Exploring contexts in which our struggles align
The information collected by the U.S. census is more than raw numbers, it's a project of stories. Population is a complicated idea disguised in a simple word. By collecting information about the interweaving groups of people who make up this country’s population, the census becomes the public story of who we are, where we are, and what matters to us.
In this recent New York Times article, the author points out that legislation requiring dissenting opinions about global warming be taught in schools is already passed or about to be passed in several states, linked to previous campaigns against the teaching of evolution. While acknowledging the uncertainties of science is useful in educating America’s next generation, allowing and, in some cases, requiring teachers to include less scientifically supported opinions risk making students confused about what is scientific consensus and what is simply an opinion or religious belief.
Pat Hynes published this primer of FAQs about these two wars. One thing that struck me was the section on public support for the wars:
"Congress could and may pass climate legislation, but it will probably be more narrowly tailored than we thought a year ago," said Bill Snape, spokesman for the Center for Biological Diversity, which is part of a coalition of environmental groups opposing Murkowski's amendment. "I have sensed the political and scientific reality beginning to set in that Congress needs to build off the Clean Air Act, not replace it."
Read more here.
According to this BBC article soldiers in Iraq who become pregnant not only face being sent home but could now also face a possible court martial. Male partners could also face potential consequences.
The new policies directly criminalize women and [female] reproductive activity. The discouragement of general sexual activity is blurred, however, by the following statement...
This NY Times blog debate/commentary is a bit old (from December 11th) but is worth the late post. The debate, follows the EU's decision to give $3 million to poor nations to "help deal with climate change." A number of questions are asked, including:
"How much good can this amount of aid do? How much would be enough if the industrialized nations can’t come to a climate change agreement? Should the United States throw in with this approach if it’s unlikely that Congress will approve any greenhouse gas reduction plan?"
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver a major speech Friday, January 8, 2010 to mark the 15th year of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Secretary Clinton will announce the U.S. Government's renewed support for and dedication to reaching the ICPD goals and other related UN agreements, including the Millennium Development Goals, by 2015.
The speech will be live streamed on www.icpd2015.org starting at approximately 2:30 pm ET. A transcript and video of of the speech will be posted on this site following the event.
RH Reality Check posted by the Population Connection president, John Seager. I did a double-take when reading the article and found myself agreeing with some ideas here:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will deliver a speech this afternoon commemorating the 15th anniversary of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. The conference brought together leaders from 179 countries who developed a Programme of Action that set "priorities for the realization of sexual and reproductive rights," bolstering human rights internationally.
No. 63: Lessons From The Front: Abortion And The Battle For Health Care Access by Eesha Pandit
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