Why doesn't he just stop?

From a survivor of child sexual exploitation:

For example, I have experienced a few organizations who directly work with CSEC [commercial sexual exploitation of children]survivors who have the attitude: "these are helpless girls, they must be rescued and they must be grateful they are being rescued, and if we work with them, and aren't we fabulous for rescuing them." This "rescue" mentality perpetuates the myth that one person or event can "save" a child from exploitation and completely discounts the very determination and skills that have kept her alive. In fact, on average, seven attempts must be made before a survivor fully exits sexual exploitation (the same as domestic violence). CSEC survivors have been betrayed, let down, and lied to most of their lives--often for the material and physical gains of others. Let's ask "Why doesn't he just stop?" instead of "Why doesn't she just leave?"

Read more here.

Only 10 Companies Own the Majority of Food Brands

Crazy, right? Like most things, the food industry is messy. You can buy fair trade, environmentally sound, and/or healthy products from a particular brand whose parent company is propagating pain and pollution. It makes me want to run out and buy some Divine chocolate...or maybe even local vegetables.

Source

Modern Day Abolitionists

What is with this "modern day abolitionist" jargon? Isn't slavery illegal? Didn't you learn about the Emancipation Proclamation in school? Isn't this just the new, cool cause? First orphans, then AIDS, now slaves?

Well, the good news is that slavery is indeed illegal in every country in the world--but only as recently as 1981. Mauritania was the last country to outlaw slavery, but didn't actually make it a crime to own slaves until 2007. Don't ask me how that works; the point is that it doesn't work. Every country has an antislavery law on the books, but many do not enforce them. Human trafficking, or modern day slavery, is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. It is estimated to currently be third in terms of profit, trailing only slightly behind drugs and arms.

Modern day abolitionists cry that it is not enough to admit that slavery is wrong. Despite laws screening child-care workers and penalizing drunk driving, we still work to ensure the safety of our children and keep drunk drivers off the street. Even more so, we must relentlessly push for the enforcement of relatively new laws that free slaves, punish traffickers, and provide for survivors. Yes, the laws are on the books. Modern day abolitionists demand that those representing justice use them.

At Bat

Cuba (copyright National Geographic)

Rarely can we accurately anticipate what life will throw,
but sometimes we have the opportunity to at least pose in readiness.



Take a nap.
Call your best friends.
Pray.
Drink water until you're about to slosh.
Ask "what if?"
Join AAA.
Go to coffee for an hour instead of Facebook stalking.
Read nonfiction.
Say "thank you".

Ethical isn't icky.

Mom after consuming a Green and Black milk chocolate bar: "That chocolate bar you gave me was really good!"
Me with amusement: "Actually, that was Pop. He found it at Fresh and Easy. But yes, I don't eat fair trade just because it's ethical. They usually taste better."

Brief, shameless marketing coupled with further discredit of my candidacy for sainthood--my blog posts are finally conforming to popular culture!

One of my many "favorites"