Bush and Birth Control (sounds naughty, eh?)

8.15.2008

My friend Abe sent this to me and I thought I'd pass it along.

The Bush administration is trying to include birth control in the definition of "abortion" so that healthcare workers can refuse to provide it. From the Houston Chronicle on August 10th:

"Health and Human Services officials are considering a draft regulation that would classify most birth control pills, the Plan B emergency contraceptive and intrauterine devices as forms of abortion because they prevent the development of fertilized eggs into fetuses."

If you, like me, feel that this is insane manipulation of both women and English, please add your name to the MoveOn petition about it, and keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities to intervene in this bait-and-switch.

Click here to read the Houston Chronicle article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html

Click here to sign the petition:
http://pol.moveon.org/contraception/?r_by=-8759920-lgKkJ3x&rc=mailto

On why I'm hoping to become a total bitch

3.28.2008

In a good way.

I recently went to the release party for Bitch Magazine, a publication that seeks to reclaim this controversial word. From their website:

"The writer Rebecca West, back in the day, said, 'People call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.' We'd argue that the word "bitch" is usually deployed for the same purpose. When it's being used as an insult, "bitch" is an epithet hurled at women who speak their minds, who have opinions and don't shy away from expressing them, and who don't sit by and smile uncomfortably if they're bothered or offended. If being an outspoken woman means being a bitch, we'll take that as a compliment, thanks."

I've applied to intern with them this Spring. Even if that doesn't work out, I plan on volunteering with them in some form.

Girls Rock! The movie

3.09.2008

I'm going to see a documentary this week about a rock and roll camp for girls 8-18. A quotation from one of the girls: "I've been waiting for so long to admit to myself that I'm amazing. And I really am. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and they get even better when they decide to be powerful and they decide to rock."

Here's the trailer.




Rock on.