April 24, 2005
Did You Know?
It came very close to slipping by me when I was skimming the Coalition for Darfur's latest blog entry about a Boston Globe profile on Eric Reeves:
"It's morning, and Eric Reeves is gripping his mug of coffee, preparing for his daily battle with two life-or-death foes. His first fight is against leukemia, so he opens a bottle of pills. The second is against mass killings in Sudan, so he spreads his recent research out on a table."
But what really hit me was the third and final paragraph cited:
"Reeves is not an epidemiologist. He's a literature professor at Smith College, waging a lonely battle from his laptop, with no formal training in estimating mortality rates."
Wow.
Posted by Elizabeth Tangora at 07:11 PM | Comments (14)
April 23, 2005
Filibuster Bluster
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (who'll I'll admit to being a fan of) has fired a shot over the Bush administration's bow by releasing a statement criticizing Bush for "going back on his word". For those who haven't been keeping up with the parliamentary procedure slight-of-hand, Senate Republicans led by Majority Leader Bill Frist are trying to change the Senate rules for getting judges approved. Right now, a 40 person minority can filibuster against nominees they don't approve of, but if Frist invokes what's being called "the nuclear option" he'd be able to change the filibuster rules that only 50 senators (and the Vice President's tie-breaking vote) would ever be needed to approve someone as a judge. The reason this is turning into such a blow-out is because of the effect it's likely to have on the confirmation of Supreme Court Justices.
The Republican momentum died a little when Reid threatened he would shut down the Senate ala Newt Gingrich if they tried to push the nuclear option, but it's picking up speed now that Vice President Cheney has declared his support for abolishing judicial filibusters. It's turning into the political equivalent of a mexican standoff, with both sides trying to guess what public backlash for their respective actions will be. It's an especially interesting moment for Reid, who's main strategy with the administration has been to weather the storm -- not being vocal on many of the issues that have come up, and letting the Republicans wear themselves out. If he shuts down the Senate, it will be the first major act of dissent from the Democrats under his leadership.
Posted by Elizabeth Tangora at 07:16 PM | Comments (10)
April 20, 2005
Equal Rights in Connecticut
Republican Governor Jodi Rell of Connecticut signed a bill earlier today to grant same-sex couples the right to civil unions. The bill was approved by the state legislature last week, by a vote of 26 to 8. Vermont was the first state to guarantee same-sex couples civil unions, followed by Massachusetts' legalization of gay marriage last year, but both of those states were ordered by the courts to do so. With Connecticut's independent legislation, we can only hope that the rest of the country, especially Rell's fellow GOPers, will soon follow.
Posted by Maura Spiegelman at 10:33 PM | Comments (37)
Under Construction
The new and growing Sophia's Draft Staff would like to thank all of the new readers who have been constructively commenting on our recent articles and blogs. The site that is up now is one without a logo, design, or a complete staff. What is currently on the site is merely an example of some of the writing that is yet to come. If you are interested in writing or designing for Sophias Draft email Gabrielle at gthal@smith.edu or Mandy at asmithbe@smith.edu. Please continue to check for updates!
Posted by Gabrielle Thal-Pruzan at 04:01 PM | Comments (14)
Looking for Plan C?
Pharmacists in Illinois are refusing to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, claiming that the "morning after" pill constitutes a form of abortion, since it can work after an egg is fertilized. Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has ordered pharmacies in his state to fill all prescriptions, claming that health issues take precedence over personal beliefs.
According to the emergency contraception website, the "morning after" pill, which is called Plan B, is not effective if a woman is pregnant; it cannot terminate an established pregnancy.
Many advocates for women's reproductive rights have been pushing the FDA to sell Plan B over the counter.
There are many questions as to whether pharmacists should even have the authority to refuse customers health services. Some critics suggest that pharmacists who refuse sale of plan B should at least post something clearly stating their position, so customers will not have to be refused at the counter. Real Time host Bill Maher has jokingly suggested that pharmacists also discontinue sale of makeup since everyone knows "Only sluts paint their faces."
Posted by Mandy Smithberger at 11:24 AM | Comments (13)
April 18, 2005
Saturday Night at Yale University
Back in the glory days of the Seven Sister Colleges, each women's college had a all-men Ivy League school that they were associated with. Earlier in the year, I learned that Smith used to ship their students to New Haven, Connecticut, to meet the young lads at Yale University. This is not so surprising-- Barbara Bush, who graduated Smith with her "Mrs.", did marry George Bush, senior, a prominent Yale alum.
Not so coincidentally, Bush I and Bush II were both members of a Yale fraternity called DKE, pronounced "deek." Although I visited Yale to spend quality time with two of my friends from home, both of which are impressive and ambitious individuals, I was unfortunate enough to end up in a suite with a few brothers from DKE. Somewhat timidly standing in the corner of the room, I carefully observed these men from afar. The conversation was vapid. These men were boasting about the power of the fraternity and how important they think they are. Then I noticed the absurdly sparkly shirts they were wearing. These weren't just any shirts, they were hand made by women who had been sexually assaulted and abused.
Last week at Smith, the club AWARE organized the Clothesline Project. Many women who had been abused or assaulted had the opportunity to take back their voice and collectively make a statement about sexual harassment and rape. A few hundred t-shirts enclosed Seelye Lawn and made a powerful declaration of strength.
Recently, a group at Yale University also conducted a "Clothesline Project." Men from this fraternity had stolen these t-shirts and were wearing them in jest. Essentially, these guys stole these women's voices. Shortly after I realized what these shirts were, one "brother" approached one of the women I was with and said with beer bated breath, "Do you want to get raped tonight?" We left a few moments later.
When I first entered that room and they were bragging about how important they are, I honestly thought it was all a joke. Later that night, a few of the women I was with wanted to go to a dance club called "Toad's." It was a 21-up club, and I do not have a fake I.D. They told me to "hold back" my anger--they really wanted to dance that night and thought that the DKE brothers could get me in. So when the doorman asked for my I.D, and I had no response, some guy from DKE said, "Don't worry, she's with me." They do have this strange and disgusting power.
These guys are not just some inebriated fraternity brothers. They are the white men who come from prominent American families. Unless we miraculously change the world that we live in, they are our nation's future leaders. It is shocking that these men are not only socially accepted, but worshipped and respected their "achievments" and status. As a self-respecting female, what does one do in moments like this? I felt like I had to make a post. It was important to me to express what I had observed. I would appreciate any comments on this post.
Posted by Gabrielle Thal-Pruzan at 09:52 PM | Comments (17)
April 12, 2005
Feingold, wife divorcing
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) announced Monday that he and his wife of fourteen years, Mary Feingold, are getting divorced. It is the second marriage for both.
Feingold was re-elected for a third term in the US Senate in November. While he hasn't commented on a 2008 run for the presidency, supporters hope he will seek the Democratic nomination.
Political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virgina reacted, "The Democratic Party is much more tolerant of things, but a twice-divorced single man would have very little chance of being elected president."
Since being elected in 1992, Feingold has kept his campaign promise of holding town hall meetings in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties annualy. He is respected in Wisconsin as an independed voice in Washington, and is known nationally for his work with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to curb the influence of money in politics. To eliminate such a strong candidate based on irrelevant details about his personal life would be a travesty. A man who has been divorced twice is no less qualified to lead our country. Let's return the debate to the issues, and not relive Gary Hart.
Posted by Maura Spiegelman at 01:10 PM | Comments (14)
April 11, 2005
FDA May Approve Silicone Solutions
The FDA is considering lifting a thirteen year ban on commercial sale of silicone breast implants for aesthetic enhancement surgery. Perhaps the FDA could be looking to redeem itself after its approval of other anti-depression health aids like prozac has been shown to be inadequate, if not completely counterproductive.
Those supporting the ban list off the damage of silicone implants, including a 93% chance of rupture after ten years. People arguing to lift the ban say that customers should be able to choose the more realistic silicone implants over saline implants.
Breast cancer survivors and others in need of reconstructive surgery have received silicone implants during the ban as part of clinical trials, which seem to suggest that the implants are now safer. If the implants are truly better, maybe everyone should be able to buy the optimum enhancement option of silicone (if they should so choose). I am sure that Hollywood waits with bated breath.
Posted by Mandy Smithberger at 03:52 PM | Comments (14)
April 10, 2005
Students organize awareness week, protest lack of resources
In the United States, a rape occurs every two and a half minutes, which in 2003 totaled just fewer than 200,000 incidences of sexual assault. According to RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization, only 40% of those rapes were reported.
Students are organizing to change that. Activist Women Advocating Rape Education (AWARE) is putting on a number of events for the week starting April 11th, including the Clothesline Project. Started in 1990 in Cape Cod, the event has since gained international attention.
I had the opportunity to talk with Nora Pittis '06, one of the co-chairs of AWARE, about the organizations work, including Sexual Violence Awareness Week (and the debate that has been stirring about the Clothesline Project).
Among the complaints expressed by members of the community is the lack of proper advertising.
"The location is completely unavoidable, [and there were] not as many advertisements for what it's going to contain," Allegra Lofgren '07 explained. She agreed the event was important for those who weren't familiar with the issue, but she expressed concern over the "tremendous personal impact" that it would have on those who had experienced sexual violence.
Having met with AWARE, Lofgren felt that progress was made in finding a compromise. While the Clothesline Project will take place as planned, the organization is boosting their advertising efforts, so that students are aware of what the project will contain.
Pittis said she understood the concerns expressed, but felt that it was important both as a consciousness-raising display, and as a way for survivors of sexual violence (and their allies) to begin healing. She hopes those who are dealing with their experiences in silence will understand they are not alone. Also, through publicizing the issue and the org's presence, Pittis believes more people will realize there are some resources on campus.
"It's important that people know that this group exists, because if nobody knows this group exists, it's really detrimental," Pittis shared. She stressed that the group's focus on activism and education, and that it is not a support group. However, one of the group's goals is to get the college to offer more resources for victims of sexual violence, including support groups.
"One thing counseling services has suggested is that we run a support group ourselves," Pittis told me. "We think that's really inappropriate." She continued, explaining how a support group was formed in response to the alleged rape last January off-campus.
However, the group only met from 12 to 1:30 on Fridays, a time which most students in AWARE couldn't make, and was run by Julie Mencher, the college's "trans specialist." Additionally, information given out about the group said that in order to come, students would have to be "interviewed." Pittis says that due to low attendance, the group was ended, but has since reformed. She hasn't had the chance to go attend any of the meetings.
Among AWARE's other complaints is the lack of protocol in dealing with sexual violence, and inadequate training for residence life (there was an optional training over J-term, which Pittis says was attended by only 6 members of residence life). I spoke with Noelle Opsahl '05, the HR of Scales, about the training residence life is given prior to the opening of the college in the fall, and she explained that except for "basic information", the college doesn't train residence life in how to handle a rape.
"That would definitely have been one area [the college could have provided more information]", Opsahl said. "I think for people who are coming in as HR's, it would have been useful."
Besides the Clothesline Project, AWARE is giving out information about violence against women, staging film screenings, and has reserved rooms in Neilson where members of the community can record their stories to share, and a candlelight vigil at the end of the week.
For more information, students can contact AWARE by emailing them at aware@smith.edu, or by attending one of the meetings Wednesday nights at 7 in the Women's Resource Center.
Posted by Sheana Director at 08:13 PM | Comments (681)
April 06, 2005
Chartering Sophia's Draft
Part of our goal at Sophia's Draft is to create real competition between our news publication and The Sophian. We believe that competiton will help to boost the standard of journalism at Smith College. In order to do this, we need to become an official, Student Government Association chaterterd org. If you are interested in being one of the 100 signatures on our petition, feel free to contact Mandy or me. Below is a copy of the charter. It has not been submitted yet, so please feel free to comment!
SOPHIA’S DRAFT CHARTER
I. TITLE
The name of the organization shall be Sophia’s Draft.
II. PURPOSE
Sophia's Draft knows that Smith students are affected by the activities that occur beyond our campus. They care about what is going on in the world and have opinions. Students are invited to join the Sophia’s Draft team and blog on our website daily or weekly. Sophia's Draft is both a resource and a forum for Smith students to track current events and express their viewpoints. We provide an alternative news source for the student body that is both critical and challenging to other campus journals.
III. GOALS
A) Provide the student body of Smith College with a trustworthy and credible alternative news source
B) Build a significant team of writers who are willing to contribute frequently
C) Design an accessible website for the student writers and readers
D) Provide expansive reporting on national, international, local, campus and special interest news
E) Create a forum for Smith College students to discuss the above topics
IV. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Membership is open to all Smith College students. Members must be willing to contribute to the production of Sophia’s Draft in a substantial and meaningful way. Members must attend meetings and blog daily or weekly on the website.
V. OFFICERS AND DUTIES
A) Editor-in-chief (2) -Facilitates the administrative aspect of the
publication and acts as a senior coordinator for the other editors.
B) National Editor (1) - Coordinates the National section of the
publication
C) International Editor (1)- Coordinates the International section
of the publication
D) Campus/Local Editor (1)- Coordinates all news pertaining to
the Smith College Campus and the surrounding municipalities
E) Features Editor (1)- Coordinates all special interest writers
F) Writers- General club members who contribute daily or weekly
to Sophia’s Draft
Procedure: All students need to be nominated, either by themselves or their peers, for the above positions. They can be elected into the positions by a majority vote. Voting can only be conducted when 60 percent or more the club’s general membership is present.
VI. ADVISORY BOARD
The advisory board consists of the two Editors-in-chief and the four elected editors mentioned above. This smaller group of individuals has the ability to hold shorter and more frequent meetings. Each editor can relay the minutes from the meetings to the writers in her department.
VII. SOURCES OF FUNDING
We plan to do on-campus fundraising. We will also seek SGA funding.
VIII. METHOD TO AMEND
All changes of this charter must be approved by a majority vote (50 percent plus one additional person) of the advisory board. In addition, 2/3 of the SGA senate must approve the amendments.
IX. METHOD TO IMPEACH OFFICERS
In order to impeach an officer, a member needs to have signatures from 55 percent of the general membership in agreement. The signatures need to be presented at a general meeting and 80 percent of the general members must vote to impeach. In the same meeting, another individual must be nominated and voted upon to fill the empty position.
Posted by Gabrielle Thal-Pruzan at 08:50 PM | Comments (9)
Our Mission
Sophia's Draft knows that Smith students are affected by the activities that occur beyond our campus. They care about what is going on in the world and have opinions. Students are invited to join the Sophia’s Draft team and blog on our website daily or weekly. Sophia's Draft is both a resource and a forum for Smith students to track current events and express their viewpoints. We hope to provide an alternative news source for the student body that is both critical and challenging to other campus journals.
We are always looking for smart, opinionated writers to contribute.
If you are interested or want more information, don't hesitate to contact Mandy Smithberger (asmithbe@smith.edu) or Gabrielle Thal-Pruzan (gthal@smith.edu).
Part of our inspiration for our news blog comes from the Brown Daily Squeal.
Posted by sophiasdraft at 08:22 PM | Comments (9)