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Archive for the 'Wonderful Women Of The World' Category

Wonderful Women Of The World

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 15th February 2014


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Good morning!

Time to thrive…

An emotional Ellen Page, “Juno” star, comes out at HRC conference

LAS VEGAS — An emotional Ellen Page, the adorable, quirky actress who enchanted movie audiences in 2007 as the pregnant teenager Juno, came out as gay Friday night at a conference for educators and counselors who work with LGBTQ youth.

“I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference,” the 26-year-old Page told a group of about 600 school counselors, teachers and others at the Human Rights Campaign’s inaugural conference devoted to issues faced by children and teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or queer. “I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I also do it selfishly, because I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.”

The audience rose to its feet, giving Page, whose sexuality has been the subject of gossip and speculation for years, the first of two standing ovations.

“I suffered for years because I was scared to be out,” said Page, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar for “Juno.” “My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”

Page spoke for about eight minutes and prefaced her announcement with reflections on the tyranny of an entertainment industry that brooks no imperfection or ambiguity.

“It’s weird because here I am, an actress, representing—at least in some sense—an industry that places crushing standards on all of us. Not just young people, but everyone,” she said. “Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me. You have ideas planted in your head, thoughts you never had before, that tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be. I have been trying to push back, to be authentic, to follow my heart, but it can be hard.”

The tears in her eyes were visible to the audience in the Bally’s Las Vegas conference center thanks to the two giant video screens that flanked the stage.

“Sometimes it’s the little, insignifcant stuff that can tear you down,” she said. “I try not to read gossip as a rule, but the other day a website ran an article with a picture of me wearing sweatpants on the way to the gym. The writer asked, ‘Why does [this] petite beauty insist upon dressing like a massive man?’”

She paused for effect.

“Because I like to be comfortable.”

And now, at last, she can be.

*****

Readers: I love when women speak out and stand up for each other. Bravo to Ellen Page for courageously opening up and being an inspiration to so many young women.  Speaking of speaking out…where did you RISE yesterday on Valentine’s DayV-day? I had a fantastic time in San Francisco hanging with some sisters, dancing, playing, smiling, loving and listening to so many inspirational stories for V-day.

And then…Valentine’s kicked in right after. :) I HOPE all of you got some lovin’ too.

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

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

V-day 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"

Posted in Health & Well Being, Journeys within, Love, Sex & Relationships, Wonderful Women Of The World | 5 Comments »

Where Will You Be Rising For Women Today?

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 14th February 2014


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Good morning!

I’ll be in SF at City Hall. Last year was a blast! Girls and guys…Don’t miss out this year! Come join me today, on V-Day. Support your sisters by rising and dancing to put an end to violence and gender inequality for women and girls.

One Billion Rising for Justice San Francisco

Last Year at One Billion Rising:

San Francisco Uses Valentine’s Day to Draw Attention to Sexual Abuse Against Women

This Valentine’s Day, San Francisco is hosting a seemingly a-typical Cupid event, yet one that’s probably more compelling than any Hallmark bouquet you might get.

 For the second year in a row, city leaders will welcome “One Billion Rising for Justice Day,” a global campaign spanning 207 countries that raises awareness of domestic and sexual abuse against women. One Billion Rising began in 2013 in response to the alarming statistic that one in three women throughout the world will experience sexual or domestic abuse in their lives. The campaign invites survivors of abuse and their allies to join in solidarity to fight against the oppression and humiliation inflicted upon victims.

On Feb. 14, from 4-6 pm, thousands are expected to gather at City Hall in San Francisco to dance in support of One Billion Rising. The evening will include musical performances by the Black Eyed Peas and Taiko Drummers from Ruth Asawa SF School of the Arts. There will be appearances by many city leaders, including Mayor Ed Lee, District Attorney George Gascón,V-Day Executive Director Susan Celia Swan, Commission on the Status of Women President Nancy Kirschner-Rodriguez and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu.

Last week, Chiu proposed a resolution confirming the city’s adoption of “One Billion Rising for Justice day” this year. The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the resolution tomorrow at their regular board meeting.

Mariya Taher, the Community Liaison Manager at Women Organized to Make Abuse Nonexistent (WOMAN Inc.), an agency that helps victims of domestic abuse in San Francisco, says she thinks that the “One Billion Rising for Justice Day” is a necessary reminder that gender discrimination happens right here in San Francisco. “The well-known statistic that 1 in every 3 women will be a victim of gender violence is a horrible reality and this also means that the likelihood of you knowing someone who is a survivor of gender violence and/or sexual assault is very real,” says Taher.

In conjunction with the event, VDAY has organized a free legal clinic at UC Hastings to consult survivors of domestic and sexual assault. Throughout the day, volunteer attorneys will provide legal advice to survivors of abuse who are facing problems, including employment and immigration issues.

Taher says that the importance of recognizing and eliminating violence in the city is a community effort. She concedes that domestic abuse and sexual assault not only affect women, but are also on the rise in the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. Although the event draws attention to the prevalence of sexual assault, it is also a time to “celebrate the strength of survivors who have undergone these experiences.

“It is a global movement, and it’s time to dance in protest of the violence that occurs in our communities today,” says Taher.

A powerful video showing the abuse of women…and women rising.

*****

Readers: I’ve written so many times about the repubs trying to take away our rights of our bodies. Telling us what we can and cannot do. I can’t tell you how many more writes I have in my queue, about this. It’s time to end this madness. This means that we all need to participate in more than one way. It means blogging about it, and supporting women by attending events such as One Billion Rising, and writing congress. All of us (women and men) need to care enough to do something.

Men: The best thing you can do for your woman and for the wonderful women of this world for Valentine’s day…really any day…is put an end to the violence and abuse toward women and girls. What will you do in support?

It’s a bit quiet out there. How about flapping your lips?! It’s Friday…Its V-day…It’s Valentine’s Day. No excuse…Your lips should be flapping today for so many reasons!

Last but not least…thank you Eve Ensler for your strength, passion and dedication to helping women and girls RISE.

Happy Friday! Happy V-day! Happy Valentine’s Day! 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 2008-2012

“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"

Posted in Bitch Badinage, Human Rights and Equality, Journeys within, Love, Sex & Relationships, Wonderful Women Of The World | 22 Comments »

Wonderful Women of The World

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 25th January 2014


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Good morning!

I find it interesting (perhaps it is the law of attraction at work :), that when I am drawn to a particular subject, articles seem to show up supporting that subject. Wonderful Women of the World show up too.

To keep the conversation going, here’s a video from TedxYouth:

The Sexy Lie: Caroline Heldman at TEDxYouth@SanDiego

A leading advocate for spotlighting how the mainstream media contributes to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America, Caroline Heldman offers straight talk and an often-startling look at the objectification of women in our society. She illustrates how it has escalated, how we have become inured to its damaging effects and what we can do individually and collectively to demolish the paradigms that keep us from a better world.

Chair of the politics department of Occidential College in Los Angeles, Dr. Heldman appeared in the acclaimed documentary, Miss Representation and is co-editor of “Madame President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House?” She is a frequent commentator on radio and television and a regular contributor to Ms. Magazine.

In thespirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

*****

Helen: I think these are good questions to ask. And Dr. Heldman posed some additional questions for all of us to think about as well. How will we create and build a new paradigm for women in our society? I loved some of her examples. 

Thoughts? Blog me. Happy Saturday!

Peace & love.

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 2008-2012

“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"

Posted in Human Rights and Equality, Love, Sex & Relationships, Wonderful Women Of The World | 19 Comments »

Flap Your Lips Friday

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 27th December 2013

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Good morning!

I know I usually post something about Wonderful Women of the World on Saturday but this is a long one, and includes some amazing men too, so I decided to post part of it today and the rest tomorrow.

From Think Progress:

Ten Women’s Health Heroes Who Inspired Us In 2013

This past year included an overwhelming number of attacks on reproductive health and freedom, including some of the harshest abortion bans this country has seen since Roe v. Wade. However — despite the persistent attempts to silence, shame, and police women and their bodies — there is one positive benefit resulting from the ongoing War on Women. It gave rise to several champions who didn’t back down from fighting for the issues that matter. Here are ten people who inspired us in 2013:

Lucy Flores

flores

CREDIT: AP PHOTO/CATHLEEN ALLISON

In April, Nevada Assemblywoman Lucy Flores (D) took to the floor to advocate for overhauling her state’s abstinence-only education policy. In order to explain her support for the issue, Flores shared her own personal story of receiving inadequate sex ed as a teen. Flores explained she accidentally got pregnant when she was 16 years old and decided to have an abortion. She said she didn’t regret her choice, but she did want other young women in Nevada to be more educated about how to prevent pregnancy. “We prevent this by giving them the information and the resources that they need, so they don’t have to go to their dad and say, ‘I need $200 for an abortion,’ ” Flores noted.

Thanks to the shame and stigma that surrounds abortion, it’s still rare for public figures to talk openly about their decision to end a pregnancy, and Flores’ decision to share her story was very brave. The lawmaker received hate mail and death threats — as well as an outpouring of support from women’s health advocates, who rallied behind her with the #FierceFlores hashtag.

The Nevada legislature ended up approving the comprehensive sex ed legislation, and Flores is reportedly considering a run for Lieutenant Governor.

Daisy Coleman

cnn colemans

CREDIT: CNN

In October, the Kansas City Star published a remarkable investigative piece about a sexual assault case in Maryville, MO involving a high school football player and a young victim — one that bore some striking resemblances to the infamous rape case in Steubenville. But there was one notable difference. Although victims of sexual assault typically remain anonymous in the media, the Maryville victim, Daisy Coleman, wanted to share her story publicly. She allowed the Kansas City Star to use her real name, and later appeared on CNN with her mother to recount the details surrounding her sexual assault.

Thanks to a pervasive rape culture that tends to place the blame for sexual assault squarely on the shoulders of the victim, the individuals who speak up about being raped are typically harassed and shamed. Coleman experienced that, too — even before she started talking to the media, she was bullied and ultimately driven out of her small town. But she refused to be silenced.

“Since this happened, I’ve been in hospitals too many times to count. I’ve found it impossible to love at times. I’ve gained and lost friends. I no longer dance or compete in pageants. I’m different now, and I can’t ever go back to the person I once was,” Coleman, who was just 14 at the time of her assault, wrote in a powerful op-ed in October. “That one night took it all away from me. I’m nothing more than just human, but I also refuse to be a victim of cruelty any longer. This is why I am saying my name. This is why I am not shutting up.”

Rev. William Barber

barber

CREDIT: AP PHOTO/GERRY BROOME

Rev. William J. Barber II, the president of the NAACP in North Carolina, spearheaded the biggest progressive protests of the past year. Barber partnered with other clergy, progressive activists, and grassroots leaders to lead thousands of people in weekly “Moral Monday” rallies against North Carolina’s far-right legislature. They demanded economic and racial justice, access to health care and education, and voting rights. And they rallied against proposed abortion restrictions in the state, pointing out that lawmakers were wasting their time attacking women’s health while leaving important policy priorities undone.

In July, dozens of women’s health activists — including the president of the Planned Parenthood affiliate in North Carolina — got arrested in an act of civil disobedience against a proposed abortion bill at a Moral Monday protest. At that time, those activists brought the total number of activists arrested for protesting the state’s GOP-controlled legislature up to more than 700.

“When we started Moral Mondays and the first group went to jail, the women were at the front line,” Barber explained in an interview over the summer. “The sisters are here, the sisters have been here and the sisters are here to stay.”

Wendy Davis

wendy davis

CREDIT: AP PHOTO/LM OTERO

State Rep. Wendy Davis (D-TX) rose to national prominence after working to defeat a stringent package of abortion restrictions in the Texas legislature. Davis filibustered the legislation for over 11 hours without sitting down, taking a drink of water, leaving to go to the bathroom, or straying off topic. Thousands of people from across the country tuned in to watch, and spread messages of support under the #StandWithWendy hashtag. The pink sneakers she wore that night on the floor have become iconic.

Davis certainly did not work alone — her efforts were supported by thousands of pro-choice activists who protested at the capitol for weeks, and ultimately helped delay the legislation with a “people’s filibuster” — but she did become the nationally-recognized face of the backlash against Texas’ harsh bill. Thanks in no small part to the momentum that began with her filibuster this summer, Davis iscurrently running for governor.

Sarah Slamen

sarah slamen

CREDIT: MSNBC

Sarah Slamen was one of the thousands of Texas who rallied at the capitol this summer with Wendy Davis. During a hearing on the anti-abortion legislation in the middle of July, Slamen delivered an impassioned speech against the measure. “Thank you for every hateful statement degrading women and girls to sex objects, and brood mares, and bald eagles, and leather wallets, like your eloquent pro-life supporters have done today. Thank you for being you, Texas legislature,” Slamen told the Republican lawmakers in the room. “You have radicalized hundreds of thousands of us.”

State troopers removed Slamen from the room while she was in the middle of speaking — a silencing tactic that ultimately backfired, since her testimony went viral. Later that month, she appeared on MSNBC to deliver the rest of her speech that got cut off.

“I’m privileged as a white woman from a middle-class background to be able to have attended all of those hearings,” Slamen pointed out during her TV appearance. “Women with two and three jobs, the 20 percent of women who might be living in the rural communities of Texas who can’t get to the capitol, caregivers, they can’t get to the hearings and stand up for their rights, and it’s obvious that all the Republicans on that committee don’t care about the right to their health care either. So someone had to say something.”

♥♥♥

Readers: Yoohoo!! to these wonderful people and all of their efforts for us women and girls. Thank you for all of your hard work and efforts!

On a side note, lately I am not liking the term, “War on Women,” or “War” on anything for that matter. Not to lessen what is at the present moment, I want to give the word “war” less power by not using it, and instead empower the women by promoting what we do want…peace and equality, love and respect, etc….and using those positive feeling words.

I missed some of the Christmas comments from some of you. Thank you for the good wishes! Again, I HOPE all of you had a wonderful time and are continuing the celebration through the new year. I am keeping it going.

Abhayankari: How sweet. Thank you.

Pavao: That is a funny question. I have never thought about it because I don’t know any Croatians. But I would not turn down a man because of his race as long as I was interested. Now…height...that is a different question. I guess it would give me the opportunity to really rock my high heels. :) PS: If I am going to to watch any sport, next to tennis, basketball is one of my fave sports to watch. I HOPE your team is doing well…but I have to say, I do root for the Warriors. :)

LB, Phillip: It was easy for me too. I already had insurance but changed my plan to a better one. I am very excited and pleased. Thank you Obama!

Greg: Oh…I would leave the word “only” out of your comment. There are quite a few more who know how sweet this is. :) Thanks and Happy New Year to you as well.

Social Butterfly: So nice to hear from you. I HOPE yours was all you had HOPEd it to be. xo

Peace & Love: “Live it, Give it.” 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)

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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 2008-2012

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

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Posted in Good Reads and Good See'ds, Health & Well Being, Human Rights and Equality, Wonderful Women Of The World | 14 Comments »

Wonderful Women Of The World

Posted by Michelle Moquin on 7th December 2013

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Good morning!

If you are on a spiritual path and follow new-age gurus then you must know of the spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and speaker, Marianne Williamson. And…you will most likely know that she is running for Congress in Califiornia. For those of you who haven’t heard of her, you may be thinking., “Oh that is soo like California!” :)

Williamson has been a name I have been hearing for years. I haven’t read any of her books but she has come across my plate and into conversations that I have had. And from what I have heard, she intrigued me enough to every now and then follow her by tuning in to a few of her videos for inspiration. Most recently I watched her lecturer on Tedx.  I like this woman.  A lot. In my book, anyone who wants to spread more love on the planet is a Wonderful Woman of The World.

Marianne Williamson, New-Age Guru, Seeks Congressional Seat

Monica Almeida/The New York Times

Marianne Williamson, a best-selling author and lecturer who is running for a House seat, speaking last month at a bookstore in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Instead, they found Ms. Williamson, a best-selling author known for her new age spiritual guide “A Return to Love,” arguing against drone strikes in Yemen, denouncing the influence of money in politics and soliciting donations for her latest campaign — for Congress.

After three decades as an author and speaker, Ms. Williamson, 61, is stepping onto a path familiar to California celebrities, with a midlife career shift into politics.

It is a transition plenty of Hollywood entertainers have sought to make — take Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger — some more successfully than others. Ms. Williamson, however, would almost surely be Congress’s first new age guru.

“I’m sure they’re going to say I’m a new age nutcase, dragon lady, lightweight thinker,” she said, as she waded into the crowd of about 100 people.

In these first days of her unlikely campaign, Ms. Williamson is making the case that an injection of her brand of spirituality is what American politics needs. “America has swerved from its ethical center,” she said. “Most of us want to feel that we can have a progressive conversation and contextualize it morally. To me, drone use is a moral issue.”

Almost as an afterthought, as if mindful of her new profession, she added, “And also, I think strategically it’s just absurd.”

Ms. Williamson has chosen an unusual race for her initial foray into politics. She faces the daunting task of trying to unseat Representative Henry A. Waxman, a popular Democrat who has coasted to re-election for nearly 40 years, in an increasingly Democratic state. The district stretches south along the coast from Malibu, through some of the wealthiest communities in the country.

Ms. Williamson will label herself an independent on the June ballot. But in an interview, she described herself as a “lifelong Democrat” and acknowledged that she had voted for Mr. Waxman many times herself.

She offered very few substantial policy differences with him, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, she has adopted rhetoric more common to positive spiritual discourse than traditional campaigns, declining to refer to him as her opponent. (“We are just two people applying for the same job,” she said.)

As with most celebrity candidates, she is facing questions about why she is running, particularly against someone she disagrees with so little.

Mr. Waxman pointedly noted the lack of differences in a written statement, signaling a potential weakness in her challenge.

“I’m gratified Ms. Williamson thinks I’m doing a good job and agrees with me on most issues,” he said. “And while some think it would make more sense for her to challenge a Republican and help us regain control of the House, I respect her right to run.”

In 2009, Ms. Williamson explored running in a Northern California district near San Francisco. Instead she chose to run in her home district, where she said she would have the best chance to alter the political discourse, which she called her primary goal.

“Democracy as we know it is being dismantled in front of our eyes,” Ms. Williamson said. “I can’t any longer toe the line that if we just vote here a little different or vote there a little different, that it will all be O.K., when both major political parties are moving in such a corporatist direction.”

She added, responding to critics, “Would a man ever be called vain for speaking his mind?”

Bob Shrum, a Democratic consultant, said celebrity candidates had been successful when they had a well-established history of serious political involvement (like Reagan before his successful run for governor in 1966), or they faced another candidate whom the public simply could not stomach (like Mr. Schwarzenegger, who took advantage of the recall against the unpopular Gov. Gray Davis to win office in 2003).

Mr. Shrum said he did not understand why Ms. Williamson was running.

“It seems like a candidacy without much rationale,” he said. “Henry Waxman is doing everything he can to prevent the House Republicans from acting like crazy people, and I think folks know that.”

With a redrawn, less Democratic district, Mr. Waxman may be more vulnerable than in years past, if only slightly. He faced his toughest re-election bid last year, when Bill Bloomfield, the co-founder of the bipartisan group No Labels, took 47 percent of the vote after spending millions of his own money to paint Mr. Waxman as a stubborn partisan who had spent too long in Washington.

Ms. Williamson appears to be hoping to tap into that same anti-Washington sentiment, a popular tactic that cuts across ideological lines in a year when congressional approval ratings have fallen into single digits. (Brett Roske, who has also declared for the race, is also running as an independent.)

She has presented her scant political experience as an asset, and at the bookstore last month, she played on her own mistrust of government. (“Look at Fukushima,” she said of Japan’s crippled nuclear plant. “Should we or should we not agree with the U.S. government that none of that radioactive energy is making its way here? Hello!”)

“There is an insidious lockout,” she said. “Financial leverage determines political influence in a very disproportionate way. Looking to the political status quo to fix this situation, when the political status quo created this situation, is naïve at best.”

Southern California voters have shown a willingness to give celebrity candidates a serious listen, though they are just as frequently the subject of lampooning.

Mr. Schwarzenegger endured nonstop jokes about his role in the “Terminator” movies, but was able to capitalize on his fame and access to well-heeled donors.

Acknowledging that she would need to raise millions of dollars to be competitive, Ms. Williamson has begun tapping her nationwide network of supporters, many of them in Hollywood. Jane Lynch, star of the television series “Glee,” is throwing a house party for the campaign.

Still, Mr. Waxman’s last opponent, Mr. Bloomfield, who left the Republican Party to run as an independent, appealed not only to anti-Washington voters, but also to the conservative voters in this redrawn district.

That is not a constituency likely to respond to Ms. Williamson, who is advocating free college, universal health care, universal preschool, gay marriage, an end to domestic nuclear energy production and “massive investment” in renewable energy.

At the bookstore last month, one man in the crowd suggested, “You need new voters, I think.”

Ms. Williamson disagreed. But when asked what constituencies her campaign might target, she said there were none. “The kind of politics that sees some voters as more important than other voters, that’s not why I’m doing this,” she said. “I’m speaking to the American in people.

*****

Readers: Do I think she could be a great representative for California? Basing my opinion on what little I know of her, which is mostly her spiritual beliefs, I want to say “Yes! I think she could be pretty darn amazing, and quite refreshing in the House.” And, however as much as I agree with some of the issues that she stands for, I am not familiar enough with all of her political views to make a well-informed opinion right now. But…I can tell you, I am HOPEful. 

What are your thoughts? Fill me in with what you know. Blog me.

Peace & Love…

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 2008-2012

“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"

Posted in Political Powwow, Wonderful Women Of The World | 26 Comments »