BET: What about the survivors?

Chris Brown’s “breakdown” during his Michael Jackson tribute at the BET Awards
*Trigger Warning*
On the last day of the US Social Forum, I ran into an old friend from a campaign I had worked on a few years back. I had seen her on the first day but bee-lined in the other direction. I was dodging her because the only Rose she had ever known was a woman who felt trapped in a domestically violent relationship. I have since left that relationship. Years have passed since then, but I am occasionally haunted by memories when I see an old friend from that era of my life and they ask me the dreaded question, “Are you still with him?”
Blood ...

Chris Brown’s “breakdown” during his Michael Jackson tribute at the BET Awards
*Trigger Warning*
On the last day of the US Social Forum, I ran into an old friend from a campaign I had worked on a ...

Let’s play a game

It’s called Things That Would Never Happen in American Politics. I usually play it with French politics, like when Ségolène Royale replaced her former common law husband, with whom she had four children, as head of the Socialist party, and ran against Nicolas Sarkozy.

Today, let’s play it with Australian politics. As you might know, last week Julia Gillard became Australia’s first woman Prime Minister when she ousted the leader of the Australian Labour Party, Kevin Rudd. Gillard is not married, but has a de facto partner, and now, it seems that a not-technically married woman will be moving into official residences (there’s The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney) and living in sin.

So, that concludes ...

It’s called Things That Would Never Happen in American Politics. I usually play it with French politics, like when Ségolène Royale replaced her former common law husband, with whom she had four children, as head ...

Quick Hit: Elena Kagan SCOTUS Hearings Day 2.


It is Day 2 of the Kagan hearings and the Republicans have already shamelessly called the late Thurgood Marshall, “an activist judge” and scrutinized her relationship with him. For those watching let us know what is going on and be our feminist watchdogs.
You can follow live tweets and watch a live feed on CSPAN .


It is Day 2 of the Kagan hearings and the Republicans have already shamelessly called the late Thurgood Marshall, “an activist judge” and scrutinized her relationship with him. For those watching ...

No Hee Hee, Ha Ha, For Me Joel Stein.

I suppose when you come across a writer so engulfed in snark, so above the tide, so cutting edge that it is almost impossible to touch their well thought out and clearly obvious humor that you find yourself paused, unable to dissect with the surgical precision of cutting analysis you have come to expect of Feministing. I mean, you should at least be able to stop and acknowledge that the author was kind of intelligent, had a strong point of view or made you LOL.

I really think Joel Stein was hoping he would get that kind of reaction about his column in this week’s TIME about his painful realization that his town was overrun by “Indians,” a deeply sad ...

I suppose when you come across a writer so engulfed in snark, so above the tide, so cutting edge that it is almost impossible to touch their well thought out and clearly obvious humor that you find ...

Palestinian women start an all female car racing team


Picture via The Guardian.
Meet the Speed Sisters, a team of eight Palestinian women race car drivers – the first all-female team in the popular Speed Test race.

It’s another step for Palestinian women who have been claiming more positions of influence in a still very much male-dominated society. This year, the first female Palestinian governor was appointed to oversee the West Bank district of Ramallah. The mayor of the district’s main city is a woman, as are four ministers in the Palestinian Cabinet.
Speed Test began in the West Bank in 2005, as violence between Israel and the Palestinians began petering out. Races take place throughout the territory that is ruled by Israel, with Palestinians administering parts ...


Picture via The Guardian.
Meet the Speed Sisters, a team of eight Palestinian women race car drivers – the first all-female team in the popular Speed Test race.

It’s another step for Palestinian women who ...

What We Missed: “Real” beauty, c-sections and discrimination

Dove’s casting call for their “Real Beauty” ads calls for women with “flawless skin” who are “not too curvy.” Charming.
Speaking of real beauty, Nominate a “beautiful girl” at New Moon.
From Christine at Our Bodies, Ourselves: The Rising Rate of C-Sections Exemplifies What’s Wrong With U.S. Healthcare
Wisconsin appeals court says gay parents do not have equal rights.

Dove’s casting call for their “Real Beauty” ads calls for women with “flawless skin” who are “not too curvy.” Charming.
Speaking of real beauty, Nominate a “beautiful girl” at New Moon.
From Christine at ...

Behind Justice Ginsburg, a strong man


(AP Photo)

The obit headline reads: Martin D. Ginsburg dies at 78; tax law expert, Supreme Court spouse

It’s so rare to read the obituary of a man who is identified, right up there in the headline, as a spouse — the supportive partner of a woman who is much more well-known.

The foundation of their relationship, they both said, was mutual respect and equality — and a willingness to share domestic duties.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is rightfully recognized as a remarkable public advocate for women’s rights. But it seems she also had the great fortune to spend her private life with a man who lived by feminist principles.

[S]he recalled that Mr. Ginsburg, a gregarious varsity golf player, was “the ...


(AP Photo)

The obit headline reads: Martin D. Ginsburg dies at 78; tax law expert, Supreme Court spouse

It’s so rare to read the obituary of a man who is identified, right up there in ...

UK wants to mandate smoking tests for all pregnant women

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK wants all pregnant women to be given carbon monoxide tests. If it shows that the woman has been smoking, she’ll be offered help and counseling on how to stop.

Professor Mike Kelly, the director of the centre of public health excellence at NICE said, “During pregnancy, smoking puts the health of the women and her unborn baby at great risk both in the short and long-term, and small children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems.”

Midwives, however, are not so supportive of the recommendation, saying that it will make women feel “guilty.” I agree. This doesn’t just make women ...

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK wants all pregnant women to be given carbon monoxide tests. If it shows that the woman has been smoking, she’ll be offered help and ...
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