All NJ residents should be aware that there is a bill in the legislature which would address concerns in the use of eminent domain which have occurred recently. The bill is S2739 and is sponsored by NJ State Senators Diane Allen and Mia Gill. It would prevent the use of condemnation to take occupied homes which are up to code. Jenny from Sen. Allen's office, I hope I have this correct!
Please get involved; this issue is too important for people to stand on the sidelines. You can contact Sen. Allen and Sen. Gill to tell them you support their effort and thank them for sponsoring this. You can also contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support this or even to be a co-sponsor.
Please don't sit back; homes of our fellow citizens are at stake. Someday the home you want protected may be your own.
This blog discusses issues of social justice (in an inclusive sense), civil liberties, human rights, other social issues, and offers thoughts on society and humanity in general from a progressive, feminist perspective.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Women's Health Alert
I was really shocked at this latest news concerning the birth control patch, Ortho Evra. Read about it here. I'm stunned that this is just coming out now. I don't understand why this didn't ring any warning bells earlier.
This, along with the problems with Vioxx, et al., cause me great concern. I wonder just how committed the FDA and these drug companies are to giving us SAFE as well as effective medications. I think we need more safeguards, more people not afraid to blow whistles - and better protection for whistle blowers. I know we want medicines for various purposes "yesterday"; but maybe we should slow down just a bit so that more problems don't occur in the long run.
In the meantime, I think I would advise women considering the patch to think twice. And advise any woman on it to consult with her doctor very soon.
This, along with the problems with Vioxx, et al., cause me great concern. I wonder just how committed the FDA and these drug companies are to giving us SAFE as well as effective medications. I think we need more safeguards, more people not afraid to blow whistles - and better protection for whistle blowers. I know we want medicines for various purposes "yesterday"; but maybe we should slow down just a bit so that more problems don't occur in the long run.
In the meantime, I think I would advise women considering the patch to think twice. And advise any woman on it to consult with her doctor very soon.
Thursday, July 7, 2005
New Features to my Blog
If you've noticed, there are two new features to Cinnamonblue's Blog. Below each post now is an envelope icon. This is a link which allows you to e-mail the post to a friend.
Also, I downloaded Google's Picasa and companion Hello programs so I could load that picture of London. I may post pictures to supplement posts from time to time.
Now, is anyone out there?
Also, I downloaded Google's Picasa and companion Hello programs so I could load that picture of London. I may post pictures to supplement posts from time to time.
Now, is anyone out there?
London
As with so many around the world today, my thoughts and prayers go out to the people of London, especially families of the victims of terrorism. It's agonizing, saddening, and numbing to see such violence inflicted against innocent people.
London is a great city. My Dad and I visited there in 1977 and I really loved it. To me it felt almost not like a city; the parks, squares, and openness of its layout made it seem less like a huge metropolis than something a bit more personal. It's proved its resilience through the ages. Bless the city and its residents in this latest test.
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London is a great city. My Dad and I visited there in 1977 and I really loved it. To me it felt almost not like a city; the parks, squares, and openness of its layout made it seem less like a huge metropolis than something a bit more personal. It's proved its resilience through the ages. Bless the city and its residents in this latest test.
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Saturday, July 2, 2005
Blogging is Subversive?
Wow- a three-fer today.
I was just browsing through some blogs tonight and came across an item in one referencing something I'd just vaguely heard about.
In China, they are now requiring that all blogs be registered (though apparently, this wasn't easy to do) - one requirement of which is the removal of links not approved by the Chinese government (this even includes their friends' websites!) Apparently blogspot blogs are being blocked from use - as well as those of some other providers. Also, Microsoft is censoring text used by Chinese bloggers - words such as "democracy" or "human rights" are not to be used (Yahoo! and Google have been censoring as well). You can read about some developments here .
As a blogger myself, and a firm believer in free speech, I am very troubled by such developments. We can only imagine what it feels like to have your free expression controlled or totally blocked. We had also better be concerned that in current repressive atmosphere which has so little regard for civil liberties that this does not happen here!
I was just browsing through some blogs tonight and came across an item in one referencing something I'd just vaguely heard about.
In China, they are now requiring that all blogs be registered (though apparently, this wasn't easy to do) - one requirement of which is the removal of links not approved by the Chinese government (this even includes their friends' websites!) Apparently blogspot blogs are being blocked from use - as well as those of some other providers. Also, Microsoft is censoring text used by Chinese bloggers - words such as "democracy" or "human rights" are not to be used (Yahoo! and Google have been censoring as well). You can read about some developments here .
As a blogger myself, and a firm believer in free speech, I am very troubled by such developments. We can only imagine what it feels like to have your free expression controlled or totally blocked. We had also better be concerned that in current repressive atmosphere which has so little regard for civil liberties that this does not happen here!
Muktaran Mai Follow Up
I thought I might see if there were any new developments in this case, so I just visited the site of the Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Women. The news is relatively positive. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has apparantly issued a favorable ruling. Also Ms. Mai will be in the U. S. to take part in seminar in Houston today. There will be a webcast available at 1:00 p.m.. You may access this at the organization's site.
O'Connor is retiring...
I'm probably not the only one who was shocked at the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one concerned as well. The prospects of the type of Justice the President might propose and of a nasty and protracted partisan battle are not pleasant ones. I hope that we put enough pressure on the White House AND on the Senate to make sure that the nominee is mainstream and decent, not extremist! Make sure that YOUR Senators know we don't want an extreme right-wing idealogue to take the place of someone like Justice O'Connor who has helped keep the Court somewhat centered.
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