Good morning!

Well it certainly has been a Monday morning. 

I was watching this topic on the Rachel Maddow show this past Friday night. For all that our military women and men have done for our country, their lack of getting health care is inexcusable.

From Think Progress.

Scandals

What Conservatives Should Do If They Are Really Concerned About Veterans Health Care

The scandal at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs over long wait times to receive health care and fraudulent reporting by hospital administrators is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Yesterday, a preliminary report from the VA Inspector General confirmed many of the initial problems, finding that:

a) at least 1,700 veterans waiting for care were purposely withheld from the official electronic wait list because administrators knew they could not receive care within a 14-day period that was the goal;

b) at the Phoenix VA hospital at the center of the controversy, the average wait time for an initial primary care appointment was in fact 115 days, and not 24 days as reported by the Phoenix hospital;

c) there were multiple paper wait lists used to track patients in addition to the electronic wait list that were invisible to federal oversight.

Other reports coming out indicate that “cooking the books” is a much broader problemwithin the VA.

Secretary Eric Shinseki has called the findings “reprehensible” and is “not waiting to set things straight.” In fact, Shinseki, a disabled Vietnam veteran who served in the Army for 38 years, has fought an uphill battle to reform the VA bureaucracy in a number of ways, according to experts at the Center for American Progress. But that hasn’t stopped numerous elected officials from calling for his resignation, including, at last count, 74 Republican members of Congress.

We all agree that veterans deserve the best possible care. But if conservatives were truly outraged at the prospect of veterans not receiving the health care they deserve, there’s another step they could take right now to expand coverage to not just thousands, but hundreds of thousands of veterans, and almost 5 million Americans overall. Instead, they are standing directly in the way.

There are over a quarter million uninsured veterans in states that are currently refusing to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. These veterans are not receiving delayed care, they aren’t receiving any care at all. While many people assume that all veterans have health benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as of 2013 only two-thirds were eligible and just one-third were enrolled. The map below shows a state-by-state breakdown of those affected:

Conservative legislators have been quick to condemn the VA’s actions, but that hasn’t stopped them from voting again and again to repeal the Affordable Care Act that expands coverage to millions of people, including veterans. And it hasn’t stopped them from defending state lawmakers who continue to refuse to expand Medicaid under the ACA and deny coverage to veterans and millions of other Americans.

BOTTOM LINE: The scandal at the VA is serious, and those at fault should be held accountable. But those who would repeal the Affordable Care Act are at the heart of another scandal: over 250,000 veterans in 24 states have no access to care at all because of conservative lawmakers’ refusal to expand Medicaid.

*****

Readers: So what else is new with the right? They are most always trying to stand in the way and take away. Thoughts?

Blog me.

Connie, Wanda, Janet, Irene, Jackie, Helen: Exactly. I like all of you, do not give a damn about the “why men do what they do.”  All I care about is putting women in office that will legislate laws, and women on the bench that will put men away for the things that they do to harm women and try to take away our rights. Men will change when the laws no longer allow them to get away with their atrocities. Let’s make sure our voices are heard by voting women into office that will be our voices.

Zelda, Debra: Thanks for the sweet kudos.

Karen: Thanks for making your comment the first time on such an important topic. I appreciate your candid and professional opinion from all of your many years in practice. I cannot argue with anything you said. I too HOPE that my efforts, along with all of the other women, will wake women up. We certainly need big change in women’s attitudes and actions to make a big difference in how we are going to live our lives.

Patricia: Yes, we have to plan not to get raped or assaulted. The operative word here is “plan.” Every time I get ready to go out, whether I am taking Lucy for a walk or getting into my car to take a drive, I make sure to “plan” and bring what I need, “just in case.” When I walk to my car in a parking lot or get into an elevator where I am the only woman, I am aware of my surrounding. I am “planning” in my head what I may need to do, “just in case.” It is no way for a woman to have to live.  And no man, no matter how many red high heels he walks in to support women, will understand how we as women feel.  That is why it is up to us to change.

Joyce: I am so disappointed when I hear stories such as your of women not supporting women and using the excuse that “men will be men.” Ugh. So infuriating. My suggestion is that if you aren’t getting the help from your female superiors, is to go higher until you do get help. And I would let them (your superiors) know that you will not put up with this behavior anymore, and you are going to seek help from higher places if they are not going to help you. Getting harassed, is unacceptable. Having to deal with this every day is just unconscionable and so not good for your self-esteem, quality of life, etc.

Do you have a counselor at your work? I would check out that avenue. Perhaps other women in your department are getting harassed too and are afraid to speak up. I would do a little investigating and see if you can pair up with others who are experiencing the same harassment. There is power in numbers. I realize the job market is not easy but if you continue to not get help, you might want to start looking. Good luck.

Erica: I am sorry that you had to experience rape and then on top of that, feel that you can’t get help from your local authorities. I know how isolated you must feel. That is why it is so important that we women help each other out. We should not have to experience such an atrocity and feel that we have no recourse because we don’t have a system that supports us…because we don’t feel we can get justice against the perp who did this. Until women really support each other and the right women are voted in, we are going to feel helpless in many situations.

That is why it is very empowering for us when we take away the blame from the men and put it on ourselves. It means that we don’t have to feel powerless HOPEing men will change for us, because men won’t change. Instead, all we have to do is change. And we can if we women all come together.

Ok Readers: Now I need to end. Your turn. Thanks for being here with me.

Peace out. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

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Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

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Good morning!

From Think Progress:

5-5-5

5 Important News Stories On 5 Issues In 5 Charts

Catch up on the news of the week with our run-down of five key stories, each described with its own chart or map:

1. No, Taking Away Unemployment Benefits Doesn’t Make People Get Jobs. At the end of December, Republicans in Congress refused to join Democrats to pass a law extending unemployment insurance for nearly 1.3 million Americans. After already losing almost $5 billion in economic activity, new research makes the case that we need to extend this important lifeline. A study in Illinois found that more than four in five unemployed people who lost benefits were still jobless two months later. Another demonstrates the challenge the long-term unemployed face in this recovery: just 22 percent of those who ended up unemployed for six months or longer during the 2008 recession found steady, full-time work by the beginning of 2013. And finally, new analysis shows that for those whose benefits disappeared in December, only about a quarter had found jobs as of March–about the same success rate as when the program was still in effect. Roughly another one in four and dropped out of the labor force altogether.

2. A Woman With Perfect Grades Is Worth The Same As A Man With A 2.0 Average.Researchers at the University of Miami found that high school GPA is a strong predictor of income in adulthood. But perhaps the more dramatic finding was just how big a gap there is between men and women who earn the same grades. In fact, a woman who earns perfect grades goes on to earn roughly the same as a man with a 2.0 GPA:

CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

3. The Poorest Americans Are Still Locked Out Of The Affordable Care Act. Many of the most vulnerable Americans are locked out of health reform because they live in states that have rejected Obamacare’s optional Medicaid expansion. More than 70 percent of those people live in just 11 southern states, and 35 percent of them live within the borders of five. Despite the overwhelming need, GOP lawmakers there continue to resist cooperating with health reform at any cost.

4. The World Quickly Stopped Caring About The Kidnapped Nigerian Girls. It’s a common assumption that interest in news stories, barring any major new developments, tends to fade over time. But there is perhaps no better example than that of the nearly 300 young girls kidnapped by terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria. This tragic story, which rose to international attention and mushroomed over social media with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, has disappeared from international interest as fast as it arrived. A search on Google Trends over the last 90 days illustrates the point:

5. Marriage Equality Keeps Spreading, And Spreading, And Spreading. Pennsylvania became the 19th state in the union to allow same-sex marriage on Wednesday, after Gov. Tom Corbett (R) declined to appeal Tuesday’s court ruling that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Federal judge John E. Jones, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in his decision: “We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history.” Rick Santorum, the prominent anti-gay Republican who as a Pennsylvania Senator recommended Judge Jones to the court, hasstayed mum on the issue. The state is just the latest domino to fall as courts across the country, in red states and blue states, invalidate marriage bans.

Readers: Pick your fave of the five and blog me. Happy Sunday!

Peace out.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

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Good morning!

To those who say, “Oh my god, I had no idea,” here’s more proof that the murdering rampage that Elliot Rodgers went on is no isolated incidence, but something that is very common.

From Think Progress.

Chilling New Website Documents What Happens To Women Who Reject Men’s Sexual Advances

A woman attacked with acid. A teenager stabbed to death. A woman raped and beaten. Women smashed in the head with bowling balls and glass bottles.

Those are real life examples of violence that women have experienced after they rejected the sexual advances of men — when they refused to flirt with them, dance with them, go on a date with them, or have sex with them — being collected by a new Tumblr page called “When Women Refuse.” The recent mass shooting in Santa Barbara, which was perpetrated by a young man who wanted to punish the women who weren’t attracted to him, is the latest example of a tragedy that fits this profile.

“We still don’t view gender based violence as a large cultural issue — we tend to think of these as isolated incidences,” Deanna Zandt, the co-founder of the digital strategy group Lux Digital and the feminist activist who started the Tumblr, explained in an interview. “We still don’t view it as a larger problem within rape culture.”

After news broke about this weekend’s shooting rampage, Zandt said that many of the men in her social networks were quick to assume that the perpetrator, Elliot Rodger, represents an extreme outlier. She wanted to do something to help people realize that what happened in Santa Barbara is actually all too common, thanks to our culture of violence and misogyny against women. So when she noticed the writer Kate Harding collecting similar news stories on her Facebook page, Zandt decided to house them on a public site, and “When Women Refuse” was born.

The site took off. Twitter users were quick to share it under the hashtag #YesAllWomen, which has emerged as a space for women to share their own personal experiences with violence and misogyny in the aftermath of the shooting.

“There’s been a really positive reaction from both men and women,” Zandt said. “I think it’s been really eye opening for many people. The most common response has been — ‘oh my god, I had no idea.’ ”

Thanks to the online tools that are now available to feminist activists, social media users are increasingly taking the opportunity to drive conversations about victim-blaming and gender-based violence. Earlier this year, feminists used Twitter to amplify women’s experiences with rape culture — a concept that was once relegated to the feminist blogosphere, but that has recently gained recognition in more mainstream circles. Now, the coverage around the Santa Barbara shooting has put a spotlight on the “Pick Up Artist” (PUA) community, which has a long history of treating women like objects that men are entitled to.

“The fact that this conversation is happening now is a huge indicator of the structural connectivity work that online feminists have been doing for years,” Zandt noted. “We’re in a different place than we were five years ago… We’re creating a space for these discussions.”

*****

Readers: I posted this write because as I said, stories need to be told and heard so that we women will shout “Enough!” And come together in support of each other.

Zandt noted that “We’re in a different place than we were five years ago… We’re creating a space for these discussions.”  I realize her intentions are good….Although I HOPE that she is creating a space for more than discussion, because we need a clarion call to action, to ALL women to “woman up!” – Thanks Janet!

I HOPE to hear from more of all you Wonderful Women Of The World. Got to go….Blog me. Lots of LOVE to all of you.

Peace out. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" 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!

When I first heard about Elliot Rodgers and his murderous rampage in Isla Vista, I couldn’t read about it….I just didn’t want to. I felt so sickened by the misogyny of yet another twisted man/boy.  I felt so sickened by the blatant hate and disrespect for women. I felt disgusted that a man, whose reason for being born is because of a his mother, a woman, could be so cruel to women.

And then once I gathered my thoughts, I knew that I couldn’t ignore all that was happening and I began to read and read and read. And of course, what I read just made me more disgusted and infuriated.

Here’s one write just in case you have no idea what I am talking about:

Santa Barbara Killer Began By Stabbing 3 in His Home

The gunman who killed six people in a furious shooting rampage near the University of California, Santa Barbara began the spree by stabbing to death three people in his home, police said tonight.

The shooter was identified as Elliot Rodger, 22, a man who videotaped his rage over his rejection by women and vowed “retribution” just hours before the killing began.

He was also identified as the killer by a lawyer for his father Peter Rodger, who was the assistant director for one of the “Hunger Games” films.

Elliot Rodger’s Trail of Carnage Step-by-Step

The murderous spree ended when Elliot Rodger crashed his car with a bicyclist he had struck on his car windshield. He was found with a gunshot to his head. Sheriff Bill Brown said, “It would appear he took his own life.”

Dylan Fontillas was in the I V Mart when Rodger began firing, killing Christopher Martinez.

Fontillas, 20, said he looked the suspect straight in the eyes during the shooting and said “he almost kind of had a smirk like he was excited about it or he was happy about it. It’s pretty scary. It’s pretty disturbing.”

Fontillas said he hit the floor when the shooting began. He grabbed his cell phone and called his mother because he thought he was going to be killed.

Police said three guns were recovered from Rodger’s car. Police said he had more than 400 rounds of ammunition.

“All were legally purchased from federally licensed dealers and all were registered to the suspect,” the sheriff said.

Santa Barbara Shooter Called His Loneliness a “Darkest Hell”

Brown said cops have had three previous contacts with Rodger before Friday’s shooting, including when a member of Rodger’s family asked police to check on him because of alarm over his behavior and videos. Brown said the cops found no reason to take further action on Rodger.

One of the other incidents occurred in January when he made a citizen’s arrest of his roommate for allegedly stealing three candles, and again in July 2013 when he claimed he had been assaulted. Police determined that Rodger may have been the aggressor, Brown said.

Rodger was being treated by multiple therapists and was a student at Santa Barbara City College, said family lawyer Alan Schifman.

The lawyer said that Rodger’s family was “devastated.”

“They want to send the deepest condolences to all the victims’ families involved at this time,” he said.

Seven people – including Elliot Rodger – were killed and another 13 people were injured in the shooting in the Isla Vista neighborhood Friday, said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, who repeatedly referred to the shooting as a planned mass murder.

“It’s just unfortunate that these kinds of circumstances occur,” said Brown.

Concerns Over Rodger’s Well Being Reported

Schifman said in recent weeks that Rodger’s parents were concerned for their son’s well being and reported his disturbing YouTube videos to police, which lead to an investigation. According to Schifman, police interviewed Rodger and found him to be “polite and kind.” He did not specify which law enforcement division conducted the interview.

A social worker also contacted police about Rodger last week, said Schifman.

In a YouTube video titled “Elliot Rodger’s Retribution,” Elliot Rodger sits in the driver’s seat of a car as he promises “retribution” and discusses his “loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desires.”

“Girls gave their affection and sex and love to other men but never to me,” he said in the video. He added that it would be his last video.

Schifman said Rodger was diagnosed as being a high-functioning patient with Asperger syndrome and had trouble making friends.

“There was an incident probably a year and a half ago where he was…he fell from a balcony at a party or was thrown off of it. I think he was probably a victim from my understanding of bullying throughout his life… I’m sure that had played a role in the terrible consequences from last night,” the lawyer said.

Witness Call Shooting Chaotic and Surreal

Witnesses described the shooting to ABC affiliate KEYT-TV as chaotic and surreal, with many in the crowd mistaking the gunfire for fireworks. One man said that he saw shots fired from a BMW, fatally hitting one woman and critically injuring another woman.

“I heard shots, scream, pain,” Michael Vitak said. “All emotions. I hope she is going to be fine.”

Sierra Swartz told KEYT-TV that the suspect fired at her and that she initially thought the pistol was an air gun.

“Before I started walking the other way he just lifted it up and … he shot and I felt like I just felt the wind pass right by my face,” she said. “I went to a random person’s house and I just ran inside and I was like ‘Honestly, like someone just shot at me.’”

*****

Now, check this out from Think Progress.

#YesAllWomen

Understanding The Culture Of Violence Towards Women

In the wake of the mass shooting at UC Santa Barbara, the hashtag #YesAllWomen (a response to the “not all men” meme) became a venue on Twitter and beyond for women to share personal stories and experiences about misogyny, domestic violence, and violence toward women. One quote from Margaret Atwood that reverberated throughout the conversation summed up women’s worst fear: “Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.”

Our colleagues at Think Progress put together this infographic that paints a grim picture:

CREDIT: ADAM PECK/THINKPROGRESS

BOTTOM LINE: More than one in three women will experience rape, violence, and/or stalking at the hands of an intimate partner in their lifetimes. #YesAllWomen has started a serious and vital conversation about misogyny and violence against women, issues that too often are either ignored or treated unseriously in our society.

*****

Readers: The bottom line is scary. You would think that with stats as bad as this, something more would be done for women. But no. As stated, it is either ignored or is not treated seriously in our society. Abuse and rape has become “normalized.” Sickening.

My rage today escalated as I read story after story on Rodgers. Was I pissed off at men…boys? How could one not be? They were doing all of this horrific stuff to women…abuse, rape, murder…as if women didn’t matter. at. all….As if women were just sexual play toys to use as they pleased, and then tossed to the curb when they were done. And then onto the next….and then onto the next….If they had the opportunity. And if they didn’t, like Rodgers…well, then they just killed the women they couldn’t have, and anyone else that got in their way.

And what is being done to prevent it?

All I kept thinking was “How can men be so cruel?” What is wrong with the men on this planet? I blamed the men. After all, they are the perpetrators right?

But when I calmed down and put aside my emotions, looked at the facts and put on my logical cap, I came to the conclusion that it is really women who are to blame. Yes, you read that right.

Yes, it is the men that are the perpetrators, but it is the women who are allowing the men to get away with doing what they do. We can keep blaming the perps but the reality is, in my opinion, in the big picture of how our country is run, women are the ones to blame. It’s hard for me to write this but in my opinion, my reasoning is logical and sane.

As I have learned from my own personal experiences, and the experiences that I read from the stories of other women who post here and on other blogs, I have come to the conclusion: No matter how much we bitch about the things men do…no matter how much we point out the atrocities…no matter how much we are shocked by the horrific stories…no matter how much we beg for it to stop and for other men, good men,  to jump in and do something in support, it is a waste of time and effort…Men are just not going to change.

And why should they?

• They don’t need to when women won’t even stick up for other women.
• They don’t need to when women who have more than 50% of the vote, won’t support other women and vote women into office.
• They don’t need to when mothers of sons who rape, support their son, and blame the woman.
• They don’t need to when mothers of daughters will turn a blind eye and allow their husband to rape their daughters.
• They don’t need to when mothers leave their property and money in charge, to their son instead of their daughter.
• They don’t need to when women don’t have any respect for another woman’s husband, and has an affair with him.
• They don’t need to when a woman won’t even tell her BFF that her husband has been hitting on her because she’s flattered by it.
• They don’t need to when they know if they flirt or try to hit on their girlfriend’s or wife’s BFF, the woman will get the blame and not him.
• They don’t need to when they know women will hand the power and choices and decisions over their bodies to men.
• They don’t need to when they know women will continue to vote men into office and on the bench, giving up their power to men.
• They don’t need to when they know women will give them deference that they won’t give to their fellow sisters.
• They don’t need to when they know women will side with men, by blaming women, and throwing each other under the bus for men.
• They don’t need to when they know women won’t fight for equal rights and equal pay for each other.
• They don’t need to when they know there are women who think women should get paid less in order to get a man.
• They don’t need to when they know women don’t value themselves and will fuck on the first date for the price of a meal.
• They don’t need to when they know they can get away with, rape over and over and over again.
• They don’t need to when they know women will blame other women for being raped because they dressed too sexy, and asked for it.
• They don’t need to because they know women think that men will do a better job than women at_____________(You fill in the blank.)

Ouch! It hurts to hear the truth, doesn’t it? But ladies, the big ouch is that we are living it. Sadly, I could list more but no doubt you get the point.

As you know I am not speaking about ALL women.

But until ALL women come together in large enough numbers to be able to force the men to change, by voting enough women into office that will support women and pass laws and policies that will protect women from the atrocities that men commit, men won’t change.

Until ALL women come together and make a plan to take over Congress, and vote out these sick men who only want to control us, keep us down, barefoot and pregnant, we won’t have the power to make strict laws and enforce them, so that men will think twice before hitting us, raping us, and murdering us.

Until ALL women come together in support of each other, and create laws that give women equal pay, equal medical care, equal job opportunities, etc., men will continue to take action to keep treating us like the second class citizens that we are.

We can HOPE that men will change, and help us to reach equality, but HOPEing will get us nowhere. We can try and get men to understand our point of view, our fears, but so far that hasn’t created any big change. We can try and convince men how much better life would be if women had the same choices as men…how we would make the world a much better place for all…blah…blah…blah…

Men don’t give a shit.

So I say, “Fuck trying to get the men to see our side of it and walk in our shoes.” Its intentions are good, but it’s not working. All of our time and effort needs to go toward women supporting women. We have to demand our equality and take it boldly and unapologetically. And if men don’t want to support us, fuck ‘em, we’ll leave them behind as they have left us so many times, and move forward. It is the women…and it is only the women that can be the agents of change for women. Fuck the men. Because really that is what they are saying to us every. fucking. day. All you have to do is pick up a paper or watch the news.

When I think of all of the people coming up with ways to bring awareness about the abuse, rape and murder of women to light, I want to shout, “Screw awareness!” In today’s world, with all of the technology at your fingertips, if you aren’t “aware” of what women have to endure on a daily basis, you are either living under a rock, or you just don’t give a damn. If you are anywhere in the real world, you really cannot be blind to what is happening to women.

As I said, “Men don’t give a shit.” Don’t be fooled into thinking they do. And don’t count on them to change, come around and care, and do something. Because if they truly did, they would have done something by now. I’m not waiting any longer for men to get it together. The abuse is escalating, and the support from men isn’t. Sorry guys, even if you are a decent good man, and I know there are some out there, it’s not enough.

So…Yes, we need awareness. Of course we do. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop blogging about it because stories do need to be told. Women do need to get angry enough so that they’ll say “Enough! I won’t put up with this anymore,” and move into action in support of each other.

I’ll say it again because it needs to be said. “We can no longer blame the men. The men are not going to change. (Read the above list over if you think they have reason to.) Women are the ones to blame. Women need to come together and support each other. And I mean really support each other.”

From Mothers teaching their young daughters to stick up for their female friends…and create a sisterhood of support, to mothers advising their daughters about young men, and to give value to what’s between their legs…and not give it up for at least 90 days.

To women going to the polls and voting in women leaders who are going to legislate laws and policies that protect women and give women the right to chose with respect to their bodies, and anything else that women have stupidly handed over to men.

To women paving the way for other women by hiring more women and putting more women in leadership and executive positions, and seed money to start their own businesses.

To uplifting and inspiring our sisters everyday in small and big ways.

To everyday support of women by not turning a blind eye or making up excuses for men, when they (women) themselves or their sisters are putting up with blatant misogynistic remarks or the small nuanced sexist hits that are spoken so comfortably under the breath by men, and can be easily missed if one is not paying attention.

We need to pay attention. We need to call men on their shit no matter how big or small, in private or public, and do something in support of our sisters. In my opinion, the only way we can bring about change is if us women come together and stick together no matter what. If we have anything to learn from the boys, that is how they get shit done.

Ladies: It is work. But it is work that must be done daily…and we must be tenacious if we women are to pave a better world for women and girls. I am not the only one with suggestions. I read the comments on my blog, and I am very aware of the many intelligent women who write in.  You are amazing. What else can we do to support our sisters? Blog me.

Peace & so much Love to all of you Ladies. We are so full with so much to give…let’s give it to each other …to our sisters, and change the world. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

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Good morning!

Considering San Francisco is one of the most expensive places to live, this is a fun little perk should you be the receiver of the generous $100 gifts a rich anonymous donor is hiding all over the city with clues to where the hidden cash lies. So put on your detective cap, study the clues, and start sleuthing! Good luck! Stay tuned…LA and NYC is next on the list.

What a way to begin a Monday. Here’s the write from the Huff Po:

An Anonymous Rich Person Is Hiding Money All Around San Francisco

If you live in San Francisco, be on the lookout for some mysterious white envelopes — they may contain $100 bills.

An anonymous person is dropping off sums of money around the city and thentweeting hints about the locations in a project called “Hidden Cash.”

The person behind Hidden Cash told The Huffington Post that the project will soon expand to other cities.

“I am OK with giving out at least $1000 a day for the foreseeable future. It will not affect my finances significantly,” he or she wrote in an email. “We are planning to add more cities, starting with LA next weekend, and NYC shortly afterwards.”

The donor said they “want to start a nationwide movement” around this anonymous charitable giving.

According to the Bold Italic, which also interviewed to the man or woman behind the project, the Hidden Cash benefactor is a real estate magnate who wants to give back to the community.

“I’ve made millions of dollars the last few years, more than I ever imagined, and yet many friends of mine, and people who work for me, cannot afford to buy a modest home in the Bay Area,” the person told the Bold Italic. “This has caused me quite a bit of reflection. I am determined to give away some of the money I make, and in addition to charity, to do it in fun, creative ways like this.”

After each money drop, a tweet goes out from @HiddenCash with hints about the location of the envelope. @HiddenCash also requests that the lucky recipients tweet photos of their discovery.

The person behind the campaign told HuffPost that she or he is maintaining anonymity for fear of “business associates who may take me less seriously.”

He or she also told the Bold Italic that part of the inspiration for the project was staggering wealth inequality in San Francisco. (The city has the largest wealth gap of any city in the country.)

It will probably take more than a few cash-stuffed envelopes to address the broader causes of the wealth gap that the person behind @HiddenCash is concerned about. Nevertheless, it’s a clever, generous idea and is definitely brightening the days of some lucky San Francisco residents.

*****

Readers: How fun! Don’t ya just love it?! Wouldn’t it be nice if this inspired others to do the same thing or something fun and similar?

What would you do if you had lots of money to give away? How creative and clever would you be? Blog me.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" 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"