Although this is the last blog for the semester, our readers who are (un)lucky enough to still be at Ramapo this week for finals are welcome to join us all week for our Relaxation Week festivities! Come enjoy hot cocoa and other treats, play Just Dance, decorate penguins for our bulletin board, or just hang out in a festive atmosphere every week day from 10am-7pm (5pm on Friday) until we close for the semester at 2pm next Wednesday.
For all of our readers who don't go to Ramapo (or who have already headed home for the holiday break) we have something for you to enjoy as well! Check out the video we made for the Center for Student Involvement's holiday competition...
Have a great break everyone, we'll see you when the new semester begins in January!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Little Girls
I hear a lot from my friends who want to be teachers, counselors, or social workers about changing the future by reaching out to kids. This wasn’t something I ever thought about much. I’ve always been much more concerned about reaching people who are my age and older and trying to understand their beliefs in order to bring about some societal change. Then, my sister had a baby. Being the youngest, I never had to think about being around young kids or about how what I do around her will influence the development of the world’s next president, lawyer, actress, or poet.
Then I got an email from this same sister with a link to an article and a line that said, “I will no longer tell you how pretty you are and instead grill you about current events. Maybe it's too late for you?” I clicked the link, and it opened to a Huffington Post article written by Lisa Bloom about how to talk to young girls. The article documented her experience of spending a night talking to five year old girl, and how instead of instantly telling the young girl how beautiful and cute she was (despite how hard it was to stop herself), she spent the night reading the girl her favorite book. The book itself was about a girl who loves pink being bullied by girls who wear all black. Bloom says, “Alas, it was about girls and what they wore, and how their wardrobe choices defined their identities. But after Maya closed the final page, I steered the conversation to the deeper issues in the book: mean girls and peer pressure and not going along with the group.”
I had never thought about this before reading the article. Even now, as I’m trying to think back to my own childhood, I remember being told how cute/beautiful I was more than I was ever just actually brought in on a real conversation. It might be easier to tell a girl that she has a pretty dress rather than asking her what she likes or doesn’t like about the world she lives in, but we all have to start thinking about how we want to change the world at some point. Why not start right away?
This is something I want to be conscious of as my niece starts to grow. Do I want to dress her up? Of course I do, and I probably will (She has an adorable black and gold Adidas track suit, and I think it’s hilarious.) There are many pictures of me dressed up in ridiculous outfits just because my older siblings thought it was funny. But I also want to know what she thinks. I want her to think about what she would do if she had one magic wish, even if all she wants to do is outlaw broccoli. Now, my niece is only a few weeks old, and she can’t actually understand anything I might say to her. However, I’d like to think that one day, when she’s a super successful woman who is more concerned with her brain and ambitions than her appearance, my trying to have a one sided conversation with her while she makes adorable pig noises and squinty faces will have made some impact on her life.
Read the article for yourself and see what you think about it.
Then I got an email from this same sister with a link to an article and a line that said, “I will no longer tell you how pretty you are and instead grill you about current events. Maybe it's too late for you?” I clicked the link, and it opened to a Huffington Post article written by Lisa Bloom about how to talk to young girls. The article documented her experience of spending a night talking to five year old girl, and how instead of instantly telling the young girl how beautiful and cute she was (despite how hard it was to stop herself), she spent the night reading the girl her favorite book. The book itself was about a girl who loves pink being bullied by girls who wear all black. Bloom says, “Alas, it was about girls and what they wore, and how their wardrobe choices defined their identities. But after Maya closed the final page, I steered the conversation to the deeper issues in the book: mean girls and peer pressure and not going along with the group.”
I had never thought about this before reading the article. Even now, as I’m trying to think back to my own childhood, I remember being told how cute/beautiful I was more than I was ever just actually brought in on a real conversation. It might be easier to tell a girl that she has a pretty dress rather than asking her what she likes or doesn’t like about the world she lives in, but we all have to start thinking about how we want to change the world at some point. Why not start right away?
This is something I want to be conscious of as my niece starts to grow. Do I want to dress her up? Of course I do, and I probably will (She has an adorable black and gold Adidas track suit, and I think it’s hilarious.) There are many pictures of me dressed up in ridiculous outfits just because my older siblings thought it was funny. But I also want to know what she thinks. I want her to think about what she would do if she had one magic wish, even if all she wants to do is outlaw broccoli. Now, my niece is only a few weeks old, and she can’t actually understand anything I might say to her. However, I’d like to think that one day, when she’s a super successful woman who is more concerned with her brain and ambitions than her appearance, my trying to have a one sided conversation with her while she makes adorable pig noises and squinty faces will have made some impact on her life.
Read the article for yourself and see what you think about it.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Rick Perry's "Strong" Ad
Last Tuesday, presidential hopeful Rick Perry released his highly controversial and hilariously entertaining “Strong” promotional ad. The short video touches upon two hot topics: religion and gays in the military. Perry has been pushing religion onto his platform and this ad shows how prominent it will become in his campaign. To date, the video has received 20,174 likes and 646,134 dislikes. Obviously the viewers have spoken. Here’s a look at the ad:
Instead of activists groups being up in arms about Perry’s extremely right winged views, most people are making fun of it. In the video Perry is wearing a brown workman’s jacket, much like the characters in Brokeback Mountain wore. Also, the music used in the background of the ad is by Aaron Copland, a gay composer. I don’t blame those who are poking fun at this video because it is utterly ridiculous. Thank goodness people are keeping me entertained by putting out videos like this one:
Personally, I do not believe anything that Rick Perry says in this ad. I think that he only did this to get a rise out of the public, and that he did. At this point Perry is doing anything he can to save himself from the embarrassing flubs he has had during previous Republican debates. I guess we will see how he does in the primaries, but as it looks now, President Obama is looking pretty comfortable where he is now.
Instead of activists groups being up in arms about Perry’s extremely right winged views, most people are making fun of it. In the video Perry is wearing a brown workman’s jacket, much like the characters in Brokeback Mountain wore. Also, the music used in the background of the ad is by Aaron Copland, a gay composer. I don’t blame those who are poking fun at this video because it is utterly ridiculous. Thank goodness people are keeping me entertained by putting out videos like this one:
Personally, I do not believe anything that Rick Perry says in this ad. I think that he only did this to get a rise out of the public, and that he did. At this point Perry is doing anything he can to save himself from the embarrassing flubs he has had during previous Republican debates. I guess we will see how he does in the primaries, but as it looks now, President Obama is looking pretty comfortable where he is now.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Dear Santa...
Dear Santa,
I have to say that there are quite a few things on my Christmas list this year. I’d love some new boots, “Buffy” on DVD, but one of the things I’d like which will most likely not be underneath my Christmas Tree is for Michele Bachmann to lose the Republican primary for president. To be honest, the fact that she has any supporters at all is a bit mind boggling, as interview after interview she digs herself into a deeper hole of stupid. I can’t help but feel like this is Sarah Palin all over again, pretending to be cutting edge and modern simply because she is a woman and a Republican (GASP! A woman politician with a voice?! Say it ain’t so!).
Perhaps one of the reasons I feel so strongly about Bachmann is because of some of the terrible things she has said about the LBGT community. She has said in interviews that we are “part of Satan” and refuses to acknowledge same sex couples as couples at all. Her “opinion” is that marriage is between a man and a woman. Of course, opinion doesn’t really matter when same sex couples are already existing all over the world, but hey if Michele has an “opinion” I guess it matters. I also recently saw the following video, where a High School student and youth activist challenges Bachmann on same-sex marriage, only to have her recite that we all, as Americans, have the “same civil rights”. It’s a little confusing to hear just how equal my civil rights are, when I’m not granted thousands of rights related to marriage and adoption because of the fact that my future partner will be a man.
Whatchu talking ‘bout Michele?
So please. Santa, Old Saint Nick, Chris Cringle, Ho Ho, I would LOVE to have Michele lose the primary election. I promise to be a good boy all year, clean my room, brush my teeth, and continue fighting for equality until I don’t have to hear ignorant people like her talk about my community anymore.
HO HO HO
I have to say that there are quite a few things on my Christmas list this year. I’d love some new boots, “Buffy” on DVD, but one of the things I’d like which will most likely not be underneath my Christmas Tree is for Michele Bachmann to lose the Republican primary for president. To be honest, the fact that she has any supporters at all is a bit mind boggling, as interview after interview she digs herself into a deeper hole of stupid. I can’t help but feel like this is Sarah Palin all over again, pretending to be cutting edge and modern simply because she is a woman and a Republican (GASP! A woman politician with a voice?! Say it ain’t so!).
Perhaps one of the reasons I feel so strongly about Bachmann is because of some of the terrible things she has said about the LBGT community. She has said in interviews that we are “part of Satan” and refuses to acknowledge same sex couples as couples at all. Her “opinion” is that marriage is between a man and a woman. Of course, opinion doesn’t really matter when same sex couples are already existing all over the world, but hey if Michele has an “opinion” I guess it matters. I also recently saw the following video, where a High School student and youth activist challenges Bachmann on same-sex marriage, only to have her recite that we all, as Americans, have the “same civil rights”. It’s a little confusing to hear just how equal my civil rights are, when I’m not granted thousands of rights related to marriage and adoption because of the fact that my future partner will be a man.
Whatchu talking ‘bout Michele?
So please. Santa, Old Saint Nick, Chris Cringle, Ho Ho, I would LOVE to have Michele lose the primary election. I promise to be a good boy all year, clean my room, brush my teeth, and continue fighting for equality until I don’t have to hear ignorant people like her talk about my community anymore.
HO HO HO
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Plan B Not Over The Counter!
In direct contradiction to all of the recent recommendtions from the FDA, Kathleen Sebelius the secretary of Health and Human Serives decided that the emergency contraception Plan B will not be allowed to be sold without a prescription to children under the age of 17.
A letter written by FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg states, "I reviewed and thoughtfully considered the data, clinical information, and analysis provided by CDER, and I agree with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research that there is adequate and reasonable, well-supported, and science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential." The possibility for all women to have access to Plan B was one step away from being instituted and the secretary believed otherwise and due to FDA having to respond they sent the complete response letter to Teva today. Plan B One-Step will remain on the market and will remain available for all ages, but a prescription will continue to be required for females under the age of 17.
This misconception that having Plan B over the counter will somehow make young girls all of a sudden more interested in sex is a ignorant view on the issue at hand and seems to be the true motive in why the secrertary believes younger women shouldn't have the opportunity to the emergency contraceptive. The view of society to believe that just because someone young is requesting Plan B means this girl is promiscuous is not appropriate. You never understand why this person may have felt the need to select this type of contraception. It takes a lot of confidence and strength sometimes for men and woman to even buy these barrier methods and then to be judged when they build up this courage is not acceptable. When condoms are for sale for all ages why cant Plan B be? It is just as safe and effective as other barrier methods, additionally an important saftey net for when "Plan A" methods (like condoms or the pill) fail. Contrary to popular belief it is not our place to justify why someone should be denied access, whether we fear they may begin to abuse the pill or not.
Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and Robitussin are all more dangerous than Plan B and yet they are on the market for all ages, over the counter. With this in mind, what is the point in denying access to Plan B? I am totally astonished by the act of denying this access without any legitimate reasoning. There is a clear double standard in place here: women have rights and limited access to reproductive health services but still are hindered by the misconception that young women shouldn't have access to these pills because being a sexually active young woman is still looked down upon. It saddens me that this still occurs but I write this post in hopes that things will change.
A letter written by FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg states, "I reviewed and thoughtfully considered the data, clinical information, and analysis provided by CDER, and I agree with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research that there is adequate and reasonable, well-supported, and science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential." The possibility for all women to have access to Plan B was one step away from being instituted and the secretary believed otherwise and due to FDA having to respond they sent the complete response letter to Teva today. Plan B One-Step will remain on the market and will remain available for all ages, but a prescription will continue to be required for females under the age of 17.
This misconception that having Plan B over the counter will somehow make young girls all of a sudden more interested in sex is a ignorant view on the issue at hand and seems to be the true motive in why the secrertary believes younger women shouldn't have the opportunity to the emergency contraceptive. The view of society to believe that just because someone young is requesting Plan B means this girl is promiscuous is not appropriate. You never understand why this person may have felt the need to select this type of contraception. It takes a lot of confidence and strength sometimes for men and woman to even buy these barrier methods and then to be judged when they build up this courage is not acceptable. When condoms are for sale for all ages why cant Plan B be? It is just as safe and effective as other barrier methods, additionally an important saftey net for when "Plan A" methods (like condoms or the pill) fail. Contrary to popular belief it is not our place to justify why someone should be denied access, whether we fear they may begin to abuse the pill or not.
Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, and Robitussin are all more dangerous than Plan B and yet they are on the market for all ages, over the counter. With this in mind, what is the point in denying access to Plan B? I am totally astonished by the act of denying this access without any legitimate reasoning. There is a clear double standard in place here: women have rights and limited access to reproductive health services but still are hindered by the misconception that young women shouldn't have access to these pills because being a sexually active young woman is still looked down upon. It saddens me that this still occurs but I write this post in hopes that things will change.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Victim Blaming
Take a look at this ad recently released by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Are you seeing the same issues that I'm seeing? This ad is victim blaming left and right. Not only are victims given the fault, but their friends as well! If it's too small to read, the text in the lower right area says "When your friends drink, they can end up making bad decisions, like going home with someone they don't know very well. Decisions like that leave them vulnerable to dangers like date rape. Help your friends stay in control and stay safe."
I understand that they are using a very serious situation to scare teens away from alcohol, however, they are presenting information about sexual abuse that is unhelpful. The statements made in the advertising campaign perpetuate the unfortunate practice of victim blaming. This particular ad claims that the victim was abused because he or she could not or did not say no. The truth is, no one should be attempting any sort of sexual contact without consent from both parties. If there is no consent, then there should be no contact. In the case of date rape, the blame lies entirely with the assaulter. It is so sad that victims have a false stigma attached to their situation that places them in the wrong. Society should be making an effort to help victims recover and make them feel safe, not isolate and judge them.
What do you think about this advertising campaign? If these statements make teens think twice about drinking, would it be worth it? Personally, I think there is no excuse for victim blaming, and the practice needs to be reversed as soon as possible. There are always other ways to inform young people about the dangers of drinking
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Stay Strong
You Came To Me At The Tender Age Of 14,
Promising,
That You'll Take All The Pain Away From Me,
Just A Few Moments With You,
Would Get Me Though My Darkest Hour,
And I Will Arise With All Power,
To Move On,
And When The Dawn,
Comes You'll Still Be There, Holding Back My Hair.
Wiping My Tears,
Cleaning My Sorrow And Fears
From The floor
You'll Be Holding Me Up As I Stumble To The Door
And Lay In My bed
And The Only Thought In My Head
Is How I Need Another Sweet Kiss
From Your Ice Cold Lips.
I Relax My Eyes
And Stare At The Sky
And Dive In To Your White Bliss
My Sweetest Addiction
This is a poem that I wrote about two years ago. It is talking about when I was in high school and was struggling with the beginning stages of alcohol addiction. It went from just drinking with friends on weekends to drinking almost every other day and even more when I had problems that I couldn’t deal with sober. Realizing that this wasn’t the way that I should go I decided to start to going to AA meeting (Alcoholics Anonymous). After 3 years of AA I’m proud to say that I’ve been clean for a year now. So if I can do it so can you ☺
Some Facts:
During the past month (30 days), 26.4% of underage persons (ages 12-20) used alcohol, and binge drinking among the same age group was 17.4%.
Many local A.A. Web sites also provide meeting information. An Internet search of “Alcoholics Anonymous” and the name of a town or region will almost always yields helpful results.
Promising,
That You'll Take All The Pain Away From Me,
Just A Few Moments With You,
Would Get Me Though My Darkest Hour,
And I Will Arise With All Power,
To Move On,
And When The Dawn,
Comes You'll Still Be There, Holding Back My Hair.
Wiping My Tears,
Cleaning My Sorrow And Fears
From The floor
You'll Be Holding Me Up As I Stumble To The Door
And Lay In My bed
And The Only Thought In My Head
Is How I Need Another Sweet Kiss
From Your Ice Cold Lips.
I Relax My Eyes
And Stare At The Sky
And Dive In To Your White Bliss
My Sweetest Addiction
This is a poem that I wrote about two years ago. It is talking about when I was in high school and was struggling with the beginning stages of alcohol addiction. It went from just drinking with friends on weekends to drinking almost every other day and even more when I had problems that I couldn’t deal with sober. Realizing that this wasn’t the way that I should go I decided to start to going to AA meeting (Alcoholics Anonymous). After 3 years of AA I’m proud to say that I’ve been clean for a year now. So if I can do it so can you ☺
Some Facts:
During the past month (30 days), 26.4% of underage persons (ages 12-20) used alcohol, and binge drinking among the same age group was 17.4%.
Many local A.A. Web sites also provide meeting information. An Internet search of “Alcoholics Anonymous” and the name of a town or region will almost always yields helpful results.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Bringing the movement home
Oh look, Riles is talking about Occupy Wall Street again. *Yawn*
Check this out:
'The young man standing next to the “Jail Sallie Mae, Cancel All Student Loan Debt” sign in Liberty Plaza last night could very well end up in jail himself – not for protesting economic injustice and marching on Wall Street, but for doing sex work to pay off his student loans. "My loans are $1,300 a month," he said. "My rent is $1,300 a month. My salary is $2,600 a month. You can see the problem. So I work as a prostitute for food and utilities."
Though he works a day job in the tech sector, it’s not enough to get by. "But it could be worse," he continued. "I could have to do sex work for all of it."'
What, that's weird Riles. What a crazy one-in-a-million story!
'With the Department of Education estimating that outstanding US student loan debt will soon exceed $1 trillion and job growth stalled, students face the very real prospect that there’s no way to ever pay back their debts. As of this May, new graduates are leaving college with an average of $22,900 in debt each, which, according to the Wall Street Journal, makes the class of 2011 the most indebted in history. They are members of a generation of students who knew taking out loans to finance a degree – or two – was a gamble on their own futures. As Lindsay Personett, a recent graduate from Oklahoma City University, put it at Wednesday’s solidarity march to support the Wall Street occupiers, “Kids are told to get this expensive degree and you’ll get a job. You end up owing too much and owning nothing.”'
...$1 trillion in student loan debt? That's a very unhappy number Riles.
I know, friend, I know. There's more, I'm sorry to say:
'My father has been the sole financial supporter of my family for 18 years, because my mom chose to stay home and raise kids that she would be able to be proud of and take credit for, and now all of her training is outdated and useless. He works for the state making above-average salary, but due to medical bills, co-pays, therapy, physical therapy, surgeries, and medications, we live paycheck to paycheck and often are unable to pay bills on time.
I graduated high school with an honors diploma with advanced placement. I got into every university I applied to, with promises for financial aid, scholarships, and grants. After graduating with a 3.4 gpa and high SAT scores, I chose to attend the private university that offered the best program, financial aid, scholarships, and job opportunities after graduation.
In my third year, I am over $41,000 in debt not including interest, I will be graduating during one of the lowest economic points in history, and my career path pays an average salary of $35,000 a year, if I am even lucky enough to land a job.
I take an overloaded class schedule of 20 course hours, I work four minimum-wage paying jobs, roughly half of my paycheck is taken out for taxes, and because my university is so expensive and didn’t hold up their end of the deal to help pay my way, I will be responsible for my parent’s inability to send my brilliant younger siblings to a college at any higher level than community college.
I have had a job since the day I got my license at 16, I am responsible, I am intelligent, and talented, and yet, I still struggle to afford food and find myself going to bed hungry in the one of the richest and most bountiful countries in the world.
I am the 99%.'
Well shit, Riles, maybe I should take a more serious look at this Occupy business. Maybe I'm part of the 99% too.
Another world is possible. Join the revolution.
Sources for this blog post:
- Riles Patrick Murphy, proud member of the 99%
Check this out:
'The young man standing next to the “Jail Sallie Mae, Cancel All Student Loan Debt” sign in Liberty Plaza last night could very well end up in jail himself – not for protesting economic injustice and marching on Wall Street, but for doing sex work to pay off his student loans. "My loans are $1,300 a month," he said. "My rent is $1,300 a month. My salary is $2,600 a month. You can see the problem. So I work as a prostitute for food and utilities."
Though he works a day job in the tech sector, it’s not enough to get by. "But it could be worse," he continued. "I could have to do sex work for all of it."'
What, that's weird Riles. What a crazy one-in-a-million story!
'With the Department of Education estimating that outstanding US student loan debt will soon exceed $1 trillion and job growth stalled, students face the very real prospect that there’s no way to ever pay back their debts. As of this May, new graduates are leaving college with an average of $22,900 in debt each, which, according to the Wall Street Journal, makes the class of 2011 the most indebted in history. They are members of a generation of students who knew taking out loans to finance a degree – or two – was a gamble on their own futures. As Lindsay Personett, a recent graduate from Oklahoma City University, put it at Wednesday’s solidarity march to support the Wall Street occupiers, “Kids are told to get this expensive degree and you’ll get a job. You end up owing too much and owning nothing.”'
...$1 trillion in student loan debt? That's a very unhappy number Riles.
I know, friend, I know. There's more, I'm sorry to say:
'My father has been the sole financial supporter of my family for 18 years, because my mom chose to stay home and raise kids that she would be able to be proud of and take credit for, and now all of her training is outdated and useless. He works for the state making above-average salary, but due to medical bills, co-pays, therapy, physical therapy, surgeries, and medications, we live paycheck to paycheck and often are unable to pay bills on time.
I graduated high school with an honors diploma with advanced placement. I got into every university I applied to, with promises for financial aid, scholarships, and grants. After graduating with a 3.4 gpa and high SAT scores, I chose to attend the private university that offered the best program, financial aid, scholarships, and job opportunities after graduation.
In my third year, I am over $41,000 in debt not including interest, I will be graduating during one of the lowest economic points in history, and my career path pays an average salary of $35,000 a year, if I am even lucky enough to land a job.
I take an overloaded class schedule of 20 course hours, I work four minimum-wage paying jobs, roughly half of my paycheck is taken out for taxes, and because my university is so expensive and didn’t hold up their end of the deal to help pay my way, I will be responsible for my parent’s inability to send my brilliant younger siblings to a college at any higher level than community college.
I have had a job since the day I got my license at 16, I am responsible, I am intelligent, and talented, and yet, I still struggle to afford food and find myself going to bed hungry in the one of the richest and most bountiful countries in the world.
I am the 99%.'
Well shit, Riles, maybe I should take a more serious look at this Occupy business. Maybe I'm part of the 99% too.
Another world is possible. Join the revolution.
Sources for this blog post:
Sex Work to Pay Off College Loans? How the College Debt Racket Sucks Young People Dry -- And Led Many to Occupy Wall St.
We Are the 99 Percent Tumblr- Riles Patrick Murphy, proud member of the 99%
Friday, December 2, 2011
The EPA is destroying our planet!
Oh wait, that's not true....
The great thing about being a feminist is that feminism, despite the mass of ignorant, overly simplified definitions out there, is not just a “women’s” issue. Feminism isn’t just about upper middle class white ladies and butch lesbians (history be damned). In 2011, feminism is about gender equality, respecting intelligent freely made choices, and advocating for equal access to basic human rights. For me, this is great, because my own personal torches aren’t just about traditional “women’s” issues – not to mention being a transguy isn’t the same experience as many female-bodied individuals have.
Obviously I care about wealth distribution and support the Occupy movement. I also care about animals, the environment and reforming the health care system. On the subject of the environment, check this ad out:
This TV ad, paid for by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. “Clean coal” may be better than “dirty coal,” but there are cleaner more efficient technologies out there that aren’t based on biofuels. Biofuels are not limitless, no matter what we want to believe. The ACCCE is attacking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing new regulations that would raise energy prices in the US.
The EPA, for the fiscal years 2011 – 2013, has the following as proposed goals:
· Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of our nation’s waters
· Preventing animal waste from contaminating surface and ground waters
· Cutting Toxic Air Pollution that Affects Communities’ Health
· Reducing Widespread Air Pollution from the Largest Sources, especially the Coal-Fired Utility, Cement, Glass, and Acid Sectors
· Reducing pollution from mineral processing operations
· Assuring energy extraction sector compliance with environmental laws.
These all sound like good ideas to me, but I can understand how the Coal Industry is a bit pissed off. Personally, I care more about health than business. I do understand that enforcing stricter regulations could cost jobs – but if Big Business really cared about individual jobs, they would put money into green re-training efforts, not into blocking the EPA regulations. Protecting our health and our eco-systems is a necessary move no matter what your politics are. Unless, of course, you’re too short-sighted to be concerned with our shared future.
- One of the 99%
*More information about the EPA’s “National Enforcement Initiatives for Fiscal Years 2011 – 2013” here.
The great thing about being a feminist is that feminism, despite the mass of ignorant, overly simplified definitions out there, is not just a “women’s” issue. Feminism isn’t just about upper middle class white ladies and butch lesbians (history be damned). In 2011, feminism is about gender equality, respecting intelligent freely made choices, and advocating for equal access to basic human rights. For me, this is great, because my own personal torches aren’t just about traditional “women’s” issues – not to mention being a transguy isn’t the same experience as many female-bodied individuals have.
Obviously I care about wealth distribution and support the Occupy movement. I also care about animals, the environment and reforming the health care system. On the subject of the environment, check this ad out:
This TV ad, paid for by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. “Clean coal” may be better than “dirty coal,” but there are cleaner more efficient technologies out there that aren’t based on biofuels. Biofuels are not limitless, no matter what we want to believe. The ACCCE is attacking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing new regulations that would raise energy prices in the US.
The EPA, for the fiscal years 2011 – 2013, has the following as proposed goals:
· Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of our nation’s waters
· Preventing animal waste from contaminating surface and ground waters
· Cutting Toxic Air Pollution that Affects Communities’ Health
· Reducing Widespread Air Pollution from the Largest Sources, especially the Coal-Fired Utility, Cement, Glass, and Acid Sectors
· Reducing pollution from mineral processing operations
· Assuring energy extraction sector compliance with environmental laws.
These all sound like good ideas to me, but I can understand how the Coal Industry is a bit pissed off. Personally, I care more about health than business. I do understand that enforcing stricter regulations could cost jobs – but if Big Business really cared about individual jobs, they would put money into green re-training efforts, not into blocking the EPA regulations. Protecting our health and our eco-systems is a necessary move no matter what your politics are. Unless, of course, you’re too short-sighted to be concerned with our shared future.
- One of the 99%
*More information about the EPA’s “National Enforcement Initiatives for Fiscal Years 2011 – 2013” here.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Kentucky Church Votes to Deny Interracial Marriages
A church in Kentucky recently voted to bar couples in interracial marriages from joining its congregation. The vote came after the church told a member that his daughter and African fiance were no longer allowed to participate in church services. At a 40-person service, nine voted in favor of excluding interracial marriage, 6 voted against the measure, and 25 members abstained.
It is extremely disturbing that in 2011 interracial marriage is still a serious issue for some people. This woman and her fiance did nothing more than participate in church services, and yet members of the congregation felt upset enough to actually vote to ban interracial marriage within their church.Interracial marriage in the United States of America has been legal since 1967 (And interracial relationships have always existed), and yet these church members who supported this issue were still so stuck in outdated and racist modes of thought that they felt it appropriate to condemn not only a couple that they knew but also love and marriage as a whole. The fact that disturbs me the most is that the vast majority of the congregation did not take a stand against racism and instead chose to remain silent; in doing so, they have let those who voted for the measure speak for them.
I hope that the members of this church are able to reflect on their decision and make things right, because as of right now they have shown how hatred is still a force that needs to be confronted and how far we still have to go on resolving issues of race within our country.
It is extremely disturbing that in 2011 interracial marriage is still a serious issue for some people. This woman and her fiance did nothing more than participate in church services, and yet members of the congregation felt upset enough to actually vote to ban interracial marriage within their church.Interracial marriage in the United States of America has been legal since 1967 (And interracial relationships have always existed), and yet these church members who supported this issue were still so stuck in outdated and racist modes of thought that they felt it appropriate to condemn not only a couple that they knew but also love and marriage as a whole. The fact that disturbs me the most is that the vast majority of the congregation did not take a stand against racism and instead chose to remain silent; in doing so, they have let those who voted for the measure speak for them.
I hope that the members of this church are able to reflect on their decision and make things right, because as of right now they have shown how hatred is still a force that needs to be confronted and how far we still have to go on resolving issues of race within our country.
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