Monday, April 30, 2007

Yet More Random Thoughts

I went for a run today. Well, okay, to be totally honest it was more a run/walk with more of the walk thrown in. Apparently, not running in cross country and track for 9 years really impedes your endurance. Plus, things hurt more now than they did then, because, sadly, I am older. Anyway, on Kristi's blog she's asking for those things that are just "oh yuck" kind of moments and I started thinking about those really small things that feel really good. Today for instance, one of my best aaahh moments was when I got home from my run, sweaty, stinky, gross, cause it was around 85+ degrees today, and I took off my running shoes and socks. Is there anything better feeling after a run (besides running into a cool lake) than taking off the shoes and socks and having that first wave of cool air on your overheated feet? Anyway, like I said random thoughts. Also, spaghetti. That's a good thought too, right?

Friday, April 27, 2007

New Ideas

I've been toying with the idea, on and off for a few years now, of going to law school. Despite my insane fear of speaking aloud in front of people, I think I have qualities that would make my being a lawyer appealing. So, I've been toying with the idea of taking the LSAT just to see how well I do and maybe visiting some law schools. Anyway, on one of my friends blogs, he posted that he was in storyteller/writer mode. I get like that sometimes, wanting to write, but having nothing to really write. Perhaps a lot of people have that urge and that's why blogging is so popular. Also, I've been reading this delightful little book called god is Not Great; How Religion Poisons Everything. Naturally, I have lots of ideas. The author is logical, rational, and humorous, which opens my mind to new ideas. I would recommmend the book to everyone, even if you happen to be religious and think it's crap. And one other thought: why don't people burn witches anymore? Or people suspected of being a witch?
I am in no way advocating this policy - I just wonder about things like this.

Monday, April 23, 2007

the link

Oh, and I forgot to include the link so you could read it...
www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?id=10265
Hope that works.

News from Finland

Yes, that's right. The title said Finland. According to my feminist wire newbrief article (I get emails from Ms. Magazine, Naral, and Planned Parenthood, just to push the stake through my heart a little more for those antichoice (except Sara, I promise!!)readers of mine) According to the article, 12 of the 20 cabinet positions went to women in Finland on Tuesday, making Finland the world's first female dominated government. Isn't that the coolest? I only wish the U.S. could have been the first. According to the Prime Minister Vanhanen, he wants his government to respect "gender equality." Finland was also the first country to allow women to vote and run for office and has had a female president. I'm not for voting for someone like Hilary just because she's female, but it's so inspiring to know that at least somewhere in the world, women's equality is important and in some ways, thriving. I just had to share and I figured even those of you who hate my other pro-women views (I know, I know, which some of you consider anti-woman!) would be happy.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

I love it when Catholics actually think for themselves!

Catholics for a Free Choice Launches Campaign to place Catholic Americans’ Views on Contraception and Abortion Center Stage


Prevention Not Prohibition calls on policymakers to fund policies that prevent unintended pregnancy and support pregnant women


WASHINGTON, DC— Prevention Not Prohibition, a provocative campaign launched today in the nation’s capital, highlights the fact that the majority of American Catholics support access to contraception and legal abortion, and support policies that prevent, rather than criminalize, abortion. To kick off the campaign, CFFC advertisements, “How to end the abortion wars” and “Nobody wants to need an abortion,” are appearing in Metro stations and on bus shelters around the capital, and will spread out across the country as state policy makers introduce policies that support pregnant women in the choices they make. Images of the advertisements are available here.

Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for a Free Choice, stated, “The advertisements articulate the views of the majority of American Catholics who do not want to see abortion criminalized, but want to see it less necessary. The campaign seeks to galvanize their support for proactive legislation that reduces the need for abortion and provides good options for women coping with an unintended pregnancy.”

“Two pieces of legislation on Capitol Hill—Prevention First and the Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act—are a step in the right direction,” O’Brien continued. “However, we believe that women and their families, especially those who are poor, need even more. They want policies that result in real action, not just talk. Prevention Not Prohibition aims to convert the talk in Washington, DC, into real life public policy.”

Despite years of campaigning by the bishops, 97% of Catholic women have used an artificial contraceptive method and Catholic women have abortions at the same rate as non-Catholics, there is clearly ample support for policies that reduce the need for abortion. The campaign identifies a number of opportunities for advocacy and improved policies. These include:

Ensuring the availability and promoting the use of safe, reliable and affordable contraception;
Securing health care for all, whether they are employed or not;
Promoting responsible sexuality education that provides accurate facts; and
Guaranteeing that parents have access to child care.
O’Brien noted, “Catholics and Catholic policymakers must speak for themselves and let it be known that they, like the majority of Americans, want policies that reduce the need for abortion. Providing the resources that enable women to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and the resources to help those who decide to continue their pregnancies, such as adequate prenatal care and childcare, is a matter of national priority.”

There are many elements to the Prevention Not Prohibition campaign. In addition to supporting those who choose abortion, it also supports policies that reduce the need for abortion through efforts to both prevent unintended pregnancy and help women with unintended pregnancies who choose not to have abortions. O’Brien continued, “Our first step will be to convince policymakers at all levels of government to introduce and fund initiatives that both promote access to and education about contraception and offer serious economic support to women who have unintended pregnancies. To that end, we are sponsoring a series of briefings on Capitol Hill this year that both outline the theological background that enables Catholics to support contraceptive policies and take the voices of Catholics in the pew into the corridors of political power.”

Catholics for a Free Choice has increased its activity at the state level, working with Catholics, policy makers and local groups in communities across the U.S. advocating for changes in the way we approach the real life reproductive health challenges in this country.

Notes to Editors:

Sexually active Catholic women above the age of 18 are just as likely (97%) to have used some form of contraception banned by the Catholic church as women in the general population (97%).
85% of sexually active Catholic women report that they have had their partners use condoms during intercourse.
78% sexually active Catholic women report having used birth control pills.
Even among married Catholic women who attend church every week, only 5% rely primarily on church-approved methods for preventing pregnancy.
[All above: National Survey of Family Growth, 2002]
Less than one-quarter (22%) of U.S. Catholics agree with the bishops’ position that abortion should be completely illegal.
[Belden Russonello & Stewart, 2004]


Visit www.CatholicsforChoice.org to see images of the advertisements: Nobody Wants to Need an Abortion and How to End the Abortion Wars.

--end--

Catholics for Free Choice (CFFC) shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women’s well being, and respect and affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make sound decisions about their lives. Through discourse, education, and advocacy, CFFC works in the US and internationally to infuse these values into public policy, community life, feminist analysis, and Catholic social thinking and teaching.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Another article that people..won't read or will hate!

Well, another successful campaign thanks to me and thousands of others. The Pill Patrol thing was kinda cool, even though I don't need emergency contraception. I donated it instead to a clinic so that someone could get it free. Which made me feel really good. Anyway, we also had a success in Iowa for health and sex education: all information given - even for abstinence only classes-must be medically accurate. So hopefully, no more lies.


Planned Parenthood Activists Nationwide Get Wal-Mart to Change Its Birth Control Policy at Pharmacies: Emergency Contraception Will Be Stocked and Dispensed Without Discrimination or Delay

Planned Parenthood’s “Fill My Pills Now” and “Pill Patrol” Campaigns Claim Another Victory for Women’s Health and Safety — and Access to Birth Control

NEW YORK CITY — In response to Planned Parenthood’s massive grassroots advocacy campaign “Fill My Pills Now,” Wal-Mart notified Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today that it has revised its nationwide corporate policy with regard to emergency contraception. The new Wal-Mart policy ensures customers “will now receive their prescriptions or OTC products in store without discrimination (no harassment or lectures),” “without delay,” and “without judgment,” according to the Planned Parenthood survey that Wal-Mart returned to PPFA today.
“This is a huge victory for women’s health and for Planned Parenthood’s campaign for accessible birth control,” PPFA President Cecile Richards said. “We’re pleased that Wal-Mart has changed its policy to meet the real-life health care needs of women and families. Congratulations to our activists and supporters, especially our Pill Patrol, for making sure pharmacies respect and protect women’s health.

“With its new and improved policy, Wal-Mart joins other women-friendly pharmacy chains like CVS, Eckerd and Medicine Shoppe, RiteAid and Walgreens,” Richards said. “Our Planned Parenthood Pill Patrol will continue to focus on getting more major retailers to follow in Wal-Mart’s footsteps — including Target, Giant, Safeway and Winn Dixie, which have a long way to go.”

Women can always turn to Planned Parenthood for birth control — including emergency contraception — and all their reproductive health care needs. Last year, Planned Parenthood provided more than one million women with emergency contraception kits.

Birth control refusals are a disturbing trend that jeopardizes women’s health and safety. The Planned Parenthood Pill Patrol volunteers survey pharmacies about availability of emergency contraception and refusal policies.

For more information on pharmacy refusals, including a state-by-state guide to major pharmacy chains and their policies regarding access to birth control, please visit www.fillmypillsnow.org and www.plannedparenthood.org.

### Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 860 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.

Contacts
Erin Kiernon, 202-360-1198
Andrea Hagelgans, 212-261-4652

Saturday, April 07, 2007

I have the best boyfriend

Okay. So I shouldn't brag but I want to anyway. I have the best boyfriend in the world! All week he's been talking about a surprise for Friday. How he asked Erin, one of his friends if I would like it, giving these insane clues that I had no idea what he was talking about - and on Friday I thought I'd figured out that it was some sort of departmental, university, scavenger hunt thing and the winners get a prize. He picks me up after his meeting, takes me downtown, and I follow him into Zender's. Zender's is an Aveda salon and spa. Then he checks me in, kisses me, and to my astonishment, smiles and starts out the door saying, "Enjoy yourself!" I'm like, where are you going, what's going on. And the salon person smiles and says, this is a surprise for you huh? I nod, thoroughly confused, and then she takes me to the back, where I fill out some paperwork and then, into the room where I get a full-body, hot stone massage. An hour! Of PURE BLISS!!!! He'd set it up so I could relax and unwind, and cause he had remembered that I'd always wanted to try hot stone massage. That was my Easter present! An hour of nirvana. It was fantastic. Oh, and after he poured me in the car, we got to spend the rest of the day together! I have the best boyfriend ever, and I HAD to brag.