When are people going to realize that if MILLIONS OF WOMEN AROUND THE GLOBE are willing to risk cultural shaming, severe bodily injury, and death itself because they do not want to give birth, NO ONE can stop them from taking those risks, no matter how many damn laws you pass. It's pure misogyny: We will force you to undergo bodily torture for nine months and risk death just to give birth. Oh, and then you're on your own. Fuckers.
@La Chica Lucy: I have a real problem with this kind of thinking. Pregnancy isn't "torture"; birth can be very safe when it's supervised by a qualified physician or midwife. I think there needs to a be a real effort to curb the need for abortions in the first place and make sure that a much higher percentage of pregnancies are wanted ones. That means making sure that men are taught from an early age that there is never a good reason to rape a woman, that rape is any sex that doesn't involve full consent. Contraceptives need to be made more available and more affordable, and more mainstream so women can choose their relationships based on what's comfortable, not on their financial situations . And, BC needs to be more effective, which can only be done if the money is put into it, and maybe more BC methods for men, too. There needs to be more support for women who do want to keep their pregnancies - more prenatal support, more midwives and OB/GYN's, more flexible career options.
Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare - rare because women should be able to access resources to prevent unwanted pregnancy and shouldn't be at such high risk to be raped, not because pregnant women are forced to not have abortions. #antichrist
@Dancingfrog: I know pregnancy can be safe and not all pregnancies are torture. My point is these people do not care about women. At all. If they did, all of the things you describe above (which I agree with) would already be happening. #antichrist
@Trulymadlyme: It seems that it should be obvious, right?
I did my senior capstone for my BS last year in "Reducing stigmatization of mental illness among the African American population of Portland" (longest title ever), which really opened my eyes to the extent of the discrimination and lack of cultural competence amongst mental health professionals. There is a clinic in Portland through OHSU that offers culturally competent care specifically for African Americans and Africans as well as SE Asians. I enjoyed working with the providers at the clinic. #antichrist
But yes. A part of the mental health issues of pretty much every single brilliant African American I knew in college and law school is derived from the fall out of racism. You do deal. But it can sting. And depending on one's resilience, it can be utterly debilitating. It's fascinating work and I'd love to learn more about what you do. #antichrist
@Trulymadlyme: Oregon.
My professor for the capstone is an African American man who has mental health issues that went undiagnosed for decades in large part because of his race. Either he didn't fit "the mold" of someone with those disorders, or it wasn't suggested that he seek treatment because within his community there was a feeling of distrust of medical/mental health professionals (understandably!). I took every class from this professor I could as an undergrad and am now applying to do the MSW program at the same school to learn more from him. I am trying to find my place of where I will be able to best serve people of color within the mental health/human services field. It was heartbreaking and infuriating to learn and see how people of color in my community were being treated when they tried to seek help. #antichrist
'The imagery is "dream-like," which makes it somewhat removed from reality, and thus inoffensive'
This sounds like the logic that concludes something can't be offensive if it was intended as a joke. I mean, I'd support a poster with an entire ass hanging out. But the "logic" makes me giggle. #antichrist
I am so saddened and scared by the death of the three college students in North Dakota. The thought of being trapped and frightened and waiting for help that never comes is terrible. I hope that their families and the women that received the distress calls find peace. #antichrist
@WaltzingMatilda: That's because Real Americans know that everything (and I mean everything) tastes better with some ranch. And thus we always have it on hand!
Related: I am considering experimenting with a sweet ranch dressing that could be used as a sauce on desserts. #antichrist
@BeckyIva: I lived with an American for two years, and Ranch dressing was one of the best things I got out of that household arrangement. That and, you know, a lifelong friend. Who is my lifelong friend in part BECAUSE she introduced me to the glory that is ranch dressing. Mmm. Ranch. Great, now I want some. #antichrist
@itsonreserve: Oh my god. That website... surely it is the work of the gods? Thank you so much! MORE experiments to carry out on my current flatmates. #antichrist
So do I, Malia! I just wish I had more students like you--most of mine only want to know something if they think they are going to use it in the future, and amazingly, they all seem to have crystal balls that tell them exactly what they will and will not need to know in the future.
@cocobanal: Preach it. I feel like I say so many times, "Fix this! If you send out resumes and cover letters that look like this writing, not only will they not hire you, they will laugh about you to all of their friends!" Maybe I should hire my friend who works in HR to come in as a guest speaker.
I do believe some of them have a passive-voice relationship with their studies. There is no sense that they have an active role in their education. They just sit there with their mouths open, accepting whatever comes along, and each paper/test/graded unit is another kind of event that just happens. Failing happens. Grades happen. Improvement, if it happens, just happens. Having once been like that myself, it's incredibly frustrating not to be able to get them to see, as I once did, that if you just DO THE WORK, suddenly the world is a much better place. #antichrist
@TheFormerJuneBronson: I hear ya. One of the classes I teach includes cover letter and resume writing. It's scary to see what they consider a good letter, and writing a resume is one of the things the students swear they won't need in the future. RIGHT.
@cocobanal: My cousin just had a revelation: he excitedly told me that he had a big WWI test coming up, but he'd started reading the materials like they were a novel, and it had been really interesting! And he aced the test!
He really is astounded by the concept that learning history like a narrative rather than as a rote recitation of dates and names can be fun. It's like he invented fire, he's adorable about it. #antichrist
@TheFormerJuneBronson: Yo. yo. I've been kind of depressed lately about teaching -- mostly about my own role in it, but part of the problem is that I can't tell what's due to my incompetence and what's due to their lack of trying.
This is what comes from receiving a set of papers that are, on average, worse than the last one. Yay. #antichrist
@curiousgeorgiana: Between that and Maine it's a wonder I'm still sober. No worries doll. Keep telling it like it is. #mulitlaterialinitiativeonmalaria...
Maybe this was dumb of me, but I'm (happily!) surprised that Bo is allowed all over the House. I guess I sort of thought that White House pets weren't like regular pets and were maybe relegated to certain areas only. As I said, I am happy to learn that my assumption was wrong. It's nice that the First Dog is still a real part of the family, like any regular pet. I just got back from my house; I go home every day around lunchtime to let him out to pee and all, and now I want to go back home so I can smell his delicious ears some more. I don't know why, but the smell of dog ears is like a narcotic to me. #barackobama
@Aesop's Foibles. YES.: I'm the same, but with dog paws. I love the corn chip smell, which is probably gross to non-dog owners (and probably some dog owners... I'm just a freak!) #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: I don't like dirty dog ear smell (and clean dog ears just smell like ... dog shampoo?) but dog paws? Oh jeez, I'm like a pre-teen sniffing glue (or markers, or whatever they sniff now). #barackobama
@midwestdesigner: Our fella is usually pretty presentable. We get him bathed once every month, and he's mainly inside so he never smells bad. His ears have a very comforting sort of dusty smell. I'm not sure what it is; his neck-fur smells especially good too, but in a different way. His ears are the best. #barackobama
@Aesop's Foibles. YES.: OH OH! I know the answer. And it's actually kind of gross, so it may ruin the smell for you (it didn't for me but once again.. I'm a freak). So read this article ONLY if you MUST know.
@midwestdesigner: I only really notice my dogs ears smelling when they have an infection (one of my dog gets them quite a bit). But I like the neck smell when they're sleeping. I don't even know if it's emanating from their necks but its something about a sleeping dog smell. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Oh man, we had a puppy for a week (ugh long story) and I was cuddling him on our bed when I decided to sniff his paws. It was NOT corn chip-y in nature at all. It burned my nostrils and I sat up gagging. The pup was like "what? that's just my natural funk, baby, get used to it." Seriously, he had that exact look on his face. #barackobama
@Aesop's Foibles. YES.: A girl I sat next to on a flight from DC said her bff is a white house staffer and told her Bo has TOTAL free reign. His bowl/food is outside her friend's office and he'll traipse in and hide under her desk and play with her feet. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: I've got a beagle, so her ears get stinky before the rest of her does (she's indoors, as well, but those floppy ears just collect dirt!). But, if your dog's ears smell like my dog's neck, then I understand the love.
And because you said it's gross ... I can't read it. I just can't. I love that smell too much to have it tainted by knowledge of something gross!
But you should forward it to dooce. She's the one that first made me realize it was Fritos that I was smelling. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Oh, that's not too bad. I think the grossest thing about dogs is the butt-glands. I'd never had a dog growing up, only cats, and boy was the butt-gland thing a nasty surprise. I think you may know what I'm referring to. The funny thing is, no dog owner I've ever known has ever mentioned this. It's almost like they're afraid to admit something so utterly disgusting. But hey! I love our dog very much anyway. I just don't love his occasionally very smelly ass. Or his lethal farts. Oh my God are dogfarts bad. It's like otherwordly, or something. #barackobama
@midwestdesigner: well if you have the strong love for it like i do, then the article won't change your mind. I still get my nose right in there. I also drape myself on them when they're sleeping. I can't get enough!
Ok after all this talk, I just can't not post a picture. People prob get sick of my dog pictures but screw you hypothetical people! I have two but this is the one who has super-frito feet. #barackobama
@dialing_footnoterphone: I know the face of which you speak. I think every dog has it in their arsenal. Like "what's your problem crazy lady?" #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Great photo. My dog is laying at my feet (under the blankets, of course) right now. :) Sadly, I can't drape myself on her when she's sleeping. Stupid Italian greyhound genes (yes, she's a total mutt). #barackobama
@Aesop's Foibles. YES.: Oh I talk about butt glands ALL the time! All the time. The dog I posted a pic of above has butt glands so smelly it must be what hell smells like. We call it ass juice. We're disgusting people. Luckily we started feeding him all bran buds in his food and it's a very rare occurrence for it to happen now.
@midwestdesigner: She sounds awesome! I love mutts. Mine is a mutt too, but the people who gave him up knew NOTHING about him (nothing) so we have no idea what his other half is (only know Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: I've never heard of that breed ... it sounds like one of those long fancy AKC names! :) And mutts definitely rule. (Sorry Bo.) #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Yeah, they keep it at the ready, just like their "SO WORTH IT" face, right after they eat your steak and napkin. Dogs, they know you won't kill them, so they might as well ruin your dinner. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: SO glad you brought up the corn chip smell! I always tell my pug she smells like tacos after she's been curled up all warm and cozy. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Really?! The vet says that some dogs have really, like, active ones and they have to get them expressed by the vet techs every few weeks. I haven't subjected our dog to this, even though the one time the vet did it he didn't seem to mind. It's not all the time, and it usually only happens when he's asleep, but sometimes if he barks really suddenly it sort of sprays out. I've caught him licking it up so many times and I cannot for the life of me figure out how something that smells so bad can possibly taste good. So anyway now that you're done vomiting, maybe you could tell me where I get this bran stuff? #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Thank you. If your suggestion can help combat this very smelly issue, I will personally bake you a box cake and send it to you. Or if you're too far away geographically, I will just mail you the box of cake mix and a can of frosting. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: Excellent. Tell me, do you like the Funfetti frosting, with its bits of unidentifiable-yet delicious-colored matter? Because that seems like an appropriately festive thank-you gift, if you're interested. #barackobama
@Aesop's Foibles. YES.: I like anything that starts with frost and ends with ing. That's me. I used to say that I'd prefer cake if it was reversed, with the majority being icing and the rest is cake. #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: i can't believe you said that (in a good way)!!! my husband and i have always thought we were the only ones to notice that our oldest dog's toes smell like corn chips. we also thought that it might be specific to this dog (our other one does not have the same smell on his feet). is this a thing? do other people know? #barackobama
@dr.seabreeze: Oh MANY people know. On dogster apparently people talk about it a lot (if you follow my link above to the page where a vet explains why the frito paw happens, he mentions that he gets asked about it a lot). And all of my friends all have dogs with frito paws! Join the club (note: there is no actual club that i know of) #barackobama
@thecameralovesyou: we can start a club! i'll definitely check out the link. but now i worry that there is something wrong with my other dog who does not have frito paw... #barackobama
Her relationship advice is a little trite. A man can't make you feel "whole." You have to be whole by yourself. Only then can a man make you "completely happy." #michelleobama
@SarahMC: But I've definitely been with people who made me feel less than. A lot of that is on me, but I've been with people who knew exactly how to make me feel small. #michelleobama
@SarahMC: Perhaps this is mincing words, but I didn't get the feeling that she was saying that the man makes you whole, but that you feel like you are whole around that person, which is kind of different. I've been in relationships where I really didn't feel like I could be my whole person around them and I'm glad to be married to someone that I do feel whole around, not that they complete me or anything. So perhaps she meant it like that. #michelleobama
@Maritsa: I think maybe she is talking about dating. Like if things aren't pretty rosy during dating, it's not like it's going to get better if you get married (which I do think some women assume). She has talked about marriage as being difficult, so I'm thinking maybe she is referring to a dating relationship here.
Of course, I might be projecting because I feel like my dating relationship with my husband really did make me feel complete and utter joy, which doesn't mean it was perfect, but it did really give me confidence that he was the one. #michelleobama
@banana_grabber: Well, you may be right. The fact that she's talked about marriage requiring work made that quote all the more odd to me. The NYT Mag article was refreshingly honest, but this seems a bit treacly to me. #michelleobama
@Maritsa: It might have something to do with the audience as well. Glamour women want treacly and NYT people just want serious hard hitting journalism. Ok, that's totally an exaggeration, but it might be part of it. I appreciated the NYT article as well much more than this, but that's just me (but adore Michelle in all forms). I only like things dusted with sugar and not completely sugar coated, but to each their own. #michelleobama
@banana_grabber: This is what I thought, too. I'm in the first relationship I've ever been in in which I can be my whole self around the other person, without self-censoring in any way. It's not because before I was in a relationship I was incomplete, as much as before I was in this particular relationship I tended to adopt various aspects of my personality to play the roles I felt were expected of me, rather than un-self-consciously being "myself" around my partner. Of course, "myself" is always a construct when talking about one's relationship with others, but now my current presentation of "self" is unthought, un-anxious, un-purposefully-incomplete-so-as-to-not-....
I don't have a problem with that, even though (perhaps because?) I've always felt that it's better to be alone than to compromise myself for a relationship. Which is why this is also my first actual relationship, as opposed to the whole "get drunk and make out with you every weekend" type relationship. So basically I've been following Michelle Obama's advice for years. #michelleobama
I heard he did this to Ahmedinejad in order to get him to the bargaining table. From the headlines, it looks like Mahmoud is due for another belly rub.
11/04/09
(sorry for the shouting) #antichrist
11/05/09
Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare - rare because women should be able to access resources to prevent unwanted pregnancy and shouldn't be at such high risk to be raped, not because pregnant women are forced to not have abortions. #antichrist
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As an African American man, I can only offer my two cents but, uh, duh. In other news, water is wet. #antichrist
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I did my senior capstone for my BS last year in "Reducing stigmatization of mental illness among the African American population of Portland" (longest title ever), which really opened my eyes to the extent of the discrimination and lack of cultural competence amongst mental health professionals. There is a clinic in Portland through OHSU that offers culturally competent care specifically for African Americans and Africans as well as SE Asians. I enjoyed working with the providers at the clinic. #antichrist
11/04/09
But yes. A part of the mental health issues of pretty much every single brilliant African American I knew in college and law school is derived from the fall out of racism. You do deal. But it can sting. And depending on one's resilience, it can be utterly debilitating. It's fascinating work and I'd love to learn more about what you do. #antichrist
11/05/09
My professor for the capstone is an African American man who has mental health issues that went undiagnosed for decades in large part because of his race. Either he didn't fit "the mold" of someone with those disorders, or it wasn't suggested that he seek treatment because within his community there was a feeling of distrust of medical/mental health professionals (understandably!). I took every class from this professor I could as an undergrad and am now applying to do the MSW program at the same school to learn more from him. I am trying to find my place of where I will be able to best serve people of color within the mental health/human services field. It was heartbreaking and infuriating to learn and see how people of color in my community were being treated when they tried to seek help. #antichrist
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This sounds like the logic that concludes something can't be offensive if it was intended as a joke. I mean, I'd support a poster with an entire ass hanging out. But the "logic" makes me giggle. #antichrist
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By which I mean, that poster makes me want to bone. A lot. #antichrist
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This is all anecdotal, of course.
And strange, of course. #antichrist
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Related: I am considering experimenting with a sweet ranch dressing that could be used as a sauce on desserts. #antichrist
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He's totally innocent.
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Sorry. Frustrated teacher rant. #antichrist
11/04/09
I do believe some of them have a passive-voice relationship with their studies. There is no sense that they have an active role in their education. They just sit there with their mouths open, accepting whatever comes along, and each paper/test/graded unit is another kind of event that just happens. Failing happens. Grades happen. Improvement, if it happens, just happens. Having once been like that myself, it's incredibly frustrating not to be able to get them to see, as I once did, that if you just DO THE WORK, suddenly the world is a much better place. #antichrist
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He really is astounded by the concept that learning history like a narrative rather than as a rote recitation of dates and names can be fun. It's like he invented fire, he's adorable about it. #antichrist
11/05/09
This is what comes from receiving a set of papers that are, on average, worse than the last one. Yay. #antichrist
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As for funding, I hope our better angels prevail. #mulitlaterialinitiativeonmalaria...
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* WHY DO THEIR PAWS SMELL LIKE FRITOS, FOR GOD'S SAKE? #barackobama
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[blogs.dogster.com] #barackobama
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And because you said it's gross ... I can't read it. I just can't. I love that smell too much to have it tainted by knowledge of something gross!
But you should forward it to dooce. She's the one that first made me realize it was Fritos that I was smelling. #barackobama
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Yes, I am jealous of Bo.
FML. #barackobama
11/04/09
@midwestdesigner: well if you have the strong love for it like i do, then the article won't change your mind. I still get my nose right in there. I also drape myself on them when they're sleeping. I can't get enough!
Ok after all this talk, I just can't not post a picture. People prob get sick of my dog pictures but screw you hypothetical people! I have two but this is the one who has super-frito feet. #barackobama
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I love Mrs. O wholeheartedly, and I'm glad she's telling women not to settle, but the picture is a wee bit rosy. #michelleobama
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Of course, I might be projecting because I feel like my dating relationship with my husband really did make me feel complete and utter joy, which doesn't mean it was perfect, but it did really give me confidence that he was the one. #michelleobama
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I don't have a problem with that, even though (perhaps because?) I've always felt that it's better to be alone than to compromise myself for a relationship. Which is why this is also my first actual relationship, as opposed to the whole "get drunk and make out with you every weekend" type relationship. So basically I've been following Michelle Obama's advice for years. #michelleobama
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Oh right, I don't work from home.
LUCKY. #barackobama
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(Squee! puppeh, puppeh, puppeh!) #barackobama