Quick Rant.

Quick Rant.
1. Stop trying to demean someone else's experience by saying "Not all police men," "not all men," "not all white people," etc... YES not ALL police officers, men or white people behave a certain way. That is true! However, if you are using it against someone who has experienced something terrible at the hands of *insert person type here* then you are being just as BAD. I'm so tired of seeing people saying "if this officer had been black he would've gotten away with it..." or "would the media have reported about this if a woman had done it?" That's BS and it completely demeans the experiences of people.

2. YES bad things happen to EVERYONE. That is true! Its NOT a contest! No one has had it as bad as you think you have. We're humans. We're never going to fully understand each other because how we experience things is unique to US as INDIVIDUALS. That being said, don't come in and say that a guy who has been molested doesn't understand being raped because he is a guy. That's simply not true. And its not a contest. Stop making it a contest! If we would all just SUPPORT EACH OTHER through the bull instead of trying to make ourselves out to be the bigger victim we'd a bit better off.
3. People just need to stop doing bad things to each other! Seriously. How hard is it to be kind to someone? Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean You have the right to judge!! DON'T JUDGE. We're all just trying to make it in this world. And its a crappy one. So, instead of making it harder on someone else, why don't you mind your own business and just love? Its not you. Just let it go.
End Rant.

Misandry and Misogny.

This article was very interesting. My biggest issue with the Men's Right Movement isn't even that they want equality. I want equality! We're human beings; gay, straight, white, black, man or woman. We're HUMAN. We ALL deserve to have rights.

My issue with the Men's Rights Movement is that they do nothing for their cause by attacking and abusing people who disagree with them. Militant Feminism is no better. The truth of the matter is this:
Feminism isn't evil. Being a Men's Right Activist isn't evil. What's evil is trying to pin the sins of a wicked world on one another. What's evil is trying to destroy other people on your way to "equality."

And, sadly, Misandry does exist. There are men who ARE being discriminated against. You know why? Because other men have this warped view of "manhood." Being a man doesn't mean that you have to be interested in sports, working out or guns. Being a man isn't about being some distorted version of "manly."
We have this warped view that if you are a Man you can't be interested in fashion or cooking or dancing because those things are viewed as being too "feminine." When we stop viewing "feminine" as being a BAD thing then what do we have? We have a man who enjoys his life.

We have this view that for a man to express any type of emotion is wrong. It makes him a "sissy" or any other derogatory term. Again, because it makes him "feminine."

The number of men that are abused and sexually assaulted by women is ridiculously under-reported because it is somehow shameful that a MAN LET himself be abused or be raped. No. That's wrong. Its just another facet of victim shaming. Men can be abused or raped just like a woman can. A man can be depressed or love fashion just like a woman can.

In a perfect world, we would work TOGETHER to end the inequality between the genders. We wouldn't be fighting AGAINST each other.

To do this, however, we have to admit that there are faults on both sides and that, because we are human this is always going to happen. Just because there are faults doesn't mean that we have to ATTACK each other.

http://time.com/2949435/what-i-learned-as-a-woman-at-a-mens-rights-conference/

We Tell Boys.

We tell Boys...

You have to be strong.

You have to be sensitive.
But not TOO sensitive.

You have to be smart.

You have to be stylish.
But not TOO stylish.

You have to be sexually vigorous.

Because if you are TOO sensitive or TOO stylish you'll be labeled "gay," harassed, embarrassed, abused by your fellows who are too afraid of their own sexual insecurity to deal with you.

Because if you ARE NOT strong, smart or sexually vigorous you are somehow less than a man. You aren't a real "man" if you can't bench press or fuck all night.

We tell them to always take charge, even if they aren't more qualified than a girl.
We clap them on the back when they prove their "masculinity," be it sex or sports or something equally "macho."
We blame their clothes, "pink" is a girl's color and nice clothes can't be too nice or you are homosexual.
We blame their behaviour, but we don't stop it. We don't teach them that rape is wrong because its a matter of asserting dominance, asserting power. They have to be powerful, or they aren't a Man.

We snatch the moon from them and tell them they are fit only for football games, cars and sexual virility.
We tell them they to "sow their wild oats."
We tell them they have to be "macho," with a large penis and stamina to rival a stallion.
We tell them they have to be the barbarian, the head of the house, the stud, the bread-winner.

You can't be good at dancing or writing or sewing or crafting. You are strong, a manly man, the protector.

But there is no one to protect YOU. If you are abused, you are weak. If you are raped, it didn't happen. You are man, you can't be abused or raped. Only women can be taken advantage of.

You're pathetic.
You're weak.
You're spineless.
You're a bitch.
You're a limp dick.
You're a fag.
You're a woman.
You're stupid.
You're worthless.
You're ugly.
You're tiny.
You're useless.

We tell our sons this. And then we wonder why they commit suicide. Why they are emotionally disconnected from themselves. We wonder why they are strung out on drugs and alcohol, riddled with sexually transmitted diseases. We wonder why they don't strive for anything outside of this.

How can they fly when WE clip their wings at birth?

We Tell Girls.

We tell Girls...

You have to be sexual.
But not TOO sexual.

You have to be sexually appealing.
But not TOO sexually appealing.

You have to be sexually inviting.
But not TOO sexually inviting.

You have to be sexually enticing.
But not TOO sexually enticing.

Because if you are TOO sexually enticing, TOO sexually appealing, TOO sexually inviting or TOO sexual then you deserve to be raped, called a slut or a whore, harassed and embarrassed.

Because if you ARE NOT sexually enticing, sexually appealing, sexually inviting or sexual then you deserve to be called a prude or ugly, harassed, embarrassed and molested.

We tell them to always tell the truth and then we call them liars.
We accuse them, the wronged party, of being the aggressor.
We blame their clothes, that we tell them to wear or they aren't pretty or they are too uptight.
We blame their behaviour, that we've told them is the way to behave or they are too prudish.
We blame everything and everyone but the ones who deserve the blame because of what we tell little girls.

We snatch the moon from them and tell them they are fit only for pink dresses and white weddings.
We tell them they have to be virgins, but they have to be sluts too.
We tell them they have to be skinny, but they can't be TOO thin.
We tell them they have to be the maid, the cook, the servant, the mother, the wife, the whore. They have to fit in the stereotype allotted to them.

You can't be good at math or driving or science or fighting. You are weak, a vessel to be filled by your husband, your father, your brother, your male protectors. You can't defend yourself.

But if you don't fight back, then you wanted it to happen. You brought it on yourself. You DESERVED it, didn't you?

You don't know what is best for You. Or your body. Or your children. Keep those tits out, unless you are using them to feed your babies, because that's obscene.

You're disgusting.
You're filthy.
You're vain.
You're a bitch.
You're a whore.
You're a slut.
You're lying.
You're stupid.
You're worthless.
You're ugly.
You're fat.
You're useless.

We tell our daughters this. And then we wonder why they cut themselves. Why they are bulimic, anorexic, compulsive eaters. We wonder why they are pregnant at sixteen and married at seventeen. We wonder why they don't strive for anything outside of this.

How can they fly when WE clip their wings at birth?

James Deen and the Panty Palace

If you had the opportunity to film your very own, amateur, porn with a famous porn star, would you?

Let me ask it this way: Let's say that you find said porn star immensely attractive, the scene is done to your specificity, all the necessary precautions are taken (testing, birth control, etc.) AND you could potentially make money off of it (I don't know, for certain, but I mean... You could, I guess)?

I came across this very interesting article on Huffington Post Women (I follow the Huffington Post on Facebook and in general) while I was looking at a completely different article on one woman's brave views in the face of a double mastectomy from breast cancer. And I should probably be blogging about that video instead... However, I have a lot more to say about Porn and Sexual Freedom. I don't feel like Sexual Freedom gets enough positive input either. I think we can all say lots of nice things about a woman fighting breast cancer and talk about how brave she is. But no one ever calls a porn actress brave. Well, not brave in the same sense.

Beside the point, I'm sorry. Let me have a moment to get back on topic... *deep breath*

Originally I wanted to write this blog about James Deen, the porn star. I wanted to write about the decision to make a porno and I was going to post pictures of him looking adorably average and quirky cute. I may still do that, but now I've started really thinking about this.

No one ever calls a Porn Star brave. There are lots of things we call Porn. Scummy, disgusting, exploitative, etc. We have all these negative connotations toward Pornography, simply because it is porn. But let's take a moment to think about this.

Pornography is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal.

A lot of us use Pornography to masturbate. Some of us use it as a stimulant to get things moving; like a sexual version of a cup of coffee in the morning. Some of us hate that we watch it, but are helplessly addicted. Some of us don't understand the point of it. Some of us use it as a pulpit to preach on the sins of mankind and still others of us use it to preach the sexual revolution.

So let's talk about the Sexual Revolution.

Your sexuality, no matter what it is, is intrinsic to who YOU are as a person. Your turn-ons, turn-offs, preferences, orgasms, etc. That is all a part of YOU that can't be removed. So we spend the majority of our lives hiding our sexual proclivities and oddities.

Which leads me into thinking about the darker side of sexuality. Rape, incest, bestiality, necrophilia, pedophilia. I believe that sexuality is intrinsic to who you are, so what does that say about these things? What does that say about a person who chooses to do those things? Make no mistake, in the end it is a choice. Sexuality isn't a choice, ACTING on your sexuality is.

I used to think that, being a feminist, I was doing others of my gender a disservice by enjoying a pornography. I used to think that God would smite me where I stood for daring to be aroused by women, by men that weren't my husband. I used to think that something was wrong with me.

That's what today's society does to you. Not porn. Porn exists because there is a market for it. We're all in the market to be sexually aroused. Its in our NATURE. We were created to be sexual beings. Even Christians would have to agree with that because the clitoris has no biological function besides orgasm. It lends nothing to the creation of life. SOCIETY is the one that tells you that it is wrong. That sexuality is wrong. That being a sexual creature is wrong.

What's wrong with me is that I have believed I was sexually worthless because I am fat. That no one could ever possibly find me sexually attractive because of my body. Because I based all of my opinions about myself on whether or not someone found ME sexually appealing. In reality, I should've been looking inwardly and seeing if anyone found me to be more than a body in a bed.

I may not shave my legs. Or wear sexy lingerie. I may read too much. I may be fat. I may be ugly.

And those are all the feelings I felt when I saw the link for doing an amateur porn with James Deen was still active. "James shoots with ALL types of women. Confidence is key!" The thought wasn't that I was married. Or that if I decided to do a porno it would be available on the internet to people who may know me. No. The first thought was "I'm far too fat and ugly to shoot a porno with."

I. Yes, I would do a porno if I weren't married.
II. Why? Because I could say I did. Because I could break a lot of the stereotypes I hold in and about myself. Because I see nothing wrong with pornography as long as everyone is a willing participant.
III. I've rambled enough for one evening. So, here is a picture of James Deen and maybe I'll think of what it was I wanted to say originally later.

When is Rape Okay?

When I was a little girl (and later, as a teenager) I was violated, sexually. Not quite the same way as rape, it never went quite that far (though there is a question about that when I was very small and have no recollection), but it was still without my consent and therefore a form of rape. Part of the problem is not knowing when to say "No" and part of the problem is that we all seem to be under this delusion that just because there wasn't a "No" means its a "Yes."

Another, far larger, part of the problem is that some of us seem to be under the impression that its okay to force someone to do something sexual; even if they say no.

What are we teaching our children about Rape? Are we talking about how wrong it is? Are we saying it is NEVER okay? That just because she didn't say no, doesn't mean she said yes? Apparently we aren't saying enough because below are the answers Teenagers are giving in response to my question. Not just teenage boys, either. Teenage girls are saying this too! Are we really existing in a time when 31% of our daughters believe they deserve to be raped if they were going have sex with their partner, but changed their minds?

Old for my Age

Chronological age is the reason we have such a thing as "Statutory Rape." No matter how "old" she was, she was not old enough to consent to sexual intercourse. This was RAPE and it was just as cruel, if not more so, because this was a man who should have been teaching her, not violating her and her rights.
 
A lovely young woman has lost her life and in death has not only received even more injustice, but has lost any chance of true justice as Double Jeopardy would now be in effect.


http://www.xojane.com/issues/stacey-rambold-cherice-morales

A Feminist.

Alternate title: How becoming a feminist completely turned my world upside down.

Despite all the religious stifling/brainwashing when I was growing up, I still managed to hang on to my core belief that women should be treated as equals.

In spite of all the abuse and the attempted crushing of my spirit, I have come out on top.

And I have come out a feminist.

However, something that a lot of people don't seem to realize is that, being a feminist doesn't make me a man hater. It doesn't make me a Lesbian. It doesn't change anything about me. I'm still Sarai. I've always been this way, it was just buried.

Being a feminist is about equality. Not just women's rights, but rights as a whole. Everyone's rights. The right to choose, the right to love, the right to be who YOU are. That's something a lot of women have forgotten.

We're not fighting so that our daughters will be free, though that is part of it. We are fighting to show our sons that they don't have to be threatened by a strong woman and that being strong isn't always about who is dominate.

We crush our men. We crush their emotions into a powder, because crying is too 'feminine.' We mutilate their bodies, without their permission, and then tell them to suck it up, get over it. We tell them it isn't possible for them to be raped because they aren't a woman. It isn't possible for them to be abused by a woman because that somehow degrades them. Its wrong for a man to be smart, to be intelligent, etc. Its wrong for him to express anything other than sexual desire or anger. And even anger is supposed to be suppressed.

We've created this image of a man that has to be brave, powerful, idealistically masculine. What is masculinity?

The dictionary defines masculinity as 'The quality or condition of being masculine. Something traditionally considered to be characteristic of a male.' And we, as a collective societal whole, have turned this into being tough, not crying, not saying 'I love you.' We've turned it into suppression. We've turned it into something so twisted.

But we, as women, want a man who can open up, one who can express himself. Then we turn around and tell him to "man up," "be a man," "grow a pair," etc. We are just as guilty of tearing the male gender down as the rest of the Patriarchy.

We, as women, destroy our sons, our brothers, our husbands, etc. We claim to want them to be able to "open up" and be vulnerable, but we take that vulnerability and turn it against them. I've watched my girlfriends do this to their husbands. I've listened to them brag about the verbal guttings.

There is no equality if we are still denying it to someone else.

Take a moment to read this article and watch the video. I, personally, can't wait for this movie to come out. I want to start working on building up not just my own gender, but the Male gender. I want to help our Men get back to being themselves, not the idealistic "male" we have tried to shoehorn them into being.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/54105/the-one-thing-all-men-feel-but-never-admit

Belief

Note:
This list is in no particular order.

1. Circumcision is wrong, no matter your gender, simply because it takes away YOUR right as a human being to decide what is done to your body, even if you are infant.

2. Abortions should be legal for everyone. I may not always agree with it, but I have not stood in that woman's shoes and should not be allowed to make decisions for her. Regardless of my personal views.

3. Gay marriage should just be Marriage. And MARRIAGE is a human right that should be available to anyone. (If you are one of those people who likes to quote the bible, but you are living in "sin" with your boyfriend, keep walking. Hypocrisy doesn't further your viewpoint.)

4. All Human Beings were created EQUAL.

5. Marijuana should be legal. It should be controlled, like alcohol and cigarettes, but it should be available for consumption instead of crowding up our prisons.

6. Equal pay for Equal work. How hard is this concept?!

7. Healthcare should be free.

8. Rapists should be punished, not the victim.

9. Freedom of Religion means freedom for ALL religions, not just yours.

10. If you don't vote you have no right to bitch.

Things I've learned

My views, opinions and thoughts have changed a lot since I was young. Some of what I believe has changed drastically from even just five years ago. Along this crazy ride called life, I've learned a bunch of things. And I've changed. I feel like I've changed quite a bit. Let's have a look at what I've learned.

A prime example of these changes are my views and opinions on abortions, marriage equality and circumcision. If you had asked me five years ago I would've told you that abortion was a heinous thing and that it was used, primarily, as a birth control. I would've told you that I was still not sold on the idea of Marriage Equality. I would've said that circumcision was much healthier than being uncircumcised.

Those who know me, however, know that I am open to new ideas and thoughts. I am open to anything someone has to say (unless it is uselessly hateful). Which is how my opinions have come to shift. The other thing people should know is that I do my research. I'm not going to just flip-flop like certain Republican candidates (I'm looking at you Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum) because someone says I should. I'm going to look into it.

Which is why my opinions are subject to fluidity and change.

* Never accept something at face value. Something ugly can be beautiful on the inside. Sometimes you have to look past the exterior. Beauty isn't the only thing that is skin deep. Ugliness can be only skin deep.

* Always be open to listening to new music, ideas, opinions and absurdities. Even if you end up disliking it you've at least tried it. The same goes for experiences and foods. Try it before you say you don't like it.

* Sex isn't the be all, end all. It is wonderful, it is fun, it is enjoyable. Don't let it control you.

* Virginity isn't a bad thing.

* Abortions should be legal. We are not walking in each other's shoes and don't know what the other person is going through. We should not be allowed to control the life choices of another.

* We are not equal until ALL of us are equal. Equality for some isn't equality at all.

* Reading is more important than we let on. What we read in books is what we base our lives on. Christians base themselves on the Bible, the Muslims on the Qur'an, the Jews on the Torah. If we read only one thing, we aren't reading at all. We aren't allowing our minds to expand. We are restricting ourselves to one small box. Open up and expand your world.

* Circumcision is wrong; no matter if it is a boy or a girl. Why should we cut away healthy flesh from a being that has no voice in the operation? Aren't we supposed to be protectors of our children?

* The people who say spankings didn't damage them are lying. Spankings damaged us all. Some of us just show less damage than others.

* Stumble Upon is a magnificent way to learn AND waste time.

* Being beautiful is in the eye of the beholder. No matter what anyone says, you are beautiful. Never forget that.

* You aren't too damaged to be loved.

* Barack Obama rocks. :)

* Knowing your history doesn't mean it has to dictate your future.

* Never be afraid to stand up for yourself. Stand up, be heard, stop letting people trample on you. You are a human being, you deserve respect and love. No matter where you come from or who you are.

* Marijuana should be legalized and taxed.

* Rapists should get absolutely NO sympathy from anyone. They committed a horrific crime and no one deserves to be raped. We live in a rape culture and that is wrong.

* Gun control is a thing that needs to happen. No matter what. And I don't care if I'm disliked for that opinion. I've always believed in gun control. That is something that HASN'T changed.

* Being ashamed of yourself because of your past is ridiculous. You can't change the past, so if you didn't like it, change it for tomorrow!

The Cut

Recently I was linked to an article, posted on the website "Barrel of Oranges," about Rape. The title intrigued me, as I'm sure it would just about anyone (good on you, Barrel of Oranges!), because of the simplicity of it.

"Teaching my 2 year old how not to rape" is what it said. I was intrigued because of the idea behind it. The idea that we have to teach our children not to harm others. The idea that if we don't teach them not to harm, someone else will to teach them how to harm. The idea kind of blindsided me and I realized I had to read the article.

If you are interested in reading it for yourself here is the link:
http://barreloforanges.com/2013/03/24/teaching-my-2-year-old-how-not-to-rape/

Surprisingly, however, it wasn't her views on rape that astounded me. It was what I read about circumcision. She doesn't hide her opinion on the matter. Its right there in the first paragraph. It jolted me a bit, because I've never really thought about circumcision. At least, not as in depth as I did after reading a couple of her other posts on the topic.

I grew up in church. The majority of the people that know me (or have read a few of my rants) know this. I was taught that circumcision (of male genitalia) is required by God. I don't know why, actually. I never really understood why it mattered whether or not the foreskin was cut off of a man's junk. In fact, for the longest time I had NO idea what a foreskin even was. I had never seen an uncircumcised penis, actually. Not that I had seen very many penises at that time anyway.

But the Bible is FULL of verses on Circumcision and how men are to be circumcised. Even Abraham got circumcised at the ripe old age of ninety-nine (Genesis 17:24). What I do know is that God believed it was a valid part of a covenant between himself and Abraham (its been a while since I picked up my Bible). He even says so in Genesis. If you want specifics, chapter 17:10-11.

I've also always believed that circumcision was healthier for a man than remaining uncircumcised. Something that I discovered, upon researching, isn't entirely true. I thought that a man received more sexual pleasure if he was circumcised versus uncircumcised. However, circumcision comes down to aesthetics more than health and sexual pleasure. And, often times, it can be botched.

Now, if you had asked me about female circumcision I would've told you that it was genital mutilation. There is no aesthetic or enhanced sexual pleasure to female circumcision. It is purely to mutilate to the point that a woman no longer feels enjoyment or pleasure from sex, keeping her faithful to her husband. It is also so that a man remains "undisturbed" by the natural shape of a female sex, or her being "over-sexed." I remember being horrified as a kid reading an article on the topic by Waris Dirie, a Somalian actress and model, who had been "circumcised" at the tender age of five.

But the post by Barrel of Oranges made me think. It made me consider a few things.

Recently my god-daughter, who is 3, got a hold of a pair of scissors and cut off a decent portion of her hair (think Sinead O'Connor). Obviously, her mom was freaking out. This beautiful child, however, was not upset and told her mother that it was "perfect." I didn't "fight" with her mother, but I did tell her that if the child wants to cut off all her hair that is her right. It is HER body, not her mother's. She should be able to express herself however she wants. If she thinks she is beautiful, I want her to believe that. I want her to grow up believing that no matter what she is beautiful because she LOVES how she looks and fuck anyone who doesn't think so.

The belief that it is her body and that her mother shouldn't interfere is something I had never considered when it comes to circumcision.

The absence of a "no," doesn't automatically mean "yes."

Why would I cut off healthy, living, tissue from my son's penis just because I think circumcised is more attractive? He has no way of agreeing to this and I am doing irreparable damage to his body. Circumcision is permanent. I can't go back later and let him undo it. There is NO going back from that. And I would want my child to decide what they want. Not what I want.

My husband is circumcised. And yes, I prefer the look compared to uncircumcised. After reading up on it, doing some research and thinking very carefully about body rights, I have decided that if I ever had a son, I would never circumcise him. I would let him decide when he was old enough to understand what he was doing.

I had the audacity to ask an adult male (that I had a crush on) if he was "cut" or "uncut." I remember his being appalled at the idea of being "uncut." As if that was a disgusting thing. Why is a piece of flesh disgusting?

We can argue aesthetics all day long. I don't find penises particularly attractive to begin with, so it would be easy for me to say I prefer my husband's. It would be easy to say that the only other penis I have ever found attractive was Yul Brynner's and he was uncircumcised. Either can be beautiful. Either can be perfect. It is a matter of opinion.

What isn't up for debate, at least where I am concerned, is the ethics of it. Is it ethical to remove healthy tissue from a healthy penis without the consent of the patient? No matter how young? Is it ethical to alter someone else's body without their permission, just because they won't "remember" or because we find it more "aesthetically pleasing?" I don't think it is.

Let my child remain uncut. Let them decide when they are old enough to understand it. Let them decide what to do with their body. They only receive one in this lifetime and who am I to tell them what to do with it?

My question for my male friends/readers is this:
* What are your thoughts?
* Are you circumcised? Uncircumcised?
* If you are circumcised, do you wish you hadn't been? Are you comfortable as you are?
* If you are uncircumcised, do you wish you had been? Do you prefer being "uncut?"

Electoral

As I write this Obama is behind on the Electoral votes by 30. At least according to the map I've been watching since 6pm. (You can find it at this website: http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/results/president)

I can't help but feel like my whole future is riding on this craziness. And I keep telling myself that Obama is going to win, but I know there is the chance he won't. And it's that chance that is making me sick to my stomach so that I feel like I'm going to throw up.

I know everyone always says "Oh, I'll leave the country if so and so wins." but in reality I don't have enough money to leave the country and no desire to at this point in time, but I genuinely don't want to live in an America run by a millionaire who is proud of the fact that he bullied someone into suicide and who tied his dog to the roof of his car for a trip and who doesn't pay the same taxes I do because he is a millionaire (who hides all of his money overseas so he doesn't have to pay anyway!). This is ridiculous. I have lost all my faith in the American people if we vote in Mr. Romney.

In the meantime, I guess I'll just keep playing Dragon Age: Origins and pretending like I'm not watching the map grow redder by the moment.

Denim Day

Today, April 25th, 2012, is Denim Day.

What is Denim Day? Denim Day is where people across the United States (and even the rest of the world) unite against a common evil: Sexual Assault. AKA: Rape.

How do we unite? Everyone wears jeans. Something you probably already do every day. Except that you wear jeans with a purpose for this day. It is a show of solidarity and that prove that Rape has NO EXCUSES and is never the victim's fault.

How do I sign up? Well you can go to this website: http://denimdayusa.org/ and sign up to be a part of it, or you can follow them on Facebook: http://facebook.com/denimdayinlaandusa

Please do this! It takes so little of your time! If you are curious still you can read the following article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mariska-hargitay/denim-day_b_1445290.html

Unheard

"Because the victim wore very, very tight jeans," the Court notes in their decision, "she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex."

MAKE IT STOP! RAPE IS A CRIME!! No matter what happens, a crime is committed against a woman. She DOESN'T deserve it and it is NOT consensual.

This young woman was under DURESS at the time that this crime occurred making it still a CRIME.

 How long do we have to go unheard?! My god, this makes me want to throw up.

Voting

I'm sorry. I can't vote for someone who believes that I don't deserve equal pay for equal work, who believes that women who have been raped deserved it, who believes that I don't deserve the right to birth control, who believes that I don't deserve to be in love with who I am in love with.

I can't. I can't because, no matter how down I may get on myself I know a few basic truths:
I don't deserve to be raped. No one does. EVER. No matter what I wear or what I do.

I deserve equal pay for equal work.

I have the right to LIFE, therefore I deserve to have access to what makes me healthy.

I have the right to LIBERTY, therefore I deserve to be able to live my life free of fear.

I have the right to HAPPINESS, therefore I deserve to be happy with whomever I choose.

So, when the time comes, you can say what you want, hate who you hate, I will stand by who I will stand by and I will still support who I support. And if you wonder why, you can look over what I've said and you will either understand or you won't.

Raped by the GOP

Explain something to me, because I genuinely want to know:
Why would we vote OUT the one man trying to actually help us (i.e. Lilly Ledbetter Act, defending our right to birth control, etc...) and vote in people who want to take away everything we've worked for over the past 100+ years?

I can understand a man who doesn't get it, men have always had the power and the rights. But I am ashamed to see women being brainwashed into believing they don't deserve the same rights. That they deserve to be raped. That they deserve less pay for equal work. That they deserve to be treated like inferior citizens.

“Rape and incest was used as a reason to oppose this [the mandatory ultrasound for those seeking an abortion]. I would hope that when a woman goes in to a physician with a rape issue, that physician will indeed ask her about perhaps her marriage, was this pregnancy caused by normal relations in a marriage or was it truly caused by a rape. I assume that's part of the counseling that goes on.”
- Sen. Chuck Winders.

Comments like that make me sick. It is not only saying that the woman is making it up, but that it isn't rape if you are married to your rapist. RAPE IS RAPE! NO MEANS NO! No matter if you are married to the person or if you are grabbed by a stranger. This HAS to end. How long are we going to continue cowering? How long before we finally say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

I hope we say it before it is too late.

The Subtle Art of Fashion

I am always the first person to admit that I am NOT fashionable. Not in any way, shape or form. I don't like dresses, I abhor shoes and I detest being confined to what is in and what is out. However, this doesn't mean that I don't like things that ARE fashionable. I love looking at beautiful clothes and shoes. I like knowing what is in fashion and what isn't. I like watching the trends while I do my own thing.

Anyway, this is a blog about different things going on in the fashion world. Some of them are strange, some gorgeous and some just what the fuck? Some of them I even like! So let's begin the tour shall we?

For this particular blog let's start with Shoes. Shoes are the bane of my existence. I love being barefoot. Though, admittedly I love the way some shoes look. I also like the way my feet look in some shoes. I think if I had smaller feet I'd like them better. Unfortunately, for myself, I have size 11 feet (10 in men's) and they just don't make enough cute shoes for my size.

2010 is definitely the year for new and innovative shoes. I'm pretty sure that Lady Gaga has helped with this as the shoes she often wears in her videos are very strange and painful looking. And as I'm sure most people know fashion trends often follow celebrity.

The first picture I would like to show is of a shoe imitating a red rose. I think it is one of the most gorgeously designed shoes I've ever seen. I love roses, being one of my favorite flowers, and this particular shoe captures all the beauty of a rose with the simplicity of heels. The curves of the petals are especially beautiful. Delicate and simple, but they add a touch of class to this already classy shoe.


Next we have the Mink Shoe. This shoe is supposedly lined with genuine mink fur. I do not particularly like this shoe, completely putting aside the fact that it is lined with mink. It isn't a very well designed shoe, in my opinion. Also, the particular pairing of reptilian skin and mink fur does not seem very logical to me. Whilst both can create a beautiful piece of fashion, I do not think that the two together is a good combination. Also, the reptilian pattern changes in four different instances, making the unevenness unappealing to say the least.
Follow the link to see where the fur comes from: http://wildlifemysteries.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/american-mink2.jpg


Next on our list of shoes is the Manolo Blahnik Pepe Sandal. I prefer the closed toe version of these sandals, but was unable to find a good picture of them. I must admit that Manolo Blahnik's shoes are beautiful. I really do like them. If I was into spending hundreds of dollars on shoes that will be out of fashion by the fall, I would buy his shoes. I think what I like about these particular shoes is the simplicity. These shoes don't have to be extravagant or crazy to be beautiful. They are simplistically classy and elegant all on their own.


This next shoe is just for shits and giggles as far as shoes go. Whilst it would definitely be a good anti-rape tool, it is also quite pretty if you look past the spikes. I am a fan of simplicity when it comes to shoes. The simpler the better. Often people think they have to have elaborate hair, costumes and shoes to be beautiful, but beauty is often found in simplicity. Such is the case with this shoe. Remove the spikes and you have a beautiful, simple, shoe.


Our next picture is of a shoe designed by Catherine Malandrino. I love the color of it, but not so much a fan of the heel. It is an interesting design and with the right outfit would kick some major ass, but personally speaking I wouldn't wear them. These would, however, offer more support than the average spiked heel.


Our last shoe for today is another Manolo Blahnik shoe. I do not know the exact name of this particular shoe, but love it. Well, except the point. I am not that big a fan of pointed toe shoes. I like rounded toe shoes, because it offers more comfort for the wearer. However, many women don't care and will go to great lengths to be fashionable. Such is the case with the pointed toe wonder that is this particular creation by Manolo Blahnik. I love the beading and the design on the shoe itself. It is a simple enough shoe, but the beading and various patterning really brings it out.


Well, that is all for now. I plan on posting some more on the topic of fashion relatively soon. Look forward to Wedding fashion, some more shoe fashion and other such fashionable things.

In the mean time,
Peace and Elbow Grease,
Sarai.

Girl's Best Friend

Marilyn Monroe is my hero. I love her and would definitely go completely LESBIAN for her. She is my idol, my confidante in spirit and surprisingly quite a bit like me too. I am completely in love with her, I really am. Anyway, that is why today's video is "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" by the one and the only Marilyn Monroe. Enjoy!



Other non-Marilyn related items are now being presented.

A man is under arrest for soliciting sex from a girl he thought was 13. Turns out he used to be a police officer. Oops.
http://www.wlwt.com/news/23091711/detail.html

A teenager is suing a County in Washington for placing her in the custody of her sex offender grandfather. She was subjected to incestuous abuse for 10 years.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-sues-county-put-custody-sex-offender-grandfather/story?id=10323185

A man gets shot in the leg trying to help is friend move.
http://www.wqad.com/news/sns-ap-ia--iowa-accidentshooting,0,5086821.story

An adopted Russian child was sent BACK to Russia, ALONE. Now Russia is wanting to close all international adoptions with the US. Why was the child sent back you might ask? Well he apparently drew a picture of the house burning and stated he would burn it down one day. Not only that, but apparently he was "violent and had severe psychological problems". This is not the first adoption from Russia gone wrong. Three children adopted from Russia into the US later died.
http://www.aolnews.com/story/adoption-freeze-urged-after-boy-returned/980093

Apparently its okay for Vegans to eat Oysters. Um, wait, what?
http://www.slate.com/id/2248998/

Extreme Tourist? I am confused
http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/kabul/2010/04/extreme-tourist-uses-white-rap-to-woo-afghans.html

Emma Craigie has written a book about a little girl killed by her parents in a Nazi bunker. Great for anyone who loves history!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/7568799/Last-days-of-Hitlers-favourite-little-girl.html

A man falls 30 ft. to save a young woman from a suicide attempt. Shatters both arms, but will live.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/90216492.html?cmpid=15585797

A woman has her son ARRESTED for stealing $7,000 worth of her jewelry. Did I mention he was 7 years old and trying to impress a little girl in his class?
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/04/08/Boy-arrested-for-taking-moms-jewelry/UPI-71851270761709/

Rare Meat Allergy appears in Stockholm!
http://www.thelocal.se/25968/20100408/

Katie Washington of Gary Indiana becomes Notre Dame University's FIRST African-American Valedictorian
http://www.wbbm780.com/She-s-Notre-Dame-s-first-black-valedictorian/6768258

Students on an Indiana campus are being warned about a butt-slapping bicyclist. Yep, some guy on a bike is slapping female behinds.
http://www.wbbm780.com/Students-warned-on-Ball-State-bicycling-buttocks-s/6768543

And now, as a special treat, Articles dedicated to the beauty of Male Genitalia.

Police take a man's four-foot penis, claiming it causes public distress. I wonder if that is public FEMALE distress?
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/820845-police-seize-four-foot-penis

A teenager gives his parents the best surprise ever! A painting of a GIANT PENIS ON THEIR HOUSE!!
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/594257-teens-giant-penis-surprise-for-parents

In Bhutan the Penis is like a superhero. It is here to save the day!
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/390413-giant-painted-penis-fights-evil

Global warming is detrimental to the environment. Or your penis. *giggle*
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/304450-giant-ice-penis-is-climate-change-to-blame

And lastly, Massive Inflatable Penis Man helps save men from themselves! Prostate Exam Powers ACTIVATE!
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/757854-look-son-its-a-massive-inflatable-penis

That's all folks!
Sarai

Things I didn't find until after I had already posted. ^^

In China, Eleven RARE Siberian Tigers have died from starvation. This is devastating news for this endangered species.
www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0313/Siberian-tigers-starved-to-death-in-Chinese-Zoo

A Photo for the Day: This is a picture of, my SECOND favorite president, President Barack Obama steps off the stage after speaking about health care reform on Monday at Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center in Strongsville, Ohio.


An ancient skull, belonging to a type of meat-eating amphibian, was found near the Pittsburgh International Airport!
www.livescience.com/animals/early-terrestrial-fossil-amphibian-100315.html

Scientists have discovered that there is INDEED life beneath the Ice in Antarctica.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100315/ap_on_sc/us_sci_antarctica_sea_life

Let's support this!! It is a new device to help protect women from Rape. Read the article and leave me comments!!
http://www.antirape.co.za/intro.htm

An Estonian Singer singing about Tea Parties... ^^

Kerli - Tea Party - Official Music Video

KERLI | MySpace Music Videos