…can you do a good deed?

A few days ago I received an email from the Milo Foundation.  This is one of my favorite non-profits that I have not only offered my services as a volunteer, but I have donated money and a few pairs of my pajamas to several of their benefit events. They are close to my heart because what they do is rescue domestic animals, EVERY animal – they have a no-kill policy and unfortunately and  sadly, a sanctuary in California is proving to be too costly for them to run anymore.   

The Milo Foundation has been running a sanctuary in Mendocino County and just recently acquired a space for a permanent indoor adoption center in Marin County.  But before they even had a chance to hang their sign, they are going to have to close their doors. They ran out of funds and in order to keep the sanctuary alive, the heart of the Milo Foundation, they board voted 2-3 that they must close down their Marin operations in order to continue to thrive at the Sanctuary.  

Milo operates on a bare bones budget, and the escalating costs of insurance, vet bills, workers comp, coupled with the past years decline in adoption fees and donations while they waited for permits in Marin etc, ended up being way too much for Milo to continue.

Tragically, this means the end of rescuing and placing more than a thousand animals every year. Milo has rescued over 16,000 animals in their 14 year history.  Not having an indoor permanent space to show animals really means the end of rescuing adult cats and many dogs.  They have installed their show cages in the front room in Marin, and they have many momma cats in foster care with their litters of kittens…how they will find them homes is just one of their current concerns.  It’s hard to believe that they are in one of the country’s most affluent and animal friendly counties and to now have to close down is more than heartbreaking! 

In hearing this news, a few friends of Milo who have been waiting eagerly for them to open in Marin have offered to help. One generous donor wants to pay the rent for two months, another is donating a restored, classic vehicle for Milo, and Milo renegotiated with the landlord who lowered the rent in an effort to help.  A couple of Milo volunteers have offered to help maintain activities there and care for the animals, help with adoptions, and answer phones. That being said, Milo is hoping to maintain the new adoption center in San Rafael on a fairly low budget for awhile.  But in order for them to even contemplate keeping their facility in San Rafael open, Milo needs further monthly support in the form of $25, $50, $75 and $100 monthly sponsorships, or annual memberships.

The bottom line is this:  Milo needs to raise 100K, a huge amount, before the end of summer! And the Board can only reconsider if there are serious and significant commitments before the end of June!  There is obviously not much time.

I know that only a handful of you my readers live in California but I had to write about this anyway since Milo is near and dear to me. I am writing a check  myself and I am encouraging any of you to donate if you can. I like to fundraise for organizations that I believe in although I don’t normally do it on my blog, but if you are an animal lover like I am you would do the same if you had a reach of thousands of people like I do. Because of all of you, if everyone just donated one dollar, we could all help tremendously.   That is all I ask for the animals.  Thank you from my heart.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ?

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 2008

" 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"

Three times this past week I have gotten something in the mail from either the Center for Reproductive Rights or the Feminist Majority Foundation.   I decided that maybe I should open up one and see what was going on.  It wasn’t the first time that I have received mail like this but it has been really a long time since I had read one. It’s not that I don’t care about women’s right- you know I do!  But I seem to spend most of my volunteering time for those that can’t speak for themselves: The animals, and lately for the environment with this spray thing still being fought in Northern california which will have an effect on humans too. But that is another story.

Anyway, I decided to open up the envelopes that were collecting on my desk.  The first one I read shocked me.  Why? -  I don’t know. I am aware that living in California, is much like living in another country. It is so easy to just go on with my day and forget that people in other states are constantly fighting for their right to choose….a right that I don’t take for granted but a right that I know I have, at least for the time being.   But, it is a different story in Jackson Mississippi.  Haley Barbour, the Governor, along with anti-abortion extremists  are vowing to shut down the last abortion clinic in the entire state! The entire state! This is unbelievable but it is happening. 

Zip on over to Manila, Philippines:

Tina asked for a tubal ligation after her fourth child, but the hospital no longer offered the service. Now she has eight children and is trying to feed her family on $3.28 a day. 

Another woman Susan was advised by her doctor not to have any more children because of severe health risks  – yet her doctor was prohibited from providing contraception or sterilization. 

And in Hungary:

A woman under going surgery for a miscarriage, was asked to give permission for a caesarean section.  She was unaware that the forms she signed contained consent for sterilization. The words were barely legible and written in Latin. Only after she was sterilized did she discover she had agreed to a procedure that would make her permanently infertile! 

Can you imagine any of this happening to you? 

Threats to reproductive freedom are real and gaining strength everyday – It’s right in line with pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control because of ‘their’ moral beliefs.  I would go ape if my pharmacist refused my right to pop a pill.  

Look at (EC) Emergency Contraception. In 2006 it finally got approved but with unacceptable limitations: Access was limited to only women over the age of 18 with a government-issued identification, and who were not afraid to ask the pharmacist to get it from behind the counter.  This limitation effects the most vulnerable population:  Young women and undocumented women.  

All over the world including our own country,  it is a constant fight for women to be able to choose, and for women to feel safe and supported in their choices.  

But for the first time in decades, we women are truly in danger of losing our essential right to choose. Roe v. Wade is under attack by those who feel we should not have a reproductive choice.  The forces are strong and determined….

Just last April three decades of law was swept away in one year. That is all the time it took for Bush’s Supreme Court to overturn thirty years of precedent by upholding  the Federal Abortion Ban. They might as well have put up a banner stating that women’s health is no longer  a real concern! What does this mean for women? Well for starters, the Supreme Courts Abortion Ban Ruling now paves the way for state and federal legislatures to  approve additional bans on abortions as early as 12 weeks, even on those that doctors say are safe and medically necessary. Readers: Are you aware of this? Anonz:  This is right in light with those ‘appointed’ Supreme Court judges that you mentioned in your comment….more on that later.

Do you realize how much is at stake with what has just happened? Already ten states have introduced sixteen bans that criminalize abortion! Okay…let’s paint a picture…You’re having sex with your man; and you happen to be on ‘the pill’. (Thankfully you have a pharmacist that is happy to fill your prescription!) And it just so happens that you had a cold for the past few days so you’ve been pumping up on the vit C – bad move…the overdose of it negated the pill and surprise…you’re pregnant. You’re also screwed ’cause now you need an abortion. You happen to be living in one of those states where abortion is a felony and physicians performing the operation can go to prison. What’s a woman to do?

I know what we can’t do….We can’t get lazy or complacent on this one. A complete reversal of Roe v. Wade is now within the realm of possibility. 

Readers:  Comments?

Hey Lill: I didn’t mean to sting you with that procrastination bit – sorry – I just figured that because you had joked about it quite a few times on my blog that you just accepted that you were that way….and it was no big deal to you.  I meant no dig at you, but hey maybe it stirred something up?  Maybe your calling is getting on everyone’s ass to ‘just do it’…have you ever thought of life coaching? I bet you’d be great at it!

How was the GNO last night?

Thanks for posting Anonz’s comments to Ed- wow! – I need to read that thoroughly before I say anymore. I only perused it quickly ’cause I had a really busy day yesterday, but that is some good s**t. I think my readers will get off on that one.  

Hi Anonz: Whew….You really are on top of it! – enjoyed your comments. Will read it again more thoroughly. In addition to your comments about oil, national debt…don’t know if you’re all caught up on my reads. You might enjoy:   ‘Political Party Poop’

Hey are you still in local? ‘The Economist’ along with ‘The Second City’, a renowned comedy theatre troupe is putting on a political satire at the Yerba Buena Center here in SF on June 26th, ‘The Art of Political Satire’.  I plan on going – you might like it too. 

Have a great Saturday everyone – it is heating up already! 

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ?

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 2008

" 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"

http://www.pixelmarx.com/2007/09/03/credit-crunch-on-middle-american-dreams/

I woke up this morning and I began to take an inventory of the ‘things’ that we own and the money still owned on them, and I realized, not really for the first time, that we are working, constantly working to pay for ‘things’.  It muddles up my mind and I realized, not for the first time either, that the things that we do not pay cash for, the things that go on our credit….in reality we really don’t own.  And every month, these little things, some of them very big things, like house mortgages, cars, etc, all take a little bite out of me as we write that check, every month dwindling down the balance and some times not. If we do not write that check or we are late making a payment, a little piece of our credit is taken away. Our things own us.   

I remember before we owned a house and we were just renting, our used cars all paid for, the only real concern we had was a few simple bills. Easy.  Life was easier.  We may have not been able to buy many things, but we owed what we had and if we couldn’t afford it, we just didn’t buy it or do it. Before we invested in things for our future, life was easier. We dropped everything in a months notice, subleased our flat, paid a few bills a head of time, and travelled the world for 4 months without a care in the world. Now to me that was living.  

Who ever said the American dream was owning a house?  Who said accumulating materialistic things meant one was successful? It’s a bunch of crap. Yeah, it is if one can buy it with straight up cash,  then you truly own it. But debt is the American way and almost the only way to establish credit is to owe money on things, and consistently make the ‘payments’, and ‘on time’ let me remind you. We bought into the American dream. Our things own us. This is not living. And quite frankly I am sick of it.  

There are plenty of homeless people in this town and every once in awhile I look at one and I think, ‘This person only needs to be concerned about his or her survival: food, water and shelter.  That’s it…the basic needs. Most likely, they have no bills, no house payment, not credit cards, no job to earn money to pay all of the debt that is owed…just the clothes on their back, some food and water in their gut and a warm place to rest. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be homeless.  I am sure it is not an easy life, but it is the simplicity that I crave. I want the basics needs too. I have them, and I am grateful for them; I just want them under different circumstances.  I love my things, but I want to own them not pay on them, or I don’t want them anymore. I want to own my things and not have my things own me.  Now that is living…that is freedom….truly the American dream. 

Readers:  How do you feel about your ‘things’?

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ?

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 2008

" 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"

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17x235VynTY&hl=en]

A friend of mine who just had her baby forwarded me this letter that was written a few weeks ago. I thought it was very appropriate considering the hot topics these past few months have been: white men, the presidential election, and our rights.  Well ladies, the glass ceiling has risen again…the fight for equal rights continues…

“This article which made me think the calendar had been switched back 50 years while I was sleeping. Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass the Fair Pay Act. What was almost worse than that defeat were the out-of-touch, misinformed — and downright insulting — statements about women.”

“Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who didn’t even come to vote, said that instead of legislation allowing them to demand equal pay, women simply need ‘education and training.’  Fox News: ‘Not only is his information wrong — women are currently paid less for the same work, even though they have the same education and training — he’s also sending a message to our nation, to our sons and daughters, that this pay gap is okay, and it’s women’s fault for being paid less. Not so!”

And we want this man running our country? My friend encouraged me to check out the website, Momsrising.org. Even though I am not a mom, I am a woman, and this applies to me as well. Plus I am a huge supporter of women, and of course this includes all of the moms out there too.   

“MomsRising.org is working to build a massive grassroots movement big enough to impact the outcome of the 2008 elections and beyond. The time has come to break the logjam that’s been holding back family-friendly legislation for decades. It’s going to take all of us–and then some–working together to get there.” 

“MomsRising gives mothers, and all who have mothers, a voice in shaping the laws & policies that affect our lives. You can sign online petitions on timely issues like healthcare, flexible work options, paid family leave, childcare, living wages, and more, or you can just sign up to receive email alerts, all for free.”

When you sign the petition, send your resume as well to show Senator McCain just how qualified you really are.  I signed and sent mine.  When you sign the petition, you’ll join the many other women and mothers in telling Congress: “We Need Equal Pay for Equal Work — it is good law, make it enforceable again.” 

Here’s a few interesting stats.  ZL: You are about to go back into the work force, this should interest you quite a bit. 

• Women now make up 58% of college graduates and nearly half of the labor force, but still earn less pay for the same work as men. Worse yet, mothers only make 73 cents to a man’s dollar, for the exact same job. College graduate, high school graduate, law school diploma, nursing degree, whatever your training; women should make equal pay for equal work.

• The wage gap between mothers and non-mothers is greater than between women and men—and it’s actually getting bigger. Non-mothers earn 10 percent less than their male counterparts; mothers earn 27 percent less; and single mothers earn between 34 percent and 44 percent less. The wage gap is a direct reflection of bias against working mothers. This bias, in part, is because we don’t have family friendly policies to support the needs of working mothers and families like flexible work options, paid family leave, and accessible childcare.

Senator McCain’s statement is a sad testament to the fact that many leaders are out of touch with the realities of working women today. Maybe as a Senator with only 16 women colleagues, he’s simply out of touch with the reality that America has a broad and deep pool of highly qualified, trained, and utterly capable women. Let’s remind him of that fact.

Sign the petition for Fair Pay, add your resume and/or comments, forward this email around to friends, and help us change this country, one leader at a time! Thank you!

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

Hi Daphne:  Come by anytime you want! The sale went great but I still have many left that are in your size. I found one ‘pretty in pink’ style in the color pink yesterday – the Oscar goodie bag pajama -the last one and in your size! I think it would be fab on you! And I just discovered a few boxes of silk pjs from Vietnam that are beautiful, also the same style. I’m going to sell them very reasonably too! Bring some girlfriends if you want.  Just call me first. 

Hey ZL:  I don’t have too many left in your size but I do have one pj that I think would be great on you. The blue is beautiful and it is trimmed in a soft yellow with pretty matching ribbon trim – the same “fit & flare” style as your fav but in summer cotton. I know you like the deep rich colors but this combo with your skin and hair coloring, you would be the bomb!  It is from the ‘Pamper me’ group. :)  We all need a little pampering don’t we?!  I’ll photo it and post it tomorrow.  

How’s the house looking?  You go live this Thursday yes? We get lots of ‘oohs and aahhs’ from everyone – they are all quite surprised when they see the fantastic work but so far we still own it :)

Hi Howie – Thank you!

Hellooo Readers: Y’all have a good one!

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ?

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 2008

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17x235VynTY&hl=en]

A friend of mine who just had her baby forwarded me this letter that was written a few weeks ago. I thought it was very appropriate considering the hot topics these past few months have been: white men, the presidential election, and our rights.  Well ladies, the glass ceiling has risen again…the fight for equal rights continues…

“This article which made me think the calendar had been switched back 50 years while I was sleeping. Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass the Fair Pay Act. What was almost worse than that defeat were the out-of-touch, misinformed — and downright insulting — statements about women.”

“Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who didn’t even come to vote, said that instead of legislation allowing them to demand equal pay, women simply need ‘education and training.’  Fox News: ‘Not only is his information wrong — women are currently paid less for the same work, even though they have the same education and training — he’s also sending a message to our nation, to our sons and daughters, that this pay gap is okay, and it’s women’s fault for being paid less. Not so!”

And we want this man running our country? My friend encouraged me to check out the website, Momsrising.org. Even though I am not a mom, I am a woman, and this applies to me as well. Plus I am a huge supporter of women, and of course this includes all of the moms out there too.   

“MomsRising.org is working to build a massive grassroots movement big enough to impact the outcome of the 2008 elections and beyond. The time has come to break the logjam that’s been holding back family-friendly legislation for decades. It’s going to take all of us–and then some–working together to get there.” 

“MomsRising gives mothers, and all who have mothers, a voice in shaping the laws & policies that affect our lives. You can sign online petitions on timely issues like healthcare, flexible work options, paid family leave, childcare, living wages, and more, or you can just sign up to receive email alerts, all for free.”

When you sign the petition, send your resume as well to show Senator McCain just how qualified you really are.  I signed and sent mine.  When you sign the petition, you’ll join the many other women and mothers in telling Congress: “We Need Equal Pay for Equal Work — it is good law, make it enforceable again.” 

Here’s a few interesting stats.  ZL: You are about to go back into the work force, this should interest you quite a bit. 

• Women now make up 58% of college graduates and nearly half of the labor force, but still earn less pay for the same work as men. Worse yet, mothers only make 73 cents to a man’s dollar, for the exact same job. College graduate, high school graduate, law school diploma, nursing degree, whatever your training; women should make equal pay for equal work.

• The wage gap between mothers and non-mothers is greater than between women and men—and it’s actually getting bigger. Non-mothers earn 10 percent less than their male counterparts; mothers earn 27 percent less; and single mothers earn between 34 percent and 44 percent less. The wage gap is a direct reflection of bias against working mothers. This bias, in part, is because we don’t have family friendly policies to support the needs of working mothers and families like flexible work options, paid family leave, and accessible childcare.

Senator McCain’s statement is a sad testament to the fact that many leaders are out of touch with the realities of working women today. Maybe as a Senator with only 16 women colleagues, he’s simply out of touch with the reality that America has a broad and deep pool of highly qualified, trained, and utterly capable women. Let’s remind him of that fact.

Sign the petition for Fair Pay, add your resume and/or comments, forward this email around to friends, and help us change this country, one leader at a time! Thank you!

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

Hi Daphne:  Come by anytime you want! The sale went great but I still have many left that are in your size. I found one ‘pretty in pink’ style in the color pink yesterday – the Oscar goodie bag pajama -the last one and in your size! I think it would be fab on you! And I just discovered a few boxes of silk pjs from Vietnam that are beautiful, also the same style. I’m going to sell them very reasonably too! Bring some girlfriends if you want.  Just call me first. 

Hey ZL:  I don’t have too many left in your size but I do have one pj that I think would be great on you. The blue is beautiful and it is trimmed in a soft yellow with pretty matching ribbon trim – the same “fit & flare” style as your fav but in summer cotton. I know you like the deep rich colors but this combo with your skin and hair coloring, you would be the bomb!  It is from the ‘Pamper me’ group. :)  We all need a little pampering don’t we?!  I’ll photo it and post it tomorrow.  

How’s the house looking?  You go live this Thursday yes? We get lots of ‘oohs and aahhs’ from everyone – they are all quite surprised when they see the fantastic work but so far we still own it :)

Hi Howie – Thank you!

Hellooo Readers: Y’all have a good one!

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ?

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 2008