy letting some special folks know just how I feel. The posts will begin again on Monday, July 25.

Help reauthorize VAWA

The humanitarians over at Amnesty International have created the 700women.org campaign to petition elected officials to reauthorize VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act. Be sure to sign the petition, pass it along, and take action to ensure that VAWA is reauthorized. Other VAWA resources: Amnesty International USA National Research Center for Women and Families Family Violence and Prevention Fund

Patriot Act renewed under banner of fear

That insanely invasive legislation, the Patriot Act, was swiftly renewed by the House and Senate last night in a 257-171 vote. The passage was prompted by the recent London bombings and U.S. fears of impending terrorist attacks in the States. House Republicans pointed to the attacks in London yesterday and on July 7 as evidence of the need to reauthorize the Patriot Act with relatively few modifications. While the law has "helped avert additional attacks on our soil, the threat has not abated," Sensenbrenner said. (Washington Post) The ratification made permanent virtually all of the provisions in the law, with the exception of two, which will have to be re-considered by Congress in ten years. The remaining two provisions - giving the government the power to demand business and library records and to conduct roving wiretaps - would have to be reconsidered by Congress in 10 years. (NYTimes) Oh, well I mean, what's ten years really? At the rate we're going, we'll have obliterated ourselves long before then.

Wrestlewomania!

Women in Bolivia have found a new way to escape the poverty-stricken reality of their daily lives: wrestling. . . . Carmen Rosa, master of the ring and winner of 100 bone-crunching bouts in Bolivia's colorful wrestling circuit, she is actually dressing for a night of mayhem. With loyal fans screaming out her name, she climbs the corner ropes high above the ring, bounces once for momentum and flies high, arms outstretched for maximum effect. To the crowd's delight, the dive flattens her adversary, María Remedios Condori, better known as Julia la Paceña (Julia from La Paz). Similar to the Afghan women who found exercise to be emotionally and personally empowering, the women in Bolivia are pushing gender boundaries and re-defining themselves. Married, with two children, and the successful owner of a jewelry business, Ms. Choque recalled her husband's skepticism, seeing her come home bruised and battered. But when he saw how much she liked her hobby, he started attending all the bouts and now supports her tough training regimen, which includes a weekly hike up a 15,000-foot peak. "I want to do this as long as I can," she said. "It's my life, la lucha libre." As someone who used to avidly support Texas backwoods wrestling--Xtreme Wrestling, anyone?--I think this is fantastic! What couldn't be right about this: wrestling in traditional Bolivian garb, women's empowerment, and extraordinary health benefits?

Virginity finally pays off!

Hold on to your chastity ladies: the Prime Minister of Uganda has promised to pay university fees for all girls who remain virgins until they leave school. "The criterion is that a student must be a virgin and from Kayunga district," he told the state-owned New Vision. Parading as a national health programme, the virginity pledge is allegedly a way for Uganda, a country stricken with HIV/AIDS, to cut down the number of infections. However, something about his whole thing reeks of misogyny to me. Bbaale County MP Sulaiman Madada said any girl in his district who wanted to take part in the scheme aimed at promoting girls' education would be given a gynecological examination by health workers to check they were virgins. And because we all know that chicks are significantly sluttier than dudes and therefore more valuable to society, the MP did not extend the offer to young men. Thanks Steve. (for the link).

Don't forget!

While we need to allocate energies into blocking Bush's conservative Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts, Jr., we mustn't forget that pesky little problem known as the CIA leak. Remember that one? The major scandal of deceit and lies involving presidential aide Karl Rove and Cheney cheif of staff, Lewis Libby. Remember? Okay, just checking.

Bush defies EVERYONE. Again.

In an unprecented act of defiance . . . oh wait. Let me start over. In yet ANOTHER act of political defiance, President Bush has gone against the advice of both Republican and Democratic politicians, naming conservative federal appellate judge John G. Roberts, Jr. as his Supreme Court candidate. Roberts, long considered one of the Republicans' legal heavyweights, was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2003 by Bush. He was also nominated to the same court by Bush's father, president George H.W. Bush, but never received a Senate vote. (Washington Post) Although he has never made a judicial ruling on abortion, Roberts has voted against reproductive rights legislation as well as explicitly stated the consitituion does not validate Roe v. Wade and that it should be overturned. As one of the government's top lawyers before the Supreme Court, he argued in 1990 in favor of a government regulation that banned abortion-related counseling by federally-funded family planning programs. A line in his brief noted the first Bush administration's belief that Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, should be overruled. The brief said the court's conclusion "that there is a fundamental right to an abortion . . . finds no support in the text, structure or history of the Constitution." (Washington Post) And since we've become fond of the overwhelming feelings of pain and defeat, this should be no surprise: Republicans have a 10-to-8 advantage on the Judiciary Committee, and they have 55 seats in the Senate, so chances for confirmation would appear to be good - unless the nominee's views arouse enough opposition to inspire a Democratic filibuster. (NYTimes) So as I see it, we've got two options: hope that 1) Roberts starts talkin' crazy or 2) it leaks that he slept with a minor. While your fingers are crossed for the latter, take action however you can.

Afghan women still suffer despite U.S. intervention

The United Nations states that after three years after military intervention meant to oust the rebel Taliban government, Afghan women still suffer extreme abuses and their plight has actually worsened. The abuse includes young girls being forced into marriages or bartered to settle debts, the UN said. UN women's rights monitor Yakin Erturk on Monday urged the government to do more to protect women and said ignoring the issue because of fears it could cause political instability "not only falls short of the United Nations' founding principles, but is also politically shortsighted". Gee, it seems like the U.S. government really let that whole "Afghan democratization project" go down the tubes, doesn't it? Apparently, you need international commitment, grassroots mobilizing, and financial assistance to actually help "free" a country.

Facing the enemy

Emily Lyons was a nurse at an abortion clinic in Alabama when Eric Rudolph detonated a remote-controlled bomb. She survived the attack, but has undergone 21 reconstructive surgeries, lost her left eye, and has visible scars on her arms and legs. On Monday, July 18, Emily Lyons, along with several other Rudolph bombing victims, will confront her attacker face to face in court. "You did not shut the clinic down. You did not shut me down," said Lyons, who planned to testify Monday at Rudolph's sentencing to the first of four life terms for deadly bombings in Birmingham and Atlanta. Rudolph, 38, was a fugitive for more than five years before he was arrested by FBI agents in the hills of North Carolina. He's also one of those psycho-religious zealots who can justify killing on behalf of moral superiority. Under a plea agreement that let Rudolph avoid a possible death penalty, Rudolph confessed to the Alabama bombing and to the bombing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that killed one woman and injured more than 100. He also admitted setting off bombs at an abortion clinic and gay bar in Atlanta in 1997. In a statement distributed after his guilty pleas, Rudolph portrayed himself as a devout Christian and said the bombings were motivated by his hatred of abortion and a federal government that lets it continue. It's his--and all other abortion-clinic bombers--extreme hypocrisy that really gets me. Yet, it's amazing and inspiring how women like Emily Lyons remain steadfast in their hope and optimism. To read more about Emily Lyons, check out her site or purchase her book (photo above). Women like her are a real testament.

More fuel for the fire

A top Cheney aide has been named as the second source in the Valerie Plame identity leak: Until last week, the White House had insisted for nearly two years that vice presidential chief of staff Lewis Libby and presidential adviser Karl Rove were not involved in the leaks of CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity. (NYTimes) This new information comes on the cusp of a rather cryptic AP story released on Friday, July 15 that involved some new information from a source identified only as "the person briefed on the matter." As I read this article on Friday, it became frighteningly clear that the story was carefully orchestrated by the Bush administration as a way to quell allegations against Karl Rove. Not only did the reporter have to rely on a source strategically named "the person briefed on the matter" (as opposed to the devious sounding "source who wishes to remain anonymous"), but the whole article laid the groundwork for Rove's innocence, explicitly stating that Rove had merely confirmed what the reporter already knew and that he was "the second source." That second source was Mr. Rove, the person briefed on the matter said. Mr. Rove's account to investigators about what he told Mr. Novak was similar in its message although the White House adviser's recollection of the exact words was slightly different. Asked by investigators how he knew enough to leave Mr. Novak with the impression that his information was accurate, Mr. Rove said he had heard parts of the story from other journalists but had not heard Ms. Wilson's name. (NYTimes) I was simultaneoulsy incensed and awed by the guts and strategy of the Bush administration to so quickly craft an argument in defense of Mr. Rove, but then I remembered that they've had two years to come up with such a furtive manuever. You may think I'm a little crazy, and that's okay; at least I'm in good company with institutions such as the Washington Post asking similar questions: · Even under the circumstances described in today's stories, was Rove's behavior ethically acceptable? And if so, why didn't he come forward sooner? · Did press secretary Scott McClellan know Rove was Novak's second source when he insisted that it was ridiculous to suggest that Rove was involved? What did Rove tell Bush about this, and when? There are at least two new questions: · Who it this mysterious reporter who allegedly told Rove about Plame in the first place? · And who is this new anonymous leaker? And of course, we still don't know about Novak's first source and his or her motives. (Dan Froomkin's column) I can only hope that although the Bush administration will not cease their unrelenting cover-up campaign, the media and individuals concerned with the truth will continue to investigate and find new and more complicated answers. This has gotten ridiculous.

O'Connor urged to stay

Four female senators are actively pleading with Judge Sandra Day O'Connor to reconsider her resignation from the Supreme Court. In a letter to O'Connor, Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Barbara Boxer of California asked the nation's first female justice to consider staying on the high court if Chief Justice Rehnquist relinquishes the top spot. Thank god for these women. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Rehnquist pledges to stay

Despite his recent hospital visit, Rehnquist said he would ''continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits.'' Well, now we can all relax a little bit. Huh? What's that? He's an 80-year old man with numerous health issues including thyroid cancer? Wait, I don't get it. Doesn't that mean that his health probably won't permit for too much longer? Oh. Well then, why would he say that?

Lobotomy is back in style

The lobotomy--the procedure that involves severing neural pathways in the brain to induce behavioral changes--is making a comeback. A new book and a medical historian contend the crude brain surgery actually helped roughly 10 percent of the estimated 50,000 Americans who underwent the procedure between the mid-1930s and the 1970s. Hmmm . . . I think I know a few prime candidates for the initial surgeries.

Stating the Obvious

An organization that lobbies for increased regulation of the food and drug industries called on Wednesday for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to alert consumers that too much of the beverages can cause obesity and other health problems. I mean, as if listing the ingredients--SUGAR, MORE SUGAR, and SOME WATER--wasn't enough to convince people.

Louisiana Rapist Castrated

A Louisiana man convicted of raping two sisters, ages 11 and 13, in 1999 will be castrated as part of his plea bargain. Keith Raymond Fremin, 42, admitted raping two young girls . . . [and] has agreed to be castrated to avoid serving a life prison sentence. According to the AP wire report, the victims--their word, not mine--agreed to the plea bargain as well. While I'm all for less dicks in the world, rape can occur without one and the psychological tendencies that compel rapists, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't housed solely in the sexual organs, but also in the brain. If this is in fact true, then why does our fucking judicial system continue to circumvent rehabilitation and/or psychological treatment? Am I completely insane to assume that cutting off a man's dick or balls is in NO WAY going to prohibit him from sexually assaulting and/or raping anyone?

Daughter's Day

Women activists in Taipei, Taiwan are putting a new twist on a centuries-old tradition known as Daughter's Day. "Traditionally, Daughter's Day celebrates a girl's transition to womanhood and wishes them luck in finding a good husband. But in fighting for gender equality, we want it to send a more aggressive message, empowering young girls to pursue their dreams," said Garden of Hope Foundation director, Chi Hui-jung. I think this could be a successful version of Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Oh wait, excuse me, I meant Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. We'll see how long Daughter's Day holds out.

The Feminist Ranch

A group of women in Umoja, Kenya started an all-female village because they were ostracized from their community. Ten years ago, a group of women established the village of Umoja, which means unity in Swahili, on an unwanted field of dry grasslands. The women said they had been raped and, as a result, abandoned by their husbands, who claimed they had shamed their community. Initiated by Rebecca Lolosoli, the village--initially the result of abandonment--has become a safe-haven for women and girls who live in fear of forced marriage, rape, and social subjugation. They became so respected that troubled women, some beaten, some trying to get divorced, started showing up in this little village in northern Kenya. Lolosoli was even invited by the United Nations to attend a recent world conference on gender empowerment in New York. I think this is a working, viable argument in favor of the critical need for gender exclusive spaces so that women, hoping for personal, spritual, and emotional freedom, can realize and claim their human rights.

Knitting Numbers

A math researcher at Cornell has developed the first workable model of hyperbolic space. The fantastic part: her name is Daina Taimina and she's creating the complex models with her mad crochet skills. Dr. Taimina, a math researcher at Cornell University, started crocheting the objects so her students could visualize something called hyperbolic space, which is an advanced geometric shape with constant negative curvature. The models and their maker are becoming a huge crossover hit in the art world, with the crocheted pieces now on display at Eleven Eleven Sculpture Space, an art gallery in Washington. The curvy creations, made of yarn, are actually both. And they are helping two very different groups - artists and mathematicians - learn more about each other. Increasingly, they are also making a quirky celebrity out of the woman who created them. Apparently chicks aren't too pretty for math after all.

1,000 Women Nominated for Nobel Prize

After almost three years of meetings and decisions, teams from around the globe compiled a list of 1,ooo women nominated for the Nobe Peacel Prize. These 1,000 women hail from around the world and are actively engaged in community and global actions against war, human rights violations, gender inequity, poverty, hunger, and hate. The project 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005 defined as its objective the nominating of 1000 women to represent collectively the millions above-mentioned. The life stories, the visions, methods, strategies and networks of these 1000 women will be publicized. With this recognition they should receive both encouragement and gratitude for their commitment. The brains behind this big idea hope that this collective nomination of women will: make women's efforts visible; foster peace; scientifically validate peace; and strengthen networks. You can view the list of those nominated, broken down by country, or learn more about this innovative strategy to recognize the essential work of women everywhere.

The F-Word

Recently, there's been a surge (and by surge I mean, small increase) in news articles covering the fate and future of the F-word (feminism). Rebecca Traister's recent article in Salon, asks whether the f-word should be retired or reclaimed and the ladies of Le Tigre, currently on tour with Beck, were interviewed regarding their views on the word feminism. While I don't necessarily understand where this newfound interest stems from or where it will go, I like the fact that the investigations rely primarily on younger feminist voices to articulate the current feelings--both uneasy and defiant--towards the word feminism and the larger movement(s).

A New Look

Don't be alarmed, I've just changed the look to make a few things a little easier. Biggest change: instead of scrolling down to read posts, you can simply click on the titles in the right sidebar. 'Cause I know all that finger action was wearing you out. And this is what future quotes will look like. Just to clarify.

Social Entrepreneurship and the New Activism

PBS is airing a fascinating documentary series titled The New Heroes that profiles fourteen social entrepreneurs as “they develop innovations that bring life-changing tools and resources to people desperate for viable solutions.” If you don’t have time to watch the show, check out the site for in-depth profiles of these activist business owners who are changing the world with their vision and strategies for change. Some of the people profiled include: -Albina Ruiz, a Peruvian woman who started Cuidad Saludable, a waste management company designed to create jobs, develop sustainable living, and empower residents living among trash dumps to change their lives; -Maria Teresa Leal founded Coopa-Roca, a sewing cooperative located in a slum of Rio de Janeiro, that has begun working with fashion designers in Milan and Paris; -David Green whose manufacturing and distribution company, Project Impact, was founded to help get medical supplies and healthcare services to people in India. These people are amazing and inspiring and there are many more profiled on the show. Check out the links below for more information: Social Entrepreneurship Ashoka, a global organization committed to helping social entrepreneurs realize their vision

Divorce Makes Women Happier

According to report published today, not only do women handle divorce better than men, it actually makes them happier! “Recent splits had left 23% of men devastated, whereas with women the figure was lower at 20%. Of recently divorced women, 46% said they felt "liberated" at being single; only 37% of the men concurred.” “Among the recent divorcees, 7% of men said they were "suicidal", as opposed to just 3% of women.” “Despite going through greater inner turmoil as the result of a divorce, men are actually more likely than women to remarry first. None of the women respondents had remarried within the first 2 years of a break-up, but 4% of the men had.” “Two or more years later, 15% of the men had remarried; for women the figure was just 5%. More of the women were just not interested in a new relationship, preferring to cohabit or just date instead.” I think it’s finally time to admit the painfully obvious: we’re better.

VAWA or VAMA or

Lew Rockwell, founder and president of the Mises Institute in Auburn, Ala., and vice president of the Center for Libertarian Studies in Burlingame, CA, believes that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a discriminatory policy that prohibits men from receiving the necessary resources and services to escape domestic violence. However, “Senator Joseph Biden recently introduced the 2005 VAWA reauthorization bill. When challenged to make the bill gender inclusive, Biden responded, "Nothing in the act denies services, programs, funding or assistance to male victims of violence." Rockwell uses Phil Hartman, the Saturday Night Live actor who was shot and killed by his historically abusive wife, to argue that despite VAWA’s seemingly gender inclusive language, it affords no actual protection to men trying to flee domestic violence. “If these services are so readily available to men abused by their wives, why didn't Phil seek help from one of the numerous battered women's shelters around Los Angeles? Could it be that being "eligible to apply for services" is quite a different thing from being able to receive services when you need them?” “Despite the good senators' reassurances, VAWA-funded organizations routinely discriminate against men seeking help. Ten VAWA-funded women's shelters in Los Angeles were recently sued for refusing a male victim help. Rather than offering to stop their blatant discrimination, they went to court to defend their right to continue the discrimination.” Okay, I may quickly be scolded for suggesting this, but I would argue that WOMAN-ONLY spaces are CRITICAL to the success of shelters and programs aimed at helping WOMEN flee domestic violence situations. If men are feeling elided from these life-saving services and resources, why don’t they use the government-appropriated funds for domestic violence assistance (which are only available because of bills like VAWA and which remain critically low), and start their own community initiatives, shelters, or other programs they deem necessary to tackle the issue of DV against men? I’d tell Lew Rockwell to use VAWA in his favor to address what, for him, is obviously a very personal and crucial social situation. Using government money and his own personal bank account—because we all know that the women running these shelters put a good deal of their own money into these vital resources—Lew Rockwell could make his argument moot and open what may be the first Men-Only DV shelter. Frankly, he would probably be hailed as a hero by men everywhere. But of course, instead of taking any action to change things, he’s sitting on his ass, trying to use rhetoric to nullify public policy that SAVES WOMENS LIVES. Thanks to Sarah for the link.