I'm in a constant balancing act.
Sometimes I need to learn how to just let go...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Obama takes a step forward for women's rights & the abortion issue
Last week, President Obama lifted the ban that prevented giving federal aid to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information. The ban, better known as the "Mexico City policy" or "Global Gag Rule", has been in and out of effect ever since President Reagan adopted the policy back in the 1980's. The war between pro-life and pro-choice is a serious one, and I wanted to clear up some things about this Global Gag Rule because it doesn't just cover the yes-or-no issue of whether you think abortion is morally wrong or not; the policy was a great threat to the rights and health of women worldwide.
In a nutshell, the Global Gag Rule means that no organization can receive USAID funds (Agency for International Development) or family planning assistance if it performs abortions, provides counseling and referral for abortions, or lobbies to make abortion legal or more available in its own country. Apparently, this included organizations that don't even particularly mention "abortion", but instead mention "family planning", "reproductive health", "women's rights", or "free, informed choice". One can see how this would violate freedom of speech if it applied to domestic policy and how it perpetuates an image of American arrogance - in other words, it tells poor developing countries that they would receive no U.S. help if they do not conform to the Christian right agenda. As a result, thousands of women's health clinics were forced to close, the hardest hit being those that depended on U.S. foreign aid as their primary means of funding. Women who lived in an area where there was only one main clinic within miles and miles of another were simply out of luck.
The sad thing is that regardless of whether an organization received USAID funds or not, none of those funds would have been able to be used for abortions anyway. Under the Helms Amendment of 1973, international organizations are prohibited to use US funding to "pay for the performance of abortions as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions." If those agencies wanted to perform abortions, they would have had to find their own way to fund the procedures. But because of the Global Gag rule, many facilities that did not even perform abortions were forced to close, stripping women from receiving services such as STI screening and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, and basic family planning and reproductive health care services. Thousands of women were denied the very services that may have prevented abortions from happening in the first place.
The World Health Organization estimated that the number of women who died from unsafe abortions every year (about 70,000) soared due to Bush's policies. Even in the Philippines, where abortion is illegal and many of the citizens are of the Catholic faith, the International Planned Parenthood Federation estimated that there are up to half a million unsafe abortions performed a year. President Bush and many of his supporters decided to exercise their political power to serve their ideology rather than really taking a look at what is going on in the world and trying to help millions of women and young girls.
There are many more instances in which President Bush took a step to reverse progress in family planning and world health. Under President Clinton, USAID was one of the 2 biggest donors of condoms in the world, since condoms have been shown as one of the most effective means of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. When W. Bush came into office, he ended the shipping of condoms and other contraceptive supplies to 16 of the poorest developing countries in the world. Those governments, along with 13 other countries that could not receive supplies from USAID because of the gag rule conditions, were only able to provide 1/8 the number of condoms necessary to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
To be fair, there are also many examples in which the access to abortions has had a detrimental impact to some societies. In parts of India, the natural ratio between newborn boys and newborn girls has shifted to favor boys because of sex-selective abortion. Sadly, in many areas of the world baby girls are seen as less worthy due to cultural, socioeconomic, or other reasons.
As for my own views on abortion, I consider myself pro-choice, but with that being said, if I were ever put in that situation I don't think I would ever allow myself to go through it. I don't think that all cases of abortion are morally impermissible (i.e. cases of rape, incest, if it's a threat to the women's life), but I'm also pretty uneasy about partial-birth abortions - read up on "dilation and extraction" if any of you want to know why. Anyways, I say all this because just as our personal views on this issue may not be just black or white, neither are domestic and international policies surrounding this issue. The Freedom of Choice Act is now a big story in the news as well as a source of controversy, and before you make up your mind about this policy, I really urge you to do some research on it, as I'm sure misinformation would be spewed from both sides of the spectrum. Whether you consider yourself pro-life or pro-choice, it is important to look at this issue and the corresponding policies from both sides and not take anything for face-value.
*Edit* If anyone is interested in reading the text of the FOCA, see here
In a nutshell, the Global Gag Rule means that no organization can receive USAID funds (Agency for International Development) or family planning assistance if it performs abortions, provides counseling and referral for abortions, or lobbies to make abortion legal or more available in its own country. Apparently, this included organizations that don't even particularly mention "abortion", but instead mention "family planning", "reproductive health", "women's rights", or "free, informed choice". One can see how this would violate freedom of speech if it applied to domestic policy and how it perpetuates an image of American arrogance - in other words, it tells poor developing countries that they would receive no U.S. help if they do not conform to the Christian right agenda. As a result, thousands of women's health clinics were forced to close, the hardest hit being those that depended on U.S. foreign aid as their primary means of funding. Women who lived in an area where there was only one main clinic within miles and miles of another were simply out of luck.
The sad thing is that regardless of whether an organization received USAID funds or not, none of those funds would have been able to be used for abortions anyway. Under the Helms Amendment of 1973, international organizations are prohibited to use US funding to "pay for the performance of abortions as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions." If those agencies wanted to perform abortions, they would have had to find their own way to fund the procedures. But because of the Global Gag rule, many facilities that did not even perform abortions were forced to close, stripping women from receiving services such as STI screening and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, and basic family planning and reproductive health care services. Thousands of women were denied the very services that may have prevented abortions from happening in the first place.
The World Health Organization estimated that the number of women who died from unsafe abortions every year (about 70,000) soared due to Bush's policies. Even in the Philippines, where abortion is illegal and many of the citizens are of the Catholic faith, the International Planned Parenthood Federation estimated that there are up to half a million unsafe abortions performed a year. President Bush and many of his supporters decided to exercise their political power to serve their ideology rather than really taking a look at what is going on in the world and trying to help millions of women and young girls.
There are many more instances in which President Bush took a step to reverse progress in family planning and world health. Under President Clinton, USAID was one of the 2 biggest donors of condoms in the world, since condoms have been shown as one of the most effective means of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. When W. Bush came into office, he ended the shipping of condoms and other contraceptive supplies to 16 of the poorest developing countries in the world. Those governments, along with 13 other countries that could not receive supplies from USAID because of the gag rule conditions, were only able to provide 1/8 the number of condoms necessary to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
To be fair, there are also many examples in which the access to abortions has had a detrimental impact to some societies. In parts of India, the natural ratio between newborn boys and newborn girls has shifted to favor boys because of sex-selective abortion. Sadly, in many areas of the world baby girls are seen as less worthy due to cultural, socioeconomic, or other reasons.
As for my own views on abortion, I consider myself pro-choice, but with that being said, if I were ever put in that situation I don't think I would ever allow myself to go through it. I don't think that all cases of abortion are morally impermissible (i.e. cases of rape, incest, if it's a threat to the women's life), but I'm also pretty uneasy about partial-birth abortions - read up on "dilation and extraction" if any of you want to know why. Anyways, I say all this because just as our personal views on this issue may not be just black or white, neither are domestic and international policies surrounding this issue. The Freedom of Choice Act is now a big story in the news as well as a source of controversy, and before you make up your mind about this policy, I really urge you to do some research on it, as I'm sure misinformation would be spewed from both sides of the spectrum. Whether you consider yourself pro-life or pro-choice, it is important to look at this issue and the corresponding policies from both sides and not take anything for face-value.
*Edit* If anyone is interested in reading the text of the FOCA, see here
Monday, January 19, 2009
F U Spike TV
"The Top 7 Butterbodies" - Nick Coles
The true definition of a butterbody is a woman who has a beautiful face but a body that’s gone to butter. It’s like the butterface, but in reverse. If you are rich and famous, there is no excuse for being a butterbody. It’s your job to look fit and hot. Celebrities are not like normal people. They have the means to pay for a full time trainer and for someone to prepare their meals.
"...She says she basically lives on carbs and eats whatever she wants...every hot woman in Hollywood will adopt a similar mentality and the world will be void of super thin, super hot women..."
"...This lady is fat. It’s like she’s carrying a spare car tire around her mid-section.."
"...It’s crazy that she has become a poster child for “curvy” women. She basically gives women an excuse to be fat..."
"...Recently she re-emerged looking chunky, pudgy and out of shape. It’s like she spent the last few years on a couch watching television and eating tubs of Neapolitan ice cream..."
"...If Tyra Banks really wants to be the next Oprah, she should take a leaf out of Oprah’s book and drop 40 pounds..."
/rant
Edit: to see the original article, give them hell here
The true definition of a butterbody is a woman who has a beautiful face but a body that’s gone to butter. It’s like the butterface, but in reverse. If you are rich and famous, there is no excuse for being a butterbody. It’s your job to look fit and hot. Celebrities are not like normal people. They have the means to pay for a full time trainer and for someone to prepare their meals.
7. Sara Ramirez
"...when plus-sized women gain fame, they slim down and lose the pounds. Not Sara. She has remained true to her pudgy self..."
"...when plus-sized women gain fame, they slim down and lose the pounds. Not Sara. She has remained true to her pudgy self..."6. Drew Barrymore
"...She says she basically lives on carbs and eats whatever she wants...every hot woman in Hollywood will adopt a similar mentality and the world will be void of super thin, super hot women..."5. Salma Hayek (are you kidding me)
"...This lady is fat. It’s like she’s carrying a spare car tire around her mid-section.."4. America Ferrera
"...It’s crazy that she has become a poster child for “curvy” women. She basically gives women an excuse to be fat..."3. Mandy Moore
"...Recently she re-emerged looking chunky, pudgy and out of shape. It’s like she spent the last few years on a couch watching television and eating tubs of Neapolitan ice cream..."2. Liv Tyler
"...The angelic film star used to be one of the world’s most beautiful women. Now she looks like a dowdy housewife who indulges in too many home-baked cookies..."
"...The angelic film star used to be one of the world’s most beautiful women. Now she looks like a dowdy housewife who indulges in too many home-baked cookies..."1. Tyra Banks
"...If Tyra Banks really wants to be the next Oprah, she should take a leaf out of Oprah’s book and drop 40 pounds..."--------------------------------------
I really don't want a(nother) reason to question my faith in the average male's stereotypical standards of beauty, but congrats Nick Coles, you have done it for me. The truly sad thing is that there are men - no wait, asshats - out there like you who believe in this bullshit. Get your head out of those Victoria's Secret catalogs, put down the beer and grow some balls, which probably won't be much help for you, since you don't seem like you plan to get laid. Ever. Mother must be so proud./rant
Edit: to see the original article, give them hell here
Thursday, January 15, 2009
ABDC Season 3: Thoughts
This might be a little premature, but I gotta say I really like Beat Freaks right now. All of the West Coast teams are dope though, so here's some of my favorite clips of some notable dancers/choreographers from each crew.
Probably one of my favorite female dancers, other than Mariel Martin. Best known for being one of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls ("Music" of Love, Angel, Music, Baby), has danced in numerous multiple Missy Elliott videos, and toured with Britney Spears. But yeah, she's siiiiiick.
Beat Freaks - Rino Nakasone
Probably one of my favorite female dancers, other than Mariel Martin. Best known for being one of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls ("Music" of Love, Angel, Music, Baby), has danced in numerous multiple Missy Elliott videos, and toured with Britney Spears. But yeah, she's siiiiiick.
Boxcuttuhz - Lando Wilkins
One of four directors for Super Galactic Beat Manipulators (alongside Kevin Brewer).
Quest Crew - Hok Konishi
From So You Think You Can Dance, Season 3. Okay, so this isn't a choreography video but it's one of my favorite routines from SYTYCD.
Team Millenia - Jun Quemado
Culture Shock San Diego alumni. Affiliated with Chill Factor/Boxcuttuhz/Supreme Soul.
I miss dancing. Or being on the stage in general :/ See y'all at Vibe next week!
Monday, January 12, 2009
About me, in photos
Taken from my facebook friend Perry:
The Rules
01. Answer each of the questions below using the [flickr] search engine.
02. Choose a photo from the first three pages.
03. Copy the URL of your favorite photos [mosaic tool] .
04. Then share with the world.
01. First Name
02. Favorite Food
03. Hometown
04. Favorite Color
05. Celebrity Crush
06. Favorite Drink
07. Dream Holiday
08. Favorite Dessert
09. What I Want To Be When I Grow Up
10. What I Love Most In The World
11. One Word That Describes Me
12. My Blog/Online Name [or something close to it]
The Rules
01. Answer each of the questions below using the [flickr] search engine.
02. Choose a photo from the first three pages.
03. Copy the URL of your favorite photos [mosaic tool] .
04. Then share with the world.
01. First Name
02. Favorite Food
03. Hometown
04. Favorite Color
05. Celebrity Crush
06. Favorite Drink
07. Dream Holiday
08. Favorite Dessert
09. What I Want To Be When I Grow Up
10. What I Love Most In The World
11. One Word That Describes Me
12. My Blog/Online Name [or something close to it]
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Someone tell me why...
everytime I'm on the internet browsing, and I'm about to click a link accompanied with a warning or something like "NSFL" ("not safe for life" for you noobs), I do it anyways? Then immediately after, think why did I do that? And additionally, can't look away despite how grossed out I am?
For example, the pictures immediately following this one:
I'll refrain from posting the rest. Ugh. Bugs. Up there with some of my worst fears, but definitely not as scary as the thought of the open ocean *cringe*
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I sense some interesting posts this quarter
Parts of my syllabus for my philosophy class - Contemporary Moral Issues:
_Euthanasia: "Is there a right to die?"
_Abortion: "The unspeakable crime of abortion"
_State punishment and the death penalty: "An eye for an eye"
_War, Terror and Torture: "The case for pacifism"
Ahh to be back at school. Be back later, lab at 8am :/
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hello '09
What is there to say about 2008? I don't really want to go into too much detail in this post about the ups and downs of the year for me, but what I can definitely say about '08 is that this year was an eye-opener. I think I've learned the most this year, academically, about others, and about myself. But for kicks, the stuff I can think off the top of my head (in no particular order):
The Good
I voted! Obama! Olympics opening ceremony and Michael Phelps. Everyone else turning 21 and doing 21+ grown-up thangs. Good grades. Las Vegas x2. Being more independent. Falling deeper in love. Reconnecting with old friends. Seeing Q-Tip, The Cool Kids, Pacific Division, Usher. 198 & co. adventures. Amazing year for movies in general. Turning 22. Asserting my convictions.
The Bad
Economy. Tons of notable & celebrity deaths. Prop 8. Losing my religion (ironically I'm still thinking this could be a blessing in disguise). Political/election drama. Working everyday of summer. And still ending up semi-broke by winter. Mediocre year for music, in my opinion.
2008 looked liked a great year for me by just comparing the highs and the lows, but I like to think that I had a bigger role than mere chance in the outcome. Besides, it takes the same amount energy to smile and count your blessings as it does to frown and dwell on your misfortunes, so why not just look on the bright side?
I'm not going to make any New Year's resolutions except for taking better care of myself. As long as it nourishes my body, mind, or heart, anything goes. On paper, it sounds rather narcissistic but I feel like by working on myself first, everything else should fall into place - I can take better care of others if I take better care of myself.
Work out. Don't eat too much junk. Read more. Keep an open mind. Forgive and accept more easily. Nurture the relationships you have. Learn to love more.
As for not having other real resolutions, I've noticed that probably only 1/10 of your initial resolutions still have importance by the end of the year. As I get older, I realize more and more what things are most important, and which others can play second fiddle to the real priorities. Although I don't know what 2009 has in store for me, I'm willing to put all my faith in God and the little idea I've been clinging to this year called balance - neither has failed me yet.
The Good
I voted! Obama! Olympics opening ceremony and Michael Phelps. Everyone else turning 21 and doing 21+ grown-up thangs. Good grades. Las Vegas x2. Being more independent. Falling deeper in love. Reconnecting with old friends. Seeing Q-Tip, The Cool Kids, Pacific Division, Usher. 198 & co. adventures. Amazing year for movies in general. Turning 22. Asserting my convictions.
The Bad
Economy. Tons of notable & celebrity deaths. Prop 8. Losing my religion (ironically I'm still thinking this could be a blessing in disguise). Political/election drama. Working everyday of summer. And still ending up semi-broke by winter. Mediocre year for music, in my opinion.
2008 looked liked a great year for me by just comparing the highs and the lows, but I like to think that I had a bigger role than mere chance in the outcome. Besides, it takes the same amount energy to smile and count your blessings as it does to frown and dwell on your misfortunes, so why not just look on the bright side?
I'm not going to make any New Year's resolutions except for taking better care of myself. As long as it nourishes my body, mind, or heart, anything goes. On paper, it sounds rather narcissistic but I feel like by working on myself first, everything else should fall into place - I can take better care of others if I take better care of myself.
Work out. Don't eat too much junk. Read more. Keep an open mind. Forgive and accept more easily. Nurture the relationships you have. Learn to love more.
As for not having other real resolutions, I've noticed that probably only 1/10 of your initial resolutions still have importance by the end of the year. As I get older, I realize more and more what things are most important, and which others can play second fiddle to the real priorities. Although I don't know what 2009 has in store for me, I'm willing to put all my faith in God and the little idea I've been clinging to this year called balance - neither has failed me yet.
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