Abortion vigil director speaks in Fargo: A Fargo Forum story notes "North Dakota is poised to be the first abortion-free U.S. state, the director of a 40-day anti-abortion campaign said Tuesday in Fargo." Related stories here and here.
RACC receives $90K grant from Bremer: The Rape and Abuse Crisis Center has received a $90,840 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to be used in the implementation of a new development program according to a short Fargo Forum story.
Evangelicals should support a Democrat: Letter to the Editor in the Fargo Forum notes in part: "True pro-life is much more than opposition to abortion. A true pro-life person would oppose sending our sons and daughters to die in unnecessary wars, oppose capital punishment, support health care for all our children, feed the hungry and heal the sick, both in our country and to the extent that we could in the rest of the world." Read the rest.
Candidates' abortion opinions don't really matter: Long column by George Will in the Aberdeen News.
South Dakota Letters to the Editor on Abortion: North Dakota can't be alone on this topic. Several recent letters with titles as follows: Abortion is just a nicer word, World abortion rates declining, Abortion debate lacks reason and Christians must be more loving.
Panel discussion on abortion planned: The Sioux Falls Argus Leader notes "A panel discussion will address the 2006 abortion ban in South Dakota at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dakota Wesleyan University’s McGovern Library." Read more.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The serious psychological harm of abortion.
Here's a letter to the Argus from a woman who regrets her abortions.
I have to admit, in many ways I'm a fairly conservative person. I think it's really important that people face and take ownership of their own actions. This letter writer refuses to do so. She had one abortion she didn't want, and then got pregnant again and had yet another abortion she didn't want. This is the fault of her parents, her family doctor, and the staff at the clinic, who all should be able to read minds and understand that she would later come to regret the multiple freely chosen abortions she had. I don't doubt that the letter writer sincerely regrets her decisions, but where does personal responsibility for one's own actions come into play? I guess it's more beneficial to the anti-choice movement to portray women as helpless, idiotic victims.
I have to admit, in many ways I'm a fairly conservative person. I think it's really important that people face and take ownership of their own actions. This letter writer refuses to do so. She had one abortion she didn't want, and then got pregnant again and had yet another abortion she didn't want. This is the fault of her parents, her family doctor, and the staff at the clinic, who all should be able to read minds and understand that she would later come to regret the multiple freely chosen abortions she had. I don't doubt that the letter writer sincerely regrets her decisions, but where does personal responsibility for one's own actions come into play? I guess it's more beneficial to the anti-choice movement to portray women as helpless, idiotic victims.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Oh, what the heck.
Much like SDP's Jason Heppler, I'm neck-deep in grad school for history right now. He's pointed readers to the story of historian Mark Moyar a few times.
For those of you not following along at home, Moyar is a Harvard and Cambridge educated historian, and author of Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965. I have not read the book, but he apparently asserts that the 'orthodox' historical view of the Vietnam War is incorrect, and that the US could have been successful had they been less willing to compromise, etc etc.
He applied for a tenure-track position in American/world history at the University of Iowa, and was not selected as one of the final eight candidates to get an interview in front of the search committee. He believes this is because Iowa only hires liberals (based on the fact that all of Iowa's historians are registered Democrats) and that he is being discriminated against because of his conservative views. The person hired instead of him, he says, is much less qualified than he to teach at Iowa.
As is often the case with this type of thing, his story doesn't add up.
Scholars have rigorously critiqued his book and found it seriously lacking. His arguments, according to all of the reviewers, are simply not supported with adequate evidence. This is simple stuff - I mean, I tell my freshman history students this kind of thing all the time.
And producing revisionist scholarship that ignores crucial primary sources, overstates a case, and dismisses the work of prominent historians is the kind of thing that will cause search committees to choose other candidates for interviews.
Moyer's assertion that the candidate selected instead of him was obviously less qualified also proves false. KIND OF LIKE A BUNCH OF THE STUFF IN HIS BOOK, ha ha! The University of Iowa hired two American/world historians in the last year, both of whom received Ph.D.s from top-tier universities and have published or will soon publish books:
Michaela Hoenicke-Moore, whose Know Your Enemy: The American Response to Nazism is forthcoming from Cambridge, joins us in January and will teach courses on the U.S. in world affairs. Paul Kramer, whose The Blood Of Governments: Race, Empire, the United States, and the Philippines (North Carolina, 2006) is the winner of the 2007 James Rawley Prize and the 2007 Stuart Bernath Prize has an ACLS fellowship for 2007-8 and will join us in Fall 2008.
If conservatives want to latch on to this guy as evidence of the liberal bias of academia, go right ahead - but it's not going to get you terribly far, I'm afraid.
For those of you not following along at home, Moyar is a Harvard and Cambridge educated historian, and author of Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965. I have not read the book, but he apparently asserts that the 'orthodox' historical view of the Vietnam War is incorrect, and that the US could have been successful had they been less willing to compromise, etc etc.
He applied for a tenure-track position in American/world history at the University of Iowa, and was not selected as one of the final eight candidates to get an interview in front of the search committee. He believes this is because Iowa only hires liberals (based on the fact that all of Iowa's historians are registered Democrats) and that he is being discriminated against because of his conservative views. The person hired instead of him, he says, is much less qualified than he to teach at Iowa.
As is often the case with this type of thing, his story doesn't add up.
Scholars have rigorously critiqued his book and found it seriously lacking. His arguments, according to all of the reviewers, are simply not supported with adequate evidence. This is simple stuff - I mean, I tell my freshman history students this kind of thing all the time.
And producing revisionist scholarship that ignores crucial primary sources, overstates a case, and dismisses the work of prominent historians is the kind of thing that will cause search committees to choose other candidates for interviews.
Moyer's assertion that the candidate selected instead of him was obviously less qualified also proves false. KIND OF LIKE A BUNCH OF THE STUFF IN HIS BOOK, ha ha! The University of Iowa hired two American/world historians in the last year, both of whom received Ph.D.s from top-tier universities and have published or will soon publish books:
Michaela Hoenicke-Moore, whose Know Your Enemy: The American Response to Nazism is forthcoming from Cambridge, joins us in January and will teach courses on the U.S. in world affairs. Paul Kramer, whose The Blood Of Governments: Race, Empire, the United States, and the Philippines (North Carolina, 2006) is the winner of the 2007 James Rawley Prize and the 2007 Stuart Bernath Prize has an ACLS fellowship for 2007-8 and will join us in Fall 2008.
If conservatives want to latch on to this guy as evidence of the liberal bias of academia, go right ahead - but it's not going to get you terribly far, I'm afraid.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Dear Jon Schaff:
Jon posted a couple of responses to me today. I agree with Jon that a discussion of abortion is tedious and serves very little purpose, so I am going to say my piece and then drop it.
In response to Jon's most recent post, about sex-selective abortions in China, it's really unfortunate that Jon doesn't see how outlawing abortions and forcing/coercing abortions are two sides of the same coin. The cultural/legal forces that cause women to abort female fetuses in China are not that terribly different than the cultural/legal forces that drive Leslee Unruh and Roger Hunt to codify their disgust with women and their bodies into South Dakota law. It's all about control. Neither of these are consistent with being pro-choice or supporting legal abortion.
Jon's longer post about how illegal abortion helps women is a bit of a mess, but at least someone finally directly addressed the question I was asking. I am a pretty simple person, in all honesty, and I asked a pretty simple question. The fact that a number of commenters danced around it for quite some time is pretty telling.
First of all, Jon, I asked how illegal abortion enhances women's health because the commenter who engaged me in discussion claimed she had high regard for women's health. She then was unwilling to explain precisely how her desire to outlaw abortion matched up with a concern for women's health. We talked about illegal dentistry, we talked about spiritual and moral issues, but this commenter refused to address the question I asked. I found that curious.
Point 1, Jon, indicates a concern for fetuses, not for women's health.
Number 2 is a joke that doesn't deserve my time.
Number 3 is evidence of the trivialization of women's choices that I mentioned in the comments below. Abortion is very often a responsible decision made by a woman who has seriously considered her situation and has determined that she is unable to raise a child - or a child in addition to the children she already has. Some women feel psychological trauma as a result of their abortions, but a great deal more women feel psychological trauma as a result of giving a child up for adoption. I dispute the idea that "untold numbers of women" suffer as a result of their abortions - and essentially every serious expert who has studied the issue agrees with me. You may see legalized abortion as a pass for men to use women as they wish, but most women see it as recognition of the fact that their lives, decisions, and plans for their future matter and should be respected.
Number 4: "Some" may "postulate" that abortion causes child abuse, but are these people experts in the field of child welfare, or are they crazy conservatives like Frederica Matthews-Green? I postulate that millions of women are saved from premature death or permanent injury by legalized abortion. So whatever.
In response to Jon's most recent post, about sex-selective abortions in China, it's really unfortunate that Jon doesn't see how outlawing abortions and forcing/coercing abortions are two sides of the same coin. The cultural/legal forces that cause women to abort female fetuses in China are not that terribly different than the cultural/legal forces that drive Leslee Unruh and Roger Hunt to codify their disgust with women and their bodies into South Dakota law. It's all about control. Neither of these are consistent with being pro-choice or supporting legal abortion.
Jon's longer post about how illegal abortion helps women is a bit of a mess, but at least someone finally directly addressed the question I was asking. I am a pretty simple person, in all honesty, and I asked a pretty simple question. The fact that a number of commenters danced around it for quite some time is pretty telling.
First of all, Jon, I asked how illegal abortion enhances women's health because the commenter who engaged me in discussion claimed she had high regard for women's health. She then was unwilling to explain precisely how her desire to outlaw abortion matched up with a concern for women's health. We talked about illegal dentistry, we talked about spiritual and moral issues, but this commenter refused to address the question I asked. I found that curious.
Point 1, Jon, indicates a concern for fetuses, not for women's health.
Number 2 is a joke that doesn't deserve my time.
Number 3 is evidence of the trivialization of women's choices that I mentioned in the comments below. Abortion is very often a responsible decision made by a woman who has seriously considered her situation and has determined that she is unable to raise a child - or a child in addition to the children she already has. Some women feel psychological trauma as a result of their abortions, but a great deal more women feel psychological trauma as a result of giving a child up for adoption. I dispute the idea that "untold numbers of women" suffer as a result of their abortions - and essentially every serious expert who has studied the issue agrees with me. You may see legalized abortion as a pass for men to use women as they wish, but most women see it as recognition of the fact that their lives, decisions, and plans for their future matter and should be respected.
Number 4: "Some" may "postulate" that abortion causes child abuse, but are these people experts in the field of child welfare, or are they crazy conservatives like Frederica Matthews-Green? I postulate that millions of women are saved from premature death or permanent injury by legalized abortion. So whatever.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Answer my question.
My hope was to fade into the night after my last post at Dakota Women, but I (and Cory) seem to have caused a ruckus with my most recent post, so I don't feel that it's fair to disappear until this dies down.
Jon Schaff provided a thoughtful post disputing the findings of the study. Here are some things I think Jon overlooks:
Restrictive abortion laws would serve as no deterrent to many women, I would think, because the means of inducing illegal abortion is incredibly simple, pretty foolproof, and can be done by someone with no medical knowledge whatsoever. Ever heard of Misoprostol?
Abortions occurring in countries where they are illegal are unsafe. It is unsafe to take part in illegal activity, hello? What does a woman do if she is injured as the result of an illegal abortion performed in the safety of a doctor's office? In many countries, admitting to having an abortion would put her in jail, along with anyone who helped her or even knew she was having the abortion.
Can any of the local critics of this study suggest better ways to ascertain how many illegal abortions are being performed? Totally serious question, here. If you're going to criticize how the researchers came to their conclusions, please suggest a more "methodologically honest" way. Furthermore, while Jon Schaff writes that the researchers are correlating restrictive abortion laws and high abortion rates, my argument is a little simpler - a lot of women have unsafe abortions that kill or maim them when abortion is illegal, and this is a bad thing that should cause people advocating a ban on abortion to think twice, if they care in any way about women's health and wellbeing. It seems to me that the evidence supports what I'm saying.
No one, and I mean NO ONE, who has criticized my post has explained how illegal abortion would enhance women's health. How does it help women to ban abortion?
Jon Schaff provided a thoughtful post disputing the findings of the study. Here are some things I think Jon overlooks:
Restrictive abortion laws would serve as no deterrent to many women, I would think, because the means of inducing illegal abortion is incredibly simple, pretty foolproof, and can be done by someone with no medical knowledge whatsoever. Ever heard of Misoprostol?
Abortions occurring in countries where they are illegal are unsafe. It is unsafe to take part in illegal activity, hello? What does a woman do if she is injured as the result of an illegal abortion performed in the safety of a doctor's office? In many countries, admitting to having an abortion would put her in jail, along with anyone who helped her or even knew she was having the abortion.
Can any of the local critics of this study suggest better ways to ascertain how many illegal abortions are being performed? Totally serious question, here. If you're going to criticize how the researchers came to their conclusions, please suggest a more "methodologically honest" way. Furthermore, while Jon Schaff writes that the researchers are correlating restrictive abortion laws and high abortion rates, my argument is a little simpler - a lot of women have unsafe abortions that kill or maim them when abortion is illegal, and this is a bad thing that should cause people advocating a ban on abortion to think twice, if they care in any way about women's health and wellbeing. It seems to me that the evidence supports what I'm saying.
No one, and I mean NO ONE, who has criticized my post has explained how illegal abortion would enhance women's health. How does it help women to ban abortion?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
October 16, 2007 in the News
Here's the news of interest...
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: The struggle for Elijah: Moving story about grandparent's struggle to protect their grandson from the man who murdered his mother. See the Grand Forks Herald for the full story.
COMMUNITY: Abortion foes picket busy corner: See the Grand Forks Herald cached story.
Women should have the right of choice: Letter to the editor in the Fargo Forum. A letter responding to that letter here.
On the scene: According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader: "The Sioux Falls YWCA's Celebrating Women is about nurturing area businesses run by women. Diane Root, one of the vendors at the event, thinks her Innovative Home Health & Staffing business fits right in with that goal."
Juvenile Rock 102 billboards get worse: Letter to the Editor in the Fargo Forum about another Rock 102 billboard.
Sobering reminders of the reality of domestic abuse: Dorreen Yellow Bird column in the Grand Forks Herald which opens: "October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the discussion in our communities is to remind us of the reality of that kind of violence. Domestic violence takes place where we live that nest where we should be loved, protected and secure. It happens every day of every month of every year."
October is Domestic Violence Month: Article in the Williston Herald which notes, "In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a walk bringing attention to this problem will take place on Saturday. The route will start at Harmon Park and end at the Raymond Family Community Center in Williston."
N.D. Family Alliance should do better: Letter to the Editor in the Fargo Forum about a recent letter against a woman's right to choose. To read the ND Family Alliance letter, click here.
Nelson, Long get free publicity: Sioux Falls Argus Leader letter about recent ruling against disclosure of anti-abortion donation. Related story titled "Hunt case is about abortion" which notes "For Nelson to state that this case is not about abortion but about campaign finance reform is like saying slavery had nothing to do with the Civil War and was only about state's rights."
Stopping domestic violence: Aberdeen News story which notes "Deb Allison and Tanya Dow were in for a little surprise. Both women, who are domestic violence survivors and Safe Harbor volunteers, knew they were being treated to new hairstyles. They didn't know they would also get new outfits, and Allison also received an eye exam and new glasses." Read more...
Abortion issue remains hot topic: Aberdeen News story which starts "The group that successfully fought a ballot measure last November to ban nearly all abortions in South Dakota wants to be sure state legislators got the message." Related stories here and here.
State Rep. addresses domestic violence problem: Story in the Pierre Capital Journal which opens with the following: "Shortly after U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., visited the Pretty Bird Woman House in McLaughlin last August, there was a fire at the site. "(It is) widely believed to be an act of arson," Herseth Sandlin said. "It is currently not usable ... The shelter has been subject to frequent acts of vandalism, theft and other threats."This is on top of the financial problems it is facing, she said." Related story here.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: The struggle for Elijah: Moving story about grandparent's struggle to protect their grandson from the man who murdered his mother. See the Grand Forks Herald for the full story.
COMMUNITY: Abortion foes picket busy corner: See the Grand Forks Herald cached story.
Women should have the right of choice: Letter to the editor in the Fargo Forum. A letter responding to that letter here.
On the scene: According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader: "The Sioux Falls YWCA's Celebrating Women is about nurturing area businesses run by women. Diane Root, one of the vendors at the event, thinks her Innovative Home Health & Staffing business fits right in with that goal."
Juvenile Rock 102 billboards get worse: Letter to the Editor in the Fargo Forum about another Rock 102 billboard.
Sobering reminders of the reality of domestic abuse: Dorreen Yellow Bird column in the Grand Forks Herald which opens: "October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the discussion in our communities is to remind us of the reality of that kind of violence. Domestic violence takes place where we live that nest where we should be loved, protected and secure. It happens every day of every month of every year."
October is Domestic Violence Month: Article in the Williston Herald which notes, "In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a walk bringing attention to this problem will take place on Saturday. The route will start at Harmon Park and end at the Raymond Family Community Center in Williston."
N.D. Family Alliance should do better: Letter to the Editor in the Fargo Forum about a recent letter against a woman's right to choose. To read the ND Family Alliance letter, click here.
Nelson, Long get free publicity: Sioux Falls Argus Leader letter about recent ruling against disclosure of anti-abortion donation. Related story titled "Hunt case is about abortion" which notes "For Nelson to state that this case is not about abortion but about campaign finance reform is like saying slavery had nothing to do with the Civil War and was only about state's rights."
Stopping domestic violence: Aberdeen News story which notes "Deb Allison and Tanya Dow were in for a little surprise. Both women, who are domestic violence survivors and Safe Harbor volunteers, knew they were being treated to new hairstyles. They didn't know they would also get new outfits, and Allison also received an eye exam and new glasses." Read more...
Abortion issue remains hot topic: Aberdeen News story which starts "The group that successfully fought a ballot measure last November to ban nearly all abortions in South Dakota wants to be sure state legislators got the message." Related stories here and here.
State Rep. addresses domestic violence problem: Story in the Pierre Capital Journal which opens with the following: "Shortly after U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., visited the Pretty Bird Woman House in McLaughlin last August, there was a fire at the site. "(It is) widely believed to be an act of arson," Herseth Sandlin said. "It is currently not usable ... The shelter has been subject to frequent acts of vandalism, theft and other threats."This is on top of the financial problems it is facing, she said." Related story here.
That Takes Ovaries!!!
An announcement:
The North Dakota Women’s Network, in conjunction with the Abused Adult Resource Center in Bismarck will host
That Takes Ovaries!!!
Celebrating gutsy women in our community because courage is contagious. An OPEN MIKE movement from the best-selling book.
Featuring:
89.7’s Stacy Sturm
96.5’s Dee Daniels
Former ND Attorney General Heidi Heidtkamp
Dragon Jane Performance Art Company
Music by Kristin Kitko & Jazmine Wolff
Dakota Stage, Bismarck, ND
October 26, 2007 @ 7:00pm
Tickets are available at:
Seeds of Hope, Abused Adult Resource Center, ND Women’s Network and Herberger’s or by email (Renee: renee@ndwomen.org) to arrange getting tickets.
$15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Not suitable for children under 12.
That Takes Ovaries!!!
Celebrating gutsy women in our community because courage is contagious. An OPEN MIKE movement from the best-selling book.
Featuring:
89.7’s Stacy Sturm
96.5’s Dee Daniels
Former ND Attorney General Heidi Heidtkamp
Dragon Jane Performance Art Company
Music by Kristin Kitko & Jazmine Wolff
Dakota Stage, Bismarck, ND
October 26, 2007 @ 7:00pm
Tickets are available at:
Seeds of Hope, Abused Adult Resource Center, ND Women’s Network and Herberger’s or by email (Renee: renee@ndwomen.org) to arrange getting tickets.
$15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Not suitable for children under 12.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Oh, snap.
The World Health Organization says I was right about something.
Some choice quotes from the article:
So, to those of you who insist upon another attempt to outlaw abortion in South Dakota: please be upfront with the citizens about what you're actually hoping to accomplish. Because preventing abortion isn't what you're after.
Some choice quotes from the article:
Women are just as likely to get an abortion in countries where it is outlawed as they are in countries where it is legal, according to research published Friday.
...
Abortion accounts for 13 percent of maternal mortality worldwide. About 70,000 women die every year from unsafe abortions. An additional 5 million women suffer permanent or temporary injury.
"The continuing high incidence of unsafe abortion in developing countries represents a public health crisis and a human rights atrocity," Fredrick wrote.
...
Improving women's health, experts said, means improving access to safe abortions.
So, to those of you who insist upon another attempt to outlaw abortion in South Dakota: please be upfront with the citizens about what you're actually hoping to accomplish. Because preventing abortion isn't what you're after.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Just like old times.
I can't help myself.
First, I want it to be known that Jason Heppler supports affirmative action for Republicans in academia. Sweet.
As for Ken Blanchard's post about the Thomas/Hill scandal: It would be a simple issue of bias, Ken, if Justice Thomas wasn't spreading demonstrably false information about Professor Hill in an attempt to make her allegations seem crazy. As Hill eloquently pointed out in her op-ed, this is something that people do allllllll the time when faced with accusations of sexual harassment. Her qualifications to work in the government or for private law firms have nothing to do with the issue at hand, and are a sad attempt to belittle her for speaking out. I don't know if Thomas's continued bitterness about this issue means we should be worried as a nation about the partiality of one of our Supreme Court justices, but Anita Hill is concerned - and she knows him better than you or I do.
First, I want it to be known that Jason Heppler supports affirmative action for Republicans in academia. Sweet.
As for Ken Blanchard's post about the Thomas/Hill scandal: It would be a simple issue of bias, Ken, if Justice Thomas wasn't spreading demonstrably false information about Professor Hill in an attempt to make her allegations seem crazy. As Hill eloquently pointed out in her op-ed, this is something that people do allllllll the time when faced with accusations of sexual harassment. Her qualifications to work in the government or for private law firms have nothing to do with the issue at hand, and are a sad attempt to belittle her for speaking out. I don't know if Thomas's continued bitterness about this issue means we should be worried as a nation about the partiality of one of our Supreme Court justices, but Anita Hill is concerned - and she knows him better than you or I do.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Annoucements
Received both of these and thought readers might find of interest...
The North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services is seeking a new Executive Director
Seeking a creative and dynamic individual to serve as executive director of statewide coalition of domestic violence and sexual assault organizations. Responsibilities include staff leadership and board development, strategic planning relating to the coalition’s mission of supporting domestic violence/sexual assault services and the identification and prevention of domestic and sexual violence, fund development, organizational policy development, collaboration with diverse agencies and organizations, and fiscal and budget management. Please call 1.888.255.6240, extension 11, for application packet. Deadline for submission is October 15th.
----------------
The upcoming 7th Annual Red River Valley Women Studies Conference is seeking proposals. This year, the 25th anniversary of Women Studies at UND, we will host the event on the Grand Forks' campus, Nov. 16th.
Proposals for paper presentations or creative projects engaging in issues relating to women are welcome. Please submit a 50-500 word abstract by Oct. 15th to this email address: kathleen_king@und.nodak.edu.
Faculty, Professionals, and Students are equally welcome to submit. You can find a poster and registration materials at http://www.und.edu/dept/women/rrwsconference07.htm
**Please note an address correction: Registrations should be sent to 305 Hamline NOT 205 Hamline.
***Students are free to attend the conference at no cost, except for the luncheon. However, students whose proposals are accepted will have their lunch paid for by the UND Women Studies program.
Thanks for helping pass the word about this exciting opportunity to meet, discuss, and engage in research about women's lives.
The North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services is seeking a new Executive Director
Seeking a creative and dynamic individual to serve as executive director of statewide coalition of domestic violence and sexual assault organizations. Responsibilities include staff leadership and board development, strategic planning relating to the coalition’s mission of supporting domestic violence/sexual assault services and the identification and prevention of domestic and sexual violence, fund development, organizational policy development, collaboration with diverse agencies and organizations, and fiscal and budget management. Please call 1.888.255.6240, extension 11, for application packet. Deadline for submission is October 15th.
----------------
The upcoming 7th Annual Red River Valley Women Studies Conference is seeking proposals. This year, the 25th anniversary of Women Studies at UND, we will host the event on the Grand Forks' campus, Nov. 16th.
Proposals for paper presentations or creative projects engaging in issues relating to women are welcome. Please submit a 50-500 word abstract by Oct. 15th to this email address: kathleen_king@und.nodak.edu.
Faculty, Professionals, and Students are equally welcome to submit. You can find a poster and registration materials at http://www.und.edu/dept/women/rrwsconference07.htm
**Please note an address correction: Registrations should be sent to 305 Hamline NOT 205 Hamline.
***Students are free to attend the conference at no cost, except for the luncheon. However, students whose proposals are accepted will have their lunch paid for by the UND Women Studies program.
Thanks for helping pass the word about this exciting opportunity to meet, discuss, and engage in research about women's lives.
October 9, 2007 in the News
Work still has me crazed but I'm catching up...here's a quick update on the news of interest in our area newspapers:
Males suffer violence, too: Letter to the Editor in today's Sioux Falls Argus Leader which cites some intriguing stats about domestic violence against males.
Minnesota: Free legal services available for victims of domestic abuse: According to the article in the Fergus Falls Journal: "Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota is pleased to announce it is reaching out to provide free legal services for victims of domestic violence. Beyond the need for a Restraining or Protective Order, often victims need assistance with their marriage dissolution or custody cases, housing- evictions or foreclosures, debt collection and consumer issues, or public assistance or disability benefits." Read more in the article...
Religious right's biggest threat might be themselves: Column in the Aberdeen News by Dick Polman on the abortion debate taking place in the conservative movement and who will get their vote for President.
Supreme Court won't review contraception law: Sioux Falls Argus Leader/AP story which states in part: "The Supreme Court on Monday declined to enter a church-state dispute over whether some religious organizations can be forced to pay for workers’ birth-control health insurance benefits, a growing trend in the states. The court let stand a New York court ruling upholding a state law that forces religious-based social service agencies to subsidize contraceptives as part of prescription drug coverage they offer employees."
Sanford (SD) opens new women's health center: "Sanford Health officials hope a new women’s clinic and medical spa will encourage women to take charge of their health.They’re dubbing the new Sanford Women’s Health Plaza, in a commercial area on the city’s south side, as a “one-stop” shop for women’s health care." More info at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Additional (and longer) story here.
Senate hears stories of sexual assault on reservations: According to Bismarck Tribune/AP story: "Members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee told victims of sexual assault Thursday that Congress will try to help decrease violent crimes against women on reservations. North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan, the Democratic chairman of the panel, said he will introduce legislation this year to try and lessen some of the confusion about whether state, federal or tribal police can respond when a violent crime is reported." Definitely worth a read of the entire story...
Even after Title IX, women's coaches still in minority: Sioux Falls Argus Leader story which notes the following: "In South Dakota, the numbers are even more discouraging. The state's four NCAA athletic programs (SDSU, USD, Augustana and Northern State) sponsor a total of 32 women's squads, and only 11 are coached by females. That's less than 35 percent. The two largest universities are the worst offenders: SDSU has two female coaches in nine women's sports (combining track and cross country), while USD has two in eight sports."
State to appeal Promising Future ruling: Argus Leader story reports that "State officials said today they will appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court a lower court ruling that allows the donor of $750,000 to an anti-abortion campaign group to remain secret." Some related stories here and here.
Males suffer violence, too: Letter to the Editor in today's Sioux Falls Argus Leader which cites some intriguing stats about domestic violence against males.
Minnesota: Free legal services available for victims of domestic abuse: According to the article in the Fergus Falls Journal: "Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota is pleased to announce it is reaching out to provide free legal services for victims of domestic violence. Beyond the need for a Restraining or Protective Order, often victims need assistance with their marriage dissolution or custody cases, housing- evictions or foreclosures, debt collection and consumer issues, or public assistance or disability benefits." Read more in the article...
Religious right's biggest threat might be themselves: Column in the Aberdeen News by Dick Polman on the abortion debate taking place in the conservative movement and who will get their vote for President.
Supreme Court won't review contraception law: Sioux Falls Argus Leader/AP story which states in part: "The Supreme Court on Monday declined to enter a church-state dispute over whether some religious organizations can be forced to pay for workers’ birth-control health insurance benefits, a growing trend in the states. The court let stand a New York court ruling upholding a state law that forces religious-based social service agencies to subsidize contraceptives as part of prescription drug coverage they offer employees."
Sanford (SD) opens new women's health center: "Sanford Health officials hope a new women’s clinic and medical spa will encourage women to take charge of their health.They’re dubbing the new Sanford Women’s Health Plaza, in a commercial area on the city’s south side, as a “one-stop” shop for women’s health care." More info at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Additional (and longer) story here.
Senate hears stories of sexual assault on reservations: According to Bismarck Tribune/AP story: "Members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee told victims of sexual assault Thursday that Congress will try to help decrease violent crimes against women on reservations. North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan, the Democratic chairman of the panel, said he will introduce legislation this year to try and lessen some of the confusion about whether state, federal or tribal police can respond when a violent crime is reported." Definitely worth a read of the entire story...
Even after Title IX, women's coaches still in minority: Sioux Falls Argus Leader story which notes the following: "In South Dakota, the numbers are even more discouraging. The state's four NCAA athletic programs (SDSU, USD, Augustana and Northern State) sponsor a total of 32 women's squads, and only 11 are coached by females. That's less than 35 percent. The two largest universities are the worst offenders: SDSU has two female coaches in nine women's sports (combining track and cross country), while USD has two in eight sports."
State to appeal Promising Future ruling: Argus Leader story reports that "State officials said today they will appeal to the South Dakota Supreme Court a lower court ruling that allows the donor of $750,000 to an anti-abortion campaign group to remain secret." Some related stories here and here.
New Service Helps Families Connect to Child Care Online
Received the following press release: Families across North Dakota can now find licensed child care with a click of a mouse at http://www.ndchildcare.org/ . Child Care Resource and Referral has launched an on-line child care search service. This new service puts the most up-to-date listings of licensed child care at the fingertips of families. The customized search helps families locate child care options based on the type of care needed, the ages of the children, their schedule and location.
In addition to helping families locate child care, http://www.ndchildcare.org/ also offers child care tips, a parent’s handbook and other resources for families seeking child care and caregivers working to provide quality child care in their communities. Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) helps families search for child care, supports child care programs and works with communities to address child care issues.
For more information contact:
Linda Lembke, Child Care Resource and Referral Program Director 218-299-7026 lindal@lakesandprairies.net
Linda Reinicke, Child Care Resource and Referral Program Director 701-530-2501 lreinicke@lssnd.org
In addition to helping families locate child care, http://www.ndchildcare.org/ also offers child care tips, a parent’s handbook and other resources for families seeking child care and caregivers working to provide quality child care in their communities. Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) helps families search for child care, supports child care programs and works with communities to address child care issues.
For more information contact:
Linda Lembke, Child Care Resource and Referral Program Director 218-299-7026 lindal@lakesandprairies.net
Linda Reinicke, Child Care Resource and Referral Program Director 701-530-2501 lreinicke@lssnd.org
Saturday, October 6, 2007
When K calls, I answer.
Though I am still dealing with the fallout of failing 25% of my American History students (not everyone deserves a B, kids!) I had to pop in when I saw K's most recent post.
I am going to leave her to deal with my now real-life pal Ken Blanchard's interesting view on biological sex. I will say, however, that it would be a pretty sad world if, as men and women, we were nothing but the sum of our chromosomes and reproductive functions.
I was most interested in Ken's most recent post about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his recent autobiography.
I'd like to direct Ken and everyone else to Anita Hill's recent New York Times op-ed, mostly because I love it when a woman rips her opponent to pieces while exhibiting incredible poise and dignity:
Justice Thomas can be upset about his confirmation hearings if he wants, but his effort to smear Anita Hill is just as unreasonable.
Now, back to reading...
I am going to leave her to deal with my now real-life pal Ken Blanchard's interesting view on biological sex. I will say, however, that it would be a pretty sad world if, as men and women, we were nothing but the sum of our chromosomes and reproductive functions.
I was most interested in Ken's most recent post about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his recent autobiography.
I'd like to direct Ken and everyone else to Anita Hill's recent New York Times op-ed, mostly because I love it when a woman rips her opponent to pieces while exhibiting incredible poise and dignity:
Regrettably, since 1991, I have repeatedly seen this kind of character attack on women and men who complain of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. In efforts to assail their accusers’ credibility, detractors routinely diminish people’s professional contributions. Often the accused is a supervisor, in a position to describe the complaining employee’s work as “mediocre” or the employee as incompetent. Those accused of inappropriate behavior also often portray the individuals who complain as bizarre caricatures of themselves — oversensitive, even fanatical, and often immoral — even though they enjoy good and productive working relationships with their colleagues.
Finally, when attacks on the accusers’ credibility fail, those accused of workplace improprieties downgrade the level of harm that may have occurred. When sensing that others will believe their accusers’ versions of events, individuals confronted with their own bad behavior try to reduce legitimate concerns to the level of mere words or “slights” that should be dismissed without discussion.
Fortunately, we have made progress since 1991. Today, when employees complain of abuse in the workplace, investigators and judges are more likely to examine all the evidence and less likely to simply accept as true the word of those in power. But that could change. Our legal system will suffer if a sitting justice’s vitriolic pursuit of personal vindication discourages others from standing up for their rights.
The question of whether Clarence Thomas belongs on the Supreme Court is no longer on the table — it was settled by the Senate back in 1991. But questions remain about how we will resolve the kinds of issues my testimony exposed. My belief is that in the past 16 years we have come closer to making the resolution of these issues an honest search for the truth, which, after all, is at the core of all legal inquiry. My hope is that Justice Thomas’s latest fusillade will not divert us from that path.
Justice Thomas can be upset about his confirmation hearings if he wants, but his effort to smear Anita Hill is just as unreasonable.
Now, back to reading...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Where's Anna When You Need Her?
Now that Anna's gone west, am I in charge of picking fights with Ken Blanchard? I hope not. Maybe later I'll feel like going through Ken's interesting views on 'biological sex,' but right now I've got homework to do. For the moment, enjoy, and think about how lovely it must be to live in such a simple world.
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