December 1st is World AIDS Day

After years of being a somewhat “purple” state, I can say with great confidence that I am proud to live in a Blue state. I’m so happy with the Democrats great win last night. In Minnesota, the Dems took or maintained control of the House, Senate, the Secretary of States Office, Attorney General, and State Auditor. I’m a little sad that Pawlenty remains in office and the Transportation Amendment passed. Overall, I am quite pleased. It was hard to see Patty Wetterling lose to Michelle Bachman. And I was disappointed in Wisconsin and the other states voting to ban gay marriage, but proud of Arizona. Luckily, the abortion law was struck down as too restrictive in South Dakota. Election day is so exciting, but the day after is almost more fun.

I’m so happy to see Mark Kennedy lose to Amy Klobuchar. I’m still hoping that Patty Wetterling can pull out a victory. Hatch looks like he may just win. Wow! And Minnesota sending our 1st African-American Representative who is also a Muslim–Keith Ellison. And I do believe Amy will be our 1st female Senator.

Though I am happy to see Rick Santorum defeated, his children break my heart. His little daughter and son were crying. So sad for them.

Only about 30 minutes until some polls start closing on the East coast. I am so excited for this election. We took the kids to vote after school. Jaycie participated in her first Kids Vote. She was excited and nervous at the same time. I get a “voting” high each time I got to the polls. I’ve been checking with people throughout the day to see if they voted or are planning to vote. I’m impressed by how many voted early this morning. At my internship, almost every single person I saw had an “I voted” sticker on. Amazing. It’s so exciting. i’m hoping well see some real changes this mid-term election to finally send Bush and the Republicans a clear message about their job performance.

MD Court Rules Consent Only Needed Prior to Sexual Act in Alleged Rape Cases
A three-judge panel of the Maryland Special Court of Appeals reinforced the provision of Maryland’s rape law that says a woman who gives consent prior to intercourse cannot withdraw her legal consent during the act. The decision came on Monday when the Court overturned a rape conviction. During deliberation in the original trial, the jury had asked, “If a female consents to sex initially and, during the course of the sex act to which she consented, for whatever reason, she changes her mind and the… man continues until climax, does the result constitute rape?” The trial judge said that Maryland’s law was unclear and would not provide a definite answer. The Special Court of Appeals, however, disagreed with the trial judge’s interpretation of the law. Current Maryland rape law is “not ambiguous,” said the ruling; if a woman consents prior to sex, she may not withdraw her consent during the act and accuse her partner of rape if he continues the act.

Maryland is one of two states that have ruled that women do not have the right to withdraw consent. Seven other states have ruled that women may withdraw consent at anytime.

I can’t even begin to explain my outrage at this ruling. How can a woman NOT have the RIGHT to say NO! This is outrageous and of course, the patriarchal systems continued lack of understanding of women and their rights to their bodies.