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By vkh • 14 years ago

The End to Abortion? Another Louisiana Nightmare

With little fanfare and recognition, a new bill has made its way through the Louisiana Legislature. While thousands in my state have found themselves unemployed and unable to feed their families due to the effects of this oil disaster, the Louisiana legislature has found something they believe more important to focus on: abortion. 

As the resident of one of the most anti-choice states in the U.S., I am never surprised by how easily anti-abortion bills are passed in this state Take, for example, the bill (now law) passed last week and signed by Gov. Jindal forcing all women to view an ultrasound before their abortion. As if women weren’t really sure what they were aborting… because in Louisiana, women aren’t considered intelligent or capable enough to make medical decisions for themselves without serious state intervention. 

But the Louisiana legislature has finally found a back-door way to end abortion that doesn’t come under Roe v. Wade scrutiny, or PP vs. Casey, or any other Supreme Court ruling on abortion. 

Instead of chipping away at abortion access through regulation of clinics, minors, and informed consent procedures, the Louisiana legislature is going to ban state or private medical malpractice coverage on any doctor who is performing “elective” abortions.
By vkh • 15 years ago

Haiti, Cruise Ships, and Colonialism in the 21st Century

This morning I ran across an article in the UK Guardian discussing how Royal Caribbean is still docking cruise ships in their “private port” on the north side of Haiti, only miles away from the earthquake’s devastation. The Guardian talks about how Royal Caribbean “leases a picturesque wooded peninsula and its five pristine beaches from the government for passengers to ‘cut loose’ with watersports, barbecues, and shopping for trinkets at a craft market before returning on board before dusk. Safety is guaranteed by armed guards at the gate.”
I have been to this area called “Labadee Beach.” Last year, my grandmother booked a cruise for my whole family through Celebrity, a Royal Caribbean line. We left out of Ft. ...

This morning I ran across an article in the UK Guardian discussing how Royal Caribbean is still docking cruise ships in their “private port” on the north side of Haiti, only miles away from the earthquake’s ...
By vkh • 15 years ago

France attempts to put “Psychological Violence” into Law!

It seems that France is one country who is finding a way to translate what many of us have known into policy: oftentimes verbal abuse leads to physical abuse/assault. There is a law that might go on the books that could convict partners of “psychological violence”…connecting verbal/emotional abuse to later physical violence.  Here’s hoping this would actually lead to prevention of any escalation of abuse.

It seems that France is one country who is finding a way to translate what many of us have known into policy: oftentimes verbal abuse leads to physical abuse/assault. There is a law that might go ...
By vkh • 15 years ago

Peace Rally in DC on Saturday, Dec 12!

Tell Obama “No You Can’t!”

http://www.enduswars.org/spreadtheword

Help us get the word out for the Dec. 12 rally against President Obama’s troop escalation plans for Afghanistan!
This is an emergency protest rally, to take place on Saturday, December 12, from 11 am to 4 pm in Lafayette Park (across from the White House) in Washington, DC. It’s being organized by the End US Wars coalition (http://www.enduswars.org). The speakers list includes Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Cynthia McKinney, Sen. Mike Gravel, David Swanson, Rev. Graylan Hagler, and many others, and musicians will perform. Along with the rally on December 12, the film “Rethink Afghanistan” will be shown Friday, December 11, from 6 to 8 pm at Busboys & Poets, 14th & V Streets ...

Tell Obama “No You Can’t!”

http://www.enduswars.org/spreadtheword

Help us get the word out for the Dec. 12 rally against President Obama’s troop escalation plans for Afghanistan!
This is an emergency protest rally, to take place on Saturday, December 12, from ...
By vkh • 15 years ago

What My (Special Needs) Kids Have Taught Me

I’m running a bit late for blog against disablism day — last weekend was our big fundraiser, so it’s been a bit crazy — but I think I still have some pertinent stories to tell.
I work as a family service coordinator for Early Steps, the Louisiana state early intervention program. If you haven’t heard of early intervention (EI), the idea is that children who receive therapy at the earliest possible age are more likely to develop the childhood skills they need. Programs like mine help children with developmental delays and disabilities BEFORE they are thrown into a classroom with 30 other children and one teacher who is overwhelmed, underpaid, and struggling to handle a class with a wide range ...

I’m running a bit late for blog against disablism day — last weekend was our big fundraiser, so it’s been a bit crazy — but I think I still have some pertinent stories to tell.
I work ...
By vkh • 16 years ago

“Don’t Trust a Ho”… or this band

Just recently, a new song came on our local pop (Clear Channel) radio station. It’s called “Don’t Trust Me” by 3OH!3. I admit I’ve never listened to the rest of their album. But in all honestly, I really don’t want to. Here are the lyrics to “Don’t Trust Me”…
Black dress with the tights underneath,
I got the breath of the last cigarette on my teeth,
And shes an actress (actress),
But she ain’t got no need.
Shes got money from her parents in a trust fund back east.
T-t-t-tongues always pressed to your cheeks,
While my tongue is on the inside of some other girls teeth,
T-tell your boyfriend if he says hes got beef,
That I’m a vegetarian ...

Just recently, a new song came on our local pop (Clear Channel) radio station. It’s called “Don’t Trust Me” by 3OH!3. I admit I’ve never listened to the rest of their album. But in all honestly, I ...