Quote

Have good trust in yourself – not in the One you think you should be, but in the One that you are.
-Maezumi Roshi

Human rights violations in the US taken to international bodies

What do you do when the local police don't enforce a personal protection order? If your children are killed by your estranged husband, then you can take it to the supreme court. When the supreme court rules that the constitution provides no requirement for enforcement of the PPO, then what? In a landmark case, Jessica Lenahan, along with the ACLU and Columbia School of Human Rights, has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
The news wire mentions briefly the American Declaration of Rights and Duties of Man, adopted in 1948, stating that the basis of the Lenahan's petition to IACHR is the failure of the US to comply with the human rights doctrine. This case symbolizes a new era in human rights, in which international bodies hold the U.S. accountable for injustices. If the IACHR does hold the US responsible for violations to this doctrine, then it could symbolize a new direction in international human rights trials. No wonder the US still has not ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW).
It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Mental Health Parity

Mental Health Parity
Apparently the hesitation to providing more coverage for mental health services is due to the lack of scientific evidence to such disorders as depression or agoraphobia. Still, anyone who has known someone who has suffered or has themselves suffered from mental illness, can attest to the real pain and suffering they cause. (Also, as the article states, studies are beginning to show biological signs of mental illness).
Another argument is that mental illness and addiction are "choices". While yes, depression and addiction stem from choices one makes in their lives, the mindset is often influenced by deeper emotions from the past. Without dealing with these emotional triggers, say through therapy, you're not going to change the mindset. At least not enough to make a lasting change. Pills may allow an individual some relief from the illness, but is much more effective when combined with some form of therapy. Covering up deep roots of problems with pills will only distract from the cause. Even the drug companies agree that therapy combined with drugs is more effective.
If nothing else, one would think that the incentive for insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health would be overall greater health. It's logical that providing effective treatment for mental illness would benefit an individual's overall health.

Proposed legislation in Syria

SYRIA: New draft law targets sex traffickers

We want to have the best legislation in the world to counter the issue of trafficking...Most importantly, for the first time the trafficked person will be considered a victim and not punished. We will go after the perpetrators and the causes of trafficking.

Why is this revolutionary?

Quote

Internal and external are ultimately one. When you no longer perceive the world as hostile, there is no more fear, and when there is no more fear, you think, speak and act differently. Love and compassion arise, and they affect the world.
-Eckhart Tolle

Standing on the shoulders of...

This week I am standing on the shoulders of the U.S. soldiers who testified against the violence and torture they were encouraged to perpetrate in Iraq. It's not easy to speak up against such a strong combination of military power, patriotism and fear. I give so much credit to these soldiers who gave up heroism to speak out against the things they did and saw. I have even stronger appreciation for them because not only are they dealing with strong idealism (from both sides), but they have to come to terms with their own participation in killing people. It's courageous that through the guilt and shame of their involvement, along with the rejection of the hero label, that these soldiers are so vocal against what truly is horrible. Hopefully they will help us to see that the violence and torture perpretrated by U.S. soldiers is not the work of a "few bad seeds". It obviously is deeply entrenched in the U.S. government and military.

More on the Thai Government

Although I chose the Thai government to stand on the shoulders of regarding their policies on drugs, I'm not a fan of most of their work. This is why I am apprehensive about being inspired by any government. When it comes down to it, just about all governments are guilty of some pretty nasty things, and Thailand is no exception. While I admire their stance against the pharmaceutical companies, their record on religious segregation is disgusting. This is why ruling under any religion is dangerous, whether Buddhism, Christianity or Islam. It allows for the oppression and persecution of other religious group in that country.