ACLU President Strossen on religion, drugs, guns and impeaching George Bush
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007File:Nadine Strossen 5 by David Shankbone.jpg
There are few organizations in the United States that elicit a stronger emotional response than the American Civil Liberties Union, whose stated goal is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States”. Those people include gays, Nazis, women seeking abortion, gun owners, SPAM mailers and drug users. People who are often not popular with various segments of the public. The ACLU’s philosophy is not that it agrees or disagrees with any of these people and the choices that they make, but that they have personal liberties that must not be trampled upon.
In Wikinews reporter David Shankbone’s interview with the President of the ACLU, Nadine Strossen, he wanted to cover some basic ground on the ACLU’s beliefs. Perhaps the area where they are most misunderstood or have their beliefs most misrepresented is their feelings about religion in the public sphere. The ACLU categorically does not want to see religion disappear from schools or in the public forum; but they do not want to see government advocacy of any particular religion. Thus, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore’s placement of a ten ton monument to the Ten Commandments outside the courthouse is strenuously opposed; but “Lone Ranger of the Manger” Rita Warren’s placement of nativity scenes in public parks is vigorously defended. In the interview, Strossen talks about how certain politicians and televangelists purposefully misstate the law and the ACLU’s work in order to raise funds for their campaigns.
David Shankbone’s discussion with Strossen touches upon many of the ACLU’s hot button issues: religion, Second Amendment rights, drug liberalization, “partial-birth abortion” and whether or not George W. Bush should be impeached. It may surprise the reader that many ideas people have about the most visible of America’s civil libertarian organizations are not factually correct and that the ACLU often works closely with many of the organizations people think despise its existence.
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By Dr Ahnsup Kim
In the world of cosmetic surgery, one of the dominating procedures is rhinoplasty or commonly known as nose surgery. Having your nose enhanced can either make a marked improvement or provide an awkward appearance depending on the skill of your surgeon. But there is one procedure that further enhances the result of a nose job, and that is a chin augmentation.
These two actually make a good pair in creating a more attractive profile.
Rhinoplasty is the surgical enhancement of the nose which requires two approaches, the closed and open, to manipulate the structures of the nose. Only with proper technique and a careful eye for aesthetics will a surgeon be able to come up with a nose shape and size most appropriate for the patient.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5stTDUdr2g[/youtube]
On another plane, the chin is also one facial feature that some people have some cosmetic enhancement done on. The common reason is because theirs are not properly shaped or are maybe jutting out in an awkward fashion making it less proportionate to the entire profile. With chin enhancement surgery one can enjoy a more defined chin that suits the face more appropriately.
It is inarguable that these two protruding features are the prominent ones that most defines the face. Some doctors even consider these two to be the ying and the yang of a person’s facial profile. Striking a balance between both these points creates what you would call facial symmetry or what is seen to the common eye as beauty.
Most of the time the nose becomes too large and the chin so drawn back that it results to the face becoming concave in appearance. But also the same, when the size, shape and orientation of the nose are too subtle in relation to the chin, it can result to the latter becoming too prominent.
That is why it is most ideal to have some enhancement done to both the nose and the chin, to result in what is called a facial duet. And this is what most patients fail to recognize resulting to a rather unbalanced appearance, sometimes even with an excellent nose job. A nose job that reshapes the nose either to lessen or lengthen its size with a chin shape that brings it forward creates a classic facial balance.
However, having the nose and chin done doesn’t always apply for all patients. That is why it is very important to have a thorough consultation with a reputable surgeon. If you want to create and overall balance on your face, be open to the possibility that having both done can actually make a ton of difference and improvement.
In some clinics, they even offer computerized imaging to show how the surgical outcome could turn out. But basically the success of your surgery is on the competence of your surgeon. You should find one whose work history is inclined towards the results that you are aiming for. But most of all, if you are aiming to strike a balance between your nose and your chin, your doctor should be highly competent on performing both these procedures.
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‘Top Model’ winner Jaslene Gonzalez on her career and being a Latina role model
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Jaslene Gonzalez is not your typical model. She rose to fame after winning Cycle 8 of America’s Next Top Model, and since then, has been aggressively tapping into the fashion industry. As a result of her Latin background, Gonzalez has been successful at marketing herself both in the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking worlds. However, Gonzalez is much much more – a fighter, a humanitarian, and a good Latin granddaughter.
Born in Chicago to a Latina mother, and a Puerto Rican-born father, Gonzalez had, in many ways, a typical U.S. Latino experience – her tight knit family, grandparents, and spirituality played an intrinsic part in her upbringing.
“I went to an all-girl Catholic school and grew up with tons of family…..My family was very close knit and supportive. They were involved in my life everyday. So there was so much joy in every little occasion…..Every Sunday we would go to my grandmother’s house where we [the family] would hang out together….We enjoyed being around each other and being together,” states Gonzalez.
Her grandfather was the director of a local dance group, Viva La Gente, which Gonzalez credits with impacting her life positively.
“I was a dancer for 12 years and life revolved around dancing. I was a very active girl, and was always involved with my grandfather’s dance studio. The whole family was. My aunts, my cousins – everyone took part in performances and were involved in the group…That’s how we spent our summers, and we looked forward to being outside, dancing salsa, hip hop, merengue,” states Gonzalez. Through her involvement in the dance studio, Gonzalez’s horizon was broadened significantly, and her humanitarian streak began to deepen.
“We were always constantly traveling. We traveled to Mexico to poor villages where we gave performances to give back to the community,” said Gonzalez.
Ironically, ANTM gave her the opportunity to overcome her own difficulties and to further help those in need. “I went in there, without knowing that I was in an abusive relationship. They were the ones that brought that up to me…they felt I was emotionally destroyed, they wanted me to get support,” commented Gonzalez. While the ANTM staff was supportive, she also credits her life long dream for helping her get out of the abusive relationship.
“Having a dream and having a goal in life, is the most important thing I did in my life. Because of that I maneuvered my way to that dream. I knew I was better than that, I wanted to be happier,” stated Gonzalez.
Soon after winning ANTM, Gonzalez became a spokesperson for Liz Claiborne and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and began traveling the country reaching out to women.
“We had several meetings, and they asked me to be a spokesperson. I was so happy and blessed to help women, to have that title. It’s something I want to do, besides modelling….I enjoy sharing my personal experiences because I can educate them, but I can also save someone’s life. It’s something precious, it’s a gift,” stated Gonzalez.
Abuse is not the only obstacle Jaslene has had to face. Growing up Latina had its own set of difficulties. “Being a minority is a challenge no matter what,” states Gonzalez.
However, Gonzalez also states that being a Latina has many positive aspects in regards to her profession. “As a Latina, you have the advantage of being a Latina. Not only do you have this corporate job, but you can relate to many groups as a person.”
When asked if the fashion industry forces Latina models to change certain aspects about themselves, she remarks that she focuses on always staying true to herself. “Modeling is a difficult job because of what you go through. 80% of the time it’s a no…When I go in, I go in like me, I don’t have to change anything. Any time I get a chance to show who I am, I do. I am a Spanish girl, trying to pursue my dreams. I try to be the best I can be,” remarked Gonzalez.
It is that same confidence and will to succeed that she seems to appreciate in other woman. “I find women beautiful. I find a girl with no makeup, not worrying about her style and appearance, I find that sexy. I find confidence beautiful…Its so simple. It’s being natural and confident,” said Gonzalez.
As a role model, she has two key pieces advice that she offers women: nurture your mind with positive thoughts, and identify and foster the principles in life you value.
It is not surprising to see why Gonzalez’s family is proud of her. “My family is so funny. They are so happy. I’ve never seen them so full of life. My mom acts like she won. My grandmother screams ‘mi flaca‘ every time she sees me. They are so proud. Especially my grandparents. I was practically raised by them. To see them see you so happy and successful, there couldn’t be a better feeling,” said Gonzalez.
She adds that her grandparents would be extremely happy if she appeared on Cristina, the Spanish-language talk show whose host is referred to as “the Spanish Oprah Winfrey.”
In the coming years, Gonzalez plans to continue on the path she is on. She wants to continue gracing magazine covers, as well as dedicating herself to helping young teens develop self growth and esteem. “Every time I wake up, God gives me the opportunity to be a better me…Life gets better as it goes by.”
This is the third in a series of articles with America’s Next Top Model contestants.
