Below is from Planned Parenthood’s listserve about recent events. 

I’m proud to say that for all of Israel’s shortcomings, Israel does have quite a liberal policy regarding abortion and the rights of women. In fact, I assisted on 9 abortions yesterday in the hospital–all elective, and all given to women who were exercising  their right to make decisions about their own bodies. 

An Open Letter in Response to the Murder of Dr. George Tiller

We are deeply saddened by the murder of Kansas physician George Tiller. We have much to say. To Dr. Tiller’s family, patients, and friends, please know that our hearts are with you during this time of unimaginable loss. Dr. Tiller’s courage against unbelievable odds will never be forgotten. He was a hero to those seeking help in the most desperate of situations, and we honor the compassionate care he provided to so many. To the people of Kansas, we know your community is hurt by this tragedy, as well, and we wish you continued healing. To those of you who rely on the doctors, nurses, and clinicians of Planned Parenthood to receive desperately needed reproductive health care, we want you to know that you can count on them to be there for you. From the people who work there and from those who support them — be assured we will keep the doors open, no matter what. To those whose hateful rhetoric on the airwaves, in pulpits, and on the internet condemns medical practitioners, your words are not innocent. We implore you to stop. To those medical practitioners who have chosen to work in reproductive health care, we thank you. You are needed by millions of women and their families. Despite the hateful acts of few, your work to provide vital services is appreciated by many. To our political leaders, we ask you to recognize women’s health care for what it is — a necessary part of life itself. We urge you to work with us to achieve full equality for women, which includes the fundamental right to privacy and the right to make decisions about having a family. We, who add our names to this letter, are striving for the day when doctors can provide women’s health care without threat of violence and women can enter clinics without fear of harassment. As President Barack Obama said just weeks ago, when he spoke at the University of Notre Dame, “Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature.” And surely, we can do so without resorting to the murder of a physician on a Sunday morning in his house of worship. Thank you for joining me in honoring Dr. Tiller today. We are grateful for your unyielding support for women’s health and reproductive rights. Sincerely, Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Toobab wants some too

Originally uploaded by EtaiAdam

Etai taking a photo of Toobab and I in Tel Aviv at Falafel Frishman. I don’t eat the pita, so Toobab is waiting for it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/etaiadam/3257192707/

Not so clean water

Originally uploaded by carrieteicher

The lack of clean water is nothing new. On a recent trip to a program site in northeastern Ethiopia, we saw the seeds of a program we at CEMTA established actually in progress. Latrines and water sources were being installed at every elementary school in Mekelle (pop. 250,000)–because of a joint effort between the local city of Mekelle and MASHAV (Israel’s development arm that is a part of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrieteicher/3237089232/

http://www.petitiononline.com/morepc/petition.html

In a few days, the Obama-Biden TRANSITION TEAM for Peace Corps will be officially announced. We must keep the pressure on this team and the president-elect by collecting thousands of additional signatures and personalized comments urging that we take a bold, aggressive, and undaunted approach when it comes to funding the Peace Corps!

Interesting take from Chabad on the “what you can do” regarding the tragedy in Bombay…

http://www.chabad.org/special/campaigns/chabadindia/mitzvot_cdo/aid/773655/jewish/What-Can-I-Do.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/nyregion/02gay.html?ex=1375416000&en=6e0d41a9c7281942&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

No more nature.

Originally uploaded by carrieteicher

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrieteicher/2633264859/

This is an amazing quote from the movie The Wackness. .. “I look at the dopeness. You look at the wackness.”.

The Trapeze Swinger (Iron and Wine)

Guaranteed (Eddie Vedder)

New Soul (Yael Naim)

Spring Street (Dar Williams)

Pink Moon (Nick Drake)

Home for Now (Patrick Park)

You Could be Happy (Snow Patrol)

Got No Water (Matisyahu)

Hail to Whatever You Found In the Sunlight (Rilo Kiley)

Rodeo Clowns (G.Love and Special Sauce)

Girl America (Mat Kearney)

Lazuz (HaDag Nahash)

Summer Never Ends (Northern State)

Jardin d’Eden (MC Solaar)

Tree Hugger (Antsy Pants)

Dream Life of Rand McNally (Jason Mraz)