Girl Power Sunday

This is Toph, she is a blind tom-boy character from the Avatar cartoon series. Toph is an earthbender and is the master of her ability. She isn't concerned with her appearance, she is blind so why should she. Her ability on the cartoon allows her to see with her feet and her hands through vibrations in the earth. She is smart and witty, but the anti-feminine. She is the opposite of the girly (yet equally powerful and intelligent) Katara. I like how this show provides a vehicle for girls to see positive characters who are not limited in their potential just because they are or are not "stereotypically" attractive.

Toph brings me to an article on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Chancellor Merkel is a physicist by trade and is in many opinions the anti-feminine. This article is from the UK and the title describes her as a "Frau Frump". Well I would rather have a competent leader who wears low-grade pantsuits and isn't on the page of Vogue, than one that just appears on magazine covers for the sake of vanity and has no real leadership ability. Oh, did I just say that? I don't always agree with this article's author (especially when they describe my favorite US political figure, Hillary Clinton) but it is interesting to see how popular she is and what decisions she is making for the benefit of her country.

Toodles!

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Listing the Fears

I found an interesting blog regarding the healthcare bill that I think you may find interesting as well. The blog can be found at Smart Girl Nation. Here the author, Jenny Erikson, describes her fears in a list and does give some food for thought in regard to this bill.

Oh, and while you are there check out the "Culture" section and see the interview with Amy Siskind of The New Agenda regarding the creation of TNA.

It is raining here, hopefully you are keeping dry wherever you are!

See Ya!

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Be watchful of your hate on the internet

I have been away from the internet for a bit. I strongly suggest that you take some time from it as well, it calm the soul. We are surrounded by information as well as bully-style behavior here on the web and it is about time that we all raise the bar on our behavior. In case you don't think that it is necessary, think again. I was watching GMA this morning and came across this little bit of historic legal precedent involving a blogger who "thought" they could defame someone without any retaliation because they had anonymity behind the internet curtain. You can find the GMA story here. End of the story is that the supermodel who was being defamed by a secret blogger gained access to the identity of the blogger by suing Google, and WON! It turned out that she knew the person who was blogging horrible, untrue, things about her on the internet. She plans to pursue suing the individual.

There will be other legal precedents in the near future where those who feel they are above the law because they have a secret username to hide behind. There will now be cracks in their foundation and their internet hosts, service providers, etc. will not be able to keep you secret for very long. Defamation is clear when you post derrogatory language about someone or reveal private information without their consent. Be very, very careful that you watch your manners or watch your back.

Later!

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Still in "dumbfounded" mode...

I am still angry about what I blogged about yesterday, so I visited one of my favorite places to get some perspective.

Puma PAC - Murphy does a great job at revealing why I might feel as mad about the other day's events.

Gotta get ready for a very long day!

In a while crocodile!

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What the heck?

Can I just tell you how much I hate how our media are a bunch of gossip mongers and not journalists! It just drives me crazy that when someone is trying to move women's rights in a positive direction (you know, like making rape a punishable crime in the Congo) that all our media can do is report on that person getting "snippy" or "bitchy" about a mistranslated question. Sometimes I just want to reach into my car radio or TV and smack the media gossip monger across the face. Wake up losers, focus on what is really important! What a crock of coconuts our media has become. To think that some of them actually went to college and paid money for a journalism degree that they will never use. GAH!!

The real story and true journalism can be found here:
Associated Press - Clinton sees evil in sex crimes in eastern Congo.

I need to go and walk off this frustration. I will smell the flowers and return to some assemblance of normalcy here at the Optix ranch. I need pie.

Later Gators!

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Happy 1st Anniversary to THE NEW AGENDA!!

I want to wish a hearty "Happy 1st Anniversary" to my dear friends at The New Agenda! Whoot whoot!

TNA came about due to the blatant (unchecked and unopposed) misogyny by the media during the Democratic Primary and General Election of 2008. The New Agenda seeks to empower American women of all walks of life, race, and political affiliation in areas of Safety, Opportunity, Unity, and Leadership (they are good for the womens SOUL). They want women to become a united front; and so do I!!

Please join me in becoming a Charter Member today!

You will find me at their website at
The New Agenda.

Peace!

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Monday is sponsored by the letter "M"

Magnanimity - noun - generosity; greatness of spirit; nobility; high-mindedness. [added by Optix] See SOS Hillary Clinton.

I am still studying for my GRE's for October and I felt the need to add some great vocabulary to my blog today. It is amazing how I work to remember the 700 or so vocabulary words that I am reviewing. If I can find a way to relate Hillary to the word, I tend to remember it better. Hey, whatever works, right?

This is where I have been today:

Reuters - SOS Clinton speaks about pressing the Democratic Republic of Congo's government to address the atrocities to women.

And speaking of atrocities to women, how about this raid in Suffolk County, NY:

Newsday - Federal agents raid a sex ring organization that enslaves undocumented women.

Well, that is it for today. I have 7 more "M" words to learn this afternoon...I gotta get cracking!

See Ya!

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Girl Power Sunday

Here are my gals, the Kyoshi Warriors, with Suki at the head of the pack. They are trained fighters from the Earth Nation on Avatar. I told you last week how much I enjoy Avatar, the Last Airbender. They have so many wonderful heroines in this anime; it is a wonderful program to share with your tweens.

Here is where I have been this morning:

Associated Press - they tell about 2 Afghan women vying for the Presidency.

China Daily - China' girl power rules the pool. These young women broke the Australian's 4x100 medley swimming relay.

Have a blessed Sunday!

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Weekend Update

A political adviser to Hillary Clinton has passed away. Anne Wexler, 79, died yesterday; she had cancer. My prayers go out to her family.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney announces she does not intend to run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for her spot in the US Senate.

Enjoy the great outdoors today, I know I will!

BBL!


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Friday is Rep. Eric Massa review day

Rep. Eric Massa is my Congress Representative. He held a Town Hall meeting in Mendon, NY and it was attended by over 500 people. (Wow!) I have collected a few of the reports on this meeting and Massa's opinions on HR 3200.

Politico - calls the meeting "Fear and Loathing at New York Town Hall." The number of attendees forced Massa and his staff to move the meeting outdoors.

Democrat&Chronicle - this blogger reports that the Town Hall was extremely civil and Massa did a great job at encouraging democratic discussion and respectful disagreement.

StarGazzette - here (in Corning, NY) Massa is quoted as saying this bill will hurt Medicare recipients.

CNSNews - review some of the opinions of Dem representatives in predominantly GOP districts.

I have heard that Rep. Massa has a masterful staff that advises him (from some of my optics friends who deal with Congress) and he wants to make the best decisions for his constituents that put him in office. Knowing where he stands is important for me.

Have a great Friday, everyone!

TTFN!

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I can see the weekend from here! Yay!

It is Wednesday. I would say "hump day" but I take issue with that phrase. It sounds...well...icky when you have a dirty mind like me. But we are half way to the weekend!

Here is where I have been this morning:

Tennessee Guerilla Women - have a piece on the latest cover of The Advocate. Below that blog is a video aimed at Dana Milibank (and the Washington Post) and his horrendously "not funny" piece on what beer every political figure should drink with the President.

That is it. Short, sweet.

Have a great Wednesday!

In a while crocodile!

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Thesaurus Tuesday

So I am studying to take me GRE's in October. I am applying to go back to school to earn my PhD in optics. I am actually excited to take the test because I have been studying vocabulary words for a while now and reviewing my basic math. It is all about learning how to take the test, and not so much about what you know. Kind of reminds me of running for public office...but I digress.

Here is where I visited this morning:

The New Agenda - this great group are looking for a word to replace "Feminist" because studies have shown that the word carries some negative baggage with it for young women. I gave them the idea of using the word "Herculean" with the emphasis on her. We shall see what they decide.

The Guardian - Harriet Harman, leader of the House of Commons, talks about how it is time that women are represented more in leadership positions in the business sector.

Get out those thesauruses (thesauri?) and get to work on a new word to describe equal rights for women and girls.

Later Gators!

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Moldy Monday

So my red potatoes and my tomatoes have early blight. What is early blight, you may ask? It is a mold that attacks the leaves of your plant (and in some cases the fruit) starting as small black dots that eventually take over the leaves, and kill the entire branch the leaves are sprouted from. I have a very good friend from Wyoming (my gardening guru) who told me to treat my plants with a solution of 1/4 cup chlorox to a gallon of water. I have been doing that every morning since the blight has removed 98% of the leaves on my potato plants. There are new leaves budding from the main stalk, so I am trying to keep them safe from the spores attacking by spraying them with the solution. My tomatoes are in Topsy Turvies, and the fruit are doing well, but the leaves look very sick. This has been such a wet summer. My cukes, on the other hand, seem to be growing on steroids. I have only one plant and it is over 5 feet long now. It has already harvested three 10" cukes, and has 20 more flowers on the main vine (with two 6" cukes almost ready to pick). Weird, just weird.

So here is where I have visited this morning:

Uppity Woman - she has "Uncle Jay Explains" on her blog. Very funny video. I know you will enjoy it.

Reclusive Leftist - Violet Socks talks about Meme-orandum and how, yet again, "news" about Sarah Palin is not even accurate gossip.

The New Agenda - great piece by Anna Belle about "What Every Woman Should Know about a Woman's Traditional Path to Power."

Gotta go spray the taters and tomaters!

Keep away from the spores!

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Girl Power Sunday

I just went to three different locations to get a little info on female mojo in science, business, and politics. Here is what I found:

Women in Science - a marine program in Monterey helps teen girls learn a positive message.

Women in Business - in Oscala, FL, 10 business women were asked multiple questions about success in their areas of business.

Women in Politics - A female Chicago politician doesn't reach for higher office due to concerns regarding her young family. The issues of women and family regarding political office are discussed.

If you don't know who that character is above in the pic, her name is Katara and she is a water bender from the cartoon show Avatar, The Last Air Bender. My son got me completely addicted to this show. It has many strong female characters; both heroines and villains. I enjoyed watching it with my children. Very well written for many audiences.

Have a glorious Sunday!

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Saturday Morning Cartoons

Just a quick visit today, following my gal, Hillary:

ABS-CBN News has a piece on Hillary and her mourning Manila's former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

Have a great Saturday!


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