Monday, April 28, 2008

Umm... I take that back

Seems I jumped the gun a bit the other day when I commented upon "parents these days." If only the most traumatic thing a parent could do to their child would be to have plastic surgery. Today I read what I think may be the most horrible story of parental brutality that I have ever encountered in my life.

A man imprisoned his daughter in the cellar for 24 years, raping her throughout and fathering at least six children with her. Three of those children, ranging from 5-19 years old, he kept imprisoned as well. Another three, he raised upstairs with his wife (who right now seems not to have know about the rape and imprisonment).

This defies understanding. Not much else to say.

My heart goes out out to the woman and her children.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Parents these days!

When I was a little kid, I'd watch the Miss America pageant in amazement that my mother wasn't on there. She was so much prettier than all the contestants. When she would diet to lose those "five pounds" I was mystified; she was perfect and beautiful the way she was.

Turns out not everyone feels that way. And, as luck would have it, there's a forthcoming kids' book by Dr. Michael Salzhauer "My Beautiful Mommy," which aims to explain to children why their mom is getting plastic surgery. Quote from the book review: "It features a perky mother explaining to her child why she's having cosmetic surgery (a nose job and tummy tuck). Naturally, it has a happy ending: mommy winds up "even more" beautiful than before, and her daughter is thrilled."

Wow. If that's not a... disgusting message to send your children, I'm not entirely sure what is. If an adult wants to have plastic surgery, so be it. But isn't there something to be said for teaching our kids that people are beautiful as they are, as opposed to needing to be fixed, tightened or straightened? (Not to mention the sub-message in this story that mommy is being fixed because her tummy is flabby from giving birth!)

Dr. Michael, what does YOUR mom think of your book?

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Kids these days!

We hear it all the time: "where are all the young women? Young women just don't care about reproductive rights."

Well, in case Planned Parenthood's thousands of young activists don't convince you thats untrue, check out Third Wave Foundation's Week of Reproductive Justice. Starting tomorrow, April 16, youth across the nation will launch thefirst National Week of Action for Reproductive Justice! Members of the Reproductive Justice Network, a national coalition supported by Third Wave Foundation, will be hosting a variety of activities – from trainings, to speak outs, to advocacy days – to reach other youth, service providers, and policy makers about reproductive justice. Events are going on in Colorado, Pittsburgh, Miami and elsewhere.

For more information or to contribute to Third Wave, click here!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION...

CHECK BACK TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH FOR THE EXCITING RELAUNCH
OF
'NYC UNRATED and UNFILTERED!