A Terrible Day for Women

Get the popcorn and hankies; it was quite a day in the US Senate. 

It began with hearings on Tibet at 11:30 chaired by Barbara Boxer.  As Richard Gere said, it was particularly moving to hear how much the Senators know and care.  Until today, I thought they didn’t really know what was going on and the loss of Tom Lantos would bring them to know nothing collectively.  They talked about the six million Tibetans who are displaced, especially the most esteemed Dalai Lama himself. 

The enormous outbreak of violence that occurred March 10, 2008 had been percolating for 58 years even though the PRC said it was a contemporary uprising fueled by His Holiness.  I can’t imagine that anyone would be so stupid as to blame anything violent on him ~ it is the ultimate disclosure that they are lying.  Lodi Gyari, envoy for HHDL, said that living the life of non-violence is the most difficult way of life.  He explained that a few years ago, visiting the village of his youth, he had to manage his commitment to non-violence every minute, every moment as he watched the terrible violations of human rights. 

Richard Gere said something amazing, that the Tibetans “think of America as a beacon of freedom and it is very important to them.”  As a Buddhist, I want to say that I felt it as a call to be that; to be all that they think we are.  And to think well of others, to believe the best, to call others to be their best.  Their suggested remedies are to open a Consulate in Lhasa, President Bush to visit Tibet after the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing, allow press access to Tibet and opening Friendship Bridge which the PRC closed.   

Immediately following the hearings on Tibet, the Senate discussed HR 2831 Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.   Ted Kennedy had a fine fit, emotionally opening the debate, waving papers in his hand, pointing to a easel board showing how this is erasing 40 years of civil rights.  I have to tell you, I could not imagine who could speak against this act or what they would say.
Senators Clinton and Obama spoke.  Senator Schumer explained that the Supreme Court decision was un-American.  Justice Ginsberg called it mean, uncharacteristically reading her dissent from the bench.   She said that the court doesn’t comprehend or is indifferent to the real world circumstances confronting working women.  Fundamentally, Lily Ledbetter (present in the gallery) represents the 12 million women who are paid 77 cents or less for a male-earned dollar.  Women, who need the work as much as men, are not going to threaten their employment by asking their male contemporaries what they earn, complain if it is not equal and file a lawsuit. 

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) invoked Abigail Adams.  She explained that Lily represents 150 million who list pay equity as their number one issue.  Finally she said, “Tell everyone about this ignominious decision as it is a call to arms;
1) Put on your lipstick
2) Square your shoulders
3) Suit up
We’ve got a hell of a fight coming but we are ready, THE REVOLUTION STARTS TONIGHT.” 

Comments

[kbosch]

gave me chills