Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Now that Obama has signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, I can't help but recall how fortunate I was last spring to watch Senator Kennedy advocate on behalf of the legislation on the floor. His conviction was so pronounced I wondered if I could ever speak like that without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable (I sure hope so). There really is nothing like seeing a white affluent male perform a passionate monologue on behalf of minority rights. It's sad to think he probably will not take the floor like that again.

"clean coal" IS NOT CLEAN

and I am glad that the rest of America is starting to figure this out.

If you are sick of coal mines and coal plants, come participate in a mass civil disobedience at the coal-fired Capitol Power Plant in Washington, DC.

tell Obama thanks for protecting health

According to Planned Parenthood:

One woman dies every minute of every day due to pregnancy-related causes, including unsafe abortion, and over 200 million women in developing countries who wish to delay or end childbearing lack access to modern contraceptives.

In the spirit of health and freedom, please join Planned Parenthood in thanking President Obama for acting on behalf of choice, and allowing US aid to international organizations that provide abortion and reproductive information.

Say "thanks" here.

Obama repeals anti-choice policy

From the New York Times:

President Obama repealed rules on Friday that restricted federal money for international organizations that promote or provide abortions overseas, sweeping aside a pillar of the social policy architecture of George W. Bush's presidency.

The latest on President Obama, the new administration and other news from Washington and around the nation.

The executive order that Mr. Obama signed reverses one of the first measures enacted by Mr. Bush when he took over the White House eight years ago and capped an opening-week flurry of action intended to signal a sharp break from the past in domestic and foreign arenas.

“For the past eight years, they have undermined efforts to promote safe and effective voluntary family planning in developing countries,” Mr. Obama said of the restrictions. “For these reasons, it is right for us to rescind this policy and restore critical efforts to protect and empower women and promote global economic development.” (full article)

great quote

"I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants."

--Al Gore

Senate passes Lilly Ledbetter Fairy Pay Act

The National Organization for Women (NOW) explains:

The Ledbetter Act, which was blocked in the Republican-led Senate last year, will essentially reverse the 2007 Supreme Court decision that required workers to file charges on a pay discrimination claim within six months after receiving their first discriminatory paycheck. The Court's decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber, which reversed the jury's compensation award to Ledbetter, essentially gave employers the go-ahead to discriminate in pay, as long as they weren't caught in the first six months after the onset of their illegal actions.

Earlier this month the House passed the Ledbetter Act with a companion bill, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would close loopholes that allow employers to pay men and women discriminatorily and provides consequences for that discrimination. The Senate today acted only on the Ledbetter Act, so work on passage of the companion bill begins tomorrow.

what's in your knickers?

Well, sometimes gendered relations of power, sexism, and the objectification of female bodies can combine to form a powerful social message.

TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE

today marks 36 years of Roe v. Wade

and cheers to many many more.

tell Obama thanks for acting on behalf of civil liberties

As the ACLU describes it, "Obama acts four times for freedom." In just 48 hours, Obama:

• Ordered Guantánamo Bay shut down
• Banned torture
• Ordered a full review of U.S. detention policies and procedures, and
• Delayed the trial of Ali al-Marri, an ACLU client whose case is at the center of the Supreme Court’s review of indefinite detention policies. (ACLU email update

Click here and thank Obama for building an America that we can be proud of.

Obama following through on Guantanamo

Although there are some details to be pounded out, President Obama has signed executive orders today to end secret overseas prison, ban torture, and close Gitmo within a year.

woot woot.

Obama represents

I was happy to hear Obama use non-sexist language such as "fore bearers" instead of "forefathers" in his inaugural address, and make a shout out to "non-believers" as well.

Although I have not forgiven him for Warren...