- Despite rapid growth, India lets its girls die: “Discrimination happens through abortions of female fetuses and sheer neglect of young girls, despite years of campaigns to address the issue.” (From scribe999.)
- Acupuncture needle found in ex-South Korea president’s lung. Jim contributes: “Doing it wrong, Acupuncture edition.”
- Bin Laden’s death proves creationism. Um, okay. (From Mike.)
- The 12 worst (and most powerful) Christian Right groups.
I will never understand the girl=bad culture in parts of India. I don’t understand why they don’t do away with the dowry entirely. I also don’t see why they won’t make gender sonograms legal, an aborted foetus is preferable to a starved five year old any day.
In a purely pragmatic sense it seems that once the gender ratio gets far enough out of kilter, the parents of daughters will be able to start demanding a dowry from the men instead of the other way around.
“although evidence suggests the ban is widely circumvented” — I don’t think having it one way or the other is fixing things.
I completely agree that sex-selective abortion should be legal. Misogyny is bad, but forcing parents to have a child that they hate, resent, and neglect won’t make them less misogynist. It will probably make them more misogynist, while a little kid ends up suffering too. Treating a symptom won’t change the cause. I also don’t like the idea that women can have abortions only if others approve of their reasons for doing so. It should be her choice, and she shouldn’t have to justify it for anyone.
@ catgirl: I agree that the abortions are simply a symptom of the problem. One of my big concerns (and I wonder if it is a reason they do not allow for abortions after finding out the sex of the baby) is that these would be late term abortions. They would pose much more risk to the mother’s health.
South Korea…ah, the home of my ancestors. Not only do we have accupuncture needles magically appearing in the lung of a former head of state, but then there’s this guy:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42892948/ns/world_news-asiapacific
S. Korean man found crucified, wearing crown of thorns
Police are investigating whether it was murder or suicide
Um… if that “12 Worst…” story is to be believed, Virginia must be the worst state in the Union and Virginia Beach the most horrible town in the world. A sort of black hole for reason and church/state seperation.
Wow, that was the most depressing bunch of stories I’ve read in quite a while.
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Excuse me while I spill some junk DNA on my shoes.
They weren’t totally depressing. The OBL/junk DNA story implies that at least some cdesign proponentists think it is dependent on the non-existence of junk DNA. Since junk DNA clearly exists, they should gracefully admit they are wrong and cease their lying ways. For some reason, I’m not really expecting this to happen.
The acupuncture story is a good counter anecdote for the people who ask “what’s the harm?”
The other stories, not so much.
Another thought. My previous comment is awaiting approval ?!! WTF?
That top 12 is not even the half of it; missing are pseudo-religions (Scientology), well established religions (The Mormons, The Catholic Church), left-wing organizations (AIPAC), and hidden organizations (The Family).
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Just because something is accepted, or hidden, or threatening, or we agree with it doesn’t mean it is not a problem.
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And this sample is off the top of my head.
Well, to be fair, Scientology isn’t Christian.
As for AIPAC, it does say Christian ‘Right’ in the headline (which doesn’t always necessarily include the Catholic Church either)
Oops, I appearantly have the reading comprehension of a squirrel.
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The Family is missing but, aaw forget it, I’m an idiot. :P
You gonna eat those nuts?
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CAR!!?
Tribalism and stone age religion, never good for da girlz. :-(
In honor of Star Wars Day, I think I can comment on most of the asshatery above with:
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side.”
In my case, I wish for pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, but that’s because I mix metaphors.
Yesterday afternoon a coworker and I noticed on his wall calendar that today is Star Wars Day. Neither of us had ever heard of it before, and we were speculating it was the anniversary of the original release of the 1st movie. A few minutes later, he walked into my office and said “May the 4th be with you.” Nuff said.
WRT the 12 worst Christian Right Groups – David Barton of Wallbuilders was on John Stewart’s show Wednesday night. You should catch it. He’s pretty slick. He seems to believe he can divorce his personal leanings when dealing with Texas BOE and state legislature. Hang on after the last commercial break and listen to Stewart’s post-interview reaction.