Empire Strikes...

subtitle: keep your theology off my biology!

yesterday the supreme court upheld bush's partial-birth abortion ban. although a majority of abortions will not be compromised because of this, it is only the beginning of a the slow chipping away of women's rights. what is particularly shocking is that this bill does not include a clause to protect the health/life of the woman. the bottom line: what gives anyone, particularly anyone who doesn't possess a uterus, the right to decide anything about anyone else's body? we have so little that we can control in this world, and our bodies are our most sacred possessions. it's not a question of morality, it's a question of a simple human right.

and then today, the family research council filed suit against the FDA for its over-the-counter approval of plan b. i can't help but wonder, if plan b had a lobby as powerful as tobacco would there be an issue? it's ok to blatantly target kids with cigarette ads but god forbid a DOCTOR prescribe a medication! feh!

the last word: if we properly educated our youth about responsible decision making then we could drastically reduce the need for abortions and emergency contraception. logic people!

for more information, or to get involved, see the following sites:
http://www.nyclu.org/
http://www.ppnyc.org/homepage.html

to get information to help educate youth you might know:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/
http://www.healthyteennetwork.org/
http://www.sexetc.org/

BUYBCwEC!!

through my work with the academy for educational development (www.aed.org) i've become involved in emergency contraception awareness campaigns in new york city. many myths and misconceptions (no pun intended) exist around EC/Plan B, the following sites provide useful information that all women should know. even if you don't ever plan on using it, you may have a friend who needs your help.


check out: http://www.backupyourbirthcontrol.org/



from guttmacher.org:

Have you backed-up your birth control?

March 20 is Back Up Your Birth Control Day of Action, a day devoted to increasing awareness of and access to emergency contraception. Emergency contraception, sometimes called the “morning-after pill,” is a concentrated dosage of the same hormones found in ordinary birth control pills that can prevent a pregnancy from occurring when taken after unprotected sex, making it an effective “plan B” for helping women avoid unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

On August 24, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved emergency contraception for sale over-the-counter without a prescription to women aged 18 and older. While the FDA’s decision was certainly a step in the right direction, there is still work to be done to ensure access for all women. To start, adolescents younger than 18 still need a doctor’s prescription to obtain emergency contraception. This can cause delays in obtaining the method, and, since it is more effective the sooner after unprotected sex it is taken, increase a young woman’s risk of an unintended pregnancy.

Additionally, cost can pose a barrier for many low-income women trying to obtain emergency contraception. Many insurance companies do not cover over-the-counter drugs, and only a few states cover emergency contraception for women on Medicaid without first requiring a visit to a physician or clinic, which delays access to the method. The difficulty poor women face in obtaining emergency contraception is especially troubling, given the fact that they have greater difficulty than other women in accessing contraception generally, and therefore have higher rates of unintended pregnancy: A poor woman in the United States is four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy, five times as likely to have an unintended birth and more than three times as likely to have an abortion as her higher-income counterpart.

Emergency contraception has tremendous potential to prevent unintended pregnancy among women who experience contraceptive failure, unprotected sex or sexual assault. We should be working to remove the barriers that young women and poor women face in accessing all contraceptive methods, including emergency contraception. These barriers aside, the fact remains that many women and men still do not even know about emergency contraception, making continued efforts to raise public awareness about the method essential, as well.

define "rehabilitation"

13-Year-Old Faces 128 Felony Counts

- - - - - - - - - - - -

March 14,2007 | NELSONVILLE, Ohio -- A 13-year-old boy is charged in juvenile court with 128 felonies in what police call a small-town crime spree.

The boy, in juvenile detention pending a pretrial hearing later this month, faces delinquency counts of burglary, theft, vandalism and witness intimidation.

"In my 30 years of doing this, I've never had a juvenile that young with so many charges," Athens County Prosecutor C. David Warren said Tuesday.

Police accuse the boy of breaking into homes and businesses in Nelsonville, a small, rural town 55 miles southeast of Columbus, and of stealing checks from elderly residents, Warren said.

He also is accused of beating one of the witnesses who turned him in, Warren said.

At least three other youths, one of them 10 years old, also have been charged, Warren said.

The boy could be freed at 21 even if he is convicted of all 128 counts, prosecutors said.

"We either get him rehabilitated now in the juvenile system or we will be dealing with him for the rest of his life," Warren said.

in memory

women's history month post #2, better late than never. file under: women making a difference

from guttmacher.org:

Cynthia Dailard, one of the Guttmacher Policy Review’s most prolific and accomplished authors, died suddenly on December 24, 2006, at the age of 38. She was the Guttmacher Institute’s chief policy analyst on issues related to domestic family planning programs, sex education and teenagers’ sexual behavior. Over the course of eight years, Cynthia was a powerful, determined advocate, bent on moving a positive sexual and reproductive health agenda forward even in the most difficult political environment. Six of her most influential articles, providing an overview of her thoughts on some of the issues dearest to her, are excerpted in “Remember Her Words: The Analysis and Advocacy of Cynthia Dailard, 1998–2006.”

A blog in her honor can be found here.

V is for "hoohah"

women's history post #1: file under -- these women get a big woot!

ucovered from my fav gem broadsheet,


three students were suspended from john jay high school in new york for insubordination surrounding their use of the v-word.




that's right. apparently, the students, who read the "short skirt" monologue from the vagina monologues at an open mic night had agreed to not use the word vagina. however, they said it on stage in front of everyone (horror of all horrors!) and were suspended. the superintendent makes a point of noting that it was NOT about censorship (which he would never tolerate) but about insubordination because they need to be taught that when they make an agreement they need to stick to it.

um.

perdon monsieur...but isn't asking them not to say it in the first place censorship? hate to burst your bubble buddy, but vagina happens to be an anatomically correct term. just like penis (shudder!) .

if it were me, i would have dropped an f-bomb in front of vagina, just to drive home the point.

the full article is here.

currently reading: education week

currently listening: shake me baby by junior senior

currently feeling: mischievous

Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. For more information visit: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
March is also women's history month, and though I am starting late, I plan to post something here daily related to women's history or women's issues.

equal opportunity objectifying

doing my part to shed light on the fact that men are objectified quite often as well.
tsk tsk.
shame on .true.
subtext: boys ought be hunted.
subtext: single girls and boys, you want to hunt single boys.
subtext: find him now! (because if you don't you a lose-er).
subtext: there's no such thing as boyfriend season but if we start a marketing campaign that implies there is then we'll have you all feeling less adequate than you already do (if you are single) or like you are missing out on hunting season with the boys/girls (if you aren't).
thanks true for doing your part!

i'm not an addict

i gave in.

dammit.

is facebook the mac to myspace's pc? discuss.

5-7-5

haikus are so great.
composed strategically
out of syllables.

could haikus be the latest form of mass expression? all you have to do is be able to count your syllables appropriately and you can convey all sorts of things. could this be the oft overlooked answer to classist underrepresentation in art and literature -- making a simple art form available to all?

i think so. and i've got the evidence to support my case:

exhibit 1:
gangsta haikus
throwing stars by mc sino
me just throwing stars
from back seat of stolen cars
you'll wish you caught SARS

exhibit 2:
samurai appliance repairman
i shit you not, this guy at fixitnow.com writes haikus that advise you on small appliance repair.
for example:
Dryer runs all day
clothes get warm, but wet remains.
replace the vent now.

exhibit 3:
harry potter haikus
Harry soars past us
a song in his heart, the Snitch
in his sweaty palms
—Mirror Girl, 12
harharhar. see post below.

exhibit 4:
there is even a page dedicated to haikus for recently neutered dogs.
First you picked me up
I licked your nose, we were friends
Then you took my balls
- scherrah

exhibit 5: cat haikus, natch
We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you
Want to smell my butt?

exhibit 6:
the always hilarious and often personally relevant hipster haikus
Pop will eat itself:
Hence, t-shirts with wry slogans
About wry t-shirts

exhibit 7: file under "wtf"
this person created haikus using upside down calculators
seriously.
Illegible blob
Legless eggshell oozes oil
Elegize his loss

exhibit 8: redneck haikus
ooohhhh, the potential. the sheer unlimited potential...
HATRED
I curse the rainbow
Emblazoned upon his hood
Goddamn Jeff Gordon

exhibit 9:
the sarcasm society (if you can believe that actually exists) has a haiku page as well
with gems like:
It's Evolution!
People are getting smarter!
God has told me so!
by Andrew N. 16th of May, 2006

and finally exhibit 10: the daily haiku
often political, always satisfying (and illustrated well):
Memories Submitted by tampioca on Thu, 2007-03-01 07:03.

That's my favorite couch.
It's where Bill tagged Monica.
It still smells like him.

well, dear readers, that's all for now. i hope you've enjoyed my foray into creative expression via limited syllabic genius.

all it takes is some
creativity and the
skill to count your words

currently listening: "show me" by mint royale feat. de la soul (addictive! catchy!)
currently reading: not enough
currently feeling: strangely fine

things i learned today

the following is courtesy of rickey.org (and my good friend k-sib):

HMG* (*Holy Mother of God)

Daniel Radcliffe stars in the stage production of Equus in the West End. I am so speechless right now. Oh Harry Potter! Where can I find an application to Hogwarts?! It’s a gay nerd fantasy come true… with horses! I can’t breathe!

end rickey.org
start me


So, today i learned the following things:
1. HMG = holy mother of god. expect rampant usage of this in the near future.
2. NSFW = not safe for work. a very useful acronym indeed. given these delicate times.
3. gay nerds fantasize about daniel radcliffe.
4. most people fantasize about daniel radcliffe.
5. there are two kinds of people (shout out to jpr!): 1) those who scream scandal and potter pedophilia! and 2) those who make hubba-hubba eyes and say harry hotter!
6. treasure trail.
7. i cannot watch any of the harry potter movies ever again.
8. there are entirely TOO MANY jokes at one's disposal. i.e."harry's wand", "hairy harry" (thx brian).
9. there's a reason for this madness.

discuss amongst yourselves.

currently listening: "trouble" by voxtrot
currently reading: higher power of lucky. hahahahaha. i have to keep with the trend of the post. natch.

Muggles for Hillary and...

T-shirts available here.

And while your at it, I'd love the unicorn on the dirt-bike "wishes are unstoppable" tee.

currently listening: "23" by blonde redhead
currently reading: journal of social issues "the maternal wall"
currently feeling: jitterbuggy

need i say more?

offensive on SO many levels...

subway: not just for tables and sofas anymore

jason: "is that seat taken?"

just in case you thought he was moderate...

prior to attending a pro-abstinence-only fundraising event, mccain "flip-flopped" on his previously stated views of abortion to state definitively that roe v. wade should be overturned and left to the states to legislate, rather than you know, upholding a federal ruling that protects women's privacy.

friggin' article is here.

currently listening: "23" by blonde redhead (totally awesome)
currently reading: broadsheet blog on salon.com

cute interference

while attempting to complete my reading for class i had to reckon with the following furry feline friends...

gov. spitzer: woot #1

yay man! way to flex those gubernatorial muscles.

from guttmacher.org:

New York State Covers Nonprescription Emergency Contraception Under Medicaid

Although Medicaid normally pays only for prescription medications, as of February 1, Medicaid recipients in New York State may obtain nonprescription Plan B emergency contraception directly from a pharmacy. With Governor Spitzer’s approval, New York becomes one of the few states to ensure that poor women are able to access this time-sensitive method under Medicaid without first having to visit a physician or clinic. Still, many women in New York and elsewhere do not know what emergency contraception is, when to use it or where to obtain it—facts that point to an ongoing need for public education. Also, women younger than 18 in all states still need a prescription to obtain Plan B, making it more difficult for them to access the method quickly and use it when it is most effective.

Initiatives such as New York’s to improve access to emergency contraception are just one way to help low-income women plan their families and prevent unwanted pregnancies: A recent Guttmacher study has shown that expanding Medicaid coverage for contraceptives to match similar coverage for pregnancy-related care would enable low-income women to prevent a total of nearly 500,000 unwanted pregnancies annually, including 200,000 that would end in abortion. By helping women to prevent an estimated 225,000 unwanted births, such an expansion would also save $1.5 billion in annual federal and state expenditures.

Overall, growing disparities between poor and higher-income women with regard to sexual and reproductive health care pose a serious challenge for policymakers. Poor women are twice as likely to lack health insurance, four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy, five times as likely to have an unintended birth and more than three times as likely to have an abortion as their higher-income counterparts. Most unintended pregnancies could be prevented with consistent, correct use of modern contraceptives.

currently listening: "she fell into my arms" by ed harcourt

weekend service changes

overheard over a very LOUD and (surprisingly) functional subway intercom:

"ladies and gentlemen, due to weekend construction there are changes in service on the 1, 2, and 3 subway lines. 2 and 3 trains are running on the local track from 96th to chambers street, but are not affected elsewhere. 1 trains are only running on the local track to 14th street. there are no express trains between 96th and chambers street. but 1 trains will be making a stop at 34th street and then skipping 28th, 23rd, and 18th streets. so if you need one of those stops, please exit this train at 42nd street and get on a local running 2 or 3 train. no trains are stopping at south ferry (note that you normally have to be in one of the first five cars of the ten car train to get south ferry service anyways). to get to south ferry, get off this train at 42nd street and transfer to the R train to whitehall street. then walk to south ferry, it isn't far. or you can get off of this train at 34th street, transfer to a 2 or 3 local running train and take it to chambers street and exit the station for a shuttle bus, the shuttle bus is free. also, at 42nd street please keep in mind that there are no 7 trains running between 42nd street and Queens. so if you need queens service also transfer from this train to an R or N train at 42nd street. the MTA appreciates your business and apologizes for any inconvenience.

MTA, please note:
1) NYC is a tourist town, wtf are tourists (let alone those who don't speak english) supposed to do with this jumbled up mess of information?
2) this is why we hate you.

did you know?: a "straphanger" is a person who rides public transport (a colloquialism from the days of the leather straps one used to hold onto for support on the subway)

currently reading: expert psychological testimony in sexual harassment cases
currently listening: "dirty whirl" by tv on the radio

are you there god? it's me, justin.

cracks. me. UP!

the hair-petting game.
please, make it stop. this is just too funny. and in a place like NYC it is all too tempting.



the site is here

valentine's day

i know i don't shut up about postsecret. but i simply can't. it's just too good.

special valentine's day edition, click here.

shame on you veronica

so, i will admit that i've watched veronica mars. i watched the first season diligently, when it was actually quite a smart show and veronica was snarky, but not to a fault. the second season was lost on me, partly due to school and work, but i caught up with it eventually (although i don't remember who blew up the damn bus). this season, well, i think i watch it every now and then because, despite its many faults, the show still is basically about a kick-ass girl and her nancy drew adventures; i can't help but be drawn to it.

plus it follows the gilmore girls. damn that strategic tv line-up.

but this week, i was tremendously disappointed to see that veronica helps "bonnie" figure out who gave her the "morning after pill which caused her to have an abortion."

dammit veronica. dammit veronica's writers.
(see this blog for more intelligent griping than what follows below)

i haven't watched the episode yet, i will admit. it is stored safely on my DVR. but i did read about it in the feminist-blogs, which were all a twitter.

correction #1: morning after pill does NOT cause abortion. it won't touch an already established pregnancy with a ten foot pole. or any pole. or whatever.
correction #2: the pill that acts as an abortafacient is ru-486. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
correction #3: ru-486 often has to be administered in a two-dose sequence. if someone slips it in your drink all date-rape-drug-style then it might cause some issues, but it's only half the equation.

now yes, i know it's just tv. and medical information on tv is often askew. of course. but this show has been known for the alternative/progressive image it provides to young girls; its target audience is the main population that needs accurate information about EC (emergency contraception aka the morning after pill aka plan b).

AND whether or not teens (or anyone) should be getting their sex education from television or not is a moot point. after all, with every passing day we are nixing valuable sex ed programs in favor of abstinence only programs (now being funded for people up to age 29, don't EVEN get me started). so if not tv, then where?

dear CW network:
please do a PSA explaining the mishap to your viewers. and while you are at it, toss in a few Plan B adverts. and even better, how about putting some links to accurate sites up on your webpage? come on, step up to the plate.
thanks,
~valerie

for accurate information about EC, click here.

she's back in black

i promise to do better at posting.
i promise to do better at posting.
i promise to do better...