Hey,
After a long and very entertaining week I thought I'd blog about some recent events that have heartened and sickened me. I figure I'll speak on Utah issues first, since it hits close to home.
Utah
I) SEX
***Utah legislatures are considering a bill that will give parents the choice between having their children learn abstinence-only education or abstinence-based education with additional information about contraceptives. When I read about this I was flummoxed! The Utah legislature actually believes that it is wise and rational to follow current research and to reject the notion that abstinence-only education works!!! We have evolved folks!
***This informative article by Open Education, proponents of comprehensive sex-education, details a expansive list of research which demonstrates that abstinence-only education not only doesn't keep teenagers from having sex, as compared to another teaching method, but increases the likelihood that the aforementioned population will not protect themselves while having sex. http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/05/abstinence-only-sex-education-statistics-final-nail-in-the-coffin/ Planned Parenthood (PP) thoroughly documents evidence that suggests Abstinence-only education discourages the use of condoms for those who do engage in sex and leaves the teenager less informed about sexuality in general. Also, P.P. quotes a Surgeon General report that states that comprehensive sex-ed doesn't increase one's likely hood of engaging in sex or in engaging in sex earlier than individuals who were exposed to abstinence-only education. See this site for more info:http://www.ppacca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuJYJeO4F&b=139536
*** STI's like Chlamydia are on the rise in Utah, with recent research documenting a %50 increase in the 5 years leading up to 2007. http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/article-8277-birds-bees-and-stds.html STI's are a huge problem in Utah and our Representatives need to align their positions with that of the panoply of research that clearly supports comprehensive sex-education. I urge you to contact your Utah legislatures and make sure they know that you want your child, your friend's child, your family members, etc to receive the best information possible to allow them to make a safe and responsible decision when engaging in sexual activity.
II) Clubs
*** On a more succinct note, private memberships in utah bars and clubs is no longer mandated by the state of Utah. I applaud this move, because it will attract tourism and instrumentally positively affect the economy of Salt Lake City. Bravo Utah legislatures.
World
I) The AU endorses Genocide
***Recently, the African Union has promulgated publicly that they, as a regional body, will support Sudan against the International Criminal Court's indictment against their dictator in chief Omar-al Bashir. Bashir has been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during his current reign as genocidal dictator of Sudan. Institutions and individuals as diverse as the U.S. Congress, Colin Powell, the U.N., the Enough Project, Save Darfur Coalition, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have either declared Bashir's Sudan guilty of genocide or at least genocidal crimes.
*** The AU claims that the west should stay out of Africa's business and to let Africa's many states decide who is guilty of crimes of any sort. This claim lacks credibility and is dubious at the least- Africa in general accepts countless millions of dollars in aid from Western Countries every year, and this aid doesn't take into account the untold logistical support, business development, and other services that western NGO's provide in African States. If the A.U. really is credulous in its claim that the west should not meddle in Africa then I have to wonder if the A.U. would be ok with the consequences of such- the deprivation of billions in aid and tourism, etc. It is clear that the AU doesn't want the ICC to intervene it its affairs because so many African heads of state have blood on their hands- see Mugabe of Zimbabwe- and do not want the ICC to arrest them as well. The A.U. thinly veils this caution by saying that the ICC should suspend it's indictment for the benefit of the Sudanese people- to assist in the fragile peace process. This is a unfunny joke because there is no peace process to speak of, the Gov. of Sudan has time and time again broke the CPA and has continued its indiscriminate attacks on Darfuri civilians and other polices which contribute to the suffering of non-Arab blacks in Sudan. http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/10267
*** African states can still act independently and Bashir may still get arrested, as is obligated under the Rome charter that the 53 member states signed, if Bashir travels to their country. In fact, Zuma- President of S. Africa indicated that he might call for the arrest of Bashir if the dictator travels to the country (see link above). The AU looses credibility if it refuses to extradite Bashir for his massive crimes against humanity in Darfur and South Sudan- I hope that member states will disregard the AU's decision and arrest Bashir if he travels to their respective countries.
II) The Green Revolution
***The "Green Revolution" is still ongoing in Iran as major reformists like Moussavi and Khatami document evidence of massive fraud in the recent election and a group of clerics in Qum follow suit by saying the election was illegitimate and thus that the current government is not legitimate. This is significant because a growing number of clerics are standing up against the previously indisputable word of Supreme Leader Khamenei. The protests are being noticed by the religious establishment in Iran and they are backing the reformists. I commend the clerics of Qum for their brave and just stance and hope a new and fair election is called in Iran. My Persian brothers and sisters deserve a free and transparent Iran. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html
DC
*** On Monday I am flying out to DC to attend the Campus Progress National Conference and Grassroots activism conference. I will hear speeches from Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, John Prendergast(!!!) and many other notable speakers. More importantly, on Thursday I get to help lead a group of individuals who will lobby Senators and Representatives at the Capitol about health care reform, a cause that I am passionate about. I have a new digital camera so I will post pictures and update my blog when I get a chance. I am enthused to go to DC and to hopefully make a bit of a difference.
Keep active, keep thinking, live deliberately.
-Cameron
you´re my hero!
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