Letters to the Editor
Published Letters: 17 Editor's Choice: 4
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Don't buy what they are selling us. Reclaim it on your own.
[Read the article: Taking back "Slut-o-ween"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks for excerpting quotes from the article. The actual article wasn't as bad I had originally thought--I realized that my rage was really directed at the larger New York Times for negating any thoughtful nature of the article with their stupid accompanying photos that perpetuated the whole "sex sells" trend.
I do think it's hard to poke fun at any cultural trend that you buy off the rack. If I wore the "sexy umpire" costume, the only laughable thing would be that I would look ridiculous.
To avoid the vixen overload, I suggest we don't buy what they are selling. Raid your own closet, or go to Goodwill instead and come up with your own costume. Wigs are always fun without necessarily being slutty. Put on a wig and you will really feel like someone else. When you pull together you own costume, you have a chance of actually "riffing on society's implied lessons about femininity."
My best Halloween story is the year that we went to the Castro district in San Francisco, which was a hugely crowded street fair and great people-watching event. I was dressed up in my vintage, Salvation-Army-salvaged disco pantsuit and a shoulder-length blonde wig. I was having a great time, but I started noticing irked looks from some of the men around me. It dawned on me that they thought I was a guy in drag and were annoyed to look closer and see I was an actual woman.
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Thanks for highlighting this important story
[Read the article: Is becoming a mother a risk factor for murder?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This story really caught my attention when I read the News & Observer this morning. With all I have learned in researching motherhood, I was not aware of the increased risk of homicide during pregnancy and the neonatal period. Reporter Mandy Locke brought together the elements of a picture that is still emerging through ongoing research. The concluding quote by Johns Hopkins professor Phyllis Sharps was compelling: "We have a myth and a fairy tale that this is a time when everyone's joyous. For some families, it's a vulnerable, scary time.
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For more information on responses to Maternal Profiling check out MomsRising.org
[Read the article: Maternal profiling]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I was really glad to see Kiki Peppard's work covered on Broadsheet. I wish the post had mentioned that Kiki Peppard has joined forces with MomsRising.org, a new grassroots network that is connecting people who want to work for mothers' rights.
Cooper Munroe, who is also part of the MomsRising.org coalition, wrote a piece called "Maternal Profiling" in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last September. Cooper notes in her profile that Kiki Peppard had excellent credentials, references, and a stellar job attendance record. Nonetheless, a potential employer told her flat out, "I don't want to have to carry your kids' health benefits." So all the bickering about whether parents are as effective on the job is a moot point if employers have inherent hiring biases based on parental status. (This bickering is still very annoying and I am disappointed to see Broadsheet writer Carol Lloyd blithely concede the point.)
Most people, even feminist activist--not to mention elected officials--have no idea that blatant job discrimination against mothers is legal in most states. A major fact-finding and educational mission is underway. We Moms just want a chance to raise our kids and support them financially. In most cases that means that we must be employed. No one should be allowed to deny us that chance just because we have kids.
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This is a job for Judy Blume!
[Read the article: Too much information. Period]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Lynn, you are too funny on this one. Following your lead, maybe women should just turn in a copy of Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret? along with the form for their boss' reading pleasure.
I know there is a serious issue in here somewhere but just for this afternoon I needed a laugh.
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"Treatment effect"
[Read the article: Lose weight! Feel great! Well, maybe not]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Interesting that the uncontrollable poop is a "treatment effect" and not a "side effect." It's a result of the drug working the way it's supposed to.
Either way, I'd pay $60 a month and take a pill to get that to STOP, even if it meant gaining weight!
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I am not a shill for anyone.
[Read the article: One online predator per child?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Amy Tiemann here. I wanted to make it clear that whatever you think of my writing, it represents solely my own opinion and reporting. My husband Michael does work for the Linux company Red Hat and my writing does not represent him or his employer. I interviewed Linda Criddle because she is a respected internet safety expert. Her 13 years at Microsoft speak to her experience. Criddle took Microsoft's own internal low-cost PC group to task for not addressing safety concerns. She stressed that none of the many low-cost laptop organizations she has spoken to has created a comprehensive online child safety strategy.
Linking to my complete CNET post through my signature...
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We should collect this thread into a book!
[Read the article: I left an abusive marriage, and now I'm in love with a thief]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Cary's advice was sound and this thread has had some of the most thoughtful follow-up musings I've ever read. I suspect that all of us have an area of our lives where this advice applies.
I hope the letter writer reads the follow up comments thoroughly and gives the feedback a chance to sink in (slipping by her defenses, which I suspect are raised again right now). I agree with the posters who think that this guy is testing her boundaries by telling her the bad things he's done and finding that she does not object. If you don't even have to hide what you've done, but find someone who will tolerate your misdeeds, that makes life pretty easy for a predator.
"When people show you who they are, believe them"--the first time, if possible. Get some support, therapy, boundaries, but whatever you do, don't merge your life with this guy. You have enough information to know that if you go forward, you are signing up to be a volunteer for a world of hurt.