Humpway Linkday 08/31/11

Leggo!

How do we measure intellect? Rick Perry edition

After a Politico article asked if Rick Perry is dumb (it's a really bad article, don't read it), the right-wing media took a break from bashing intellectuals and denying science to get angry at this cheap shot at Rick Perry. I don't really blame them – the article is a cheap shot, even if I don't like Perry. However, how do we measure peoples' intellect?

Definitely just misunderestimated.

"Ladies Drink Free" Nights are always creepy.

In the midst of summer vacation, many nightclubs are pushing overtime to attract new customers. However, I have always disliked "ladies drink free nights". Chloe Angyal breaks nails it:

Ever wondered why it is that some night clubs charge women less for entry than they charge men, or let them drink for free? Is it because these establishments are aware of the gender pay gap and are trying to exercise a little after-hours affirmative action? Is it because they are deeply invested in the theory of gender analysis developed by Lauper in the late 1980s[...?]

News Snap – Daesung (대성) found NOT guilty!

Breaking:

After leaving the public shocked and concerned for months, a jury last week found Big Bang singer Daesung not guilty of the death of a motorcyclist who died from a car accident he was involved in. “All nine members of a grand jury agreed on no prosecution at a hearing on August 25,” prosecutor Lee Seung-hyun told 10Asia over the phone on Monday. 

He then explained, “There is not enough evidence to show that the motorcyclist was alive before getting hit by Daesung and we cannot rule out the possibility he died from hitting his head on a streetlamp beforehand.” 

“Also, we recognize that Daesung did not drive at a safe distance and he was negligent in his responsibility to look ahead of him but it is difficult to acknowledge the link between the two… We decided on not guilty according to the legal maxim ‘When in doubt, in favor of the accused,” he added. […] The case can now be considered closed since Daesung also reached a settlement with the family of the bereaved last month.

Daesung: found NOT guilty.

From China to 'Sex Day'

I found the following video to be quite interesting:

After a quick fact-check, I found it to be quite accurate.

Hurricane Irene – Huge Post, with Updates

PREVIOUS UPDATES + INTRODUCTION CAN BE FOUND HERE and HERE and HERE.


UPDATE 18 (08/28/11, 01:24): Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P), would like to remind everyone that they should be wary of downed wires. People should always stay at least 10 feet away and should always presume them to be live and dangerous. CL&P has 800 technicians to work on the lines once the storm has cleared. Furthermore:

To report outages or check the status of an outage visit cl-p.com or call 800-286-2000. Our automated phone and on-line systems rapidly process your report and help us speed restoration efforts. They also provide restoration estimates as soon as they’re available.

Using computer models, The Huffington Post has put together a really interesting map. Here's what it predicts:

Click to view full size.

Keeping the Sabbath Holy: August 28, 2011

As I've blogged about before, I find nothing stupider than religious in-fighting. In my view, it's irrationality versus irrationality; no one is a winner. Nothing exemplifies this for me like the divide between American Christians and American Muslims in the United States. That's why I was so pleased when I saw a recent Gallup poll that dismantled a lot of Islamophobic arguments.

Since 9/11, there's been a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States.

Extend your wifi with an aluminum can.

 There are a lot of rumors when it comes to electronics and enhancing their performance. Therefore, when I saw an article claiming to do the title of this post, I was skeptical. However, this was the website WikiHow's article of the day, so I figured I'd give it a try:

1. Gather the required materials and tools. […] An empty, clean 500ml (16.9 fl oz) beer can, Stanley knife or similar safety knife, pair of scissors strong enough to cut through thin metal (most will do it), small piece of poster tack or similar adhesive […]
2. Clean the beer can. Make sure there is no residue left inside.
3. Take the ring-pull off the can.

Take this stuff.

Hurricane Irene, Day 3 Updates

CURRENT POST CAN BE FOUND HERE.


Update 15 (08/27/11, 10:00): NOAA/Wunderground predict that CT will be hit by a Category 1:

This information is out of date. Scroll to the bottom for the latest.

Bloody Shrubbery has standards.

Just as Gizmodo won't be posting the newly released photos of Steve Jobs looking rather sickly, neither will Bloody Shrubbery.* There's a hurricane raging, a Friday that is quite fresh, and some difficult aspects of Photoshop being explained via rhythmic American poetry. Sometimes this blog will post controversial images, sometimes it will not.**

This time is a part of the latter. Have a nice weekend.

Have some respect.

Fresh Friday, 8/26

Concrete Aspirations:

To take your mind off the hurricane, I recommend checking out Bloody Shrubbery’s Fresh Friday series, which in Fred’s words “mostly focuses on fashion, [though] it also extends to grooming, architecture, accessories and personalities.” There’s a lot more Korean pop music than architecture on there, but it’s definitely a lot of fun.

I was going to cover nothing but architecture this week, but I wouldn't want to may Izzy Kornblatt seem like a liar. Let's go!

Hurricane Irene, Day 2 Updates

MOST CURRENT POST CAN BE FOUND HERE.

UPDATE 8 (08/25/11, 19:45): The state of Connecticut has updated at least two of its websites to include information about Hurricane Irene. The Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification System site is fully operational, and the Governor’s website now has a page devoted to Hurricane Irene-related issues. The state has also closed all parks and campgrounds this weekend.

The computer models, however, seem to be improving (for Connecticut, that is). Take a look at the latest from Wunderground:

Defending social insurance, Bill-O, and the most meaningless poll of all time.

Why do I even watch The O'Reilly Factor?

Questions for the class:

1. Why were there only two options? Where's the "don't know" and "enough people" options?
2. How does one define "enough" people on welfare?
3. Furthermore, what is "welfare"? Does Medicare and Social Security count?
4. Doesn't Rasmussen Reports has a history of bias?

But, maybe Bill-O misrepresented the poll. Let's give Rassmussen the benefit of the doubt, even if it doesn't deserve it. Maybe the questions help make Rassmussen seem like a legitimate polling operation, you know?

News Snap – Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO, joins Apple's board of directors

Yahoo! News:

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

College Humor releases the second Photoshop tutorial rap!

Hat tip to Gizmodo.

Barack Obama still defeats Bachmann.

A Gallup poll released yesterday shows that Barack Obama would be in a tight race against Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, and Ron Paul. President Obama does win over every scenario, except among registered voters against Mitt Romney. Here's what I see in these poll numbers.

Hurricane Irene, Introduction + Day 1 Updates

MOST CURRENT POST CAN BE FOUND HERE.

August 24, 2011 at 17:25 – As many of you know, I'm a proud, life-long resident of Connecticut. For better or for worse, the Nutmeg State has been my home and I have no intention of changing that any time soon. However, there's (literally) a storm brewing that may cause some problems for my state: Hurricane Irene.

This image contains potentially out of date information. Scroll to the bottom to see updates. Source.

Humpway Linkday 08/24/11

라운드 3!

I exist!

According to the New York Times, I have just been scientifically proven! What a day!

Bisexual men have just been scientifically vindicated.

Defending 'Kill Bill' as a feminist flick.

The movie series Kill Bill may have debuted over 8 years ago, but it is still considered to be a cinematic classic. After watching the (censored) beginning of it on AMC at least 3 or 4 times, I decided that it was time for me to see this masterpiece. Having finished Vol. 2 last night, I had one thought as the credits rolled.

"What a feminist movie!"

Feminist masterpiece or mainstream sexism?

News Snap – Bad Meets Evil and Bruno Mars drops their "Lighters" video!

An interesting concept, definitely well–executed. I love the ending, but, I won't give anything away. (The only criticism is that it's painfully obvious that the three were in entirely separate locations when shooting the video.)

Keeping the Sabbath Holy: August 21, 2011

Have you ever read an article that generates a reaction like this?

RT @scott_harris_jr That was so ridiculous that it took me a while to accept that it was not satire.

Markos Moulitsas, of Daily Kos, dug up a doozy this week. Wanna cure cancer and solve world hunger? Then use the Ten Commandments. Seriously.

Badass beard, no?

Obama did NOT lie – undocumented immigrants are far from being "insured"

With each week comes a new level of close-mindedness from the right-wing blogosphere:

Last week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it was funneling Obamacare cash to 67 community health centers where the money would be used for migrant farm workers. HHS also informed us that the immigration status of said farm workers would not be ascertained before free care was given meaning that illegal aliens would be given Obamacare funding.

… “approximately $8.5 million will be used by 25 New Access Point awardees to target services to migrant and seasonal farm workers,”Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Spokeswoman Judy Andrews told CNSNews.com. HRSA is a part of HHS.
Andrews said that grant recipients will not check the immigration status of people seeking services.
“Health centers do not, as a matter of routine practice, ask about orcollect data on citizenship or other matters not related to the treatment needs of the patients seeking health services at the center,” Andrews said.
Further, the grant recipients are required to serve “all residents” who walk through their doors.

Yep, just like Joe Wilson warned us. […]

Obligatory vacation outrage!

Just a question: does anyone here honestly believe that Obama's presidency would be any different if he never went on vacation?

Think of the children!

Will Sarah Palin throw her hat into the ring? (Dear god, if you exist, make this happen. Now.)

Apparently both Mark Levin and Rachel Maddow think that this advertisement is a strong signal that Sarah Palin will run:

Fresh Friday, 8/19

Happy birthday to G-Dragon! Let's review five* of his freshest moments, shall we?

What if all text messaging plans were unlimited?

Since 2008, I have had both unlimited data and unlimited text messaging plans. I text message and eat data up like no other. One time, I did not realize that my service had somehow switched a limited plan, and I wound up with a bill of $1,100 USD. While I recognize that I am privileged in this respect (possessing these unlimited plans), I have to wonder – when will all cell phone plans feature unlimited text messaging? *

Seriously, why not?

Fetishizing the Constitution, the 10th Amendment, and a witch

I guess Christine O'Donnell was bothered that CNN's Piers Morgan was actually doing a bit of actual journalism last night. He was asking a simple question based off of what was in her recently released book and she didn't like the fact that a figure in the media would actually question her. She's weird. However, watch the following video from 1:27 – 1:44:

PIERS MORGAN: Why are you being so weird about this [by not answering any questions about LGBTQ rights?] 

CHRISTINE O'DONNELL: I'm not being weird about this, Piers. I'm not running for office.* I'm not promoting a legislative agenda.** I'm promoting the policies I lay out in the book – that are mostly fiscal, mostly Constitutional that's why I agreed to come on your show.

Mostly Constitutional?

"Alien to Earth" - Home-grown rap and extra-terrestrial goodness

After a few months, I finally got around to listening to local rapper T. Blake's first released mixtape, Alien to Earth, which is available for free download here.

1. Flame Fire
2. PJ Savior
3. Six Foot Something
4. Class President (Featuring M.Ca$h)
5. Alien to Earth (E.T. Remix)
6. Slipping (Featuring IQ)
7. Maloney's Omen
8. Drop
9. Liven Life (Featuring A. Gitlin)
10. Starry Ey3d

Humpway Linkday 08/17/11

Ready for round two?

Rick Perry is a secessionist.

From Daily Kos TV:

QUESTION: What do you think about the idea of secession or sovereignty for your state? 

PERRY: Oh, I think there’s a lot of different scenarios. Texas is a unique place. When we came into the Union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that. 

My hope is that America, and Washington in particular, pays attention. We’ve got a great Union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. 

But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what might come out of that.

Why does the Huffington Post do this to me?

Dammit, HuffPo:

What do I think of them?

Reality and Cheating

A friend of mine posed me an interesting question the other day:

Let's say someone is in a difficult situation. Personal A is interested in Person B - sex doesn't matter. Person B is in a committed relationship. Person B's significant other (Person C) is an acquaintance, but Person A does not really know Person C at all.

Cheating is a difficult issue. I never encourage people to help another person cheat on their significant other. However, it is also not Person A's job to play the role as “relationship police”. People are different - relationship types, sexual orientations, relationship rules, etc - and it is not Person A's (or anyone's) job to make these presumptions. One should use one's best judgement in these situations.

Let's be honest about cheating: it happens more than one might expect.

News Snap - Tim Pawlenty drops out!

lol:

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty withdrew from the race for the Republican nomination in the 2012 presidential race on Sunday after being bested by tea party-backed rival Michele Bachmann in an Iowa straw poll.Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty spent months campaigning in the key state of Iowa. "I thought I would have made a great president, but obviously that pathway isn't there," Pawlenty said during an interview Sunday on ABC's This Week. "I do believe we're going to have a very good candidate who is going to beat Barack Obama." 

Pawlenty's withdrawal marks the first departure of a crowded field of top-tier Republican candidates vying to evict Obama — a Democrat —from the White House next year, including Bachmann, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

As I pointed out in the second debate, Tim Pawlenty was beyond boring and did not necessarily prove to be any different (or better) than any of the other candidates. I mocked him for the same thing when it came time to have the third debate.

He's just waving goodbye.

Keeping the Sabbath Holy: August 14, 2011

I cannot count the number of times religionists have attempted to justify religion by pointing to down-trodden people who turn their lives around using the power of religious faith. While I've debunked the claim that favorable outcomes proves religion, it may be time to discuss the rational approach to people who use religion to positively impact their life.

Real talk.

Does the unpopularity of congress matter?

Connecticut College graduate and radio host Sam Seder joined David Shuster on Countdown with Keith Olbermann to discuss the unpopularity of congress. As much as extreme scores may be an indicator of American's faith in their system, I find this rating to be a bit inaccurate.

Fresh Friday, 8/12

I have "On The Floor" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull stuck in my head right now. Just thought I'd share.

The third GOP debate is tonight!

After the first two pitiful debates, it's time for round three! The usual gang of idiots are back to see who can out right-wing whom! Let's explore who will be debating making fools of themselves tonight.

What a bunch of clowns.

Name that party! – Bill O'Reilly edition.

Last night, on The O'Reilly Factor, he aired one of those stalker journalism things where he sends one of his cronies to spy on and ambush whomever Bill O'Reilly feels like targeting. Last night, they aired a segment on Cynthia McKinney. From what I can surmise, she has some positive tendencies to her name, but she also believes in some strange things – such as trutherism. Regardless, when she was a congressperson, McKinney was a Democrat. However, in 2007, she became a Green Party member and, in 2008, she was even nominated as the party's presidential contendor.

Let's see if we can guess which party The O'Reilly Factor labeled her as?

Ableism, sexism, and a follow-up on Newsweek's Bachmann cover

In my recent discussion concerning the recent cover of Newsweek featuring Michele Bachmann, I overlooked a genuinely progressive argument that the cover was, in fact, sexist. Maya at Feministing makes her case:

As conservative bloggers have rightly noted, this is a sexist cheap shot. […]

Let me pause here. It's definitely a cheap shot; I don't think this is disputed. However, is it a sexist cheap shot?

Relevant question: does Newsweek still matter?

Humpway Linkday 08/10/11

I'm rolling out a new weekly segment today. "Humpway Linkday" will be a Wednesday-centric presentation of interesting or praise-worthy links. It's basically everything that deserves more attention than the links above ( ↑ ) or my Twitter feed to the left, yet do not warrant a complete blog post.

Get your mind out of the gutter.

Links below the jump.

How long until South Korea accepts its LGBTQ community?

UPDATE BELOW!
allkpop:

A new KBS drama called ‘Daughters of Club Bilitis‘ had viewers up in arms over the fact that it contained content relating to same-sex couples. […] On August 7th, the drama premiered as Korea’s first ever lesbian one-act drama, illustrating the lives of three lesbian couples. The drama aimed to depict lesbian relationships across all generations, and thus tells the story of 50-year-olds Choi Ran and Choi Hyang Ja, 30-year-old career women Han Go Eun and Oh Se Jung, and high school students Jin Se Yeon and Ahn Ji Hyun. 

The controversy began to brew when the drama was first picked up by KBS. Although it was confirmed for a midnight time slot, many were opposed to the idea of KBS even airing a lesbian-themed drama. In response, KBS rated the drama for 19 year olds and up. […] 

A television drama depicting the lives of lesbians has drawn fire in conservative South Korea.

Supporting freedom in fashion, while defending Lady GaGa and G-Dragon

A good friend of mine, Naphisa Senanarong or "Pim" for short (don't ask me why), recently had an op-ed featured in The Bangkok Post. She focuses on some key criticisms of the fashion industry:

Whether you're struggling for oxygen in a dress that threatens to squeeze the life out of you, wrestling into a pair of five-inch snakeskin boots, or putting on a casual face while discreetly scratching your back because of that irritatingly itchy top - the ugly truth is, fashion can hurt. 

As every fashionista will remind you rather condescendingly, "It doesn't always feel good to look good." Over the years, the saying has become somewhat of a cliche, a common fact demonstrated on the catwalks and runways. But what about out on the streets - have we moved past the good old days of comfy t-shirts and jeans?

Fashion often comes at a price.

Is Newsweek's cover of Michele Bachmann sexist?

No.

On Eric Katenda and courage.

Maybe it's the fact that I, too, used to attend the Cheshire Academy school. Maybe it's that I have a soft spot for people who demonstrate perseverance through intense hardships. Whatever the reason, my heart was touched when I read this article, written by a good friend of mine:

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life" James 1:12

Eric Katenda is a highly renown French-born basketball player whose will and determination is matched by very few. Eric has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Notre Dame and is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players in the country. These accolades, however, did not come without immense sacrifice. When Eric was merely 16 years old, he made the pressing decision to pursue his basketball aspirations in the United States, forcing him to leave Paris, and his loved ones, behind. Through his fortitude and strength of character, Eric made a viable name for himself within the United States.

Eric Katenda (left) and Austin Hatem (right), playing for Cheshire Academy.

Keeping the Sabbath Holy: August 7, 2011

A few weeks ago I caught a movie called "Angels in the Outfield" from 1951. I actually really enjoyed it, however I felt that the ending was more secular than religious. Let's explore this cinematic classic. I should probably throw a spoiler warning out there.

Called it.

Last night, prior to going to bed, I blogged the following:

To be honest, the 2012 election might not have been decided tonight, but it may have a profound impact. Frankly put, we'll be hearing about this for a while, even if its impact isn't terribly strong. The teabaggers will never let this go, even if it was their goal all along.

Then, I wake up to this:

S&P's downgrade of the United States is Stupid and Pointless.

Well, if you haven't heard by now, Standard & Poor's has taken away the United States' AAA rating:

So S&P finally did it. They’ve been dangling the threat of a downgrade of US debt since last October — following the passage of Dodd-Frank bill, which made it easier for their victims to sue them for their role in the mortgage meltdown. 

Jame Hamshire does a wonderful job at illustrating just how ridiculous this truly is:

But the reason they gave for the downgrade seems to have shifted over time:    

In October 2010: “As the baby boomers start to reach retirement age, the percentage of the U.S. (AAA/Stable/A-1+) population needing government support will begin to mount. The babies who were born in 1946 turn 65 next year, which means they’ll become eligible for Medicare. And when they decide to retire, they’ll start collecting Social Security payments as well. But there’s a huge problem brewing: The U.S. government is not collecting enough money to pay the bills.” 

The S&P officially wants Obama out.

Fresh Friday, 8/5

Sorry for the late post. You can call it "fashionably late."

News Snap - Gunman reported at Virginia Tech

Breaking from CNN:

Virginia Tech, the site of a 2007 massacre, has issued an alert saying someone is possibly carrying a weapon on campus. 

Regular classes aren't in session at the moment, but there is summer school. The university in Blacksburg, Virginia, is asking people on campus to stay inside and secure doors. The person was spotted near Dietrick Dining Hall. […] 

Virginia Tech is in lockdown as authorities look for a man three youths said may have had a weapon, possibly a handgun. The white male was described as having light brown hair and being 6 feet tall and was walking in the direction of a volleyball court. The man was wearing a blue and white striped shirt, gray shorts and brown sandals. He had no glasses or facial hair, according to the report.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Sex dungeons in suburbia, BDSM, and the University of Northern Virginia.

Sounds as if the University of Northern Virginia is in some hot water:

Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided a small Annandale college Thursday, seizing computer equipment, hardware and paper documents. […] The school has many foreign students who entered the United States on education visas to attend the university, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. 

ICE has threatened to withdraw the school’s authorization to admit foreign students and has made allegations that the school may be in violation of ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program guidelines […] “Officials from ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program served UNVA with a notice of intent to withdraw UNVA’s authorization to admit foreign students,” she said, adding that she could not elaborate since the investigation is ongoing. 

So, ICE seems to be convinced that they have a solid case against the college, which justified a raid on the school's computer systems. If true, then UNVA and its chancellor, David Lee, has some explaining to do. However, as the title and the picture below suggest, the story didn't stop there.

Wait, wasn't this a story about student visas?

Seoul sex workers are fighting for their lives.

MSNBC.com a while ago:

SEOUL, South Korea — The pimps and prostitutes of Yeongdeungpo start the day as if preparing for a siege, stocking their brothels with flammable liquid and gas containers. Large, red-lettered signs warn police that they're willing to die to protect their livelihoods. 

"We can turn on the gas and light the flames," said a 47-year-old pimp who would only give her surname Sohn. "We know that we don't have much chance of winning ... but we're ready to die fighting." 

Nearly seven years after tough laws began driving thousands of South Korean prostitutes out of business, the sex workers of the Yeongdeungpo red-light district in Seoul are fighting back, spurred by what they say is an unprecedented campaign of police harassment. 

Since April they've staged large, sometimes violent, protests that provide a glimpse of the tensions in this fast-changing country as ambitious urban redevelopment projects encroach on old neighborhoods once known for their nightlife. 

Prostitutes in South Korea protest for their entire way of life. 

Kill me now.

From CBS Business News' sister site:

I mean, who wouldn't trust an article from a self-described "sales machine"?

Debt-Ceiling Conclusions

Not to belabor the point, but I completely predicted the recent solution to the debt ceiling increase:

Frankly, it's all theater. The Democrats either want to raise the limit or they want to invoke the Constitutional option. (I much prefer the latter, but I could live with the former.) The Republicans are split between listening to their corporate masters on Wall Street (who want the debt ceiling raised) and giving more attention to their base - the teabaggers. However, which group do you think gives the Republicans more money? Exactly - the Republicans and Democrats will come to some sort of conclusion in the nick of time and everyone will hate it.

You can read more about this awful, awful bill on other websites, but I’d like to focus on something else: President Obama’s leadership.

Sigh.

NewsBusters' blog reinforces negative stereotypes about bloggers.

A lot of older Americans find it hard to give any legitimacy to bloggers. For a lot of people, blogs are unreliable and filled with rumors and falsities. I do not doubt that a handful of blogs are like that, but that doesn't mean that there are not a good number of other ones that are extremely well made. In fact, as Markos Moulitsas demonstrated in his first book (a great read, might I add!), blogs are becoming exceedingly influential. Generally speaking, I find it to be a faux pas to insult people by dredging on the negative (and untrue) stereotypes of bloggers: that they are single, unemployed, living with their parents, overweight, unattractive, etc.

That's why I was extremely disappointed when the right-wing blog NewsBusters began to use these stereotypes against one of their enemies. WTF?

Fucking hypocrites.

Sam Seder isn't Misogynistic, Transphobic, or Homophobic.

I respect the Transadvocate publication for a number of reasons, but this article missed the mark:

I like to support “progressive” media when I can and one that I actually like enough to sponsor with my own money is Sam Seder’s “The Majority Report”. Well, technically I’m a former supporter. This was from Friday’s edition of the show.

Seder spent a good majority of the first part of the show talking about how President Obama isn’t a progressive, then unloads with this? […] [(The audio clip, available in the link above, is Sam Seder impersonating Marcus Bachmann's high pitched voice.)] 

Sam Seder is facing criticism from a segment he made nearly a week ago.

News Snap - Health insurance plans must cover birth control by next summer!

CNN:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new guidelines in Washington Monday requiring health insurance plans beginning on or after August 1, 2012 to cover several women's preventive services, including birth control and voluntary sterilization. 

According to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the decision is a part of the Affordable Care Act's move to stop problems before they start. 

"These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need," she said in a news release. 

In July, the Institute of Medicine issued the results of a scientific review of women's health needs and provided recommendations on specific preventive measures to help them. Today HHS approved those recommendations. 

A major victory for sexual progressiveness.