It is rare that an e-mail from a reader will get to me, but I am always delighted when it does. An anonymous reader requested that I post this article. It is my pleasure who ever you are. I love accomodating my readers whenever I can.

Unfortunately, sometimes the topic is not always delightful. This is one of those. However, delightful or not, it is a must for my blog entry. It is one of great bravery and where this kind of sacrifice more than deserves a mention.

A courageous young Pakastani girl who against the advice of family and friends, driven by her fury, chooses to turn her horrific endeavor into one of empowerment.  Here is the story of Assiya Rafiq.

Assiya Rafiq, right, in front of her mother, Iqbal Mai.

After being kidnapped at the age of 16 by a group of thugs and enduring a year of rapes and beatings, Assiya Rafiq was delivered to the police and thought her problems were over.

Then, she said, four police officers took turns raping her.

The next step for Assiya was obvious: She should commit suicide. That’s the customary escape in rural Pakistan for a raped woman, as the only way to cleanse the disgrace to her entire family.

Instead, Assiya summoned the unimaginable courage to go public and fight back. She is seeking to prosecute both her kidnappers and the police, despite threats against her and her younger sisters. This is a kid who left me awed and biting my lip; this isn’t a tale of victimization but of valor, empowerment and uncommon heroism.

“I decided to prosecute because I don’t want the same thing to happen to anybody else,” she said firmly.

Assiya’s case offers a window into the quotidian corruption and injustice endured by impoverished Pakistanis — leading some to turn to militant Islam.

“When I treat a rape victim, I always advise her not to go to the police,” said Dr. Shershah Syed, the president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan. “Because if she does, the police might just rape her again.”

Yet Assiya is also a sign that change is coming. She says she was inspired by Mukhtar Mai, a young woman from this remote village of Meerwala who was gang raped in 2002 on the orders of a village council. Mukhtar prosecuted her attackers and used the compensation money to start a school.

Mukhtar is my hero. Many Times readers who followed her story in past columns of mine have sent her donations through a fund at Mercy Corps, at www.mercycorps.org, and Mukhtar has used the money to open schools, a legal aid program, an ambulance service, a women’s shelter, a telephone hotline — and to help Assiya fight her legal case.

The United States has stood aloof from the ubiquitous injustices in Pakistan, and that’s one reason for cynicism about America here. I’m hoping the Obama administration will make clear that Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with heroines like Mukhtar and Assiya, and with an emerging civil society struggling for law and social justice.

Assiya’s saga began a year ago when a woman who was a family friend sold her to two criminals who had family ties to prominent politicians. Assiya said the two men spent the next year beating and raping her.

The men were implicated in a gold robbery, so they negotiated a deal with the police in the town of Kabirwala, near Khanewal: They handed over Assiya, along with a $625 bribe, in exchange for the police pinning the robbery on the girl.

By Assiya’s account, which I found completely credible, four police officers, including a police chief, took turns beating and raping her — sometimes while she was tied up — over the next two weeks. A female constable obligingly stepped out whenever the men wanted access to Assiya.

Assiya’s family members heard that she was in the police station, and a court granted their petition for her release and sent a bailiff to get her out. The police hid Assiya, she said, and briefly locked up her 10-year-old brother to bully the family into backing off.

The bailiff accepted bribes from both the family and the police, but in the end he freed the girl. Assiya, driven by fury that overcame her shame, told her full story to the magistrate, who ordered a medical exam and an investigation. The medical report confirms that Assiya’s hymen had been broken and that she had abrasions all over her body.

The morning I met Assiya, she said she had just received the latest in a series of threats from the police: Unless she withdraws her charges, they will arrest, rape or kill her — and her two beloved younger sisters.

The family is in hiding. It has lost its livelihood and accumulated $2,500 in debts. Assiya’s two sisters and three brothers have had to drop out of school, and they will find it harder to marry because Assiya is considered “dishonored.” Most of her relatives tell Assiya that she must give in. But she tosses her head and insists that she will prosecute her attackers to spare other girls what she endured.

(For readers who want to help, more information is available on my blog at:www.nytimes.com/ontheground.)

Assiya’s mother, Iqbal Mai, told me that in her despair, she at first had prayed that God should never give daughters to poor families. “But then I changed my mind,” she added, with a hint of pride challenging her fears. “God should give poor people daughters like Assiya who will fight.”

Amen.

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

I have read this story now a few times over and I am so blown away by Assiya’s strength and courage to go against all odds, in order to bring about change for other girls, so that they will not have to endure what she has had to.

As a woman living in America I can not imagine this ever happening to me, but that is no excuse for any of us to turn a blind eye to the atrocities that others endure outside of our own little worlds. It may be a difficult read, but ignoring the read does not make the inhumanity disappear.  We no longer can claim, ‘We didn’t know.’

I am so grateful to the reader who sent this to me. This kind of abuse to women in this world, inflicted by men, has got to be brought to light over and over again until the abuse stops. The story is not a pleasant one, nor is the appalling abusive treatment to women around the world uncommon. It is way too common. And the more we read about it, the more fury I feel. I hope that you feel it too, and that it fuels your fire to do something.

~~~~~~~~

Al:  Your way with words can be so refreshing sometimes. You add a light touch that makes a topic easier to look at,  and yet doesn’t take away from the seriousness of it.

Olivia: I liked the way that you stood up to your husband even though you backed down because you didn’t want to ‘upset him’. I say, ‘fuck it. Let him get upset.’ I would be upset if I were you that he deposited such thoughts into the minds of your daughters. However, it seems that they have minds of their own in spite of their fathers racist remarks. I only hope that you are inspiring more of that type of thinking when conversing with your daughters from now on.

Juanita: I am well aware of HFCS, and I make it a point to not buy products that contain it.  But maybe many of my readers are not aware of how bad it is, so thank you for the comment. And thank you for the reminder of the movie  - I have been avoiding seeing it for fear that I won’t want to eat anything except from what I grow on my own. But ignorance will not be blissful in this case. :)

Peace out….

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

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Heavy dreams left me heavy headed this morning, hence I slept late and woke up fuzzy brained….and hungry. What can I say? I have had better days….or at least mornings. No complaints but don’t expect much from me in terms of writing. In fact, as I am writing and noticing that there were not many comments from yesterday (although good to hear from the regs :), maybe you too are feeling a bit slow mo. Maybe we’re all taking a little break this weekend.

Oh I did want to say one thing first…

Mark: My apologies for not completing my comment to you on Flap Your Lips Friday. It seems I got tongue-tied in my thoughts, and never came back to complete it.  And now?….well, that thought is long gone. So sorry for leaving you hanging, if you were :).

Anyway…onto today’s topic. I have just been inspired.

So….It seems that so much of our conversations on this blog is about what we, as humans, do in this world. What impact we have on the planet and its inhabitants….whether it be good or bad. But what about if humans no longer existed here? What if we were hit by a catastrophic disease and all humans perished or we were swept away by aliens and taken off of this planet.  Okay, so maybe the latter is a bit far-fetched. From what our alien friends have told us, I doubt they would sweep us away to a safe haven. But, on second thought, we are a food source…maybe they would if humans were in dire need of escape from whatever was plaguing us here.  No matter….my question being….what would the world be like without us?

Alan Weisman asked that same question and wrote a book about it: ‘The World Without us’. I haven’t read it yet but the title has certainly peaked my interest.  Here’s a little didley about it. Maybe it will peak your interest too.

In The World Without Us, Alan Weisman offers an utterly original approach to questions of humanity’s impact on the planet: he asks us to envision our Earth, without us.

In this far-reaching narrative, Weisman explains how our massive infrastructure would collapse and finally vanish without human presence; what of our everyday stuff may become immortalized as fossils; how copper pipes and wiring would be crushed into mere seams of reddish rock; why some of our earliest buildings might be the last architecture left; and how plastic, bronze sculpture, radio waves, and some man-made molecules may be our most lasting gifts to the universe.

The World Without Us reveals how, just days after humans disappear, floods in New York’s subways would start eroding the city’s foundations, and how, as the world’s cities crumble, asphalt jungles give way to real ones. It describes the distinct ways that organic and chemically-treated farms would revert to wild, how billions more birds would flourish, and how cockroaches in unheated cities would perish without us. Drawing on the expertise of engineers, atmospheric scientists, art conservators, zoologists, oil refiners, marine biologists, astrophysicists, religious leaders from rabbis to the Dalai Lama, and paleontologists – who describe a pre-human world inhabited by megafauna like giant sloths that stood taller than mammoths – Weisman illustrates what the planet might be like today, if not for us.

From places already devoid of humans (a last fragment of primeval European forest; the Korean DMZ; Chernobyl), Weisman reveals Earth’s tremendous capacity for self-healing. As he shows which human devastations are indelible, and which examples of our highest art and culture would endure longest, Weisman’s narrative ultimately drives toward a radical but persuasive solution that doesn’t depend on our demise. It is narrative nonfiction at its finest, and in posing an irresistible concept with both gravity and a highly-readable touch, it looks deeply at our effects on the planet in a way that no other book has.

Well Readers…what did you think? If you click here you will be brought to a page where you can place your mouse over different time periods, and see exactly what he says will happen to our beloved planet, after we are gone. It’s pretty interesting if you ask me. Do you think his assessment of life here without us is realistic?  Thoughts? Blog me.

Oh, and by the way, if you are interested in buying the book, I made it real easy for you to do so right here. You can thank me later :)

*************

Zen Lill: Happy to hear from you again. Keep us abreast on your findings (no punn intended) about the mammogram age benchmark – thanks. Have fun and say hello to Lisa!

Al: I agree; it is criminal, but self preservation, and bleaching the country is their interest, not the well-being of the country. You know…’Country first’ is the mantra, but their actions clearly oppose their words. We’ll keep pushing it. Thanks for participating.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

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Good morning.

We, as a nation, are in crisis. I am talking about our health care situation. I am compelled to write about it again, as daily 14,000 more Americans lose their health insurance.  This is just unacceptable. And as our president says, ‘This isn’t a game.’  Those that oppose his plan, think it is. And they’re playing with the livelihood of the American people; that’s you and me…as they try to squash Obama’s administration.  Here’s Obama’s weekly address On health care reform if you haven’t seen it.

And as the Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom says, “We do not have time to stand on the side lines. We can — and must — act now. Call your representative. Email them. Sign our petition and show your support for President Obama’s plan to reform our national health care system.”

And if you don’t live in the beautiful city by the bay,  I know I asked last week but I am asking you again.  If you haven’t done so already  Click here to support Obama’s health care reform. If you want to hear more about it click here to view the full video of president Obama’s press conference focusing on health insurance reform.

And if you have questions and concerns about how this reform will affect you and your family, Obama  has set up  an on-line chat. How cool is that? Check it out:

The White House will be giving you opportunities to ask them and give your feedback over the coming days, starting today at 3:00pm ET with White House Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle.  She will be taking your questions from WhiteHouse.gov/live and Facebook on how reform will affect insurance in America, including how we can cut costs and assure that every American has access to affordable, quality care regardless of pre-existing conditions.  This is an issue that impacts us all – so help keep your friends and family up to date.

Note: After adding this to my article, I just got word that the on-line chat is postponed. See below:

UPDATE: Director DeParle is working hard to build consensus for reform and has been forced to postpone the chat once again due to intense and productive meetings on the Hill.  We will be sure to schedule more (sic) opprtunities to hear and address your questions and concerns soon.

As soon as I hear that the on-line chat is rescheduled, I will update you. However, readers, if you hear about it before me, I would appreciate it if you would please inform me, and I will post it. Thanks!

Anna: Good to hear from you. Thanks for the Liberation day article – it sounds like it was a ton of fun. And it was my pleasure to headline Guam’s candidate, Tiara. Again, much luck – Hope to see her on the tube. :)

Helena: Thanks too for posting your article from Nancy Pelosi. We need to do all we can to keep this issue in everyone’s face (and minds!) daily.

Hi Lydia: Interesting article but I have no idea about its validity.

Have a great day!…Peace out…

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Ahaha! I just have to laugh at myself – just love the title. Sometimes…thinking of a title to my day’s write is more challenging than writing the write itself. I just may have to use this one again. Who knows…it may become Friday’s frequent moniker.

Sahar: Your comment does not surprise me. The women have to confront and fight the many years of single-minded thought ingrained in the minds of the men. I did not think that it would be easy, but I was hopeful that the women could influence them to change. If the men don’t support the women getting equality, are you willing to do what is necessary to attain it?

Kurt: Touché. I will keep that in mind.

Joyce: Thank you for posting an article in favor of my four-legged friends. I am not big on insurance for pets but  I know many people are. This was a really interesting article. Thanks for thinking of me and my friends. :)

Midred: I have never feared drowning in a car but, when I have seen movies with people caught trapped in a sinking car, I always wonder what is the best thing to do. Now I know – thanks.

Leah: I too am going to try your chocolate cake recipe – sounds delicious.

Hey Fran:  I am delighted that you finally decided to write in and share something with me and my readers. My apologies for not addressing you yesterday. It is challenging sometimes to say all that I want to say in one write.  But I appreciate your contribution. These days many people turn a blind eye because they don’t want to get involved. All it takes is a little caring and a phone call and you could save one’s life. Thanks again for writing in.

Mark: I don’t quite know what to say about the article you posted. All I can say is there are some sick people out there who h

Al: My pleasure.

Hey Peter and Anna: I know the both of you are so excited for one of your Guam girls and the chance for her to be on America’s Next Top Model. I thought that since my readers can’t post photos, I would post one for you.  Congratulations to Tiara Lizama for getting the most votes! Good luck to Tiara at the casting call – I hope that she makes the show.

Anonymous #11 and Roy:  Lighting it up a bit is always appreciated on my blog – I do it all the time :)

Zen Lill: So now that you’re hanging with the Jerky boyz, got any insider scoop on the big ‘Bada Sting’ ( Thanks for that didley Rachel :) that just occuured.  If my memory is correct, one of the money-laundering mayors from one of the Jersey cities was only in office for 23 days! Those jerky boyz thought they could jerk-off with the cash and get away with it.  Sorry, busted. The only jerking off you’re gonna do is in jail.

Readers: Lastly, I just want to add my two about Professor Gates, even if I’m being redundant. So bear with me.

He shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place, period. His driver’s license was attached to his Harvard ID – what more proof does one need? And the charges were dropped. Gates didn’t have to go to court to have the charges dropped. Why? Because he shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place. No cop is going to drop the charges if he honestly felt that he had a sound reason for the arrest in the first place. He didn’t – What is clear to me is the cop Crowley is a racist, and dare I say ‘pig’.

And Gates  showing his outrage at being racially profiled is not against the law; it is simply freedom of speech.  Any other person would’ve reacted the same way, and the police after seeing the ID, would’ve apologized and left. And that would’ve been the end of that. But no, Gates is a black man and this cop Crowley is a racist. What concerns me is he teaches classes on racial profiling! Just exactly what is he teaching when it is clear that he is a racist himself?

That’s all I’ve got time for this morning but I found these interviews if you are interested in listening. Gayle King interviewed Professor Gates on the Oprah radio show on Sirius.  The interview is listed on the front page under ‘WHAT’S HOT’.   It lists the both parts of the interview. Although they are titled the same, the first interview is the first part listed and the second interview is the second part listed.

And if you want to hear Crowley’s version of what happened you can tune in here. This link will take you to an article that contains a link to the interview.

Happy Friday. I am ready for the weekend, you?

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning.  Hey….I loved the diversity of the comments yesterday. Some good stuff there. Since health seemed to be the main inspiration, I thought I would throw in an article that I found.

I’m not much of a hiker these days although I used to be, and Mt Tamalpais was my stomping ground. Lately, I prefer leisurely walks up in the hills or by the water, or a good brisk walk with a girlfriend through the city streets, chatting it up, and window shopping.

I will say one thing, whether you are an avid mountain hiker or you’re out walking your dog, I always find that getting away from the phones, the computer, and getting out in the air where the sunshine can grace my face always gives me a fresh perspective and an overall sense of well-being. And a good conversation with self always helps too. :)

HIKE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH

FIRST STEPS FOR NEW HIKERS

There is no better time of year to go hiking than now, where in most parts of the country the weather is cooling down and the autumn colors are at their best. Here are some tips to get you going:

Wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Wear shoes that support your foot and ankle, with a firm sole and a deep, durable tread for traversing uneven terrain. Always wear socks, even if the weather is hot, choosing ones that fit snugly and comfortably, preferably made of either wool or synthetic fibers — never cotton as it can cause blisters. Wear comfortable synthetic clothing, which keeps you cool by wicking moisture in warm weather, but insulates when it is cold. If you are going into the mountains, be prepared for rapid changes in weather by dressing in layers.

Drink up. Hydration during exercise is always important and in the mountains even more so. The ideal beverage should have sodium in it to aid in fluid retention.

Begin slow and easy. “Start slow, enjoy the scenery, and increase your pace as your fitness and level of comfort increases,” Levy advised. The first time you go hiking is not a time to set difficult goals. Keep in mind that hiking a mile on uneven terrain is very different than simply walking a mile on city sidewalks. The strain will be greater and it will take longer, so plan accordingly.

Set realistic fitness goals. “You can use the same formula for planning your hiking workout as with walking or running,” Levy noted, assuming you have some basic level of fitness, no health risk factors and are hiking at fairly moderate altitudes (under 8,000 feet).

Go exploring. You can find hiking trails near you by contacting the state and/or local parks and recreation department or you can go to the American Hiking Society’s Web site for direct links listed state by state atwww.americanhiking.org/helpfullinks.aspx. Many of these resources provide trail maps and suggestions for day hikes, including mileage and a description of terrain. Outdoor stores such as REI and Eastern Mountain Sports generally sell hiking magazines and books listing trails and hike details for different regions of the country.

INTERESTED IN SPEED HIKING?

Those interested in kicking it up a notch might want to consider speed-hiking, a sub-sport of hiking that is gaining momentum. It combines the benefits of fast-paced aerobic exercise with the muscle-strengthening benefits of altitude climbing (or hill climbing, for those who hike on flatter terrain). As with other forms of exercise, hikers can alter their experience to boost heart rate, burn fat, build muscle and enhance aerobic capacity.

Hikers average about two miles an hour, while speed hikers generally cover around four to five miles/hour. On a typical outing, a speed hiker may combine jogging, running, and, if hills or mountains are part of the terrain, uphill climbs and downhill sprints. There’s no “right” pace at which to hike, he notes. “You might boost the challenge of a day hike by increasing your pace, where other hikers want to surpass official or unofficial records for hiking certain trails in certain amounts of time. Choose a pace, comfort level and goals that are right for you.”

For more on the physiological impact of speed hiking I spoke with John E. Davis, PhD, a professor of exercise and health science at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. He told me that between four and five miles an hour is considered the “break point” where you begin to derive some cardiovascular benefit — and if you are going uphill, even better.

Of course, as with any form of exercise, it is important to take certain precautions in order to minimize your risk of injury. Risks of speed hiking can include…

Falls. Moving quickly on uneven terrain makes it easy to fall, so the proper footwear is even more important. “Hikers who have balance issues and elderly hikers might want to seek out trails that don’t have a lot of obstacles,” said Dr. Davis. Look for trails that are well maintained.

High-altitude or mountain sickness. “At altitudes greater than 8,000 feet, the barometric pressure is lower, the amount of oxygen that you breathe in is less, and as a result exercising becomes more difficult,” said Dr. Davis. (Examples of these high altitudes would be in the Rocky Mountains range, the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades.) Symptoms of high-altitude sickness include headaches, breathlessness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and swelling of the face, hands and feet. If hiking while on vacation, be sure to adjust to the altitude before hiking, and make sure you are well hydrated.

HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE

While speed hiking may seem like a challenging and fun way to get a great workout, it should not be done at the expense of enjoying your hike. “The quality of your hiking experience, whether it is for enjoyment or to achieve your fitness goals, does not necessarily depend on your pace,” said Levy. “Hike at whatever pace is comfortable or effective for you. There is a saying in the hiking community that expresses this well: ‘Hike your own hike!’ ” For more information about hiking and safety tips, contact the American Hiking Society at www.americanhiking.org.

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