It is NOT Okay to Harass Women–And Here’s Why
Many women are all too familiar with being harassed on the street. For some reason, when men get together they exude so much testosterone that they tend to believe that not only is the world their personal playground, but the women living in the world are also purely placed there for their amusement and enjoyment.
While men may think that they are just having fun at the time, their ignorance can go terribly wrong and in some cases, can cause a deadly situation. Of course these men can’t comprehend that such things can happen through their just having fun, trying to pick up some hot chicks, or any other excuse they use trying to cover up that they are blatantly harassing women.
Mildred Beaubrun is an 18 year old woman living in Florida. On the night of May 23, she and two of her girlfriends had stopped at a 7-Eleven. Then, a car full of men pulled up and decided that it was a great night to have some fun.
“Hey, baby, what’s your phone number?” they called out as the cars traveled west through Orlando.
Then the banter grew more aggressive. The men threw a T-shirt, then an AA battery, at the Nissan. One of the women threw a broken cell-phone charger back. At one point, the HHR swerved into the Nissan’s lane and tried to run the car off the road.
When the Nissan turned north on John Young Parkway, the HHR followed. Then, at Princeton Street, a shot rang out. Shrapnel flew as the bullet pierced the door and struck 18-year-old Beaubrun, who was sitting in the back seat.
You can see coverage of the event that appeared on the news here.
This is a tragic story, especially since something like this shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The world and the women in it are not for there simply for your enjoyment and it is never okay to harass women, especially since it turned into something that could be deadly, since it is unknown if Beaubrun will live at all.
Sexism Sells–Unfortunately
On May 23, The Women’s Media Center and Media Matters launched the video below as well as an online petition to tell the media to stop treating women like a joke.
All of the ridiculous, sexist comments made by the mainstream media hold absolutely no weight in the newscasts and the reporters who let such disgusting bullshit come out of their mouths should be fucking ashamed of themselves. Sexism not only exists, but it sells and that is the most unfortunate of all.
Sign the ‘Sexism Sells, But I’m Not Buying It!’ online petition and let the mainstream media know that their woman-hating bullshit has to stop.
The Message is Simple
Power to the people.
Mike Gravel is a politician who has always known where he stands when it comes to the issues affecting America. He is a politician who has always spoken out and stood up for his beliefs and the hopes of millions of Americans. He is also a politician who because of the political expectations he has had for this country, he never had the chance that he undoubtedly deserved to be a viable presidential candidate.
It is with a deeply sad heart to report that Gravel has recently dropped out of the presidential race as a Libertarian candidate, which occurred after the Libertarian convention.
Although Gravel’s career in active politics is now over, he will continue to put out three books over the summer. These books include The Kingmakers, an analysis and polemic on corporate media and how it distorts our political dialogue, including Mike’s own campaign, A Political Odyssey, an examination of Mike’s career in politics, his personal life, his fight against the Military-Industrial-Complex and the rise of US imperial power, and The Voice of A Maverick, a compilation of Mike’s speeches and writings from his presidential campaign; so definitely be sure to check out those books.
Mike Gravel would have been a refreshing presidential candidate. He is a politician who wants more for this country and a person who has been silenced throughout his campaign because he does speak for the people, no matter how harsh it may come out. Gravel’s message is simple–Power to the people. Give peace a chance. It’s up to us to share it.
The Uterus Vase
I saw this vase and immediately thought it was kick ass. After visiting the site it’s offered on, Pure Contemporary, I think it’s even more kick ass, especially with how the description is written:
“Although the shape of the female reproductive organ is known by everyone from illustrations in biology or anatomy books, one rarely speaks about it openly. Even more rare are the occasions to celebrate it. However, the statuary beauty of this smooth porcelain-like vase of pure whiteness gives its dignity back to an intrinsic human topic, that nowadays has become the celebrated theme of over-consumed erotic images. The enigmatic notoriety of its form, as for it, reflects the true depth of a subject respectfully treated by its creators.”
It’s awesome, I want it. Thoughts?
John McCain on Ellen
John McCain was recently on Ellen, which at first I found odd. I sat here inquisitively thinking “Why Ellen, what are you doing?” And I just have to say, I heart Ellen.
I can just read McCain’s thought process through this. “Maybe, just maybe, if I speak really slowly and don’t make direct eye contact with Ellen or anyone else for that matter, I can leave sooner…Is it working? Can we stop talking about this now? Stop making me look even worse than I make myself look, please!”
Or something like that.
Guest Blogging at The BoBo Files
I’m hanging out over at The BoBo Files today and bringing some happy feminism sunshine over to the dreary conservative-geared politiblog. Come join me!
Welcome America, to the Second Vietnam
Coverage on the Iraq war has been constant, however, with recent media hitting about war crimes and the bullshit that this country’s administration is pulling against their own troops is honestly astounding and infuriating me to no end.
I have been comparing the war in Iraq to Vietnam for a few years now and not only do I and so many other Americans see what this war really is, but even the Iraqis are speaking out and saying that yes, this war is absolutely nothing but a second Vietnam. In a photograph taken by Kristofer Goldsmith, an American soldier deployed in 2005 and stationed in Sadr City, a school with graffiti covering it read “Welcome America to the second Vietnam.”
Although the media has only been covering it recently, suicide amongst war veterans is at an all time high, affecting a great portion of vets. Those who do not fall victim to suicide, come home with severe mental disorders that the government simply doesn’t give a damn about and will not give the people who risked their lives for an incredibly unjust and illegal war the help that they not only need, but deserve. The number of cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) amongst Iraq war veterans is astronomical! In an e-mail dated March 20 out of an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a VA employee wrote: “Given that we are having more and more compensation-seeking veterans, I’d like to suggest that we refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out. Consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder, R/O PTSD.”
Are you fucking kidding me? Of course veterans are seeking compensation! They did what they were told to do, went to a country that they are being told they are helping and making the country and the citizens who live there incredibly more worse off than they already were! They are killing innocent civilians, they are torturing and using scare tactics against people that they were told they were freeing. Given what the Iraq war consists of and what these troops are being told to do, every single one of them should be coming back with PTSD; it absolutely blows me away if one soldier comes back and is just fine and dandy and can go on with their lives. These people deserve compensation from the people who lied to them, but instead of the government actually doing what they say they will, they are telling psychiatrists not to properly diagnose them so they can cut back on compensation costs. A diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder is insulting, especially since with that diagnosis, the veteran is told that their present condition lasts for approximately six months when PTSD can last for several years and in some cases, may never go away.
A war with a motive called Operation Iraqi Freedom, the government has obviously been quite crafty when lying to the entire world and stealing an obscene amount of money from taxpayers. What’s really going on in this war? Well…
- Sgt. Jason Lemieux said “I was ordered multiple times by commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers to shoot unarmed civilians if their presence made me feel uncomfortable.”
Other frightening accounts include:
- Violent house raids, the killings of innocent people, “drop weapons” used to make dead civilians look like insurgents, racism in the ranks, and [soldier's] own process of dehumanization as they became inured to the humanity of those who they were supposedly sent to “liberate.”
- Raw sewage covering the floor at schools and the ground outside a hospital, which the American government refused to repair.
- Raw sewage being exposed to drinking water pipes.
The reason so many people, young people specifically, are being roped into joining the military in the first place is the promise of college tuition money. While the government keeps promising and giving these people the hope of some day going to school and getting a career, they are also taking those hopes away the second they can.
If a soldier tries to kill themselves after their first “tour” of the war and are discharged from the military, they are no longer eligible for the money that got them to sign their name on the dotted line to begin with, which is total bullshit.
This war needs to end and it needs to end soon, the US is simply ripping Iraq apart. If it does not, it will make it onto our soil anyway. The torture, living conditions and massacring of people that did nothing needs to stop.
At least some US troops have their heads and hearts in the right place. Sgt. Matthis Chiroux said this:
“In February, I received a letter from the Army ordering my return to active duty, for the purpose of mobilization for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thanks in great part to the truths of war being fearlessly spoken by my fellow IVAW members, I stand before you today with the strength, clarity and resolve to declare to the military and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq.”
“This occupation is unconstitutional and illegal, and I hereby lawfully refuse to participate, as I will surely be a party to war crimes. Furthermore, deployment in support of illegal war violates all of my core values as a human being, but in keeping with those values, I choose to remain in the United States to defend myself from charges brought by the Army if they so wish to pursue them. I refuse to participate in the occupation of Iraq.”
Recent Reproductive Rights Triumphs
There has been a lot of news on reproductive rights lately and sadly, I have not covered any of it. So here is all of the happy reproductive rights news I missed!
Canada has approved emergency contraception pill, Plan B, for over-the-counter sale. Emergency contraception sale in Canada was available over-the-counter in 2005, but only partially, as it was only available to women who had a medical consultation with a pharmacist.
If you’re curious as to what the status of emergency contraception sale in the US is, EC is available over-the-counter, however, women have had a hard time trying to actually obtain the pill due to pharmacists who should go and find a job that they can actually do, instead of punishing women because of their personal morals. Other things women have had to put up with trying to get Plan B are scare tactics, age limitations and conscience clause laws.
In other news:
- The UK has ruled 332 to 190 that they will not lower the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks. A ruling trying to lower the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 22 weeks was opposed 304 votes to 233. Yay, UK!
- A law that would essentially criminalize all second trimester abortions in Virginia was struck down by a federal appeals court panel.
In a 2-to-1 decision, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that the law was more restrictive than the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which the United States Supreme Court upheld last year in Gonzales v. Carhart.
…”Unlike the federal act,” Judge Michael wrote, “the Virginia act subjects all doctors who perform” the more common procedure “to potential criminal liability, thereby imposing an unconstitutional burden on a woman’s right to choose.”
And lastly, here’s some reproductive rights activism via Feministing.
Susan Wicklund, an abortion provider living in Montana has recently written a memoir about her life as an abortion provider entitled This Common Secret. (Also note: I need this book!)
Dr. Wicklund is currently trying to open a new clinic in Montana where there are very few reproductive rights resources for women. However, like most of these cases, pressure from the anti-choice population is hindering her from being able to open the new clinic and building owners will not lease to her due to the pressure the anti-choicers are putting on them. So, to help Dr. Wicklund, a PayPal account has been opened in her name so she can most likely build a new building and open the new clinic.
If you would like to donate, please send an email to supportsuewicklund@gmail.com and ask for information on how to donate.
More of the Same McCain–100 Years in Iraq
Yeah, yeah, today is obviously John McCain day. Following up on my statement that McCain is offering just more of the same when it comes to this country’s downfall, I saw this video today and it is kick ass.
I can’t believe people are calling this asshole a war hero, maybe if he wasn’t suffering from dementia he would be able to remember how horrible war is in the first place and he would hopefully not be so okay with spending 100 years in Iraq.
Still Think McCain is a Moderate?
I have written a ton of articles on John McCain and as soon as every single one of these posts have went up, I have had at least one comment or direct email telling me that either I was wrong and that McCain is a moderate or I have been told that they thought he was a moderate. This is because McCain is using the tactic that has been seen to be the most effective and successful in his campaign thus far–He is targeting swing voters and making them believe that indeed, he is the right candidate to vote for since he is what we’re used to–Some woman-hating, old wrinkly white dude.
Every candidate in this election so far has their own niche–Obama says that this country needs change, Hillary spouts bullshit on whatever she thinks Obama is doing wrong while reinforcing the fact that he happens to be black and McCain just wants to give this country more of the same. When you can get through his haphazard mumbling and stating the wrong facts about this so-called War on Terror McCain is using the political agenda that worked so well for Bush–Twice.
But alas, McCain’s mailings are helping those of us who have been trying to inform the voting public that McCain is by no means, not even a little, a moderate candidate.
The flier above is a recent mailing that McCain has recently put out. While most of the public has viewed McCain as a moderate, he is finally coming out and setting people straight; letting everyone know that he is an anti-woman, anti-choice, anti-reproductive rights conservative. It’s about time that he let everyone know where he really stands on this issue, but after seeing and reading so much about McCain, I wonder if he came to this decision on his own or if someone who works for him had to explain his standing to him; or maybe he is just following suit with Bush, it worked so well for him, right?
There are a lot of things wrong with this flier, but of course I would find several things that tick me off about it, were you really expecting anything less from me?
The word pro-life really rubs me the wrong way; in fact, the term pro-life in general does nothing but help out the anti-choice agenda. I mean, who isn’t pro-life? I like life, the people I know like life, life is really a top notch thing; but people who are already alive just tend to hold more weight in my mind than a cluster of cells. By coining the term “pro-life” those who are anti-choice get a veil of defense surrounding them automatically. It does not reveal their true agenda to those who may not be educated about reproductive rights and freedoms to begin with; those people are seeing the word life and thinking “Okay, life is good, therefore this organization must be good, too!” And that is simply just not the case.
I really hate the fact that his wife is in this flier with him. By a the same woman he called cunt being in a flier with him for his anti-choice agenda, he is giving those who don’t know the real McCain the illusion that he is pro-woman, which is completely the opposite of what he is publicizing.
I also think that just maybe, McCain forgot how long he has been in congress, which is 26 years, not 24 as it says on that flier. Like Amanda Marcotte said:
“What was he doing those other two years? Dicking around and paying for abortions that he was the original cause of? Foolishly allowing his second wife to use contraception? Wishing that his first wife had just aborted the pregnancies that led to the children who wouldn’t speak to him after he left her for a richer, younger, more politically viable wife that had been his mistress during the first marriage? It really undermines his claims to be always anti-choice and never wavering about that.
If you still think McCain is a moderate, this flier really sets the record straight; McCain is and has always been a voice for the anti-choice agenda. A voice to speak out about how wrong reproductive rights are. A voice of a misogynist.
Get Social
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Out Campaign
The OUT Campaign allows individuals to let others know they are not alone. It can also be a nice way of opening a conversation and help to demolish the negative stereotypes of atheists. Let the world know that we are not about to go away and that we are not going to allow those that would condemn us to push us into the shadows.
