Witchy Woman

SPIEGEL published two pieces this morning about the NSA’s Tailored Access Operations (TAO) division, aka premier hacking ninja squad. According to Snowden documents, TAO has a catalog of all the commercial equipment that carries NSA backdoors. And it’s a who’s who of a list. Storage products from Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor and Samsung have backdoors in their firmware, firewalls from Juniper Networks have been compromised, plus networking equipment from Cisco and Huawei, and even unspecified products from Dell. TAO actually intercepts online orders of these and other electronics to bug them.

True, however, women’s value is often reduced to her attractiveness, whereas men’s value is tied with what he does. For example, Barbie is a fashion doll. He-Man is a protagonist with tons of adventures, and even the dolls are considered “action figures” because they DO something. One is passive, one is dynamic. Also, one’s strength is their value to others. The other’s strength is actual strength.  Both are designed for the male gaze.

"The lady looked at me,” said Vindiola. “I thought she was going to put money in the kettle. She came up to me and said, 'Do you believe in God?' And she says, ‘You're supposed to say Merry Christmas,' and that's when she hit me."

Totally Christian, yo.  Also followed up by a completely journalistic approach of polling random people over "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays."

Really Craigslist?

BP fired a top executive after warning her that braiding her hair and wearing dashikis made her colleagues "uncomfortable," and that she should do so only "during 'culture day' [or] black history month," the former West Coast CFO claims in court.

This can only be appropriate if it was otherwise unprofessional (for example, unkempt dreads).  And even that is a slippery slope because what is considered professional for women is typically designed to keep them in a strictly defined gender box.

Robot Hugs

"Oklahoma will stop processing all military spouse benefit applications at state-owned National Guard facilities rather than begin accepting the applications from same-sex spouses, Gov. Mary Fallin said Wednesday."

I NEED THIS SHIRT!
TopatoCo: Fake Geek Girl Shirt

"The disturbance was at a residence on Topfield Court in unincorporated Apopka, although authorities haven't said what exactly happened."

"If a young woman in middle school or high school hangs up a poster of Barack Obama in her room, this is seen as acceptable. It's fine for women to admire men and want to be like them.

If a young man (the same age) hangs up a poster of Hillary Clinton in his room, this is seen as odd (maybe even troubling, is he gay? Oh no!).

Society tells us young men can't think of women as role models, unless they're a family member, whereas young women can admire and seek to emulate anyone, regardless of gender.

If you're a young man, and if you have a poster on your wall with a woman, she had better be half-naked in a bikini, even if the Ronald Reagan or Gen. Patton poster next to it obviously features the man fully-clothed."

Charles Clymer

Because the partner's mother doesn't approve of their relationship.  >.<

And he won't do any jail time.

“He took off with my truck. I call the police, and they kill him,” Mr. Comstock told the newspaper on Tuesday. “It was over a damn pack of cigarettes. I wouldn’t buy him none. And I lose my son for that.”

Ames Police Officer Adam McPherson “pursued [Tyler] Comstock into the heart of ISU's campus. During the chase, Comstock rammed McPherson’s car. The truck eventually stopped, but Comstock revved the engine and refused orders to turn it off,” the Register reported.

Mr. McPherson fired off six rounds into the truck, striking the teen twice, according to the Iowa state medical examiner’s office.

Washington Times

"…No Hunger Games will be donating all proceeds of the admission and the silent auction to!   It is…..drum roll please….

www.ourplacesociety.com/"

"Well that tears a hole in the fabric of the Material plane so... I'm just going to go ahead and roll a random encounter for the Astral plane!"

Holds up a bomb.  "Does a 21 hit your AC?  Yes?  Bombs away!"  Retrieves the unexploded bomb.  "Next time, this will be lit."  After another player hit on Sheila Heidmarch rather crudely

"No, just because you’re on a ship does not mean your fighter can eat a can of spinach and sing the Popeye song.  Why not?  A) Canned food doesn’t exist in Golarion B) Popeye doesn’t exist in Golarion and C) You’re in combat."  ~Me when my friend was GM’ing for the first time and could only facepalm in response

"No, you can’t have white phosphorous."

Stupid fucking flesh on minis. >.< *Sets her minis and paint supplies on fire.* /ragequit

I will be celebrating by LARP'ing all day

"On Friday afternoon, the Texas Senate will vote on a package of abortion restrictions that Republican lawmakers have been attempting to push through a special session."

Not the Onion.

– Hugo Schwyzer

Am I nuts enough to attempt to design and create a cosplay for my PFS character at PaizoCon in less than a week?  Yes, I am.

"A health care activist in Pennsylvania was arrested Wednesday night for writing a message in sidewalk chalk protesting the governor’s decision to block health care for 700,000 residents in the state. Like many Republican governors around the country, Gov. Tom Corbett (R-PA) has opposed expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania..."

There is no such thing as free speech anymore.

"Federal investigators are asking the public to help solve middle-of-the-night crimes that left ruined fields of genetically engineered sugar beets in rural Jackson County.

The crop destruction took place over the course of two separate nights in early June, when an unknown individual or group destroyed about 6,500 sugar beet plants genetically engineered to stand up to the herbicide Roundup on a pair of privately-owned plots of land leased and managed by Syngenta."

Since I moved to Canada, I have to come to realize more than ever before that the US treats human life as an expendable commodity.

Including beastiality, polygyny, and the Christian apocalypse.

"Monday was a great day for sexual harassers and for bosses who retaliate against workers claiming discrimination. The rest of us did not fare so well in the Supreme Court."

While summer may have already hit some parts of the continent, the northern Pacific coast is still taking it's sweet time, as usual.  Here are some ideas on how to get you prepared.
1.  Water
     When in doubt, drink more water.  My gnome wizard carries a leather water bottle on her belt, and I cannot tell you how much I love that thing.  My healer has a knitted cozy for hers.  I also make all my potions out of mini water bottles to make sure that people get water and because some people in my group can't have energy drinks, are diabetic, etc.
2.  Sunscreen
     There's no reason not to us it.  Use a stronger SPF than you think you need as it might get sweated/washed off or you might not have a chance to reapply.  I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch because I hate greasy lotions and makeup/prosthetics can be applied over it.
3.  Bugspray
     Mosquitoes were so bad this last weekend, that I killed at least 20 of them that were trying to eat one of my friends through his t-shirt.  I use all-natural, citronella based bugspray, and got away with only two bites where I forgot to apply it.  Being the only one who thought to use it, I'm tempted to start selling it on-site by the spray or by the bottle.

If you're in town, answering nature's call isn't that big of a deal.  But say you're in the back end of 40 acres and have to hold your position and bladder, what do you do?  A couple of people (of both genders) I know hold it all day long, which is unhealthy and not an option for some.  Luckily for you, I spent a couple years on trail crew and experienced in no-trace camping where the closest flush-toilet was eight hours away.  (We would even swap stories around the campfire of what was the best natural alternative to toilet paper, and the most comfortable positions to assume).  With a couple supplies, and some knowledge, you can mark your territory with ease.
1.  Hand sanitizer
     While on-site, I carry this on me at all times.  The 2 oz. bottle is discreet, and can be easily palmed in order to prevent breaking character.  (Bonus: I get the larger sizes because they're cheaper, and refill my little bottle).
2.  Tissues
    Even if you don't plan on needing to find a bush, sometimes the latrines are out of toilet paper or someone is simply having an allergy attack.  Keep a handful in a pouch or a closeable pocket to prevent wetting or soiling before you intend to wet or soil them.
Once you have an attempt at the trappings of civilization, familiarize yourself with poison oak/ivy/sumac (depending on your region) and stinging nettle.  Even if you do not react to urushiol, you and your gear can spread the oil to others, which can be dangerous.  For example, every time that I'm exposed to it, I end up on steroids because my eyes and airways swell shut.  So be careful.
Now to pick a tree or bush free of poison ivy/oak/sumac, stinging nettle, and brambles that is a sensible distance away from bodies of water and the trail.  (Nobody wants to step in your mess, nor have the swimming hole contaminated).  With a sturdy stick, dig a "cathole" deep enough to suit your needs.  If it's #1, only a few inches is necessary.  For #2, six inches is ideal.  Set your stick aside as you will use it to push the soil back over your nightsoil.
Before you can assume the position, ensure that all your pouches, weapons, clothing, and other dangly bits are tucked away out of the line of fire.  Since both of my characters wear skirts/robes, I pull the bottommost hem (usually my chemise) up around my waist and draw the excess to the front.  In this process my overskirt, pouches, and weapons are safely enveloped in my skirts.  When it comes to pants you might be better off just removing your belt.
Get comfortable.  I typically just squat in a wide stance, ensuring that the topography won't funnel anything back onto my shoes.  The bulk of my skirts are sandwiched between my torso and my thighs.  If it's a big job, then you may wish to grab the backs of your ankles or, if the land slopes steeply enough, you can put your hands uphill behind you to support yourself.
When your deposit's been made, use as little tissue possible.  (Animals can dig it up and eat it, making them sick).  If you're feeling particularly adventurous and recognize poison ivy/oak/sumac, experiment with plants.  My days on trail crew gave me an appreciation for young sage leaves, soft and sweet-smelling.  A second close is pine needles, taking care to use them with the grain, not against.  If you're careful, rounded river rocks work well for #2.  Just do not use sandstone, as one of my old crewmates learned the hard way.
Sort out your clothing and squirt some hand sanitizer.  Take the stick you set aside before and use it to scrape the displaced earth back into the hole.  If you were unable to dig very deep, place a big rock over it.
This sounds like a lot of work, but it's mostly thinking about what you're doing when it comes to both yourself and your surroundings.  But if you happen to use a she-wee, let me know what you think.

A private school outside Atlanta recently informed 12-year-old Madison Baxter that she would not be welcome at tryouts for the 7th-grade football team, even though she started on the sixth-grade team and has been playing football since second grade. The reason she won’t be allowed on the field? Because her male teammates are beginning to have "impure thoughts" about her.

In some people’s eyes, I break #7 by knitting.  Not intricate lace or anything, basically TV knitting.  But it helps me deal with anxiety, and I have no problem telling people to kindly fuck off.

Today, I was compared to a roll-your-own cigarette: filter-less.

Anti-Abortion Group In Ohio Is Fundraising By Selling Assault Rifles

Maine Governor Blacklists Newspapers After They Expose Administration’s Anti-Environment Commissioner

Leprosy, a devastating chronic disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium leprae, was prevalent in Europe until the late Middle Ages. Today, the disease is found in 91 countries worldwide with about 200,000 new infections reported annually.

Two remarkable ships may show that the Viking storm was brewing long before their assault on England and the continent

Pennsylvania Judge Sentenced For 28 Years For Selling Kids to the Prison System

Illinois illegally seizes bees resistant to Monsanto’s Roundup; Kills remaining Queens

I will be in Edmonton for the next few weeks without internet.

How the US Turned Three Pacifists into Violent Terrorists | Common Dreams

                   

A Tennessee-based nursing-care company systematically defrauded Medicare of millions of dollars by pressuring therapists to perform expensive, unnecessary treatments, according to a recently unsealed federal complaint.

I worked there, and I am not at all surprised.

Yeah, it's like that

Here are some holistic ways of managing your mental health.  Some of these are simply common sense.  Some of them I have tried to incorporate into my own lifestyle, and I do struggle with some of these (such as negative thoughts).

Learn ways to cope with negative thoughts
Negative thoughts can be insistent and loud. Learn to interrupt them.  Don’t try to block them (that never works), but don’t let them take over. Try distracting yourself or comforting yourself, if you can’t solve the problem right away. You might want to try focusing on an issue in a more balanced way (e.g. - try looking at all sides of an issue rather than from just one point of view).


Do one thing at a time
For example, when you are out for a walk or spending time with friends, turn off your cell phone and stop making that mental “to do” list. Take in all the sights, sounds and smells you encounter.

Exercise
Regular physical activity improves psychological well-being and can reduce depression and anxiety. Joining an exercise group or a gym can also reduce loneliness, since it connects you with a new set of people sharing a common goal.

Enjoy hobbies
Taking up a hobby brings balance to your life by allowing you to do something you enjoy because you want to do it, free of the pressure of everyday tasks. It also keeps your brain active.

“Collect” positive emotional moments
Make it a point to recall times when you have experienced pleasure, comfort, tenderness, confidence, or other positive emotions.

Set personal goals
Goals don’t have to be ambitious.  You might decide to finish that book you started three years ago; to take a walk around the block every day; to learn to knit or play bridge; to call your friends instead of waiting for the phone to ring. Whatever goal you set, reaching it will build confidence and a sense of satisfaction. Writing the goal down, giving yourself a timeline, and telling others about your goals can all increase your chances of success.

Do new things/challenge yourself
Challenging yourself can help to increase your motivation and to set personal goals.
Keep a journal (or talk regularly to loved ones!)

Expressing yourself after a stressful day can help you gain perspective, release tension and even boost your body’s resistance to illness.

Share humour
Life often gets too serious, so when you hear or see something that makes you smile or laugh, share it with someone you know. A little humour can go a long way to keeping us mentally fit!

Volunteer
Volunteering is called the “win-win” activity because helping others makes us feel good about ourselves. At the same time, it widens our social network, provides us with new learning experiences and can bring balance to our lives.

Treat yourself well
Cook yourself a good meal. Have a bubble bath. See a movie. Call a friend or relative you haven’t talked to in ages. Sit on a park bench and breathe in the fragrance of flowers and grass. Whatever it is, do it just for you.

Ask for help
Learning to set boundaries and say no is a very important skill for mental health as is asking for help. In addition to help from family and friends and mental health services, you may find that some of your problems can be solved with help from community agencies. Sometimes, practical help such as home nursing care, Meals On Wheels or subsidized door-to-door transportation for people unable to walk, will greatly reduce the stress in your life.

How You Can Learn More
Many communities have information centres that produce lists of available services, which you can view at social service agencies or public libraries. Other possible sources of information include:
• books about your problems, available at your public library or local bookstore
• films, videos and audio tapes
• courses and workshops offered through community centres, secondary schools, colleges and universities
• other people you admire for their ability to find balance
Learn more by visiting www.MentalHealthWeek.ca

Ex-CNN Reporter: I Received Orders To Manipulate News On Syria And Iran

Dartmouth College Cancels Classes After Sexual Assault Protesters Receive Rape Threats:

"Some Dartmouth College students have received rape and death threats following their public protest against the school’s attitude toward sexual assault, racism, and homophobia. Dartmouth on Wednesday canceled its scheduled classes to address the growing crisis."

Police: Mom told kids to fire BB gun at parked cars as she drove

Witchy Woman will be going dark on Monday April 22, 2013 for CISPA Internet Blackout.

A lot of people in the LARP community have nothing but bile and hatred for the Society for Creative Anachronism.  A lot of people in the SCA have little to no respect for Live Action Roleplayers.  To both groups I have one thing to say: Get over yourselves.
You know what our biggest difference is?  Nothing.  In the grand scheme of things we are merely geeks running around the woods in funny clothing and beating each with sticks.
Yes, there are pompous, arrogant windbags in the SCA who for some reason only the Gods know like to eviscerate newcomers for why their garb is wrong and why they’re an idiot for even trying.  Yes, some LARPers love to enumerate all the reasons why a newbie cannot do x, y, or z and why they’re an idiot for even asking.
I have been in TAG, 4H, softball, ABC, basketball, PPFB, VB, track, JSA, FBLA, FFA, LDS, X-C, CCF, RHA, theatre, CUUPS, BTW, BDSM, HRC, CNA, SCA, and LARP.  And you know what I’ve found?  No matter where you go, there are asshats and politics.  You know why?  People are flawed.
You are not better than anyone else.  Your group is not better than any other.  There are pros and cons to everyone and every group.  The minute you start pointing fingers, you become a moron.

Day 8 since I have been infected. Thus far my symptoms include a shuffling gait, groaning instead of speech, significant decrease in neural activity leading to a search for the cerebrum of others, and green substances that are not for the faint of heart. Should this disease progress any further, we may have to resort to extreme measures.

NYPD Officer Told Innocent 13-Year-Old To ‘Stop Crying Like A Little Girl’ During Stop And Frisk: During the second week of testimony on New York City’s controversial stop-and-frisk program, an officer admitted to detaining and then mocking a 13-year-old boy when he started crying. Though the boy was innocent, he was still cuffed and brought to the station...

GAY MARRIAGE

Shutting down for Earth Hour.

“[The teacher] told me since she didn’t know what I was, I should be on a team of my own,” said Holmes at an SPLC press conference.
Holmes, now home-schooled, said she faced routine harassment from students and teachers. When she tried to report this to the school’s principal, she says she was told: “I don’t want a dyke in this school.”
The SPLC launched an investigation of the school after receiving Holmes’ letter, and said they had found widespread evidence of anti-LGBT bullying by staff and pupils. Some students reported that when they told school officials they were being bullied, they were told “Suck it up.”

"I don't want a dyke in this school."

New York City Cop Testifies That He Was Told To Target Young Black Men

As hearings are under way to investigate New York City’s stop and frisk policy, one police officer is testifying that he was told by superiors to target young black men between the ages of 14 and 21.

Women in Healthcare Suffer Abuse Inside and Outside the Home
I remember when I was a CNA, I would report to the nurse when I was hit or even throttled by residents at the nursing home I worked at.  Most were sympathetic and allowed me to take an unscheduled break if I needed it.  One in particular told me I shouldn't have gotten that close to an unruly resident, even though the person in question desperately needed personal care.

Men are far more likely to admit to committing rape than victims are to report it.

Some of the nation’s largest health insurance companies are warning investors that they’ll raise insurance premiums by as much as 116 percent next year, as the coverage expansion provisions in the Affordable Care Act go into effect and millions of uninsured Americans begin purchasing coverage.

Over the weekend the Portland Press Herald reported on and released a video of Capt. Shawn Welch at the Maine Correction Center pepper-spraying a restrained inmate in the face and leaving him in distress for more than twenty minutes while he repeatedly pleaded that he could not breath. The inmate was reportedly recovering from a self-inflicted wound and on several medications for bipolar disorder and depression at the time when officers in protective gear placed him in a restraining chair for medical personnel to examine his wounds.

After he was physically restrained in the chair, he struggled as guards pinned his head under an arm, at which point Welch used a pepper spray canister intended for multiple subjects at a 18 to 20 feet range to spray the inmate in the face at close range. Welch was initially fired by the institution’s supervisor, but reinstated with a 30-day suspension by Maine Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte.

ThinkProgress
It gets worse.  The concern of officials is more on how the video got out, than of the treatment of a wounded, mentally ill inmate.

"Your possession of that indicates a breach of security on our part and we absolutely do need to look into that," said Associate Commissioner Jody Breton. "We certainly will be tightening up security -- where (information) is stored, who has access."

According to them, their concern isn't because it shows the callous treatment, but rather because it reveals sensitive information about the inmate.  Ok, I get that the inmate deserves privacy, but since the inquiry did not resolve nor punish those responsible, I think that the citizens deserve to know and to act upon this knowledge. 

The Metropolitan Police Sapphire team in Southwark, South London, had an active policy of “encouraging” victims to retract sex assault claims, allowing it to say no crime had occurred and raise its detection rates from 10 per cent to 31 per cent.

The scandal came to light after one man who the police refused to investigate for rape went on to murder his two children.

 

Earth Day is April 22, and today is the last day children in Utah can send in their submissions for the state-sponsored Earth Day poster contest lauding fossil fuel production. This year’s theme is “Where Would WE Be Without Oil, Gas and Mining?” Last year’s theme was “How Do YOU Use Oil, Gas, and Mining?"

 

My husband and I can't observe tonight due to our busy schedule, so we're celebrating tomorrow.  Until then I am cleaning the house in preparation.  Our feast will include these:

Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler

Herbes de Provence-Crusted Lamb Chops

Another Football Player Accused Of Rape, Another Community Blaming The Victim:

Two football player high school students in Connecticut are charged with the second-degree sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. The allegations come amid other complaints of hazing at the school, but Torrington High School officials insist that these are individual instances and not a part of a larger cultural problem.

Being White in Philly | Philadelphia magazine

White Privilege: 10 Ways to be an Ally: As I have gotten deeper into anti-oppression work I find that I discover more and more subtleties and complexities than I ever considered. L...

Samsung Puts Women in Their Place During Galaxy S IV Launch - Rebecca Greenfield - The Atlantic Wire

Denim Day

The knight — or possibly nobleman — was uncovered during construction work, according to The Scotsman. Also found was an intricately carved sandstone slab, several other human burial plots and a variety of artifacts researchers believe are from the 13th-century Blackfriars Monastery.

"She had a paranoia about rape."

~Agent Mulder, X-Files "Blood"

That's not paranoia, that's a reality when 1 of every 5 women is a victim of rape.

Why Women Aren’t Being ‘Selfish’ When They Wait Longer To Have Kids
"Yet another article has been published bemoaning the declining birthrate in the United States. Perhaps as a result of treating anecdotal evidence gathered from four people at a hookah bar as if it were actual research, this latest piece gets a number of things wrong."

To learn more or to get involved, visit the http://www.naacp.org/.

"Every time I praise my daughter for being a "good girl," I cringe inside. It falls out of my mouth without thinking, as if it’s the highest praise that can be bestowed upon a girl.
But it’s not. It’s a curse and it has the potential to follow her throughout her life.
Good girls live by the unwritten expectation that they must be compliant and self-sacrificing to be of value—especially if they’re not hot enough to provide the world with eye candy."

Role/Reboot

To turn it around, what comes to mind when you hear "Good boy"?  Most people automatically think dog, not male child.

Fugitive alleged LAPD-killer is first drone target on U.S. soil

National Journal Warns The Economic Price Of Climate Change Is Already Here, And Growing:
Coral Davenport has written a wide-ranging new piece laying out the myriad ways climate change, driven by human carbon emissions, is threatening the American economy. The point is backed up by myriad scientific reports...

Born to Breed: An Interview With Quiverfull Walkaway Vyckie Garrison | RH Reality Check

WHO | International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Afghan Woman Forced to Marry Her Rapist

Ten Things to End Rape Culture | The Nation

A young mother was burned alive in Papua New Guinea this week after townspeople accused her of being a witch.

According to multiple reports, Kepari Leniata, 20, was tortured and killed in front of a mob of hundreds in the town of Mount Hagen. The woman, stripped naked and covered in gasoline, was burned alive on a pile of trash by relatives of a young boy who had died earlier in the week. The relatives had accused Leniata of killing him with sorcery.

Report: Border Patrol Shot 16-Year-Old 11 Times In The Back: pOn October 10, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez at the border of Mexico and Arizona. According to details in a new autopsy report, Elena Rodgriguez may have been shot as many as 11 times, all but one bullet hitting the teen from behind. The details are still [...]/p

Morgan Freeman perhaps said it best when he said,

"I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

Bell is hosting it's third annual Let's Talk Day.  On February 12, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives across Canada for every:

• Text message sent
• Long distance call made
• Tweet using #BellLetsTalk
• Facebook share of our Bell Let's Talk image

Almost makes me wish I was on the Bell network.  However, I will be sharing resources and articles in order to promote mental health awareness over the next few weeks.

How will you continue your efforts to raise awareness about stalking throughout the year?


I will admit, I am not quite certain how to go about this.  While I try to focus on current events, serious issues deserve more than a cursory treatment before my squirrel moments take me on to something else.  The first step for me is to stop joking about looking up friends on social networking sites as "stalking."
Visit http://bit.ly/srcnsam for more info.

Stalking: Know it. Name it. Stop it.
Visit stalkingawarenessmonth.org for more info.

It is important to consider how victims may be harmed by stalkers’ use of technology.
Visit http://bit.ly/srcnsam for more info.

Victims of stalking are encouraged to keep a log of all stalking behaviors including emails, text & phone messages.

Stalkers often access information about victims that is available online. Do you know what information about you is online?
This is why I try to be careful and never use my real name online, as well as not posting my address nor phone number.  Even though most victims know their stalker, I prefer not to take any chances.

Most alarmingly, stalking also can be lethal.
Visit stalkingawarenessmonth.org for more info.

New Mexico Bill Would Imprison Rape Victims Who Receive Abortions: pShould a recently introduced bill in New Mexico become law, rape victims will be required to carry their pregnancies to term during their sexual assault trials or face charges of “tampering with evidence.” Under HB 206, if a woman ended her pregnancy after being raped, both she and her doctor would be charged with a [...]/p

Stalking can affect a victim’s emotional, physical, and economic well-being.
Visit stalkingawarenessmonth.org for more info.

Behaviors that may seem benign to you or me may be terrorizing to a stalking victim.

Nevada Assemblyman Arrested With Loaded Gun After Threatening Speaker: pNevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks (D) was arrested on Sunday after he threatened to assassinate newly elected Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick (D). Brooks was driving with a loaded gun when police took him into custody. The day before, he had told other lawmakers that Kirkpatrick’s “first day as speaker would be her last.” According to his colleagues, [...]/p

Stalkers often reoffend; recidivism rates are as high as 60%.

Phones, computers, GPS, and cameras are some of the common forms of technology used by stalkers.

NASA-Led Study Finds Warming-Driven Megadroughts Jeopardizing Amazon Forest: pAn area of the Amazon rainforest twice the size of California continues to suffer from the effects of a megadrought that began in 2005, finds a new NASA-led study. These results, together with observed recurrences of droughts every few years and associated damage to the forests in southern and western Amazonia in the past decade, [...]/p

Teenager Accidentally Kills Brother While Playing With Mother’s Gun: pA 14-year-old in Henry County, Georgia unintentionally shot and killed his 15-year-old brother early Saturday morning while playing with his mother’s gun, according to police. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that charges may be brought against the teenager and his mother, who have not yet been named. Though the mother left the handgun unloaded, the [...]/p