Hopefully the Kansas City Star will follow suit

This was announced yesterday:

Saint Louis Post Dispatch dumps columnist George Will

Seems Mr. Will defended rape and rapists by males so the Post-Dispatch  dropped him.

As I said, hopefully the Star will be as inciteful.

At long last.

Quote of the day--on progress

Dorothy Parker, August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967

"I want so much to write well, though I know I don’t, and that I didn’t make it. But during and at the end of my life, I will adore those who have." --Dorothy Parker; Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker

A win for justice, abortion opponents and the Obama administration, all in one

Breaking news: Chen Guangcheng, Chinese Activist Who Escaped House Arrest, Arrives In U.S.

This is nothing but good news for anyone and everyone who supports fairness, justice, decency and all that is good.

Here's a man who learned of women being forced to have abortions by their own national government--in this case, Chinese--so he stood up, virtually alone, from what I understand, and did his best to fight it.

So the right thing happened here, thank goodness.

Part of the reason it happened was because of international communications. Whether it's because of the internet and all its social media or whatever, the world is no longer in the dark, so to speak, about these cases.

Thank goodness for that.

It's yet further proof of the power of the internet and social media--but of the people, too. The right thing happened here because anything else was not justice. Anything else happening in this case and to this man would have been grossly wrong and the Chinese leaders and government were overrun by it.

It's a great day.

It's a great day for justice and for what's right and for the people of the world.

It's enough to give one hope.

Here's another thing, too. It's a win, really, not just for "the people", collectively, but for the Obama administration, like it, accept it or not.

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/19/chen-guangcheng-arrives-us_n_1530182.html

Kansas Legislators, Catholics, everyone should be screaming about the Chinse dissident

It seems anyone and everyone who has said in the past they have some issue with abortions should be speaking up at least, if not screaming bloody murder about this blind attorney Chinese dissident, Chen Guangcheng and his situation.

Here's a private citizen in China who goes up against every authority there in an effort to protest forced abortions in that country.

How much more noble can a person be? What more worthy position could a person take?

And to date, I haven't heard one word from any Catholic organization--the Vatican or any other--or any Kansas legislator--or from any other state--saying we need to support and work with this man and his family.

Sure, they can and do fight to deny women's reproductive rights in this nation but beyond their own back yard?

Not a word.

If there is a person in the world right now who needs people's support and attention, surely Mr. Guangcheng is that person.

Here's a man who not only educated himself to be an attorney but who also decided it too important not to fight his nation's government single-handedly to stop forced abortions by that same government.

Now is the time and this should be the case to speak up, offering both support for this man and his work and any help they can give in any and every form.

Links: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/chinese-dissident-offered-american-fellowship-135602884.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/world/asia/chen-guangchengs-plea-for-protection-deepens-a-crisis.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120504; http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/03/3593252/us-china-reach-deal-for-chen-guangcheng.html; http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/05/04/152002528/elegant-solution-possible-for-chinese-activist-he-may-study-abroad

Ironically but poignantly closing out Black History Month

Alfre Woodard, reciting Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman." How ironic, to hear this, here, now, from anyone, as the Republicans and Right Wing want the control of women's contraceptive and reproductive rights. Some things never change. But things must. (With thanks and a hat tip to MoveOn.org for this reminder).

Fascinating article on "The Case for Girls"

There is a terrific article in Fast Company magazine this month showing there is a really awful preference for male babies in the world (link below): "It may not be surprising that there's a lingering preference for baby boys over baby girls worldwide. What's alarming, however, is that this global inclination is manifesting more strongly than ever." It's not just unfortunate but for a society, in can be dangerously lopsided. It's not healthy for the growth of a nation. More than that, it goes against nature in other ways, too: "In the 21st century, there's a compelling case for girls as the equal--and in some cases, optimal--gender for roles in leadership, innovation, and economic growth. Women excel in education, the most crucial factor in tomorrow's workforce; we are 56% of undergraduates in the U.S. and approaching parity in China and India. Our socialization is geared toward the right stuff for the changing requirements of success in the 21st century: Women are likely to have a more balanced, empathetic leadership style, better communication skills, a knack for fostering innovation through collaboration." Anyway, as I said, fascinating. You may want to look into it: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/161/branding-for-girls-advertising-for-women

Quote for the day--note to Kansas City

“But we're all in the same boat now, and we've got to learn to work together.”

--Dorothy Height