Category Archives: Uncategorized

33 years of women’s constitutional rights being upheld

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade

In 1973, women won control of their reproductive rights when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that women have a right to choose as part of their constitutional right to privacy, to terminate a pregnancy during its first two trimesters. Only during the last trimester, when the fetus can survive outside the womb, would states be permitted to regulate abortion of a healthy pregnancy.

The Supreme Court is just a step away of overturning this decision, however. Since Bush nominated conservative hardliner Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court, women’s rights are in jeopardy more than ever.
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Blog for Choice

On January 22nd, the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are asking pro-choice bloggers to join us in a day of activism for choice. This is our chance to raise the profile of reproductive rights issues in the blogosphere and the media, and to let everyone know that a woman’s right to choose is not negotiable.

Together we can ensure that the blogosphere is flooded on January 22nd with pro-choice voices.

Thanks for signing to those of you (over 200) who have signed up to participate in Blog for Choice Day.

Today in history

January 22

1905
In a massacre known as Bloody Sunday, soldiers fired on civilians attempting to present petitions for better living and working conditionsto the Czar. The Russian workers lost faith in the Czar and turned to radicals and revolution to change their lives.

1971
200 killed by Somoza’s National Guard during protest against state violence, Managua, Nicaragua. (1967)
12 African-American congressmen boycott President Richard Nixon’s State of the Union Address because of his constant refusal to hear the concerns of Black Americans.
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What Type of Weather Are You?

You Are a Rainbow

Breathtaking and rare
You are totally enchanting and intriguing
But you usually don’t stick around long!

You are best known for: your beauty

Your dominant state: seducing

Victory for same sex couples in Maryland

A judge in my home state, Maryland, has ruled that a Maryland law banning gay marriage is unconstitutional.

The decision was immediately stayed until the appeals process by the Maryland attorney general’s office is complete.

Same sex couples were delighted. 19 men and woman had filed suit taking to task a 1973 law which defines marriage as between a man and woman.

The Governor of Maryland, disappointed in the ruling, says he will take all the necessary steps “to protect marriage”.

This truthout artcile also outlines the timeline of the gay marriage issue in varous states.

Yahoo, MSN, AOL and others buckle: Google holding out

Earlier this week I wrote on how Google is refusing to hand over records to the Feds.

Bush and Company are being aggressive in their eavesdropping techniques – stopping at no boundaries. Under pressure from a provision in the Patriot Act, several major search engine services handed over search engine records to the Federal Bureau of Investigation that possibly includes billions of search requests by Americans.

Google is still refusing.

There is an article posted on today’s Common Dreams from the Los Angeles Times entitled
U.S. Obtains Internet Users’ Search Records
Yahoo and others reveal queries from millions of people; Google refuses. Identities aren’t included, but the data trove stirs privacy fears.

“Their demand for information overreaches,” said Nicole Wong, Google’s associate general counsel. “We had lengthy discussions with them to try to resolve this but were not able to, and we intend to resist their motion vigorously.”

Yes! Resist!

Cindy Sheehan:The Opposite Of Good Is Apathy

Shamelessly stolen from San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center
From the article:
If I hear one more rendition of “We Shall Overcome” and then watch the vigilers or marchers go home and turn on their TVs and crack open a brewsky, content in the fact that they have done something for peace that day, I am going to scream! We can’t overcome unless we take the proverbial bull by the horns and overcome!
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The Opposite Of Good Is Apathy
By Cindy Sheehan
1-15-06

“The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal and hasten the resurrection of the dead.” — William Lloyd Garrison

The apathy of most of America is stunning and appalling to me. When I found this quote I was filled with wide-eyed wonder that there is one statue left in America complete with statue, or one grave or tomb still occupied.
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“Indian Wars”

There is an excellent article posted from Tomdispatch on Common Dreams by John Brown entitled “Our Indian Wars Are Not Over Yet” — Ten Ways to Interpret the War on Terror as a Frontier Conflict.

The article addresses the history of terrorism in the U.S., since before it became a country and compares that with U.S. policy on terrorism today.

Slamdance Film Festival

This year’s Slam Dance Film Festival, the “poorer” film festival that coincides with the larger and flashier Sundance, has begun. With over 90 films and loads of other entertaining activities, Slamdance has events in Park City and Salt Lake City.

Sugarhouse is a featured venue area for some of the films and events. Tonight at 7pm Slamdance is featuring a poetry slam at in Sugarhouse, the little retail activist shop, the owner (who is also one of my fellow cheerleaders!) of which opens the doors of her shop to activist groups for films, meetings and other events.

This is exciting for our little activist community here in Utah!

2006 Utah Legislative Session Resource Page

2006 General Session (January 16 – March 1)

2006 General Session Bill Documents Lists
By number
By sponsor, subject, or committee (Search Page)
Passed Bills

Calendars and Schedules
Significant Dates
Floor Calendars
Weekly Schedules

Etc.
House and Senate Journals
Key Issues

This information is also found on Dee’s 2006 Utah Legislature Resource page on the left sidebar.