Criminal Minds Binder

Of all the photos posted in the "Binder Full of Women" meme my favorite is this:

AJ Cook's facial expression seals the deal. :)

Rep. Todd Akin meet Sherry Matulis.

I'm a little late to the conversation, but I'll add my two cents anyway.

“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

~Rep. Todd Akin 

KTVI-TV Interview, August 2012.

Flipping through Women Without Superstition this quote by Sherry Matulis recounting her rape and consequent pregnancy in 1954 caught my eye:

"Contrary to what the purveyors of mystical notions seem to think happens in cases such as this, I discovered that my ovaries hadn't magically shut down; and I had been impregnated by the rape.  The feeling that came over me at that time is one I've never really been able to describe.  It was part fear, panic, revulsion and ,mostly, an overwhelming sense of helplessness --- of not knowing where to turn for help because at that time there wasn't any help."

~Sherry Matulis 

in her speech How I Earned My Feminist Credentials delivered at the fiftieth annual convention of the American Humanist Association in Chicago, May 1991.

Akin has apologized, "I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize."  Then later says in his reasoning for not dropping out of the race, "Is there a matter of some justice here? I misspoke one word in one sentence on one day." (Quotes from here).

The fact that he thinks the only erroneous mistake was the word "legitimate" (which is as bad as "forcible") rape tells me it wasn't a slip up - that what he said to him is truth.  This is why decisions about our bodies shouldn't be made by old men. We've made progress, thanks in no small part to Sherry Matulis and all the women fighting for our reproductive rights - the right to control our own bodies and live healthy and productive lives.  

We've made progress, but more need to join the fight.  Count me in.

Contraception Coverage

Based on the information available to me this is what the Affordable Care Act will do for contraception access, "most health insurance plans will cover women’s preventive services, including contraception, without charging a co-pay or deductible beginning in August, 2012...Under this policy, women who want contraception will have access to it through their insurance without paying a co-pay or deductible.  But no one will be forced to buy or use contraception."

The Catholic Church is outraged that Obama is infringing on their religious freedoms.

Churches are exempt from this ruling, but Catholic hospitals/clinics and universities would not be.  I think this is a fair ruling.  What are the odds that everyone working at, say, Notre Dame are Catholic?  Non-Catholic employees should have the same access to contraceptives as women working anywhere else.  The option should be available to all women, which is what the Affordable Care Act is attempting to do.  As stated above, no one is being forced to buy or use contraception.  If your religion says that you shouldn't use it, then don't use it, but don't impose your beliefs on others.

Budget Repair Bill

Tonight the Republican Senators of Wisconsin decided, "Gee, let's bypass the Democratic vote" in order to usher in the Budget Repair Bill that strips WI union workers of their collective bargaining rights (except for police and firefighters).

I'm seriously feeling ill over this one.

"In 30 minutes, 18 state Senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin. Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten," said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller. "Tonight, 18 Senate Republicans conspired to take government away from the people."

The lone Democrat present on the special committee, Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, shouted that the meeting was a violation of the state's open meetings law. Republicans voted over his objections, and the Senate convened within minutes and passed the measure without discussion or debate.

~NPR article linked above

How could they vote on a bill like this with only one representative from the Democratic party?  I thought this was a Democracy- I thought that the people we voted into the Senate would be able to voice our opinions! I seriously thought this wasn't an option.

I recorded this dream after the protests had started:

"Vote (2/21/11)

            The Republican Senators of WI held a vote on Walker’s Budget Repair Bill and it passes.  They do this without any of the Democratic Party being present.  I try to protest, arguing that they can’t have a vote without any of the minority party present, but they are leaving the room.  The last one stands, taps his papers on the dark glossy wooden surface of the table and simply states, “Yes, we can, and did.” and leaves.  I sit on the floor, in shock."

I've been recording the dreams that stick with me to mine later for possible inspiration.  This one stuck with me because it was disturbing.  If I'd only known!  I mean, there was one Democrat present, but there wasn't much they could do.

I have a sinking feeling that I'm going to have to look elsewhere for work in a few months.

Protests in Madison, WI (from cnn.com)

Patriotism - My 2 cents

There is nothing of late, no foreign or domestic activity, that has prompted this entry. Its more likely spurred from feeling healthy, having a good cup of coffee, and procrastination. The foundation behind this entry on patriotism is an interaction with a liberal friend that occurred over a month ago. I had just rediscovered 'The West Wing' and was completely devoured by the plot line - I was in love. I knew that Kacee, a liberal with an interest in politics would likely enjoy the show. I described the show to her and at the end added that it made me feel much more patriotic. Her response to the last comment was not what I expected. I don't remember the exact words, but the derisive tone said, "Why in the world would you want to be patriotic?" This stuck in my mind and has been churning around in there ever since.

What is patriotism? What does it mean to be a patriot?
I first looked up patriotism in my computer's dictionary and got this: "patriot |ˈpātrēət| noun 1 a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors." With no real definition for 'patriotism'.
From princeton.edu "Patriotism: love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it"
From Information-Entertainment.com "Patriotism: This is love for or devotion to one's country. A patriot is simply one who totally identifies and idolizes their country despite its faults, but would defend it to those who would try to destroy it from within and from without."

I most relate to the Princeton definition of patriotism because it leaves the most room for interpretation. A "willingness to sacrifice for it" could mean that you are ready to go to war to defend your country. It can also mean you sacrifice time, effort, sweat, love, or money for the country's well-being. Anything that helps improve the well-being of the country could be defined as patriotic. My computer's definition of a patriot includes the words "vigorously supports", which to me connotes a blind devotion. The third definition also brings blindness to the definition, "...idolizes their country despite its faults". I don't laud America over other countries because no one is perfect, but I do appreciate a lot of the freedoms that are given to me as an American citizen. I know we have faults as a nation and I want to help improve them. Take away financial barriers, if any American citizen was given the chance to move out of the US, how many would? I have a feeling some would, but I also know there are thousands who want in.

In addition to dictionary definitions of patriotism I dug around the internet, although not intensively, and found a variety of ideas. I've seen some right-wing web sites and read things like: "I was under the impression that liberals spent the day with their doors locked, hiding under the bed and murmering to themselves as they wait for God's Favorite Holyday to pass. It was startling to discover that some liberals actually consider themselves "patriotic"." This particular person continues to talk about how liberals are potential traitors and heretics, "Treason is not an option for a patriot. Heresy is not an option for a God-fearing man. If America invaded Canada, and Pat Roberson said that we should sacrifice Canadian kids on altars, the liberals would desert, commit treason, become heretics." This type of patriotism, defending the country no matter what even if it means senseless killing of children, to me does not seem like patriotism. It seems detrimental to the country to turn a blind eye to corruption, environmental degradation, inhumane treatment of others, and other flaws that bubble up. I don't deny that at times we need to defend our country since there are those that want to kill us. Unlike this person, I don't see the problem with loving the country because of our freedoms and rights rather than loving the country no matter what. (Quotes from "http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=26148")

Other sites were more hopeful. The ideas posted by Paul Waldman seem more logical to my moderate/liberal sensibilities ("http://bit.ly/d1HanM"). He talks about the difference between symbolic patriotism and substantive patriotism. Symbolic is wearing flags on your clothing, putting them on your house, vehicle, anywhere for others to see. Its a boisterous rendition of 'God Bless the U.S.A', any outward expression of just how much you love your country. Substantive patriotism is more of the idea I previously mentioned - any actions taken to improve the well-being of the country is patriotic. In times of war this may mean going to battle, but I think it can also mean supporting the troops. It can mean working in a soup kitchen, donating money for cancer research, being a foster parent, or any number of other opportunities.

Maybe I'm simply an idealist in this sense, but I have a feeling that if you take out party lines and the petty fighting around the idea of patriotism, most Americans are patriots.