International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Today, November 25, is the beginning of an international effort by activists to raise their voices and bring attention to the issue of gender-based violence and its damaging effects on women all over the world. The effort begins today, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and culminates 16 days later on December 10, International Human Rights Day. The "16 Days Campaign" originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. They chose the dates, November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights. This year's 16 Days Campaign is dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and underscoring the idea that human rights cannot be universal without human rights for women.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hundreds of thousands of women and girls are being raped and brutalized in a decade of conflict. As women's rights activist Immaculée Birhaheka described in this month's RAISE Hope podcast, women are "treated as things" and the poverty of women is "organized by the society." Yet it is because of the brave activism of women like Immaculée that the women of Congo have hope for their future and for their country.

Over the next 16 days, we have to stand in solidarity with Immaculée and the thousands of Congolese women and girls fighting for a better future by recruiting 16 friends to join RAISE Hope for Congo and sign the petition to President-elect Obama asking him to take immediate action to end the violence against women and girls in the Congo. And then ask those 16 friends to recruit 16 of their friends. Because when thousands of voices become millions of voices demanding an end to the violence, our leaders will act. Our voice is powerful.

We have no time to waste. Raise your voice now. Realize how powerful your voice can be.

Please watch the campaign video. Perhaps the video will convince you to raise your voice.


You can also see the online photo journal "Through Their Eyes"

Please don't turn away, thinking you can not do anything to help. You have your voice, and it's your greatest strength. Sign the petition.


Please share with family and friends. Our goal is to get at least 16 others to sign the petition each. Social bookmark it below to get the campaign further (stumble, reddit, digg, myspace, facebook, twitter, etc)

Sarah Palin's Town Charged Women for Rape Exams

Here comes another disturbing fact about Sarah Palin. While Sarah Palin was mayor, Wasilla charged victims for their rape exams. Despite denials by the Palin campaign, new evidence proves that as mayor of Wasilla she had a direct role in charging rape victims for exams.

Wasilla cut funds that had previously paid for the medical exams and began charging victims or their health insurers the $500 to $1200 fees for the rape exam. The city budget documents show Palin read and signed off on a new budget that slashed the budget for the exams.

Police chief Duwayne Charles Fannon halved the budget request in 1997-1998, with a request of $7,298, spending only $3,454. It seems he began making victim's pay in the 1998-1999 fiscal year. That year, he requested $3,000 but spent only $205. This information can be found in the Document Central section of Wasilla’s website.

The document for the 1998-1999 fiscal year says to the citizens of the city of Wasilla: "To the best of our knowledge and belief, the enclosed data is accurate in all material respects and is reported in a manner designed to fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the various funds and account groups of the City."

Under the words “Respectfully submitted,” is the signature of Sarah Palin. This shows she was aware of the change in the billing policy. To see Palin’s signature in Wasilla’s 1999 Financial Report, download the full report here.

To make matters worse, for years, Alaska has had the worst record of any state in rape. The rape rate in Alaska is 2.5 times the national average.

Rape victims are already traumatized by the horrible experience they had to endure. To have to pay for their rape exam makes the trauma even worse for them. Why would anyone do this to a victim of a heinous crime?

This questions Palin's desire to help women. Not only were rape victim's charged for their exams, there was only a small funding increase for domestic violence shelters at a time when Alaska had a multibillion-dollar budget surplus. Palin cut funding for a number of programs that treat female victims of violence.

Palin's office released e-mails showing that one area of disagreement between her and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan was his lobbying in Washington for $30 million to fund a new program of sexual assault response teams.

The practice of charging rape victims has called into question Palin’s stated commitment to women’s issues, her judgment as an executive and her honesty about her record. But of course, she "knew nothing about it." C'mon. Her lies and decisions get worse every day.



If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

The Real Sarah Palin (Part 1 of 2)

Before really knowing who Sarah Palin was, I was quite happy that John McCain decided to choose her as Vice President. However, my views have changed. Sarah stands for many things I advocate against. This post is not an attack on John McCain, nor is it to support Barack Obama. It is simply to show who Sarah Palin really is, and my dislike for her. I can only hope that you read what I have found and do your own research. This analysis of Sarah Palin will be done in two parts. This is post number 1.

I want to mention if you find that Palin has written the opposite of what I researched, please be aware that she wrote a campaign booklet for her 2006 gubernatorial bid. Her co-author, Sean Parnell, is now Alaska's Lieutenant Governor. As we all know, politicians have a tendency to say and write whatever is necessary to get elected. What she wrote in the booklet does not reflect what she really ended up doing.

1. Aerial Hunting of Wolves
This is one of the most disturbing acts that Palin supports. Being an animal lover, supporter, and advocate I am sickened that she supports aerial hunting of wolves.

• After a multi-year court battle, the Bush administration recognized in 2008 that polar bears are threatened with extinction by global warming. Announcing Alaska’s suit to block the listing, Palin said, “We believe that the listing was unwarranted and that it’s unprecedented to list a currently healthy population based on uncertain climate models.” [Reuters, 5/22/08]
• In 2007, Palin illegally established “a $150 bounty to the state sanctioned airborne wolf hunters as an added incentive to increase their kills,” soon overturned by the Alaska State Court. [Alaska Wildlife Alliance; Anchorage Daily News, 3/31/07]

Some information on Aerial Hunting:

• Aerial hunting occurs when hunters use airplanes to track an animal in the snow, chase them to exhaustion and shoot them from the air, or when hunters in airplanes track animals in the snow, herd or chase them to exhaustion, land the aircraft and shoot them from the ground.
• The use of aircraft to shoot or harass animals from the air is illegal under the Airborne Hunting Act, enacted in 1972. The act was passed after a nationwide outcry against the aerial hunting of wolves in Alaska.
• The circumstances surrounding Alaska’s program make it clear that the state is allowing aerial hunting, which is banned by federal law. The state exploits a loophole in the AHA to allow private hunters and private pilots.

• As recently as July, a known wolf den site was staked out -- a practice that is illegal under Alaska law -- and, using helicopters, gunned down 14 adult wolves from the air. When they landed, they found the 14 helpless pups in the nearby dens -- just weeks old -- and methodically shot each one in the head. 28 wolves gunned down in all.

Watch this video on Aerial Hunting (Warning: not for the faint at heart):



Rep. George Miller (CA) has introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, legislation to close a federal loophole and curb Alaska's brutal aerial hunting program -- and prevent programs like it from spreading to places like the Greater Yellowstone region. Support the PAW Act here.


2. Women's Rights

• Sarah is pro-life. I do not have a problem with that, except for one thing. She opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In 2006, Palin said that even if her daughter were raped, “I would choose life." In my opinion, I think that is a horrible way to think. I am generally against abortion, but I think if a woman is the victim of rape or incest, she should be able to decide to have an abortion. I do not believe anyone, especially the government, has the right to tell you what you can and can't do with your own body. I think what is most disturbing is the comment she made regarding her daughter.
• Earlier this year, Palin used a veto to cut funding for a state program that benefits teen mothers in need of a place to live. Funding for Covenant House Alaska, which provides transitional housing for teen mothers, was cut by 20 percent — from $5 million to $3.9 million. [Washington Post, 9/3/08]
• Sarah Supports Abstinence-Only Policies. In 2006, the Eagle Forum Alaska asked Palin whether she would “support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education.” Palin replied, “Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support.” [Politico,9/1/08]. An abstinence-only policy will not teach young adults the importance of protection, the risk of STD's, and the risk of pregnancy. Many teens choose to have sex. If the policy she supports became the primary teaching, teens would not learn important issues regarding safe sex. She is said to be against birth control and sex-education. Did she not teach her daughter about the importance of birth control?

Watch these videos about Palin's views on birth control, sex education, and abortion.






I cannot ignore one rumor. I don't know the truth, nor am I going to speculate. However, I decided to include a video questioning who is the real mother of Trig. Is Sarah or Bristol the mother? There is even speculation that Bristol is pregnant now with her 2nd child.



3. Energy
One major event I am protesting right now is the possibility of drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (which can be seen in my previous post.)

• Palin Is A Top Arctic Wildlife Refuge Drilling Advocate. Palin said she thinks McCain is “going to evolve into, eventually, supporting ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) opening also” and “I’d like the opportunity to get to change his mind about ANWR.” [Kudlow & Co.,6/25/08]-- As I have said before, development in this habitat would threaten numerous animals, including polar and grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, migratory whales and many species of birds.
• Palin Opposes Lieberman’s Bill To Prevent Arctic Refuge Drilling. In a letter to Congress opposing the Arctic Wilderness Act (S. 2316), Palin wrote that “as a citizen of the United States” she believes “development [of the Refuge] should be authorized.” [Letter to Sen. Akaka, 11/0/07]
• Palin Dismisses Alternative Energy. Palin said that “Congress needs to lift the ban on drilling” because “alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop.” [Charleston Post and Courier, 8/16/08]-- Last night I listened to John McCain make his speech at the Republican National Convention. In his speech he mentioned his desire to seek out alternative energy. I hope Sarah doesn't change his mind.

As you may know, the polar bear is the most threatended species in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. It is the most important onshore denning habitat for America's vanishing polar bears. Sarah's response to this issue:
Palin Is Suing To Lift Protected Status For Polar Bears. After a multi-year court battle, the Bush administration recognized in 2008 that polar bears are threatened with extinction by global warming. Announcing Alaska’s suit to block the listing, Palin said, “We believe that the listing was unwarranted and that it’s unprecedented to list a currently healthy population based on uncertain climate models.” [Reuters, 5/22/08] Sarah believes we "need the oil."
Watch the video of Palin being interviewed regarding her polar bear law suit so oil can be drilled. "We need that oil!" No, what we need is to stop depending on oil:



A video condemning oil drilling





Stay tuned for "The Real Sarah Palin" Part 2. I will be writing this over the weekend and hope to publish it Saturday night.

*** Update: Read Part 2 here.



If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below: