On Thursday, a Chinese court upheld an 11 year prison term given to prominent Chinese scholar Liu Xiaobo who had called for political reform. This is the latest in a string of harsh punishments for dissenters, according to CNN. Xiaobo, 53, was arrested and charged with inciting subversion of state power last June.

According to CNN, Xiaobo was detained on Dec. 8, 2008 and held under “residential surveillance” as police investigated his case. His hearing took place Beijing’s high court, and the trial lasted less than 10 minutes. The activist was not given a chance to speak, and shouted "I’m innocent!" before being taken away.

In an emailed statement, U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said “persecution of individuals for the peaceful expression of political views is inconsistent with internationally recognized norms of human rights,” according to the Washington Post. It was is the first statement issued under his name since he took the post in August. “We believe that he should not have been sentenced in the first place and should be released immediately. We have raised our concerns about Mr. Liu’s detention repeatedly and at high levels, both in Beijing and in Washington, since he was taken into custody over a year ago,” the ambassador said in a statement last Thursday night.

Xiaobo has been among the most combative critics of China’s one-party rule, according to Reuters. His case attracted an outcry from Western government and rights activists at home and abroad. Xiaobo has been in opposition with the government since joining a hunger strike backing Tiananmen student protesters. He has been jailed for 20 months, spent three years at a labor camp in the 1990s and spent months under virtual house arrest.

Scott Brown, Cosmo, June 1982

When Massachusetts residents hit the polls to elect a new senator today, some will likely have this image in mind.

Republican candidate Scott Brown was named “America’s Sexiest Man” in the June 1982 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. At the time, Brown was a 22-year-old law student at Boston College. Here’s what Cosmo had to say:

“Tall (6’2″), rangy Scott Brown, 22, has the strong-but-huggable good looks most Cosmo girls are really searching for. You may want Mr. Muscles or a river-boat gambler for an adventure, but adorably sexy is what makes him someone to snuggle over the longer haul!”

Of course, Brown has plenty of other achievements and qualifications, all much more becoming of a senator. The sexy photos probably won’t help him, but at least it’s not the same old marijuana scandal that plagues politics. Bonus points for originality, Mr. Brown.

President Obama sent heads spinning earlier this year by giving the Prime Minister of Britain a gift that some deemed hardly worthy in comparison to the gift that the Prime Minister gave to the President.

The Prime Minister, if you recall, gave the President Obama a pen holder crafted from the timbers of the 19th century British warship HMS President (whose sister ship, HMS Resolute, provided the wood for the Oval Office’s desk), while the President gave the Prime Minister a collection of 20 classic American DVD’s. The First Lady didn’t help matters when she provided the Brown’s two young sons toy models of Air Force One, compared to the Brown’s who gave the Obama daughters fashionable dresses and matching necklaces from Britain’s famous Top Shop and a variety of books by British authors. [NY Daily News]

Well, apparently, the faux pas aren’t over.

Recently, Robyn Spizman an author and nationally acclaimed gift giving expert contacted the White House over the President’s gifts to the Queen and the Prime Minister at the London G20 summit. What were the gifts you ask?

Ipods.

While, Spizman supported the President’s “non-traditional” choice of gift, she suggested it might have been “more appropriate” to use the Ipods as “gift toppers” placed with larger gifts that had a more permanent value that would have made a lasting place in history.

These gifts – referred to as head of state gifts -‚  from one leader to another symbolize goodwill, mutual respect and friendship – especially so in the case of Great Britain. They further diplomatic efforts among nations with contradictory world viewpoints. Spizman stresses that these gifts have historical longevity and a personal touch – afterall, “What does the gift say about the giver, and about the country he or she comes from? …Now more than ever, it’s important to look at products that truly represent the heart, soul and spirit of a nation.”

For instance, the gifts from China’s President Hu Jintao gave the President a one of a kind custom made vase by Franz Porcelain, a Chinese manufacturer located in Jinzdezhen -‚  the homeland of porcelain – who is known for its exquisitely handcrafted and handpainted porcelain sculptures.‚  Another example is the Prim wristwatch that the Czechoslovakian Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek gave President Obama. Prim is a maker of classic and sport-style Czech watches with cases crafted of platinum, gold, stainless steel or damask steel.

Head of state gifts, as Spizman says,‚  can create new traditions, celebrate past ones, help the global artist community or pay tribute to handcrafted artistry. “Gifts that leave a legacy and represent cultural spirit, and the spirit of the hand that makes the gift, are a way to bridge countries.”
So what do you think? Do you think Obama represented with the giving of the Ipods?

From the moment President Obama first promised his two young daughters a puppy, many Obama supporters have been waiting patiently for the first puppy to arrive.

Speculation the past few months was that the girls would get either a labradoodle or a Portugese Water Dog – the main criteria of the dog would be that it needed to hypoallergenic, and they preferred it to be a shelter dog.

The dog, or puppy rather, first reported by a website First Dog Charlie, was picked up by TMZ on Saturday April, 11.

The Washington Post reported that the big unveiling of the dog would be Tuesday morning, though the first pictures were leaked by the First Dog Charlie website. Throughout March through the DC news networks, rumor had it the puppy was a gift, rumor had it that the New York Times was promised the first puppy exclusive, later to be obtained by the Washington Post. Rumor has it that the Portuguese Water Dog loving Kennedy family is giving the gift of puppy to the Obama’s, however, the Senator’s office is keeping mum on the issue.

The puppy is six months old and was named “Bo” by Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia who have already begun planning the responsibilities of owning a dog. This dog will be the first pet not only for the two young daughters, but for President and Mrs. Obama, neither of whom grew up with pets.

Regardless of the rumors, the first puppy is on the move, and is on its way to make a splash at the White House in the coming days.

Megan McCain might be my hero.

Apparently Laura Ingraham criticized her for implying that Republicans should compromise with Democrats. Ingraham, according to CNN, called McCain “a Valley Girl gone awry” and a “plus-sized model.”

So, McCain, who has portrayed a campaign from a unique perspective, and become a – what I would consider – respected blogger, apparently is considered too fat to write? Megan retaliated saying:

“Why, after all this time and all the progress feminists have made, is weight still such an issue? And in Laura’s case, why in the world would a woman raise it?” [The Daily Beast]

I admit, I’ve never listened to Laura Ingraham, I generally steer away from radio talk shows, I’ve had the misfortune of listening to Rush Limbaugh once or twice if only to see what the hype was. But still, what kind of impression is that for young girls who want to speak their mind? What kind of impression does that give them that, if they don’t write something that everyone agrees with, their opinion is worth jack? That’s kind of crappy Laura Ingraham. Very crappy. As women, shouldn’t we, as Megan says, be a better example for the younger gals of our time and criticize substantively rather than about petty matters such as one’s dress size?

Unfortunately for women, this is nothing new. This story, as Megan writes in her blog, wouldn’t have been a big deal had the media not picked up on the tiff from Laura Ingraham’s radio show. But the media has been criticizing women and their weight for years. Megan mentions her own mother was criticized during the 2008 presidential race for being too thin. Hillary Clinton has been criticized for wearing pant suits, and Michelle Obama showing off bare arms has recently raised eye brows as well. Rather than be criticized for these traits they should be commended for the inspiration they have given so many young women. Ingraham later said that McCain needed to lighten up, and learn to take criticism lightly. She may be right but, there was no reason for weight to be brought anywhere into the debate.

So, here’s my kudos to Megan McCain. Who cares what bitter jerks like Laura Ingraham think, a gal has every right to voice her opinion. There will always be naysayers, but hopefully they can focus on the ideological and substantive arguments at hand and leave one’s weight/body out of the nation’s politics.

Related Articles

Kiss My Fat Ass: I am Spartacus Megan McCain [Jezebel]
The Politics of Size [The Daily Beast]
Megan McCain: “Kiss My Fat Ass” [Politico]

So I’ve been reading all about this controversy with the cover of Ms Magazine lately.

“I Can Haz Feminism?”

Jezebel had a post today about an ongoing dispute between Ms. magazine and other self described feminists. Basically these “super feminists” are pissed that Barack Obama is on the cover of Ms. because of how he was portrayed as “Superman” which is…not feminism. Some feminists feel that, well, they could have put anyone up there other than Barack Obama. I can’t say I disagree, we as a nation had two women who made huge strides in the “feminist movement” and they chose…Barack Obama who…hasn’t really done anything outstanding for feminism in my opinion. The argument against it is a little ridiculous but I think Naomi Wolff says it best in this video by disagreeing and yet agreeing with the overall point.

I think the argument should be focused less on the fact that he’s a man (Ms. has had men on their cover before) and more because well…what has he DONE for feminism? Having the “ear of the administration” as Ms. Watts said is a huge stride after the past eight years of anti-woman policies from the Bush Administration. But does that explain how when he was a state senator he voted present on a few “horrnedous anti-abortion” votes instead of voting no? If these women who put him up there are the ones who largely define feminism by your stance on reproductive rights then they made a big mistake because while he calls himself “pro-choice” I wouldn’t say he’s voted like he’s proudly pro-choice. A feminist – male or female -‚  should be PROUD of it, proud of all of his/her opinions in regards to ALL women’s issues. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t but to a lot of us feminists, maybe he hasn’t quite proven it. Overall though, Amy Siskind was right – men can be feminists.

Still though, Barack Obama’s questionable feminist status aside, how 70′s angry butch feminist of us to say men can’t be feminist, while I realize this isn’t exactly what they’re saying- I think anyone devoted to “equalizing” rights (though I personally think they’re all pretty equal as it is) or committed to electing women to office – you know the whole “breaking the glass ceiling?” and creating policies that affect women in positive ways. I think that’s feminism.

Feminism (at least to me) is not just about reproductive rights, it’s not just about the Lilly Ledbetter Act. It’s about equality and empowerment and setting goals and accomplishing them because we’re not in the 1900′s anymore and we can vote, we can run for office and we can have careers and The Man can’t stop us. We’ve come a long way since Jeanette Rankin my friends. What Sarah Palin wasn’t a feminist? She was/is a successful governor, the vice presidential candidate of a party criticized for being the party of middle aged white men and so what if she’s pro-life…she values life over choice – surprisingly a decent sized percentage of this nation is split on this issue and not as pro-choice as we think ourselves to be (much more moderate than many “feminists” would like to think- and that’s their right. But the point is politics aside, that’s the great thing about our nation, we have the RIGHT to opinions. Sarah Palin is still a woman and she broke barriers, like it or not. Hillary Clinton is no more of a feminist than Condi Rice, or Sarah Palin or anyone else I forgot to mention. 80 some-odd years ago women couldn’t even vote and now we’ve had two women run as vice presidential candidates, a woman run for the presidential nomination and lose to a black man (who made strides in his own right which is admirable). All of these women are feminist heros in their own rights. In my humble opinion at least.

People are too quick to define feminism in black and white as a single issue cause. My problem with this is the”feminism is only reproductive rights” feminists.

I am pro-choice however, my feminism is not defined by my pro-choice opinion. I’m not as far left as groups like NARAL, but rather a bit more moderate. How can you be moderate and pro-choice? I value that it’s a decision we as women have the right to make. However I am not gung-ho pro-abortion as many pro-choice women are perceived to be.

This is why I think reproductive rights do not define feminism. They don’t. Feminism is about more than that. I like Amy Siskind’s idea of a fourth wave of feminism for anyone – man or woman regardless of politics – who is “focused on electing a woman “" any woman “" to public office regardless of her stance on issues.”

Why? Because, women deserve to represented by their peers. Women deserve to have equal representation. How many women are in the House of Representatives or in the US Senate? Certainly not 50% of either house is female – yet 50% or so of our population is comprised of women. Go figure. Women deserve to break that so-called glass ceiling. Shatter the s**t out of it if you will. But while trying to do this we should not oppress men just because they “oppressed” us. We should be equal, doing otherwise would simply make us hypocrites.

Feminism doesn’t need a face. If you say “I’m a feminist” and you know what it means to you, and you want to empower women? Then that’s freakin’ awesome. If you think you’re a feminist only on the basis that you’re pro-choice? Good for you I suppose. If you’re a feminist because you think we deserve to not be oppressed by the man and you want to do everything in your power to stop it then so be it. I don’t care if you’re a PhD, or if you don’t even have a GED. Feminism shouldn’t just be defined whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, man or woman, Republican or Democrat. Feminism is about a cause, it always has been dating back to the Suffragists of the early 1900′s. They took a stand for a cause that they believed in. Same with the equal rights movement in the 1960′s, with Roe v. Wade and Title IX in the 70′s. Our issue now? Representation? Equality? Why shouldn’t they both be causes? And why shouldn’t we include anyone who wants to get women to higher places – be it in politics or business – in feminism?

Why not?

I’m proud to be a feminist. Feminism, despite the preconceived notion, is not a dirty word.

commentary cross posted to BlogHer and Blast Magazine

Talking Points Memo, when I looked at their electoral map earlier, had 278 electoral votes – solidly or leaning Democrat with 132 solidly or leaning Republican and 128 toss ups.

Last night on ABC News, they shared a great cartoon explaining the credit crunch. If you didn’t see it here it is to check out: ABC Video on the Credit Crunch

So for those of you who are invested in the markets, today is not looking good for you. Then again, the past few days have not been so good for many people especially if you do your banking with any of the failing banks that seem to be popping up left and right.

This afternoon, the US House of Representatives failed to pass a $700 Billion bailout plan that was the result of a weekend of compromises with the White House. The measure failed with a vote of 228 to 205. By the closing bell the DOW was down 700 points in what is now being referred to as Black Monday.

Now, I’m no economic major, and I’m still trying to figure out how this affects me, the country as whole, one thing I do know is that this is probably not a good sign.

The House and Senate were scheduled to recess until November 4th to give members time to campaign at home, however, both houses were in session for much of the weekend. The measure, though it had the support of the administration, failed to garnish support from many House Republicans and Democrats alike. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) blamed the failure on Speaker Pelosi’s partisan floor speech minutes before the vote opened. The house is currently in recess until Thursday when they will reconvene in hopes of passing a similar measure.

While party politics are a given in Washington and hard to get past, both parties need to come together to pass a measure that not only helps the financial sector but doesn’t leave the American Public paying for it for years to come. Until Thursday, keep your assets frozen (perhaps literally?) and hope for the best?

As you may or may not know, the two men currently running for President are both sitting US Senators. Therefore, it should not have been a surprise when Senator John McCain (R-AZ) suspended his campaign this afternoon and asked to postpone Friday night’s scheduled Presidential debate taking place at Ole Miss due to the current economic debates going on on Capitol Hill this week.

McCain suspended his campaign this afternoon “calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”

The problem specifically being the $700 billion bail out legislation that Congress has been negotiating with the White House. Senate Majority Leader claimed “It would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. We need leadership, not a campaign photo op.”

Obama commented on the McCain decision by saying “if I can be helpful then I’m prepared to be anywhere, any time … [I] don’t want to infuse Capitol Hill with presidential politics.”

What the Obama campaign fails to realize is that until November 4, his job is not just to be campaigning, he is an elected official which requires making decisions and being a leader. Would it be too much to ask for both of them to be doing their jobs during this time of need for the American People? Both Senators are major players in the US Senate and both could contribute greatly to this debate while showing the American people their leadership skills in action rather than just claiming leadership during a campaign stump speech.

Meanwhile, the University of Mississippi is continuing preparations for Friday night’s debate. The McCain campaigned noted that he would participate in the debates “if an agreement was reached on Friday morning.” While the debate is scheduled to be focusing largely on foreign policy issues, there may be a large portion of economic debate thrown in based on the recent current events.

As a woman, I take offense to the tactics being used by the media to accuse Alaska Governor Sarah Palin of being incapable of balancing motherhood and the vice-presidency should she be elected to the White House alongside Arizona Senator John McCain this November.

While I may disagree with her politics, I have to admit that her nomination to the VP slot is a big deal. Hillary Clinton herself proclaimed during her speech last week at the Democratic National Convention that she and her campaign had made eighteen million cracks in the glass ceiling. This is one more.

Sarah Palin’s capability to fulfill the duties of Vice President shouldn’t be questioned simply because she’s a mother with young children.‚  No one has asked Senator Barack Obama, who has two young children himself, if he will have the time to balance being fatherhood and the presidency.

I commend Sarah Palin for continuing to push up against that glass ceiling, though I may not be a Republican, I admire her for holding strong to her beliefs, supporting her family, and ignoring the naysayers. I’d like to think America has come a long way since the 1964 film “Kisses for my President” which featured a female President who resigned when she become pregnant while in office ‘for the good of the country.’‚  I guess we’ll just have to see.

This afternoon in a showing of unity, Barack Obama was officially nominated as the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States of America in Denver.

During the roll call, where state delegations announce their votes, New Mexico yielded their time to the Illinois delegation. After announcing themselves as the home of the “next President of the United States of America,” Mayor Daley of Chicago, yielded to the state of New York – home of Senator Hillary Clinton. In a showing of unity, Senator Hillary Clinton, after the state announced themselves, motioned to suspend the rules, count all delegate votes, and nominate Senator Barack Obama by acclamation.

With a loud cheer from the floor and no opposition, Barack Obama was nominated the Democratic Candidate for President. The Democrats, despite the bitter ending of their primaries, have a story book ending with a unified nomination on the Convention Floor. The party has been reunited for the common goal of winning the White House in November, despite the battles over the past few months.

Senator Obama will give his acceptance speech tomorrow evening at Invesco Field.

A report from the Las Vegas Review Journal had left rumors swirling that a Bruce Springsteen concert would be following Senator Obama’s acceptance speech on Thursday evening. Leaving Republicans already critical of his ‘celebrity’ eager for the opportunity to accuse Obama of being out of touch with the average American. Unfortunately, for those thousands who will be lining up to make their way to Invesco Field thursday night the Washington Post is now reporting that the Boss won’t be performing.

While Senator Obama had received a number of celebrity endorsements from stars such a Oprah Winfrey early in his campaign, it appears that in Denver he is making an effort to downplay ties to Hollywood.  Perhaps as a response to the series of McCain campaign spots accusing him of being the, “biggest celebrity in the world.”

Michelle Obama has been described by many as a “firecracker.” Now when I hear that, I think of Teresa Heinz Kerry. A strong woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, people act like that’s such a bad thing. To me? It’s inspiring.

She has a strong and respectable background, coming from a family with parents who wanted more for her and her brother, parents who worked hard for what they had and knew that they wanted more than that for their children. Michelle Obama has dedicated herself to her work, her community and her family. She is, what I would call, a very respectable woman.

Her speech was full of heartfelt anecdotes about her older brother and her late father as well as why she believed her husband was the best for the job of President of the United States. A speech that was unexpectedly emotional, moved many of the delegates on the floor of the convention hall to tears.

The most inspiring aspect of Michelle Obama is how well she believes in her husband. From the beginning she hadn’t been a big campaigner, however as the primaries progressed she spoke out in favor of her husband, and in favor of what she believed in – her husband leading America in a better direction and to a better future.

The Kennedys. Oh, bless their hearts.

I’m sorry, I love Caroline Kennedy, but she just…isn’t a great public speaker. Slightly monotone, lacking excitement. Speaking about her uncle, who since a young age was like a father to her, and walked her down the aisle the day she got married, you’d think she’d be a bit more enthusiastic.

While her facial expressions (thank you C-SPAN) show emotion, her voice? Not so much. She lacks the inspiration and conviction that you would expect given her heritage.

With the diagnosis of Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s (D-MA) brain cancer earlier this spring, the Democratic National Convention wouldn’t have been the same without him making an appearance. When it was finally publicized that his doctors had given him the okay to make the trip, it was as if he had come back from the dead. An impression emphasized by the quasi-memorial tribute video screened at the convention.

I am by far the biggest fan of Teddy. I interned for him in his Boston office my senior year of college, and ask any of my pals, I can spew out Kennedy trivia on command. But really? This memorial/tribute? Senator Kennedy is not dead yet, thank goodness, and I hate that the evening’s programing makes it feel like he is. I know people are worried that he won’t make it to the next convention but really now? This is…moving, and depressing. I can’t imagine a Democratic Party without Senator Kennedy, let’s not bring that to reality any sooner than necessary.

The man finally took the stage, with stoic laughter, and a modest thank you or two or four, with the wounds from his brain surgery obvious, and his face thinner because of chemotherapy. For someone who has been through so much in the past six months, his energy seemingly never faltered.

His energy, courage, and dedication are incredibly moving and motivating. “New hope,” he speaks of, not only does it resonate as the theme for for Senator Obama’s campaign, but also as the political legacy of the Kennedy family. As “Still the One” plays, you see emotion throughout the crowd – through Senator Joseph Biden’s (D-DE) glassy eyes, and through awe-struck Democrats who happen to be lucky enough to witness what could possibly be Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s last convention speech.