Friday, September 12, 2008

Happy Blogiversary to Me!

It's my 1-year blogiversary! How do I celebrate?

I was going to write a sappy post about how much I love you guys, which you know I do right, but instead this little factoid has been brought to my attention, and I must write a rant instead.

So I don't know how many of you have heard the story about Wasilla's rape victims having to pay for their own rape kits under Palin's watch, but it gets worse. Apparently, this didn't just happen in Wasilla (although that was the only city in Alaska where it was happening).

I am so appalled by this. Would homeowners ever be charged for the police to come and investigate a burglary? Would murder victims' families ever have to pay for an investigation? Of course, it's a crime against mainly women where the victim has to pay a price. Let alone, the other problems she may have - disease, pregnancy - not to mention, the emotional trauma. Really? We're going to foot her with a bill that can cost up to $1200, too? Why are we adding yet another deterrent to keep women from reporting the crime in the first place?

I'm trying to understand why it took this long for someone to do anything about it. (That someone, btw? Joe Biden. He made it a condition of states' ability to get federal funding for the Violence Against Women Act that they do not charge rape victims for the kits.) Besides the gender imbalance, why did it take a federal law to change some states' (and Wasilla's) behavior.

The only other thing I can think of is that involves the third parties of hospitals and the labs. Even with that, why did no one think to have it covered under Medicare?

This whole thing makes me almost (but not quite) speechless.

I know, it takes me out of my Palin-free zone to talk about it, but I couldn't not talk about this at least a little bit. It's why I blog.

And now we get to the sappy part.

The difference that blogging has made in my life has been immeasurable. I have a community now. I have people I can turn to for almost anything. I learn from reading your posts and comments to mine. I feel the virtual hugs you send my way. I have a voice.

Thank you for being there for me for this past year. Thank you for allowing me into your lives. I hope that this year, I get to meet some of you in person. I hope none of you quit blogging yourselves. I hope you know, you have someone here for you. (Um, I mean me, of course!)

Kori gave me this award a while back.



Thank you, Kori.

I give this to all of you because all of you are a perfect blend of friendship. I'm not sure how many of you noticed my new tag line: "We knew we were natural resources long before anyone decided to tap us." It's written about uncommon women, but it's true of all of my bloggy friends - gender aside.

I hope this blogiversary is the first of many to come.

17 comments:

MarĂ­a said...

Woooooooooooo 1 year!
Boooooooooooo Palin!
Wooooooooooooo Kori!

Karen MEG said...

And I hope this is but the first of many, many years of blogging for you April.

Whoot!

Great post, BTW. The mind absolutely boggles.

Congrats on the award, that's a really cute one!

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy Anniversary!!!!

Have adored getting to you know, sharing in the search for balance and being able to include you in the sphere of single mom bloggers I adore!!

(Palin is horrible. Don't even get me started...I'll never shut up.)

Florinda said...

We won't let any Palin talk spoil this happy occasion. Congratulations on your first Blogiversary - hopefully one of many! Thanks for everything you bring to this online world of ours.

Shiona said...

Oh gosh, my head is beginning to explode again! Geez just amazing. I wonder what Mrs. Hockey Mom would have done had it been her daughter but of course that would never happen.

Happy Blogiversary and cheers for many more!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary!

I am really cautious with Palin, there are a lot of untruths about her out there and it's hard to discern fact from fiction when trying to make an argument about her, but I believe that your example is true. I do not like this woman one bit. What really pisses me off is that they made a big deal of Obama's lipstick comment when she OPENED HERSELF UP FOR THAT! I honestly don't believe he meant it that way (it is a figure of speech), but dang, don't say it if you don't want it to bite you (note to Palin).

Three beers has made me loopy, I hope my point comes through in my loopy words.

Loth said...

Congratulations on the blogiversary. And the rape kit thing? One of the times I am grateful for living in the UK where all such stuff is free. Charging victims simply would not be tolerated. Full stop.

Kori said...

Happy Blogiversary! I am not getting started on the political stuff today, I really am not; I am NOT. I am not going to comment on the fact that were Joe Braden not ancient, I would beg gim to father my next child-because he is a man who cares more about women that some idiotic...well. I am not going there. I love you, you know that, hope you are having a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! It has been grand to get to know you, and I, too, look forward to visiting with you for years to come.

Regarding charging women for the rape kit: where do these people come from who came up with this ideas and how could people ascribe to them? I thought (okay, hoped) that there were some universal basics of decency, but I guess I was wrong. By the way, apparently the then governor of Alaska passed a law that this could be done. Luckily she was only mayor then, and not governor.

Jen said...

I love the new tag line!

I love the blog!

Happy Blogiversary!!!

My life is much richer because you're in it. Truly.

FreedomFirst said...

Thanks for posting those links. I love how the spokesperson tries to explain it away by saying, "Well, we treat gunshot and stabbing victims and abused children, where do we draw the line?" Give me a break! A rape kit is collecting evidence of a crime. Anything that can be considered evidence and not treatment should unquestionably be the responsibility of the government.

I hate Sarah Palin. I truly do. I think she is total cop-out.

Tara R. said...

Happy Anniversary Baby, and congrats on the bling from Kori... all fabulous and all well deserved.

I didn't know that about Alaska... looks like my decision is getting easier all the time.

Anonymous said...

Happy 1st year!!! I'll be sticking around to read whatever you write. :-)

nutmeg said...

And now I love you too!

Mama Smurf said...

Congratulations on your award!

Blogging is such a fantastic way to meet many fascinating people and make extraordinary friends.

Happy anniversary!

Me. Here. Right now. said...

April - Happy blogiversary. A milestone not too many people reach.

And, I fear for any chance at Palin succeeding on this ticket for the mere fact that if she should ever become president, her supreme court choices could well spell doom for many of the rights we share now as women.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your year of blogging! You offer so much wisdom I almost feel guilty for siphering it out of your writing for my own benefit.

So glad I found your blog!