I'm a superfan of TLC's family-friendly show, “19 Kids and Counting,” which follows the Duggar family, Michelle, Jim Bob, and their 19 J-named children[1]. Though their conservative Christian views are very different from my own (I'm a pro-choice, observant Jew,) I like following the antics of a big rowdy family. But this time, their right wing views have gone too far. In a recent speech at the Values Voter Summit Jim Bob Duggar compared America today to Nazi Germany. Why? Because of abortion. When asked to explain, he said that the millions of legal abortions that have occurred since Roe v. Wade was decided are an ongoing "baby holocaust." I take this seriously, because my grandfather was very nearly a victim of the Holocaust. He fled Austria after the Nazis had come to power, making his way to the United States, a land of freedom. He was also a lifelong progressive, who supported a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions. Let's be clear: America today is nothing like Nazi Germany, and a woman who decides to have an abortion is not taking part in a Holocaust. Please join me in telling TLC and Discovery Media to cancel the Duggars' show, "19 Kids and Counting," and stop rewarding people who misuse the history of the Holocaust to play politics with women's rights. __________ [1] Josh, Jana, John David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie.

Mississippi ranks at the bottom of nearly every positive indicator when it comes to a well functioning, productive, prosperous, and equal society for all. This must come to an end. The unjust and unequal treatment of Mississippi's women is directly tied to this very unfortunate reality. Our elected officials must take swift and decisive action to ensure that Mississippi's women and girls are treated as full and equal citizens of our state. It is time for Mississippi to enter the 21st Century, demonstrating we have moved beyond our often difficult past and into a bright and positive future we know our state can achieve. Supporting the adoption of the above resolution is critical to achieving these goals. Mississippi Ranked as the Worst State for Women in the US: Time Magazine: "And, at last, we come to the worst of all U.S. states for women to live in. Perhaps the female citizenry of Mississippi already suspects this, since 22% of women are impoverished, they earn the lowest average wages in the country, with a median income of $28,879, and college-graduation rates are grim at only 21%. Also, while 68% of Mississippi women are overweight or obese, nearly a quarter of the state’s women have health insurance. With such a depressing state of affairs, is it really any wonder that Mississippi has never had a woman in Congress or as governor — and the state legislature is only 15% female?" Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/23/top-5-worst-u-s-states-for-women/#ixzz2iJi5KW9T

I have not been personally affected by this issue. I just believe that a woman should be able to make decisions for herself. Especially ones as big as having a child. I believe it's her body, her life, and her choice.

I was offended at being asked to support an anti-choice charity, also known for it's questionable financial management.

In the Spring 2011 CU Student Government Election, a referendum was passed to “Buff up the Rec.” This was brought to a vote of the students because it was projected to raise student fees approximately $122-125. In voting on the referendum, students were not given specifics of what the new Rec Center would look like, but rather were asked the following yes or no question: “Do you, as a University of Colorado-Boulder student, approve an increase in funding for the extensive renovation and expansion project of the University of Colorado Recreation Center at the rate of $121-125 ($102-104 for construction bonds and $19-21 for operations) per student, per semester, beginning Fall 2013 in student fee dollars and spanning a period of 25 years?” The referendum passed with a vote of, “yes,” and construction began in Spring 2012. While the blueprints and floor plans were presented to CUSG, there was not clear indication that the Women’s Workout area would be removed from the Women’s locker room. In the midst of the “Buff Up the Rec” construction, the Women’s Workout area was taken out of the Women’s Locker Room over the summer of 2013, and there are no concrete plans to create a similar workout area for women elsewhere. After speaking with Gabrielle Krupp, member of the Rec Center Board, she stated that the completed construction will foster a more private workout environment. This has caused temporary concerns for many women who previously used that workout area. Many women in the CU community have expressed that they do not feel comfortable working out in the same weight room as men. Some have even expressed that without the privacy of the women’s workout room they will no longer use rec center facilities to workout. In a recent survey that was conducted by Representative at Large, Coco Wham, women indicated that they would like free weights and mats to be returned to the women’s locker room.

Mothers of the Dallas/Fort-Worth area would like to attend a MommyCon event locally.

The numbers are startling. Each day, an average of 71 cases of sexual assault happen in America's military. That's more than 26,000 per year. To make matters worse, these victims are unable to have their cases heard by independent military prosecutors. Instead, these cases work their way through the chain of command, where they're often ignored and swept under the rug. Led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate have proposed the Military Justice Improvement Act, to ensure that these victims of sexual assault get justice. Here's the problem: As of this moment, Arizona's U.S. Senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, have not signed on to co-sponsor this critical legislation. As Senator McCain himself has said, we've been talking about the issue for years and talk is insufficient. The time is now. And you have a voice. Sign our petition and demand that Senators McCain and Flake co-sponsor the Military Justice Improvement Act today.

Pregnancy shouldn't mean the end of civil liberties, constitutional rights to due process, or protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. State law enforcement authorities, starting with Attorney General Greg Zoeller, must stop irresponsibly attacking the rights of pregnant citizens and start trusting women enough to presume their innocence -- as required by the Constitution. Women are tired of being treated with suspicion, discriminated against, and having our access to health care tampered with by heavy-handed meddlers who are hell-bent on policing the reproduction and sexuality of strangers. AG Zoeller, stop calling on the state legislature to treat pregnancy as a potential crime, making Indiana a state where expectant mothers would become guilty until proven innocent. [1] As a senior law enforcement figure, you have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and respect the rights of all citizens. Even when those citizens are pregnant. [1] - "A Chance to Teaspoon for the Hoosier State" by Shaker Harmony, Shakesville, September 11, 2013. http://www.shakesville.com/2013/09/a-chance-to-teaspoon-for-hoosier-state.html

Since the beginning of the summer we’ve been hearing that Larry Summers will be President Obama’s choice to replace Ben Bernanke as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank in January.1 Everything about this is wrong. First, Summers was the architect of bank deregulation in the late 1990’s, including the repeal of Glass-Steagall, which created the environment that Wall Street criminals used to destroy our economy. He hasn’t stepped away from that view despite what the bankers did. Second, Summers has stated that he believes that women are "innately" less able to understand science and math than men.2 Third, Administration insiders are telling people Summers is the right choice because, “He has the courage to say, ‘Yes’, to Wall Street”!3 Can you believe that? To us, that’s three strikes. Tell President Obama: Larry Summers is the wrong choice to head the Federal Reserve Bank. This issue is gaining urgency now that fall is rapidly approaching and Congress is back in session. The head of the Federal Reserve Bank has the most influence of any one person over the state of the American economy. Appointing someone who both thinks women are intellectually inferior and paved the way for Wall Street bankers to destroy our economy is wrong for women and wrong for our economy. The not-so-shocking fact about this potential appointment is that there is an amazingly qualified woman for the job in Janet Yellen, about whom the New York Times says, “no one else can match Janet Yellen’s combination of academic credentials and policy-making experience.”4 However, Yellen has been the subject of a whispering campaign about her lack of “toughness” and “gravitas” – coded language used repeatedly against women to keep them out of powerful positions.5 Those kinds of attacks on women are not acceptable and neither is appointing someone like Larry Summers. As the President who has wrestled with the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression – and as the father of two daughters – President Obama should make a better choice. Tell President Obama: Larry Summers is the wrong choice to head the Federal Reserve Bank. Even if you have signed another petition on this topic, sign this one too. With Congress back in session, they need to hear from us now. We'll be working with national partners and local community groups to make sure our voices are heard. 1. John Harwood, "Obama source predicts Summers will be named Fed chief soon." CNBC, 08-26-2013. http://www.cnbc.com/id/100988773 2. "Why women are poor at science, by Harvard president," The Guardian, 01-18-2005. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/jan/18/educationsgendergap.genderissues 3. “Summers: The Courage to Say Yes to Wall Street?” Mike Lux, Daily Kos, 07-25-2013 http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/25/1226436/-Summers-The-Courage-to-Say-Yes-to-Wall-Street# 4. “Choosing the Next Fed Leader” New York Times Editorial Board, 07-29-2013 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/opinion/choosing-the-next-fed-leader.html 5. “The subtle, sexist whispering campaign against Janet Yellen," The Washington Post, 07-19-2013. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/19/the-subtle-sexist-whispering-campaign-against-janet-yellen/

To raise awareness and combat ignorance in the Virgin Islands community. In addition, to demand that Governor John. P. DeJongh issue a statement condemning the Senator's comments.

It is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Brad Kolb promised to make a donation for $1 for every like on Hornet Signs page. As of midnight 9/30/2013 there were 1522. We are waiting on verification that Brad Kolb made the $150 donation to a Waco women's shelter for the burned decal he auctioned, even though he gave it to us. We are also waiting for confirmation of a $1522 donation going to a Waco women's shelter. Because violence against women must end. Brad Kolb has reached and all new low. After promising me the decal, he is now auctioning it off on ebay. We are at a loss for words that this man is not living up to his word. http://preview.tinyurl.com/o9dsk6k We're not done yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmRUjEI9fVo http://trishamychoicelynch.wordpress.com/we-arent-done-yet/ Imagery debasing women in advertising and the media must end. Hornet signs crossed the line of good taste, and promoted violence against women, when they produced a decal of a gagged and bound women thrown into the back of a pick up truck. To make things worse, they then drove it around Waco, TX for a month before social media picked up on it an brought it to the world's attention. Hornet Signs, being represented by Brad Kolb, has steadfastly refused to apologize for this demeaning decal, although they have burned the decal and told us we could pick it up. They are now asking for ideas on what they, Hornet Signs should do with the decal, like auctioning it on ebay, even though they gave it to us. We plan to pick up the decal in Waco, then auction the burned decal and donate the proceeds to a Waco women's shelter. Help hold Hornet Signs and Brad Kolb's feet to the fire. Please hold them accountable for their horrible marketing campaign. Thank you.

The Equal Rights Amendment was introduced to Congress 90 years ago. Even though a fierce battle for equality was fought during the 70's and early 80's, not enough states ratified the amendment. Therefore, there is nothing in the US Constitution that cements any women's rights, except the right to vote. The time has now come to finish the 90-year struggle!