The lessons we must learn from the Giffords shooting

As Eesha pointed out yesterday, Representative Gabby Giffords announced that she would step down in a moving video. This, of course, was just over a year after being shot, along with 11 others, six of whom died, by a man should never have had access to a gun. It was also nearly two years after Sarah Palin put Giffords in her crosshairs, “targeting” her for having voted for Obama’s healthcare plan.

And props to Eesha for alluding to how toxic gun-toting language, celebrated by so many on the right, contributes to tragic acts of violence such as these. Giffords, herself, warned, prophetically, that people

need to realize that the rhetoric and firing people up and, you know, ...

As Eesha pointed out yesterday, Representative Gabby Giffords announced that she would step down in a moving video. This, of course, was just over a year after being shot, along with 11 others, six ...

A Cheat (no pun intended) Sheet on Romney’s Tax Returns

Mitt Romney has finally released his tax returns, after being nearly universally criticized for not doing so already. Interestingly enough, Mitt’s father George Romney was a pioneer in the field of financial transparency, releasing 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president in 1968. Well, in an “unlike father, unlike son” moment, Romney has limited his tax releases to one year’s worth.

Think Progress points out the 6 most important and disturbing facts revealed by the tax returns (besides the fact that Mitt made $21.7 million in 2010 and $20.9 million in 2011 or, as Mitt would probably call it, “not very much”). Let’s have a looksie!

1. Romney paid a lower tax rate than many middle-class Americans: ...

Mitt Romney has finally released his tax returns, after being nearly universally criticized for not doing so already. Interestingly enough, Mitt’s father George Romney was a pioneer in the field of financial transparency, releasing 12 ...

Study: Abortion is safer than giving birth

A new study has revealed that abortion is a procedure that is not only safer than giving birth, but people are 14 times more likely to die during childbirth than during an abortion:

Dr. Elizabeth Raymond from Gynuity Health Projects in New York City and Dr. David Grimes of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, found that between 1998 and 2005, one woman died during childbirth for every 11,000 or so babies born.

That compared to one woman of every 167,000 who died from a legal abortion.

The researchers also cited a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which found that, from 1998 to 2001, the most common ...

A new study has revealed that abortion is a procedure that is not only safer than giving birth, but people are 14 times more likely to die during childbirth than during an abortion:

Dr. Elizabeth Raymond ...

*The Academic Feminist: Using the Past to Reimagine the Present with Imani Perry

Welcome back to The Academic Feminist, a series that aims to bridge the blogging/academic divide by linking discussions in feminist academia to those taking place online. Today’s interviewee is Imani Perry, Professor at the Center for African American Studies at Princeton. You can learn more about Perry’s work on her website . All comments on the series and suggestions for future interviewees can be sent here. And thank you to all the Feministing readers who have offered suggestions and positive feedback on the series so far!

*Editor’s note: Due to concerns raised that there might be confusion with Barnard Center for Research on Women’s awesome The Scholar and Feminist Conference and ...

Welcome back to The Academic Feminist, a series that aims to bridge the blogging/academic divide by linking discussions in feminist academia to those taking place online. Today’s interviewee is Imani Perry, Professor at the Center for ...

Washington reaches enough votes to pass marriage equality

Yesterday, Pam’s House Blend divulged of Washington Senator Mary Margaret Haugen’s announcement that she was supporting marriage equality, making her the 25th — and final — vote needed to pass the state’s marriage equality bill (SB 6239). PHB’s note of Haugen’s statement on her decision was one that struck me:

“Years ago I took exception to my parents’ beliefs on certain social issues, and today my children take exception to some of mine. Times change, even if it makes us uncomfortable. I think we should all be uncomfortable sometime. None of us knows everything, and it’s important to have our beliefs questioned. …

I have very strong Christian beliefs, and personally I have ...

Yesterday, Pam’s House Blend divulged of Washington Senator Mary Margaret Haugen’s announcement that she was supporting marriage equality, making her the 25th — and final — vote needed to pass the state’s marriage equality ...

Shit People Say to Feminists (aka The Inevitable Is Bound to Happen)

Folks, it was inevitable. The “shit people say” meme has spilled out onto our humble feminist blogosphere. And it is chuckle-worthy (and in my experience, pretty spot on)! Check it out below. And add some “shit people have said to you” as a feminist in comments!

Related: Read Samhita on “shit girls say” for a more critical take.

Folks, it was inevitable. The “shit people say” meme has spilled out onto our humble feminist blogosphere. And it is chuckle-worthy (and in my experience, pretty spot on)! Check it out below. And add some “shit people ...

Jess Rocks it Out, Talks Purity Balls with Anderson Cooper

Jos mentioned it briefly in Friday’s What We Missed, but did you see our girl Jessica Valenti rock it out on Anderson Cooper last week?

Cooper devoted an episode of his daytime show to purity balls, virginity pledges and the like. Jessica was representing on the show, pushing back against the dangerous rhetoric of other guests like Randy Wilson, the pastor who founded purity balls, and a family that takes their daughter to the balls (including two teenage girls). I think Jess did a great job of communicating clearly and rationally why purity balls hurt women without attacking or shaming the young women who were on stage with her.

Also check out the cameo appearance from Sarah, the 13-year-old girl ...

Jos mentioned it briefly in Friday’s What We Missed, but did you see our girl Jessica Valenti rock it out on Anderson Cooper last week?

Cooper devoted an episode of his daytime show to purity balls, ...

What We Missed

Happy New Year! It’s the Year of the Dragon, which is the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac.

Today is the 39th Annual March to Give Fetuses Rights (and take them away from anyone with a uterus) in Washington, DC.

Skier Sarah Burke died Thursday at 29.

Cynthia Nixon on how being gay is a choice for her. I believe we shouldn’t police the way people understand and experience their sexuality just because folks think biology-based arguments make it easier to win acceptance. Good for Cynthia for speaking her truth!

Sherlock‘s Louise Brealey is way awesomer than Molly.

On the rich history – and present – of Black burlesque.

Happy New Year! It’s the Year of the Dragon, which is the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac.

Today is the 39th Annual March to Give Fetuses Rights (and take them away from anyone with a uterus) ...

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