By SHARON OTTERMAN and LIZ ROBBINS
Published: April 29, 2009 New York Times

“A Mexican toddler who came to the United States with his family to visit relatives in Texas has died in Houston of the swine flu, Texas officials said Wednesday, even as the number of confirmed cases continued to rise in the United States and Europe without additional reports of fatalities.”

This is something that is worrying a lot of the population, worldwide. Here are some of the symptoms to be aware of, and if you believe you might have the flu, take it serious and see a doctor. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

For a complete Question & Answer from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visit

To Find Out More Information, Or If You’re Paranioded Visit CDC

In the Old Testament, Yahweh (God) creates the Earth in seven days. He also creates Adam to watch over the land that he created. Then, after Adam became “lonely”, God decided that he needed a partner to mate with. So that is when Eve came into the picture, or maybe not.

There is an additional myth to Genesis, commonly ignored by the very religious, that before Eve there was another woman.

This woman was created at the same time that Adam was made. According to Hebrew legend, the first woman God created was a companion for Adam, a strong-willed lady named Lilith.

Both had been created at the same time from the same dust, so naturally Lilith considered herself equal to Adam. Since she wouldn’t give in to his overbearing will, the Bible portrays her as a demonic seductress who goes around killing babies.

So to make it clear for everyone, Adam had a wife before Eve. She was too much to handle for Adam, so she was said to be the one who left Adam (drama so early in history?). This first wife of Adam may safely be called the world’s first feminist.

Women have been under the yoke of their husbands due to religion and culture since Lilith left Adam. But it’s the religion of man that ignores the rights of women and uses religion to subjugate females.

In Genesis there is an infamous women, an evil seductress, who should be known for her strong feministic role in the Bible.

This is the story of Jezebel. Many know her as the evil women who fought against everything that represented God. I know her as the women who took advantage of her husband’s power, and used it as a man might. She wielded her power with decisiveness, strength, and cunning, but because she was a woman she has been demonized for behaviors and actions that if it were her husband Ahab, the King of Israel, who had done them, he would not have had the negative press she received.

To this day, Jezebel is portrayed as an evil women who killed people and practiced witchcraft, but some scholars have noted that Jezebel was probably just a strong-willed woman, who knew what she wanted, and set out to get it, no matter what the consequences. Men who do this are considered ruthlessly successful, though not necessarily evil. Religion, not history, has made her evil because she is a woman.

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, women who do not behave like women are defamed.
Both Lilith and Jezebel’s story show that they were just women who were fighting for equality. Sometimes, it became a bit unmoral as you see in the story of Jezebel, but in the end, you can probably say that women such as Jezebel and Lilith are our world’s first feminist.

This Californian native has made an impression on activism in every way. Her strong female roles have made her career shine as she has portrayed the one thing that she is commonly known for, her strong feministic activism.

In one of Judd’s trips to Rwanda and the Congo, Judd clearly stated her opinion of abortion, “The cycle of Third World poverty cannot be broken until women have the freedom to regulate their own fertility.” Maintaining and expanding the worldwide awareness of woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion has been one of Judd’s continuing efforts.

Another one of Judd’s activist endeavors has been as the Youth AIDS Global Ambassador since 2004. YAG (which is sponsored by Population Services International) has given her the opportunity to become involved in helping to stop the epidemic spread of AIDS in Africa, especially in women, and in 2008, Judd was in New York to address the United Nations on the problem of human trafficking/slavery.

Since her first “moment” in college at the University of Kentucky, her work has always been about the same, human rights. “I became a rabble-rouser. I was constantly organizing- campus wide walk-out-of-classes, doing whatever I could to stir the pot. And that’s when I really became sensitized to international issues,” said Judd during a New Your address to the United Nations.

Judd has consistently fought against the movement to make abortions illegal saying that it an unhealthy choice to take away a woman’s reproductive CHOICE. “The fewer the children, the healthier the family, the better chance of getting an education.” – Judd

Ashley Judd has taken time away from her career to ‘stir the pot’ in our American society and all over the world. Her dedication towards preserving and expanding the rights of every human, especially women demonstrates to all of us that one person can make a difference. Her belief in that, and her actions to uncover the truth about what is happening in Third World countries, and even here in the U.S. has helped countless people and has set an example of what one determined woman can do.

If anyone doesn’t know this already, March was the National Women’s History month, shining light on women such as Abigail Adams, Jane Austen, Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, etc. I specifically wanted Ashley Judd to be put out there for her work as a feminist activist, as an actress that strives for human rights, and as a fellow woman, who is willing to live her life trying to make the difference in our world.

I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it. ~ Marilyn Monroe

If you were asked to picture Marilyn Monroe, you’d probably think of a curvy woman with blonde hair, wearing a revealing dress and leaning over a subway grate. The media portrayed singer and actress Marilyn Monroe as just a pretty blonde pop icon. But Marilyn was the opposite of the glamorous movie star she seemed to be.

In 1945, a photographer came to the warehouse where Norma Jean worked. He was photographing women who were helping with the war effort. Mrs. Norma Jeane Dougherty landed on the cover of Yank magazine, a weekly published by the military during World War II.

Shortly after, modeling agencies contacted Norma Jeane, and she quit her warehouse job. Ethel and Jim didn’t agree with Norma Jeane’s career choice, so she moved out and divorced Jim. Norma Jeane’s career began–first as a model, then as an actress and singer. In 1946, she started calling herself Marilyn Monroe–Marilyn after a famous stage actress, Marilyn Miller, and Monroe because it was her mother’s maiden name.

Marilyn worked hard to combat her media image of “dumb blonde.” She appeared in about 30 movies, and most of them showed her as ditzy or murderous. She took acting classes and even started her own production company in an effort to play more serious roles. Marilyn also carried with her a biography of Abraham Lincoln, her hero, and took nighttime literature classes at UCLA. But the public ridiculed Marilyn’s efforts to get an education.

After all the effort Marilyn put into changing her image, People magazine voted her the “sexiest woman of the century” in 1999. Perhaps she’ll always be remembered that way, but she was also a smart woman who put her career ahead of everything else. She once begged an interviewer, “Please don’t make me a joke. End the interview with what I believe … I want to be an artist, an actress with integrity.”

Marilyn Monroe died at the age of 36 from a sleeping pill overdose. Some think the overdose was an accident, others think it was suicide, and still others think someone forced Marilyn to take the pills.

Excerpts From Media Resource: New Moon Magazine, July-August, 2007

After the tragedy with Hudson’s family, it was amazing how she got up there in the center of the football field and let everything go. Her voice was beyond amazing, and gave my goosebumps down my spine. The loud thrill in her voice as she sang the National Anthem made me burst into tears in pride of my nationality.

“She was amazing. I agree. She sounded awesome. I wish her all the best. She’s been through so much and she held herself together tonight beautifully. Job well done!” -Sandra B

“I think she did great. Her voice is so powerful and beautiful. God bless her and her family.” -Tasheka N.

Although there were some negative comments saying that Hudson didn’t sing the National Anthem the correct way and that the old fashioned way of singing it is more “American”, wake up and smell the modern times. Hudson made beautiful music when she sang a beautifully revised anthem. Stop being so close-minded Knowledge is good
from Yahoo! Answers.

-anonymous

Doctors, Psychologist, Parents, Teachers, Ministers, and friends ask the same question over and over again. “Why do young girls suffer from self-esteem issues? This is why! The sad thought that a (lazy fat, cynical gossip journalist, sits at his/hers cold office, coming up with harmful words to bring down beautiful women such as Jessica Simpson) is the reason why young daughters of the next generation will suffer. That is why Miley Cyrus will strive for thin, and why my little sister who is ten-years old said to me yesterday “I need some slim fast because I’M FAT”.

What!!? A ninety-two pound girl just told me that she is fat and wants to look like Jews from the Holocaust!!! I am angry- my heart is angry- my readers should be angry.

Comments on Jessica Simpson’s new weight gain.

She looks great! She’s in love and happy. Its normal to gain weight!!! Leave the poor girl alone. How can we expect the youth of today to feel good about themselves when you are attacking someone as beautiful as Jessica Simpson?
-TaraC2

I think Jessica looks great!!! She looks healthy and happy!! You go girl!!!
-sweetdevildi

Jessica is gorgeous and there is nothing more beautiful that a woman that has a little bit of curves. Good for her.

President Obama said today that “it is fitting that the very first bill the I sign, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act…is upholding one of this nation’s founding principles: that we are all created equal.”

The Ledbetter Act corrects the Roberts Supreme Court decision (see PDF) that gutted the ability of women workers to sue for wage discrimination. The Act passed helps not only women, but all workers who are victims of wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

Ledbetter worked for Goodyear for 19 years before discovering that she was paid significantly less than her male counterparts with the same or less experience. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the complaint had to be filed within 180 days of the initial salary decision even if the victim is unaware of the discrimination until much later.

Media Resources: Feminist Daily Newswire 1/9/09, 1/23/09, 1/28/09; Feminist Majority Foundation; CSPAN

Many readers liked my last column on basic feminism on the newspaper that I write for, so I decided that this issue I will write about something that everyone can go out and grab; The Vagina Monologues.

This extraordinary collection of interviews was thought about by play writer Eve Ensler in 2001. The V-Day edition, which is the new and improved version, has two additional monologues that have been added due to the growing awareness of violence against women and the undeniable problems of domestic violence.

In her introduction to “The Vagina Monologues,” Eve Ensler writes the word vagina more than 100 times. How comfortable do you feel saying that word?

Most of the girls I’ve interviewed for this story never once used the actual word of vagina, (understandable, it’s difficult to talk about it with a stranger) but the truth is, it is the correct medical term for the “down there” area. This embarrassment that most girls have are from the old era that words such as vagina are not “lady-like” and make you seem too open.

This is why The Vagina Monologues is needed, for the sheer comfort of any girl to correctly use the word and not feel ashamed or embarrassed. This is why I have recommended this book to every person I can (at the appropriate age) male or female.

Women my age need this eye opener in the dramatic life of high school. The fact is, women from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Croatia, as well as many other places, including the United States, are being raped and abused every four seconds. Awful ideas such as genital mutilation to young girls so they’ll never have pleasure is not uncommon is many cultures in Africa.

The Vagina Monologues is a book that stands up to Defend Women Rights and make this younger generation of girls not ashamed of their “down there”. The book goes beyond that, of course, and is truly about female empowerment.”
“Frank, humorous and moving . . . a compelling rhapsody of the female essence. Ultimately, Ensler achieves something extraordinary.” –Chicago Tribune

Would you be willing to have “a vagina interview?” This meaning to talk about the reality of menstruation, rape, avoiding sex at a young age, protected sex, self-esteem issues, clitoridectomy in the middle-east and much more. Would you be willing to say the truth?

*Also published in The Scene.

I am happy to present to you (my readers) the president of the United States. Mr. Barack Obama. My heart was filled with happiness as Obama was announced as our President. He seems to have a great plan for our future, and my we only hope that most gets done. I am proud that I will be able to tell my children, and their children about this day, Hallelujah, HE MADE IT!!!

For those who wanted to read this amazing speech this is only the first part:

WASHINGTON – My fellow citizens,

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

]]> http://thefeministpursuit.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/we-have-a-new-president-america/feed/ 0 feminist by choice believe 44rd President http://thefeministpursuit.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/classic-story-different-day/ http://thefeministpursuit.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/classic-story-different-day/#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:56:32 +0000 feminist by choice http://thefeministpursuit.wordpress.com/?p=81 ]]> The Truth Is…

Many try to make me believe that the Feminist movement that started years ago just might be over, and it is true, women have reached a point in society that would make Mary Wollencraft burst with tears of joy.

The truth is, sexism is not over. Women are still underpaid and looked at as subserviant to their husbands. I can’t seem to understand it, but I avoid point my finger at religion (I must not blame religion).

On Thrusday, January 15th, 2009 my husband and I were sitting down eating lunch at a cafeteria minding our own buisness. Alongside of us was a table set up for Marine recruiters that walked around stiff and anxious.

All of a sudden one of the Marine guys (don’t know the correct term) came towards us and handed my husband a small buisness-like card advertising why he should join the Marines. (Never mind the fact that were both not into the whole war thing) We smiled and nodded everytime he said something positive about joining the Marines. The problem was, never once did he hand me the same card, or directed his “Go Marines” comments towards me. It was sad that (whether it was unsubconscienciously or not) he was acting with sexism.

So like I said before, the truth is, sexism is not over.

]]> http://thefeministpursuit.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/classic-story-different-day/feed/ 0 feminist by choice We Can Do It