Thanks for All You Do

As this year comes to an end, I can't help but be in awe, and so proud of all we accomplished for reproductive freedom. With your support we made 2008 one of the most successful years for choice in a generation.

Thanks to the ongoing commitment of pro-choice Americans like you, we were able to elect fully pro-choice Sen. Barack Obama to the White House ... gain 20 new pro-choice seats in the House of Representatives ... and move seven Senate seats from the anti-choice column.

The National Journal ranked NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC second among the nation's 21 top political organizations for posting one of the best win-lose records among House and Senate candidates in the 2008 elections. It also credited NARAL Pro-Choice America as a leader among progressive groups that "not only honed their techniques individually but also worked harder to coordinate their efforts." ["Winning the Ground Game," National Journal, 11/8/08.] NARAL Pro-Choice America is the political leader of the pro-choice movement!

None of these accomplishments would have happened without you, so please accept my deepest thanks.

There are still many challenges ahead in 2009. Just look at the new regulation announced by Bush two weeks ago -- this measure allows anyone in the health-care industry, even receptionists making appointments, to deny women access to abortion services or referrals. I believe that with your ongoing commitment we will be able to begin to undo the damage from the last eight years and have a successful year for choice in this country.

Thanks for all you do to protect women's reproductive freedom and privacy, and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Modern Face of Slavery

by: Andrew Buncombe, The Independent UK

Domestic workers face abuse and harsh conditions in India. (Photo: savethechildren.org.uk)

They are lured by the promise of money and training, but end up as domestic workers who endure abuse and beatings at the hands of their masters.

She came to Delhi dreaming of a new start, of escape from a life of poverty and hardship. Yet when she arrived, Sushma Kumari quickly realised she had been tricked.

Far from being trained in the skills of acupuncture, for two years she was forced to work as an unpaid domestic help in the home of the "doctor" supposed to be teaching her. She toiled from 5am to midnight, seven days a week. She was abused and mistreated. Almost certainly she was brought to Delhi by a professional trafficker; what is beyond doubt is that once she got here she lived the life of a slave.

For a woman who has the right to burn with anger, Sushma talks in little more than a whisper. "I really wanted to go home but I was not allowed to talk to my father," she says. "I felt desperate, cheated."

The story of Sushma is a journey to the dark side of the New India, away from the tales of soaring economic growth and gleaming fashion malls, of Western-style coffee shops filled with a newly wealthy class. The two are surely connected; chief among the reasons for the growing demand for young, poor women from places like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and other desperately poor states to come to toil in India's growing metropolitan centres, is that a new generation of professional women entering the workforce no longer have the time or inclination for household chores. Human traffickers fill the gap.

And in a way, Sushma had been drawn by the promises of the New India. After she was forced to leave school early because the family were so poor, her father learnt, through an acquaintance, of an acupuncturist in Delhi looking for a trainee. A middle-man arranged that Sushma could be that person.

"When we left the village, we were taken to another village for a month and then brought to Delhi. In the first weeks there was some informal training but it became obvious we were there to work as domestic servants," she recalls. "After that, we just had to work. When my father called I was told to say everything was fine and that I was doing well."

The reality was quite different. Beaten and abused, accused of stealing and worked to the bone, Sushma wanted to escape but did not know how. She suffered for two years before learning, through another domestic worker, of an organisation that could help. Then she ran away.

The treatment of India's domestic workers is a topic the establishment rarely addresses. Relied upon to cook, clean, shop, wash and iron clothes and even nanny children, they become indispensable for many families. Yet while some employers treat them well, many are remarkably cruel. Stories of abuse abound. Last month, a badly beaten 13-year-old girl was rescued from the home of a professional couple in Gurgaon, Delhi's hi-tech satellite city. The couple told police they beat the child to get rid of their stress.

The charity Sushma ran to for help is called Nirmana. Established 12 years ago, the group uses trained overseas volunteers from a partner organisation, Voluntary Services Overseas, one of the charities being supported in this year's Independent Christmas Appeal. One of the volunteers working with Nirmana is 25-year-old Serena O'Sullivan.

Serena worked for a FTSE 100 company for a year after leaving university but decided she wanted to do something more fulfilling. After working for several charities, she became convinced that governments in poor countries needed to be pressed to include the poorest people in their programmes. "It led me to accept a VSO placement in India with Nirmana. I am able to share my skills in communications and advocacy, but also spend time with rescued workers and help to get their voices heard at a national and international level.

"It is very hard to reconcile your own life and those of the people here. You hear the worst stories you can imagine. You wonder how one person can treat another person like that," she says. "It is as if some people here think that others are not deserving of the same rights."

The scale of the problem Nirmana is trying to deal with is vast. A full 40 per cent of the people involved in domestic work are below the age of 14. And the number of people being trafficked is growing. The agencies which place them are unregulated and unsupervised.

But slowly the country is being forced for the first time to consider the problem. The work of Nirmana and VSO is one factor. Another has been the publication of Aravind Adiga's novel White Tiger, which won this year's Booker Prize with its account of the abuse and mistreatment of servants. Some abused servants are summoning the courage to speak out.

One such is 17-year-old Meena Tirki. Meena says she is 17 but she could be younger. Though Meena tries to smile as she tells her story, her face is impossibly sad. And with good reason. The eldest of four girls from a village near Siliguri in West Bengal, Meena's family could never afford to send her to school. Earlier this year, an agent came to her village looking for girls who wanted to work in Delhi.

Under pressure from her step-mother, Meena agreed. Placed with a family in East Delhi, Meena found herself sleeping on the roof during the blistering summer, rising at 5am to begin a day of exhausting labour. The family said they would not pay her and the abuse began almost immediately. "The husband would hit me. He would accuse me of not working," she says. But Meena heard about Nirmana and she also ran.

With the help of Nirmana, Meena and Sushma have since been placed with other families in Delhi where they are working as domestic help. It would be a lie to say their stories have a saccharine-sweet ending. While they are now being paid, they receive only a pittance - less than £30 a month - and they still work gruelling hours.

But there is the vaguest flicker of hope. Sushma has been attending an open school in Delhi and hopes to complete her exams in April. She says: "Then I will decide whether to go home or not." She has begun to take control of her life.

Does John McCain Understand Women Could Die?

John McCain on NBC’s, Meet the Press, 1/30/00:
Mr. Russert: “A Constitutional Amendment to ban all abortions?”
McCain: “Yes Sir.”
Mr. Russert: “But, Senator, women across the country would say, prior to Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands of women a year went to back alleys to have abortions.”
McCain: “I understand that.”
Mr. Russert: “Many died.”
McCain: “I understand that.”

The video speaks for itself.

In only a matter of hours we’ll find out if McCain is going to come clean to the American public about his anti-choice record on birth control, Roe v. Wade, and a woman’s right to choose. But I’m not holding my breath, and would advise you not to either.

McCain won’t talk about his hypocritical opposition to birth control. He won’t talk about wanting to outlaw abortion or overturning Roe v. Wade. But he’s said it. And we have the video to prove it.

Donate now to stop McCain-Palin from winning the White House and endangering women’s lives.

As you read this, NARAL Pro-Choice America is in key battleground states -- including Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- getting the truth out about the McCain-Palin ticket.

Election Day is just 20 days away, and I have no doubt that we can make a difference, but only with your continued vigilance and ongoing support.

We cannot give up now.

Help NARAL Pro-Choice America stop McCain-Palin, elect pro-choice Barack Obama, and support our work at every level to protect a woman’s right to choose.

Sincerely,

Nancy Keenan

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

P.S. Three steps you can take to stop McCain-Palin: Watch this shocking video. Make an urgent online contribution to protect a woman’s right to choose. Forward this message to all your friends.

Is the Economic Recession Getting You Down?

Discover the Secret to Weathering a Recession and Walking Away with Your Bank Account, Your Retirement Fund, Your Investments and Your Pride!

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Never Before Revealed Information!

When you’re unprepared for the impact of recession on your life and your business, the consequences can take you completely by surprise.

The economic recession brought on by over eager lenders, under-prepared borrowers, and overzealous government and an economy that cares more about its bottom line than its citizens has been pummeling Americans from coast to coast, and it doesn’t show any signs of going away any time soon.

Are you sick and tired of counting your pennies? Looking for a way to be free of the constant fear that one day you’re going to walk into your office and find a pink slip sitting there waiting for you? Would you like, just once to be the once sitting back and making a profit instead of the one worrying about whether this will be the week your business is going to have to close its doors?

Let Me Show You How...

Did you know that economic recessions aren’t anything new? The lifecycle of the business world very closely resembles the lifecycle of the average insect-it circles around, and around, and around, and…well, you get the picture. There are many stages inside that circle that keep business flowing smoothly and the wheels of progress turning the way they’re meant to.

An economic recession is only one of these stages.

Economic recessions are a vital part of the well being and health of our economy, and a study into our history will show that they actually happen on a fairly regular basis-and they usually don’t leave much damage behind. Why, then, do we panic so badly at the thought that this time might be our turn to weather an economic recession?

Because we don’t know what to do about it!

Business magnates understand that economic recession, a time when consumer spending is going to decrease for one reason or another and have a negative impact on the life and health of their company, is a necessary stage of life. From the moment they step into their corner office they’re carefully grooming and preparing the company for the moment when recession is going to rear its unattractive head and take a bite out of their profits.

Those of us who haven’t finished our MBA usually aren’t that well informed.

Without being aware of the necessity and the inevitability of an economic recession, most of us don’t realize that sooner or later recession is going to happen, and it’s going to impact all of our lives. We’ve been lulled into complacency by the constant boom and growth of the American economy, and we’re so focused on finding instant gratification for our desires that we don’t see when recession starts to creep up until it is far too late.

• Strings of layoffs
• Dramatic dips in the profits of your company
• An increase in outsourced labor
• The disappearance of expendable cash
• A crashing housing market
• Rapidly falling stock prices
• Decreasing values of 401Ks and other retirement accounts
• Companies going bankrupt

Everyone knows about the negative impacts of an Economic Recession. But what about the positive ones?

When you’ve walked into an unemployment office and seen hundreds of people filling out paperwork in the hope that somehow, someway, someone in that office will be able to help them find a job, it can be hard to believe that there are actually benefits to an economic recession. They are there, however, and if you’re a savvy business person you’ll be able to figure out how to take advantage of them. How do you think so many companies manage to stay in business when recessions happen at least once a decade?

Major corporations around the globe has learned how to weather an economic recession and keep making a profit, and now you can do it too! Regardless of whether you’re an entry level janitor or the CEO of a major corporation, the recession is going to have an impact on your life personally. The question is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to let the recession bowl you over and leave you struggling for a way to keep your job and pay your bills? Or are you going to look at it as an opportunity to expand your horizons, stretch your wings and show the world what you can really do?

That was a choice I had to make for myself not too long ago

Two years ago I was sitting pretty. I had a good government job working as a contractor for the military, a good retirement plan, a salary that more than met our needs and an insurance program that kept my kids in antibiotics and vaccines.

All in all, life was looking pretty good. Then the recession hit.

I don’t know if any of you out there were unfortunate enough to be a part of this, but over the last two years military contractors have been steadily laying off hundreds of employees in an attempt to trim the fat from their bottom line and help them stay afloat as government contracts began to be canceled left, right and sideways. Because I had just accepted a new position within the company I was considered to be the new kid on the block, even though I had been working for them for years, and my job was among the first to go.

I was devastated.

Suddenly there I was, with a family to support and no income other than what I had coming in from our investments. I’m not ashamed to say I panicked at first. I couldn’t see how, at my age, I could possibly pick up and start all over again in another job. I’d invested too much time and effort to get where I had been, and the thought of having to climb that ladder all over again was enough to make me want to lock my door and hide for a year or two.

My general fondness for eating on a semi-regular basis got me out the door soon enough, however, and it wasn’t long before I was roaming the streets looking for another job. I was fortunate. I had remained in touch with many of my old college buddies, and one of them happened to work for a firm that had just lost one of its key employees and was looking for someone qualified who would be able to fill his place-quickly.

My friend’s recommendation and my own experience had me inside a new job within a month, but over the course of that month I saw hundreds of other contractors I had worked with who weren’t as lucky. They were out of work for months, many of them taking jobs that were far below their skills, their education and their experience just to have a paycheck.

And then there were a few of them that decided to start their own companies and offer their services to the private sector. A few of them started new careers in real estate. When I first heard what they were planning I thought they were out of their minds, but it wasn’t long before they started turning a profit-a big one.

I was astonished. If the U.S. government was losing money hand over fist and having to shut down its operations, how on earth were these little start-up companies managing to not only survive, but to thrive?

They were able to do it because they figured out how to take advantage of the recession!

I would never have believed that there would have been anything about an economic recession that would allow a company or a private entrepreneur to thrive, but as I talked with my old friends I realized that there was a side of the recession that we never saw-and that side could make the difference between surviving and thriving in the middle of an economic recession.

This is the ultimate guide to showing you how to thrive when everything else seems to be falling apart!

It’s really not fair that only a small percentage of the population has the knowledge they need to hang on to their jobs, increase their net worth and help their company thrive-especially when all they really need to do is change their mindset!! That’s why I decided to write Recession Suvival - How To Proft From An Economic Recession. I figured it was high time the rest of the world had the chance to learn what the major players already knew-the secrets for surviving an economic recession without going into debt!

But don’t take my word for it…

I don’t expect you to take my word for it. Hey, a recession can be scary stuff! That’s why I’m offering Recession Suvival - How To Proft From An Economic Recession complete with a 90 day money back guarantee. Buy the book. Read it. Put the strategies I’m going to show you into play in your own life!

• Give investing a try
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The secrets I’m going to show you in this book are the same business tricks and strategies that major corporations like Macy’s and J.C. Penney have been using to survive economic recessions for decades. Don’t you wonder sometimes why these companies have been in business for years? Wouldn’t you love to know what secrets are keeping their managers in the driver’s seats when hundreds of other companies are closing their doors? Let me show you!

There’s nothing in this book that requires you to throw thousands of dollars into some strange investment opportunity that’s “guaranteed to secure your future”.

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Redundant Women: The Effects of Economic Recession on Women

Economic recession is defined to be a period of time (two consecutive quarters) where there is dismal or negative growth in an economy of a specific region or country. Economic recession has different effects on each sector of a nation. A particular sector could experience an impact that could distinctive only in his or her sector.

Women comprises half of the world’s population. During recessions, there is a relative downturn on women’s employment that ever before. Before the United States’ recession in 2001, women were not greatly affected by the economic recession. However, after the 2001 recession in the United States, omen started losing a lot of jobs.

Women also experience low employment rates. Families rely on women’s employment to boost the family income during a recession. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. When women lose jobs, families lose a substantial share of the income. Women salaries are said to be one third of the whole family budget.

2. Over the past 30 years, families who have a working wife have seen real increases in family income.

3. During the 2001 recession, women were hit harder by unemployment than men.

4. After the recession of 2001, women were able to get back to their jobs but where unable to gain or experience any increase in their employment rates.

5. Women are said to be harder hit by the 2008 recession since women are disproportionately represented in state and local government services.

Women are also greatly affected by job losses during economic recession. Women are said to be the last person to be hired, but the last person to be fired. Unlike women, men shows stable numbers since United States had experienced the economic recession

Between March 2001 and August 2004, women lost jobs in a number of key industries. Women lost 347,000 jobs in information alone. In retail industries, women lost 367,000 jobs. The biggest lost will be in the manufacturing industry which cost women over a million jobs. These numbers are just in the United States alone.

Unemployment rate among adult women workers rise faster compared to men workers. From 3.8 percent in March 2007 it went up to 4.6 percent in March 2008. There is also a significant effect on the wage of women compared to men. Women’s wages are more unstable than men’s wages.

Women have the tendency or risk of seeing large drops in income than men do. It has been culturally imbedded (based on gender analysis of events) that women’s income just fill in the disparity of men’s wage in terms of providing for the family. Thus women’s wage not being a major source of funds is more at risk of deduction.

In developing countries, women are facing poverty brought about by economic recession blowing out of proportions. With lack of work opportunities and immense poverty, women are forced to enter into prostitution and white slavery.

When economic recession hit in Asia in mid- 1997, women was the hardest hit by the crisis. Many women who have entered these industries come from rural areas because they could no longer sustain themselves and their families. Because of the recession, a lot of employees were released from their work. Women, carrying the burden of providing for their families were provided no other options.

Southeast Asian countries were deeply affected by the financial crisis and were left with social scars. Whenever economic recession or crisis similar to this happens, women and children bear the scars.

Surviving Divorce To Learn To Live Again

Living happily again after divorce can be really a challenge, because separation is one of the most hurting experiences that many families experience. Divorce is not only the end of a wedding, but also the death of some of your hopes and dreams. A divorce can destroy years of shared love with each other in a fraction of a second. Many people find it difficult living again after divorce, therefore here are some tips for surviving divorce to learn to live again.

Learn to Live Tips

* Most often people face difficulties after a divorce, because they never think about life after divorce. One of the best ways to overcome this difficulty is to engage in varied activities. If you try to learn some new activities like music, gardening or drawing, it will definitely help you live happy and contended life after divorce.
* Many people feel awkward to start a new life after divorce and some of them get mad due to this awkwardness. If you feel something like this, do not be afraid, because your friends and family is there with you. They will always support you to overcome this problem and head towards a new life.
* People who are optimistic after the divorce will rarely face many emotional problems. Therefore, optimism after separation is a nice solution for surviving divorce to learn to live again. If you have children, the divorce can cause more disturbing effects in your life. Both of you will have to think about their future life, education and career. You will have to make financial agreements for their future. Some parents have succeeded in providing the necessary facilities to their children in tough economic conditions after the divorce. You can discuss with them about how they managed it.
* While thinking of starting a new life after divorce, you should recognize your loss due to the divorce. The most important thing about recovery is being honest with yourself and you will have to face the actuality of your unsuccessful wedding. You should never run away from this reality and accept it as a natural pain. Sometimes pain too can prove to be a motivator and help you deal with life better.
* People, who suffer from divorce pain, should take care that this pain does not dominate their life and understand the fact that one day this pain will subside. Most often people think that life is over after divorce and they cannot love again. However, if you try to commit yourself to overcome through it, the pain will go away in few days and you will be able to start new life with fresh feelings. You will be able to trust and love again. According to many counselors, divorced people should never waste their time and efficiency in pain. They can invest it in work that can help them in their recovery.

By having a positive attitude and realizing that your entire future lies ahead of you, you can think about surviving divorce to learn to live again. You will have to be much more careful about starting a new life after divorce. So it is better if you think about your new life in advance.

Surviving Divorce Proceedings

Marriage is a serious relationship and therefore a divorce affects the lives of both people. Divorce may give rise to issues related to children, property, etc. Moreover, for many it is a mental set back as well. However, once you have decided for sure that you want to be divorced, you need take care of all important related issues, as doing so will help you in surviving divorce proceedings.

To help with any important issues you may have to face, here are some pointers:

* Whatever the outcome of the divorce may have been concerning children, property, etc, the most important thing is to accept it. The ruling of court that the children should live with your partner instead of you is very heavy decision. However, you should accept it. Feelings of distress over this for a long time will make surviving divorce proceedings difficult.
* Then secondly you have to consider the practical issues because the divorce is about to change your life practically as well. If you were living in your partner’s house then you will need to find a house for yourself. Getting a suitable housing may be a difficult task and you will need to research a bit for this. In the same way, the issues with banks and other kinds of accounts should be resolved as early as possible.
* For surviving divorce proceedings, you should shake yourself free from any guilt of regret. Many people later keep on thinking about the reasons why the divorce occurred. Some of them hold either themselves or their partners responsible for it. They think that they could have avoided the divorce and it was an unnecessary decision. You should not let your thoughts flow in this direction.
* Do not hold yourself or your partner responsible for the divorce. Never develop or keep any frustration in your mind for your partner. Such emotions will only cause unnecessary trouble. Convince yourself that this was the right decision for you as well your partner.
* Convince yourself that whatever has happened was perfectly right and the divorce was a well thought decision. For this, you can reevaluate the conditions and the reasons, which lead to the divorce. Persuade your mind that divorce was the best option for both of you and the situations you were facing.
* Now you should learn to live life without your partner. For this, you need to gain some self-confidence in yourself. You should believe in your capabilities and believe that you can live without your partner both emotionally as well as practically. For surviving divorce proceedings, you can even look at the positive side and the advantages that you will get from the divorce.

For surviving divorce proceedings, you need to continue living your life happily. Getting yourself involved in some kind of activity is a very good idea to get your mind away from what has happened. Friends and family both can play a very important role in such a situation. Therefore, you can spend some time with them. They are always there to help you.

All these things will help you in surviving divorce proceedings. Some people take long time to come out of this event while some are able to adjust quickly to the new surroundings.

Surviving Divorce For Kids

Divorce severely affects children and can sometimes cause a drastic change in their behavior. It is commonly seen that these children experience regression and display aggression towards other children if their parents are undergoing divorce or separation. For example, children whose parents are divorced often quarrel for small things and they prefer to live in isolation.

For kids, surviving divorce can be a daunting task as a divorce is also a stressful situation for children. They start feeling guilty and sad due to the breaking down of their family. When they come to know that the parents will no longer stay with each other, they become sad and are unable to sleep properly. Here are some helpful tips:

* The parent who stays with the children should support them in these bad times. For instance, if your child is being difficult, do not get angry or frustrated. Instead, try to have a chat with him/her and find out what is going on in his/her head. This will help to build your child’s positive feelings. Kids who have not yet started to go to school often hesitate to express their feelings. You should share only essential information with them. Expression of love is very important for kids at this time.
* Children’s peers can also provide additional support to your kids.
* As a parent, you should see that you do not leave your child alone. It is beneficial for your child to be in a childcare center as it helps to understand different types of families.
* You should try to enforce positive discipline amongst your children so that they become good citizens of tomorrow. For example, if your kids are between 6 to 8 years old, then it necessary that you reinforce rules which will help them to develop personal goals.
* If your child performs well in exams or extracurricular activities reward him or her and give positive feedback. When talking to your children, think before you speak and do not use abusive words. “I” messages i.e. commanding language should be avoided, as it will hurt your kid a lot. It is very important that you choose your words carefully.
* You can also play games with your kids along with your ex-spouse. This will help your child understand that his mommy and daddy would love him/her forever, even if they were no longer together.
* Consistency in routines, logical sequences, and a large dose of affection are considered the best tools for surviving divorce for kids. Make sure that your child is not an eyewitness to your anger. You should find safe outlets for your anger. Scolding your child’s father or mother in front of the child can have a negative impact on your kid’s self-esteem. You should not forget that your kid loves his other parent too, therefore if you criticize your ex, your child will definitely feel remorse or discomfort. If you yell or talk abusively to your partner, this will hurt your child. Bad mouthing or screaming at your ex, deeply affects the harmony you share with your kid.

If you really care for your child then you should try to develop a good relationship with your ex. If you cannot be good with your ex then at least be civil. You should never discuss about your ex with your child. The above tips will surely help you in surviving divorce for kids.

Surviving Divorce Caused By Infidelity

A divorce leads to emotional pain that is difficult to handle. It can also be a terrifying situation not only for you, but also for the entire family. There are people who, instead of filing a divorce, compromise because the fear of surviving after a divorce literally forces them to forgive their partner. And surviving divorce caused by infidelity is neither speedy nor an easy process. Infidelity causes irreparable damage to a relationship and recovering from it requires great mental strength.

Surviving divorce caused by infidelity is challenging, as you have to deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Here are some tips to help:

* You may find it hard to believe that your partner was unfaithful, dishonest and a womanizer. To help with the shock, spend more time with your family members and friends. They can offer support and comfort you because they care for you. Individual coaching and counseling can also help you to overcome from this situation. Try to remove isolated feelings from your mind and move on with your life. You can also join programs that will help you to regain your self worth, self-esteem and well-being.
* Instead of remembering old painful memories, you should move forward sensibly. Surviving divorce caused by infidelity means believing in your abilities as a single person. It is possible that your old friends may neglect you, but it is natural. Do not waste your time in thinking about the past instead try to rediscover yourself. You must accept that your relationship with your partner is over and assure your mind that there are some beautiful moments waiting in your remaining life. You should think of your future and enjoy every moment of it.
* Screaming, cursing, taunting or threatening your divorced partner is of no use. It will only spoil your health and will increase your medical expenses. There are some websites on the internet that can help you in surviving divorce caused by infidelity. These websites contain information that will help you to come out of this situation.
* It is essential that you maintain your health even after a divorce. Physical exercises instill a positive attitude; hence, you should practice them regularly to stay fit. Fitness assures emotional and physical survival of your body, which in turn promotes good health.
* Try to motivate yourself by reading autobiographies of great people and try to remove unhappy thoughts from your mind. Keep yourself busy, instead of staying alone at home. There is absolutely no need to get depressed or feel guilty, as you were loyal to your partner. After a divorce, you should try to remain calm and not get angry with yourself, as it was not your fault.

Although a divorce is disappointing, you should look at the positive aspects of the separation. It is but natural to feel hurt by a divorce that is caused by infidelity. If you are feeling lonely, you can try to build a new relationship. However, you should be very careful while making a new relationship and learn from your experiences. Make sure that you invest your time, energy and trust in the correct relationship.

Surviving Divorce And Separation

Many people dream about happy and long-lasting married life. However, after first few wonderful years, weeks or even days of married life, you may come across various differences between you and your partner that are beyond repair. The marital relationship starts to get disturbed due to conflicts and bitterness. Sometimes, everything goes beyond the limits of tolerance and you tend to think that you cannot stay together anymore.

Even after counseling by family members, friends and marriage counselors, if you both are determined to get separated, then the official process of separation starts. It may be quite stressful for you and your partner to go through the separation phase. Knowing about surviving divorce and separation can help you to be prepared for possible problems and complications after separation.

Here are some tips for comfortably surviving divorce and separation:

* Surviving divorce and separation is not easy at all. Divorce can give rise to some extreme changes in your personal and family life. Your family life may be very disturbed and it may be quite difficult for you to decide how to maintain your relationships with your parents-in-law.
* If you have children, then there may be a big issue about their guardianship. Your children may be frustrated due to the separation of parents. They may experience loneliness, and feelings of irritation may creep in. You need to convince your children that you both love them equally. In case you wish to remarry, you should take the plunge with the consent of your child.
* The main problem that both partners may face during the separation process and after divorce is financial insecurity. You should prepare yourself for the changes in income as well as expenses and dept handling after the divorce. You’ll need to develop a budget according to your needs. Keep in mind that your expenses should remain within the limits of post-divorce income. You should be able to manage your expenses with present income and for that, you should evaluate your needs.
* Divorce and separation can be very stressful for both the partners. Hence, you should be ready in all ways for surviving divorce and separation. After separation from your partner, you may feel very lonely and frustrated. However, you have to try to come out of this condition. For that, you can ask for help from your friends and family members. Their support will help you overcome the pressure. You can also get help from other relaxation techniques to relieve excess strain.
* Do not look at divorce as your failure, but take it as a new start. You can indulge in activities that are of interest. Do not frequently recall the unpleasant or sour memories of your married life.
* Do not let yourself feel low. Instead, boost your energy levels. You should also help your children get through this transition. Return to your work as early as possible as it can help you to come out of loneliness and frustration. Do not let traces of the past affect your present and try to make new friends.

Keep in mind that divorce is the end of marital relations, not your life. It is like a challenge; accept it with open arms and a broad mindset. A cheerful future is still waiting for you. So, be ready for surviving divorce and separation with great patience and hopes of some new beginnings.

Surviving Divorce And Building A New Life

Divorce is one of the most complicated challenges in life. You have to be ready to face the consequences that arise due to the divorce. Most people think that they might never be able to lead a normal life after divorce. It is very complicated to build up a new life after divorce and so you can seek help from your family members and friends for surviving divorce and building a new life.

After divorce, both partners face emotional and financial problems largely. Therefore, it is very important to think about your finances and expenses before the divorce proceedings commence. Usually, people tend to get irritated, their tempers soar high during the divorce process, and they suffer from depression for several years as well.

Many helpful resources can guide you for surviving divorce and building a new life:

* Your counselors and lawyers can help to build a new life after separation. You can discuss and solve your problems with them. They will tell you how to handle tough financial conditions after the divorce. One of the most important things about surviving a divorce is that you should never think that life comes to a standstill after divorce. If you feel awkward to start a new life, you can immediately inform your counselors who will definitely help you solve the problem.
* It is very sad that many people are not ready to face the complicated conditions that take place due to divorce. The standard of life of such people is reduced due to insufficient finances. If you want to start a new life after separation, it is better to make new relations that are superior to those you have had with your previous partner. You have to accept the changes taking place due to divorce so that you can make better relationships in your future life. Finding a new partner can lead you towards new happiness and experiences.
* It requires great patience and a positive state of mind to survive divorce and build a new life. And stability in life after divorce is one of the most important things to focus on when building a new life. You can stand on your own feet even after the divorce if you have your finances well planned out and your mindset is stable. You can create new schedules after separation to ensure your well-being and be optimistic.
* While thinking about surviving divorce and building a new life, you will need to think about the future of any children involved. It is better if you provide them emotional support, as only financial support is not enough.

You can learn new skills like dancing, painting or photography to build a new life after the divorce, if it seems difficult to live happily and peacefully. It will help you to keep yourself engaged in exciting activities and the frustration of the divorce will go away. You can also seek help from a divorce coach for surviving divorce and building a new life after it.

Surviving Divorce After An Abusive Marriage

Surviving divorce after an abusive marriage is extremely difficult for the entire family. Divorce hurts all the people in the family. And sometimes the wounds of divorce are deep and take years to heal.

While emotionally abusive marriages are difficult to explain, physically abusive marriage sometimes end in death. Hence it is necessary to understand the exact meaning of abuse: arguing and neglecting is not always considered abuse, being severely hurt physically or mentally is.

Threatening and calling names are also cases of verbal abuse, for example. Abuse may start when the couple tries to sort out an argument in a harsh manner.

Note that it is also extremely difficult to be a child of divorced parents. A simple argument between parents also greatly affects the emotional health of the child. Divorce destroys a relationship. The child feels scared, and the parents are disturbed emotionally. Depression is often a common symptom at such times. In fact, research shows that the action of parents after divorce often disturb children even more than the adults.

Abusive couples tend to express mainly three types of behavior: the parents are argumentative, cooperating or disengagement. And the action of the parents depends on the level of maturity of the people. Note the following points as well:

* Abusive relationships can sometimes be a result of one of the partners having experienced child abuse. Either the child was spoilt and had a habit of doing all the things, as he or she liked or an insecure childhood.
* You need to be extremely careful about how you behave with your child while surviving divorce after an abusive marriage. It is very hard for the child since his or her basic security is threatened and the child needs and seeks out both parents.
* Keep a cool and calm mind during difficult and disturbing situations and allow your children to meet your partner. Do not object or refuse. Children do not want to hear anything bad about any parent since they are equally loyal to both.
* A child will feel betrayed if you prohibit him or her from meeting your partner and will move away from you emotionally. Do not ask your child to give a message to the other parent. Do not bring the child between both of you in any way. Trying to change any legal arrangements will get your child confused.
* The most important tip while surviving divorce after an abusive marriage is to forget the past and to move ahead in life. Own up to your own faults and do not think about money and anger; instead focus on improving your own life.
* Anger and frustration can create many problems. Do not take out your anger on your child. Use your anger to make a difference for the better in the present and the future and get a counselor to help you in matters you cannot handle. It was nobody’s fault; it was just something that went wrong in your life. Take it as a lesson and learn from it. If you are finding it difficult to cope up with your present life then it is essential that you seek help. Try a divorce recovery class.

Support Groups For Surviving Divorce

Divorce can be a very painful and stressful period in person’s life and surviving divorce may be quite difficult. Some people may feel depressed and frustrated because of their failure in married life. Nobody tends to take the decision of separation all of a sudden. It may start with little misunderstandings and conflicts. When the bitterness crosses the limits of tolerance, the couple starts to think about divorce. However, separation may be very stressful for both partners as it can bring some extreme changes in an individual’s life. If you are undergoing the same situation, you can seek help of support groups for surviving divorce.

Divorce and separation can disturb your family and personal life. If you have kids, then the problem regarding their custody can arise. You should be able to convince your children about your separation; else, they will feel emotionally disturbed and frustrated. Financial instability is the main problem that both the partners face. Thus, divorce can lead to both physical and emotional disturbances.

You may feel lonely and frustrated; but you should try to overcome this condition. Joining support groups for surviving divorce is the best way to start a new life again. Your loved ones can act as a backbone in supporting you during this phase. You can share your worries and anxieties with them. If you are not comfortable with your family members and friends, you may find out divorce support groups for surviving divorce in your area.

* The support groups are an ideal place where you can share all your woes and they in turn offer support and encouragement to deal with the situation. You may get emotional support from people in the support groups who can understand your emotional stress. Sometimes various interesting activities take place in the support groups that help in diverting your mind from sorrow and grief.
* You can learn about how other people deal with their children through the support groups. You will be able to cope with the disappointment of parents as well as other family members. Support groups can encourage you to start over with new relationships.
* They can help you to understand and cope with financial burdens. These groups can make you aware about not signing the papers without consulting your lawyer. They can help you get knowledge of laws and rights. The discussions that take place in these groups also prove to be of great help as they serve an outlet for all your inner emotions.
* You can talk to your friends who have been divorced. Your telephone book may contain listings under Divorce, Counseling, Therapy or Mental Health Services. The "blue pages" of the local phone directory offers lists of government agencies and community services to check out, too.
* You can also ask your attorney to recommend local support groups. These groups can introduce you to the people who are able to understand your mental condition.

Joining support groups for surviving divorce can be quite helpful. They can allow you to break from unpleasant memories of the past and rebuild a beautiful life filled with new aspirations and wishes.

Overcoming Hurt and Rejection While Surviving Divorce

Life can undergo drastic changes after a divorce. In fact, the process of divorce as well as life after divorce may be quite stressful. You have to accustom yourself to manage everything as a single person. It includes change in job, shifting house, dealing with children and handling financial problems all over to you most often. In addition, the major problem you may face is the emotional disturbance. You may feel lonely and frustrated; you may be hurt and feel rejected. Hence, what you need is overcoming hurt and rejection while surviving divorce.

You have to recover from the sense of failure and losing your beloved one for overcoming hurt and rejection while surviving divorce. Although the marital relationship ends after the divorce, your emotional involvement with your partner may still exist. You may be deeply hurt while undergoing the painful process of divorce. You may be sometimes disturbed due to feelings of being rejected. This condition can leave you feeling depressed and frustrated. Therefore, first, you need to snap out of this condition to gain mental stability. And then:

* You have to strive for overcoming hurt and rejection while surviving divorce. Do not accept the idea of divorce as your failure, but take it as an opportunity to start your life afresh. Keep yourself engaged in your favorite activities and hobbies.
* Do not frequently recall the pleasant or bitter memories of your married life. You can seek help of meditation to relieve stress and gain mental peace. Do not feel inferior; rebuild your self-esteem.
* Return to your regular routine and work as soon as possible as this can help you to overcome loneliness and frustration. Leave your past behind and develop an active social life. Work proves to be a great diversion indeed.
* If you are finding it difficult to overcome this situation alone, you can seek help of your near and dear ones. They act as your pillars of strength and help you in overcoming hurt and rejection while surviving divorce. You can share your frustration, anger, loneliness and depression with them and try to get rid of it. They can encourage you to accept the situation and overcome it. You can talk to your friends who have undergone the experience of divorce.
* You can also seek help of divorce support groups in your area. People in a support group can understand your mental condition and can give you strong emotional support. You can learn about how other people deal with their children after divorce. People in the support groups can encourage you to start over with new relationships. They can help you to understand and cope with financial burdens.
* You can also seek professional counseling to help you. The counselor can give you suggestions about how to cope with the situation and overcome emotional disturbances.

You need turn inwards and rediscover yourself. Do not recollect the memories of previous married life; instead try to forget the negative past. Try to develop new relationships. Remarrying is another option which may offer you emotional and financial stability. Always keep in mind that divorce offers you an opportunity to start a new life with some new hope.

Financially Surviving Divorce

A divorce is a hard blow that can affect both spouses. Irrespective of the gender, financial problems are experienced after a divorce. This can be a major problem if you do not manage the finances properly. A divorce is more than an emotional separation, sometimes it can leave you financially devastated. To help with issues that may arise, here are some tips:

* When applying for a divorce, make sure that you have a valid reason, as surviving divorce financially afterwards can be a tough task. Going through a divorce can sometimes lead to financial instability; hence the divorce decision should not be taken lightly. A divorce can leave you in a financial ruin if you are not qualified enough to earn your livelihood.
* Women should document events such as verbal abuse, physical abuse and mental abuse. This will definitely help to strengthen their divorce case against their partner. If you are woman supporting children, then it is your legal right to demand money from your husband so that you are able to meet your expenses after the divorce to care for the young ones.
* Surviving a divorce is indeed a valid fear, if you are thinking of getting a divorce. Once you are sure that you want a divorce, decide how much money you will require to support yourself. Find out the amount of money that you actually have. If you have children and they are going to stay with you after the divorce, then calculate the additional living expenses you anticipate for your budget.
* You will have to change your lifestyle after a divorce, so that you can financially survive. If you are planning for a divorce then you should start saving cash bit by bit in case something happens unexpectedly. Stock your cash in some safe place. This money will help you to survive and you will be able a lead a respectable life.
* Based on your needs, develop a budget and analyze your post divorce income. In the budget list your monthly as well as annual expenses; this will help you to determine whether you can financially survive after a divorce.
* You should also decrease your liabilities and establish credit of your own, if you do not have credit already. You should also create your own saving and checking accounts. And before you apply for divorce, the most important thing is that you must clear your mutual debt. Know exactly what financial losses or gains you will face after a divorce.

In order to avoid long-term financial problems, it is necessary that you plan accordingly before taking a divorce. Your standard of living may drop as your monthly income decreases after the divorce. You can ask your friends who may give you some tips about financially surviving divorce.

Financially surviving divorce involves keeping your expenses reasonable and finding out your sources of income. You should also have knowledge about your financial holdings and the assets. When negotiating a divorce settlement, check whether the house is bought in your name. You can also seek professional help of a financial analyst who can tell you more about financially surviving divorce. He or she may also be able to assist you in cutting down your litigation and other related costs.

Sarah Palin is NOT a choice women should be making.. drill drill drill...READ ME!!!

Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feminist and activist best known for "The Vagina Monologues", wrote the following about Sarah Palin.

Drill, Drill, Drill

I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness or their bigness or the fact that they live in the arctic or that I have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact that they live so comfortably on ice. Whatever it is, I need the polar bears.

I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life trying to build community, help empower women and stop violence against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of Feminists.

But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical to Feminism which for me is part of one story -- connected to saving the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence and war.


I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those candidates the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in so many areas that America may never recover. But what is equally disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the presidency with regularity.

Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor.

In her world and the world of Fundamentalists nothing changes or gets better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming. The melting of the arctic , the storms that are destroying our cities, the pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As she said herself of the Iraqi war, "It was a task from God."


Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should have a right to determine whether they have their rapist's baby or not.


She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence and we know how many babies that makes.


Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she has tried to ban books from the library, has a tendency to dispense with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could and might very well be the next president of the United States. She would govern one of the most diverse populations on the earth.


Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip. She has shot hundreds of wolves from the air.


Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in his name, t hat is the end of separation of church and state and the undoing of everything America has ever tried to be.


I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this
election in our hands. This vote is a vote that will determine the future not just of the U.S., but of the planet.

It will determine whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever uninhabitable for humans. It will determine whether we move towards dialogue and diplomacy in the world or whether we escalate violence through invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in alternatives that will free us from dependency and destruction. It will determine if money gets spent on education and healthcare or whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine whether America is a free open tolerant society or a closed place of fear, fundamentalism and aggression.


If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, "Drill Drill Drill." I think of teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis, doubt, ambiguity or dissent. I think of pain.


Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing we call life?

"It's A Man's World, And These Things Will Never Stop"

On July 14, three young Pakistani women en route to marriage to the young men of their choice were abducted, beaten, tortured, and buried alive by their male relatives. Two female relatives--the mother of one, the aunt of another--begged for the young women's lives. For their pains, they were shot and killed and tossed into the young women's grave.

Media exposure has caused the government of Pakistan to open an "investigation." The Pakistani senator who represents Balochistan province, where the murders occurred, believes such a probe not only unnecessary, but wrongheaded. In his view, the killings were justified.

"This action was carried out according to tribal traditions," says Israr Ullah Zehri. "These are centuries old-traditions and I will continue to defend them. Only those who indulge in immoral acts should be afraid."

An elderly woman from the same village as the dead women declined to give her name to inquiring reporters. Her view: "It's a man's world, and these things will never stop."

The three young women, identified in this piece as Fatima, Fauzia, and Jannat Bibi, ages 16-18, had asked their male relatives and tribal elders for permission to marry young men from another tribe. Permission was refused.

On July 14, the three young women boarded a taxi in the village of Babakot. During the hour's drive to the village of Usta Mohammed, the women happily discussed their plans to meet their young men at a restaurant, and then proceed to a civil court to enter into matrimony.

The cab driver, a rat fink of both pathetic and monstrous proportions, dropped off his fares "and then drove straight back to Babakot to inform their families about the secret plans he had overheard in the back of his taxi."

Almost immediately after the taxi driver’s return, a posse of male relatives, including fathers, uncles and brothers, set out from Babakot for the village of Usta Mohammed to bring the girls home. The men arrived in land cruiser jeeps bearing Balochistan government license plates--one belonging to the district mayor[.]

The girls were kicked, punched and then pushed into the vehicles at gunpoint[.] Once back at home in Babakot, the girls were beaten again and interrogated by their fathers and uncles for almost one hour before their "verdict" was announced.

They would be killed--buried alive.

The girls were dragged into vehicles and taken to the end of a back road in Babakot accompanied by two female relatives[.] The men dug ditches and ordered the girls to be thrown in. When the female relatives saw the ditches, they tried to intervene and begged for the girls’ lives[.]

There was "pandemonium at the site," according to the findings of the Asian Human Rights Commission, and a tribal elder gave orders to shoot the two older women. They died immediately and were thrown into the wide ditch. The three girls, who were wounded in the gunfire but still alive, were then thrown in and covered with sand and mud.

It is necessary here to remember again what it was to be 16. To feel what it would be like: in one hour but moments away from marrying the boy of your dreams; in the next, rattling out your last breath, suffocating in mud and stones, extinguished by your father.

Pakistan outlawed "honor killings" in 2004, and the penalty for those who perpetrate them is death. But, as we know, law enacted in Islamabad does not mean much out in the provinces. Islamabad can condemn Osama bin Laden, but cannot catch him; Islamabad can outlaw honor killings, but cannot stop them.

The families of the murdered young women belong to the wealthy feudal Umrani tribe; the uncle of one of the dead is a minister in the provincial government and a deputy leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party. As this person puts it, in an understated way:

The delay in action against those responsible, who enjoys perks and privileges as feudal lords in the area, has called into question the credibility of erstwhile pro-women policies of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of slain premier Benazir Bhutto, who always advocated civil and political liberties for women.

Official sources in the country‘s capital Islamabad say that the PPP-led government had been reluctant to take action against the perpetrators as it feared it might lose the votes of a number of legislators sympathetic to Sadiq Umrani, who is also deputy parliamentary leader of the party in Baluchistan Assembly, in the just-held September 6 presidential elections.

The local reporter who publicized the story, Saarang Mastoi, says he has been threatened by "powerful people" in the Umrani tribe. Mastoi said everyone in the village of 7000 knew of the killings; shortly after the women were buried alive, local shepherds guided Mastoi to the burial site. Now, he says, "everyone is too afraid to talk."

The "investigation" will probably not get much of anywhere. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, "the Balochistan police have removed three of the five bodies and started destroying any evidence that might prove useful to an eventual investigation."

According to this source, the individual assigned to "investigate" the killings has been prevented from visiting the scene of the crime, and is instead "made to sit in Islamabad, with a limited mandate to only monitor investigations."

Observed an editorial in the Pakistan Daily News International:

"Even as the Senate passed a unanimous resolution condemning the incident and demanding punishment for its perpetrators, an attempt at a cover-up is on. The government presented an extremely dubious report before the Senate, stating three women and not five had been killed, that the incident involved a property dispute and was not a case of 'honor' killing and that the women had been killed before being buried."

Meanwhile, Pakistan flies US-supplied F-16s; plans are afoot to kick an additional $226.5 million in US "counter-terrorism" funds to the Pakistanis in order to trick out their jets so they can better give the boot to "Islamic extremists." The total amount of military aid provided by the US to Pakistan cannot be known; too much if it is shrouded in classified appropriations. What is known is that Congress is currently considering providing to Pakistan $7.5 billion in non-military aid over the next five years. Pakistan itself would prefer $20 billion.

Stop the Mothers Act: Save Expectant Mothers from Mandatory Drugging with Antidepressants

by: Mike Adams

Big Pharma is pushing hard for passage of The Mothers Act, a bill that would require all pregnant women to be "screened" for depression and then drugged with patented antidepressant drugs. The bill is being reintroduced by Sen. Harry Reid, who is reportedly attempting to include it in a legislative package called the "Coburn Omnibus Bill."

Antidepressants are linked to violent thoughts and suicidal behavior in expectant mothers and new moms. Rather than treating the root cause of maternal depression -- nutritional deficiencies -- the medical industry wants to put expectant mothers on dangerous psychotropic drugs that may impact the health of their newborns.

NaturalNews interviewed one mother who, after being forcefully put on antidepressant drugs, began to hallucinate murdering her newborn. When she sought help at the local hospital, they doubled her dose of SSRIs and had her arrested and held against her will. Later, once she realized the drugs were causing her violent thoughts, she stopped taking the drugs and her violent hallucinations vanished within days.

This woman, Amy Philo, founded UNITE (www.UniteForLife.org) and is organizing grassroots opposition to The Mothers Act in order to protect women (and their children) from mandatory medications with psych drugs.

NaturalNews urges readers to contact their Senators in Washington (see below) and voice their opposition to The Mothers Act.

To learn more about this issue, watch this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUiszFyIby4

Also, visit Amy Philo's website at www.UniteForLife.org

Also consider printing and signing the following letter, then faxing it (or mailing it) to your Senator:

Letter of opposition to the Mothers Act

DON'T LET THE 110th CONGRESS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASING ANTIDEPRESSANT-RELATED BIRTH DEFECTS AND INFANT DEATHS.

DO NOT PASS THE MOTHERS ACT AS PART OF AN OMNIBUS PACKAGE.

The MOTHERS Act is a highly controversial bill, considering the growing public awareness that antidepressants have serious and even deadly side effects. This bill, if passed, will assuredly increase the number of pregnant women and new mothers being put on antidepressant drugs. There are already too many pregnant women being put on antidepressants evidenced by the FDA's adverse reaction reports (MedWatch) listed below. This bill will assuredly increase the number of pregnant women and new mothers being prescribed antidepressants documented by the U.S. FDA to cause suicidal ideation, mania, worsening depression and birth defects. FDA's MedWatch System (Adverse Drug Reactions) Already Has Overwhelming Evidence of Spontaneous Abortions, Premature Babies and Birth Defects from SSRI Antidepressants:

Doctors, other health care providers, pharmacists, lawyers and consumers filed the following adverse drug reaction reports with the FDA's MedWatch system during 2004-2007 concerning pregnant women taking antidepressants (the most common and recommended treatment for women diagnosed with postpartum depression). In all the reports below, antidepressants were cited as the primary suspected drug to have caused the adverse reaction in pregnant women:

145 spontaneous abortions
150 premature babies
208 babies born with heart disease
218 babies born with defects

The FDA states that only 1-10% of side effects are even reported to their MedWatch database. Using a median range of 5% being reported, the actual number of pregnant women experiencing adverse reactions to antidepressant drugs is estimated as follows:

2,900 spontaneous abortions
3,000 premature births
4,160 babies born with heart disease
4,360 babies born with birth defects

The "Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act," also known as "The MOTHERS Act" was named after Melanie Stokes, a new mother who was subjected to a cocktail of psychiatric drugs and electroshock after being diagnosed with post-partum depression. It was only after she had been administered drugs documented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cause suicidal ideation that she committed suicide. There is too much controversy over antidepressants to pass any legislation that could increase the administration of these drugs to pregnant women and new mothers. Do not allow the pharmaceutical interests to put new mothers and their unborn children at risk. Do not pass the MOTHERS Act.

Signed

___________________________

Printed Name:

McCain-Palin: 15th Century Solutions for the 21st Century!

This week, we asked you to vote for the winning bumper sticker slogan to help educate the public about the dangerously anti-choice views of the McCain-Palin ticket. The response was incredible!

And the winning slogan picked by our supporters is: McCain-Palin: 15th Century Solutions for the 21st Century!

With just 46 days left until Election Day, the time to turn up the heat is now! So we’re asking you to donate $15 in the next 48 hours to support our work, and we’ll send you the winning bumper sticker. It takes $10.87 for us to educate a voter about the most anti-choice ticket we’ve ever seen.

Every dollar you can give matters as we work to elect pro-choice Barack Obama as our next president. Your contribution will support our vital efforts to defeat this extremist anti-choice ticket and protect choice at every level.

John McCain and Sarah Palin are serious about overturning Roe v. Wade -- and I need you to help us spread the word. At the Saddleback Forum a few weeks ago, McCain said: "I will be a pro-life president and this presidency will have pro-life policies." Believe me, he has the voting history to prove it. And Palin has expressed support for a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion, opposes abortion in cases of rape or incest, and described herself as “pro-life as any candidate can be.”

So get your bumper sticker now by donating $15 or more. Put it on your bumper to get the word out about the McCain-Palin ticket’s extremist views on reproductive rights!

Why give to NARAL Pro-Choice America now? Because we know that when pro-choice swing voters learn just how strongly John McCain and Sarah Palin oppose freedom and privacy, they'll reject the anti-choice ticket and support Barack Obama for president.

Tell the McCain-Palin ticket, “Thanks but no thanks.” Protect a woman’s right to choose by donating today to the political leader of the pro-choice movement!

My best,

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

P.S. And after you've requested your own anti-McCain-Palin bumper sticker, forward this email to your friends and family in the next 48 hours and ask them to get a bumper sticker too!

Lipstick on a Pig: Privacy/Choice the McCain-Palin Way

John McCain on NBC's, Meet The Press, 1/30/00

Mr. Russert: “A Constitutional Amendment to ban all abortions?”

McCain: “Yes Sir”

Mr. Russert: “But, Senator, women across the country would say, prior to Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands of women a year went to the back alleys to have abortions.”

McCain responded: “I understand that.”

Mr. Russert: “Many died.”

McCain, “I understand that.”

Stop McCain-Palin Now!

Gov. Palin had a good applause line last night about hockey moms and lipstick on pitbulls. Well, we have an expression here, too: Dress it up any way you like, but the McCain-Palin rhetoric about women’s freedom and privacy is nothing more than lipstick on a pig!

John McCain and Sarah Palin would leave American women with no choice and no privacy. And we can’t let voters be deceived. Not when reproductive health is on the line. And make no mistake, it is!

When you take away the rhetoric, chants, signs, and spin -- the McCain-Palin ticket is one of the MOST anti-choice campaigns we’ve seen and the platform on which they are running is the most anti-choice ever put forward.

Contribute now to defeat McCain-Palin.

Both McCain and Palin believe that Roe. v. Wade should be overturned. They believe politicians should be involved in our most personal medical decisions. And their party platform clearly states abortion should be outlawed with no exceptions.

Make an online donation right now to stop McCain-Palin.

Listen carefully tonight. I doubt you will hear anything about outlawing abortion when McCain addresses a national audience. And you didn’t hear it from Palin either.

Why? Because if pro-choice Republican and Independent women find out how extreme they really are, they will not vote for McCain-Palin.

In the next 60 days, NARAL Pro-Choice America will get out the truth about the McCain-Palin ticket but we need your help.

Your contribution to NARAL Pro-Choice America now is crucial. Even if you’ve given recently, we need all the resources we can raise to let voters know the clear difference between a McCain administration and a pro-choice Obama administration.

No exceptions. No apologies. It’s the McCain-Palin way.

Your privacy. Your choice. Your dollars right now will help elect pro-choice Obama on November 4.

Please make an urgent contribution right now.

My best,

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Don't Let Them Swift Boat Obama on Choice

As my speech to the Democratic National Convention reflects, I believe the future of choice depends on electing Barack Obama as our next pro-choice president.

The “take away” is this: It’s not what we do here that will decide whether Obama or McCain wins. It’s what you do every day between now and the election.

I need every one of you to do all you can financially to help us defeat anti-choice John McCain. So please give as much as you can now to help make sure America elects a pro-choice president in November!

The other “take away” is that our opponents are ready to play dirty. CNN recently reported that an anti-choice group calling themselves “The Real Truth About Obama, Inc.”, is trying to “Swift Boat” Barack Obama by running false ads “in key states during the ‘electioneering communication’ blackout period 60 days before the general election.”1 This is the very time period in which our unique MCFL status allows NARAL Pro-Choice America to expressly advocate for the defeat of John McCain! Donate today, so we can stop these dirty Karl Rove-like tactics!

Americans deserve to know the truth before they vote. You can help get the truth to them. It takes $10.85 to educate one pro-choice voter.

Your contribution right now -- can help us reach one more pro-choice voter, or five, or ten! So give as much as you can to help us reach as many as we can and protect choice at every level.

If McCain is elected, we will face four more years of destructive, hypocritical, Bush-style, anti-choice attacks on women’s reproductive rights. It is within YOUR power to help us -- it only takes $10.85 to educate one more pro-choice voter!

One, five, ten more voters -- your gift makes a profound difference. It’s time for choice we can believe in, and the time is now! Donate today!

Sincerely,

Nancy Keenan, President
NARAL Pro-Choice America

John McCain Is No Choice for Women!

John McCain has an alarming history of disrespecting women and their contributions to society. He's violently opposed to womens' reproductive freedom, has voted against women's access to health care, and has repeatedly opposed women receiving equal pay for equal work. None of us can afford to vote for a person like John McCain, who shows such utter disrespect for women.

John McCain Opposes A Woman's Right to Choose

John McCain clearly opposes a woman's right to choose. John McCain would appoint Supreme Court Justices who would overturn Roe vs. Wade, and support radical religious extremists' efforts to ban birth control. Meanwhile, Barack Obama strongly supports a woman's right to choose, a position shared by a majority of Americans.

John McCain's Record on Denying A Woman's Right To Choose:

John McCain has received a 0% rating from Naral Pro-Choice America over his past eight years in the Senate. In his career in the House and Senate, John McCain has cast 130 votes on womens' choice, 125 of which oppose women's choice.
Source: NARAL
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/mccain.html

His website states, "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench."
Source: JohnMcCain.com
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm

John McCain's views are out-of-touch with the majority of Americans, 62% of which support Roe v Wade and a woman's right to choose.
Source: Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/campaigns/know-john-mccain-122.htm

John McCain has weakened his support for abortion rights for women who are the victims of rape or incest, or in the case of risk to the mother's life.
Source: ABC News, May 9, 2008
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4824779&page=1

John McCain has voted against family planning, against access to women's clinics, and even against funding for teen-pregnancy prevention. He supports abstinence-only education, even though studies show that it only increases pregnancy and puts teens at greater risk for disease.
Source: NPR, February 2, 2008
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18632802

According to Planned Parenthood, John McCain is even more conservative than George W. Bush on women's reproductive rights.
Source: Express Milwaukee, April 28, 2008
http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-1803-think-you-know-john-mccain.html

John McCain voted against a bill that strengthened laws against violence at women's clinics and against gynecologists. This bill was an act against domestic terrorism designed to help prosecute attacks on women's clinics.
Source: Jed Report
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/04/john-mccains-do.html

Barack Obama's Record on Supporting A Woman's Right To Choose:

Barack Obama has received a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America for each year he served in the Senate, indicating his absolute support for women to make their own reproductive decisions. NARAL endorsed Obama for President because of his strong support for womens' reproductive rights.
Source: NARAL
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/statements/obama.html

Obama's website states, "he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."
Source: BarackObama.com
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

John McCain Opposes Access to Contraception and Women's Health Care

John McCain not only opposes a woman's right to choose, he has also consistently voted against funding family planning clinics and sex education, which actually reduce unwanted pregnancy. His record in the Senate suggests that he is extremely hostile to women's health issues.

John McCain's Record on Opposing Women's Health Care:

John McCain's health care plan will leave 47 million Americans uninsured. His plan would largely force families to buy their own insurance through a private insurer, and decrease insurance offerings through employment.
Source: CBS News, April 30, 2008
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/04/30/politics/fromtheroad/entry4057951.shtml

John McCain voted to shut down the Title X family-planning program, which provide millions of women with breast cancer screenings and birth control.
Source: Huffington Post, May 26, 2008
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/unmasking-mccain-his-reac_b_103580.html

John McCain supported George W. Bush's veto of children's health insurance. McCain opposes expanding the plan that will provide health care for millions of uninsured children.
Source: CNN, October 3, 2007
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/mccain.interview/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

John McCain voted against a bill that funded sex education, provided access to emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy, increased funding to family planning services, and expanded teen-pregnancy-prevention programs.
Source: OnTheIssues.org
http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-75.htm

John McCain voted against requiring health insurance companies to cover the cost of prescription birth control. When asked if health insurance plans that covered Viagra should also cover prescription birth control, McCain had no answer.
Source: Katha Pollitt; CNN
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/92281/mccain_opposes_contraception_--_pass_it_on/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6IlGXhCUHo

John McCain strongly supports abstinence-only education in schools, despite extensive research demonstrating that it increases teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted disease rates.
Source: San Francisco Gate, February 16, 2007
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/02/16/politics/p144216S42.DTL&type=printable

John McCain doesn't know if condoms work to prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. When asked at a rally in 2007 if condoms helped stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, McCain said he didn't know. Importantly, research by amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, released a report demonstrating that when used correctly, condoms are 80-95% effective< in reducing the risk of HIV infection.
Source: The New York Times, March 16, 2007; amFAR Issue Brief, January 2005
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/16/mccain-stumbles-on-hiv-prevention/
http://www.amfar.org/binary-data/AMFAR_PUBLICATION/download_file/34.pdf

Barack Obama's's Record on Supporting Women's Health Care:

Barack Obama's health insurance plan will provide access to health care for all Americans, women and men alike. Right now, than 19 million women are uninsured in this country. Women are more likely than men to deny themselves medical care because of high costs.
Source: BarackObama.com
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

Barack Obama is a strong supporter of research into women's health issues. His own mother died of ovarian cancer at age 53. Barack has consistently fought for women's health issues as an Illinois State Senator and in the Senate.
Source: Chicago Tribune, September 20, 2007
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/09/obamas_mother_in_new_ad.html

Obama supports pre-natal care and maternity leave. With Obama as President, women will be able to receive coverage of prenatal care under the new public health plan. Private insurers will be required to provide the same coverage. Obama has also proposed a $1.5 billion fund to encourage paid leave programs, which would provide women with paid maternity leave.
Source: Obama Campaign via RH Reality Check
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/12/21/sen-barack-obamas-reproductive-health-questionnaire

John McCain Opposes Fair Pay for Women

John McCain's history of votes in the Senate demonstrates that he thinks sex discrimination in the workplace is just fine. He has repeatedly stated that there is no need to make sure that women are paid the same as their male colleagues for equal work. Barack Obama, on the other hand, was raised by a single, working mother, and a grandmother who worked on the World War II assembly lines, and later rose from the position of secretary to vice president of a bank. Barack Obama respects and wants to equally reward the efforts of hard-working women.

John McCain's Record on Opposing Fair Pay for Women:

John McCain opposes fair pay for women. He thinks it is fine for employers to pay women less than men for equal work. In 2008 he refused to vote for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which allows women to receive equal pay for equal qualifications to a man. John McCain said that instead of fair pay for equal work, women need more "education and training."
Source: Huffington Post, April 23, 2008
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/23/mccain-opposes-equal-pay-_n_98342.html

In 1990, John McCain also voted against a bill that would have strengthened civil rights in the workplace and banned discrimination on the base of sex.
Source: Senate.gov
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=101&session=2&vote=00304

Barack Obama's Record on Supporting Pay Equality for Women:

Barack Obama voted in favor of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and wants women to earn an equal wage for equal work. He also supports requiring employers to provide seven days of paid sick-leave per year. 40% of women currently have no paid sick days per year.
Source: obama.senate.gov
http://obama.senate.gov/press/080423-statement_of_se_18/

Barack Obama has a history of supporting fair pay for women. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed a law that helped 330,000 women prevent paycheck discrimination.
Source: Real Clear Politics
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/obamas_remarks_to_working_wome.html

Obama's website states that he "believes the government needs to take steps to better enforce the Equal Pay Act, fight job discrimination, and improve child care options and family medical leave to give women equal footing in the workplace."
Source: BarackObama.com
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

Barack Obama wants to invest in women-owned businesses. He supports investing in women-owned businesses and reducing discrimination in business lending against female business owners.
Source: BarackObama.com
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

John McCain Makes Offensive and Derogatory Comments About Women

John McCain has a history of making offensive comments about women. He even thinks jokes about rape are funny, and spends time with other men who think the same way. On the other hand, Barack Obama praises the women in his life and credits them with enabling and empowering him to achieve what he is capable of.

John McCain's History of Derogatory Comments About Women:

John McCain told the following "joke" on the campaign trail in 1986: "Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, 'Where is that marvelous ape?'"
Source: Tucson Citizen, via Jed Report
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/07/john-mccains-ra.html

At a Republican Senate fundraiser in 1998, McCain told following "joke": "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."
Source: Salon.com
http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html

One of McCain's fundraisers, Clayton Williams, once told the following "joke" comparing rape to the weather: "As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."
Source: The Independent (UK)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rape-joke-returns-to-torment-mccain-campaign-848499.html

After returning from Vietnam, John McCain cheated on his wife, Carol, who had been horribly disfigured in an accident. He eventually divorced her and one month later married his second wife, Cindy, the heir to an Arizona brewing fortune.
Source: The Daily Mail (UK)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-wife-John-McCain-callously-left-behind.html

In 1992, when Cindy McCain teased her husband about his thinning hair, he replied, "At least I don't pile on the makeup like a trollop, you c**t."
Source: Cliff Schechter, The Real McCain, PoliPoint Press 2008
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/McCain_temper_boiled_over_in_92_0407.html

Barack Obama's History of Immense Respect For Women:

Barack Obama credits the women in his life with making his achievements possible. He states on his website, "My mother, Ann Dunham, was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and what is best in me, I owe to her. My grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, helped raise me, sacrificed again and again for me, and loves me as much as she loves anything in this world. And the mother of my daughters Sasha and Malia - my wife Michelle - is the rock of the Obama family and a woman who continues to make me a better person."
Source: BarackObama.com
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/05/11/senator_obamas_mothers_day_sta.php

Barack was raised by a single mother who was a teenager when he was born. His mother worked hard to provide Barack with an education and opportunity to succeed.
Source: Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0703270151mar27,0,1310554.story

Barack's grandmother raised him during his high school years. His grandmother started as a secretary, and worked her way up to vice president of a bank, in an era when women were routinely denied promotions.
Source: USA Today, April 7, 2008
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-04-07-obamagrandma_N.htm

Barack married a strong working woman, Michelle. Michelle worked as a lawyer, and later a hospital administrator. Michelle says of her husband, "He is incredibly smart, and he is very able to deal with a strong woman, which is one of the reasons why he can be president -- because he can deal with me."
Source: ABC News, August 25, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/Story?id=5643969&page=1

Barack repeatedly praises his wife, Michelle, introducing her at speeches as "my rock."
Source: Newsweek, February 25, 2008
http://www.newsweek.com/id/112849/page/1

Barack's two school-aged daughters, Malia and Sasha, motivate him to work hard to give all children a brighter future. He wants all of our daughters to have full equality in society, so that "that they'll be able to dream without limit, achieve without constraint, and be free to seek their own happiness."
Source: National Women's Law Center, obama.senate.gov
http://obama.senate.gov/speech/051110-remarks_of_sena_1/

John McCain Is No Choice for Women.

John McCain has a history of fighting against women's rights, whether it is their right to receive equal pay for equal work, access to health care, or the ability to make their own reproductive decisions. He will continue this anti-woman agenda in the White House. Women cannot afford another President like George W. Bush, who actively tries to hurt.

Barack Obama has a history of strong support for women's issues, from our right to choose to our right to reliable medical care. As President he will work to protect these rights and expand women's equality, not only for his own daughters but for all women in America.

On this anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, we need to remember: women have a choice. This November, our choice is clear: women should vote for the candidate that supports their rights, their issues, and their freedoms. This candidate is Barack Obama.

For more information about Barack Obama on women's issues, please check out the following information:

Links:
Barack Obama's Speech to the National Women's Law Center -- http://obama.senate.gov/speech/051110-remarks_of_sena_1/
Barack Obama's Women's Issues Page -- http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues
Barack Obama's Plans to Help American Families -- http://www.barackobama.com/issues/family/
Women for Obama -- http://www.womenforbarackobama.com/Home_Page.html
BarackTV: Women for Obama Videos -- http://www.barackobama.com/tv/women.php

Downloads:
Barack Obama's Economic Plan and Impact on Working Women -- http://obama.3cdn.net/51f774d367c050dd21_ram6bhdat.pdf
Obama vs. McCain: Their Record on Women's Issues -- http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/Nikki/Constituency%20Groups/Women%20Compare%20PUBLIC%20FINAL%208-18.pdf
Obama's Blueprint for Women and Families -- http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/Nikki/Constituency%20Groups/Working_Women_Families_Blueprint.pdf

Now, Pass It On! We need to spread the word about John McCain's history of undermining women, and share Barack Obama's history of strong support for women's issues. Please send this in your email to every woman you know. It's critical that all women understand the stakes of this election. This November, John McCain is no choice for women. Vote for Barack Obama!