You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll hurl.

With apologies to Wayne’s World for the sub-headline above, check out the video of Derek Dye, the abstinence-only clown, who teaches children that any type of pre-marital sex will destroy your life’s dreams. This is what our tax dollars have been supporting, amounting to a 1.5 billion dollar disaster that fails our country’s youth. Recall that I referenced Ellen Goodman’s insightful column one month ago that talked about the triumph of ideology over science, and how I’m hopeful that will change with the new presidential administration.

Vegetables Gone Wild!

PETA’s put out an ad that’s too hot for the Super Bowl, at least according to NBC.

The ad itself is below, but check out the PETA site for related video clips, as well as the link to NBC’s complete list of concerns about the women in the video, which includes rubbing asparagus on a breast, licking eggplant, rubbing the pelvic area with a pumpkin, and “screwing herself with broccoli.”

I’m not such a huge supporter of PETA (I like some of their principles, but I also like bloody meat, and dispute their claim that vegetarians have better sex), but I feel for them on this act of censorship. Victoria’s Secret models are okay, but Victoria’s Secret-like models wielding vegetables aren’t? Anti-impotency drug promotion is okay, but a sexy ad with the same effect isn’t? Unhealthy fast food is okay, but vegetables aren’t? What a country! Not surprising, though, given the Janet Jackson fiasco five years ago, which made us the laughing-stock of the world for our Victorian attitudes related to sex. And vegetables, these days, in a way.

(In “related” news, it’s not just PETA that’s suffered a Super Bowl setback. The Lingerie Bowl has been canceled – would you believe – for reasons of too much clothing?)

‘Veggie Love’: PETA’s Banned Super Bowl Ad

And women regain rights to their reproductive lives

Immediately upon taking the inaugural oath, President Obama brought much-needed change to the country. Seems like the moment he finished the oath (despite Chief Justice Roberts’ attempt to confuse him!), the presidential website changed (looking much more positive, I might add), and if you click on the Agenda page, you’ll see these words about reproductive rights:

• Supports a Woman’s Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in that case.
• Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: President Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information, and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

And it’s not just in domestic policy that Obama is bringing about change in terms of reproductive rights. He quickly repealed the global gag rule (“Mexico City Policy”) that required all NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) to refrain from providing or promoting abortion services abroad if they wished to receive federal funding. This policy had meant that many organizations could not distribute condoms and other contraceptives in countries where they are much-needed.

In addition, Obama restored funding to the United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency that “promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.” Obama stated, “By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.”

Many in Bush’s administration supported UNPFA funding, including then-Secretary of State Colin Powell. Despite Congressional support, Bush caved in to right-wing activism and put a hold on funding, thereby denying women in developing countries pre-natal care, help with problem pregnancies, and medical equipment to help with deliveries. 

The era of so-called “compassionate conservatism” is over. Welcome to change we can believe in…

Happy 36th!

Today marks the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized (again) the rights of women/couples to choose to have an abortion. This year’s anniversary gift: at least four more years of likelihood that abortion will remain safe and legal.

And to mark the occasion in a powerful and poignant way, here’s the great George Carlin commenting on the “sanctity of life”:

At last, prevention first

Today, I sat mesmerized in front of the television, watching the inauguration celebration. In contrast to the last eight years, today I saw America. People of all ages, races/ethnicities, sexual orientation, etc. coming together to mark historic change in this country. An incredible show featuring history mixed with song. Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, and other celebrities shined on stage, moving me with their words. And then Bruce, Brooks (Garth), Bono and his band, and Beyonce, to name an alliterative few, were fabulous, singing with glee. And Barack Obama spoke with caution and then optimism about his hopes for America. The only downside: HBO blacked out Gene Robinson’s invocation. (Well, they also failed to notate the D.C. gay men’s chorus when they performed.) Robinson is a gay Episcopal bishop, and given the role that homophobic pastor Rick Warren will be playing at the inauguration, it’s a shame (sacreligious?) that Robinson didn’t get his chance to shine in the national spotlight.  Fortunately, you can read Robinson’s speech and both read and watch Obama’s speech here.

I’m excited and chomping at the bit for change ahead, especially in terms of sex education and sexual health services. And it’s already in the works, thanks to the Prevention First Act, introduced in the Senate the first day of the current session. Cristina Page, author of How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Politics and the War on Sex, wrote a wonderful piece at Huffington Post about the legislation and more. It’s a must-read! After all the damage that Bush has done, there’s hope for increased funding for contraceptive programs, restoration of comprehensive sex education programs, and the re-establishment of science as the source of public policy. Science. Imagine that. 

My 50th state

Today I wake up at some crazy hour to kick off the spring semester by traveling to, for the first time ever, Mississippi. This is a milestone! I’ve spent time in New Orleans, and could have easily crossed the border to make that milestone, but now it’s happening in a “real” way.

I’ll only be in the state for about 13 hours, assuming my flight arrives on time. Looking forward to the lecture, and my moments in the state that determined when it was finally okay to rush the quarterback. (One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…)

A Night with Michael Pollan

Proof that everything in life is connected. I’m just back from attending a lecture by Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma, etc.). In talking about the marketing of manufactured foods, he talked about how even whole foods are subject to such marketing, citing studies showing that pomegranate juice may be effective in overcoming erectile dysfunction – in rabbits.

You can google this for kicks; I did, and got the PETA perspective.

Ellen Goodman nails it

I’m back to the States after my three week trip to Asia, and it’s back to work.

For now, here’s a fantastic piece by the fabulous Ellen Goodman. Another perspective on why abstinence-only education has failed our teens and been a financial disaster. Hopefully, the era of “ideology over science” will soon come to an end.

…from far away

I’m taking off for Asia tomorrow, traveling with a little Eee PC. This will be an interesting test of a new computer (with a tiny keyboard). While I’ll be meeting some sex education comrades in Taipei, and doing some research and writing unrelated to sex, it’s primarily a vacation – and a much-needed one, at that. While I hope the computer holds up, lack of connectivity wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to happen for a few weeks.

So, since the next time of communication is unknown and might not happen until 2009, now’s the time to say happy holidays and best wishes for the new year!

A black and blue mark on our country

Here’s a fascinating read from The New Yorker last month. Margaret Talbot explores why so many evangelical teenagers get pregnant.