Hate Crimes Legislation

In Detroit last week, 72-year-old Andrew Anthos was riding on a city bus and was asked by a fellow passenger if he was gay. The passenger then followed Mr. Anthos off the bus and attacked him with a metal pipe. Mr. Anthos died from his injuries Friday night and according to media reports, police are continuing the investigation without any solid leads.

Take action today to make sure that Congress passes comprehensive hate crimes legislation this session. Fill out the form below to tell your Representative to become an original cosponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act that will soon be introduced in the House.

This legislation is a common sense, anti-bias crime measure which brings our nation's laws into the 21st century and is strongly supported by religious organizations, civil rights organizations and law enforcement officials. It is also widely supported by the American public.

You can go to the Human Rights Campaign Website to take action.

On a related note, I recently read this report at work and was so overcome with sadness I had to take a moment to compose myself. "50 Under 30: Masculinity and the War on America's Youth". Click on the big image on the bottom left of the screen to download the report. It details all the hate crime killings that have happened simply because of one's gender expression, and not even necessarily because of their sexual orientation.

From the report: Few of us realize just how many young people are dying violently each year simply because they don't fit someone's ideal for masculinity and femininity. Yet if federal law mandated the FBI to track genderbased hate crimes, they would outweigh every other category except race.

give what you wish? does that work?

As someone who likes economics and social experiments and wants to run a coffee shop I had to share with you what I just read about this at this Richmond Business Blog:

At this coffee shop, the java is free

Freakonomics has a running commentary

I haven't had time to read it all yet but think it's an interesting concept. Share what you think with me!

I agree with what this commenter said:

From Freakonomics: 06 Feb 2007 at 10:12 pm # psteinx
...I agree with the other posters that these situations, when I’ve encountered them, make me uncomfortable. I would probably be inclined to overpay because I don’t want to feel like a cheapskate/freeloader, but I’d also be uncomfortable overpaying. Just tell me how much you want for your coffee. Let me feel happy when I feel like I’m getting a bargain, and let me choose another cafe if I feel I’m being overcharged.

Another aspect to this that makes me uncomfortable is the idea that everyone will likely be paying a different price. It reminds me of going on an airplane, where you never know whether you’re a chump or not without spending far more time than I prefer to in comparing prices…

Celebrate Marriage Week

I'm not sure how I feel about this yet


CELEBRATE MARRIAGE WEEK in Richmond

Yet another blow to us single folk on Vday week. Ha.

On one hand, strong families=good
I think the idea of teaching responsible fatherhood, actions and consequences, and healthy relationships is good.

On the other, this is of course only saying heterosexual families are good, and that marriage is the ideal (which I'm not sure is something we should be saying). I think yes, it probably is a good idea for a strong family, but I think it's rather...arrogant, self righteous, offensive? to be saying marriage is the only ideal.

The org that runs it was originally started by churches, and that always makes me a bit wary of their intentions. I wonder if that's bad. I like a firm separation between church and state.

Hrm. Thoughts, readers?

i blame the patriarchy

I just came across this blog, http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/ and wanted to share it with my readers. This is its about me:

I Blame The Patriarchy exists to advance the radical feminist views of Twisty Faster, a gentleman farmer and spinster aunt eating dinner in Austin, Texas. I Blame The Patriarchy is intended for advanced patriarchy-blamers. It is not a feminist primer. See Patriarchy-Blaming The Twisty Way for details.

I dig that it isn't trying to be middle of the road. Part of discussions about social justice involve points of view that aren't on the fence, and that not everyone will agree with. I admire anyone who is willing to say what they think without trying to compromise. As one who thinks taking your husband's last name at marriage is a completely patriarchal and identity stealing practice, I like where this blog is going.