The not anti-women candidate compromises on women's health and surprises no one.

So far they claim to preserve the goal, which is to have employers cover women's birth control. The compromise itself is still undetermined because Obama has yet to make his announcement. I'm thinking he's going to keep birth control covered, but allow religious institutions to cease hiring women, something crazy that will make his hard line on birth control completely inconsequential.

Jezebel had this to say:

The accommodation will apparently be "based on state models" and might involve insurance companies stepping into provide birth control coverage themselves. ABC says this is cheaper for them than the alternative since it keeps them from having to deal with the consequences of unintended pregnancies, but it's still unlikely that insurance companies are going to pay for birth control out of their own pockets. Will religious employees have to pay some sort of separate premium directly to insurance companies for their birth control? And won't this piss off the same people who didn't like the idea of separate funds for abortion coverage in the health care bill?

I'm guessing the announcement will do nothing and piss a whole bunch of people off. Do you feel that shift in the air? Campaign season. And just when I thought Obama would figure out that some people aren't going to vote for him no matter what he does.

Whedon is my master

Buffy Summers, the Vampire Slayer, is having an abortion. It is the decision that makes since for her, her partners, and in the overall storyline. Buffy took the pregnancy test in Issue 5, and it obviously came back positive.  Issue 6, showed Buffy, not kicking ass and taking names, but instead a previous slayer, Nikki and her relationship to her son Robin. Nikki found herself pregnant and unable to walk away from slayer life. The story is told from Robin's point of view as he tells Buffy, there isn't anything she can't do. She raised Dawn, saved the world, and can handle this because she has a strong support system, which Nikki didn't. Eventually, Spike killed Nikki and Robin was raised by her watcher.

However, in the end, Buffy know she can't do this. She can't hold a job because slaying gets in the way.  Her roommates are considering throwing her out, again because of the slaying, and her support system is in shambles, which is mostly her fault. It was a well thought out decision and really the only responsible decision.

Now, there are a few issues here...like Buffy doesn't know who the father is. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit disappointed here. Yeah, people black out when drinking, but it feels like Whedon is dancing a fine line with sexual assault, which he's done before, see Season 6. I'm not saying the r-word, but there are issues of consent for both parties involved, whoever they may be.

Now, let us turn to what the Master had to say about this. Whedon gave an interview in Entertainment Weekly:

Did you always know that she would be getting an abortion, or did you ever contemplate the notion that she would keep the baby? 

No. I think strongly that teen pregnancy and young people having babies when they are not emotionally, financially, or otherwise equipped to take care of them, is kind of glorified in our media right now. You know, things like Secret Life [of an American Teenager] and Juno andKnocked Up, even if they pretend to deal with abortion, the movies don’t even say the word “abortion.” It’s something that over a third of American women are going to decide to have to do in their lives. But people are so terrified that no one will discuss the reality of it — not no one, but very few popular entertainments, even when they say they’re dealing with this issue, they don’t, and won’t. It’s frustrating to me. 

I don’t think Buffy should have a baby. I don’t think Buffy can take care of a baby. I agree with Buffy. It’s a very difficult decision for her, but she made a decision that so many people make and it’s such a hot button issue with Planned Parenthood under constant threat and attack right now. A woman’s right to choose is under attack as much as it’s ever been, and that’s a terrible and dangerous thing for this country. I don’t usually get soap box-y with this, but the thing about Buffy is all she’s going through is what women go through, and what nobody making a speech, holding up a placard, or making a movie is willing to say.

Yes, you read that right, the media glorifies unprepared parenthood, and he didn't even mention 16 and Pregnant, a personal favorite for everything that is wrong with the US. I can't wait for this to play out. Whedon has said this will probably be the last Season of Buffy. He's already sent Willow on a quest to restore magic in the world, and for those of us reading we know how that ends...badly, Dark Phoenix Rosenberg badly. That being said, don't name the father! I don't know why, but I really don't want to know.

Planned Parenthood Vs Susan G Komen: The Battle Continues

This isn't over, far from it actually. I know people who want to picket the Race for the Cure, and with the flushing out of Occupy DC, you know those people are going to need something to do.  So Susan G Komen, game on.

Regardless Karen Handel finally resigned, and it is about damn time, too.  Apparently, she doesn't fully understand her role here, which is that of scapegoat. Don't get me wrong, this is her fault, but not completely. The rest of the board and her supervisors went along with the anti-women agenda, and I imagine they will come to rue this day. To fulfill her role as scapegoat, Ms. Handel should take complete responsibility and divert attention form the wildly inappropriate use of time and resources Komen spends on things other than breast cancer, their shady relationships, and just all around failings as an organization.  Her resignation letter should have read like this, "I'm sorry for using time and Koman resources to fund my crazy right wing political agenda." Instead, please read the actual letter as obtained by AP and posted by Jezebel:

Dear Ambassador Brinker:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been the recognized leader for more 30 years in the fight against breast cancer here in the US – and increasingly around the world.

As you know, I have always kept Komen's mission and the women we serve as my highest priority – as they have been for the entire organization, the Komen Affiliates, our many supporters and donors, and the entire community of breast cancer survivors. I have carried out my responsibilities faithfully and in line with the Board's objectives and the direction provided by you and Liz.

We can all agree that this is a challenging and deeply unsettling situation for all involved in the fight against breast cancer. However, Komen's decision to change its granting strategy and exit the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and its grants was fully vetted by every appropriate level within the organization. At the November Board meeting, the Board received a detailed review of the new model and related criteria. As you will recall, the Board specifically discussed various issues, including the need to protect our mission by ensuring we were not distracted or negatively affected by any other organization's real or perceived challenges. No objections were made to moving forward.

I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it. I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen's future and the women we serve. However, the decision to update our granting model was made before I joined Komen, and the controversy related to Planned Parenthood has long been a concern to the organization. Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone's political beliefs or ideology. Rather, both were based on Komen's mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy. I believe that Komen, like any other nonprofit organization, has the right and the responsibility to set criteria and highest standards for how and to whom it grants.

What was a thoughtful and thoroughly reviewed decision – one that would have indeed enabled Komen to deliver even greater community impact – has unfortunately been turned into something about politics. This is entirely untrue. This development should sadden us all greatly.

Just as Komen's best interests and the fight against breast cancer have always been foremost in every aspect of my work, so too are these my priorities in coming to the decision to resign effective immediately. While I appreciate your raising a possible severance package, I respectfully decline. It is my most sincere hope that Komen is allowed to now refocus its attention and energies on its mission.

Sincerely,

There is a kind of denial there that is beautiful in a way and really disturbing.  Handel is a condescending ass, and Koman, well, if Komen thinks getting rid of Handel is going to fix all this, they have another thing coming.  It is about damn time people started to understand what comprehensive health care for women is because it isn't just abortions and breast cancer.

Can someone explain to me the mischaracterization that Handel is referring to here? Because I don't know how I miss understood bring an anti-women politician into a women's health organization and being mystified when she pushes to cut funding for an organization that is actually pro-women.  "Unfortunately been turned into something about politics", unfortunately? Really? This is the kind of thing that conservatives love, look at the feminist making everything political, and of course it is. Poor women rely on the Planned Parenthood for everything from pap smears and medication to breast cancer screening, because women's health is never a priority unless it's abortion or some other political issue.  Well, Ms. Handel, looks like we're not as stupid as you thought.

But more this week on the amazing idiocy that sweeps the nation when discussing women's health includes Obama coming under fire for the inclusion of birth control in preventative medicine.  Looks like 2012 is going to be a big year for women('s health). Now, settle in for a year of debates by bros about women's health. Our champion President Obama, who largely ignores women until absolutely necessary and Newt and Romney, who, well, they just hate women. It will be fun for me to watch these three try to fake an understanding of women's health and women's issues with Obama throwing up Lilly Ledbetter and birth control every chance he gets and Newt reminding everyone that birth control leads to sluttiness.  And, well, he'd know.  I'm guess we'll see another woman VP from the conservatives (Palin, Bachman, any woman who hates women).  Additionally, rumor has it H-Rod is not going to serve if President Obama gets a second term.

Addendum: Romney in favor of Komen's public relations' disaster. Romney has come out in favor of Komen's decision to cut funding for the Planned Parenthood, because he's an idiot.

Happy Valentine's Day, What Birth Control Do You Use?

So, Pfizer is recalling 1 million packages of birth control pills (does anyone else hear Mike Myer's voice in their head when they say 1 million in their inner-monologue?).  Yeah, they "may not" contain enough hormones to prevent pregnancy.  So, I'm calling it, placebo effect or a lot of unwanted pregnancies.  Who thinks they can will away being knocked up?

The pills are Lo/Ovral-28, Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol. I'm not going to say if I use any of these, I'd rather it be a guessing game we play. Apparently, the manufacturer was confused by the whole 3 weeks hormone pill, one week sugar pill.  Pfizer says some of the recalled packages have too many hormone pills or too many sugar pills (not even consistent when they screw up).  Of course, this never happens, and by that I mean this isn't rare at all.  It happened last summer or maybe fall with another brand of birth control pill.

Then again sometimes I wonder why we even bother with the pill, I mean Yaz and Yasmin were ruled but the FDA as unsafe after they had been on the market for a long time. However, IUDs have been recalled for bacteria (they attach those inside of you). Then again better than the alternative i.e. pregnancy.  Still, condoms are kind of awesome and not so hard.

At the moment Pfizer is recommending all women using one of these to a backup form of birth control.  Jezebel noted that Pfizer makes pregnancy tests, I wonder if there will be a discount.  But I'd like to see if the executives at Pfizer have stock in Trojan.

Occupy What?

So, it's time to have another heart to heart about Occupy.  I'm still in favor of this movement, more so everyday as it continues and branches out. I have nothing but love for those who physically block evictions with the whole "Occupy Our Homes" subset.

That being said my love affair with the District of Columbia has seen better days. There are things about the District that truly only can happen here. I feel like I have few conversations about the legitimacy of Occupy outside of the beltway because people on the outside get it, they maybe for it or against it, but there is an understanding of it.  In the District it is entirely different, and I can only attribute it to the narcissism that is rampant here.  Even those who should get it don't.  I have classmates and colleagues completely baffled by the idea of a leaderless movement, clearly they don't read scifi the way I do...or they'd know leaderless is the way to go, no one to imprison or kill.  I had far too many discussions last semester as to this very subject.  My classmates desired something simple and clearly defined.  Perhaps that's where the divide lies, I like my revolutions messy without blood shed.

Regardless, let's talk about violence.  In DC on Sunday, the police tased a Occupy DC participant. All onsite accounts claim the guy wasn't even resisting, which wouldn't surprise me, not because I think DC police tase people for no reason, but because  non-violence resistance is lesson 101 of participating in protests. At this point they are preparing to evict at McPherson Square.  The Occupiers have erected a seriously large tent, which looks pretty cool if you've seen the images.  Additionally, see Oakland.  Do I really have to say more? I'm becoming increasingly concerned about the level of violence repeatedly being shown in Oakland.  At present the police are claiming that Occupy Oakland is preventing and diverting police attention from actual police calls. Well, here's an idea leave the protesters alone and do you're job, you'd think they were Congress.  Personally, I think it is garbage. Legitimately, there has been vandalize and violence from protesters in Oakland, which makes this unfortunate.  However, I'm not sure we can expect anything else as long as they are met with violence back, additionally, the structure or lack there of in the Occupy movement prevent anyone from being evicted from the movement.  Which I have mixed feelings about given the reported sexual assaults.

Contraception for All...

Ok, a little late, but a little late is better than never, ask any woman.  Alright, lame attempt at humor.  But armed with a new MacBook Pro and the knowledge that the first full draft of my thesis has been handed in, I feel that I'm in a good place. That being said, let us celebrate a near-universal birth control coverage, that does this weird thing by protecting women from being discriminated against.

Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced on January 20th that most employers are to be required to cover contraception in their health care plans, additionally, other preventative services are to be covered, and get this no cost-sharing.  Mind Blown.

After all, this means birth control will be covered like Viagra.  Because preventing pregnancy should rank next to obtaining an erection.  Of course opponents are arguing that religiously-affiliated employers should be able to opt out, and why I thought of this today is because the Catholics have mounted their offensive.  The Obama administration rejected the push for religious exemptions. However, they allowed for a narrow interpretation where: "Only houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of the same faith will be exempt. Religiously-affiliated employers who do not qualify for the exemption and are not currently offering contraceptive coverage may apply for transitional relief for a one-year period to give them time to determine how to comply with the rule." Had the full exemption gone through it would have been an excuse to keep millions of women from obtaining these benefits.

All and all I'm pleased, even if this was an attempt to gain support from women before the State of the Union, brought to you by Masterlock and GM, which I'm pretty sure has to be said every time you reference the SOTU.

So, who would you rape?

Wait, what?  I've been on a prolonged sabbatical again, and this will probably happen again in the next few weeks when I draft my thesis, but I'm back if even for just a few days.

When I think about fraternity life, I think about sexual assault.  It's hard not to.  Now, I know every fraternity guy isn't a rapist, but then a fraternity does something like providing a survey to their members which includes a question that asks, "If you could rape someone, who would it be?"

Just from an evaluations stand point, who's job is it to enter these?  The University of Vermont's Sigma Phi Epsilon have been instructed to cease all frat activities and has been suspended, but they haven't been kicked out of their house yet.  As of now, the University doesn't really know what is going on.  It is unclear if the whole fraternity was involved or one guy who thought he was speaking on behalf of the fraternity.

The fraternity members aren't commenting, and the national chapter says an investigation is underway.  This specific fraternity has had their charter revoked in the past from 1993 to 1997 for hazing.

Those quaky feminists on campus are demanding the frat be disbanded, which while I understand the sentiment it may be a little early yet.  The University should probably wait until they find who authorized the survey.

So rape culture, still going strong on college campuses, and I thought feminists had ruined everything.

What the fuck #OccupyOakland?

This photo was taken on Wednesday night after the shit show went down with the police brutality.  

This man was injured by the police. 

Tear gas, because you know it is necessary...wait, no.

The most dangerous protester of them all.  

I think that is the only way to approach this one.  So, I'm pro #Occupy, like really pro.  I'm also fairly critical, because sometimes you have to call bullshit like with these sexual assault and gender issues.  But I think they are trying, which is more than I can say for either mainstream political part (want an example Google "personhood").  But let's move to Oakland specifically...

Once there was a city named Oakland with a shitty history of police violence specifically around race so let's keep that in mind moving through this.  So Tuesday, the police used violent actions against the #OccupyOakland protesters, which included tear gas, flash bomb, and I've heard reports of rubber bullets.  Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran was critically injured during the police raid, however at this point Olsen has been moved out of critical condition.

There has been a large public backlash over the violence employed by the police.  There are also questions to be asked about race and the #Occupy movement.  Had these protesters been my like those in New York and Boston (whiter), would this level of violence have been used? We've seen entrapment and a little violence, but nothing to this scale.  Additionally, how will the support for the protesters stemming from this violence from the general public change this discussion?  I'm not overly concerned about this being headed up by white guys (I think as long as everyone is aware of the privilege here then we're good).  I'm hopeful that when the white guys revolt it has to potential to inspire those less likely because of social structures such as race, gender, and economic dependence.

Wal-Mart cut employee health care benefits

Sometimes I think Wal-Mart actively tries to out douche bag itself.  Like, today we're going to union bust, we're going to discriminate against women in a variety of ways and win in the Supreme Court, and tomorrow we're going to cut benefits to employees. It's going to be a good year [slow clap].  That's what I think happens behind closed doors at Wal-Mart.

In the past few years Wal-Mart has increased the health care benefits they offer to their employees, due largely to pressure, from well people, because many of 1.4 million workers couldn't afford or didn't qualify for coverage, but were excluded them from Medicaid.  However, now they will be rolling back coverage for their part time staff and raising premiums for full time staff.  Because it is so expensive, Wal-Mart has no choice but to cut the benefits offered; all future part time employees who work less than 24 hours a week on average will no longer qualify for the company's health care plans.  I want to note that "on average" means we can over work you at certain points in the year as long as we cut your hours down later.  Additionally, new employees who average 24 to 33 hours a week can't include a spouse on their health care plan, but fortunately the children will be covered.

Naturally, Wal-Mart would not say the percentage of it's work force that is part time or worked fewer than 24 hours a week.  Wal-Mart spokesman, Greg Rossiter (@gregrossiter, feel free to stalk this man) claims the decision to deny coverage is the result of the company's revamping of its health care offerings and rising costs.

“Over the last few years, we’ve all seen our health care rates increase and it’s probably not a surprise that this year will be no different. We made the difficult decision to raise rates that will affect our associates’ medical costs. The decisions made were not easy, but they strike a balance between managing costs and providing quality care and coverage.”

There are many potential causes:

• New Federal Health Care
• Flat sales
• Lack of incentive for employers to provide benefits for employees during the recession
• Premiums are up 9%, which is 5% more than predicted, and employees are shouldering the burdens

In 2012, Wal-Mart's premiums will increase for some plans by more than 40%.  Some would argue that these workers pay relatively low premiums compared to other plans from different employers, but Wal-Mart  employees complain that the low premiums are accompanied by high deductibles, which can exceed 20% of their pay. Now, employees will pay $260 to $2,340 a year for coverage.  The reality is that many employees won't be able to afford health care coverage.  

Back to Rossiter:

“We are proud to be among a few companies that continue to offer an affordable associate-only medical option for about a dollar per day or $15 per pay period.”

Of course many employers don't offer health care coverage at all.  Additionally, Wal-Mart is reducing the amount of money employees can contribute to personal health savings accounts.  

Wal-Mart is one of the worst companies in the US, and one of the largest employers.  They are an example of a company were it is better not to have a job than work for them.  The manipulation of hours, they pay you just enough you don't qualify for public benefits, but still remain in poverty. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/business/wal-mart-cuts-some-health-care-benefits.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=walmartstoresinc

FBI Updates Their Definition of Rape

And it only took 80 years. Previously, rape for the FBI was defined as the forcible carnal knowledge of a woman...Yeah.  They used the word carnal.  Anyway, this was a particularly limited definition leaving out all manner of sexual assault and actual rape. Carnal specifically refers to a man's knowledge of a woman (vaginal penetration).  So this definition ruled out male on male rape, as well as rape where substances were used (though more than likely not enforced), oral, etc.  Needless to say those crazy feminist have been going on about this for a while.

On Tuesday, an advisory group, Uniform Crime Report Subcommittee, voted unanimously to expand the definition of rape to:

“penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

This recommendation has now moved onto a higher advisory body and then to the FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Rape at #OccupyCleveland

Let me begin by saying the language used below is reflective of how the media is covering this.

During the large Day of Occupation (October 15), a 19 year old protester reported she was raped in her tent.  According to the police reports, the protester was asked (or instructed) by "Occupy Cleveland' personnel (which I was not aware existed) to "share a tent with the suspect due to a shortage of tents."  The suspect, Leland, roomed with the protester.  The protester went to school on Monday and reported the sexual assault in Public Square to her teacher, and the teacher contacted the authorities.  The assault is being classified as "kidnapping/rape."

Ok, as noted I have several concerns.  I don't doubt this could very well have happened, and the suspect should be dealt with accordingly, but who are these "Occupy Cleveland" personnel that suggested co-ed habitation to a high school student without supervision?  Additionally, I'm curious why this is the big story coming out of Cleveland as well?  Wait not so curious. Finally, I want to state that this is a possibility. As many know I do enjoy the homeless, but many homeless individuals suffer from mental illness, have a variety of criminal records, etc.  I mention this because it is naive to believe that in a city where the homeless are consistently bullied and forced into smaller and smaller areas, that isn't unreasonable to assume that where people are successfully sleeping outdoors would attract a homeless population.

However, and I hate have to write this, there a few things protesters should remember.
1. Men prevent rape, by not raping people.
2. Bunk with friends during these events.
3. Report anything that happens to the police immediately and tell organizers.

Essentially, your general rape prevention tips for protests.  Not that women should have to be prepared or responsible for preventing rape, because people should just not rape, but massive events also attract predators.

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2011/10/18/occupy-cleveland-protester-alleges-she-was-raped/

Ohio Dems Given the ok to Mobilize against the Gerrymandering

So you may remember, Ohio Republicans are trying to gerrymander and force Democrats out of office.  However, Ohio's Supreme Court has ruled to allow Democrats to move forward with a petition to stop the Republican congressional redistricting plan that has thrown the 2012 congressional elections into chaos.  So, candidates for Congress may have to wait and when they should file and if the districts they plan to run in will exist.

So at this point we're not sure, but the candidates will file petitions to run for office by the Dec 7th deadline for districts that may not exists by the planned March 6th primary.  Or they could be forced to run in a statewide primary election for Ohio's 16 U.S. House seats.  This could mean that the top 16 Republicans face the top 16 Democrats in the November 2012 election.  Or this could mean the candidates could run in vastly different districts than they expect to, provided the Republicans and Democrats work out a solution. If the March 6th date holds, the primary would be held on Super Tuesday, when the presidential primaries take place.  However, if the primary is pushed back till May, the filing deadline could be pushed back and the primary could lose some significance (particularly in the national GOP race).  The head of the petition effort, Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party chairman, must collect 231,147 valid voter signatures to get the GOP congressional redistricting plan on the November 2012 ballot.  If he does, it would force an election where candidates for Congress in a statewide race next year and that the Ohio primary might be pushed back to May or June.  He's planning on collecting them on November 2, 2011, you know when everyone turns out to vote against Issue 2.

If no agreement is reached, it could mean a federal court could draw up Ohio's congressional map.  Republicans would not be happy about this.

Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, said:

“warned the public that the Democrats’ plan was to stymie the General Assembly’s constitutional duty to pass a congressional redistricting plan, and ultimately have a map imposed on Ohio by unelected federal judges, who may be judges from Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee.”

The decision came out of the Ohio Supreme Court (7-0) said the referendum petition from the group called Ohioans for Fair Districts plan to submit a challenge to the GOP redistricting plan by putting it on the November 2012 ballot.  Of course some are arguing that the bill creating the new congressional districts isn't subject to referendum because Republicans wrote into the law a $2.5 million appropriation for local boards of elections, and referendums aren't allowed on appropriation bills under Ohio law.  Ohio's Supreme court (6 Republicans and 1 Democrat) disagreed.

The last time Ohio congressional district mapping was on the ballot was 1915, when Democrats forced a vote and Ohio voters rejected the Republican map (fingers crossed for a repeat).  Republicans are naturally defending their plan, and Batchelder are calling the Ohio Supreme Court decision "the first step into judicial interference in this process." You know the same lame argument whenever they are trying to screw us...not like union busting.  Batchelder went on to call the map, "fair and legal" or as Fox News would call it "fair and balanced."  The ruling actually doesn't say the map is unconstitutional, but instead that the appropriations inserted into the bill doesn't meet the criteria to shield it from a referendum effort.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) issued a brief saying:

the 16 Ohio congressional districts must be finalized by Dec. 7, in order to “ensure proper administration of the March 2012 congressional primary.” 

Clearly, the man is delusional.  So for those of you who hoped that after Issue 2 was over this pissing contest between Dems and Republicans would be over too bad, sucker.  The reality is it will more than likely get worse the closer we get to elections because Republicans are going to make a grab to hold onto power.  I just wish that the politicians remember who are actually getting screwed here: it isn't those of who might lose their district, but really the workers, their families, and those being systematically disenfranchised.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201110151320/NEWS01/110160322

The U.S. House of Representatives would let women die to protect the unborn.

I should rephrase, U.S. House Republicans and 15 Democrats would let women die to save unborn children, even through they would probably die as well, but so long as no abortion was performed all's cool.  This is my count, some are reporting few democrats.

The Dems who betrayed women:
Mike Ross (Arkansas)--Leaving Congress
Sanford Bishop (Georgia)--so I guess Georgia will kill women and black men
Daniel Lipinski (Illinois)
Jerry Costello (Illinois)
Joe Donnelly (Indiana)
Collin Peterson (Montana)
Mike McIntyre (North Carolina)
Heath Shuler (North Carolina)
Dan Boren (Oklahoma)
Jason Altmire (Pennsylvania)
Mark Critz (Pennsylvania)
Tim Holden (Pennsylvania)
Henry Cueller (Texas)
Jim Matheson (Utah)
Nick Rahall (West Virginia)

This bill bans all private insurance providers from providing abortions, but wait there's more.  It also lets hospitals that get federal funding to deny abortions, possibly prevent them no matter the circumstance.  Yeah, let women die.  I can't see any humor here.

I guess we know what life counts and what doesn't.  Women don't count because once again we're being told that we are less than the fetus we carry.  But what woman wants to bring a female child into this?  I don't.  I don't want someone telling my child what she can and can't do with her body.

I started to look them all up and write them, but it would just be a waste.  These representatives are to ignorant. Shockingly, they are all men, voting against women's rights.  But there were plenty of Republican ladies voting in favor as well, and none of them crossed the line.

People's Victory at Liberty Plaza?

Mayor Bloomberg instructed the protesters to clean up the park.  Additionally, he sent the police in to shut down the protest.  However, more than 3,000 people came to Liberty Plaza in the pre-dawn this morning to defend #OccupyWallStreet.  The multinational real estate firm, Brookfield Properties postponed the cleanup, and Mayor Bloomberg told the NYPD to stand down on orders to remove protesters.  More than 300,000+ Americans signed petitions to stop the eviction and flooded the 311 phone network in support of the protesters, which obviously influenced Mayor Bloomberg.  Donations came in in bulk to show support for the protesters, which include domestic donations and donations form the international community: Italy, England, Mexico, etc. The threaten shutdown was an attempt to shutdown a peaceful assembly.  

Tomorrow, October 15, is a global day of action against Wall Street greed.  So fat 951 cities in 82 countries are organizing for tomorrow.  

Just recap, people resisted a shutdown, and they won.  This is a good sign.  

http://occupywallst.org/article/ows-victory-people-have-prevailed-gear-global-day-/

The Avengers

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

I'm ready.  Feel the tension between Captain America and Iron Man.  For the love of all that is holy I hope they come to blows.  My initial thoughts are there could be more women and people of colors, but I'm so ready for this.

Oh DC, why do you hate your readers?

Alright, I can't even say for sure that this will be my last DC comics suck post. I will however, not buy another comic from them. Tools.

Honestly, I don't even like DC, never really did, but one thing I can say is that Wonder Woman was the F***ing S***. Yeah.  But DC has decided that Princess Diana needs a father.  For those of you who knows about classical mythology, Wonder Woman (Princess Diana) is an Amazon princess.  According to mythology, the Amazons were a group of Diana's followers who lived in a woman centered society separate from men, there are myths on breeding, hierarchy, etc.  According to Wonder Woman's back story, she doesn't have a father only a mother who brought her to life.  See image below.

However, DC has rewritten Wonder Woman's back story to include a father: Zeus.  Yeah, that guy.  You know the one who rapes just about everyone.  Oh DC.  You couldn't have made it Vulcan?

So this is the original origin as created by William Marston.  For those of you curious there is a lot going on in the Wonder Woman comics: discussions of bondage and feminism.  In fact a friend of mine is a big fan of Wonder Woman and talks on the watering down of Wonder Woman over the decades.

I would argue the watering down culminates in this new version of Wonder Woman.  

I saw this on a friend's facebook page, and then read about it here:
http://dcwomenkickingass.tumblr.com/post/11269158293/wworigin

CA has the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act

Governor Jerry Brown (D) of California signed the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act.  This allows farm workers to confidentially fill out state-issue ballots for union elections.  The bill passed in both California houses in August.  It will increase the rights of approximately 400,000 farm workers.

United Farm Workers' President Arturo S. Rodriguez said:

"Today, Governor Brown helped farm workers take their biggest step forward yet in the cause of fair treatment for farm workers by approving his proposal put into legislation by Sen. Steinberg. Under SB 126, if growers cheat during an election campaign, break the law and deny farm workers their right to have a union, then the Agricultural Labor Relations Board can certify the union."

Last August hundreds of farm workers went on a 12 day, 167 mile pilgrimage from Central Valley to Sacramento, CA to urge the Governor to sign the bill.  Yeah, think about walking that.  I saw this on MS's website.

http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=13265

Crises of Capitalism

I saw this on a friend's facebook page and loved it.  So I thought I'd share.

Interview by Fox News of Occupy Wall Street Activist

I couldn't help but show this. This man rocks my socks.

#OccupyWallStreet #Resist #FightBack

Truthfully, I joined Twitter to follow Citizen Radio and Occupy Wall Street. I had been thinking about it because of Wisconsin, and I figured this is the best way to keep track of exactly what is going on around the country.  I long for the days when I could go and sleep on a city street for the cause.  Hell, part of me wants to get on a bus and join the Occupy Wall Street gang now.


So let's summarize Occupy Wall Street.  This is a grassroots movement that received a lot of criticism (yeah, I'm looking at you NYT) for being disjointed and not having solidified leadership after all is just a few young people causing trouble (note my sarcasms).  Actually, Occupy Wall Street is a diverse movement composed of the unemployed, students, unions, etc, but we can probably summarize by saying they are the poor/working poor/disenfranchised, and if not directly one from these group understand that "this is not about me" (as noted from a sign I saw in photos: "I have a job. This is not about me. It is bigger").  It all comes down to the same things though, some people with a dangerous idea that must be vilified.  This idea that says corporations have to pay their fair share, that corporations are not people, and that if politicians will do nothing about it then the masses will.  So, I'm wondering why it took so long.  I'm wondering why the unemployed and underemployed didn't take to the streets when we started talking about yet another Free Trade agreement that will rob US citizens of jobs.  I'm confused why no one rushed into the streets after the President declared a third illegal war, when he was the guy who was supposed to bring the troops home.  But finally, the people have gathered, and not in DC, but in the New York financial district, you know where the power is.  


However, things never go smoothly, even in the US.  There are charges of police brutality which began with the pepper spraying of penned women.  In addition over the weekend somewhere between 700 and 800 people were arrested for occupying the Brooklyn Bridge.  The protesters are saying that the police led them onto the Bridge, which is entrapment, and the police are claiming the protesters marched on it.  Either way the results were the arrests, and when the arrests were made charges were not given.  As of today Van Jones is calling for Marines, in dress blues, to go to Wall Street and defend the protesters.  I'd like to remind everyone of that if the protesters need protection then the Governor, Andrew Cuomo (D) should send in the National Guard.  At this point I don't think that is necessary.  


Additionally, Occupy the Nation took place this weekend, with protests in Cleveland, Columbus, LA, Chicago, etc. The turnouts ranged depending on where you were.  Also, shout out to V for assisting in the organizing of Occupy Boston where they marched to the headquarters of Bank of America.  I heard Occupy K Street starts this week.  I'm pretty excited that they are taking aim at the lobbies, and the United Food and Commercial Workers are located over there with SEIU just at Dupont.  Time to get involved labor.  


Occupy Wall Street has a livestream, which can be followed here: http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution.  This site is actually called Global Revolution, which kind of rocks.


Below is the first statement from Occupy Wall Street outlining their demands. I pulled this from Dangerous Minds.  None of these demands seem out of line in fact a lot of it looks oddly familiar (wink, Roosevelt, wink). 

This was unanimously voted on by all members of Occupy Wall Street last night, around 8pm, Sept 29. It is our first official document for release. We have three more underway, that will likely be released in the upcoming days: 1) A declaration of demands. 2) Principles of Solidarity 3) Documentation on how to form your own Direct Democracy Occupation Group. This is a living document. you can receive an official press copy of the latest version by emailing c2anycga@gmail.com.

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one’s skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.

They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.

They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.

They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.

They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.

They have sold our privacy as a commodity.

They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.

They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.

They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.

They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.

They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.

They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.

They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.

They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.

They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.

They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.

They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.*

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!

*These grievances are not all-inclusive.