tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74217576474550912202024-03-08T10:07:42.359-08:00HeathenGrrl's BlogHistorian. Feminist. Heathen.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-38108204186623820462009-03-30T09:41:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:42:06.371-07:00Section 16-40A-2, Acts 1992<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><h5><b><u>Section 16-40A-2</u></b></h5><h4>Minimum contents to be included in sex education program or curriculum.</h4><p>(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools in Alabama that includes sex education or the human reproductive process shall, as a minimum, include and emphasize the following:</p><p>(1) Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only completely effective protection against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually.</p><p>(2) Abstinence from sexual intercourse outside of lawful marriage is the expected social standard for unmarried school-age persons.</p><p>(b) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should be age-appropriate.</p><p>(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include all of the following elements:</p><p>(1) An emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only completely reliable method of avoiding unwanted teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.</p><p>(2) An emphasis on the importance of self-control and ethical conduct pertaining to sexual behavior.</p><p>(3) Statistics based on the latest medical information that indicate the degree of reliability and unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS infection, which is afforded by the use of various contraceptive measures.</p><p>(4) Information concerning the laws relating to the financial responsibilities associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing.</p><p>(5) Information concerning the laws prohibiting sexual abuse, the need to report such abuse, and the legal options available to victims of sexual abuse.</p><p>(6) Information on how to cope with and rebuff unwanted physical and verbal sexual exploitation by other persons.</p><p>(7) Psychologically sound methods of resisting unwanted peer pressure.</p><p>(8) An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.</p><p>(9) Comprehensive instruction in parenting skills and responsibilities, including the responsibility to pay child support by non-custodial parents, the penalties for non-payment of child support, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of child care and child rearing.</p><h5><i>(Acts 1992, No. 92-590, p. 1216, §2.)</i></h5></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-89738059324068920742009-03-30T09:39:00.001-07:002009-03-30T09:39:49.109-07:00Section 30-1-19 of Alabama's Code of 1975<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); font-size: 13px; "><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; "><h5><b><u>Section 30-1-19</u></b></h5><h4>Marriage, recognition thereof, between persons of the same sex prohibited.</h4><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Alabama Marriage Protection Act."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(b) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting the unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(c) Marriage is a sacred covenant, solemnized between a man and a woman, which, when the legal capacity and consent of both parties is present, establishes their relationship as husband and wife, and which is recognized by the state as a civil contract.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(d) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(e) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.</p><h5><i>(Act 98-500, §§1, 2.)</i></h5></span></span><div style="clear: both; "></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 74%; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(191, 177, 134); padding-top: 6px; "></div></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-787336220883356512009-03-30T09:38:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:39:17.882-07:00SB23-Amendment proposed to the Alabama Constitution of 1901<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); font-family: Times; font-size: 13px; ">SB23<br />By Senators Mitchem, Dial, Mitchell, Holley, and Bedford<br />RFD Finance and Taxation Education<br />Rd 1 08-NOV-04<br /><br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="20%">SYNOPSIS:</td><td valign="top" width="80%">Under the Alabama Marriage Protection Act, the State of Alabama does not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex.</td></tr><tr><td width="20%"> </td><td valign="top" width="80%">This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; "></p><center>A BILL<br />TO BE ENTITLED<br />AN ACT</center><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">To propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:</p>Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, is proposed and shall become valid as a part thereof when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and in accordance with Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended:<p align="center" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">PROPOSED AMENDMENT</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(a) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">(b) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">Section 2. An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in conjunction with the 2006 Primary Election and shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">Section 3. The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">"Proposed by Act ________."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">This description shall be followed by the following language:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; ">"Yes ( ) No ( )."</p></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-66869326006804794702009-03-30T09:37:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:38:14.213-07:00HB414--proposed amendment to the 1901 Constitution<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; ">HB414<br />By Representatives Allen, Albritton, Hammon, Glover, Beason, Love, Grimes, Humphryes, Gaston, Bridges, Laird, Hubbard, McClurkin, McClendon, Gaines, Galliher, Hill, Ward, Wood, Barton, Ison, Davis, Brewbaker, Clouse, Johnson, Beck, Faust, Collier, Gipson, Millican, Greer, Sanderford, Carns, Payne, Ball, Garner, Greeson, Oden and Bentley<br />RFD Constitution and Elections<br />Rd 1 12-FEB-04<br /><br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="20%">SYNOPSIS:</td><td valign="top" width="80%">This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><center>A BILL<br />TO BE ENTITLED<br />AN ACT</center><p></p><p>Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.</p><p>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:</p>Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, is proposed and shall become valid as a part thereof when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and in accordance with Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended:<p align="center">PROPOSED AMENDMENT</p><p>Part 1. (a) The people of the State of Alabama hereby find and declare the following:</p><p>(1) Marriage is a fundamental institution of our society, our state, and our government. Within the bonds of marriage, children are entitled to be brought forth and reared by a father and a mother. This state retains an interest in preserving and fostering marriage between a man and a woman, for without the institution of marriage no society or government can long endure.</p><p>(2) Therefore, in consequence of the above, the State of Alabama should no longer recognize "common law" marriages.</p><p>(3) A marriage should always be defined to consist of a legally binding union, performed under the authority of a sovereign state, of one man and one woman.</p><p>(4) Family relationships are derived from the marriage union.</p><p>(5) A union replicating marriage of or between persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and would not be recognized by this state as a marriage.</p><p>(6) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting the unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.</p><p>Part II. (a) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.</p><p>(b) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.</p><p>(c) The courts of this state may not issue any interpretation of this amendment that would change or have the effect of changing the meaning of this amendment.</p><p>Part III. (a) A relationship between persons of the same sex may not be construed as a common law marriage in this state.</p><p>(b) The requirements of subsection (a) shall be construed as mandatory and not merely directory and failure to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) shall render the purported marriage absolutely void.</p><p>(c) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of any marriage, either ceremonial or common law, contracted prior to the ratification of this amendment.</p><p>Section 2. An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state at the next general election.</p><p>Section 3. The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:</p><p>"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.</p><p>"Proposed by Act ________."</p><p>This description shall be followed by the following language:</p><p>"Yes ( ) No ( )."</p><div><br /></div></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-28835193038224419342008-09-02T08:45:00.000-07:002009-01-04T19:05:50.250-08:00PSA: Vagina =/= Feminist. Vagina =/= my vote. Feminist == my vote.Friends, let's have a sit down. We've been friends for a while, some of you are even family to me. So why in the name of all that is rational would you ask me if I support Palin?<br /><br />Let's Look at a Brief Profile of Palin's Stances:<br />She's Anti-Choice.<br />She's Anti-Gay Marriage.<br />She's Anti-Comprehensive Sex Education.<br />She's Anti-Environment.<br />She's Pro-Creationism.<br /><br />Let's Look at a Brief Profile of Smith's Stances:<br />I'm Pro-Choice.<br />I'm Pro-Gay Marriage.<br />I'm Pro-Comprehensive Sex Education.<br />I'm Pro-Environment.<br />I'm Pro-Evolution.<br /><br />And EVEN if I didn't hold such different views from her.. how could I possibly support a Vice Presidential Candidate who isn't informed on the current status of our foreign policy, the supposed "war on terror," and the current status of the United States' position in Iraq?<br /><br />Let her stay Alaska's governor, though hopefully the people of Alaska will rethink that, as she paves the way for the destruction of a large part of the United States' last remaining wilderness.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-8685230315932049272008-05-06T23:09:00.000-07:002009-01-05T06:39:25.081-08:00Not quite a blog...just a funny..<br /><img src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/geek_flow_chart_nyt.gif" /><br /><br />Source: "Geek Flow Chart," NYT, March 9, 2008Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-44615834348903074092008-04-13T23:41:00.000-07:002009-01-05T06:40:39.828-08:00Take Back the Night--Open Mic Night--Satori--4/17--7:30pmHey Guys--Participate! or at least come support!<br /><br />TAKE BACK THE NIGHT --POETRY READING & OPEN MIC--SONGS, MONOLOGUES, ETC.--<br /><br />Bringing Survivors, Supporters, Activists & Community Leaders Together In a Call for the End of Sexual Violence<br /><br />performances/poetry should address issues of sexual assault, which could include but are not limited to personal experience, social aspects, effects, recovery, empowerment, voice, and activism.<br /><br />Thursday, April 17, 2008 7:30 pm<br /><br />Satori Coffee House<br /><br />Presented By:<br /><br />Rape Crisis Center<br /><br />For more information call: 251-463-8006<br /><br />or email submissions and questions to: hello2deanna@yahoo.coJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-2388793754973297372008-04-08T00:59:00.000-07:002009-01-05T06:42:23.708-08:00VDAY on 4/12/08 in NOLA!! Tickets Available!Ok, so Oprah ended up paying for my ticket to the Vagina Monologues and I have some extras. Anybody want to see the Vagina Monologues on Saturday, April 12th @ 7:30pm? Tickets are $25 and I have five (5) unclaimed tickets. I'll sell all five of them for $100 if you can get me cash before Wednesday afternoon. Call, text, email, myspace, facebook to claim.<br /><br />See ya in NOLA!<br />Jamie<br /><br />Event Info: On Saturday evening, April 12, 2008, V-Day will stage a once in a lifetime event - V TO THE TENTH - featuring international performances of The Vagina Monologues, musical guests, V-Day activists from across the globe including Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern Europe , men standing up for women and much more.<br />Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Faith Hill, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, Ali Larter, Calpernia Addams, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Beals, Didi Conn, Christine Lahti, Doris Roberts, Liz Mikel, and Charmaine Neville have already signed on. *<br /><br />The evening will open minds and hearts and raise much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in New Orleans and the Gulf South.<br /><br />SuperDome, SuperLove (FREE Friday and Saturday event prior to the Vagina Monologues): SUPERLOVE<br />Friday - Saturday, April 11 - 12, Louisiana Superdome<br /><br />***SUPERLOVE ENTRY IS *FREE* ***<br /><br />V-Day will also take over the Superdome for two days, Friday - Saturday, April 11-12 and turn it into SUPERLOVE.<br /><br />Over the two days, the Superdome will be transformed into SUPERLOVE - a place to heal, gather, celebrate and activate to change the story of women. From 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday, SUPERLOVE will feature two days of revolutionary speakers, slam poets, singers, performers, storytelling, astounding art, and love. Special wellness programs will be available free of charge for the women of the Gulf South including restorative yoga, medical testing, makeovers, and more. Speakers, performers and artists from New Orleans and the Gulf South will appear, along with speakers traveling to New Orleans from around the world. Among the over 75 speaking and performing at SUPERLOVE are Ashe Cultural Center’s Carol Bebelle, Panzi Hospital’s Dr. Denis Mukwege, Matt Petersen, Global Green, Majora Carter, Sustainable South Bronx, Suze Orman, financial expert, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, former president of Spellman College,Stephen Lewis, AIDS-Free World and former Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, and many more. For the full schedule and list of participants, visit vday.org/superlove.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-88499912892725324832008-02-07T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-05T06:43:31.491-08:00Wash, DC. March 7-March 12th, 2008, crash space or coffee?I'm going to be in Washington, DC for the National Young Women's Leadership Conference and the National Council of Women's Organizations' Women's Equality Day & Congressional Action Day.<br /><br />I'm driving to Atlanta on March 7th, flying out that night, then heading to Boston on March 12th.<br /><br />Does anybody live in Washington or know someone who has crash space there? Or hell, anybody that wants to get coffee while I'm there? Lemme know, if you please.<br /><br />Ooh, or if you want to go with me, definitely let me know, we could split a hotel room or something..Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-53118185549111806052008-01-22T07:33:00.000-08:002008-01-22T07:37:13.426-08:00<title>Blog for Choice 2008--Blog Today</title>I vote pro-choice because I don't believe the government should have any say with decisions I make affecting my body.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because of the legacy of women who fought for these rights and died without them.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because I don't want women to die.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because abortions will always be available to the rich and privilege but anti-choice legislation prevents poor and rural women from having access to safe and affordable abortions.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because I trust and believe in women to make the best choices for themselves and their families. And don't see how a few hundred primarily male legislators in Washington would be so much better at making those decisions.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because controlling women's reproductive systems is a worldwide form of oppression.<br /><br />I vote pro-choice because unless a woman has complete say over her own body, she can never be a full and equal citizen of any nation. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/bfc08-home.html?wt.mc_id=bfc08_taf" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/graphics/bfc_day_button_200.jpg" alt="Blog for Choice Day" width="200" height="123"></a><br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-73747290543532769192008-01-21T08:47:00.000-08:002008-07-22T12:53:54.450-07:00<title>Blog for Choice 2008!</title>Ok, so tomorrow I'll be blogging for choice! It's the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. If anyone wants to join me, sign up at <a href="http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/bfc08-home.html" title="Blog for Choice Day 2008">Blog for Choice Day 2008</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/bfc08-home.html?wt.mc_id=bfc08_taf" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/graphics/bfc_day_button_200.jpg" alt="Blog for Choice Day" width="200" height="123"></a><br /><br />See y'all tomorrow :)Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-72801888835863336912007-10-15T01:29:00.000-07:002009-01-05T06:50:20.941-08:00Alabama Code, Section 13A-12-200.2, 4, 12<span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution, possession with intent to distribute, production, etc., of obscene material prohibited; penalties; distribution of fines.</span><br />(a)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly distribute, possess with intent to distribute, or offer or agree to distribute any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for any thing of pecuniary value. Material not otherwise obscene may be obscene under this section if the distribution of the material, the offer to do so, or the possession with the intent to do so is a commercial exploitation of erotica solely for the sake of <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">prurient appeal</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than one year. A second or subsequent violation of this subdivision is a Class C felony if the second or subsequent violation occurs after a conviction has been obtained for a previous violation. Upon a second violation, a corporation or business entity shall be fined not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).<br /><br />(2) It shall be unlawful for any person, being a wholesaler, to knowingly distribute, possess with intent to distribute, or offer or agree to distribute, for the purpose of resale or commercial distribution at retail, any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for any thing of pecuniary value. Material not otherwise obscene may be obscene under this section if the distribution of the material, the offer to do so, or the possession with the intent to do so is a commercial exploitation of erotica solely for the sake of their prurient appeal. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than one year. A second or subsequent violation of this subdivision is a Class C felony if the second or subsequent violation occurs after a conviction has been obtained for a previous violation. Upon a second violation, a corporation or business entity shall be fined not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).<br /><br />(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly produce, or offer or agree to produce, any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for any thing of pecuniary value. Material not otherwise obscene may be obscene under this section if the distribution of the material, the offer to do so, or the possession with the intent to do so is a commercial exploitation of erotica solely for the sake of prurient appeal. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a Class C felony.<br /><br />(4) If a person is held under this section in the county jail, one-half of any fines collected and due to be deposited to the State General Fund for violations of this section shall be paid by the Comptroller to the general fund of the county where the person is held for the operation of the county jail.<br />(Acts 1989, No. 89-402, p. 791, §4; Act 98-467, p. 893, §6.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Prurient Appeal:</span> Under the Miller v. California decision of the US Supreme Court, prurient interest appeal is determined by the average person applying contemporary community standards, that is, an average person must find that a given work appeals to the prurient interest of someone, not necessarily to the prurient interest of the average factfinder. The appeal to material's intended and probable recipient group is the determinative factor. Generally, the standard applied is the average adult standard. It is error to focus only on the most sensitive, least sensitive or younger members of the community. However, where the material is aimed at a deviant segment of society, it should be judged by its impact upon that group.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Definition of Prurient</span>: <span class="sense_content">marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome interest or desire</span><span class="sense_content">; <em>especially</em></span> <span class="sense_content"><strong>:</strong> marked by, arousing, or appealing to sexual desire<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;"><u><br />Section 13A-12-200.4</u></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Affirmative defenses.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;" > It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of violating Sections 13A-12-200.2 and 13A-12-200.3 that the <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">act charged was done for a bona fide medical, scientific, educational, legislative, judicial, or law enforcement purpose.</span></span><h5 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Section 13A-12-200.12</u></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Special operating license for adult-only enterprises; advertisement; revocation of license.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">(a) Any business establishment that operates as an "adult bookstore," "adult movie house," "adult video store," or other form of adult-only entertainment enterprise shall obtain in addition to any licenses required by existing law a special operating license, except that a video rental store that does not engage predominantly in and whose principle business is not the sale or rental of adult material, if it is maintained in compliance with Section 13A-12-200.5(2) or is located in an area restricted to adults. Persons who apply for the license shall provide on the application detailed information concerning ownership and financing, and pay an investigation fee of five hundred dollars ($500) to the county or municipality wherein the business establishment will be located. </span></span></h5> <p style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(b) If granted the license, the local government, in its discretion, may restrict the type of advertisement that the business establishment can display outside the establishment. </span></p> <p style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(c) The license shall be revoked if the business establishment is convicted of violating this division.</span></p> <h5 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(Act 98-467, p. 893, §8.)</span></h5>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-46771819659099842982007-09-26T09:40:00.001-07:002007-09-26T10:02:28.383-07:00Third Wave and the Electronic MediumFor the last few days, I have been having a conversation with a professor about the the pros and cons of using Myspace, Facebook, Blogger, and Yahoo!Groups to promote and rely information about my university's feminist group. ..and what finds its way onto the <a href="http://www.feministing.com/">Feministing</a> blog today but <a href="http://feministing.com/archives/007792.html">how young feminists are connecting through the internet.</a><br /><br />Myspace and Facebook are the trendiest of the group and probably what most 18-22 year old collegiate women are using these days. Blogger is not as socially driven and Yahoo!Groups is less suited to casual glances and scanning and to be effective, the people on the list must regularly contribute and read what others contribute. Myspace and Facebook take less effort by integrating social networking, flexible (though imperfect) design, video clips, and music into easily scannable profiles. They are much more interactive than other electronic communication options.<br /><br />The downside to all of these options is, of course, that it requires an internet connection and access to a computer. For some of the students that attend my university, that is not a viable option. Access to computers and the internet has expanded dramatically over the last ten years and will continue to do so, but it cannot be expected that every latent or active feminist out there has regular internet access. Confining our communication to the internet or relying so heavily on it might result in a certain elitism, certainly less exclusive than previous generations, but it's definitely still out there.<br /><br />The internet is becoming a defining utility and community of this generation. It is impossible to escape it. So what do we do about the people who are left out of it that still have a lot of themselves to give to this movement? How can we keep up with each other if our means of communications are so separate?Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-40940325920533379582007-08-26T20:07:00.000-07:002008-07-22T12:53:54.473-07:00<title>Mobile since August 13, 2007</title>My last blog was a little disorganized and I didn't really take the time with it that I usually do when writing a blog.<br><br>Mobile since August 13, 2007<br><br>Moving:<br>Big thanks to Tyler and James for helping me get my stuff out of the UHaul and into the house. Your help was very much appreciated. And of course, moving day had to be eventful somehow*. Well, it was no hurricane but it was a torrential downpour that started about five minutes after the UHaul pulled into the parking lot next to the townhouse. I have never moved in a torrential downpour before, but let me tell you, it was not a lot of fun. And because I am just that lucky, the rain stopped approximately five minutes after the UHaul pulled away from the townhouse.<br><br>*Note: The first time I moved to Mobile: July 2, 2005, my roommate had a nervous breakdown from which he has yet to fully recover and Mobile County went through "mandatory evacuation" for Hurricane Dennis and I had to leave like two days later. Two months later, when I convinced my landlord to let me break my lease at the house, I moved into an apartment at Lafayette Square. My parents drove off with the Uhaul at approximately 4 p.m., by 10 a.m. the next morning I had lost power due to Hurricane Katrina and got to experience my first hurricane with little to no supplies.<br><br>School:<br>It is unbelievably good to be back in school. I cannot express in words how happy I am so just think of it as a glow. I am all aglow. My nine hours this semester are: Comparative Nationalism with Mara Kozelsky, 20th Century US History with John Turner, and Major European Thinkers with Michael Monheit. Comparative Nationalism will probably turn out to be my favorite class this semester simply because of the subject matter. My major research paper will probably be Irish Nationalism and Gender, focusing on the involvement of women in the IRA and the independent groups they formed in response to the sexism they experienced within the larger nationalist organizations. US History involves a lot of small assignments which I do not enjoy as much as larger research projects, but we are talking a lot about religion in the US, which is a important subject to me and the other graduate teaching assistants are also taking it so there is a lot of camaraderie. Major European Thinkers will probably be my most challenging class because my history education has been fairly light on theory and this is more or less a philosophy course. My research paper will probably end up being on Simone de Beauvoir because of her work on feminism.<br><br>Extracurriculars:<br>The teaching assistantship is turning out to be a lot of fun. It is a wonderful opportunity to make friends in the department and to get a new perspective on the department. It helps when I work with such kickin' people. On Saturday afternoon, I attended a speaking engagement organized by Feminists for Progress, the on-campus feminist group. The speaker was the Alabama president of the National Organization of Women. She spoke in hopes of inspiring a reorganization and rebuilding of the Mobile chapter. I will probably end up joining both the Mobile NOW chapter and the on campus group. Since both will be/are relatively new organizations, there is a lot of potential for growth and flexibility, a good chance for me to get my feet wet.<br><br>Life:<br>Outlook is pretty optimistic at the moment. Just have a good feeling about my direction in life. I do not feel as restless as I have been feeling for the past fifteen months or so which says something because I have been close to jumpin' ship many a day and saying to hell with all of my plans. But I am finally in a stable situation where I am doing something I love, I am around people I like, and the work I am doing is leading me to better things. What I need to do now is to maintain my focus on school, work on building and maintaining healthy friendships, and be more consistent with my work out routine (which should and optimistically will involve): aerobic exercise 3-5 days a week, yoga/pilates at least 2 days a week, weights at least 2 days a week, which will lead me to where I want to be physically.<br><br>Relationships:<br>Perhaps it is my general optimism that leads me to this. After 16 months of being single, I think I am in a position mentally and emotionally to actually begin and maintain a good relationship. That being said, I do not think I will be jumping into anything carelessly, but the idea of a relationship does not send me running for the hills anymore and being emotionally involved with another person does not seem quite as intimidating as it did a year ago. So anything could happen.<br><br>BeerFest:<br>Last night was BeerFest in Mobile. It was a lot of fun. Had quite a bit of good beer, cannot say I actually had a bad sample. BrewFest in Birmingham this summer had a better selection of beers but I wish I had gone to the night session instead of the afternoon session. And speaking of beer festivals, there is another festival in Pensacola on September 15th. The biggest advantage to this festival over BrewFest and BeerFest is that Florida does not have the same restrictive beer laws that Alabama does so there will be a selection of beers available to try that I have not had the opportunity to try yet. Additionally, several homebrewers' organizations will be there with their beers, so the variety is potentially endless and there is a good chance there will be beers available at this beer festival that are not offered at any other time during the year. So, just saying, it would be a unique experience to say the least, particularly for an Alabama resident who loves beer.<br><br><br><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="350"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#eee9e9"><font style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><strong>The Keys to Your Heart</strong></font></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fffafa"><center><img src="http://images.blogthings.com/keystoyourheartquiz/heart.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><font color="#000000">You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.<br><br>In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved.<br><br>You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.<br><br>You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.<br><br>Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.<br><br>Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.<br><br>You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.<br><br>In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.</font></td></tr></tbody></table><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/keystoyourheartquiz/">What Are The Keys To Your Heart?</a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-5630911820236320922007-08-24T18:08:00.000-07:002008-07-22T12:53:54.484-07:00<title>Life</title>So I'm pretty happy with the way things are going right now. I've been having trouble sleeping lately, but you know why? Because I'm so anxious for the next day to be here so I can live it that I don't want to have to deal with that boring little thing called sleep. That's a pretty vast change from the way I felt about sleep say... three months ago.<br /><br />This semester is going to be a bitch. The nine hours I'm taking in school aren't going to be easy and I've never had these professors before so I'm up for testing and trials. Still, I am more optimistic about the future than I have been in quite some time. The classes I'm taking are pretty interesting. 20th century US History, Comparative Nationalism, and Major European Thinkers. Not sure what I'll do in my US History class but I think my research paper in Comp Nat'l will be on women's activism and identity within Irish Nationalism. GoogleBooks and WorldCat pull up some pretty good books so if I can either get them through ILL or amazon/alibris for cheap, I'll be pretty happy. <br /><br />Another good thing. Beer Fest. Excited about it. Going downtown with several members of the history department. Should prove to be fun and more than a little interesting. <br /><br />And.. the Alabama NOW president is speaking at the UU Fellowship tomorrow at 2pm. I plan on going, think it will be good for me to meet the USA Feminists for Progress. See what kind of group they have going.<br /><br />Think I'll get started on my readings for next week or finish cataloguing my books on GoodReads. Will report fully on BeerFest sometime Sunday.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-18710205877018061272007-07-18T12:39:00.000-07:002007-08-16T21:52:06.708-07:00Boston was...was amazing. I had a great time catching up with Jamie and Clayton. It's been a long time coming.<br /><br />I also: had a world class dinner at the Boston Harbor Hotel, went whale watching, walked all over the city of Boston, wandered through the stacks at Harvard's main research library, people-watched and took silly pictures at MIT, enjoyed some delicious and completely new-to-me beer, met some great people (some of whom are from my own little corner of the world), and in general, had a smashing time that I hope to revisit sooner than later. Boston has not seen the last of me nor me of it if I have any say in the matter.<br /><br />It's funny how some things come to people as easily as breathing does to others. It doesn't seem a matter of choosing but of acceptance. And with that comes a little peace.<br /><br />P.S. First chance I get (when I can get this book out of storage), I’m re-reading this: Bauschatz, Paul: The Well and the Tree: World and Time in Early Germanic Culture, University of Mass, Amherst, 1982.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-45257818322111770192007-06-29T07:19:00.000-07:002007-08-16T21:52:33.510-07:00The Tortoise and the Hippo<a href="http://www.lafargeecosystems.com/main/blog.php">Owen and Mzee's Blog<br /></a><br />----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------<br />From: <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=18229602&MyToken=8173100d-679e-4057-a956-8744fb714047">Jason Lynx</a><br />Date: Jun 28, 2007 9:12 PM<br /><br /><br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/1.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the<br /><br />tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong<br /><br />bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal<br /><br />facility in the port city of Mombassa , officials said.<br /><br />The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about<br /><br />300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki<br /><br />River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore<br /><br />when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on<br /><br />December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.<br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a<br /><br />male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to<br /><br />be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu,<br /><br />who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP.<br /><br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/3.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized.<br /><br />It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother.<br /><br />Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.<br /><br />They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.<br /><br />"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.<br /><br />If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive,<br /><br />as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.<br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/4.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and<br /><br />by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their<br /><br />mothers for four years," he explained.<br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/5.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />but by the moments that take our breath away."<br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/6.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter<br /><br />much when we need the comfort of another.<br /><br />We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures.<br /><br />"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."<br /><br /><center><br /><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/tutuxtreme/7.jpg" /><br /><br /></center><center> </center><center>_____________________________________</center><center> </center><div align="left"><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0105_060105_hippo_tortoise.html">Update</a>:</div><div align="left">The strength of a unique male bond between a young hippopotamus and a 130-year-old tortoise will be tested later this spring when conservation workers introduce a female hippo to the mix.<br />The pending introduction serves as an intriguing plot twist to the unlikely story of a hippo and tortoise brought together at Haller Park wildlife sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya, in the wake of the December 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami. The conservationists hope the two hippos will bond with no objection from the tortoise, named Mzee. Such an outcome will allow Mzee's return to the safety of his original enclosure.<br />While other tortoises, monkeys, and antelope roam in that enclosure, Mzee has shown no affection toward any of them. But he has surprisingly become attached to the young hippo, Owen.<br />Owen, who weighed an estimated 660 pounds (300 kilograms) when he arrived at the park, was two-thirds the size of Mzee. He is now twice Mzee's size and still growing.<br />"He will grow to anywhere between three and four tons—he's gonna be a big male hippopotamus," said Paula Kahumbu, the general manager of Lafarge Ecosystems, the Kenyan environmental restoration firm that manages the wildlife sanctuary.<br />"He's already quite playful, already quite strong," she said. "He could injure Mzee at any moment. He's very childlike in his behavior. As he gets older he will get rougher. Mzee is not a flexible animal—he could be injured."<br />But how Mzee and Owen will react to the presence of Cleo, the female hippo, and a subsequent separation is unknown, Kahumbu said. If one cannot live without the other, some sort of accommodations will be made.<br />Tsunami Friends<br />For now, the hippo and tortoise are best buddies. The story of their friendship, formed in the wake of the tsunami, has been helping people in the region cope with their own losses, Kahumbu said.<br />When the giant waves struck the coast of Kenya, Owen was wallowing with his herd in the ocean near the mouth of the Sabaki River. Too small to escape the waves with his family, he was stranded on a coral reef.<br />The next day residents of the village of Malindi rescued Owen with fishing nets.</div><div align="left">But his rescuers were unable to simply reintroduce Owen to another pod of hippopotamuses, because the oldest male would see him as a threat and kill him.<br />Conservationists therefore decided to transport Owen to Haller Park, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. There the hippo immediately ran to Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabran tortoise who resides at the Haller Park sanctuary. The park is a restored ecosystem that also serves as an orphanage for abandoned wildlife.<br />At first the tortoise wanted nothing to do with the hippo, but Owen persisted. Some conservationists suggest that Owen, in search of a mother figure, may have been attracted to Mzee's round shape and gray color, which resemble an adult hippo.<br />The first night at the sanctuary, Owen fell asleep next to Mzee. The following morning photographer Peter Greste took a picture of the pair, which was subsequently published in newspapers around the world.<br />Hans Klingel is a zoology professor at the University of Braunschweig in Germany and an authority on hippopotamus behavior. He said given hippos' social nature, Owen's attraction to Mzee makes sense.<br />"They are social animals," he said in an email. "In that sense, they join whoever is available."<br />In the year since the tsunami struck, the bond between hippo and tortoise has strengthened, and now the two are inseparable. They rouse each other for meals, spend hours wallowing in the pond together, and snuggle up side by side each night.<br />According to Haller Park staff, Owen behaves more like a tortoise than a hippo. He eats tortoise food, such as leaves and carrots, and ignores the grasses that hippos normally consume. He sleeps at night, not during the day as wild hippos do. And he doesn't respond to hippo calls.<br />While Owen's attraction to Mzee may be explained by a baby's need for a mother figure, tortoises are not known for affectionate or social behavior, Kahumbu said.<br />Nevertheless, Mzee follows Owen around, nudges him to go for walks, initiates play in the water, and even stretches his neck out so Owen can give him a lick.<br />There has been growing evidence of physical communication between the pair, with Owen nibbling Mzee's back feet to get him to walk in a desired direction. The two have even developed a sort of vocal communication of their own, Kahumbu said.<br />The vocalizations are not the honking of hippos or the grunts and hisses of tortoises, but rather a soft whimpering that emanates from one and is mimicked by the other.<br />"It's very high pitched; definitely not a stomach sound, as some had suggested," Kahumbu said. "They're vocalizing towards each other."<br />What the animals are trying to communicate is not yet understood, but researchers think it is a contact call made to get the other's attention.<br />Introducing Cleo<br />Concerned that Owen's affection for Mzee may lead to an unintended injury, Kahumbu and colleagues are constructing a new enclosure at the sanctuary for Owen and the female hippo, Cleo.<br />The researchers hope Owen and Cleo will bond and take to their new grounds, which will be in the public view. They are also trying to accustom Owen to the presence of humans.<br />The move is expected to take place this April or May. At that time Mzee will be moved with Owen to the new enclosure to help keep the young hippo calm.<br />Once the two hippos are comfortable with each other, Mzee will be returned to his original grounds with other tortoises.<br />"We hope Mzee will not be too traumatized by being separated from Owen," Kahumbu said. </div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-69776252045275386992007-06-22T12:11:00.000-07:002007-06-22T12:17:02.399-07:00Elizabeth Ann (Bess or Bessie) Carter Smith Carson (12/7/1897).Here's what I know:<br /><br />Name: Elizabeth Ann Carter, later Smith, later Carson<br />Born: 12/7/1897 (or 1898) [SSDI]<br />Died: 3/16/1967 in Michigan [SSDI]<br /><br />Marriage One: James Elias Smith, approx 1918 [JES WWI draft card]<br /><br />Marriage Two: Alfred Ray Carson, approx 1940 [Port Arthur News, June 1940]<br /><br />1900 Census: Bess lived in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. Lived with father W. Sherman Carter (b. July 1865), his mother Ann (b. Feb. 1832), siblings: Clara (Nov.? 1891), Matilda (Sept. 1892), Myrtle(?) (May 1895). Lists no mother, which makes me think that Bess' mother had died by then.<br /><br />1910 Census: Bess lived in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. Lived with father W. Sherman Carter, his wife Ada M., and her siblings: Clara (18?), Tillie (16), William (5), James (3), Richard (2), Kelley (sp?)(1). All of the children were born in Arkansas.<br />W. Sherman Carter, born approx. 1865, born in Tennessee. Father born in Virginia, Mother born in Kentucky. Contractor/brickworks. The 1880 Census puts him (or who I assume is him) puts him living in Martins Store, Weakley County, TN with his mother Ann, father William, and two sisters: Sophia/Sofia (19) and Delia (12). [Died after 1956. He is fairly light complexioned, similarly to my father (the young teenager on the left), so I assume my great-grandmother's complexion and Native American heritage come from her mother's side of the family. I could be wrong, of course.] Below are links to pictures of my great, great grandfather: <div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/irnjawdangel/img362.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/irnjawdangel/img359.jpg" border="0" /><br /><http:>--Sometime between 1910-1920, she had lost her left arm and right leg due to blood poisoning.<br /><br />1920 Census: Bess lived in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Lived with James Elias Smith and their three children. According to the this census, her father was born in Kentucky and her mother born in Tennessee.<br /><br />--Last child was born 1927. Husband James Elias Smith died/disappeared between 1927-1930.<br /><br />1930 Census: Bess lived in El Paso, was a house servant for an Earl Barron. Shows that she is a widow. Her children stayed in the El Paso Protestant Children's Home. Her children are/were: James Everett Smith, Sr. (my grandfather), Clara Nell, Mabel Irene, Edward Charles, Annie Laurie, Wilma, and William Carter.<br /><br />-1933-1940: Bess took children out of children's home and moved them to Port Arthur. Grandfather James Everett Smith joined CCC then the army.<br /><br />1940-lived in Port Arthur, married Alfred Ray Carson, staff Sargent in US Army, born approximately 1912.<br /><br />-lived in Port Arthur, TX for many years, then after death of A.R. Carson, moved to Michigan with son, Edward Charles.<br /><br />-died 1967 in Michigan.<br /><br />Notes: She was dark complexioned and my dad says that she was part Native American, but he doesn't know how much so or from what side of the family. Below are two links to pictures of my great-grandmother in 1942 with my aunt Patricia. </div><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/irnjawdangel/ElizabethAnnCarterSmithCarsonandmya.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/irnjawdangel/aug42riversideca.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br /><http:>Questions: How did a double amputee marry a staff Sargent from a well known Port Arthur family who was 14 years younger than her? How did she meet him when she was living in Little Rock, then El Paso, neither of which are close to Port Arthur (east coast of Texas near Galveston)? Who was Bess' mother? Where was William Sherman Carter in 1870?<br /><br />Posted to: Carter, Miller AR, Arkansas Genealogical Society, Arkansas Family History Association </div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-84758074417106218492007-06-04T09:23:00.001-07:002007-08-16T21:52:53.608-07:00Update as of June 4, 2007<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Update!<br /><br />It's almost June. Less than three months and counting until I move to </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Mobile</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >.<br /><br />I alternate between wanting to be in Mobile-yesterday and wanting to put it off indefinitely. It's pretty much been this way since March/April.<br /><br />I've met some amazing people in the last nine months, but </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > seems to be a place of transition for most of them as well. My hope is that I can keep in touch with them, so when we all end up moving again (as I know I will do within the next two years), we may cross paths while we do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It seems impossible for me to stay still. My restlessness has only gotten worse in the last twelve months, as I'm sure I've mentioned more than once already. Because of this inclination, I think I have become a more unreliable (or less dependable) person. This may explain why I have met so many amazing people, but to some extent either I have held them or been held by them at a distance. Perhaps these people are just as restless as I am and in as much a period of transition as I am and so we are all holding the world at a distance. Maybe I only wish it is so because I hope there are other people craving and fearing emotional intimacy, as I am. I envy those who can fall back on consistency. I miss being around people who know me and who I know but we are all so scattered now.<br /><br />As some of you may know, in the last month or so, I had to make an emergency family trip to </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Dallas</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >. My aunt went into a swift decline, after battling breast cancer on and off for 16 years, and passed on </span><st1:date year="2007" day="12" month="5"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >May 12, 2007</span></st1:date></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >. The sadness was tempered by a fight well fought; there is no one that could have fought harder and longer to stay with her family than my aunt did.<br /><br />While I was in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Texas</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >, I had the opportunity to visit my sister and niece. My sister, for the first time since she was 19, is now Melissa Anne Smith again. I am proud of her for reclaiming her family name, I hope it will be a source of strength and pride for her. Gods know, she needs the strength right now. My niece, Michaela, is going into the second grade this August and she is</span> amazingly smart.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">I have a few trips coming up before I move to </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Mobile</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >. I just booked my flight a few minutes ago. I will be in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Boston</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > July 12-16 to visit my friends Clayton and Jamie. Jamie and I became fast friends in seventh grade P.E. because we were both too smart for our own good (or at least we thought so) and feminists to boot. Clayton and I met rather strangely in eighth grade, and maybe it's because we had such an unusual friendship in middle and high school that we have been able to keep up the way we do. It never seems to matter that we sometimes go two-six months without speaking, I still feel like he gets it and is one of the few that do. So I'm extremely excited about July and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Boston</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >. I love the new friends I've made in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >, but there's just something about being around people who have known you for more or less half of your life and these are the only two non-family members in my life who can say that.<br /><br />Then in August, or perhaps also in July, I will probably be making a trip to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Seattle</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > to visit Chris. I need to sit down with him and talk about specific dates, but it will probably be right before my next move, after I've given notice at my job. Chris is one of those amazing people I've met in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > in the last nine months, but unfortunately, he moved to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Seattle</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > a little over a month or so ago. Not that I will mind visiting him in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Seattle</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > at all. It sounds like a wonderful city and I might even be able to see my friends Kat and KrisTina while I'm there. I was able to see KrisTina briefly when she visited Andrew and Jane last fall, but I haven't seen Kat since I visited Southlake in December 2001.<br /><br />I am incredibly excited about my move to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Mobile</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >. Finishing my master's degree has only become more important in my mind in the last year. I feel used up as a secretary. Having the graduate assistantship sounds immeasurably better. I've spoken with the professor I'll be assisting and the other T.A.'s for next year. They're a bunch of neat guys, though I think I might be the only female. It should make for an interesting year.<br /><br />And getting to see Adam and Toni and Brannon and Eric again will be so great. I haven't been back to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Mobile</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > since I moved last August and I do miss them. James and I will be sharing a townhouse near my old apartment complex, which is right down the street from the YMCA, a Starbucks, the local Barnes & Noble, etc. My friend Natalie from </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > might/will probably be moving to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Pensacola</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > sometime this fall and she might not be the only member of the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Birmingham</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > crew moving down to the coast.<br /><br />The future is still pretty murky right now and I'm not sure when it will clear. The unknowns in this equation definitely outweigh the knowns. I am staying as optimistic as I can be, knowing that when it doubt, books and hermitage are still fairly appealing to me.</span></p>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-21351666548902546572007-04-23T09:36:00.000-07:002007-08-16T21:53:34.425-07:00Is Nancy Pelosi a bitch? I want your opinions.Is Nancy Pelosi a bitch?<br /><br />I'm very interested in seeing women achieving high positions in politics.<br /><br />I'm also surprised when I hear women, not defending female politicians, but attacking them for being "bitchy".<br /><br />Today at work: "Nancy Pelosi might as well be a man. She's such a bitch. If I had known she was going to be such a bitch, I would've rather seen a man in the position. She's totally turned me off. Why does she have to be so confrontational? So argumentative? Why does she have to talk so much? God, I can't stand her tone of voice. I don't like George Bush but I didn't think I would dislike a woman that much. I dislike her almost as much as I dislike Hilary."<br /><br />So is Nancy Pelosi a bitch? If she were a man, would she be called an asshole? What makes her a bitch? Her aggressive personality? How should she act? If acting aggressive is being a man, then she should be more passive? Is that what women want out of female politicians?<br /><br />So what's the story morning glory? What do y'all think?Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-74450309494662730222007-04-18T09:38:00.000-07:002007-08-16T21:53:56.397-07:00Declaration of Rights for Women by NAWSA, July 4, 1876While the nation is buoyant with patriotism, and all hearts are attuned to praise, it is with sorrow we come to strike the one discordant note, on this one-hundredth anniversary of our country's birth. When subjects of kings, emperors, and czars from the old world join in our national jubilee, shall the women of the republic refuse to lay their hands with benedictions on the nation's head? Surveying America's exposition, surpassing in magnificence those of London, Paris, and Vienna, shall we not rejoice at the success of the youngest rival among the nations of the earth? May not our hearts, in unison with all, swell with pride at or great achievements as a people; our free speech, free press, free schools, free church, and the rapid progress we have made in material wealth, trade, commerce and the inventive arts? And we do rejoice in the success, thus far, of our experiment of self-government. Our faith is firm and unwavering in the broad principles of human rights proclaimed in 1776, not only as abstract truths, but as the cornet stones of a republic. Yet we cannot forget, even in this glad hour, that while all men of every race, and clime, and condition, have been invested with the full rights of citizenship under our hospitable flag, all women still suffer the degradation of disfranchisement.<br /><br />The history of our country the past one hundred years has been a series of assumptions and usurpations of power over woman, in direct opposition to the principles of just government, acknowledged by the United States as its foundations, which are:<br /><br /><br />First - the natural rights of each individual.<br />Second - the equality of these rights.<br />Third - that rights not delegated are retained by the individual<br />Fourth - that no person can exercise the rights of others without delegated authority<br />Fifth - that the non-use of rights does not destroy them<br />And for the violation of these fundamental principles of our government, we arraign our rulers on this Fourth day of July, 1876, - and these are our articles of impeachment:<br /><br />Bills of attainder have been passed by the introduction of the word "male" into all the State constitutions, denying to women the right of suffrage, and thereby making sex a crime - an exercise of power clearly forbidden in article I, sections 9, 10, of the United States constitution.<br /><br />The writ of habeas corpus, the only protection against lettres de cachet and all forms of unjust imprisonment, which the constitution declares "shall not be suspended, except in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety demands it," is held inoperative in every State of the Union, in case of a married woman against her husband - the marital rights of the husband being in all cases primary, and the rights of the wife secondary.<br /><br />The right of trial by jury of one's peers was so jealously guarded that States refused to ratify the original constitution until it was guaranteed by the sixth amendment. And yet the women of this nation have never been allowed a jury of their peers - being tried in all cases by men, native and foreign, educated and ignorant, virtuous and vicious. Young girls have been arraigned in our courts for the crime of infanticide; tried, convicted, hanged - victims, perchance, of judge, jurors, advocated - while no woman's voice could be heard in their defense. And not only are women denied a jury of their peers, but in some cases, jury trial altogether. During the was, a woman was tried and hanged by military law, in defiance of the fifth amendment, which specifically declares: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases . . . . of persons in actual service in time of war." During the last presidential campaign, a woman, arrested for voting, was denied the protection of a jury, tried, convicted, and sentenced to a fine and costs of prosecution, by the absolute power of a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.<br /><br />Taxation without representation, the immediate cause of the rebellion of the colonies against Great Britain, is one of the grievous wrongs the women of this country have suffered during the century. Deploring war, with all the demoralization that follows in its train, we have been taxed to support standing armies, with their waste of life and wealth. Believing in temperance, we have been taxed to support the vice, crime, and pauperism of the liquor traffic. While we suffer its wrongs and abuses infinitely more than man, we have no power to protect our sons against this giant evil. During the temperance crusade, mothers were arrested, fined, imprisoned, for even praying and singing in the streets, while men blockaded the sidewalks with impunity, even on Sunday, with their military parades and political processions. Believing in honesty, we are taxed to support a dangerous army of civilians, buying and selling the offices of government and sacrificing the best interests of the people. And, moreover, we are taxed to support the very legislators and judges who make laws, and render decisions adverse to women. And for refusing to pay unjust taxation, the houses, lands, bonds, and stock of women have been seized and sold within the present year, thus proving Lord Coke's assertion, that "The very act of taxing a man's property without his consent is, in effect, disfranchising him of every civil right."<br /><br />Unequal codes for men and women. Held by law a perpetual minor incapable of self-protection, even in the industries of the world, woman is denied equality of rights. The fact of sex, not the quantity or quality of work, in most cases, decides the pay and position; and because of this injustice thousands of fatherless girls are compelled to choose between a life of shame and starvation. Laws catering to man's vices have created two codes of morals in which penalties are graded according to the political status of the offender. Under such laws, women are fined and imprisoned if found alone in the streets, or in public places of resort, at certain hours. Under the pretense of regulating public morals, police officers seizing the occupants of disreputable houses, march the women in platoons to prison, while the men, partners in their guilt, go free. While making a show of virtue in forbidding the importation of Chinese women on the Pacific coast for immoral purposes, our rulers, in many States, and even under the shadow of the national capitol, are now proposing to legalize the sale of American womanhood for the same vile purposes.<br /><br />Special legislation for woman has placed us in a most anomalous position. Women invested with the rights of citizens in one section - voters, jurors, office-holders - crossing an imaginary line, are subjects in the next. In some States, a married woman may hold property and transact business in her own name; in others, her earnings belong to her husband. In some Stated, a woman may testify against her husband, sue and be sued in courts; in others, she has no redress in case of damage to her person, property, or character. In case of divorce on account of adultery in the husband, the innocent wife is held to possess no right to children or property, unless by special decree of the court. But in no State of the Union has the wife the right to her own person, or to any part of the joint earnings of the co-partnership during the life of her husband. In some States women may enter law schools and practice in the courts; in others they are forbidden. In some universities girls enjoy equal educational advantages with boys, while many of the proudest institutions in the land deny them admittance, though the sons of China, Japan, and Africa re welcomed there. But the privileges already granted in the several States are by no means secure. The right of suffrage once exercised by women in certain States and territories has been denied by subsequent legislation. A bill is now pending in congress to disfranchise the women of Utah, thus interfering to deprive United States citizens of the same rights which the Supreme Court has declared the national government powerless to protect anywhere. Laws passed after years of untiring effort, guaranteeing married women certain rights of property, and mothers the custody of their children, have been repealed in States where we supposed all was safe. Thus have our most sacred rights been made the football of legislative caprice, proving that a power which grants as a privilege what by nature is a right, may withhold the same as a penalty when deeming it necessary for its own perpetuation.<br /><br />Representation of woman has had no place in the nation's thought. Since the incorporation of the thirteen original States, twenty-four have been admitted to the Union, not one of which has recognized woman's right of self-government. On this birthday of our national liberties, July Fourth 1876, Colorado, like all her elder sisters, comes into the Union with the invidious word "male" in her constitution.<br /><br />The judiciary above the nation has proved itself but the echo of the party in power, by upholding and enforcing laws that are opposed to the spirit and letter of the constitution. When the slave power was dominant, the Supreme Court decided that a black man was not a citizen, because he had not the right to vote; and when the constitution was so amended as to make all persons citizens, the same high tribunal decided that a woman, though a citizen, had not the right to vote. Such vacillating interpretations of constitutional law unsettle our faith in judicial authority, and undermine the liberties of the whole people.<br /><br />These articles of impeachment against our rulers we now submit to the impartial judgment of the people. To all these wrongs and oppressions woman has not submitted in silence and resignation. From the beginning of the century, when Abigail Adams, the wife of one president and the mother of another, said, "We will not hold ourselves bound to obey laws in which we have no voice or representation," until now, woman's discontent has been steadily increasing, culminating nearly thirty years ago in a simultaneous movement among the women of the nation, demanding the right of suffrage. In making our just demands, a higher motive than the pride of sex inspires us; we feel that national safety and stability depend on the complete recognition of the broad principles of our government. Woman's degraded, helpless position is the weak point in our institutions to-day; a disturbing force everywhere, severing family ties, filling our asylums with the deaf, the dumb, the blind; our prisons with criminals, our cities with drunkenness and prostitution; our homes with disease and death. it was the boast of the founders of the republic, that the rights for which they contended were the rights of human nature. If these rights are ignored in the case of one-half the people, the nation is surely preparing for its downfall. Governments try themselves. The recognition of a governing and a governed class in incompatible with the first principles of freedom. Woman has not been a heedless spectator of the events of this century, not a dull listener to the grand arguments for the equal rights of humanity. From the earliest history of our country woman has shown equal devotion with man to the cause of freedom, and has stood firmly by his side in its defense. Together, they have made this country what it is. Woman's wealth, thought and labor have cemented the stones of every monument man has reared to liberty.<br /><br />And now, at the close of a hundred years, as the hour hand of the great clock that marks the centuries points to 1876, we declare our faith in the principles of self-government; our full equality with man in natural rights; that woman was made first for her own happiness, with the absolute right to herself - to all the opportunities and advantages life affords for her complete development; and we deny that dogma of the centuries, incorporated in the codes of nations - that woman was made for man - her best interests, in all cases, to be sacrificed to his will. We ask of our rulers, at this hour, no special favors, no special privileges, no special legislation. We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-8880657600982613392007-03-30T09:14:00.000-07:002007-05-18T09:16:53.064-07:00Springtime means kittens<span style="font-size:85%;"><p>So, yeah spring is in the air. And it's really starting to become obvious:<br />a) Baby animals are starting to peek out<br />b) Plants, flowers, trees are blooming<br />c) My allergies are going freakin' nuts<br />d) Everybody seems to be hooking up, or at least, expressing a desire to do so</p><p>Enter Single Girl.</p><p>So I've been single for.. almost a year now (give or take a week). I haven't really expressed any sort of desire to be in a relationship since I've moved to Birmingham. The freedom is actually pretty refreshing. I'm not responsible for anyone's emotional well being. I never feel obligated to go out or stay in based on someone else's preferences. I can spend time with whomever I want, whenever I want, and don't feel awkward or wonder if someone else is comfortable with it. All in all, not a bad time.</p><p>And ok, I love Spring. Really: the moderate climate, the longer days, the breezy Sunday afternoons, crisp evenings. </p><p>But! For gods' sakes! It's (temporarily) making me reconsider my relationship status. Companionship, security, holding hands, knowing glances, cuddling on couches, meaningful sex. Starting to sound pretty good. Argh! But these are terrible reasons to get into a relationship, just for the purpose of fulfilling some subconscious biological desire. It'd be great for a month, but then what? It's like living at the beach. Oh man, being so close to the water and the sand and the sun.. oh, and then a frickin' hurricane comes and it doesn't sound so good to be near the water, the sand, and impending disaster. Ok, maybe that's a bit of a hyperbole, but still...</p><p>It's so peaceful being single. So uncomplicated. Why would I want to mess that up? Why indeed.</p><p>If only I was so easily convinced.</p></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-38398425321379704652007-03-30T08:41:00.000-07:002007-05-18T09:17:15.434-07:00Warning: Feminist ranting ensues<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Okay, feminist ranting may ensue.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">It's Been Said: "You don't look like a feminist"?</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">It has been my experience that most men (no woman has ever questioned it) feel I do not look like a feminist. Or I don't talk like "one of those women." And I like men, right? Oh, then I'm definitely not like those lesbian feminazis.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Well guess what. Yeah, yeah, I kind'a am. And to my knowledge, the majority of feminists are hetereosexual women, though I cannot put my hands on the statistics to prove it. Either way, you'd be hard pressed to prove that I am (as a 5'3" fair complexioned, blonde, blue-eyed middle class graduate student) in anyway dissimilar from the demographics of feminists in the United States. In fact, first and second wave feminism had been criticized (by some third wave feminists) as being too white, too middle class, etc.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">And then, because (though it's fairly representative of Third Wave Feminism) I wear bras, skirts, and sometimes make up, I don't refuse it when men open doors for men, and I am not afraid to speak frankly about sexuality, it is apparently hard for men to take me seriously as a feminist.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">I'm not usually a ball-buster. I'm usually not, what I would even call for fun, a feminazi. I don't hate men. But I will bust your balls, I will strip you of your chauvinism and shove it down your throat, and I will educate you on your misconception if you laugh at my feminism and think the size of my breasts or the shape of my hips give you any right to disrespect me or disregard me. And I will look damn pretty doing it.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Note: The above only refers to chauvinist pigs who try to patronize and dictate scenarios without paying attention to whom they are disrespecting.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">It's Been Said: "The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." This is apparently misquoted from being in a speech given at the 1992 GOP convention. It is actually from a letter Pat Robertson wrote that was published in the Washington Post, opposing the Iowa Equal Rights Amendment. (See Post 23 August 1992).</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Ok! I have no problem with women leaving their husbands (their monkey, not mine), practicing witcraft (ok, I'm Heathen, do you really think I would?), or becoming lesbians (I like men, but I'm cool with chicks that don't).</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Destroying capitalism? I do not believe feminism as a philosophy or a movement seeks to do that. Amend capitalism, reform capitalism, etc., perhaps, but it's nothing social reformers haven't been doing for over a hundred years now.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Kill their children? I believe this is a ploy by Pat Robertson to connect abortion with murdering live human beings. I am completely opposed to murder, rape, the abuse/neglect of children, etc. Susan Smith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Smith), Andrea Yates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Yates), and Darlie Routier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlie_Routier) are mentally ill, co-dependant, etc. and hardly feminists. Abortion, however, is not murder. I can discuss, and given about 15 minutes of research, present accurate data about the types of abortive procedures usually performed and the misconceptions usually held by anti-choice activists (I refuse to use the term pro-life, as many of them use the term "pro-abortion", both of which are misleading terms, and this will probably appear in a later blog).</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">It's Been Said: Some chicks have a problem with being called feminists, because of the "connotations" it has.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Connotations? Well, when it all comes down to it, I'm sick of some of the connotations the word "woman" has. Or "liberal." Or… "democracy" even these days. </span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Though there are several feminist sub-cultures running around these days, there does seem to be a basic philosophy of, at least: truly equal protection under the law (hello 14th amendment), social, economic, and legal equality, fighting discrimination and double standards. You don't like the connotation of equality? Of being seen as something more than a vagina with legs? Go fuck yourself, you insult your species.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Go ahead, argue with me about this. I take no responsibility for your brain bleeding.</span><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><br style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Coming Soon: My stances on corn subsidies, illegal immigration, American corporations, and fuel efficiency. </span></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-87834834195193973012007-03-02T09:40:00.000-08:002007-05-30T09:40:44.282-07:00Were Vietnam vets really spit on as much as is commonly believed?This came up in a recent conversation. I've tried to include articles from both sides of the argument.<br /><br />http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0318-12.htm<br />Myth Making and Spitting Images from Vietnam<br /><br />http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54165<br />Vietnam déjà vu (Revisionists deny spitting on troops)<br /><br />http://www.rlg.org/en/page.php?Page_ID=95<br />The Spitting Image: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Vietnam<br /><br />http://urbangrounds.com/2007/01/29/spitting-on-soldiers/<br />Spitting on Soldiers<br /><br />http://www.thevoicenews.com/news/2003/0228/In_Response/R03_Bernard-re_Barlow.html<br />The Myth of the Spat-Upon Veteran By Gabrielle Bernard, Winsted<br /><br />http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:Wwf1AUED4FUJ:newsbusters.org/node/10594+vietnam+spitting+troops&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=30&gl=us<br />(Article is no longer available, but google has it cached.)<br />Resolving The Spitting DebateJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421757647455091220.post-28346041998948319652007-02-28T09:41:00.000-08:002007-05-30T09:44:08.180-07:00Becoming the Third Wave by Rebecca WalkerI am not one of the people who sat transfixed before the television, watching the Senate hearings. I had class-es too to, papers to write, and frankly, the whole thing was too painful. A black man grilled by a panel of white men about his sexual deviance. A black woman claiming harassment and being discredited by other women…. I could not bring myself to watch that sensationalized assault of the human spirit.<br /><br />To me, the hearings were not about determining whether or not Clarence Thomas did in fact harass Anita Hill. They were about checking and redefining the extent of women’s credibility and power.<br /><br />Can a woman’s experience undermine a man’s career-, Can a woman’s voice, a woman’s sense of self-worth and injustice, challenge a structure predicated upon the subjugation of our gender Anita Hill’s testimony threatened to do that and more. If Thomas had not been confirmed, every man in the United States would be at risk. For how many senators never told a sexist Joke–How many men have not used their protected male privilege to thwart in some way the influence or ideas of a woman colleague, friend, or relative.<br /><br />For those whose sense of power is so obviously connected to the health and vigor of the penis. it would have been a metaphoric castration. Of course this is too great a threat.<br /><br />While some may laud the whole spectacle for the consciousness it raised around sexual harassment, its very real outcome is more informative. He was promoted. She was repudiated. Men were assured of the inviolabIlity of their penis/power. Women were admonished to keep their experiences to themselves.<br /><br />The backlash against U.S. women is real. As the misconception of equality between the sexes becomes more ubiquitous, so does the attempt to restrict the boundaries of women’s personal and political power. Thomas’ confirmation, the ultimate rally of support for the male paradigm of harassment, sends a clear message to women: “Shut up! Even if you speak, we will not listen.”<br /><br />I will not be silenced.<br /><br />I acknowledge the fact that we live under siege. I intend to fight back. I have uncovered and unleashed more repressed anger than I thought possible. For the umpteenth time in my 22 years, I have been radicalized, politicized, shaker) awake. I have come to voice again, and this time my voice is not conciliatory.<br /><br />The night after Thomas’s confirmation I ask the man I am intimate with what he thinks of the whole mess. His concern is primarily with Thomas’ propensity to demol-ish civil rights and opportunities for people of color. I launch into a tirade. “When will progressive black men prioritize my rights and well-being? When will they stop talking so damn much about ‘the race’ as if it revolved ex-clusively around them?” He tells me I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I scream “I need to know, are you with me or are you going to help them try to destroy me?”<br /><br />A week later I am on a train to New York. A beautiful mother and daughter, both wearing green outfits, sit across the aisle from me. The little girl has tightly plait-ed braids. Her brown skin is glowing and smooth, her eyes bright as she chatters happily while looking out the window. Two men get on the train and sit directly be-hind me, shaking my seat as they thud into place. I bury myself in The Sound and the Fu7y. Loudly they begin to talk about women. “Man, I fucked that bitch all night and then I never called her again.” “Man, there’s lots of girlies over there, you know that ho, live over there by Tyrone’, Well, I snatched that shit up.” The mother moves closer to her now quiet daughter. Looking at her small back I can see that she is listening to the men. I am thinking of how I can transform the situ-ation, of all the people in the car whose silence makes us complicit. Another large man gets on the train. After exchanging loud greetings with the two men, he sits next to me. He tells them he is going to Philadelphia to visit his wife and child. I am suckered into thinking that he is different. Then, “Man, there’s a ton of fe-males in Philly, just waltin’ for you to give’em some.” I turn my head and allow the fire in my eyes to burn into him. He takes up two seats and has hands with huge swollen knuckles. I imagine the gold rings on his fingers slamming into my face. He senses something, “What’s your name, sweetheart?” The other men lean forward over the seat.<br /><br />My instinct kicks in, telling me to get out. “Since I see you all are not going to move, I will.” I move to the first car. I am so angry that thoughts of murder, of physically retaliating against them, of separatism, engulf me. I am almost out of body, just shy of being pure force. I am sick of the way women are negated, violated, devalued, ig-nored. I am livid, unrelenting in my anger at those who invade my space, who wish to take away my rights, who refuse to hear my voice. As the days pass, I push myself to figure o u t what it means to be a part of the Third Wave of femi-nism. I begin to realize that I owe it to myself, to my little sister on the train, to all of the daughters yet to be born, to push beyond my rage and articulate an agenda. After battling with ideas of separatism and militancy, I connect with my own feelings of powerlessness. I realize that I must undergo a transformation if I am truly com-mitted to women’s empowerment. My involvement must reach beyond my own voice in discussion, beyond voting, beyond reading feminist theory. My anger and aware-ness must translate into tangible action.<br /><br />I am ready to decide, as my mother decided before me, to devote much of my energy to the history, health, and healing of women. Each of my choices will have to hold to my feminist standard of justice. To be a feminist is to integrate an ideology of equality and female empowerment into the very fiber of my life. it is to search for personal clarity in the midst of systemic destruction, to join in sisterhood with women when of-ten we are divided, to understand power structures with the intention of challenging them. While this may sound simple, it is exactly the kind of stand that many of my peers are unwilling to take. So I write this as a plea to all women, especially the women of my generation: Let Thomas’ confirmation serve to re-mind you, as it did me, that the fight is far from over. Let this dismissal of a woman’s experience move you to anger. Turn that outrage into political power. Do not vote for them unless they work for us. Do not have sex with them, do not break bread with them, do not nurture them if they don’t prioritize our freedom to control our bodies and our lives.<br /><br />I am not a postfeminism feminist. I am the Third Wave.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079038194864874813noreply@blogger.com3