So, instead of having men embrace feminism, Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoon, believes that it's better to chemically castrate men, since rape is a natural instinct of men that they have repressed....along with other urges that would make them happy....wow we have got our work cut out for us...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/20/dilbert-creator-scott-adams-on-rape_n_880590.html
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Supreme Court to Women of Wal-Mart: You're on Your Own
| For Immediate Release Supreme Court to Women of Wal-Mart: You're on Your Own June 20, 2011 Today, a Supreme Court majority ruled against women by siding with the country's largest employment discriminator, saying Wal-Mart, essentially, is too big to sue. The brave women, led by Betty Dukes, who stood up to Wal-Mart at great personal sacrifice, are told simply they're on their own. "With this decision, the Supreme Court has assisted Wal-Mart in its efforts to systematically dole out promotions and pay raises on the basis of sex. The law calls that illegal discrimination, but this Court has turned its back on the more than million women who only sought simple justice," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "The women of Wal-Mart deserve respect and fair treatment, and we will continue to stand up for their rights." In 2002, NOW declared Wal-Mart a "Merchant of Shame" as part of its Women-Friendly Workplace Campaign. NOW chapters have led countless community demonstrations at Wal-Mart stores around the country to educate shoppers about Wal-Mart's exploitation of its women employees. Today, NOW demands an immediate legislative response to help the women of Wal-Mart. We call on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide more effective remedies to victims of sex-based wage discrimination. This bill passed in the House in January 2009, but ultimately was defeated in the Senate. "The gap between women's and men's pay is still sizeable, which is why it's so important to get this legislation passed," stated O'Neill. "We will continue supporting the efforts of Senators Mikulski, Cantwell, Gillibrand, Klobuchar, Stabenow and others to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and hold accountable those who stand in the way of this sensible remedial bill." A legislative remedy is only part of the solution, however. NOW also calls on Wal-Mart to end its unconscionable resistance to employees' efforts to form unions and bargain collectively over pay, benefits and other conditions of employment. Research demonstrates that unionized women workers earn better wages and have better benefits than their non-union counterparts. In fact, women in unions earn 11.2 percent more or $2.00 more per hour than non-union women workers. And the gender wage gap is smaller in unionized workplaces. "The benefits of being unionized are significant," said O'Neill. "Women workers can gain a voice through a union that they could never have individually, ultimately making Wal-Mart a better place to work for everyone." ### |
Can't NYS approve same sex marriage without bringing religion into it?
We are extremely close to being the 6th state to legalize same sex marriage, and yet, in this day and age, we still give heed to the voices of the Catholic church, which does not condone same sex marriage. What seems to escape every State Senator and Assemblyperson is the fact that we have a Constitution that separates Church and State. It would be good practice to REMIND our elected officials to uphold the constitution--it would stop many many many many self-interested lobbyists' agendas from gaining traction amongst our elected officials. Indeed, our officials should remember that they serve us, not their own egos, and listen to the public. For the governor to push for same-sex marriage, and in return to kowtow to the conservative voices that want "restrictions for certain religious groups" is ridiculous--would you not be able to get married if you were gay and Catholic? How does that uphold a persons rights under law?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/19/new-york-gay-marriage-bill-in_n_880144.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/19/new-york-gay-marriage-bill-in_n_880144.html
Monday, June 6, 2011
ALEC: The Voice of Corporate Special Interests In State Legislatures
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Friday, June 3, 2011
VICTORY! NY QUITS S-COMM!
VICTORY! NY QUITS S-COMM!
Friends,
We wanted to send a personal note to say how crucial your support has been to our tremendous victory in stopping S-Comm, ICE's mass deportation program, in New York. Thanks to the more than 6,300 voices who signed the petition, and the scores of organizations, faith leaders, and legislators who spoke out against S-Comm, Governor Cuomo has officially suspended it. Victory!
New York is only the second state in the country -- Illinois was first -- to pull out of S-Comm, and this is a big win! Together we've sent the message that we will fight for the rights of all immigrants and that there is no place for ICE's mass deportation program in New York -- or anywhere else in the U.S. We need to continue our work to stop S-Comm in every state. Please sign the national petition for a moratorium on S-Comm: http://bit.ly/scommice
(link to our press release here)
Thanks for being part of this amazing victory!
-- Michelle and Mizue on behalf of the New York Working Group Against Deportation
Friends,
We wanted to send a personal note to say how crucial your support has been to our tremendous victory in stopping S-Comm, ICE's mass deportation program, in New York. Thanks to the more than 6,300 voices who signed the petition, and the scores of organizations, faith leaders, and legislators who spoke out against S-Comm, Governor Cuomo has officially suspended it. Victory!
New York is only the second state in the country -- Illinois was first -- to pull out of S-Comm, and this is a big win! Together we've sent the message that we will fight for the rights of all immigrants and that there is no place for ICE's mass deportation program in New York -- or anywhere else in the U.S. We need to continue our work to stop S-Comm in every state. Please sign the national petition for a moratorium on S-Comm: http://bit.ly/scommice
(link to our press release here)
Thanks for being part of this amazing victory!
-- Michelle and Mizue on behalf of the New York Working Group Against Deportation
Off the sidelines
Today, I wanted to let you know about our new project that launched just last night: OffTheSidelines.org. I’ve fought tirelessly to be a voice for women across New York and our nation, and Off The Sidelines is the next step in our cause.
Too often, we see women in our communities – our friends and neighbors – stay on the sidelines while their voices are drowned out. OffTheSidelines.org is devoted to encouraging women everywhere to get involved in politics, business, and throughout their communities. By providing important advocacy and resources, our voices can be amplified and we will be heard.
Will you join the movement today?
Please take a look at OffTheSidelines.org, and as always, I welcome your input. Together, we are making a difference every day.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
Too often, we see women in our communities – our friends and neighbors – stay on the sidelines while their voices are drowned out. OffTheSidelines.org is devoted to encouraging women everywhere to get involved in politics, business, and throughout their communities. By providing important advocacy and resources, our voices can be amplified and we will be heard.
Will you join the movement today?
Please take a look at OffTheSidelines.org, and as always, I welcome your input. Together, we are making a difference every day.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Egyptian Female Protesters Forced To Take 'Virginity Tests': Report
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/31/egyptian-female-protesters-virginity-test-_n_868997.html?ncid=wsc-huffpost-cards-headline
CAIRO (AP) -- Activists and bloggers are pressing Egypt's military rulers to investigate accusations of serious abuses against protesters, including claims that soldiers subjected female detainees to so-called "virginity tests." Bloggers say they will hold a day of online protest Wednesday to voice their outrage, adding to criticism of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took control of the country from ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February.
The accusations of virginity tests first surfaced after a March 9 rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square that turned violent when men in plain clothes attacked protesters and the army intervened forcefully to clear the square.
One woman who was arrested spoke out about her treatment, and Amnesty International further documented the abuse allegations in a report that found 18 female detainees were threatened with prostitution charges and forced to undergo virginity tests. They were also beaten up and given electric shocks, the report said.
Egypt's military rulers have come under heavy criticism from the youth protest movement, which is upset at the pace of reforms that they hope will lead Egypt to democracy.
Since Mubarak's fall on Feb. 11, the military has led crackdowns on peaceful protests, and critics accuse it of failing to restore security in the streets or launch serious national dialogue on a clear path forward for Egypt.
The military council denied soldiers attacked protesters at the March 9 rally. But one general used a press conference to make negative remarks about women who mingle with men during the sit-ins and suggested lewd acts were taking place in protest camps.
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"There were girls with young men in one tent. Is this rational? There were drugs; pay attention!" Gen. Ismail Etman, spokesman of the council, said at the end of March.
He confirmed then that the military police arrested 17 female protesters among 170 others at the March 9 rally. He said the women were among a group of protesters given one-year suspended prison sentences.
"We secure the people. We don't use the violence," he said.
One of the women arrested, Salwa al-Husseini, gave a detailed account at a press conference in March of her treatment and said she was made to undergo a virginity test.
She said she was slapped in the face and electrocuted in her legs in Tahrir Square before being taken to a military prison.
"When we went to the military prison, me and the girls, we were placed in a room with two doors and a window. The two doors were wide open," she said in March. "The girl takes off all her clothes to be searched while there were cameras outside filming to fabricate prostitution charges against us later on," she added.
"The girl who says she is single, she undergoes a test by someone; we don't know if he is a soldier or some kid on their behalf," she said.
Amnesty said in its report that one of the women told her jailers she was a virgin but was beaten and given electric shocks when the test supposedly proved otherwise.
"Forcing women to have 'virginity tests' is utterly unacceptable," the Amnesty report said. "Its purpose is to degrade women because they are women."
The military council has promised to return the country to civilian rule after elections later this year, but some Egyptians fear the council is adopting the same autocratic ways that characterized Mubarak's rule. They point to what they say are attempts by the council to make any criticism of the military an untouchable taboo.
On Tuesday, the military prosecutor questioned a prominent blogger along with four other media people over their criticism of the performance of the council and military police.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, in a statement issued Tuesday, accused the council of trying to silence critics and create "an atmosphere of fear."
It warned, "The military council is committing a grave mistake if it continues to shut the mouths of those criticizing it. The council is not made up of angels."
The group also referred to virginity tests, saying that the military council is aware that "those belonging to it have practiced torture against the youth of the revolution and has subjected women to virginity tests."Saudi woman arrested for driving a car
The most controversial YouTube clip in Saudi Arabia this week doesn't feature obscenity, violence, or sex.
It's an 8-minute video of a woman driving a car.
Technically, Manal al-Sharif didn't do anything wrong. She has a valid U.S. driver's license, recognized in Saudi Arabia, and she had her brother's permission as well as her brother himself beside her as her requisite accompanying male relative.
Yet Saudi police arrested and imprisoned Manal for eight days for defying a long-standing ban against women driving.
That's why Saudi women activists have created an urgent Change.org petition to demand that King Abdullah and the Saudi royal family drop charges against Manal. They describe the petition as “a call for solidarity with Saudi women’s rights.”
Click here to add your name to their petition.
In Saudi Arabia, women cannot vote, hold property, or even open a bank account alone. Most institutions are segregated by sex, with unequal access for women—in other words, gender apartheid.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world in which women cannot drive. Additional prohibitions against taking buses, riding bikes, and appearing in public alone essentially rule out independent travel for women.
For Manal, as a divorced, working mother, restrictions on travel create an immense burden. Her male relatives can't drive her daily, but private drivers cost an unaffordable $300-400 per month. Taxis are scarce, and drivers frequently exploit and harass female passengers.
Manal’s act of protest is part of a historic campaign encouraging Saudi women to begin driving en masse on June 17. Click here to join the petition to have charges against her dropped and bolster her efforts.
Without significant support, Manal may face harsh penalties. Saudi cleric and government leader Sheik Ghazi al-Shemri is calling for Manal to "be flogged in the women's marketplace as a model and a lesson."
Leading Saudi women's activists tell us that placing international pressure on King Abdullah is critical to ensuring Manal's safety -- and to galvanizing the June 17 movement.
Click here to add your name to this petition urging King Abdullah to drop these unjust charges against Manal al-Sharif:
http://www.change.org/petitions/drop-charges-against-saudi-woman-arrested-for-driving-a-car/
Thanks for taking action,
- Weldon and the Change.org team
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The NYPD rape victim is NOT an accuser
First of all, let me applaud the fact that Women's eNews published this article. It was insightful to have such an interview, and it probably answered a lot of questions that women have.
Unfortunately, the authors of this article did make one glaring mistake--the called the victim the "accuser". Not withstanding the fact that this was a trial, and police were the plaintiffs, there are serious issues with calling a rape victim an "accuser". In doing so, it implies that the victim could be lying, and it sends that message subliminally to the readers. The victim CAN accuse two people of committing the rape. But a sentence like:
"In December 2008, the accuser celebrated a job promotion..."
is rife with innuendo, and serves to discredit the woman that has been victimized. It also makes other women wary of reporting rape--particularly if it is not taken seriously by those to whom she is reporting the rape. I realize this was not your intention, ladies, but be more careful--we are counting on you as members of the media to promote a feminist voice.
http://www.womensenews.org/story/in-the-courts/110531/nyc-juror-questions-handling-rape-evidence?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
Unfortunately, the authors of this article did make one glaring mistake--the called the victim the "accuser". Not withstanding the fact that this was a trial, and police were the plaintiffs, there are serious issues with calling a rape victim an "accuser". In doing so, it implies that the victim could be lying, and it sends that message subliminally to the readers. The victim CAN accuse two people of committing the rape. But a sentence like:
"In December 2008, the accuser celebrated a job promotion..."
is rife with innuendo, and serves to discredit the woman that has been victimized. It also makes other women wary of reporting rape--particularly if it is not taken seriously by those to whom she is reporting the rape. I realize this was not your intention, ladies, but be more careful--we are counting on you as members of the media to promote a feminist voice.
http://www.womensenews.org/story/in-the-courts/110531/nyc-juror-questions-handling-rape-evidence?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
My comments to a nasty and untrue post on a sister blog
Recently, a sister blog (Young Feminist Task Force) received a shockingly nasty comment from a poster calling him/herself "sicilian". (http://youngfeministtaskforce.blogspot.com/2011/05/today-at-5pm-protest-acquittal-of-two.html). This was in response to the protests that were planned last weekend after 2 NYC police officers were not found guilty of rape, despite insurmountable evidence.
I'm not one to respond to unreasonable comments, since usually someone is only trying to get a rise out of someone for perverse pleasure. To be flippant about rape, or to blame the victim, usually implies that there are some deep-seeded issues with the person making the comments. However, given the serious misunderstanding of the definition of rape, I thought it wise to speak to the matter:
I'm not one to respond to unreasonable comments, since usually someone is only trying to get a rise out of someone for perverse pleasure. To be flippant about rape, or to blame the victim, usually implies that there are some deep-seeded issues with the person making the comments. However, given the serious misunderstanding of the definition of rape, I thought it wise to speak to the matter:
Wow, sicilian. Just wow. I have no idea where to best begin to correct the absolutely vile and untrue statements that you have made, particularly since this vitriol is stemming from a place of such extreme anger and hatred towards women that it may be futile to even attempt to call you out on your BS. In addition, since you already are poised to discredit feminists by calling us "insane" and "liars", then it seems you are not open to reasonable discussions whatsoever. Unlike you, I will respectfully refrain from forming no end of incorrect and stereotypical judgments about you based solely on the tasteless and incoherent comments above, mostly because I have no desire to bait you--since you obviously have only said what you have said out because you find it perversely amusing to raise someone's ire. For your sake, I hope you find inner peace at some point before you are saddled with no end of medical maladies. This response, therefore, is not for you.
This response is for everyone else--male and female--who seem to have a very confused idea of what constitutes rape, and therefore find it hard to think of rape absent the bludgeoning. Rape is non-consensual sex. Non-consensual does not mean "forcible". It means that one of the two parties did not agree--or did not possess the ability to agree--to sex. For example, if you are too young to consent to sex, it is rape. If you consent to one form of sex, but not another, it is rape. If you are married, but do not consent to sex, it is rape. If you are being held at gunpoint and ask your attacker to where a condom--it is rape. Last but not least, if you are too drunk to move, and can't even properly pronounce the word sex, then you cannot consent to sex--hence, it is rape. There is no difference between a predator that beats a victim to submission and the predator who waits for someone to pass out from too much alcohol--save for the fact that the later will leave comments on blogs that call feminists insane liars and will blame the victim. Rape is rape, and every time it is reported someone must go to jail. There is no gray area.
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