Thoughts on Sarah Palin

I think it's interesting that Sarah Palin is a product of feminism. Feminism allowed her to be able to go into politics, to get a college degree, to have a house husband while she forged a career in politics, and to be picked as the 2nd female VP candidate, and the first Republican female VP candidate The gains that have been made are not gains for one type of person, but for all women.  It is a fact that she will go down in history for at least the pick by McCain. If they win, she'll definitely be a chapter in history books.

She believes pretty much what Bush 43 believes, what many Republican politicians believe. So why is there such hysteria about her? Just because someone's female and benefited from feminism doesn't mean that there's a duty for all women to toe the same line, to believe the same things. There are many many men and women in the US who hunt, who are "pro-life", who belong to churches that are very similar to hers.

We may not like her views, we may not agree with her, but she has a right to them. We also have a right not to vote for her. I personally think she's not experienced enough, and it's scary that she has no foreign policy experience, but the US has voted for similar people before (George W. Bush didn't get a passport until he was President!)

Erica Jong: Not That Stupid

 Erica Jong's Dear John Letter

Dear John McCain:

We're not that stupid. Sure it would be nice if the women of America believed that everyone with breasts and a vagina believed in equality. But it ain't so. Women have differing views -- just like men.

Some like beer; some like chardonnay. And some prefer AA. Some like automatic weapons; some don't. Some think every pregnancy is sanctified; some don't. Some think presidents should be qualified for office; some don't care.

But to take the struggle for equal rights that has gone on for two centuries and embody it in the person of Sarah Palin is not just misleading but abusive. Charging rape victims for rape kits is a travesty of equal rights. Insisting that government impose your own views of abortion on others is anti-equality. Cutting funding for black teenage mothers is anti-feminist and racist. Lying to the electorate about your record is insolent. Do you think we're too stupid or indolent to check?

We have checked. You are lying and so is she. But you must think that a big lie repeated over and over becomes the truth. And it seems that many Americans are with you on that.

You are so good at the bold-faced lie that you even seem to believe it yourself. When Barbara Walters and Joy Behar accused you of lying on "The View," you claimed you weren't.

I guess your handlers have decided that after eight years of Cheney-Bush saying one thing and doing another, truth no longer has any meaning. Say it often enough and we'll believe anything -- like the good commercial-watchers we are. So, prep Sarah to sound like Hillary -- and we'll be fooled.

It remains to be seen how many will.

But one thing is clear. You have reached a new low in your regard for the public. You have blown your credibility. Usually politicians wait to be elected to do that.

It's fascinating to watch you and your party try to co-opt the idea of change, the idea of equal rights after eight years of being in total control and trashing the country for women, for workers, for taxpayers and for anyone who earns dollars.

Do you really think we're that stupid? Apparently you do.

Tax cuts for the rich have produced trickle-down unemployment. You want to try that again? We don't. The private sector has not policed itself. Failing banks and mortgage companies prove that. The deficit has swelled. Insurance rates for health care have swelled. Women are joining the ranks of the poor faster than ever.

Play it again, John?

As Sarah Palin said, lying about her lust for earmarks, "Thanks but no thanks."

Sincerely,
Erica Jong

3canal concert - ReThePublic - Amnesty International Small Places Tour

For Republic Day in Trinidad and Tobago, 3canal, in conjunction with Amnesty International, will bring you their 2nd Annual "ReThePublic- Know your Rights", concert as part of Amnesty International's Global Initiative Small Places Tour events. The initiative is part of the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The idea is Think Globally Act Locally.



This concert is on MON 22nd SEP at Queen's Hall. Tickets TT$150 & TT$200. 1-868-623-0982 for more info. Part proceeds from this event will be donated to the Jeffrey Chock Medical Expenses Fund.



Trinidadian photographer Jeffrey Chock has fallen ill in Toronto and is in urgent need of surgery which is estimated to cost approximately TT$300,000 (US$47,000).



Jeffrey has captured our life and work and energy in Entertainment, Media and the Arts from his unique perspective for many years, so let us please come together to support him in his time of need.



Online donations can be made at http://apps.facebook.com/mychipin/georgia-popplewell/friends-jeffrey-chock (T&T credit card holders can use "00000" as the zip code!). A bank account has been opened for Jeffrey. Donations can be made via deposit at any Trinidad and Tobago branch of Scotiabank — cheques should be made out to "M. Mahabir". The account number is #4004891.





The following is distilled from Amnesty's website.

On December 10, 1948 the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories." Here are the 30 keywords:

1 Life

2 Dignity

3 Security

4 Freedom

5 Respect

6 Justice

7 Equality

8 Remedy

9 Protection

10 Fairness

11 Fair-Trial

12 Privacy

13 Movement

14 Asylum

15 Identity

16 Family

17 Home

18 Conscience

19 Expression

20 Participation

21 Democracy

22 Welfare

23 Work

24 Leisure

25 Health

26 Education

27 Culture

28 Human Rights

29 Solidarity

30 Responsibility


--
Purchase 3canal CDs online @ CD BABY click here http://cdbaby.com/found?allsearch=3canal&allsearchsubmit=Search

DOWNLOAD @ TRINIDAD TUNES
http://www.trinidadtunes.com/index.php?action=genre&id=11

DOWNLOADS @ iTUNES
2007 Album "3:10" featuring "Good Mornin"

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=269077503

2006 Album "3canal Vibes"

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=157631253

2005 Album "Jab Jab Say"

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=148001352

RIM Announces Flip BlackBerry Pearl 8220

RIM Announces Flip BlackBerry Pearl 8220

WiFi calling

Bigger screen and keyboard

Bold interface



But I think I still want the Bold!

Parents Sue Crocs After Child's Foot Is Maimed in Escalator

Read full story:
The family of a child whose foot was maimed in an escalator accident at the Atlanta airport is suing Crocs Inc., saying the Colorado-based footwear company failed to put safety features in the soft-soled shoes.

Helloooo - what"safety features" can you put in a shoe? It's been known for years that children on escalators have accidents, and people have been warned for years about accident risks with Crocs and little children. So Crocs, little kids and escalators are accidents waiting to happen. How is this a lawsuit?
Next thing Jimmy Choo will get sued for women spraining their ankles in 5" stilettos?

'Lifesaver' Bottle Purifies Water in Seconds

'Lifesaver' Bottle Purifies Water in Seconds
Way cool invention. I wonder how we can get a load of these to Haiti RIGHT NOW?

On the outside, it looks like an ordinary sports bottle. On the inside, there's a miracle: an extremely advanced filtration system that makes murky water filled with deadly viruses and bacteria completely clean in just seconds.

The Lifesaver removes 99.999 percent of water-borne pathogens and reduces heavy metals like lead, meaning even the filthiest water can be cleaned — immediately.

It stands to revolutionize humanitarian aid. It could be the first weapon in the fight against disease after a natural disaster.

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We Must Do More to Encourage Girls to Pursue Science Careers

San Jose Mercury News (CA) (08/19/08) Cheng, Josephine

Despite recent studies showing that girls are doing as well as boys in math from grades two through 11, more must be done to encourage girls to pursue science and technology fields as a career, writes Josephine Cheng, IBM Fellow and lab director at the IBM Almaden Research Center. Although outnumbered, women have made significant contributions to computer science. For example, Grace Murray Hopper invented the first computer compiler in 1952. In 1991, Hopper became the first woman to receive the National Medal of Technology.

One reason why more young women are not pursuing science and technology careers may be that many people still believe that girls are not as good at math and science as boys, despite evidence to the contrary. Many companies, schools, and industry role models are working to change this perception. IBM, for example, hosts a science and technology summer camp for girls. A recent camp at IBM's Almaden Research Center and Silicon Valley Lab was geared specifically toward middle-school-aged girls. Another effort, Nerd Girls, a club founded by women engineering students at Tuft's University, is working to dispel negative stereotypes about girls and technology with the intention of showing that young women can be athletic, fun, and outgoing while being extremely intelligent in science and math.

Click Here to View Full Article

ACM TechNews Current Issue

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