2011 November Archive

Cain reassesses campaign (thankfully)

I was getting pretty tired of headline after headline that tried to apologize for Herman Cain’s inappropriate behavior towards women. But when the allegations came out yesterday that he had a (consensual–with this guy you have to be specific) 13-year affair with a woman yesterday, I kept wondering–HOW will he get around this one? After all, harassment and assault accusations are easy for politicians to deny and dimiss in our culture of rape–but adultery can sometimes be a game-changer.

Well, it looks like the Cain campaign is thinking the same thing. This afternoon it was released that his staff is reassessing their strategy–as in, they realized they have none and they were propping up a sham politician who was not only backed ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 12 years ago

Apple’s Siri is suspiciously clueless about reproductive health

It seems the iPhone’s new interactive app Siri isn’t all that helpful when it comes to women’s health. Here are the answers that a commenter at the Abortioneers got to some pretty basic questions.

Q: I am pregnant and do not want to be. Where can I go to get an abortion?

“I’m really sorry about this, but I can’t take any requests right now. Please try again in a little while.”

“Sorry, [my name], I can’t look for places in Tanzania.”

“I don’t see any abortion clinics. Sorry about that.”

Q: I had unprotected sex. Where can I go for emergency contraception?

“Sorry, I couldn’t find any adult retail stores.” This was repeated every time.

Q: I need birth control. Where can I go ...

Q: I ...

By Samhita • 12 years ago

TLC’s Virgin Diaries comes to the US

TLC is debuting a new reality TV show that showcases the lives of 30-something virgins.

Alternative tagline: Adult virgins kiss on wedding day; looks like bird feeding.

Fetishization of the myth of virginity is an ongoing theme in conservative politics. (Check out Jessica Valenti’s book on the topic). It’s frustrating and harmful when reality TV continually echos some of the most disasterous cliches about women and sexuality.

But, reality TV now goes a step further from fabricating problematic story lines. Reality TV today showcases “freaks,” wherein characters are picked based on how outlandish their stories are and how much we will be shocked by their lives. So technically they want us to laugh at their stories, in all their ...

TLC is debuting a new reality TV show that showcases the lives of 30-something virgins.

Alternative tagline: Adult virgins kiss on wedding day; looks like bird feeding.

Fetishization of the myth of virginity is an ongoing ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 12 years ago

Quick Hit: Mona Eltahawy talks about being sexually assaulted and beaten by Egyptian police

Last Wednesday, Twitter erupted with the news that Eqyptian-American feminist journalist Mona Eltahawy was being beaten, sexually assaulted, and detained for 12 hours by Eqyptian security forces.

Back from Cairo, with her broken arms in casts, she spoke to Democracy Now about the assault, the recent clashes between protestors and police that have left 40 people killed and thousands injured, and the significance of yesterday’s first parlimentary elections.

Here’s what she had to say about the ongoing battle women face in the revolution:

Women are fighting. We’re kicking and screaming and shouting. Women have been part of this revolution from the very beginning. And women are demanding that whoever wins these elections, whoever gets the parliamentary majority, recognizes ...

Last Wednesday, Twitter erupted with the news that Eqyptian-American feminist journalist Mona Eltahawy was being beaten, sexually assaulted, and detained for 12 hours by Eqyptian security forces.

Back from Cairo, with her broken arms in ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 12 years ago

Miley Cyrus supports Occupy Wall Street with new music video

Cue the inevitable eye-rolling. But I like this video.

While Alyssa Rosenberg thinks it needs more context to take it “beyond generic teenaged stick-it-to-the-manism in a way that would be useful and specific,” I disagree. For many of Miley Cyrus’s devoted teen and pre-teen fans, seeing footage of police brutality at peaceful protests and hearing their pop idol voice support for the cause may get them googling and reading up on economic inequality.

After all, it’s not Cyrus’s role to educate her audience about student loans and interest rates. But reminding kids that it’s cool to be political–that being part of a mass movement can be as inspiring as a good pop song? If she can help do that, ...

Cue the inevitable eye-rolling. But I like this video.

While Alyssa Rosenberg thinks it needs more context to take it “beyond generic teenaged stick-it-to-the-manism in a way that would be useful and specific,” I disagree. For ...

By zerlina • 12 years ago

Quick Hit: So you’re disappointed in Obama…

As many on the Left grapple with their disappointment in President Obama, Jake Lamar wants to explain to us all that he’s not disappointed with and pretty clearly lays out why next year we need to turn out the vote.

You can call me an Obamabot but think of the alternatives: Willard Romney, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, or Michele Bachmann. (And Rick Santorum)

You want one of them to get control of the nukes over Obama? Serious question.

By Chloe Angyal • 12 years ago

What We Missed

Rep. Barney Frank (D. MA) announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2012.

Scott Olson, the Iraq veteran who was seriously injured by police at Occupy Oakland, has given his first interview since the incident.

December is AIDS Awareness Month. At Salon, Irin Carmon explains why Mississippi is the worst place in America for HIV+ people.

Meet Emma Sullivan, the new patron saint of snarky, outspoken teenage girls.

Rep. Barney Frank (D. MA) announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2012.

Scott Olson, the Iraq veteran who was seriously injured by police at Occupy Oakland, has given his first interview since the ...

By Lori Adelman • 12 years ago

Friday action highlights intersections in #OWS

Last Friday, while some intrepid warriors were pushing, shoving, and pepper-spraying their ways to Black Friday deals, another group of brave people were pushing forward for a slightly different cause.

Friday saw an exciting and important action organized by CLAW (Clear Action by/for Women) Coalition (made up of AF3IRM, A.N.S.W.E.R, Black Women’s Blueprint, SisterSong NYC & Trust Black Women, Feminism Now Podcast, and the Party for Socialism & Liberation).

The action was organized around the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and called for the dismantling of the immoral and unethical economy of Wall Street.

The flyer and accompanying declaration make it clear that members of the coalition see the ...

Friday saw an exciting and ...