More Links of Note

"Welcome back to school whatsername, now I kick your ass!"
- University

Sorry I haven't been around as much as you may have gotten used to beloved readers.

I haven't been reading as much as usual either, and I am a bit behind everyone else, but still, I do what I can. So without further ado, links of special note.

Why That Police Brutality Stuff Matters from bfp

But I wonder–how do you tell a woman to resist and reject the abuse of a man in plain clothes, while at the same time, tell her to accept and accommodate the abuse of a man wearing clothes of a state apparatus? How do you tell a man that abuse and violence is not ok while wearing plain clothes, but once he puts on an official uniform, it’s not only ok, but expected?

Are those schizophrenic messages we are sending?

For those in the Bay Area, I want to call attention once more to Proposition K in San Francisco

Proposition K Will Improve:

· Worker Safety by ensuring that crimes committed against sex workers can be reported without fear of prosecution and requiring that the Police Department and District Attorney’s Office vigorously enforces laws against extortion, battery, rape and other violent crimes; regardless of the victim’s status as a sex worker

· Public Safety by freeing up the critical resources used to enforce prostitution laws and focusing instead on higher priority crimes like human trafficking, child sexual assault and child labor.

· Public Health by lessening the social stigma that prevents many workers from seeking basic health care services

Renee at Womanist Musings sums up my thoughts on the pro-fashion/anti-fashion feminist debate perfectly:

Regardless of your position regarding performing femininity through make up and or clothing, what cannot be denied is that any purchase within our capitalist economy is predicated on the exploitation of women.

I too have felt that the fashion debate often rather misses the point. And even making your own clothes is fallible, because where does your yarn or cloth come from? Making a truly feminist choice regarding what to clothe yourself in living in the "First world" can be very difficult. Psst: I get around this by buying almost everything second hand. \o/

Jason at The Wild Hunt brings to light certain aspects of Sarah Palin that somehow manage to make her EVEN SCARIER.

"Sarah Palin's churches are actively involved in a resurgent movement that was declared heretical by the Assemblies of God in 1949. This is the same 'Spiritual Warfare' movement that was featured in the award winning movie, "Jesus Camp," which showed young children being trained to do battle for the Lord. At least three of four of Palin's churches are involved with major organizations and leaders of this movement, which is referred to as The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit or the New Apostolic Reformation. The movement is training a young "Joel's Army" to take dominion over the United States and the world."

These "Third Wave" Christians believe in supernatural powers, demon possession, curses, and ongoing spiritual warfare. Most of them are loosely grouped around C. Peter Wagner, founder of the World Prayer Center, and coiner of the term "Third Wave". Wagner believes that one of the greatest opponents to Third Wave Christian dominance is The Goddess.
[...]
While Palin has striven to present herself as a "post-denominational" Jesus follower, it should be noted that most Third Wave Christians also present themselves in this manner. Also, lest you think this article is some sort of liberal Pagan anti-Christian take-down, it should be noted that this Christian movement has been deemed heretical by several (conservative) Christian groups, including Fundamentalist Baptists.

What Pagans need to know, especially those who are considering voting Republican, is if Palin condemns or rejects the spiritual warfare teachings of the Third Wave movement. A movement that essentially espouses malicious Christian magic. Pagans have seen first hand that the religious opinions of Presidents have been used in the past by government agencies to deny us our legal rights. What would happen if our vice president thought we should be supernaturally eradicated?