The Violence Is Finally Over – Men No Longer Abuse Women!
Posted by Michelle Moquin on March 11th, 2013
Good morning!
OOh…I guess I needed my rest. I slept late this morning but I feel oh so good now. And yes, as you probably noticed, I am posting later than usual…but oh well, it is what it is. :) Speaking of what it is…what it is, is good news.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed, as we all know. And last Thursday it was signed by President Obama …the day before International Women’s Day – I would say that is pretty good timing and a wonderful way to begin to honor women by reauthorizing our much needed protective rights.
Here’s today’s write from the Huff PO, written by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and a girl that I really like.
No One Should Have to Live in Fear of Violence
Today, President Obama signed a bill that both strengthened and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Thanks to this bipartisan agreement, thousands of women and men across the country who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking will be able to access resources they need in their communities to help heal from their trauma. In addition, thousands of law enforcement officers will be better equipped to stop violence before it starts, and respond to calls of help when they are needed.
President Obama and Vice President Biden have steadfastly supported reauthorization–it’s what’s right for our country. We thank Senators Patrick Leahy, Mike Crapo, and Patty Murray and Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Gwen Moore for guiding this legislation to passage.
For the past 18 years, since Vice President Biden initially wrote the Act in 1994, VAWA has helped to decrease the rates of domestic violence across the country. Three years ago, our federal interagency group on violence against women began meeting to consider gaps in our country’s response to this violence and make recommendations to Congress to fill those gaps. We are proud that many of these recommendations were included in the final bill. Now, we will be better equipped to recognize violence in its early stages, and help to reduce the number of domestic violence homicides.
The reauthorization also makes a strong effort to address the extraordinarily high rates of violence among our young people. Last week, in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, I had the opportunity to speak, along with Vice President Biden, at an event with families of victims of dating violence, and youth and organizations. It was incredibly encouraging to see people of all ages united in the fight against teen dating violence.
I am proud to say that now, teens and young adults will have better access to prevention and intervention programs to help break the cycle of violence aground the country. Studies have shown that one in five women will be the victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault while they are in college. We need to find a way to help these young scholars be able to focus on growing and learning, instead of being fearful of being assaulted on campus. This Act will help by requiring colleges and universities to provide information to students about dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and improve data collection about these crimes. We call on all of our colleges and universities to make ending sexual assault a top priority.
In addition, the bill removes barriers faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) victims, whose needs are often overlooked by law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service providers.
We are also thrilled that Congress held the line and maintained protections for battered immigrants and took the important step of also reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in this same legislation.
Finally and very importantly, VAWA will bring justice for Native American victims. Rates of domestic violence perpetrated on Native American women are among the highest in the country. VAWA will help to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the tribal justice system and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.
No one should have to live in fear of violence, especially in her home, and VAWA affirms that belief. Today’s signing ensures that victims and survivors can continue to be provided the vital resources they deserve. Our country is better off for it.
*****
Readers: Of course I am pleased that VAWA passed. And of course I think it should’ve been a no brainer, a no resistance issue endorsed with flying colors – “Pass the pens please and let’s do this.” But unfortunately that was not the case. Yes, some political powers are against protecting women. Well, we all know who those political powers are.
Amazing though isn’t it? Well yes, but considering that we actually need bills to protect women in the first place, against perpetrators – mostly men, says that there are also going to be political powers and people – mostly men, who don’t feel the need for these bills.
As well all know, unfortunately it is needed. And that is the real issue. Women need to be protected because men (not all) are the perpetrators. All of this energy goes out to protect women, when if men would just stop doing what they do, (Enough is enough!) we would not need bills like this on the table in the first place.
I know…I know… I keep coming coming to this obvious conclusion because it gets me angry every time I think of how much effort has to be expressed to protect women against violent men. Why is violence toward women so prevalent on this planet? What is it about women that men hate so much?
I came off of a beautiful weekend, a weekend honoring our sisters…and I woke up this morning wanting to blog something positive…and positive it is…something that many fought for to help protect women, has now been put to pen again. This is a very good thing! But why is the positiveness coming from a bandaid of a bill when the real problem is not protecting women, the real problem is getting men to stop their violence against women.
I guess my dream is to blog with a big heading, “THE VIOLENCE IS FINALLY OVER – MEN NO LONGER ABUSE WOMEN!” And have that be the truth. Oh what a day that would be. Until that glorious day, we just need to keep protecting women the best way we know how, and doing as much as we can to stop the violence.
Thank you, Social B! I HOPE you had a wonderful weekend as well.
Jewell: Short and sweet too. I loved it and I’m happy for you.
Britana: I love being a girl too. I Like your idea to increase more awareness in young women. We need more women like you out there doing just that. Thanks.
And that’s it for me this morning. Your turn. Blog me.
Peace & Love…you know what to do.
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 :)
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March 11th, 2013 at 11:17 am
…very happy about this, though I agree, why is it becoming more prevalent?
I think males, once again, when presented with women who are sexually liberated and don’t want/need attachment to partake of their sexual ‘needs’ without getting consent and often assuming women ‘want’ what they view in porn (see Ted Talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV8n_E_6Tpc Cindy Gallop states it brilliantly) men should assume nothing and as she says, ‘make love, not porn’ and no it’s not off topic regarding violence, I’ve heard of (ok, seen) some hard core porn that borders on non-consensual violence, when is it consensual, when a woman actually tells you she wants to be man-handled, though I would imagine they are few and far between and it’s a matter that would best be left between her and her therapist rather than a man. I’m just outlining what I believe has made seem ok…sex as fun, sex as porn, sex as pushing boundaries…even Justin Timberlake in a SNL skit sang a ‘dick in a box’ version of dating game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXbv8RsapfE ‘both of us railing on your butt’ doesn’t indicate treating women how we want to be treated but how men believe they would like to treat us (btw, if any woman wants 2 men ‘railing on her butt’ that’s her biz though dudes, wait for the invitation and don’t assume that this one woman’s desire is another womans desire) and I’m off that soabox now…
How about sending in your two on this:
Your Voice Can Help End To Animal Testing Today
Today animal testing for cosmetics comes to end in Europe. This is a HUGE victory for the millions of animals that were senselessly tortured, abused and killed every year. Now it’s time that we follow their lead and bring this madness to an end here in America.
Every year millions of animals, including CATS & DOGS are used for so called ‘testing’ in America. Beagles are the preferred dog of choice in testing because they are so gentle that they will never fight back against their abusers in the labs, even when they are cut open alive without anesthetic.
The amazing Beagle Freedom Project has successfully introduced a bill in the Minnesota Senate that will compel animal testing facilities that use state funds to release the dogs and cats that they are not required to kill to animal rescue organizations. Bill: S.F. 1164
We ask that you please contact the below by email and phone immediately, in support of this bill.
We testify before the committee this Tuesday so please call before then. Spread the word and forward this far and wide!
Sample email below, but please take the time if you can to write an email in your own words. Thank you!
SAMPLE EMAIL
Re: Research Dogs and Cats; S.F. 1164
Dear Senator (Insert Name),
My name is (insert your name) and I am writing you in support of S.F. 1164 which will appear before the Senate Higher Education Committee.
The bill proposes that any research institution that receives state support must offer dogs and cats that are being used for testing purposes, whose research does not require them being destroyed at the termination of the test, be offered for adoption through an animal rescue organization.
There is nothing controversial about this bill. It simply offers that the animals used for testing, rather than be euthanized at the end of their tests, be given a chance for a normal life outside the laboratory.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this issue. I hope you will support S.F. 1164 and give these few dogs and cats a chance at a life after testing.
Sincerely,
(Insert your name)
Who to Contact
Please contact all of the Committe Members listed below:
Committee on Higher Education
Chair:
Terri E. Bonoff
651-296-4314
E-mail: sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn
Vice Chair:
Greg D. Clausen
651-296-4120
E-mail: sen.greg.clausen@senate.mn
Ranking Minority Member:
Jeremy R. Miller
651-296-5649
E-mail: sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn
Committee Members:
Kent Eken
651-296-3205
E-mail: sen.kent.eken@senate.mn
Michelle L. Fischbach
651-296-2084
E-mail: sen.michelle.fischbach@senate.mn
Susan Kent
651-296-4166
E-mail her here: http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1215&ls
Tony Lourey
651-296-0293
E-mail: sen.tony.lourey@senate.mn
Julianne E. Ortman
651-296-4837
E-mail: sen.julianne.ortman@senate.mn
Branden Petersen
651-296-3733
E-mail: sen.branden.petersen@senate.mn
Eric R. Pratt
651-296-4123
E-mail: sen.eric.pratt@senate.mn
Kathy Sheran
651-296-6153
E-mail: sen.kathy.sheran@senate.mn
Dan Sparks
651-296-9248
E-mail: sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn
Patricia Torres Ray
651-296-4274
Email her here: http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1151&ls
Sorry for the length but why are we as humans always walking bad behavior to its edge??
Pax, Zen Lill
March 11th, 2013 at 11:51 am
Wow, that’s a lot Zen Lill. Oh, well I better get started.
March 11th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Your Hormones May Be Out of Whack—and You Don’t Even Know It: Men, This Can Happen to You, Too
When it comes to hormonal changes, women get the most attention. But hormones have a profound effect on the health of women and men.
In fact, these important chemical messengers, which constantly send instructions from one part of the body to another, may be at the root of mysterious and frequently undiagnosed health problems such as fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, depression and weight gain.
Hormones always act together, much like instruments in an orchestra. That is why a hormonal imbalance—too much or too little of one or more hormones—can trip up your health in many ways.
Six key hormones that may be out of whack…*
CORTISOL (ADRENAL GLANDS)
The hormone cortisol tells the body to respond to stress—both external stresses (such as traffic jams and financial troubles) and internal stresses (such as inflammation and infections).
The danger:
Progesterone (a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands as well as the ovaries and, in smaller amounts, by the testes) acts as a chemical building block for cortisol as well as estrogen and testosterone.
If you are constantly under stress, you generate high levels of cortisol, depleting progesterone and, in turn, reducing the production of estrogen and testosterone. That is why effective stress management is essential to overall hormonal balance in women and men.
Common signs of imbalance:
High cortisol levels can cause excess belly fat, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, low libido and weakened immunity.
Low cortisol levels—from exhausted adrenal glands that can no longer manufacture enough of the hormone—can cause such problems as allergies, apathy and chronic fatigue.
My advice:
Make stress management a priority. Simple techniques…
Breathe deeply. Simply breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of six and breathe out for a count of six. Do this five times whenever you’re feeling stressed.
Create boundaries.
Feeling helpless and out of control is extremely stressful. Identify your major source of stress—such as a difficult relationship—and create boundaries to regain control. If a friend causes stress by always complaining, for example, tell her the topics you’re willing to listen to—and those you’re not.
Get enough sleep.
Sufficient sleep is crucial for balancing cortisol—and all other hormones. To improve sleep, keep your bedroom completely dark and a little cool…and don’t watch TV at bedtime. End each day with a positive ritual, such as writing down things that you’re grateful for or taking a warm bath.
INSULIN (PANCREAS)
Insulin regulates blood sugar (glucose), telling muscle cells to burn glucose for energy and fat cells to store it for future use.
Common signs of imbalance:
Carbohydrate cravings, constipation, excess belly fat, poor memory, prediabetes and diabetes indicate high insulin levels, the most widespread insulin imbalance.
My advice:
Balanced glucose levels lead to balanced insulin, and diet is the best way to balance glucose.
Eat six times a day. Having healthful, smaller meals throughout the day balances glucose. Eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner and a bedtime snack.
Include protein in snacks and at meals.
It helps keep glucose balanced. Good protein sources: Nuts, cottage cheese, hummus and oily fish such as salmon and sardines.
Eat low-glycemic carbohydrates. Slow-digesting carbohydrates that don’t create spikes in glucose levels include nonstarchy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.
THYROID HORMONE
(THYROID GLAND)
This hormone regulates metabolism, including body temperature and heart rate.
Common signs of imbalance: Cold hands and feet, dry skin, fatigue, hair loss, slow heartbeat and/or weight gain could signal hypothyroidism, the most typical thyroid imbalance.
My advice: Reducing stress is key.
Also helpful…**
Avoid gluten.
Research now links gluten intolerance to thyroid problems. To determine if you are sensitive to gluten: Give up gluten-containing foods for two weeks and gradually reintroduce them. If symptoms (such as abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea) return, you are probably gluten-sensitive.
Take zinc.
A daily dose of zinc (30 mg) helps restore normal thyroid levels. (Also take 2 mg of copper—zinc supplements can deplete copper.)
Take selenium.
A daily dose of selenium (100 mcg), a potent antioxidant, helps to improve thyroid function.
Test for iodine.
If you have symptoms of thyroid imbalance, ask your doctor to test your iodine level. This mineral is crucial for production of thyroid hormone. If levels are low, eat more iodine-rich foods, such as sushi that contains seaweed.
ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE
(OVARIES, ADRENAL GLANDS, TESTES)
These hormones work together to regulate functions in the brain, heart and every other organ.
Common signs of imbalance:
For most premenopausal women, estrogen is too high and progesterone is too low.
Symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness, heavy menstrual bleeding and moodiness. High estrogen also increases risk for breast cancer.
For perimenopausal and menopausal women, estrogen is usually low, and symptoms can include hot flashes, urinary incontinence and vaginal pain and dryness.
In men, low libido, increased belly fat and breast size, depression and erectile dysfunction may occur with imbalances of these hormones.
My advice:
Controlling stress and following the eating habits described earlier in the insulin section are two of the best ways to balance estrogen and progesterone.
TESTOSTERONE
(TESTES, OVARIES)
Testosterone affects sex drive and muscle mass in men and women.
What’s often overlooked: In men, low testosterone levels are linked to higher rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, prostate problems—and death from any cause.
Signs of imbalance: Fatigue, low libido, decrease in strength, erectile dysfunction, irritability, anxiety, depression, poor concentration, memory loss and weight gain.
My advice:
To boost testosterone, don’t smoke or drink alcohol excessively (for men, no more than two drinks a day). Also helpful…
Lose weight.
For men who are overweight, weight loss is one of the most effective ways to boost testosterone. Emphasize filling, low-calorie foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.
Resistance training.
Lifting weights three times a week stimulates the production of testosterone.
Interval training.
This type of exercise also helps boost testosterone levels. What to do: Exercise to maximum capacity for one minute…slow down until normal breathing is restored (usually about one minute)…then repeat that two-part cycle for 20 minutes.
For women:
Low testosterone can lead to weight gain and loss of sex drive. The self-care methods described above for men also work for most women. This includes no excessive drinking (for women, no more than one drink a day).
If you take a statin drug:
Cholesterol is a building block of testosterone—and cholesterol-lowering statin therapy also can lower levels of the hormone.
If you’re taking a statin and have signs of testosterone imbalance, ask your doctor to test your total testosterone. If levels are 400 ng/dL or below in men, testosterone-replacement therapy should be considered. In women, a total testosterone level of 15 ng/dL or below is considered low.
*If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of a hormone imbalance, ask your doctor about getting your hormone levels tested.
**Check with your doctor before taking any of these supplements—some may interact with certain drugs.
Source: Alicia Stanton, MD, a physician who practices antiaging and integrative medicine in the Hartford, Connecticut, area. A faculty member for the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine, she is also coauthor, with Vera Tweed, of Hormone Harmony: How to Balance Insulin, Cortisol, Thyroid, Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone to Live Your Best Life (Healthy Life Library). http://www.DrAliciaStanton.com
March 11th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Debra, it’s actually easy, cut and paste the letter and then cut/paste the emails into send box, I sent em all at one time, I want them to know I am contacting all senators involved, time is precious, not sending one by one to suit their needs. – ZL