We all got needs....

I love the way the church makes an ass of itself. Dude. The Da Vinci Code is fiction. They sell it in the fiction department. It is for fun. No one is saying you should worhsip the Da Vinci Code or listen to Satan or try to venture outside the box or learn think for yourself. Sure, it's fun to play with history and myth. I love a good conspiracy theory, as you all know, and there are elements of the whole Mary-Magdaline-was-the-real-head-of-the-church theory that I like. Sex, lies, murder, cover-up, girl power... It would explain a lot of the persecution women endured from the church with the witch hunts and what-not. What more could I ask for in a conspiracy theory?? But dude, it isn't any closer to being true than any of the other crazy, unverified bullshit in the Bible. (ohhh.... burn).... Besides, I dont see what the big deal is. What if Jesus was gettin' some? He was 33. I'm guessin' he was gettin in on with one of the Marys or Martha or dude was gay. Let's be real here. We all got needs.

Speaking of needs, how about this case I learned about in Constitutional Law. Apparently, the state of Alabama outlawed the sale of "sexually stimulating contraband"... aka sex toys. For real. The state argued that it had a legitimate interest in prohibiting the detrimental effects that persuing orgasms for the sake of orgams would have on the health and morality of the citizens of Alabama. AND, the 11th circuit upheld the decision (because, as you probably know, the states of Georgia, Florida and Alabama are located in the fucking twillight zone.) !!!!! Personally, I see this as a flagant attack on female sexuality, and I cannot believe that states, even Alabama, would be allowed to do something this ridiculous. For shame. Does Alabama not know that the 70's brought us sexual liberation, complete with free love, the birth control pill, and sex toys??? Dude. This is a travesty!!!!!!!! To think that Alabama would try to destroy the beautiful, sweet love that Mr. Dependable and I share..... for shame, Alabama...for shame...



P.S. Is it wrong to have a picture of the last supper and a giant pink dildo in the same post??

And so it goes....

Well, I should be updating with some new political rant. But, alas, I am too exausted. Finals wore me out. We finished exams on thursday and then summer school started monday. I must admit, I am feeling a bit burnt out. But, so it goes.... I just wanted all of my faithful readers to know that I am alive and well, and that I have not completely forgotten about my blog. Sadly, I just don't have any thoughts on anything at present.

My roommate and I did get an abused puppy. Really, it is hers, but it hates us both. By puppy, I mean he is two and hates everyone. I think he wants to die, he is literally that depressed. I feel bad for the little guy. Sometimes I just want to lash out at the cold, cruel world too. Feel free to check out the whole story on Tara's blog
(here we are celebrating after exams.)

Random Rants and Legal Humor...

Newsflash: CNN's headline this evening reveals sensational news!!! On his deathbed, Pope John Paul asked people to read him the Bible!!! Shocking! I am so glad CNN covered this groundbreaking story!!! The Bible...who would have thought.... I was figuring he'd ask for strippers or 12 year old boys or something.....

ummm... and on a side note, what is going on in this picture? Is he striking a pose, or what? The photographer was like, "Ok, John, I just want to catch a glimpse of the real you...just act natural.... "


This reminds me of the Law Review articles I had to read yesterday. One, by a law professor was entitled "Man and his 5000 year old relationship with the cannibus plant." Can I just say AWSOME???? One section dicussed the merits of weed as a treatment for anorexia.... I mean, that makes so much sense... being a pothead is way less dangerous than being anorexic... If CNN wanted to do something worthwhile they'd investigate that....

another article was entitled "aliens with guns" and was about letting illegal aliens serve in the military and own weapons. The article then went on to say how no federal court had ever even discussed this issue....and some concluded the author was an idiot. My theory is that this author also wrote the cannibus article. He was just sitting around one evening and the idea came to him...."aliens with guns, man....woah... that's heavy...."

another article about the clergy sex abuse litigation of the 80's stated: "they [church officials] failed to warn parishioners of his "tendency to rape children." Hmmm.... his tendency? Like, I have a tendency to get drunk and boottie dance? Don't be alarmed, ladies and genteman, it's only a tendency....

Disturbing...

As a law student, I hear many, many, many disturbing cases. However, this is one of the most disturbing stories I have heard in awhile. Apparently, a mother let a man molest her 7 year old son in exchange for money. People are fucking scum.

This gets me thinking about the death penalty. I may be a bleeding heart liberal when it comes to a lot of things, but punishing scum-bags is not one of them. My theory is that victimless crimes (drugs, theft, etc.) do not warrent outrageous sentences. Here, utilitarian principles of deterrence and societal benefit should drive punishmen. But when someone hurts another person, particularly a child, then all bets are off. Retributive, eye for an eye, the avenging arm of the law kind of reasoning kicks in. Someone rapes and kills a child? Fry that sorry ass son of a bitch up. In fact, as far as I am concerned, the death penalty is too humane for people like that. Too bad torture has been deemed unconstitutional becasue I think a person deserves to have whatever they perpetrated committed agasint them. Why should the guilty be afforded more rights and better treatment than their victims? Life is about conseqences. If you choose to hurt others, then you should deal with the consequences. And in my book, the consequences should be severe.

Oh, and my cure for the legal system when it comes to executing the innocent? Create a higher evidentiary standard for cases in which the prosecuter is seeking the death penalty.

Give you something to cry about....

Well, here I am posting when I should be writing the most important paper of my academic career - my appellate brief on RLUIPA....sigh.....

Apparently, a California lawyer is suing e-harmony for discrimination because the site will not allow him to register and get a date until his divorce is final. He says this violates a California status that prohibits discrimination based on marital status. Did I mention that he is suing for like 12,000 dollars? He was apparently very upset by this whole traumatic ordeal.... Personally, I think he needs to find something real to complain about. How about the fact that when you go to the e-Harmony starter webpage, you can only choose man seeking woman or woman seeking man. This sounds like discrimination based on sexual orientation and I for one have a much bigger problem with this kind of discrimination than with the website trying to respect both parties in a marriage. I wonder if dude's marital problems originated with him screwing around on his wife in the first place??? Men.... *rolling my eyes*.... Worse yet, male lawyers..... Why don't you find some real discrimination to bitch about....

Time to get your head out of your ass, America...

I recently read several very alarming articles on CNN and in The New Yorker (courtesy of Mr. Romanic) about global warming that I urge everyone to read, particularly those of you who are still down-playing the seriousness of the global warming problem.

My only other tyrade for the week: the David and Goliath brand shirt I saw in the mall that said "I'm too pretty to do math." Yes, this is a perfect message to be sending our young girls, who are already bombarded with images of what they should be (dumb, pretty, over-sexed and thin) on television and in magazines. What's more, this isn't like some kid made it herself as an expression of who she is. This is a corporate machine feeding bullshit to our children - selling them an image, giving them a blueprint for who they need to be. You aren't a rebel or a non-conformist if you are just buying your identity from some corporation. The corporate man is telling you who you should be, and you should feel insulted. And, corporate man.... for shame. Filling impressionale teenage minds with garbage just so you can make a buck. I hope you have a teenage daughter one day, who turns out just as slutty and stupid as your t-shirts sound.

Shall We Dance??

Perhaps it's the Sudafed....


But, does this not look like a scene straight out of Bride and Prejudice, or some other fantastic Bolly-wood musical??? They're just about to start the big dance number, I can feel it... spirit fingers!!!!!

"The truth, the truth, there is no truth! These men just make it up as they go along."

Recently, I watched an amazing documentary about 9/11 called Loose Change that I challenge everyone to watch. Personally, I find it very interesting, if nothing else. Please, watch and give me your impression....

On that note, I will let it be known that I am a conspiracy theorist.

"The truth is out there."

"Trust no one."

Fox Molder is my freekin' fantasy/hero.

I don't trust people with lots of money and I don't trust people with lots of power. I don't trust corporations and, I certainly don't trust the govornment. (generally speaking, I don't trust men either, but that's a totally differnt topic. :) )

Think I have trust issues? watch the documentary...

Other facinating conspiracy theories that I half-way think could be plausible:

1) The Man-Made Origin of AIDS ; congress appropriations bill for biological warfare

2) The Best Democracy Moeny Can Buy ; Buy it on Amazon - it's a good read :)

Gloria, in case you wondered, I am strong! I am invincible! I am WOMAN!!!!

I find that once law school gets going, I can’t keep up with my postings. It’s not that I am just too busy to post, but I have trouble keeping abreast with what’s going on in the world and so I lack inspiration…. But for your sake, dear reader, I will persevere…:)

Why do (we) women let men determine how we feel about ourselves??? Compare the number of crying drunk girls you’ve seen to crying drunk guys. I blame society, television, our mothers and our peers. Ladies, we spend too much time worrying over men, wondering why they don’t like us, trying to be beautiful so they will want us, crying because we feel rejected, getting back together with men who cheat on us because we need to feel wanted, trying to get their attention so we can feel pretty and wallowing because we feel lonely. If we took all that energy and focused it on kickin’ ass in our academic and professional pursuits, imagine how much more we could accomplish. Children’s fairy tales and Hollywood romance movies have told us that we can’t live happily ever after until we find our prince charming. Bullshit. There is no prince charming, and in the real world, marriage/finding your true love is not the end of the story. Have you ever wonder what happened to Cinderella and Snow White and Sleeping Beauty after they found their dream prince? Well, everything is honky dory for a few weeks and then life resumes as usual. Prince Charming drinks too much, he goes out with the boys and expected dinner on the table when he came home every night. He forgets Valentines Day and their anniversary. He forgets what the word foreplay means. Eventually, our “happy” heroine gets knocked up and while she’s fat and pregnant, Charming cheats on her with some bleach-blond, 18 year old undergrad. Acquiring the perfect man is not the end all be all. In fact, I am willing to go out on a limb and say that in the end, it won’t make you happy or make you feel complete. Those are things that you must do for yourself.

The moral of this story? We must stop allowing men to dictate how we feel about ourselves!!!! They should not have the power to make us feel pretty, or happy or sad.

Ladies, we have to concentrate on us. We have to look out for number one. A little egocentrism might not be such a bad thing after all… Guard your hearts, focus on your careers, goals, hopes and dreams…. Don’t let men hurt you – they aren’t worth your time or energy. Take care of yourself above all others and don’t worry about being nice or liked. Who fucking cares what someone else thinks about you. All that matters is what YOU think about YOU.

Eugenics - the science of better breading...(my favorite blog post ever!)

Ok, so I am completely obsessed with researching the Eugenics Movement in America. The more I learn, the more amazed I am that this often ignored aspect of American history ever took place...Hitler set about to complete what American Scientists, policy makers and elites started..... Thought I'd share a little bit of my historical passion with you....

The rest of the board reads:

"America needs less of these..."

- Every 48 seconds a person is born in the US who will never grow up mentally beyond that of a normal 8 year old boy or girl."

-Every 50 seconds a person is committed to jail in the US. Very few normal persons ever go to jail.

"America needs more of these..."

- Every 7and 1/2 minutes a HIGH GRADE person is born in the US who will have the ability to do creative work and be fit for leadership. About 4 percent of Americans come within this class.

Notice the similarity between the Nazi poster and the American display board.....

These guys are protesting for marriage laws and sterilization....

One of many books on Eugenics published during this time... Other not-so-subtle titles include: The Jukes: A Study in Crime, Disease, Pauperism, and Heredity; The Tribe of Ishmael: A Study of Social Degeneration; The Passing of the Great Race; The Rising Tide of Color Against White World Supremicy; Constructive Eugenics, The Task of Social Hygiene; The Right to be Well Born; and Eugenics: A Journal of Race Betterment.

The family above won a "Fitter Family" Contest at the State Fair!....

While many were dubbed "feeble-minded" and placed in institutions or sterilized, there was never a real, scientific definition of or method for determining "feeble-mindedness." Interestingly, the IQ test was developed by Eugenicists...

Honorary degree given by a German University in 1936 to Harry Laughlin one of America's leading Eugenisits. He managed to get laws against "racial mixing," laws allowing forces sterilization of the "unfit," and laws restricting the immigration of non-nordics passed. The Germans applauded his efforts of behalf of Eugenics.....

More info on Eugenics and cool primary source documents like these can be found at:

http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/

The same thing we do every night, Pinky -Try and take over the world!!!!

(another entry from my old blog...)

Pinky: What are we gonna do tonight?
Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky - try and take over the world!!!

So last night I saw The Island, which is actually a pretty decent futuristic tale of Eugenics. I think the movie raises a few questions that, while a little different from real cloning dilemmas, are along the same ethical lines....

When I got home from the movie I began reading and ran across an article (apparently I'd missed this in the news) that said scientists are going to create a mouse that has a 100 percent human celled brain. While I may not be able to understand the scientific ins and outs of this, and have been told that the human brain is more complicated than its parts, it does lead me to wonder what makes something human. Is it our human form? Our brain? Our ability to love, feel compassion, and make decisions? What do we do that animals don’t that makes us superior to them? And when does a life become sacred?

If we answer love, compassion, and rational thought, then I feel this is all encompassed in the human mind. Love, after all, is mainly biological. Animals also feel love and devotion, just ask anyone who has ever had a beloved pet or who saw the Jane Goodall documentary that featured the pubescent chimp that died of a broken heart after its mother was killed. But humans would die for one another. This is solely human. Well, not really. Some birds, when the flock is under attack, will fly away from the fleeing flock and distract the predator, usually resulting in its death and the safety of the other birds. This, according to the sociobiological perspective is because biology compels all creatures to not only fight for our survival but for the survival of our species, our genes. All of these functions are a product of evolution and are controlled by the brain.

If then, it is the human brain that makes some one or thing human, then is a person, void of the human mind, nonhuman? If a person has an IQ below 70 does that make them less of a person? If a child is born with a mental handicap that leaves them with the brain function of a dog or chimp, is that child less than human?

If we say the human form makes us human, then would a person, void of legs or arms be considered less than human? When would a physical handicap or deformity be enough to render someone a creature and not a human being?

If an animal with a human brain was created, would it be human? At what point would such a hybrid become human, if ever? And if we cannot easily answer the question of what makes a human life sacred, then perhaps we should be a bit hesitant before turning other creatures into dinner or scientific experiments.

Perhaps we are special because we are more highly evolved. We have thumbs, after all. We are strong and fast and can dominate the world. Therefore everything is here for us to conquer and exploit, simply because we can. Might makes right, doesn’t it? If something is defenseless or less intelligent then you have the right to decide if it should live or die, and what quality of life it deserves. Right? I mean, just ask Hitler….

Note: For my religious viewers, who likely feel that this is an easy question because humans have souls which differentiate them from other animals, I’m gonna have to roll my eyes… What is a soul exactly? Where is it located? Who decided who/what gets a soul anyway? Wasn’t there a time when the Southern church decided that slaves didn’t have souls? Would a half mouse half human hybrid have a soul? How about a clone? Why or why not? There has to be something that all humanity can agree upon that does not bring one group’s specific religious beliefs into play when determining what makes a living thing human, and that human life sacred

Further reading on the real 'Brain' and how scientists are causing me to ask all these silly questions....

Pat Robertson - biggest dick ever. period.

(Pictured above: Pat takes a dump on American democracy)

And while I'm thinking about right-winged fundamentalists, here is a shout-out to the biggest dick of them all - Pat Robertson. Most recently, Pat has been in the spotlight for saying that God smote Ariel Sharon for "dividing his land" and pulling Isreal out of Gaza. You see, in addition to hating communists and muslims, Pat LOVES the nation of Isreal, even though they don't believe in Jesus either. And, he'd rather see Isrealis and Palistinians killing each other than trying to establish peace. What's more, Pat loves to attribute everything that goes wrong in life to god's punishment. Just curious, Mr. Robertson, but when you got cancer in 2003 and had to have your prostate removed, what was God punishing you for?

My favorite little "god's punishment" theory is Pat's assertion that Hurricaine Katrina was god's punishment for Ellen Degenerates hosting the Emmys. Therfore, becasue she is openly gay, god decided to destroy her hometown and kill lots of poor black people who probly don't even watch the emmys, let alone have anything to do with who is selected to host the damn thing. However, other fundamentalists are taking credit for Katrina too, so were not real sure why god smote New Orleans. It appears that AL- Zarqawi is claiming that god sent Katrina to smite the US for its unholy occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Hmmm.... maybe god was running a two-for one special on hurricane smitings.... You know, now that I think about it, Zarqawi and Robertson have a lot in common. They are both crazed fundamentalists who advocate violence agasint god's enemies (Recall when Robertson advocated the assasination of Venezuela's


President) and they both like to indoctrinate the ignorant masses through television. Maybe they should do a show together!!! I bet they could make a shit-load... Sure, they have some theological differences of opinion, but they could just focus on the things they have in common - like total hate and loathing for women, gays, infidels and the seperation of church and state.

In addition, Pat and his buddy Falwell blame gays, the removal of prayer from schools, and immorality in general for 911.

More irony from Pat - he says that Islam is a religion of hatred and that the Koran incites its followers to kill people of other faiths.... Ummm... have you ever read the fucking Bible, jackass???!!??? If you want to talk about a book that advocates hatred, intolorance and killing people who don't believe like you do, then the Bible is your best bet.


Ok, I am done bitching about Pat Robertson.

ramblings of an insomniac...

1.) So last night while watching the first half of the FSU v. Penn State game, I was deeply amuzed by the commentators. Maybe I just have a dirty mind, but I found it extremely funny when they said that Penn State was "having its way with" the FSU defense, and then later that Penn State was "working up a good rythem." heh, good times...

2.) VW has is now marketing the most expensive sports car which can go up to like 290 mph and goes from 0 to 62 in 2.5 seconds. Here is the ultimate toy for the man in your life with an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny penis. Honestly, I can't think of any other reason why someone would need a car like that....

3.) The administration sounds like a big, spoiled baby when it comes to its sorry-ass excuses for not going along with International efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. Excuse number 1 – “It might hurt the US economy.” Well cry me a fuckin’ river. Just because something may be a little bit painful doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. Is getting a flue shot uncomfortable? Yes. Would I rather have the flu? NO. Suck it up and do what needs to be done before we get ourselves into a mess that cannot be fixed…. Excuse 2 – When Bush rejected Kyoto, he complained that China, India and other major industrializing countries were not bound by its emission controls.” God, I bet George was a whinny brat of a kid…. Just because others do not do what they should doesn’t mean you shouldn’t step up and do the right thing. Lead by example, George. I bet he employs this same rationale when dealing with US torture policy… “Well everyone else is torturing their victims… why can’t we??.... Billy’s mom doesn’t make him eat his broccoli…” All I have to say is – pathetic, George.

4.) Along the same lines, Don't tell the Bush Administration, but polar bears may become a thing of the past, thanks to global warming. Accorording to scientists, Polar Bears are drowning due to melting ice caps. Wow, for a hoax, global warming seems to be causing some real problems...

5.) I am growing sick and tired of the "choose life" bumper stickers and license plates. Dude, no one is suggesting anyone "choose death." I DO, however, have a suggestion for making the entire abortion debate almost completly moot - "CHOOSE BIRTH CONTROL!!!!" It's simple. Oh wait, I forgot the crazy fundies don't like birth control. I think they would rather continue pushing their shitty abstinence-only education which results in uneducated, knocked-up teenage girls who go get abortions. You see, this gives the fundies something to bitch about, helps the republicans get their religious fan-base to the polls on election day, and allows the ultra-pious, bible-beaters to feel like they are better than everyone else.

6.) The "Happy Holidays" debate has really made me think about what bothers me about fundamentalists - an extreme lack of EMPATHY (Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives). I really and truly believe this world would be a better place if we all just thought about what it would be like if we were in the others' shoes. Unfortunately, some people so completly surround themselves with people who are exactly like them and vilify everyone else that they are incapable of empathy. I'm not saying I am an expert at empathy. Often, my tyrades agasint conservative christians sound a bit harsh and I know that in my day to day life I do not always consider the feelings of those around me. All I'm saying is that a little empathy and a lot of the golden rule would make this world a much better place. Sure, it sounds corney and I can see you now, reader, rolling your eyes at my naivety. But if everyone seriously and honestly treated others as they would want to be treated, this world would be remarkably different. Maybe that's why every religion and/or philosophy includes a "golden rule" or a teaching about the ethics of reciprocity. Unfortunately, it seems that people only like to apply the golden rule to fellow believers and not to all peoples.... But, I choose to believe it is possible and a global ethics of reciprocity can be achieved....

7.) The other day I had a profound revelation about the nature of man. First of all, no matter what you learned in sunday school or what you were shamed into believing by the caring adults in your life, there are no GOOD or BAD decisions when it comes to sex, drugs, and other SINS one commits agasint him/herself. You are not a bad person if you use drugs or screw the entire football team in one night. Instead, there are physical and emotional consequences that you must be prepared to deal with as a result of your actions. The action itself is neutral - now, are you prepared to deal with the consequences of your behavior?

Maybe it's easier for parents, teachers, and religions to tell kids that sex is bad and abstinence is good. However, I think we cheat them, insult their intelligences, and leave them with psychological baggage. In addition, I feel like we are shifting the locus of control. If sex is "bad" because my dad or god says so, then I have no control; that decision is already made for me. All I can do is violate that decision and do the "bad" thing or not violate it and be "good." But if sex is neutral, then I have the power to determine if, based on the possible physical and emotional consequences, the decision is going to be worth it and if I am prepared to deal with the possible results of my actions. Here, I have complete control over the decision and the decision-making process. And, there is no guilt or shame when I make a decision. Instead, there are only the resulting consequences.

x-mas is stupid

I hate the holidays. They are made for couples. Dating couples or cute old married people or families with little kids. Everything has that warm cuddly feeling – which is great if you have a significant other…or a puppy. Sadly, I have neither. As I was reveling in my sorrows in the Publix checkout line, it occurred to me that instead of being a depressed poopy-head, I should think about and truly appreciate the things that I do have. So, I decided to make a list…

1. Two parents that love me (though sometimes begrudgingly)
2. A brilliant younger brother who always keeps in touch
3. An amazing best friend who, though far away, is always there for me
4. Great new friends who listen to me over-analyze and help me scheme
5. Malibu Bay Breezes
6. Enough money to put food on the table and a roof over my head
7. A great rack and three beautiful new Victoria’s Secrets bra and panty sets
8. I’m in law school and 1 semester closer to making my dreams come true!
9. A brain that works (most of the time)
10. A wonderful roommate who can put up with my mess!
11. I haven’t gotten sick yet this year (knock on wood)
12. “Cold” in Florida = 60 degrees!!!
13. A car that works
14. Mr. Dependable
15. AA batteries

Feel free to help me think of more things I should be thankful for!!!

What keeps men and women from being equal: the choice...

Recently, during a discussion on women’s issues and equality, someone asked me if knowing what I did, I would have rather been born a man. And for the first time, although I didn’t actually say it, my answer to that question was yes. It’s not the monthly menstruation that bothers me or the fact that I will always be (on average) physically weaker than a man. It’s not even the long history of discrimination. I don’t think that it will be impossible for me to accomplish my goals and dreams because I am a woman. I’m not angry because of the sexual double standard or the fact that society places a much heavier burden on me to be physically attractive then it does on men. None of this is really that bothersome….

But, the one aspect of being a woman that truly tortures me is - the choice. The choice that I’ve dreaded since I was a little girl. The choice that I know will follow me throughout my adult life. The choice that no man will ever really understand. As a woman, I will have to choose between being a mother and being a professional. Career over family. I will have to think about it, struggle with it, agonize over it… Even if I decide to do both, that decision process is inevitable. And, no matter what I choose, I will probably end up one day looking back on my life, wondering if I made the right choice…

Men do not have to make that decision. The world assumes that men can have a career and a family without sacrificing either. I envy that so much.

Even other women contribute to the pressure we feel to make “the choice.” The other day I was discussing this with some of my female, law school friends. They both stated that they were going to take several years off and stay at home to raise their children because that was the best thing you could do if you were going to have a child. They didn’t want someone else raising their kids. They assured me that it was a choice and that each woman had to decide for herself, but the implication was evident – good mothers stay home and raise their kids. Good mothers put themselves and their careers on hold. Good mothers make the right choice.

I don’t want to make the choice. I want career and family to come to me as easily as they come to men. I don’t want to hear about biology or my nature or my maternal instincts. I don’t want to be here, at 2am wondering if in 20 years I am going to look back on my life and question whether or not I made the right choice.

I don’t care how far women have come. As long as “the choice” haunts us, we will never be truly equal.

"But who will protect the corporations???"

Chickens are to birds as I am to:

Consumers

Corporations

OK, so maybe it’s a week analogy, but you get the point. More than likely you, my fellow American, have more in common with the average consumer than the average fortune 500 corporation. I would think most people realize this. So why is it that in my contracts class, all of the crazy republicans support corporations like Gateway when they rip off consumers? Scenario: When P opens his new gateway computer, in the box he finds a long, technical list of terms and conditions. One of the terms is an arbitration clause that says if there is a problem and he wants to file suit he can’t. He has to arbitrate the case in NY (by the time P travels to NY and pays arbitration costs, he has spent more than the value of the computer. Thus, Gateway has, in effect, deprived P of any meaningful access to recovery.) What’s more, P has 5 days to return the computer if he does not accept these terms. The court ruled that this was not a valid. One would think that all potential computer purchasers would be glad. But nooooooo…. Heated debate ensued…

One very bright student (*wink*) suggested that even providing prior notice was not enough because all the computer companies would just include the arbitration clause in their contracts, making the market driven solution (buying elsewhere) moot. Instead, consumer protection legislation was needed to make sure that companies did not take away consumer’s access to a legitimate forum/remedy. You would think that future computer buyers would support this idea… but amazingly many did not. Outcries of “but who will protect the corporations” could be heard throughout the room. Somehow, making sure that companies do not take advantage of consumers was “taking away the rights of corporations.” Who knew ripping the average, working class American off was a right. One person even said that we don’t need any more legislation regulating corporations. Yeah! Corporations don’t need to be regulated!! I mean, historically, companies have always considered the best interests of the consumers. Those child labor laws, minimum wage and overtime requirements, discrimination rules, EPA standards, FDA regulations, etc. were totally unnecessary! Dude!! If companies had their way, 12 year old would still be working in factories for 10 cents an hour and no one would have health insurance!!!! Corporations will do whatever they can get away with. This is why we need government to step in and keep them in line. Corporations already run the friggin’ country!! And somehow these delusional, middle class republicans have been brain-washed by corporate loving American into believing that corporations are in danger and their rights are being taken away!! HELLO!!!! Have you been paying attention for the last 150 years??? But don't you worry so much, Republicans, (I know all this silly consumer protection nonsense is making your widdle head hurt), with out President the oil tychoon and his vice-president in the International arms business, I have a sneaking suspicion that somehow the corporation will manage just fine...

It's the Supreme Court, honey, not the club...

OK, now, I'm sure I could comment on Ms. Miers' inexperience and the fact that she is just another Bush henchman - well, henchperson really... but I will save it. Im sure you've already heard that... I could also point out the sheer audacity of our president in appointing yet another unqualified boob to an incredibly important position after the whole FEMA/Michael Brown incident and the criticism he recieved over that appointment... But I think I will stick with something more basic, more important for American society - dude, that eye-liner has got to go. I mean, sure I like cheap liquid eye-liner as much as the next girl/60 year old Supreme Court nominee, but jeez, woman, is that realy appropriate day wear? Perhaps a lighter, fresher, more serious day-time look would be more appropriate. Sometimes less is more (like less judicial experience, for example)

But maybe she is trying to get a little somethin' - somethin' with those bedroom eyes... is it just me or is she flashing George a sausy "take me now" look... hmmm... maybe that's how she got the nomination - she's more "experienced" than we think...

Ok, Ok... enough hatin' on the lady... honestly, she gives me hope... if she can become a Supreme Court justice maybe there's hope for me. I mean her allma mater, Southern Methodist, is only ranked 52.... FSU is 56... what-what!! Here I come, yo... now I just need to get in tight with the Bush dynasty... and Tally should be a great place to make that happen...I hear they just let Jeb's son back out on perole...

Actually, in all seriousness, Im glad that a real person from a real school is being nominated, even though she isnt my first pick... (ok, I wouldnt have picked her, ever) but It's about time that wealth and educational pedigree stopped being such a determiner for our political leaders. I'm sure Yale and Harvard are great schools but their students aren't the only ones in the country getting a good education... and they aren't necessarily the smartest kids in the land... maybe the most well-connected... but I'm not sure how well they represent the average, regular Joe Blow american... (this is where I throw in my little campaign ad - Miriam for president, 2032: free health care, fair wages, enviornmental protection and legal marijuana for everyone!! :)

But I digress... and now I am just procrastinating...

Bridget jones: an oldie but a goodie...:)

In my experience, the journey toward self-acceptance has been much like that of religion - everyone tells you how wonderful it is, and how much you're missing out, but no one really tells you how you can attain it. So you end up spending years of your life searching and reaching for that nebulous "thing" that will make you happy, and just when you think you've got it, you wake up one morning feeling as empty and alone as you did when the journey began
Self-acceptance, inner beauty, whatever it is you want to call it, has become a social pressure as important as being skinny in our society. So now, we can feel self-conscious and ashamed about the fact that we are self-conscious and haven't worked hard enough to become a better person. People tell you things like "No one can love you unless you learn to love yourself." Talk about putting pressure on a girl! Now in addition to the pressures of loosing weight, having a successful career, stop biting my nails, learning to be clean and organized and giving back to my community, I have to worry about learning to love myself and develop inner beauty or else no one will want to be around me? Is it me or this all just a little bit too much to ask?
Maybe thats why many of us imperfect women love Bridget Jones. Shes fat, she smokes, she is a horrible public speaker, she is self-conscious and self-doubting, and she never seems to be fully at peace with who she is. Basically, she is real. She wears granny panties to suck in her fat rolls. She is constantly paranoid that her boyfriend is cheating on her with someone better looking. She is afraid to get naked in front of a man because he might notice her wobbly bits. How many women out there can identify with at least some aspect of who she is.
Bridget is not the typical fairy tale style heroine. She doesnt start off an ugly ducking at the beginning of the movie and then *ta-da* become magically transformed by a makeover or new outlook on life into a new and improved person who lives happily ever after. I mean, in life, how many people actually have some type of miraculous transformation like that? Dont get me wrong, Bridget, just like most women, tries to be a better person, and sometimes she manages to gain control over parts of her life. Sometimes she feels sexy and self-confident. Sometimes she loses weight or manages to kick the smoking habit for a few weeks. But ultimately, life happens and the self-acceptance fades away and she returns to her normal, imperfect state, just like the rest of us
And you know what? Mark Darsey loves her, just the way she is. No matter how often she fucks up or embarrasses herself, he stays. He doesn't need her to have some type of transformation and develop a constant state of self-acceptance and inner beauty. She doesnt have to do anything or be anyone else to gain his love and acceptance. That is why we love the story of Bridget Jones. She makes us feel like we can be happy, just the way we are. Someone out there will love us despite our slightly overweight frames, our self-doubt, our nail biting, and our lack of inner beauty. Being loved is not contingent upon working toward some intangible transformation that always seems just a little bit out of reach.Instead. it's something that all human beings deserve, no matter how imperfect. And maybe somehow this understanding that we deserve to be loved and accepted dispite our flaws, will allow us to relax, enjoy the journey, and eventually stumble upon a little bit of that inner-beauty, on our own time, after-all....
Bridget Jones is the best fairy tale ever!

The gevernator is a big ol' chode...

Ok, two short rants and then it’s off to bed for me.

1.) Plan B – the FDA claims they will not allow Plan B, the morning after pill, to be sold over the counter because then minors might buy it. Hmmm…. Gonna call a big bullshit on that one. Alcohol is sold over the counter and no one seems to think regulating it is a problem. You take your plan B to the register, it’s scanned, it beeps and you have to show your ID. Could it be that W’s ultra-religious, fundamentalist cronies have bought out the FDA? I mean, I for one am a pretty moderate liberal when it comes to abortion…. I think it should be severely limited, but even I can see the benefits of the morning after pill. The need for later term abortions would dramatically decrease, and isn’t that what the pro-lifers are after??? I mean, baby steps, people… But you know what I really think is driving this?? The pharmaceutical and medical industry. Plan B is basically a whole pack of birth control taken at once. This means, if it’s safe enough to sell Plan B over the counter, then logically, we could sell birth control pills over the counter. And damn, would pharmaceutical companies and doctor’s offices be out a shitload of money. So, my theory is the medical-industrial complex bought the FDA off. That’s my story, and I’m stickin to it…. J

2.) There is no such thing as activist judges. What we do have is both courts and legislatures who are so afraid to make an unpopular decision that they continually hand the responsibility off to each other. This way, when the shit hits the political fan, they can point their fingers and cry “outrage!!!... Look what those awful, liberal/conservative judges/politicians have done now!!”

Example: The California legislature has just passed a bill allowing gay marriage. What does the governator have to say about this? He thinks the issue of gay marriage should be decided in the courts. Am I hearing this right?! Just months after the Terri Shivo fiasco, a conservative republic says an issue like gay marriage should be decided by “activist judges”?! I think the governator is a big ol’ chode*…. He doesn’t want to get stuck with the backlash from either side of this issue. So, he wants to hand-off to the courts… that way, when they decide the law should be upheld, he and all his conservative colleagues can cry “outrage!!!”

Let us not think that the legislature is alone in this. Having only been in law school a few weeks, I have already read a number of judicial opinions in which the court hands-off to the legislature. My question is, if no one is willing to step up to the plate, for fear they will be dubbed “activists” or something worse, who is going to step up and implement change???

*in protest to the usage of the term “pussy” which is a derogatory, and sexist insult to women (notice it is the only slur that is a female term used by males to insult other males, insinuating that they are weak like women) I have decided to replace this term with “chode” – the skin between a man’s balls and asshole. Every time the term “pussy” could be used, I will inset this more fitting, gender appropriate term. If we all ban together on this, we could start a linguistic revolution….

John Roberts the 40 year old virgin?

John Roberts the 40 year old virgin??? haha...