<^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> ........Catt's Claws # 150 ... March 25, 1997......... ........ A Feminist Newsletter by Irene Stuber......... istuber@direclynx.net is solely responsible for its content Archives are found at http://www.imageworld.com/istuber.html <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> <^> Claws has written a bit [;-)] about how women are being neglected or even abused in the war against MEN's HIV/AIDS - I say MEN's HIV/AIDS advisedly because almost all the drug research, education, etc., is being done for the benefit of men. Very little is being done to relieve the pain of women's infection - infection usually brought about by the betrayal of them by the men they loved and trusted the most: their husbands. The AIDS groups which are bleeding millions of dollars a year from American women are so ignoring women that they wont even spend significant money on education directed at women protecting themselves - or even realzing the danger. It is lovers, not rapists women must be afraid of. Come on, Liz, you of the violet eyes who makes so much money off your perfumes for women ... spend some of it to protect women's lives. The so-called AIDS cocktails are NOT effective for women ... The light at the end of the tunnel that gay men speak about with such hope has not been lit for the women infected with HIV/AIDS. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . One of the growing tragedies of the lack of AIDS research on women (including our own government's CDC) is what will happen to the babies born of women infected with HIV/AIDS. Because of some simplistic studies, AIDS people are trying to get ENFORCED use of AZT for pregnant women who are HIV positive. Those simplistic studies said that "most" women on AZT won't pass the disease on to their children. The FACT is that most babies born of HIV infected women - some 75% are NOT born with the disease. What is ignored is that AZT is a CARCINOGEN that may cause liver, skin and vaginal cancers in babies of mother's who take the drug. So what? Many state health departments are requiring women to take the drug so they can shout out: "Hey, look at us! We're doing something in the war on AIDS." Yeah, they are by not passing out condoms, but giving babies cancer ... Some areas are also beginning to set up FORCED testing of pregnant women with FORCED AZT treatment for positive HIV results, etc. Sweet Jessica! When did Hitler win the war? AZT use by pregnant women appears to have the same cancer dangers for daughters as DES does ... and perhaps that's why there's not a lot of concern ... the greatest danger is to FEMALE babies. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . By the way, the Glaxo Wellcome drug company's revenues from AZT in 1996 are estimated at $390 million - and that's sure enough money for a lot of PR bribes flowing into the low paying public health care establishment so that they keep those golden pills flowing. Several responsible studies show the AZT treatment is not only dangerous to the infants but also doesn't do very much IF anything for HIV/AIDS infected women ... yeah, it's a MAN's drug as are most of the treatments for HIV/AIDS. $390 MILLION being profited from something that doesn't do women any good - what does that break down in sales??? Sales that are MOSTLY paid by tax dollars since so many of the AIDS men no longer have health insurance. A coalition of more than 50 women's health and advocacy organizations have banded together to oppose the indescriminate use of AZT on pregnant women, calling for informed CHOICE to determine if they 1) want to be tested, and 2) if they want to take AZT after being informed of all the risks. CHOICE - a word that the men want removed from women's lexicons even in the transmission and treatment of HIV/AIDS. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . Captain Barbara Wilson, USAF, (Ret) MA,MBA, who puts together the very effective Women in the Military web site(s) writes "Although this only applies to a limited number of women would appreciate your help in spreading the word. It is a chance for former military women to be heard via CNN. I have the producer's assurance that it will not be exploitive or sensationalized and that identities will be protected." > Message: I'm a producer at CNN, working on a special report > about lesbian-baiting in the military. > I'd be interested in hearing from women veterans who have > experienced, or can put me in touch with others who have > experienced, the following: > (1) Accusations of lesbianism as a result of complaining about > sexual harassment > (2) Pressure to have sex with men to "prove" one is not a lesbian > (3) "Witch hunts" for lesbians despite the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" > policy > (4) Any other experiences we should be aware of for our report > All responses will be held in strict confidence. Please contact Rick > Perera, e-mail rick.perera@turner.com It's time women fought back - Tell your stories, please. Has there ever been a woman who has refused the sexual advances of a man - even in junior high school - who hasn't been yelled at "You're a lesbian, you gotta be a lesbian (for turning ME down)." It's time these losers who make such accusations to cover their zit-filled personalities are exposed ... Clearasil your past ... pop these guyz. Captbarb's page with all sorts of military women stuff - GOOD stuff - is at http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/ . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . The people who read Catt's Claws are tough so I'll give you - undistilled - what the Religious Right and its lackeys are publicizing all over the place. The following is the RR and Christian Coalition and Republican party line on a TV show. YEs, we're talking about a television show, kids. We're not talking about great and serious things. It's entertainment - something to do while eating popcorn and an excuse to sit on the couch with your feet up. Remember when the RR vice-president of the United States had an argument with Murphy Brown? Or when the RR president of the United States "remembered" how he fought a battle when the "fighting" he remembered AND described as his own personal experience was actually part of a MOVIE he was in? OK - so here's what the religious right is up to now: THIS IS AN EXACT QUOTE - do what you have to do. Me, I'm HAND writing the companies to compliment them. EMAIL is NOT Effective in such things since the RR has a number of firms who FAKE email blitzes. > LEADING `ELLEN' ADVERTISERS > It is no secret that ABC/Disney continues to push homosexuality >full-throttle. American Family Association has already announced its >objection to ABC/Disney television's decision to finally make Ellen >DeGeneres' character on her popular prime-time sitcom announce her >lesbianism. ELLEN will become the first in network history to have a >homosexual lead character. > AFA (Claws: AFA is a vicious RR group whose family values consist of an >abusive white husband with submissive wife and brow-beaten children) vice >president Tim Wildmon said, "After hyping the media since last >September, Disney and ABC have finally decided to scorn the moral >sensibilities of millions of Americans. We will be publicizing the >advertisers who are willing to push the homosexual agenda." > The April 30 episode will show the main character, Ellen Morgan, >coming to grips with her sexual orientation, according to USA TODAY. She >discovers that she is attracted to a woman, played by Laura Dern >(Jurassic Park), and goes to see a therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey. > It was announced today that Diane Sawyer will interview Ellen >DeGeneres on ABC/Disney New's PrimeTime Live April 23, a week before >the actress's sitcom character on ELLEN comes out of the closet. "There >are not restrictions on the subject matter," a Disney/ABC News >spokesperson said, indicating that the actress will freely discuss her >sexuality. (Claws: Why shouldn't DeGeneres discuss her sexuality - these right wing men certainly are.) > American Family Association has compiled a list of the three leading >ELLEN advertisers from January 1 through March 22, 1997. We urge you to >contact these advertisers and politely ask them not to promote >homosexuality by advertising on ELLEN. We also encourage you to contact >Disney/ABC and ask them to stop pushing the homosexual agenda. Please >ask your friends and family members to pray about this serious issue. (Claws: pray about a TV show but don't pray about the millions of abused children in this country, don't pray about the hunger world-wide... nah, pray about a TV show. This is reality???) >Share this AFA ACTION ALERT with at least ten people TODAY and urge >them to take action. (by writing and approving of Ellen's right to be her own person.) > * Chrysler Corporation, Chrm. Robert J. Eaton, 1000 Chrysler Dr., Auburn Hills, MI 48326, Phone 810-576-5741, Toll Free 1-800-992-1997. PRODUCTS: Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep, and Plymouth automobiles and Dodge trucks, Dollar Rent-A-Car, General Rent-A-Car, Thrifty-Rent-A-Car. >` * General Motors Coporation, Chrm. John F. Smith, 3044 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202, Phone 313-556-5000, FAX 313-556-1988. PRODUCTS: AC-Delco auto parts, Buick automobiles, Cadillac automobiles, Chevrolet automobiles, DirecTV direct satellite broadcasting, General Motors parts, Geo atuomobiles, Mr. Goodwrench service, Oldsmobile automobiles, Pontiac automobiles, Saturn automobiles. > * Johnson & Johnson, Chrm. Ralph S. Larsen, One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 09833, Phone 908-524-0400, FAX 908-214-0332, Toll Free 1-800-635-6789. PRODUCTS: Carefree panty shields, Imodium AD, Johnson's baby products, Monistat 7 feminine products, Mylanta II, Neutrogena skin and hair care products, Pepcid acid controller, Reach toothbrush, Shower to Shower body powder, Stayfree pads, Tylenol pain medicine. Or, point your browser to: http://www.jnj.com/feedback.htm > * Walt Disney Company/ABC, Chrm. Michael Eisner, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521, Phone 818/560-1000, FAX 818/560-1930. Or, point your browser to: http://www.disney.com/Mail. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . You know, of course, that some years back a popular sitcom named _Maude_ in which the main character got an abortion. It was the highest rated show episodes in the history of TV up to that time - and didn't have a single corporate sponsor - the men all pulled out. As Faludi wrote in _Backlash_, American corporations WILL sacrifice profits to keep women in line. As we did at the election polls last November, let's show the boyz our muscles and back a TV show that allows a woman's individuality to shine. There comes a time when we have to stand up and be counted. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s . . . . . . . The men of the religious right hold the same opinions, wear the same stripes, and carry the same hatreds as did the Nazis. Like the Nazis, they oppose women's rights, oppose birth control, oppose abortion, oppose equal pay, oppose women voting, etc., their motto towards women wanted them pregnant in the kitchen - and if you let them abuse the lesbians, the blacks, the jews, the "others," they will be back for you - and there will be no one left to defend *you*. Just as that Lutheran minister wrote so many years ago when they *did* come for him. His poignant letter has been reprinted many times to great acclaim, but to me I have nothing but contempt for him. Because he wanted absolution for not having defended the others - he cared ONLY after they came for HIM Let you not be the author of such a letter in 20 years if the Religious Right's Republican lackeys get into power. ................................................. Well, Clawers *are* tough, but be WARNED about the next article. PLEASE - this one is BAD! We QUOTE from the San Jose Mercury: "Four go-go dancers in Thailand's popular tourist resort of Pattaya were fined a total of 2,000 baht ($80) for performing a "hatching" sex show with ducklings, police said Wednesday. Police raided two bars Monday night and rescued several ducklings used to perform the shows. The ducklings were put inside plastic eggs and inserted inside the dancers' bodies (vaginas). They released the eggs from their bodies at the end of a song. The eggs had small holes for the ducklings to breathe, but when the dancers "hatched" the eggs, the ducklings rushed out gasping for air. For the full text story, see http://www.merc.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2004184-71a" The concern of the government, of course, was for the ducklings, not the women who are forced to do such things ... or the monsters in the audience who pay for such views. Attempts to boycott everything Thai is meeting with stiff resistance within some parts of the feminist community. National NOW used to (do they still?) do a lot of their entertaining at a Thai restaurant - and Patricia Ireland has vacationed in Thailand at least twice in the last couple of years ... No. NO AGAIN. Absolutely NOT. We do not think or wish to imply that National NOW supports the child prostitution, the forced female prostitution, and the blatant sex exploitation that destroys - by some estimates, up to 90% - of the young women of Thailand (and surrounding areas). Claws believes that spending tourist dollars in supporting the Thai economy as well as supporting Thai businesses that DO NOT oppose the Thai government only shows a continuation of questionable judgment by those who claim to be the anointed - and above criticism - leaders of women. They and they alone KNOW what (all) women want. . . . . . . . ^c^l^a^w^s^ . . . . . . . -->> A Claw's special monthly reminder of advances in women's health that we must let be forgotten: The correct FDA approved dosage for the morning after abortifacient is: 2 Wyeth's Ovral or 4 tablets of Wyeth's Nordette, Lo/Ovral or Triphasil or Berlex Laboratories Levlen or Tri-Levlen and then take the same, second dosage exactly 12 hours later. Nausea occurs in some cases. Vomiting, which is RARE, will prevent it from working so take an antiemetic (antinausea) medication such as Dramamine with the pills. This method must be used within 24-72 hours of the intercourse. Later than that a more complex method is necessary. The Emergency Contraception (EC or Morning After Pill). Their number is 1-800-584-9911. They are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and will refer you to the nearest place to get EC. EC has a website (http://opr.princeton.edu/ec/ec.html. EC hotline has information about emergency contraception and have a directory of more that 1800 clinicians willing to prescribe emergency contraceptives. . . . . . . . ^c^c^ . . . . . . . Women's rights are young and tender and we must protect them from the plagues of holy hypocrisy and newts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >>> Send your ideas, comments, and news to istuber@direclynx.net for inclusion in the Catt's Claws feminist newsletter which will be emailed up to three times a week. This is NOT an interactive discussion net but an exchange of information. Catt's Claws is NOT sponsored by any organization. We are accepting *limited* donations (only what can be spared) to help offset the online costs of posting Catt's Claws and archiving them. Copyright 1997, Irene Stuber. PO Box 6185, Hot Springs, AR 71902, email istuber@direclynx.net<<<< To receive Catt's Claws by email, write and in the body of the note We thank Jennifer Gagliardi for handling the madding subscription list through her listserv. And a BIG thanks to Sam McMillan for doing our Web site which contains the CC archives: http://www.imageworld.com/istuber.html