Good Monday Morning! And to my U.S. Readers: Happy Labor Day!

Keeping it light and low key today. Well maybe not low key…The first lady is rockin’ out with James Cordon of The Late Late Show, + Missy Elliott.

From the Huff Po. Watch it!

Michelle Obama Uses ‘Carpool Karaoke’ To Highlight Pressing Global Issue

In between belting Stevie Wonder, dancing to Beyoncé and delighting in a surprise appearance from Missy Elliott, first lady Michelle Obama brought up a serious message during her appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden”: the importance of educating girls around the world.

While participating in a “Carpool Karaoke” segment, Obama told the show’s host that she launched a Snapchat account to document her recent travel to Liberia, Morocco and Spain. The goal of the trip was to highlight her Let Girls Learn initiative, which she launched last year to educate more girls. Globally, more than 62 million girls are currently not in school. 

“So much could be corrected in the world if girls were educated and had power over their lives,” Obama said. “My message to kids here is, don’t take your education for granted, because there are girls around the world who would die to get the education that we have. They would do anything. They would move mountains to make it happen. I want our girls and our boys here to be aware of it, I want them to come along on this trip with me, and Snapchat was a good way to hook them in.”

Through the Let Girls Learn, thousands of American Peace Corps members stationed across the globe now get training in gender and girls education. The program works with multiple government agencies and outside organizations to invest in and elevate programs that directly impact girls in at-risk areas.

The first lady wrote about the importance of the initiative in The Wall Street Journal last March.

“The research is unequivocal: Girls who attend secondary school marry and have children later, and they have lower maternal and infant-mortality rates and lower rates of HIV/AIDS,” Obama wrote at the time. “Every additional year of education can increase a girl’s earning power by 10% to 20%; and sending more girls to school can boost an entire country’s economy. National-security experts have even noted that educating women can be a powerful tool to fight extremism, violence and instability.”

🎶♀♡

Readers: I am soo going to miss our first lady. Michelle Obama is just the best FLOTUS. With over 46 million video views, I’d say she’s going to be missed by all. #LOVEHER.

Let Girls Learn:

Such a wonderful movement. If you want to learn more about Let Girls Learn, click here. If you want to get involved click here. Thank you Michelle Obama for all of your efforts in support of our girls!

Off to go play. I hope you are all doing the same!

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 2008-2016

“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 Sunday morning!

I have no idea how I found this Wonderful Woman of the World. Probably flying down a rabbit hole.

From WBEZ in Chicago:

One Block, Zero Shootings: How One Mom Is Building Community In Englewood

Community members on the corner of 75th and Stewart in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood on a recent summer evening.

Last year, a woman was shot and killed on 75th and Stewart in Englewood. Most people have that moment when enough is enough. This was Tamar Manasseh’s.

Manasseh lives in Bronzeville, but she grew up in Englewood. Right after the murder, she decided to organize Mothers Against Senseless Killings, or M.A.S.K.

It’s a mom patrol that camps out on the block of 75th and Stewart every summer afternoon into evening as a form of violence resistance. The moms wear hot pink shirts and black hats. R&B and hip hop music blast from speakers.

I visited the moms on a recent afternoon. There’s a barbecue grill going and bottled water off to the side. Lawn chairs set up. A CTA bus whizzes by on 75th Street.

Around 5 p.m., it’s a peaceful summer scene in sweltering hot weather. The sun is far from setting.

This is Manasseh’s second summer on the block. She said coming out here daily restores her faith in a city that seems besieged by violence.

“This is the most uplifting thing going on in the city right now because you see all this negative stuff over and over again every day,” Manasseh said. “And I see it and I say I left 75th and Stewart and none of that was happening. I was in Englewood and none of that was happening. It really restores your hope in humanity.”

Manasseh said you can measure the success: first, by the crowds, which vary day to day but can number in the dozens. But there’s something else, too.

“This is not a dangerous corner to be on. It’s not like that anymore. [This was] one of the most dangerous corners in Englewood.”

According to police statistics, this summer the block hasn’t seen one shooting, although crime still happens in the area. Manasseh said she has no plans to stop coming out.

Tamar Manasseh walks down the street during a recent gathering. She started Mothers Against Senseless Killings last year to patrol the block of 75th and Stewart. (Andrew Gill/WBEZ)

“This isn’t just about stopping violence. It’s about building community,” she said. “You want to know your neighbors. When you know your neighbors people don’t die. That’s how that works.”

The gathering is mostly children. They frolic outside and get a free dinner. This night it’s chicken, potatoes and broccoli wrapped in aluminum foil taken off the grill. There’s a side salad, too, that some of the kids turn their nose up at.

This and accusations of cheating at the beanbag toss game are the biggest sources of drama.

At least until recently.

Manasseh and the other mothers station themselves each day in the same spot in front of a large courtyard building.

Some of the children play in the courtyard as the moms set up on the sidewalk.

A group of kids line up for dessert as the sun starts to set. (Andrew Gill/WBEZ)

Recently, the owner, who doesn’t live in the building, told police he wants everything and everyone to move.

Perry Management Corporation owns and manages the property. A representative of Perry Management told me they got reports that a cab driver and cable technician refused to come into the building because of the crowd.

I had to push back and say that’s just individuals’ own stereotyping. The gathering is lively but not negative.

But the representative said she wouldn’t want that type of gathering in front of her house.

Manasseh was called to the local police district, where she said she was told the moms had to leave that spot, but that they could move to the vacant lot across the street.

She was angry.

“It’s about the quality of the lives of the people in the community. Perry Management clearly doesn’t care about that,” Manasseh said. “But there are lot of people who come into areas like this, they buy property dirt cheap and they really do exploit the residents in these areas because they feel these people can’t do any better. They aren’t going to say anything. They’re not going to complain. So they can get away with whatever they want to do. They can do whatever.”

So Chicago police brokered a compromise: they said the moms could finish out this summer season on the sidewalk, but next year they would have to move their summer festivities across the street, to a lot which they could purchase.

Manasseh said she had to promise the city, police department and the building owners she would never ever set up again in front of the 75th and Stewart courtyard building.

♀💪🏽✌🏽&♡

Readers: What an inspiring story about an amazing woman who truly cares about her community thriving and surviving. She’s keeping the streets safe and you’ve got idiots in her community, the owner, who is benefitting but doesn’t give a shit because he doesn’t live there, and he’s probably white. Really, there is nothing but positiveness about what is happening here.

Manasseh has transformed her community by committing to making her neighborhood a safe place. And this is the thanks she gets. It angers me too. I HOPE that she gets the funding or is able to raise it so that she can take purchase the lot next door and continue with her much needed cause.

I have a feeling that if this Wonderful Woman of the World can stop violence in her neighborhood with love, compassion, and her fierce drive and commitment to protect children, and uplift her community, she can do anything.

Perhaps, our beloved President Obama is reading and can lend a helping hand.

Ma Qin: How delightful. No doubt Zen Lill is smiling from ear to ear. Happy to hear you are well. :) ZL: You have quite the loyal following!

Lois, Nadeen: Please spread the word. Thanks!

Sandra, et al: Made my day too. I confess it wasn’t my find – A friend sent it to me.

Hank, et al: Civics really needs to be taught well in our schools so that kids really learn. And the importance of it needs to be thoroughly stressed so that when they become voters they can make smart informed choices at the polls.

Carla: Wow. I haven’t heard from you and Jorge in a long time. I wasn’t sure you both were still reading. There have been a few comments from a “Carla” this year but wasn’t sure if it was you or not. Delighted that you are still here. I thought about you both from time to time. Happy to hear you are both happy. Did you enjoy the Summer Olympics?

Yeah…you were angry. I understand, I was too. No abandonment; just did what a girl needed to do. I’m sure you understand. Happy to be back though with my girlz and of course all the readers.

Thanks for the sweet thoughts and consideration. I am honored and I would if I could. :)

I read about Rousseff. I am so sorry. I haven’t caught up on all the details yet, but yep, true – Men are devious and many more things too. I HOPE it doesn’t happen to Clinton as well when she becomes Madam President. I’ll do my part. I hope everyone else does too. Thanks for saying hello. Please don’t be strangers here. My best and lots of love to you and Jorge. ❤️

Alice: I’m so sorry to read your comment. That must be tough. I HOPE the big bro realizes his privileges and the blatant bias towards his little bro and is sticking up for him. Don’t regret your decision. I think both of your boys will be just fine, and together because of their differences, they can really do some great things. I don’t know…I sense a book being written.

That’s it for me today. The blog is open, again…

PS: Ooops. If you caught a glimpse of my blog this morning, that was a mistake. I wasn’t finished yet. 😁 I set the write to post at 9:00 AM instead of 11:00 with the intent to wake up and complete it before 11. Oh well. You got a sneak peak at a work in progress. Kind of like a back stage pass only much less exciting. :)

Blog me. 

Happy Sunday!

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 2008-2016

“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!

/SB: Absolutely adorable! I love her. I wish more people felt that way.  I don’t expect the world to turn vegetarian; I’m not. But if we all just ate less meat, made sure the animals were treated well (with uber kindness) and killed humanely (as they so deserve), the world would be a very different place. Thank you – enjoy the holiday weekend too and do text me if you’re around. xox

Oh…Since you posted your cutie pie, I couldn’t resist posting one too. This one’s gone viral. I have a feeling yours will too. :)

From the Huff Po:

Adorable Little Girl Sings Cutest Version Of The Alphabet Song Ever

A B C D E F G, come and sing along with Violet Ogea!

Video showing the adorable 2-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana, belting out the alphabet song is quickly going viral.

Her mom, Christina Ogea, posted the mesmerizing clip to Facebook on Thursday and it’s already garnered more than 1.1 million views.

“Every song she knows, she sings like this,” Christina told The Huffington Post on Saturday. “The whole family really enjoys music so it’s always playing in the house and she learns the songs when I sing to her rocking to sleep at night.”

Commenters have praised the toddler for her outstanding vibrato and general intensity of her performance. Broadway here she comes!

💜👼🏼💜

Readers: Really cute, right?

Julliet et al: Thank you.

Ingrid: That is exactly right. And that’s the problem with many voters; they don’t show up at the midterms. If they truly understood civics and how the the three branches of government work they would know how critical it is to vote during the midterms to ensure that the president has coattails, so that he/she can get something done.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, everyone! 

Blog 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)

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 2008-2016

“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!

From the Wash Po:

Why Clinton Republicans matter

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks in Charlotte, N.C., in July. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Not since Barry Goldwater’s 1964 campaign has there been such widespread public disavowal by Republicans of their party’s nominee. The Hillary Clinton Republicans will be one of the most important legacies of the 2016 campaigns.

The question is whether they will constitute the forward end of a political realignment, or just a one-time reaction to the unsuitability of Donald Trump for the presidency.

Reasons for skepticism about long-term change are rooted in the differences between today’s polarized politics and the more tempered partisanship surrounding the big-bang elections of 1964 and 1980.

In 1964, there was a lively liberal wing of the Republican Party. GOP figures such as Jacob Javits, Clifford Case, Edward Brooke and John Lindsay had far more in common philosophically with Lyndon B. Johnson than they did with Goldwater.

Thus, 1964 was genuinely realigning, setting off the flight of conservative white Southerners from the Democratic Party but also a defection of liberals from the Republican Party. Many (including Lindsay, Javits and Case) were pushed aside in primaries.

The list of Republicans who reject their presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and support his Democratic opponent keeps growing. (The Washington Post)

The celebrated Reagan Democrats of 1980, in the meantime, came in several varieties. Many were the same white Southerners who began voting Republican in 1964 but didn’t abandon their old party label. Others were Northern working-class whites who started voting Republican in Richard Nixon’s 1968 and 1972 elections. And some were neoconservatives who disliked President Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy. Here again, there was philosophical coherence.

The Never Trump Republicans, including those who have endorsed Clinton, are a far more complicated group. Many of them are devout philosophical conservatives who have little in common with Clinton on either policy or ideology. They see Trump as unacceptable largely because of who he is: his tendency towardcruelty and viciousness, his racial attitudes and his lack of seriousness about policy. Many Republicans are praying the Trump episode will be an interlude and that they will be able to resume control of their party after it ends.

Others are a part of an unusual alliance between hawkishneoconservatives and Republican foreign policy realists who often disagree with each other but are joined in the view that Trump’s foreign policy, such as it is, is entirely outside the internationalist traditions their party has broadly upheld since World War II. Both ends of this anti-Trump alliance are especially suspicious of his friendly views of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his support of policies (on NATO and the European Union) that would advance Russia’s interests.

On foreign policy, there is some coming together between Clinton and her Republican allies. Dovish liberals worry about this aspect of the anti-Trump right. They suspect — partly on the basis of her history — that Clinton’s instincts are more hawkish than President Obama’s.

Her allies on international issues cast the issue somewhat differently — and more positively: that Clinton’s election could restore something close to an older consensus on foreign policy that was blown apart by the Iraq War. They argue that she occupies a middle ground between Obama and his hawkish critics. She is less interventionist than the neoconservatives but would, on some issues, be tougher in her approach to diplomacy than Obama has been.

🇺🇸♀🇺🇸

Readers: I know Clinton hopes it will be easier, but I think a GOP Congress will be much harder on her then they were with Obama. She may be white but she’s a woman. If the Congress remains Republican we’re going to have a helluva time getting anything done, once again. I HOPE that Clinton realizes this.

Yes, she may have been able to find common ground when she was a Senator or Secretary of State, but I’m not counting on her finding common ground with republicans in Congress. Not that I am questioning her abilities. I just know how ruthless the republicans are. And if they feel they have no choice but to vote for Clinton, they are going to want to CONTROL and have the power to meet their agendas as much as they possibly can, just like they did with Obama. Only my gut tells me it will be much worse with Hillary as POTUS.

And, there’s a lot at stake. What’s at stake? Oh…just a little nomination of a Supreme Court Justice (!) Hillary needs a Democrat Senate because when she makes her choice for SCOTUS, the Senate will need to confirm it. If it’s a Republican Senate, like it currently is, you better believe they aren’t going to like her nomination, because it will most likely tip the balance of the court to the left.

This is how it works: Once Hillary makes her SCOTUS choice she sends it over to the Senate. The Senate leadership, then turns the nomination over to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which then holds hearings. This gives the Senators from both sides a chance to discern how a nominee will side with certain issues that are important to that particular party. It’s not uncommon for this to go on for days, especially if the choice is a contentious one.

The Senate Judiciary Committee then votes on whether to recommend the nominee to the full Senate. And by the way, the full Senate can hold their own hearings as well. In reality, we only need to have a simple majority vote by the full Senate to approve the nomination with the VP casting the deciding vote should there be a tie. However, in recent years, to hold a Senate Vote, it requires the support of at least 60 Senators – the number it takes to shut down a filibuster.

So what do we need to do? Simple. Make sure we take back control of the Senate. Just keep the number 60 in your mind, and go out and vote.

Holly: I guess I see it differently. When things like this are made into law…they may seem small and insignificant or “ridiculous” on the onset. But if we don’t pay attention to them, men are slick – they know what they’re doing to women – it gives men the go ahead to push us even further, and attempt to chip away at our rights and do even more harmful things to us.

If we can’t stick up for what is wrong with little everyday matters pertaining to women’s needs and health, why would men be concerned about the bigger picture of women’s health? If we don’t honor our bodies and stick up for our needs, we know men certainly won’t – they are the ones who are legislating this BS.

Lastly, no one is saying that what is happening in Germany is not important. Womens’ lives, safety and well-being all over this planet are worth advocating for. But if we don’t treat our basic needs, not wants, as something important, men will just keep legislating in their best interest, what benefits them the most, with little regard for what’s important to us.

Let’s look at the laws for rape. The consequences are not harsh enough because men write those laws. If we got stronger laws passed for rape, and men knew the ramifications wouldn’t be worth the disgusting act, they wouldn’t rape. I have no doubt that if men knew their dicks would be cut off or they wouldn’t be able to have sex again if they raped, the act of rape would not even be an issue anymore.

Until women take more power by running for office and voting out the bastards we’ll have to deal with these misogynist and discriminatory laws that pass disrespecting women and their health needs. Thankfully enough women in these states voiced their opinions loud enough to get the laws changed. Hopefully more states will follow suit.

Happy Friday Everyone! I’ve flapped my lips enough, now it’s your turn. You know what to do.

Blog 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)

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 2008-2016

“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"

Lol – pun intended.

Good morning.

It was only a week ago that Trump’s immigration plan was the same one Obama is enforcing. I even blogged about it two days ago. Then he gave his immigration speech last night. My how things shift quickly. Did you watch? I’ve had enough of Trump for this week. Be my guest to keep it live if you want, but I’m taking a break and tuning to another station this morning.

From Think Progress:

California Lawmakers Unanimously Repeal State’s ‘Tampon Tax’

This week, the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would exempt menstrual products from state sales tax, sending it to Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) desk.

The bill got bipartisan support, with Democrats arguing the tax is an unfair burden on women when things like Rogaine and Viagra are often tax-exempt. Republicans, meanwhile, supported tax relief.

“Fundamentally this is about gender equity and leveling the field,” said Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D), who wrote the bill.

And Assemblywoman Ling-Ling Chang (R) said in supporting the bill, “By scrapping this tax, we’re putting money back in the pockets of California women.”

Brown has not said whether he’ll sign it into law and his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Repealing the so-called “tampon tax” would cost the state an estimated $20 million in tax revenue.

California is one of a handful of states that have taken notice of the fact that menstrual products are treated like luxury items and subjected to sales tax, while things like prescription drugs and even shampoo are exempt. New York State got rid of its tampon tax in April after a group of women filed a lawsuit claiming it amounted to discrimination. A similar lawsuit was filed earlier this year in Ohio. Bills have been introduced in that state, as well as in Illinois, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

President Obama has even taken notice of the issue, saying he has “no idea why states would tax these as luxury items,” but positing that “it’s because men were making the laws when those taxes were passed.” He also urged women in states where tampon taxes exist “to work to get those taxes removed.”

Yet even with New York and California working to repeal their taxes, just five other states have already done the same. The 40 others with sales tax still treat tampons as taxable luxury items.

The women who have filed lawsuits have come up with estimates of how much the tampon tax costs them. The numbers are huge: $11 million a year in Ohio and $14 million in New York.

*****

Readers: It’s about time. Only a man would call tampons a “luxury item.” How ridiculous is that. Uh…duh…just because it goes into our vaginas doesn’t mean it’s a treat, like I’m getting off on it. Taxing tampons is just plan discriminatory as noted in today’s write.

On a similar note…Ever hear of the “Pink Tax”? Its the idea that versions of products and services for women cost more than the male versions. And it’s true.

 A recent study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs surveyed almost 800 products and found in 42% of cases, women paid more for the same items as men.

Sometimes as much as double the price. It’s highway robbery.

Thoughts? Blog 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 :)

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