This is an issue close to my heart:
Campaign Responses to Questions from The Association for Women in Science & The Society of Women Engineers
Obviously I'm biased, but McCain really comes off and not knowing anything about the issue. His answers are much shorter than Obama's, he doesn't show that he even knows what the initiatives they are asking about are, and his focus seems generally to be on education. What about female scientists, engineers, and mathematicians working right now? McCain's only real input is to say that he will create a presidential commission to study the issue. Why? There is a plethora of research out there on these issues. To me, this just says that he doesn't care enough to get informed and he doesn't want to committ to a decision.
At the very least, it becomes clear that this is an issue that the Obama/Biden campaign either already was somewhat knowledgeable about or they did some research before answering the questions. McCain comes off as if this is just a waste of his precious time and he'll just delegate all the work to "commissions."
Showing posts with label topic - feminism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label topic - feminism. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Coat Hangers Happened
In case you think coat hanger abortions are all hype,i found - through feministing - a disturbing and graphic article in the New York Times today written by an OB who has been there, done that. He didn't actually perform abortions pre-Roe; he did, however, deal with the aftermath of illegal, unsafe abortion procedures. Read the graphic accounts of the risk these women put themselves in and think about the kind of desperation that would cause you to do such a thing. It is surely not a desperation that anyone in the US having grown up with birth control readily available and abortion somewhat available (although it's becoming less and less available) has truly felt.
I have volunteered as an abortion clinic escort for the past few years now. Basically, a clinic escort is there to counter-balance and sheild the woman - sometimes physically; often emotionally - from protesters.
I began escorting at the Hope Clinic in Illinois, outside of St. Louis. Hope Clinic began in the 70s just after Roe and has been constantly sieged with protesters ever since - including Operation Rescue. Protesters there were loud, offensive, and often pushed the boundaries of the law. Once, someone screamed that us "deathscorts" "ate babies." Protesters, and sometimes their children, would photograph or video tape the woman walking into the clinic as well as the escorts. As escorts, we tried to block the pictures - it was better for them to have our picture than the woman's. In fact, my pictures is up on one of the Organization's sites - along with lies about the clinic selling baby parts among other things. I knew that doctors, nurses, employees, and escorts had all been harassed by protesters. We weren't allowed to call another escort by name. It was intense, but, for perhaps the first time in my life, I felt like I was actually making a difference and standing up for something I believed in. There is something profoundly rewarding in that.
When I moved to New York, I immediately got in touch with the Brooklyn Pro-Choice Network about escorting. Although escorting in Brooklyn is far less exciting, there are still protesters, mostly from the Catholic Church next door, who show up everyday. When I tell people here that I escort at the abortion clinic, they are shocked to find out that in a liberal city like NYC there are protesters at an abortion clinic. People are often unaware of the siege currently going on against reproductive rights in America today - from increasing restrictions on abortion to clinics closing to protesters who show up every single day to harass woman as they make a profoundly personal and difficult choice.
This article by Dr. Fielding really puts what we are fighting for into perspective. His closing remarks some the issue up to a T:
I have volunteered as an abortion clinic escort for the past few years now. Basically, a clinic escort is there to counter-balance and sheild the woman - sometimes physically; often emotionally - from protesters.
I began escorting at the Hope Clinic in Illinois, outside of St. Louis. Hope Clinic began in the 70s just after Roe and has been constantly sieged with protesters ever since - including Operation Rescue. Protesters there were loud, offensive, and often pushed the boundaries of the law. Once, someone screamed that us "deathscorts" "ate babies." Protesters, and sometimes their children, would photograph or video tape the woman walking into the clinic as well as the escorts. As escorts, we tried to block the pictures - it was better for them to have our picture than the woman's. In fact, my pictures is up on one of the Organization's sites - along with lies about the clinic selling baby parts among other things. I knew that doctors, nurses, employees, and escorts had all been harassed by protesters. We weren't allowed to call another escort by name. It was intense, but, for perhaps the first time in my life, I felt like I was actually making a difference and standing up for something I believed in. There is something profoundly rewarding in that.
When I moved to New York, I immediately got in touch with the Brooklyn Pro-Choice Network about escorting. Although escorting in Brooklyn is far less exciting, there are still protesters, mostly from the Catholic Church next door, who show up everyday. When I tell people here that I escort at the abortion clinic, they are shocked to find out that in a liberal city like NYC there are protesters at an abortion clinic. People are often unaware of the siege currently going on against reproductive rights in America today - from increasing restrictions on abortion to clinics closing to protesters who show up every single day to harass woman as they make a profoundly personal and difficult choice.
This article by Dr. Fielding really puts what we are fighting for into perspective. His closing remarks some the issue up to a T:
It is important to remember that Roe v. Wade did not mean that abortions could be performed. They have always been done, dating from ancient Greek days.
What Roe said was that ending a pregnancy could be carried out by medical personnel, in a medically accepted setting, thus conferring on women, finally, the full rights of first-class citizens — and freeing their doctors to treat them as such.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
More on Schlafly, Education & Beer
A Wash U professor wrote a very good article about how honoring Phyllis Schlafly & Chris Mathews is indicative of a larger issue: Is the University selling it's soul - a research-oriented, intellectual, scientific award winning soul - to look cool?
Also, of note, according to an alumnus who was a student rep to the Board of Trustees, the suggestion to honor Gloria Steinem was quickly shot down. Apparently, honoring individuals "from all aspects of the political spectrum" doesn't include both sides of the feminist "debate."
As I began writing this post - using only Schlafly's last name in the title, a burning, desparate question occurred to me: Is Schlafly's beer, the best local beer in STL, owned by Shlafly's family and does Phyllis have any say?
The answer is yes - sort of. According the Schlafly's website, Phyllis is the aunt of the owner, Tom Schlafly, and was married to Tom's father's brother. However, she is not involved in the business. Furthermore, it's unclear as to whether Tom even works there: "Tom is a lawyer who tells the people in his law office that he practices law full time; and he tells people in the brewery that he works on the brewery full time. No one in either place is really sure what he does." Funny.
To make things a little better, they give you some sense of their feelings about women:
So next time I'm in the Lou, I know I can sip on a Schlafly guilt free.
Also, of note, according to an alumnus who was a student rep to the Board of Trustees, the suggestion to honor Gloria Steinem was quickly shot down. Apparently, honoring individuals "from all aspects of the political spectrum" doesn't include both sides of the feminist "debate."
As I began writing this post - using only Schlafly's last name in the title, a burning, desparate question occurred to me: Is Schlafly's beer, the best local beer in STL, owned by Shlafly's family and does Phyllis have any say?
The answer is yes - sort of. According the Schlafly's website, Phyllis is the aunt of the owner, Tom Schlafly, and was married to Tom's father's brother. However, she is not involved in the business. Furthermore, it's unclear as to whether Tom even works there: "Tom is a lawyer who tells the people in his law office that he practices law full time; and he tells people in the brewery that he works on the brewery full time. No one in either place is really sure what he does." Funny.
To make things a little better, they give you some sense of their feelings about women:
- Why don't you guys have Schlafly girls?
- We do, they're just too classy to dress like tramps and flaunt themselves as sex symbols (anyhow, our beer is so good, we don't need gimmicks to promote it).
So next time I'm in the Lou, I know I can sip on a Schlafly guilt free.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Dead Kennedys, Wash U, & Phyllis Schlafly
I just found out that my dear alma mater - Washington University in St. Louis - will be giving Phyllis Schlafly an honorary doctorate at the upcoming commencement. (Thank you Feministing!)
I can handle the fact that a douche bag like Chris Mathews is giving the Commencement address - especially since I didn't even go to my graduation so I'm not really inclined to be concerned about who graduates and their families have to suffer through - I can even, kind of, handle the fact that they are also giving him an honorary doctorate (I mean, what for?) but Phyllis fucking Schlafly?? Seriously?!?!?
As a response to this outrageous bullshit, I wrote a quick email to Chancellor Wrighton:
In the immortal words of Jello Biafra (misogyny issues aside) in the Dead Kennedy's Song "Moral Majority":
I can handle the fact that a douche bag like Chris Mathews is giving the Commencement address - especially since I didn't even go to my graduation so I'm not really inclined to be concerned about who graduates and their families have to suffer through - I can even, kind of, handle the fact that they are also giving him an honorary doctorate (I mean, what for?) but Phyllis fucking Schlafly?? Seriously?!?!?
As a response to this outrageous bullshit, I wrote a quick email to Chancellor Wrighton:
Dear Chancellor Wrighton,
I was shocked to learn that Washington University will be honoring Phyllis Schlafly this year. In fact, I double checked to be sure that it wasn't the other Washington, because I just could not understand how an institution that valued me as a community member could be honoring someone who doesn't believe that I have should have full rights as a human being. While I and my fellow students and alumni value diversity of thought, there is a difference between making a space for intellectual discourse across the spectrum and honoring, which in essence condones and validates, a divisive political figure - especially one who are argues against the rights of over half the student body.
I want you to understand that, given this information, I cannot continue to support the University. When donating to my alumnus, I had always assumed that my money would be helping to build an intellectual community of diversity and tolerance. I cannot in good faith continue to support an institution that chooses to honor someone who doesn't believe that I deserve the full rights of a human being.
In the immortal words of Jello Biafra (misogyny issues aside) in the Dead Kennedy's Song "Moral Majority":
Blow it out your ass, Terry Dolan
Blow it out your ass, Phyllis Schlafly
Ram it up your cunt, Anita
Cos God must be dead
If you're alive
God must be dead
If you're alive
Thursday, October 4, 2007
it's worse than i thought ...
read this.
and let me just say, honestly without any giddy glee (in fact, it's more like horror) ...
i told you so.
and let me just say, honestly without any giddy glee (in fact, it's more like horror) ...
i told you so.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Wayne's World
if you don't get feminist news like me, you may not know that a debate has been raging about the opening of a new Planned Parenthood in none other than my home state of Illinois in the town where Wayne and Garth lived. the city blocked the opening saying that planned parenthood did not obtain permits legally and anti-abortion groups rallied.
but so did pro-choicers ... and now the clinic, which i believe is the largest in the state, is open. hooray.
read the planned parenthood myspace blog here.
in other lame, anti-feminist moves, verizon decided to block NARAL's short code which allowed users to voluntarily sign up for news via text from NARAL. eventually, after thousands of customers wrote the ceo of verizon, he relented.
read some blogs about it on Huffington Post or where ever else you want.
which brings me to ....
drum roll please ....
capitalism and the importance of the following:
1. government regulation in capitalism. once upon a time, telephone companies (and gas and electric and other types of industries where a service was deemed essential and a monopoly deemed a necessary evil) were heavily regulated. the government told them that they couldn't take advantage of their decidedly un-capitalistic position of controlling our communications, heat, electricity, water, etc. They had to provide services to people. Good service. Unbigoted service. remember that time? me neither but it should be returned to none the less.
we assume that our sources of news are accurate and that we are being given information. news flash. we're not. no, we can't all spend all our time gaining all the itsy bit of info on everything that happens in this country. that's why we have journalists. journalists, who until recently, took seriously their ethical responsibility to be as fair as possible in their reporting, to protect whistle blowers, and to not bow to the powers that be. it's hard for reports to do this when their pay check comes from ... the powers that be.
plus my electric bill is outrageous.
2. consolidation of big business is anti-capitalistic. in fact, having only a handful of corporations operating in a single industry (or related industries) comes pretty damn close to monopoly. and monopoly is essentially the same as communism. that's right, communism. both involve one large, omnipotent entity controlling the production, pricing, and consumption of a product.
i don't how many people remember (or ever learned?) basic economics but adam smith, the "founder" of capitalism had this little theory of an "invisible hand." the idea being that all these small businesses compete in a market for customers and an invisible hand determines the price based on supply and demand. the key part here is small businesses. it's much like democracy. individuals make small decisions that collectively decided the direction of our government (baring violations of the bill of rights etc ... again importance of the role of government ...). nothing pisses me off more than small business owners who are fiscally conservative, which in today's political sphere is essentially pro-big business. which in turn, is anti-small business. perhaps you didn't notice but bush has consistently cut (and proposed further cuts) of the small business administration budget. not to mention he tax "cuts" which only benefit the rich and wealthy.
i saw the premiere of "An Unreasonable Man", the documentary about Ralph Nader. afterwards there was a Q & A with the film makers and someone asked a question about Ralph's support of capitalism. this girl was shocked to hear the Ralph was pro-capitalism and pro-small business (which in my head should ... and do go hand in hand).
when adam and i were first dating we would play a game where we'd ask each other random questions. once he or i asked what we most disagreed with about popular liberal politics. both our answer was that we felt that socialism was not the answer. i feel that this is another thing that the exceptional right wing pr machine has twisted: that all liberals are commies; that being anti-big business is equivalent to being anti-capitalism. i believe in entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses in america. i believe in capitalism. but i also believe in learning from history. a history that smacked us across our heads and told us that the government was an essential part of the economy and must regulate capitalism, i.e. the great depression.
so what can you do to support small business? i don't have all the answers but here are a few ideas:
buy handmade at etsy.com
buy things at locally owned stores
join a csa
choose to use a small business for things like: web sites/hosting/design/development, financial planning, real estate, insurance ...
yes, it might be a bit more work and a bit more expensive but think of it as moving towards a culture where walmart gets taxed more than you. which is really money in your pocket.
AND then there might be a real Wayne's World ... you know, locally produced media. it'd be awesome!
but so did pro-choicers ... and now the clinic, which i believe is the largest in the state, is open. hooray.
read the planned parenthood myspace blog here.
in other lame, anti-feminist moves, verizon decided to block NARAL's short code which allowed users to voluntarily sign up for news via text from NARAL. eventually, after thousands of customers wrote the ceo of verizon, he relented.
read some blogs about it on Huffington Post or where ever else you want.
which brings me to ....
drum roll please ....
capitalism and the importance of the following:
1. government regulation in capitalism. once upon a time, telephone companies (and gas and electric and other types of industries where a service was deemed essential and a monopoly deemed a necessary evil) were heavily regulated. the government told them that they couldn't take advantage of their decidedly un-capitalistic position of controlling our communications, heat, electricity, water, etc. They had to provide services to people. Good service. Unbigoted service. remember that time? me neither but it should be returned to none the less.
we assume that our sources of news are accurate and that we are being given information. news flash. we're not. no, we can't all spend all our time gaining all the itsy bit of info on everything that happens in this country. that's why we have journalists. journalists, who until recently, took seriously their ethical responsibility to be as fair as possible in their reporting, to protect whistle blowers, and to not bow to the powers that be. it's hard for reports to do this when their pay check comes from ... the powers that be.
plus my electric bill is outrageous.
2. consolidation of big business is anti-capitalistic. in fact, having only a handful of corporations operating in a single industry (or related industries) comes pretty damn close to monopoly. and monopoly is essentially the same as communism. that's right, communism. both involve one large, omnipotent entity controlling the production, pricing, and consumption of a product.
i don't how many people remember (or ever learned?) basic economics but adam smith, the "founder" of capitalism had this little theory of an "invisible hand." the idea being that all these small businesses compete in a market for customers and an invisible hand determines the price based on supply and demand. the key part here is small businesses. it's much like democracy. individuals make small decisions that collectively decided the direction of our government (baring violations of the bill of rights etc ... again importance of the role of government ...). nothing pisses me off more than small business owners who are fiscally conservative, which in today's political sphere is essentially pro-big business. which in turn, is anti-small business. perhaps you didn't notice but bush has consistently cut (and proposed further cuts) of the small business administration budget. not to mention he tax "cuts" which only benefit the rich and wealthy.
i saw the premiere of "An Unreasonable Man", the documentary about Ralph Nader. afterwards there was a Q & A with the film makers and someone asked a question about Ralph's support of capitalism. this girl was shocked to hear the Ralph was pro-capitalism and pro-small business (which in my head should ... and do go hand in hand).
when adam and i were first dating we would play a game where we'd ask each other random questions. once he or i asked what we most disagreed with about popular liberal politics. both our answer was that we felt that socialism was not the answer. i feel that this is another thing that the exceptional right wing pr machine has twisted: that all liberals are commies; that being anti-big business is equivalent to being anti-capitalism. i believe in entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses in america. i believe in capitalism. but i also believe in learning from history. a history that smacked us across our heads and told us that the government was an essential part of the economy and must regulate capitalism, i.e. the great depression.
so what can you do to support small business? i don't have all the answers but here are a few ideas:
buy handmade at etsy.com
buy things at locally owned stores
join a csa
choose to use a small business for things like: web sites/hosting/design/development, financial planning, real estate, insurance ...
yes, it might be a bit more work and a bit more expensive but think of it as moving towards a culture where walmart gets taxed more than you. which is really money in your pocket.
AND then there might be a real Wayne's World ... you know, locally produced media. it'd be awesome!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
crazy idea vol. 1
so i am constantly coming up with ideas for various things that i am in no position to really make happen at this point. mostly they just keep my constantly racing mind from being bored. so here is one ...
compliation cd of songs about reproductive rights.
i know, i know. i'm a dork. but it was all inspired by ... myself. i recently finished a song sorta about my experience escorting at the hope clinic in illinois. it fucking rocks too but that's besides the point.
the comp would not be a bullshit rock against bush (actually i like those cds but ..). i'm talking lyrical content about the subject. perhaps it could spawn into a larger comps for change series but that rips of another idea's name i'll talk about later ...
anyway, i think it'd be cool. prooceeds could benefit orgs like naral, planned parenthood, or better yet, abortion access funds.
so in thinking about writting this post i did a little search for pro-choice songs.
my own first thoughts were these:
operation rescue - bad religion
ani difranco - i wasn't sure which song but i was 100% sure she had at least one song about abortion
and that was pretty much it. but here's a list i've compiled. many of the artists i don't even know and some of the songs i'd forgotten about. so here you go - a list of pro-choice songs about abortions:
bodies - the sex pistols
(who definitley DID NOT invent punk rock and are essentially the backstreet boys of punk but ... that doesn't take away from the fact that they wrote a song about abortion ... although due to this song, some douche listed them on a top 50 list of conservative rock songs which is just a bit wierd and laugable. here's the article if you are interested: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzZkNDU5MmViNzVjNzkzMDE3NzNlN2MyZjRjYTk4YjE=)
EDIT: the song is NOT pro-choice. lyrics here. fucking assholes.
brick - ben folds
the lost woman; birmingham - ani difranco
sally's pigeon - cyndi lauper
9 month blues; the judge's chair - peggy seeger
fight back; why oh why - holly near
behind the wall - try chapman
some boys; the boy/girl rap - alix dobkin
breaking silence - janis ian
(incidentally this is also the name of a character in mean girls ... is it sad that i know that? probably ...)
car with no brakes - erica wheeler
testimony - ferron
will the fetus be aborted? - dead kennedys
(oh jello ... how i love you ...)
what's it like - everlast
mary & child - born against
femme fatale - diggable planets
prodigal daughter - michelle shocked
sister, carry on - carolyn mcdad
* note: some of these were marked as "women's issues" so they might not actually be about abortion ... comment, additions, etc welcome.
compliation cd of songs about reproductive rights.
i know, i know. i'm a dork. but it was all inspired by ... myself. i recently finished a song sorta about my experience escorting at the hope clinic in illinois. it fucking rocks too but that's besides the point.
the comp would not be a bullshit rock against bush (actually i like those cds but ..). i'm talking lyrical content about the subject. perhaps it could spawn into a larger comps for change series but that rips of another idea's name i'll talk about later ...
anyway, i think it'd be cool. prooceeds could benefit orgs like naral, planned parenthood, or better yet, abortion access funds.
so in thinking about writting this post i did a little search for pro-choice songs.
my own first thoughts were these:
operation rescue - bad religion
ani difranco - i wasn't sure which song but i was 100% sure she had at least one song about abortion
and that was pretty much it. but here's a list i've compiled. many of the artists i don't even know and some of the songs i'd forgotten about. so here you go - a list of pro-choice songs about abortions:
bodies - the sex pistols
(who definitley DID NOT invent punk rock and are essentially the backstreet boys of punk but ... that doesn't take away from the fact that they wrote a song about abortion ... although due to this song, some douche listed them on a top 50 list of conservative rock songs which is just a bit wierd and laugable. here's the article if you are interested: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzZkNDU5MmViNzVjNzkzMDE3NzNlN2MyZjRjYTk4YjE=)
EDIT: the song is NOT pro-choice. lyrics here. fucking assholes.
brick - ben folds
the lost woman; birmingham - ani difranco
sally's pigeon - cyndi lauper
9 month blues; the judge's chair - peggy seeger
fight back; why oh why - holly near
behind the wall - try chapman
some boys; the boy/girl rap - alix dobkin
breaking silence - janis ian
(incidentally this is also the name of a character in mean girls ... is it sad that i know that? probably ...)
car with no brakes - erica wheeler
testimony - ferron
will the fetus be aborted? - dead kennedys
(oh jello ... how i love you ...)
what's it like - everlast
mary & child - born against
femme fatale - diggable planets
prodigal daughter - michelle shocked
sister, carry on - carolyn mcdad
* note: some of these were marked as "women's issues" so they might not actually be about abortion ... comment, additions, etc welcome.
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