An Injustice for Women in Uniform

Last month, Republican senate leaders blocked consideration of an amendment that would have lifted the ban that denies female service members coverage for abortion costs in rape and incest cases. There are more than 200,000 women currently on active duty in the military. Right now, military health pays for abortions only when the pregnancy is endangering a woman's life. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said all the amendment would have done is give military women the same coverage now afforded civilians who work for the federal government or rely on Medicaid. Shaheen said "..the amendment should not have been controversial."

The author of this editorial, Andrew Rosenthal, definnitely does not agree with the blocked consideration of the amendment. He strongly believes that women in the military deserve this right. He shows this when he says, "There is no rational argument for providing military women lesser coverage..." Rosenthal finishes this editorial saying, "Making a modestly paid enlistee find the money to end a pregnancy resulting from a rape is inexcusably cruel." 

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Bless Me, Ultima 8-12

I have to admit, I am officially hooked on this book. Chapters 8-12 were even more interesting and exciting than the first seven chapters. They begin with Antonio's brothers suffering from "war-sickness" or most likely post-traumatic stress disorder. This doesn't surprise me at all saying they entered the stressful war at a very young age and didn't have much of a childhood. Because of this, Antonio's brothers urge him to stay youthful as long as he can and not want to rush to grow up. I also think I found these chapters entertaining because magic was finally introduced in the story. Magic was introduced in the curing of Uncle Louis from his curse. He was placed in a curse by the barkeeper, Tenorio's, daughters. Ultima puts a lot of effort into coming up with a cure for Louis and spends several days trying to get it right. This shows that Ultima is a nice, caring person, but i'm not so sure i'm completely convinced of Ultima's character just yet. There something about her that makes me question her intentions. A prediction I have for the rest of the book is that Antonio will become a male witch. After going with Ultima to cure his uncle, I have a feeling Ultima is almost trying to train Antonio for the future. Another thing I noticed in chapters 8-12 is Antonio's parents bitterness towards each other. I love how Anaya made them absolute opposites and their continued opposition and fighting in these chapters adds a lot to the story. They can't seem to agree on anything. I'm really excited to keep reading Bless Me, Ultima and see what happens next!

Paris' legendary American bookseller dies

George Whitman, has passed away. A lot of you may ask, 'Who the heck is George Whitman?" Well, you may not know his name, but you probably have heard of his bookshop. He owned the world famous bookshop located in Paris, Shakespeare & Company. Whitman started the shop in 1951. This was during the time period when a number of Americans went to Paris after World War II to "re-start the party." By the mid 1950's, it was obvious that the party was over and most Americans went home to the states. But, Whitman did not. Whitman named his bookstore Shakespeare & Company in memory of Sylvia Beach, an American women who also had a bookstore named Shakespeare & Company that she was eventually forced to close. Everyone in Paris knows Whitman's bookshop, and he will be remembered for a long time to come.

The author of this article, Michael Goldfarb, definitely respects George Whitman. Even though Goldfarb did not have the best personal experience with Whitman, he still respects the man. He says, "By the time I made my first visits there 40 years ago, the bookshop was an anchor of Paris life and Whitman a well-established character: wizened, missing his front teeth, their absence highlighted by his wispy goatee." Goldfarb succeeded in interesting me in the topic and makes me want to know more about George Whitman. 

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Bless Me Ultima, Chapters 1-7

To be honest, when we received Bless Me, Ultima in class, I did not think this book was going to be fun or interesting to read. But, after reading the first seven chapters, I can say that I judged the book by its cover. Once I got reading, and read about Antonio Marez and Ultima, I didn't want to put the book down. I love how Rudolfo A. Anaya made Antonio's parents completely different. The contrast of their beliefs and upbringings adds a lot to their characters. As I kept reading I made some predictions for the rest of the book. Gabriel tells Ultima about his dream to move to California in chapter two. I think this will happen eventually, even though Gabriel worries about moving his family to California alone. Also, Antonio wonders a lot about Lupito's soul and what happened to it after he was killed. I think Anaya will bring this up again later in the story and give us some more information about that. I love how Anaya uses the spanish language throughout the text. I know a lot of other students have problems with it but I think its a great addition and brings out the culture. I can't wait to read the rest of this book and see if my predictions are accurate.

Invasion of Privacy

ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews has filed a lawsuit regarding her September 2008 stay at a Nashville, Tennessee hotel. Andrew says that a man "altered a peephole so he could shoot video of the ESPN sports reporter while she was nude." The lawsuit was filed friday in Davidson County, Tennessee. Andrews is seeking $6 million from the Marriott Hotel and $4 million from the man, Michael David Barrett. She says that Barrett made calls to the hotel asking if she would be staying at the hotel. She also claims that the hotel revealed her room number and he requested a room right next to hers. Director of communications at Marriott hotel spoke out and said the hotel has made changes to the guest policy providing more privacy. Barrett was arrested after trying to sell the videos to TMZ. TMZ did not purchase the videos, but helped in the investigation by providing information to Andrews' attorneys.

The authors of this article, or the CNN Wire Staff, implied that they believe that Barrett was completely wrong for doing this. "Andrews' lawsuit contends she was a victim of negligence, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress." I completely agree with the staff. I find this disgusting and inappropriate. The staff states that Barrett posted up to ten videos of Andrews. My question is, why was he not caught earlier? 

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Breast Cancer Strikes Again

Reality star and E! host Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer this past October. She recently announced to the public her decision to undergo a double mastectomy. Giuliana has had a bad history of health issues in the past. She has been very open about these problems on her reality show, "Giuliana and Bill." On her reality show she has chronicled her fertility problems, including a miscarriage. Giuliana desperately wants to become a mother, and this is the main reason why she's taking an aggressive stand and fighting the cancer early. Giuliana, as well as every other woman who has been diagnosed with the disease, is devastated. Giuliana's announcement has made people realize the emotional side of breast cancer. "Despite the pink-ribboned ubiquity of breast cancer in our consciousness, the difficult and emotional tradeoffs of treatment are still tricky to talk about." Even though October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the ways in which cancer can emotionally affect a female are sometimes pushed aside. 

The author of this article, Mary Elizabeth Williams, seems to be very emotional about the subject of breast cancer. She says that Giuliana, "reminds us there's more to fighting breast cancer than pink ribbons." Williams seems to agree with the decision she is making to undergo the double mastectomy. Williams says, "That quest to become a mother is a big part of her decision to take an aggressive line on cancer."Williams also touches on the underlying problem of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even though the month is dedicated to empowering women, it ignores the emotional problems. 

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Weed Wars

There is a new TV show set to premiere tonight at 10 on the Discovery Channel called Weed Wars. The new series revolves around a medical marijuana clinic in Oakland, California. Business owner, Steve D'Angelo, says he runs "a family business." D'Angelo's company, the Harborside Health Center, distributes medical marijuana to almost 100,000 customers. D'Angelo sees his business as just another small normal business, and he compares it to a hair salon or a tattoo parlor. There is one problem with his small, family owned business. Even though medical marijuana can be sold legally to a California resident  with a medical permit, the federal government still considers it a Schedule 1 narcotic. This means that D'Angelo and his brother, who helps him run the business, "live in fear of a massive bust by the DEA."

The author of this article, Matt Zoller Seitz, implies that he does not really agree with the TV show. He says, "D’Angelo’s matter-of-fact statement sums up the tone of this series, which treats the Harborside Heath Center as just another family-owned (albeit nonprofit) business, ultimately not too different from a veterinary clinic, a hair salon or a tattoo parlor." To me, that sounds a little sarcastic. I, personally, do not understand the whole TV show. If they fear a bust by the DEA, once this show goes on national TV, aren't they definitely busted? I will definitely be watching tonight to see what happens. 

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