Gabrielle Giffords, the Democratic representative of Arizona was shot today. She was shot in the head, but is recovering in a hospital.The federal judge John Roll was killed in the shooting. 24 other people were shot, 5 others dying. Here are some articles to read on the subject.

Live updated article on the shooting from Huffington Post

Obama's statement

Sarah Palin Statement and Controversy with PAC

Part of me doesn't know what to say on the subject. I was outraged and completely baffled when I heard this. It startles me to think that we are still in a time when we try to express our beliefs through violence.

~Ashley

Hello Everybody!!

I just wanted to share two articles that I was reading about Feminism today. One made me mad, and one made me glad.

The first one is "Why modern feminism is illogical, unnecessary, and evil" and it talked about how feminism isn't really necessary in this day and age, and also kinda stupid. Also evil. Can't forget that one.

The other one in response to the previous was called "Why Anti-Feminism is Illogical, Unnecessary, Evil, and Incredibly Unsexy."

I really enjoyed the second one because it talks about how many people can be feminist without knowing about it. Feminism doesn't mean you don't shave your legs, hate all men, and eat tofu. You don't have to be a hippie and wear clothing made of hemp. You don't even have to be a woman. Men are great feminists too.

I'd avoid reading the comments on the second one. They will make most people upset. My favorite upsetting one was "If feminism was about equality, it would have died when MEN gave women the right to vote." But then again I didn't read to far into the comments. One page of 30 or so comments was enough to make me stop.

Anyway enjoy the articles. It's a great way to not study for finals. Good luck!!

Ashley

The Illinois House passed civil unions in the House! It's now making its way to the Senate.

I would like to personally thank Rep. William Black, R-Danville, who said "I'd rather be right than consistent."

Read more here

The next step is equal marriage.

Here's hoping!

Ashley

The Washington State Board of Pharmacy has passed a vote that will reverse a vote that was passed in 2007. If the previous law is reversed, pharmacists will be able to decide based on moral beliefs whether or not to dispense legal drugs.

This all started with a small town pharmacists that refused to supply Emergency Contraceptive based on moral beliefs.

"They want to be able to have an entire pharmacy say no to women in need of emergency contraception. It doesn't stop there, of course. If they get their way, what would stop a pharmacist from deciding to opt out of providing a gay person with access to HIV medication, if they so chose? Or a diabetic person access to life-saving treatment?" RHRealityCheck.org

"What if a pharmacist believes “marriage is one man, one woman, and I have some gay men that come in,” asked Harris, a Redmond druggist. “(What if) I were to say ‘Gee, it’s against my religious background. You’ve brought this on yourself.’ ” The News Tribune

Check out what NOW has to say on this subject

Ashley

Here's an article I read a few days ago that made me sick and very sad. In India, it is common to do something called the "Two Finger Test" to see if a victim of rape has become "habituated to sex." and therefore not a victim of rape. I can't imagine that something like this would still be happening, and yet I unfortunately have to. We still live in a world where a woman who is sexually active is sometimes looked down upon, and that women shouldn't enjoy sex.

I can't wait for a time when this is changed. It starts with us ladies. We are the ones who need to make a difference!!

Ashley

Here is a short article on teen pregnancy rates by region in the United States. Once again, it looks painfully obvious that abstinence-only sex education is increasing teen pregnancy rates. You can't get much more proof than the proof we've been seeing. When is it enough??

Mandy

This is great video of people asking the question of "Are people born homosexual or do people choose to be homosexual?", and then asking "When did you choose to be straight?".

I think this is a fantastic way to look at the question and it should be used in defense of people who believe that homosexuality is a choice that people consciously make at some point in their life. If a person has to choose to be homosexual, then a person has to choose to be heterosexual.

Check out the video here

Ashley