A Blog That Makes a Difference - Armies of Liberation

I'm so lucky to call Jane (from Armies of Liberation) not just a "sister" in our group of bloggers, but a true friend, and this article about her just makes me burst with pride. Yay Jane!!!

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Jane Novak, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mother of two in New Jersey, has never been to Yemen. She speaks no Arabic, and freely admits that until a few years ago, she knew nothing about that strife-torn south Arabian country.

And yet Ms. Novak has become so well known in Yemen that newspaper editors say they sell more copies if her photograph — blond and smiling — is on the cover. Her blog, an outspoken news bulletin on Yemeni affairs, is banned there. The government’s allies routinely vilify her in print as an American agent, a Shiite monarchist, a member of Al Qaeda, or “the Zionist Novak.”

The worst of her many offenses is her dogged campaign on behalf of a Yemeni journalist, Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani, who incurred his government’s wrath by writing about a bloody rebellion in the far north of the country. He is on trial on sedition charges that could bring the death penalty, with a verdict expected Wednesday.

Right, remember him? Did you sign the letter? That's what this is all about; Jane got an article in the New York Times, but as nice as it is to get some recognition, none of what she does is for personal glory or publicity for herself (in fact, she's rather media-shy). It's about liberation. Even while this article is in the New York Times, she's working tirelessly for and worrying about al-Khaiwani's verdict tomorrow.

It's not too late. PLEASE, sign and pass on the word. The corrupt thugs in the Yemeni regime must be put on notice. A man's life depends on it, and by extension, so do countless others like him who fight corrupt and brutal regimes.

The story, short version:

Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen's most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. He is now due to be sentenced on May 21 for "insulting the president" and "demoralizing the military."

During his arrest in June of 2007, Al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen's president.

As al-Khaiwani's sentencing approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen's already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani's supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.

This is all you are asked to sign:

I write to protest Yemen's prosecution of journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, who will be sentenced on May 21 for allegedly "insulting the president."

Al-Khaiwani is an outspoken independent journalist repeatedly targeted by authorities. His newspaper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. Yemeni and international human rights groups have observed that the charges are simply political retribution and pose a serious threat to Yemen's emerging free press.

Please intervene to ensure Al-Khaiwani goes free and that freedom of expression for all Yemeni journalists is protected.

That's it. Will you sign your name to that simple statement on behalf of freedom?

http://campaigns.aicongress.org/yemen/

The Tiara Media takes Lynchburg by storm!

The lovely Beth, of Yeah, Right, Whatever, came into Lynchburg today and I had the opportunity to drive on up hang out and have dinner with her.

She graciously brought me my own tiara (all the ladies of the Cotillion simply must have their own tiaras!), since all the fabric fondling of the past couple of weeks have addled my brains so much that I'd forgotten to acquire one! She presented it to me the moment I walked in the hotel room, and we wore them all night - and got FOUR inquiries as to what it was all about. The waitress at the restaurant got the concept immediately, but the other three comments were all from guys, who were a little bemused *snicker*

We chatted about kids, politics, God - didn't get to taxes, but we were, after all, at dinner ;-) It was a wonderful evening, and I may have the opportunity to get back up to Lynchburg this week and visit with her again. She is a lovely, articulate lady, who is even more gracious and lovely in person than she is online.

It was a great evening, and I was wonderfully blessed to be able to FINALLY meet one of my Cotillion sisters!

(crossposted from CatHouse Chat)

Have a Heart? Make It Healthy

Today kicks off the first day of American Heart Month. In the month of February, Americans are spreading awareness of heart disease and prevention. In particular, women everywhere need to examine their lifestyles and determine what changes are necessary to prevent heart disease.

Leading the charge of this awareness campaign for several years is none other than our lovely First Lady Laura Bush. She is the Heart Truth ambassador and has been since Valentine's Day in 2003. Heart Truth is the organization dedicated to making women aware of the risks of heart disease.

According to Dr. Tedd Mitchell writing in USAToday, the statistics are improving for awareness. But the risks are still great without taking action.

According to hearttruth.gov, in 2000, only 34% of women were aware that heart disease was the No. 1 killer of American women. By 2006, that had increased to 57%. Despite the gains, the campaign remains in full swing: "We want women not only to understand that it's a killer, but also that the 'classic' sign of heart attack [chest pain] may not be present," the first lady says. "Symptoms in women tend to be different than in men. Decreased energy, indigestion, pain in unusual areas such as the jaw or neck -- these should not be dismissed."

Ladies, assess your risk. Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar. These are risks that lead to heart disease. You also should know your family history. Did a parent have heart disease at an early age? Do you have a brother or sister with heart disease? If so, your risk might be increased.

Did you know?

Top 5 causes of death for American womenOne in four women dies from heart disease, making it the No. 1 killer of American women, regardless of race. Here's the death toll in a recent year:

Heart disease: 332,000
Stroke: 91,000
Lung cancer: 68,000
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 64,000
Breast cancer: 41,000
Source: 2004 figures from National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Heart Truth has some tips for women to prevent this deadly disease.

1. Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer.
2. Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
3. Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
4. Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.
5. Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

So today I am making a pledge. I promise to exercise 30 minutes every single day in the month of February beginning today. That's 29 days because it's a leap year. And I will even post in the comments here every week to prove I'm doing it.

And in addition, I'm challenging all of my Cotillion sisters (a group of at least 50 women) to do the same thing. So what say you, ladies? Up for the challenge?

What about the rest of you? Will you pledge to do it too?

Cross-posted at Conservative Belle