Tyler Perry as Madea with her cast-iron skillet

Y’all know I’m a huge Tyler Perry fan.  Through his iconic character Madea, he is trying to teach women to become emPOWERed ~ to stand tall for ourselves ~ to develop an AT-tit-TUDE.  In this classic photo, she’s got her cast-iron skillet out to teach her granddaughters how to say, “hell to the NO!”

If you don’t believe there’s a War on Women going on, I want you to unsubscribe right now.  We aren’t going to be getting along in the next few months.  Ditto for anybody who doesn’t have enough sense to find out where a candidate stands ~ not what they say ~ what they DO ~ on the issue of violence against women and children.  Double ditto for anybody who isn’t registered to vote.  Triple ditto for those of you who don’t vote.

Shared by Cynthia Stockton

Do not even think of whining about your own fate if you aren’t personally doing your part to ensure that democracy means that we women have an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Old broads like me are getting ready to retire, and we won’t be carrying the load for you anymore.

It is abundantly obvious that we women need to launch a Madea-styled “hell to the NO!” campaign.  The statistics that we see say that 25% of women have experienced domestic violence.  The reality according to Group Health is more like 44%; other research indicates it could be as high as 54%.  It’s time for us to stop being silently pissed off ~ bitching to our Facebook friends ~ hoping somebody else will bring about change.  It is time for us to yell “hell to the NO!” in forums where change happens.

We are one of the largest voting blocks in the country, yet we haven’t done shit to exercise our political power.  It’s time to get off our butts and demand change.

Are you in?

Susan B. Carbon

Forbes isn’t where I’d expect to see an interview with Susan Carbon, the director of the Office of Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice.  Rahim Kanani asked her what she’d say in a commencement address to law students:

. . .violence against women is not just a women’s issue, but one that wholly affects the economy and security of our country, and indeed every country.  When women prosper, entire nations follow.  It is not until we have secured the safety and full participation of women in societies around the world that we will see true peace and prosperity.

I view violence against women, in all its forms, as a fundamental human rights issue.  And whether it is used as a weapon of war against an entire people, or to break one individual’s spirit, we all know its impact is profound:  it usurps victims of their rights to sovereignty over their own persons.

Thanks, Julie Owens, for bringing this to our attention on Facebook.

Valentine’s Day is on February 14.  V-Day is a global daily celebration of love founded by Eve Ensler.  She believes we should be creating and thriving rather than surviving and recovering.  The V-Day movement is Ms. Ensler on a global scale:  fierce, wild, unstoppable.

Today Ms. Ensler launched a global initiative to celebrate V-Day’s 15th anniversary in 2013:  One Billion Rising.  It will be a REVOLUTION of one BILLION women.  Why one billion?  That’s how many of the world’s women and girls have been raped or beaten.

Ms. Ensler is issuing a global invitation for all of us to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence.  V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.

If a billion women walked out of their jobs, walked out of their homes and stopped and said we’re going to dance, and all the people who loved them joined them?  The world will stop.  And we’ll see our solidarity, we’ll see our numbers, we’ll see our power and we’ll see the magnitude of this issue.

Please join me in the One Billion Rising movement:    www.onebillionrising.org

V-Day is celebrated around the world.  Click here to find an event near you.

David Lanz is a prince of a guy and an amazing pianist and composer.  Cristofori’s Dream, a tribute to the man who invented the piano 300 years ago, was #1 on Billboard for 27 weeks.  East of the Moon was nominated for a Grammy in 2000.  His latest CD and DVD is Liverpool: Re-Imagining the Beatles by the Liverpool Trio:  David Lanz on piano, Gary Stroutsos on flutes, and Walter Gray on cello.

The Trio will be performing a benefit concert for Womencare Shelter on December 12, 2010 at 3:00 PM at the Amadeus Project in Bellingham, Washington.  Mr. Lanz will be playing his classics and holiday music, and the Trio will play selections from their CD.

©  BHP Images

David Lanz’ music is very healing.  He is the spokesperson for the American Music Therapy Association.  In a YouTube video celebrating the Liverpool CD and DVD, Mr. Lanz shared intimate thoughts about creating music:

One of the reasons I became a musician was a way to deal with emotional issues. . .I transform them into soothing melodies.  It is a way to take some of those rough edges and some of those less than beautiful emotions and turn them into something that is a little softer.

Stress is really what causes most of our disease. . .The music I do. . .is healing. . .relaxing. . .unplug. . .

The best ideas that I get are in those moments when I’m not thinking.  The music can really help ~ it kind of creates that mood ~ all of a sudden you’re not thinking about your life ~ you’ve unplugged.  Then, your soul has a chance ~ the muse has a chance to come in. . .it is a spiritual process.  You have to put yourself in this moment and jump.  You might crash and burn or you might learn how to fly.  If you learn how to fly, it’s great.

© Carole May

The Liverpool Trio unplugged after recording most of their new CD/DVD by taking a pilgrimage to Liverpool.  My friend and colleague Carole May was their tour guide and photographer.  She took this photo of Mr. Lanz at Strawberry Fields.  Mr. Lanz recalled:

I will never forget the time spent in Liverpool: the drive down Penny Lane, standing by the gate at Strawberry Fields . . . all giving new meaning and greater dimension to the music of the Beatles.

Ms. May has created a listening room on Mr. Lanz’ website.  You can hear segments of David’s songs before you decide which CD or DVD you wish to purchase.  I’m fairly certain you will instantly recognize his music.

You can see more of Ms. May’s photos at her website:  Carole May Images.

Seattle has to be the only city in the country that gets its knickers in a knot over jaywalking.  I vividly recall my own “WTF?” reaction the first time somebody told me I could get arrested in Seattle for jaywalking.

Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve probably seen the video of the Black teenage girl getting clocked by a Seattle cop.

We love to debate issues to death here in Seattle.  The pundits are all abuzz about whether the use of force was justified. 

The police union is busy defending the cops.  The Urban League and ACLU are engaged in the usual rhetoric.  Blah-blah-blah.

Everyone seems to have forgotten this dust-up was over jaywalking.

When did we all lose our minds and decide that jaywalking was such a horrendous crime that police should escalate stupidity to a crime and engage in force to arrest someone for crossing a street?

The Seattle Times made a mountain out of the molehill of the girls’ “criminal records” ~ they were arrested ~ not convicted ~ for petty teenage stupidity.  The county prosecutor suggested these girls are a “threat to the community.”  Oh, please.

She’s a foster child hoping to get her GED this weekend and working at a Safeway store.

This story made the Today Show (click on the link to watch the video) this morning along with a lobbying effort to adopt shelter dogs.  I found myself wondering when somebody’s going to start lobbying to adopt and shelter foster kids.

The Seattle Police Department is already under scrutiny for beating the crap out of an innocent Latino guy they wrongly suspected of robbery.  Someone with a video camera caught the cops saying, “I’m going to beat the [expletive] Mexican piss out of you, homey. You feel me?”

Serve and protect my ass.  We’re living in a police state when cops can beat the crap out of innocent people and spin it to justify their criminal behavior.

We’re talking about a foster child who needs a break. . .not a broken arm.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took a strong stand on violence against women today.  He suspended Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for six games for allegedly sexaully assaulting a 20-year-old college co-ed in a Milledgeville, Georgia bar restroom in March.  That’s the maximum punishment: 

. . .there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans. 

. . .In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people.  I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track. 

Commissioner Goodell also sent a letter to NFL team owners, executives, and coaches telling them that violence against women needs to stop: 

. . .in recent weeks there have been several negative incidents. . .include. . .allegations of violence against women. . . 

NFL and club personel must do more than simply avoid criminal behavior. . .every investigation, arrest, or other allegation of improper conduct undermines the respect for our league by our fans, lessens the confidence of our business partners and threatens the continued success of our brand. 

Roethlisberger Protected by Cops 

It appears Roethlisberger got away with the sexual assault because he surrounds himself with cops.  The photo above was taken about an hour before he allegedly raped the co-ed.  Yep.  They’re all cops. 

According to police reports, Roethlisberger was protected by two bodyguards:  PA State Trooper Ed Joyner and Corapolis, PA police officer Anthony Barravecchio.  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation determined that Officer Barravecchio escorted the co-ed victim to the alleged assault.  Ann Marie Lubatti tried to rescue her intoxicated friend, but Trooper Joyner was guarding the door.  She told police that she told Trooper Joyner: 

This isn’t right.  My friend is back there with Ben.  She needs to come back right now. 

The officers claim to have “no memory” of meeting the co-eds.  If this is true, I wonder how many times they have conspired in Roethlisberger’s sexual assaults.  Lt. Myra A. Taylor of the PA State Police claims they are investigating Trooper Joyner’s conduct. 

Milledgeville Mayor Is Doing a Happy Dance 

Meanwhile, Richard Bentley, the mayor of Milledgeville, thinks the alleged sexual assault of the co-ed will be great for tourism: 

Anything that can draw interest to our town and make people want to visit, we would like. 

Wonder how he’d feel if it was his daughter who got raped after his cops partied with the rapist.

Tonight at the Kennedy Center, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be presenting the Vital Voices Global Trailblazer Award to Melinda French Gates because she redefines the role of women leaders in global development.  

Mrs. Gates is the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation here in Seattle.   

The award is part of a week long celebration of International Women’s Day in Washington, D.C. including a new global partnership between the Avon Foundation and Vital Voices.

Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women

Earlier today at the State Department, Reese Witherspoon spoke at the Breakfast Meeting of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women.  Ms. Witherspoon is the Avon Foundation’s global ambassador.   

The Avon Foundation is contributing $500,000 to the State Department’s Fund for Global Women’s Leadership as well as $1.2 million to the Global Partnership.  Ms. Witherspoon explained her commitment:   

. . .we also need to support the passage of the International Violence Against Women Act. (Applause and cheers.) In too many communities, spousal abuse, rape, and honor killings remain day-to-day realities for many women and girls. This act creates a comprehensive approach to combat violence, from holding perpetrators accountable to supporting survivors and to promoting economic opportunities for them. These are initiatives that all of you are already making possible, and by passing the act we can ensure that they are written into law.

As I look around this room today, I see policy makers, activists, and community leaders, people who have dedicated themselves to making a difference. But I also see mothers and fathers, sisters and daughters, who know the impact that they can make in their own families and communities. And that’s what gives me such hope that we can change things in our time for women everywhere. You understand the impact of speaking up and speaking out in order to create this imperative change in the world.

Women of Courage Awards   

This afternoon at the presentation of the Women of Courage awards, Secretary Clinton said:   

Avon is our partner here at the State Department in focusing on and trying to end, once and for all, the global epidemic of violence against women. It happens in the homes, it happens in the streets, it happens all over the world. And we have to call it for what it is – a crime – and we have to mobilize to combat it. And Avon has agreed to be our partner in working with the State Department in doing so. And I thank [Ms. Witherspoon and Ms. Jung] for taking on this challenge with us.   

Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon, explained the company’s commitment to empower women:   

At Avon, our commitment to empowering women is grounded in our heritage. Avon was founded almost 125 years ago in 1886 on the simple belief that women had the right to earn money and be economically independent. This was truly a revolutionary idea at a time when women virtually had no role outside the home and would not win the right to vote for another 34 years. But there was no stopping a good idea. Today, with nearly six million representatives serving 300 million women in more than 100 countries, Avon is the company for women. And we have known first hand that improving women’s lives is by empowering them, and that empowering women can make all the difference for their families, for communities, and for countries. And that is why, in addition to helping women achieve financial independence through the business model, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women have, since 1955, awarded more than $725 million in over 50 countries to help women overcome other barriers to independence.   

The $500,000 State Department grant will:   

. . .provide funds for NGOs that work on domestic and gender violence issues around the world, to help you support the most innovative and successful models being developed, some of which will hopefully emerge from our partnership summit this week. It’s our hope and belief that this gift will accelerate the global effort to end violence among women.   

Avon’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Campaign    

Ms. Jung concluded her remarks:   

Since launching our Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign a few short years ago, Avon has committed more than $16 million to the fight against gender-based violence. In the end, though, we know that it is not about the dollars that makes a difference. It’s also advocacy, solidarity, and the willingness to truly shine a light on an issue that is too often hidden in the dark. In the end, it’s about refusing to accept things as they are, and doing what we can do with what we have to ensure a better tomorrow. So I have no doubt that together, we can and we will end violence against women. We’re so proud of this partnership this afternoon. We see first hand what can happen when, together, we empower women. We see the opportunity, we see the progress, and we see and believe in the hope.   

Jennifer Ann Paulson

Fasten you seat belts, folks, I’m going on a rant!

What the hell is it going to take for the judges in Pierce County, WA and the legislators in Olympia to get their collective heads out of their asses?

There was a horrendous earthquake in Santiago, Chile this morning.  The Olympics is drawing to a close up in British Columbia.  But, the story of greatest interest to folks in Seattle and Tacoma, WA today is the murder of Jennifer Ann Paulson.  If these politicians think the public isn’t mad as hell, they aren’t paying attention.

We had four dead cops in Lakewood and another one in Eatonville.  I thought surely the legislators would get it, but they were busy rearranging the proverbial deck chairs instead of protecting a beloved teacher at Birney Elementary School in Tacoma.  Ms. Paulson was murdered 30 minutes before a public hearing on denying bail convened in Olympia.  While they bickered, she was murdered.

Jennifer Ann Paulson did everything she was supposed to do.  The school administrators and the Tacoma cops and her family did everything they knew how to do to protect her.

The Tacoma cops arrested Jed Ryan Waits, who had been stalking Ms. Paulson for years, last Friday (February 19) for violating her anti-harassment order.  He spent the weekend in jail.  But, on Monday morning, the court granted him bail.  The court didn’t take away his gun.  The prosecutor didn’t try to figure out some way to keep him behind bars.

They let him out even though there was abundant evidence  his obsession with Ms. Paulson was escalating and he would likely murder her on the grounds of the elementary school where she worked:

• He was formally disciplined more than once by the Washsington Army National Guard.
• He was an intelligence analyst in the military with high security clearance.  However, the Guard busted him to private and gave him a less than honorable discharge in April 2009.
• He attacked a tenant’s boyfriend in November, 2008 and was charged with fourth-degree assault and sentenced to a year’s probation in Feburary, 2009.
• His probation was extended for another six months in August, 2009 because he failed to provide proof he had attended court-mandated counseling.
• The tenant filed an anti-harassment order against him.
• He called Ms. Paulson 10-15 times/day.  They had never been involved romantically.  They were co-workers in a college cafeteria.
• He made numerous 250 mile round trips from Eatonville, WA to Tacoma, WA to stalk Ms. Paulson.
• He showed up unannounced and uninvited at the school where she taught.
• Her father told him to stay away from his daughter, but a month later he brought gifts to her school.
• Her principal reported him to his Guard commander.
• He sat ouside her school during September, 2008 watching her.
• He was served with an anti-harassment order on September 18, 2008 which was later was extended to September 25, 2010.
• He was arrested for stalking Ms. Paulson on February 19, 2010 and booked into jail for the weekend.
• The police detective in charge of the case called Ms. Paulson on Monday evening to alert her that he made bail and was out of jail.

The police detective knew she was clearly in danger, but the Pierce County “justice” system ~ once again ~ somehow couldn’t see the handwriting on the wall.

Jennifer Ann Paulson Was Gunned Down on the School Playground

Friday morning, February 26, Jed Ryan Waits waited two hours outside Birney Elementary for Ms. Paulson to come to work at 7:30 AM.  She was with a colleague.  Without saying a word, he fired three shots and killed Ms. Paulson.  The fire department arrived within seven minutes to find Ms. Paulson bleeding profusely, but there was nothing they could do to save her life.

Within a half hour, a deputy spotted Waits’ car and pulled him over.  Ironically, it was at a day care parking lot in Frederickson.  When Waits fired at the officer, the deputy returned fire and killed him.

Four hundred children go to Birney Elementary.  The newspapers didn’t say how many kids were already at the daycare center.

Jennifer Ann Paulson Was Beloved by Her Students and Family

Ms. Paulson taught kids with learning disabilities and volunteered to tutor at-risk kids.  The mother of one of her students told the Tacoma News Tribune:

She really did something life-changing for my daughter and our family.  She was an excellent teacher and an excellent person too.  There was something special about her relationship with kids.

She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Seattle Pacific University in special education in 2003.  In June, she earned her master’s in education at the University of Washington-Tacoma where she was a star student.  The day before she was murdered, she completed paperwork for state certification.

She became a special-ed teacher because her baby brother Jason had struggled in school.

One thing I know my daugher would want brought to attention is that

there is another grieving family here.

- Nancy Heisler, Jennifer’s mother, is on the left

Ken Paulson, Jennifer’s father, and his wife Cindy

Pierce County and Olympia:  What if Jennifer Had Been YOUR Daughter?

Pierce County has a very long history of callous disregard toward domestic violence.  They didn’t lock up domestic violence perpetrators Tacoma Chief of Police David Brame or the DC Sniper or Isaiah M.K. Kalebu or Maurice Clemmons or Darrel Street or David E. Crable or dozens of other people they knew or should have known would kill.

Judge Thomas Felnagle refused to grant bail to a couple of punks who savagely murdered a stray dog, but he let Maurice Clemmons go home to further terrorize his 12-year-old step-daughter, who he allegedly raped.  Maurice Clemmons assassinated four cops in Lakewood while out on bail.

The legislature got all excited when David E. Crable, who had been abusing his 16-year-old daughter for years, killed a deputy sheriff and wounded his partner.  Crable’s daughter Bryona had to rescue the cops who were supposed to be protecting her.

Legislature Bickers and Keeps the Status Quo Firmly Entrenched

Did the legislators in Olympia focus on the domestic violence underlying these killing sprees?  Hell, no!  Did they try to pass a law to deny bail to domestic violence perpetrators?  Hell no!

The law enforcement task force focused on protecting the cops rather than people experiencing domestic violence.  Gov. Christine Gregoire, who perpetually evidences callous disregard for domestic violence, according to the Seattle Times:

The original bill proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire would have let judges deny bail if they determined that the suspect posed a public safety risk, but in order to get enough support in the House, the criteria was narrowed to those who would face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole and if the suspect is considered dangerous.

By the time the bill got to the state senate, Judiciary Committee Chairman Adam Kline, who also has his head up his ass, said:

A prediction of violence is a shot in the dark right now.  We’re not going to have judges deny a consititutional right on a hunch.

Rep. Mike Hope and Rep. Chris Hurst, who are former cops, went ballistic.  Rep. Hurst told the Seattle Times:

I can’t remember a time when a couple folks sat down behind closed doors and didn’t talk to their colleagues, didn’t talk to the law-enforcement community.

We will not leave this session without this legislation.  This is the most important piece of criminal-justice legislation in decades.

Amen.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing a half hour after Ms. Paulson was gunned down.  I’m willing to bet they still didn’t get it.

We the People get it.  And, we’re mad as hell at your callous disregard for our safety and welfare.

Women often remain in violent relationships because they don’t have the money to get out.  The Avon Foundation is hoping to change this. 

In 2004, the Avon Foundaiton launched their Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign.  So far, they’ve donated over $12 million to more than 400 domestic violence organizations.  That’s why they’re on my blogroll of donation recommendations. 

Yesterday, they announced grant guidelines for 2010: 

Domestic violence victims may be less likely to leave and stay away from abusers if they have limited hope of achieving economic stability on their own.  Additionally, this lack of economic stability or programs may increase the likelihood of a return to the abuser or lead to homelessness.  The creation and funding of the Avon Empowerment Self-Sufficiency Program will make an immediate, tangible difference for DV survivors by providing them with guidance and assistance to create independent, violence-free lives. 

Up to 30 grants will be awarded totaling up to $1.5 million in 2010. 

The application deadine is April 16, 2010.  Funding is for October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.  I’m psyched about this round of grants because recipients will have measurable outcomes including proof of things like job placement.  At a minimum, recipients will have to help people with: 

• affordable housing and public aid
• scholarships
• job training, education, and employment agencies
• public-use of computers
• business clothing advice

Avon works primarily with the National Family Justice Center Alliance to deliver services to people who have experienced domestic violence.

Sometimes politicians we don’t much like say something smart.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi haven’t leveraged their power to bring about the change most Americans want. But, even I have to give them kudos for their recent efforts to help people who have experienced domestic violence.

With the help of five Republicans (including newbie Scott Brown from Massachusetts), the $15 billion jobs bill escaped an attempted fillibuster.

One of the reasons Sen. Reid is pushing this bill is because he hopes it will bring down the rate of domestic violence. He told CBS:

I met with some people while I was home dealing with domestic abuse.  It has gotten out of hand.

Why?  Men don’t have jobs.

The NNEDV, relying on statistics from the National Institute of Justice, confirms the link between domestic violence and unemployment:

The poor economy can fuel the fire of domestic violence and limit options for victims to escape. . .

In couples in which the male is always employed, the rate of violence is 4.7%.  The rate rises to 7.5% when the male experiences one period of unemployment and to 12.3% when he experiences two or more periods of unemployment between waves.

Some folks have criticized Congress for focusing on health care rather than jobs.  Speaker Pelosi, however, sees a connection.  The connection, again is domestic violence.

Eight states have no rules prohibiting insurance companies from denying health care coverage because domestic violence a “pre-existing condition.”  Speaker Pelosi vows:

You’ve survived domestic violence, and now you are discriminated [against] in the insurance market because you have a pre-existing medical condition.  Well, that will all be gone.