More Letters:
I'm writing to my senators. Are you?
Senator Kohl,
As the Senate prepares to question the Presidential nominee for the next Supreme Court Justice, I hope you are able to balance both the short-term and long-term needs of our judiciary and our country.
Women's reproductive rights and civil rights for same-sex couples are both special-interest issues, it's true. However, these are issues that could be severely harmed by an overzealous conservative on the Supreme Court. This possibility frightens me greatly, not only because of the legal battles that would rage in response, but because of the people in my life that it would hurt so deeply.
I understand that the Senate's job is to find a nominee whose intelligence, judicial experience and mindset will allow for flexibility and justice on the Court and in our country for the next 30 years. I hope you are able to accomplish this goal while keeping in mind that justice cannot prevail in our country while the rights of women and loving couples suffer.
Thank you for your consideration, and thank you for representing our great state.
Kristen
Law Student
Senator Feingold,
As the Senate begins to question the president's nominee for the open seat on the Supreme Court, I hope that you will remain undecided until his views and stances have been fleshed out.
Although I know that issues like reproductive rights and civil rights for homosexual couples are special interests that will represent only a small portion of the next Justice's career, I hope that you are still able to remain responsive to those of us who are so very concerned about the negative impact an overzealous conservative justice may have on these issues well into the future. I cannot imagine how difficult it will be to find a balance between special and important interests and the needs of our judiciary 30 years into the future. I'll send you good thoughts and positive energy (or prayers if that's your thing, but I like to separate church and state).
Thanks, as always, for being a responsive and responsible representative of the values of our state. You make me proud to live in Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Kristen
Law Student
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Late Letter-writing Campaigns:
Well, it's a day like all the rest and so I have come across a moronic statement by Wendy Wright of Concerned Women of America (aka anti-women's rights crazies) in an article about RU-486 (morning after pill) and the fact that it kills 1 in 100,000 people who takes it (well, actually, that a bacteria does when associated with this pill). Her statement: "Changing the label the last time clearly didn't help the latest woman who died," Wright said. "Sadly, people who support RU-486 apparently believe the risk of death is preferable to having a child."
Just for the record, both Viagra and HAVING A BABY have higher death rates than RU-482 (5 in 100,000 and 9.9 in 100,000 respectively).
What I would really like to do is first ram my head through a wall because I'm SO FRICKING TIRED OF MORONS LIKE THIS, and then write a very profane letter explaining with anatomical precision exactly what these "concerned women" can do with their judgmental attitudes and organizations.
I also find that I have a very amusing desire to scream "Wendy Wright's a whore!" at a Concerned Women of America rally, and it makes me giggle and smile. Sick but honest.
In all seriousness, it's not because I really think that they're less intelligent or that I'm better than them that I hate them with such a fury. Rather, it's that people and organizations like this choose to villanize women who refuse to take their "proper roles" as mothers in society, like they did and their mothers before them. It's not really about a couple little cells when it comes down to it. If it were, wouldn't they be out to find some sort of a cure for all those miscarriages? I mean, think of all those babies dying! All that senseless death, we just let it happen! No, none of that. They're upset because women have sex outside of marriage, which means women have power outside of the marriage, which upsets the roles our society set out for women and men. These are the same people who hate gays because they mess up everything, being all same-sex and all. Who does the woman's work? Who is the man in the house? WE DON'T KNOW AND IT'S KILLING US!
Ok, maybe that wasn't all serious. I can't talk about them long before I break down into making fun of them. It's my way of dealing with people whose ideas are close-minded and ignorant. And no, calling them these things does not make me close-minded or intolerant because I would never force them to believe something they didn't believe. They can hate me for being a liberated woman all they want, that's just fine. I would NEVER force an abortion on someone, never never never. They, however, want to force children on people, even people whose lives would be at risk as a result, or whose children would be seriously handicapped because of genetic or pharmaceutical issues. Their ideas, which they believe should be imposed on us all, harm women and men and society as a whole so deeply that I feel it physically as I type these words.
Anyway, the point is, I wrote them a letter, and it's way nicer than I would like it to be. I'm trying to learn to choose my words and not pick fights or be argumentative or something like that. Anticlimactic, I know. I'm tired, too bad.
"I recently read an article on Forbes.com where Wendy Wright, senior policy director for your organization, noted that the changes to the label on RU-486 did not save the life of the latest woman who died, and that "Sadly, people who support RU-486 apparently believe the risk of death is preferable to having a child."
"I would suggest that your organization do some research into the risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The rate of maternal mortality in 2001 was 9.9 per 100,000 live births, which is exactly 9.9 times as likely to cause death as RU-486. Not only can pregnancy be fatal, but it also can negatively impact other areas of a woman or couple's life. Pregnancy discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission jumped 39% from 1992 to 2003. Millions of women and families are uninsured and the cost of prenatal care and delivery have continued to increase.
"I would say that there would be many reasons why taking a very statistically safe drug would be preferable to taking on the risks of pregnancy and child-bearing. I find this not a "sad" thing but rather one that is logical, though it is a decision that Wendy Wright would not choose to make. I certainly hope that Wendy Wright is never forced to use these drugs, as this would infringe upon her right to decide when she chooses to carry a pregnancy to term. What IS "sad" is that Wendy Wright and Concerned Women for America feel it necessary to judge women and couples by their use of a prescribed pharmaceutical. That has me very concerned indeed."
And may you be hit by a bus, and when you're in the hospital may your doctor come in and say "I'm sorry, but I'm morally opposed to dispensing pain medication." and leave you in agony, you STUPID FREAKING MORONS.
Well, it's a day like all the rest and so I have come across a moronic statement by Wendy Wright of Concerned Women of America (aka anti-women's rights crazies) in an article about RU-486 (morning after pill) and the fact that it kills 1 in 100,000 people who takes it (well, actually, that a bacteria does when associated with this pill). Her statement: "Changing the label the last time clearly didn't help the latest woman who died," Wright said. "Sadly, people who support RU-486 apparently believe the risk of death is preferable to having a child."
Just for the record, both Viagra and HAVING A BABY have higher death rates than RU-482 (5 in 100,000 and 9.9 in 100,000 respectively).
What I would really like to do is first ram my head through a wall because I'm SO FRICKING TIRED OF MORONS LIKE THIS, and then write a very profane letter explaining with anatomical precision exactly what these "concerned women" can do with their judgmental attitudes and organizations.
I also find that I have a very amusing desire to scream "Wendy Wright's a whore!" at a Concerned Women of America rally, and it makes me giggle and smile. Sick but honest.
In all seriousness, it's not because I really think that they're less intelligent or that I'm better than them that I hate them with such a fury. Rather, it's that people and organizations like this choose to villanize women who refuse to take their "proper roles" as mothers in society, like they did and their mothers before them. It's not really about a couple little cells when it comes down to it. If it were, wouldn't they be out to find some sort of a cure for all those miscarriages? I mean, think of all those babies dying! All that senseless death, we just let it happen! No, none of that. They're upset because women have sex outside of marriage, which means women have power outside of the marriage, which upsets the roles our society set out for women and men. These are the same people who hate gays because they mess up everything, being all same-sex and all. Who does the woman's work? Who is the man in the house? WE DON'T KNOW AND IT'S KILLING US!
Ok, maybe that wasn't all serious. I can't talk about them long before I break down into making fun of them. It's my way of dealing with people whose ideas are close-minded and ignorant. And no, calling them these things does not make me close-minded or intolerant because I would never force them to believe something they didn't believe. They can hate me for being a liberated woman all they want, that's just fine. I would NEVER force an abortion on someone, never never never. They, however, want to force children on people, even people whose lives would be at risk as a result, or whose children would be seriously handicapped because of genetic or pharmaceutical issues. Their ideas, which they believe should be imposed on us all, harm women and men and society as a whole so deeply that I feel it physically as I type these words.
Anyway, the point is, I wrote them a letter, and it's way nicer than I would like it to be. I'm trying to learn to choose my words and not pick fights or be argumentative or something like that. Anticlimactic, I know. I'm tired, too bad.
"I recently read an article on Forbes.com where Wendy Wright, senior policy director for your organization, noted that the changes to the label on RU-486 did not save the life of the latest woman who died, and that "Sadly, people who support RU-486 apparently believe the risk of death is preferable to having a child."
"I would suggest that your organization do some research into the risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The rate of maternal mortality in 2001 was 9.9 per 100,000 live births, which is exactly 9.9 times as likely to cause death as RU-486. Not only can pregnancy be fatal, but it also can negatively impact other areas of a woman or couple's life. Pregnancy discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission jumped 39% from 1992 to 2003. Millions of women and families are uninsured and the cost of prenatal care and delivery have continued to increase.
"I would say that there would be many reasons why taking a very statistically safe drug would be preferable to taking on the risks of pregnancy and child-bearing. I find this not a "sad" thing but rather one that is logical, though it is a decision that Wendy Wright would not choose to make. I certainly hope that Wendy Wright is never forced to use these drugs, as this would infringe upon her right to decide when she chooses to carry a pregnancy to term. What IS "sad" is that Wendy Wright and Concerned Women for America feel it necessary to judge women and couples by their use of a prescribed pharmaceutical. That has me very concerned indeed."
And may you be hit by a bus, and when you're in the hospital may your doctor come in and say "I'm sorry, but I'm morally opposed to dispensing pain medication." and leave you in agony, you STUPID FREAKING MORONS.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
USA: Home of the Energetically Misguided
I wanted to briefly share some thoughts that have been rolling about in my head the past couple of days. I feel as though I am slowly but surely climbing from my time of dark pessimism and lost faith in the world.
Wait. Don't get too excited; I still think that basically things suck.
Sorry, I didn't want to get your hopes up too much. I will say, however, that I see the United States as less of a land of selfish folly and idolatrous disease and more as a nation with all the right tools and all the wrong direction.
We have people dedicated to fighting for the lives of our fellow humans, in courts, on the streets, in government, in church, who have dedicated their lives to preserving that which they deeply believe to be sacred. Who of us can really disagree that life is sacred, really, since we can only express this sentiment because we have been gifted with this very sacred gift ourselves. Life is possibly the most important aspect of all creation.
And yet, these people and this fight centers only around the life that exists or doesn't exist between a handful of cells. We fight for the life of something that may or may not qualify as Life with a capital "L" rather than the lives of those that everyone can agree are really, truly alive, though by the time you read this, several thousand more have already slipped beyond the point of saving.
Again, there are corporations and organizations that have invested millions of dollars and hundreds of hours to tracking and shutting down operations of people who have taken to the internet to complete illicit transactions. The courts have repeatedly empowered these companies and governments and service providers with the means to end these transactions and bring these rings of illegal activities to a halt.
And yet, these millions of dollars and hundreds of hours are devoted to the trade in music files. Music files. These resources aren't lent to organizations who wish to stop child pornography rings. These resources aren't lent to organizations who wish to stop US citizens from tracking down countries to visit where they can buy time with a child sex worker through web sites and e-mail.
The USA has the energy. We have the means. We even have the motivation. We just don't seem to pick our causes very well. We'd rather catch up on our soaps and sports teams and complain about the economy than be a part of something that could really change our world forever.
I just don't know why.
I wanted to briefly share some thoughts that have been rolling about in my head the past couple of days. I feel as though I am slowly but surely climbing from my time of dark pessimism and lost faith in the world.
Wait. Don't get too excited; I still think that basically things suck.
Sorry, I didn't want to get your hopes up too much. I will say, however, that I see the United States as less of a land of selfish folly and idolatrous disease and more as a nation with all the right tools and all the wrong direction.
We have people dedicated to fighting for the lives of our fellow humans, in courts, on the streets, in government, in church, who have dedicated their lives to preserving that which they deeply believe to be sacred. Who of us can really disagree that life is sacred, really, since we can only express this sentiment because we have been gifted with this very sacred gift ourselves. Life is possibly the most important aspect of all creation.
And yet, these people and this fight centers only around the life that exists or doesn't exist between a handful of cells. We fight for the life of something that may or may not qualify as Life with a capital "L" rather than the lives of those that everyone can agree are really, truly alive, though by the time you read this, several thousand more have already slipped beyond the point of saving.
Again, there are corporations and organizations that have invested millions of dollars and hundreds of hours to tracking and shutting down operations of people who have taken to the internet to complete illicit transactions. The courts have repeatedly empowered these companies and governments and service providers with the means to end these transactions and bring these rings of illegal activities to a halt.
And yet, these millions of dollars and hundreds of hours are devoted to the trade in music files. Music files. These resources aren't lent to organizations who wish to stop child pornography rings. These resources aren't lent to organizations who wish to stop US citizens from tracking down countries to visit where they can buy time with a child sex worker through web sites and e-mail.
The USA has the energy. We have the means. We even have the motivation. We just don't seem to pick our causes very well. We'd rather catch up on our soaps and sports teams and complain about the economy than be a part of something that could really change our world forever.
I just don't know why.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Football and Politics:
I hate election time. All the commercials about so-and-so, the one who did such-and-such who is really out to eat your babies and steal your money remind me too much of high school gossip. People call it mud slinging. I think it's more like watching all the bullies from preschool vomit and push each other into it.
That's not my point. What is my point? Good question, as always. Have you noticed that there are no political commercials on right now? No one is telling me what bad things the democrats/republicans/greens/communists/space aliens are doing! While I don't miss the vomit-bath I described above, I am rather surprised; based on the amount of terrible things our political leaders accused one another of perpetrating last November, I would have expected that at least _one_ of them would follow up and say "Hey! Look! You elected so-and-so and now look what is happening! I told you so, you morons!"
Just like no one is coming on tv to say, "Hi again, it's me, the one who you rightly elected, just updating you on the wonderful things I'm doing. Aren't you glad you made the right choice?" I haven't even seen many great things happening at all. Did we elect all the wrong people?
It seems to me that the only time we hear anything real about politicians is when they're running for office. That's when we hear about their voting record. That's when we hear about how many vacations they took while in office, or who they visited or who they molested, or to whom they sold out. And you know what? Everyone gets REALLY pissed off about what their elected officials have been doing! How dare they! Let's get someone new in there!
Well, where were the vomit-rollers when that stuff was happening? Where is the media to say, look! He's on vacation again! Look! She's selling out to so-and-so! Hey, look! They lied!
It's like we're watching the NFL draft while they're summarizing the brutal plays that happened during the rest of the season, but no one has been watching the games. No one even seems to know what channel the games are on, since they're not on prime-time, and they don't have good announcers, and no one really has explained how the game works, what the rules are, or what the hell is going on. There are no tickets sold, no live audiences, and sometimes very few of the players even show up when they're supposed to. Even so, every year, two years, four years, when the teams are picking players, everyone sees all the commercials about who the teams should pick, what the players have done, and who would do a better job.
They even get money from big companies, but they don't actually have to wear the symbol, logo, or do actual commercials.
But it's ok, because no one cares right now. It's July 4th, a patriotic day. No one wants to think about elections!
Happy Independence Day!
~Kristen
I hate election time. All the commercials about so-and-so, the one who did such-and-such who is really out to eat your babies and steal your money remind me too much of high school gossip. People call it mud slinging. I think it's more like watching all the bullies from preschool vomit and push each other into it.
That's not my point. What is my point? Good question, as always. Have you noticed that there are no political commercials on right now? No one is telling me what bad things the democrats/republicans/greens/communists/space aliens are doing! While I don't miss the vomit-bath I described above, I am rather surprised; based on the amount of terrible things our political leaders accused one another of perpetrating last November, I would have expected that at least _one_ of them would follow up and say "Hey! Look! You elected so-and-so and now look what is happening! I told you so, you morons!"
Just like no one is coming on tv to say, "Hi again, it's me, the one who you rightly elected, just updating you on the wonderful things I'm doing. Aren't you glad you made the right choice?" I haven't even seen many great things happening at all. Did we elect all the wrong people?
It seems to me that the only time we hear anything real about politicians is when they're running for office. That's when we hear about their voting record. That's when we hear about how many vacations they took while in office, or who they visited or who they molested, or to whom they sold out. And you know what? Everyone gets REALLY pissed off about what their elected officials have been doing! How dare they! Let's get someone new in there!
Well, where were the vomit-rollers when that stuff was happening? Where is the media to say, look! He's on vacation again! Look! She's selling out to so-and-so! Hey, look! They lied!
It's like we're watching the NFL draft while they're summarizing the brutal plays that happened during the rest of the season, but no one has been watching the games. No one even seems to know what channel the games are on, since they're not on prime-time, and they don't have good announcers, and no one really has explained how the game works, what the rules are, or what the hell is going on. There are no tickets sold, no live audiences, and sometimes very few of the players even show up when they're supposed to. Even so, every year, two years, four years, when the teams are picking players, everyone sees all the commercials about who the teams should pick, what the players have done, and who would do a better job.
They even get money from big companies, but they don't actually have to wear the symbol, logo, or do actual commercials.
But it's ok, because no one cares right now. It's July 4th, a patriotic day. No one wants to think about elections!
Happy Independence Day!
~Kristen
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