Guys, we need to grow some ovaries. - MUST READ

[WestHoustonDem]

This is an amazing LTE submitted by my friend Jim Rine to the Houston Chronicle. I really hope they print it.

Guys, we need to grow some ovaries.

This last weekend in Crawford, I finally realized that estrogen has replaced testosterone has the “power hormone.” This fact struck me during an ecumenical service last Sunday (6 August 2006) at Camp Casey III in Crawford. As one speaker admonished us “To leave the confines of our peace groups and go into our neighbor’s congregations and speak out Jesus’s message “Blessed are the peacemakers. We Christians need to grow… you know….” And Cindy Sheehan spoke up and said, “Some ovaries!,” to a loud applause.

Where’s the proof to my premise? Well for one, George Bush, the commander-in-chief of the most powerful nation in the world, acknowledged that Crawford, Texas was not big enough for the both of them, by announcing an early departure upon the arrival in town of his new neighbor, Cindy Sheehan. The Dixie Chicks have replaced the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young as the speak-up-to-power rockers. And who has taken the place of Martin Luther King, Tom Hayden, and the Black Panthers? Cindy Sheehan, Susan Sarandon, and CodePink. CodePink?

In Crawford last Sunday, I spoke to a remarkable CodePink member, Martha from Portland, OR, just before we marched to the gate of George Bush’s ranch. This retired teacher who, although needing a cane to walk the miles in the hot afternoon sun, had already been arrested outside of the White House in D.C. In our conversation, we spoke about her time with the co-founder of CodePink, that “unreasonable” Texas woman Diane Wilson, with whom Martha had spent many hours in Lafayette Park across from the White House. Diane, who has been on a health-threatening water-only fast since July 4th, was arrested with Martha when they blocked an entrance to the White House during the visit by Tony Blair. Also arrested then was Ret. U.S. Army Colonel Ann Wright, who “had the ovaries” to resign from the State Department in protest of the then impending Iraq War while her boss, Colin Powell, was knowingly lying to the UN and the American people. Remember the “lady in pink” arrested during the recent speech to congress by the Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. Yep, another CodePinker.

I rest my case.

Jim Rine
Secretary
Veterans for Peace, Chapter 12

Cross posted at http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/2006/08/guys_we_need_to.html

[pooja]

1. Maybe its that mama bear instinct coming out

You raise babies and spend time, affection, money, patience, and love. Your children become a reflection of your ideals and their own. Why preen over them for so long only to lose them when life has just begun. A mother doesn't have to be noble about the immense pain. Grief and horror is not something women have ever had to hide its something they endure. So, now the new movement... women are saying enough... Stop killing my sons and daughters and all the sons and daughters. Why because I know the pain of my loss and I don't wish it on another's.

[Tyler Durden]

7. When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride,

He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside.
But the Hymalayan she-bear rends the peasant tooth and nail,
For the FEMALE of the species is more deadly than the MALE.

My Bestest Bud Vicki used to say, "FUCK having balls. It takes TITS."

[Cerridwen]

2. Maybe Colbert could even get a pair to go with his, ya know

...

[Greyhound]

8. LOL!

:rofl:

[Nikki Stone 1]

3. Actually, it may be more of a sign that younger guys have bought in

to the skewed and limited idea of masculinity as destructive and warlike, an idea that has been sold to them since after Vietnam. Women see through it because we are not being marketed to in the same way.

[myrna minx]

4. Excellent letter. n/t

[Ilsa]

5. Women have given up trying to look and act like men in order

to be effective. (If they want to look/act like men, I think it is a personal perference.) I think we have finally come into our own, a real feminism. I love the "pink" and the "ovaries"!

Great letter! And thanks for posting it!

[sonias]

6. Power to the ovaries!!

I love the phrase "had the ovaries to resign".

I think I love Jim Rine!

Sonia

[femrap]

9. Jim Rine has EVOLED!

Thank you....and pass it on.

[Lisa0825]

10. I love it!!!

Balls are SOOOOOO last season. Ovaries are the new balls! :rofl:

[Carla in Ca]

11. A great letter!

I appreciate the members of Code Pink and the actions they take. I am also proud and honored to be a member of the OC chapter. I have stood with the most remarkable people for almost a year and a half.

Read my sig line. If you live or work near the Traffic Circle in Orange, please come and join us. :hi:

[LiberalEsto]

12. Don't forget Granny D, the Raging Grannies

and so many others.....