Sometimes, living in New York City, the thing I find the most threatening, the most freak-the-shit-out-of-you intimidating, is other college students. I fail to understand why I can't just be the best at everything and let that be that.

And thus, she spoke it into being

Obama reverses 'Global Gag Rule'

Happy Anniversary Roe v. Wade

Yesterday was the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. President Obama released a lovely statement reasserting his support of reproductive justice (may I just say, when I am so used to hearing that meaningless line from politicians, that "I disagree with it but recognize Roe v. Wade as the law of the land," is it so nice to hear someone who is not so dickless and backhanded in expressing their beliefs. And it's even nicer that that person happens to be our president).

Roe v. Wade was a landmark in the movement for reproductive rights. But I think this is a great opportunity to remind ourselves, especially now that we have a pro-choice president, that Roe v. Wade was not and is not enough. I think this RH Reality Check piece pretty well sums up what I mean. If we want to, as a nation, truly support our women, if we want to be seriously proactive in preventing unwanted pregnancy, if we want to help spread these rights to countries where they have not yet been granted, then the privacy and legality granted by Roe v. Wade are merely the beginning steps. I support a reversal of the Hyde Amendment, an overturning of the Global Gag Rule, and legislation mandating intensive sex education. Hopefully, President Obama will recognize the urgency of this.

Patrick Swayze Still a Smoker

I thought this clip from an interview with Patrick Swayze was really interesting. I don't really have an opinion of Patrick Swayze, aside from that faint sadness you feel when someone dies who you hadn't been entirely aware was still alive in the first place. But the man has a point, eh? There's something harrowing about a person who is so logical and sensible about their own oncoming death. Why the hell not enjoy your heavy smoking once it's bought you an imminent death sentence?
I think my whole perspective on the matter is deeply informed by the fact that my mom never smoked or drank or sun-tanned too much or walked too close to nuclear breeders, but when she was 49 she died from a liver cancer that predominantly occurs in male Hepatitis B patients, before one's thirties, outside of North America. My own feelings on smoking, and its obvious grossness, aside, I think it's kind of funny to sometimes recognize that you can do everything to reduce your odds, but odds don't really mean shit when you're dying. Well maybe it's not funny, but it's something.

I think I'm going to be sick

22 year old Oscar Grant was shot by Bay Area police on New Years. He was restrained, unarmed, and handcuffed.

grouchy

I'm a little grumpy. Maybe it's because I'm still waitlisted for the only class I really really want to take, and my back up option just closed out. Maybe it's because my sisters are watching TLC's pre-Miss America special and it's so mindless it feels like an ice cream headache. Maybe it's because I'm currently in Quebec City visiting family, where it is -7 degrees F and when I go outside my snot literally freezes inside my nose.
But whatever the reason, I feel a little better watching this, and thinking about how perfect it is that out of all the networks for this to occur on, it had to be Fox.