Saturday, December 10, 2005

Violence Against Women Act

Still sitting here with my coffee and my bagel, I get the idea for today. Here's something we can all do to affirm human rights in our communities (assuming we live in the United States, anyway).

Fifteen years ago, Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act, which pays for training for first responders and prosecutors, funds shelters and other services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Funding for these programs is now at risk.

VAWA expired on September 30 and has yet to be reauthorized. Congress adjourns on the 16th. You see the problem. A version of VAWA has actually passed both houses, but until or unless they reconcile the differences between the two bills, nothing happens. So, one more time, drop your Senators and Representative an e-mail. If you want more information first, try this article: VAWA.

If you just want to get riled up, check out this quote from Phyllis Schlafly, who apparently thinks protecting people from family violence is the purview of radical feminists:
If Republicans are looking for a way to return to their principles of limited government and reduced federal spending, a good place to start would be rejection of the coming reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act sponsored by Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. It's a mystery why Republicans continue to put a billion dollars a year of taxpayers' money into the hands of radical feminists who use it to preach their anti-marriage and anti-male ideology, promote divorce, corrupt the family court system, and engage in liberal political advocacy.

She's writing her Congressional representatives. I'm thinking we should get to work.

And while you're at it and in the cause-y mood, watch the movie North Country. Really.

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